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Ann ended up joining the Whitebeard Pirates. She found something that she was missing that Newgate provided for her. Something she didn’t know she needed. A father. Someone to take that role in her life. Sure she found her soulmate on the crew but she didn’t see that as a reason to actually join the crew. She could easily just align with them and still have her own crew.
She and Marco have decided to keep quiet about it, not knowing what type of soulmates they are. Ann was honestly nervous about figuring out what type of soulmates they are. She’d rather them stay as friends, not wanting to have a lover. Plus she’s not even sure how a relationship like that would work between a bird and a human. Marco was an actual Phoenix, not a human with a devil fruit like her.
Phoenixes aren’t even animals that do mating since there's only one of them at a time. She doesn’t even want to know how the pregnancy would go. Marco even told her he’s not sure how he was brought into this whole soulmate thing when he’s not human and phoenixes don’t do mates. It's just how it was.
They both thought they would be just friend soulmates seeing as what the circumstances are.
~
Ann leaned against the outer railing and looked out at the sea. It was calm with small waves. The sun was covered by fluffy white clouds and a gentle breeze blew through her hair. She sighed as she rested her chin on her arms crossed over the tall railing. Her mind was filled with thoughts of her and Marco. She wanted to know what they are to each other. What soulmates they are.
There are also rules. Commanders can’t sleep with people in their divisions or other divisions. It’s for authority reasons and it also causes drama on the ship if anything happens between them and others can see favoritism. Pops doesn’t want that and no one wants to deal with the drama.
Ann was a regular crew member with no authority over anyone. Her past crew still follows her commands without a second thought but that’s because they are still used to her being captain. She was still used to being their captain, so she understands the struggle. Everyone found it funny when she forgot she joined the crew and commanded her crew like normal. It only helped Pops and the commanders finalize their thoughts on where to position Ann on the crew.
She heard talking behind her. She looked over her shoulder and saw some of the commanders talking with Pops. Others were just laying around and talking. She narrowed her hearing to what they were talking about.
“When are you going to talk to her?” Thatch asked the captain. Ann raised an eyebrow.
“Maybe in a few days or so, I still need to talk to others on the crew,” Pops told them.
“I’m sure Ann will be shocked when you ask her!” Haurta grinned. Thatch, Izo, Vista, and Fossa chuckled.
“Marco can teach her all she needs to know so I’m not worried if she says yes,” Kingdrew smiled.
“She’s only been on the crew for a little while, I doubt she’ll say yes so quickly yoi,” Marco told him.
“You're so negative,” Vista told him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. Marco rolled his eyes.
“What in the world are they talking about,” Ann murmured under her breath confused. She sighed, only having to wait till Pops asks her whatever he is going to ask her a couple of days or so.
~
About half a week or so, Ann was called into Pops’s room, not ready for what she was asked. “Wait wait wait, you want me to be the commander of the second division? Me?” She questioned him, confused and shocked.
Pops laughed wholeheartedly, “Of course, you show a lot of potential. I see how you command your past crew and how well you can handle yourself. You can already beat some of my higher commanders with no problem and I know I can expect a lot more from you.” Ann couldn’t help but blush in embarrassment. He spoke such kind words about her. Words she never got to hear from anyone.
“So you think I can take the role as a commander, even though I’ve only been on the crew no longer than two months?” She asked him, uncertainty in her voice.
Pops smiled softly at her, “Everyone thinks you would fit the role. I’ve talked to the commanders and others on my crew and even your own past crew about what they think. The commanders and my crew would love for you to take the role of the second commander, one that’s been vacant for many years. Your own past crew thought you would be great in the role. You’re not the brightest but you’re willing to learn and grow, to prove yourself, and to explore. That in itself makes you fit for the role. The person that originally filled that role passed many years ago and everyone loved him for multiple reasons so you’ll have a big place to fill, but I’m sure you can do it.” Ann bit her bottom lip, trying to stop it from trembling. “So, what do you say?” he asked.
Ann looked up at him with a grin, trying to hold back her tears, “I don’t know how well I’ll do but I’ll try my best and I’m honored that you guys see me worthy of such a position.” Pops smiled and patted her head with a laugh. Ann then started to wonder if Marco said anything for her to get such a position so fast. “Hey Pops?” she called. He hummed. “Did Marco say anything to you?” she asked. He raised a brow.
