LET ME PROTECT YOU [Ace X fem! reader]

Chapter 11 // Your crew will be WHAT!?

The sun shines warmly on your face as you walk down a narrow path in the forest. You scan the forest area holding onto the sword on your side when Mila zooms by beside you, running in circles like she's got all the energy in the world. You can't help but become smitten by her contagious energy. 

She's been over the moon ever since you agreed to go explore the forest close by (because staying in Kariko with the civilization is too boring, apparently). Ace was really delighted by the idea as well, and you didn't mind. Although you can't seem to appreciate the woods the same way you used to as a child after spending an awful lot of time patrolling through these trees in darkness.

You're blinded by the sun sneaking through a gap in the trees as a low whistling tune cruises through the air. Your gaze travels from the lush trees above to the pirate walking carelessly beside you. His eyes wanders around admiring the green scenery while the sun occasionally seeps through through the cluster of leaves and branches above, lighting up his skin and further enhancing his features. His pursed lips are whistling a cheerful melody, harmonizing with the singing birds perched in the trees. As a soft breeze travels by brushing away his locks and revealing a large grin spreading across his face upon seeing Mila trying to catch a squirrel with her bare hands. You didn't realize you've been staring for a while before Ace's bright eyes meet yours. It's only after both of your smiles fade when you hurriedly look away, kind of flustered.

The two of you haven't really talked after your fight hours ago.  Your voice of reason says this for the best as he is about to leave soon.  There's no reason to get to know him if you're only going to get hurt, so you have to put some walls between yourself and him. Plus, it's not any different from what you usually do, so it shouldn't be that hard. Whenever you get too close to people you always tend to push them away. How you deliberately avoid Medri for days or your nasty attitude towards Henry (even tho he deserves it sometimes) are just a few examples. It's natural for you... though at times you can be ashamed of doing it...

The only person you would never push away is Mila. After taking care of her for all these years you've found she's the only one you really trust in this world. She's your sister, your only family. You can't let your guard down with anybody else, not even with Medri, but with Mila it's like you're an open book... and somehow also with Ace?

For some reason you can't help but open up when talking to him. Even though you've barely known him for three days it feels like you've been friends for ages. He's just got this kind and familiar aura around him making you feel safe. But why him? What makes him so different from everybody else? Even though you're convinced you have to put up these walls, a tiny bit of you still tries to tear them down. This has never happened before and you can't say you're comfortable with the uncertainty. 

A leaf crunches under you foot making the loud silence between the two of you really hit. It kills you be like this with him. Avoiding eye contact at all cost and not speaking a single word while just half a day ago you were dancing with him on a rooftop. As much as you hate to admit it, you actually enjoy this guy's company... and you miss talking to him... 

Well, except when he talks straight out his ass.

'YeT yOu sEnd hEr aWaY eVeRy mOrNinG tO gO fiGhT pEoPle,' his voice rings in your head, and the more it repeats the more pissed off you get.

On second thought, you might not enjoy his company as much as you thought. You're glad you wiped off his annoying unbothered smile just now. Like, how can he be so carefree when he has the audacity to say stuff like that to your face? Even after you saved his ass several times and even offered him a place to stay! And this is what you get for a thanks?

That's not even the worst, he also broke your window! Who does he think he is walking around here while whistling cheerful tunes? [A man in debt is not allowed to be happy smh] And when is he even going to pay for it? How is he even going to pay for it? Didn't he say he was broke yesterday? Also, how long is he planning to stay here? It's already been two nights and you're not exactly running a hotel he can just check into.