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Drowning in Darkness

Chapter 6: The Clue of the Broken Locket

Summary:

Confessions, a sunrise, and sex.

Notes:

WE FINALLY MADE IT BESTIES

this chapter is definitely not perfect, hell neither is this entire fic, but i had to remember why i was writing this. and selfishly, it was all for me

so...i hope you enjoy the last chapter! this somehow turned into three times they're interrupted and one time they're not, there is very little plot to be had, so have fun

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Previously on Nancy Drew:

He better get this done soon, Nancy needed to rest. He turned and shuffled slightly into the doorway, leaning against the frame. Nick noticed him first and nudged George while Bess continued to animatedly talk to Nancy.

George dramatically yawned, stretching her arms out and bumping Bess in the process. Ace rolled his eyes at his friend's antics. But when he finally glanced at Nancy in the bed, she was already staring at him.

***

Nancy knew every creak that the hall floor made, she knew someone was lingering. And she knew it wasn’t Ryan or Carson, they would have just walked right in, which only left Ace.

She didn’t even hear the others say goodbye, all she could focus on was him. Nick patted Ace’s shoulder as he walked past, finally leaving Nancy alone with him. His intense stare darting over her face, shoulders, to her hands fiddling in her lap, and back up to her face. Her lungs were burning, she was too scared to even breathe as he continued to not say anything. Unable to hold her breath any longer, her sharp inhale brought his attention to her open lips and back up to her face.

She watched his eyes trying to place the shifting emotions hiding in the blue. Remorse. Gratitude. Relief. Guilt. Nancy opened her mouth to speak, he shouldn’t feel guilty, none of this was his fault.

“Nancy -” he started, coming over to sit facing her on the bed. His leg tucked under the other, thigh pressing into hers. His gaze darted between her eyes as he paused trying to figure out what he wanted to say first.

“You called me Nance,” she managed to get out in a whisper. Her voice, out of practice, cracked around the words. The pain scratched uncomfortably, but it was all irrelevant, here with him.

His brow furrowed in confusion, “Nancy…”

She swallowed, “Before - everything - the parking lot.” She winced over the k in parking lot as it was particularly painful to get out. She was trying to use as few words as possible to get her point across. He’d never called her Nance, not once. Only a few people in her life had: her mom, Karen, and Ryan.

And now Ace.

Nancy watched his face shift in recognition, then back to apologetic, “It just slipped out. With everything - with you - I won’t say it again,” she tilted her head, it almost sounded like he was bargaining with her. Like if he promised never to call her Nance again, she’d let him stay in her room a bit longer. Stay in her life a bit longer.

She grabbed the discarded notebook beside her and flipped to a new page. Not wanting to use her voice for what she wrote next, knowing he’d hear every emotion in her words.

“It’s okay, Ace. I like when you say it.” She stared at the page a second longer before passing it to Ace. His fingers brushed along hers as he took the book from her.

Nancy watched a faint blush tint his cheeks and ears as he read what she wrote. His fingers skimmed over her words as he read them again before looking up at her. He lifted his eyebrows in response. She lifted her shoulder in a half shrug. The two of them seamlessly fall back into a familiar habit of wordless conversations.

“I have something of yours,” he said, reaching into his jeans pocket. Nancy felt her brows furrow until she saw her necklace between his fingers.

“I couldn’t let Sulis take another thing from you,” he whispered as he passed it to her. She fiddled with the locket and charm as she pictured how much Ace had given up this past week for her, how natural it felt being this close to him. She missed this easiness with him, where they could communicate with no words. It always used to be this easy, but then there was Amanda. Nancy set the necklace aside and reached for the notebook, Ace let it slip from his hands. She felt the confusion in his stare as she wrote out her question.

“How is Amanda holding up?” She passed the notebook back to him and watched his reaction. His shoulders tensed slightly before he sighed.

“I don’t know,” he answered honestly, without looking at her. He kept his eyes on the page as he said, “She broke up with me. After Alex...” The weight of his statement thudded between them, with each beat of her heart Nancy could feel his words echo in her chest. And when he glanced at her from under his lashes, his stare pierced her with so many unsaid emotions between them. Even if she could say something she didn’t think she’d be able to piece the right words together.

Nancy leaned forward, shifting the blankets aside as she moved closer to him. She reached for his hand, she put all her remorse into her tight grasp willing him to understand how sorry she was.

“Are you okay?” she mouthed, knowing out of everyone Ace could read her lips the easiest. She felt the muscles of his fingers twitch before he squeezed her hand in response. Her gaze flicked down to their hands and watched the muscles in his forearm ripple as he continued to hold her hand.

“I think so,” he answered as he stared at their joined hands. His fingers on his other hand twitched before he cautiously held her hand in both of his. He didn’t look at her as his hold shifted and he traced her fingers. Her heart beat faster with every stroke along her knuckles. His thumb drifted to her wrist, gently finding her pulse point. She knew he could tell her heart was racing at the faint lift in his lips.

“The entire time you were in the hospital,” he whispered more to himself than to her, “I kept holding your hand, hoping it would bring some comfort to you wherever you were. I talked to you about everything and anything. Did you hear any of it?”

Nancy shook her head, wishing that she could have heard every word he confessed, that she could have felt every brush of his fingers in hers. But all she had was darkness.

“It never felt this easy with Amanda,” he admitted quietly as if he knew Nancy would have follow-up questions, “At the start for the briefest of moments, maybe. But after a while, it felt like we were both trying to be someone the other person wanted, but could never quite live up to.”

He paused and looked up at her, gauging her reaction. But Nancy was still staring at their clasped hands, her brain short-circuiting over everything he just said. She inhaled slowly, taking in his scent, clean and but faintly salty like a breeze off the ocean.

“And then you,” He faltered. She looked up at him waiting for him to continue, he stammered, getting caught in her gaze and lost in his memories. “You - collapsed - choking Nance. And there was so much waiting in the hospital, and I hate hospital silences. I - I thought I lost you. And I couldn’t lose you again, not with you hating me as you did.” Nancy watched Ace search her face like he was scared she would disappear if he blinked.

She put her other hand on his thigh, “I could never hate you, Ace,” she mouthed, “Amanda made you happy. And -” She paused, trying to find the simplest way to explain how she’d been feeling about him for all these months.

“And -” he prompted her, the caress of his fingers had stopped completely as he watched her. Nancy looked around the room desperate for something to prompt the words to her lips. She glanced back at him, his focus entirely on her movements.

