Law spits out more blue dust, watching it shimmer and fade away.
He isn't in the happiest mood. Actually, that was an understatement. He's in a terrible mood.
He had opened the door to the apartment after a long day, tired and exhausted, only to have shimmering blue dust strewn everywhere. The sofa, the table, the kitchen, the tv, everything. He decided to pretend the dust wasn't there, as he was too tired to honestly care, but soon as he opened the refrigerator, a shower of more dust fell on him.
Well, fell on his face. He had a mouthful of blue dust, and was pretty pissed. Bringing him to where he is now. "Luffy!" He yells angrily, spitting out the dust. But all anger dissipates as he sees Luffy trudge in, looking pale and… even more transparent? It had been dull before, but now there was no mistaking it. Luffy's skin… Luffy himself, it was as though he were disappearing.
And it terrified Law. It's so foreign, the thought of losing Luffy. It was impossible. Or is it? Now that he thought about it, he doesn't necessarily know what Luffy is, nor how long his life span lasts. Lungs filling with ice, he stares. "Luffy, wha-."
"I don't know." Luffy's eyes are hollow, his hands shaking. "I just, just playing the piano, and all of the sudden this… this dust begins to form where my hands are and I- Law, I'm fading!" The sheer desperation in his voice makes Law's chest ache. Law takes a step forward. He grabs Luffy's chin and forces him to look up.
"Luffy, calm down. I'll- I'll find out what's happening, I'll stop it, I swear." Law isn't sure how, but he means it.
Luffy takes deep breaths and quietly plops himself down on a nearby couch. "Yeah. Yeah, okay." He takes another breath, and then opens his closed eyes. His usual grin is back, as the thumping of Law's heart slows. Luffy then stands, and heads towards the piano. Law wipes off the remaining dust, watching it shimmer into oblivion, before making his way to the kitchen to fix up lunch.
And there it is again, the bittersweet raindrops of music, an array of colors before Law's eyes. Law immediately puts down the pan he's holding, and turns to stare at Luffy. He finds himself bewitched once again, by shimmering obsidian eyes.
And suddenly he's not there. Suddenly Law is another world. The same world as before. Where the sea's scent is strong and the sun warm against his back.
He turns, to get a full view of the world before him, only to see Luffy in front of him again. Only this time, Luffy's dressed in a bright red shirt, light blue shorts, and a worn straw hat. "Come on, Traffy!" He yells, waving ferociously. Traffy? Law realizes Luffy is waving at him. So Law follows him, he would follow Luffy anywhere, until a ship comes into view.
A rather funny looking ship, with a lion head, but nevertheless a ship. And on that ship, he can see figures, all bright and different. A man with three blades, and a woman holding an orange and a compass. Another man with a long nose chasing a… reindeer? A woman reading quietly and a blond haired man offering her a drink, infatuation in his eyes. A soft melody of a very very nostalgic song was being played a skeleton, and a large blue haired man tinkering with something.
Law's very confused, but he feels strangely comfortable, next to strangers he's never met. It puzzles Law to no end, but he continues after Luffy, boarding the ship. All at once, he's bombarded with questions, laughter, and conversations. The excitement and happiness is almost too much for Law, and he can't help but let out a small smile.
He doesn't know where he is, or how he got here. He doesn't know why he's here or who these figures are. But he does know that this is where he belongs.
In the midst of the happiness, Luffy swiftly sneaks up behind him, and with the echoes of his laughter, he reaches up and trades Law's spotted hat for his own. Law reaches up to touch the straw hat, but as he does, his vision blurs, and the figures slowly begin fading from his sight. No! He reaches out, his outstretched hand attempting to grasp the smiling faces. But they fade away, leaving Law alone once again.
Law can no longer hear music, and he vaguely realizes that Luffy had stopped playing, and his whirlwind of emotions slow to a stop as well. Something wet is on Law's cheek. He moves his hand to wipe it. Tears. They are as salty as the ocean water, and they only serve to remind Law the beautiful world he just left behind.
Luffy turns to face him, eyes widening. "La- Law," Luffy scrambles over to him. "What's wrong? Was it something I did? Please don-"
"I'm fine, it's fine. I'm okay." Law wipes the remaining tears. He turns away, preparing lunch again. Luffy gives him a forlorn glance, before turning around and switching on the tv.
Later that day, he cries again, a soft pain in his chest. He blames it on the onions in the kitchen.
Law rushes to work, through the chilly autumn wind.
He passes "Brook's Music Store," as usual. But as he glances towards the shop, a melody enters his head. A nostalgic melody, something long forgotten. Where had he heard it? He can't seem to grasp the name of the song, nor the lyrics.
He continues on, pass the store, to the hospital. But the tinkering melody stays with him.
Later that day, Law finds himself humming the same song. It simply wouldn't leave, as though it were tied to Law's soul. So he quits resisting, waiting for the song to become old, for it to be annoying. But it never happens, and each day, words would come to mind, as he slowly fit the pieces of the nostalgic song.
A few days later, Luffy overhears him and comes bouncing towards him. "How do you know that song?" He asks, curiosity reflecting in his eyes.
Law blinks, "What do you mean? Do you know the song?"
Luffy gives Law his special duh look, and then opens his mouth. "Making a delivery, bringing it across the sea, Bink's sake in the hold as we sail through the breeze." Luffy's eyes sparkle, and Law gaps open mouthed.
Was it simply a coincidence? Probably not. But it was the same song, and the same words he was slowly piecing together. Luffy pays Law no mind as he begins singing the rest of the song, and figuring chords on the piano. Law stands there, deep in thought.
He could slightly recall the funny looking ship from a while back, as well as the smiling figures. The gears begin to turn in Law's head. Law blinks and looks up to see Luffy fumbling with the keys. Luffy… Pirates?
And then it hit Law. Memories?