Well, as previously written on my profile, here is the sixth chap. I plan to finish this story before Christmas, so stay tuned. After that date I have to focus on my exams. Again, sorry for any mistakes, I try my best in evading them :D

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Words: 3944.

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06 – The Revolutionary Army

"It was a Noble's fault, yoi?"

"Yeah, he just blew up his little ship and Ace saw it all. I wasn't at the island at the time, some training my gramps pushed on me. When I returned, they told me about the fire and Sabo's death." Luffy gritted his teeth.

"Calm down." Marco said, reaching for his shoulder and caressing it. "I understand now why Ace has that mad brother-complex, yoi."

Luffy smiled. "Yeah, but he prefers that I don't notice. Zoro and Sanji, too."

"So, last night, you were pretending."

"Of course." He rolled his eyes.

It was 4 in the afternoon. In the morning Nami and Robin had requested a private meeting with Whitebeard to ask for information about crew, rules and how to behave when they finally parted. The breakfast had been consumed on the Moby Dick, while Sanji had helped in the kitchen, where he was appreciated a lot by the new crew mates. Zoro had just kept drinking happily with Vista. Usopp and Chopper had warmed up to Haruta, that had brought them to the training room to play. Brook had pranked everyone around the ship, and still was during lunch and after that. Franky had chosen to explore the island for tools with Fossa.

Luffy and Marco were now again on the hidden side of the island, on a high branch of a willow tree. The ex-marine was kidnapped two hours before by the Phoenix while running away from an angered Sanji. Well, maybe this time he could use the word 'saved'. In his mind.

He was leaning with his back on the pirate's chest, that used the trunk to stay seated, a leg hanging outside the branch as the other's ones. They had just stopped flying and Luffy felt a little drained for holding his huge form for that much time.

He sighed, closing his eyes. He was enjoying every second, feeling happily free and protected in those two strong arms that were hugging his waist. Marco made space on his shoulder for Luffy's head and watched him relax completely.

"And you did nothing to stop the perverts?"

"No need to. There were so many bodyguards, you included." He laughed softly.

"Can't deny that, yoi. But you sure are cocky."

"You know, the only one that noticed your marks is Robin." He smirked.

"And she already gave her permission…" Marco scoffed. As if he needed that. No one could tell him what to do, aside from his pops.

"I can't wait to see the others' reactions, Robin is the calmest after all. They will be so fun."

"You just want to see me in a pinch, yoi." The Phoenix huffed.

"Maybe I should set you up."

"You little devil…"

Marco gripped his chin and made him turn, catching his lips in a passionate touch. It was claiming as well as rough and demanding. Luffy gave in, letting him win the round. A hand reached up to his neck, making Marco groan and press more into those soft lips. A moan escaped Luffy's mouth, violated in every corner by the other's tongue, his cheeks burning a bright red color.

The loud sound of a bell interrupted them, that broke the contact abruptly, looking towards the ship. Four consecutive dongs.

"A ship is approaching the Moby Dick." Marco said, standing up with Luffy still in his grasp.

"We should go back." Luffy half-pouted.

"We'll resume some other time." The pirate smirked, kissing his cheek and morphing to his beast form.

They were on the deck in a few minutes. Luffy's crew was there, too. Only Franky and Zoro were on the Sunny, to defend it. It now proudly showed a jolly roger.

"What do we know?" Marco asked Namur, that had just dropped from the crow's nest, where Izo was still standing.

"No flags, there's only a man on the deck and it's approaching fast."

"He's waving a white cloth!" Izo shouted from above.

"Let them get near, it's a little ship." Whitebeard ordered.

It was, and they had nothing to fear. While a lot of pirates returned inside, some Officers, including Ace, went to Newgate's sides and Marco followed them, gripping Luffy's wrist.

"You're really attached to me…" He whispered so that only the Phoenix heard.

Marco fought a blush and answered in low voice: "You are part of this crew now, leading a ship of your own."

"Yeah, right." Luffy smirked, nudging his side.

