five years later

"ROOM!"

Law raised his hand in the air and focused on this target.

"SHAMBLES!"

Within the blink of an eye, the object on his palm switched places with the one his training partner at the other end of the deck was holding.

Law blinked in surprise when a piece of Onigiri that looked like a Panda fell into his hand.

"Did it work?"

Cora was running towards him. She was holding a small stone in her hand which Law had switched with the object she had held in her hand.

"It... it's a Panda.", Law said with a monotone voice.

"Yeah, don't ask me how the cook managed to make that because I have no idea.", Cora laughed but Law's face remained expressionless. Her smile dropped slowly and she scratched the back of her head.

"The range of your power is getting wider again, isn't it?"

Law nodded.

"Yes it is. But the longer I have to maintain the sphere, the weaker I get."

"But you can switch objects now, that is pretty cool."

Cora gave him a nudge on the arm. Law didn't show any reaction but she could see that he was already thinking about how he could optimize his new technique. Ever since he ate the Devil Fruit, he had been training every day to learn how to use its power. He was trying to become stronger and she knew that a part of him blamed himself for everything that had happened to her.

The scar on the side of her head had healed and was now shining with a light red color.

It was a miracle that Cora survived but she always told Law that if it wasn't for him, she would've died on that submarine.

Law always said that he understood and that he was glad he could help her but he still seemed deeply in thought and detached.

Not even the fact that Doflamingo didn't blame him at all could convince him to give himself a break. Although Law had looked very surprised when their Captain had thanked him for keeping Cora alive.

Cora knew that Doflamingo's words back then were true, he had no reason to lie to the boy. He seemed to respect Law a lot more now and even offered to train him.

But Law was rather keeping things to himself lately.

Whenever Cora went by his room to talk or read together, he would claim to be tired and send her away. When they saw each other, it was always for training purposes. He didn't talk much at all anymore and Cora started to wonder just how much the Blue Suns accident had changed him.

Strangely, the same was true for Doflamingo although the change in his behavior was more subtle.

He didn't talk to Cora outside of "business" anymore. He still asked for her advice and let her in on his current plans but she could feel how he distanced himself from her too.

When the doctor was taking care of her, he didn't visit her or ask how she was holding up. During the first week, Law had stopped by every day to bring her food and water. He always wanted to know how Cora was feeling but even back then, his eyes were hooded and his expression seemed empty.

"Do you wanna grab something to eat?", Cora asked.

The silence was beginning to feel heavy.

Law looked at the panda shaped Onigiri in his hand as if it was another small stone.

Cora sighed but before the kid could voice his rejection, she felt Doflamingo's presence behind her.

"Doffy!", Cora said in surprise as she turned around.

His hair was shorter now but that one thing about his appearance never changed. He smiled at her with the constant mask that was his face.

"Can I borrow the kid for a while?"

Law looked at Cora and wordless returned the Onigiri to her hand.

Cora tried to hide the rush of disappointment that was rising in her chest but felt it showing in her eyes.

"Uh... sure. You two have fun.", she said in a low voice and walked away.

Doflamingo glanced after her for a moment but quickly turned his focus on Law.

"You seem to get stronger every day."

Law looked up at him, his face free of any emotion.

"I try. What do need Waka-ya?"

The edges of Doflamingo's smile stretched as he heard his new nickname again. Law had developed a habit of calling him that after they got back from Noainu. Doflamingo didn't really care but it felt somewhat amusing to hear Law call him that.

"Fufufu, I just wanted to chat. It's been a while since we had a one on one talk if I remember correctly."

Law's expression didn't change but Doflamingo could just tell that the boy didn't believe him. That made him want to smile even more.

"Let's go to my quarters. I want to show you something."

They quietly made their way to Doflamingo's room. From a distance Doflamingo felt Cora's eyes watching them as she was standing near the railing.

"There we are.", Doflamingo announced when they arrived.

Law looked around at all the things that where standing and lying around in the rather big room.

