Disclaimer: I do not own ONE PIECE.
W/N: Thanks for the support, reviews, favorites and follows! They keep me going! Much love, yosh!
I'll probably be away for weeks but I'll be back and finish this story ^^
If there is anything you don't like, or you think I should improve, feel free to tell me!
Warning: Vulgar languages, OOC, bad grammar, maybe a little illogical, trigger (depression, anxiety, panic attack, trauma, phobia, abuse etc)
Drum Island
10 Years Ago
"Luffy, stop running! It's dangerous to run here!"
"We need to find them. It's my fault!" Luffy said, as he ran on the rocky path, trying to locate their group.
"We'll find them together! Don't get too far from me!"
"I won't los- ouch!" Luffy tripped and fell on the rocks. A moment later, tears started falling from his eyes. "Huwaaaaa.."
"I told you not to run! Let me see your wounds." Law took out a bottle of water and washed Luffy's wounds. Then, he proceeded to tend to Luffy's wounds gently.
Luffy stopped crying after a moment and looked at the young teen in front of him with an admiration. "Law, you're amazing. You make good onigiri and you can treat wounds too!"
"This is just basic aid.."
"You're kind too. You know?"
"I'm not kind.." Law said, as he covered the wounds with the band aids. "Okay, I'm done."
"You're the best! Shi shi shi" Luffy said, as he smiled at Law. Law lowered his furry hat in response. "I've decided! When I grow up I want to marry you!"
"H-h-haaa?!" Law turned to look at Luffy. His eyes widened in disbelief. "D- d- do you even know what you're talking about? I am a boy you know?" Not like Law was against same-sex marriage but he thought Luffy was still too young to understand.
"Boy can't marry boy? There are two guys in Windmill Town married to each other." Then he continued, "I like you! Shi shi shi how about you?"
Law froze.
What an early exposure.
He looked at the ball of sunshine in front of him. Then, he turned his gaze away from him and hid his face in his scarf. "I don't like brat."
"Ahhhh!" Luffy pouted at him, telling him, "I'll grow up, be stronger and take care of you!"
Short and sweet, that was how it was.
The kiss.
As soon as they broke free from the kiss, they stared at each other for a moment before Law snapped back to his senses and decided to push Luffy off him.
"S-s-sorry!" Law said as he got up and sat with his back to Luffy.
What did he just do?
He could feel his cheeks burning and his heart beating fast.
He did not know why was he suddenly feeling so nervous.
Suddenly he heard Luffy's voice. "It's not your fault." Luffy's voice was shaky, as though he was on the verge of crying. They went silent for a moment before Luffy finally said something again.
"I- I- lo- love you. Since 10 years ago."
Law remained silent. He did not know how to respond to that. He did not even know if he should turn and face the teen behind him.
"I've always wanted to kiss you so it was definitely not your fault." Luffy stopped for a while, gaining more of his courage and taking in breaths, trying to calm himself down. "You don't have to say anything. Even if you don't feel the same way, I will still be there for you."
Then, they were silent again. A moment later, Luffy got up.
"Let's go. They are waiting." Luffy held out his hand for Law to grab it but Law did not take it.
"Let's go." Law said as he got up and gestured to Luffy to walk first.
They were silent the whole way back and as soon as they reached the tents, everyone was already seated around the campfire so they quickly took their places. Sanji noticed that the distance between them was unusually big as Luffy usually tried to sit very close to Law. "Oi Law, Luffy. Something happened? You both okay?"
"Yeah, we're okay." Luffy answered. Law followed by a nod.
"Ok then. Let's start our story." Sanji said, as he switched on the flashlight and placed it under his chin, creating a scary face. Nami, Usopp and Chopper were so scared they hugged each other. Sanji started with his story but Luffy could only concentrate for the first few minutes as he noticed Law was spacing out.
That night, Law could not sleep at all. He kept thinking about what happened. The kiss and the confession.
How did a kid just like Luffy manage to make him all panic and nervous?
He cupped his face with both his hands. It was hot. Shit.
He was not sure if he felt the same way for Luffy but he surely enjoyed the teen's company. He also felt that he was starting to care about the teen more.
Even if he felt the same way, he was not sure if he should.
