NC17 Chip and Ace Cuddle (Saturday)

[Kat]

Glancing one more time at Teddy, he was a little shocked to see the other boy appear suddenly angry. Teddy was usually very laid back and Ace could only guess this meant that he and Sweetheart must have finally gotten together. Ignoring Teddy's look though he glanced back at Sweetheart. With Chip's presence, he wasn't worried about Teddy, confident that if anything were to happen, Chip would step in.

"Why, you ask?" He locked eyes with the girl again, his eyes softening just a touch. "Because we're finally talking again. You know she's still completely in love with me, Sweetheart. Do you honestly think she'd want to hear about this? What do you think it would do to her? That is, if she even believed you. You know she wants us to get back together so badly, what makes you think she'd believe anything you have to say? You and I are not friends, Sweetheart. She never thought you liked me all that much and after what happened the last time, she'd only see this as your attempt to keep us apart. She'd think you're trying to protect her from getting hurt again and you know that woud make her angry." Pausing a moment to let the words sink in a bit, he now looked less angry and more a bit more emotional. The blond was certainly a master at arguing with others and always winning.

"Are you willing to risk your friendship with her over it? And even if she did believe you, do you want to kill her last year in high school like that? Do you have any idea what she's going through right now? I do. Even if I don't love her the same way I used to, I care about her, and if I can do anything to make this upcoming year easier on her I will. Even if it means rekindling our relationship just slightly, just enough to make her smile again, I'll do it. She knows I'm leaving after this year for Europe anyway, she's not expecting anything to last. Do you really want to take away the last few months she has with which to be happy that our relationship has gotten better? Have you thought about that?" Ace finished, his voice having taken on the same emotional edge as his facial features.

[Sharise]

"Oh, blow it out of your ass, Ace." Teddy sneered at the blonde. The only thing he had inherited from his father was his fucked temperament.

Taking a step closer to Ace, Teddy wrapped a protective arm around Sweetheart. "You're such a manipulating son of bitch, and usually that doesn't bother me. But don't you ever, and I mean ever, fucking talk to Sweetheart like that again." He removed his arm from the girl and grabbed Ace forcefully by both arms. He leaned closer to the blonde and lowered his voice. "Got it?"

[Kat]

Ace looked up at Teddy, annoyed that the other boy had intervened. He was so annoyed that it clouded his mind a little and for once in his life, didn't think before he spoke. "Oh really? What are you going to do, Teddy? Hit me? Just like your father would?" He regretted the words the second he said them, fully expecting Teddy's fist to connect with his face at any second.

[Cres]

Sweetheart's eyes went very wide as Ace talked to her. He made perfect sense... she guessed... but... still... she didn't know what to do... what to say. Her simple young mind was getting very confused over all this. She believed firmly that truth was what mattered... truth was important. And Ace was actually asking her now to support his lie to her friend... worse yet, in fact lie herself, by keeping her mouth shut, for Starlight's own good?

It didn't make sense to her. Sweetheart's mind didn't work like that. And yet, his reasoning was getting to her. She was so used to believing what others said, without question. And Ace had always ranked among the people who knew better, somehow - because he was Teddy's friend, she supposed, more than for any other reason.

She was too dumbfounded to say anything right away, so Teddy got his word in easily before she even got her mouth open. She glanced at Teddy, a little shocked over what he was doing. And yet also... very very happy. He was her knight indeed. She smiled a little and looked at Teddy, then at Ace, waiting for his reply. She had always been happy with letting men - or boys, in this case - decide over things. She didn't dare to go in between the confrontation, though now she worried a little that this might in fact come in between Teddy and Ace. They had always been good friends, and she didn't want to be the one to break them apart.



As for Chip, he had been following all this very, very quietly. He had never seen this side of Ace before, or at least not so vividly. He wasn't sure what to think of it. He wondered if he was telling the truth. Was he doing Starlight a favour - or being just a jerk?

And then again, was it any kind of a favour? Memories flashed in Chip's mind. Tan body before him turned to faded yellow and blond hair turned into dark blue. He swallowed.

Was it a favour to string someone along, just to make them feel a little better for a little while, only to dump them in the end? How different was it from what Flash had done to him?

He was shocked to realise how keenly Ace reminded him of Flash. Since the very first time he had met the blond, he had remembered his old painful love. Even the skin colour almost matched. Almost. Why had he fallen in love with Ace? Was it for the memory?

No.

And yet... at that moment he saw a similarity, an echo, he hated.

It was only Teddy's intervention at that moment that stopped Chip's thoughts from turning very, very dark.

Chip disliked the way Ace was going after Sweetheart as much as Teddy did. He would have done it differently. Still... Teddy's near-attack on Ace awoke his protector's instincts for Ace's favour. He stepped forward, still wrapped inside the blanket, but making sure he stood close enough behind Ace to make it clear to Teddy that if he wanted to pick a fight with Ace, he needed to pick a fight with him too.

I am such a fool, he told himself while he did it, though, but he wasn't sure why he thought it.

Ace's reply retort made little difference to Chip, except in one way. He moved in between Ace and Teddy as quickly as he could, anticipating a punch.

