modern au!portgas d. ace x reader. selfship coded. takes place many years into the future. reader owns an antique store. you find a gray hair on ace's head.
your apartment glowed with the warmth of a small, sun-patterned lamp and whatever tape you put on the tv - one you had stowed away for your personal collection rather than the shelves in the store downstairs. you listened lazily to the sound of the plot, rather preferring the sound of your partner's relaxed breathing.
through a stroke of luck, you had closed the store a bit early just as ace called and said he'd finished his work with time to spare. lazy afternoons came infrequently, so you and ace soaked them up for all their worth. the two of you had pulled out all the stops: the coziest of blankets, ample snacks, an old movie, and the two of you in a tangled mess of limbs on your couch.
ace was nestled between your legs, his head on your belly as you idly dragged your fingers over his scalp. it was a mutually beneficial exchange as ace particularly enjoyed you playing with his hair and it was something to keep the energy in your body under control. he leaned into your touch as you wrapped his hair around your fingers until one shiny detail caught your eye.
"you've got a gray hair."
"really?"
he reached back for your hand, the one holding his strands. you guided his warm, gentle fingers to the piece you beheld; the one symbolizing time passed.
ace's eyes shone as he brought the tendril to his line of sight. he paused for a moment, a lifetime of emotions flashing in his gaze.
"i never really thought about that part of getting older," he said, mostly to himself, but the weight of the realization carved a hole in your chest.
"i don't imagine newgate's hair gave you much to think about," you joked.
he chuckled, but the heaviness of the moment remained. you reached for the hand that still marveled in the symbol of time passed, pushing the hair away and wrapping your fingers around his.
"you know," he started softly, his gaze landing on the television. "i never thought i would be where i am now."
you considered for a moment. ace's upbringing certainly wasn't easy, and over the years you learned bit by bit about how hard he's worked to be where he is today.
"where are you now?"
ace tilted his head back, looking up at you through long, dark lashes.
"happy. safe," he squeezed your hand. "with you."
you beamed at him as your other hand found the line of his jaw, holding him securely.
"with me?" the words were playfully bashful.
"unless i'm too old for you now," he chided, pulling you by the hand until you hovered over him, pressing your palm to his bare chest.
"never," you said as you kissed the tip of his nose. "you're going to be the most handsome old man in the world. i can't miss that."
ace laughed, a loud, free expression escaping his mouth.
"i thought you said pops was the most handsome old man in the world."
you pursed your lips in feigned calculation.
"you're right. i suppose you'll have to settle for second place."
"hey!" he rolled over, climbing over top of you, pushing your back down onto the couch.
"i can't move your dad from first place, it'll break his heart!"
ace caged you with his body now, and when you looked up you saw his face flooded with mischief. you yelped as you braced for the impending battle.
"what about me?" he said before diving into your neck, kissing you lightly repeatedly in a way that tickled. his hands found your waist to hold you in place.
your laughter was intense, and your limbs flew out in a playful plea for mercy. within seconds, you had tapped out with tears of laughter in your eyes, taking back your previous claim. within moments, you both had settled back down, the sound of the old movie reclaiming the space.
"i'm so happy you're here with me," you said, stroking ace's hair once again. he hummed his response. "i can't possibly imagine a world without you."
a long summer day on the sand slowly starts to end. ace traces the breeze along your waist as the sun meets the sea.
“i don’t want to leave yet,” you say, glancing behind you; fighting visions of a sleepy drive home. “do we have to?”
“mmm,” ace considers as his eyes bounce between you and the horizon. “i want to enjoy the view a bit longer.”
i am so blessed and happy to share this beautiful art made by the talented bloomy @tiramistupid !! i can never stop thinking about weekend beach trips in modern au and now i have this piece to look at forever and ever thank u so much!!!
coincidental run-ins turn into hoping we run into each other again.
tor, the stubborn owner of an inherited antique store, meets ace, a rather social mechanic at whitebeard’s auto shop, for the first time when her beloved work truck (or, life truck, but she claims she’s saving for a new car) breaks down on the way back from a delivery. ace calls her crumbling vehicle a hunk of junk, much to tor’s dismay, although she begrudgingly proceeds with the service.
not much later, tor is called in advance of an estate sale to make a bulk purchase. lo and behold, ace is there at his boss’ request to take a look at a collector car being sold at the very same estate. tor’s often trivial knowledge of all things old keeps ace on his toes as he makes an assessment.
