Prompt Winner #6
Winner: @lethargichoneybabe
Prompt: Kissing Type - One small kiss, pulling away for an instant, then devouring each other
Description: The complications of falling in love with your best friend.
Rating: angsty, fluffy, filthy - this contains a bit of it all!
Warnings: me going overboard with angst as usual, lil bit of filth
Notes: Winner’s OC (Mercury) is main character; story has two brief time skips; the nsfw really isn’t that bad so I chose not to put a warning before it
Then Stay (Ace)
Prompt Story
(Word Count: 2808)
Do you ever think about staying like this forever?
Mercury resided in the arms of her best friend. She was supposed to feel content, happy, but a deep sadness tugged at her heart strings with the way Ace's fingers grazed against her skin in light brushes. Sleep was attempting to claim him, due to the comfort of having his best friend in his arms, but both found it difficult to even close their eyes; something was very wrong this time, both too terrified to call out the elephant in the room.
Whitebeard's crew was visiting for the second time that year. The crew visits her island two times a year for alliance business regarding her family. It also served as a pit stop, a small little island they could refuel and gain supplies at, so the crew typically stayed for a few days while visiting. Rowdy as they were, she always looked forward to every single visit as they brought a joy to her she couldn't experience anywhere else. Not to mention her best friend in the entire world resided along that ship, the infamous Portgas D. Ace.
Merc grew custom to Whitebeard visiting since she was a child, but Ace was a new addition around three years ago. She was used to the men on the crew being years ahead of her, but Ace was the first that was close to her own age. Needless to say, the friendship between the two was inevitable and instant. One of those connections that just feels natural, as if bound by fate. The one where you think, 'where have you been all my life?'.
For three whole years, Mercury has had to send away her best friend and impatiently wait for the next trip. Each visit has about a six month wait period in between, though at times it feels more like six years. It's only grown harder and harder for her to bear the thought of watching him sail away again; the fear of him never returning to her haunted her thoughts day and night.
Then why was Mercury so distant towards the one person she was most desperate to see again? Why was she pushing away the one person she wanted to see most? She counted the days down to the last hour before he arrived, but the moment their eyes connected and the way he greeted her, she couldn't deny the painful longing she felt.
"There's my best friend!"
A disappointed smile graced her lips when she landed in his embrace. Thankfully, he couldn't see the tears in her eyes while she buried her face into his ash-scented hair. That sentence should have made her beyond ecstatic, but it felt like a sharp knife to her chest. Why did such a loving welcome pain her so much?
"What's got you so worked up, Merc?" Ace broke the deafening silence, eager for reassurance. The fear of losing Mercury was beginning to bubble up and he couldn't subside it without consolation from her. Why was she treating him so differently this time? Did she not trust him anymore? Was she angry with him? Was there someone else?
She cursed herself mentally for being so blatantly obvious with her aloof demeanor. Merc had no intentions of making Ace worry, but she had no intentions of falling helplessly in love with him either.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She retorted, stiffening her body within his hold on her.
He sighed at her transparency, subtly tightening his grip, as if he was worried she would escape when she had the chance, "You know, I'm leaving tomorrow..."
A painful shot through the heart, "Yeah, I know." Her response was empty and that only killed Ace more. Mercury was typically an open book, and though it was obvious she was upset about something, just what that was left Ace haunted.
"I don't want to leave on a bad note. If something's bothering you, then I want to know about it." The way he talked at her so sternly made her feel so small, "I'm your best friend after all...right?"
There it was, the pure guilt. She should've known pushing Ace away was only going to increase his insecurities. Why couldn't things be normal? Why couldn't she just enjoy the time with her best friend? Why did she have to be so selfish and ache for something more?
"Of course you are, and I don't want you to leave on a bad note either." In fact, she didn't want him to leave at all; funny how she was pushing him further away despite needing him right there with her.
"Then talk to me." She didn't have to look into his eyes to know how pleading they were, how desperate they were for solace.
"I just..." but now wasn't the time to say it, she wasn't sure that any time would be the right time. So she suppressed her feelings for that night, for the sake of his happiness, "It's nothing. I just don't want you to go. It's always hard to say goodbye to you."
It was the truth, but there was more to it that Ace would never know. He snuggled his head into her hair, inhaling a deep breath of relief. It's not that he was happy about her sadness, but rather he was relieved knowing that she didn't seem upset with him. "It's always hard to leave you."
