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?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Red string? [Watches the kisses and then leans in to steal a kiss away from his hand with his lips.]

You can't cut everyone out of your life, people, countries, fishmen, they don't want it and won't let it stick. I'll always come get you, eh.

The red string of fate. [He smiles into that kiss and pulls his hand away to show his pinky.]

Has Marco heard of it? Ah... but I know, now.

[Shakes his head.] Is it a good thing? Or a story that goes with it?

It is said that each person has a red string tied to their pinky. It cannot be seen, but each string connects two people, and those people are destined lovers, regardless of time, place or circumstances. It may stretch and tangle, but the string will never break.

There are various stories involving the string, as well.

[Soft grin.] So I can use it to find you again no matter what, eh?

What kind of stories do you have about the string? [Oh look more dead bodies. Marco's just going to switch into phoenix mode and put his head in Japan's lap and listen to a story to block out the world right now.]

It is more that, no matter what, we will be brought together in the end...

[But oh, frowning... He'll pet Marco to be as comforting as possible and think.]

Hm... There is one story about a young boy.

While walking home one night, he spots an old man beneath the moonlight. The man explains that the boy is tied to his destined wife by a red thread, and shows who the girl is.

However, the boy is so young that he does not hold any interest in having a wife, so he throws a rock at the girl and flees.

Many years later, his parents arrange for him to be married, and on the night of his wedding, his wife waits for him with a traditional veil over her face. Raising it, the man is pleased to see that she is the most beautiful girl in the village. But she has a strange adornment on her eyebrow.

When he asks what it is for, she takes it off to reveal a scar and tells the story of how when she was a little girl, a boy threw a rock at her and scarred her before running away. It shows that the two were destined after all.

[...:| Blame China for this weird story okay]

[Leans up to give him a phoenix kiss quickly before switching back over. Seriously has to teach Japan phoenix.]

Is that the origin of tsundere?

[He chuckles at that.]

Tsundere is a timeless thing.

I see.

[Puts on his glasses and his best tsundere act.] It's not like I love you or anything, I just like being around you. It's for my sake. Really.

Ah, how forward...

[No Marco, don't uncover Japan's boner for tsundere LMFAO GDFJLGJDFL. AHEM I mean. He leans closer to that so he can speak into his ear. He just finds this cute...]

I am someone who is allowed to see the deredere, correct?

[Shivers softly and just barely refrains from leaning in to nibble Japan's earlobe.]

Oh... do you really think I have a side like that? [Nudges a foot along Japan's calf.] Che... just because you're cute don't read too much inot it.

Ah. [Smiles, though it's more of a smirk.] It needs a bit of work, but that is fine. [Kisses on the cheek.]

[Tilts Japan's chin with a thumb and forefinger to kiss him properly.]

It's fine. I'm only going to try it to make you smile anyway. Besides, it's harder work pretending not to be madly in love with you than not. [Clearly he just prefers to make Japan blush.]

[And he does that quite well.]

E-eh--... [Mouth twitch... and turning away.] Marco is so blunt...

Would you have it any other way? [Tickles lightly under his chin.]

[He turns back at that, but gosh I don't think he's ever really admitted he loves when people are blunt out loud. So instead he'll just lean in to give Marco a kiss for an answer.]

[Kisses back and nuzzles lightly, resting his hands on Japan's hip.]

Aha, I win.

[He stays close, just taking in how nice it is with Marco there.]

Hah? Just what do you win?

You. [Hugs close.] This is my prize.

I believe this is my first time hearing that sort of statement without feeling a bit nervous. [snuggles into]

None at all? [THRILLED TO DEATH.]

Correct. [Well... he's only heard it in strange circumstances until now BUT YEAH.]

Hah... I'm glad. [Turns into a phoenix and snuggles his lap.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[voice]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action] 1/2

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]