Ghost. {Sabo x Reader}

The Nice Brother.

"These are the grey sofas with matching armchairs." Ace speaks calmly as he flicks through the pages of a booklet, finally stopping on one and turning it around so that you can see also. "The prices here are highest to lowest, my old man kinda hoped it'll get people looking at the nicer ones first and falling in love with them, therefore spending more money but don't tell him I told ya that."

His old man? So their father is still around, thank god.

"Oh? Do you run this place with your whole family?" You ask softly, attempting to gather information on the other siblings that Sabo has, apart of you even hopes you'll get the opportunity to meet them one day.

"Heh, something like that." The raven's eyes raising to meet yours as his smile grows. "My older brother, Marco, he's a doctor so he doesn't work here. But my little brother and I have been trusted to run things without him and if we need help, we get aid from Thatch, he's the oldest brother."

So it's possible to meet Thatch and Luffy here next time...interesting.

"Aw, your family sounds very impressive!"

"Yeah, not really." Those words manage to catch you off guard, you had the impression that Ace was quite family-oriented, especially since he tried to single-handedly save his sibling from a fire. You had assumed he'd be overly proud of his remaining brothers. 

"Are they not?"

But why?

"Eh, kinda but we're missing something." His smile slightly fades for a moment as his dark eyes focuses on the booklet in your hands, seemingly trying to urge you to hurry up and make a selection as he begins to bite on his fingernails.

Does he have anxiety? Sabo never mentioned that...

It would seem you're not going to get anything else out of the freckled male, a vague frown etching into your features as you try to work out a plan inside your head, a reason to keep him speaking to you or even an excuse to meet his other brothers.

The first plan you have isn't the best you've ever come up with but it's certainly going to be effective; your eyes glued to the booklet, pretending to be analysing the furniture as you shift your foot along the floor subtly until you find the leg of the table - more like column, the thing is surely thicker than a tree trunk and it's definitely screwed to the ground. 

Okay, here goes nothing. 

"WHOA! This one is lov--!" In all your exaggerated excitement, you propel your foot into the table leg as hard as you possibly can, the piece of furniture even jolting with the impact and causing Ace's face to fill with both shock and horror.  

The pain that surges throughout your entire limb is so harsh that you can't even scream or react in anyway, your leg stiffening and seemingly throbbing in agony as your eyes water and your hands clutch at the booklet as if it would help anything.

FUCKING--! OW!!!

"Holy shit! Are you okay?!" The raven blurts as he shoots up from his seat and circles around the table to help you stand, considering he was so well-mannered just moments ago, you'd usually find his sudden outburst hilarious but not right now. 

Of course, any attempt to stand is futile, your body immediately collapsing against Ace's as a pained whine rumbles in your throat and urges him to carefully place you back into your seat. 

"It hurts so bad! I think something's broken!!" 

Well what do you expect, me?! This was an awful idea!

"I-I'll call my brother." Ace nervously blurts, immediately ripping his cellphone out of his pocket and dialling a number before bringing the device to his ear, his sights now focusing on a tall blonde with long hair who's staring at you both in the distance. "Killer! Can you make this woman a coffee with extra sugar, please!"

CAN HE SLIP SOME MORPHINE IN THAT TOO?!

At least you got your wish, you'll be here for longer and you'll also be able to meet the other sibling. 

"Marco! Hey, I need your help in the shop. I think a lady broke her foot...No, Thatch hasn't been informed yet, he's helping Luffy log deliveries in the back today." 

Oh good, they'll all be here then! Totally worth crippling myself over, I'm sure!

"No...I don't wanna take her shoe off! What if a bone is sticking out?!"

OH GOD! WHAT IF THERE IS?!

"Yeah, that would be good...just hurry up!" And with that, the boy hangs up the phone before returning his stare to your fearful features, a slightly nervous smile on his face as he scratches the back of his head. "So, uh...it's unlikely you'll need an amputation, at least~!" 

Oh, how reassuring!

"What the hell is going on?" A third voice reaching your ears as a familiar brunette enters your vision, his hair has a subtle grey streak through it but he's still quite handsome all things considered, his dark orbs shifting from Ace to your small frame. "It sounded like somebody got shot out here."

It was that loud?!

"Oh, Thatch, I was about to come and get you. This woman hurt her foot on the table, we think it's broken but I called Marco so it'll be resolved soon." 

Thatch! Excellent, now all I need is Luffy!

"Broken?" The brunette echos as his brows knit together slightly, his gaze flicking down to your feet as his hand gestures to his brother. "Get her one of the footrests then, don't just leave her like this!"

The older male promptly getting down on his knees as Ace obediently rushes over to the footrests on display and grabs the closest one, bringing it back for you as his sibling carefully lifts your foot, causing pain to throb throughout your limb again and your face to scrunch up.

"I know it's unpleasant but you'll need the support, ma'am." Thatch softly explains, propping your leg up on the piece of furniture and earning himself a pained cry, your teeth latching onto your knuckles in attempts to muffle your sounds a little. "Ace, politely ask the customers to leave." 

It's only now that you turn your attention toward the mentioned customers, there's not lots of people in here but it's still more than 10 and most are staring straight at you, your face heating up as embarrassment sets in. 

Oh yeah, I made a great first impression on this town! 

"HEY, EVERYBODY!" The younger brother yells out, drawing in more curious gazes and causing your humiliation to rise and his older brother to pinch the bridge of his nose in complete frustration. "IT'S NOT A MOVIE, SOMEBODY IS HURT! WE'D APPRECIATE IT IF YOU'D COME BACK IN LIKE, AN HOUR OR SOMETHING!"

What the fuck is wrong with this guy?!

"Great public speaking skills, Ace..."