(no subject)

[espio]

Characters: Espio the Chameleon, Portgas D. Ace, Marco
Location: Various, beginning with the library.
Rating: PG-13
Open/Closed/Finished: Closed
Summary: Espio and Ace have gone from developing a solid friendship to keeping their distance from one another, all because of an itty bit of badly-received flirting. After all, would someone who is 100% taken really be receptive to that kind of thing? Nope.

At least, not in theory.

It had been a pretty busy day, all things considered. Late in the evening, Espio found himself a corner of the library to sit on the floor and read a book in, eager to take his mind to a fantasy world far, far away from the stress of reality. He had far too much on his mind lately.

To begin with, he didn't know what to think about Garden's mobilisation, didn't want to think about the inevitable conflict with Sol Invictus, even though he knew that it was his duty as a SeeD and an Instructor to defend Balamb Garden. And yet, he knew that at any minute, Sol Invictus could catch up with them... he didn't want to think about it.

Then there were more personal issues - the lingering self-hatred and doubt, much as he tried to push it out of his mind, continued to crush him down.

And family?

Well, for the first time, Ace was the problem. Ace had never been a problem before - he liked Ace! Possibly a little too much, not that he'd admit it. And yet, ever since that party, he'd made an effort to avoid him. Their conversation, even almost two weeks later, still echoed in his mind.

He sighed. He couldn't concentrate on the page in front of him.

Comments

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace knew Espio was avoiding him. He had waited a few days before seeking out the chameleon mostly because he missed his company only to find the others door locked. Espio rarely locked his door.

Sighing Ace just went about the rest of his time. He hoped to catch the other outside of his room, but two weeks after their talk he still hadn't seen him. It was by pure chance that he stumbled upon him in the library. Ace had needed a book and had happened upon him accidentally. He hesitated a moment but decided he didn't wanna pass up the chance to speak to him.

"Espio?" He asked with a whisper, trying to avoid bringing the wrath of the librarian on them.

[espio]

Ah! Ace!

Espio, despite himself, found himself suddenly alert, and immediately tried to make it look as though he never heard him, desperately trying to pay attention to the page in front of him.

I was at that stage of drunk where you lie on your bed in the dark and the room goes whirling aroung you, and you’re wondering about the nature of the universe and whether you can get to the sink before you throw up.

But, that was about all he could focus on, and he glanced up at Ace without intending to.

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace snickered lightly as the other jumped. Clearly he had been lost in thought and Ace had startled him. Then he tried to make it as though he hadn't heard him, was still ignoring him. Until...golden eyes met brown and Ace knew he had his attention even if reluctantly.

"You've been avoiding me." He said simply.

[espio]

"Maybe."

Yes.

Espio turned his attention back to the book, rereading the very same paragraph he'd just read.

[mera_mera_ace]

"Why?" Ace asked kneeling down in front of him and lowering the book, making Espio look at him. Ace looked hurt, upset. He could understand Espio being withdrawn for a few days...not several weeks. It was really starting to get to him.

[espio]

Espio frowned, trying to put the book back up so he wouldn't have to look at his face - that hurt expression. When that didn't work, he looked to the side instead - anything, if it kept him from remembering what he guiltily wanted.

"Not any one specific reason, I guess," he said. "It's been a crazy couple of weeks, that's all."

[mera_mera_ace]

"Don't lie Espio. We're friends, it's rude." Ace said, eyebrows crinkling. "I'm not going to pressure you or anything, I just wanna be able to spend time with you again. I thought you were ready to move on....I was wrong."

[espio]

"I wasn't lying!"

At the very least, that got Espio to actually look at him.

"It's too complicated to just be one thing, and it has been a crazy couple of weeks," he emphasised, closing his book and placing it to the side of him. "You - you're - I - ugh. Can we not do this here?"

[mera_mera_ace]

There was a chorus of Shh's all around them and Ace just smiled. "My room or yours?" Granted he would rather be doing something other than talking...but they really needed to work some of this out before any of that had a chance of happening.

[espio]

Frankly, Espio didn't see why it had to be one of their rooms, but... he supposed it was the most private place available. "Mine," he said, getting to his feet and starting to head that way, without another word.

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace followed, quiet until they entered Espio's room. He walked over to the bed and sat down resting his arms on his legs and hunching over with a sigh. Yes he could have sat at the table..but well. This was more comfortable.

Ace was silent for a few moments before he spoke. "This entire place seems to be going to hell....and all I really care about is the fact that you're mad at me."

[espio]

"Who said I was mad?" Espio questioned, not joining him and instead leaning against the wall opposite. Now that he had looked at Ace properly, he found it easier - didn't turn away. "I'm not mad at you. If I was mad at you, you'd have my voice ringing in your ears for weeks!"

[mera_mera_ace]

"Well, then what are you?" Ace asked. "We're adults, surely we can talk about this. Right?" His eyes moved up, locking with Espio's.

Three days later...

[mera_mera_ace]

Three days later saw Ace heading towards Espio's room with a bunch of flowers. Ace knocked three times before trying the door. If it was open he was just going to walk right in. Jackpot. Ace stepped inside and smiled at Espio.

"Hey, I brought you something."

[espio]

Espio was lying back on the bed, trying to read the book he'd had in the library a couple of days ago. He glanced up, then stared in utter disbelief.

"...you have got to be kidding me."

[mera_mera_ace]

"What? I've never actually had to woo someone into my bed before, I don't know how to do this romance shit." Ace laughed nervously and set the flowers in a large glass in the sink with some water.

"At least give me credit for trying?"

[espio]

"If I have to grade you, I'd give that a one out of ten," Espio answered. The three days had given him a bit of time to calm down, though he was still a bit on edge. "Or a little silver 'you tried' star. You'd have been better off bringing cake."

[mera_mera_ace]

"Oh...." Ace looked a little crestfallen. "Well...um I could take you out? On a date maybe...a really good seafood restaurant in town or something?" Maybe that would work. Maybe he could get Espio to consider him with something like that.

[espio]

"Isn't that just hanging out?" Espio asked, though the simple word 'seafood' very obviously caught his interest as Ace now had his full attention. He tilted his head, glancing at the flowers... well, maybe it was oddly sweet that Ace was going to those lengths, but really, Espio didn't really know what he was supposed to do with those.

"Anyway, I was thinking..."

[mera_mera_ace]

"Yeah? about what?" Ace asked moving to sit at the foot of the bed a hopeful look on his face.

[espio]

He had been thinking of suggesting Ace try a more direct route, but that was way too forward. Besides, he was engaged and really shouldn't be honestly considering giving in, no matter how long it could be to meet up with Tobias again...

"I was thinking that maybe your task is impossible."

No, no, that didn't work. If it disenheartened anyone, it seemed to be Espio himself.

"At least, if you keep going for token gestures like that."

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace tilted his head in thought for a moment, eyes on Espio, searching. Impossible? Token gestures? He mulled it over in his head for a few minutes before a light clicked on. A slightly evil/conniving smirk crossed his face and quick as lightning he was leaning over Espio only millimeters from his lips.

"So a more direct approach then?" He whispered before he kissed the other man.

[espio]

The sudden movement startled Espio, and he didn't have time to move or speak before suddenly Ace's warm lips covered his. Espio froze in place, scales brightening, but he didn't push him away or fight - he didn't know what to do. He only inclined his head slightly, so that his horn didn't press against Ace's face.

"U-um..."

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace had been mindful of the horn and after a moment he pulled away and returned to sitting at the foot of the bed. "Direct enough for you?"

[espio]

Espio remained silent for a moment, before - voice much louder than intended - he snapped. "Don't just do that then run away!!"