-10-

╒══════════════════╕• Flour and Batter •╘══════════════════╛

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Fifteen and stressed. That's the best thing a person can describe Marine Hex based on how she looks as of the moment.

After a week and a half after going to Cake Island, Hex received an official certificate and a new cape, written over the paper was the title of Vice Admiral with her name written in bold letters. Sengoku, after sending her to a dangerous mission, decided to give her the position as a merit after her successful return.

Unlike other vice admirals who lead their subordinates in headquarters, the role didn't apply to Hex. Sengoku gave the teen the position for three reasons; one is that Hex even at a young age was capable enough to fight anyone, anywhere she goes. Two, because of her age, people and pirates will have a hard time suspecting her being a marine. Lastly, passing of classified information will be more easy as lower class marines will never question Hex' secret missions.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku decided to call Hex the 'invisible' vice admiral, given that her task was not to lead marines but to infiltrate the base of the government's opponents.

Hex had asked multiple times why he had placed her in such a high position rather than putting her in Cipher Pol since the agency was more suitable for her and her missions as they were the real expert of infiltrations. The conversation between the two always end the same, Sengoku answering the teen with a shrug before pushing her out his office.

Knocking on Sengoku's office door, Hex' grip on the report papers grew tight as information written on it started filling her mind.

Mumbling things and telling no one that Sengoku should be grateful for the informations she had learnt, Hex twisted the doorknob open, entering the room.

His desk was covered with folders and papers, he was busy writing down some things on a journal to totally focus on her but she didn't mind, though. Sighing, Hex placed the crumpled report sheet on his desk with a thump. Picking up the report, Sengoku read them through as the teen waited for his questions.

The first page of the report was all about the Charlotte siblings. Written below their name was their profiles and abilities. The government may have already an idea about them but Hex decided to still write it down as there are some that are required to look at.

Second report written on the parchment was about the weird creatures Hex saw while staying at the island. Reports about how the trees, flowers, and even food talk were there and the reason behind their mobility.

Seeing Sengoku on the third page, Hex scratched the back of her head as she waited for his reaction. The third report wasn't supposed to be a part of the mission but it happened much to her dismay.

"Vice Admiral Hex, care to explain to me why and how you almost got married off to Linlin's second oldest, Charlotte Katakuri?"

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Flare woke up with a growing tick mark on her temple as the sounds of pans clattering grew louder as seconds pass.

A not so silent 'shit', was heard coming from the otherside of the bedroom door. From head to toe, Flare stretched like a cat as she lazily got out of bed. Taming the wild bed-hair she sport, the woman pushed the door open, walking towards where the noise was coming from.

Arms crossed on her chest, Flare leaned on one of the kitchen's pillars quietly as she scanned the whole area. There she saw, a bag of flour discarded on the countertop, water basin for drinking water was empty as a small puddle slowly formed on the floor, and cans of sugar were opened askew filled with ants that'll surely have a banquet later. In addition to the scene, Flare's pans and spatulas were all around the place, from the counter down the floor.

In the middle of it all to finish the masterpiece was none other than Ace, who was sporting a white hair while holding a large bowl and a whisk on his left arm. Right hand free, it suddenly went ablaze as he tried his best to lit up the wood-based stove.

The tick mark that was already large on Flare's forehead suddenly popped as irritation filled her mind, wickedly asking in her brain how can someone be that messy in the kitchen. The silver head wasn't even sure what the young lad was doing because as far as she was concerned; Ace and Kitchen doesn't fit in the same sentence.

"It's early in the morning Ace and you already got on my nerves. What the hell are you doing?" Flare's voice was loud enough to make Ace jump in surprise, hitting his head on the cupboard making the flour on his hair scatter around. Soothing the sting on his head, the raven turned his right hand back to normal, allowing himself to rub the pain away.

"You could've approached me more calmly ya' know. You scared the shit outta' me." He said, giving the woman a scowl.

