Chapter Text
I always found it hard to wake up, especially when I'm pretty sure the sleep I just had was the best sleep of my life. The warm blankets on my cool skin, and Stefan making himself comfortable over my feet provided the perfect temperature as the ship slowly rocked back and forth lulling me to sleep.
Not that it was really required, I was already exhausted. But it was all over way too quickly as I found myself being woken up rather suddenly by a very overenthusiastic Thatch who was way too chipper this early in the morning. Stefan seemed to share in my displeasure growling at Thatch as he jumped off the bed, trying to bite his ankles.
“Up an at ‘em, sugar.”
Thatch shoved Stefan away from him with his foot that Stefan was still trying to bite.
I must have looked like a zombie, I felt like a zombie. Once Thatch got Stefan away from him he took one look at my face while he leaned right over me, his signature chef's coat smelling like bread dough mixed with a very clean but masculine smell of what I assumed was some kind of hair product that must have the strength of concrete to be able keep his hair up in his signature style.
“Come on Buttercup, the day waits for no one!”
I groan, trying to sit up only to collapse right back into the plush mattress as my entire body pulsates with intense pain, not unlike how it felt getting into the bath yesterday before Marco used his powers. Every part of my body was hurting but my hands were definitely the worst of it. The pain meds Izou gave me last night had definitely helped me sleep but it definitely made walking up the next day very difficult after they had worn off.
“It… hurts.”
I could feel every single tear in my skin from my panic attack yesterday with excruciating detail, except now it felt like someone was pouring lemon juice in the wounds. Thatch gave me a tight smile as I looked at him with watery eyes. The rest of my body that wasn't in pain feeling dull and lifeless.
“I figured. You had a very eventful day yesterday, but once you eat something we can give you some more pain killers and you'll be ready to take on the world in no time.”
I groaned as Thatch wrapped his beefy arm about my stiff shoulders, helping me sit up in the bed, my body aching in protest while Stefan, seemingly able to feel my pain whimpered pitifully by the door.
“How are you this energetic at….
I looked around trying to figure out the time of day, my eyes were too hazy from sleep to make sense of anything but I didn't think any proper light was coming from the port hole, at least not any that illuminated the room any, the only light coming from a candle on my bedside table that Thatch must have lit.
“.....what time is it anyway?”
Thatch chuckled, his chest rumbling against my side.
“Well for one; I'm the chef for the entire crew and sleep is practically nonexistent for me. You try feeding all the people on this ship even with a full division to help, and second; It's four in the morning.”
I stare up at him in disbelief.
“Four!!!”
Thatch laughed so hard I thought he was gonna stop breathing. His head was tossed back so far and so fast I was worried he was going to get whiplash.
“Come on, don't be like that. Come spend some quality time with your favorite chef. You’ll be my little taste tester this morning.”
Thatch booped my nose with his free hand as I tried to flop back into the bed but Thatch had already scooped me up and was walking out the door with way too much pep in his step, Stefan following him while trying to nip the bandages around my toes again, and it was only then that I realized I was still in the gorgeous dress Izou gave me last night.
“Wait!!!”
Thatch froze, his arms tightening around my shoulder and the back of my knees, Stefan growling for a second like he thought we were in danger..
“.....at least let me change!”
Thatch stopped in the doorway and looked at my face, then down to the dress before pouting.
“Awwww, but you're so cute. You look so good in this blue.”
Never did I think I would ever see a man like Thatch pout and whine like a child who had their favorite toy taken away from them. Clearly he would need some convincing.
“As a professional chef I would think you’d know about the importance of proper kitchen attire.”
I tried to appeal to his professional sensibilities. And it seemed to work.
Thatch rolled his eyes so hard I didn't think he’d be able to bring them back from behind his skull. But surprisingly he did, bringing them all the way down to look at me as he nodded, if not begrudgingly, and tilted his head from side to side while turning around and plopping me gently on the bed, Stefan coming over to lick at my feet as Thatch turned to rummaging through the dresser that was beside my bed and under the porthole that had no light shining from it. After a second he turned back to me and placed some clothes on the bed beside me.
“Ya need help?”
I looked at the clothes he had picked out for me as I considered his question. It was a simple white knitted sweater and loose black pants with a light purple sash to keep the pants up, but they didn't look like Marcos clothes aside from maybe the sash that looked suspiciously close to his light blue one, but everything else was too small. No, these looked like they would fit me, and even more; they looked like they hadn't been worn. I didn't even know that they had put clothes in the dresser for me.
I looked at my hands, still wrapped tightly in the bandages Marco meticulously wrapped around me after our bath, and thrumming with pain that I didn't think I'd be able to close them, none the less get dressed. I didn't want to ask for help, especially with something so basic but I needed help being fed for the last few days as well as needing Marcos help bathing me and both him and Izou having to help dress me, I'd have to suck it up, again. And clearly I didn't have any other choice, especially because I didn't want to risk ruining this beautiful dress before I could return it to its rightful owner.
So with a deep sigh I finally gave in.
“... yeah”
Thatch could clearly tell how depressed I was about not being able to do it myself. His face contorted into that kind of tight smile you’d give to someone you pity but it was still from a place of kindness. It was humiliating on so many different levels, though not as humiliating as Marco having to give me a bath, but still humiliating. But I guess by now I should be used to others’ clothing me.
But still, I've never needed help like this before, it was so foreign. But at the same time it wasn't like I had anyone to rely on before anyway. Only having myself to take care of everything, everyone and myself while my brother was working. It was strange to rely on others so completely like this. But at least they didn't make me feel bad about it.
Thatch sighed while placing one of his large warm hands on my cheek, stocking it gently with his thumb.
“It's ok to need help (Y/N). You've been through a lot. No one expects you to be 100% right now, that would be ridiculous, we're here to help you till you're all healed up, and however much longer you need.”
I looked up into his kind dark eyes before I nodded begrudgingly. Though it’s not like I really had any other choice.
“I just never thought this was the kind of help I'd ever need.”
Thatch huffed a laugh.
“Fair, but I've never heard of anyone's life going exactly as they had planned.”
