Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Gol D. Ann was the most beautiful girl Marco had ever seen. 

Tall, black hair, muscular, she’s in every way Marco’s ideal type despite being two decades younger. He liked being entertained, especially by fierce women who always had something to say. Ann’s smile was large and her face got pink when she laughed.

She greeted him by the door. “Hi!”

Her eyes reflected a golden brown in the sunlight. Marco felt like a king whenever she smiled at him. Marco would kiss her freckles one by one. It was obvious to everyone, except Ann of course, that he was in love with her.

“I got chicken!” She said, “I cooked them with beans, just the way you like them!”

She laughed when Marco asked if she used less spice. That meant she didn’t. Marco changed tactics. He removed his hat and put it on her head as he walked inside.

“Luffy doesn’t like beans,” Marco said lightly.

Ann pushed her lips out and narrowed her eyes. “Who cares?”

“You’re making a lot of my favourite food lately. Are you trying to seduce me?”

Ann got red as she said in unconfident English, “A man’s heart is in his stomach.”

“Did Sabo tell you that?” 

Ann looked away. He did. It worked, though, or it’s at least working.

Coming over to a beautiful young woman flushed and messy-haired from cooking for hours in a warm kitchen and smelling like your favourite ingredients did affect even the laidback Marco. 

It was every man’s dream to come home to warm food on the table and their lover smiling at him. The food on the table really doesn’t matter sometimes.

She kissed him on the cheek to welcome him. Marco dreamt of marrying her and having her strong arms embrace him every morning when he woke up and every night when he couldn’t sleep. It’s a man’s dream to have their sweetheart be proud of them.

—

“She showed up one day with a little brother,” Vista explained before she walked into the clinic. “She wouldn’t talk to us no matter how hard we tried.”

Marco chuckled when she glared at him.

“No problem,” Marco said easily.

He pulled a chair and sat beside her as she looked uncomfortable in the doctor’s chair. Marco went up to her with his first-aid kit and knelt beside her. 

She was tanned, wild-haired and quite pretty then, though Marco thought she was more beautiful when she got older. She frowned when Marco checked her knee, pulling down her skirt to cover up.

“Let me help you,” Marco said. He took out some cotton buds. “I won’t hurt you.”

He gently moved her fingers aside to see her injury. It wasn’t the worst he saw but it was fresh and she winced whenever he touched it. He dabbed the blood away, trying to be gentle. She bit down on her lip and looked away despite Marco asking her questions.

He put the cotton balls in a small ziplock bag to grab new ones. He poured some iodine on it and dabbed at her wound. She shook her head but let Marco do what he’s supposed to do.

“You’re handling this better than I thought,” Marco said. “You look strong. Can you handle a little more?”

To Marco’s surprise, she nodded. It’s funny to watch her sigh when Marco was finally done. She looked like she went through hell with all that cold sweat. She stared at him curiously.

“What’s this?”

“Some bandages,” Marco said. “The bleeding stopped now. We can wrap it up.”

“Sabo forgot to buy these.”

“Who’s Sabo?” 

She ignored that question. “I don’t have this at home.”

She turned away, a bit embarrassed. 

“You’re a doctor?” She said again.

“Yeah.” 

Marco liked her laugh as she said, “You seem nice.”

“Thank you, dear.”

Marco pulled on the bandage on her knee and patted it. “Is there anything else?”

She tried to stand up on her own and could manage with a slight limp. Marco held her arm up and walked her along. With some vague directions, Marco took her back home where a little boy was waiting by the window, sleeping and drooling with his face pressed against it.

Marco realised that she’s the one living in that abandoned house nowadays, the one with a wide front yard with dried soil and half-dying plants chucked into rusty pots.

Some black chicks ran across her shoes and a hen chased after them. At least the hen avoided her. There was a small fence made of good wood. There were some sprigs of grass by the corner. She smiled fondly at the white bricks. It looked freshly painted.

“What’s your name?” Marco said.

“Ann.”

“Well, I’m Marco.” They shook hands briefly.

She looked like she was finally taking a good look at him as she said, “Thanks, doc.”

Marco thought her thick wavy hair was charming. It was brown, the colour of rich, dark chocolate. He said that because his own blonde hair was turning silver and was thinning out.

-

The next time Marco spoke to Ann was a few months later after that incident. By that point, Ann had taken more initiative to talk to people, especially when she brought along her side kick—Luffy, her little brother.

“Oh! Pineapple head!” Luffy waved wildly. He looked like he wanted to say something but Ann punched him. He wasn’t deterred. “Do you wanna come-”

“B-bye, Marco!” Ann yelled weakly. “Sorry!”

Ann made some friends within the community. She liked hanging around Thatch and his partner Izou, since they were friendlier and had a nicer way of speaking than most of the guys. Despite being the foreigner, Izou bought new clothes for Ann and cut her hair to make it neater and easier to comb.

“It’s no problem,” Izou said when asked if it cost too much since he had ‘expensive’ tastes. His Spanish was simple and to the point. “She’s a pretty girl. It’ll be a shame if she didn’t show off. Besides, I feel like an older brother again.”

Marco understood. Ann got embarrassed easily whenever she was made to speak politely without cursing. One day at midnight, Marco heard a woman vaguely yelling sounds in the distance. 

That could be one of two things: she’s either giving birth or she’s beating up her husband. Feeling nosy, Marco woke up and looked outside to see if he could get answers. It was neither of those things. Marco got changed and ran out.

“A-Ann?” He said when he found her. He held a torch light. “What are you doing?”

She fucking beamed at him. She gave Marco the leash she was holding and he saw with some trepidation that she was lugging a sleeping calf across the dirt road. Luffy was sleeping on the calf’s back, murmuring to himself.

