justicereigns | Appointment Post / Voicemail / All That Jazz

Ace. [Practically hisses it, but pulls Ace by the chin to look at him, or at least so he can try to search out Ace's dark eyes.]

We're in this together, damn it. Whatever happens.

[Starts to lean in, moving his nose so it wouldn't bump Ace's to kiss him, but pauses, to let Ace shove him back or whatever else.]

I trust you.

[It was a matter of faith, wasn't it? According to Ted. With Tashigi's interruption, Smoker thought he needed to backtrack, to put distance between them, get things back to nuisance and captor, but it threw off Ace's sense of justice, the emotions got in the way, and created a downward spiral.]

[Smoker's eyes sparked mischievously alongside a small smirk that crept across his face.]

You don't have to trust yourself, I'll take care of it. And when I fuck up, which I will, I'll make it up to you.

[jerks back again. Away from him. Moving deeper. It's different now. The tone has changed. Smoker's good at that--even if it's kind of an instinctive thing for him. It's dangerous. He wants to lean in and to give it to him. To just relax.

But then... he can't help but remember what happened and all that happened and it's too complicated and will fall apart. He doesn't want to trust Smoker. He doesn't want to trust anyone. And Smoker definitely shouldn't trust him.

It's just easier to do it alone...

He's up to his chin now, probably recklessly, standing on his toes in the water, hearing his own heartbeat in his ears. If he keeps his eyes closed it's like nothing else exists]

[Fine.]

[Smoker closes his eyes, and grabs Ace to pull him back, but with Smoker the one to drown first if Ace doesn't save them both.]

[He wasn't kidding.]

[And if he had to do something stupid to make his point...]

[Well it was fine.]

[Kuzan was going to smack him though.]

[Ace grits his teeth as Smoker basically shoves him to shallower water, leaving himself stranded. What a pain in the ass. What the hell is he even doing? Ace doesn't get it and it's making him mad again just when he'd thought he'd cooled off a little.]

Asshole.

[goes back to grab Smoker by the belt and tug him into shallower water too]

Who do you think you're saving huh? What is this because I died when you were there? Trying to make up for it or something?

[gives him a weakass kick on the shin because the water is exhausting]

Go to hell.

[and then he'll tromp for the shore because it seems like it'll be pointless wherever he goes]

[Shakes out the water like a dog and wearily joins Ace :| Fuck you.]

No. I wouldn't risk my death over a stupid thing like that. [PSSH :T]

I told you why.

[.... Oh damn. Now his cigars are soaked. Luckily he left some by his boots.]

No one's allowed to kill me but you, right?

Portgas, you keep trying to treat me like an old friend, but you don't know the half of me, and could you just admit you don't understand why I do what I do? [Because really, SMOKER doesn't know half of the time either.]

You assume too much shit. How do you know how I treat you? I can't treat you like an old friend because I don't have any old friends. [what would even count? he flops on the sand his back to Smoker]

I don't understand anything about you. I don't understand anything you do or who you are. But it's fine.

[he accepts Smoker for who he is only he wished he was less invested in being whatever to Ace and just...just something]

Oh.

[....]

[It's not like he thinks it's cute or anything.]

[But he does run a hand through Ace's hair.]

I keep forgetting that I'm the one who knows everything here. And I guess I meant... the way my old friends treat me. But they've had that long to get used to the bad things I can't change. Or won't.

[Puffs on cigars.]

[Lightly pets without even fully realizing it...]

I wasn't underestimating you.

Maybe... overestimating you. Not what you can handle, but like I said before... with the key. [Facepalms.] My instinct is to treat you back the way I handle my old friends, but I keep forgetting you don't know what makes me tick. Where my lines are. I told you to at least pretend to push my boundaries, and then I punished you for it.

[Puffs... And runs his hand through his own hair. Stupid wet hair.]

Did I get that right?

Stop touching me.

[he doesn't want your pets or your affection. Knock it off goddamnit]

Also go to hell. I don't care. I can take anything you've got, Taisa, but stop acting like we're friends.

Then what are we?

[shrug]

[then]

Nothing.

Go away.

No.

[Lays back in the sand. Breathes in the taste of the smoke.]

[Telling him they weren't friends had stung initially, but Smoker didn't even take orders from bosses, much less a stupid brat.]

You can hate me. You can hate your situation, but only friends do stupid things like put all of someone's clothes on the roof and get mad at being underestimated. But you can make another word for it if it makes you feel better.

You wanted my attention, well now you have it. Don't assume it's something that can be turned off so easily.

I stole your jacket too. Good luck finding that.

[huff but he didn't want to be amused]

I'll tell you where it is if you leave me alone.

Asshole.

No trade.

[And Ace doesn't want to be touched so...]

[Smoker rolls over and purposely fucks with Ace's hair and drapes an arm where it'll have to be shoved off.]

[..... Although the reminder of how this would look to ANYONE ELSE is almost enough to stain his cheeks scarlet again.]

[It wasn't like that.... right?]

[Right... as long as he made it not that way :|]

You're like a fucking cat. You only want attention when you want it, and then you want to wander away and claw and bite not to be picked up. This is why I like dogs.

[is tempted to bite him. But maybe Smoker would like that too much so--]

Get off. [shoves away]

Go play with the dogs then. I'm not interested.

[Pulls a cheek.]

See?

Cat.

[... Except that makes Smoker the dumb puppy who doesn't stop when the cat warns and claws its nose.]

[So he pulls back the arm at least, narrowing his eyes slightly.]

Would some food pick you up?

No.

Go away.

[dumb puppy]

[Licks his cheek.]

[elbows his ribs with haki]

[Removes the cigars and bites Ace's ear.]

[:|]

[sighs and lets him do whatever]

[Smirks and chews on the ear more, lightly massaging Ace's neck.]

[HE WINS >:3]

[like a dead fish, completely unreactive.

Yes you win.

Congratulations.]

[>:|]

[Gently prods with another lick and a nose nudge.]

[Meanie >:|]

[He would puppy whine if he had a shred less dignity.]

[But lets go except for kneading Ace's shoulders with the butt of his hand.]

[>:| Brat.]

[being cute will not avail you.

He wants to take advantage of it....

But because he wants to he won't.

He'll outstubborn Smoker til the end.

So suck it]

Go away.

[Pouts and puppy eyes at Ace.]

[He's not going anywhere.]

[He doesn't take orders.]

[He's a bad dog.]

[But in seriousness:]

I don't want to leave you.

[... Bites his cheek. Why did he admit that?]

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