(Disclaimer: One Piece belongs to Eiichiro Oda, obviously.)

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Play With Me

The first time I met you, I was a shy little boy. I had never had a friend before; had never felt the need to have one… Then one day, you came along. I remember the exact moment I was sitting on the ground with my plushie Bepo next to me, when suddenly a shadow loomed over me. I gasped and looked up, and there you were; grinning down at me. My eyes widened and I could do nothing but stare at you in confusion.

"Play with me!" were the first words you ever uttered to me.

Feeling threatened by the fact that I was sitting dumbly on the ground when a strange and somewhat scary looking boy was demanding something from me; I rose softly, all the while clutching Bepo tightly.

"W-what?" I whispered, shocked by your forward attitude.

Your huge grin faded a bit, and a frown marred your childish features.

"Do you have a problem with your ears? I asked you to play with me!"

"I-I heard you! I just didn't-…" I bit my lip, unsure of what to do or say. It was the first time anyone ever bothered speaking to me; 'the weird silent boy'.

"Well, come on then!" Your huge smile was back, and then you suddenly grabbed my free hand and started dragging me towards the park.

I think that was when I fell in love with you. I didn't realize at that moment, of course; but looking back, I know that the sudden warm feeling I had in my chest that made me feel like I was going to burst into million little pieces couldn't be anything but the purest form of love.

Eighteen years have passed since, eighteen years full of amazing memories and laughter and kisses and just immeasurable happiness. The soft smile never leaves my face as I reminiscence. Then I sigh softly, suddenly impatient. Even though we're living together, I miss you every moment you're away…

When you suddenly approach me from the back as I am sitting in our living room, hugging me and nuzzling my neck and whispering against my skin; "I'm back, Law…", I can finally breathe again. The warm feeling that spreads over my chest is the very same feeling I had that first day, and the same one I have every time I open my eyes and see your face each morning.

Along with the wonderful warmness, one question pops in my mind;

"Just how did I get so lucky?.."