AN: Here's the new chapter guys~ Thank you so much for the reviews, faves and follows! I hope you enjoy!
5
"You're worth it."
Ace moaned again, tightening his grip on the blond when he felt those sharp, deadly teeth graze across the sensitive marks. He heard Sabo let out a breathy laugh, felt him press even closer, felt that tongue scrape across his neck again and oh gods Ace wanted -
Something. Anything. He needed that growing warmth - fire, it was his fire - within him to be stoked, and Sabo seemed to be doing it bit by bit with every teasing touch. Deft fingers wormed their way into Ace's cloak, only the thin barrier of his shirt separating the skin on skin contact that Ace suddenly - desperately - found himself craving.
Another scrape of those teeth and there was a small sting. The skin split easily, and Sabo's tongue swiped up the blood - and Ace tilted his head back in silent offering, his eyes fluttering closed and mouth falling open in a soundless moan, wanting -
A howl. It was distant, an indication that the Blood Sleuth wasn't close enough to cause immediate panic, but it was enough to cause Sabo to pull away. Ace caught the expression on his face, before the blond managed to mask it. Need - desire… hunger.
Oh gods…
Ace's legs were trembling, and he cursed himself in every language he knew. Damn it all! Fuck! He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so heated up on the inside, and he could feel his fire churning beneath his skin, wanting to reach out and devour the blond vampire and consume everything he had to offer and -
Sabo let out a shaky laugh. "Just… trust me, Ace. I'm going to get you and Luffy to safety. And if I die trying, well… I'll do my best to get you and he out."
Ace swallowed thickly, trying to calm his fire and stop his trembling. He wasn't succeeding very well, and he muttered out, "Let's just… let's just go, yeah?"
"Yes." The blond gave a single nod, before reaching down to pick up the pipe that Sabo must have dropped during that… moment.
Ace blinked when fingers suddenly twined with his, and stumbled when he was pulled along behind the blond.
The touch… eased the fire, and his shaking. Slowly, he found himself calming, and that was just so very…
Curious. The fact that Sabo's touch could both excite and calm him when the… situation called for it?
Very, very… strange.
But he wasn't complaining.
Pressing his lips together, Ace followed close behind, his thoughts moving a mile a minute. He was just so… fucking confused.
And how the - why the hell did he suddenly have his fire back? It wasn't… really much, in reality it was just a small candle flicker instead of the raging inferno it usually was. So had - had that little… session there been enough to ignite it?
Why the hell did it happen?
Ace was just so… very, very confused. He wanted answers, and he doubted that he would actually get any. So really he would just have to wait until they'd found somewhere safe to rest.
Maybe then he could see if Sabo knew anything.
They came across a small town during the early morning. Sabo - apparently knowing where they were, though when Ace asked he just waved him away - and cast a small illusion charm, just to hide them from the eyes of the humans who were getting ready to start the day. Surrounded by humans - and this was a simple human village, Ace could tell - made him feel a little nervous. As a whole, they knew of the fae and other creatures existence of course - it had been around a hundred years since the revelation - but Ace had always been taught to be wary of them and what they were capable of.
But even still, Sabo's presence kept him calm. The blond seemed to be searching for something, keeping them strictly to the path and off the road, where the occasional car drove past to some unknown destination. His eyes were trained on the buildings they were walking past, mouth moving as he silently read the signs, and Ace found himself growing a little impatient.
He held his tongue though. Really he'd been enough of a brat already, he didn't need to piss Sabo off again. He would restrain his own anger and push through the exhaustion he still felt.
He counted himself lucky when just then, Sabo let out a small noise of excitement. "Here it is!"
Ace blinked, turning his head to stare at the building Sabo was now pointing up. It looked… pretty much the same as all the others in the town, but the sign read 'Shakky's Rip-off Bar'.
Bar… wasn't that a place where people gathered to get drunk and make fools of themselves? What were they doing here?
He tilted his head, and frowned at Sabo. "Why are we here? Sabo?"
The blond grinned at him. "This is a place where we can rest safely 'til nightfall. It belongs to an old friend of mine."
"Friend…?" An eyebrow crept up in question, but Sabo's happy expression never wavered.
"Yes, a friend. A dear, old friend."
Ace scowled. "That isn't answering me, Sabo. Could you please be clear for once?"
The blond chuckled and - again, didn't answer, as he pulled Ace over and made towards the door. Ace spluttered, and debated with the idea of tugging his hand back from Sabo - but damn it, he told himself that he'd be good!
Even if Sabo was being annoyingly cryptic.
When Sabo placed his hand on the door, it came as no surprise to him that it was locked. It being this early in the morning and all, a bar would have no business being open this early. A muttered spell from the vampire a few moments later, and there was a soft 'snick' as the lock was undone, and the door swung inwards on silent hinges.
Still grinning, Sabo started forwards, pulling an unwilling Ace along behind him.
The moment they entered the building, every hair on Ace's body stood on end. They'd passed through wards, the magic so strangely familiar, and the answer as to who it belonged to lurked in the back of his mind. But as much as he tried, the fae couldn't place it, at all.