Next to him stood a large hall stand where Doflamingo left his pink feather coat. A long ebony desk was standing in front of a huge window with long transparent curtains on both ends.

The smell of expensive perfume and cigarettes had filled his nose as soon as he entered the room. The sun was already fading away but still shining through the window.

Doflamingo sat down behind his desk. His purple shades reflected the remaining sunlight and hid his own curiosity as he watched in silence how Law's eyes wandered around the room.

A western guitar was hanging on the wall, next to colorful paintings that confused Law to no end since he couldn't tell what they were supposed to portray.

A bookshelf on the other side of the room was filled with historical biographies and records. Doflamingo started the phonograph on his desk and the sound of a calming guitar play started to fill the air.

Law's mind snapped back to the current situation and he stared at his captain in embarrassment. Doflamingo chuckled and pointed to the chair in front of his desk.

"Take a seat. Here's more for you to look at."

Law sat down slowly and noticed the big map before him on the desk. The map showed the location of all the islands and trade routes around North Blue. Law recognised what used to be his hometown and frowned. Doflamingo watched him carefully but the boy quickly regained his composure and continued to study the map. A particular spot between one of the broader nations on the Red Line and a trade route originating from its port area was marked with an "X".

"What's with the 'X'?"

Doflamingo leaned forward and touched the nation's location on the map with his finger.

"This place is the starting point of one of the shipping lanes towards Mariejois."

Law narrowed his eyes in confusion. Doflamingo's smile only widened as he drew a line with his finger towards the "X" on the map.

"Once every month, a cargo ship carrying the heavenly tribute, a huge amount of gold and money, of this particular nation leaves the port and heads towards the Celestrial Dragons' domain. The 'X' marks the spot where I plan to capture that very ship."

Grey eyes looked at the spot and widened in shock.

"You... you plan to capture... but why?"

Doflamingo chuckled again and encircled Law's jaw with his fingers. He pointed his head upwards so that the boy was looking at him.

"You don't need to know the 'why'... I just want you to help me do it.", Doflamingo murmured.

The boy in his hands gulped and tried to move away but Doflamingo only gripped his jaw tighter.

"Look at me.", he ordered.

"That new ability of yours will come in handy. You want to improve your strength, right?"

Cold, grey eyes recognised themselves in their purple reflection.

"Yes."

"Good. Then I will take you with me and you will do as I say."

The fingers around Law's face loosened and Doflamingo now only used his thumb to hold his chin up.

"That should be fun now that you've had a taste...", he whispered.

Law's mouth opened slightly and he furrowed his brow. That man before him still made him feel ill whenever he controlled him like this. But he couldn't deny the odd sensation in his chest that made him feel understood, that made him feel excited.

He respected Doflamingo and even looked up to him. But at times he remembered their little late-night talk years ago that had made him fear the man and himself because they resembled each other.

And still, he heard himself say:

"As you wish, Waka-ya."

And he felt like an obedient dog, wagging it's tail because his master noticed him.

Doflamingo saw the disgust wash over Law's face and raised his brow. His thumb was still resting below Law's chin. He wondered if the kid was lying to him.

The boy had grown a lot over the last five years, both mentally and physically but he still was very young and as much as he tried to hide his emotions, he couldn't keep his act up for long when someone pushed him to his limits.

And Doflamingo enjoyed pushing his buttons a little too much.

"That's a good boy.", he mused as he extended his index finger to brush along the boy's earlobe.

He felt Law flinch beneath his touch. Apparently he had found a sensitive spot.

Doflamingo's eyes widened behind his shades. An evil grin appeared on his lips.

Suddenly, he got an idea.

"I just remembered that I still have something else for you.", he announced cheerily and got out of his seat.

Law watched with a concerned expression as Doflamingo went to a dresser near his sleeping place and returned with a small wooden box in his hand.

He took another chair and sat down right next to Law.

"What is it?"

