Chapter Text
It was one of those rare times when Ace would temporarily join Luffy’s crew for a bit. On these temporary occasions, he would form new fond bonds and learn a little more about who his little brother was travelling the seas with. To which one particular crewmate took his interest, a certain smug and charming girl called y/n. Every time he would find his way back on the Merry, he would find his way to sneak a little extra time with her. However, those conversations and jokes would always be cut short by the time a strawhated man walked over the deck. Suddenly, her eyes would naturally draw to his figure, a meek smile tugged on her lips, and then the conversation was officially over.
To which Ace didn't blame her, Luffy has his own ‘aura’ that one simply cannot help but be drawn into. Need help? Don't worry, Luffy already knows what it was and has already dealt with it. That's just how he was, warmth-the sun itself radiating into his words and actions. So when you leave Ace’s side to go over and chat with the captain, he can't help but wish a lady like you would be glued to his hip the way you are to Luffy’s.
He knows the history behind you and Luffy, the way Luffy saved you at your worst, planted your feet into his crew and made you find a new dream to capture. That type of fondness never comes easy, sometimes though he wished it was him who found you first instead of him. I mean, where do you think Luffy got his demeanour from? Certainly his older brother, with whom he grew up with.
It was getting dark on the Merry, the crew was out on the deck sitting by a gentle fire as the cook, Sanji filled the air with the aroma of sweetly battered fish. Zoro was sharpening his swords, Nami was flicking through her books and Usopp, Chopper, and Luffy were somewhere else on the ship. Ace’s eyes naturally fell on a girl sitting quietly by the fire, watching the flames reflect in her eyes. Like a moth to a flame, his feet paced themselves over to the spot she rested in.
“This seat taken?” Ace smirks and points to the seat next to you. The warm light from the fire perfectly melting into his skin as you look up gently to him.
You smile, softly, “Do you see anyone else sitting there?” He chuckles under his breath as he takes a seat on the wooden log next to you.
For awhile you both just sit comfortably as the sounds of fire crackle, sharpening and pages flicking fill any words needed to be said. Now and then, Ace would flicker his eyes to you, your head resting on your palm as your eyes looked lost to the flames dancing ahead. He wonders if you would find his flames just as mesmerising? But before he can speak, an odd question pops up.
“Do you know how to spell your name?” you question him, finally out of the spell the flames had put you under.
Ace looked puzzled for a sec, I mean, of course he does, well, he thinks he does. Just what are you implying? Suddenly, a soft finger runs on the skin of his toned arm, moving slowly down to reach the end of his tattoo. “Did you try to spell your name and accidentally did it wrong when you tattooed yourself?” Your fingers traced back up to the S that was crossed out on Ace’s arm.
He squirmed under your delicate touch, a faint pinkness racing to fill his cheeks. Ace can't remember the last time someone touched him so gently or at all actually, so he didn't dare move to let this brief touch go. His eyes darted around for a bit as his words struggled to come out, but eventually his eyes came back to you. Your soft features, your hair against the sea breeze, and those eyes that reflected not only the flames this time but him.
“Well, actually, it wasn't always crossed out…” he shares as he adjusts his sitting posture, making sure not to interrupt the placement of your finger.
“It was for my brother Sabo, but he…well, you know, the world has favourites.” he continues on, his eyes falling to the boots he was wearing. He fidgets a bit before continuing.
“Actually, the C stands for something”, he changes the mood and looks to you once more.
Your curious eyes meet his as your finger slowly trails off his arm, awaiting for him to finish his sentence. His smile grows on his lips at seeing you on the edge of your seat, he catches your hand before it falls to your lap and holds your wrist firm yet gently as he pulls you closer.
“It stands for…” he whispers as his smirk is closer to your ear. “Crybaby.”
You suspiciously move back a bit to get a look at Ace’s face. Was he serious?
“Crybaby? …Are you saying you're secretly a big wuss?” You laugh at him a little as his smile grows bigger on his face, his grip nonchalantly shifts from your wrist to your palm as he holds it dearly, playfully shoving your hand to his chest. Look, Ace knows his way with the ladies espically when the lady is you.
“Me?!, never!..” He chuckles, “Actually… It's for Luffy.” He shoots you a wink and holds your hand ever tighter to his warm chest. You let out an even bigger laugh at the disbelief you find yourself in. Luffy a crybaby? Sure, when it comes to food, but no way now.
“No i dont believe that, Luffy! Monkey D Luffy!, A crybaby!. Nahuh no way.” you say between your giggles. Ace only admires you closer than he's ever been as you laugh barely one foot away from him, his smile turns genuine as he moves both you and his hand to lay on top of his knee.
“Its true!, I would never lie to you!” He pleads as he inches closer to you, in a way that feels natural, he squeezes your palm assuringly, itching to tangle his fingers within yours. You compose yourself and show Ace that smile that he loves to see everytime hes on the Merry. He wishes nothing more than to stay like this, to capture the way your skin is pressed against his palm, how the fire is glowing off you and how close he is to you right now. If he didn't know any better, he would've reached his hand to your cheek, rubbed soothing circles on them, pulled you closer and…
“Y/NNN!!!” Luffy screams from behind you as his arms cling to you, caressing you in a way that only Luffy can. Your hand frees itself from Ace’s as the scream genuinely startles you, you cling one hand onto Luffy's arm and turn slightly to face him.
“Luffy, would you shut up! You almost made me drop my book!” Nami scolded Luffy as she pointed her finger at him. Luffy obviously didn't care and continues to squeeze you a little tighter.
“I just wanted to know if dinner was ready yet, im stravinnggggg, Sanji is it done yet? Even y/n is straving, she just told me.” He pouts and looks over to Sanji.
“Like hell she did!, and you just ate an hour ago!” Sanji snaps back, now cooking even more fiercely than before. “Besides, your food isn't even ready yet–the ladies are eating first!”
Luffy pouts even more as he sluggishly slides off you and onto the floor dramatically. You always find yourself laughing whenever Luffy is around– you can help but adore this little dork.
“I guess he is a crybaby, I see it now.” You turn to Ace and smile sweetly at him, His hand still in the same placement where yours once was. He naturally tries to cover it up and wipe his palm on his shorts.
“See i told you I would never lie to you…” He says endearingly, as a small smile falls onto his lips once more, he shifts his gaze elsewhere again, onto the endless sea as the wind plays through his hair. You could say he was jealous, but he knows deep down that your heart is elsewhere. However, that won't stop him from watching, admiring and trying so hard to capture every second of your time.
His eyes latched onto the blond chief walking by him, carrying four skewers of meat and fish over to you. Sanji places them into your hand and takes a puff of his cigarette that has been sitting idly in his mouth for quite some time. “My lady.” he says as he walks over and does the same to Nami.
Ace then watches you as you come off your log and kneel to the ground where Luffy is. You sway your skewers under Luffy's nose, to which he instantly wakes up from and takes a massive bite like a fish on a hook, classic Luffy Ace thinks. Then his eyes advert back to you, your smile brighter than it ever was with him, shining down to Luffy. You feed Luffy another skewer and chuckle as he takes another massive bite of your food.
He grins up at you like you're his saviour and lets you freely feed him. Ace can only watch and smile. Luffy truly doesn't know the shiniest piece of gold out in this ocean isn't treasure…it was you.
“Y/N!!, Don't feed idiot Luffy your beautiful meal!!” Sanji yells, but you can only chuckle.