“Wh—? Oh, Ace, sorry, I’ll just — sorry — ” Apologies spilled out of her mouth while she wobbled to her feet, smearing the tears away. She was sure she looked hideous, makeup smeared, eyes and nose red and horrible. Getting out of his way, she went and draped herself over the rail on the other side of their little entry area.
Staring down, she wondered how badly it would hurt if she just flung herself over the edge. Would it hurt more than she was hurting now? “Can I just — I know you don’t, but maybe — can you just — a hug?” she said, trying to still her sobs and glancing at him over her shoulder.
Ace’s worries were internalized. As were his quips when, for once, he doesn’t want to put anyone on the spot.
His eyebrows were strung tight together as he observed the girl warily from where she had herself draped against the railing.
Though her back was facing him, he knew what was on her mind —
Over some fucking guy.
“He shouldn’t that bit of your thoughts, daor. Nobody should,” he offered in the softest voice he could muster, which was still quite callous.
Though he did hesitate, and even take a step back regarding her request, he soon gave in, stepping forward so his chest was pressed tight against her back, both arms wrapped tight around her waist. He hung his head low until his chin rested in the crook of her neck, and peered over the edge.
“He said he loved me,” she whispered, between sniffles, leaning back into his warmth. Ace didn’t like touch, didn’t do affection, so it was a little strange the way he’d wrapped himself around her, with an endearment in his words — she’d expected just a sidewise hug, a brief wrap of his arm around her shoulders.
She turned her head, and his face was /right there/, so she rested her forehead on his cheek. “‘m sorry,” she said, again. Her voice cracked in the middle. “I’ll just — I’m going to — ” She trailed off, because she didn’t want to move. She wanted to stay here, with his arms around her, safe.