A tall and muscular man appeared in front of them. He resembled a bit Luffy's facial features and had a scar over his left eye. His blond hair was styled deliberately to cover it up. He wore a long black jacket with a buckle on the left sleeve, a blue shirt and vest, a frilled cravat, and a simple belt holding a pair of loosen light-blue pants with black boots. He also wore a pair of brown gloves and a blue top hat with goggles over the band.

Marco felt Luffy tense beside him and looked over to understand why. The boy had wide eyes, mouth open and… were those tears?

"Luffy…?"

The called man looked at him, then back at the man and those tears fell along his cheeks. Marco wanted to make them stop, but couldn't do more than circle his shoulders and squeeze them.

This seemed to wake him up. He then felt raw rage flare from Luffy and the man backed up. In a second, the ex-marine was in front of the unknown as he grabbed his cravat and lifted him up, not minding that he was taller. His eyes were fierce, half-shadowed by his hat.

"Are you a ghost?" He asked in a seemingly calm voice.

"I… I' m not…" He answered, not moving nor trying to escape, with a sad and scared expression.

"Then you shouldn't be here, isn't that right?"

"Luffy…" Ace called in a hurt tone.

"I'm here, Lu…"

"Mind telling me where have you been this whole time, haunter?" His hand was starting to tremble.

"I… Lost my memories."

Luffy put him down as Ace came near them slowly. "Explain." He crossed his arms on his chest, eyes completely shadowed as he looked down on the floor.

The man took a long breath, caressing his throat. "After Saint Jalmack blew up the fishing boat, I had serious burns and critical injuries. A Revolutionary Army ship was passing by and picked me up. I was unconscious and they treated me. When I woke up, I didn't remember anything aside from my name." He swallowed. "I joined them and gained the title of chief of staff. Some days ago, Dragon showed me a newspaper about the events of Marineford and… My memories came back. He wanted to come fetch you but I insisted and he let me come instead."

He looked at Luffy, fear completely disappeared, and smiled sadly. Ace was barely keeping in his tears, while his brother's were falling no stop and slowly.

"You're alive…" Fire-fist whispered.

Marco understood then. This man was Sabo, the boy that Luffy had talked to him about in the afternoon. He didn't want to impose on them, but seeing Luffy cry was destroying his insides.

"I'm sorry." Sabo said. "I really am."

Luffy lifted a fist, as if to punch him, but the arm fell on the other's chest. Sabo took the chance to hug him and started crying as well, like a cascade. Ace joined them and Marco saw fit to shoo away the others. The ex-marine crew hadn't needed it, they were nowhere in sight already.

"Why do I have two shitty brothers like you, I wonder…"

Luffy's voice was quivering and Marco couldn't hold himself anymore. He approached them as they untangled. The Phoenix gripped his shoulder and looked at him with worried eyes, gaining two pairs of confused ones.

"In that, Luffy, I pity you and myself." Izo said from Whitebeard's side. He and Thatch were the only ones still on deck. "My brothers can be so worrisome sometimes…" He quickly glanced at Ace and Marco, then smiled. "We get to protect each other, tough. Now, scold him and make sure he behaves, it usually works with them."

Luffy nodded, took a deep breath and finally punched him in the guts. Marco had retired his hand just in time. Sabo flew for some meters before crashing on the docks, out of the ship. Whitebeard laughed with Thatch and Izo. Ace snickered, now openly crying. Marco relaxed as Luffy sighed and went to his brother's aid. But he pinched his cheeks and started to shout at him. Ace joined them with a smile of relief.

The Phoenix smiled, too, and decided to leave them alone. They surely had a lot to talk about. He sighed and just looked over the three, leaning on the wooden railing.

After half an hour, they were laughing together and Sabo had red cheeks and was rubbing his stomach. The punch had seemed to hurt. Marco felt glad for Ace, but mostly for Luffy. He was strong, he knew, but this was sure to make him happier and lighter. He was still blaming himself for a lot of things, stupid stubbornness.