“She’s so cute!” Ann said. The little sparkle in her eye pulled Marco’s heartstrings even though he thought she looked stupid in a dirt-stained dress and a slightly misshapen hairstyle. “It’ll be fun if we raise her and have milk. I want to make cheese.”

At the time, Marco thought Sabo was her boyfriend and thought Sabo was a fool for making her work so hard. He smiled pleasantly regardless. 

“Do you need help?” Marco said.

She didn’t expect the offer. She initially said no and said that she could handle her own as she dragged the calf away. The calf woke up once and Marco thought her black eyes looked like Ann’s. Marco pointed the torch light forward. Ann waved back as a thanks.

Her pretty face was exhausted. Idiot.

Marco bent down, and asked Ann to carry Luffy as he took the cute calf by the legs and lifted it up. He crouched down and rested the calf on his shoulders. He turned to the side to see Ann gasp. He smiled, so was this what Izou meant by feeling like an older brother?

Ann was adorable.

“W-woah!” Ann quickly took the torch light and pointed forward. She spent more energy looking at Marco rather than forward and bumped into him several times. 

When Marco told her to be careful, she chuckled sheepishly and said, “I want to be as strong as you some day. You’re so cool, pineapple.”

Marco yawned and Ann laughed. She had the gall to wipe some of Marco’s drool away with her thumb. She had balls of steel to call Marco cute. Suppose Marco could appreciate that, but he still got annoyed at the time.

“Don’t call me that,” Marco said sternly. The warning fell on deaf ears.

-

Alcohol and Marco were inseparable. Other than the fact that those words vaguely rhymed, Marco was always seen with a bottle of alcohol whenever he wasn’t working. The quality didn’t matter. What mattered more was that it was here and Marco could drink it now.

“Bon appetit, Cassanova!” Thatch said, laying before Marco a small cake and, more importantly, a large bottle of champagne. He glanced around. “This would be better with a date, why do you look so useless?”

“A lot of pretty women think I’m ‘too old’ for them.”

“So you just realised?”

Thatch laughed and patted his back for reassurance. Marco was annoyed. He knew he wasn’t in his prime anymore. His body ached more and he’s no longer that hotshot doctor he used to be in Spain. He’s now their local doctor, and old women loved to tease him.

He also wasn’t that baby-faced heartthrob in his late twenties. He gained some fat on his face and had more prevalent facial hair. His eyesight got worse so he wore glasses, which he got attached to like some kind of Stockholm syndrome. Plus, his hair was thinning. 

Insecurities aside, at least he had enough money and personal security to buy pizza and alcohol somewhat regularly. Thatch knew that Marco liked his cooking. Marco assumed Thatch wanted to fish for a complement when Thatch came by his table with a large smile.

“Table three,” Thatch said instead. Marco looked over. He went quickly, thinking what the hell? He knew he’s too old for the pretty woman over there anyway.

Ann wore a green dress that hung a bit too low on her hip and floppy sandals. Her hair was done up in a messy braid that implied she tried hard to keep it neat. Luffy’s books were in front of her, all opened and messily laid out.

Ann looked sleepy as she pushed Luffy higher so he could rest more comfortably on her chest. She was half-heartedly eating some pizza when she saw Marco come over. She sighed tiredly.

“Luffy’s sick,” Ann said. “But he said he wants pizza. He didn’t even eat any.”

Marco laughed. Poor girl. He held out his champagne. “Want some?”

“Sure.” Marco poured a little into his cup and passed it to her. She drank it and spat it out immediately. She looked awake. “It’s so bad.”

“You’re such an innocent little girl.”

Ann felt mocked and looked away. 

Marco smiled gently, “Maybe we should try a different drink.”

Ann made a face. “Men have no joy in life if they drink this to feel something. That’s what Sabo said.”

Ouch. Marco smiled tersely but stopped drinking for a while. He felt a bit lightheaded after all. He only drank one glass but to be fair it was three in the afternoon. Technically, he should be working. Oh well. Marco noticed Ann glancing down. Luffy was waking up.

“Hey, buddy,” Ann said softly. “You want pizza?”

Once he was fully conscious, he glanced between them, bored. He picked his nose and flicked the bogger on the ground. Marco had a feeling Luffy’s role was to look cute, kind of a lapdog.

“Do you want pizza?” Ann said again.

Luffy yawned and nodded. He took a tomato and ate it. 

Luffy looked at Marco and yawned. He said, “Ann likes you, pineapple.”

Marco chuckled. “You should teach Luffy to keep secrets.”

Ann got red. “Luffy’s making that up.”

“Nah,” Luffy said, yawning. “I heard Ann tell Sa-”

Ann put her hand on Luffy’s mouth. “Enough!”

Luffy snuggled closer but maintained eye contact with Marco. He spoke clearly through Ann’s palm. “Ann said you’re ‘hot’. You’re not sick, right?

Ann pinched his cheek and tickled his arms. Luffy laughed and kicked his feet. He looked gravely serious when she stopped. Luffy sucked on his thumb to show that he won’t listen to Ann’s nagging as she looked angrier.

“Is there a point to embarrassing your sister, Luffy?” Marco said, finding this thoroughly amusing. 

“Oh.” Luffy remembered something. “Do you want to eat dinner with us?”

Ann snapped. “Luffy!”

“I’ll sleep over at Sanji’s,” Luffy quipped. “Or Zoro’s… Nami’s mom is really nice.”

“No, no!” Ann said hurriedly. She appealed to Marco. “Y-you really don’t have to-”

“But Sabo bought wine and-”

“Enough!”

Luffy pouted. “But Zoro told me if you like something you should fight for it.”

“H-hey-”

“So my big sister’s a coward?” Luffy grinned.

“N-no, I am not!”

Marco laughed when the siblings argued more. It reminded him of how he and Thatch argued as children, both immature but thinking they were smarter than the other person. Marco smiled and shook his head. “I’d love to.”

