Hey everybody,

I had a really busy and productive day, so I do not have a lot of time left, so without any further words, here's the new chapter. I hope you'll enjoy it^^

See you next week and thank you for your support!

Chapter 12 - Sea

"Good morning, Cora-san."

He looked up as Law stood behind him, a cup of coffee in his hand and a warm smile on his lips.

"Good morning, Law," he replied, almost nervous about the awaiting conversation, as Law joined him, briefly kissing him and then leaning against the porch railing.

"I was surprised when I woke up and you weren't in bed anymore. Couldn't sleep?" Law asked softly without the scolding undertone that was often present.

"The morning sun woke me," Rosinante confessed, "and I wanted to let you sleep; you seemed so peaceful. But I informed Mrs. Paipai that you will come in later."

"Ah, thank you for that," Law said, putting a hand on his shoulder as a sign that he should slip a little to the side so Law could sit next to him, "I had actually forgotten about that for a moment."

As Law sat next to him on the stairhead, snuggled tightly against him, because the steps were actually too narrow for two people, Rosinante looked out to sea and knew he had to address the previous night.

"Listen, Law," he began unwell, "about yesterday..."

"I'm sorry, Cora-san," Law interrupted him, also staring into the distance, "it was my fault. I know how you feel and yet I have imposed myself on you and..."

"Law, you don't need to apologize, if I had not wanted to do it, I would have told you so."

The other looked at him and remained silent for a moment.

"So it wasn't unpleasant for you?"

Rosinante laughed and leaned back. Memories of the previous night flooded his brain and he got goosebumps.

"Oh no, certainly not," he smiled, "of course I have my doubts about our feelings and because I don't want to hurt you. But I have to admit, you really know what you're doing."

Law, too, grinned for a moment before he got serious again, hiding his mouth and chin behind his folded hands and looking back at the sea.

"I don't want to hurt you either, Cora-san. Even if you liked it, it was wrong of me and I..."

Rosinante sighed softly and placed a hand on Law's knee.

"You know, no matter how many times I told myself yesterday to stop you, that it couldn't be healthy to suppress your fears with sex, that it was wrong, despite all that it felt right." He looked at the other. "Even now, I am well aware that things are more complicated than we like them to be, yet I do not regret it. I love you, Law, and I don't regret what happened that night, so don't blame yourself."

Law just nodded and leaned his head against Rosinante's upper arm.

"Again, you're the adult of both of us," he muttered wistfully.

Rosinante accepted it with a quiet laugh.

"Well, recalling yesterday, you're clearly the more grownup of the two of us, or at least the more experienced one."

Now Law laughed.

"Most of it was a bluff. I told you I'm a doctor, I know very well to hide my own insecurity."

For a moment they remained silent, then Law emptied his coffee empty and reached for the newspaper.

Rosinante leaned his tired head against the railing next to him and enjoyed the fresh sea air.

"Sengoku will take on an advisory role at the Nation Association," he said, watching the sea.

"Finally," Law murmured absently as he flipped a page, "I told him after the war that the world would now need minds like his, but apparently it took them those last two years to finally convince him."

"You wanted him to be part of the change? But he was Fleet Admiral of the overthrown government."

Law shrugged.

"He may have been once commander of the executive, but after Marine Ford he abdicated and devoted himself to train others. On both sides, he has many supporters because of his strong sense of justice and his clear morality. He will be a good intermediary between the fronts and his age will give him respect that many of the younger ones lack."

Rosinante looked at Law from the corner of his eye.

"You seem to have been thinking a lot about it."

Again, Law shrugged.

"I was one of those who destroyed the old order. I should at least bear some of my responsibility."

"Is that why you were looking for a place so close to Kaikkien Maiden?"

Now Law looked at him.

"I said it was a coincidence."

This time, Rosinante shrugged, leaned forward, and placed his elbows on his thighs. He stared at his folded hands and expressed his thoughts aloud: "If Sengoku really comes to the Nation Association soon, he will live barely a day's trip away. You know he's like a father to me and you've used your influence to give him a position there. I also recall that in the past, the ocean current Tara allowed you to travel back and forth between Marine Ford and Impel Down in a very short time, where my brother is being held captive. Do you really want to tell me that all this is a coincidence?"

Law snorted lightly.

"You really shouldn't be underestimated, Cora-san."

"Oh, please, a toddler could have figured that out."

The other nodded swiftly.

"It's not that I've planned all of this, but things have developed favorably, and I've just used it to my advantage. I knew from the beginning that sooner or later you would face your past and so I have at least a small chance that you will come back."

"So, you still doubt me."

Law stared at him, but Rosinante looked at the leisurely waves.

