Human

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I sat up suddenly with a jolt.

My breathing was heavy and my forehead was almost dripping of sweat. My heart felt like it was going to burst through my chest as I took a few deep breaths. I looked around my pitch black room letting my eyes adjust to the darkness for a moment.

I lay back, letting out a sigh of relief after calming down; I couldn't even remember what the dream was about which was probably for the best. I climbed out of bed and checked my alarm. 2:32 am. I rolled my eyes and wiped the sweat off of my forehead with my sleeve.

I stumbled out of my bedroom and headed for the kitchen. Ace's parents hadn't come home from the ball in days, but wouldn't be worried, they probably have houses all over the country.

I was still shaking as I filled up a glass of water in the kitchen. "You're up" I heard a voice say causing me to jump 10 feet in the air.

"Holy fuck Ace" I panted, already being scared from my dream. "Why are you awake?" he asked while staring out the window across the room. "No reason, I was just thirsty" I shrugged taking a drink out of the glass. Ace nodded in response.

Something about his demeanour was off. He seemed upset but in his own way; He was scowling at a photo on the wall and he couldn't seem to keep his eyes off it. He a cigarette in his hand which probably helped him cope with the stress of being a mafia leader.

"Why are you up?" I asked him with a soft tone only to realize Ace doesn't really sleep. "I don't like sleeping" He admitted as he pressed his lips against the cigarette. "Why not" I almost whispered considering how quiet the house was. "I don't like to dream" he answered truthfully. "That's weird, most people love to dream" I said confusedly but astonished at what just came out of Ace's mouth.

"Why would I want to dream of things that will never happen, it doesn't make sense?" Ace shrugged as he flicked his cigarette bud out the window. I mean, he had a valid point. "Well you're not very hopeful" I raised my eyebrows at him. "I'm Ace Hernandez, my life is full of pain and misery, of course I'm hopeless" he rolled his eyes, mocking what people say about him.

"You're not in a good mood" I scowled at him. "No , I'm not" he hissed angrily but not at me, I assume it was towards the mafia.  "Do you need a hug?" I pouted playfully. He didn't respond and kept his glare towards the window. "Oh my god you do want one" I said surprised.

"I've never needed one so why would I need one now?" He grumbled. "Ok fine but in all seriousness you need one" I uttered, standing with my arms open towards him from across the room. "No" he scowled threateningly at me. "What are you going to do? Kill me?" I mocked him teasingly. "Wish I had" he rolled his eyes. That better have been a joke.

"What's got you in a bad mood?" I asked again, becoming genuinely worried. "Why do you even care?" He snapped abruptly while slamming his fist on the table. I covered my face with my hands but since Ace's sweatshirt was too big on me, only the sleeves also helped me hide. I listened to his quiet footsteps approach where I was standing. I could hear the shakiness in his breath that was inches away from me.

"Because I care about you" I mumbled softly as I began taking my hands down from my face. His face instantly calmed at my words. I grabbed his hand slowly but with caution of course. I could feel the burning desire between us. Our fingers intertwined beneath us, refusing to let go. Ace's breathing slowed as looked at up at him gently.

"You don't have to pretend everything's fine anymore Ace, I know somethings wrong" I whispered to him, making sure he was calming down. He had this glaze over his eyes like he wanted to cry. "What happened?" I said with a hushed tone.

"Nothing" Ace mumbled, shaking his head. "What's wrong!" I demanded to know, grabbing his cheek gently with my free hand. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. "Ace you can tell me, I'm on your side!" I reassured him. I hated seeing him like this. He glanced at floor before looking me straight in the eye. He leaned into my hand and shut his eyes, taking in my touch. He opened his eyes again and let out sigh. "My father killed my mother at the ball, I just got word of it a few minutes ago" Ace uttered quietly, almost like he didn't want to say it; It's like if he said it, he would have to believe it.

I felt my eyes water, I don't know why. Maybe it was the fact I knew his mom was the only person in his life that truly cared for him as best she could under the circumstances. Catching him off guard, I wrapped my arms around him. "I'm sorry" I mumbled, tears rolling down my cheeks. Her soul was beautiful and did not belong in the Mafia; that evil man kept a chain around her.

He didn't respond but his arms slowly raised to my back and then he wrapped his arms around me, holding onto me like I was the only stable thing in his life. He clung onto me, not wanting to let go. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Ace" I cried softly, holding him as tight as I could. He buried his head into my neck. I moved one of my hands to the top of his head. "She didn't deserve that.....you didn't deserve that" I whispered to him as I sniffled. He shook his head slowly as I saw one of his tears drop to the floor.

I pretended I didn't see it; Until another one fell to the floor. He didn't budge his head from neck. "It's ok" I whispered holding him close. "It's my fault, I shouldn't of left her with him" he mumbled painfully. "No....no it's not, don't ever say that" I whispered to him. "I left her there" he spoke with agony in his voice. "You couldn't of known" I cried for him as I rested my hand on the back of his head.

I couldn't help but feel guilty for some part in this. If Ace had just killed me, his father wouldn't have punished him like this.

"I'll never see her again" Ace admitted shaking his head again, still burying his face in my neck.

I grabbed Ace's face with my two hands, pulling him out of my grip to see his face. He was hesitant but he glanced at me before looking at floor; His eyes were red and glossy. I stroked his cheek, wiping away his tear with my thumb. "I believe you'll see her again someday" I whispered quietly to Ace who didn't break his stare from the ground. "I don't want to do this anymore" Ace finally let out. The sad thing is that I knew exactly how he felt.

I just pulled him back into my embrace.

A few minutes passed of us just holding eachother. "Come on, you need to sleep" I whispered to him, taking his hand and leading him to his room. "No" Ace spoke sharply. "You have to" I gazed at him with slight pout. "Fine" he sighed with disappointment.

I opened his bedroom door. It was still messy but it was bland; There was no posters or anything. We both climbed onto the bed.

Ace lay facing me before he let out a sigh. "Just shut your eyes" I whispered, stroking his cheek. "I don't like sleeping" Ace hesitantly admitted again but closed his eyes anyway. A few minutes had passed.

"Ace" I whispered.
"Yeah" he replied, making me snicker slightly.
"You're supposed to be asleep" I glared at him. "I told you I don't like sleeping" Ace repeated again. I threw him a scowl in the dark. "Can I have you're hand" I asked suddenly. Ace moved his hand next to my head.

I started drawing soothing circles on the centre of his palm with my finger. Ace finally relaxed, his body wasn't tense anymore. "You're so tense" I whispered lifting up the back of his shirt. Ace didn't even ask what I was doing . I grazed my finger along his back causing him to smile slightly. "You like this?" I questioned him quietly. He hummed in satisfaction. That's how I knew he was finally falling asleep.

A few more minutes had passed. I knew he was asleep because of his even breaths and relaxed body. I went to get up and leave from drawing on his back, only for Ace's hand to grab my wrist, not letting me leave. He was half asleep. I couldn't help but smile at his relaxed expression; he really is flawless.

"You deserved better than the life you were given" I whispered gently as I shut my eyes.

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