#maybe he'll get multiple writing sprites

[tazmiilly]

guy who takes notes....

[thefandomenchantress]

Chapter 2 Episode 15 Spoilers below!

Since Ace being the culprit has brought about so much pain to ace lovers, including me, I figured I'd make a list of all the good things that him being the culprit brings to us. Even though Ace will (probably) be executed next episode, that doesn't mean that nothing good came out of this, right?

-Ace's backstory may be revealed much sooner than expected! Before we would've had to wait for chapter 3 or chapter 4 and so on, but since Ace will be gone soon, almost everything not revealed next episode will get told to us in a bonus episode! (I think every dead person gets one of those? Idk if that's officially confirmed). I doubt Teruko's gonna find, like, Ace's diary in chapter three detailing his life story, so if we're ever getting the Taylor Lore™, it'll be in a bonus episode! Plus, a bonus episode would come out a lot faster than the whole of chapter three, so more Ace content sooner no matter what happens in it! And there's always the chance he gets picked for an FTE, since dead people are on the list of options.

-Ace canonically has neat, fancy handwriting. Begone rumors of Ace having illegible, traditionally boy-ish handwriting, he actually writes like a 19th century scholar and I find this very funny. More evidence for my 'Ace likes reading and writing and wanted to become a romance author' crack theory, since he also reenforced his particularness about vocabulary in chapter 2 part 2. (Our only remaining question: Does Ace actually have terrible spelling ('responsibel'), or did he just think Eden would?)

-Ace is very good at being sneaky and often overhears things he shouldn't. I can't wait for this to be used as a plot device in numerous fics ("XANDER YOU'LL NEVER GUESS THE SHIT I JUST HEARD DAVID SAY ABOUT YOU WHEN HE THOUGHT HE WAS ALONE").

-Ace will have to be included in the dead (formerly a) trio posts forevermore. Get ready for Xander-Min-Arei-Ace shenanigans.

-Now that the cast has been forced to acknowledge that being dumb and angry aren't Ace's only traits and that he's just as human as the rest of them, Ace is much less likely to be seen as just those two things by the average viewer. Ace's popularity, or at least the amount of dislike towards him, seems to have shifted since the last episode, and I'm happy more people are able to enjoy what his character has to offer now. He's a cool little guy. I've literally NEVER seen the Ace Markey tag this busy before.

-We got so many cool Ace CGs guys. SO MANY. Including one where he's hanging upside down on the swing set and looks weirdly cute for someone in the middle of a murder plan.

-Also new sprites! The DRDTdev gave Ace a redesign knowing full-well that it would only get a singular chapter of use, and I massively respect that. We already got some new sprites in part 2 of chapter 2 so far, and I'm guessing next episode he'll probably have at least one more breakdown sprite before he dies.

-For someone who no one in the cast liked, he's definitely going to leave an impact. He's finally made at least some of the cast realize what happens when they ignore the issues right in front of them. Ace shouts about how everyone hates him and sees him as an insufferable idiot? Eh, probably nothing, we don't have to worry about that. Sure, multiple people told him he's gonna die next in here, and he almost got murdered, but that won't amount to anything. What's he gonna do, murder someone--WAIT SHIT Ace step away from the Arei I repeat step away from the Arei-- (plus Teruko parallels). I'll probably go more in-depth about this sort of thing in a different post.

-WE NEVER GOT TO SEE WHAT'S UNDER HIS GLOVES. Kyoko and Mukuro both had hand-related secrets that connected them to the plot later on, does that mean Ace will have some sort of relevance to the mastermind or overall lore later on? Like a Mai tattoo situation? (Or maybe it's another thing that may be alluded to or discussed in the bonus episode)(Or left to interpretation but I hope not because I have so many theories).

If you have any more suggestions for other good Ace-related things the culprit reveal brought us, let me know and I can add them to the list! We need as many good things as we can think of right now...

[9haharharley1]

If you're still accepting prompts, what about Jack asking Pitch to read him a book so he'll be lulled to sleep by the sound of his voice? And Pitch does it knowing full well what Jack's up to.

(I would also like to say that I adore your works and I come back to them often. I am gnawing on your words like a puppy. Thank you for the good food, and well-wishes :))

I'm always accepting prompts, but I may be slow to get to some of them! Sometimes, I'm just in a more perfect mood than others to write, so i let everyone know!

This fits so perfectly into my dyslexic Jack headcanon (and my own massive crush on Jude Law and his voice), and also is just too cute to pass up, especially after that last anon ask, which I will admit, put a damper on my mood the past few days.

---

Jack practically cannonballed into bed, staff clattering to the floor as he took a running leap from the doorway into the room. Pitch barely managed to scoot out of the way, quickly sliding to the other side of the bed as Jack landed face-down on the mattress. The young spirit didn't move. Pitch peered down at him.

"Alright, Jack?"

His answer was a grumble muffled by the sheets, and Pitch couldn't contain a chuckle. He set his book down on his lap, not caring if he lost his page as it was one he had already read multiple times before. Placing a hand on Jack's head, he carded his fingers through soft white hair.

"What was that, darling?" he asked, a little softer this time. Jack groaned. He shuffled around a bit, the arms trapped underneath him wiggling up to grab a pillow from the head of the bed. Jack dragged it down to him, lifting his head long enough to shove it under him before burying his face again. More grumbling came mass. Pitch laughed again. "I can't help if you don't tell me what's wrong." He lifted his hand off Jack's head, keeping two fingers pressed to a cold neck. He walked them teasingly down Jack's skin to the neck of his hoodie.

