11

"Ace it's midnight already. We should go back." Ace pouted and stomped his feet on the ground. They've been splashing around and didn't notice that it's already midnight. The cold started to seep in his skin. He brought his hands on the kid's face. He smiled and gave the kid a peck on the lips.

This kid is so adorable. I can't get enough of him. Ace started to feel the cold water but didn't want to go back into the ship. I still wanted to be alone with him. He hugged the man after he was given a peck on his lips. He's so warm. He snuggled closer to the man. Marco hugged the kid tighter. Damn, I love this kid.

They decided to go back. As they were in the air, Ace shivered when the cold wind touched his skin. Grr... it's cold. He set his whole body on fire to blocked the cold air. He sighed in relief. Marco in the other hand, is no longer feeling cold since he transformed into his Phoenix form. They've reached the ship safely. Marco landed and notice that Ace was not moving.

"Ace, we're here." He heard a snore coming out of the kid. His jaw dropped. The heck? Did he just fell asleep? On. My. Back? He cannot transformed back into his human form. He actually can but the kid will fall in his back and he didn't want to wake the kid. He had no choice. He flew towards his room and landed on the front door. Right. I'm here. Question is, how the hell will I enter the room.He tried to enter the door. Good thing, he got in. He spread his wings and lay down on the floor. With Ace on his back, he drifted to sleep.

Morning came and one by one the crew got back on the ship. Thatch along with Izou wondered. They looked around and found no Marco. Usually when they came back from town, Marco will always wait for them on the deck. They decided to go checked his room.

Ace stirred. He yawned and got up. He stretch his arms in the air.

Ahh... I have a good sleep. He later on notice Marco beneath him. The man didn't turned back into his human form yet. He smiled. He felt Marco moved. The man brought his head up to see Ace wearing a cheeky grin.

"Morning birdie!" Marco groaned. He felt weak. Staying this form for a night drains all my energy. He slumped into the ground. I feel weak. So weak. Ace notice this action and removed himself from the man's back.

"Hey Marco? What's wrong?" When Marco no longer feel the weight of the kid on his back, he transformed back into his human form. He laid into the floor panting. Ace begins to get worried.

What's wrong with him? He kneeled on the floor near Marco's head. He brought the man's head into his lap. Marco didn't move. His body is in rest mode. Ace stroke the man's hair. I must've tire him. He then heard a knocked on the door.

"Marco? You awake?" Thatch glanced at Izou. Izou shrugged his shoulders and opened the door himself. There they saw Marco lying on the ground and Ace stroking the man's head. They wondered at first but seeing Marco in a weak state made them questioned Ace.

"What happened to him Ace?" Thatch asked as he tried to carry Marco in his arms. He gently put the man to bed. Ace lit his finger and wrote in the air.

'He got tired guarding the ship all night'

Izou read and nodded his head. "He got tired waiting for us to come back. Poor brother." He patted the kid's head. Both Thatch and Izou expected a growl or a resistance from the kid, but they gasped in surprised on what Ace did.

Marco woke up feeling energized. He stood up and stretched his arms in the air. He felt his stomach grumble. I'm hungry yoi. He walked towards the door. As he opened the door, laughter is what he heard. He didn't wonder why because he is used to it. He was about to passed by when he heard Ace's name. He turned around and saw Ace laughing with the whole crew. He was surprised to see the kid laughing with his brothers besides him of course. He slightly smiled and proceeded to the mess hall to eat.

"Hey lemon!" Thatch put his arm on Marco's neck. Marco glared at Thatch. He was currently eating when the chef appeared.

"What do you want yoi?" Thatch sat beside him.

"I was actually expecting that you will asked how long you are out." Marco glanced at him and continued his meal. Thatch snorted but continued talking.

"You were asleep for a week." Marco almost spat the water he was currently drinking. What?! One week?! Is that really the prize for turning into a Phoenix for a night?! Thatch laughed.

"Don't worry, Jozu got everything under control. We also stayed in the island for a week because of what happened to you. Pops ordered that actually. Anyways, I have great news." Marco continued his meal.

"Ace was getting along with the whole crew by the way. He starting to communicate with us. He is no longer the cold-blooded killer that we used to know." Marco nodded. Guess he realized it.

"Did he spoke?" he asked.

"Him? Nah. Guess the kid's mute. It's kinda ironic. You know, his bounty is high, he defeated a Shichibukai and even have a loyal crew. All of those achievements, and yet he is mute." Thatch sighed. He felt sympathy for the kid. Without a voice to express more of what he feels, is like living without knowing you are there. Marco wiped his mouth with a cloth before he looked at Thatch. If only you know Thatch, that he has a voice. He has a voice. A soft and gentle voice.

"Let's set sail." Thatch looked at his eyes. He snorted and grinned.

"Welcome back First Division Commander."

late update is real YOHOHO!! shout out to Shoto94 for following this story and Caigdimo for following my First Book The Phoenix's Fire (Marco x Ace)