Kieran pulls Ace into a tight hug, his arms locking around him. His body trembles, and for the first time in front of others- Max, Rica, and Ace himself, Kieran lets the weight of his emotions crash over him.
The dam he has held up for so long shatters, and tears spill from his eyes, raw and unrestrained.
He buries his face into Ace's shoulder, gripping him so tightly that it's almost painful.
Ace feels the damp warmth of Kieran's tears seeping into his shirt, feels the rapid rise and fall of his chest against his own.
Kieran is breaking. Completely, utterly breaking.
And Ace lets him.
He doesn't tease, doesn't speak, doesn't pull away, he just holds Kieran through it, letting him shatter in the safety of his arms.
Across the room, Rica swallows thickly, her hands clenched at her sides as she watches Kieran, the man who always stood tall, always led with strength, now clutching Ace like a lifeline, vulnerable and broken.
