: : Ten
The next morning, the garage doors were yanked open and Law marched in with an eager expression that he tried to hide. Both men were roused from their sleep sluggishly as Sanji and Luffy followed, talking amongst each other noisily while the blonde carried food leftover from breakfast.
"Move your arm," Law ordered as he paused outside the cage, crossing his arms tightly. He had his sword strapped to his back, the red tethers dangling against his shoulder. He was vibrating with curiosity as the man looked at his repaired limb. It was incredibly sore, the bandages clean, the bruising fading slightly. "Does it feel any different?"
"It's real tight, but it doesn't feel infected…"
"Mobility should be at optimum level within a few more hours," Law decided, gesturing at him hurriedly to remove the bandages. Then he formed his Room and took the arm himself, much to the surprise of the man as a pebble dropped against him. Unwrapping it, Law examined for himself the stitches he'd inserted the day before, noting that the skin looked tender and swollen. Assimilating into the limb, he felt for himself for any lingering damages but it felt much different from the day before. He felt positive that he'd accomplished this, holding the arm up to catch more illumination from the lights above.
Sanji used the opportunity to open and unlock the cage, distributing breakfast to the men that looked at it hungrily. Luffy looked disappointed, hanging against the metal with a mournful sigh.
"I made this!" Sanji announced brightly. Both men noticed he didn't smell as strongly as he did yesterday; whatever it was had subsided to a hint as he moved about. The boy also didn't seem as bright as he was the day previous, either – he was just another boy dressed in rough clothing, but this time, his shirt was tucked in neatly and he moved about with a childish swagger like the others. Both of them were puzzled by the subtle differences. "You're going to feel so much better after you eat it."
Irritated, Law exchanged him with another pebble and slammed the cage shut, locking it as Sanji gave him an exasperated look. "Luffy, fetch more rocks," Law ordered of the other kid, who dragged his feet to obey. After reattaching the arm, Law looked at the pair that ate with relish. "You were slaves?"
"Unfortunately."
"For whom?"
Reluctant to speak, the pair continued eating, glancing at each other with sullen action. Law lifted an eyebrow as Sanji stood close against his side, seeking his warmth with a nudge of his shoulder; simply crowding his space. Law gently nudged him away.
"I understand if you don't answer," Law then threatened low, "but understand that it'll mean nothing to me if I decide to further my research on the pair of you."
"Doesn't make sense of you to fix his arm," the other retorted, his speech slightly heavy.
"I did it because I wanted to see if I could. It didn't mean anything else." Law found himself growing irritated as Sanji pressed himself more firmly against him. He didn't smell as strongly as he did yesterday, and Law had sensed his own needs lightening up so he didn't have the impatience to deal with the action as strongly as he had been. But he did lean down to look at his sullen expression. "Go finish copying that map and bring it here."
Ignoring the puzzled eyes of the men watching, Sanji whispered, "Neither of them are wearing colors…"
"Some people in this world can be very good actors if they're paid enough."
Assuaged by that answer, Sanji then left the garage. Law looked back at them, clearing his throat.
"Even if I don't get any answers," he continued, "it'll make sense that I leave a message behind for anybody following up after you."
"You're kids," one said bitterly, "so it makes sense to you that everyone is an enemy. But not everyone is your enemy."
"You don't know my life," Law warned him. "Like you, I've been titled with a responsibility I never wanted at the wishes of a controlling man, and therefore, need to carry a responsibility for the rest of my life because my considerations weren't given a thought. As a result, I trust no one. If I have to make a reputation of myself to assert myself, then I will. Through any means necessary. I have no problem continuing with you two. Your lives are as invaluable to me as your words."
"Yet you want to know our past…"
"Only to know the names of those that might be associated with mine. It's been awhile since I had the chance to converse with an adult," Law added. "I have no problem rendering you to the level of the children here with what I plan on doing to you. I've researched the skeletal grounds of a human body and began exploring the muscle system and now I'm strongly interested in the nervous system. Do you know what that is?"
Both faces looked up at him blankly.
"What form of education have you had?" Law then asked with some worry.
After a long silence, the man answered low, "Not much. We weren't kidding when we told you we were slaves for a long time."
"So you were used for muscle?"
"Farm lands," he answered, rubbing at his reattached arm. "Mainly farming and irrigation systems. With others our age – the last time we saw kids was when we'd seen our reflections in the water. The colony was losing their people due to age and common illnesses. It was starting to collapse. Once the security became lax, we took advantage and left. It was located in the west."
"Do you know Doflamingo Donquxiote?"
At the puzzled expressions and shake of heads, Law relaxed slightly. "Vinsmoke?"
At the repeat of shaking heads, Law found it bewildering that those names weren't familiar. Here, they were the entire world. It was apparent that the world was big enough where such names weren't that known.
…accents of Swallow Island, a voice whispered at his ear, startling him. The man was close and yet not – an invisible specter that made itself known by revealing itself intelligently. He struggled to hide his surprise then asked, "You're from Swallow Island?"
