Days passed in peaceful rhythm on the island. The weight of Siren's pregnancy had lifted with the birth of the child, but the responsibilities and quiet joys of caring for a baby were now part of their daily life. The baby, a precious little boy, was surrounded by love from all sides, from Luffy, Marco, and Siren to Law, Boa Hancock, and her sisters. Even Sabo made frequent trips to check in, offering his support whenever needed.

However, the island was not without its challenges. Marco's time was drawing to a close. Whitebeard had called him back. The tides of the New World demanded that their most powerful members remain vigilant. And so, Marco knew his time on the island with Siren and their son was limited.

...

One quiet evening, as the sun began to set behind the hills, Marco sat with Luffy near the shore. The soft lapping of the waves against the rocks was the only sound between them. Marco's gaze was distant, but Luffy could feel the weight of the conversation that was coming.

"Luffy," Marco began, his voice low, "I need to leave soon. Whitebeard's waiting for me." He paused, as though measuring the impact of his words. "But there's something I need to talk to you about, before I go."

Luffy looked over at him, rubbing the edge of his straw hat, a familiar, if somewhat distracted, habit. He waited for Marco to continue.

"I'm not blind, Luffy," Marco said, his blue eyes steady on him. "I see the way things are between you and Siren. And I won't pretend like I don't know what's happening. You're growing close to her."

Luffy blinked, suddenly more alert. His jaw tightened slightly, but he didn't pull away or deny it. He knew Marco wasn't accusing him; it was just... complicated. "I'm not gonna lie, Marco," Luffy replied honestly, his voice rough with unspoken feelings. "I care about her. A lot. She's strong. And she... I feel like I need to protect her. The baby, too. I promised I would."

Marco's eyes softened, and he looked away briefly, his hand tightening on the bottle of rum in his grasp. "I'm not worried about you protecting her," Marco said, a hint of a smile on his lips. "You've always done that for the people you care about. I just... I want to make sure you're not rushing into anything you don't understand yet. You're not the same as you were back when we first met."

Luffy tilted his head, his usual expression of confusion creeping over his face. "What do you mean?"

Marco sighed, his gaze back on the horizon. "You don't need to rush into anything with Siren. Just... take things slow. She's been through a lot. And so have you. Just make sure you don't hurt her, Luffy. Because if there's one thing I know, it's that Siren's not someone who's easy to read. She doesn't wear her feelings on her sleeve."

Luffy frowned, processing the words. "I won't hurt her. I promised."

Marco's smile was faint but genuine. "I know you won't. But it's not about promises, Luffy. It's about understanding what you really feel. You're not just trying to protect her. You're starting to care about her in a different way. Don't rush into it. Just... don't let things get messy."

Luffy stared at the horizon for a moment, letting the silence stretch. Marco was right. He didn't fully understand what he was feeling. He had always acted on instinct, charging forward with no thought for the consequences. But with Siren, things felt different. She was different. He had to protect her, he knew that. But there was more to it than that. He couldn't deny the growing pull he felt when she was near.

"I'll figure it out," Luffy finally said, his voice steady but uncertain. "I just... I want to be there for her, Marco. For the baby. And for Ace."

Marco nodded, his gaze warm. "That's all I ask, Luffy. Just remember, she's not just some fragile thing you need to protect. She's stronger than you think. But... she's also not invincible."

Luffy met his eyes. "I know. I'll take care of her, Marco. You don't need to worry."

With that, Marco rose to his feet, dusting off his pants. The wind was picking up, and the sea shimmered under the setting sun. "Good. Because I believe in you."

...

In the weeks following, Siren's focus turned more intensely toward her own growth. The baby was healthy and strong, but Siren knew she couldn't remain passive forever. She had always been in tune with nature, but now she felt a deeper connection to it, an almost spiritual bond. As her training evolved, her powers became more attuned to the Voice of All Things, expanding her reach and understanding.

Siren spent long hours meditating on the island's shores, feeling the whispers of the world around her. Her connection to the island and the nature surrounding her deepened. But she also began training physically. She wasn't weak. She had never been weak. But the birth of her son had reignited a fire within her, one that she couldn't ignore.

It wasn't long before Rayleigh returned to the island, and Siren found herself facing an unexpected opportunity. He had brought with him a fighter-someone who could help her hone her physical strength. His name was Daz, and he was a mercenary, skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Rayleigh had brought him in as a test, to see if Siren could grow even more.

Though initially wary of Daz's rough exterior, Siren began to train with him, learning not only physical combat but also strategies and techniques that would further her connection to her own power. It was difficult, but Siren thrived in the challenge. Luffy, too, began training more seriously with Rayleigh, but he made sure to spend time with Siren as well. Luffy's focus, however, was different. He trained with a burning intensity, not only to protect those he loved but to become stronger in ways he never had before.

