The First Encounter
Fucking up codes was not in Usopp's credentials but when someone kept grunting, whimpering and making an inaudible noise that almost sounded like moose mating, it was hard to focus on the task at hand. Usopp heavily sighed as he took off his black-rimmed glasses and rubbed his tired teary eyes. Multiple coded programs flashed on the six monitor set-up mounted on top a metal counter strategically placed against the cargo van's deep-red colored wall lining. Everything the group owned seemed to have hues of red, it was a miracle that Luffy managed to overrule Nami's sense of styling. Usopp pinched the bridge of his nose. In a second thought, Luffy probably gave his share of treasures to Nami. Usopp thought the latter seemed to be the case.
Noticing that the extremely distressed Luffy seemed to have calmed down for the time being and not filling Usopp's ears with undistinguished sound from the mic strategically placed on Luffy's lapel, Usopp stretched his arms, cracked his knuckles and began to focus on the screen -again, nimbly moving his fingers on the led illuminated keyboard. He had been working on bypassing a security system, allowing Luffy to get inside the function hall of the WG without being detected. It was supposed to be an easy task but when you add two bickering idiots in the picture, concentration was the issue. With a resigned sigh, Usopp once again set all his attention on the screen, not looking at the keyboard he had been pounding relentlessly.
Thirty minutes after and Usopp was on the verge of going mental. Usopp thought it would be nice if he can actually get some sense of peace especially when he was supporting someone who was infiltrating a high-security facility. After all, Usopp's task was to make Luffy's job a walk in the park but nooo, the not-so-subtle-act-like-enemy-lovers just had to fuck him up. Veins started popping out of his forehead and his fingers seemed to have stiffened.
"Can you both shut the fuck up?! I am trying to do my job here! Do you guys have any idea what would happen to Luffy if he gets compromised in there? Huh? This is serious business people!" he snarled at blondie and marimo. He was indeed scared of them but Luffy's safety was the priority here and not Usopp's life which was hanging on a thin thread when he snapped, but that didn't seem to be the case, cause the idiots were still fighting. Ahh, stuffs Usopp did for Luffy.
Usopp pushed his chair away from the metal counter dragging it all the way back to the driver's seat, making a screeching sound that had more effect on the blondie and marimo more than his frustrated cry. The tech-loving man placed his forefingers on both temples and pressing them hard hoping it would puncture his skull and end his misery.
Sighing, he then pleadingly looked at the orange-head sitting comfortably in the driver's seat, her legs placed on the steering wheel and playing with the van's keys. "Nami, why the hell are they even here? Why didn't we bring Franky or Brook?" The Cat Burglar turned her head slowly to face Usopp, a scowl present on her face. "You think it was my fucking idea? I had to blackmail Luffy to change his stupid plan and it took me one week to do that! But it didn't include one detail...which was apparently involving his 'back up'. I wanted Robin to come but no, it had to be the 'oh look how much we hate each other but we're actually fucking behind your back' idiots."
Usopp sighed. He knew he had been saying the same shit for the last few years but Usopp would still say it. "Luffy should really get his shit straight." Nami chuckled bitterly. "Yeah Usopp, someday...maybe when pigs fly." That sounded ominous but considering Luffy was Luffy..well yeah, Usopp believed Nami. And of all people, Usopp should be the one to know how insane Luffy was. Usopp had accumulated countless proofs and every time Usopp thought that Luffy got his shit together, the raven-haired man would just shatter that dream for Usopp in every way possible, just like now because who in their right mind would ask a directionally challenged person and a man fixated with lovely women to back him up. When marimo would just get lost after one second and Sanji would get distracted every fucking time a woman appeared.
"We're all fucked then." Usopp nonchalantly stated, not really saying it to anyone but Nami also being Nami had to be sassy. "No shit, Sherlock." Usopp rolled his eyes dragging his chair back to his desk before shit happened and the World Government building would suddenly get hit by a nuke just because he left Luffy alone for a minute because really, the crew must be out of their minds if they thought Luffy would follow a plan. He grabbed a headset and placed it on his ears hoping it will drown the two idiots' squabble.
'Why did I even bother to say yes?' Trafalgar Law contemplated as he was now standing in the middle of a crowd infested hall sipping his fifth glass of champagne. The liquor didn't do anything to drown his regret and frustration, the bastards promised they'd stick with Law for the whole party just so he didn't have to deal with other guests but guess that's out of the picture now. Penguin, Sachi, and Bepo took off right after arriving and left him alone and he didn't even want to know where the green-haired stalker was. He needed a stronger alcohol for this shit, vodka, whiskey or rum could work.
