Who: Nancy and Ace What: Ace is getting out of the clinic, Nancy has made a decision When: A week after Ace got hit by a car [Backdated!] Where: Clinic Rating: low
With a ‘clean bill of health’ by the doctor, Ace was just finishing getting changed into his own clothes from the hospital gown when he saw Nancy walk into his room. He only had a few bruises like and the ones he had were in the yellow/green stage which meant they were almost healed. He still needed his arm in a sling for a while, but since Raelle had healed him a little to speed up the process, he wasn’t going to complain.
He was still without his shirt, though it didn’t bother Ace that Nancy saw him half naked, of course. “Hey. How’d you - you know what, never mind.” He hadn’t known he was going to be discharged or he’d have told Nancy, but apparently Nancy knew anyway.
– Nancy had been spending a fair amount at the hospital, keeping Ace company and hating everything about her biological family more with each passing minute. He was in here because of her and because of them. Also, because this dome had made her admit about the curse when she had no plans on doing that. Yes, she was happy more than she had ever been with any of her exes and she knew Ace was the love of her life, but she valued his safety over her happiness more than anything. It was why she had been doing a lot of thinking over the last few days. Along with messing with magic that she knew she shouldn’t, but Nancy was never good at avoiding things she shouldn’t do. It had only been minor spells from Temperance’s books that the dome had given her, testing them out to even see if she was capable. For the most part, she was and had cast them; however, they had not gone according to play. But she knew the ones who she trusted and was helping her would never let her take the curse on herself hence her doing this without people realizing about her messing with minor magic as of right now. Entering into the room, she gave him a small smile, thankful to see that he was able to go home. Her eyes briefly traced over his shirtless body before quickly stopping since she did not need to make what she had to do harder than it had to be. “Hey. I was going to say you should know after all this time, I have my ways,” she said softly, the smile not as big as it normally was when around here. “How are you feeling? Other than being ready to get out of here,” she asked, pushing a piece of her hair behind her ear. —
He slowly pulled on his shirt. He was good to leave the clinic, but he was still bruised and sore in some places. It wasn’t that bad though and so he’d just deal with it. He didn’t even wince as he did it, though that might be more for Nancy’s benefit than anything else.
“I’m good. I’ve been cleared and I’ve impressed the nurses with fixing their computers while I’m at it.” He gave a small smile, trying to find the humour is everything. “Apparently I should be good as new by the end of the week. Just some bruises left and this guy.” He lifted the sling that he had beside him before trying to put it on. It wasn’t cooperating.
“Do you think you could - ?” He held up the sling, asking Nancy for help.
– Nancy hated seeing him like that. Anyone she’d hate seeing like this, but this hate was a lot stronger considering it was Ace and the reason he was in this was her fault. Her fault and the dome for forcing her to say what she had been keeping from him. Too late now and all she could do was find a way with Hope’s help and some others to get rid of this curse. Though her plan z, which was a last resort if nothing else was working was something she was doing on her own. Knowing everyone would be against it, which never deterred her in the past and wasn’t going to now.
She knew what he was trying to do, and she gave a small smile, but she didn’t see the humor in this at all. “I’m sure they are very thankful for that help. I’m sure the computers are running a lot better around here now. Also, gave you something to do while stuck here.” Nancy could only imagine the boredom while stuck in bed, knowing she’d be losing her mind. “Ignoring what the nurses and doctors said, how are you feeling?” Her voice warned him not to downplay how he was feeling. Nancy wanted to say that this was getting serious; however, she knew she had said that more than a few times while he was here and he was probably tired of hearing it even though it was true.
“Yeah,” she nodded, moving over to him and she softened a bit as she neared him. He always had that effect on her, and she did not need that right now because she knew what she had to do once out of here. “What did they say about it? How long will it be on?” She asked, situating herself so she could help him and being careful to not hurt him. “Let me know if it starts to hurt,” she said softly, moving to get the sling on him properly.
–
There were a few unhappy exhales as Nancy helped, but Ace was pretty sure that was going to be par for the course. Once the shirt was on, his arm felt a lot better. "A couple of weeks, especially if I come back to the healer here a few times." His lips pressed into a wry little smile. "The perks of being around so much magic." Different from their experience, that was sure. Horseshoe Bay was more the bad stuff than the good stuff it seemed.
