Ghost. {Sabo x Reader}

How Do You Feel?

"Petal?" The calming voice sounds so distant and vague but you know it all too well, a brightness greeting your eyes as you open them, the sight causing you to flinch as an irritable groan rumbles in your throat. 

Slowly your orbs adjust to the light, a certain blonde being the first face you see as you stir awake in your bed, your hand instinctively reaching up to rub your eyes.

It's morning already...

Once your dad had gone to bed last night, you and Sabo just tried to relax and watch some cartoons together, a light-hearted passtime that was clearly meant to take your mind off all the negativity that day will bring, though it only resulted in you exhausting yourself further by trying to keep your emotions under control, to the point where you eventually passed out against the blonde's chest.

A cold sensation spreading across your cheek as Sabo attempts to stroke your face, seemingly still not learning his lesson yet as his touch passes through your skin instead, causing the blonde to briefly pout before he forces his cheerful expression back to his features. 

"How do you feel today, petal?"

Shitty.

"I'm fine." 

"Heh," Even if the boy couldn't hear your thoughts, he'd still know you're lying, your eyes speak volumes for you. "Yeah, me too." His voice a mere sigh by this point as he shifts closer and rests his chin on top of your head, his body seemingly colder than it was yesterday as you reach out to touch his chest, his heart still beating against your hand at least.

How does this work? He's dead, a ghost, yet his heart still pumps blood through his veins? 

How?

Whatever the reason, it still feels somewhat reassuring.

Like a reminder that he's here, for now. 

"Of course I'm here! I'll always be with you, no matter what!" You can hear the uncertainty in the boy's tone as he pulls away slightly to look into your eyes, despite his words you know that he has no idea what will happen today - he's just taking wild guesses - he doesn't even know if Ace will believe what Thatch tells him. 

And just as quickly as the thought comes to mind, your phone vibrates, displaying a message from the brother in question;

"Thatch: 

I've told him. Meet us at our home, I'll send you the directions."

"Already?" Sabo lowly murmurs whilst reading the message from over your shoulder, his airy voice riddled with surprise as he stares at you with almost puppy-dog eyes, although your gaze can only avoid his like the plague. "We don't have to respond yet, if you want more time...I know it's hard."

No, the longer we leave it, the harder it'll be.

"It's fine, message him back for me while I..." Immediately your words fall flat when you attempt to drop the device in his hand, watching as it falls through his palm and lands on the bed instead.

 Oh, that's right. He can't hold your phone anymore. 

Seems he isn't the only one who forgets this. 

"Sorry." The blonde playfully muses, shooting you a cheeky grin, one that causes your heart to flutter inside your chest as a smile uncontrollably spreads across your lips. 

You'll miss that look from him. 

"Don't be."