Ann beamed despite looking surprised. Luffy pursed his lips and grinned, his cheeks red and full. He’s adorable.

-

They agreed to set their first among many dinner dates the following Thursday.

When Marco showed up to her house, he suspected she wanted to impress him. The plants were suddenly replaced with brand new ones that had flowers. There were some fairy lights by the door. They barely stayed taped on and one light exploded when Ann answered the door to let Marco in. Luffy thought it was cool. Marco was afraid the spark got in her eye.

Marco wasn’t impressed. He was charmed, though.

“Are you hurt?” Ann said in a fuss. “I am so sorry!”

Marco laughed. She even wore makeup for him.

Their house, or their little ‘shack’ as Ann called it, was small but not exactly uncomfortable. Ann and Luffy shared a room, leaving a spare one empty for whenever their other brother came over, which in that case Luffy stayed with him. In the meantime, it’s where Ann kept all of Luffy’s school things.

Ann told Marco to make himself comfortable as she settled the rest of their dinner. He agreed easily, not wanting to stress her. He heard her scream from the kitchen.

“Ann forgot onions,” Luffy said, walking out. He wore a singlet with faded colours and long shorts rolled up to his knees. His straw hat was messy and unkempt in a few places, with three large tears on top. “She’s too busy cleaning until she forgot.”

“And you didn’t remind her?”

Luffy shrugged. “She said she wanted to show you how cool she was on her own.”

Marco wondered if Ann had a secret talent for stitching because those tears were sewn neatly. Luffy observed Marco blandly.

“We’re eating chicken.”

Marco nodded kindly. “Sounds good.”

“Yeah.”

The kitchen featured a small stove with two gas burners, a cool steel sink and a slender fridge full of vegetables and meat. Luffy poured Marco some water from the water bottles on the table, keeping him distracted as he went ahead.

He came back with three large pieces of paper with half-finished drawings. He put a box of crayons next to him. Puckering his lips to form a strained whistle, Luffy began colouring. He said this was his art homework. It featured five people in a grassy meadow with a red building. 

Marco recognised that as the local preschool, he visited somewhat regularly to do annual health checkups. Luffy was focused because Ann would take a while to cook everything.

“Who are you drawing?” Marco asked.

“Zoro.”

Marco heard that one was a troublemaker from teachers. “Is he your friend?”

Luffy smiled. “My best friend!”

Marco saw more of Luffy’s drawing when Luffy moved his chubby hand to the side.

“Who’s this?” Marco said, pointing to the orange-haired one. “Your girlfriend?”

Luffy poked his tongue out. “No, Nami. She’s also my best friend!”

Taking a brown crayon, Luffy continued colouring but not in an antisocial way. The little guy was an artist, Marco thought. He said he was colouring Usopp, another one of his best friends. He said ‘okay’ to Ann before continuing his monologue.

“And this is Sanji! He’s my best friend!”

“That’s Luffy’s favourite!” Ann said from the kitchen.

“Nuh-uh!” Luffy said, huffing and puffing. “Sanji’s my best friend too!”

Marco caught Ann smiling fondly when Luffy continued colouring. It was the first of many such smiles where she looked away slightly and a small thin crescent-moon-type shape grew on her face. She chuckled when Marco waved at her.

She’s now chopping onions and started frying them in an iron skillet. According to Luffy, she was making a beans and rice thing with extra chicken. They could get lots of beans for cheap and they ate that almost every day. It was healthy-ish. It was more reputable than frozen food and tasted okay. 

Sabo would occasionally buy fresh vegetables for them. Sabo was very anti-vegetable.

“Are you Ann’s friend?” Luffy asked.

“Her best friend.” 

Marco looked up, caught Ann’s eye by accident and winked at her. It’s partly a joke. He knew nothing about her and she knew nothing of him. She shook her head and continued cooking. It’s apparently almost done. Marco liked the smell of olive oil and sweet onions.

Marco handed Luffy the blue crayon that rolled to his side of the table. Luffy took it to colour the sky, leaving a circular white space in the middle.

Luffy said, “Ann doesn’t have any friends. She’s kind of mean.”

“How so?”

Luffy got bored colouring the sky and took the short yellow crayon to do the sun. “She yells at people and thinks no one likes her. It’s true but Sabo and I like her and they like me too!”

Marco smiled pleasantly.

“You’re Ann’s first friend,” Luffy said with some awe. 

He smiled when he coloured the sun with the bright mango-yellow crayon and showed it to Marco. He giggled when Marco ruffled his hair to praise him.

“You talk well, Luffy,” Marco said.

“Really?” Luffy had a bright smile. “Thanks, Pineapple!”

“My name is Marco.”

“Pineapple!”

Marco laughed when Ann nagged at Luffy to call Marco by his actual name to ‘show respect’. Marco smiled. It was unnecessary now. He thought they’re cute enough to call him whatever they wanted.

Ann came over with a large bowl of beans mixed with onions and sloppily chopped tomato cubes. It was a brown, greasy mountain of refried beans that smelt fantastic. Marco wanted to take the side with a lot of kidney beans and olives. Seeing that, Luffy picked all of his out to give Marco.

She gave Marco and Luffy pretty plates with faded flower patterns with rice and exactly seven cubes of chicken. The chicken was grilled with golden-brown marks. It was lightly seasoned with pepper and paprika. It was nice with the beans. 

Ann took off her apron and sat with them with her own plate of rice and chicken. Her eyes were closed, half-asleep. 

“I’m sorry,” Ann said. “It’s probably not very good and-”

“It’s lovely,” Marco said. He ate another spoonful, this time without all of the olives Luffy picked out of his portion. “I can never say no to a delicious home cooked meal.”

Marco took Luffy’s spoon when the guy was half asleep midway through chewing to put some beans on Ann’s plate. She was stunned stupid. She didn’t think anyone would give her food first. She poked at her beans and ate them, a smile growing. She chuckled.