"As for your other question," he paused, then went with as honest as he could while softening the blow. "I'm sore. But I'm not dead."
– Nancy didn’t blame Ace and she wasn’t mad at him, but she was mad at the situation. There was no one else for her but Ace. He was the love of her life, as terrifying as that was for her considering how she was, but because of her, he was on borrowed time unless they found a way to cure him. Also, Nancy knew chances were very likely if, or more likely when he found out her plan for his curse, he was going to be mad at her. Anger she could handle since he would be alive, and it was all she cared about. First, she had to figure out how to go about taking the curse without harming Ace or doing anything that may cause more problems. Still, for now, she was going to need to do what might be for the best to keep him safe until she found a way to fix the problem. Once his shirt was on, she stepped back, looking him over as if she was going to find some new injury that he had been trying to hide or something. “Which you definitely will be coming to see the healer,” she said as if that was it, knowing he would, but she wanted to make sure of it. Thankful for the magic around here, and it being able to heal him a bit faster than what would have happened back home. “If only that magic could be used to find a way around the curse that Temperance made sure was difficult to break,” she said with a sigh, hating the woman more with each accident that happened to Ace.
The woman was a lot of things, but she was right. Ace was Nancy’s weakness, and she knew of all the people she could put in danger, he was one of the top options. It took everything in her not to reply with not yet, knowing she did not need to put that in the environment or have the dome take it as a challenge. “Sore can be dealt with and go away over time, death not so much. What do you need me to carry?” Nancy had been hoping to end things with him outside here, but if she had to bring his stuff home…she knew it would be harder. The more time with him, the harder it would be to pull the trigger on what she needed to do for his own safety. “I’m sure the nurses will miss your handsome face around here,” she said with a small smile, trying to enjoy the time she had with him. Nancy had no idea how he was going to take the news that was waiting for him outside listening ears, so she had to enjoy it just in case. —
"I'm good." He meant about carrying things. Ace didn't want to come off as unable. He already knew Nancy had to be blaming herself even though he didn't think she should. He was willing to put up with this kind of stuff if it meant being with her. Much like Nancy felt that he was her person, Ace felt the same way about Nancy.
"I'm sorry to disappoint, but I don't plan on making it an regular thing." He offered a small smile that was a lame attempt at humour. He then grabbed his small bag of stuff. "Ready?"
When Nancy was ready, Ace followed her lead out.
– Nodding at him saying he was good, Nancy had to admit she was glad to hear that. It was better for both if she tore the Band-Aid off and kept avoiding what she was sure he could agree was for the best. Or at least, he would over time, and hopefully, this wouldn’t be a permanent solution. The idea of him with anyone else made it feel like someone ripped her heart right out and stomped on it without any thought. Just like she couldn’t see any guy even coming close to meaning what Ace meant. But she was willing to be alone forever if it meant he was safe. The quicker this was done, the quicker she could return to her apartment and cry with her sorbet before throwing all her attention into finding whatever might break this curse. Hoping she could eventually find the answer to be with the love of her life. Also hoping that maybe her away from him might lessen the impact of the curse and keep him safer. Or she might need to look at a protection spell to protect him.
“I think it’s more than just me who will be disappointed by that,” she tried to joke back, but her tone showed her heart was not really into it. Moreso, since she knew what was coming and her heart already felt like it was cracking before she even said anything. Nodding, she headed for the exit with him, crossing her arms as she tried to mentally prepare herself for what she had to say. Keep emotions in check, Nancy Drew. She thought to herself as they made their way outside. Heading in the direction of the apartments, she waited until a little bit away from the people before stopping.
“Ace,” she said softly, looking down at her hands for a minute, feeling already the sadness starting to bubble up at knowing what words were leaving next. “I love you more than anyone, but I have been thinking and I think it’s best we end what we have now,” her eyes unable to look at him as she said it, knowing if she did the wall she was throwing up to keep the tears in check would break. “I’m not saying forever unless that’s what you want….just until I know you’re safe. I can’t…” her voice cracking for a moment, swallowing as she tried to regain her composure before continuing. “I can’t keep waiting to get the call that I fear is coming. I can’t see you die again or lose you, and I need to focus and do whatever to save you. Maybe us being apart will somehow get the curse to ease up.” Nancy knew it was wishful thinking, but maybe for once it would work in her favor. Ace was the last person she ever wanted to hurt again; however, she knew she needed to even if it meant she lost him forever. –
Ace had been prepared for some sort of worry from Nancy. He had been prepared to reassure her as well. But he hadn’t really anticipated Nancy breaking up with him. He was stunned and he stood there with his mouth slightly open as he processed the information. Then his mouth worked slowly as if practicing the words he was trying to say, though it didn’t seem like words were able to make it out quickly. Then suddenly he heard his own voice. “There’s no guarantee it will.” It was a terrible rebuttal, but it was the only thing his mind could come up with as it was short circuiting. His expression, however, clearly showed how confused and upset he was.
