Memi

You honestly have no idea how that happened.

“I’m telling you, twenty candles is enough!” Ikkaku says.

“I’m twenty-eight!” Penguin complains.

“Exactly. Twenty is close enough.”

“That isn’t how birthdays work!”

Across the table, Law sighs “Can we eat before they start another war?”

“Captain has spoken!” Bepo announces.

Everyone cheers.

You smile and Law notices.

He notices everything, like when you skip breakfast because you worked late with him in the office, or like when you steal all the spicy food before anyone else can, or like when you're tired and quietly leaves coffee next to your seat without saying a word.

He notices everything, except apparently the fact that you’re hopelessly in love with him. Which is honestly rude of him.

Dinner goes by in noise and laughter.

Someone starts a drinking game and that someone loses immediately.

It’s probably Sachi, or it’s definitely Sachi.

By the time dessert arrives, your cheeks already feel warm, maybe from the alcohol, maybe from the way Law is sitting next to you or maybe both.

Bepo walks in carrying the cake with enough pride to make it look like he baked it himself “Happy birthday, Penguin!”

Everyone cheers again.

Penguin actually wipes away a fake tear “My crew loves me.”

“Don’t get used to it.” someone says.

Bepo starts cutting the cake, then, naturally, he takes the first slice and walks toward Law “Captain gets the first piece!”

Law looks at the plate, then he takes it and immediately holds it out toward you “Here.”

Your brain stops working “...Me?”

“You like this flavor.”

Your hand reaches for the plate automatically and so your fingers brush his. Barely a tiny touch, but big enough to make your heart immediately try to escape your chest “T-Thanks.”

Law already looks away “Don't drop it.”

You stare at the cake and then at Law with a smile. Penguin squints at you saying in a mad whisper “It’s my birthday, I should get the first slice…”

Meanwhile Sachi squints at Law.

Ikkaku pinches the bridge of her nose.

Bepo smiles because Bepo believes in love.

You take a bite but you cannot taste anything because your soul has left your body.

Five minutes later you have another drink, then another and then another. Unfortunately alcohol doesn’t kill feelings. It only makes them louder.

Later that night, you stumble into your room and collapse dramatically onto your bed.

Ikkaku barely looks up from the magazine she's reading “You look terrible.”

“Thank you.”

“You smell like alcohol.”

“Thank you.”

“And regret.”

You sit up immediately “Ikkaku.”

“Hm?”

“He gave me the first slice of cake.”

She slowly lowers the magazine “Who?”

You stare at her and she stares back, both confused by the other.

“...Law.”

“Ah.”

“THE first slice.”

“You mentioned that.”

“Bepo gave it to him because he’s captain and then Law gave it to me.”

“Tragic.”

“Our hands touched.”

“Even more tragic.”

You point accusingly at her “You don't understand.”

“No, I understand perfectly.”

You stand up but immediately regret standing up, so you quietly sit back down “No, listen.”

“I’m listening.”

“Do you remember three months ago when I got sick?”

Ikkaku sighs “Probably.”

“He stayed in my room until my fever went down.”

“He’s a doctor.”

“He also made me tea.”

“Because he’s a doctor.”

“He adjusted my blanket.”

“Still sounds very doctor-like.”

You gasp “He looked worried!”

“Doctors usually prefer their patients alive, yes. Even better if it’s a Captain trying to make his crewmate stay alive.”

You throw a pillow at her but she catches it without looking.

“And last month!” you continue.

“Oh no.”

“When I fell asleep in the library…”

“You mean the office?”

“Whatever.”

“You drooled on one of his books.”

“That isn't the important part!”

“It should be.”

“The important part is that he put his coat over me!”

Ikkaku finally puts the magazine down “Yes.”

“His coat, Ikkaku.”

“I know what a coat is.”

“His coat smelled like him.”

“Please stop talking.”

“And then when I woke up he acted like nothing happened!”

“That sounds exactly like Captain.”

You flop dramatically back onto your bed “Why is he like this?”

“Because he’s Law.”

“Exactly!”

Ikkaku stares at the ceiling then she sighs… a long, tired sigh. The sigh of someone who has suffered for too long “Why don't you just confess?”

You sit up so fast you almost fall off the bed “What?!”

“Confess.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Why?”

You look at her with pure horror and maybe a little disgust “Have you lost your mind?”

Suddenly a small noise comes from outside the door, making you freeze “...Uh?”

Ikkaku raises an eyebrow “What?”

“Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

“Was someone spying on us?”

You stare at the door suspiciously.

Silence.

Ikkaku waves a hand “Forget that.”

“But…”

“If you confessed, I'd finally be free from listening to you fangirl every single night about our captain.”

You blink “I don’t fangirl every night.”

She gives you a look, making you look away and correct her, “Almost every night.”

“Exactly.” she points at you “Do you know how many times I've heard the sentence ‘Law looked at me today’?”

“That happened!”

“He's your captain! He has to look at you sometimes!”

“Not like that!”

“You mean with his eyes?”

You throw another pillow and this one hits her. Ikkaku continues anyway “Honestly, I don't really see it in him.”

You gasp dramatically “Excuse me?”

“It's true. I’m actually disgusted…” she shrugs “it would be like me fangirling over one of the other idiots to you. How would you feel?”

You immediately make a face “Absolutely not.”

“See?”

“That's disgusting.”

“Exactly!”

You sigh and then another sigh, then you fall backward onto your bed with all the sadness in the world “But Law is Law...”

Ikkaku looks over.

Your voice comes out quieter this time “I can't confess my feelings to our captain.”

You stare at the ceiling “That would just make things awkward.”

Outside the door… a certain captain stands completely still.

Law stares at the floor, expression unreadable.

You love him?

You?

No.

Impossible.

You're drunk.

You probably won't even remember this tomorrow.

He adjusts his hat and turns around, walking away.

Then “Captain!”

Law looks up.

Bepo jogs toward him down the hallway “I was looking everywhere for you!”

Law panics a bit and tries to steal a look at your door to see if you found out he was there all that time. As he sees the door stays closed he walks over to Bepo and asks “Why?”

“Penguin and Sachi are arguing about whether sea kings count as fish again.”

Law closes his eyes “Let’s go then.”

The sound of voices reaches your room and you go to the door and open it just in time to see Law and Bepo disappearing down the hallway.

Law doesn't look back and so the door closes.

Slowly, very slowly, you turn toward Ikkaku, your face goes pale “...Do you think he heard?”

Ikkaku stares at you, then at the door and then back at you “If he did, maybe he'll finally suffer with the rest of us.”

“IKKAKU!”

She bursts out laughing.

You, meanwhile, seriously consider moving to another submarine.

You don’t sleep at all that night…

You lie in bed, turn to one side, turn to the other side. Stare at the ceiling, stare at the wall and stare at Ikkaku, who somehow fell asleep three minutes after your crisis.

Rude.

Every time you close your eyes, your brain kindly replays the same sentence.

“I can't confess my feelings to our captain.”

Then another.

“Do you think he heard?”

Then you think about Law standing outside the room.

Law hearing everything.

Law knowing.

Law rejecting you.

Law transferring you to cleaning duty forever, or even worse, kicking you out the crew, because being near you is awkward now.

Your eyes snap open.

Nope… not sleeping tonight.

The next morning, you walk toward breakfast feeling like you're about to be executed.

Your stomach hurts, your head hurts and ypride hurts.

You enter the dining room carefully.

Penguin and Sachi are arguing.

Bepo is making tea.

Ikkaku is stealing food from Penguin's plate.

Everything looks normal.

You almost cry from relief.

Maybe he didn't hear, maybe you're safe… maybe—

“Morning.”

You nearly jump out of your skin.

Law stands beside you. Hat low over his eyes. Expression unreadable.

In his hand is a small bottle and he holds it toward you “For your headache.”

You blink “...Hangover medicine?”

“You drank half the party.”

“I was under emotional stress.”

“That's not a medical condition.”

You take the bottle and your fingers almost touch again.

Your heart still reacts anyway but you manage to say “Thanks, Captain.”

He nods once.

You move a little on the bench, making room beside you. His spot, the spot where he sits almost every morning. The spot everyone silently accepts belongs to him now.

You pat the empty space “There's room.”

For half a second, Law looks at the seat, then he looks away “I'm not hungry.”

And just like that he leaves.

You stare after him.

The room goes strangely quiet.

Penguin slowly looks at Sachi. Sachi slowly looks at Penguin.

Bepo looks worried.

Ikkaku looks like she's watching a ship sink.

“...Maybe he's sick.” Bepo says “Doctors get sick too.”

You force a smile “Yeah. Probably.”

But your stomach sinks, because Law never skips breakfast, especially not coffee… that man runs on coffee.

Later, you find him in the office, or at least you try to.

You knock on the door but there’s no answer.

You knock again… still nothing.

You carefully open the door and it’s empty.

You blink… that's strange. The office is usually where Law lives.

You close the door, turn around and nearly crash into Shachi.

“Captain was looking for you earlier.” Shachi says.

You brighten immediately “Really?”

“Yeah, but then he remembered he had paperwork in the engine room.”

You stare “...The engine room?”

“That's what he said.”

You stare harder “Captain hates paperwork and makes Bepo do it all.”

“That's also true.”

At lunch, things somehow get worse.

You sit down beside Bepo and the seat next to you stays empty until Law arrives.

You smile a little as he walks toward the table, toward you.

Then he sits two seats away, next to Penguin, who is now in between the two of you.

You blink, maybe he didn't notice the seat.

Yes. That must be it.

Halfway through lunch, Penguin stands up “I'm getting more juice.”

His seat becomes empty. Perfect, there’s no one between you and Law now.

Law immediately stands up “I'm getting coffee.”

He leaves before Penguin even returns.

You stare at his retreating back.

Bepo looks between the two of you nervously “Maybe Captain really is sick...”

“Maybe…” you say quietly.

The afternoon is worse… much worse, because now you're looking for it. Every time you enter a room, Law leaves a few minutes later. Every time you approach him, suddenly he remembers an important task.

Every time you start a conversation like, “Captain, can I ask you something?”

“Later.”

…

“Captain, have you seen my notes?”

“No.”

…

“Captain, are you busy?”

“Yes.”

You look around the completely empty room “Doing what?”

Law pauses “Thinking.”

