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Law didn’t know why Mugiwara no Luffy was so…entrancing. He seemed to draw people in, grab hold of them if he thought them friends, punch aside those he thought of as enemies. He was loud, an airhead, and all smiles.
When Law first met him, he had a distant thought that Luffy’s smile was blinding, but his dark eyes and snarled lips were something else entirely.
Law wasn’t sure why he went out of his way to save Mugiwara no Luffy at Marineford, though he claimed he had wanted Luffy’s favor. He wasn’t sure what had kept him around longer than he’d normally stay for a patient, either. He had seen this man – a fellow captain from an enemy crew – at his absolute lowest because of the loss of his brother. Because he lost someone, he held dear.
Law had seen himself in the way Luffy had cried, hadn’t believed that his brother wasn’t gone because his brother was the strongest. Because he promised. He had seen himself when he lost Lami and his parents, and his city, and then when he had lost Cora-san.
He didn’t pity Luffy. Not in the slightest. He sympathized, he knew the pain of losing a sibling and even more someone that had been your entire world – someone you absolutely loved with your whole heart.
Maybe the reason Law had stayed so long was because he wanted to see Luffy heal. Shift from the broken man who had lost something so dear it made his mind shut down, to a man who was functioning because he knew he had to. Because he had goals, because he had things he wanted to do.
Because he was too stubborn to die after someone died just so he could live.
They were similar, in that way. And maybe that was why Law had stayed for two weeks longer than normal.
Looking at Mugiwara no Luffy now, two years after saving him and watching him piece himself back together, Law could tell instantly he hadn’t healed. Luffy was in good health physically, but there were cracks that had yet to be filled, if they ever would. Prominent cracks that covered his entire body, never to be filled or waiting for the opportunity to be mended.
Law too had cracks, spots.
It showed just how strong Mugiwara no Luffy was.
So, Law opened his mouth and he spoke, his words ending with a proposal.
“Let’s create an alliance, Mugiwara-ya.”
And that forever changed his life.
(And he might've, just maybe, fallen in love with an airhead. Go figure.)
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰
Law ground his teeth together, glaring over to the airhead captain that was squished against his side. It had been like this since they got onto the Sunny, but it seemed to get worse as they landed on Zhou. Law wasn’t used to people touching him, let alone so often.
“What is with you clinging to me?” He asked, voice dry.
Luffy gave him a shi-shi-shi laugh, and beamed, “We’re getting married, so it’s fine, right?”
Well, yeah, that made sense–
“I’m sorry, what?” Law gaped, “Did you just say we are getting married?”
“Yeah?” Luffy tilted his head to the side.
“No, we aren’t.” Law deadpanned.
When the hell did that happen? Why the hell did Luffy think they were getting married?
“What do you mean we’re not?” Luffy frowned, “You asked me!”
“When?” Law demanded; voice pitched higher than normal as he thought back to any time, he had hinted towards wanting to marry Luffy.
Not that he wanted to! His feelings for Luffy were strictly professional!
Professional, he insists.
“You asked to make a alliance.” Luffy said, staring at him.
“Yes,” Law prodded, because that was true but didn't explain anything.
“You purposed.” Luffy said, pointing at him, “And I said yes, so we’re getting married.”
Law blinked once, twice, and then he gaped. “A pirate alliance is not marriage!”
“Then why did you ask?” Luffy crossed his arms, frowning, and Law pretended to not see the hurt in brown eyes.
“Why did you agree?” Law questioned back, because that was a very good question.
Why the hell did Luffy agree to marry him, even if Law hadn't asked him to? Their relationship was sticktly perfessional!
“Because Torao asked!” Luffy threw his arms up, like he was the one exasperated. “Since Torao asked, I said yes!”
“So you’d marry anyone that asks you to?” Law gawked, ignoring the hurt welling up.
“Of course not, silly Torao!” Luffy pointed at him, “You asked so I said yes because I thought you wanted to marry me!” he yelled, huffing, and then glaring at Law like he caused this.
Law opened and closed his mouth, trying to find the words, and that was when he noticed how quiet it was. He looked to the side, seeing all the Minks, Straw Hats, and his own crew watching shamelessly and in confusion.
“Luffy, didn’t Boa Hancock ask you to marry her?” Nami asked slowly. "Why didn't you say yes to her?"
“Eh, yeah." explained Luffy, smiling slowly, "But I don’t want to marry her. I don't want to marry anyone, but Torao wants to marry me, and I like Torao. So if he wants to marry me, I want to marry him.”
“…what?” Law repeated.
He had known Hancock was in love with Luffy as it was kind of hard to miss, but he didn’t know anything about marriage proposals. But Luffy rejected the most beautiful woman in the world because he wanted Law.
Wait.
Did he hear Luffy right?
I don't want to marry anyone, but Torao wants to marry me, and I like Torao. So if he wants to marry me, I want to marry him.
Law tugged at his hat, face red, “Okay, let’s get married.”
Luffy beamed, cheered, and everyone yelled their shock.