Kieran knows what’s next. He has to show Ace, not just tell him, how deep his feelings run.
His gaze lowers to his hands, which are still trembling from the exertion of the battle. But it’s not the physical pain he’s focused on now. It’s Ace.
"I don’t know how to make you believe ," Kieran says quietly. "But I’ll spend every day proving it, Ace. I will. I’m not perfect, but I love you. I need you. More than you could know."
Ace stands motionless for a long ti, his eyes flicking to Kieran’s face, searching for sothing, anything that might give him the reassurance he needs.
It’s a dangerous mont, a mont Kieran knows could either lead them forward or pull them further apart.
But then, slowly, Ace lets out a soft sigh, his shoulders relaxing just a fraction. It’s small, but it’s enough for Kieran to see that the walls are starting to crumble, if only just a little. Ace isn’t walking away.
And in that quiet, fragile mont, Kieran knows one thing for sure.
He’ll do whatever it takes to win Ace’s trust back.
Even so , Ace walks away.
His footsteps echo in the quiet hallway.
The lingering warmth from Kieran’s touch still clings to his skin, but he shoves the feeling aside.
He won’t dwell on it.
Not now.
Not when his mind is already in too many emotions he doesn’t know how to process.
His fingers twitch at his sides, aching to reach for sothing, anything, to ground himself.
Instead, he exhales sharply and pushes forward, ignoring the way his chest tightens with every step.
As he steps outside, the morning air greets him with a crisp coolness, sharp against his heated skin.
The mansion’s vast front garden stretches before him, the towering trees casting dappled shadows on the cobblestone path.
The scent of damp earth and fresh grass fills his lungs, montarily clearing his head.
He doesn’t get far before two familiar figures co into view.
Jun and Rey stand a few feet ahead, deep in conversation, but their attention snaps to him the mont he approaches.
They always seem to be together_ like two halves of the sa whole, effortlessly in sync.
Jun’s sharp gaze flickers over him, assessing. "You’re leaving?" he asks, though it’s more of an observation than a question.
Ace slows his pace, nodding. "Yeah. Just for a while."
Jun crosses his arms. "Where to?"
"To see Marsel," Ace replies, rubbing the back of his neck. "He hasn’t stopped sending letters. Figured it’s ti I visit." He hesitates for a brief mont before adding, "I’ll be staying there for a bit. Just need so space... to clear my mind."
Jun doesn’t respond right away. His expression softens, understanding flickering in his eyes. "That’s probably for the best."
Jun adds, "What about the hotel? If you stay there does that an you won’t be going to work?We’re still running it together, aren’t we?"
"Yes, of course we are." Ace assures. "I will work remotely."
Jun nodes. "Okay"
Ace exhales, so of the tension easing from his shoulders. At least sothing in his life remains steady.
Then, turning his gaze to Rey, he smirks, though there’s a weight behind it. "Take good care of him," he says, only half-joking.
Rey’s response is instant, his voice steady. "Need not to tell for to know I have to," he says, his tone laced with quiet certainty. "Don’t worry, he’s mine after all, if I don’t take care of him, who else will?"
Ace holds his gaze for a second longer before giving a short nod.
Jun shifts beside Rey, his expression unreadable. "When will you co back?"
Ace glances away, staring at the vast stretch of land before him. The thought of leaving feels like a relief, but the thought of never returning... feels impossible.
He exhales. "Not really sure, but won’t be for so long," he says finally, voice quieter. "I’ll co back."
With that, he turns on his heel toward the exit, he wants to look up at Kieran’s room, but he dare not.
He doesn’t look back.
anwhile,
Kieran stands by the large window in his room, his golden eyes fixed on Ace, he watches him as he makes his way out.
Ace is leaving. Again.
His fingers curl into fists at his sides, his jaw tightening.
Every instinct in him screams to go after him, to stop him before he gets too far, to demand that he stay. But he does nothing. He stays still.
The morning breeze filters through the slightly open window, carrying the faint scent of Ace’s presence.
It’s already beginning to fade, and sothing inside Kieran twists painfully.
He heard it.
With his heightened senses, he heard exactly where Ace was going. Marsel’s ho.
The na alone stirs sothing dark in his chest, but he pushes it down. It’s not jealousy. Not yet. It’s just frustration. Frustration that Ace needs ti. That he needs space from him. That Ace finds peace at that place, and every ti he leaves to go there to find peace.
It’s because Kieran is the one who always have taken That peace away from him.
Kieran swallows back the bitter taste of regret.
He knows he deserves this_ deserves Ace’s distance, his caution, his hesitation. He had his chance, and he ruined it. Now, all he can do is wait.
He exhales slowly, running a hand through his hair.
"More ti," he murmurs under his breath. "I’ll give you more ti, Ace."
But not forever. That ti could be just so few hours. Or days.
Because once enough ti has passed, Kieran will go to him.
To Marsel’s ho.
To get him back.
Ace Kieran is still lost in his thoughts, Jun and Rey walks in his room without a knock.
"Don’t worry, you are making a move, he will co around, yesterday, it said everything, Ace still loves you, and he will always love you..." Jun says.
"The two of you... what the hell is happening with you? It feels like lately you are intertwined at the hip." Kieran ignores their first words and asks.
Before Jun talks , Rey raises his chin and kisses him.
Kieran’s eyes widen a bit before collecting himself.
Rey doesn’t let go of the kiss, "Alright, alright! I already get it, so you can stop or find a room since this mansion is big enough!" Kieran says, for so reason a smile tug at his lips.
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