Then he walks away.

…

By evening, you're going insane.

You find Ikkaku fixing equipment and you drop onto the seat beside her dramatically “He's avoiding me.”

“Mmhm.”

“No, seriously.”

“Mmhm.”

“Ikkaku!”

She sighs “Yes. He is.”

You stare “YOU SEE IT TOO?”

“The entire submarine sees it.”

Your soul leaves your body “Oh no…”

“Oh yes.”

You bury your face in your hands “He heard.”

“Probably.”

“He definitely heard.”

“Definitely.”

“I'm going to die.”

“Probably not.”

You dramatically put your hands over your face “I'll have to leave the crew and live on a small island somewhere.”

“That seems dramatic.”

“I'll change my name.”

“Even more dramatic.”

“I'll become a farmer.”

Ikkaku finally laughs “You don't even know how plants work.”

“I'll learn.”

Before she can answer, Penguin suddenly appears and points at you “There you are!”

You blink “...Me?”

“Captain wants to see you in his office.”

Everything stops… your brain stops, your heart stops, the submarine stops… probably not the submarine, but definitely everything else.

Slowly, very slowly, you look at him “...Did he say why?”

Penguin shrugs “Nope.”

You turn toward Ikkaku and she looks back at you.

“If I don't come back,” you say solemnly, “tell Bepo he can have my secret snacks.”

“You're going to an office, not an execution.”

“How do you know?”

You stand up, take one step and turn back around “Actually no, this feels exactly like an execution.”

And somewhere inside his office, Trafalgar Law is currently asking himself why avoiding you somehow hurts more than simply hearing the truth.

The walk to Law's office feels longer than usual. Possibly because your legs have forgotten how to work. Or because your brain keeps coming up with new horrible possibilities.

Maybe he wants to transfer you to another division or whatever he has. Maybe he wants to make things “professional”. Maybe he wants you off the submarine.

You stop in front of the office door and stare at it.

You consider running away, but unfortunately, you’re an adult.

You knock.

“Come in.”

You open the door.

Law sits behind his desk, almost suspiciously normal.

“You wanted to see me, Captain?”

“Close the door.”

Your soul leaves your body as you close the door.

Outside the office, Bepo appears around the corner. Then Penguin. Then Sachi. Then Ikkaku. Then another crew member. Then another. The entire hallway slowly fills with these criminals who apparently have nothing better to do.

“Move over.” Penguin whispers.

“You're standing on my foot!” Sachi whispers back.

“Shhh!” Bepo whispers loudly.

Inside the office, thankfully, neither of you hears them.

Law clears his throat and looks at a paper and then at another paper… just anywhere except at you.

“I need you to organize the medical inventory from the last island.”

You blink “...What?”

“Some supplies are missing from the records.” he grabs another paper “And the storage room needs a new system because Penguin somehow filed painkillers with cooking spices.”

Outside the door: “That happened one time!” Penguin whispers.

“Three times.” Ikkaku whispers back.

Law continues “And Bepo says some boxes were moved during cleaning, so I need someone with a functional brain to check everything again.”

You stare at him.

He keeps talking… words continue happening, and you’re listening to exactly none of it, because your brain catches on one single detail.

He’s not angry, he’s not firing you and he’s not even mentioning yesterday.

Your eyes widen “...Then you didn’t hear?”

Law stops talking “Hear what?”

You stare at him and he stares back.

Your brain immediately chooses denial “...I'm still in the crew?”

Law looks at you like you just spoke another language “What?”

“I'm not getting kicked out?”

Now he looks genuinely concerned “Why would I kick you out?”

The biggest sigh in human history leaves your body. You practically collapse into the chair in front of his desk.

“Oh...” you put a hand over your chest “That's such a relief.”

Law frowns “Relief from what?”

You lean back in the chair “I thought I made things awkward.”

Law's eyes narrow slightly “For what?”

You look at him, completely innocent and completely unaware of the disaster about to happen.

“For yesterday.”

Law freezes.

Oh no.

You know.

Of course you know.

Why else would you bring it up?

His brain starts working very fast and very badly.

He adjusts his hat and looks away “You were drunk.”

You blink “...What?”

“It's okay.” he crosses his arms “I know you didn't mean it.”

Now it's your turn to freeze “Didn't mean what?”

Law answers immediately “You... don't really love me.”

You jump to your feet “YOU ACTUALLY HEARD ME?!”

Law blinks “...You didn't know?”

“I THOUGHT SO BUT THEN I THOUGHT NOT!”

Outside the office door: Penguin silently grabs Sachi's arm. Sachi silently grabs Bepo's arm. Bepo silently looks like he's about to cry. Ikkaku closes her eyes.

Finally.

Finally.

Inside the office, disaster continues.

You don't even let Law answer, instead, you bow quickly, eyes fixed on the floor “I'm sorry!”

Law immediately looks alarmed “What?”

“I know it's not right for me to have feelings for my captain.”

“That's not—”

“But please don't kick me out of the crew!”

Law stares.

You keep going, faster and faster, like a train without brakes “It's all I have...”

Your hands tighten into fists “I'll try my best not to make things awkward for you.”

Law opens his mouth but you don’t see him and so, you continue “I will change my seat at meals!”

“You don't have to…”

“Actually, I'll eat in my room!”

Outside: “No!” Bepo whispers in horror.

“Shhh!” Penguin whispers.

“But that's sad!”

Inside: “I'll take orders from Bepo so we don't even have to talk at all!”

Law looks genuinely offended by that idea “Why would—”

“Just please...” your voice finally breaks “I need to stay here.”

Silence fills the room.

Law can’t see your face. Your head is bowed too low.

But then he sees a single tear falls to the floor and everything inside him stops immediately.

Without thinking, he steps closer.

You don't even notice… not until fingers gently touch your chin.

Your breath catches.

Law lifts your face carefully and slowly.

His eyes meet yours and then his thumb brushes under your eye, wiping away a tear.

“I thought you were too drunk to mean all that yesterday...”

His voice is quiet. His thumb brushes away another tear.

“That’s why I’ve been avoiding you.”

Your eyes widen.

Law looks away for a second, as if admitting that physically hurts him “Because if you didn’t mean it...”

He exhales slowly “Then I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable by acting like I heard it.”

Outside the office door, the entire crew collectively stops breathing.

Inside the office, you just stare at him, because somehow, this conversation has become even more confusing.

“...You were avoiding me because you didn’t think I loved you?”

Law immediately regrets every decision that brought him to this moment “That isn’t what I said.”

“That’s exactly what you said.”

“No.”

“Captain…”

“No.”

You blink and Law sighs.

Slowly, he looks back at you, his hand is still under your chin “I thought you were drunk.”

His voice is almost frustratingly calm “Because if you weren’t...”

He stops.

You wait.

Outside the office door, four pirates lean even closer.

“If you weren’t?” you ask quietly.

Law closes his eyes for a moment and then opens them again “Then it would mean the person I love actually loves me back.”

Silence.

Outside the office: Bepo covers his mouth. Penguin grabs Sachi’s shoulders. Sachi grabs Penguin’s shoulders. Ikkaku looks ready to collapse from relief.

Inside the office… you stare at Law and Law stares at you.

“...What?”

Law looks away immediately “Forget I said that.”

“No, absolutely not.”

“Too late.”

“Captain!”

“Too late.”

“LAW!”

That makes him look back at you immediately.

Your eyes are still wet, but now you're smiling… a small smile. The kind that makes his heart do very inconvenient things.

“You love me?”

Law looks like he wants the floor to open and swallow him whole “Unfortunately.”

Outside the door, Ikkaku finally loses patience and she throws the door open “OH FOR GOD'S SAKE FINALLY!”

The entire crew falls into the office, literally.

Penguin lands on Sachi. Sachi lands on Bepo.

Bepo apologizes.

Law stares at the pile of pirates on his floor. You stare at them too.

“You were spying on us?!” you shout.

“YES!” Ikkaku shouts back.

She points dramatically at both of you “DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW LONG WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS?”

Penguin raises a hand from the floor “Two years, three months and six days.”

Law slowly removes his hat and covers his face with it.

You, meanwhile, seriously consider going out and jumping into the ocean.

Penguin somehow ended up under a chair. Sachi is still holding Bepo's arm. Bepo looks emotional enough to cry.

Law looks emotional enough to commit murder.

You point accusingly at the spies “YOU WERE LISTENING THE WHOLE TIME?!”

“Yes!” Ikkaku replies immediately.

“ALL OF IT?!”

“Most of it.”

Penguin raises a hand “We missed the first thirty seconds because Sachi stepped on Bepo's foot.”

“You stepped on my foot!” Sachi protests.

“Sorry!” Bepo says automatically.

You stare at Ikkaku and she stares back. Then your eyes narrow “You ruined the moment!”

She points at herself “Me?!”

“Yes, you!”

“I ruined the moment?”

“You kicked down the door!”

“Because the two of you were taking forever!”

“We were having a conversation!”

“You call that a conversation?!” she starts counting on her fingers “You cried about getting kicked out.” another finger “Captain thought your confession wasn't real.” another finger “Then Captain confessed.” another finger “Then both of you stared at each other for twenty seconds without blinking!”

You cross your arms “You can't know that… and… that was an important twenty seconds.”

“That was the longest twenty seconds of my life!”

Penguin nods “Honestly, I thought one of you had died standing up.”

“I almost did.” Law mutters.

You ignore him, mostly because you're busy glaring at Ikkaku “You still ruined the moment.”

“And I'd do it again.”

“Traitor.”

“Drama queen.”

“Door breaker.”

“Captain simp.”

You gasp “Too far.”

“Not far enough.”

Law sighs and rubs his forehead. This is probably not how he imagined today going.

Suddenly Penguin stands up “You know what?”

Everyone looks at him.

He points dramatically at you and Law and says “I think our work here is done.”

Sachi nods “Agreed.”

Bepo nods even harder “Very agreed!”

Ikkaku looks between the two of you, then she shrugs “Fine.”

She points at you “But if you somehow manage to misunderstand each other again, I'm locking both of you in a storage room.”

“Noted.” Law says dryly.

Penguin walks out and Sachi follows. Bepo gives you a thumbs up and a very emotional smile.

Ikkaku stops at the door, looks at you two and then she grins “Try not to take another two years.”

