Untitled

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlRm7392nUg

Law felt an eyebrow twitch as a sliced pepperoni pizza whizzed past his ear and landed on the wall behind him with a large splat before slowly sliding down, leaving a greasy trail behind it. Another greasy mark for the wall, Law glanced at the grease-shaped pizza splat left on the wall, feeling a blood vessel about to burst, his right eye began to twitch.

“I was saving that,” a deep voice rumbled, interrupting the quietness in the bar. “Don’t you dare touch it,” the red-haired man shouted, grabbing a young boy by the red vest. The boy's cheeks were full of food. “You will pay for that.” He shook the boy aggressively.

“Oh yeah,” Luffy answered Kid, his mouth full of food, “I didn’t see your name on it,” his hand stretched, grabbing a fist full of fries, shoving them into his mouth. A few of them missed his mouth and bounced off the counter, landing near the blank piece of paper near Law.

Kid went and grabbed two slices of pizza, shoving them into his mouth, sending the greasy oil flying everywhere, marking the blank sheet of paper. Law sighed, brushing off the food crumbs that littered the sheet, glaring at the two idiots. Moving his hand from the sticky surface of the table, the frown on his face deepened. How did he get into this mess, he questioned all the life choices that led him to a small, dark bar, owned by the loser Kid, and his time wasted with the idiotic Luffy.

Kid’s bar was never clean; every area in the bar was covered in dirt, with old greasy stains on the moldy couches, almost looking like they were built in patterns.  The air smelled old, mixed with the scent of metal and gasoline. All things unpleasant, much like Kid himself. He could still hear Luffy and Kid scuffling, fighting for the last slice of pizza that was now lying on the floor, covered in filth and dirt.

Oh yeah, a bet. A bet he lost.

Nami had entered Luffy into a battle of band contest with hopes of winning a grand prize of million Belis and he got roped in, wanting to increase her odds by having many different bands. He foolishly accepted the bet from the con woman, forgetting that she knew how to cheat and loved to win. She was familiar with tricks with cards. And Kid somehow got tricked into it as well, maybe the same con she pulled on Law. And Luffy was just dragged in, thinking it was a battle, and his relationship with Nami.

“Mugiwara-ya, Eustass-ya,” Law growled, calling attention to the couple of idiots. They turned to him both mouth full of food, “We need to come up with concept, for the competition,” he managed to keep his temper in check, he needs both losers to understand the importance of battle, or he would be stuck with Luffy tailing him where ever he goes if he lost, “What song will be singing,” he said taking in Luffy’s confused look.

They had long figured out what instrument they would be playing; Law would play on the base and back up vocalist, Luffy would play on the keyboard, and Kid would be the guitarist and be lead vocalist.

“There is no need to come up with a song,” Kid said banging his large hands on the table. The table cracked under the pressure. “The song is going to be about me,” he gave a smug smirk, “After all, I am the lead singer, and guitarist, and the most handsome,” he grinned, showing his side profile.

“Nuh-uh,” Luffy said swallowing his food, “It should be about the greatest thing ever.” He smiled his charming smile, “MEAT!!!” 

Law could feel his eyebrow twitch clenching his jaw he stared at the two idiots before him, “We need something that will have us actually win,” he huffed, he pinched the bridge of his nose. He was struggling with the lyrics of what the song would be about. Yet his mind was blank.

He wanted to leave that woman happy so he could get away from the straw hats. He knew the woman had enough tricks her sleeve to make his life miserable. And somehow drag Kid to disrupt his peaceful life.

He shook his head, his mind trying to form a plan to wiggle himself out of this mess. But like the lyrics, nothing came to mind. His only option was to play and win.

He was grateful for the piano lessons he had taken when he was young. He had quickly picked up how to play the bass. But unfortunately, he was tasked with training Luffy on the keyboard as the young boy had no talent for singing. Or focusing.

“I think a song about meat would win,” Luffy said. “MEAT, MEAT, MEAT, MEAT, it is delicious, it is good, it tastes like meat. Meat makes you smart, meat makes you strong. MEAT, MEAT, MEAT,” Luffy sang off tune. He shoved more meat in his mouth and continued with the song, spitting chunks of meat everywhere. 

