Yo! I finished posting another story, so here is its replacement! A lot of my waiting stories are crossovers or romances, but there are a few that are not. Like one that takes place with Ace in the Beast Pirates. That one is like nothing I've ever written before, but it won't be edited and finished for awhile, and the other ones need to finish first! This is a shorter one than usual, I have a lot in the 30,000 words range. So, an angsty romance with a happy ending! OOC Marco in this chapter for a reason.

Also, any errors, I apologized. FF is being strange and losing all my spellcheck edits from google docs? No idea how, so if I missed any, please be patient. It might be a word connected to "Marco" with no space, so again, please be understanding. Anyways, Enjoy~


When the year 2056 came, birth rates fell by 60%. The world had a huge deficit when it came to birth and death. The reason was because the air became so polluted that babies rarely survived. It they did, they would still have high chances of health problems later in their future. Cancer other related illnesses and deformities.

It took three years of this for the world to unite and really tackle their environment, making all sorts of solutions that should have come about decades ago. They built robots for cleaning the environment, air filters, technological advances skyrocketing because they must.

Everything was changed. Only solar energy, energy from turbines or dams was used. Cars were all replaced, and disposable plastic was outlawed in most countries. Littering or dumping anything in the ocean was punishable by jail time.

Every person had to take part in this, alongside the robots and technology that helped to clean up their world they'd destroyed for decades. But still, the birth rate was still low. Even 20 year after cleaning up the world, slowing climate change, things did not return to normal. Economies were small, fragile. Not enough consumers. Supply and demand was off.

Australia was the first country to fully integrate robots into their society. It didn't take long for the rest of the world to jump on the bandwagon, trying to revive life on the planet, even if it was artificial. Bots were made and improved over decades, four decades exactly. Bots were still bots at heart, but they became friends, neighbors, members of society.

With every new wave, new generations, like phones and cars, they became closer and closer to being human. They became family. They became lovers. They were completely accepted, as they helped the planet return to a new normal. Seeing so many people, even if they were obviously bots made the humans feel like the planet was getting back to normal, even if pregnancy had become harder.

Babies did not die as much, they did not have sever health problems due to polluted air and water. Women just could not get pregnant. Many were born completely sterile. Having two babies was a miracle, so most people were only children.

It was 90 years after the first bots were created, forty years after the first robots were integrated, basic and boring compared to the bots of today, that the first official AI were created. Robots already had personalities, emotions. They had to get repaired and checked on regularly, and did not age.

But then the AI came. They aged, they had bodies almost identical to humans. They were human replacements, even if they were unable to reproduce. They were created as babies, to be adopted to lonely families who could not have a single baby or wished for their child to not be alone.

However, they were met with suspicion and controversy. That they could replace real humans. But, once the first generation of AI grew up, becoming more common in families and friend groups, they began to become welcomed, just like their predecessors. They were children, siblings, friends, lovers.

They were people, too. All bots were, these were just more advanced ones. But, they did not outnumber humans. Not even close. A single AI baby was over 2 million dollars. They were cheaper to sterile families, but they were expensive and hard to make. One mistake could cause irreparable damage later in life

Creating AI had become an art, a salary of over 8 digits a year to create new life. AIs stayed expensive, even after ten "generations". So, over a hundred years after the first bots were included in daily life, an AI baby was adopted by a small family. Two parents and one blonde baby.

The AI baby had freckles on his cheeks and black hair. He was adopted - not bought - into a loving family to grow up with a sibling, neither to be lonely. He was named Ace, his brother's name Sabo. Ace was loved equally to his brother. Sabo hadn't realized Ace was an AI until his first check up he remembered, when they were both five.

Ace had gone to a strange doctor's and had a physical, his body checked for any damage or malfunctions. But there was none, he was healthy and normal for his kind. He went back to his brother with two lolly pops, giving his precious sibling the other.

