Archive of Our Own

This place was in ruins.

Buildings were barely standing, people living in the few houses that still held four walls and a roof. Plants were overgrowing everything in their way, making quite the picture. It was beautiful in it’s own depressing way.

They weren't staying long; they were on their way to the city, which was on the other side of the smaller mountain that occupied the island's center.

They needed to stock up, having lived on the emergency food supply for a week now. Believe it or not, but eating canned soup seven days in a row was not very exciting. Not that he himself cared much what he ate, so long as he survived and it wasn’t bread, but his crew had been complaining non-stop and Law was getting so very tired.

Luckily for them, an old lady had given them directions to the stock town, leading to where they were now, passing through this depressingly aged village.

…

“Cap’n, how much further do we have to walk? My feet are killing me, man,” Shachi complained half way up the mountain, slouched forward to emphasize just how bad he was feeling for himself.

“We’ll be resting once we reach the town. It’s getting dark already, so stop whining and start walking,” he snapped, just as tired himself. He’d left most his crew behind to take care of The Polar Tang, leaving their small group of five. They neither had food, nor any form of shelter, and it wasn’t nearly warm enough for Law to want to sleep outside.

Shachi pouted by his side, but didn’t comment any further. He knew not to go against a clear order. That doesn’t mean he couldn’t hear the way he mumbled about him being too strict to Penguin, but he was far too tired to jab at him for it.

Luckily it didn’t take much longer before the first few houses came into sight, followed by the rest of the town few steps later.

Law generously shambled them to the bottom of the mountain, leaving him far more drained than he would’ve liked. Hopefully they wouldn’t come across anyone potentially dangerous before he got his usual two hours of sleep.

They managed to find an inn, renting two rooms to sleep in. One for himself and one for his crew. This didn’t stop Bepo from sneaking in next to him, of course, but Law didn’t mind the extra warmth as they drifted off for the night.

…

Morning arrived as it usually did: far too slow as he lied awake for most of the night.

His crew got to filling their bags with everything necessary. Food and other supplies hoisted onto their backs as they braved the mountain once more. Luckily managing to avoid the few marines loitering the area.

It wasn’t before they found themselves back in the small ruined village, that Law stopped in place.

“What’s the matter, cap?” Asked Penguin, having been the first to notice that he stopped walking. The rest of the crew stopped in track as well, turning to see what was going on.

“I just need to check something,” he told them, sending them all a look of reassurance as he said; “You guys make your way back to the sub, and I’ll be right behind you.”

“Ai, cap’n.”

Law stood still for a moment as he watched his crew leave. He’s acted on one of his whims again, not even entirely sure what it was that had caused him to stop in place. Nonetheless, he approached the silhouette hidden amongst the rubble.

As he came closer, the faint sound of sobs and sniffles reached his ears. So he was right; someone was there after all.

He carefully stepped over the loose stone covering most of the ground, careful not to trip as he climbed the short, broken wall of the house once there.

The moment he landed on the other side, click of his heels hitting what remained of wooden flooring, he managed to see who it was sitting amongst the ruins. It was a little girl, Law estimated to be around six or seven.

Another loud sniffle was heard, the girl using her torn sleeve to wipe away the tears from her eyes. In doing so, she caught sight of Law, instantly sitting up straight with fear written all over her face.

Law found himself freezing in place just the same, breath caught in his throat as he took a step back.

Before his eyes was a face long forgotten, one he’d never wanted to forget, yet one time had taken from him just like everything else. For a moment he wondered if it was really her.

“Please don’t hurt me!” The girl yelled, sinking into herself and hiding her face once more, giving Law back the breath he’d lost. He snapped out of his head, of old nostalgic memories, ones that brought pain with them at every reawakening.

“I wont, I promise,” he said, placing Kikoku against the wall to emphasize his statement. “Are you okay?” He then asked, noticing belatedly the dried blood covering up the front of the girls dress.