Doflamingo chuckled and opened the box to reveal four golden earrings.

"Fufufufufu... I remembered that I still have these. They are similar to the ones I'm wearing, only a little smaller."

He took out the earrings and smiled even wider. Law's eyes switched between the earrings and Doflamingo's face in a dance of confusion.

"I want you to have them. I think they would suit you."

Law blinked.

"You... but... I... I don't have...", he stuttered in an attempt to escape what was coming next.

"Don't worry. I'll pierce your ears.", Doflamingo said with a low chuckle.

"Uh... I don't think that's a good idea. I think I should go..."

Law was trying to stand up and leave when he felt his body freeze in place.

Not this again... oh, how he had missed this feeling...

Before he could protest, Doflamingo was there. He leaned over him and grabbed his throat.

"Do you still don't trust me?", he asked with what seemed to be hurt in his voice.

"If you're going to help me capture a ship meant for Mariejois, I'll need you to trust me. Otherwise I'll be risking a lot during that mission. Do you understand?"

"I-I understand but this has nothing to do with-"

The invisible strings around his body seemed to get tighter. Doflamingo's smile had dropped and his face was close to Law's.

"It has everything to do with trust, my little Law... if you can't bring yourself to trust me even this much... I will have no need for you. I don't need a weakling."

Those last words burned on Law's skin. He felt anger rising in his chest.

His eyes became narrow as he stared into the purple glasses. Before he realised his actions, he muttered from behind clenched teeth:

"Do it."

Doflamingo bared his teeth in a wide smile.

With a fast kick he turned Law's chair around so that he was facing him directly.

Law flinched once at the impact and twice when Doflamingo pushed his head down on the desk.

He moved around Law until he stood behind him, all the while gripping his pointy, black hair.

His other hand still held the wooden box which he now placed on the desk and in front of Law's eyes.

Doflamingo's thumb and index finger reached into the small box and returned with a long, sharp needle.

Law gasped in shock and his eyes widened as he saw the shining object before held before him.

His breathing was getting faster by the minute. He slowly but surely lost all control over his body's reactions and it made him feel incredibly weak.

Doflamingo felt the change in the boy's body language. The tension his skin emitted felt like electrical waves beneath his touch. It was fascinating him.

"Are you that scared, Law?", he couldn't help but ask.

The boy didn't respond right away but tried to look at him.

"Just do it.", he whispered with a strained voice.

"Are you sure?"

He was surrendering to him and it was satisfying. But there was still resitance.

Law swallowed his pride and fear, biting his lip before saying:

"I am."

Doflamingo bowed down over Law and positioned his arm next to Law's chest so he could reach his ear easily. His face hovered above Law's head and the boy could feel his captain's breath on his skin. The air was filled with anticipation and the soft tunes of the music still playing in the background.

"I hope these earrings I give you...", Doflamingo murmured as he adjusted the needle's position,

"...will remind you..."

He pushed the sharp tip through Law's skin and the boy hissed through his teeth, tensing up immediately.

"...who you belong to."

Small droplets of blood were running down Law's ear but he didn't voice any protest.

Doflamingo cleaned off the blood with the fabric of his shirt and closed the first golden earring around Law's earlobe.

The second sting caused Law to flinch wildly and Doflamingo encircled the small body with his arm to keep him in place.

More blood ran down Law's ear and throat.

The smell made Law feel dizzy but he refused to show any more weaknesses.

He forced his muscles to relax and tried to take a deep breath. It was working and Doflamingo finished putting on the second earring.

"You're getting blood all over my desk and shirt...", Doflamingo chuckled.

"Maybe it wasn't the best idea in to do this on your desk in the first place...", Law muttered.

He heard his captain laugh as he moved away from the table.

"Fufufufufu, you could be right about that. Now get up."

Law did as he was told although he still felt dizzy. Doflamingo held him in place and suddenly lifted him onto the desk so he was sitting in front of him now. Doflamingo stood before him and turned Law's head to the side.