Ace was just like any other kid. He grew up like any other kid, with friends and family that loved him. His and his brother's paren'ts passed away when they were sixteen. They were put into a foster home until they turned 18 and left with their inheritance to make their own stories. Ace never felt wrong or different.

He met other AIs, too. He wasn't alone. And he loved the bots and humans equally. Some bots were as old as fifty years. He was fascinated by them, but his real fascination was in sea life. He wanted to be a marine biologist, that was his dream. And he pursued it, a little lonely on the way. Not that he felt alone with Sabo, he just wanted somebody that felt about him like his parents felt about each other.

Love looked… nice.

-x-

"Sir, I think you should stop now," Ace said in concern when the man at the bar counter he worked at was on his sixth shot. He was getting very drunk. Ace took his glasses away, not wanting the drunk man to cause a scene. It was a nice and quiet night, he didn't want an argument or for him to vomit and Ace need to clean it up.

"No…" the man slurred. Ace asked if there was somebody he could call for him. The blonde man said he had brothers, and Ace took his phone with permission. He swiped along it and his finger's thought pulled up the name ofMarco's nearest brother. Ace called while watching Marco closely. If he passed out, Ace would pull him up before he slid off his seat.

Ace only knew his name was Marco from his name tag from somewhere he couldn't figure out. Marco Newgate. The man's name he was calling was Izo. His profile photo was a man with long black hair in an elegant bun. It rang for a long time before there was an answer. He demanded to know where he was before Ace even spoke.

"This is a bar worker. Your brother has gotten too intoxicated to stay or leave safely. Is there anyone who can come get him? If not, I can call an driver for him," Ace explained. He looked and saw Marco had fallen asleep. Poor guy. Ace wondered what caused him to drink this much.

"No, I'll come get him. Thank you for calling. What bar is it?" Ace said it was the Party's Bar. Izo said he'd be there soon, and hung up. Ace moved around the counter and to Marco, slowly helping him off of the stool. He really didn't want him to throw up inside. He didn't move him jarringly, and was able to help him stumble outside.

He threw up in the bush and Ace rubbed his back. He'd seen plenty of people vomit and knew rubbing their backs helped ground them from any violent retching of the alcohol out of their system. Ace was just glad he had nothing to clean up. It was almost time to close up. Ace lead him to a bench and sat him down.

Marco was clearly very out of it, and would have a hell of a hangover the next morning. Izo drove up and came out. He frowned at the state of his brother. Ace helped move him to the car, and Izo thanked him. "I'm sorry for the trouble caused."

Ace said, "It's not problem. I'm just glad he waited to throw up until we were outside." Ace pulled out the little ticket and handed it to the man. He looked confused but took the ticket. "This is the recipe for the best hangover cure I know. Lots of trial and error," he said in a friendly voice. Izo thanked him again and pocketed it.

He got into his car, Marco passed out in the backseat. Ace then went back inside to finish up the shift and help the owner close up shop. He drove the car back home, the the apartment he shared with Sabo. They weren't the most well off at the moment, and they were both saving as much of the inheritance as they could to go to their desired colleges.

So, they lived in a two bedroom one bathroom apartment that was pretty small. They had a portable washing machine that they powered themselves instead of having to pay to us the ones downstairs. There were some things they just couldn't put up with. Ace went to bed, as it was 3:30, and slept until 10:15. Because of his work schedule, his classes were all in the afternoon.

Sabo went to the same community college, but they drove different cars at different times. Ace would have usually ride the bus, but he just wasn't feeling it that day. He wondered if that Marco was alright. He had been very smashed, he was probably either sleeping or with his head in the toilet.

Ace got through class just fine, his friend sharing his marine biology major with him. He and Deuce had a complicated yet very simpler relationship. They had been best friends that tried being lovers but were now best friends again. They had both agreed that they were just not suited to be lovers. It lasted about a week before they both came to the same decision.

