Chapter 9

Law was certain it was the middle of the night when he heard the door swing open. Assuming it was just one of the Straw Hats needing to relieve themselves, he made his body still and shut his eyes. However, when Law felt a familiar figure climb into his hammock, he knew it could only be one person. Luffy wrapped his arms around Law's body, careful not to agitate his burns, and pressed himself closer. Law let himself get lost in the feeling, knowing it would be the last time they would get to be like this, for tomorrow they'd arrive at Zou. Law would be back on his own ship with his own crewmates. He felt guilty for not being more excited for their reunion, but he couldn't help it. When he finally saw them again, he'd be saying goodbye to Luffy, and that was not a trade Law was comfortable making.

He could feel the lure of sleep tugging at his brain, but Law still hadn't made peace with his situation. He knew there was only one way he was going to gain closure before he departed the Straw Hats. He had to confess to Luffy; he had to tell him everything. Then, when Luffy rejected him, Law would be able to move on, or, if by some miracle Luffy returned his feelings, then. . . Well, Law wasn't quite sure. He didn't think that was a scenario he'd have to prepare for though, or, rather, he couldn't let himself believe it was a possibility. It would be hard enough being rejected by the little ofe without Law setting his expectations too high. Law felt himself drifting into unconsciousness, but, while he still had the mind to do so, promised himself he would confess. He was really going to do it. Tomorrow.

Law once again woke up to a sword poking at his face. He groaned, opened his eyes, and was met with the remnants of the Straw Hats standing in front of him. Zoro withdrew his sword, and, with a jerk of his head, told Law to get up. He sighed but had no reason to resist. He sat up and began untangling himself from Luffy. To Law's surprise, he found that he was no longer embarrassed to be caught in this situation.

Luffy woke up as Law got off of the hammock, looking rather annoyed. "Ehh, what's happening?"

"We're leaving," Zoro told him. "Law's got to get back to his crew, and we have to find the rest of ours." Luffy frowned, clearly unhappy that this is what he was waking up to.

"Cheer up Luffy," Franky said. "Just wait until you guys get a look at Zou." Law gave him a confused look. "Come on," He told him. "You'll want to see this. Trust me." Law looked to Luffy who looked back at him. With a shrug of his shoulders, Law started exiting the room with Luffy trailing slowly behind.

When Law reached the deck, he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Zou was no mere island; it was a massive Elephant, wading through the water, and towering high above the clouds. How were they supposed to get up there? Law turned around and looked at the group in disbelief. They all wore stern looks on their faces, except for Luffy whose mood had done a complete one eighty. He was grinning up at the behemoth, anxious to see what was at the top.

"Ready to start climbing?" Franky asked.

"Of course!" Luffy yelled. "Let's go climb that elephant!" Law awkwardly moved towards Luffy. He'd hoped he would have time for his confession before they embarked on Zou, but, seeing Luffy's look of excitement, Law knew this was the last chance he'd get while on the ship. Luffy turned to face him, seeing that Law clearly had something on his mind. He glanced around at the other Straw Hats, wishing they could have some privacy. Looking back at Luffy, he opened his mouth. Law knew it was now or never, but he just couldn't get the words to come out- not with all these people watching him. Law closed his mouth, cursing himself silently for being such a coward.

"Let's climb that elephant," Law said instead, trying his best to look happy when he was feeling anything but.

The climb was long and dangerous, but, eventually, they made it up in one piece. The group walked through the strange environment atop the elephant's back. Law walked next to Luffy while the others trailed behind. He felt his hand brush the other's while they trudged forward. Law wanted to hold it, but willed himself to ignore the impulse. Instead, he pulled a vivre card out from under his hat and held it in the palm of his hand. Luffy glanced over to see what he was doing.

"Oohh," Luffy cooed. "Is that from one of your crewmates?"

"Yes. It's my navigator Bepo's." He moved his hand closer for Luffy to see. The paper slowly slid to the right of his palm, indicating his crew was to the east.

"Look!" Luffy yelled. "This way come on!" He grabbed Law's hand and veered off in that direction, ignoring the other Straw Hat's complaints. Several days ago, Law would have complained about Luffy's sudden grip on his hand. Now he welcomed the sensation and even gripped his hand back. Luffy pulled him through the thick set of trees, narrowly avoiding the hanging branches along the way. Eventually, they arrived at a clearing where Law's crew was waiting.

"Captain!" They all cried in unison. Bepo ran ahead, pulling Law into a big bear hug. "We've missed you so much!" Law was glad to be in the polar bear's familiar embrace. He let his head sink into the soft fur around him. Luffy took the opportunity to stretch his arms around the two and join the hug unprompted, but Bepo quickly pulled away, breaking the embrace. Law felt himself blushing; he hadn't thought about how to act around Luffy when in front of his crew. Bepo seemed to notice and gave Law a questioning look.