Law could only wrinkle his nose. To explain the stupidity of the song would be a waist of breath. He glanced at the blank page before him now covered with grease and food particles, everything but ink. They had been sitting in Kid’s bar for hours; him doing the majority of the work. Kid spent the majority of his time showing off, while Luffy ate and goofed off.

 Law’s stomach rumbled from hunger; the waitress brought another pile of food to the table. He reached for the rice ball that was placed in front of him and took a large bite. He needed to figure what to write the meaning.

Brushing his finger through his dark hair, he let out a frustrated growl, getting tired of Luffy singing (His made-up meat song and off-key) between mouthfuls of food and Kid playing the guitar, lazily. They had three weeks left till the competition, and the only thing they accomplished was the roles, and Luffy learned to play the keyboard.

“Just relax,” Kid said he strummed his guitar humming a rhythm, “We will win this battle, after all the song should be about me, and I am the greatest,”

Law rolled his eyes. A love song felt to banality, and he shuddered at the thought of singing a love song with the idiots. Or songs about parting. He frowned, trying to think of different songs he could think of. The TV blaring a soft commercial jingle, did little to help clear his thoughts. He had to finish this today; they had enough time to complete.

He tried remembering the song from his childhood, music his father would listen to when he had to work and had Law study with him. The strong smell of distinct and the sound of soft jazz playing in the background. The smooth voice of the jazz singer singing about freedom, breaking the bounds, and fighting for what they believed.

“I promise to clean the streets of all criminals, mafia members and bandits,” A muffled voice expressed his glanced up at the TV another corrupt politician stood on the podium expressing. He raised an eyebrow familiar with the man, a celestial dragon who preached love and kindness and protection, but in the end, they were all the same all had ties with the mafia.

 “What is the asshole talking about?” Kid said stopping playing the guitar to stare at the man on the television. “All the politicians are the same, they have the money and power and preach about how they care but not one and help one another. They say cleaning the street, but they are no different from us.”

Law glanced at the overgrown tulip; he was surprisingly insightful for a meathead.

“Why don’t we do a song about that?” Law questioned, “Freedom, challenges, and fighting what we believe,” he said.

Luffy smiled, “I like the idea of freedom.”

Kid smirked.

---

The last few weeks were hell for Law, he spent most of his time in Kid’s sleezy bar, jotting down lyrics while arguing with the two idiots. Kid or Luffy would often write over what he had written, writing their own lyrics, making it ineligible to read. Often having Law to rewrite everything making it more legible to read.

“The song should be about me,” Kid would say jotting down random lyrics down, “after all I am the best,” he would bellow, jabbing a thumb to his chest, “and I am the lead singer,”

“And food,” Luffy would shout. And Law would ignore focusing on the lyrics and writing the correct melody. 

Law hated sitting in Kid’s dirty bar, from the sticky, grimy surface on every table, to the air heavy with smoke and the bitter scent of mold. Unfortunately, Kid’s bar was the best place with good acoustics, with a small stage, and everything set up for them to practice. They would sit on the stage, half their usual table scattered with books on music. The other half with empty food bowls and beer cans.

Law had picked up books on music, practicing when he can so he can master the basics. Thankfully, he had some knowledge from his younger days when he was learning to play the piano, a skill his parents enforced. Lucky he could still read music notes and knew the basic from a beat and rhythm. The skill really helped when it came to teaching Luffy how to play keyboard, fortunately food was a great motivator to help getting the moron to learn and have the lesson stick.

Kid himself was more skilled with music than both Law and Luffy, having played guitar as a hobby. He often corrected mistakes, fine-tuning their instruments till they played perfectly and fixed the inconsistency in the notes Law had written. His voice, managing to fill the small bar, the lyrics Law had written sounded taunting and menacing.

 When they weren’t arguing with one another, Law found himself enjoying himself, enjoying the music they were playing. He had enjoyed writing the lyrics, hearing what he wrote being sung.  He actually enjoyed the way, the base vibrated through his chest, as he strung a melody and his fingers, skillfully strumming on the strings. The music and melody bounced around in Kid’s bar.