Nothing was awkward, they were closer than ever, but as friends. They had two shared classes, and a shared break. Both got home late, and both went to work then. Homework was done during break times and before school. "So, any drunks last night that made it interesting?" Deuce asked while they ate candy bars in the library, having snuck the food in.

Ace wrote another sentence on his paper and said, "I had to call a ride for a guy that was completely smashed. I should have stopped him earlier, but I didn't." Deuce snorted, saying he wasn't jealous of Ace's job. It paid well and had high tips, but it was a pain dealing with drunks. Especially when there were bar fights and he had to call the police on them.

He had to clean up the messes when that happened, but luckily, bar fights happened a lot more in movies than in real life. The bar was usually pretty quiet, a place to drink and think. Marco was not thinking by the end, only moaning in nausea. He went back to work that night after taking a short shower.

When he got there, the manager had already opened, and Ace apologized for being late. "It was only three minutes, there's no need to fret," Zeff said. The bar doubled as a restaurant in the evening and only turned into a bar when it got past 10:00. Ace changed into his uniform and apron.

The glasses were all cleaned, so he made sure that the faucets were filled and the bottles were in order for which ones were empty so he didn't need to dig through them when serving. People started coming in. Ace wasn't a waiter, Sanji and Zoro were. Sanji was a bot, not AI, but a bot that was still treated as a human. He just didn't have the faux-human body.

Ace worked at the bar counter, serving people who came and sat down. He enjoyed listening to conversations. Especially the drunken ones. They were usually pretty entertaining until it turned into crying that was soon followed by spewing all over the floor. He cleaned glasses once they were emptied and the customers left.

A girl with red hair asked for some spiked orange juice, which he served her. She didn't stay long, and gave him a large tip for "being cute". He actually got a lot of those. His co-workers laughed at him about it. Well, it paid to be nice looking, apparently. The night went by slowly before he door jingled and Izo from the night before walked in.

Marco followed afterwards, looking alright. Ace hoped his disgusting concoction tasted worth it and he didn't throw up just from the taste of it. Ace couldn't smell any booze when the two walked over. The young man hoped that Marco wouldn't get smashed again and threw up inside this time.

But neither got a drink, so Ace didn't go to them, serving those who were there for drinks. Finally, Izo called him over, not knowing his name even though he knew theirs. "I want to thank you for calling me for Marco." Ace said he was welcome. "And apparently the cure was an actual cure, and he feels much better now."

"I'm glad," Ace said, seeing Marco was completely embarrassed. Last night he'd been so drunk he couldn't speak or walk straight and threw up right in front of him. Ace would be embarrassed as well. He said nothing about it, and asked if he wanted a juice. Marco nodded, and Ace got some apple juice.

He slid the glass to him, and Marco took a drink of it. Ace turned to Izo if he wanted something. He said he was good with water. Ace nodded and filled a glass with water, giving it to him, as well. "Can I ask what your name is?" Izo questioned, though he didn't sound hesitant or like it was even a question.

"Ace," he replied. Marco drank his drink very quickly, so Ace immediately filled it back. His face was red, and Ace felt bad for him. "You don't gotta be embarrassed," he said simply, before adding, "There's also a reason people drink that way, it's easy to see you aren't an alcoholic. So don't be embarrassed," Ace smiled.

A large group walked in and sat down. He walked to them to serve them when they asked, giving a smile. Many were women, dressed scantily. Ace looked around, glad he didn't see anybody looking at them like some did. They had some large men with them, so Ace felt they were safer.

This was a bar, it didn't always have great people. Ace often called the police on people. He had button under the counter that you press and the police come so nobody expected him to be the one calling. It would be a pain if they targeted Ace. While he was decent at self defense, he was no blackbelt.

Izo called him back over for a refill of water. Their bill would be a staggering eleven dollars. They talked amongst each other, Izo talking more. Ace could hear them perfectly, so he touched the part behind his ear that dimmed his hearing. Nobody could see them, but there were buttons all over Ace's body that were never touched.

