Law blinked a few times, wondering where the hell he had found himself now. The only thing he could see right now was the cloudy sky above, and the only sound was the wind.
So far so good.
Law took a deep breath—only to hiss in pain. Nope, no good. He knew that pain; a broken rib, maybe even several. What a situation to wake up to; was he in the middle of a fight in this world before he got thrown here?
[[Look around to gauge the danger]]
or
[[Sit up]]
Turning his head to the side, the first thing he noticed were the sunflowers that surrounded him as far as he could see, their shadows shielding his face. A sunflower field… that sounded a bit too familiar. Cranking his head further back, he noticed an old palace overlooking the whole place from the hill above them, and his heart sank. He recognised the scenery… and there was only one reason he would be there.
He quickly looked up at the sky again; this time, he knew what to look for and he squinted, studying the clouds carefully until he found what he was searching for, the sight filling him with dread. The Birdcage was in place, towering over the island and trapping all of Dressrosa, as well as Law himself, in Doflamingo’s death-trap.
Again.
“Corazon!”
Law’s heartbeat sped up at the call of that name. Was Vergo here? Was he the one he was fighting? If so, it wouldn’t be so bad.
Or… could it still be Cora-san in this world?
Carefully, Law sat up, ignoring the burning, *stabbing* pain in his chest at the movement. He needed to check, needed to see where the truth of this situation lied.
[[“Corazon!”]]Closing his eyes to brace himself, Law sat up carefully, ignoring the burning, *stabbing* pain in his chest at the movement.
The first thing he noticed when he opened his eyes again was the sea of sunflowers, bright and beautiful, that surrounded him as far as he could see, with an old palace overlooking it all. Law’s heart sank. He recognised the scenery… and there was only one reason he would be there.
He quickly looked up at the sky again; this time, he knew what to look for and he squinted, studying the clouds carefully until he found what he was searching for, the sight filling him with dread. The Birdcage was in place, towering over the island and trapping all of Dressrosa, as well as Law himself, in Doflamingo’s death-trap.
Again.
“Corazon!”
Law’s heartbeat sped up at the call of that name. Was Vergo here? Was he the one he was fighting? If so, it wouldn’t be so bad.
Or… could it still be Cora-san in this world?
[[“Corazon!”]]“Corazon!”
He looked around again, scanning the sunflower field for anyone else. First, he noticed Kyros in his human form, sword drawn and pure anger mixed with pain on his face. Law followed the direction of his gaze—not surprised when his eyes found Diamante.
The man was looking straight at Law, however, with a mix of worry and cocky annoyance on his face. A look Law didn’t understand the reason for, being aimed at him.
“Cozaron!” Diamante shouted again. “Oi, *Law!* You alive?”
Law froze.
Was the name, the title… aimed at *him*?
No. No, no, no. That couldn’t be. What sort of sick joke was this?
“Can you still fight, Corazon?” Diamante asked.
“Don’t *ever* call me that again,” Law hissed, voice full of venom before he finally turned away from Diamante to look for the one who broke his ribs. He prayed his hunch was wrong.
*Please, anything but that.*
[[“Get up! I know we’re not done here!”]]“We don’t have to fight, Straw Hat-ya,” Law tried as he rested Kikoku’s blade on the ground, hoping to look open to talk.
Luffy’s glare only got worse at his words. “You think I’m going to listen to you?! Are you an idiot?!”
“Just hear me out for two minutes, you stubborn brat,” Law growled in frustration—but he knew Luffy had a point.
Why was he even bothering to try and talk to him? Luffy would really have to be a complete moron to hear him out. Which, Luffy was an idiot but he wasn’t stupid. Not when people, or fights, were concerned.
[[Fight Luffy]]But he didn’t have any choice did he?
He knew Luffy. There would be no point trying to talk to him at this point unless he restrained him completely—and even then, there was no guarantee he would listen.
What would Law say anyway?
*“Hey, Straw Hat-ya, the Law you knew until now is gone, I’m someone else and I hate Doflamingo and I love you, so let’s do this together. Also I’m gonna be gone again in a few minutes and the evil one will (probably) be back then but that’s fine with you, right?”*
Sure, that would work just *great*.
[[Fight Luffy]]
Law clicked his tongue, more annoyed at himself and the situation itself than anything, raising his left hand in preparation to use his power. “Room!” he called—but nothing happened.
With a frown, Law tried again. “*Room!*” he snapped, putting in more effort, but just as before, nothing at all happened. Not even the smallest swirl of air, not a flicker, nothing. At first, he assumed he was out of stamina to the point of not being able to do anything but that wasn’t it.
His power simply wasn’t working. Or—
“What do you think you’re doing?” Luffy growled. “Are you making fun of me?!” He shot forward, his fist flying behind him… then it caught on fire and flew straight at Law at an impossible speed.
Well, Law supposed that proved his worst case scenario. He didn’t *have* his power.
He had no powers at all.
“*Fuck,*” he cursed, grabbing Kikoku with both hands as he readied to block Luffy’s Red Hawk the old-fashioned way. “Straw Hat-ya, wait!!” Law tried once he successfully deflected Luffy’s attack.
[[Smile]]
or
[[Phantom]]
or
[[Dance]]
or
[[Fire]]
“I’m not going to wait for the guy who killed Bellamy!!” Luffy screamed back, and Law felt like his blood froze at his tone, his haki vibrating violently in the air.
Bellamy… Wasn’t that Straw Hat’s friend who used to work for Doflamingo? Did Law… *kill* him?
[[Suddenly, he felt sick to the stomach.]]“I’m not going to wait for the guy who killed Rebecca!!” Luffy screamed back, and Law felt like his blood froze at his tone, his haki vibrating violently in the air.
Rebecca… Wasn’t that the name of the pink-haired girl Luffy had befriended in the Corrida Colosseum, the young princess of Dressrosa? Did Law… *kill* her?
[[Suddenly, he felt sick to the stomach.]]“I’m not going to wait for the guy who killed Viola!!” Luffy screamed back, and Law felt like his blood froze at his tone, his haki vibrating violently in the air.
Viola… Wasn’t that the name of the Family Officer who helped Straw Hat and the others get into the palace, the Princess of Dressrosa? Did Law… *kill* her?
[[Suddenly, he felt sick to the stomach.]]“I’m not going to wait for the guy who killed Kin’emon!!” Luffy screamed back, and Law felt like his blood froze at his tone, his haki vibrating violently in the air.
Kin’emon… Did he really just say that Law—did Law… *kill* Kin?
[[Suddenly, he felt sick to the stomach.]]Suddenly, he felt sick to the stomach.
What the fuck was this?
It was no wonder Luffy seemed to hate him so much. Hell, Law hated *himself*.
This was what Cora-san had saved him from; just darkness and pain and suffering and *death*.
What a fucking joke.
“You’re right,” Law said quietly, making Luffy pause. “There’s no point.”
“I’m not listening to you!” Luffy yelled as he bared his teeth at Law.
Law huffed out a small, humourless laugh. “I know.”
[[Say nothing else]]
or
[[Say more]]“Corazon! What are you doing?!” Diamante shouted from his own fight with Kyros.
“I said, *stop calling me that!!*” Law snapped back, anger boiling underneath his skin.
But then he sighed and shook his head, focusing back at Luffy—the man who shone brightly even in this situation, giving Law hope that he would save Dressrosa again. Would make this world right, even without Law by his side.
But even so… it hurt.
This wasn’t how he wanted it. It wasn’t how it should be.
But really, how else *should* it be? There was no other way out of this.
*If nothing else, I’m glad it’s you.*
Law met Luffy’s eyes, hoping to convey everything he was feeling. Even though Law himself had no idea *what* those feelings even were. Everything and nothing at the same time.
“Good bye, Straw Hat-ya. I’ll see you again.”
This was it. The end of ‘Trafalgar Law’ in this world.
He would have wanted to at least take a shot at Doflamingo but there was no way Luffy would let him—and no guarantee he would be able to stay in his right mind until he reached the man. So, there was really only one way for things to go right now.
But Luffy wouldn’t like it if he just let him kill him, would he? He would just hate him even more for losing on purpose.
Taking a deep breath—and suddenly reminded of his broken ribs—he gripped Kikoku tighter. The least he could do for Luffy was to put up a fight.
[[Finish this]]Shooting Luffy a crooked smile, Law relaxed; he left his fighting stance and let go of Kikoku, letting the blade fall to the ground. “I remember when you got this angry for *me.*”
At that, Luffy stopped. He frowned, staring at Law in shock, obviously at a loss for what to do or say. Completely confused by what Law was saying. Law couldn’t blame him. He was a completely different person than whoever this world’s ‘Trafalgar Law’ was—only thanks to Cora-san… and Straw Hat himself.
“Corazon! What are you doing?!” Diamante shouted from his own fight with Kyros.
“I said, *stop calling me that!!*” Law snapped back, anger boiling underneath his skin.
But then he sighed and shook his head, focusing back at Luffy—the man who shone brightly even in this situation, giving Law hope that he would save Dressrosa again. Would make this world right, even without Law by his side.
But even so… it hurt.
“This is not how I wanted it. It’s not how it should be.”
But really, how else *should* it be? There was no other way out of this.
“If nothing else, I’m glad it’s you.” Law met Luffy’s eyes as he finished, hoping to convey everything he was feeling. Even though Law himself had no idea *what* those feelings even were. Everything and nothing at the same time. “Good bye, Straw Hat-ya. I’ll see you again.”
This was it. The end of ‘Trafalgar Law’ in this world.
He would have wanted to at least take a shot at Doflamingo but there was no way Luffy would let him—and no guarantee he would be able to stay in his right mind until he reached the man. So there was really only one way for things to go right now.
But Luffy wouldn’t like it if he just let him kill him, would he? He would just hate him even more for losing on purpose.
Taking a deep breath—and suddenly reminded of his broken ribs—he leaned down to pick Kikoku up again. The least he could do for Luffy was to put up a fight.
[[Finish this]]As Luffy’s fists, coated with haki and rage, rained down on him—too fast and too powerful to stop—Law couldn’t help but smile. Luffy truly was beautiful when he was fighting.
Soon, Law would be able to see Straw Hat again.
Soon, in a better world…
He would tell him how he felt.
Law gratefully accepted the painful blows to his jaw and solar plexus a few moments later, the world around him going black.
[[Into the Darkness yet again]] Pain that was much worse than the one in his ribs stabbed through Law’s heart. He would recognise the voice anywhere, and he also recognised the pure *hatred* the words carried. He didn’t want to look at him but still, his eyes inadvertently found the young man in a Straw Hat, his fists clenched, eyes fixed at him and full of anger—a look he reserved only for his worst enemies, the ones who had hurt someone he cared about.
Law hated it. He hated it was aimed at him, to have been the one to cause the rage he was feeling. What the fuck did he do in this world to make Luffy hate him this much?
How the fuck did he find himself in a world that was *this* wrong?
“I said, get up!” Luffy spat out as he readied his stance, preparing for round two. Or three or four, considering the scrapes, torn clothes, and small sword cuts all over his body.
And all over Law’s.
Law closed his eyes momentarily, preparing himself for whatever that was to come in the next few minutes. Although he would never be ready, he knew. Not for this.
But he didn’t have much of a choice, did he?
Law gulped heavily, opening his eyes again, turning his gaze to the ground. The sunflowers around him were trampled, broken, and destroyed from where he was presumably sent flying; briefly, Law marvelled at the allegory—the sunflowers were dead, and the only sun in Law’s life had turned away from him, making him the same as them—but he quickly chased the thought away.
Instead, he searched his surroundings until he found his nodachi, taking it into his grasp; the hilt felt familiar as his fingers wrapped around it, its presence grounding him. At least Kikoku had stayed with him in this world, the only thing he knew here. It actually felt unusually warm against his skin, making Law wonder whether the cursed blade could tell what had happened to its owner and whether it was trying to assure him.
It sounded ridiculous but he supposed it wasn’t a bad thought.
With one final sigh, Law slowly stood up, his eyes locking on his opponent, on *Luffy* again. He was already pumping his arm, raising the speed of his blood flow, and steam began to surround him as he entered gear second.
Law didn’t want to do this. He didn’t want to hurt anyone he cared about again. He didn’t want to fight the one person he came to truly *love*.
[[Try to reason with him]]
or
[[Fight back]]Law falls forward, hitting the ground hard. He looks around, trying to get his bearings. He’s at the shores of Wano, but in worse condition than the last time he was here. Like there’s been a battle recently. *Very* recently. The dust hasn’t settled yet.
“Torao!”
Luffy runs towards him, dressed in the same clothes as Law left him in before the madness started. The scars from Luffy’s battle with Kaido still look fresh.
Law takes a deep breath. It’s Luffy. The *real* Luffy.
“Straw Hat-ya,” Law says, sitting up on the ground. He feels tired and disoriented, but he’s finally back. Finally in his own world. Somehow, he made it back.
