A/N: Hello there, thank you for reading this story! Aaah, and thank you so much for the review! I loved it!

I hope you enjoy the chapter! Two more chapters to go and this story will be completed.

Chapter 7

Heart (Tears)

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In a quiet dream, there was a smiling face. The face looked scary at first that it surprised him, but then Law realized it was more ridiculous than anything else. The smile was actually so funny and Law laughed at it.

"I love you," the smiling face told him. Law thought he wouldn't hear something like that directed to him ever again, but Law believed this smiling face with all his heart.

Law was still laughing even when complete darkness overtook that smile.

That smiling face looked like it belonged to Corazon.

Fire scorched the air in Eustass Kid's vision. Heat was spewing out flames out of his mouth. They surged toward the black sky. Applauses and cheers followed. This was a sight Kid had seen before. Back then, Law was snug in his arms and they had gazed into each other's eyes. The fire had illuminated Law's yellow eyes, light reflected in them like speckle of gold. The boy had smiled shyly at him. The radiating happiness he had witnessed from Law's face that night was something Kid treasured and would never, ever forget.

Tonight it wasn't Law's birthday. They were having a fun, free night on the middle deck to celebrate Law's safe return and their victory against Big Mom's ally. Alcohol was allowed this time and his crew didn't hesitate in getting themselves drunk.

Law was sitting on an empty barrel, interacting with the crewmember who tried to protect him from his kidnapper the other day. Law pushed himself up to stand on top of the barrel and gave the man a hug. He gently ruffled Law's hair in return. Kid waited until they were done with their moments before he decided to approach Law.

Something didn't seem right about Law.

Ever since Law was rescued from Big Mom's allied ship, Kid had noticed his constant listlessness and frequent tendency to space out. Law talked and ate less. The boy became quieter than he already was. He hadn't been grumpy either. It was bothering that Kid hadn't heard Law say a single word in a negative tone—no cursing, no complaining, no smartass remarks—even in situations that usually triggered them.

Law sat back down on the barrel, legs dangling from his lack of height. His back was hunched forward as he set his elbow against his thigh, chin resting on his palm. Law stared blankly forward. It was apparent that the boy began to space out again.

"So what's bothering you?" Kid towered in front of him. "Care to share?"

Law straightened his posture to look up to Kid. "Eustass-ya," Law called his name. He paused, tilting his head, "I've been thinking a lot."

Kid sat on the flooring to level with him. "What's in that big brain of yours, huh? Something nerdy?"

"I've been thinking of cutting you open, taking your beating heart out, and playing with your insides," Law said.

"Wait, you can't be serious!" Kid nearly shouted. "Alright, for real though, what's happening to you? You've been too mild-mannered. Docile. It's creeping me out."

Law scowled. "What, you like me better with bad manners?"

"I like when you're you." Kid prompted, "So?"

"You want the adult Law back, don't you, Eustass-ya?" Law asked. "I've been thinking that maybe it's time to help you out on that."

Now that was unexpected. Law had been fiercely resistant about being aged up back to his adult self. Kid had noticed how Law always avoided them or acted like he was busy with something else whenever he and Killer were researching a way to return Law to twenty-six, as if the boy was afraid Kid would ask for his assistance in any way.

This time, Law was offering Kid a helping hand?

"Why so sudden?" Kid couldn't help asking. "You told me last time you didn't want to be aged back up."

"Did that stop you from trying to bring the adult Law back?" Law asked, eyes turning cold.

Kid didn't know how to reply. He wasn't good at saying the right thing at the right time. They both knew the answer to that question and Kid doubted saying it out loud would make the situation any better.

Law shrugged. "So let's just do it. I'll help you out."

"But why?"

"Just some realization that it'll be better if the adult Law takes over. He can help you with a lot of things, right? He's a full-fledged surgeon, and I bet he can help take down your enemies without getting stupidly captured, for instance. He's worth 440 million, after all."

Kid had an idea where this was going. Getting kidnapped by an enemy after Law made his own decision to take action probably hurt his pride in some way. Perhaps it was made even worse because Kid had actually gotten angry and scolded Law in front of the crew for ignoring his instruction not long after he was rescued.

When Kid found Law the first time, he was just relieved to see the boy. He was even in a more playful mood, knowing Law was safe in his arms. The anger came later when Kid realized the severity of what Law had done that put his own safety at risk. He had then acted on an impulse and a genuine worry for Law's safety when he suddenly confronted him, not paying attention to their surroundings, and scolded him. He didn't think much about the possible impact of his action on Law's feelings.

