A/N: Angsty chapter where Robin offers friendship.

Warnings: Language, mention of rape, non-consensual sex


Chapter 9 – Storage / Robin


It was light outside. As much as he should have appreciated it – he hadn't really been free to enjoy the ocean or fresh air, the sky above, for such a long time – right now he needed somewhere black, quiet, well away from everyone. Somewhere he could curl in upon himself.

Robin found him, in a corner of the little room behind the boiler, way at the bottom of the ship. It was pitch black until her eyes adjusted. The white patterning on the nodachi's sheath guided her to Law. From what she could make out, he was folded in on himself, head on his drawn up knees, Kikoku in the crook of his arms, just as he'd sat out on the deck of the Sunny on the way to Dressrosa. Looking down, not outwards.

"Law?"

There was no response.

"Mind if I sit down?"

Again, no response, so she did. She could tell from his breathing that he was awake.

"What are you doing down here, Law?" Hadn't he had enough of dungeons, of being locked up? She hadn't expected him to respond, and so when he did she almost missed it.

"Safe."

Ah. She looked down. She couldn't really see her own hands. She could see the appeal in darkness though Law couldn't really explain it himself. He wanted to go somewhere he could let his grief just wash over him, and let out the self-loathing they'd ingrained in him; where he didn't have to look at anything or anyone, or have them look at him. The dark was comforting in an all enclosing way. When he'd been younger, he'd hide in the storage rooms to read, to try and escape Doflamingo.

In the extreme of either of his captivities, as uncomfortable as it had been to be shackled in the dungeons, he'd grown to like the quiet in the moments in between the beatings and the fucking. At least they were leaving him alone. Here in the dark, maybe he could give in to all of their faces, their words, or he couldn't see them at all. After captivity, it took a while to become reacquainted with freedom. He'd barely been a few days free, and a whole lot more of them captive.

She took his hand, and she felt him tense, but he didn't withdraw it.

"They really did a number on you, didn't they Law-kun?"

Who were these they, he thought? There were the two main protagonists, and then Kizaru and Akainu, and then every other faceless fucking entity in between. Zoro. Roronoa. And Law had to take that, and couldn't allow the possibility, acknowledge the growing, existing, trust and tenderness between himself and Luffy? All he could and should expect were other men taking him in the roughest and most painful way possible, because that was expected of him? That was his role?

He didn't know how to form words. His breath just got deeper, and Robin realised that he was crying, and she wasn't sure if he was aware. It was soundless, she could only tell from his exhalation. That didn't surprise her, but she knew there was nothing but desolation in that release.

"Luffy's worried."

She felt him stiffen and he gently pulled his hand from hers, and then she imagined him, or felt him, more so, turn from her and more in on himself.

"You missed lunch."

It took him a while to actually hear and process that. She heard him give a small laugh, over the other emotions crowding and clouding him at present. This crew and their obsession with food. He knew he needed it though, to gain strength, to face whoever might be over that goddamned horizon. He might not be on this ship much longer, given the events of this morning.

"Chopper wants to check your injuries." Law touched his ear briefly, and pulled away at the sharp pain. The pain-killers had worn off. He'd have to get it looked over.

"What happened, Law? To come down here?" Was he even wearing shoes, she wondered. Had they found anything in his size? She felt him jostling on the bench seat that circled the room, and he sighed, the sound shaky from the tears.

"In my life?" He said quietly, a growl, "Or more recently?" They were combined.

"Today, Law-kun. We left you in the infirmary, asleep with Luffy, and you finally looked at peace, were sleeping, and now you're down here. Today."

Kun. He knew there was no menace when Robin used the endearment. But it had been used as a belittlement by many others. His own name said by others could be poisonous. Condescending. Doflamingo had always urged him to step back and let the adults take control, and that meant no control for him.

Robin heard Law pause. Bracing to speak. He started, stopped, started again.

"How did you feel about Luffy sleeping in the same bed as me?"

Robin shrugged, and realised Law couldn't see her, though he could feel some movement.

"Whatever nightmares you were having, Law, they weren't about to let go. I'm glad he could help you."

Law rested his head against his nodachi. "Yeah, me too."