It was all because of that man and what he said.
That man was already in Impel Down - the most secure prison in the whole country but he never really felt safe. He had always put his guards up until Luffy came.
Could an idiot like Luffy in any way be affiliated with a criminal like him?
Was he overreacting?
Or, was he just afraid he would not be good enough to protect everyone dear to him?
"Law, are you asleep?" A voice snapped Law back from his deep thoughts. Law turned to where the voice came from and saw Luffy's silhouette.
"No." Law answered shortly.
"Can I come in?"
Law thought for a while and replied, "Yeah."
He sat up as he heard the exit unzipped and Luffy stepped in, positioning himself opposite to Law. They were both sitting down facing each other in silent but their gazes were down. For some reason the night suddenly felt cold and Luffy sneezed a few times. Seeing Luffy in just short sleeves shirt, Law took his jacket and put them on Luffy.
"Thank you." Luffy said as Law sat back in his place and then he kept staring at Law. Law noticed and asked, "What?"
"This is a little like 10 years ago but it was jacket this time. Shi shi shi" Luffy said with a big smile on his face before he shocked Law once again with his words. "I love you."
That was the second time that night and Luffy did not seem awkward saying it at all. Like it was a normal thing to say.
"Are you going to say that a lot now?"
"Sorry but I've kept it in for so long. Shi shi shi why? You don't like it?" Luffy was the kind of person who was not afraid of showing his affection. Now that Law knew how he felt, he did not have to refrain too much anymore.
"I am not comfortable."
"That's too bad then. I won't stop." Luffy stuck his tongue out, earning a grunt from Law. Law could not really be mad at the teen nowadays so he just let him be. "I know you can't trust me completely yet but I will think of something! If I want you to love me back, I have to make you trust me, right? Shi shi shi"
Law stared at Luffy. He could not believe what he just heard. "Maybe you can stop being an idiot too."
"Law, that's mean!" Luffy pouted and Law smirked in response. "Law, can I sleep in your tent tonight?"
Law thought for a while and let out a sigh. "Okay."
That night, both of them slept back to back.
"Good night, Law." Luffy said as he lay down. A moment later, Law could hear Luffy said, "I love you."
Luffy was sitting in his couch, thinking of ways to make Law remembers the past. He had not seen Law for a few days. After the incident at the campsite, Law decided that it was best they do not meet up for a while and Luffy did not have to look after him like he planned. His contract with Law was already terminated so he should not really go to Law's house without any reason. He still kept in touch with Law though. Mainly sending him morning and night texts, asking how he was doing. From sitting upright, he changed into lying position. Then, he sat upside down, his legs on the headrest . He switched positions so many times but he still could not come up with a good idea. Unless, hitting Law's head until he remembers was actually a very good idea. Finally, he decided to ask Nami. He took his phone and looked up Nami's number.
"Hey, Nami.. How do you make someone remembers the past?"
It was nine in the morning and Nami was still asleep when Luffy called. "Urgh.. tried telling them the past?"
"God, Nami. If that works I wouldn't ask you." Luffy said, earning an irritated grunt from Nami.
"Bring them to places you used to go together, do things you used to do together, maybe?" Nami replied, gritting her teeth.
"Hmmm... Hmmm... Hmmm..." Luffy hummed for a moment, irritating Nami more on the other line.
That was it. God, why did he not think of that before?
"Luffy, why are you asking?"
"Nothing. Thanks, Nami. That's a good idea. See you!" Luffy hung up and checked his calendar. There were still 5 weeks left for summer break. Then, he looked up Law's number and called him.
"Law, how are you doing?" He said, as soon as Law picked up the phone.
"I'm good. You asked that earlier." Law replied, and Luffy on the other line was happy because he had not heard Law's voice for a week. "Law, do you want to go to Drum Island with me?" Luffy asked, straight to the point, not wanting to disturb the doctor. "Maybe you can remember something. I'll arrange everything. I still have 5 weeks left for summer break so I can take you there!"
Law thought for a while before he replied, "I'll.. check my schedule. I'm kinda busy now so I'll call you later."
"Yay, you're the best! Talk later!"
Few hours later, in the evening, Law called him.