“I've eliminated every single one of those who mock the ambitions of others. Do what you say, make up your mind. Those who aren't prepared will soon find themselves at sea,” Kid sang the lyrics a mischievous grin on his face.  He was almost screaming the words bring a different kind of emotion to the lyrics.

“Headliner,” all three screamed into the mic. 

Law stood on the stage, feeling the music in his chest, watching Kid as he grabbed the mic and bellowed the song. The light outlined Kid’s shadow as he moved around the stage, strangely being more animated than Luffy.

“The sparkling stage beckons.” Law sang into his mic. Even though Kid’s bar was empty he could imagine the crowd of people gathering around him.

“The king's throne.”  Kid sang.

They strummed the final part; Kid sang the final lyrics. The last of the notes hummed into the air.

The bar went silent and the lights went out.

“Not bad,” Kid panted between breaths whipping the sweat between his brows. He slung his guitar over his back and smiled at the two, “Law, your tune was a little off, next time try to keep up with me.”

Luffy could only snicker in response. Law could only glare at Kid, he was putting his base away. A base Shachi had lent him, it was a short interest of his when he wanted to play music as a hobby, that didn’t last long. He brushed his finger on the glistening on the body.

“Try not spitting on the people,” Law spat back.

 Practice was done for the day covered in their own sweat, their voices strained and muscles aching they were panting trying to catch their breaths. The battle of the bands was days away and they are working the last of their bugs and getting near perfect.

Kid growled reaching for Law, Luffy snickered in the corner, ready to watch the small fight break out. Nami’s voice rang through the loudspeakers, stopping anything more from happening.

“YOU ASSHOLES BETTER NOT RUIN THE INSTUREMENTS,” she shouted she had been watching safely from the corner monitoring and making sure they were sticking with their plans.

All three assholes glanced at the small female, her gaze fierce she stood unfazed by the powerful men. She held a microphone in one hand a clipboard in the other. She was monitoring all the groups she had signed up for the battle of the bands, after all the more contest she had the better chance she had of winning the prize money, and maybe even second place.

“Any equipment you break will be coming from your pocket,” she warned there as still the hidden threat. The same threat Law and Kid shared.

Grumbling Kid went back to pack his guitar.

--

The day of battle of the band finally arrived, the air was tense with excitement and nervousness as Law sat in the back of the concert hall.  The event was larger than he had originally thought; bodies were clumped together, and the smell of sweat and alcohol filled the air with masses of people gathering near the stage.

Law watched a young female band play, as people cheered them on and swayed their body to beat. He could feel the floor pounding, like a beating heart with each sound vibration. He nursed his sake a bit, watching the band finish their song before another band was called on stage and a roaring cheer ran through the concert hall.

He couldn’t help but also feel a slight surge of excitement rush through him, a small smirk on his lips hidden thanks to the glass of sake he was drinking. A bit of gift to himself for making it through the long weeks with Kid and Luffy. He ignored Nami breathing down his neck, the pent-up rage building inside of her, watching each band perform better than the last.

She had signed up three different bands, all in vain attempts to win any Beli: herself and Robin as one band, Zoro, Sanji, and Brook in another, and she managed to drag the supernova trio as well.

“Wonderful band,” the announcer shouted, “Up next the SUPERNOVA,”

Law felt eyebrow twitch and stared at Nami, “Good luck,” She smiled a threat in her voice.

Law huffed, everything was ready for them on the stage. Kid, Luffy, and Law stood on stage watching, the crowd still high from the last band, cheered loudly at the first notes that started playing.

“If we're aiming for a new world, we have no choice but to break through here.” Law sang the first words of the song.

“Adventure is out there,

Meals with friends, party along the way.

Friends by my side, I will travel the Grandline

chasing dreams and getting that crown

 Becoming King of the Pirates,” Luffy sang his part. Law winced a little at the off tune off his voice but the crowed was still cheering.

