The Lessons Marco Learned
by Apple-chan


Disclaimer: Hiroyuki Takei should officially make LysergXJeanne a canon couple, that's all I can say.

Marco's thoughts on Iron Maiden Jeanne and Lyserg Diethyl and their relationship.

Spoilers: Celebrations, Venice, and Prelude to Destiny (which has yet to be written). But if you know the Manga and Anime series, and you know the first two stories in my list, you'll understand most of this.

Dedication: To all and everyone who, at one time or another, hated Marco to the point of wishing that he was mummified and buried inside a pyramid in Egypt. After reading this, you might just decide to change your view of Marco even just a wee bit. Who knows?

I still can't believe I'm doing this, but what the heck. Read on!^^



A blonde, bespectacled man was sitting on the luxurious sofa of the spacious living room of a grand house, known to its occupants as home...and known to everyone else as the Diethyl mansion.

The blonde man looked to be in his late forties, probably in his fifties. He was examining a thick, photo album in his hand, while at the same time, keeping a close eye on the three children he was currently in charge of. The children--two boys and one girl--were sitting on the sofa in the recreation room, quite visible from where the blonde man was, and they were playing a video game. He smiled fondly as the little girl, who had beautiful silvery-blue hair and captivating green eyes, smiled at him serenely and gave him a slight wave.

He could never forget that smile. He knew that smile very well. A long time ago, a certain young girl with similar hair and face, yet different eyes had given him a smile, just like that. A smile that spoke of peace, of salvation--even through the sharp, punishing prickle of thorns on such young, sensitive skin, and even through the hard, cold coffin of steel on such a frail body. The smile of a little girl.

A little girl who had given him a lot of happiness, as well as pain. A little girl, younger than him by almost two decades, yet wiser beyond her years. A little girl who had taught him all the lessons he had to learn in his life...and more.

And just as there was a little girl, there was also a little boy, he thought. A little boy whom he first thought knew so little about the world around him. In his mind, the little boy had a lot to learn...and he was going to teach the little boy.

But the little boy ended up teaching him instead.

There was once a little girl, and there was once a little boy.

And once, there was a man...who ended up being taught about life's lessons...by the little girl and the little boy.

-
 

Lesson 1: Little girls are made of sugar and spice, and everything nice. The Iron Maiden may be made of Iron, but she is still a little girl.

Lesson 2: Little boys are very common, and they come in all forms, shapes and sizes. However, little green-haired dowser-shaman boys from London are extremely rare.

Lesson 3: Fire is very hot and painful--especially to a little girl's body. And power spirits, even God spirits, are edible.

Lesson 4: Little girls giving gifts to little boys are meaningful. VERY meaningful.

Lesson 5: Little boy's power spirit makes one hell of a kick-ass angel.

Lesson 6: Keep this as your Mantra: France - safe; London - dangerous. France - good; London - bad. Oh, and also: Japan - baddest of all the bad.

Lesson 7: Always keep your eyes and ears open. ALWAYS. Repeat if necessary.

Lesson 8: The next time you're abroad, guard the little girl like a hawk, and DON'T GO ANYWHERE. And do NOT trust any of your companions--not even the nuns. ESPECIALLY not the nuns.

Lesson 9: The next time you get assigned somewhere as far away as Egypt, refuse. RIGHT AWAY. And if gets extended for another year, QUIT.

Lesson 10: Never, ever, EVER get the little boy mad. Especially if the little boy happens to be a detective who carries a sharp crystal pendulum around. Note to self: crystal pendulums can KILL.

Lesson 11: Weddings will make you cry, whether you like it or not. Particularly if the one getting married is the little girl, and she's marrying the little boy.

Lesson 12: When the groom promises to respect and honor the bride, that does NOT include bedroom activities.

Lesson 13: In the little girl and her husband's house, it is essential to knock on a room first before you enter. Any room. Bathroom included. Even the broom closet. More importantly, ring the doorbell first before you even enter the house. Remember: there are lots of other uses for the living room carpet.

