Here is a request made for LadyofDragons99! I was asked to do another AceXRobin story, and I hope this is what you wished for! Please enjoy reading! Sorry it's a bit late! I had to finish my other two stories real fast before getting to this one!
R&R!
"So let me get this straight." Ace said, looking at the short black haired woman with brilliant blue eyes. "You're telling me you're part of my little brother's crew. You ran away from the ship because of some conflicts you are having with yourself?"
Robin nodded, knowing it was a lame explanation, but not knowing how to word it any other way. "I needed time away from them to gather myself."
"How did you know about me?" Ace asked, a little suspicious on that point.
"Well, Fire Fist Ace is known to everyone. Plus Captain-san doesn't stop talking about you since Alabasta." Robin answered him, seeing his eyes widen before he let out a laugh of disbelief.
"Okay, that I believe." He said with a chuckle. "But why me of all people?"
"Well, you know captain-san the best. I want to know why he took me of all people into his crew without a doubt." She said, lacing her fingers together in her lap.
Robin had left the Strawhat ship a couple weeks ago, trailing behind Ace on one of his missions until she found him and stopped him, asking if she could stick around with him for awhile. Ace was wary at first, but didn't seem to mind as she pushed her breasts against his arm, distracting him from the details.
Ace sighed, crossing his legs as he looked closer at her. Of course he knew about her just as much as she knew about him. Who hadn't heard of Nico Robin? She was famous on the seas just as much as he was. His eyes roamed over her, from her light purple button up shirt that left her cleavage showing a lot and rolled up sleeves, to her tight pants that hung low on her hips, moving down more with ever shift of her hips she made.
"Not sure how much I could help there. I don't hardly know what my brother thinks in that head of his." Ace said, sitting back with a huff as he crossed his arms.
"Really…" Robin trailed, downing the rest of her drink at the bar, conflicting with herself already.
Ace gave a guilty look fromt eh corner of his eye, knowing she had to be pretty desperate if she sought him out to ask for advice, just because he was Luffy's brother.
"Tell me what you are conflicting about." He said, watching as she sat up stock still and looked at her drink in fear.
"Here's a refill miss." The bartender said, giving her a new, full drink.
Robin sat there silently, not really wanting to tell people about her past, especially if not even Luffy knew about it yet. It was never good memories to think about her past, and only made her more conflicted.
"Listen, I won't tell my brother about what you say here. What you say in here will strictly stay between us." Ace told her. He sighed again, shrugging his shoulders at her. "Besides, I'm pretty sure whatever your conflicting over can't be any worse than how I was as a kid."
Robin looked at him, seeing his muscles flex with every movement he made by drinking, breathing, shrugging, and speaking. They seemed to pull her in, inviting her to touch them to see if they were as hard as they looked. She could see the side of the jolly roger on his back, and the tattoo he had on his left arm, showing a misspelling of his name which she never understood. But what made her want to open up was the smile he was giving her. It wasn't like Luffy's; it had sadness in it, as if his past was just as horrible as hers was.
"It's about my past and my family." She said, turning her attention back to her glass. "My mother was a well known archaeologist on the seas, wanted because she was from Ohara, my home town, and could read the secret poneglyphs."
Ace turned in his seat, giving her his full attention so she didn't think he was blowing this off. "Ohara was an archaeology island right? Wasn't it destroyed years ago?"
Robin nodded, remembering the fire in her mind that caused her such agony. "My mother left me when I was just a small child, and I had hoped she'd come back if I became an archaeologist just like her. So I learned how to read poneglyphs and even wished for them to teach me about the Void Century." She stopped remembering the series of events like a movie inside of her head. "All my life I had been treated like a monster, being told that I was one, and that I didn't deserve to be born. I believed I shouldn't be alive. Even in my younger years I had my devil fruit powers, and that didn't help with how people viewed me. Many people around me, including a dear friend named Saul, were killed because they were around me."
Ace's eyes clouded over, a dark shadow covering his face in anger and depression as he began to remember his own past, that was very similar to her own.
"When the marine's brought my mother back to the island to try and get information out of her, even though I was told to keep quiet, I couldn't help but call out for her. I ruined her plans to try and save me and the island, and in the process they ended up destroying my home." Robin took a large chug from her drink, trying to numb herself of the pain that was squeezing her heart. "I got away, but I had lost everyone around me. I grew up working with bad people, assassinating others, just so I could find the poneglyphs and learn about the void." She breathed in, trying to calm herself. "How can Luffy-san take in someone like me, who doesn't even deserve to be alive?"
Ace slammed his drink down, scary Robin and making her jump slightly at the sudden sound. She looked over at him, scared for a moment by the shadows around his face. He looked up at her, the shadows disappearing as a smile replaced it quickly. "Because he's stupid that way."
"Wha…?" She breathed, not expecting such a simple answer after all she had told him.
