ESURAN WEEK - LancexAce
Disclaimer: I do not own Puzzle & Dragons including the anime, games, merchandise, etc.
Warning: Yaoi, Extreme fluff, Some angst, Spoilers (if any)
CHAPTER 1 - Cuddles/Sleeping Together
Ace woke up groggily, wincing at the stray of sunlight hitting his eyes. Shifting his body, he moaned at the painful sensations coursing throughout his body. His mind was at a disarray and the headache pounding inside his head didn't help.
Ace closed his eyes and tried to relax. More calm and his headache lessen, he opened his eyes and briefly scanned the room he was in. The light auburnette recognized he was in his grandma's makeshift infirmary room; there was a couple of medical charts stacked on the table nearby, some glass containers and jars filled with medicine, various equipment, and a couple of beds lined up against the wall.
His sight landed on a smaller makeshift bed besides him. Laying facedown under the covers was his sleeping Tamadora partner, Tamazo. Ace grew worried when he noticed the wrapped bandages around the Monster's head.
What happened to us?
Ace slowly and carefully lifted his bandaged hand up to his own head, feeling more bandages wrapped around his own head. He moved his hand down and realized his own neck was at a similar state.
The light auburnette tried to recall what happened that ended him and his partner like this, but his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a door opening. Ace's eyes widen in shock at who came through the door.
He recognized the Dragonoid with his Devidra partner floating beside him. His white hair under a blue hat, donned around his body with a blue cloak, and those intense, piercing yellow eyes.
Lance…
Ace couldn't believe the person in front of him was Lance. He watched Lance conversed with Devi quietly. The Devidra nodded and flew to Tamazo's side, keeping an eye on the sleeping Tamadora.
It had been weeks since their final battle in Crocus when Lance and Devi disappeared - most likely for the older teen's recovery. Ace always wanted to know if the Dragonoid was alright or if he was properly resting. He desperately wanted to know where his lover is, but no one knew where the Dragonoid or his Devidra partner was.
Ace waited each day since for the return of his lover. He prayed that Lance would recover and stay safe from the clutches of their enemies. He hoped to see Lance one day.
But now, Lance stood in front of him; tall, strong, and composed as ever.
"Lance…" Ace called out, wincing at how wreaked and weak his voice was.
Luckily, the Dragonoid heard Ace's call and immediately rushed to the younger teen's side, successfully not knocking things over along the way. Lance pulled a chair close to Ace's bed and sat down. He carefully held one of Ace's bandaged hands and rubbed soothing circles with his thumb on the back of the hand.
"Ace…" Lance also called out softly, his gaze filled with concern.
Ace weakly squeezed the hand holding his, not wanting to let go whatever proof that Lance was actually here and not some illusion conjure up by his jumbled mind. Tears swelled up in his blue eyes when he realized his mind wasn't playing tricks on him.
Lance is here. Lance is here. Lance is here. He kept repeating the same phrase over and over in his head.
Lance grew panic when he saw Ace tearing up. He brushed away the stray tears falling from those beautiful blue eyes he adores. The Dragonoid gently hushed the emotional light auburnette, using his free hand to caress Ace's hair, mindful of the bandages wrapped around the younger's head.
"It alright, Ace. You're safe. No one will hurt you again."
Suddenly, flashes of memories shifted through Ace's mind. Missing pieces finally falling into places.
There were cries of pain and desperation in the air. A massive, dark figure surrounded by dark mist stood towering over his heavily injured, prone body. Large dark wings spread out from behind the figure and a massive broadsword raised above their head, ready to make the finishing blow. And then, a streak of white, blue, purple, and black intercepted the final blow. A white flash of light was the last thing Ace saw before he blacked out.
But he remembered the scent of the ocean and the morning breeze; a scent that always made him feel so safe and comfortable.
Lance saved him.
Ace weakly shook his head, more tears trailing down his cheeks. "You're here," he croak out, breath hitching. "You're here." He tighten their joined hands together, pulling them closer to his body. "You're here."
