Ace x reader: Come with me!

Chapter 6: Feeling

"Come in, like this! Wiiiiiide, happy smile~!" Ace tried for the 100th time to make you laugh, but once again he failed. Miserably. You once again blinked confused, not really understanding what the purpose is behind pulling the corners of your mouth up and showing your teeth. It looked more ferocious than inviting.

You didn't even want to try. "What's the exact point of doing that?" You asked, actually rather impressed by the pearly teeth Ace had. Excellent dental care. "Eh? It's so show you're happy! It's a natural reaction to happiness!" Ace stated, accompanied by a 'are you serious' face. You were still confused. "But why would I do that if I already know that I'm happy?" You ask again, letting your chin rest on your hand. Ace groaned and slapped you playfully on the head. "To let others know, stupid." He explained. Your eyes widened. Stupid? Did he just call you... stupid? You? "You must be mistaken... I am not stupid." You said, your voice slightly laced with venom.

The sole purpose you had isolated yourself from society, was to put your disability of not having feelings to use by studying. You tried to do research on emotions, but all failed. So after many months, you gave up and focused on books instead. However, those books... they were all incorrect. Why? Because they were influenced by human emotion. And when it comes to purified knowledge, such elements are not needed. So you dedicated your entire life to making your own books of research under the alias '(other name)' to bring true knowledge to the world. So let's just say that getting called 'stupid' bothered you a lot.

"You are when it comes to feeling, my dear~" he smirked, flicking your nose. You leant backwards, rather surprised by the nose flick. But at the same time you weren't. You have been sailing two weeks with this man now, writing down his behaviour and listening to his stories and interactions. And weirdly, you felt warm inside everytime you did. You thought it cold be a fever, but you were healthy and Ace was too when he came on board. So many unusual things were happening...

It's like you can't even remember what being bored was like.

"Hello, Earth to (y/n)?" Ace asked, waving his hand for your eyes. You woke up from your thoughts and blinked. "S-sorry." You apologised, feeling that same warmth due to the closeness of the young pirate. "Are you okay? You have been acting odd for 3 days now. Well, more odd than usual." He asked worried, frowing. Were you okay? Good question indeed. It most certainly wasn't an illness - that's an option you already checked but to no avail. It was really odd and unusual, something you had to research until you figured it out.

Apparently many minutes passed, because Ace looked really worried and was holding you now. "(Y/n), I'm really worried now... is there something you need to tell me?" He asked, grabbing your cheeks. Wait. Of course! You could ask Ace, right? He has emotions! He knows how to feel!! Fool that you were! You nodded. "Ace, it's something I have never experienced before. Everytime I'm near you, I feel really warm inside. My heartbeat goes quicker than usual too and I can't find an explanation in my encyclopedia's... it's not an illness, but it could be that I have discovered a new one and that I have to find an antidote, for the mean-time Ace, you have to- Ace, what's wrong? You look really red. Have you attracted a fever?" You were explaining but stopped when the man's expression turned to a scarlet and shocked one. He was shivering and his mouth halfopen. Must be a fever! "Ace, lay down, I'll get some medicine." You said and tried to walk away, but Ace kept you straight where you were. "Y-you... feel that way a-about me?" He asked, the words coming out in stutters and different frequences.

This was bad.

The fever must be really bad.

Perhaps he would let go if you answered. "I do. Do you have any idea what is going on with me?" You ask. Ace gulped and nodded. "... Yeah. But don't worry, you'll be fine." He said before shaking his head and releasing you. "As long as you don't get these after effects!" He grinned as he pulled

the most

weirdest

facial expression

you had ever seen.

Suddenly, you fell a rumbling going through your body, the corners of your mouth switching up and an never heard sound leaving your body. It was loud, high pitched and made out of 1 syllable quickly repeated after each other. You shut your eyes tight and held your belly, the place where the rumbling began.

According to a study you once read, those were the symptomps

of laughing.

"Oh my god! Hahahahaha! I just - Hahaha - I just can't - hahahaha! What are you even doing?!" You laughed, tears streaming down your cheeks. And you didn't notice it, but Ace's blush never left his face as he grabbed your cheeks again, wiping away the... happy tears. "Attempt 101... succesful. What a gorgeous laugh you have, (y/n)." He smiled softly. You just couldn't stop laughing. Is this what laughing feels like? I feel so... happy, isn't that the word? This happiness... it's amazing. I've never felt this good before! All thanks to Ace! "I'm laughing, I'm laughing Ace! I feel spectaculair right now! My gratitudes! Thank you! Thank you so very much!" You laughed, looking him in the eyes.

Badum...
Badum...
Badum...

There it was again. The increasing heartbeat. That was part of it, right? Happiness? It must be. You were so happy that your body reacted to it. Incredible. You would have never thought emotions could have an impact on the normal functions of the body. And Ace's heartbeat was going twice as fast. He must be really happy.

Currently, in Ace's mind:
HOLY SWEET JESUS, WHY IS SHE SO ADORABLE? I mean, she already looks attractive with her (h/c) hair - it smells really go- that's creepy, don't think that!! Oh, and her beautiful (e/c) eyes with those lashes and her lips and- NOOOO, stop! I sailed away from Pops for a reason, remember? Gotta focus! Even though... I want to be with her. Someone as gorgeous as her deserves to feel emotions like everyone else! I could make her laugh now, and... I want to teach her more. I still haven't tracked down Teach's location, so... for the time being...

I wish to be next to (y/n).

Back to the current situation...

"(Y/n)..." Ace said softly. You stopped laughing and let out a happy sigh with a smile on your face. "Yes?" You replied. The young man looked troubled and refused to look at you. Instead, he let go of you and turned around. "G-good work today! Let's do more stuff tomorrow! See ya!" He said faking a cheerful tone as he left the room. You didn't realise he was faking it as you giggled. "I did it! One step closer to my full research!".

Behind the door, Ace slumped against it, holding his head. "I was this close to kissing her... Ya fool! She doesn't even know what I'm feeling! Don't do that..." he whispered to himself as he walked down the hallway.

He stopped in the middle of it, lookinh back at the door and mouthed a promise before walking further.

"Don't do that... yet."