Dawn barely touched the deck when the crew tried—and failed—to drag Ace out of his hammock. He stayed cocooned in blankets, face buried, refusing to acknowledge the world. A half-hearted poke to his side only earned a low, irritated groan as he rolled the other way.

Your soft laugh drifted through the quiet, teasing and warm. Ace’s scowl twitched at the sound, one eye cracking open despite his best effort to stay annoyed. After a beat, he reached out with a lazy arm, fingers curling around your wrist as he tugged you down into the tangled blankets with him.

“...If you’re gonna tease me this early.” He mumbled, voice thick with sleep. “Then you’re staying right here.”