Marco looked over at the paling Thatch with a light smirk on his face.

Here they stood along side Ace, and Izo to bring Him together with his 'wife' in what was called 'The Marine Rescue Mission,' and this man could barely stand upright at the mere mention of babies.

Thatch was utterly useless. And Marco loved every second he saw the normally playful commander a sweating mess. Was this the justice those marines are always talking about? If so he liked it.

Izo looked over at Thatch's frantic surveying of the large enclosed 'festival?' and shook his head. "Calm down man." He stated in a raised voice. He had no choice but to raise his voice due to how hard it was to hear anyone's voice among the echoing of voices amplified by the jagged black walls of the volcano's center.

The design of this 'party'? hall was unique to say the least.

From what the commanders could see there were two layers of smoothed over stone flooring. The first upper half that they stood on engrossed the lower rectangular pit of the giant hall. Both decorated in hundreds of dangling lanterns with red and gold tapestry's draped over the more jagged edges that seemed unwilling to be tamed.

Three of these tapestries seemed to stand out the most, they hung over a dark smooth, almost reflective ledge above the commanders, each with a different design.

One which was a solid green with a golden trim that held a blooming rose.

The other which was an alarming red and golden trim held a skull and cross bones with a sword through the top half of the skull.

The last one which was the less colorful of the three was simply just a circle with the island's triangular bathhouse in the middle. Izo took note of these, even if the others did not.

A list of red flags if you will.

Besides the jagged walls that were looming around the party, The only thing reminding the men that this was an outside venue was the fact that they had just exited the hotel. And well of course the large gapping peak of the volcanoes' cone shape, giving them one last glimpse at the pink and orange evening sky above.

Thatch nodded pulling himself away from his own frantic thoughts, "Calm? I am calm. I am the commander of calm." He started with a proud stance before he furrowed his eyebrows thinking about his commanding abilities.

How do you be a commander of kids? No not a commander a father, duh, but He was going to have...Them...Kids.

Izo hummed at Thatch's comment, before He absently descended the small white marble step that soon turned black as they left the comfort of the hotel's patio and immersed themselves among the growing party.

"Okay commander calm, Remember we are only here for one..." He started with a stern voice before he stopped, watching in other surprise in the fact that Ace immediately made a sharp beeline for bar to the right leaving the group of commanders behind without a second thought.

"How is he still hungry?" Izo asked surprised then looked between the two sets of eyes that looked at him with amusement.

This kid had not only cleaned out almost most of the food booths on their way to the party, but he had also took a large bite out of Thatch's baby parade. (Which was still taking place on the ship. Minus the one key figure of the party.)

Marco gave a light smile and shook his head, though there was a looming weight of dread hanging over his shoulders he did not care, he was in a bustling room where he would soon see Domino again.

So nothing could bother him.

He had figured her out, he had won. Now all he needed to do was to claim his prize. Not that she was a prize, well she was, she was the greatest treas...no he couldn't say that. That would be losing.

"He'll be fine, just keep an eye on him-yoi." Marco commented with a passive tone moving to inspect the large room before him spotting a small table in the very back corner surrounded by lava rocks and the bar that Ace was now demanding food at.

Izo rolled his eyes, "Why do I have to be babysitter?" He asked crossing his arms and lifting an eyebrow to question the uncaring smile Marco held on his face.

Izo sighed taking the smile across Marco's face as his answer then turned toward the ever so nervous and fidgeting Thatch.

"Shouldn't we give it to him for practice?" He asked. Before he pulled back his pointing finger and sighed in defeat at how the white color of Thatch's uniform almost completely matched his pale skin at the mere mention at babies once more.

Marco scoffed and placed an arm over the pale man's shoulder. "He's been tortured enough today don't you think-yoi?" He asked with amusement.

Izo rolled his eyes, "You're just enjoying that it's him in this position and not you." He mused turning his eyes towards the long bar that was underneath the ledge with the banners.

Marco shook his head not trying to hide his proud smile. That was completely true, "Just look after Ace." He stated looking back towards Izo who was still focusing on Ace and his polite way of asking for food.