Lance's eyes widen, understanding the underlying message. He closed his eyes, shame and guilt started building inside his chest. The Dragonoid knew what Ace meant when he kept repeating "You're here" to him. It was entirely his fault for taking so long to return to his mate's side.
His fault that he almost lost his Light once more.
Lance turned his gaze downward, avoiding those sad, hopeful blue eyes. "I'm sorry, Ace," he whispered, tone dripped with remorse and guilt. "I'm so sorry."
Ace slowly and carefully turned his body (while ignoring the waves of hot pain) to the side, so he could face his lover. He wrapped his other bandaged hand over their joined ones, encasing the pale hand between both of his. The younger teen felt the pulses of guilt and shame from his lover. He wasn't going to allow the Dragonoid to feel that way.
"Lance," Ace weakly called out, tugging on their clasped hands. Lance hesitantly looked up, slightly taken aback at seeing the younger's smile, small but certain.
"Not your fault," Ace whispered. "Never your fault."
Lance shook his head. He used his free hand to brush away the remaining tears fallen from his mate's eyes. His eyes trailed at every injury Ace sustain, his heart painfully clenched at every one. Someone so full of life and good should never ended up like that.
How could Ace say it wasn't his fault?
Ace gazed at his lover sadly. He knew it will take time for Lance to accept his words, but he doesn't want the Dragonoid to suffer alone like that. Ace needed the other to know that everything will be alright. He tugged their join hands to get the other's attention again.
"Lance, please hold me," Ace softly plead, wanting to feel the warmth that kept him protected and feeling at peace.
Lance can't deny his mate, not when the younger teen stared at him with eyes filled with desperation and longing. He pulled his hands away from Ace and took off his hat, placing it on the bedside table. Next, he took off his cloak and draped it over Ace like a blanket before carefully settling himself beside Ace, mindful to not jostle the other's wounds.
Ace tugged the blue cloak closer to his face, breathing in the scent of the ocean and morning breeze, a scent that belongs only to Lance alone. Then, Ace found himself cradled protectively in the embrace of his Dragonoid lover.
The tender care and warmth surrounding him brought more tears into his eyes. Ace cuddled closer to Lance's chest, laying his head near where the other's heartbeats. Lance wrapped his arms around Ace, protective and gentle.
Their hearts beating in time with one another. Something that calm Lance down, knowing his mate was alive and in his embrace.
Ace tilted his head up just in time to see Lance looking down on him. Their eyes connected, their emotions displayed for the other to see vividly. Lance leaned down and kissed Ace on the lips, chaste and light. Ace closed his eyes, his eyes tearing up at the familiar tender love given to him.
He missed this. He missed Lance so much.
When they parted from each other, Ace smiled at his lover. He carefully cupped Lance's cheek with his bandaged hand, blushing softly as the other cradled the hand and gently kissed the open palm.
"Welcome home, Lance."
Lance's eyes widen a bit before going back to normal. He smiled softly at Ace, pulling the light auburnette closer to his body. He missed his mate's presence, his scent, and his breathtaking smile.
"I'm home, Ace."
They both laid there together in each other's arms, not ever wanting to let go.
They were reunited once again even if it was under less desirable circumstances. Lance thanked whatever deity above them for letting the Dragonoid saved his mate, his Light, on time. Ace thanked whoever answered his prayers and wishes.
If anyone were to go inside the makeshift infirmary room, they would see the couple sleeping peacefully together. Sleeping in each other's embraces.
Author's Note: In honor of Lance/Ace Week (Jan 21-Feb 3), I decided to go ahead and accept the challenge of bringing the love and adoration that is Lance/Ace to the world! I will never be able to sleep at this rate!
As you can see, I used Day 1: "Cuddling/Sleeping Together" as an element instead of it being the whole entire thing. Plus, I can't help but put some sweet angst and fluff in this chapter! This is me we are talking about!
As usual, my stories are connected to each other. I apologized if the timeline seems off.
Leave a review or a comment! See you guys in the chapter!