Chapter Text
It had started quite innocently, back when Ace had first been brought on board the Moby Dick, Marco and Thatch had been the only ones that dared to interact with him. In time he won over all of them, but especially that first week he was treated like a feral jungle cat. Thatch set out to feed him, while Marco with his fruit was more than able to take whatever it was that Ace threw in his direction.
Oyaji found it hilarious especially as he only saw ‘the brat’ when Ace tried to kill him. He found it endearing, often grinning to himself as Thatch went after aCe to fish him out of the ocean.
Maybe it was because they spent so much time together, or maybe it was because Marco and Thatch treated him as a normal human being instead of a rookie, or even a pirate. They understood him in a way that he never expected to find. Even less so on Whitebeard’s ship where he tried to kill the man they saw as their father.
Tima paced, and before long he did officially join the Whitebeard Pirates together with what used to be the Spade Pirates. They all felt right at home. Even though everyone else had warmed up to Ace in time, he stayed the closest to Thatch and Marco. Almost always found around either of the two commanders, learning from them, getting to know the crew and the ship, and showing off just what an amazing navigator he was.
Both of them knew the story about Sabo, Ace’s other brother who was shot down by a Celestial Dragon and how his dream was to sail the seas and write down his stories about his adventures in a book.
“He had a passion for navigating, and part of me had always assumed he’d be my navigator. When… When he died, I knew no one else could compare so I set out to learn it myself. Turns out I was great at it, cultivating it and using it especially after getting my own crew.”
He’d looked so proud of himself when he admitted to liking them that even they as a New World crew seemed to think the same thing.
“I love it, or learned to love it, which brings me closer to him.”
He clasped his hand over the tattoo on his arm, having shared before what it meant and that he hadn’t spelled his own name wrong.
Smiling softly, Marco and Thatch had admitted to being impressed by the things Ace could do and how in tune he was with the New World weather when some of their own veteran crew members weren’t able to pick up on the slight change in pressure or temperature.
“You’re doing great, especially for a pirate that has only been in these waters for half a year. Even more impressive is that you only set out just over a year ago.”
Ace was blushing, endearing him even more to the two men who had quite a soft spot for him too. There had been talks about finally appointing a new Second Division commander, where Ace’s name had been dropped more than once.
He was young, and he was a relatively new member. But the only other one they believed able to take on the role was Teach and he had made it clear a long time ago that he didn’t want a commander position.
To be fair, Thatch and Marco had an ulterior motive for wanting Ace to be a commander. As he’d be on the same level as them they might be able to act on the feelings the both of them had for him. These strong emotions that had popped up somewhere around his first month on board the Moby Dick, when they slowly started to get to know the real Ace, found out things about him that you wouldn’t know at first glance and found themselves liking those.
To know that Ace was passionate about navigation was one thing, knowing he was able to lead was another they were aware of he was capable of doing; being a captain before joining them.
The only thing that remained was asking Ace himself if he wanted to be in that position, which was what Marco and Thatch were trying to figure out. Not an easy feat, as Ace was quite good at keeping his face blank.
Sighing, Thatch shook his head, “Any ideas on what you want to do in the future on the Moby Dick?”
It was obvious Ace hadn’t been expecting a question like that, looking almost shocked at hearing it. His eyes searched both of their faces to see if there was anything he needed to be worried about.
“Not really?"
He shrugged, “I mean, I’ve been an official member for six months now, I didn't really see any use in thinking about it right now.”
Marco and Thatch exchanged looks, most likely tipping Ace off that something was going on as he gained that look in his eyes that meant he wanted to get to the bottom of it. It was an odd look to be fair, as Ace normally just let everything happen. He didn’t ponder, or didn’t seem to ponder, on a lot of things. Choosing instead to live his life without regrets and take whatever happened in stride.
“What?”
Marco sighed, “There had been talks on appointing a new Second Division Commander and your name came up -yoi.”
The wide eyes and the shock suddenly clear on his face was telling that he hadn’t been expecting this.
“Aren’t there more experienced pirates on the ship, in the second division even?”
Thatch nodded, “Teach is viewed as another candidate, but he let us know years ago that he doesn’t see himself in that role. As such he isn’t really considered even if he is fit for the position. It’s why we’re asking you, to see if you’d be willing.”
Clasping his hand over Ace’s shoulder, he continued, “This isn’t something you have to decide now, Ace. We just wanted to put it out there, to let you know and to ask you to come back to us about that.”
