fierybluebird | [Appointment Post / Voicemail]

[Softens his voice to a much lower quiet.]

You think I don't know that? But you're my nakama, there isn't anything you have to hold back from me if you don't want to. [Damn he was waffling again. Should he not give Japan room to run? Japan knew not to give Marco that space, but Marco couldn't bring himself to be that forceful. Not yet at least.]

[As the sad leaks in to be stronger than the angry, Japan turns his back on Marco and just places a hand on the counter nearby. Confusion, too... He didn't want to hold anything back. But he didn't know how not to.

He didn't even know how to say that... And so he stood there silently, staring at some spot on the ground in front of him and trying to think up words.]

[Marco got back up and walked over to join Japan with an arm around his shoulders.]

Start with Shiki. She doesn't seem to give a fuck that you're her country. Or maybe even hates you for it? And you miss home, ne? Tell me about that.

Or you can punch me in the jaw. [A small grin and points to it. It's his way of trying to make amends for having to go so blunt. If he has crossed the line; not letting Japan hide away like an emotional hikikomori; if that's a mistake, then he can at least try to repair that as well.] Square on, eh? I can take it.

[He glances at that hand as it goes around his shoulders. Shiki... and home. Is that what Marco has so far?

But that offer. There's a pause.]

[AND THEN.

HE DOES IT. Punches him right in the jaw and huffs and stares...]

...

I told Marco... not to allow me to seclude. ...What sort of way were you thinking? What sort of ways have you been avoiding? I have been feeling quite lonely, you realize...

Please do not accept things like "it is fine" and "please do not worry" when that is not the case! M-making me be so blunt...! My old heart cannot handle this sort of thing!

[A long pause.

And then as if he had only just realized what he did, NERVOUS FLAILY]

F-f-forgive me for just now! I did not think... Ah...

[Another longer pause this time.]

[So that's how it was? Marco hesitated slightly. Thatch had always tried to make him address discussing things better, casual mentions of "girls", and most girlfriends Marco had had in the past, had the same problem. But even with all that... He'd made sure Japan was still going outside, and he was in the apartment to make sure he wouldn't just fall into old habits once more. Much like Marco's own problem. He lets it quickly tumble around mentally to make sure he's getting all of it.]

[The whole thing is rather cute though. From the hard punch to the words and yelling and then apologetic flailing. Marco rubs his jaw gently and bends down to give Japan a quick kiss.]

Do not think I was fooled by your claims that you were fine. I never was, not even once. It's almost insulting to think you think I could be. [Still a small grin breaks through his deadpan anyway. Aha, so in a weird way, this was still alike for the both of them. Marco ran and hid from such conversations, but so did Japan. Still, they needed to support each other. Okay. So long as it was for Japan Marco knew he could do anything. Even that.] You're not old. [Shoves his forehead. But barely lets him fall back before tugging him into a hug again.] I'm sorry for make you suffer in silence before. [He almost half jokes that he wanted to see how long it would take, but even that is too much bad timing for him.]

I shall forevermore be horribly blunt and invasive and look through all your thoughts, just as I allow you to search mine, eh? [A small bow and smirk as he referenced Japan's habit of stalking his comm, and his ~~diary~~ manly captain's log journal.] Thank you for this honor which I'm sure will never be bestowed on anyone else. [There was a small edge to his voice, one that seemed to say "it better not be."]

...

[So he had noticed? As one who claimed that reading the atmosphere was his hobby... He had always been so convinced that he was alone that anyone who knew what he was thinking and told him what it was must have been a mind reader. Yes, he had convinced himself that...

He flushes at the horribly blunt and invasive part. DID HE HAVE TO WORD IT.... HORRIBLY BLUNT LIKE THAT!! Okay no but he loved it. Ah Japan your mind I swear...]

Y-you were not...? [fooled he means] ...Why was nothing said?!

[and in an added mumble] It is not as if anyone else could...

[A small frown.] Of course not. Eh, you're not fooled when I hide either. [Wow Japan, forcing Marco to admit out lout to himself AND someone else that he does that. This is just awkward blunt day for both of them.]

I was trying to be polite.

