•HELLO ALL! You have my permission to punch me because I could've uploaded this earlier but school. And mostly laziness. Shoot me.•

—Something within the second seed breaks. Though it opens new doors for the future, and closes old doors from the past. Though coping with growing and struggling and development, it pushes on.—

10. Friendship

Thirteen Years Ago

His black hair rode the waves of the wind haphazardly as he ran over uneven ground, glancing back in fear of the pink coat showing itself again. Law, tears pricking at his wide eyes, rubs the coal orbs in irritability. He had to escape from Doflamingo's tyrannical ways, and as a young teen, he couldn't take it anymore.

He had to escape.

As though the older man's breath was on the back of his neck, Law's own hitched and he pushes himself beyond the limit to get away, sunlight streaming through the trees and barely touching him as he fled. "I've got to get away," Law puffs through breathy pants. "I've got to..."

"Oi."

Surprise sends his heart racing, and the stumbling boy trips over his feet clumsily, a squeak emitting from his throat as he crashes head first into the grassy, dirt ridden ground. Groaning, the boy rubs his brushed cheek, cursing softly at his bruised side before turning angry eyes upon the new voice.

Narrowing his irises, Law immediately goes on the defensive. "Who the fuck are you?" Law says contemptuously, little hands turning little shaking fists.

The boy's tan skin glowed beside being bathed in shadows, back to the sun. Freckles exploded upon his full cheeks, with dark eyes wide and riddled with experience, and so much so for such a young face. Yet those haunted eyes brighten regardless, and those pink lips split into a wide, friendly smile. "I'm Ace! Why are you running?"

Disregarding the openness, as such hasn't been shown to Law in such a long time, then boy stands, wobbling slightly. "Nothing," Law mutters, stretching quickly. He begins to take off again, with drained strength and barely caught breath, when the tan boy's hand grabs into his darker one.

"What're you—"

"You look sad. Be my friend? I don't have many," Ace says, a desperate undertone to his voice. That distant look in his eyes retuned then, somewhat a similar to his own, and, for the first time in his life, Law felt sympathy.

Looking back to ensure his safety from his blonde oppressor, Law takes a deep breath to assure himself. "Sure," he relents, and Ace's smile is so wide Law wonders how it's contained in his face. "But," Law warns, "keep me a secret. If word gets out that I've escaped, more than it probably has already, I'm not sure what'll happen."

"Of course!" cheers Ace, who runs around, jumping and clapping gleefully. "Let's meet here everyday!"

Law reels on him, fear gripping his heart. "No way. I've gotta get away from here as soon as possible."

Faltering slightly, Ace's excited countenance crumples. It soon relights, though, as another idea comes to mind. "Then, how about weekly? Here? At around this time?"

Law considers this, taking a gander at the sun, high and vibrant in the sky. The day was lazy and the sky was blue, clouds rolling by in heaped mounds of white. The trees swayed gently in the soft breeze, and the afternoon was beautiful and peaceful. The lakes which they fooled around glistened blindingly, reflecting beautifully. In front of him resided a new path, a new friend, a new life laid out for him. Behind him laid Dolflamingo, most likely given up the chase, and a life he wouldn't return to even if one paid him.

The answer was beyond obvious.

"Sure," Law giggles. His heart beats loudly at this new turn of events, and it rings in his ears as Ace's laughter swells within him. It was surreal, these kinds of blessings, but they happen, and they are real.

The boys promised and frequently met, sharing stories and exploring, hunting and eating, sleeping and playing. Weeks stretched into long, long months, cut short by the laughter they omitted and the time they burned. Truly, they became one in friendship, closer than love itself. Nothing could separate the boys, neither the world nor its rules.

Until the day of the fire.

Flames licked the sides of the forest, swallowing the trees whole and turning the once vibrant green into a charred, broken black. The lake where the boys played at reflected a world of ombré chaos, fire stretching its destructive tentacles across the score of land. Above the heap of fallen nature lay a cloudless night sky, an empty abyss of blackness and fear, enveloping the disaster into its welcome dankness.

Below breathed Law, eyes watering, breath heaving as he ran through the sea of flames. "Ace!" he cries, coughing as he inhales the smoky fumes. Underfoot went broken leaves and dark blood as the child sprinted across the forest; the same place he and Ace played in, the same place they first met, the same place that they were separated from. Law, barely into his double digits, races fearfully across the scarred grass, starting towards a wonderful friend. One he couldn't find right now, nor would he at this rate.

