A/N: Thank you so much to Shun Akita for being my beta!
Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece.
I
Like everything he did, Mugiwara came as a raging storm. Inspiring the people he met, making friends left and right and unleashing chaos in the world. With just his fists, signature straw hat, and that toothy smile of his, he made miracles.
Law couldn't help but trust in that too. So here he was, casually leaning on an allied ship's railing, watching the party with booze in hand. He sipped his drink and sighed. That leap of fate served him well so far. With this crew's habit of creating trouble wherever they went, Law sincerely hoped that they would have a very beneficial partnership.
"What are your plans for Mugiwara?" vice admiral Smoker asked with his arms crossed and perpetual scowl in place.
Law raised his eyebrows. "We're having an alliance, is that too hard to understand?"
He scoffed. "Like I'll believe anything that comes out of your mouth, pirate scum."
"Stop asking then."
If it were up to Law, he would be hightailing out of Punk Hazard with Cesar as soon as he could. Doflamingo already sent his assassins and there was a strong possibility that he might follow them just to see them suffer. That man fiercely cared for his so-called family, Law knew that.
If only his new ally was not a party-loving glutton who had no sense of danger, it would be great. Unfortunately for Law, that wasn't the case. Despite his warnings, the idiot organized an impromptu banquet with the marines, no less. They were eating, drinking, and laughing to their heart's content.
"Are you and Smoky friends now, Torao?"
"Never!" Law snapped at the younger captain.
Law didn't even sensed his approach. From Smoker's surprised expression, neither did he. Mugiwara-ya truly had gotten stronger after those two years of training. They would need that if they were going to face Kaidou.
"Where did you even get that Idea?" Smoker asked, looking offended at the thought. "Wait, don't answer that."
"Shishishishi," Mugiwara-ya laughed with his hands behind his head. "You're too funny sometimes, Smoky."
"And you're still pirate scum, Mugiwara."
Law noticed the younger captain's slightly pale coloring and frowned. "Why are you running around? You have been poisoned, you need to rest."
Mugiwara might not be feeling anything right now due to his inhuman high tolerance, but Cesar's poisons took down larger and strong men. Law had seen a lot during his time with the mad scientist and he came to the conclusion that that man was very, very cruel, especially with his poisons. Maybe that was why Cesar and Doflamingo worked well together? They were both sick bastards, after all.
Mugiwara-ya looked healthy enough. Law had observed that he recovered fast from injuries, the battle in Marineford was a testament to that. But Law refused to take chances. They still have an Emperor to beat.
"Don't worry Torao, poison doesn't affect me."
"I'm not worried," Law adjusted his hat and subtly looked around. "I need you to fight with your full strength just in case. Where is your doctor, anyway?"
"Chopper is playing with the kids," he shrugged. "And I'm really fine."
"Avoid trouble and stay healthy until we fulfilled our plan," Law said, an irritated glare aimed in his new ally's direction. "Or we die, got it?"
"Okay, okay," he waved his hand carelessly, looking unconcerned. "I got it."
A vane popped on Law's forehead. It didn't seemed that Mugiwara was taking his warnings seriously. Was this alliance doomed from the start? A lot of lives were at steak here and they couldn't afford to be reckless.
"Oi," Law grabbed Mugiwara by the scruff of his vest and looked him dead in the eyes. "This is serious. Do you understand?"
Mugiwara-ya just let himself be lifted in the air and locked an unblinking stare at Law. He couldn't help but thought that the younger pirate's big brown eyes were too expressive yet saw too much. A hint of sadness quickly passed through Mugiwara's face but was instantly replaced with a carefree grin so bright, it nearly blinded Law.
"I gotcha, thanks for reminding me, Torao."
Law dropped him then, shading his face with his hat. What, the hell was that?
"Whatever."
II
Dressrosa was freed, the old king was restored to power and Doflamingo was beaten. All because of one pirate, Monkey D. Luffy.
Law couldn't believe he was still alive to see it. He bet his whole life on taking down Doflamingo and now that it happened, Law had mixed feelings. He was really happy and relieved, a bit sad also, and kind of lost.
