#sigh...i should animate again...i miss it...

Abbot stands at the door and looks in either direction. He looks in either direction then Dr. Ellis quicksteps past him. "Hey Ellis, do you know if any patients are missing a kid?"

"A kid?" She backs up and looks in the room, "Definitely not. Should I get security?"

"Not yet. I'll find out more. Go ahead." He dismisses her and enters the room.

The girl hears his foot steps and looks up at him curiously. "Hi."

"Hi, I'm Dr. Abbot. What is your name, sweetie?"

"Miracle." She turns back to the fox on the wall.

"What a pretty name." He kneels down beside her on his good knee, "Are you here with your family?"

She shakes her head, "I'm here all by myself."

Abbot purses his lips in worry, "Oh yeah? How did you get here?"

"The elevator." She smiles, "I remember the fox from last time and came down all by myself."

"The elevator…" He thinks for a moment. He notices on her chest as a name tag. Similar to his badge was a photo of Miracle and the words PTMC childcare center. Miracle was not a patient or a child of one but a child of an employee at the hospital. He lets out a sigh of relief, "Well, this is a long way from where you belong isn't it?"

Miracle shrinks and clasps her hands together, "I didn't mean to."

"It's okay, sweetie but we'll need to take you back. Don't want your people to worry right?"

"Uh huh." She nods, "My mommy works in the hospital. She helps really sick people."

"You know, I do that too." He smiles, "Why don't we go sit somewhere and call your mommy? Let her know you are okay."

"Okay!"

Abbot stands up and holds out his hand for the girl to hold but she instead holds up both of her arms with the expectation of him to pick her up. He smiles and obliges, carrying her back to the main nurse's station. "I think I know where some stickers are that you can have. Do you like stickers?"

"Yeah!" She squeals.

Miracle had a smile that could melt the coldest hearts. As they walk, she rests her head on Abbot's shoulder. He tries to steel his resolve but his heart swells at the feeling of her little head on his shoulder.

"Oh my, who is this little one?" Lena smiles at the girl.

"This is Miracle. She is a long way from the daycare upstairs."

"Oh Geez. I heard the bathrooms are broke down on their floor so they have to go to a different one." Lena says, "No wonder this little lamb got lost." She pinches the little girl's cheeks. An infectious giggle comes from the girl as she squirms in Abbot's arms.

He sets her down on a stool and takes a look at her tag. It had her full name on it with a phone number underneath. He recognizes it as the ICU floor. He dials it on the office phone.

A soft woman's voice answers in a quiet tone, "ICU?"

"Hi, this is Dr. Abbot here in the ED. I have a sweet little girl named Miracle down here lost from the daycare."

"Oh my god." He can hear the woman panic. Faintly, she tells her colleague, "Thank you Dr. Abbot. I will be down in just a moment."

Before he can respond the line goes dead. It must have been Miracle's mother on the phone, "Good news, Miracle. Your mommy is on the way."

"What about my stickers?" Oh right…

He snaps and opens a random junk drawer and finds some stickers in the bottom. "Here you are."

She takes them from him and rips off one and places it back on his hand. He smiles down at the sticker.

Just a moment becomes a long while as Abbot and Miracle wait. Although young, Miracle was able to keep herself entertained at the desk. She ran out of stickers and Abbot's arms and face had run out of surface area. His staff laugh and take in the adorable sight of Abbot with the little girl.

"Miracle! Oh thank god, you're still here."

"Mommy!"

Abbot whips his head around and feels his heart leap out of his chest. You come flying down the stairs and jog over to the nurse's station. He can't take his eyes off of you as you come around and pick up your daughter.

"What were thinking coming down here all by yourself?"

"I wanted to play with this fox on the wall."

You shake your head and move your eyes to Abbot's sticker riddled body. "Hi… you must Dr. Abbot."

"You'd be correct." He holds his hands behind his back, "Miracle was keeping me company down here."

"I can see that," You giggle, "You have discovered her obsession with stickers. Sorry."

"Not a problem. Anything to keep her entertained."

"I appreciate it. I really do. She has gotten into this adventurous stage of wandering off and I can barely keep up. I'm glad you were able to keep her occupied." Your smile was just as criminal as Miracle's.

"She's welcome back anytime." He waves it off as he tries not to stutter under your sweet gaze.

"Alright then. Say bye to Dr. Abbot, Miracle."

"Bye Dr…. Abby." She giggles.

"Dr. Abby? You're so silly." You tickle her side then you look at him again, "Bye Dr. Abbot."

"Bye Dr. Abbot." Miracle waves as you carry her back up the stairs to the daycare center.

Abbot watches you go with a longing look. He looks down at his arms and chuckles before he starts to meticulously peel them off. It takes a few minutes to do, a few of the stickers leaving a mark.

He thought that would be the last time he would see you and Miracle. The next night, he looks in the Pedes room longingly before continuing on his way back to the hub.

He stops short just a few feet. Then backtracks and looks into the break room to find a familiar figure. Little Miracle was squatting down in front of the vending machine looking through the slot in the bottom.

"Hungry?" Abbot enters the room.

Miracle sheepishly withdraws from the machine and clasps her hands together. A tell that she did when she thought she was in trouble. She looks at the machine then back at Abbot.

"It's okay." He holds his hands out to her. She approaches him quickly and jumps into his arms. He lifts her and rest her on his hip. "It's a bit late for a sugary snack. How about… some goldfish?"

She nods quickly. He smiles at her and opens one of the pantries where some small snacks were available. He grabs out a package of goldfish and hand them to the little girl. Then he takes her back to the nurse's station.

"Little Lamb!" Lena smiles when she see the little girl then the smile turns shit-eating, "She's taking a liking to you, Abbot."

"She was just hungry. She probably saw the vending machine from the last time she was here." He sets Miracle down on a stool. "You are real sneaky, aren't you?"

Miracle shakes her head as she smirks. She continues to eat her crackers without a word. She was very cunning for her age. Able to get away from the daycare staff and get down to the ED without arousing suspicion of being alone. You must really have your hands full with her.

You were a single mother working as an ICU nurse. You transferred from an ICU clinic out of state due to your toxic ex, Miracle's dad. You had taken the job at the PTMC due to their 24 hour daycare program. You were able to spend time with your daughter during the day and without support at home, she would need to come to the hospital to sleep for the night. It was only a few nights a week so it was hard not to pass up.

Not that Abbot knew your situation. It wasn't like, after that night he met you, he asked one of the medical assistants about you during an ICU transfer.

He picks up the phone and dials the ICU line. "ICU?" It's you again. Speaking softly. A mental image pops up in his mind of you speaking that way to him in the morning.

"Uh, this is Dr. Abbot in the ED."

"Hi, are you looking for a bed?"

"No, actually, I have Miracle down here. She seems to have gotten away again."

"You're joking…" You grumble. You mutter to your coworker again. "i've gotta go… the ED… Miracle… yeah again… unbelievable i know…Are you still there Abbot?"

"I am."

"I'll be down in a minute. I am so sorry. See you soon." You say defeated.

"See you…" The line goes dead and Abbot turns his attention back to Miracle.

She spins on the stool without a care. She finished her goldfish while he was on the phone. He grabs an office chair and sits beside her, "Miracle, your mommy is on her way."

She beams at him, "Yay."

"Do you come down here because you like when you mommy comes to pick you up?"

Miracle shakes her head, "My mommy picks me up all the time. I like when you pick me up and we play."

He leans back, "I see. But Miracle, your mommy and I are busy working. We can't play all the time you know that, right? It's night time and you need rest. So while we work, you sleep."

"But I can only see you at night time. Mommy said so."

Abbot chuckles, "What did your mom say?"

"You work night time at the hospital so that means we can only see you at night time. We can't come in the day time."

"Do you ask to see me in the day time?"

She nods. "You are fun to play with."

"You are fun too." He boops her nose, "Do you like to draw?" She nods rapidly. "How about you draw something for us to put up back here?" He grabs some printer paper and some colored pens from the cup of supplies on the desk.

"You draw too." She hands a pen to him.

"I'd love to sweetie but remember what I said? I have to do my work. It's so I don't get in trouble. Ms. Lena will keep an eye on you."

Miracle pouts like a kicked puppy. It tears Abbot's heart to shreds to look at. He bites down on his bottom lip before looking away. Be strong, be strong, he repeats the mantra as he walks away.

