Chapter 14
Law was changing his clothes before he headed outside. The Polar Tang had surfaced so they could get some much-needed sunshine and fresh air. Lyanna had gotten up some time ago, leaving him alone in bed when he awoke. He'd been roused slightly by her weight, leaving the bed beside him, but he wasn't awake enough to tell her to stay. By the time she'd dressed and closed the door behind her, he was out cold again. Their efforts last night had tired him, evidently.
They would make port in a few days at a large island, and Law realised that the bargain between him and Lyanna had been fulfilled as of today. She'd stayed for 2 months and was physically healthy. Her mental health had improved, but it wasn't perfect. Maybe someone with her physical and emotional scars could never fully recover. Chances were, before they met, she was a high-functioning woman with depression. From what Lyanna had told him, and his crew, she led an almost entirely solitary lifestyle. Her time was spent moving from island to island on the Grand Line, finding, selling and collecting information. Her interactions with people were for her work and didn't satisfy any primal social needs. He could see and feel that she was a lonely person. Still, she was reserved, had difficulty opening up to anyone, and thus, rarely made connections. Making friends required emotional vulnerability, and it was highly likely that she never put herself out there at risk of getting hurt. Being onboard the Polar Tang and in such close quarters with everyone had forced her to create bonds with his crew, especially since they had helped to save her life. Perhaps being so vulnerable before she had even been conscious around them had made her feel more at ease with them. Their proximity was likely the factor for him becoming so close with her as well, even though it was more physical. He did feel at ease with her, though, like she didn't require much social energy to be around. Maybe her unassuming nature and usual solitude made her that way.
With Whitebeard gone and his crew scattered to the winds, her only friends were gone. He doubted she would ever be genuinely okay unless she could find a trace of them. They couldn't all be dead; it wasn't impossible, but it seemed far too implausible to consider it. Law expected they had gone into hiding and maybe gone their separate ways to keep under the radar. If Lyanna had hope about them being alive, she would be alright. However, she might throw herself into the sea as she had said when they'd first met if no hope existed.
Law buttoned his pants as he smirked at his bed's messy state. The smell of Lyanna still lingered in the room, with hints of sweat and sex underneath it. Although they had surfaced, he didn't really want to open the window and let the fresh air in. He chewed on his bottom lip as he inhaled and fondly recalled the previous night.
Lyanna's fingers tangled in his hair, pulling on it with pleasurable force while she breathed his name wantonly. Her legs shook, moving against his head while he clamped an arm over her hips to keep her from shifting too much.
Forgetting the window, he left his room and headed above deck. His crew greeted him, and Ikkaku beckoned him over to share the meal they were all eating. Hakugan was on his right, and Ikkaku on his left as he sat. It was a simple meal, mostly made up of whatever they had left since they were low on supplies. There was some rice, soup, and freshly baked bread. It was nice to sit around and chat with everyone, even though Law was primarily quiet for the few hours they spent above deck. Ikkaku, Lyanna, and Shachi chatted idly, and Jean Bart stared out at the surrounding water. Penguin was reading a book while Uni, Hakugan and Clione played a card game. Bepo dozed, snoring softly, lying on his back. Law was beside him, leaning against the large mink's side with his eyes closed, but he wasn't asleep. Occasionally, he felt eyes on him but didn't stir, unfazed by whoever was looking at him.
The sun was beginning to set as everyone started to make their way back below deck, and Bepo walked behind Law as they headed to the lounge. He vaguely noticed Lyanna walking into the kitchen, along with Uni and Penguin, as they carried their dishes and cutlery to clean it all up. The second she could walk, Lyanna had started assisting and ensuring that she earned her keep while on board with them. She was the kind of crewmate that Law would be happy to keep around, even though he knew she wouldn't stay. She had said as much when they'd talked about it before and doubted that her answer had changed since then.
Although he wouldn't admit that it disappointed him, at least not out loud, he just hoped she would be okay once she left. They hadn't discussed it, but the issue had been lingering. He wasn't sure if she was planning to go on her way now that their bargain had been fulfilled. Knowing that he would have to bring it up with her eventually, not just for his sake, but for the crew. They'd taken a shine to her and would be sad to see her go. Law would be too.
As he sat down on the couch with Bepo, listening to the background noise of the crew chatting and laughing, he told himself he would ask her when she was leaving…
Meanwhile, Lyanna was talking to Uni and Penguin in the kitchen. Lyanna was washing the dishes, while Uni was drying them, and Penguin was putting them away. She'd adjusted to their habits and ways of sharing the space on the sub quite quickly, having been aboard so many different ships throughout her life. There was always a different atmosphere, a different culture and a different feeling to every vessel. Each one had figured out procedures and ways to survive together in close quarters with their crewmates and to ensure they didn't all go nuts or drive each other nuts.
