[BBS]

[thatched]

Well since we're breaking away to begin with, why not go all the way and just become pirates? Floating the seven seas, waving our battle flag from the massive white dome. Pillage and plunder and the occasional panty raid. What do you think? Shall we put it to the vote?

Comments

[thatched]

"I don't. But anyway, you can't just wear any shades. You have to find ones that make you stylish beyond any sense and I am just the man to find you some. And maybe we can stop by the sushi shack too and check out the ladies. Cute bartenders there...and just your size." He wiggled his eyebrows. But then scratched his chin.

"Though I'll be damned if I remember what we came out here for."

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace laughed lightly and shook his head. "We're getting something to hide Grell's panties in and getting dinner. All that hair gel finally leaked into your brain making you forget the smallest details this fast huh?" Ace commented as he looked over at Thatch, observing how he drove the car.

[thatched]

Oh right. He was about to comment on it, but there was something vastly more important of concern to him at the moment.

"It's Pomade, brat. As if I would destroy my hair with gels. Please. See how luxuriant this is?" He took Ace's hand and put it on the back of this head. "That? That my friend is pure silk. It's the ultimate expression in well cared for hair. Not everyone can be born with silky locks." You lucky bastard. "For some of us it's an art form."

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace grinned as Thatch put his hand in those soft locks. Ace took advantage of it too. After all you give a D. an inch, they will take 4 miles and maybe a few extra yards just because. He started to scratch lightly, just like he used to do back in the day knowing it relaxed the scarred man. He didn't do it too indepth, after all Thatch was driving, but he was nice about it and petted his brother affectionately.

[thatched]

Damn but that felt nice. He'd forgotten how Ace knew how to do that. He rolled his shoulders and reminded himself that-- that-- that it was probably a bad idea. So he tried to enjoy it without letting his thoughts wander too much in an unsafe direction.

"We need to get you a lady friend or three, Acelet." Someone outside the Garden. Probably as outside as they could get. The last thing Ace needed was the lady friends coming to get him.

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace stopped before Thatch got in an accident, but he would remember to do it again later when it was just the two of them. He nodded when Thatch mentioned the ladies for him. While he wasn't too terribly interested he was beginning to realize that it was probably just better if he went along with whatever Thatch suggested. He would talk about it later...once he was sure Thatch wouldn't try to leave again or spiral into a pit of depression worse then he was already in.

"Sure, sounds great."

[thatched]

"Remember that time in Port Chance when we bribed Fossa to get Izou toasted and left with those regatta women? I can't even remember their names." But oh they had been goddesses, each and every one of them. Especially the one with the violet eyes.

"I can still smell their perfume sometimes." Granted because it was the last thing he smelled before they were both conked over the head and tied up for their bounty money which had gotten them stuck in a small prison for a while until Fossa came and busted them out. He'd been so drunk he kept dropping the keys and Izou would hit him on the head every time and tell him to stop it and just stick the damn things in.

Thatch chuckled at the memory.

[mera_mera_ace]

"Was that the time they dared us to make out or was that before?" Ace asked with a chuckle. "I remember they all ganged up on us at once and for a moment there I couldn't tell just how many of them there were. It was one night I'll never forget for sure. Did Marco ever find out about that?"

[thatched]

"We've had that dare so many damn times I can't even remember." He did remember the ganging up though. They'd paid for it but it was well worth the paying for. "I don't think he did. We should tell him. Or do something new to keep him on his toes. I'm sure there's plenty of trouble we can get into around here."

[mera_mera_ace]

"You're right. We totally should do whatever we can!" Ace agreed as they drove on. "You remember that time on Whipstitch Island where we got chased out of the brothel by the house mam and had to run almost naked through the woods to avoid the marines? That was terrible. I had thorns in places I never thought I would have thorns. But it was that or burn them down and alert the enemy to where we were. I still can't believe we didn't get caught that night."

[thatched]

"I remember picking them out of your ass." He couldn't believe it either. Furthermore, he couldn't believe Marco didn't know about it but he'd definitely given them more than one side eye after they got back limping. Fortunately Thatch had managed to distract him--with Pops' help since the old man owed him for another thing.

"Man...I'd give anything to go back..." It had slipped out...but he'd meant it too. This place could never be enough. But that being said... "And if you even think about apologizing for it I'll tweak your nose off, brat."

[mera_mera_ace]

"I'm right there with you actually. I would give almost anything to have it be the three of us raising hell and you and I seeing just how far we can push Marco before he pushes back." Ace mused.

"You know...this could be a blessing, Thatch. We're in overtime...when we go home there is no future. But here...well here we could enjoy everything to the fullest. Treasure every second we get and never let anything slip by us. I don't want to miss out on anything...and well...I don't want you too either.. We need to make sure we spend enough time with Namur and Marco...to make up for later. And enough time with each other to do the things we never got a chance to do."

[thatched]

It was good to know that Ace felt the same. Good but bittersweet. Even if he had a chance, Ace had less of one. If he had been just a hair stronger it wouldn't have happened either. None of this shit. But it had and nevermind that.