“And that was enough,” she explained without a sound, his gaze watching her lips shape around the words intently.

“Enough?” he murmured confused, “Enough what?”

She half-shrugged, becoming more exasperated at not being able to find the right way to explain it. She pulled her hands out of his and pushed back her hair frustrated that she couldn’t just say the feelings beating in her chest.

“Would writing it down be easier?” Ace passed her the notebook and pen. She started writing, never once looking up at him, the words easily finding the page without the distraction of his eyes. At some point his hand settled on her blanket-covered thigh, his thumb lazily stroking up and down. The contact made her pen hiccup in surprise, she knew he noticed, but she knew if she looked up at him, she wouldn’t be able to finish writing.

She paused looking at the paragraph she’d written and bit her lip wondering if it was too much, too soon. He had only just broken up with Amanda. Before she could second guess herself, Ace had already grabbed the notebook and flipped it so he could read it.

“I think for a while I stopped believing each of us could be happy with all the darkness surrounding us each day. But Nick and George found each other. And I thought maybe, Amanda was that for you, your change, your person, that she could give you that happy ending full of light on dark days. So I kept my broken darkness and the mess that I always seem to bring into everyone’s lives away from you. And maybe at the start, it was the wraith, but the feelings still lingered even after we got rid of it. During the wraith dreamscape, you were there, and I felt things for you. Things changed. I knew I should have told you, and I tried, but you left. I convinced myself that I would only ruin the happiness blooming in your relationship with Amanda if I brought it up, so I pushed it...pushed you away. I pushed everyone away. I thought it was helping.”

Nancy watched Ace shake his head in disbelief at what he was reading. His grasp on her thigh tightened in annoyance.

“You self-sacrificial -” he muttered under his breath and set the notebook down between them. Ace’s gaze on her felt like he could see everything she wanted to hide. Could he see how fast her heart was pounding in her chest?

“Nancy Drew,” he addressed her intently, “I can’t believe someone as smart as you - you can’t seriously think that you pushing us away would be better? Make us happier?” he asked her. “That you haven’t given us, given me, a purpose? A sense of belonging? A family? You deserve every ounce of happiness and goodness in the world, Nance.” He placed his fingers under her chin and forced her to look up at him.

“You aren’t broken,” he assured her, “You deserve happiness.”

His fingers drifted from her chin, brushing along her jawline until they finally settled on tracing along her neck. His thumb perfectly aligned with her unsteady and wildly beating pulse. Each brush of his calloused fingers sent a small shock to her nervous system overwhelming every other sense in her mind.

“I don’t deserve you,” she whispered into the space between them, ignoring the pain it caused her to say.

She let her forehead tip against his, his nose brushing against hers. Looking into each other’s eyes, Nancy swallowed and exhaled. His eyes are always revealing more than his words, every emotion swirling in the blue darkness. Her heart fluttered as he inhaled at their proximity. Nancy watched as his eyes studied her face.

“But you have me,” Ace breathed as his lips almost brushed hers in a lingering moment, his warm breath ghosted across her face before he inhaled.

Nancy shut her eyes in anticipation and found herself leaning forward to press her body towards Ace. His other hand drifted from her thigh to her hip settling there as he pulled her impossibly closer. His soft lips captured hers silencing her small gasp, her body feeling flush with sudden warmth. A warmth that overpowered any remaining dark chill from her body.

At first, it was a delicate butterfly of a kiss, and then his arms encircled Nancy, cradling the nape of her neck and gripping her hip as Ace pulled her into him, adding more pressure to her lips and deepening the kiss putting every ounce of emotion behind it.

His lips felt so gentle, so warm; her hands slid up Ace’s chest and one hand scrunched into the hair at the base of his neck, those soft locks had tempted her for too long. Her toes curled under the bunched up blanket as his lips enthusiastically reciprocated to the slight tug of her fingers in his hair. It turned into the deep kind of kiss that left no room for other thoughts - only feeling and needing more.

Ace pulled away slowly, his lips brushing against hers, once, and then twice, even slower as if trying to slow Nancy’s racing pulse to match his pace.

“We should slow down,” Ace muttered, his lips caressing hers between each word. Nancy shook her head in response and led him back to her lips by the nape of his neck. Her insistent mouth parted his lips, sending wild tremors along her nerves, inflicting sensations Nancy’s imagination could never even quite get right.

“Nance,” he whispered as his mouth grazed her chin, Nancy barely breathed when the feel of his lips brushed her neck, he pushed her hair back from her shoulder and continued to work his way down her neck to her collarbone. Nancy couldn’t help but close her eyes and imprint the sound of his voice to her memory. Each inhale kept her moans at bay and each exhale released a tremor of nerves into her shaking hands. And then suddenly his hands pushed her back slightly. Nancy opened her eyes to find Ace’s staring at her exposed and bruised shoulder.

His fingers traced the purple marks. Nancy watched the sadness seep into his eyes. The guilt. She shifted to hold his face in her hands, forcing his gaze up to her.

“I’m so sorry,” his voice cracked, his pain sounded too loud in her room.

She shook her head furiously in response and kissed his lips again. Trying to convey with her actions that he didn’t need to apologize.

Another kiss. That she was grateful he saved her.

Another kiss. That the bruises would heal and disappear.

And another slow kiss. She could taste tears, and she wasn’t sure if they were his tears or hers, but it made her press her lips to his even harder.

As she pulled away, ready to keep convincing him she was okay in any way she could. Ace whispered, “Nance, we should talk.”

And those three words had Nancy completely removing herself from him, her embarrassment flush against her cheeks. Had she forced too much between them? Was she moving too fast? She pushed herself away, back into the cushions as far as she could, as far away from what she anticipated would be him rejecting her. He let his hands slip away from her body as he gave her the distance she needed.

“Not like - fuck,” Ace stuttered as he ran a hand through his hair. She looked up at him, her eyes drawn to his arm flexing with the motion.

“You know I didn’t mean it like that.” He lifted his hand as if he wanted to hold her fidgeting fingers in her lap, but lowered it back down cautiously.

“But you just got out of a coma,” he pleaded with her, his hand flexed and wiped his gathering nerves into his jeans, “It’s just - I don’t think I’ve slept in a week, and as much as I want this, and believe me when I say,” his eyes met hers fiercely, “I really want this.”

