[Feral cats don't usually like to be brushed but you gotta do what you gotta do.]
Marco felt sudden concern when he spotted Izo leaning against the railing of the ship, their foot tapping restlessly. Putting his current duties aside, he stride towards Izo. His brother perked up the moment sharp eyes found him.
"It's about time." Their voice was laced with annoyance and Marco tilted his head confused.
"Excuse me?"
"You distract him and I'll flank him from behind." With that Izo turned on their heel and marched off with determination.
"I-what?" Was all Marco was able to get out as he watched Izo walk over, saying something to Ace and walking briskly away. Ace raised his brow and nodded before looking back at Marco curiously. Not knowing what was going on Marco smile to their newest brother and Ace nodded and trotted over to him.
"You wanted to talk to me?"
"Ye-es?" Marco drew out, at a lost of what to say. He mentally cursed Izo for his sporadic moments. Ace furrowed his brows and his eyes darted up and down suspiciously.
"Okay? What did you want to talk about." There was a slight nervous tone to his voice reminding of just how unfamiliar Ace was with them all still. With a sigh he dropped the charade of whatever role he was suppose to play. Best warn Ace now. Not that he knew what he was warning his newest brother about but it didn't hurt to give him a heads up.
But it was a moment too late. Suddenly Izo was behind Ace and a seastone was clasped to his right wrist. Unstable, Izo was able to drag Ace down to the floor, plopping him on his butt.
"Izo!" Marco shouted in surprised and Izo's legs wrapped around Ace's torso, trapping his arms.
"I'm sorry it had to come to this Ace." With that Izo pulled out something behind their back and put it to Ace's head. Marco stood shocked when Izo started to roughly brush Ace's hair. His mouth hung slightly open as he stared.
Izo clung to their newest brother and worked to get the brush through tangled knots while Ace struggled and spat. It was like watching someone giving one of their resident cats a bath. Knowing Ace probably wouldn't appreciated being compared to an angry, wet feline Marco shook his head.
"Izo" he addressed firmly. Izo looked up and Marco took note of almost concealed bags under his eyes. And there was Marco's answer, when Izo was stressed and tired, over who knows what at the moment, they would tend to latch on one of their "lesser" groomed brothers.
"Come now Marco it's just a brushing. Ace has such gorgeous hair, it's a shame he's not doing anything with it. It's not like I'm hurting anyone." This was followed by an 'ow' from Ace at a particularly hard tug of the brush.
"It's not gorgeous and it's just fine." Ace muttered angrily, still looking like a pissed off cat. However Marco could see red bloom over his freckled cheeks. Whether it's from embarrassment from this situation or the compliment, Marco couldn't say.
"Izo" Marco said again, exasperated of the whole situation. They sighed and rolled their eyes. As soon as they loosened their legs Ace jolted up and actually hid behind Marco. The first commander shook his head and held out his hand. "Key please. Before the kid gnaws off his arm." There was a quiet offend squawk behind him. Marco mentally chided himself for still comparing Ace to the cats.
The key was handed over and Ace was released and was off the moment the cuff was gone. He quickly marched away, looking back a them over their shoulder twice before disappearing into the messhall. The rest of the crew on deck pointedly not look.
"He's like a feral cat." Izo sighed and Marco snorted. Least he wasn't the only one.
"You know he'll never let you near him with a brush again." Izo just looked up and smiled.
"We'll see."