Ace

The homecoming dance ended with smiles; the only thing Ace could have wished to be different was having had the guts to ask (Y/N) to the dance himself. He hopes he can ask her next year. The following days were calm but he had started to notice something as the week went by and into the next. Grant watched (Y/N). Now he knows (Y/N) catches a lot of attention even if she didn't notice it herself, people admired her. But the look in Grant's eyes wasn't anything positive and it did not sit well with Ace, he wasn't the only person who noticed either.

Shachi drops into the seat beside him in History, Ace raises a brow as Shachi usually sits with Penguin, "I asked Koala to swap for the day," he answers the silent question, "there's something I want to discuss with you,"

"Oh?" Ace sits up a little, "shoot,"

"It's about Grant," Shachi says looking serious, Ace's expression darkens, "So you've noticed too. I tried to broach the subject with (Y/N) but she immediately locks up diverts the conversation,"

"Yeah, there's something going on," Ace rests his chin on his clenched fist, "but she's the same with me when I try to ask her, she doesn't want to talk about it,"

"It's kind of infuriating," they both share a small smile knowing they both feel the same, "what do we do?"

"I don't know," Ace frowns again, "he keeps trying to approach her if she's on her own, so I've been trying to make sure she isn't... but it's hard as I don't know if she shares many classes with him,"

"I know he's in Art with us, but other than that," Shachi shrugs, "she will get suspicious if we ask,"

"Maybe if we ask Vivi, I could ask her next lesson," Ace suggests,

"Good idea," he nods in response, "I'm just getting worried, the way he watches her is unnatural, and she's scared of him,"

"You noticed that too?"

"Yeah, he approached her at the dance while I was getting her a drink." The teacher comes in effectively halting their conversation as the lessons task is set out, after they continue discussing things about Grant in hushed voices before going their separate ways to their next classes.

"I need a favour Vivi," Ace voices as soon as she sits down, she looks at him questioningly, "I need to know how many classes (Y/N) shares with Grant," she frowns at him,

"If it was anyone else asking, I'd be concerned you're being kind of stalker like," she shakes her head and holds up her hand to stop any response Ace would have, "but, I know you care about her a lot and this is about Grant right?" receiving a nod from the raven haired boy Vivi continues, "I don't like him, you know she had that panic attack moments after he came into homeroom,"

"So, he was the cause of it," Ace sighs annoyed, "has she spoken to you about him?"

"No, she just keeps pushing it off, saying they just knew one another from Sabaody, but it's definitely more than that... maybe I can ask Camie, but I feel like that's a betrayal of (Y/N)'s trust,"

"Yeah... for now we just watch him, and keep him away from (Y/N)," Ace leans back on his stool, "do you know if he's in any of her classes?"

"Yes, he's in our English and History classes, I think he's in her Geography class too. I'll ask Killer, he's in that class," Ace thanks her and falls deep in thought as the class begins.

It's later that week when he spots (Y/N) alone between classes at her locker, he also spots Grant. Grant slows his paces as Nami appears by her side and Ace takes this moment to drop an arm over the guys shoulders, "Let's talk," not giving the guy room to argue he drags him off away from the girls,

"What the hell man," Grant shrugs him off, "what do you want?"

"I'll be asking the questions here, not you. What do you want with (Y/N)?"

"Can't two old friends just talk?" Grant smirks,

"No, because we both know that's bull, you two aren't friends," Ace crosses his arms over his chest,

"Oh, she told you about it has she?" Grant leans against the wall and his smirk deepens as Ace twitches, "or maybe not, I bet she hasn't. For all you know, I could be her boyfriend,"

"An idiot wouldn't even believe that," Ace growls, "why are you watching her?"

"Because it unnerves her?" the guy shrugs and chuckles, "she's amusing to watch as she plays friends with you guys," he shakes his head, "piece of advice for ya pal, she isn't what you think, and it's kind of pitiful how you guys think she's..." Ace slams his fist into the wall beside his head, sparks flying off him and effectively shutting Grant up,

"How about I give you a piece of advice hmm pal? stay the fuck away from her," he then steps back, giving Grant a warning glare before walking off.

