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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[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]

[Snuggles back before switching back to human again and sitting down crosslegged.]

Hn... assuming I even get the chance. And that it doesn't endanger the rest of my crew. Those are big ifs. I suppose I'm not much of a murderer either, eh.

...I am not sure how much I can say anything, without being in Marco's world and seeing it firsthand. But I believe that the goal should simply be to gain peace, however that may be gained.

Please do not throw anything away to recklessness. Ah... I would worry if Marco were to return home with that sort of thinking.

Peace...

Is such a thing even possible?

Yes. [There's a very serious look here. He hopes Marco can realize it is possible... At least for him...

Japan's such a hypocrite too though BUT YES]

I don't think so. [Ruffles Japan's head.] Pops had a lot of enemies. There are people who will see his death as an opportunity to try to kill us. I couldn't even protect us alone, Shanks had to deal with Kaidou, and there are hundreds other like him. It's a shark eat shark world where the seakings will wind up eating all the sharks no matter how they fight.

I am not speaking of that. [He takes that hand that was ruffling him and holds it HUFF HE IS NOT A KID]

I meant that Marco should be at peace with himself. ...Peace in terms of violence... I am not sure that that is possible. But peace of mind is different.

Peace of mind, eh? How do I do that? I want to keep my family safe.

You understand how it is you can keep them safe. Ah.. I am not sure if I can put it properly into words...

But Marco will manage. And he will grow even stronger because of it, I am certain.

Aye. [Ruffles Japan again, but it's more for Marco's sake as he finds it soothing.]

Thank you Bushido.

[He likes the ruffles so it's okay... Anyway he's looking concerned again.]

Are you alright?

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