There would be times when Ace couldn’t get in contact with you whatsoever. You wouldn’t answer when he’s shouting out your name. No one would know where you’ve been in the past few hours. It seemed just as if you completely vanished into thin air, leaving no trace whatsoever for him to follow.

And yet at the end of those particular nights, you’d come back to the camping site or the ship, hardly a scratch on your body and even less of an explanation as to your whereabouts.

The day Ace figured it out was an accident. The crew had already gotten used to your occasional disappearance and expected for you to return by nighttime. However, they weren’t particularly pleased about the young man’s reckless behavior that day.

In an attempt to escape their annoying nagging and anyone else really, Ace scaled up a mountain to fume in peace and solidarity — only to find you already comfortably seated against a rock, silently watching the sunset.

It was then that he realized you’ve always been there for the same reason.

At first, he sat a distance away from you, not wanting to disturb your peace. But when you acknowledged him and began talking to him casually, the two of you unknowingly created what would be your usual hideout spot.

Now, whenever you’re gone, Ace knows to look for you in the highest point of land or a ship. This time, he catches you perched right by the edge of a cliffside, one leg dangling off and the other being hugged close to your body.

You… look more dazed than usual.

“A berry for your thoughts?” he teases lightly as he settles down next to you, a relaxed smile gracing his lips. You hum, eyes glued to the setting sun.

After a moment of hesitation, you whisper, lost in thought, “what would you do if the world ends tonight?”

His eyes widen with surprise, and he turns to stare at you with a conflicted expression.