"is it just me, or..."

"no, it's not just you. everyone on the ship realised the changes."

zoro and usopp observe luffy and law from a distance away. luffy chatted with law cheerfully, which is not really odd. but what's strange is the fact law is replying consistently and showing a speck of emotions.

which is something really, really surprising from someone that is law.

and surreal as well.

"i want to intervene or just talk to one of them for a while, but i have a very strong feeling that i'm going to be in pain or a horrified state if i do that," usopp shivered.

zoro doesn't reply and continues napping.


"how long until we reach dressroba?"

"for the last time, it's dressrosa," law corrected her, raising his voice. robin chuckled hearing the conversation as the image of a grandma in a dress appeared on her mind once again.

"a few hours at best, if the wind continues blowing in our favour," nami raised her hand in the air as she felt the wind softly on her palm. she checked the log pose once more to make sure they stayed on track.

"i'm so excited!" luffy shrieked. law sighed, however.

"mugiwara-ya, going to dressrosa is not something you should be excited about. we are about to face the most dangerous – and influential person. it's no vacation," he scolded.

luffy ignored him and just laughed.

the rest of the crew proceed doing their things, some heading inside and some staying outside. law decided to lay on the patch of grass, the same place he always took a short nap. but before he dozed off, luffy dragged him by holding his feathered hoodie like a sack of potatoes.

"oi, luffy- what are you doing?" he yelled, trying to free himself from her grip.

"i'm bored, i'm taking you with me inside," she replied rather casually.

law still tried to struggle, for some reason his brain doesn't work properly at the moment so he didn't think of using his devil fruit ability to escape.

after a while, they reach the male room, much to his confusion.

"why are we here?" he asked, albeit tired. tired of all luffy's stunts.

"i want some little alone time with you since we just started this relatable thing," she clarified.

"..relationship?"

"right, that's what i said."

"right."

she sat on a random bed and pat the space next to her. he had already concluded to just comply with whatever request luffy asked from him, so he sat next to her. she leaned her body against his, and they stayed together like that for a while.

he didn't mind it. he relaxed himself to her warmth of a body. all of the mess, the problems, seemingly go away. and all that matters right now is just him, and luffy. alone together in the room.

he vaguely recalled his past. he missed moments like this. just – absolute peace. where he had nothing to worry about.

"you know, ace did this to me once..." she muttered. law raised his eyebrows as he stared at her, still leaning on his shoulder.

"i was crying a lot and stuff.. and he just stayed there silent. he let me lend his shoulder for me as i sobbed more, and we stayed like that for a while."

she told as she reached her hand to his arms, tracing the tattoo he had. circling it, making a zigzag following the triangle pattern, down to his hand where it spelled 'death' on each finger.

"it helped me a lot. ace didn't even talk, but i guess it's because he's not really good with words," she smiled weakly.

she then looked at him, and both of them stared at each other.

"you're too tense, torao – law. i understand the situation is important for you, but..." she trailed off, before focusing her gaze on him again. "please don't die. please, take care of yourself,"

he sat there, silent. still tense, wondering how luffy was able to read him.

she must've known, he's ready to die to defeat doflamingo. to just make him fall for grace, make him agonize. he didn't care that it might cost his life.

but luffy, somehow, managed to change his mind. just the simple words and expression gave him a second thought. her genuineness is real too, not wanting him to die.

perhaps, he'll live. she already suffered, people close to her died, and just now he became someone special to her. he can't bear seeing her shattered again.

"..i can't promise anything, luffy-ya," he sighed, closing his eyes. he doesn't want to sugarcoat it. "but, i'll try. for the sake of you, for us."

"for us," she echoed, leaning closer as she breathed softly against the crook of his neck.

minutes past, eventually hours. law found himself relaxing so much that he felt better. luffy has already fallen asleep, he softly caressed her head.

this was nice, it mended him somewhat. but soon, he couldn't help it, the dark thought lingering in the back of his mind arose.

'soon you'll show your true colours'

'eventually, she'll stare at you with disgust'

'you'll break yourself again'

this moment is just pushing it further away. but he can't withhold the inevitable. all he could do was fight it.

he tried his best trying to shake all the bad thoughts, focusing on what's now – like he previously felt.

the uneasiness, however, stays there.

he hated it.


thanks for patiently waiting, or not. i'll see what i can do in the future for this story