That's what Ace thought. And he's sure that if he digs a little deeper, he'll come to a conclusion that he doesn't want. Ace is a little slow on some social cues, but he knows when something seems off. And if a hand being held feels like the best thing possible, and hugs better still, the idea of escalation isn't lost on him.

He doesn't like this at all.

"Got it." Ace reaches over, snags the frosting with a finger, and pops it into his own mouth. "So do you have anyone here you're friends with? Any nakama?"