LET ME PROTECT YOU [Ace X fem! reader]

Chapter 20 // The Outset

Your suitcase shuts with a loud click, and without too much resistance, and your worries about overpacking are finally gone. You let out a sigh of relief and brush the sweat off your forehead. It's been a few days since your talk with Whitebeard and a lot has been set into motion. You're infinitely grateful for everything he has done, but because of it you've also rarely had time to catch your breath. However, right now is one of those precious few moments.

You glance proudly around your silent, spotless room. The curtains are pulled back for once, showing off the white flower resting on the windowsill and letting in the yellow sun as well as fresh air. Behind it is your new window that, thanks to Whitebeard, already looks nuzzled in with clean bedsheets drying on top of it in the wind. Dozens of crumbled clothes, which were scattered all across the floor only a moment ago, is now peeking out from the half-open door to your closet. They're scowling at you as if you betrayed them and honestly you can't blame them. It still hurts to leave all that fine attire behind to only collect dust, but with such a limiting packing space, you have to make some sacrifices.

You let out a sigh as reality hits again. No time to mourn now. Maybe if you didn't postpone packing until the last second you could've afforded had one last look. However, the ship is taking off in a few hours, and you still haven't left your home. You shake off your nerves and pray you didn't forget anything. Between the extra sets of knives, sword polishing kits and dozens of encyclopaedias crammed into your tiny bag, you doubt you left anything of more importance behind.

"BIG SIS!"

You didn't notice the short steps creeping up on you until a small, yet powerful force tackles you onto the mattress. Mila grins proudly, crushing your insides while you struggle out of her grip.

"Hi, lil sis." You ruffle her loose hair. "You ready to go?"

She nods violently.

Despite these past hectic days, Mila has always kept her charmful smile. A lot has changed—and are still undergoing change—ever since the Whitebeard Pirates' purple cross began swaying high on all the flagpoles downtown. It's been some rough days for everyone on the island. There's no doubt Mila hasn't felt the toll on her body, so it's quite a surprise that she still can keep her head so high up. You're not complaining, just a tiny bit worried.

Kariko is safer than it has ever been but staying like that is easier said than done. Questions about practical stuff—like the fate of the C.H—as well as some doubts and rumours about the true intentions of the pirates are murmuring around. Believe it or not, but not everyone in town is eager to accept the sudden help from some wanted criminals. So, on top of getting ready for your own adventure, you've also had to advocate for your home and deal with ignorant comments about your to-be travelling companions.

Regardless, you've made sure to spend a large chunk of your free time with Mila. Either if it's eating out, roaming endlessly through the forest or helping her create new exploding trinkets, you've tried to be as present as possible. These are the last days you get to spend with her for a while, so you're going to enjoy every second.

You trap your sister in a tight hug, still not ready to let go. A curly head pokes out from the half open door on the other end of the room.

"Sorry if we're disturbing!" Juliette carefully treads inside.

You look down at Mila, wresting out of your grip, who doesn't really seem to care if she's disturbing or not.

"No worries, just come on in!"

Juliette speeds up immediately. "How are you, y/n? Are you getting enough rest? Everybody's been asking about you."

You give Juliette a hug as she settles down beside you. "What, why?"