“It’s good, right?”

Ann nodded. She ate slowly while Marco and Luffy talked about Luffy’s day without her. She was quite the reserved girl, even though she blushed easily. Marco knew she looked at him from time to time.

—

Despite believing otherwise, a lot of people thought Ann was pretty. She let Luffy and the neighbourhood kids braid flowers into he hair. Nowadays, she started wearing the pretty dresses Izou bought for her instead of ‘saving them for a special occasion’. 

She liked yellow dresses, especially mango yellow. She’d wear it regularly whenever she picked Luffy up from school to help with housework. Whenever she was in a good mood, which was surprisingly often, she’d twirl Luffy around and she looked like a fully-bloomed flower herself. Her smile was beautiful when she picked Luffy up from school five or so hours ago.

It was nine in the evening now and rain hit the windows. Marco was still in the preschool making sure every kid’s health records were up to date. This was why he shouldn’t take a longer lunch break. Overtime work got to him. The rain made it pleasant.

He found out that Luffy tried to stab himself once to prove himself to a substitute teacher who came once. So that explained the scar on his left eye.

“We’re closing up,” headmaster Vista said. “Pack up, pineapple.”

“Why is everyone calling me that?”

Vista merely laughed and told him to leave. Marco left five minutes after Vista.

Before he got carried away with work, the plan was to go drink some vodka. He technically still could but he’s no longer ‘young and energetic’ enough for that sort of thing. Then, that posed another problem: he was hungry. 

Marco also didn’t take his umbrella. He didn’t realise the rain was that heavy. Vista drove a car so he didn’t feel the need to warn him.

No, Marco didn’t eat dinner; that was what the vodka was for. Thatch closed up at six every day, refusing dinner service unless a reservation was called in advance. He was getting old too. They all were.

Knowing full well he couldn’t cook, he tried his luck at a place he knew the way to in the dark. He didn’t even need his flashlight. Exhausted, Marco knocked on the door. To his surprise, it opened quickly.

“What are you doing here?”

Ann wore a loose white dress that dragged along the floor. The sleeves were made of a loose lace material that looked comfortable. Marco rubbed his eyes. He was just so thankful to be alive. Her cleavage was full even without a bra.

“Hello?”

“I’m sorry, but do you have anything I can eat?”

Ann was a mix of confusion and surprise. Marco never visited this late. 

“My stomach hurts,” Marco gave a half-truth. “I didn’t eat dinner.”

He knew she didn’t believe him but she let him in anyway. She told him to stand there as she went off to get a towel and some spare clothes. Marco suspected it was Sabo’s. It looked too nice and expensive for either her or Luffy. She patted his face and dabbed off the rainwater from his shoulders, touching him gently.

She stopped when she realised she’d have to touch his chest. Marco chuckled when she chucked the towel at him.

“Go shower,” she said roughly. “You stink.”

“Why, baby?” Marco said, smiling. He realised that she was staring right at his tits if he didn’t bend down to meet her at eye level. He did so and she suddenly looked away, a little star in his eyes. “I thought young women liked a wet and sexy man.”

“H-huh? Me? I- Don’t tease me!” She jolted when Marco actually bent down to look at her. She covered her mouth when Marco smiled at her. “Don’t wake Luffy up. Be quiet.”

“My princess is so well-protected.”

“I can protect myself!” She said fiercely. 

“I’m glad.” Marco took the clothes and patted her head. “I don’t need to worry about you. You’re strong and beautiful, right?”

“I’ll kick your ass!”

“Feisty too!” Marco laughed. “I like that!”

“You’re a bad man!”

She made her hands into fists and stuck them close to her hips and stomped off. She mumbled Spanish curses and some local slang. Somewhere somehow, Marco heard her call him stupid and he laughed at that. Maybe he was. Her hair bounced when she ran. He took a quick shower and came back outside.

Ann was taking something out from the fridge and started chopping something. She looked tired, understandably so. A girl her age should be studying in university. Was she studying or was she dedicated to raising Luffy on her own? The fridge was covered with Luffy’s drawings of them. She would smile whenever she saw them.

“I’m done, dear,” Marco said.

Ann turned back and her smile softened. “Sit down. We have leftovers from Luffy’s birthday party. It’s steak and rice. Sanji brought a huge cake.”

“No cake for me?” Marco fake-pouted.

“Don’t eat so many sweet things.”

“My blood sugar level is just fine.”

Ann made a face and asked if Marco seriously wanted cake. He said no. His blood sugar level was horrible.

The few slices of steak he gave charred on the sides. Marco ate a bit and decided he liked the burned edges. She served it with green chillies and dry avocado slices.

The chillies were a juicy sort of crunch when the beef was thick and greasy. From the kitchen, Ann asked if he wanted fruits. He said no again. She came back with a jar of water. It had a little condensation. It was slightly chilled and tasted like lime. 

She poured herself a glass and sat next to him. She tucked some hair behind her ear. This would be more romantic with alcohol but he didn’t say that. She seemed nervous.

“You have an accent,” Ann said, trying to start a conversation. “Where are you from?”

“I’m from Spain.”

Ann made an ‘oh’ sound. “Do you miss it? Sabo said he went there last year.”

Marco shrugged. “It’s been thirty years.”

Ann looked like a bunny. “You’re thirty?”

“Forty two,” Marco said. 

Did Ann need to look horrified? “I never thought that you’ll be so old .” Cheeky.

Marco smiled. She wasn’t embarrassed in the slightest. She thought Marco was old and said it bluntly. Marco leaned forward and smiled the best he could. Her smile was mysterious. Did she understand what Marco was thinking?

“Thanks for making dinner for this old man,” Marco said.

“You have to be more romantic when asking girls out.”

Marco laughed. Idiot thought she could out-flirt him, right? Ann smiled shyly and backed off. Oh well.

