25 - [video] In which songbirds sing sorrows (but not really)

[fierybluebird]

Japan -- Bushido -- ah, that is... Kiku Honda, male Japan, has been sent home.

[As for how well Marco's taking it, is pretty obvious to anyone who knows him. The deadpan composure is still there, but it's carefully in place, and he looks worse for the wear. His hand grips tightly onto the sword Japan left behind and sitting up on the roof, for

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[Voice-- Locked 95%]

[dontcallmegol]

You know you really don't even have to ask Marco.

Get your ass over here already.

[Voice-- Locked 95%] --> [Action]

[fierybluebird]

Thanks, eh.

[Wanders over slowly, still carrying the sword.]

[Action]

[dontcallmegol]

{Ace is expecting Marco to let himself in, but he's got the booze ready. There's a soft sigh as he knocks on the mostly empty barrel. It wouldn't last them through the winter. Maybe he could ask Santa for another one again. He had a bowl of shelled, roasted and salted peanuts on the table too, for munching purposes. Even if it was hard for these particular brand of pirates to EVER just nibble. But hey, when you were drinking your appetite tended to go to the way side.

... especially if you were sad and missing someone.}

[Action]

[fierybluebird]

[Just wordlessly walks over and leans on Ace. He's not sure what to say really. He doesn't feel like talking anyway. Just pours them both a drink and leans back to back against the other pirate.]

[Action]

[dontcallmegol]

{He cocks his head slightly, one eye on Marco as he moves to wordlessly pour out some drinks. He lets the other man rest against him, knowing this all too well. He takes his hat off and reaches back to set it on the others head, just in case. Then he takes up his glass and swigs.

For a time he just lets the silence linger, trying to even think of the right thing to say here.}

I wish I knew what to say. There's at least a small comfort in knowing he's home, right? But it's not easy... it's never easy.

{He knew. When Bell left it... left a huge hole in him that would never be filled. He could ignore it by living, being with his friends and Nakama but... she could never be replaced.}

I'm here for you. You already know that. And for what it's worth... I'm sorry. We'll all miss him. He was one of us. {Lifting his glass and pouring a little out before drinking a long swig.}

[Action]

[fierybluebird]

Yeah... thanks. He's nakama, eh?

Maybe he'll be back in a month or two. [Just sighs and drinks.] To nakama.

[Action]

[dontcallmegol]

Maybe. {His voice was almost a little quiet, mind drifting. He wanted Marco to be happy, he wanted them to be together cause he knew how happy that would make them but... Japan. He didn't belong here. Wasn't it better that he was home? Taking care of his people? Just as Marco should be back on the Grand Line, taking care of his brothers.

If he could... he'd rather Marco not be here at all. Or Luffy. As much as he never wanted to be alone it was just how things should be. He would rather sacrifice his happiness in knowing Marco or Luffy were where they were supposed to be, living the life they were meant to.

Free.

He was dead. He lost his time. This was his home until the scientists let him rest. For now though, at least he had Sabo. Even then he wished they'd let the kid rest, but they couldn't take this life for granted. Here, the kid could grow even if it wasn't the most ideal life. Neither was growing up in the Grey Terminal, at least here he could find family and be taken care of a lot better.}We can't keep doing this Marco

[Action]

[fierybluebird]

Che. I'm not throwing in the towel Freckles. I'll find him again. Here or there.

[Throws an arm around Ace's shoulders and tugs him in for a hug.] So long as I've got nakama here I'm going to keep on protecting them, eh?

[While Ace might feel Marco belongs back in his world, Marco doesn't think so at all. Home is where the heart is.]