Both men looked startled, then clamped up. Unsure of where that particular place was, Law realized he'd have to perform the research himself. Before that thought could be completed, a set of nearby locker doors banged noisily, startling all of them. After three years of living in this land of the dead, Law pushed away his startled reaction and ventured towards the lockers, yanking them open to find rolled up maps of the country sides. He had forgotten they were there. He pulled them out and unrolled them atop of a nearby table. It was marked with old territory lines with the warlord's names on them. Some of them were crossed out and remarked with newer names, along with changing territory lines. He noticed that Doflamingo's and Vinsmokes' were untouched.
Locating the island, which was situated off the main land in a relatively small body of water, he was relieved that it was a considerable distance away from the world he'd come from.
"Whose territory does it belong to?" he asked curiously, wondering who had updated the map and where they were.
After some consideration, one man answered slowly, "We belonged to a man named Enel. He had powers, too, actually."
Law had never heard of that name. "Was he in the company of another?"
"We actually never saw him personally. I wouldn't know who he was if I'd passed him on the street. We just…saw him doing whatever he does from a distance, threatening the group actively – dictator stuff."
After some consideration, Law decided that they were safe. If they were escaped slaves on the run, without any knowledge of Doflamingo or Vinsmoke, then they were safe.
…on edge…that voice warned him lightly. Law took it as caution, but considering that these men knew Shanks and knew the route to the 'land of opportunity', then he had to risk it. The suppressants were important – he felt like he was losing confidence in himself the longer they lived out the reach of moral standings. Sanji would get older and considering the kid's own powers of verbal battery, Law felt like he would grow overconfident in his burgeoning abilities and make decisions that could hurt them both. He needed more knowledge and he needed a leash of his own.
Once again, he felt the hot sliver of fear stake through him – losing sight of himself the stronger his instincts grew.
He exhaled lightly.
Then it occurred to him that neither man was interested in asking him any questions. They were just taking it as it came. That made him cautious as well – what if they already knew enough? This entire thing could be a trap.
Sanji barged in once again, carrying the book under one arm. "It's done! Praise me!"
"Don't command me of anything, shithead," Law muttered, taking the book from him and finding the map. Sure enough, Sanji had completed the markings that they'd confirmed from the map the men had onto this one. He flipped it over and showed it to the pair.
"Is this correct?"
At their reluctant nods, Law took it as that and looked over the map once more. It would consist of at least a month's walk to the shore. From there, it wasn't guaranteed that they could find a way to sea. But he'd worry about that once they got there. With how much Shanks traveled, surely there was a place available for them to settle before finding entry.
"Are we really going?" Sanji asked him tentatively, scratching at his head.
Looking over the book once more, Law nodded. "Get those kids. We need to plan."
: :
Law learned that the pair's names were Penguin and Shachi. Penguin did most of the speaking because Shachi had some sort of head injury that hindered his speech and wasn't 'all there'. Penguin himself seemed limited, but both of them were heavy expressions of tension and reluctance, obeying whatever order was given to them. Law had some sympathy for both of them, doubting himself despite his earlier suspicions.
Sanji kept staring at them, and his expression kept wavering. Law warned him quietly, "Do not trust them to be good people."
Sanji nodded grimly as they collected within the main living area. The trio were already on edge with each other, fighting about a lost opportunity against a monster that had wandered into the territory. Luffy was already moody and frustrated with his older brothers, arguing and nearly crying every time Ace pushed at him. Sabo was as tense as Law was, but he kept his mouth shut when it came to questioning the older boy. He'd given up being the referee as the two men stood awkwardly to themselves near the staircase, looking uncomfortable as they took in the homey mess.
Luffy was already searching for something amongst the smaller bookshelves, sniffling as Ace lounged atop of one of the larger chairs, and Sabo delicately shifted aside Brook's instruments – of which were in the same place he'd left him, the kids positive about his return. Law set his sword down and slumped down into one of the cozier chairs, thinking about their future travel. Seizing the opportunity, Sanji climbed up onto his lap and made himself comfortable while Law tensed. But the kid splayed over him with his head hanging over the armrest and feet kicking over the other, snapping noisily on gum they'd made out of sap. His hands were occupied with a teen romance book he'd found on the third floor, flipping through the pages slowly as he mouthed words to himself. Law allowed him to stay because his instincts were quieting – it felt like a breath of relief to acknowledge it. Soon the kid would be antagonizing him as he usually did and throwing his 'manly' speeches around like the other brats. Admittedly, Law wasn't looking forward to that.
"We'll pack light," Law mused aloud, mainly to himself while he watched Luffy search the shelves with building panic. Sabo watched him with concern while Ace yawned noisily, flexing what muscles were visible and watching them with pride. "Just take what's important. We can find food on the way. No point taking anything but snacks that'll last us for however long we can hide them. We've got batteries – we'll use the motorcycles until they give out."
Penguin looked over at him with an uncertain expression as he clasped his hands in front of him and Shachi looked uncomfortable at the rather unusual display of one kid seeking affection from an older kid. It looked like both of them wanted to say something but couldn't bring themselves to do so. Law decided he wouldn't give them any explanation, but he would have to condition Sanji not to do this while they were on the road.
