Chapter Text
Maldea: I think Marco tried hard enough to fix it. Though Ace's forgiveness can't be understated. <3
Otaku_Girl2176: Thank you! So much fluff after so much angst lol.
Fenrir_IndomitableSpirit: Yeah, last chapter. :( But I'll be posting the next one in a few minutes to replace this one! Much different, though. MUCH different.
Here we are at the last chapter! I'll be posting the next story to take this one's place shortly. I hope you enjoyed this!
Two days later, Ace and Marco were at the airport three hours early, just in case something changed. But they got on the plane easily. Ace was nervous about being on the plane, and Marco told him he could handle a super safe plane if he was brave enough to go shark diving without a cage.
Ace again said the sharks wouldn't hurt him, and Marco said plane crashes were rare. They just laughed it off, Ace having the window seat. Somebody sat beside Marco, but they listened to their music the whole time. The flight was very long, and the two had had to go out of their way to buy clothes for somewhere warm.
It would be strange. For two people who were almost always in a chilly climate to go somewhere much warmer. Ace fell asleep for much of the plane ride, and when they landed at the islands, they headed to the hotel they'd reserved already, putting their clothes and things away. They'd be there the whole week before flying back on Saturday.
They had a rented car, and immediately they drove to the nearest park. They hiked, explored, swam. Did everything Hawaii had to offer. It was the next day that the snorkeling was. Ace couldn't wait to be around animals he'd never see back home in the rainy and cold Oregon waters.
He couldn't wait! He even had trouble sleeping, even after taking his meds, so Marco rubbed his thumb along his spine in bed, something Ace never knew he liked. He fell asleep to it easily. The next morning, Ace got dressed and ready in record time, Marco trying to keep up with his excited boyfriend. When they got to the place, Ace jumped out of the car and went running in, turning in their tickets.
He should have waited for Marco, but he was just too excited. Marco walked in at a more leisurely pace, putting his arm around Ace's waist while they waited. He was happy to see every worker there was an AI. It made him feel better for some reason. They waited for a bit for the boat to come back, dressed and ready. The oxygen tanks were a bit heavy to wear, but it was worth it.
Everything was worth it for this trip of a lifetime. Marco seemed so happy Ace was happy. When they got on the boat, no way the only ones to do this on spring break, Ace leaned into Marco. They'd both chipped in for a go-pro that would be on Ace's head. To document everything. When they got to the place, Ace able to see the colorful reefs below.
He might be annoying for inspecting every little thing. There were a lot of rules and warnings. Ace wished he could touch the turtles that he could already see, but would follow the rules. He'd be allowed to touch the dolphins the next day. When they dived, the oxygen tanks lost all weight.
They swam to the reefs, and Ace did inspect everything. Marco was interested, too, looking at all of the fish and plants. When more turtles came near them, Ace was amazed at how close he was to them. He so wished he could reach out, but didn't. The fish were all so colorful, and he saw some eels peeking out of their holes.
He pointed to them and Marco looked. Ace wished he could talk around the mouth piece, but he couldn't.
They were allowed to venture off a bit but under supervision. Ace wanted to see some of the sharks he knew were in reefs and were relatively harmless. Marco followed closely after him. Ace pointed out a spotted eagle ray. It swam so fluidly, barely seeming to move a muscle. Ace was catching everything on the camera, having made extra sure that it was on before they got into the water.
He barely caught it out of the corner of his eye, but below a near ledge, still in range of where they could go, he saw a whitetip reef shark, just resting. Probably sleeping. He got a good look, but did not approach or disturb it.
Marco came when he was waved over, and Ace pointed to it. He didn't tense, probably seeing it was resting, or maybe just trusting that Ace wouldn't get close to anything that was dangerous. They just watched it rest, gills moving but completely stationary. The three hours was up way too fast. But, they had another snorkeling session that evening, seeing different creatures at different times of the day.
Ace was so happy when they got out of the water, and hugged Marco, thanking him for letting him have these experiences. "Anything to make you happy, Ace," he said, kissing his wet hair. While they were on the way back to the port, Ace talked about the creatures they'd seen. Marco didn't look annoyed with his gushing at all.