Which consisted of him kicking his legs while he waited.

Izo tore his eyes away from Ace for a second to look back towards Marco who had now carefully led his small group towards his destination his face neutral once more.

Izo followed with a nod "I get it, I get it. You got some things to settle with weeds. See you back on the ship." he started with a heavy tone to his voice before leaning across Marco to see a very distracted Thatch to make a comment about the pale man being commander calm before he let his face fall in to one of pure disappointment.

It seems the 4th division commander who was at one point a second away from passing out, had apparently taken notice of how the waitresses who walked by all had large and bouncing luscious...Skirts, they had on skirts. Yes. It was the skirts he was um..looking at.

What was Thatch doing? He was a married man, with ...kids.. on the way so inspecting a woman's chest even secretly was not what a gentleman does. Therefor he inspected their skirts...

Izo shook his head in disbelief while Marco moved to smack the distracted commander with the back of his hand all without breaking his relaxed smile.

"Commander pervert's more like it." Izo grumbled towards Marco who was facing a surprised Thatch.

Thatch held out his hands in defense before looking at Marco who only shook his head in response. "Just stay with Ace-yoi and be careful. Domino said those things for a reason." A mixture of defeat and and joy in his voice.

Izo chuckled to himself before waving the two off and walking towards where Ace once was.

Key word. Once.

It seems the kid had decided to disappear. Oh goodie.

Marco let out a deep breath at Izo's surprise before the pink Kimono wearing man rushed off to find the younger kid. Who would more then likely end up in trouble by the end of the night. Which was intended of course. Still it didn't take him long to get into trouble.

Thatch looked down sheepishly as Marco led him towards the table he spotted earlier, his head not even bothering to look at the waitress's as they crossed paths on their long trek.

"Look I know what it looks like." He started before Marco shook his head a wide smile growing on his face as he felt the need to turn around and as he glanced over his shoulder who else would he see but the most heart stopping figure there was.

"Don't tell me-yoi." His voice full of playfulness and delight as turned from his goal watching as two women openly approached the commanders.

He rested his arm over Thatch's shoulder once more and pointed to the two woman who inspected the open party in awe. "Tell her," He finished as Thatch took in a deep breath. His eyes blurring once more at the sight of her small stature.

While Thatch practically fell to his knees (but remained standing) in happiness and pure glee.

Marco was suddenly warry, after all of Domino's secrecy , sending him a coded picture and even talking in a bath house, she openly approached him.

As he watched her honey eyes focusing solely on the tapestries that hung over head, It hit him. Maybe she wasn't here for him at all.

No.

She was still playing her game.

Turns out she was still to stubborn for both of their goods.

Well if that was the case then, this wouldn't be fun at all.

"Looky there, is that lover boy I see?" Domino teased while interlocking her arms with the shorter dark dress wearing Adaline intending to pull the walking baby oven towards her loving doting baby making husband.

The red head huffed and shook her head in disbelief. "You know, I almost didn't believe you when you said they were in the bathhouse. But now seeing them I have to say I am very disappointed you let me talk like, at all." She sighed looking around the large and open space around them.

"Whoa..." She whispered in amazement while Domino practically dragged her across the floor carefully watching the steps as they walked.

"Whoa is right...whoa is right." Domino whispered sadly noticing the large flowing rug things above a solid wall of reflective onyx rock. Those things above her were jokes right?

Everything else didn't matter, she didn't care for her surroundings or the fact that there were hundreds of people crammed together in an anxiety inducing room.

What she did care for was the fact that Add- no Russel had the audacity to put up such things. Who was he fooling? She didn't need her design plastered around like she was proud. Like she was worth celebrating. She wasn't by the way.

"Are you sure this is how you want it to go?" Adaline whispered towards Domino, keeping her head held high while they walked casually across the bustling area. It was imperative that she continued to count how many people they would need to eventually evacuate.

As they passed multiple standing tables of parties of 20 or more she began to hope that this was just Domino's paranoia wanting to make sure everyone was taken care of and wasn't something she would actually have to do. If she did have to, it this would be a daunting task for sure.

