I have the story planned out for the next lot of chapters, I just needed a bit of an inspiration boost. Thank you for all your wonderful reviews, they really do keep this story going, so don't hesitate to REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!
Here's the next chapter...
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Anything But Sleep...
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"Doflamingo."
The pink feathered man paused, curiosity quipping one slender eyebrow, "Mihawk? I was surprised to see you at the meeting, so long since we last caught up."
"Indeed."
"This business with Crocodile has opened up a world of fun hasn't it?"
The amber eyed swordsman smirked, "The Straw Hats certainly are kicking up a storm."
"This is only the beginning." Doflamingo cackled, "but something tells me you didn't stop me to talk shop about the meeting."
"No, I didn't." Mihawk's expression melted into stoic stone, "there is a pirate you may have heard of, who goes by the name of Red Blaze."
The pink man's grin widened, "The red haired babe with a $400'000'000 bounty on her head? Sure I've heard of her. She blew up a fleet of twenty marine ships when they tried to take her in a few years back; here tell she's Shank's spawn, is that correct?"
"So I've heard."
"Well how about that. What do you want with her?"
"I want you to bring her down."
Soft winds whistled in off the ocean through the tower window, billowing white curtains across the long hallways the two pirates stood at opposite ends off. Doflamingo's laughter cracked across the space like a whip.
"Now not that I'm not interested, but what did she ever do to you?"
Mihawk's jaw tightened, "If curiosity killed the cat what do you think it would do to a flamingo?"
Doflamingo chuckled, "Don't feel like sharing? Well now I'm really intrigued." He sniffed and adjusted his sunglasses, "Alright, I could do with a challenge. But what do I get in return."
"Presuming you win? Is the privilege of defeating a pirate of her calibre not enough?"
The other pirate cackled hard enough to wipe away tears, "She must be something for you to hold her in such high esteem. But seriously, what do I get?"
Mihawk chuckled and turned towards the exit, "Why my gratitude of course."
...
(Ace's P.O.V.)
Blaize was a soft, warm weight in his arms, her lush, round buttocks nestled against his hard length, her head pillowed on his bicep. One slim hand was loosely linked with his far larger one and he squeezed it gently as dawn began to peak through the sub's narrow windows. Light blue waves danced on the walls like eels, teasing Blaize's thick nest of scarlet curls. Ace pressed a kiss to her temple as she began to stir, a soft sigh parting her full lips.
Heat seared to his groin, tensing his muscles and he stifled a groan as she shifted against him, her silky smooth skin shooting bolts of need through him. He wouldn't take her again until she asked, not when she was so new to this. He should've have taken her last night, especially not five times, but he didn't regret it. The moment she'd gone still in his arms yesterday he'd realised just far she'd imbedded herself into his heart. It was a rare but familiar feeling, the kind he got whenever Luffy was in danger. But no one, not even Whitebeard, had come as close to his heart as his brother had, until now. Last night he'd been filled with a need to know she was real, there in his arms, all around him, alive. He wasn't blind either; she'd needed it just as much as he had.
A tremor shook him – it was the most wonderful and utterly terrifying feeling. He loved her. More than he'd ever thought he could.
Blaize suddenly shifted and turned in his arms, her beautiful smile a little shy and he noticed she ducked in on herself, hiding those generous breasts of hers.
"Good morning," she whispered, though no one was around to hear them. He could get used to hearing those words from her lips every morning.
"Morning," he murmured, catching her mouth against his. She relaxed instantly and he wrapped her up in his arms, shivering when her nimble fingers dug into his dark locks, tugging him closer. However, a certain, hard, intruder made her gasp and he pulled back instantly.
"Sorry," he laughed softly, glancing down between them – which was a big mistake.
Blaize's body was on full display for him to feast upon. Heavy, plump breasts topped with rosy peaks, the smooth, flat planes of her stomach, a soft thatch of red curls hiding her pretty pink lips below and so much glorious, naked skin. She followed his gaze and blushed, pink blossoming in places clothes would normally hide. But her gaze locked on to his throbbing member instead and she bit her lips as hazy desire clouded those dark eyes of hers.