“Are you staying?” Ann said.

“Do you want me to?”

“It’s cold outside,” she said. Luffy snored from the other room. “You’ll get sick.”

Marco agreed. He wouldn’t say no to such an offer, not if Ann was so sincere. 

Ann found a blanket in a cabinet somewhere and put it around Marco’s shoulders. Feeling cheeky as a young woman in her prime, she even kissed his cheek. Ann blew out the candlelight with one breath from her smiling mouth as she wished him good night.

That was the first time she kissed his cheek. It felt good. Marco glanced back to wave at her. Ann really was beautiful.

—

Marco asked Ann out on a date during dinner once. By this point, Marco had been leeching off her love for cooking while he paid for groceries once a week. Marco couldn’t believe he let her talk him into it. Scheming girl. He liked her even more.

Nevertheless, she blushed when he popped the question but eventually agreed when Luffy made fun of her because she didn’t want to look like a coward. Although Marco suggested Thatch’s restaurant, Ann said she’ll meet him at the bar he frequented.

It was eight now and Marco was alone. Devastating. A local pop song played on the guitar and there were plenty of young people dancing. Marco wondered if Ann was among them, though he understood that if she were, he would’ve noticed by now.

Where was that girl, anyway? They agreed to meet an hour ago. Ann didn’t look like the type to be late. Maybe Luffy needed something at the last minute, or God forbid this mysterious ‘Sabo’ finally showed up. Marco sighed and drank again.

This was too good to be true after all. She knew she could make fun of him and he’d still think she was pretty. He drank.

As the guitar strumming grew louder, Marco got irritated. Should he just leave?

His decision was made for him when the front door opened. Marco swore he was dreaming. Who was that? He knew that smile. Was that Ann? Marco must be drunk for real this time.

Her dress was covered in sequins, all of which looked like stars. The neckline went down enough to show off the curves of her breasts. It slid off her waist and flowed down her hips, bulging around her slender stomach with a long slit by her left leg, held together by a silver thread, which formed a ribbon up top.

Her hair was extra curly tonight. She smiled and skipped over when she saw Marco. She kissed his cheek. Marco felt lipstick there. She laughed and tucked her hair behind her ears to look neat. So, Marco was dreaming. She apologised for being late and made a face when she saw his shirt.

“Nice shirt,” Ann said, buttoning his shirt without Marco asking or consenting. She smiled as she said, “Purple suits you. You look handsome.”

“You like it?” Marco said, undoing the uppermost top button. “I’ll wear it more.”

Ann laughed like she thought that was a stupid thing to say. It may be. Marco wasn't known for being fashionable. He was their doctor who cured anyone and everyone—not someone chic. 

Ann closed the top button up again when Marco wasn’t looking. She also tried stealing his alcohol. Marco noticed that much.

“No, no, my sweetheart. No drinks for you.” 

“Why not?” 

Marco stroked her curly hair. “You’re a pure, lovely girl to me.”

“I’m not a child,” she said. I’m a woman. She looked like she’d sit on his lap to prove a point but she’s still too shy so she just looked away and huffed.

Marco patted her head again. She squawked like a chicken getting a toenail pulled out. She flicked her wrists to smack Marco away. Marco took her hand and kissed her knuckles. Even her fingers were muscular.

He smiled at her. “Will you dance with me?”

“Yes! I love dancing!” Ann’s eyes sparkled more than her dress. She grabbed Marco’s arm and ran forward. “Can you?”

“Of course.” 

Marco was relieved when she let him touch her waist. It looked ticklish because she smiled like she’s having fun. Meanwhile, she stood straight and leaned forward. She put her hands on his shoulder an  looked up expectantly, a bit nervously.

“Why do you drink so much?” She said. “I worry about you.”

“I don’t have a beautiful woman to make love to every night.”

Ann made a clicking sound to scold him for being so tactless.

“Is sex better than alcohol?”

Marco thought of it and shrugged. He smiled and leaned in closer. Ann stood on her tippy toes and Marco held her hip to support her. Just one kiss, just one will be enough! She looked so pretty afraid too.

“A woman's love,” he said. “Is more beautiful than either one of those things.”

He twirled her around and her angry face was the cutest thing he had ever seen. She stomped on his foot on purpose. He acted like it hurt to make her happy. 

She hugged his waist as Marco stroked her hair to calm her down.Marco kissed her head gently and he heard her coo like a happy pigeon. She didn’t stop his hands from wandering down. She hugged him tighter.

“I like you,” Marco said.

Ann looked up from his chest and made a face. “Don’t lie. You say that to every pretty girl you see.”

“If that’s true, then you’re the only pretty girl I’ve seen here.”

Ann scrunched her lip up in childish disapproval.

Marco smiled weakly. “You’re beautiful.”

Ann made a face and put her hand on her hip. “You’re a bad man. You’re playing with my heart with sweet words,” she said crossly.

Damn it, and Marco was so close to getting her to smile for him. She seemed startled by what she said and quickly apologised. She shook her head, looking like a kicked puppy.

“Go flirt with someone else,” Ann said. She let Marco twirl her around with a vague note of dejection. “You’re a big strong, macho man. Who wouldn’t want you? Don’t waste your time with a girl you won’t drink with.”

“Do you want me?”

Ann pulled Marco to the side when the music was ending. She pinned him against the wall. She shook off Marco’s hand that wanted to hold hers. She smiled faintly as she patted his arm. The music was ending and people were laughing and kissing.

“You’re too handsome for me,” she said. “Don’t lie to me anymore.”

Marco shook his head. Ann put her hand on her hip and gave him that, ‘I’m mad so you better listen to me’ look.

“At least let me walk you home,” Marco said. “What’s wrong?”

“I thought I was brave enough to kiss you first,” she said. She looked up and Marco didn’t know why she thought of herself as a failure. “I’m not. I’m too young. I’m sorry.”