He just listened with a small smile on, sometimes asking questions, but mostly letting Ace rattle off facts and thoughts, sometimes that don't have anything to do with one another. For the rest of the day before the evening dive, they went driving around the island, the scenery beautiful. "If I didn't love the cold and rain, I might want to move here."
Marco agreed that it was very beautiful. "But I don't think I could afford it," Ace added. They went to the beach, a less crowded one, and just mostly laid on the sandy shore, letting the calm waves run over their legs. It was so relaxing that Ace fell asleep. Marco made sure he was safe, and woke him up when it was time to go.
Ace jumped up and ran back to the car, Marco jogging after him. So, they drove back to the wonderful port, and got geared up again. The sun was low, but it wasn't dark out. There were no night dives, only evening. Marco seemed a bit more uncomfortable. But when they were led by the professionals into deeper water, Marco relaxed the moment a manta ray swam above them.
It was huge. Ace already knew its size, but being to it up close made it seem so much bigger. Two more swam overhead, Ace filming it all. The professionals pointed to a bit out where a black tip reef shark could be seen. Marco backed up a bit. Ace pat his back. Maybe he didn't trust him on what was safe, though. Since Ace both enjoyed the cage diving and was brave enough to go free diving with more harmless sharks.
There were unique sea creatures that were not out during the day, like small octopuses. Ace so wished he could touch them, but respected the instructions and did not. It was amazing. When they got out, their time up, Marco was in a great mood. "Those manta rays were huge."
"They're so pretty, too," Ace said, holding onto Marco's hand happily. "I wish we could touch them!" Marco grinned and said he did, too. When they got back to the hotel, after getting some local food, Ace crashed almost immediately after taking his pills. Marco tucked him in and went to bed early, too.
The next day, they were swimming with dolphins!
They woke up early, since the day was packed. First, they were going to swim with dolphins, then they were going to cage dive with whale sharks. Marco was still on the fence about the free diving with sharks. Ace was going to do it, having done it before, only with a different species. Ace totally understood if he wasn't comfortable with that.
Marco knew Ace would rather dive in the natural habitat than in the enclosed spaces, so when they went swimming with dolphins, it was wild dolphins. But they were still extremely social. Ace and Marco were surrounded by them, Marco holding Ace's hand even though it wasn't because of fear.
They encountered multiple pods on their way, and a large and curious one once they finally got in the water. Honestly, Ace had never had more fun than he was having during their break in Hawaii. Marco was wonderful. It was all so expensive, but he wanted to make new memories with this Ace, in their second relationship.
A few dolphins came up close to Ace, and he couldn't help but discreetly touch it, but he wasn't caught, thankfully. Nobody saw but Marco. It was wonderful, and Marco enjoyed this one, too. They were both having fun, and Ace even enjoyed the educational part, where the professionals were also marine biologists. Ace talked to them a lot, asking questions.
They were more than happy to give them after Ace said that was what he was going to college for.
After they got back to the island, both had a quick lunch before heading to the place they'd be using to dive with whale sharks. Ace wished it was a free dive, but they couldn't book any of those at the time. Marco was much less worried about cage diving with gentle sharks than great whites. He'd gotten the scary one out of the way.
They saw two, one up close and another harder to see in the murky water. Marco was amazed with the size of these ones, too. Ace was enthralled with just how much marine life there was near the Hawaiian islands. Even when they got back on the ship, humpbacks were splashing far out. Marco was so content with everything, though he got tenser when it came to free diving with sharks.
Ace was fine when Marco finally decided he couldn't go in, but would be on the boat while Ace was in the water. To be honest, this was the thing Ace looked forward to the most. The last time he'd dived with sharks, it was both amazing and thrilling. Knowing the creatures could be dangerous but just weren't. It was so fun. More fun than cage diving.