The moon was full and bright that night, a legion of stars scattered around it. Gentle waves rocked the ship like a caring mother to her baby in its cradle. Law was enjoying his time on the deck, it was rare to have a moment of peace and quiet with the Straw Hats. Somehow, their biggest fans were the worst, at least not all of the Straw Hats were idiots.
Law let out a sigh and rubbed his tired eyes. His fatigue and lack of sleep must be getting to him if he was poetically describing things. He grabbed his Kikoku and was about to turn in when something whooshed passed his face. The wind nearly blew it away, but Law snatched it in time. It was a good thing too because he knew who it belonged to.
It was a worn yet beloved straw hat. It was a bright yellow but the edges were a bit crumpled, one part torn, and the ribbon was in a loose knot around it. Knowing how reckless its owner was, Law wasn't surprised. Looking at the hat, no one would have guessed that it belonged to a notorious pirate. It gave off an innocent and happy vibe, much like its owner.
"Hat, hat, hat, where are you?"
"Speak of the devil." He grumbled.
Mugiwara no Luffy looked worse for wear. His scrawny body was filled with cuts, bandages and Law could tell that he still hadn't fully recovered his haki yet. It didn't stop him from running around and screaming his lungs off, though.
He bounded on the deck, arms waving wildly, eyes panicked, and face screwed into an unhappy pout. He surely didn't look like a scary pirate then. Someone's kid brother, more like.
"What did I tell you about running around, Mugiwara-ya?"
"Torao," he rocketed himself in front of Law, big eyes filled with worry and lower lip wobbling dangerously. "Have you seen my hat? Can you help me find it?"
"It's here."
Mugiwara's shoulders relaxed and blew out a relieved sigh. He eagerly reached out to Law, and a thankful smile lit up his face. "Thanks."
"It's a bit torn though." Law said but hand over the hat.
"Huh," Mugiwara examined the hat with a frown. "Oh no, oh no! What am I going to do?"
"Want me to fix it?"
Law just blurted it out, he wasn't exactly sure why. Maybe he still felt guilty for dragging Mugiwara-ya and his crew into his mess? It surely wasn't because of the wide smile and sparkling eyes now focused on him.
"Really?" he gushed. "You're amazing, Torao!"
"Give me that." Law grabbed the hat as he muttered about reckless stupid pirates who trusted too easily.
He settled himself on a corner and brought out a small bag of tools. Law got out a needle and thread, a few strings, and started working. Mugiwara followed him, nearly vibrating with excitement.
"Be careful, okay? Hat is Shanks' treasure and he gave it to me so I have to protect it. It's really, really important so, please fix Hat."
"Alright, alright, I get it."
Law said, inspecting the hat. It had a few damaged parts and he was contemplating where to begin stitching. If only his ally would stop chattering so he could concentrate.
"Nami fixed Hat for me before but she's not here so I'm worried." He continued, playing with his fingers and knotting them in the process while staring at Law and said hat. "I took really, really good care of it but the stupid wind blew Hat away."
Law sighed and started to gingerly pat the hat's loos straws to flatten them. He arranged them in a neat fashion and straighten the edges. Then, Law got a red thread, inserted it in the needle and stitched.
"Here."
Law presented the Hat to a wide eyed Mugiwara who took and stared at it in wonder. He carefully traced the hat with his fingers, a nostalgic smile on his lips. Law packed his things to hide his discomfort. It was just a simple gesture but Mugiwara looked like Law had given him the world.
"You're amazing, Torao!" the younger pirate exclaimed, stars in his eyes. "Ne, ne, do you want to be my hat doctor?"
"What?" Law's eye twitched.
The proposal was so absurd, borderline demeaning and not to mention overly insulting. Law was one of the best doctors in the world, his epithet is, "The Surgeon of Death," for goodness's sake. Law leveled his most menacing glare at Straw Hat. If it could kill, the younger pirate would be twice dead by now.
