Chapter Text
1
Trafalgar Law huffed in frustration as he cleaned the monster guts from Kikoku’s blade. “Dammit, Mugiwara-ya,” he muttered because he knew the captain of the Straw Hats had an uncanny knack for running into trouble. That was exactly why he’d told Bepo to skip this island when they spotted the Sunny off the coast, but the mink used logic (they needed to restock on food and medical supplies) and pulled at the captain’s heartstrings (the crew needed fresh air and to stretch their legs) to deny him.
While walking around the town Law had heard about a semi-rare plant, said to hold untold medicinal properties, that grew along the southern side of the island. And, as a doctor, he couldn’t exactly overlook such a rumor. So he parted ways with his crew and set out to find the elusive plant. Along the way, he ran into the Straw Hat Captain who was being attacked by three wild Sasori – scorpions the size of a full-grown man and capable of spraying their venom up to thirty feet.
The Surgeon of Death could’ve taken the creatures out on his own if he didn’t have to keep out of his ex-ally’s way. Because Monkey D. Luffy was incapable of letting someone else take point in anything – especially when it came to fighting. In the end, the two devilfruit users made quick work of their opponents, even if Luffy was fighting like a child with their eyes closed.
The doctor grumbled something incoherent as he slid his weapon back into its sheath, cursing the other captain, even though he knew the younger man didn’t go around starting fights without cause.
“Ugh! Torao?” Law grunted in annoyance and glanced toward his fellow captain, who was furiously rubbing at his eyes.
“What is it, Mugiwara-ya?” Law responded, more than a little annoyed. He needed to get back to his crew.
Luffy pulled his hands away from his face and blinked several times. “I can’t see.”
Law froze. “What?”
“I said, ‘I can’t see’.”
Well, that explains a lot.
“Why not?” Law asked, quickly approaching the other captain.
“I dunno,” Luffy puffed out his cheeks like a child. “When you showed up, one of them sprayed me in the eye.”
“Shit. I’m sorry,” Law apologized, mentally berating himself for distracting the other. “Here, let me take a look.” He gently placed his right hand on Luffy’s face to hold him still as he leaned in to examine his eyes. Luffy shifted away at the sudden contact. “Please hold still,” Law said and was surprised when his companion did. Luffy’s eyes were red from irritation and the irises were cloudy, but Law didn’t think it looked too bad. It would probably clear up within the next twenty-four hours. Still, he wanted to thoroughly examine them before he said anything.
“You’re really close.”
Law’s body went rigid for the second time as he realized Luffy was right. Their faces were inches apart. Golden went flicked down to the Straw Hat captain’s lips and Law swallowed as thoughts he could have sworn he’d gotten rid of flooded his brain. Feelings he was convinced he was over exploded in his chest. He looked back into Luffy’s eyes and was suddenly glad the other captain couldn’t see him as a blush dusted his cheeks.
“Torao~?” Luffy dragged out the butchered version of his name as he started shifting again. “Can I move now?”
Law drew in a sharp breath, retracting his arm and taking a step back. “Ah, uh-” he cleared his throat. “Um, yeah. G-go ahead.”
“Shishishi,” Luffy snickered, swinging his arms as he rocked back and forth on his feet. “Why’s Torao nervous?”
Law’s blush spread to his ears. “I’m not nervous,” he lied. “I’m going to take us to the Polar Tang so we can-” he started, raising his hand to make a room when the Straw Hat captain interrupted.
“Are you gonna ‘poof’ us there?” Luffy’s features soured at the idea. Law stared at him for several seconds.
“‘Poof’?” He asked. Was that what this manchild called Law’s devilfruit ability?
“Yeah, ‘poof’,” Luffy repeated. “Like when you make things disappear.”
“It’s not ‘poof’, it’s more like-” Law shook his head as he cut himself off. This wasn’t a discussion they should be having. Ever. “I need to get a better look at your eyes, Mugiwara-ya, and all my stuff is on my sub, so yeah, I’m going to . . . ‘poof’ us over there.”
“I don’t wanna ‘poof’!” Luffy protested, crossing his arms and pouting.
“Why not?” Law replied. His attempt to sound annoyed just ended up sounding tired to his own ears. He needed to get this over with before his heart made him do something his brain was sure would be a mistake.
“I have to know where I am!”
“What does that have to do with-?”