Lesson 14: Taking care of a pregnant woman is not all it's cracked up to be. Especially if the woman happens to be the little girl. If you thought having to suffer through her PMS was Hell, then you thought wrong. PMS is purgatory. Pregnancy is HELL.

Lesson 15: Children are life's greatest blessings from Heaven.

Lesson 16: Children are little devils from Hell.

Lesson 17: Incredibly devoted guardians make the best babysitters.

Lesson 18: Little green-haired dowser shaman boys from London are VERY rare--and they make VERY good fathers.

Lesson 19: Little girls do not forever remain little girls. Sooner or later, they become women. Then, they become mothers. But they will always remain made of sugar and spice, and everything nice.

Lesson 20: Blessings come in different forms, shapes and sizes--families included.

-
 

The blonde, bespectacled man, whose name was Marco, smiled softly to himself as he turned page after page of the photo album he was holding. Memories filled him as he gazed at each and every picture, remembering the story behind every smile, every gaze, and every laugh that Jeanne shared with Lyserg.

The little girl, and the little boy.

Love. From the very first moment they had set eyes on each other, an unbroken vow and bond were formed. He had felt it all, though he never really believed...until now, that is.

Destiny. That invisible thread that joined their pinkies together was stronger than the sturdiest steel, and was able to withstand even the toughest obstacles. The toughest obstacle had been him.

He never really believed there was such a thing as destiny...until now. The fruits of it were right in front of his face. It was in Liam's smile, in Justice's laugh...and in Luc's impish grins. Liam's smile was reminiscent of Lyserg's, yet with a twinkle similar to Jeanne's. Justice's laugh, and her voice was so like her mother's at that age...yet the bright glow of her face, the shine in her eyes were so like her father's.

As for little Luc...he was his mother's clone through and through, but his moods, his temperament, and the way he spoke...Marco was certain he was seeing how Lyserg was as a toddler of two years old.

The three children--a perfectly harmonious blend of their parents. They were the best blessings anyone could ever receive...and Marco was glad he was here to share in the blessings. The products of destiny--and love.

And fate. Fate. He never believed there was such a thing as fate...until recently. It was what brought Jeanne and Lyserg together, in the first place. It was fate who made them meet for the first time, fate who made sure they'd cross paths two years later, and fate who made sure they would never ever part again.

Destiny made them soulmates, fate brought them together...but, ultimately, it was love which made them whole, and complete. The little girl, and the little boy.

With a small sigh, Marco closed the photo album just as a car pulled into the driveway. As he stood up, his three charges came bursting out of the recreation room. Luc jumped into his arms just as Justice and Liam pulled on each of his hands. Together, the four of them walked towards the front foyer to greet their mother and father. Jeanne and Lyserg. The little girl, and the little boy.

As the children greeted their parents, Marco stood behind them, watching, with a fond smile on his face.

The little girl and the little boy--they were all grown up now. He had seen the changes, the transition, and the developments in both of them...and the relationship. He remembered how he used to be violently against it all, and how he used to do everything in his power just to separate them, keep them away from each other.

But now his eyes were opened.

He had learned his lessons, and he had learned them well.



OWARIMASHITA.



End notes:

Started November 16, 2003. Draft thing finished March 3, 2004. Idea popped out of my head while I was in Church. Was supposed to be praying, but noo...I was thinking about Marco instead. *curses under her breath* Can you believe it? ME, thinking about MARCO, of all people? Argh.

About the kids:

Liam = is 12 years old in this fic. He's got Lyserg's hair, and Jeanne's eyes. His full name is Liam Lyserg.
Justice = is 10 years old here. She's got Jeanne's hair and Lyserg's eyes. She was named by her Uncle Marco, who gave her the name in honor of the vows which the X-LAWS lived and died for. Her full name is Justice Sarah Jeanne.
Luc = is 2 years old here. Venice fans, you probably know who he was named after.^_^ His full name is Luc Caesar Marco. Kudos to those who'll be able to guess how he got his name.^^