Sora awoke with a pounding headache, a tattoo drilling itself on the inside of her skull. She groaned, rolling over to shield herself from the sun. She looked up slightly, her eyes crusted over, and was surprised to not see Ace lying next to her. Propping herself up, she felt the loose linen around her shift. Whose shirt was this? And why wasn't she wearing a bra?

She took a deep breath, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "What the hell," she mumbled into the empty room. What time was it? What day was it? What the hell happened last night? Sora probed through her memory, trying to latch on to a single clue that would give her the answer, but she couldn't find a thing.

The woman crawled out of bed, needing to use the bedstand and her vanity and the walls to reach the door. She hobbled downstairs, her hair sticking up in every which direction. "Oh, hey," greeted a voice and Sora looked up to see Ace. He had apron tied around his waist and was returning with a worn out black tray.

"What are you doing?" she groaned, her voice scratchy from sleep. She lumped into a barstool and put her head on the table.

"I figured I'd let you sleep," Ace said, and turned around to grab another tray of food. He handed it to some customers at the bar, who thanked him afterwards. "Are you feeling okay?"

"What the hell happened last night? I don't remember anything," she said, rubbing her temples. Her eyes were shut so she missed the way Ace's expression dropped ever so slightly. It was gone when she opened her eyes again.

"You got pretty drunk," he teased, grinning. He was not about to show her that he was a little disappointed.

"Oh, dear, God," she groaned. "Did you draw on my face?" She touched her face as though trying to feel for the markings.

Ace laughed and shook his head. "Nope."

"Did I strip?"

"Yup."

Sora sighed, dropping her head to the table as though this were a regular thing. "This always happens. Damn that daiginjo." She propped her head up by resting her chin on her hand. Her head felt so heavy she felt like this was the only way to keep her face up. "You don't have to do that, you know."

Ace looked confused. "Do what?"

"Oy," called the kitchen impatiently and Ace turned to see a tray with food ready to be delivered. He checked the tag and tossed.

"Hai," Ace called back, taking the tray and quickly making his way to the table it was addressed to. He returned to see Sora staring at him with her brows furrowed.

"That."

"What?"

"Work."

Ace chuckled. "It's okay. I don't mind. Go upstairs and rest." He glanced at the clock, wiping his hands on his apron. "Eiichi is letting me go on break in a little while, so I'll come up with breakfast, and orange juice or something, okay? Wait for me."

Sora was bewildered. Ace had woken up early and taken Sora's shift at the bar. And he wasn't complaining. He wasn't teasing her either. He was encouraging her to go lay around like a vegetable while he nursed her hangover. "Are you sure?" Sora asked, not really positive what she was going to do if Ace took it back and she had to work. Sora wasn't even sure she could walk.

Ace laughed and nodded, patting her on the head gently. "Go upstairs. I'll be there in a bit."

"Okay," Sora said reluctantly, swiveling the chair for a little and hopping off. She stumbled slightly, and Ace quickly grabbed her arm, helping her stand.

"You okay?"

Sora nodded, and Ace helped her get to the banister. She hated hangovers. She hated drinking. And yet apparently, she had given the Whitebeard crew yet another strip show. She really needed to work on that problem. Maybe wear some clothes with locks. Or armor.

Sora latched onto the banister and used it to drag herself up the stairs, Ace making sure she reached the top with no problem before being called back to grab more food from the kitchen. Sora pushed open the door to her room and nearly dropped to the ground. She forced her legs to work and collapsed onto her bed, groaning.

She turned her head and glanced up slightly, noticing a white shell on her nightstand. She furrowed her brows at it. Was that a tone dial? Coral was the only person Sora knew that had a tone dial. She scoffed. What the hell was Coral's shit doing in her room?

Sora shook her head, feeling her brain jiggle with the motion and plopped her head back down onto the bed. She didn't want to think that way about her friend. Coral was like a younger sister to Sora. Sora looked up again, examining the shell again, this time noticing a sky blue ribbon tied around it. She crawled towards it, grabbing it off the nightstand and untying the ribbon.

Sora pressed the top of the tone dial with a click, and heard some static noise for a moment, and some shuffling around. Then quietly, Sora heard a piano playing, high notes alternating for an introduction, slowing to a stop before the bottom chords came in, continuing a melody Sora didn't recognize. It was a ballad, sweet and slow, notes dancing together and blending together unlike anything she had ever heard. It was soft and delicate, but at the same time, strong, bottom chords being struck slightly harder with the sweeter upper keys following gently, contrasting just as strongly as a hurricane to a light summer shower. The piece was roughly three minutes long and ended quietly, notes trailing off, and then Sora heard a voice, "Happy birthday, Sora."