“I know I’m outside and there’s trees and plants around me right now. If you ‘poof’ us, I won’t know anything about my surroundings.”
Law blinked. Twice. “Then how are we going to get you over there?” He asked.
“You could go grab your stuff and come back,” Luffy responded, looking pleased with himself for coming up with such a brilliant solution.
“That’s not happening,” Law deadpanned. The younger frowned, humming.
“Then we’ll have to walk.”
A rubber hand was held with the expectation that Law – the Surgeon of Death – would take it. That he would guide his rival safely. Make sure he didn’t stumble and fall. And if it was anyone else, he would have rolled his eyes and teleported them to their destination. Or just abandoned them entirely.
But the heart beating in his chest was overflowing with desire. Luffy was offering his hand. Law was being given a completely valid reason to hold hands with this crazy, monstrous creature who exuded hope and positivity in his own childish way.
“C’mon, Torao,” Luffy wiggled his fingers invitingly, pulling Law out of his thoughts. The older man took a breath to ready himself and reached out, hesitating momentarily before grasping the open hand. Instantly, he noted how warm the hand was, how soft it felt, and how right it felt in his own. As if Luffy’s hands were made for Law to hold.
“Let’s go,” Law said, voice barely above a whisper as he started on the path back to the town. Luffy followed too easily. He was too trusting. Sometimes Law wondered if the straw hat captain knew their alliance had ended.
A part of him hoped he didn’t.
(A part of him wishes it hadn’t.)
Their journey was slow-going, as Law took the safest path and kicked anything that might trip his companion up out of the way. Luffy was being unbelievably patient with him, passing his time by telling Law stories of his crew’s adventures in such a way that it was almost impossible to follow. But Law listened to every word. He let Luffy’s voice drown out every other sound. At some point, he couldn’t exactly pinpoint when, Law realized he’d been smiling, and he almost forced himself to stop, but . . . they were alone and Luffy couldn’t see him. So the smile stayed.
Law was so intent on his task – his entire focus zeroing in on Luffy – that he didn’t realize they’d reached running water until the younger captain stopped a story in the middle of a sentence to say, “River?”
And Law will never admit it took a few seconds for him to figure out what Luffy was talking about. Eventually, the rest of the world came back into focus and Law heard running water behind him so he turned his head to see what it was.
The island they were on, Kekleros, was originally a volcano until earthquake after earthquake shifted it under the God Storm – a rather large accumulation of rain clouds that never seemed to move or diminish. The rainwater collected in the volcano until it overflowed, running down the outside in a waterfall until it turned into a river running toward the sea.
“Yeah, we’re at God River,” the doctor said, trying to sound like the water hadn’t snuck up on him. The river wasn’t very wide, but since Luffy didn’t want to be teleported around, Law was going to have to find another way across. He subconsciously let go of the hand he was holding and moved toward the river to get a better idea of what they were up against. Before he could take more than a single step away from his ex-ally, however, rubber arms encircled him thrice and pulled him back to where he’d left the other. “Oof! Mugiwara-ya!” He exclaimed, trying to mask his nervousness with a harsh tone. He was almost certain that his face was about to catch fire.
“Don’t let go!” Luffy command, voice muffled by Law’s shirt. The older man looked down at the mess of black hair in front of him, praying that Luffy couldn’t feel how fast his heart was beating. “You can’t just let go, Torao!”
With anyone else, Law would grunt some version of ‘fuck you, I do what I want’. But with Luffy, all he could say was a pitiful, “Sorry.”
This, it seemed, was the correct response, because as soon as that one word was uttered, the rubber-man’s grip on him loosened.
“Good,” Luffy nodded, pulling away and lifting his head so his fog-filled eyes could meet Law’s, unknowingly stealing his breath away. Golden eyes trailed down to the younger’s lips once again and Law swallowed as his mind wandered. What did they taste like? How would they feel against his? He could feel a familiar heat spread through him, drawing him forward. He briefly considered closing the distance and capturing Luffy’s lips without warning, but he couldn’t do that. He wouldn’t do that. He had to respect Luffy’s freedom.
Because that was why Luffy was a pirate. To be free. Free to go wherever he wanted. Free to do what he thought was right, regardless of the consequences. Free to help his friends, despite being from different islands – different kingdoms. Free to fight the Marines when they were being unjust.
