A/N: Hey hi yes another new kidlaw fic, I know.
This was originally supposed to be for the 2016/2017 opbigbang, but IRL stuff prevented me from actually getting it done within that time frame. I forgot about it for awhile but now that I've found it again and have been dwelling on it, I've decided that I want to share it instead of just leaving it in a folder. It's definitely one of those 'I wanted to try this idea' and see how it goes with these characters. And speaking of characters, I'm not going to question too much how Law's powers work in this fic. They just are what they are, overpowered and all that but with limitations that hopefully balance that out.
As an FYI before diving into this fic, be aware that this is one of those fics where I have Law get tormented physically (not sexually) and mentally, a lot, when he is around Doflamingo.
Warnings: Blood, violence, abuse, torture, likely PTSD mentions, messed up mind games.
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The mansion was eerily quiet that night.
Trafalgar Law found it unnerving, considering what he was up to.
It was distinctly uncomfortable to be doing this again, even if the circumstances were completely different, and his life was not immediately in any danger. Not like it had been when he had been ten, and everything he had known and loved had been taken from him. When his only option during those early years was to run and hide before he met the same fate.
The reason for his flight now, however, was unnervingly similar in both instances. It didn't fail to register in Law's mind that he was again being driven from relative safety, and all because of his powers that, from what he could tell, were unique to him, and him alone.
Not that those abilities would do him any good in aiding with his escape. Law had to make do without the use of those otherworldly powers to get out, lest someone pick up on a power surge. Law needed to run away as far as possible from the mansion and Doflamingo as was humanly possible. Each step Law took brought him further away from his room, and closer to escape. Closer to freedom. Each step was taken carefully so as to minimize any sound. Being caught sneaking around was a real risk that night, considering what had happened earlier in the day.
Law slipped from one shadow to another within the halls of the mansion, doing his upmost to be as silent as possible. It wouldn't do to make any unnecessary sounds because he had to be absolutely sure that he didn't draw anyone's attention. Law knew that Doflamingo had guards in his own mansion, and despite his insistence that it was to keep intruders out, Law knew very well that they were there to keep tabs on even the inhabitants of the building.
Namely, Law himself.
Ordinarily, no one in the mansion would have given a damn what he was up to, but Law knew that there were a few people who might question his frequent midnight wanderings. Everyone in Doflamingo's family knew that Law was something of an insomniac due to his past trauma. But right now, Law knew that if he were spotted wandering around in the dark, there would be consequences. There was no way Law would be able to get away with what he had in mind. Not if someone were to see him and the backpack that he carried over one shoulder. Not only was it well past midnight, but there was another, more important reason Law was being vigilant.
It wouldn't do to be caught skulking about in the dark like this, because earlier that afternoon Doflamingo had given him a strict order to not leave the mansion. Since the order had been given around other people, there was good chance that everyone in the family would have known about the order by now. Law had to be extra careful because odds were good that, if spotted, he would be brought back to his room, no matter how he tried to justify himself. Nothing could hold up against one of Doflamingo's orders, and Law was only just starting to realize now how everything that had kept him safe these past 14 years was now working against him.
Law peered around a corner at the end of the quiet hall, and his frame visibly relaxed when he again saw that he was alone. Good. He didn't have much farther to go before he would make it out onto the mansion grounds. Briefly closing his eyes, Law took a deep breath and let it out before he continued on. Law couldn't stop for too long to consider his actions right now. Law had made a decision, and he had to follow through with it before Doflamingo caught wind of his intentions.
It was ridiculous, really.
Doflamingo had to be overeating if he expected Law to not leave the mansion at all for an unspecified amount of time. The dark haired man still had work to do at the hospital. It wasn't like anyone was going to suddenly attack him at the hospital that he worked at or even target him in any specific way. Law had been very careful to keep his powers hidden from the rest of the world, and only Doflamingo and a select few of his 'family' knew about it. Law was perfectly safe at work.
As Law headed for a door at the end of another too long hallway, Doflamingo's words from earlier in the day drifted unbidden through Law's mind.
