#sabo x reader

“his hands,” you’d sighed, draping yourself dramatically over the back of a worn-out armchair, “i bet they’re not just good with a pipe. i bet he could take a woman apart with just his fingers, make her forget her own name. look at the way he handles that metal—all that precise, devastating control. imagine that on your skin.” you’d shivered, lost in your own performance. “i'd let him ruin me. absolutely ruin me. i’d beg.”

koala, seated across from you with a stack of reports, had frozen, her pen hovering mid-air. her eye twitched. “hey...” she’d started, her voice dangerously level.

“and his voice!” you’d barreled on, the sheer audacity of your own words propelling you forward. “that low, calm tone, even when he’s about to blow something to kingdom come. i just want to hear him whisper all the filthy things he’s going to do to me, all the ways he’s going to make me fall apart. i’d be a complete puddle.”

“girl,” koala repeated, a desperate edge creeping in.

“and his hair!” you’d cried, gesturing wildly. “he’s always pushing it back, and i just want to grab a fistful of it and—oh, and his hat! why does he always wear the hat? i bet underneath it he’s just as devastating. i want to see him wild, not so composed. i want to be the reason he loses that composure. just once. to feel him lose control because of me.”

a heavy silence fell. the only sound was the rustle of the reports in koala’s hands. she slowly, deliberately, looked past you, her face a mask of pure, unadulterated exasperation.

a cold dread trickled down your spine.

“he’s right behind me, isn’t he?” you whispered, your bravado evaporating in an instant.

koala gave a slow, pitying blink. “he’s been there since the part about his hands.”

the world tilted. heat flooded your face, a mortifying inferno that started in your chest and consumed you whole. you scrambled to your feet, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. you couldn’t look. you didn’t dare. you just fled, a blur of pure, unadulterated panic, your footsteps echoing down the corridor as you practically launched yourself into the first room you found, slamming the door behind you. it was a storage closet. perfect.

you pressed your back against the cold wood, heart hammering a frantic rhythm against your ribs. your face was on fire. you were going to die. you were going to die of sheer, utter embarrassment. he heard everything. everything. every lurid, detailed, and deeply personal fantasy you’d ever had about him.

you squeezed your eyes shut, willing the floor to open up and swallow you whole. this was it. this was the end of your life. or, at least, the end of any chance of ever looking him in the eye again. you’d probably have to relocate to a different grand line entirely. maybe the moon.

a long, excruciating minute passed. then two. just as you were plotting your new life on a remote, uninhabited island, a gentle knock sounded on the door.

your blood ran cold. “occupied!” you squeaked, your voice an octave higher than usual.

“hey..” came sabo’s voice, muffled but unmistakably calm. there was no anger in it, which was somehow far, far worse. “open the door.”

“no!” you yelped, your brain scrambling for a plausible excuse. “i—i’m busy! sorting… potatoes. there are a lot of potatoes in here.”

“it’s a storage closet. for maps,” he replied, his tone patient, but with a hint of steel beneath it. “there are no potatoes.”

“i’m looking for the potatoes!” you insisted, your voice trembling. “they’re probably behind the maps. you can’t come in. it’s a very delicate potato operation.”

a soft sigh, then a low chuckle that sent a shiver straight through you. “come on, we need to talk.”

“no, we don’t!” you cried, your back sliding a little further down the door as you crumbled into a defensive heap on the floor. “you didn’t hear anything. it was a… a story! a made-up story! about a fictional man! with a hat! and blonde hair! and—and you just happen to look a lot like him! a coincidence!”

“a very specific coincidence,” he murmured, and you could hear the smile in his voice. That infuriating, charming smile. “open the door.”

“i can’t,” you whimpered, curling your knees up to your chest. “i’m having a crisis.”

“sweetheart,” he said, the endearment slipping out so naturally it made your heart flutter, “if you don’t open this door, i’m going to have to break it down. and i know you need this door. the maps are very important.”

there was a beat of silence. you knew he’d do it. he was a man of his word, even when that word was about property damage. slowly, your hand trembling, you reached up and turned the lock. the click was deafening.

you scrambled backward, pressing yourself against a shelf of rolled-up charts as the door swung open. sabo filled the doorway, his silhouette backlit by the dim hall light. he didn’t step in. he just stood there, looking down at you, a glint in his eye that was a terrifying mix of amusement and a darker, hungrier promise.

“so,” he began, his voice low and smooth, his gaze pinning you in place. “take a woman apart with my fingers?” he stepped forward, closing the door behind him with a soft click that plunged you both into near-darkness, save for a sliver of light from under the door. your heart was about to beat out of your chest.

he took a slow, deliberate step towards you, his presence filling the tiny space. “make her forget her own name?” another step. he was so close you could smell the faint scent of gunpowder and leather that always clung to him. “ruin you?” his voice dropped to a husky whisper. “make you beg?”

you opened your mouth to deny it, to sputter some excuse, but the only sound that came out was a pathetic, desperate squeak.

he reached out, his gloved hand coming up to rest on the shelf beside your head, caging you in. the leather of his glove was cool against the wood. he leaned in, his lips brushing against the shell of your ear, and you felt a full-body shudder wrack your frame.

“i heard every word,” he breathed, his warm breath ghosting over your skin, sending goosebumps erupting across your arms. “i was just coming back from a mission. i was going to tell you i missed you. but then i heard you… talking about my hands.” he chuckled, a low, dark sound that made your knees weak. “and my voice. and my hair. and my hat.” he pulled back slightly, just enough to meet your eyes, his gaze intense and burning. “you have a very vivid imagination, sweetheart. and I’d very much like to see you put it to use.”

you were frozen, caught in the spotlight of his undivided attention. “i... i didn’t… that wasn’t…”

“are you going to deny it?” he interrupted, his voice a silken challenge. “because we both know that’s a lie. you said i could ‘take you apart.’ you said you’d ‘let me ruin you.’ You said you’d ‘beg.’” he dipped his head, his lips brushing the corner of your mouth. “i’m more than happy to oblige.”

“sabo…” you breathed, his name a plea on your lips.

“now,” he murmured, his voice a low command against your skin, “are you going to keep being shy, love?” he punctuated the question with the barest, softest press of his lips to your jaw. “or are you going to be the woman from the story, and tell me what you want?”

he pulled back just enough to meet your eyes, his gaze a mixture of tender affection and firm expectation. his head dipped, his lips hovering just over yours, the heat of his body a tangible presence against you. he waited, patient as the sea itself, for you to make the next move. the ball was in your court. the man who heard everything had a single, burning question.

“well?” he whispered, his voice laced with command and a hint of a smile. “what will it be?”

a single, ragged breath escaped you. the question hung in the air, heavy and electric. you could feel the heat radiating from him. a part of you was still screaming to run, to hide, to deny everything and pretend this conversation never happened.

but the another part was tired of running.

"i…" you started, your voice barely a whisper. you swallowed hard, forcing yourself to meet his gaze. "i want you to prove it."

a slow, devastating smile spread across his lips. it was the kind of smile that promised ruin, and you found yourself craving it.

"prove it?" he repeated, tilting his head. his gloved hand came up to cup your chin, tilting your face up towards him. "you want me to prove that i can take you apart? that i can make you forget your own name?"

you nodded.

"use your words, sweetheart," he murmured, his thumb tracing the line of your jaw. "i heard you had quite the vocabulary earlier. use it now."

"yes," you said, your voice steadier this time, though your heart was still racing. "i want to see if you can live up to all the things i imagined."

his eyes darkened, and he let out a low, approving hum.

"that's my girl."

and then his mouth crashed into yours.

it wasn't gentle. it wasn't tentative. it was consuming. a kiss that stole your breath and your thoughts and any remaining scraps of your composure. his gloved hand slid into your hair, angling your head to deepen the kiss, and you gasped against his lips as his other hand found your waist, pulling you flush against him.

you could feel everything. the hard planes of his chest, the strength in his arms, the way his body was already responding to yours. it was intoxicating, dizzying, and you found yourself clutching at his coat, pulling him closer, desperate for more.

he broke the kiss with a soft, wet sound, both of you breathing heavily. his forehead rested against yours, his eyes dark and hooded.

"tell me what you want," he said again, his voice rough. "tell me, and i'll give it to you."

"i want…" you paused, your cheeks flaming. even now, after everything, the words felt impossible to say out loud.

sabo pulled back just enough to look at you, his expression softening.

"hey," he said gently, his thumb stroking your cheek. "it's just me. the same man who's been absolutely, hopelessly in love with you for months. the same man who's been going crazy trying to figure out how to tell you." he chuckled, a self-deprecating sound. "and you beat me to it. in the most spectacularly embarrassing way possible."

astartled laugh escaped you, and you buried your face in his chest, muffling it against the fabric of his coat. "i can't believe i said all that," you groaned. "koala is never going to let me live this down."

"koala is going to be insufferable," he agreed, his arms wrapping around you. "but i think it's worth it, don't you?"

you looked up at him, your heart swelling at the soft, adoring look on his face. "maybe," you admitted. "a little bit."