It was Ace. Ace had recorded himself playing the piano for her. Sora couldn't breathe. This was perhaps the most amazing gift she had ever received. She could listen to his music everyday, and hear his voice, too.

And then everything came rushing back. His music was like a trigger, and Sora suddenly felt overwhelmed. She remembered most things – how she had smashed the beer bottle, and taken off her clothes. She remembered bits and pieces of what she said and what he said, too.

Distance doesn't matter, I'll still be with you forever.

Sora was struggling for air. Did he really say that? Did he really mean that? Why in the world would he even think about something like that? He was a pirate – a pirate! – for Christ's sake! He shouldn't go around saying those kinds of unbearably sweet things!

"Did you like it?" Ace asked from the doorway, and Sora looked up to see Ace standing in the doorway holding a tray of food and a small table for the bed.

Sora sat up as Ace made his way over to her, placing the table against the bed and the tray on the sheets. He reached down to open the table and Sora reached out, grabbing his wrist. "It was beautiful," she said, completely taking Ace off guard. He expected her to fire a snarky comment his way. She took her hand back, placing it over the tone dial, holding the shell to her chest. "I'll treasure this forever. Thank you so much."

Ace needed to blink several times to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He regained his senses and flashed her a grin. "Yeah, no problem. I'm glad you like it. I don't play for just anyone, you know. I made Coral leave the piano shop while I recorded."

Sora smiled, dimples appearing on her cheeks. "Thank you."

"Of course," Ace said, setting up the table. "Sit up against the bed board," he told her, and she obliged. Ace moved the table over her lap and put food on it. "I know it's normally for colds and stuff, but here's ocha rice, some orange juice, and toast," he said, announcing the food as he placed it gently onto the table. "I'd give you cheese but I don't know if that'd make you nauseas."

"Thanks for breakfast," Sora said, for some reason already feeling a little better from just hearing Ace's song. "What's the title of your song, by the way?" she asked as she took a bite from the toast and poured some ocha tea into her mouth. She wondered if it was okay to eat right now, thinking that maybe she would regret it if she felt sick later.

"It's embarrassing."

"That's a lame name for a song."

Ace chuckled. Sora was back. "No, I mean the title is embarrassing."

"Well, what is it, then?"

"Aoi Sora."

Sora swallowed her food, staring at Ace. Aoi Sora. Blue Skies. "That's a pretty name. Only because my name is in it, though. Aren't you going to eat?"

Ace shook his head. "Nah, I already ate earlier." He paused for a moment. "Do you…really not remember anything from last night?"

"Nope," Sora lied, continuing to eat. What else could she say? If she said she did remember she would be in the most awkward position ever. She didn't want to be in that position, no, sir, so she needed to avoid it at all costs. She thought back for a moment and the color drained from her face. She had attacked Ace, hadn't she? She had attacked him. She vaguely remembered the feel of his hot skin under hers, her tongue running up his neck.

But what had Ace done? She turned her head away from Ace and blinked several times. Ace had done nothing. Ace had pushed her off and sent her to bed without as much as a second glance at anywhere inappropriate. It was so unbelievable Sora wasn't even sure she was remembering right.

"Oh, well, too bad," Ace teased. "You were pretty stupid."

"I should start charging people for watching me strip," Sora said, pouring the rest of the ocha rice in her mouth. It was still hot and it completely warmed her body on the way down to her stomach.

"Or you could just not strip."

"Or I could just not drink."

"That, too." The two shared a laugh. Ace knew he had to say something. Sora wasn't drunk when he had laid her on the bed before the party. He could still see the marks on her neck that he had left, and felt ashamed all over again. Just because he didn't allow her to move any further with him while she was drunk didn't make up for what he had done.

He wanted to talk to her about it now. Like, right now. But he couldn't find the words. "Who are those from?" Sora asked, gesturing to Ace. He followed her finger and touched his collarbone. He probably should not have worn a V-neck shirt today, but it was all he had left in his clean laundry. He should probably do the laundry later.

"Vampire bugs. Heard they're pretty common here."

"Oh, yeah, totally," Sora said. She decided to pretend for a little longer. She wondered what Ace was going to say. "You know, if they're from Coral, you can just tell me."