When they got to the spot the sharks were, Marco was biting his lip in worry. "Marco, even if a shark did attack me, I'd be fine. I'd just need to be repaired. I won't die, even if things go south," Ace assured him. Marco nodded, saying he forgot Ace was an AI sometimes. "But for things like this, its a good thing, huh?" he asked.
Marco touched his face. "There's no good or bad. It's you. But I am happy you are safer," he said kindly. Ace's cheeks went red with a bright smile, and he nodded before getting in the water with the other three divers. There were no oxygen tanks for this dive. Just snorkeling gear. Marco was looking over the side, no doubt able to see all of the sharks swimming below.
Most of them stayed away. Just close enough to get a good, detailed look, but never close enough to make anyone feel uncomfortable. There were easily over a hundred of them, mostly below them. It was a relief this kind of shark did not attack from below like great whites did. They would come rocketing up at their prey from below.
Ace was sure that the sharks were used to humans and that's why they didn't seem to care or be interested in the group's presence. Ace was glad animals treated Ace like they did with humans. Not like he was a machine. Because he wasn't, but he wasn't a biological human. So he was just happy that that wasn't a problem.
After the hour was up, Ace got back to the boat. Marco looked nervous, but when Ace climbed back onto the boat, he visibly relaxed. "See? I'm perfectly safe," Ace said with a smile. He sat beside his lover, leaning his head against his chest. They were going to the beach the next day. It was one specifically not approached by tiger sharks.
As much as Ace admired sharks and stood up for them when it was justified, he wasn't stupid and reckless. And with Marco there, he didn't want to go anywhere dangerous. So, they weren't surfing. Just so nothing even had the chance of going wrong. The next day was mostly for relaxing.
Ace again crashed the moment his head hit the pillow, but he even fell asleep with a content smile.
-x-
This trip was probably the best decision Marco had even made besides getting together with Ace, both times. Ace was smiling nonstop, and he worried that his face would hurt once the trip was over. While Marco wasn't as adventurous as Ace was, he still had a wonderful time. These would definitely make for some wonderful, lifelong memories. Marco couldn't be happier.
At the beach, Ace and Marco laid on towels for much of it, just looking up at the blue sky and holding hands. It was strange, being in hot weather, even if it wasn't overly hot. Just way more than at home. And Marco agreed with Ace. Cold weather was nicer. Cozier. But Hawaii was a beautiful place to visit.
For the next couple of days, it was activity after activity. It was tiring, but also energizing, and with Ace's sunshine smile, it was all worth it. Ace had the time of his life, and Marco was alongside him. Just being with him so happy was worth everything. Cuddling up after a tiring day was also wonderful. Just… being with Ace was wonderful.
Marco loved everything about him, so much. Couldn't believe why he'd ever thrown it all away, and knew how damn lucky he was for being taken back. On the last day at Hawaii, with no activity but going to check out the volcanic park, when they got back to the hotel, Ace said, "Uh oh." Marco looked over at him, and saw him smiling. "I think it's stuck." He laughed about it, and Marco was concerned.
He had smiled too much! And it broke his face! "Ah! What do we do?!"
"It's only a muscle spasm. If I get a pill for it, it will go back to normal," Ace said brightly, even though part of his body was broken. Well, not broken, just stuck. How had nothing like this happened during the two years? Or was he just never in the room, never there for things like this? He should have noticed; he was an idiot.
Ace said they should go to the nearest pharmacy. It was late at night, before Ace's bedtime, but it was still busy. Marco had never had a reason to go to the isle that was all for AI and bots, so seeing everything there was interesting. Mostly things for repairs, more simple ones, and wraps or temporary attachments before getting real help.
His boyfriend knew just what to get, and after he paid, they went back to the car and Ace took the one time capsule. And by the time they were at the hotel, Ace's face was perfectly relaxed again. When they got inside, Ace couldn't help but laugh. "I was so happy I malfunctioned! I guess strong emotions really do fuck things up, huh?"
Marco felt a lance of pain and guilt go through his chest. He knew Ace didn't mean it in a way that would guilt Marco. "I guess I caused a good malfunction this time," he said in a quiet voice.