"just a little bit?" he raised an eyebrow, and then his hand was sliding down your back, resting at the curve of your waist. "i heard you say you wanted to feel me lose control. is that true?"

you nodded, biting your lip.

"then let me show you," he murmured, his lips brushing against your ear. "let me show you exactly what you do to me. how you make me feel. how you're the only one who can make me forget about everything else."

his hands found the hem of your shirt, his fingers toying with the fabric. "is this okay?"

"yes," you breathed. "yes, please."

he pulled your shirt over your head in one smooth motion, his eyes roaming over you with an intensity that made your skin prickle with goosebumps. "beautiful," he murmured, almost to himself. "so beautiful."

his gloved hands came up to cup your breasts through your bra, his thumbs brushing over the sensitive peaks. you gasped, arching into his touch, and he smiled, that same devastating smile.

"sensitive?" he asked, his voice a low rumble.

"you have no idea,"

"i think i'm starting to get one," he said, and then he was undoing your bra with practiced ease, letting it fall to the floor. his eyes drank you in, and you felt a surge of confidence at the raw hunger in his gaze.

"sabo," you whispered, reaching for him, your fingers finding the buttons of his shirt.

"let me," he said softly, and then he was shrugging off his coat, his vest, his shirt, baring his skin to you. you reached out, your fingers tracing the lines of his chest, the scars that littered his skin, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath your palm.

he let you explore for a moment, his eyes closing at your touch. then he was moving, guiding you backwards until your back hit the shelf, his body pressing you against it.

his mouth found your neck, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down to your collarbone. His hands were everywhere—your waist, your hips, your thighs—and you were drowning in him, in the feel of him, the smell of him, the sound of his breathy sighs against your skin.

"tell me," he murmured against your skin, his teeth grazing your shoulder. "tell me what you want."

"i want you," you gasped, your fingers threading through his hair, pulling him closer.

he pulled back, his eyes meeting yours, and there was something vulnerable there, something raw and aching. "you have me," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "you've always had me."

and then he was kissing you again, deeper this time, his hands working at the button of your pants, sliding them down your hips. you kicked them off, your shoes forgotten, and he lifted you effortlessly onto the shelf, your legs wrapping around his waist.

"hold onto me," he commanded softly, and you obeyed, your arms circling his neck as he kissed a trail down your chest, his breath hot against your skin.

"you're going to have to be quiet," he murmured, glancing up at you with a wicked glint in his eye. "unless you want everyone to hear exactly how i ruin you."

a strangled sound escaped you, and he chuckled, "that's what I thought."

and then his mouth was on you, and you had to bite your lip to keep from crying out, your head falling back against the shelf as he proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that every single word you'd said was absolutely, devastatingly true.

time blurred. there was only him—his hands, his mouth, the way he knew exactly how to touch you, how to push you higher and higher until you were trembling on the edge, desperate and aching.

"please," you gasped, your nails digging into his shoulders. "sabo, please."

he lifted his head, his lips slick, his eyes dark. "please what?"

"please," you begged, "i need you—i need—"

"say my name," he said, his voice a low command. "say it like you mean it."

"sabo," you breathed, and it came out like a confession, like a promise. "sabo, i love you."

his eyes widened, and then he was kissing you again, fierce and tender all at once. "i love you too," he murmured against your lips. "gosh, i love you so much."

and then he was inside you, and you both gasped, the world narrowing to the feeling of him, the weight of him, the way he filled you completely.

"look at me," he said, his voice strained, and you opened your eyes, meeting his gaze. "i want to see you. i want to remember this."

you nodded, unable to speak, and he began to move, slow and deep, his eyes never leaving yours. it was overwhelming, the intimacy of it, the way he seemed to see straight into your soul.

"i've got you," he murmured, his forehead pressed against yours. "i've got you, sweetheart."

"s-sabo, i can't—"

"you can. come on. let go."

and you did, shattering around him as he followed you over the edge, his low groan muffled against your neck.

you stayed like that for a long moment, tangled together, breathing hard. his hand came up to stroke your hair, gentle and soothing, and you felt tears prick at your eyes from the sheer overwhelming force of your feelings for him.

"hey, what's wrong?" he said softly, pulling back to look at you.

"nothing," you said, your voice wobbling. "everything's right. that's the problem."

he smiled, soft and fond, and pressed a kiss to your forehead. "i know what you mean."

eventually, you untangled yourselves, pulling your clothes back on in comfortable silence. he helped you with the buttons you couldn't quite manage, his fingers gentle and careful.

"we should probably go," you mumbled, your cheeks flushing at the thought of the others.

"they definitely heard," sabo said. "or at least, they heard enough."

"you're not helping," you groaned, burying your face in his shoulder.

he laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "it's okay. i'll protect you from koala's teasing... or i'll try to."

"that's all i can ask for," you mumbled.

he opened the door, and you both stepped out into the hallway. koala was leaning against the wall, her arms crossed, a knowing smirk on her face.

"finally," she said flatly. "i was starting to think i'd have to pay you both for the show."

"koala!" you yelped.

sabo just laughed, his arm settling around your shoulders. "jealous, koala?"

"of your terrible timing?" she shot back. "never. you owe me, though. i had to listen to her entire monologue and then your… noises. i'm traumatized."

you buried your face in sabo's shoulder, utterly mortified.

his arm tightened around you, and he pressed a kiss to the top of your head. "ignore her," he murmured. "she's just upset she doesn't have anyone to make those noises with."

"didn't need to hear all of that," koala said, turning on her heel. "i'm going to go burn my ears off."

as she stalked away, sabo tilted your chin up, meeting your eyes. "worth it?" he asked, a soft smile playing on his lips.

you looked at him.

"yeah," you said, smiling despite yourself. "totally worth it."

he kissed you again, soft and sweet.

——————————————————

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they caught your pelt before you could.

now it's locked away somewhere aboard their ship while you're hidden inside a tiny storage room, hugging your knees and trying not to cry too loudly.

without your pelt, you feel... wrong.

like half of yourself has been stolen.

you flinch at every bootstep outside.

maybe they'll sell it.

maybe they'll keep you forever.

the thought alone makes your breathing hitch.

then—

a loud crash echoes through the deck above.

someone shouts.

another yells, "we're under attack!"

the ship lurches.

your eyes widen.

more shouting.

wood splintering.

then fire.

bright orange flames bloom beneath the crack under the door.

panic surges through you until—

the lock snaps clean off.

the door swings open.

"...there you are."

sabo stands there, soot streaked across his face, pipe resting on one shoulder like this is nothing more than an afternoon errand.

the moment he sees your terrified expression, his smile softens.

"i've got you."

your lip trembles.

"...sabo..."

before another word can leave your mouth, you're already throwing yourself into his arms.

he catches you effortlessly.

"easy, sweetheart."

one gloved hand rubs slow circles across your back.

"you're safe now."

safe.

the word makes you cry all over again.

he lets you.

he always does.

once your breathing settles, he brushes a strand of hair from your face.

"they took your pelt, didn't they?"

you nod.

his blue eyes flick toward the hallway.

"...stay here for one minute."

"b-but—"

"one minute."

he kisses your forehead.

"trust me."

he's gone before you can protest.

outside comes another round of frantic yelling.

someone screams.

there's an explosion that rocks the entire ship.

less than sixty seconds later, sabo strolls back in carrying something carefully folded over one arm.

your pelt.

he dusts a little ash off the soft fur before holding it out with both hands.

"found it."

you stare.

"...already?"

he grins.

"they labeled the crate."

you can't help it.

a tiny laugh escapes between your tears.

he always made impossible things look easy.

you reach for your pelt with shaking fingers, holding it close the instant it's back in your arms.

warmth spreads through you almost immediately.

home.

it feels like home.

"...thank you."

sabo smiles, gentle enough to quiet every fear still rattling inside your chest.

"no."

he cups your cheek.

"don't thank me for bringing you back what's already yours."

you lean into his touch.

"...will they come after me again?"

his expression doesn't change.

it simply grows certain.

"they'll have to get through me first."

somehow, hearing those words from him makes the whole ocean feel less frightening.

he wraps an arm around your shoulders as the two of you step onto the deck.

the marine ship is already burning behind him.

"come on," he says with a warm smile.

"let's take you home."

and for the first time since your pelt was stolen, you know exactly where home is.

it's wherever sabo is waiting with open arms.

——————————————————

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“Lieutenant,” you said. “Escort me to my office.”

He fell into step beside you as you walked down the halls. You knew you were moving slowly. He knew better than to mention it.

“It’s a true shame you landed the shot as well as you did,” he said. “We’ve examined both the bullet removed from you and the gun but found nothing of interest. He may not have been affiliated with the original group. Maybe just an opportunist digging around for scraps.”

You tried not to wince as a strange step made everything burn. “I sincerely doubt it. If he was alive, I could have cleared this up within the day.”

“It’s unfortunate, ma’am. It would have been a good opportunity to study your work. I’ve heard a great deal about it.”

You nodded in appreciation for the compliment. “And the scraps that I found.”

“Still under investigation, but it is most certainly stolen technology.”

It shouldn’t have taken them a week to conclude that but you weren’t going to complain too greatly. At least they had figured it out. It was more than you could say for most of the fools on your previous deployment.

