[DEREK] can't do this alone..

[aerin 'ace' colt endsley]

Ace blushed a bit at the kiss, slowly wrapping his arms around Derek's neck. "What's your excuse then?" He breathed, kissing him gently.

[derek chandler ralston]

Derek hugged him gently, smiling after meeting the kiss. "I guess I don't have one," He teased, running fingers through his hair slowly.

[aerin 'ace' colt endsley]

Ace looked up at him, slowly searching his face for that hint that he was going to be hurt like he always had. He honestly hoped he could learn to fully trust Derek one day. "We'd better get out of here before we wake her." He said, gently taking his hand as he walked out of the room.

[derek chandler ralston]

Derek nodded, taking his hand and loosely lacing their fingers together, walking with him out of the room. His head was spinning with the morbid thought that Ace was already a father... He wasn't even through his childhood yet.

[aerin 'ace' colt endsley]

Ace sat down on the couch, curling up at the end he liked better. He picked at the bottom of his jeans at the strings that were there from rubbing on the ground. "I don't know how I'm supposed to be a dad.. I can barely read. It took me forever to read that note.." He mumbled.

[derek chandler ralston]

"Hey..." Derek sat down next to him, patting his foot gently before tugging on it playfully. "You'll be a great dad, Ace.. You didn't ask for this. But I'm gonna be here for you and your little girl, okay? I promise..." He knew he shouldn't, that that was a huge promise to make.

[aerin 'ace' colt endsley]

"I'm sixteen, Derek.. I can't even go to the doctor alone." He put his foot in Derek's lap, shifting his weight a bit so he had both his feet in his lap. "Don't make promises.. They always end up being broken one way or another."

[derek chandler ralston]

Derek played with his feet absently, rubbing them. He frowned some, sighing. "I don't make promises, Ace. Hell, I never tell people they're welcome for favors. But this one, I'm serious. I'll be here for you, no matter what."

[aerin 'ace' colt endsley]

"Why?" Ace asked, messing with the end of his shirt. "It's just a screaming kid.. You don't have to have anything to do with her." He said quietly. He felt bad, needing Derek's help. But he didn't understand how he even fathered a child to begin with.

[derek chandler ralston]

"Yeah...but it's your screaming kid, and it has to do with you, Ace. That's why it matters.." He hesitated, then bent over him to kiss his cheek gently, afraid of scaring him. "You're all I got for the most part, Ace. All I've had in a long time. I wouldn't trade that for nothin'."

[aerin 'ace' colt endsley]

"I don't want a kid.." He whispered brokenly, moving closer to curl up at his side. He wrapped his arms around Derek, afraid of letting go. "I'm not going anywhere.." He said, burying his face in Derek's neck.

[derek chandler ralston]

"I know..it's scary.. You don't have to keep her." He bit his lip as Ace curled up, hugging him closer. After a moment he pulled him into his lap. "Good...I don't want you to leave.."

[aerin 'ace' colt endsley]

"And live the rest of my life knowing I abandoned my kid like every other person who had a kid like her? No thanks.." He said quietly, tensing as he was pulled into Derek's lap. He held tighter to him, drawing his knees closer. "Well, I'm not.. You're the best thing to ever happen to me."

[derek chandler ralston]

"True.." Derek mumbled. He huffed when Ace tensed. "I'm sorry...I'm not gonna hurt you.." He whispered, rubbing his back slowly. "And you're one of the best things to change me.."

[aerin 'ace' colt endsley]

"I know you aren't." Ace said, slowly rubbing Derek's back. He knew he wouldn't be hurt by Derek. But being suddenly moved still scared him. "I don't wanna change you though. I like you exactly the way you are." He looked up at him, his bright blue eyes wandering slowly over his face.