"Congratulations, Commander!" the crowd around him chorused, and Ace couldn't help smiling. This was his moment, and it felt like nothing could bring him down right now.

It had taken him longer than he would have liked, but he was finally a Commander.

The hold back was mostly due to his fire magic (he probably would have been promoted a year ago if it weren't for that). There was little time to train for his trial when Marco insisted on mastering his magic first. Though Ace loved spending time with him, Marco was a relentless teacher, working Ace to the bone every chance that he got (Marco had his own duties to take care of)- and that was on top of Ace's regular training as well. But Ace was not a quitter, and all his hard work was definitely worth it.

Those doubts he had years ago seemed as if they never existed.

A pat on the back caused him to turn around to see one of his fellow commanders. Vista beamed at him "So how does it feel, Commander Ace?"

"It feels amazing!" Ace grinned. "I'm looking forward to it."

"And it'll be nice to finally have someone in charge of second division."

"Well, someone has to pick up the slack

The two of them shared a laugh for a moment, when they were suddenly interrupted. "Hm, I don't think you're one to talk about slacking off."

"I work hard!" Ace protested, puffing his cheeks up at Marco's words. Marco's smirk made things even more frustrating for Ace.

"I'm just teasing, yoi," he chuckled. Marco held out his hand. "Dance with me?"

Ace was about to refuse to continue talking to Vista, but he turned back around to discover that he already left, talking to Thatch a few yards away. "Er- Are you sure you want to dance with me? Wouldn't that be a little weird?" It would be to him at least, especially in front of all these people.

"Privately on the balcony then."

Ace looked at the crowd, biting his lip. This was his party, and he was leaving to dance with Marco? It didn't seem right, yet when he felt Marco take his hand, he just couldn't resist being led away.

The doors on the balcony were open, spilling golden light from inside out into the night along with the upbeat music. Ace's hesitance disappeared as he laughed once Marco spun him outward from his grip and began to step to the beat. Ace joined in with a jump- after all, it wasn't every day that Marco showed such a carefree demeanor.

"You're enjoying the party too then?" Ace asked as Marco spun him around again.

"This may be your party, but I can enjoy myself too."

"Yeah, yeah!"

That was an understatement. Marco had been busy training Ace along with his other duties, so he hardly had time to relax. Even when Ace told Marco that he didn't have to keep training him, Marco insisted on continuing, on making Ace a master in a magic.

The music began to slow, and so did their steps. A slow song had started, and it was quiet enough to hear them both breathe. "You… you better keep your skills up," Marco said. "Or else I'll have to… to come back."

"And what if I want that?"

Ace could have spent an eternity standing there with Marco as they smirked at each other, but a sudden cough brought them both back to reality.

"Marco," Izo said. "Pops wanted to see you."

"O-of course." He turned back to Ace, smiling apologetically. "Later then."

Ace nodded, but found no words as Marco left the balcony, leaving him alone with Izo.

"I think you and I need to talk."

"You can't keep doing this with Marco."

"Doing what?"

"Oi, Ace. Don't play dumb," Thatch chimed up from his spot. He and Haruta had decided to join in on Izo and Ace's conversation after they saw Izo leading Ace away from the party and back to their shared room. Izo calling him away already felt like an interrogation, but this made it worse.

Haruta nodded in agreement. "It's way to obvious."

Ace sighed, silently wondering how they saw right through him.

"Honey, you're much too easy to read. You two are literally dancing around each other!" Izo rolled his eyes. "We just want the both of you to be happy, so just admit it."

"Admit you like him!"

"And how would that help anything?" Ace snapped, scowling deeply. His three brothers flinched.

It's not as if they were wrong though, and it's not that Ace didn't want to confess. He wasn't afraid of confessing either, but he knew how things would turn out if he told Marco that he had a crush- or maybe even something stronger?- on him. He's been thinking about it ever since he realized what he felt.

Ace couldn't help but grin as he managed to tackle Marco down onto the ground, pinning him there as flames flared along Ace's arms to call out Marco's own fire. Ace may have been a spectacular fighter, but getting the upper hand on Marco was rare.

"Looks like I win." Ace stuck his tongue out teasingly. He finally climbed off of Marco, rolling over to lie on his back.

"Don't let it get it your head, Ace," Marco scolded lightly as he stood up and dusted his pants off.

"Aw, don't be a spoil sport. C'mon, let's go again."

"Actually, Ace, we're done for the day."

Ace frowned. They had only been training for an hour at most, and Marco never cut training short before. "Is something wrong?"

"I just have something to take care of, yoi," Marco said. "I promise that it won't happen often though."

That ended up being a lie, but Ace was sure that Marco didn't mean it since he always apologized when he left. Now usually, Ace respected Marco's privacy, but his curious just got the better of him this time. He couldn't stop himself from following Marco whatever this thing was!

The gardens was where Marco stopped, which wasn't much of a surprise to Ace. Marco loved the gardens, and if he wasn't in his room or the library, one would find him here. However, the thing that was surprising was the fact that Marco wasn't alone- and Ace didn't like it.

"It's nice to meet you, Your Highness."

"To you as well. Shall we?" Marco offered his arm out to the woman standing there, who was wearing a grand dress with a flowing skirt. She placed her hand gently upon it.

Ace didn't follow after them. He didn't even want to think about what Marco would say to him if he caught him. And besides…

It hurt too much. And it hurt with every suitor after as well.

"That's why I can't do anything about it," Ace sighed. "Look, even if there was a chance for me- and that's a good joke- Marco's searching for a suitor, and do you think he's going to stop?"

None of them had a response for that one.

"See? I'll get over it eventually, guys."

Hope you enjoyed! Please review!