Hello everyone! Here is the next chapter!
This is more of a sort of interlude I think, but it is important to the plot
Hope you enjoy
Read and relax
Marco sat by his desk, doing some light paperwork, waiting for Ace to wake up. It was a bit later he heard a small groan and saw Ace moved a bit and Marco looked at him. "Ace, yoi?" Ace gave a small sound. "'m awake…" Marco chuckled. "Sure you are." Ace got up to sit and shook his head a bit, before he moved a hand to it. "I'm awake… now." Marco nodded. "Do you remember yesterday night, yoi?" Ace looked at him and Marco felt unsure if he remembered, when Ace nodded. "I do. I wanted you to ravage me, but you didn't. You said you cared for me, but we couldn't because you are a commander and I am not, a power play." Marco nodded and smiled. Ace remembered, that was good. "Do you still feel as you did last night, yoi?" Ace nodded, looking a bit sheepish. "I do… I have for a small bit." Marco nodded and moved over to Ace, cupping his cheek. "Same have I, yoi. But I am your commander. So we need Pops' approval. Do you want to speak with him now?" Ace blinked. "Is he awake?" Marco hummed. "I think so. Want to go check?" Ace nodded, and they went to speak with him.
-x-
Whitebeard sat in his room, relaxing before breakfast. He would soon head out and sit a bit in his chair. But as he was reading a book, there was a knock at the door, so he gave a come in, to show Marco and Ace. Whitebeard looked at them, wondering what this might be. Was he late for breakfast? "Good morning, Marco, Ace." They gave one back as they closed the door, before Marco spoke. "We need to talk with you, yoi. About a sensitive matter." Whitebeard nodded, putting his book away. He was worried Ace had harmed himself again and was in a bad place.
He motioned for them to sit in a couple of chairs, which they did, and the captain spoke. "What is this sensitive matter?" Marco gave a breath. "There have been some… emotions that have come up, yoi." Whitebeard nodded, feeling sure Ace had self harmed again. "What kind of emotions?" He would be ready to ask for Bay, that Ace needed to go see her, when Marco continued, moving a hand to Ace's leg. "Between Ace and I. We have not done anything, more than kissing, yoi. But I am his commander, so I know we need your approval." Whitebeard blinked. He hadn't expected this. Whitebeard then nodded. "I see. How long?" Marco gave a breath. "Since yesterday. We have both felt something for a small bit, but we confessed last night." Whitebeard nodded. That meant they had come here as quickly as they could. In his mind, that helped prove Marco didn't have ill or malicious intentions, an intention to abuse his status. Not that he would have believed that either way, but Marco did have a power over Ace since he was a commander.
Whitebeard looked at his two children. "I don't want to interfere with your love life, sons. But I have to think about this. I trust you, Marco, that you wouldn't abuse your status, but it's still a delicate matter and would bring a lot of attention to Ace as well." Marco nodded. "I know, yoi. And we will not do anything until you have made up your mind." Ace looked a bit unsure as he fidgeted. "Do you think it would be a lot of attention?" Whitebeard was on his way to answer, when Marco did. "It would, yoi. I am the first commander and first mate. You're the newest addition, some may even think you're with me to trick us. I know you're not, but others might, yoi." Ace nodded, looking unsure, slightly tugging at his sleeve. Whitebeard then spoke. "I am also a bit relieved. I was worried you came to talk with me since you had, or have been thinking about, self harming, Ace." Ace blinked. "I…" Ace looked uncomfortable, and Whitebeard felt now that was also the case.
Marco frowned a bit as he looked at Ace. "Ace, yoi?" Ace gave a breath. "I… I did think about it some days ago. But I… it's complicated. But I went to Izou as I didn't want to be alone." Marco moved a hand to Ace's. "Did you self harm?" Ace looked uncomfortable, so the captain felt he had. Ace sighed. "Not… truly. But I had a cuticle, and I pulled on it very slowly and it started to bleed a lot and it didn't really hurt, and then I got my mind with me and I knew I shouldn't, so I went to Izou, who helped me." Ace then looked at Marco. "That's why I had that wound on my finger, but Izou told me to lie…" Marco nodded. "I see. But it is okay now, yoi. I get why you lied, or Izou wanted you to lie." Whitebeard nodded, he agreed. But still. "I don't want to overstep, but I am a worried father. May I check?" Ace blinked, before he nodded and lifted his sleeves, and he saw no fresh or new wounds, but he saw something else. Which were new butterflies.
Whitebeard blinked. "When were those made?" Ace hummed. "During the last couple of weeks. This one is Izou, the first one, this one is Thatch, and this is Marco, from last night." Ace pointed to which as he said who made them. Whitebeard nodded, they all fit with who made them. But he also felt a bit jealous that he hadn't made one and 3 people was before him. He was Ace's father, he also wanted to make one, but that might be impossible as well, as he was so large compared to Ace. But he would try to figure out a way to do it.