You stopped at your office door. “I will be taking a walk to the ship to investigate later,” you said. “For now, I need a brief rest before I return.”

He paused. “The physician has said you are not allowed to work.”

“I’m not working,” you said. “I’ve been booked off work. This is my private investigation. You will just happen to be there.”

“Understood, ma’am. Please call for me when you are rested.”

You closed your office door behind you and it clicked shut firmly. You allowed yourself to stand there for a moment, hand resting against the handle and eyes closed as you breathed through the uncomfortable pain in your stomach. Still another few hours before you were allowed more medication.

You pushed yourself away from the handle.

First, some private rest and then you could mourn the pain. Your office, unfortunately, wasn’t well suited to any kind of lounging. There was a heavy wooden desk, a very comfortable office chair you couldn’t sit in without hurting yourself, and two plush seats on a carpet.

With the carpet already in mind, you made it one step forward before the door behind you opened.

You clicked off your gun’s safety and raised it so fast it sent a hot flash of pain through you.

Sabo stopped dead in the doorframe.

You didn’t lower your weapon.

“I warned you away from following me here,” you said slowly.

He stepped in very carefully and closed the door behind him. How had he walked through your base without being noticed, wearing a hat as obvious as that?

“I just overheard you say you’re not working,” he said.

You inclined your head slightly to the left where a surveillance snail sat against the wall. “You should be careful about taking that rule too far. I’m not looking to get myself trialled for treason.”

“I’ve disrupted the feeds. Nobody will see them.”

“Both?” you asked.

He nodded and you stared at him across the barrel of your pistol before you looked toward the snails. Both of them were sleeping, their heads lowered. You dropped the pistol to your side a little too fast and immediately regretted it.

“Do you need help?” he asked.

“No,” you said through your teeth. “I might not be working but I am going to report those snails going down the moment I have the chance.”

“That’s fine,” he said. “I won’t be in here for long. You haven’t returned to your house for over a week. I suspected you might have gotten out of your punishment.”

You straightened and holstered the gun. “I wish. They actually just wouldn’t let me leave the medical bay.”

“You were shot.”

“Astute. Should I worry that you realised I wasn’t returning to my house?” you asked. “I wasn’t aware I was under a full stakeout.”

Sabo shrugged, a little too casual. “You mentioned you’re investigating our organisation. That makes you a key person to watch.”

You hummed and braced yourself heavily against the desk. “Well, you found me. Is my plant dying?”

“I watered it.”

You nodded in appreciation. If you wanted to go up that hill – and you did want to – it would be an awful walk. Your legs were struggling after a day of little more than light standing, without adding a climb through cobblestoned streets. It was better than it had been for the past week though. At least now you could sort of sit up.

Sabo glanced toward your torso, far too obvious. You rolled your eyes and lifted the thin shirt you wore simply because it was easy to get on. The bandages wrapped half up your ribs and you pointed to the right side.

“It hit here.”

“Ah.”

His cheeks had turned slightly pink and you almost laughed.

“Spare me. You’ve seen more of my chest than this.”

He coughed and hid it with a small chuckle. “Not really in the same situation. Is it bad?”

“I’m alive.”

“That’s really not a good measurement of health.”

You shrugged and lowered your shirt again. “It’s better than what the guy who fired the shot looks like. I wasn’t meaning to kill but he threw off my aim.”

“You were aiming to cripple?”

“People generally talk more when they’re alive. Some talk enough for the dead though.”

Sabo chuckled. “You’re much sharper when you’ve been shot.”

You almost laughed with him at the complaint. It was a laughable realisation to think a member of the Revolutionary Army was standing in front of you, griping that you were a little meaner than usual. Maybe you had gotten a little close to the situation.

Maybe was definitely the wrong word to use.

“I don’t flirt very well when I’m in pain,” you said.

“I’m not asking you to flirt. I’m asking you to remain conscious,” Sabo defended, that pink growing deeper. “But I think you should probably rest more if you’ve got a bullet injury.”

“I’m resting,” you said. “That’s why you’re standing in the middle of my office and I haven’t pushed the alarm button even though it’s well in my reach.” But you smiled and pushed yourself from the desk. “Also, you enjoy it when I flirt. Don’t lie to me.”

“I’ve never lied to you.”

He said it so sincerely that it tripped you for a second. “Truly?”

“You haven’t lied to me either,” he said. “I see it as a fair trade.”

You hummed. “You have a lot of faith in that.”

He smiled but his gaze dropped to your hands and you noticed they were shaking slightly. “Can you please sit down? You look like you’re on the verge of collapse and I don’t think your medical officers will take kindly to me carrying you there.”

“You can always push the alarm,” you suggested.

But you braced a hand against the desk and slowly started to lower yourself. It was a mission in patience. Every movement sent new discomfort and aching through you but you eventually managed to manoeuvre onto your back, shooing away Sabo when he stepped forward as though to help you.

Then you took a deep breath.

“Sitting is hell,” you grumbled. “Are you happy now?”

He stared at you and then slowly sat down, cross-legged beside your shoulders. “It’s better. Where have you been sleeping?”

“In the medical bay but I’ll return home tonight,” you said. “Do you know how long you’re going to be around?”

“Until our investigation into your activities against us concludes.”

You hummed. Very vague. You had used that type of language before on far too many superiors to not see straight through it.

“Haven’t seen you in a while. I thought you might have had to use that reasoning you overheard,” you said. “Have you been granted approval to stick around then?”

“In a way. She did ask where I was so having information to present was good.”

“Does she know you’re currently sitting next to me?”

Sabo hesitated for just long enough that you laughed slightly. The feeling sent a horrible twinge of pain through you but lying down did make it considerably better. At least you no longer felt like somebody had set your torso on fire.

“Why did you tell me our safehouse was compromised?” he eventually asked.

“I didn’t,” you said. “I just mentioned what my men were investigating and you happened to overhear it.”

“It was pointed out to me some nights ago that narrating confidential reports to yourself is a pretty strange habit.”

You smiled. “So is repeatedly putting yourself in danger to speak to a rear admiral.”

Sabo sighed and inclined his head. “Is every woman turning into an interrogator lately?”

You actually laughed then and the pain that came with it made you wince. “It’s hardly a new development,” you said. “Is that why you didn’t return? Were you trying to figure out the best way to explain your accommodation?”

“I found a different couch to stay on,” he said with a small, strained smile. “One that required considerably fewer excuses.”

“Is it as comfortable as mine?”

He paused before he answered. “It exists.”

You hummed and tilted your head toward him. “You know as well as I do that I didn’t leave the balcony door open for you to take the couch.”

He looked purposefully away, though the corner of his mouth betrayed him. The painkillers must have been making you feel a little woozy because you felt quite light in your chest from the teasing. Because admitting it was caused by enjoyment of his company would be far too dangerous of a confession.

“How did you walk through my base so easily?” you asked.

“I’m also good at my job,” he said. “Nobody knows I’m here.”

“Except the owner of the office you’re sneaking into.”

He shrugged. “She’s been shot and is lying down out of reach of her alarm.”

“That’s not going to sound very good in your report.”

You weren’t worried. A single gunshot fired in this office, even from your hip into the wall, would bring every person in the base here within a moment. With the earlier incident, chaos was already rippling through your ranks. They wouldn’t tolerate the idea that a potential shot had been fired.

“You know,” Sabo said. “I’ve learned more about you today than I thought I would.”

“Terrifying knowledge,” you said. “It’s all publicly accessible if you know where to look.”

“Not that stuff but your men all seem very fond of you.”

“Oh, that I know,” you said. “I receive plenty of transfer requests to work under me which is always surprising because I give out way more paperwork than the average admiral.”

He shifted his weight. “Yet they’re still all very upset that you got hurt.”

“They’re also upset the other guy is dead. It makes their job of finding out who he is considerably harder.”

Sabo smiled. “You are a good shot. It makes me rethink how much I worry about that gun.”

“Please,” you scoffed. “Your haki is undoubtedly good enough to avoid a bullet.”

There was a twinkle in his eyes that confirmed exactly what you had suspected. “That’s presumptive.”

“What happened to not lying to me?”

“I haven’t lied,” he said immediately. “If anything, you’re the one lying right now.”

You frowned and it took you a second to realise what the joke was. The moment you did, a laugh caught in your throat involuntarily at the absurdity of it. You winced the second after and guilt flashed over his expression far too quickly.

You waved a hand to reassure. “We’ve moved from interrogation into puns? I think this is getting far too dangerous. Could you be a dear and push the alarm button on my desk?”

He looked up and purposefully stroked his chin as though thinking about it. “Would need an escape route first. Are your windows unlocked?”

“They are but both have at least two watchtowers with clear visibility to them.”

“And they’d fire even with a hostage?”

“I don’t think this hostage would go very easily. Even if injured.”

He shrugged. “Then sorry, but I don’t think I can take the risk. My partner is already going to kill me for breaking in here after I promised we would just watch the place.”

“Why? Doesn’t she trust you won’t get caught?”

“She knows I won’t but she worries,” he said. “And I did say I wouldn’t disappear.”