He screwed up again. Kid should've calmed himself down before he carelessly poured his anger on Law. At least if he was calm, he could've brought Law to a private place before saying his piece.

"You weren't stupidly captured," said Kid carefully. He was terrible at making someone feel better through words, but damn him if he didn't try. "That guy had a strong haki and you didn't know about it. Haki is a lot more common in the New World. Give yourself some slack. I bet you fought well."

"Hmph. You said nothing of the sort when you yelled at me in front of everyone."

This boy really knew how to make things more difficult for Kid. "I was angry at the time," Kid tried to explain. "I shouldn't yell at you in front of others, so—"

"Whatever. It's in the past," Law cut him off.

"I still want to apologize," Kid insisted.

Law's mouth parted slightly open. He gazed into Kid's eyes before standing up on the barrel. The boy suddenly jumped on top of Kid.

"Hey—" Kid instinctively caught him. Law buried his face on Kid's shoulder and wrapped his arms around Kid's neck. His little hands were clutching tight on the red fur coat. "Law?"

"Can we move?" Law mumbled, "This place is noisy. There are too many people."

"Alright," Kid awkwardly massaged Law's back. "How about the front deck, where the fish-head awning is? You wanna go there?"

"Okay."

Kid stood up, carrying Law in his arms. The boy was still clinging on to him as they went back inside the ship and walked back out again through the opposite door.

Trafalgar D. Water Law, twelve years old, loved Eustass Kid.

That was the number one reason why Law had decided to push down his own stubborn desire to stay the way he was and experience growing up. He had convinced himself to stop being selfish and try to make Eustass happy by bringing back this twenty-six-year-old stranger whom Eustass seemed so eager to have back. Law had readied himself to release his grip on Eustass Kid and let the other Law have him. Apparently, the Heart Pirates must have wanted their captain back. They've been waiting for his adult self on another island.

As for the twelve-year-old Law, he didn't belong to this world and he was unwanted.

Law had cried because of it when he thought nobody was looking.

This area wasn't exactly free from the loud noises of the party, but at least it was quieter. There was not a single soul here besides them and Victoria Punk. Kid believed that this ship had its own spirit and he had been treating her like it.

Law had turned away from Kid's shoulder and scanned his surroundings. He wriggled slightly, a silent gesture for Kid to put him down. After Kid set the boy on the floor, Law took a few steps forward before he turned back. "Let's do something fun."

"Something fun? Like what?" Kid asked. He sensed that Law had been distracted by something that was troubling him lately, so Kid would roll with pretty much anything the boy asked of him tonight while closely watching over Law.

Law shrugged. "Ideas?"

"I have one," Kid grinned. "This will require a sheer amount of trust. You ready?"

"Fine. What is it?"

"Won't be fun if I tell you beforehand," Kid picked Law back up. Then, without warning, Kid gathered a lot of his strength and tossed the boy high up toward the sky above. He heard Law shriek with surprise before he was sent to the open air. Kid tossed him up so high that Law was practically flying.

When he fell back, Kid had waited and caught the boy with his body before he could crash on the flooring. Law gasped against him while Kid burst into laughter.

"Idiot-stass-ya!" Law screamed, "Did you try to fucking kill me?" The boy smacked him angrily on the head. The impact was surprisingly painful.

"Ouch, come on—" Kid grunted from the pain, "I thought children like to be taken up high."

"Not that high! And I'm not a child anymore!"

It was hard to see Law as a preteen. He looked like a child, through and through. "This high?" Kid's metal hand held Law by his underarms, stretching it upward. They went into a brief silence. "This is nothing exciting," said Kid.

"Yeah," Law agreed.

Kid shot the boy up to the sky again, omitting the warning.

"Eustass-ya!" Law shouted his name when he was midair. He sounded both pissed and scared. Kid couldn't suppress his evil-sounding laughter before he caught Law back safely. "Enough already!" Law protested in between nervous breathing.

"Did you like it?" Kid asked, "Felt that adrenaline rush?"

"I-it wasn't bad, but you should've at least warned me," Law was holding on tight to Kid, as if he was worried Kid would toss him up again.

"You trust me that I will always catch you when you fall, right?"

Law's breathing had gradually calmed down. "I-I guess," he blushed lightly.

This boy was so cute that Kid couldn't help squeezing him. Law didn't struggle. It felt as if he was molded into his embrace. "Feeling better?"

"A little bit," Law admitted.

"Then you need more fun," Kid's red-painted lips stretched to a mischievous smile.

"What? What are you going to do now?" Law asked in alarm.