“The legend of the future, yes

 It begins here, A new era is being created by HEADLINERS

The balance of power is being rewritten by HEADLINERS” All three sang, together. They were hitting the last of the lyrics, covered in sweat. Law could feel the heat from the lamp burning down on them. Kid moved around the stage, cheering the crowd.

The final notes echoed through the hall only to be drowned out by the loud cheering of the crowd. Panting hard, he could feel his heart racing in his chest from excitement, or exhaustion he couldn’t tell, but he couldn’t hide the smile on his lips. The crowd cheering got louder.

“Headliner,” Law, Kid, and Luffy shouted into the mic.  He could feel the sweat running down his skin, crawling down his back. “Wealth and honor,”

Kid sang his final notes.

They stood on the stage and bowed. All of them panting harder than normal covered in sweat. Taking a quick bow, they left the stage.

“Did you see that?” Kid spoke in his deep voice, ringing in Law’s ear, “They loved me.”

“They were cheering glad you stopped,” Law said.

---

Sitting in their spot, Law watched the other bands play.  He would admit they were good. Brook was talented with music, and he was shocked by Sanji’s singing voice, even though it was a love song and love for a woman, and Zoro had seemed to find the stage playing the guitar. Even Nami and Robin were singing a duet was decent.

Their table was covered in food, with Luffy and Kid fighting over the food, jumping and singing had left them hungry. Scarfing down the food as quickly as it came, Law chewed on his rice ball.  Everything was starting to wrap up, the final band jumped around the stage, a boy band of five pretty boys dancing in sync.

“They are charming,” Robin said sipping her tear a smile on her face.

“Yeah, but we don’t want them to win,” Nami said.

Law couldn’t agree more; he didn’t want to deal with the woman tailing him wherever he went, dragging Luffy along with.

An hour of silence, people were mingling with one another waiting for who the winner would be.  The announcer walked up on stage to a large yellow envelope in his hand, and the whole room went silent, even though Law found himself eager to hear the results.

Whatever was in that small yell envelope sealed his fate.

The problem was, it wasn’t obvious. Because the rest of the crew had no idea that less than an hour ago, you’d been sitting in his lap with his hand slowly slipping beneath your shirt. They had no clue you spent several nights in his office for nothing related to work.

The oppressive silence got you to raise your head. The metal tray beside you rattled softly when you bumped it.

Bepo was staring, his paws over his muzzle. Various expressions of excitement, sympathy, and panic made you pause before you realised what answer you’d given.

“Wait. Wait, that’s not – ”

“You’re in love with our captain!” Shachi said. “That’s so sweet!”

“Very romantic,” Bepo said. “You should tell him. I think he likes you too.”

“I don’t know if he’s interested in relationships though,” Penguin mentioned.

“He just needs to experience it,” Shachi insisted.

You cleared your throat, panic rising in your chest. Law was painfully private and the last thing you wanted was the crew turning this into spectacle before you’d asked him about it. You couldn’t help but feel bad for blurting something like that out.

“Hold on a second,” you said. “I never mentioned love. I meant it in a like respect way.”

“I asked about dating anyone in the world,” Shachi corrected. “Which I would never do but that doesn’t mean you’re wrong. And if he likes you too…”

Ikkaku looked up from her own practice gash. “You can’t assume that.”

“I’ll go ask,” Bepo said.

He got up and hurried to the door before you could even realise what was happening. You jumped to your feet the second it clicked, rushing after him and scattering your instruments over the ground.

“Bepo! Wait! You can’t just ask that!”

He was already halfway down the corridor, boots thudding against the metal floor in quick, uneven beats. You rushed after him, your shoulder clipping the wall as the narrow hallway forced you into a straight line.

Seas, if he said anything to Law, you might just die then and there.

You caught up with him right as he stepped into Law’s office and you bolted in after him, half panting. The door swung open to the low, steady scratch of pen against paper. Law sat behind his desk, the lamplight pooling across scattered notes and casting sharp shadows beneath his eyes.

“Bepo, don’t you dare!”

He looked up from his medical journal, expression very unamused at the sudden outbreak of noise. “What is going on?”

Bepo rocked back and forth, glancing between you and the captain. You gave him a sharp look, practically begging him not to say anything. He tilted his head, confused.