It doesn't take long for him to return though and at the same time that he is back at the nurse's station you come jogging down the stairs. "Hello again," He smiles at you.

"Hi," You return the smile and look at Miracle, "She is going to become a permanent resident by the end of the week down here. C'mon little mama."

Miracle jumps from her stool and hides behind Abbot's legs. "No."

You let out a huff and smile awkwardly, "Heh, Miracle, sweetie it's time to say goodbye to Dr. Abbot."

"No." She grabs onto him. She touches a part of Abbot's prosthesis, she hesitates then moves to wrap both her hands around his other leg.

"God, this is so embarrassing." You mutter then you look up at Abbot, "I'm sorry, she is cranky at this point."

"That's okay." He chuckles, "How about I walk her with you to the daycare?"

"Oh, no it's fine. I'm sure they need you down here being the shift attending and all." You tighten your lips. You didn't mean to reveal that. You may or may not have asked a medical assistant about him during an ED transfer.

"It is not a problem. It's Lena that keeps this place running." He turns to Miracle, "If I come with you will you be good for your mommy?"

She nods rapidly and holds her hands up to him. He picks her up and smiles at you, "Shall we?"

"We shall." You lead them to the elevator. As you enter, you hear Miracle whisper to Abbot.

"What happened to your leg?" She cups his ear to whisper but she wasn't too discreet as you still heard her question.

"I got hurt in an accident. My leg was no good so they gave me a new one." He whispers back.

"Does it hurt?"

"Not anymore." He shakes his head, "I eat good and take care of myself to be big and strong." He tickles her side, making her giggle in his ear.

You can't help but smile. His patience with your daughter warmed your heart. It was something about him treating her like a small person and not a nuisance unlike someone you once knew. She was disrupting him at work but he didn't let it bother him. He seemed to enjoy it, actually.

As you walk back to the daycare, you notice Miracle has gone quiet. You look over and see she had fallen asleep on Abbot's shoulder. "That girl is something else." You shake your head.

"She gives you a run for your money." Abbot whispers.

"You have no idea." You sigh, "She has not been infatuated with anything ever until she met you. I've never heard her speak about someone so highly after meeting them once."

"So she says. She told me, she stays awake to play with me."

"All day, non-stop. 'Mommy, you should invite Dr. Abbot to our house to play.' 'Mommy, Is Dr. Abbot at the hospital yet?' 'I got a booboo, Dr. Abbot should help.'" You laugh at yourself then notice Abbot smiling at you. You avert your gaze and stop at the Pre-K door. "This is her." You scan your ID and open the door for Abbot.

He lays her on one of the cots with the other kids. You tuck her in and kiss her forehead. You apologize to the staff and they apologize too. The bathrooms should be finished by tomorrow so hopefully this is the last time Miracle elopes.

You walk with Abbot back to the elevator, "I really can't thank you enough, Dr. Abbot."

"Miracle is a sweetheart. Just as much as I left an impression on her she's left one on me." He holds his hands behind his back as he walks.

"Hopefully, this will be the last of her hijinks and my blood pressure will lower." You take a deep breath. Abbot purses his lips as his heart wilts. You stop in front of the elevator, "This is where we part ways. You've gotta go down and I've gotta go up." You hit the down button, "I'll take the stairs."

"I'll see you around?" He steps on to the elevator.

"At this rate? I'll be seeing you tomorrow." You joke.

You joke but Abbot hoped that it was a promise.

The next night, Miracle appears again. Abbot makes his rounds when he finds her curled up on the couch in the family room. He almost didn't catch her this time if it weren't for the door being propped open by the janitors. He enters the room quietly and sits beside her.

He rubs her back as he tries to rouse her from sleep. The little girl rises out of her ball like state and crawls into his lap and rests on his chest. He sighs and continues to rub her back and rocks her side to side. He pulls out his hospital phone and dials the ICU.

"ICU?" A firm voice speaks. It definitely wasn't you, "Hello?"

"Yes, hi, this is Abbot down in the ED. I've got Miracle down here and was wondering if her mother was available to pick her up."

"Uh…unfortunately she is unavailable at the moment. Are you able to keep an eye on her for some time? She is tending to a patient at the moment. I will pass along the message as soon as I can." There was a wobble of nervousness in the nurse's voice. It was always life or death in the ICU.

"Yeah, I can. Just let her know when you can." He hangs up the phone and continues to rock her. When he knows he has spent too much time he will carry her to the hub.

"Lena, occupy Central 6 for me." He points to the sleeping girl in his arms, "Her mom might take a minute."

"You got it." She opens a tablet and fills in some random information to occupy the room on the status board.

He lays Miracle on the gurney and tucks her under the covers. "Thank you for making me so special." He whispers to her then shuts out the lights and leaves the room closing the door. Through out the hour he keeps an eye on her.

You come down the stairs looking disheveled. Your eyes were puffy, it looked like you had been crying. Abbot approaches beside you and rests his hand on the center of your back, "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, sorry, where is Miracle?" You sniffle.

"Right in here." He leads you into Central 6. You lower the rail on one side of the gurney and pull up a chair to caress Miracle's face as she sleeps. He can see tears fall indiscriminately from your eyes. "Is everything okay?"

You let out a chuckle, "Is everything ever okay in our departments?" He sighs and pulls up another chair to be beside you. "Just before I come down here, every time, I've had to stabilize a patient, or at least try. A different person each time and afterward I'd come right down here and see the smile on my daughter's face like everything is okay. I have to act like I haven't just witnessed the scariest thing 5 minutes before coming to get her. I don't have to brave it when she's at daycare. In my mind, she seems worlds apart from the madness. Safe. I freak out thinking about her down here. What she might see. As if I didn't just watch someone die minutes ago." Abbot hears your voice waver as you speak but you laugh again, "But even still, with you, she is safe. She's so comfortable in your arms like she's known you her whole short life. You make it look so easy." You lean back in your chair and sniffle, "It makes me think I'm not cut out for this."

"Woah, that is a severe overstatement." He leans forward and takes your hand, "Had you not told me, I would have never known what you've done before coming down here. The first time you came down, you had this infectious smile on your face. And Miracle ran into your arms, you didn't falter for a second. Scooped her right in your arms. If you were scared you never showed it. You are her world. She knows you're there for her. You make it look effortless"

You look down at his hand on yours. He gives it an affirming squeeze. It's warm to the touch. "I bet you say that to all the single mothers." You bite back a smile and pull your hand away.

"Usually when they're here they are preoccupied with… you know an emergency?"

You giggle, "Really? None have made a move on you?"

"I fear that is day shift only. At this time of night, I only get the drunks playing grab ass." He sighs.

"Oh poor you," You rub his shoulder. "And here I thought you were like this dangerous and sexy combat medic that flirted with all the moms."

"Dangerous and sexy?"

"The other nurses on my floor say that, at least."

"So you talk about me to other people."

"I had to. I have to make sure the men in my daughter's life aren't dirt bags." You shrug, "They said you were a flirt too. Any defense?"

"I'm playful." He surrenders, "It's only to liven up this dreadful place."

"Right." You purse your lips into a thin smile, "Well, I should probably be taking her back to the daycare." You remove Miracle from the gurney and rest her on your hip, "You have a good rest of your night, Dr. Abbot."

He follows you out of the room, "I hope my playfulness hasn't scared you away from coming back to work."

"Only time will tell, I guess. Maybe I'll consider transferring to the ED and have some fun with you down here instead. " You shoot him a playful wink. He licks his bottom lip as he watches you walk to the elevator and back upstairs.

"She's got you whipped." Ellis shakes her head.

"Both of them do." Lena smirks, "Forget a work wife, he's got a whole work family."

"It's not like that." He waves them off, "Miracle is a troublemaker and her mom—"

"Is the hottest nurse you've ever laid your eyes on?" Ellis cocks an eyebrow, "You're not the only one with eyes, Abbot."

He averts his gaze to the status board, "Do you have anything better to do right now, Ellis? How does triage for the next hour sound?"

"Sounds like I should keep my mouth shut and get back to work." She leans over and mutters to Lena, "See how defensive he got. Whipped."

It had been a week since Miracle's escape attempts. The bathroom in the daycare was up and running again so there was no way for her to escape. Abbot stares at her drawing she had left behind. He missed that little rascal. He missed you too.