Straw Hat didn't seem to notice or care about Law's darkening aura though. He plopped his hat on his head and even had the gall to give Law the biggest puppy dog eyes he had ever seen.
"Chopper is my ship's doctor but you can join too," he pleaded, clasping his hands together. "C'mon, what'y say?"
Stupid, stupid, stupid! Law finally snapped. He drew his Kikoku and promptly chased a surprised Mugiwara along the deck.
"Never in a million years!"
III
"Lemme go Torao!"
"No."
Law caught the straw-hatted captain before he could slingshot out of the Going Luffy-senpai. After that stupid kidnapping incident, he refused to let the other pirate out of his sight. They should conserve their strength while they could.
"Zoro, Robin, Franky, Usopp, help!"
"I'm sorry Luffy," Robin said apologetically. "Torao's right, you need to rest."
"Yeah, you already had an adventure on the last island so, just stay here." Usopp reasoned.
"He's right, Luffy bro, we promise to bring you something good." Franky said with another ridiculous pose.
"What?" he puffed out his cheeks in a pout. "I wanna go."
"I don't need you making trouble for us," Law yelled and shook him hard enough to rattle teeth. "Just stay still for once in your life."
Zoro flicked Mugiwara-ya's forehead with his finger. "Listen to the doctor Luffy. We've got a bigger fish to fry."
Captain and swordsman made eye contact. Then, Mugiwara's shoulders slumped in defeat. He stopped squirming and went boneless on Law.
"Fine."
"Y'know what this means, don't you?" Zoro asked Law, raising his eyebrows.
"What?"
Law felt a chill run down his back. The Straw Hats' grin was mischievous and no hints of mercy were shown.
"You get to entertain m'." Zoro-ya jabbed a thumb in their pouting captain's direction.
Law's eye twitched. "Excuse me?"
"See yeah around, Doctor bro." Robo-ya waved.
Nico-ya covered her giggle with a hand. "I know you're going to have a great time."
"Just remember, a bored Luffy is a dangerous Luffy, okay?"
Zoro smirked. "Good luck."
Law's glare was cold on their backs, but the Straw Hats ignored him. He transferred his stare to their captain who just crossed his arms. He was still leaning on Law, and he didn't look like he plan to get off anytime soon.
"Torao, I'm bored."
"Do I look like I care?" he snapped. "Get off me."
"Nuh-uh."
As if to make his point, the younger pirate turned and wrap his arms around Law thrice over. Luffy giggled at Law's horrified face.
"Damn you, Mugiwara-ya!"
"C'mon, let's do something."
"Fine, fine," Law shouted, vanes popping on his forehead. "Just get the hell off me!"
Mugiwara-ya's arms retracted as he laughed. Law, meanwhile, got his breathing and his blood pressure under control. Law was utterly tempted to draw Kikoku and just be done with everything. Had Mugiwara-ya not defeated Law's worst enemy, he might have done just that.
Law look around a spot on the deck and headed there. He took his hat as he settled on the floor and gestured for Mugiwara-ya to do the same. Law had no clue what they were going to do but this was a start at least.
"Are we gonna play or something?" he asked as he plopped down next to Law.
"Maybe," he replied. "But I want to ask you a question first."
"Hm, what about?"
"When we were in Dressrosa, you join in the colosseum tournament to get your brother's devil fruit, didn't you?"
"Yeah."
Law frowned. "What happened to it?"
He dreaded asking but felt compelled to. Law was there when Mugiwara cried for his dead brother and had almost lost himself in grief. Law treated his wounds but knew that he couldn't heal his mind or the younger pirate's broken heart.
So yes, he felt guilty that Mugiwara didn't get his brother's devil fruit. He just wanted to know what happened to it and then, based his actions on that. Law wasn't expecting the extraordinary grin that lit the younger captain's face.
He bounced excitedly. "Sabo got it."
"Sabo?"
"Yeah, my other big brother."
"Oh," Law raised an eyebrow. "How many brothers do you have?"
"There's three of us," he replied, voice soft and brown eyes staring in the distance. "Ace, Sabo, and me. We drank sake and swore to become brothers."