I stared up at him with the most unimpressed face I could muster and he put his hands up in ‘surrender’.
“I know, I know; not the point. But I'm not wrong.”
After another second of me halfheartedly glaring at him I raised my arms as best as I could, which wasn't much, silently signaling I would accept his help now.
Thatch leaned over me, my face practically smushed into his chest as his arms wrapped around me in a comforting hug but also so he could reach for the zipper at the back of the dress and carefully unzip it while being mindful of the bandages around my waist. Once I was freed from the beautiful garment I reached for the sweater, determined to try and dress myself at least a little bit. I was able to get it around my neck and one hand into the beginning of the sleeve before it hurt too much for me to get any further myself, my wrist hooked on the arm.
I looked at Thatch like a kicked puppy in the rain, sad and pissed off that I couldn't even get one full arm into a sweater by myself. I looked even more foolish while Thatch looked as red as a tomato with cheeks puffed out so much he looked like a puffer fish as he tried to hold in his laughter…. very poorly. Even Stefan was looking at me with a tilted head, clearly trying to figure out what I was doing.
“Stop staring and laughing and help me, or so help me god.”
He seemed to find my blunt tone even more comical, he wasn't even bothering to hold back his laughter anymore. He was so loud I was worried he would wake up the other commanders.
He slipped his hand into the end of the sleeve I had tried to get my arm through, grabbing my stuck wrist from the inside. He grabbed it gently and helped guide it through the rest of the sweater with the kind of precision only a chef or doctor could have. I winced a bit but the pain wasn't too bad with help.
Thatch went to my other side and did the same, wincing a little at my own pained expressions as he finished pulling the sweater down my torso and over the bandages wrapped around my middle.
“Don't worry, Buttercup. Once I get some food in ya, you’ll feel a hundred times better. My cooking heals all, it almost puts Marco’s powers to shame.”
Thatch’s encouraging smile was strangely contagious. It was hard to be so gloomy around someone so bright. He reminded me of Ace a little at the moment. No idea how he and Ace managed to keep up the attitude seemingly 24/7.
Once my sweater was adjusted properly I stood on shaky legs, the ache shooting up my legs and into my spine, Stefan jumping up and moving a few steps back to avoid being stepped on. \
Thatch leaned down to my height so I could place my hands on his shoulders to help keep me upright as I placed my feet into the legs of the plants as the pulsing pain that was gradually increasing every second became more and more difficult to stomach. My shaking got worse with every second I was on my feet.
“Oooowwwwww”
Thatch winced with me again, that tight, awkward smile returning.
"Bear with me, Buttercup.”
He leaned down, my hands going from being the only thing on his shoulders sliding down to his back, my arms wrapping around his neck as he pulled up the pants for me. Once the pants were up he reached over for the sash before he paused to think for a second.
“Let's sit you down for this, Buttercup.”
Once I was comfortable on the bed Stefan waddled his way back over, laying his head on my feet again while Thatch got down to his knees, still taller than me I might add, and wrapped his arms around me again. My slightly chilled skin absorbs his warmth. He wasn't as warm as Ace but pretty damn close. But he pulled away too fast for me to really enjoy. He wrapped the long sash around my waist one more time before he tucked and tied it so it and my pants were secured around my waist.
Once he was finished he stood back up and gathered the dress that had been abandoned on the floor beside the bed and folded it nicely on the dresser for later. I'd have to remember to let Izou know where it was later so he could get it back.
“Never thought you pirates would be so tidy.”
Thatch gave me a side eye,
“What do you mean by that?’
I shrugged as much as I could before my shoulders tensed too much, my muscles cramping uncomfortably.
“Well Izou and Marcos' rooms are all really tidy, but let's be honest: pirates don't have the best of reputations when it comes to cleanliness."
Thatch makes a sound that's a mix of a sigh and a huffy laugh, his head hung for a second before he walked back over to me, picking me back up and walking towards the door before he said anything, Stefan hot on his…. or…. well…. my heels.
“Fair enough, and to be fair it is true in most cases. However, as the chef of the ship I need things to be clean in my workplace and because my work is practically all consuming it tends to leak out into other aspects of my life. Marco being a doctor is just obsessed with cleanliness and Izou just enjoys things to be organized. Ace could care less but I wouldn't call him a slob. But with the unfamiliar weather in the New World the ship tends to rock a fair bit so anything not tightly secured or bolded down tends to go places whether you like it or not. And the last thing you want to do is trip over yesterday's clothes that you left on the floor if you aren't paying attention to where your stepping after a long day or if you stubble when the ship rocks a bit too hard and you trip over the clothes and end up with a bloody face, so people just tend to keep their spaces tidy…”
I nodded along while he talked and walked down the steps to the deck immediately feeling the intense chill on the side that wasn't snuggled up to Thatch. It was a lot more intense than last night. I shivered in Thatchs arms, goose bumps covering my skin underneath my bandages, making them even more uncomfortable.
“...but I think I know where the messy rumor came from. No matter how clean we keep our rooms, depending on if we have rough seas or just finished a battle, everything tends to get all messed up from all the rocking and shaking unless they're bolted to the walls and floor and naturally we tend to complain about the mess to the shopkeepers when we go buy replacements for any broken furniture or damaged items. I can't even tell you how messy my kitchen is after a rough fight. No matter how much I try to keep things secured I almost always need a new pot or pan, and don't even get me started on the one time I had to replace all our kitchen knives.”
Once we arrived in the kitchen, Stefan being forced to remain on deck, Thatch continued his little rant. I felt significantly warmer now that I was inside, especially because some of the ovens were already on, filling the room with an amazing smell and blanketing me in warmth. Thatch couldn't stop talking about how pissed he was about the time he had to replace all his knives after they were all chipped, some even broken in half and how expensive it was while plopping me on the counter of his little private kitchen again.
I looked over to the ovens that spanned the entire wall all the way down the kitchen and saw what I assumed to be bread pans inside which explained the delicious smell. He must have been awake for a while if he was already able to make bread dough and get them in the oven. Suddenly I was grateful he only woke me up at four am.