"What do you plan doing so great that made you destroy my kitchen?" Ignoring his scrunched face, Flare raised a brow.

Hearing the question, Ace' frown immediately turned to a large grin, showing the contents of the bowl he's holding proudly in front of Flare's face.

"I'm making pancakes!" He spoke full of enthusiasm, not even noticing the stove slowly being swallowed by fire. Catching Flare's attention, she yelped in panic, pointing towards the stove's direction.

"Oi! Calm that fire down! You'll gonna burn the whole cabin!" Ace with wide eyes quickly turned around, raising his free hand up in the air. The fire immediately went straight at him, leaving enough flames that he can use to cook.

Sighing in relief, Flare looked at Ace who was still grinning from ear to ear with a bowl on his hand, as if nothing worrisome happened a few seconds ago. Shaking her head because of his weirdness, Flare pointed towards the raven's arms, eyes full of curiosity as she stared at it.

"Now that's solve, where did you learn how to make 'pancakes'?" Flare was kind of unsure if the mix was really meant to be cooked as a pancake as it was incredibly gooey for a batter.

"Oh! I saw a cook book on the counter top, it looked like it was was easy to make so I tried making one for you! It was supposed to be a surprise though, but I guess I woke you up." He gave a nervous chuckle, looking at Flare shyly in the eye.

Hearing his words, Flare's heart suddenly started beating faster makkng her cough. Shifting your gaze towards the overheating pan on the stove. She immediately felt the blush slowly creeping on her cheeks and ears making her turn.

Seeing the way the woman acted, Ace's smile fell as he felt rejected by Flare breaking eye contact with him. Unenthusiastic with cooking, he slowly placed the bowl down and dusted his hands. Letting out a nervous chuckle, he started cleaning the mess he unintentionally created.

"Hey, I'm sorry if you didn't like it. I won't do it again, I promise." Hearing the sadness on his voice, Flare's ears perked up as she turned to face the man once again. As she watched him pick up a clean rag with no energy, she couldn't help but frown.

"Hey, I'm sorry if you didn't like it, I wont do this again. I promise." He mumbled, creating a small crack on Flare's guarded heart.

"Give me a minute and I'll clean all this up." Turning his back, Ace took a clean rag. He was about to start cleaning when Flare suddenly placed her hands on top of his large ones, making him pause.

"I'm sorry if you thought I didn't like it. I just don't know what to say or how to react" Flare shyly mumbled, ears turning red as she felt embarrassed to admit it to someone.

Sure Thatch has cooked food a couple of times for her, but that was because she demanded for it.

"No one ever really tried to give me a surprise." Flare finally admitted, eyes looking at anywhere othet than Ace. Hearing about it, Ace couldn't help but feel bad but happy at the same time, he felt that his small gesture was special for Flare and something that she would remember as it is her first time.

"It's okay! I understand. So, wanna help me out here? Let's make breakfast together!" He exclaimed, starting to get giddy.

Giving him a nod, Flare took the batter off of the counter top and started placing it in the preheated pan Ace had prepared.

It was a good thing Flare helped Ace out.

After the first pancake was cooked, both were excited to take a taste. To say that it tasted horrible was an understandment as it didn't taste like food.

"You fool! How can you even fail making something so simple! It's just flour, water and sugar, how did it tasted so terrible!?" Flare's eyes were blazing with fire. The woman was too hungry to deal with Ace' shenanigans making her yell.

Ace was on his fifth glass of water when he gave Flare pleading eyes, expressing how disappointed he was just as her. Seeing how adorable he looked with puppy eyes, Flare only gave him a sigh and pushed the inedible batter to the side.

"I'll do the mix instead, just stay still okay?" Ace gave a childish nod in obedience, watching Flare do her work.

Taking the three main ingredients off the counter, Flare slowly sifted the flour and sugar in a large bowl. Pouring a cup of water, the silver head mixed all ingredients until it turned smooth. Seeing the pan was already preheated, the woman place a decent amount of mixture and waited for it to cook.