Jack shivered under him. A hand swatted lazily at Pitch's fingers, and he gave up his teasing to rest his hand back on Jack's hair. His thumb brushed over a lightly flushed ear. A heavy sigh was muffled in the pillow, and then Jack was peeking a pretty blue eye up at him. It was bloodshot with exhaustion, purple bags starting to build up under his eyes. Pitch's brow furrowed. He adjusted, curling up around Jack while he leaned on his arm, book forgotten as he rubbed his thumb under Jack's eye. Jack closed it, sighing.

"It's nothing," Jack mumbled, mouth barely free of the pillow.

"It's not nothing. You look exhausted," Pitch stated gently. He brushed his fingers over Jack's forehead. He was unsure if he was reading too hard into it or if Jack felt warmer than he should. "When was the last time you slept?"

"When was the last time I was here?" Jack shot back. Pitch just stared down at him, and Jack opened his eyes to see him gazing back unblinking. He huffed. "Oh... fine! A week? Maybe? It hasn't been that long, and it's not like I need it all the time anyway!"

"Jack, you feel warmer than usual," Pitch pointed out. "What are you doing here anyway? I thought you'd be out spreading your winter cheer. It is still winter, isn't it?"

Jack grumbled. "Yeah, but it's not like I need to be out there 24/7." Pitch rose a brow at him. Jack rolled his eyes. "You're really gonna make me say it, aren't you?"

Pitch raised the other brow, confused. "Say it? Say what?"

"Oh, for the love of -" Jack cut off as he buried his face in the pillow. He continued to grumble loudly, Pitch just running his hand through his hair. It was best to let the little sprite get it out without chewing Pitch's ear off.

Not that he would mind the biting.

Pitch snorted, biting his lip when Jack lifted his head to glare at him, eyes exhausted. There was a light flush to his cheeks, and Pitch couldn't help but cup one in his hand. He wanted to kiss pouting lips.

"I just..." Jack looked away. He cuddled the pillow close under him, mouth hidden as he glared at the headboard. Pitch continued to watch him. "I missed you, you jerk..." Jack mumbled. His face flushed darker.

A bubble of warmth swelled and burst in Pitch's chest, a grin slowly pulling at his lips. He forced himself into Jack's space, laying his head on the bunched pillow as he wrapped an arm around Jack's back, the younger spirit squawking and shoving at him dramatically as Pitch pushed his face closer. He could only grin wider when Jack's laughter shone through his complaints.

"God, you're like a furnace! And twice as heavy!" the younger man grumbled. His attempts to shove Pitch off were weak at best. Pitch's hand found the back of Jack's head again. "Do you even know what personal space is? I swear, you're like a leech sometimes, always -" He pulled him down, cutting the winter sprite off with a kiss.

Pitch could barely contain his smile as Jack immediately opened up to him, moaning against his lips as Pitch sighed. Jack adjusted, laying on his side, with his fingers curled in Pitch's robe. Pitch pulled him close and practically flushed together as he teased his tongue along the seam of Jack's lips. Jack let him in with barely a token resistance, sucking on Pitch's tongue. Pitch moaned.

They lay like that for some time, simply kissing and holding each other, Pitch unable to get over that Jack would rather spend his time down in the dark with him rather than spreading his fun and snow. Even Jack seemed a little surprised by his own desire when Pitch teased him earlier, but he wasn't about to chase the boy out now. So Pitch continued to kiss him, savoring the feel of plush lips on his, pulling away only when Jack seemed to slow down, his body relaxing in the Boogieman's arms. Pitch kissed his cheek with a grin.

"You used up all your winter, didn't you?" he teased, pressing kisses all over Jack's face. Jack giggled, trying to push him away. "That's why you're so warm and tired."

"No, get off me!" Jack cried out. He shoved at Pitch's chest until the older spirit lay on his back, head turned so his gaze never left his sleepy sprite.

"Silly boy..." he mumbled, so tender and soft, emotion swelling in his heart that softened his gaze and made Jack blush and bury his face in Pitch's shoulder.

"I was just trying to get back to you sooner..." Jack mumbled, bashful. "I... may have been flying over Iceland when I decided I was ready to come back. I just needed to make it look like I was doing something before coming home."

Home.

Pitch's heart swelled. He swallowed thickly.

"Wanted to see you..." Jack continued. His voice was heavy with sleep. "Missed you."

Pitch laid a shaking hand on Jack's arm, which was curled around his own, hugging Pitch close and trapping him in place. He had never been so happy to remain trapped. "I missed you, too, Jack."

"Mm..." Jack sighed against his shoulder, frost dancing along black fabric. "What were you reading? Before I interrupted?"

Pitch had completely forgotten his book. Fumbling with one arm, he managed to find the book dangling precariously off the edge of the bed. "Just some short horror stories. I believe I personally inspired this author to write some of them, actually."

"Did you grab his feet from under his bed?" Jack murmured. Pitch glanced down at him, noticing his closed eyes.

He smiled fondly. "Probably. I'm sure he did something to deserve it, too."

Jack laughed.

"Read to me," he ordered. He snuggles closer, Pitch managing to bend his arm up enough to run fingers over Jack's shoulder.

"Are you sure?" he asked softly. "It might give you a nightmare."

"I'll name her Amora," Jack stated. "Read to me."

Pitch smiled. He pressed a kiss to Jack's hair, then tilted his head to rest his temple against Jack's. He lifted a knee to prop his leg against and propped the book up so he could read with on available hand. He opened to a random page, flipping forward a bit to find the next story. His voice was soft and steady as he began to read.

"It was many a year ago, in a kingdom by the sea..."

Jack was already out like a light.