Encounter In Cannontown
Ace, Thatch, and a few unavoidable decisions.
There was an arm over him. He wasn't sure whose it was other than the fact it was soft and a little further down, the breasts that accompanied the arms were pressed against his ribs. Ace blinked up at the ceiling, shafts of light slanting through the foamy lace curtains to poke at his eyes. There was the taste of booze lingering sticky on the back of his tongue. His stomach growled and he scratched it, abruptly aware he wasn't wearing any pants. Hmmm.
The owner of the breasts chuckled deeply and shifted on top of him. Ace automatically moved to support her hips and looked blearily into her face, crossed here and there by fine lines but pretty damn gorgeous. He faintly remembered her laughing and a lot of booze being involved—as well as some crab cakes.
"Hungry for more?" she asked, resting her chin on her fists and smiling down at him, the laugh lines around her eyes deepening.
"Yes, please," he muttered. More crab cakes would just about hit the spot. She laughed and dipped her head, pressing her mouth against his. Oh—well that was good, too. Whatever. Not as important as food but you couldn't just shove a lady off on her own bed no matter how hungry you were. She raised upward and he offered her a small smile, wondering how he could turn this back around to crab cakes when she pinched his nose between two fingers.
"Unfortunately for you, naughty beast, I have things to do today that don't include sending you to heaven."
"Damn," Ace said because it was expected and stretched out his arms, before tucking them behind his head. "I'll just have to remember what heaven was like." She giggled and for a moment her face opened up so he could see the lady underneath who was as majestic as she was still a kid at heart. He grinned back at her.
"Knock knock, here with company," said Thatch on the other side of the door. The woman…Sybaline her name was? Sat up and shook out her graying brown hair.
"Come in, company," she said brightly. The door opened revealing Thatch and two of Sybaline's cousins whose name Ace couldn't remember at the moment. Thatch was grinning; his pompadour listing to one side and making him look both rakish and ridiculous.
"Oh my, you three look ridiculous! Really, behave yourselves!" Sybaline said and laughed.
"I couldn't resist!" Thatch said with a shrug and the two women, giggled and clung to him like fancy frilly bookends. "How can a man around such beauty?"
"How can a woman around such ridiculous hair?" said one and flipped it. He laughed.
"Ah, stung!"
Man, Thatch could banter up a storm. If they kept going he might just take a nap to stave off the hunger that was starting to gnaw in his belly. Maybe he could wait for a break in conversation and somehow steer it to the notion of breakfast.
As it turned out, though, he didn't have to because Sybaline rose, tying her hair in a loose braid.
"All right, ladies, let's get breakfast prepared…" she trailed off giving them a significant look, raising her arched eyebrows. "And leave these pirates to their rest…"
"You're a peach," Thatch said, catching Ace's glance and winking. "A bunch of peaches."
They laughed in near unison and fluttered out into the other room together, trailing hair and
bedsheets behind them. Ace closed his eyes and basked in the stillness for a bit, feeling the bed shift as Thatch flopped on it and then rested his hot heavy head on Ace's stomach.
"You're either really good for business, Sparks, or so good you're bad," Thatch said. "I've been trying to get a matched set for months and you come in all charm and freckles and I'm up to my elbows in twins."
"You can owe me later."
Thatch laughed. It was becoming a long running joke. Nakama didn't really owe each other anything, especially not things like this. It wasn't even all that hard. All he ever had to do was grin and be interested in interesting people. Add Thatch, booze and crab cakes to the mix and sex was bound to happen. In the morning, though… Who really cared? It was all the same as it had been the night before.
He gazed up at the foamy curtains and absently wondered what Luffy was up to now. Probably fishing this time of day, or maybe hunting for anaconda nests down in that little valley. Hopefully he'd wait until the snake went away first. Rubber or not, he didn't like that little idiot trying to tackle that grumpy old anaconda on his own.
"Oh man," Thatch groaned, punching him lightly in the ribs. "I know that look. I can't believe you sometimes. You spend the night with the hottest cougar in Cannontown and all you can think about is your kid brother."
"Cougars don't go near anaconda nests." He punched Thatch back. "Did I tell you that one time when-"
"Yes, you told me," Thatch said with a laugh. "Believe me if it's about Luffy, I've heard it."
Well so what? Ace clenched his teeth and pushed a breath through his nose. Luffy was interesting to talk about and it was his job as a big brother to keep him in his mind. And it was just because of that stupid anaconda anyway and Luffy being even dumber. It wasn't as if Dadan could beat the thing unconscious when it had a bellyful of rubber idiot. Maybe she could scowl at it. That ugly mug could convince anything to spit up its meal.
"Not that I mind hearing you going on and on about that kid, but we do have other things to worry about." Thatch's voice filtered into Ace's consciousness and he was back in the cozy bed with frilly curtains. He scratched his shin with the toes of his other foot then stretched out both feet with a yawn that brought tears to his eyes.
"They make traps really obvious in this town," Ace said. Which was annoying because he really didn't want to get up.
