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"So. Let me get this straight."
Sanji wished he had some strong liquor in his hand right now if only to be able to stomach his friend's nonsense. Pinching the bridge of his nose would have to do for now in order to stop the incoming headache. "You want to... infiltrate the Royal event?"
"Yeah!"
" Not as in 'infiltrate the castle to steal some shit while the guests are enjoying themselves' infiltration?"
"Nope!"
"As in... You are supposed to be there?"
"Yeah!"
Yeah... Yeah?! Like it was the easiest deed to do to be invited to the Royal event?! Sanji sighed and ran his hand over his face at the innocent bright smile in front of him. Of course Luffy would want to infiltrate one of the biggest events of the year. Though to go as a guest was quite unexpected but honestly, it only half-surprised the blond as his long time friend could be the only person he knows to have such crazy ideas and go through with them. He knew he lost all hope to discourage the guy in front of him the moment he had made his mind on something.
"And you came to me because?.. You do know I'll be stuck in the kitchen."
"Well I thought you might have an idea on how to since you went a bunch of time!"
Sanji paused for a moment and scratched his stubble in thoughts. If he didn't help the guy he knew he would try to creep in the castle by himself and probably get caught. Luffy and subtlety were not really acquainted.
"You know... Even if you did succeed and get inside, how are you going to blend in? Many guards know your face Luffy, you could get caught and kicked out or worse if they recognize you. And I don't think you have any frocks suiting such an event." No need to sugarcoat it, both knew very well the level of poverty Luffy and his brothers lived in.
The young man in front of him tilted his head to the side, eyes looking up and brow furrowed, now thinking too. Then he seemed to have the solution as he smiled again, all excited.
"I could be disguised! Then I'm sure no one will recognize me! And maybe Nami or Usopp could help me find some clothes my size!"
Sanji sighed. Well, maybe Nami and Usopp could help in that matter. Now how to get inside? The blond walked back and forth in the back alley of the restaurant where he worked, starting to elaborate plans in his own mind while his friend stayed seated on some crates, swinging his legs. Then a thought came to the cook and realised it probably should have been his first question all along. He stopped his pacing and looked at the young man.
"Say Luffy, why do you want to go to the event anyway? It's a first for you."
Luffy stopped fixing the sky and looked back at Sanji with maybe the purest, happiest grin the man has ever seen. What the heck? The blond had to blink to make sure he hadn't become blind from the sunshine in front of him.
"It's to go see a friend!"
"And you can't see that friend on other occasions?"
"Nope! Well. Yeah but it's a bit more difficult."
"And who is that friend?"
"Humm... I promised him I wouldn't say..." Luffy uncharastically seemed unsure of himself; nipping at his bottom lip and scratching at the scar on his cheek. He looked torn between keeping his new friend's trust and telling everything to an old one.
Oookay? What? Did he befriend the king or something? Sanji couldn't help laughing in his own mind at the absurdity that would be. Then again, if it was the king he would have simply invited Luffy. The blond crossed his arms and tapped one of his fingers on his bicep.
"Alright. I'll see what I can do then. Did you ask Brook too?"
Luffy lightened up immediately, glad Sanji wasn't pushing him for information. Both knew he couldn’t lie to save his life and he would have slipped at some point. "Nope, why?"
"He'll be in the orchestra that performs at the event. I'll ask him if he has a tip. You sure you wanna do this?" Stupid question, Sanji knows, it's mostly for his conscience.
"Yeah! I'm sure he'll be super surprised and glad I came!"
"Ooh boi and he doesn't know you're going?"
"Nope, it's a surprise! He said he really wasn't looking forward to it and that he'll be bored out of his mind. So imma surprise him so we can have fun!"
Sanji thought about the shenanigans his younger friend could do and the exasperation they could bring and sighed. "I doubt that's going to brighten up his night..."
Luffy puffed his cheeks, having heard Sanji's murmur, and pouted by retracting his head between his raised shoulders. "Hey! I'm sure Torao will enjoy it more if a friend is there!"
"Torao?"
"Ah shoot!" Luffy's eyes went wide and his hands swiftly covered his treacherous mouth. A crease formed in his brow and he quickly continued.
"Please don't tell anyone! I'm really not supposed to say who he is!" The worry and desperation in Luffy's voice was enough to win the blond over even if the name didn’t ring any bells. Who the hell could this 'Torao' be? Sanji went many times to the palace for events and such and never met a staff member with that name. Maybe they were new, that'll explain a lot.