"So, you intend on traveling out in the open knowing that you'll be targeted by those interested on stealing kids for sale?" Penguin asked low. His sun worn face, almost hidden by the brim of his battered hat, showed displeasure. "Why not just travel secretly? Stow them in boxes, take a coach? Smuggling kids are easy - we know all the tricks, we can give you some tips."
Law stared at him with a flat expression. At that moment, Luffy threw his head back with a scream that caused Ace, Sabo and Sanji to clamp their hands over their ears. Books were sent flying as the younger boy turned and shook an empty box with accusatory gesture at Ace.
"I know you did it, Ace! I know you found my secret stashing spot!"
"I didn't find anything!" Ace bellowed over another one of his indignant screams, a tantrum barely contained as Luffy opened the box to shake it again. He swept books off shelves with an angry sweep of his arm.
"Stop it!" Sabo roared. "You're making a goddamn mess!"
"It was right here!" Luffy screamed, bashing the empty box repeatedly against one of the tables, breaking it. It was an item Brook had showed them that had once been used to display books. The kids had claimed their own empty books and 'hidden' them amongst shelves with whatever treasures they deemed valuable. "It was right here and you found it! You took it! You knew it was mine!"
"I don't even know what was there!" Ace protested, before sucking in breath and out bellowing him. "But if I took anything, I would've told the whole shitty world about it!"
Sanji slammed his book against the floor and rolled off Law's lap. "Enough with your shit! I'm going to rip your vocal cords out from your asses!"
"STAY OUT OF IT!"
"This needless screaming needs to stop! People will hear us!" Sabo shouted furiously. "Can't either of you speak at a damn whisper? We've got guests!"
"Oh, never mind Ace, wrong box," Luffy then said cheerily, picking up a different box and rattling it. He opened it, finding whatever it was that was incredibly important to him. Then realized everyone's attention was on him, so he froze. Ace and Sabo looked at it, then each other before leaping at the boy. Luffy screamed again, kicking and punching as they slammed onto the floor, fighting for the box. Sanji grabbed his hair with frustration and joined the fight.
"Secrecy is something we can't do," Law told Penguin flatly. "Even if our lives fucking depended on it."
He tilted his head to avoid a thrown book, shoving it off his chair moments later.
"Out in the open, luck or not." Law watched the kids knock things over and upset tables with their fight. A heavy chair was lifted and thrown and Luffy was scrambling up the fireplace wall with his fingertips and the tips of his shoes as the other three continued combat without him. "We're not weaklings. No one can do anything to us without us fighting back. With my abilities, they won't have a chance."
Giving him a skeptic look, Penguin crossed his arms.
"You'll catch the attention of anybody looking for you," he muttered. "Soon, they'll all be after you. Kids are valuable. Lotta money for them."
Law smirked. "Let them try."
"And us? We belong to you, now?"
"We're going in the same direction," Law said, sitting up to fold his hands and rest his elbows on his knees.
Penguin and Shachi looked extremely puzzled with the lack of a clear answer. Law wasn't even sure what to say, himself. He was only certain that they were slaves without much freedom and not men to trust completely. But he had sympathy and he acknowledged that he did.
After a few moments, he said, "We're the same, looking for the same thing for different reasons. But let it be known now that I will be relying on you for answers and you'll be relying on me for protection. As such, you have freedom to participate however you want, but don't think for a second you can tell me what to do. Is this understood?"
"We've been independent and reliant entirely on ourselves these past few years, without adult interaction," Law then added, rising from his seat. "None of us will take direction that well. Every single kid here will let you know it."
He grabbed Ace by the back of his shorts and administered a wedgie so deep that the boy's voice changed as his feet left the ground. Sabo attempted to run but Law tripped him and stood on his back with one foot and all his weight. He used his other foot to kick Sanji into the fireplace, and dropped Ace to the floor as the boys' voices changed their tune. Luffy clung to the fireplace, watching warily while holding tight onto the bricks.
Law stepped off Sabo and took his seat once more, adjusting his hat. Luffy fell from the fireplace as Ace complained low while adjusting his underwear and Sabo cracked his back as he slowly sat up. Sanji looked murderous, covered in warm ash.
"Pack your bags, morons," Law told them. "Then go outside and pack them onto the second motorcycle. If any of them falls off that doesn't belong to you, you're responsible for taking care of that person for the remainder of this trip. One bag each of underwear, toothbrushes, your weapon, and whatever you find reasonably valuable. Then pack that bigger bag with food – we run out, we starve. Prepare your travel clothes for tomorrow. Take a bath tonight. Anyone that smells like unwashed ass and pits will get the very back seat."
All of them complained noisily, but they set off on the order. Once the excitement of travel kicked in, so did their energy. The kids all raced off to find their valuables and Law found the peace and quiet immensely satisfying. He wilted in his seat, slithering to slump so low that his back was against the seat and his head against the back of it.