Ace raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Yeah, I mean, I don't care. She's a little young for you but I'm not one to judge a man's preferences. Did you sleep with her?"

Ace was completely serious, no signs of jesting splayed across any part of his face. "No, I didn't."

Sora shrugged as though she didn't believe him. "Okay."

Ace decided not to say anything to that. If she didn't remember, then maybe that was better. He didn't want her to feel awkward around him. Besides, that had been a one-time thing. He didn't need their friendship to be ruined over something as trivial as this. So, all Ace could say was, "Okay."

"Thanks again for breakfast," Sora said, finishing up her toast and orange juice. Ace smiled at her and took the table from her lap, placing it on the ground.

"You should just rest today, though," Ace said, patting her on the head. Sora shrunk down into her bed. She was instantly regretting eating all that food. Ace chuckled. "Let me take care of everything today. Just sleep and recover. I'll bring you up some water in a bit."

"Hmmmm," Sora hummed, pulling the blanket over herself.

"Call me if you need anything. Throw up in the trashcan if you have to. Sorry, I'm not cleaning that up."

"I shouldn't have ate all that food," Sora groaned, curling into a ball.

"Sleep for now then, okay?" Ace kissed the top of her head. "I'll be back later."

"Mmkay," Sora said, closing her eyes as she tried not to have all the food she just ate end up on the floor and all over her bed.

Ace smiled, and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Sora slept for most of the day, only getting up to use the bathroom and to get water, but otherwise was rather bedridden. Ace worked downstairs all day, taking Sora's shift at the bar. He was actually starting to get the hang of this, and it was much harder than it looked.

Upstairs, Sora was replaying Ace's song over and over again. It lulled her to sleep and when she woke up form another nap, she tapped the top of the tone dial again, the now familiar melody filling her ears and then she would drift off to sleep. She knew she needed to thank him. He had been there for her last night, not letting her embarrass herself in front of her nakama, and not taking advantage of her while she had been drunk, and he had been there for her today, bringing her food and water periodically, and checking up on her every hour. This man…cared for her. She knew it. She knew that he did. He never needed to say anything; Sora just knew.

She couldn't stay awake any longer, though. Regardless of all her naps throughout the day, she was exhausted. It would have to wait until tomorrow.

Ace needed to apologize. Damn, every time he went upstairs to bring her water, she was asleep and he couldn't say a thing. He wondered if she hated him and she was just being nice. He would wait. It was past dinnertime now, so he would bring her something small to eat and then he would wait for her to wake up. And then he would apologize. If he never said anything, he would regret it forever.

Ace pushed open the door and peered inside. The room was completely dark and he could slightly make out Sora's sleeping figure on the bed. She was out for the night. He closed the door quietly and headed back down the stairs. His apology would have to wait until tomorrow.

"Hey," Ace said, coming down the next morning. Everything was back to normal. Sora was busy at the bar and Ace had followed shortly after, greeting her at the foot of the stairs. Kohaku was sitting on a barstool, shoveling a giant breakfast down his throat. He waved at Ace, who waved back.

"Hey," she greeted, smiling. She looked a lot better – her skin was colored, the marks on her neck were gone, and hair was neatly tied. It was like the past two days hadn't happened. Except, they did happen. Ace knew that he still needed to talk to her.

"I wanted to apologize," he said.

"I wanted to thank you," she said at the same time. They exchanged odd glances and shared a little awkwardly placed laugh.

"No, wait," Ace said, holding his hand up as he saw Sora's mouth open to talk. "What I did two nights ago, Sora, I'm really sorry. I'm ashamed of myself. I shouldn't have pressured you into that and I really hope that you're not angry about it and I don't want it to affect our friendship."

Sora laughed, waving him off. "No, it's fine," she said, surprising Ace. Sora smiled slightly at his shock and pursed her lips together, as though the next part was a little difficult for her to say. "Look, Ace. You…really pulled through for me on my birthday. I wanted to thank you sincerely for everything that you've done for me. So…I feel like you can ask me now."

"Ask you what?" Ace was confused. What was she talking about? Did she remember what happened on her birthday while she was drunk?

"Ask me what I can kind of tell you've been wanting to ask me," Sora said.

Ace thought for a while. "Uh, will you go out with me?"

Sora giggled, pushing him playfully. "No, silly," she said, and smiled. Kohaku looked up, completely shocked, food dropping out of his mouth as Sora said, "Ask me about Ken."

A/N: Short and sweet. Reviews are appreciated, thanks for reading!~~