"We have a deal if you at least point the guy to me at the event."
Luffy actually thought about it for long stretching seconds then grinned.
"Okay deal!"
"Good. I need to get back to work. Did you want to come back later to get some leftovers?"
Luffy's eyes sparkled. "Yeah! If there's enough I'll bring some back home, it'll help out Ace and Sabo!"
"Alright I'll make sure to hide some for you. I'll try to think about something for your... Adventure."
"Awesome! Thanks Sanji, you're the best!"
"Yes, yes I know. Be sure to say that again when the mosshead or the girls are around."
On that note Sanji went back inside his restaurant while Luffy jumped off his seat and headed deeper into town gleefully.
-----
If there was one thing Law could endure even less than his everyday stifling life was the preparation for Royal events. Of course Doflamingo would want him to get a new suit tailored (because the bastard knew Law hated to stay still for hours being poked and prodded by fingers and needles). Of course Trebol would look back at the etiquette book with him (even though he had the goddamn book memorised, he just didn’t want to follow it out of spite). And of course Cora would want him to supervise preparation with him (you know, to prepare him for ruling. Though he failed seeing how telling people how they should fold table cloths would make the people less hungry). He hated it all but wouldn’t say anything openly to Cora, even if the man insisted for Law to tell him everything. The prince didn’t want to see his father figure disappointed so he endured and relished every lonely moment he could get to unwind or just pass time around Cora when there weren’t any royal duties.
Yet now wasn’t one of those moments he told himself as he was uprighting himself in his chair beside the throne after a side eye from Doflamingo who caught him leaning on his closed fist. The event - a ball really- was unfolding in front of his bored eyes. Rich Dukes and Duchesses, ambassadors, Lords and Ladies were all giggling, drinks in hand, enjoying the evening. Dressed in beautiful suits and dresses yet not as luxurious as the royals. Doflamingo was covered in white and gold silk adorned by a puffy cape of pink feathers. Cora was wearing his white and black suit, completed by a red sash around the left shoulder to the right side of his waist. It was completed by a less puffy cape than his brother and made of black feathers. As for Law’s new suit, it was black and gold which complimented his amber eyes. As with the other royals he had a short shoulder cape made of black feathers draped on his left shoulder.
He was supposed to be out there and -godforbid- socialize as the prince of the court. Yet he hadn’t once got up since the start of the event. Oh Law stood up when Doffy greeted the guests but when everyone of “importance” was presented and the music started he sat down and vowed to not move until the night was over. He wasn’t interested in being nice for the purpose of having good relations with people who were only nice to him because he was the prince. He knew he was grumpy, unfriendly and rude yet to stay in his good graces nobles would ignore it all with fake smiles and laughs.
“Want to come with me? I’m going to get something to eat.”
Law tried to suppress the little jump he did as Cora came in front of him, surprising him in his thought.
“I think if you slouch more you’ll fall off your seat.” Cora laughed. Law then realised he had indeed slowly slouched until his back was soon to touch the seat instead of the back of the chair. He uprighted himself again and coughed to hide his blush.
“No, I'm good. Thank you.”
“You sure? Alright suit yourself” Cora smiled at him and went to step down the stairs of the dais the throne was on.
Only to stumble in his own feet and fall flat on the ground, after tumbling down the last two steps of the three steps stairs. Everything stopped for two hot seconds where everyone around the dais looked towards them. Law actually groaned and facepalmed, Doffy laughed and every nobles around didn’t know how to help the poor royal, hesitating to touch him.
“It’s fine! I’m fine!” Cora laughed as he tried to get up, sliding a bit on the waxed floor. Law sighed and got up. Sometimes he thought Cora’s clumsiness wasn’t so accidental and the man knew Law would always come help him.
“You really shouldn’t be allowed to be anywhere without supervision.” The prince said as he came besides the blond and helped him up. As he did, nobles came around to ask Cora if he was okay, the music starting again.
“Sorry sorry, thank you everyone for worrying. I'm fine, our generous prince here is going to keep an eye on me!” Cora answered as his forehead became red.
“You should just stay seated.” Law answered with a huff, still holding his father figure up.
“But I’m hungry Law!”
“Ask the servant to bring you something then!”