"You sound just like Marco." He fished a cigar from his glove compartment and searched around for a lighter. "But yeah. Let's enjoy ourselves." Since agreeing with the sentiment was always the best answer even if it felt like trying too hard sometimes.

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace smirked and held out his hand, thumb up before Thatch's face, his thumb flames. "You need a light, babe?" He asked. "And well..even Marco is right sometimes." Ace knew Marco was right most of the time, even if he was oblivious to things right in front of him occasionally.

"Thatch. Why do you not want me?" Subtlety? What was that? Ace knew something was bugging him, but as long as it wasn't him he wouldn't pry. The question was, he didn't know how to word it right....and this was the best he could come up with.

[thatched]

"Thanks, sweetheart." He took Ace's wrist, lighting the cigar and puffing the ember up, snorting smoke through his nose at Marco being right. Of course he was right but that didn't make it any less damn irritating sometimes. He paused at Ace's question, fidgeting with his cigar and finally rolling down the window so everything wouldn't get caked up with smoke.

"It's not you, Sparks-- I don't do that kind of thing" very well "anymore. I just don't have the drive for it exactly." Plus he would only disappoint him in the end and it was better to just leave it where it was.

[mera_mera_ace]

"As long as it's nothing I did, I suppose I can accept it. Though I do really want you to be happy too, Thatchinator." Ace smiled over at Thatch before letting the conversation slide.

"It's a shame though, I could have rocked your world." He teased as an afterthought.

[thatched]

"Please, you're sex on legs. As if there's anything you could do wrong." Something they would show the girlies as soon as he got his feet under him. He avoids the happiness part. As long as his nakama are happy, he's happy. Anything more is just good fortune. He reaches over and ruffles Ace's hair.

"You always do, babe. But listen, anything other than that, anything, and I'll do it." He glanced at Ace. "You know I'd move the world for you."

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace grinned and leaned into the hair ruffles. Affection was always nice. "I know you would." And he was careful not to abuse it too much.

"How much longer till we hit town?"

[thatched]

"Not long. Just up ahead. You can see it." He couldn't help but snort as he saw it creep steadily into view. "It's one of those towns." The smarmy little resort towns that didn't like poor people, pirates or off worlders cluttering their pristine streets. No poverty in Balamb, or at least not much that you could see. No parking either.

Ace would fit in and stand out there, as he fit in and stood out everywhere and Thatch couldn't help but be proud of him for that.

[mera_mera_ace]

As they entered the town and Ace saw the inhabitants he looked down at himself and was secretly kind of glad he was wearing a shirt for once. He smiled as Thatch found a place to park on the street and then climbed out of the car, stretching and looking around. It was a beautiful port town and he could smell the sea in the streets.

"I love the smell of the ocean. The only thing that has ever come close to being this good is Marco fresh out of the shower." Ace smiled brightly over at Thatch. Ironically he would have originally chosen to tease Thatch and say that about him instead, but after their previous talk he had kind of made a mental note to not pick on him as much...after all. He wanted Thatch to hang around. "Which way to the bar?"

[thatched]

He didn't like the shirt. Why bother to fit in at this kind of place? He didn't like the thought of the wildfire being tamed but maybe that was just his own paranoia. He stepped out of the car, shoving his hands into his pockets. There aren't many stares now except for a few out of towners but who the hell cares about them?

"This way, babe," he said, jerking his head and starting down the street. He just wants to cut loose on this place. Show them what they really have to worry about--but wouldn't want the Garden to suffer. Partly since he still needed money to take care of everyone. There were a couple of girls eyeing them, well Ace probably, and giggling but Thatch more or less ignored them.

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace grinned at the giggling girls and watched as they seemingly melted from his charisma. He was excited to get out of stuffy Garden and do something. He followed Thatch down the street towards the bar looking around and enjoying the night air. It was wonderful outside right now.

"Hey Thatch, we're gonna let loose right? I mean...well I can let loose right? You'll make sure I get back alright?"

[thatched]

He settled an arm around Ace's shoulders.

"You can get loose as much as you want. Even start a fire or two, why the hell not? Whatever trouble you get in, I'll get you out of." Just like it always was. Seeing Ace be as free as hell was just one of those things that was going to make life in this place that much better.

[mera_mera_ace]

"Sounds like a plan, babe." Ace grinned wrapping an arm around Thatch;s waist as they headed into the bar. "This place is awesome. Bit tamer then the places at home but still nice. You get the drinks or should I?" ace asked knowing the other would be in charge of finding a place to sit.

[thatched]

"You get them, sweetheart. Order whatever you like." He saluted Ace and then found a quiet section at the end of the bar where there was just enough leg room. he ignored the looks he was getting. He wasn't a favorite around there and while he couldn't blame them, he resented them for it, too, because it was his prerogative. But as long as he had the gil, there was shit they could do-- which was, of course, why he kept coming back here.