So welcome back to another flashback chapter. I just re-edit it because I had to correct a few little mistakes and edit a little scene. But it is finished. About the next chapters, I can say the next one is nearly done on paper and the chapter after I have some plans. But after that, I will see what my brain or mind says ;) So enjoy :-)

namisnakama: he had to something ;-) otherwise, the picnic would probably be forgotten and Luffy isn't the type to not use the opportunity for something special to him. Then I can say: Hallo, schön jemand mit der gleichen Muttersprache zu lesen bzw. auch gut zu wissen dass die stats nicht nur durch nachlesen von mir auf handy hochgehen für Deutschland xD

Shahana-G: It does help that Oyaji is with them when Haruta asked. Otherwise, he would probably think a bit more, before he hides the paper in his pockets. And truth to be told, I had different ideas for Blamenco but all had one thing in it. Hiding something in his pockets. My first idea was to leave Blamenco for one of the last chapters and Marco hides Luffy's present with his help. But it is always the changing mind. Well, I like hiding the paperwork more xD

He appeard a bit like it. But most of the time he acts like a commander whose only job is to keep the others safe. He does show more emotion if he is more relaxed or has Luffy with him (and people around them know about their relationship).

Luffy had help and I can't imagine he already showed everything he learned in this two years. He still has a few big guns hidden. There is still something missing for him to become king ;-)

XD only for teasing would Marco be the queen. But it did give me an idea for the next chapter. So I don't say much about Marco being the queen of pirates.

It is there a bit short and not detailed, but it was one of the last things I edit in this chapter since I cut kinda it short when I had written it on paper. Have fun with the flashback ;)

~Chapter 9 – A promise to meet again~

Marco woke up to strange noises in front of his door. It sounded like someone tried to open it but failed. He groaned as he noticed his red-haired brother's voice. Seriously, did Thatch have nothing better to do in the morning than to try breaking into his room? Luckily, the blonde had predicted something like that and a bit barricaded his door. It was locked and he had put a chair under the doorknob.

That would keep his noisy and curious siblings out for some time. Until Haruta and Thatch started to annoy Blamenco or Jozu. Then they would probably get it done as these two were perfect when something had to be done with brute strength. Well, Namur would be good, too. But he hoped that these three wouldn't help. He was already worried that he could hear their voices, too.

What was Thatch planning by bringing all these along who knew about… The cook didn't want him to tell them more and repeat for the others, didn't he? He hoped not. At the moment he just wanted to sleep a bit longer.

After all, he and Luffy stayed a bit longer away than intended. A smile ghosted over the blonde's lips as he remembered the picnic yesterday.

They had found a spot near the broken barrier sea, which was a bit hidden by bushes. It was perfect for them to enjoy the food Thatch had provided them with and just the time when it was just the two of them. It was nice to cuddle together under the blanket and watched the stars like they often did back on Rusukaina. It wasn't a surprise that Luffy fell asleep at one point, content in his arms. Marco had to carry the boy back because he didn't want to wake up the boy. It didn't bother the blonde much, as they only met Izo when he came back and the cross-dresser smiled happily at him and took the basket from him.

Soft mumbles interrupted his memories and made him open his eyes to look at his lover. Luffy's head was bedded on Marco's chest and was still peacefully asleep. A sight which made the blonde smile. He lifted himself a bit to press a kiss to the black hair before he stayed still. His face mostly hidden in Luffy's hair.

He could get used to waking up with him. But better not. The boy had still a dream to fulfill and travel around the New World. It would be boring for Luffy to visit most of the islands with him, as he knew these, which meant an adventure less for his lover. What a pity. Perhaps after the boy become pirate king…

Marco lifted his head as he felt Luffy moving. The blonde watched his lover starting to wake up. Before the black-haired one could say something, Marco kissed him softly and caressed his cheek. A bit surprised and mostly sleepy Luffy didn't react at first before he started to move his one lips against the other's one.

When they separated, Marco brushed his thumb over his lover's lips. „Don't make any loud sound. I still have hope that the idiots are leaving when they think we are still asleep, yoi." The blonde whispered and Luffy giggled quietly before he snuggled more into Marco.