Luffy walks up to him, and kneels down by Law. His face is a mix of relief and worry.
“We were starting to think you weren’t coming back,” he says.
Law nods. “So was I.”
He looks up at Luffy. Luffy, alive and well and *himself*. Not some strange version of him Law didn’t know.
*His* Luffy.
[[Ask what happened]]
or
[[Kiss him]]Luffy blinks. “We beat that guy,” he says. “It was all weird, with his time-space thing, but we did it. We thought you would come back when he was dead, but you didn’t.”
“How long was I gone?” Law asks.
“An hour, maybe,” Luffy says, and gets on his feet. “Come on, let’s get some food.”
He offers Law his hand to help him up. Law stares at it for a moment.
<img
src="https://images.squidge.org/images/2024/04/30/IMG_4197.png"
width=718&height=538
alt="A colored digital drawing of Law and Luffy on a beach, under the full moon. Law is on the ground and Luffy is smiling and offering him his hand to help him up."/>
[[Take it and get up]]
or
[[Take it and pull him down]]Luffy freezes up in Law’s arms, but Law doesn’t let go. A moment later he’s rewarded by Luffy putting his arms around Law’s neck. Luffy pushes against him, eagerly opening his mouth like Law’s tongue is a delicacy he wants to taste.
Law deepens the kiss, pulling Luffy closer still. He needs this. He needs to feel Luffy against him, alive and real and *right*. He doesn’t want those strange versions of Luffy he met in the rift. He wants *this one*.
And it seems Luffy wants him too.
[[Keep kissing him]]
or
[[Pull back]]Luffy pulls Law up on his feet, but doesn’t release him. Law looks down at their hands. Luffy’s grip is strong, firm, like he doesn’t want to let go. Maybe he fears Law will disappear again.
Maybe Law fears the same. He lightly squeezes Luffy’s hand, and Luffy smiles towards him. A bright smile, like the sun. Law thinks back at all those other worlds, and knows that he wouldn’t trade this for anything.
[[“I love you.”]]
or
[[Say nothing.]]
Luffy is taken by surprise, and falls down on top of Law. His elbow hits Law in the stomach, right on top of a bruise. Law winces, but doesn’t complain.
Instead, he puts his arms around Luffy, and holds him tight.
*His* Luffy.
“Torao?” Luffy asks uncertainly. “Are you crying?”
“No.” It’s not a lie, but not entirely true either. Law buries his face into Luffy’s shoulder.
He’s real. Law made it back home. And Luffy *is* home.
“It’s alright, Torao,” Luffy says. “I’m here. It’s okay.”
He feels Luffy move his hat a bit, to kiss the side of Law’s head. He is gentler than Law expected. Law should be mad at being treated like he is fragile, but he can’t muster up the energy. Not after the shit he just went through.
Luffy doesn’t ask what happened. He is always like that, isn’t he? Always ready to help the people he cares about, never needing to know the reason.
“Stay with me,” Law says against Luffy’s shoulder. He doesn’t mean just for now, and he thinks Luffy understands that. He feels Luffy nod.
“I promise,” Luffy says. “Forever.”
Law relaxes, and let’s Luffy anchor him to the world. The only world that matters.
[[END]]"I love you." Law says.
Luffy looks at him, eyes wide for a second before smiling again.
“Are you feeling alright, Torao?”
Law nods. “I’m alright. I love you.”
It’s easier the second time.
“I know. I didn’t think you wanted to talk about it,” Luffy says, and Law supposes he shouldn’t be surprised. Luffy could be very perceptive when he wanted to be. “I love you too.”
It doesn’t surprise him either. Consciously or not, Law has known it for a while.
He pulls Luffy closer, and Luffy stretches up to meet him as Law bends down. Their lips touch. It’s an awkward kiss, but Law smiles against Luffy’s lips.
They have time to get it right.
<img
src = "https://images.squidge.org/images/2024/04/30/IMG_4199.png"
width=718&height=538
alt = "A colored digital drawing of Law and Luffy kissing under the moonlight. Luffy is giggling, his smile so big he can't even purse his lips to keep kissing Law."/>
[[END]]They walk side by side towards the city. The sun is setting, colouring everything in a pink hue.
Luffy still holds his hand as they move down the streets, in front of everyone. The people passing by give them strange looks, but Law finds he doesn’t care anymore.
He wonders if he should say something, if he should put the feeling in his chest into words, and share it with Luffy. He decides against it. He doesn’t think words would do it justice.
Besides, he thinks as Luffy catches his eye and gives him a warm grin, Luffy already knows. He is far more perceptive than people give him credit for.
They will need to discuss things sooner or later, but it doesn’t have to be *now*. For now, they can walk side by side, as equals. As allies.
As partners.
[[END]]Congratulations! You helped Law come home and seduce his Luffy!
We hope you enjoyed your interdimensional travels and encourage you to start over if you would like to change your choices and discover new universes.
A big thank you to you, reader, for playing!
And a big thank you to all of our contributors, this story could never have existed without all of your work. Thank you also to Ceylon for your help organizing this, I couldn't have done it without you.
If you would like to read/see more LawLu/LuLaw stories/pictures from our contributors and many more, dear reader, we invite you to visit the Truffy Fest social media page, or Discord server.
From Katia Anyway, Organizer of the Truffy Twine Project
[[Credits]]Everything else can wait. For the moment, he is kissing Luffy, and Luffy is kissing him back, clumsily but eagerly.
Law wants to stay in this moment forever.
Eventually, Luffy is the one to pull back, and Law reluctantly lets him. As much as he wants to keep kissing him, he knows better than to try and make Luffy do something he doesn’t want to.
Luffy looks up at him with a grin.
<img
src = "https://images.squidge.org/images/2024/04/30/IMG_4199.png"
width=718&height=538
alt = "A colored digital drawing of Law and Luffy kissing under the moonlight. Luffy is giggling, his smile so big he can't even purse his lips to keep kissing Law."/>
“Does this mean you’re mine now?” he asks, and Law can’t help but laugh.
“I suppose it does, Luffy-ya.”
“Good,” Luffy nods, then stretches his neck to kiss Law again. Law pulls him closer.
They can deal with the world later.
[[END]]Luffy tries to follow him as he pulls back, pouting a bit once he realises Law has stopped kissing him.
“Straw Hat-ya,” Law says, still out of breath.
[["I love you."]]
or
[["This is a terrible idea."]]"I love you."
Luffy’s eyes widen, then he grins and jumps up into Law’s lap. Law can feel Luffy’s legs coiling around his waist as Luffy leans close to him, squeezing their noses together.
“I *knew* it!” Luffy exclaims happily. “The others said there was no way, but I was so sure. And I was right!”
Law snorts. “Not the answer I was looking for, Straw Hat-ya.”
“Oh! I love you, too,” Luffy laughs. “But you knew that, right?”
“I had a suspicion,” Law confirms. Luffy just grins, and kisses him again.
Law smiles into the kiss. This feels right.
This feels real.
<img
src = "https://images.squidge.org/images/2024/04/30/IMG_4199.png"
width=718&height=538
alt = "A colored digital drawing of Law and Luffy kissing under the moonlight. Luffy is giggling, his smile so big he can't even purse his lips to keep kissing Law."/>
[[END]]"This is a terrible idea."
Luffy laughs. “You always say that about everything I do. It will be fine.”
Law sighs. “We’re both captains. *Rival* captains. If-”
“Torao,” Luffy interrupts him. “We’re friends. That’s all that matters.”
“Friends, are we?” Law says, raising his eyebrows.
“Yes. But we don’t have to be *just* friends,” Luffy grins. “It’ll be fine.”
There it is again, that endless optimism that is so uniquely *Luffy*. Maybe that’s what he needed; Luffy to look at his fears and declare they don’t matter.
“Kiss me again, Torao,” Luffy demands, and Law has no reason to refuse. Luffy is usually right in the end, after all.
Things will be okay.
<img
src = "https://images.squidge.org/images/2024/04/30/IMG_4199.png"
width=718&height=538
alt = "A colored digital drawing of Law and Luffy kissing under the moonlight. Luffy is giggling, his smile so big he can't even purse his lips to keep kissing Law."/>
[[END]]Hello everyone! Welcome to "I traveled through 10 universes to confess to the crush I didn't realize I had?": A Truffy Twine!
The Truffy Fest Discord server is proud to offer you this interactive story we created for Law's birthday.
In order to navigate through the story, please click on the blue texts, it will lead you from one part of the story to the next. If you would like to go back, click on the back arrow at the top left of the text. As this is an interactive story, you will sometimes have to choose what Law will do. To do so, choose the blue text option you prefer and click on it.
[[Enjoy!]] “Torao! Oi, Torao!”
Law startled at the call of that stupid nickname and looked around himself, disoriented for a moment. He was in a room… but he did not recognise it at all. How did he get here?
“Where—?” he asked no one in particular before getting interrupted.
“Torao~! Did you seriously fall asleep?” Straw Hat’s voice whined.
Law turned in that direction, gazing up at Straw Hat blankly. As expected, the man was pouting at him for some reason, obviously unhappy with whatever Law had done before… whatever it was that was happening right now. Seriously, where *was* he?
Straw Hat huffed at Law’s lack of response, slapping one of his hands on the desk Law was—apparently—sitting at before *hauling himself up to jump on it*, perching on the pristine, lacquered wood, as well as the papers that were lying on it, without on ounce of care. Not that Law would ever expect anything else from him.
Law barely had the time to click his tongue in annoyance before Straw Hat thrust something into his face impatiently.
“How can you sleep when something this exciting happens?! Look who our target is!!”
<img
src="https://images.squidge.org/images/2024/04/30/image2334f71d19979c5a.png"
width=480&height=600
alt= "A sketch of Luffy, wearing a Marines coat and cap, kneeling on a desk and smiling excitedly as he shows Law, who is sat in a big armchair and is wearing a Marines coat, a sheet of paper."/>
Blinking a few times, Law stared at the paper that was hanging uncomfortably close to his face before realising he couldn’t see shit. He moved back a little, just to get some more distance, until the text came into focus.
[[Red]]
or
[[Pink]]
or
[[Black]]
or
[[Blue]]A wanted poster. An *irritating and all too familiar* wanted poster.
“Why the hell are you picking a fight with *Eustass-ya* of all people? Did he send you a ‘har har you suck’ message or what?” Law asked, raising an eyebrow.
[[Look at Luffy's reaction]]A wanted poster. An *uncomfortably familiar* wanted poster.
“Jewelry Bonney? Why the hell are you picking a fight with *her* of all people, did she eat all your meat or…?” Law asked, raising an eyebrow.
[[Look at Luffy's reaction]] A wanted poster. A really damn *familiar* wanted poster.
“Jinbe? You’re picking a fight with *Jinbe*? Your own crewmember? Did you fall off the bed and hit your head in the morning?” Law asked, completely incredulous.
[[Look at Luffy's reaction]] A wanted poster. An *annoyingly familiar* wanted poster.
“Why the hell are you picking a fight with the fucking *clown* of all people?” Law asked, raising an eyebrow.
[[Look at Luffy's reaction]] He wasn’t sure what he was expecting as a response… but it sure wasn’t the deep frown and look of pure, unbridled, *honest* confusion that Straw Hat gave him.
“Torao, are you sure you’re okay?” he asked slowly, reaching out to press his hand against Law’s forehead, presumably to measure his temperature.
Law jumped at the contact, surprised by how warm and gentle Straw Hat’s touch was—and even more surprised by the way his heart skipped a beat, heat rising to his face. Quickly, Law slapped the offending hand away, not allowing himself any time to study the feelings swirling in his chest.
“Why the hell wouldn’t I be?” Law asked instead. “Also get *off* the fucking table already.”
“Because you’re acting weird!” Straw Hat accused. “I mean, isn’t it our job to pick fights with pirates?” he asked before he finally jumped down to stand on the ground next to Law.
Now, it was Law’s turn to frown in confusion. Sure, they’d been picking fights with pirates *and* the navy left and right for months but it wasn’t exactly their *job* so what was Straw Hat going on about? “What are you—”
[[Look down]]
or
[[Look ahead]]
Suddenly, Law stopped speaking as something caught his eye on his desk and he froze. There was a long, triangular piece of metal—a name plate, one that got tossed to the side and toppled over when Straw Hat had assaulted the desk, and which was now just sitting there, looking up at Law innocently from next to a fresh cup of coffee.
*TRAFALGAR LAW
VICE-ADMIRAL, MARINE HQ*
It said that. It really fucking *said* that.
Unbelievable. What sort of ridiculous dream was this?
Law was almost scared to look at Straw Hat again. But when the man started poking his shoulder, trying to get Law to look at him, Law knew there was no ignoring the reality.