After a dozen of pancakes with frequent squatting of Ace' itching hands, Flare was finally on the last part of preparing their breakfast. Drizzling caramelized sugar on top of it, the woman finally clapped as she stared at her finished product. Placing ten pieces onto Ace' plate and two on her own, both finally enjoyed their meal.

Swallowing his first pancake, the young pirate's eyes started to sparkle, hands clapping while smiling brightly.

"This is delicious! You're such a great cook Flare!" Giving her too much compliment, Flare couldn't help but to playfully roll her eyes as she took a bite on her own pancake.

Successfully finishing his meal without falling asleep, Ace gave a huge grin thanking Flare for the food. He was about to head out and take a short nap when Flare pulled him by the ear, making him yelp in pain and surprise.

"You are not going anywhere until you clean this place Ace!" Flare exclaimed, eyes glaring at the wincing man.

"Aw! Alright, alright. I'll clean!" Tears started forming on the corners of his eyes making Flare scoff. Ace was about to whine something but when he saw the woman's deadly state, he immediately jolt and started cleaning.

Watching Ace the whole time, Flare was worried he might dash off and ditch his work. Half finished with cleaning the kitchen, a stupid idea suddenly popped in Flare's head making her smirk.

Scooping a handful of flour, Flare called out Ace' name successfully luring him to turn. Throwing the powder as his face met yours, a soft 'oof' suddenly came out his mouth.

Ace' raven hair turned white as his tan face went as pald as a ghost's. Coughing his lungs out as he wiped his face, Flare couldn't help but laugh at how stupid he looked. Successfully dusting off his eyes, Ace saw how amused Flare was making him frown.

Wanting to take ravenger, the raven silently the pulled the bowl of their left over batter. Ace with now a large grin poured it down on Flare's silver hair making her gasp in surprise.

"What the hell?" It was now Ace' turn to cackle like a mad man as he watched how hastily Flare was trying to remove the gooey batter out her hair.

"You started it !" Ace breathed in between his laughs making Flare glare. Grabbing the bag of flour on her left, she threw it all towards Ace' direction.

"Oh it's game on!" Coughing a few times, he shouted before tackling Flare.

Thirty minutes have passed since the two started play fighting, throwing things at each other. Shouting and bickering about nonsense, Ace and Flare were now both on the floor, completely covered with flour and batter. They were laughing crazily until they noticed how close they were with each other.

Ace was hovering over Flare, holding both her arms above her head while her legs were trapped between his own. The stillness of Flare didn't go unnoticed by Ace as he watched how her face slowly went from pale to red.

Ace wanted to Flare go and stand up but his body wasn't listening. Instead, he slowly lowered himself, making both their faces a few inches away from the other. A dust of scarlet slowly painted his cheeks as he felt Flare's hot breath against his skin.

Eyes flickering from her eyes to her lips, Ace moved closer.

A few seconds passed as he waited for Flare to push him and shout at him but it never came. Instead, his eyes widened in surprise at Flare as she took the initiative to move closer for the gap between their lips close.

Heart beating loudly, Flare was patiently waiting for Ace with fluttering eyes. It was her first time to feel drunk with a person's scent, a person's warmth.

Finally, after what felt like a decade Ace finally kissed Flare, she couldn't help but widen her eyes in surprise. A silent 'huh' escaped her lips as she felt the man's soft lips against her forehead.

'What?'

Before Flare can even let out a reaction, Ace immediately peeled himself off her, offering his hand to help her stand up. Still dumbfounded with what happened, Flare took it and was pulled up gently. Ace completely avoided her gaze as though she wasn't in front of him.

Flare was about to open her mouth to speak when Ace beat her to it.

"You should go and wash, I'll clean all this mess up." Turning his back, he started moving around the kitchen leaving Flare standing stupidly.

Not letting out a single word, Flare hurriedly went inside her bedroom.

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Woah, an update lol.