Ace sat out on the deck of the Moby Dick, his back to the crew. He was on the whale figure head of the boat. He'd been thinking of the past few days with Marco. They'd settled into a routine, which was broken only when Marco was on watch. He'd fallen in love with the damn blonde, but he felt like he was living a lie. He hadn't told him the most important thing about himself. Even after Marco had told him why they called Whitebeard Oyaji. He sighed, and placed his head on his hand. He hadn't been trying to kill the old man for a while.
He lay down and thought about his brother. Luffy... He wouldn't want him to throw away his life when he could have a family, would he? Thinking about Luffy made him think about how he had accepted him unconditionally, even after learning of his father. Ace stood up. He gathered his courage, and walked to Whitebeard's room. He felt the eyes of the crew on him, could feel Marco's eyes on him. He didn't look back, he knew that if he did he would find love there, but he wasn't ready to see it.
Instead he knocked on Whitebeard's door, and prepared to face the man he had been attempting to murder. "Come in." boomed the man's voice, and Ace entered quietly. "How can I help you brat?" he asked, his eyes kind, but his voice sharp.
Ace swallowed, and stuck his courage to his sticking place, "What would you say if Gol D Roger had a kid?" he asked.
Whitebeard looked at the teen in front of him, the teen that had made his first mate take the fall for the first time in his life. Then he answered, "I would say that the father does not make the child, and that the child would be lucky to have such a kind, and great father, even though he didn't know him." he said.
Ace looked away, "How can you say that? Everyone else said that if that were to happen, then the kid should be killed. That it would be no better than a rabid dog. Some men even told me what they'd do to the kid if they were the one to find it." he said.
Whitebeard realized what had happened, and it broke his heart. "Those were not men. They were not even people. They were fools, and cruel. Even though they didn't know that they were talking to Roger's son." he said. Ace looked up, and opened his mouth, but Whitebeard continued, "I was not expecting you to tell me that when you walked in here. So tell me son, what do you intend to do now? You are always welcome here." he said.
Ace looked down, "Weren't you two enemies?" he asked quietly, "Why would you invite your enemy's son on board to join your crew, a son that had tried to kill you?"
Whitebeard didn't hesitate to answer, "As I said before, the father does not make the son, besides, Roger and I were not enemies, we were rivals. He was a good man. Kind, took care of his crew, and was out here for the shear joy of it. So, it isn't an enemy's son who I am asking to be my son. It is a man I respected above all others, and was content to call my king." he said.
Ace started crying, "I'd like to join your crew Oyaji." he said.
Whitebeard smiled, and beckoned him closer before pulling him into a huge hug, "I would be honored to have you in my crew son." he said, "Welcome to the family." he released him, "Now go, I know someone who is probably very worried that you've been killed, or succeeded in killing me." Ace started walking away, "He loves you, you know. He will accept every part of you. Don't be afraid to love." Whitebeard said just before Ace opened the door.
Ace didn't respond, just stood taller, and walked out the door. He found Marco's eyes, and smiled at him. Before Marco could register the smile, Ace had turned into fire, and flew over to him. Marco's blue flames erupted, pulling Ace into his embrace. Ace grinned, "Does this mean, that this is now incest?" he asked, and Marco's eyes widened before he laughed out loud, and pulled him into a kiss.
"God I hope not." Marco said when he came up for air. Ace kissed him again. He would tell Marco, and trust him to still love him, but for now, at this moment, this was enough.