“Come on I’d get fat if I did that!” Law doubted this statement as Cora was the equivalent of a very tall stalk. “Alright let’s go!” Cora didn’t let the prince have any choice as he put a hand behind his shoulders and they stepped through the crowd in the ballroom and towards the food tables.
If only it could have been a quick trip but of course it wouldn’t be. Say what you want, Cora was sly when he wanted. The vice-king chatted happily with anyone who spoke to him, making a salutation take a long five minutes of pleasantries. Pleasantries that Law was obliged to participate as Cora would always include him.
“Oh my, Prince Law I didn’t know you danced.” An uptight Duchess that he didn’t care to remember her name exclaimed, faking surprise. She was having fun flapping her fan so quickly Law could smell her strong perfume even if he was a good 2 feet from her. And of course she knew he danced, he would have to every year since his eighteenth birthday in hope that a nice lady of the court would interest him enough to marry. Though he danced with many, none ended up in his good graces. She just wanted to jab him for not moving all evening.
“Yes but I don’t see anyone interesting enough to dance with tonight.” He replied curtly. The eyebrows of Perfume-Duchess went up in indignation and Cora was quick to do some damage control.
“How about your daughter Duchess? Does she like to dance?”
Law looked away, muting the conversation. He looked around the ballroom, bored out of his mind. He caught a movement in the corner of his eyes and saw one of the cooks in his white uniform with a dish in his hands, seemingly bringing it to the tables from the stairway. Weird, usually the cooks stayed downstairs in the kitchens and let the servants bring up the food. The cook in question was blond and Law felt like he recognized him but couldn’t remember from where. He was also acting quite strange, looking down around him and turning on himself, maybe looking for something he dropped but then his eyes would look up and Law could see him mouth something. Without knowing Law had started to drift towards him and was now starting to hear over the music and conversation around him.
“-re are you? Seriously, I told you to stay near! It’s the last time I’m helping you!”
The cook seemed to find what he was looking for at the food table. He swiftly walked toward a dark-haired woman who was seemingly stuffing her face. She had shoulder-length black hair and a quite simple red gown. The cook was again out of hearing range but he looked mad and was hissing at her. The woman turned around towards the blond with a frown and cheeks full, answering her mouth full and that’s when Law’s brain put on all breaks.
“You’ve got to be kidding.” Law couldn’t help after rebooting his brain and frowning. At the same time the woman’s eyes caught sight of him,probably hearing him and swallowed her mouthful before making a huge grin showing all teeth. She said something to the cook making his jaw drop.
“Torao!!”
He didn’t even change his voice?! The woman -no- Luffy came running clumsily towards him.
“Damn it’s hard walking with heels! I don’t know how Nami and Robin do it! Hi Torao! I told you I’d come!” Luffy exclaimed happily once in front of him.
Law found that he couldn’t talk. This was so inane. Absurd. Stupid. He didn’t believe the guy when he said he’d come! Well not only did he invite himself but he came disguised? With a poorly made wig and a barely average gown?. How did he pass the guards? No. He didn’t pass any guards; he must have been hidden in the kitchen, hence the cook that knew him. Yet his scar was still showing and Law, against his will, couldn’t forget those dark doe-eyes and that sunshine smile.
“-rao. Torao! Hey! Do you need to eat something?” Luffy finally caught his attention. Around, some guests had stopped their conversation and turned towards them, watching the exchange.
He quickly grabbed Luffy’s arm and went towards the kitchen stairwell, where the cook must have disappeared to since he wasn’t around the ballroom anymore. Luffy followed with a small yelp of surprise and tried to follow despite his heels. It wasn’t the best to see the prince drag what seemed like a woman around and towards a secluded place but for now he didn’t need witness of who the woman really was. He’d do some damage control later.
Once in the stairwell and away from prying eyes and ears Law turned back towards Luffy who had grabbed a piece of meat on their way, how? Law didn’t know and didn’t care for now.
“What the hell Straw Hat?”
“What?” Luffy munched on his piece of meat, big doe eyes looking up at him.
“What are you doing here?!” Law was this close to tearing his hair off. Luffy gulped his treat and looked clueless.
“I told you I’d come! You said those events were dull and you didn’t want to go. So I came to hang out with you so it wasn’t as boring!” Luffy announced proudly, hands on his hips, legs parted. “See I even came disguised! Like this, no one would recognize me!”
