Ok, here it is for you all. I'm okay now, fever's gone :D Thank you for all your blessings!

Sorry for any mistake, my keyboard is cursed, the 'r' doesn't want to be typed. This chapter was another tough one, just so you know ;D

jekjok: Sorry if I didn't answer your review in the third chap, I've had a problem in which I couldn't see the last reviews, they showed up just an hour or so ago. I understand your feelings xD Here it is! Enjoy!

12ReiRei: You really squealed? That's some achievement! :D Sorry for distracting you, I should also apologize for this new chapter xD But, I'm not sorry xP I'm glad you gave this story a chance, your reviews give me a lot of desire to write :) It's been hard to write the fourth chap mostly because of the scenes you loved and because I don't like plot holes, I want things to be neat and in order. I'm really really glad you're liking this :D Thank you!

Xarxion: Thank you! Here is the fifth chap :D

Thank you so much for the new follows, favorites and the reviews, I appreciate everything, you just can't imagine how much you fill my heart with joy!

Words: 4193.

Enjoy!

05 – Becoming a pirate

"Ok, guys…"

Luffy was sitting in the Sunny's kitchen with his crew. It had not been hard to gather them and throw everyone on his ship. The shock from Brook had helped him greatly. Not counting when he had started to sing and play with his bones, laughing like a mad skeleton.

Zoro, Nami, Robin and Chopper were with him at the table, Franky and Usopp sat cross-legged on the floor. Sanji was busying himself at the counter, Zoro leaned on the wall next to the door. Brook just continued to hum his favorite song.

"I'm not a marine anymore, I don't know what you've seen, but I resigned. After freeing Ace, that was the best choice." He sighed. "You could have just forgot about me and go on."

"Luffy, you are our Captain." Zoro said.

"We wouldn't have been marines if it wasn't for you." Sanji added.

"So, don't start spouting nonsense." Nami snorted.

"It's obvious we would search for you…" Usopp was playing with his fingers.

"I can't go anywhere without you, Captain." Robin smiled.

"This ship is yours, SUPEEEEER!"

"Yohohoho!"

"It was you that accepted me, Luffy." Chopper mumbled.

"This mean you'll all be outlaws." The ex-marine said, serious. "I can't go back… I'm going to be a pirate. If you really want to follow me, your way to your dreams will become a lot harder and longer."

"I was already one, anyway." Robin said with a beaming smile.

"We'll be free, not following orders anymore, I can draw more maps."

"I'll be able to fight whoever I want." Zoro smirked.

"The journey will be our choice now, it will be more enjoyable and fun." Sanji mimicked the swordsman.

"One way or another, I'll meet Lovoon. Yohohoho!"

"I'll be like my father, in the end!" Usopp jumped happy, laughing.

"Wherever the Sunny goes, I'll go. SUPEEEEER!"

"And I will be able to heal even outlaws!"

Luffy looked at each of his nakama, studying attentively faces and grasping their true will. He found exactly what he wanted in their eyes, stances and smiles. They would really follow him. And the fact filled him with joy and a confidence he hadn't had for the past few days.

He smiled back with fondness. How he was lucky enough to find them was a mystery.

"Ok, then. We're officially pirates, no going back." He smirked. "Have they published some Wanted Posters?"

"They did, today." Nami said while Sanji took a paper from a drawer and put it on the table.

It was a photo from Marineford, when he was standing on the scaffold, maybe after bowing to Senny. He had a serious and angry expression. The reward was of 370,000,000 Bery.

"Whoa, so much?" He exclaimed, grinning.

"It seems they counted your previous… missions." Nami explained.

"And added your recent stunt to the pile." Usopp laughed.

"Once they notice your absence, you will all have one, too." Luffy said.

"Why did Whitebeard say that you joined his crew?" Robin asked after a while. "Newspaper states that you've allied with him."

"Because he asked me to."

"And what are your thoughts on the matter?" Sanji intervened.

"I honestly don't know. My objective has not changed, but the way to achieve it did. I can't get legally to the roots anymore. We'll have to declare war to the Government and I don't want to bring them in the mess."

"How are they?" Nami asked. "I mean, we only know them as the crew of a Yonko, rumors."

"They're kind, welcoming… I think that if it wasn't for Marco 'kidnapping' me, I would probably be in Impel Down at the moment."

"What are the plans for the time being, Captain?" Zoro said after some moments.

"I have to take care of some things first…" He stood, taking the paper with him. "Thinking about it, I need to warn him about dad showing up." Luffy opened the door and glanced back at them. "Thank you, and sorry for this mess."

