Chapter Text
Marco liked the night sky.
The way the stars like dazzling gems reflected in the sea like their own little galaxy always seemed to put him in a state of awe. With the calm and rhythmic lapping waves against the Moby dick lulling him into a quiet sense of tranquillity, that would often put him to straight to sleep.
However, not tonight.
His favourite spot on a night like this was the roof right above the kitchens, actually it was a good spot any time of day…
At midday, you could often bathe in delicious smells Thatch was cooking up, that would waft up through the windows letting him know right away when it was time for lunch.
In the afternoon, the sun would hit it the deck just right, basking him in just enough rays to feel like a warm embrace as the sun caressed you from all angles.
But at night, it was by FAR the best place on the entire ship.
As you could lay down, face the heavens and be met with the burning gaze of millions of gleaming shining stars that littered the night sky. Where it seemed as if whoever placed them scattered them with such careless intent it seemed intentional, to create the gorgeous glittering dark mass he now gazed upon.
Yes. This might be Marco’s favourite spot on the entire Moby dick, and he was only a little bit pissed he wasn’t the one that discovered it (Ace did).
Well, even though his lovely boyfriend discovered this place, (and they often went stargazing together there) it was Marco, who spent the most time here on these wooden planks (so he basically had claim).
He sighed fondly, the only thing this night was missing was the warmth provided by his favourite personal heater, even though Marco had his own flames- Ace’s provided a different sort of warmth, one that heated him to his core and all over. (Ok so maybe it was Ace himself, that made Marco feel hot all over and less his devil fruit, but who needs to know that…).
But alas, he couldn’t bring himself to wake his sleeping boyfriend and bring him along, as he had been having trouble sleeping all week…
Thanks to his narcolepsy- Ace often slept during the day, and this meant he could never bring himself to sleep at night, and when Ace didn’t sleep, Marco didn’t sleep either.
As the other often pointedly woke Marco up when boredom ever got the best of him- Hey you know maybe he should’ve woken Ace up after all! - for all the times he lost sleep just because the other didn’t want to stare at the ceiling any longer…
…
Nahh, he couldn’t do that to his boyfriend, and besides Marco wanted to be alone tonight… he needed some time to think.
Of course, the reason Marco couldn’t get to sleep tonight was because tomorrow night, he was reuniting with his favourite revolutionary army member and pirate captain! (Well maybe his third favourite captain, first was Pops obviously and then Ace technically was a captain at one-point soo… )
God, they hadn’t seen each other in ages, and to say Marco was looking forward to it would be an understatement.
He had carefully been cataloguing instances to tell his comrades for MONTHS now. He took their meet ups very seriously and had a range of stories from funny ones (like Ace having a narcoleptic episode right after they made out leaving Marco to sort himself out all by his fucking self, oh yeah that one was horrible) to more serious ones (like when they ran into the marines and Pops told him to sit this one out and at first he was like ‘What the hell Pops I’m the first division commander!?’ but then he saw that the horribly ugly figurehead of that ship was a dog with a bone in its mouth. And he was like- YEP. Ok. He was okay to sit this one out. Because even after he promptly fled to the next island he could still feel Garp giving him a stink eye infused with Conquerors haki. Yes, that was a scary day…).
He sighed, the only thing that kept him going through all these incidents was the fact that he had an outlet for it all, people to tell! and comfort him! and laugh about how frustrating or silly things were with! Ahh… he missed them.
The last time they saw each other was for Ace’s 23rd. Which was a while ago and Wow… Marco cringed a little, wincing as he remembered what transpired, that had been one crazy night…
…
It was pure coincidence that they docked on an island where the central export was partying, bars and alcohol. But there wasn’t any better place in all the grand line for a twenty-two-year-old turning twenty-three’s party. He remembered Ace being absolutely ecstatic about the idea of inviting all their friends to join the Whitebeard pirates in one night of chaotic celebration, and to celebrate the beloved second division commander.
Everyone was totally on board and preparations started immediately, with the whitebeard pirates stockpiling the best booze the island had to offer. Originally the party was just going to be on the beach, even though that was a little risky for the devil fruit users who may drunkenly stumble into the sea (to be honest, even non-devil fruit users could do that though…), but the picturesque white sand and turquoise bay made it worth that teensy risk.