"On to the last two."

A chill ran down his spine as Law watched weakly how Doflamingo licked the blood from the needle before he moved closer to pierce his other ear.

Holding himself up proved to be rather difficult though and so Law's body slowly fell to the side.

Doflamingo grabbed his shoulder and pushed him back.

"Hey, hey... don't pass out me yet, kid."

"Sorry...", Law muttered bluntly.

His captain couldn't help but laugh at his subordinates refreshing attitude.

"Fufufufu... it's okay..."

Doflamingo laid his hand on the back of Law's head with his thumb supporting his jaw. This way he wouldn't fall away again.

Whenever the needle pushed through Law's flesh, the boy would flinch slightly but bite his tongue to keep any whiny sounds from escaping his throat.

Doflamingo put on the last two earrings and removed the remaining blood from Law's skin.

A proud smile spread on his lips as he studied his finished work.

"Looks good on you, like I said."

Law felt the pain and heat on his ears but also ravished in the fact that he had went through all of it and didn't cry or complain. Even if he was forced into this situation, there was a small victory on his side. Law's lips opened into a sarcastic smile as he looked up at Doflamingo.

"Am I now worthy of your trust, Waka-ya?"

His captain's smile faded away. His expression turned serious and leaned over Law who was still sitting on his desk.

"You are worthy of a chance to prove yourself."

They stared at each other for a long moment until they heard someone knocking on the door.

"Yes?", Doflamingo said loudly.

The door opened and Monet, one of the crew members Law got to know better over the years, went into the room. She smiled and looked at them with yellow eyes that read the situation at once.

"You're having a good time, Waka-sama?", she chuckled, her fingertips covering her lips.

Doflamingo smiled back at her moved away from Law.

Suddenly he grabbed Law's freshly pierced ear and turned his head around to face Monet.

"Ow! OW!"

"I gave him those. What do you think?", Doflamingo laughed as Law struggled in this grip.

Monet looked at Law with fascinated eyes.

"Heeh? You gave him your earrings? He looks great."

The annoyance was now evident on Law's face and he gripped the arm that was still holding his hurting ear.

Doflamingo let go of him and the boy jumped down the desk and made his way to the door.

"Fufufufufu... this kid... now, do have the date?", he asked while his eyes watched Law running away.

Monet leaned against the wall and studied the curious look on her captain's face.

"I have what we need. The next cargo ship will be leaving the port in three days. It will pass through our meeting point in the early evening."

Two rows of white teeth exposed themselves in a wide grin.

"Perfect."

Monet walked towards Doflamingo slowly while she spoke.

"Is Law going to join the mission?"

"Most likely."

"And Cora-san?"

Monet stopped when she was standing right in front of her captain. She felt the sudden change in his mood. He was still smiling but furrowed his brow.

"I don't think she would feel comfortable with the kid around. More so since we have to kill every single person on this ship. You know her and her morals..."

"So you're not gonna tell her that Law is coming with you?", Monet asked.

Doflamingo looked outside the window where the sun was going down.

His plan of stealing the heavenly tribute and using it to blackmail the world government was something he had been working on for years. Even if Cora was one of his most trusted crew members, she wouldn't agree with how he was going do this.

Involving Law in his plan had been a spontaneous decision. She wouldn't like the idea because she was still too protective of the kid. She would become a liability.

After what happened five years ago, Doflamingo couldn't stand the idea of losing her again. He didn't want her near any danger after that and always looked for excuses to not involve her in serious fights.

Around that time he also realized that she was becoming his weakness. A blind spot because he cared too much. So he decided to distance himself from her. He even thought about asking her to leave the crew. Just so this impractical spell would be broken and he could focus on his goals.

Doflamingo felt like he was heading towards an unpleasant decision.

This story... I almost forgot.

It's officially AU now x) I've waited to see how Oda was going to explain things but it's taking a looooonnngg time.

So this is me trying to finish unfinished business.

Enjoy.