When things get slow enough, he decides to try and take a trip up to the daycare to check on Miracle. It was possible that she was sleeping but just seeing her would keep his spirits high. He tells Lena he's going to be out for a few minutes and hits the elevator button.

When the doors open his eyes widen in surprise. You stand there with a smile on your face and a look of surprise yourself. "Hey, I was just coming down to look for you."

"Oh? What for? Patient transfer?"

"No actually," You beckon him onto the elevator, "Miracle is having a hard time sleeping and misses her friend Dr. Abbot. I was wondering if I can steal you for a few minutes to put her to bed." You hit the button for the daycare floor, "Is that okay?"

"Uh yeah… I was actually going to head there."

"Felt a disturbance in the force, Jedi?" You chuckle.

"I just wanted to make sure she was alright."

"You've spoiled her." You say, "Now she can't live without you. It was inevitable, she's imprinted on you like a little duck. You are her mama now."

He laughs. It's a hearty laugh that warms your chest. You can't help but laugh too. The two of you walk out of the elevator side by side and enter the daycare. Miracle lays in her bed and beams when she sees the two of you from the window.

You both enter and sit beside her bed. "Okay, Miracle, this is a one time thing. Dr. Abbot can't come and go whenever you want while you're here." You explain as you tuck her in, "But he did say he missed you too."

She grins at him, "Do you still have my picture, Dr. Abbot?"

"I do. I look at it everyday." He grabs her hand and squeezes it tight.

"Maybe because you miss me we can play not in the hospital." She pouts.

You purse your lips and nod, "Maybe… But Dr. Abbot is super busy—"

"If your mommy says it's okay, I would be more than happy to."

You swivel your head at him in surprise, "You would?"

"Sure," He shrugs, "We can all play together outside of the hospital."

Your face is cooking as he speaks. Was he saying what you think he was saying?

"But that is for your mommy and I to talk about. You, little one, need to sleep." She nods and shuts her eyes. Your eyes are still on him. He notices and smiles, "Did you want to talk about that now?"

"Uh no I just… thought…"

"I was too sexy and dangerous? Or did you still believe I am too playful?"

You bow your head in defeat, "I guess I did."

After Miracle falls asleep the two of you leave. "I am going to be honest. I fully believed that this would be the last we saw of each other. We would go our separate ways, officially." You confess.

"I knew that wouldn't be the case after second time Miracle came to the ER." He chuckles, "I'd find a way to see you again."

"So were you the one sabotaging bathroom maintenance?" You giggle, "If you wanted to meet with me so bad you could have asked. Like you asked Edgar about me."

"You found out about that…" He winces.

"My good looks get me my way up there." You tease, "I'm kidding. When I asked about you he told me you had done the same. So I asked for more information."

"That's when you got the sexy and dangerous thing from."

"Yes, you are really stuck on that." You nudge him, "Don't believe it."

"I just like the way it sounds coming from you. You believe it."

"I do not."

"For a moment you did. In your mind, there was an image of me next to those words."

You cover your mouth as you refrain from laughing out loud, "Alright, what's it going to take for you to not bring that up anymore."

"When are you free?" He asks, "We can go somewhere and have breakfast after work? Or lunch? Go to the park for Miracle."

"Breakfast sounds good." You take out your personal phone, "How about you put in your number and I'll let you know."

"Promise?" He takes your phone and puts in his number

"If I don't you can put me on blast by calling the ICU and bug me. They all need something juicy to keep them entertained." You smile as he hands back your phone, "But I like you. So I won't keep you waiting too long. How does 10am tomorrow sound?"

"Sounds like a deal."

The two of you stop short of the elevator. You bite your lip before leaning in and kissing Abbot's cheek. "This is where we part ways." You hit the down button, "I'll take the stairs. See you at breakfast."

Abbot's cheeks burn as he watches you jog up the stairs. He tries to control his smile in the elevator as to not tip off the others to his glee. He didn't need them spoiling his fun just yet.

˖⋆࿐໋₊ ☆

thank you for reading! likes, comments, and reblogs always appreciated!

steve.

the thought of him makes your stomach do a little flip. his stupid hair, his easy smile, the way he smells like cheap cologne and something that’s just… steve. you miss his hands on you, the weight of him in your bed. you miss him so much it aches.

on a whim, you roll over and grab the heavy rotary phone from your nightstand. your fingers tremble just a little as you dial his number, the clicks and whirs of the phone filling the silent room. it rings three times before he picks up.

“hello?”

his voice is a low rumble, and you can practically hear him slouching against his kitchen counter, probably still in his work polo from family video.

“steve,” you breathe, a smile already spreading across your face.

“well, hey there, sweetheart,” he says, and you can hear the grin in his voice. “what’s up? bored without me?”

“you have no idea,” you sigh, sinking back into your pillows. “my house is a ghost town. i think i saw a tumbleweed roll through the living room earlier.”

he chuckles, a warm, familiar sound that settles deep in your bones. “a tragedy, truly. we should declare a state of emergency.”

“we should,” you agree, your voice dropping a little. “or you could come over and… help me pass the time.”

there’s a pause, and you hear the faint sound of him shifting. “i wish i could, honey. really. my parents are home and they’re in one of their ‘let’s be a family’ moods. it’s a whole thing. i’m basically on house arrest until my dad passes out.”

your heart sinks a little. “oh. okay.”

“hey, no, don’t sound like that,” he says softly. “doesn’t mean we can’t… still have some fun. i’m a resourceful guy, you know.”

your breath catches. “what do you mean?”

another pause, longer this time. when he speaks again, his voice is lower, huskier. it sends a jolt straight between your legs.

“i mean… what are you wearing?”

heat floods your cheeks. you bite your lip, a thrill running through you. “just an old nightgown. the pink one.”

“hmm,” he hums, and you can hear the creak of what must be his leather jacket as he moves. “the thin one? the one that’s a little see-through in the right light?”

“maybe,” you say, your voice barely a whisper.

“i like that one,” he says. “i’m thinking about it right now. thinking about how it looks on you. how it barely covers your ass. drives me crazy.”

your hand instinctively goes to the hem of the nightgown, your fingers brushing against your thigh. “steve…”

“yeah?” his voice is like gravel. “are you in bed?”

“mhm.”

“good. i want you to close your eyes. can you do that for me?”

you nod, even though he can’t see you. “yeah.”

“okay. just listen to my voice. i’m there with you, okay? i’m climbing through your window, just like always. i’d probably trip over your dumb collection of stuffed animals, but i’d make it look cool.”

you let out a small laugh, the tension breaking just enough to make this feel real. “you would.”

“damn right i would,” he continues, his voice a hypnotic caress. “and i’m leaning over you, and i’m pushing your hair out of your face. you look so pretty like this, all sleepy. makes me wanna mess you up.”

a soft whimper escapes your lips. your hand is still on your thigh, but now it’s moving higher, tracing the edge of your panties.

“are you touching yourself, sweetheart?” he asks, his voice knowing.

“yeah,” you admit, your voice shaky.

“good. that’s my girl. tell me what you’re doing.”

“i’m… i’m touching myself over my panties,” you breathe. “they’re lacy. the white ones you like.”

“fuck,” he groans, and the sound is so raw, so real, it makes you clench. “i wish i could see. i wish i could rip them off you with my teeth.”

“god, steve,” you gasp, slipping your fingers under the lace to find the slick heat of your folds. you’re already so wet.

“i’m thinking about how you taste,” he says, his voice strained. “so sweet. i could spend hours between your legs, just making you fall apart on my tongue. remember that time in my car? after the movies? i swear i was tasting you on my tongue for days after.”

you remember. you remember it so vividly. the fogged-up windows, the cramped space of the front seat, his head buried between your thighs as you tugged on his hair.

“i remember,” you whine, your circling your clit with a shaky finger.

“i’m thinking about that right now. thinking about you grinding against my face. thinking about how you sound when you’re about to come for me. that little gasp you do right before you scream my name.”

it’s too much. his words, the memory, the friction of your own fingers. you’re already so close.

“steve, i—”

“no, not yet,” he cuts you off, his voice firm but gentle. “not until i say so. you’re being such a good girl for me, aren’t you? you can wait a little longer. make it last.”

you let out a frustrated groan, but you slow your hand, your whole body trembling with the effort.