“Get out.” Law says immediately.

She laughs and the door closes.

Now it’s just you and Law, but neither of you speaks for a moment.

Then Law sighs.

“Well...” he adjusts his hat slightly “That was awkward.”

You look at him and give him a small smile “Was it?”

Law raises an eyebrow and you take a step closer.

He watches you take another step closer and then another, until there’s barely any space left between you.

You have to look up to meet his eyes and your smile becomes a little mischievous “I meant every word I said yesterday.”

Law goes still but you continue anyway “Drunk or not.”

Your voice softens “Law...”

His name sounds different coming from you like that… softer.

“I love you so much that I was ready to pretend not to exist if it meant I could stay with you.”

For a second, he just looks at you, and then one hand gently cups your cheek, his thumb brushes lightly near your temple and then he kisses you slowly and softly.

You kiss him back immediately, without hesitation.

His hand stays on your cheek.

Yours find his shirt, holding onto it lightly.

The world becomes very quiet.

When he finally pulls back, he stays close enough that your foreheads almost touch.

His eyes are softer than you've ever seen them.

“You know,” he says quietly, “eating every meal in your room was never an option.”

You laugh softly “Really?”

“Really.”

His thumb brushes your cheek again “And taking orders through Bepo was a terrible plan.”

“I was panicking.”

“I noticed.”

You grin “You looked pretty panicked too.”

Law immediately looks offended “I was perfectly calm.”

You stare at him and he stares back.

You raise an eyebrow and he looks away first.

Victory.

Your smile grows “So...”

Law looks back at you “So?”

“Does this mean I get my seat back at meals?”

He actually rolls his eyes “That was always your seat.”

Your heart does a very embarrassing thing inside your chest.

You smile at him again, soft and honestly happy “Good.”

Outside the office door, because of course they’re still there… a muffled voice whispers “THEY KISSED!”

Another voice immediately answers “I TOLD YOU THEY WOULD KISS!”

Law closes his eyes.

You burst out laughing and Law opens his eyes again just to look at you being this happy.

Then you calm down and turn back to him “Oh. You have to repeat to me why you actually called me here… I fear I heard nothing of all you told me earlier.”

He sighs and says “Don’t worry, I’ll make Ikkaku do it.” 

You hear her behind the door but you don't care much, you just smile at Law and walk closer to hug him.

He smiles a bit and just lets you hug him while putting a hand on your waist to balance you.

Sanji shouts from the kitchen. Nami complains about the noise.

Robin simply smiles behind her book.

And somewhere near the railing… Brook plays his violin.

The soft melody dances through the warm afternoon air.

You stop walking to enjoy it and Brook notices.

Somehow, he always knows when you're nearby and he doesn't understand it, or maybe he doesn't want to understand it… because it only makes everything harder.

He finishes the song and you clap happily saying “That one is my favorite.”

Brook jumps “Y-Young Lady Y/N! I didn’t notice you were there!”

You giggle “You say that every time.”

“D-Do I?”

“Every single time.”

Brook laughs loudly “YOHOHOHO! How embarrassing!”

'She's smiling'...

He wishes he could freeze this moment forever, instead, he carefully puts down his violin but he asks you “Would you... like me to play another?”

Your eyes brighten “Really?”

“Of course.”

You sit beside him and Brook becomes painfully aware of the tiny distance between your shoulders.

He immediately hates himself for thinking it isn’t close enough.

Some months ago you joined the Strawhats, and you started fitting in much faster than you expected.

Everyone acts natural and like family around you.

And Brook… he never quite knows what to say to you.

The first time you meet him he bows politely “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Brook, musician of the Straw Hat Pirates.”

You smile “It's nice to meet you.”

Brook waits. Every new person he meets usually reacts the same way… they stare, they scream or they question him.

You don't… instead you point at his violin and ask him “OOH! You play the violin?”

Brook freezes “...My hair?”

You look at him confused but entertained “You hair what?... it does look really soft… but…”

Brook almost forgets how to speak “Y-Yes! I mean... if you wish to touch it...”

You’re really confused but you gently pat his hair anyway, and then your smile grows “It really is soft.”

Brook's soul almost leaves his body.

'She... isn't scared.'

Since that day… everything changes for Brook.

He starts writing new songs and without meaning to every melody reminds him of you.

When he practices he wonders if you'll listen.

When he eats he wonders if you'll sit beside him.

When he wakes up he hopes he'll see you on deck.

Every little thing becomes about you and it drives him mad.

One evening Brook is tuning his violin.

Robin quietly sits beside him and she watches him for a moment, then she points out “You're smiling.”

Brook laughs “Am I?”

Robin closes her book “More than usual.”

Brook keeps adjusting the strings “Music makes me happy.”

Robin says nothing, she simply looks across the deck and spots you helping Chopper organize medicine.

You laugh at something he says.

Robin smiles “Does music have Y/N's voice now?”

Brook almost drops his violin “L-Lady Robin!”

Robin chuckles softly “I wondered that for a while.”

Brook lowers his head “Please...”

“I'm not teasing you.”

He sighs “Is it obvious?”

Robin nods once “Only if someone pays attention.”

Brook laughs nervously “Then I shall simply hope no one else pays attention.”

Robin doesn't answer and she watches you again.

Unfortunately… someone else notices too.

The next morning Luffy walks over while Brook practices. He sits down cross-legged, staring.

Brook continues playing and Luffy keeps staring.

Finally Brook lowers the violin “...Captain?”

“You like Y/N.”

Brook nearly snaps the bow in half “EH?!”

Luffy blinks “You do.”

“I-I-I most certainly—”

“You play happier songs when she's around.”

Brook opens his mouth but nothing comes out.

Luffy grins “I knew it.”

Brook hides his face “Please keep your voice down...”

“Why?”

“Because she might hear.”

Luffy looks around, you’re nowhere nearby, so he scratches his head and innocently says “Then tell her.”

Brook laughs, but not because it's funny, more like because it's impossible “Captain... there are some jokes even you should not make.”

Luffy frowns, looking seriously offended “I wasn't joking.”

You don't know any of this, all you know is that Brook has become… different.

Whenever you speak to him he drops things, trips over nothing or starts laughing at strange moments.

Sometimes he stares for a second too long. Sometimes he avoids looking at you completely.

It confuses you, but… you secretly think it's cute.

One afternoon you find him alone.

“Brook?”

He turns “Young Lady!”

You hold up two cups “Tea?”

Brook smiles “How thoughtful.”

You hand him one and so your fingers brush for a second.

Brook jerks his hand back so quickly that half the tea spills onto the deck “AH! I’M SO SORRY!”

You blink “It’s okay.”

Brook bows over and over “I was careless! Please forgive me!”

You can’t help laughing “Brook...”

He stops.

“You really don’t have to apologize that much.”

Brook scratches the back of his head “Old habits.”

You smile warmly “I think they’re kind of sweet.”

Brook forgets how to move.

‘Sweet?’

You called him… sweet?

That night Brook lies awake… he can’t stop thinking.

‘Sweet’

You called him sweet.

He covers his face.

‘Stop thinking about it.’

‘She’s only being kind.’

The problem is… you're thinking too, laying in your room and staring at the ceiling.

Remembering how flustered Brook looked.

You smile into your pillow.

‘Does he...?’

You quickly shake your head.

‘No.’

‘Don't be silly.’

Brook is kind to everyone.

He's just… Brook.

Still… you can't stop smiling.

Days become weeks, and without noticing you spend more time together.

Reading, talking, listening to music or watching the sea.

Sometimes neither of you says anything and neither of you mind it.

One evening, you sit beside him while he polishes his violin.

“Can I ask something?”

Brook nods “Of course.”

“How do you always know when I come here?”

Brook freezes “...Eh?”

“Sometimes your back is turned but you still say hi to me.”

He laughs awkwardly “Perhaps... I have become used to your footsteps.”

You tilt your head “Really?”

“Yes.”

You smile “Then I’ll try to sneak next time.”

Brook laughs “You’re welcome to try.”

You grin “Challenge accepted.”

The next day you actually try.

You carefully tiptoe across the deck while Brook is humming quietly.

Three steps away, but he suddenly speaks “Good afternoon, Young Lady.”

You gasp “No way!”

Brook laughs proudly “YOHOHOHO!”

“I didn’t make any sound!”

“Your perfume.”

You blink “...You can smell me?”

Brook immediately realizes how strange that sounds “N-NOT IN A STRANGE WAY!”

You burst into laughter “Brook!”

He covers his face “Please forget I said anything...”

“Never. Can you really smell at all? You usually make jokes like that.”

You laugh for almost a full minute and Brook listens, because he thinks your laughter is the prettiest sound in the world.

Sanji watches from the kitchen window and sighs dramatically “Just kiss already...”

Zoro walks past “Who?”

“Those two idiots.”

Zoro doesn't even look “Too much work.”

He just keeps walking.

Brook knows something is wrong, because everyday he falls a little more in love with you.

He hates it, not because of you, but because of himself.

He remembers his reflection… bones, empty eye sockets, a grin he can’t change.

He imagines standing beside you, all the people staring and whispering things like ‘Why would someone like her choose a skeleton?’

He grips the neck of his violin.

‘She deserves someone better.’

The thought hurts, but he repeats it to himself everyday. 

One afternoon you find him writing music and ask him “Can I listen?”

Brook closes the notebook so fast the pages almost tear “N-No!”

Your smile slowly fades “...Oh.”

Brook immediately regrets it “I-I mean…”

You shake your head “It’s okay.”

“No, please, I only meant it isn’t finished…”

You smile anyway, but it’s a small smile.

“Then show me when it is.”

“Y-Yes...”

You leave.

Brook slowly opens the notebook again… on the first page there’s your name, over and over, hidden inside song titles, inside lyrics and inside little notes.

He whispers to himself “...I can never let you see this.”

From that day on… he starts noticing every little thing.

Every smile, laugh, every time you sit close, every accidental touch, kind word.

Everything only makes him want more… and wanting more scares him. Because he knows he will never ask for it… because he knows he can't.

Not when he believes you deserve someone who can give you a heartbeat and can give you warm love.

Someone alive.

So he does the only thing he thinks he can do.

He decides he has to stop letting himself get so close to you.

Even if it breaks his heart.