While Adaline busied herself with surveying the civi's Domino kept her eyes focused on each design and their meanings while letting herself being pulled towards the birdy's magnetizing presence.

"It's the safest way for you," She looked away from the rug's with fancy tassels at the end and looked further up noticing that behind the reflective stygian wall above two familiar presences stood watching her.

They were in there. Her brothers, Rappy and Add-no Russel waiting for her return.

Something she had dreamed about for years. Something she thought would never happen.

Despite her feelings and hopes at seeing her brothers, she pulled her eyes away and focused solely on Marco's mesmerizing stance before her. How was it even while she stood so trapped he still managed to pull her attention to him?

He was just standing there with a hand on his waist while the cuff of his classic purple long sleeved shirt shifted with his subtle movements? His knowing eyes locked on her. He was unaffected by any weight and it showed.

"I will be fine girl, it's you I'm worried about. Are you sure you can do this?" She asked softly, her arm which was wrapped around Domino's moving to separate briefly as they passed by a waitress with a very large bust and a tightly wrapped scarf. Her chest and skirt bouncing with her quick movements.

Domino gave a light nod trying to refrain from her sadistic smile showing as she neared Marco. "I got this." She stated, before taking a deep breath and looking at the two men who stood before her.

She tapped Adaline who looked down and away from Thatch. Her cheeks a deep red and her stomach bulging out from the awful dress she wore.

Adaline really hated this dress. It was ugly and itchy.

Very itchy.

Like super itchy.

But it did help conceal the things that needed to be concealed so that was a plus. Also it matched the overly large boots she wore as well, so at least she had that going for her if nothing else.

Marco tilted his head not hiding the fact he took in Domino's form with a sudden want. "Got what-yoi?" He asked to which Domino shrugged, her pulled up hair bouncing as she then smiled madly.

"Here's the Baby mama!," She cheered pushing the small pregnant woman before the two commanders. That quick statement was all Thatch needed to fall forward his face unreadable and body pale.

Adaline quickly yelped and threw her arms around the taller man with a deep breath. "Oh no! you can't pass out on me!" She stated sharply. The audacity of this man! She had to stay standing carrying not one but two little parasites with her. The least he could do was stand to look at his handiwork.

Domino and Marco shared a light laugh before the two looked at each other clearly forgoing any idea of hiding their true intentions. As well as a weight lifting off their shoulders.

Marco nodded at how she twisted her left wrist at her side and her bare feet tapped the rocky floor.

"They're here, aren't they?" He asked quietly. The weight suddenly coming back but still lighter.

She nodded and bit her lip then looked down, then back up clearly fidgeting under his caring gaze. How was he making her so calm?

"Now's not the time for you to be a mind reader birdy," She stated with a weak smile that soon began to grow into a wide sadistic grin while Adaline and Thatch were clearly lost in their own conversation.

"I'm sorry are you okay?" Thatch frantically asked his hands caressing Adaline softly.

"Of course I am whats another baby to carry around?" She rolled her eyes.

"Ahh,, Right, right they're mmmm mine yeah?"

Marco sighed at the conversation and motioned to step back further away from Adaline who was now shaking her head getting ready to explain that of course they were and she would know because she was there for it.

Unfortunately.

Domino followed absently, her eyes still focused on the two they left behind as she moved to drape herself over the bar stool that Marco held out for her while he moved to sit over his own.

The bar tender quickly rushed over to the two a wide smile on his face and a blue scarf tied around his neck which swayed with his motions.

"If now's not the time then when-yoi?" Marco asked lightly as the bartender offered his services.

Neither of the two focusing too closely on the man who was clearly worn down.

Marco shook his head at the tall woman's silence as she began to fidget in her seat. Her eyes focusing on the glorious glass bottles that shimmered brilliantly behind the bar tender.

They all seemed to be polished and primed for just her. Each glorious bottle of relief screaming her name.

"Can I help you?" The bar tenders gruff voice asked once more. This time his voice was loud enough to bring both parties from their unwavering stares towards him.