“How long have you been awake?”
I looked over to him, pulling my eyes from the ovens, as he threw a dish towel over his shoulder after washing his hands before making his way back to me, pinning me in place as he put his hands on either side of my hips and leaned down so he was a little more eye level with me.
“Funny of you to assume I slept.”
I gawked at him for a second before he chuckled, leaning down a little more so his forehead rested on mine for a second just looking at me, his wide smile never leaving his lips.
“I'm just kidding, I got about three hours. After cleaning up dinner last night and doing a little breakfast prep I was able to catch a few z’s.”
My face didn't change, if anything I'm pretty sure it got even worse which just made Thatch burst out in a cackling laughter.
“How the hell are you so chipper, or even alive for that matter?”
After another minute he finally calmed down, taking in a few deep breaths.
“Oh, Buttercup. You're so cute.”
I glare at him, maybe he stays so chipper by sucking the life out of others.
“I take a few naps during the day between meals, my division's job is pretty all consuming so we don't have any other responsibilities besides cooking and my guys are capable of taking care of most meals especially after I do some food prep the night before. That being said we'll train and always assist in fights or go on missions if Pops needs us to but that's not often. The fourth division is the division you'll see most around the ship.”
I stare up at him in disbelief as he stares back with an all too smug smirk.
“Have you even gotten a solid eight hours of sleep?”
He considers it for a moment, but the look on his face told me he was just fucking with me.
“Nope”
He popped the ‘p’ sounding so smug while saying something so concerning.
“You're kidding.”
His smirk only widened.
“At least not since I joined, which was so long ago I don't even bother remembering.”
I rolled my eyes, opening my mouth to say some snarky remark about his unhealthy sleeping habits before he interrupted me with a soft kiss on the cheek. I stare at him with big eyes, what was with everyone here and kisses?
“Now, what do you want to eat for breakfast? There is always some reliable consistency like eggs and bacon, bread, hashbrowns and the thing almost every pirate on this ship lives off of: Coffee.”
I didn't even comprehend his words, I don't think I've even even seen bacon and eggs on the table at the same time, having so many options and then having thatch asking me what I wanted completely short circuited my brain. But he just waited patiently for me to answer his question, his smirk softening into a warm smile as he watched me clammer to find words, any words, only for me to keep looking at him like a gapping fish.
After a few more seconds of him waiting for me to say something his hand reached up and held the back of my neck, but with the size of his hand it also covered the base of my skull. He gave my neck a gentle squeeze, finally grounding me enough to close my mouth and just stare into his eyes.
I didn't know how to feel. I knew it must have taken a lot to feed everyone on this ship, but having all those options like it was no big deal? I just couldn't comprehend it.
“Come back to me, Buttercup. Where did ya go?”
I blink a few seconds, bringing my vision into focus. But Thatchs smile never faltered, seemingly undeterred by my reaction. After another second I finally answered him, saying the first thing that came to my mind.
“I…I’ve always wanted to try pancakes.”
Thatchs dropped for a split second but it returned so fast I thought it would have just been my sleep-idled brain messing with me.
“Pancakes it is.”
He finally leaves my personal space, not like he went far and started working while I enjoyed the warmth I felt coming from the ovens.
He starts gathering all the ingredients needed. All giant bags of flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, eggs, oil, and massive cartons of milk. He grabbed everything so quickly, knowing where everything was like the kitchen was a part of him. It looked more like a kind of waltz than cooking.
After staring at him for a few seconds I finally decided I couldn't sit in this silence anymore. It wasn't particularly awkward but I still figured talking was better than gawking.
“Speacking of, where is the rest of your division? It's a big kitchen for a big crew but we're the only ones here.”
He turns to me and smiles as he finishes measuring all the ingredients into a giant bowl that I could fit in and still have leg room, placing it into an even bigger mixer. Though I guess I should be too surprised a giant crew needs giant portions and giant cooking tools to make it all.
Once he was sure everything was secure and in motion he walked back over to me, leaning the side of his hip on the counter beside me.
“I tend to do most prep throughout the day and the evening so they just have to gather pre-cut and measured ingredients and combine them into proper food. It lets them go to sleep right after dinner and lets them sleep in a little in the morning. Breakfast is served around eight am, so they’ll be getting up around five or six.”
I nod along.
“So you get most of your sleep in the day when you're not prepping and they sleep during part of the night?”
“Exactly.”
We just stood there looking at each other for a few minutes. Well… he was standing, I was still sitting on the kitchen counter, my limbs still pulsing. The silent staring contest only ended when a bell rang.
Thatch walks over to the ovens, opening them all one by one and taking out the pans and dishes of different kinds of bread with the towel that was on his shoulder, placing all the pans on several tall pan holders so they could cool.
The smell of all the freshly made beards filling the room made me close my eyes and took in a few deep breaths. Some were sweet loafs, some savory like garlic and rosemary, some just plain loaves of white bread and even some sour dough. I couldn't help the low moan that came from my mouth as I continued to sit in the delicious smell. I don't think I've ever smelled anything so amazing.
“I think that's the best complement I've ever heard.”
My eyes shoot open as my face warms almost as hot as the ovens, I'm pretty sure my ears started whistling like a kettle. For a second I completely forgot I wasn't alone.
Thatch looked at me with soft eyes as he moved over to the mixer and removed the bowl of the mixed batter and over to several giant pans on an even bigger stove. No wonder he was so beefy, I would be too if I had to lift giant bowls like that full of pancake batter. Not to mention all the giant bags of ingredients, I'm pretty sure all of them had to weigh at least fifty pounds.
“I kinda feel like a doll in a doll house, everything in this kitchen is so huge.”
Thatch let out a huge belly laugh as he placed a few dollops of batter onto the hot pans.
“Nah, you're just small.”
I glare at him,
“I’m not small, I'm perfectly average, you're all just mini giants.”
He snorted a laugh as he finished placing batter on all the hot pans.
“Hahahah, mini giants?”
“Well Jozu, Namur and Fossa are really tall, their small giants, the true giant is your captain, but you're all still really tall, I think Ace and Haruta are the only ones who are of a normal height, so yes… mini giants.”
