ESURAN WEEK - LancexAce
Disclaimer: I do not own Puzzle & Dragons including the anime, games, merchandise, etc.
Warning: Yaoi, Extreme fluff, Some angst, Spoilers (if any)
CHAPTER 1 - Cuddles/Sleeping Together
Ace woke up groggily, wincing at the stray of sunlight almost blinding his eyes. Trying to shift his body, he moaned at the painful sensations coursing throughout his body. His mind was at a disarray and the headache pounding inside his head didn't help.
Ace closed his eyes, taking slow breaths to relax. With his headache lessened, he opened his eyes and briefly scanned the room he was in. The light brunette recognized he was in his grandma's makeshift infirmary room; there were a couple of medical charts stacked on the table nearby, some glass containers and jars filled with medicine and other natural remedies, various equipment he couldn't recognize, and a couple of beds lined up against the wall.
His sight landed on a smaller makeshift bed besides him. Laying facedown under the covers is his sleeping Tamadora partner, Tamazo. Ace grew worried when he noticed the wrapped bandages around the Monster's head. He wondered if there were more wounds he couldn't see under the blanket.
What happened to us?
Ace slowly and carefully lifted his bandaged hand up to his own head, feeling more bandages wrapped around his own head. He moved his hand down and realized his own neck was in a similar state.
The light brunette tried to recall what happened that ended him and his partner in their current state, but his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a door quietly opening. Ace's eyes widened in shock at who came through the door. He couldn't believe it.
He recognized the Dragonoid with his Devidra partner. His white hair under that well-loved blue hat, donned around his body with a blue cloak, and those intense, piercing yellow eyes.
Lance…
Ace couldn't believe the person in front of him was Lance. He watched Lance conversed with Devi quietly. The Devidra nodded and flew to Tamazo's side, keeping an eye on the sleeping Tamadora. He even readjusted the blankets to cover Tamazo more comfortably.
It had been weeks since their final battle in Crocus when Lance and Devi disappeared - most likely for the older teen's slow recovery. Ace always wanted to know if the Dragonoid was alright or if he was properly resting. He desperately wanted to know where his lover was, but no one knew where the Dragonoid or his Devidra partner went. Not even Vahaton knows where his adopted grandson went to.
Ace waited each day for the return of his lover. He prayed that Lance would recover and stay safe from the clutches of their enemies. He hoped to see Lance one day.
And now, Lance stood in front of him; tall, strong, and composed as ever.
"Lance…" Ace called out, wincing at how wreaked and weak his voice was. He forgot his throat wasn't completely heal.
Luckily, the Dragonoid heard Ace's call and immediately rushed to the younger teen's side, successfully not knocking things over along the way. Lance pulled a chair close to Ace's bed and sat down. Ace felt the slight tremors when Lance carefully held one of his bandaged hands.
"Ace…" Lance softly called, his gaze filled with concern.
Ace weakly squeezed the hand holding his, not wanting to let go whatever proof that Lance was actually here and not some illusion conjured up by his jumbled mind. He had too many of those during those lonely times. Tears swelled up in his sky blue eyes when he realized his mind wasn't playing tricks on him this time.
Lance is here. Lance is here. Lance is here. He kept repeating the same phrase over and over in his head.
Lance grew panic when he saw Ace tearing up. He brushed away the stray tears falling from those beautiful sky blue eyes he adores so much. The Dragonoid gently hushed the emotional light brunette, using his free hand to caress Ace's hair, mindful of the bandages.
"It's alright, Ace. You're safe. No one will hurt you again."
Suddenly, flashes of memories shifted through Ace's mind. Missing pieces of his memories finally falling into place.
There were cries of pain and desperation in the air. A massive, dark figure surrounded by dark mist stood towering over his heavily injured, prone body. Large dark wings like a dark angel spread out from behind the figure and a massive broadsword raised above their head, ready to make the finishing blow. The intense feeling of fear and despair welling up when the sword made its descent. And suddenly, a streak of white, blue, purple, and black intercepted the final blow. A white flash of light was the last thing Ace saw before he blacked out.
But he remembered the scent of the ocean and the morning breeze; a scent that always made him feel so safe and comfortable. He knew without a shadow of a doubt what happened then.
Lance saved him.
