surfer ace đâď¸
caught in the flash
characters: sanji / ace / luffy / law
prompt: he sneaks a picture of you when youâre not looking
tag: fluff
my masterlist here âĄ
ace
You were lying belly-down on the Moby Dickâs deck, doodling on a crumpled bit of parchment, humming to yourself with your legs kicking in the air like a schoolgirl. Hair a mess, tank top halfway sliding off your shoulder, not a care in the world.
âAw, thatâs kinda cute,â came Aceâs voice somewhere above your head.
You didnât look up. âWhatever youâre about to say next, donât.â
You heard the faintest click.
You whipped around. âDid you justâ?â
âNOPE,â he said way too quickly, hands very much behind his back, grinning like a guilty five-year-old.
You sat up so fast your hair fell in your face. âPortgas D. Ace, I swear to godââ
âLook,â he said, backing up a step, âitâs not even a bad picture! Youâre just allââ He waved his hands vaguely. ââŚYou.â
âThatâs not a valid description!â
âSoft. And squishy.â
âEXCUSE ME?â
âI MEANT EMOTIONALLYâSHITââ
You launched your sandal at him like a missile. âDELETE IT!â
He caught it mid-air. âNever. Iâm putting it in a locket.â
âA LOCKET?!â
âRomantic, right?â
You screamed into your hands. âI hate you.â
âNo, you donât,â he sang, skipping away, waving your sandal like a trophy. âYou love me and you wanna kiss me and itâs so embarrassing for you!â
sanji
You were half-asleep on the counter, stealing bits of chocolate off a cooling tray, hoodie sliding off one shoulder, licking your fingers like it was a sacred ritual. You were too tired to care.
Click.
You didnât even flinch. âDonât even try it.â
Sanji froze. ââŚCaught red-handed?â
âCaught being a creep.â
He grinned. âI mean, can you blame me? Youâre licking chocolate off your fingers like youâre in a food commercial for sinners.â
You choked on the next bite. âSANJI?!â
âIâm just saying,â he said, already opening the picture on the snail. âIf that was in a magazine, Iâd buy ten copies.â
âYouâre soââ you groaned. âDelete it.â
âBut you looked soââ he sighed dreamily. ââbiteable.â
You stared. ââŚSanji.â
âNot likeâwell, I mean. Not not like thatââ
âYou wanna rethink your life choices, Romeo?â
He chuckled. âToo late. Iâm fully committed to this flavor of disaster.â
You sighed, face in your hands. âYouâre lucky I like disasters.â
âYouâre lucky Iâm a chef. I can make dessert out of this.â
âSTOP.â
law
You were curled up on the bench in the Polar Tangâs observation lounge, swaddled in a blanket like a sentient dumpling, watching fish float past the glass with the dead eyes of someone who hadnât slept in two days.
Then you heard a soft click.
Your head snapped around. ââŚLaw?â
He didnât even flinch. âHm?â
âDid you just take a picture of me?â
âNo.â
You blinked. âLaw.â
He met your gaze. Calm. Unbothered. âYes.â
âWHY.â
âYou looked like a sad sea creature.â
âTHATâS NOT A COMPLIMENT.â
âIt was kind of endearing.â
You sat up in your blanket cocoon. âDelete it.â
âNo.â
âTra-guy.â
âThatâs not my name.â
âEmo fish manââ
âThatâs worse.â
âGive. Me. The snail.â
âCome take it.â
You launched off the couch and he teleported out of reach like the smug little warlock he is. âYouâre not supposed to be fast!â you yelled.
âIâm a surgeon,â he said, already halfway down the corridor. âWeâre quick with our hands.â
You short-circuited. âThat sounded so much worseââ
âI know,â he called back, completely unbothered.
luffy
You were on deck in a tank top, sweat on your brow, trying to fix a snapped rope. Your leg was up on the railing for balance, arms stretched over your head, totally focused. And totally unaware of your very specific pose.
Behind you:
Click.
