WinterRose61 - Thank you very much! It's a search for both of them how to do certain things, but they'll experience it all together.
Guest - I wish I could paste heart emoji's because yes! They so cute! Ace is like a cat in so many ways haha. Thank you!
Hmmmmm, good question, I actually had to look it up to be sure myself if Ace had Brownie already or not, didn't pay too much attention to that detail myself, oopsie. But the short answer is nope, he didn't have him yet, but only barely. When Izou visited, Marco mentioned that Ace has been living with him for about half a year, so around 6 months. While in the Brownie chapter Marco's thoughts mention they've been sharing the apartment, thus living together, for around 10 months. (2 months of searching for Brownie after starting to live together and 8 months of training after) So, by just a few months, Ace didn't have Brownie yet when Izou came around.
For the other siblings hmmmm, there's about a 4 month space between Izou and Brownie and Marco and Ace did want to keep it secret for a while longer, so I'm more siding with Ace having Brownie when he meets the others. Maybe that he'll meet one or two brothers in those 4 months for some reason without the dog, but most will be with our cute shepherd. Thank you for the questions! I always like them!
There's two POV's of the same scene, I wanted it to be clear from both sides what was going on.
Marco POV
"I want you to guide me."
"Huh?" He turned in his spot to face the raven.
"I want you to guide me."
Marco blinked at the repeated request, "What... what do you mean, Ace-yoi?"
Misty eyes seemed to be scanning over him, searching for something as they spoke, he saw how concentrated the other was about everything that was going on around them or maybe just about what was going on between them.
"I want to go out of the house, go somewhere."
Ace just wanted to go on a date outside? They could do that instead of chilling inside. He did voice it a bit weird in his eyes... ears... like it was a very serious situation about life and death.
The blond smiled, "Of course we can g-"
"Without my cane."
Stunned into silence, again, he cocked his head as he looked to the other in question, "Without your cane?"
A simple curt nod came in return.
"But... I- How? You can't?" He saw Ace start to frown and instantly panicked and started stuttering and rambling, "I-I mean, you can-yoi! Of course you can go outside if you want to. But you can't see, you can't just g-, I ehm, I mean- I just-" he stopped himself and took a breath, just one moment to gather himself before speaking again, the slightest Panic still in his voice as Ace didn't look very pleased with his answer, "How will you find your way? The obstacles. I don't know how I could..." He swallowed again before finishing his sentence, "I don't want you to fall and hurt yourself." He didn't want to baby Ace, he really didn't, but he was always so scared for him, even inside the house there were dangers, he could stub his toe on the table!
The suspicious not happy look was suddenly gone and replaced by a smile, "You'll be my eyes!"
Ace POV
They had now been dating for over a month and while he had been unsure in the beginning if the man was... after something... or anything really... because why would someone want to date a blind person, it only makes everything harder, right? Shouldn't it take the charm out of a lot of things?
It had already happened a few times that Marco had suggested a few date places, even organised things, only for Ace to have to shoot them down because... he couldn't do them.
Like for their second date. The blond had offered to take him to the movies when they met up again. Like... the movies? Really? That was the first real date suggestion you make to a blind guy?
Don't get him wrong, he does like going to the movies, he can still listen to it and some movies are fun to listen too. It's just... as a second date when you literally can't see the film and thus can't really talk about looks and things is just a bit... awkward to him, especially since he didn't know Marco yet very well.
Another suggestion had been cycling. He had to put a hand over his mouth to not laugh because the way the blond had suggested it. It had been a real eureka!-moment of 'I got it! We can go cycling! You don't need to see to cycle! You just need legs, and you got those!'. Ooh Marco's sweet sweet poor soul in that moment when he had gaped at him and silently asked, 'but how will I know where I'm going?' and the only, THE ONLY, sound that came as a reply was his speech tick, just a 'yoi' with so much confusion and realisation behind it that he hadn't been able to hold in a laugh at that exact moment. He may have been a little guilty about that one, but still, Marco kind of deserved it.