Many were his very inner thigh. He only touched those ones in private. You could see why. The brothers stayed a long time, talking with Ace quite a bit. Marco looked the most awkward, and Ace pitied him, filling his apple juice again and again.

Izo seemed like a good guy, and kept trying to get him to speak. Ace wasn't stupid, he knew what Izo was trying to do. Ace was touched, but Marco really didn't seem like he wanted what Izo did. Their bill was $25 by the end, and they left after the large group did. Soon, the bar was quiet again, only with silent people, drinking their problems away. Their faces said it all.

He gave all of them a small discount, and told them they were always welcome to come and relax. A few had tears in their eyes at the simple kindness, but Ace said nothing of them, just gave a smile. He didn't notice Zeff watching him from the back room. He had a look of pride on, but said nothing and didn't make his presence known.

Sabo was already home from his job as a nightshift worker at the post office. He got a lot more exercise than Ace did with his job, but Ace had much more interaction with other people. Not many bots since only AIs could handle alcohol. Other bots, the drink dissolved in their stomachs. Ace was proud of being an AI, and not being noticeable.

He didn't not like people knowing, but being treated normally was pretty nice. People never noticed him and his body, and he liked that, was thankful he was so advanced. There had been little improvement in 20 years with AIs, only upgrades that were optional. He didn't partake in upgrades because he was just fine without them.

-x-

He had the next day off, and went to the nearest city along the coast with a beach. The water was cold, but he waded in the tide pools, looking at the life there and getting parasites out of shrimp easily. He didn't hurt any of them or step inside the pools, just being happy to observe. "Someday I'll help you little guys more. The ocean might be cleaner now than ever before, but that doesn't mean you don't still need help," he said to the small sea life.

He picked up a spider crab baby, tiny in his hand. He smiled and then set it back down before drying off and putting his shoes on. He happily went home and relaxed before working on his project. It was a community college, but it still had zoology for marine life and creatures on land. His marine life class had a project going on that he was doing on shrimp and Orthione Griffenis parasites. They were easy to get to observe.

For dinner he cooked Mongolian beef for Sabo since it was his favorite and he had a very long shift that day. Ace was sad they didn't have a break on the same day, but they still spent time together before school started. They were still brothers and saw each other daily, even if they couldn't often go out together.

Sabo was more than happy to have the delicious meal even at 5:30. Ace slept before he came and woke up to cook him food. Not really breakfast food, but it was dinner for Sabo. When they both went to bed, Ace hoped that Marco hadn't gone to the bar when Ace wasn't there if he had been there to see him.

But of course, he could be completely wrong. Marco might have tasted the alcohol drinks Ace had mixed for him and liked them enough to come a second time. Hopefully he didn't get too drunk again and throw up inside instead of outside.

The next day was his rough draft of the project, and his teacher was completely floored at the details Ace had, how he dissected the parasites himself. He even offered to bring them to class and show them how to remove the parasites from the shrimp. His teacher said he'd get a lot of extra credit for that, so of course Ace would do it.

He was in a good mood, even during his boring classes. He would be graduating in two years. He was unable to do the two year schedule, so he was taking four years before he transferred somewhere with the major he wanted. He was 21 now, barely old enough to drink, let alone work at a bar. But that was why he was hired over older people.

Ace hadn't drunk a lot, and didn't have any preferences. He'd also honestly told the owner that he disliked the taste of alcohol, and promised to never drink any of the products in the bar. He was as best of an employee he could be.

He did get teased by Zoro and Sanji, who wee both 22, that he was too nice for a bar tender. Ace said he liked being that way. They didn't know he was an AI, either. Nobody but Sabo and Deuce did. And speak of the devil, Deuce walked in. He sat down, knowing Monday's were not busy nights. He bought a beer and read on his phone until Ace went over while cleaning up the bar counter and then going around it to clean the unused stools.

"What's up?" Ace asked his best friend.

