Forget Me Not - One Shot Series

Marco the Phoenix - Sweet

"Then... I won't leave you alone until you tell me to." He replies.

"Tell me about this place, while I eat... please." You request, picking another grape free.

While you eat, he tells you about the island. It's people. He tells you he's a doctor on the island, and that the two of you have been sailing together before retiring from an exciting life and settling on this island. He speaks of old friends, old islands, old memories.

He never uses words like love, or pirate, but there's a theme to the stories that feels decidedly swashbuckler-like. He speaks about his devil fruit, he speaks about loss, recounting the friends that have had to travel ahead of you.

Tears fall from your face without you realizing, and his warm hand brushes them away. You don't admit you can't bring any faces to mind, but there's a sense of closeness that twists your heart.

"If you're up for it, now that you're done eating," he begins, lifting the tray. "We can go for a walk."

"I... want to," you begin hesitantly.

"But?" He prompts setting the tray down in the kitchen before coming back into the room.

"I don't know that I'd make it back to the house."

"... You were always good at assessing your limits. Don't worry, if you get worn out before we return, I'll carry you, yoi."

The two of you walk, enjoying the sun, the breeze, and the serenity of the island. He points out houses and families, gives you names, and occupations. Lets you repeat them and then says them again. As though he knows you don't want to worry other people with your current predicament.

The two of you will get through it, there's no need to worry others.

You end up walking to Pops and Ace's graves. You put your hands against the smooth stone, letting your fingers run over the names.

"He was too young," you say softly, finger slipping along the C in his name. "I... can't see his face, but I feel like I remember flames and fire." You tilt your head.

"He was a logia?" You ask.

He nods.

"That... makes sense. The fire in my mind wasn't menacing." You pull your hand away, hugging yourself, and trying to keep the tears welling up in your chest from bubbling over.

He says your name, it's a word you remember, and it's enough to break the gates. You sob, on you own for a breath, before long, warm arms are wrapped around you from behind. He hugs you over your own arms, tucked down low, head resting against yours.

"We loved him." You say, words floating on your sorrow.

"We did." He agrees quietly, arms tightening around you.

You stand there quietly for a long moment, before turning your head toward him, still wrapped in one another, eyes closed, warmed by the sun. A word walks along your heart, slipping through your veins, and dancing against your soul.

A name more comfortable than your own.

"Marco."

You feel him flinch, feel the rush of warm air slip from his lips, and the careful shift of his arms as he seems desperate to hold you just a little bit closer.

"Yeah, pretty bird?" He replies, words light against your skin, hopeful but unsure.

"I loved you different."

"You did."

You turn inside his strong embrace that breaks like paper at your command, facing him directly. Your eyes searching his, flickers of teal and gold bursting emotions he's trying to hide in his irises.

"I do." You correct, hand soft against his cheek, eyes shifting along features that are new and comforting.

"You-." He begins, a tear slipping down his cheek and curling around your fingers.

"Stay with me until I remember." You mean the words as a plea, but they feel heavy, like a command that moves your hands past his cheeks. Fingers against the back of his neck, pulling him close.

"I will. Until then, and beyond it." He promises, arms around your waist, pulling your body closer.

"Every time?" Your commanding tone is shattered, scared this moment will become a hazy memory of warm sunlight and little more.

"At least once more than needed." He promises, warm lips brushing against yours, letting the soft gasp of air dance between you both for a moment before he pulls you in - holding you close and kissing you deeply.

The sweet kiss breaks, and he shifts, easily lifting you into his arms with such grace it almost feels more natural than walking on your own two legs.

"I can still walk." You hum, arms around his shoulders, head nuzzled just under his jaw.

"I know," he says sweetly, kissing the top of your head. "I just wanted you in my arms a little longer, yoi."