"I'm going with you." You stated, stubbornly crossing your arms over your chest as Sabo stared at you with a concerned, yet denying expression. 

"It can be dangerous, and I don't want you to risk your life. Koala, Hack and I are enough to go to Dressrosa." He desperately wanted you to change your mind, but that would not happen anytime soon. 

"Actually, you know I'm strong enough to stand whatever will come there." She started, frowning deeply as if to emphasize her dissatisfaction. "And I can't stay here wondering if you will be okay-"

"(Y/N)..." Sabo sighed, adjusting his hat. "I'll be okay." 

"That's not enough!" Koala then walked into the room having overheard the conversation from the corridor, and came up to pat Sabo's shoulder.

"We should let her come. She hasn't been to a real mission yet." 

"Hey, since when have you been listening?" 

"Anyway, (Y/N), you're coming!" Your eyes started sparkling, but only during a brief second, until Sabo cleared his throat in annoyance.

"I never said that."

"We don't need your opinion." The blond was at the verge of fuming, face almost red; this fact brought a silent laugh to your lips.

"Of course it's necessary! I'm the leader." Teasingly, Koala started mimicking his aggravated movements, which only seemed to make his anger grow further. When he couldn't bear it any longer, he left the room, hastily pushing the door open, and mumbling to himself; some curses left his lips from time to time, and you swore he even wanted you both to hear them. Koala sighed when he was far away from the room.

"What a child." Your gaze softened as it was settled on the now empty doorway, where Sabo had disappeared instants ago.

"I think this won't help..." You muttered, shaking your head and dashing out of the room, ignoring Koala's calls; calls which died down soon enough, but you weren't sure if it was because you gained distance fairly quickly or because said girl gave up too soon. Knowing her, probably both.

Not too long later, you found Sabo outside, blankly staring at the landscape, which looked beautiful being late afternoon. With gentle steps, you approached him, trying not to startle him, or make him go away. He was too deep in thought to actually notice you.

Once you were standing next to him he didn't make a move, either. You couldn't know if it was because he was ignoring you or a dream had invaded his mind while fully awake.

"Hey..." You called then, having had enough of the blowing wind that arose some dun dust from the ground and whistled with an uncomfortable, silence-breaking noise. He didn't jump, nor look surprised, so you realized that he had been, indeed, ignoring your presence. 

"What do you want?" He asked exasperatedly, and you subconsciously shifted in discomfort. His tone made it apparent that he was annoyed, maybe angry. Probably angry. Clearing your throat, you carefully patted his arm. He didn't withdraw nor backed away, and that was a good sign after all.

"I'm sorry for all the mocking. It's just that you are worrying in vain." You tried to convince him, but he didn't seem too fond of the idea of letting you go with them.

"I don't want anything happening to you." He stated briefly, finally turning his head to you. His full gaze on you made you weirdly uncomfortable, as it was intense and penetrating. "I won't lose someone I love again." 

"I lost Ace as well, Sabo, and I know just how painful it is, as well as you." The memory of his deceased sibling turned his look obscure, and his hands clenched into strong fists. 

"I know." He answered then, heaving the deep breath you noticed he had been holding. "It's just not easy to trust a situation like the one that will come."

"Of course." Agreeing was everything you could do, as you knew he was right. Going to Dressrosa was, for sure, something risky, and you understood that. "But I wouldn't stand losing you either." You added, our voice as soft as a feather. This made him flinch, before he shook his head.

"My life isn't more important than yours." You smiled gently.

"Our lives are just as important. That's why we need each other to make sure none leave the other's side, right?" His eyes that had been averted seconds ago came once again over yours, some reasoning deep within them; you knew you had a point, and also did him. 

"You're strong." He admitted, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips, and your shoulders lifted in a shrug. "Sorry for underestimating you." With eagerness, you wrapped your arms around his body in a side-hug, humming.

"I'm concerned as well." Some seconds slipped away as you hugged him in acknowledging silence. You chuckled then, earning a questioning sound from the blond man. "It's just that Dressrosa is the so known Country of Love, Toys and Passion." Your chuckle evolved into a girly giggle as romantic plans popped into your mind. Sabo playfully rolled his eyes.

"Don't get a wrong idea. Hack and Koala are coming as well." Puffing your cheeks, his voice left him in an amused hum. "But that doesn't stop me from organizing a night together one day of these..."

"Really?!" You jumped excitedly, gripping his arm as if your life consisted of it while your eyes sparkled like those of his younger brother. He chuckled, nodding his head. 

"But..." He added, adding to the intrigue by trailing off. The air around you turned thick as you waited for him to continue. And he did... when you started shaking him and loudly whining for him to continue. "Koala won't know."

"What won't I know?" Her voice echoed into the emptiness of the place and you both flinched. Waving your hands, you pulled away from Sabo, who just started whistling to the passing, cottony clouds. 

"It's just that I will go with you!" You chirped, trying to distract the brunette. She tilted her head, but a wide grin soon spread all the way to her ears almost.

"That's great!"

That night, as everyone was fast asleep, you started shifting in your own slumber. It wouldn't be a dreamless sleep, apparently, but you could only know when it is too late.
Nightmares didn't haunt you as often now, but that night it was different. Again, you saw how Ace died, the hole in his chest becoming blurrier as you gaze filled with tears. Then, the scenario changed; it was a place you knew well, it was island Baltigo, where your base was settled.

It was dark, nighttime, and you didn't know what to do, where to go. Before you knew it, there was sunlight again, and you gasped, seeing something move in the horizon.

As you started running, whatever it was that was moving ran away from you as well, but you ended realizing that it was a ship. A huge one. And there, standing on deck, was Sabo, accompanied by Koala and Hack. 

They were going without you.

"H-Hey! Guys!" You tried to call, but there was no echo, despite the nothing that surrounded you. The loud wind shushed your cries, as the ship sailed away, leaving you on dry land. You fell to your knees, a newspaper coming into your sight in front of you.

The first page held the most horrid title you had ever read, and as your hands gripped it to make sure it was just a joke, tears gathered in your eyes.

Three Revolutionaries assassinated. 

And there, under the dark title and next to the dizzy text was a photo that showed your friends and loved ones slaughtered in the most horrible way you had ever witnessed. It made you feel sick, but you couldn't come to take your eyes off it, hands gripping the pages so hard that some blood fell to the ground as your nails dug into the palm of your hands, adding more crimson to the bloody news.

"No..." You whispered, tears literally burning your skin as you felt yourself fade into ashes. "NO!!"

"(Y/N)!" Sabo shook you awake, and once you opened your eyes, a breathless gasp left your lips. "Are you okay? It was just a nightmare."

"I... I... I saw you dead. And Koala... And Hack and... Oh, God!" You sobbed, gripping his button shirt for dear life as you stained it with salty drops. He held you close, lying on bed and dragging you with him.

"I'm sorry that you had to go through something as terrible, but... I must admit that I had a nightmare as well..." Your bloodshot eyes stared up at him as you sniffled and sobbed and kept tearing up. 

"Did you?" He slowly nodded his head, and hugged you tightly.

"I was losing you as well." You nuzzled his chest as he kept talking. "And it was horrible... so I will do my best to protect you at Dressrosa."

"I... I won't let you die either." He smiled at your confession, and kissed the top of your head before closing his eyes.

"Come on. Nightmares won't hunt you down if I'm hugging you, okay?" You giggled, yawning soundly as your eyes closed to drive you into a deep sleep again, hopefully with no dreams, no nightmares, just emptiness and calm.