“that’s it,” he praises. “good girl. now… i’m thinking about being inside you. i’m thinking about how tight you are, how you grip me when i first push in. it’s the best feeling in the world, you know that? better than winning a basketball game, and that’s saying something.”

you can hear the sound of his own breathing getting heavier, faster. you picture him leaning against the wall in his kitchen, his eyes squeezed shut, his hand palming himself through his jeans.

“i’m thinking about fucking you slow,” he says, his voice a low growl. “really deep. so you can feel every inch. i wanna watch your face while i do it. watch you lose your mind because of me.”

“please, steve,” you beg, your fingers resuming their frantic pace. “please let me come. i need to.”

“me too, honey,” he groans. “fuck, me too. okay. okay. come for me. right now. let me hear you.”

that’s all it takes. your orgasm crashes over you, a blinding, overwhelming wave of pleasure. you cry out his name, your back arching off the bed as you pulse around your own fingers. it’s intense, almost painful in its intensity, and it leaves you breathless and boneless.

through the haze, you can hear him on the other end of the line, his own release coming in a series of ragged groans and choked-out curses. the sound of him falling apart is almost as good as your own orgasm.

for a long moment, the only sound is your combined breathing, ragged and uneven, crackling through the phone line.

“holy shit,” he finally says, his voice hoarse.

“yeah,” you agree, a lazy, satisfied smile on your face. “holy shit.”

you both lie there for another minute, just listening to each other breathe. then, the reality of the situation starts to sink in. your nightgown is pushed up to your stomach, your panties are soaked, and there’s a definite sticky mess on your hand and the inside of your thighs.

“ugh,” you groan, sitting up slightly. “i gotta… you know. clean up.”

he laughs, a real, genuine steve harrington laugh that makes your chest feel warm. “yeah, i feel that. i think i need a new pair of jeans.”

“ew, steve,” you say, but you’re smiling.

“what? i’m being honest!” he says, defending himself. “you’re the one who made me do it.”

“oh, it’s my fault?” you tease, swinging your legs off the bed and padding towards the adjoining bathroom. you grab a washcloth from the cabinet.

“absolutely,” he says, and you can hear the smile in his voice again. “so, tomorrow. you free? i was thinking we could actually, you know, be in the same room for this.”

“i’d like that,” you say, running the warm washcloth between your legs. “a lot.”

“good. it’s a date. i’ll even bring the pizza. my treat.”

“you’re a gentleman.”

“damn right i am,” he says. “now go get some sleep. you sound wrecked.”

“i miss you,” you say, your voice soft again.

“i miss you too, sweetheart. more than you know. i’ll see you tomorrow.”

you hang up the phone, the click echoing in the quiet.

you hummed, crouched under a thick leaf while taking aim. the arrow pierced the hide with a speed that sent a thrill up your spine. jake was your rythm. every day running through the forest till your feet burned, every hour with your fingers curled around the string of your bow. watching, waiting for the time to pounce.

when you raced to the top of the floating mountains, wrestled your ikran, jake saw himself in you. you were so hungry, full of a fire born of loss, pushing you forward. to any cost you were willing to keep it burning.

you were the only one that was interested in metal. let it poison your heart, that way when you strike it will be without any doubt to cloud your mind. so jake gave you your own gun. perhaps against better judgment, or perhaps because he just can not say no to you when you pout.

you spent much time together, tracking herds until you ran them down. racing one another back till the sun set. jake didn't just train you to be a warrior, he cultivated you to your full potential. a full blown weapon, loyal to him.

you hunted for sport, hung around the humans more then anyone, kept yourself secluded and only showed face when needed, took your gun everywhere, and many voices rose in worry of what you would become.

"you can not teach like this." neytiri had said.

"she's learning faster then anyone i've ever seen. you should see the way she holds a gun, she's made for this." jake tried.

"no, jake. we do not use metal here."

"she is my best soldier."

"we are not in war. she is but a student."

he sighed, "im going to seek mo'ats opinion on this tomorrow."

and he did. mo'ats words were simple. "it is not the way. you wish to train her to your ways, as olo'eyktan, you have the right. you must be mindful of the unrest it may bring."

your guns went the same afternoon. "you are joking."

"im not, the people dont like it." jake had said.

"but you do?"

"you handle the gun better then me some days."

"so give it back."

"theres no war. this is the time of peace. if you need it, i promise you you'll get it." he'd get you the stars if you asked.

you didnt talk to him for weeks. but life goes on and you learned to live with what you had. you watched as he welcomed his children. but he was missing something that spoken to the most carnal parts of him, you.

one thing leads to more things that lead to bad choices that lead to him coming to your little woven hut deep in the mountains. hand on your back while you whined into your blankets.

"jake, jake, jake," you had cried, tears welling in your eyes trying to breath as his cock bullied it's way inside of you.

"so good baby just like that-please," he choked. you were beautiful, listened to every single word he said, swallowed every last drop, breathed every breath of air in. you were perfect.

he would leave after massaging the sore knots from the back of your thighs, kissing your temple as you drifted to gentle sleep. ignoring the voice in the back of his head reminding him of his wife he left at home to come fuck a much younger hunter, one he trained.

times were good. even if you knew he would never truly be yours. not with neytiri around. but you would never give up what you had. you were his.

even at dinners around the fire, you had his attention. eating with his family but his gaze remained fixed to you.

"the hunt is good." neyriti would say, turning over the meat in her hands.

you rolled your eyes behind her back, bitting back the urge to scowl and bare your teeth. "of course it is good, i caught it."

she huffed at this, waving a hand in your direction and dismissing you like a child. jake never saw you as a child. jake never made off hand comments to try and reduce you to nothing but your past.

neytiri was always pushing you in front of others, seeing how far she's able to take things before setting you off. she got very good at this.

there were days when the hunt was unlucky, brining back scraps.

"this will not be enough."

"i know."

"then go and hunt. we have many hungry mouths." she scoffed. she has hungry mouths. with her growing family, each a hungry mouth needing to be fed. why doesnt she go and hunt then? why is it she is allowed to delay her duties and go frolicking about.

"it is raining neytir, we will track nothing." you had a little troupe of hunters you led. every short fall and mistake came back on you.

"try harder."

"i do."

"ts'tey would have tried much harder."

"do not speak his name to me as if I did not know him." you hissed.

"you did not know him as i did, and i know he would have been out there for hours to ensure his people were fed."

"did you know him this closely when you betrayed him for jake?"

she barred her teeth, standing to get in your face. you gave a small smile, please eywa let her hit first, you prayed.

it was jake who came to settle it, pulling you apart while you smiled at him.

"what has gotten into you?" he scolded, sitting cross legged in your home.

"tell her to stop using the dead in vain. tsu'teys memory lives on in all of us, not just her. she does not get a monopoly on those whoa re with ewya." you cried, sobbing into your hands till he gently curled around you, hands wiping the tears from your cheeks.

"i'll talk to her baby, i got ya. shh, dont cry now."

"i miss my family."

"i know you do baby girl, i know."

he soothed your whimpers with gentle kisses till the sun came up and the hunt began again. you were content, even in the clouded past. your rhythm was finding it's way, and it was not a bad one. shaky, but good.

and then the war came, your guns came back. and you became devoted to your own twisted vengeful nature, devoted to following jake. jakes visits to you late at night were less frequent, but he trusted few others to be by his side when it mattered.

his children had grown old enough to be bothering you. and yet you never turned him away when he ducked his head into your home. nosing his muzzle into the crook of your neck and breathing you in.

and then he left.

----

jake doesn’t know why he does half the things he does. call it divine intervention or just bullshit, but he's moved his family miles and miles away to live with people that have funny arms and smell like fish.

his time with the metkayina has only made him wish he brought you along like you begged, pleaded and cried.

"you are to leave?" you had said, hands working on yet another arm band for him. fingers twisting the leather pieces.

"yes, I have to protect my family and the people."

you frowned, not looking him in the eye. "you must protect your mate."

ah there it is, the low blow. you've never liked neytiri. not for a second.

he sees you everywhere. in the young reef girls that give him shy smiles, the warriors that are so eager to please. to show off for torok makto, for when else would they get the chance?

you would out shine them all. the way you move so easily on the ground, without a single sound. gun flush to your chest as you weave between the trees, tail curled around your thigh. loincloth stuck to you from the sweat pooling on your skin. curve of your thighs at each leap. he needs to get his shit together.

