LET ME PROTECT YOU [Ace x fem reader]

Chapter 6 // The Festival

After successfully sneaking out of the community house, you and Ace happily stroll down the streets of Fallwind, following the large crowds walking towards the main event of today. Already a few blocks away the muffled sound of carefree laughter from the festival reaches your ears, making you feel a warm tingle in your chest. You've always appreciated a large gathering of people having fun.

As you round the corner of the last block down the street, you see the usually empty town square now filled with endless rows of stands with merchants selling food, clothing and jewelry from all over the four seas. Smiles and curious eyes are plastered all over the faces of both the children and adults walking around, even passerbys can't help but take second glances at the colourful banners painted in warm colours and bright lights perfectly tying the whole place together

"Wow," Ace's eyes light up at the sight.

"It's so beautiful," you say admiring the view.

He turns to you, studying you for a second. "Yea..."

"Let's go take a closer look!" You excitedly grab his wrist and drag him with you through the crowd, not too afraid of loosing him, since he sticks out as a sore thumb with his new jacket.

You hurry through the crowd past the first few stands with Ace barely hanging on behind you when something catches his eyes, or rather nose. He unexpectedly stops, accidentally tugging your arm in the process.

"Ow!" you fall behind and crash into his shoulder. "What was that?" you get back on your feet and look up at him, but his head is already facing upwards, looking at an old rusty homemade sign on top of the wooden stand in front of you.

"The Baratie specials?" you read out the words written in neon.

"Yes, that's us ma'am!" you and Ace look ahead simultaneously at the cook popping up behind the counter in front of you. He is wearing a traditional white chef hat, an apron around his wide waist and a pair of round, red glasses. With a big smile plastered on his face he hands you two menus.

"The Baratie is the famous floating restaurant in East blue! It's our duty to serve any hungry traveler at the wide sea," he continues. "I am the one in charge of the meat, Carne, and I'm here to spread the taste of our specialties out to the Grand Line. May I recommend some of our most popular starters?"

You and Ace look at each other locking eyes. And as if cued, your stomach starts loudly rumbling at a that exact moment, making you blush.

You missed both breakfast and lunch today so you're starving. And it's not like you could've gone and eaten it by yourself either. You'd feel bad if you went and left Ace hungry and alone in your room, since you're not even allowed to bring shares with you outside the cafeteria anymore after that incident with Henry. Damn that guy.

Ace's face lights up in victory at the sound of your stomach. With the biggest grin ever, he turns to the chef. "Sure! Whatcha got?"

The vendor smiles, knowing he just caught some new customers and gives you a tour of the menu.

"So which one do you want?" Ace asks after Carne has finished talking.

"Ummm..." feeling overwhelmed by the choices you struggle to chose a dish.

After thinking for a bit too long, getting even more nervous with both Carne and Ace's expecting eyes staring at you, you pick [your favourite food]. Too busy overthinking your own choices you don't catch what meal Ace picked, but figure it can be a surprise. 

You reach down for your pocket, ready to pay, when a hand stops you.

"Don't worry, this is on me," Ace smiles and points his thumb proudly towards his chest. "I have already brought you so much trouble so this is the least I can do."