“Besides his opinion about you being commander, he didn’t tell me anything else. Why? Is there something I need to know?” He questioned her. Ann laid a hand on her thigh where Marco’s secrets lay bare on her skin and bit her bottom lip. Pops noticed the jester. “Are you his soulmate?” he questioned. She looked at him with wide eyes. “So that’s a yes?” Ann didn’t know if it was ok to tell him. They agreed not to tell anyone, she doesn’t know if that also involved the captain.
“And if I was, what would that mean?” She asked carefully.
“It would mean you’re his soulmate in either friendship or love. It wouldn’t matter ranking if that was the case,” he told her. She blinked. “We have people on the crew that are soulmates along with commanders. Ranking won’t change that.” She blinked, even more confused.
“So ranking doesn’t care if their soulmates?” She questioned.
Pops shook his head, “Unless they're using it inappropriately but none have done that.”
“And Marco didn’t tell you anything?” She asked. Pops shook his head. Ann hummed.
“So you guys are soulmates?” He asked. She nodded. “Do you have one secret?” he asked.
“I have two. Marco already knows,” she told him. He hummed.
“I’m surprised Marco is involved with all of this, seeing as he’s not even human. Sure fishmen, mermaids, giants, and minks can be soulmates with humans but Marco is that of a mateless bird and the only of his kind. When he first told me that he had gotten a soulmate, I was honestly confused and shocked. Even more shocked to find out they were Roger's kid,” He told her.
“Wait, so you knew I was his soulmate?” She asked him.
“I did when you told me you’re Roger’s daughter, but I never told Marco. He himself was skittish about meeting his soulmate,” he said. Marco had told her that. Unsure if he would be accepted, just like she was. “But how did you guys find out you guys were soulmates, it’s not like they are visible,” he questioned her. She laughed sheepishly. She wasn’t very fond of how they found out. He raised a brow, more curious about how it all went down.
“I was just minding my business on my bunk, still in my sleep clothes, when Marco came to check on me, seeing when my next attempt to kill you was and he ended up seeing it and he showed me his. We decided to not tell anyone about it till we figure out what type of soulmate we are,” She told him, he checked, flushed remembering what happened. They had gotten really flirty and the tension was thick when Deuce came in.
He looked at her amused as he commented, “That’s an interesting way to find out.” She could only nod, not going to give any more detail than that. “I know Marco probably didn’t tell you much about him being a phoenix and things that go with it so if you have questions about that, you can ask me.” She nodded. “I won’t tell anyone, so don’t worry.”
“Thanks,” she smiled up at him. He nodded.
At dinner he announced Ann becoming the Commander of the Second Division. They party the whole night to celebrate. Her past crew congratulated her on becoming a commander and the Commanders welcomed her. She was told Marco would teach her all she needs to know since he took responsibility to take care of both the first and second divisions. That little information surprised her, not knowing Marco took care of two divisions. Even more surprised when they explained more of what Marco does for the crew and all of his responsibilities. She realized becoming the second commander took a load off of Marco, giving him less to worry about. She was glad she could help him out by taking this position.
Ann was shown to her room the next morning by Marco who also helped her move her things. He was the only one that didn’t have a hangover. She just burnt the booze off before going to bed so she didn’t have to worry about waking up with one. Marco set her bags on the bed as she looked around. It had a big bed, a desk on the wall the head of the bed was on. A dresser and wardrobe on the other wall with shelving. A door leads to a small restroom with a sink and toilet.
“We can change anything more to your size if you want. This room originally belonged to a big man and his wife,” he told her.
Ann hummed, “So the first second commander was married?” Marco nodded. “Were you close with them?”
“You could say I was. I’ve known them the whole time they were a part of the crew before they died yoi,” the phoenix told him. She looked at him sadly. “We found out two years later that he died when he left the crew back to his home island. He actually was the one that introduced everyone to Izo.”
“Wait, isn’t Izo from Wano?” Ann questioned him. Marco nodded. “So that means he was also from Wano?” he nodded again. She remembered Kaido having control over Wano but not for how long.