Brook tells himself it’s the right thing to do, because if he spends less time with you… if he stops waiting for your footsteps… if he stops looking for you every morning… maybe these feelings will finally become quiet.

And maybe one day he will simply be your crewmate again.

Nothing more and nothing less… but it hurts much more than he expects.

The next morning, you find him on deck while he’s polishing his violin.

You smile at him “Morning, Brook.”

His hands stop moving for only a second and then he looks at you like he’s smiling like nothing is wrong “Good morning, Young Lady Y/N.”

You step closer “Do you want breakfast together?”

His fingers tighten around the cloth and after some courage he says “I’m afraid I already ate.”

You blink “...Already?”

Brook nods “Indeed.”

A lie and to be honest, you know it’s a lie, because Brook never eats before everyone else.

Still… you smile at him anyway “Maybe tomorrow then.”

“Perhaps.”

You walk away and Brook watches until you disappear below deck, then he quietly lowers his head “...Coward.”

The next day… you try again.

Brook is tuning his violin.

“Brook!”

He looks up, your smile is as bright as ever “Robin found an island with a flower garden. Want to come with me later?”

Brook almost says yes… he can already imagine walking beside you, listening to you talk and watching you admiring the flowers… flowers that are beautiful but never as beautiful as you.

Instead he says “Lady Robin invited me to help her organize books.”

Robin, who is currently asleep in the library.

You pause “...Oh. Maybe another time.”

Brook forces himself to nod “Another time.”

You leave.

There will never be another time… not if he keeps doing this.

Days pass.

Then more days.

Then another week.

The little moments disappear.

You stop bringing him tea, you stop sitting beside him when he plays, you stop asking him to teach you songs.

Robin notices first. She closes her book as you sit beside her “You haven’t spoken to Brook much lately.”

You smile weakly “He seems busy.”

Robin watches you, she notices that your smile doesn’t reach your eyes.

“Does he?”

You look across the deck and see Brook helping Franky repair something. He laughs when Franky says something.

He looks... normal… just not around you.

“...I think I made him upset.”

Robin’s eyebrows lift slightly “Why do you think that?”

You shrug “I don’t know.” your voice becomes quieter “But every time I try to spend time with him...”

You laugh softly, a little sad “...he finds somewhere else to be.”

Robin doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, she watches Brook. At some point he glances your way once, but the second he notices Robin looking he quickly looks away again.

Robin sighs almost silently “...Fool.”

You blink “Hm?”

Robin smiles gently “Nothing.”

Later that evening Brook sits alone with his violin. He hasn’t played in almost an hour. He only stares at the strings.

Franky walks over “You gonna play or keep looking at it?”

Brook chuckles “Perhaps the second one.”

Franky crosses his arms “You’re acting weird.”

“Am I?”

“Yup.”

Franky jerks a thumb toward the kitchen “Kid stopped hanging around you.”

Brook’s smile disappears “...I noticed.”

“Thought you wanted that.”

Brook says nothing and Franky sighs “You’re making this harder than it has to be.”

Brook laughs quietly “You sound like Lady Robin.”

“Maybe because she’s right.”

Another week passes.

The Sunny… everything, feels… different.

One afternoon Chopper walks into the music room where Brook is sitting in complete silence with the violin resting untouched beside him.

“Brook?”

Brook lifts his head “Ah, Doctor Chopper.”

Chopper tilts his head “Are you sick?”

Brook laughs “A skeleton cannot become sick.”

“You look sad.”

Brook smiles “How impressive that you can tell despite my permanent expression.”

Chopper climbs onto the chair beside him “Did something happen?”

Brook hesitates “...No.”

A pause.

“...Yes.”

Another pause.

“...Perhaps.”

Chopper waits patiently.

Brook whispers “...Have you ever wanted something so much...that you decided the kindest thing you could do… was walk away from it?”

Chopper frowns “That doesn’t sound kind.”

Brook lets out a tired laugh “...Perhaps not.”

You stop trying, but not because you stop caring… more because caring hurts.

You think back to every conversation, joke or smile.

You start thinking if maybe you crossed a line… you made him uncomfortable. Maybe you said something wrong?

You can't find an answer.

So you decide to respect what you think his wish is.

Even if it hurts you.

Three weeks pass.

Neither of you starts a conversation anymore.

You still wave politely and Brook still bows politely.

That's all.

Everyone notices and no one knows how to fix it.

Then an island you stay on erupts into chaos.

The crew split up almost immediately.

The air smells like fire.

You fight beside Nami at first, then everything changes when a massive explosion tears through the street and dust blinds everyone.

The group is now fully separated.

You cough trying to see and trying to breathe “...Nami?!”

No answer and then another explosion.

A huge section of stone breaks loose from the building above… too big.

You look up and your body freezes… you can't move.

Across the battlefield Brook hears someone scream your name and his head snaps toward the sound.

Time slows for him when he sees the falling stone and you beneath it.

He doesn't think, he just moves.

One second you’re staring at the collapsing building and the next, familiar black coat fills your vision as arms wrap around you.

You feel yourself lifted completely off the ground.

Then you watch the stone slam down where you were standing, but cut in half.

Brook’s back faces the impact as he shields you completely.

Chunks of rock strike him instead and then dust explodes around both of you.

For a long moment everything is quiet.

You don’t move and stay still in his arms. One hand presses protectively against the back of your head. The other holds you close against his chest.

So close you can hear the faint rattle of his bones.

Brook breathes heavily “...Young Lady?”

No answer and so his entire body tenses “...Y/N?”

You blink “Brook…”

Relief crashes over him so hard his knees almost give out “...Thank goodness…”

His voice is barely above a whisper.

He pulls back just enough to look down at you “...Are you hurt?”

You stare at him, without answering.

Your eyes search his face and then your chest aches.

Your expression softens without you realizing it. You feel relief, admiration, worry, affection and most importantly… love.

Every feeling you’ve hidden for weeks… months, sits plainly on your face.

Brook freezes.

He stares at you and for one moment he lets himself imagine that maybe that look means what he wants it to mean.

He shuts the thought down immediately.

‘Don’t be selfish. She’s just grateful.’

…

‘You’re seeing what you want to see.’

He smiles gently “I am glad you’re safe.”

Your hands immediately reach for him “Brook... you’re hurt!”

He looks down as though only now noticing the cracks along one arm “Only a little.”

“A little? You basically took all of that instead of me!”

Your voice shakes more than you realize.

Brook notices and his fingers tighten for a second.

Hope blooms again that you were really worried for him, but he crushes it just as quickly.

He carefully helps you back onto your feet and his hands linger for the briefest moment before letting go.

Then he says “I assure you, I am quite alright.”

You grab his sleeve before he can step away “Brook—”

Another explosion echoes through the street.

Brook looks toward the enemy and then back at you.

For one second he almost stays. But then he gently slips his sleeve from your fingers “Please stay behind me if you can.”

Then he’s gone, already throwing himself back into the battle.

You stand there for a moment, still trying to understand what just happened.

He... held you, so carefully. Protected you without even thinking. Risked himself.

Your heart won’t stop racing.

The battle continues and so, you force yourself to move again.

You fight but every few seconds your eyes search the battlefield, looking for one person.

Brook cuts through several enemies with swift movements, he looks steady.

But… didn't that rock hit him?

Every time he disappears behind the smoke your stomach twists “...Please be okay…”

Brook notices it several times. Every time he looks around you're watching him with concern written across your face.

He quickly looks away.

‘Stop looking at me like that… please… if you keep looking at me that way… I won’t be able to keep pretending.’

Hours later the last enemy falls and silence slowly returns around you.

Everyone lets out exhausted sighs.

You finally breathe again and then you immediately look around for him.

You see him near the edge of the street, walking away fast.

“...Brook!”

You know he hears you, because his shoulders stiffen. But he doesn't stop, he doesn't even turn around.

He just keeps walking, faster.

Your chest tightens “...Brook!”

You start walking after him until a small hand grabs your wrist.

You turn to see Chopper looking pale “Where are you going?!”

“Brook’s hurt…”

“So are you!”

You blink “I’m fine.”

Chopper points at your arm and only now you notice the blood running down your sleeve… “...Oh.”

“No ‘oh’! Sit down!”

You glance toward the street again and Brook is already gone.

You whisper “...I just wanted to make sure he was okay…”

Chopper gently pulls you toward the others “He walked away… I’ll check him later.”

You hesitate, looking one last time in the direction Brook disappeared.

But something heavy settles in your chest.

Because even after saving your life and even after holding you so gently… Brook still ran from you, and you still don't understand why.

You now stand frozen outside Brook’s door while your hand hovers over the wood.

Just knock.

It’s simple.

Just knock.

Instead, you feel your heart pounding so loudly that you’re sure he can hear it through the wall.

“...Come on.” you whisper to yourself.

If you don’t do this now… you never will.

You curl your fingers into a fist and knock three quiet times, echoing through the room.

You finally hear footsteps and then the door slides open.

Brook stands there with clean bandages wrapped around one arm and part of his ribs.

Not many but enough to remind you of the rock that struck him instead of you.

He blinks “Young Lady…”

He stops and his jaw hangs open for a moment as if he’s about to say something, but he doesn’t.

For a second neither of you speaks and then he steps aside “Would you... like to come in?”

His voice is gentle and careful. Like he’s afraid to speak too loudly.

You nod and step in the room.

He doesn’t even ask why you’re here. Maybe because, judging by the look on your face, he already knows this isn’t a casual visit.

The door closes behind you and the room suddenly feels very small.

Brook’s violin rests on its stand while his cane leans against the wall.

Neither of you moves and neither of you know where to begin.

Brook folds his hands behind his back.

He has faced death itself and yet somehow, standing alone with you terrifies him more than any of them.

You open your mouth but nothing comes out.

Brook waits patiently.

You lower your eyes and then look back up… then away again.

Finally… the words tumble out before you can stop them “...What did I do?”

Brook tilts his head “Pardon?”

Your voice shakes “What did I do?”

You step closer “Do you hate me or what?”

Brook freezes… everything inside him stops.

‘Hate...? She thinks… she thinks I hate her?’

That was never what he truly wanted… he opens his mouth to correct you, but somehow nothing comes out. He can't seem to make his voice work.

