Hello everyone! Phew! I wasn't sure I was going to get this out in time! I actually had a predicament happen with my final projects in college! Seems one of my projects saved over another and so I had turned in the wrong one! Thankfully the teacher was kind enough to let me redo it and turn it in 10 days after the due date was done! But I got full marks on it! Yippee! But NEVER AGAIN, that was so tiring and so stressful!
Anyway~ This weeks request is for LostHeartBeat who wanted an AUish type story for AceXNami. I think I was so taken with the idea because it reminded me so much of Pretty Woman, one of my favorite movies. SO I kind of went with that vibe when writing this. Hopefully I didn't mess up the vibe you were going for!
The next story will be for I need more ANGST who wanted a RobinXNami story. I couldn't help but fall in love with this story. It was so darn cute and when I first saw the request entered I knew it was going to be one of them.
I hope you enjoy the story! I hope all of you are having a great week too! For those of you who are going through a tough time *HUUUUUUUUG* I hope knowing there are people out there to give you hugs will help ease it a bit.
****Next weeks update I am not sure when it will be. Due to it being Christmas I don't know if I'll get to it before hand or afterwards.***************
It had been some weeks since the Whitebeard crew had made it to an island. Too many Marines and challenging Pirates wanted to be able to say that they defeated them. It was hard to go to an island just to relax, and most of the time it was a quick in and out stock up trip for them; but now this time it was different. Everyone who was anyone knew about this island, about the "entertainment" that was on display here.
Honestly it made Ace sick to think that the others were so enthralled with what fun went on here, but he also knew that most men would be that way. He was an exception though; he didn't like to see men having their fill with women, only to toss them away the next. But his nakama weren't going to let him skip out of this adventure, and were dragging him along with them to look around at some of the clubs. He begrudgingly followed, trying to keep his eyes off the entertainers.
"Come on Ace!" Thatch called out, grabbing Ace's arm and tugging him down into a chair. "Now you can really see her!"
It was a wide stage with a catwalk that parted the two crowds. He hadn't even realized that he had entered a club until just now. He furrowed his brows and glared at Thatch who in turn gave him a smile and pointed towards the stage as hoots and hollers rang out. Ace sighed, giving up on his fruitless behavior.
That's when his eyes found her. Long, wavy bright orange hair that brushed back and forth with her walking. Accentuated hips that sashayed as she made her way out. Long slender legs that were decorated with bracelets of all colors. See through fabric hung from her hips, showing a mere string bikini underneath, helping form her round, firm buttocks. Her smooth stomach, toned with muscle, moved in circles, and side to side, as if it had a mind of it's own. Slender fingers took his attention, following along her long arms that were so small and skinny, to rounded shoulders that showed her petite form. Curling around a pole and easily holding her up as she moved her body, it was like that pole was just an extension of her. Just as his eyes made it to her chest though, barely covered aside from a thin cover up much like a beaded bikini, Ace felt ashamed that he had let his eyes travel so much over her. They were prominent on her body, and bounced with each movement, catching the eyes of all the suitors he was sure. But then his eyes traveled up to her face, delicate and yet defined. Her lips were sheen with lip gloss, her skin free of all blemishes, a small button nose, long lashes, and brown eyes that seemed to know far more than people thought. He couldn't keep his eyes off her own, wishing they tell him her secrets.
Before he knew it her act was over and instead of her walking off the stage for the next girl who waited patiently, she made her way down the cat walk, flashing a smile to all the other men who called out to her, holding out bills of money and staring at her chest and butt like they were slabs of meat. She took the money quickly, picking up whatever was on the stage from her performance. Then she stopped, looking up directly at Ace who not once has looked from her eyes once he spotted them. She kneeled on the stage, ignoring the other men around him who were calling for her attention, and grabbed the strings that hung from his hat. She pulled towards herself, tugging him forward by sheer force of the hat behind him.
"Aren't you an interesting one," She murmured quietly enough only Ace and herself could hear. She let out a hum as she looked him over once and then let go, taking the money that Thatch was holding out to her with a charming smile.