“His name was Oden. He even took a voyage with Roger,” He told her. She remembered the name from Yamato. She had the guy's journal and looked up at him.
“He knew my father?” she questioned.
“Yeah, they were best friends. Pops called Oden his brother,” he said.
“Wow,” She mouthed in awe.
“When we reach the next Island we can work on your room, make it fit you, just note what you want done yoi,” he told her. She nodded.
“When will we reach the next island?” she asked.
“About a week or so,” He answered. Ann then looked down, messing with her hatstring. Marco looked at her, “You ok?”
“Um, Pop knows we’re soulmates,” she told him.
“I’m guessing you told him about your father,” he said. Ann nodded. “Then it would be easy for him to know that already. I’m not too worried about him knowing.”
“So you're not mad that I told him, even if he already knew?” She asked nervously.
“I’m not mad about that, I have no reason to. If it was someone other than Pops then I would be mad, 'cause now we’ll have to deal with our annoying brothers,” he told her. She hummed, soaking in the new knowledge. “Anyways, I’ll start showing you the ropes after breakfast, if that’s ok with you,” he said. She nodded. “Ok then, see ya after breakfast, have morning duties to attend to.”
“Yeah, see ya,” She said before he left her new room. Ann looked around the room once again, seeing if there was anything that needed to change. The chair and desk were too big and the bed would need to be changed. Besides it being too big for her, it was old and well-used. She could tell by the squawk it gave when Marco sat down her bags. She could use a different dresser and wardrobe since they're old and look like they fall apart if touched.
“How long has it been since anyone was even in here,” She muttered, noting the dust and musty smell. She opened up the small circle port window to let in fresh air before going to find a rag and mop to clean the room and restroom.
After breakfast, Ann met back up with Marco in his room. He was at his desk working on paperwork, an empty plate on the side table. He didn’t even look back at her as he told her to wait a minute. She did as told and looked around the room but didn’t touch anything. She never really went inside his room, only stayed at the door. She noticed the cup coasters nailed up on the wall over his desk surrounding a big map of the new world and grand line. Questionable thing to collect but she wouldn’t judge him. She also noticed his bed had multiple pillows and blankets. She found it odd. The room layout was the same as hers, a bedroom with a small restroom attached to it. His bed in the corner and his desk on the same wall as the head of the bed was. He had a dresser and wardrobe on the other side of the room. Shelving was on the wall filled with different items that were pinned down to the shelves by tape or nails.
Marco’s voice then caught her attention, “Ok, ready yoi?” She looked at him and nodded. He then told her the job of the second commander and where to find the people in her division, which was basically where she stayed before becoming a commander. He told her about how to do the paperwork and to turn it into him when done. She was told about what she is to expect from her division, which would be their reports. They would lean on her for what to do when it comes to battles and islands. If anything happens in her division she is responsible for it unless said otherwise. If that, it was taken care of by him or the captain. She did ask if it was because he was the first commander and it was because he was second in command. He dealt with more minor things and if more serious, Pops dealt with them but he didn’t like bringing Pop into things he could easily settle, minor or not. “Ok, that should be it on that part yoi,” he said.
“Wait, there's more?” She questioned.
“I only told you what you’re meet to do and to be expected of, I haven’t shown you how to actually do the paperwork,” He told her. She sighed. He then showed her blanket forms of paperwork she would either be doing herself or looking over. He showed her how to do them along with how to check reports.
It took till lunch for him to finish up on everything. She made sure to soak everything he said, not wanting to be told that more than once. It didn’t take her long to see how hard being a commander is. The others made it look so easy, or just didn’t notice anything. Marco said that he’ll give her some slack for the first week, and the others will too, but by then she should have everything down. If she didn’t she was to tell them and they would help her.
Ann walked up to Deuce and hugged him from behind, exhausted as they waited in line for lunch. Deuce patted her head with a chuckle, “I guess you used up all our brain function for today huh?” She nodded.
“I didn’t think being a commander would be this hard,” She whined. “I thought it would be like being a captain!” Deuce sighed. He figured as much.
“Well commanders are different from captains,” he told her.
