fierybluebird | [voice]

[voice]

[Marco's voice starts off cheerfully enough.]

Hey everyone, I think I found the place where the cave-in for the train-thing is. The currents here are pretty weird so if we can get ... some ... strong swimmers then...

[He starts trailing off, obviously seeing something.] Pops...? [His voice is quiet, barely audible. It's not possible, he knows it's not, he watched the man die. So it's just like Luffy's food and an illusion. Has to be. But then it gets stronger.] POPS!! [He starts running, sandals hitting the wood of the deck.] Pops... [This time he just sounds anguished. And then suddenly there's a splash. Uh where did Marco go?]

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[Staring over the side of the boat now. God damn it Marco w;A;w By which I mean he THROWS OFF HIS JACKET!!!

Okay I'm ruining a moment here. Japan jumps into the lake!!]

[Marco would be grateful if he were a little more conscious. Right now he's flashing back to Marineford and still seeing his Pops' corpse, and this is not a good day for him. Also drowning. But he's so shook up, he barely notices that.]

[BE GRATEFUL LATER but snap out of it Marco!

Once he's adjusted to the water, he's moving to grab Marco's arm and give it a yank up with him...]

[And up he goes, gasping for air the minute they surface.]

Pops... he was... [No words. No words could possibly express that. He wants to go after him still and he keeps reminding himself, dead is dead, and Marco has orders not to follow that far.]

[Frowning, Japan moves to hold him close as he tries to find the boat again. And once he does, they are heading that way.]

It is something you must let go. This place is... cruel...

I can't. I can't! It's my Pops!

[Sort of struggling now and straining over Japan to get a good look at the fading body.]

M-marco!

[Japan is sort of tiny in comparison to Marco THIS IS HARD ENOUGH WITHOUT THE STRUGGLING. He finally pauses and grabs Marco's face to force him to look at him.]

That is not him! Even if it was... [It wasn't anymore, right. It was just a body SO SNAP OUT OF IT.]

[Just starts crying.] Right... 'm sorry. [Stills. He's not sure what to do in the water.] I can't swim...

There is no need to apologize.

[Oh your manry tears make him sad Marco. ;; But anyway he hugs him close and then tugs Marco's arm around his shoulder before swimming for the boat.]

I know... Ah, but I can, so please hold on.

[Hugs and just buries his face in Japan's neck. He doesn't want to think or really feel right now.]

[He'll stay silent as he swims to the boat and then he'll help Marco up onto the deck. He's distressed himself, but it was over Marco jumping in like that and scaring the crap out of him more than anything.]

Why... Why would they just... [Grabs the rope and tries to shake of the water and tug Japan up too.]

[Once he's up on the deck with Marco and stuff...]

This place seems to take pleasure in things like this. [There's a concerned look to Marco, and then he's probably looking over to Ace and Luffy, too. Ah...]

Please do your best to not let it affect you to the point of risking harm to yourself.

[Squeezes Japan's hand.]

Seems I still have things to protect whether here or there.

[He says that, but he looks lost.]

[It's not a usual thing for him, but Japan pulls Marco into a comforting hug. Not an awkward one or even a dokidoki blush one, but one that says he's there and Marco doesn't have to deal with anything alone.]

We all do, surely.

Hah.... Good. [Leans on and refuses to let go for a moment before he'll go running off to Ace.]

[If Marco goes to Ace, Japan will probably wait and let them comfort each other since he feels like they'd understand each other the most with this. Obviously. For now he'll take this hug though...]

That may not be the only incident. ...Can Marco promise not to jump into the lake again? [He's not sure... There's a light sigh.]

Or... I will promise to always jump in after him.

[Gulps and leans his forehead against Japan's.] Thanks... I didn't mean... I wasn't thinking for once.

I guess... even now I still have a long way to go, eh? [Borderline crying again but he calms down some with the reminder of things to do, people who will be facing a rough time as well or even rougher.]

Those who say time heals this sort of pain do not truly understand.

[He brings a hand to Marco's face gently.]

Though time does help in how to deal with the pain.

[Wibbles slightly and then hides his face in Japan's neck again to start crying all over again.]

It's been over 10 months... I shouldn't get... this shook up. Fuck.

[He holds a hand to the back of Marco's head to keep him close, and his voice stays low and quiet.]

It is fine to be upset. Time cannot stop that. And it is only natural that when faced with such a thing, it would be startling.

But if Marco realizes now, then I'm certain he can pull himself together. [He curls his fingers and lowers his hand to Marco's neck.]

He has others here to help, as well.

[Leans against him and calms back down.]

Right... Thanks for saving my life mate. [Kisses Japan's forehead and refuses to let go of Japan for a second.]

Of course. [He almost wants to say it's nothing compared to what Marco has done for him, but he'll stay quiet and rest in this moment.]

I really want to kill Blackbeard.

[Turns into a small condensed phoenix for more of an all encompassing hug.]

[Hugs]

I believe that sort of feeling is fine, but only if it is something that stays after Marco has learned to stay clam through this. [translation, don't rush into anything... wow both of my characters saying this]

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