Was that it? His response? His reasons? Each time he added more she was surprised.

"Sometimes I need complete darkness like this to both will those nightmares and memories away but also to let them wash all over me and knock me about a bit. Sometimes I just can't escape their words and the memory of their touch all the fucking way over me. It's so ingrained, I don't have enough power to not let them dictate how I feel." Even now, insults, entreaties, hands, lips and dicks where he didn't want them ghosted over him. He just had to let it happen.

"Does it disgust you?" He felt the brand under his sweater. "Does it disgust you, knowing what I am, and seeing me with your captain?" Does it make you want to rip me from limb to limb, to lay me down and take that which he only wanted to share with Luffy? The movement of the ship over the calm seas was barely perceptible to the two seasoned pirates.

"Law," she whispered, and drew near him again. She could feel his body heat, which wasn't much. "I'm going to touch you, okay?" Could he get any more rigid? "I'm not them, okay?" She put a hand on his arm, and sought out his hand again, entwined their fingers. She felt his breath shorten a little. She guessed he'd heard similar endearments that had ended in insult and injury.

"It's me, Robin. Nico Robin, your friend." One of her fingers ran over his thumbnail. "Law, what you are?" She could see the vague outline of his face, and she very gently placed a palm against it, but she noticed he flinched, more from pain than fear. What was that? She dropped her hand. Or was he turning from the words that would define him? Tell me Robin-ya, what am I?

"Yes, we were all surprised by the brand, and we were worried sick when you were captured, but that brand isn't you. You're a fighter, a survivor. A brave man who's endured more than anyone ever should. A kind man, and an amazing fucking surgeon who saved our captain's life, and I don't think that your assistance was completely physical. I know you've helped heal Luffy's emotional wounds too. Why would that disgust me?"

She sat back for a while, but didn't let go. "Being with Luffy was also a surprise, yes, and I will not be happy if he's hurt, but I think that you can and have made him happy, and that's a wonderful thing."

She squeezed his hand.

Law swallowed. "He broke down the first night we saw each other again."

"And he needed to. He won't do that around crew you know. I mean, not to us. He doesn't let us get that close. You both share knowledge of deep loss, but you draw from that to heal the other. He needs that. You too. I'm grateful, Law. He didn't know if he'd see you again. None of us did."

Silence.

"Me too, I'm grateful too." Law murmured.

"You're cold?" She'd felt him shiver.

"Mmm," but he didn't make to leave. Being cold was a way of being.

"Robin, thank you for your words, but I'm a whore, or I'm also a whore. This mark tells the story." That was a conversation they'd never had on the way to Dressrosa, and what had Akainu said? Had Law really thought a slave could gain the respect of this mighty crew? Once they knew his true worth?

She realised he'd lifted his sweater a little.

"I'm owned by others, have been. Nearly anyone who comes across this mark will want to use me. My conditioning is to comply. I can't count how many times I've been fucked, and Doflamingo and Vergo just rotated through me as if it was a very pleasant – for them – a necessary chore they had to execute on a daily basis. Except that gives you the idea they did it once and left me alone, and that there was no violence or degradation involved, which is nowhere near the case. Can you accept that, can Luffy?"

He felt her reach for his head again, and she manoeuvred it so that their foreheads touched. She had to tip his head down. It seemed to be the go-to for intimacy.

"Law, no-one can or ever has owned this entity that is you, and it makes me so mad that they've tried to crush and break you. I know they can't. I accept you as you are. You seem alright to me, and if Luffy cannot, that's his problem, not yours, and you'll know to walk away. You're not a whore, Law, you're a survivor, and first and foremost, human, and you should be treated as such."

Robin always had a macabre sense of humour.

Law's inhalation was shaky, as before. "I had to pleasure them. That's the basic job description. I had to respond, I had to initiate if it was required of me." His hand had gone to hold her wrist gently. "I had to yield. I had to give them what they wanted."

"You're not a whore. It's not innate. You don't deserve it, you didn't choose it, and why not you with Luffy if he's into it? Why not?"

He left his hand on her own where she'd tried to tip his face towards her. It was difficult to read his eyes in this tiny, dark room. He kissed the surface of her skin lightly, seeing as some level of intimacy had been broached, then sat back.

