Hi, I just counted in my head how many chapters there are still left to do. After this one there are four with commanders, one flashback and then the last one. So regular six chapters. I hope I get every idea, I got, in there. But I guess I won't be able to get all in. So what do you think about a few extra chapters with your prompts/ideas for this timeline (already have one that really interests me, but not telling;) just saying thanks because the idea was inspired by comments on AO3 and FF ) or just scenes which were on the paper but didn't make it into the final version (this is only possible for chapters after "Chapter 7 - Younger siblings know best" as this is the first one I wrote down on my little block and I don't know where I have the paper originals of the earlier ones). For your prompts. I'll like to keep this story T rated (at least on FF, AO3 may be a different case as there it isn't so blurry what exactly is rated T, M or MA [just my opinion that it is a bit blurry]), so please consider it when you write down you prompts/ideas. Also, I won't write any fighting scenes, yet. Dealing with that particular weakness is part of the next bigger story I have in mind. So yeah. That's from me at the moment^^'

Aboffy: That is nice to hear. Because I did have a bit my doubts about this chapter. As I felt it was short and lacked something.

CelineB: You're welcome. Thanks for your support ;)

~Chapter 15 – The clam before… ~

Luffy laid on the bed an watched his boyfriend, who was in his zoan form, preening his blue flaming feathers. The boy tilted his head a bit. He was bored. Marco had forbidden him to participate in the training today as he was so sleepy yesterday and he should take it easy today.

A sigh left his lips. Luffy had missed three meals yesterday and had mostly slept during the day. Only waking up around four times. The first time when Marco had left the bed and hadn't woken him up. He had been a bit confused to wake up alone, but his boyfriend had just entered at the moment with some breakfast for him. That was when he heard that the blonde needed to talk with Vista or Izo about something. Luffy had just nodded and had kissed his boyfriend's cheek before he had gone back to sleep.

The second time he had woken up, Kingdew had knocked. He thought it was Kingdew. He wasn't sure exactly who had knocked. He hadn't really cared and just wanted to go back to bed. Even if it was a bit colder without Marco being there.

He had woken up for the third time because of screams. Marco had chased Thatch around and the cook had the genius idea to try to hide in the blonde's room. Or the redhead wanted to use him as a distraction for the first division commander. Well, it hadn't work. Thatch got his bath in the ocean.

A smile ghosted over his lips, as he remembered the fourth time. This one he remembered clearly. The others were a bit blurry. But this one was nice. Marco had woken him up. Softly with kisses on his neck and a tray with food on the nightstand. There had been no meat, something about being careful. But it had been nice to be in Marco's arms while being fed. The Phoenix seemed more relaxed at that time.

Perhaps he should do more to help his boyfriend to relax a bit. The blonde still seemed tensed sometimes. Luffy studied the beautiful, blue Phoenix. Then an idea came to his mind.

„Ne, Marco, can I help you?", he asked. The Phoenix stopped his preening and turned his head to him. He also tilted it a bit. „Please, I promise I'll be gentle." Luffy used a pout and his puppy-eyes. He knew that it was a bit unfair, but come on. He was bored and Marco's blue flaming feathers always felt nice. Also, he knew that there were a few spots that helped the blonde to be more relaxed.

The Phoenix came closer before he turned back to his human form and sat down next to Luffy on the bed. „You won't stop pouting until you can help, will you, yoi?", Marco asked. The young captain looked up at him and nodded with a slight smile on his lips. The blonde sighed and that was when Luffy knew he had won.

„Fine, but if you mess up the feathers, I'll put you on a diet without meat, yoi", Marco threatened teasingly. „Not the meat", Luffy grumbled, before he sat himself up and put his arms around his boyfriend's neck.

„I know. If they are messed up you have trouble controlling the fly", the boy said and stick out his tongue a bit. The blonde chuckled and kissed him shortly. Well, that was probably Marco's intention to let it be a short kiss.

But Luffy followed Marco's lips with own and made sure that they were connected again before he closed his eyes and pressed himself more against Marco, who put his arms around him.

He sighed in the kiss. This was something he would never get tired of. Especially not how it felt. It made smile and want to jump around and hug someone, well it was clear who this someone was.