It wasn't just physical training. Through his connection to Nika, he felt the ancient power of the sun god stir within him, and it began to manifest in ways that even he didn't fully understand. Nika's voice in his mind was a guiding force, urging him to fight, to protect, and to fight for freedom. Sometimes, he would wake in the night to find Siren awake, meditating, her eyes glowing softly as she felt the forces of the world around her.

One day, as Siren trained beside the sea, she felt Nika's presence reach out to her. The voice, warm and encouraging, whispered to her, urging her to push past her limits. Luffy, too, was nearby, caught in his own training. Nika spoke to both of them, suggesting a new path forward, a union of their strengths. With Nika's influence, Luffy began to train Siren in ways that felt right-by instinct, guided by the sun god's power.

As the days passed, their bond only grew stronger. But there were moments, too, when she would look at Luffy, and a part of her heart swelled with a new emotion. She didn't understand it yet, but something was shifting inside her as well.

...

Boa Hancock had become a familiar and comforting presence on the island. Her pride, usually so prominent, had softened since her arrival. Siren's strength had won her respect, and Luffy's actions toward her had earned his trust. Boa, though still haughty in her own way, had become more than just an ally-she was a friend, and with that friendship came a deep understanding of Siren's journey.

One day, Sabo arrived on the island, his familiar figure a welcome sight. Boa Hancock's eyes lit up the moment she saw him, and she immediately stepped forward, her usual cold demeanor softened by the presence of someone she cared for. The reunion between Sabo and Boa was filled with affection, though neither of them were ones to openly display it.

Sabo spent a few days on the island, checking in on Siren and the baby. He had always been there for her, and he knew how much she had endured. He offered a reassuring presence during the training sessions, sharing what he had learned from the Revolutionary Army. His visits were always brief but impactful, as Siren appreciated the connections she had with her closest friends.

...

During their training, Luffy would often take breaks to simply sit beside Siren and rest. And when they did, Spade was always close by, either in Siren's arms or sleeping soundly in a small, soft blanket between them. It had become their quiet time-Luffy would rest his head on Siren's shoulder or lie beside her, allowing himself to relax, even as his thoughts drifted toward their uncertain future. Siren, in turn, would run a hand through his hair, always looking out for them, ever protective.

Even when the training grew difficult or the world felt too heavy, Siren would glance down at Spade, whose tiny fingers would grasp her hand. It was these moments that grounded her, reminded her of what was worth fighting for.

...

The waves crashed softly against the shore as the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the island. Siren stood by the water's edge, her gaze fixed on the horizon, her hand resting gently on her belly. She could feel the weight of the moment, the heaviness of Marco's departure pressing against her chest like an unbearable weight.

Marco, too, stood at the shore, his back straight, his expression unreadable. But Siren knew him too well-she could see the conflict in his eyes, the way his hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. He wanted to stay. He wanted nothing more than to be with her, to help raise the child they had created together. But he knew, just as she did, that the Whitebeard Pirates needed him. The fleet was vulnerable without him, and Whitebeard, despite his strength, was aging. The threat was real. The attacks were coming, and Marco's strategic mind was indispensable to the crew's survival.

But that didn't make this moment easier.

She turned to face him fully, her heart aching with every step she took toward him. She wanted to be strong for him, for them both, but the tears welled up in her eyes regardless. She hadn't realized how much she had come to depend on his presence, how much of her world revolved around him. But there was no denying it-he was her everything. Her home, her foundation, the one person who made her feel whole.

Marco turned toward her, his eyes softening as she closed the distance between them. He opened his arms, and she stepped into them without hesitation, seeking the comfort and warmth only he could provide. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her close, holding her as though he could keep the world at bay for just a little while longer.

"I don't want to leave you," Marco whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't want to leave you and Spade."

Siren rested her forehead against his chest, breathing in the scent of him, grounding herself in the moment. "I know," she whispered back, her voice shaky. "But you have to, Marco. Whitebeard needs you. They need you."

"I know that. But that doesn't make it any easier," Marco's voice cracked with raw emotion. "You're my home, Siren. Always have been. And now... now there's a piece of me that's not going with you."

"I'll always be here," she whispered, lifting her head to look into his eyes. "We'll always be here. You're not leaving us, Marco. No matter what, we're together in this."

His golden eyes searched hers, and for a moment, it felt like the world was holding its breath. Marco leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering as if imprinting this moment in his memory forever.

"I know. But it's not just that. I'm leaving... and I'm scared. Scared of what comes next. Scared of leaving you and Spade behind while I go fight. I'll never stop loving you, Siren. You're my everything. But the world doesn't stop, and I can't just sit by while the people I love-Whitebeard, the crew-are at risk."

Siren nodded, her hand gently resting on his cheek, caressing it as though reassuring him that she understood. "I know you'll come back to us," she said softly, her voice full of strength. "I know you'll keep us in your heart, just like we'll always keep you in ours."

Marco closed his eyes at her touch, feeling the love between them pulse in the air, in the very earth beneath them. He felt it, the way their bond had deepened, how Ace's presence is intertwined with theirs. Ace, who had always loved them both, whose love never ever left them.