„I was worried that it was something else…" The blonde blinked. What had the boy noticed again? „Everything is fine… I just thought that it would be nice to wake up with you next to me more often, yoi." „Then you have to visit sometime after we told Ace." „I think I will or I will sneak you away a bit. But… that would be a little obstacle on your way to becoming the king of pirates." Luffy lifted his body and sat on Marco's stomach before he leaned down. „I become the pirate king, even if I take a few little breaks with you. No one will take this title from me." This made the blonde grinned. „So what if I want you longer than little breaks, yoi?" His hands started to caress the boy's side softly. „That's something which shouldn't be discussed. It will be spontaneous." Marco chuckled quietly. Yep, that was his lover. He lifted his head to kiss him again but was interrupted by a shout from Thatch.

„Luffy, wake up. Or the meat will be gone." The voice of the cook had a sing-song tone, which made Marco want to kick where it hurt. These words made Luffy stand up. He seemed to think about it. It was clear to say as he weighed his head to the left and to the right.

Marco sighed and stood up quickly as well before Luffy could decide what exactly he wanted. He snaked his arms around his smaller lover and lifted him up, before taking him back to the bed. „If I am not allowed to do my work, I won't let you out for meat at the moment, yoi." Luffy pouted as he was trapped under his boyfriend. „You know, if they still think I'm asleep I have lots of free time, yoi." Luffy seemed to pick up what exactly these words meant. He started to grin. „Then stop the talking and kiss me and I want to cuddle." The boy's arms snaked themselves around the blonde's neck. Marco chuckled. „As you demand, my little future pirate king, yoi." Their lips then touched and for a little moment, they were in their own world again.

The moment was sadly too little. Marco glared at his siblings. Jozu, Namur, and Blamenco looked everywhere but at him. It was clear that they were dragged along. Izo seemed torn between amusement and pity while Thatch and Haruta smiled innocently.

They seriously had the nerve to break into his room and invade his privacy (again in Thatch's case). He clenched his fist and had to take a few breaths before he talked. If they thought, he wouldn't do anything and would be more relaxed about it, because he had a few minutes to get dress, they were wrong.

„Give me one reason to not make you work harder than you ever did in your whole life, yoi." His voice was calm like he intended. The reaction on his siblings' faces told him that they sensed the danger. Well most of them.

„Come on, Marco. How should we know that you two were going from the cute cuddle phase to the try-out-more phase? And face it, it could have been worse", Thatch said and was hit by flying sandals.

„That was mine", Luffy mumbled as he softly massaged Marco's shoulders. His boyfriend being here and trying to keep him as calm as possible was the only reason he didn't scream at the others or chased them around to threw them into the ocean.

„Luffy, you wounded me. You care more about you sandals than me." Thatch faked a hurt expression, but he was hit by Izo. „Stop that, Thatch. Otherwise, we probably have to wait longer until we know how their story goes on."

„Who said we are going to tell you after your stunt, yoi?"

„Because Luffy owns us for helping with the paperwork which you still don't get back. Because from my point of view, it's Ace's job to do it. Otherwise, I can give you my paperwork, too." Haruta shrugged.

„Hey, you didn't say something about me owning you. You said you helped because you want Marco to be more relaxed, too." Luffy pouted and Marco felt the boy's finger clenching slightly in his shoulders. He lifted his hand and touched one of Luffy's.

„Can we go?" This little question from Namur, which Blamenco and Jozu seemed to support, was ignored by Thatch and Haruta.

„You can relax and tell us. We even brought enough for brunch. Doesn't that sound good?" The cook offered and grinned. Marco glared him. That was some dirty play.

If Oyaji would be mad when he asked for a mission and take his little lover with him. Just for a few days to be away from annoying, bribing siblings.

„You guys are mean. Stop bribing with food."

That was a surprise for anyone in Marco's room, as it was Luffy who said it. The blonde smiled weakly and turned to look at his boyfriend.

Blue eyes met brown ones and it was all that they needed.

Luffy lifted his hands from Marco's shoulders and sat between the blonde's legs. The Phoenix hugged the boy closer to him and placed his chin on the black hair. He watched his siblings carefully. „You will leave my room as soon as I say so when I end. Otherwise, I'm needing a new sparring partner, yoi."

His more responsible siblings nodded immediately. Haruta and Thatch pouted at first but were scolded by Izo, which made Luffy laugh. It was a good thing that Marco hugged his lover while telling everything because he couldn't tell it without the doubts he had before he entered a relationship with Luffy.

~Flashback (starts there where the last one ended)~

Marco didn't know how long they just had stayed in the cave like this. Luffy in his lap, an arm around the boy and their lips touching and moving softly against each other. It was when they started to lack a bit the air, that the kisses got somewhat more passionate, more rushed … simply just more intense as it was more important than breathing. It left them breathless as they finally separated their lips from each other. But still stayed so close that their noses touched.

