Ghost. {Sabo x Reader}

Look At This Photograph.

You had almost fallen out of the attic upon rushing down the ladder, hotfooting your way toward the staircase as quickly as you possibly can, Sabo didn't seem to hear you call his name and you're way too eager to call and wait for him again.

"Sabooo--!" Your voice almost a chime but it quickly turns into more of a squeak as you manage to trip over your own feet, falling forward and helplessly watching as the stairs draw closer to your face, awaiting the many pains to come but it never does.

What--?

It's only when you blink away your surprise you realise there's an arm wrapped around your waist, a familiar chuckle ringing in your ears as you're pushed back up to your feet, now standing firmly on a single step of the staircase as your heart pounds madly inside your chest.

Jesus, that was close!

"You're telling me!" Sabo huffs with a slightly relieved glimmer in his eyes, a small sigh passing his lips as he sits himself on the sloped banister, not falling down it though which you can only assume is because of his current...not-so-living state. "What got you in such a hurry anyway?"

Your body excitedly jolts at that question, an enthused smile spreading across your lips as you hold the photo up to the blonde's face. "I found this in the attic! Along with some other stuff but I thought this would help you remember their--uh...faces." 

You can't quite help the single droplet of sweat that's currently rolling down your temple as you try to read the boy's expression, he's just staring at the photo completely void of emotion, his arm very slowly raising to touch the frame's wood with his fingertips. 

"You found this?" 

Is that a bad thing?

"No, not at all." The blonde finally smiles, clearly hearing your thoughts as his gaze shifts to your face and his hands finally take the photograph from yours, carefully bringing it to his chest as his voice lowers into a calm whisper. "This is...it means a lot to me, y'know? Thank you..."

"There's more stuff up there, a whole box! You wanna see?" 

For a moment, he looks perplexed and worried, his eyes slowly trailing down to the photo and simply staring at it in silence for a few seconds before he finally hums, a tiny grin tugging on his lips as he nods his head.

"Yeah." It's a very short and somewhat forced reply but despite that, the cutie follows you back up into the attic, you don't miss how he winches at the sight of the spider upon entering either. 

It would seem your ghostly friend doesn't like those kinds of insects.

"Right here," You move aside whilst gesturing to the box, allowing Sabo to get down on his knees and go through the rest of the things himself. "I didn't know your last name was Newgate so I didn't know this stuff was your families until I saw the photo, if I had then I wouldn't have--"

"I know." The blonde intercepts, never taking his eyes off the items in the box. "I never assumed differently." He adds before sifting through the surviving items; he finds a belt buckle with an A on it, a tarnished silver comb, black-rimmed glasses and last of all, a straw hat.

How did a straw hat survive a fire?

"It has survived a lot worse, trust me." Those words surprise you, your eyes widening and jaw falling slightly ajar as you shoot Sabo a questionable glance, though his attention is focused on the glasses instead, seemingly checking the lenses. "Marco won't get much use out of these anymore, the smoke has stained them. But they're still a nice reminder of him." 

He speaks as if Marco is still alive so he couldn't have died that long ago...

"I died 10 years ago, according to your calendar. Admittedly it feels a lot longer but I guess that's because time and memories are warped when you're a ghost." Sabo's words still sounding as thoughtful as ever as he carefully places the items back into the box one-by-one. "Marco should be in his 50's by now."

"Okay, you really need to stop reading my mind."

"Believe me, I don't intrude on your thoughts by choice." He responds with a cheeky smile, lifting the cardboard container to his chest as his eyes meet with yours, a somewhat nervous expression dominating his features. "Listen, I know this is your home now and I have no right to ask but, can I keep these here? They mean a lot to me."

Huh?

"You thought I'd show you this box containing memories of your family only to throw it all away? I'm not a monster, y'know." A slightly playful smile tugs on your lips as you press your hand to his back gently, about to advise him to take the stuff to your room so it's easy for him to access - until he speaks first, that is.

"I know that, I was just taught not to assume things from people. Especially not women."

"The hell is that supposed to mean?!"

"I don't know, it was just Thatch's rules!"

"Was he sexist or something?!"

Much to your surprise, Sabo only giggles at that question and shakes his head. "No way, not even close. He just taught us to respect women and not to assume things from them, I never really knew what he meant by that but I've always tried to be just like him."

Just like him? Well, this boy certainly doesn't give me sexist vibes...maybe, a gentleman?

"In that case, he was giving off a good example..." You have to shove your thoughts into a corner as you offer the blonde a supportive smile, you want to ask yourself why their father wasn't an influence on them and where he fitted in with their lives but considering Sabo can hear what you're thinking, you make sure to close your mind before that question even got the chance to echo in his ears.

But you just know it's going to plague your mind later.

"You can put that stuff in one of the rooms downstairs if you like, that way you won't have to come up here every time you want to see your brother's faces."

"Hm? Okay, thanks! Thatch also taught me how to cook since Luffy, Ace and I had big appetites. C'mon, I'll make you something! What do ya want~?" The boy doesn't even give you the chance to protest his offer, carrying the box out of the attic and swiftly tucking it into a spare room as you follow behind him.

"It's my house, I can cook my own--"

"And I'm a lodger that you can't get rid of so the least I can do is cook for you!"

Well, when he puts it that way...

"Fine, I want some spaghetti and meatballs."

"Heh, lady after my own heart! It's coming right up~!"

So not only is the boy cute but he's also able to cook, this new arrangement might be working out quite well for you after all.