"I can't come visit my friend?" he asked in faux hurt. Ace raised his brows. "Okay, I came cause some guy came in last night when I was drinking some spiked cranberry juice with Saber. He asked where you were, and when he found out it was your day off, he looked a bit disappointed, but did stay a couple minutes before he left. Didn't get a single thing."

Saber was Deuce's other close friend. Deuce was closer to Ace than Saber was, but the three got along just fine. Ace was not bothered by Deuce having another close friend. He was glad he had more people to be close to. Ace didn't really have another best friend, but that was okay. Deuce and Sabo made enough time for him that he didn't feel lonely.

Marco showed up, and Ace pretended not to notice before he sat down. He raised his hand how regular customers did and Ace went over him, asking what he could get him. He asked for a martini, which was kind of surprising. But at least it wasn't strong vodka like when he got terribly drunk. It wasn't very busy, it was Monday after all, so Ace had time to clean the bar and helped Zoro and Sanji out with serving the food they still made that late.

Ace went back to the bar counter, and found Marco hadn't drunk his drink at all. "Would you like another drink?" Ace asked. Marco shook his head and took a deep breath.

"I came to ask if you wanted to go out sometime. I know I completely embarrassed myself last Saturday, but you were really nice about it. Then you were pretty interesting when he talked again." Ace was impressed that he was so bold, even if his face was red and he was looking away. Ace took a piece of paper from the cash register and wrote his Axis account name and phone number.

He handed it to Marco. The man looked surprised and Ace smiled. He didn't really have any reason to say no. Marco seemed like a really nice guy, shy. It was kind of cute, but he wondered if he was actually like that, or just nervous about this.

After his shift, Ace and Marco talked outside, the blonde sending a text to Ace's phone so he had his number, too. They were going out to coffee on Saturday morning. Marco had a job that he worked on from home. He was a website designer. He was two years older than Ace, so not a huge age difference, even if he was much taller than the younger.

He was so happy when he got into his car, not drunk at all, and Ace wondered how it would go, if he was actually shy. Well, he'd seen on Saturday.

- 2 years later -

"Marco, I have to get dressed, I have to go to graduation. Don't be mean," Ace said as Marco kissed his jaw, running his hands down Ace's back. He did have four hours, but wanted to get there early. Marco said they could have a quickie. Ace caved, unable to resist when he stopped kissing and just pressed their foreheads together.

Ace was sweaty and had to take a second shower, but still had lots of time to get there. And he felt relaxed now, a little less nervous. It was the day of graduation, and Ace was feeling excited but a bit sad. He'd been going to school for four years, was used to it, he'd miss the library, having lunch with Deuce.

He had applied to four schools with extensive marine biology majors. His dream had not changed. It only got stronger when he started going on whale watching, which Marco went with him to, enjoying the smiles and awe whenever they were lucky enough to see a whale. However, Marco wasn't happy when Ace went shark diving. It was only once, but it was a memory that he'd treasure his whole life.

"I'm a bad ass now. You can't dispute that," Ace had said as he got out of the swim suit and gear. Marco had been very nervous. "Don't worry, I won't do it again," he said, leaving a kiss on Marco's lips before they went to a restaurant. Marco had been on edge after it, but Ace made sure he knew he was safe.

"I even got video of it, so you can see how it wasn't scary. I wasn't afraid a single time," he assured his boyfriend, who finally relaxed when he showed the video. Ace didn't once touch any of the sharks, he just observed. Marco had to admit his boyfriend was awesome.

When they got to the campus, Ace pulled out his blue graduation gown. He was nervous, wringing his hands. "Don't worry, baby," Marco said. "If you fall, you won't see any of these people again." It didn't really help Ace, but he got that Marco was trying to help him not be stressed.

He nodded and got out, hurrying to where he needed to be. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Marco scowl at one of the bots sitting with someone Ace assumed was his spouse since they were holding hands. Ace frowned, wondering why. Marco knew about Ace being an AI, though they'd never talked about it.