“But it shouldn’t happen tonight.” His words drifted into the silence of her room as she watched him shift closer to her. Nancy didn’t want him to stop talking. His voice became as soft as the caress of his fingertips gently tucking hair behind her ear.

“I want this too,” she mouthed and reached for his hand, weaving her fingers between his. She felt his sigh in her soul as the tension left his body. He lifted their joined hands and brushed his lips along her knuckles. Nancy’s eyes closed at the gentleness of his affection. And then he pulled her toward him, hand easing along her jaw, settling along her hairline. His thumb stroked her cheek as his lips brushed her forehead.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” he mumbled into her. Nancy pulled back, her brow furrowed in confusion. Nancy opened her mouth to protest - she needed him here, to hold her, she waited too long for this - but Ace interrupted her thoughts.

“I can’t stay,” he explained, understanding her every micro-expression. “Mr. D likes me, and I think I’m growing on Mr. H, but they don’t like me that much and especially not after what you’ve been through. You need to rest.”

Nancy rolled her eyes in response and sighed. She knew Ace was right, but she didn’t want him to leave. What if tomorrow came and Ace changed his mind?

“I promise to be here when you wake up,” his hand squeezed hers, “With my mom’s hot chocolate.” She couldn’t help the small smile growing on her face. His hand lifted and gentle fingers brushed a curl of hair behind her ear, his touch caused a blush to bloom on her cheeks.

“Okay?” he asked, as he lowered his hand from her face. Just watching and waiting for her reaction. She nodded reluctantly.

“Okay,” he kissed her cheek, just once as a promise, before standing from her bed. Nancy kept her hold on his hand, causing him to spin back to her. She stared up at him from her spot on the bed expectantly.

“Nance,” a small chuckle escaped his lips. She tried not to smile at how she brought that reaction out of him. Nancy noticed his eyebrows raise a centimetre or two, lined with something between happiness and surprise and his eyes, his eyes twinkled in amusement as if he knew something she didn’t. Nancy liked this look, this joy in his eyes, and she loved that she had something to do with it.

He leaned down, pulled his hand from hers to grasp her face between his hands as he pressed a tender kiss on her lips. Nancy’s eyes closed and all she could only focus on was how soft he felt against her mouth, how addictively he invaded all her senses.

His lips pulled away much too soon for Nancy’s liking. He chuckled again and Nancy was smiling as she opened her eyes to see him staring back at her.

“I’ll see you soon, okay?” he confirmed again as he dropped his hands from her face. She dipped her chin in acknowledgement.

“Okay, text me if you need anything,” he backed away, not wanting to look away from her just yet. Nancy nodded again, in two minds of wanting to pull him back to her bed and shoving him out of her room already.

***

Ace arrived back at Nancy’s late the next morning carrying a stack of large tupperware containers of food and a large thermos of hot chocolate. Mr. D swung open the door before Ace could even attempt to ring the doorbell.

“You have to tell your mother that we don’t need any more food, Ace,” Mr. D greeted as he grabbed a couple of containers. “We’ve barely made a dent in what she dropped off last week.”

“She’s a woman who loves through food,” Ace shrugged, “And I can’t really tell my mom to do anything Mr. D. If I didn’t deliver them, she’d just show up herself.”

Bess popped her head out from the kitchen, “Did Rebecca send more of those blueberry muffins?”

“Morning Bess,” Ace greeted her as he set the containers on the island.

“Sorry, morning Ace,” she grinned at him from behind her coffee mug, “Did Rebecca send-” Ace slid a container towards her, cutting her off. “I love your mum!”

“I take it back, she can send these muffins over whenever,” Mr. D smiled as he grabbed one from in front of Bess. “We have to hide them from Ryan though, you know he’d hoard them all.”

Ace glanced upstairs, “Is Nancy -”

Bess shook her head as she pulled out a muffin, “Not yet.”

“Do you think it’d be okay if -?” Ace motioned upwards.

“Just go,” Bess shooed him towards the stairs, “We all know you’re in love with her.”

Ace looked toward Mr. D in a panic, “Mr. D, I should - “ Ace wanted to explain that he didn’t want to take advantage of Nancy, especially when she was still recovering and that he truly did care for her. And he respected Mr. D, the last thing he’d want to do is betray that.

“Ace, we’ve all known for a while,” he interrupted Ace as he ripped a piece off the muffin, “Go on up.”

As Ace was walking up the stairs he heard Bess say, “Do you think we should have dragged it out longer? Rebecca would have totally kept sending him over with more food to help get them together.”

***

Nancy dreamt only of the darkness - suspended and completely calm. But this darkness was different. The water wasn’t dense, it was shimmering with light coming from above her. In her dreams, she was content to just float and watch the light create patterns in the water.

As she woke, her shimmering dream shifted into light dancing through the dust of her bedroom. The feeling of her dream still lingered behind her eyelids. Maybe if she kept them closed she’d fall back into the calm darkness. The sound of muffled footsteps in her room though had her brain immediately on high alert.

Nancy sits up and looks frantically around her room, only to come across Ace crouched by her bookshelf. His head tilted sideways to read the spines, hair flopped over perfectly to catch a beam of light streaming in from her windows. Nancy wanted to run her fingers through it.

“Ace?” she whispered, her voice still a little sore, but better than yesterday. Ace quickly straightened and turned toward her.

“Hi,” he replied as he awkwardly stepped toward her, “How - how are you?” He hovered near her, but kept looking around her, anywhere but at her eyes.

“My throat feels a bit better,” she answered, “Talking isn’t as painful.” Why was he being so awkward? Nancy had seen how he was with Laura, even with Amanda, and he wasn’t so...avoiding with either of them.

“Oh!” Ace turned and grabbed a thermos from the window seat, “I promised hot chocolate.”

“You remembered,” she sighed, trying to push the thought away that Ace was acting strange. A lot had happened last night, their relationship shifted last night. Maybe he was having second thoughts about it all - maybe he regretted last night.

“Of course,” he said as he handed it to her, “And my mom would have killed me if I forgot.”

“And that is something we definitely don’t want,” Nancy whispered as she opened the thermos inhaling the chocolate scent. Ace was still hovering beside her as she took a tentative sip.

“I think your mom is my favourite person in your house,” she said with her eyes still closed, savouring the taste and letting the heat soothe her throat.

“I won’t tell the Captain,” Ace said as his gaze continued to bounce around the room.