The idiots said its for him to 'relax' but no matter how Law looked at it, relaxation was so far off from his current situation. Basking in suggestive looks, 'accidental' brushing of hands on his ass, salacious catcalls from both men and women, old and young. Seriously, did he get lost and attended the wrong party because why the fuck would there be people doing catcalls in a fucking all-agent event? Wasn't this 'a' World Government party? Weren't they supposed to act all professional? Law had to use his death glare, hoping it was a clear message for them to fuck off before Law's pent-up frustrations overflowed and insults after insults would fly out his mouth.
Thirty minutes after the tribute for retiring officers and the induction of newly promoted agents, Law strode towards the corner of the hall hoping to avoid all the people who were greeting and congratulating him. He had enough of socializing. Law wanted to leave the place but unfortunately, coming from the depths of hell like the hell spawns they were, Sachi and Penguin both equally tipsy, emerged and dragged him all over the place. The idiots introduced him to a couple of ladies and Law could not give a flying fuck what their names were or their positions in the WG. Every single one of them was ousting each other to get Law's attention, trying to start a conversation with him, sharing stories behind their outfits and jesus, were they desperate -showing off their cleavage and all that shit.
Law had to excuse himself before he snapped and tell them he didn't give a rat's ass about their expensive dresses. Law could be a little rude but he can be worse..much worse and god, he didn't want to be fired because of petty reasons like shoving foam padding from a woman's chest into their big mouths cause that seemed to be the only way to shut them up.
Law's mouth twitched into a wicked smile and his ominously calm voice made Sachi and Penguin run for their lives. He grabbed two more champagne glass from a passing waiter's tray, downing the crystalline liquid off the glass one after the other as he walked away from the unwanted company. Law started walking like a robot because of the excessive interaction. All Law wanted was to get the fuck home, flop himself on his warm fluffy bed and get a good night's sleep so he could start fresh on their case.
Just as Law was about to leave the godforsaken place, an enchanting glossy silver caught his eyes. Law paused in his tracks to get a better view of the site. Ignoring the cussing as someone bumped into him, Law just didn't give a fuck anymore, all he could focus on was the most enticing human being Law had the chance to set his gray eyes on.
Law pinched the skin on the back of his hand between his thumb and forefinger. It stung, that meant he was actually seeing something real and not only a figment of his imagination. Maybe, he should pinch himself again, just to really make sure, he thought, because the last time he checked angels were supposed to be in heaven and they didn't wear a suit. God, did that came out unnaturally from his mushy brain. Law wondered if he transformed into a hero in some cheesy fan fiction...maybe he already did?
Law gulped as the object of his affection brushed and tucked the strands of his long silky straight silver locks that swept across his face behind his ear. The guy's hair was tied up into a ponytail and the locks gently swung following his every movement as he glanced around the hall turning his body, showing off the smooth sun-kissed skin on his nape and if the guy could direct the look he was using as his round emerald green eyes gazed at the meat he held on both hands, Law would be the happiest man in the world.
For a moment, Law thought the guy ate a lot for someone who was about five feet and six inches with a slender body but that didn't matter now, he could eat all the food in the world and Law wouldn't bat an eye. Law was mesmerized by the blinding smile as the guy happily ate almost all of the meat displayed on the table and somehow... that smile seemed familiar. He was sure he had seen it somewhere... but he couldn't pinpoint where, probably along the halls when he went to work, he thought.
As Law tried to recall where exactly did he see that smile, his thoughts got interrupted when myriads of emotions crossed the guy's face and settled into a pout. A fucking pout. How can a fucking grown ass man pout and still look so freaking adorable? That should be a crime punishable by Law. *wink wink*
Law continued to stare, hoping people wouldn't notice cause he could tell that he totally looked like a drooling hyena. Law's heart stopped beating when the guy closed his eyes and a slick pink appendage licked the pouty luscious lips. Oh, how Law's mind got clouded with inappropriate scenarios involving a different kind of slick appendage. The tattooed man could feel his blood heading south in a speed of light. That was a bad sign, this was not the right place nor the right time to have this reaction. His brain needed to chill the fuck out before Mr. Woody sticks straight right out of his tight trousers and cause blunt force trauma to an unsuspecting victim.
Law groaned and bit his lips until the pulsing sensation on his belly receded stupid deprived brain. He looked around to try and find an excuse to talk to the guy cause Law would smack himself hard if he didn't get the chance to at least talk to him and get his number or something like that.