She didn’t answer him, instead she began wailing loudly. Law supposed that was a pretty standard reaction for a child in that age, covered in blood, so he approached her carefully, slowly.

“Are you hurt anywhere? I’m a doctor, you can trust me,” he told her gently, stopping short when the girl flinched from his sudden proximity.

“You’re a doctor?” She asked, lifting her head and Law nodded, crouching down to be at eye-level.

“One of the best,” he bragged, grinning at her in attempt to lighten the mood. It worked, somewhat. She didn’t smile back, but her change of posture showed Law she wasn’t trying to hide anymore.

Using her sleeve to wipe her nose, one last sniffle leaving her as she stretched out her leg, of which had previously been hidden by the long dress. Law instantly saw what was wrong: a large gash covering her shin.

He put his backpack down on the ground. Luckily he’d been the one to stock up on medical equipment, leaving it full of everything he would need to help with this wound.

“I’m going to have to clean it, which may hurt a bit, but I promise it’ll make it heal faster,” he tells her, finding some sterile water and clean towels.

“I’m going to touch your leg, is that okay?” He asked, wetting the towel and waiting for the affirming nod before he got to work. A hiss of pain leaving the girl as he touched the wound, but otherwise she sat still.

Part of him knew exactly why he was doing this. Helping some random kid he had nothing to do with. Okay, he usually did have a soft spot for children, but he usually didn’t care. He wasn’t a good person like Luffy, always saving every person he came across, yet claiming not to be a hero, simply because he doesn’t want to share his food.

This girl… with her brown hair and eyes like his own. She looks just like Lami used to. His sister whom he’d failed to save.

“Mister, can you help me, please?” The voice snapped him back out of his thoughts, and he looked up to see the girl looking right into his eyes.

“Are you hurt somewhere else?” He asked, confused by the question. After all, he was already helping her. But she shook her head, stray tear falling with the motion.

“They took mama and papa,” she tells him, voice shaking. Law frowned. Who had taken her parents?

“Where are they now?” He asked, wanting to figure out if he was about to get himself on the marines radar simply because of some kid that looks like his sister. He would, of course he would.

“I don’t know,” she whispers, more tears forming in her eyes as her voice wobbles. “But you have to help me!”

“I promise I will do my best,” he says, because he’s weak. So very weak. The way this girl is looking at him like he’s the only hope she has left. How could he say no?

He manages to bandage her leg up, helping her onto her feet and then ultimately onto his back instead when she couldn’t balance on it. He would just have to leave his backpack here until they came back. Hopefully it wouldn’t be stolen.

Grabbing Kikoku from where he’d placed her against the wall, he makes his way back to the streets.

With a quick call using his tiny den-den, he made sure to update Bepo that he would be gone for a while. He didn’t find the need to mention the girl currently on his back, such details weren’t necessary.

“So, what’s your name?” He asked, using small talk to stop the silence. He didn’t want too much time to think, his head having betrayed him enough today.

“My name is Taffy,” she says, voice quiet. She’s probably still scared, and getting a piggyback ride from a stranger isn’t exactly going to help that.

“Nice to meet you, Taffy. You can call me Law,” he tells her, voice soft as he tries to appear as non-threatening as possible.

…

With the directions he’s given, they walk for nearly an hour, entering a forest. Over that timespan, Taffy managed to warm up to him. She told him all about her parents, about how she’d fallen and hurt her leg. He also learned that she was indeed seven.

They walked through a clearing in the forest, coming across what looked to be a cemetery. Gravestones sticking out of the ground, some old and some newer.

His eyes went wide when he was told to put her down. Realization slowly dawning in on him.

“This is where they took them!” She told him and Law felt his stomach sink.

“This is where your parents are?” He asked, wanting to confirm his depressing suspicion. The girl nodded, wobbling her way towards two graves. The dirt was still piled above the ground, indicating that the graves were newly dug.