You flinched, nearly dropped the rope. âLUFFY?!â
He grinned wide from behind the den den mushi. âYou looked cool!â
You turned around. âDelete it. Right now.â
âBut your leg was up and everything,â he said, tilting his head. âYou looked like you were about to fight someone or⌠I dunno, climb me.â
âCLIMB YOU?!â
He blinked. âYeah! You know. Likeâgrabby.â
âGRABBY?!â
âNot in a bad way!â He scratched his head. âYou just looked like⌠really strong. And bendy. Kinda hot.â
Your soul left your body. âLUFFY.â
âHuh?â
âSay that sentence again. Slowly.â
ââŚYou looked strong. And bendy. And hot?â He said it with total innocenceâand then blinked. âWait, was thatâwas that one of those weird lines Sanji says that makes people choke?â
You choked. âYes!â
âOh. Cool!â he grinned. âShould I say more?â
âNO?!â
âOkay, okay!â He tucked the snail away. âBut Iâm keeping the picture. You looked like you were gonna tackle me.â
You grabbed a nearby towel to throw at him. âI WILL IF YOU DONâT DELETE IT.â
He laughed as he ran off. âPromise?!â
âLUFFY!!â
Roronoa Zoro x Reader, angst, protectiveness, fluff, uncontrollable feelings, mentions of depression, Reader is an empath, swearing, definitely blood and a teensy bit of torture?? Idk, shit went dark. #alittledisturbing
Summary: In a fight, you take a hit for him that leaves you in your most vulnerable state.
A/N: Sorry for not posting for so long, I apologize. Writerâs block has been tough and Iâm struggling with medical issues. Dysautonomia?? Screw that. So I thought Iâd write something sweet. Also, Iâm still figuring out my writing style soâlike, some of my fics are shit and some are not so much, so please bare with me. (I will be re-vamping them, but not right now)
Also thank you for the 84 followers! That means a lot >:)
Atleast 2k; and Iâm making one of these for the other Straw Hats, but itâs gonna take me some time and I just needed to get this one out.
â˘~â˘~â˘~â˘~â˘~â˘~â˘~â˘~â˘~â˘~â˘
Roronoa Zoro:
Walking through the woods of another refreshing island, you were welcomed with warmth. Sun shone through the trees, overcasting a soft glow on your face. You were luckily accommodated with little wind as you walked beside your swordsman.
The island was overtaken by nature. Vines, much overgrown, wrapped around every cornerâwhile flowers sprouted from every nick nâ cranny.
Much to your surprise, the woods werenât dense, they were open with mossy patches and thick trees that extended meters high. The wild-life thrived, and you and Zoro spotted many animals.
Though youâd discouraged him from making them a snack,
âZoro.â You tugged, pulling him behind a fallen trunk. âItâs too cute to dieâeat something else!â
He let out a quiet sigh, begrudgingly sitting beside you. âThe shitty cook said to grab food, so thatâs exactly what Iâm doing.â
âAnd? Since when do you listen to him?â you whispered, tightening your grip on his haramaki. You kept him close, un-trusting that he wouldnât turn that cute little deer you saw, into a kabob.
You quietly glared, holding his gaze.
This wasnât a competition he was gonna win.
He still tried, he really did, but it was a lost cause. He couldnât beat you on this, and his expression finally cracked. He caved, turning away.
âYou canât save everything, itâs life,â he grumbled.
âMaybe not, but if I can do something about it I will.â
Curse that stupid look.
Zoro ran a hand down his face, rubbing the bridge of his nose, before looking over his shoulder. He peeked through a disfigured branch to watch the animal tend to some grass.
He hated to admit it, but you were right.
It was kinda cute.
Zoro felt you shift beside him, and he paused looking back. You moved halfway into his lap, resting your knee between his own as you used him as a pillow. He smirked, a little confused by your sudden closenessâbut he didnât complain.
He grabbed your waist, leaning closer.
âWhat are youâach-â
You pushed his face away, focusing your attention to the deer and its apparent mother came from a bush. It was at-least three times the size of itâs baby, with a black and bushy white tail.
âZoro, look!â You smiled, turning his head.
In a soft curse, he muttered your name, grabbing your wrists. He saw the deer, but it was at an awkward angle and he let out a muffled noise of distress. He huffed an annoyed, âwoman,â pulling your hands away, but you were far too excited.
âZoroââ
âYeah, yeah, I know.â he mumbled, watching you. His eyes followed to your smile, and your fidgety fingers, and he couldnât help but stare. Zoro took in your sweet features, slowing his hands back to your waist, closing his eyes to relish the moment.