"WOOOO Ace! Aren't you just a player! To get someone like her to notice you?" Thatch whistled, smacking Ace on the shoulder as his arm went around him. He didn't know what Ace had done, but he was definitely trying to coax it out of him now.
Ace finally got out of the clutches of Thatch's hold from the club; slipping out of the doors and walking down the street back towards the ship. He wanted to take his mind off that club, and yet he couldn't forget that woman.
"Hey! Let me go! I'm not for sale!"
A familiar voice cut through his ears, turning his attention further down the alleyway that he was passing by. Two large men were flanking one another, hanging onto a small delicate hand that seemed to be clenching in resistance.
"Why not? You could get some more cash." One of the chuckled, teasing the poor girl, and furthering Ace's inner anger.
"No! I told you I'm busy! I'm not for sale!" She scream, jerking her body away from them.
That was when Ace caught sight of bright orange hair, his anger spiked through the roof, a feeling of possession flowing through him towards the woman from before. He walked calmly up behind the men, causing the orange haired woman to stop struggling.
"That's a good girl. Just come with us now." The other said, thinking she was giving up and conceding to them.
"I believe the lady said to let her go." Ace growled behind them, just before fire erupted between the woman and the men. They jumped back from the flames with a shout of surprise and fear, then looked back at Ace who stood there, a dangerous look in his eyes. "Good boys." He said, repeating their words to point more towards them now. "Now, leave."
"Who the hell are you?!" One of the men shouted, taking a small step forward.
"Idiot! Don't you know?! That's Fire Fist Ace of the Whitebeard Crew!" The other guy hissed, stopping his comrade from stepping closer to the dangerous pirate who was known for his fighting skills.
The orange haired woman ran past the two of them and into Ace, gripping his arm and slightly hiding behind him. She was dressed in regular clothes now with shorts and a t-shirt, making her look completely normal now. She looked back at the men with a smile. "This is why I'm not for sale. He's my customer tonight. But, if you want to fight him, go for it. I'm sure I could wait." She smiled devilishly at them, daring them to fight this dangerous pirate for her.
The two men looked at each other with strained looks, thinking it through real fast that it wasn't worth fighting Fire Fist Ace just for one of the girls on this island. They quickly nodded their heads in a sloppy apology towards Ace and took off running the opposite direction, pushing one another out of the way to gain more distance. The woman let go of Ace and let out a deep sigh, her fear now dissipating from her body and leaving her exhausted.
"Thanks," She said, looking up at him with a thankful smile. "You're the one from the club right? The one with the pompadour guy?"
"Yeah," Ace said with a sigh of his own, knowing it couldn't have looked good for them. "He's…..he's a bit out of hand."
"But you're different?" She asked, crossing her arms and giving him a disbelieving look. Then she seemed to drop the look and push off the wall. "How about I repay you?"
She reached out for him, putting her hands on his hips but he held up a hand, stopping her. "No need," He told her quickly, his hand still in front of her like it was a barrier. He grabbed her hands gently with the other hand, detaching them from his shorts. "You're a performer, not a service girl. You wouldn't do that." He placed her hands back to her gently, showing she didn't need to pretend. "A simple thanks was enough."
This seemed to catch her off guard. There was always a catch to men helping her, and it was usually the same thing they wanted, and yet somehow….it's not what he wants. She didn't know what to think of this really. "Are you gay?"
A choked cough came from Ace, and he looked at her in disbelief of his own. "No! I like women just as much as the next guy." She quirked an eyebrow at him, telling him to prove his point more. "I just…." He scratched the back of his head in embarrassment; cheeks turning pink. "….I don't think it's right to view women as an object. Even if this is your job, you have emotions too."
Now this really threw her off. Not one person has she ran into with all the years working on this island, has ever treated her like she was a person and not an object. It really made her want to cry, but no, she wasn't going to cry right now. This man in front of her was different in more than one way. He was almost….innocent with the way he thought. It was a breath of fresh air for her.