It was one of the reasons Law fell for him. That and that stupid smile of his that was near-blinding and beyond contagious. There was also his laugh, his energy, his ability to make friends with everyone – including past foes-
“Are you listening to me? Hello~?”
Law startled, suddenly aware that Luffy had been talking. He opened his mouth to apologize again,
“Can I kiss you?” The words tumbled out of Law’s mouth along with all the air in his lungs. He stared, wide-eyed, at the other captain, his heart sinking to his stomach. Why did he say that? Was he insane? Of course Luffy wouldn’t want to kiss him. He’s probably never even thought of another person like that. Law had to take it back. Maybe he could play it off as a joke. Were they close enough to do that? Would Luffy believe it? If he didn’t would he let it go?
“Eh?” Before Law could draw breath to retract his request, Luffy answered. He tilted his head, face scrunched up in thought. “Mmm, okay,” he said with a shrug. “If you want to.”
I do, Law almost blurted out, but somehow managed to stop himself. He gazed down at Luffy’s face, studying it, trying to find some reason not to do the one thing that was always on his mind whenever the straw-hatted man was around. He thought back to Dressrosa, where he’d first felt the now familiar feeling of his heart trying to burst out of his chest. Where he’d watch Luffy defeat Doflamingo.
Luffy closed his eyes and, as if responding to the silent invitation, Law leaned down slowly. He kept his eyes on the other’s lips, his breath getting shallower the closer they got until they were centimeters from his.
The moment their lips met, his eyes fell shut. Law’s hand came up to snake around Luffy’s neck, fingers burying themselves in the dark locks of hair. Lightning shot through him, setting his nerves on fire, and making him want to deepen the kiss. Luffy’s chapped lips taste like pork and homemade barbeque sauce – Sanji’s recipe, no doubt. It’s probably more potent on Luffy’s tongue. If Law pushes in, he could take it all and probably more.
But Luffy isn’t kissing him back. So instead, he pulls back, ending the kiss, removing his hand, and letting it drop to his side. There’d been a time when he’d thought one kiss would end his feelings for the younger man. But he knew before he asked for it that when they kissed, Law would only want more. He had to separate himself before he did something to ruin whatever they had between them.
Luffy opened his unseeing eyes.
“I’m hungry.”
Law nodded, grabbing his hand. “Let’s get you to your cook.”
2
“Hey, Torao!” Law’s heart skipped a beat at the familiar nickname coming from the familiar voice of the Straw Hat captain.
“Mugiwara-ya,” he greeted, burying his face in the medical book he’d been flipping through to hide the blush that took over his face. There was a lot of information he already knew in it, but maybe he should buy it anyway. “What are you doing in a bookstore?”
Luffy laughed, unknowingly sending the butterflies in Law stomach into a frenzy. “The bear told me you’d be here.”
“His name’s Bepo,” was Law’s automatic reply as he turned to face the other, only to freeze at how beautiful Luffy’s eyes were. How bright his smile was.
“Can I kiss you?”
Law dropped the book and stared at Luffy for a long moment before responding. “What?”
Luffy started rocking back and forth on his feet, completely oblivious to what his question was doing to the older captain. “You kissed me last time,” he said, matter-of-factly. “Now it’s my turn.” His smile widened, nearly blinding Law. “So, can I?”
“Yes,” was Law’s immediate answer. He didn’t know what this kiss would mean and he couldn’t bring himself to care. He thought the first one would be the only one. Thought he’d have to be satisfied with the small moment between them on that small island. But he must have done something good in a past life because here the fates were giving him another memory to cling to. Another moment he shouldn’t have.
Luffy stepped into Law’s personal space, eyes closing as he stood on his tiptoes to reach him. Law met him halfway. His hand went to the back of Luffy’s head again, feeling like it belonged there the same way he felt like Luffy’s lips belonged on his. Like being anywhere else, with anyone else, would be nothing less than a sin.
He released a breath through his nose and Luffy giggled, pulling back. Law followed briefly, eyes fluttering open, slightly confused as to why the world was tilting until he realized it was just him. Luffy grinned up at him and bent down to pick the book back up and hand it to Law.
“Thanks, Torao.”
He left Law wanting more.