Thatch had gone inside some minutes before, while Izo was on the crow's nest and Newgate was still there, drinking his sake.

"You're going to drive mad the nurses, pops." He said, sitting near him. He could hear the conversation anyway, they were loud.

"I wonder who's the one that's losing his mind here…"

Marco looked at him with a smirk. "Me, too."

"Don't think too much about it. Just let it flow."

"Thanks, pops."

"Anytime." He smiled.

Almost an hour later, as the sun was starting to set, the three brothers jumped again on the deck. Sabo bowed and apologized to Whitebeard, while Ace and Luffy were smiling behind him.

"So, you're here on my father's place… What did he want to do… Oh, fetch me?"

"Ah, yeah." The blond turned to his little brother. "He said to bring you to the base so that you can join us."

"Uhm… You're late for that." Luffy said, titling his head.

"What do you mean?"

He smirked. "I'm a pirate now, under his wing." He nodded to his adoptive father, arms crossed.

Sabo blinked once. Twice. And thrice. Then smiled brightly.

"Honestly, I prefer that a lot, for you."

Ace beamed. "I said the same."

"Guess I'll report the truth and that's okay." He laughed for a bit, then lost his smile when he looked better at Luffy. "Lu… What's that on your neck?" He pointed at the exposed and marked collarbone.

Ace looked, too, and paled. "What the hell…"

The ex-marine didn't let his grin fell. "It's just a bruise."

"It is not." Fire-fist said, getting nearer to study the mark. "Who did this?"

"As I already said, it's just a bruise…" He said, not wanting to lie.

Marco watched in amusement Luffy trying to cover things up and decided to intervene: "That's my fault."

The ex-marine looked at him with wide eyes, blushing. Ace took notice of that color and growled at Marco, as did Sabo. The two launched at the pirate without warning, but found empty air. The Phoenix was high in the sky, as if mocking them while his pops laughed loudly, and lost no time in abducting Luffy with his chain and flying away.

"Are you crazy or simply enjoying yourself?" Luffy asked, seeing a fire vortex following them with Sabo right under it.

The bird let him fall on the hidden side of the island and joined him soon after. "Maybe both." He pecked his lips before turning to welcome the two nuisances.

"What have you done to our brother!?"

"Good chorus's qualities, yoi." He commented.

"They've always been that way." Luffy said, rolling his eyes.

"You've always attracted the wrong attentions!" They whined.

Marco arched a brow. "It was a frequent thing?"

"We counted 37 perverts trying to kidnap him." Sabo said, taking a fighting stance.

"In the span of two fucking years!" Ace hissed.

"Can you believe that they didn't forget the exact number…" Luffy wondered as he moved to stand between Marco and his brothers. "Now." His eyes were half-shadowed. "Let me be straight, because I know you'll be on the loose once I'm far enough. I want to see him being chased around by you two, so I'll let you free now."

"But, Lu…" Sabo began, but was interrupted by a lifted hand.

"No buts. If I find a scratch on him when I was not looking, you'll have a dragon on your tail. Is this clear?"

They both nodded, biting their lower lips. Marco hugged him from the back, circling his waist and smirking madly.

"So, you're about to leave them chase me and go away like that?" He asked, ignoring the haki-infused rage that flared at him.

"Yeah, more or less…" Luffy looked at him, turning his head.

"Not even a treat for me?"

The ex-marine grinned. "It may be a treat for you, but seen as adding alcohol to the fire for them."

Luffy moved his hand to the other's cheek and kissed him briefly with closed eyes. He then poked his nose with his index and smiled, separating from him. His brothers were fuming, so he decided to teasingly add more.

As he hopped on a branch to sit, he said: "Careful guys, I need my pillow back for tonight."

Marco flew up, a wide smirk fading behind his blue flames. Sabo and Ace jumped to grab him, the former not even fearing the fire. Luffy laughed watching as the two tried again and again to punch, kick, send fire, grab him. But the Phoenix was elusive, dodging and evading.

