#of two

Momonga didn't begrudge his subordinate, he probably appeared even harsher than usual under all the stress lately. His men were halfway to an island in the complete opposite direction when the order from Akainu came in to look into the devastation that happened here.

It was three days before they were ready to set sail in the aftermath of dealing with a large group of wannabe pirates, what they lacked in experience they made up in numbers and collateral to his ship. Another three for them to actually drop anchor, though the dock had been destroyed, and frankly there wasn't much left to investigate.

Things were, and it stung his pride to say, hectic since the defeat of Kaido and Big Mom at Wano, with so many of their forces guarding nobility at the Reverie there was little recourse when Strawhat Luffy returned to menace the open seas and the marines shamefully left scrambling when Eustass "Captain" Kidd continued to cause havoc across the ocean as well.

Safe to say they were short-staffed. And thanks to the work of that damn Revolutionary Army, it seemed more difficult in recent years to recruit (canon fodder) people into their ranks despite how successful marine propaganda had been in the past.

Was it entirely possible that a small but notorious band of pirates raided an unknown town in bumfuck nowhere? Sure, but considering the circumstances - a violent revolt was probably more likely. Plus, from what Momonga had heard about the Hiraishin crew's captain in particular, he didn't sound like the type.

There had been whispers for years through ports of neighboring islands about the practices here; strong but archaic religious beliefs spearheading the community through their church and congregation, teenagers being arranged to marry young and dissuaded from pursuing higher education—most didn't finish primary school, let alone secondary or their O-levels—all in the name of tradition and "God's" plans for everyone.

How many reports had come in from girls attempting to flee unsafe households from this island only to be turned back to their parents because they had the "right" to look after their own child; children that they were forcing to be wed not a week later.

Thinking about it left a bitter taste in the Vice Admiral's mouth.

Company towns weren't technically legal anyway under the purview of the World Government, all things considered this was more an internment camp for people with debt too, but they were willing to let most things slide if it let them continue to vilify what they saw as the under class, "pirates" by any other name.

Of course, Sakazuki would write it off as criminals fighting amongst themselves, their own devilish nature bringing about nothing less than divine destruction. Everyone who lived here had engaged in corrupt practices therefore their downfall was deserved.

At his age, though still doggedly loyal to the system he'd served for decades despite disagreements about how the current Fleet Admiral ran it,

Because where would he be without it, what would it make of him and the acts he had committed over the years if that system was not actually just and impartial,

Momonga was weary about how much of that was actually true.

---

"Hey. Thought I'd find you in here."

Kirin awoke from his nap to find his partner standing in the doorway, arms crossed with the day's newspaper tucked under one arm. He patted the spot next to him after a small kitten stretch for them to come closer.

"C'mere, you haven't paid nearly enough attention to me today, captain."

Law scoffed. He had work to do, files to organize and notations to make on their latest whacky pet project or grill their crew about not attending to their chores correctly but then Kirin flashed that charismatic lopsided grin of his, all ease and hooded eyes.

Well. They had work to do.

"You look tired, darling," once situated in the slight dip on Kirin's side of the bed, Law's fingers found their way onto their lover's scalp and despite the claim, that one word alone felt like it washed away the lead in his bones.

Darling, darling, darling. He could listen to Law call him that forever.

Kirin's arms wound themselves around Law's pretty little waist, making himself comfortable with his face in the junction between Law's neck and shoulder - even though they'd been apart for just a few weeks this time he yearned for their touch, to touch them, even more, "Mmhm, haven't been sleeping too well."

"Any chance this might have anything to do with it?"

Law held up the article reporting on the tragedy that befell that damn company town. It wasn't like Kirin to order an attack on an entire island, usually it was just the swine up top that hung for their crimes. But he trusted his partner's discretion.

They couldn't see what face Kirin made properly because of the angle they were cuddling at but Law was sure it was a grimace. Kirin only turned to hide his face in their shirt with a small noise, his focus shifting to the light patterns traced with his nails on Law's back.

Two weeks weren't nearly enough to organize a formal revolt. A mutiny rung in by a black dog's howl and the reaper at people's doors.

It was barely enough to get the innocents and their families away, some kicking and screaming once they knew of the town's fate but were protected by those who vouched for them. Whoever was left was intentional, some would even say they deserved it.

Kirin and his crew would take the blame for it so long as it meant whoever needed to die, did.

Dissatisfied with their man's non-answer about something that clearly bothered him, Law proceeded to read off the paper aloud, "They said the priest was found crucified in his church, reporters speculated his husband must be devastated."

"'S how the Lord intended him to go. He was devoted to a god that sanctified child marriage."

Kirin's response was muffled but immediate. So this was personal.

"Yeah, what's that say about the man who burned down an entire town?" Law moved so Kirin would have to face them, brushing wavy curls behind his ear so they could see the inevitable adorable pout in full.

"I get on my knees for better people."