"Nami," She said, cutting the silence. He looked at her taken aback by her sudden word that came out of her mouth. She gave a smile and held out her hand. "My name is Nami."
He seemed to catch on. He held his own hand out, catching hers gently and giving a slightly movement up and down. "Ace. Portgas D. Ace."
"Or as some know you, Fire Fist Ace." She added in, remembering his pirate name.
He chuckled and ducked his head slightly, finding the name endearing yet embarrassing for her to call him that. "Yeah. Ace is fine though."
"So Ace," Nami cut in, linking her arm with his, and then flashing a huge smile towards him. "How about I hang out with you tonight?"
"I told you-!"
Nami held up a hand and cut him off, then put up one finger, telling him to listen to her for a moment. "I'm not saying we're going to do that. I just figured it be nice to have a change of pace in my schedule. Might as well enjoy the night with someone like you."
Ace opened his mouth, ready to refute her reasoning, but she just blankly smiled up at him, her eyes shining in excitement. Was she really that happy he wasn't going to do anything with her? He'd never understand women. He sighed and then looked at her again, who was waiting expectantly for his answer. "Fine, come on."
He ended up showing her to the Whitebeard ship, both of them lounging on the main deck and just talking. Surprisingly Nami knew a lot about sailing and predicting weather. It was how she helped the club stay afloat, by telling them when more customers would come a certain day or not. She's been working on the island for four years now, and yet she yearned to have a more adventurous life out there on the sea. When Ace asked why she didn't just go, she gave him a look asking him if he were crazy. She knew she wouldn't survive out there on her own, sailing the sea on a small boat. She knew the dangers out there from Marine's, Pirates, Sea Kings, and other factors. It was just a dream, she told him.
"Well, you have to start working towards your dream at some point. After all, nothing comes easy." Ace told her, crossing his arms behind his head and flopping backwards, looking up at the clear night sky that was littered with bright dots. "It's not like it was easy for me to get where I am today. It took a lot of practice and surviving."
Nami hummed, then laid back as well, deftly using Ace's arm as a pillow. "I wish it would just be handed to you on a silver platter….no gold!" This caused both of them to start laughing, finding it funny to even picture someone doing that. "Y'know, I don't think I've ever felt so relaxed around someone. This is a first."
Ace laughed, the sound echoing on the deck loudly. "How ironic. The one person you feel relaxed around is a known dangerous pirate."
Nami turned on her side, a pout puffing up her cheeks at the teasing, and she poked his side with her finger. This made him let out a shout of surprise and jerk from the ticklish spot. This time Nami laughed, "Oh yeah, so dangerous."
"Why, you…." Ace fake growled, taking his arms from behind his head and wiggling his fingers behind her and in front of her in a threatening way. "If it's a battle you want, a battle you'll get."
"Wait, no! Stop! Kya!" Nami laughed loudly as Ace brought his fingers down on her sides, getting revenge for her teasing. But she wasn't giving up, she tickled his sides as well, trying to gain the upper hand. Her feet kicked out, playing dirty in the tickle war, but that didn't stop Ace as he clamped her legs between his own, stopping the dirty moves.
"You won't win!" He said, rolling his body and letting her go. He grabbed her wrists instead and pinned them down, stopping both their tickling. Ace shadowed over her, both of them heaving in air from laughing too much. However, now they were in a compromising position. Ace stared down at Nami who in turn was looking up at him. She was right, being this relaxed around another person was something new for him too. He couldn't stop him body from leaning down, or his lips from pressing against hers gently, feeling the plump warmth that seemed to fit his perfectly. It was a short, sweet kiss, but it was enough to warm both of them up in that moment.
"I thought you said you wouldn't do anything," Nami breathed, it was meant as a teasing from her, but it seemed to snap Ace out of his small trance and make him realize what he did.
He let her wrists go and rolled back over, laying on his back facing the sky once more. He groaned and put his hands to his face, calling himself many colorful names inside his head. He did the exact thing he said he wouldn't. "Sorry, I couldn't seem to control myself there."