Your swordsman for once relaxed, and you seemed to too, sinking closer. âYou still gonna kill it?â
âNo, Iâll find something else.â he replied, leaning back.
You hummed in satisfaction, resting your chin on his shoulder as you watched the two deer trail off, enjoying the cozy moment.
It was all perfect.
Until it wasnât.
A crashed echoed behind you, and Zoro instinctively moved. He pulled you down, using the trunk youâd pestered him for as a shelter, avoiding a narrow blow.
A strange streak of black and blue zapped above you, exploding nearby stoneâcrippling it to rubble. You went to speak, but Zoro was already reaching for his swords, standing to glare the person down.
âOi! What the hell was that for!â he snapped, covering you. His sword stretched, flickering to the side to cover your face, glinting just barely in the sun.
You couldnât believe this was happening.
Sooooâmuch, for that peaceful moment.
âYeahâwhat the fuck gives?â You muttered, grabbing your weapon. âWho are you?â you called, moving to your feet, sidestepping Zoroâs protection.
Silence only emitted, and the masked man remained eerily quiet. He shifted forward, but Zoroâs sword raised and he paused.
âThatâs not of your concern.â The manâs voice was smooth, but he seemed transfixed on somethingâthough, you couldnât tell what.
âThe hell it is, you almost hit us!â Zoro pulled his third sword out, placing it in his mouth.
He wasnât messing around.
âI was aiming for the deer.â
âBullshit!â You both chimed, and the stranger casually shrugged his shoulder.
He seemed⌠bland? And you didnât like that. Neither did Zoro. Because, that meant he was hiding something, and that something could easily give him the upper hand.
Without hesitation, Zoro moved. He wasnât putting up with this bastardâs bullshit. It was fucking obvious that he aiming for you.
âUshi Bari,â he spoke, sending a strong attack with his first two swords, then swinging in with his third. The man staggered, defensively blocking Zoroâs weapons with his own.
The dueling blow was close, and he was strong, but he wasnât stronger.
âBe careful!â You yelled, watching from afar. You watched them exchange blows, feeling useless for not helpingâbut you knew Zoro could handle it alone.
It was clear he wanted to when heâd just zoomed off, but you couldnât blame him. He was looking out for you, he always had, andâbesides, when he got stubborn like this, he was stubborn.
You sighed, shifting your sword in your hold.
You werenât fighting, but you could analyze.
This dude obviously had a devil fruit, but of what? He turned trees to mush, and rock to rubbleâmaybe an acidic specialty? No, that wouldnât make sense, thatâd be a paramecia type, and Zoro had already nicked him.
Searching for an answer, you watched his hands glow with the same blue heâd blasted at you and Zoro from before.
âZoro get back! Heâs gonna useââ A shockwave of energy followed, but your lover dodged, letting it fly through a row of trees. The unsettled land smudged to the ground, pulsing softly with blues.
âThanks for the warning.â he huffed, shifting his blade in his mouth.
âYeah, of courseâbut watch his hands.â you took a step forward, keeping an eye.
However, the stranger suddenly turned to you, and something uneasy settled in your stomach.
Why were your eyes watering?
Zoroâs eyes narrowed, and he watched you carefully. He looked to the man, following back to you, and questions racked in his mind. Feelings of concern and discomfort twinged, what was he doing?
âIâll get your bounty first.â
Your eyes widened.
A bounty hunter?
Masses of black charged towards you, and Zoro shouted your name. Your ears rang, and a stillness blinded you. Something settled heavy in your chest, and you justâbarely, dodged it.
Debri flew overhead and Zoro called your name again, but you didnât answer. You were shakily kneeled, struggling to get up.
His attack had clearly affected youâand Zoro was done. He took the initiative to finish this fight before shit went further South.
âOi, your fights with me!â
â˘~â˘~â˘~â˘
The forest was ruined now.
Long smoldering sword marks, and devil fruit abilities were etched into the island. Dust rose, and the bounty hunter was still taking Zoro head on. He was using his unkown abilities to his advantage, sending blasts that Zoro had to dodge, because he didnât know what itâd do if it hit him.