For a moment both just watched the other as they tried to calm their breathing.

„I don't want you to get hurt by fighting him, yoi", Marco said softly and brushed with hand over Luffy's cheek. The boy closed his eyes shortly and leaned a bit into the blonde's hand. „But I… I don't want guys to be in danger because of the bastard and he made you sad… I want to be stronger much stronger. So that I can protect the people who are important to me. You guys are Ace's Nakama and you are my friends, too. You hold back the magma man when he tried to kill me. I'm thankful for that. So I will fight the pie bastard at one point and make him for every tear …"

Marco stopped Luffy by kissing him again. It seemed like an efficient way to stop the boy from talking about something like revanche. But it also felt too good to kiss him. To just hold him close.

Stop… He shouldn't think about it. And he shouldn't kiss Ace's little brother. It wasn't right, even if it felt right. He had to put a stop to it before it got worse. Before they reached the point where turning back would be impossible.

Marco sighed and separate himself from Luffy. „Leave the traitor to us. Only… only when he attacks you when you are close to finding the One Piece… then you are allowed to fight him, yoi." The blonde looked hopefully at the boy. It gave them some time to deal with him and perhaps the bastard wouldn't get close to the boy.

Luffy tilted his head and said nothing for a moment. But finally, he nodded. It made Marco smile a bit before his expression turned into wonder. The boy blushed and mumbled something that the blonde didn't understand. But he didn't ask because the weather cleared up and they would be able to go back to training.

The next days were torture for Marco. He couldn't forget how it felt. How Luffy's lips against his felt. How nice it was to have the boy close to him. How it simply felt right to be by the boy's side. It was like he tasted something forbidden for the first time and was immediately addicted. It made his heart ache for more. But there would never be this more.

The boy was younger than him. He didn't really remember how old Luffy exactly was, but the blonde knew he was old enough to be the boy's father. The boy was destined to get bored at one point if Marco tried to follow his feelings. He feared that he take thirst for adventure of the boy, as the blonde tended to be less hyped by new things and knew most of the things, which would be new for Luffy. But this thirst for adventure, to accomplish his dream was part of Luffy, of the brat, he some kind admired for his strong will (which should be expected as the boy was a D.).

Marco wished that the training was over in the near time so that he could return to his crew. Away from the boy and away from the feelings which innocently and well hidden grew during the time. Time would also help him to get over these feelings before he was able to meet the boy again. This would be the best for both of them if Luffy even thought about it much because Ace always described his little brother as an air-head.

„Stop ignoring me, Marco", Luffy whined next to him. The Phoenix turned his head to look at the boy and regret it immediately. The boy pouted and used his best puppy-eye-expression which led to Marco groaning.

He should be lucky that Rayleigh needed to get something again and was on his swimming trip again. So they would be alone and no one would hear their talk except the animals but they couldn't tell anything.

„Luffy, please don't behave like that, yoi." „No, I want to behave like that, because Marco is ignoring me most of the time."

The blonde sighed. The boy belongs definitely to the D. family. Just by his stubbornness.

„It hurts… It hurts that Marco ignores me." Luffy said and looked more like a lost puppy. It hurt Marco to seem like this.

„I don't ignore you, Luffy. I …" „You do. You are distant if Rayleigh is away and you talk less. You also seemed hurt… I don't like it. I want the Marco from the cave day back."

Marco's eyes widened. He could see a blush on Luffy's face. He didn't want to think about the possible meaning, but he couldn't stop himself. He could feel a blush rise to his own cheeks.

Did Luffy had the same feelings, which Marco tried to ignore by being a bit distant?! No, not good.

„Luffy, I think it would be the best if that what happens the cave was an exception… except for the promise of the traitor. That's important, yoi."

„Why do you think that way? It was nice and it felt good. I made me feel safe. It made me feel like I could achieve anything even turning back time. I know that you felt the same … so why?"

Marco was speechless. When had Luffy noticed? There weren't many people who are able to see clearly what he was thinking or feeling. There was only one man who was close to reading him like an open book and that was his father, his captain Whitebeard. So how was the boy able to notice it?

„Luffy… just because something felt like this, doesn't mean, we should follow it… especially with us at the moment. You still have new things to see and to learn about. Things I already knew or saw…"

„Are you trying to tell me in a complicated way that you think you are too old for me? If it is so, that's a stupid reason." The boy's pout was still present and his eyes showed sadness. The black-haired also looked at the ground now.

