Earlier that morning...
Law thought his mind had already settled and wouldn't attend the party. But now he's having second thoughts again. Damn. He's not like this before, he's always sure when he decides on something but now he doesn't know anymore. He hasn't seen the ball of sunshine for a week now and it feels like every day that passes by is driving him insane.
"Toraooooo! You came!"
His face softened when he saw the girl that's been running on his mind for the rest of the week standing in front of him, looking so gorgeous in her sparkling red dress. The place is dark and the dancing lights are almost making him dizzy but he can clearly see the girl's bright smile.
He couldn't explain the feelings that he'd felt now that he'd seen her standing right in front of him again.
This just feels so right.
Kaya stood up and introduced Law to everyone.
"Everyone, this is Mr. Trafalgar Law, he's Luffy's boyfriend." Kaya teasingly said, chuckling.
Law face palmed by the misleading introduction. Now he's regretting that he didn't clear the misunderstanding Ussop caused a week ago. He was about to say something when a blonde man sitting beside an orange haired girl asked.
"Huh? Boyfriend? Since when?" He's like a strict father who just found out his daughter is getting married.
"Tch. Stop overreacting, Otochan." A green haired man who has a very stern, serious look, with a whiskey on his hand said then smirked.
"What did you say, Marimo?!" The blonde yelled at the green guy with an angry stare.
"Yohohoho. This is something we should celebrate." a bony, tall man who's probably around the same age as Law said. He's trying to calm down the two by interrupting them.
"Ehhhh???? He's Torao?"
They all looked at the shocked Chopper who was pointing directly at Law.
When Law finally saw the familiar cute boy's face sitting beside the orange haired girl he was also surprised.
"What is it Chopper? You know him?" the orange haired girl asked.
Chopper left his seat and walked towards him. When Chopper confirmed that he's really the head surgeon working at his parents hospital he bowed his head and greeted Law formally.
"It's nice meeting you here, Law-sensei."
"There's no need for formalities, Tony-ya." Law replied to Chopper.
Tony Tony Chopper is Doctor Hiriluk and Doctor Kureha's only son. They had him at an old age that's why Chopper is a very spoiled child, but despite the pampered life Chopper received, he still grew as a very kind and respectful person. Law is his role model that's why he respected Law so much above anyone else other than his parents.
Law then turned to everyone.
"I apologize for my late arrival. Some things happened... along the way." Law said, half meant.
The truth is he really struggled deciding if he should attend the party or not and had only settled his mind an hour ago.
He cleared his throat and continued speaking.
"And i just want to clarify that i am not Luffy-ya's boyfriend. I am just merely, her friend."
Everyone eyed him suspiciously like they don't believe what he just said. .
"Oh." Kaya chuckled.
Kaya made him sit at the vacant seat beside Luffy. Later on, Luffy's friends introduce themselves at Law even if he can sense that they really don't like him around.
The only casual guy with him is Roronoa Zoro, whom he had met once when he attended one of his dojo classes a year ago, Brook, the bony man, Chopper and Kaya.
Seeing two people he personally acquainted being friends with Luffy, he's not going to be surprised if his guess about Nico Robin being friends with her as well is right.
When it's twelve at midnight the crowd gets wild and everyone is now dancing on the dance floor. Some people are also drunk.
Sanji and his girlfriend Nami danced wildly on the dance floor as well as Usopp and Kaya.
The only one left on their table is Zoro who's now drunk and sleeping at the corner. Chopper already left an hour ago, he's not allowed to party and drink yet because he's still a minor. Brook is flirting with some girls at the counter and Luffy... who's unusually quiet and hasn't talked with him much since he arrived. She's just eating whatever is served on the table and sipping on her glass of wine little by little. Law felt that she's being distant with him and it's bothering him. He's not used to the girl's behavior. But he's the one to blame, he just suddenly went gone for a week without a word.
It was when her glass of wine was already empty that she finally glanced at him.
