𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓. 🃁

𝐌ALAISE .3

ma • laise
noun
a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness whose exact cause is difficult to identify.

TW:
this chapter shows descriptions of a panic attack and has a brief mention of s/h scars. if you are triggered by that then please do not read this chapter.
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small winds blew gently across the field of flowers. their legs crossed comfortably on top of the blanket that laid over the flattened grass beneath them, and soon they could feel someone walk over and accompany their peaceful sitting. it was a boy, his eyes and face weren't clear – but the aura he gave off was soft and gentle. almost like they had knew each other forever. he next to them underneath the tree not saying a word, but now a smile could be seen on his face.

the silence between the two continued until the boy finally spoke up.
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[sep 1st]

➪ LOUD COUGHS REPEATED within the empty bedroom that they had seen hundreds of times. a hand was placed on the door knob, opening it, as quietly as possible. but apparently it wasn't quiet enough, for the boy who laid on the bed had noticed and forced himself to stop struggling for air. after a minute (y/n) had started to walk closer to his figure that froze in place on his bed. only his eyes could be seen. ace's hand covered the bottom half of his face, almost like he was waiting for something to fall out of his mouth.

he now looked up with his eyes full of tears that ran down his face. ace was shirtless as well, and as they walked closer they could see his scars that he had opened up to them about many times. (y/n)'s stomach twisted in regret of not being there for him, but quickly shook off the thought. ace doesn't like when i think like that. once they stood in front of his bed, they sat down gently moved their hands around his shoulders to try to ease his cries that filled the bedroom. they rubbed circles and pulled him into a hesitant hug. ace's breathing slowly started to calm down, his tears stopped and his body leaned further into their comfortable embrace.

it had been eight months since the bloom of ace's new friendship. both began to open up to each other which lead to them becoming closer. while ace had made a lot of progress, it didn't stop him from having breakdowns and relapsing every now and then. even though it made (y/n)'s heart twist they noticed that he was able to go a little longer each time which made them happy for his progress.

i'll make sure to tell him to bring this up to his therapist next time.

"ace, are you having trouble sleeping?" they whispered softly, careful not to startle him. he nodded in response, taking his hand away from his mouth then placing it on their back. he held tightly onto their waist and pulled himself deeper into the hug. his hand is wet. (y/n) noted mentally.

was he about to throw up?

"i'm sorry." ace said tightening his grip on their waist once more. "there's no need to be sorry for, why are you apologizing?" they said with a sad tone. ace paused, and (y/n) could now feel their chest getting wet with droplets of tears. "why did i have to drag you into my mess of problems again? i'm sorry. someone like me shouldn't be around kind people like you, i'm only a bother," he weeped and let out a deep breath. "do you think i'm making things worse for you?" ace rambled on, slowly letting go of (y/n) and pulling away from them.

"ace, look at me ace," they said heartbroken. he raised his head up and looked at them. their delicate hands found it's way to his face that was damp from crying. and slowly, they wiped away all of his sorrow tears as they continued to fall. "you're so nice ace," (y/n) said continuing to caress his face full of tears. "you're the kindest person i've ever met, one day i want you to see that." they went on. "you're like a sun. you always bring out the best in others."

their eyes never left his face, eyeing his every reaction to their words. "but—" ace was cut off by one of their fingers reaching his lips. a small "shhh" was heard from them it and was obvious that they had more to say. his eyebrows furrowed, yet he stayed silent. "you always make me feel better. and you're so smart, always helping me with my work," they continued to praise him. "i'll keep sticking to you until you'd have enough of me, ace. you aren't making anything worse." his tears were now dried up and his face against their hand was awfully warm. "are you flustered?" (y/n) laughed.

"maybe.."

"try going back to sleep, we can go somewhere tomorrow." they said rubbing a hand through his hair then getting up off ace's bed. "thank you for everything." ace smiled, moments like these where he was able to show his strange feelings of malaise without being judged reminded him that (y/n) truly cared about him. he yawned and laid down, watching as (y/n) sat on the chair besides his nightstand.

they sat there to keep ace company and to make sure he got rest. once they were sure that he was sleeping peacefully, they got up and walked over to his bed once more. (y/n) gently pushed ace's onyx hair away from his face then placed an airy kiss on top his forehead.  "i'm grateful that i met you, ace." they whispered.

"goodnight, i love—"

"(Y/N)!!" luffy opened the door of ace's room. thankfully, it wasn't too loud so ace hadn't looked like he woken up. "quiet, Lu." they said slightly embarrassed, pulling away from ace. "his he doing okay now?" luffy asked lowering his tone.

"he'll be okay, don't worry luffy," they smiled and watched as he let out a sigh of relief.  "now come on, let's let him rest." (y/n) followed after luffy, carefully closing the door behind them as they left the room.

'now how am i supposed to sleep' ace complained rolling over on his side after (y/n) and his brother left the room. his lips were curved up into a smile that he couldn't hide, and his face was flustered yet again. sooner or later he drifted to sleep with (y/n)'s words repeating in his head.
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a/n: this story has four chapters left! do you guys like it?