Law shook his head in wonder. "What a crazy family you have."
Mugiwara beamed. "I know, right? We were always running around, beating up thugs, and eating without paying. That was fun."
"I bet it was."
"We would run from Ji-chan too," he swayed as he talked, giggling and gesturing wildly. "Ace would always fall asleep and Sabo would complain that he's stupid while we drag m'. Shishishi."
"Oh yeah?" one side of Law's mouth turned upward. "Tell me more."
"Okay!"
During their short time together, Law found out that Mugiwara was not the type of person who dwelled on the past. He lived his life in the present and never held a grudge. Mugiwara's eyes were firmly set on the future, always moving forward with a smile on his face.
He was not an expert in therapy but Law knew from experience that sometimes, loneliness would still creep in so it was better to talk about things. He had never seen or heard Mugiwara and his crew mentioned what happened in Marineford or Ace. It was not hard to guess that there were a lot of buried feelings about the incident and Law truly didn't want to open that particular can of worms. It was their problem and it was none of his business.
Unlike Mugiwara's crew, he was there and witnessed what happened back then. Law had no qualms to broach that subject and from the looks of it, Mugiwara didn't mind. They had nothing to do, so why the hell not?
"This should be amusing."
Law leaned back and got comfortable, his Kikoku on his side. He listened as Mugiwara-ya launched an idiotic tale about three brothers raised by mountain bandits in a forest at the weakest sea.
When the Straw Hats came back, they expected the worst. Torao didn't seemed the patient and forgiving type. He might have snapped and chopped Luffy into pieces and just put him back when they got back. It's either that or Luffy got away, and Torao was chasing him all over the island. They had to admit, both options were not appealing.
The sight that greeted them was a surprise, pleasant though it was. Luffy was asleep. He was snoring carelessly, limbs stretched out in every which way. Now, that was normal but who was beside him wasn't. Trafalgar Law was also asleep, he was using Luffy's stomach as a pillow. The weird part was he had a small smile on his face.
"Uh guys," Usopp rubbed his eyes. "I'm not the only one seeing this, right?"
"Aw, they got along after all."
Robin giggled as she took a picture. Nami would love this. She could use it for blackmail material or leverage from the Revolutionary army. Sabo wouldn't pass up her offer, she was sure.
"Nice, Torao."
IV
"Really, again?"
"Shishishishi, sorry."
"At least sound like you mean it," Law snapped, as he change the younger captain's bandages and felt satisfied at Mugiwara's grimace when he pulled the cloth harder than necessary. "You always have to choose the riskiest attack, don't you? You're annoying."
The said pirate squirmed. "But I got m', so it's good right?"
"It's not!"
"What?" he asked, tilting his head in confusion. "You wanted to beat the Emperors and we've got two of m'."
"I'm only gonna say this once, so get this through that thick scull of yours, got it?" Law grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and looked him dead in the eye. "You can't ruin your body every time you fight. You may have the best doctors but we can't do much if your body won't cooperate. How can you be my rival to find the one piece if you're dead?"
"You're really nice, Torao."
"I told you, I'm not."
"Fine," he said with a pout. "I'll try to be careful next time, kay?"
"I don't care."
"Shishishishi, you're funny."
Law finished wrapping up the bandages of his pesky patient and violently jammed the beloved straw hat on its owner's head. "Get out of here Mugiwara-ya, before I chap you up and put salt on your scattered body parts."
V
Because of his carefree attitude and forgiving nature, most people thought Mugiwara no Luffy was stupid. Sure, he had his bouts of insanity but never stupidity. It was just that his intelligence was subtle and uncommon, and few people appreciated it.
Law only realized it when he worked closely with the younger captain. Mugiwara didn't care for long speeches or empty promises, he'd rather see actions and conviction.
Seeing him with his crew was jarring. Mugiwara was so different when Law last saw him, crying and raging against the world. A little brother, alone and drowning in loneliness, unable to cope with the loss of his big brother.
After he gave the hat to the Dark King and his crew finished their repairs, Law left Amazon Lily. He did all he could and only fate could tell if Mugiwara would survive.