"Bah." Thatch waved a hand. "I mean we have to consider what happens when Marco catches up to us."
"Oh yeah," Ace said. That was the problem sneaking off ship for a little fun when there was a really strong anti-Whitebeard bias these days; Marco's feathers got in even more of a bunch than usual.
"I guess that depends how long Teach can hold it in."
"I give him ten minutes."
"Hoo, you're generous," Ace said, knocking Thatch lightly on the forehead. It didn't matter really. Marco was easily ruffled and easily soothed. Or if not soothed, seduced. That chicken was as easy as hot butter on a steaming crab cake. His stomach grumbled again. Damnit. He really just wanted breakfast. Was that so much to ask?
A door opened below and there was the sound of booted feet on hard wood.
"They're not here," Sybaline said, her voice trembling. Ace blinked. She was lying for them? In a marine town? Was she nuts?
"Move aside, ma'am," said a gruff voice in a tone that just set Ace's teeth on edge.
"I'm telling you," she said.
"And I'm telling you," gruff voice said. "Shift over or we'll shift you."
"Good old Syb-chan," Thatch said. "Better get a move on."
"Should we go the easy way or the hard way?" Ace said, making a finger pistol at the ceiling and letting the fire swip up his finger so that it danced and tugged in a fierce little blaze.
"Down, boy," Thatch said, but playfully as he rolled out of bed and combed his pompadour upright. "This whole town is made of wood. One wrong spark and you'll burn everything to the ground."
"Tch." They should have gone to another town. Thatch paced to the window as booted feet came up the stairs.
"Oh ho, looks like we're surrounded. Hello, boys!"
A pistol shot cracked against the side of the house and Ace bolted upright, throwing the covers
"Are you stupid?! Get away from there!"
"Relax, I've got glass between me and them," Thatch said. "And you don't have pants. Better fix that, Sparks."
The booted feet were now at the door and Ace scrambled to pull on his shorts and put on his hat at the same time. He could take down all of them if he wanted but Thatch could be shot all to hell. Just standing by the window like that, he had 'shoot me please I'm a vulnerable target' written all over him. Ace swallowed grabbed the metal doorknob, gripping it until it grew superheated in his hand and started to melt. Someone on the other side yelped.
"Kick it open if you have to!" gruff voice growled.
"Time to bail," Thatch said, drawing a sword and throwing open the window, twisting aside as a pistol cracked and the bed post exploded into splinters. Ace grabbed his satchel as the door began to shudder under the force of angry marines.
"After you?" Thatch said, gesturing. Ace hopped up on the ledge and onto the roof of the porch below, focusing on keeping his feet solid and human as the fire roiled from around his waist and up, swirling and blistering the heat around him. He felt the brush of wind as Thatch scrambled out the window and onto the roof behind him and met the bullets cracked in their direction, melting them before they could do any damage. Bastards. He wanted to send a wall of fire at them. To let go and set them all alight for even daring to-
"Let's go!" Thatch bellowed. Ace glanced at him, the words 'screw off' on his lips but Thatch was frowning in a look that said 'we run together'. Run? No. Thatch's frown deepened and then he grinned in a tight worried way. "Haha. Let's have fun, eh? It'll be a great chase."
It would probably be a better idea but—but—
"I don't run from anyone," Ace said, tilting his hat forward.
"Ace, come on, they're just grunts."
The door behind him splintered open.
"I don't care. They're destroying Syb-chan's house without caring." He punched his fist into his palm. "I'm going to kick their ass."
"Oh hell." There was a slip of metal as Thatch drew his other sword. "Just don't—"
It was too late, though. Ace knew he was going to do whatever it was that Thatch didn't want. So might as well get to it. If these Marine bastards wanted a fight, he would bring them one. Ace jumped down, blood and fire singing through his veins as the Marines scattered like mice. He kicked two out of his way, punched a third in the face. The sound of a battle charge filled the air and he whipped around to see a small pack of Marines running toward him with a net that must have been sea stone. Amateurs.
"Try shooting it next time," Ace said, shooting jets of fire from his fingertips like his own personal bullets. Bang bang, bastards. The net caught and blazed up, sending the Marines carrying it scampering for cover.
"Don't tell them how to defeat you, moron!" Thatch groaned and there was the pop of a pistol and the shriek of steel. Ace looked up to see Thatch tilting backwards, blood flicking across the outside wall.
"Thatch!"
"Not mine! Not mine! From the sword!" Thatch said, righting himself and twisting around to look at him. "Pay attention to your own fight, Sparks. Behind you!"
Ace jerked around to see another net flying toward him. He wrenched into a backflip, kicking fire from his feet to burn the net, bits of it flaked away and he clenched his teeth as he saw a burning portion flit over a roof. Please go out. Please please. A shot passed through him and hit the Marine behind him right in the chest. Ace turned again to see a commander, a smoking pistol in his hand. The commander scowled.