Taking a deep breath, Law braced himself before turning his gaze up to *really* look at Straw Hat for the first time. He took in the usual red shirt, left open and showing off his well-trained, *scarless* chest… as well as the white coat thrown around his shoulders. A coat that Law knew all too well—one that all pirates knew all too well. It was something to avoid at all cost, something that no self-respecting pirate would ever touch unless going undercover.
And Straw Hat…
[[Straw Hat simply looked so wrong carrying the word JUSTICE on his back.]]Suddenly, Law stopped speaking as something caught his eye, and he *really* looked at Straw Hat for the first time. He took in the usual red shirt, left open and showing off his well-trained, *scarless* chest… as well as the white coat thrown around his shoulders. A coat that Law knew all too well—one that all pirates knew all too well. It was something to avoid at all cost, something that no self-respecting pirate would ever touch unless going undercover.
Fearing the worst, Law’s eyes dropped to his desk. He noticed a long, triangular piece of metal—a name plate, one that got tossed to the side and toppled over when Straw Hat had assaulted the desk, and which was now just sitting there, looking up at Law innocently from next to a fresh cup of coffee.
*TRAFALGAR LAW
VICE-ADMIRAL, MARINE HQ*
It said that. It really fucking said that.
Unbelievable. What sort of ridiculous dream was this?
Law looked up at Straw Hat again then. The coat…
[[Straw Hat simply looked so wrong carrying the word JUSTICE on his back.]] To be fair, Straw Hat did bring justice to people—but it was his own brand of it, one that carried freedom and light. Not… *World Government* justice.
Not the type of justice that would encourage the genocide of an entire nation or order a buster call on a group of peaceful archeologists simply because they were *uncomfortable*. Because they knew too much. Because they *wanted to*.
And right now, right here…
Law knew he was carrying that sort of justice on his own back, too.
How sickening. He really didn’t want to think about that.
“Torao, seriously. What’s wrong? Was it the lunch? Or did I kick you off the bed at night again so you got no sleep? I *told you* to wake me up if I did that again!” Straw Hat fired off with genuine care and worry in his voice, a tone Law didn’t think he had ever heard him use before.
“I’m perfectly fine, Straw Hat-ya,” Law sighed—before his eyes widened as his mind processed what Straw Hat had just said. Did he… just imply they shared a fucking bed?!
[[Ask about it]]
or
[[Act like it’s normal]]Law took a deep breath, almost terrified of what answer he was going to get, but he needed to make sure he didn’t just hallucinate those words. Because what reason would there be for the two of them—
They couldn’t be—
He opened his mouth to ask but then
[[he froze at the look Straw Hat was giving him.]]
Law decided he didn’t want to know. For the sake of his own sanity if nothing else.
He opened his mouth to ask more about their supposed ‘target’—although he really hoped he didn’t stay around in this… hallucination or dream or *alternate universe*, or whatever this was, long enough to see where that went—but
[[he froze at the look Straw Hat was giving him.]]
It was a look so complicated, so puzzled and unreadable, that Law was almost sure that Straw Hat, the Straw Hat he *knew*, wouldn’t be capable of putting it on his face.
It felt like an hour before Straw Hat finally spoke again. “Did you just call me ‘Straw Hat-ya’? Why? Are you… really Torao?”
Law blinked.
What did he just say?
Immediately, Law’s eyes flickered to Straw Hat’s neck, looking for the worn out string and the signature, tattered old straw hat it was attached to—finding nothing. He looked up slowly… and suddenly, he understood why Straw Hat reacted that way.
The hat he was wearing… it wasn’t *his hat*. Rather, it was a marine cap, one so rugged and yellowed, discoloured by the sun and wear, that it looked nearly as old as the *real* hat of his. Law wondered if he had it since his trainee days, or if he got it from his grandfather or someone else.
Not that it really mattered right now.
“Sorry. I guess I had a weird dream…” Law muttered, looking away.
It was clear that Straw Hat wasn’t convinced and was about to press him but as if on cue, a knock on the door tore both of their attention away, saving Law from the inevitable, uncomfortable interrogation.
Even so, Law was tempted to tell whoever it was to go away—after all, the last thing he needed right now was to see Akainu’s ugly face and pretend to be *civil* with him—but before he could so much as open his mouth, Straw Hat decided for him.
“Come in!” he called in his usual bubbly voice, as if the last few minutes never happened.
Law felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest and he could suddenly breathe. “Isn’t this *my* office?” he asked easily, raising an eyebrow.
“Hush, Torao. You’d never see anyone, ever, if I left it up to you,” Straw Hat countered while sticking his tongue at him.
“Point taken.” Law was almost surprised by the laugh that escaped him… but he welcomed it nonetheless.
“How am I not surprised you’re here, Luffy?” a new voice said with amusement, reminding Law that they weren’t alone anymore… as well as knocking all the air out of his lungs.
[[That voice—it couldn’t be—!]]Heart beating a mile per second, Law’s head whipped around and in the direction of the door. He couldn’t believe it. He could see him but it wasn’t possible; it *couldn’t* be possible! How was he supposed to deal with this? How was he supposed to take coming face to face with the one person he had *prayed* so many times to see and talk to again? How was he supposed to accept that the person he *knew* he would never meet again… was now walking towards him like everything was fine?
“Cora-san…?” Law barely breathed out.
“Baa!”
Law blinked at the response… before he noticed the goat that looked suspiciously like the one who belonged to Sengoku, and who had strutted into the room right after Cora-san.
“Law! I came to tell you about your new assignment from your grandpa but I see Luffy was faster,” Cora-san noted with a teasing grin, waving the stack of papers in his hand carelessly.
Somehow, Law wasn’t surprised when the papers started slipping from Cora-san’s hands, the man quickly fumbling to keep them together. *Still just as clumsy as ever*, Law thought to himself, a fond, happy smile finding its way to his lips. Law didn’t fight it.
“Whoa! Careful!” Straw Hat cried.
Law wasn’t sure why at first but that confusion only lasted a second. After that, he could only watch with wide eyes as the papers in Cora-san’s hands caught on fire from the cigarette that had fallen out of his mouth.
Cora-san yelped in surprise, the papers flying out of his hands… and landing perfectly on top of Law’s desk.
Setting it on fire as well.
“Fuck—” Law cursed, his heart jumping out of his chest as the world around him tilted; spinning, the edges turning dark.
Was he… about to pass out? Or *wake up*?
[[Let it happen]]
or
[[Stay awake]]…Law didn’t even care anymore.
Too much shit was happening all at once and he honestly didn’t have the mental capacity for a single thing *more*. This wasn’t his world anyway; it wasn't *real*.
Hopefully, the next time he opened his eyes, it would be in his own goddamned bed on the Polar Tang.
[[Into the Darkness again]]*Oh hell no.*
Law clicked his tongue, snapping back into full consciousness. Quickly, he ripped off the marine coat from around his shoulders, tossing it at his flaming desk. At least it was finally good for *something*.
“Baa!!” the goat cried in panic, taking off to start running in circles and only adding to the chaos that was now Law’s office.
“Not now, Baarbara!” Straw Hat groaned in frustration as he hurried to help Law in putting out the fire.
The next thing Law knew, there was a scalding hot pain on his thigh—not from the fire, but from the cup of coffee that had been on Law's desk, completely forgotten and ignored up until the very moment when Straw Hat accidentally pushed it over the edge and straight into Law’s lap.
Law hissed, closing his eyes as he willed the pain away…
Only to realise he couldn’t open them as his mind had started slipping again.
[[Let it happen]]
or
[[Fight it]]Law bit hard on his cheek, forcing himself to stay grounded. There was *no fucking way* he would just let it end here! Not when Cora-san was *right there* and Law didn’t even get to say a single fucking *word* to him.
“Sorry, Torao…” Straw Hat mumbled. “But look, the fire’s out!”
Law sighed. “Thank god. How the hell does this always happen?”
“Sorry,” Cora-san apologised sheepishly.
“It’s fine,” Law answered before shaking his head. He didn’t have time for this. “Actually, Cora-san—”
“BAARBARA! NO!!”
Before Law could so much as jump at Straw Hat’s scream or look what was going on, a loud crash came from behind him, accompanied by some distressed bleating. From the corner of his eye, Law noticed something large moving and then—
Something hit his head and his world spun.
*Again.*
[[Let it happen]]
or
[[Stop already!]]Law was getting really fucking tired of this. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, tapping his foot a few times to help himself focus, willing the world to just give him a damn break.
“Are you fucking *kidding me,*” he hissed.
“Safe…” Cora-san sighed from his right.
He was holding up a large bookcase, one that Baarbara the goat had presumably rammed into so hard it nearly toppled over and right on top of Law. *Safe*, indeed. If that whole thing actually fell, it was sure to kill Law on the spot. Just getting hit by one of the books from there was more than enough, thank you very much.
Law gulped, staring in shock at the scene; at Cora-san standing there, protecting him from his untimely—and frankly, pretty damn ridiculous and *stupid*—death.
“Baarbara, you will kill us all one day, I swear…” Cora-san muttered with a small laugh before he tilted his head back to glance back at Law. “How you doing back there?”
Law didn’t fight the smile that was pulling on his lips. Warmth was slowly spreading through his chest and stomach, making him *happyù. If this was a dream…
If it was a dream, it was possibly the most insane dream Law had ever had but, right in this moment, he couldn’t say he minded at all.
“Thank you, Cora-sa—”
By the time Law noticed the box on top of the bookcase slowly sliding forward, it was already too late to stop.
Too late to prevent another crash, and yet another hit right to his head.
[[Let it happen]]
or
[[Jesus fucking christ, are you for real right now?]]“Torao! Are you okay?!” Straw Hat cried, catching Law’s face in his hands.
The touch of his warm, calloused hands against his skin was all that Law was capable of noticing anymore.
He was just so *tired* of this shit.
[[Let it happen]]
or
[[Give up. Just fucking give up.]]Tired, and not even caring anymore.
Too much shit was happening all at once and he honestly didn’t have the mental capacity for a single thing *more*. This wasn’t his world anyway; it wasn't *real*.
Hopefully, the next time he opened his eyes, it would be in his own goddamned bed on the Polar Tang.
[[Into the Darkness again]]The forest around Law is quiet, save for the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze. A few flutter down, radiant shades of red and orange brightening the otherwise dull trail. Coming to a stop, Law hones in on his observation haki. Nothing pings back at him and he clicks his tongue, squishing down his annoyance.
Not a single sign of a stray Beast Pirate. Kaido’s defeat may have been the death knell for the Emperor’s crew and while a majority had been killed or captured, rumors of members still running free have rumbled through Wano in droves. It’s been hard to wrangle them, especially when citizens and samurai alike are still recovering from the raid.
But why that burden has to fall on Law to clean up, Law doesn’t know.
Turning on his heel, Law looks back in the direction he just came from, tapping a finger against Kikoku’s scabbard. It’s been nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of three rowdy crews getting ready to depart Wano, but he has his own to-do list the size of the mountain that lays at the heart of Flower City. Hunting down something that’s clearly not around here seems like a waste of time.
[[Go back]]
or
[[Keep going]]With one last glance at his surroundings, Law begins the trek back. He wonders how much he can get away with coming back empty-handed. When he initially refused to pull straws to determine who’d go find this runaway pirate, Nami threatened to add more to his debt - and where that debt even came from, Law has no idea.
*Let’s hope that “debt” doesn’t grow for arbitrary reasons*, he thinks. She was in the middle of scolding Luffy by the time Law left, Luffy too busy whining that he couldn’t go “pirate hunting” with Law. Dressed in another yukata that had a print of the sun rising over the horizon, the pouty expression made Luffy seem ingenuous instead of this fearsome pirate that took down an Emperor of the Sea.
The thought leaves a strange ache in Law’s chest, slowly sinking into the space between his ribs and lungs. But before he can even ponder on it, a twig snaps from somewhere behind him.
Law freezes. He looks quickly over his shoulder.
Nothing.
Then, in the blink of an eye, his haki flares up in warning, the hair on the back of his neck standing up.
[[Pull out Kikoku]]
or
[[Open a Room]]Then again, he’s been enjoying the chance to take a stroll by himself, the peace and quiet sorely needed after the craziness of the last several days. A little more time out here couldn’t hurt.
He resumes his walk down the trail, thoughts idly wandering to what lies ahead now that Kaido is defeated. Law knows he has a new goal, something that will drive him to the ends of the world. It just feels weird to be doing it without Straw Hat Luffy.
Just thinking of the other captain transports Law back to earlier that day, when Nami had forced him to draw straws to determine who’d hunt down the enemy pirate. Dressed in a yukata depicting the sun rising over the horizon, Luffy had been complaining - loudly - about not being able to accompany Law on his mission.
Law had left him to it, eager to get away. But the image still lingers in his mind, bringing out a strange ache in his chest. The more he thinks on it, the ache grows, creeping into the crevices between his lungs and ribs.