"Y'know, I come a very similar background, but instead I didn't have my mom or my father around at all. I hate my father in fact." Ace told her, finishing his drink the rest of the way. "Being called a monster, feeling like I am one. Knowing that I shouldn't be alive on this earth. I know it all." He looked at her again, directly in the eye so she wouldn't look away. "Even though Luffy knew everything about me, he still smiled and stuck out his hand, wanting to be around me. Heck he even wanted to be my brother."
"So you two aren't blood related?" She asked, confused on the last part.
Ace shook his head. "We're foster brothers. We made a pact on the sea to be brothers forever. Luffy is stupid like that. Even if you did bad things, even if you believe you shouldn't live; he see's the good in people and will take in anyone he believes is worthy to keep living."
Robin let out a curt laugh, not believing that it was such a simple answer that could resolve every bit of her worries inside.
"You may not believe it now, but Luffy will prove that to you." Ace said, standing up and reaching his hand out. "Let's go somewhere to take your mind off things."
Robin looked at his hand, feeling like a magnet was drawing her own into his. Before she knew it her hand was in his and he was dragging her out of the bar and towards the middle of the town. She was awed by all the lights that were hanging around in the streets; glowing lanterns that seemed to warm her heart at the sight.
"There's a small festival going on today." He told her, pointing at the masked dancers that were putting on a show for people. "It starts at night, so not many people know about the festival unless you've been here a few times."
"Is that why you came here?" Robin asked, wondering why he was sailing around so erratically throughout the week.
"Yeah!" He laughed, feeling shy now that she realized his goal for the sailing.
"I always come to this festival to cool off." He told her, dragging her faster past the people. "I let my worries slip and I just enjoy my night as if nothing is going on."
They left the town limits, the lights disappearing until they were in only the moonlight that was basking on them. Ace suddenly stopped, making her clash into his back harshly.
"We're here." He told her, pulling her gently next to him so she could see what he was talking about.
Robin's jaw dropped as she looked out. They were standing on a small wooden deck that came out into the sea, making them feel as if they were on a secluded island away from anything else. And there up in the sky and skimming along the waters were lighted lanterns that seemed to fly magically around them and into the sky.
"Beautiful," Robin gasped, reaching out to a lantern that was floating close to her. She tapped it with her finger, watching as it bounced from the small touch and skidded over the water again.
"Not as beautiful as you." Ace said, squeezing her hand gently. "You know, I was wary of you at first." He told her, watching as she fumed at the thought. "But your eyes were telling me I needed to stay and listen to you. Your eyes remind me of the moonlight shining down on the ocean."
Ace sat down on the small dock, taking off his shoes and letting his feet sit in the cool waters. He tugged on her hand, urging her to sit down with him, which she complied and did the same as him.
"Never did I think you'd be more similar to me than I expected." He told her, continuing what he was saying before. "I had always thought I was alone out there in feeling the way I did when I was younger."
"I was the same," She answered, leaning slightly on her hand that was under Ace's.
She cautiously continued leaning, letting her head fall against his shoulder lightly. Ace shivered as her hair brushed against his arm lightly, making it feel as if a feather brushed by on it. He smiled, watching as her blue eyes reflected the moonlit waters. Little balls of light danced in her eyes from the lanterns that bounced around. She lifted a foot, tapping a lantern back into the air so it could be with the others.
Ace leaned forward and over to her, feeling the urge to kiss her over take him instantly. He had to feel how her lips were, to taste what they would be, and to look into her eyes that would reflect his own. Robin's eyes widened as she leaned back quickly in surprise before sitting up. Ace sat up quickly too as he snapped out of the trance and turned his head the other way, feeling the embarrassment flood his face.
"Sorry," He muttered, mentally smacking himself for trying something he knew would be rejected. He felt stupid and weak for not being able to control his own stupid urges.
Robin let out a small giggle as she watched him feud with himself for the try. She placed her hand over his as she leaned forward, making him turn to look at her in confusion. Before he even saw how close she was, she pressed her lips tenderly against his, feeling the heat instantly flare up along his skin and coarse into her.
Ace's eyes glazed over as he leaned towards her, bringing up his other hand to cup her face gently. He licked her bottom lip, begging her to let him taste her already. She smiled into the kiss, feeling the growl that was rumbling inside him at her teasing. She opened her mouth slowly, her own temptation to taste him fueling her.
His tongue darted inside her mouth, running over her tongue and pushing into the muscles. He tasted Sakura and Lavender mixed together, almost like a tea he had tried once years ago. He made a small surprised sound as her tongue wrapped around his, playfully battling him so she could go into his own mouth. He opened his eyes and wished he hadn't, because the moment he did he saw her blue eyes gazing into his own, instantly crumbling his wall he kept up around people.
Robin took the small opening to quickly taste his own mouth, smiling as she tasted an almost firey taste in her mouth. Not burnt or charred, but like cooking something over a fire and how it always tasted different from baking something.