Anyways! They did go cycling! Only not how Marco pictured it and to the man's utter defeat, it had been suggested by one of his brothers. They went cycling on a tandem bicycle, essentially a bike for two people. Marco had the front seat and did all the steering, while Ace sat in the back and just had to peddle. So, they actually had a lot of fun! Fell a few times trying to get off, but had fun!
But now... he shook his head lightly to get rid of all the funny memories and listened closely, hearing Marco's breathing from beside him as they sat on the couch in the blond's apartment. A month... just over a month they had been officially dating. And while he honestly was having a good time and was almost sure that Marco didn't mind him being blind, even if it enabled them to do some things, there was something he still had to try. Something that if the blond wasn't up to it, it would mean the ending of their relationship. The thing he wanted to do, it may sound silly to a lot, especially since it will be a dealbreaker and a reason to break up if the other isn't up for it, but... to him it's important, very important.
…
Would Marco guide him? Be his eyes when he can't see?
Yes. The blond had led him around before, but he had always had his cane with him to feel his surroundings, make sure he didn't trip himself. He was only being directed in a way, not really fully guided, what they had done was essentially just walk hand in hand with Marco leading the way.
But what he wanted to know was if the other was open to actually guiding him, warning him of obstacles, maybe even making a detour to another path that's safer for him, yet further from their destination.
He doesn't expect their first trip to go perfect, if the other even wanted to go. But would Marco take the time to learn, to make an effort for him. If his cane ever broke when out, would he be able to rely on him, or would he be left stranded when he can't find his own way. Will the other grumble about him being a burden and get annoyed as he walks slow to not trip or when he tries to grab onto an arm for something to hold onto, to steady himself.
He had to know, he needs to know if Marco will be there for him.
"I want you to guide me."
"Huh?"
Okay, he did expect that obvious confusion, he had even surprised himself by just saying it. He had wanted to ask... but maybe he had needed to plan a bit more and not just randomly say it when they were chilling together... Too late now.
Hearing the rustling of fabric as the other moved, presumably to look at him, he voiced his request again. Making sure to make his voice clear, that he meant what he was saying.
"What... what do you mean, Ace?"
He squinted his eyes, just wanting to see the other the slightest bit, how was his posture, how was his expression. Was there already disgust on there, or was it plain confusion. He hated this, always hated this and will always hate it as long as he's blind. Not able to see these things. While others could already see a lot by expression, if someone was happy or not, annoyed at you for saying something, rolling eyes... the last something he always did a lot when he could see, still does every now and then. All these actions were silent, he couldn't even listen to the other's heartbeat if he was getting nervous or trying to lie. No, he just had to continue the conversation, make the other speak and try to decipher what emotions are behind it and pray that the other isn't lying or if he was, isn't good at it.
"I want to go out of the house, go somewhere." He honestly didn't care where they went, it could be the park or the shop or just a walk around the block, he just wanted out and about and try this. He really hoped the other would accept... He was about to continue his sentence when the other reacted faster, seeming to have an understanding and be happy, to which he also put a stop to quickly by interrupting the other since he had the wrong impression.
"Without my cane." He didn't want to go on a walk hand in hand like always this time.
There was a moment of silence, that stupid silence in which he knew the other was inspecting him, yet he couldn't see anything!
Finally a question was voiced, one full of confusion, "Without your cane?".
He only nodded to it, nothing else needed to be said, because yes, no cane, he couldn't make that clearer than it was.
"But... I- How? You can't?"
There it was. He frowned as the other started to deny him the option to go out. This is what he meant. He couldn't be with someone who didn't allow him freedom. Someone that kept him inside all day because of his disability. But... he didn't expect this from the blond... Had Marco really not been the man he pictured him to be? He had given himself high expectations of the other... that he was kind, charming, handsome, but most importantly, helpful and uncaring. Uncaring in a way for his disability. Not that he disregarded it, definitely not, but he had gotten the impression that the other didn't mind helping him and just... didn't care that he was blind. That he loved him even if he was. But... had he been so wrong...