"Got your attention no-"
"BASTARD!" Ace punched him full in the face, feeling the man's nose snap under his fist. He hit him again and again, heat bubbling in his throat and wanting to burn through his hands, shoulders, neck— What kind of asshole just hit his own guys like that?! A cord snapped around his neck and all his strength went with it. Shit. Damn sea stone!
Just like that he was jerked back, landing hard on his back, snapping the back of his head onto the cobblestones so sparks jumped in his eyes. Scowling, Ace pulled at the cord but it was like he was drunk. His fingers wouldn't work the way they should. Above the ring of scowling Marine faces he saw Thatch fighting on the rooftop, swords flashing in the early morning light, another pistol shot drawing a line of blood across his cheek. Damnit. Ace tried to gather the strength to push himself up on his hands and kick the bastard holding him in the face but he could barely lift his hips off the ground. The commander's face appeared, blood dripping between the fingers that he clutched to his nose. Ace grinned.
"Looks like you got a little messy."
The man kicked him in the ribs and it hurt like a bitch but he didn't unclench his teeth. Kept grinning even when the man pointed the pistol to his face. Something sung through the air and the commander cursed as the pistol ripped from his hand and was pinned against a gap in the cobbles by a familiar sword. Thatch followed shortly after, landing hard, his white clothes splattered with red as he pulled his sword from the ground and stood on either side of Ace, his hair blocking the sun.
"The next asshole that touches my brother is going to get gutted," Thatch said his voice glacial.
"Thatch, go," Ace said, scrabbling at the cord around his neck. "I can handle it—"
"No one is going anywhere," the commander said and there were pistols pointed in their direction, from the street, from the upper story window. Thatch's mouth set in a grim line. Ace snarled and grabbed at the cord and the guy holding it pulled sharply, making him gag. Thatch's blade flashed up and drew a thin line of red against the man's throat but stopped from going further as a pistol was put to his head. Thatch didn't even blink.
"You're really gunning for Pops to take you down, huh?" he said. Ace couldn't take his eyes off that pistol. If he could just—move enough he could knock Thatch out of the way and then…watch him be shot up by everyone else. Damnit. Damnit.
"I don't see your "Pops" here," the commander said. "And maybe he'll rethink it when he sees your heads on the city wall. After we get our bounties, of course."
"You're assuming you'll have a wall left, yoi."
Ace looked up. There was Marco on the roof, crouching idly, face blank as ever but eyes like steel. Ace swallowed. They were in trouble. Others of the fourth division were on the roof, swords and spears and pistols aiming down at the Marines.
"Sir," one of the Marines said and Ace twisted his head to see some of his own division coming out of alleyways to ring the Marines and even Syb-chan was standing in her doorway, holding an antique saber that trembled. The Commander's hand was shaking, too, but the pistol was still locked to Thatch's temple.
"No matter what you do to us," the Commander said. "This bastard will still be dead."
"Don't bother with that idiot!" Ace snapped, trying to surge upward. "I'm second division commander I'm worth more!"
"Shut up, Ace," Thatch said.
"You wait your turn," the Commander said. "He knows I can kill you and I will. I don't mind dying."
"I wonder if you mind being obliterated then," Marco said, scratching his jaw. "When we get through, no one will even want to remember you existed. So if you still want a legacy to pass on to your children—" That word hung in the air as Marco stared down at him. "I suggest you back off." Ace clenched his jaw but his eyes were trained on that damned pistol and the Commander's trembling finger pressing against the side of the trigger. He waited on that shot. The roar that would— that would—
"S-sir," one of the Marines said. "Whitebeard's ship has been spotted off the harbor."
The Commander's shoulders slumped and he lowered the pistol. Ace closed his eyes as the cheering erupted around him. Those guys. Pops here. And he was on his back surrounded by Marines with nothing but a damn cord holding him down. Like he'd been collared.
"Round them up," Marco said. There was silence and then the soft clatter of dropped weapons and a few muttered curses by the Marines nearly drowned out by his nakama's laughter and cheers. He heard the slick of Thatch resheathing his swords.
"That was close," Thatch said. "I nearly saw a field of flowers."
Ace heard him shift, his shadow splashing cool over Ace's face. Warm calloused hands worked the cord free from his throat. The heat flowed back through his veins and he felt like he could finally take a real breath. He sucked in deeply and resisted the urge to wrap his arms around Thatch's neck. Not that Thatch would mind if he did, which was half the problem—the whole problem. He should mind. If Ace hadn't been so damn stubborn Thatch could have run. They both could have run. But he'd had to stick to his own stupid path no matter what and in the end he'd nearly gotten his nakama's head blown off.
"This is no time to sleep, Ace. Up and at 'em," Thatch said. Ace opened his eyes and glanced at Thatch's offered hand before taking it and allowing the taller man to haul him to his feet, his hat falling off in the process. Thatch grinned and placed it back on his head. "There we go. No harm done and a nice time for…all…." Because at that moment Marco hopped down behind them, his shoes clattering against the cobbles. Thatch stiffened and stared straight ahead, preparing himself, but winced anyway as Marco clapped him on the back of the head.