"Don't sound so horrified. Trust me a little more, will ya?" Kid gritted his teeth. "Do you like to be swung around?"

"Duh," Law rolled his eyes, "I'm past that age."

"Last time you asked me to read your bedtime story out loud, now you're too old to be swung around?"

Law nodded.

"Are you really?" Kid positioned Law in his metal hand and swung him around in the air. "How's this, huh?"

"Eustass-ya!" Law shouted in protest, but he started smiling. Kid was delighted to see that shift of expression.

"I have something better," Kid proposed after he stopped swinging.

"Sheesh, what now?" Law giggled. A blush adorned the boy's cheek, either from the thrill or simple happiness, or both. Kid didn't want to break that mood.

Kid put Law down on the floor. "Stay here. I'll come back." He went inside Victoria Punk and into his workshop. Kid pulled a giant metal nut to fly toward him with magnetism power and brought it with him.

When he came back to Law, the boy had climbed on top of the fish-head awning and was sitting on it. Law craned his neck upward, watching the star-glittered sky. Kid repelled the nut to fly across the air and slide the metal beside Law. "Wanna fly?" Kid offered with a grin, approaching the awning.

"Fly?" Law ran his hand over the metal nut, eyeing it suspiciously. "This thing is huge."

"That's the point," Kid smiled meaningfully. "Grab on that nut and set it around your waist, like a ring float."

"You won't stop treating me like a child, huh?" Despite his words, Law picked up the nut and fit himself in it anyway. He was grabbing at the metal as if his life depended on it. "I have an idea what you're going to do."

"Tell me."

"You're going to toss—" Law hadn't finished his sentence when Kid repelled the nut and shoot Law up high to the starry sky, "—me up! Eustass-ya!"

Kid couldn't tell if Law was thrilled or scared, so he attracted the nut back down with magnetism. When his ears were filled with the boy's laughter, a wide smile automatically stretched on Kid's red lips.

"You're nuts!" Law laughed when the metal brought him back to Kid's magnetic arm. "That was so freaking high! I could see the whole Victoria Punk and an island in the distance."

"You should look up because you'll be closer to the stars." Kid grinned. "Ready for another round? I'm going to swing you up there." He didn't wait for Law to confirm, repelling the metal to bring the boy up. Kid moved his magnetic force around to swing him in midair. Kid smiled at Law's distant laughter that tickled like sweet music in his ears.

When Kid welcomed Law back again, the boy giggled in delight. His mood had definitely elevated from the time Kid brought him to this deck. Law was still smiling when he jumped out of the metal nut and on the flooring. Kid sat down to level with him. "That was so high," Law told Kid enthusiastically, his yellow eyes sparkling, "Victoria Punk looked so small, and the stars were closer, and Heat-ya's flames were only like little lights in the distance, and the way you swung me I felt like flying."

"Fun, huh? You're laughing," Kid stated, his heart beat with surging love. In each and every passing day that Kid had been taking care of this boy, he fell a little more in love with the twelve-year-old. Kid had entertained the idea of letting Law stay the way he was a little bit longer. He had fantasized of watching this boy grow up to be the great surgeon he was sure to be, and Kid smiling with ballooning pride from the side.

He missed Law's adult self, he really did. However, he realized he wasn't ready yet to see the boy disappear. Deep inside, Kid had also wished that he could raise Law like a proper guardian.

But he knew that fantasy couldn't be fulfilled. Law had responsibilities. He had the Heart Pirates who were waiting for him on an island called Zou. Law had dreams and goals that he hadn't shared with Kid yet, but they existed for sure to be achieved. Law had somebody he addressed as 'Cora-san', whose smile became the inspiration of the Heart's name and jolly roger. Kid didn't learn much about Cora-san from Law, but he was aware that Law dedicated his life to this man.

As selfish as Kid wanted to be, he knew there were still things he couldn't have just by forcing his way to gain. He couldn't steal Law away from everything that drove him forward to become the great man he already was. Law had to turn back to normal. It was inevitable.

Small hands cupped Kid's cheeks. Those touches grounded Kid back to reality. He stared at Law, whose gaze pulled his attention like a magnet. "Your eye color and lipstick remind me of somebody," Law said softly, "I wonder who. Wait, I know. You're like Corazon."

Corazon? Could it be that this 'Corazon' was 'Cora-san'? Kid asked, "Who's Corazon?"

"Doflamingo's klutzy younger brother. We hated each other's guts," answered Law. "So I don't know why I suddenly remember him. I even dreamed about him."

"You dreamed about him?" Kid frowned.