Saber patted her back, “Yeah, they're to look after their divisions and they become your responsibility. Since there are lots of them, it's more responsibility than what it would be like being our captain of a few.”
She groaned, “My brain hurts from all the information Marco gave me. Compared to what Marco has to deal with, this is a piece of cake.”
“Well yeah, he takes the positions of both second in command and First commander, with are two different things,” Deuce told her. “It seems commanders are all the same rank authority-wise, but since commander Marco is also second in command, he is higher ranked than the commanders and can boss around the commanders along with people in their divisions.”
“Aw, don’t worry too much, Marco will still help you so the week goes by easier for you,” Thatch said as he walked up to her. She looked over at him. “Marco has always been busy, which is why he can be such a party pooper sometimes but he’ll put his work aside to help a brother or sister in need,” he grinned. She hummed.
“Where is Marco? We went separate ways after the lecture,” She asked.
The cook shrugged, “No telling. He might be doing more paperwork in his office in the infirmary or he could be eating with Pops. Why?”
“Just wondering. I’m sure he’s giving me info on being a commander cut into his time of his regular duties throughout the day,” She told him.
“Don’t worry, he plans everything out, well mostly. He probably redid his schedule for today so he could talk with you. It’s important that you know what your job as a commander is,” Thatch told her.
“And what are you?” She asked with a raised brow.
“Obviously, I’m the head cook and my division is the cooks, Marco is the head doctor, so that’s what his division is made up of,” He explained. She hummed. “Your’s is navigation, so everyone in your division is good with that. That’s why we asked what your crew is good at or was on your crew so we know what division to put them in. It could also be if they just had experience in something.”
“Well, that explains why I was put in Commander Marco’s division,” Deuce commented. Thatch nodded.
“But don’t worry, if you don’t like being in one of the divisions and think you're more suited for another division, take it up with your commander and get it sorted out. We’ve had multiple people change divisions,” He told them. They nodded. “Though I’d stay in his, he’s the least hard on his division. He’s very lenient compared to us other commanders,” He stated.
“Wait, he’s the most lenient?” Deuce questioned. Thatch nodded.
“His division is mainly females, like 80% female to 20% male, because of that he’s not as hard on his division, but don’t get me wrong. He knows how to punish those that fuck up, male or female,” He told him.
“So your guys are more male-dominated?” Saber asked as they moved up in line.
“I have a couple of female cooks but 95% of my division is male which goes for some of the others. Some don’t even have females in theirs. If the division is more known to fight, he doesn't let females join that division unless they prove themselves. Kinda like Ann. She proved herself worthy of being a fighter amongst the crew,” He said. They nodded.
“And why aren’t you with your division now?” Ann asked.
“Because I’m not,” He told her. She raised a brow.
“Which division would you say would be the hardest?” Deuce asked.
“All the divisions have bad things about them. Like mine, I don’t let them eat till everyone else has. We can easily cook ourselves something if there isn’t enough,” the cook told him. “Even Marco’s division has bad things about it. The nurses and doctors can tell you all about those, but I’ll tell you this. Marco is a very serious person and doesn’t like things being done without his permission. He likes to know where his nurses and doctors are at all times in case of emergencies. So if you ask to go to another ship or want to go on land for a while, you have to tell him. Not the plan but the general idea of where you’ll be staying so he can easily find you,” he stopped to take a breather as they moved up in line. “The reason he does this is that there was an accident that happened a couple of years back. Almost all the nurses and all of the doctors were off the ship. Some of our brothers had gotten badly injured and he and the nurses that were still there couldn’t take care of all of them by themselves. So some of them ended up dying from blood loss or their injury.” They gasped in shocked horror. “Since then he set the rule of his nurses and doctors are to tell him where they will be and carry a small responder snail with them,” he finished.
“Damn, that sucks,” Saber said breathlessly. Thatch nodded.
“He told them if any of them can’t follow that rule, they are to leave his division, and breaking it has a horrible punishment,” He said before looking at Deuce. “If you can follow that rule you should be fine. If you can't, I recommend finding a different division.” Deuce nodded, needing to take it over.
“But besides that, he’s lenient?” Ann asked him. He nodded. “No other strict rule?” He shook his head.