You reached up and caught the edge of his cravat. The smooth fabric between your fingers was relaxing as you pulled him closer, watching the flush spread prettily over his cheeks. But he followed you without complaint until he was leaning a breath away from you.

“Disappear as in get arrested? Or disappear as in spend some more time with me than you should?”

His eyes flicked toward your lips for a second, smile more comfortable with this position than he should be. “You’re injured,” he pointed out.

“Very much so. That doesn’t mean you can’t indulge me, does it?”

Sabo closed the distance for you, his mouth against yours right as there was a loud knock on the door. He paused and then laughed, actually laughed. The sound was soft against your lips and almost soothed your irritation.

Almost.

“Rear admiral?” called the voice outside.

“Do you need some help getting up?” he whispered.

“I’ll be fine,” you said and forced yourself into a seat despite the bolt of agonising pain that sent through your stomach. You caught the edge of the desk and hurled yourself to your feet, gesturing him back with your chin.

“It’s open!”

Sabo stepped behind the door as it opened and you focused your full attention on your lieutenant whose apologetic stare was only a balm to the pain and not to the interruption.

“I apologise ma’am but there’s a pirate vessel near our coast. I believe it may be connected to the temporary deal you struck with the crew.”

Oh. Right.

You had meant to meet up with Ace at some point to investigate the exact idiots who had shot you. And of course, he would make his way closer to your base rather than waiting patiently… you didn’t know why you thought it would be anything different.

“You’ll remember that I organised a discussion with Fire Fist Ace to discuss the path of the scavenger ship,” you said. “I must have missed the deadline. I suppose it’s time to set that right.”

Sabo moved and you had to stop yourself from looking toward him and seeing what he may have mouthed. Though it was a solid guess to assume it may have been in line with your lieutenant’s response.

“You’re still injured, rear admiral. Surely this can wait for your recovery.”

You somehow doubted Ace would just go away without an explanation. And… and also you had to admit, it would be good to see him.

“I will be fine,” you said. “Also, the snails in my office have stopped working. I want somebody in here to fix those immediately. They can come by while I’m out.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Before you moved away from the desk, you stepped carefully around it to withdraw a small box and a familiar, drawn flag. You held both out to your lieutenant who had pockets and no questions before you stepped through the door, shutting it behind you.

The pain was awful but you kept your pace brisker than it needed to be; if only so the hall would stay clear for a few moments longer before they arrived to repair the snails.

A ship was organised for you by the time you made it to port.

Your men sailed you out with determination and you took the time to provide an explanation to them about why this was important. “Now that I’ve been shot, I’m launching a personal investigation into the situation,” you said. “Which unfortunately means discussing the situation with Whitebeard’s crew as the ship came from their territory.”

“We could explain there was an incident and your meeting would be postponed,” one man suggested.

“No,” you said. “This meeting is mine to have.”

Their vessel floated lazily against the waves, sails drawn up as they watched your approach. This was further from their territory than they should be and yet it was unsurprising. The only funny part was the coincidence of it all.

Of the two wanted criminals who insisted on drawing near your home, both apparently decided a week was the longest they would go with no answer.

Ace was grinning the moment he saw you standing on your ship and you had to fight off the urge to return the expression. He wasn’t alone. Neither were you. Whitebeard’s men stood behind him, clearly just as wary as your own.

“Wait here,” you told your men as you stepped onto the gangway as it was placed down.

Whitebeard’s men held their weapons but did not raise them and for a second, you felt the wind whip around you as you walked toward their vessel. It was freeing after so long in the medical bay.

“Hello,” you greeted. “Have you grown this impatient for a meeting?”

“You said within the week,” Ace said with only a brief glance behind you. “It’s been longer.”

You probably shouldn’t be crossing onto a pirate ship injured. You knew that. It was far safer that you didn’t and yet… you preferred it to the idea of Ace coming onto your vessel where he definitely didn’t belong in friendly circumstances.

“I imagined the week was an estimation,” you said. “Not a deadline.”

He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. “Honestly, we were just in the area and I figured we’d sail by. It wasn’t a check in.”

You took the final step from the gangway and the jolt sent pain through your chest. You winced and forced the expression away when you saw him notice it.

“Well, it’s been a hard week.”

“Yeah?”

You looked past him to the other pirates. Few stood out. It would be impossible to memorise every member of Whitebeard’s crew but being so close to their territory meant you had remembered the commanders at least. Aside from Ace, there were none amongst this small, wary group.

“If you’re working, I’m happy to go,” he offered. “We can talk later.”

“I’m not working,” you corrected. “I’ve been put on forced medical leave.”

His expression changed immediately. “Medical leave?” he repeated. “What happened? You’re hurt?”

Your men were doing a very poor job of pretending not to listen in on the conversation. You could see them all shuffling closer to the railing as you spoke so you raised your voice just enough that they could hear.

“I was shot in the stomach,” you said. “Turns out that’s rather bad for you if you’re not made of fire.”

He looked down at your stomach immediately which you expected. What neither you nor anybody else anticipated was him moving closer to you, closing the distance quickly. “Somebody shot you?”

“I wasn’t fast enough to pull the trigger first,” you said.

“Was it on your way back here?”

“No. The scavenger ship that prompted me to speak to you originally happened to have a culprit lurking on board. When I was looking for evidence, he ambushed me and well, he might have been quicker, but my shot hit true.”

Ace frowned. “How was there somebody on the ship? Didn’t you arrest them all?”

“I thought so. It would seem I was wrong.”

One of his men chuckled and you turned your attention past Ace to the other pirate. He was a broad, heavyset man with dark hair and eyes that reminded you a little too well of a rabbit caught in a snare.

He met your gaze without flinching and smiled easily. “Missing a man on your own ship? That’s rough for an admiral.”

You hummed and looked away from him. “It won’t happen again.”

Ace was still looking toward your torso and the loose fabric of your shirt where it was rising around the bandage.

“But why shoot you?” he asked. “If hiding worked, why come out?”

“Your guess is as good as mine,” you said. “We’ll conduct the investigation locally but I do still want to see that other ship you mentioned. When I’m healthy enough, I can organise with you.”

“The only problem with that is we have no way to talk,” Ace pointed out.

“Then you’ll just have to be patient,” you said with a small smile. “At the moment, my doctor is already not sold on me standing for extended periods of time. I think he’d be rather upset if I set sail for an unknown destination.”

“Then why are you here? You should be lying down or something. Or… I mean, is it really bad? Do you need a better doctor?”

The man you’d spoken to before whistled lowly. “You sure about that, Commander? Bringing a Marine aboard sounds like trouble to me.”

“That’s not what I was doing!” Ace said immediately.

“Marco’s a good man, but healing somebody who’d put irons on all of us is asking a lot.”

“I’m not asking him to do anything.”

You raised an eyebrow at the exchange and cleared your throat. “I have a doctor, thank you. As you can see, he’s done a perfectly adequate job at treating the injury.”

You raised your shirt slightly to show off the clean bandages. Had you been speaking to Ace alone, you would have raised it a little more but with this many around you, pirates and marines alike, you’d rather keep a degree of professionalism. Even if you weren’t technically working.

He nodded firmly, annoyance still there but fleeting now. “Okay,” he said. “I guess I’ll have to wait.”

“Lieutenant,” you said over your shoulder. “Can I have those items from earlier?”

They were brought across the gangway and you extended them out to Ace. “I’ve recorded these,” you said. “So, you can have them back now.”

He reached for them and did a remarkable job of keeping confusion away from his expression even if his smile did turn more relaxed. He’d given you a gift the last time you’d seen him. It only made sense you offered one in exchange.

“Thanks. Sorry you got shot.”

You laughed. “That’s the first time I’ve heard that from a pirate,” you said. “Seems to me you should be celebrating.”

He shrugged. “You’re the only person that’s sailed into our territory in ages. It’s not like you’re giving us trouble.”

“Still doesn’t justify your sympathy.”

“You’re the first rear admiral I’ve met who didn’t try to kill me. I’m not ready to hate all of you yet,” he said.

You frowned. “They certainly shouldn’t be trying to kill you. You’re worth far more alive.”

“Could you tell them that, please? I’m getting really tired of it.”

You laughed despite yourself and immediately winced at the suggestion. Maybe the mandatory bedrest had been a good idea. This amount of standing and chuckling was really starting to take a toll on your muscles.

Still, it was fine enough to sail out this far. As annoyed as he had been a second ago, Ace’s smile suited him far too well for a pirate.

“I suppose I can only promise that should I ever need to, I probably will only try to catch you, not kill you.”

He chuckled. “I don’t think you could.”

“Oh?” you asked. “Would you be willing to risk your life for that?”

“Not when you’re shot,” he said immediately. “Or when you’re busy with work. I’m just saying, if they told you to, I think you might struggle.”

You gestured for him to take a step closer, leaning in as though you wanted to whisper something. He did so without even thinking about it, far too confident for his own good. You didn’t even need to move particularly fast.

You just reached out and lightly looped your fingers around his wrist, lifting his hand so you were holding it in front of you.