"Torao." Luffy finally called him.
He focused his gaze on the girl's face who's now wearing a light makeup. He can't help but feel in awe. It suits her but he thought she was more beautiful without it.
"Yes, Chibi-ya?" he answered softly.
She lowered her head. Refusing to make eye contact with the surgeon.
"Are you mad at me?" She asked. Her voice is little more than a whisper.
Law was taken aback by her question. Luffy's voice is so sad that he felt a slight pain in his heart.
"What made you think of that?"
"It's just... you didn't visit the pond again. And i thought.. hicc.. I thought you had left and wouldn't come back anymore...hicc." Her head hung low. She's not looking at him that's why he couldn't tell if she's crying or just drunk.
But she couldn't possibly get drunk by just a glass of red wine! He's been watching her the whole time and he's a hundred percent sure she didn't pour another shot of wine on her glass. Unless she's been drinking earlier before he arrived.
Hearing no response. Luffy stood up but her body went limp and slumped back into her chair again. Law immediately held her to avoid her from falling off her seat.
"Don't tell me you're really drunk? Chibi-ya." Law asked.
Still Luffy refused to look at him and didn't answer. She attempted to stand up with his rocking and swaying body. Law stood up to support her.
"Where are you going?" Law asked.
"Washroom." Luffy's short reply.
"Alright. I'll go with you."
Luffy didn't respond and just let him hold her to steady her walk.
When they reached the women's washroom Luffy entered and Law was left outside waiting for her to come out.
It was so noisy outside and the atmosphere was still wild. There are various couples dancing. The party was indeed well organized. Law thinks about what Luffy just said earlier.
"It's just... you didn't visit the pond again. And i thought.. hicc.. I thought you had left and wouldn't come back anymore...hicc."
He felt so guilty. He didn't know that Luffy would have such a reaction. He thought she wouldn't mind if a stranger like him who just suddenly entered her life would leave just like that.
He's still in his thoughts when Luffy comes out of the washroom.
He supported her walking again but she doesn't seem to be walking back to their friends table.
"Torao. I want to go to the balcony. It's noisy here." She whispered.
"Alright." Law supported her walking towards the balcony and when they reached there, Luffy's head was still hung low, any longer and she'd bore a hole on the ground.
"...I'm sorry, Luffy-ya." he apologized softly.
This was when Luffy finally talked again.
"Since i didn't hear anything from you i was so worried, very worried, why did you stop coming to the pond you jerk! Do you have any idea how worried i was? I was wondering if something had happened to you! or if not then maybe you've left because you hate me!" Luffy couldn't contain herself and burst into crying.
Law lifted up her face and on her small face there were two trails of tears streamed down from that pair of tiny eyes.
She's huffing and biting her bottomlip to suppress his sobs but failed.
Something gripped his heart and he found himself wanting to burst into tears himself at the sight before him.
He pulled her into an embrace.
"Don't cry, i was wrong." Law said gently.
Law held Luffy tightly tucking her head under his chin, as Luffy took shuddering breaths and sobbed against him.
"You're so mean!" Luffy begins to whine.
He stared at her face with an indecipherable expression, slowly reached out and stroked her cheek.
Law knew that his resolve was slipping away and he was losing his focus. That he's already giving in and he doesn't want to back out anymore. He was already defeated by his feelings completely. One move and he might really cross the line.
Luffy was caught up in his intense gaze and stopped breathing. The man, whose lips were half open, as if to say something, bent towards Luffy.
Luffy closed her eyes. Just as Law's face was inch closer, at that precise moment, Luffy's weight has shifted closer to him, dozing off on his shoulder. Law's face remained expressionless, he's trying to process what just happened... What would've happened and what was he trying to do.
He looks at the sleeping little ignorant in his shoulder. He smelled her and she smelled of sake.
"Tss. Drunkard." He hissed resting a hand on the other raven's slim hip.