Royal Love
Slowly he regains consciousness... yet it feels like minutes, hours, even... Like he is half aware, between the state of waking and dreaming. However, vaguely Luffy know for a fact that he is awake.
His blurred sight doesn't reveal much, nothing besides the morning- or perhaps evening sunbeams shining through the damp windows.
The smell is unfamiliar. Luffy can't place it, but it reminds him of the woods. A rainy morning, and the coldness it comes with helps him be more alert to his surroundings. He groans softly, but his voice is almost soundless, disappearing into the small space.
When he tries to make an effort to stand, Luffy realizes his hands are tied behind his back, and with each movement the thick rope cuts deeper into his already torn skin. It hurts... but he tries to bite it off and continues to turn and twist his way out, but soon sweat stands on his forehead, the little movement too much for his exhausted body. But why does he feel so drained from all his energy?
With a slightly annoyed sigh he gives up the futile fight of freeing himself.
Luffy feels drowsy, tired... like he run a marathon without a chance to breathe. His muscles feel weak, and even if he tries with all his might- something as simple as making a steady fist seems impossible. He's dead tired. Yet it feels like he slept hours on end, like he woke up from a deep coma, feeling abnormally heavy as his thoughts are nothing but a blank canvas.
Luffy straightens his back, feeling a cold breeze passing his feet, and he realizes he isn't wearing any shoes.
Where am I...?
He stares down the wooden and rotten floor that creaks when he does so much as shifting his weight. His legs are bent at his sides, and he looks over his shoulder to his torn and dirt covered feet. Curling his toes, Luffy feels a shot of pain pulsing through- the kind of pain when you've been out in the snow too long and the frost starts biting your skin and bones. The kind of pain of being in the same position for hours and hours and your muscles can't bear it anymore.
He starts feeling the goosebumps that were most likely already there, covering his arms, legs, every inch of his body where it's possible.
Who brought him here?
"...Hello?" He starts weakly, like he secretly doesn't want to be heard.
Silence continues to stretch and this time a bit more daring, Luffy speaks again. "Hello?"
He frowns when there's no reply, nobody is showing themselves. Who tied me up? Luffy tries to turn his wrists, but the pain is stinging like a poisonous bite.
He looks up again, watching the damp slowly disappearing from the window and along goes the warm and welcoming sunlight. Judging from its colours and the lively birds singing outside, Luffy decides that it's most likely early morning. Did he sleep here at night?
Luffy looks around, there's a small kitchen to his right, a living room behind the wall to his left. The little house can't be in use, it's too cold, dusty and dirty in here for anyone to live, surely. So why was he brought here? His eyes stop roaming around and focus on the front door that's right before him... and he feels so frustrated. He can't do anything... not when it feels like he could faint and collapse any moment. So he waits, staring at the door, anxiously, for whoever will appear in the entrance.
His muscles instantly stiffen when he hears voices disrupting the comforting forest sounds. It comes from outside... Male, of older age, he assumes, and there's more than one too. Are they passing by? Are they coming for him? Luffy intently stares at the door, and when the door handle all too sudden lowers- almost like on automatic Luffy shuts his eyes. He's not sure why... but besides the obvious fact they have him tied up, Luffy has a bad feeling about this. And he's scared.
"What? He still hasn't woken up?" A surprisingly gentle voice says, almost sounding concerned. "Jabra, what have you done? Orders specifically stated not to hurt him." The man sighs, and Luffy tries his best not to move, to not frown and show he is in fact conscious. Though his heart beats loudly, distracting him, making him more fearful.
"He kept fighting!" The man, probably named Jabra defends and Luffy catches himself in time, because he almost gasped, almost opened his eyes. "I gave him twice the dose. Kid might look fragile but he sure isn't."
Memories start flooding back like a series of photographs and suddenly, he remembers, so painfully well. And Luffy wishes he didn't remember how he was torn away from his supposed to be second home. How he woke up tied in a carriage but broke free and ran through the forest, deep in the night without any light to illumine his path and guide him back.
That explains why his feet are covered in dirt. That is why he had this deep-rooted, bad, gut feeling...
They snatched him away. For what reason, he has no idea... but the fact they succeeded in abducting him from the palace sends shivers down his spine. Who would go as far to infiltrate the royal house to capture him?
His body almost jolts in surprise when all of a sudden someone is untying the rope. As soon as his hands are freed Luffy does his best not to take a look and press them against his chest, because they're stinging and burning. He lets them fall against the floor while he keeps his body upright and unmoving.
