Garth here. Ace never gets some love, so i thought of putting a story dedicated to him :D

"Summoner. Vhy you brought me here?"

"I thought to get some private time with you. Are you fine with it? You can also leave if you want..."

The blond gunner tilted her head. "No... I vant to see vhat you prepared." Her Summoner took her blindfold off, shielding her eyes from the light for a moment. Blinking once or twice, Bestie gasped in awe. "Summoner... This is beautiful." Her Summoner brought her to a hill in Mistral, near the Adventurer's Prairie. He was holding a basket. "Uh, vhat you have there?"

"Sandwiches of course." said him, sitting on the ground and handing one to her. "Sis made some for me." He had long white hairs, crystal blue eyes and was wearing a blue longcoat. Bestie accepted it, raising an eyebrow. "Summoner... Vhy this one has 'To my dearest' vritten on the vrapping?"

"Uhhhh... No reason..." said him. "And call me Ace, please... Summoner is too formal for my liking." The other huffed. "Ace. You didn't steal those sandviches from your sister right?" As if on cue, they heard a scream of anger coming from the small village near the river. "Don't... Mind that. Just eat it... I will get Evy to forgive me in time." Bestie nibbled the sandwich, her usual frown changing to a faint smile. "Das ist gut." she said. "Your sister is a very good cook, Ace."

"She will like the compliment, once she will have finished to bash me around..." replied Ace, taking a deep breath. "Well. No regrets... I did what i reputed good."

"And it's vorking, you know ja? I like this date so far." continued the gunner, taking small bites of her lunch. "I vould like some cold beer too though..."

"Knew it." smiled Ace, taking two out of the basket. "You are free now, little guy." He took out a Squirty and let it go, watching as he happily hopped away. Handing one to Bestie, the Summoner took out a corkscrew and opened them. Hitting the bottles together, the two took a good sip. Bestie checked the beer. "My favorite brand too. Vhat a kind Summoner i have here..." She took another bite from the sandwich. "Heh. Maybe it's not so bad to be summoned. I should've done that already."

"To think i hoped for Kryuk..." said Ace. "Oh well. At least i got someone that likes beer." Bestie shrugged. "Nah. It's better that you got me instead. Just think of all the idiot things you vould do vithout me." Hearing that, Ace nodded slightly. "I never listen to Evelyne. Why, i don't know... I like being free."

"As i do, Ace." said Bestie. "I vas a famous pilot once, soaring the skies vith my aircraft."

"And you got shot down by the gods." continued Ace, turning to see her. "Right?"

"Verdammte bastarde. And my ejection seat didn't vork for some reason. Guess my luck had ran out." Bestie hugged her knees. "Summoner... I am seldom grateful to someone. But i think i can be to you this time. I enjoyed this date, ja."

"And i am happy that you are happy, Bestie." said Ace. "You are truly the best."

"Das war wirklich ein schlechter witz, Ace." she huffed. "Do you have some more beer?"

"I do." he said, getting two more out. "Why you drink so much, though?"

"I like it. It's a tradition of my homeland..." She put her chin on her knees, letting the wind caress her. "And i miss it. I vant to return, but i knov that it's not possible. I don't blame you, Ace... Mind ya." He put a hand across her shoulders. "Well. I can still comfort you, yeah?"

"If you think i vill tell you something like 'Go avay' or 'Don't touch me vhatever-the-hell-is-that-vord' you are sorely mistaken. I like someone to be near me." she replied, smiling faintly. "Especially you, Summoner."

"I didn't quite hear the last words..." teased Ace, stroking her cheek. "Care to repeat?"

"Paganini doesn't repeat, sorry." she joked maliciously. The Summoner grinned. "Oh, is that it? Who is this Paganini anyway. Guess he was a star."

"He vas a famous opera singer. He alvays sung one time only. Paganini doesn't repeat... And neither do i... Meine Liebste..."

"Huh. Why do i feel fuzzy now?" Ace tilted his head. "Guess it's just your cute face."

"Stop flirting already." coldly replied Bestie. "No one is going to listen to your banter." At Ace's stupefied reaction, she smiled. "Aw, just keep hugging my shoulder, you flauschigen bären."

"I got to learn your funny language some time." said Ace. "I don't know half the time if you are complimenting me or insulting me. Though... This time you weren't insulting." he said with a smug smile. Bestie's cheeks went pink. "S-Shut up. I vill teach you Deutsch sometimes. But not today." She looked at the ground. "I still have to properly speak yours anyv-w-vay."

"A-ny-way." spelled Ace. Bestie tilted her head. "Hm? Vhat did you say?"

"A-ny-way." replied the Summoner. "Mimick it with your lips."

"A-ny-vwhay" said Bestie. "A-ny-wvhay. Does it sound better?"

"Not really... Follow my lips." continued Ace. "A-ny-way."

"A-ny-way." finally spoke the gunner. "Oh! I did it! Please teach me more w-vords!"

"Well... 'Word' is a nice word to begin... Mimick my lips. Follow the-mh?" Bestie had planted hers on his mouth, sealing a kiss. When she pulled out, he couldn't see anything but hearts flying... Then, Bestie spoke. "You are going to be bashed anywvhay, so wvhy not giving you a small rehvard beforehand?"

"There is much room to improve, Bestie." said Ace. "But i am sure you will speak English like a pro someday." she turned her head a bit, her cheeck bright red. "Brah! Nevermind for nov. We gotta explain vhy Evelyne didn't get her sandwhiches." She got up and walked towards the Village. Ace looked at her small form gently hopping through the grass. "Best to go after her..." he said, and got up. He caught up with her, and together they returned home...

-That evening-

"So you just got that right?"

"Yeah." said Ace, holding a bag of frozen spinachs over his black eye. "It hurts like hell, but at least i keep a roof on my head."

"You should have thought that before stealing the sandwhiches, right?" said Bestie maliciously. "Anywvhay, flauschigen bären... Good night." She smiled and left. Ace did that too. "Just her heartfelt smile.. That alone was worthy enough for all this... Good night, Bestie."

Note to self: Provide a translation for Bestie's German phrases. Next time because i am evil.

An evil flying spaghetti monster.

muhahah.