Chapter 22
Author's Note: This is the second last chapter to the series. Sorry for taking so long. Please do enjoy and thank you for following the series this far ^^
Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX
Eustass's recovery speed was remarkable. His body mended itself quickly and soon he was conscious once more, albeit a little weak. Law stayed by the red haired captain's side anxiously, eyes never leaving his side.
The moment Eustass groaned, Law had gone to pour a glass of water. Sure, the reindeer doctor was miraculous with his medical science and Eustass's abilities allowed speedy recovery. Combined with the Op-op fruit's ability, Eustass was out of the woods in less than a day. However, it was nothing to rejoice about.
The wedding was ruined and the time they have left was down to only two more days or less. Law was depressed and it didn't take a genius to figure out why. Eustass had nothing to say. He felt helpless. Even the best of their efforts combined to find a happy memory before they part forever was denied. It seems like not just the Grand Line, but even the world hated sinned lovers.
"Law," Eustass whispered. The doctor would not look at him. Eustass bit his lower lip. He knew the feeling well enough and he felt bad. "Law…" he tried again. This time, Law looked at him with a feeble gaze. It tore Eustass's heart apart.
"I'm sorry."
Those two words were the key to the dam of tears Law was holding back. So many questions for the world and no answers. The only thing Eustass could do was to hold the man tightly in his embrace.
The two men slept that night clinging onto each other desperately.
Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX
No one had expected the rubber man to slam open the bedroom door of the ill-fated lovers. It was early in the morning and Brook who had been on night watch failed to stop his captain in time before the intrusion. The undead man mentally grimaced at the bewildered looks on the half-asleep guests.
Luffy looked livid for some reason, his eyes were hidden beneath his straw hat's shadow and the tension in the air grew thicker with every passing second. Both Law and Eustass did not know what to expect. Time seemed to stand still as they held abated breaths. In the background Brook could be seen chewing on non-existent nails. The rest of the crew was still in their various cabins, dead to sleep.
Suddenly, a blindingly bright grin flashed from beneath the huge straw hat's shadow. Luffy snickered and then looked up. Law and Eustass were so taken aback they hardly had time to respond before rubbery arms extended and grabbed them clumsily.
"Oi Luffy!" Law yelled but Luffy paid no heed, only briefly glancing at Brook to tell him to wake the rest of the crew. Brook guffawed and gave a mock salute before Luffy propelled the lovers clinging onto him to the land a distance away.
Brook laughed maniacally before sucking in a deep breath. "Black handkerchief!" he sang out as his violin performed a god awful harmony of screeches.
"SHUT UP!" the united chorus of insults from the Thousand Sunny could be heard from where the three captains were and Luffy snickered. Eustass smirked while Law groaned, "Thank God we don't have to be there to listen to that wakeup call… my ears would bleed."
Luffy hummed the remaining tune of Brook's unique wakeup call when the violin fiddling faded. Law and Eustass struggled around a little to make the boy put them down but Luffy paid no heed, arms wrapped tightly around both of them. That was until Law turned green and threatened to barf on Luffy that the raven haired captain released the lovers. Law threw up on the ground the moment his feet hit solid dirt.
Eustass grimaced but nevertheless, aided in soothing Law. Law felt worse than seasick that morning. He had no idea why. An idea hit Luffy and he dashed off. Eustass and Law exchanged puzzled looks but mentioned nothing more. Eustass offered to carry Law but Law refused, saying that Eustass was not fully recovered from his wounds. It might have been true but all the major wounds were already recovered. Eustass would not argue with Law though, he knew better than to go against a doctor's judgment. He had seen how the reindeer on the Straw Hat's ship tied their swordsman down using bandages to the bed in the sickbay when he failed to heed doctor's advice. It was only once but Eustass knew better than to try defying a doctor's judgment.
Instead, Eustass helped Law to find a place so he could rest for a while. They made their way to a bench nearby. As it was early in the morning, most people aren't awake. Only an occasional drunk would pass by and stumble past the two captains. Law enjoyed the momentary peace he had with Eustass and leaned against the strong and well-muscled chest. Eustass wrapped an arm around Law, providing him a sense of security and closed his eyes. They remained in this position for some time.
The sun slowly began to rise above the horizon and Law witnessed the birth of a new day. Eustass on the other hand, had his eyes affixed to the soft gaze affixed on Law's hardened features. He felt a dull ache in his chest. Two more days and then those eyes would never hold light again. He knew it was selfish of him to leave the man all alone even after bringing him back to life. However he hoped the man could forgive him for all this. Eustass loved Law too much to live without him. He had already entrusted Killer to be the next captain when he died.
Eustass planted a soft kiss to Law's temple and murmured a quiet thank you. Law glanced up into sorrowful eyes and smiled sadly. There were so many things he wanted to say and ask Eustass but words failed at this moment. He faltered. The only thing he could do was express all his regrets, longing and desires into a simple kiss. He wished for them to have a longer time together. However, Law knew that no matter how long a time he had with Eustass, nothing short of an eternity would suffice.