"I should kill you myself, yoi."
"Kill me, too, then. I went along with it," Ace said, feeling something bitter and hot well in his throat. He should force it down. He had been the one in the wrong after all. He shouldn't do this. He knew it and yet he could barely keep himself from seething as Marco turned his dark eyes on him.
"You, too. But Thatch knew exactly what he was getting into coming here."
"Haha yeah sorry about that," Thatch said, grinning sheepishly and rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't expect—"
"It doesn't matter," Ace said. "I still went along with it. So what? Just because there are Marines here we can't go wherever we want?" No. He hadn't meant. Well that wasn't the point of anything. He didn't care. Who cared if Marco got mad at him for saying shit and being a brat? Marco didn't say anything, though, just watched him with that same half lidded stare as if Ace should damn well know all the reasons and he wasn't going to be baited. Thatch sighed and dipped his head.
"Well anyway it probably wasn't a good idea to poke a stick in the hornet's nest. Even a small sting can kill, aye?"
"So don't do it," Marco said. "As for you, Ace…"
No. The hell he was hearing any 'as for you, Ace' s.
"As for you, Marco, next time you threaten a guy leave his kids out of it."
That got his attention. A furrow appeared between Marco's eyebrows and Ace watched his fingers twitch as if he was considering raising his hand to touch but thought better of it.
"I didn't mean—"
"I don't care what you meant," Ace said, getting a kind of twisted thrill in interrupting him. "Now if you guys don't mind I'm gonna go say goodbye to Syb-chan."
"Give the ladies my love!" Thatch said, raising a hand. Ace waved in acknowledgment and, as he turned, caught a glimpse of Marco rubbing his forehead. The sick thrill turned into guilt in a heartbeat and it was all Ace could do to not turn around. He kept going forward, though, toward Sybaline's house. Teach and a few others of his division were hanging out in the scant shadow of the balcony.
"Sorry about that, Ace," Teach said, scratching the side of his head with a deep frown. "I tried to not say anything but—"
"Nah, don't worry about it." He clapped Teach on the shoulder. "You did good, kid." A joke between them since Teach had been there longer than him. The man grinned and winked at him and Ace smiled back. "Anyway, don't wait up. I'll catch up with you guys later." And with a final wave he knocked on the door before stepping into the house. It smelled like the ozone of pistol fire and there were muddy boot tracks all over the floor. Sybaline and her cousins, May and Kay, maybe? Were sitting at their small kitchen table, the saber between them. They looked up pale when he came in and he was about to leave when Sybaline's face smoothed and a wavery smile crossed her full lips.
"I'm glad you're safe."
"Ah, you shouldn't have worried." Ace bowed deeply. "Thanks for your hospitality and sorry for the trouble. I'd be happy to pay for any damages…"
"Oh no. No, please. You see…you see we're bounty hunters, we three."
"Yeah, we knew that the moment we met you," Ace said with a faint grin as he rose. "Gotta admit you guys were a trap impossible to resist."
"No, no, Ace-chan. That part wasn't a trap," Sybaline said, sitting back and flipping a strand of hair over her shoulder. "We rarely mix business with pleasure but when we do we make sure it's good."
"Very good," Kay said and May giggled. Ace had to admit they were taking this whole thing really well. Sybaline gestured to an empty chair and he sat because it would be rude not to. It wasn't so bad sitting here, though, even though he really shouldn't be. No point to start behaving now. Anyway—these ladies—
"Won't you be in trouble?" Ace asked. "Do you need help?"
"No. Well…not exactly," Sybaline said. "After all, he has no proof we did anything wrong, and the Commander has never been popular around here."
"We made sure of that," Kay said.
"He's an asshole," May added. "Thinks he can throw his weight around just because he was assigned here. You guys were going to be a brass tack on his wall but we decided—"
"Yes, that's enough, May," Sybaline said before turning her smile at Ace and spreading her hands wide. "Anyway we are bounty hunters you are pirates, so it's just natural we hunt you. But we are also women so it is just as natural that we change our minds whenever we want."
"Then I'm in your debt and glad you did," Ace said with a grin. "You tired me out so much I wouldn't have been able to fight you off. I've always been weak to the gorgeous ones…" He winked and saluted her. "On the other hand I'd have died without a single regret."
She flushed red and laughed behind her hand, flapping her other hand at him.
"Now you stop that! Goodness, I haven't blushed this much in ages." She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"This is no fair at all," Kay said and gave Ace a wide grin of her own. "Can you stay around for supper?"
"Can you stay around forever?" May said with a matching grin. Twins, huh? He could see the appeal.
"I don't know about forever, ladies. But supper sounds good." And then as innocently as he could: "Will there be crab cakes?"