The gods must have finally taken pity on his soul from all the shit he experienced the entire time he spent on the party as a waiter bringing glorious champagne passed by him. Law didn't even mind that the waiter blocked the perfect site in front of him, his timing was spot on. Bless his soul, Law thought as he sophisticatedly picked two glasses of champagne, thanking his newly appointed third wheel and headed straight to the guy who made his heart throb among other things.
After getting tormented by an orange-haired witch who thought Luffy's 'well-thought-off-plan' was, in fact, moronic, the raven didn't have any choice but to agree. Luffy thought otherwise though. His original plan was just: barge in, steal shit, ensue chaos. He was an expert at that. But noooo, his crew had to go to the diplomatic side and send a letter. Luffy's head almost exploded as he tried so hard to find the reason why they had to send a freaking letter. WHY? They were criminals for crying out loud and criminals don't do 'diplomatic' shit. Luffy blamed Usopp for that, if only the blabbermouth didn't mention Garp. All of this would not happen - the stupid disguise (which really wasn't considered a disguise cause Garp and Sengoku knew the look) and the satisfaction Nami experienced when she made Luffy's face a piece of canvass - seriously, nothing.
They wasted days to discuss their plan, Luffy had to impose his because -again- letters were stupid and he did not want to meet the devil's right-hand man because that would be suicide. But much to Luffy's disappointment, the crew finally reached a compromise. Luffy would begrudgingly follow the crew's plan and he got to write the letter and decide how they would send it. Usopp had a lame idea of sending it via hacking the WG's computer system but Luffy had a better plan. That's the only thing he was allowed to do after all, might as well have a blast doing it.
Thoughts plagued Luffy's mind as he was standing in a room full of glittered and glammed wives with their suit-clad husbands prancing and mingling with one another. 'Probably I was right all along. Maybe it was a bad idea sending a message that short. Why does it have to be Garp of all people? Did Nami know that Luffy would likely end up in Chopper's infirmary?' But Luffy just couldn't resist the urge, could he? It was too tempting. The opportunity was right there, placed in front of him with ribbons and all, he knew..Luffy knew he would regret if he didn't grab it by the balls. Who was Luffy to ignore the best one-liner ever made? It was perfect for the occasion, though the pigeon was for the lols.
He wondered what happened to the little dude as Luffy graciously sashayed to ultimate prize waiting for him - a table full of meat and was now heading to its natural habitat which was Luffy's bottomless stomach. In the back of his mind, he hoped his grandfather didn't eat the poor bird.
Speaking of his grandfather, where the hell was that old man? The faster this ends, the safer Luffy would be. Luffy rubbed the soft locks adorning his head, he could still fell the bumpy remains of Nami's wrath. He looked around, for sure Garp could decipher the letter right? It was straight to the fucking point after all - Easy, straight to the point no bullshit. Then again, he didn't mention when and where.
For sure the pigeon didn't fuck up, he trusted the little guy. Luffy was absolute that Garp had received and read it and if his granda did, Sengoku would know too. That might be bad. The explorer had expected himself to get nabbed once he entered the building yet here he was enjoying meat nonchalantly which was even eerier. Luffy cursed internally, maybe he was surrounded by now, Sengoku had serious issues with him. Luffy didn't know why though..or did he?
Luffy hummed. Sure, he did this and that, usual Luffy stuff that went against the WG but he couldn't figure out for the life of him why Sengoku's hatred was more than the amount of white hair the man had. Luffy squinted, tidbits of meat were poking out of his pouted lips and hands paused in the air holding meat on each side as he tried to recall just what made Sengoku hate Luffy other than all the shit he'd done... An image of a white fluffy goat popped into his mind. Right. Who could've known that the goat he took for a stroll was Sengoku's beloved pet? And for fuck sake, the old man had the guts to call him a kidnapper. And what's so bad with Luffy enjoying a walk with the adorable goat? Bet Sengoku was just jealous. Pfft.
He nodded at that thought. There was still the tingle in his body, Luffy could not help but get nervous, it had been three years and imagine the accumulated Fist of Love his grandpa had to offer. The thought made his skin crawl and adrenaline pump. Poor Usopp had been making Luffy calm down, talking to him through the device in his ear. Luffy's only comfort was being surrounded by one thing he loved the most - meat. He shoved multiple pieces earning disgusted looks from other guests. Well, excuse Luffy and his love for meat. Luffy huffed, if people could just mind their own business, that would be nice. He was blending in and blending in meant happily eating all the food on the table while he looked for his grandpa. Yes, that seemed to be the most logical thing to do, he didn't need attention after all.
