A/N: Well, hello. It's MarcoAce week on tumblr, and i just couldn't resist writing about my otp! I'm not really the best with romance, so if you're reading this, please bear with me. I can't say this is my first time writing fanfiction since I have an old account, but I don't really know what to do with those stories anymore. I'm not the best author, so these will probably be pretty short, but I guess i just want to celebrate the week!

Enjoy! (Also please review)

Day 1: Fire

Summary: They do say that opposites attract.

Although Marco's flames heavily contrasted Ace's, the two fire users aboard the Moby Dick were together a lot. The beautiful light blues of the phoenix burned brightly just like Ace's flashy reds and oranges, but they were still very different. Ace's flames were a flurry of destruction while Marco's were a calming dance that ran over his body as he soared.

And yet, Marco couldn't help but feel attracted to the younger man.

He blamed his instincts. The phoenix inside him burned with desire every time Ace lit aflame. Ace's fire may have been for fighting, but to Marco it served no harm and was undeniably alluring. All he wanted was to reach out and touch the brilliant fire, but Marco pushed the feelings down, afraid of what Ace might think. Marco was much too old for the teen and besides, he didn't even know if Ace was attracted to men.

The fire wasn't the only reason that Marco liked -daresay, loved- Ace. As the First Division Commander, Marco found himself constantly babysitting some members of the crew, but Ace's childish side was just plain adorable (Marco would deny that thought if you asked him). It was the curiosity that shined in his eyes, so eager to see the world and learn new things. Just thinking about it tinged Marco's cheeks with a blush.

During Ace's first few months on the Moby Dick, Marco thought that he was an irritating brat. But over time, Ace had softened, showing a side of his self that illuminated Marco's life like nothing else. After this happened, Marco started spending more time with Ace. Sometimes he had to think of some excuse like training or paperwork (which was a pretty dumb excuse considering how incompetent Ace is when it came to paperwork), but Marco was content as long Ace was in his company. This especially applied when it was just the two of them.

Marco was pretty proud of the self-control he held when he was around the young fire user. He only let his control slip once and a while to ruffle the boy's raven hair, but other than that, Marco had refrained himself from touching Ace too intimately. One wrong touch could ruin their entire relationship. Unfortunately, his current predicament did not help in the slightest.

The two of them were alone together on night watch.

Ace held a heavy admiration for Marco. He just couldn't help it. The man's flames were intoxicatingly beautiful when they rolled off his winged form. Every time Ace saw it, his heart would skip a beat in awe. The way that Marco used his fire to regenerate was unlike anything Ace had ever seen. It was amazing yet unfathomable. Ace, whose flames could only used to destroy, appreciated Marco even more for this. He wanted to reach out and touch those flames. The flames that didn't alert Ace to any danger. The flames that burned brilliantly.

The young man was obsessed. It was not only Marco's flames that drew him in, but his personality as well. Marco's personality was the exact opposite of Ace's, but maybe that's what attracted him so much. Marco was mature and responsible while Ace was reckless and scatterbrained. All his life, Ace had been the older brother, but after he joined Whitebeard, albeit after many attempts on the captain's life, he suddenly found himself as the youngest. Of course, being the youngest, the other crew members saw it their duty to take care of him, especially Marco. At first, Ace saw him as a role model, as the brother he should have been to Luffy. Time passed and Ace's feelings grew.

They grew into love.

Every spare moment he had, he chose to spend with the blonde-haired man. The phoenix didn't seem to mind, and that made Ace happy in his own right. He trained with Marco, talked with Marco while doing chores, and even helped Marco with paperwork. Paperwork! Ace knew that should've been the least bit suspicious when he agreed to help Marco with that, but Ace didn't care as long as he got to spend time with the man.

For the first time in his life, Ace found himself struggling with his desire. Every time he wanted to stroke the man's feathers, or every time he wanted to throw himself on the phoenix's body, he held himself back. He had become a coward, fearful of what might happen if Marco found out about Ace's affections. To Ace, these feelings were ridiculous.

He loved Marco so much that it was almost painful. The more time Ace spent with the man, the more his self-control slipped. He lingered with touches of their hands. He hugged the man more intensely. It didn't help that Ace seemed to blush more and more around him. But now…

It was just the two of them.

Form the first time in awhile, there was a strange silence between the two fire users. They were required to patrol the empty deck, so they didn't really have time to stop and chat. In any other situation they would've, but with both of them struggling with their waning self control, they avoided each other like they would burn if they touched.

After some time had passed, Marco went to patrol elsewhere on the ship, leaving Ace alone on deck. The young man sighed. He really wanted to be with Marco right now. He was so close. With just the two of them, Ace could confess without too much trouble. On the other hand, if something went wrong, he probably wouldn't be able to muster enough courage to talk to the blonde again. This crush was just causing Ace too much stress!

Suddenly, he stood up, deciding in that moment that he would let things go and relax for a change. He ignited his fingertips, releasing a small ball of flame. He continued this until the deck was illuminated with fire, shining brightly in the night. In theory, Ace could make them explode if he wanted, but it was comforting to just let his fire out. For once, his fire wasn't annihilating enemies. It was calm and graceful, like Marco's. They weren't nearly as beautiful, but Ace couldn't help but grin at the sight.

Without warning, strong arms embraced him from behind and knocking his hat off of his head. "Marco?"

The man didn't respond for a moment, simply resting his chin on Ace's head. Then, turning Ace around in his arms, he whispered, "Ace…"

When Marco had seen Ace light up the deck with his fire, his self-control crumbled. It was quite a change of pace to not see the balls of flame explode, but Marco liked it. He liked the way that the light made Ace's grin glow even brighter.

Earlier he had wandered off so he could have some space to think. He needed to decide what to do about his feelings for Ace, but after seeing him like that, his body moved on his own and decided for him. Marco held the young man tightly, taking in the warmth of his natural fire.

"Marco?" Ace gasped, but the phoenix didn't respond right away.

'Please let me have this moment,' Marco pleaded silently.

Ace hadn't moved from Marco's arms yet, so he turned him, clutched him tighter, and whispered, "Ace…"

The boy was quick to answer, but in a flustered manner. "Ah! Er… Do you like them, Marco? I know it's kinda weird for me, but I think it's nice." A blush appeared on Ace's cheeks.

Unconsciously, Marco let his thoughts slip through his lips. "Cute…"

"Eh?!" Ace yelped, blush intensifying.

And that's when Marco decided to let it all go and take a chance on his emotions. He pulled back from Ace and lifted the boy's chin up, bringing their lips together. He hadn't expected any response, but Ace moved his lips against the older man's adding passion to the kiss. Eventually, they pulled away to breathe and Marco embraced Ace once again.

"I love you, Ace."

"I love you too, Marco."