Chapter One: Snarls

"Well, what do you propose to do now?" The Dark Ace hissed at her, his ruby-red eyes flashing angrily as a growl left his throat.

Piper ignored him, her heart thumping heavily as she looked around, her tooth scraping her warm bottom lip.

Of all people, why did I have to be stuck with him?

"Hello," The Dark Ace raised his voice, losing his patience. "What. Do. You. Propose. To. Do. Now?"

"I don't know," She snapped, whirling around, her eyes no more than dangerous slits. "And guess why, Dark Ace? Because you're thick little head decided to get us trapped into this room and no one knows we're bloody well here. Okay?"

The Dark Ace snarled at her, "I didn't know this would happen. You're the stupid girl who decided to follow me."

"Whatever," Piper muttered, her focus now on the door in front of her, her thin fingers smoothing their way down the crack. "This is just great. Why the hell did you even come here? It's empty!"

"Oh indeed, I apologise for not picking a better room for you." The Dark Ace commented sarcastically, "Really. I should have thought of your comfort before planning to kill you."

She glared at him, "Don't try acting smart. In case you forgot," She hiked up her leg to reveal a smooth, toned leg, which Dark Ace couldn't help but look at in interest, and then a holster concealing a dagger: which she removed. "I knew your plan and now- I have your blade." She finished with a bright smile.

"Wow," He snapped, irritated now. "Congratulations. What would you like to do then? Stab me?"

Piper turned her head in interest, regarding him seriously with a small smirk rising on her lips: causing the Dark Ace to narrow his eyes at her, resisting the urge to throttle her with his bare hands.

"Great," He muttered to himself, repeating Piper's words. "This is just great."

"Surely you're useless little boyfriend has realized you've disappeared?"

There was a sigh. "Probably. So?"

"So, why isn't he swooping in like the grand hero he always wants to act like?"

"How would I know?"

Dark Ace let out an irritated growl. "Of course, stupid me. The great navigator and brains of the Storm Hawks proves to be the giant disappointment she actually is."

"I suggest you watch it." Came the sharp retort. "Before this blade goes through that smart mouth of yours. And Aerrow isn't my boyfriend."

There was a small phase of silence.

"You two looked as if-

"-We aren't," She informed him shortly, cutting him off. "We never were."

His eyes couldn't help but roam her. "Why not?"

She frowned. "Excuse me?"

"Why. Not." He repeated.

"I don't really know what you mean."

He couldn't help but smirk at that. "Never mind."

Piper rolled her eyes, but said nothing, the sounds of the clicking noises from the Dark Ace's tongue echoing off the walls as he rocked back and forth. She noticed, frowning again.

"Can't you sit still?"

"It's freezing," He snapped at her, rubbing his upper arms. "I'm stuck with you, without a weapon, in a room where no one will ever come near because it's on a side of the fortress that is ignored. So no: I can't bloody sit still."

"If you know it's ignored, why did you come here?"

His eyes narrowed. "Yes, because that's your business."

"…Fine. Whatever."

There was a short phase of silence. Piper looked around the room, letting out a huge yawn as she stretched. The Dark Ace watched her with annoyance, before finally, he let out a small sigh.

"I only came for some… quiet."

"I'd have thought a party held to celebrate the death of all those people was all you wanted."

He met her eyes with a cold gaze. "Think whatever you wish: I don't give a damn." He carried on rubbing his arms, leaning his head back against the damp wall and closing his eyes. Piper sighed, before taking off her sweater and chucking it to him. He lifted it before raising an eyebrow at her. She shrugged.

"I don't want you to freeze to death," She told him shortly.

"Oh how very touching," He sneered, but slowly draped it over himself. It was a thin, small piece of material, but he was only taken aback by her changing attitude towards him.

He wasn't used to it.

Suddenly, he thought of something. "Aren't you going to get cold?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Maybe. Why?"

"No reason." He replied a little too quickly. "I was just wondering why you'd offer me the only source of warmth you have."

"Are you complaining?"

"…No."

"Shut up then."

"No way."

"For the love of Atmos, it's a scientific fact. Surely you know-

"-Of course i do, but I'm not doing it."

"Well, let's just freeze to death together then."

"Yes, fine."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Child."

"Moron."

The Dark Ace gritted his teeth, his fists clenching as he tried to control himself. "Just. Move. Over. Here."

"I gave you my cardigan, didn't I?"

"Oh yes, I'm clearly all toasty inside."

"As am I," She lied, rubbing her arms furiously as her teeth chattered, failing to control herself. The Dark Ace merely raised an eyebrow at her.

"I'm finding this just as hard as you are," He said calmly, trying not to reach over and force her to move towards him. "But it's the only way we're going to keep warm. Now, I don't know about you, but I'd like to live. So grow up, and move over here to me."

Piper narrowed her eyes. "You'll take my blade and kill me."

He counted to ten in his head. "No-o. There would be no point." Even though I want to do exactly that. "Not yet anyway. Now move."

Piper sighed, before deciding to oblige him: she stood up, removing the dagger and throwing it to the other side of the room and shuffling over to him hesitantly. Stiffly, he met her eyes, and, slowly, extended his arm out.

"Sit in front," He commanded her, seeing her flinch a little at his harsh tone. He softened a little: but then felt shocked. Why the hell did he even care what she felt? She was there for the purpose of his survival. That was all.

She sat in front as he wished, not daring to touch him. Dark Ace rolled his eyes before sliding his arm around her thin figure, pulling her against him so she was nestled between his legs, her sweet-smelling hair stroking his smooth skin. He tried, but gave in to her, closing his eyes a little in appreciation.

"You're surprisingly warm," The Dark Ace tried to keep the thick growl of lust out of his voice. She was warm yes: but she was also so very desirable. Piper: with her soft curves, luscious thick hair and bright orange eyes that had always intrigued him. Piper, the girl who has blossomed into a very beautiful young woman before his very eyes. Piper: the girl whom he now wanted to turn around and claim.

It didn't help that she was pressed against him tightly, either.

"Am I?" She replied faintly, feeling unbearably light-headed. "Good."

He didn't realise what he was doing. The exhaustion was draining any good sense out of him; his long nose was skimming through her hair, inhaling her cinnamon scent with pleasure. His hands were stroking her and before Piper knew it: she had turned her head and let his lips travel down the side of her face gently. She let her head fall back and her heavy eyelids slowly close...

TBC