angryfistofgod | (no subject)

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[More news reports of rookies and all those who would like to take Whitebeard's place continue to come in. Which just means more headaches for Marco, and so it is that his work mode has gone into overdrive. However much he'd normally be working occasionally here and there at his desk, now he's taking it on the go. Nonstop. At a bar, he's still pouring over charts, maps, notes and scribbling away in notebooks. Comparing battle strategies to famous tacticians. Combing through history to find anything he can. And whenever someone tells him to slow down, relax, and have a drink, he drinks more tea instead. The islands won't still be there in the morning. Not at this rate. Fighting a losing battle is ever so fun.]

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These three have been put under Red-Hair's protection, I saw to it. [ Ray appeared out of no where, gently pointing to three different ones. ] He is as well working to get persons to these ones as well, Big Mam has taken these twelve and Kaidou moved in on these two. I was not quick enough and they are ... not as loud as the others. [ He's slowly pulling his hand back to rest on Marco's shoulder, he knows this has been hard on him. It's a year and a half later and Ray knows Marco is still working hard to keep the little control he has over it. ]

I apologize for being late, once again, Phoenix.

[OTL.]

[Marco punches Ray's jaw though. Too much rage, even though Rayleigh was trying to help, was in fact, HELPING, all Marco could hear was that he wasn't strong enough to step up to his father's place and protect them himself. Giving islands to Shanks as the alternative to letting them fall apart or go to Kaidou (obviously worse) or Big Mam where they'd have to pay a tithe. These were the choices he could make. One way or another, all the islands would be gone to someone. Trying to protect them himself wouldn't keep them safe. But he didn't have to like it.]

I don't need your help. And I don't recall asking for it. [Cold, angry, and completely hurt under all of it. He needs a hug. He might ask for that. If he actually has a few drinks or wears himself out fighting a different losing battle instead.]

[Taking that punch and then staring at Marco almost unblinkingly, then yep, just moving in and wrapping his arms around Marco and hugging him tightly. So tightly.]

Nor did I, but you helped me. [Spoken with a kiss to Marco's temple.]

[Fights off crying and just hides his face into Ray's chest.]

I can't help anyone these days. [Quiet and he's half tempted to try to fight Ray anyway, for the sake of a fight, but he's had enough of getting his ass kicked from all directions. And if he's honest, the hug is a little comforting.]

You are trying, Phoenix. [ which is more than Ray could ever say. ] You are mourning and trying to not show it, by focusing on everything at once. You are going to wear yourself out and break in front of the people you wish not to. [ more kisses to his temple. ] Let me tell you that you won't need to worry soon.

[Headbutts Ray's chest.]

I won't wear out or break.

And just when will I need to stop worrying?

I give it a year, m'dear. [ oops, that is a HAPPY smile on his face and tugs on Marco's hair lightly. ] There is a dawn of a king coming, I would hate for you to miss the engulfing flame...

Hn. [Goes back to his seat and curls up with his arms around his head, protecting him like a wounded bird.]

We should be helping Straw Hat, not having him help us.

We are helping him, Phoenix, but the boy has made it clear that while we are allies, we should not clear the path for him. That would not be fair to him, now would it. [ moves in, scoops Marco up. ] Come now, change, will you? I will take you to get some drinks, my dear mourning dove.

I guess.

[Actually that point does work well on Marco. After all, he didn't try to make it that Ace had no challenges in life, that would bore Ace and be disrespectful to his strength and everything he worked for. Marco switches into a phoenix and snuggles a little against Silver's chest, half-heartedly mumbling.]

I'm a phoenix not a mourning dove.

[Snuggle snuggle.]

You are in mourning and calling you a mourning phoenix would be like I'm saying your flames are dying. Which they are not. [ SNUGGLECUDDLEPURR. ] Thus a dove you shall be. [ sets on shoulder and chuckles quietly. ]

But doves are too peaceful. [Rests his head on the top of Silvers'.] At least mourning phoenix sounds like morning phoenix. Like a new dawn and all. [The difference in the pronunciation of the u is literally not there. Everything is deadpan phoenix whistle after all.]

[ ...yet he knows.]

You are terribly frustrating, Phoenix. [pets under chin.]

[Melts a little.]

Aye. I want to be, eh. It's fun this way. [Melts more all over Ray's head.]

Extremely adorable as well. [ chuckles and pets more. ]

[Flat stare at that, though the pets are appreciated as always.]

Oi. Not adorable.

[ pet pet pet pet ]

Terribly sorry, handsome.

Yes. That's right. [Happy tail swishes. Mmmm pets.]

[did anyone ever tell you how much being dead SUCKED!? Well it does because you see the people you know and love working themselves to death and you can't do anything to stop it. Of course...it seems Ace was being allowed a chance to at least get the other to rest. He thought no one could see him, you know..that he was a ghost, because everyone seemed to be ignoring him. He made his way up behind Marco and whispered softly into his ear.]

You need to rest.

Shut up.

I've got no time to rest.

[Marco is probably dazed enough to not realize he's talking to a ghost. Or not care. Maybe he gets this way a lot. Who can say?]

[Ace really wasn;t a ghost, though Marco might think him one but he was solid and walking even if he didn't understand it really himself.

You are no good to any of the islands if you are unable to remain healthy enough to fight and protect them.

I'm fine. [Small irritated growl. He's not really fine, but he's not really capable of admitting it either.]

What are you saying? That I can't do it?

[sighs softly and turns your head to lock eyes with those blues.]

Even the strongest need to rest at some point. And right now, you need to rest. Please?

[Shakes his head.] I guess if I'm seeing you I probably should... but it's important I get this done, eh.

[cups Marco's cheek and kisses his forehead in a brotherly fashion.]

Marco...don't make me Hiken your ass. [chuckles lightly and slowly coaxes him off the stool and over towards the door.

I'll even make a little fire nest you can sleep inside.

It's not that easy. [Shakes his head again.] Everything's a mess right now. I can't give up yet. Gotta try a little harder. Isn't that what you would do if the situations were reversed?

Marco. I'm not asking you to quit. I'm asking you to accept the fact that you need to sleep. Izo and the others can handle it for a few hours while you regain your strength. Who knows you might even be able to think clearer. Please for me?

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