“They put them in here. Please help me get them out!” The girl cried, pointing at the ground and Law wanted to cry as well. He had not been planning to delay such news to a small child that clearly didn’t know much about death.

Yet, he found himself opening a room. Kikoku unsheathed as he scanned the ground. Surely enough, there was no life underneath.

“Mister, please!” She sobbed when Law’s room fell and he couldn’t find it in himself to move any further. What was he supposed to do? Tell her the truth? Would she even understand?

“Your parents aren’t here,” he finally whispers.

“You’re lying! I saw it! They put them into the ground!” The girl cried, falling to her knees as she started wailing loudly. Law looked at the scene before him, unwanted memories making their way into his head.

Something suddenly hit him. Kids usually knew about death at the age of seven, one way or another.

He decided to sit down and wait. Denial, the first step of grief. Law’s been there. So so many times. He would sit here and he would wait for her to be ready to talk. No matter how long that was.

The image before him made him think back to Flevance. To the burning hospital. To him, staring as he lost everything he’d ever cared about. Crying. Screaming. Yelling.

And now here was a girl who looked just like his sister used to. In such a deep amount of anguish that Law felt it in his own dead heart, too. He couldn’t leave her now. Not like the world had left him.

Law’s not sure how much timed passed. The two of them sat in silence, a few sniffles here and there as acceptance filled their heads. Law didn’t know this girl, but he shared her sorrow like he would his own. He didn’t know these people, yet he mourned their death like any other.

“Do you have anywhere to go?” He asked, voice slightly scratchy from how long he’d stayed in silence.

“No. It was just me, mama and papa,” she said, wiping at her eyes.

“Do you want to come with me?” He asked before thinking it through. It’s not safe to bring a kid into the pirate life like that, but Law would protect her with his life if he had to. It was certainly better than her ending up like he did. Now that a new pirate king has been named, it did make it a whole lot safer.

“With you?” She asks, lifting her head to give him hopeful eyes. “Where do you live?”

“On the sea,” he tells her.

“You’re a pirate!” She says, but fear doesn’t make it onto her face. Instead it’s excitement and a bright smile, despite her red teary eyes.

“One of the best,” he repeats the words from earlier and she giggles this time around.

Law had acted on a whim once again, and this time he might have bitten off more than he could chew, but he would be damned if he regretted it now.

…

“Captain’s here!” Law already hears the loud voices of his crew the moment he comes into sight of the Tang. He feels the small hands on his shoulder tighten their hold.

“Don’t worry, they’re all nice people,” he tells her reassuringly, but the grip doesn’t ease itself.

“Cap’n!! Shachi burned our food ag-“ Bepo stopped his wail once he came close enough to notice the child hanging onto his back. Confusion was written all over his face and Law couldn’t blame him. Yet that didn’t stop him from continuing to walk like nothing was out of the ordinary.

“Ikkaku!” He calls out, startling everyone around him.

Moments later, a head of curls appeared from the entrance of the tang, big eyes finding his as she stepped out and approached him.

“What do you need?” She asked, eyes going wide upon seeing the child clutching onto him.

“Do we have anything for her to wear?” He asks, helping Taffy off his shoulders and onto the ground. He still held her shoulder with a supporting hand as her leg was still injured.

“Erm… I could probably find something?” She says, confused as she slowly nods. With a hesitant look, she heads back into the tang.

“Captain, care to explain what’s going on?” Clione asks what everyone else was thinking. He motioned his hand for Taffy, who flinched and moved closer to Law’s side, clutching his hand for comfort.

“I’m taking her with me,” he states simply, everyone stopping in track.

“What?!” They yell in unison, scandalized.

“Cap’n! That’s a little kid! May I remind you we’re in the new world!?” Penguin chimed in. His mouth shut tight when Law turned his head to glare at him.

“My decision is final. I trust you all to take care of her and be nice.”

And with that, Taffy had officially joined the crew.

