Burning Hearts [SEQUEL INCLUDED]

Chapter 14

Marco

The Straw Hats had already left for their next adventure. I sighed defeatedly, closing my eyes as I sat on my desk. Why on my desk? I had to stay like a bird for a whole day.

Earlier

"Huh?! Are you guys nuts?!" I exclaimed.

"Well, duh, obviously not. We need you to use your Devil Fruit and turn into a bird. And stay like that for a day. Only a day because it's for research purposes so that I can somehow create something to strengthen your powers. In the meantime, try... to tolerate this for a while." Curiel asked.

"Yeah. Also, I would be able to come up with a few designs for your clothes so if we need to go undercover and you have no choice but to be a pet, you could dress up and not be suspicious." Izo added.

I looked at them, dumbfounded by their curiosity. Why the shit would they be interested in my powers? They have seen it multiple times before! It's no different than other Devil Fruits.

"Fine but it's only for research purposes, like you said." I accepted Curiel's request.

"That's great!" They exclaimed.

"Alright, now, let's get to business."

Now

I just want to sleep and forget about it. I shut my eyes for a few seconds and disaster happens. An explosion was heard in Curiel's room. I flinched in shock and sighed again. There goes my sleep. I flew to Curiel's room, barging in to see ash stains on the walls and a guy all covered in soot. This guy.

"Let's just say... I may have taken the experiment a bit too... mind-blowing. Also, nice fat body you got there, Marco-san." Curiel jokes, commenting about my medium oval-shaped body.

"Curiel, you idiot!" I retorted, pecking him angrily before flying back to my room.

Later

"Oh, Marco-san~ I've got a surprise for you!" Izo said, carrying a bunch of clothes my size.

"What are these for-" I asked, getting cut off by Izo grabbing me and putting the clothes on me.

After the clothes were on me, I was surprised at his fashion sense. He picked out a comfortable purple coat, similar to what I wear as a human except that it was thick and designed for winter. As for my hidden legs, he picked blue trousers. It's as if he's trying to redesign and materialise my casual clothes in the bird form.

"Izo..." I said.

"Yeah, y'know, being a bird is quite a lot to ask from you so I figured maybe I could lighten up your day by doing this. If you're wondering why Ace hasn't been bothering you much lately, it's because he doesn't want to, surprisingly. I'm guessing Ace has a bad feeling that if he were to bother you as a bird, it'd turn into chaos. Anyway, have fun with your new clothes and don't burn them." Izo said before leaving the room.

I smiled softly and then, Curiel came in with a bottle of pills.

"Well, I'm done with the exploding experiments and here is the final product. Hope it tastes nice and works." He said hurriedly before running out of the room.

These guys. I turned back to my human self and flopped on my bed, finally able to sleep after a day as a bird.

The next morning

I woke up, a few minutes behind schedule. As I stretched my arms out and yawned, I noticed a plate of risotto and a glass of water on my desk. A piece of small paper was beside the plate. I got up and looked at the paper.

"Dear Marco-kun,

Here's your meal. I prepared it specially for you since you're like a senior to me. Not in a bad way, though. I just want to thank you for letting me in your crew. Well, Pops was really welcoming, which was a surprise to me. Anyway, thank you for letting me be the cook for the crew. I may not be as good as Thatch or Sanji but I'll try my best to satisfy everyone's tummies. Well, I don't want you to be hungry so enjoy!

Regards,
Norman" The note showed.

I chuckled at Norman's note and was about to dig into the dish when Ace barged in and hugged me.

"Hey, you're your human self again. Was it annoying? Did anyone bother you a lot? Were you uncomfortable?" Ace asked.

"I'm fine, Ace. I was a bird but with reason. Curiel wanted to make something for me and Izo was just going to design clothes for me, which were comfortable, I'd admit. They just asked me to turn into a bird. Why are you acting like it's a big deal?" I asked back.

"Oh my Kami-sama, they didn't tell you?" Ace asked me back again.

"Tell me what?" I asked him.

Silence conquered the room for a while and after a few seconds, Ace sighed and told me.

"You were sick, Marco. Very sick. When we got separated on a winter island, you were stranded and had to turn into your bird form to survive the cold. When we found you three days later, your flames were dying out so we had to quickly bring you back to the ship." Ace explained.

I stood there, surprised. How come I don't remember this? It was 4 days ago!

"We realised that these situations could happen to anyone, especially you. What you described was a hallucination. Curiel and Izo weren't asking you to be a bird. You were already one. They made pills and designed winter clothes for you so that they could prevent this from happening again. You get it now?" Ace explained in detail.

I stood there, still shocked and frozen by the truth. I... was sick? Again? This one is worse than the previous time. I was going to die as a bird!

"Marco."

If I die, I won't get to marry Ace. I won't get to see Pops or Ace again. Heck, I can't see anyone!

"Marco."

I... I... I won't have anyone to-

"Marco!"

I flinched in shock as Ace shouted my name. I subconsciously felt tears running down my cheeks and heavily panting. I... I was never like this. Why now? Great, I've made myself vulnerable at this point. I would have to bottle it in. I can't be like this. Not in front of Ace.

"Marco." I gasped softly as Ace suddenly embraced me tightly.

I stayed silent, still processing what had happened.

"Easy. Don't take it too seriously. I'm here, y'know. Like you told me before, it's okay to let it all out. Besides, seeing you not cry is inhumane and we all need to be human sometimes." Ace said, knowing how it felt like since this happened to him too.

I hugged back and just let it all out. Ace kept patting my back softly as I kept crying. Then, my eyes felt tired and I fell asleep.

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Later

Ace

He slept. I slowly carried him and laid him on his bed. I glanced at him and stroked his hair as he snored. Cute. I bent over to his forehead and kissed it.

"Rest well, Pineapple Head." I said softly before getting up and leaving the room.

ꕤ

[End]