"I thought I was clear enough that I don't ever want to leave you, Law. It's true that I have to face my past and my brother and it's true that I want to see Sengoku again, but I always assumed that you would accompany me." He smiled at Law's open mouth and his perplexed facial expression. "Maybe it was a bit naive of me to just wordlessly expect that."

The other remained silent and looked at the newspaper in his hands again.

"Last night by the sea," Law finally said, "when we talked about the uncertainty of the future and you gave me the Vivre Card, I got scared."

He bit his lower lip and looked up to the sky, well aware of Rosinante's gaze.

"Of course, I also realize that it can't stay the way it is forever. But every day is a gift and I don't want things to change. I don't want you to leave me."

"I don't plan to leave you, Law," he replied, putting his hand back on Law's knee. "Even if things change, I won't leave you."

"I know," Law muttered, and finally looked at him, "but I'm afraid that when the world learns from your survival that you have no choice, and now with Sengoku back within reach, it's going to happen faster than I expected."

"He's not there yet, Law, and I don't have to leave just yet." Awkwardly, he rose and accidentally slipped off with one foot. Just in time, he was able to hold on to the railing and stumbled down the stairs, where he finally secured his stand before offering Law a hand. "Now come on, let's start the day. Mrs. Paipai is certainly worried about where you are and I wanted to get the new stool for the bath from Mr. Sansan today. By the way, I'm going to take some money with me, he said it was a gift, but enough is enough."

Law got up and then put both arms around Rosinante's neck, interrupting his chatter with a barely perceptible smile. Because of the few steps between them, Law was now able to kiss him without Rosinante having to bend down as usual.

"I love you, Cora-san," Law whispered in his ear, brushing through his hair.

"I know, and now you have to go, you're late."

He watched Law wave briefly and then disappear into the house.

Now he understood why Law had come to his room yesterday. His fear of losing Rosinante soon and unexpectedly was still greater than his confidence in the both of them.

Sighing, he followed the other into the house. Even if he really longed to see his superior and mentor again, he would have to wait for it. He knew that a word would suffice, and Law would let him go, even accompany him at his request, but even though Rosinante felt like he was slowly getting ready, he knew that Law had 17 long years more to process, so he would give him the time Law needed.

Law was also right: every day on this island was a gift and Rosinante would enjoy every single one at Law's side.

"Oh, come one! It can't be that hard!" Frustrated, he hit the surface of the water, which retaliated with salty splashes in his face.

"I've told you before that it's easier with someone to help you," Law shouted from the porch's stairs, lowering his gaze back to the newspaper in his hand. "It is also dangerous to go into the sea alone as a novice swimmer."

"Please, Law. It can't be that hard, and we still have a lot of time before the fall of tide."

"But you're aware that if something happens, I can't do anything. My abilities are not half as effective in the water and I can't swim."

Eye-rolling, he turned to the other.

"Therefore the rope," he murmured, pointing to the thick rope he had tied around his chest, whose other end was attached to the railing of the porch, right next to Law, who read unbelievably exaggeratedly disinterested the newspaper, obviously concerned. "It bothers me a lot more than it helps."

"And again," Law snorted, looking up again, "if you drown or the rope breaks, I'm not going to be able to do anything. I can't swim, Cora-san."

Stretching his shoulders, Rosinante went back into the starting position and swam off.

"Why do you think I want to learn it so badly," he murmured quietly to himself as he gave it another try.

Like the previous times, the first few moves were quite safe and yet he began to sink more and more, as if the power of the devil fruit was still pulling him down, even though he had lost his ability. Like any previous attempt, this one was fruitless as well, even though Rosinante had done everything in his power to prepare well.

It was probably true that he should get help, but somehow he didn't want to. He was an experienced soldier, Marine and spy, he would not fail at a child's task.

"Ninnin is an excellent swimmer and she would certainly love to help you. I could call her," Law offered.

"Let the poor girl enjoy her day off," Rosinante disagreed, promptly swallowing seawater.

"I wish we would enjoy our day off," Law replied, standing up and stepping to the shore. "I can really imagine better things than watching you drown."

Unnerved, Rosinante sighed and straightened up again to face Law. The other was unusually irritated. Rosiante suspected that it had something to do with the fact that since recently they closed the practice one day a week and Law and Ninnin took turns on call. Today was Ninnin's first day when she would be on her own and would only call Law when it was a matter of life or death.

Of course, Law was tense, but he channeled that tension into even more concern for Rosinante, as if he wasn't already wracking his brain enough about him.

Law's concern was absolutely unfounded. It was a warm summer day, like every other before, and except for a lukewarm breeze and a few larger clouds at the horizon, the sky was clear and the sea calm.