A delighted sound left him as Marco had sneaked his hands under the boy's cardigan and caressed his sides. The blonde used the chance and slipped his tongue into Luffy's opened mouth for a little battle. The boy clung more to his boyfriend. He tried to fight back as long as possible, but it felt too good if Marco had the control.

Luffy panted slightly as their lips separated. He watched the blonde over him with half-lidded eyes. Luffy hadn't noticed that he was on his back until now.

„Ne, Marco?", he whispered. Luffy only heard a hum as Marco left soft kisses on his cheeks and his forehead. „When are these stupid two years of taking it slow over? I already made my mind up. I want to stay with Marco. Even when I'll become pirate king, I still want to be with Marco and be able to call you my boyfriend."

„Just a little longer, yoi", Marco said with a red gleam on his cheeks. Luffy pouted. Hadn't he waited long enough? Well, they didn't see each other very often, but he was sure of his feelings. So why wait any longer?

„I promise it will be soon, yoi", the blonde said and kissed him again. But this time he skipped the sweet soft part and went directly to the part which elicited delightful noises out Luffy. All of them were, fortunately, muffled through the kiss.

A breathless whine left him when Marco ended the kiss and pulled him into a sitting position. Luffy leaned his forehead against his boyfriend's shoulder and took a few deep breaths.

„We can resume later. I just need to get the feathers right, yoi", Marco said and caressed the boy's back along his spine. This made Luffy sigh and he lifted his head to peck the blonde on the lips. „Then get the tools out and transform to let me work on you." „No need to hurry, yoi." „Yes, there is. The quicker the preparations are done, the quicker it comes back to kissing and cuddling", Luffy said with a grin.

He could hear Marco chuckle and his grin transformed into a smile as he got one last kiss before the blonde transformed back in his beautiful zoan form.

Using the Striker always gave Ace a feeling of being unlimited. The little ship made it possible for him to be close to the water without touching it, but hear the ocean very well. Also, he liked the speed. He could travel a lot faster by himself instead of staying on the Moby Dick or any of the smaller ships they used to check on their islands.

At the moment he was using the Striker to get back as fast as possible to the Moby Dick. Afterall, it wasn't very often he got to see his baby brother in person.

The last time had been on Fishman Island and that was a long time ago, it felt like it.

Sure there had been the call over the den-den mushi with Sabo. But that couldn't really be counted to contact with his little brother. Luffy hadn't said much and Sabo had hung up before he had gotten his attention to scolding his baby brother for being reckless and already fighting with the Shichibukai again.

Well, he got his revanche on his lost blonde brother. Ace had met Sabo on the Island. The blonde had visited it to stock up the food together with Koala, a friend of the former noble.

When they had met, Ace had hit Sabo instantly and both of them started to fight just for fun. But this fight was ended by Koala, who had gotten mad and had not only hit them but also scolded them. She also punished them by reducing their meals and also made Sabo sleep on the floor.

This little information had made Ace grin. So his slightly younger brother and Koala seemed to share a bed normally. So Sabo had a thing for bossy women. That was something he would tease him with and he did.

The best reactions on Sabo's face were when Koala was in hearing range. The blonde started to sweat and Ace could see how he tried to think his way out of it.

Yep, this was a wonderful revanche.

Also, he would tell Luffy about that. There was no way he wouldn't let his baby brother in on the fun. Afterall, this would work better as Sabo would be defenceless if Luffy started to tease.

With that in mind and also to surprise his little brother, Ace hadn't called ahead and made his division stay quiet about his earlier return.

The first persons who noticed his return were Jinbe and Namur. Both Fishman helped Blamenco repairing and applying white colour to the figurehead.

„Welcome back, Ace-san", Jinbe greeted with a nod his way. „Thanks, Jinbe. Also, thank you for taking care of my little brother. I know he can be a handful", the second division commander said and bowed slightly on the striker.

„You should also thank Marco. He is the one who is keeping your brother out of the trouble since he came onboard", Namur told him while Blamenco let a rope latter fall down for him. Ace grinned and with a ‚I will' he climbed the ladder up quickly.

„Welcome back, son."

He felt warm just by hearing these words. It gave him a feeling of being in the right place. Of really belonging here.

„Thanks, Oyaji."

Ace smiled. Marco had been right back then. Even if it was just a simple word. It did make him happy, too.