“Nope, he only has a couple of rules set out, that’s the top and most important. If need be Deuce can always go ask Marco or the others in his division what they are if they haven't been told already,” he stated.
“Commander Marco was busy when I officially joined his division and before that, he didn’t explain the rules to me, just told me to listen to the nurses and doctors and ask them questions,” Deuce told him.
“Then I recommend asking them. Breaking the rules in his division, in or not in, have horrible punishments,” Thatch told him. Deuce nodded.
When they reached the food, Thatch left. Ann was lost in thought as she grabbed her a plate and started piling food on it. What the fifth commander had told her made her think about the rules for the second division. She doesn’t know what the original rules were for it. She didn’t ask and Marco never told her. She’d probably go ask someone in her division about them, not wanting to bug Marco more than she already has. She needs to know if she needs to alter any or take one out or just completely change it. She’d also have to make sure her division also follows those rules. She knows the rules for the crew as a whole but not division rules.
After lunch, she talked to Teach, someone who was in her division and has been on the crew for a long time. She also had become friends with him when. He told her about the rules for the second division, those made by Oden and those made by Marco. Most of the rules made by the first second commander were still kept by Marco but some had changed and some were new. She had written them down to see if she needed to change anything to her liking later.
~
Weeks passed since then. She had gotten her room worked on and she got used to being a commander. She had talked with her division about rules and acceptations. She made sure to communicate with them truly so everything was clear and in order.
Even though she was getting used to being commander, she was still lost about what she was to Marco. How she sees him. She’s been thinking hard ever since she found out they were soulmates. She never thought she would actually meet them and definitely didn’t think she would be accepted by them, but here Marco was, accepting her. Even though his crew was rivals with her fathers, he didn’t care.
Marco always teases her about something and finding their soulmates didn’t stop him. He didn’t seem to be acting any differently. Sure she’ll admit that he's not that bad looking and is nice and understanding. He’s always there for her, even before finding out.
Even if they are soulmates, she doesn’t understand romantic love. She’s never felt that way before for anyone. It didn’t help that for the period that she knew about soulmates, she never looked forward to meeting hers. Besides them knowing her secret, she was also scared to see what they were since they weren’t human. Finding out he was just a Phoenix did help her but he was also immortal. He was over 600 years old and that entire time he never got a soulmate, which kinda confused her. He even said that he doesn’t know why he was brought into the whole soulmate thing. Pops even said the same thing.
Ann sighed as she sat at her desk working on paperwork. She had to go through reports from a mission some people in her division had gone on. Since about thirty had gone she has to go through that many reports. It doesn’t help some of them write messily.
A knock on the door made her look up from her desk. She looked back at the door as she asked who it was. “It’s me yoi.” She recognized that voice. It was Marco.
“Come in!” she said loud enough for him to hear. The door opened and he walked inside. “Need something?”
“I wanted to talk to you about the soulmate thing if you're not too busy,” He asked, motioning to the pile of paper on her desk.
“I can spare a minute,” she said. “What's up?”
Marco closed the door before hesitantly asking, “Have you figured out what we are?” Ann blinked. He was asking about their status.
“I’m still not sure. I’m still trying to figure out how it would even work. You’re immortal so being platonic or romantic soulmates would put you through pain when I die. Soulmates are supposed to be with you forever but I can’t be with you forever,” She told him before sighing, hugging herself. “I know I’m young but still, forever will never happen between us.”
Marco sighed heavily as he sat down on her bed, “I know, but feelings can last forever. You’ll always be my soulmate if that's romantic or not. Friends from my past, I still hold dearly in my heart. The same will happen when you die.”
“Do you know what we are? I’m sure animal instincts are better than humans,” she asked.
“I do know,” he started. “I knew almost instantly when I first saw you. Before I knew we were soulmates, I had a weird attraction for you but when I found out, I figured out why. Were romantic soulmates but I wanted you to figure it out by yourself. I didn’t want to force it on you.”
Ann’s eyes widened, “We’re romantic soulmates?” he nodded. Ann wowed as she ran a hand through her hair and leaned back in the chair. She didn’t know what to feel.
