The Library

"I've always been alone anyway. I never thought I'd ever need anyone else." His voice is quiet as he says this; it's true, he only ever needed his own company before Ace. Bryn had been his closest friend, of course, but his friendship hadn't been necessary for him to feel whole.

'But you're not alone now, neither of us are. You can depend on me Chase; I'd try and give you everything if you asked for it.' she was also speaking honestly and quietly, mainly out of of trepidation.

"The same goes for you. Just ask, and I'll do whatever you need. I don't... I won't repeat what I did before." Chase frowns, but it's directed at himself.

'do what you need to do Chase, i told you before that i didn't want to stand in the way of your role as Eagle.' she ran her thumb across his face, like she always seemed to do when she wanted to be reassuring.

"But you are Eagle as well, I could have helped you!"

'But would you have done the same thing second time around? What happened doesn't matter to me, i'm here and safe now, with you.'

"If you're sure..." He presses his cheek into the top of her head, squeezing his eyes closed.

But I still betrayed you, I'll never be able to get over the guilt of that.

'Most people would've done the same thing Chase, it's ok...really.' Ace just wanted to drop the matter, knowing the guilt would probably be eating away at Eagle.

I've betrayed you enough times anyway.

"But I should have chosen differently..." He's being stubborn and he knows it.

'Yes, you could've. So what? Chase, just drop it, you're making more hassle than what it's worth.'

"Fine, but it won't change my opinion on the matter."

'I know, but you're just digging a hole for yourself..'

He shrugs, not saying anything. He knows he's only going to feel worse if he lingers over it, but he can't help it.

'Stop punishing yourself for a choice you had to make, it's not worth it. I've hurt you enough anyway.' she started the motions of rubbing his back again, realising how tense his shoulders were.

"I won't hurt you ever again. I promise." Chase slowly relaxes under her touch, despite his guilt.

'you don't need to promise that, i won't hold you to it.' her hands trailed around his back still, becoming slightly firmer.

"No. I promise it, Ace. Do you think I could live with myself if I did it again?"

She exhaled, finally giving in. 'No, you wouldn't.' Ace didn't stop her hands however, wanting only to clam him down.

OOC: Gtg for now, be back later

IC: He forces himself to go limp, but keeps his hold on her. "You're fantastic, you know that, don't you?"

ok :3

ic 'As are you, my love.' Ace chuckled to herself, fighting his grip to take a small step back. 'Now turn around, let me do this properly.'

He releases her reluctantly, turning to give her better access to his shoulders. "If I must. I was rather enjoying the hug, actually."

'You'll like this too, promise.' she pressed her fingers into his back, working at his various knots and muscles. 'You can tell you're stressed you know.'

"It's entirely my fault I've been stressed." He sighs, his eyes slipping closed as he actually feels at ease for the first time in a while.

Ace let her lips tilt up in a smile as she pushed slightly harder, knowing he was a little more relaxed now. 'Well for the next few minutes you can take a break, i'm sorry it can't be longer..'

"It's fine... I'm just pleased to be with you now." The first genuine smile in a while passes over Chase's lips as he glances over his shoulder at her.