Itâd just barely grazed you and you were already fatigued, you looked offâeven different. Your eyes were weakly glazed, and your movements were slowed, but you were still you. He couldnât put his finger on it, but in a way you looked sad, and he hated it. He didnât know what that bastard didâbut heâd put a stop to it. No matter what.
Zoro was filled with determination, but the bounty hunter played dirty. He dangerously sent another attacked towards you before a blistering one to himâand he had to dodge.
âWatch out!â
This was getting ridiculous.
Frustrated and angryâZoro finally charged.
He found an opening, and he took it.
âAshura!â
A three headed, six silhouetted figure, appeared behind him. Nine swords lifted, and they came down with a devastating blow, sending your attacker feet in the ground.
He slammed through torn mossy floor, crunching further into the earthârendering unresponsive. Dust masked your line of vision, but you could faintly make out Zoro whoâd been standing somewhat close.
A wobbly smile crossed your face, and you let out a relieved sigh.
Heâd won.
âZoro, you okay?â You rasped, coughing as grime flew into your face. A hand came to your chest, and you shut your eyes to struggle with the burn of the dust. The heaviness that pressured your chest from before, suddenly ached, sending a cold sharp wave throughout your body.
A lightheaded feeling surfaced, and anxiety quickly spread. âZoroâ?â
âIâm here,â he said, gently grabbing your shoulder. âYou hurt?â
You shakily shook your head, âNo, Iâm fine.â
âYou?â you muttered, looking him over.
He didnât seem too bad, but it was clear he had a few spots. Though, you werenât really any better, you looked exhausted. Your clothes were dirtied, and your cheeks and limbs were scraped from flying scrap.
You were a mess, and you still lookedâŚsad.
Zoro didnât know how else to describe it, your eyes were soft, as if they were on the verge of tears. It settled an unresolved anger, and he wasnât sure how to help.
The bastardâs power had affected you one way or another, but he didnât comment on it. He wouldnât until you did, because he trusted you to speak up and say something.
âIâll live.â he replied, stepping closer. His eyes flickered to your torn shirt, and he caught the tremble in your fist as it was placed your heart.
His eyes narrowed.
Was it getting worse?
Zoro rumbled your name, but you didnât respond.
Your eyes had locked over his shoulder, to the onset black light, flickering in the dust.
He wasnât down?
A whirring sound hummed across the forest, and on instinctâyou acted.
Zoro was a big man, he always had been, but adrenaline made you stronger, even in your weakened state. He sucked in a breath as you pushed him, and in slow mowâit happened.
He was sent back, bracing fallen woodland with you in his arms. Zoroâs mind screamed at him to do something, but he couldnât. Shock coursed through his veins, and he tightened his grip on you.
He felt wood splinter into his back, but nothing hurt as much as the thought of you sacrificing yourself for him. His consciousness flickered dark, but panic mustâve brought him back, because you were unresponsive in his arms.
He didnât know how long heâd been outâbut it didnât matter. All the mattered was you.
Youâd expect it to happen in a flash, but the trees and leaves were still falling. Everything was going so slow in time. It felt unreal.
Zoro weakly called your name, looking you overâexpecting the worst, but you were the same. There wasnât a blistering mark, or anything? You were just out.
âFuck, hey, come on,â he shifted you up, kneeling with you close. His voice broke, and it cracked with fear as he cradled your body. Calloused hands found your face and he muttered your name, again, desperately.
Why werenât you waking up?
A sick laugh echoed from the distance, and he tensed. Realization settled across him, and it was deadly.
Him.
Zoro set you down as if you were glass, brushing any leaves that had fallen on your face.
He was beyond raged.
âCouldnât dodge that one, could you?â
âFuck you! Whatâd you do?â Zoro snapped, standing up. He grabbed his sword, already stalking forward.
And the bastard just smiled.
The fuck did that mean?
Zoro aimed the sword to his throat, but strangely, he didnât fight back. A whimper sounded close him, and he froze. It wasnât from the bounty hunter.
Zoro almost dropped his sword.
He quickly breathed your name turning aroundâthough his heart twisted.
You were crying. Hard.