“You don’t have to tell me now, you can think on it and figure your own feelings out first,” the bird told her. Ann nodded as she looked at her lap in a daze. Marco stood up, the bed groaning, “I’ll leave so you can think. When you figure it out, come tell me and we can talk more then.” She said nothing as he left the room, lost in thought. Thinking of her feelings toward Marco. How he made her feel.
~
Another week passed before Ann figured out her feelings toward Marco. He made her feel comfortable and relaxed when near her. He always had the right words to say if she was down. He always helps her. She didn’t even mind the teasing. He could bring a smile to her face and make her laugh if that’s with stupid corny jokes or him being him. When thinking of it more, she released her feelings. Her face and ears would burn when he was near or talking to her. Her heart pounds in her chest when he gets too close or flirts with her.
She knows Marcos' feelings towards her and he’s been patient with her to figure her feelings out. She was sure she felt the same way he did but she wasn't sure how to tell him.
She decided to go talk to Pops.
She knocked on the big doors that lead into Pops’s room. He gave her permission to go in. She cracked the door open just enough for her to slip in and closed it behind her. Pops sat on his bed reading a newspaper. He looked at her before setting it down on the side table. “Ann, is something wrong? You seem troubled,” he asked worriedly.
“I’m kinda in a bundle,” she told him, messing with her fingers. He frowned as he told her to sit. She walked up to the bed and sat down on the edge.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. She placed her hands on her thighs as she tried to remember why she came here. To come up with something to tell him.
“I talked to Marco about a week ago about us being soulmates. He told me he already knew that we were romantic soulmates once he found out. He said he would let me think it over and push this on me.” She stopped to take a breather before continuing. “I’ve thought it over and realized my feelings but I don’t know how to tell him.”
Pops blinked, registering what she had just told him, “So you’ve come to ask me how to tell Marco about your feelings?” Ann only nodded, not wanting to look at how embarrassed she was for asking for something so silly. “Well, since we're talking about Marco, the best thing to do is tell him straight out. Sure going around the bush is fine but he likes when everything is said plain out. Though when to tell him, that's all up to you,” he told her honestly. She nodded. He helped her some but she still didn’t know how to tell the bird.
After talking a little more she left his room and went to the front deck to clear her mind. She went into one of the higher crows' nests and looked out at the sea. She then saw bright blue and gold from the corner of her eyes. She looked around and saw Marco flying full Phoenix around the ship. She couldn’t help the small smile that graced her lips.
He flew so majestically. His chains flowed in the wind behind him, leaving a trail of blue and gold flames that dissolved only a couple of moments later. He glowed so brightly in the late afternoon sky. She always wondered what it was like to fly in the sky like that. To have the wind blowing through her hair and brushing her skin. To be able to touch the clouds that lingered up in the open blue.
Marco turned his head and meet her gaze. He flew over to her, landing on the railing of the Crowsnest as he transformed into his human form. He sat down on the railing and smiled at her, “What are you doing up here?”
“Just clearing my mind,” she told him, resting on the mast. He hummed but said nothing.
“What's on your mind,” he finally asked. Ann sighed, debating if she should tell him. “You don’t have to tell me, I’ll understand if you don’t,” he reassured her.
She nodded before taking a deep breath, “I’ve just been thinking about what my feelings are for you.” The phoenix raised a brow. “I know my feelings and I’m debating when I should tell you,” she mumbled.
“You can just tell me now yoi,” he told her. Ann’s cheeks flushed. He then said a little more seriously, “If you’re worried I might pull a move on you, I won’t.”
She glared at him but her face only got hotter, “Fuck off.” He only chuckled. She pushed her lips together as she built up the courage to tell him her feelings. She opened her mouth to speak, but spoke in a quiet voice as she looked down, “I like you.” She knows Marco heard her.
When she looked up she saw him smiling down at her, “I’m glad you finally recognized your feelings, Ann.” It was silent between the two, only earring the talking from the deck and the waves. Marco broke the silence first, “I’m not going to force you into any type of relationship, that’s on you. I can understand why wouldn’t want to.”
“Your not?” she questioned. He nodded. “But wouldn't you want to be in a relationship with your soulmate, even if I wouldn’t?”
