A/N: big ole' four oh. and its been weeks. whoops.
40. A Mile Away
Luffy felt loved and warm as he cuddled into Law's arms, the little spoon to his big. He fit snug into the curve of his lover's body as he soundly slept away, a possessive arm clenched around his middle, head buried in his tousled hair. Law murmurs something in his sleep and Luffy smiles lovingly, turning to plant a soft kiss on his cheek. They laid on Law's bed, their limbs an intertwined mess. They were supposed to be resting in separate beds as they recovered from their injuries. Neither Luffy nor Law would have that.
The teen yawns and fumbles around for his phone. He turns it on and blinks stupidly at the time. 10:06 PM. He's been asleep for nearly twelve hours. He powers off the device with a sigh and shifts so he lies on his back, bringing an arm to rest over his eyes.
Five days have passed since the events on Dod Island.
It's October 1st.
The last thirty-six hours consisted of a haze of fluorescent lights and the sterile smell of a hospital, coupled with a thick shroud of unconsciousness that smothered Luffy every few hours. One moment he remembers collapsing against Marco's back, and the next, he was being poked and prodded under blinding lights by masked doctors and nurses. He remembers passing out again, only to wake up feeling more disoriented than he's ever felt in his life. The pain was dulled, sure, but so was his ability to be all there.
Luffy continued to drift in and out of consciousness for the first two days.
He remembers a lot of familiar faces visiting him, recalls the encouraging words whispered in his inattentive standstill, but none belonged to the one he wanted to hear them from the most. It was a bit discouraging, but thanks to the ones who did greet him, he kept some slight recognition of the nights and days as they passed.
The second day is when Luffy woke up. It's when he learned that everyone was already up and walking about, relatively okay, save for two. Zoro and Law were still asleep in the hospital. It made something tighten in his chest, maybe it was a form of terror. But he had hope, and clung to it like a lifeline. Several doctors assured him of their awakening. Luffy hopes they're right.
He also learned the names of the visitors he had over the last forty-eight hours. Sanji and the girls from the Going Merry, along with his coworkers at Amazon Lily, Sabo and Koala, Shachi and the others, Barty, and even Marco. It was almost a party at one point, he was told by Sanji, who whipped up something Luffy could only describe as fancy sandwiches, eons better than the bland hospital food. It was the best meal he's had in a long time.
That was midday. Luffy was discharged that night.
Just a few days' rest at home should do the trick, the doctor had said.
But there's no home without Law, Luffy thought. So he stayed at the hospital with Sanji.
The next day- day three- was when Law and Zoro woke up.
Zoro was first, the groggy thing, slightly woozy from the influx of drugs in his system and the new slit that marred his left eye. Sanji stayed in his room for a while after that. Luffy didn't bother him.
Law followed suit two hours after. Luffy remembers entering his room and crying tears of joy at his recovery, though his arm was still broken. He broke down all over again when Law called out to him with that tilt of love to his voice that only Law could do, telling him that he was fine. They cuddled on the bed for a long time once the initial relief passed, sharing kisses as they felt the harsh pounding of each other's heartbeat. He's okay. They're okay.
Thank god.
Zoro and Law were discharged the morning of the fourth, bidding their goodbye from the hospital on strict orders that they remain in bed for another few days. Luffy laced his fingers through Law's good hand tight as they walked out the front doors, eager to regain their normal lives.
They attended a joint funeral that same evening.
It was unavoidable, Luffy was later told, but it was a cruel kind of coincidence.
He remembered clutching around Law's waist for strength as they lowered his brother's body into the ground, shaking all the while. Law placed a steadfast hand on his back and rubbed gentle circles as his tears stained the older's faded t-shirt black. Law himself was a mess from Corazon's lowering just before, but unlike Luffy, he handled it much better. On the outside at least. Luffy pulled on his lover's sleeve then, looking at him worryingly through a teary lens, but Law shook his head. It was Luffy's time now. Let him grieve.
So he did.
