[It only takes Ace a about five minutes to arrive after that, with a large brown bag in his arms that smells of fried chicken. He peers into the garage, looking for Smoker there.] Hey!
[Ace perks up considerably, and grins.] Nothing for the dogs here, save for the biggest one in the pack. [Things like this make him feel so good, he wants to be good for Smoker in every sense, and he wants to show him that he loves him and can be a good partner.] I thought you'd want a hot lunch. But if I cooked it, it'd be a charred lunch. So I stopped by somewhere and got a couple fried chicken meals.
[It's so cute!!! And sweet. And Ace has never bought Smoker lunch, usually Smoker's always getting Ace things and... he's so happy about it and doesn't have words or anything!]
[He pats the floor next to him for Ace to take a seat and tries to think of words.]
Thanks.
[Means it!] You bought this? [NO EAT'N'RUNS DARN IT. But it sounds less suspicious and more impressed at least.]
[Ace loves it when he gets food and gifts, he's so wrapped up in insecurities that ever bit of money or effort put into him is cherished. But he also thinks that he needs to give back too, and this is a way for Smoker to see that Ace really will try for him.
Ace plops down unceremoniously, and pulls the to-go boxes out of the bag. It smells even better now than it did before.] Yeah, I did! It's kinda a tight month, I had to save up for Rip's birthday party, since I'm on booze duty. But I figured that it was worth it, since you're always getting me food.
Kinda stalled out. [He sets a to-go box in front of Smoker, one in front of himself, and they even put in some plasticware too. That's pretty neat to Ace, convince items are still pretty novel to him.] I'm still working for Namur. It's easy, and it keeps me in shape. [He blushes at the kiss to his head, god he loves the attention.] Anyway. I wanted to treat you. Promise there's been no skippin' out on the bill.
I still need help around here. Not for you. I mean... I want to pick up a teaching gig, but I can't unless I find a mechanic I can trust. If you start now, that gives me time to make sure you and Adela learn the ropes by next semester.
[But he's so happy, he just pulls Ace into his lap for cuddles, and rubs his scruff on his neck.]
Do you really think I could learn? [Ace eyes the area around him, and he honestly has no idea how Smoker could even imagine that Ace is capable of working on something like the projects done here.] I wanna try. If you want to teach, I'll do what I can to make it happen.
[There is no better place than Smoker's lap, and Ace's laugh sounds out, youthful and sweet at the feeling of the scruff against his skin.]
Your skiff was what, a gift? But you're smart. You'll pick it up enough to make your own. And you and Adela have an advantage if you can convince her to use her magic. It's good to learn everything as if you can't, but still.
[Pats Ace's legs and gestures to some chicken.] Feed me. [GRIN GRIN.]
So between the two of this, we've got this mechanic thing handled. I bet you're a great teacher anyway. You've sure as hell taught me a lot. [Ace raises his eyebrows suggestively a couple of times, but it's all play. He's in a cozy place emotionally, he's not aroused or needy, it's just this good, safe, secure feeling that brings him no small amount of confidence right now.
Ace actually goes for it. He cuts off a piece of dark meat chicken with the plasticware, and brings the fork up to Smoker's mouth. He's got absolutely no shame, he's stupidly in love, and he's more than willing to do things like this if Smoker is playing nicely and not teasing too much.] Open up.
[Ace grins, happily eating the bite of meat Smoker fed him. This feels so good and right, it's a reminder to Ace that he's important to his lover, that he's loved and trusted and let close.]
I'm trying to learn. But I'm just kinda impatient. I want the food to be ready as soon as I want it. [Ace cuts off another large bite of chicken for Smoker, and offers it to him. This is so sweet, so romantic, he didn't think he'd be so easily caught up in something like this, but he's close to a state of bliss.] I'm trying to learn a lot of things right now... So maybe I'm just doing too much at once.
[Noms! And kisses Ace's cheek, feeding him some more.]
Sounds like you.
Just take it one step at a time, Portgas. And rely on your friends. Even if you don't want to bother anyone, it'll give us the chance to do something for you, so we'll like it.
[All of those little kisses are making him squirm, he's just so full of happy and feelings, and there's food and conversation and everything is alright. And he chews quickly and swallows up his bite, so he can talk again.
He's actually trying for manners, with Smoker present at least.] I know. I'm trying to not do it all on my own. I tend to fuck stuff up when I don't let people help me out a little. [It's not bitter or self-loathing, just honest, and he looks up at Smoker like he's trying to decide if he should talk more or not. He's got something on his mind, and he wants approval and input but it's so embarrassing.] Did my texts today sound okay? I'm not the best reader and I'm a worse writer, so I've been taking some lessons, trying to do better. Usually just use the voice thing and spell check to get it done, but I wanna do better than that.
