[ text ] valentine's day event post

[fourseasons]

Hong Kong-san,

It has come to my attention that our time here together has grown into something much more than what we have at home. Perhaps it is a forbidden sort of love, but I believe that is what causes it to burn so strongly! Forgive me if this is far too sudden, but I will wait as long as it takes for Hong Kong-san to be ready for such a thing. Please contact me as soon as this message is received. We do not have to stay in a place such as this with so many limitations...

With love,
The State of Japan

[Yup...

As Japan's communicator sends this message out, he'll just be on a walk and checking out Ace's old warehouse. Feel free to run into him along the way or come find him, otherwise he does have his comm with him!]

Comments

[fierybluebird]

[Eyes narrow.] Seifer? Denmark?

Eh? How so?

[fourseasons]

Ah... is that something that matters? [Which translates to if he had known that would be an issue he would have worded it more carefully.]

I believe his relationship with his brothers is quite nice, for example. The importance of "nakama" is something taught to everyone he knows... Isn't that true?

[fierybluebird]

Yes. [Because it unsettles him, and he thinks they could still be heeeere and then he will be paranoid.] Sakura-chan? ... Can't be Ace.

Ah... I suppose so? Aye. But that's not... something I influence. Unless you try harder with your brothers because of me.

[fourseasons]

...If it is the first person to come to mind, then Seifer. Though not so directly...

[Maybe. But wow he's sideglancing so much, he was having fun playing but now it's not going as expected!]

I-it is an influence! ...I am much closer to Hong Kong than at home, for example. Please do not repeat that.

[fierybluebird]

Oh. Well Seifer and I had pretty strong... [Rubs the back of his neck.] Remember how you said he was upset when you attacked America? He said this you would be stronger.

[Welcome to some of Marco's issues with 2011 Japan.] But like I said, I always like the you you were already.

[Strips down and kisses Japan's cheek.] I'm glad, eh? Your secret's safe with me.

[fourseasons]

...Ah... Seifer said that?

[Oh, uh, it's pretty clear he's blushing at that. In the, oh. He's such a bro way of blushing of course... Really Seifer was someone who said he was proud of Japan and he always liked that. But anyway, he's going to remove his clothes now, though quite slowly.]

I am still the same me, so it is fine. Ah... thank you.

[fierybluebird]

[A soft glance. Was he still the same person? The general nonviolent approach wasn't something Marco could understand. He lived by violence, survived and protected his family through violence. And he liked it that way. It was fun. Of all people, Marco figured Seifer should have been able to get it. He was willing to destroy his world for one person, Marco was willing to let it burn.]

I told you once before. I wasn't attracted to Sakura-chan like I am with you. Because I felt she still had too much to learn, eh? [Slips into the tub first for a chance, trying to be careful in all the water. Devil fruits really did have their down points.] Ah it's hard to explain still. You haven't forgotten nakama and that's good... [But miracles, that fiery determination. Why did it seem like such a setback to Marco if everyone else thought it was better this way?] I told China you would be stronger like this, but I don't think I ever considered you weaker to begin with.

More like Ace, eh? He got a little stronger with training, yeah. But he was already a wildfire who was taking on most of the world. He was just on a path that wouldn't make him happy. He kept trying to go through Pops to accomplish something that wouldn't achieve his goals, or what he really wanted. And being able to change paths is a strength, but doing so itself doesn't make one stronger. Does it? [Frowns. A little confused with himself.] I guess perhaps I cannot see the path Japan is on now. [Reaches out a hand to hold Japan's.]

But I know I'm with you, so it's okay.

[fourseasons]

Does Marco believe Ace is on a different path? Ah, when he was here, I mean... [After he died, he means, but he can't be so blunt. He takes the hand quietly and steps in, deciding to face his back to Marco.]

[fierybluebird]

No. He wasn't on a path. It was like he had a million surrounding him, but he didn't want to pick one because he missed the path he was on before. It killed me to watch.

[fourseasons]

[Sad... He's quiet, leaning back into Marco and tilting his head to try and steal a look at him.]

I believe I can understand that sort of thing. Perhaps not so permanently, as I believe I am truly on a path once again. I am not sure if it is different so much as I have changed my violent and rash sort of running into a calm walk.

[fierybluebird]

[Wraps an arm around Japan as best as he can to hold him close and snuggle into him.]

That's all right too, you've got time. Do you know where you're going?

[fourseasons]

Ah, is it really?

[He's asking for confirmation on Marco's opinion there. But as he sinks back into that hold, he closes his eyes to think.]

I do not.

[fierybluebird]

Of course. [Snuggles.] Hm. Do you know what journey you want to take to get wherever it may lead?

[fourseasons]

[Hmmm.]

I know the way in which I will walk it. That is all.

[fierybluebird]

[Nips Japan's ears affectionately from behind, careful with his teeth.]

And where's that?

[fourseasons]

[He squirms just a little at that, sinking more into the water.]

Ah, I meant 'how', not 'where.' [A bit of a pause.]

Does Marco wonder if I am weaker?

[fierybluebird]

No. [Reaches for one of Japan's hands to hold.] But I worry the differences are something that makes us more apart, not together... does that make sense?

[Excuse him, he's going to be all depressed here.]

[fourseasons]

[Hmm, again. Japan frowns but moves his hands to rest on Marco's legs, running down them as he sits with his back to him still.]

I believe it makes sense. Does Marco feel we are apart right now?

[fierybluebird]

I don't know. You say we're together and I'll be by your side on the path so I hope not. But I don't know that it's a path I can stay on. It seems silly, because it's not like that has changed?

[Rests his head in Japan's hair, buying time to think.] You know which path I'm on, right? So I should always be able to come back to you, with that red thread.

[fourseasons]

[Japan's quiet for some time, idly trailing his hands up and down Marco's legs before pulling them back to himself.]

I believe Marco is thinking too much. [For Japan to say that? Wow Marco.]

[fierybluebird]

[Laughs and hugs him.] Good. I've told you before... I do that sometimes. A lot even.

[Buries his face into the back of Japan's neck.] I just want to enjoy being with you.

[Take note of this Japan; ordering Marco even that "mildly" is a very good thing.]

[fourseasons]

I believe I can understand that sort of thing. [Thinking a lot? Or wanting to enjoy being with him...

Both actually. He leaves it vague on purpose and turns his head to try and kiss Marco wherever he can. He's really wishing they had a bath house.]

[fierybluebird]

[Returns the kisses and closes his eyes, just savoring the feel of them, trying to move his hands to Japan's waist to hold him there.]

Not so different after all then.

[fourseasons]

[He'll shift a little, though it's really impossible to find a comfortable position. He doesn't mind so much at the moment, though, responding to that hold with another deep kiss.]

Ah... not so much at all.

[fierybluebird]

[Kisses back and nibbles down his neck.]

I think you should know those wiggles drive me nuts. Something new -- since you got back I mean, but I love it.