Law takes a sip of his coffee, before setting it down to turn the page of his textbook.
The entrance to the coffee shop swings open, and a boy enters. He has messy raven hair, a music themed shirt, jamming to whatever was playing on his iPod. A backpack is slung over his back as he sweeps his eyes though the shop. There's an empty seat on the opposite side of the table Law's sitting at, but Law definitely doesn't expect the boy to plop himself down in front of Law.
The boy doesn't bother to introduce himself, which sort of strikes Law as rude. He zips open his backpack, pulls out a folder, and begins to shuffle through papers. "Uh, hi," says Law. The boy doesn't look up. "Hi," says Law again, a little more firm.
The boy looks up, and their eyes meet. The boy's eyes widen, and his face looks as though truck has run over his grandmother. Law blinks, wondering if something was on his face. The boy waves his hand in front of Law's face, and Law twists out of the way to make sure his hand doesn't hit his face.
The boy looks even more surprised and timidly he asks, "You can see me?"
Law narrows his eyes, "Of course I can see you. Why wouldn't I?"
"Because…" He takes out his earplugs and stares at Law. "Look closer," he says. Look at what? He searches the boy's face for an answer, before opening his mouth to- wait. Law closes his mouth. It wasn't that hard to see, so why didn't he notice before? It was as though someone had took the boy's skin and dyed it to a dull shade of gray, that shimmered. This boy wasn't human, he was transparent. Law stares, mouth agape.
"How?" Law asks, reaching a hand out to touch the boy's hand, only to feel nothing. "I…" The boy hesitates, "I don't know."
Law stares confused, "You don't know?" The boy looks down, shadows hiding his face.
"But you can really see me, right? You can really hear my voice?" He looks up at Law, and there's something in his eyes that Law just can't get a grip on. "Yeah," Law says and marvels as the face lights up, a grin breaking through. The boy looks so happy that Law can't help but feel like he should have a bigger reason to be so joyful.
"It's been so long since I've been seen," and suddenly the boy frowns. "Humans should't be able to see me."
He gives Law a curious look and Law smiles, "I've got a few secrets of my own."
Law learns that the boy's name is Luffy and that he doesn't have a place to stay. Law finds himself feeling a bit sorry for him and decides to let Luffy stay with him at his apartment. Luffy is ecstatic at the news, and the hyperactive teen begins to chatter, trusting Law as though he had always been there from the start.
Law listens to every word, and as they leave the shop, the cold autumn breeze hits them, and though he shivers out of habit, he feels warm inside.
They're in a rather competitive game of chess, and though Luffy can't really pick anything up as it would simply pass through him, Law helps out by moving the pieces for him. It's summer now, and Law had found that he rather likes Luffy's company. A thought strikes Law. "Everything you touch passes through you correct?" Law asked.
Luffy gave him a skeptical look as Law moves another piece, "Duh," he said.
"So how is it that you can pick up that backpack and flip through those papers from before?"
Luffy pauses and says, "I'm not really sure myself but, I've had them for as long as I can remember, so…" He trails off.
Law decides to change the topic. He stands and Luffy stands to meet him. "I was thinking," says Law, "But I'm planning to go around for a walk through the city, and if you'd want to er-"
Luffy immediately grabs his backpack and shoves on his hoodie. "Let's go!" He says, excitement bubbling.
After visiting the mall and wandering through the park trails, they decide to walk through the stores downtown.
Luffy's just as happy as usual, and Law wonders if Luffy has ever been downtown. The streets are bustling and bright and Luffy's response is, "Duh, I just didn't have anyone to talk too."
They find a bench, and Luffy's scanning the entire town square with his eyes, drinking in the joy of the busy streets. Behind Luffy, sign boasts 'Brook's Music Store' and Luffy turns to look through the store window. A bright, black grand piano can be seen through the glass, and Luffy puts a hand to the window, only to have the hand pass through the glass.
And though he chatters the same as usual, and Law drinks in all his words the same as usual, Law notices him often turn to stare at the store. There's longing in Luffy's expression as he gazes at the piano as though it were out of reach.
"I've got you something."
Luffy gives him a look, "You know I can't touch anything, besides chairs, of course."
"I know, I know," Law says. "I put that into consideration." He leads Luffy inside, telling him to close his eyes. Once they reach the living room of Law's apartment, Luffy opens his eyes.
"So, do you like it?" When he doesn't receive a response, he risks a glance over. Tears were cascading unchecked down Luffy's cheeks, his hands clutches tightly into fists. And reflected in obsidian eyes is the same dark grand piano from the day before.
"It," Luffy's voice cracks, "It's amazing." He turns to Law, and grief is glazed over joy. "But Law, you know I can't… touch the-"
"Try it," Law says, a small smile on his upturned lips.
Luffy stares at Law as though he's grown a second head, wipes his tears, and seats himself on the piano bench. "I don't remember when I learned how to play the piano," he says softly. "One day, I was in a pitch black room, with only the stars and a piano to accompany me. And the next, I was standing on Earth, with a transparent body, a backpack, and an iPod."
There's a bit of doubt in his eyes but Luffy tentatively brushes the keys of the piano, and more teardrops land on the piano. "How?" He asks hoarsely.
"I'm a magician. Or at least that's what people would probably call my kind. I have.. magic." He shuffles his feet,"I er, cast a spell and may have tinkered around a bit with the piano.." Law avoids Luffy's eyes, awaiting an answer.
Laughter echoes the apartment, and Law's gaze snaps back to Luffy. "That's an even stranger than a transparent boy who remembers absolutely nothing."
"It's tr-."
"I know it's true," Luffy interrupts, "After all, if it weren't, how would I be able to do this?"
And a soft melody begins to play, and when it reaches Law's ears, it's the most beautiful thing he's ever heard. The melody dances in front of him, suddenly bursting into spheres with golden hues. It looks like golden rain. And Luffy, Law swears he can see Luffy's fingers dance with a cobalt glow shimmering around his fingertips.
Luffy's fingers dance, his eyes bright and vivid, and Law feels so irresistibly joyful. Law opens the palms of his hands and a golden sphere lands and bursts into tiny sparks. He closes his eyes, and suddenly he's not in an apartment, no. He's somewhere else, where the sea's scent is strong, the skies are bright and blue and the sand is brushing up against his feet.
And then it's gone, and Law's back into his world, not quite believing that it's over already. He knows that no magic he might ever cast would be able to match up to that beauty. And though Luffy's finished playing, hands in his lap, his eyes are still shining, and in that moment Luffy is the universe, billions of stars shining down on Law.
Little does Law know how close he is to the truth.