"And your things? Actually," he added, gripping the arm rests with a bend of his arms, "I don't care if you're along for the trip. We have the important thing in hand. If you feel it's appropriate, you may set out to get your things on your own. But these doors lock promptly at eight pm. If you aren't back by then, fend for yourselves or continue on your way, forgetting you ran into us."
He then gestured at them to leave, and the pair looked at each other with bewilderment. But they left the room with an uncertain gait, leaving Law in total silence. He soaked it up, positive he wouldn't hear this wonderful sound again.
: :
He was actually surprised when they returned to the library just as Sabo was prepared to close and lock the doors. Sanji had created a feast of carb heavy foods for dinner, so the table was covered in every dish and pot they had used throughout the years. The motorcycles were packed and ready and their travel food already waiting for them in the icebox they'd all helped make a couple of years ago. The library was then cleaned as best as they could do, in case Brook and Perona returned. They were leaving with the basics on their back and not thinking of the consequences down the road – but Law was confident they'd be fine.
He sat at the head of the table with the book of maps as Sabo instructed the pair to take to empty spots, and Sanji served them instantly. Ace and Luffy were fighting over one of the meat dishes but there was still plenty left over, and Law glanced over to see both men lighting up at the fare. The group of kids had survived throughout the years hunting their own food and gathering what grew in the wild while stealing from the closest villages. Sanji had taken an interest in cooking and had grown quite good at handling meal times on his own – the library had given him enough cookbooks to use as a guide.
This was why Law felt confident in their survival skills. If they could thrive for three years without an adult's guidance then they would be fine. All of them were conditioned and strong from outdoors living and their constant fights; they used makeshift weapons and trained each other to win. They weren't afraid of getting hit and they weren't afraid to make risky decisions – combined with his abilities, Law was certain that they'd be absolutely fine.
Below the noise of the chatty fights and occasional praise over food, Sanji pulled his chair closer to Law's side. He was wearing a pouty expression that assured Law he was steadily pulling further away from his heat, and was only obeying that irritating need to be close. Since he understood that frustrating pull, he allowed Sanji to crowd him. The show of affection would soon ease into reluctant expressions Sanji often saved out of sight from the others; denying he even did them in the first place.
"I don't want to go," he told Law low.
Law looked at him with a frown. "Why? You know how important this is to me."
"Ever since we left Spider Miles," Sanji said slowly, "we've run into bad situations. I don't want to do that. People die."
"Not this time," Law assured him confidently. "Because we don't have to rely on people, anymore. We rely on us."
"People will die because they're trying to get us. People will die because they see kids and think they have to stand in the way just so we could grow up. I don't want to. Living here has been fine."
"You just matured into your heats. Later, you're going to want more than just…hugs." Law lowered his voice. "And I'm not comfortable with that. These suppressants will help us both, and there will be no more argument about it."
Considering the examples he'd read, Sanji picked at the table with one clean fingernail. "What if it takes too long to get there? And it happens? And other people notice?"
"It's just a risk we'll have to take. We need to go, we can't just stay here and expect it to come to us."
"I don't want people looking at us like we're cattle, again. Now that I understand why, I don't want to…"
"This is why it's necessary. Don't you see? It's for your own good, too."
"What if we find other kids and they don't know what we are and then they see and they start making fun of us?"
Law shifted in his seat uncomfortably. He did mind the thought of being targeted for who and what he was – but at his age, he could fight back. And he was a favorable sub gender; prized for his abilities, strive for perfection and stubborn will to rise to the top. His aggression would grow stronger with the confidence he gained and he'd be a force to be reckoned with. This was how other alphas were treated in Spider Miles – revered for what they were. Looking back on those memories, Law had realized Doflamingo was grooming him to be one of his top aides. He had suspicion that someone smart enough could force him into another way of thinking independent of what he himself thought – but he also had hope that the suppressants would help him live a somewhat 'normal' life. Further his education and allow him to live peacefully without fanning the flames of his sub gender.
His only thoughts towards Sanji's fate was that he'd be calm enough to grow into his own without causing anymore trouble towards Law. Law had planned on Sanji getting an education himself and turning into a respectful mate that he could depend on when he had to and not much else. He only casually reassured the kid from time to time when he grew insecure, but he wasn't Corazon or Brook with the right words.
Sanji was still just a kid and Law was a growing teen headed for adulthood. His common selfishness was based only on what he thought was best for this time.
Now that Sanji brought it up, Law had to consider the kid's fears.
"You'll be fine," he decided. "Take Shanks as an example."
"Oh, so, I should abandon everyone I come into contact with in order to find my own freedom? How does that work?"
"Obviously he wasn't free if he was moving fast to return to whoever his alpha is. Was. There's still that bond. You can just grow up knowing that any problem you have you can bring to me and maybe I'll consider solving it if it isn't too much trouble."
Sanji gave him a flat stare. "Like I should really count on you to fix everything when I can do it myself."
"Then what do you want me to say? You're just a kid, and you'll still be a kid as we grow up. Remember that time when you asked me when you'll get the chance to make a decision for both of us? It still applies in this matter."
