Portgas D. Ace X Reader - The boy from the church

13

Quick A/N: The second half of this chapter is pure chaos and I absolutely love it. Also, I find it so interesting that I timed this chapter with the New Year's Eve, while actually being New Year's Eve in real life. Anyways, enjoy this chapter!!!

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Ace walked into the kitchen and saw you and Shanks, both curled up in your coats, struggling to warm yourselves faster. Your fingers were moving in slow motion, and you couldn't feel your ears or your toes anymore. Ace suggested to sit in the living room and play board games until all of you get tired, but you went to the bathroom first and soaked yourself in a hot shower, then you went straight to your bedroom, to change into some more comfortable clothes. The day didn't even reach 6 p.m. yet, and still, you were already tired and sleepy.

A few loud bangs were heard outside of your window, and your stomach dropped, thinking that they were gunshots. 'It's New Year's Eve today', a thought struck your mind. Those were a few fireworks that someone launched nearby, but every time you heard a loud noise outside, you would panic and feel like you were unsafe. 

The mere thought of having to meet with such important people tomorrow, had you filled up with anxiety, and you felt extremely lonely and scared in your room. The high ceiling and tall windows, all that fancy furniture you didn't need, were making you feel small and vulnerable, so you went to the living room, where Ace and Shanks were waiting for you. Suddenly, their presence compensated for the feelings of loneliness Mihawk's mansion were giving you, so you tried to forget the bad thoughts, and just had a good time.

"Where's the booze, Shanks?" Ace once asked.

"I can't drink, we're leaving tomorrow morning" he answered, and Shanks seemed so proud of himself for finally paying attention to his needs, so he brought up a few snacks and shared them with you.

For the whole evening, Ace was mostly staring at you with a look of disappointment, and when Shanks finally felt tired, he headed down to his bed. You and the boy were still in the living room, and as soon as Shanks left, you started drinking a bit.

"I hope this isn't the last time we see each other." Ace sighed.

"Me too." 

"We're gonna talk on the phone, right?" he asked, as if he was about to die soon.

"Of course, Ace, just please be careful over there. Luffy will be super excited to see you, but Marco and Izo still frequently visit him from time to time."

"Don't worry." he said, sipping from his glass.

You looked down at his body once again, imagining what it would've been like if you were to accept his offer last night, and you kind of regretted not saying yes now. You longed to tell him how much you wanted to get close to him, to take a step forward in your relationship, but you were too scared to say it, in case it would make you sound too desperate. You and Ace were in an awkward situation, and only the alcohol was making it better. The warmth of the drink was just what you needed to calm down before going to bed. 

Ace started cleaning the place up, and the surroundings had you feeling like the party has already ended, while the new year didn't even come up yet. Once he finished, he stretched his muscles and sat in a pool of silence, glancing at you from the other side of the room.

"So... this is it, right?" Ace asked awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.

Your face dropped. "No, no, Ace, everything will..." you hesitated, while realizing that nobody was a hundred percent sure that everything will be just fine, but, you finished the sentence sketching a smile "...be alright." 

Ace stared for a long time at you, then decided to give you one big hug. "I hope so." he whispered in your ear. "I really want this to continue. What's between us. Do you feel it?"