soon, they find themselves aching for the other’s presence.
the experience: road trips, dusty warehouses, auctions (both car and antique), he loves her mess, unserious flirting that suddenly turns serious, summers spent outside, overgrown grass
also featuring:
tor’s dearly beloved neighbor aims, owner of amorotherapy and her roommate (or perhaps lover…) zoro
mochimochi bakery down the street, run by koi. frequently seen is a regular and donut lover katakuri!
ace’s brother, pro-gamer luffy and mimi, medical student
edward newgate, owner of whitebeard’s auto shop
tor’s entire life is in disrepair from ignoring things in favor of restoring antiques, ace doesn’t fix it for her but encourages her to do it herself
law’s collector coin stall at the antique store, robin’s rare finds occasionally sold also
The sound of your front door closing and the chime of your phone forced you to peel your eyelids open. There was not enough sleep behind them; not nearly enough. The sun bled through the curtains of your bedroom, casting a glow on your bedside clock. You stared at the hands for far too long, kicking yourself for choosing analog, before grabbing your phone.
3 minutes ago
ace has a nice face: mochimochi on the counter 4 u!!!
You sent him a narrative series of hearts and kisses before locking the screen. It lit up again, likely a series of messages from Ace trying to keep you awake, but the promise of pastries was more than enough. With a rather dramatic groan, you rolled out of bed and clambered your way to the kitchen before weaving through your crowded apartment to the balcony.
You slid the door open with the full force of your body weight. Late morning air filled your lungs, accented with the enticing aroma of baked goods.
"Tea?"
The sleepy voice came from the balcony nextdoor where your dear neighbor and friend Amy was seated. A steaming teapot and two cups were carefully placed on a tray nearby.
You held up the paper bag decorated with Mochimochi Bakery's adorable label, grinning through your mild exhaustion. Amy released a hushed squeal of delight, scooting even closer to the railing that separated her place from yours.
Slumping onto your beloved rocking chair, you opened the bag of treats at last. Your mouth watered as you took in the meticulously prepared baked goods, chosen specifically for each of you.
The two of you facilitated your traditional trade, carefully reaching over the railing to take a steaming cup of tea while handing over a crispy, crumbly chocolate croissant.
"Perfect, as always," you hummed as you took your first sip. The hot brew was exactly what you'd needed to wake up after a night out, and she had prepared it perfectly.
Amy was blissfully enjoying her pastry, nodding her head with a serene smile. You both snacked in pleasant silence. The sounds of the town filled your ears as you both took in the day as well as the night before.
Before long, Amy laughed to herself. You looked over at her, grinning with curiosity.
"What?"
She laughed some more, setting down her tea to avoid spilling it. She motioned at the door to her apartment.
Moments passed by, and Amy kept giggling. Eventually, she was able to form the words that reasoned her humor.
"I have your flip-flops in my purse."
You were grateful you hadn't taken a bite of your treat as she spoke. You cackled as the memory re-formed in your head.
Last night, at some point between drinks and silly conversations with strangers, the two of you had overwhelmingly agreed that your feet were far too tired for the amount of fun you still had left ahead of you. That was the precise moment that you remembered you had come prepared with not just one but two pairs of sandals carefully chosen after Amy had sent you a picture of her outfit earlier that day. You had pulled them out of your purse like they were a bouquet, which had the two of you howling with laughter.
The silly memory had the two of you laughing once again, this time with hushed tones and sleepy eyes. You exchanged glances every so often which only encouraged your giggles until tears began to form in your eyes.
Eventually, your laughter died down, and the remaining drops of your tea began to cool. Thoughts of the day ahead began to float around in the air in place of the steam of your now-empty cup.
"What's today like for you, Aims?" You posed the question as you handed your dish back to her.
She pondered the thought with renewed excitement.
"It's my turn to pick teas for this evening's tasting," she explained. "I have a lot of ideas to sort through."
Your mouth started watering. The tea at her apothecary never missed, regardless of whether she, Perona, or Usopp selected it, but Amy had a special "something" behind all of her brews.
"I have a delivery in a little bit, but I'll be around afterward," you said, heading for your door. "You know where to find me if you need a tester."
She nodded, collecting the antique cups back onto her tray.
