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“Have you ever been to one before?” Ace asked as he looked over his shoulder at Marco who was adjusting his robes before he looked thoughtful for a moment, shaking his head. “No, but it has always sounded like fun.”
“It is,” Deuce added, stepping into the room and looking at his friends getting ready in their various costumes as brushed down his own clothes, wanting everything to be perfect. “I’ve been going for a few years and when Ace saw me buying my costume online he asked about it and thus,” Deuce gestureed around the room with his arms, his baggy sleeves waving as he did so.
Thatch, who was dressed as a knight was sat by the window, practically hanging out in an attempt to smoke his cigarette turned to watch Deuce, and how he started to fuss with Ace. “Well, I’m always up for trying anything once, plus I love mead.” He sighed thinking about it.
Marco chuckled and rolled his eyes in response to Thatch as he tied the rope belt around his waist, enjoying how soft the fabric felt on his fingertips, the colors he picked were blues and golds, he’d picked to be a sorcerer. Fake bottles of colored water to look like potions looped onto his belt, the liquid sloshing around as he moved, adjusting his own billowing sleeves.
“I’m just here for the outfit.” Izou hummed, tucking a stray strand of hair behind his ear as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. A beautiful rich purple gown with silver detail, he was going as a princess. Fake flowers had been fixed to his long braid, with help from his ever-patient and loving boyfriend, Sir Thatch.
“I thought that would be the big draw for you,” Deuce said and double-checked the big fake book was attached to the leather strap he wore, a scribe this year. Though the urge to be a druid had been tempting, he thought it might have been too similar to Marco.
Ace pulled at the tights on his legs and huffed a little, not used to wearing such things, not to mention they had been Izou’s, and he was much taller than him. But he didn’t want to go out and buy all new tights himself for his thief look. His first inspiration had been Robin Hood but he’d been nagged at by Deuce to be more original than that.
—
Everyone fully dressed, packed, and ready to go all clambered into Marco’s camper van, it was old and creaked with every turn and bend of the road but it got them all from A to B and Marco wasn’t the worst driver. That was Ace.
The journey wasn’t long, everyone made small talk, chattered, and asked how far they were much to Marco’s mild annoyance, he knew Thatch asked every ten minutes just to wind him up and he would never retaliate, never giving Thatch his win. But that never stopped him from trying on every car ride, no matter how small or long the voyage would take.
Marco had to give it to Thatch, a testament to his dedication to being a pain in his ass the moment his butt met the seat in his gaudy blue camper with the pineapple string lights strung across the place.
He hadn’t expected Deuce to be the one who was struggling with being patient, asking him every so often if he still knew where he was going because he didn’t recognize this turn or that house and Marco, mostly known for his infinite cool and composure was very close to throwing Deuce at Thatch, he simply squeezed the wheel a little tighter and turned the music up just a touch higher.
Thankful it was only another hour, the route finally becoming familiar enough that Deuce wouldn’t panic, grip Marco’s seat, and cause him secondhand anxiety. Izou was the first to step out, taking a deep breath, smelling all sorts from the fair.
It smelt like a roast pig, he was reminded of the nice big Christmas markets he and Thatch would go to together at weekends in the winter. A warm, comforting smell filled him with nostalgia for good times with his partner. He stepped out of the way in time for everyone else to filter out the van, jumping on the grass with a clatter of armor and chainmail in Thatch’s case.
“Smells good, I am starving ,” Thatch said, wrapping arms around Izou’s waist, resting his chin on his shoulder, making them both sway on the spot as Marco came around the side, swinging his keys around his little finger before he pocketed them. “Alright, let's go, lead the way Deuce, take us to your leader.” Marco teased with a lopsided smirk, Deuce already walking towards the action.
The entire place was filled with stalls, all themed, everyone dressed up one way or another, all in keeping with the spirit of the place. Ace was amazed, looking around at everyone, seeing witches, knights, monks even a plague doctor or two. Thatch had linked arms with Marco and Izou and had dragged them over to get food and honestly, Ace was hoping someone other than him would bring up food first.
“Everyone really gets into it don’t they?” Marco asked peering around the area, taking it all in as he sipped from his tankard of ale, just one would be okay. “Oh for sure, some people work on their costumes for months, As soon as this one is over I’m willing to bet money some people will be planning their next year's outfit.” Deuce nodded before he took a bite out of the roasted pork.
“Your such a nerd.” Ace snickered and bumped into Deuce playfully, who just shoved him back. “Hey now, who's a nerd? Mr. still has yu-gi-oh cards?” Deuce retorted and Ace snorted, a huff and a string of mumbling, unable to come up with a better answer as Deuce well and truly came for his life.
Ace wrinkled his nose and glared at Deuce, who smirked as the other three looked on. Izou rolled his eyes but remained amused at the best friend's childish bickering.
“What do you ah.. Do other than eat and drink?” Deuce blinked and turned to Thatch. “Well, act in character if you want, There is a blacksmith, a tavern, a bookshop, a gift shop another tavern a-” “Fortune teller!” Ace pointed past them, a little hut that looked mystical and tucked away from the other structures.
“I wonder if they can read my palm or tell me my future. “Ace asked before finishing off his food, already making his mind up. He stood and set the plate where he’d been sitting, Deuce shaking his head, too skeptical to go with him but Marco couldn’t say no when he felt Ace’s hand in his, tugging gently at his fingers, giving him that look that would be the ruin of him, Marco was sure of it.