…

“We really should stop letting you go out on your own. Last time you came back with a boyfriend and this time it’s a child,” Shachi giggles when they settle down to eat lunch. The lunch Law had to remake after it had been burned.

“Fuck off,” he huffed, taking a bite of the onigiri in his hand, it being one of the only things he actually knew how to make.

Shachi gasped, causing him to look up with an unamused look.

“I can’t believe you’d use such profanities in front of our innocent little Taffy!” He uttered in mock scandalization, hand pressed to his heart.

Law’s eyes sunk to the girl who had yet to leave his side. Even now she was holding onto his shirt, chair scooted up next to his, as she shyly munched on the onigiri in her hand. She looked more terrified of Shachi’s dramatics, than Law’s potty mouth.

“Leave her be, idiot. Go talk to your other braincell,” he said, shooing him away with a lazy motion of his hand. Shachi pouted, but said nothing more as he scooted closer to Penguin on his other side, whispering about something Law didn’t bother listening in on.

They sat in silence as Law finished his plate. He wasn’t sure how to entertain a child, so he decided to just give her a bit of space to settle down.

When he got up to clean his plate, Taffy followed right along, wobbling on her injured leg. It wasn’t broken, so it shouldn’t hurt too much to walk on, but he still kept an eye on her face in case she would show any signs of pain.

He finished cleaning off his plate, putting it aside to help her reach the sink.

“They’re not too bad, are they?” He asked her once done. She shyly shook her head no, and Law send a kind smile.

“Would you like for me to show you around?” He questioned, seeing as it wouldn’t be too much fun for her if he just went back to his room to do paperwork. He’d decided to stay docked for a couple days, just to make sure she wouldn’t regret coming with him.

The Polar Tang was by no means large, but it was home and Law wouldn’t swap her for the world. Franky had helped reinforce her walls, as well as the engine. Making her fitting of the adventures before them.

As Law showed Taffy around each little room, he noticed her lighting up much more. The bedrooms were small, leaving room for just 2 bunkbeds in each. The only place fitting for taffy to move into being Ikkaku’s. Luckily he didn’t need to do much convincing before the woman agreed.

Hours passed and Law found himself in the somewhat living room of the sub. It wasn’t by any means big, but it was where most his crew was when they weren’t working.

As of right now, the bolted down coffee table was crowded with a board game. One of the many they owned. Shachi and Penguin held game nights all the time. They would make snacks, or Penguin would, as Shachi was only good at burning things. Then they would set up the game and drag out every poor soul nearby. Law was often forced to come along, but preferred sitting back to watch instead.

This time, however, he’d been forced to join in. Taffy was sitting by his side, playing on the same team as him.

He let her do most of the work, just putting in a word or two here and there whenever Shachi tried to manipulate her into pulling the wrong move.

She seemed to genuinely enjoy their company, the smile on her face evident through most of the game.

Seeing her smile made him think back to before Lami was sick. When he ignored her requests to play, in lieu of studying. He kept his face blank even as his stomach dropped. He really did fail her as a brother, didn’t he?

“Law Law! We won! We won!” Taffy yelled excitedly, breaking him out of his thoughts when she shook his arm to get his attention. He looked surprised down at the board, then sent her a soft smile.

“Good job,” he told her and she beamed.

He might not be able to change the past, but he wouldn’t let himself repeat his mistakes again.

…

“Are you sure it’s safe to have a kid with us?” Bepo asked him later that day, when Ikkaku was getting Taffy ready for bed in the make-shift cot they found. The two already got along so well, especially after Ikkaku brought her the newly made dress she’d fabricated from an unused boiler suit.

“I know it isn’t…” he says, copying the frown on Bepo’s face. “But I don’t want her to be alone like I was,” he explains. It’s only half the truth, but even then it’s enough for Bepo’s frown to soften. He knows better than anyone what Law had to go through as a kid.

“Besides,” he adds quickly, “I wouldn’t let anyone hurt her.”

