8

Weeks had passed. No a month had passed. I'm still here in the Old man's ship. It's been a month since I've been separated from my crew. It's been also a month I've been trying assassinate Whitebeard. Of course, I always failed and got thrown over board and all over the ship. Ace sighed as he looked at the cloudy sky. He shut his eyes. I miss my crew. Even though I wanted to escape, but that Bird brain always keeps an eye on me. He heaved a heavy sigh and retires in his room. Because he is somewhat a guest in the ship. If you call being locked down in a ship a guest. He was given the guest room. They say if he will accept the Old man's mark, he will go to the men's bunker. As if I'll accept it. I'm a captain who just lost his crew. He was about to lie on his bed when he heard sounds of footsteps running around and voices shouting. He sat on the edge of the bed. He listened to the voices.

"The storm is coming! Go back into your quarters! Commanders secure the ship!"

He heard a lot footsteps and shouts. He felt the whole ship began to move side ways. He stood up and went towards the door. He slightly opened his door. Rain drops and stormy wind is what he felt on his face. He opened the door. He walked slowly and observed the Commanders securing the sails and such. He saw the man in the chef suit holding a rope. He was losing his gripped on the rope. A wave swipes the whole deck making Thatch fall overboard.

"Thatch!" without any second thoughts and questions, Ace run towards the rope that Thatch was holding a while ago. He grabbed the rope, tied it in his waist and jumped overboard. By the time he jumped, he saw Thatch trying to keep his head visible. Ace knew he can't swim. Luckily, he dive just beside Thatch. Thatch caught Ace and brought his head up.

What the fuck is this kid thinking? He's a fucking Devil fruit user! He can't swim! Ace coughed and held on the rope. He grabbed Thatch by the waist and tried to pulled their selves up.

Shit! If I am not this weak in the sea, I'll be able to pull this chef up.

Marco run towards the deck and looked overboard. There he saw Thatch being held by Ace, and holding the rope. He took the rope and started to pull them up. Jozu who was already done securing the sails, helped Marco pulled the two. The storm soon disappear. The sun started to shine. Ace and Thatch were pulled into safety. By the time they got on board Thatch laid down on the floor followed by Ace who kneeled on the floor like in a crawling position. Ace panted heavily.

Damn. That was a close call.

He coughed some sea water out of his mouth and turned around for the sun to shine on his face. Marco kneeled beside him. He gave Ace some towel and the kid accepted it. His bravery on saving Thatch even though he's devil fruit user, led the whole crew cheered on Ace.

Ace looked around and saw the whole crew cheering his name. He didn't know why he felt home. He felt safe. He felt the feeling of acceptance again. He brought his head down. Little did he know, a smile form on his lips.

"Damn! What the fuck are you thinking?! You could have died instead of me!" An hour after Thatch fell off board, he started to scolded Ace.

A simple thank you would do stupid chef. Ace groaned under his breath and turned his back on the chef. He walked towards his room. He twisted the knob and walked inside. He sat on his bed to remove his boots when the door opened. He looked up and saw Marco.

It's just lemon head.

Marco looked at him and smiled. "Got a minute yoi?" Ace nodded and stopped removing his boots. Marco advanced. He close the door behind him and sat on the chair beside Ace's bed. Ace looked straight ahead and bothering to looked at the man beside him. But because of Marco's words, his eyes were locked on the man.

"Thank you for saving Thatch yoi. If it wasn't for you, he might ended up drowning and dying." Ace intently looked at the man shrugged his shoulders before breaking the eye contact. Marco didn't removed his eyes on the kid. He asked.

"Why did you save him yoi?" Ace didn't looked at him and shrugged his shoulders.

Who knows. I don't even know myself. Ace bend his head down. The presence of the man made him a little bit awkward but at the same time safe.

"You know after Whitebeard knew what happened he was happy. He was happy because his sons are getting along." This sentence made Ace glared at the man. He yelled at him..

"I don't have a father you –" He heard the man gasped. Ace realized what he had done and covered his mouth. He looked away from the man.

The fuck?! whywhy did I... Did I justfuck ! shit! What am I going to do?! Surely he will surely tell Whitebeard that I can speak! Shit ! He shut his eyes when he felt warm hands cupping his face. Marco gently stroke the kid's temple with his thumb.

"Did you... was that your voice yoi? … but why?" Ace brought his hand on the man's chest. He gripped the man's cloth.

"It's not for you to know." He brought his other hand to man's hand. He opened his eyes and saw their faces an inch away from each other. Ace flushed.

Ok... he's face is close to my face. Is he going to kiss me? Wait... if he will, why am I letting him?

Marco looked at the kid's lips. Slowly, he closed the space between them.

finally done.. hoooo!!! it's hard to write a chapter if you are having a 40 Celsius temperature haha... anyways, my chapters might be a mess haha... shout out to Rogers-comics for following this story... woooo!!