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wyndford-dekarios-majima · 11 months ago

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Drabblecember 31: Happy New Year

pairing(s): Melt Me (Meryl Lynn Wyllt x Jack 'Ace' Kings), Biting You Hard On The Arm (Atom Beiti-Wyndford & Jack 'Ace' Kings), A Clock Doesn't Have A Winning Hand (Arthur Pendragon Wyllt & Jack 'Ace' Kings), Aces & Kings (Pearson Wyndford x Jack 'Ace' Kings), Nice Acid Pool, Man (Salem Liu x Jack 'Ace' Kings)

wc: 941

context: it me birthday so i write as long as i want

Ace looked up at the sky, arms crossed. It was close to midnight. It should’ve been dark, but of course, it was New Year’s, so they wore their veiled hat. They’d been invited out, and they didn’t want to say no. They currently lurked in a more secluded spot in the town circle, recreationally holding a flute of champagne.

They looked down as they heard someone approaching, and their shoulders relaxed when they saw it was someone they knew. Meryl offered a kind smile as she approached, then fell back to a content neutrality as she settled in next to them.

“Are you alright?” “Yes, I’m fine. Don’t worry.” “You know I’m going to worry anyways.” “I do.” They looked up again. “I wish you wouldn’t. I worry about myself enough for me, you, and Pearson.” Meryl laughed quietly, then shook her head. “I’m still going to worry anyways, because I love you.”

Ace looked down at her again, and she raised a brow as she smiled. They sighed softly, then leaned down and nudged their mask against her cheek. She winced a bit, and they jerked back as they realised the veil was in the way.

“I- whoops.” She laughed again. It made them feel fuzzy.

They heard more approaching footsteps, and turned just in time to get an armful of Atom. They sighed amicably, squeezing them for a moment before letting go. “Happy new year, kid.” “Happy new year!” They moved on to Meryl next.

Ace looked up as Pearson and Arthur walked up, arm in arm. Ace waved amicably at the two of them, and Arthur scoffed before pulling them into a too-tight hug. Ace squirmed a bit, and Pearson laughed.

“Happy new year then, love!” He lifted the veil while they were trapped in her arms, then pecked the side of the mask. “Arthur’s already got residence over my midnight kiss, sorry.” “Oh, no worries.” They decided to exit his arms via his shadow, popping up on the other side as Arthur grasped at air. “I don’t think I’m gonna stick around for the fireworks, anyway.”

“So, what’s your new years’ resolution, Ace?” Atom looked up at them curiously. Ace tilted their head to the side. “Do I have to have one?” “No…wanting to be a better person? Learn a new skill?” “I’m fine just being me and seeing where that takes me, kid.” They patted the top of Atom’s tophat.

Suddenly, everyone burst into raucous cheering and counting. Ace flinched, looking around in fear for a moment. Pearson gestured to the closest shadow, and Ace tipped the hat that held their veil before dashing into it to escape the fireworks.

They exited the shadows, slumping into Salem’s desk chair with a sigh. Salem glanced over at them from the window, then looked back outside.

“Still not a fan of fireworks?” “Never have been. Never will be.” They stretched, then took off the hat and tossed it into the shadows. “Any new years’ resolutions?” “Protect and serve Ringford. As always.” Salem’s brow furrowed slightly in annoyance. “You ask me this every year.” “Just to check if you’re the same old Salem every year.” They sat up, drumming their fingers on the desk. Then, they finally took notice of the purple box on the desk, wrapped with gold ribbon. “Who’s the box for?” “For you.” He folded his arms behind his back. “I noticed you never informed me of a birth date, so I looked through the census.” “...Like you care about my birthday.” “I don’t,” He claimed, despite the evidence to the contrary sitting in Ace’s hands. “Just open it.”

They untied the bow, then freed the container from its lid. They set it down for a moment, to take off their mask, then looked inside properly.

“...Is this custom?” They gingerly picked up the revolver sitting in the box, turning it over in their hands slowly. Salem looked over at them again, to gauge their reaction of the gift. “Yes. I had the best gunsmith I could find in a timely manner create it.” They seemed pleased, and so he was pleased with himself. “This is a practical gift. You need something better than a letter opener if you’re to protect this country and yourself.”

Ace gently opened the chamber, inspecting everything thoroughly. It all seemed to be in order, and made lovingly to boot. The grip even matched their outfit and theme. They closed it again, then noticed the holster.

“...Where’s the holster meant to rest?” “On the small of your back.” “Would you mind helping me with it?”

Salem sighed begrudgingly, then made his way over to the desk. Ace stood, then leaned over it, bracing themself like they always did. He took the holster from the box, then pulled up their coat a bit. They tried not to shift as he undid their belt, instead focusing on the gun. It was clean, at least. Hopefully it fired straight. As he put their belt back into its loops, they could feel the extra weight of the holster on their back, then the extra weight of him as he leaned forward to try and find the buckle better. After it was done up again, he removed himself from them entirely. They slid the gun into the holster, then straightened back up. They turned around, leaning back on one elbow as they reached into where their face should be to pull it out. He simply observed as they put it in place, testing their jaw a bit before looking at him with a bit of a smile.

“Happy new year, then, Salem.” “Happy new year, Ace.”

#drabblecember2023 #ship: melt me #ship: biting you hard on the arm #ship: a clock doesn't have a winning hand #ship: aces and kings #ship: nice acid pool man #boreal writes

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