#esuka

She took a breath. Released it slowly. She did not think their paths would cross again so soon. She considered ignoring him, but decided against it because he was a loudmouth who would likely expose her identity to everyone.

Or… you’re desperately searching for an excuse to talk to him.

“Quiet.” She mumbled as she strode to him.

“What are you doing here?”

Ace turned his face to her, mouth full of stew.

“Ishkha!” He spluttered as he grinned. He wiped his mouth with the back of his wrist and gestured at the chair across from him. “C’mon, join me. Or are you here to arrest me?”

She glared at him, but she took his offer because she was freezing and her knees were locking up.

“You’re drawing too much attention to yourself. And you’ve got stew on your chin.” She plucked a handkerchief out of her pocket and tossed it at him. It landed in his lap.

He scooped another spoonful of stew with the carelessness of a person who was in the company of an old friend.

That sentiment made her heart ache.

“Where’s the rest of your crew?” She asked, scanning the tavern. The common folk had already lost interest, but she spotted a suspicious pair, probably bounty hunters, watching from the corner.

Surely they wouldn't be stupid enough to challenge him here, with the storm raging outside?

Her rapier was ready to squash any potential idiocy.

Ace dabbed at his mouth with her handkerchief, pocketing it.

“They’re holed up on the ship. I went out to find supplies…”

“You mean you ran off.”

“Uh...”

“I bet Deuce is losing his mind right now,” Isuka smiled despite herself. She signalled for a bowl of stew.

He leaned forward, tapping his spoon against his chin, eyes locking on her.

“Did you really come all this way just to see me?” The teasing in his voice was obvious, but there was something sharp in his gaze.

“I haven’t given up completely on turning you into a Navy guy, but no, I’m here on assignment.” She lied, battling the heat that rose from her stomach to her chest.

He shrugged. “You’re a woman of duty, after all. And a stubborn one.” His fingers drummed the battered tabletop. The numerous empty bowls clattered. “You know there’s a spot on my crew waiting for you.”

She rolled her eyes, but the annoying warmth had now reached her cheeks. “If I wanted to be surrounded by idiots every day, I’d just stay at Marine HQ.”

He barked a laugh, startling the old man at the next table.

“I guess we remain in a stalemate.”

“Guess so.” She took a spoonful of the stew, scorching her tongue and biting off a chunk of the bread.

Ace observed her, the obnoxious but charming grin returning to his lips.

“Deuce says I’m an idiot for thinking you’ll ever switch sides.”

“He’s right.”

“But I still think about it,” his fingers brushed the rim of his bowl. “What it’d be like.” He raised his thumb to his mouth and licked off the last traces of stew.

She looked away, heart thudding. “You think too much.”

“I think about you.”

She almost choked. Her eyes watered.

Nope, nope. She did not need this right now.

The bounty hunters shifted in the corner, one nudging the other with an elbow. Isuka’s fingers curled around the hilt of her rapier beneath the table, but Ace didn’t even glance their way. He was still watching her, like she was the only one in the room.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

She looked up sharply. “Stop it.”

“I’m not trying to make things complicated,” he raised his hands in mock surrender.

Her appetite was gone.

“You are making things complicated.”

She would not and could not deal with whatever she was feeling towards this man.

The bounty hunters stood up. One reached for something beneath his coat.

Isuka was already moving.

Her chair scraped back, her rapier unsheathed. The tavern erupted in startled cries as she flew across the room, blade pressing to the nearest man’s throat before he could draw.

“Sit down,” she hissed. “Or I’ll make you walk out of here.”

The man hesitated.

Ace hadn’t moved. His eyes were on her. Just her. As if he relished in her actions.

But of course, he knew about them from the start.

The bounty hunters backed down. Mumbling curses, they retreated to their seats.

Isuka returned to the table, heart pounding. She sat without a word, picked up her spoon, and resumed eating her lukewarm stew.

“You’re really bad at pretending you don’t care.”

She didn’t look at him. Because if she said she didn’t care, it would be a lie. She had lied enough already.

“Shut up and let me eat, Fire Fist.”

He beamed, propping his chin on his hand as he continued to stare at her.