Follow Me Down || Ace & Ingrid || Summary
Completed Para
Completed with silenceddusk
Includes: -
Ace hadn’t seen his brother in a while, feeling slightly guilty of his lack of visits. Though he was also worried of the lack of information he was receiving of the safety of the other. And so, he decided to finally pay him a visit. Walking through the door to the others room, he was immediately taken aback by the sight, horrified by the state. “W-what… I’m… What happened?” He asked will lack of emotion, his entire body shaking violently as he attempted to take a step back from the room, only to find himself frozen in the same position, his eyes locked sorrowfully upon the other.
He’d been hiding. He didn’t want to leave his room, and since Kiel had brought him back to it, that’s exactly what he’d done; sneaked food from the kitchen and then hole up on his bed. Blankets hurt too much, so he was still wrapped in Kiel’s too-big bunnyhug and sweatpants.
He flinched when the door opened, whimpering slightly before looking up nervously to see his brother. He swallowed thickly, relaxing back against the mattress and looking down slowly. He’d promised not to tell, but then again… He told Kiel. That’s how he got stitched up. Slowly, he raised his hands to sign his response.
I learned not to trust everyone I meet.
He leaned just slightly closer to read the response, his hand latching on to the door frame as fear struck and hit him so cruelly. He stumbled forward, slamming the door shut behind him as his eyes wondered in new directly, avoiding contact with the other. “Why didn’t… Why didn’t you tell me?” He asked shakily, attempting to hold himself together, avoiding collapsing out of grief. “I could have helped… I could have… killed the person who did this to you.” He explained further, his hand running slowly through his hair as a small, crystal tear fell from his eye and drifted down his cheek.
Ingrid bit his lip hard, only to give another light flinch as his jaw tensed and release the motion. He listened, though his response lagged with shaking hands.
I promised not to tell. I’m not supposed to tell when stuff like this happens to me. Bad things would happen.
He read the response once more, fidgeting as he thought. Both of his hands pushed all of his hair back, his breathing quickened considerably. “Does anyone know who did it? I can help. I promise.” He almost pleaded, the heel of his hand rubbing against his eye to control himself from the inevitable.
Ingrid swallowed thickly and looked down as he gave a slow nod, hands slowly rising once again, but instead of signing, his carefully spelled out the name with his fingers.
K-I-E-L. He knows, because he’s the one I went to for my stitches and stuff. Oh, please don’t tell Sydney.
Ace wrapped his arms around his own body, seeking comfort from someone he trusted, seemingly being himself. After watching, he turned around to hide his face, dropping to his knees before sitting upon the floor, rocking in the place. “Kiel.” He uttered to himself mainly before nodding slowly, tears falling from his eyes. “You have my word.”
Ingrid swallowed thickly, reaching up carefully to rub at his bruised throat before attempting to sit up, biting his tongue gently to muffle a whine before resting back down. He didn’t want to ask for help, he saw that Ace was upset; he was scared of upsetting him further.
He wiped the tears from his eyes on to his sleeve, sniffling softly before turning his head to look at the other. “Why didn’t you come to me first? I know I can’t be trusted sometimes, but… I’m so sorry.” He shook his head, trying to be clear of the salty tears that lingered painfully within his eyes, urging to escape and fall idly upon his reddened cheeks.
Ingrid swallowed thickly, glancing down again before responding slowly.
His room was closest. It’s nothing against you, I promise. It’s just a matter of that he was closer and it hurt to move. He’s my big brother, too, and he was closest, otherwise I would have gone to you.
Ace waited before his brows furrowed considerably, fists clenching gently as his tears washed away. “He’s your… big brother?” He asked curiously, pulling himself up from the ground. “How is that possible?” He questioned, head tilted to the side just slightly.
Ingrid seemed to relax a little more, grateful for the change of subject.
He sort of took me under his wing on the my first day. He’s been protecting me since before you arrived, and helping me. Sort of like an adoptive brother, but he wasn’t adopted. He adopted me, per say.
He crossed his arms over his chest, almost defending himself. “Well then you might as well simply trust him, then, right? I’m just here, I understand that now. The one that cannot be trusted. Tell me, what does this Kiel look like?”
Ingrid pouted softly, carefully reaching forward and tangling his fingers in Ace’s shirt. He tugged him down, wrapping him in as tight of a hug as he could manage without hurting.
"Th-that’s n-n-not wh-what I-I-I-I-I—… I-I meant, y-y-you d-dork." He mumbled softly, voice cracking and shaking.
As soon as he was pulled in to a hug, he couldn’t help but throw his arms around the other, holding him firmly within his arms. “You’re one of the only people I care for, dude, let me care.” He pleaded softly, burying his face in to the crook of the others neck.
