[It's good to be back here with him. Him how he usually was. Listening to him speak. Thinking about his words. Feeling his hands and his breath in her hair]
I was afraid... But it's different... I didn't know if the Malnosso had done something else. I couldn't be sure. [she closes her eyes, more out of comfort than anything, feeling his warmth, listening to his breath]
Your edge doesn't bother me because it's not all of who you are. It's only part of it. And not everyone can be straightforward, ne? Most people have their secrets and smiles and how they choose to be. And...perhaps it's what lets us interact with others. An exposed tiger will bite...
[she'd heard that saying from somewhere. Here? At home? She couldn't remember]
I like the side of Marco that wants to be a bird, too. The side that lets Mihawk ruffle his feathers. [she wonders if you know how much she listens. How much she always does] The one that won't leave because of Ace, whether he's here or not. The side that's an idiot. The side that will do what it takes for revenge. The side that belongs to me. [She takes his hand and presses a kiss against his palm]
People might be afraid of you or they might not. I can't say. But after seeing you be you, they'll forget or-- remember who Marco really is. But... [She presses that hand against her cheek, smiling softly] Even when I was afraid I didn't forget the truth.
[April 10th]
I was afraid... But it's different... I didn't know if the Malnosso had done something else. I couldn't be sure. [she closes her eyes, more out of comfort than anything, feeling his warmth, listening to his breath]
Your edge doesn't bother me because it's not all of who you are. It's only part of it. And not everyone can be straightforward, ne? Most people have their secrets and smiles and how they choose to be. And...perhaps it's what lets us interact with others. An exposed tiger will bite...
[she'd heard that saying from somewhere. Here? At home? She couldn't remember]
I like the side of Marco that wants to be a bird, too. The side that lets Mihawk ruffle his feathers. [she wonders if you know how much she listens. How much she always does] The one that won't leave because of Ace, whether he's here or not. The side that's an idiot. The side that will do what it takes for revenge. The side that belongs to me. [She takes his hand and presses a kiss against his palm]
People might be afraid of you or they might not. I can't say. But after seeing you be you, they'll forget or-- remember who Marco really is. But... [She presses that hand against her cheek, smiling softly] Even when I was afraid I didn't forget the truth.