“Ace,” Nancy dragged out as she watched him continue to fidget, unable to meet her eyes, “What’s wrong?” She couldn’t stand seeing him like this like he was looking for every possible exit out of her bedroom. She set the thermos on her bedside table giving her attention to him.

“Hmm?” he hummed as he focused way too intensely on a picture on her bedside table.

“You’re acting strange, not making eye contact,” Nancy explained, she coughed and winced slightly at the increased use of her voice, “Something on your mind?”

Ace sat down next to her, similar to how he was the night before. Nancy felt her cheeks blush at the memory of his lips, his hands on her hips pulling her closer. Except for this time, Ace ensured there was a sliver of space between them so they wouldn’t touch. Nancy's gaze found his and she watched him exhale his nerves, steadying his body.

“I guess - it’s just with everything life has thrown - everything you’ve survived recently,” Nancy let him work his way through his thoughts, “Do you really think there’s a possibility of you and me? Or am I hoping for too much?” He looked at her as the words left his mouth with such focus that it knocked the breath from her lungs.

She didn’t answer him right away as she thought about what he was seriously asking of her. Did he really think that she didn’t want this? That every fibre of her being craved him? That the only place she felt truly safe was next to him?

“Because you need to tell me now,” Ace whispered, “We can be friends, but I just - I need to know so I can -”

“Ace, shut up,” Nancy muttered before leaning forwards and kissing him. Her hand grasped his chin and pulled him towards her. She lingered, kissing him slowly and with intention before leaning away to look in his eyes. Her thumb stroked his cheek slightly as she thought how lucky she was. His hands settled on her hips, her current favourite spot for them to be at all times.

“It’s always been you,” she whispered in between breaths. She kissed him again and it was new and exciting, yet familiar like coming home. This was different than last night, every move between them was sure and determined.

Ace pulled her onto his lap, straddling him. With the new angle, Nancy tipped his head back to kiss him deeper with both of her hands weaving their way into his hair. Every brush of their lips she could feel their friendship, their love, but also lust and longing that she repressed for far too long. His hands stroking up and down her thighs had her lifting and rolling her body towards him with a need that has been burning slow and steady between them for ages.

It only took one knock for reality to shatter around them. The knock on the door had Nancy scrambling out of Ace’s lap and back against the headboard. Ace smoothed down his hair and adjusted his position to look more casual.

“Nancy? Ace?” Carson called from the other side, “I’ve brought up some food.”

Nancy glared at him as if to say, “He knew you’re up here?”

“Of course he did,” Ace shrugged in response. “C’mon in Mr. D!” Ace answered Carson.

Carson walked into the room with a tray balanced in one hand, “Hey kiddo, how are we feeling?” He set the tray down on her desk as he walked over to feel her forehead. “Definitely warmed up since yesterday! That’s good!”

His statement caused Nancy’s blush to deepen, almost matching the colour of her hair. Ace awkwardly shifted in his place on her bed trying to put more distance between their bodies.

“And the voice?” Carson asked, enjoying interrupting the two clearly flustered youths.

“A bit -,” Nancy whispered as she tried to keep her eyes on her dad, but Ace kept distracting her as he fidgeted near her. The flex of his arm as he scratched his head, the pull of his t-shirt to expose that perfect glimpse of toned skin above his jeans.

“Nancy?” Carson asked with a level of concern only a father could have.

“Better,” she finished her thought, looking away from Ace and smiling at her dad. She could feel the heat of a blush burn beneath her skin again at being caught gawking at Ace.

“Right, well I’ve got scrambled eggs, oatmeal, a blueberry muffin…” Nancy let Carson’s voice drift off as he described the breakfast tray he brought up. Her thoughts drifted to Ace, how much she wanted to shove her dad out the door, but also the sudden shift in their relationship, his recent break up from Amanda, there was so much baggage between them.

***

George permitted Nancy to return to work if she only ran food and bussed the tables. No interacting or talking to customers of any kind. For Nancy, this was a blessing and a curse - she didn’t have to politely discuss Maine weather patterns with tourists anymore while waiting to take their order, but it meant she was constantly brushing against Ace as she dropped off dishes.

The faintest touch of his arm against hers would set off nerves throughout her entire body. A brush of his fingers as she passed him a plate caused a pull in her stomach that had her steps faltering.

The tentative beginning of their romance was all hidden touches, quick kisses behind doors, and always interrupted by someone else. Nancy’s house had a constant flow of people, especially when she was still recovering. But even when she and Ace were alone, he was being too careful with her, cautious not to hold her too tight, not to push her too far. And each time, his eyes filled with guilt when he saw the fading bruises on her shoulders. He was giving her the time and space to heal, but also the space she needed to piece together the mystery of them.

How would they work? Would this change their group dynamic? She knew he could see the running line of questioning in her mind, but unlike anyone she’d been with before he let her work through it, helping her when she needed it. Nick demanded she share her every emotion. Owen enabled her instinct to run away from her problems with jets and New York. And Gil, well Gil just fueled every ounce of doubt and shame she had.

But Ace gave her the support to work through it, without cornering her or enabling her. He answered her every question with calm reassurance. He knew just what she needed. However, that space has created a build-up of tension that a few stolen moments in her bedroom, in Florence, just couldn’t satisfy anymore.

At a particularly slow moment in the lunch shift, Nancy pulled Ace into the backroom desperate and craving him.

“Nance - what’re -” he said before Nancy’s lips were on his, her hands fisted into his apron pulling him towards her. And then he wasn’t protesting anymore.

Nancy manoeuvred him backwards and pressed him up against the lockers, her lips finding his as her hands explored every taut muscle of his chest as one of his hands slipped under the bottom of her blue dress. His fingers skimmed the muscles of her thigh, his other gripping her waist, before flipping their positions. The cool of the lockers pinched into Nancy’s back as she pulled Ace’s hat from his head, her fingers desperate to twist into his hair. His hand hitched her leg up around his waist in response, Nancy moaned as his fingers dipped into the edge of her underwear.

“Ace? Can you grab - oh my god! I’m so sorry?!” Bess screamed, the swinging doors barely closing as she turned around to walk about out again. “But be safe!” she popped back in quickly.

Ace groaned, letting Nancy’s leg drop, sliding down his body, back to the ground. Her head leaned back against the lockers as his forehead pressed into her collarbone.