A sudden ear-splitting beep snapped him out of his concentration. Luffy had the urge to rip off his ears cause damn it, either Usopp wanted to have his attention or he must have wanted Luffy deaf, whatever his purpose was, it fucking had an instant result, he got Luffy's attention and Usopp made him temporarily deaf. He winced as the ringing sound remained even after Usopp started talking. Luffy scanned the table for something he could wipe the grease on his hands...nothing. He shot a quick glance around and subtlely wiped his hands on the tablecloth. Ninja moves. He reminded himself to never use this technique around Sanji unless he enjoyed being hung a pole stark naked.
Luffy placed a finger inside his ear and fixed the earpiece lodged inside. "Luffy...Lufffyy... Test...Luffyy..- Fuck why is it not working - the Great Usopp made sure it would work." was what the first thing Luffy heard along with some scuffling noise in the background. Luffy shook his head and spoke in a low voice. "I can hear you perfectly Usopp... well after you fucked up my ear for one full minute." Rolling his eyes, Luffy positioned himself, back facing the multitude of guests in the hall.
"Oh Luffy, great! You were gone for twenty minutes man- though I have a hunch cause you were moaning...either you found food- or you really need to get your head checked if infiltrating bases turns you on.." there was a sudden pause "Oh god, that -could actually happen.. that's actually- gross as fuck.." Usopp stated, a tone of relief then shifted to disgust played in his voice.
"Shishishi, What can I do? I'm a carnivore Usopp, I can't just leave the food. It needed lovin' you know."
"And you didn't even think of us? I mean, -you're leisurely being a glutton and we're here starving. -Move your ass and get work done. -Find your grandpa so we can leave. I don't like the thought -of iron bars Luffy and certainly wouldn't like feeling -them with my hands. No, thank you.." Luffy could certainly see Usopp's head shaking side to side as he said that.
"Don't worry Usopp, I took the pleasure of eating your share. Shishishishi."
"Seriously dude, this is an emergency. Nami's getting bitchy. She's freaking scary." Usopp whispered the last part as if his life depended on it. Which was probably the case. Cause fuck, Nami was scary.
"Shit. Whose idea was it that we do things this way..sheesh " he huffed " If my grandpa doesn't show up in fifteen minutes, I'm legally allowed to do things my way."
"Just ...-whatever man, I'll support you. I can't imagine -your grandpa's reaction if he actually sees you though. You'll probably -end up with 5 broken ribs, a few fractures -and a huge bump in your head."
Luffy clenched his jaw. It was Usopp's fault that he had to see his grandpa. "Not helping Usopp,...really not helping. If you're trying to freak me out, it's working. " Luffy said with a shaky voice, he started fidgeting again biting his fingernail.
"Shit. My bad Luffy" Luffy furrowed his dark brows. Oh, Luffy knew Usopp wasn't sorry, all right."Stop getting sidetracked, follow the plan, find hi-"
"Excuse me?" A soothing low husky voice asked overwhelming Usopp's scratchy voice. Luffy froze, his breath caught in his throat. That voice. Oh, that voice, it sent shivers down Luffy's spine. Hoping against hope as he slowly, -very slowly turned around that the sexiest voice he had heard belonged to an equally sexy man... And Bam! Luffy was not disappointed as he lifted his head to see the man's face.
The first thing that caught Luffy's attention were his eyes, they looked like exquisite orbs of ashes and smoke with swirls of gold, Luffy couldn't find the exact words to describe them, they were beautiful. And whoever said eye bags weren't sexy cause damn, Luffy would give this man's dark circles 10 out of 10 for additional sex appeal. It gave his orbs a more dramatic pull and Luffy was being dragged in mercilessly inside those pools at the speed of 500 miles an hour. The man raised an eyebrow and there was a slight tug on his faint red lips as it slowly turned up into a sly smirk, obviously amused with Luffy's reaction.
After an awkward moment of Luffy standing with his mouth open, gaping like a blasted fish, he forced himself to focus and pry his eyes off the sexy piece of art in front of him. He blinked multiple times internally cursing himself for acting so fucking lame. Luffy couldn't think straight, the man had oozing pheromones and Luffy's brain was having an overdose lowering his I.Q to one. He started to stutter, he wanted to break the stupid shiny tiles on the floor and claw his way down to - where his crew thought Luffy came from- hell.