"I-I mean, you can! Of course you can go outside if you want to. But you can't see, you can't just g-, I ehm, I mean- I just-"
While sadness, and a bit of anger was overtaking him, he still listened as the other backpedalled, probably since he frowned and knew his reaction had been the wrong one. You can't blame him, he was really hoping for this to work out. He was sad that he had to break up with the blond, that they apparently weren't compatible. But he was also angry, angry at his blindness for ruining things once again, but also angry at the other for not even wanting to try.
"How will you find your way? The obstacles. I don't know how I could..."
His train of thought stopped. The other now sounded... worried? Worried for him? Not... not annoyed at the walking with him part?
Hearing the other swallow, he strained his ears to hear everything, he couldn't miss anything, not a word but also not a single emotion.
"I don't want you to fall and hurt yourself."
o-oh... he wanted to cry. Was that what it had been about? Marco... Marco had been worried for him? He wasn't mad at him, or annoyed, or frustrated, or or or well anything at him for asking him to guide him! He was worried for him! For his safety!
A smile was rising to his lips as happier thoughts were taking over. This, this is a reaction he didn't instantly expect, but god was it the reaction that he desperately needed. Worry. Worry for him before they had even gone outside. The other was already thinking of his wellbeing, thinking of how he could help him even if he didn't know the answer himself.
A bright laugh escaped him and he reached to grabbed Marco's hand that he had felt pressing into the couch, squeezing it as he was hopefully looking into blue eyes, "You'll be my eyes!".
"A-ah hold on! Hold on-yoi!"
He heard some shuffling as he stopped walking due to Marco's request. Hearing rocks tumble?
"Okay" he heard a breath of relieve from the other as an arm linked into his again and he was pulled further again to walk.
As soon as they had gone out of the apartment, Marco had linked their arms together and had his other free arm also holding onto his bicep. No harsh hold, it didn't hurt him, but it was a secure one. One he was sure of that should he trip, the other would be able to hold him up. It had already made him all smiles as the other was thinking of him and putting thought in it.
He himself honestly didn't really know what to expect, he hadn't really dated a lot since he was blind and when he had, most had been a little... put off with this or had just flimsily held onto his hand as they pulled him along as if it was a stupid task they had to fulfil. No one had been able to make him feel safe just from grip alone.
He did wonder what Marco did sometimes. Every now and then they would stop before he heard some small noises and they were on their way again. Maybe he should just ask.
"What was there?"
"hmm?"
"Why we stopped, what did you do, I heard some small noises."
"There were some rocks on the side walk, I ehm, I kicked them aside-yoi."
Ooooh he did not! Awing he squeezed the arm holding him, nuzzling his cheek on a shoulder, "Thank you!" That was so sweet! He couldn't even find all the stones with his cane, and these had sounded very small, so probably the usual small stones that were everywhere and to which he was used to. But still! The man took his time to kick them away every time they were in his way!
"Ehm, shall we head to the park? It's just a little further-yoi."
Ace blinked, the other even wanted to go further! Without talking about it, he kind of expected the blond to do the block and return to the safety of their home, but no, he was still making this a nice date! "Yea! That would be so nice!"
He felt more than saw, obviously, movement that he recognized as the blond nodding. Giggling lightly at it he followed the pace they had set again. Marco was still getting used to having to voice out his actions, like actually saying 'yes' when he nodded. But Ace didn't mind, it was normal that it took some time and it also made him feel so special that the other was doing all these things for him.
When they reached the park, he instantly knew by the texture change in the ground. The park having gravel roads to walk across. And even if he didn't feel it... he still would have known. The blond had never stopped commenting on their surrounding for even a moment.