“It’s nothing,” you reassured. “Just… Can I borrow Bepo, please? It’s urgent.”

Law watched you expectantly and you tried your hardest to explain in a look. Or at least reassure him that you would tell him later when you didn’t have half of the crew hovering outside his office door.

He waved his hand. “Try to be quieter about it.”

Bepo didn’t move. “Captain, do you like women?”

“What?”

You grabbed Bepo’s paw and practically hauled him from the office. Embarrassment burned hot on the back of your neck and you slammed the door behind you. He’d complain about that later but right now, you really couldn’t care less.

“You can’t do that,” you hissed. “What do you all think you’re doing?”

“I think it would be good if you tell him,” Bepo said. “I remember him saying before that he’s very fond of you.”

“And it would be good for him,” Shachi agreed.

“Most girls want the man to confess first,” Ikkaku said. “She obviously doesn’t want you to blurt out her interest if you don’t even know what he’ll say. You’re such boars sometimes.”

“I really think we should just pretend I never spoke,” you implored. “Please.”

Or at least give you a few minutes to bring it up with the man in question. You had no idea how Law would react to this and would really appreciate giving him a heads-up if they planned to invade his office with strange questions.

“He’s definitely interested,” Uni agreed. “We could try getting him to confess.”

“Yeah, that should be easy!” Penguin enthused.

This was going to be how you died. You were sure of it.

You followed them back into one of the operating rooms, fully convinced you would just gather your instruments and leave when a white board was dragged in behind you. One you certainly had never seen before.

“What are you doing?”

Half the crew was here. More actually. You had somehow wound up with more people surrounding you than you had seen the entire evening and that did nothing to soothe the embarrassment burning through your chest.

“Right,” Penguin said as he stood in the front like a teacher giving a presentation. “I think if we work together, we can do anything.”

“There’s nothing to be done.”

They ignored you entirely and you hovered, not certain if you should bolt from the room or wait and see what you’d caused.

He picked up a marker and drew a very questionable stick figure wearing a hat. “Our first problem is the captain is emotionally repressed.”

“That’s not…” you trailed off. “Okay, that’s a little true but not relevant.”

He drew a second stick figure, identical to the first. “And you are also emotionally repressed.”

“I am not. Also, why do I look like him?”

“Because you’re in love and when that happens, you start imitating your loved one.”

“I don’t own a hat even remotely similar to that.”

Ikkaku hummed from where she’d swung a chair around to watch. “If he’s emotionally repressed, he might struggle with large crowds. Maybe we should find some way to give them privacy together.”

“Like a closet?” Uni suggested.

“Maybe they can sit together at dinner?” Bepo suggested.

“We already do that,” you pointed out. “All the time. We also work together so we have plenty of alone time.”

They didn’t hear you, not for a second. This wasn’t going to stop. And if you stayed, it would only get worse. You stepped out of the room, shaking your head and hoping that whatever plans they came up with, you had no part in them.

You marched straight into Law’s office and pushed the door open. He lifted his head. “Finally ready to explain what’s going on?”

“They’re trying to set us up,” you said. “They think I’m secretly in love with you and want us to go out.”

He chuckled, a low and quiet sound. “I suppose Bepo’s question makes some sense.”

“What do I do?”

“You could – ”

But you had no time to answer because somebody knocked at his office door. You groaned. “If they find me in here, they’re never going to stop,” you muttered.

He shrugged and held up his hand. Room expanded around you and you let out a small sigh of relief when you found yourself in the hall instead. You were certain that they’d find something new and interesting to focus on soon.

This was temporary.

Unfortunately, temporary still meant that the next morning, you stepped out the women’s quarters and nearly walked straight into Penguin who had clearly been waiting for you.

“We’ve been thinking,” he said and you gave him a look. “But maybe the captain likes you and doesn’t realise it. If we give him a small push, he’ll realise and confess to you all by himself.”

“Or you could leave it be.”

“We have a plan. You just need to trust us.”

You didn’t trust a single word they said. Especially not when you were brought to a very small supply closet before you even got a chance to have breakfast. You blinked at the open door and the tiny space.