—
The sun was a red blister in the sky by the time he finally was able to peel himself away from the ladies. He was stuffed to the gills with crab cakes and even had some wrapped in a bento to carry back to Thatch who was probably holed up in one of the local bars and hitting on every lady in earshot. May and Kay watched him from the bullet riddled upper window, giggling to one another and waving at him. Syb-chan smiled up at him from the doorway, twisting her ring absently between her fingers. It was a man's ring, a memento from a beloved fiancé who had been killed by asshole pirates before Pops had moved into the area. She'd cried a lot when she'd put it back on and there were still faint lines in her eyes.
"You will take care of yourself, won't you?" she said.
"Yes ma'am," Ace said, touching his hat to make her smile. She did and rubbed her eye with the back of her hand before blinking rapidly and sniffing.
"Now then, if there's anything we can do for you…"
He was about to say no, but a thought occurred to him. It wasn't likely to happen but…
"Well in a year or so, there's a chance my little brother might come sailing this way."
"Is he cute?" May called.
"Let me at him," Kay said.
"If you can manage anything like that, I really don't want to know about it," Ace said, lifting his hands. It was not worth the mental trauma to even contemplate Luffy and sex in the same sentence. He shuddered just thinking about it. Syb-chan laughed and patted his arm.
"Don't worry; I'll fend off the beasts. What shall I do if I meet him?"
"Put him up? Give him some crab cakes? … A lot of crab cakes."
"I'd be honored, Ace-chan. What does he look like?"
"Short, black haired, usually has a big stupid smile," and he wasn't grinning just thinking about it. Well, maybe a little. "Oh and he'll probably be wearing a straw hat."
"Like Redhair Shanks used to?" May asked.
"Ooooh," Kay said. Ace couldn't help but flat line a bit. Well, okay, Shanks was a yonkou but…really?
"Don't worry,"Syb-chan said. "He was immune to their…charms."
"And yours?" Ace said with a grin though he wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer to that. Syb-chan smiled.
"A lady never reveals her secrets." She leaned up and pecked his cheek, the faint smell of honeysuckle filling the air. "But if I see your little brother, I'll be sure to stuff him so full with crab cakes they'll have to roll him down the street." Ace laughed faintly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Well… Do your best anyway." He tipped his hat again and waved at the two women in the window. "Take care, ladies! See you around." To Sybaline he bowed. "Thanks for the food and the…nourishment." He wiggled his eyebrows.
"Get going, you." She flapped her hands. "And good luck."
"Thanks."
He waved once more and then started down the street. The stars were starting to come out and a fresh breeze blew up from the sea, bringing with it the faint sounds of singing and laughter, which only got louder as he got nearer. Now that the Marines had been…hold up somewhere. Nakama had come in to fill the gaps, especially near the entertainment district. They were spilling out of doorways, laughing, flirting with women or each other, reeling drunkenly from one tavern to the next and greeting him along the way, trying to pull him into one bar or another. He laughingly resisted because he'd had his fill of this town and they were happy enough to let him go without fight. His skiff was tied up by the docks where he'd left it and he half expected to see someone waiting for him. No one was around. Not even Namur though he tried to peer through the dark water just in case.
The Moby Dick sat just in the sheltered waters of the bay, sails furled but flag drifting in the breeze. Ace felt a surge of pride, aware of the mark on his back. A mark he could never turn away from because it always followed him. Whitebeard. Pops. The greatest man on the sea. Ace wanted to see him and…didn't. Half wanted to hop on Striker and sail somewhere different for a few days. A week maybe. Flirt some. Eat some. But that was too much like running away. He might as well face up to the music he'd started. He took off Striker's mooring rope and hopped on, shoving his hands into his pockets as he fired her up and sped toward the Moby Dick, the wind tangling through his bangs. A school of dolphins began to jump around him and he played with them a while, leading them in circles and figure 8s. Finally, though, even they tired and drifted away and he continued to the ship.
He took a deep breath before mooring Striker to the side, knowing that someone would take care of her later, and moving up the ladder. The deck was practically empty. A few guys from the third division were playing some kind of gambling game with Vista and losing badly by the sound of it. He waved to them and hurried off to find Pops before they could ask him to join. He was hard to miss. He was sitting in his great chair on deck, snoozing lightly with his head to the side. Ace couldn't help but watch him, remembering all the times he'd wanted to kill him, remembering when he'd started to love him instead. When he finally felt like he'd belonged.
"Heard you had quite a ruckus today," Pops said, his low voice rolling through the air and making Ace feel better in spite of himself. He should bow. He should get on his hands and knees and apologize for messing things up. But when Pops crooked a finger, all Ace could do was cross the distance to hop up and sit beside his leg, tucking his own up against his chest and looking out over the deck.
"Sorry about that," he said, wincing at how paltry it sounded. Come on, you can do better than that!
"All's well that ends well. You boys are safe, the rest of my sons are having a great time…" he hesitated. "And we needed to head out here anyway."
"You're a horrible liar, Pops."