"Thank you, Robin." After a pause he began again, "Doflamingo and Vergo were so inconsistent, except in hurting me, that I'm always second guessing. It's a protective action, reaction."

"Mhmm."

"Your first mate, however, tends to agree with them, and doesn't agree with you."

"We'll work him around."

Law hoped so. He kept it to himself for now, but had no desire to wake up to the green-haired man's lips over his again, that punch.

"Will you join us?"

He'd dropped her hand. "Will you sit just a bit longer?"

"Just a bit, Law. Can I come closer? It's cold."

She felt him pat the seat nearer him, and he had no objection when she leaned into him. She drew her feet up. Robin had always been there, despite initial reservations about the alliance between the Hearts and the Strawhats. She had none of the knee-jerk reactions to him that some of the more timid members did. She was surprised when he put an arm around her to warm her. She really must have gained his trust. They both knew he batted for the other team, for the most part, so there was no deeper intent. Had known that from personal conversations they'd had on the Sunny as it made its way to Dressrosa. But he wasn't the most physically giving person, and disliked being touched by those he didn't know well and trust, and even then. She warmed herself against his body. For him, it was a matter of practicality.

"Robin, what I'm about to say will sound crass. Can I go ahead?"

He felt her nod against him.

"I'll tell you to stop if it's something I don't want to hear."

And he would stop. That's how adults, humans, treated one another. Her hair smelt nice.

"Okay then. Part of the game was always to get me off too, part of the humiliation, part of what turned them on."

He told her in such a deadpan, well-modulated voice, but she knew he was a maelstrom inside, or had been. And this kind of topic was never easy to talk about.

"Sometimes the release is incredible, and when the body, my body, endures that for so long, it sometimes seems the only way to get off."

"Subjugated?"

"Mhmm," he said quietly, his arm still warm around her.

"I don't think Luffy's into bondage."

Law laughed. "With those rubber arms . . ." And they both laughed at the darker humour.

"I'm not either, really, Robin, and especially not forced bondage, forced anything. But, despite the encounters being degrading, they were also my introduction to sex, and pleasure carries with it huge servings of humiliation and guilt, or the opposite. Fear leads to pleasure. I feel ashamed of myself. Doflamingo and the others say the only honest part of me is my body, as it responds to them."

She felt the arm tighten. It really should be Luffy here.

"Law," and she was now close enough to see the confusion and pain in his eyes. "Law, your honesty was telling them no. You never agreed to having them use you, imprison you, chip you. You told them no, even if it was in a slow burning hatred, trying to keep a hold of your identity. Even if it was a sense that something was terribly wrong. It's their dishonesty that can use your body's responses as a justification for assault and torture, enslavement. You know that. You're a doctor."

"Yes." He looked down now, unwrapped from her, his elbows on his knees, his hands in his hair. But what did he really know? His childhood was a war zone, his adult years were better, but not always. "Feeling and believing it are a different thing. Especially after these two years."

Especially after Zoro this morning.

"You're raw, Law. Picking at a scab." It felt more like plunging his hand into a gaping wound. "You're worth a thousand of them, you know. Luffy's lucky." Robin stood up and held out a hand. "Coming up?"

He almost took her hand, but said, before he could stop himself, "Roronoa-ya also thinks my innate spirit is just waiting for someone to fuck me."

She paused, Zoro? It didn't sound like him. She sat down again. "What happened this morning, Law?" She tipped his face her way again. Noticed again the slight flinch when her thumb touched his jaw.

"He punched me in the face and followed through with a kiss that included a fuckload of tongue."

"Zoro?"

Law nodded.

"Why?"

"The punch was because I kissed Luffy. His kiss was because I was a whore. Because of the brand. He told me clearly."

"You kissed Luffy?"

Law sat back, and she felt his arm move, running through his hair, perhaps.

"There should be different words for that action. I kissed his crown. The hair on the top of his head. It was a kiss of gratitude. It lasted a second, perhaps. Closed mouth. Chaste."

"He was asleep?"

