A/N:: Oh, um... hey... B-been a while, heh... I sort of forgot? Maybe... gah, I'm horrible! Here is the next part! *throws chappie*
Enjoy!
I am off work for a week until my check up and Sabo made it very evident that he didn't want Marco over while he stays home to help around. It had me upset with that, but Marco would message me and it brought a lot of reassurance when we talked. After a couple days, I was practically done with my brother babying me even on pain killers and complaining about Marco being back in my life, saying how I shouldn't allow it.
"How are you feeling, Ace?" Koala asks with a smile as Sabo is getting her a drink and I grab to her arm.
"Save me, he's driving me insane!" I tell her and receive a laugh as she sits next to me on the couch as I had leg propped up on the coffee table with a cushion.
"It's only a week, you know someone has to be with you." She mentions while thanking Sabo, who gave her a tea cup and he sat to the single chair to the side.
"Someone, huh?" I ask while grinning and get a noise from my brother.
"Absolutely not, don't even think about it." Sabo mentions, having me whine and give a pout.
"Think about what?" Koala inquires while setting her cup down and I pat to her arm.
"I know someone else who can watch me!" I beam to her and eyebrows raise before she glares to Sabo.
"Are you trying to get out of work?" The question has a bite to it, but Sabo gives a glare to me before shaking his head.
"No, I refuse to let him in our house again. I already told you, Ace." His voice is stern and has me frowning while crossing arm.
"Who?"
"Marco." My brother practically spits out venom and Koala snaps her head in my direction with a look of worry.
"Oh sweetie, don't do that to yourself again." A groan leaves me when Koala starts in and I look to her with a frown.
"No, a lot of stuff has happened and he told me everything!" I try to defend Marco as he has been honest and proving to stay with me.
"Lairs usually have excuses."
"They are not excuses, Sabo." I glare sharply while crossing arms tightly and clenching my jaw. "What's wrong with believing in him? What's wrong with giving him another chance to make things better?"
"Because he just wants to hurt you in the end."
"I gave you another chance." The comment has him stiffen with teeth gritting and the gleam in his green eyes show of hurt.
"Ace," Koala strains out as I never let my eyes leave Sabo.
"I believed you when everyone else told me you were just going to turn on me, but I believed you would make things right the second time around." I tell him while he shakes a little in his spot, not wanting to back down. "You know you are absolutely important to me, I knew you before Luffy, and I value your opinions to heart." The words leave me while relaxing my posture as I take in a shaky breath. "I am giving Marco another chance from what he has told me and if…" I let a pause linger with a pain lingering in my chest. "If he does break me again, then I hope you will be there to smack me and guide me back to how everything was to never let it happen again."
As I stop there, I watch him a little longer before dragging my eyes to look away and to the floor. Everything had been truth, I understand how Sabo feels because it happened to me. Though, I could relate this to the time that Sabo was forced to lash words at me and turn away with hateful words when we were just thirteen. It took only six months before he was back in my life, tears in his eyes as he told me how his biological father made him do it. The only thing I could say is that I was happy to have him back in my life, saying that everything would be all right. There had been people around us that were unnerved that Sabo was back to my side and worried he would tear me down again. I believed every bit of him, especially when explaining himself fully and how I knew there was no way I wouldn't give Sabo another chance.
"Okay," the soft word has me glancing back over to my brother and seeing a compassionate look. "Just one, that's all I am giving him." A smile finds me with a nod of agreement and could feel the stir in my chest of anticipation.
"If it helps, just for the afternoon and evening, or morning and afternoon." I mention as I try to hide the overwhelming emotions flurrying through me and he rolls eyes.
"Koala? Which one would work better?" Sabo asks his friends as I notice her staring a bit in confusion of what just happened. She only knew part of what happened when we were younger, and never asked farther as she knew it wasn't her business.
"Morning and afternoon would probably be ideal." She comments while looking to my brother, who nods in understanding and eyes me.