That evening they returned to Law's apartment and cried into the pillows together at their loss. It was cathartic in a sense, crying with his lover, big hacking sobs and shudders, letting the ache from their lost family members truly wash over them. They clung onto each other like they were the last things tying them to the Earth, fists tangled in soft fabric, mind dizzy from pain and grief. Seeing Law cry was a relief of sorts to Luffy, it let him know that the man he loved was still truly there, right with him through the worst of it all. He knew this to be the case, but because of some behaviors the man had exhibited lately, his mind wanted to doubt. And doubt it did.
Their enemies were not just physical.
The early morning of the fifth day, the current day, Luffy woke to the sound of birds singing a hymn outside Law's window. It was a peaceful little number that serenaded the light skies, and he found himself relaxing because of it. Law woke not too long after, kissing his bare shoulder good morning. They moved from the bed to the kitchen, where the two had a delicious breakfast in a content quiet.
Full and sedated, they spent the day cleaning up around the apartment, little domestic things that needed to be taken care of. It was such a change of pace from the hectic week they've had that Luffy almost felt whiplash, but it proved to be a nice transition back to the normal life he once lived. They communicated without many words, the events of the previous days slowly ebbing away behind them with every counter wiped, floor swept, and trash tossed. It doesn't reverse their scars, but rather, helps them mend. It's barely noon when they crashed back into bed, exhaustion weighing down their bodies. The doctor had told them they would be tired, that they should rest for the first few days as much as possible, but Luffy being Luffy, he did as he pleased. Despite everything, Law followed suit.
10:10 PM.
Luffy groaned. He wasn't sleepy anymore.
He swings his feet off the bed and bristles at the coolness that pricks his soles. One look at Law to confirm he's still sleeping and Luffy's off the bed, making for the door of the bedroom in nothing but boxers. He feels gross and sticky, and decides a night shower to be the best course of action. His stomach grumbles for attention, and he sighs. Well, shower first.
The water is reviving as it hits his skin. Luffy feels as though it washes away the dirt and grime from his excursion earlier that week, and preps him for his new life in the weeks to come. It's refreshing under the spray, and Luffy stays there for longer than he probably should, until the skin on his fingers start to prune and the hot water feels scalding. But he stays.
When he exits, the bathroom is a misty mess, wafting out and up into the hallway when he opens the door. Luffy throws a towel around his waist and makes his way back to the bedroom and into Law's closet, yawning, scourging around lazily for anything he could wear. He finds a pack of new boxers stuck behind a row of hanging shirts- likely unopened because they're too small- and an oversized yellow and black sweatshirt. He throws them on easily enough. Luffy tries to find pants or shorts that would fit him, but gives up rather quickly. Why waste his time when only Law would see him?
Luffy re-enters the bedroom and notices Law not there. He blinks a few times, rubs his eyes to make sure he wasn't dreaming. Movements sound from the kitchen, and he relaxes. He bounces into the hallway that leads to the wide space, and smiles softly when he sees the back of a very familiar raven bent into the fridge.
"'Mornin'!"
Law jumps at his voice, nearly dropping the eggs he was carrying. He turns and greets Luffy with a curve of the lips that just warms him up inside. "It's nearly a quarter till eleven."
"But I just woke up, so it's morning." Luffy plops down at a stool at his island, watching Law continue to bustle about in the small area.
He places a pan on the stove and cracks a couple eggs in. "Where'd you find the sweater?"
"Deep in your closet," Luffy replies, looking down at it. "It's so...edgy. Is this supposed to be a smiley face?"
Law chuckles, and the sound is a caress down his back. "I wore it a lot back in med school. I'm surprised I still have it." He stops and considers Luffy with a knowing eye. "You look good in it."
"Thank you," Luffy ducks his head, hiding a wide smile behind the oversized sleeves that cover his hands. His grin falters a bit when Law turns, revealing the splint on his right arm. "Here, lemme help you with-"
"No worries, I'm good," Law waves off his concern with his one functioning hand. "It doesn't hurt that much today. Just throbs here and there."
Luffy pouts slightly, worry dimpling the area between his brows. "But I can still-"
"Plus," Law interrupts with a shake of the head, "you and kitchens aren't exactly a match made in heaven."
"Is there anything I could do to help?"
"Yes," Law turns over a shoulder and smirks, "be a doll and just sit pretty."
Luffy heats a little. "Even I can be useful in a kitchen."
"I'm sure you can," his lover admits, rounding the island. He gives Luffy a soft peck on the lips, and he heats even further. "But you should rest."