“At least it wasn’t George?” he mumbled into her neck, brushing his lips against her racing pulse, before pulling away from her.

“Yeah, but with Bess’ screaming, George will be here soon,” Nancy sighed straightening her dress and apron, “3, 2, 1 -”

“Drew! Ace!” George yelled, stomping into the backroom, “This isn’t a motel, we don’t pay you by the hour to make out by the lockers!”

***

It was 5 a.m. when Ace pulled up outside Nancy’s house and texted her to come for a drive.

Nancy: It's too early. Go away

Ace: Come chase a sunrise with me sleepy-head

Ace tapped his fingers nervously on the steering wheel as he waited for a response from Nancy. His breath caught when he saw her walking out the front door wearing a pair of leggings and his blue pullover. Her hair was still messy from waking up and she’d never looked more beautiful, more herself than she did walking towards him.

She smiled at him before she opened the passenger door. Soft good mornings were whispered between even softer kisses as Nancy settled into the passenger seat. Ace watched her tug her knees to her chest before he backed away from the drive.

Ace drove out to the bluffs, music played softly between them. His fingers strummed along her knee in time to the song. Her hands were tucked into the sleeves of his pullover fiddling with the cuffed fabric. Ace glanced between the road and her as their hometown passed by in flashes out the windows, knowing there was no place he’d rather be than here with her.

Ace slowed down and signalled to turn onto the road leading to the bluffs. He felt Nancy shift her gaze to look at him for a moment, he let his palm settle on her leg in recognition. He knew what this place meant to her, the dark hold it had on her memories from her birth to the algeca. But he remembered what she told him one night, a barely-there whisper hidden behind interlocked hands, about her dreamscape and everything the version of him said there. The safe place he created for her then, he wanted to give to her now.

“I know -” he started, clearing his throat, “I know the bluffs aren’t the happiest place for you, but I just - I want to show you that they can be beautiful too.” He glanced at her quickly before his eyes travelled back to the dirt road in front of him.

“Maybe create happy memories that can help balance out the pain.” He could feel the intensity as she watched him speak, he lifted the weight of her gaze every time he moved a muscle to adjust the steering wheel. When she didn’t say anything he glanced over at her, curled in the passenger seat.

“Thank you,” she yawned with a smile, the small lift of her mouth barely reaching her still drowsy eyes. Ace watched an array of emotions flicker across her face: her nerves hidden carefully behind her hope, her admiration.

And it was here in the light of not-quite dawn that his emotions caught in his throat and inhibited him from saying anything, especially those three words. She linked her fingers with his, skimming along every callous and knuckle. Their conversation continued in between knowing glances and subtle touches.

After stopping at the viewpoint, Ace untangled his hand from Nancy’s and shifted Florence into park. He looked at the fading blue sky, the colours slowly shifting reminded Ace of all the shades hidden in Nancy’s eyes.

“We’re a bit early,” he smiled, sneaking a glance at her. He let the tips of his fingers trace the bottom of the steering wheel nervously. He let his words fall into the silence of the car. He fiddled with the stereo, he ejected the mixtape and flipped it over for side B. His body was entirely aware of how she was watching his every move. The need to fill the space between them with words hung in the air.

“I honestly thought it would take more pleading to get you out of bed,” he grinned slightly as he settled back into his seat. Nancy glared playfully at him, his smile deepened at her reaction.

“My bed, as tempting as it is,” she replied, leaning over into his seat to graze her lips down his ear, “Isn’t nearly as tempting as you are,” she murmured, pressing a kiss to his cheek. Ace inhaled as her breath spread shivers down his spine, followed by a heat that only her affection seemed to ignite.

Ace turned his head, his nose brushing against her cheek, “We don’t - that’s not why -” he whispered, his lips dangerously close to hers. Ace’s hands hovered over the worn-down steering wheel, he was letting Nancy control the pace of this moment, letting her reclaim this spot however she needed.

“I know,” her eyes shone like the waves crashing below them, “But I want this. I want this here with you.” Her touch traced down his cheek, slipping past his jaw, and down his neck.

Ace swallowed at her statement, he felt the pads of her fingers lift with the motion. Her statement was simple in nature but heavy with words unsaid between them. Ace watched her eyes flick between his as she waited, the caress of her thumb causing his eyes to drift shut as he nodded.

She pressed a soft, lingering kiss to the side of his mouth, his hands tracing up her body settling on her waist as his lips found hers. He felt her whole body sigh into his as he returned her kiss. Her hands slowly slid into his hair, like she was savouring the way it felt between her fingers.

His breath hitched as she shifted her grip to kiss him more intensely. Florence’s seats creaked as Nancy shifted trying to get closer to him, he could hear the release of her seatbelt prompting him to unbuckle his. Her lips never left his as he wove his arm out from the seatbelt restraint to grasp her face in his hands, tilting her face towards his. Her hands were all over him, her tongue coaxed his lips apart, the taste of peppermint and chamomile tea consumed him.

Their bodies awkwardly angled as their hands softly explored each other. Ace couldn’t hold her like he wanted to. He groaned, briefly pulling his lips from hers as he lifted her onto his lap. Her sigh above him ruffled his hair as she straddled his thighs. His hands drifted from her waist to her hips, dipping down to her ass and back to her hips again. Her mouth was on his again, a rough kiss, her hands holding him in place as her lips parted his, her hips rolling into him.

With every breath she stole from his lips, he gave back to her, grazing a kiss to her jaw, to her throat, to that one spot - Nancy’s sharp inhale echoed above him - that one spot he knew she’d breathe into. He grinned against her skin, his hands tightened around her waist as her body arched, pressing into him. Ace hissed as he felt her touch dip under the hem of his shirt, trembling as she traced upwards.

“All this seriously can’t just be from washing dishes...” she moaned, her hands tightening around his ribcage. He grinned, pulling her face down to his, catching her lips in a kiss.

“Cave diving,” he whispered with a smile. His eyes drifted open, waiting for her reaction. And everything in his mind disappeared as the sunrise beamed around her. The colours surrounded Nancy, her hair sparked with the pinks and oranges streaming across the sky, her skin flushed and her head tilted back as she laughed at his comment.

He wondered if this is how Nancy felt when she drowned, because in this moment he couldn’t fathom taking another breath, scared that any movement would take this moment away from him.

“Ace?” Nancy tilted her head, exhaling the last of her laughter. Her fingers ran through his hair, pushing a stray lock away from his forehead. Her nails grazed just above his eyebrow as her gaze locked with his.