“Penguin, tell me that you’re not attempting to lock our captain, who has a devil fruit that allows him to teleport, into a closet with me.”

He laughed. “He won’t if it’s the perfect opportunity to talk to you.”

You could hear footsteps approaching and Penguin’s expression turned more desperate. He kept glancing over your shoulder and you sighed, pinching the bridge of your nose. This as so stupid. There was no way Law would even fall for this in the first place and yet…

“It’s for you,” Penguin whispered. “Come on. We’ve got to try.”

“This is how you get your organs rearranged,” you warned him.

Though if it would get them to stop… you stepped into the cupboard with a grumble. At least there was some space in there. Penguin hurried to close the door behind you.

“Here we are,” you heard Shachi announce. “It’s um… this one here. If you want to take a look.”

They were awful at this.

You heard Law’s annoyed sigh and wondered how long it would be before he just left. “Is this meant to be some kind of joke?”

“Not at all! It’s just… uh…”

The door opened and he stepped inside. They scrambled in the hall, clearly fighting to get the lock closed. You both watched the handle shake for a second and you almost laughed out loud. Had they actually planned this?

Law glanced toward you. “Are you supposed to be the rat problem then?”

“Is that really the excuse they gave you?” you asked. “They couldn’t have found anything better?”

“I knew it was nonsense but I was curious. Do you think they’re aware that I could just use shambles regardless of the door?”

“I told them that but…”

“We’re still here. Why are we being locked in small rooms together?”

You shrugged and lowered your voice to a whisper. “I imagine they’re trying incite me to confess something.”

His eyes flicked toward your lips. The wall pressed lightly into your back as he braced an arm beside your head, closing off what little space you had left. Heat gathered where your bodies nearly met, the tension sharp and immediate.

“This might have been entertaining,” he breathed into your ear. “If it wasn’t for your very captive audience outside.”

Your heart stuttered hard. Lazily, you reached up to take off his hat, plopping it on your head instead.

“I’m taking suggestions on shaking them. They’ve been on my case the whole morning.”

“Have they now? So, this wasn’t your plan?”

“If I wanted something like this, I would have invited you here myself.”

Law leaned in, his lips brushing over yours in a teasing excuse for a kiss. You caught his coat before he could move back and tugged him closer for a proper one. His hand found your waist as he deepened it.  

His leg slotted between your own and a quiet sound slipped from you before you could stop it. He moved away with a smug smirk.

“Seeing as it wasn’t your idea though, I trust you to handle it,” he said and the hand on your back moved.

Shambles moved you through space itself. Your footing vanished for half a second before slamming back into place, balance catching just as your body collided lightly against his. He steadied you before stepping away.

Half the crew were crowded around the door to the storage room, too busy arguing in whispers to notice.

He took his hat back and nodded at you, eyes glinting with satisfaction. “Don’t damage that door,” he said as he walked past.

Everybody jumped and you sighed in disappointment as at least two people fell.

Breakfast brought a very temporary peace and you had a few moments to yourself – hoping to rid the arousal from your veins caused by a certain doctor – before Bepo sat down in front of you, his paws pressed together. He looked very serious and also like he was about to start crying which worried you somewhat.

“Can you fish?” he asked.

You sighed. Why had you even thought it might about something else…

“I’m not giving Law a fish if that’s where you’re going with this.”

“It doesn’t have to be about the fish. It’s more about proving you have the ability to provide,” he said and tapped on the table with his claws. “I really think it could work. He would be very flattered that you want to offer him something he might need.”

“Can you imagine his expression if I just showed up to his office with a dead fish?”

“I think he might be impressed.”

“And I think he might medicate me.”

Bepo sighed dramatically. “I think it might be worth a try. That and headbutts but his hat kind of gets in the way.”

“Humans also don’t headbutt each other randomly,” Ikkaku said as she sat down next to you. “That’s terrible advice either way. I think you should try and work out his type first and go from there.”

You gave her a look. “He barely tolerates people as it is. I don’t think he has a type.”

“I do but it generally doesn’t include gossiping about me.”

