Notes:
II = change in p.o.v.
_ = beginning/end of flashback (flashbacks are in past tense and indented)
This is my first LawLu fic, I hope you like it! Constructive criticism is completely welcomed!
He used to love birthdays, when his mother and father would come home early from the hospital, when his sister, Lamie, would sit with them and they would watch movies. When he would always get a new medical book for studying, or even a handmade coupon for a free day of no annoyances, no matter how much he denied that Lamie was an annoyance, he appreciated it nonetheless.
That was before the white invaded his skin, his life. He was alone, called a monster, called an infection - a tumor - to life. Told he had no right to be alive…
He used to love birthdays before he was left alone in the world, unable to cure himself, unable to see a reason to live…
Law looks up from his first cup of coffee from an overly priced cafe, called SandDollars Coffee. This was his birthday treat, getting two cups from here, spending over ten dollars on worthless shit that will plague his body. Might as well enjoy it, is his defense.
He remembers the times that he wasn't left alone, that he actually liked life. Scoffing at his memories - and the stupid logo of this shitty place, a mermaid - he throws away his empty cup and gets ready to order another one. The stupidist - Law doesn't even care that 'stupidist' isn't even a word, it's his damn birthday - names of a simple, strong coffee were here. They don't even sell simple strong coffees, this is a place where he doesn't belong.
Law doesn't care about the looks he gets because he got in line again, Law doesn't care that he's being an, 'inconvenience,' to those who are about to get in line, as he didn't order two cups at once. But, what's the fun in that? Where do you find, anywhere, entertainment in being a convenience to anyone? Law doesn't know, so he continues his new birthday tradition - being an asshole to anyone and everyone.
Lost in thoughts, Law doesn't even notice the cashier trying to get his attention.
"Excuse me?" The barista has been waving their hands in front of Law's face, finally bringing him out of his trance.
"Oh - uh, just give me anything - uh… Grande, I guess?" Before the cashier could answer, Law shoves seven dollars under their nose, states his name, then wheels around on his heels and walks through the crowded room of assholes like him to the pick-up area.
A man, someone who seems to be around twenty years old or so, tries to start up a conversation. "Oi," the green haired man calls, "why do you look so upset, eh?"
Law just glares at him, obviously not wanting to talk. "It's my birthday." Looking the man up and down, Law notices he must be part of some sort of fighting team - there's a club just down the street. The green haired freak has a big scar running across his chest, which was bare, a deep scar over his right eye, a green robe that had a sash tied around his waist, and three swords. Law could tell they were impressive swords, even if they were still sleeved.
Looking around them, Law sees seven other people, two women and five men. Law pays them no attention, he just assumes that they know someone who works here and are all part of the same fighting club. His assumption is correct.
"Oi!" A female voice calls to him a few minutes later and Law curses under his breath. Why do these freaks want anything to do with him? This lady has orange hair, chocolate brown eyes, and an hourglass figure. Law could care less for how little clothing she was wearing - it isn't unusual to see women wearing bikini tops and shorts in the beach town, called the New World. "Why are you such an asshole if it's your birthday?"
Law sighs, not wanting to explain. "Just a rough past." She nods, as if she understood rough pasts. Law doesn't doubt it, but he just turns away, not caring for anyone at the moment.
Law waits until his name is called, grabs his coffee - some sort of frappuccino, he guesses - and walks away, after, of course, getting his napkin.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Luffy has been having a pretty good day. The cafe has been busy, but afterwards his friends and him are going to practice fighting for this weekend's match. Slowly, the clock ticks down. He's finally at his last hour of his shift.
SandDollars Coffee doesn't pay bad, it's not the worst but not the best. Luffy doesn't even care about the pay, his brothers just forced him to get some sort of job.
"But I don't need to!" Luffy whined, he didn't see any point.
"We're tired of paying all the rent!" Ace had yelled, punching Luffy on the head. Rubbing his now growing bump, Luffy whimpered.
"Just ask Gramps or Dadan!"
The room burst into laughter at the joke, as if Garp or Dadan would give them any money.
"Luffy, if you get a job, we can get more food."
As soon as Sabo whispered those few words into Luffy's ear, he agreed wholeheartedly. Who doesn't need more food?
Chuckling at the memory from almost a year ago, Luffy finishes taking the order of the lady in front of him. She walks away in the crowd, joining the herd of sheep waiting to take a picture of the shit they don't even like.
"May I help who's next?" Luffy shouts and a tanned man walks up as if in a trance. He looks so tired, the bags evident under his eyes which are glazed over in thought. He has white spots on his face and hands that Luffy identifies as white lead disease, which he learned from his friend that happened to be a doctor. Though - the white spots are unnoticable, they look very faded, as if he somehow managed to treat an untreatable infection. Despite these white spots, Luffy still thinks he's very handsome. His dark hair creating shadows across his face, his features sharp yet also soft. Luffy wants to poke his face, just to see how soft it really is. He refrains though and proceeds to ask what the man would like.
He doesn't answer, so Luffy asks again. Again, no answer. So Luffy starts shouting at him, but he takes no notice.
"Excuse meee!" Luffy draws out the two words, waving both of his hands in front of the man's facing, pushing his hair back like a fan.