Two years later and Law confirmed that he did. Mugiwara faced him, with his beloved straw hat and a smile in place. If he wasn't there in Marineford, Law didn't think he would see the sadness lurking behind those wide, innocent brown eyes.
Mugiwara no Luffy was too gullible, too kind and too naïve for a pirate. That idiot would rather help people than plunder them as a proper pirate should. Saving islands and making friends left and right was his trademark, after all.
But he witnessed what Mugiwara no Luffy could do and Law marveled at what they accomplished. They brought down Doflamingo and took down two of the four Emperors. He was grateful to the young captain and Law truly respected him. Law would never ever admit it though.
Unfortunately for him, just thinking of them could conjure them up. Like right then, Law was wandering around when he ran into the Straw Hats. It turned out that they landed on the same island to replenish their supplies. Before he could run for it and avoid the craziness he knows will ensue, Mugiwara latched on to him and drag Law around. His crew quickly made their excuses and left him their trouble magnet of a captain, the bastards.
Law glared at Mugiwara and contemplated cutting off the younger pirate's limbs and scattering them in the winds. Just then, he looked up, jotted out his lower lip, and gave him the biggest puppy dog eyes Law had ever seen.
"C'mon Torao it would be fun," he tugged on Law's arm. "We defeated Kaidou and Big Mom anyway."
"See the sights on your own," Law tried to untangle the knot that was Mugiwara's fingers with his own. He didn't know how did that happen but if anyone could do it, it would be him. "I refused to be dragged into your shenanigans."
"But we're friends, aren't we?" brown eyes blinked owlishly. "Besides, I missed Torao and I think you need to have fun, so you won't be sad anymore."
Law had nothing to say after that. No one would say something that blunt to a person's face except Mugiwara. So, he just let himself be manhandled to all of the colorful stores and wood stands that the younger captain saw.
Law looked at their swinging joined hands and let out a heavy sigh. He's stuck with Mugiwara for the day. Noticing the younger pirate's stare, Law made up his mind.
"Just this once, I'll play with you Mugiwara-ya."
The smile that he got rivaled even the sun at its brightness. The corners of Law's lips twitched with what someone might call a smile. It was softer than his usual smirks, at least.
They were wandering around the market when they came across a crying kid. He was dirty and skinny with dark messy hair and clothes that had seen better days. He was in the middle of the square, bawling his eyes out. No one paid attention to him, the people avoided the kid like the plague but Mugiwara of course did the opposite.
"Oi, what's wrong kid?"
"I'm l-lost." The kid answered, big blue eyes filled with tears.
"Where are your parents?" asked Law, crossing his arms.
They really didn't have time for this. Unfortunately for Law, his companion didn't think so. Cursed that pure heart of his.
"Don't have one, just my big brother."
"Let's look for him then." Said Mugiwara, holding out a hand.
The kid hesitated. "But he might look for me here."
"If he doesn't want your help, leave him." Law said, glaring at the kid.
"You don't understand," the kid wailed. "He's my big brother! He might get mad at me if I leave where he told me to be."
Mugiwara smiled that smile of his, wide true, and filled to the brim with confidence. "Okay, I'll just get m' for you, kay?"
"You failed to save your brother," he sniffled. "How can you save mine?"
Everything stilled at those words. Law didn't move and didn't breathe, his gaze moved toward Mugiwara who covered his eyes with the brim of his hat. But not before Law saw the smile peeled off from his face like cheap paint.
"But it's true, isn't it?" the kid continued and was now glaring at them, his tiny fists clenched on his sides. "I saw what happened in the war. If you can't save your brother, how can you find mine?"
Law wanted to cut the brat into little pieces and feed him to the sea kings. He was sure that none of the Straw Hats would bat an eye if he did. Even the peaceful members were protective of their captain, after all. Threatening him was a sin that deserved no mercy.
"What did you just say?" an older kid ran toward the brat and slapped him upside the head. "I can't believe you, you rood little thing! You don't say stuff like that to the people who are trying to help you!"