“Beautiful,” he breathed with a shaky sigh, the word barely a whisper between them. He lifted his hand and traced his fingers down the illuminated strands of hair against her cheek. Ace knew his emotions were written all over his face as he watched the sunrise around her. His world felt infinite and full of hope.

Her touch changed as she pressed her forehead to his, their chests alternating rhythmically in between them. Her hands shifted to hold his jaw, he felt her touch graze his earring and heat blazed through him over the simplest touch.

“Thank you,” she kissed him slowly.

“Thank you for this morning,” her hands slid down his neck.

“Thank you for saving me,” she fisted his shirt and pulled him towards her.

The next kiss made the sky break open. This wasn’t like the other times, no stolen grasping moments, there was no rush here to have each other for mere seconds. This moment was passing as slowly as the sun rose around them. Each touch ignited a new colour in the sky, shifting the clouds to let more light breakthrough.

The end of a flashlight knocked against the fogged up driver’s window causing Nancy to pull her lips away from Ace’s with a groan.

“Ace, you know you can’t park here,” Tamura’s voice echoed from outside, “Please don’t make me call the Captain to tell him you’re out here hotboxing your car.”

“As if I would ever hotbox Florence,” Ace grumbled, letting his head fall back to the headrest, his hands dropping from Nancy’s waist to her legs. Her leggings leave little for his imagination. Nancy shifted back into her own seat, Ace tightened his grip as it drifted along her legs to keep them draped over his lap before he rolled down the window.

“No hotboxing here Detective,” Ace answered, as Tamura glanced between Ace and Nancy, “Shocked they’d send you out on a basic call like this?”

“I - I recognized the car identified over the radio,” he stammered before straightening, “Just - get out of here, you know you’re not supposed to park here.”

“Thanks, Detective!” Nancy waved, unable to contain the grin on her face as Ace started Florence and backed her back out, turning back onto the road.

***

“Bess?” George asked, “What are you doing here? You’re not scheduled to close tonight?”

“I swapped with Nancy,” Bess explained, “Thom and Rebecca are out of town.”

“Her and Ace still haven’t -”

“Nope!” Bess cut her off with a smile, “And Nancy is going absolutely feral. I think she would have murdered me if I didn’t switch shifts with her.”

***

Nancy knocked on Ace’s front door, her usual rhythmical knock lost in her desperation. Her feet shifted as she anxiously waited for Ace to answer. Nancy’s brain couldn't formulate a thought, at least not one based on any coherent language. She couldn’t understand why her hands were trembling with nerves, she wanted this, she wanted Ace. It’d been too long, every breath, every look, every kiss, Nancy needed more.

“Hey Nance, I was just about to text -” Ace greeted her as he swung open the door. “What’s wrong?” Nancy exhaled and pushed him inside, closing the door behind her.

“Whoa! Talk to me,” Ace exclaimed, his hands grasping her elbows as he stumbled backwards into the house. “Did Temperance do something? Should I call George or Bess?” His eyes searched her body for any visible injuries and she couldn’t control butterflies in her stomach from his genuine reaction.

“Ace,” Nancy interrupted him, the steadiness of her voice shocked even her because inside she was still trembling. “I don’t want to talk about my 200-year old great aunt right now. Or George. Or Bess.”

“Okay, so what’s the urgency for movie night?” Ace asked slowly, confusion furrowed in his brow. “You’re not cancelling - I thought Bess had your shift covered?”

Nancy slumped her back against the door, watching Ace in front of her. He was so concerned, his hands hovering just over her as if he wasn’t sure if he should touch her. But that’s all she wanted him to do. All she needed him to do.

She ran her hands through her hair, this frustration was getting the better of her. “I just - as lovely as movie night sounds, I need -” she tried to force the words out to explain this desperation in her chest. The pinch of her teeth into her lips kept the words in but barely.

“Talk to me,” he whispered, stepping closer, his feet settled around hers. “How can I help?”

His hands drifted from barely touching her elbows to grazing her hips. His fingers settled into the belt loops of her jeans. The warmth of Ace’s touch burned through her clothes, easing her trembling nerves. His thumbs caressed her softly as he spoke, each stroke of his calloused fingerprint reminded her to inhale and exhale.

Nancy could smell his distinctive cologne, leaving her lightheaded. She could see every breath expand his chest, she could practically feel the warmth hidden in the dark blue of his eyes. Using the door to support most of her weight, she released her lip from the pinch of her teeth as she slowly exhaled all the air from her lungs.

“Ace,” his name escaped her lips with her breath, “I need you.” Hearing his name from her lips immediately stilled his every move, Nancy was pretty sure he was holding his breath.

All the stress and worry left his face, his eyes swept down her and back up, leaving a trail of shivers over her entire body. Nancy pulled him closer, their stomachs meeting, she could feel the need for him vibrating over her entire body transferring from her body to his.

“I don’t want to rush you,” he replied, “If you’re not -”

“I need you now,” Nancy repeated with more determination. Everything in her needed to feel him, his body against hers, she wanted to be overwhelmed by him.

His breath soothed her trembling lips, and he adjusted, angling his head to catch her lips in a fraction of a kiss. Her breath hitched as he held her hips and tilted them to meet his using his grasp on her jeans. And then another kiss, a bit fuller. Nancy traced up his body and draped her arms around his shoulders, her fingers playing with the soft tendrils of hair that curled at the base of his neck. Their short breaths between kisses became as intoxicating as his lips, her body fighting for air and her need for him.

Nancy hummed as Ace’s lips trailed down her jaw, her hands fully in his hair now. She pulled him back up to her and kissed him fully. Her hands clenched into his hair as his tongue slipped into her mouth. He tasted like salty popcorn and mint and Nancy couldn’t get enough.

“Why do you taste like popcorn?” she asked, taking a moment to breathe and letting her senses return to her.

“Movie night isn’t complete without popcorn,” he answered so earnestly, in a way only Ace could, as he looked down at her with flushed cheeks and his hair mused from her touch.

“Of course, you made popcorn,” she smiled before pecking him on the lips.

“A snack for later,” he murmured, guiding her lips back to his. His body pressed her further into the door. Nancy’s head tipped back as she sighed, losing herself in this moment. His insistent mouth was sending wild tremors along her nerves, inflicting sensations she hadn’t been able to get out of her mind since their first kiss.