…

He finally has time for himself. Plopping down on his far too small bed, map in hand as he plans the safest route to their destination. It’s definitely going to take longer to get there, but he’d rather not risk it.

Taffy still has to get used to the seas. If anything, they should be leaving the NewWorld altogether, but that too wouldn’t be safe. Leaving would also mean leaving Luffy behind, and Law wasn’t anywhere near prepared for that. The few months they usually spent apart were already terrible enough.

With a route planned out, he fell back onto his bed and closed his eyes. Today had been tough.

…

A couple days passed. It was time to set sail for their destination; for the Strawhats.

Taffy has been welcomed into the crew like she’d always been part of it, but Law knows better. He knows his crew worries, and he doesn’t blame them. After all, he’d never imagined himself recruiting a kid.

The NewWorld is dangerous. No matter how strong Law may be, he can’t prevent all harm from happening. He intends to try his damn hardest, though. Even if it means risking his own life.

With the submarine fully stocked, and everything checked and repaired, they finally submerge into the deep and wild water.

Taffy is by his side in the steering room. Excitedly pointing out every fish that gets close enough to be seen in the dark depths. Law would rather they stay deep into the waters, than risk running into potential dangers on the surface.

With everything in place and his crew handling the things they do best, Law scurries off to his room.

He’d expected Taffy to stay, watching the underwater wildlife. But instead he hears her light footsteps following along, hand coming up to hold onto his.

He’s still new to this entire babysitting thing. Slightly awkward as he’s not quite sure how to act.

“You wanna go see what Bepo’s doing?” He asks, scrapping his plans of privacy and peace he’d been walking towards moments before. Oh well, he could always read later.

“Sure!” She says and smiles. Her bright smile kind of reminds him of Luffy. The way there’s still so much childish hope and joy behind it. He wonders when the last time was a smile like that found his own face. Decades, probably.

They made their way towards the lounge area in search of their fluffy friend. With all the work done on the sub, most of his crew are just laying around doing their things. Especially Bepo. The poor polar bear not taking well to the heat of deep submerges. But there’s not much to be done about it. At least Franky installed a proper air conditioning in the living room.

“Bepo!!” Taffy called when they spotted the bear lying starfish on the floor. She instantly hopped onto him, punching the air right out Bepo’s lungs.

Law joined in, sitting down to get comfy against his stomach. The warmth radiating off Bepo’s body a perfect contrast to the cool air coming out above them.

“It’s too hot, cap’n,” he whined, as he always does. Law just lets out an amused huff as he gets more comfortable, closing his eyes.

He realizes how tired he is quickly. Getting lulled by the back and forth conversation between their new crewmate and his best friend. Slowly getting to lie on his side as he curls around Bepo’s arm and falls asleep.

…

He was woken up by the feeling of danger closing in; his observations haki picking up the nearing sea king.

With a tired sigh, he sat up, hand flying into the motion of a room. As the blue sphere surrounded them, Law quickly picked up the location of the creature. They were hardly a threat, hadn’t been for many years. Only dangerous if left ignored and unattended.

It should be easier to just shambles the submarine away from it’s preying eyes. No need to get all fussy and kill the poor thing.

As he shambled them away, he could feel The Tang picking up it’s speed. Likely the steering crew picked up the hint and decided to get them far away.

As the looming shadow of danger disappeared once more, Law found himself settling back down.

He looked behind him to find Bepo asleep with Taffy on his stomach. The girl was snoozing. Body language wide open and comfortable as she starfished on his belly. The fact that she already felt safe around them soothed him greatly. Law wasn’t great with children, but at least he was doing something right.

With a small smile on his face, he decided to fall back asleep.

…

Two weeks has passed since Taffy joined them. So far no life threatening danger has approached them. Just a few sea creatures here and there. Nothing he couldn’t easily handle.