He cupped her face in his hands, breaking her heady focus, "Are you sore?"
A little frown marred her brow as she mentally cataloged her body. She squirmed a bit and winced, "Not so much," she lied making him grin.
"But enough," He chuckled, kissing away the protest on her lips. He could wait. For her, he would. "Besides," he continued, glancing up and around them, "I don't think this little tank can take much more either."
Her laughter spilled over him as she looked around, seeing the blackened walls and mottled ceiling. "It wouldn't work anyway."
He frowning and looked between them again at his engorged member, "I resent that."
She slapped him, "Not that, the sub. I'm pretty sure we're in a dead zone. No natural winds and all electrical goods come to a standstill. We need a rowboat."
"You sure you just don't want to admit you can't fix the boat?"
If looks could kill...
"You're probably right, it's a dead zone."
That infamous eyebrow quirked up, "Probably?"
"Most definitely if I want to keep my balls I'm guessing." He smirked.
That startled a laughed out of her, "I like your balls just where there are, lucky for you."
Her smile was radiant, unhindered by the black cloud which always seemed to lurk behind those dark eyes of hers. "You seem in a fine mood this morning." He said, brushing wisps of flaming curls off her cheek.
She shrugged and slid from his arms giving him a sly look over her shoulder, "I wonder why..."
(Blaize's P.O.V.)
As luck would have it, there was an emergency row boat hidden in the bottom of the emergency sub; call it paranoia but those Marines thought of everything. Blaize ransacked the hull and storage compartments, gathering as many supplies as possible, from food to fresh water, medical supplies, blankets, tools and so on.
The seas were calm and it didn't take them much longer than an hour to spot another pirate ship out on the open waters. That was where their (or at least Blaize's) luck ran out.
"What's wrong with Buggy? I know he's a little strange but we don't have much of a choice here." Ace asked, putting aside the telescope to shoot her a questioning look.
Blaize sighed, "It all depends on whether or not he'll know I'm Shank's daughter."
Ace snorted, "Anyone with eyes in their head could see you are; why's that a bad thing?"
"Don't you know?" She asked, her full lips tilting up, "Buggy hates my father, he blames him for making him a Hammer in the first place."
Such a perplexed expression overtook Ace's handsome face that she burst out laughing.
"Eh? He hates your dad for giving him Devil Fruit powers...?"
Blaize shrugged, "He must've loved swimming."
Ace smirked and wracked a hand through his hair, shooting her a sassy wink, "Fear not fair maiden, I shall protect thee most thoroughly."
He scooped up her hand and kissed the back of it with a wriggle of his eyebrows. Blaize laughed softly and rolled her eyes, "Let's go pay the old clown a visit then."
"HE FELL ASLEEP?!"
Blaize paled and looked down at her Captain who was conked out halfway through eating, leaving her to the mercy of Buggy and his crew. Luckily he hadn't seemed to notice her yet, distracted by Ace's oh so polite greeting.
Except now they were discussing taking him out – over her fucking dead body.
"...If we take down Fire Fist Ace, we'll become famous overnight!"
"I SAID NO!" Buggy screamed, pulling her up short, "Listen you morons, remember this flashily well! Whitebeard's men must never, ever be harmed, no matter what! Whitebeard...that man...That legendary monster was the only man capable of fighting equally with the Pirate King, Roger!"
Blaize felt her mouth drop. With her lack of socializing, she knew very little really about Whitebeard, only that he had one of the highest bounties. To hear he was so powerful though; no wonder Ace had gravitated towards him as a father figure.
"...Today, he is without a doubt the strongest pirate in the world! The one person who is closest to obtaining the greatest treasure ever, One Piece! And Whitebeard, with all his might, will always avenge the death of his nakama. That's the kind of mind he is!"
"You seem to know a lot about him," The rather attractive woman lounging in a pile of cushions said.
"Well, of course." Buggy yelled, "A long time ago...here on the Gran Line...I met that man in person."
"Huh? You know the old man?"
