Ace... [His eyes are tearing up and he leans his head against Ace's, as if they can share their thoughts through a physical osmosis.]

He wouldn't have even been alive to say that much, if you hadn't protected him like you did. If Pops had done that for you, would you have reacted differently than Luffy? I-it's not like you could have saved him otherwise... you just...

[Marco's starting to break, his voice getting less than solid and the tears threatening to take him over.]