Right on the verge of scolding himself for such a stupid thought, a bush rustles behind him.
A split second later, his observation haki sounds the alarm as something comes hurtling his way.
[[Dodge]]
or
[[Block with Kikoku]]Law has Kikoku out by the time something springs out of the bushes with a battle cry. Law dodges the thrust of a sword, catching sight of a man dressed in the familiar leathers of the Beast Pirates. Caked in dirt and mud, he gives Law a wild grin as he looks him up and down.
“I was hoping for Straw Hat,” he says.
Law can’t help but scoff, unimpressed. “Sorry to disappoint.”
The man shrugs. “It’s okay. You’ll have to do.” He leaps forward, sword aiming straight for Law’s chest. Law parries it with Kikoku. The Beast Pirate twists away then darts back in.
Law isn’t expecting the man’s free hand to clamp down on his wrist, hard enough to bruise. Nor the strange, teal light emanating from the man’s fingers and winding around Law’s arm like a chain. It begins to burn.
Law sucks in a breath. “What the - “
The man cackles, maniacal glee in his eyes. “Enjoy your travels.” Then he shoves Law away. Law feels himself falling down, down, but the ground never comes up to meet him.
The world explodes into brilliant shades of teal before darkness swallows Law whole.
[[Into the Darkness]]A Room opens up right as something bursts from the bushes. Law barely catches a glimpse of a sword swinging straight towards his head before he swaps himself with a leaf to his left.
A man stumbles forward into the space where Law once stood. Law sees the familiar leather outfit characteristic of the Beast Pirates and lets out a sigh.
“So the rumors were true,” he remarks casually.
Face covered in dirt and grime, the man eyes Law’s Room then gives Law a considering look. He smirks, straightening up.
“Oh good. You’ll be much easier than Straw Hat.”
Bristling at the thought that anyone would consider him “easy,” Law unsheathes Kikoku. “I wouldn’t be so sure.”
The man laughs. “Is it?” Without warning, he hurls his sword Law’s way like a spear. The throw is terrible but Law shambles himself away nonetheless, appearing behind the man and lifting Kikoku in the air to slice him to pieces.
Except the man spins around and grabs Law’s outstretched arm. Teal light immediately seeps into Law’s skin, snaking down Law’s arm. A burning sensation follows in its wake, making Law hiss.
Face shaded by the colors of Law’s Room and the strange teal light, the Beast Pirate’s grin is crazed, eyes gleaming.
“How about you go away for good?” Then, with a grunt, he shoves Law away. Law feels himself falling down, down, but the ground never comes up to meet him.
The world explodes into brilliant shades of teal before darkness swallows Law whole.
[[Into the Darkness]] When Law becomes aware of his surroundings again, he is floating in the middle of what looks like an ocean of stars. Stars that seem to move, change shape and color, collide into each others, split into severals... Wherever he is, this place is constantly changing.
He is filled with the strange feeling that this place is much more relevant than he can see at first glance.
But he doesn't have time to figure it out. He needs to go back to the forest and beat the crap out of this stupid Beast Pirate.
How should he go about doing that?
[[Try to move forward]]
or
[[Try to go back]] Law darts to his left just as a sword pierces the space he once stood. From the bushes, a man steps out, dressed in the typical Beast Pirate outfit, face haggard and dirty though no less determined as he levels Law with a cocky look.
“So close,” he sneers, twirling the sword gracelessly. “Could’ve probably speared Straw Hat with that.”
Law scoffs, holding his hand out. “I highly doubt it.” A Room appears underneath his palm. The other pirates eyes the blue sphere apprehensively. Then something sparks across his face and he cackles. His sword drops to the ground with a clatter.
“A Devil Fruit showdown, huh? Let’s see who wins.” Before the words even sink in, the man rushes at Law. Caught off guard, Law tries to expand his Room but it’s too late - the man tackles him to the ground. His weight against Law’s torso knocks the air out of his lungs; Kikoku drops from his hand and skitters across the trail.
Then the man’s hand latches onto his throat, squeezing hard. Strange teal light enters Law’s vision and what feels like a ring of fire erupts around his neck.
“I win,” the man mocks, arrogance dripping from his voice as the light grows even brighter. Then, with a snarl, he presses down.
Impossibly, the trail beneath Law melts away and he plummets. He feels himself falling down, down, but the ground never comes up to meet him.
The world explodes into brilliant shades of teal before darkness swallows Law whole.
[[Into the Darkness]] Law lifts Kikoku to block the thrust of a sword. From the bushes, a man wearing the familiar leathers of a Beast Pirate steps out. He looks exhausted, face dirty but nonetheless he grins when Law’s eyes meet his own.
Law arches an eyebrow. “So there were more of you running around.”
The man sneers. “You can tell your friend Straw Hat the Beast Pirates don’t go down easily.”
It would be all too easy to quip about just how far Kaido had fallen off Onigashima. But another word has grabbed Law’s attention. “We’re not friends.” Law pushes the other man away. “And you’re not worth my time here.”
The man’s brow furrows. Then an odd twinkle appears in his eyes, his lip curling up. “I bet I can change that.” He leaps forward, thrusting the sword toward Law’s chest.
Law sidesteps it easily, but he doesn’t expect the man’s free hand to grab onto his tank top and *pull*. Cursing, Law tries to stop from falling to his knees but he collides with the pirate instead. The two of them hit the ground in a tangle of limbs. A sharp elbow lands on Law’s stomach, knocking the air out of him.
The other pirate recovers first, his palm covering Law’s face as if to push him away.
But instead, teal light bursts into Law’s vision, blinding him. Warmth creeps onto his face, then it turns into a burning sensation. Law gasps.
He only just catches the man’s smug and sarcastic, “Have fun” before the trail beneath him melts away. He feels himself falling down, down, but the ground never comes up to meet him.
The world explodes into brilliant shades of teal before darkness swallows Law whole.
[[Into the Darkness]] Law tries to open his eyes. Like the morning fog in a valley, his mind is clouded and he can‘t get a grip on his thoughts.
Slowly but surely he gains consciousness. As he opens his eyes he’s surprised to see….nothing. There’s only darkness around him.
It’s not like Law isn‘t used to complete darkness. He witnessed it so many times on the Polar Tang without any natural light source or on cloudy nights on the open sea. But this darkness is different. Like a thick black curtain of satin, it hangs around him without a start or an end.
Law…
[[Shouts into the void.]]
or
[[Tries to move around.]]
When Law comes into consciousness, he is lying on a stone floor.
“Torao?”
He looks up to see Luffy beside him, still wearing that red yukata he wore after coming to Wano the first time. It’s tattered and dirty, but suits him more than the worried expression on his face.
“You alright, Torao?” Luffy asks. “You made a weird noise.”
“I’m fine,” Law says, sitting up on the stone floor. His hands are shackled in front of him. Seastone, he figures. He can feel his strength being sapped away, but not as badly as in Dressrosa. A lower concentration so the devil fruit users will still be able to work as labourers, he supposes.
Luffy gives him a weird look. “You’re not mad at me anymore?”
[[“I’m always mad at you, Straw Hat-ya.”]]
or
[[“No. Why?”]]“Doctor Trafalgar!”
Law blinks into consciousness. He looks around the chaotic world he finds himself in. A hospital, he realises. A very advanced facility, judging by the equipment. Doctors and nurses are hurrying around, moving patients further into the hospital. It seems that wherever he is, he arrived in the middle of a crisis.
“Doctor Trafalgar!” the voice shouts again, more insistent this time, and Law turns to see a woman standing beside him. A nurse, he assumes by her clothing.
“A patient just came in. Severe lacerations in his abdomen. He is going to need surgery.”
Law flexes his fingers. “ROOM.”
Nothing happens. Whoever “Doctor Trafalgar” is, he hasn’t eaten a devil fruit. Maybe they don’t even have them in this world.
“Doctor Kureha is operating in operating room 1, but operating room 2 is open,” the nurse says, misinterpreting Law’s words.
Law nods. It’s a strange place, and he’s lost his best asset, but he’s a doctor. Still, he hasn’t done surgery without the Ope-ope fruit for *years*.
[["Take me to the patient.”]]
or
[[“I’m…not feeling well. Is someone else available?”]]**Mods:**
`Katia_Anyway`: Organizer and Formatting
(text-indent:100)[Socials : `Katia_Anyway` (AO3), katia-anyway (Tumblr)]
Ceylon: Assistant Organizer, Graphics
(text-indent:100)[Socials : quackquackcey (Twitter, Tumblr, AO3)]
**Writers:**
Betsib: Confession scene, Wano Prison AU, Modern Hospital AU
(text-indent:100)[Socials : betsib (AO3 and Tumblr), bebergst (Twitter)]
Chenziee: Marine AU, Corazon Law AU, Modern Crack AU, Soulmates AU
(text-indent:100)[Socials : chenziee (AO3 and Tumblr), chenziee1358 (Twitter)]
Ja-san: "Law realizes he's in love with Luffy" scene, Gods AU
(text-indent:100)[Socials : jasjasanan (Twitter), ja-san.bsky.online (Bluesky), Jasan (AO3)]
`Katia_Anyway:` Older Husbands AU, Into the Darkness scenes
(text-indent:100)[Socials : `Katia_Anyway` (AO3), katia-anyway (Tumblr)]
Riverofnara: Opening scene, "Luffy has Amber Lead poisoning" AU
(text-indent:100)[Socials : riverofnara (AO3 and Twitter)]
**Artists:**
Choggi: Illustration Marine AU
(text-indent:100)[Socials : `choggi_sketches (Instagram)`]
Moustawott: Both illustrations Confession scene
(text-indent:100)[Socials : moustawott (Tumblr), Moustawott (Twitter)]
Nimue: Illustration Modern Crack AU, Illustration Older husbands AU
(text-indent:100)[Socials : Nimudaes (Twitter), Nimudae (Tumblr and AO3 and Instagram)]
Ritsuko Ryoku: Illustration "Law realizes he's in love with Luffy" scene
(text-indent:100)[Socials : ritsukotheloner (Instagram and Twitter)]"Hello?"
Law hears his voice faint without an echo.
"Hello?" he tries louder this time. But this attempt also gets swallowed by the void around him.
He‘s floating in the nothingness. It‘s not a heavy feeling like drowning in the sea. Nothing‘s crushing him here. He feels so light. He feels as if he‘s here but also not. His existence is inside this shell of flesh and bones but still he‘s everywhere at the same time.
Law closes his eyes. Is he dead? Is this the afterlife?
He concentrates, tries to hear something, to feel something. And there is something!
A feeling. Small and inconspicuous, it lingers inside him. He can‘t name it, can‘t get a grip on it, yet it‘s there like the soft waves of water hidden under the ice on a frozen lake. Law breathes out. He wants to know what this is.
And he feels sadness. The gnawing feeling in your gutt, the longing that keeps you uneasy and restless. He‘s missing something…or someone!
Schemes of old memories appear before his eyes, mere shadows of past days. He sees…
[[His family]]
or
[[His crew]]Law can feel his limbs, movement feels easy and free but he‘s not moving an inch. Or at least so it seems to him.
He‘s floating in the nothingness. It‘s not a heavy feeling like drowning in the sea. Nothing‘s crashing him here. He feels so light. He feels as if he‘s here but also not. His existence is inside this shell of flesh and bones but still he‘s everywhere at the same time.
Law closes his eyes. Is he dead? Is this the afterlife?
He concentrates, tries to hear something, to feel something. And there is something!
A feeling. Small and inconspicuous it lingers inside him. He can‘t name it, can‘t get a grip on it, yet it‘s there like the soft waves of water hidden under the ice on a frozen lake. Law breathes out. He wants to know what this is.
And he feels sadness. The gnawing feeling in your gutt, the longing that keeps you uneasy and restless. He‘s missing something…or someone!
Schemes of old memories appear before his eyes, mere shadows of past days. He sees…
[[His family]]
or
[[His crew]] The warm and loving smile of his mother, the proud look in his father‘s eyes and Lami‘s bright smile is now clearly in front of him. It‘s been so long since, but they‘re always with him. Law feels warmth in his chest.
But this wasn‘t the feeling he needed to catch…
As Law opens his eyes again and looks around. It seems like his eyes got used to darkness as he spots shades of dark red, purple and blue amongst the heavy black.
The unknown feeling inside him twirls in his gut, demanding attention. Law takes a deep breath. A silhouette appears before him. He knows it too well. It‘s…
[[Cora-san]]
or
[[Doflamingo]]His whole crew is before his inner eyes. The loud and crazy group of people that he‘s loyal to until his last day. The people that gave him a feeling he‘s not completely alone after everything he went through. His heart feels lighter.
But this wasn‘t the feeling he needed to catch…
As Law opens his eyes again and looks around. It seems like his eyes got used to darkness as he spots shades of dark red, purple and blue amongst the heavy black.
