Just Like Fire (Ace x Reader)

Chapter 25: Just Like Fire

"You know what's really weird?" Your question drifts to Ace, who hums softly. The two of you had been sitting in the back of his truck bed, the vehicle parked in an open field where the First Division fire department would do drills.

You hadn't slept long in the station, just a couple hours. After eating something and reassuring Sabo you were okay, you asked Ace if there was a quiet place closer than Pops' field where you could just sit. Your older brother was going to start gathering up the paperwork, taking care of the heavy lifting for you again, and for the first time in your life, you were comfortable letting him do that.

It was how Sabo fought most of the time. He was good at it, and it gave him something to do that wasn't detailing a plan to murder your parents for everything they'd put you through.

Put you both through.

But now the sun was dipping low. Ace was leaned against the back of the truck cab, and you were leaning back against his chest, eyes squinting at a sun that became stronger and redder as it sank closer to the horizon.

"I'm not angry." You feel Ace perk up behind you. Leaning back even more, you settle into him, letting him rest his chin against your head. "I'm not sad, either. Or scared. I don't know if my parents simply wore me down all my life, or that everything else has just been too much, but now that I've slept, I don't feel as bothered by it as I think I should be."

"It might come crashing down later." Ace says. His voice is a little melancholy, like experience was talking.

"It may." You agree. "But... I won't be alone."

Ace's arms wrap around you and his legs come up next to yours, pulling you close and holding onto you. "No, you won't."

You can feel yourself relax into him more. He nuzzles the side of his face into your hair, sitting with you in the quiet moment of the sun setting in front of you. The warm kiss pressed into the mess of your hair feels impossibly heated, and somehow you know he's watching the sun almost as intently as you are.

"Feel like you wanna fly into it?" He murmurs.

It's hardly much of a movement, but you nod, humming softly in your chest. "It's not overpowering, though. Feels like it would be a good stretch, if that makes sense."

"Nice, but not necessary?" He questions and you nod. "Good."

The smile on your lips can't be seen by Ace, but you're sure he can sense it. "You're not jealous of the sun, are you Ace?"

"Jealous?" He scoffs, huffing into your hair. "No. That's enemy number one to me." His arms and legs tighten around you just a little. "Hangin' in da sky threatenin' to steal you away. You're my light, not it."

You flinch, your muscles tensing in reaction to his declaration. The heat rushing up to your face isn't the flames of your own curse, but you almost wish it was. Ace nuzzles into the crook of your neck, resting his chin against your shoulder.

"You're cute when you blush."

"You - you can't see anything right now." You pout.

"Mi Luz." He releases his hold on you a little. "Turn around for me, pajarito?"

You shift enough that your shoulder is nestled against his chest, knees tucked up to your chest, keeping yourself in the lose cage of limbs he's put around you. It takes you a moment to look up at him, but your heated face is painfully obvious, even in the dying light there's embarrassment written all over your features.

"You're cute when you blush." He repeats, kissing your cheek gently.

"You're a fire hazard when you blush." You pout in return. Catching the flicker of flame from his hair you laugh, and he pulls you close, assailing you with quick kisses and turning your teasing laughter into something else.

"Ace!" You laugh, putting your hands over his mouth. "Ruffian!" You huff, catching your breath as he kisses the palm of your hand.

"Tyrant." He corrects, voice muffled by your hands.

Lowering your hands, and your gaze, you're desperately trying to keep your own flames from flickering against the darkening sky.

"You're... um... mi... sol." You barely manage to say the words, but Ace certainly heard them. The rush of fire is brief but strong, and as the flare billows around you both, Ace pulls you in close. His hands splayed out on your back, his cheek pressed into your chest. It's an action full of desperation and restraint.

After the flames fade away you comb your fingers through his hair. The warmth of his body shivers against you, his fingers trembling against your skin. You don't know all the things that cause him to hold onto you like this. With Sabo's words you can guess, and knowing who his father was makes the understanding a little more. Maybe one day he'll tell you, but even if he doesn't, to you, it doesn't matter.

After a few moments the tension in Ace's body relaxes, his breathing steadies and his hands move easily against your back. The slow, deep breath in, is a warm breath released into your chest. Almost more of a sigh than anything else.

One arm holds your waist as he sits up and back a little, slate grey eyes looking into yours, the last flickers of the setting sun dancing in them. There's a peaceful smile on his face, but you can see more behind it. The emotions that swirled between you weren't going to calm just from a hug.

"Ace," you murmur his name as his other hand cradles your face. Your hand over his you lean into him, white flames shivering off your shoulders. His orange fire mirrors yours and you're sure he knows.

Certain he feels the same.

You could leave it there, fire against your skin, and it would be okay. But more than you needing to say it, you felt like he needed to hear it.

"I love you."

A/N - it is a short chapter, but you'll forgive me.

(Happy 6 year wedding anniversary to me)