It should really be the other way around , Luffy thinks as Law returns to his spot by the stove, tossing in some spices.
After a beat of silence, Law sets a glass of water in front of him. Luffy thanks him with a smile, then swallows a couple of gulps.
"Sabo visited earlier."
Luffy sputters into his drink and sets the glass down. "He what?"
Law's back is to him, working on the eggs and some other food Luffy can't see from his angle. "He came by with Koala to say his thanks. And goodbye."
"He did?" he muses on his bottom lip. "Why didn't you wake me up?"
"I wanted to." Law sets down his spatula and picks up some greens, tossing them into a separate pan. "But I told Sabo you were sleeping and he told me to let you."
"Stupid Sabo," Luffy mutters under his breath. Law barely catches the words and smiles to himself. "So. What did they say?"
Law goes to dig through his pantry. "Said they wished they could've stayed around longer, but there are some 'loose ends' they needed to tie up. Too urgent to wait, so they had to go."
"...Oh," Luffy murmurs disappointedly.
"They also mentioned footing the remainder of the bill you were paying for Ace, so no need to worry about it anymore."
"Holy shit," Luffy's eyes widened. "All of it?"
Law nods, unable to keep the smile out his voice. "All of it. He said he remembers you mentioning it to him on your breakfast date a bit ago. He took care of it."
Luffy felt his eyes water, felt something tug roughly at his heart. "Thank goodness..." he sniffles, wiping at his eyes. It's such a small development in the grand scheme of everything they've been going through, but the gesture was so incredibly thoughtful. A huge weight was lifted off of his shoulders, and Sabo probably didn't even realize it.
Or maybe he did.
Thinking of Sabo being so close yet so far left Luffy a bit gutted. He wished he could've reunited with his brother one more time to thank him before he went back to work with the Revolutionaries.
"Damn I wish you woke me up," Luffy murmurs through the last of his tears. "He's such a good guy."
Law reemerges with arms full of baked goods. "Yeah, but don't worry too much. I'm sure he'll come back again once they're done. He seemed really sad about it, you know. Oh." He pauses when Luffy zeroed in on the endless amounts of sweets in his arms. "These are a get-well gift from Boa. How that woman found my apartment I have no idea, but it was Sonia and Mari who brought 'em from Amazon Lily on her request."
Luffy licked his lips, staring lovingly at the stash. "C-Could I..?"
"Knock yourself out," Law motions readily. "There's a lot more where that came from. I swear that woman emptied the whole cafe for you. I'm not touching that. Mostly bread." He nods with his chin to the stove. "That's my breakfast."
Luffy could barely hear him over the obnoxious sound of his eating, shoveling in food like he hasn't had it in weeks. Somewhere to his right he discerns the sound of Law's light laughter, but disregards it as another beautifully glazed doughnut catches his eye.
His lover sits beside him silently, indulging in whatever creation he made for himself while Luffy splurged on the store bought items. He polishes off the last of a platter of muffins then pauses in his gorging, countenance turning thoughtful.
"Is it really okay to end things like this..?" he addresses the question to his food as though it could provide an answer.
"Who knows?" Law murmurs. "Shit hit the fan and blew. We somehow took care of it before it could spray."
Luffy's nose crinkles at the choice of words, and Law chuckles under his breath. "Doflamingo is finally gone, and so is Kaido. It's what we fought for, right?"
He side-eyes him. "And most importantly, you're okay."
Luffy pops a cherry into his mouth and crushes it between his molars. "True. And so are you, thank god. Except for the arm."
Law looks down at his cast and half shrugs. "If this is the price I got to pay to take down that piece of shit, then I got a bargain."
Luffy reaches out a hand to Law's arm, placing it on the man's wrapped forearm. "It'll heal, right?"
"Of course," Law responds, "just a few weeks' time."
"Weeks?" Luffy repeats, incredulous. "Why's it taking so long?"
"The bones themselves have to heal, and that takes quite a while. I'm even lucky it was such a clean break, I might get it off in a month." The older man raises a brow. "What, that worried?"
"Duh I am!" Luffy blurts, settling back down in his seat. His mind wanders back to his words in Doflamingo's Study, to his promise, and he flushes a pretty red. "Of course I'm...worried." And not disappointed , his mind adds from the gutter.