The unknown feeling inside him twirls in his gut, demanding attention. Law takes a deep breath. A silhouette appears before him. He knows it too well. It‘s…
[[Cora-san]]
or
[[Doflamingo]]Cora-san.
The silhouette of the tall man becomes clearer and clearer. The familiar face of Cora-san looks at him silently but with such a fondness in his eyes, Law‘s heart aches a little. He misses that weird man so much. That man that rescued his life and gave him a second chance. Thankfulness washes over him as he thinks about everything Cora-san did for him and how Law‘s free now thanks to…
[[...Luffy.]]Doflamingo.
Anger coils in his stomach as he suddenly realizes which face stares at him in silence. The evil grin is annoying as always. But Law knows better. Doflamingo is defeated! Law was able to cut the last ties of his past and is now free. And all of that thanks to…
[[...Luffy.]] …Luffy.
Law‘s heart skips a beat. He looks around and witnesses the dark fade slowly. Dark colors steadily become more vibrant, overpowering the pitchblack void around him.
…Luffy…
Where before there was a calm lake, now a stormy sea is raging inside him. Waves crashing underneath that thick layer of ice that still keeps Law from what is hidden.
…Luffy…
Once again memories fight their way into his thoughts. He sees a bright smile. He hears a laugh.
"Torao"
Luffy‘s voice echoes in his ears as if he’s standing next to him.
"Torao…Torao?…Torao!…Torao." He hears him calling out his name; happy, concerned, scared, determined.
Why? Why is he here now? In his head? in his memories?
[["Torao!"]]
"Torao!"
Scenes with him flash before his eyes. He is everywhere. He sees him in every strange situation he just experienced. No matter where Law is, he‘s there…with him!
Law‘s heart beats faster as he gives in to his mind re-calling the moments they shared. Images flash before his inner eye. Law saw him at his worst and vice versa. Law saved his life back in Marineford and Luffy saved him in Dressrosa. They trust each other.
His heart beats fast and a warmth spreads through his body, he had never felt before. The warmth melts the ice inside him and that strange feeling now floods through him.
He misses his smile, his shenanigans, his constant cry for food, his lighthearted way, the way he looks at Law, that glimpse in his eyes. He misses him!
And he wants him to be by his side because…
Law holds his breath.
…because he loves him.
This thought vibrates through him. And suddenly everythings seems to make sense!
The world around him now shines in warm colors like a beautiful sunset. He can‘t stay here. He needs to go. He needs to see him, talk to him!
An unknown determination rises inside him. Yes, he needs to talk to him. He needs to know!
<img
src="https://images.squidge.org/images/2024/04/30/LawRealizes2ColoredBurst.png"
width=782&height=600
alt="A colored digital drawing of Law holding a hand to his chest, looking pensive. Around him, memories of Luffy from the official manga/anime are drawn. The whole image seems to be filling with the colors coming from Law's chest."/>
[[Time to find his way back home, to Luffy]]As the memories around him fades, he finds himself in the 'Sea of Stars' once more.
And this time, he is determined to find out how it works. Apparently, moving his body seems to send him to different universes. But what if he just moves his arm, for example?
He tries and extend his arm.
Nothing happens. Strange.
But before he can try to experiment more, he notices two stars coming at full speed toward him. He can't avoid them both. Which one should he try to avoid?
[[The Pink one]]
or
[[The Blue one]] Luffy laughs. “That’s true. I wonder why that is.”
Why indeed? Few people can rattle him like Luffy can. Law is familiar with affectionate irritation, he experiences it often towards his crew, but Luffy is on a different level.
“Because you always do stupid shit without thinking,” Law says.
Luffy pouts. “So do you.”
“I *think,*” Law says pointedly.
“You think too much,” Luffy said. “Sometimes you have to just go for it.”
“And that’s why we’re in prison,” Law sighed. “Isn’t it?”
At least that’s how Luffy got captured last time. And judging by Luffy’s sheepish expression, the same is true here.
[[The silence stretches between them.]]“I attacked Kaido and lost, and then we both got caught when you tried to help,” Luffy says, and yeah, Law can understand the other him being mad about that. He himself had been furious at Luffy when he attacked Kaido the first time.
“...maybe I *am* mad at you,” Law concedes.
Luffy pouts at him.
[[The silence stretches between them.]] The silence stretches between them, broken only by other prisoners moving around in their sleep. Law looks around curiously. In his world, Luffy had spent the majority of his time in Wano imprisoned here, with Eustass Kid. Eustass seems to be absent in this world, and instead, Law is here. Law thinks he prefers this world’s events. This seems far less painful than his own imprisonment had been, and he isn’t alone.
There is a warm weight on his left side as Luffy leans on him.
[[Pull him closer]]
or
[[Stay still]]He can see a smile on Luffy’s lips as Law puts an arm around him, almost hugging him thanks to the shackles, and leans on him in return. It’s comfortable, even with the shackles restraining them both. Law closes his eyes for a moment, letting himself relax.
After a while he hears the rattle of chains, then feels Luffy’s hand on his cheek, urging his face downwards. Law opens his eyes, and is met with Luffy’s face close to his own. Too close. It looks like he’s going to-
Law hurriedly pulls away, staring at Luffy. “Wha- what do you think you’re doing?”
[[Luffy frowns at him.]]Law doesn’t move, but Luffy keeps leaning on him anyway. After a while, he starts nudging Law with his head, like he wants something. It gets irritating fast.
“What?” Law asks, maybe too sharply for the small offence.
[[Luffy frowns at him.]] Luffy frowns at him. “What do you mean? I want to kiss you.”
Law freezes.
“I-” he tries, but he has no idea how to continue. He let himself forget, for a moment, that this *isn’t his world.* This isn’t his Luffy.
Not that Luffy has ever been *his*. Not that Law has ever wanted that. Right?
He glances down at Luffy’s confused face. This isn’t fair to him, is it? This Luffy and this world’s Law have something together, something Law shouldn’t be interfering with.
“Torao?” Luffy says. “Are you okay?”
Law shakes his head. “No. I shouldn’t be here.”
He needs to leave. He needs to find his way back to his own world. But how? He can’t even leave the cell.
“Torao?” Luffy asks again. Law looks at him. Maybe Luffy can be his way out. Or maybe that is an insane idea.
[["I need you to knock me out."]]
or
[["...nevermind. Let's try to go to sleep."]]“I need you to knock me out.”
Luffy tilts his head to the side. “You sure? Will you be mad about it when you wake up?”
Law snorts. That is Luffy, he supposes. No “why” or “I could never do that to you”, even when they are supposedly together. Or just physically affectionate. Whatever the case may be, Law doesn’t want to think about it right now.
“I can’t promise that,” Law says. “But it’s for the best. Trust me.”
He hopes he sounds more confident than he feels. Luffy just nods, and readies his fist. The shackles hinder his movement a bit, but Luffy doesn’t seem concerned about it.
“Ready?”
Law nods and closes his eyes. “Yes.”
He hears Luffy move, then there is a sharp pain, a sense of vertigo, and nothing more.
[[Into the Darkness again]]“...nevermind. Let’s try to go to sleep.”
Luffy gives him a weird look, but doesn’t protest as Law lays down on the hard floor again. After a moment he feels Luffy curl up to his back. The movements feel hesitant, almost. Strange, for someone as straightforward as Luffy.
Law supposes that it’s his fault. Luffy probably feels like his partner (boyfriend? lover?) rejected him. It hurts Law too, a little. As much as they bicker, Law doesn’t want to cause Luffy pain.
*Not the same Luffy*, he reminds himself, and closes his eyes. The warmth on his back is comfortable, but his mind is wide awake, wondering what had gone differently in this world, and how this Luffy and his Law ended up together.
It takes him a long time to fall asleep.
[[Into the Darkness again]] Law finds himself back into the sea of stars.
Apparently, moving around had helped him get back into a universe, but not his own.
Maybe he should try to move in another direction?
[[Move to the right]]
or
[[Move to the left]]
or
[[Try and move up]] The nurse tilts her head to the side. “Are you alright, doctor? You seem a little out of it.”
Law nods. “I’ll be fine.”
“I suppose you’ll have to be, everyone else is busy,” the nurse says. “Follow me.”
[[Follow the nurse.]]The nurse gives him a sympathetic look. “You do seem a little out of it,” she says. “Unfortunately, there’s no one else who is qualified. The shootout downtown has everyone busy right now.”
Law sighs. “Alright. Where’s the patient?”
[[Follow the nurse.]] The nurse leads him through the chaos of people, to a bed where an injured young man lies. His clothes are strained in red, but the first responders have managed to reduce the bleeding.
Law stares at the patient in front of him.
*Luffy.*
Luffy, injured and dying on Law’s table again, just like he was two years ago. And this time, Law doesn’t have his fruit. He will be performing surgery in a strange world, with strange rules and strange equipment. Can he save him? Is it even possible?
He *has* to. It’s Luffy. Law would be damned if he let Luffy die in front of him. *Any* Luffy.
His mind is made up and focused on the task ahead as he gives the order to take them to the operating room. He is relieved to find he recognises most of the equipment. His assistants are unknown faces, but Law treats them as he would his own crew. They give him strange looks at times, but they do as they are told.
The surgery takes hours. Law has to be so careful, so precise. He’s gotten used to not having to worry about bleeding or organ failure, but without the Ope-ope fruit both are very real risks. After a while, Law wonders if he should have insisted on someone else taking over, but the nurse had said he was the only one qualified. Whatever that meant in this world.
Luffy dies on his table, once, almost twice. They manage to resuscitate him, but Law wants to cry. How many times is he going to have to watch Luffy die? And which time will be the last?
Not this time, at least. He grits his teeth together, and carries on. It’s not *his* Luffy, he tries to remind himself. His Luffy is safe and sound back in Wano. Or so he hopes.
[[Finish the surgery.]]He finally finishes the surgery, and Luffy is alive. He isn’t out of danger, but if this Luffy is anything like the one Law knows, he will be okay. He will be bouncing around the hospital tearing his stitches and getting on everyone’s nerves in no time.
Law sinks down on the floor of the operating room as they roll Luffy away. He’s exhausted, mentally and physically. But he did it. And he will never take his fruit for granted again.
“Are you alright, Law?” one of his assistants asks. They must be close, if he’s addressing Law by his given name. Law has no idea who he is.
“I’ll be fine,” he says. “I just give me a moment.”
The assistant gives him a worried look, but leaves him alone.
After a while of just breathing, Law gets on his feet. He should go check on Luffy, he supposes, and then get some rest.
The operating room is empty, but there are two doors leading out of it. Law tries to remember which one they had taken Luffy to, but he is drawing a blank. It doesn’t really matter, he supposes.
[[Go left]]
or
[[Go right]][[Into the Darkness yet again]] And yet again, Law finds himself in the 'Sea of Stars'.
[[Into the Darkness yet again]]Looking at the stars all around him, Law thinks. Being hit by a star last time seemed to have sent him into yet another universe.
Is that what those stars are? Are they the universes he's been visiting?
Does this mean that touching them allows him to enter them? And if so, this means Law could go home if he managed to touch the right star.
He looks at the immensity of the ocean around him. There are what looks like billions of stars. How to find the right one?
Well, he may as well start somewhere.
There are two stars within reach. Which one should Law try to touch?
[[The Black one]]
or
[[The White one]]Law gasped, finding himself in a world that was nothing like anything he knew. There was noise; so much noise and none of it familiar. He was surrounded by what had to be hundreds of people, all walking around him quickly in all directions as if each and everyone of them had somewhere to be. He could see glass buildings that were at least twice as tall as any giant, colourful lights and images flashing from all sides.
Law stopped in his tracks, a small blinking green light catching his eyes. It looked like a human walking. What strange world was this?
Suddenly, the light went out; instead, a red one lit up above it, this time in the shape of a person standing in place. In but a few seconds, Law was standing alone, all people gone—gathering around the light like moths.
The last thing Law noticed in this world were the two lights on a giant box hurtling straight at him, a person who looked like they were yelling something behind a glass cockpit, and a blaring noise in his ears.
<img
src="https://images.squidge.org/images/2024/04/30/TruffyTwine_TRUCKKUNv1-2.png"
width=450&height=600
alt= "A two panel black and white illustration. In the firsts panel, Law can be seen shoulders up in the foreground, looking away from the camera. He is wearing his Onigashima outfit. A speech bubble with a question mark is next to him. Behind him, there is truck approaching him surrounded by dramatic motion lines. The license plate reads 'TRUCK-KUN'. The second panel shows the same truck from the side with Law, both in chibi style. Law is flying away from the truck after getting hit, his hat falling off. Above/behind this image is a close up of Law face, showing clear distress and confusion at what the hell is even happening. Many question marks are surrounding him."/>
[[Boom!]]The calm beep of a patient monitor is the first thing Law notices.