"i can not stand these people." neytiri hisses, skin purple from being in the sun all day long.

"we can to learn how to be useful here." he huffs.

"it does not mean i must like them."

you wouldn't complain. you would follow him to any peak, and cavern with a smile, eyes wide with excitement. like a good soldier. perfect and pliant for him to order any which way.

when he tells you to get on your knees and open your mouth, you never hesitate. when he man handles you on the forest floor, eagrly feeling you up after being away for days on end, your duties pulling each other opposite ways, you smile, press your ass harder into his crotch. he can't remember the last time neytiri did much more then place a hand on his shoulder.

---

when he comes back, jake feels like he's young again. you're among the first to welcome him home, even as brief as it is. tarsem is who comes to find you, deep in your hut weaving and weaving and weaving.

"he's back." tarsem smiles,

you go running, heading right to him. "jake!" you shout. the smile he gives you is worth all the eye rolls your fellow hunters give you.

he gives you a smile, bringing you in for a hug. he smells like the sea, salt and fish, seaweed and of their strange plants, but underneath it all he smells like jake.

you notice he brought only himself, no family, and the realization makes your palms itch. it can be so easy now to be together without that awful women in the way.

the little festivities on his return brighten everyones mood, a warm fire, a good meal. of course dancing and music. you dance along with a few of the men, who come to drag you from your seat at the fire. you reluctantly agree, swaying side to side as they urge you to let loose. and you do, feeling jake's gaze on you every second of the way.

"you should only be dancing with me," he breathes into your neck later that night, hand rubbing your ass softy as you sit on his lap.

"they wanted me to dance," you shrug, teasing.

" 'course they did baby, look at you." he groans, leaving a wet trail of kisses down your neck as you shiver. its been so long since anyone has touched you, not since he left.

its enough talk, your bodies crave one another so violently you think you might cum just from being close to him. seems like jake has the same idea, sliding you off of him and taking his loincloth off.

"gonna ruin you tonight. need you smelling like me for the next week. fuck im gonna claim you." he groans, cock springing free from its confines. already leaking precum at its fat tip. youre drooling.

he cocks his head, helping you get on all fours, ass up as he takes your loincloth off. you arent much better, slick entrance already a wet mess from all the day dreaming you've been doing of him, puffy little cunt aching for it. it missed him.

"oh baby would ya look at that. needy, what a mess." he licks a stripe up your cunt, holding you steady at the hip as you shiver.

"jake, fuck." you moan.

"so sweet." he mumbles on your clit, giving it a harsh suck.

"just put it in please please please." you beg, already. drooling at the thought of him filling you up again.

he grunts, taking his cock in his hands, giving it a few tugs and lining it up with your slick pussy. he doesnt go slow, pushing the fat tip in and rocking his hips until he's nestled as deep as you can take him. you rock forwards, mouth open and panting at feeling him inside you at all once.

neither of you speak as you clench around him, sweat beading on his temples as he fights every instinct to pound you.

"i can take it." you mumble, as if you can read his mind. you wont break, he's been rougher, meaner before.

"please." you say again, barely above a whisper.

he takes both hands to your hips, griping you so tightly you think it'll bruise as he sets a pace that sends shock waves across your body. you grip onto anything you can, back arches as you meet him at every thrust.

and jake is whining, mouth opening while he tries to chase the feeling of your hot pussy every time he trusts out. groaning and moaning when he enters again. he can not believe he's gone this long without you. he's going to have a hard hard time controlling himself now.

"god youre so fucking beautiful." he chokes out, so broken it's almost like hes about to cry from the sheer overwhelming pleasure you’re giving him. hole fluttering and clenching around him as he gives it to you so good.

he hunches over your back, stretching an arm over your cunt to rub on your pretty clit thats now completely soaked in a sticky sweet mess. all for him, you're all for him. he kisses your shoulder blades before liking a stripe down your markings, and biting down, hard.

you yelp out, senses overwhelmed as he hammers your abused hole, finger on your clit and now nipping and bitting at your shoulder leaving marks you know everyone will see tomorrow. the idea makes your head spin. is he-claiming you?

"no everyone will see jake-ah fuck-they’ll know." you try, finding any last once of strength to pull you from the haze you’re completely submerged in before you do something you both will regret.

" dont care. i want them to know."

"jake" you warm, toes curling as you begin to reach your peak.

"i mean it, fuck baby girl. just look at you, taking my dick so fucking good."

"fuck i love your dick, i love it i love it." you babble.

"they need to know im the one that gave it to you this fucking good."

you nod along, voice gone as he picks up the pace, heavy balls slapping against you. he takes his hand from your clit to turn your head, opening your mouth and giving you one nasty kiss. messy and full of tongue as you moan into his mouth.

you part with a wet pop, his big hand grabbing at your tits before he goes back to hammering your clit so hard you jolt.

"easy baby, I got you. daddys got ya. " he purrs against your throat.

the words, the feeling, his cock bruising your cervix and the fingers working your clit open becomes all too much.

"jake," you warn, " 'm close." tears begin to swell in your eyes.

he brings you closer agasint him, grunting. "that's it thats it, shh i got ya baby, come on cum for me. cum on my cock."

and you do, bright hot intensity bursting through you as you cry out his name, hands coming to grip against his thighs so harshly you think youre drawing blood but you do not care. your vision goes blurry as it pulses through you but he doesnt stop. claming you down on him as his pace begins to sputter unevenly.

"im close angel, where do you want it?"

"inside." you mumble weakly.

"baby we cant-"

"you said you wanted everyone to know." you whine back at him. "so show them."

his brain shuts off after that, any critical thinking goes out the door and flies back to earth. his rational and much more reasonable voice in his head is screaming at him to stop, but he just can't. you feel so good, so tight and perfect as you just came around him, and now you want him to fill you up with his seed? breed you deep and good just the way both of you have always been craving? he can not say no.

"fuck, yeah i'll fucking breed you. knock you up so-fuckign hell-everyone knows." bucking his hips into you as he groans out, voice breaking as he whines, thrusting one last time and grabbing your hips flush to him as he drains his balls deep inside you. filling you up just the way you wanted.

when he finally pulls out, he turns you on your back to watch it leak out of you, so beautiful and perfect for him.

"shit shit shit." he mutters.

you lay with your eyes closed, breathing softly, arms over your head and he has just knocked you up, genuinely. jake is a real piece of shit. there is no talking himself out of this one when you begin to show, belly getting rounder and fuller. and the chances of the baby having 5 fingers is too high to be able to wave the possibility off completely. everyone will know jake sully, torok makto got his star little soldier pregnant.

“Hey.”

You don’t look at him “No.”

Ace laughs.

You don’t even need to see his face to know he’s smiling.

“I didn’t even ask yet.”

“You were going to.”

“Yeah.” he admits easily.

You sigh and finally look at him.

He’s sitting backwards on a chair, arms folded over the backrest, chin resting on them like this is the most natural thing in the world.

“You should really start saving yourself the effort,” you mutter “it’s still no.”

“C’mon,” he says lightly “just one date.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

You stare at him… because you’re tired, because he’s warm and loud and impossible to ignore, because everyone loves him, because you don’t trust things that feel that easy.

You look away “Because I said so.”

Ace tilts his head.

He doesn’t push immediately.

“…You don’t even hesitate.” he says quietly.

“I don’t need to.”

“Alright,” he says, standing “means I’ll ask again tomorrow.”

You groan “You’re insufferable.”

“You’ll miss me when I stop.”

You snort “That’s not happening.”

He just smiles like he knows something you don’t.

You hate that smile. You hate how it makes your chest feel weird.

It becomes routine annoyingly fast.

Breakfast?

“Morning. Date?”

“No.”

Lunch?

“So, later?”

“No.”

Training deck?

“You know, sunsets are romantic.”

“No.”

Evening?

“One day you’re gonna say yes.”

“In your dreams maybe.”

You tell yourself it’s harmless, he’s just like this… persistent and bright.

He asks like it’s a joke, like it doesn’t matter, like your answer doesn’t carry weight.

That’s why you keep saying no. Maybe if it mattered you don’t let yourself finish that thought.

