The wind gently whips around him, stirring the lapels of his black, short-sleeved shirt. His eyes stare past the stinging the air gives them and allows it to be the reason why his golden orbs become misty. Still, the pain that makes his eyes narrow is nothing compared to the ache in his chest. If removing his heart would make it go away he would have done so ages ago.

But not even his miraculous ability can't remove and mend the hurt sewn into what he can barely call a heart. If it looked how it felt – well he'd be lucky if there was anything there to extract to begin with.

It's all over now and he should feel better. The ambition has been achieved and everything is as it should be. Except he isn't here and it makes his chest tighten more. A broken sigh leaves his lips as he grips at the railing, the black tattooed letters looking darker against his whitening knuckles.

He has to leave soon, retreat back to his cabin so that they can sink beneath the waves. It'll be the final separation – the final end – to everything. The second the Straw Hat's ship vanishes from his sight then he'll have to truly accept it. Speaking with that man, the one who cared for him, should have been the sign to give up this feeling. Yet the burning in his chest hasn't quit. It's only gotten worse.

This pain, though, he's only has this pain one other time. This second instance has merely lasted for years – extended agony. One so intense that his knees tremble slightly and he leans more of his weight onto the railing. He doesn't want to garner the attention of his crew. He's trying to act as a captain, one that doesn't drop to their knees and wail like a child even after he's gotten his way.

Biting at his bottom lip, he tilts his head down enough to allow the rim of his hat to obscure his face. He's shed enough tears, he doesn't need to do so now. Especially not now. Even so, it's hard to keep them locked tight inside when it threatens to swallow him like the waves lapping at the sides of his vessel.

"Captain..."

The familiar voice, the friendly tone, it rips him back to his harsh reality. He's well aware that they're docked far too close to a town with the means to call the Marines. It surely doesn't help that Luffy is still within sight, his ship slowly fading into the horizon. He should have given the order to submerge hours ago.

He sucks in a deep breath and finally pries his hands away from the railing, the only thing anchoring him to anything in particular. All he gives is a wave of his hand as he begins toward the thick door leading to the inner confinements. They know well what it means and they begin to prepare to set sail.

It wouldn't be the first time they've given his back concerned glances.

But as he reaches the second level he finds himself stopping, brows knitting together in confusion. This is all abnormal. Even in a stupor he knows that something is wrong. His strides were slow coming down the stairs so surely he should be feeling the comfortable jolts of the submarine pulling away from the shore and slipping beneath the water's surface.

The sorrowful feeling is almost forgotten as he turns around, marching back up the stairs. He'll have none of their dilly-dallying. Not while they need to head to their next destination – whichever one that is, he doesn't even remember. But that's beside the point.

He slings the door open and steps out into the glaring sun once more. "What's going on?"

There's a ruckus near the edge where most of his crew seems to have gathered. It almost seems like a small mob at the rate it's going. At least until Penguin pulls away from the others and approaches him. "Ah, Captain, sorry, this guy jumped on-"

"More like tripped onto." interjects Shachi.

"Before we could set everything and he won't leave, says he has business with you. We tried to get him to leave but he's… persistent." Penguin finishes.

Another sigh drags out over his lips, "Room."

The light blue dome appears as he stretches out a hand. It grows until it completely covers the expanse of the ship. The announcement of his power has his crew scattering to the sides and out of his way. He intends to march right up to this man and demand to know his intent. But when he looks up so that the bill of his hat is out of his eyes, he struggles to remember to breathe.

There's something… familiar about this man. Too familiar.

The stern, but far too kind brown eyes and the golden fringe that dips into their view. The appearance lacks everything he knows. It's replaced only by that of plain white pants, a light pink shirt and a black hooded jacket with fluff around the collar. The man reaches up, pushing the hood away as he takes a step forward.

"L.. Law?"

His name. It's been so long since he's heard that voice say it – so long that he's almost forgotten what it sounds like, what it feels like. Everything around him seems to become brighter and sharper. Yet at the same time, it threatens to blur if he thinks of blinking. All he can do is swallow despite the lump in his throat.

The pure white fur of Bepo nears him, cautiously so. But he gives a small movement of his hand, signaling that all is fine. His dear friend catches this and remains where he is while Law strides closer until he's just before what should be an illusion.

In any other situation he'd want to chuckle at the fact that he's still much shorter, never able to reach the towering height he has. Even so, he looks up at him in search of a sign that he's really who Law thinks he is. Just one tiny sign that makes his battered heart have hope once more. A hope he broke down on his very own years ago.

"You've grown, Law."

A large hand reaches out, cupping onto the top of his hat while he smiles. A smile that Law can't deny. One so pure and loving that he knows without a doubt this is real. The countless questions and concerns are hardly of any hindrance. He reaches up and swats the hand away, but not before catching the wrist and wrapping his fingers around it in a tight grasp.