Law has the audacity to laugh at him. "You're adorable."
"Law!"
"I'll get better quick, you'll see," Law promises, standing and gathering his empty plate. He places it in the sink, smiling through his words. "We're both still patients after all. It's best we save all strenuous activities for a later time."
It's not until Law is walking away from him and into the living room that Luffy even realizes what he said. His cheeks flare in time to Law's carefree laughter behind him, cursing the older man's teasing down to hell and back.
Luffy stays with Law for the time being, not wanting to be alone.
They fell into a routine easy enough, like they've been living together for ages. It was so natural to Law to wake up beside Luffy now that the thought of the younger actually living away from him is far from appealing. So when the call from his roommate came, Law had to dial back his shock when he's reminded that Luffy does, in fact, live elsewhere.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming back, just not now," Luffy assures into the receiver, faced away from him. "I'm at Law's."
Law huffs as Luffy bobs his head to something Barty was saying, and he flushes. "No, I'm just recovering! God. Anyway, you said you had to take care of stuff too?"
A mumble over the phone. "At your HQ?"
Another mumble. "Sure, okay. Why didn't you tell me you were a Revolutionary though?"
A long, drawn out mumble. "Right, gotcha. That makes sense, but it still would've been nice to know. So you'll be coming back to school, right?"
Law snakes an arm around Luffy's waist, and the younger sags against his warmth. "Alright. Guess I'll see you then. Bye-bye."
After another quick grumble, Luffy clicks off the line. Law buries his lips in his hair. "You moving out?" he asks against the locks.
"I don't want to," Luffy admits, covering his arm with his own. "But eventually."
"You could stay, I could drop you off at school," Law offers, probably a little too hopeful.
Luffy grins wider and looks up. "It'll be easier to live there, where I could walk from class to class. College life is already unpredictable as it is."
Law makes a sound dangerously close to a pout. The younger giggles and turns in his arms, cupping his cheeks. "But for now, you're gonna have to deal with me here."
"I'll take that at least," Law murmurs, meeting his lips in a kiss.
Sabo and Luffy keep in touch over the phone.
It was Sabo who actually called first, apologizing for not being able to bid him goodbye in person. Watching Luffy become so animated speaking with his brother was a treasure in and of itself, so Law left him to his own devices to converse freely. He sounded happy. Law hopes that Sabo could visit them soon, if possible. Luffy needs all the support he can get.
When October 6th rolled around, Luffy was more than ready.
And by that, Law means the guy wasn't ready in the slightest.
Unless dragging Law up and down the city to see cheesy romance movies and eating junk food while window shopping was Luffy's idea of preparation. Which it very well might be, because Law enjoyed every fucking second of it. He's not sure he's had this much fun on a birthday of his ever, just lounging around and seeing the sights with someone like Luffy laughing by his side. His heart nearly burst the entire day.
It made him realize how lucky he is.
They ended their day at Sabaody Park in the late afternoon, faced by the forked trails laying just past the entrance to the left and to the right. Like clockwork, they take the right path, reminiscing in their date through those very same woods. They stroll in relative silence, save for the quick quip about another park-goer from Law, and the laughter from Luffy that would result. When Luffy continues leading him past the hidden path to the roses, Law makes a confused sound.
"We're not back going there?" he asks.
"Nope! Maybe another time." Luffy looks at him, smiling, and Law swears he hears his heart jump into his throat. "It's been a while, but do you remember what I said was on the other side of the lake a while back?"
Law shakes his head sadly. "Sorry."
"It's okay." Luffy takes his hand and walks closer to him, head almost leaning on his shoulder. "It'll be easier to show you."
Another ten minute walk, and Law hears it before he sees it. Bright lights from somewhere in his front, coupled with the telltale sound of kids screaming. Bubbles begin wafting through the air as they get closer, and a family walks away from their destination with balloons and cotton candy. The two soon arrive at another entrance, this one grander, bigger, louder. Law finds his jaw dropping.
Tall buildings arch up into the sky boasting a multitude of colors and wacky designs. A neon sign greets them, proudly boasting Sabaody Amusement Park in pink lettering. Beyond the arch, roller coasters curve and weave through the sky, ferris wheels turn high above the ground, and a pirate ship swings ecstatic riders back and forth.
