As soon as Markus and Gion separated, the young woman insisted that Markus tell her everything that happened.
" Oh my god."
" Yeah I know. It was quite a lot to deal with. I almost didn't make it, and I wouldn't have if not for the help I had. As much as I hate to admit it, without them.... I wouldn't be here." Markus told the woman.
" Markus." Gion spoke his name and placed her hand on his forearm and gently rubbed it.
" But... Don't worry. It's gonna be alright." Markus looked at Gion and smiled as brightly as he could.
" Dude, how can you sit there and smile like nothing happened? You really are something else man." Brago muttered.
" Regardless, I need to go see Fleet Admiral Kong." Markus stated.
" What? No, you can't, you're still injured!" Gion exclaimed. The look of worry on her face, certainly concerned Markus.
" It's okay. Gion, really, I'm alright. I can move just fine. I still need to make my report, and I need to see how Dalmatian is doing, and then there's Norin." Markus explained.
" Norin?"
" Norin?"
Gion and Brago both repeated that name in confusion and looked at Markus together. Brago looked confused and Gion seemed a little more worried.
Apparently at some point during his explanation, Markus left out the name of the princess he saved. And right now, it was biting him in the ass.
" Oh! that's right, the princess... Ya know, I can't believe I forgot to mention her." Markus exclaimed. He rubbed his head and laughed nervously at the two of them.
Brago joined Markus in his laughter, as he did enjoy seeing Markus flustered, although Gion didn't share the two's sense of humor.
" Will you two be quiet?!" Gion shouted. " We're in the medical ward. There are other people here. These rooms are small. They don't have soundproof walls, ya know!" She told the two men.
Markus and Brago quickly quieted themselves as they realized that she was right. They were in the middle of Marineford's hospital, meaning there were others in different rooms who could overhear them if they were too loud.
" Right." Brago muttered.
" Right, sorry Gion."
" Good. Now, Markus, if you want to see Kong, then I am coming with you." Gion told the man.
" Gion, you don't need to do that." Markus told the woman.
" Yes, I do. You're still injured and Brago is leaving soon, which means someone needs to come with you to make sure you don't get hurt." Gion stated.
Markus was happy... But he didn't want to be a burden to the woman. And the last thing he wanted was to drag her down, to drag anyone down.
" Gion I-"
" I'm coming with you, it's not up for debate. Now come on, get up and get dressed." Gion told the man. She grabbed him a change of clothes that was placed next to his bed and placed them in his hands. She then stepped outside his small room, and waited until Markus was finished getting dressed.
Markus quickly got dressed, with Brago's help. He threw on the pair of black pants and brown shoes, but decided against putting on his shirt, due to still having problems lifting his arms over his head. And Brago helped him by placing his new coat over his shoulders.
" Thank you for the help, old friend." Markus said to the man.
" Don't worry about it, Markus. You know I'll always be there for you. In any way I can." Brago leaned over and hugged Markus as gently as he could without hurting the man. " I wish, I could stick around longer, but Borsalino's already roughing it alone, I can't leave him high and dry."
" Yeah, I know man. Still I wish we could have gotten some more time to catch up. There's still so much I want to talk to you about."
" We'll get a chance. Until then just watch the news. I'll be sure to take the stage next time. After all, I can't let you leave me in the dust."
" No, you better not." Markus muttered. He smiled wistfully at his friend, as although he was sad to be parting ways so quickly, he was glad to have had a moment to see him again and know that he was doing well.
" Well, you better not keep the lady waiting. And I'm sure Kong and the others will be happy to see you back on your feet. I guess, I better get going. I will see you again, Markus. Until next time." Brago told the man. He turned around and, with a smile on his face, waved at him one last time. A smile still plastered across his face.
For Markus, the feeling was bittersweet. Yes, he was happy to see his old friend, but having to part so quickly was saddening. Though, he knew it wouldn't be for long. No, they always did have a tendency to get into trouble together. Markus knew he would meet the man again. And next time, he hoped it wouldn't be in the hospital.
" Alright. Guess, I shouldn't keep her waiting either." Markus muttered. He followed brago just mere moments after he had left, having taken his time to accept that his friend was off once again to travel the sea without him.
Taking a deep breath, Markus grabbed his things and walked out of the room, by himself, and smiled at Gion as she stood against the far side wall.
" Took you long enough." Gion muttered.
" Yeah, had to say my goodbyes. Ya know?"
" Yeah, it feels like it's been so long since we were all together. Almost feels sad to have split up again."
" Yeah, but, eh we'll see each other again. And next time, hopefully I won't be in the hospital. Yahahahahaha!" Markus laughed joyfully, though he did find it uncomfortable to do so with his torso being injured. " So, are you ready to go?"
" Yup! I'm ready whenever you are. Though, I don't know if you should be so excited. Kong-San has been waiting for you to wake up for some time, and I know for a fact he isn't going to like the idea that you had to have... Help." Gion told the man. She didn't even want to bring up the situation with the pirates out loud, in fear of other marines overhearing them.
" Ah, don't worry about that. I'm sure everything will be fine. Besides, we got the job done, regardless. Come on, let's go!"
Doom!
To Be Continued!
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