He couldnât see your face, but your shoulders trembled, and he knew. You were curled on your side, burying yourself in the crook of your arm, sobbing. He fucking forgot where he was, and what he was doing. He felt crushed.
Why were you crying? Were you hurt? You had to be. But you said you were fine?
Zoro was yet again frozen, heâd never felt this fear before. This excruciating guilt, the kind that made your body ache. Heâd never hesitated this much in his lifeâand maybe this was the reason you were hear now.
He couldnât believe he let this happen. Not to you. Not to anyone. Seconds passed, and he finally brought himself back. Your nails dug into your chest, and another sob broke the silence.
His heart couldnât take it.
âWhat, did. You. Do.â Zoro growled, stepping forward.
In milliseconds, the bounty hunter was slammed back. He had no time to react, no time to render anything, just time to experience pure, bruteâforce, with searing pain.
Though his smile never wavered.
It was weird. It was as if this fucker was feeding of your pain? Of your agony? The first emotion ever showedâwas joy, by your suffering?
Un-fucking-forgivable.
Zoroâs hands shook, and his sword swung. The man tilted his head back to avoid the blow, and it shredded the trees behind him.
More leaves fell, and he finally answered.
âAnything I think, she feels. Sheâs living in whatever illusion I created.â
What?
Zoroâs sword hesitated as it was held high.
What could this bastard, possibly think, that could make you like this? To the point of sobbing? Crying?
Shusui slammed into his legâeliciting a sharp breath.
âThen, Fix it.â
The bounty hunter laughed, though his pain was obvious, âIâd rather die.â
âTrust me you will.â Zoro sneered, twisting the sword. âI said fucking fix it.â
A strangled noises echoed, and he craned his sword up to his hip. The man gasped, squirming back, but it dug deeper. âYou stupid pirateââ
âIâm not repeating myself.â
âFine!â The sword didnât let up till it was to his side, but he seemed to finally let you go.
Zoro looked back, and your body had finally stilled, growing quiet. He ripped his sword away, swinging it behind him, not bothering to look back at the sceneâand he was next to you in a instant.
His sword was sheathed, and he shook you gently.
â____, come on,â he murmured, wiping your tears.
He felt you stir, and a breath of relief escaped him. Zoro hugged you to his chest, holding the back of your head as he breathed you in.
You weakly croaked his name, and he only held you tighter.
âIâm here, youâre okay.â you were brought up, held protectively in his arms.
âI thought youââ
âI know. Just rest.â he said, âIâm taking you back to the ship.â
âShip?â
Zoro steps slowed, âyeah, the Sunny.â
âNoâthe, the Sunnyâs gone?â you broke, shakily leaning up. His hand shifted to your back, and he held you tighter.
Your voice seemed so broken.
â____, the Sunnyâs here.â He looked you over, and you still seemed so shaken. Your eyes were red, brimming with tearsâand he couldnât care less about the snot.
You were hurt, maybe not as much physicallyâbut mentally, the bounty hunterâs power made you shatter. His heart ached, and he remembered the manâs words.
âAnything I think, she feels.â
Anything. He, thought.
Zoro cursed under his breath, and he set you down onto the mossy floor, making you flinch. His hand steadily came to your back, but you only hugged him tighter. It was clear you didnât want to let go, scared he might disappearâbut he wouldnât.
Heâd stay right beside you, but you needed to come back from whatever hell that bastard created.
He needed you here, and he needed you with him.
Zoro carefully crouched in-front of you, and he shifted back to take your face in his hands.
He looked you in the eyes, and it was clear what he was doing. He was giving you the time to breathe, to realizeâit was okay.
You sniffled, letting out a shaky breath, and your grasped his shirt.
âZoro.â
He didnât respond, and he didnât offer you pityâbut he did offer you his presence. And that was enough.
âIt, it wasnât real was it?â you voiced, looking up to him, and he only shook his head.
He sighed, brushing away your leftover tears.
âNo, everyoneâs fine. The Sunnyâs docked in the cove, and the crewâs safe.â Zoro grabbed your waist, pulling you closer. âTheyâre probably waiting for us now.â
He gently brought you in his arms, letting you hug him, waiting for you to be ready. He wasnât urgent, and he wasnât rushing. He was careful, and patient.