It was an entertaining show and a training his two brothers could use, seeing how they moved. And, aside from the fun, he felt warmth creep in his every limb. There… were his two brothers. Miraculously, Ace and Sabo were fighting in front of his eyes, alive and breathing. Sabo was alive right under his nose. That simple fact finally downed on him with all its crushing weight. He smiled with fondness and happiness, a single tear falling down on his cheek.

He had hugged him, punched him and scolded the shitty head. They had cried, so much his eyes were still red. And he was now fighting Whitebeard's first mate over him, like the old times.

And the way Marco was indulging his desires was so lovable… He hid his face into his hands, fighting a blush. He didn't just think that word. Oh no. Nope. … Damn.

The redness deepened and he felt so hot that maybe the tree was catching fire under him. He cuddled himself, hugging his legs as the others continued their game.

This was so new and beautiful that he almost couldn't believe it to be true. He had found him attractive since their first meeting, at Marineford, and hadn't had the slight problem in voicing it. A pity their fight didn't last, that was something he wanted to resume someday…

Luffy then hadn't had the time to think about anything else, he had seen Ace and saving his brother and running with him had become top priority. Obviously, he was totally expecting to be sent to prison after his stunt, not to be taken by Marco on the Whitebeard's ship. He had preferred that occurred, anyway, Impel Down wasn't a nice place to be sent to.

But, thinking about that event now sent pleasurable shivers down his spine and his blush made home on his face. He crossed his arms on his knees and hid his head behind them, the brim of his hat casting a useful shadow on his eyes. That way he could still see his brothers, that were currently falling from the sky.

Things had become strange after the first day, and, oddly enough, they had gone smoothly. As if the change was natural and to be expected. Marco had been kind and a good listener for him, but also comforting in his silences. He had noticed how, after each conversation, his mood had gotten better and better, like his appetite. And the day before… The tender kiss of the morning had felt so right that it had warmed his entire being, while the ones of the night had been passionate and had filled him with excitement.

This wasn't something to be taken lightly, he knew he was falling, and honestly the fact scared him a bit. His trust in Marco was certain, but… What about himself? He had faith in his strength, after all he picked up his crew mates and protected them with his life, but this was different…

What if he lost control on his flames? They were to be restricted all the time, it wasn't easy. And what if he ended up hurting him? He had to part ways with his new family soon, maybe in one or two days. Luffy had taken care of all his problems by now and, after Sabo left, he wouldn't have any more reason to stay.

Nami had said that they were free to go any time, Whitebeard had given Robin all the information needed, such as protected islands or enemy and allied crews. He sighed, watching Ace hit his head on a rock and lose consciousness, as did Sabo after exactly two minutes. The two were lying pretty far from him.

"What are you thinking about, yoi?" Marco asked from behind him, sitting there and hugging the boy.

Luffy was moved and rested his head on the other's chest. "A lot of things."

"Such as?"

He sighed again. "A certain kidnapping, my flames, my next journey…"

Marco untangled his arms to turn him and see his face. "Do you want to learn how to control them?"

The ex-marine looked back at him. "I do, but at the same time…" He dropped his gaze.

A sudden warmth on his hand made him look at it. The blue flames of the Phoenix were touching his scars without leaving a burn, without hurting him.

"Trust me, yoi."

Luffy scoffed, caressing the fire. "I trust you… I don't trust me." He admitted.

"You know, that's exactly the problem. You need to trust your flames, yoi. The more you fear them, the more they'll be uncontrollable." He took a little stick from the tree and passed it to him. "Try with this, trust them, free your mind from your fear."

The pirate grabbed the stick and stared at it. He turned it around in his fingers before closing his eyes and breathing long. When he reopened them, there was confidence and pride in his orbs, no trace of dread. At last moment, however, when he blew on the stick and the black thick fire engulfed the wood, it was there again. Luffy hurriedly threw it in the air, Marco watched in fascination as not even ashes were left.

