Marco was annoyed. More than usual. If he didn't have Luffy on his lap, he would probably chase Thatch around the ship. But because of this sweet obstacle, the blonde was still in bed with his lover.
The cook sat on a chair in Marco's room and smirked. He seemed happy about scaring the blonde with breakfast in bed and then had the nerve to say: „I thought you would like it more that way. Since you two could have been busy, even if no one heard you."
Izo, who sat on another chair next to Thatch, looked apologetic at Marco. He didn't blame the cross-dresser. He knew how hard it was to stop Thatch sometimes when the cook made up his mind.
„Why, Thatch, yoi?" „Shouldn't I ask this question, dear brother? You didn't even tell me that you were even interested in someone. I always thought you weren't capable of a romantical relationship. I mean you stood in front of Boa Hancock and didn't even bat an eyelid. It was like you didn't care and we know that even Jozu did blush when we met her again." Thatch lip's turned into a pout. Marco groaned.
Why? Why did Thatch have to see them last night? He thought the cook was up in the crows nest and wouldn't be able to see them. Marco didn't want his brother to find out like that. He knew that it would be trouble this way. Because Thatch couldn't be quiet. It wouldn't surprise Marco if the whole crew knew by now.
„Don't bully, Marco. He is already thinking too much", Luffy said sleepily and snuggled more into the blonde. The boy's face was buried in Marco's chest while his hands were on the shoulders. A soft smile ghosted over the Phoenix's lips before he pressed them onto his lover's head for a short kiss. And for a short time, he forgot that the two others were in his room. But he stopped when he heard Thatch cooing.
„Look, Izo. They are so cute. I don't want them to hide." Izo elbowed Thatch before he said: „I apologize again for him. He already noticed something was up before he saw you two kissing. He even thought about a parental relationship." „Oi, Izo. You weren't supposed to tell them that." Thatch pouted again.
Marco shook his head lightly and felt Luffy giggling in his chest. Well, good to see one of them still have fun and was happy. He didn't like to see Luffy sad. He hated it.
„But I can't say that I'm also curious how it started. Your relationship, I mean", Izo wondered and Marco could see how Thatch's pout stopped and the redhead turned his full attention to the blonde. „And I want to know why you two hide it."
„Because Marco won't get any sleep if Ace know. We still don't know how to tell Ace about the relationship and I'm not sure about my crew either… So we decided to let it be secret. Even if it isn't easy. It's hard not to cuddle with Marco when I want to because people are there."
„And I didn't feel ready to tell you guys. Yeah, you are family and I know you got my back. But how to tell your family that you are in love with someone who is some kind of a friendly rival? I didn't know. I'm not sure yet how to tell the others, yoi."
„Just tell them. Anyone who disagrees gets to swim for a while!" Thatch looked serious. „Like you said, Marco. We are family and anyone who doesn't think you deserve that is an idiot and shouldn't be called family. I know I shouldn't probably break into your room this morning. But do you know how it feels to find out your brother is hiding something? I felt like you didn't trust me. So I had to get you back for that." Thatch's speech ended in a pout again.
Marco was quite surprised to see the cook pout so much. „Sorry, yoi…" The blonde did feel a bit bad for not telling his brothers. But he had his reasons. Thatch grinned. „That was all I wanted to hear. Now I want some sweet, sweet details about you lovebirds." Marco looked a bit angry at Thatch and hugged Luffy closer to him. Like he would have to protect his lover from the questions.
