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Ace sat next to Peter, staring as cars sped by them. Ace slowly rested a hand on Peter’s back. On a few occasions, Ace could see his reflection through cars. Dark Circles under his eyes, messy shirt, messy hair, and dry tears down his cheeks and neck.
Ace took a deep breath as he slowly stood up, carrying Peter up with him with a small grunt. Peter was buzzed. He could barely even make out his surroundings or who the person helping him back to the hotel was.
To Ace, Peter was the only one he had half the time. As they got closer to the hotel, Ace could feel the fatigue catching up to him. Peter started to get heavier with each step he took. Before he knew it, Ace was in nothing but sweatpants, and his face was wiped off his face paint.
He was sitting on the chair every single event from that night. He sunk into the chair. He tried to forget what happened earlier.
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“What the hell was that?” Paul scolded Ace. “You know full well you can’t just mess up a show like that!” Ace rolled his eyes. He’s heard this lecture many a time. “Why does it matter to you anyway?”
Ace turned to walk away, only to get nabbed by Paul. “This isn’t just me Ace, it’s everyone else.” Paul’s tone had a stern tint. “Either cut it out or you’re gone.”
Ace rolled his eyes. “Fine, whatever.” Paul interrupted Ace. “I’m not messing around Ace. I’ve told you so many times to quit the act and you haven’t changed. I tell you again, you’re out.”
Paul let go of Ace’s cape and walked past Ace. Ace only stood still. “He doesn’t mean it,” Ace told himself. “He never does,” Ace repeated over and over again while he got his costume off until it sunk in.
“He isn’t kidding. He does mean it.” Ace knew this wasn’t true either. They both knew they would make up. It was somewhat of a plan whenever they would argue. Paul wished it wasn’t the usual plan as much as Ace did.
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“God I’m so stupid..” Ace muttered, setting his cigarette into the ashtray on the small circular table. He rested his head on the table. Staring at the buildings that were tall enough to be seen from the top of the hotel.
He heard a small knock at the door from in the room. The knock sounded as if the person was hesitant to knock. He knew that knock. It was one almost all the time.
Ace spelled stood and went over to the sliding door of the balcony to see inside the room. Peter was still asleep and another knock could be heard.
Ace slowly slid the door open and stepped inside the room. He got to the door and slowly opened it, leaving a small crack for him to look through.
He recognized the hand that crept through the door and gently pushed the rest of the door open. “Ace.” Paul lightly tugged at the end of his hair strand.
“You know I didn’t mean anything I said.” Paul seemed nervous. “You never do.” Ace grabbed Paul’s hand and pulled Paul inside the room.
He looked over at Peter. He hadn’t moved at all. “Look Ace I know I say a lot of bullshit,” Paul muttered. He was embarrassed beyond words.
He scolded Ace for messing up a show and that he would get booted out of the band if he pulled that stunt again, and here he was, crawling back to Ace as he always did. “Yeah, you do.”
Ace led Paul to the balcony where he was just seconds ago. “Y’know Paul you give to be a lot of shit for puttin’ of the same act.”
Ace sat down next to Paul. “And then you come back.” Paul stared at the wooden floor of the balcony. “I know.” Paul avoided eye contact with Ace.
Ace looked over at Paul and grabbed his hand. “Look I don’t have a problem with it Stan.” Ace gently squeezed Paul’s hand reassuringly. “
Just quit saying stuff you never mean y’know?” Paul only nodded in response. “Would it kill ya’ to look at me or somethin’?”
Ace leaned forward to look at Paul, only to see that Paul was staring at the floor. Ace nudged Paul. “Paul c’mon.” Ace pulled Paul up.
“Nothin’ to be ashamed of Paulie I promise.” He pulled Paul into his lap and rested his chin on top of Paul’s head.
Paul on the other hand was hushed in his thoughts. At that point, Ace didn’t expect anything out of Paul. He knew he would be there all night with Paul.