Chapter 4: The perfect you

Song recommendation: "You don't know what love is" (youtube.com/watch?v=BguiWbW5j3Q&list=RDMM&index=27)

It was sometime later in the middle of the night, Ace was woken up. He turned restlessly towards Clover and was about to go back to sleep when he happened to glance up at Clover. He blinked his eyes sleepily and noticed Clover was sitting up staring straight ahead. He could faintly make out their face was wet with tears.

"Clover, are you crying?" Ace sat up anxiously.

"Go back to sleep," Clover answered.

"What happened?" Ace stirred apprehensively, "are you hurt somewhere?"

"No, I'm not. I'm fine," Clover replied indifferently. "Just close your eyes and go back to sleep,"

"Clover!" Ace exclaimed, "Tell me what's wrong,"

Clover glanced down at him quietly but didn't say anything.

"This is about that thing you did, isn't it?" Ace exhaled uneasily, "That thing that the bone priestess scared you with. That thing that you lose control over. This terrible thing that makes you cry in the middle of the night, but that you won't tell me about!"

Clover let out a whisper of a laugh, "I probably should be crying about that, but that's not it,"

"Then what is it?" Ace implored."Please, Clover! You're scaring me,"

Clover sniffed and wiped their tears.

"I'm sorry," Clover replied wearily, "I don't mean to upset you. I was just thinking about how much i ...How much I like spending time with you and the tears started falling on their own. I'm as surprised as you. How strange, right?"

They chuckled to themselves as if it was all part of some joke beyond Ace's appreciation. He gazed at Clover apprehensively.

"Do you still regret meeting me?"

"When did I say I regret meeting you?" Clover said softly.

"You said you were sorry you ever laid eyes on me," Ace answered hesitantly.

"Oh, that," Clover inhaled deeply, "I don't regret it, but I am still sorry. Sorry for you. Maybe a little sorry for me as well,"

"You're still going to go through with it, aren't you?" Ace said flatly, "Even after all this, you haven't changed your mind, have you?"

"That's why I'm sorry," Clover said sadly.

"You'd rather die than say you love me?" Ace questioned bitterly.

"No, Ace," Clover replied, "You've got it the wrong way around,"

"I don't understand what you mean but I suppose that's by design," Ace turned his eyes ahead in resignation.

"It's because I care that I..." Clover trailed off mid-sentence.

Ace turned to them abruptly, "It's because you care what?"

Clover didn't answer. They were still looking forward with a blank expression on their tear-stained face. Their eyes were staring forward with a look of resolution that made Ace feel afraid.

"You can't just say that and not explain what it means!" Ace shook Clover desperately.

"Ah, why do I keep running my mouth?" Clover lamented with a half-laugh. "I never used to be like this. It's you. You make me say things that I'm not supposed to,"

"Aren't you saying it because you want to tell me?" Ace challenged.

"I don't think that's it," Clover said drily. "I must have just lost my mind somewhere along the way. It wouldn't be the first time,"

"If you're doing this for me, I don't want you to!" Ace expelled the words vehemently, "I never asked you to! Please don't do anything!"

"Don't worry," Clover sniffed, "This is something that happened a long time before I met you. I just feel more motivated now, that's all."

"Motivated to do what?" Ace exhaled rapidly.

Suddenly Clover brought their hands to Ace's cheek and kissed him tenderly. Ace stared at them wide-eyed and surprised.

"Do we have to fight?" Clover smiled weakly, "Can't we just enjoy the moment?"

Ace grabbed their wrist from his face, "Until it ends you mean?"

"Everything has to end eventually," Clover sighed. "That's why you have to live in the moment. If you don't, your whole life will be miserable,"

"My whole life was miserable until I met you," Ace's eyes fluttered with tears.

"Then I'm even more sorry," Clover replied wistfully, "I never intended to drag this out, but you're hard to refuse,"

"I only proposed the game because I didn't know how else to make you see reason!" Ace cried. "Because I care about you, even if you don't seem to care about yourself!"

"If you care about me," Clover turned to Ace soberly, "Then let's just stop this. Don't make me suffer anymore with dreams of things that can't be. Let's just end this right now,"

Ace froze speechlessly. Everything was so good only hours before. He blinked slowly watching as Clover turned their face away from him once more. Ace swallowed and sat back trying to fend the tears away.