"Ow, ow, ow," he clutched at his head. "Why'd you have to hit me?"
"Cause you're stupid."
"You're the stupid one for getting lost!"
"I didn't get lost," the older kid snapped, shaking the bag of bread in his hand. "I got this for us. Do you really think I'll leave you alone?"
"N-No." the younger kid dried his eyes and gave his brother a small smile.
"I'm so sorry about my brother," the older bowed and dragged his sibling's forehead on the ground, shoulders hunched and backs straight. "He's a tactless idiot most of the time who doesn't know when to shut up. Please forgive him? Or if you can't, at least let me take his place."
Law just glared. Mugiwara might be kind but some things could not be forgiven. The brat irritated Law and he considered himself a very jaded person. Seeing Mugiwara's shoulder drop, his smile faltered and his eyes lose their sparkle made him feel something... Rage, injustice, and hurt, all rolled into one.
"Nah," Mugiwara said with a small smile and a nostalgic look in his eyes. "Just take care of your little brother and we're even."
The older kid nearly sobbed in relief while the younger just clutched his big brother's sleeve, looking confused. It was a touching moment. Well, until Law stepped forward, unsheathe his Kikoku, and cut the little shit into tiny pieces.
"W-What?"
"Big brother, help!"
"Why'd ya do that, Torao?" he asked as he stumbled along with Law dragging him away. Mugiwara's head swiveled at an unnatural angle to stare at the panicking kids they left behind. "That was mean."
Law just shrugged. "I got pissed, that's all."
"Why?"
"Because…," Law looked uncomfortable but continued. "I wanted to see the island and they were holding us up."
"Eh?" he looked shocked. "You should have said so Torao."
"Yeah," he shrugged. "Sorry?"
"It's okay," he smiled and swing their hands again looking like he had no care in the world. "Let's go!"
If the Straw Hats gave him knowing glances behind their captain's back when they passed them, no one mentioned it. Law didn't care, anyway. He had an excited rubber pirate clinging and talking his ear off with stars shining in his eyes to explore with. All in all, it was a good day.
I
Law watched as the snow trickled like fine powder on the ground. It erased everything it touched, as though nothing was there from the beginning. He opened his palm and stared as he caught a snowflake in his hand and shook his head while it melted away.
The gloomy winter weather always got to him. It reminded him too much of Flevance, it was annoying. Law was usually deep in the ocean by this time. However, certain circumstances made him forget.
Well, Law snorted inwardly, he remembered now. He stared at the pattern of white spots on his skin. They were once prominent but barely visible now. Even his tattoos couldn't cover everything up. It was ironic, the legacy of his hometown was also the reason for their downfall.
"Shitty World Government bastards."
"Torao," Mugiwara bounded from somewhere, trademark straw hat in place. His eyes lit up when he found Law. "There you are."
"What do you want Mugiwara-ya?"
"Whatcha doin'?"
"Minding my own business, unlike you."
Law ignored the twinge of guilt when the younger pirate's smile dimmed a bit. He was used to the rubber captain's shenanigans by now and sometimes even found them amusing. But everyone had their bad days and today was his.
"I'm not in the mood today Mugiwara-ya," he said, crossing his arms. "If you're not going to say something important, you can scram."
"Wanna explore the island?"
"I'm not in the mood."
"But it would be fun," Mugiwara wrap one of his arms around Law's and dragged him around. "C'mon!"
"No!" Law dragged his feet and glared at the younger pirate. "Why do you want me to go? You can take care of yourself just fine."
Sweat gathered on Mugiwara's forehead as he pursed his lips and looked away. "Um, nothing. I-I just want to explore the island."
Law's eyes narrowed. "What are you hiding, Mugiwara-ya?"
"I'm not hiding anything," he denied and avoided eye contact. "We just need to get out of here for a sec."
"Why?"
"I don't know, Nami didn't tell me!" Law smirked at Mugiwara's horrified gasp. He looked like a helpless deer caught in a hunter's trap.
"So, something's up and Nami-ya knows it, huh?"