– Nancy had finally looked at him and it was as if she could feel her heart break right there within her at seeing him and realizing what she was doing. However, she had to stand her ground because it was for his own safety. “I know,” she said softly, her body betraying her for a moment as she stepped near him, wanting to touch him, but she forced herself to step back. “But this is only getting worse with each passing week. You could have died this time around and it would have been my fault,” she said, fighting back the tears that were determined to show themselves. “You know what I’m capable of doing when I am motivated, Ace. I..,” she paused, debating about the words that wanted to leave her mouth, but this was Ace and she wanted him to know that no matter what she did feel something real for him. “I want that future we saw. The daughter we met, and whatever else, which we can’t have that if you’re gone,” she told him, exposing herself in a way she rarely did with people and laying it all out there on the line. “You don’t need to give me a second chance when this curse is broken, but I’m hoping you can see this is only temporary,” she said, standing by that when, knowing she was going to find a way to break this. Hoping she would get that second chance, but also understanding if he was done with her, and maybe she deserved it after everything she had done to him.
—
He swallowed hard. His mouth felt dry. He wet his lips to try to get some feeling back and he blinked as he tried not to let the pit in his stomach swallow him up. “Nancy - “ He wanted to scream and protest and yell, but he could tell she had been thinking about this for a while now and she’d made up her mind. He knew her. He knew it wouldn’t matter what he said right now, she was leaving.
“ …. - you’re my one. You’re it for me.” He was trying his best not to look as upset as he felt. He didn’t want to hurt her anymore than he already was, even if it was inadvertently. “Of course I’ll take you back.”
– Her heart was aching for him and all she wanted to do was kiss him when he said her name. Nancy wanted nothing more than to go back to his place and curl up with him, forgetting everything outside his apartment, but she couldn’t. Temperance made sure that Nancy would suffer in misery, but Nancy would get the last laugh, especially once this curse was broken and she could be with Ace.
Hearing that she was his one and that she was it for him made her shut her eyes, unable to keep the bit of tears from rolling down her face. Nancy knew this without him even saying it cause she felt the same. Knowing without a doubt fueled her motivation, determined to have a future with him. Trying to wipe the tears that rolled down quickly, Nancy tried to pull the wall up to guard her heart until she was in her own apartment and could break down. At least, she didn’t need to break his heart like before, and she could say how she felt. “I know,” she said, her voice catching for a moment before she continued, “And you’re it for me. There is no one else here or back home that I want. It’s only you that I want for the rest of my life.” Nancy knew that was a big commitment, especially for her, but Ace was it and she knew it. “This is why I need to do this so we can have a future. I’m not giving up on breaking this curse, and I would never give up on us.” Big words from Nancy Drew who was sometimes known for running away from emotions like this. But she wasn’t….at least not when those feelings involved Ace. “I know I’m hurting you,” hating herself more with each passing moment for doing that; however, she knew he would never do this so it had to be her, “but when you feel ready to be in the same room as me again, you can text me.” Nancy figured the least she could do was let him make that decision and avoid him until he felt ready to deal with her. As hard as it might be considering she was already missing him and nothing had even happened. –
Today had not gone as planned for Ace. He wasn’t a big planner, granted, but this? This was not it.
All he could do was numbly nod and stupidly stare at her while he tried not to look too upset because he didn’t want to hurt her. His lips pressed firmly together as he managed not to lose it entirely.
“I will.” He managed to say in reply to texting her. He wasn’t sure when, but he knew he couldn’t stay away from her. That’d be too hard, he was sure of it.
“I guess, this is goodbye then.” A pause. “For now.”
This hurt too much and so Ace’s feet started to walk. He turned and headed the opposite direction they had been exiting. He’d find another exit. He just needed some distance right now and a quiet place to grieve on his own.