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It was a normal day for Sabo, a lazy one if anything.
He had gotten home from work at a normal hour, which was nice, class wasn’t kicking his ass with all the extra work they were throwing on him the week before, which was even better.
So, he pretty much just had the rest of the day to himself… or well, he did.
But, it wasn’t like you’d find him complaining.
He raised his gaze when he heard a knock on his apartment door before he heard it open.
Which told him exactly who it was. it wasn’t a stranger, not Koala, cause she wouldn’t have bothered to knock. It wasn’t any of his work friends, because they most definitely don’t know where he even lives.
It wasn’t Luffy, because the little shit would’ve just barged in, and it wasn’t any of his friends, because without Luffy with them, they’re polite enough to knock and wait. Even Luffy’s boyfriend, Zoro.
So that only left one person.
Ace.
Sabo raised an amused brow as the other man made his way into his living room, hair tied up in a half bun and clothes looking like he just threw them on with little care and called it good. Which he most likely did do, if Sabo was completely honest.
He watched as the raven-haired man made his way over to the couch Sabo was sitting on, and flopped down onto it. His eyes never once looked at Sabo as he rested his head on the armrest and kicked his feet onto Sabo’s legs. Forcing the blonde to move the book he was reading so it wouldn’t get crumpled from the other's blatant lack of spatial awareness.
“Well hello there, Ace,” Sabo greeted, breaking the silence.
“I need help,” was all Ace replied with, and- Sabo will be honest, that was the last thing he was expecting to come out of the other's mouth.
And honestly? Ace was a fool to believe Sabo was gonna have any other response then- “Really? The Protgas D. Ace, needs my help,” he grinned, ignoring how the other huffed, “Who are you, Imposter? And what did you do with Ace?”
He watched Ace roll his eyes with a sigh, “Yeah yeah, I get it,” he grumbled, “but- I’m serious Bo, I need help. And- you’re the smartest person I know who can help me.”
Sabo couldn’t help but blink at that, flattered by the honest compliment and now a little concerned. He nodded slowly and put his book on the end table before he turned so his back was to the armrest and he was facing the raven-haired male completely. “Okay, then,” he started, “what is it?”
Ace’s expression twisted in apprehension as he too sat up, dragging his feet out of Sabo’s lap and into a crisscross position as he copied Sabo. “well-” he started before he seemed to cut himself off, his cheeks dusting pink as he seemed to keep his eyes averted from Sabo’s. The blonde raised a brow at that. “Look-” he then met Sabo’s eyes, “I- like someone, like- seriously like them- but- I don’t know how to tell them.”
Sabo’s eyes were wide as he took in the other's words, most definitely for a different reason than the other thinks- but- could you blame him?
He felt as if his heart had just plummeted from his chest. As if- all of his chances just got thrown from the fucking window.
The person he was falling for just came to him for relationship advice… what were you supposed to do with that?
It felt like a sick joke, like whatever higher power there was in this world was fucking with him.
But- he wasn’t going to let Ace know.
He couldn’t let Ace know, not if he’d found someone else.
So instead of denying the other’s request, he forced a sympathetic smile onto his lips and leaned into the armrest with his arms crossed. Hiding his trembling hands from view. “Okay,” he started, surprising himself with how even his voice was, “well, what have you done so far with them? How close are you with them?”
Ace scratched the back of his head as he shrugged, “I haven’t really done anything so far…” he grumbled, “I’m just nervous as to what they’d say. I mean- it’s someone I’ve known for years, I don’t really wanna fuck anything up with them.” Sabo’s brow furrowed as names and faces flew through his mind, an unconscious search for whoever it could be that Ace was talking about, “so- I’d say we’re pretty close.”
Sabo nodded slowly, “okay…” he started, “well, to be completely honest with you, I feel like if they're this close with you, then- tell them outright? Maybe?” he knew that’s what he would’ve wanted, were he in this person’s position, “if they don’t feel the same,” which he highly doubted, it was Ace, “and if they are close with you, they hopefully won’t make a big deal out of it. And if they’re your real friend, you both will move past it, but if they do, it leaves no room for miscommunication or confusion.”
Ace nodded slowly, “alright…” he started, “Well- what do I say?”
Sabo hummed, “maybe ask them on a date?” he suggested before he shrugged, “I’m not sure, really. I feel like I’m the last person you should be asking this, Ace.” he huffed.
This was true in more ways than one, he was smart, yes, academically, but relationships? He’s grasping onto straw here.
Ace shook his head resolutely, “No, no, that helped immensely, thank you, Bo!” he grinned.
And Sabo couldn’t help but give the other a tight-lipped smile. “Is that all you needed, Ace?” he asked, his brow furrowing slightly and hoping it was.
He didn’t really know how much more relationship advice he could give to the other before he’d want to lay down and not get up for a year or two.
Ace nodded rapidly, a grin growing on his lips that Sabo couldn’t help but find contagious. Despite himself and his feelings.
The other had always been so good at that, cheering Sabo up even when he didn’t realize it. As if it was just effortless, second nature.
Instead of standing, as Sabo expected. Rushing off to tell whoever he liked what Sabo had just suggested. Ace seemed to straighten, his smile growing more strained as he picked at his nails, a nervous habit the other had. It made Sabo’s brow furrow in confusion. “You alright?” he couldn’t help but ask, worried.
Maybe he was having second thoughts?
He’s always known Ace as brave. Looking at a situation others would balk at with a grin on his lips and a challenge in his eyes.
He must really like whoever this was if he was so nervous.
Ace seemed to take a deep breath as if stealing his nerves before he met Sabo’s eyes seriously. “Sabo,” said man’s brow furrowed further, “will you go on a date with me?”
Sabo’s eyes widened as he stared at the other, almost incomprehensibly, “...what?” he breathed. He misheard him, right? He- he was just practicing? “I- you’re- are you practicing?” despite his words, he desperately hoped he heard the other right.
But- the other couldn’t mean Sabo- could he?
Ace only proved him wrong by his smile morphing into something more reassured, “no, Bo,” he responded, “I understand if you don’t want to but, you are the one I’ve liked for a while. And- I’ve never known how to approach you. But- like I said before, you’re the smartest person I know, so obviously you’d know how to confess to someone, let alone yourself.” he shrugged.
And the blonde could only blink at him, trying desperately to comprehend what the fuck was going on cause he most definitely wasn’t expecting this.
Ace’s shoulder hunched slightly, in a disappointment and fear that snapped Sabo out of his head and forced his brain to work again, “so?” he asked, “will you go on a date with me?”
Instantly, Sabo nodded, his lips pulling in a disbelieving grin as he did so, “yes-” he replied instantly, making Ace perk up once again, “of course, Ace!”
Ace grinned as well, “wait- really?”
Sabo huffed and nodded, “Yes- Ace- I’ve liked you for years! I just- never thought you felt the same.” he shrugged, failing to hide his excitement.
Those words seemed to be the straw that broke the camel's back as as soon as they left the blonde's lips, Ace launched himself across the sofa wrapping Sabo into a tight hug.
A hug that Sabo couldn’t help but recuperate instantly. Relief weighed him down heavily as he laughed with the man in his arms.
The End