"This is Straw Hat-ya," Law explained, gesturing towards Luffy. "We've made an alliance to take down the Emperor Kaido." Law watched the shocked expressions spread across his crew.

"Nice to meet ya," Luffy grinned at the polar bear.

"Guess we've got plenty to catch up on," Bepo said. "Come into the forest." Law went to follow them in but noticed Luffy tagging along. He turned to stop him.

"Straw Hat-ya, you should go meet back up with your crew. We can convene later." Luffy happily took Law's advice and sprinted back towards the direction they came from.

Law entered the forest and was met with a small civilization of hanging houses. It turned out that the elephant was home to a tribe of animal creatures called minks similar to his navigator. Bepo brought Law into one of the huts and started berating him with questions. Law told them about the events of Dressrosa and how Luffy had taken out Doflamingo. He told them about his escapades on the Straw Hat's ship, purposely leaving out the interactions between him and the captain. Slowly, the pirates trickled out of the room; it was almost time for a celebratory feast. Eventually, all that remained was Law and Bepo. The navigator stared at Law, waiting for him to say something. Law simply stared back, not intending to disclose anything.

"So," Bepo started, not letting his gaze leave Law's. "What's the deal with you and Luffy?"

"We're allies," Law told him, hoping the bear wouldn't see through his guise.

"Just allies?" The bear asked, knowingly. Law shook his head in confirmation, but he could feel his cheeks betraying him. Bepo flashed Law an obnoxiously cute look, willing him to comply. Dammit. Law always caved under Bepo's cuteness. He tried his best to hold his ground, but the polar bear didn't let up.

"Fine!" He finally gave in. After all, if he couldn't say it to Bepo, then there was no way he'd be able to say it to Luffy when the time came. "It's possible. . ." Law started, fishing for the words that would bring him the least grief. ". . . That I may have. . . Developed feelings. . ." Law could see the polar bear hanging on to every word, waiting to hear their conclusion. Law pushed forward. ". . . For the Straw Hat's. . . Captain. . ."

"I knew it!" Bepo jumped up and gave Law another bear hug. "I'm so happy for you, Captain!"

"Stop it!" Law tried to push him away. "It doesn't matter anyway."

"Of course it matters!" Bepo countered.

"It's not like he's going to like me back," Law explained.

"But you won't know until you've told him!" Law thought for a minute. Bepo was right, he couldn't really be sure until he finally confessed. "You have to tell him before we leave for Wano!" He urged. Law remained intentionally silent. "Captain you have to!"

"Let go of me," Law pleaded with the bear to little success.

"I'm not letting go until you promise to tell him," Bepo hugged Law tighter to his body.

"Ok," Law conceded. "I promise."

"Before Wano?" Bepo prodded.

"Right," Law agreed. "Before Wano."

Law would not be confessing to Luffy that day. He had been able to reunite with the rest of his crew, but the Straw Hats had not been so lucky. Sanji, their cook, had apparently been caught in the Emperor Big Mom's clutches. Luffy was taking a small crew to retrieve him of which Law was not a part of. He wasn't sure how long he'd be gone, or if he would even make it back. Law had to believe in him though; if anyone could sneak into Whole Cake Island and make it out in one piece, it was Luffy. Still, that didn't stop Law from worrying.

Everyone gathered at the elephant's back leg to see the captain off. Law watched Luffy say goodbye to the remaining Straw Hats staying behind. Law stood off to the side with Bepo, who was still trying to convince him to say something. He couldn't do it right now though- not in front of this many people. Besides, Luffy had enough on his mind right now without Law forcing his feelings on him. Still, his heartbeat quickened as Luffy approached him. Even when they were a proper distance away, Luffy continued closer. Law was sure he was going to slow to a stop, but Luffy kept going until their faces were right next to each other. Luffy pressed his cheek to Law's, and, before he could think to move away, Luffy began rubbing them together.

"Garchu!" He exclaimed. Law fell backwards.

"What was that?" He asked, flustered.

"Garchu is how the minks say hello!" Luffy laughed. Law looked passed him to Bepo who only nodded in confirmation.

"But we aren't saying hello," Law told him. "We're saying goodbye." Luffy frowned as Law picked himself back up. Before he could think, Luffy's arms were around him, squeezing him into a tight hug.

"Then I'll try again next time we see each other." Law blushed at the thought of Luffy putting him through that again.

"Ok," Law said. "I'll see you on Wano."

"Right," Luffy replied. "Wano." With that, he released Law from his embrace and headed down to his ship. Law watched him as he faded into the distance, but, somewhere along the way, he could've sworn Luffy turned to looked back at him.

Author's Note

Only one chapter left to go! It's funny how I originally planned for this story to only take 5 chapters, but now that number has doubled. Chapter 10 will be the grand finale, and I cannot wait for you all to read it, especially the conclusion I have planned!