However, while exploring the island some people on the crew apparently stumbled upon this random bar that was simply incredible. It had the best musicians playing the best music, the best bartenders creating the best drinks, the best crowd, the best dancefloor and the place was simply MASSIVE with 7 floors of pure ecstasy, gambling, drinking, dancing, singing: everything that any young pirate could wish for.
Most of the crew thought the place sounded too good to be true, Marco didn’t believe it much either, so Ace said he’d check it out, go and verify the legitimacy of their crew’s wild claims.
So, Marco went to sleep that night satisfied, assuming that Ace would be back before he woke up, only to wake up the next day confused at the empty spot in bed next to him. He hazily remembers hastily getting out of bed and stumbling still half-asleep onto the deck in a frenzied search for his fiery boyfriend.
Only to immeadiatley see the man, animatedly talking to the ring of crew members that surrounded him.
“It was better than insane, think of the best bar you’ve ever been to and times it by 100, and it still wouldn’t beat this place-I’m serious-wait“
Ace paused looking in his direction, catching sight of him, and Marco was pleased to say an even wider grin graced his already broadly smiling face.
Soon enough, Ace shoved his way out of the centre of the ring, leaving a trail of strewn crew members in his wake, as he made his way to Marco’s side.
“Oh Marco, you won’t believe it! The bar is real! It’s real and all the shit they said about it is real too! It’s crazy-“
“Wow Ok ok- wait tell me more, just let’s get inside first-“
It was a chilly morning, and Marco had just realised by the breeze he felt a little too much and the snickers that were coming from the corners of the Moby dick that he may have forgotten to get out of his night robes before he went in search for Ace. Ah…
It was probably pretty bad, for a commander to be half-naked in front of his subordinates, so Ace giving him a one-two quickly nodded and they made their way back inside, away from the prying eyes of the Moby dick.
But as soon as he could start back up again, Ace did, and boy would he not STOP.
All day he was GUSHING to Marco about how insanely amazing this place was, in the shower, at the table, in his office and how it was his DREAM venue, how Luffy and Sabo would be so jealous and how he wished they could have at least part of his party there…
He looked so excited, and Marco was excited for him too.
Too caught up fondly watching Ace’s excitement, Marco didn’t really remember what he said next, but it was along the lines of ‘Why not have the party there? Blah blah blah- we should if you love it so much? blah blah blah ‘What’s stopping you?’…
However, it was this part he remembered clearly, after he questioned ‘Why?’ Ace couldn’t just change the venue to his dream bar, the excited smile on his boyfriend’s face faltered slowly fading into something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
That was until someone piped up (he couldn’t remember who it was because he was too busy focused on why his boyfriend was looking at him like that), that the bar had an age limit. Of thirty.
Ah.
Ok.
Now he knew what his boyfriend was looking at him with.
Guilt.
.
.
.
Because he can’t go to his dream bar, without abandoning his ancient boyfriend.
.
.
.
Oh, Marco just loooved his age.
.
After a second of awkward silence, Ace quickly shouted at whoever had exposed him like that and strode over to Marco to reassure him that it wouldn’t be his dream bar and party if Marco wasn’t there with him. And that having it on the beach was just as fun, fuck the magical building with seven floors of pure bliss for any pirate… No, his boyfriend planned to give that all up because Marco couldn’t come in there with him, even though he would have plenty of other friends to keep him company…
Damn it, Ace!
Why’d he have to be so kind to him…
Now Marco was the one feeling guilty, his boyfriend had been so excited about this whole thing, and he was ruining it by being forty-three. (Of course, a little part deep inside of him was grateful Ace didn’t abandon him, but he still felt terribly guilty that HE was the main reason Ace’s birthday would not be exactly how he wanted it).
Of course, there would be other people who couldn’t enter the bar like some of the straw hats and white beard pirates, but it wouldn’t have mattered that much … As Ace could just see them the next day.
But Marco was a special case…
Ace told him profusely that he wouldn’t have the best time if Marco wasn’t there with him, by his side, all night. However, Marco could tell his boyfriend would be LYING if he said he wouldn’t have the best time at that bar either… (It was really easy to tell when Ace lied, actually the whole family was horrible at it-)
God why was life so hard…
And although Ace didn’t look too conflicted about making the decision, Marco still took the liberty to make it for him.