Stopping, the boy crumples to his knees, taking hacking, wild gulps of air as best he could. His small hands clutch the dying, dead grass, holding onto something so he doesn't fall over. This was all too surreal. It was overwhelming and exhilarating, and an instinct to escape kicked in like never before, carrying his small stature across miles of miles of land. He was wholly welcomed into the bath of flames and destruction, swiftly snatching his ability to breath deeply.

And here he was after struggling for miles on end.

"Ace!" Law tries again, and tears prick his glazed, dark eyes. It hurts to blink, not that the clouds of black allowed much to be seen, and the constant running and lack of oxygen was starting to get to the small boy. His exhausted lids lower, and his head rested itself against the hot floor of the forest. It would be nice to take a nap for a few hours...

A sound crunches its way towards Law, who barely makes out the discernible sound against the roar of the fire. "Law! Law is that you? Damn it..."

The boy upon the floor rubs his eyes warily before blinking and glancing upwards. A mop of wild dark hair greets his eyes, followed by a wide set of eyes, alive with fear and worry and thanks. "I finally found you!" Ace cries loudly, tears streaming down his red cheeks. "I thought..."

Law sniffles himself, heat steeping into his cheeks at the fact that his best friend has made it through the danger alright. "I'm okay," the older murmurs, pulling the younger into a tight, loving, welcoming hug. Ace blinks a few times, wiping the unsightly tears away, then returned the embrace with fervor and relief.

Beside the ground below them laid a toy, likely lost and forgotten, yet unscathed amongst the red and orange. Blinking owlishly at the tears within his sockets, Law pulls away reluctantly and bends, picking it up. Fingering it slowly, he holds it to the light all around them. It's fire, a plastic, cheap kind, but with a socket attached.

"What's that?" Ace marvels, eyes stars as he gazes adoringly at the toy.

Law smiles softly despite their dire predicament. Some things just never got old. "It's a nightlight, I think," he notes, turning around the still, plastic flame as it reached towards the sky.

Seeing his friend's complete and utter obsession Law chuckles. "Want it? Think of it as a present."

Jumping on this toes, Ace beams at the boy, "Oh, can I please?" Warmth flows through Law's supple cheeks to his ears as he hands the toy to the boy. Light flickers within the dark coals of his friend, and his beam burns brighter. "I love it, I'll treasure it forev—"

A tree beside them catches fire abruptly, spraying sparks of fire upon the boys, who dodge them irrationally. Cracking ensued, followed by the looming shadow of the incoming wall of flame following the tree's descent. Terrified, the boys flee to opposite sides of the danger, screaming as the log hit the ground and flames fly higher. Surrounding the two were complete yellow and orange, hotter and more stubborn then before. If Law could barely breathe before, he couldn't now, and each breath was smoke and such only.

Beside him, in the heat of the moment, lay the fire light. Law stares at it sorrowfully, regretfully. "Ace!" Law yells besides his lack of oxygen, because that was all he cared about. All he wanted was his friend healthy and alive.

He doesn't receive an answer.

Panic grips him then, and he searching dutifully for a way around, to see where Ace was, to ensure he was okay. "Ace!" he tries again, only to stutter halfway through. His grey eyes were avidly crying now, and his body was too hot, much past the safety of 98.6 F, but Ace was his only friend. Who could potentially...

All around him was flame.

There wasn't even a way out for him.

A fight or flight instinct kicks in, and his heart battered painfully against his chest. There has to be a way out, there had to be. Or he'd die. He wouldn't allow himself to pass before seeing his friend again, he wouldn't. Though oxygen ran short, and his brain seemed to be dying on him, and strength drained from Law in waves, he had to push. At least until it was safe.

At least until Ace was safe.

To the left of the intense heat then opened a path, small enough just for his size. Making use of his astuteness, Law runs with newfound strength towards the small opportunity, soon flickering close before his eyes. Pushing off the burnt grass below, he leaps through the small gap between hot flames, cursing loudly at the lick of heat that touched his skin.

Outside the flames he faces a wide, vast expanse of water, touching the horizon in a blurry, uneven line, unable to differentiate between the dark of the sky and the waves of the ocean. Law blinks, confused, then turns around. The fire is a good ten feet behind him, and only looming closer. He leans over the water, glancing at his wavering reflection. Soot, dirt, and dust encrust themselves onto his front, sliced by rough tears glistening down his redeemed, blackened cheeks. Sniffling, Law scoops a handful of clear water up, reflecting the fire just behind him, and rinses his face with it, hoping to rid himself of this nightmare.