"We're more used to messes than to you being all tough and mighty." Sanji laughed, followed by the others.

The ex-marine smiled and left, jumping on the Moby Dick. Whitebeard was still sitting on his chair, drinking. Izo and Thatch were talking to him, but stopped once he approached.

"Everything all right, Commodore?" The Captain asked, grinning.

"Your stubbornness is unbearable…" Luffy scoffed. "Yes. I need to talk to you, though. My dad is sure to come search for me, and he could be… troublesome."

"Why?" He arched a brow.

"Because he is, and I hope he doesn't think you're keeping me captive."

Whitebeard studied him. "Who's he?"

Luffy sighed. "If he doesn't come, his minions will… His name is Monkey D Dragon, leader and founder of the Revolutionary Army."

He felt the shock leak on the two pirates as their Captain laughed out loud. Izo stared at him wide-eyed, as if trying to understand if it was a joke. Thatch simply froze, agape.

"You sure have an interesting bloodline, yoi."

The ex-marine looked at the door, noticing Marco leaning on it with crossed arms on his chest and a smirk on his lips. Luffy put his weight on the right leg and rested the hand on the hip.

"Are you scared?"

"Not one bit."

Luffy sent a knowing grin to him, then looked again at Newgate, that was carefully observing them.

"I only wanted to warn you, but I don't know exactly what he's planning."

"Wait. You're serious?" Izo said next to a fainting Thatch.

"I like to tease, not to joke. I am serious, you'll see for yourself." He then held up his poster. "This is a news, too."

"Cheeky brat." Whitebeard laughed again, as the cross-dresser took the paper. "What about you?"

"If you don't mind, I'll stick with you until he comes. I don't want to cause a war."

"I don't, my son would be mad if I did." He glanced at the Phoenix for a mere second, making Luffy smirk maliciously.

"Oh, really?" He mused.

Marco, in the meantime, looked at his pops with a guilty smile, then shrugged and eyed the ex-marine with a strange gleam in his eyes, almost unnoticeable… That was gone really soon, as he entered again the ship.

Izo laughed. "Ok, enough for today, my mind needs to adjust…" He winked, dragging his brother by grabbing one of his feet, probably to his room.

Whitebeard grinned back at Luffy. "I'm still waiting for an answer."

"… To what question?"

He laughed softly. "Do you want to join my crew and become one of my sons?"

"Why do you want me to?"

"Because I knew you were meant to be one from the very first day Ace showed me a photo of you."

Luffy's smile softened. "I don't want to involve you in the mess I want to make."

Newgate laughed again. "What kind of mess?"

"Oh… Nothing much. Fighting the World Government, freeing slaves, destroying Sabaody and the likes… Things like this."

The signature laughter thundered all around him. "Cheeky marine, are you underestimating me?"

Luffy scoffed. "How could I…"

"Then trust us and become my son."

The outlaw gazed into the other's eyes, thoughtful. They were sincere, open and confident.

"I already trust you and some of your sons…"

"Then make it official, yoi."

Marco was again at the door.

"First you kidnap me, then you eavesdrop?" Luffy smirked a bit.

"It's not just me, yoi."

Ace, Izo and a fumbling Thatch walked out. Makes one wonder why they went away in the first place…

"We all want you to be one of us." The cross-dresser said.

"They're jealous of me." Fire-fist joked.

"I've been here only for a few days, how can you…"

"We just know." Thatch interrupted him. "Does everything have to be rationalized?"

And that… was something Luffy didn't know how to counter. He went to the railing and looked at his crew, that was waiting on Sunny's deck. They were smiling at him, probably having heard enough to understand what was going on.

"I don't want any more leashes on me." He said, still looking at the Sunny.

"You won't be restricted." Newgate stated.

"My crew?"

"Comes with you."

Luffy huffed. "What do you think, guys? Should we join?"

"Aye, Captain!" A chorus made him smile fondly.

"Well then, O-ya-ji." He smirked, looking at Whitebeard with the hat shadowing his eyes. "You've just chosen the worst addition ever to your crew. Forget what quietness is."

The man laughed out loud. "I'll deal with it."

"This requires a party!" Thatch exclaimed, running inside.

Izo smiled and patted Luffy's shoulder, then went on the other ship to meet the new crew members. Some moments later, everyone jumped up on Moby Dick to meet Whitebeard. The now pirate approached Marco, that wore one of his rare smile.

"I guess we're now brothers." He said, sitting cross-legged next to him.