Whitebeard then looked at his sons. "Come back here in 2 days and I will have a definitive answer for you, about the relationship. Okay?" Both Ace and Marco nodded, the latter speaking. "We will, yoi. And we promise to not do anything until then." Whitebeard smiled. He highly doubted Marco would ever abuse his status, but they had rules for a reason. No one had ever abused their status with them, but he knew it could happen, the reason he had made this a rule. Both did seem to get it, and he hoped this would go fine. They did a but more chatting, before Ace and Marco left, leaving Whitebeard to try and think. He felt very confident Marco wouldn't abuse his status. but this was a rule he was very strict on, in case. But he had an idea. So he went to his door and opened it, seeing Claus, who had watch, and asked him to grab Izou, when the man left to do that, Whitebeard went back into his room, thinking.
When there was a knock a couple minutes later, he gave a come in and Izou came, looking at him. "You wanted to see me, Pops?" The captain nodded. "I did. You are the one who knows all the gossip, even the more hidden one." Izou hummed. "I am known to have an ear for rumors and gossip, yes. Why?" Whitebeard hummed. "If I, hypothetically, mentioned Marco and Ace in a sentence, what wo-" Izou gave a small squeal as he looked excited. "He confessed?!" Izou cleared his throat, calming down. "I mean, still very hypothetically, which of the two confessed first? Hypothetically." Whitebeard blinked, it was clear Izou knew something here. "I think it was more like a mutual confession." Izou nodded. "Still very hypothetically, I know a certain first commander has sent looks at a certain black haired kid, being very concerned about him, and just very caring. And a black haired kid didn't seem to mind it. Still hypothetically." Whitebeard nodded. "If this was not hypothetically, should I be worried about a power play?" Izou hummed, seeming to think. "I don't think so, no. Still hypothetically. The one in command here is the kindest soul when needed, not hypothetically. But I know about the rules." Whitebeard nodded, that was good.
Izou looked at him, trying to read his face the best. "Should I, hypothetically, keep an eye out and report back? Very hypothetically, in like a day?" Whitebeard smiled. This was why he asked for Izou, he had done this before. Izou could get everything he needed and find everything out as he was the queen of gossip and so good at getting information. Whitebeard nodded. "Hypothetically, I would like that." Izou nodded. "Then I will do that, hypothetically of course." Izou then smiled, that sly smile he did, before he left. Whitebeard then felt this would soon have a solution, and he hoped and had a feeling he would approve the relationship, but he would know soon. But this was interesting. Marco had never really had an interest in someone, as in romantically. But then again, Ace was a special kid, and he had been good at ruffling Marco's feathers, and maybe Marco liked that.
-x-
When breakfast was, Izou walked into the galley and walked over to the table closest to the right corner and sat down as he looked at Riku. "I got some sweet hot tea!" Everyone gave an "Ouu!" And Izou first locked eyes with Riku, then Kyle, and lastly Claus, the other huge gossipers. "I heard from a source that Ace has a crush! But no one knows who…" Kyle hummed. "I bet it is Thatch. They are close." Claus hummed as he shook his head. "No, too obvious and they don't fit. My guess; Marco." Riku nodded. "Agree. And the looks he sends? Something is going on." Izou nodded. "And not only that, they were spotted together early in the morning. But that might be casual. Heading to Pops' room." Riku got that gleeful look in her eyes. "What if they have a thing?!"
Before any could respond, Boyle came and sat down. "Are you talking about the Ace tea?" They all looked at him. "What do you have?" Asked Riku. Boyle sat down. "I heard that there is a reason Ace wears that sweater all the time." Izou felt this might go bad, had anyone seen his scars? He did feign interest with the others, so he would elaborate, which he did, speaking more in a hushed tone. "He has the mark on another crew, he is here to get intel." Izou blinked, that wasn't true. Riku blinked as well. "He is very much against taking it off. Remember when he had that wound?" Claus nodded. "Yeah, and now he was spotted with Marco early in the morning heading to Pops? Maybe he was caught?" Kyle hummed. "He is young and could easily win our hearts by being cute. Should we be on guard?" Riku looked at him. "You've been with him at times. What do you think? Seen him naked?" Izou shook his head. "No, but that feels… off. I mean, why try and infiltrate? He said he has joined us?"
Boyle looked at him. "That would be a perfect cover! He hasn't taken the mark yet! And we all know Marco has a soft spot for the young ones. Remember how kind he was with Haruta? And Ace is even younger! We need to figure out his plan!" Kyle nodded. "We do. But how… Marco could never hurt him, he is too kind, unless he needs to be unkind. But could he ever turn on someone who claims to be one of us?" Izou needed to divert the attention from this and spoke before Riku. "But I once heard Ace say he likes them a bit… older. And seen with Marco and the looks the first commander sends at Ace? I smell a possible romance maybe?" Riku got that glint in her eye again. "That would be so awesome. So, either Ace is a spy, or he has a crush? Wonder which it is…" Boyle hummed. "He is secretive. He hides his upper body, I mean, he is legit fire, he can't possibly freeze. Or maybe he hides marks from love making?" Kyle hummed. "But Marco would never go against the rules Pops set. The powerplay is a rule. Needs Pops' approval."