A faint red burned beneath his freckles; his dark eyes caught the light of the sun as he stared at you. He felt unnaturally warm. So much so that you thought for a second he might burst into flame fully. It was strange. When you had touched him before, you had felt warmth but it was not nearly as scalding as this.

“So,” you said.

“Yes?”

You tapped a finger against his wrist and he followed your gaze toward it.

“This was very easy actually.”

Ace blinked and then realised what you were saying and snorted, tugging his arm back and stepped away. “That was cheating,” he complained. “I thought you wanted to tell me something.”

“If I want to arrest you, is that all I need to do?” you asked. “Pretend I want to say something?”

He rolled his eyes but his grin was broad despite the red on his cheeks. “At least let me know that you’re going to try.”

“Should I start announcing any missions to you before I do them?” you asked. “So you can ignore it any other time?”

“Yeah, that would be great, thanks.”

The rest of his crew chuckled and you even heard a few laughs from your own men. It was a battle to keep from laughing at his bluntness. He was far too endearing for a pirate you should have captured in any other circumstance.

Although you supposed he still carried the immunity granted to him by his captain.

Despite the bounties most of the Whitebeard Pirates had, few admirals saw them as worth the effort. They stuck to their territory and there was no need to start a full-scale conflict yet.

You brushed the discussions you’d overheard from your mind. Those were useless. Nobody wanted to get into a fight of that magnitude.

“I’ll be in touch,” you said. “Thank you for your assistance.”

Before you could leave, Ace stepped forward. “Quick question, before you go,” he said. “Because they all think I’m going crazy. So are we still ‘not friends,’ or what?”

“Friends?” you repeated. “We’re not friends.”

But his smile didn’t fade and you almost returned it before you remembered there were people behind him who were definitely measuring your expressions. The last thing you needed was an accusation of friendship with pirates.

“Then what are we?”

“Temporary allies,” you said.

Ace thought about it before he nodded. “Okay, I can do temporary allies,” he said.

“You’re not entirely crazy, I suppose,” you said.

You moved to step onto the gangway but before your lieutenant could offer you a hand up, Ace held out his own. You stared at him for a second before you took his palm and allowed him to help you up. Every step back across, you could feel the eyes of your men watching you.

They moved the gangway and you didn’t look back at the Whitebeard Pirates for fear Ace might break through your efforts to not smile.

“Do you really think Whitebeard territory has been compromised?” one of your men asked.

“It always has been,” you said. “That’s not the question. The question comes when it starts influencing us.”

Your men were cagey about letting you return to your office when the ship docked and so you undertook the monumental climb back to your house. Several offered their help and you denied each of them in kind. It might have taken five times longer with constant breaks but you made it mostly alive.

You could barely breathe. But you were alive.

The blood soaked through the bandages in small patches when you collapsed onto the couch, pain so intense it made you nauseous. You extended your legs in front of you and tilted your head back, breathing slowly before you reached for your snail.

It rang only a few times before the receiver clicked and you smiled.

“Hello,” you said. “I thought this would make our lives easier.”

“Hi,” Ace responded and he sounded far too happy. “Is this what you meant when you said I wasn’t going crazy?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” you said. “But this is a good reason to stop putting yourself into my men’s firing line whenever you want to say hello. Although I do ask you don’t tell too many people you have it.”

He laughed, so softly you almost didn’t hear it. “I won’t. Is this just for the whole investigation thing or do you really mean saying hi?”

“That depends on what time of day it is,” you said, smiling despite yourself. “But I won’t answer while I’m working.”

“Of course,” he said. “But you’re not working now so, hello.”

You smiled. “Hello, Ace.”

There was silence on the other side for a second before he coughed. “Yeah, that sounds way better than Fire Fist.”

Tags: @miwn8 ; @aceincase ; @chaeisrichnow ; @charukii ; @ilovedreming ; @aceidentallyinlove ; @moon-shampoo ; @infinitely-creative

I shouldn't have...

You tried to think it. That you shouldn't have tried. But, for some reason, you didn't regret your choices. You would've regretted not trying at all. At least now you knew there was no hope for you making it out there.

But something flickered amongst the pieces of your shattered spirit. It wasn't over until it was over. But that energy, that burning drive, had dimmed. Maybe one day you could find your strength again. But not today.

Distracted, you glanced outside the window. Seeing a familiar head of blonde hair across the street made your heart drop.

You thought you'd gone mad—it couldn't be Sabo walking beside his father, heading back to their home—but that bruise on his cheek was far too real. So was the way he turned when you called out his name in confusion (and fear).

You'd sprinted out of your home.

"What are you doing here!?" You asked, out of breath as your personal guards followed suit. It was weird seeing him stand in front of you after all that time.

Sabo winced when he saw the bandages on you, but gave away nothing else on his feelings. "I'm staying."

"What?" You couldn't help but think the worst: something had happened to Ace and Luffy. But if that were the case, you'd see him in a far worse state.

"Don't worry." He smiled weakly. Gone was the happiness that radiated off of him when he was with his brothers. You hated it. "Everything's going to go back to the way it was."

Bullshit. You bit the word back, not believing him for one second.

A guard tugged on your arm, "You need to go back inside."

"But, tomorrow-" You glanced back at Sabo who was already being dragged away by his dad. You didn't get a chance to tell him about the fire. Did he already know!? "Just a little longer, let me talk to him!"

Sabo didn't turn back as you were dragged back inside.

He didn't last one night at home.

His father still treated him like he was a failure, despite being the one to force him back. Everything was 'normal'... except for the stranger he spotted clinging to his mother's side.

Apparently he'd been replaced? A younger boy named Sterry followed him around, making unnecessary comments here and there. If you found Sabo obnoxious to babysit, you'd hate this one. The memories made him smile more than the thought.

He did his best to ignore his 'brother' until he mentioned preparations for the upcoming arrival of some important people.

"What?" It had to be a joke.

"We were told months ago! But I guess you weren't here, ha- AH!" Sterry's soul left his body when Sabo grabbed him, demanding an explanation.

His face disgusted him, not a hint of empathy as he explained what the royal family had in store for the Grey Terminal.

Sabo didn't believe him.

There's no way anyone would agree to destroying a whole population of people—humans couldn't be that cruel... But he wasn't taking chances. He grabbed his coat, hat, and trusty pipe, and jumped out the window as if second nature while Sterry watched in horror.

He needed the truth, and he knew where he had to go to get it.

It was hard to sleep on a night like this, knowing same time tomorrow, everyone in the Grey Terminal would die.

The guard who watched over you from the corner yawned, leaving to get the other to take over for the night.

However, the moment he left, you heard the lock on your window rattle.

"Huh?" You rubbed your eyes, sitting up. You tried not to shout as you saw Sabo jump into your room. "You- What are you doing here?!" You whispered harshly, not knowing when the guard would return.

He set his rusted pipe onto the floor quietly. Just as you were about to step out of bed, he crashed into your arms, shaking. It had been too long... There was too much that needed to be said, and not enough time.

So, despite your shock, you wrapped your arms around him and hugged him back.

The message was clear: I missed you.

"Is it true? Tomorrow..." He whispered into your shoulder, not letting go for even a moment. "Is that why you looked so scared today?"

Guilt ate away at you. If you had made it out that night, you could've told him yourself. You could've warned him.

"I'm sorry," You whispered, voice cracking.

Sabo shook his head, "It can't... How is everyone so normal about it-!" You put a hand over his mouth when his voice grew louder.

You had asked yourself the same question. "I don't know." How could people behave like monsters... "I don't know." You whispered again, quieter.

Did nobody else see the problem? You couldn't be the only two people—two kids—in High Town with a heart.

That's when you heard footsteps, quiet but there. "Sabo, you have to go."

"But-" He wasn't ready. He couldn't let you go so soon. He wasn't sure when he could see you again. He still needed to apologise. He still needed to tell you everything.

You ignored how glossy his eyes were and pushed him off. "It's no good if you're caught here. Go, warn them."

"Come with me." He grabbed your uninjured hand and tried to tug you towards the window, grabbing his pipe.

"Sabo."

"We can warn them together. You don't have to stay here." He pleaded, pulling harder.

"I can't!" You huffed, trying to keep your voice steady. "I can't- You- I tried already, just go without me. I'm not like you. I'm hopeless." You all but shoved him out the window, shutting it just as the guard entered.

Sabo had to force himself not to go back in there and drag you out. How could you say that about someone he cared about? He knew you wanted to be free, you had been trapped longer than him. Your cage came with extra barbs.

"You're not hopeless." He'd prove it. After this was over, he'd come back and take you with him. He'd kidnap you if he had to!

He jumped down and ran off into the darkness.

You woke up in a sweat, the consequences of your choice weighing heavily on you. Am I going to regret it? You didn't want to get up. You didn't get up until the maids were banging on your door.

How could you go about your day like everything was normal? You felt on edge, as if the house would collapse on you. Tonight, thousands die for the sin of being born poor. It could've very well been you had you not been "born lucky".

You wondered, as you walked downstairs, if Sabo ever made it out. He always did what you couldn't. Your question was answered as you overheard your mother on the phone.

"Oh yes, that boy. Must be a nightmare for his parents." She took a long sip of her tea. "Did you know he ran away again? They caught the demon running down our street this morning! I can't believe I let him anywhere near my child; no wonder my poor dear got into so much trouble."

