☀ II–Pearly whites pressed firmly together, making the muscles in the chef’s cheeks standout as a pained groan vibrated within his throat due to the sudden burst of pain that shot through him. The nurses had told him that it might take him quite a while to be able to move like he did before the incident— but he hadn’t thought it would be this hard just to take on a damn shirt, it made him feel shame, anger, emotions that he hadn’t felt in a long while, emotions he usually brushed off, but now, it wasn’t that easy with him barely able to stand up properly. Especially with his brothers and sisters worrying like they did.. What had happened was his own fault.. if just— suddenly hearing the familiar voice, Thatch craned his neck while suppressing a pained noise that threatened to escape at his movement as emerald hues settled on the other.
“No need to worry, haha! I am fine, Marco..” Thatch spoke as he forced a smile onto his scarred features. “I am just.. a bit slower than usual–!”
seeing thatch alive AND awake had lifted something inside of marco´s chest ( and everyone elses´ in the crew ) ;; it had been a miracle, to say the least - nothing less, but of course - it had to come with a price, as everything does. recovery wasn´t an easy thing, especially after a mortal wound like that- and after spending such a long time simply laying STILL , unmoving apart from the slightest raise of the chest. the phoenix could only IMAGINE the pain his brother must be going through ;; having to build up his muscles, dealing with the strain - the fact that he tried to act as if he were fine, like his usual cheery self ;; it pains him - it makes him frown, lips pressing against each other tightly & fists clench. he hates it, though he guesses he already expected it. thatch had always been like this after all.
“ take your time, yoi. don´t overdo yourself already when you just woke up. izo´ll scold you. “