It’s then that Law took more notice of the gown. It was quite more simple than any other gowns at the ball upstairs. It had only one color; a deep red alike to blood yet a shade darker. The teen hadn’t even thought about stuffing it which left him flat as a plank. Actually, he didn’t even think to put on stuffing pads, the only thing giving him curves were the natural stitches at the waist and probably the petticoat. The dress seemed too long for him and touched the floor hiding his high heeled feet. It also had long bell sleeves to cover Luffy’s well toned arms. Law then took attention to the wig. Funnily enough, it actually had the same cut and raven shade as his usual hair, it was just longer. All in all, Law actually thought he was cute.
Wait what.
“You okay there? You look red. Wanna go outside? Do you need to eat?” Luffy tilted his head, hair following the motion, big worried eyes on him. Law coughed and felt his face warm up.
“Yeah- No- I’m fine. Look Straw Hat it’s not because you put on a wig and a gown that suddenly no one recognizes you! I recognized you!”
“What! How did you??” Luffy seemed bewildered by the notion.
Law thought back at that grin and those dark eyes he remembers from a foggy night and shook his head.
“Well for one you didn’t hide your scar.”
“Nami said it wasn’t that noticeable!”
“A guard could still see it Straw Hat!” Law hissed, trying to hint to keep it down.
“It’s fine! Nothing will happen, come on, let's go have fun!” Luffy didn’t seem to take the hint and took Law’s wrist, tugging him upstairs, tired of waiting when there was food and fun upstairs.
Law tugged his arm back, stopping the teen but unsuccessfully dislodging his wrist from the grip on it. “It’s too risky! Look. Why did you even come? It’s dangerous and I don’t want you to get caught. You should go back home.” Law tried to reason.
Looks like Luffy had enough of the argument because he turned back on Law and puffed his cheeks offended. “But I wanna be with Torao! You said this sucked and I want to make it better because we're friends! So shut up and let’s enjoy all the food upstairs and Brook’s music!” He added a stomp to drive his point home.
Law didn’t exactly know how to process what Straw Hat said, feeling his neck warm again. He wanted to be indignant yet he got the feeling that it could actually be a fun night for once. Shocked, he let the teen tug his wrist and bring them back to the ballroom. Once upstairs Luffy grinned at him.
“Let’s go eat!” He let go of Law, whose wrist now felt cold for some reason. He decided to not dwell on it and followed the teen around one of the tables as he sampled every piece of food at the same time.
The guests near them looked over the disguised Straw Hat with horror and disgust, seeing a young woman stuffing herself up without any decency nor cutlery or even a plate. What shocked them even more was that the royal prince was following her around, sometimes with disgust on his face and sometimes with something more… Fond. Already rumors were starting; the prince apparently liked more what was close to a sow instead of an elegant lady of the court. Judgmental looks started to befall the prince more and more as he and the weird woman continued their culinary discovery.
Luffy took another piece of cheese in his already practically full mouth.
“Itch shooooo gewd!” Luffy couldn’t help but to relish in the taste. He did a wrong move while stretching to get something else and swallowed the wrong way. He started to cough exaggeratedly and Law rolled his eyes, not even feeling the looks of the other guests on him. He poured water in a cup and gave it to the struggling teen. Luffy gulped it down quickly.
“Aaaah I thought I was going to die!” The teen exclaimed and Law couldn’t help the chuckle leaving his mouth.
“You know there’s plenty of food you don’t have to stuff yourself up.” Law finished with a smirk. He got worried when Luffy simply stared at him without moving. “You okay? Do you need more water?” He furrowed his brow. Luffy seemed to break his trance and smiled wildly, challenging the sun in its brightness.
“Nope! Thanks!” Luffy put the cup back down and went back to sampling every dish albeit more slowly. He took a piece of rolled up meat with some stuffing and couldn’t help moaning. He took another one and turned towards Law bringing it towards his face.
“T’y thish To’aro! Itsh de’ichious” How Law wasn’t entirely disgusted, he didn’t know. He blamed Luffy’s charisma. He took the food offered and took it in one bite. The flavor burst on his tongue and his eyes widened in surprise, he had to admit it was indeed delicious. Luffy looked proud at the reaction, happy to have made the grumpy prince surprised. He swallowed and suggested another piece of food. The sampling continued until someone cleared their throat behind them.