He opens his eyes to see that he’s standing in an unfamiliar hospital room. Dull white walls complement the even duller scuffed-up linoleum flooring, the space devoid of any decor or touches of comfort. A curtain splits the room in two, hiding the patient that occupies this place. But it’s the door to his left that catches his attention - glass doors snugly shut, a sticker on each panel reading, “QUARANTINE.”
Law’s breath stutters to a halt. Glancing down at himself, he’s even more confused to see he’s dressed in just a simple lab coat instead of protective gear.
“Shit,” he curses. Where is he now and how did he end up here? What kind of disease has he caught that requires isolation?
[[“Torao?” ]]Law gasps himself awake. What was *that*!? And what happened? Did this weird thing hit him? He shakes his head, what an unpleasant experience.
He wouldn't try moving up again. He should try another direction instead.
[[Move to the right]]
or
[[Move to the left]] The nickname sends shock rippling through Law, followed by panic when he realizes it came from the other side of the curtain.
“Straw Hat-ya?” he calls out as he yanks the curtain back.
There laid out on the hospital bed is Luffy. Hooked up to the monitor beside the bed, he hardly resembles the image of strength and resilience Law has come to know. Though pale and feeble, he shoots Law with his patented cheerful smile, even though it looks like it hurts.
“What happened to you promising to use my name more?” he asks with a weak chuckle.
Law swallows, moving closer to the bed. “Says the guy who just ca -” The words die on his tongue.
The harsh hospital lights hid it before, but now at this distance, he can’t understand how he missed them.
Pearly patches of white mark all across Luffy’s skin.
Law can’t breathe.
[[How?]]
He doesn’t even realize he’s staring until a hand is waving in front of his face. “Earth to Toraooo!”
In the span of a heartbeat, Law snatches Luffy’s hand and tugs it towards his chest. Ignoring Luffy’s surprised yelp, he turns Luffy’s arm to and fro, thumb sweeping over the gleaming spots that still haunt Law even after they disappeared from his own skin long ago.
*White Amber Lead.*
“Those aren’t new, you know,” Luffy tells him, a questioning lilt in his voice. “They’ve been there for ages.”
If Law’s heart twists any more than this, it would break. “Where did you get these?!”
Now Luffy is looking at Law as if he’s the sick one, worry shining through the confusion in his brown eyes. “Are you okay, Torao?”
No, he isn’t. He is far beyond the point of “okay.” Law can feel threads of panic start to creep in, weaving together to form an unruly knot lodged right in his chest. Because this accursed poison has already robbed Law of almost everything he held dear and rendered them to ash, tiny helpless particles that could do nothing but scatter in the wind, like it’d never been a home or a person that had been loved and cherished in life.
And now it’s posed to consume someone like Luffy, who has never stopped performing miracles, who runs amok despite the system trying to bring him down, whose existence shakes the world but demands its freedom. That fate would only be an insult, an injustice that can’t be allowed.
[[How can Law stand by and let such a thing happen?]]“Torao, you’re hurting my arm.”
Luffy’s voice cuts through the noise screaming inside Law’s head. Quickly, he drops Luffy’s arm. Guilt trickles in as he watches Luffy rub his arm. “Sorry.”
Luffy shrugs. “S’okay. I know how intense you are about this.”
“I can remove it,” Law says quickly, trying to drag himself back to the edge of sanity. Forming a dome with his hand, he reaches inward for that power he knows is there, that saved his own life so many years ago.
But he finds nothing. There’s no trace of the Op-Op fruit within him.
The realization is a gut punch, swift yet bruising. He feels as if he’s been doused in ice water, shocking his system and leaving him helpless as the thought crystallizes in his head.
*Law can’t do anything for Luffy.*
[[And if there’s nothing he can do for him…]]As Law stands there, a breath away from tumbling into an abyss, soft but strong hands grab onto his own. Fingers intertwine in a gentle embrace, the touch warm and intimate. Thumbs brush along the backs of tattooed hands, a soothing touch that pushes the abyss away. For the third time in less than five minutes, Luffy pulls Law back from the brink.
As if on instinct, Law’s hands tighten around Luffy’s. If it hurts Luffy now, he doesn’t show it. He just smiles at Law, squeezing his hands.
“Torao’s overthinking again,” he teases.
It’s a miracle Law can even find his voice. “Luffy, I can’t - “ *save you.* But the words don’t get a chance to slip out, because Luffy’s face brightens like the sun coming over the horizon, ready for a new day.
[[“You said my name!”]]
Law swallows around the lump in his throat. “A fluke,” he dismisses weakly. Luffy grins cheekily and that’s all Law can see, not even the spots of white on his face that catch the light in the room.
“I’ll get you to say it again,” he says gleefully, like a promise of a future that should no longer exist. But Luffy doesn’t let him dwell on it long, tugging on his hands as if to beckon him onto the bed. “Come on, tell me another story about that warrior guy you love so much.”
A million thoughts fly through his head, but Law chooses to focus Luffy’s hands and the warmth seeping into his own. “Okay,” he says, exhaling shakily.
He takes the next step forward, ready to let himself bask in the sun before him for just another moment longer.
[[And then everything around Law turns dark.]] Law was almost scared to open his eyes anymore. Where the hell was he now? It was too much to hope for that he was finally back in his own world…
So far, it didn’t seem so bad. He could hear someone cooking—there was the sound of oil sizzling and a knife tapping against a cutting board with precise movements. Law himself was sitting in a comfortable chair, one hand on a book and the other loosely wrapped around a mug. That… was how his mornings usually started.
Would it be naive to hope he was on the Tang and everything was fine?
Taking a deep breath, Law slowly opened his eyes to look cautiously around the room he found himself in.
It wasn’t the Tang—a disappointment but not a surprise—but Law supposed the Thousand Sunny’s kitchen on a calm morning wasn’t the *worst* place to wake up in. If nothing else, he could look forward to Black Leg’s cooking.
[[Suddenly, the door opened and Usopp came in, eyes immediately zeroing on Law.]]
Law opens his eyes. He looks around and finds himself in a vast hallway. The floor is made of marble, the walls are decorated with flowers and golden ornaments. Law looks down on his body and finds himself dressed in a toga-like piece of clothing. The soft fabric is dark blue and black with some golden embroidery.
This is definetly not the place where he was before. Nothing seems familiar about this place. He hears footsteps behind him and turns around.
A woman is heading towards him. Law recognizes her, she looks exactly like the Strawhats navigator. She‘s dressed in a white, long dress and her golden bracelets click with every step she makes while heading straight towards Law.
"Law!" she calls out to him. "Why is it always so hard to find you? Shouldn’t the god of death be a bit more…present? Anyway, you need to go and find Luffy!"
[["What?"]]“Torao, where’s Luffy? I can’t find him,” he said, looking at Law expectantly.
Law raised an eyebrow. “Why would *I* know? Just shout that food’s ready.”
“I *tried*.” Usopp groaned in frustration. “Can’t you just tell me where he is?”
“Do I look like I have him on a leash?” Law asked flatly.
At that, Black Leg huffed from the stove, noting, “Since a soul connection’s basically a snail tracker, yes. Yes you do.”
A… what?
“Honestly. Having Torao’s tracker snail on him makes it so much easier. Also Zoro. We’d never find Zoro, ever, without *you* having a tracker snail on him.” Usopp laughed as he threw a teasing look Sanji’s way.
Black Leg clicked his tongue as he grumbled, “Don’t remind me. I didn’t choose to have a stray fucking Marimo in my head constantly.”
“To be fair, I don’t know if Torao is off any better with Luffy for soulmate,” Usopp pointed out, only for Black Leg to laugh in agreement.
For *what?*
[[“What do you mean, soulmate?”]]
or
[[“What do you need Straw Hat-ya for anyway?"]]“What do you *mean*, soulmate?” Law asked, his eyes going wide. He was terrified of the answer.
Sanji and Usopp exchanged a glance before they both turned to Law with identical puzzled expressions on their faces.
“Didn’t we go through the denial phase months ago after Dressrosa?” Usopp asked slowly with a frown.
Denial? Law wasn’t in denial… was he?
He *did* barely just admit to himself he kind of sort of *maybe* liked Straw Hat and *might* have wanted to kiss him and hold his hand and all that sappy stuff but… *soulmates?*
That was just a little bit more than Law had bargained for and also that *wasn’t a real thing!*
“I can see the ‘that’s not a thing’ in his eyes,” Usopp muttered to Sanji, just loud enough for Law to hear. And judging by the cheeky look he was giving Law, it was absolutely on purpose.
[[Law clicked his tongue.]]“What do you need Straw Hat-ya for anyway?” Law asked instead of questioning… *any of that.*
After all, he was supposed to know what they were going on about, right? Asking about it would be weird and awkward and would make them question him and Law did not have it in himself to deal with that anymore.
Except… judging by the way Sanji and Usopp exchanged a glance before they both turned to Law with identical puzzled expressions on their faces, he said something wrong anyway.
“Wow, how long has it been since you called him ‘Straw Hat-ya’?” Sanji said slowly.
“Didn’t we get all the way to ‘Luffy’ months ago? Did he go back to his denial phase?” Usopp added with a frown.
Denial? Law wasn’t in denial… was he?
He *did* barely just admit to himself he kind of sort of *maybe* liked Straw Hat and *might* have wanted to kiss him and hold his hand and all that sappy stuff but he never called him Luffy and more than that… *soulmates?*
That just *wasn’t a real thing*, how was he supposed to just… *accept that?*
“I can see the ‘Straw Hat-ya’s not my soulmate’ in his eyes,” Usopp muttered to Sanji, just loud enough for Law to hear. And judging by the cheeky look he was giving Law, it was absolutely on purpose.
[[Law clicked his tongue.]]Law clicked his tongue, rubbing at his temples tiredly. He really wasn’t getting paid enough to deal with this shit. But of course that wasn’t the end of it.
“And here they were so disgustingly sweet just yesterday,” Black Leg added in a grave voice. “I mean, even their soulmarks are all glowy to rub in what an annoying couple they are.”
Soulmarks.
There were fucking *soulmarks.*
Just wonderful.
He barely finished the thought when he noticed the glowing straw hat on his inner wrist, mocking him.
Let him say it again; just...
[[Wonderful.]]
Letting go of a long-suffering sigh, Law closed his eyes, praying for this all to just end. The easiest way would be to just tell them where Straw Hat was so they’d leave him alone but how was he supposed to know that? They said they shared a connection or whatever—how did he tap into it?
“He fell asleep in Robo-ya’s workshop,” Law said suddenly, startling even himself. How did he *know* that? In any case, he was sure he wasn’t wrong about it, Straw Hat was definitely snoring away, surrounded by several semi-built weapons, and completely oblivious to the world.
Weird. This… soulmate thing was *weird*.
“Alright, thanks!” Usopp called, already on his way out. “Get ready for him to burst in here yelling about food in a minute, I guess.”
[[And he was gone, leaving Law alone with Black Leg and an incoming headache.]]
"Hey, Black Leg-ya,” Law started, not even bothering to open his eyes yet in hopes that everything might start making sense if he just didn’t look. “You have any alcohol in here?”
"Did you turn into the Marimo to be asking for booze for breakfast?” Black Leg scoffed.
"I just need a fucking drink or five right now,” Law muttered. He was feeling like he was balancing on the edge of hysterics and complete, utter defeat.
Black Leg was quiet for a moment and Law could just imagine the scrutinising look he was giving him right then. "What *happened* to you in the five minutes since you came in here for coffee?”
Law let go of a frustrated noise, finally opening his eyes only to throw his head back to stare at the ceiling instead before he replied, "Don't even ask.” He paused for a moment, weighing his options. “Can you at least make me the blackest fucking coffee you possibly can and give it to me intravenously?”
“I can do the first part but you do the second one yourself. Also finish your drink before asking for more next time,” Black Leg said with an amused huff before he turned away and back to work, putting a kettle on on the stove to boil some water for Law’s order.
[[Law blinked.]]Law blinked, turning his head back down to look blankly at the mug in front of him. He completely forgot about it. Without even thinking about it, he grabbed the mug, gulping the coffee inside in one go. It was still hot and black and full of caffeine but not enough of any of those things for Law’s taste at the moment.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m out of coffee.”
Black Leg paused, throwing a look over his shoulder and at Law. Law could tell he wanted to ask what the fuck had happened again but Law met his gaze straight on, trying to convey how very unwilling he was to deal with anything, much less explaining. Thankfully, the message seemed to get across and Back Leg turned away without a word.
Unfortunately, the ensuing calm didn’t last long.
The moment Black Leg placed a new mug of coffee in front of Law, the door to the kitchen burst open with so much force Law was surprised it didn’t fly off the hinges.
“Sanji! Food!!” came a shout immediately afterward as the only warning before the entire Straw Hat came literally *flying* into the kitchen, only to nearly crash into the opposite wall.
