Just Like Fire (Ace x Reader)

Chapter 26: Sparks

You barely even had to look at Sabo when you arrived home and he said something about needing to run errands, grabbing Luffy by the collar and telling him he was going to help.

"We'll be a couple hours." He said with an apologetic tone, even as Ace's face turned a deeper red.

You weren't sure how grateful you were for Sabo's understanding, but you didn't want to dwell on it and miss your opportunity. Your fingers were laced through Ace's and, with your heart pounding in your ears, you led him to the door of your room.

"I..." Your throat dries instantly as you try to talk, the heat in your face so warm you were sure you were catching fire in places.

Ace brushes his hand over your hair, flinging aside white flames with a soft expression. "Are you sure?"

You struggle to keep your eyes on his face, but you nod. "I am."

"I can wait." There's a smile on his face, pink in his cheeks, and a flicker of desire in his eyes.

"I... can too, but..." You say softly, reaching out to him, putting a hand against his chest. "I have no idea what tomorrow will bring. I don't know how my parents will react, I don't know what kind of impact it'll have. After everything," your gaze shifts up to meet his. "I know I want this."

Fire rolls up Ace, and he puts his hand on your shoulders. "Would it... can we do this in my room?"

You tilt your head, but then press your lips together, trying to suppress a laugh. "Fire proofed?"

"Fire proofed."

Nervous giggles and fluttering hearts make your steps light as Ace leads you to his room. The heat and tension mixed with a levity you cherish as much as his warmth, woven between your fingers.

Leaning against his door he pulls you close, pressing your chest against his with one arm, leaning down and kissing you. The smile on his lips breaks the soft kiss, and you lean up onto your tiptoes to kiss him back, causing his fingers to flex against your back.

Your fingers curl around his collar, holding onto him even as you pull yourself up, parting your lips and letting his tongue in. The heat rising between you is tempered by the soft smacking from Ace's other hand as he fumbles to find the handle to his own door, a smile breaking across his lips when he finds it. Dipping low enough to turn the knob he bumps the door open as his arms wrap around you and lift you up.

Your legs are wrapped around his hips by the time the door closes, leaving you two in the dark room, and your attention on his lips. Ace's fingers flex against your thighs as your fingers slip into his hair, the soft hum that bubbles up his chest shivers against you.

He sets you on the bed, the soft groan of springs as he stands up straight enough to pull his shirt off.

The act itself was almost too much. The dark of the room wasn't absolute, your eyes adjusted to the diffused moonlight from outside, and the soft glow of the clock by his bed. The meager illumination was smeared against the lines of his muscles as his body moved.

Tossing the shirt aside, Ace grins down at you as your fingers press against his abs.

"You think you'd be used to seeing me shirtless." He muses, and you feel the blood rush to your face.

"It's... a little different right now." Clearing your throat you pull your hand back but Ace grabs it. You could pull away if you wanted, but he brings your hand to his lips, kissing your knuckles, before turning it aside and pressing a kiss inside the palm of your hand.

The shivered gasp that slips from your lips makes him smile before he presses another kiss against your wrist. Your toes curl as the errant pleasure slips down your arm. Somehow you felt like you were losing some unspoken battle, but when the next kiss was further down the inside of your arm all you could do was grip the bedding with your free hand and sigh.