“You’re being mean.”

You look up.

Thatch is leaning against the railing, watching you with an amused expression.

“I’m being realistic.” you reply.

“He likes you, you know.”

You immediately stiffen “No he doesn’t.”

Thatch raises an eyebrow “Kid, he asks you out every single day.”

“He asks everyone for things.” you argue.

“Not like that.”

You glare at the deck “He’ll get bored soon or later.”

Thatch goes quiet “…Is that what you’re waiting for?”

You don’t answer.

You know that at first people burn bright, but then they leave ashes.

You don’t say it out loud, but something must show on your face because Thatch’s expression softens.

“He’s not like that.” he says gently.

You shake your head “They all are.”

You almost forget about it.

Until that night.

You’re heading below deck when you see him sitting on the railing, legs dangling over the sea, firelight flickering faintly in his palm.

You try to walk past quietly.

“Hey.” he sayv without turning.

You stop “…What?”

He looks over his shoulder, softer now. This time there's no grin… no teasing.

“You never actually told me why.”

Your chest tightens “Why what?”

“Why you keep saying no.”

You cross your arms “I don’t owe you an explanation.”

He nods “You’re right.”

And that should be the end of it, but he keeps looking at you as if he's waiting for something.

It makes something twist inside you and you hate that, so you go on the offensive.

“You ask like it’s nothing,” you say sharply “like it’s just a game. And to be honest, I just don't like playing.”

His brows knit slightly “It’s not a game.”

“Then why do you keep asking?” you snap “You barely even know me.”

That’s not true and you both know it, but you say it anyway. Because distance is safer than honesty.

Ace looks at you for a long moment, then he looks back at the ocean.

“…I know enough.” he says quietly.

Something in your throat tightens.

You hate this.

You hate how he says things like that.

Simple.

Honest.

You look away.

“You’ll get tired of it,” you say “everyone does.”

The words slip out before you can stop them.

Ace goes very still.

“…Is that what you think?” he asks softly.

You don’t answer… because yes.

“…One date.” he says.

You blink “What?”

“One.” he repeats “That’s it.”

You stare at him.

He’s not smiling. Not joking.

“If you still don’t want me around after that,” he says, voice steady, “I’ll stop asking.”

Your heart stutters.

You frown “You’re serious.”

“Yeah.”

You study his face, searching for the punchline. There isn’t one.

That makes it worse.

You should say no.

You want to say no.

You open your mouth… and hesitate.

One date.

And that will be proof that the warmth is temporary, that he’ll lose interest and that you’re right.

You inhale slowly “…Fine.”

The word slips out before you can stop it.

Ace freezes.

“You’re joking.” he says.

“I’m not,” you mutter immediately, “but don’t get too excited.”

Too late because his entire face lights up like sunrise.

You regret everything instantly.

“Just one,” you warn “and if I won't change my mind about you, you stop asking.”

He laughs, bright and disbelieving “Deal.”

You turn away quickly before you can see how happy he looks.

As you walk off, you don’t notice the way his smile softens into something quieter.

“…One date…” he murmurs to himself like it’s something precious, like it matters more than he’s letting on.

You regret agreeing immediately.

It starts the second the ship docks.

A new island.

You’re halfway through stretching your arms when you hear “Hey!”

You don’t even have to turn around.

“No.” you say automatically.

“I didn’t ask yet!”

You groan into your hands.

Too early for this.

You turn slowly.

He’s already looking at you like a kid who just remembered a holiday.

“…Today.” he says, pointing at the island like it personally owes him something “We’re here. New place. Perfect timing.”

Your stomach drops “No.”

His grin widens “You promised.”

You hate that he’s right.

“…Fine,” you mutter “later.”

“Now.” he says immediately.

You stare at him.

He looks genuinely hopeful.

That makes it worse.

“…Give me time to get ready.” you grumble.

His face lights up again “Okay!”

You don’t get ready.

You stare at your clothes for a long time.

You could dress up.

You could make an effort.

You could make this feel real.

But at the end you grab the same clothes you always wear.

If this is going to end badly, you’re not dressing for the occasion.

You step out of your room with zero ceremony and immediately freeze… because the entire crew is on deck.

And at the center of it? Him.

Leaning against the railing.

Surrounded.

Grinning nervously while everyone absolutely destroys him.

“Look at him!” someone laughs “He’s pacing!”

“You’ve been up here for an hour!”

“Did you bring flowers??”

“I swear if you start crying—”

“I am not gonna cry!” Ace protests.

You almost turn around but it’s too late.

Someone already spotted you “Oh!”

Heads turn.

You consider jumping overboard but you step forward instead.

You’re hyperaware of everything. The way the crew goes quiet. The way some of them grin.

The way Ace turns and stops completely. His expression softens instantly.

Not surprised.

Not disappointed.

Just… soft.

Like he expected you exactly like this.

You look away quickly.

“…What?” you mutter defensively “I said I’d come. I didn’t say I’d dress up.”

“I didn’t expect you to.” he says gently.

You blink and risk a glance.

He means it.

That annoys you more than anything.

You cross your arms “Good.”

Behind him, someone coughs dramatically.

“Oh my god he’s gone soft.”

“Look at his face!”

“He’s doomed.”

You want to disappear.

Ace groans “You guys are the worst.”

Then he turns back to you and pulls something from behind his back.

Your brain short-circuits.

A handful of bright flowers tied together with a thin string.

Your stomach drops.

You were not prepared for that.

“…I, uh…” he says, suddenly awkward “Found them earlier.”

The deck is too quiet.

You don’t know what to do with your hands. You don’t know what to do with your face.

No one warned you there would be flowers.

You stare at them, then at him.

He looks weirdly nervous now.

“…You didn’t have to.” you say quickly.

“I wanted to.”

Simple.

You take them and your fingers brush his.

Warm.

You immediately pull back.

“…Thanks.” you mutter.

You don’t look at him.

You can feel the crew vibrating with contained chaos.

Someone is absolutely about to scream.

You panic.

You pass the flowers to the nearest person without looking.

“Here.” you say, shoving the bouquet into their hands “Put these in water. I guess.”

They freeze “You just—”

You’re already walking away, off the ship, before anyone can react or say anything.

Before you can think too hard about how your hands are shaking.

“Hey— wait!” of course he follows.

You hear his footsteps hitting the dock behind you, light and quick.

You don’t slow down.

He catches up easily and he doesn’t say anything for a second.

You shove your hands into your pockets.

“…So,” you mutter, not looking at him “what’s the plan?”

He lights up.

“Oh! Okay, so—” he starts, already talking with his hands “I asked around earlier, and there’s this market near the center of town? And they’ve got food stalls and music and—”

You glance at him despite yourself.

He’s animated and excited.

“And then,” he continues, barely pausing for air, “there’s this hill that overlooks the harbor. Someone said the sunset’s really good from there. I figured we could go later, if you’re not tired, I mean, we don’t have to—”

He stops suddenly, like he just realized he’s rambling.

“…Sorry,” he says, scratching the back of his neck “I might’ve planned too much.”

You didn’t expect this.

You look away quickly when you realise you're staring.

“…You’re doing a lot for one date.” you say.

He shrugs, a little sheepish “I told you it mattered.”

Your chest tightens.

You weren’t supposed to hear that.

You kick a small pebble on the dock.

“…You’re weird.” you mutter.

He grins again, softer “Yeah.”

You exhale slowly.

This is already going wrong.

You tell yourself this is still a mission for you.

A very important one, make Ace stop liking you.

It should be easy.

You’ve survived worse, life threatening missions.

The island is loud and bright and alive, full of music and chatter and colors that feel way too cheerful for your mood. You still walk a step ahead of Ace, hands shoved into your pockets, trying to look as uninterested as possible.

He’s doing the opposite.

He’s practically bouncing beside you.

“So first,” he says, pointing dramatically down the street, “food.”

You sigh “Of course it is.”

“You can’t have a proper date without food.” he insists.

“It’s not a date.”

He grins “Sure.”

You glare at him.

He just keeps smiling.

Very annoying.

The food stall smells amazing. Which is unfortunate, because you’re trying to be awful, not enjoy yourself.

Ace orders like he hasn’t eaten in years, stacking plates between you both until the tiny wooden table looks like it might collapse.