"Gurarara Maybe so." A finger knocked off Ace's hat and ruffled his hair. It felt good. Warm. Accepting. Despite everything he'd done. Everything that had happened and making them go out of their way… "Stop fretting, Ace. It was barely any trouble and Thatch was rowing the same boat, if I recall."
"He wouldn't have gone without me, though." He leaned against Pops' leg, letting his arms drape over and rested his chin against it. It was so solid underneath him. Sturdy. Unmovable except when Pops decided to go and then nothing could stop him.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. He's been wanting to tweak the Marines' nose on a personal level for a while now. You probably kept him from being jailed or worse."
"Without me, he would have run," Ace said, feeling that bitterness in the back of his throat again.
"Without you he wouldn't have enjoyed himself half as much. If you can't stop someone you might as well make sure they enjoy themselves!"
Ace laughed in-spite of himself.
"Marco would kill you if he heard you say that!"
Pops just laughed, the booming sound rolling and echoing over the waves. It dissolved into coughing though and Ace closed his eyes, trying not to frown as the sturdy leg shuddered underneath him. He pressed his palm flat against Pops' leg, wishing he could transfer some of his life force into the…old man. The great man. The man who would become pirate king and change the world.
"Let's," Pops started then cleared his throat and coughed again. "Let's keep that between us, shall we?"
"Does that mean the pineapple is coming in earshot?"
"…Could be."
Ace reluctantly lifted his head and saw Marco leap from the crow's nest in phoenix form, swirling downward, spreading blue and gold flames against the twilight as he went. Damned showoff. Ace should probably make up to him, though. He nudged off his boots and moved to stand on Pops' leg, holding up an arm as Marco came closer and whistling low.
"Here, pretty bird. Here." He made a little chirp sound. "Step up."
Marco claw kicked him in the head. Ace nearly lost his balance but Pops pushed him back into place with a finger, laughing. Marco flew to perch on Pops' other leg, glowering at him and ruffling his feathers so that he looked like a puff-ball of blue sparkles.
"Now, now, Marco, don't pout," Pops said, rubbing Marco's feathery back with a finger.
"I'm not pouting, yoi," the phoenix said, seeming to fluff up even more. He was an even worse liar than pops. Only one way to fix that. Ace set his hat to the side and tackled him head-on, sending them both crashing to the deck. Marco let out an undignified squawk and flailed, beating at Ace's head with bright blue wings. Ace just grinned and cuddled Marco close, rubbing his cheek against the bird's chest.
"I was a jerk. Forgive me?"
"You think one hug is really going to solve everything?" Marco said, pecking him on the head. But it was so light; Ace already knew he'd won.
"Yes."
Marco huffed but didn't argue. Ace grinned. Stupid chicken. Pops cleared his throat again.
"You boys run off and play. I'm going to—"
"Go to bed early," Marco said. "And get plenty of rest."
"…exactly that," Pops said. If he lied any harder his hair would turn blue.
"And not drink any sake before you do," Marco said.
"Naturally."
"Pops…" Marco said in a warning tone. Ace stood, holding Marco against his chest.
"Come on, matey. Let's go make up with his Thatchness."
And started walking before the first mate could complain. Marco huffed and huffed again, fluffing his feathers and eventually squirmed to hop up to perch on Ace's shoulder, seeming for a moment to want take off and go after Pops. Not that Ace would blame him but… Marco seemed to change his mind, though and settled, his claws resting warm on Ace's shoulder, which he took up most of. The blue fire was nearly blinding, but Ace felt something start to unwind in him. He bumped Marco with his cheek in thanks and the phoenix nuzzled his hair. Heh. Marco really shouldn't be that easy with him...
Ace tried to put that from his mind and focused on finding Thatch. He wasn't usual haunts and there was neither hide nor pompadour of him anywhere. Had he decided to stay in town after all? As Ace was exploring starboard side, he came across Teach, though who was sitting by the railing and munching on a pie. As Ace approached Teach gave him an odd look, glancing at him and then Marco who had set about preening his feathers. Ace didn't get Teach's look, but then guessed not even long standing Whitebeards could tell if Marco was actually a man or a bird.
"Seen Thatch anywhere?"
"Aft I think," Teach said, wiping away some crumbs with the back of his hand.
"Thanks, matey."
"By the way," Teach said as Ace passed him and he pivoted to look at him without being blinded by feathers. Teach had gone to staring out over the water. "I always thought you'd look good with a bird."
Ace raised an eyebrow. What the hell did he mean by that? He glanced at Marco who gave a little birdy shrug. Helpful. Ah, it was probably nothing. Teach had always seemed the tiniest bit…off.
"Thanks…I guess…"
"Don't let it go to your head," Teach said, giving him a fierce splintered grin.
"No…well I wouldn't carry one around anyway…birds shit everywhere."
"Isn't that right? Zehahahaha!"
"Hilarious, yoi," Marco said. "You're really making me reconsider strangling you."