"Ugh, I hate you…"
"Feeling's mutual, shit head."
"Ugh, I hate your superiority complex…"
"I have one because I am the superior person here."
"Ugh, I hope you die!"
"Keep saying that and maybe, just maybe, if I'm in the right mood, I will!"
Sanji glowered at the table while Law flicked that burden off his shoulder. It didn't bother him when Sanji said these things because kids said things impulsively and Law didn't have any doubts to the weight of them.
"I'm not a slave," Sanji then added, glaring at him. "And I'm not your slave."
"Yeah, we'll see about that. Far as I'm concerned, I have many here at the table."
"Okay, mini-Doffy."
That flicked a heat of anger through Law as he glared at Sanji. Seeing that he got a response, Sanji smirked back at him. Law crammed some food into his mouth and chewed, considering his own retort. Speaking with his mouth full, he said, "You only resort to those name-calling tactics because I am right and it allowed you to win in the past, but consider other tactics, instead. Or does your bratty brain only consider small, petty things?"
"One day, you won't even realize I've outwitted you until it's too late. And I cannot wait for that day."
"Yeah, I'll be waiting," Law said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"They're married," Sabo whispered to Penguin as he tried not to overhear their conversation. "So this type of thing happens a lot."
Penguin almost choked on his food as Shachi looked confused, pausing in mid-chew.
"You, as an alpha, have considerable powers already," Sanji continued, eating off Law's plate, his own plate untouched to the side, "and people think of omegas as trash, or cows. Yet they're the ones giving life when no normal woman could. When you're settled down and all mighty with whatever fantasy you have going on in your mega brain, and you want to have kids, I'll say 'no'."
"I'll never want kids. I had enough of kids as it is with you guys."
"You can't fight nature, Law. Our combined nature is to give life. You fight your nature a lot. Eventually, you'll give in. And when that day comes, I'll look you right in the eye and remove the life myself. Don't think I won't. Because I'll only do it to prove a point."
Law rolled his eyes again. "I'll never think that way."
"Which makes my determination that much more stronger."
"You wouldn't do it, anyway. You're too soft. You'll give up that fantasy right away."
"Watch. Or," Sanji added, "if I feel my alpha isn't receptive, I'll take another's child."
Law slammed his utensil down onto the table, causing others to look at him with startled expressions. Ace and Luffy stopped fighting to look, Sabo wearing a nervous expression while the two men froze. Sanji looked satisfied, chewing delicately on his next bite.
"That's impossible," Law then told Sanji tightly as the others resumed their earlier actions. "It's biologically impossible and you know it."
"And yet the concept pissed you off. So stop saying shit like I don't matter because it does and you can't escape it."
"Then I'll have to kill you myself."
"In nature, animals eat their young if they aren't considered survival material and we seen it happen. With you lacking in basic human affection, I might think that no child of ours should be the same."
"I can't take the threats of a twelve year old seriously, so this is just shit out of your ass, Sanji."
"And yet you're pissed, so I win."
"You didn't win at anything! You said some stupid shit that I don't agree with and it only pisses me off because it fucks with my stupid nature!"
"That's because you're a stupid person who doesn't take into consideration other people's feelings! So when it hits you in the ass like a surprise spank, don't be so surprised when it blows up in your stupid face." Shifting in his seat to sit on one leg, Sanji drew in close to say low, "I might be just some stupid kid, Law, but I'm your lifemate with plenty of opportunity to grow into someone just as superior as you. Bein' a little nice to me might make things a little easier."
With a smug expression, Sanji then left his chair, taking his untouched plate with him. Law glowered after him, sizzling with rising anger and incredulity that this kid continued to antagonize him, and he let it happen.
"I am nice to you, you idiot!" he then snapped, gripping his fork with one hand. "I don't fucking lie or beat around the bush! I'm straight forward and prove my points with absolute back up!"
"Keep tellin' yourself that to make yourself feel better, ass."
"Law," Ace interrupted, looking at him calmly with his dirty hands folded on the table, "your veins are doing that weird thing again, where they're bulging like aliens trying to get out. Cool it down. You're embarrassing the rest of us."
"Yeah, chill out," Luffy seconded, his mouth full.
Law faced them with a threatening expression, Ace snickering as Luffy froze with fear.
"He only gets that mad with Sanji," Sabo whispered to the two men that sat uncomfortably, having no idea how to assess or handle the sudden tension at the table. "It happens a lot."
"Alphas sure get uppity until someone takes them down a peg," Ace snickered. "Guess it's only omegas that can do it."
"Shut up, you fucking cretins!"
"See? His voice gets all high pitched and starts changing whenever he's mad."
Luffy laughed merrily. "Law's voice always changes when he's mad! Like, pick an age!"
Law formed his Room as everyone reacted with panic. Penguin and Shachi froze once more as Law replaced with was left on his plate with piles of matter that took several seconds to identify. Two boys screeched with horror and realization as they looked into their pants, seeing that their genitalia was replaced with pieces of meat and mashed potatoes. Law then prepared his steak knife and fork over the pile on his plate, and both Ace and Luffy were sobbing with apologies while Sabo sighed noisily, slumping in his seat while protectively holding his own.