Ace dressed, nervous with Deuce, both of them excited, but sad a bit. They'd be going to different colleges. Deuce's dream was to be a special education teacher, and Ace's dream schools were only for marine biology. There was no major for a teacher. But of course they'd keep in touch. Ace would miss Sabo the most, but they were both 23, almost 24. And they were both finally touching their inheritance to live on their own and pay for their studies.

Sabo wanted to be an author, so he was going to school to work on that. Ace had no doubt he'd succeed. Some of his own stories had made Ace cry. Marco, too.

Ace was near the back, since their last name was Portgas. Sabo was skipping graduation. He was allowed to do that, but Ace didn't see why he would. He'd skipped high school graduation, as well. So, it was just Ace and Deuce. His blue haired friend went first, smiling brightly. When Ace's name was called, he walked up smiling lightly, and bowed before taking his diploma and walking to his friend, letting out a long sigh of relief. Deuce gave him a high five, and both of them looked at the building that was their former school with a hint of sadness.

Deuce said something shocking. "I chose Collin University." Ace was surprised. That was pretty much in the middle of all of the marine schools along the Oregon coast. Ace asked if it was for him. "Of course. I'm not planning on ditching you. You won't have Sabo. I got your back, in case Marco ends up not going with you. Sabo has Koala to not be lonely."

Ace wiped his tears away and hugged his best friend. "What about Saber?" Deuce said Ace was his best friend more than Saber. "Growing up is scary, huh?" Ace asked lightly. Deuce agreed with that. When the ceremony ended, Deuce commented on something.

"Does Marco not like bots, or something?" he wondered, seeing the narrowed eyes at them. Ace said he'd noticed that reaction, too. "Does he always act like that."

"Not that I've ever noticed." Deuce asked that he knew he was an AI. "Yeah. He doesn't care, and we've never really talked about it. He loves me despite that," Ace said happily. Marco hurried over and hugged Ace tightly, kissing his forehead. He happily said he was proud of him for graduating with straight As. He was definitely getting into the college he wanted.

Ace was so happy, and Sabo hurried over next. He'd driven separately since Ace had been at Marco's house the night before and that morning. Sabo hugged him back and handed him a box of chocolate. Ace opened it and saw it was all of his favorites, though some were a bit melted. Without asking, his three special people took some.

"This was supposed to be mine," he said in a grumpy voice, seeing he only had five pieces left. Deuce said he was a graduate, too. He deserved chocolate. "Sabo and Marco shouldn't have gotten any, then."

"Sharing is caring," Marco commented. Ace huffed and ate his chocolate. The four of them went out to dinner someplace really nice. Then Marco and Ace decided to go to an amusement part the next Saturday when Ace had his break. He looked forward to it.

Marco drove Ace home, and Ace had to ask. "Do you not like bots, or something? You were glaring at all of them at the ceremony," Ace said. He had no idea what the answer would be, but waited for it silently.

"I dislike bots. I'm biased. Two had killed my parents. Both of them," he said. Ace knew they were dead, but was never told they were killed. "Both of them got away, too. I've hated them ever since," he said. Ace knew better than to try to convince him they weren't all bad, even if that was the truth. He was just glad they weren't killed by AIs, because, if so, Marco most likely wouldn't be in this car with him.

Instead, he said, "I'm so sorry. Why didn't you ever tell me?" Marco shrugged, but then said it was a sensitive topic, and he knew Ace was friends with some bots. When they got back to Ace's apartment, Marco kissed his cheek and walked him to the entrance. He said he'd visit him at the bar before Saturday's outing. Ace was excited for it.

Marco did visit the bar, but knew not to distract Ace from his job. He had been promoted to supervisor, even though he still liked working with the people, and able to stop barfights on his own without threatening with the shot gun under the bar counter. It was just there to look threatening if things got way too out of hand before police could get there.

On Saturday, Marco drove them to the nearest amusement park. Ace was beaming the whole time, while they got wristbands that Marco paid for, and they went on all the rides. There were bots everywhere, but Marco seemed to be trying to stay positive, which Ace was thankful for. After going on one ride that would make any regular person throw up, Marco did so into the trash.

