fierybluebird | [Appointment Post / Voicemail]

[He keeps petting, but his frown deepens a bit. Why do you bother lying, Marco. He can tell it's hiding. Isn't it obvious when you're left to feel alone... If he were speaking with Marco and suddenly hid under a blanket, it would be the same thing.]

...No? [You don't think it is, Marco? He said that very quietly though, just thinking.]

[Leans up and gives a phoenix kiss and nuzzle to the side of Japan's face.]

Cheep. [Glances away as though expecting a scolding.]

[ADORABLE... Japan thinks so too but, he's super thoughtful right now. About a lot of things.

Like what Marco's thinking gosh... ...So he's quiet for now, just giving Marco a look and then glancing away.]

[Snuggles more, a lot more comfortable like this and draws a wing up to Japan's face to tilt him back to look at Marco.]

Kreee~?

[Okay he'll look to him... Still petting though.]

Do you think there will be a point that you accept the way things are? [He means... That Ace is dead. Or maybe that he won't feel the same as Marco does... Knowing it is different than accepting right? And from that call the other day that he totally stalked, neither Ace or Marco had accepted it yet.

Which was fine. It was hard to after all... But.

Japan has no idea how to approach this at all gdklg]

[Switches back into human and topples Japan backwards, still sitting on top of him.]

I know he's dead. I was at the funeral. I watched Akainu punch him through the back while Ace tried to protect Luffy because I was stupid and got myself trapped in seastone. I went to that battle knowing there was a chance we'd fail, and came out of it the worst I'd felt in my life. I know how it is to lose the two best things you love most in the same day, powerless to stop it, powerless to change the passing of time, and scared that it'd be impossible to save the rest of the crew. I know I can't bring Ace home. I can't. I can do almost anything Bushido, but there are some things no one can.

[Leans his head against Japan's.] But so long as he's alive here, I'll protect him with my all. It doesn't make up for it, and I will still lose him again. If not to wounds, then just to time. But I still have no regrets. I love him for who he is. I joined my father even knowing he'd pass away first. That is why I call him Pops, he once told me it was a terrible thing for parents to have to watch their children die before them. And even before Marineford, he was sick and I knew I'd lose him someday. That is just how it is. But I wouldn't change them for anything. I want to see Ace's happiness here. Whether it's settling down and having kids in some other world with a girl from another planet; or conquering a whole new world. I want to be by his side. That is the way in which I love him.

[Shifts his jaw and runs a hand down Japan's face, blue eyes bright with mixed emotions.] You are different. [His adam's apple just throbs, itching to explain that, but after so much coming out, stuck all over again.]

Uwah--!

[That was a bit startling, but after the initial shock, he just listened. There was so much to think in response to that. Right, that was how he loved Ace, of course... It was still sad, though. And he didn't know how to help--

That hand and next statement though got his heart to skip a beat. He probably turns noticeably pink, but he just stares back for a moment.]

Different? [...He can't help but want to hear that too.]

[Leans in closer and kisses.] Different.

I would never let anyone or anything come between me and Ace, but this is not that. I can't love Ace more deeply, but everything you do I love more and more. For you I'll take you to my world or go to yours. I'll make sure the only loneliness you feel is of your own design, and even then I'll come get you and make you share it with me. So long as you don't give up, neither will I.

[Leans his head against Japan's again, unable to look at him for this.] Don't ask what I planned to do when my family was all gone, but you're the only one who gave me hope for something more.

...

[He's pretty sure that he's as red as a tomato... And that he's forgotten how to breathe. He can only stare straight ahead and repeat those words over and over. He wonders if Marco knows how much he feels the same...

Marco wants to know someone wants him, too, right? That's all Japan can think. And while he could ramble on thoughts in his mind, there was no way he could be blunt for so long to admit all of that in return. But... there was one, terribly blunt thing that could show that, right?]

Marco... [A pause. He had never... ...] I-... ah, that is to say... You... ...

[There's a longer pause. This is extremely difficult to say. To... admit, even.]

I love you.

[Just cradles Japan's face in both hands and tries to work out what to say, the words, any of it and gives up and kisses him again, mumbling it several times in phoenix until shakily whispering back, barely audible at all.] Love you too...

[He kisses him back, thoughts spinning. This was so different...]

Marco is always by Ace-kun's side... [Ace has to know that. Even if Marco's not there physically, he's really there for him. Ace has to know that.]

He will find happiness. ...Ah, so...

