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. The colourful stands and dim lighting really create a comfy atmosphere despite the overwhelming gathering. You slow down as the glimpse of a beautiful stand in a lone corner catches your eyes. It is filled with all kinds of flowers poking out and green vines climbing up its masts. A comically large medieval wheel the at size of your leg is hidden behind the green leaves and you can't help but wonder if it's actually usable or just there for aesthetics. Your eyes wander to the slanted moss roof that has succumbed to wildflowers spreading like a breathtaking plague on top of it, bringing whole whimsical vibe of the wagon together. You can't help but stare in awe as you walk by and see a blooming sunflower beside the mast, even taller than the wagon itself and overlooking the whole square!

"Look how pretty that stand is! I love sunflowers!" you excitedly tug Ace's sleeve.

He didn't seem to notice your comment because something else has already caught his eyes, or rather nose. He unexpectedly stops, accidentally tugging your arm.

"Ow!" you stumble onto his shoulder. "What was that?" you frown and get back on your feet.

You try to look up at him, but his head is already facing somewhere else, 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.