Fufufufu. See, Law? Didn't I tell you that I knew that this was going to happen? That it was only a matter of time?
'This' being the way their country, as well as others around the world, were collapsing in on themselves. Literally. Something had gone wrong, as the very landscapes they lived on seemed to be shifting. Holes were opening up in the ground, swallowing chucks of cities all around the world at an alarming rate, and disrupting energy flow from power plants.
Law swallowed nervously as he made his way down the hallway, his hair standing on end as if he were going to be spotted any second now. And still Doflamingo's voice dogged him, making what Law was doing incredibly more nerve racking than it needed to be.
You and I are going to have to have a little chat tomorrow, about what we talked about before you came to live here.
Law's stomach churned. He couldn't, wouldn't think about what that conversation would entail. Law had been feeling great while he had been living with Doflamingo and the rest of his 'family.' Law hadn't needed to overexert himself to survive. But now...now that the worst seemed to have finally come, as unexpected as it was, meant that Law had to get out of here. He had to. Even reaching the door did nothing to relax Law, and the dark haired man cautiously reached the door. With a shaking hand, Law rested his palm over the doorknob carefully, and then wrapped his hand around it the rest of the way. Law paused, waiting, as if expecting the door before him to burst open.
It didn't.
With a shake of his head, Law exited through the door, sighing to himself. Just because land in the the country and the people were beginning to riot didn't mean that the world was going to immediately collapse in on itself. It didn't mean that people would somehow magically find out about Law's peculiar ability. That Doflamingo believed the collapse of land across the world was a direct link to civilization coming to an end as they knew it was ridiculous enough. That the older man believed word would get out about Law was ludicrous at best. Law himself didn't believe that anyone in the area he lived in and worked actually know what he was capable of. Law was very careful to keep it secret. He merely worked his rounds as a surgeon in the Grand Line City hospital.
So long as nothing was said by the family, Doflamingo or Law himself, no one would ever know, and Law was smart enough to not showcase his ability to strangers any longer. Law was no fool. Not anymore. He knew what would happen if he got careless. What had happened when he was younger.
When Law had realized he had stranger powers, he had showed it off to his classmates all those years ago. At first, it had seemed like innocent childhood fun. Everyone he had shown his ability to had loved it. Powering up small electronics was applause-worthy to the other eight year olds that lived in town Law had been more than happy at the time to showcase the power. A lightbulb here. A few batteries there. Law had done nothing that shouted danger to the populace at large. Law had done nothing as a child that would have been an indication to outside powers that this was an ability that could be manipulated to their advantage.
Or used against them.
The wrong people found out about a ten year old's strange ability to power electrical objects some two years after it had been discovered.
Law had lost what he had cared about then. He had almost been killed by people who thought he should not exist. The only reason he had gotten away was because another group of people had wanted to capture him, presumably to use his powers for themselves. Law had made it away, a little battered but still alive and kicking and had wandered around alone, until he had come across Doflamingo and his family. Desperate for sanctuary of some kind, Law had shown Doflamingo his powers, as it was the only thing his young and rattled mind could think of to do. Law had shown Doflamingo those powers, in hopes that the older man would grant Law some sort of protection from the people who had been trying to kill him. Protection from those who had tried to capture him.
Had Law really thought about it, he would have seen the scheming look that had crossed Doflamingo's face for what it was. Law should have known that Doflamingo fell into the category of people that saw potential in Law's abilities, and how they could use it to their advantage. The only reason Law had stayed put was because Doflamingo had merely told him to not use his powers. To not use them around anyone other than him and a few select members of his family, if at all. That Law wouldn't have to worry about being taken advantage of.
Law knew better now.
The secrecy had been to protect him, yes, but to also prevent others from catching wind of it.
Law ground his teeth. He had been further assured, at the age of ten, that the only reason Doflamingo would want him to use his powers again would be if the world started to crumble in on itself. And if there was a sudden need for electricity and something to power machines. Ten year old Law couldn't imagine anything worse happening in the world then losing his family, so he had foolishly agreed, thinking it impossible for the world to get any worse than it already was.