Both turned around to see Cora smiling. The blond was actually excited when he heard the rumors circulate the ball room. When they got to his ears he could only think of one thing; Law was actually making human contact with someone! He had to see who it was and was surprised to see a petite woman with long black hair. He was afraid for a moment it might just be Baby 5 but when she turned around towards Law to give him some food he didn’t recognize her.
“Hello Law, are you enjoying yourself? I see you made a friend! Hi I’m Rosinante, who might you be my lady?”
Luffy didn’t answer right away, confused until he received an elbow in his ribs. He rounded on Law with a frown.
“Ow! What was that for!”
“He’s talking to you” Law hissed between his teeth.
“Oh! Hi I’m Lu-”
Law realized the error he made in letting Luffy answer and quickly talked over him.
“It’s Loo! Hi-Her name is Loo. Just Loo.” Law looked over the teen with a warning in his eyes which Luffy had the instinct to follow.
“Yeah! My name’s Loo! Nice to meet you Rosi!” Luffy grinned at the tall man, waving at him.
Everyone’s hearts around them stopped. The lack of respect of the woman was astounding, to not bow, to wave and to shorten the vice-king’s name was unthinkable. One of those things was already bad but all three? Did she have a death wish? Law simply facepalmed again muttering about how he would kill some hat with explicit details. Everyone was holding their breath until Cora actually laughed.
“My name can be quite a mouthful Loo! You can call me Cora if you want, that’s what Law calls me.” He smiled gently. He didn’t miss the prince’s eyes averting, slightly embarrassed.
Luffy’s eyes widened in happy recognition “Oh you’re Cora! Law told me about you!”
“Really? It isn’t the first time you guys meet?” Cora looked surprised too, not remembering such a lady coming to their events. He racked his brain to find where they could have met when-
“Nope I met him the other night- “ And that was Law’s cue to cut this conversation off.
“I love this song! Let’s go dance Loo!” Law snatched Luffy’s wrist and the nobles parted on their way toward the dancing area leaving Cora confused. The prince groaned internally knowing he’ll have to explain to his father what this was all about, but not with so many ears only wanting more dirt on him.
They both got to the edge of the dancing area. Some couples were already dancing to the calm melody filling the ballroom. Luffy looked over the chairs where the musicians were playing and recognized the big hair of his friend. He points to him while tugging his caught wrist to have Law’s attention.
“Look! That’s Brook, he's one of my friends! He helped me tonight. Oh and Sanji helped too! He’s a cook!”
“Was he the one with you earlier? The blond?”
“Yeah that’s him! I bet what you tasted was his!”
“Really? Well you can tell him he’s a great cook then.”
“ Shishishi you should tell him yourself I bet he’d be super happy!”
“Well, if I see him again I will.”
A slight awkward silence befell them just then, Luffy watching the dancers impressed and Law looking around, spotting Cora looking at him with arms crossed and unimpressed eyebrow up. He guessed he did say he was bringing Luffy to dance. The thing was, he didn’t know if Luffy even knew how to. Before he could make any decisions Luffy pulled the metaphorical rugged from under his feet yet again with a smile.
“Hey wanna dance?”
“Do you know how to?” Luffy’s smile dimmed, which Law found he really didn’t like the sight of. It felt like a cloudy day.
“I do! Maybe not all those fancy moves but I can dance!” Luffy defended himself.
“Well we don’t have to do the same dance as everyone else, we can make an easier one. I’ll lead.”
“But I wanna lead!”
“How will you lead me if you don’t know the steps?”
“With my guts!”
Law actually snorted at that. “Okay you can lead after I show you.”
The prince then dragged Luffy towards one of the edges of the dance floor, not the middle, he didn’t need all the attention. He already had enough with just him bringing someone to dance. They both faced each other then. Luffy then took both of Law’s hands in his and looked up, seemingly ready to move.
“What are you doing?”
“Isn’t it how we dance?”
Law sighed for the umpteeth time that night seeing the challenge literally in front of him. He should have known Luffy didn’t know the basics of waltz. He also should have invented a better excuse to leave Cora.
“You’re making me regret this.”
“Hey!”
Before Luffy could continue his indignation, Law moved his right hand to his own left shoulder, leaving it there under the short cape, and proceeded to lay his left hand on the teen’s waist. Luffy let him install himself and looked up in his eyes. The prince then cleared his throat slightly.
“So that’s the base position and now all you have to do is follow my feet. If I go back you go forward, if I go forward you go back. We’ll start slow to begin.”
