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Izou had known something was going on with Marco when the other man wouldn't return the hug he gave him. Despite everything going on, he did remember dying in Wano. So, being back on the Moby Dick was somewhat odd.
Still, normally Marco was on deck at all times. Overlooking everyone, helping where needed and keeping the paperwork in order so they could have a smooth journey each and every time.
He hadn't appeared once, not since Izou remembers coming back.
Checking in with Thatch, who mentioned the same concerns meant that there was something going on and he didn't like it. Their strong, reliable brother, the first division Commander who would keep going even if he was harmed, seemed to be giving up. Something was going on there. Enough that he approached Pops to mention as much.
"I'm sure it's nothing, Izou," Pops said, those eyes kind as they look down. They are knowing, so it's clear that Pops also remembers. But what does he do, does he remember up until Marineford or after. Because that will make a huge difference.
It leaves a strange feeling in his chest, one Izou has been trying to deal with since remembering it all. He fell in Wano, choose to give his life for the family he had found, both new and old, which meant leaving Marco behind as well. Which, given everything that had happened, couldn't mean a good thing.
Biting his lip, he tried to think of something to do. To try and see what Marco had been through. But he found himself unable to come up with a solution. Eventually talking to Thatch, who mentioned having no idea what to do either. "I died, Izou, I know I did. I can still feel the knife in my back and I don't know what happened after that. All I do know is that it wasn't pretty seeing as Marco can't even look at me."
Shaking his head, Izou gives the bare details on what happened after Thatch had been killed. Mentioning that it hadn't been pretty and nothing turned out better until about two years after Marineford. "Ace's baby brother, Luffy, he took the New World by storm and I know he freed Wano even if I wasn't there to see it. But… I don't know what happened after that and it's that which scares me."
Before they have time to contemplate, a familiar haki washes over them; Shanks'.
At least this is one of the others Emperors they know won't try something with them all being so rattled.
Oddly enough, it's also Shanks who lures Marco out of his room and onto the deck. Making the blond mingle, or give the appearance to mingle as he didn't look at any of them. Keeping his head down as he made his way to Pops. Expect, Marco stepped to the side and hid behind Shanks' back.
Gasping, Izou didn't know what to say. For all that they got under each other's skin, he knew Marco and Shanks knew each other since they were children. He had also known there was some fondness there, on both sides, but to see that it came to fruition after he died brought into perspective just how bad it had gotten.
Pops didn't react well either, asking what was going on.
Izou saw Marco flinch, making him move forward. Even if Shanks' haki came out, wrapping tightly around Marco as to protect him. Even from the people that should love him. The one thing that broke him was hearing Marco mutter that they didn't want him there anymore. That everyone remembered, even those who had died but been given a sea burial. Marco actually believed that none of them wanted him around anymore.
Turning towards his father, Izou called out, "Pops, stop! Marco… Marco was alone and I know it wasn't pretty before I died. I was the last one… but he… Pops, he thinks you don't want him on this ship anymore because of what happened."
More than one person tries to reject that, but the look in Shanks' eyes states that Izou is right in that statement.
No doubt about it, that Pops sees it too, as he tells everyone to leave the deck. They do, even if the Commanders stay close to the door as to get out of there as soon as Pops gives the okay.
It's brutal, to wait, to feel haki clashing, before Marco's voice whispers. Now heard as there is no noise on deck. Hearing Pops mention that there is nothing Marco could do that would make him cast his First Mate out.
There is hesitation and fear in Marco's voice as he mentions what happens. Followed by Shanks weighting in on why Marco was acting the way he did. A part of Izou is very happy that the two of them found each other, but another part hates what needed to happen for this to become a reality.
Hearing Luffy's name wasn't that much of a surprise.
Finding out that Luffy was Wani's son did. As that was one thing not even Izou would have guessed. Most of the older members of the Whitebeard Pirates, and the Commanders, knew about Wani. Pops' only biological child who had left the ship and never came back. Finding out just how connected it all was? Well, that gave all of it an even broader dimension.
Hearing Pops call the Commanders back, Izou was hugging Marco again as soon as he could. Pulling the blond close, as soon as he looked at Shanks and the redhead grinned before letting go so Izou could take over.
"You did everything right, sweetie," Izou muttered, "I choose to die there, to make sure the alliance could go on. But I do regret leaving you behind."
Marco lets out a sob at that, finally hugging Izou back tightly.
Thatch is there to take over as soon as Izou releases him. With other Commanders standing in line to do the same thing.
Which leaves him to turn to Shanks, "You take care of him? Then, but now too?"
Grinning brightly, Shanks nodded, "Don't worry, Izou, he'll be just fine. He doesn't only have me after all."
There is a double meaning in there, which has Izou looking back at Marco and seeing the blush featured on the blond's cheeks, "No way!"