Thatch was laughing so hard I thought he was gonna pass out and collapse onto the floor, I'm pretty sure he didn't take in a breath for a good two minutes. After a few seconds listening to his laugh I could help but join in. It was contagious, but I couldn't laugh as hard as he was, the marred skin around my stomach and sides hurting with every movement.
“Oh, Buttercup. You're killing me.”
He wiped a tear from his eyes and he came over again placing a hand on my waist and pulling me into him so my butt was just barely on the counter, kissing my temple this time.
“That being said, don't let Pops hear you call him captain, he’d throw a fit.”
I looked up at Thatch, but I did find it hard to believe someone like Whitebeard would ;throw a fit’.
“I know, he already told me to call him Pops after Marco had introduced us. It just doesn't feel right calling him anything else, so I figured I'd just call him Pops while he's around. ”
Thatch stared at me with soft eyes for a few seconds before moving back over to his pans to start flipping the pancakes.
“He may be our captain but nobody calls him ‘captain’ unless they're in deep trouble. It's Pops just Pops whether he's around or not.”
“Still, it just… doesn't feel right.”
Thatch made a huffing sound, like he was unimpressed.
“What?”
“Buttercup, he wouldn't ask for you to call him Pops if he didn't want you to. But he did, meaning, just like everyone else on this ship, it Pops or nothing.”
I look at Thatch like he had three heads.
“I cried like a child in his hand after Marco told me I had been asleep for a week. He probably only told me to call him that out of pity just to make me feel a bit more comfortable, I'm not even a part of the crew.”
Thatch walked over, each step taken with purpose and leaned over me again, pinning me to the counter, forcing me to lean back but I could only lean so far, Thatch’s face stopping just shy of our lips meeting.
“Sweetheart, you are as much a member of this crew as anyone else in his eyes. And he's not the kind of man who gives ‘pity’.....”
Thatch practically spat out the word. Like it left a horrible taste in his mouth just saying it.
“He hasn't had a daughter on his ship in a long time. He's eager to have one again. I’d bet my commander post that if you called him anything but Pops he’d shed a tear or two himself. ”
I almost scoffed.
“Thatch…I’m not even staying long term, I couldn't. I'm not a pirate, I've never been on a ship. I appreciate the care you all have given me and I'll never be able to properly repay you all, but I'd be useless here. I have no idea how to fight. I've never tied a knot in my life. I’d be a burden even more than I am now and that's a disservice I'd never commit to the people who saved my life.”
Thatch tilted his head and leaned closer till his lips grazed my ear softly.
“Baby girl, the last thing you would ever be is a burden, no matter how hard you’d try."
My breath hitched. My head hung down to rest on his shoulder as his hand moved back up to the back of my neck, keeping me in place. I didn't even know what to say to that.
“I-I, I wouldn't h-have anything to do, o-or even contribute. I'd be de-dead weight.”
I couldn't help my stuttering, I felt all shy and flustered all over again.
“Baby girl, I can think of a hundred things you could do for us that would make you invaluable.”
Thatch still hadn't pulled away from my ear. His warm breath wafted over my neck. In fact I’m pretty sure he stepped closer, pressing his body into mine, as much as he could anyway. I didn't even think it was possible for us to be any closer.
“St-stop messing w-ith me.”
He signed, resting his forehead on my shoulder for a second before looking back at me.
“I wouldn't do that to you, Buttercup. You could join my division, I can teach anyone how to cook.”
I huffed at him.
“I bet I'm better than you already.”
He leaned back to look me in the eyes again as his smirk re-appeared at my sudden boost of confidence.
“Oh, and what makes you think that?”
I pause a second before answering him with as smug a look as I can manage.
“I…..”
I pause for a second before finishing smugly.
“....don't let pancakes burn.”
His eyes widened to the size of dinner plates for he turned back to look at his nearly smocking pancakes.
“Ah shit!!!”
He scrambles back over to the pans and tossed them onto a massive serving tray right before they could get really burned. Once he was absolutely sure the pancakes were safe and far from harm he turned back to me with a face of annoyance but he was clearly trying to hold back a smile.
“You little minx. If you weren't so hurt I'd give you what for.”
I felt my confidence slowly come back.
“Why, because you can't handle the competition?”
He raised one eyebrow and opened his mouth to say something before several chefs funneled their way into the kitchen, finally filling the massive space.
Thatch did a complete one-eighty. One second he's in snarky comeback mode the next he is in commander mode.
“Well look what the cat dragged in, hope you got your sleep because we got hungry brothers to feed.”
All the chefs practically stood at attention although their eyes said they were half asleep.
“I need you guys on meat duty, I want ham and bacon in the oven in ten minutes and sausages on pans.”
He pointed to the first few chefs in front, and after they received their instructions they made their way to their stations, making way for the next few chefs behind them.
“You guys get working on the eggs, I want sunny side, scrambled, hardboiled, poached and omelets.”
And again another wave of chefs go into action.
“You guys are on sauce. I need hollandaise, gravy and nothing else, we don't need a repeat of last week, the less sauce the less we need to clean up.”
And another round of chefs with the disposition of well trained soldiers disappear into the sea of chefs.
“You all are on carbs. I’m talking hashbrowns, slice the beads, prepare the rolls, help me finish the pancakes and get the butter and syrups out”
“And finally the rest of you are on fruits, I want lots of oranges sliced especially, I don't need Marco on my ass again because of another scurvy scare. And be sure to use all of the melons and pineapples, they're perfectly ripe and won't last the rest of the week. And once you're done get the dishes and utensils out on the tables for them to grab as they come in.”
And just like that an army of chefs were at their stations cooking like there's no tomorrow, I know I saw it all yesterday morning but that was when they were already working, it was fascinating to see how they all got started.
As Thatch made his way back to my side watching over all his subordinates now that a few of his division was handling the pancakes. Everyone moved with precision and grace, avoiding everyone while simultaneously working together and hauling anything and everything they needed to where they needed it.
“Damn.”
