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He didn’t know what possessed him.
What thought was going through his mind for him to think this was a good idea?
It wasn’t.
He knew it wasn’t.
He had come to terms that it wasn’t months ago!
But there he was, staring at Sabo wide-eyed with fear gripping his chest because he was a fucking idiot.
He stepped away from the blonde, his cheek in his teeth as he desperately thought up an excuse, an apology, something that could salvage the friendship they had.
“I- I’m so sorry, Sabo- I don’t know what I was thinking! Just- I just acted I thought- well, I don’t know what I thought-” he rambled, his eyes everywhere but the wide-eyed blonde in front of him.
It was a good night, an amazing night even! Until he went and fucked it all up!
His team won the home game, and he and his friends had gone out to celebrate, to have a good time before school started again on Monday.
But- after a while his friends and team all went home, all had things they needed to do, or early mornings due to their part-times.
And, after they all went home, it was just them.
Just him and Sabo.
They had driven around town, cause Ace was Sabo’s ride. Sabo had asked if they could go to the field that housed the abandoned home he and the other always went to, ever since they were freshmen. And- when they got there, they just sat and stargazed, just like they used to. Something they hadn’t been able to do for almost a year now- and- maybe it was the high from the win. Or maybe it was the sudden feelings he had forcefully ignored for the past two years resurfacing because it was the first time they had been alone in ages, or maybe it was the way Sabo was looking at him as if he had hung the moon and fucking stars as if he had accomplished the most impressive thing in the world despite it just being a high school football game as if he was fucking proud- and- he just acted.
Without thinking- hell- without giving himself the time to think, to doubt, he leaned toward the blonde and kissed him.
And oh, what he would give to take it back, to go back as if everything was completely normal between them, to go back as friends even though Ace knew he didn’t view the other like a friend- if only to get rid of the wide-eyed look of realization from the other's eyes.
To save himself the heartbreak of rejection from the one person he felt he couldn’t take it from.
He could accept rejection, hate, resentment, or awkwardness from anyone.
Anyone but him.
Anyone but Sabo.
Being with Sabo felt like breathing.
As if with him, they were just simply them. As if being around him was the easiest thing in the world. And without him- without him, he didn’t know what to do.
And he hated the feeling.
He hated it- but oh, he loved it more than anything.
And he didn’t want to lose it.
Ace took another step from the blonde, “Look- I can give you a ride home? Or we can just pretend this never happened, yeah?” he tried, he tried desperately, “or- hell- if you really want I can-”
“I never said I didn’t like it…”
The words froze whatever Ace was going to say in his throat, forcing silence on him as he finally looked at Sabo once again. “...what?” he breathed, confused and more than a little desperate. Because- please say that was what he thought it was.
Please say the other wasn’t going to leave him.
Sabo looked nervous, his expression twisted and cheeks tinted pink as he repeated his words, “I said, ‘I never said I didn't like it.’” he repeated, as if that was what Ace was asking, even though they both knew it wasn’t. He then met Ace’s eyes, “I-” he huffed, “I like you too, Ace… more than just friends. I have for a while, but- I guess I just always thought you were out of reach. That- you’d never feel the same because you’re Ace. Portgas D. Ace, Captain of the football team and the most sought-after and popular kid in school. I never thought I had a chance.” he huffed, shoulders pulled to his ears slightly as he spoke as if even the thought of Ace liking him back was ridiculous.
As if Ace looked at anyone other than him- as if Ace would rather be with someone other than Sabo when god knows he could never imagine it. He could never humor it.
Ace moved forward again, for once thinking and not caring for his actions as he raised his hands to cup Sabo’s cheeks, bringing the other's eyes to his wide ones. “You- you like me back?” he asked, voice soft with disbelief.
Sabo nodded, smiling small and nervous, “I do, yeah,” he shrugged as if trying to seem nonchalant and failing. Ace knew he wasn’t any better, he felt as if his world had just been flipped upside down and he wasn’t even upset about it- if anything, he was thrilled.
Because the words were finally registering with him.
Finally reaching his fucking brain enough for a grin to grow on his lips. He let a sigh of relief escape him with a huff, “oh thank god,” he breathed.
Finally, some of Sabo’s nervousness seemed to fade as he raised a brow at the other. Finally acting more like the Sabo Ace knew. “Yeah?”
Ace scoffed and nodded, “Bo- I thought I fucked everything up!” he breathed.
Sabo huffed and tilted his head slightly, “really? I’m not gonna lie- I was scared I did for a second there.”
Ace shook his head quickly, “No- Bo- I’ve liked you since freshmen year! I just- I never thought you felt the same!” he’d never been more happy to be wrong before.
Sabo’s smile grew soft as his eyes flicked to Ace’s lips, before back to his eyes. As if asking, searching.
It made Ace realize their position.
With himself standing before the blonde, cupping his cheeks and jaw softly, so close their bodies were practically pressed against each other.
And- he did think about what he was gonna do next.
He thought it through, let it go through his mind over and over. But- he didn’t stop himself. Instead, he leaned forward just like he did to get them into this, and pressed his lips to Sabo’s.
Melting in relief when Sabo did nothing but kiss him back.
The End