"That's what we were since when you first stepped on here." The Phoenix mimicked Luffy.

"Even the other Officials think this way?"

"Of course, pops talked to every one of us first, but it wasn't truly needed." He sighed. "You said you trust us, so just do." He looked straight at his eyes. "We won't betray you, I didn't after all."

Luffy stared back. "Okay. I will."

The afternoon went by with every pirate setting the ship and the docks up for the party. Luffy's crew had way to meet and know some of their new mates. Soon, cheers resounded in the night breeze, with laughter and song choruses. Brook played every instrument he came by, gaining a lot of attention. Zoro drank no stop with Fossa and Vista, betting on who of the three could hold more alcohol. Sanji helped Thatch cooking, exchanging tips and recipes. Franky, Chopper and Usopp made up their usual show with chopsticks and food, Rakuyo soon joining them. Nami and Robin sat with Izo, talking about idle topics.

Luffy was watching everything carefully from his usual spot, a fond smile in place.

"This should be your party, too." A deep voice said from his right.

"I ate a lot, you know?"

Marco sat next to him. This was becoming rapidly a usual situation.

"Hard not to notice, yoi. You barely left any bones and a cook fainted."

The pirate laughed softly. "Sanji thanks me for his stamina."

"So, this is your normal behavior."

"I guess…"

"I prefer it, yoi. You're friendlier. Even Namur warmed up to you."

"You're all saying the same thing. Ace, Sanji, now you, too." He whined. "Nami, some minutes ago, said how much she was surprised when she saw me enraged at Marineford, on the big screen."

"I can't blame her, I observed you make that stupid dance with Franky. You seemed like a totally different person, yoi."

Luffy pouted, crossing his arms over bent upward knees. "I'm me and the same."

Marco laughed.

"Don't tease me too much, you may regret it."

"How so?" He quirked a brow.

"You'll see, for now you're safe." He smirked, then glanced at his new brother, to find him staring. Again. Was that a pattern? "I'm sincerely starting to think you're a stalker. Maybe a night beast would have suited you better."

When Luffy saw again the strange gleam from the afternoon in those black eyes, he jumped back and down on the docks, starting to run like mad towards the forest. Something told him that his intentions weren't good-natured and that he needed to hide. He dashed through trees and big roots, just to be stopped by a golden chain.

He huffed and blushed as it disappeared, to be replaced by a strong arm. He felt a hot breath against his neck and a body on his back.

"A night beast?" His tone was a low growl, similar to a purr, but stronger. "Why are you running away?"

"Instinct." He answered, trying to regain his personal space, blush darkening in a steady pace.

Marco brushed his nose against his ear, blowing. Luffy couldn't suppress a shiver.

"Oh? What kind?"

"Survival, I suspect…" He tried to keep his voice normal. Tried.

He brought a hand to his waist, fighting the one holding him, and the other behind, to hurt him in some way. But Marco anticipated him and lost the grip. He then grabbed his hands and trapped him to a trunk, blocking his wrists at the sides of his head. He could now fully see the dark blush in the moonlight, as they were face-to-face, and smirked.

"And why the blush?" He asked, leaning forward slowly.

Luffy blinked, finding himself enticed. "You know why…" It could have been seen as a whine, if it wasn't for the low voice.

"Feeling conscious?" The distance was minimal between them, bodies lining.

"… It's your fault." There was no force in the accusation.

"Then I should take responsibility."

Marco clashed their lips together without further ado. He felt the other tense and melt right after. Those soft lips started to move against his own and he decided to taste them with his tongue. They were sweet, maybe because of the strawberry chocolate cake that he hadn't eaten. Luffy had the same idea, savoring sake and meeting his tongue. Their lips separated for a bit, before touching again, opened.

Marco started to slowly map the other's mouth, losing his mind in the dark chocolate taste. He lost grip on the wrists, hands roaming to the waist and massaging his sides. Luffy mewled in the kiss, circling the Phoenix's neck with his arms. He squeezed, making the other get nearer. A hand went up to grab his hair.

They broke the touch to breath heavily, stared in each other's eyes and kissed again.

The blond groaned as he felt his new mate starting a battle for dominance and made his hold on him tighter, circling his waist totally. Tongues clashed and brushed and bruised at the force and passion they wanted to convey. Marco let a hand slid down and squeezed his butt. Luffy moaned loudly, losing the war that was going on in their mouths. He leaned into the other's body unknowingly, making him smirk.

Air was needed again, and they separated, panting, noses and foreheads touching. Both were smiling. One was sweetly satisfied with the outcome, while the other gladly surprised.