Blaize gave a little sigh of relief when Ace came back to the world of consciousness.
"HE'S AWAKE!"
Why do his sleeping habits always get such an explosive reaction...? She thought, eyeing the idiotic crew with narrowed eyes. At that moment, one of said crew suddenly spotted her, his eyes racking over her shamelessly before confusion turned to shock. Just when he was about to give her away, Ace sprang up and started doing a jig, loudly, and badly, garnering everyone's attention – specifically away from her.
"Hey now guys! C'mon! This is a party! Let's kick it!"
"O-Oh yeah!" Buggy stuttered, "We were having a party, right?" He hollered.
"Hey, you're not such a bad guy, are ya!?"
"Here drink up!"
"Oh! Oh! You got a lion!" Blaize slapped her forehead as Ace goaded the lion to do tricks, "Come! Jump through this ring of fire!"
"Yosh, show him your stuff, Richie!"
"OW!"
As Ace entertained himself with the lion, she snuck away from the crowd, intent on getting as far away from the animal as possible.
"Well, well, looks like we have two guests Buggy," The other woman suddenly piped up, slinking a sly look her way.
Fuck...
"What do you mean Alvida-WHAAAAA! Who are...?" Buggy froze, his white painted face going a startling red, "You-you look just like-SHANKS!"
And like a switch flipping, Ace's jovial participation fell away. He was by her side quicker than Buggy could draw his sword.
"She's with me." He said, a wide grin plastered on his face, but there was no mistaking the danger radiating from him.
Buggy looked like he was struggling to breathe, "B-but, she and-and Shanks..."
"Is my father." Blaize offered with a sweet smile. Buggy was visibly shaking now and Ace was preparing to push her behind him when she stepped up to Buggy and bowed low. Both men froze.
"Please except my sincerest apologies on my father's behalf," she said, making sure Buggy got a good eyeful of her cleavage before rising, "but might I say Captain, you've certainly excelled from the misfortune he dropped upon you."
If possible, Buggy's went even redder, but a dopy grin slackened the rage brewing in his face, "Ah ha ha! Yes, yes I have! Who knew Shank's had such a charming daughter!"
Blaize smiled a razor sharp smile, "I wonder if you could do me a favor?"
"Of course! Anything for a pretty lady!"
She peaked over her shoulder to see Ace's mouth agape and chuckled, "Could you please take us to the nearest island? I would be forever grateful."
Buggy rambunctiously agreed and started yelling at the crew to get to it; barely a minute later and they were off.
"Who knew you had it in you." Ace said, shaking his head.
Blaize shrugged, "Nami taught me more than just what clothes to wear in this ever changing climax."
"Speaking of climax..." Ace stole her hand and dragged her below deck while no one was looking. He slipped into the first storeroom they came across and no sooner had he locked the door, he had her pushed up against it.
His lips seared a path down her neck whilst deft fingers slid into her top, tweaking her already swollen nipples. Blaize's moan was lost as his lips slashed across hers, his tongue delving inside, tasting every inch of her parted mouth.
Clever, long fingers danced down her sides, brushing over her waist before gripping her hips and swiveling her round. He found the tender spot between her neck and shoulder, making her cry out. She bit her lip as he pressed butterfly kisses all over her neck, his hands thrusting underneath her top to fill with her plump breasts. She bit back a moan and Ace tipped her head back so he could attack her mouth, sealing their lips together in a searing kiss which soon had them fighting for dominance.
Between her firm ass cheeks she could feel the rigid length of his huge member, pushing at the thin fabric between them. With a few tugs and shimmies however, those barriers were round their ankles and Ace found her deliciously wet. He pulled her ass back and thrust deep, covering her mouth with his hand when she let slip a throaty moan. They moved together, grasping at one another as pleasure built, flooding through them both. Bright, red flames erupted over their skin, burning in one brilliant column around the two pirates.
When it was over, they lay in a tangled, naked heap, panting heavily. Ace turned to her with a soft smile.
"I hope you know how to make a boat flame proof," He chuckled, eyes flicking to the scorch marks painting the room black.
