Are you sure?

The Truth

The day Marco and you had planned was put on hold. You exchanged numbers with Rosinante, letting the man know you'd think about it, heavily, that you unfortunately had things to consider. He was more than understanding, he was just thankful you were putting the thought in.

Marco didn't say much, his expression was unreadable as was his tone when he asked to take you and the girls to pops, there was a few things he needed to talk about. He didn't do anything to make you think he was angry nor upset. His eyes had their usual lazy lidded expression, and his tone held smooth as it had always been.

The idea made your stomach fall. You agreed, Marco knowing who Doffy was sparked questions in you that your curiosity wanted to be fed with.

————-

You sat on the love seat with the blonde, his hand on your knee giving you a reassuring pat.

Pops was in his arm chair, with Thatch leaned up against it, his arms crossed but his eyes looking past Marco and you to Luffy interacting with your children.

The boy holding a small clear plastic box that held sticks and plucked grass, a glorious rhino beetle in the box scampering around. Leah was disgusted but, intrigued while Elizabeth watched star eyed.

"So lass" Pops started, face serious, his tired eyes stared into yours, "A Donquixote... tell me, what do you know of that name other than the obvious" Pops hands rested on the arms of his chair waiting for your answer.

"Other than it being his last name... nothing sir"

"Did you ever notice anything off with the punk?"

"Uhm.. no sir- other than he was busy... distant? I- I'm sorry", you took a breath, the tension becoming a little to heavy for your chest to bear, "I don't... understand what is going on... is he- important? Did he do something ?", your leg started to bounce with anxiety, you're eyes flickering to the three other adults in the room.

They all gave each-other a look, Pops closed his eyes, giving a small nod.

"Do you know anything about gangs yoi?" Marco spoke as he removed his hand from your knee leaning onto his knees with his elbows glancing at you from the side of his eyes.

Your brows immediately pinched together in confusion, "Gangs?...other than the news and TV shows...nothing"

"Well..." Thatch started, he tilted his head to the side scratching his chin, "Doflamingo Donquixote is a Gang leader... a pretty big one" Thatch spoke somewhat casually, Your confused expression never faltered, your eyes glanced to Marco whose gaze was cast at the ground.

"...He is?...please explain", you didn't know how to ask any questions revolving this situation.

The three took turns explaining the man Doflamingo was. The things he's done and is currently doing.

Your eyes became wide, the feeling of vomit started to burn at the back of your throat as your ears rang loudly. You breathing quickened.

Torture, mutilating others, Patricide, Mass murder, illegal pharmaceutical selling, trafficking to name some.

You shook your head holding up a finger as your eyes darted to the floor, focusing in on a single spot to start to calm you nerves, "This isn't- I don't- how do you know this..." you rambled eyes never leaving the floor.

"We're apart of it yoi" Marco spoke up, he hadn't moved from his spot on the couch but, you had.

You had unconsciously leaned into the arm of the loveseat as they had told you the truth,

"You-"

"We're not batshit crazy like him" Thatch interrupted you, he was pacing the living room as he explained their involvement.

Pops- or his Underground name, Whitebeard Marco and Thatch were also in the Gang.

They never killed- unless they needed to. They didn't steal- from the needy, only the corrupted rich.  They essentially were one of the good guys with- unusual ways of getting the results they needed. To lay low Marco and Thatch took day to day jobs to avoid being on the police radar.

"As far as we know-Doflamingo- and the rest of his crew, has a habit of laying low with picking... women or men with the personality type of a girl next door. A woman he can 'settle down' with make it look like he's doing good so the police are off his back- buying him time. There isn't anything he wouldn't do to make sure that him and his family are good" Thatch had taken over the talking at this point.

Marco never spared a glance, his face was stoic, his eyes lidded as he watched the brunette continue his explanation.

"My guess is that...you truly didn't know who he was. He went 'under cover'... and used you, in the most shitty insane way possible. I'm sorry about that" Thatch finished.

You stayed silent, eyes burning with tears, you used the back of your hand to wipe them away before they had a chance to fall, "okay.", was all you could manage to get out, you turned your face away staring at the children.

Sabo had joined them, he sat cross legged with the younger kids who now had toys sprawled around them playing together.

"He-" Marco spoke softly, you refused to turn your head as you cut him off.

"I'd like to take my kids home."

Tension fell on the room like a brick, the only thing that could be heard was the small pretend play of the children.

"Ai- alright Lass" Pops paused "Marco take her home."

Marco hummed hesitating to move, once he stood up from in his spot he offered you a hand.

You declined flitting around his limb, darting straight to your children, your tone was soft as you explained to the three younger ones that it was time for your girls to go.

"Awh- are you gunna come back? We were having fun" Luffy whined his bottom lip puckering out

Your face struggled to keep up its act, "We will see.. I'm glad you had fun though."