She shook her head "No thank you sir." and turned away from bar tender to give Marco a weak smile. Her eyes once again diverting down. "How about later?" Her cold voice chirpy and uncertain as she looked up at him.

Marco tilted his head watching as she looked around once more. "How much later Domino-yoi?" He was trying to hold himself back from pulling her in his arms to drive away whatever caused her proud shoulders to slouch. And for some reason he was succeeding.

He looked away and nodded at the bar tender intending to order the first bottle he saw. Then stopped himself glancing back at Domino who once again shifted in her seat.

The once proud and calm woman now obviously uncomfortable in the presence of alcohol something he had never seen before. And quiet frankly didn't want to see.

"Water-yoi." His simple worded request bringing the woman's attention back towards him.

Domino raised an eyebrow with a wide smile "You don't gotta not drink cause i'm not."

Marco cracked a small smile at the sight of her crooked tooth grin while she nodded towards the bar tender then pointed towards the blonde. "But, The same. For me please."

"Kicking an addiction can be hard, you shouldn't do it alone-yoi." He started with a laughing smile. Not knowing why in this place with a heavy feeling about it he was completely careless.

Still he needed to get around to what he really wanted to ask. Which was, what exactly do you have planed here? If she was just here to see her brothers then he wouldn't have spotted some of Domino's men along the furthest shore of the island.

If she was really intending to just see her brothers, she wouldn't have sent him such a coded message.

If she was really her just for her brothers then she would not have sent Adaline off with Thatch.

However, after seeing the state this woman was in. It was clear this would be harder then originally thought. She was not the woman he had known, and even the normal Domino was known to be troublesome.

This was proving to be a good challenge and while he should be wary he only found himself giddy at her side.

Domino scoffed to herself, wrinkling her nose at the word addiction. Addiction was an understatement. Addiction was when you needed something to be normal, she didn't need the burning liquid to be her normal, her normal was this, a bloodthirsty sadistic mess.

A normal that thought it was okay to smile while her siblings cried for her to stop.

A normal that cackled while their island and family alike burn in the distance.

A normal that...you get the picture.

"It's not an addiction thank you." She defended with a light smile, then she shook her head adverting her eyes from Marco's heavy gaze.

It was. It was very much so an addiction and she would be happy to continue to feed it if there wasn't a cause for her to be sober.

But, still if she wasn't careful she would give into his lifting presence before she even had a chance to resist.

"And it's just while we're on this island. So there." She stated with a polite nod and her tongue stuck out.

Marco nodded knowingly with an amused expression and gingerly took his cup moving to pull his legs up on the leathery stool and cross them.

"So why else are you on this island-yoi?" He asked her with a sly expression across his face. If she wanted to play a game he would go along with it. He could act unknowing for now.

Domino shrugged then gave a half laugh to herself. "Don't play dumb now birdy," She rolled her eyes before sending him a heavy look while wrapping her shaking hands around her cold condensation covered glass.

"it doesn't look good on you." She stated harshly but with a light smile moving to take a drink before scoffing at the glass and placing it down.

This was not a good substitute to alcohol. It made her very sad.

He gave a sly smile and a soft nod noticing the small trickle of dirt collecting in the condensation along the bar top. How odd.

"You can't be the only one to pretend-yoi, that's not fair." He remarked with a light tone. Leaning in to her slumped over form.

He was being pulled towards her once more. But something still felt off. Was it the fact that the longer he looked at how she sat beside him the more he began to get this feeling of unknowing.

A feeling he was very unfamiliar with.

A feeling that if he was to let her pull away he would some how lose her? No, It was more as if she wasn't beside him then she wasn't here within his grasp.

Yet, here she was. Her auburn hair pulled up in fascinating teased fashion giving what would normally be a woman with twigs in her hair, a look of sophistication with layers and volume.

It was amusing to him that while her hair looked like something of royalty she wore a simple green tank top but unlike her other ones which would always pull up above her mid-torso this one was firmly pulled down and not as fitted as she had previously worn. Then her pants which were nothing more then the same black slacks he had always seen her in.