"Yes, and I'd just woken. The anaesthetic and analgesics must have made me groggy. I couldn't even sense anyone else in the room, other than Luffy."

"Your nightmares were intense last night, Law."

"Nightmares, memories, they're all one and the same really."

She knew his lips would be in a line. Noted that he cradled the nodachi.

"But yes, they were, but they ceased, and it wasn't until I awoke and found Strawhat with me that I knew why. I can't even begin to describe those dreams, Robin, except to say, they don't fucking exaggerate reality, unfortunately."

"Didn't."

The base of the nodachi scabbard scraped on the floor slightly. "Didn't. God-fucking-willing. So that was part of the reason I was so grateful. I was on the ship, seemingly safe, – the removal of the seastone chip – I can't tell you what a relief that is." He sat back against the wall and stretched out his legs.

"And more so, here was a guy who seemed to care enough about me that he'd come to the sick bay when requested . . ."

"You requested it?"

"I'm prone to nightmares, and I knew I couldn't fight them post-op, so I'd asked Chopper to get Luffy if he couldn't wake me."

"And he couldn't."

Law shook his head. "I just had a sense when I woke, and not in the middle of a nightmare, whether in my dream world or reality, and with Luffy's arms around me, that maybe everything could be all right. That someone cared that much, even if it was to help a friend and nothing more, or maybe it was something more. A lifting of this anxiety that eats up everything." His sigh was of frustration.

He remembered feeling the taste of Luffy's hair under his lips. It was a gesture of affection, thanks, reverence almost. Nothing more.

"Next thing I knew, Zoro had lifted me into the air by the neck of my sweater and then punched me back down to the pillow. My mouth flew open of course and he made sure he cut off all escape options for breathing and questioning. I almost blacked out."

Fuck, did he what. Law wiped his hand over his face.

"I could tell the intent, you can sense it from them. Before he punched me, remember, he already had me by the shirt neck, I asked him if he was going to pound me or keep me quiet, Chopper definitely advising against the former. I told him that too. Did it seem like a come-on? Did I bring it on myself?"

"Zoro? You mean . . .?"

"Was he going to fuck me in the arse or between my lips?"

Robin whistled. "Well, you've always been too acerbic for your own good."

Law gave a very quiet laugh, almost a sound of regret. "I was surprised, but don't get me wrong – relieved – when he didn't follow through. I told him if he did I wouldn't forget. If he tried when I was stronger, I'd kill him. I'm getting stronger, but I'm not there yet."

Robin grimaced thinking of the seastone that had been coursing through Law's bloodstream the last two years, and the people who thought keeping devil fruit users in a constant state of discomfort and pain was the best way to control them. She shuddered at the thought of the touch of it.

"He's been with Luffy a long time. He's protective."

Law nodded. "I checked that they weren't together. I've been away. Anything can happen. He admitted some kind of attraction to me, almost had a fit at the suggestion he might be with Luffy."

Robin was sure Law's expression was sardonic.

"Insecurity. I could have granted that. Just. Maybe," he said, recalling the confusion and feel of suffocation under Zoro's assault. "But he returned Kikoku, and knew how angry she was, and yet he couldn't see me as the swordsman who'd helped him fight, protected him at times, the doctor who'd fixed up his wounds, the person he knew, as prickly as I am, while we crewed after Punk Hazard and fought through Dressrosa. We've drunk together.

"He told me that my filthy mouth on Luffy's body disgusted him. That I was good for one thing, I was trained for one thing, so he was within his rights to take that one thing, for me to give it to him. It was my duty to do so, and really, I had or would have no say in the matter."

"He didn't . . . ?"

Law shook his head. "No, apart from the initial assault it was all verbal."

He was calm. She could tell he was, but he was also trying to figure out how to approach and spend the rest of his time on board the Sunny. He so wanted it to be his haven, at least until he could meet up with his own crew.

"Luffy told us."

Law nodded. She sensed he had his eyes closed. "I responded, instinctively – or from years of conditioning really – to his tongue in my mouth. I must have curled my tongue back to his in that moment, even though I really didn't know what was going on. It wasn't expected, and I didn't want it."

She noted that his fist was curled up next to him.