You stare at the mountain of food “Are you trying to kill me?”

“Nope,” he says cheerfully “just trying to impress you.”

You snort “With carbs? Not that I mind them but…”

“With love.” he corrects.

You immediately shove food into your mouth so you don’t have to answer.

You eat fast and messy on purpose. Sauce drips on your fingers. Rice falls everywhere. You chew loudly. You even slouch.

You are the worst date in existence.

You even burp. Loud.

Okay… that might’ve been too much.

You slowly look up, ready to see horror, regret, disgust.

Ace’s eyes go wide.

And then he smiles “Nice.”

Before you can react he leans back and lets out a burp that is way louder than yours.

You stare at him in disbelief.

He looks proud.

“That was amazing,” he says, wiping his mouth “You’re amazing.”

“…You’re disgusting…” you say weakly.

He laughs like you just told the best joke in the world.

And somehow, against your will, your lips twitch.

You leave before the smile can betray you.

The market is even more crowded now, people brushing past you, music drifting from somewhere nearby.

You spot a stall filled with random accessories, bright scarves, weird hats, gaudy trinkets.

You stop suddenly.

Ace almost walks into you.

“What?” he asks.

You point at the ugliest thing you can find.

It’s… a hat, if you can even call it that.

It’s oversized, neon orange, with fake feathers sticking out and little dangling bells that jingle when the wind moves.

You stare at it with the most serious face you can manage “That would look good on you.”

You expect confusion, maybe offense, at least hesitation.

Instead Ace’s eyes light up “Really?”

You blink “No, I—”

Too late because he grabs it.

“How much?” he asks the vendor.

You stare, horrified, as he slaps the coins down and plops the monstrosity onto his head.

It is worse than you imagined.

He turns to you, glowing “Well?”

You really try…… You press your lips together, looking away, pretending to inspect another stall. But you see him in your peripheral vision, standing there like an excited kid, waiting for your reaction.

And then a small, accidental but real laugh escapes.

Your hand flies to your mouth too late.

Ace goes still.

You freeze too.

He’s staring at you softly.

“You smiled…” he says quietly.

You immediately look away “Don’t get used to it.”

His grin returns, brighter than before.

You need to regain control.

Your eyes scan the market until they land on a display inside a fancy shop window.

Jewelry. Ridiculously expensive-looking.

You walk straight toward it.

Ace follows, bells jingling with every step.

You stop in front of the display and point at the most over-the-top item you can find.

A bracelet.

Studded with gemstones that probably cost more than an entire ship “I want that.”

You say it flatly.

The worst version of yourself.

Ace doesn’t even hesitate “Okay.”

He walks inside.

You stare.

No no no.

You rush after him “Wait—”

Too late.

He’s already talking to the shopkeeper “How much for that one?”

The number the shopkeeper says makes your stomach drop.

You almost choke.

That’s not expensive.

That’s catastrophic.

And Ace… just nods.

Reaches for his pouch.

Your heart leaps into your throat.

Is he insane?!

“That’s the crew’s money.” you hiss, grabbing his wrist.

The moment your fingers wrap around his arm he stops.

You feel his warmth immediately.

You look up and see that his face is red all the way to his ears.

You realize you’re still holding him.

Your brain short-circuits.

You let go like you’ve been burned.

“I— don’t buy it.” you mutter, suddenly very interested in the floor “It’s ugly anyway.”

Silence.

You risk a glance.

He’s still looking at you.

Still flushed.

Then he smiles.

“Okay.” he says quietly.

And somehow that makes your chest feel weird. In a way that has (unfortunately) nothing to do with you ruining the date anymore.

You don’t notice when it happens and that’s the worst part. At some point between the ugly hat, the food, the chaos, and the warmth of his laugh… you stop trying to ruin the date. You stop planning your next disaster. You stop thinking about how to ruin the moment.

And somehow, you’re actually having fun.

The kind that sneaks up on you and sits quietly in your chest until you suddenly realize it’s there.

You’re laughing at something stupid he says.

You’re pointing at random things for fun now, not to test his patience.

You’re arguing about which stall smells better.

You forget to be difficult.

You forget to be cold.

You forget your own plan.

And that realization hits you like a brick.

You’re still trying to process that terrifying truth when Ace suddenly stops walking.

“We’re close.” he says, softer now.

You blink “To what?”

He looks at you, and for once, he’s not grinning like an idiot “The last part.”

The fireworks.

You swallow “…Lead the way.”

The climb isn’t hard, but it’s quiet.

The noise of the island fades behind you with every step, replaced by wind and distant music and chatter drifting up from the town below.

When you reach the top, you stop without meaning to.

It’s beautiful.

The hill overlooks the entire island, lights scattered below like fallen stars. The ocean stretches endlessly beyond it, reflecting the moon.

And there’s a bench.

You look at him.

He shrugs, suddenly shy “I found it earlier.”

You don’t tease him, you just sit.

He sits beside you, not too close but not too far.

The sky above is clear, scattered with stars that feel brighter away from the island lights.

For a while, neither of you speaks,  but it’s not awkward, it’s… calm.

You hate how much you like it.

Ace is quieter and softer. Even his energy feels warmer instead of his usual loudness.

When he finally speaks, his voice is low.

“Still early,” he murmurs, looking up “fireworks aren’t for a bit.”

You nod.

You should say something sarcastic, something mean, something that puts the distance back where it belongs.

Instead, you hear yourself ask, “Did you come here earlier?”

He smiles faintly “Nah. First time.”

“…Then how were you so sure about it?”

He scratches the back of his neck “I asked around. Wanted somewhere… special. And a lot of people pointed at this.”

Your heart stutters.

You stare harder at the sky.

You realize you’re staring at him. You don’t even know when you started…

Maybe when his voice softened, maybe when the wind moved his hair, or maybe when he stopped trying to impress you and just… existed.

You’re staring way too much.

You force yourself to look away but then he speaks again “You know?”

Your chest tightens.

“I don’t know how you feel now about this date,” he says quietly, eyes still on the sky “but I was and still am serious about it… and about you.”

Your breath catches.

He doesn’t look at you.

“I’m not asking you out just for the fun of it as you said…” he continues “I had a crush on you since… ever.”

Your brain goes blank.

The words don’t feel real, they float in the air between you, fragile and warm.

You can’t move, can’t speak.

And he keeps going.

“You said I don’t even know you,” he murmurs “but I actually know a lot.”

Your hands tighten in your lap.

“I know that you like…” and he does a full list of things you really like and that you thought no one knew.

He continues “I know that you hate loud mornings. That you pretend you don’t care about sunsets but you always look at them. That you act tough when you’re tired. That you hum when you think no one’s listening.”

Your heart is pounding now, too fast and too loud.

“And I know you hate…” he continues softly, almost smiling “being the center of attention. People touching your stuff without asking. Losing at card games. When people lie to you.”

You can’t breathe.

You can’t think.

He exhales slowly.

“And I know about your past,” he adds quietly “about everything that happened to you…”

Your eyes burn.

“And not to look like a stalker,” he says quickly, almost nervous now, smiling at the sky to not look at you “but we’ve been friends. You’re the one who told me all these things. I just… listened. And paid attention to the details.”

Silence. The kind that wraps around you and squeezes your chest.

You don’t know what to do with this… or with him and the fact that he noticed, that he remembered.

That he cared.

A distant boom cracks the air.

The first firework explodes above the island, blooming into color.

Ace’s face and eyes light up in pure awe, like a child seeing magic for the first time.

You don’t look at the fireworks. You can’t because you can’t stop staring at him from the shock of the things he said.

And suddenly, everything makes sense.

Why he kept asking.

Why he never gave up.

Why he looked at you like that.

Why today felt different.

Why your chest feels like it’s about to burst.

You’ve been trying so hard to push him away.

And he’s just been… there.

You swallow.

Your voice comes out small “Ace...”

He turns immediately, half worried from your tone and half still dreamy from the fireworks and from everything he had the courage to say.

“Yeah?”

And that’s the moment, the point of no return.

Before your brain can stop you, your hands reach up, cupping his cheeks.

He freezes completely.

His freckles are closer than you’ve ever seen them.

His eyes widen and you kiss him softly and carefully. For a heartbeat, he don’t move, still in pure shock.