"Yeah," he nodded enthusiastically. "But that's not important right now, Torao. We should just play in the snow."
"Play in the snow, really?" Law couldn't help but snort. "You're a notorious pirate in the New World, how childish can you get?"
"Who cares about stupid crap like that," Mugiwara crossed his arms with a pout. "I'm just doing what I want to do."
Law knew full well that the younger pirate couldn't follow a plan to save his life and he just did what he wanted. After everything went wrong, Mugiwara somehow made things right again, usually in a spectacular fashion. This guy was born under a lucky star, indeed.
Law was contemplating about the mystery of Mugiwara's existence when something hit him full on the face. It was a small yet compactly formed, solid and overly cold snowball. Law wasted no time in wiping off the powdered nuisance but it kept coming and coming, along with a childish laugh that he started to hate.
"What. The hell! Mugiwara-ya?" Law glare was glacier as he yelled.
"Shishishishi."
"Bastard!" Law used his Room and hid behind a large tree. It would serve as his fort. "You're going to regret this, Mugiwara-ya!"
"Bring it on, Torao!"
It was an intense snowball fight. Forts were built, sturdy trees were toppled and battle cries were heard all throughout the island.
The battle went on for a while. Mugiwara was a clever opponent, Law would admit that much. Whenever he would use his Room to his advantage, rubbery limbs would halt his movements or soon bombard him with snowballs. Law didn't grew up in a winter country for nothing though. He managed to trap Mugiwara in his measly fort and was able to keep him at bay multiple times. All in all, they were at a stalemate.
Law and Luffy were covered in snow from head to toe, their shaking forms and chattering teeth were testaments to that. The moon was already high in the sky when the two was forced to stop. They lay in the white ground, breathing hard and exhausted beyond belief.
"So, do you surrender?" Law asked, on his back and hat askew.
"Never." Mugiwara replied, shivering yet his arms were behind his head.
"Why the sudden snowball fight, anyway?"
Mugiwara opened his mouth, seeing Law's deadpan stare, closed it again. He scratched his head, and rummaged in his pocket. Law's brow raised, it sure took him a while. In a few seconds, Mugiwara cheered and smiled that blinding smile of his.
Law would never ever admit it even under torture, but he adored that smile. It was an honest expression of pure happiness, holy innocent, and sweet. It put the sun to shame at its brightness. Straw Hat wore that expression so freely as if he had never been betrayed or hurt.
It was a too-wide grin that showed his white teeth and took up most of his face. It caused those big round eyes to crinkle at the corners and from experience, peals of unbridled laughter would soon follow. When Law was the recipient of that smile, he felt warm inside.
"The Bare guy."
"Bepo."
"Yeah, said that today's your birthday."
"So?" Law shrugged. "I don't celebrate it."
"Don't be silly Torao, you should take any excuse for a party," he said. "All pirates know that."
"Fine, I get your point." Law agreed. "But what's with the distraction?"
"The bare guy said that you like coins," he said and opened his palm to reveal a single coin. "I found the shiniest one for you, Torao. Don't tell Nami, kay?"
Law's eyes widen in surprise and gingerly took it from the rubber pirate's hand. He didn't think that anything from Flevance would survive but here he was, holding the proof in his fingers. He looked and looked but couldn't find anything from his hometown until now.
"Where did you get this, Mugiwara-ya?"
"I'm just walkin' around when I found it on the street. It's a shiny coin so I gave it to you."
"I see."
Law knew that besides unfathomable strength and charisma, Mugiwara no Luffy had an incredible amount of luck, as well. To think that he would just find something that Law was looking for years accidentally was galling.
"Thanks."
He smiled. "Sure thing."
The younger pirate waved at him and turned around, presumably to find his cook for some meat. But before he could slingshot himself, Law caught him by his sleeve, halting his movements. Luffy blinked at him, looking confused.
"Have you heard about the White City, Mugiwara-ya?"
"No."
Law's smile was small yet genuine. "It was where I grew up. Do you want to hear a story?"
Luffy's blinding smile was answer enough. "Of course!"