"I'm not mad!" Law snapped at them, throwing down his utensils. But he left the table and stomped off, grabbing his sword along the way. "And stop bringing up my stupid voice! I'm seventeen, it fucking happens!"
Ace and Luffy left their chairs, intending on taking what was theirs. But Luffy ran off with Ace's, shouting that things were going to change around here. Ace ran after him with maddened shouts.
Both men stared at their plates, strongly reconsidering their decision.
: :
Sanji sat at the window seat with a glare out the window. The moon provided enough light for him to look over the abandoned town, seeing broken buildings that had tumbled down and merged into the foliage with time. He reached up for the back of his neck, searching for hair that he'd depended on for mindless fidgeting and was once again reminded that it was no longer there. He felt unsettled and frustrated because the older boy was exasperatingly stubborn and thoughtless and he was mad at himself for rising up to respond in a similar manner.
Years ago, his sister, once she found out she was an omega, had told him privately of her fears. She was scared, despondent over her future and she knew the only way she could escape was death at her own hands. If she had been paired, it wouldn't have happened. She would live for her mate, and the thought of her living a life with Law caused Sanji immense sympathy for her. He understood why she did it. He'd wondered himself if he could follow in the same manner but he absolutely couldn't do it. He had to live for and with his bond and it was frustrating having that tie. He couldn't stray from the older boy – which made him understand Law's frustration years ago when he couldn't leave Sanji alone – but he wished Law would make time in his plans to just understand Sanji.
Their relationship had improved immensely but they still fought from time to time. Sanji was still just a kid and Law was growing into adulthood. The immense chasm between them was frustrating for all because Sanji wanted someone to just accept him, and Law wanted the same – but at similar ages and stages in life.
All Sanji wanted was Law's assurance; and his affection and his better moods. Sometimes, Law would compliment him and show limited affection when the others weren't around and Sanji felt overfilled with his own warmth for his mate that he didn't know what to do or what to think. He wanted that constantly but Law was fighting himself, too. They were both literally at war with their own bodies and neither of them were in the right stage to be understanding.
He wished there was someone else that could understand this matter and someone he could confide in and gain confidence from. He wished Corazon were still there, or Brook. Both men had been gentle and yet stern – good adults. What if they found another adult like them and they were taken away, too?
…little boy, they're coming, someone whispered within the room, and it startled Sanji upon hearing it. Looking around, he wondered if it had come from one of the kids or the two men, but the fact that his arm broke out into goosebumps told him otherwise. He looked out the window once more, panic and fear causing him to push away from the window. The instinct to save himself was near overpowering.
Kids were valuable, but sub genders were enough to cause simple wars between territories. So his childish instinct was to instinctively think that whoever they were were coming for him and Law. His next thought was that Doflamingo had finally arrived. Panic coated his veins into thinking that they'd be separated and he sold off to people who did…whatever they did to omegas. Terrible things.
He left the room in a rush, feeling the presence of others around him. Whispers that grew with startling power.
They're coming!
Hide!
They're almost here!
He rushed around the corner and almost slammed into the older boy. Sanji wrapped his limbs around him like a starfish, shaking as Law automatically caught him.
"They're coming!" Sanji managed to get out fearfully, feeling himself tremble with building fear and dread. In his panic, he forgot his age and their fight and their building frustrations and only wanted to be protected. This was another frustrating aspect of his emerging omega instinct that left him gritting his teeth, his building male confidence slowly buried underneath all of that. "Why am I so fucking scared? I shouldn't be so scared! This is bullshit!"
"Ah, you remember your real name…"
Sanji pinched him.
In a few moments, Law expanded his Room to investigate. Sure enough, he felt the presence of at least twenty people. All of them in various stages of exhaustion and determination, their bodies conditioned to the hard terrain. They were close, nearly five miles away. Traveling along the river where Sabo had told Law where they'd trapped the pair of men. Their slow movements told Law they were moving slow because of the night and because they seemed to be investigating every step they moved over.
They were tracking the two men, he realized. Possibly bounty hunters or slave owners looking for their money's worth. Quickly, he turned and headed for the main stairway. The kids were showing the two men their nightly exercises, and Law's instinct to protect his omega already had him on edge.
"Get up," he ordered, surprising the group. "There's people coming. Plan C because there's twenty of them. Get to your stations. You two. Get over here. Lock those doors behind you, Sabo."
"YAY!" Ace cried, already on his feet while Luffy shared his excitement. "Finally, some excitement in our lives!"
"We're going to scare everyone's asses so hard, they won't ever come back here again!" Luffy bellowed, both of them headed in separate directions to leave the library.
"Why Plan C?" Sabo asked, as determined as they were.
"There's too many to kill to avoid drawing attention to us once they go missing." Law looked at the two men, who looked rather frightened. "They're looking for you, aren't they?"
"Possibly," Penguin answered tightly. "We thought we'd lost them when we traveled through the streams to prevent foot prints."