Marco was a bit surprised by Luffy's words. He didn't expect a reaction like this, well truth to be told he didn't expect any reaction from the boy. But the sad tone of the boy's voice and the gleam of sadness in these brown eyes hurt him. It made him want to hug the younger one and chase the sadness away.

„There will be someone …" „Who decided that this someone is right for me? I promised Ace back then when we were kids that we will live without regrets… I know I will regret it if don't follow my heart now. Perhaps it is just a phase... but it doesn't feel like it. It feels deeper…" Luffy lifted his head again and looked unsure at Marco.

Live without regrets?

There are a few things he regrets now. But was kissing Luffy or holding him close one of them?

No.

Marco groaned before he said: „Two years." Luffy looked confused. „Two years. We will take this slow. If it starts to feel wrong, we immediately stop and tell the other, yoi."

The brown eyes widened and in the next moment, Marco felt himself rolling in the grass with a giggling teenager clinging to him. When he stopped them, the boy was on top of him. „Marco is giving me a chance." Luffy cheered and grinned.

Marco chuckled slightly at the boy's enthusiasm and sat himself up, so the younger one was in his lap. „But until we are sure, we don't tell anyone about it. And if we tell someone, we will tell your brother first, yoi."

Luffy nodded, still grinning. „So it is a secret between Marco and me. But enough rules. Rules are boing. Stop talking and kiss me already." The blonde had to laugh when the boy demanded kisses and blushed while doing it. Marco lifted his hand to Luffy's chin and pulled him closer to his face. He stopped when their lips were nearly touching.

„Remember we have two years to take it slow, yoi." Marco's lips brushed softly against Luffy's while he talked. It made the boy whine and the blonde could also see him rolling his eyes. Then he felt Luffy's hand on his cheeks and the boy closed the little gap between their lips.

It was a new experience for Marco to tiptoe around someone with someone else. But it was fun. It excited him to steal little kisses or little touches from the boy while still trying to keep Rayleigh in the dark.

To this day Marco still didn't know if the Dark King noticed something or not. But when he noticed it, he didn't seem to care about it enough to bring it up.

Luffy's training also made great progress. It was like being with the boy gave his boyfriend, a word which he still had to get used to, an extra motivation. Especially as Marco thought about little rewards when Rayleigh didn't look, was busy or on one of his swimming trips again and left Luffy in Marco's care for some anti-sea-stone-training.

But it was these days when Rayleigh was away and both of them laid in the grass and watched the stars if the weather didn't change suddenly. On these when Marco felt at peace, he started to feel a bit … homesick would be the best word to describe what he was feeling. He loved being by Luffy's side. But he started to worry about his family.

The calls over the den-den-mushi didn't calm his nerves any longer, which meant he became restless. He tried to hide from Luffy, so he wouldn't worry the boy or make him feel like didn't want to be with him any longer. But Luffy noticed.

„You can leave if you want. It is only a year and a few months until I arrive in the New World. We can meet there again." Marco caressed the black hair while he thought about it. He nodded. „We will come to greet you and welcome you to the New World on Fishman Island. The island is under our protection so behave when you are there otherwise you get to answer us. Also the chance of meeting the marines there is low, well it is zero. So the marine will not turn crazy as if we show up at Sabaody Archipelago, yoi." Luffy laughed and snuggled closer to Marco.

„It would be funny. I bet they sent an admiral even if they just see us."

„They would. So Fishman Island is safer. There will be time then for you to meet your brother and we can introduce every crew member to you and also your crew to us, yoi."

„And I get to spent some time with Marco?" Marco pressed a soft kiss to the boy's forehead. „If we can find a place to hide, yoi." The blonde smiled and kissed Luffy softly.

This was their last kiss until they saw each other again on Fishman Island.

~Flashback ends~

Marco's grip on Luffy tightened a bit during the story, but the boy didn't say anything. He just caresses the blonde's arm and was content to stay where he was. In his lover's embracement.

His siblings stared at Marco. It surprised it him a bit that they seemed shocked? Shouldn't they have been able to guess that he had his worries at first? After all, they called him mother-hen and worrywart very often.

„Marco, be serious. Do you still have doubts?" Thatch asked. He lacked his cheerfulness and looked a bit worried. „Because I think I have to repeat myself after I heard this part. You two deserve each other and both of you are free to be with who you want. It also clear to anyone who doesn't have his head in the clouds like most of us seem to have that you are total in love with each other. Most of the pranks Luffy does are to lessen your work or getting you relaxed, Marco, and we don't talk about your protective habits towards Luffy or that he is able to get you to stay calm when it is clear you want to scream or scold us or I don't know. I seriously think that anyone who wants to break you two apart must have suicidal thoughts. I don't think even Kaido would be so stupid to try it. At least if we are talking about getting killed by you."

