SKYLINE HEARTS

BONUS: 01

A/N: We've returned with a bonus chapter. I know you are dying to see Ace's good ending. So, here you go. Please refer to Chapter Twenty-Four if you need a refresher. In addition to that, listen to "Darl+ing" by Seventeen." Happy Reading.

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"So, I'll be on the plane to Sweden soon." He stepped closer, dropping his voice to a low, soft tone. "Anything I should know before I leave?"

My heart rate picked up, and my cheeks flushed crimson at the proximity. Ace's lips tugged into a little smirk at my flushed expression. God, I hated how he could read me so well.

"Cat caught your tongue, princess?" He teased, causing my cheeks to darken. I shut my eyes.

"Stop teasing, Ace."

He stifled a chuckle.

"And why should I?" He tilted his head, and the teasing smirk widened. "You look adorable when you're flustered."

"I--"

"So, what were you going to say?" He cut me off.

"R-Right," I stuttered. "I...don't know what I was going to say?"

He stifled another chuckle.

"Stop laughing at me!" I glared at him while smacking his shoulder. "I'm genuinely struggling here."

He laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender.

"Alright, alright. There's no need to get violent, princess. But you have to admit, you look adorable when you get flustered like that."

I pursed my lips in mock annoyance, earning another chuckle from him.

"You know what? I don't think I want to tell you anymore. I'm walking away---"

Ace's hand shot up, quickly grabbing my wrist and pulling me closer to him.

"You're not leaving until you tell me what you wanted to say."

I sighed, rubbing my temples.

"Don't you already know it by now?"

He giggled.

"I do, yes. But I want to hear it from you."

"I--" My struggle was evident by now. And why wouldn't it be? My brain went completely blank when he asked whether I had anything to say before he left. I had rehearsed countless times, but no words rolled down my tongue.

Ace cleared his throat, his hand moving from my wrist to my gently holding my hand, palm down.

"How about I ask you a question, and you answer yes or no? How does that sound?"

I nodded, unable to form any coherent sentences.

"Aurora." His gaze searched for something in mine as he began. "I'll be going to Sweden in a few hours. Would you like to come with me?"

My heart fluttered, and a small smile tugged at my lips.

"What would that mean for us?"

He inhaled deeply, eyes sparkling with barely contained happiness.

"If you say yes, you have accepted my proposal, and according to the pact, I must hand over my second-button equivalence to you. If you say no--"

I didn't need to hear the alternative.

"Yes." I blurt out. "A million times, yes, Ace."

Ace's grin widened, giving him a natural goofball look. Instinctively, his hands almost wrapped around me but stopped as he looked down at me, silently asking for permission. I nodded with a smile.

Without wasting a second, he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me impossibly close like his life depended on it. Ace nuzzled his face into my hair, inhaling my scent, and I felt our bodies relax.

"I love you, princess," He mumbled into my hair, tightening his grip around me. "I love you so much, it physically hurts."

My heart somersaulted.

"There's so much I want to tell you, so many things I want to experience with you, so many places I want to go with you. You have no idea how happy you made me, princess. I feel like the luckiest man alive, all thanks to you."

"Are you always going to be so cheesy, Ace?" I teased.

He chuckled before pulling back and kissing the top of my head. My heart melted at the simple act of affection.

"Most definitely, and I will never be ashamed of it. You deserve the best, princess, and I will ensure you get that."