fierybluebird | [Voice / Written]

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[Voice / Written]

Yo. I'm back. Longest month of my life, including that time I dyed my hair black.

Did anyone remember to water and feed Ace while I was gone? Take him for walks and make sure he got sun and all that?

[There's a pause and the fluttering of wings along with a mutter.] Damn this new book system is strange... [But he speaks back up again trying to sound more chipper.]

So what did I miss? Did the entire landscape change? Any new books about pirates at the library, eh?

[For those who know him well, Marco actually sounds pretty exhausted for a change, and lacking some of his usual ridiculousness.]

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[It was a pretty fun experiment, and a hilarious experience. Norma even still has her adorable dragon costume stuffed away all neat in her closet.]

Jeez, how can you stand it?

[She loves him, really. Really.]

[Freezes momentarily.]

Hey. I always bounce back, eh?

[Yup. Nothing permanent. And he grins and tousles Ace's hair.] Piece of cake. [But his eyes aren't so filled with mirth.]

[Laughs.]

Are you kidding? I love it. I wouldn't change a hair on his fiery head.

[He wrinkles his nose at the tousle, but just stares at Marco.]

...mn. [He's not buying it.] Marco, you said you would talk to me.

They tested my haki and regeneration limitations. [Hollow empty tone. it's obviously lacking some of his usual deadpan mirth.] I guess I should be flattered that it took so long, eh? [Very deadpan, but that some of his joking tone back.]

I am all right now, that I promise.

[His eyes widen with anger and grits his teeth. He clenches his fists hard, and the air around him was becoming distorted from the heat being given off by his body.]

Those goddamn bastards...

Easy there kiddo. [Rests a hand on Ace's head soothingly.] I can take care of myself. Besides, they didn't know what they were doing. I didn't even have a clue to my limits before. Now I can go full out against their barrier instead of having to guess so much how much I could do, eh?

Rather stupid of them, really.

If you'd ask me, you're lucky to have missed out.

[ Because even if the situation she ended up in for Valentine's wasn't really bad, it was horribly embarassing all the same. ]

That bad? What happened?

[Poor thing.]

[He takes a few deep breaths to calm down, and lets out a sigh.] Figures they'd do something stupid. Knowing you limits is good, just wish it didn't have to be like that.

[He mumbles something, but Marco won't be able to make out what he says.]

Yeah I know. [One-armed hug for Ace's shoulders. Actually, he feels better even just knowing Ace is up in arms over his defense. It's stupid, but it's nice to have someone to come home too to protect him like that. It's why he trusts his brothers with everything. Sure he has to protect all 1600 of them, but it's never really a burden, because they protect him right back.]

What was that? I did't catch the last part.

[He smiles up a little, though it's sad. He lowers his gaze before replying.]

I'm pissed I always have to just sit and wait while you guys get hurt. I'm sick of feeling like I can't protect you.

[Tugs him into a glomp and messes with his hair.]

Freckles, you're holding me together just by being here. Family doesn't keep tabs on these things; who helps who more. You help in ways you don't even realize, that's all that matters.

It's not about keeping tabs... I just wish I could do more for you guys after everything you've done for me.

[He just him back.] But... if I'm helping you now, then that's good.

Edited 2012-02-20 23:50 (UTC)

You are an idiot. [Pets him softly.] And we wish we could have done more for you, so it's even.

You help me a ton kid. Tell you what. An offer I've never made anyone. [Not even his Pops because he would never want to worry his Pops :<] You tell me what's going wrong and I'll tell you. And we'll each trust the other to handle it, got it?

[But if someone in Luceti hurts Ace; Marco will kill them. Just... getting that out of the way now.]

You guys... you all did way more than you think.

[Ace looks up at him with wide eyes. He half thinks he misheard him because of his sleepiness.]

Seriously? [He nods and smiles.] Okay, I'll take that offer.

Yeah, I figure I can't protect you here by lying to you. [But he's relieved Ace is surprised, because it means Ace gets that it won't be easy for Marco to say a word sometimes. And he knocks Ace's hat over his eyes. To be a pain.]

But likewise, I can't help you if you're lying and saying you're fine if you're not, got it? I promise, no matter how bad you think it is, if I can handle yours and Pops deaths in the same day, I can handle anything you throw my way. Agreed?

[D'aaw, Marco. Norma smiles a kind of fond, goofy smile and lets loose a quiet, airy chuckle. That's...true. As stupid, jerkish, and troublesome as Ace was sometimes, she'd never change a thing about him.]

Well...I guess I can agree with that a little bit. Hothead sure comes in handy in this gross weather for sure!

No, you really can't. [Being blunt always works. He pushes the hat back up, but stops midway. He stays silent for a while before looking up and nodding.]

Okay, I will.

[Blunt is what Marcos do best. And Flying. And Sparkling. No one can out sparkle Marco.]

You better, because you're damn obvious as it is. [Pokes both of Ace's cheeks at once.]

[And then you wonder why Marco ships Norma with Ace now....]

That's just his devil fruit. There's a lot to him.

[He just gives him an annoyed look.]

I am not. And stop poking my cheeks, I'm not ten.

That right? How about you let me in on a few juicy secrets then, hm? Pretty, pretty pleaaase?

[Oh, Norma knows there's more to Ace. He's sweet, kind, and caring - but he's also stubborn, sassy, and bullheaded. That's probably why Norma liked him so much - so many points in his personality reminded her own people back home, yet he was still that one unique individual she cared so much about. Why else would she go to such lengths to track him down that one time? The idiot...

They had a lot of fun yesterday, though. Norma's glad for it. Fruit or not, spending time with one of her best friends - someone almost like family - is a great thing. One of the only good things that came of this week. ...That is, if Marco doesn't share some sleaze on his bestie. Ohoho~]

You are so obvious. And I wouldn't poke them if you were 10. [It's funnier now that you're twice that.]

Oh god I can't... he'd kill me.

Ask him about April Fools' on the Moby Dick though. It might get the kind of reaction you're hoping for.

And you can call him Freckles. He hates that.

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