Law blinks at the flashing colors. "...There was an amusement park here this whole time?"
Luffy looks a bit sheepish. "Yeah. I didn't go last time we were here because, well." His face falls a bit. "It's a little close to a place nearby called Lil Ember. That place brings back bad memories."
Something in Law tightens at the tone of his lover's voice. He comes close and presses a chastise kiss on his forehead, caresses his cheek with a tattooed thumb. "Then let's replace them with good memories, okay?"
Luffy brightens immediately, and Law could only chuckle at his eagerness. "Yeah! And I'm definitely winning you something for your birthday."
He lets Luffy lead the way into the amusement park, making a disbelieving sound in the back of his throat, smiling. "Like you could win anything."
"You wanna bet on it?"
Law's lips itched into a grin. "You're on."
"Where the hell did you get that dumbass hat?" Zoro deadpans, brows raised.
Luffy bobbles up beside him, beaming, and Zoro sighs. "From the dumbass himself, I see."
"I won it for his birthday!" Luffy adds on, smiling bright.
The green haired turns to him, voice lifeless. "Oh. Happy birthday."
Law rolls his eyes. "Don't push yourself."
"Don't mind him, Law," Sanji chuckles as he enters from Baratie's kitchen, sporting several plates of food along his arms. "He actually means it, but he'll never admit it."
"Hell if I do, shit cook," Zoro grumbles with a frown.
No sooner does the blonde set the platters before them does Luffy begin to indulge himself. Law and Zoro share a disgusted look at the younger's obscene way of eating, and Sanji sits down at their table with a smile.
Law downs half his glass of water and tries again. "How's your eye?"
"Better," Zoro shrugs. "It's only been a week since we've left the hospital so it's not completely healed, but I can move around without having this one help me all the time."
"Oh, I still help him." Sanji reaches for the salt and does a dash onto his chicken. "He's still getting used to the whole 'reduced perspective' thing."
"I'm doing just fine!" the green haired snaps, pointing an accusing fork at the blonde. "Just because I lost an eye doesn't mean I'm helpless!"
"True," Sanji agrees easily, "but the same can't be said for your sense of direction. I didn't know it was possible for it to get even worse."
Luffy cracks up at that, nearly choking on his food. "Zoro you're such an idiot!" he laughs, big and boisterous.
Law sighs as Zoro whirls on the younger with narrowed eyes, searing poison on his tongue. Leaving the two to their bickering, Sanji turns to Law. "And how about your arm?"
Law glances down at his cast. "Coming along. It'll need a few weeks' time, but I'll be fine."
"Good," Sanji clips, taking a sip of water. "I'm glad."
"Sanji!" Luffy calls out then, shaking his empty plate at him. "I need more!"
"Fine," the cook grumbles, "what do you want more of?"
"Everything!"
Sanji sighs and gets up from his chair. "I'll need you to elaborate."
Luffy blinks like the words confuse him. "Uh..." he trails off.
"Never mind. Just follow." Sanji nods over to the kitchen, and Luffy bounces off after him, practically drooling over the prospect of new food.
Zoro watches them go wistfully. "You know, sometimes I forget how much Luffy's changed with you."
Law hums. "What do you mean?"
"Before, he was pretty closed off. No one knew exactly how he was feeling, what he was thinking. He was an open book only if you pried, and even then, Sanji and I had some trouble reading the pages," Zoro recounts, sticking a fork into his potatoes.
"But now, it's almost like he's gone back to his old self. Happier, energetic. Almost childish." He watches Law. "And that's because of you."
"No," Law shakes his head. "Luffy's just that amazing. It has nothing to do with me."
"I disagree." The green haired regards him steadily, chews his food nice and slow. The threat in his eyes are all too prevalent. "Keep that stupid smile of his on his face, Law."
"Of course I will."
Zoro grunts, satisfied. "I'll hold you to that."
Sanji and Luffy return, Luffy's cheeks a mess of various sauces, Sanji's arms sagging under the next round of food. The younger returns to his seat as the blonde sets down the meal. Once Luffy's settled in, Sanji exhales a long breath through his nose. "To be honest, there's another reason why we called you two here. Aside from just catching up."