"Are you always so responsible?" Luffy asked, slowly regaining composure.

"You don't seem to mind, yoi." He smirked.

"I could get used to it…" The blush started to subside, finally.

Marco moved the hand on the butt to his face, caressing his cheek. "I'll make sure of that."

He shifted his head to the side and hid in the crook of his neck, sucking on the exposed collarbone. This movement elicited a new not muffled moan from Luffy, that gave him more space. When he thought it was dark enough, Marco licked it and smirked.

"Claiming, aren't we?" Luffy said, grinning.

"Don't you dare hide it."

"And possessive… What am I getting myself into…"

Marco's face turned serious. "I don't know, either." He kissed his neck, then his lips and looked in his eyes. "But I do not regret this."

Luffy smiled, giving him another kiss on his lips, licking them when separating. "I think you should know something, though…"

"What, yoi?" He smirked again at the touch.

"My crew mates may have something to say about this. I don't plan on telling them, they will discover this on their own."

"Is this a warning?"

"I think they have some kind of complex, but you'll see for yourself when the time comes."

Luffy grinned, feeling his earlobe being played with a tongue, that moved again to his neck. Marco left another mark and looked at him.

"I'll wait and see."

The ex-marine laughed softly.

"Better go back, yoi. Your party is still going on."

"Okay." He pecked once more Marco, before letting him go and grabbing his hand.

The Phoenix couldn't suppress a true smile as they made their way back to the ship. Their fingers were playing, brushing and caressing skin. The silence of the forest started to fade into choruses and songs. Luffy huffed, lifting on his feet to give another quick kiss on the other's cheek, before leaving his hand and running to the vessel.

Marco, for a brief moment, wanted to grab him again and just go back into darkness, but held himself and shrugged, following the other after some minutes. He highly doubted his brothers would have noticed, and the ones that would have may be counted on one hand. Izo already knew, obviously, pops noticed, too. Thatch was too much preoccupied fainting. Thinking about it, should he make him stop or just enjoy it every time? He was finding himself rather possessive, after all… Well, for now he should leave the cook alone.

The other officials were too drunk by the time he returned to be bothered. Marco sat near the huge chair and grabbed a bottle of sake. He saw Luffy stealing food from Usopp's plate and going to sit next to Zoro, that was still drinking.

"Marco…"

He turned, gulping some liquid, towards Whitebeard, that laughed.

"I haven't seen you so relaxed for a long time."

The Phoenix scoffed.

"That boy sure makes you feel, huh?"

And this time was his turn to fight down a blush. He succeeded, unfortunately.

"I'm glad, son." Another soft laugh filled the air.

A smile grated his features as he drank again. His Captain was damn right. The very first time they met, Marco had felt. Surprised to see someone so thin have that much of strength. Glad he had chosen his family over himself. Shocked from the use of Conqueror's Haki and from the behaviors big shots like Mihawk had shown.

He'd had to trust him in saving Ace, and he did. He brought back his lost brother and protected him like a mad man from Akainu's magma, suffering those ugly scars. Even in that situation he had not used his power, preferring the pain over giving knowledge. How could he have left him there? And Luffy honestly thought he would have, he was ready to go to Impel Down to save Ace. If that wasn't a good enough reason for his pops to want him in the crew… What was?

He had been accepted almost immediately by Izo and Thatch. And then his way of scolding Ace had been priceless. Maybe a little harsh, but he knew it was thanks to Luffy that his brother wasn't going after Teach again. His face at that time was filled with relief and something akin to regret. Perhaps it was the fact that he had almost lost his only brother. But he knew there was something else, hidden away in their hearts. He had to uncover this mystery, too, but not tonight.

He had shown respect and tact in being a guest and had not pretended anything from them. On the contrary, he had heard the man ask to be left on the next island to his pops. As if. Whitebeard was totally right in fearing a fierce scold if he accepted the request.

He clicked his tongue, remembering that first day and smirked at the 'kidnapper' antics. Maybe he was, after all he abducted him again and again recently, without thinking about it properly. He just wanted to and did it, nothing more. And how he enjoyed every outcome…

Who could have imagined that the little scoundrel would also be so maliciously sexy… He kept being so innocent in his movements, but that was only an act. He knew how to attract certain types of attention and liked to use his ways. Marco wouldn't mind, those had been for him – the comment on Marineford hadn't left place for misunderstanding –, but Luffy acted like that in public places and in font of others. That had to change. As soon as possible.