"We're nearing a crossing in a few meters-yoi. There's a tree coming up next to you. In the next few steps you're switching from those normal pavement stones to asphalt... and back to normal pavement. The path we're going to take makes a small … hill... it's going up a bit."
It had kept going the whole way like that! He had almost said to the other that he didn't need to voice everything out to him, but he also didn't want the other to feel like he was doing anything wrong. Because he wasn't, even if it was a little too much. It was the nicest thing someone's done for him in so long. And besides that, he felt that the other was the tiniest bit nervous and very concentrated, so he also didn't want to break th-
"Aah!"
He clutched to the other's body as he was suddenly picked up and being carried in strong arms. Confused and in panic he looked around.
"W-what? What's going on? Is something happening? Marco?"
The grip around him tightened and stuttering started up and …. was Marco heating up, blushing?
"I-I'm sorry, Ace-yoi. I ehm I just. There was a small step and I didn't notice it on time and you were about to step on it, and below it are leaves, I don't know if they are slippery. You could have tripped, from the step and slipped on the leaves, I- I didn't mean to pick you up but I- it's the only thing I could think off and-"
Laughter tore from his throat as he buried his face in the crook of Marco's neck. God, this was amazing. His eyes started to tear up as he laughed and he felt the neck heating up so much more. Oooh his poor boyfriend, he doesn't mean to embarrass him, but this was just so cute and caring.
"T-thank you" he stuttered out, slowly letting his laughs die out as he pulled back a bit to look up. Raising one hand he wiped under his eyes to get the tears off, "You're amazing Marco, thank you. Really. Ooh, I can't... I never expected this."
"I-I'm sorry."
"no, no, no." He quickly shook his head, "Nothing to be sorry about, I'm sorry for laughing." he took another moment to calm down and searched for a face, putting a hand on a warm cheek and carefully leaning in to kiss the other one, feeling he lightly brushed over the side of lips. "Thank you. Really. This shows me you really care for me."
"I do-yoi."
"I know. But I mean, …. yea... thank you. Watching out for me. Something like this, most wouldn't even have thought of it."
"I also didn't..."
"You did. You picked me up and protected me from falling. Thank you, Marco." he gave a smile, "You've been amazing me this whole trip. Telling me about the environment, the pavement, kicking away the stones, picking me up, wanting to actually go on a real walk and not go back inside after two steps. Thank you. It means a lot to me, it really does."
Arms around him squeezed his body once more and as he was lifted up a bit he felt lips connect with his forehead, "I'm glad... that it seems I'm doing well, at least for some things. I ehm didn't really know what to do."
"Already everything I could ask for and more."
"Ace-yoi..."
The voice was soft and this time his cheek was kissed before a forehead rested against his own. Humming he leaned into it before they disconnected, a soft smile on his lips. And he could only wish for the same expression to be on the other.
After a few moments in silence, he felt the other take a step down and gently put him down on the ground, another small unnecessary apology in place for picking him up so suddenly.
Brushing it off he linked their arms again and pulled the blond a few steps until he heard a chuckle from the other and they started walking again. They did a few rounds around the park before making their way back to Marco's apartment. And while in the end, much to Marco's distress, he did trip once and may have slipped over another patch of leaves, -making the blond in return hold on even stronger and give even more comments on their surroundings-, it had been a great walk. It had been everything he could have wished for and so, so much more.
Back on the couch he was cuddled up, nuzzling against the other as he was a ball of pure happiness itself. Marco was the one. The one who cared for him and helped him with the same amount of love as he pictured someone would in a normal relationship, regardless of his blindness. Marco was the one he could trust his life with and love with all his being.
If this was how they would conquer obstacles together, experience new things, there was nothing that would be able to put them down.
Funny. Or funny to me. I started this Blind Ace series because of a chapter I've written, 3/4th written, of Blind Ace and seeing Marco Ice skating together. Yet... I haven't even finished the chapter that triggered this whole series but keeping making others.