He gives a curt turn on his heel, "Continue."

There's the looks again – but they know their captain well. Instead of pestering, they all begin to go back to their work. It doesn't take long for Law to lead the tall figure down into the submarine. Although they do slow often when he slips or has to dip down to avoid hitting his head on a door frame.

The journey doesn't end until he shuts the door behind him, allowing Law to stride to the center of the room. There's a sort of tension between them, one that has the blond shifting from one foot to the other as he shoves his hands into his pockets. It's only as Law's heartbeat begins to struggle to calm down that he notices the sheepish look on the man's face along with the bag clinging onto his left shoulder.

Those broad shoulders that used to carry him and he'd eagerly grasp onto – it has his heart aching. He has to take a sharp inhale to rid himself of any memories before they try to surface. There's panic intermingling with his joy and he doesn't know exactly what to do. Law doesn't like having zero control over a situation. No plan. No clue. Nothing, but the quick thump of his heart in his chest.

"Law..." he says gently, knowing very well what kind of shock this is and what could come next.

The sound of his name has a new emotion bubbling up like lava from a volcano ready to burst. Yet his voice remains steady while the tone grows dark – each letter wrapped in anger. "You're alive."

The blond reaches up and tussles through his tresses. He doesn't answer and he doesn't approach. After all, the man before him is no longer the boy that he could keep at a distance with only his long reach. Law is now a very dangerous and deadly young man while he's out of practice.

"For how long?"

He blinks, "How long I've been alive?"

"You know what I mean," Law hisses back.

"A couple years."

The answer has Law clenching his fingers into fists at his side. It infuriates him that the one person he's done everything for has been perfectly able to reach him – and hasn't. He tilts his head down, just enough for the shadow of his hat to hide the hurt that streaks across his face. None of the wounds he's suffered hurts as bad as knowing that.

Thunk.

Law doesn't bother looking up. He can hear the sharp click of those heels bringing the object his life has revolved around closer after the bag hits the floor. A hand falls onto his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Law."

He wants to tell him to stop saying his name. That every time he hears it in his voice, he loses the will to stand and be angry. But the other half of him wants only to hear it more.

"I lived in a small island town where I recovered. It took a long time and I realize I had forgotten something. I forgot your name." The revelation makes Law tense up. "I never told Sengoku. He couldn't help me find you.. or perhaps he didn't want me to."

A sigh drags out over his lips as the hand he has on Law's shoulder slides down to grab at Law's hands. He forces them to uncurl, to ease and relax in his larger grasp. Those fingers run over Law's knuckles and the letters scrawled below each one.

"I remembered your name when I saw you became a Shichibukai. Then to make that alliance with that boy and go after Doflamingo. I went to Dressrosa but I was too late to get to you. I've been looking for you, I really have."

Finally he lets go of Law's hands to reach up and remove the hat. One hand plops down into Law's short, raven colored locks. A smile curls onto his face as he notices the evidence of tears dripping off of Law's jaw. "You haven't changed at all… Law."

Before the dark haired man can do a thing, he's being roughly pulled forward into a tight hug. He can't do anything but slip his hands from being pressed against the sturdy chest to wind around it instead. His breath hitches in his throat as this entirely new feeling worms itself into his focus.

It's warm in this embrace. It's safe and familiar. Yet at the same time it's completely new. Yes, he's still shorter, but he's on equal ground now. His wish has come true and he doesn't know how to process any of this. He never thought this would happen and that the arms around him would feel so good.

"C.. Cora.." He struggles to get out, to snap the blond out of whatever stupor he's put himself in from being here.

"You know that's not my name."

"I'm… aware of that." And he's thankful that he's pushed close to the chest that rumbles with a gentle laugh. He doesn't want anyone to see what surely is a blush on his cheeks. He'd have to kill everyone that spots it.

"You can still call me that, I don't mind. Although my name is Rocinante."

It might just be because his heartbeat is thundering in his ears, but Law swears the man's tone seemed deeper upon that last word. He swallows hard and hurries to think of a way to end this moment – the moment he doesn't know what to think of. Thankfully, Rocinante seems satisfied with their reunion after that.

The taller man squeezes him into the hug once before pushing him away with a grin, one that mimics the one Law had last seen. The hand on his head pats him one last time before withdrawing. He turns around and begins to move back toward the abandoned luggage. "I want to hear about everywhere you've been and what you've been doing. And your friends, they all seem very nice, I'm glad you found someone to-"

Only for his feet to slide out from under him upon getting close to it. He hits the ground rather hard – although not abnormally so – and despite the tumble, he retains his smile. Law can only sigh as he places his hat back onto his head and goes to kneel beside the blond. Although not before wiping away the wet evidence on his face.

"You haven't changed either. I guess you still catch yourself on fire too."