Ah... yes... I still don't want to-- [To what? Worry all the time? Feel random jealousy he's not allowed to and has to pretend isn't there? Cheat on Ace when they're not even exclusive? Wait for Ace to decide what he wants from Marco? All of it is a mess and Marco blames no one but himself, and yet still no regrets.]

If this hurts him... [Then Marco will find a way to make sure it doesn't. No matter what.] I know I can't protect him just by pretending to be fine when it's not, aye? [Tentatively kisses Japan again. It's so much different form what he's used to. Less feelings of brotherly affection spilling over, and somehow so much more needy than Marco has ever felt. Because he does need Japan, and Marco isn't used to needing any one person alone specifically. Not like this. And perhaps that's his mistake, perhaps that's why he's fallen so much harder than he expected he could. And yet...] No regrets. Look after him with me?

[He leans up a bit, into that kiss. He briefly wonders if he would be nearly so impulsive at any other point in his life. Easily influenced or not, what was this willingness to do such blunt things? For Marco's sake? Or...

Did it matter? Maybe he was just being himself. Underneath it all...]

No regrets. [He eyes Marco searchingly. Right, he couldn't help Ace like that. And if he was worried... Japan could understand. He didn't want to suggest bringing it up to Ace bluntly. He didn't know what to suggest. He knew what he wanted, and maybe that was selfish...]

Of course. [He'd look after Ace with Marco. Of course he would. They were all nakama. He had learned that he could experience that word... And more? Was this more? The hotness on his face had spread to the rest of his body. He was incredibly nervous, yet a bit... excited? This new sort of feeling was strange but not unwelcomed. Surely it wasn't wrong to be so curious...

He didn't know how Ace felt. He didn't want to guess, and he didn't want to force it one way or the other but... He really couldn't help it. He was never good at resisting temptation, after all. And with Marco saying it before so clearly...?

He moved his hands to the sides of Marco's face, now, going for a deeper kiss. No regrets... This was the sort of thing he had been striving to feel. He shouldn't... be ashamed, then, right?]

[Marco grinned at the ready answer. He didn't explain it, nor could he have, but trusting someone with Ace's life, with Ace's well-being meant far more to Marco than trusting someone with himself. It's why he was willing to call Japan and Seifer nakama at all in the first place.

The deeper kiss didn't exactly take him by surprise, but it took him a few seconds to figure it out and return it as quickly as he could. He moved to trail a small line of kisses along Japan's jaw and up to his ear, nibbling softly at the shell, whispering gently inside.] Love you Bushido. [It seems a lot easier this time.]

[Easier for Marco, maybe, but Japan heats up at that. He didn't think it was possible to. He shifts in embarrassment, turning his head to the side, but doesn't move away. Instead, there's a very quiet, very shy mumble.] Y-you too...

[Using 'you' is very intimate in comparison to names. He's not sure if Marco knows, but he does it for himself. He tends to only use it if he's being very personal, or very... scolding or teaching. Anyway, Japan is incredibly embarrassed now... But not unhappy. He slides his hands away from the sides of Marco's face to rest on his shoulders, by his neck, though he's still looking away.]

[Grins happily and gently pets Japan's hair. He wants to take it further, but as he keeps reminding himself, he's got time. And he suspects time is a better way to handle Ace with this than explosions.] Just never forget, eh? [Kisses down Japan's neck with small nips and slides a hand over Japan's clothes, down his chest.]

Of course not... [His tone is more gentle now, and he slides his hands slowly from Marco's shoulders down his arms. So much physical contact, and he was okay with it. More than okay with it. Of course he had to realize about Ace, as well...]

You do not, either, then. [He adds, eyes flicking to Marco as he forces himself not to shy away from those nips. Embarrassing, but with Marco somehow it was okay...]

Of course matey. It's a promise.

[Eases off of the nibbling and pulls back with a small shiver down his spine.] Watch the stars with me?

[He smiles a bit. Watching the stars with someone else sounded really nice.]

I would enjoy that.

Good. We can make up constellation stories. [Snuggles around him as a half phoenix.]

[a soft chuckle]

That sounds quite nice... perhaps Marco should go first.

Eh? I'm too embarrassed. [Nudge.] You first.

Hahhh? It is so rare for Marco to be embarrassed, and yet he pushes this on me?

[He's teasing...]

Of course! I'm very selfish. [Snuggles and rubs his scruffy cheeks against Japan's.]

... [Cute uwahh scruff but wow saying it like that. Japan's just going to pull this then.]

I am not sure if I can be so creative in my old age...

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action

August 2nd; action