Then he closes his eyes and he melts in the kiss as his hand comes up instinctively, fingers brushing your wrist before sliding to your waist.

He kisses you back, deeper and warmer, taking the lead without hesitation.

Fireworks explode behind you two, lighting the sky in bursts of lights and warm colours, but you barely see them., all you feel is warmth and him, and the way your chest finally feels right.

When you pull back, you’re both breathless and stunned. A little dazed.

You rest your forehead against his for a second before whispering “I’m glad you made me change my mind about this date…”

He stares at you like you just gave him the world.

Then he smiles brightly, and before you can get embarrassed he leans in and kisses you again quick and happy, like he can’t help it.

Then he pulls you into a hug, arms wrapping around you tight and warm as if he’s having a cute aggression.

You don’t resist.

As he calms down, you lean into him, resting against his chest as the fireworks continue to bloom across the sky, and finally you watch them together.

The walk back is quiet, but not awkward.

Your fingers are laced with his, warm and solid and very, very real.

Every now and then, Ace swings your joined hands slightly like he can’t help himself, like he’s having the best moment of his life.

You just smile and let him, and, of course, you don’t let go.

The island is calmer now. The festival has started winding down, lanterns glowing softer, laughter drifting through the streets like echoes instead of noise.

“You’re quiet.” Ace murmurs.

You glance at him “So are you.”

He grins sheepishly “I’m trying not to mess it up.”

Your chest tightens “Mess what up?”

He squeezes your hand gently “This.”

Your ears burn.

You look away immediately “You’re being dramatic.”

“Always have been.” he says easily.

You try to roll your eyes, but the smile creeping onto your face betrays you.

He notices and his grin grows.

The ship comes into view too soon.

You stop walking.

Ace takes one more step before realizing you’re not moving anymore.

He turns “Hey, what—”

You’re staring at the Moby Dick like it personally betrayed you.

“…We have to face them…” you mutter.

The realization hits “Oh.”

You both look at the ship, then at each other, then back at the ship.

You can almost hear the chaos waiting up there.

Ace scratches his cheek “We could… run away.”

You snort “We’d last five minutes before Marco finds us.”

“…Fair.”

You sigh deeply.

You’ve fought marines. Sea kings. Warlords. And somehow, this feels worse.

You climb aboard together still holding hands.

You don’t realize you’re still doing it until you hear an… “OH MY GOD.”

Way too late.

Half the crew is already there like vultures waiting, watching and smiling.

You and Ace freeze.

Your hands are still linked.

Someone drops something dramatically in the background.

“I KNEW IT!” someone shouts.

“PAY UP!” another voice yells.

You close your eyes slowly.

This is a nightmare. A living, breathing nightmare.

“SO…” a voice sings.

You open one eye.

Of course it’s Thatch, grinning like he’s been waiting his entire life for this moment.

You immediately try to let go of Ace’s hand but he tightens his grip and the traitor he is.

You shoot him a look and he looks back with a sheepish smile that says sorry not sorry.

Unbelievable.

“Well?” Thatch leans forward “How was the date?”

“It wasn’t a date.” you say instantly.

“It was the best date.” Ace says at the exact same time.

You both turn to glare at each other.

The crew explodes in laughter and whistles. Someone is clapping like they’re at a play.

You consider jumping overboard.

Marco is leaning against the railing, smirking in that calm, knowing way that makes everything worse.

“So,” he says lazily, “you finally figured it out, huh?”

“Figured what out?” you snap.

He just gestures vaguely at your hands.

You look down and your face burns.

“You kissed, didn’t you?” someone shouts.

You and Ace choke.

The crew goes feral.

You try to yank your hand free again and this time, Ace lets go, but not because he wants to, you can tell.

He rubs the back of his neck, laughing awkwardly “Okay, okay, that’s enough—”

“DID YOU CRY?” someone yells.

“WERE THERE FIREWORKS?”

You and Ace freeze painfully slowly, and look at each other.

The crew goes silent. Then erupts louder than before.

You bury your face in your hands.

You’re never recovering from this.

You might actually die right here on this deck from embarrassment instead of the pirate life.

Then warm fingers brush yours again, tentative and careful.

You look up.

Ace isn’t laughing anymore.

He’s smiling softly at you, and suddenly, the noise fades a little.

“You okay?” he asks quietly.

You should lie, but instead, you sigh “…No.”

He laughs softly, then, without hesitation, he takes your hand again, firm this time.

Your heart flips.

The crew notices immediately, but this time, you don’t let go, you squeeze back.

~~~~~~~~

You grunted when you rolled over in bed, doing your best to get comfortable but miserably failing.

Jack sat straight up next to you. “Everything okay?”

“Yes. You don't need to pop up like a fucking meerkat every time I make a noise. Your daughter is just making me uncomfortable.” You mumbled.

“Your due date is next week, I can't help it. Why is she my daughter instead of our daughter now?” He asked.

“When she irritates me like you so often do, she's your daughter. She inherits that from you.”

He scoffed. “What, and you're never irritating?”

“I've never been irritating in my entire life. I'm amazing like that. Go back to bed.” You grunted again.

“That grunt was awfully close to the last one. Is there something you're not telling me?” He pried.

“Yeah, I didn't tell you to shut up yet. Shut up.” You jabbed.

Jack sighed, but laid back down. His mind wandered and he found himself staring at the ceiling. He shot up at yet another grunt fifteen minutes later. “Okay, that's more than discomfort. Are you having contractions?”

“Calm down, meerkat. They're just Braxton Hicks. It's fine.” You shook your head.

“How can you be sure of that? Maybe we should go to the hospital to be safe.” He grabbed his phone off the side table.

“Jackal, if you call someone right now, she's taking my last name.” You threatened.

“That's a fucked up threat. And I hate when you call me Jackal.” He set his phone on his leg, debating whether to call your bluff.

“Stop being overly protective and territorial and I'll stop calling you Jackal.” You looked back over your shoulder at him. “It's Braxton Hicks.”

“You don't know that.”

You settled back into your pregnancy pillow. “Well they’ve been fifteen minutes apart for like three hours now so I'm pretty sure.”

“What the fuck?! You’ve been having contractions for three hours and didn't say anything?!” Jack raised his voice.

“Holy shit Jack. Loud. You were asleep and it wasn't concerning. Will you just chill and go back to bed?”

“Not a chance. Not until you can sleep.”

“UGH then shut up at the very least.” You groaned.

Jack stayed silent, messing with his hands. His nervous tic usually wasn't obvious, but he was going insane.

Finally, you rolled toward him and propped yourself up on your elbow. “What's it going to take to get you to calm down and stop moving all over the place?”

He paused. “Well, it would be helpful if-”

“SHIT!” You yelled.

“What? I didn't even say anything.” He questioned.

“Oh my God. I think my water just broke.” You peeled the blankets back and sure enough, there was water everywhere.

Jack stood quickly, immediately hitting the floor. “God damn it.”

You burst into laughter. “You’re missing a leg dumbass.”

“Excuse me for being more concerned about my daughter and her beautiful mother than my leg. My focus was elsewhere.”

“Yeah, it was on the floor apparently.” You smirked.

“Smartass.” He hooked his prosthetic on and stood, promptly jogging into the closet and grabbing the bag he had insisted you get ready for the hospital a month ago.

You took the hand he offered you and held your bump as you made your way to your feet. You stood there despite him pulling you. “Jack. I need pants.”

He looked down at your now wet shorts. “Right.”

You grabbed his arm before he could walk back to the closet. “Jack… are we really doing this?”

For the first time, Jack saw the uncertainty in your eyes. The anxiety. The stress. All the things you'd been hiding from him, and from yourself.

He wrapped one arm around you and placed his opposite hand on the side of your face. “Yeah Y/N. We're really doing this. She's going to be perfect. Just like her mom.”

“I don't know if I can do this Jack.” Your voice cracked.

“Y/N, you are the strongest person I have ever met. You're going to deliver this girl like a champ. I'm going to be right beside you the whole time, okay?” He kissed your forehead when you nodded. “She's taking my last name though.”

You laughed as he ran back to the closet. You rubbed your stomach softly. “You've got the sweetest, dorkiest daddy in the world, baby girl. Don't support his peanut butter habits though.”

“I heard that!” Jack shouted from the closet.

You smiled, then whispered, “I hope you turn out just like him.”

~~~~~