Her nomadic lifestyle exposed her to the dynamics of pirate, civilian and Navy ships alike. From a distance, they weren't very different in how they operated. Their clothing, destinations and goals differed, but not how they interacted with each other onboard. Lyanna had made a point of being an excellent person to have around while she journeyed with whatever ship she found herself on. It was imperative for her to build connections in as many places as possible with all manner of sailors. Her work required her to be in the good graces of as many people as she could. With more people she knew, came information from a more expansive stretch of ocean, which could be sold to others. The equation was simple; the more she learned, the more she got paid.
It was the same with the Heart Pirates aboard the Polar Tang. She had not yet been on a sub meeting them, and it had been interesting to not be able to go above deck whenever she felt the need. Her usual freedom to go wherever she wanted anytime was significantly inhibited, being stuck underwater for hours and days at a time. It had forced her to interact with the crew, but she had found it a great experience. They were all friendly and kind to her, seeming to make an effort to let her feel welcome and comfortable on board, and she'd wondered whether it was because they knew of her grief when they found her. They had to; Law probably told them of her Jolly Roger tattoo. She'd been disarmed by how they'd treated her, not expecting such overt kindness from them.
It was unfortunate that the world and her experiences in her life had probably made her so jaded and cynical. To be surprised that people treated her with genuine compassion made her feel like the world was a truly hopeless place. However, at the core of her being, she knew this wasn't true. If it was, civilians wouldn't have helped her when she passed out, and the Heart Pirates would have left her to die too. No one would have cared. But she was still here, alive and well, due to the kindness of strangers. The world was still fucked up in many ways, but there was enough good that the bad hadn't won.
"Lyanna?" Penguin's voice drew her from her thoughts.
"Hmm?"
"You okay?" He asked, a mix of confusion and concern on his face. Uni stared at her blankly, but she assumed his expression was the same under his mask.
"Uhh..." She thought for a moment and realised that she was okay. "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. Thanks." She smiled and patted Penguin and Uni on the shoulder appreciatively.
Finishing her task quietly, Penguin and Uni said nothing else. They worked together in companionable silence, and Lyanna couldn't stop the slight smile on her face. She felt like a weight was off her shoulders for the first time she could remember. It had been there so long she didn't even realise it was there until it was gone.
Once they were done, Penguin and Uni headed to wash up, and Lyanna did the same. Ikakku had been kind enough to wash their clothes since she didn't trust the boys to properly look after their 'delicates' or not take creepy advantage of the situation. They usually waited until they surfaced and dried it outside if the weather permitted. Ikkaku washed Lyanna's stuff with her own, and they'd hung it out to dry while they were above deck for the day. When Penguin and Uni had finished in the bathroom, it was Ikkaku and Lyanna's turn.
Usually, Ikkaku bathed independently, and she had mentioned several times that she enjoyed having someone to do these things with. Although she wasn't bothered about being the only girl aboard the Polar Tang, she was happy about the change and the company.
"So, I presume you aren't going to stay forever. You've said that you aren't joining the crew, no matter what I say. How much longer are you staying?" Ikakku asked as they bathed.
"I can't do my job and be part of a crew. I need to move around too much, and our destinations would differ." Lyanna replied with a shrug, even though Ikkaku wasn't looking at her.
"Yeah, I get it." Ikkaku waved her hand in the air as her other applied soap to her skin.
"I made a bargain with your Captain. I would stay on board for two months." She answered her friend's question.
"It's been about two months now...So are you going to leave?" Ikkaku replied after thinking for a moment, likely figuring out how long it had been.
"I have to go soon. I have no idea what's going on out there. I need to get back on the horse, so to speak." Lyanna let her head loll backwards, staring at the ceiling as she spoke.
"Do you think you can find some of Whitebeard's?" Her friend's voice became serious and low.
"Not a clue. But I need to try." She confessed with a sad sigh. "I should probably go as soon as I can. I just want to know who I need to grieve for."
It was the most open she'd been with anyone about her grief, but she supposed they deserved it after everything they'd done for her. Ikkaku had become her friend.
"I understand," Ikkaku said softly. "I want you to promise to keep in touch, though." Her voice became firm but with a hint of mirth.
"Of course. I'll buy myself a Den-Den Mushi, and I'll call you." Lyanna reassured her with a smile.
"You better!"