Robin pulled back finally, her lungs begging for air. It had felt like hours had gone by when they kissed, but reality showed only about a few minutes had passed. Ace put his forehead against hers, his breath as heavy as her own from the tempting kiss that almost brought them in for another one instantly.
"Took my chance there." Ace chuckled, pulling back so he could really look at her now. "I wanted to be the cool one to initiate the kiss."
Robin giggled, putting a finger to her lips as she felt the warmth on her own finger. "You surprised me the first time."
Ace chuckled again, capturing one of the lanterns that was about to land on her head. He brought it in front of them so they could get a closer look at one of the flying lanterns that never seemed to go too far.
"The legend around these is that you place your worries inside of this lantern and it flies it high into the sky so Kami can help you grant a way to relieve them." Ace told her, putting an arm around her so his hand cupped her own and brought her to his side.
He placed the lantern in her hands, cupping her hands with his own as he breathed in. Robin watching as he concentrated on the lantern, putting his worries in as if the legend was true.
"The festival is called the Moon festival because they believe that the moon's light can help solve all problems." Ace told her, urging her to place her worries into the lantern.
Robin let out a deep breath, concentrating on her hands that were holding the lantern and trying to put all her worries there in her hands, as if they were going into the lantern with everything they thought of. She felt an odd weight lifted off of her as she opened her eyes again, almost as if the lantern had really taken into account of her worries.
"1, 2, 3!" Ace said, pushing his hands up with her own and letting the lantern fly straight up into the sky with a slight spin.
It never seemed to stop as it kept climbing high and higher towards the clouds, drifting towards the moon and it's light like a beacon in the night. But the lantern never dropped like the others did. Whereas the others would float gently to the ocean and go back up, there's kept flying high and higher into the light of the moon, like their worries were really being delivered to Kami.
Robin leaned against Ace, and sat up in surprise as he scooted backwards and laid on the deck on his back, bending his arms so his hands were under his head. He smirked at Robin, nudging his head to his open arm that was waiting for her head to rest upon.
"A bed huh?" She laughed, seeing the coy smile on his face that showed all of his joy at her actually coming to lay down on his arm.
They stared up into the sky, watching as the lanterns flew and floated, dancing with one another or playing around with the ocean. It seemed each one had a personality like one of the people on this island.
"There's still more to do at the festival." Ace told her, watching as her eyes drifted shut briefly.
She turned on her side, putting her cheek on his shoulder and letting her nose nuzzle into his neck. "Just stay here a little while longer," She murmured, feeling the sleep drawing her in, the stress finally getting to her body.
Ace smiled and turned on his own side, letting his arm drape around her waist and pull her closer to him. He let his body flare with his fire and warm her up as the nights cool air blew over them and the ocean. His heart was erratic with her being so close, and he thought it might just jump into the ocean to cool down if it could.
Robin breathed him in as he pulled her close, listening to his heart beneath his chest as she lulled into his warmth. She never felt more comfortable, safe, and warm around anyone, especially not to fall asleep near them. She could feel the sleep drawing over her, and frankly she couldn't care less if there were people watching, or if there was more of the festival. All she wanted right now was to stay there in his arms.
Robin's eyes drifted shut quickly as she listened to his breathing, finding it soothing and sounding like the ocean winds. Ace had no problem falling asleep; already be a narcoleptic, it was a little too easy to fall asleep, especially with her laying there in his arms.
Ace had convinced Robin to go back to her nakama; explaining that she had to give them a chance for anything to work out. He was able to show her the sites on his striker as he held her around her waist, or let her sit at the front, watching the wind blow her hair back beautifully.
"What if I want to see you again?" Robin asked on their journey.
Ace glanced at her, a smile on his face at the thought of her already dreading being away from him. "Luffy has a vivre card of mine. Borrow it from him whenever you want to find me. It'll be a lot faster than tracking me down." He chuckled, making her blush in embarrassment at the slight stalking she had done to find him.
"When can I visit you?" She asked, not wanting to intrude on him and his own crew or while he was with other people.
"Anytime," He told her, kissing her nose softly and smiling at her. "We can meet up for the festival every year too."
Robin smiled, happy for the date already planned for next year. She knew that would be their special place now. Her grip on his arm tightened as she hugged him close, happy that she wasn't going to be just thrown away like everyone else in her life did to her.
"Robin!" Luffy shouted excitedly as they reached the ship.
Robin was tackled to the floor as Luffy, Chopper, Usopp, and Nami all tackled her, nearly crying in their worry they had for her while she was gone.
"Robin-chwan!" Sanji called out, hearing her name from Luffy's shout. Hearts appeared in his eyes as he wiggled over to her, circling her in a frenzy.
Ace smirked and laughed as he watched everyone welcome her as if she were gone for years when she was only gone for a few weeks. Ace nodded to her before giving a short goodbye and taking off again, heading back to his own ship so he can be with his own nakama.