3
Law was in a dark corner of a library, sitting on a chair while trying to study a new procedure, when he heard the sound of flip-flops approaching and the corners of his mouth turned up against his will. He tried to tell himself that Luffy wasn’t the only person who wore those ridiculous shoes – that it was most likely some stranger looking for a book to read – even as he raised his head from his tome and searched through the nearby bookshelves for a straw hat with a red band, dark hair mussed by the salty wind, and a smile that could rival the sun itself.
His smile morphed into a satisfied smirk when he found him.
“Mugiwara-ya,” he greeted, placing his book on a small table and standing up. “Fancy seeing you here.”
Luffy’s smile grew. “I was looking for you.”
“Really?” Law teased. “I thought people came to libraries to read.”
“Reading’s boring,” Luffy’s voice dropped as he invaded Law’s personal space. “Can I kiss you?”
Law sucked in a breath. “You kissed me last time,” he argued half-heartedly, his voice no louder than a whisper as his eyes went to Luffy’s mouth.
“Yeah,” Luffy agreed, leaning closer, eyes gleaming. “But I liked it, so I wanna do it again.”
Law brought a hand up to cup the other’s face and touched their foreheads together. “Then go ahead.”
Luffy may have been the one to ask, but Law would argue that he was the instigator of that particular kiss. A rubber hand gently pressed against his abdomen and Law tilted his head to deepen the kiss. But just as suddenly as it started, Luffy was pulled away, that ridiculous smile on his face, like that was all he needed. Like he didn’t think about Law all the time. Didn’t dream about him every night. His heart didn’t try to jump out of his chest whenever he saw the other captain in the newspaper or when one of his crewmates mentioned him.
But Law had to deal with all of that and more and he wasn’t done, dammit. So before Luffy could get too far, Law’s free hand grabbed his waist and pulled him back in, crashing their mouths together. Luffy gasped, allowing Law to slip his tongue inside his mouth. There were a few seconds where Luffy didn’t respond, his body remaining stiff as the intrusive tongue explored his mouth. Then, as if his brain had finally caught up, he was pressing himself against Law, hands sliding up the taller man’s torso, over his shoulders, and tangling in his hair, knocking the spotted hat Law was always wearing to the floor.
Law moaned happily as his partner’s tongue moved against his own. But that still wasn’t enough. He wanted more. He needed more.
How much can I take? He wondered, idly. How much will he give me?
He dragged his hand along Luffy’s side, relishing in the involuntary shiver and stuttered moan the other made as he did so.
Ka-BOOM!
An explosion shook the building, causing the two to jump apart. They heard shouting outside, but Law was focused on Luffy’s flushed face and kiss-swollen lips, feeling something akin to pride at the sight.
Then the voices of the Straw Hats came through the haze of his mind.
“That’s us!” Luffy declared, excitedly, before dashing off to see what trouble his friends had stumbled into. Law stared after him and cursed his luck.
“Dammit, Mugiwara-ya,” he grumbled as he stooped to pick his hat up off the floor. He inspected it for dirt before placing it securely on his head. “I wasn’t done with you yet.”
4
“Your sinking ship is so cool,” Luffy said as they dived deeper into the water. Bepo glanced at his captain but said nothing. Law suppressed a sigh.
“It’s a submarine,” he corrected.
Luffy gave him an unimpressed look. “But you’re not a Marine, Torao.” As if that had anything to do with its name. Rolling his eyes at the other’s stupidity, Law walked out the door, calling over his shoulder as he left,
“Come on, Mugiwara-ya. Let’s get this tour over with.”
“Yes!” Luffy cheered as he chased after him. “Where’s your food storage?”
“I’m not showing you that. We don’t have enough food to feed you right now.”
“I wasn’t gonna eat it!” Luffy tried to defend himself, crossing his arms and pouting like a small child, but when Law turned to him with a raised eyebrow, the younger captain giggled and his face broke out into a huge grin. Then, as if he hadn’t just been denied food, he grabbed Law’s arm and started pulling him with him. “C’mon, Torao! Faster!”
“This isn’t a race, Mugiwara-ya!” Law protested, but let himself be dragged along anyway.
This resulted in the most confusing, pointless, and physically exhausting tour known to mankind. Luffy was like the human version of a dog – constantly jumping from one train of thought to the next. They would come up to a door, Law would say what the room was used for, and if Luffy thought it was boring, he’d pull Law away again. But they’d pass by that door twenty more times in search of adventure.
After just thirty minutes of this, Law got lost on his own ship. For the last five rooms, he’d had to randomly guess at what was inside. And since Luffy hadn’t cared for any of them, he had no clue whether he was right or wrong.