"Only when I want to."

"Of course." He says as he stands up, assisting Rocinante the best he can. "Dinner should be ready, we can talk later."

Rocinante can only grin further as he falls into line behind Law. Although as they make their way through the submarine to the dining hall, the looks begin anew. Of course it's hard not to look when there's a towering man lurking so close behind the captain of the Heart Pirates. The crew begins to relax upon discovering who the blond is and as dinner is laid out in front of them all, Law finds himself sitting back and watching it all.

He's not particularly hungry and no one seems to notice his plate has gone, almost, untouched. It's rather hard for him to hang onto every word Rocinante says and eat at the same time. The gestures, the quirks, the sound of his laugh and voice – it all has a warm feeling returning to him. One he hasn't truly felt in so long.

Law had never told Rocinante that he had admired him. That he had knew he was a Marine all along and that it made him unbelievably happy that the man would throw away his family, his mission, his everything just to save him. Yet the longer he watches the blond beside him, he can't help but sense that there's something beneath that admiration, something a little stronger.

Of course, his reverie is shattered as Shachi laughs from the other side of the table. "I was wondering why the word Corazon was on the back of that jacket."

He had forgotten about that. Red hot embarrassment is what surges up Law's spine and tinges his ears and mocha skin. The only thing that makes it worse is when Rocinante turns his gaze to him and smiles.

Law does the only thing he knows how to do. He sends a glare over at Shachi, one that warns of a future dismembering should he utter another word. But it's not Shachi he has to worry about. It's Rocinante as he leans back and pats the top of Law's hat with the palm of his hand. "Thank you, Law."

His golden gaze narrows as he swats at Rocinante's hand and stands up. "Keep on course. Only bother me if it's important."

Trying to slip out of the room without much argument isn't hard. Especially as Rocinante blinks and hurries to go after him. The crew merely accepts this and their conversation picks right back up. At least until Rocinante makes it to the threshold and ends up on his back – for the third time tonight.

One wave of his hand and they turn their attention away. Rocinante is back on his feet and catching up to Law before he can get very far. His long strides have him entering Law's room right behind the former. Although the second he shuts the door, Law is spinning around to face him.

"Room."

Rocinante can't react or perhaps he merely doesn't because it's Law in front of him. Either way, Law is surging his hand forward but stops just before his hand can collide with Rocinante's chest. The attack dies away and the 'room' vanishes.

"What are you doing Law?"

The latter reaches up and places his hand over his face, all while turning around. "You show up out of the blue and you don't think I'd be a little apprehensive? That maybe you're a trap sent by the Government."

"I think they have bigger problems at the moment."

Law isn't surprised when Rocinante hugs him from behind, but he is when his thoughts fizzle out because of the touch. He pulls away and strides over to the bed, sitting down on the edge. Of course it only means that Rocinante follows and sits down next to him – so close that it has Law struggling to breathe.

"I'm sorry Law. I.. caused you so much pain. I came here not thinking about how you'd feel." A nervous chuckle. "Not that I haven't done that before."

That's what snaps Law out of whatever is threatening to drown him. He snags control of the situation and suddenly rises to his feet. Two steps and he's standing in front of Rocinante. Law stares down at the face that slowly lifts, tear filled eyes meeting his guarded golden orbs.

"And you think it'd be better I think you're dead?"

The tone is cold, to the point where Rocinante's brows draw together in confusion. "Law, you know what I-"

"You're the one that told me we were going to go somewhere, just us, far away from all of this. You lied to me. And then you thought it's okay to die for me?"

"Doflamingo wouldn't have-"

"The last time you started off with that, I thought you died. I thought it was my fault. I've spent the last decade planning to finish what you started. And you think it'd be better that you're not here right now?"

Law draws in a sharp breath and he's not sure whether he's grateful that Rocinante remains quiet. If he had started talking again, Law knows he would lose the nerve. The nerve to look the older man in the eye and try not to let the tears roll down his cheeks like they did so many years ago.

"You never even let me respond, idiot. You said that and just vanished from my life." His voice drops lower, close to a murmur. "I didn't get to tell you that I… love you too.."

If Rocinante wasn't already crying, he is as he reaches forward and pulls Law close. He buries his face in Law's shirt and mumbles 'thank you's and 'I love you's over and over again. It makes Law wonder if the blond knows what those simple phrases do to him right now. That it makes his face feel hot and his hands itching to hug him back.

Law places one hand into Rocinante's hair, returning the favor for being treated so earlier. Except he doesn't realize how much he likes doing so. It's not easy for Law to allow control to slip from his fingers. There's only a few people that are successful in doing so and one happens to be in front of him.