.
So, he switched the venue on all the invitations to the “Sinner’s stairway”. (That was the name of the bar, as it’s seven floors each corresponded with different deadly sins to create a pure pinnacle of indulgence and ecstasy. For example, there was an all you can eat buffet to represent gluttony- Marco doubted the Straw Hat captain would even want to see the other floors)
.
The first thing he remembered after sending the invites out, was Ace being absolutely furious, because of course if his boyfriend was angry at him for anything, it was something he did to try and make him happy.
“MARCO! What the hell! Why’d you have to go and do that HUH!” Ace yelled at him; he had been in the middle of a very nice nap when the second division commander came storming like a flaming hurricane towards him. Ace looked furious with flames rolling off his shoulders, and crew members trying desperately to put out the small fires that were popping up in his wake.
Ah. He was in trouble-yoi…
He rolled over feigning innocence, pretending to still be asleep, of course like that would ever work though-
“Hey! Listen to me!” He violently shook Marco startling him from his fake slumber. Hey, maybe he really should’ve woken up Ace earlier... because the other clearly did not seem to take the same care and consideration when he was sleeping!
“Wha- Ace? When did you get here,” He slowly blinked and rubbed his eyes to emphasise, ‘oh he’s still sleepy maybe you should cut him some slack’ but that didn’t work on Ace…
“Why’d the fuck you change the venue on all the invites! AND send them out so now I can’t FUCKING CHANGE THEM! WHAT. THE. FUCK!”
Ah… despite Ace yelling at him with a volume to rival Garp’s, Marco thought he still looked so pretty… with his dark hair that framed his perfect face perfectly, and his perfect freckles that Marco had spent hours counting just to know where each one was, and his perfect eyes, and perfect nose, and his-
“Are you even listening! Oh my god! Marcoo!” Ace put his head in his hands, collapsing on nearby barrel and deeply inhaled, shoulder hefting way more than usual.
Uh Oh-
Marco tensed, there was only one reason his boyfriend needed that much air and it was to yell so loud that the whole island would be able to hear. God- Ace isn’t even related to Garp why’d he have to inherit the yelling… (Thinking about it though, Roger was pretty loud too… )
At the sign of a MAJOR rant incoming, Marco quickly grabbed the nearest thing to brace himself for the impact, which happened to be: Izou’s arm.
“Wha- HEY! Let go of me right NOW Marco- This is your problem not mine!” Izou tried to shrug him off, but Marco held tight no way was he letting go now.
“I SAID LET GO!- YOU ANIMAL!”
“Izou I can’t-“
“Oh no you absolutely CAN-“
“Do you really want to leave me to die-“
“Right now- YES!”
“Oh c’mon-“
“No! This is YOUR relationship, NOT MINE!”
“WILL YOU GUYS JUST SHUT UP!” Well… now it was too late for both of them…
“IZOU- just get out of here- “Ace waved him away, as Marco watched his last line of defence abandon him. Wow. You really discovered who your true friends were in a time of crisis.
“AND YOU!” Ace turned back to him with enough seething anger to melt the other half of punk hazard.
“YOU actual selfless IDIOT! Why’d you have go and change the venue! HUH!? I told you I was FINE having it on the beach, BUT NOOO you just had to go and play Mr. Almighty and CHANGE. IT. WITHOUT MY PERMISSION! WHO DOES THAT! I mean- In a healthy relationship, people tell their partners everything! Who knows what ELSE you’ve done behind my back! AND ANOTHER THING! I told you! Yes, the bars cool! And Luffy and Sabo would probably so fucking jealous if I had a party there- But I want YOU THERE! And now I don’t even WANT to have a party, because I’m going to be looking SINGLE all night because my FUCK ASS BOYFRIEND IS STUCK OUTSIDE! What if someone asks me to dance, and I have to tell them NO because I have a boyfriend, AND they’ll probably all be like ‘Oh well he’s not here is he?’ and I’ll tell them YES. HE’S NOT HERE. AND ITS ALL HIS OWN FUCKING FAULT- GOD!” Ace collapsed onto the barrel again and sighed like he was in anguish.