"Calm down, both of you," he said, low down from his throat. It was the only decent thing he could do. This fight needed to be prevented.

[Sharise]

Teddy paid no attention to Chip, in fact, he almost found it amusing how the man wanted to protect Ace. Anger had completely engulfed the teen as his grip on the blonde tightened enough to leave a mark.

As Ace spoke, Teddy expression changed drastically. A maniacal gleam was in the boy's blue eyes as she looked down at the soccer player. Years of pain, resentment and anger were screaming to be released, and Teddy found himself unable to hold them back.

Fortunately for Ace, Chip stepped in before Teddy had the chance to knock the blonde out completely. At this point he wasn't able to think clearly, but those words he remembered all to well. In his opinion, Ace was finished.

"Ace...." Teddy took a step back, his eyes never leaving the blonde. "You can go rot in Hell for all I care." Without another word, Teddy turned and walked away. He didn't need to deal with this bullshit. He had come too far to return to his old habits. If he didn't walk away now, then he never would.

[Kat]

Ace felt relief when Chip stepped in, knowing that otherwise Teddy would have done some serious damage. He knew he should apologize for the comments, but he was entirely too frightened to say anything. He just stood behind Chip and bit his lower lip, watching Teddy walk away. He longed to throw his arms around Chip, hug him and thank him for protecting him. But he had a feeling Chip might not be so happy to have that happen right now. Plus there was still Sweetheart. Was she going to go after Teddy and talk to him, or would she be frightened off by the anger too?

He was still too frightened to think about the repurcussions it would have on their friendship, though. No one had ever stood up to him like Teddy had before. No one ever told him off and no one ever threatened him. He really didn't like the feeling.

[Cres]

Sweetheart's eyes had widened when the confrontation between the boys grew into such horrible measures, and when Teddy let go of Ace and started walking away, she glanced behind her to him, then to Ace, and finally to Chip. Then back to Ace.

"I thought you were his friend," she said very quietly, her large eyes filled with sorrow. "I thought you were Starlight's friend too, if nothing else. But now I'm not so sure if you're anybody's friend." She looked at Chip. "And don't worry. I won't tell anyone. But don't bring him to any family dinners."

They were the harshest words she had ever spoken to anyone or about anyone. But she loved Teddy. And she loved Starlight. And Ace had never earned her trust or friendship.

And she had learned lately what it meant to resent people.

With that, she turned around and rushed after Teddy.


Chip stared after Sweetheart and Teddy for a while in total silence. He didn't move. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do. Or what he should do. A few minutes... he just stood there.

[Sharise]

Teddy glanced behind him to see who was following him. Relief filled his heart at the sight of Sweetheart. He wrapped his arms around the girl and pulled her into an embrace.

"I'm sorry. I didn't expect things to get this bad." He rested his head on top of hers. His heart was breaking, but he didn't dare show it.

[Kat]

Ace stood still as he listened to Sweetheart speak, her words cutting him a lot deeper than she probably realized. He knew what she said was true; in the history of friends, he was probably the worst one anyone could have. He constantly manipulated the friends he did have, always testing the limits and threatening those who didn't follow the line he drew. He wasn't sure why he was so desperate to always control everyone around him, especially since he knew that in all honesty, he hated having to be the controlling one. He hated the life he had carved for himself socially, constantly staying on top of everyone when all he wanted to do was sit on the ground and let others scramble to claim his spot on top. But no matter how much he hated it, he would never let it go.

He didn't know what to say to Chip, if there was even anything he could say. What would Chip think of him now? What if, by chance, Chip thought that maybe his whole story from earlier in the day had bene fabricated to manipulate him? What if he couldn't believe that the vulnerable boy he'd been before could be the same as the manipulative asshole he'd just been? What if he had just fucked up the only person who had broken his barrier? His lip started trembling a little as he thought more about it, certain he was going to start crying. He reached out with his hand and brushed his fingers down Chip's arm until he reached his hand, his fingers brushing over Chip's hand, as though afraid to take hold of it. What if Chip pushed him away?

[Cres]

Sweetheart wrapped her arms around Teddy as soon as she had caught him, and held him tight. She reached up to kiss him on the neck. What a beginning to their official relationship together!

"It isn't your fault," she said quietly, with an affectionate voice, her hands trailing over his back in a soothing caress, desperate to comfort him. "Ace is just a jerk. Forget him."



Chip stood watching Teddy and Sweetheart embrace farther away. His jaw was set. He didn't know just how he felt. He didn't want to... remember. He didn't want to think back. He didn't want to...

And yet he had to. Once the thought had entered his consciousness it wouldn't leave. Flash had been so wonderful and sweet when they had been together. He had cuddled into his arms and kissed him like he was the only man in the world. Flash had told about his pain and Chip had soothed it away. Flash had told him many stories about how he loved Chip. About how he needed him.

And in the end, he never knew if it had been a lie.

Was this the same way? Was he going the same road again? Was he letting himself fall in love again only to be dumped after Ace had got what he needed?

Then he felt the touch on his arm, sliding down to his hand. He closed his eyes from the memories that kept pushing their way into his mind. The touch... there was nothing of Flash in that touch. There was nothing of the purposeful weakness. Nothing of the suggestive waver of the fingertips which had always accompanied every caress Flash would ever give him.