“What’s in this room?” Luffy asked, bringing the other captain’s attention back to him (not that it had strayed too far). “It looks important.” Law groaned internally at the prospect of making something else up as he turned his head to the next room and felt hope spark in his chest at the sight.
“Captain’s Quarters,” he sighed, relief flowing through him. He knew where he was now. “My room.”
“Really? Let’s see inside!” Luffy let Law go and barged into the room. Law entered after at a more reasonable pace. Inside was a bed, a desk, and two bookshelves. Books and loose papers were scattered everywhere and Law felt a stab of guilt for not cleaning before the younger man arrived. He shrank in on himself as Luffy scanned the room with a blank expression on his face until he faced the room’s owner. “Did you spend all that time in Sunny’s Library because it felt like home?”
Law startled at the question and nodded in answer. He didn’t think his voice was going to cooperate with him right then. The Sunny’s library had been a great comfort to him amid the chaos that was the Straw Hat crew. Law had thought they were strange before, but after his experiences with them, he’d testify in court that each and every one of them were certifiably insane.
Not that that’s a bad thing. Crazy looks good on some people.
“Woah! Your bed is huge!” Luffy’s voice pulled Law back again in time to watch him belly-flop onto his average-sized bed. “You could fit twelve people on here!”
“It’s not that big,” Law muttered, unable to look at the body on the bed. On his bed. He closed the door and stepped over to his desk to make sure Luffy’s wanted posters were out of sight. He didn’t need the present company to know that he’d saved them. Or that he looks at them constantly.
“Mmm,” Luffy probably didn’t hear him. “I have one of these, but I like being with my crew, ‘cause sleeping alone is sad.”
Law chanced a glance at Luffy and a burning desire to wake up next to his fellow captain erupted in him. To go to bed surrounded by Luffy’s warmth. To be able to hold him and be held by him. How much brighter would the world seem if he had the sun by his side?
Suddenly aware that he had been staring too long, Law turned back to his desk and busied himself clearing the clutter away. After a minute he heard fabric rustling followed by the familiar footsteps of Luffy’s approach until he came to stand right next to him.
“Torao . . .” Luffy’s voice was small. Hesitant. “Can I ki-Mmmph!”
Law turned, grabbed Luffy’s head, and mashed their mouths together, lips moving in a desperate attempt to make his fellow captain understand the extent of his feelings. He needed Luffy to know that he was in love with him. That he had been since Dressrosa. And that every interaction they had after that made his feelings grow, filling his heart with so much that he was afraid it was going to burst.
Luffy jolted but quickly returned the kiss with the same fervor. Rubber hands clutched Law’s shirt, pulling his body close until they were pressed up against each other. If breathing weren’t such a vital part of being alive, they would have stayed that way forever.
Law broke the kiss first, breathing heavily. When he opened his eyes he looked at Luffy, the other was staring at him, eyes wide and pupils dilated. Law felt a small smile tug at his lips and he cupped Luffy’s cheek, running his thumb over the scar under his left eye.
“You don’t have you ask,” he breathed out.
For a moment, his words didn’t seem to register. Then Luffy drew in a breath as a grin took over his own face and he closed the distance once more, hands trailing up Law’s body to tangle in his hair, nudging Law’s hat askew.
Unlike their previous kiss, this one was long and slow and they both lost themselves in it, taking their time to map out the other’s mouth. Law let his hands roam, trying to commit the feel of Luffy’s skin to memory. He wanted to be able to recall every scar Luffy had with absolute certainty.
Luffy moaned at the careful contact and all but melted against Law, barely able to keep himself from falling to the floor by hanging off of the older captain’s neck. Law gripped Luffy’s waist to hold him up, nipping at his bottom lip, then running his tongue over it to soothe it.
“Captain!”
The two pulled apart as the rest of the world came crashing back. Law gazed lovingly into Luffy’s eyes as he responded, “What is it, Shachi?”
“The Straw Hat’s cook made lunch for everyone!” Shachi answered. Law sighed softly. Looks like they were done.
“Meat?” Luffy salivated, eyeing the door.
“Thank you,” he called out, pressing one last kiss to Luffy’s lips before straightening the other man out. “We’ll be out in a bit.”
It didn’t register at the time, but Law heard Shachi quietly repeat a word to himself.