"I'm not going to drown and if it makes you so nervous, go and distract yourself. I will learn to swim today!" He decided, continued to look at the other seriously and crossed his arms.

"And who should pull you out in case something happens?" Law replied, not in the least impressed.

"Nothing is going to happen, Law. I stand in waist-deep water and the beach is just..."

"Even better swimmers have drowned, Cora-san, and..."

He interrupted the other with a hand movement and then folded his arms: "And what? It's a common risk to drown while swimming, I know. But living this close to the sea and not even trying to learn is, has nothing to do with common risk, that's just stupid. Do you really think that...?"

"Cora-san, come out of the water!"

"Law, listen to me, there's no need for you to treat me like a little..."

"I said you should get out of the water...!"

"And I told you... Oh, damn it!"

"Cora-san!"

The next moment, a huge wave chased over his shoulders and knocked him over.

For a moment there was nothing but water, he was gasping for air, but there was none, his hands reached for something to hold onto, but there was nothing, the salt burned in his eyes as he tried to figure out where was up and where was down. Then suddenly he could feel the pulling of the rope below his chest. After a moment of eternity he felt ground under his feet again and broke through the surface coughing, as the salty seawater roughened his throat.

"Cora-san!" He could hear Law roaring loudly as the remnants of the wave clashed against his belly, almost making him fall again

Barely a breath later, the next wave chased over his shoulders, but this time he was better prepared – or perhaps this wave was not as strong as the first – and remained in an upright position, bracing his shoulders, as the water tore away the sand under his feet, pushing him towards the beach first and then pulling him back, away from land and safety. Even though he struggled he felt like he was getting further and further away instead of closer.

Suddenly, he was jerked to a halt and his gaze fell on Law, who held the rope firmly in both hands and waded knee-deep into the sea.

"Cora-san!"

"What the hell are you doing?" Rosinante yelled, daring a few steps forward as the next wave crashed against him, which also seemed slightly weaker than the previous one. "Go back to the beach! You can't swim!"

"You neither!" Law shouted as the third wave swept his thighs, making him shudder, but he kept pulling at the rope, kept pulling Rosinante closer.

"But I have no devil powers!" After the shock of the first wave, Rosinante had comprehended the situation and rushed towards Law, fighting for each step as Law kept pulling and coming closer.

The water receded between Rosinante's legs and he knew that the next wave would soon come, but presumably it would not be stronger than the last one. Due to his height, he was able to withstand the waves better, as well as...

"Cora-san, hurry!" Law still moved towards him, his face painfully distorted, a hand reaching for him, just a few armlengths between them. His eyes told Rosinante that his was probably wrong.

Without even glancing over his shoulder, he rushed on, able to step much easier now that he wasn't in as deep as before, but the ground under his feet gave in like quicksand. What was when he wouldn't make it in time?

There was no time to worry, he huffed as Law pulled harder on his rope and then he started running, reached Law, pulled him close and waded further towards the beach.

But he wasn't even able to make two steps as the next wave washed over them. Although he was barely a metre in the water, the wave ripped him off his feet, but this time Rosinante did not allow himself to become disoriented as he pressed Law with one hand against his chest and targeted the ground in front of him with the other hand.

Sand escaped his fingers as the wave threatened to pull him back, but his feet regained hold as they dug deep into the soft ground and he fought the suction while the rope around his torso was pulled along and gave him even more resistance. He could hear Law coughing loudly and then saying something to him, but he couldn't understand what.

Not wasting another moment he walked on, with each step leaving the water more behind, sinking in less, and finally he reached the beach, heavily breathing, just in time before another wave splashed against his knees, still high enough to even reach the stairs of the porch.

Few steps later he allowed himself to let go of Law and placed him on top of the stairs, who leaned against the railing and struggled for air, coughing and spitting out water.

Now Rosinante turned around as another wave clashed against his lower legs.

The clouds, which had been far away few seconds ago, had now almost reached the island and the once calm sea was now dominated by meter-high waves.

"A storm," he muttered, still perplex by what had just happened, "so suddenly and with such high waves?"

"Well, that's the Grand Line for you," Law murmured behind him, still coughing. "Even a peaceful summer island can have its dangers."

The waves seemed to be getting higher and higher.

"We should go inside," Rosinante said, turning away from the sea, "I don't think the waves will be high enough to endanger the house – at least I haven't seen anything to suggest such a high level during the renovation – but the beach will certainly be flooded within the next few minutes."

He looked up to heaven.

"In addition, it will probably start to rain soon."

With one hand, he pulled Law up, then loosened the rope around his torso, and followed Law up the few steps up to the inside of their home. Within seconds, the air seemed to get fresher and wilder.

It was the first storm he would experience on Natsu.