You notice and so you laugh softly, but it’s a sad laugh, the kind that always hurts to hear “I figured...”

Brook's fingers twitch… he wants to say something, anything. He wants to apologize.

Instead…silence.

You nod slowly, as if confirming your own fears “...Is it...”

You swallow “...is it because you don’t feel the same?”

Brook finally finds his voice, barely “...Feel the same?”

You nod, you can’t even look at him anymore. Your hands twist together nervously as you say “I’m sorry...” a pause “...if I made you uncomfortable with my...”

You laugh once… it almost sounds like an embarrassed laugh, and it actually is embarrassing to you “...my feelings.”

Brook forgets how to breathe, his mind goes completely blank “...Feelings? You… for me?”

He stares, unable to move and totally unable to think.

This has to be a dream… it has to be, because if it isn’t then every lonely night, every song, every stolen glance, every wish of his…

No, he can’t believe it, or he’ll only hurt himself.

You lower your head and then you bow, deeply. To apologize but mostly to not look at Brook.

Brook startles.

“Thank you...” your voice is quiet “Thank you for saving me today.” you pause and then ask him “Did Chopper check on you already?”

Brook blinks several times, still trying to catch up.

He nods automatically even if you can’t see him “He... did.”

His hand brushes one of the bandages “Only a few scratches.”

Then he smiles softly “And please, you don’t have to thank me. I’m simply glad you're safe...”

A tiny pause.

The words come naturally, without thinking “...Young Lady.”

Your head lifts and you’re finally facing him, but then something dawns on you “...Don’t.”

Brook blinks “Hm?”

“Don’t call me ‘Young Lady’ anymore.”

He stiffens.

“You called me Y/N earlier.” your voice softens “I liked it.”

A tiny smile appears despite everything “Just call me Y/N.”

Brook’s chest aches “...I understand.” then he nods gently “Was... that the problem?”

You stare at him for three long seconds, then your expression changes in frustration. Months of confusion finally bubble over.

You throw your hands into the air “No!”

Your voice rings through the room, loud enough that someone walking past the door could probably hear, but you don’t care anymore.

Tears gather in your eyes “The problem is that I love you, Brook!”

Silence followed by a calmer and sincere “I love you!”

Your chest rises sharply “And you just...”

You point toward him “...kept pushing me away!”

Brook doesn’t move and you just keep going, every word has been trapped inside you for weeks or months, finally comes out “Every time I got close… you walked away. Every time I asked to spend time together… you suddenly had somewhere else to be.”

Your voice breaks “I thought...” you wipe at your eyes angrily “I thought I did something horrible.”

Brook closes his eyes “...No…”

“I kept replaying every conversation. Every joke. Every little thing I said. Trying to figure out what made you hate me.”

Brook whispers “Please...”

But you don't stop, not yet “I know you don’t feel the same.”

A tear slips down your cheek “I get that. Really...”

Your voice becomes almost painfully quiet “...I do.”

A tiny smile, the saddest one he’s ever seen “But wasn’t all of that...a little too much?”

A long silence, then, barely louder than a whisper “It just...” you lower your head and continue “...it just hurts me.”

Brook finally breaks and he crosses the room in two long steps before he even realizes he’s moving. His hands stop inches from your shoulders, afraid… always afraid.

“...May I?”

You don’t answer, instead you lean forward enough to give him permission.

His trembling hands settle carefully on your shoulders, as if you’re made of glass.

“Y/N...” his voice cracks “Look at me.”

Slowly you do.

He has no eyes, yet you’ve never seen someone look so heartbroken “I could never hate you.”

A tear falls from your lashes and he gently wipes it away with the back of one finger bone.

“Never.”

His shoulders slump as if a burden he carried for years has finally become too heavy.

“Do you know...” he laughs quietly, bitterly “...how many times I wanted to tell you I loved you?”

You stop breathing and looking at Brook’s expression you know he’s smiling sadly.

“Hundreds.” a shaky laugh escapes him “Perhaps thousands.”

You stare, now unable to believe him.

He looks away ashamed “Every morning… Every time you smiled at me… Every song I wrote...”

He laughs again “They were all about you.”

He reaches toward the notebook on his desk and opens it before handing it to you.

Inside… page after page, you see songs, lyrics and tiny notes. Some unfinished, some crossed out and some with only a few lines.

Every title reminds you of moments you’ve shared.

“Tea at Sunset.”

“Her Laugh.”

“Footsteps.”

“Soft Afro.”

“The Girl Who Wasn’t Afraid.”

Your hands begin to shake.

Brook lowers his head “I never showed you because every page was another reminder...”

He places one hand against his own chest… against his empty ribs “...that I was wishing for something I had no right to wish for.”

You whisper “Brook...”

“I’m dead.” his words are painfully simple, he accepted that truth a long ago.

“I’m an old skeleton.” he lets out another hollow laugh “Look at me.”

He spreads his arms “What future could I offer you?”

He smiles at you with heartbreaking tenderness “Someone as warm as you deserves someone alive and warm as well.”

You don’t even think, you cup his face with both hands, gently.

His words die immediately.

You step closer until only inches separate you “Stop.”

He freezes beneath your touch.

“Don’t ever decide what I deserve for me.”

Your thumbs brush lightly over the smooth bone of his cheeks “Because I already chose.”

He whispers “...Me?”

You smile through your tears “You. Always you.”

Brook lets out a broken sound you’ve never heard before.

His shoulders begin to shake as he bows his head, because he can’t hold himself together anymore.

You gently pull him into your arms but he hesitates for a heartbeat.

Then… he melts against you, carefully.

One arm wraps around your waist, while the other rests against your back.

He buries his face against your shoulder “I was so afraid...” he whispers “...that loving you was selfish.”

You stroke his afro, slowly and tenderly “Then let’s be selfish together.”

A tiny laugh escapes him, the first genuine one in weeks “That sounds terribly unlike a proper lady.”

You smile “Good thing I’m just Y/N.”

He laughs again but softer this time, a bit more like the usual Brook you fell for.

You pull back just enough to look at him and you’re so close that if he had a nose they would be touching.

You smile “Can I kiss you?”

Brook goes completely still “...You wish to…” he almost can’t finish “...kiss me?”

You giggle through your tears “Yes.”

He nods so quickly it’s almost frantic “Yes...”

Then immediately shakes his head “I mean… only if you truly—”

You silence him with a gentle kiss against the smooth bone of his forehead.

Brook’s soul slips from his mouth for a brief second before drifting right back in.

You laugh “Was that okay?”

He makes a tiny squeaking sound, then he nods rapidly.

You smile wider and then lean in once more, this time pressing a lingering kiss where his lips would have been.

It isn’t warm, it isn’t like kissing anyone else… but it doesn’t matter, because the way he caresses your face as if you’re the most precious thing in the world, is worth more than warmth ever could be.

When you finally pull away Brook rests his forehead against yours “Y/N?”

“Hm?”

“Thank you...”

You smile “For what?”

His fingers intertwine carefully with yours, even if he still can’t believe he has the right to “...For loving a lonely skeleton.”

You squeeze his hand “No.”

He tilts his head and you smile with all the affection you’ve been holding back for months “I fell in love with the kindest man in this world.”

Outside the room, unnoticed by either of you, a certain archaeologist quietly closes the book she’d been pretending to read by the wall, with a small smile that curves her lips.

She walks away without making a sound.

Epilogue:

Three months later...

No one on the Thousand Sunny reacts anymore when you reach for Brook’s hand, but at first, everyone had.

Luffy cheered so loudly that birds flew away from the ship.

Usopp claimed he had “known from the beginning”.

Nami rolled her eyes and told everyone to stop making such a big deal out of it.

Franky cried… and Sanji cried too, although he insisted it was because “love is beautiful”, but still adding that somehow you got stolen from his love.

Chopper danced around the deck for almost ten minutes.

Robin simply smiled over her book.

Zoro looked up once from his nap saying “Finally.” before going right back to sleep.

Now… it’s simply normal.

The afternoon breeze is warm and Brook sits beneath the shade of the mast, quietly tuning his violin while you watch him from across the deck.

He doesn’t notice, or he pretends not to.

His bones fingers move over the strings with practiced ease.

His posture is relaxed. You smile to yourself… months ago, you never imagined you would get to be so happy.

You quietly walk toward him, but just before you reach him, without even turning around you can see a change in Brook’s expression… he smiles.

“Good afternoon, Y/N.”

You stop and laugh “You didn’t even look.”

Brook chuckles “I know your footsteps.”

You grin “Impossible… liar.”

He tilts his skull “Oh?”

You crouch beside him “I took my shoes off halfway across the deck.”

Brook laughs “Indeed you did.”

You cross your arms triumphantly “Then how?”

He taps one finger thoughtfully against his chin “Perhaps...”

He leans closer, enough that only you can hear “...I have simply become very good at noticing when the woman I love is nearby.”

Your cheeks warm instantly. He always makes your heart race with one sentence.

You pretend to pout “That wasn’t fair.”

Brook laughs “No?”

“You cheated.”

“Quite possibly.”

You shake your head, smiling, then without saying a word you wrap your arms around him, tightly.

Brook stills for only a heartbeat, but then his entire body softens and one arm circles your waist.

The other slides carefully into your hair.

You sigh happily against him.

“Long day?” he asks quietly.

You nod against his shoulder “Mm.”

His thumb brushes lightly over the back of your head “Would you like to talk about it?”

You smile “Not really… I just wanted you.”

Brook’s hand stops moving for a second, and then he resumes stroking your hair but slower this time.

His voice comes out almost as a whisper “Then I’m glad you came.”

You stay like that, listening to the waves and to the faint rattle of his bones whenever he laughs softly under his breath.

It has become one of your favorite sounds.

Across the deck Luffy glances over and grins.

Chopper quietly whispers “They’re hugging again.”

Sanji sighs dramatically “Ah love...”

Zoro opens one eye, looks at the two of you and mutters “Get a room.”

The entire deck goes quiet for one second.

Then you burst into laughter, the kind that bends you over because you can't stop.

Brook blinks and looks down at you. He doesn’t laugh immediately.

Instead… he simply watches how the sunlight catches your smile, how your eyes crinkle at the corners and how you wipe away tears of laughter with the back of your hand.

Still smiling and always beautiful.

Brook thinks that he could spend eternity memorizing this moment.