"Haven't seen this in awhile," Ace joked. Marco grumbled at him that it wasn't funny. They went to get some ice cream to make Marco's mouth not taste bad. They waited a bit after that before going on more rides.

On one of the rides, however, a problem happened. Ace's arm got trapped in the seat, and he was desperately trying to get it out, terrified it would get ripped off. That would cost so much money to repair. He yanked it out but it was broken at the elbow. He hissed, mostly in surprise and not pain, and Marco hurried him out of the area and to a more private place.

He went to call an ambulance before Ace put his hand up to stop him. "Your arm is broken! We have to call an ambulance!" Ace wondered why he was freaking out when he knew Ace was an AI. He frowned, and asked why Marco was so concerned. His boyfriend looked at him in bafflement.

"I'll just get it repaired and it'll be fine. It doesn't hurt," Ace said, still confused by Marco's reaction. But then his brows furrowed. He asked what Ace meant, when he said "repaired". "You know, fixed up. It'll be fine once all the wires are reattached." Then his face grew cold, and Ace got worried, not understanding. "Why are you acting like you don't know?"

"That you're a bot?"

"No, I'm an AI. You know this, stop scaring me," Ace said, growing upset. Marco was looking at him so angrily. He demanded to know how he knew it if Ace never told him. Ace flinched. "But, my Axis account says my status is 'AI'." Axis was the site they went on that only connected them, not anybody else. "I just thought you didn't mind, so we didn't talk about it."

Ace was freaking out by now. "I can't fucking believe this. You've been lying this whole time? Even when we made love, you weren't even human?!" Ace was angry, and said he was a person and Marco needed to watch himself. He was on thin ice. He said he hadn't been lying and so Marco should calm the hell down.

"I can't even look at you," Marco snapped. Ace flinched. Tears were in his eyes now. Of hurt and betrayal and anger. "You should have told me in person. You shouldn't have strung me along like this!"

"You were supposed to love me! Why did I need to tell you out loud?! You love me!" Ace insisted angrily, shouting loudly.

Marco said, "I already told you I hate bots! That includes AIs!" Ace was feeling like every word was a stab to his gut, how he felt it would feel if he could be in pain. Ace told him to stop being cruel and to calm down. "I'm not being cruel, I'm being honest."

"Then you're breaking up with me cause of this? You're really throwing everything away? Because you didn't look close enough at my account?" Ace asked, voice surprisingly strong. He felt this was a big fight, but they'd get over it. Marco wouldn't just throw away two years or work and happiness over something that should be small. Ace acted like a human, his body looked and functioned like a human. Just cause he was an AI didn't mean he wasn't a person and deserved to be treated like this.

"I trusted you, Ace." Ace noticed the past tense. He threw back that he thought Marco loved him. "I loved my parents more than I loved you. Bots killed them, they're not trustworthy or belong with real people. You don't either. You deceived me, you know how I have trust issues!"

"I didn't know I had to tell you! I thought you knew and didn't care about it!" Ace shouted. Marco shook his head and left. He threw off the bracelet Ace had given him for his birthday. Ace fell to his knees and sobbed.

Marco dumped him. A week after graduation. Ace felt himself freeze, unable to move. He was malfunctioning, couldn't do anything. He was scared. But after about a minute, he was able to move again. He picked up the bracelet Marco had dumped. Ace had made it for him. It wasn't pretty, but he'd carved the charms. They sucked, but Marco had loved it.

Ace went outside, found Marco's car was gone. He called Deuce, and said he needed to be picked up. He needed his arm repaired, and to go home. When Deuce got there, Ace told him what had happened. His best friend was livid, and Ace was shattered. He malfunctioned in the car again, frozen in place with no way to move his body.

Marco's betrayal had affected his body completely. He hoped this didn't continue.

But it did.