Law shook his head as he quietly made his way down some stairs, but at the sound of a door, he sucked in a quick breath at the sound of voices. Law pressed himself against the nearest wall, sinking down along the cold stone, barely daring to breathe as he willed the voices to go in another direction. His heart rate increased when the voices seemed to draw nearer, before it began to quiet down. Law let out a slow breath, his whole body going limp with relief. There were some people in the building that Law truly did not want to run in to after getting a direct order from Doflamingo.
One man in particular, Vergo, he would do well to avoid at all costs, which meant Law had to get out of there before anyone realized he was out of his room.
Law fought down the panic that threatened to well up and out at the thought of being caught mid-escape. WIth a press of his hand to his chest, Law took another, steadying breath before letting it out and forcing his body to relax. Another few breaths and Law had his breathing back under control. Straightening from the wall, Law finished descending down the stairs, and slipped out of the door at the base of the stairs. Law emerged into a quiet, expansive lawn, and for once, he didn't see the appeal of having such a ridiculous amount of grounds, along with a wall surrounding the entirety of the property. Due to Doflamingo's certainty that within less than two decades the world would basically go savage, the man had decided to live as far away from civilization as he could get. That way, he would be able to gather up resources and wait out the inevitable looting and fighting the people of the county may fall into.
The man was insane, Law had thought, but powerful enough to deter anyone from trying to threaten or harm him. Law wondered if Doflamingo would find the most advantageous city once things had settled, and implement his plan to stay atop the rabble he considered beneath him.
Doflamingo was crazy, but it was that very plan of his that had Law going on the run that night. It was a plan that included Law, and his willingness to go along with what Doflamingo had planned for him.
Law regretted agreeing so easily to the older man's terms, without thinking of the consequences. Law hadn't used his powers often, but once he was safe, Law had begun testing them out again some years into living with Doflamingo. It was during that time that Law had realized that making use of his powers took a toll on his body, and his life. Law hadn't exactly said as much to Doflamingo. Law had merely stated that he wouldn't be able to help as much as he and Doflamingo thought he would be able to, but the blond had seemed so sure of Law's ability that he dismissed Law's concerns.
Don't dwell on it too much, Law. It isn't like the world is coming to an end. Yet. Having you assist with powering generators and the like will only happen if the world goes to shit.
Much to Law's astonishment earlier that day, it appeared then and there that the world was indeed going to shit, and that made Doflamingo's years ago promise to have Law help him become a cold, harsh reality. The older man's off-handed comments and insistence of the world coming to some kind of end was no longer some amusing, unbelievable thing. An uncomfortable feeling had settled itself into Law's stomach, and it sat there with every passing hour, making Law nauseous as he considered what was going on.
The reasoning had ended with Law deciding that he was no longer safe.
The dark haired man wasn't exactly sure whether Doflamingo would consider him sneaking away as an act of rebellion or if he would consider it a traitorous act. Law didn't particularly care at that point in time, because all he could feel was that he had to leave, and leave now. Especially over the news of even more land collapsing and sinking into the ground all over the world. Fights were breaking out more and more land was cracking with no sign of ending. There were still police and other forces keeping the peace for the most part, but it was only a matter of time before they were outnumbered or they defected and joined the rank of the masses acting out as fear of the unknown took over rational thought.
Law stealthily made his way along the mansion grounds, ducking behind statues and hedges. Law made his way toward the small, not often used side gate out of the mansion grounds that he knew would lead into the dense surrounding forest. Law shifted the backpack he wore over both of his shoulders now, hoping that he had grabbed enough supplies to last him until he found a grocery store to buy food with the cash he had stolen. Law didn't dare risk tipping anyone off that he was running away by stealing food from the kitchen.
You need to leave this place, Law. You don't want to stay here with Doffy. You don't fully understand what he has planned for you. You will never truly be free if you stay here. This mansion will become a prison before too long. Please listen to me, Law.