This woman seemed to be a walking contradiction. Her being here was assumed to be for family, yet she wore clothes he equated with her marine obligations.

"What's this a pirate wants fairness?" She quipped. Marco shook his head a smile on his face Domino giggled while rolling her eyes. "Besides, I just do it so much better," She teased her heavy voice breaking to a crazy giggle before she muffled it.

Marco took his drink in his hand and absently held open his arm as she leaned in resting her head on his shoulder.

It seemed in his minds rambling Domino had felt the same thing. She would always be pulled towards this man. Neither one fighting nor mentioning the movement. But both finding comfort none the less.

"Never fooled me-yoi." He remarked coolly. His free arm wrapping around her back and pulling her in closer as she hummed and leaned against him. Careful not to mess up her hair.

"That's because you read minds. Sooo, you pretty much beat me before I have a chance to." She smiled up at him her cold voice breaking once more.

Then froze at her realization. This was a mistake. Because the moment she looked up at his relaxed expression she saw it.

Her past, her present, her future all staring back at her with nothing but care in his eyes. Even if no one else saw the subtle changes in his expression she could see it. Just the same as he saw through her wide and sadistic smile.

She rolled her eyes to herself and shook her head beginning to pull away, not allowing herself to find comfort in Marco's warmth. Her body physically fighting against her minds decision as she moved to send him a half apologetic smile.

She loved his presence; she loved every ounce of his warmth. It's just in this moment, she needed to be cold. She couldn't lose sight of what she needed to do.

But his eyes! They showed an unwavering sense of what? Concern? Certainty? It didn't matter they showed he cared. He cared!

She pulled away none the less, Marco shifting to fix himself after her absence. He was finding it hard to stay so certain and calm that he would win.

"So" She gave a light smile looking up at his eyebrow pulled into a questioning glance then back down to her tall glass. "Tell me which 3 was it?" She asked lightly trailing her finger along the condensation careful not wash off what sanity she had left.

"In the bath house?" Marco asked her. His eyes focusing on how she glanced up at him before quickly slumping over the shining oak bar top.

"Hmmhm" She responded quickly. Her eyes flicking from him back towards the droplets of water that now formed a ring from her untouched drink.

"Izo, Ace and the father himself-yoi," He spoke calmly, focusing on a small object that seemed to peak out between the pulled up strands of hair hidden at the point where the hair tie met the top of her head.

He found himself moving to reveal the small object with a 'got you' smirk across his face when her honey eyes looked up with a raised eyebrow and a quick shake of the head.

"Careful, Took Ada all day to do that." She smiled before she grasped his hand and interlaced her fingers with his. Pulling his arm towards the bar to rest along hers. "And you wouldn't want to make a hormonal woman angry would yeah?" She smirked in return.

He smiled to himself as she focused back on her drink. Her grip on his hand unwavering as she did so.

Of course it was. If she was to let go he would be right back to expose her whole lie. Not only that, she couldn't let go. She just refused to. If she did then just like Adaline he would disappear.

"I don't know, it just might be fun-yoi." He teased before going quite at Domino's thoughtful look he took a sip of his water and pulled away frowning slightly at the drink's lack of taste.

"So Thatch found out right then and there?" She asked lightly her eyes still focused on her own reflective cup.

It was hard for her to out right say, Hey, um you know all those time's I've lied, and you caught on? Yeah well why aren't you catching on now? I kinda need you to stay you know.

Was she finally succeeding? Had she grown this...this cold that she finally fooled the birdy once and for all?

No, that wasn't true. He knew how ripped a part she felt... right? Yeah, of course he did, that's why his hand remained in hers.

But neither of them mentioning it while they both focused on their own tasks.

Hers, was holding on to him for dear life.

His, was watching her conflicted features through the reflections of liquor glasses and side glances.

"I assume so," Marco began before Domino's heavy voice chirped. "What was his reaction?" The light amusement in her voice comforting before her eyes seemed to flick to a different gaze and her smile grew before shifting to a blank stare.