She didn’t let Marco kiss her goodbye. She left the bar as quickly as she came, keeping her head down as she said sorry to everyone she bumped into.

—

Ann’s family was an eccentric one. Obviously, there was her adorable little brother, Luffy with big brown eyes that resembled her’s and a cheerful disposition without a care in the world.

And then there’s her other brother of the same age who claps every time he enters and leaves a building. He doesn’t come by often but Marco recognises him easily as one of those eccentric ‘wanderlusts’. He had the same brown eyes. Ann once said they weren’t related by blood.

Marco met him several times since Ann's rejection. His name was Sabo.

Sabo wore suits despite the climate. Sabo spoke with a posh accent. Sabo could play guitar. Ann was always proud to boast that he was a writer. 

When Marco spoke to him, he was surprised to see that the young man wasn’t the sort who claimed to be a writer to impress women. He wrote well and elegantly. If anything, him being a good writer annoyed Ann. 

Sabo primarily wrote in English. Ann was insecure about her English and so wanted him to write in Spanish. Sabo was insecure about his Spanish and so refused. They argued frequently on this. Marco thought they looked similar when they’re angry. 

“Sabo!” Marco heard Luffy squeal. At this hour? It’s earlier than the roosters. “Welcome home!”

Sabo clapped his hands and laughed. He hugged Luffy and threw him in the air, making the little boy laugh.

Sabo wore a white shirt and blue pants. He seemed to wear extravagant earrings with thick chunks of gold. He draped his blazer on his arm as he hugged Ann to greet her.

“For you, Ann,” Sabo said, handing her a hamper wrapped in bloody cloth. “This hunk of lamb I didn’t steal, alongside some spices. You’ll love India. These were so cheap!”

Ann carried the package like a baby. “Thanks, ‘Bo. I’ll cook it for dinner later.”

Sabo smiled. “And for you, Luffy, some Naan. It’s chewy and very delicious!”

“Can I eat it now?”

“Save some for your sister.”

“Nope!” Luffy said, running away with the bread before Ann could chase him and beat him up. “Ann always takes my stuff!”

“I don’t!” Ann said. She turned to Marco and smiled pleasantly, even if a bit distantly. “Tell Sabo I don’t take Luffy’s things.”

Marco didn’t like the way she avoided him like she wanted to forget him. He said spitefully, “You don’t, you steal.” It’s a lie.

She turned redder. She didn’t notice Marco lying. It didn’t matter because she stomped on Sabo’s nice shoes and walked back into the house, huffing and puffing. She slammed the door with unusual violence. Sabo made an ‘ahh tss’ sound like he got burned.

“How are you?” Marco said, turning to Sabo.

Sabo laughed in English. “A celebrity has graced me today.”

In English too, Marco said, “You should visit more. Ann’s happy to see you.”

Sabo nodded as he said, “I’m happy to see myself in the mirror too!”

Marco patted Sabo’s back and they walked together. Ann’s house was small but comfortable for herself, Luffy and now Sabo too. When Marco looked inside, he saw Ann’s back muscles move while she chopped the lamb.

She turned to the side and tied her hair up. She smiled at Marco and Marco smiled back. She gave up straightening her hair and the waviness framed her face better. Her nose was long and jaw sharp, masculine.

“Did you know Ann’s getting married?” Sabo said suddenly. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m here to talk about it and ask questions.”

“I didn’t know Ann fell in love.” That was all Marco could say.

Marco was distraught but hid it well. Sabo didn’t know him that well, anyway. He was anxious in too.

“Me neither,” he said. “And yet, it seemed that she was for the past two years.”

“Do you know who it is?”

Sabo said he didn’t know in Spanish. He sighed.

“Quite frankly, I thought it’s you since she sounded so excited,” Sabo said. “But from the way she looked at you, I suppose it’s a different man.”

Marco forced a laugh.

Sabo continued, “Apparently, she met him one night while wearing a silver dress she bought. He was lost and she met him outside the bar. She said it was love at first sight. She thought he was funny and that he was the first real friend she had in years.”

Oh. Marco might as well get slapped in the face. Wow .

“I’m sorry you had to know like this,” Sabo said. He seemed to mean that. “I wouldn’t mind having you as my brother-in-law.”

“It wouldn’t matter if Ann doesn’t want me.”

Sabo nodded with faint regret. It wouldn’t indeed.

—

The wedding was at a local church with a large congregation hall on the first floor with little rooms on top dedicated to Bible studies. The wedding ceremony itself took place at five in the evening, during what Marco thought was a beautiful sunset.

He wondered whether he should go. On one hand, he wanted to support her in a show of good faith. On the other hand, he was still annoyed and hadn’t gotten over her. Besides, he bought a bottle of rum that he was excited to try. He wondered what glass he should pour it in. Would a simple mug do?

While Marco was being indecisive, he heard someone knock on his front door rather violently. Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Sabo?” Marco was perplexed and sober. “How do you know where I lived?”

“Ann needs you.”

“Is that so?”

Sabo looked away. It’s the wording like Sabo knew those three words in that particular combination would snap Marco out of any rut he’s in and be a man . It’s as if Sabo knew Marco would put his jacket on, tidy his hair and leave without asking any questions. Marco liked to deny otherwise but it’s true. 

Marco didn’t know Sabo had a car. Those were hard to come by here. The car ride was quiet but luxurious.

Sabo let him in through a back entrance to avoid being seen by the other guests. Sabo said that the wedding ceremony was postponed for thirty minutes because Ann had been crying. 

It took Izou forever to convince her to get out of the bathtub and wear her dress and jewellery. Even Thatch’s cooking wasn’t good enough of a temptation to get her at least remotely excited over her wedding. 