The guards nudged you along once they felt you lingered. You glanced back at them, putting on your best smile. "Can we go to the market today?"

They had to ask your mother for special permission since you were still grounded. She only said yes because she was too busy gossiping on the phone to realise what she agreed to.

You hoped to bore the officers trailing behind you. It seemed to work as you stopped by every single store, inspected all their products, then moved on without buying a thing. The sun beating down on them didn't help.

You, however, had built the endurance to hellish shopping thanks to your mother.

They didn't last an hour before they were running to the nearest bench, "keeping an eye" on you from a distance. You gradually strayed further and further, reappearing now and then to let them know you were around. By evening, you had completely disappeared.

Suckers. You pretended not to let it get to your head, but honestly, your ego needed this small win.

Sabo's home was nearby. You didn't want to imagine what his parents were doing to him.

You crawled through the hole in the back of the fence, one that only you two knew about. You thought he'd be in his room, but you heard his loud sobs clearly. Too clearly to be coming from a higher level with closed windows.

You saw a small basement window left half open. Crouching down in the dirt, you were just barely able to make out Sabo's silhouette in the dark cellar. He kicked at the door desperately, but you could see him starting to wear out. How long had he been down there?

If I had gone with him... This could've been avoided. The regret you feared began chipping away at you. I wish, if only, what if. Thoughts that would only kill you slowly if you let them fester.

But you could only change what happened now. "Sabo." You whispered.

He had just been about to break his shoulder by ramming into the door. Instead, he stopped too suddenly and toppled down the stairs, landing in front of the window you were peeking through.

His nose was bright red, and his eye bags hung heavy. "You're here." He whispered, his voice raw from pleading to be let out. "I'm sorry, I couldn't get out!"

"Don't be. I should've gone with you." You tried to smile, knowing it would ease him. "Should've known you needed me."

"I-" His ears went red. "I, um, I couldn't warn them. But there's still time." He picked up a worn tool from the ground, one he'd clearly tried and failed to use.

He nearly took your head off when he threw a crowbar through the small gap. You're lucky his aim was trash.

"Do you think you can—"

"Yeah," You nodded, already lodging it between the metal frame and the ground to widen the gap for him. You were done watching.

Sabo began piling old boxes, crates, and barrels to climb out. He'd reached the top just as you'd snapped the window off its hinges.

"You're good with that thing," Sabo joked as he crawled out, hat in one hand and pipe in the other.

You gave the crowbar a trial swing before refocusing. "We don't have much time." One look at the sky and you were both rushing past the gate and onto the streets.

Sabo didn't want to jinx it. He didn't see you pause as you ran down the hills towards Edge Town. "Are you coming with me?" He asked hesitantly.

You were quiet, saving your breath for the full-on sprint you were in. But the look in his eyes made him impossible to ignore. "Yeah."

He lit up. "We'll save them!" He stated confidently between heavy breaths. "We're together, so I'm sure it'll be okay!" He almost laughed, jumping down the steps.

For a moment, you let yourself believe him.

You turned the corner slowly, one arm stretched out to stop Sabo from rushing out blindly. Every soldier had a photo in their hands, no doubt his. (Your parents wouldn't want to cause such a massive scene)

It would still be hard to do anything unnoticed. You grumbled, frying your brain for a solution. There had to be a way to get past them—at least one of you.

Sabo leaned over your arm once he heard an ear-piercing screech. The large, metal doors at the gate began to slide shut. Every shift of the gears rumbled through the ground.

"They're trapping them," Sabo gripped his pipe tighter.

"I know." It was one thing to hear about the plan, but another to see it in action. No fire yet, but it was sure to follow.

Once that door was shut, you weren't getting it open again. You were on a timer.

You slipped the bandages off your arm and wrapped them around the crowbar for a better grip.

Just one of us has to make it through.

"I'll get through and warn everyone before everything goes down. The military will focus on me."

You didn't know if they'd delay everything to get you back; you were nobility after all. But... there was always a chance. You'd rather take that chance yourself than have your plan hurt Sabo, or worse.

"I just need you to make sure the door stays open. I don't think they'd risk fire spreading here."

Sabo hated where this was going.

"No!" He didn't want to split up. It was too soon for him to say goodbye. "Can't we both go?"

You didn't have time to argue. "Sabo, unless you can think of another plan in ten seconds, I'm doing it."

"I just got you back!" He grabbed your shirt. Why did you take the dangerous part of your plan? "Let me go, I'm stronger!"

The kid in you wanted to remind him that you were older and more experienced. You resisted. "They have your picture. You'll be caught the second you step out." The top hat was hard to miss.

"But-"

"Sabo!" You grabbed his shoulder. "I promise I'll be okay!" You smiled, ignoring how your hands were shaking. You just needed him to believe you. "Do you trust me?"

He swallowed, blinking away the tears. He couldn't cry in front of you. "...yeah"

"I'll find Ace and Luffy. I'll get everyone before the fire starts. But I need you to buy me time." You looked back at the door, panicking when you saw how close it was to shutting. "I gotta go! Don't you dare get caught!"

Sabo only let go because he had to. You ran, your lungs tight as you dodged guards who were mostly unaware of your presence.

With all the strength you could muster, you tossed the crowbar through the gap in the large gear. These doors were old, and so was their mechanism. One piece of scrap metal was enough to make it screech to a halt, but not for long.

"Over there!" The guard's voice carried far, alerting all her comrades.

This time, you were much closer to the door when you were spotted. You slipped through—the soldiers operating the doors jumped from their positions to grab you, but you were faster.

You made it out by a hair, hearing the panic ensue behind you. Guards argued over whether they should give chase or shut the doors but you didn't give a damn anymore.

I'm out.

You honestly missed the Grey Terminal's stench, but now was no time to reminisce. There would be no Grey Terminal if you didn't hurry.

You kept running, jumping over sharp scraps and broken planks. You needed to alert everyone as quickly as possible.

You grabbed two sheets of metal off the ground and began beating them together as hard as you could, walking towards the people's homes. Any minute now, this place could erupt into flames.

"Get out of here! Everyone! You need to RUN!" You called out as loud as you could. "WAKE U—"

Something punched the air out of your lungs.

The ringing noise pierced your ears before you registered the sound of the gunshot that preceded it.

You tried to speak, but all that came out was a wheeze as you fell to your knees. You held your middle, watching as blood fell past your fingers into the ground, still warm. You coughed, watching as more blood escaped you. You couldn't tell where it was coming from.

"Cut that out," A man's voice from behind you warned. He pressed the smouldering end of the gun to your shoulder.

A long, navy-coloured jacket with golden tassels came into view. The smell of cheap booze and tobacco clung to him like cologne.

People here didn't dress that extravagantly. He was no guard, noble, or local.

Shit.

Pirates... Of course, they were involved.

You would've found it ironic that this was how you were taken down had you not been scared out of your mind, trying to keep as much blood in you as you could.

I don't want to die. You thought, letting your forehead hit the ground, hoping the pain would keep you awake. Hold it in. Hold it in. Don't sleep. I'm not done yet.

The world went black just as you began to smell smoke.

I'm sorry.

"Who was that!?"

The guards looked at the photo of Sabo, confirming it wasn't him.

"Doesn't matter, shut the damn door already!"

"If they're a noble's kid, their death'll be on our heads!"

Sabo snuck past the arguing guards, using the opening you had made for him.

They left the crank unoccupied. Your crowbar was thoroughly lodged into the gap. There was no pulling it either way. So he'd make everyone's lives harder.

Sabo began to quietly disassemble the parts, removing whatever he could by hand: gears, screws, loose metal. He didn't even know what he was doing.

Not enough.

He dumped the scraps between the large cogwheels he couldn't remove. It'd be harder for them to recover the pieces.

BANG!

The sound of a gunshot startled him to the ground. What was that? He tried not to think of the worst-case scenario, but the image of you soaked in blood was hard to brush off.

Getting distracted was dangerous.

His arm was grabbed roughly. "What do you think you're doing!?" Sabo didn't hesitate. He grabbed his pipe and slammed it into the man's head.

I have to keep the door open. But other officers began to notice him.

"Hey, you have to evacuate!" A guard called out until he realised who it was. "It's the kid! Get him!"

The smell of smoke washed over Sabo.

He saw the blossoming red glow of fire spread beyond the walls. What?! They were supposed to close the doors first. He was supposed to buy you time.

Please be safe. It was the only thought he could spare you before he faced the guards.

He didn't falter for a moment, even when they approached with rifles in hand.

"You have to keep the door open!" He held his pipe out ahead of him. "People are going to die! How can you be so heartless!?"

"He's crazy." A guard shouted as he brought the back end of his rifle straight into Sabo's chest. He coughed, stumbling to the ground. The pain of the impact shot through his jaw and to his eyes, making them water.

It hurts, but I can take it. You can't be the only one getting hurt for the sake of others.

"Stay away from the lock!" Another guard came in as he got up, knocking him back down.