Ace’s lips skimmed down her neck with desire. His fingers burrowed into the skin above her jeans, spreading heat through her body. They drifted up her back and toyed with the edges of her bra, his touch was too light which only made her want him more. Ace shifted and Nancy hissed in pain as the doorknob wedged into her back.

“Ace - bedroom?” she asked, moving away from the door, stepping into him. His arms instinctively circled around her even more.

“Upstairs,” he answered, leaning away from her, his eyes full of curiosity and passion. She tipped her head, giving him a look. Before she knew it, Nancy was being pulled throughout his house. Unable to contain herself, Nancy let out a laugh as Ace rounded a corner too quickly causing him to stumble. He turned back to her and smiled as he tugged her in for another kiss.

In the dark of the upstairs hallway, Ace spun her so she was in front of him, his arms wrapped around her waist. Nancy barely caught her breath when she felt his lips kiss down her neck, Ace brushed her hair back from her shoulder and continued to work his way down her neck to her shoulder. Nancy ran her hands over his forearms, appreciating the corded muscles under her fingertips, and leaned back into him. His lips trailed back to her neck, and she moaned, unable to contain herself, she spun around in Ace’s arms and pulled his lips to hers.

Without breaking their kiss, Ace walked Nancy backwards toward a door, his body pressing against hers as they leaned against it. The floor creaked as their weight shifted further into the door, his mouth on hers was gentle but there was purpose in his every moment. This kiss was fierce, hot and devastatingly slow, he linked their hands and guided them up the wall as he held them above her head.

His touch dragged down her arms, caressing the sides of her breast to her waist, and pulled her hips into his. She could feel him hard with need against her. His mouth kissed down her throat slowly and determined. Nancy arched into his touch with a gasp.

“Did I hurt you?” he breathed. Nancy shook her head in response, unable to form words at the moment. She wanted to reassure him that there was nothing he could do that could hurt her, but in truth, Ace was the only one who could truly break her. He was her everything.

Needing to be closer, to move past her emotions, to feel his skin on hers, she grasped the hem of his shirt and lifted it over him. Her breath catching in her throat at the sight of his body, she was finally able to appreciate the hard lines of muscle in front of her.

“Dishwashing is a seriously underrated form of exercise,” she muttered admiring his toned body, illuminated only from the lights downstairs. The shadows emphasized each muscle and movement as he laughed, tipping his head to fall against her shoulder.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell people,” he replied, his lips brushing against her neck, “Zen and the art of dishwashing.” Nancy laughed with him as she let his shirt slip from her fingers to the floor. Her hands, unable to stay still, caressed the expanse of his warm skin, feeling his muscles tense under her cool fingers. Her touch was gentle but as determined as her feelings for him.

“I love hearing you laugh,” he whispered in between kisses. Ace’s hands brushed up her sides until they reached the first button of her shirt.

“I love seeing you happy,” he continued, raspy and deep, his voice filling the dark hallway. The tension between them returned as another button came undone beneath his fingers. She felt a blush rise to her skin under his fingerprints.

“And I love feeling that blush,” he breathed, as pushed the sleeves off her shoulders, letting the shirt fall to the ground behind her. In the dim light, she could feel his gaze scrape over her body. She wanted to answer him, she wanted to say everything she loved about him, but she couldn’t focus - he overwhelmed her every sense.

His hands skimmed back up her arms, tracing her collarbone, lingering on her pulse point, and around her back as he unhooked her bra. He shifted a bra strap off her shoulder, his eyes following its path. Every nerve in Nancy’s body was ignited with a need for him.

Nancy roughly pulled him back to her to kiss him again, he reached down and grasped her by the thighs lifting her. She automatically wrapped her legs around his waist in response, the press of his chest on hers sent a new round of shivers down her spine. His fingers buried into her thighs as she arched against the wall rolling her hips against his.

A small moan escaped her, Ace twisted the doorknob and walked her into his room. Her thighs tightened around him, letting him carry, her focus was on never letting his lips leave hers. She caught his bottom lips between her teeth playfully, he kissed her hungrily in response. She heard the door click shut behind them.

His hands wandered her bareback down to her ass. Their gasping breaths in between kisses filled the silence of his bedroom. Ace lowered her to the bed, feeling every line and curve of her body as he hovered over her.

Nancy, desperate for him, dragged his lips to hers again, her legs wrapping back around his waist. But Ace only kissed her tenderly in response. Nancy groaned at his pace, she had waited too long for this.

Ace grinned up at her as he lazily kissed down the column of her throat, finding the spot that made her gasp and grasp the sheets beside her. His fingers trailed from her waist to her breasts, catching her nipples, massaging them until Nancy was whimpering with need. His lips followed tasting the places he touched.

She felt his breath on her stomach, the rush of his exhale causing her to inhale at the sensation as he fumbled with the button of her jeans. She lifted her hips to help him as he eased her jeans and underwear down her legs.

“God, Nance,” he murmured before his mouth trailed up her legs, kissing ankles and knees as he passed, his hands squeezed her thighs as he lowered himself and tasted her.

Her breaths came faster, throttling her voice into barely there gasps. Her hands dug into his hair as he continued his slow pace. He shifts to hold her rolling hips down on the bed, his gaze catching hers with a spark. Her toes curl on his back as he increases his pace, her world tilts as he sucks her in, his name slipped from her lips in a plea as he continues through her waves of pleasure.

“Beautiful,” Ace said as Nancy opened her eyes to find him lazily pressing a kiss to her inner thigh.

“I want you,” Nancy whispered, her voice raspy with need. Her chest rising and lowering as she tries to catch her breath.

Ace kissed a random path up her body, every kiss was rough and warm. As he pressed a kiss to her collarbone, he replied breathing hard, “You have me.”

“Then why are you still wearing pants?” Nancy groaned, letting her head fall back into the pillows, her hands flailing to tug at his clothing.

“That is very fair,” Ace chuckled, as he stood up from the bed, undid his pants, and stepped out of them. He crawled up the bed over her, his lips unable to stay away from her skin.

“Hey,” he hummed as he settled back into her embrace.

“Hi,” she smiled as his nose brushed against hers.

“Condom?” she sighed, her nails tracing over his shoulders.

He fumbled for a condom from the drawer beside his bed, knocking a book off his bedside table. “Shit,” he mumbled under his breath.

“I’m sure your mom will waive the damage fees to the library book Ace,” she muttered with an eye roll.