"So... what was that about?" Ace jumps slightly as Sabo comes up beside him,

"What was what about?" acting innocently he continues walking,

"Oh, I don't know, maybe the scorch marks on the wall back there,"

"I didn't leave scorch marks," Ace rebuffs then scowls at Sabo's triumphant grin, "look I can't explain it right now okay?"

"Fine, but I expect some answers at some point."

That evening Luffy drags (Y/N) over to the Newgate house, wanting her to play games with him. Upon entering however, Thatch corners the four of them at the door, "Excellent, you brought extra hands,"

"Uh..." (Y/N) glances at Ace only to receive a shrug,

"These still need filling out," he holds up a pile of papers,

"Oh, the invites," Sabo mutters, Luffy groans and tries to make a run for it but Marco is behind Thatch ready to catch him,

"Now, now, it's a family tradition to fill these in together yoi," he chuckles carrying the wriggling boy into the dining room,

"You don't mind helping us out do you (Y/N)?" Thatch asks the girl,

"Well... sure, I've got nothing better to do," she shrugs,

"Great," Thatch shoves the invites into Sabo's hands before wrapping his arms around (Y/N) and Ace's shoulders and corralling them into the dining room where Marco is threatening to tie Luffy to the chair unless he does some, "You'll stay for dinner too yes, Pops would love it,"

"Ah, sure..." Thatch makes the pair sit next to one another,

"Ace will show you the ropes," Ace narrows his eyes at his eldest brother, feeling like he's up to something,

"So, what are these for?" she asks as Thatch moves off, Ace blinks then snaps his gaze to you,

"I completely forgot... I'm so used to everyone just knowing because we do it every year," he rubs his face, "we have an annual Halloween party,"

"Every year..." she looks over the large number of invites, "how big of a party...?"

"Well we invite all our friends, which when you take Luffy into account, that's a lot, Pop's also has people he invites every year. You'll come right?" her gaze flicks up to his and she looks thoughtful, "You don't have to dress up if you don't want to,"

"Would be kind of wrong to go to a Halloween party without being in costume," she chuckles, "I've never been to one before... haven't exactly been to a party, not since I was seven," she shrugs,

"Does that mean you'll come?" a slow smile stretches across his face,

"Sure, just don't be surprised if I run away back home if it gets a little too much,"

"We can't have that," Ace clucks his tongue, "If it gets too much, just run to me instead," he grins cheekily and chuckles as you roll your eyes,

"Hmm, we'll see,"

"Aww, aren't the two of them just adorable together," Thatch nudges Marco, grinning from his seat,

"I don't know, I don't really want to be witness to our brother's lame ass flirting with his girlfriend yoi," Marco snickers as (Y/N) blushes a little, Ace scowls at his older brothers about to lay into them when Luffy perks up,

"Wait, (Y/N) is Ace's girlfriend? Since when? Why didn't you tell me?" he pouts looking hurt,

"That's because we're not Luffy," Ace quickly answers, (Y/N) nodding in agreement, Luffy frowns then,

"Why not then?" he asks innocently,

"Yeah Ace, why not yoi?" Marco snickers, Ace sends him a death glare as (Y/N) turns a brighter red,

"Cut it out, you'll confuse him,"

"Seems you're avoiding the question," Thatch hums in amusement,

"Do you not want to be Ace's girlfriend (Y/N)?" Luffy turns to (Y/N), "Are you okay, you're really red. Are you ill!" Luffy starts to worry,

"No, no, I'm fine Luffy honest," (Y/N) pushes at his hands as the boy tries to check her temperature, Sabo meanwhile is laughing his head off at the situation. Everything calms down though as 'Pops' walks in. Ace shares a small apologetic smile with her as they continue with the invites, she returns it with a small, still slightly flustered, smile of her own.