It took longer than it should have, or would have if he'd been alone, to reach the cliffs edge with Luffy stopping to fight some creature or getting distracted by something. He really was like a child in some ways and that was a part of him that Law found himself envious of. He left his innocence and childhood behind him years ago. Hell, he was a child when he'd lost his innocence and compassion. If it hadn't been for the time spent with Corazon he would have probably self-destructed and definitely he'd not have what little compassion he had if it weren't for that man who put Law's life above his own.
So he couldn't hate Luffy. Be annoyed with him yes… hell yes. Proof of that was when Sanji called them to say they needed to bring supplies back with them since there were no shops on the island. Of course, this took longer than need be, too. Again thanks to Luffy. He got excited about everything and the den den mushi was no exception.
In his child-like exuberance he tried multiple times to snatch the creature from Law's hand, excitedly yelling about all the things they'd seen in their short jaunt across the island so far. Luffy finally managed to get the talking snail, as he called it, and Law had to threaten to swap back to the ship and leave the rubber boy with a towel if he didn't behave. This brought Luffy up short and he sullenly handed the device back to Law. This is when the sound of Zoro laughing loudly could be heard clearly. Law had wondered if he was hearing right and someone on the other end was laughing but with Luffy making a ton of racket he hadn't been sure.
The pout on Luffy's face lasted only long enough for something to make a noise just ahead of them and he was back to bouncing and tugging at Law's coat to get him to move in the direction to see what was there. Law let himself to be led through the woods while quickly finishing the conversation with the blonde who sounded frustrated from it all.
He told Luffy they'd have to gather supplies on their way back in case the other captain didn't hear what Sanji had told him.
"Right…" Luffy said excitedly only to be deflated when he saw the cause of the noise in the bushes.
It was a large creature covered in thick scales and horns. The thing looked like it'd been pieced together with scraps of other animals. It was lumbering its way through the underbrush away from them and Law thought Luffy was going to attack only to be shocked when he was led back in the direction of the cliff.
"Not going to fight the beast Luffy-ya?"
Shaking his head, "Nope, it didn't look tasty or strong."
It always amazed Law that Luffy could sum up someone or something within a matter of seconds. When that creature looked back at them Law discerned gentle warm brown eyes looking with fear at them as the cumbersome creature tried to move as fast as it could. He was glad Luffy wasn't going to hurt the thing and wasn't sure what brought such a feeling to surface in him.
Luffy had fought around four critters so far and killed none of them. He didn't even serious wound them. He just pitted himself against the ones that looked strong and willing to fight. Like it was a game or self-challenge of sorts and the rounds usually ended with Luffy patting the thing on the head telling it that he enjoyed the fight. The thought of dissecting the rubber male was never far from Law's mind because of things like this. When Luffy fought he went all out. He didn't hold back and didn't expect is opponent to either. He fought fair no matter who he went up against and that was something Law hadn't seen much of before. Not in a pirate at least.
Plenty of pirates, hell all of them he'd met or heard about, wanted to be "The King of the Pirates" but none could be said to fight fair. They slaughtered anything and everything on a whim and didn't give a thought towards those who were hurt by their actions. They made him think of the people who lied and ruthlessly wiped out Flevance. He'd dissect those willingly but not for the same reason he wants to get inside Luffy.
Those asshats he wants to rip apart just as ruthlessly as they treat the world around them. Luffy he wants to study. But that would have to wait, nothing new there, as they finally cleared the trees and reached the cliff overlooking the vast sea they traveled to get here. It was beautiful. The sun was high and a soft wind blew enough to bring the scent of the sea with it to cool the males as they stood looking at the scenery.
Of course this calm didn't last long before Luffy was vigorously digging in the pack he'd placed on the ground before him. A blanket was tossed to the side along with a couple wooden mugs. Law was grateful that the cook hadn't packed glass in their pack but then again he should know his captain by now.
