[ON HIATUS] Bounded (Ghost!Ace x Reader) AU

FLuffy Helps

"What do you mean we can't leave?!" Nami asked, annoyed. The entire school held the students in the school auditorium and wouldn't let them go home on their own due to a huge storm. "We're middle school! We can handle ourselves!!" She shook her fist in the air and was about ready to march her way to the principal to give him a good yelling.

"Nami-ya, we should just stay put and listen to what they tell us to." Law sighed. Nami stopped to turn around and glare at him. "Besides, it's probably flooded on the way to your house anyway. You can't go home just yet." He reasoned and Nami immediately gave up.

You sat on the floor next to Luffy and Usopp. Everyone was restless and wanting to go home but they had to wait for their parents to pick them up. Worry began to overwhelm you every minute and you felt this weird chill down your spine, something felt wrong.

"(Name), you okay?" Usopp peered at your face with concern. "You're looking kinda pale..."

Hearing this Luffy inspected your face as well and frowned as you tried to smile like everything was alright. "Don't worry about me, Usopp. I'm okay." You reassured him. "You're obviously not." Luffy said and lightly hit you on the head. "(Name), you gotta stop keeping stuff to yourself. We're friends, you're supposed to let us help you."

You blink in surprise and stared at him. His expression was serious and his eyes told you that he wasn't going to just let this go that easily. With a quiet sigh, you nodded. "Sorry... I'm just really nervous... Rain is okay, but storms kind of..." You trailed off and looked away embarrassed.

Luffy raised an eyebrow at you and inclined his head slightly to the side, "Are you...scared of storms??"

Pausing hesitantly for a while, you blushed a crimson shade of red and nodded. "Yeah... I know it's silly. My old classmates used to tease me a lot because of it." You confessed and itched your cheek, gasping when you felt his arms suddenly around your waist. "Shishishi! You're silly, (Name)!" He laughed. "Everyone has a fear! I mean, even Usopp has tons of them!"

"Luffy, don't just tell her that so casually!!" Usopp scolded his friend. Luffy laughed.

"But it's true, isn't it?"

"Well... Yeah, it is. But still."

"Shishishi! You're silly too, Usopp!"

He grabbed Usopp by the shirt and pulled him into the group hug. Your blush literally could not get any redder as you felt your chest squish against theirs.

From a little distance away, Marco had been keeping his eyes on you and making sure you were alright. When he saw you hugging and smiling, he couldn't help but chuckle to himself. "You've found some pretty good friends, (Name)..." He murmured as he got up and walked over to where your group was.

"Oh! Marco, hi!" You giggled while Luffy cuddled his cheek with yours. "I see that you're doing okay," He commented and sat down in front of you. You weren't sure how or why, but soon you were in the middle of a cuddle war with Marco, Usopp, and Luffy.

"Luffy, stop! That tickles!!" You laughed as he began to poke your sides.

Your laughter caught the attention of Ace, who was sitting on the other side of the auditorium. Looking over and noticing you with the guys, he instantly frowned at the sight.

"Ace? What's up?" Bonney asked and tried to get his attention again by leaning against him. But Ace ignored her and kept glaring at your group.

Monet took notice and followed his line of sight. "It seems that they're having a cuddle group over there." She remarked with an amused smile. "Shall we cuddle too, Ace?" She asked and reached her arms out to hug him.

A tick mark appeared on his cheek and he stood up, marching over to your group with a scowl. "Oi! What do you think you're doing?!" He asked Luffy.

Luffy completely ignored him and slid up your uniform shirt, blowing raspberries onto your exposed tummy. This caused you to giggle really loudly and squirm under him. "Stop! That tickles!!" You laugh loudly and tried to push his face away.

"Shishishi! Your laugh is cute, (Name)!" He said and continued to tickle you.

Marco glanced at Ace from the corner of his eye and smirked. "Jealous-yoi?" He nodded to the direction of you and Luffy. Ace growled in response, clenching his fists tightly in irritation as you and Luffy were having fun.

"ACE!!"

You, Luffy, Marco, Usopp, and Ace stopped and looked toward the one who was calling. It was Bonney. She waved at him with an impatient frown and signaled him to come back.

"You should go back to your girlfriend. She looks about ready to murder someone." Law mused as he walked over. Ace frowned.

"She's not my girlfriend." He mumbled and glanced back at you. You stared back, face still red from laughing so much. "Why do I feel so jealous...?" He wondered aloud.

"Probably because you've got a crush on our (Name)~" Nami teased, standing beside Law with her arms crossed. Your eyes widened, Ace's too. Both of you quickly looked the other way to avoid each other's gaze.

"What a weird couple." Law commented with a sigh.

"We're not a couple..!" You and Ace argued with him simultaneously.

"Aww, they just copied each other's sentences!" Nami cooed while Luffy and Usopp proceeded to make kissy-faces at the two of you. Ace's face exploded into a blushing mess.

"I-I-that's not-Um-!" He stuttered and shook his head.

Marco and Nami looked at each other, then back at Ace. "It so is." They said. By now you were already curled up on the floor, whining and blushing to no ends.

"Why don't the two of you just go out already and be done with it." Law shrugged and rolled his eyes. "It's pretty obvious that you like each other so much. Just save the rest of us the trouble of actually trying to make it happen."

You saw Ace slowly turning into this awkward, stuttering, blushing dork as he desperately tried to deny having any feelings towards you. "I-I-I told you it's not like I have a thing for her! Well no! I mean, I like her but- Uh- She's pretty cute and all but she-UM, WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!!" He glanced at you and saw you staring at him confused, making him even more embarrassed than he already was.

"Yosh! Operation: Ace x (Name) is on its way!" Luffy declared proudly.

"WHAT?!" You and Ace screamed in unison as the entire group cheered with Luffy.

Bonney came over seconds later, hands on her hips as she growled at Ace. "Oi!! I've been calling you over there! Why didn't you come?!" She huffed.

Ace looked at her, stoic faced, "I honestly am not sure what's even going on anymore."