Ghost. {Sabo x Reader}

Decorating For Christmas.

"And...there." A small smile tugging on your lips as you position the white and blue lights perfectly around the tree in your front yard, Sabo clearly watching your every move through the large bay window.

Your foot recovered ages ago now but he still finds himself watching you like a hawk, it must be a habit that he'd gotten into whilst you were still vulnerable and struggles to snap out of. 

Such a warm-hearted man, really.

Taking a step back, you observe the tree one final time. 

Naturally it looks a bit bland in the daylight and perhaps even slightly ridiculous but at night - this baby will be simply beautiful.

And with that splash of satisfaction, you begin to make your way back into the warm house, idly rubbing your hands together as you enter to the sound of your phone's messenger tune. 

Though upon seeing the name on your screen, your stomach drops;

Dad:

I've just gotten off the plane, I should be there by tomorrow afternoon. 

He hadn't even visited you since you've lived here, he's always busy with work or clients, admittedly you had just assumed he couldn't be bothered to make time for you - but that would've been just fine, it's not like you're alone anymore.

When you were a child - hell, even a teenager - you used to cry out for his attention and you never got it, you just got money thrown at you instead, now that you're older and more than happy to just take his money and be left in isolation with your ghost, NOW he makes an effort?

Unbelievable. 

Ignoring the message, you instead begin to wander into the dining hall where you had seen Sabo through the window previously, but it would seem he has made himself scarce. 

Not stopping for even a moment, you instead stroll into the kitchen, instantly spotting Sabo sat on one of the barstools and staring down at the photograph of him with his siblings - you unfortunately haven't seen the boys much since they delivered your seats, you've only seen Thatch whilst food shopping a few times and chatted a little with him then, even inviting him over whenever he likes but he never comes.

Approaching the blonde, you carefully lay your hand on his shoulder and lean your head against his, eyes also studying the photo closely. "What's on your mind, Sabo?"

"...A new memory came to me when I was decorating the Christmas tree..." It's only now as the boy raises his head, you see his eyes properly, they look red and sore as his trembling fingers fiddle anxiously with the photograph. "It was such a stupid memory but amazing also, it gave me strength that I hadn't felt since I died."

"Strength?"

What does he mean by that? Like physical strength? 

"Mhm. When I first woke up in this...limbo-like state, I could have memories play before me, as if they were happening in real time but I couldn't touch or interact with them. After a while though, I started...well, dying, and my power faded. As did the memories." The blonde calmly explains as he glances up at you with a somewhat conflicted smirk, his hand reaching for yours. "But now I have the burst of energy I need to replay my last Christmas memory with my family...I want you to see it too."

Your heart seems to pound at his words, this must be what it would feel like to have your lover invite you to spend Christmas with their family, this is the best he could offer you - the closest thing to that scenario - and you're more than happy to accept it.

Taking his hand, you follow him as he gently leads you along into the living room, the walls and decorations seem to change with each step you take but not the tree - those decorations stay the same. 

The walls slowly change from a light purple to a creamy colour, your modern furniture changes to older yet more expensive pieces, even the decorations have improved, looking bigger and brighter than yours ever could be.

Was this family always so extra?

And suddenly an echoed yet lively voice reaches your ears.

"Ace, stop! It's disgusting!" And there you see them, Ace and Marco appearing on the sofa, the younger brother trying to pin the blonde down to the cushions as  he looms over him with a line of drool hanging from his mouth. "Thatch!! Make him stop, it's gonna touch my face!"

You then spot the brunette behind, seemingly setting the table ready for Christmas dinner. The room looks much bigger in this memory, there's no way you could fit a dining table in this room during your time.

"Ace, quit being gro--BACK OFF LUFFY!" The eldest blurts, your eyes following his gaze to the opposite side of the room, spotting the small boy creeping up to a much older man who's holding a large turkey - the man in question is huge, muscles galore, with a large white moustache and a smile as bright as the sun.

"Gahahaha! You'll have to wait, boy! We're all hungry here!" The jolly man exclaims, it's only in this moment you notice the much small Sabo trailing behind him, you can see in his face that he's also excited for the food but not being as rude about it as his dear brother.

The younger version of Sabo reaching for Ace in passing and harshly tugging the raven off Marco, his voice as soft as the clouds themselves as he murmurs "Oi, the star fell down again. Give me a boast will ya?" The boy leaning over briskly to pick up the golden star in question which is clearly supposed to be on top of the tree. 

"No way, I'm not a ladder." The raven stubbornly blurts whilst plucking it out of the blonde's grasp, though something quite...unexpected happens.

The rapid pitter patter of footsteps reaching your ears as Luffy speeds between the two, snatching the star from Ace in the process before launching himself into the tree. "I GOT IT, GUYS~!" 

As one might have expected, the tree only falls down with the youngest boy, smashing the window in the process and leaving all of the brothers - as well as their adopted father - bewildered in the process. 

"Wha--?! YOU DUMBASS!"

A small chuckle escaping your lips as well as Sabo's ghost stood beside you as the scene slowly fades away and the room returns to normal - purple walls, smaller tree, modern furniture and no dining table. 

Wow...

Sabo's sweet chuckles still filling your ears as he wraps his arms firmly around your waist and pulls you into his chest, a warmth washing over your body as he nuzzles your hair. 

"Yeah, they were pretty 'wow', huh?" The blonde playfully chimes before pressing a kiss to your cheek, honestly anybody would miss their family if they suffered what this boy had but this family...well, it's irreplaceable. 

Words seem to fail you so without uttering a single line, you just relish in Sabo's sweet embrace, a small smile dancing on your lips.

"I think they'd be proud of you..."

"Thanks, angel. I like to hope so."