You notice him staring and so your laughter slows “What?”

Brook shakes his head “Nothing.”

You narrow your eyes playfully “Brook.”

He chuckles “I was simply admiring my girlfriend.”

You roll your eyes but you can’t hide your smile “You’re impossible.”

“So I’ve been told.”

You gently flick one of his ribs “Flatterer.”

“Only truthful.”

You lean your forehead against his “You know...”

He hums “Hm?”

“And to think, I used to think you were avoiding me because you hated me.”

Brook raises one hand to cup your cheek, his thumb brushes softly over your skin “I still regret making you think that.”

You turn your head just enough to kiss the palm of his hand “I know.”

Then you smile again, brightly, the smile he once wrote songs about in secret.

“But we’re here now.”

Brook nods “Yes.”

His fingers lace with yours automatically, and neither of you even thinks about it anymore.

Brook lifts your intertwined hands and presses the gentlest kiss across your knuckles “I spent fifty years believing I'd already lived the happiest days of my life and that I would just stay there, alone thinking about the past only.”

You tilt your head.

He smiles at you and looks at you with so much quiet love that you can tell even if his expression might be difficult to read to others and it makes your chest ache.

“I was wrong.”

You don’t answer, you simply hug him again, even tighter than before.

Brook laughs this time “YOHOHOHOHO!”

You can’t help joining in. Your laughter blends with his across the Sunny.

For a long time, Brook believed that after death, life could never truly begin again. He was wrong about that, too.

You smile.

Finally.

You adjust the silver knife hidden inside your sleeve.

“Got you.”

A voice comes from behind you “Captain, are you sure that's their ship?”

You glance at your first mate “Who else sails in a giant yellow fish?”

“Fair point.”

There.

Black spotted hat, dark eyes, tattooed fingers resting against the metal rail.

Trafalgar Law.

Captain of the Heart Pirates.

Warlord of the Sea.

Surgeon of Death.

Vampire.

Your jaw tightens.

Three years.

Three years of rumors… three years of empty searches.

Three years of people found pale and cold near islands where the Heart Pirates stopped.

And every trail leads back to him.

“Prepare the harpoons.”

Your first mate pales “Again?”

“Yes, again.”

“We almost died last time.”

“We almost died the time before that too.”

“Exactly my point!”

You grin “Then today might be our lucky day.”

He looks ready to jump into the ocean and swim home, but unfortunately for him, your ship is already moving.

Closer and closer.

A voice suddenly comes from behind you “That's a terrible plan...”

You freeze and slowly turn around.

Law stands on your deck.

Your crew screams… one of them even falls over a barrel.

You stare “How did you get here?”

Law raises an eyebrow “Your ship isn't exactly hard to see and board.”

You grab your knife immediately.

He sighs “Again?”

“Don't sound disappointed.”

“I'm tired.”

“Good.”

“You chased us through four islands.”

“Five...”

“Five islands.”

“Oh? You remember me.”

His eyes narrow slightly.

You hate that your heart jumps a little.

“Why are you even hunting me?”

“You know why.”

“No, actually.”

“You're a vampire.”

Silence.

Your crew waits.

His crew, standing on the submarine nearby, waits too.

Then Bepo shouts from the distance “CAPTAIN IS A WHAT?!”

Law closes his eyes.

Penguin bursts out laughing.

Shachi almost falls into the sea.

“Captain, that's amazing!”

“Can you turn into a bat?!”

“Can you fly?!”

Law pinches the bridge of his nose “I'm surrounded by idiots.”

You blink “You're not denying it.”

He looks at you “Interesting conclusion.”

“So it's true.”

“So it's not.”

“You're lying.”

“You're annoying.”

You smile “You're avoiding the question.”

“And you're standing too close to me.”

You realize he’s right… somehow during the argument you moved closer.

Close enough to see the gold in his eyes.

Close enough to notice he smells like snow and medicine.

You step back immediately “Answer me.”

Law crosses his arms “No.”

“Coward.”

“I'm here, out in the sunlight, am I not?”

You watch carefully and answer him “You're a pirate doctor and a devil fruit user, I don't know what You're capable of.”

He does a small laugh as if he's making fun of you “You attack me with silver weapons.”

“Because silver kills vampires.”

“And yet I'm still here.”

Your eye twitches… he has a point, unfortunately.

“Captain!” Bepo leans over the submarine “Should we help you?”

Law doesn't even look back “No need.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Okay!” Bepo and the others disappear.

You stare “You're very calm for someone accused of being a vampire.”

Law shrugs “You're very calm for someone standing alone with a monster.”

You raise your knife “Who says I'm calm?”

He smiles a little “You're shaking now?”

You immediately hide your hand behind your back “I’m not.”

“You are.”

“Shut up.”

“Make me.”

Your breath catches.

His eyes narrow.

The two of you stare at each other.

Then Bepo appears again “Captain! We’re drifting!”

Law sighs “Of course we are.”

You point your knife at him “Don’t move.”

“I wasn’t planning to.”

“Good.”

“Can I ask a question?”

“No.”

He sighs but asks anyway “Why do you keep failing to kill me?”

You glare at him.

He continues “You had chances.”

“You noticed?”

“Yes.”

“You’re… imagining things.”

“Am I?”

He steps closer “On Sabaody you aimed for my shoulder.”

You say nothing.

“On Minion Island you warned me before shooting.”

Silence.

“And on Spider Miles—”

“That one doesn't count.”

“You missed on purpose.”

“I slipped.”

“You don't slip.”

“You don't know me.”

He tilts his head slightly “I know enough.”

Your grip tightens around the knife “You know nothing about me.”

“I know you hate injustice.”

You blink.

He continues “I know you protect civilians before yourself.”

Silence.

“I know you refused money from poor towns.”

Your voice becomes quieter “You've been watching me?”

Law smirks “You've been hunting me for years.”

“That's not an answer.”

“Maybe I just thought it was my turn to investigate my hunter.”

Your cheeks grow warm and he notices the frustration on you, making his smile grow a little “You’re frustrated.”

“I’m absolutely not.”

“Interesting face then.”

Your knife flies toward him.

“ROOM.”

The blue sphere appears instantly and your knife disappears.

You blink.

Then you see he has it in his hand.

He examines it “Silver for real.”

“Yes.”

“Expensive.”

“You’re worth the cost.”

“That’s romantic.”

You almost choke “It wasn’t meant like that!”

“Too late.”

He tosses the knife back and you catch it automatically.

“Your reflexes are improving.” he tells you.

“You remember my fighting style now?”

“You’re predictable.”

“You’re insufferable.”

“You’re obsessed.”

Your mouth opens after some hesitation “I’m not obsessed.”

“You followed me across the whole sea.”

“Because you’re dangerous.”

“Right.”

“You are!”

“Of course.”

You narrow your eyes “You’re smiling again...”

“Am I?”

“You know you are.”

His expression stays calm but his eyes betray him… the bastard is enjoying this.

“Captain!” Penguin shouts from the submarine.

“Should we leave you with your girlfriend or—”

“She’s not my girlfriend.”

“HE’S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!”

Silence.

Law looks at you and you look at Law.

Bepo slowly disappears below deck.

Law clears his throat.

You point your knife at him again “Not one word.”

“One word.”

“I'll stab you.”

“You always say that.”

“I mean it this time.”

He smirks “You mean it everytime.”

He steps toward the edge of your ship “Until next time, hunter.”

“You're leaving?”

“You sound disappointed.”

“I sound relieved.”

“Liar.”

Your face burns “You're impossible.”

“And you're staring.”

You immediately look away “I hate you.”

“See you soon.”

“Hopefully not.”

“I'm sure you'll find me.”

He disappears in a blue sphere, back on the Polar Tang.

The submarine begins moving away.

You watch it disappear under the water.

Your crew finally breathes again and your first mate walks beside you “So…”

“So what?”

“You didn't stab him.”

“He used his Devil Fruit.”

“You didn't shoot him either.”

“There wasn't time.”

“You talked for twenty minutes.”

“That was… tactical.”

“Right.”

You glare at him, making him raise both hands “Just saying.”

You look down at your silver knife.

Something catches your eye… a folded piece of paper.

You freeze.

That wasn't there before.

You open it and see one sentence, written in messy handwriting.

You're getting slower.

Under it…

- Law

Your eye twitches “THAT ARROGANT!”

Your crew jumps.

You crush the paper in your hand, then stop and turn it over.

Another sentence waits on the back.

Also, your left side is open when you attack.

You stare.

Your first mate looks over your shoulder “Is he giving you fighting advice?”

“No.”

“It looks like advice.”

“It’s psychological warfare.”

“Looks a lot like flirting.”

You nearly throw him overboard.

Far under the sea, inside the Polar Tang, Law looks at the ocean through the glass.

Bepo walks beside him “Captain?”

“Hm?”

“Why did you leave that note to her?”

Law stays silent.

“Captain?”

“…Her left side really is open.”

Bepo smiles “Sure.”

Law ignores him.

Unfortunately for him, Penguin is already laughing “Oh, Captain is in trouble.”

Law raises an eyebrow “With what?”

“With the scary hunter lady.”

Law looks back toward the sea above them “…Annoying woman.”

Penguin grins “See? Definitely trouble.”

Law says nothing, and secretly, but not so secretly, he’s waiting for the next meeting.

One month later.

You stand on the deck of your ship and stare at the island ahead.

A winter island but without snow this time, just cold wind, tall trees, and mountains in the distance.

Your first mate looks at you carefully and says “You have that look again.”

“Which look?”

“The one that usually ends with explosions.”

You ignore him.

Far ahead, near the port, you can already see the Polar Tang.

You smile “Found you.”

Your crew groans and someone asks “You're going alone as you told us?”

“Yes.”

“What if it's dangerous?”

“Then I leave fast.”

“What if they jump you?”

“They won't.”

“You sound very confident.”

You grab your weapons “I know their captain.”

The words leave your mouth before you can stop them.

Your crew immediately looks at each other and you just pretend not to notice.

“Stay here.” you order “If I need to run, I need the ship ready.”

Your first mate sighs “Fine.”

Then he points at you “But if you come back with another mysterious note from him, we're having a conversation.”

You walk away without answering.

The forest is quiet.

Your boots barely make a sound against the ground as you move between the trees.