"He passed out in shock-yoi." Marco smirked trying to hide his laughter at poor Thatch's inability to stay upright after the news. It was pure karma.

Domino nodded still focusing on her own drink. Carefully stealing quick glances at Marco's reflection in her drink. "So did Ada when she found, I would've too, but I had a lot of other things going on." She gave a light chuckle remembering exactly what happened.

It was soon after she had finishing selling what soul she had left to Akainu and little Adaline appeared crying with her hands shaking. Reveling that her collusion knew no bounds.

Marco looked over with a raised eyebrow at how Domino shook her head, began to run her other hand through her hair then stopped noticing that his free hand was now pulling hers down softly.

She quickly looked up. Shock across her face as he smiled both her hands in his. "You don't wanna mess up your hair do you-yoi?" He asked with a knowing hint in his voice.

Domino felt her resolve beginning to wash away as she stared into his knowing expression.

He did know her lies after all!

Does that mean she could just agree with this overwhelming feeling of guilt and forsake everything and just go with him? Could she actually do what she wanted and live with the consequences... No she couldn't do that.

So with a trembling lip and a deep breath she gave a light nod and looked back towards her drink. The stinging of tears growing in the corner of her eyes as she tried to fight back the want to throw herself in his arms.

She then took in a deep breath and scoffed at her newfound weakness for the birdy. Oh who's fooling who? She was weak for him from the beginning. She always was. What was the point anymore?

"Does my hair at least look good? Even a little bit?" Domino asked him her eyes pulling up and landing on his light warming smile. Maybe she was wrong, maybe she wasn't to cold for him.

Yet, just like that whenever she began to lose her resolve and while Marco began to speak another chilling presence filled the night air.

Reminding her where she was.

"You look amazing-yoi," Marco started with a teasing smile watching Domino's hopeful smile cross her face. "But," He started with a light hand reaching for the tiny exposed silver wire in her hair. "It'd look better without the wires don't you think?" He asked while moving to cover up the last of the silver tint with her auburn hair.

She looked down with a 'got me smile' on her face and took in a deep breath. "Marco." She sighed looking down at the reflective counter.

Her left hand squeezing his hand while she twisted her right wrist. Her voice heavy and cold once more.

Marco took in the serious moment and became increasingly aware of a strong presence making its way towards them.

Which brother was this? He asked himself.

"I know-yoi." He sighed taking in her desperate attempt of never losing. He was beginning to piece this together. Slowly but surely it was making sense. The hollow hope Izo had given him hours before was slowly fading away.

He could tell she was never intending to win. Or was it, the moment he let her go she would win? And that's what she wanted?

"Do you? Do you know? Do you really know?" She asked him her cold voice honest as she began to glance up in desperate need of his answer.

She tilted her head and took in a deep breath. She needed to see his answer across his neutral face.

"Listen..." She started a desperate tone in her voice before stopping herself and closing her eyes. Then sighing and shook her head as she squeezed his hand once more.

Marco nodded preparing himself for what was coming. Whatever it was it was important to him.

He made sure to watch how the side of her face scrunched up in to a look of worry and disgust before she rolled her eyes and pulled her slumped over form tight and relaxed her shoulders so she was now the once tall and proud marine he had grown to care for all these years.

But he knew, she was lying.

"Ada's gonna need a really good doctor you know?" She asked him with her cold voice breaking to a lighter one that seemed forced.

Marco rolled his eyes at her obvious changing of the subject. He couldn't blame her. It was probably unbearable being separated from your family for so long, then suddenly being able to meet them again.

But this time with more the questionable circumstances.

He was stuck, for the first time his calm and thoughtful composure was confused. Not on her actions but his own.

Why was that?

Because he pulled away his hand. His watchful eyes witnessing the final motion that cemented the fact that he had just lost this game. If you could even call it that at this point. He pulled away from her.

His own hand betrayed him.

Domino felt the coldness of Marco's absence grow inside her and internally nodded to herself. He must really know what she plans tonight.

That's how it was then?

"If you're asking if I'll take care of her Domino," He started his voice growing serious as he turned to face the bar fully torn from Domino's shifting side.