Eustass felt the unspoken feelings of Law conveyed to him. He reciprocated with his own. By then, the sun had already crawled out of the horizon and the day was getting brighter by the minute. It was a sacred moment for the both of them. Time stood still and their breaths matched each other. Hearts beat in unison and eyes peered into each other's souls.
Luffy had seen the lovebirds from afar and wanted to shout out that he had brought back food but he decided against it when he observed how they looked at each other. A slight blush made its way up his face. Luffy was not dull, contrary to what many of his crew mates think. He could tell it was different from normal love but still, Luffy did not condone love between two people regardless how different. Luffy himself did not know what it was like to be in love but he knew people in love treated each other more preciously than nakamas do.
He had witnessed Zoro and Sanji sharing moments in the kitchen when they thought no one else was looking. It had only been by chance because he wanted a secret midnight snack. Luffy had been shocked initially but then the looks in their eyes made Luffy determined that he would not discriminate just because they were different. The fact that they were his nakama did not change and if his nakama were happy the way they were, Luffy would support them all the way.
Robin and Franky's love was no secret. They just expressed it differently. Luffy smiled at the thought and casually approached the two captains, allowing time for them to notice his coming presence by singing in an awfully off key tone.
Law who had heard the familiar singing jolted and Eustass snapped out of the trance. Both of them parted slightly and opted for a less intimate contact as the raven haired captain approached them.
Law was mildly surprised to see a sandwich pushed into his hands and Eustass had bacon stuffed into his mouth. Luffy cackled and then dumped an entire sack of food at them. Law deadpanned. "Luffy, I don't think we have rubber stomachs like you do." Eustass snickered at the alarmed look on Luffy's face.
Eustass grinned. "It's alright, he means well. You'll finish the rest for us if we can't right?"
Luffy blinked owlishly at Eustass before breaking into a cheer and small dance on the spot. Law smiled faintly. It was a fine day.
Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX
Back on the Thousand Sunny, the all three crews had woken up in a disoriented manner. Brook was spotting three huge bumps on his skull since Nami took the liberty of making the walking skeleton shut up. "Do you have any idea what time it is?!" Nami howled and all the male crew members flinched. An angry woman of the sea is never to be trifled with.
Brook cowered in fear of another serving of bumps on his head. "It's Luffy-san's orders!" Nami frowned. "What does he want?"
Brook smiled and then informed Nami and the rest of the awakened crew about Luffy's intention. Even if the captain did not say anything, Brook knew what the boy was thinking about. After all, Kaidou's words made the boy determined to ensure the lovers saw it through to the end.
"It wouldn't be as grand as before but Luffy-san has taken them out to land so we could transform Lion-chan to a suitable venue for their wedding."
Nami sighed. Then she grinned. "I guess who have no choice then. What are we waiting for? Franky and Usopp get the deck ready for a reception. The rest of you clean the place up. Sanji-kun, you are in charge of a feast. Zoro will help with ensuring that any shifting of heavy items is dealt with care. I will not tolerate having to waste anther beri on repairs. Is that clear?"
Everyone shuffled off to do the tasks they were assigned without complains. Killer took charge of his crew to do the heavy lifting while Penguin took hold of Law's crew to help with the preparations for the decorations and reception. Sanji had busied himself to buy more supplies for the feast with some of Eustass's men. Zoro gave Sanji a worried glance but a brief smile set him at ease while he oversaw the rest of Eustass's men shifting the things on the deck.
Chopper teetered on the deck and often alternated between helping out on the deck and checking up on the pink haired lady in his sick bay. Bonney was showing no signs of awakening any time soon and it worried the reindeer.
It was not until late afternoon that Bonney groaned. She blinked at the bright lights and tried to sit up. Chopper had popped in just in time to see the woman wake up and rushed over instantly.
"How are you feeling?" the reindeer asked and handed the lady a glass of water which she accepted gratefully.
"What happened?" Bonney asked and Chopper recounted the incidents that followed Kaidou's thrashing of the wedding. Then he proceeded to inform Bonney about their plans to host another wedding on board the Sunny. Bonney was silent for a while after Chopper told her the entire story.
She frowned. Earlier on she had seen death hovering over Eustass but she wasn't sure why. As her devil fruit allowed her to change ages of people, it was a bonus that she knew how to keep their ages away from pass their death window periods. For Eustass to have such a dark aura surrounding him it seems that he was extremely close to death and Bonney had to find out why. She was, after all, indebted to the man who helped kill Blackbeard.
She tried to ask for more information about Eustass and Law but the reindeer knew nothing. She then excused herself politely and got off the Thousand Sunny. Chopper was unable to stop her and was left at a lost as to what to do next. Luffy wasn't on board the ship to tell him what to do either.
Sighing in defeat, he left to inform Zoro about what had transpired.
Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX
Author's Note: I'm sorry for taking so long. I hadn't meant to delay but the fact that this series is coming to an end makes me a little reluctant to write it. Nevertheless, I'll keep my word. Next chapter is the finale so stay tuned. Thank you for reading so far and being patient with my jerk like behavior. Do leave a review if you have the time and please look forward to the last chapter.
Thank you for reading! *bows*