"What?" Luffy asks around a large piece of bone.
Sanji and Zoro lock eyes, communicating silently, and Zoro sighs. "Well, truth be told, we were recruited by another strip club."
"Another strip club?" Law's expression sours. "Are you sure that's a good idea? What if they're somehow connected to all the bullshit we just went through?"
Zoro shakes his head. "They're not, we had Sabo double check."
"Plus," Sanji chimes in, "those guys are the type that once their boss goes down, they scatter. The Revolutionaries said they'll handle 'em."
"So that's what 'loose ends' meant," Law mutters to himself.
The green haired smiles then. "Ever since the Going Merry burned down, we've been out of work. It was a good opportunity, so we took it. And thank god- "
Sanji rubs a hand over his face. "Oh boy, here we go again-"
"Because the owner-"
"Is a fucking vampire," Sanji finishes, frowning.
"Is kind of hot."
Law's eyebrows shoot to the ceiling. "Um."
"You can not be on my head about this again, shit cook," Zoro seethes, pulling Sanji close. He juts a charged finger at Law. "You thought that walking danger magnet was hot when we first met him!"
"That magnet is right here, you know," Law huffs, nursing his drink. He raises his eyes to the blonde curiously. "And you did?"
Sanji blushes darkly. "No, I- ugh! Whatever, Marimo. Your taste is shit if you think Dracula is attractive."
"Kind of, I said. And his name is Mihawk ."
"Your taste is still shit."
"And you wonder why I call you shitty cook."
The blonde's eyes widen. "What in the-"
"Wait wait wait," Luffy sets down his food. "So you guys are going to be stripping again? When? And where is this place?"
"Hold on," Sanji motions at Luffy to quiet, "I think I was about to have a breakthrough-"
"A few blocks from the Going Merry. Opened about half a month back." Zoro answers. "Nami, Robin, and Vivi all work there now too."
"Woah, really?" Luffy marvels, slamming his hands on the table. "That's so cool!"
"Yeah," Sanji reluctantly sighs, "we can put in a good word for you, if you want. Do you want to join?"
Law watches Luffy's expression morph from excitement to something unreadable. "I...think I'll pass, actually."
"Why?" Law asks, but he has a good inkling.
"I think I'll just stick to Amazon Lily for now," the younger says quietly. "I only needed the extra money for Ace, and since that's not an issue any more..."
The table falls quiet at the words. Luffy takes a deep breath and continues. "I also have a shitton of schoolwork to catch up on. There's still a lot on my plate." He gives his former associates a sad smile. "Thanks for the offer, but I'll have to say no."
"No worries, Luffy," Sanji nods. "We'll still be here for you."
"But you're gonna come watch us perform." Zoro doesn't state it like a question, like it's already been decided and set in stone.
Luffy eats another piece of food delightfully. "Yeah! I will. Thanks you guys."
"No problem," the blonde waves at him. "We've got your back."
"Yeah, no worries Luffy," Zoro says. He crosses his arms, leans back in his chair a little. "By the way. Club's called Kuraigana, or Kurai for short. It's a kind of gloomy, gothy place. Halloween-esque and shit. Not too far from the Merry at all." He grins wide. "You can't miss it."
Law pulls out his phone and rereads the exchange their little group had earlier in the day. It's the same group chat from their invasion; rare is it that they speak in it now, but Marco sent forth news that brought the chat back to life.
Marco: I'm leaving town. Decided to go back to my father.
Sabo: Oh? Have safe travels.
Marco: Thanks, Sabo.
Koala: Have fun with your dad!
Law: Best of luck.
Luffy: im happy for u!
Bepo: stay safe!
Zoro: ik its not really my place to ask, but why?
Penguin: Yeah why?
Marco: I was only really around to gather info on the drugs and find out the truth behind my coffee shop burning down.
Sanji: now that its over, u want a change of pace huh?
Shachi: I don't blame ya
Marco: Yeah, especially since I haven't seen my dad in a while. He's pretty famous actually. Anyone ever heard of Edward Newgate?
Koala: Sounds familiar.
Law: ...No way.
Marco: ?
Law: Newgate is your father?