Ikkaku and Bepo both jumped and you sighed as he took his usual seat next to you. Maybe the ground could swallow you whole and you could fall into the sea. Drowning felt like it might be an easier death than whatever this was.

“She hurt herself, captain,” Ikkaku said. “You should take some time to look at her hand. Might need stitches.”

Law gave you a look. “Did you?”

The embarrassment was burning you up. Where had she come up with that now?

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know if you’re injured?” he said.

“I actually just remembered that I have to do something,” you said, jumping to your feet. “I’ll catch up with you guys at lunch.”

You didn’t even make it to lunch without another situation descending upon you in the form of both Shachi and Penguin. They flanked you on either side, expressions far too excited for men that you were considering pushing overboard.

“Do you think the captain is the jealous type?” Shachi asked.

“I think he’s the type to swap your heads if you don’t stop this.”

Penguin ignored you. “But if he is – ”

“He’s not.”

“Then that would be the best way to get him to confess.”

“You’re not getting him to confess anything. You’re digging a grave for yourself and everybody else on the crew.”

“Maybe, but once he learns we’re trying to help, I think he’ll be happy,” Shachi said. “But first, we need a controlled test.”

“What test?”

“A jealousy test.”

You stopped walking and gave them both a look. “This plan feels like a good way to make absolutely nobody happy.”

“We just want to help you fulfil your love,” Penguin defended. “And the captain too. He won’t say anything about it but he really does like you. Bepo asked and he said it.”

For a second, that softened you a little. “He did?”

“Yeah,” Shachi said. “So this is the perfect way to get him to realise he needs to say something before you’re lost forever. Step one, we find somebody to flirt with you.”

Your good graces disappeared immediately. “No.”

“It’s light flirting. Nothing serious. Just enough for him to go, ‘damn, I should make my move before she’s gone for good’.”

“Not a chance.”

“Who’s the best flirt on the crew?” Penguin asked.

You crossed your arms. “Honestly, after today, I dread any one of you being allowed to have romantic interactions at all.”

“That’s harsh,” he huffed. “But it’s fine. We can practise first.”

“What?”

“I’ll pretend to be you,” Shachi said. “And we can roleplay the whole thing. We don’t even need good flirting because it’s fake, right?”

“Somehow, it not being good flirting feels worse.”

Penguin brightened. “What if we set up an accidental touch? Like you can fall and somebody catches you that isn’t the Captain? He always likes to help you when you’re struggling with things so this is perfect.”

“I… somehow think that’s going to end with somebody in pieces.”

“If he tells you that he’s interested in you, you won’t be heartsore anymore,” Shachi said. “And we’ve been wondering why you always go to your quarters so early in the evening and stare into space sometimes.”

They really did think they were helping. You steepled your fingers together and tried to focus on their good intentions rather than anything else.

“Nobody is flirting with me,” you said. “And I have other reasons for sneaking off all the time and staring.”

They also had to do with the captain but a few steps further into the relationship than your usual pining.

“Okay, what if we just mention somebody is interested when he’s in earshot.”

“Just no.”

Thankfully, they took the hint on the jealousy thing. Or, they were far too scared of the captain’s reaction to actually try it which was definitely helped by him shooting a very sharp glare toward anybody in your vicinity that afternoon.

But it was only a matter of time before they tried something new.

You arrived at the dining hall, late for dinner even, and found it to be eerily empty. There was no loud chatting or bad jokes. Just two plates sitting atop a table with a light pointed directly at them and one or two lopsided candles. You imagined this was supposed to be romantic but really, it looked more like the set of a horror novel.

You heard footsteps behind you and turned, allowing Law to see what had been laid out with the most unimpressed expression imaginable.

He raised an eyebrow. “Subtle. I thought I chose my crew for their intelligence.”

“I really hope it wasn’t for their sneaking skills,” you said, loud enough for the shuffling footsteps outside the door to hear.

The whispers fell quiet and you shook your head.

“I clearly have to find something for them to do if they have time enough to waste on this,” Law said but he approached the table regardless. “Is this meant to be a date?”

“I’m more wondering where we got candles from,” you said.