Neither Black Leg nor Law so much as flinched, the both of them all too used to Straw Hat barging in and yelling about food. Which didn’t mean Law appreciated it.
[[Complain about it.]]
or
[[Ignore it.]]“Can’t you walk in like a normal person once in your life?” Law asked tiredly, grabbing for his fresh mug and welcoming the near-scalding heat seeping in through his palm and making him feel just a little bit more sane.
“Nope!” Straw Hat announced proudly—not that Law expected anything else—before jumping into the chair next to Law, sitting on it cross-legged… then leaning over to casually press a kiss to Law’s cheek.
[[Now that woke Law right up.]]But it wasn’t like anything would change if he grumbled and complained about it. Knowing Straw Hat, he would just laugh it off and sound all proud about it. There really was no point saying anything and so, Law only sighed tiredly, grabbing for his fresh mug and welcoming the near-scalding heat seeping in through his palm and making him feel just a little bit more sane.
“If you break something, you’re telling Nami-san yourself,” Sanji commented casually.
“Sorry, Sanji,” Straw Hat said with a snicker—not sounding sorry in the least—before jumping into the chair next to Law, sitting on it cross-legged… then leaning over to casually press a kiss to Law’s cheek.
[[Now that woke Law right up.]]He froze in place, his eyes going wide. Warmth was creeping up to his face and he really fucking hoped it wasn’t obvious—and that Straw Hat couldn’t hear the way his heart was beating because to Law, it sounded like deafening drums in his ears. Which wasn’t possible; it was his *heart*, it couldn’t be *that* loud. Unlike a certain someone’s.
Taking a deep breath, Law willed his thoughts and body to calm down. After all, Straw Hat was his… *soulmate* in this world, it would be weird if he *freaked out* over a little thing like this.
Just then, Straw Hat’s quiet snicker brought Law back to reality, and he turned to look at him questioningly—only to freeze once again at the sight that met him.
Straw Hat was watching him with a bright smile and a look so warm, open, and *soft* that Law startled, all thoughts escaping him. In that moment, Law didn’t care about anything else. He didn’t care about the mortifying ordeal of suddenly having a *soulmate*, about all the bullshit that fucking devil fruit had put him through in all these ‘worlds’ or what was he to call it, and he didn’t care about getting home either. In that moment…
[[Only the warmth radiating off of Straw Hat, off Luffy, mattered.]]
“You two are so annoying. Just so you know,” Usopp told them off-handedly as he pulled out the chair opposite of Luffy, its legs scraping against the floor and making an uncomfortable noise. Law was inclined to believe it was on purpose.
And honestly, he couldn’t blame him. Law didn’t even notice when he came in.
“Sorry, sorry,” Luffy apologised half-heartedly, a small laugh accompanying his words.
Law, on the other hand, looked Usopp dead in the eyes. “Sorry we make you feel all lonely.”
“Fuck you,” Usopp replied earnestly.
“No thanks,” Law shot back without missing a beat, which only made Usopp groan—and Luffy laugh harder.
“No one will be fucking in my goddamned kitchen unless they want me to gut them and serve them for dinner, thanks,” Sanji declared in a fake-annoyed tone as he placed a plate with a mountain of pancakes so huge it was a wonder it didn’t fall apart and scatter all over the floor.
[[“Pancakes!!”]]
“Pancakes!!” Straw Hat cried full of excitement, completely ignoring all of them. Law could swear there were stars in his eyes too. “Thanks, Sanji!”
“Yeah, yeah.” Black Leg waved his hand dismissively, but there was an undeniable, happy smile on his face betraying his seemingly uncaring attitude.
Immediately, Straw Hat went to grab a pancake—or *three* of them—off the plate but before his hand so much as touched the food, he stopped as if burned. His hand was still stretched out, hovering in the air and not moving when he looked at Law with a frown, then back at the plate, then at Law again.
Law had no idea what was going on in his head right then.
“Luffy, you there?” Usopp asked when his captain still didn’t move even after Usopp stole one of the pancakes for himself from right under Straw Hat’s fingers with no repercussions.
“Yeah,” Straw Hat nodded, his face splitting into a wide grin again as the gears seemingly stopped spinning in his head.
[[“Sanji, we’re taking the food. Thanks!”]]The moment he announced that, Luffy grabbed two of the pancakes and stuffed them into his mouth before he grabbed the entire plate and stood up. Then, as if that wasn’t sudden and random enough, he grabbed Law’s wrist with his other hand and pulled, forcing him to get up as well, only to proceed to drag him out of the room.
All the while ignoring all of Law’s protest or Usopp and Sanji’s confused questions.
By the time Luffy kicked the door to the aquarium bar open and marched inside with Law in tow… Law had already given up.
He was too tired for this shit.
Not to mention Luffy wouldn’t listen to him anyway, always doing whatever the hell he wanted to without giving any consideration to consequences or other people.
Law both loved and hated that part of him.
[[“Why are we here?”]]“Why are we here?” Law asked once Straw Hat hopped on the couch, placing the—considerably smaller now—mountain of pancakes next to him, patting the space on his other side in invitation.
At Law’s question, Luffy tilted his head to the side, a small, adorable frown on his face. “So we can take a nap?”
Law blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Well, you look like you haven’t slept in a month,” Straw Hat accused as he stuck his bottom lip out in a pout, then patted the couch with more urgency.
Law only stared at him blankly.
Was it… that obvious? Did he have ‘I’m having the worst fucking day ever’ written on his forehead? Or was it just Straw Hat’s natural ability to read people?
Or… was it the ‘soul connection’ thing?
[[It didn’t really matter, did it?]]Heaving a deep sigh, Law rubbed at his eyes. He had to admit that a nap didn’t sound so bad; why should he even fight it?
“Fine,” Law muttered quietly, hoping Straw Hat wouldn’t hear him—but judging by the wide, impossibly bright smile he got in response, he had failed at keeping his admission of defeat to himself.
Ignoring the victorious spark in Luffy’s eyes, Law sat down next to him on the couch, letting his head fall back to rest against the aquarium’ glass. His eyelids were already so heavy, impossible to keep open… Seriously, when was the last time he really slept?
He barely noticed the way Straw Hat was shuffling next to him… until he suddenly pulled on Law’s arm and Law’s eyes snapped open in surprise—but too late to prevent Luffy from forcing him to actually lie down.
With Law’s head ending up in Straw Hat’s lap.
How…
[[Utterly embarrassing.]]
Law was too mortified to even move, much less protest any of this.
“Go to sleep, Torao,” Luffy mumbled, his fingers slowly threading through Law’s hair.
Law didn’t have the strength to stay awake anymore. Luffy’s touch was too calming, his warmth and solid presence lulling him to sleep. This wasn’t Law’s life… but right then, there wasn’t anywhere he would rather be.
Just for this short moment, he wanted to bask in this moment of calm and peace—before Straw Hat would inevitably ruin it by getting excited over something new.
Or better yet, before he would get to go *home*.
To his own world, own life, own crew…
And the Straw Hat he truly knew.
But for now, he was happy to enjoy the way Straw Hat grabbed Law’s hand, intertwining their fingers gently, bringing both their hands up.
With the ghost of Luffy’s lips on his inner wrist, just where his soulmark was…
Law fell asleep.
[[Into The Darkness yet again again]] "What?"
"Are you deaf?"
"No. But…"
Law‘s utterly confused. Everything is strange here but at least he hears familiar names.
"What is this place?"
Nami eyes him skeptical.
"The pantheon? The place where we and all the other gods live?"
Pantheon? Gods? What is happening? He needs clarification!
"And you are…?"
"Nami! Goddess of wealth, harvest and fertility!?" Her eyes rest on Law judging him. "Listen, if this is some kind of prank, it is definitely not the time for that! You need to find Luffy, that idiot of a sun god."
Now her expression changes and Law notices, she‘s worried.
[["What's happening?"]]
or
[["This is not my business."]]"What‘s happening?"
"You know very well what‘s happening! It‘s about Luffy! He has to come to the meeting Garp has scheduled for today." And with a lower, sad tone she adds "It‘s very important."
Law still doesn't really understand what she implies.
[[Ask further about Luffy]]
or
[["I don't care."]]"This is not my business."
"Are you kidding me? One of us is dying and you don‘t care?!" She glares at him in anger.
"Dying?" Law repeats unbelievingly.
"Yeah, he‘s dying. Fading away because his powers weaken day by day."
"But, He‘s a god?! How can he die just like that?"
She looks at him with a stern expression.
"Do I really have to explain the basics to you?" She sighs and goes on. "We all have our powers that influence the world of the mortals. When the humans worship us, our power grows and manifests in their world. If they stop, our power fades and we might disappear."
"So Luffy isn‘t worshiped amongst the people?"
She nods.
"But what can I do about it?"
"Talk to him. Try to convince him to take action so he prevents his death."
[["I doubt he would listen to me."]]
or
[["Why should he listen to me?"]]"It‘s about his condition. He‘s losing his powers as a god. He really needs to do something, otherwise he will…he will…"
Her voice breaks and she looks down.
[["What condition?"]]
or
[[Stay silent.]]"As if! You can act all edgy and dark as the god of death but don‘t lie!"
Bewildered by her sudden outburst, he just stands there and stares at her.
"I know he‘s annoying and noisy and a little dumb sometimes but I know you care for him as much as we do. Please, help him!"
"Is it really that bad?"
Nami just nods.
"Nobody worships him as a god anymore. They forget about him and so he‘ll disappear."
Law closes his eyes. He still doesn’t know what all of this means but this really sounds like a serious matter. And maybe finding Luffy will help him figure it out!
[[Go find Luffy.]]"I doubt he would listen to me."
"Why not?" Nami answers. "He always seemed to like you a lot."
Law just shakes his head.
"Please, Law."
Law sighs and turns around. If he doesn‘t know what to do here he could talk to Luffy anyway.
[[Go find Luffy.]] "Why should he listen to me?"
"You always seem to have…a different connection to him. This might be our last chance to save him!"
Nami looks at him with pleading eyes. Law sighs.
"Fine then."
He walks down the hallway and tries to find the young man.
[[Go find Luffy.]] "He‘s dying. Fading away because his powers weaken day by day."
"But, He‘s a god?! How can he die just like that?"
She looks at him with a stern expression.
"Do I really have to explain the basics to you?" She sighs and goes on. "We all have our powers that influence the world of the mortals. When the humans worship us, our power grows and manifests in their world. If they stop, our power fades and we might disappear."
"So Luffy isn‘t worshiped amongst the people?"
"Yeah. So please, Law. Talk to him. We all already tried our best to convince him to change something about that but he wouldn‘t listen. But you…you might be able to do something!"
Law‘s hands clench into fist. He doesn‘t really understand all of this…but he has to do something! He turns around and walks away to find that stupid man!
[[Go find Luffy.]]
"Please, Law. Talk to him. We all already tried our best to convince him but he wouldn‘t listen!"
"But what can I do?"
"Talk to him!" She sounds almost desperate now. "You always seem to have…a different connection to him. This might be our last chance to save him!"
"Is it really that bad?"
Nami just nods.
"Nobody worships him as a god anymore. They forget about him and so he‘ll disappear."
Law swallows hard. This really sounds like a serious matter. And even if he still don‘t really know what‘s going on he needs to find Luffy!
[[Go find Luffy.]] Law just follows his gut and finds Luffy really quick. He sits on a small balcony, high up the building. Like every other person Law met, he wears a toga. The wind blows through his hair. He looks happy.
"Ah Torao!" he greets him with his famous smile.
[["You should be at that meeting."]]
or
[["I'm here because Nami sent me."]]"You should be at the meeting."
"Pfft. Who needs these boring meetings? It will just be others lecturing me about stuff I don‘t care about."
Law eyes him thoroughly. He has the same careless attitude as the Luffy he knows. He just hums a melody as he watches the birds fly across the sky. Nothing seems off with him.
[["They say you're going to die."]]
or
[["Anything bothering you?"]]"I‘m here because Nami sent me."
"Ah she wants me to go to the meeting, right? But I don‘t want to. It‘s super lame."
Law eyes him thoroughly. He has the same careless attitude as the Luffy he knows. He just hums a melody as he watches the birds fly across the sky. Nothing seems off with him.
[["They say you're going to die."]]
or
[["Anything bothering you?"]]"They say, you‘re going to die."
"Oh? Well….I guess they‘re right."
Law freezes. The way he states this so casually catches him off guard.
"How can you be so careless about that?"
He just shrugs. "Because it‘s fine for me, really!"
And there it is. Luffy‘s smile, so bright and contagious.
[["Why do you lose your power?"]]
or
[["So you want to die?"]]"Anything bothering you?"
"Nah, not really." After a moment of silence he continues "If you mean the fact that I‘m going to disappear, I‘m fine with that."
"How can you be so careless about that?"
He just shrugs. "Because it‘s fine for me, really!"