"You're telling me you couldn't handle him?"
"I'm telling you he was being difficult, the stupid kid even bit me! It's hardly worth the pay." The man growls, and Luffy remembers his voice, frighteningly well.
"Anyway, we should clean him up or the deal is probably off. Nobody likes damaged goods." The man with the kind voice says, and yet, Luffy shivers hearing him say that. Is he being sold?
He doesn't know... however he knows that his hands are free. He's freed.
He should make a run for it.
The front door is right before him... Maybe, ten steps away? He could make it. Should he make a move? What will they do to him if they find out?
The countless questions make his head ache and spin but in the midst Luffy finds the energy to bawl his fists. When he hears their footsteps and idle chatter move further away he opens his eyes, looking to his sides before his gaze lingers on the door. Luffy takes a look as his trembling hands. Is it the cold? Is he so afraid? Probably both. He feels paralyzed, the unknown fear of what might happen is so great he doesn't dare to move... His heart beats loudly in his ears, he won't even hear them if they'd return.
In a split second of courage Luffy decides to just stand, however immediately he drops to his knees again. His vision is blurred. He doesn't see the men anywhere and he doesn't take his time to look around again. With difficulty Luffy pushes himself up, feeling that his legs are weak and shaky but when he feels the icy door handle in his grip he finds the power to continue as the pain subsides into a dull aching.
The fresh and cold air is a much-needed slap in the face. His weariness is fading and he becomes more wakeful, his senses sharper - that's when he realizes something is blocking his path, or more accurately, someone.
Roughly the stranger grabs him by his chin and cheeks, and his hold is firm as he shoves Luffy back into the ominous wooden house.
"Kaku. Jabra." The man calls out, barely raising his voice as the two people walk back from the living room. "Is babysitting even too much for you?"
"When did he wake up?!" Kaku, the man with the friendly voice says bewildered.
The instant the man lets his face go Luffy sinks back to the ground and the pain starts returning, more fiercely than before as the adrenaline wears off and fear returns. He looks up the dark haired man who is neatly dressed in a black suit, a beige coat hanging over his shoulder. Luffy can't help but think he looks so out-of-place in the timeworn cabin.
The man frowns deeply, and his expression is unchanging when their eyes meet.
God, Luffy feels his heart doing a nervous leap, missing a beat or two, and he finds himself unable to break away from the dangerous stare, as if it's paralysing him on the spot. The man's eyes shift towards his shivering frame and Luffy feels so uneasily exposed.
"Do you know what you're worth?" He questions, his gaze darting back to meet his eyes again. When the man takes a step forward Luffy crawls back, pulling himself up as he leans against the pillar he was previously tied to like a frightened animal that's desperate to escape.
"Well?" The man raises his brow, leisurely continuing to walk towards him, cornering him until he stands so close Luffy can feel his breath tickling against his face.
Luffy barely manages to shake his head, to give some sort of answer, and hopefully it's enough to satisfy the man before him.
"Wait outside." He says, and Luffy blinks, wanting to move- but not daring to. He's captured by the mysterious man's eyes alone.
Only when the front door closes he realizes he wasn't being spoken to, and when he catches on to his current situation, unease and despair overtakes him once more.
"Who..." Luffy tries to talk, but the words get stuck in his throat. "Who are you people?" He whispers, hating the fact he sounds so weak. Fragile and scared.
The man crouches down to pick up the rope that held him captive before and when he rises again, he locks eyes with him.
"The name is Lucci." He says, and Luffy wants to open his mouth, but the man steals his words. "But that isn't what you asked... Who am I?" Lucci says in genuine thought. "A savior, a criminal. Depends on whose point of view you're watching from." He shrugs.
"Now, Luffy. Lift your hands for me."
The mention of his name makes him shiver. Reluctantly Luffy does as he's told, since the man's eyes leave no room for discussion.
They know exactly who he is.
The rope is being tied around his wrists again, and the man... Lucci, never breaks the eye contact as he leans close, way too close for comfort. The brief skin contact makes him even more nervous, until the man's fingers trail down his arms that are tied above his head.
Gently, like a certain someone used to touch him...
Luffy shuts his eyes. Don't think of him now...
But who is he deceiving? He can't get the man out of his head, even after these months apart, in this situation... He can't...
"Are you afraid?"