Blaize laughed, "Hmm, couldn't hurt."
They only stayed on the ship for a week, but when Buggy finally dropped them off at the nearest port, the crew was almost inconsolable, and Ace spent almost an hour saying goodbye to the bloody lion before finally parting ways.
They perused the docks for a while, searching around for sort of shipping yard. At one point, whilst passing an unsavory group of leering dock workers, she sort his hand to halt him from storming over to put a permanent stop to their lewd comments. He chose to warn them off with a fire ball instead; they nearly wet themselves.
Everyone they asked about a shipping yard seemed to point to the same place, but it was all the way on the other side of the island and it was already well past sunset by the time they decided that was their only option. So instead, Ace steered them towards a brawly tavern, spilling lively piano music from the warm, candle lit windows. Hot, sticky air assailed them as they entered the establishment. The heady aroma of cooking meats and spirits hung heavy in the air. A buxom wench sidled past, her honey brown eyes catching Ace. Blaize resisted the urge to draw her sword when the woman slid her lustful gaze over every inch of his impressive body; she could look all she wanted, but touch and she'd lose a limb.
She tucked a flaxen curl behind her ear and fluttered her lashes prettily, "Table sir?" She asked, ignoring Blaize's presence completely.
Ace smirked, his dark gaze sliding to Blaize's – her breath caught. Burning possession and need blazed under his hooded eyes, "No, a room for two. We'll have our food and drink up there along with a bath."
He pulled the pouch of coins they kept in case of emergencies, from somewhere within his trousers and jingled it in front of the serving girl. Her heated expression slackened, glancing between the two of them. Her recovery was none too quick and far too full of disappointment, "Of course, right this way."
They followed the serving girl to a room but when Ace glanced inside he shook his head and whispered something in the girl's ear making her blush. Blaize slid him a questioning look but he just winked and pulled her in close to his side. Two floors up, on the top floor of the four story tavern, they stopped beside a much nicer door. One look inside and Ace grinned, nodding the serving girl away.
"What are you about Portgas?" Blaize asked, pushing past him to go through. His hand on her wrist spun her back into him, where he kept her locked in his arms.
"Patience Miss. Shanks," he tutted, twirling her and covering her eyes with his hands, "No peaking."
He led her, blinded, into the room, kicking the door shut behind them. She squirmed, itching to push away his warm fingers.
"Alright, you can look," he murmured, releasing her.
Her dark eyes blinked in the soft light as she took in the room with a small gasp. It must've covered the entire top floor. A large window covered the entire wall on the far side of the room, curved in a semi circle from top to bottom. Warmth radiated from the fireplace to her left, fronted by a deep, shoe bathtub and a side table. Fine oak tables and chairs over looked the view of the bay from the window, but the scene to her right was what made her heart pound.
The entire right side of the room was taken up by a huge four-poster bed, wreathed in heavy, red drapes and fat, goose feather stuffed pillows, mattress and duvet. There was even a private privy, with a locked door and everything. Ace swanned past her and dumped their bag on the dining table. He turned, surveying the room with a smug grin before propping himself against the table, arms crossed.
"Well?"
Blaize laughed in startled delight, "How can we afford this?"
"I happen to know that this tavern lets honeymooners stay rent free for up to a week."
His keen eyes watched her tense, "and where did you hear that?" she asked.
"One of the locals," he shrugged.
"Uh huh...honeymooners eh?" Her heart beat wildly, irrationally, in her breast.
Ace nudged away from the table and seemed to prowl towards her, "You don't mind do you?"
Her bottom lip disappeared between her neat little teeth, eyes flicking away briefly, "No, I don't mind." She said, trying to sound calm, nonchalant; and failing miserably.
Ace frowned and cocked his head to the side, "You sure?"
No, she wasn't. The ruse made her think the inevitable.
They were pirates, they were crewmates, now lovers too. He'd told her he loved her, and she believed him, but...no! No, she wasn't ready to explore that but! Of course her mind ignored her plea and carried down the dangerous thought train, pulled along by that horrible question – what did their future hold? Could they even have a future? Normally this wouldn't bother her, but after thinking she'd lost him, after Mihawk's stupid test made her think about a life after fighting her uncle, it seemed she couldn't help but realize something. This was the first time she'd ever actually wanted a future with someone.