Law laid out the blanket next to a large rock near the edge of the cliff. No trees grew this close but the boulder was large enough to use as a back rest and he could read the book he'd tucked into his coat in pleasant surroundings…except…
Luffy bounded over smiling like the sun itself and placed the food on the blanket neatly. Or as neatly as Luffy could given his gung-ho personality. He then sat down and stared at the doctor not saying a word.
"Problem, Luffy-ya?"
"Nope, just waiting," Luffy simply replied and continued to wait.
Law cocked his head, "Are you feeling alright?"
Nodding his head vigorously after wiping away a bit of drool, "Yep, fine."
"Then waiting for what exactly?" He knew he probably shouldn't ask but this behavior was so out of character for the other captain.
"You to start," Luffy said like it should have been obvious to any idiot.
It wasn't like Luffy to wait for someone else to start eating. He'd usually dig in and shovel whatever was there into his stretchy mouth. Law decided it wasn't worth the effort to try and figure out so he swallowed any questions he may have and reached for a plate and chopsticks. Once he'd started eating Luffy dug in, too. Though it wasn't his usual frenzy and Law could see he was holding himself back the best he could.
"Luffy, what's going on?" He couldn't help asking.
"Nuffin…" Was the muffled reply around a mouth full of partially chewed food.
Law continued to enjoy his meal of fish, rice, and other Japanese cuisine while covertly watching the other male.
Arranged on the blanket haphazardly was all the food from the bag plus a large thermos of something Law thought might be tea. Luffy was surrounded by large pieces of various cuts of meats while the other dishes made their way closer to Law. At one point a bento filled with onigiri with plums stuck to them made their way over only to be quickly dashed away and gulped down by Luffy.
Law could only grin. Seems Luffy remembered what Law liked and disliked and tried to make sure Law had his fill of his favorite foods while his least favorites, pickled plums and bread to name two, weren't close to him. He'd never seen Luffy act this way before.
Luffy pushed a dish of grilled fish towards him, "You need to eat more. You're skinny, like I said before. Really sexy though..."
His speech trailed off as he finished off everything but a couple plain rice balls and the plate of fish he'd shoved over. Law couldn't stop the blush from forming on his cheeks.
"Oh, you're blushing." Luffy stretched his neck so his face was in front of Law's. "Why?"
Choking a bit on his bite of food Law looked incredulously at the other male, "What do you mean why?"
The rubber face cocked to the side, "Just …why? Why are you blushing? Did I embarrass you?"
Law moved to shove the stretchy face with his hand and in hindsight he probably shouldn't have done that as Luffy started licking his fingers again. Really what was this guy thinking?
Pulling his hand back with a jerk only worked in bringing the head back closer again. His finger still locked between two lips and a tongue swirling around the digit in a seductive way.
Did Luffy even know what he was doing when he did things like this? Did he do it to anyone else? What was making him do these things? Thoughts raced through Law's mind as his one finger was swapped for another with no chance of release, it seemed, until all had been devoured.
"Strawhat-ya?"
"Hmmm?" Fingers still being licked to death
"May I have my hand back?"
Tongue still playing with the finger currently in his mouth Luffy seemed to think it over before releasing Law reluctantly.
Wiping his hand on a napkin that had been packed for them Law said, "Thank you but mind tell me exactly what the hell you doing?"
Luffy cocked his head and looked at Law like he was being uncharacteristically obtuse, "I was tasting you."
The comment was made flatly and not what Law expected. Though if asked he'd be hard put to say what he had expected for an answer. So he took a deep breath and tried again.
"Luffy-ya you've been acting different and I'm asking you why."
He shouldn't have wasted his breathe because the other captain had decided that since the food was gone and all of Law's fingers were licked clean he needed to check out the cliff so the words fell into the void that was where Luffy had been moments earlier.
Law shook his head in wonderment and started packing up the things from lunch. Before doing so he noticed that the pack still held some things. Curious he pulled the items out for inspection while keeping tabs on the other male. It really wouldn't do to lose the Strawhat's captain and have to deal with the rest of the crew. Trouble he'd rather avoid.