Water isn't enough to wash away the flames.

Taking yet another gulp of savory oxygen, Law glances behind him. The fire was making steady, but slow progress towards him, and though he wasn't in immediate danger, he needed to move fast. Unbeknownst to him, he was clutching a smooth object within his hand and, blinking slowly as he looked down, found it out to be the flame light, the same one he had given Ace. The boy curses loudly at the tears that pricked his eyes at the thought of the gift not being successfully delivered for good.

He'd give it to him.

There was no way he could do it today, maybe not even tomorrow but he would. Promising the bright moon within the sky, promising himself and, in his heart, promising Ace, he would give it to him. It symbolized their friendship, it symbolized their current predicament, and it symbolized the both of them.

A raging fire.

—•—

Thirteen Years Later

Nostalgia slapped him senseless as he walked down that warm street, and the sun's radiance shined on him just as much as it did the day he met Ace. His sharp shoes clacked against the sidewalk before making a sharp turn onto the wide, tan driveway. It was an apartment, completely white and colorless, and Law's heart tears up at the thought of his beloved best friend staying here. Law was ecstatic he was alive, and wanted to talk to him as soon as possible.

He walks up the time-worn stairs two at a time, fighting to keep his jumping feeling within himself. Failing, and utterly so, Law smiles big, something he hasn't done in a while, as he rings on the door.

There's silence, but Law's hopes are yet to be dashed. He rings again. "Weird," he mutters, the edges of his lips falling. "I could've sworn this is where the phone book said..."

After the eleventh try, Law gives up in an exasperated sigh. He had double checked, triple checked, quadruple checked that this was the right address. Ace has to be here...but yet wasn't. There was yet a tendril of hope left to be severed, though, and in spite of him, Law digs into a pocket to retrieve the old symbol.

The fire light.

Though olden and grayed with streaks of vintage, the flame of the plastic toy still held a proud air about it, awaiting to be rekindled again. Law fingers the old tangible memoir, smiling softly at the memories it held. But, he had promised, he'd give it to Ace.

It's been over a decade.

Laying the light down softly at the entrance at the apartment, Law smiles yet again, once more before leaving, shutting the door on his past only for Ace to open it again. He missed the boy—well, man now— dearly.

Days pass in awkward short segments, daylight spanning anywhere from days to seconds, night coming in batches of few or many. It seems like forever when Law's busy surgeon profession allows him to sneak a peek at Ace's apartment once more.

The light is no where to be seen. This heart beats a little faster, hope swelling within him. Ace must've gotten it. He must've.

Law told himself this over and over, continuing with his day. Yes. He must have.

...

Hours Before Ace's Arrest

The street he walked down was damp and dank, but he's lived through situations worse, so the scenery didn't particularly bother him. Trafalgar Law sighed despite himself, staring up at the grey, humid skies, foretelling of a whirring maelstrom of unfortunates to come. Donned in an spiffy, sharp gray suit, dark shoes, and a collar whiter than his soul would ever be, the man walked along the path quietly.

Kicking at a rock and shoving his hands deep into his pockets, Law steadies his eyes upon the opposing side of the ghetto-like area, buildings in shambles and streets littered and degraded. The whole neighborhood was in dire conditions, setting him off. But he had no choice. His usual route to Ace's home was barricaded; this was the next best.

"That Ace kid really went through with it, huh?"

As if on purpose, an explosion erupts in Law's brain, triggering a massive chain of subsequent eruptions. His mind has obtained a state that no other word described but a numbness, and his body moved on pure instinct toward the man who uttered Ace's name.

The voice had been emitted from an alleyway on his left, and Law turned violent, deadly eyes towards the men who dare disgrace his best fiends name and identity.

"What a dumbass!" cackles the man beside the first, slapping his partner on the back with glee. "He actually thought he'd make money...he's so trusting it's disgusting."

Law found himself walking deeper into the alley, and at a quickened gait, too. Something within him simply snapped, nothing more, nothing less. Law addressed this a matter-of-factly, though on the inside he planned near murder.

"Now that bitch landed his sorry ass in jail—" The lackey's face met its end at Law's fist, and sharp cracking sounds fill the air. Blood spilled itself upon the tan man's balled fists, displaying itself in an unorganized spatter upon the ground. The thought of the men bringing such ridiculous shame on Ace's name just pissed him right the fuck off, because he knew Ace. Better than any one, better than either of them.

