Based on One Piece chapter 909

Little ideal sequel of my story "Time Frames"

(you can also read it as a stand-alone)

*

Nekomamushi tilted his head, golden mane lightly waving in the wind.

«If I trust my old whiskers – and I do – Wano will be a mess, goronao. Having you there would have been pretty comfortable.»

He rubbed his wound, before continuing.

«But I understand. You have something you must protect.»

A small smile spread on Marco's lips.

«Thank you, Nekomamushi. Actually, I wasn't expecting you to give up so soon-yoi.»

The giant cat shrugged.

«Nah, I don't plan to overdo it there. This age belongs to the new hatchlings.»

Marco chuckled.

«You're right.»

A fresh breeze wiped the grass, bringing the aroma of new flowers in the air.

Kids and meek sphinxes were playing around on the hill.

One thing was clear to the mink the very moment he set foot on that idyllic place: everyone was relying heavily on Marco, there. And, if Blackbeard was to attack, by no mean those people could survive.

His eyes quietly drank the peaceful scene. It reminded him of Zou, somehow, though his people were never so vulnerable.

The kids suddenly clumped around a new figure that was walking down the hill.

Nekomamushi sharpened his fine eyes.

«Hey Marco.»

«Hm?»

«Who's that woman? I feel like I've seen her before.»

The blond sat beside him tilted his head and rubbed his nape.

«Well, yeah, actually.» he mumbled.

Catching a tinge of embarrassment in his voice, the cat turned to his friend.

You stopped among the kids with a grin, patting someone of the head, giving a sweet to some other. Then you looked at them and waved.

A first thing clicked in Nekomamushi's head: there was a queen-size bed in Marco's house.

You got closer, and feline eyes searched your features, features he knew, even if he couldn't grasp where he saw you already.

Once you noticed him, your eyes widened.

«Neko-chan?!»

He blinked.

Neko-chan.

There was one person and one person only who ever called him that.

Many years before, a child on Whitebeard's ship.

He jumped on his feet.

«[Y/n]?!»

«Oh my god!»

You ran towards him and dived in his soft fur, just like you used to do when you were a little kid.

His body was warm and comfortable as you remembered. Such a vicious warrior, such a giant cuddly monster.

«[Y/n]! Garchu!» he chimed in happiness, hugging you with his good arm.

«It's been forever!» you cried, holding him.

«I didn't expect to find you here.»

He let you down gently.

«What happened to your arm?» you gasped, noticing his chomped limb.

He shrugged your concern away.

«Long story, not so interesting anyway.»

Nekomamushi took a step back to properly observe you.

«I can't believe this is you... the little girl always hiding behind Marco's legs! You became a wonderful woman.»

«Stop it.» you muttered, a light dust spreading to your cheeks «You didn't change at all!»

«Haven't I? Goronao!» he laughed.

Marco stood quietly beside him, leaving you two the time to catch up.

It was natural for you to look for his eyes and smile, receiving his warm smile back. Even after years, your heart raced a bit at that sight.

«Wait a second.»

You both glanced at Nekomamushi, and you saw a glimpse of concern in Marco's gaze.

«Waaaaait a second.» the cat repeated, as realization slowly hit him «Marco. Don't tell me that you two...»

«Hem...»

The man averted his eyes.

«No way!» the mink blurted «What...! How...? She's just a kid!»

«I'm not.» you replied, with a surprised frown.

«Yes you are! You're like, this tall!»

He moved his paws about three feet from the ground.

«Yeah, twenty years ago!»

«Marco, you saw her growing, for fuck's sake!»

«I...» he shook his head «I understand your disappointment-yoi.»

«I don't!» you interrupted, stepping between them «I know your last memory of me was a child shuffling behind Whitebeard's first commander, but look! I'm a woman now.»

You smiled at him, but one of your eyebrows was lifted in challenge.

«Do you want to get between a woman and the man she loves?»

Nekomamushi studied you, before moving his focus to Marco.

«I love her.» he quietly said from behind you.

Even if you couldn't see him, goose bumps ran down your neck.

«Ever since she became a woman, I repressed my feelings. But, after what happened to Pops and Ace, I just couldn't do it anymore.»

The mink's eyes softened at those words. He looked at you again.

«Are you happy, child?»

«I am.»

«I see.»

He placed his large paw on your head.

«I understand you have more than one treasure to protect, Marco.»

Nekomamushi left the village to set sail to Wano shortly after.

You could tell his visit touched Marco by the way he was behaving.

There was nothing strange in it, but some small details were changed, like the way he rearranged the dishes after dinner, or how he got lost staring out of the window.

«Hey.»

Your hand travelled on his shoulder while the other caressed his cheek.

He closed his eyes, leaning in the touch.

Your thumb ran along his cheek.

«You made the right choice. Pops' village needs you here.»

He hummed.

Your eyes landed on the tattoo on his chest.

A small frown wrinkled your forehead.

«What?» he asked. A suspicious look lingered on his face.

«I can go to Wano.»

You observed his half-lidded eyes slowly opening wide.

«No.»

«Listen–»

«No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no.»

«But–»

He put two fingers on your lips.

«No-yoi.»

You sighed and moved his hand away.

«Marco, you always worry about the possibility of Teach or Weevil coming here, don't you?»

«Of course I do.» he scoffed, fingers lacing around your arms «Teach snatched you away once, and he will try again.»

«Then send me away.»

«I'm not gonna send you to another Emperor's lair-yoi!»

You stood on your toe and placed a light kiss on his lips.

«I don't wanna leave you either. But Teach is not going to chase me to Kaido's land, he doesn't have the power for it. And I can take care of things there for you.»

He observed you for a while, before removing his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose.

You frowned.

«What?»

«I knew this time would come-yoi. I had my fair share of adventures out there, but you... this is your time to shine. And who am I to stop you?»

«Marco, I'm not saying this...»

He grabbed your shoulders and locked his eyes with yours.

«Just promise me.»

He leaned his forehead to yours.

«You go to Wano, you join whatever craziness Strawhat is going to do there, you do all you have to-yoi. But you come back to me.»

A small smile bent your mouth.

«I'll always come back to you, Marco.»

He stared at you for a few seconds before taking a deep breath.

«Fine.»

«And you keep this place safe till I return.»

«I will.»

«Good.»

He kissed you, softly at first, but he soon craved for more.

You were out of breath and your face flushed when you broke the contact.

«What are you-WAH!»

He threw you on the bed without many ceremonies.

A sly smirk crawled on his collected face.

«Now you seal the promise.»

A delicious squeeze hit you down there.

«Obviously.»

*

I got challenged to do something cheesy, since I'm always on angst, and that's what you end up with. Sorry.