I was practically out of breath at their efficiency.
“Impressive right.”
Thatch leaned over into my ear so I could hear him over all the hustle and bustle that filled our once quiet kitchen.
I looked up at him in disbelief.
“Are they chefs or soldiers?”
He smirks again.
“If I've done my job right, both.”
“ That's terrifying.”
He wraps his arm around me. Hugging my side close to his as the chefs worked around us.
“How so? I promise you're perfectly safe with us, especially in my arms.”
He emphasized his point by plopping himself on the counter beside me and hoisting me into his lap. Securely holding me in place with his strong forearms secured tightly around my stomach while still being mindful of my tenderness. But despite his caution I still wince at the sudden movement.
“Well you never know, i’d argue your division to be the most deadly; they could stab you with expertly sharpened kitchen knives, drown you in perfectly seasoned soups or poison you when you least expect it.”
He leaned over and rested his chin on the top of my head, his goatee tickling my forhead.
“Like Marco would let anything happen to his precious patient. It’s been a while since someone has been so hurt that they needed his daily attention, he won't let anything happen to you. He’s having too much fun, he won't risk losing that to anything.”
“Well it's good to know that you could care less.”
He squeezes my middle a little, making me suck in a sharp breath.
“Don’t even joke like that, Buttercup, none of us would ever let something happen to you and the only thing going into your mouth is going to come from my hands. Just to be safe. Not that I don't trust my division.”
He paused, lifting his goateed covered chin from my head as he looked to his side, my eyes following only to be met with a gaggle of very unimpressed looking chefs.
“What?!?! I said, “I do trust you.”
They all roll their eyes before getting back to their tasks at hand.
I opened my mouth to say something snarky only for my stomach to rumble so lough I'm pretty sure it woke up the rest of the ship.
Thatch laughed for the up-tenth time before the sun had even come up. He kissed the top of my head before hopping off of the counter while I was still in his arms, twisting me around so one of his arms was around my shoulders and the other was under my knees as he made his way out of the kitchen, weaving his way through his division who couldn't be bothered to notice him. Once we were in the galley he set me down on the closest bench style seat in front of an incredibly long table.
“You wait here, I'll be right back.”
He was only gone for a minute but all I could focus on was how hungry I was so it felt like a mini eternity. But when he did come back I could have given him a big ol’ sloppy kiss. He placed a plate of pancakes in front of me, accompanied by some fruits and a glass of juice.
“Eat up, Babygirl, then we'll get some meds in you.”
I nod before I freeze, my body going rigid.
“What's wrong?”
I turn my head up to Thatch, a tight look on my face.
“I don't have my meds on me.”
Thatch stared at me for a second before he huffed out a laugh.
“I thought you were about to tell me something earth shattering, that's why you got so tense, seriously?”
I feel my cheeks warming a little.
“Marco said to always keep them on me.”
Thatch rolled his eyes,
“I doubt he expected them to be glued to you. Besides you were still half asleep when I brought you down here, I'm sure he'll forgive you. After you eat we’ll go back up to your room and grab them. Marco will grab you from there to change your bandages anyway.”
I stared at him for a little longer before looking back down at my mouth watering plate.
“Are you sure it's ok to eat before everyone else? It feels wrong.”
Thatch sat down beside me, one leg on either side of the bench.
“Yes, Buttercup, I'm sure. Call it the perks of being so close to the head chef.”
I smile at him in thanks before I reach for my utensils, only to freeze with my hand hovering over my fork. I was trembling uncontrollably as I tried my damnedest to close my fingers and pick it up.
I tried, and failed to close my fingers more than a twitch. I could feel my eyes burn with shameful tears.
I kept trying, probably hunting my hand more if the pain was anything to go off of, until Thatch’s hand fully engulfed mine and pulled it away from the fork. I couldn't help the choked sobs from escaping my throat as I looked up at him with watery eyes. He smiled that tight smile before bringing me into a hug.
“It's ok, Baby girl, like I said, we don't expect you to be able to do anything. You spent all night last night using your hands, it's only natural they need a break, especially after your panic attack yesterday. Your hands are only starting to feel the real extent of the skin tearing now. In the meantime, that's what I'm here for.”
His arms unwrap from me and reach for my fork and knife with an ease that made me envious. He cuts off a small piece of pancake and holds it up to my puffy lips, waiting patiently for me to open my mouth so he can place the fork in it.
The second the fluffy, sweet pancake hits my tongue, I thought I died and went to heaven, another moan unwillingly escaping my lips.
“This is amazing.”
He smiles while waiting for me to finish chewing and spearing a piece of pineapple for me to eat.
“Well you better get used to it.”
I nodded.
“I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to my own cooking.”
“So you admit that I’m a better cook than you, good. And hey, we just found another thing you could do on the ship. I'll keep you on board just to test new recipes.”
I nodded enthusiastically as I was chewing the tart, juicy pineapple piece. Thatch wasn't kidding when he said it was perfectly ripe.
“I will happily be your food guinea pig.”
After about thirty minutes of him feeding me, my plate was finally empty and my stomach perfectly full. I let out a deeply satisfied sigh as I thanked Thatch.
“No worries, Buttercup, happy to do it. Now let’s get you upstairs, I'll grab Marco after we get your meds, I'll bet he’ll want to take care of the bandages sooner than later.”
I nodded along, too satisfied for words.
Once again I was hauled up into Thatch’s arms and back up to my room. The sun was finally starting to break over the horizon. Reveling beautiful gradient reds and oranges.
“Ah shit.”
I look at Thatch but his eyes are on the red horizon.
“What’s wrong?”
“Red skies, we’re gonna be in the middle of a bad storm pretty soon, gonna have to let everyone know. We’ll have to prepare."
“You can tell that just from the color of the sunrise.”
Thatch tilted his head side to side.
“Kinda, it's not a hundred percent but the red sunlight means the light is passing through high-moisture air, making it red. And high moisture means storms. But because we are really close to those winter islands that means it’ll probably be an ice storm.”
I looked at the beautiful sight but now it just made me anxious.
“Well that's not good.”