The man smothered a grin and offered him a glass of champagne which Luffy gladly received, sending the man a playful wink as he got his shit together. Luffy's eyes shone with excitement as he saw the long tattooed fingers that just added to the man's sexiness, well that was an unexpected surprise. Who could've known Luffy would see a man of this caliber in the WG? Then it clicked. World Government. Party. Closed-event... Luffy bit his lips. Oh. Shit. Hell. No.
'That's right, he was in a WG party and there's a hundred percent chance he was flirting with a fucking agent', Luffy though. Alarms were blaring, red lights flashing on and off inside Luffy's head. His brain suddenly had a poetic side and started spewing shit, 'To leave or not to leave, that is the question. Ah~ What a shame, fate is really a cruel mistress'. Luffy groaned, just what did he do to deserve this cruelty? Did the gods finally call forth for Luffy's doom and this was his punishment? Death by sexual frustration... now isn't that a shitty way to die, he thought.
"Luffy.-Oiiiii -Luffffyyy, Lufffffyyyy-Hello earth to Luffy-" Right he forgot Usopp. Usopp was still there listening to him. But he couldn't answer now, could he? The man must've sensed Luffy's panic as he placed a gentle hand on Luffy's shoulder. Two forces fought in Luffy's mind, the struggle was real. Luffy wanted to touch -touch the man's hands - feel his muscles ..maybe.. and do things - very sexy things- but that would be wrong, so fucking wrong.
"Is something the matter?" the man asked, Luffy almost purred as he heard pure concern laced in the man's sultry voice.
"Luffffyyyyy- Lufffyyyy- Luffffyyyyyy-" Luffy decided he would strangle Usopp once he was done with his mission. Luffy pushed Usopp's voice out of his mind, which was a really hard feat when he was literally lodged inside his head.. well ears to be exact... He focused on the man in front of him and savored every second of contact. Examine him inch by inch and take in every detail.
"Hmm? Oh. No, nothing at all." Luffy said with a charming smile placing the empty champagne glass on the table beside him.
The tattooed man hummed, lips softly pressed against the glass, his pink tongue tracing the rim of the glass, eyes boldly staring at Luffy. He was shamelessly flirting with Luffy, wasn't he? And hell yes, it was absolutely working. Luffy's body started to get confused and out of sorts. The mixed emotions bottled up inside started to make its way out.
"That's good," Mister-death-tattooed-on-his-fingers said and let out an exasperated sigh. Shit. Did Luffy fuck up?
The man awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't normally ask strangers for their number, but I'll be pissed at myself if I never see you again, so…let's change that shall we? " Mister tats smiled and fuck did that do weird things to Luffy. He didn't know why he was not melting yet, his temperature sky-rocketed in an inhuman value. "Would you give this desperate man the pleasure of knowing your name?" FUCK. YES. Luffy wanted to scream that shit out but he tried so hard to keep his poise intact.
"Lufffyyy- Oiiii-hellooo- I'd hate to be -the bearer of bad news- but -you can't just give you're-name-" and once again Luffy wanted an asteroid to hit Usopp right now. Usopp was being a major cockblock. Usopp didn't need to remind Luffy, he knew what he was doing, Luffy thought, internally rolling his fake green orbs.
Luffy flashed a grin at Mr. Tats and bit his lower lips. " Only if I get to know yours first." Luffy purred as he gently placed his index finger on the man's chest, playfully running gentle circles. The man shook his head and chuckled. "Law... Trafalgar Law."
On the corner of Luffy's eyes, he could see Sengoku's fuming face, protectively circling his arm around the goat... Really? Someone clearly wasn't over the kidnapping issue huh. Luffy cursed himself, it wasn't the time to judge the man as four men clad in a black suit followed Sengoku, stomping his way towards Luffy. On the back of his head.. err... inside his ear rather... Luffy could hear Usopp freaking out for some reason. Did Usopp feel Luffy's stress level because that would be fucking awesome.
Luffy saw Law turn his head to check the commotion that was happening in the middle of the hall. Luffy cursed himself and begrudgingly left the tattooed man before he could turn around to face Luffy.
"Whoops, Usopp. You still there?" Luffy asked as he maneuvered through the crowd. Sometimes being short-ish had it advantages not that he would ever admit .
"God! Since earlier man! I kept telling you-"
"Shhh, I'm doing things my way now. Tell Zoro and Sanji to proceed with the plan."
Usopp sighed and left a hissing sound in Luffy's ear. "R-roger."
From across the room, Luffy paused for a moment. His eyes journeyed back to Tro- Trao- Trafo... Fuck it. Torao one last time. "Shit. Guess, I'm Cinderella."