Burning Hearts [SEQUEL INCLUDED]

Chapter 16

Warning: Depression, Self-harm, Suicide

Please don't read if you are triggered by these. I'm not forcing you to avoid this chapter but just advising for the sake of your mental health.

Ok, enjoy reading, loves!

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Ace

Marco's been hanging out more with Norman lately and I know it's because he's still new but it's been days since we talked. I could feel jealousy conquer my mind little by little and it scares me. To add fuel to the fire, I'm feeling anxious about whether he still loves me. If Thatch was here, he'd probably slap my back and tell me to stop being paranoid. I sighed as I sat on the dining table with my division and ate meat at an abnormally slow pace.

"Ace."

I was staring at space as I ate the meat. I couldn't take the thought of Marco losing interest in me off my mind and it keeps bringing me down. Even if I managed to shove this thought aside, I still have those feelings of jealousy and anxiety. Oh, why is life like this?

"Ace!"

I flinched at the calling of my name. I turned my head to see Izo with a concerned look.

"Are you okay? Everyone's finished with their food except you. You've been sitting here for 25 minutes, eating really slowly. Also, Marco told me to tell you that he isn't free to talk to you and he needs you to wash the plates for to-" Izo stopped when I snapped by accident.

"Why don't he ask Norman instead? He's always around him so why me? And tell him to talk to me when he's free." I murmured in jealousy before continuing to eat.

Izo gasped softly but sighed dejectedly and nodded before walking away from me. I finished my food a minute later and washed the plates as told to do so by Marco through Izo, accidentally breaking some and hurting myself. Fuck, that hurts. I took the first aid kit and treated myself hurriedly. After finishing with the washing and drying of plates, I walked to my room, looking at the floor. Damn it, I shouldn't have snapped earlier. It's Izo, for fuck's sake. Someone who is close to Marco. Surely, he'd tell Marco. Besides, it doesn't matter if he knows or not. At least, I can occupy myself since I'm professional at killing boredom.

"Ace."

Well, speak of the devil.

I looked up to see Marco in front of me. He still looked like himself from before. Handsome, sexy and a pineapple. I then cleared my throat and spoke.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I... I'm sorry for the past weeks. It's just that I've been really-" He stopped as I placed my hand over his mouth.

"It's fine. You're really busy and you need to attend to Norman more since he's new, blah blah blah. I get it. Now, can you leave me be? Thank you." I said with slight sarcasm before entering my room and closing the door behind me.

I heard footsteps shuffling away from the door and I sighed. That was intense but it lifted a little burden off me. I feel better now. I then bounced on my bed and laid, snuggling myself in comfort as I slept.

The next morning

"Ace, wake up!" A voice called.

I groggily woke up, seeing Jozu beside me. Marco is busy yet again. I sighed and sat up.

"What?" I asked.

"Ace, you... might want to see this. It's important." He answered.

"Look, if it's about Marco, I know he's busy and all so I won't bother him too m-"

"Marco nearly died last night."

I froze, hearing Jozu's words. Died? How could he have nearly died? I know he has a Devil Fruit but he's smart enough to not jump into water.

"How?" I asked.

The answer I got wasn't what I expected of Marco, especially since he'd never bring himself to that state.

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Marco

I was sitting in the bay, tapping my foot nonstop. Curiel's in his office, attending to his overdue work, and no one else is around. Norman has to prepare brunch and Ace... Well, Ace seems annoyed by me not spending time with him. I don't want to trouble him but if I told him about my situation, he'd be panicking over it. I sighed as I sat on the chair, looking at the floor.

"Why did this have to happen to me?" I asked myself.

Earlier

"Marco, what were you thinking?" Curiel asked worriedly.

"Listen, it's not that big of a deal, yoi. I just-" I was about to say when Curiel stopped me.

"No. Clearly, you've been immersed in work. Immersed to the point that your stress level rose up drastically, causing your change of state and... your actions last night." Curiel said.

"What, no. I'm not immersed in work. I'm fine. I'm handling myself well. Now, can I-" I lied as I got up from the chair but Curiel pushed me back on it.

"No. You, Marco the Phoenix, are staying here in the bay. You're not leaving until I say so." Curiel scolded before leaving the room.

Now

I sat there, staring at the floor. I could see shadows just coming closer to me but I wasn't bothered to look up. Then, I heard a very familiar voice.

"Marco."

I looked up with my dead eyes to see a seriously concerned Ace.

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Ace

"Marco." I called.

He looked at me with his eyes. They looked dead. Oh my Kami-sama, I've never seen him like this.

"Hey, Ace." He said.

"Mind if I sit with you?" I asked.

"Not at all," He answered, patting the seat next to him.

I sat next to him and the room was really quiet for a minute. I was a little hesitant to talk but I knew he needed something from me and I hugged him. He tried to pull away but I stubbornly tightened my hug and after a few tugs, he gave up and just buried himself in my chest.

"This is not the first time I've seen you sad but it's the first that you took it to a higher extent." I joked.

"Shut up." Marco said, making me chuckle before being serious.

"Really, why? Y'know hiding this from me is not gonna work. Why-?" I was about to ask again when I noticed his wrists.

I looked at his wrists and they had... cuts on them. Not so recent ones but they looked fresh. I looked at Marco who fell asleep on my chest. I let him sleep there and I needed to conceal his scars so I looked for a nearby bandage, found one near my area, took it and wrapped his arms with it. After doing so, I didn't want him sleeping uncomfortably so I carried him to my room.

After arriving in my room, I laid on my bed with Marco, still asleep, laying on top of me. He was heavy but I could handle it. I then heard a knock at the door and a voice asked to enter.

"Come in," I said.

The door creaked open and it was Norman.

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[End]