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It had only been a day. One. Single. Day. Which, logically, shouldn’t have been a big deal. But apparently, logic had never met Ace. You barely had time to step onto the deck before a loud voice cut through the air. “There you are!” And then suddenly- you were off your feet. “Ace-!” The world spun, literally, as he scooped you up like you weighed nothing, laughter bursting out of him like he hadn’t seen you in months instead of yesterday morning.
“I was gone for a day!” You protested, grabbing onto his shoulders as he spun you once more for good measure. “Yeah,” he shot back immediately, grinning like this was the best moment of his life, “exactly.” It wasn’t quite the argument he thought it was. “You’re ridiculous,” you said, trying- and failing- not to laugh as he finally set you down. Even so, he didn’t let go, not even a little. His hands stayed on your waist, like he needed the physical confirmation that you were actually there and not about to disappear again.
“You could’ve told me it’d take that long,” he added, mock-offended, though the way his thumb absentmindedly traced small circles against your side gave him away instantly. “It didn’t take that long. You’re dramatic.”
“Am not,” he scoffed.
“You are.” You responded.
“Am not,” he repeated like a child.
You raised an eyebrow as he paused. “...Okay, maybe a little.” You snorted, and just like that, he lit up again- like your laughter alone was enough to reset his entire mood. “C’mere,” he said, not even waiting before pulling you into a proper hug this time- tight, warm, a little too firm to be casual. You melted into it anyway. “Missed you,” he mumbled into your shoulder. Your heart did something very inconvenient in your chest as you pressed your cheek into his shoulder. “It was a day,” you repeated, softer this time. “Longest day of my life.”
“...You’re unbelievable.” You chuckled softly. “And you’re back,” he shot back easily. “So, I win.” You huffed a laugh, but didn’t pull away, not that you wanted to.
By the time the sun had climbed high overhead, the ship had settled into a lazy calm, the kind that made everything feel slower, softer now. You’d claimed a quiet spot on the deck, stretched out beneath the warmth of the sun, eyes half-lidded as the ocean breeze drifted lazily over you. It was peaceful, finally. You deserved this; a blissful, glorious few minutes without chaos, no interruptions. Just warmth and quiet….and the sound of footsteps.
You didn’t even open your eyes. “Ace,” you said flatly. “Hey,” came the immediate, cheerful reply. You cracked one eye open just enough to see him looming above you, already grinning like he was about to do something you probably wouldn’t approve of. “What are you doing?” You asked, raising a brow. “Nothing.” It was suspicious…very suspicious. You closed your eye again anyway. “Don’t-”
Too late. A sudden weight dropped onto you, all warmth and solid muscle and absolutely no warning whatsoever. “Oof- Ace!” He had fully, completely, unapologetically, flopped on top of you. Like a human cat, or an extremely large, very warm, very pleased with himself golden retriever. “You’re comfy,” he declared, like that explained everything. “You cannot just use me as a mattress-”
“Why not?” He huffed. “Because I’m a person?!” He hummed thoughtfully, shifting slightly- somehow managing to get more comfortable, his head settling perfectly against your shoulder, one arm draped loosely across your middle. “...You’re a very comfortable person.”
“That is not helping your case.”
“Feels like it is.”
You let out a long, suffering sigh as your hand went up, fingers threading absentmindedly through his hair. It was almost traitorous. He stilled for half a second before he melted against you, almost literally. A quiet, content hum slipped out of him as his weight relaxed fully into you, like he’d just decided this was his final form and nothing could convince him otherwise. “You’re not moving, are you?” You asked. “Nope.”
“Not even a little?”
“Mm-mm.”
You should push him off, absolutely. It was hot and he was heavy, with zero regard to personal space. But his breathing had already started to slow. His grip, loose but present, tightened just slightly- like even in sleep, he wanted to make sure you were still there. You sighed again, softer this time. “...You’re lucky I like you.” There was no response. You glanced down to where his head rested; out completely. Unbelievable. You shook your head, a small smile tugging at your lips as you shifted just enough to get comfortable beneath him.
The sun was warm. The ocean was calm. And despite everything, you didn’t really mind being stuck like this. Because for all his chaos, all his noise, and the way he filled every space he walked into- This? This quiet, soft version of Ace laying on top of you? The one who trusted you enough to fall asleep like the world couldn't touch him? You’d stay like this all day if it meant he got to feel that safe.
Your fingers moved gently through his hair again. He shifted slightly, pressing closer without waking as a small, unconscious smile tugged at his lips. “...Don’t go missing again,” he mumbled, barely audible. Your chest tightened as you leaned your head lightly against his. “I won’t.” And this time, you meant it.