Thatch nudged me.
“Dont worry about it, Buttercup, we'll keep you plenty safe. It's not our first storm and it won't be the last. We’re very qualified to keep the ship and us intact."
He starts walking forward again, making his way up the stairs and back into my room, plopping me onto the bed.
My pill bottles had somehow found their way onto the dresser right beside the dress. No idea how we missed it before we left but again, I was still half asleep.
Thatch grabbed the red bottle and popped out a small pill before taking out a small bottle of water from his pocket. He popped the pill into my mouth and held the lip of the bottle to my mouth so I could take a few sips.
“Do you want your anti-nausa meds?”
I considered for a second before shaking my head.
“I’m good right now.”
He nodded,
“Alright, but remember to keep them on you, the strom will definitely shake things up.”
I nod.
“I bet if I didn't keep them on me anyway Marco would throw a fit.”
Thatch snickers a little before walking to the door.
“Speaking of, you sit tight and will grab him and he can tend to your bandages. And I'll see you later.”
I smiled and nodded, waiting patiently for Marco.
__________________________
Once I closed (Y/N) door I had to pause and take a breath to calm myself. Pretty sure if I had spent one more second with her I’d have tourn off our cloths and fucked her on every avalible surface. She is just too precious for words.
I turned from her door and faced Marcos, knocking on it a few times till I heard his sleepy “Come in.”
I walked in, finding him sitting at his desk that was illuminated by a few candles. No doubt going over Pop’s charts. But one look at me and he turned to face me completely gesturing to his bed for me to sit on.
I sat down with a huff, dragging my palm down my face.
“You look like you’ve been put through the ringer, it's barely seven.”
I had to take another few breaths before I said anything.
“That girl is gonna be the death of me Marco.”
He smirks,
“Is that so?”
I nodded.
“I can't even tell you. Her cute sleepy face, her sad little pout when she begrudgingly accepted my help getting dressed and eating. Her soft skin as I held her on my lap. I kissed her plush cheek twice and I think I went to heaven. I can't even tell you how close I was to nutting in my pants, especially when she moaned at the smell and taste of my food. I was fighting a boner all morning. God damnit, I could barely focus.”
Marco smirks at me, his elbows resting on his knees.
“Just a few hours alone with her and you're already falling apart, the great Twin Blade Thatch.”
“Like you were doing any better. And speaking of falling apart; we'll have to prepare for a storm today. We got a bright red sunrise and the temperature has dropped several degrees, it's gonna be nasty.”
Marco took a second to properly look outside his porthole to look at the bright red sunset before a deep sigh escaped him.
“I think it'll be smart to keep her with Ace today then, he’ll keep her warm while we deal with the storm.”
I nodded along as he spoke.
“We’ll be docking at the winter island by tomorrow afternoon. I'll tell her about her new rules we discussed last night while I'm bandaging her up. That being said, I think it'll be good for her to spend some time on the island. I bet Izou would take her. I'll be busy with med restock and you'll be busy with food restock, and Ace will be doing recon and scouting so he’ll be too busy. And besides, I bet he’d love to take her shopping for a few souvenirs.”
I nodded.
“I’m sure he'd love to spend some money on our girl.”
Marco agreed.
“Speaking of money, I think it would be good to give her an allowance of some kind. Just a bit of money for her to spend herself so she doesn't feel like she’s mooching off us, We’ll just tell her as part of the crew she gets a cut of the loot.”
“That’s a great idea, that being said we’ll have to work on her accepting her place as a member of the crew, also she's waiting in her room for you right now. Told her you’d want to tend to her bandages right away.”
Marco stood from his chair,
“Then I better not keep her waiting.”
“Yeah…. damn, we must be some of the luckiest motherfuckers in the world.”
Marco looks back at me as he grabs a coat for himself and (Y/N) that was laying on top of his dresser. Prepared as usual.
“Aside from the obvious, how do you mean?”
“We’ve been able to get her dressed and undressed, seeing and feeling her delicate skin, even if most of it is covered in bandages it's still as soft as an angel's wings. I feel like I'm on cloud nine. Now I just need her naked in my bed, pressed close to me in a beautiful, sweaty afterglow while she's all out of breath and half lidded.”
Now it was Marco’s turn to groan.
“Stop, it's hard enough to keep the Phoenix under control as is. If I don't introduce them soon he’s gonna take control and do things I won't be able to take back. I don’t want to scare her but I also can't hold back much longer.”
I hummed in understanding.
“What if you introduced them while on the island, the med restock won't take too long. And I'm sure she'd enjoy a flight on the mighty Phoenix.”
Marco practically moaned. His blue and gold flames flicked around his shoulders.
“It’s a shame that not what I want her to ride, but I guess it'll have to do for now.”
I laughed,
“Go tend to our girl before we both get hard with just the thought of her.”
He chuckled but took his leave. Once the door shut I relaxed into his bed, my legs spreading wide as images of (Y/N), naked and spread out under me, ready and waiting to be devoured.
I groan at myself as my cock twitches to life in my pants. Looks like the fourth division will have to handle breakfast service themself while I take care of myself in my room.
__________________________
It took a few minutes before Marco knocked on my door, popping his head in before I even had a chance to say anything.
“Mornin’ Baby Bird, how we feelin’?”
I smiled at Marco,
“Morning Marco, pretty sore but Thatch just helped me with my pain meds after breakfast so I'll feel better soon.”
He hummed in a semi-unimpressed tone while setting down two coats he had been holding beside me on the bed before getting down on his knees in front of me, his hands resting on my waist.
“Thatch told me about breakfast, you couldn't feed yourself?”
I nodded solemnly.
“Lucky for me, Thatch didn't let me suffer in my humiliation for too long though."
Marco smiled a little before taking my hands in his, turning them to and fro before finally holding them palm up.
“There is no need for you to ever feel humiliated around us. Could you close your fingers as much as you can without too much pain?”
I wasn't able to close my fingers as much as I thought. All I could do was twitch them, but I guess I shouldn't expect vast improvement in my hands range of motion compared to forty five minutes ago in the galley. But that didn't stop me from trying to close them more.
