Title: Never Mind Eternity
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Luffy x Everyone
Topic: Exhaustion
Word Count: 206

Familiar much? Yes, I don't think I'm going to be rid of this plotbunny for a long, long time.

x x x

"It would seem," said the One Piece to him, "That you love them very much."

It took the form of a silver sphere, the most worthless and priceless thing that could ever exist. He doubted that it was restricted to such a shape. It was the One Piece, after all; anything was possible as long as dreams lay awake.

He shivered gently and wondered where anything was. It was misty and cold here, and he imagined the end of his dream to not hurt so much in his chest. He coughed. It was the sick kind. He could hear someone whispering his name.

"You loved them very much," it repeated. "But I love you more."

He knelt in front of it, subject to the weaver of threads; defeated and exhausted. Nothing like how he thought he'd be feeling at the end of the entire world when dreams were the truth.

"The ocean is cold, and you are tired." There was a pause in its horribly perfect voice. "…Come to me."

Someone, far away, was screaming his name.

"I killed them all for you. Sleep, my child; sleep and dream forever."

It was the first time Luffy had awoken from a nightmare with such a bloodcurdling, terrified cry.