Note/Warnings: ...In retrospect, I probably shouldn't be starting another drabble/ficlet/one shot series while I'm swamped with homework, I'm limited to my phone, and I have other fics to work on... I'm doing it anyways.
Chapters will range in length and while some will be connected, others won't. (Like, AU chapters, you know.)
All of them will focus on Ace/Fem!Luffy (or Lucy).
CHAPTER 1: Comfort.
Sniffles and shaky breaths can be heard clearly in the quiet room. Blankets russtle and Ace knows that Lucy is rubbing tear filled eyes.
It had been two days since the two had made a promise to Sabo. Two whole days.
They promised that they would be strong and live a life without regrets, but that didn't stop the pain from taking hold of their hearts and holding on for dear life.
They were staying at Dadan's at the moment instead of their treehouse - too many memories of laughter and joy and fights and of that familiar, familiar boy with curly blond hair and a missing tooth that they would never see again in this life.
Ace's throat feels tight as he tries not to think about his best friend, but its hard. He reminds himself in his sleepy state that he promised Sabo something else. That he would protect the hopelessly clumsy crybaby girl. (He may not voice it out, but for once, Ace can't really blame her for crying.)
Lucy breaths in a sob and hiccups, causing Ace's eyes to tighten shut and his jaw to clench, trying to fall back asleep until he can't take it anymore. The eleven year old sits up and reaches over so he can touch Lucy.
The rubber girl jumps with a hiccup and quickly turns around when she feels Ace's touch.
Her lips and eyes are both red and swollen, snot threatens to drip from her nose. Strands of black hair stick to her cheeks, damp from the tears. Even still, thick tears fill her eyes and roll down her cheeks.
"A-ace," she starts, quiet and still hiccuping. Ace expects the smaller body being flung into him, clutching on as if he were her lifeline.
He feels that familiar irritation and warmth in his stomach that he always got when dealing with the younger child, but it wasn't as intense as usual. He was mainly just tired and sad, yet determined.
For once, he doesn't bop Lucy over the head for clinging onto him. Instead, he wraps a reluctant arm around her back and pulls her down to his sleeping bag.
He can feel himself falling back asleep the moment his head hits the pillow, but he wills himself to stay awake while Lucy burries her nose into his neck and cries, warm tears meeting his skin.
Ace is hesitant but he runs one of his hands through Lucy's knotted, messy hair, the other hand rubs a circle in her tiny back; he had seen both Sabo and Makino doing this to the girl when she was upset.
Sure enough, her sobs slow until she's shaking slightly, fingers clutched tight to Ace's shirt. From her breathing, the tired boy can tell she's still awake.
A minute or two passes, with Ace still rubbing her back and on the verge of sleep.
Lucy's breath hitches shakily before becoming calmer and she shifts her position so she can properly wrap her arms against Ace.
If warm, swollen lips press against a freckled cheek in thanks, the two children don't say anything about it; one of them already fast asleep and the other slowly closing their eyes to join her sleeping companion.
Note: ...I'd say that there probably won't be other sad/bittersweet chapters but then I'd be a liar. Please leave a review on the way out on what you thought!