Laughing, Shanks is the one who shares he has an older twin brother who fell in love with Marco just from hearing Shanks talk about him. "Shamrock's on his way here too, he was close to Dawn so he went to check in with the boys and will be on Dragon's ship once they make it here." There is something soft in the Emperor's eyes as he looks at Marco, "I love him, Izou, have loved him for a long time and I don't plan on stopping now."
Pops choses that moment to butt in, telling Shanks that he can't stop this. But he does expect Marco to be treated well and to be able to be on board the Moby Dick more times than not, explaining that despite not being the Captain, it is Marco that runs this ship at this point. "Once Ace joins it gets easier, but I don't know if that'll happen this time around as well."
Wiping out a den den mushi, Shanks grins, "Let's ask the Firecracker."
—
Newgate hadn't known what had happened.
He died.
He knows he died, at Marineford, after losing yet another son. But he had been left standing tall, taking on the adversary and the full force of the Marines at that moment. Doing everything he could do to protect his remaining family.
So, being back here, on the Moby Dick was shocking.
Finding out he wasn't the only one who remembered was a relief. Izou had made it clear things had happened but he remembered. Same with Thatch, Vista, Haruta and Jozu.
Yet, Marco remained absent.
His first son, the son of his first crewmate, hadn't come out of his room for days now. Izou and Thatch went to check up on him, with Izou mentioning that Newgate should go and see for himself as well. He didn't.
Looking back, he should have done so. As Marco appeared only when Shanks came on board and never once looked at Newgate. Didn't meet his eyes and hid behind Shanks instead. It didn't make sense, and it was hurting his heart to see his strong son so dejected.
Nothing hurt more than hearing Marco admit that he was certain no one wanted him on the Moby anymore. That it would be easier if he just left with Shanks and left the others to move on. He was truly convinced of that, to the point that he freaked out in a way Newgate hadn't seen since Marco was a young boy and Graham had just been killed. Hyperventilating, and hiding himself into Shanks' broad back.
As he calmed down, and shared what had triggered that reaction, it hurt even more. To think that Marco believed he had broken some secret duty. That he had taken on the role of Captain, when they all were aware he wouldn't thrive there. Only to loose it all, and eventually be the only one left behind. Soothing him as best he could, pulling him close and hugging him, before calling on the Commanders he had sent away so they could talk and start to plan.
What he hadn't been prepared for was finding out that Marco didn't have one, but two lovers. A set of twins, but still, not something he had been expecting. However, he and Roger did have a bet going for ages on when Marco and Shanks would realize their feelings. It took a lot longer than expected, but that didn't take away that he was happy to know they still found each other.
Shanks called Ace, to ask him what he wanted to do, was another unexpected thing. His youngest son sounded so young right now. He would only be ten, almost eleven, so that did track.
"I don't know yet," Ace spoke carefully, "Right now I want to spent time with Luffy and Sabo. I… I don't know…"
Shaking his head, Newgate smiles, "We'll see what happens, when it happens, son. Just know you'll always have a place here."
The beaming smile comes through and he can't help but grin at that. For all that Ace had been happy on the Moby Dick, it dawns on him that he's even happier now with his brothers. That the man he had gotten to know, they had all gotten to know, wasn't truly the Ace that they could have welcomed in with open arms.
Luffy interjects there, mentioning that they are all family after all. Family means something, and they'll make it their starting point. Something underlying adds to it as he speaks, "But that does mean you have to apologize to my Baba, Grandpops. He just wanted to be free and I don't like people taking away other's freedom."
Marco snorts, before laughing very loudly. Something that's accompanied by several voices on the other side of the line telling Luffy to let go of something called 'gear 5'. Before it's another voice he doesn't recognize pops up. Shanks and Marco's face soften and he knows this is the elusive older twin, and Marco's other lover, "Anchor apparently can still access gear 5 and I kind of want to see the faces of those old farts once they realize a 6 year old has an awakened Mythical Devil Fruit."
The reaction Marco gave makes sense now, and a part of Newgate wants to be there when the world finds out. For no other reason than to see it all fall apart.
—
Marco is being hugged by siblings for the next couple of days. The only time he isn't is when he's asleep, but then Shanks gladly takes over that part. Holding on and not letting go until the morning.
It makes him feel saved, being able to sleep with his lover on his side.
It makes him feel loved, to have so many siblings check in on them. The other Commanders trying to go back to how they operated when Ace was a part of their crew. Knowing that if they took the time to do their work, or delegated within their own division, the work was done faster and Marco wouldn't have so much to so as all he needed to check was errors and information that impacted the whole ship.
Things became easier.
And then, one of their scouting parties came back and Teach stepped onto the Moby Dick with a smile on his face as the sight of more than one person glaring at him.