"I understand your fear of it, yoi. But you have to rein it and face it." He hugged him again, resting his forehead on the other's one. "Try again."

Marco gave him another stick and space. Again, the wood was gone and Luffy sighed.

"Ok, enough, now you try on me."

The other's eyes widened. "Are you crazy?"

"That may be, yoi. But not the kind of crazy you're thinking right now." He pinched his nose. "I trust you, so try on my arm."

"No, Marco, you may heal fast but this doesn't give you the time to."

"You won't hurt me, yoi."

Luffy was still not convinced but Marco wasn't going to retreat and he needed to know that its flames could be trusted. He sighed again.

"Okay… Okay."

This time he tried a lot harder. He took his time to concentrate and feel his darkness while taking the other's hand in his own. The flames were in his stomach, moving like a black mass, warm and filling. Luffy was scared of it eating Marco, but tried to think of it as something different. He pictured the flames as a part of him, not as a beast waiting to consume. He calmed the fire, he drowned in its waves and opened his eyes, finally blowing.

The darkness covered their hands. Luffy felt the familiar warmth, the thickness and fought his fear, watching the black fire die down, hands unscathed. His eyes widened in surprise and a happy smile brightened his face.

"See. It worked, yoi." Marco was smiling, too.

He nodded slowly, then threw his arms around his neck in a rush of pure joy. The Phoenix hugged his waist, but lost his balance and fell with his back on the ground, hissing a bit. Luffy was squeezing him strongly, almost blocking his breath.

"Thank you."

It was a whisper, so soft that no one could have heard it without being in the next proximity. Marco felt his heart clench and tightened his embrace, drowning in the wild scent.

"Anytime, yoi." He smiled in the other's shoulder.

Luffy loosened his hug and lifted his head to look directly at him. "What are you doing to me?"

The pirate's smile gained a malicious shadow, but didn't lose its softness. "I should be the one asking this."

The ex-marine's eyes were filled with happiness and something he didn't feel ready to take. But it was there nonetheless, and he knew it was in his own orbs, too. Trying to hide it would only be a waste of time.

They stared at each other for a long time, bathing in words that couldn't be said yet, and met half-way in an open-eyed chaste kiss, the best manner they discovered to convey their silent feelings. The calm they achieved in the other's arms was priceless and unprecedented. Their lips separated soundlessly and Luffy fell to the side with a huff, still smiling and looking up at the darkening sky. Marco lifted himself on an elbow and turned to watch him better.

"Were your brothers serious when they talked about perverts?" He asked.

Yep, the thing had unnerved him. A lot.

"They were, but the count isn't right." Luffy closed his eyes, relaxing. "I let them 'protect' me, but most of the times I had to take care of the nuisance myself."

"Always successfully, yoi?"

"Ah… No… Once, three men did abduct me, but didn't get to do much… They started to touch me, but I blew fire and they were gone in instants."

There was regret in his voice and Marco gripped his chin to turn his gaze to himself. "Stop blaming yourself, yoi. Think about it this way: if they were still alive, right now, I would want to kill them."

"Aww, confessing again?" Luffy teased, probably to change topic.

The Phoenix captured his lips in a searing, soul-sucking kiss and bit the other's tongue jokingly before breaking the touch. "If that's what you want to hear…"

"What if I say it is?" Luffy joked, laughing softly and opening his eyelids.

Marco turned serious, noses touching, but didn't answer. After some minutes, the Phoenix grabbed his wrists and blocked them at the sides of his head, looking into his eyes.

"I like you." He said, weighing every word with measured tone and confidence, and smiled.

Luffy blushed furiously, opening and closing his mouth like a fish. Marco smirked and captured again his lips, engaging a tongue battle he won after mere seconds.

"Satisfied now?" Ha asked after putting some useless distance.

The other's blush was even darker when he said: "I like you, too."

Maybe a bit too sweet, but I swear I tried to make this last scene not diabetic xD Thanks for reading! See ya!