Just Like Fire (Ace x Reader)

Chapter 5: Sick

Sabo pinches the bridge of his nose and takes a deep breath before letting it out slowly. You'd just got done telling him about how the date went, and the threat that was obviously in Inchiji's words. You could tell he was trying not to lose his temper.

Ace was trying as well, and you were almost certain you could see flames flicker around him. You hadn't asked how Ace or Luffy were cursed, such a question was often considered highly rude in the first place, but you figured the two would show you when they were comfortable enough with it.

"Are you alright, at least?" Sabo asks finally.

You nod. "He was polite otherwise." You admit. "Honestly, if things had ended sooner, I almost think I would've voluntarily considered a second date."

"You know how mother would've reacted."

"Yeah, but the devil you know and all that." You sigh. "I mean, he seemed almost reasonable. Reasonable in the sense that I could have possibly just been honest with him."

You wave your hand as Sabo looks at you. "No, that option's long gone."

"Yes, well, we'll just have to hope he doesn't try to push for some sort of accelerated timetable." Sabo grumbles.

"... What do you mean by that?" Ace asks, piping up for the first time since you and Sabo had started talking.

You hesitate to put it to words and Sabo picks it up for you. "Nobility and all, is nothing but traditions, right?" He starts to explain. The way he looks at Ace makes you think that your brother had been giving his brothers a primer on things prior to your moving in. "Courtship has its own traditions, and usually takes a couple years from first date to an engagement announcement. All the rules and bullshit must be done properly. But in some cases the time can be condensed."

"Most notably," you say in a very quiet voice. "When one person involved is chronically or terminally ill."

Putting it to words almost makes you feel defeated. A heavy silence comes over the three of you and Sabo sits down across from you, his face twisted in frustration. Your condition wasn't widely known – your parents mostly kept it under wraps as you grew up, but if it could be used to herd you into the result they desired, then you were certain it would come out.

"What if you weren't sick anymore?" Luffy asks. Ace nearly leaps out of his skin hearing his younger brother directly behind him. You and Sabo look over at him.

"Holy hells, Luff! When did you get here?" Ace swears, hand on his heart for a second.

"Marco said you took off from the station in a hurry, and I saw Sabo's car speed by afterward." Luffy says plainly. "Usopp dropped me off. He an' Zoro were worried I'd be distracted."

"Do you mean some sort of deception?" You question.

"No, let's get Chopper an' Traffy to look at you." Luffy asserts.

"But... it's uncurable, that's why I -."

"Traffy's cured the uncurable before!" Luffy interrupts, stepping past Ace. "He saved his hometown, and they told him it was impossible. Chopper's amazing with medicines too, maybe he can improve your medication!"

"Luffy, I..." You aren't sure what to say. He seems so sure and adamant, but you're torn. If you hope now and nothing comes of it, it'll be heavier to go forward later.

"We won't force you," Sabo says. "But it's better than my idea."

"Better'n mine too," Ace admits quietly.

"I'm almost afraid to ask." You glance between Sabo and Ace, putting your hands up before either could say anything. "No, I am afraid to ask, keep it to yourselves." You say with a small laugh.