~ I will still be doing the demon au but later and posted it separately because it is getting too long and I was really getting into the story, but I want to put it all into a single one-shot. I have too many on going multi-chapter stories already. And hopefully day 10 when be up soon too. ~
He hadn't meant to kill Blackbeard. He didn't mean to kill any of his opponents. It either happened or didn't.
But punching Marshal D. Teach in the face had felt so good. He didn't get up after the last blow, and Luffy had collapsed shortly after. When he woke up, Zoro was the one who told him Teach was dead. The man didn't move after he went down, and they even found his two devil fruits in the market place not far away.
Most of the Blackbeard Pirates were incapacitated, some dead, some long gone from when the fighting started. Everyone had been gathered up to have their injuries looked at; those who weren't in such horrible condition were asked to help look for others or stay by the ships and help with those recovering.
Luffy sat down on washed up log on the beach and stared out at the rising sun. He felt a little hollow inside. It was a strange feeling. It had been there when he knew he defeated Teach. The arrogant man may not have been the one to kill Ace himself, but he was still the one who betrayed his crew and caused the war by turning Ace over to the Marines.
Revenge didn't really solve anything though. Luffy knew that, and he made his promise with Ace to live with no regrets. He wasn't happy Teach was dead, wasn't sad about it either…
"Luffy?"
The young pirate looked over his shoulder at Law approaching him with one of the medical bags in his hand. Law wasn't quite as banged up as Luffy was. His fight with Lafitte had been swift, allowing him to fall back and tend to some of the others who were injured mid-battle.
"Let me take a look."
Luffy nodded and stood up. He was silent as Law walked around him, examining his bandages and checking how his ribs were healing. Once Law stepped back with a reassuring nod and smile, Luffy sat back down on the log and patted the spot next to him for Law to sit as well.
"How do you deal with it?" Luffy asked.
"Deal with what?" His ally was close enough that their shoulders brushed and knees bumped.
"All that stuff to bring down Mingo was for revenge, right?" He didn't wait for Law's confirmation. "After it was done, how did you feel?"
Law frowned slightly. "You weren't looking for revenge with Blackbeard though. It's not the same." He took Luffy's hand in his and squeezed lightly.
"No, but… I feel like something is missing. I don't know what it is."
Law laughed. "It could just be relief. It's strange, I know, but you never have to worry about him taking someone from you again. So maybe what you're missing is a bit of stress and worry you weren't aware you had." Rubber cheeks puffed out in thought. "You still have dreams to live for, yes?"
"Of course."
"Then, it's different. Vengeance was my reasoning. But you have a promise to keep."
"You do too."
Law smiled at the reminder. "Yeah… I do. And you'll get used to that feeling." He brought Luffy's hand up and kissed across the back of his knuckles. "Together?" A soft smile played on his lips as Luffy puffed out his cheeks again, but this time in fond embarrassment and light blush across his cheeks.
"Shishishi, yeah."