“Ann, phoenixes don’t really do romantic relationships. For multiple reasons, I wouldn’t be that hurt if you didn’t want to,” he told her.
“Wait, there are multiple reasons why phoenixes don’t to relationships?” Ann asked with a raised brow.
Marco sighed, “We're called mateless birds for a reason and I’m not going through all the reasons.”
“Then give me the main ones,” She argued, curious about why they're called mateless.
“Fine,” he sighed. “Not much of a sex drive, can’t reproduce, Immortality, not really into romantic love, and most phoenix can’t turn into humans.”
Ann blinked, “Phoenixes don’t have a sex drive and can’t reproduce?”
“Are those the only things you heard yoi?” he questioned her, amused.
“No, I heard the others but those were just the most surprising,” she answered.
He hummed before saying, “Do those help you with deciding?”
“Actually I’m glad you can’t reproduce because I don’t want kids, though the low sex drive is kinda a bum,” She told him honestly but the last part was in a teasing way.
“I’m sure it’s because your young,” he told her. She shrugged as she moved forward, standing between his open legs and grabbing onto the railing.
She looked up at him with a grin, and he looked down at her with amusement, “Most likely but besides my sexual appeal, I’m quite inexperienced. Mind teaching me, Commander?” Marco blushed, stumbling back some. Ann pulled on his caller before he fell, making them fall into the safety of the crow's nest with a thud and groan.
Ann fell on her back, her hand up beside her head. Marco landed on her, his legs straddling her and face in her breast. His hand landed beside her sides.
“At least your head got a cushion,” she said in a teasing manner as she looked down at him.
He looked up at her unamused, “Really?”
“I’m being completely serious,” she told him, but her grin said otherwise. He hummed, not believing her before lifting himself off her. She looked up at him as he sat up on his knees. Ann lifted herself onto her elbows, flipping her hair out of her face. “But being serious, I wouldn’t mind dating you if you're ok with me,” she told him, a slight blush covering her cheeks as she avoided eye contact.
“I’m ok with going out with you,” Marco told her, his voice serious but soft. She looked at him, meeting his eyes.
“Prove it,” she told him seriously.
“How the hell would I prove that yoi?” he questioned her, a brow raised.
Ann pushed her lips together in thought before answering, “Kiss me, and not just a peck.”
Marco couldn’t help the amused smile that graced his lips, “If that’s what you want.” He knows most of the time kissing someone doesn’t prove anything but he’ll let Ann think it does. Plus it gave him a free pass to kiss her.
He sat down more comfortably before grabbing Ann’s waist, picking her up, and setting her on his lap. She looked at him surprised. She straddled his crossed legs, putting her hands on his bare chest. Marco moved a hand to crease her cheek before placing his hand on her jaw. Ann blushed as their eyes meet again. He leaned in close to her face, his lips barely touching hers, their eyes still locked. Ann slowly wrapped her arms around his shoulders as her eyes drifted to Marco’s lips before meeting his eyes once again.
As their lips finally touched, they closed their eyes. He then licked over her lips asking for entrance. Ann parted his lips and he licked anywhere he could inside her dark caverns. She moaned softly as she moved her hands to his jaw and her tongue swirled with his. Marco moved his hands to her lower back as he let out small quiet moans. Ann’s heart drummed in her chest loudly, so loud it was in her ears. Her body felt hot from the heated kiss and his hands on her, slowly roaming her upper body. She self-consciously lifted her body so only her legs held her up.
After a few more seconds, Ann had to pull away. The kiss getting too overwhelming for her. She breathed heavily as she looked down at him, her face flushed red. Marco’s cheeks were slightly flushed as he panted softly. His lips were glossy from the kiss, their lips connected but a thin string of saliva.
“Is that enough proof for you?” He smirked. Ann blushed more as she looked away before nodding. He hummed before kissing her on the cheek. “Also, who's telling Pops? I can already feel his eyes on us,” he told her.
She snapped her head towards him, “He saw?” she asked.
“Most of it but I doubt he heard anything. He wouldn’t engage himself in a conversation like the one we had,” he told her. She sighed in relief. He must have come out of his room not long later after she left.