He’s afraid it wont stay that way, though. He’s even more afraid that Taffy would finally realize this isn’t a field trip, but the dangers of the NewWorld and everything that comes with it.

He’s not quite sure what he’d do if she decided she wanted to go back now. Well, he’d obviously turn around and abide by her wish. But he’s not sure how he’d handle it mentally.

After all, he’d lost his sister already. And this girl may not be Lami, but he found himself taking the guardian role over her. Perhaps his long lost role of being a brother kicked in and took upon the responsibility of raising this girl.

Or perhaps it has to do with the fact that he wouldn’t have gotten this far without his crew… and without Cora.

Cora had saved him and he would save this girl before she would be swallowed up by the same sorrow and solitude he had.

…

“We’re under attack!!”

The entire submarine shook violently. A cannonball’s explosion being heard, as well as countless shocked shouts from his crew as everyone rushed out of their rooms.

Law laid eyes on Taffy who was following after Ikkaku, frightened look on her face.

"Return to your room; it’s not safe out here!" Just as pirates began to fill the hallway, the girl turned to face him and nodded before sprinting back to her room. He drew his sword quickly to stop the stray bullets.

They’d been surfaced for the night and apparently Law hadn’t caught wind of the ship approaching them before they were already attacking. They were strong, but nowhere near strong enough.

Law likely wouldn’t even have had to join the fight; confident his crew could’ve won on their own. But he wouldn’t take any risks with their new crewmate aboard.

Cheers filled the submarine as the last enemy was slain. His crew quick to board the ship and raid it’s treasure.

Law helped transfer everything useful to their storage room. It would save them the danger of stopping at an island to stock up. With the few hundred enemies slain, the kitchen on the ship had been loaded with goods.

Everyone was cheering and celebrating their win. Law watched them fondly as they danced around and sang.

Up until his blood ran cold when he heard a scream.

“Taffy!!”

He made his way to her side with the shift of his hand and “shambles” spoken from his lips. A startled gasp meeting his ears and his eyes fell to the girl. Then he looked around to notice they were indeed not in her room as he’d commanded.

No. Around them was all the loot from the enemy ship, as well as their own.

“What’re you doing here? Why did you scream?” He didn’t know whether to be concerned or angry. Nobody was here, after all. But upon looking closer, he noticed something that made him freeze in place.

In her hands was a fruit. But not just any fruit. It was clearly a devil fruit. The weird pattern and shape only broken by the bite taken into it.

Fuck.

“What did you do?” He asked cautiously. There was still a change it had been one of the enemy to take a bite of it, right? He shouldn’t jump to conclusion.

But as he reached to lay his hand on the frightened girls shoulder, he realized what was wrong.

A sticky substance stuck to his fingers, the shoulder liquifying under his hand.

Fuck.

“I- I’m so sorry! I couldn’t help it! It looked so good but it tasted so bad!” She cried loudly, tears welling in her eyes. By now a few of his crew had come to look at what was going on as Law awkwardly tried to comfort her.

“It’s okay, I’m not mad,” he attempted. When he tried at an embrace, his body fell right through her. It only caused another scream as she fell back, hardly solid with tears falling in large amounts.

“What happened?” Called Ikkaku, rushing into the room.

“I think she ate a logia type,” he explains, still trying to comprehend the situation.

“It smells like caramel,” Bepo offered unhelpfully. At least half his crew had filled into the already packed storage room and Law was starting to feel overwhelmed by the entire situation.

The wails stopped eventually and Law thanked god there were more competent people around him. People able to handle human emotions instead of just making them worse.

“Am I going to die?” Asked the girl, eyes looking at Law. He sighed softly and shook his head.

“Of course not,” he told her. “If anything, this would lower your chances of dying by a lot… if you can figure out how to control it.”

“Control what?” She asked, confused.

“It appears as though you’ve eaten a devil fruit. But unlike mine, this one gives you the ability to turn your body into whatever that liquid is,” he explained, and she nodded, somewhat getting it.