Marco’s face tensed up as he watched me try to close my hand.
“I did say to try and close them without causing excessive pain, didn't I?"
“You did.”
Marco released one of my wrists and took my chin in his hand and made me look down at him. His face leaned in so close that our noses practically touched.
“Then why are you trying so hard and hurting yourself, Baby Bird?”
My cheeks get a little red,
“They're not going to get better if I don't use them.”
Marco’s fingers tightened around my chin.
“Oh, are you also a doctor?”
I scoff at his mocking tone.
“....no”
I drag out the word, begrudgingly accepting my imminent scolding.
“No? Oh. Well I am, and while we will have to do some physical therapy later, right now your skin is fragile and weak, especially after tearing so bad from your panic attack yesterday. That's why I did your bandages up so tight after your bath, so that you don't accidentally tear them anymore while they're so fragile. Not only that but you used them so much last night, you especially need to rest them after that.”
I tried looking down in shame but Marco’s hand wouldn’t let me, his eyes softening. After a few moments of silence he tilted my head to the side and kissed my cheek.
“From now on you're not allowed to use, nonetheless, lift anything with your hands until I give you go ahead, understand? And I mean nothing, no cups, forks, spoons. Nothing”
I grumbled quietly, but the look on Marco’s face shut that down just as quick as it started and I nodded in defeat.
“Words, Baby Bird. I want to hear you say you understand.”
I look up at his half lidded eyes for a few seconds before giving in.
“I understand.”
He smiles.
“Good. Now, let’s get your bandages off so I can reapply the aloe cream on them and re-wrap you, and we can have an important discussion.”
I look up at him with wide, nervous eyes as he helps to lift the sweater and unties the sash and wiggles down my pants till I was bare, aside from my underwear, once more and he started unwrapping me.
“No need to look that nervous, Baby Bird. I don't want you confined to your room constantly, that will just drive you insane. So now that you'll be out and about off the ship and on an island, it's our job to keep you safe and to do that we need some rules. And especially as your doctor it would be against my duty of care if I let anything happen to you and these rules are how we’ll make sure nothing will happen to you.”
He paused sharply, examining the ankle that was in his hold with an intensity. The mangled skin looked worse than I remember.
“Did…. you try walking?”
The look he gave me was enough to kill a shiver shooting down my spine. It took me a second to find my words.
“I..I…n-no.”
His intense stare pinned me in place.
“Then what did you do? Your feet are bruised, you did something, don't lie to me (Y/N)."
How could he even tell?! My skin was already a bluish yellow color.
“I……”
I wrack my brain for why he would think I tried walking. And then I realised.
“OH!! Getting dressed!”
He tilts his head to the side, silently asking for clarification.
“This morning when Thatch helped me get dressed he helped me stand on my feet so I could get my pants on.”
Marco’s stare doesn't let up. If anything it just gets harder. The silence felt like a pressure on my chest.
“Thats it?”
“Yes… that's it, he carried me around the rest of the morning.”
Marco finally broke his stare and continued examining my feet, after a few seconds he signed before grabbing the same topical aloe cream from his pocket that he had been treating me with the last few days.
He dips his finger in and rubs the cream between his palms, spreading it around and warming it up before starting at my feet and working his way up. His hands gently pressed and massaged all the way up my calf and up my thighs.
“So… those rules?”
I tried to get him talking again so that I didn't just have his methodical hands to focus on.
He hummed, but stayed silent a few more seconds before he started.
“Rule 1: No walking around by yourself, on the ship or on any islands we dock at. We can't guarantee your safety if you're not with one of us, but obviously you can't walk around which brings me to the temporary subsection of rule 1: no walking period. Not until you have my say so. You think using your hand for one evening to feed yourself hurts the next day. You don't want to find out what trying to walk too soon will feel like the next day. I'm already not liking the look of your feet after you stood up for less than a minute this morning.”
We sat in silence for a few seconds as I considered his words and he continued to work his way up my body after dipping his fingers in the jar again, having finished on my legs.
“Ok.”
He could tell how down trot I sounded but he didn't comment on it, just nodding at my acceptance.
“Rule 2: No using your hands, like I said before. Not until I give the go ahead and even then only during our physical therapy sessions.”
“Ok.”
Marco paused a little longer that time, his hands no longer rubbing the cream into my stomach and sides and he didn’t start again as he continued.
“Rule 3: You will visit me every day at least once for daily checkups and bandage changing. I'll also continue to help you bathe until your skin is stronger.”
I didn't say anything at that one, just turning my face away from him a little as my cheeks warmed. I felt like a useless child, having rules placed on me, but it was their ship and I had no room to argue while I was under their care.
“And last, Rule 4: No talking to strangers under any circumstances."
My head shoots back to Marco so fast I'm pretty sure I got whiplash, but before I could get one word out the glare Marco gave me shut me up before I could say anything.
His glare pinned me in place for another few seconds, I didn't even think I was breathing until his face softened and he took my cheeks in his warm hands and kissed my forehead. Holding his lips to my skin for a while till we both calmed down a little.
Once he pulled back he took my left hand and started working the cream into it and up my forearm.
“You need to understand that this isn't a punishment, and the last thing we want is for you to feel like a prisoner, that's the last thing you are. But as a Yonko crew, anyone associated with us is in danger, even if they're not a threat.”
My eyes fill with warm tears as Marco explains his reasoning.
“The last thing we want is for you to feel restricted, you have every freedom to explore the ship when one of us is with you to carry you around and you'll get to explore islands with us as well. Do some shopping and see the world.”
He wiped a tear away with his thumb.
“I promise it's not forever, at least not all of the rules, things will change and as you get healthier you'll have free range of the ship by yourself.”
“And islands?”
Marco signs, his head hanging down for a second.
“Like I said, you are vulnerable to being kidnapped or tortured when you're associated with us but we don't want to keep you on the ship twenty four seven, that is cruel. But with that privilege comes restrictions, you'll be able to walk around and explore but one of us will always be with you. Sometimes we will be busy with our own work as commanders but we’ll always make time for you so that you can explore and have some fun at markets. I'm sure Izou and Thatch would love to go shopping with you and no one is more enthusiastic about exploring islands than Ace.”