“Alright, alright, let's check it out.”
Marco didn’t care he almost stumbled over the fabric of his robes, didn’t care he was being pulled through jostling crowds, all he could think of was how wonderful Ace’s hand felt in his as Ace tugged him along with such excitement. When Ace looked over his shoulder, giving him that smile Marco realized he wouldn't have cared if Ace had pulled him into shark-invested waters. He’d still have gone with him.
The fortune teller hut was decorated the part, candles lit, shiny crystals hung from the ceiling and caught the flickering flames and threw dancing colors across the walls. The whole place smelt of incense, not strong or cheap but a delicate smell that wafted in the breeze of the curtains being open and swinging shut behind them.
“Hello, how can I help?” The woman sat at the table dressed in satins and silks, glittering jewellery adorned her. He was glad she’d gone with the more modern witch vibe than something that could be deemed as offensive.
Marco furrowed his brows at the loss of a connection when Ace dropped his hand, he mourned at the loss of warmth but walked closer, watching as Ace dropped himself into the seat across from her, his curious brown eyes staring at the deck of cards she had sitting in front of her.
“I’m hoping you could tell me my future?” Ace asked as he drummed his fingers on the edge of the table, Marco standing behind him and looking over everything with his own interest. Never closed-minded, he took everything in life with a healthy dose of skepticism.
The woman smiled and placed her hands on the table, nodding for Ace to give her one of his hands. He did so, feeling hers close around his, her fingertips brushing over his knuckles, turning his hand palm up. She bit her lip as a long painted nail traced a path along his palm.
“Nice long lifeline.” She said and tilted her head, looking at his hand. Ace just stared, listening to the fortune teller and enjoying her gentle caresses. He let out a pleased hum when she danced elegant fingers across his palm once more, another line he felt the tickle on.
“You are going to have so many adventures, you’ve got a pretty wild spirit don’t you?” She asked and Ace shrugged, an awkward laugh escaped him. He never thought much of himself. Marco nodded to her “He sure does, never a boring moment with this one.”
Ace glanced up, seeing her reaction to Marco, the knowing smile that played on her ruby-red lips as her eyes met his. “Right on the money then, so how about we do a card reading for you?”
She gently pulled her hands away from Ace, going to shuffle the pretty deck of cards. She smiled the entire time, looking between Ace and then at Marco, never missing the fondness in Marco’s eyes whenever he gazed down at Ace. She had a feeling Ace had no idea, and couldn’t see what was so clearly there.
Not to mention the softness in Ace’s grin whenever he’d look back up at Marco. Oh, this was something she could do, “Shuffle the cards and ask the deck a question, just one.” She instructed and passed the cards to Ace who nodded, doing what he was told before setting them back.
“Three numbers that mean something to you.”
Ace paused for a moment, thinking it over. His birthday, Sabo’s birthday, and Luffy's.
The cards were drawn and laid out between them, Marco watched silently, enjoying the woman's show even if there was nothing to it, she was at least nice and entertaining. Ace glared at the cards, annoyed he didn’t instantly understand their meaning.
“Well, look at this..” She plucked a card and smiled brightly. “This card is the lovers it means if you are single you will soon meet the love of your life, or maybe you already know them you just haven’t had the courage to confess yet, this card hopes to give you that courage because you might be missing out on a great love. “She said and her smile grew into a smirk, just as she thought.
At her words Marco and Ace’s posture shifted and changed, the way Ace took a breath and leaned back in the seat, how Marco’s eyes widened and he glanced down at Ace. She was right, she didn’t need the cards to tell her that but it was always nice when the spirits agreed with her keen judgment.
She read the other two, both good, full of promise but Ace was unable to focus, his mind swimming with what she had told him, about the lovers, about his future, were his feelings that obvious? The butterflies in his stomach felt like they were doing stunts because he felt all a flutter.
He thanked the fortune teller, paid her a fee, and left the mysterious little hut with a destiny deeply planted in his chest, spurring on his heartbeat. He sighed and closed his eyes, trying to collect himself when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
“Well, that was interesting hmm?” Marco said with a chuckle and gently shook him back into reality, he opened his eyes and glanced over his shoulder, he nodded and gave a weak smile, trying not to get lost in those beautiful eyes.
“Y-yeah, for sure.” He gulped and rubbed sweaty palms on his tunic before he turned fully to face Marco. “Hey Marco, do you wanna get a drink tonight? Like… just us?”
Marco felt the drumming in his chest, felt the breath in his lungs stolen at the sudden question. He could see Ace’s courage wavering, the way he fidgeted in place.
“It was dumb, your probably bu-” “Yes, yes Ace, I’d love that.”
Ace gawked at Marco, a brow quirked and his nose wrinkled, a nagging feeling that maybe Marco was teasing him, or just humoring him. Or maybe Marco just didn’t get what he meant. “I mean, like, as more than friends…”
“I know, and I’d be delighted to.”
Thank you cards! Ace thought to himself as his smile grew into a beaming grin.
As they walked back to their friends Marco paused, stopping Ace in his tracks also. “What did you ask the cards?”
Ace clicked his tongue against his teeth, sucking air between them as he purposely looked away from him. “I asked if I ever had a shot with you,” he shrugged his shoulders, feeling silly now, feeling childish as soon as he spoke up. Marco just smiled back, saying nothing, just reaching his fingers out to Ace’s and brushing his digits against Ace’s, his smile widened when Ace curled a finger around his.
“I'm glad you did.”