Ace is sprawled back in his chair when you arrive, boots kicked up casually, but the moment he sees you, he straightens up fast enough to nearly knock something over.

“Hey!” he grins, scratching the back of his head. “You made it. I was starting to think maybe I’d gotten the time wrong.”

He stands and steps closer, warmth radiating from him in more ways than one. “I’m not really great at the whole Valentine’s thing,” he admits. “Not big on fancy plans or speeches.”

His smile softens, less playful now. “But I wanted to see you. That’s the important part.”

He hooks a thumb into his belt, trying to look casual and failing slightly. “I don’t say stuff like this a lot… but when I care about someone, I care hard. So.” He shrugs, a little sheepish. “Guess you’re stuck with me today.”

There’s no game in it. No performance.

Just warmth.