"Didn't know you felt that way. I'm touched," Teach said before Ace could. Marco blinked and for the first time seemed blank only because he had no idea what the hell to say. Ace was caught between wanting to apologize to Marco because—well he'd meant regular birds, and find a way to extricate them all from… this awkward… after all Teach was nakama so it should…all fit together.
"You will be touched if Marco strangles you. Hahaha" Yeah. No. Okay that hadn't worked.
"Heh, yeah I guess so," Teach said, scratching his hair. Another ruffling silence. Ace wanted to either leave or sink into the deck. This was ridiculous. He was Teach's commander and the guy had probably saved their asses. So it was up to him to make this less…awkward…somehow…
"Would you like a crab cake?" Ace asked, bordering on desperate.
"No I hate those damn things."
"Well, that's too bad," he scratched his cheek. "I'd make you a pie but I'd probably burn the kitchen down. Heh." Why the hell was he talking about making Teach pies now? Not that he'd really mind it if he could but—it was like awkward was the sea and he was drowning in it. He glanced to Marco for help but the always helpful first mate had gone back to complete deadpan, as if he was just annoyed at them for existing.
"Didn't know you made pies," Teach said and Ace dropped his head. Why. Just…why…
"No, I…don't. But I can make frog on a stick…"
"Hate those, too."
"Oh…"
Another quiet. He just wanted to see Thatch. That was the most he wanted from his life right now. What the hell was tonight?
"You're really pathetic," Marco said.
"You know you can step in at any time," Ace snapped.
"Who me? I'm just a shitty bird."
"You're going to be a dead bird in a minute."
"Zehahahaha Threatening the first mate? Isn't it a little late in the day to be planning a mutiny?"
"And just what the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Ace snapped, fire raging through him in an instant. Was he even suggesting that—
"Cool it," Marco said, flapping a wing in front of his face. Ace reared back instinctively, clenching his teeth.
"It was just a joke," Teach said, holding up his hands, a bead of sweat trailing down his face. "I didn't anything by it."
"It was a shitty joke and if you ever say something like that again—"
"Ace—" Marco's claws dug into his shoulder, a faint warning. "Cool it, yoi," he said, but softer. Ace realized that his fists were on fire and the heat was starting to build up his arms. It took sheer effort to make his fingers become normal again and even then sparks were fizzing off the edge of his fingernails.
"Sorry. Forgot you had a temper," Teach said.
"Stop trying to provoke it, Teach," Marco said cooly. "And show a little more respect to your commander by not messing with his hot head," Marco's voice seemed to soften by the end of that, too and he fanned Ace's head with a wing, blowing his bangs into his face. It helped a little but now Ace just felt like a dumbass for blowing up like that. Teach's sheepish smile fell into something like dull shock, but it was instantly replaced by a grin.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I just see you guys do it all the time so I thought I'd give it a shot. Guess I just have bad timing all around."
Ah damn. Now he felt even worse. The only thing worse than not fitting in was to have to admit that you didn't.
"No, it's nothing," Ace said, holding up his hands. "Just a bad day so I'm kind of on a short fuse." He rubbed the back of his neck and bowed his head a little. "Thanks for saving our asses by the way."
"Any time," Teach said, devouring the last of the pie and getting to his feet. "See you around!" and he trudged away, whistling some old sea shanty. Ace puffed out a breath and rubbed his forehead. That could have gone better. Marco must think he was a complete hot head by now. Rash. Reckless. Turning on his nakama for a little careless joke. He shoved his hands into his pockets and leaned against the wall, watching Teach out of the corner of his eye until he drifted into the mess.
"Worried?" Marco asked.
"A bit." It was hard to admit that, too. But he wasn't looking for Marco to tell him everything was okay and that he'd done his best or any bullshit like that.
"Don't be." Marco rested his slight feathery head against Ace's, blue flaring warmth drifting through his hair and over his neck. "I want to strangle you all the time."
Ace snorted a laugh and reached up to stroke his neck.
"Yeah but you never get…that pissed at us. No matter how much we screw up."
"Wanna bet?" Marco said and he gave a sigh, feathers ruffling and unruffling. "Granted the only time I'm really that pissed is when you screw up by going to a town" Marco pecked his head. "Infested by Marines" peck. "Alone." Peck peck. "In the middle of the night" peck. Peck. Peck! "Without even leaving a message!" Peck!
"All right, all right, I get it," Ace said with a laugh, pushing Marco's head away.
"Do you?" Not a trace of belief in his voice.
"Absolutely."
"Good."
"Next time I'll leave you a note."
"…That's it."
And suddenly the weight of a bird was replaced by the arms of a six foot tall angry pineapple attempting to strangle him— but Ace was laughing even as Marco's knuckles ran hard over his scalp. He backed up, slamming Marco hard against the wall and jerking his head back to crash against Marco's nose. Marco cursed and kicked the back of Ace's leg and he fell but made sure to take the first mate with him, biting his arm before realizing that was completely useless and then giving it a sloppy lick instead. Marco yelped.
"Blech! Stop that!"
"Never!" and he gave him another lick, this one even wetter than the last.