"Ordinary men with guns and weapons? No alphas?"
"No," Penguin replied, puzzled. "I'm sorry, I don't know why you keep asking that."
"Then it should be easy to get rid of them," Law figured, wincing as Sanji's arms tightened around his neck and his leg strength became apparent as they squeezed around his waist. He made to create space and gave up because he could feel the boy's fear permeating into his instinct. His own was to protect and it messed with his thoughts.
"Damn it," he whispered with frustration, managing to stalk away with the clinging boy. Penguin and Shachi looked after him with confusion, then glanced at each other with apprehension.
"Don't think this means I'm not done being mad at you!" Sanji hissed at Law, face red with rising humiliation as Law hurried to the staircase that would lead them to the basement. "But my stupid instinct - ! I can't think too good - I'm just scared!"
"And this is why we need suppressants because if we had them, you'd be running off with the others instead of feeling terrified," Law insisted quietly, managing to jerk one of the doors open. "And mine is making me do this. Hide and don't come out until I come back for you."
"I don't wanna - ! Don't leave me here by myself - !"
Law shut the door on Sanji's protest and then exhaled slowly. His entire body was tight with the rising urgency to protect, and not thinking clearly about what he could use for this situation as an advantage. To possibly interrogate the men or to watch the reaction of the pair left standing on the first floor; to mock Sanji's fear and get him out with the others. But his common sense stuck to Plan C because it didn't make any sense to have the world upset with them right now. Not when they were so close to reaching this fabled land of opportunity.
: :
They kept the group from venturing any closer to the town – wearing the skins of monsters they had killed, the younger boys startled several of these men into running back where they came from. The trio lightly attacked those that stood their ground to fight, discouraging them from attacking any further. Sabo wore the skin of the minotaur they'd killed recently and advanced on them from the side, screaming wretchedly. It was enough to have a pair drop their guns and flee with cries of terror.
Guns went off, but Law was there to stop the bullets in mid-flight, thrusting them backwards. Men screamed with confusion and fright while he remained in relative secrecy, monitoring the battle from behind some trees. Convinced the area was occupied by monsters, the group had no choice but to flee.
To discourage any more advances, Law grabbed and held onto three random men – he took them apart limb by limb and left them there. Their screams and frightened cries echoed throughout the area, the boys laughing amongst themselves as they retreated back to the library. Making sure the kids were in the clear, Law waited until the night animals began to investigate the area, attracted by the helpless screams of men.
He watched as these animals took to the parts of the living men, pouncing upon the free meal with gusty action. Then the screams became real in their fear and urgency.
He waited for the night to quiet down and headed back home. The trio had abandoned their costumes at their assigned station, and caught up to him near the edges of the town.
"That was so funny!" Luffy laughed noisily. "They were so terrified!"
"Great job, you guys," Ace congratulated. "I'm not mad at ya'll, anymore."
"What were you even mad about in the first place?" Sabo mused.
"You guys didn't suck, tonight," Law said gruffly, holding onto his sword with pensive fingers.
"Where's Sanji?" Ace then asked with a bewildered face. "I thought he was with us."
"Locked him in the basement. He was hysterical. Part of…our…stupid urges," Law muttered with frustration.
"No, there were others wearing costumes with us. So I thought one of them was Sanji."
All the boys fell silent as Law looked at him with a start.
"Well, Brook told us this was the land of the dead," Luffy said nervously, pressing up against Sabo as he looked around them apprehensively. "And zombies don't come out here because…they're already dead…"
"Do we really have to leave?" Ace asked Law again. "I mean…look…we have it good here. We even have freaking ghosts helping us out. We haven't seen a zombie in literal years. Men stay away because they're afraid of everything. We survived, we did well. Why move to a place that's gonna try and change us?"
"It's not for you guys, really," Law answered, looking around with caution. The three boys were suddenly too close to him, and while he realized that the assistance of the ghosts was a good thing, he was smothered. At the same time, he didn't push them away because he'd watched the confrontation. It hadn't even occurred to him that he was seeing actual ghosts helping the boys scare away the group.
He was the oldest – he had a presence to maintain. He swallowed tightly, clutching his sword with both hands.
They re-entered the library without Law having to finish his argument all over again. But this time his instincts were shooting off the hook, and the boys' was as well. All of them stiffened within the front entrance way, unsure of what it was that had them on edge.
The sound of heavy boots across the floor caught their attention. It was foreign, too heavy to be someone they knew. From the main hall ahead of them emerged a man. His tall body was encased with armor, outside survival gear and what looked like a flashlight dangling from his utility belt. He was dragging Shachi by the back of his shirt, but it looked like the man was unconscious. Once the man caught sight of the boys, he dropped Shachi like a sack of potatoes to the floor. The shadows kept the quartet from seeing his face, but realized he was wearing a hood with goggles in place. From the glow of the lenses, they were night vision goggles.
Law felt his instinct ring, as if someone had lit him with a match. He recognized another alpha just by the feeling alone, and it made all of him apprehensive. He realized he'd failed to count the amount of men they'd run into and that was his last mistake. The pair must have slipped around the group in the chaos.
