Captivity

13 - Match-maker

Marco was, quite frankly, completely exhausted. Granted, he couldn't be happier. He had found Luffy, breathing, safe and protected by Mihawk, of all people. The problem wasn't Luffy, per se...

But, the several people that had come demanding how were his conditions, frankly were so...

At first, he hadn't bothered to check who was in the large living room. He had politely excused his uninvited presence and asked for a private meeting with Luffy. That was all that had mattered to him. He had slept blissfully with the man cradled securely in his arms. He had imagined them as tight ropes.

The day after, however, he'd had to deal with the many guests the Shichibukai had been barely tolerating. He'd met Luffy's crew, marvelling at how crazy it was. Seriously, a reindeer, a robot, a skeleton... Utterly insane. But they were all amicable and funny to talk to. The Vice, a swordsman, pirate"hunter, even offered him booze and a nice chat. None of them had demanded an explanation for chasing a convalescent Luffy. The respect that transpired from that notion, mainly for their Captain's private life and business, made Marco strangely proud...

Garp was another matter altogether.

The old man, grandfather of his love interest, had demanded an explanation after two full hours of glaring daggers at his back and nape. The pink-haired marine had interrupted an obvious punch to Marco's face with a peace-inducing smile. After that display, the pirate had simply walked back to the infirmary, where Luffy had been still sleeping, with a bored expression.

Surprisingly, some days after, Smoker had been allowed into the room by Mihawk. The marine had wanted to know the full truth and check on the raven. Aside thanking him, notion that made Marco hopeful for Ace. The scene he'd seen when the two brothers had invaded the castle was enough to know something was going on between the two. Simple and obvious. Seeing Luffy completely disappear from his side had sent worrying chills down his spine, a replay of what had happened at the island had frozen him to the spot. But, seeing him only seconds after, downstairs, fussing over a crying Sabo... And the hug of the three had warmed his heart to the point of melting. He was happy for them and for the peace of heart of his... lover.

They were, after all. Lovers. And he'd had the impulse to show that to the annoying, irritating, infuriatingly strong, red-haired Yonko. Luffy may have had every type of tie to him he would want, they may have even been father and son, by blood, he didn't care. The raven was his, his only. Period.

Marco inhaled Luffy's sweet scent from his hair, cuddled as they were in the infirmary. It was a real pity he couldn't have his way with him for a week more. He'd asked Trafalgar, much to the raven's embarrassment. Cute.

"If you start chewing on my hair, I'll kick you out of the bed."

The pirate chuckled lightly, tightening his hug. "You shouldn't, yoi. Your wound is still healing."

"Uhm... A week more." Luffy lifted his head, pecking the other's lips. "But, tomorrow, we'll leave the island."

Marco arched a brow, losing his chance to deepen the kiss. "Tomorrow?"

The other nodded. "I need to set my plan in motion." He sat and dangled his legs on the side of the bed.

"Enlighten me." The pirate lifted his torso with his elbows on the pillow.

Luffy smirked. "I just want to scare the shits out of some people~~."

That tone reminded Marco of the green-haired crazy fan of his lover.

*-._.-*

"I really don't understand what's gotten into you." Izo was pouting, one hand petting the crow and the other writing a letter to Bartolomeo. "You've been acting strange since meeting them."