“We should be able to find the fruit in one of your books, though. Right, cap’n?” Offered Penguin and Law nodded, taking the bitten fruit from where it had been dropped onto the floor.

…

Upon further inspection and research; Law found out it had indeed been a logia type. It appears she can turn herself into candy… which is terribly ironic, considering her name. Law supposes that’s just how the world works. Almost as if these fruits are finding their way to their next vessel, instead of the other way around.

Nonetheless, Taffy hasn’t quite been able to decide if she’s amazed or terrified of this power, yet. He’ll just have to do his best to help her control it, despite not being a logia himself.

…

A month has passed since Taffy joined and Law will have to admit he did not expect them to become so close.

Apparently Taffy has decided that the two of them are best friends and Law doesn’t really have a word in it. He has a soft spot for puppy eyes, okay? Can you really blame him?

After the two of them started training together, she’d opened up a lot more. Dragged him around to do this and that. Never being able to avoid game night or any other of the shenanigans his crew are typically up to.

That’s not the worst, though. No, she has apparently joined his fan club. Which means she has learned to do all the ridiculous poses his crew tends to do when cheering him on. Shachi and Penguin are horrible role models, that’s for sure.

Instead of calling him by name as she used to, she began calling him “cap’n,” like the rest of his crew does.

If anything, he’s just happy she seems content sailing with them. Even if he still overhears her crying about her parents every now and then. It’s only to be expected.

Apparently her parents had been pirates before they settled down on the island and had her. But the navy, as always, couldn’t seem to leave people alone and ended up accidentally killing them when they tried to escape. Which explains her love for pirates and the bitter few comments about the navy he’s overhead.

Otherwise everything is going smoothly.

They’re nearing their destination. Only a couple more weeks to go.

…

It had been random, and so out of the blue that Law had nearly died from choking on shook alone.

“Yes, dad…” Taffy had whined when he’d reminded her to clean up when she’s done drawing. Everyone in the room had frozen in place, and Law had choked. Coughing fit hitting him as laughter filled the room.

“Excuse me?” He’d finally managed once he was done coughing (Bepo had been patting his back with worry.)

“Erm, I said I would clean it?” Taffy stated in confusion. Unaware of the crisis she’d just induced in Law’s mind.

“You called him dad!” Shachi hollered hysterically. Law made a mental note to chop his legs off later when Taffy wasn’t around. She’s still not used to seeing unharmed dismembered people, after all.

“I did?” She asked, blush creeping onto her face.

“Hell yeah, you did! That’s great!” Shachi told her with a thumbs up. Law would definitely dismember him later.

“Cap’n has become a parent,” Penguin said, mocking a sob. “They grow up so fast,” he added, wiping a nonexistent tear from his eye. Shachi joined in, clutching his heart dramatically.

But Law couldn’t focus on their idiocy. The word ‘dad’ still repeating in his mind like a broken record.

“You think of me as your dad?” He asked; and seeing the shy little nod of the girls head made his heart clutch.

Does that mean she’s his daughter now? He’s a parent? (Just like him and Cora…)

He feels like a total sap when he can’t stop the tears from forming in his eyes. Lowering himself onto the floor, he hugs her close.

He’s a dad.

He has a daughter.

…He has a family again.

…

It’s two weeks later and they’ve arrived as planned.

Taffy has been so excited to meet their so-called allies ever since Law told her that’s where they were going. But now that they’re about to break the surface, she seems to shy away. Hiding behind him as they make their way to the exit.

He smiles down at her and crouches to offer her a piggyback ride.

The Tang has surfaced by the time he’s back up. Taffy’s holding onto him, much like she had when they’d first met. Hands clutched nervously onto his shoulders.

“Don’t worry,” he tells her and she hums, nodding her head.

He opens the submarine door and is instantly met by sunlight. No wait, that’s just Luffy’s smile. It’s actually fairly cloudy out today.

