A trip feels shorter with company :)

Chapter 10 ~ Company

They arrived to see a small dinghy, it would probably be quite packed with the three of them. Mostly due to how huge the blond was.

As soon as Luffy arrived on the beach, a huge white sea king rose up, towering over all three of them. It looked eager, rushing at the bandaged raven with its tail splashing behind it.

Law and Rocinante froze on the spot, muscles tensing in preparation to flee. But then the raven stood relaxed, not sensing the danger. 'Maybe because he can't see?!' The thought rose to both their minds unbidden, even after observing his actions, which did not indicate any blindness.

The blond's mind raced, thinking of ways to help the teen without endangering Law or dying himself. But then it was interrupted by his voice.

"Weiss, we'll have two tagalongs," Luffy said, petting the eager creature. Both said guests gaped, jaws on the floor.

The raven turned towards them, "well what are you waiting for?" He asked. "I guess it is unusual to see such a big sea king around these seas," Luffy muttered to himself thoughtfully, not soft enough to be missed by the two.

They both gulped, approaching slowly and carefully, not taking their eyes off the sea king.

"I'm heading straight to East blue, is that okay?" Luffy questioned without turning.

The East blue is the weakest blue with the least possible threat from Doflamingo and the marines. It was currently the safest choice for them, definitely a good coincidence for both runaways.

"U-um," Rosinante nodded, "that's okay, it'll be safer for the both of us too."

"Good, then there would be no delay," Luffy said and hopped onto the sea king's head, "I hope there's enough room?"

"Yeah," Law mumbled, still staring at the sea king.

"Let's go Weiss," Luffy ordered, patting its head gently. The sea king accelerated to an incredibly high speed, jerking the ship violently.

The sea king swam extremely fast towards the reverse mountain while his two guests rested. Luffy knew that both of them didn't sleep, probably not trusting him.

Around midnight, the boy fell unconscious. His complexion turned pale, body heating up and began panting heavily.

Luffy jumped down onto the boat, surprising the blond who was holding Law in his arms. Unconsciously tightening his hold protectively.

"How is he?" Luffy asked, softly.

"Not good, his fever is spiking," the man sighed, relaxing a little.

"I don't have food, only fruits," Luffy said, "is that okay?"

"Should be fine for a while," Cora-san said.

Luffy could sense his worry, it seems the faster they get to Foosha the better. At least there is a doctor Luffy knew there that would help.

The man wrapped his huge fur coat around the boy, and held him in his arms.

Luffy tore a part of his cloak, soaking it in the cold sea water and placed it on the boy's head.

"I'm sorry, but how old are you?" The man asked, uncertain if the question may be offensive, "of course you don't have to answer-"

"19, almost 20." His physical body's age, at least.

"-if you don't want to," he said, "oh, owh! I assumed you were younger." He assumed the teen was around 17.

Luffy held back a snort, cause he's a lot of things but young is not one of them. "Why are you two on a run? Rocinante-san," the raven asked, softly.

"Ah, Cora-san is fine," the man said, "I- we, my brother is after Law for his devil fruit."

Luffy nodded, glanced at the boy, "he's a devil fruit user, so are you."

"Ah yes," the man replied sheepishly, rubbing his neck, "I can create a silence bubble."

Luffy smiled a little, "ah, the Nagi-nagi no mi, convenient for raising a baby," he muttered to himself. Remembering the amount of times he glared at animals or people for waking Ace up with their noise, after he spent hours putting his baby to sleep.

Of course, the blond heard it since the dinghy was small. Surprised that the teen knew his fruit's name, but more surprised by the baby statement.

"A baby?" Cora-san asked.

Luffy gave a short nod, and offered him an apple, "we'll probably arrive on the mountain by the morning, get some rest."

The blond nodded but he didn't sleep the whole night either, watching the shivering boy in his arms. Luffy thought the man had a really nice aura and presence, he seemed kind. And really protective of the kid.

By morning, the blond had eventually fallen asleep too. In turn, the kid woke up to find himself wrapped by the huge blond.

"Morning, how are you feeling?" Luffy asked softly, the boy flinched slightly in surprise.

"Morning Luffy-ya, how's your hand?" He asked. Still a little flushed from fever.