Luffy swallows thickly, opening his eyes. "Y-yes." He mutters honestly, his voice still wavering under his thundering heartbeat.
The man disappears from his vision, and Luffy turns his head to see where he's going- but the man isn't going far, just standing behind him. "Don't be." He says, his voice even lower than before. "I might be a saviour in your eyes."
"What do you want from me?" Luffy blurts out, the suspense becoming too much for him to handle. What is going on?
"Money, is all." Lucci walks in front of him again, hands seeking his freezing skin. However when Luffy jerks away the instant he made a connection, his hand slowly retreats. "But I think I have closed off an unfair deal. I'm sure I can get so much more out of you." Suddenly the man grips his face again, this time without hesitation and any sign of care. "Or maybe I should keep you for myself?"
"Lucci." Luffy's gaze shifts towards the door, seeing the two men enter again. "He's here."
The man turns to look over his shoulder, hands squeezing his cheeks tighter before he abruptly releases him again.
"You brought the money?"
"Of course."
Of course...
His stomach does a sick twist when he hears his voice... He's here? With a hopeful glance the teen looks upwards. Is he saving me?
"But I need to inspect him first."
Lucci steps to the side as Sabo suddenly stands before him.
Luffy's eyes grow wide, mouth dry and without realizing, tears threaten to fall.
He feels breathless, and Luffy blinks, seeing Sabo standing before him, neatly dressed as always and... so calm. He feels every possible emotion of relief, anger and happiness resonate through him, instantly knocking the air from his lungs. And only one question is on his mind. Why is Sabo here?
"Why is he hurt?" The blond asks, turning towards the other three men. And Luffy wonders how he is able to stay so composed under their murderous stares, in their territory.
The man who dragged Luffy away shrugs. "He gave me a hard time, what can I say..." Jabra falls back into one of the chairs as dust jumps in the air. "It's just bruises and cuts, no scars will remain." He excuses but Luffy can tell Sabo isn't having none of it, still, he doesn't argue further.
He turns back to Luffy, and the closer he gets, the more his heart starts racing, even more so than before. Painfully. The first thing that hits him is his familiar scent, something he longed for all those nights and the other- his touch, as loving as ever. His warm hand is placed against his freezing skin, and Luffy is sure Sabo can feel his pulse against his fingertips, so out of control. And why isn't he making eye contact?
Sabo places his palm against his neck, slowly and soothingly rubbing his thumb against it. When the man leans in, Luffy accidentally leans away like he did with Lucci, still shaken about about his sudden appearance. All he can think is why, why, why as he looks into his well-known azure eyes.
When the man places his other hand against his neck too Luffy snaps out of his daze, and as he focusses his eyes, Sabo finally looks back. He feels like screaming and crying, pathetically. But he just can't get himself to...
"Please calm down."
Luffy feels his throat tightening, and in this moment swallowing seems impossible. Sabo's voice, so soft and caring...
Luffy nods once, biting his lip as he stares down his feet, feeling that his ex protector is cutting the rope above his head.
While Sabo continues to free his hands, the man looks over his shoulder. "The money is in the bag."
Lucci motions towards Kaku as the ginger haired man retrieves the small suitcase from Sabo's side. Luffy watches Lucci open it, only giving it so much as a single glance before he closes it again. "I think he is worth more than what we agreed on." He simply states, leaning his head onto the palm of his head, awaiting Sabo's reply.
"Then why make an agreement?" Sabo doesn't turn, solely focussed on getting Luffy freed from the pillar.
"A third extra, and we have a deal."
Sabo snorts, shaking his head, and Luffy feels dread building up in the pit of his stomach.
Doesn't Sabo see these men are dangerous?
As soon as the last thread is cut, Luffy's hands fall down, and his weight that was being held up drops to the ground too - that would be if Sabo didn't foresee it and supported his body. His face falls in the crook of the man's neck, and Luffy closes his eyes, inhaling deeply and relishing in the warmth of Sabo's body. Finally in his hold. Luffy sighs soundlessly.
He'll let Sabo handle the situation. Luffy doesn't have the power left to meddle to begin with.
He feels Sabo's arm against his back as the other moves underneath his legs, slowly and carefully lifting him off the ground. Luffy opens his eyes, seeing that they're heading outside but before they reach it, Sabo reaches inside his jacket. The younger can't make out their words anymore and doesn't see how Sabo hands over the rest of the money before exiting the cabin and heading outside...
...with Luffy... back in his arms.