He was kissed on the cheek. "Remember? Don't think about that anymore. That's a long time ago. Never gonna happen again." Marco strongly agreed. Never. He nodded. "Let's go to bed. Have to get up really early tomorrow," Ace said, changing into pajamas, downing his pill, and falling asleep on top of Marco almost immediately.
Unable to move him because he was so content and relaxed, Marco slept in his clothes. Well, he'd change them tomorrow, it didn't matter. He did manage to turn the beside lamp off. He couldn't wait to sleep at his home. Tired of this hotel room, even if it was high quality and had a beautiful view. He fell asleep to Ace's rhythmic breathing. He didn't snore, was just nice and warm. Soft against him, light and not very heavy.
Marco's alarm woke both of them the next morning. It was 5:10. Their flight left at 7:15. They both agreed to go early, not going to miss the plane no matter what. Ace needed a day to recharge at home before he went back to school. They waited at the airport with their appropriate amount of luggage and souvenirs, getting boarded easily. The trip home was a lot shorter feeling than the one there.
Once they were getting close to home, Marco tried waking Ace up, but he wouldn't. He started to freak out. He wasn't breathing. "Is he an AI?" the person next to Marco asked. They hadn't spoken at all. Marco nodded. "Then he's fine. Jet lag probably affected his brain, there's no need to worry."
"But he's not breathing," Marco said frantically.
"Well, if your brain shut off, you wouldn't be breathing either." A woman across the aisle from them handed an epi-pen like thing to him. He was told to use that, inject it into his neck. Marco did so, maybe not the smartest thing to do, but he did inject whatever was in it into his neck. Ace woke up as if he'd just been napping.
Then he felt the thing in his neck, Marco pulling it away. He frowned and asked what happened. "Your brain shut off from jet lag," Marco said in worry. Ace blinked and said he hadn't known that would happen.
He grumbled, "Stupid doctor never told me that was possible." He was pouting about it. "Sorry to worry you. But I'm okay. It seems like a lot happens to me cause I'm an AI, right?" Marco nodded, eyebrows drawn together. "Well, a lot happens to humans, too. Upset stomachs, migraines, sprained or jammed fingers, the flu. We just have different problems," Ace said encouragingly.
Marco let out a relieved smile and nodded. Ace was right. These were little things, but were so different than human problems that they seemed so big and worrisome. They got off the plane, and got their baggage easily. Marco was glad that everything seemed to have gone perfectly to plan. When they got to Marco's car, parked safely in the garage of the airport, they headed to their homes, relieved and happy to be back.
"Thank you so much. I've never had so much fun before. At least, not that I can remember," Ace said happily. Marco smiled and said he had a lot of fun, too. "It was an experience of a life time."
"You don't know that. When you're a marine biologist, you might get to do things like that all the time," Marco pointed out lightly. Ace laughed and said he was right, and that he couldn't wait to graduate. "One of the top of the class will be pretty impressive to anyone hiring. Would you rather work in tropics or colder waters?"
Ace said he wasn't sure yet. It would be fun to do both. Marco had honestly never had something as satisfying and just wonderful as that trip with Ace. When he dropped him off at home, he got a gentle and loving kiss from his beloved boyfriend. He helped bring his things upstairs, and the two parted.
"Don't smile too much or you'll break again," Marco said, and Ace frowned.
"This better?"
"Not really, but it won't hurt."
Ace pursed his lips to hide a smile, though his eyes showed it. "I love you. Thanks, again." Marco said he loved him, too. Always would. He drove home in a daze, but passed out the moment he touched the couch. It was wonderful. Spending $4,200 was all worth it. He spent all his money from his latest commission on it, and it was definitely spent right.
-x-
Marco was in a terrible mood. He was in the perfect relationship with Ace. He loved him completely, loved him more every day, which he honestly thought was impossible. But that day was especially bad for Marco. He wad glad Ace didn't feel it, though. It was the one year anniversary of the messy break up.