The tears came a little faster, my nose starting to stuff up as Marco finished up on my other arm.
“Oh, Baby Bird. You are not a prisoner, and we’ll do our best to prove that to you, but you are our responsibility and we care about you very much and we won't leave anything up to chance when it comes to your safety.”
Marco holds my face so that I have to look at him with my tear blurred eyes.
“I need you to say you understand and will follow your rules, even if you don't like them.”
My lip quivers as I stare at Marco, not wanting to give up so much of my autonomy. Even if I knew in my heart I really didn't have a choice.
‘Please, Baby Bird, for me? And my peace of mind?”
His eyes had sympathy but also held firm, he wasn't going to let either of us move an inch till I gave in.
I looked up, needing to avoid his sharp eyes while I collected. I took in a shaky breath, closing my eyes tightly before nodding my head.
“Ok, I understand.”
“You’ll follow the rules?”
“Y-yes.”
Marco sighed,
“I need you to say the words (Y/N).”
I couldn't help the hiccup that escaped me as I finally gave up my useless resistance. Looking back into Marco’s eyes.
“I will follow all your rules, Marco.”
He smiled, but it didn't really meet his eyes. He could tell how disappointed I was but he kissed my forehead once more regardless, like a form of thanks, before grabbing some fresh bandages from his other pocket and started wrapping me up like a mummy again.
“Thank you, Baby Bird, truly. You have no idea how relieving it is to hear you say that. I promise it won't feel like you're expecting it to. However, I am going to need you to promise me one more thing.”
“W-what?”
Marco finishes wrapping one leg and moves on to the other.
“You’ve never been to sea, yes?”
“Yeah”
“And Thatch told you what a red sunrise means, correct?”
“Correct.”
My voice comes easier to me now that I've started to calm down.
“The storm we are expecting will be intense and cold because we are so close to the archipelago of winter islands. Because of the fragility of your skin and the fact you can't properly keep in body heat Ace will be taking care of you today.”
I nodded along as Marco spoke.
“I need you to promise you won't leave his side, you guys will mostly be held up in his room but if anything happens, you don't let go of him, understand?”
The weight of Marco's words hit me like a tsunami. A sea storm is bad enough but in the New World, it's a whole other beast. My hands started trembling. Marco noticed and immediately took them into his own hands, but being mindful of the fact I didn't have bandages on them yet.
“Dont worry, he will keep you perfectly safe, I just need you to promise me you won't leave his side. I need you to hold onto him the entire time until one of us says the storm has passed. Your legs can't handle standing on their own and even if you could stand, you don't have your sea legs. We can't risk you losing your balance and ramming into a wall or the floor, or worse some furniture and tearing open your skin. I'm still too weak to use my healing flames to do anything other than relive some of your pain so it could be catastrophic, and you'd definitely be bedridden in the infirmary for weeks.”
My breathing got heavy but Marco didn't let me get too far into my panic.
“Breathe, Baby Bird. Ace will keep you safe, you just have to be in his arms for him to do that, understand?”
“Y-yes.”
Marco smiles a genuine smile.
“You’ll stay with Ace?”
“I’ll stay with Ace.”
He smiles and brings my marred hands to his lips, giving each knuckle feather light kisses only a doctor could manage..
“Marco! Stop! My hands are disgusting, they're still all torn and bloodie! At least cover them with the bandages first!"
Marco looked at me like I had kicked Stefan but Marco didn't give me the chance react before he lifted me by my hips and plopped me down so I was completely laying down on the bed as he climbed on top of me before I could even blink as he was straddling my hips and completely encompassing me with his wide frame. His lips practically pressed onto mine. His forearms on either side of my head, forcing me to look him in his eyes.
I didn't even have time to be embarrassed that I was pretty much nude underneath him before he spoke.
“I will tolerate many things, (Y/N) but I will not tolerate my patients badmouthing themself, especially when they have only just started healing. Especially when it's my favorite patient”
I gasped as Marco moved his face from right above me to the side of my head, his lips resting on the shell of my ear.
“I have seen wounds far worse than yours, Baby Bird. If I hear you, or hear that you bad mouthed your appearance while healing again, I'll have to do something I may regret.”
I nodded, my throat closing tightly around any words I would have wanted to say.
“Good.”
Marco kissed the back of my ear before he finally sat up, but he still didn't get off me. Just keeping me pinned under his hips without actually putting his weight on me, which I was grateful for. He'd probably break all my bones.
He gently grabbed my arm, starting to wrap the bandage from my fingers up my arm till it reached my shoulder, repeating the process on my other arm. Once he was satisfied that I was thoroughly wrapped up he kissed my hands, his lips lingering on my hands and he stared into my eyes, clearly making his point.
Once he was satisfied with the redness of my face he got up off me and the bed, helping me sit up and putting my clothes back on.
His hands rested on my neck giving it a light squeeze right before his smile faded.
“Did you only take the pain meds this morning?’
I hummed before nodding.
“Do you have your meds on you?”
“Yeah,”
I pulled the three bottles from my pocket, showing him.
“I want you to take a muscle relaxer, you're very tense. That is not good for healing, it'll help relieve the pain as well.”
“Oh?”
I hadn't even noticed how uptight I was.
Marco plucked the blue bottle from my hand, undoing the top and taking out a pill and holding it to my lips.
I opened obediently and he placed the pill on my tongue, pulling out his own water bottle from his pockets that seemed to be neverending and helped me swallow the pill.
“Does everyone have a water bottle on them?”
He nodded,
“I make everyone carry them, the last thing I want to deal with is a bunch of dehydrated and sunstocked pirates every minute of every day.”
I nodded. Smart.
“Now, let's go find Ace before that storm starts, I'd bet anything that he's tormenting everyone in the galley right about now. That is if he's not already passed out into his plate.”
I counted help but giggle at his words as Marco carefully picked me up and started walking back down to the galley to find the aforementioned living bon fire.