***Ace POV***

Several days came and went, but I just couldn't bring myself to face (Y/N) properly. When she kissed me, it had came completely out of nowhere, and I didn't know what to think of it. Her lips had been so soft and warm, and even though I had kissed her once before, now that we were grown, it was different.

Almost immediately, I had realised exactly why I had been so protective of her back when we were children, and even more-so now as an adult. There was no mistaking that I had romantic feelings, and so many things made sense. Why I had made that promise to her, why I had felt so helpless when she had been taken away, and why I spent so long trying to find her again.

We had exchanged words here and there, but she didn't seem to want me around as much now, so I decided to keep my distance. Was it my fault? Had I been a bad kisser? No, that couldn't have been it. I'd never had any complaints before.

Part of me chalked it up to being motivated by adrenaline, but if that were the case, then maybe she didn't like me like that at all. Sure, I could have just strode up and asked her, but I was almost certain that wouldn't have been a good move. Cornered animals liked to bite, and I was already aware of her temperament.

"Look, she's right there, just existing, all on her own. Go and talk to her, yoi." Marco jabbed me in the side as we emerged from the galley, and I followed his gaze to where (Y/N) stood, gazing out at the moonlit ocean.
"She looks like she doesn't want anyone bothering her." It was a poor excuse, but I didn't feel confident, which was a real rarity for me.

Rolling his eyes, Marco threw an arm over my shoulders, gently butting his head against mine.
"When has that ever stopped you before? She kissed you, man. She's probably stressing over it just like you are because you've been avoiding her, too, yoi."

Gnawing on my lip, I didn't take my eyes off of her, even though the tuft of my best friends' hair tickled my retina.
"I..I haven't been avoiding her. Just giving her some space." Squishing closer, giving me a noogie with his own skull, Marco scoffed.
"You have, and I'm almost disappointed that my Acey-boy is trying to back out of this!"

Finally shoving him away, I scowled, even though I knew he was spot on the berries.
"Why are you so invested in my personal life? Go sort your own out." It wasn't like I didn't want to talk to her, I just didn't want to scare her off.

"As a big brother of sorts, I don't want to see you waste an opportunity. You're head over ass for her, so the least you can do is try and stop things being so awkward. It's making the entire crew cringe." Agter giving me a harsh nudge forward, Marco began to walk in the opposite direction, waving me off. "I wish you the best of luck!"

No backing out now, I guess...

Taking a deep, composing breath, I headed towards (Y/N), stopping a few feet away just on the off chance I would be met with any kind of hostility.
"Uh...hey." I started off poorly, clearing my throat to rid it of any breaks or unwanted pitches. "You cut the potatoes for dinner tonight, huh?"

I thought I saw her flinch when she realised I was there, but that was the only negative sign, apart from her lack of eye contact.
"How would you know that?" She asked, and I took that as a green light to rest upon the railing beside her.
"They weren't cubed freakishly even."

Snorting into her hand, (Y/N) laugh sent my chest into a bubbling frenzy, and I had to take yet another breath to keep my cool.
"Pfff, yeah, Thatch sent me packing after that. I'll be back, though. Viva La Uneven Potatoes." She rested her chin upon her hand, and her smile eased, but it didn't disappear completely.

Until that moment, I had never realised just how important her smile was to me. After everything she had been through, much of which I still didn't know, I wanted to protect it at all costs.
"Well, I'll gladly join the Wonky Potato Revolution." I chuckled, bur once it faded out, we became trapped within an awkward silence.

Just talk to her! That wasn't your first kiss, so why does it have to be weird?!

Drumming my fingers against the railing, I continuously stole glances at her, part of me hoping she would say something else, but she never did.
"So..." I started, cutting myself off when she heaved a sigh.
"You're making this a lot more awkward than it needs to be, y'know?"

Taken aback, I blinked my surprise away and straightened up a little.
"I..I am..?" Nodding, (Y/N) turned around, resting her back and elbows against the railing, looking skyward, her (H/C) hair looking like a dream as it caught the wind.

"In the heat of the moment, I decided to return your decade old kiss. That's all there is to it. Don't go getting your skidmarked panties in a twist thinking I've fallen for you. You don't have to worry about that..." Her words did sting a bit, but her expression told a completely different story. It was contemplative, and somewhat anxious. Something told me to keep that observation to myself.

"Tch, yeah...No, I got it. Oh, and I'll have you know, my panties are spotless." I snickered, wanting to delve a little deeper into her thoughts. "I won't lie though...I can't say it was a bad kiss. Better than that shitshow the first time."

Keeping my eye on her to gauge her reaction, I took note of the way her cheeks flared, and how quickly she turned her head away.
"Y..yeah, well, speak for yourself. Your lips were as dry as hell. Your fruit doesn't help you in that department."

She's flustered...

"That was only because we'd been running. My lips are perfectly moist, thank you very much. If you don't believe me, I can prove it?" Teasing her wasn't my first choice, but I wasn't great at this kind of thing. I'd been attracted to women in the past, but those had been nothing more than physical appreciation. This was a whole other ballpark.

Swatting her hand at me, she didn't seem genuinely disgusted, but man, was she really trying to make out that she was.
"H..Hardest pass in the history of passes, Pepper. Don't make me lose my dinner over the side of the ship."

Well, it was worth a try.

Shrugging my shoulders, I decided I had bothered her enough for one night, even though I so desperately wanted to stay by her side. It was selfish of me, because I knew I wasn't right for her, or anyone, really, but I couldn't help myself. Pirates were typically greedy, after all, so I fit the bill.

"Your loss, Pancake. Anywho, I'm gonna get some shut-eye. Pops wants me to do some scouting tomorrow, so wanna be nice and fresh. Don't stay out too late." Waving her off over my shoulder, I started off towards the sleeping quarters, having to really try my hardest not to keep turning around.

"Whatever. Night, Ace."

I wish she'd call me by my name more often...I like the way it sounds in her voice...

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***(Y/N) POV***

I like saying his name...

It had been so difficult to pretend like I wasn't drowning in embarrassment, and I held in my frustrated groan up until I was positive he had left the deck.

Truthfully, I hadn't been able to get the kiss out of my head, but it wasn't a simple matter of whether I liked it or not. Doflamingo still riddled my brain, like a parasitic worm, burrowed so deep I could never reach him. Guilt wanted to swallow me whole, even though I had left the influential man behind.

I cared for Ace, deeply, and in a way that couldn't even compare to how I would care for a mere friend. That was my problem, and that was why I decided it would be a great idea to kick the wooden beams of the guard rail.

"Ffffuck!" I hissed out as pain shot from my toes, all the way up to the join of my knee, and I hopped away from the edge of the ship, whining and unbalanced. Falling flat on my ass, I groaned again, flopping back to turn my attention to the star dappled sky above.

"Dammit...why can't things be simple, even without you in my life..?"

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***Thought a little Ace POV was in order.

Marco wants them together bad, and I want him bad. I'm sure I'm not alone in that.

Next time: Yes, No, Maybe***