"Did I do something wrong?" he said with difficulty.

"No," Clover breathed uneasily, "You didn't. You're perfect,"

"Then why?" Ace's voice trembled. "I thought everything was going well,"

"It is," Clover said.

"So why are you ending things again?" A tear fell down Ace's cheek.

"Because...my heart can't take it," Clover uttered in a low voice. "I thought I could but it looks like I can't. I'm sorry,"

"If that's what you want," Ace said quietly.

"Mmm, " Clover answered shallowly, "It is,"

The next morning felt like waking from a surreal dream. Ace found the place where Clover had been empty. He kept going over the events of last night in his mind. Had he done something? Yes, he did ask Clover about the old woman's prediction, but Clover didn't seem angry. Not afterwards anyway.

Ace glanced at the wardrobe. He set his eyes fixedly on it with a grave expression. He was hoping it wouldn't come this...

Within the hour he had dressed and arrived at the great hall. It was still early but he knew instinctively he would find Clover there. On attempting to enter, the guard blocked his way.

"It's too early. Come back later," the guard brushed him off.

To Ace's surprise. There were footsteps and then the door opened.

"It's okay," Clover came to the door, "let him in," they said, retreating inside.

Clover walked silently back to their throne. Ace followed without saying anything.

"I'm sure you have lots to say," Clover said at length. "Will you let me heal you first? It's that time,"

"Go ahead," Ace held out his hand without argument.

Clover wrapped it in theirs and Ace felt a wash of their magic. It was completely different to Birds. It reminded him of the first time he had stepped into the human world. Staring out into the forest plain, fresh and filled with wonder. Within a few minutes, Clover retracted their hand.

"I know you're probably confused..." Clover started.

"No, actually I'm not," Ace said flatly, "I thought about it last night. If I was in your position, I'd probably end things too. You're trying to making it less painful for the both of us and I keep dragging you back in,"

"You're not at fault," Clover shook their head, "I didn't mean to blame you. I'm the one that knows better..."

"But you can't help it," Ace said steadily, "because you're only human,"

Clover glanced up with watery eyes and swallowed.

"It's okay," Ace smiled softly. "I understand,"

Clover gave a weak nod. "I'm sorry,"

"So am I," Ace replied gravely. He put his hand in his pocket and took out the box.

Clover looked up confused. The moment they laid eyes on the box their eyes widened apprehensively, "What is that? That energy..."

"The necklace is inside this box," Ace said with a dark expression.

"Where did you get such a thing?" Clover said quietly but Ace could see that same fear in their eyes. It was like the old woman's prediction. They were afraid. It was as he guessed...

"I'm not sure where it came from," Ace confessed, "but it doesn't matter. I'm giving it to you,"

A strained look came over Clover's face but they slowly reached out to take it. Finally, it would all be over...

However, the moment they reached for it, Ace snapped the box shut. Clover stared at him baffled. He put the box into Clover's hand forcefully.

"What are you doing?" Clover frowned.

They stared down at the box in their hand for a moment then a flicker of recognition came across their face. Clover's eyes immediately flew up in disbelief.

"Its blood magic," Ace stated coolly. "I'm guessing you can tell,"

"What have you done?!" Clover flew from their seat and grabbed him. Ace didn't flinch. He continued to meet their gaze with a completely blank expression.

"What did you do?" Clover demanded with even less restraint.

"I'm giving you what you want," Ace said indifferently. "You win, Clover,"

"What do you mean?" Clover searched his face for an explanation.

"I never stopped loving you," Ace replied.

Clover winced as a pained expression came over their face, "why are you telling me this?"

"I've been reading up on blood magic," Ace explained apathetically, "It seems the spell that's on this box can indeed be broken. Blood magic only works if the owner is alive after all,"

"Don't you dare..." Clover exhaled shakily, apprehending his meaning.

"This is what we agreed," Ace cut in. "You said you would kill me if I lost, right? Then I lose."

Clover shook their head, "No, tell me you didn't!"

"If you want the necklace..."

"No!" Clover snapped, clinging to him desperately.

"...You'll have to kill me,"