“You can tell him,” she told him.
“I had a feeling you’d want me to do it,” he told her.
“I quite literally was just talking to him about my feelings for you, and if saw most of it, that’s just embarrassing,” she whispered yelled at him.
“You’ll be fine, he doesn’t judge, but he does tease,” he told her.
“Exactly!” She glared at him.
Marco sighed, “Fine, I’ll go talk to him.” She smiled successfully. He only shook his head lightly.
“Oh, I have a favor,” She told him. She wanted to ask before she forgot. He hummed in reply. “Can I ride on your back when you go flying at some point?” she asked him nervously. She noticed not a lot of people actually ride his back, though she wasn’t sure why. It looks like fun.
He smiled, “Sure, I don’t mind.” She looked at him surprised.
“But others don’t ride your back,” she commented.
“They just don’t ask, thinking I would dislike it,” He told her. “Plus some of it also deals with rank.” She hummed in understanding.
“Do you dislike it?” She asked.
“Some people I don’t like riding my back because of size and weight,” he answered.
“So my size is fine?” she asked.
“Ann, you weigh that as a feather to me and you’re two times smaller than me, it wouldn’t bug me if you went flying with me,” He told her.
“You're calling me small aren’t you?” she glared at him.
“Considering over half the crew is over six foot, you're small in our eyes,” he told her. She glared harder at him. “But that doesn’t mean we think less of you. Everyone knows you can wipe the floor with almost everyone on the crew,” he finished. Ann huffed, puffing her cheeks. He sighed.
“So I’ll be able to ride your back?” She asked for confirmation.
He nodded before taking her off his lap and standing up, “How about now then?” Ann looked up at him surprised. She jumped to her feet with excitement, grinning up at him. Marco transformed into his normal state. He crouched down so she could get on his back. “Wrap your arms around my neck,” He told her. She nodded as she laid flat on his back, wrapping her arms around his neck, thighly. When she was secure, he took off to the sky. Ann hides her face in his feathers, the strong take-off almost making her fall.
When he flew evenly at a slower speed, Ann picked her head up and looked around her. The wind blew through her hair and against her skin. She looked down and saw the Moby. It looked so small from how high up they are. She saw the crew looking up at them but couldn’t see their expressions. She could hear Pops laughing wholeheartedly, from what, she doesn’t know. She didn’t care.
She then looked down at Marco. His beautiful blue and gold flames shone brightly beneath her. She moved her arms from his neck, sitting up. She ran her hands throw his fiery feathers on his back. They felt soft and smooth, something she didn’t expect from fire. She also noticed it didn’t burn her because her fire wasn’t reacting like it usually would with hot fire or if injured.
“Is your fire not hot?” she couldn’t help but ask.
“I can control the temperature of it in case someone wants to ride my back but usually my fire is quite hot,” he told her.
She hummed before asking, “What would happen if I touched you with my fire?”
“Phoenix find comfort in fire, so that's all your fire would do,” he answered.
“Anything else?” she asked.
“If you do it, it’ll be like your inviting me to bed, so I suggest not doing it yoi,” he told her. She hummed, not able to hold back a grin. She wanted to do it, just to see his reaction. She wanted to know what would happen if she let her fire lose against him.
She couldn’t resist when she asked, “But haven’t I touched you with my fire during training? Did that turn you on or was it because of the moment you didn’t are?” She felt his fire get hotter before cooling back off. She smirked, “So it does?”
“It felt nice, yes, but in the moment I wasn’t thinking about that sorta thing,” he told her. If he wasn’t in his bird form, she knows he would be blushing. His fire responds to his emotions.
“Did you know your fire reacts to your emotions?” She asked him.
“I know it does for some,” he told her.
“Well, you warmed up when I teased you? Is that your birds' form of blushing?” She smirked, amused. She felt his fire warm up again. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Marco sighed, “I feel like I’m going to be finding new things about myself because of you,” Ann giggled as she leaned down and hugged him.
“Maybe I’ll affect that low sex drive of yours,” she grinned.
“Never know,” he chuckled.
She could only laugh. She couldn’t wait to figure out how she would affect him while she was in his life, forever long that is.