159753c here back with another chapter. i should really, make a better pen name. maybe 3c is good, three c. roll of the tongue well. yeah, let's call me that from now on. 3c.

names aside, this chapter is, well, i think it came out okay. though i got sidetrack with law personality that i feel like the timeline to my previous fic doesn't work anymore. though we'll see how this turns out.


legs crossed and arm holding her ankles for balance, she sat across law who was sitting normally.

"so, are we… like, a couple?"

"yeah, i guess you call it that."

"right."

"..."

"..."

"what do we do now?"

law didn't reply for a long while, crossing his arm, and seemed to be lost in thought. luffy stares at him awkwardly but is patient enough to wait for his answer.

"i'd say nothing much will change. we could just be extra caring to one another and – be there for each other," he replied briefly.

"oh, that's it?" she grinned. "that doesn't seem so hard. i mean, we technically already did both of that anyway.

"does that mean, we – you know, compatible ever since the start?" she asked.

law opened his eyes, taken aback by her question. well, he's trying to get used to it. luffy had always asked the most absurd question out of nowhere and one had to always be prepared to answer it. unless they want to get constant pester and probing from her until she gets the answer she's satisfied with.

though, she seemed to know some boundaries sometimes. when a question has high uncertainty or clearly has no answer to be said, she will accept a simple 'i don't know.' she can't hide her disappointment though, but at least she puts her curiosity on hold.

"i suppose so."

her smile widened, and she let out a happy hum. this is exciting, some kind of new adventure! she won't get sidetracked too much from her main goal, of course. side adventure, maybe. if she were to be asked about this two years ago – if she wants to date someone, she will instantly say no. after all, wouldn't it hinder her way of becoming the pirate king?

but clearly, that past luffy hasn't met law yet. she will probably still try to retort back, making up some excuses and accusations. she giggled at the thought, which earned a confused stare from law.

it only amused her further, she loved making everyone flabbergasted. their reactions are so funny!

"oh, right. i need you to listen to me, luffy-ya," he decided to stop her momentary daydream and thoughts, whatever that is. her giggling to herself doesn't narrow things down at all, it could be anything. "i have a small favour to ask."

hearing law's seriousness in his voice, she went all ears for him.

"i would really prefer if we keep our relationship a secret from everyone," he went straight to the point.

her smile fell, and now confusion switched places. "...huh? why?"

he let out a long sigh, "several reasons. first, i just don't like our status to be publicly shown in general. second, it's sort of related to the first one. if someone were to find our relationship, they would notify anyone – or worse, a newspaper about this will be in production and spread across the seas. the government won't hesitate to use this information to their advantage," he explained.

"and the third?"

"...my pride," he replied after a long pause.

"basically, all the reason ties to the first one. publicity."

"correct."

luffy frowned, "i don't like the idea. hiding all this, i mean. i don't care if people know about this. i don't like hiding things. besides, i want them to know that i'm dating you!"

"unfortunately, i'm the opposite of that. please, luffy-ya. for the sake of this relationship, and possibly our safety," law kept trying to break into luffy's imperceptible mindset. although he knew it was futile, he couldn't stop himself from trying to reason with her.

she shook her head. her will is steel-hard, it's an insuperable problem for law and literally anyone else. luck seems to be on her side at all times though, and her actions mostly come out pretty well at the end. sacrificing your dignity in the process though.

"i don't care! and why are you doubting me!?" she yelled.

"i'm not doubting you!" he yelled back. his annoyance is at a dangerous level even for him.

"yes you did! you say we should hide our relationship for the sake of our safety! previously, you also said that now we are a couple, we would be there for one another!" she swung her hand to her side. "wouldn't that mean we should protect each other?"

law's eyes widened. "and again – even if you didn't tell me that, of course, i'll protect you! and i know you'll protect me, because i trust you, law." her yelling decreased in volume. from her angered expression to a melancholic one.

"i trust you. who cares if everyone found out? i certainly don't, because i'll still have you," she hiccuped. "yet, you said we should hide our relationship status from everyone.

"to me, that seems like you're doubting me."

tears were already dripping from her face, and she sobbed loudly.

law was silent. hearing her rambling, it sent him unable to think or respond well. she continued crying and desperately trying to wipe her tears away. she always hated crying, especially in front of people.


ever since her brother's unfortunate death, she cried almost everyday at any second. no one could blame her, but with enough scolding and advice from everyone – especially jinbei, she finally stopped. though her change in personality is still prominent, the melancholic aura that is hard to not notice.

"...thank you, jinbei. and… law, hancock. i'll try my best to move forward."

three of them watch luffy, standing and facing the opposite direction from them. staring particularly nowhere. her hair, which was still long at the time, was gently swaying from the soft wind. to their absolute surprise (and absolute horror from hancock), she reached out a piece of sharp glass from her pocket, grabbed and straightened her hair to the side and slashed it.

strands of hair immediately fell, but soon swept away by the wind and danced in the air for a moment, before inevitably falling to the patch of grass.

cutting one's hair is a commonly known symbolism throughout the seas. an act for someone to turn to a new leaf, being a better person and move forward from their past.

"luffy-chan, what are you–" hancock tried to reach her, but got quickly interrupted by luffy turning her head around.

"i won't cry anymore."

luffy, now with short and messy hair, stares at them with a determined look. eyes still slightly tired from the constant crying, but a new fire burns inside her. growing stronger than ever.

"i will get stronger."

jinbei can't help but admire her strong determination. law smirked, but still respected her.

hancock… is still lamenting about luffy's hair.

"...ah, i haven't eaten for a long time… i'm hungry!"

she laughed without a care. bewildered, they could only smile. at least luffy is back now, and still the same person they all knew and loved. sometimes.


after the memory flashed, he's bought into reality again. staring at her crying, contrary to the memory where she promised not to cry.

'luffy-ya, you're not supposed to cry.'

without thinking, he decided to let his instinct take place. moving his body forward, he spread his arm and hugged her.

she held her breath, eyes wide from the sudden contact. she doesn't move an inch from where she stood.

"..i'm sorry. i really don't mean to doubt you," he apologised. "i.. have my own reason as to why i said that. the reasons why we should keep it a secret."

he held her tighter, "please forgive me. if you're willing to protect me, then our feelings are reciprocal. because i promise i will protect you as well."

she finally took a breath. she moved her eyes toward law's figure, still hugging her.

she forgave him after that, not after letting out a loud wail. maybe it's because of law's agreement or mutual feeling, but she couldn't help but feel a huge relief and happiness that she cried again.

just for law, she's willing to cry in front of him.