They both laughed loudly and chatted softly until they had finished washing up. Once they'd changed into clean clothes, they collected their things and returned to the dorm. Some of the guys had turned in already, and Ikkaku decided to do the same. Lyanna wasn't ready to sleep yet, always being a night owl. She had planned to hang out in the lounge for a while and find a book to read.
No one was in the lounge at this hour, and Lyanna sat on the chair next to the small bookshelf. She picked a book off the shelf, nothing that would really hold her interest, but it was mostly to keep her mind occupied until she was tired enough to get some sleep. After flicking through the pages and only partly taking it in for some time, someone's footsteps sounded through the hall and stopped in the doorway.
Lyanna looked up and said Law, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the doorframe. He wore his usual spotted blue jeans and had a grey singlet on, allowing his lean arms to be displayed. He wasn't wearing his hat, and his dark, scruffy hair was damp, as if he'd just showered.
"Hi." She said simply, unsure what the look on his face meant. It was carefully blank, but she didn't look into too much.
"Come on." He said. It was quiet but sounded more like an invitation than a command or request.
Without bothering to speak, she held his gaze momentarily, wondering if he would give any more away. He didn't, so she closed the book and returned it to its place on the shelf. She got up and moved to stand in front of him. He didn't shift, even when she practically stepped on his toes. Looking up at him expectantly, she was puzzled about why he wasn't moving. He peered down at her, not answering her silent question.
Finally, he shifted his weight, stood upright, and turned just enough to let her past him. Guessing that he was just messing with her and forcing her to be as close to him as possible, she went along with the game and stepped by him. They walked down the hallway towards his room; Law trailed close behind her but stayed silent.
When they arrived at his room, he reached a long, muscled arm past her and pushed the door handle downwards. It swung open, and he let his arm move with it so she could go inside. His scent flowed out from the room, which always smelled partly like the cleaning supplies from the operating room. The majority was a woody, dry scent, like sandalwood.
Still, he stayed quiet even as she shuffled inside, and he followed her and then closed the door behind him. She was beginning to become unnerved by his silence, although he wasn't usually a big talker anyway. It was a rather pointed silence, and she wasn't sure what the point was.
"What's up?" She asked lightly, trying to see if she could prod something out of him.
"It's been two months." He answered. She was a little shocked that he had said something.
"Ahh. I was just wondering how long it had been earlier today." Lyanna kept her tone casual.
"I know you're not staying. But I wanted to know if you planned to part ways when we make port next." Law crossed his arms again, leaning his back against the wall. He looked her over carefully as if her body language would answer his question.
Lyanna dropped her nonchalance, knowing he could see right through her. She was a good liar, but he was clever, and he'd apparently been around her in close quarters for enough time to learn her tells. Her shoulders fell, as did her relaxed expression.
"Honestly, I hadn't thought that far ahead. Didn't think I'd get this far when we made that bargain." She admitted with a lazy half-shrug as if she wasn't discussing an issue as serious as throwing herself overboard. "Ikkaku asked about my plan, so I've only begun considering it today."
"And?" He asked her expectantly.
"I do have to get back to work soon. I want to find some of the guys. Marco, in particular. I know he'll be struggling to cope, and I owe him my life." She finished and then took a controlled breath in and out. It was as if today she was just destined to talk. To let it out, to confess and admit everything in her heart.
"And you're not going to throw yourself overboard?" He asked with a light huff, letting her know he was happy with her honesty and attempting to lighten the mood.
"No. I still wanted to for a while there, but I broke through it." She looked at him in the eye. "You did that. Your crew. They're a good bunch." She tried to smile, but it faltered a little.
"They are." Law smiled for her instead, his pride in his crew showing.
"Thank you. I know I've said it a few times, but I'm grateful." She smiled back, properly this time.
"You're welcome." His expression became smug, and she huffed and rolled her eyes at him. "Let's get some sleep." He turned off the light, headed to the bed, and hopped under the covers.
She felt a little strange since they usually did other things rather than sleeping in his bed. Today had been a little more emotionally heavy than she'd expected, so getting a good night's sleep was a more tempting idea than anything else right now. Maybe Law felt the same or at least knew what was best.
Following his lead, she slipped off her long pants and jumper, leaving her in underwear and a small singlet. He'd seen much more of her, so she didn't feel any worry about being scantily clad around him. She hopped under the covers on the other side of the bed and shifted onto her side, facing towards Law. He was lying on his back, his eyes already closed. She smiled faintly and closed her eyes until she felt a hand reaching out to her under the covers. Law's hand eventually found her own, and he squeezed it before it returned to his side of the bed.
"Night," Lyanna whispered softly and smiled at the small grunt she got in return before closing her eyes again.
She was asleep within minutes...