Nami looked over at him basically scolding himself and it made her giggle. He really was innocent in his way of thinking. A simple kiss like that from any one else wouldn't have meant much to Nami, but from Ace, it seemed to make so many emotions swirl inside of her. Ones that caused her to smile like a little girl. She propped herself up on an elbow and leaned slightly over him, looking down at him. She grabbed one of his arms and pulled it away, automatically making the other move too in his curiosity. She giggled again at his bright red cheeks that were quickly traveling to his ears and neck.
"I never said you had to stop," She smiled, this time taking initiative and kissing the same way he did her.
It didn't take long for Ace to forget about his scolding and to just revel in the kiss. His discarded arms wrapped around her waist. He turned his body to the side, making it more comfortable for her. His arm came up for her to lay on it, and to cup the back of her head, pulling her in closer. His lips moved from her top lip to her lower, pulling on it gently and turning his head. Nami's arms went around his neck, her fingers sliding into his wavy hair and grasping it. She pulled his head closer to her, trying to kiss deeper than before.
Ace opened his eyes, glancing at her to see if she was okay with where this was going. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were gently closed, reveling in the moment. Ace slid his tongue along her lips, making her spread them and allow him entrance. Slowly his tongue slipped in, pressing and rubbing against hers. Their tongues twisted around one another, wrestling for the upper hand in the deep kiss. They continued to wrestle until finally Nami pulled away, sucking in a deep breath of air that her lungs desperately needed.
Ace realized his own lungs were in desperate need of air and started breathing heavily, staring at her as her eyes opened. The light chocolate color of her eyes now darker from the kiss. His hand behind her head gently ran through her hair and his other hand on her back traced circles, restless. He put his forehead against her, letting them both get air and rest from the intense kiss.
"You really are different from anyone else I know." Nami whispered, brushing her nose across his in an Eskimo kiss.
"Because of a kiss?" He chuckled lightly, a smile passing his lips.
"No," She shook her head, pulling from his face and instead, burying her head into his shoulder. "Because I feel safe right here like this. Makes me not want to leave your arms."
For a moment there was nothing but silence between them, as Ace took in her words. He never thought he'd find someone like her either; someone he didn't want to let go of. His arms tightened around her tighter, his face looking down slightly to her. "Nami…" He stopped, seeing her gently sleeping in his shoulder already. Ace closed his mouth and smiled instead, placing a kiss on the top of her head and pulling her in close to him. Gently he rose the temperature of his body, trying to keep her warm in this night air.
"Thatch, leave them alone." Marco's distant voice said, scolding the man who tend to like to play around too much.
"But Marco! Our little Ace is growing up!" He teased, his loud voice stirring Ace from his sleep.
Ace cracked his eyes open and turned slightly, pulling his hand up to block the sun from his eyes. Thatch stood there with a knowing smile on his lips. "What?"
Thatch pointed down next to him, making Ace glance over. No wonder his arm was so heavy, Nami was still lying there asleep. His face lit up like a Christmas light, and he looked over to Marco for frantic help, but the blonde chuckled and shook his head, basically telling him he had to get out of this one himself. With perfect timing, Nami stirred and sat up, looking around at the men looking down at her, one with disinterest, the other with a teasing smile, and one with a bright face.
"Um….." Nami said, snapping awake in shock.
"You're the dancer!" Thatch said, crouching in front of her and leaning forward, breaking the personal space barrier.
A hand slammed onto Thatch's face, pushing him backwards till he toppled onto the floor. "That's enough. Leave her alone." Ace sighed, standing up and dusting himself off before holding out a hand towards Nami. "Come on, I'll take you home, or work….where ever it is you need to go." He was fumbling for an excuse to leave the other two guys who were his friends, and Nami seemed to understand.
Ace never heard the end of it for the next few days. Every time he ran across Thatch, he instantly brought up Nami and how he had found them, and now the rest of the crew on their ship wouldn't let him live it down either. For the most part he just avoided them or ignored his friends, knowing if he didn't antagonize them they'd drop it sooner or later.