Rocinante's warnings sounded in his mind as Law neared the gate. He'd been given the warning six years ago, when Law had been 18 years old. It was the last time Law had seen Rocinante. Law had no idea what had happened to Doflamingo's younger brother, and Law knew better than to ask Doflamingo, as the man hadn't deemed the disappearance important enough to speak about. But Law would have told Rocinante that he was wrong about not knowing what Doflamingo had in store for him.
There was no doubt in Law's mind now that Doflamingo had only kept him around for his powers. Law knew that part of the reason that Doflamingo had ordered him to not leave the mansion was because the blond was more than likely assessing the situation. Planning on when he would need to make a move to prevent any other players from thinking they could take control of a broken world.
If any of that craziness actually came to pass.
Just because things didn't look good right now didn't meant they wouldn't turn around. Then Law could go back to ignorantly thinking that he was safe, and that Doflamingo wasn't the most dangerous person for him to be around right now. Doflamingo wanted him for his power. A power that Law didn't know how or why he had it. Law regretted now more than ever showing Doflamingo what he could do all those years ago.
Law had to escape, now.
If he didn't, Law had an uneasy feeling that he would become what some of his elusive, mostly gone and dead enemies had feared from the beginning. A power source to Doflamingo, something to be used and taken advantage of to gain power himself. Law desperately wished to avoid that at all costs. If Law hadn't believed that Doflamingo would actually force him to power things for him in a world that had begun to go crazy, Law never would have stepped foot out of his home of the past 14 years.
That idea of Doflamingo eventually revealing Law's powers presented another problem that Law wondered if Doflamingo had considered. If Law were to power things for the man, who was to say that the populace wouldn't realize what the source of that sudden power was? If word were to get out of what Law was capable of, then everyone would want Law for themselves. If that happened, Law was certain that Doflamingo would lock him up in a room if need be to prevent him from being taken. And if that came to pass, Law would never be free, and the dark haired man despaired that he had not been more insistent that Rocinante take him with him when Law had last seen the man.
Law shook the thought from his mind as he carefully eased the gate open, and his footsteps become faster, careless, as he made straight for the forest. The first step in preventing that scenario was to get away and regroup. Figure out what his options were. Figure out where he would be safe. Law felt anxious all of a sudden, and broke into a run, the need to flee stronger now that he was out in the open.
He didn't make it very far, because Law wasn't as alone as he thought.
Law had no warning before he was struck harshly in the abdomen with a fist. The flare of pain caused Law to double over in an instant, the agony shooting throughout his body. With a choked, surprised gasp, Law crumpled to the ground and curled in on himself.
Vergo.
It had to be Vergo.
Had he been following Law this whole time?
The realization of who had just struck him threw Law into a panic. Despite the hitch in his breath as he uncurled, Law shook his backpack off and hastily roll out of the way of his assailant. Instead of continuing to run away like he should have, Law lashed out with a foot and caught Vergo in the shin. Without daring to look to see whether the kick had had an effect or not, Law surged to his feet and made for the nearby cluster of trees, his heart hammering in his chest.
Law didn't get very far before his attacker seized him and roughly swung a fist into his gut again This time Law completely lost his breath as he gasped in heaving breaths, desperate for air. It hurt. The pain seemed to settle in, and for a moment, he forgot how to breath. He was spiraling, and he couldn't focus. Law knew who had punched him, and he knew that he should have known better than to think that Doflamingo wouldn't guess that he'd try to run. Not after all the news being broadcasted about the end of a civilized world. Law let out a faint whimper when he was seized by the back of his shirt and given a rough shake.
"Doffy told you not to leave the mansion."
