LET ME PROTECT YOU [Ace X fem! reader]

Chapter 13 // Mr. Worldwide

"So... what exactly have you two been doing, again?" Juliette gives you a hesitant look of concern.

Even though her usual warm smile is replaced with a worried frown, she is still surrounded by her flowery aroma encompassing the whole room, creating a sweet and welcoming atmosphere. Behind the stacks of paper in her hands is her simple brown corset curving around her moss green dress complimenting her rosy cheeks and round amber eyes shining bright with curiosity. The ruffled sleeves covering her shoulders match the texture of her black, coiled hair swept up in a messy bun. Only a few strands escape loose, running down like a waterfall past her slender shoulders, beautifully framing her tender face. The shadows cast on her dimly lit cocoa skin soften her features, maintaining her approachable impression. Juliette aggressively sweeps away a bunch of curled-up papers scattered on the counter and slumps down the fresh stack in her hands before taking a quick look out the window to check if she missed a weather report.

Standing in the middle of the reception with trembling knees in a large puddle of water made from your own dripping wet clothes, are you and Mila who looks like you're fresh out of a hurling hurricane. Your loose hair sticks like glue to your bruised skin and your baggy clothes are wrapping around your figure like their life depends on it. Behind you is a trail of slippery steps, leading up to the main entrance and leaving more marks at the dull and already worn-out carpets and making the innocent residents who involuntarily trace your steps stumble out the door. Blocking the window outside, glistens the suspicious mountain of stolen goods you've brought. As usual, not a single soul has batted an eye while walking past since they're smart enough to know that this peculiar matter won't concern them unless they somehow involve themselves. This is different for wide-eyed Juliette however, who realizes the hope she had of ending her shift early disintegrated the second you set foot into the room.

"Eh, nothing out of the ordinary," you wink down at Mila brushing away her soaking hair and barely containing a giggle.

"Ahh, I see..." Juliette forces an awkward but understanding smile at the two of you, not bothering to question things even further.

"Are you the one working night shift today?" you ask at Juliette, squeezing water out of your drenched shirt. "I thought it was supposed to be Henry?"

"Yes, it was. But he said he needed a rest day," she sighs. "He mentioned something about imagining things..."

"That's perfect!" you barely manage to suppress the smirk curling up at your lips as you reminisce about your flawless gaslighting back in chapter 4. "Imo you're so much better at this than him," you add quietly.

"Aw thanks! You're making me blush, y/n," her carefree demeanor is back, and she tucks a curly hair strand behind her ear. "Although Henry isn't too bad at his job either. I'm aware he isn't exactly fond of you, but I promise he has a soft side as well ," her genuine smile almost convinces you to believe her.

"Sure," you teasingly roll your eyes which she laughs as a response to. "Anyway, can you guys manage to deliver everything back to its owners?" you nod to the pile of junk outside.

"Of course! I believe everything reported missing today is somewhere there," she pulls out even more papers from the shelves behind her. "We'll get it all transported safely back where it belongs in no time!"

"Wonderful!" you pat a jumping Mila on the head.

"How did you even find all of this? And manage to bring it back as well all by yourselves as well? You really are something else, y/n," she gazes in awe past the two of you. "Oh! You too, Mila! You have a bright future as a patroller!"

"Hehe, thanks Juliette!" Mila blushes with a devilish grin on her face.

"Like I said, we just happened to stumble upon some pirates-" you shrug.