"Robin. It's what I was telling you before. I told Roronoa-ya too. I had to learn how to respond. The consequences were too great if I didn't. I was trained in that. He was completely right, but it didn't mean, doesn't mean, that I want him all over me, and I hope it doesn't mean that I've lost any chance with Luffy."

Robin turned to Law again, this time, she pulled her legs up and faced him directly. He didn't have his hat on. His hair looked so inviting and soft. Chopper would be so mad at him. He looked even more exhausted than all his injuries and journeys suggested he should. Shouldn't he look a little better after the rescue? This close and with her eyes adjusted to the dark, she could see much more.

"Law, can I touch you again?"

He appreciated that. "Any time. Thank you for asking, it means a lot."

He guessed she meant more closely than just holding his hand.

She kneeled on the bench, and brought his face close to hers again. They were close enough for her to see the brittleness and tenderness in his eyes, now that their sight had adjusted to the darkness. Only the darkness was privy to that look, she guessed. She had her hands on either side of his face. She saw the compassion that the Don Quixote fucks couldn't beat out him, no matter how much they tried.

"Smoker thinks a lot of you, you know."

Law nodded. "I think a lot of him. I owe him."

"Tsuru, Kureha-Sensei, Luffy, Chopper. Hard and gentle folk." She traced the ear which hadn't been operated on the day before. "Zoro's a product of his circumstance."

As am I, thought Law.

"A bounty hunter, a man's man."

"I don't see why I need to bear the brunt of his prejudice."

She shook her head. "You don't, and you shouldn't, but he's not a sadist like Doflamingo."

"Just unthinking, like the fucking marines. It's not pleasant, you know. No matter who's on top of you." Robin nodded. The women often understood far better than the men, which maybe only proved Zoro's point in a fucked up kind of way.

"You'll train with him?"

"I will." Law knew he needed to get his strength and skill up, no matter what.

"He'll come around, and you'll kick his arse at some time in some way. In the meantime, we'll watch your back, Law. I'm sorry it happened."

"Yeah, I think he's sorting through some stuff, but I just don't want to be dragged down with it. I can't defend myself well at the moment. I need to feel safe to recover."

She kissed him lightly on the lips. He looked at her surprised.

"I want you to know that people will treat you gently, Law. That you deserve it." He looked quickly down, almost in pain. Inhaled, looked up, then brought her face to his, and returned the favour. Oh wow. That was beautiful.

"You sure you're not interested in women, Law?" She said when the kiss had ended, her voice shaky.

"I have my moments," he said with a smile. He was trained to please, but the warmth in that kiss was separate from his training. Now it was his turn to rest his head on her forehead. "Thank you, Robin-ya." He couldn't see Sanji or Franky treating him gently, but nor did he want them to. He just wanted recognition and respect as a human.

She stood up yet again. "Coming upstairs now?"

He nodded. She could see the shadow, and his tall frame unfolded as he took her hand.

"Chopper's going to be so mad with you if you've got hypothermia."

He laughed, and followed her to join the crew. He really did need to find a pair of shoes.


XXXX


On deck, Chopper ran up to him, all indignation, as Law trailed after Robin.

"Where were you, Law? You should be resting. We only operated yesterday. Anything could have happened."

Law bent down and scooped Chopper up, smiling once they were face to face. The rest of the crew noticed he had his nodachi back. Chopper noticed the tiredness on Law's face, the redness of his ear, and, was that a bruise on his jaw? He reached out, but Law drew back. The tiny doctor frowned. Chopper noted the goosebumps along Law's exposed skin.

"I'm sorry. I'll come to the infirmary now." He set Chopper down.

Sanji wanted to talk to him too, but also noted the strange discolouration on the surgeon's jaw. He didn't say anything, but his eye had caught Law's. He turned his attention to Robin.

"Robin-chwan, this brute didn't lay a hand on you, did he?" They all knew it was part of Sanji's schtick, but they also knew there was a warning behind those words. She smiled back at Law warmly, and gave his tattooed hand a squeeze.

"He was the perfect gentleman, Sanji."

"Tch," they all heard the response from Zoro, and Law froze. He turned to look at the green-haired man, resting against one of the outside walls where he had been napping. Zoro stared right at him. Law turned from him, and walked to Chopper's surgery.