She did, she realized, she wanted it all, everything her parents had had before her mother's life was cut short. If anything, thinking she'd lost him for good made her realize once more how precious time was...but Ace. Did he, think about their future together that is?
She'd told him she wanted more, wanted it with him, and he'd seemed pleased. But a nagging fear prodded at the back of her mind. What kind of future was he thinking? The kind where they remained as they were now? Or more...like the kind where someday they got married and had kids more?
"It's just –"
A knock interrupted her and Ace held up a finger and moved to open the door, his sharp eyes tracked on her. The buxom serving girl edged into the room, her hands full of a large tray, stacked with plates of juicy meats and crisp vegetables, spicy, sweet bottles of mead and roasted potatoes. There was even a bowl of fruits and chocolate source.
Behind her, two young men angled into the room, carrying yokes of steaming hot water into the room. Though not quite as big as Ace, they were still fairly tall and brawny. The serving wench smiled prettily and almost lost the platter, which Ace steadied with one hand, without looking. She thanked him and set about plating the food and mead, but he ignored her, his gaze firmly on Blaize.
The two young men unloaded the water into the bath, darting sneaky peaks at Blaize, but quickly and left along with the girl as Ace's glare radiated throughout the room. The second Ace slammed the door shut, he turned, his razor sharp gaze fixing her in place.
"It's just, what?"
Crap. What had she been thinking?
"Nothing." She shrugged.
"It's just a ruse," he said carefully.
And she was being ridiculous, but she just couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty bundling in her chest, "I know." She shot him a smile that missed her eyes by a mile.
His frown deepened; she needed to distract him. Fully aware of his eyes boring into the back of her head, she scanned the room for something, anything to distract him from wherever this conversation might lead.
"You know, you're a terrible liar," he mused.
She heard his footsteps draw closer behind her and panicked. Then it hit her. The bath!
Well...she wouldn't want the bath water to get cold now would she?
Quicker than he could reach her, she shrugged out of her clothing, letting it drop piece by piece as she walked over to the tub. Behind her, silence thick and electric, tingled up her spine and she chanced a glance back.
Bingo.
Desire turned his eyes molten, scorching her naked form from head to toe, lingering on her arse. His lips twitched up, that smirk she loved so much a welcome relief from his prying questions.
"Won't you join me?" She asked, stepping into the deliciously warm water with an over exaggerated 'oooh'.
He was stripped and by her side less than a second later.
"Tease," he hissed, slipping in behind her and pulling her flush against his chest.
It turned out, making love in a bathtub was incredible – even if it did mean half the water ended up on the floor around them. Laughing and glowing in after-orgasm bliss, they lay naked on the table, indulging in the sumptuous feast laid out for them.
She had a sneaking suspicion that Ace was refilling her wine glass every ten minutes on purpose, but after the first three glasses it didn't seem to matter much anymore. So when he tugged her off the table and to the bed, she followed in a happy haze.
It wasn't until she felt something soft encircling her wrists, binding them together, that she started paying attention to what her pirate lover was doing.
"Hey, wha –"
She jerked but it was too late; whatever he tying her up with was already secured to the headboard, trapping her, naked, completely at his mercy.
"Ace...?" The amount of wine she'd consumed made it difficult to focus.
That is until she met his eyes and recognized the danger lurking in their dark depth.
"Now," he said, resting his large hands on her soft thighs, stroking them slowly, "What was it you were about to say before we were interrupted by that maid and those two yolk boys who couldn't keep their eyes off you?"
That woke her up, like a splash of ice of her lust soaked mind. She should've known he wouldn't let it go. And the sneaky bastard had waited until she was all tied up with nowhere to go, knowing this was probably the only way he was ever gonna get an answer out of her. Suddenly being tied up seemed like a very, very bad idea.
"What? You think I forgot how you reacted to the mention of us being newlyweds?"