Damn.
It was not only the deck of the Moby dick that had gone awkwardly silent, but the WHOLE DAMN SEA. The sea gulls stopped squawking, the fish seemed to pause and even the sea kings seemed to hold off on attacking as if they were listening in for Marco’s response.
But like- how? –
How are you supposed to respond to something like that??
Ace made it crystal clear that Marco had RUINED his birthday, so if he told the truth that he earnestly thought it was the right course of action and did it for him… they probably wouldn’t be sleeping in the same bed for the rest of their time here. But if he lied and put the blame on someone like Izou maybe… No- Ace would find out and they still wouldn’t be sleeping in the same bed. God what was he going to do…
(Deep down Marco didn’t want to admit that he may have done it more for himself than for Ace… because ever since the topic of the venues came up, everyone seemed to discuss why couldn’t it happen? Only for the conversation to end with them pitying Ace for not being able to attend his dream venue and holding a quiet resentment at Marco for limiting someone with so many opportunities… he just … couldn’t deal with it anymore honestly…)
But now of course, it had come back to bite him in the form of his lovely boyfriend screaming at him because the only person who actually wanted Marco by their side all night was being denied that…
Well.
There was only one thing Marco could do.
.
“You don’t have to tell them that”
“Tell them what?” Ace looked up at him, still clearly irritated with him by his mocking tone.
“What you said before-yoi”
“Babe, I am NOT in the mood for mind games right now!” Ace pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed- God did Marco actually cause this man that much grief?
“What you said before- about telling people your boyfriends not there, you don’t have to tell them that.” He slightly grinned.
Now Ace was confused.
“Marco what the hell do you mean, I do have to tell them that. I HAVE to tell them that because you’re NOT going to be there...wait…unless…” It seemed all the previous animosity vanished from his boyfriend’s eyes as he looked up at him, sceptically but with an underlying excitement.
“No- your joking… Your JOKING!”
“What kind of boyfriend would I be if I abandoned you on your birthday?” He grinned smugly, as Ace grew more and more excited the previous anger now a memory of the past, true it was scary how fast he could change.
“Wait you’re joking! Are you serious?- How?! Oh my god are you dead serious-!”
As he started nodding and grinning wider, Ace teleported beside him and threw his arms around his neck in a tight embrace.
“Oh my god! This is actually the best present ever- You’re not joking. You’re coming to the bar too.”
“I’m not joking-“ He laughed and Ace joined him,
“But how!? You know there really strict on their age limits and they’ve already given you an ID…? Haha actually I don’t need the details, as long as you know what you’re doing!” He laughed, patting him on the back, while Marco froze. .
Oh shit.
Oh. Shit.
He may have let that slip his mind…
Marco’s world seemed to turn on its axis, as his mind neglected to remember the fucking ID’S! They had all gotten ID’s when they first arrived. Oh shit. He grimaced; Damn he screwed up…
.
It was true, when they first arrived at the island they all had photo ID’s taken with their names, bounties and age. It was a little strange he did admit- but they’d had weirder things happen at islands before… and as long as there was no hostility, Marco didn’t really care what the islanders needed (That was before this whole age limit thing, he cared now of course!).
But now he knew they had them take that, so it made it really difficult to lie about your identity, it was actually a smart way to keep all the bars and clubs on the island’s safe as there was ever only one ID produced per person. However,… this posed a real bad problem for Marco…
Because his ID clearly read: Age: 43
And he had no hope of faking it….
Shit.
He had hoped to just slip in to the bar when no one was looking (or maybe fly in from the top), however now he would have to present ID.
ID that would kick him out and expose his false claims…
He would have to tell Ace.
He had to.
It would be WAY worse if they arrived at the bar and Marco was denied entrance, in front of everyone. He winced a little- that would NOT go down well… And Ace would probably get mad that Marco lied to him and then he wouldn’t enjoy his birthday and then- yeahh that couldn’t happen…
But Ace just looked so happy-
The second division commander was bouncing around much like his rubber brother, excitedly chatting about his plans for the party now, with big wild gestures that emphasised his eagerness.