Your arms encircled around his neck, and you buried your face in his shoulder. A few silent moments passed, and you eventually felt ready. âThen, can we go?â
âYeah, we can go.â he picked you up, shielding the forest with his shoulder as he brought you through. Zoro wasnât letting you go for a long time, not even in the safety of the Sunny, or in the infirmary where chopper would treat you.
Today was something he experienced for the first time, and never, I mean neverâwould he let it happen again.
He would work harder, and he would protect you.
law again but this time i use my drawing tablet instead of my mouse
A summary of Trafalgar Law in the Wano arc
Hello there, the Christmas Events Sounds Like so much fun ⨠!
May i request No. 3 with Law (and the other Heart Pirates) for the Event, If its not taken yet?
Hi. Thank you so much for the request. I love writing these requests so much. I feel like Law secretly loves Christmas but will never admit it. Happy holidays and I hope you like it!
âHow on Earth did you get tinsel there,â he asked, annoyed at the amount of tinsel on the polar tang.
Every year, you, his wonderful and lovely archeologist, was in charge of the Christmas decorations on the polar tang. And every year he questioned himself as to why he let you. This year the theme was silver and gold because itâs festive and pirates, duh. You got the whole crew, except Law who was a Scrooge to help you.
âI can explain captain,â you started, âwe were trying to reach the top of the treat and Bepo can apparently throw higher than he thought. But none of us are tall enough to get it, so itâs staying.â
He sighed, âyou could get a ladder.â
âBut thatâs no fun,â Penguin explained as he was untangling lights. âYeah Captain,â Shacchi added, âChristmas is about fun and not practicality. Loosen up a little.â
That vein in Lawâs forehead started to pop out, âfine, but I expect that tinsel down when the decorations are taken down.â
âYES CAPTAIN,â you all replied, before getting back to work.
To this day, that strand of tinsel is still hanging on the rafters of the polar tang. And it still annoys Law to this day.
Please do not copy, modify, translate or repost my writing on other platforms. Comments, reblogs and likes are highly appreciated!
the problem with reading and writing leading to a strong vocabulary is that you tend to know the vibe of words instead of their meanings.
if I used this word in a sentence, would it make sense? absolutely. if you asked me what it meant, could I tell you? absolutely not.
Mihawk's secret...
Why this moss head looks so mad đđđ
Ace x Reader, angst, mentions of depression, suicidal thoughts, soley for comforting purposes, platonic love with the White-beard Pirates.
Summary: Things get rough, and hit by hit youâre just tired of it all.
A/N: To anyone who needs this, I hope it helps. Youâre a lot stronger than you think >:) @uramakimochi
â˘-â˘-â˘ââ˘-â˘-â˘â˘-â˘-â˘ââ˘-â˘ââ˘-â˘
It started small.
From a simple mistake, to the tragedies of your life to the very questioning of your future. You were scared. Of living, no, correctionâsurviving, to just existing to fail.
The lingering question consumed you:
Would it even be worth it?
With all the trouble youâve gone through now?
The expectations, the asks, the responsibilitiesâwould you ever meet them?
Would you ever accomplish them?
The wind replied, brushing past as you stood on the Moby Dick, stationed near the stern. The sun was setting, and the decks were quiet. The aftermath of dinner flew by, and the crew headed to bed, while others slipped to night-watch.
Crying, you lowered yourself to the rail. resting your head against your arms. An unbearable feeling took over, and it made your chest tight. Numbing, and lost, you now experienced while in the inevitable of your depression.
You knew it wouldnât be long till someone found you, but you needed to let it out, to breathe. Especially after hours of avoiding a hot-headed pirate.
Aceâs and your relationship had been on a rocky stand-hold. You werenât opening up, and you were avoiding the topic of obvious like the plague, even if offered help. Anxiety prevented you from speaking out, while the simmering stubbornness left you lost.
You hadnât realized it, but heâd been watching from afar; lingering as you made yourself small and hidden, left achingly worried.
Ace took a step, but hesitated. He was scared if he made the wrong move, he might just break you.
Youâd already drifted so far, to the point Ace, the crewâeveryone saw it. The heaviness that surrounded you, a silent weight that held you back, and a mindless stare the left them nervous.