Then stay.
The words echoed in her brain like a harrowing lament, though she wanted to scream them out loud. They spent the rest of the night comforting each other until falling asleep, silently praying the sun would take it's time to rise. Mercury could learn to be content with this life; she would rather have him as her best friend than nothing else, after all.
* * *
When she awoke, the chill of the morning brushed across her skin at the lack of Ace's warmth. Her eyes adjusted to the blinding sunlight as they fixated onto a small piece of paper placed on her bedside table. The handwriting was sloppy, a distinct sign of Ace's penmanship, and she picked the note up with shaky hands.
Merc,
We had to board a bit earlier than expected today. I had a wonderful time these past three days. I hope you did too. I look forward to next time. See you in six months.
- Ace
Six months. Six more agonizing months away from Ace; her best friend, her whole heart. The idea of waiting that long to see his smiling face again made her sick to her stomach. For a moment, she contemplated laying in her bed for the rest of her day; wallow in her self-pity for not having the courage to confess her feelings to the one person who meant the most to her. But this couldn't be goodbye, this wasn't right. So, she ran towards the docks, begging for it to not be too late.
Her heart flipped seeing the massive ship still at port, it was as if the world was cheering for her; helping her and pushing her forward. She started to think maybe this was meant to be after all. Would the world be on her side for this confessional? From a distance, it seemed as if most everyone had boarded, with a few stragglers making their way up the loading dock. She was worried she wouldn't make it in time, so her feet carried her faster though her thighs were beginning to ache from overexertion.
She didn't know what she was thinking as she ran up the walkway, pushing through the crowd of crew members. She was hardly thinking at all, only about seeing Ace. What would she say to him? Would she be able to say anything at all? Merc attempted to formulate a plan, but everything seemed to leave her the moment she stepped on ship.
"Mercury? What are you-" She ignored Marco's questioning, rushing past him with purpose.
"Where is he? Where's Ace?" Her breathing was erratic and heavy, but she continued on, "Ace!"
Suddenly, the ship grew quiet at her pleading calls, allowing Ace to emerge into sight with a worried look on his face, "Mercury, what's wrong?"
Perhaps it was the adrenaline from rushing so hastily, or the crushing feeling of being under the curious eyes of every single crew member, but all sensible thoughts shut down as she stomped over to the freckled boy. His eyes widened for a moment while she grabbed his face in between her hands. There was no hesitation as she planted a small kiss on his surprised lips. It was rather quick due to her nervousness and she pulled away shakily to gauge his reaction. His eyes were even wider at this point, lips quivering and agape.
"I don't want you to go, Ace. I can't bear the thought of six months without you again."
Stunned, no words escaped his lips while he stared at her. She was still holding him in place, and though his lack of response was disheartening, the act of confessing was lifting a heavy weight off her shoulders, "Take me with you. I want to be with you, always. If you'll have me..."
Tears formed in her eyes, the flux of emotions making her all the more perturbed. She was so relieved to get this off her chest, so happy to have Ace so close, but also desperate for some kind of reaction from him. The drawn out silence was killing her.
Her mouth opened in a question, but then was shut quickly by Ace's lips. He kissed her softly, much as she did, and pulled back the same, gauging her reaction. Their eyes fluttered open to look at each other, and next thing they knew, they collided, practically devouring the other.
The roaring sound of excitement from the crew was deafened by the pair's own beating hearts and the fireworks going off in their heads. Their lips melded into each other's, finding a new home, their true home against one another. This was what was missing the whole time. Ace's arms snaked around her body, pulling her chest into his, while her fingers tangled in his hair. Everything seemed so right with the world in that very moment.
They pulled away for air, though he refused to loosen his grip on her, "I was hoping you'd say that." His best friend was in love with him too.
* * *
Amongst the cheers and celebrations, Ace and Mercury found themselves in his cabin aboard the Moby Dick. Their passions were aflame as they struggled to keep their lips and hands to themselves. Though all feelings were on the table now, they still craved more and more from each other as they roamed each other's bodies in fervor.
Mercury's back collapsed against the mattress, catching her by surprise, though the sudden weight of Ace atop her made her head swim. Their lips met once more in heated bouts of passion while they undressed each other. Merc seemed to gain her senses once realizing both she and her best friend were fully naked with one another for the first time. Ace noticed and couldn't prevent the flush from igniting his cheeks. He had loved her for so long, but having her like this was beyond a dream come true; almost unbelievable.
