[He drops the feather beside her as she leans against his arm and just takes a calming breath and pets her head. For a long time he was still so mad at Ace, even when things were good with them. But a lot of it; almost all of it, was just so much tensions. Things from before Blackbeard, Ace leaving, the entire ordeal with Marineford, Ace's death, Luceti, and just... all of Luceti. Yeah, that really had been the final straw and trigger hadn't it? Marco gently strokes his hand over her ears and whistles something softly about being an idiot.] I'll try harder.

[He's still fairly deadpan, but the amusement's back in spades, his words once again referring to the topic at hand; working on the garden, and even for himself with regards to dealing with his brothers.]

I told him so long as we're together, it doesn't matter what hardships we face. Because we'll do it together, eh? Agreed, kitten-chan? [Tickles gently under her chin again and leans down so she can adequately express a yes or no should she so desire.]