Air in Marinford was thick with smoke, blood and screams, but for a fleeting moment, battlefield faded. His dark eyes burned with same intensity as flames that danced across his shoulders, but there was something else — a sorrow he couldn’t hide.

“You shouldn’t have followed me here.” he murmured, his voice raw, his hand brushing against your cheek. “This isn’t your fight.”

“I couldn’t stay away.” you replied, your voice trembling with a mix of emotions. “Not when I knew I might never see you again.”

Ace’s breath hitched as he cupped your face, his thumb brushing away a tear. “I can’t let you be a part of that. You deserve so much more than this.”

“And I deserve more than to lose you.” you replied, your voice trembling.

You leaned in, yours lips meeting in kiss that tasted of ash, salt, blood and desperation. His arms wrapped around you tightly, as though holding you moment longer might change their fate. When you broke apart, his gaze lingered on you, his eyes filled with unspoken apologies.

“I’ll fight with everything I have.” he promised, his voice steady despite chaos around them. “But if I can’t—”

“Don’t finish that.” you whispered, slipping one of his beads into your hand.