"Is it really me you want?" He whispered hesitantly against her lips.
He couldn't look her in the eye as he questioned this, terrified that maybe this was all just spur of the moment and she'd regret it in the morning. They were on the verge of crossing the line between best friends and lovers, and he needed to know she was truly okay with that.
Her soft fingers caressed the side of his face while he leaned into her touch, "I want you, Ace. Always."
A cheesy, but joyful smile spread across his lips. Tears were beginning to brim his eyes from the overflow of emotions, "I love you...so much, Merc. I have for so long."
"What!"
"What?"
Suddenly, a pillow collided with Ace's head, "Ouch, what's the deal?"
Though she was slightly pissed, Mercury couldn't contain the giddiness on her features, "I spent the past three days nearly killing myself over if I should confess to you or not! And you mean to tell me you've loved me all this time? Why didn't you say anything!"
Ace sat back onto his heels. Mercury was taken aback by the suddenly serious aura, "I thought there was no way you could love someone like me. I honestly figured you were so distant during this trip because you found out and you didn't want to hurt my feelings."
Those damned insecurities of his; she wanted nothing more than to take away all his pain, remind him everyday how incredible and loved he was. The two had their own failures, faults, and insecurities, but when together, they seemed to forget about all of it. Nothing ever completely went away, but they seemed to numb each other's pains and that was enough to make them feel bound to one another. That's what brought them here to this very point, united at last. If anything, they were created to love and cherish one another.
"Oh, Ace..." Mercury began, lacing her fingers with his. His eyes trailed sadly towards their joined hands, watching while his thumb rubbed against her skin for comfort, "I love you and I have loved you ever since the day I first met you. You're kind, funny, intelligent, full of surprises, and best of all, you make me feel at peace. You give me a purpose in this world and that purpose is to love you forever. When I'm with you, I feel at home. Right here is where I belong, with you. Don't ever doubt my feelings for you. I'll confess to you every day if I have to."
A small smile spread across his face and he brought their hands up to his lips for a soft kiss. His warmth returned to her body as he lowered himself back onto her torso, settling himself between her thighs, "Let me confess to you, then. I want to make love to you."
"Ace..." she whined, averting her eyes in embarrassment. An intense heat radiated throughout her entire being, god, why did he have to be so blunt?
She couldn't think coherently though as Ace buried his face into her neck to litter soft kisses along the delicate skin. She somehow smelled even sweeter like this, and he found himself intoxicated by her every scent, move, and sound. Ace was always warm to the touch, but the warmth that radiated from his skin onto her own was riveting to her. The two were completely captivated to have each other so intimately after all this time, so they didn’t hesitate to express their love for another through every kiss, touch, and passionate notion.
Ace rocked into her body with a gentleness she hadn't expected from such a ruffian as he. But each thrust was sensual and so full of love, she felt completely encapsulated by Ace's presence. He was everywhere around her all at once, and she bathed in the love he was pouring into her. Ace watched her every expression, and drunk in her every mewl and cry of pleasure while he made love to her. He was the one making her feel so good, and he intended to be the only one for the rest of their lives.
Her legs grew weak at the way he was looking down at her so lovingly, the way he praised her so adoringly. He truly loved her, she could feel it. Mercury prayed he could feel the love she had for him in return as she took every bit of him with eagerness; the way she kissed him and verbally expressed her love for him and the things he was doing to her. She dug markings into his skin out of desperation that he would wear with pride. They were markings of intimacy with the love of his life; there was nothing to be ashamed about with her.
The two reached their peaks together, the both of them reaching nirvana with cries of pleasure and loving exclamations. With their bodies still connected, and the after glow ever present on their faces, Ace whispered to her, "I don't deserve you."
A calloused hand trailed along her cheek in adoration, and before she could protest, he placed his forehead against hers, "But that won't stop me from loving you for the rest of my life."
She pulled him into her for one last reaffirming kiss. They proceeded to clean off their soaked bodies, smiling so contently at each other with each instance of eye contact. Mercury settled into the bed, finding herself genuinely tired for the first time in days, "I don't ever want to leave this bed."
"Then stay." He responded rather quickly with a sly smile on his face as he approached her snug figure. They could stay like this forever.
