[ACE] make you understand.

[derek chandler ralston]

Derek trembled against Ace every now and then, head throbbing. But he smiled as she took his fingers. "Yeah.." He couldn't deny he still had his awkward moments around her. "I'm sorry I scared you guys.." He kissed Ace's damp cheeks.

[aerin 'ace' colt endsley]

"I just didn't know if you were going to be okay.." He said quietly, turning a bit so he could hide his face in Derek's neck. He felt Celeste move closer to his chest, looking over to see her wrapping her arms around Derek's arm in the best hug she could give.

[derek chandler ralston]

Derek tilted his head, then smiled down at the little girl. It felt like he had his own little family here, safe with him. "I am though..and I'm gonna take care of you guys. The truck isn't licensed yet, we can stop and pay for a hotel tonight... I-...if we can't go back, we'll find a new place, somewhere by the water. Okay?"

[aerin 'ace' colt endsley]

Ace nodded, gently wrapping his arm around Derek. "I just wanna go to sleep and think about all this in the morning.." He could hear Hades in the back of his mind and knew it wasn't going to be that easy. He wouldn't just fall asleep. He'd be up all night listening to his uncle screaming at him.

[derek chandler ralston]

Derek hugged him close, nodding in agreement. He helped settle Celeste back in, waiting for Ace to get situated before pulling on the road and heading towards a hotel. Getting out and throwong a tarp over the bike in case it rained, he checked what he had for cash, then pulled Celeste into his arms. Nothing strange about what could be brothers and a little girl, right?

[aerin 'ace' colt endsley]

Ace held her close as they drove, gently rubbing her back. She fell asleep by the time they got there, and Ace climbed out behind them. He followed them in, keeping his head don in case there was someone there to recognize him.

[derek chandler ralston]

Derek paid cash for a room under the name Chandler, and took their room key, leading the two in before sitting on the edge of the bed with Celeste. He brushed her hair back, kissing the side of her head and tucking her in in the middle of the bed.

[aerin 'ace' colt endsley]

Ace watched them quietly, almost glad Derek had gotten so used to her. He was still skeptical about her at times, and his deep voice was odd to her and made her a bit scared of him, but other than that they were golden. "I love you.." He said quietly, his blue eyes tracing over Derek sitting there.

[derek chandler ralston]

Derek blinked, surprised at the words. But then he drew Ace close. "I love you too..." He murmured softly. "And I'm not letting you go again." He hugged him tight, yawning.

[aerin 'ace' colt endsley]

Ace hugged him tightly, gently running his fingers through his hair. He was glad he wasn't the only one feeling this way. He kissed his forehead gently, then climbed into bed beside Celeste. He gently pulled the little girl into his arms, hugging her close to him.

[derek chandler ralston]

Derek smiled, watching him before he undressed down to boxers and climbed in on the other side so Celeste couldn't fall out of the bed. He wrapped his arm around the two, curling close

[aerin 'ace' colt endsley]

Ace moved a little closer, more glad than ever to be in the same bed with someone. He didn't want to lose everything he'd just gotten. And being so close to never seeing Derek again had him feeling sick to his stomach. Hades wouldn't stop in his head, making it a point to keep the boy awake as long as he could.

[derek chandler ralston]

Derek didn't sleep much better, head still pounding, and he was aware of every movement, afraid that if he wasn't alert, he might wake up without Ace again. Honestly the thought terrified him.

[aerin 'ace' colt endsley]

Ace finally managed to fall asleep, but it didn't do him much good. As soon as he slipped into sleep, there was his uncle again. 'And they say the son of Poseidon can't drown,' he smirked, grabbing Ace by the neck. He pushed the boy into what felt like the coldest water of his life, holding him there as Ace struggled to break. He started to cry in his sleep, clawing at his throat.

[derek chandler ralston]

Derek blinked away when Ace began crying. He carefully leaned over Celeste, prying the boys hands from the throat and shaking him gently before offering a tender kiss to his lips. "Ace baby wake up..it's just a nightmare...."