While he explained Luffy’s eyes never left his, seemingly enraptured in what he was saying. He started easy and slow and went to his right, tugging on Luffy’s waist and hand so he could follow.
Right away the younger man stepped on his foot and the prince let out a yelp.
“Oops sorry! Shishishi ” He didn’t seem very sorry, more amused than anything.
“I think you should start by looking at our feet.”
Luffy grinned and looked down. Law started again and this time the teen was careful not to step on the prince’s feet. They made a right, then a back, a left and finally forward.
“You did it, Congratulations” Law half sarcastically complimented. Of course, it went over Luffy’s head.
“Yeah! It isn’t that hard!” Luffy beamed proud of himself.
“Say that when you actually look at your partner and do the steps.” Law mocked.
“Well then, let’s go for another round!”
The young man took the challenge and the both of them continued their waltz. Law thought it was cute how the guy would stick his tongue out to concentrate. He then immediately proceeded to banish said thought. After the sixth round, and 3 more stomped feet, Luffy almost never looked down, which was a huge accomplishment.
He let himself be guided by Law and realized they were now nearer the musicians. How they got there, the teen didn’t know but he was glad to see Brook up close and waved at him. Law looked in the direction of a man with a very big hairdo, an afro he thinks it was called, who played the violin. He hadn’t been able to see well earlier from the sides of the dance floor. Brook nodded his head at Luffy to acknowledge him and then nodded to the prince. Law, caught off guard, answered the same and looked back at Luffy who yet again grinned, all teeth out. To avoid looking at the sunshine smile further, the prince surprised his partner by making him twirl on himself. It only made Luffy laugh which in turn warmed the prince’s heart.
“You should really come to one of the town festivals! We decorate the entire town with flowers, flags and banners. I bet you’d love it. Brook and his group play music all day, Sanji makes delicious snacks, Usopp tells stories with Franky’s help, everyone gets to sing, dance and play. Oh! And me and my brothers get to perform for everyone gathered!” The teen’s doe eyes couldn’t get larger or happier as he described what felt like a perfect souvenir. The shine of candlelights got caught in them and made the dark iris sheened a pure dark chocolate with spots of amber scattered. At that moment, Law felt like going to a town festival would be the best idea ever made. So he agreed.
“Yeah, it might be nice.”
“Might be? It’ll totally be! Come on, promise you’ll come!”
“I can’t really go out when I want, you know?”
“Yes you can! You already did.”
“That was different.”
“Nah it wasn't! You wanted to get out to help that cat so you did. That’s no different from wanting to go to a festival. You’re greedy just like me, if you want something you’ll take it! Shishishi ”
Law was so stunned and feeling naked in front of the crossdresser teen that he stopped moving. He’d met Luffy what? Two times? How could the guy read him so easily? How could he know who Law was? It scared him. But before he could speak and find an excuse to run away Luffy spoke up.
“Hey! Do you think I could lead now?”
“Oh hum.. Sure..”
Still stunned, Law let Luffy maneuver his hand on his shoulder and then lay his own on the prince’s waist. The heat pooling in that area felt scorching and soothing at the same time and Law couldn’t understand why. Though soon he couldn’t concentrate on his inner crisis as Luffy stepped yet again on his foot, breaking his train of thought.
“Stra- Loo! Be careful, I won’t have feet at the end of this and I only danced with you! You gotta start towards your left.” Law explained with all the patience he could muster.
Luffy at least looked sheepish and really apologetic this time. “Sorry Torao. I’ll start moving now.”
They started to get back in sync. Luffy, not knowing how to move them very well, listened to Law’s directions and by their fourth round the teen was successfully leading the pair. To the horror of the guests around who watched their prince be led by a woman of poor manners. All except maybe Cora, who smiled from the side, left arm folded with the right arm’s elbow set on it so he could lean his cheek in his right hand, watching his son have fun for once.
They danced and chatted through two songs, feeling the soft music going through them. Luffy would look mesmerized each time Law smirked or snorted at one of his jokes, the older man felt self conscious about it but didn’t bring it up. He was probably seeing things that weren’t there. Yet he couldn’t tear his eyes from those deep brown eyes.