He looked down at how his reflective water and how it reveled back to him the severity of his decision and shook his head at his actions. "There's no need, Pop's would never let anything happen to her-yoi." He stated sternly. The idea that anyone would have to even ask for his protection was laughable.

To which Domino's deep breath was the only immediate response. "Or you." He finished with a heavy tone in his voice.

The two sat in silence for merely a minute neither one of them commenting on the coldness that began to grow. Neither mentioning the impact on Marco's motions had. Or the fact that Domino didn't reach out again.

They were stuck once again in their battle. But at this time they couldn't tell what losing meant.

Domino looked up towards the assorted bottles that reflected the nearness of the one person she was hesitant to meet.

"I didn't ask if Pop's would take care of her I asked if you would." She stated sternly her body still but her voice almost pleading with him to make a move.

Marco raised an eyebrow and looked back at the stern woman offended at how questioning her voice was. "Are you saying you don't trust Pop's-yoi?" He asked her clearly being pulled by her strings.

Domino rolled her eyes snapping herself from the cold and chaotic feeling she felt and remembering all the fights she's had with this man.

Everything from, taken care of injuries to who gets the blankets. It was a warm feeling bringing her back towards her once challenging stance.

"I'm not saying that, I'm just saying, there's not a lot of good things going on here. I don't like it." She confessed sternly moving away from the water and wrapping her arms across her chest while sitting back to get a defiant look towards the blonde man.

Marco pulled back away from the bar to look towards her defiant stance impressed with her change.

A small smile creeping across his face as he noticed none other than Raphael the Crimson tie approach the two. His eyes locked on Marco's turned figure.

So that's why her demeanor changed, she was pretending to be the strong marine she once was for her brother.

He knew that.

"So there's more here then you know-yoi?" He asked her watching as the tall muscular man walked towards them but stopped as if hit by an invisible barrier. Marco was almost tempted to turn towards the man and offer a greeting.

That was, if he wanted to give up what little time he had left with Domino.

The proud but now broken woman nodded "There's a lot more going on then I want to know. But." She sighed and shook her head. "I have no other choice."

To which Marco raised an eyebrow and scoffed "You always have a choice." He responded.

Domino sighed and looked towards the bottles reflecting her now grown up Rappy just behind her.

His hands fixing his tie as he switched from foot to foot.

She then looked back to Marco and grabbed his hand making sure his eyes watched how hers pleaded with him. He may pull away but she wasn't willing to.

"Just take care birdy?" Her voice soft and gentle as she sent a hopeful smile.

Marco looked down in awe at his hand and curled his fist around her emptiness as she pulled it away.

He remained still in awe and silence, as she took in a deep breath and moved to slide off the stool, unsure how to respond. He wanted to make one last comment but stopped looking on at how her eyes were already shaking at the sight of her brother's stern and unmoving face.

Before he could retract his action's he pulled his hands away from her and glanced back down at his drink. A light smile across his face as he inspected the new object in his hand. (Secretly of course)

"I should say the same thing to you weeds-yoi." He started before moving to stand up while she remained still and silent.

Marco watched with a sideways smile as he moved to walk away from the tense scene before him, "We'll be waiting for you." He cooed in a low whisper pressing against her side and brushing past her ear his eyes while making his exit.

Raphael glared at his actions.

Domino melted.

"After all we have our own mission-yoi." Marco smiled before placing a quick kiss on her temple and walking away.

He didn't need to see the crazy smile on Domino's face to know it was there. Nor did he need to see the evil aura around the man that easily topped him in height.

He just knew that what he had done was won.

He glanced back down at the small purple hyacinth in his hand and shook his head in disbelief.

He had fell for her tricks.

She forgave him for his.

Welp guys here we gooooo i'm neck deep in school work and trying to figure out the middle part for this. I have how it ends, I have conversations made up, i just gotta get the in-between Thank you for your comments and votes they really do help me continue writing.

On this sight i want to say Thank you for the reviews I love them so much and keep rereading them.

purple hycainth- sorrow, please forgive me, i am sorry