Serendipity

Memories

Macro sighed, as he overlooked the deck and ocean surrounding them from his place in the bird's nest. His eyes slowly moved from the endless waves and sunset to his noisy crewmates below.

His eyes were immediately drawn to one orange clad pirate, who looked to be telling some overzealous story. A small smile and softened eyes fell across Marco's face as he watched Ace's arms wave around throughout his story. The way his eyes lit up as those around him were just as interested and entertained as he himself was. The way every once in a while, his eyes would flick up towards Marco's place in the bird's nest before going back to those around him.

A soft breeze brought him out of his thoughts. Mumbling to himself of unfinished tasks, Marco turned back to the book laid in front of him and immersed himself into its content.

                                                                               ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦

The sun had set and he had been on one of the last passages of the book when he heard shuffling from his left and looked up.

"Hey Marc!" Thatch yelled as he vaulted himself over the edge of the bird's nest. "Whatcha doing up here...," he looked around, "Alone?"

Thatch made his way over to Marco, not hesitating to grab the book he held and skim the contents, not even pausing to actually read it, as Marco watched him.

After a few moments of Thatch's silent flipping of pages, he looked up and repeated his question to Marco, ignoring the deadpan expression his face held.

"I wanted some peace and quiet to finish some work, yoi. But it seems like that won't be possible anymore."

Thatch laughed lightly, giving Marco his book back.

"Well, I just wanted to come up and get you for dinner, since you seem to need the reminder."

Marco sighed as he collected the few books and journals he had brought with him. Ever since Izou had discovered Marco's tendency to skip meals unless reminded, each meal one of the commanders or members of his division would come get him, whether or not he was already on his way.

"Yeah, I'm coming, yoi." Marco said as Thatch grabbed him by his arm and they made their way down to the deck.

Thatch and himself greeted those they passed while walking to the dining hall til they got to the commanders' table. Immediately Thatch detached himself from Marco to begin a conversation with Izou. Free from Thatch's grip, Marco was able to sit and be with his thoughts, even with the surrounding noise.

His eyes flickered around the table's wood design as his thoughts organized themselves. A plate was shoved over the wood in front of him, bringing his attention to it.

Marco took his time to look at the plate, raise an eyebrow, and move his head up to look towards the second culprit to interrupt him today.

Directly in front of him, with his arm still extended from holding the plate, was Ace's smiling face. Marco lazily watched him. He stared, even looking him up and down, waiting for the reaction he knew would come.

"C'mon Marco! Eat! We don't drag you here to just sit!"

The other commanders, having heard this, reacted with small laughs here and there. Marco let his eyes fall to their deadly, yet calm look as Thatch dubbed it.

"No one is dragging me here, Ace," Marco said as he began to put things on his plate to eat.

Once again, the commanders laughed as they dug into their own dinners. Marco let his eyes quickly flick up towards Ace, seeing him focused on the food he was inhaling, before bringing them back to his own plate.