[ON HIATUS] Bounded (Ghost!Ace x Reader) AU

Maybe this was just the beginning

From the sweet sound of blissful silence came a loud scream from the other room. You opened your eyes in a panic and sit up from bed, glancing around for the source. The clock read five in the morning, who would be awake at this time??

"Don't touch it! It'll get worse!" You heard Chopper scolding from inside the other room.

A frustrated growling sounded and a few "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" shouts from Luffy. You tilted your head, anxiously wondering what boys do in this time of day, when a muffled yawn suddenly made you jump in surprise.

Ace scratched his head and opened one eye to peek at you staring at him with a worried look. He smirked, "I'll take a look." Being a ghost, doors wouldn't mean anything to him, so he slipped his head passed it and his body flinched once he saw what happened.

"Ace?" You called and he pulls his head back.

"You might wanna knock to let them know you're awake." He says. You did as he suggested and knocked loudly twice, breathing a sigh of relief when you heard the lock clicked almost immediately. Before you could ask what was going on, the room echoed your high pitched shriek at the sight of Law covered in rashes all over his neck and torso.

"(Name)! Help us!" Luffy pleaded, his eyes starting to water as he tried to keep Law from scratching the red on his skin.

You stuttered, unsure of what to say. "Luffy was eating bread and he tripped and the slice fell inside Law's mouth and he swallowed it and now he's-he's-" Chopper bit his lip and started to panic, eyes growing big as he looked at you for some sort of plan.

Ace looked around calmly, frowning as he noticed that someone was missing. "Where is Corazon?" He asked you. You look at the empty bed, blankets folded neatly and pillow fluffed and ready to sleep on.

"Where is Mr. Corazon?!" You asked your little brother.

"I don't know!" Chopper cried.

"HE CAN'T BREATHE!!!" Luffy exclaimed as Law began to wheeze. He slung his body over his shoulder and ordered for Chopper to open the door.

All of you ran out the room, you lagged behind as you knocked on Shanks and Makino's door, telling them what happened, before repeating the action to Franky and Robin. As soon as you reached the Lobby, Franky carried Law to the resort hospital while everyone else followed behind him.

Law was brought to the emergency room and you waited outside with the others. Ace sat beside you on a vacant chair, rubbing your hand with his thumb and trying to calm you down. You knew Law would be alright but the experience still really scared you.

"How about we take a walk?" Ace suggested, placing his forehead against yours and smiling with concern in his eyes. You nodded then told Franky that you were going to go get a bit of fresh air.

"Tell Cora where we are if you find him! I can't reach his cellphone!" Franky calls out as you left. You gave him a thumbs up and a wave.

Ace held your hand throughout the entire walk as you took deep breaths, trying to calm your racing heart.

Stars that once dotted the sky were being pushed away by the light of dawn.

When you reached higher ground, you leaned against the railing with your other hand supporting you. You could see the sun rising from the east, yellow light casting a glow on the entire park, and the waves rolling towards the shore.

From your peripheral vision you could see Ace watching you with a sad smile on his lips. But when you turned to face him he was looking at the park with a neutral expression.

"Ace?" You took a deep breath as he hummed a response. The daylight passing through his body made you frown a bit.

The silence made the freckled man glance at you. Your eyes were downcast and your entire mood seemed to have gone negative. He became worried and moved closer to you.

You look up at him as he looked down at you. He widened his eyes, seeing you stand on tip toes and leaning closer, your eyes slowly closing. Your lips were nearing his and he felt his body grow warm and his heart beating fast.

Wait.

Warmth?

Heartbeat??

He pushed you away, making you fall on your butt. You whimpered at the jolt of pain that ran up your spine. "S-Sorry!" He blurted out in alarm once he saw you on the ground.

You hissed from the pain but smile awkwardly at him, "It's okay." Ace offered you a hand and you stood up from the ground. "Sorry about that...I wasn't thinking..." You chuckled nervously and rubbing the back of your neck.

Your words didn't process through his mind as he just stood there still holding your hand. For a moment he felt something. The feeling was familiar to him and he smiled at you, making you look at him inquisitively.

For a moment he felt... alive.