"I can get 3 days off end of this month."
"3 days are okay! I'll try my best to make it worth it!"
"Then I'll leave everything to you. I'll send my details to you later. Forward all the bills to me. I'll settle all the payment. I have to go now. Bye."
Luffy wanted to talk to Law more but he understood Law was busy. Good thing it did not get too awkward between them. He would meet him in 2 weeks anyway so he had to be patient.
Luffy spent the next day arranging everything.
The night before they depart, Luffy sent a good night text to Law as usual. Law was packing his stuff when he saw Luffy's text.
Good night Law! Can't wait to see you tomorrow! I love you! ^^
Law was not big on texting and he did not really know symbols people used. He knew what ":)", ";)" and ":D" were but ^^ was new. So he asked, "What's "^^"?"
It's smiling eyes! :D
Oh. Now that he knows what it means, it is actually quite cute.
See you tomorrow. Night ^^
Luffy fell off his bed when he read Law's reply. Law could be dorky at times and Luffy loved that. Now he really could not wait to see him tomorrow.
It was nine in the morning and Law was waiting for Luffy in his car. Their plane would take off at twelve o'clock and the airport was not too far away but Luffy insisted they have breakfast together so there he was, waiting. A moment later, Luffy came down and got into the car.
As soon as he got into the car, he greeted Law. "Good morning, Law! I miss you!" It's been almost a month and heck, he missed Law.
Law just smiled at Luffy and replied, "Morning."
He kind of missed the teenager too but he did not think it was important to mention.
It took around fifteen minutes for them to reach the airport. After Law was done with the parking procedure, they walked into the airport, looking for a place for breakfast. As soon as they were seated, Law got a call from the hospital so he asked Luffy to order first. When he got back to their table, Luffy already ordered for him.
Big breakfast set.
Law stared at the big breakfast in front of him. He only wanted coffee.
Law face palmed. It had been almost a month and Luffy was still super caring as ever.
"Ah, here. Your ticket." Luffy reached into his bag and took out the ticket, handing it to Law. When he took the ticket from Luffy, Law remembered, he never got any payment requests and he was too busy to realize. He looked at the ticket and asked, "Luffy, how did you pay for these?"
"I've been saving. Shi shi shi" Luffy had been working part-time at an amusement park in the two weeks time as a mascot. The heat was crazy but he earned a good amount. Law was shocked. He knew Luffy was not really financially stable that was why he told Luffy to forward the bills to him.
"Luffy I told you to forward them to me."
"Oh, well.." Luffy stuck out his tongue and continued eating his breakfast.
Law face palmed, again. Luffy really needs to stop doing everything by himself.
"Chopper is from Drum Island. He had some medical training this summer so he couldn't come with us but he told his father to help us. His father is a doctor too! I think you will get along with him!" Luffy told Law and the older man just smiled.
It was thirty minutes before take off and they were already seated in the plane. Luffy picked window seat for Law but Law asked Luffy to sit there instead, saying he prefer sitting in the middle. While waiting for the plane to take off, Law took out his book and started reading. Luffy on the other hand just looked around and stole glances of Law once in a while.
When the pilot announced about the takeoff, Luffy closed his eyes. He had always hated the takeoff part because it made him dizzy. Law noticed and held Luffy's hand, trying to calm him. Luffy was startled and slowly turned his gaze at Law but the older man's gaze was at the page he was reading. When the plane was already in the air, Law took his hand back and focused on his reading. Luffy was a little disappointed but he knew he had a long way to go. Luffy looked out the window and told Law to look whenever he spotted something interesting. After a while, he tried reading the in-flight magazines to curb his boredom but it did not last long. In the end, he fell asleep. Law noticed that Luffy was sleeping in an uncomfortable position so he slowly pulled Luffy towards him, placing his head on his shoulder and covered him with the blanket before he got back to his book.
It took around 1 hour from Grand Line Airport to Drum Island Airport. It was a small airport but it was packed with a lot of people. When they got there, they could see Chopper's father, Dr. Hiluluk waiting at the arrival hall. He was holding a placard with their names written on it.
They immediately approached Dr. Hiluluk who was waiting with a big smile on his face.
"Welcome to Drum Island!"