Then Kyle and Riku gasped and spoke in unison. "That's why they visited him!" People looked over so they calmed down and Kyle spoke in a hushed tone. "That might be why they went to Pops to speak." Riku nodded. "Yeah, maybe after the party, a tipsy Ace made a move, the first commander couldn't deny it and they went at it?" Boyle hummed. "No, still would break a rule… Maybe Ace has been a spy? He is very strong I think, and he's clean now, but has marks?" Riku nodded. "That fits. He seems troubled at times, but I don't think he would come here to hurt us. He seems to… kind and shy." The others nodded, including Izou, glad they were back on track. Izou leaned a bit forward. "Well, I heard there might be something there, but do you think Marco could ever break that rule? As you said, he does have a sore spot for the young ones."
Riku hummed. "But a sore spot and being his type is different. Does anyone even know Commander Marco's type?" They all shook their heads, before Boyle spoke. "But if I had to guess, Ace is his type. I mean, Marco is calm, older, and always looks bored. Ace is young, can be rash and loves to play pranks, especially on Marco, and runs around. They do say opposite attracts. But Marco would never use his status for a power play or break one of Pops' rules, especially this one." Riku nodded. "Lori once told me she tried to come on to commander Marco, but he denied her as he said there were rules here, but then said he wasn't interested in her like that." Oh, Izou didn't know that. So, he wrapped this up and went to the table Lori was at, doing his skill. "Oh Lori! You want some hot tea?" Lori took the bait. "Oh, from the queen of rumors! Always! Spill it!" Izou grinned. "I heard you have a crush? On a blond first commander?" Lori blinked. "I did, but it was a quick crush. Since he helped me in that fight, it can happen. He was a hero for me, and sometimes you get crushes on those, but they pass."
Izou nodded. "Which means you're ready for the real tea." Lori blinked, leaning forward. "Tell me!" Izou knew this family loved their tea. Izou leaned a bit closer to Lori. "Marco got maybe a crush! On whom you may ask?" Lori nodded, looking so interested, and Izou spoke. "On Ace. The newest and youngest addition. Maybe they are hiding their deeds under Ace's sweater?" Lori took the tea and looked so interested. "I must say, they would fit. That kid certainly ruffle his feathers. But no. Commander Marco would never break a rule and he would never go against a that serious rule and not have Pops' approval. He told me to come back the next day if I still felt like it so we could speak with Pops, but it had passed a bit then, so I told him no need, it was a crush and it passed." Izou nodded. "But they were spotted early in the morning heading to Pops' room, together." Lori blinked. "Ouu! Then maybe they went to chat with him about a possible romance? Commander Marco is so kind and caring. He would never use his status to force anyone to be with him. He is after true love. And the rule Pops have with a power play. Marco would never use a power play, if he did, it's not him. But this is some sweet tea." Izou nodded and shared some more tea, before Izou went to the next table.
After being at 5 other tables, Izou felt sure of one thing. Marco was too kind to use his status in a power play, which he already knew, but needed to hear. But he had also heard a few more rumors that Ace was here with ill intent, hiding marks of other crews, the marines, or mercenaries under his sweater, as he never took it off. He needed to tell this to Pops as well. This could be concerning. He used the rest of the day to gather more rumors and gossip, and all said the same. Marco was the kindest to his family, he would never hurt anyone he cared about.
So, the next day Izou went to Pop's room in the morning, and the man looked at him. "Did you find out anything specific?" Izou nodded. "Yes. Marco is the kindest guy on this boat when it concerns his family. He has a soft spot for the younger ones, and might have fallen for the one who ruffled his feathers the most. And never would he ever use his status as a power play. Apparently, Lori had a crush, tried to come on to him, but was half turned down so they could speak with you, but the crush had passed mostly the next day. So, I can say for sure, Marco would never use his status as a power play with anyone." Pops nodded. "Thank you, son." Izou shook his head. "No issue. But, before I leave." Pops nodded. "Yes? Anything concerning come up?" Izou sighed. "Some seem to think Ace has ill intentions, and their reason is since he hides his upper body with a sweater. I think we should keep an ear and eye out on this one." Pops nodded. "I agree with that." Izou felt they really should, as this wasn't good. He then chatted a bit more with Pops, before he left, hoping this would go fine.
And that's the chapter! Hope you enjoyed!
I had fun with the Whitebeard and Izou conversation, and Izou doing a gossip round
If you have any ideas, don't be afraid to share them!
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