Ace weakly shook his head, more tears trailing down his cheeks. "You're here," he whispered, breath hitching. "You're here." He tightened their joined hands together, pulling them closer to his body.
Lance's eyes widen, understanding the underlying message. He closed his eyes, shame and guilt started building inside his chest. The Dragonoid knew what Ace meant when he kept repeating "You're here" to him. It was entirely his fault for taking so long to return to his mate's side.
His own fault that he almost lost his Light once more.
Lance turned his gaze downward, avoiding those sad, hopeful eyes. "I'm sorry, Ace," he whispered, tone dripped with remorse and guilt. "I'm so sorry."
Ace slowly and carefully turned his body (while ignoring the waves of hot pain) to the side, so he could face his lover. He wrapped his other bandaged hand over their joined ones, encasing the pale hand between both of his. The younger teen felt the pulses of guilt and shame from his lover. He wasn't going to allow the Dragonoid to feel that way, not now.
"Lance," Ace weakly called out, tugging on their clasped hands. Lance hesitantly looked up, taken aback at seeing the younger teen's smile, small but certain.
"Not your fault," Ace whispered, soft and determined. "Never your fault."
Lance shook his head. He used his free hand to brush away the remaining tears fallen from his mate's eyes. His eyes trailed at every injury Ace sustain, his heart painfully clenched at every one. Someone so full of life and good should never end up like with many wounds.
How could Ace say it wasn't Lance's fault?
Ace gazed at his lover sadly. He knew it would take time for Lance to accept his words, but he doesn't want the Dragonoid to suffer alone like this. Ace needed the other to know that everything would be alright. He tugged their joint hands to get the other's attention.
"Lance, please hold me," Ace pleaded softly, wanting to feel the warmth that kept him protected and feeling at peace.
Like always, Lance couldn't deny his mate, not when the younger teen stared at him with eyes filled with desperation and longing. He pulled his hands away from Ace and took off his hat, placing it on the bedside table. Next, he took off his cloak and draped it over Ace like a blanket before carefully settling himself beside Ace, mindful to not jostle the other's wounds.
Ace tugged the blue cloak closer to his face, breathing in the scent of the ocean and morning breeze, a scent that belongs only to Lance alone. Then, Ace found himself cradled protectively in the embrace of his Dragonoid lover.
The tender care and warmth surrounding him brought more tears into his eyes. Ace cuddled closer to Lance's chest, laying his head near where the other's heart beats. He sighed, listening to the steady beats, more proof that Lance was here with him, alive and whole. Lance wrapped his arms around Ace, protective and gentle. The Dragonoid felt more calm, holding his mate close in his arms.
Ace tilted his head up just in time to see Lance looking down on him. Their eyes connected, their emotions displayed for the other to see vividly. Lance leaned down and kissed Ace on the lips, chaste and light. Ace closed his eyes, his heart almost bursting at the familiar tender love given to him.
He missed this. He missed his Lance so much.
When they parted from each other, Ace smiled at his lover. He carefully cupped Lance's cheek with his bandaged hand, blushing softly as the other cradled the hand and gently kissed the open palm.
"Welcome home, Lance."
Lance's eyes widen a bit before going back to normal. He smiled softly at Ace, pulling the light brunette closer to him. He missed his mate's presence, his comforting scent, and his breathtaking smile.
"I'm home, Ace."
They both laid there together in each other's arms, not ever wanting to let go.
They were reunited once again even if it was under less desirable circumstances. Lance thanked whatever deity above them for letting the Dragonoid save his mate, his one and only Light, on time. Ace thanked whoever answered his prayers for his Dragonoid's return.
If anyone were to go inside the makeshift infirmary room, they would see the couple sleeping peacefully together. Sleeping in each other's embrace once again.
Author's Note: In honor of Lance/Ace Week (Jan 21-Feb 3), I decided to go ahead and accept the challenge of bringing the love and adoration that is Lance/Ace to the world! I will never be able to sleep at this rate!
As you can see, I used Day 1: "Cuddling/Sleeping Together" as an element instead of it being the whole entire thing. Plus, I can't help but put some sweet angst and fluff in this chapter! This is me we are talking about!
As usual, my stories are connected to each other. I apologized if the timeline seems off.
Leave a review or a comment! See you guys in the chapter!