"I'm okay," The older raven replied, "here, eat some," he offered, throwing him a bunch of grapes.

"Thanks."

"You can eat other fruits you want, just not the strawberries please," Luffy said.

"Why not the strawberries?" He asked out of curiosity.

"It's for a birthday cake."

Law looked dumbfounded but didn't ask anymore. As soon as the mountain came into view, the blond woke up.

"Doesn't that lead to the Grandline?" the blond asked, sounding a little worried.

"Yes, but we can cut through the calm belt-"

"WHAT?" The man shouted, "that's crazy."

Luffy only offered a small smile, "you'll be fine, do hold on tightly for the mountain trip though."

The blond man winced and held on to the boy tightly as he set himself safely and tightly on the ship.

The sea king carrying them swam up the mountain along the reverse tide, pulling them along.

Law seemed excited, struggling to get out of the blond's grip. Running up to Luffy's side on the front of the dinghy, gripping on his cloak for balance.

"Law! Get back here!" Roci called out, trying to grab at the boy .

"Don't worry, I'll make sure he doesn't fall," Luffy replied, placing a steady hand at the boy's shoulder.

"Yeah, stay there Cora-san, you're too careless, you'll definitely fall," the boy deadpanned with slight exasperation.

After several yellings, they landed back on the ocean safely. The blond felt like his heart would jump out at every rough bump, but was satisfied when he saw the excited look on Law's face.

After that, they headed straight towards the calm belt, not lingering in the Grandline for too long. Rocinante still wasn't so sure about this, but then the teen seemed so calm.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" He asked again for the nth time.

Luffy sighed a little, "relax, we'll be fine."

As soon as their dinghy entered the calm belt, the ocean stirred. Sea kings of different sizes and shapes surfaced, all of them unique and the only thing they shared was their extremely huge size.

It elicited a whimper from the blond man, while the boy just stared, frozen.

Though, they noticed how the creatures were creating a single pathway for them even as they surrounded the small ship.

'Umi-sama,' 'Goshujin-sama,' 'Master,' the creatures greeted.

Luffy responded with nods and small smiles. Though the other two only heard growls and low hummings.

To their surprise, they crossed the calm belt without so much as a hitch. But they were brought out of their shocked state by Law's coughing.

"Law!" Cora-san called worriedly.

"Hmm, we need to hurry to a doctor," Luffy said.

"A doctor can't cure this…" Law muttered, frowning, "It's pointless."

"Yes, Amber Lead is an incurable genetic disease, but a doctor can ease the pain," the raven continued, again displaying his great knowledge.

"You knew," Law gasped, and Rocinante only seemed surprised. "A-aren't you scared I might… infect you," he stuttered weakly, glaring defensively at the older raven.

He was expecting fear and disgust, for him to be completely rejected by the teen. Just like everyone had done these past months.

Luffy actually chuckled lightly this time, "yes, your weakening body and white patches were an obvious clue. Unlike popular beliefs, Amber Lead is not a contagious disease. It's really disappointing how human's fear works." He said the last sentence softly to himself.

"I'm sorry Luffy but you aren't human, are you?" The blond asked, carefully. He had suspected it for a while now, but the way he formed that sentence was the biggest hint.

"Your blood was different as well," the boy added.

"Hmm, I'm known by many names," Luffy started slowly, wondering if he should reveal what he is.

"The ocean itself, a siren, a sea deity, or a god," he said slowly, as their eyes widened through the explanation.

"That's why you could bring him back to life," Law mumbled.

"No, you're mistaken," he corrected, "Roci- Cora-san wasn't dead yet. No one can bring a person back to life, not even gods."

"Owh, so you're really a god...ahaha…" The blond chuckled a little weirdly.

Luffy chuckled a little, "I don't know, I'd prefer if you treat me like any other person."

"That's- really hard to do now," Law said.

Luffy didn't give a reaction, "where we're going, no one knows. I'd prefer if it stayed that way," he said, or borderline ordered.

"Don't worry, we'll keep our mouths shut," the blond said, nodding.

Law, on the other hand, had been staring non stop at the raven. His mind whirled with so many questions that it had started hurting.

Hi here's another chapter, I hope it was okayyy! 3

Also, thank you for all the support guys! The comment and kudos really motivates mee :')

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