No, no, no! She couldn't tell him what she'd been thinking earlier. What if he freaked out? What if –
"Was the idea so unappealing?" he asked softly.
In that second she saw his cockiness flood away, replaced by the same intense vulnerability pulsing in her own chest. Could he...? She let her eyes slide shut, too scared to see his reaction as she took a gigantic leap of faith, "No," she whispered, "I – after everything's that's happened – what I mean is – everything we've – I..." why was this so difficult? "It's not like I haven't thought about it." She blurted out.
Silence.
She dared to open her eyes...and was met with a grin which seemed to light up the room.
A shit eating grin at that.
"You've thought about it?" He asked, leaning in close, his finger tips brushing over her sensitive sides.
A fierce blush flushed her skin rosy as a gasp slipped from her lips, "Yes."
"Hmm," he growled, crawling over her, "You've thought about me," he kissed her taut stomach, "and you," his lips found the underside of one heavy breast, making her squirm and shiver, "getting hitched?" He latched onto her pebbled left nipple and sucked hard, making it impossible to say anything but moan;
"Yes!"
He chuckled softly and pulled away so he could see her face, gasping and so beautifully pink.
"And you?" she managed to ask, "Don't tell me I've tempted the great Fire Fist Ace into becoming an honest man?"
He smiled and dipped so that his lips skimmed her own, "Not quite; the woman I love would never demand such an impossible thing of me. Besides," he smirked, "I don't think she'd want that."
"No?" Blaize quirked her eyebrow.
"No," he said, quite certain of himself now, "I think she likes my dastardly deeds."
"Sure of that are we –"
His lips crashed against hers, plundering her mouth and rendering her a quivering puddle.
"Yes," he murmured after pausing in his ransacking, "Quite sure. But by all means if she wants to make a dishonest scoundrel out of me for the rest of her life, well, I can't say that doesn't sound appealing."
Her heart gave a rather pleasant lurch; so he'd thought about it too.
He pulled away completely, that cocksure smirk firmly back in place, "You know, I did actually have another reason for trussing you up like this."
"Really?" She huffed, "And what would that be?"
He let his fingers trail up her calves, "I had this idea, that if you could control you're powers, stop them from exploding when all coherent thought becomes impossible, then perhaps, eventually, you could learn to control it in your sleep."
Her heart thundered against her ribs as his finger blazed a path to the junction between her legs, "And just how are we stopping coherent thought?" She gasped, although she had a pretty good idea he was already implementing his plan.
"Why by bring you to the brink of orgasm until you can cum without setting fire to whatever I'm fucking you on." He growled.
White, hot desire blasted through her, and with it, an ominous red glow crept over her skin.
"Now, now," he teased, removing his hands, "That's exactly what we don't want."
She shot him a glare which only increased his smirk to a full blown grin.
"Oh this'll be fun. Just focus on the reward love, I think that's a pretty powerful incentive to help you on your way to controlling these unruly powers of yours, don't you?"
"I'm going to kill you for this," She hissed as the glow simmered down and he moved in again, this time grasping her breasts, crushing them in his large hands, earning a throaty groan.
"You told me to keep you in bed."
"This isn't what I meant!"
He chuckled, "You'll thank me later."
It took every ounce of energy she possessed to stop her powers from streaking up the bed in a fiery blaze as he dived in between her legs and thrust his tongue as deeply as he possibly could, inside her already soaked pussy.
"Nagh! Ace!" She screamed, losing control and letting the blaze erupt across her skin.
He jerked back, leaving her breathless and frustrated. But she regained control of her powers eventually, only to lose it again moments later when he returned to devouring her pussy.
And so it continued. It could've been hours or mere minutes, but sooner than she would've liked, Blaize felt her thoughts slip away and all she was aware of was the dance between torturous pleasure and the red blaze.
Back and forth, to and fro, until she was lost to it, her conscious mind long gone, as surely as if she'd been asleep.
So when the orgasm finally crashed down over her, more powerful than anything she'd ever imagined in the way of pleasure, it took her a good few minutes to come back down to earth and remember the point of all this.