He spent the rest of his days around the island, hanging out with Nami or finding restaurants to eat at. It was natural for Nami to be around him now, and they went to a different place every night, with Nami showing him around the island and showing her what she's experienced for the past four years. They learned about one another's pasts, how for the most part both had a pretty rough early childhood, but then there was always that one sibling that seemed to snap them out of it. But learning about her was only making it harder for Ace.
He was growing to really care about her, and Nami was the same way; she forgot about her occupation and the things she's done for money, and felt completely normal being around Ace. The more Ace learned about her, the more he didn't want to let her go. The thought of him going back out to sea and leaving her here made him feel sad, mad, and frustrated all at the same time.
Then the day came when he needed to say goodbye. It wasn't like he was just going to give up his dream and leave the seas to stay here. He couldn't bring himself to do that. But the thought of leaving her hurt him even more. Nami snapped him out of his thoughts by waving over his face.
"Now don't be blanking out on me already," She said, a painful smile on her face that said she didn't like them parting now either. "I'd like to at least say goodbye properly."
Ace clenched his fists, trying to control the words that wanted to tell her he would stay. She'd probably punch him for that because she knew his life was out at sea. "Nami…"
Nami shook her head, knowing what he was thinking. "Don't. Your friends are telling you that they're done. You should get going." She held up a hand for a gently wave, and stepped back slowly, turning to leave and so he wouldn't see the tears that were already forming in the corners of her eyes.
Ace quickly caught her by the arm, stopping her from walking. "Nami….. I think…!"
"No! You can't stay here! This isn't a place for you to live!" She told him, clamping her eyes shut and smacking his arm that was taut with muscle from holding her arm and keeping her in place.
"THEN COME WITH ME!" He shouted, stopping her own shouts of argument. There was sudden silence, and Nami opened her eyes, now wet with tears. She looked at him in shock, not sure if she heard him correctly, but his determined face said he had really said that. "Come with me and sail the seas. We could use someone with your knowledge."
Nami smiled sadly, facts flushing into her mind already. "The Whitebeard crew is only made up of men and the few nurses."
"I can talk to Oyaji. If I ask him, I'm sure he'll allow you to come." Ace desperately pleaded, eyes begging her to agree with him.
"Ace…" She said, voice trailing off. She wiped at her tears, trying to seem strong. "I ca-!"
Ace pulled her into his body, wrapping his arms around her tightly until there was no air between them. Her head was pressed into his shoulder, the tears now filling up on her eyes again and threatening to spill. "Please, I can't live without you now. Please come with me." The silence from her was killing him. "Even if I have to drag you with me, I'm not letting you leave my side."
"OI!"
A sudden shout from the ships main deck made both of them jump and break apart, but Ace's hand still held her wrist tightly, not wanting to let her run away.
"Hurry up and get on the ship! We're setting sail!" Marco shouted with Thatch nodding his head behind him.
Nami breathed out, composing herself again. She lifted her hand and pushed his chest, separating them even more. "See? They're calling for you. You need to go."
"I'm talking to you too girly!" Marco called out, making Nami look up in shock.
"We took the liberty to ask your friends to pack your things for you last night! You're one of us now!" Thatch pitched in, explaining a bit more on what Marco said. "We can't leave Ace's girlfriend behind after all."
Ace turned his beaming face back to Nami who was staring in awe at the two men on the ship telling her she'd be able to go with them. Her astonished face turned to Ace, looking at him for verification. When he nodded his head a beaming smile of her own couldn't stop from forming. She jumped into him, and he hugged her back tightly, both of them elated for the outcome that came to be.
"Can't leave my girl behind." Ace said, holding his hand out for her to take this time.
She didn't hesitate at all by grabbing his hand and he lifted her up, climbing onto the ship for them to finally set sail to the seas she's dreamed about since she was a child. Even Whitebeard was acting like a proud father towards Nami who was utterly flabbergasted by Whitebeard's height, but Nami was like the daughter he never had and he doted on her now. Nami was right where she needed to be….home.