Rocinante goes to pull away at the same time that Law tries to move. Those accursed long limbs trip Law enough for him to flop onto his side on the bed with his legs bent over one of Rocinante's. Somewhere between it all, his hat drops to the floor and Rocinante is laughing softly. There's a remark meant to come from this, but Law doesn't hear it and is strangely pleased.

At least until the chuckle dies into worry, "Law?"

The taller man is hovering over him – not realizing that he's trapped Law against the mattress with nothing but his body. He gives Law a reassuring smile as he wipes away a few tears that had managed to slip from Law's eyes in the movement. Rocinante rolls over in the next moment and rests on his side.

Law is about to question this when he's suddenly being pulled against Rocinante's chest and into another embrace. He lifts his head just in time for lips to press against his forehead. "It's okay now Law. I won't leave you again."

He immediately ducks his head. "You can't promise that."

"I'm not making any promises. I'm telling you a fact."

A hand brushes through Law's hair and past the duo, golden earrings in his ear before settling on his cheek. Rocinante draws his face back up so that their eyes can lock – both rimmed in red from the tears. Their foreheads press together while Rocinante keeps his other arm wrapped around Law's shoulders.

"I missed you Law. So, just for tonight, let me hold you like I used to. In the morning I'll apply to be apart of your Heart Pirates."

"Cora-"

"It's only right, this is where I said I'd stay. By your side, remember?"

Law doesn't argue the point. Partially because he's afraid he'll win and Rocinante will leave. Which is exactly why he lets Rocinante hold him and falls back into a mindset he hasn't had for so long. One that he shouldn't have had while his life hung in the balance. Law presses his face into Rocinante's jacket and takes a deep, shuddering breath – one that washes out most of the worry.

And this is how they remain. Law doesn't budge an inch save for to try and reach for a blanket. Although it's Rocinante who manages to grab it and tuck it around them. He feels like he's a kid again, lucky to be snuggled warmly in these strong arms. Yet sleep is something he keeps at a distance.

It's partly due to the feelings he can't squash. He feels mixed up inside and it's driving him crazy. But perhaps, he muses, it's in a good way. Although the much clearer reason is he's afraid. He doesn't want to fall asleep and wake up to no one holding onto him. He doesn't want Rocinante to be gone – for this to all be an illusion he's thought up to comfort himself now that he has nothing left to fight for. Nothing left but to honor the older man.

He's sure it's late into the night when he finally dares to move. The arms around him are relaxed and Law is positive that Rocinante is asleep. Law sits up, leaning on one arm, as he looks down at such a peaceful face. Rocinante's arm slips away and reassures Law that the blond isn't awake. He leans a little closer, unsure of if he should move again but does so anyway.

There's something willing him to dip his head down and he can't stop. He wants to test this theory, the thoughts that poke and prod at the back of his mind. Not having tried to say it before, Law lets the name ghost off his tongue, "Rocinante..." Law closes his eyes and diminishes the last bit of distance between them. It's a gentle press of his lips against Rocinante's - a curious and cautious motion.

One that has him wanting to do it again even as he starts to pull away. Law doesn't know why it felt so right to do that and after everything he's been through – he can't find half a mind to care. At least until he opens his eyes to see Rocinante gazing up at him. It takes a moment for Law to realize that the object of his affectionate knows about what he just did.

But when he does, Law is tugging himself away from the arms that try to wrap around him. He swings his legs out from under the blanket and over the edge of the bed. If anything, he'll retreat, something he has no choice but to do. He reaches up, drawing his palm over his face. "I didn't mean to wake you."

Which is an honest statement. Although Rocinante doesn't pay it any mind. "Law, I'll always love you. No matter what."

The words reach Law's ears and Rocinante is glad that he's speaking to the man's back. Otherwise he's not so sure he'd be able to tell him that. He's just as unsure about that kiss as Law is from doing it in the first place. Of course he cares for Law, that's undeniable. It's just that he didn't expect to be so frankly kissed. Yet he resides in his reply, meaning every word.

The scarlet that crosses over Law's face is unforgiving and he doesn't think he can face Rocinante. His body moves automatically, wanting to get up and find anywhere but here. However, Rocinante won't let him get very far. Before Law can stand up he's being tugged backwards. He ends up with his back pressed up against Rocinante's chest while locked securely in an embrace.

It's when Rocinante gives a peck to the top of Law's head that the latter has to pinch his eyes shut. Rocinante smiles and lets a soft sigh leave his lips. "I won't be leaving you again, so we have time to figure this out."

He gives Law a squeeze and Law returns the feeling by placing his hands over Rocinante's. Settling back into the position, he takes a breath that makes his body tremble. Law hadn't realized how tired he is and the exhaustion is creeping up on him. Sleep wraps around him in the next moment with the reassuring feeling that Rocinante will be beside him in the morning.

; w ; Spur of the moment drabble that grew legs and ran away into something else. Continue-able… maybe. Don't know if I want to or not XD