Gradually her senses trickled back, her eyelids fluttered open and her breathing returned to normal, even if her still heart pounded hard enough to hurt.
"That's my girl," a familiar voice murmured.
She looked up to see Ace's face was only inches away from her own, his eyes filled with pride and warmth and so much love it made her chest squeeze.
"Huh?" She mumbled, earning a soft laugh.
He leaned close and brushed an errant curl off her damp forehead, pressing a kiss to her flushed cheeks, "You did it, or rather, you didn't do it."
"I – I what?"
"The bed's intact, no scorch marks, no sheets turned to ash; you didn't blaze up once those last ten minutes."
Her eyes went wide, "Ten minutes! You kept it going for ten minutes?!"
"Well I had to be sure it wasn't a fluke." He grinned.
"Urgh," she sulked, but her glare was only half-arsed.
He reached up and loosened her bonds, massaging her wrists as he pulled her into his arms. She snuggled as close as possible, limbs limp and led like.
"Now what?" She sighed, feeling sleep tug at her worn out body.
He kissed her temple and drew the covers up around them both, "Now you get some sleep; I'll keep watch, just in case."
She couldn't have argued, even if she wanted to.
(Ace P.O.V.)
She slept like a baby, gone the second her eyes slid shut. For the longest time, Ace was content to just lie there, holding her close as the ocean swooshed away in the distance.
He was content about a lot recently. There was still that burning desire to bring Teach to justice for what he'd done to Thatch, but it wasn't the only thing on his mind anymore. Blaize was. A lot. He was under no illusion that what they both faced ahead of them could potentially be their last battle, or their greatest victory, but with no way of knowing he didn't want to waste a single moment with her.
A soft moan drew his attention. Blaize shifted in his arms, pressing closer, her hand clenching on his chest as a small frown marred her pretty face. He stroked her thick mass of curls, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, but she relaxed only for a moment before jerking away. The covers twisted as she fidgeted, murmuring nonsensical mumbling. Ace drew up onto his elbow, cupping her face as she began to writhe in earnest.
"Blaize?" He whispered.
She groaned and squeezed her eyes shut. A niggling of unease crawled up his spine.
"Blaize?"
She convulsed, groaning then...
"Blaize!"
She burst into a blaze of scarlet. Ace's answering fire stopped it from reaching further than their bodies, but when she began to scream a jolt of panic pulsed sharply through his chest.
"Blaize!" He shouted, shaking her.
She awoke with a gasp, shooting up into his arms.
"Sssh, it's ok, I'm here, I've got you," he said, rocking her gently as she clung to him, grasping, trembling.
"You were dead," she sobbed, muffled against his shoulder as the flames died down around them.
"I'm right here," he reassured her, "I'm not going anywhere."
She drew in a shaky breath, pulling back, her wide, wild eyes searching his desperately in the darkness. Then she was kissing him, a brutal kiss which bruised his lips and pulled him flush against her. He let her, waited for her fear to pour away, until with gentler, tender kisses, she finally stopped and buried into the safety of his arms once more.
"It felt so real." She whispered.
He squeezed her tight, "It was only a dream."
He felt her nod, sniff, then groan, "So much for your brilliant plan."
The acrid scent of smoke hung around them, and though he couldn't see, he could feel the rough fabric which had been burnt in her lapse of control.
"So it won't happen overnight; that just means I get to keep trying."
She slapped his chest earning a soft chuckle.
"It's alright Blaize," he said, drawing back and cupping her face between his large, warm hands, "You will beat this, you will learn how to control it in when you sleep."
Doubt twisted her face, "How can you be so sure?"
He smiled, "Because you can."
He told her with such certainty, kissing her soundly on the lips before pulling her back down into the scorched covers.
"I don't think I can sleep."
His dark eyes danced, "Hmm, I can think of a few things we could do to pass the time."
Please review and let me know what you think and I'll try to get the next chapter up asap. Thank you for your continued reading :) I do love the one piece world, I hope this story does it justice and feeds that need for Lemons and Ace and a good old story! REVIEW!