“I really wish you hadn’t mentioned my mom,” he replied, tearing open the wrapper. His grin reached his eyes as he watched her laugh. His hands returned to her waist after working the condom on. She exhaled from laughter, his touch bringing her back to the moment that has been building between them.

She tucked a stray curl behind his ear, lingering on the earring she adored. Lifting her head she brushed her lips against his. His body shifted, one hand spanning against her ribs, the other lifting her thigh over his hip. Nancy trembled with anticipation as their bodies aligned.

Nancy groaned his name into his skin,“ Ace, please.”

His first thrust had Nancy holding her breath with need as he sank deeper into her. Her voice caught at his size and the pleasure coursing through her. He moaned her name into her ear, sending shivers down her neck. Nancy curled into him, eager, needing him to go faster. He was being too gentle, she didn’t want his gentleness, not after waiting all this time.

“Ace,” she whimpered, wanting him to go faster. “Stop making me wait.” His hands slowed her rolling hips, keeping the mind-numbingly slow pace he set at the beginning.

“Be patient - I’ve wanted this - wanted you for so long,” he replied, as he sighed over her breast, causing her chest to tighten. Nancy knew that they had both been fighting their feelings for so long, that finally being with him felt natural. His thumb gently caressed Nancy’s hip as she watched his eyes flick between hers. Nancy’s breathing grew quicker and his heated look melted into a tentative smile.

Nancy brushed a kiss across his jaw, her teeth grazing, hands pulling his hair, she was losing herself with each thrust. Lost in the rhythm of each other, it felt so perfect. It has never felt like this for Nancy, it shouldn’t be this good, not at first.

“How are you so good at this -” her words fading in a breathy moan. His every movement threatened to unravel her from the inside out.

“Because I know you Nance,” he whispered, a brush of his hand released another moan from her. “I know you,” he repeated. And he was right. Ace was the first person she truly felt that knew all of her, could read her every expression, every dip in her voice, her choice of words.

“I never want this to end,” she panted, desperately clinging to him, her thighs wrapped around his waist tighter, his hands digging into her as he pulled her closer.

“I’m sure we could practice and build up our stamina,” Ace said as he moved faster, causing Nancy to swear and scrape her nails into his back.

“You’re - Nance - you’re so beautiful,” Ace lifts one hand to gently hold the nape of her neck, he tilts her head and kisses her neck. Nancy doesn’t know how to handle the tenderness of the moment, sex for her was always a distraction, a quick release. But with Ace it was different, slower, more powerful, it was as if he held her every emotion in his hands, something she had never trusted anyone else with before.

And it’s just her and Ace. His hands on her skin. Her fingers in his hair. His eyes watching her. Just Ace. Nancy wanted to say more to him, but her stomach somersaulted, and everything became blurry with pleasure.

“Fuck,” Ace breathed, hip lips skimming her jawline in an open-mouthed kiss as he tried to catch his breath. He thrust harder, deeper, and Nancy came undone clutched around him.

He braced himself over her, his climax followed soon after as he moaned into her neck, she could feel his muscles under her fingertips shiver in the aftermath. Nancy felt exhausted and limp with release, she could feel her heartbeat frantic thrumming through her. His head head on her chest, his fingers tracing invisible patterns into her skin, down her hips to knees and back up to her ribs. He traced her body with quiet awe that she could only associate with Ace.

After a few minutes, Ace propped himself up on his elbow, he pushed his hair aside with his freehand, “Popcorn?” he asked with a lazy grin.

Nancy gently held his jaw between her hands and kissed him deeply, slowly, savouring him. “You get the snacks and water. I’m going to the bathroom. And then round two.” She pecked his lips with a smirk.

She laughed at his expression as she eased out of his embrace, pulled on a discarded sweatshirt, and walked out his bedroom. She glanced over her shoulder once to see him flopped back on the bed with the biggest smile on his face, sheets tangled around his legs.

***

Nancy watched the rays of barely-there sunshine cast shapes and shadows on his back. She followed its path with her fingers and replaced her touch with kisses to wake him. Nancy blushed at the marks she left on his back the night before. And again this morning. Nancy watched Ace’s eyes flutter open before he lazily released a smile and hummed a good morning.

“Can I tell you something?” she whispered as she pressed another kiss to his back. Her words imprinted into his skin as she watched the goosebumps appear beneath her breath. A hum was his only response as his eyes closed again savouring the sensation of her lips.

“I’m not sure when it happened, but one day, pre-wraith, I looked at you and it occurred to me how much I loved seeing your smile,” she started slowly, not wanting to disturb the morning too much. “And since then I don’t think I could survive without you, when I tried, I ended up in a coma.” She watched his lips twitch trying to contain his small grin.

“And I think you were always meant to know me better than anyone else. I didn’t see it coming, but now I can’t think of anything else except for how much I love you. I’m scared I’ve made your life out of control, and -”

His eyes blinked wide awake at her words, he pushed up from the bed and shook his head furiously, “Nance -”

“Let me say this please,” she pleaded with him, brushing a quick kiss to his lips.

“I’m scared because I am still infuriatingly and inexplicably drawn to you and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to give any of this up,” she murmured, unable to control her pace any longer, the words needing to escape. “Because I - I love you too much. And I know you and I know it hasn’t been that long since you and Amanda broke up, so you don’t have to say it back or anything at all but -”

“You of all people should know - after all this time - after everything, and not just last night,” Ace said as he interrupted her thoughts with a kiss, knowing sometimes that was the only way to keep her quiet.

“That I loved you even before I realized it - that I am in love with you,” Ace repeated as he leaned in to kiss her full on the lips, his arms wrapping around her as he rolled pulling her on top of him.

Her hair fell around them, a protective curtain against what the day might bring. “Even with murderers, ghosts, and a 200-year old witch aunt on the loose?” she asked, her eyes never leaving his.

“Whatever life throws at us, Temperance, Gil, or even just missing cats. It’s always been you.” Ace whispered, lips brushing hers in a promise.

Notes:

with season 3 well underway, I really couldn't be bothered to deal with Temperance or Gil. so they're a future problem in this universe

anyways, thanks for joining me on this wild journey. this was my first fic in a really long time, so it was fun to just indulge and write for me again. i hope you enjoyed it <3

as always feel free to come yell about it on tumblr @allthesedaydreams

Notes:

I hope you liked it?