I came across this idea the other day, thinking about Julius and Ace and what a dedicated friend Ace seemed to be. In the last chapter of the second book, Ace says, "I'm so jealous I think I could kill you." However, we all know that's bull. I really don't think that Ace is capable of hurting his bestest friend.

So that's how I came to the thought "Why DOES Ace hang around that guy so much?" And since I haven't seen a Fic like this, I thought, "Why not?" and then, "I should really publish this before someone takes my idea...

Please enjoy! And, if you're feeling really nice, please review! Even two reviews makes me want to write more, and I usually read and review stories from the people who review my stuff.

Knock knock knock, Ace's father rapped on the door.

Mumbled instruction. A high-pitched "Yessir," could be heard in reply.

The door swung open to reveal a very long-haired girl that couldn't have been more than eight years old. Although she was small, she was still taller than Ace by a couple inches. Bright, cobalt eyes regarded him with curiosity, but the rest of her features remained expressionless. Strangely, she wore dark pants instead of a skirt, and a black duster instead of a blouse. A clock-style tie declared her apprenticeship as well as a watch on her left wrist and a miniature clock attached to a black ribbon on the opposite ear. Her attire looked rather heavy for the late-summer heat, but she was the most delicate individual Ace had ever seen.

Blood rushed to his cheeks. While he gaped, the girl bowed to his father and held the door for him to enter. He gave a crooked grin and immediately helped himself into the residence. When Ace didn't move, the girl turned to him.

"Are you coming in?"

"Pretty…" he muttered.

The girl stiffened. "I'm sorry?" was enunciated through perfect teeth.

He just stared.

Her eyes smoldered with irritation, and she sounded out each word. "I have work to do. Are you coming in?"

That made him move. Bowing to the girl— which earned him the pleasure of seeing her eyes widen— Ace stepped inside.

"Thank you," he gave his best smile.

She looked very confused. "Y-you're welcome." With that, she led him upstairs to the workshop where their guardians were already involved in a conversation.

The clockmaker, Rodard, was a thin wisp of a man with a raspy voice, weak smile, and kind eyes that shone when his charge entered the room. White hair dusted the top of his head and calloused, withered hands rested on a stack of books. Only being six and having no particular schooling in it, reading wasn't exactly his favorite pastime. But judging by the bookshelf that covered a good half of the left wall, these two didn't feel the same. As if to prove his point, the girl pattered off over to the bookshelf and stood on tiptoe to drag a hefty volume off of the shelf. The doting old man beamed when the girl lugged it over and plunked it down with a quiet "Here you go." When he smiled in thanks, Ace thought he could see her glowing.

The conversation finally ended with himself still standing in the doorway, the apprentice sitting at her master's feet, and his father in a humble wooden chair. It groaned softly when he stood up to seal the contract with a handshake. The girl raised an eyebrow and looked Ace over.

"Thank you again, Rodard Monrey," the faceless smiled, exiting the room. Ace began trotting after him, but stopped when his father turned around.

"Sorry, kid, but you'll be staying here for a while," he smiled. "Get the clockmaker to tell you the details, show you where your room is, all that stuff. I should be back around next month to pick you up. Later, kiddo."

"Bye, Dad!" Ace chirped happily.

Turning back towards the morticians, Ace smiled.

"Can you show me my room?"

They stared blankly at him.

"You," the girl started slowly, "DO realize that you're not going to see him for a month at least, right?"

Ace blinked. "Uh-huh."

"Is that NORMAL to be so nonchalant about it?"

"'Non-sha-lunt?'"

"Calm."

"Oh! Of course. This isn't the first time it's happened," he grinned reassuringly.

Both listeners looked mortified instead.

He hurried on to comfort them. "Don't worry, I'll have a much funner time with you than the last family, and their girl wasn't nearly as pretty as you," he quickly added.

The said girl blanched. "What did you call me?"

"Hm? I thought girls liked being called pretty."

"'Girl?'" she echoed again, now turning red.

Ace was supremely confused by now. Was something wrong? Did he speak clearly? He looked at her face again. It was a bright crimson, and she was trembling with a fury that could barely be contained in her thin body.

"Um…" he looked up at Rodard, who was smiling sympathetically at his apprentice. "Did I say something wrong?"

..oOo.

"I would have NEVER guessed that you were a GUY, Julius!" Ace told him earnestly for the twentieth time. He was hanging off the back of the sofa while the boy— he was sure it was a boy by now— industriously ignored him by reading The Mechanics of Clock Repair.

"I mean you're so SKINNY!" he continued, swinging his legs. "And your hair's so LONG!"

Julius glared at his book. Ace fell silent this time before clambering over the back and onto the side opposite of his new housemate.

"Do you hate me?" he asked quietly.

Silence preceded a soft thump as Julius shut the book. Setting it on his lap, he looked evenly at his junior. "I wouldn't trifle myself with something so unproductive."

Ace considered what he said. "So that's a no?"

"That's a no."

His face broke into a beaming grin. "Great! So we're friends?"

The book opened again and covered Julius's face. "Acquaintances."

"Great! So we're friends?" Ace squirmed in his seat to see Julius's face, but the barrier was too effective.

"… peculiar…" he mumbled.

Ace's face cracked into another smile and he burst into laughter. "Peculiar? Did you just call me peculiar?" He pushed the book down to see the boy looking away, long bangs covering his face. Ace laughed harder.

"And you're blushing! Just like a girl!"

...