“‘We’?”
5
The Straw Hats were a bad influence on the Heart Pirates. Each and every one of them had these crazy ideals that made Law and his crew want to become better. To help random strangers – people they just met – out of horrible situations.
But they weren’t the Straw hats. They didn’t train for two years to become the best at what they do. They were lucky the real Straw Hats appeared when they did, or they’d all be dead and this island would be worse off than if they hadn’t done anything at all.
“You see those doors up ahead?” Law asked as he and the other captain ran towards them. Luffy nodded.
“The bad guy’s in there?” He asked, determination flowing from him. It was Law’s turn to nod. “‘Kay. You go back to your friends. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“Yeah,” Law agreed. “But first,” he grabbed Luffy’s arm and pulled him into a quick and passionate kiss, pushing his love away before he could reciprocate. He looked into Luffy’s dark eyes and almost lost himself. “Kick his ass.”
Luffy’s gaze momentarily flicked down to Law’s lips. “I will.”
And he was off.
+1
“Please stop, Captain! You need to rest!” The Heart Pirates cried, struggling to keep Law in the medbay bed.
“I’m fine!” Law growled, halfway between standing and lying down. “Where’s Mugiwara-ya!?” He shoved Penguin and Shachi aside as he stood up. He knew Luffy. He’d seen how he fought. There was no way he made it out of that fight without severe injuries. And yet he wasn’t in the room.
“Chopper’s with him in the-!”
“Torao!”
All heads turned in the direction of the door in time to see Luffy launch himself at Law, knocking him back onto the mattress. Law grunted at the impact, but any comments he might have made were silenced when familiar lips were pressed against his own. There were multiple gasps, and a shout of ‘Luffy! You can’t do that!’ but he tuned them out, eyes sliding shut as he kissed Luffy back.
“Stupid Torao,” Luffy murmured against Law’s mouth before moving to kiss his cheek, then his neck. In a soft voice, only for Law, he admitted, “You scared me.”
Law sighed, wrapping his arms around Luffy and pulling him close with no intention of letting go. “I’m sorry, Luffy-ya.”
He didn’t open his eyes. Didn’t want to acknowledge the others in the room. The two captains hadn’t had time to talk about what they were, and he didn’t want to be bombarded with questions he didn’t have the answers to. For a moment, there was silence as everyone processed what they’d just witnessed and Law savored it while he could, knowing it wouldn’t last long.
Shachi was the first to make a sound that could be recognized as intelligent speech. “So that’s how it is. I never would’ve guessed.”
“‘Guessed’ what?” Penguin asked, accusatory. “What are you hiding?”
“Well-”
“Luffy kissed Torao!?” Chopper, out of breath – probably from chasing after his captain – sputtered in shock.
“Shhh!” Shachi again. “Keep your voice down!” A pause. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to get Law to sleep? We don’t need him waking up when he’s finally passed out without getting knocked out or drugged.”
“Or just having his body shut down,” Penguin added, helpfully. Law wanted to roll his eyes. He wasn’t that bad.
Luffy snored in his ear. Lucky. Law hadn’t been able to fall asleep that fast in over a decade.
“Er, okay, but,” Usopp was there, too? Law was surprised he’d stayed silent this long. “What exactly is going on over there? It kinda looks like they’re, you know, together. But I didn’t think Luffy was capable of having those kinds of feelings.”
Together? Luffy and me? Law’s heart started beating faster at the thought and he held his love a little tighter.
“Well, whatever’s going on, they look super cute!” Law didn’t have to look to see the pose Franky was undoubtedly striking.
“I agree.” Robin. Was the whole Straw Hat crew here?
“Whatever’s going on,” Law nearly jumped at how close Chopper’s voice was. “Can we discuss it outside? We should let these two rest.”
“That’s what we were saying–ow!” Shachi cried before being hit on the head (presumably by Penguin). “What!? I- Ow! Ow! Okay, I’m going!”
Shachi’s voice and a multitude of footsteps grew distant before the door creaked closed. Law opened his eyes and looked around to make sure they were alone. He didn’t like sleeping around other people. Bepo was the only exception.
Luffy snuggled closer and Law had to amend his statement. Falling asleep next to his fellow captain sounded wonderful. He could just imagine waking up on the Polar Tang after a long night to Luffy, grinning like an idiot as he excitedly asks what’s for breakfast. Or catching Luffy trying to sneak out of bed for a midnight snack.