Law shook a little as Vergo gripped him by the back of his shirt. Was the man going to strike him again? Law's eyes had closed, as he was still struggling to get a good breath of air. Law was unprepared for Vergo to heft him up and send him roughly through the air, presumably back through the gate. Law stumbled from the force, and, unable to regain his footing as his feet touched the grass, went tumbling along the ground until he came to a rest on his side. Law heard himself let out a faint whimper again, unused to being harmed in any way for so many years. It hurt, hitting the ground like that, but not as much as it was going to hurt if he let Doflamingo have his way with his powers. While Doflamingo knew what he was capable of, he didn't know that it caused Law discomfort if he used his power for too long. Law knew for certain that he would not last for long with the amount of power Doflamingo would want him to generate. It would drain him too quickly, and Law would more than likely die within a few years if he were to constantly use his powers.
"Get back inside."
Law let out a cough and finally sucked in a deep breath. He was still taken aback and wincing from the pain of the sudden, unexpected reality of being thrown. Of being hurt after so many years of no one daring to lay a hand on him. Law heard a thump above his head, and knew that it had to be his backpack being tossed before him. A clang rang out, and the sound let Law know that Vergo had closed the gate, a clear indication that Law had no choice but to go back into the mansion.
"Doffy figured that you would try to leave when you finally realized what he had planned for you."
Law grimaced as he forced himself to his hands and knees, head bowed as he struggled to even out his breathing. This wasn't good. There was no way that he stood a chance of running away now that Vergo was there. The man wouldn't let Law leave his sight until he was back inside his room. And if Law didn't go willingly, he knew that Vergo would have no problem whatsoever beating him into submission and dragging his unconscious body along the mansion halls.
The thought made Law sick to his stomach. This wasn't good at all. It was the worst-case scenario that Law had been desperate to avoid. Law's right hand rose to settle gingerly against his abdomen, and winced as even that little of a touch sent a flare of agony through him.
"You should have known from the moment that Doffy took you in that it was only because of your ability. He said that he's prepared to make things unpleasant for you if you refuse to listen to him. He did keep you safe all these years."
Law raised his head just the slightest bit to see that Vergo stood before the small gate, blocking it. Law squeezed his eyes shut and hung his head. Law knew that it was highly likely that if he were to step back inside the mansion now, he would be collected and locked in his room until Doflamingo was sure that he wouldn't try and run. And to be certain of Law's obedience to him, Doflamingo would likely assign someone to keep an eye on him 24/7.
"Don't keep Doffy waiting."
Those words sent a chill through Law.
It seemed he'd made a mistake all those years ago. By placing his trust in Doflamingo for the safety that was offered, Law had found out too late that what he wanted for himself didn't matter. All Doflamingo wanted was his power, and what the older man wanted, he would get, one way or another, whether Law liked it or not.
Law grit his teeth. He was a fool for believing that someone would protect him without wanting to make use of his powers in return. Law had given his loyalty, for the most part, to Doflamingo, and he had worked in a hospital at the older man's insistence these past 6 years. But apparently, it wasn't enough. And now, Law was to pay for all of those years of safety in a way that he knew he couldn't maintain for long without eventually killing himself from overexertion.
Trapped.
He was trapped, and there was only one thing Law could think of to do that could possibly get him away from Doflamingo and the mansion. Law placed a hand on the ground to brace himself, shakily taking in a breath, and then another, in an attempt to steady himself. If he screwed this up, Doflamingo was sure to find out about a closely guarded secret. One that had nothing to do with Law being able to generate electrical power for machines. A secret that Law had kept to himself for nearly all his life.
Law raised his head and met Vergo's eyes, the younger man's breathing evening out as he slipped into a calm, almost detached state of mind. If Vergo knocked him out, it was over. Law had to act fast in order to save himself, and he only had one shot to get it right.
With his freedom on the line, Law refused to waste his one chance to escape.
It was now or never.
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A/N: I figured it would be nice to work on something that has been already written out for the most part from beginning to end, and that working on this fic will perhaps help me get some inspiration to work on my other wips that don't have as in depth outlines/summaries.
I am hoping to be able to get through this at a good pace, but, as always, shit happens in real life so there will perhaps be delays as I edit and expand in some areas of the typed summary of this fic. My hope is that as soon as I finish with this fic, I'll feel motivated and inspired to do the same with some of my other fics.
