It had occurred to Ace that he was the last free elemental.
To be more specific, he was the last Logia user left to his own devices—of course, now that Crocodile was in Impel Down, that no longer applied, but he had been a government dog anyway. The others all worked for the World Government, save Eneru—Smoker, Kizaru, Blackbeard, Aokiji.
Ace laughed as he floated freely on the air, rising on hot currents and whipping out lazily at the last Marine vessel to have challenged him. He landed lightly on the island that he had been moored at, finding a solitary figure waiting for him on the ground.
Ah, Aokiji.
"Hello, Ace-kun." That chilly voice sent shivers delightfully down his spine. So cool; so calm and collected.
"Aokiji," Ace purred.
The Admiral merely cocked his head inquisitively, folding his arms. Ace burst into flame and flared at the man, running fiery tendrils up and down icy limbs that had once been solid flesh, and hot blood.
He wanted to make Aokiji melt in his arms, at his touch. He wanted those lazy eyes to dilate in pleasure, and have that tall, lean body lose its smooth composure. Ace firmly believed that Aokiji could have so much more potential, if only he would leave the confines of Marine life.
"I insist that you cease this frivolity," Aokiji suggested softly, with a hard edge in his voice. A sharp ice blade thrust at his face, punching through and melting in a sheet of fire.
Ace had a long way to go before Aokiji's icy heart would thaw for him.