"Yes, his smiling face. He looked so ridiculous." Law tilted his head, still examining Kid's eyes, "But the weird thing is, I don't remember him ever smiling at me like that."

Their brief silence was interrupted by a growl—or rather, a whimper that came from Law's stomach.

"Uhh," Law suddenly broke eye contact. His palms left Kid's cheeks and rested on his own belly. He looked embarrassed. "I haven't had dinner."

"Yeah, you haven't. You've been eating less. Tonight you didn't even eat anything." Kid stood up. "You know what, I made onigiri for you. Just hope that it hasn't ended up in my crew's stomach." He smiled at Law, "Let's grab it."

They went back to the middle deck. Kid approached the cart half-full with food. The onigiri he made was still there. Kid didn't know if he should feel grateful or pissed. Was his onigiri so unattractive that none of his crewmembers touched it yet? Kid would rather believe that his crew was aware that the onigiri was made for Law with its bear shape and all that cutesy jazz.

"I made a bear onigiri filled with fish," Kid told Law, picking up a plate of bear-shaped onigiri he had made. Kid had added three small pieces of carrots to make the eyes and nose and curved seaweed as its mouth. He shaped two small balls to imitate its ears.

"It tasted really good last time," Law said, "although it didn't look like a bear."

"How about now?" Kid crouched down and showed what was on the plate. Law stared at it before his lips stretched to a satisfied smile. He obviously liked the cuteness adorning his food.

"Reminds me of Bepo," Law chuckled, taking the plate from Kid's hand. "Thanks."

Kid froze in place. "Wait, Law," he grabbed the boy's shoulder, "I never told you Bepo's name. All I ever said was you have a polar bear in your crew."

"What?" Law blinked questioningly, "But I… I know Bepo. Wait, who's Bepo again?" he massaged his temple with his fingers. "Why can't I place him in any of my memories?"

"Tell me what you know about Bepo," Kid said, his heartbeat quickened. Had Law started to regain his memory? First he dreamed about 'Corazon' who possibly could be 'Cora-san', and now he remembered Bepo?

"Bepo's a big polar bear—a mink—who can be weak-hearted at times. He's good at martial arts, he's a navigator, and he's…" Law paused, "he's fluffy. He also does this... rather cute... 'aye aye' kind of thing."

"When did you meet Bepo? Where?" Kid pushed.

"I—I don't know," Law hesitated before shaking his head. He crossed his arms, eyes closed, forehead creasing in a frown. "I don't know. He doesn't fit anywhere in my memory."

"Law, I think you're starting to remember!" Kid couldn't suppress an excited smile on his face, "You're getting your memories back. You're returning to normal!"

Law's expression didn't mirror Kid's. On the contrary, he looked hurt. "You look so happy," Law stated, his voice went soft with a hint of bitterness underneath the tone. "You've been wanting to replace me."

Kid's smile vanished as quickly as it appeared. He stared intently at Law.

You want the adult Law back, don't you, Eustass-ya?

These were the very words Law shared when Kid asked what had bothered him. Kid mumbled a curse under his breath. Why did he have to react so impulsively before he even thought the meaning this situation might carry? The boy had obviously been worrying about being aged back up and Kid had looked stupidly happy about it. Law probably felt unwanted. That was the last possible thing Kid wanted Law to believe.

"I want to be alone," Law said with a weakening, shaky voice. He hastily turned away from Kid. Before he could stop him, Law had run away to the inside of Victoria Punk and slammed the door behind him.

"Kid, I need to talk to you," Killer suddenly approached him. "It's about what could be happening to Law. I've found out something."

Kid turned to Killer, paid a quick glance back toward the door, and then nodded to his best friend.

Law didn't have time for a self-pity party, so he held back his tears and swallowed the lump in his throat. Soon after he heard Eustass and Killer's voices talking in a serious tone with each other, he carefully followed them from a safe distance, making sure to hide his presence. The captain and his combatant went into Killer's room and shut the door close behind them. Law leaned by the door, listening in.

"So I've found information," he heard Killer say. "There was a marine soldier who had been de-aged without memory, much like Trafalgar. He came back to normal again two days ago. It's recorded in a small column of the newspaper."

"What caused it?" Eustass asked.

"Unknown. They're currently investigating it, but apparently, this marine soldier had been on the same island where we picked up Trafalgar."

"The island near Punk Hazard. So something over there caused this?" Eustass sighed, "Law remembered Bepo."

"Read this." Law heard the sound of shuffling papers. Too bad Law couldn't see whatever Killer was showing Eustass.