Ohhh this was going to hurt-
“Um actually- Ace…babe…”
“Oh my god Marco!! I could kiss you right now! Do you know how much this means to me!”
“… I mean- you didn’t mind that much righttt...?” He tried,
Ace just laughed in return, “Haha! No, it actually means the WORLD to me, seriously!”
“But you said you didn’t really care-“
“Ok ok. So, I know I said I didn’t really care about having it on the beach when my DREAM bar is right there! But Marco…” He placed his hands on the elder’s shoulder’s and squeezed them, then whispered to him like it was a secret, “I actually DID really want to have it at the bar, like- you don’t understand- it’s INSANE, it’s like out of this world, like you need to see it! AND you CAN see it! Ah this party will go down in history! And YOU are the guy that made it all happen,” He threw his arms around Marco again and then said muffled against his neck,
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You are actually the best boyfriend ever, I’m sorry I yelled at you earlier- I just-“ He squeezed him even tighter so that Marco felt paralysed, both physically and with fear.
“When you changed the invites- I just, thought- that you might not- Well you didn’t want to spend the entire night with me… “
Oh Ace, Marco thought, what I would give to spend all my nights with you.
“And that pissed me off because obviously- I WANT to spend the entire night with you! And obviously…. The whole situation with the venue made me feel like I had to- pick one and obviously I would choose you! But NOW, I can have BOTH and that is the best birthday present I could ask for!”
He gave him one last squeeze before letting go, and Marco immediately felt the cold rush back for two reasons: One, Ace was always so warm, no wonder Marco felt the cold in his absence (even if he was made out of fire too).
And two, because he was actually in such deep shit, his organs were probably shutting down because it would be better to die than face what was waiting for him if he exposed himself.
Shit.
“Ok I’m going to go brag to Luffy and Sabo and tell them to prepare themselves for best party they have ever seen- Ah Ha! Yes! They’re going to be so jealous…” Ace’s mumblings grew fainter as the other rushed to the transponder snail room, obviously to spread the word about the supposed ‘Best party ever’.
Well, it was probably going to be the ‘Worst party ever’ if Marco didn’t DO something about the whole situation. Oh god he was going to be sick…
He made his way to the side of the Moby dick as he felt bile clamber it’s way into his throat. He had never been seasick before, (I mean you couldn’t call yourself a pirate if you did) but he imagined it would be something like this.
He had about 5 minutes of peace before a familiar presence came up behind him.
“Hey! Why on earth are you drooping off the edge like that-“
His fake friend, who had rudely abandoned him earlier, now showed up when all the action was over and poked him in the back.
“WAIT- No way! Don’t tell me your seasick- Hahaha no way Marco that’s pathetic!”
“Of course I’m not bloody seasick! We’ve literally sailed together for over a decade and have you EVER once seen me get seasick! The answer is no!” Marco tried to push himself up to make a stand, but all his energy seemed to have left him, just like Izou did.
“Ok ok- But then why are you slumped over here then looking pathetic”
“Did you really need to add that last part- And geez I’m just tired okay- All my energy has left me… just like you did!” He glared at the man through his eye brows, not having the strength to lift his head up.
“GOD, you are SO petty! -Are you actually still on that?!”
“Yes. It really showed your true colours-“
“HEY! It was Ace actually who told me to leave, otherwise I would’ve stayed, alright!”
“Would you have really now…” Marco said skeptically,
“YES! Ok, when have I ever left you to fend for yourself? Hm?”
Marco could think of a plethora of examples but decided to stay quiet this time, he didn’t have the strength to argue.
“Anyway- Why were you even scared in the first place if Ace had nothing to be mad about? You should’ve just told him when you changed the invites and that you found a way to attend the club- Then we could’ve avoided this whole… fiasco”
Izou now made his way to Marco’s side, leaning against the railing as he chatted away-
“Oh, but you have to tell me!” He leant in closer and his eyes flickered around looking for any witnesses to their conversation.
“Tell you what-?” Marco mumbled, he really wished a sea king would just pop out and eat him right now, how that would solve all his problems…
“How’d you get past the ID thing! I think Ace forgot earlier- But I NEED to know! Did you get a fake? Or are you finding another way into the club- mind you though, I heard it’s heavily guarded, which is a bit strange for a bar- but I guess this island really does prioritise its security…”
Great. Plan A is out the window.
