Rosedlevi
Luffy sighs and turns under the covers that envelops their body in a warm embrace. As he closes his eyes, the teen realizes the spinning had never ended. It's like he had grown used to it over the past few hours, now barely noticeable.
Slowly and surely, he can feel himself become more conscious, though his sleepiness drowns it out.
"I can also sleep on the couch if you want?"
Luffy opens his eyes, trying his best to focus on the other in the faintly illuminated room.
A tired smile graces his features as Luffy shakes his head. "I don't mind." His voice is as soft as a whisper, staring at Law who doesn't break their eye contact either.
Underneath the covers the boy fumbles his fingers restlessly, feeling emotions surging through him that he can't name. The fight with Sabo is still in his mind, but it's nothing more than a vague blur of hurtful words. He can't even remember what his guard said, and as frustrating as it might be, Luffy is happy he's unable to recall the memories.
Besides that, he lays next to Law who had noticeably been watching him throughout night. Luffy didn't comment on it, neither did he on the subtle and gentle touches now and then. He didn't mind- in fact, he liked it, and he frowns upon the realization... He likes the man's concern, his presence, and Luffy would be lying if he said that Law's touch bothered him.
"What are you thinking about?" The man asks softly, leaning up to sit against the headboard.
Unintentionally Luffy's eyes wander over his bare chest and the ink spread across it.
There isn't much space left between them, he's aware, and Luffy looks up to meet the other's eyes.
He shrugs, not sure what to tell him. He doesn't want to talk about what happened between him and Sabo, or his confusion about the relationship between them that bloomed from hatred to... Luffy isn't sure what they are.
Soon my husband.
But that's nothing more than what the words will state on the documents, what the outside world will think of them. It isn't how he genuinely feels about Law...
The prince's thumb draws circles between his brows and Luffy looks up once more.
"What are you frowning so deeply for?" He asks, and Luffy is glad the man talks light-hearted, probably not expecting him to spill the truth.
"It's been an hour since my last drink and I'm still dizzy... Don't you feel the same?"
"I'm more used to it than you are. That was to be expected." He smirks and Luffy sticks his tongue out, pretending to be offended before he turns and lies on his back.
Warmth radiates from the body next to him, and the urge to lean closer and lie on his chest is great. If only it was Sabo, he wouldn't have to think twice about reaching out.
Luffy shakes his head to himself. What is he thinking?
The boy turns once more and lies on his stomach, propping himself up on his elbows as Law's eyes shift from the window down to him. Softly, Luffy trails his fingers over the man's chest, watching the muscles react to his ghost like touches.
"What are you doing?" Law doesn't stop him, causing Luffy to smile.
"Can't you see?" Luffy's eyes swiftly move up to meet his before he sits up on his knees. "When did you get these?" Luffy refers to the tattoos lining across his body, following the heart shape across his chest.
"Mh..." Law hums in thought as he follows Luffy's fingers touching his skin. "I've got them for almost a year, but it's not finished yet." Luffy questioningly looks up to him, wordlessly asking. "I'm still going to get one on my back, and my hands." He holds them up, turning them.
"Why?" Luffy asks as his fingers stopped moving and his palm presses against the other's warm skin. When Law remains quiet he elaborates. "What do they stand for?"
Law ponders for a moment and Luffy becomes suspicious of the smirk that grows. "You really want to know?"
"Otherwise I wouldn't bother asking." He leans back and crosses his arms, awaiting his reasoning.
With a single movement of his index finger, Law motions for Luffy to come closer as if he's going to spill a big secret. Luffy who becomes even more curious leans forward as Law's lips almost brush against his ear, and the closeness suddenly becomes too much, but Luffy doesn't move away yet.
Law whispers and Luffy strains his ears to hear him. "A secret."
The teen instantly moves back, relieved at the distance. "You're getting back at me." Luffy mumbles, averting his eyes.
"So you remember you did that." Law huffs and leans back against the headboard.
"If you don't want to tell me, that's okay." The princess looks away, and Law feels guilt nagging him, because Luffy just wanted to get to know him better, right?
But as soon as he sees the other's lips turn up at the edges he knows the younger is doing it on purpose. "You think I'll tell you with that kind of bad acting?"
Luffy's eyes shoot up, his smile finally revealing itself. "I was sure you'd fall for it!" He laughs surprised.
"You'll have to try harder than that. But if you really want to know, I'll tell you sometime."
A small smile appears on his lips and Luffy nods. "Okay."
Silence befalls upon them once more, and Law relishes the moment. It's comfortable, their words come natural and for once he is anything but tense in Luffy's company.
A lot changed these past weeks, but they were so subtle, Law barely noticed anything was different at all. However as they sit in the almost complete darkness, he compares their first meeting, Luffy's first days here.
And with the enormous change, Law can't help but feel as if anything is possible with Luffy.
"Law."
"Luffy."
Both speak at the same time, looking up to each other.
"You go first." Law says but the teen shakes his head.
The prince takes a deep breath and runs his hand through his hair. Nervousness is starting to build up inside him again, the way Luffy so effortlessly can make him at any moment.
He mentioned their marriage tonight and to his surprise Luffy hadn't react in any of the ways he predicted. Luffy was calm and responded like it was the most natural thing in the world.
He can do it again... though he knows for a fact the answer won't be what he hopes this time.
"I know we haven't known each other for a long time..." Law starts, feeling a lump building up in his throat. But he just has to ask. "And I hope you don't hate me as much as you did on your first day here." Luffy laughs softly, shaking his head.
"What I want to ask is... since we're getting married." His eyes shift upwards to meet the princesses. "Do... you like me? In that way..." He adds, making sure Luffy won't happily say yes thinking that he meant friendship.