They walked up three flights of stairs and Sabo knocked on a door with a distinct gentleness that annoyed Marco. Sabo made a face when he didn’t get an answer.

“This is her room,” Sabo said. He knocked again, still gently. “Can you hear me? I brought Marco just like you asked.”

Some sniffling ensued. “R-really?”

“Yes.” Sabo turned to Marco. “She kept asking for you. She likes you.”

Sabo unlocked the door and it’s now Marco’s job to convince Ann to show up to her own wedding as Sabo played diplomat to the guests downstairs. Marco still felt like it was an elaborate prank, even when he opened the door and walked in.

Ann’s back was facing Marco as she stared out the window. The veil behind her was made of lace and it created shadows in the shape of flowers on the floor. Her long hair was braided clumsily, with colourful flowers placed here and there without rhyme or reason. 

Marco closed the window behind him. She turned around quickly at the sound and Marco’s heart literally squeezed when she smiled like she’s happy to see him. She willed it down quickly. 

She wore Sabo’s necklace instead of her mother’s. She didn’t dare to be sentimental.

Her dress had a sweetheart neckline, showing off full breasts with freckles on them. Her eyes were shiny from crying. If Marco dreamed hard enough, Ann would be his bride and Marco would be her happiness, her husband, her man.

“You’re beautiful.”

She slumped down upon hearing that. Marco helped her sit up.

“What’s wrong?” Marco said softly. 

Ann’s face shook a bit. “I’m scared.”

“Of what?”

Marco dabbed his handkerchief on her eyes, patting her eyelashes slowly, trying desperately not to ruin her pretty makeup. 

“I look like a fool,” she said, pulling the neckline up. “I’m not a real woman. I’m just pretending to be.”

“Don’t be nervous, sweetheart,” Marco said pathetically.

She shook her head and spoke rapidly. “I’m not a good wife. I can’t cook very well and I don’t know much English like Sabo. What if he doesn’t love me tomorrow? No one will want me, Marco. A clumsy, stupid woman.”

Marco was sad to see that he really couldn’t change her mind. He hugged her and patted her shoulders. She seemed tired. Her perfume smells like honey.

“Try your best, you’ll be okay.”

“I- What if-”

“I’m here for you,” Marco said.

“But-”

Marco held her face and smiled. “I’m your best friend. I’ll always be here.”

She pouted when Marco pinched her cheeks. Marco wasn’t sure if her red cheeks were from the makeup or if she cried so much that her face got hot. Either way, Marco wasn’t exactly reassured to feel a fever coming on.

Marco put the veil back on. “Do you want to tell me anything else?”

Ann kept looking at Marco. She acted like a kid who didn’t want their parents to leave them on the first day of daycare. Ann shuffled closer and nodded.

“I’ll try,” Ann said. “I-I’ll try to be a good wife, Marco. P-pineapple.”

“You’re perfect as you are.”

“You’re really good at lying.” 

Marco shrugged. At least Ann was smiling, even if a little bit. She hugged Marco one last time awkwardly and Marco gladly hugged back. She fit perfectly in his arms. 

—

It wouldn’t be a story about Gol D. Ann without her husband Deuce, or ‘sweetheart’ as she called him. 

As Sabo’s story implied, Deuce was a bit of a character. He didn’t have a last name or any proper background to speak of. Like Sabo, he wanted nothing to do with his parents so he left them behind. Unlike Sabo who had a good job and was a better brother, Deuce seemed like he lacked something.

Thatch knew Marco was being bitchy because he was jealous. Marco knew this too so he forced himself to watch Ann kiss Deuce’s cheek. No, he wasn’t upset.

“They say we’re cute!” Ann said. She patted his shoulder rapidly as a sign that she was thinking of what to say with her limited English. “I’m happy.” 

“R-really?” 

“Yes!” Ann laughed. “Let’s get chicken!”

“What?”

Ann turned red when she realised she accidentally said that in Spanish. She pointed to the butcher’s. He held her arm and went together. She seemed happy and kept making shitty jokes.

“He can’t keep up with her.”

“Who?” Thatch answered.

Thatch raised his eyebrows and made a noise that reminded Marco that no matter how fluent Thatch was in Spanish, he’ll always be an American. A New-Yorker.

“He ain’t the best-looking, but I can see why she likes him,” Thatch commented lightly. “He’s someone she can play with like children.”

Deuce had blue hair, with a square jaw. His eyes were angular and his smile finely-cut. He was handsome in an average sense. Unassuming and plain. There was nothing wrong about him, but nothing to get excited over.

Sure, some said Marco was better-looking but again, he’s just upset that Ann didn’t call him handsome a hundred times in five minutes. In her defence, she didn’t know how to pronounce Deuce properly. What kind of name was that anyway?

Thatch snapped his fingers. It’s a strange habit.

“Jealousy makes a man uglier.”

“It does not,” Marco said in rapid, grumpy Spanish. “I’m not jealous of a young man half my age.”

“But you love a young woman half your age,” Thatch answered. He made some hand gestures. “And she loves someone else.”

“She could’ve loved me .”

Thatch laughed and patted his hand affectionately.

“Give up, casanova,” he said. “You can’t have everything in life.”

“I love her.”

“I know. She’s a flower that blooms once in a lifetime.”

Thatch stood up first, waved at a couple of his regular flirts and invited Marco to lunch at his restaurant. Marco agreed since he no longer had an excuse to say no to his American friend, as eccentric as he was.

He bought a small building with thin metal rods melded together to form diamond shapes. The curtains were a garish mix of bright red, yellow, green and blue stripes. They made little strange patches of light on the chairs.

Thatch served wonderful champagne on the house. Marco loved the burn alcohol had on his throat. It cooled him down.

The pizza was large, neatly cut into even slices. The roasted tomatoes had a sharp sweet taste with a sour edge to it now that it’s charred in the oven. It made the cheese feel even creamier and lovelier. The crust was thin and crispy, not unlike a biscuit.