It wasnât impossible to reach you, the crew understood that, and Ace knew it better than anyone; he just needed to find the right words.
He needed to find the right time, and that was now.
Aceâs steps were quiet, just like the way you cried. He didnât want to startle youâthat was the last thing he wanted, and it was the last thing you needed.
Carefully, he came to your side, just barely brushing your shoulder. Inviting, but not pressuring.
Watching the waves, a moment passed before he spoke.
âYou werenât at dinner.â
You sniffled, wiping your tears to turn away. âI was busyâŚwith something.â
âYeah,â he mumbled, âI figured.â
Silence shrouded, and you couldnât find the courage to speak. You felt weak, vulnerableâincompetent.
Though, Ace never pushed.
Not really, anyway.
âHave you. . .â Another painful moment.
â. . . been thinking about it again?â he asked, leaning against the rail. His tone was soft, not accusing, just questioning⌠and sad.
Ace wasnât judging, heâd never, but his comment laced your throat. You were left speechless, drowning in your own shame and his truth, by his blunt words.
You managed a shaky breath, subtly squeezing the rail. You felt frozen.
âYou donât have to say anything,â he said, placing his hand by yours. âI get it, I really do.â
His pinky inched forward, wrapping around your own. To anyone, itâd feel small, but to youâin a moment like this?
It meant a lot.
âYou donât even need to give me a reason.â
Wind rustled by, combing your hair and smearing your tears.
âIâm just tired, Ace,â you whispered, turning to him. âIâm so tired of this.â your voice cracked, and he held your gaze.
His expression turned, and he tensed.
Aceâs eyes glossed with tears, and he stepped forwardâalmost fiercely. But not pushing.
His arms extended, and softly, he whispered your name. âCome here.â
You took a weak step forward, and in an instant he hugged you. âItâs okay,â he muttered, grabbing the back of your head. âItâs gonna be okay. You hear me?â
You collapsed against him, clutching his shirtâ as if it was the only thing keeping you there.
Because truthfully, it was.
âIts just so hard.â you choked.
âI know.â he held you, holding you to the point you couldnât breath. But you couldnât care, you needed this more than anything.
âI know it is.â
The sky welled blue, stirring in with darker colors and gray clouds. Seagulls flew over-head, nesting in the ship brackets and windows to hide for a storm.
Just like you were in Aceâs arms, sheltered from your mind. Safe.
âI got you,â Aceâs voice wavered, but it was grounding. With pouring emotion he kissed your temple. âIâm not going anywhere, and Iâm not letting go, youâre stuck with me.â
âYou got that?â
You managed a nod, and he held you closer.
âYou donât have to be strong for me,â he whispered, âyou never do, not even for the crew. You just have to stay. Thatâs it, just stay.â
You cried, tilting your head and he cupped the back of it. âWhat am I gonna do?â You voiced, looking up to him. âI-I dont, I donât know anymore.â
âYouâll figure it out.â Ace said firmly, brushing your tears. âYou always do, it just takes time. Just a little more time, just me and you, itâll be okay.â
âWhat if it isnâtâwhat if I screw everything up?â
âYou wonât ____. You never do. Nothing is perfect, you canât always expect that of yourself.â
Aceâs finger poked your forehead, making you wince. âDonât listen to that, whatever itâs telling youâignore it. Itâs just being a pain in the ass, and you donât deserve it.â
A softer moment passed, border-lining vulnerable. âYou hear me?â
âYeahâŚâ you whispered, wiping your tears.
âGood. You got it, maybe not now, but you will. I know you will.â Ace kissed the corner of your eye, bringing his head forehead to yours. His nose grazed the tip of yours, and his voice sounded below a whisper.
âI love you,â he murmured. âNo matter what happens, thatâll never change, okay?â
âOkay.â
For the first time in weeks, maybe even monthsâ you could breathe. Finally breathe. Under the light drizzle of rain, his reassurance, and love, broke through the numb that swallowed you whole.
The wind brisked cold, and you shivered stepping closer.
âShh,â he hushed, heating his body to warm you. âItâs okay, I got you.â
Like a blanket out of the dryer, the fire of his body heat surrounded you, following to your heart. Completed in his presence, Ace was by your side, and he made it clear he wasnât letting you go.
Not for a long time.