Song recommendation: Eyes on fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAxCqlU-OAo&list=RDBv-1BnoB75k&index=7)
A ray of morning sun spewed in from the windows. Ace shivered in his bed. The air was cold. He looked out the window. It was another white-skied winter's day. As he sat up bracing against the chilly morning, yesterday felt like a distant dream.
Perhaps, he did dream it. Why else would Clover have kissed him back? After that dazzling array of lights, maybe he fell asleep. There was a nervous energy in his gut. It hung there till he reached the tower.
Behind the door to the office, Clover would be there. Ace could still feel the kiss against his lips, the warmth of skin against his and the tingling feeling on every nerve. The door opened. There was Rena at her desk. Kalandra reclined beside the fire.
And there was the demon lord. Ace followed Albaric into the room stiffly. He took up his usual window spot. He couldn't look over. Once more he lifted a book to face compelling himself to read.
The morning passed quietly. Almost too quiet. Ace began to have a sinking feeling. Was it just a dream? Clover hadn't said so much as a word.
"Ace," Rena called, "Can you and Clover translate this please?"
"Yes," Ace answered.
He felt resigned to the fact that nothing would come of the day before. At least it would be a pleasant memory. Now, he had to suffocate those gnawing emotions again. Clover saddled up next to him. Ace rolled out the scroll and began translating. If he focused on his work, he could prevent any wandering thoughts.
For a while, this worked. He managed to get through the first document. But then as Ace went to turn the page, so did Clover at the same time. The moment they touched, Ace flushed red. He couldn't stop himself from drawing his eyes up to their hand. Then to their collar.
Ace's eyes found their way to Clover's lips. He quickly reprimanded himself and jumped up. However, a hand-pulled him back down.
"You made a mistake right here," Clover said. They were holding up a large tomb with one hand.
Ace knelt down to inspect the error. The moment he did, Clover's hand came around the back of his neck. He was drawn into a deep caress. The kiss only lasted for a moment, but it burned inside. Ace pulled away breathlessly.
Clover grinned, "There, you fixed it,"
Ace's eyes widened. For a moment he was frozen in place. Clover leant back and closed the book gingerly surveying the room. No one seemed to have noticed. That is except for Kalandra. She and Ace locked eyes. He immediately turned away. He could feel his face was red hot.
As soon as he got the chance, Ace took his lunch outside. He still couldn't calm himself down. What did this mean? Did Clover like him too?
He took up his usual spot. He was about to take a bit of his sandwich when he felt two arms around his neck. It wasn't a playful touch, it was tight. Ace felt a tongue go along the edge of his face. His blood turned cold. He spluttered out the mouth full of bread he had taken. He came to his feet with a start.
He pivoted around to see who it was. His eyes met Kalandra's with mutual disdain on both sides.
"What the fuck?" Ace snapped. His throat felt raw.
"What? You didn't like that?" Kalandra teased, "Maybe you would have liked it better if it was someone else?"
"What is your problem?!" Ace shouted. Kalandra eyed him coldly without saying anything. Ace shook his head in disgust. He began to pack his things. He wanted to leave for the tower as fast as possible
"You know that those kisses don't mean anything," Kalandra taunted.
Ace stopped in his tracks.
"You're just a convenient plaything." Kalandra smirked, "Clover will be bored of you soon enough. Just like all the others. Don't deceive yourself into thinking you're something special."
"Well, until then I should just keep enjoying it, right?" Ace countered.
Kalandra's nostrils flared. A twitch at the corner of her mouth drew into a mirthless grin. Ace didn't wait for the rejoinder. He stormed off across the courtyard. He trudged up the stairs angrily.
"Oh, your back already?" Albaric remarked on his return.
Ace nodded sullenly. However, he didn't have much time to recover from their last encounter, as Kalandra followed behind. It was all he could do to withdraw his glare. Just the sight of her made his blood boil, but the worst was yet to come.
"Clover," Kalandra crooned.
"What is it?" Clover glanced up indifferently.
"Just come here," she said with a smile.
There was a shuffle as Kalandra leaned over Clover. They looked down on her with their usual placid smile and their eyebrows raised. The rest of the room who had been working were drawn to the sound of Kalandra's voice. Both Rena and Albaric stared at the pair distracted.
Ace didn't want to look at them, but he couldn't help it. What was Kalandra up to? They always serenaded eachother with hugs. Kalandra used every opportunity to be in Clover's company. Ace knew this too well. He didn't expect that it would have changed. Nevertheless, it felt even harder to see it now. Maybe Kalandra was proving her point?
