fierybluebird | [Voice / Written]

[Blue flames all over in an instant as Marco overreacts.] OI YOURSELF! [Hybrid form with a leg ready to-- Oh it's Ace.]

You're in a good mood. [Sets down the groceries and HUGS him.] Sorry. I'm still here, eh? Just... [Tips Ace's hat over his eyes so he can't see Marco's frown.] Delayed. But I'm serious, you're not getting rid of me that easily.

You okay?

[He's about to flip him off for almost picking a fight, but then he was hugged. Oh. Okay, yeah, that's a lot better. He'll just hug back very, very tightly.] I've got a reason to be in one. And hell, who said I wanted you gone...

[And how about we ignore the question of how he's been, mhm, yes.]

[Hugs tight.]

Did you go see your brother? How have you been eating? Getting out enough? [Mother hen mode get!]

[He smiles a little into Marco, relieved to hear his usual barrage of concerning questions.]

O-oi, slow down. Yeah, I visited them a few times. And I got out plenty. [Eating, well... topic change! He looks up at him, clearly worried.]

How about you? You didn't sound that great earlier.

[Tugs that hat down again and glances away, going back to his grocery bags.]

I'm fine, eh?

[He pushes his hat back up, and gives him a disbelieving look.]

Uh-huh, sure. You don't really think I'll believe that, do you?

[He's a little testier than usual.]

Eh? No idea what you mean. How's your sleep been? [Deadpan.]

[...he's very tempted to punch you and call you out on your bullshit.]

If I tell you, will you talk?

[Eyes flare blue, a little annoyed, half-tempted to tell Ace off, but nakama... he can do better than this.]

Sorry. Been a rough month for us both, eh? I'll talk over dinner. For now, I'll listen, all right?

[He shakes his head and smiles, just a little.]

It's fine. As long as you know. [...now Ace has the difficulty of being honest. And if Marco's going to, he should, too. He shoves his hands in his pockets and sighs, looking at the ground.]

I... haven't been sleeping much. Or. Eating, really.

[One-armed hug that switches into a wing.]

Continuance from before I left or something else?

[He leans into the wing, taking in every bit of the warmth. Goddamn he missed it.]

Well, I was getting better. But... then you left and I just... I got really lonely.

Sorry. [He's frustrated. Ace needed nakama, after all those months of hanging out with his brother instead and then Marco wasn't there. To say it wasn't fair was too childish, and didn't cover the scope of it.]

You've got me now, eh? Anything you feel like eating? I'll make enough that even you get stuffed.

[He shakes his head again.] It's not your fault. Damn Malnosso...

[Suddenly, the though of food sounds like a wonderful idea. He smiles up at him.] Meat. And anything else.

Meat and veggies. Maybe bread if I have enough time with you falling asleep in the middle of it. [Sticks his tongue out teasingly and tugs that one wing around Ace's shoulders close.]

I'm glad to be back, kid.

That sounds good. [Whether he means the food or falling asleep, we don't know. He smiles, throwing an arm around Marco.]

I'm really glad you're back.

Good. Because you're stuck with me. [Ruffles and heads back to their place, for once, not switching to phoenix and offering a ride.] So other than not eat or sleep, what'd you do to keep busy? Any fires I have to look into paying damages for?

[He tries to look annoyed, but he's still too happy for that.]

I didn't burn anything down! I visited Luffy's place, went up to the hot springs, just kinda relaxed.

But there was a really weird shift. Everyone kept falling in love. Luffy thought he had a girlfriend.

Hot springs huh? Sounds nice.

Yeah? Not a real one, I take it. [He doesn't realize how incapable of having a girlfriend Luffy really is.]

It was really nice! We should go some time.

[He shakes his head.] Nah, he just thought he was dating her. Geez, that'll be the day.

Yeah? I'm not usually much of one for sinking up to my neck in water, but maybe.

Oh? Is this a big brother worrying about the youngest getting a girl ahead of him, or something else?

You can go only waist deep if you want.

Wha-- no! Luffy just doesn't see girls that way.

Nah, I'll just make sure to stay near the ledges and make sure you don't fall asleep and drown, eh.

Bats for the other team? [Ruffles. Damn it, he was just teasing. Go back to happy!]

Oi, I didn't fall asleep once while I was there!

Oi oi! [He just gives up on being annoyed and laughs.]

That just means you're due.

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