„Everything is fine on the island now. These bandits were just provoking to see if they could fight a pirate. Well, they won't do this again. But now I'll get a snack and then search for my brother. If you see Marco, the report will come in the next few weeks", Ace grinned and waved his hand. He could hear his father's laughter as he walked the way to the kitchen.

He had some hope to find Luffy there. Perhaps his baby brother was planing some pranks with Thatch and Haruta. That would be perfect to celebrate the reunion. A few pranks.

But he didn't find Luffy in the kitchen. Most of their cooks seemed busy with something. Ace couldn't exactly see what they were preparing, but he didn't care as he noticed Thatch in one corner.

His best friend was busy decorating cupcakes and talking with Izo, who sat on a comfy chair and had some piece of paper on his lap.

The cross-dresser was the first of the couple to notice him. „Welcome back, Ace", Izo said with a smile.

Thatch dropped his tools and jumped around to hug him. „Ace! Good to have you back. Marco is getting scarier", the cook complained. „It's Marco. How can the bird get scarier than he already is?", Ace wondered.

„He found new interest in punishing people by using them as a training partner for katana training. This is something you can scare most of the older members with, as it is some years ago since he last used a katana in a battle", Izo explained.

„So is he that bad with a katana?", Ace asked and patted Thach's back. „The opposite. He is quite good, not good as our specialist. But he can give them a run for their money if he is angry", Izo said.

„So do you think I can just ask him if it is okay to watch…", Ace started, but Thatch put a cupcake in his mouth to stop him from talking. „Forget about it. Just eat the cupcake and forget about it. It is best to not know about this", the cook said.

Ace swallowed the cupcake but coughed lightly. „Tasty, but a bit too sweet", the second division commander commented.

This made Izo laugh. „I told you, it would be too much." Thatch stuck out his tongue lightly towards the cross-dresser before he started to pout.

At that moment Ace could see Izo's papers. All of them contained different more female outfits but for men. The contours of the men were similar to Thatch's, some of the second division member's and his own. The last paper was well hidden behind the others so Ace couldn't see anything on it. What exactly was Izo planing with these outfits?

Normally Ace would ask, but he had more important things to do. Searching his baby brother.

„Ne, do you know where Luffy is? I hoped to find him in the kitchen", Ace said. „He will most likely be with Marco. Since your brother didn't feel well yesterday and our brother won't let him jump around as much as Luffy normally likes", Izo told him and folded the paper.

„If you visit the mother-hen I come with you. Just in case you something idiotic and he will turn mad, so we can run together", Thatch said and put his arm around Ace's shoulders. Izo sighed. „Careful, Thatch, someday you are going to dig your own gave with your comments", the cross-dresser looked a bit worried.

„Hey, come on, you know I did worse and Marco hadn't killed me, yet. The only time I came close to dying was two years ago. So don't worry", Thatch said and pulled Izo towards him to gave him a kiss.

Ace faked a gaging. „Please spare me that. I will go to Marco", the black-haired division commander said and went the way to the room of the first division commander.

He heard quick steps and then found Haruta leaning on him. „Ace, my favourite brother. You're back and had looked for me, yet", the woman pouted playfully with a slight grin. „Sorry, Haruta, but another person has a higher priority than you on my list", he said. „Aw~ I come with you. I want to see Luffy's reaction since we hadn't told him you would be back soon."

They were soon joined by Izo and Thatch. It was suspicious. But Ace couldn't exactly say why. It just had something to do with his little brother. He hoped everything was alright. It didn't help that he had some kind of a brother-complex like the other said.

He stopped in front of Marco's door. Ace could feel three pairs of eyes on him. It did feed his worries that something had happened with his little brother. He would burst into Marco's room without knocking if he hadn't forced himself to calm down by taking a few deep breaths. Marco wouldn't let anything happen to Luffy if the Phoenix was able to prevent it.

„Stop moving so much, Marco. I know it stings, but it will only hurt more if you keep on moving."

Ace blinked. That was the voice of his baby brother. Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see the three others paled slightly. So they had heard it, too.

He didn't care any longer about knocking. Ace just open the door.

„What the fucking hell is…?"

Cliffhanger ;)
So how long shall I keep you waiting? 0=)