Ace would have forced his eyes back down, if not for at that moment he heard Kalandra whisper:
"Kiss me," she smiled.
Ace stared at her baffled. Surely Clover wouldn't comply. Everyone else was still watching. Kalandra was on her knees leaning over Clover who was inclined back against the wall. Clover let out a laugh.
"What's gotten into you?" Clover remarked.
"Wouldn't it be funny?" she glanced at the audience.
Clover shrugged, "If you say so,"
Kalandra leaned in. Her lips met Clovers. It only lasted for a second, but Ace had seen enough. He cleared his throat. Without looking down at the pair, he addresses Rena and Albaric.
"I think I forgot something downstairs," he left the room before they had time to answer.
He started running. Before he knew it, he had reached the bottom of the stairs. He glanced back up breathlessly. He squeezed his eyes tightly. He took a few shallow breaths and left the tower.
It was dark by the time he returned. Ace couldn't say where he had walked, only that he found himself in the gardens. He turned and strayed endlessly. His chest felt so heavy. The cool night air was of little reprieve. He felt like such a fool.
He only realised how late it had become when he reached the tower and saw the candles were already lit. As he slowly ascended the staircase, he began to think of some excuses he could give for his absence.
The slam of the door shutting above brought him to his senses. It was Albaric coming down the stairs.
"Where have you been?" he asked.
"I felt sick," Ace mumbled.
He prayed Albaric wouldn't ask any more questions.
"You're sick again?" came a voice.
Ace's eyes shot up. He hadn't noticed there was some else standing behind Albaric. He looked over. Clover. Why now? Ace felt a lump in his throat. He cautiously directed his eyes back to Albaric. Luckily, Albaric seemed to interpret and interrupted.
"Yes, well we're finished for the day. You can go back now. I'm just taking Clover back," he began to walk down.
Ace gave a curt nod and stepped out of their way. He wanted to let them go so he could compose himself. However, Clover stepped towards him with a bemused smile.
"What's wrong with you?" they demanded.
"It's nothing serious," Ace answered reluctantly.
"That's not what I asked, "Clover returned. They took a step in. Ace could feel their hair tickling his cheek. Their hand took told of his.
"I said it's nothing!" Ace's voice rose more than he intended.
"Ace?" Clover broke their embrace."What's wrong?" Clover smiled, but their eyes betrayed their feelings: A mixture of genuine surprise and hurt.
"I'm sorry but I can't talk to you right now,"
He didn't meet their eyes again. Clover remained quiet. Several moments of silence passed between them. Only the wind could be heard howling outside the window and the flickering candles lining the halls. Albaric, who had uncomfortably watched the interaction, finally broke the silence.
"Come on, Clover," he said reluctantly, "let's go," he ushered them down.
However, Clover didn't budge."Why not? Why can't you talk to me right now?" they challenged in a low but feral voice.
Albaric stepped between them. He forced Clover down a step, but they seemed determined to gain Ace's attention again.
"I SAID WHY NOT?" Clover snapped.This time even more uncharacteristically harsh than the first time. Ace flinched at the sound of it. It physically pained him. He couldn't lookup. Albaric pushed Clover back, but this time it took some force.
"Come on, Clover," he struggled, "Just leave him. Don't make me call the guards,"
"Just let him answer then!" Clover went on. "If you don't tell me, I'm going to be hurt," they hissed.
"Stop acting like you care about me," Ace said quietly, "I can't stand it,"
"I do care about you." Clover reached for his hand, "You're my friend,"
Ace pulled away, "You and Kalandra..." he blurted out.
"...are friends," Clover interceded, "Just like how we're...friends,"
Ace's eyes widened. He looked somberly at Clover. How could they stare back with such resolute eyes? Ace's heart stung, but he willed the pain to be silent. He wouldn't break this time.
"I see," Ace nodded briskly. " In that case, it must have just been my own misunderstanding. Good night then," he said quickly.
He took off down the stairs leaving Clover and Albaric behind. He didn't stop again until he reached his room. He felt the flood gates open as the whirling darkness embraced him.
The way he saw it, he had two choices. Either he cut Clover off for good this time or... He told Kalandra he would enjoy it, so why couldn't he? Even if Clover did throw him away in the end, wouldn't it be worth it?
He saw now that he went about it the wrong way before. This time would be different.
He had never felt this way before. How could one kiss change things so drastically? If Clover was willing to change their relationship, who knows where it could go? It may not even end. All Ace had to do was play along. Perhaps, Leila was right about one thing. If you want someone, then make them love you.