You stop when you see some tracks… one person is heading deeper inside.

You follow and a few minutes later you see Law. He’s alone, standing near a frozen river with his hands inside his pockets while the wind moves his coat.

You hide behind a tree and slowly reach for your knife.

Then you hear “You know, you're getting predictable.”

You freeze.

Law doesn't even turn around “At least try to not make noise next time.”

You let out a long sigh and just step out from behind the tree.

Law finally looks at you.

That familiar smirk immediately appears.

“As you can see,” he says while opening his arms slightly, “I'm standing in the sunlight again.”

The weak winter sun shines directly on him “Still think I'm a vampire?”

You cross your arms “I'm sure.”

His eyebrow rises slightly in curiousity and interest “Are you?”

“Yes.”

“Even after all this time?”

“Especially after all this time.”

Law studies you for a moment and then he nods once “Interesting.”

Silence settles between you.

Then he remembers something “What about the note last time? Did you like it?”

You sigh “I don't need your advice.”

Law nods slowly kinda too serious “Of course.”

You narrow your eyes and he tilts his head slightly “Then...” his eyes meet yours “Attack me?”

You blink “What?”

“You're here to hunt me.”

He shrugs “Go ahead.”

You stare at him and then you move fast. Your knife flashes toward him.

He avoids it easily but you fastly attack again.

Law blocks, moves and avoids all your attacks, always one step ahead.

Then suddenly he's on your left and instinctively you defend.

Your left side stays protected.

Law's eyes widen slightly.

You push forward immediately but he catches your wrist and then the next thing you know is that your back hits the ground while his body traps yours easily. Just holding.

His face is close… too close.

He says in all his seriousness “You actually trained your left side.”

You look away “Maybe.”

“Good.”

You glare at him “Are you complimenting me?”

“Don't make it weird.”

“You're literally pinning me to the ground.”

Law pauses… fair point.

You struggle and he lets go immediately.

You stand and brush the dirt from your clothes.

Then attack again faster than before. But again… he's faster.

Your wrist is caught and your knife hand stopped.

His arm blocks your escape.

Your breathing stops for a second… too close again.

You can see the gold hidden inside his grey eyes.

Feel his breath against your skin.

Neither of you moves and neither of you speaks.

The forest feels strangely quiet and then… you pull him closer.

The kiss is sudden, but fastly turns hungry as his surprise lasts only a second and kisses you back just as fiercely.

The world disappears for a moment but then sense finally returns and you pull away.

His expression is unreadable.

You immediately move and your knife flashes toward him.

Law catches your wrist instantly again.

His eyes narrow slightly but not angry… more like amused.

You stare at him and groan “I hate fighting you.”

“You keep coming back.”

“Unfortunately.”

He kisses you again, taking you by surprise, and so you make your knife slip from your fingers and fall into the cold ground.

Then your hands move against his chest as your fingers brush against his shirt.

And suddenly reality crashes back into you.

What are you doing?

You push him away immediately, hard enough that Law takes a step back.

For once Trafalgar Law actually looks shocked.

You don't wait, you turn around and walk away fast.

Behind you there is only silence but you don't look back.

When you reach your ship, your crew immediately surrounds you.

“There she is!”

“What happened?”

“Did you find him?”

“Why did it take so long?”

“Are you hurt?”

You grab the railing harder “I failed.”

The words come out sharper than intended, making the crew fall silent.

“Again.”

No one says anything.

Your first mate watches you carefully, but thankfully he doesn't ask questions.

“Prepare the ship,” you say quietly “we’re leaving.”

The crew exchanges worried looks but obey.

You stay alone near the edge of the deck and stare at the sea.

Mad.

Frustrated.

Confused.

At him but mostly at yourself, because you came here to kill a monster but instead you kissed him.

Back in the forest, Law still stands exactly where you left him.

His hand slowly rises to touch his lips.

“...What the hell was that?”

Weeks later.

You avoid Law… or at least, that’s the plan, but apparently your crew has other ideas.

The moment you see the familiar yellow shape near the harbor, your entire body freezes.

The Polar Tang.

You slowly turn toward your crew but before you can even open your mouth someone says “Captain! You found them again!”

“Amazing work!”

“What luck!”

“We can finally attack them again!”

“I feel like we’ll succeed this time, Captain!”

You stare at them and they stare back, far too innocently… traitors… every single one of them.

You sigh deeply.

“Of course…” you say flatly.

Your first mate avoids your eyes.

A hand lands on your shoulder “Go get him, Captain.”

Another follows “We’re all cheering for you.”

You narrow your eyes “You all seem unusually excited for my possible death.”

“It’s for justice.”

“And for science.” someone mutters.

You choose not to ask.

Then your first mate steps forward, this time his expression is serious “Captain.”

You look at him.

“Remember why we do this.”

Your smile, even if fake, disappears.

“He kills innocent people for their blood. And he would kill you too if you let him.”

You lower your eyes, because that’s the problem… because that’s exactly what you have been telling yourself for years.

You know your first mate is right… he has to be right.

Slowly, you nod and then you grab your knife and leave the ship.

The Heart Pirates notice you immediately.

Mostly because you jump directly onto their deck.

Shachi looks annoyed “Again?!”

“Captain! The hunter lady is back!”

“I knew she’d miss us!”

“She’s definitely our friend now!”

“She’s trying to kill our captain!”

“Friends can have hobbies!”

Then you see Law standing near the railing.

You move instantly and your knife reaches his neck before anyone can react.

For once there’s no smirk and no teasing, just his eyes watching you quietly.

Then… “ROOM.”

You blink and suddenly see bookshelves, a desk… it's his office.

Before you can even ask, Law holds something out toward you. Your eyes widen, it's your silver knife. The one you lost weeks ago.

“You left your expensive knife last time.” his eyes move toward the weapon in your hand “The new one isn't silver.”

You take it slowly and look at it… perhaps a little too softly and perhaps for a little too long.

Then your voice comes out quieter than expected “You kill innocent people.”

Silence.

“I should kill you.” your fingers tighten around the knife “Not...”

You stop.

Not kiss you.

The words remain trapped in your throat.

Law watches you struggle and then he speaks softly “I don't.”

You look up “What?”

“These people aren't innocent at all.”

Confusion crosses your face and he notices “When I need blood, I take some from patients, the crew, who agree to help me.”

You blink “What?”

“Not enough to hurt them.” his voice remains calm “Just enough.”

He looks toward the floor “And if I find a pirate who murders civilians or sells slaves...”

His eyes lift to yours again “Then yes.”

Silence fills the room.

“I kill them.”

The room suddenly feels very quiet.

Law walks toward his chair and sits down “I know your values.”

His fingers rest against the armrest “And I won't tell you I'm innocent.”

His gaze shifts toward the wall “Because I'm not.”

Another pause “And I won't tell you I'm not a monster.”

His voice lowers slightly “Because I am.”

You shake your head, not because you disagree with him and not because you agree with him. But because nothing makes sense anymore.

“Then why...” you stop and try again “Why did I kiss you?”

His eyes finally meet yours.

“Why do I feel like this now?”

“Like what?”

You hesitate “Like I want to kiss you again.”

Your voice grows quieter “And again.”

You look away “More than I want to fight you.”

Long silence.

Then Law smiles but it’s not the usual smirk, it’s almost sad.

Finally he speaks “You cut yourself during our fight earlier.”

He points toward your arm and you see a cut, blood slowly staining your sleeve.

You hadn't even noticed and then you notice the tension in his shoulders, the way his eyes avoid the wound and the way his fingers tighten slightly.

Understanding hits you “You're controlling yourself.”

He turns his chair away from you so that only his back remains visible “I usually can resist blood easily.”

You frown “Usually?”

A pause, then he says “You smell a bit… a lot better than Bepo.”

Despite everything, a laugh escapes you, the first one around him in a long time.

You walk closer and then gently turn the chair back toward you. You sit on his lap and his eyes widen slightly surprised.

You hold out your injured arm slightly, not as a challenge but just trust “Do you want to…?”

You immediately regret the question and can't even finish it.

Law actually laughs quietly “You spend years hunting pirates and monsters...” a smirk finally appears “Then suddenly you can't finish one sentence.”

Heat rises to your face “Shut up.”

“No.”

His hand moves toward your arm and you tense, but he simply pulls your sleeve back over the cut, hiding it from view.

You stare at him confused and he notices so he explains “I'd rather do something else right now.”

His hand lifts slowly to brush lightly against your cheek, unexpectedly gentle.

Then he leans closer.

The kiss is nothing like the first one, it’s not desperate… it’s soft, quiet and careful.

When you finally pull away, neither of you speaks.

Comfortable silence.

Then a loud voice echoes through the submarine walls “CAPTAIN!”

Bepo “ARE YOU ALIVE IN THERE?!”

Another voice follows “IS THE HUNTER LADY KILLING YOU?!”

“OR KISSING YOU AGAIN?!”

Silence.

You slowly look toward the door.

Law slowly closes his eyes “I'm going to fire my crew.”

“You can't fire pirates.”

“Watch me.”

You smile and for, maybe, the first time since meeting you Law smiles back without hiding it.

For a moment, neither of you says anything.

Law simply looks at you… so softly that you almost don't recognize him.

You wonder if this is the real him. The version nobody gets to see. The version hidden behind sarcasm and walls and years of pain.

You reach up and leave a small kiss against his forehead.

Then you hear more noise coming from outside the room and so you move to stand but a hand catches your wrist.

Law pulls you gently back down onto his lap.

You stare at him and he stares back before yelling to the crew outside that door “I'm fine! Just leave!”

Silence follows, then they answer:

“Okay, Captain!”

“Definitely not suspicious!”

“Take your time!”

“Bepo, stop crying!”

“I'm not crying!”

You laugh as Law closes his eyes and says “I hate all of them.”

“You love them.”

“Unfortunately.”

Your smile remains for a few moments, but then reality crashes back down and your expression changes… “What happens now?”

The words leave your mouth quietly.

Law doesn't answer immediately, instead he studies your face, as if he is trying to memorize every detail.

Finally he answers “I don't know.”

Honest and simple, yet it’s very unlike him.

Then he continues “Maybe you keep hunting me.”

You raise an eyebrow.

“Maybe we fight…. and maybe we end up kissing every time.”