So entranced they both seemed that, as Law was moving forward again following Luffy, someone behind him bumped him pretty harshly and he lost his footing. To avoid trampling the teen and falling to the ground, he stumbled and gripped the man in his arm closer to him so he didn't fall either. Law, whose eyes closed in the process, opened them to tell the person who bumped him to be careful when his breath left him. His face was merely inches from Luffy's, his big doe eyes looking up at him; the dark chocolate speckled with amber captivating him. He didn’t miss the orbs glancing down then swiftly coming back up, pink slowly dusting the younger’s cheeks. Law gulped, not understanding why, but it didn’t go unnoticed by the teen who yet again looked down, still his face was unreadable. The prince then felt the body against his own, his arms had wrapped around the smaller man to keep him from falling. Luffy’s own arms’ trapped between both bodies. The younger man’s warmth creeped into him, he felt his heart beat fast, or was it Luffy’s? He didn’t know what to think of it, his brain didn’t seem like it was functional at the moment. It felt like time had stopped.
Then it started back as the guilty guest apologized. Or more like the guilty guest’s wife.
“I am so sorry, your highness! My husband had too much to drink. Please forgive him.”
Law cleared his throat, not wanting to think about what just happened. He uprighted both of them, making sure Luffy could stand on his own and weirdly feeling cold. He turned towards the Lady and her husband, both bowing to him.
“It’s fine, no one was hurt. Please sir, make sure to not disturb anyone else or-”
A shriek resonated in the ballroom, making the musicians stop their ballad and then:
“A rat! A rat!”
A woman pointed towards the dance floor, everyone taking a step back from it.The entire ballroom’s attention was on them. They all looked down and those with a clear view could see a ball of black hair on the ground.
Luffy, who had covered his ears, whined and started cleaning one of them with his pinky.
“Ouch ma’am don’t shout so loud it hurts! It’s just a rat..”
Then he stopped as everyone was looking at him in shock with wide, horrified eyes.
“What’s up?” Luffy looked around then at Law who was a shade paler than earlier. The prince only facepalmed again and pointed at his own head.
Not understanding he reached to scratch his head touching his real… Hair...
“Ah my wig!!“
And that’s how all hell broke loose. Everyone pointed at him, screaming Straw Hat Luffy. Law tried to calm things down but to no avail as the situation escalated quickly and the guards came running towards them. Luffy for his part laughed because of course when you’re stuck in a ballroom with all the castle’s guards coming at you that’s the proper reaction. The prince started to feel more exasperated than anything else.
“Welp I gotta go Torao, it was fun!”
“Yeah it was.” Law’s smile turned towards fondness and Luffy scratched the side of his nose, giggling. He then started running towards the kitchen, abandoning his heels and tearing the skirt of his gown so he could run easier. Nami would kill him later but he needed to survive this first. And as his wanted poster mentioned, he swiped some meat on a table, two pouches of berries and a golden watch. The thief then disappeared in the stairway to the kitchens. Mayhem was in full motion and as a group of guards passed beside him, Law took a step forward, feigning not seeing them and made the first man stumble on his foot, sending the rest of the group with him.
“Oops, so sorry Pica, didn’t see you there.” Law smiled innocently as the bulk of a man with a high voice grumbled getting up, not able to replicate to the prince in front of the guests and continued his way.
Law looked towards the stairway the guards descended to and weirdly didn’t feel worried. Deep down he knew Straw Hat Luffy couldn’t get caught so easily.
“Are you okay my Prince? We should have known that such a crude woman couldn’t have been invited” Said a Duchess as some nobles started to crowd him.
“But to think it was Monkey D. Luffy, that bandit!
“Do you need to drink?”
“He made you dance with him, the scoundrel! Probably to steal your possessions while you weren’t on your guard!”
“We should have known!”
Law rubbed his temple, about to tell them that he was alright when they parted to let Cora stop in front of him.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I think I will go to my rooms. You know, to... Assimile everything that’s happened.”
Cora’s look was unreadable but a smile quickly appeared on his face.
“You’re right, go to sleep, it was a tiring day.”
“Yeah, good night everyone.” Law bowed and went back towards the dais to access the hallway behind it. As he walked by Doflamingo, who hadn’t moved since he left with Cora, smiled.
“Interesting friend you got there, Law.”
Law wisely decided to not answer and Doflamingo chuckled, sending shivers down his spine. He went on his way.
----
Later that night Luffy laid down beside Ace, refusing to tell his brothers where he was and where he found so many berries.
He closed his eyes with a smile and dreamt of music and golden eyes.