You followed him, shooting one sharp look toward the door where four heads immediately pulled back. This was starting to get a little overbearing.

“I think we had some for potential power loss. Not really an appropriate use of them though.”

You took your seat at his side, shoulders bumping and your back to the door. “You’re so lucky they’re not badgering you more. I haven’t known peace since last night.”

“What did you say?”

“They asked if I could date anybody, who would it be because they were looking at wanted posters and I said you.”

He chuckled. “Naturally.”

That smug smile would be the death of you with the things it did to your heart. You nudged him with your elbow. “Yes but they’ve now decided I’m doomed to unrequited love and only hours away from dropping dead from heartbreak.”

“It might not be as impossible as you’re imagining. It presents rather like a heart attack. Should I take your heart out for some closer monitoring.”

You shook your head. “I’d prefer you didn’t. Honestly, it would be far easier if I just told them.”

“So, why haven’t you?”

“What do you mean?”

Law gestured over his shoulder toward the watching crowd and they scrambled to hide. You heard a loud thump and a soft groan of pain.

“If they’re bothering you so much, tell them that we’re already together and they’ll drop it.”

You watched him carefully, eyes tracing the details of his unaffected face before you answered. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be comfortable with it and I haven’t gotten an opportunity to talk to you about it. Considering… you know.”

“Why would I care what they know?”

“Because you won’t even tell them your favourite colour.”

“I don’t have one.”

“See.”

He sighed. “The reason they don’t know that is because it doesn’t matter. There’s no situation where it’ll be of vital importance for them to know my favourite colour or else they’ll face immediate death.”

You laughed softly. “Always the optimist.”

His hand came up without warning, fingers firm against your jaw as he tilted your face toward his. “This though is far more important than a colour.” His thumb brushed gently over your skin, skimming your bottom lip. “Because they should understand the consequences if anything ever happens to you. Or if they continue to bother you about this nonsense.”

His eyes flicked toward the door once more and nobody moved; the whole crew frozen and staring inside as though invisible.

Your heart felt like it was pumping out honey and you leaned in to press a small kiss to the corner of his mouth. “That was one of the sweetest things I’ve ever heard.”

A flush of pink immediately rushed to his cheeks. He let go of you immediately but the damage had been done.

Everybody poured into the dining hall, voices bouncing across the deck. Questions hit you from every direction, loud and overlapping, impossible to follow. Law’s eye twitched at the sudden volume and you couldn’t help but laugh. You supposed, if nothing else, they would be focused on both of you now.

“Wait, you… since when?!” Shachi spluttered.

Penguin grabbed his best friend’s shoulders. “I told you there was chemistry already! You said there’s no way that the captain could have confessed!”

“I thought he’d need a push!”

“You locked us in a closet!” you snapped.

“And it worked!”

“It did not work because of the closet! We’ve been together for months!”

“Captain!” Bepo rushed forward. “How long have you been in love and not told us?!”

“I didn’t say anything about that,” Law said flatly.

You glanced at him with a teasing smile. “Oh?”

He glanced back, unimpressed. “Don’t start.”

Ikkaku leaned in, her eyes narrowed. “So who confessed first? We need to hear the whole story you’ve been hiding from us!”

Law stood up immediately. “I’m leaving.”

You grabbed his sleeve before he could escape, laughing. “Oh no, you don’t. You said this was important information for them to have.”

He gave you a long look before he sat back down.

“I regret this already,” he muttered.

“Too late,” you said.

The noise was actually quite nice when you were part of it and really, it didn’t seem like your captain minded that much either. If you looked close enough, you almost caught the faintest smile on his face.

Law always finds himself at the gates of the old hospital. The structure itself has been reduced to a field of rubble. He sits on a column fragment and tries to picture his parents’ faces, but can’t. He only retains bits and pieces of his former life – his father’s booming laugh, his mother’s cool, reassuring touch against his forehead when he burned with fever, Lami’s bubbling laughter, the press of her small hand against his. The weight of Flevance’s tainted history presses all too heavy here. A familiar melancholy suffocates him. Had his parents known the kingdom’s cursed fate, would they still have brought him and Lami into this world?