God, why is the one thing he needs to get into probably more well-guarded then most marine bases-
“Soo…” He could hear the blend of eagerness and intrigue dripping like honey from Izou’s voice, “How’d you do it birdy?”
God should he just come clean…
Maybe Izou could help him come up with a solution …?
No.
Who was he kidding!
He was going to be laughed off the Moby dick- and probably hit with the back end of a katana- but…
Marco was done with lies for today.
“Umm so... you see…” The samurai listened intently as Marco continued slowly drawing out the inevitable reveal-
“I may have… sort of… not really- figured that bit out- yet…hahaha…”
He laughed nervously as Izou’s eyes slowly seemed to bulge out of their sockets and his jaw slightly lower towards the deck.
“You’re joking.”
And as Marco slowly looked up through his brows and shook his head, Izou took a step back.
“Marco. No.”
“I didn’t know what to say-“
“You have to be joking-“
The silence spoke for itself.
“Marco. NO. Marco TELL me your joking. Marco-“
As he continued to slowly shake his head, Izou seemed to lose his composure-
“MAR-NOOOOO! Oh god! MARCO YOU’RE ACTUALLY JOKING! PLEASE TELL ME YOUR JOKING!” Izou whisper shouted at him, looking more and more frantic by the second.
“I didn’t know what to say-“
“OH NO! YES, YOU DID! You could’ve come clean but OH NOOO- Marco are you actually serious…”
“I know- it’s bad! But I’ll come up with a solution…?”
“YEAH! You fucking better! Otherwise, the whole Moby dick is going to be burnt down by the flames of Ace’s wrath!”
“WAIT- keep your voice down…” Izou had started to get to a volume where someone just strolling by could listen in, secrets were often not kept well on the Moby dick, and he did NOT want this one spreading around.
“Shit. Ok. Izou stay calm-” He took a moment to compose himself, sighing deeply into his hands, before steadying his gaze at Marco.
“You do realise how bad this is right?” OK, so they were going there.
“Yes, I know… but he just looked so happy- And I- I’ll figure something out”
“God Marco- the STRESS, YOU cause me, has actually made me age at least ten years- But you have dug yourself into a REALLY deep hole this time! REALLY DEEP!” He emphasised by repeatedly sharply pointing down to the depths below them.
“I knoww-“He grimaced, “But what can I do! He’s already told half the grand line!”
“YOU told half the grand line when you sent those invites! Don’t go blaming Ace-“
“I KNOW! I know- Just-it’s so hard- okay!... I just want him to have a good time…“
A silence fell over them as Izou sighed and patted him gently on the shoulder, much nicer than the earlier poking.
“Trust me, we know but-“ He sharply inhaled as he clasped his hands together, “Okay! Okay. Only because your one of my best friends, I am not telling Firefist right now! That is the ONLY reason I’ll try to help you out of this. Okay. And to pay you back for that time you helped me with Thatch. Okay-”
“Izou thank you so much- I mean it-“ Marco heaved himself up and went to embrace the samurai, only to be shoved off-
“OK ok enough! You still look like your about to be sick! Ok. Can you really not think of ANY way to get into the bar-“Marco shook his head slowly…
“Hmm okay.” Hand on his chin, the 16th division commander looked down in deep thought as he tried to brainstorm anyway to get out of this situation.
It took about a few minutes, before he spoke again-
“Ok. The way I see it you have three options.” Marco perked up, ready to listen to ANY idea that could be his lifeline out of this mess, because even though he had a regeneration fruit, he could feel his life slipping away the longer this situation went on.
“I’m listening!”
“Option one: You tell Firefist-“
“Not happening-“
“I know- but it’s the easiest one- he wouldn’t talk to you for at least a week, maybe two, but he’ll get over it eventually-“
“Izou, I think this is grounds for a breakup-“ Izou fixed him with a pointed glare that said ‘get over yourself’-
“Ugh don’t say that, the boy adores you too much to breakup with you-“
“Wait really- “
“God! Are you stupid! You’re a phoenix, not a dodo! Yes! Firefist is madly in love with you! No wonder he wants to spend his entire birthday with you- does that make your wittle bruised ego feel better now!”
