Sounds like a good deal to me.

[He's just so happy.

Ace makes a small noise under his breath, it's distressing to think about even now.] Yeah. I did my best. But here, I can do better. I've got more options, more choices. And don't worry, I know what I'm worth. [He has dismal self esteem, honestly. But he'll lie and grin to make people happy. Cocky is way easier than emotionally vulnerable as a rule.]

You know I'm gonna. I can't wait to try it.