Chains (Sabo x Reader)

Chapter 8

Your eyes became more aware and behind Sabo, you caught an orange cowboy hat. "Let's hurry to the boat," you suggested, even though you knew who the "stalker" was.

"Hold on," an abrupt voice commanded.

Koala and Sabo immediately turned around, ready to take on whoever stopped them. Ace calmly stepped into view. He really hadn't changed at all. The same orange cowboy hat perched on his head, his wavy raven black still in the usual mess, and he had kept being shirtless. "I'd like to have a talk with the No. 2 of Revolutionary Army."

"A talk? Now that depends on what kind," Koala stepped up.

You motioned for her to step down. Koala gave you a confused look. "This is the second division leader of the Whitebeard Pirates, Portgas D. Ace. I've met him before. He's not going to do anything."

Trusting you, Sabo turned to Ace. "Why don't we talk inside?" He gestured to the small vessel. Ace nodded and followed him the boat.

You and Koala stayed outside, knowing that this was a private conversation. Finally, Ace emerged out of the boat. Koala hastily rushed in to ask Sabo what that was all about while you stayed.

"Hey, (Name)."

"Ace," You looked at him. The moon's light lit up the pirate's face, making his brown eyes in brighter. "So what did you talk about?"

"I told him that we were brothers."

"Wait. What?" You froze. "You're Sabo's brother? The one that hanged around Sabo when he left?"

"(Name)? Now I'm confused. What do you mean about 'the one that hanged around Sabo when he left?" Ace's eyebrows scrunched up even more at the last part.

You sighed. During the phone conversations, both of you had been obscured about your past, never questioning the other. Besides mentioning about Luffy, Ace had always mentioned Sabo as his "other brother" and you've never asked about him. Likewise when you talk about Sabo in the past, you mention him as a "childhood friend". This is going to be complicated.

"I met Sabo before he joined you when you were ten," you started, "I was a noble just like him."

"So the childhood friend you were talking about was Sabo?"

You nodded.

"I guess we both kept our secrets."

"But it's good to know about it now."

"Does Sabo know?" Ace asked.

You shook your head. "For the same reasons as yours, because of his..."

"...amnesia," Ace finished, "Wow... that's why you stayed at the Revolutionary Army. The other reason would be because you. Like. Him." Ace playfully poked your nose. You blushed at his realization. "You make it so obvious that I could hear over the den den mushi." He checked his time. "Well, it's getting late, I should get going."

"We should, too." You quickly gave Ace a hug. "Stay safe and don't catch a cold."

"You know I can't catch a cold." He grinned, "Plus a pirate's life is never safe." Looking up, Ace and you see Sabo give a polite wave. Ace waved back and left on his fire-powered boat. The engine hummed as Ace steered the boat away from the shore.

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On the way back to Baltigo, Sabo was quiet and didn't say anything. "Maybe he's confused about Ace being his brother."

Once you got to base, the three of you reported to Dragon about the mission. Right after, Koala exploded with questions about Ace.

"When did you meet him? How did you meet him? What did you do?"

"Uh..." You stuttered at the bombardment of questions. The three of you were in Koala's room. You sat the kitchen counter with Koala and Sabo just laid on Koala's pink couch, still thinking. "I met him two days before I met Sabo. He took me out on a date and we've been friends since then."

"Just friends?" You looked over to see Sabo sitting up, looking at you questionably.

"Yeah... just friends."

"Ok then."

Koala smirked. "Oooo~ someone's jealous," she teased.

"Am not!" Sabo huffed.

"Jealous? Could it be?" you thought curiously. Sabo stood up to leave and left. You chased after him with Koala giggling.

When you were outside of Koala's room, you stopped the hasty man. "Sabo, wait!"

He turned around, looking at first annoyed but his face quickly softened. "Yes?"

Without thinking, you grabbed both of his hands and looked up. Sabo looked back with a tint of pink at his cheeks. You were most likely in the same condition. "I-I just want to say that me and Ace are nothing special. He's just a really dear friend."

"Prove it."

"E-eh?"

Despite the bold demand, Sabo quickly glanced away, cheeks getting the shade of red. "I-I mean...can you show me that he's just a friend?"

You gulped. He must had saw you hug Ace. But it was just a "friend" hug.

Sabo's POV

"Oh gosh... what am I saying?" He looked back at (Name) who suddenly hugged him tightly. She tiptoed and gently kissed at his magenta cheek and quickly ran off due to embarrassment. Sabo froze and then slowly brought his hand to his cheek. "What just happen?"