You pretend to think deeply about it “Hmm.”

You nod seriously “Yeah.” another nod “Maybe. Sure.”

A smirk finally appears on his face. Then he glances toward your arm.

“You know...” his voice lowers slightly “Your blood is really testing my patience right now.”

You tilt your head “Actually...”

You think for a moment “Now that I think about it, this isn't the first time I've been hurt during our fights.”

Realization slowly appears “Did you always stop yourself?”

Law shakes his head “No.”

You blink, confused.

He looks away for a second “Your smell changed as...”

He stops, annoyed with himself. Then sighs “As… heart got in the way.”

Your brain stops working completely… “Oh.”

Brilliant answer… truly inspiring.

Law snorts quietly and you recover a little.

“Then...” you lift your injured arm slightly “My offer is still open.”

He studies you for a long moment, then he carefully takes the shirt in his hand and uncovers the cut again.

You tense slightly.

Instead, he simply checks the wound and then he kisses it, licking a bit of blood away before covering it again. Gentle and careful.

His eyes meet yours and that familiar smirk returns “Delicious.”

You stare at him, then immediately grab his face with both hands “You're cute.”

His eyes widen “What?”

“Too cute.”

You squeeze his cheeks slightly and his lips press together into an annoyed pout.

“Stop that.”

“Never.”

“You're supposed to be threatening.”

“I contain multitudes.”

“That's terrifying.”

You laugh again before leaving another quick kiss against his pouted lips.

Law looks genuinely offended by this, mostly because he has no defense against it.

Eventually you stand, as much as you don't want to “I should go before our crews start a war because they think we're dead.”

“Reasonable concern.”

“Especially my crew.”

“Mine too.”

You move toward the door, then stop and turn back.

He's still watching you, exactly where you left him.

You smile “See you around, Captain.”

He leans back slightly “I'm sure you'll find me.”

“Probably.”

“You usually do.”

“Occupational hazard.”

His smile follows you all the way out.

The moment you step onto the deck, every single Heart Pirate turns toward you.

You walk past them calmly, as if your heart isn't trying to escape your chest.

Then you stop to look toward them and tell them “Your captain got lucky this time.”

But your smile betrays you instantly and so, they all start whispering among themselves.

Behind them, Law's voice echoes from inside the submarine “Shut up everyone.”

They somehow get louder.

Back on your own ship, your crew surrounds you immediately.

“What happened?”

“Did you fight?”

“Did you win?”

“Did he escape again?”

You lift your silver knife, the old one “I got my knife back.”

You nod seriously “It's a win.”

Your crew stares and then your first mate notices something different in your expression… the smile you keep trying and failing to hide.

Understanding appears immediately as he looks toward the others and shakes his head slightly as if to leave it alone.

The crew understands, because for the first time in months you look truly happy, and that matters more than the hunt, and more than the questions that still don't have answers.

This time, for the first time since beginning your hunt, you find yourself hoping to see that vampire again and soon.

A month passes, then another and another.

Islands come and go.

And somehow you keep looking for yellow submarines, ONE yellow submarine.

One morning, loud shouting wakes you up.

“CAPTAIN!”

“WE FOUND THEM!”

You nearly fall out of bed. You run onto the deck so fast that you almost trip over a rope “Where?!”

Your eyes search the sea immediately “Where are they?!”

Silence.

You slowly turn around and your entire crew is staring at you… judging you hard.

Some of them look genuinely disappointed, others look disgusted.

Your first mate pinches the bridge of his nose.

You realize “You lied?”

Nobody answers.

You stare at them as if they destroyed your ship or poisoned your food… “I trusted you people.”

“Captain, you ran here in twelve seconds.”

“You said ‘where where’.”

“Your eyes were sparkling.”

“I hate all of you.”

“That's fair.”

You take a step toward them with violence in your eyes.

Your first mate immediately raises both hands “Calm down.”

You stop, barely.

“I'm pretty sure they’re actually on this island.”

You blink “What?”

“Someone saw a yellow submarine near the western coast yesterday.”

Your heart jumps but pretend and say “I don't care.”

“Sure.”

“Not at all.”

“Of course.”

You narrow your eyes but before you can ask or say anything else a blue sphere expands around all of you.

Then suddenly Law stands exactly where your first mate stood a second ago.

You smile immediately… far too immediately and so your crew notices.

Law notices too, then he grabs your arm gently and pulls you against him.

Hostage style, technically. The fact that neither of you takes it seriously ruins the effect a little.

Your crew immediately reaches for weapons.

Law looks at them calmly “Don’t worry.”

He sounds almost bored “Your vice-captain is probably having breakfast with the other idiots.”

You blink “What?”

“Bepo wanted pancakes and I teleported your mate there.”

Then Law looks back at your crew “You should go too.” a small smirk appears “Have fun.”

Another flash and blue light and suddenly everyone disappears.

Only you and Law remain.

You look around, then at him “Did you just kidnap me or them?”

“Technically, you.”

“Bold move.”

“You kidnapped my attention first.”

You stare at him “That was terrible.”

“I know.”

“Never say that again.”

“I probably won't.”

You shake your head and he smirks.

You smile back.

From that point on it’s always like this.

You arrive on an island. The Heart Pirates happen to be there. Coincidentally. Your crews definitely do not help arrange these meetings (they do). Then somehow you disappear for a few hours. Sometimes you still chase him through forests. Sometimes he still steals your weapons with his Devil Fruit powers. Sometimes you still pretend to hunt him. Sometimes he still pretends to escape. 

Sometimes there are arguments. Sometimes there are fights. Sometimes there are kisses.

Usually all three happen on the same day.

The Heart Pirates stop asking questions, while your crew stops pretending not to know.

Bepo eventually starts bringing snacks randomly to your first mate who stops giving speeches about monsters. Penguin and Shachi start taking bets with your crew.

Law threatens murder every single time, but nobody believes him anymore.

The world outside can think whatever it wants about hunters and monsters. You just know that the labels become smaller with every passing month.

Because in the end, the only thing your crews really care about is that you smile more now, you laugh more now and you look happier now.

That’s all that matters.

One evening, while watching the sunset from the deck of the Polar Tang, you lean against Law's shoulder.

He looks down at you “So...”

“Hm?”

“Still think I'm a vampire?”

You smile “Absolutely.”

He sighs “Hopeless.”

“Completely.”

A pause follows, then he asks “Still planning to hunt me?”

You pretend to think “Probably.”

“Good.”

“Good?”

A small smirk appears “I'd hate to lose my favorite hunter.”

Epilogue:

One year.

You’re celebrating your anniversary.

Life is strange.

The island you’re at is warm. The streets are full and so the market is loud.

“This feels weird.”

Law raises an eyebrow “A date?”

“An actual date.”

“Terrifying.” he says sarcastically.

“Exactly.”

He snorts quietly.

You made Trafalgar Law laugh… you decide to count that as your own anniversary gift.

Eventually you end up inside a tavern near the harbor.

For a while everything is peaceful, until you hear a voice from another table “Did you hear the rumors?”

“About the Heart Pirates?”

Another laugh follows “Their captain is a damn monster.”

Your hand freezes around your glass.

Law doesn't react.

The voices continue “Vampires should all be hunted down.”

“They're all the same.”

“Monsters pretending to be people.”

Your chair scrapes against the floor but Law catches your wrist immediately “Don't.”

You look at him “They're talking about you.”

“I noticed.”

“They're wrong.”

“I know.”

You shake your head “You don't care?”

“It's useless.” his voice remains calm “I can defend myself.”

You know that, but… “You shouldn't have to, it's annoying.”

Law goes quiet but you stand anyway and the hunters look toward you.

“You don't know him.”

Silence falls over the tavern.

“You don't know what kind of man he is.” you glare at them “You don't know the lives he saved.”

Law says nothing behind you.

“You don't know the people he actually protects.” your voice lowers “And if your version of justice means judging people before knowing them...”

You shake your head “then maybe you're the kind of hunter I was, before realizing how stupid I was for that.”

Nobody answers and eventually, you and Law leave together.

You’re still angry “Idiots.”

Law hums beside you “That's one word for them.”

“Shitty hunters.”

“More accurate.”

You cross your arms “I still want to punch them.”

“I'm aware.”

You stop walking “They talked about you like you're some kind of animal… or maybe I'm just a hypocrite, because I used to do the same…”

Law looks at you quietly and then he simply says “Thank you.”

You blink and before you can answer, he leans down and kisses you right there, in the middle of town, in front of strangers and in front of your crews.

Your eyes widen, when the kiss ends, you notice Bepo crying, Penguin screaming, your first mate looking like he has aged ten years instantly.

Law looks entirely unbothered.

Then you say “You did that on purpose.”

“Maybe.”

“You're evil.”

“Probably.”

You laugh and then grab his hand “Come on.”

“Where?”

“Before Bepo starts planning our wedding.”

“Too late!” Bepo shouts from somewhere behind you.

Neither of you looks back.

Inside his office aboard the Polar Tang, only silence remains.

Your hands find his and you smile softly “Happy anniversary.”

For once, Law looks almost surprised, then something softer appears in his expression, something only you get to see “Happy anniversary.”

You notice the small cut on your arm from earlier, when one of the hunters had managed to get lucky and bumped you when you were leaving.

You lift your sleeve slightly.

His eyes move toward the cut then toward you.

You nod once.

Trust… that’s what this is. Not temptation or hunger. Just complete trust.

Law looks at you for a long moment, as if making sure.

You answer anyway “I trust you.”

His expression slightly changes. His hand gently covers yours and when he finally looks up again, there is something vulnerable in his eyes.

“That means more than you know.”

You smile “Good.”

He looks at the cut and slowly kisses over it. Then the kiss slowly turns into something more important… more intimate.

The impact stole the air from you. He starts sucking your blood slowly, making you feel all sorts of things. Coldness, warmness… it's euphoric.

Trust and love.

The blood comes warm, metallic and alive into Law's mouth. You close your eyes as Law lets the taste spread across his mouth.

You slowly put your free hand in his hair and pull him enough that he understands you want him to continue.

Then you let out a low, involuntary moan.

He stops and looks at you, then his hands go to your waist, pulling you closer into a passionate kiss. 

No matter what names people give either of you… hunter, monster, pirate or vampire.