Marco: Yeah, haha.
Law: Does he still go by Whitebeard?
Sanji: how in the world do u know his dad?
Marco: Yeah, but that name is so nostalgic. I haven't heard anyone call him that in over a decade.
Sabo: …
Bepo: Uh
Law: Wow, does he still run that orphanage?
Marco: He does. It's kept on the down low though, not many know. How do you?
Zoro: that's what i wanna know
Penguin: Wait a minute
Law: It's a long story.
Zoro: we have time.
Shachi: Dude.
Bepo: …...
Marco: Well I won't ask about it then. I'm off. I'm glad to have met you all, thanks for everything over the past couple of weeks.
Sabo: No problem. Take care Marco.
Koala: Yeah, take care!
Bepo: you got this!
Sanji: gl!
Zoro:
Shachi:
Penguin: Safe travels!
Luffy: :D
Marco: Thanks. You all, too.
Law pockets his phone and gets lost in the mesh of memories from his past.
"Why the hell do we have to visit that piece of shit?" Law growls, crossing his arms. "Seriously, I don't get why you still choose to hang around that man."
"I don't, not on purpose. And this is the last time," Luffy says quietly, studying the floor. "After this...I won't see his face ever again."
Shachi comes up behind Law. "It's been a while since I've seen you, and this is how you act? Rude."
"Yeah!" Penguin agrees from Law's side. "You never even asked if we were okay all this time!"
Bepo skirts around to Law's front, walking backwards in time to his forward. "We've been waiting for you to check in on us for forever!"
"But you're fine now, right?" Law grunts, annoyed. "Fine enough to work."
"But you coming to ask is different," Shachi huffs, crossing his arms over his scrubs. "I had aches and pains for days!"
"It's been two weeks. You're fine."
"I wasn't then!"
"And Bepo," Law cuts to the blonde. "Aren't you supposed to be up in the Burn Unit? What're you doing down on the fifth floor?"
The platinum blonde laughs awkwardly. "I, uh. Snuck away when Penguin told me you were in the building."
Luffy laughs from his gut as Law glares hard at his coworker and friend. "Get your ass back up to the seventh floor! People are counting on you!"
"They can wait!" Bepo wails, eyes sparkling. The surgeon almost falls victim to the guy's puppy eyes. Almost.
"No the hell they can't, get a move on!" Law pushes him pointedly towards the elevators they were passing on their right.
"He's probably not going to listen, Law," Penguin chuckles. Law rubs his pointer and middle fingers over his temples.
"Alright, whatever. Just don't follow us into this room. Give us privacy to visit this patient."
Shachi frowns. "Who is it?"
Law could taste the resentment on his tongue just thinking of the guy, let alone saying his name. "Kidd."
The medical trio is left to their own devices in the hallway as Law pushes open the door to Recovery Room 5A, just the next room over from where Barty once stayed. Luffy follows quickly behind him and shuts the door.
Law inhales deeply and steels his heart for seeing the man that once broke his lover's. It's a terrible feeling stirring deep inside, but if Luffy needed this for whatever reason, to close that chapter in his life, then he'd let the younger.
Kidd was resting peacefully against the propped up bed, looking out the open window to the bright sunlight that shone down on the grasses several stories below. At the sound of his door opening, he turns, curious. He brightens a bit when he sees Luffy, then scowls when he sees Law.
"What're you doing here?" the red head spits.
It's against every moral code Law has to fight someone in a hospital bed, but Kidd was about to become the one exception if he didn't start treating him with respect. He narrows his stormy eyes at the man. "Don't flatter yourself," he snarls curtly, "we won't be long."
Luffy doesn't sit. He stands just over an arm's length away from the bed, watching the railing instead of his ex. "What did Sabo tell you?"
Kidd's gaze flickers to Luffy, back to Law, then returns to Luffy. "Who?"
"The blonde guy. Wavy hair. From the Revolutionaries."
"Oh," Kidd deflates. He touches his stump of an arm. "...Everything."
"You didn't have to get yourself involved."
"I know."
"So thank you. Again."
Law whirls on him. " Again? "
Kidd grins triumphantly. "You heard him. Thanked me in private in the dance studio."