"Shit. Really? You're saying this is what's going to happen to Law?" Eustass sounded troubled—a bit angry, even. Law stood there in silence.

"Most likely," said Killer.

Eustass went quiet. Law frowned at the uncomfortable silence. It was almost deafening. Law willed himself to not move, believing that even a slight movement would make too much noise. What was going to happen to him? Why were they quiet?

"Should I?" Eustass broke the silence.

"Your call," said Killer. "You're closest to the boy. He trusts you the most."

"Alright. Law," Eustass called, "you don't have to eavesdrop. Come in. Door's unlocked."

Law wasn't surprised that Eustass was aware of his presence. This man had a way to detect his location. He didn't hesitate to open the door and walk inside. Eustass and Killer were facing him. The redhead was holding the newspaper in his hand. Law looked up to them. "What did you find?"

"Law," Eustass said slowly, "don't freak out."

"Am I going to die?"

"No, you aren't going to die, but keep calm and listen."

"I am calm."

Eustass took a deep breath before he began, "It seems like you may be slowly regaining the memory of your adult self."

"Cool, I've been feeling that he's taking over." Law crossed his arms before his chest, as if that gesture could stop his heart from beating so quickly and make him look calmer than he actually was on the inside. "So it's time, huh? We don't have to do anything either. Yay, less work for us," Law said unenthusiastically with a light tint of sarcasm. When the two men were silent, it only irked him more that they seemed cool about this. "Maybe I'll have a serious headache, too. Thirteen years' worth of memories coming to my head and all that."

"I don't know how painful that will be, but the problem is…" Eustass clucked his tongue. He looked troubled. "There's a possibility that you will also gradually lose the memories you have as your current, de-aged self."

Law stared at him. His heart dropped, and it was like sands had filled his mouth before Law could force it open. His voice came out distant, "No."

Killer stepped in and explained carefully, "It's likely a devil fruit that resets not only your body, but your memories as well. When the effect is reversed, your memories will be affected all the same," he paused, "at least that's what they reported on paper. It happened to that marine soldier."

"No."

"Law, I know this is difficult. It's difficult for us too."

"No," Law shook his head, feeling increasingly numb. He couldn't handle this. The world should stop throwing shit at him already, because this one he couldn't handle. "And no, it's not difficult for you. This is exactly what you wanted."

"The hell you talkin' about?" Eustass' voice rose. "You think I want to be forgotten? All the times we spent together, you're gonna forget everything and you dare fucking say that's what I want?"

"Yeah. It shouldn't matter that much to you because that other Law you want so much will retain his memory while I'll completely disappear, not even my own memories intact. You can go reminisce your oh-so-sweet memories with that damned stranger later. Then you can forget about me too." Law was burned with jealousy toward his adult self and he was aware of how unfair his words were. He didn't want to look at Eustass. The man was probably really angry with him right now.

Eustass began, "You dumb brat—"

Killer tried to interrupt, "Kid, stop—"

"Stop yelling at me!" Law shut his eyes and covered both his ears with his palms. He would eventually forget about Eustass Kid and disappear. Eustass' anger toward him was the last thing Law wanted to experience before he was gone. He would hate it even more if Eustass tried to defend his adult self.

"Law, listen to me," Eustass' voice went through his ears anyway, although he didn't sound as angry as before, "you both are the same person. He's you. You're him. You're still uniquely you—screw this. You won't disappear! You'll be returned to your original age!"

Law still kept his eyes shut. "I don't know him. We have different memories and experiences. He knows people I don't know, and I know people he doesn't know. He'll invade and fill my head with his memories and get rid of mine. I'll have nothing left."

A hand grabbed his shoulder. "It's all in the memory that's being messed up."

"I don't want to forget you," Law finally said, opening his eyes to meet those pair of amber irises.

They reminded him of Corazon.

But they didn't belong to Corazon. They belonged to someone else. Law suddenly couldn't remember the name of this man he loved, who was right there in front of him. A tear broke out from the corner of Law's eye. "What's your name?" he asked quietly.

There was obvious hurt in those eyes. He looked like he had been slapped. "Eustass Kid," the man answered.

"Eustass Kid," Law repeated. "It's happening, isn't it? I'm forgetting you," Law cried, his hands reaching out to hold on Eustass' arm. "Eustass-ya, help me."

Eustass brought Law close to him. "Don't be afraid," he whispered. "If you forget, I'll remind you again. I'm hard to forget, you know." He forced a more playful tone, but it only sounded fake. "Damn it." Law heard him say.

Law held on Eustass Kid and let himself cry, his tears shimmering like little pearls as they fell on Eustass' skin.