Would Luffy want that? Law frowned. To be tied down to one person? To be tied down to Law? If he were being honest, that sounded like the opposite of freedom. Law loved Luffy with all his heart, but despite their recent activities, he couldn’t assume Luffy felt the same way.
“Torao. Stop thinking,” Luffy demanded, pressing a kiss to Law’s neck. Law huffed, a small smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.
“Sorry, Luffy-ya,” he said, running a hand through the other’s hair. “I don’t know how to do that.”
Luffy hummed. “Don’t think I can teach you.” He pressed his lips to Law’s jaw. “But, you know,” again, to his cheek, “you don’t do it as much,” the corner of Law’s mouth, “when we’re kissing.”
Law grinned as he met Luffy’s mouth. It was oddly comforting, being so intimate with someone like this. What he wouldn’t give to stay there like that forever. But . . .
“Lu-ya,” Law placed a hand on Luffy’s chest to hold him back.
“No thinking,” Luffy replied, pouting. Law chuckled and allowed one more kiss.
“Please, Luffy-ya. We have to talk.”
Luffy sighed and rested his head on Law’s shoulder, one arm draped across the older man’s chest. “About what?”
Law bit his lip in hesitation. “Us.” It sounded more like a question.
Luffy sighed again and began tracing the tattoos that weren’t hidden by bandages with his finger. “What about us?”
“What-” Law’s voice cracked and he swallowed. “What are we?”
“. . . Pirates.”
“No,” Law shook his head. “I mean, to each other. I want to know what you think of me. If you want this to continue and . . . for how long. I want to know how you feel about me. About . . . us.”
Luffy’s finger slowed to a stop. He tilted his head to look up at Law. “I think Torao’s cool. He’s strong. And a good friend.” Law nodded for him to continue, even though his heart was having trouble deciphering exactly what ‘friend’ meant to the younger man. “I already said I like kissing you and I don’t know how that can change. But I guess I hope it stays forever.”
“And . . . your feelings?” Law prodded after some time. Luffy shrugged.
“I don’t know. It’s new.” Law kissed Luffy’s forehead before the younger man pushed himself up enough to stare into Law’s eyes. “It hurts, sometimes,” he admitted. “Just thinking about you. Especially when you’re too far away. It’s like what I feel for my brothers and my crew, but different. With them, I want to hang out and go on fun adventures, and I want the same with you, only I . . .” he trailed off, lowering his gaze as he tried to figure out what he wanted to say. “I want to be right next to Torao all the time. I want people to see us together and stay away.”
As he was listening, Law couldn’t help the big smile that stretched across his face. He probably looked crazy, but he didn’t care. That was closer to a confession than he thought he’d get. He didn’t know if Luffy had the same concerns, but it was only fair he shared his own feelings on the subject.
“Luffy-ya,” he began, one hand coming up to cup Luffy’s cheek. “I think the world of you. I’d give up the world for you.” He pulled Luffy in for a soft kiss. “Every moment I spend with you is like being in the presence of a god. And every moment without you is nothing less than torture. I’d join your crew if you asked, just so we could be together.” Law kissed him again, taking his time to taste the lips of the man lying next to him. “I love you,” he whispered.
Luffy hummed, eyes closed as he melted into Law, his rubber hand sliding up his bandaged chest to caress Law’s cheek.
“Luffy-ya,” Law caught his hand in his own and waited for Luffy to meet his gaze. When he knew he was listening, he said, “I want to be yours.”
Luffy blinked at him. Then he giggled, leaning down to kiss Law’s temple. “Silly Torao. You’re already mine.” Law sucked in a sharp breath, a giddy feeling surging through him, but before he could respond, Luffy jumped up. “We should get married!”
Law’s eyes widened dramatically, but Luffy looked so excited about the proposition that he found he could do nothing but smile. He’d never thought about marriage before, aside from thinking that only fools would waste their time and money on something so frivolous.
“Let’s do it after you become king.”
“Okay! Then we can get married on Laughtale!” Luffy started laughing and Law realized that day might come sooner than he thought. But he didn’t mind. Whether it was two months or ten years from now, when someone asked him,
“Do you, Trafalgar D. Water Law, take Monkey D. Luffy to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
His answer will undoubtedly be,
“Yes.”