Ingrid flinched a bit once again, but calmed easily, gently petting Ace’s hair back. “I-I-I kn-know.” He murmured carefully, nodding slightly. Talking hurt, he’d screamed his throat raw, but he still tried.
Ace’s hands ran softly up and down the others back, his touch soft and delicate, understanding of the mans pain. “Shh, it’s okay… I know what pain you’re feeling, you don’t need to do anything. Rest your voice. It’ll all be okay, and I’m always here to release your anger onto, if you feel like it.” He explained quietly, his voice low and hushed. “This is only the second hug I’ve ever received by the way, it’s nice.”
Ingrid swallowed thickly and nodded a little, not letting go. He still didn’t want to move, and he still shook just barely. The painkillers Kiel had given him were beginning to wear off. He nuzzled his face into Ace’s neck, yawning softly.
His fingers ruffled in to the hair of the other, softly stroking his scalp with the gentle touch of his fingers. “If you want to lay down once more, just tap your fingers on my neck three times.” He responded slowly, noticing the seeming tiredness of the man.
Ingrid made a soft sound, then slowly drummed his fingers across the back of Ace’s neck, eyes fluttering shut for a moment before slipping back open.
Ace immediately released the other as he felt the sign, helping him lay down back upon the bed. “Do you have anyone to sleep with tonight? Or do you plan on facing it alone?” He asked, concern reveled in his voice.
Ingrid grunted gently as he laid back, gritting his teeth for a moment before sighing in relief, slowly signing his response once again.
I wish I could sleep with Sydney, but I’m still scared to let him see me. I don’t want him to be scared. I… Already beat the shit out of someone for doing something to him…
He watched the signs, a small smile stretched on his lips as he was impressed with the actions of the other. “And who did you do this to, may I ask? You’ll have to do a lot of healing if you don’t want Sydney to find out of what’s happened, it’s best to hope that it happens soon.”
Ingrid nodded slightly, then gave a sheepish smile as he slowly signed his reply once again, resting back a little more, spelling out the name with his fingers.
S-H-I-L-O-H. Him, or his arm, groped Sydney. I thought he did more because Sydney was limping very badly.
He watched the other, rolling his eyes as the name was spelt out, waiting for him to finish before replying. “Eh, that little shit is as good as dead now anyway. Needless to say, he thinks I’m Satin because of what I did to him.”
I only stopped because Sydney got scared. But it’s nice to know why he called me Ace.
Ingrid yawned slowly, shuddering a little and cringing slightly. “O-Ow…” He whispered.
"I’m sure he wont bother you or Sydney again. He’d hate to meet me again." He responded with a small chuckle, soon patting his hand gently upon the others shoulder. "It’s okay. If you need to sleep, I can stay with you."
Ingrid nodded slowly, rubbing his bruised jaw gently before moving closer to Ace as slowly and carefully as he could, nodding again.
Could you? I’m scared to be alone right now.
He gave a warm smile, eyes half lidded as he watched the other. “I have nothing else to do. Besides, you look like you could use the sleep. I’ll be right here, all night.” He responded, nodding slowly.
Ingrid nodded lightly in return, yawning quietly again but trying not to stretch his jaw too much. He dropped his head onto Ace’s chest slowly, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment.
Ace allowed one arm to curl around the other, holding his gently without the issue of applying pressure. He, in turn, closed his eyes and relaxed, keeping as still as possible while allowing his chest to rise and fall with the others breaths.
Ingrid rumbled faintly as he relaxed, falling asleep almost reluctantly. He was always so tired, it was easy for him to sleep. Staying asleep, however…
Ace could feel himself drifting away from reality, the state of dream attacking his mind as it did most nights. He too found it difficult to sleep alone, though for different reasons entirely. He breathed slowly, blackness creating a void within his mind.
Ingrid didn’t move at all as he slept, save for an occasional grunt and shift of his weight, or his fingers tightening into Ace’s shirt. He slept for a good hour or two until he started to become restless.
Ace was an incredibly light sleeper, able to be awakened by the smallest movement of sound. Though in cases like this, it was almost called for. He eyes slowly opened as he looked down at the other, curious and slightly worried of his well-being.
Ingrid hiccuped slightly, furrowing his eyebrows and shifting positions, grasping Ace tighter. He let out a low whimper, beginning to tremble lightly as he attempted to shuffle closer, then away, then closer again.
Ace simply watched the other, aware of the disorders he suffered from. Though he was unsure of how to help. He merely wrapped his arms around the other, holding him firmly against his own body. “Shh, you’ll be okay.”
Ingrid seemed to calm down after a moment, fingers still tightly grasping Ace’s shirt and eyebrows still furrowed, but he stilled otherwise.
Ace tilted his head forward, pressing his lips against the top of the others head, leaving the remnants of a soft kiss in its wake. “Shh.”