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10

"Marco! The coast is clear! Get ready to land!"

"Set sail! Prepare to dropped the anchor before we hit the shallow water!" Marco ordered before going to the room of Ace. It's been weeks since the incident happened. After Ace woke up, he never spoke again. He is more aloof than before. Especially from Marco. Marco notices this aloofness. He tried talking to Ace about it but it didn't end very well.

"Ace, I'm sorry about what happened. I know it's my fault but -." Marco confronted Ace. Ace stared at him with the same cold eyes like before. He draw his knife and throw I towards Marco. Marco swiftly got out of the way and it hit the wooden wall.

Ace was sharpening his knife when someone knocked on the door. The door opened revealing Marco.

Marco... He continued to sharp his knife. After what happened, I distance myself from everyone, especially him. I don't like his presence. The presence of safe. I don't like that. Because I'm afraid. I'm afraid that I got closer to him, he will take advantage. Damn I know I don't have the right to judge but looking back at my past, Aokiji is the only one I trust besides Luffy and Grandpa. Marco looked at the kid.

"We are about to land." Ace didn't respond. Marco just sighed. Before closing the door, he said.

"I'm sorry for what I did to you Ace. I hope you forgive me."

Ace stopped sharpening and dropped the knife. He brought his hands to wipe the tears in his face.

No Marco. I should be the one saying sorry for everything I've done to you.

"Yes! Let's go Izou!" Thatch run towards the town followed by Izou who is busy looking for clothes. Vista was in the flower shop looking for flowers. The others were all around the town. Except for Ace. He decided not to go out of his room for a while and waited until night.

Night came and Marco was standing with hands on the railings. He was looking at the lively town and thought, is Ace having fun? He didn't see the kid inside the ship so he must be in the town. He then felt a presence behind him. The moon is full so you can still identify who is who. He glanced and was shocked to see Ace walking towards him. Ace slowly walked and reached Marco. He stood beside him, and rests his arms on the railing. Marco got a question look on his face. Ok, I'm not supposed to be alarmed but he tried to kill me once right yoi? His jaw almost dropped when Ace spoke.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for throwing the knife at you. I'm sorry for being aloof." Ace didn't looked at the man beside him. While he was inside his room, he accepted the fact that he feels safe around Marco. He accepted the fact that everyone on this ship just wants him to be their brother. He accepted it. He accepted Whitebeard as his father. In those weeks, he confronted himself. They may be the reason why he and his crew were separated. But there is a reason for everything. And the reason is for him to have a second chance to have a father.

Marco didn't respond at the moment. All those weeks that he distance himself was for him to realize everything? But.. .Why is he saying sorry if in the first place we are the main reason why he is separated from his crew. "You know we should be the one saying sorry for separating you from your crew. I'm also sorry for scaring you."

Ace chuckled. "Nah. That part was not your fault. I just remembered something that I tried to bury for five years." Marco intently looked at the boy. This is his first time to hear the kid's laughed. He smiled. Just by looking at the kid, you can tell that he never laughed for how many years.

"You know you should be out there yoi." Ace faced him and cocked his eye brow. "I think you should be telling that to yourself." Both men chuckled.

"First division Commanders should stay in the ship yoi."

"Sad life." Ace respond. An idea suddenly came into Ace's mind. He faced the man and pulled his hand.

"Transform into a bird!" Marco's eyebrows furrowed.

"Excuse me?" the kid pulled his hand again.

"Just transform!" with still a questioning looked he transform into a Phoenix. Ace was amazed.

Wow. He's beautiful. He gently stroke Marco's neck. Warm and soft. Ace grinned when Marco groaned. I think I hit his soft spot. Marco glared at Ace. The kid's hand is extremely gentle. He shook his head before pleasure enters his system.

"So? What now yoi?" Ace grinned and immediately hopped on Marco's back. Marco was caught off guard and slightly shouted at Ace.

"Say something before you do something yoi!" Ace laughed and patted Marco's head.

"Hehe… chill birdie" Marco rolled his eyes. I'm beginning to wonder if Thatch influenced him to call me names.

"Ok. Let's fly over there!" Ace pointed at the top of the mountain. Marco wondered.

"Didn't I tell you I should stay here yoi?" Ace gently slapped Marco's behind making Marco move a little forward. Damn you kid! Stop doing tempting actions or I'll fuck you hard right here right now.

"Come on. It's fun disobeying rules. Besides, you need to flap your wings more often Old man." Marco sighed but later on smiled. He flapped his wings and they flew towards the tip of the mountain. When they reached the top, Ace looked around the other side of the mountain. There he saw a big cave.

"There! Let's go there!" Ace pointed at the cave. Marco didn't say a word and flew towards the cave. By the time they reach the cave, they saw a light. They followed the light. There they reached a lagoon that is being shined by the moon light. The water seems to glitter under moon. Ace looked up and saw the full moon shining directly to the lagoon.

"Wow." Both men said as they tried to find a dry place to land. Ace thought of another idea. He grinned. Marco was busy searching for a place to land when he felt Ace moved above him.

"Don't move too much yoi." He warned the kid. Ace didn't listen. He jumped and swing in the Phoenix's neck. Ace was hanging on its neck. Because of the unbalanced weight, they both fell into the water. Ace got up. The water was not that deep. It only reach on his knees. He looked around and saw Marco immerged from the water. He laughed as the man panted for breath. Marco glared at the kid.

"Do you even think before you act yoi?! What if the water here is deeper than we expected?" Ace continued to laughed and run towards the man. He wrapped his arms around its neck and kissed its lips.

Marco's eyes widened. He didn't expected the kid to make a move. Shit. What should I do? kiss him back? Or just let him do what he wants? … wait a minute, I'm older here! I'll show this kid who's the boss. He wrapped his arm on the kid's waist. His free hand reached the kid's hair and gently gripped it. Ace slightly groaned when Marco started to move its lips. Ace responded and stroke the man's hair. Marco licked the kid's bottom lip. Ace opened his mouth and let the man's tongue explore his mouth. Their kissed became rougher and rougher. Ace started to drool. Marco release the kid's lips leaving a thin line of saliva. He chuckled when the kid didn't want to let go of his lips.

"Haa... haa... why did you stop?" Ace panted. He hate to admit it but Marco tastes nice. Marco gave Ace a peck on the lips.

"Because if we continue, I may not be able to stop myself."