"What're you-"
"You piece of shit," Luffy growls, shaking, "even in a hospital you still want to ruin my life. Stop making it sound weird!"
Law puts a hand on Luffy's shoulder. "What is he talking about?" He doesn't mean to sound accusatory, but it comes out as so, and Luffy places his hand over Law's, glaring down at the red head.
"Don't listen to him," he scoffs, grip tightening. "I accidentally walked in on his dance practice one day. I meant to leave right away, but he claimed he needed to talk to me. Said he was gonna do something dangerous to find out what the hell was going on with Kaido, and I thanked him. It was the last time I saw him before we found out he was abducted."
His voice darkens with repulsion. "Whole conversation didn't even last five minutes. Don't twist the damn narrative."
Law freezes at the tone of his voice. Angry, cold, unforgiving. His minuscule worry immediately melts away.
Luffy glowers down at the bedridden man, fire in his eyes, rage in his stance. "And don't you dare consider that forgiveness. Under any circumstance. I said thank you because that's what people do when they feel grateful, even to animals like you."
"Harsh," Kidd chuckles without mirth. His carefree nature morphs into one of careful thought. "But you don't need to thank me anymore. This just makes us even."
Luffy regards him questioningly. "What do you mean, even?"
"From me helping you back then," he explains, voice even softer. Law finds it strange how easily the man's personality could flip.
"I didn't come here to reminisce about the past, Kidd," Luffy says levelly. "I just came to make sure you were alive, because it's the least I owed you for losing your damn arm. Now that that role is fulfilled, I have no reason to be around you any longer."
He makes for the door, hand slipping easily into Law's. "Goodbye, Kidd."
Kidd watches his retreating back. "You're too nice for your own good ya know, thinking that way."
Luffy turns over his shoulder, flashing a wide, rueful, cruel smile. "I'm not. Just did it out of duty."
Kidd flinches as though the word had punched him. He crumples in on himself, pain etched across his expression. "I...was planning to move anyway. I need to get away from this place," he whispers. "So forget about 'duty'."
Luffy doesn't look at him. "It's forgotten."
"Thank god," Law mutters.
The red head looks to Luffy's back, and the expression on his face almost makes Law feel bad for him. Almost.
He grabs Luffy's arm and flips Kidd off with the other. "Come on Luffy, we're leaving."
"Yeah," Luffy cuts one last glare over to the red head. "Let's go."
Kidd looks up then, a sad desperation tugging at his features, reaching a hand out to Luffy. " Lu- "
Law slammed the door on him, and this time, it's final.
The weather is cooler as the third week approaches.
It's a chilly afternoon, trees swaying in the wind. Law pulls his spotted hat down further over his ears, and Luffy peeks up at him from under his straw one.
"What?"
"Nothing," Luffy smiles, "can't I just look at you?"
"You always want something when you have that look," the older responds with a snort, letting himself get pulled closer to Luffy. "So what?"
Luffy yanks his arm down, and he gets on his toes to peck Law on the lips. Law hums in approval, letting a slow smile curl his mouth. "That's all you wanted?"
"Yes," Luffy murmurs, reaching up and pulling Law closer to him for a longer kiss.
Law smiles wider against his lover's lips. "You're hopeless."
"You're no better."
Well, he's got a point.
Life's the reverent kind of peaceful that made Law think they've put the worst of the events that unfolded behind them, and the best was yet to come. But Law was naive. Uncharacteristically so. The Law of the past would've been able to see the repercussions coming, but he wasn't that Law anymore. He was different, he was changed; his senses have dulled, and he was naive .
The fiery figure in his mind shook his head sadly from its confines, tsking at the abundance of locks securing it safely behind bars. 'Law, you're an idiot,' it whispers, licking its lips. 'I can smell the danger from a mile away. Yet you're still this carefree?'
It smiles a wide, terrible grin. 'How adorable. Enjoy the calm while you still can.'
⎡ END OF PHASE TWO ⎦
A/N: Thank you guys so much for your patience. I know it's been a long while. I've had an awful writer's block, and then lots of things irl to deal with. We're FINALLY about to enter the final stretch of this story at *squints* 250k words! It's been a heck of a long time, and for those still reading- THANK YOU lt;3 Let's trudge forward to this final lil arc in Phase Three together :D