"W- Wait!" pleads the other, palms up in mock defense. Law raises a single black eyebrow, intrigued to listen to his excuse for all of two seconds. The man had only opened his mouth when Law shoved a first into his gut, hard enough to leave a bruise lasting for months. Anger, lividity, and annoyance compiled itself on top of on another, making themselves prominent through the ferocity of his violence. Law grunts as he removes his limb, wiping the repulsive red on his victim's tee.

Bending low, Law brings the two of them together, smiling in mockery but with eyes as hard as steel, uncompassionate, and unmerciful. "Tell me how you know Ace. Tell me where he is. This is an order." The dark haired whispers the last sentence, low enough and with a threat so clear it sent shivers down their backs. The underlings in question exchange glances before sighing, giving up.

The one on the right mutters. "Ace was part of our scheme. Willingly."

Law furrows his eyes. "Willingly?"

The other speaks, looking at something past Law as he does. "Yeah. He's in Impel Down now...hell if he gets out of there."

Impel down?

Law drops the men without much further thought as his brain filled with new information. Ace. His Ace! In jail?

Impossible. But for them to speak with such certainty, it wouldn't hurt for him to at least check, right? Law reassures himself with this as he walks stiffly back to the main road. Maybe he was going paranoid himself. He'd just beat up two random strangers...all for Ace. Everything around him seemed to revolve around his first friend, but could he be blamed? Ace had been his first step into normality, or the gist of it, and was the one who gave him a hand when no one else did.

Of course he'd have a slight obsession.

So, he thinks so himself, breathing deeply and quickly. Everything would be alright.

—•—

Everything is not.

When Law arrived at the jail, gone through the necessary paperwork and admission process, it had come face to face with a man who had been a only the shadow of his former self. The weight of the world seemed to ride passively on those sagging shoulders. Hair, once glistening and wavy and defined, was now dirty, matted with stress and hardship. The man himself didn't seem to take notice of exactly how dirty he had became in such a reliving short time since arriving to the prison, but Law had. And always would.

The scene tugged at his heart.

"Ace-ya, I presume?" Law says loudly, bringing the prisoners' attention towards him. The man in question glanced up at hm in shock, while his mates seemed to do the same, except in anger.

"I am he," Ace responds slowly, standing, eyeing Law with a blank expression.

"You're free to go," the older says, gesturing toward the door. As soon as the words left his lips, however, voices erupted to a new height and volume, demanding. Why Ace was to leave, demanding their releases, screaming, yelling, protesting, even rushing him—

No one else would stand in the way of their reunion.

Pulling up his pants slightly, Law gets into a crouching position, unfazed by the sudden onslaught of men in front of him. With an animalistic growl, he rushes through the chaos, decapitating all of the prisoners, leaving them writhing and helpless on the ground below.

"Come with me. You're free," Law announces, reaching out towards the paler man. Blinking rapidly, the man takes the hand, standing. With a smile planted on his face, Ace takes the hand, and Law leads him outside.

...

"Oh, sorry, I don't think I caught your name, good sir," Ace says respectfully when the two are outside, sunlight beating down upon their bodies.

The comment throws Law off. What did he mean, didn't catch Law's name? They...they were best friends. They are best friends. Did he not remember?

He suddenly has a dire need for air.

If Ace didn't remember, then if he were to simply state all of their business together, he would come off creepy and stalk-ish...if he didn't remember.

Law hoped Ace didn't hear the sound of his heart breaking.

He instead takes a deep breath. "Law." Silently, he prays it sounded normal and well rounded, not cracking and soft. Unable to blink away the sudden tears, he pivots and walks away, eyes wide and blinking, watching the wavering, blurry ground.

"I'll never for get this, Law! Honestly! Thank you!"

Law didn't turn back to the man, and he could barely hear his best friend's goodbye over the sound of his heart cracking, his tears flowing, or the roar of the ocean in his brain. It hurt, and very much so. Maybe their friendship was something that he treasured only, or maybe it just wasn't as special for Ace.

Well. It has been thirteen years.

Law pushed his emotions to the back of his mind, cursing himself for being so emotional all the time. He was a surgeon, and he had patients to take care of, he had business to attend to. There isn't anyone who would want someone not within the right mental mindset to operate on them. No one.

He had people who depended on him.

He takes a quick breath and finalizes his composing of his emotions. With heavy legs but a determined mind, Law walks back towards his own house.

This chapter is iffy as FUCK but I'm done! Does that count? Please I'm sorry for any mistakes I'm just a little egg I'm sorry. I hope you enjoyed the read, hmu with the favs and follows! There are only a couple of chapters left for this story, so stay tuned!