Soon enough, he was surrounded by men wearing gas masks, beating him into the ground. Were these really the protectors of the people? Cutting off the poor's escape from a hell of their making, beating anyone who dared show a shred of empathy...

Worst of all, Sabo was born on this side of the wall. He couldn't tell if the nausea came from the kick to his stomach or the thought of being anything like these people.

They left him in an alley, bloodied and bruised, barely able to crawl. The wind blew dirt in his face, as if this wasn't bad enough. He hoped you were doing better than him—he hoped Ace and Luffy were far from this place.

He craned his neck, wanting to look at the burning sky, but saw a cloaked figure standing over him.

For a grim moment, he thought he was going to be beaten again. But the person crouched down instead. "What happened to you, boy?"

He tried his best to focus, but his vision swam. He barely made out the features of an older man with marks on his face.

Sabo's heart jumped. Maybe he'll listen. Even if he was being optimistic, trying had to be worth something.

"The nobles and-" He started, choking on his shallow breaths. He willed himself not to pass out. "And the royalty... are behind the fire." He reached for the man's hand, gripping it with the last of his strength.

"Please believe me." The right words, the right tone. If he could convince just one person, things could change. "This town smells worse than the Grey Terminal."

He swallowed a sob, thinking of all those people who cared for him more than his blood parents.

"It smells rotten." His hand shifted higher onto the man's cloak. Was he even listening? Did it matter? He needed this off his chest. "If I stay here, I'll never be free." No matter what he did, he kept being dragged back.

"I'm..." The cry bubbled out of his throat before he could stop it. "I'm ashamed of being born a noble!"

The man stared at him in shock, muttering something to him. Sabo had taken too many hits to the head to hear properly. But the man didn't have that dirty look ever noble had; he didn't look at Sabo like he was another dumb kid. He looked... pleasantly surprised.

"You- You're really listening to me! Aren't you?!"

The man nodded and Sabo felt the last of his energy drain from his body. He collapsed forward into the man's arms.

You woke up to tears falling onto your face. Small hands violently shook you until you opened your eyes. You couldn't hear—your ears still rang—but you could barely make out Luffy's face through the flames. He was shouting, so you thought.

Others you didn't recognise surrounded you, panicking, prodding at your injury. You felt numb until someone pressed right against the bullet wound.

Your mouth opened. If you screamed that night, you would never know. They wrapped it tight, pushing harder against. The pain radiated to the rest of your body. Trying to breathe felt like drowning. The air was thick, clogging your nose and lungs until you were choking again.

The strangers took you on their backs, grabbing Luffy too but by force. You had a chilling moment of clarity once you saw him reach towards the fire. Where's Ace?

Hot.

You boiled beneath a blanket, the sun beating down on your face. Your clothes stuck to you, damp with sweat, most uncomfortable around your shoulders and waist.

Gross. It was like the cloth was glued to you. You shifted, trying to tug your shirt up to let air flow, only to realise you weren't wearing one. Itchy cloth was wrapped around your entire torso.

Wait. You opened your eyes, squinting as unfamiliar light clouded your vision. Where am I?

You tried to sit, pushing your arms up underneath you. You felt your body shake, as if unused to the strain of your own weight.

That's when someone screamed in your ear.

Your arms caved and you fell back onto what you now realised was a futon. Now that hurt. You hissed, clutching right beneath your heart.

"THEY'RE AWAKE!!!"

If your mouth didn't taste like shit, you would've yelled at him to shut up. You watched as a little boy with a straw hat ran for the door, only to fall face-first.

"Luffy..?" You didn't recognise your own voice.

He ran back to your side in seconds, clearly trying not to cry. "What happened?! We thought you- You and Sabo... Why wasn't Sabo with you- Is- Is he okay!?" The poor boy looked exhausted. He was covered in bandages too, but at least he could move.

"Sabo... I don't know," You muttered, trying to remember if you saw him after you escaped. You hoped he was okay. "I was supposed to warn everyone. The fire—" Your breath stuttered, chest shaking once you remembered your glimpses into the chaos.

"You did!" Luffy grabbed your hand, his lip trembling. "We heard gunshots. People started running before the fire started."

"I..." You felt the crushing weight on your chest ease. You hadn't failed—not completely. It didn't matter how people got the warning, as long as they fled. "I'm glad."

About a dozen or so bandits burst through the door. The only reason you didn't panic was that they looked just as scared as you.

The largest of the men hovered over you. If you were any more delirious, you would've thought he was a rooster.

"Try not to move too much... You were hurt badly." He helped you sit up, bringing a cup of water to your lips. You didn't realise how much you needed it until you finished the whole thing.

Luffy sat beside you the entire time, like you'd vanish if he looked away. It might've had something to do with the fact that his brothers weren't here.

You were pretty sure Sabo got away, hiding in Edge Town. But...

"Where's Ace?" A risky question.

Nobody answered. Luffy hugged his knees to his chest and looked at the door. "Ace and Dadan... haven't come back yet."

Nobody corrected him. You read the room and stayed quiet. No wonder he looked so relieved when you woke up. You didn't know how long he had waited. Poor boy had been all alone.

The tension was short-lived as another bandit (how many were there?) burst through the door, out of breath, and with tears in his eyes.

"Those two-!" Everyone but you and Luffy stood.

"What is it!?"

"They're back!"

Luffy was the first one out of the door, shoving past everyone. You only had enough strength to pull yourself up to the window to see what was—

Holy shit, Ace was carrying someone thrice his size. You assumed she was Dadan. You'd never actually met before. Even with her injured, she was intimidating. She looked like she crawled through hell and lived out of sheer will.

They were brought inside quickly.

You felt like an intruder. Luffy bawled his eyes out, clinging to Ace, while Dadan was being treated. Everyone in that room looked like they belonged, except for you.

You understood why Sabo waited to tell them where he was from. They all lead difficult lives, no thanks to those in power. It felt insensitive to try and relate to their struggles when your life sounded like a dream.

You sat in the corner, holding back any reactions you had to the pain clawing at you so as not to distract them. That heat from before stubbornly clung to you. You were starting to think you had a fever.

"Another kid?" Dadan was looking straight at you while she spoke. You couldn't read her expression like you could others'. Was she angry? Upset? Oh god she hates me already.

"They're the boys' friend." The rooster-man whispered to her.

Everyone panicked when she sat up. They tried to coax her back down, but she looked like she'd swing if they got too close.

The crowd looked between you and Dadan.

"Friend, huh." She grabbed the jug of water set out for her and chugged it.

You gulped.

She glared at her men. "Are you lot gonna sit here all day? You better not be slacking!" It was fun to see everyone try to scramble out before she could throw anything at them. Though you had a feeling she did that to have a one-on-one with you.

Ace and Luffy, dense as ever, didn't leave. Ace was yelling at Luffy to stop crying when he finally noticed you. His eyes went wide.

"You!"

This is going to be awkward. You hadn't seen him in months, and while Luffy didn't give a damn, Ace did.

"Do you know what you did to Sabo!?" He stormed forward, only held back by Dadan grabbing the back of his ratty top.

"Ace."

"No!" He pointed at you. "They don't get away with disappearing and coming back like it's nothing. Sabo waited for you every day! And now you're here when he's gone home!?"

"He isn't... he shouldn't be home." You tried to keep your voice steady. Ace looked confused. "I helped him escape. We went to the Great Gate together the night of the fire."

Dadan dragged Ace down to sit on the floor in an attempt to calm him down. It didn't work. "Then where is he?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean—"

"I don't know!" You dipped your head down. "We split up. He stayed on the other side to keep the door open. We thought... I thought it would delay their plans. I even thought some people could escape, but I guess that was stupid."

"So he's alone."

"..." It was hard to take a deep breath with a hole in your chest. "Yeah, I guess so."

Ace was right to be mad. Your plan had been rushed, not thought out in any way. It was selfish too. You wanted to be the one running into the fight for once, and you wanted Sabo to stay back and stay safe.

"Enough of that." Dadan smacked Ace's shoulder. It looked like it hurt. "That kid can take care of himself, so drop it!"

She turned her gaze to you. You felt like a fish on land being approached by a bear.

"You got somewhere to go?" She asked, lowering her voice.

That wasn't what you were expecting. She didn't ask where you were from or why you were staying here. You could see why Sabo liked it here.

You shook your head.

She expected that answer, but still sighed. "What's your name, kid?"

You introduced yourself, just the name everyone called you by, no need to be overly formal.

"Well, I don't want to take in any more brats. But if you're gonna stay here—" You never said you were staying, but interrupting her felt like a bad idea. "—you gotta earn your keep!"

Your people instincts kicked in. "You've already done a lot for me. I'd be happy to help in any way you need me to." You gave her your kindest smile. Those years of practising your facade weren't for nothing.

She went still, staring at you with wide eyes like you cursed her entire bloodline.

Did I say something wrong?

That's when Dadan slow-turned to Ace and Luffy with a scowl. "You lot oughta learn a thing or two from them."

Luffy stuck his tongue out and Ace shot you a look (which you returned with a smug grin since she wasn't looking). Dadan was going to be on their ass about manners thanks to you.

"Now scram," Dadan made a shooing motion as she lay back down. "Ace stay."