Of the worst mistakes of his life. It was the beginning of summer break, and he was so glad Ace didn't remember the pain Marco put him through. He watched TV, without really watching it. Just staring at the screen and lost in his own thoughts. He didn't expect his buzzer to go off, but he asked who it was and heard Ace say it was him.
Marco was surprised, but of course let him in. when Ace came to the door, Marco opened it to see he was holding a box of pizza, a box of chocolate and a present wrapped up in wrapping paper. "What are you doing here?"
"Sabo told me today was the break up anniversary. I figured you were taking it pretty hard, so I came to make things better. I got your favorite pizza and chocolates, and a present, too. So, we're going to eat and watched TV and cuddle. No refusal. My decision is law." Marco smiled sadly. He walked to Ace and hugged him, the younger hugging him back just as tightly, resting his head over Marco's shoulder. He was much taller than the AI.
They sat on the couch, and started on the pizza, turning on a random movie. After the pizza was gone, though, Ace paused it and handed Marco his present. He cautiously opened it, not knowing what to expect. It was a bracelet almost identical to the one he'd thrown away after the big blow up. When he'd just tossed it onto the ground and left.
He'd always regretted not saving the bracelet. "I heard that you ended up leaving my first one, so I made a second better one. But you gotta keep this one this time," he said lightly. "I forgave you a long time ago. I want this bracelet to remind you of that whenever you look at it, okay?"
Marco was teary before putting the customized and homemade bracelet on. "I love it, Ace. Thank you. You're so kind and understanding. It's amazing," Marco said quietly, and hugged his boyfriend. Ace smiled and climbed into his lap, just resting his head against Marco's heart. He turned the TV back on, just enjoying the feel of Ace with him.
The older man could never be more grateful for Ace accepting him back after a huge mistake. He was amazing, perfect. Marco would never lose him again. Never. He'd stay with Ace no matter what he did in life. No matter where he went, Marco would be with him. He'd never give him a reason to leave.
-1.5 year later-
Marco was pacing back and forth at the park he and Ace were to meet up at. He had a feeling Ace would accept it, but he was still scared. The box was heavy in his pocket. A month ago, Ace had said he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Marco, so he finally felt confident to do it, even though he'd wanted to for months.
They'd been together for over 2 years again. Marco no longer thought of the old Ace. That was in the past, and he made more than enough memoires this time around to no longer miss what they had before. Two years for Ace, and two years for Marco. He'd known Ace in general for four years, but these two were the only ones that mattered.
When Ace arrived, he was carrying the picnic basket with all of the sweets. "Sorry I'm late!"
Marco smiled, and said he was on time and Marco was early. Ace sat on the picnic blanket and set the basket down. They talked for awhile, laughing and cuddling, laying together and looking at the sky. Until Ace fell asleep, laying against Marco. He rubbed soft circles on his lover's back. He kissed his head gently and waited for him to wake up.
When he did, and smiled and kissed Marco's cheek. "Sorry. I missed my nap this morning." Ace had learned that he could extend his bed time if he took periodic naps. Sometimes he went to Marco's just to nap with him, against him, on top of him. Marco never declined, never didn't want to.
After all of the sweets were finished, his 26 year old lover, still young at heart, bubbly and excited for the littlest things, Marco didn't have him stand up. "You love me, forever, right?" Ace nodded, saying that he definitely did. Marco knelt, though Ace was sitting, too, still. "Um, will you be my… you know..?"
"Husband?" Ace asked with a smile. Marco's heart jumped. He knew Ace wouldn't decline now. He nodded.
"Will you marry me?" he asked, heart beating rapidly in his chest.
His freckled lover had tears and nodded. "Of course I will!" he said, hugging him tightly. The hug lasted a long time, Marco's hand in his hair, threading in the black locks gently, lovingly. When he pulled away, Marco put the simple band on his finger. "I know you like simple things, so I got this. Do you like it?" he asked in slight worry.
"I love it. I can't wait! We'll have the best wedding ever," Ace said, and started to plan already, Marco just smiling, watching the greatest thing in his life grow excited about spending forever with him.
The End