Just… what was it?
The bar was empty, unsurprising really, and Sabo strode over to a table and pulled down a chair. He shoved Ace onto it and murmured, "We're safe here, wait for me?"
Ace pressed his lips together. "Sabo, where are we?"
"A safe place." Was all the blond said, before turning and moving behind the bar and disappearing through a door.
Ace stared after him in disbelief, a hot curl of ager tightening in his gut. Really? He just left without giving any proper response?
Fucking stupid vampire!
When Ace had the chance, he was so going to tear Sabo a new one.
With a growl, Ace crossed his arms over his chest and glared down at the table, his tail flicking back and forth in anger. Minutes passed, and he started tapping his foot on the ground. His ears twitched, trying to pick up any noise that indicated that Sabo was doing - something. Anything!
Where the hell had he disappeared to? Was he speaking to the owner of the bar?
With a hiss, Ace stood up and began snooping around. Nose twitching, he managed to pick up the dozens of mingled scents that pervaded the air, all belonging to humans, and different types of alcohol, as far as he could tell. So - this was a busy place that received lots of customers.
But what was with the wards? Really? Did… did magic folk live here? If so, why? In a human town?
Maybe because the Celestials govern over every magical establishment in the world, a snide voice in the back of Ace's head reminded him, and the fae's lip curled.
Ah yes. That would be why.
Done looking around the tables, Ace headed over to the bar and leaped over, staring at the alcohol and glass-lined walls critically. At the moment he could have actually done with a drink, but hunger prevailed over the need. Sabo had promised him meat, and still had not provided. Really.
He was so going to tear Sabo a new one!
Grumbling, he eyed the door through which his new… mate had disappeared. It was one of the first times he'd actually thought of Sabo like that, and despite his anger, it shot a small tingle down Ace's spine and he couldn't help but think back to that time in the woods, when Sabo had him pressed flush against that tree, with his mouth at his neck and -
Damn it Ace, focus!
Willing away the arousal that fogged his mind, the fae started through the door, intent on finding where Sabo had gone.
There was a short hall and a dark stairwell that led to the second floor, and one below. Ace, thankful for his superb vision and sensitive nose, followed Sabos' scent up to the second level. The vampire's scent mingled with many, many others - and these ones were not human at all. Some he recognised as other fae, elves, magic wielders of all sorts - even a demon or two, and all of that had alarm bells ringing inside Ace's head. He trailed his hand across the hand-rail, taking each step slowly, making sure to keep silent.
He stopped at the second landing, but the stairs continued upwards, and so did Sabo's scent - so he followed. His skin prickled at the sensation of the ambient magic in the air, so much stronger than it was downstairs, and with its growing strength, Ace's unease grew.
Along with that sense of familiarity.
Just… what in the name of the god-damned Celestials was that? What… what was this place?!
He needed to know.
The third floor stretched out before him, but still the stairs led up. Ace paused, inhaling deeply and trying to distinguish Sabo's scent amongst the mess. It stood out, being as fresh as it was, but that damn… familiar, powerful one nearly dwarfed it with its potency.
Sabo hadn't continued up the stairs, instead he had moved across this floor. Ace stared out into the shadowed hall, ears and tail twitching, and cautiously, he moved down it. There were three doors - one on either side, and one right at the very end - which was cracked open an inch, with a soft light shining through.
Ace could hear low, murmured voices - one he could tell was Sabo, his tone… relieved? And happy?
The other voice was deep, and held something akin to amusement and a kind of mischievous undercurrent lacing their words.
Familiar. So damn familiar. But who?
Walking on tip-toe, Ace finally pressed up against the door and peered through the crack.
From what he could see, it was a large room - a very, very large room, filled with many, many bookshelves, and for a moment Ace wondered just how the hell a room this big could fit in a building this small.
Or why there were what appeared to be four levels when, from the outside, the building appeared to have only two.
The answer to the question came after a split second. The magic he felt… despite its familiarity, he should have bloody noticed that it was a kind of expansion magic.
So that answered one thing, but opened up a whole new number of questions.
Squinting, Ace pushed the door open a little more, allowing him a more clear view of the room. The light came from a lamp just a little ways over, illuminating two figures - one standing, the other seated in a chair.
It was Sabo that was standing. Ace took in his form, trying to see if there was anything off about it. But the blond appeared to be relaxed, his frame open, and expression one of animated happiness that Ace hadn't… seen in a long time.
What could he…?
The fae shifted his attention to the other person, and his eyes widened.
It… it couldn't be… could it?
Long starlit hair, a handsome, wizened face, scarred eye, round glasses… familiar, amused smirk…
Rayleigh?
The familiar man blinked, pointed ears twitching, and he twisted his head around to stare right at him.
Ace froze in place, those silver eyes seeming to pierce right through him, and see into his very soul.
"Ah, Ace." Rayleigh purred, and he closed the book in his lap before standing up. "It is so good to see you again. I am so happy that you were able to escape."
AN: You know the deal guys- Review! They make my days so much brighter, to know that my fics being enjoyed~