Because Law has long since passed that.
God, by now he's sure this is what falling in love feels like. A feeling he won't ever be able to forget.
Luffy stole his heart.
He can't keep his mind off him. No matter where he is, or where Luffy might be.
Luffy's mouth opens, his expression unreadable and his posture stiffens slightly.
"Do... do you like me that way?" Luffy asks softly, shyly. Where did that question so suddenly come from?
The teen feels his heart speeding. Is Law going to confess to him? What should he do? He doesn't want to hurt him... Luffy likes Law and as they talk and spend more time together, their friendship grows, but... Luffy knows he isn't in love.
The feeling isn't the same... Nothing compared to the pleasant yet suffocating feeling of love. Nothing compared to what he feels for Sabo.
"I do." Law speaks and Luffy's heart clenches tightly. He knew he shouldn't let the other touch him, get close to him like that and still... "I like you, a lot, Luffy."
Law's eyes meet his, and Luffy feels paralyzed under his gaze. He swallows, feeling so self aware as they share the same bed, the same blanket this very moment.
The man's palm against his cheek snaps him out of his daze, and Luffy had no time to realize the other came close, hesitantly pressing his lips against Luffy's.
Law kisses him softly while gently holding his cheek that reddens under his touch. Luffy feels breathless, mind hazy and his mind a complete, utter mess.
The man parts, opening his eyes and staring deeply into his before he leans forward once more, kissing Luffy with more confidence this time.
For a split second Luffy closes his eyes, until he feels Law's tongue entering his mouth.
With all power left in his intoxicated body, Luffy roughly pushes Law off him, staring at him wide eyed. "W-what do you...?" He stammers as he wipes his mouth.
Law says something, but Luffy doesn't hear a word. He throws the blanket off of him and tries to get up but Law holds his wrist. Luffy looks over his shoulder, angrily, confused...
The boy turns, and as he does, Luffy slaps Law across his cheek. The sound reaches Luffy's ears, and it's like they were blocked due to his rushing thoughts. "Don't..." He says and stands before running out of the room.
Running through the darkness and the chilly, eerie hallways, Luffy abruptly comes to a stop and leans against the stone wall.
What just happened?
He grips his hair, pulling the strands painfully hard as he tries to get himself to focus again.
Sabo... Sabo told him not to.
The teen falls to the ground, sliding against the brick wall that scratches his bare skin.
Sabo warned him. Why doesn't he listen? He never listens.
The door on his right opens, and Luffy turns to look the other way. Did Law send someone to look for him? He can't return to him, not tonight...
Someone crouches in front of him and Luffy is forced to look the other in the eyes as the person turns his face. "What are you doing here? It's midnight Luffy, go to your room."
A second later, Sabo is back on his feet, looking over his shoulder to the teen sitting on the floor before he closes the door behind him.
Without blinking, a single tear rolls down his cheek and Luffy tries his hardest to keep his mouth from trembling. His toes curl as the cool air freezes his body. It's too much to bear, the silence and the hollow, empty feeling in his chest.
His eyes shoot up to the door. "Sabo." He says, but it's only a mere whisper. He swallows before he shouts and this time, his voice booms throughout the space, disturbing the night time silence. "Sabo!"
I need you...
Instantly the door opens and Luffy slowly looks up, almost afraid of what he'll see. But the worried look in the the man's eyes is able to calm him down. Despite his actions and their fight, his guard still cares...
Sabo didn't intend on playing right into Luffy's hands but... hearing him shouting his name, there was no way he could ignore that. Even so, he can't easily forget what Luffy did. He can't forgive Luffy just like that... As much as he want to, to hold him and whispers it's okay... He can't.
The man lifts the boy's face, evidence of crying clearly visible. And it makes him wonder...
Does Luffy know what he did wong? Is he sorry?
But their talk will come tomorrow. Knowing the princess, there is no use in talking to him in this state. Sabo carefully picks Luffy up and the boy cuddles close to him, holding him and hiding his tear stained face in the crook of his neck. He kicks the door closed behind him as he walks over to his bed, laying Luffy down and pulling the sheets up to his shoulders.
"Try to catch some sleep." Sabo whispers and he turns, but Luffy doesn't let him walk away.
"Where are you going?" He faintly notes the boy frowning but he's not sure if his tears stopped due to the darkness.
"They'll be looking for you. I'm sleeping on the couch." He explains weakly, though his reason is valid.
Sabo wants to lay beside him too but... He can't ignore his own need to hold Luffy. "I'll get out as soon as you fall asleep, okay?" He agrees.
Hesitantly the teen nods, crawling close to him as soon as he enters the bed. Sabo wraps his arms around the boy, face buried in his dark locks as he inhales deeply.
His softness towards Luffy is his greatest asset, yet his greatest weakness.
'You're spoiling him' and 'I'm not a child anymore'- they're both true, even so, Sabo wants to guard Luffy from harsh truths. He wishes for Luffy to have a worry free life even though Sabo knows, it's not possible. In the end he's burdening himself with too much responsibility and duty, trying to keep his promises to the princess, the family...
Sabo sighs, the persistent frown causing a headache. Luffy holds him tighter, and Sabo opens his eyes, glancing at the boy's face.
I would die for you and I am living for you.
He loves Luffy more than life itself, yet these feelings of anger blending with the otherwise unconditional love cause an unsteady flow within himself. What does he want?
It makes him wonder how far would Luffy go for him. But... is he really doubting the princesses love?
They're in different positions. He should never dream of the country's princess to do something reckless just for him...
He shouldn't... but still...
Sabo closes his eyes again, being the first to fall asleep as Luffy listens to his rapid heartbeat.
Please review!
~Rosedlevi