One Piece X Reader - The Path to Freedom (Discontinued)

Part 14: Your Journey Begins!

One pieces "Binks Sake." Seemed like a good song for this chapter.

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Recap~

"Stop blaming yourself Ace. You had no possible way of knowing what was happening. You're also here now and that's all that matters to me right now," You said with a soft smile.

"Thanks," He said smiling back, "I know I promised this to you in the past, but I ended up breaking it last time so I'll promise you again. No one will ever hurt you like that again. I promise to protect you from now on." He was completely serious when he said this and you could see it in his eyes. He was angry at himself for not being able to keep his promise before, angry at the people who hurt you, and determined to keep his promise now.

Tears pricked your eyes when he said this. You are so happy now. Even though you know you still have a long way to go before you'll be completely happy and free, this is enough for now.

Softly smiling you said, "I'll hold you to it then."

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For the next few days, you rested and let yourself heal while also catching up with Ace. You decided to stay on the ship until they got to the next island instead of taking a spare boat. Even though you rested most of the time to get better physically, being around Ace again and even occasionally talking to the rest of the crew, helped you heal mentaly a bit too. Everyone on the crew was super nice and treated you as though you belonged. You will forever be grateful to them for that.

Ace wasn't too happy once you told him of your plans but, once he heard your reasoning, he understood. He still wasn't happy with it but he knew you needed to do this. Now you stood on the deck, watching as a new island came into view.

"Please don't go," Ace said as he walked up behind you while wrapping his arms around your waist and put his chin on your shoulder. You have gotten used to this over the last few days of being here. He seems to have gotten a lot more clingy with you since you both reunited. "I'll miss you and I can't keep an eye on you if you leave."

Leaning back against him and putting your hands on his, you reply back," Ace. You know I have to do this. I need to find the answers I'm looking for. Besides, this isn't going to be like the last time we were separated. We can use transponder snails now and check in with each other regularly. Also, you're going to go with me once we land to get a vivre card so you can make sure I'm safe and we can find each other if we need to. There's nothing to worry about."

"I know, but still." He pouted while looking at you.

Giggling, you look at him too. 'He looks cute like this.' You thought while softly smiling at him and tilting your head. Next thing you know, Ace is hiding his face in your shoulder and slightly grumbling. You giggle when you notice his red ears.

"Alright love birds," Marco walks by with a smirk, "the islands close enough to take a boat over now."

Ace lifts his head from your shoulder and, with a red face, yells at Marco, "We are not love birds Marco! She's like a sister to me!"

Marco lifts an eyebrow at this and smirks even more, giving a 'mhm' as his only response and continues to walk away.

"Do we really look like a couple?" You ask looking back at Ace.

"N-no! This is just a friendly hug that all siblings do! There's nothing romantic about it!"

"Then why haven't I seen you hug Luffy like this?"

"W-well-uhm-uh... That's not the point!" If it was even possible, his face is even redder now. "Let's just go to the island already," he grumbles while refusing to meet your eyes.