The one thing he's Scared of 3
Author Note: Hee, hee. Happy New Year, everybody! And here's to another great year of writing and friendship to us all! :)
XXXXXXXX
"This is so boring!" Marvelous complained as they all sat, waiting for the shop people to figure out how to fix the ship.
"You're the one who did it," Joe scoffed, going back to reading a magazine with Luka, "what do you mean her eyelashes are fake?"
Doc was helping some kid build a tower, so Marvelous sat back and closed his eyes. The least he could do was catch some z's, since THIS was taking forever and a day. Then he realized there was one who hadn't said something this entire time.
"Ahim?" he opened one eye to look at the small girl, who was sitting watching Doc, "are you okay?"
"Yes, Marvelous-san," she didn't lift her face and mumbled her words. He felt horrible about his act of violence; he'd probably scared the poor girl out of her skin.
"I didn't mean that earlier," he promised, and she just nodded, like she didn't believe him. He bit his lower lip and glared at his feet, squeezing his hands together tightly.
The wait just got a lot longer.
XXXXXXXX
"OW!" Marvelous cursed as Doc bumped into him, making him drop the dart he was aiming at the target, making the bracelet slid off his wrist onto his foot, "Doc!"
"I'm sorry, Marvelous!" he exclaimed, hastily setting down the plate he'd been carrying to the table and kneeling down, "let me see..."
"Just go set the stupid table," he pushed him back with a grumble. The timid Pirate nodded, scrambling up to lay out the food and plates.
The Captain flopped back on his chair and cursed again, trying to ease the pain by rubbing his foot. When they finished eating, he went to his own quarters and took off his shoes and socks to be greeted with a scream. His foot was bright red and bruising as well as swollen, and basically it looked really gross. Grumbling under his breath, he rumaged around in his drawers. Surely there was SOMETHING to make it not be so repulsive...
"Marvelous, are you-oh, my!" Doc yelped when he saw his captain's foot. Without waiting for a response, he ran over and tried to examine it.
"Back off," he snarled, pushing the weaker man away and groaning as the others came running in.
"Are you okay? We heard you scream," Luka demanded, "attack? Nightmare? Or are you being-oh." She'd just noticed the foot.
"You need to get that thing fitted," Joe commented, knowing about the bracelet.
"Go away," the Captain hissed, grabbing a gauze he'd just found and starting to wrap it up, "goodbye." Doc scrambled away, clinging to Luka, who slugged him as her and Joe went back to bed.
"Marvelous-san, are you sure you are alright?" Ahim asked meekly, trying to be nice despite her fear of how he'd acted.
"I'm FINE!" he yelled, storming out, leaving her to cry.
XXXXXXXX
Marvelous stormed down the street, grumbling exciting things under his breath and kicking trash and rocks off the street like they did something wrong. They just didn't get how he was feeling and they never would. And what was worse? He was starting to scare poor Ahim...
"What am I thinking?" he suddenly exclaimed to nobody impaticular, "I can't be all tied up because of..." He didn't finish that thought.
"Who?" a small voice scared him all but out of his skin.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded to the small princess, closing his eyes with a sigh, "are you following me?"
"I...I was unsure...if you...were alright," she managed, twisting her fingers, "you seemed...rather upset."
"Do what you will," turning around sharply, he stormed to nowhere, trying to pretend she wasn't there. She scurried after him, thinking Is it just me, or does he look like he wants to cry?
It didn't take long for her to get her answer.
XXXXXXXX
"Do you think Marvelous is okay?" Doc asked Luka, who was finding stars in the sky. She shrugged and counted number six.
"It's his problem," she mumbled, like she didn't care.
"But...we all look out for each other," he bit his lower lip, concerned. She turned around with an eye roll.
"Why even bother with him?" she retorted, "he doesn't want it anyway." She counted seven upon turning her back to him, then felt bad when she heard a little timid squeak.
"I'm sorry..." the squeak said, and she went over to him, squeezing his shoulder gently.
"He'll be fine, I'm sure. You don't have to worry all the time," she smiled just as gentle, "help me fine 8, huh?" He smiled back and pointed to a shooting star.
XXXXXXXX
Marvelous had finally decided Ahim had left. After double checking, he sat on a cold, wet bench and ducked his head. He never felt more alone, now that he'd made the crew all worried/angry toward him. But none of that mattered as much as how much he'd upset Ahim...
"Marvelous-san," her voice whispered in his ear, and he turned his face away from her quickly.
"What? I thought you went back," he mumbled.
"Marvelous-san..." her voice was soft and concerned as she took his face in her hands, turning it to face her, "what is wrong? Please tell me."
"It's stupid..." his face matched his coat as she watched.
"Oh my gosh," she pulled him down to her level, resting his head on her chest and his face in her neck. He went stiff, feeling that this was very awkward.
"Ahim..." this was also embarrassing.
"It's okay," she started to rub his back, "it's okay..." Her soft voice made his stomach lurch. How could she still care when he was being such a jerk?
He couldn't help but let his tears fall freely now.
XXXXXXXX
"Good morning," he woke up curled beside her on the bench, and they both smiled at each other.
The pounding returned.