"What, why?"

"Just do it. And Luffy, help them out." She could see you struggling to breathe. You wouldn't be going anywhere without help for days.

Luffy jumped up from the floor and grabbed your arm. "Let's go find some beetles! We can make them fight."

Being carried by Luffy was even more awkward than being carried by Sabo. He hauled you onto his back and ran out, letting your feet drag against the floor.

Screw these little boys and their abnormal strength.

The wind was comforting, carrying the smell of wet vegetation and the coolness that came with the end of summer. You didn't get this kind of weather in town.

"Which beetle do you want?" Luffy held two massive bugs to your face.

You weren't interested—still hung up on Sabo—but Luffy didn't give you much of a choice. "The one with the big horn on its head."

He pouted, "Aw, but I wanted that one."

I can't with this kid. "Then why did you ask?"

"Because you look sad."

The observant answer shocked you. You gave him a smile and shook your head. "I'm just thinking."

"...about Sabo?"

Maybe he wasn't as dumb as you thought he was. "Yeah."

"Me too." Luffy put the beetles down, letting them clash while he egged them on with a stick. "But it's okay, because he's gonna come. And if he doesn't, we can go get him!" Luffy's little giggles lifted your mood.

"Who's we?" You asked with a smile.

"Me, you, and Ace, duh!" He said it like it was the simplest thing in the world.

"Me, who was shot, and Ace, who ran through fire and survived in the woods?"

Luffy frowned, picking up the bug who'd lost. "You think too hard."

You tried not to laugh when he seemed so serious. "You don't think enough."

Your attention was stolen by rustling from the bushes. You expected a wild animal. Instead, a short man with binoculars hanging from his neck walked out, stunned.

"Oh, Dogra!" Luffy waved, the poor beetle still in his hand.

Another bandit, you assumed, but he looked... scared? No, that wasn't the right word. It looked like he was reeling from shock, sweat running down his face.

"Ace and Dadan are back!"

"Yeah? T-That's great." He didn't sound ecstatic like the others. You found it suspicious, but kept your mouth shut. "You two should go inside... I need to talk to everyone."

A nightmare, that's what it was. Sabo's dead. The words tauntingly echoed in your head.

Ace was shouting, lashing out, denying; he even grabbed Dogra and raised a fist to punch him. Luffy cried when he realised it was too late, that nothing he could do would change the fact that...

Their brother was gone.

Killed by a Celestial Dragon.

It's not fair. His life hadn't even started—he didn't make it off the island, didn't die at sea as a proud pirate. He was shot down before the world got to meet him.

Your brain did what it did best. Spiralled.

If only...

You had listened. If he had gone while you stayed, would he have set off with his brothers instead? Would he have used a different port? Would he have waited?

If only...

You had a better plan. If you were smarter, if you thought things through that night, you could've both left together.

If only...

Instead of running that day, months ago, you told him the truth. That you wanted to go with him. You want to be a pirate, you want to follow him across the world on whatever adventures he'd drag you into. You wanted to see the world beyond books and paintings.

Did he die thinking he had no choice but to go alone?

Tears ran down your face. You couldn't hug yourself if you wanted to with the wound on your chest. Crying hurt, every violent movement of your lungs felt like it would tear more holes into you.

Then a truly vile thought infected your mind.

I should've died that night.

You wondered if the others thought so too.

You cried all night. Not non-stop, but enough to keep you miserable. You didn't recall falling asleep, but you woke up, tucked in with a fresh change of bandages and clothes set beside you.

Luffy wasn't far. He was asleep on the futon beside you, still sniffling.

Your head was full of fog. The sun wasn't as bright as it had been the morning before; warm blankets brought you no comfort. You pressed your head back into the pillow, hoping you'd fall asleep again.

You didn't want to be awake. You didn't want to think anymore.

There was a gentle knock at the door. A bandit walked in, holding a folded paper. There was no point pretending to be asleep.

"Good, you're awake." He handed it to you and quickly fled, as if afraid of your reaction.

A letter? You took the slip of paper, confused. Nobody should've known where you were.

Sabo

You saw his name scribbled onto the front.

...

He must've sent it before...

Could you even handle its contents in your state? You were tempted to hide it, read it when you were ready. But you knew you never would be.

If you didn't read it now, you'd never get to it.

Y/N, I don't know where you went after the fire. I like to think that you found my brothers (or they found you). Either way, I believe you're okay! You promised after all. Sorry, but when you get this letter I'll already be...

You wiped away the tear that landed on the paper.

...out at sea. My destination will be anywhere but here. I'm gonna become stronger and become a real pirate. Then, I'll ask you to join my crew! I was going to ask before, but I guess I wasn't strong enough. I always looked up to you. You're just so cool! I couldn't imagine you saying yes until I proved myself. Would you have said yes?

Yeah. You would've.

I still have a lot to say... but I'd rather tell you in person! One day, let's meet again! Somewhere on the wide open sea. But by that point, you might have your own crew. You'd make a great captain. P.S. If you decide to stay with Dadan and the others, please take care of my brothers like you took care of me! They're my greatest treasure. - Sabo

A noise you weren't familiar with left your mouth. You're so mean. How dare he leave you with such a heartfelt letter? How dare he make you smile when you were busy sobbing your eyes out!

How dare he promise to see you out at sea... Now you had no choice.

You didn't fight the smile on your face or the tears that burned your eyes.

Your future has never been clearer.

Time flew by.

In the morning, you'd help Dadan. Her words were loud and harsh, but you could tell you had grown on her. She didn't yell at you nearly as much as the other two, even if you were more comfortable starting trouble now.

It was freeing, not being afraid of adults. She wasn't your mother, and you were fine with that. 'Dadan' was her own class, more special than any parent in your life had been.

Every day, you went out to train—sometimes alone, sometimes with Ace and Luffy. You watched them grow in Sabo's place. Every day, they got a little stronger, a little closer to their dreams.

And every day, you pushed yourself to stay ahead. You were older after all! You couldn't let them show you up.

You became a fun challenge for them to overcome.

"It's not fair!" Luffy complained, trying to pull his arm out of the tree he'd punched a hole through.

"Pirates don't fight fair," You teased, poking the back of his knees with a crowbar you'd stolen. He lost his footing and, like a rubber band, his body snapped to the tree in seconds.

You winced in sympathy. "Better luck next time!" You moved just in time to dodge Ace's hit. You held the crowbar out, tripping him.

"Damn it—" He got a mouthful of mud.

To be fair, you guys had been at it for hours now. No wonder they were exhausted.

Seeing the orange hues paint the sky reminded you of the time. "Alright, that's enough for today."

"NO! One more!" Luffy called out, still stuck in the tree.

"Help your brother out." You told Ace as you stepped over him.

"Don't tell me what to do," He grumbled, but listened anyway. You seriously needed to teach him some manners.

They didn't know, but tonight was special.

Once everybody went to sleep, you snuck out, only taking a matchbox.

The stars were never this vibrant in High Town. You lay down on the grassy cliff overlooking the sea, letting the smell of salt lull you. Soon, you'll smell it all day, every day.

You held a single match out in front of the moon.

It didn't have to be exactly midnight. You smiled and pushed yourself into a relaxed, half-sit.

Shwip.

It sparked to life. You watched the wood burn slowly as the flame danced.

Warm.

You could've spent hours staring at it, but you had a life to get to.

"Happy birthday to me." You smiled and blew it out. The darkness reclaimed the area around you. You remembered when seventeen used to feel far away.

"I'll be setting off." You casually dropped that on Ace the next morning in the woods. You'd already 'bought' a boat months ago in preparation; you could've left while everyone slept but...

The boulder was your favourite seat! You wanted to sit on it in the sun one last time. You jumped off the stone, giving it a small farewell pat before walking past the stunned teen.

His 'tough guy' expression faltered. "What? Just like that?"

"Yeah, got a problem?" You teased.

"No I... thought you'd leave without saying anything." He knew you well. "Did you stick around to say goodbye?" You'd noticed that after Sabo, Ace had somewhat settled. You'd even argue that he matured!

"Hmmm... Not my style." You hummed, watching the waves crashing in the distance, your bag slung over your shoulder.

…

"Aren't you gonna tell Luffy?"

You almost laughed at that. What he didn't know was that you weren't even planning on telling him! He just happened to be at your last stop.

"You can do that for me."

Ace sighed, realising how much work you just dumped onto him. "He's not gonna be happy…"

You stuck your tongue out and smiled, "He'll forgive me, maybe when we see each other again out there." You paused. "Oh! And send Dadan my thanks! She did more for me than any blood family."

"Do it yourself! I'm not your messenger bird!"

You pretended not to hear him, staring at the Sun in the sky. "Would you look at the time! I gotta get going! Bye~"

"Hey!"

You ran, not for your life, or away from one. You ran towards a new start, your chest light and your bones buzzing with excitement.

You hoped the ocean was ready for you. You were more than ready to conquer it!

The End!

.

.

.

Bonus:

Many years later...

Sabo smiled at the paper, thumb brushing past your picture. Right below it: your name, DEAD OR ALIVE, and your bounty.

"One day," He tucked your wanted poster into his pocket.