Mostly Fanart

Ace sits crosslegged on a bed with only one blanket and pillow, a notebook displayed next to him, and he looks miserable. There's a phone next to him that looks the size of a brick.

"Ace," Russel whispers to himself. Then he tries to speak louder, but all that leaves his lips is a voice crack. Is this where Ace has been all this time? A bunker that looks like a jail cell? Russel heard from Murdoc that Ace went into hiding but he had assumed Murdoc was just lying. To find Ace actually looking distraught and alone is... He can't place a word on how it makes him feel.

A sigh falls from Ace's lips. "I guess this is it." He's talking to no one in particular, but Russel is giving him all his attention. "I can't contact the guys and I can't contact the band so... It's just me." He laughs pathetically. "This isn't cool at all."

It's the first time Russel is properly hearing Ace's accent. When he was touring with them, Ace rarely spoke a word unless the cameras were off. Something about keeping a low profile. The Italian mixed with New Yorker sticks out like a sore thumb now that he's alone in the room. It sounds nice even when he's upset.

"Ace," he tries once more, voice finally finding purchase.

Ace jumps up from the bed, looking around frantically. He pulls a switchblade from his pockets, holding it in the air as if there is a threat anywhere near him. "Whose's there?" He calls.

Right. How does he explain talking to Ace from a TV? This wasn't something they went over during the cult basics meeting. Russel clears his throat, "Over here. It's me, Russel."

When Ace looks at the TV, he looks surprised. He comes closer and taps the screen roughly. "What that? I've been so far away from civilization, I'm starting to see things."

It shakes Russel despite him not feeling Ace's finger. "No, it's really me!"

"How'd you get a TV in here?" Ace asks.

Russel just laughs. "How'd you get in there?" He answers with his own question. "We've been wondering where you are!"

"It's a long story. How are we talking right now?"

The questions keep coming until Russel fully explains to Ace what the band is up to currently. "... So now I'm looking for prophecies through the screen but they led me to you." Russel finishes with a smile, glad to have found something- someone worthwhile from the TV exploits.

"I guess I'm your destiny," Ace replies smoothly. Then he sits down in front of the TV and offers Russel his own smile. "It's good to see you, Russ. I think about you every day I'm down here."

Really? Russel's foot begins to tap against the floor as he takes in the implication. They rarely got a moment to themselves when Ace was with the band, let alone a chance to bond in a way that mattered. But maybe... Maybe this was a perfect opportunity. "I missed you too," he says finally.

A dark green shimmers its way across Ace's cheeks, but he sits up straight and ignores it. "Maybe this is a sign for me to come outta hiding and come find you. We can meet up for some pizza."

"I'd like that. "

Fin!!