Monkeys: Okay, real quick before i begin a chapter, since this story is new, I'll explain a bit.
Lizard: Firstly, this is a little discussion before and after most chapters.
Monkeys: I am the usual author, though my brother (Lizard and sometimes my other one Puggy) does give me ideas and might write a scene or two.
Lizard: we answer questions here.
Monkeys: Yes, I do appologize for my first chapter's style (it was done with another program that was crappy)
Lizard: Word hates us at the moment.
Monkeys: if you look at other stories, you can be assured I don't write like that
Lizard: YAY!
Monkeys: Mkay so thanks for reviews so quick! And, yes, I was listening to Coldplay's Paradise while I listened to this. My inspiration comes from music!
"Ace, I don't have enough time."
"I know," he said softly.
Alice sighed in frustration, "then why do you pester me about such subjects when you know the answer?"
Ace shrugged hesitantly, he hated it when Alice was mad, he always seemed to bring it out of her. "Alice, I just want to spend time with you."
"I can't!"
Ace winced. Alice blinked, she hadn't really ever seen Ace look so hurt. Does she have that effect on him? She patted his arm gently, speaking gently and soothingly, the way her sister had to her, "Ace, I'll try to make time tomorrow, if it means a lot to you."
Ace's mood swung dramatically, he pounced on her, a grin on his face. Alice let out a surprised and startled cry. Before she knew it, he had his ear pressed to her chest
"I still can't get enough of that sound," he mumbled softly, closing his eyes. Her heartbeat always seemed to calm him from his moods. She hadn't let him hear it in a long time, not since they got lost trying to find Borris a few months ago.
"Ace," she began to scold him for the scandal this would cause in Wonderland, but instead her face softened when she heard his breathing slow. She smoothed down his messy hair, smiling softly.
"Yes, my sweet Alice?" he knew she didn't like it when he listened to her heart. He didn't know why, but it always seemed to make her mad. Maybe she was ashamed of being with him. This thought came suddenly and left a sour mark on his mood.
She felt him tense up. "What are you thinking about?"
He tried not to let his mood show, he tried to be cheerful, but the thought kept appearing in his head. He decided to just flat out ask her. "Alice," he shifted so he could look up into her eyes, "are you ashamed of me?" He turned his face after he asked, waiting for her to confirm his fears.
"Of course not, Ace, don't be silly."
Ace hadn't understood it at first, he looked back up to her eyes, confused and a little hurt. Had he hurt her? Why had he hurt her? He hurt people on a regular basis, but he didn't want to hurt the Outsider. He wanted her to love him, as she loved Julius and Blood and Peter. He was sure she loved them all more. He didn't deserve any love from her.
Ace stood up suddenly, sparing her one last glance before he pulled on his mask and ran into the forest.
Alice sat, dumbfounded as she watched Ace run. She hadn't felt the tears roll down her cheeks until the dripped onto her hand. She stared at the little tears, a little confused. Why was she crying? Ace could do as he pleased, even if he thought she was ashamed of him. She couldn't be crying over him, silly Alice. It was only the rain, she convinced herself as she quickly got up and hurried inside.
Monkeys: A bit dramatic?
Lizard: Maybe.
Monkeys: R and R please.
