for FireAngel24

Is it so wrong that I want to keep you safe?

Marco watched from across the bar. A beautiful raven headed youth laughed with friends at a small table.

I can't bare to see you fall again. But you humans are such fragile things.

It had become routine for the blonde. Watch him go to work, go home, go out with friends, go back home.

You've died twice now because of me. I never told you my curse. You threw yourself in front of harm's way and died for me. When I cannot be killed.

"What you need is someone to hold at night." One of his friends slurred. "And I don't mean a one night stand kinda thing. Go get yourself a woman."

"You mean man." Another laughed.

"Whaaateva."

And he laughed with them.

I won't let it happen again. Even if it means watching from afar.

"Seriously Ace, you could have any of them eating out of your palm."

Marco looked up from his drink at the sound of the youth's name.

Ace. Always Ace. Always hot tempered, freckles, and blinding smile. Reincarnation worked in funny ways.

"Just waiting for the right one. You know like my soul mate." Ace laughed but there was sincerity in his words.

"Dude, that could be forever. What if you never meet them?"

Ace shrugged. "There's always the next life."

Don't say that. Move on. Be happy. Please.

Marco turned down the bartender's offer for a refill on his scotch. He stood up to pay. He needed to leave.

You were always so in love. And I tried to be aloof because I knew it wouldn't last. But you're so damn stubborn...

Marco headed out. It was late, all the bars would soon be shutting down. He started down the road, hands in pockets, head lowered. Ace and his friends would be leaving soon too.

There was a metallic click next to his ear. He was passing by an alley, the cold metal pressed against his neck reminded him how petty humans could be.

"Give me your wallet!" The mugger whispered harshly. His hands shook and his eyes were bloodshot. A junkie suffering withdrawal.

Marco sighed and with slow deliberate movements, reached into his back pocket. All he had was a couple of fives left anyway.

"HEY!"

An all too familiar voice called from behind them. Marco turned to see Ace running down the street toward them. The thief turned as well, pointing his gun at Ace.

Marco seized him up in an instant back the back of his shirt and flung him back down the alley. He flailed, firing his gun wildly, hitting Marco in the chest with each shot. The blonde stood there taking the bullets to the chest. He heard Ace slow beside him, a look of disbelief on his face.

Marco let out the breath he had been holding. He stalked toward the man now trying to scramble to get away. Blue flames branched off Marco's skin. They engulfed him completely feeding off his rage. The man let out a scream before ungracefully running for his life.

He let his anger die down before turning back. He wasn't too surprised to see Ace still standing there. "Go home." He said simply before turning away.

Go home and forget. This was all just a dream.

"Wait, Marco!" Ace grabbed his arm despite the fire still rolling off him. He knew the blue fire wouldn't, couldn't, hurt him.

Marco turned. He had never spoken to him, never introduced himself. Not in this life anyway. Ace ran his fingers through the blue flames in wonderment before looking up into Marco's equally blue eyes.

"I know you..." Ace reached out for his face.

Marco scowled and stepped back. "No, this is the first time we've met." It hurt to lie, but it was for Ace's own good.

"You're in that bar all the time. I've always recognized you! I just didn't know how. I still don't." He said admitted quietly. "I know you." He whispered it this time. "You hate being called Pineapple, even though you never change your hair. There's star shaped birthmark on your left shoulder blade and a tattoo here on your chest." Ace placed his palm on the blood soaked shirt. He leaned his head against him. "You still smell like pine trees and mint."

Don't do this to me.

"Ace..." Marco let the name finally slip past his lips.

"It won't happen again, I promise."

Marco wondered if he knew what he was talking about. "It will. Everyone dies Ace. Everyone but me." He gently pushed the young man away. "Even if you don't take a bullet for me, you will eventually leave me again."

Ace opened his mouth to argue but couldn't. Marco wasn't wrong. He lowered his head in defeat. His heart felt like it was being ripped out of his chest. "Please..." He choked. "Don't... I didn't mean to leave you." As much as he hurt, he couldn't imagine what Marco felt. These memories of his past lives were jumbled in his head. But one thing stood out. Undying love for the man before him.

Marco sighed. He placed his hand against Ace's chest.

Forgive me for being selfish. Maybe I should have been from the very beginning but was too cowardly.

Blue flame licked across Ace's skin, under his shirt. It seared a gentle warmth into his heart.

"I'm going to kill you." Marco said softly.

Ace looked up into Marco's eyes. "You're what-" His voice died in his throat as heat engulfed his heart.

"It'll only be a moment." Marco promised. Ace watched tears roll down his cheek. "I'll bring you back." Ace's world faded into darkness.

It was only a few seconds but they were the coldest, darkest moments of his life. Then a bright blue light enveloped him and set him ablaze.

When Ace opened his eyes he saw Marco looking over him worriedly. He raised his hand to Marco's face. "It's ok." He whispered. Marco nodded. "I won't be a painful memory ever again."