“It does actually-“
“OKAY. Moving on. Option two: You try to change your ID. However, this ones pretty impossible as well because you would have to BREAK into the data centre, which is WAY more guarded than the bar and then CHANGE your information using a special password or access card you would have to STEAL again, from someone on the island which could get you in TROUBLE and us kicked off the island before Ace’s party even begins…so yeah…”
There was a moment of pondering silence before Marco spoke up again-
“So… what’s option three…?”
Izou ran his hands through his well-maintained dark locks in a stressed manner, grasping the strands like he was grasping at straws as he let out a defeated sigh-
“Option three is… you get another ID- but that would involve them not having you in their system already, which they do, so then were back to option two- the breaking into the data center- God why is this shit is so difficult…”
Marco slumped down defeated onto the deck, back against the railing, and took a long sigh. During there conversation it had slowly turned from the hazy yellow light of the afternoon to the violet, pink, blue gradient that showed the creeping in of the evening.
By now Ace had definitely told Sabo- so now the whole revolutionary army was coming, then he probably rang Yamato so all of Wano was also coming, then he definitely rang Luffy so now all the Straw Hats were coming and probably all of their allies and then that’s basically the entire Grand line coming to this party, and then Marco would be exposed as a bad boyfriend to basically the entire grand line. AND then the party would turn from the ‘celebrating Ace party’ to the ‘beating up Marco party’.
Swell.
Just swell.
He turned to face the sky, and his thoughts drifted to the two people he could maybe sympathise about this with, honestly Law and Koala probably already knew about the party too, he thought- WAIT.
Marco suddenly sat straight up with a gasp, causing Izou to jump slightly-
It felt as if all his genius over the years had colluded into one single thought that burst like a cannon to the forefront of his mind.
“Shit you scared me, what is it now?”
“I found the solution!” Marco said standing up now, all his previously lost vigor returning. It was a long shot, it was RISKY, but it was a chance!
“No way-“Izou looked skeptical, “You thought of it just now- Really- What on earth is it-“
“I’ll tell you later!”
“Wait Marco-! Get back here! You can’t just leave me hanging-!”
But it was too late, the first division commander had already transformed into the majestic flaming blue creature his Zoan transformation was and leapt off the side of the Moby dick in a fabulous burst of bright blue extravagant flames. That soared into the indigo expanse, leaving a very confused Izou behind.
Oh well… At least he was trying to do something…
As Izou sighed, watching the figure fly into the distance, when he felt a presence emerge from behind him.
“He’s such a show off, isn’t he.” Ah, he had perfect timing didn’t he.
“Your one to talk ‘Fire fist’, you don’t get a moniker like that by keeping it simple” Ace grinned smugly back at him,
“Oh, shove off-“ He playfully pushed the elder’s shoulder, huffing he then turned out to the sea…
“Hey! Just out of pure curiosity- But what was so interesting about you and Marco’s conversation anyway? I mean you guys were out for a pretty long time…”
Izou turned to face the younger man and was not surprised to see the dashes of hostility and irritation that graced those handsome features. (Damn this family was bad at lying and hiding their emotions, but to be fair Ace seemed to be the most proficient in masking his intentions than his two unfiltered brothers.)
BUT GOD! Marco REALLY had nothing to worry about- if this man was jealous over just a simple conversation! Why on earth would the blonde assume he would break up with him over this simple (actually it was quite complex) problem!
Ah… relationships were so complicated.
Deciding the best way to deal with this little stint was to be as vague as possible Izou decided to leave it at,
“You’ll find out soon enough- “And with a smug grin he made his way to the kitchen, leaving a puzzled Portgas. D. Ace on the deck.
Izou had had enough of relationship drama today, however, he guessed it made him slightly more grateful for the simplicity in his own relationship.
Ignoring the whining protests of second division commander following behind him, Izou made a beeline for his simple chef boyfriend, and whispered to Thatch that after dinner they needed to have a massive debrief. His partner eagerly nodded, a sucker for any rumour or gossip found amongst their crew.
But as Izou complacently sat down for dinner, the absence of the phoenix, made him wonder what on earth his solution to this widely difficult problem was? Well…
He would find out soon enough anyway.
…