He found a couple of large sacks he figured were for the supplies they needed to gather, a box of matches, and a metal box labeled poison. Nothing out of the ordinary once he found that box actually held emergency rations, probably disguised so Luffy wouldn't eat it, and so he put them away along with the other stuff scattered around him and looked up in time to see Luffy disappear.
Last Law had seen was Luffy trotting along the cliff edge checking out everything in sight and then suddenly POOF the man was gone; just disappeared in an instant. Law wasn't one to freak out easily and knowing the other captain he gave it a few seconds to see if he'd reappear before heading in the direction he last saw the male.
Nothing…Luffy was nowhere to be seen and Law was starting to worry. He questioned, briefly, why he'd be so upset about the other just poofing out of sight but decided he'd file that along with everything else and work on it later. That list was growing longer with every hour that passed it seemed.
He was just getting ready to call the first mate and cook when he heard joyous laughter floating up from the cliffs edge. Slowly sidling closer he looked down and saw Luffy using a tree growing from the side of the cliff as a swing. It was low enough that huge fish were jumping up trying to grab a quick meal.
At first Law was pissed and opened his mouth to yell at the happy-go-lucky infuriating male but he knew it wouldn't do any good and as he watched he could see Luffy do something akin to acrobatics. It was like he was playing with the sea monsters. He'd dangle himself until almost caught in gaping jaws then spring up out of harms way. He did get caught by one quick, hungry, eel looking thing but Luffy simply punched his way out and back to the limb to play again.
After an hour of this Law yelled that they should get moving and as Luffy's new playmates were tiring he didn't argue and snapped himself back to the top of the cliff next to the doctor.
Panting heavily, "That was fun."
Shouldering the pack to single he was leaving Law smiled at his companion.
"Did you see those huge things trying to eat me? One got me but I got away." Luffy said proudly.
"Yes, I saw. Now we need to gather supplies and head back to the ship." Law looked at the sun getting lower in the sky.
"Awe but I want to explore more. There's the waterfall I saw earlier and probably tons more beasts to battle with." Luffy started saying with a slight pout that turned into excitement at the thought of more adventure.
Law considered the best way to continue when Luffy said nonchalantly, "And I want to spend more time alone with you."
A bit surprised at the statement, "We are together on the Sunny all the time Luffy-ya."
Again Luffy looked at him like he should understand something so simple, "No alone Traffy. I want to be alone with you instead with everyone else."
"Why?" Was all Law could think of to ask.
As Luffy trotted ahead a little he tossed over his shoulder as if it was common knowledge, "Cause I like being with you."
"Don't you like being with your crew, too?" Law knew Luffy thought in simple terms and knew he thought ally meant friend so is this what was going on and Law had been over thinking things.
Luffy stopped dead in his tracks, turned to face Law, and grabbed the doctor's face with both hands saying, "Of course I like my crew silly but I like you more," before placing a chaste kiss on Law's lips.
Law's brain either exploded or melted down or maybe even both he wasn't sure. All he knew was he was suddenly very tired from all the thoughts whirling around his head and Luffy striding off like nothing had just happened wasn't helping.
Law needed time to think but before that could happen Luffy stopped once again and asked with a sheepish look on his face, "Don't you like being alone with me Traffy?"
If Law's brain wasn't overheated before it sure as hell was now. He stood there staring at Luffy who was waiting for an answer and the longer it took for Law to speak the sadder Luffy looked. He didn't like Luffy looking sad. The boy was supposed to be happy and carefree. That's what Law loved about him…loved? And the last of his senses shattered allowing him to give up any pretense he may have had about the male in front of him.
"Yes, Luffy-ya I like being with you, too." He said shyly.
"Then that settles that, "Luffy blurted and started walking again leaving Law to pull himself together the best he could and follow.