Just Like Fire (Ace x Reader)

Chapter 11: Emotional

You set up a meeting with Chopper to hand off the new medication to him, keeping some of it for yourself in case you needed to prove you had it. Returning to work Friday you used your lunch to go make the delivery, and ate your packed lunch at your desk while you went back to work. You were 11 stories up in a building that didn't have too many more floors beyond that, which made for a nice view inside and out.

A tall man with short dark hair and brightly colored, if not well-tailored clothing, came up to your desk. Considering how outlandishly you'd seen him dressed before, he almost looked plain today.

"Mr. Bon-chan," you say, addressing him as he had requested. "What can I do for you?"

"You're so kind, (Y/N)-chan." He says, smiling. "I came to make sure you're doing well. Your brother said you had fallen ill quite suddenly." He leans down so that you're not overheard. "You were hospitalized?"

"Some tests were needed. I really am sorry for the short notice." You offer.

"Non, it's quite alright." He says, putting a hand up and waving it dismissively. "You have to put your health first, young lady. It is important to love yourself more than your job, okay?"

You smile. "Yes, thank you Mr. Bon-chan."

The job you had found was doing accounting and reconciliation for a non-profit. It provided a lot of assistance to those who needed it, from people who were cursed, to people who were ostracized for being themselves. Given Bentham Bon Clay's own eccentric tendencies, you weren't surprised at the wide net the organization cast in its drive to help people.

Bon-chan was the newly minted CEO for the company, having taken over from an equally unique character named Ivankov. You heard some people call him Emporio Ivankov, but it was risky to give anyone who was a commoner a name that sounded anything like a title.

You were pretty sure that Ivankov hadn't retired in the strictest sense of the word. You were also pretty sure you had heard Sabo say that name before as well, but you had too much on your plate already. Worrying about who knew who, or why or how were concerns for another day.

Getting back to work, running your errand to Chopper at the hospital, and knowing you were going to have a visitor tonight was enough for one day. Especially since you were nervous about whatever it was that Law was going to tell you after this second scan.

Your day concluded without incident, and when you got down to the ground floor you couldn't suppress the smile on your face. Ace was parked in front of the building, in a very well-maintained older model pickup truck. It was the same color as his favorite hat – one he was wearing along with a tank top and shorts. He had a red-beaded necklace on, that you'd seen before, that matched the beads around the cowboy style hat.

He smiles when he sees you and motions toward the truck as he opens the passenger door for you.

"I got kicked out about twenty minutes ago, figured I'd come pick you up." He explains.

"Kicked out?"

Ace clears his throat. "Okay, so I asked if I could be excused so I could come pick you up." He admits as his face turns pink. "I figured you had enough on your mind lately that having a ride home wouldn't hurt."

"That's... yeah." You press your lips together as you step into the pickup truck. "Thank you."

Ace brightens when he realizes you're not put off by his gesture and smiles. "Of course." He says, closing the door for you and coming around to the driver's side.

"I'm surprised you don't have the bike today." You say, buckling yourself in as the truck comes to life in a surprisingly quiet rumble. "It's a beautiful day out."