I'm late, but I wrote a series of drabbles for Law's birthday and I'll be uploading them over the next few days! They're all with different characters, so hopefully if you don't like one you'll line another. This one's really short, so I'll upload the next drabble later today. Enjoy!
I could feel the way those tiny hands hit against the wooden chest, my back slumping against it as I fell. Each silent bang, each dull ache that shot through me was a firm reminder that you were still there, and despite the silence that surrounded me it was almost like I could hear you scream. And if I could hear it, they would. So I had to hold on, had to stay awake. Even as my thoughts muddied and blurred, I held on because that was the last thing I could do for you.
You were crying. Probably. It was hard to tell, but the frantic shaking of the chest was a pretty clear indicator, don't you think? I knew you would, sorry. I suppose that's why I lied to you. That smile you wore was worth the fabricated truth I wove to cause it… or something like that. Heh. Guess it was getting hard to think.
Soon the chest was pulled out, lifted - I never saw by whom. People were talking, but it wasn't like I gave a damn. I tried to focus in on their words even still, to give me something to anchor myself, my thoughts, to keep me from fading, but I proved unsuccessful. Soon the babbel ended, the soft crunch of fading footprints in the snow there to replace it, but even that did not last, and I was left alone with my thoughts. I wondered where you were, how far you'd gotten. Were you safe yet? Had they found you, or had you managed to escape?
How much longer did you need me, Law?
I held out as long as I could knowing that if I allowed myself to die my brother would hear you. Kids… cry a lot, you know. Loudly. You'd need your time, I knew. But if I left, well… You had to be safe.
You have to stay safe.
My thoughts are fading, and I worry soon it won't matter how stubborn I am. The rest is up to you. But don't be sad! It's going to be tough on you… I know that. Really, I do. But this is a happy occasion. You've seen tragedy and you've felt heartbreak. Whether disease or loss, you know pain well. And you made it through, and now you can move on. There's nothing to stop you - not the borders of White Town or your short lifespan. You're free.
This is the start of your new life, Law.
Happy Birthday.
Adieu~