"What are you guys starting the party without me?"
Ace looked up to see Thatch coming toward them with Namur close behind. The fourth division commander's face was pocked here and there with annoyed beak cuts that he wasn't fortunate enough to heal. Still he was grinning wide enough to be already over it. Or maybe, Ace grinned. Maybe not quite.
"Sorry, mate. But I saved you some if you'd like to try."
"Don't you dare, Thatch," Marco said, squirming to get out from under Ace who just moved back to keep him firmly in place.
"I think I will."
"I'll kill you, yoi!"
"Aw, I love it when you talk sweet, you big lug," Thatch said, grabbing Marco's face and giving him a big wet lick up his cheek.
"You're the lug! Ace, get off!"
"You guys're weird," Namur said, tapping his fingertips together and looking interested in spite of himself.
"It's a human tradition," Ace said.
"It is not!" Marco snapped.
"Don't listen to him. Want a lick in?" Ace said with an even wider grin.
"Does he taste like fish?"
"No, but I'll give you some crab cakes."
"Ooh, Syb-chan liked you," Thatch said.
"Are they good crab cakes?" Namur said, rubbing his chin.
"Best in existence," Thatch said.
"Okay."
"Go ahead, yoi. Do it. I'm prepared." Marco's deadpan was back but his face looked a little more deadpan than usual as if he was fighting to keep it that way. Ace was impressed that he kept it even when Namur's tongue covered half of his face and some of his hair which got swept to the side to make him look like kind of a windswept pineapple.
"Now what," Namur said uncertainly, still crouching beside them.
"Now we officially declare most honored first mate well and soundly licked," Thatch said. Ace raised an eyebrow at him.
"Well yeah we just licked him."
"I know. It's a pun," Thatch said, giving him a flat look. Ace glanced at Namur who shrugged.
"I got it, yoi," Marco said.
"That doesn't make me feel any better."
"Too bad. Yer jokes stink," Namur said. "When in doubt, throw in a squid. Can we have crab cakes now?"
"Yeah sure," Ace said, shifting and swinging his satchel around so he could break out the bento. Ah and it was still warm. He unwrapped it and inhaled the scent of delicious crab cakes. Ahhh. There was nothing better in the world.
"You know one day I'll find guys who appreciate my amazingly subtle sense of humor," Thatch said.
"They exist?" Marco said.
"Listen you…you, turkey—"
"Shut up and eat," Ace said, stuff Thatch's open mouth with two crab cakes. Thatch glowered at him and then his expression melted into the sheer bliss that was Syb-chan's crab cakes and he shrugged helplessly, relaxing against the wall as he ate. Marco's hand snaked over Ace's shoulder and grabbed two for himself, his breath hot for a moment against Ace's ear.
"Throw one fer me," Namur said. "I like 'em when they're movin'."
"Sure thing," Ace said, tossing one a little high over Namur's head. The fishman lurched up and snapped for it a few times, his powerful teeth clacking like a bear trap before he finally got it and chewed happily, a flush appearing on his cheeks.
"Amazin'!
"Right?" Ace picked up a steaming, slightly greasy crab cake for himself and kissed it reverently. "Thank you, Syb-chan." And he popped it in his mouth, letting the taste spread over his tongue before chewing enthusiastically.
"You know, there's this really hot blond on Cape Maul Island," Thatch said. "Said to make the best canapés on the whole island, even better than Syb-chan's crab cakes."
"… please do not tell me you went to this island just for the food," Marco said.
"I'd likea good canapé," Namur said.
"We are not going into a Marine base just for canapés, yoi."
"Well maybe you're not."
"Thatch, I will canapé you myself—"
"I'll come with ya."
"Na-chan, you're a Fishman among Fishmen."
"Stop talking about this like it's going to happen. Because it's no—"
"Let's all go," Ace said, around a mouthful of crab cake. "If this guy complains we'll just birdnap him." He didn't know what a canopee was. It didn't sound tasty but Thatch usually knew what he was doing. Usually. And whether they went or not it was worth agreeing just to torment Marco.
"I do gotta bag I ain't been usin'," Namur said.
"Just try it," Marco said. "I'll-"
"I've got some sunflower seeds I can use as bait," Thatch said, rubbing his chin.
"I'm not really a bird – Wait, you do?"
Ace could practically hear Thatch's grin and Marco's sweating face as he tried to resist the lure of tasty sunflower seeds. These guys were all complete idiots. He tossed another crab cake for Namur and then leaned back, resting his head on Marco's shoulder and looking at the stars. Somewhere along the way, he'd gotten really lucky. He hoped Luffy got just as lucky when he set out. No, more so. He'd need it. Need people to take care of him and feed him and follow him happily as he got them into trouble.
"I'll think about it," Marco said, and Ace glanced up at him, sliding another crab cake between his teeth. A warm butter smile slid across the first mate's face. "I'm glad you're comfortable, yoi. But I have to go check on the others soon so don't fall asle—