"Well…hello, there," the man spoke lightly, voice heavy with smug satisfaction while muffled by the hood.
The boys tensed. From behind him emerged another man, holding a squirming Sanji under one arm and dragging Penguin by the other.
"Your puny ass bodyguards were nothing against my might. Weaklings. I wasn't paid enough for this shit. But the spoils of bounty hunting includes taking things that catch my eye – omegas sell for a lot more than slaves on the market."
Law immediately grew enraged, the boys leaping away from him as his Room flashed out into place. His hand shot out to rip the men to pieces but the one in the lead lifted his hand and clamped metal over Law's hand and arm. Law looked at this with startled action, not expecting the gesture. Then he found himself jerked off his feet and swung down hard into the floor, dropping his sword.
The trio gasped with theatrical shock.
The man laughed. "You thought!"
From the other man's arm, Sanji gave an enraged snarl. He exploded with flames and heat, causing his captor to drop him and the first to react with startled sound. Ace shot forward and rammed up against the back of his legs with his body when Sanji jumped off the second man and kicked the first with both legs. Felled noisily, the man grunted. Sabo and Ace shot forward, Sabo using his metal pipe to swing mightily for distance while Luffy charged at the second man. After some fierce fighting, the kids managed to bring both men down to their knees. The metal pieces on Law's hand released him, and he stood unsteadily, stunned by what just happened.
Sanji hurried over to him and jumped at him with another crushing hug. Unsteady on his feet after being defeated that easily, Law bent to hold onto him numbly. His mind screamed at him in panic and frantic acknowledgement that he'd failed something he was overly confident about. The trio used Ace's shirt and Sabo's jacket to tie their hands and arms together. Luffy waited pensively for the moment when Ace would give him the signal, and when it happened, he ripped off their hoods and goggles.
They were all startled at seeing a pair of teenagers sitting there, looking just as dumbstruck as Law felt. It was their heights and the weight of their armor that had given them an adult's appearance, but it was clear by the round faces and acne that this wasn't actually the case. Jutting Adam's apples and awkwardly large bone structures in the midst of growth gave them away immediately.
In the stunned silence, Ace couldn't take it anymore. He slapped the lead's face with one palm.
"OW!" the redhead shrilled, voice changing from one octave to the next. "Why'd you do that?"
The kids erupted into mocking laughter. Hearing that the teen was younger than him, Law walked up to them numbly, Sanji clinging to one leg tightly. Both of them could feel the radiating tension from the other teen and understood that they were in the presence of an unpaired alpha. Ignoring the kids mocking him, the redhead looked at the bonded pair. His eyes dropped to Sanji, and his face flushed with rising color, causing him to squirm awkwardly.
Law's teeth bared before either of them could say anything. He used his free hand to pull the other teen's head from his shoulders, and kicked it like a soccer ball away from them. Hearing his voice as he sailed away with a shocked scream, Law struggled to think clearly. He then clung to his omega with both arms, confused and frustrated and nervous. He felt inept with the lack of his normal control – he felt mindless with possession and tension, ready to strike clumsily just for the gesture of it.
"Law?" Sabo then asked tentatively, recognizing that something was happening in front of them and they'd been too busy laughing to see it.
"That guy's an alpha. He's dangerous, and I will kill him. Both of them," Law added, looking at the second teen with promise. "Take Sanji away from here. To your third base. Stay there until I come get you."
"Don't go," Sanji muttered, arms tightening around his leg. "I don't want to go!"
Sabo gently pried his arms off and coaxed him into walking. Luffy and Ace followed along with puzzled expressions, but Ace held back, looking at Law skeptically. Then he pushed Luffy to follow after the others.
"I'll stay and provide backup," he decided with confidence. "Since Law got defeated right in front of us."
"I didn't!" Law hissed at him, but reddening with humiliation. He was numb with how easy it had happened, and looked at his hands with a sort of shock he hadn't felt in a long time. The doors shut behind them, leaving the pair to stare at the remaining teen left behind. Law turned to face him, noting the moving body in front of him. Ace grinned, positive they were going to have a good time.
Naghi-Tan: He does in that state but when he's out of it…well, he's his normal, argumentative self, always challenging authority but it's Law who has to take it lol Now Sanji can't leave him alone! Law is struggling but he knows he'll lose the fight eventually so now he's desperate and doing desperate things. You know I write them struggling as they fight for love :D haha! Can't even make it easy on myself…
Greeny: I hope I don't mess it up lol! I wanted to explore it from the ground, which includes their reactions through the years as they mature. It's really awkward to write heat scenes, but they will pop up from time to time – even if he wasn't bonded he'd be feeling something out of place and that would be miserable because being unclaimed would create some trauma for all. But now that I've introduced another alpha, well…it should be interesting! :D Law is doing his best but he knows he'll lose – which scares him because he's got some clingy morals hanging to him, and he's willing to risk chance to get them both some relief D: The pair are working together but…they still got some fight to them.