Marco remembered Ann dropping a lump of dough on the floor while trying to roll it out like Thatch. Thatch called her cute and let her try again with new dough. She was as red as a tomato then. That was the day Marco believed in love at first sight even though he had always loved her.

—

The bar was particularly crowded tonight. It made sense. It was a warm summer day and everyone—tourists and locals alike—loved a good drink with ice. Of course, Marco was no different. He was the shining example of ‘loving a good drink’.

Izou was next to him and disliked how Marco was a ‘shining example’.

“I’m depressed.” 

Izou patted Marco’s back. Marco saw why Thatch was head over heels for Izou. If Thatch was straightforward, then Izou was even more so.

“Don’t act like a scorned lover when all you do is flirt and make her nervous.”

“You and your husband always have something to say.”

Izou frowned like an unhappy cat. Oh well, at least he knew when to keep quiet. As a truce, they clinked glasses. Izou got a small glass of a fruit cocktail and it looked pretty. The passion fruit was a nice colour.

Unfortunately, Marco agreed with him in the sense that he can’t mope forever. It’s not practical. If Ann—for some hope—turned to him, he can’t have her see him as a depressed loser. He should lose weight first. He drank again. Izou continued patting Marco as a passive-aggressive way to make him stop.

“It’s noisy.”

“Yes,” Izou said. He gave Marco a look. “People are having fun and you should too.”

“I see.”

Izou sighed. “Thatch told me to speak nicely but this is ridiculous.”

Izou raised his hand. “Check please!” 

Marco feebly tried to refuse. He was only just starting to get drunk but no, the ever-pragmatic Izou with high standards wouldn't hear of it. He cared about Marco. Despite being the same age, Izou was always the smarter one and took care of him and Thatch. 

He forced Marco to look away when the door opened.

“What?” Marco grumbled. “We’re leaving anyway.”

“No, it’s-” Izou smiled awkwardly. “H-hey.”

“Are you guys leaving?” Izou sat up and let Ann take his seat with Deuce following behind. Ann noticed Marco and smiled. “Pineapple looks so wasted.”

“We’re about to leave.”

“Already? It’s only eight.”

Izou grabbed Marco by the shoulders. “Us old men need to be in bed by nine.”

“Have you met Deuce?” She said quickly, her English getting a little better, even if heavily accented. “He’s my sweetheart.”

Izou and Marco shook his hand tersely. He seemed vaguely uncomfortable. Marco disliked him even more. Perhaps Deuce could feel it too as he left them awkwardly. Izou forced Marco out of his chair.

She turned to Marco and shuffled closer, amazingly happy for some reason. Izou didn’t like the atmosphere between them. He tried once more that Marco should head home but Ann kept pouting and he gave up.

“Stupid man.” She laughed. “Do you really drink all the time?”

“I have no hobbies.”

Ann laughed again. She got water. She was sweaty but smelt of soapy water. Her dress was an off-shoulder kind where Marco could see the freckles on her shoulders.

She wore this dress whenever she didn’t want to dress up. She said that it was comfortable, cheap and flowy. It moved well when she ran and didn’t reveal too much of her hairy legs, which she was insecure about. She wore it every Friday before a party. She wore it while cooking, doing laundry, dancing…

The colour matched her red cheeks, flushed from hard labour outside. Her hands had little cuts on them too. They were red and swollen. She claimed it didn’t hurt but winced whenever she held her glass the wrong way. They clinked glasses.

“I'm leaving tomorrow,” Ann said. Marco saw that she was looking at him seriously. “Deuce wants to travel and I want to go too.”

“Where are you going?” Izou said politely.

“I don’t know.” Ann continued in Spanish, “We’re meeting Sabo in Thailand.”

Marco frowned. “That’s a bit far, isn’t it?” Izou smacked his temple.

Ann made a face. In the tone she used to chastise Luffy, she said, “I know you think he’s stupid but I like him.”

“Good for you.”

Ann stomped on Marco’s foot to make him look at her. Her angry face was the cutest. It’d be better if she wasn’t actually angry, though. Her eyes were cold.

“Deuce makes me laugh. He teaches me English and reads stories to me.”

“Oh.” I could do that too.

“I love him,” Ann said. “Be nice to him. He’s a bit shy.”

Ann was satisfied with Marco muttering some pleasantry. She kissed Marco on the cheek before running off. Marco knew who she was running towards. She hugged Deuce so tight the guy nearly suffocated.

“I want to dance!” She said to him, smiling widely. “Can you?”

“A slow one,” he said. “I’m not a dancer.”

“Me neither!” She laughed. “But it’s fun!”

He got nervous when Marco glared at him. “Sorry, I know I’m not very good. Do you-”

“No,” Ann said quickly. She pinched his cheeks with one hand. “I like you.”

“Okay.”

She laughed and kissed Deuce on both cheeks before settling on his lips. He blushed and she kissed him again.

“You’re so awkward,” she said. She put Deuce’s hand on her waist. “Slowly, baby.”

“O-okay!” 

She laughed and lifted his hand up, twirling herself around.

“There you go,” she said softly in Spanish. “You’re doing well.” 

Deuce blushed madly when she held his face in her hands.

“I love you,” she said. “No scared.”

“I’m not scared!”

She smiled. “Then kiss me.”

Marco watched Ann pull her husband into a kiss. They’ve been married for a year and he still doesn’t dare to touch her. She laughed and kissed his ear, telling him to relax. He jolted when she stroked his shoulder.

She’s a woman, the strongest Marco had ever seen. She didn’t need to be touched so delicately, did she? She looked so delighted, so pleased with her husband and it made Marco sick.

What are you doing with a man like that?

“Let’s go,” Izou said softly. “Come on.”

Marco drank more wine and finally left.

You’re beautiful.