[So it turns out the thing that makes Smoker love Ace most is when he's vulnerable with him, and it lets Smoker feel all big and strong and protective. And it kills him seven ways to Sunday.]
[He kisses Ace HARD.]
[And nods.] You're getting better. [A small laugh.] Granted, I can usually puzzle out Namur's texts, so compared to that...
[Snorts and kisses Ace's cheek.]
[He wants to tell him Ace would have done better in the marines than even Smoker, if things had been different, but he's not sure there's a way to say that where it won't hurt.]
[Think think think.] You and Adela can practice together. Books and... I'll read to you sometimes. Or make you read to me while I work. You'd have gone far in that kind of thing, believe it or not. If you'd wanted.
[Ace's world spins when Smoker says that he's proud of him. Fuck, little really does it for him like praise, he wants to be loved and accepted and told that he's doing things right, and from Smoker this means so much. So he twines his arms around the older man, snuggling shamelessly, feeling so mushy and loved.] You think she'd help me out? She can read, right? I didn't think I was smart enough to learn more, didn't pick up anything until I was older really. But I really wanted to try.
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I prefer stripping you too. And I'd rather not have to punch and blind people for accidentally getting to see you my way.
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Where are you? I'm kinda in a hurry. Need to get to you soon.
[Text]
Garage. I can move to where you want me though.
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I'm gonna be there in a few minutes. See you soon.
[Text]
Don't keep me waiting, brat.
[Text]
[It only takes Ace a about five minutes to arrive after that, with a large brown bag in his arms that smells of fried chicken. He peers into the garage, looking for Smoker there.] Hey!
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Bringing food? No chicken bones for the dogs. [Ears flick. He's puzzled.]
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[He pats the floor next to him for Ace to take a seat and tries to think of words.]
Thanks.
[Means it!] You bought this? [NO EAT'N'RUNS DARN IT. But it sounds less suspicious and more impressed at least.]
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Ace plops down unceremoniously, and pulls the to-go boxes out of the bag. It smells even better now than it did before.] Yeah, I did! It's kinda a tight month, I had to save up for Rip's birthday party, since I'm on booze duty. But I figured that it was worth it, since you're always getting me food.
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How's the job hunting going?
[KISSES ACE'S HEAD TOO! Stupid brat. His.]
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[But he's so happy, he just pulls Ace into his lap for cuddles, and rubs his scruff on his neck.]
[Stupid cute best friend, oh no.]
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[There is no better place than Smoker's lap, and Ace's laugh sounds out, youthful and sweet at the feeling of the scruff against his skin.]
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Your skiff was what, a gift? But you're smart. You'll pick it up enough to make your own. And you and Adela have an advantage if you can convince her to use her magic. It's good to learn everything as if you can't, but still.
[Pats Ace's legs and gestures to some chicken.] Feed me. [GRIN GRIN.]
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Ace actually goes for it. He cuts off a piece of dark meat chicken with the plasticware, and brings the fork up to Smoker's mouth. He's got absolutely no shame, he's stupidly in love, and he's more than willing to do things like this if Smoker is playing nicely and not teasing too much.] Open up.
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[And noms!]
[Mentally tail waggy.]
[And pops some in Ace's mouth without warning too.]
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So good. It's way better than what I can make.
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Sounds like you.
Just take it one step at a time, Portgas. And rely on your friends. Even if you don't want to bother anyone, it'll give us the chance to do something for you, so we'll like it.
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He's actually trying for manners, with Smoker present at least.] I know. I'm trying to not do it all on my own. I tend to fuck stuff up when I don't let people help me out a little. [It's not bitter or self-loathing, just honest, and he looks up at Smoker like he's trying to decide if he should talk more or not. He's got something on his mind, and he wants approval and input but it's so embarrassing.] Did my texts today sound okay? I'm not the best reader and I'm a worse writer, so I've been taking some lessons, trying to do better. Usually just use the voice thing and spell check to get it done, but I wanna do better than that.
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[So it turns out the thing that makes Smoker love Ace most is when he's vulnerable with him, and it lets Smoker feel all big and strong and protective. And it kills him seven ways to Sunday.]
[He kisses Ace HARD.]
[And nods.] You're getting better. [A small laugh.] Granted, I can usually puzzle out Namur's texts, so compared to that...
[Snorts and kisses Ace's cheek.]
[He wants to tell him Ace would have done better in the marines than even Smoker, if things had been different, but he's not sure there's a way to say that where it won't hurt.]
[Think think think.] You and Adela can practice together. Books and... I'll read to you sometimes. Or make you read to me while I work. You'd have gone far in that kind of thing, believe it or not. If you'd wanted.
'M proud of you, idiot.
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Yeah. She was more into forging, but I think it'd help her get used to a new world and having so much unfamiliar here.
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