My hair flowed freely down my back, the usually loose curls now excited and happy, bouncing around, happy to be free from my restraining clip. My pale blue eyes looked back at me, and my heart jumped in my chest when I noticed Ace in the door.

"Knock knock." He said dully as he saw me jump. Casually, he leaned against the wall. "Hey. Sorry I scared you." Awkwardly his hand raked through his thick black hair, unsuccessfully taming the little flips it made. What was he here for?

"Hey." I said, sitting on my bed, facing him. Thankfully I hadn't changed into my nightclothes yet. "What are you here for?"

"Just to talk. Sometimes they get real annoying." Ace grinned sheepishly, baring his white teeth.

"I wouldn't call it annoying." I said undecidedly. "More immature. Come sit here. You look uncomfortable."

Ace walked over, his big boots clunking with every step. I scooted over, making space for him. Immediately he kicked off his boots, and lay down on the bed fully.

"Hey!" I said, not really offended. I lay with my back against the wall, my skinny legs over his muscular ones. His pants had slightly moved up, showing a bit more of his legs than usual. "You have a farmer's tan." I giggled, pointing at the whiter part.

"So do you probably." Ace grinned.

"Yeah." I mused.

"So how's the rest of your family? Or is it only your dad who…" Ace left off.

"I have an older sister, but she married when I was six, and I barely saw her after that. And my mother… Well, she was afraid. Of him." I paused, not wanting to reveal much more. "What about you?"

"I have a grandfather and a brother. The old fart is annoying, and Luffy's head is thicker than the Red Line. But they're family, so I can withstand them."

"Golden child, eh?" I jokingly said.

"Yup, through and through." His head lolled back, and a big snot bubble formed from his nose.

"Ace? Ace? Hello?"

I crawled towards him, awkwardly moving over the very little free space his large body left me. The bubble enlarged dangerously close to my face, and I stood rock-still. Ace's mouth was wide-open, and you could hear him lightly snoring. Straightening my index finger, I poked his cheek. His stubble was rough to the touch.

"Wake up! C'mon!" I said, without any results. He kept on snoring evenly, not reacting in any way. I balled my hand up into a fist, and brought it down on his stomach.

"OW!"

Rubbing my fist, I glared at him. He's sleeping on my bed, and he wasn't waking up anytime soon, it seemed. Seeing no other option, I grabbed my nightclothes, changed very uncomfortably behind my dresser, and walked back to the bed. One of his arms lolled off of the bed, so I grabbed it and pulled.

"Ungh!"

Ace moved one centimeter. Again and again, I pulled with all my strength, moving him bit by bit. Finally, he clattered off of the bed, falling in a strange position, his head to the side, and his torso was half in push-up position, and half spread out like a flat pancake. Gingerly I stepped over him and went to sleep in my bed, warmed by his body. His smell was everywhere, even in my dreams…