Ace's Angel - Ace Merrill

It's your first day

Angel happily skipped along the street as her brother and the other boys followed calmly behind her. They didn't move out of people's way and people were slowly guessing from their demeanours that they had a new gang to deal with.

Angel came to stop as she saw the sign for Irbys, Knuckles moved to her side almost instantly and laced his arm around her shoulder. He gave her a weak smile as she returned it and let him lead her further along. They reached a diner and all happily entered.

Knuckles noticed two of Ace's cobras hovering by the counter as he tightened his grip around Angel. She, having not noticed the cobras, laughed into him as she wrapped her arms around his waist. Chains gave him a small smirk as he knew what was happening. The others simply shook their heads and smiled as they found a table.

Bullet and Sniper sat on one booth side, Chains and Razor sat the other while Knuckles pulled Angel down on his lap on the chair at the end. Angel treated all of the boys as the big brothers she believed them to be, except Knuckles, their history was complicated. Yet she agreed to treat it no different and happily sat on his lap as he kept his arms around her waist.

"So what are you wanting to do tomorrow Angel?" Her brother asked, slowly leaning closer to her.

Angel happily began talking to her brother about how she wanted to explore but would happily go with one of them as Knuckles turned his head away, his eye catching that of who he now recognised as Billy and Charlie. Their eyes were locked on him and the way he was with Angel.

He gave them a small smirk and gently bounced Angel, making her laugh and lean into him. Turning his head back to the cobras he watched as they collected their food and quickly left the diner. Knuckles gave the other boys a small victory smile as they all continued to listen to Angel, who was still wanting to go do some drawing around Castle Rock.

"Baby steps Angel." Her brother mumbled as the waitress came over and took their order.

Eventually the six were all happily eating and chatting about random rubbish. Angel blocked them all out while she continued to look straight forward out the window as she watched the world go by.

It didn't take long but the food had soon all gone. Angel was first out the diner as she looked around. To her surprised happiness she saw Ace coming closer with the other cobras. Yet her smile faded slightly as she felt Knuckles's arm return to being around her shoulder and the cobras once again came face to face with the constrictors.

"Gentlemen." Chains mumbled as he expected them to move.

"Boys." Ace snapped back sarcastically as Eyeball stifled his laugh.

Neither group moved and neither was backing down.

"We were just on our way to the bar, few games of pool." Ace started as he glanced between them, his gaze lingering on Angel and the arm around her. "Fancy coming? Give you a proper welcome to this town? It's your first day after all."

Chains hesitated as he glanced at the other boys before looking back at Ace. "Fine."

Ace nodded and smiled harshly. Knuckles gently brought Angel closer to him.

"I'll take her home."

Angel turned to him in shock as she shook her head. "I'm coming!" She snapped back.

Chains nodded at Knuckles. "Not tonight Angel, get home." He snapped his order at her as she stared at him in disbelief.

"Eyeball and Jack can walk her." Ace offered up as his eyes fell on Angel. "Wouldn't want her to get lost." His tone dripping with the want to laugh as Angel thought back to a few hours before, when she had truly gotten lost.

Knuckles held her closer. "I'll take her don't worry." He snapped back at Ace.

Ace smirked at him and nodded. The cobras slowly moved aside for Knuckles to gently pull her through both groups. Ace kept his gaze locked on her as she walked away, while Chains took a step closer to him.

"I hope we have an understanding Merrill." He spoke when Knuckles and Angel had walked off. The silent threat for him to steer clear of Angel present to all.

Ace slowly pulled his gaze Angel and looked at Chains. "Of course. Now how about we start this friendship over?" He asked with a smile.

Both groups continued to stare each other down as Chains nodded slowly and both leaders began walking in sync towards the bar.

None said a word as the cobras glared at the constrictors and the constrictors glared at the cobras.

Ace gave Chains a smirk as he held Irbys' door open for them. Chains returned the grimace as both groups went inside.

"Two gangs go in, how many leave?" Bullet mumbled to his brother as the door shut behind them all slowly.

Angel was aware of the constant hold Knuckles had around her neck as they reached home. He let them in and she gave him a small smile as they wandered into the kitchen. The group had brought a selection of alcohol and small food items as they agreed to stock up more the next day.

"Drink?" Knuckles asked as he offered Angel a wine glass.

She sighed as she stepped forward and reached out, taking the bottle in her hand instead. He laughed as she took a swig and leant back against the counter.

"Why does it feel like we've been here forever?" She moaned out as he poured himself a whiskey and joined her, leaning back against the counter.

He shrugged slightly. "It won't be for long you know?"

Angel nodded slowly as she took another sip. "Only till things get sorted back home I know." She mumbled.

"It's not your fault you know?" Knuckles spoke softly as he gently nudged her.

Angel sighed as she leant up against him, his arm once more wrapped around her waist as she snuggled into him.

"You think he'll give up?" She asked quietly.

Knuckles laughed and shook his head slowly. "You and I both know he's not the type to give up."

Angel sighed once more as she took another drink. "What is it with gangs these days? Think they can have whatever they want!" She moaned as she waved her bottle about.

Knuckles laughed as he nodded. "It's because the good gangs can."

Angel pulled away slowly as she looked up at him. "You guys always said his gang were good, so it means he can have-"

Knuckles quickly cut her off by smashing his lips down onto hers. For a second Angel felt herself kiss him back before she put her free hand on his chest and gently pushed him away.

"He'll never get you Angel. There's no way he can find us here."

Angel nodded slowly. Knuckles took a step closer but she quickly shook her head and stepped back, turning before leaving and going upstairs. She quickly went into her room and shut the door as she walked back over to her bed and sat down, her eyes falling on the drawing of Ace. Taking another swig from the wine bottle she fell backwards and sighed.