@malibvnghts // Ace for Jackson.
A decade is enough to make memories fade, let alone leave people unchanged. The first thing Ace notices upon arriving at his (belayed) high school reunion is that everyone looks almost like a ghost of their former selves. If he really tries to, he can maybe recognise people’s voices and if he ignores the passing of time, he can maybe feel like he’s right back in their school gymnasium, listening to their principal speak.
As he makes his way through the crowd and is welcomed by excited faces, he starts to pick up the pieces of various memories. The prom, his nomination as king, the cheers of the crowd as he lead their football team, his first crush and first heartbreak. He stays at arms’ length when Cassandra and her husband come over to greet him, attention drawn away towards some of his other former friends shortly. He lies, of course - about what he does and about how he’s managed to buy such an expensive watch. Saving, he says and moves the conversation along. It shifts onto how Ace will simply not believe who came out as gay - Ace asks, not entirely pleased with the comedic tone the name is said in. But as soon as he hears it, his interest fades - he’s here.
That is all Ace needs to detach himself from the group of loud men, going in search for a friendly face. He doesn’t find it, but he doesn’t need to - he could recognise Jackson in any crowd, even from behind. A smile pulls at his lips as he nears the man standing by a table and he lets his palm run over the brown haired’s back as soon as he is in reaching distance.
“Jackson,” he says, his voice subdued by nervousness and excitement alike. “Hi there,” he continues, the smile on his lips growing as he meets the man’s gaze.









