LET ME PROTECT YOU [Ace X fem! reader]

Chapter 4 // The D in Portgas D. Ace stands for Sneaky

As the mornings first rays of sun hits your face, you finish your patrol with your newly acquired companion. Ace merrily strolls beside you as you trudge through one of the side gates of Kariko village.  Figuring you couldn't just let him sleep outside in the forest, you decided to have some hospitality and offer him a place to crash for a few days at your own home. After all, he did save you from some pirates. You both also agreed that it's best to stay low and hide Ace for a while, since you're not really sure how the other villagers will react. The frequent pirate raids affecting this mediocre island have made all its residents quite spiteful of a pirates in general, even if they turn out to be somewhat decent.

[Now for a short description of y/n's hometown Wikipedia style (u can skip this if u don't care lol)]

Even though Kariko is the largest town on the island, it's still not comparable in size to the other cities on the main trading route islands. With a population of around 7000 kariko is a port town with their main source of income coming from visiting merchants and sailors. The people here are also mainly merchants and lower middle-class, the exception being a few noble families from the main Islands and of course the homeless and orphans.
Since the Island is so central and can't afford to pay the heavenly tribute to get marine protection it is regularly attacked by different pirate groups traveling by. Which is why the town needs its own people to protect it that the townspeople are willingly funding at the community house. That's how y/n and Mila have survived for so long.

[story continues here:]

"It is still pretty early in the morning so I don't think anyone will be outside right now, except for a few guards and maybe some drunkards," you inform a positive Ace beside you.

"It's not gonna be a problem anyways," he says smirking. "I'm sneaky," he winks and points a finger gun at you. 

You raise an eyebrow, questioning if he's sarcastic or not... 

"Where is your house by the way?" he asks putting away his finger gun.

"I live at the town's community house, so it's quite central and a bit of a stretch to walk," you answer. 

"Community house?"

"Yeah. A place funded by the townspeople," you explain. "It's really great. Me and my sister have enough food and a roof over our heads thanks to them. I only have to fend off enemy attacks and occasionally patrol the island." Although 'occasionally' is starting to happen more often...

"You have a sister?" Ace's eyes light up with curiosity. "What's her name?"

"Mila," you smile, feeling warmer just thinking about her. "She isn't exactly my sister, though, not by blood at least. But we've been through a lot together, so I consider her my family."

"I get you. I have brothers too," Ace responds, losing himself in his thoughts for a while. "We shared drinks together and made a promise, so it basically makes us real brothers."

"Yes! That's exactly how I feel about Mila!" You nod in agreement. "What's their names?"

"Luffy... Monkey D. Luffy. He's the youngest of us."

"Does that make you Monkey D. Ace?" you raise an eyebrow at him.

He lets out a slight chuckle and shakes his head. "No, no. I'm Portgas D. Ace. But as I said, you can just call me Ace."

"Ace? Like the card?"

"Yeah. Like the card."

"Cool..." realizing you have no idea where you wanted to go with that question the gears in your head desperately turns through the momentary silence, trying to find a way to continue the conversation. "Uhh– I'm y/n," you reach out your hand a bit too quickly.