Chapter 19

The Answer

Author's Note: Thank you for reviewing. ^^ As for the lovey dovey things… I'll do my best to include them. I won't claim to be good at creating such scenes because my personal experience with love had been most painful so I can only relate love with pain. I'll try though. If you have anything particular in mind, let me know. I'll do my best to include it. Once again, thnk you for all your support, this is a new chapter. Do enjoy!

Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX

Day 14

Killer's words sank in Eustass's skull so deep that no amount of sleep would erase it. His entire crew knew about it. It was well pass noon the second day after Eustass heard the shocking news, yet the replay in his mind was as clear as the sun in the sky.

Not a single cloud blocked the hurtful rays and Eustass would have bawled on the floor with his face buried in the pillows if not for his pride as a merciless pirate to stop him. Eustass then thought about Law's proposal. He felt joy in his heart knowing the he was loved back by the one he loved. Time wasn't on their side which made things a little sad. Scratch that. It was nowhere near little at all. In fact, Eustass was thinking along the line of accepting the proposal only to commit a lovers' suicide with Law. Then again, knowing Law's character, it wouldn't be impossible. The man would agree without second thoughts.

He chuckled. All that Des could provide then was an extension of their time together to be pronounced husband and husband before they die together. What a waste. At least the Strawhat members would benefit from his contract. After all, the past doesn't really determine the future. The future determines what happens in their pasts. This won't change. Although no one knows for sure what the future might hold, Eustass would rather live in the present.

If twenty two days were all he had, he would want to make these last days the craziest. Killer did mention that he took what he wanted which was exactly what Eustass decided to do. No more running in circles. Thinking did him no good. If Killer thinks going for it is a good idea, it will be. Usually it would be Killer who tells Eustass not to do something. For that man to agree and urge Eustass to go for it, Eustass can bet all his money on the fact that it will never be wrong.

Making up his mind and steadying his shaky resolve, Eustass climbed out of bed.

Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX

Bepo fidgeted and Shachi pushed Penguin out to the front. Law was currently still and unmoving. He was so still some wild pigeons in the town square had made him their roosting spot. Children were fascinated to see a grown man covered in wild pigeons. The birds must have sensed no danger from the depressed man. Law appeared so gloomy that even the gloomiest clouds on a gathered tempest were put to shame.

It was the kind of atmosphere that someone's world had died. If it was merely a person, there would be grief at the very least for the loss of a life. In Law's case, there was nothing to grief for. In fact, there was nothing to live for.

"Captain? You've been here for two days already… isn't it time to go back?" Penguin asked. Bepo twiddled his paws and Shachi bit his lips nervously. "Yes captain, I think the others would be very worried if you didn't return," he quipped in. Penguin forced a hopeful grin but Law ignored their existence.

The only thing replaying in Law's shattered world was Eustass's undeniable rejection to his marriage proposal. Eustass loved him and he knew that. Why was he rejected then? They didn't have much time left either. What went wrong?

Silent tears fell drop by drop, making wet splotches on the hard concrete ground. One became two and soon, a small patch of dry concrete became a shade darker from the rest.

Crying. Law was crying. Bepo fretted while Shachi and Penguin did their best from preventing the polar bear from enveloping their captain in a tight bear hug which would surely shatter bones.

Law heard none of the commotion, his inner world flooded with pain. "What kind of doctor am I if I can't even apply anesthesia to my own wounds?"

Without even turning back, Law slipped off wordlessly.

Bepo was still struggling against Penguin and Shachi. Only when the bear finally calmed down, they realized their depressed captain was no longer there.

"Shit!"

Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX

Law walked aimlessly. The breeze blowing in his face felt good. Dried tear stains remained on his olive skin but he did not bother. The sun was strong and harsh on him. Despite being a pirate, he spent most his time in the dark submarine which greatly differed many other pirates. Not being used to sea sickness, sun, wind and storms, Law felt the impact of strong sun after a while.

He knew he was dehydrated. His clothes that had been drenched now dried up. He wasn't even perspiring anymore. The skin burned under UV light but it did not matter. Comforting wind urged his legs to carry on. He knew he should be close to the lace he wanted to be. He could hear waves crashing and the scent of salt in the wind.

Law lips curved upwards mirthlessly. A strangled chuckled forced its way through those chapped lips. "Ah, all would be perfect if I could see him again. But no matter, he will be there on the other side soon enough. I'll just leave first so I can wait for him there."

The tear fell a long way before becoming one with the bottomless ocean below. "I love you Eustass, even if we may never be together. I only wish we had more time."

Closing his eyes and letting gravity take control of his momentum to plummet down the rocky cliff, Law waited for the free fall that never came.

Instead, an iron arm circled his waist, pulling him away from the watery coffin below. A flash of pain registered in Law's head when a slap resounded.

Snapping his eyes open, Law saw the person he didn't think he would see again. Eustass stood before Law with the sun behind him, making it difficult for Law to see his expression.

Wide eyes told Eustass everything he needed to know. "You idiot!" he yelled and grabbed Law by the collar up. Law flinched and closed his eyes, preparing to receive pain from an impending blow. Instead, his lips met another pair and they dance in nostalgia.

After breaking apart from the heavy make out, Law's glazed eyes met Eustass's stern ones. "Why?"

Eustass had a momentary flash of pain in his eyes before they were replaced with smoldering passion. "I had forgotten who I was when I fell in love with you. I was only afraid for you. Sorry but I'm not going to run away anymore. Even if it was death, I'm going to continue doing what I want. Traflagar D Watel Law, will you love me even after death do us part?"

Law smiled and tears of fell once more but only from a bittersweet happiness. Hope was born from sorrow. "Yes!" The lovers embraced and Eustass chuckled lowly.

"I wouldn't have accepted any other answers from you. If you had said anything else, I wouldn't have heard it."

Law laughed breathlessly. "What a barbarian. So? When should we hold the wedding?"

Eustass pulled away and grinned. "The Strawhats and my crew are already on it. If you don't get your crew to help out, don't blame me if anything goes wrong."

Law smiled and stole another small kiss from Eustass. "So hasty and impatient. I bet all you want to do is to get in my pants." Eustass gave a shit eating grin that spelled trouble. "Nah, in fact, I can do that just about anywhere I want, with or without a wedding."

Law punched Eustass hard enough to make him release of him. "Shut up Kid… I should never have agreed." Eustass smirked. "Too late now surgeon of death, you are mine."

Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX

While the captains found each other, trouble was brewing in the port.

"Oi! That chicken was mine!"

"Oh yes? Too bad, it's mine now. Go die Strawhat!"

"Huh? Who are you anyway? In that case I'll have all of these!" Luffy grinned and used his rubber hands to grab whatever food there was on Bonney's plate before swallowing them whole. Bonney howled in outrage. "I'll kill you Strawhat Luffy!"

Luffy only laughed while he ran away with a raging Bonney.

Kaidou's men gulped nervously and slunk away silently.

Author's Note: Sorry for the unreasonably long time I was missing. This is also a very short chapter. I honestly have no idea what I am writing anymore…