Finally, he looks up from his hands, an empty look in his eyes. Luffy wants to hug this man, to find out what his dream is and to make it come true, to just make him feel better.
For a moment, they're just looking into eachother's eyes. Then, the man looks away, hiding his desperation for a better life. Luffy knows that he's had a terrible past, he sees The Look whenever Nami or Usopp is remembering their mothers, whenever Robin remembers Ohara. He sees that look in Zoro's eyes when he remembers his childhood friend, Kuina, whenever Brook remembers Laboon. He sees it in Franky, when he remembers Tom-san. Sanji has it when he remembers Barati, and it's head chef, his adoptive father, Zeff, while Chopper has it also for his adoptive father, Hiluluk, and for his mentor, Dr. Kureha. Sometime's he wonders if he has that look after what happened to Sabo...
"Oh - uh, just give me anything - uh… Grande, I guess?" The man answers. Luffy is about to ask if he's okay when he gives him seven dollars. "The name's Law." He states and walks off. Usually Luffy would describe this as joining the herd, but Law stuck out like a sore thumb. Speaking of sore thumbs, Luffy's thumb is still sore from Nami twisting it during practice yesterday…
'No, that's not the point…' Luffy thinks.
Luffy calls back for someone to take over the cash register while he makes the drink. Wondering what he should give the man, he overhears Zoro talking to Law.
"Oi!" Zoro yells in his deep voice, "why do you look so upset, eh?" That just confirms Luffy's observations. This man named Law does have The Look in his eyes.
As if thinking about how to answer, Law doesn't respond for a couple beats. Then, he says back, "it's my birthday." How Luffy hears this muttered response, he doesn't know. But what he does know is that something broke inside him. How could someone hate their birthday so much?!
Luffy makes eye contact with Zoro, sending a mental message. If Law had waited to turn back to the bustling crowd even just five seconds, then he would have seen Luffy nod towards him or even Zoro whispering to the rest of Luffy's, 'crew.'
But Law didn't wait and Luffy went back to deciding. Finally, Luffy gets the perfect idea. Law doesn't seem like the type to like, well, anything birthday related. So Luffy starts making a SandDollars signature - the Birthday Icing Frappe.
"Oi!" Nami calls while Luffy is almost done making the sugar-filled drink. Law might not, but Luffy knows she wants to distract him from watching Luffy while he writes a little message. "Why are you such an asshole if it's your birthday?"
Shishishi, of course Nami would say something like that.
Again, like the last question, Law pauses. Luffy doesn't know what to make of this, but he continues writing. Minutes seem to pass before Law answers.
"...Just a rough past…" He mutters, almost sighs, again. Luffy wonders why he would say those particular things so quietly, but it doesn't bother him. Law paused for just right amount of time for Luffy to finish writing.
"A Birthday Icing Frappe for Law!" Snickers are heard all through the store right after all noise stopped. Luffy knows that Law only hears his name as he doesn't blush or act as if he hears anything in particular wrong with his drink. In fact, he just looks at the clear cup with puzzlement shown completely on his face.
"Oh, wait!" Luffy calls right after he turns around - he almost forgot the most important part of his plan!
"What?" Law whirls around once more - Luffy can tell he is completely confused. Most likely, the most he has been in his life.
"Here's your napkin!" And Law left, stuffing it into his pocket.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Law continues walking, though gets lost in thought again. He keeps remembering his mother, father, sister, and adoptive father. They all jumble together in one big mess, making him proud that he even got out bed this morning.
As he continues to walk, he starts down at his untouched sugary drink. He almost wants to just chuck it, before deciding that he spent seven dollars on it, he might as well take one sip of the pink shit.
Law almost throws up at the amount of sugar that must be in there, it was all he could taste. Then he realizes it must be made for children - and must be decaf.
So, Law backtracks a little bit. He's looking for the nearest trash can, though he's still lost in thought so he misses five. Finally he gets to one and is about to throw it away when he gets knocked to the ground. By multiple people.
"Oh, sorry!" The green haired man from before looks down sheepishly, though there was a trace of a smirk.
"Oi!" A blond came around the corner, obviously a better actor than his friend, "marimo! You know you're horrible at-" He then proceeds to burst into laughter upon seeing the death glare Law was giving the entire group of nine people.
"Honestly…" The orange haired lady gave Law her hand. "Let us buy you a new one, eh?" Law just shakes his head once he is on his own two feet, noticing the amount of eyes burning into his soul.
"It's fine…"
"Well, if you're sure…" The lady shrugs and starts leading the group away. Before all of them left, however, one person came into his line of sight.
"Better use that napkin, eh? Shishishishi!" The barista from before has an annoying laugh, as Law expected. But, Law pays no attention. He nods his head and watches the man who hasn't even taken his apron off walk away.
Law was sure giving napkins out like that was unusual at such a prestigious place like SandDollars, and his suspicions turns out to be correct as he opens his napkin. A note is on there, written sloppily but Law is just able to read it.
Sorry that you hate your birthday, hope this makes it better! Come back next year - I'll make sure to keep working in that shit hole and get that day so I can work. Tell me if this birthday is better than others - other than the fact you got your drink spilled on you, of course!
-Luffy :)
Law pockets this note, knowing he is going to follow it's directions. Even if he doesn't want to admit it - this birthday has been unfolding to be the best so far.