Marco smiled softly, “This isn’t anything we can force upon you, no, or not now are more than acceptable answers -yoi. Just…. Think about it, as we both think you’d be amazing at it.”
Ace just nodded, before taking his leave from their company. Wandering inside and towards the second division barracks, no doubt to look for Teach and to ask him about this.
The two of them were close too, two of the best navigators and the one most often put on duty whenever they needed to change the course of the Moby.
“What do you think he’ll do?”
Humming as he looked after Ace, Marco shook his head, “I don’t know, I hope he agrees -yoi. But I meant what I said, I am not planning on forcing him.”
Thatch nodded, wrapping an arm around Marco’s shoulders, “It would be nice though.”
Marco hummed again, “It would, but I have no intention of forcing him to do anything -yoi. Least of all because we both like him. This isn’t something we can let cloud our judgment -yoi.”
Edging closer, Thatch pressed his lips against Marco’s cheek, “I didn’t hear you complaining about us, though, even when that was definitely something that clouded your judgment.”
Expecting the narrowed eyes he gets in return, Thatch ducks under the kick aimed his way before also making his way inside. A large grin on his face as Marco followed them.
It had been quite a number of years, but they had started their relationship when Marco had been a division commander for a couple of years and Thatch had just joined. While it hadn’t given them any trouble, Marco had admitted to feeling like the power in play could have turned out unhealthy. Of course, by the time they had gotten so far Thatch had been in the running for division commander himself, Oyaji had known and approved and nothing Thatch did got him special treatment from Marco.
They both agreed to take things differently when adding Ace to their dynamic, but that didn’t take away that they both wanted him to join them. That they were certain that the firecracker of a man would fill up the part that they were both missing. He already knew that they were a couple, having caught them kissing at one point.
Grinning as Marco caught up to him at the door to their rooms, Thatch sobered up, “I really hope he agrees, Marco.”
Marco sighed, “We’ll just have to wait and see, love -yoi. He needs to make this decision all on his own, we cannot influence him here.”
Whining, Thatch nodded, “I know… Doesn’t mean I don’t want to.”
Running his hand through Thatch’s hair, Marco just stayed silent. They had been talking about what to do if Ace told them he didn’t want the position, or didn’t want the position now. Their feelings wouldn’t change, they were certain of that.
Leaning his head against Marco's shoulder, Thatch pressed a kiss to the purple shirt his lover was wearing.
“We’ll have to wait and see what he says.”
Luck would have it that Ace found Teach that same night and had a conversation with him until the early morning (or so Teach told them when they asked where Ace was).
“He’s taking a nap because of his narcolepsy and taking the late shift tonight. We talked and I think he’ll be given a positive answer, Thatch-taicho, Marco-taicho.”
Thanking the man, he nodded before making his way to the navigation rooms with a cherry pie in his hands.
Ace came to look for them just after dinner, nervousness obvious to those who knew him. Deuce, having seen the same thing as they did, had been halfway towards his former captain when Ace assured him that everything was alright without words.
He came to a stop by the commanders table which were about the only ones still present, they and the medical staff off duty. Fidgeting as he looked at them all before turning to Oyaji.
“I… I’d like to accept the position.”
Oyaji was beaming brightly, his eyes straying to Marco and Thatch for a second, before he was looking at Ace again, “We’ll make the announcement tomorrow at dinner then, son. We’re really glad to have you.”
He blushed at the praise, looking even more delectable than Marco and Thatch had ever seen him. Grinning softly as he thanked them for the chance, before accepting the mug pressed into his hands as a toast was made on his acceptance of his new position.
Grinning as he seemed to accept that they truly wanted this for him, that all the commanders were on board with him getting this position despite his young age.
Marco and Thatch exchanged looks once more, deciding to let it all calm down a bit before talking to Ace about him joining their relationship. There was no need to overwhelm him when there was already so much that was coming over him. They would get more than enough chances to talk to Ace, they were certain of that. All they needed now was a little more patience. Marco didn’t have that much of a problem with it, Thatch a little bit more, but he would manage. Looking forward to however Ace would react to them telling him this. As well as looking forward to what could come out of it, as they had noticed the looks he gave the both of them when he thought they weren’t looking. The feelings were mutual, they were certain, Ace most likely just didn’t know how to proceed as he knew they were in a relationship and never gave any indication of being open to accepting someone else into that.
The first step had been made, the others were sure to follow soon enough.