Luffy followed them in. Law sat in the chair as Chopper inspected the slight inflammation of the ear, and applied antiseptic cream. "How are you feeling?"

"My ear's a little sore from the swelling, but now that the seastone's out, so much better. The relief is almost indescribable. Thank you, Tony-ya."

"And Sanji," Chopper deflected.

"Yeah, he did a great job. I can feel myself knitting together again. My hand, my back, they hurt a lot less."

"Your jaw?" Chopper said, his eyes narrowing.

"It will fade," Law said.

"How'd you do it?"

"Tripped."

The doctor was graceful. About the only time he fell was when Luffy tackled him unexpectedly.

"Hmmm."

"Law?"

Luffy.

Law looked over at Luffy on the bed. He was sitting on the edge of it. "I woke up, Law, and you were gone. We couldn't find you."

Luffy saw a quick sadness in Law's eyes. Did it mean he no longer liked him?

"Sorry, Luffy. It was rude of me. I just needed some time alone."

"Quite a lot of fucking time alone." Law's absence had gnawed away at Luffy daily over the last two years. Would he see him again? What was happening to him?

"Quite," Law nodded. "I had some thinking to do, but thank you so much for helping me last night. I liked waking up and seeing you were with me this morning." He smiled at the memory before it was replaced with the follow up.

"You did?" Luffy's eyes were firing again.

"Of course."

He gestured to Luffy and Luffy came over and they shared a quick kiss before Chopper went to work on replacing all of Law's bandages. Was it their first kiss since reuniting, not counting the peck on the head?

"Can I sleep here tonight?"

"You want to?" Law's eyes were hopeful, smiling.

Luffy nodded.

"If Tony says it's okay, I'd like that."

Both looked at Chopper.

"You," he pointed at Luffy, "Fine, but no squeezing. He's still hurt." Luffy wrapped himself around those he cared about like an anaconda. Luffy nodded readily. "And no funny business. No penetration. His body can't take it."

Law blushed.

"Oh, he's usually on top anyway," Luffy smiled brightly, and though Law also blushed at this, he loved Luffy for declaring it so confidently, without any shame, as if they were a couple. They must be a couple. He laughed.

"He shouldn't exert himself, Luffy."

Luffy just smiled quietly. He knew that. "No problem. We've got a lot to catch up on," and he tipped Law's face his way again, also noting and frowning at the bruise, and kissed his lips with such tenderness that Law felt a quick sense of peace.

"You," Luffy said to Law, "Don't miss dinner. Sanji will be pissed, and we've got to talk strategy." Law and Chopper both scoffed, it wasn't Luffy's strong point.

"And Chopper, take good care of Law. He means a lot to me."

He left the room and Law and Chopper exchanged a glance, working together on speeding up Law's recuperation.

Chopper wanted to keep him in the infirmary. It had been less than a week, and he'd treated Law's fingernail-less hands, those slashes Kizaru had burned into his skin, historical injuries, and the ongoing damage wreaked on Law by every man and his dog, particularly Akainu, Kizaru and the marines, courtesy of Doflamingo. Despite his fruit abilities coming back into their own, Chopper wanted to keep an eye on him. Especially when strange bruises showed up on his face.

Law joined them all for dinner that night, and in spite of his reticent nature, Robin smiled warmly and created a space for him to join her and Nami. He took it gladly, knowing that the cook would serve them first, even though it didn't really matter, as Law was still on a very gentle, separate diet. Luffy was a whirlwind at dinner, and even though he wanted to be with Law, they knew it was safer for him not to be. It also meant that he got to keep his food to himself.

They had a toast though, to his rescue and the successful operations. It was the first time in a long time that Law had alcohol as a free man. Doflamingo liked decanting it down his throat at times, or giving it as a treat if he'd acted the perfect pet. He'd poured full bottles over his beaten body, in an act of complete contempt. It was nice then, being careful of the painkillers he was taking, to clink glasses with Nami and Robin, to catch Luffy's eye across the room, and to witness the broad grin that swept across the youngster's face before Law resumed conversation with his companions.