"You're not replacing me," Marco said, his voice almost too soft to hear, but Siren caught it anyway. "I can feel it, through the bond... through Ace's soul. I'll never replace you, Siren. And I know you won't replace me."

Siren took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Marco, don't doubt us. Don't doubt youself. I'm with you. Always."

Her words-so simple, so profound-stirred something deep inside him. He wasn't leaving her. He wasn't leaving them. He was just stepping away for a time, knowing that his love for her, for their child, would always keep him tethered to them. He wasn't walking away from his heart. He was just... fulfilling a different duty.

Siren pulled back, her hands resting on his chest, her eyes filled with unshed tears. "You'll come back to us. I know you will. We'll be waiting for you."

Marco kissed her once more, long and tender, pouring all his love into that single moment. Then, slowly, he stepped back. "I'll come back. And I'll never stop loving you."

With one last glance, he turned and walked away, each step dragging a little more of his heart with it. Siren watched him go, her heart heavy, but a small smile tugging at her lips as she placed her hand gently on her still slightly rounded belly.

"Always," she whispered to herself, knowing in her heart that Marco would always be there-no matter how far he went.

...

The world felt impossibly still as Siren sat alone in the dimly lit room. Her body ached with exhaustion, and yet, sleep eluded her. Her hands trembled ever so slightly as she cradled the sleeping form of her child, the small chest rising and falling in the quiet of the night. Her eyes, red from unshed tears, glistened with the weight of everything she had endured and everything she feared losing.

Marco had gone.

The silence was deafening, and in the absence of his presence, the bond she shared with him felt like a void. Yet, the feeling of him was still there, lingering like a distant echo-distant, but undeniable. Through the connection they shared, she could feel the stirring of his own turmoil, his internal war as he left her, his love for her and Spade still raw in his heart, and yet the pull of duty was too strong.

She could feel Ace too, though in a gentler, more comforting way, as though he were cradling her from afar. He whispered through the bond, a soft murmur of reassurance, a presence that calmed the turbulence within her. But no amount of comfort could dull the sharp ache in her chest. She wanted Marco here. She wanted him to stay, to be the father he was meant to be, to help raise the child they created together.

And yet, she was alone. Alone with a sleeping baby in her arms, but it felt like a weight too heavy to bear.

Tears slipped down her cheeks in silence, each drop a memory, a moment lost. She let them fall, not bothering to wipe them away, as if the grief inside her was finally demanding to be felt.

Then, without warning, the door creaked open, a soft presence entering the room. Luffy. She didn't need to look to know it was him. His warmth filled the space, the ever-present sense of him grounding her as his silhouette crossed the threshold. She didn't speak, but he knew. Luffy always knew when she was hurting.

He said nothing at first, walking over to her and gently resting a hand on her shoulder. He didn't ask her what was wrong, didn't demand answers. He simply knelt beside her, his hand gently resting on the baby's tiny head. His fingers brushed the soft strands of curly brown hair, and he seemed to linger there, lost in the moment, his gaze soft and understanding.

Without a word, Luffy settled beside her, his back against the wall as he carefully took the baby from her arms. His movements were slow, deliberate, as though he was afraid of breaking something fragile.

Siren's body stiffened for a moment, but then she allowed herself to lean into him, her head finding a resting spot on his shoulder as he rocked the baby softly. She let out a shaky breath, her body trembling in his embrace. She didn't speak; she didn't need to. She needed comfort, and he was there to give it.

Luffy murmured, his voice low and almost hesitant, "It's okay. You're not alone, Siren. We're all here. I am here with you."

He spoke like he wasn't sure if she was listening, but it didn't matter. He said the words anyway, the quiet words hanging in the air.

As the baby slept soundly in his arms, Luffy continued to rock both the child and Siren, his fingers gentle against the fabric of her dress. Slowly, the rhythmic motion of the rocking soothed her, the tears still streaming silently down her face as she closed her eyes, the weight of her grief slipping away just a little.

Luffy's murmurs continued as she drifted, barely audible words of comfort, not meant to be anything grand, but enough for her heart to settle into the warmth he offered. "I'm here," he whispered again, "You don't have to face this alone. Not anymore. We'll get through it."

Siren didn't reply. She didn't need to. His words wrapped around her like a blanket, and for the first time since Marco's departure, she felt something akin to peace.

The tension in her shoulders eased, and her breathing slowed as sleep finally took her, lulled by the safety she felt in Luffy's presence.

Luffy watched her, his hand still on her shoulder, his gaze soft as he sat there in the quiet room. He murmured a few more words, his voice low, as though sharing them with her in a space between waking and sleep. "You're strong, Siren. I know that. You'll be okay, even when it's hard."

He stayed with her through the night, the soft sound of his voice the last thing she heard before falling fully asleep, her head still resting against his chest, Spade safe in his arms.

And in the quiet of the room, Ace's soul whispered, watching over them, a silent guardian in the bond shared with both Marco and Siren.

...