Haruta nodded in agreement. „We should be lucky that you two are dating. Otherwise, I can see that either way we have Luffy a lot more around and scare possible partners for Marco away with that innocent behavior, while Marco would mostly team up with Ace."

Marco's eyes wandered to Jozu. He knew the third division commander the longest of all their crew members except Oyaji. The black-haired commander stayed silent, but in his eyes, the blonde could see that he supported his brother and would help as much as possible if there was trouble.

When the blonde let his eyes wander to Blamenco and Namur, both of them nodded and a little supportive smile was seen. They would also be there if there is trouble. Even if it was just some doubts or simple worries.

Haruta shook her head. „When you stare at us any longer, some could think you want us to protest against your relationship with Luffy." Marco's eyes darkened a bit and his hug became tighter around Luffy. The boy turned his head to look at him. Out of the corner of his eyes, Marco saw that even if there was a bit worry in these brown eyes Luffy smiled.

„As much as you two possible mean well. I don't think if Marco had doubts because of the age difference that your talk would help." Izo's stare was studying like he wants to find something out. It was the same stare which the cross-dresser had on the first day of Luffy's visit during lunch. The one he had when he found. „If it is just the age difference you are worried about, Marco. Then I can tell you, you are not the only. If my information is correct. Akagami has also a younger lover and possibly a child with her. So no one cares as long as you two are over eighteen before you take the relationship to the next level."

This made Marco groan. Leave it to Izo to bring something like that up. Luffy wasn't eighteen when they started this relationship…

„Can we change the subject? Marco and I are still together. I worry about his doubts if he thinks he is too old for me." Luffy looked serious. It made Marco smile.

„Perhaps they are worse worrywarts than I am, yoi." The blonde offered and his lover laughed while Thatch and Haruta pouted. The others just shook their head. No one in the room doubted that Marco was the worst if he worries about someone.

„Okay, change of subject. How do you think Ace will take it?", Blamenco asked carefully. „I don't know, yet. It's not easy to predict how he will react. The circumstances are important, yoi."

„I handle Ace alone. So he won't jump Marco directly when I haven't finished talking." Luffy smiled a bit mischievously. It made the blonde wonder what was going on the boy's head. But he felt that it wouldn't be good if he knew.

„Well, Marco has a plus point. You are taking it slow with Luffy. So Ace won't kill you for doing anything that ruins his brother's innocent."

„Thatch."

The cook was immediately silent. He seemed scared because of Marco's tone.

„Leave now, before I decide to spar with you, yoi."

Luffy started to giggle as Thatch run out of the room. Haruta looked like she wanted to stay as she hadn't gotten threaten, yet. But Jozu lifted her up and took her with him as he left with a nod to Marco and Luffy. The female commander complained, but her older brother didn't listen to her. Blamenco and Namur nodded to as they followed Jozu. Izo smiled at the couple. „I'll try to keep the others away a bit until lunch. So relax", the cross-dresser winked and closed the door, blocking Haruta's complains.

„So. You are still happy with a man old enough to be your father, yoi?" Marco just had to ask to make sure. Luffy groaned and turned in his arms. The boy straddled the older man and looked at him with a soft, but serious expression which was rare to see.

„Yep, I still love you and I always will", Luffy whispered and snaked his arms around Marco's neck. The words made the blonde smile and he felt lighter.

Marco leaned forward and kissed his lover before he let himself fall backward pulling Luffy with him. But he didn't break their kiss.

This was something, he had to do more often. Laying comfortable on the bed with his lover secure in his arms and kissing him. Maybe he should make it a routine as long as Luffy was here with him.

Perhaps he should also push some of his paperwork to someone else. Luffy would definitely be happy.

So a bit of the timeline the two years Marco mentioned will end around Luffy's 20th birthday, just as a little spoiler. Also, question xD how old do you think Marco really is? He didn't change much from being shown in the flashback of Whitebeard declaring that Fishman Island is under his protection. So just thinking logically, I would put him around forty because Teach didn't change much either (except his teeth). But his age is not important.

Also yeah, I know Luffy would most likely jump at Izo's statement of Shanks possibly having a child, but he is mostly annoyed at the others for bringing the subject up about doubts. So I leave Luffy's reaction to possibilities open for the moment. But I will get back to it ;)