Title: Empty Threat

Rating: PG-13, for language.

Topic: Masquerade

Word Count: 401.

Pairing: Smoker/Ace

A/N: Tentative sequel to Quality Entertainment.

Smoker scowled viciously at the various elaborate topiary that, while expected in such a uselessly lavish garden as the one in which he was currently standing, was nevertheless almost as grating on his nerves as the boy in front of him. He couldn't understand the point of topiary. Fucking stupid things, didn't make any logical sense. If you want an animal in your garden, catch one and throw it in a cage. Or kill it and stuff it, whichever was preferred, but don't plant a damn bush. By all rights it should be common sense.

There was one massive topiary figure not far away that was bizarrely shaped like a hippopotamus. Its leafy mouth was gaping wide open and if he looked at it from the right angle, he could almost imagine that it was going to eat Ace whole and so end all his problems.

Smoker used two fingers to massage his temples in effort to stave off a headache. The stupid feathers on his stupid mask got in the way, so he tore it off and threw it on the ground. "Are you an idiot?" he said.

Ace laughed at him, turning his attention away from a tree-flamingo. "I like to think I'm not," he said.

"I should arrest you right now," Smoker growled at him. He knew it was an empty threat, and that just made him more angry.

"I'd like to see you try," came Ace's voice, and it was startlingly soft and alarmingly close. He hadn't actually been looking at the boy, so he hadn't noticed the silent movement. Ace was right in front of him now, inches separating them. He gently pushed Smoker's fingers aside and replaced them with his own, "Let me help you with that, Tai-sa." The teasing lilt on the last word was specially designed to peeve him, mocking and suggestive at the same time.

He might have objected more, but Ace's fingers felt nice and the night had been stressful and he could feel the pirate's even breath on his neck, which was somehow soothing.

Smoker was still inwardly cursing himself when Ace's hands were suddenly gone from his temples, only to tug deftly on his belt loops.

"C'mon already," Ace said, not bothering to hide the whine in his voice. "Let's get out of here. Being in the same place as this many Marines is making me suicidal."