[While sadly there is only a very special world in which not calling someone on their emotional evasiveness and hurt feelings is "polite," that world is Marco's. Sure he can be blunt while teasing, but not in refusing to let his friends have their facades. Even to be at this level took some doing.] Ah... mon ami... [Yes, he said that in French. To make Japan swoon. ~~Though that only would work in his head; the same place letting someone suffer through their own inability to address problem is just good manners.~~] Did you truly think I would let you seclude even like that? You are never alone. I am always an arm's length away. I just didn't want to force you too much.

[Rubs the back of his neck.] Che. Everything you say means no. Why should "Everything is fine" not be the same? It means no. Mah, it's cute though. [Kisses Japan's cheek. Let it never be said Marco's taste strays from "high-maintenance" and frankly, completely fucked up.] I suppose I have been a bit evil though. Sometimes I like to ask things I know you want to say yes to, just to see how you'll try not to say no to it. [He is the worst. Though, to be fair, this also means, other times he just tries to surprise Japan with good things so he won't have to say no or yes to it.]

[Japan is actually really startled right now. Marco was understanding, and he had just... ...What. So was he the one misunderstanding here?

He was so used to people honestly not understanding him that that's all that he could assume. And the fact that Marco had known, simply not said anything, that Japan was feeling lonely when he didn't have to... That he had considered Marco too good to be true a lot of the time, so surely his not understanding him was the exception-- but now it wasn't there?

BASICALLY he is extremely embarrassed and doesn't feel on top of this situation at all. Someone can really match in all of these areas...?

HE SORT OF WANTS TO PICK APART THAT LAST SENTENCE OF MARCO'S. Accuse him of being cruel or react to it in some way to try and fall back into this conversation, but he's still caught on "Marco understands" so he'll just be standing there looking completely startled and a bit red LMFAO.]

I just didn't think I should call you on it, eh? I'm sorry.

Ahh... I thought pretending to be okay might help you get there... like how I just about never call Ace on his fake smiles, eh? We're nakama. You think I can't tell? [Gives him a gentle hug from behind.] Tell me what to do. Do you want me to leave you like that?

...I do not.

[He doesn't want to be left like that, no. And he never admits that, SO MAKE NOTE OF IT MARCO. He is being forward here.]

After two hundred lonely years... I wonder why I still have not learned how to reach out to people. It seems that when I try, I only manage to push them away. So... Ah, I do not want to push Marco away.

Oh... [Hugs tighter.]

You can't push me away. I promised, didn't I? So long as even a shred of you still wants me around, I'll find my way back to you. On a star or whatever it takes. I'll fight for you, eh? [Ruffles.]

All right. Tell me what's on your mind then, eh? If I can't fix it, I can listen.

[He hesitates, and then leans into that hug.]

Ah... thank you, Marco. [pause.]

There is much on my mind... Perhaps I should make some tea first.

You want help with that? [A small smirk. Another thing he expects a "no" to even if it means yes.]

T-that is not necessary! [aka UGUUU MARCO WOULD YOU REALLY, SPARKLES AND APRONS AND UWAHHH KITCHEN

yeah]

Oho... Another no when you want yes. [SMIRKS and taps Japan's nose, helping him make tea and sparkles slightly. Because he fucking can.]

[Ooooh sparkles ooh mr marco ooh

So Japan feels like a kid right now. But in this case it's not necessarily a bad thing. Just. Embarrassed. Sort of... curious. Honestly a lot of his worries about himself and Marco were just erased, and now he's not sure what that means. Can it really be a red string? ...Hm.

Anyway they're still making tea when he speaks.]

...I often like to speak over tea. Ah... so... Perhaps we could do this more often.

Is once a day too often? We can set aside time just for this. No matter what's going on. That way you don't have to worry alone anymore. [Being blunt. He enjoys it.]

[...Japan enjoys when Marco is blunt too. SOB. But oh gosh, once a day, he loves that...........]

Ah... that would be nice.

[... That icon. Are you trying to give him a nosebleed?]

I'm glad then. And I won't let you escape.

October 3rd; action

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October 3rd; action moe :P 1/3

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October 3rd; action this is going nicely ;w;

October 3rd; action -- lol is this nice? ;;

October 3rd; action -- IT IS it is solving Japan's foreveralone.jpg

October 3rd; action -- ;; moe

October 3rd; action -- XD huff

October 3rd; action -- XDD :3

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