"You're scaring shits outta me." Thatch fell on his butt next to him, drank to the core. "I don't understand if you're angry or satisfied."

"Both, yoi."

"Really?" Izo smirked in front of him, blocking his view of Luffy, that was currently drinking.

Marco regained his composure and smiled to his brothers. "I'll try to control myself better, yoi."

"Honestly, we don't mind." Thatch sighed. "Instead, be more you. We like seeing these hidden sides of you."

"It's surely a surprise, but don't worry. Rather, steal him completely before someone else does." Izo added with a growing smirk.

"What does that mean?" He arched a brow.

"The prank I made with those pants attracted too much… So he's now a crew member and… You know…" Izo looked back at his new brother. "That's the result." He pointed at his sides and Marco understood. "Your marks aren't so obvious, they're all drank."

Pirates were eying Luffy, hungry. The boy was unaffected by the attention and didn't even flinch or look around. Zoro, on the other hand, while drinking his nth bottle, was. His free hand was resting on a hilt, but his brothers were too taken by the show.

One of them approached, unsuspecting of his awaiting fate, and lifted a hand to touch his ass. Marco was about to jump when he saw a reflex of light. Apparently without Luffy noticing, the swordsman had unsheathed his weapon and grazed the guilty wrist. He saw the movement of his lips more than heard what he said.

"Try that again and I will cut off your hand and give it to the cook."

Zoro didn't even glance at the pirate, simply drinking again and retracting his sword only when the other withdrew.

"He was serious about the complex." Marco commented, seeing Sanji glare furiously at all the pirates.

Izo laughed. "You'll be in trouble in the next few days. Maybe they'll not see them now, but tomorrow… A pity we don't have a camera anymore."

"Hey! You destroyed mine yesterday!" Thatch whined.

"Do you remember what you wanted to do with it?" The cross-dresser inquired, making him blush and look away.

Marco sighed as Ace started a brawl with some of the hungry-looking pirates. That was another problem, the brother-complex.

"You have a hard way to walk, son." Whitebeard thundered, as if reading his mind.

"Indeed, yoi. But I'll enjoy myself, too." He smirked, looking again at Luffy.

He was now singing with Brook, that deterred any unwelcome touch.

As the party went by, pirates started to collapse on the floor. Izo and Thatch had disappeared at some point. Marco stopped drinking and went to Nico Robin, curious about the way she had looked at him all the evening. He sat across her and Nami, soundly asleep on the table.

"Marco the Phoenix." She greeted him. "Nice to meet you."

"You, too."

"Why did you mark my Captain?"

So plainly straight… "Jealous?"

Robin laughed softly. "Not at all." Her expression was jovial and happy. "But you'll find out how much we treasure him soon." Oh, good actress here.

"Is that a threat?" He asked.

"There's no need for it. I'm not against this, my Captain if fully capable of taking care of himself. If he permitted those marks, he wanted them. You have to worry about his Vice and the cook, though. The others will be easier."

Marco smirked, looking again at Luffy. "Is that so… He did warn me."

"That means he cares."

His chest tightened at those words, an odd warmth spreading through all his body.

"And I'm glad to see you do, too." She smiled broadly, nodding to him. "I like you, so I'll give you a little help." Her voice became a whisper. "Sanji and Zoro have a weakness, well-hidden as well as clear as daylight. Find it and bribe them." She snickered gleefully.

"That's interesting. Thank you."

They then moved to lighter topics, from past adventures to pranks pulled on board both ships with Nami waking up at some points to add some details, then dropping back to sleep. Brook soon joined them with a tea cup, almost every pirate was sound asleep, included Franky and Usopp. Zoro had approached Sanji and they were fighting who knew about what, Ace ending up in the middle of it. Their Captain stole some more food and sat on the floor near the table, watching them in a hidden studying session.

It was two in the night when Robin excused herself and went to sleep on the Sunny, Nami and Brook following her. Luffy waved at them and stood, smiling and nearing Marco. All the pirates had retired or fainted from the alcohol, even their pops was nowhere in sight.

"This was nice." He said.

"Don't underestimate our parties, yoi."

Luffy laughed. "Of course…" And yawned, stretching. "A lot happened today."

"And you're tired, yoi. Where will you sleep this time?" He smirked.

"On my ship, but still on the deck. Are you on watching duty again?"

Marco looked around at the various corpses. "I have no choice, yoi."

"Ok then, goodnight." Luffy left a kiss on his lips and jumped down on the Sunny.

"'Night."

Thank you for reading, see ya!