And there it is. Luffy‘s smile, so bright and contagious.
[["Why do you lose your power?"]]
or
[["So you want to die?"]]"Why do you lose your power?"
"Because the people don‘t worship me anymore. They enjoy my power, the sun, the warmth, the light…but not me. And that's fine."
Law feels anger bubbling up inside him. This careless way of Luffy always upsets him!
"How can you be so easy about that? You‘re a god! You have the power, just do something! Order a sacrifice, send a heatwave or whatever! Don‘t tell me you can‘t do that!?"
He takes a step forward and reaches out for Luffy‘s clothes to pull him up. But his hand grabs nothing but thing air. As if Luffy was a ghost, Law‘s hand glides through him.
[["What the…?"]]
"So you want to die?"
"Nah, it‘s not that I want to. But it‘s nothing I want to change."
Law feels anger bubbling up inside him. This careless way of Luffy always upsets him!
"How can you be so easy about that? You‘re a god! You have the power, just do something! Order a sacrifice, send a heatwave or whatever! Don‘t tell me you can‘t do that!?"
He takes a step forward and reaches out for Luffy‘s clothes to pull him up. But his hand grabs nothing but thing air. As if Luffy was a ghost, Law‘s hand glides through him.
[["What the…?"]]Now for the first time Luffys‘s expression changes. A weak smile is on his face.
"See? Even if I wanted to change something, I don‘t have enough power left. I can barely keep my body materialized."
Shock runs through Law‘s body. Luffy suddenly seems so fragile and sad.
"Can‘t the others help you?"
"They probably could. But I don‘t want them to." He pauses and then looks at Law.
"I know, the humans love my power. It gives them happiness, it helps them live good lives. My power grew so strong, they don‘t need me anymore. They are free! No one has to bow before me, fear me or bring offerings. They can just live and I‘m happy for them!"
[["So you are willing to disappear because you don‘t want to force the humans?"]]
He nods.
"But what about your power then? Will the sun just disappear too?"
"No. I was so strong centuries ago that my power now works on his own. They don‘t need me anymore. They're free."
Law‘s speechless. This just sounds so wrong! He can‘t just disappear like that! Not the god of the sun, the one that brings light to this world! Not the energetic man that makes everybody laugh, dance and enjoy life…no not him!
Law has to find a solution!
He could use his powers to save him! He could bind him to his underworld like he did with mortals! This way, Luffy wouldn‘t disappear. He would just…be living with Law in his kingdom of death.
Or he could exchange their powers. He‘s the god of death, he‘s feared and avoided. He‘s the total opposite of Luffy. If one of them deserves to live, it would be Luffy…
[[Save Luffy by giving up his own powers.]]
or
[[Use Law's powers to bind Luffy to the underworld.]]Law reaches out his hand and concentrates on his powers.
"Torao, what are you doing?"
He hears Luffy‘s voice but it fades away.
[[And then everything around Law turns dark.]]
Law reaches out his hand and concentrates on his powers.
"Torao, what are you doing?"
He hears Luffy‘s voice but it fades away.
[[And then everything around Law turns dark.]]
When Law wakes up this time, he is warm… Warm and comfortable. It’s such a refreshing change compared to the violence of some of the universes he found himself in so far. This time, he takes the time, to try and feel for what’s going on around him, waking up slowly.
He’s in a bed, a very soft bed, and he feel like just curling back up and falling asleep again. Falling asleep or passing out seemed to be his usual way out of universes anyway, so might as well try. You never know, he might *finally* get back to his own world at *some* point.
He tries to roll around, to curl up against his pillow and get comfier. He can’t. An arm is holding him in place.
[[Jump up]]
or
[[Try and look at who the arm belongs to]]Law almost jumps out of his skin, dislodging the arm as he sits up. It's been so long since a lover stayed the night… Law can’t even remember the last time it was. So waking up to *being cuddled...*
The person behind him stirs and groans. Law feels his blood run cold.
Please don’t wake up, please don’t wake up, he thinks. He *really* doesn’t want to have to deal with this universe’s Law’s lover. What is he even supposed to do? He doesn’t even know what this Law wants from this person.
The person settles, stealing his pillow and going back to sleep.
Law turns around, wanting to see who it is.
[[Turn around]]Trying very hard not to dislodge the arm, Law moves to turn around.
As soon as the person starts to stir, though, he freezes. He would like to avoid waking up this universe’s Law’s lover, thank you very much. What if they take offense to the fact that Law can’t remember them?
He is just… He is just curious, he guesses. While everything is possible since he is in a different universe, he really, really wants this lover to be a certain someone…
After a few minutes of slow, minute movements, Law finally manages to turn around.
[[Turn around]] Law gasps.
Never in his life has he seen an older man so handsome.
Law has never even looked at older men before but… *Oh!* This universe’s Law has great tastes.
The stubble that is *just* starting to gray makes the man’s strong jaw look even more striking. The soft laugh lines around his lips and eyes speak of a man who’s life is full of joy. The hair looking so lush and full, a few white lines there proving that this man would *continue* to age handsomely, going gray rather than bald. The scar under his eye…
[[The scar under his eye.]]Law almost falls out of the bed. This isn’t just *any* handsome old man. This is *Luffy.*
*The* Luffy! His crush! The man he is in love with! The man he hadn’t even realized he was in love with until he met all those different versions of him! *This* Luffy!
The man he can’t wait to go home to, just to tell him how he feels.
And here he is… So handsome.
If this is how *his* Luffy will age, Law can’t wait to be there to personally witness every change.
Law wants to touch him so bad. Caress the lines of his face, feel the scratch of the stubble against his fingers, discover if his hair is as soft as it looks.
But what if he wakes him up!
This is… This is *Luffy.* In *his* bed. Sleeping with Law and spooning him!
Law already feels light headed. He might faint if those beautiful eyes opened and stared at him. Or if Luffy’s face lit up in his signature smile, making the lines on his face deepen.
[[Touch him]]
or
[[Keep watching him]]Barely breathing from fear of waking him, Law goes to touch Luffy’s jaw.
He almost jerks his hand off when, the instant their skins make contact, Luffy lets out a long, satisfied sigh. But Law is rewarded when he doesn’t move by Luffy turning on his back, revealing the full expense of his beautiful chest as if inviting Law to touch him there too.
And because Law can’t refuse Luffy anything, he does.
He starts by slowly caressing the line of Luffy’s neck, and is about to let his hand wander along the line of his clavicle when he is stopped by…
[[A necklace. A necklace with a gold ring dangling from it.]]Law is startled by Luffy stirring again in his sleep.
With a snoring sound, he rolls on his back, pushing all the covers off and exposing his beautiful chest for the whole world to see.
His beautiful chest and…
[[A necklace. A necklace with a gold ring dangling from it.]]Law’s eyes are fixed on the ring. Is it… a wedding ring?
But then, why is Luffy in his…. A thought crosses his mind, and before he has the time to be scared of being wrong, his hand reacts on reflex, moving in his line of sight.
On his ring finger is a ring indeed. A silver ring shining on his wrinkly skin, making his hand look loved and precious instead of weak and tired.
Law has to hold back his tears.
He is married.
Married to Luffy.
And they are growing old together, waking up in each other arms every morning.
*This is too much!* Too much and *not enough!*
Law wants this, all of this, and he wants it to be his own universe, his own reality!
How did this universe’s Law nail this amazing life? Could Law make this happen for himself in his own universe?
[[Suddenly, a sound coming from Luffy attracts his attention.]]It’s a beating sound, irregular and wild but so loud… The sounds of the Drums…
Law’s doctor’s instincts kick in. Something is wrong with Luffy’s heart.
But the skin over Luffy’s heart gives Law pause. A square patch of his skin is darker, browner, with a completely white spot on the top left corner and black tattoo-like lines curving in the middle.
Also, as Law examines the patch of skin, Luffy’s heart seems to calm down, the beating slowing down and becoming more regular, akin to one of deep focus.
Just as Law is going into full doctor analysis mode too.
Why is Law’s heart in Luffy’s chest?
Law looks down as it own chest, in which the heart beat had kept a slow and relaxed rhythm despite Law’s panic. On his chest is a similar square, matching Luffy’s lighter skin tone perfectly, the tip of his X scar appearing on the corner. Now that he’s actively listening to it, he realizes this heart too sounds like the deep Drums of Liberation.
Law has Luffy’s heart in his chest.
[[They swapped hearts, he realizes slowly.]]This Law and this Luffy decided that tying their lives together through a marriage wasn’t enough, that they wanted to tie their survival together. That a vivre card wasn’t enough, that they wanted to feel the other’s heart beat in their chest at all time, just to be certain the other was alright.
Law’s heart in Luffy’s chest gets louder again, which seems to disturb Luffy in his sleep.
“Torao?” He asks, his voice deep and rough with sleep. A pleasant feeling curls up Law’s spine.
Oh, another thing Law didn’t know he liked before Luffy.
Luffy opens his eyes, blinking blearily in Law’s general direction before smiling a small, intimate smile. Law’s heart kicks up a notch again. Oh, he’s even more beautiful than Law imagined he would be. His eyes so deep, his smile so bright despite it’s softness. Law’s feeling himself melt.
“Hey.” Luffy says. “What are you doing all the way over there?”
Law can’t resist, he has to:
[[Kiss him ]]
or
[[Cuddle him]]Law falls right on top of Luffy, putting a hand on his own heart in Luffy’s chest and curling the other around Luffy’s head.
He can’t stop himself from sighing at the way Luffy looks up at him, full of love and happiness. Luffy uses his own hand at Law’s nape to pull him down, until their foreheads touch.
“Shishishi!” He laughs. “Torao’s being affectionate this morning.” He looks up at Law, his eyes shining in mischief all of a sudden.
Then, before Law can ask what that look is for, he pulls Law into a kiss.
The dam breaks.
Law physically can’t stop himself from deepening the kiss.
It’s just… It’s *Luffy!* A Luffy who loves him and wants to grow old with him. And he has Law wrapped around his finger just like that.
<img
src="https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1089298441013825597/1159619163770327122/TruffyTwine_HUSBANDSv1.png?ex=6531ae81&is=651f3981&hm=b4c3e8317dbce0746acc19b3fd3a95a3c41ecbd9b31e76b970d3dbbf77553b29&=&width=800&height=600"
alt="A digital drawing of Law and Luffy kissing. They are older than in canon, both having white hairs and wrinkles. A pink hue filter is over the scene to outline the love between them."/>
The hand Luffy has on Law’s nap caresses down his back, until he’s holding him loosely by the waist and Law finally manages to pull away.
“Shishishi!” Luffy looks like the cat that got the cream. “I got a kiss without having to brush my teeth first! Torao must be in a good mood today.”
Law rolls his eyes at Luffy’s stupid antics. He can’t believe he’s in love with this idiot.
A very good kisser idiot. So Law closes his eyes and leans in for another kiss.
[[Into The Darkness yet again again]] Law falls right on top of Luffy, grasping the back of his head and kissing him.
Luffy makes a noise of surprise at the sudden movement, before snorting and reciprocating. His hand comes up to curl at Law’s nape.
And Law, Law can feel his own heartbeat, in Luffy’s chest under his hand, as it goes wild with the intensity of his feelings for this man. Law wants to stay here, in Luffy’s arms, forever.
<img
src="https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1089298441013825597/1159619163770327122/TruffyTwine_HUSBANDSv1.png?ex=6531ae81&is=651f3981&hm=b4c3e8317dbce0746acc19b3fd3a95a3c41ecbd9b31e76b970d3dbbf77553b29&=&width=800&height=600"
alt="A digital drawing of Law and Luffy kissing. They are older than in canon, both having white hairs and wrinkles. A pink hue filter is over the scene to outline the love between them."/>
When the kiss ends, Luffy circles his arms several times around Law’s waist.
“Shishishi! What’s gotten into Torao this morning? You usually complain about morning breath if I try to kiss you before brushing my teeth.”
Law shrugs. How can he explain that he comes from another dimension? A dimension in which he and Luffy are not even dating. And that seeing Luffy old and beautiful and *his husband* filled him with so much emotion he had to kiss him like his life depended on it?
So instead he shrugs and closes his eyes to let Luffy kiss him again.
[[Into The Darkness yet again again]]Ok, so this universe wasn't the right one, Law thinks, staring into the 'Sea of Stars' *again*.
The good thing was that he now knew how to get into the universes. The bad thing was that he couldn't keep trying them one by one, it would take forever.
Maybe he could... Try and sense his own universe?
It didn't make sense. But to be fair nothing made sense.
Law focused on his memories of Luffy. *His* Luffy. The beacon of truth and freedom. Maybe he can follow this beacon home.
As if on cue, a golden star approaches Law.
And Law feels it, the familiarity of this one. This is the one. His universe.
Finally! He's going home!
[[Touch the Golden Star]]