A/N: I think this was one of my favorite ones to write just because of the idea i had for it. Also the week is over and now I'm sad. I'll still probably go back and look at everything again though.

Enjoy!

Day 7: Random

Summary: Ace and Marco try to be discreet, but some members of the Whitebeard Pirates are more observant than others.

When the two had first gotten together, they elected to keep their relationship a secret. Marco was Ace's first real boyfriend, and he didn't want the crew to ruin his lover's experience with teasing. You see, the crew was rather enthusiastic whenever they found out one of their own was dating someone. As pirates, none of them had any time to find a partner. It was always a real shock when one of them did. Many of them would ask the poor soul questions like: 'How many kids have you had?' (this question was always accompanied by eyebrow wiggling) or 'When's the wedding?' and Marco didn't want to subject Ace to that.

Ace on the other hand was nervous. He was unsure of how the crew would react to his sexual orientation and somehow he figured just coming out saying he was dating Marco wouldn't be the best way to tell them. This was his first serious relationship. It would be ruined if the others disapproved of them! Besides, the crew was full of bigmouthed drunks. With that knowledge, there was a chance they would go drinking, say the wrong thing while intoxicated, and then Marines that would possibly be there and overhear (Ace knew it was a stretch, but one could never be too sure). The Marines finding out equals shitty gramps finding out, and Ace didn't even want to imagine that happening. If there was one person who wouldn't approve, it was definitely going to be him.

So they agreed to keep quiet, albeit for different reasons (though Marco tried to tell Ace that he shouldn't worry as much for his reason).

The two were secretive with every gesture and touch. They checked if anyone was watching anytime they made contact that would appear too intimate (even if was just a lingering touch of the hands or a hug that lasted a bit too long). Occasionally they would hold hands under the table. Luckily, no one noticed because of the immense piles of food that sat in front of Ace.

Something that caught the attention of a few crew members though, was that they began to spend more time together. Marco took more breaks more frequently. The observant pirates never failed to notice that these breaks were always spent with Ace. Whenever he was asked about it, he would always reply, "I'm just showing Ace the basics of being a commander, yoi. He's got potential."
Ace would give a similar reason. A perfectly planned excuse, if you asked him, though many of the the others knew it was total bull.

They hadn't realized it, but over time they had become less and less careful. On top of spending breaks together they would eat together, take shifts together, and even go to bed at the same time! Marco was surprised that no one had called them out yet. No teasing or surprise intervention. In a way, this made him feel relieved.

But secrets can't be kept for too long, especially on the Moby Dick.

The hiding was beginning to stress the two out. Their paranoia had flared and it felt as if though they were being watched more and more often. They would be on break and feel a pair of eyes watching from the crow's nest or they would lean in for a kiss and a fellow crew member would come around the corner. This was also depriving Ace of much needed sleep since he had to watch the time he arrived in Marco's room at night and the time he left in the morning (which was unfortunately much too early).

It was stressing them out.

Eventually, Marco's anxieties subsided, but Ace was still nervous about the crew finding out. Marco had tried to reassure him that the crew didn't mind homosexual relationships and that they would be able to protect him if Garp found out, but he wouldn't let up. He just wasn't ready to tell them yet. Marco on the other hand, realized that he loved Ace too much to care about the teasing.

So here they were, relaxing during their night shift together, and Marco was trying to convince Ace to tell the crew.

"Marco, I know you're getting impatient, but I don't think I'm ready. I'm just not sure of what the crew would think and you don't know gramps like I do!" Ace insisted from his spot between Marco's legs.

"Don't say that, yoi. As long as you're on the Moby Dick, we'll be able to protect you," the blond responded, wrapping his arms around his younger lover.

"He'd probably throw me off the ship before that happened," the raven haired muttered. "It's weird. He was never really around much for me to ask him about stuff like this, yet I feel like he'd come after me and beat me up. Considering my sexuality and who you actually are, that's a definite possibility."

"Hm," Marco grunted. By now, the older had moved his head down to Ace's. Slowly and tenderly, he began placing kisses along his lover's jaw and neck.

"Marco!" the younger squeaked in surprise.

"Yes?" the phoenix asked, continuing to apply kisses.

"Someone could hear us!"

Marco smirked and whispered in the fire user's ear, "It's just you and me tonight, yoi. If they're awake, let them hear." With that he trailed a hand over Ace's torso moving it lower, lower...

"Nnnnhhaa..." the younger moaned only to be silenced by a kiss. Marco's touches were getting to be too intense for him, but he loved it. Accepting his situation, he turned in his lover's lap and began moving his lips against Marco's.

Unfortunately, they had been so distracted that they didn't notice another presence on deck.

"My, my. Look at you two," a voice said smugly. They broke apart only to see Izo donned in his usual kimono with his arms crossed.

"Wait! I can explain-"

"No. Let me, yoi-"

He cut them off. "It's about time!" he exclaimed, shocking the two."

They were silent for a moment before Marco was able to voice both his and his lover's thoughts. "Excuse me, yoi?"

"You don't mind?" the younger added.

"Heavens no! The others started a betting pool about you two ages ago! I'm surprised that you didn't know. And besides, did you guys really think you could sneak your little thing past me?" the cross dresser sang whilst blowing his nails in satisfaction. "So how long?"

"A month, but, Izo-"

"I see. I was close. Shame I didn't win."

"You too, yoi?!"

Marco was given no response as his fellow commander walked towards the door to the rooms. "You two should enjoy your little secret while it lasts. Sorry, but after tonight, the whole crew's going to know," he finally replied.

The two lovers blushed intensely as Izo continued to walk away.

"Wait!" Ace called, stopping the man in his tracks.

"Yes?"

"Erm- Who won the bet?"

"Ace!" he heard his lover snap with a bit of annoyance.

"Who do you think won?"

"Don't tell me it was Thatch!" the blond blurted.

"Of course not!" the man shot back immediately, pausing as he stood in the doorway. "It was Pops." With that, he left Marco and Ace alone on deck, absolutely speechless.