"Let him know I leave here by six-thirty." A grin is on me while I pull out my phone to begin messaging Marco.
"I love you, 'Bo!" I mention with a big smile and he rolls eyes, smile trying to hide as he has his drink up to take a sip.
-o-o-o-o-
The following morning, it was absolutely delightful to wake up and find Marco resting next to me. Eyes had been closed as he looked to be sleeping as well and I could only huff because he was on my bad side. Blue found me as he smirks in amusement and I grin while he grabs to a hand to begin feathering it in kisses.
"Good morning, love." He mentions hoarsely and this snort leaves me while chuckling.
"Morning, I assume it's not some forsaken hour since the sun is out now…" I mention while gripping his hand and he hums with eyes closing and resting to one of my extra pillows.
"Your brother was almost late this morning, yoi." A groan leaves me as I can imagine on what he said or did when Marco showed up. "I thanked him for giving me another chance like you have." I look to him in slight surprise, not expecting something like that from my brother. "Well, after he lectured me, of course." A scoff leaves me at the mention of that and he chuckles.
"Okay, that sounds like him." More chuckles leave him as he grips to my hand and drags it up for more feathered kisses.
"Let me help you to do anything, and then some breakfast." He comments while I agree with a grip to his hand and enjoy the way he looks to me.
After helping me to the bathroom, he let me do my business while going to start up on breakfast. When I finished up and hopped to the sink to wash my hands and brush my teeth, I called for him by the door frame. I was in no rush to move and he easily came up to help get me to the couch and all set up, saying how Sabo mentioned of some things—even a list provided. My brother had been thorough on not letting me hobble around too much, no matter how much I beg. It made me complain and Marco chuckle, but I enjoyed curling into his side after getting some pancakes.
We enjoyed some television while he got me something to drink when I was low and I chattered lively to him about my job more. Speaking of, when Marco got up for the bathroom, I had got a call from Smoker. My phone was easily next to me, though was very much charged this time as I wasn't constantly texting Marco. Sabo checked in a few times with me sending pictures to show I was fine with Marco around and keeping me fed and seated except for bathroom trips.
"I'm fine, got someone watching me and helping out." I comment while turning the volume of the television down.
"Those three men were released." The mention has me stiffen while sitting up more with a light sputter.
"What? How? They easily had several charges!" I state in surprise as even rich people would have trouble and what Marco mentioned of them being a part of those people made me a little uneasy.
"It couldn't have been helped, Portgas. They had… connections that got them out with a small bail out to pay." A groan leaves me with a hand coming up to my head and rubbing my palm to my temple. "They remained silent the whole time, they knew they were going to be bailed out. They are out of reach for us, but we shouldn't worry about them. Sengoku is keeping a federal eye on them and to report if we have any more encounters, even if personal." A sigh leaves me with a slow nod of understanding and lick my dry lips.
"Yeah, I understand. Thanks for letting me know, Smoker."
"Of course, as you were part of it. Do take care of yourself and let us know on when you are able to return." Smoker comments and I snort while shifting to relax back into the cushions and see Marco come in.
"Sure thing, Smoker. I will let you know as soon as I leave my appointment." A light laugh leaves him before he bid me a farewell and I returned it easily. Hanging up, I give a groan and Marco is back on the couch next to me.
"What's up, yoi?" Marco ask while gripping onto my hand and I return it while pulling my head up to scowl to him.
"Those guys were released on bail and all charges dropped." I tell him, seeing him have a frown while pulling out his phone. "I can't believe this, they had so many charges and then in just a few days time it was all dropped! A bunch of bullshit!" I claim while waving my free hand and slouching into his shoulder with small grumbles about assault and running from me. Marco gives light chortles and grips my hand before putting his phone to the side and leaning to kiss the top of my head.
"At least no one died, that's most important." A smile finds me on that and nodding while closing eyes.
"Yeah…" I whisper and relax into him more as I enjoy this lingering moment.