There was only genuine hesitation, most of all when the fingers didn't close around his hand.

No, this was different. This had to be different. It would kill him if he was wrong, but he needed to believe it was different. He needed to believe that for once, he had fallen in love with the real thing.

His hand moved, slowly, opening to Ace's hand, then closed around it, to hold tight.

Chip turned to look at Ace. There was no blame or suspicion in his eyes. There was only sadness.

"I'm sorry," he said, though he couldn't be sure why he was apologising. Because he was used to apologising - used to it it was his fault, no matter what happened? Or because he had suspected, for a moment? Perhaps for both reasons.

He opened his other arm out, to offer an embrace.

[Sharise]

Teddy bit his lip. Forget about him..... He wished he could, but those words stung deeper than he could imagine.

"Want to go somewhere quiet?" Teddy looked down at Sweetheart. It was obvious he was desperate to get his mind off of things.

[Kat]

When Chip took hold of his hand and turned around, Ace felt more relieved than he ever had in his life. Chip wasn't going to turn on him, at least not yet. Practically falling against Chip, Ace tightened his arms around Chip's waist and pushed his head against his chest. "You didn't do anything, this was all entirely my fault. It's always my fault, everything I do is always wrong and I always hurt everyone I care about and I don't know why..." Ace started to drift off in his commentary, Teddy and Sweetheart's reactions stinging him. How could he possibly repair that damage? Would he ever be able to?

"I, Chip..." Ace pulled away briefly and looked up into Chip's face, "thank you. For protecting me." Blinking tears out of his eyes, Ace hoped Chip knew just how honest he was being.

[Cres]

Sweetheart looked at Teddy, her eyes sad but understanding. She reached up and kissed him on the cheek gently.

"Of course, Teddy," she said softly. Then she got a few tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Teddy. It's all my fault."



Chip closed his eyes when Ace fell into his arms. From the expression on the boy's face and the tremour in his voice when he spoke Chip knew he had made the right decision. Instantly he was ashamed for ever doubting it. He could see how much pain it would have caused Ace had he noticed the suspicion.

Chip looked at Ace when he thanked him. There was an affectionate expression in his eyes, and he raised his other hand to trail over the boy's cheek in a gentle caress. He would die before he let anything spoil this. He knew that as he saw the tears in Ace's eyes.

"I promised I would, didn't I?" he asked with a small smile. "And..."

He was about to say something comforting, something to help him take his mind off of it, to make it all seem brighter, but he couldn't. He couldn't say it wasn't Ace's fault - the boy would have known it for a lie. It was Ace's fault, though not intentionally. Still... He sighed and wrapped his arms around Ace better, pressing the blond's head against his chest.

"Look, I know Sweetheart. She's never spoken like that before, but I know it won't last. She'll understand, if... I'll talk to her, okay? And as for Teddy... well, I'm sure we can fix it. Somehow. I'll help you. Okay? It's going to be all right."

[Kat]

Ace was so grateful for Chip's embrace and for his words. But Chip didn't really understand how deeply that damage had been. Ace really worried that things with Teddy would never be repaired. "I don't know, Chip. I don't think he'll forgive me for that. Hell I wouldn't forgive me for that. God that was really cold. I shock myself sometimes. It's like I'm so concerned with everyone giving in to me that I'd rather put an end to the friendship than deal with someone not following along with me. I'm never wrong with my friends, Chip. Everyone always gives in to me because I'm a master at manipulating others. Hell, I've done it to you. It's not something that I'm proud of, but I can't help it. Just like Teddy got his temper from his father, I think I got my manipulative streak from mine." When he made the comment he realized how true it was. His father had been one of the most manipulative and controlling people he'd ever met, most of the time able to do it without anyone even realizing. He'd hated it when he'd realized how his father did it, and here he was doing the exact same thing.

"I'm turning into him, Chip. I'm totally turning into my father and that is such a horrible thing." He'd never allowed that thought to enter his head before. He missed his father tremendously but there was no denying the man wasn't a great person.

[Cres]

Chip honestly did not now what to answer to that. He wasn't all-knowing. He wasn't omnipotent either, able to fix everything. No matter how much he might have wanted to be. He wasn't. And at that moment it was painfully obvious to him.

"Oh, Ace..." He looked at the blond, then smiled a little. "I suppose that's a fear we all share. I..." He was about to go on about his own father, then realised he couldn't possibly reveal everything to Ace, and stopped. Besides, this wasn't about him. It couldn't be, it shouldn't be, and it wouldn't be. He looked down and bit his lip a little. "You know... in the end, it is what we choose that makes us what we are. Not our stars. There may not be many things in the world we can control, but ourselves... we can." He took Ace's chin into his fingers and lifted it gently so he could look at the boy in the eyes. "All it takes is effort. It may not be easy, but it's possible. If you really want to change, you can do it." He smiled a little and then planted a kiss on Ace's lips. "But you know, I love you the way you are. So if you change for anyone... let it be for yourself. I can deal with manipulation. So long as at the end of the day, you love me." He winked.