“TORAO!!”

Law has to quickly step aside to avoid the launching arms of his lover. Luffy face-planting with the wet floors. He whines, pout on his face as he stands upright. He really shouldn’t be pouting at this age, but Law can’t say it isn’t adorable.

“I told you not to tackle me,” he reminds him; finger poking his forehead, pressing forward till Luffy’s neck bend in a way no normal humans could be. At least not with them still alive afterwards.

He pulls back his hand and watches with amusement as Luffy’s head bounces back and forth for a good few seconds. His pout turning into a frown.

“But I missed you!” He tells him. As if that’s excuse enough for all the time he has nearly broken Law’s skull by tripping him.

Instead of answering, Law just ruffles his hair and begins to walk away. Much to Luffy’s demise, apparently. Going by the loud whine he lets out. It’s only cut off by sudden surprise.

“Torao, don’t move but there’s a child on your back,” he says cautiously and Law can’t stifle the chuckle that leaves him.

“I am aware of that,” he tells him, which only seems to confuse Luffy all the more.

“She’s my daughter, Lu-ya,” he finally explains once he’s had his fun watching the gears turn in Luffy’s head to no avail.

It doesn’t seem to confuse him any less, though. Law hadn’t expected for it to.

“You got pregnant?” He asks, tilting his head. Then suddenly he looked shocked. “I got you PREGNANT?” He screams, loud enough for anyone on both ships to hear him. Law facepalms, deep exasperated sigh leaving him.

“No, you imbecile! She’s seven! You think I popped out a child this size in the few months we spent apart??” He asked and Luffy frowned. “Not to mention I’m a man! I can’t even get pregnant!”

“No need to be mean about it,” Luffy mutters, pouting as he kicks his feet. Law signs once more.

“I adopted her,” he explains, helping her off his back and onto the ground so Luffy can get a proper look. He then steps forward to grasp Luffy’s stubbly face, pulling him in to kiss him softly.

“I missed you too,” he whispers and Luffy’s bright smile is right back.

“If you adopted her, does that mean she’s my kid too?” Luffy asks, excitement on his face.

Both crews have already started mingling. Although he could feel plenty of eyes on them right now. Most of them from the Strawhats who’re likely curious about Taffy too.

“Only if she wants you to be,” Law tells him and Luffy nods. Although the idea of having a kid with Luffy sounds like a fever dream, he still can’t help the way his heart skips a beat. But in the end it’s up to Taffy to decide that.

He watches curiously as Luffy approaches his daughter. She seemed hesitant at first, but decided to stay in place as Luffy crouched down in front of her.

“Names Monkey D. Luffy, and I’m the pirate king!” He tells her enthusiastically. Law’s heart always warms at those words. How they once used to be different. How Luffy had achieved his dream.

“You’re the king of pirates?!” And there she goes. All shyness gone as she begins asking Luffy a billion questions. Seems like he wont have to worry about them getting along.

…

A banquet has been thrown for the new member of the heart pirates and for the first member of his and Luffy’s own family.

He’s almost jealous at how Taffy only seems to be interested in Luffy. Following him around like a duckling. But how could he be, when the two of them look so cute together?

He’d never thought Luffy would be so good with kids.

It however took her a while longer to warm up to the rest of Luffy’s crew. Especially Brook who’d literally scared her so much she’d turned into candy and slithered away to safety. Leaving every Strawhat with wide eyes.

Law had explained what had happened the day she ate the fruit and Nami had looked at him like he was the worst parent ever. He’d naturally flipped her off.

…

Eventually Taffy had enough of the party and socializing. Ikkaku taking her to bed, leaving Law alone with Luffy.

They were watching the stars from the figure head of the Sunny. Luffy was holding his hand, playing with the ring on his finger. He was oddly quiet for once, but Law decided he’d rather enjoy the moment while it lasted, than ask what was on his mind.

“What made you do it?” Luffy finally spoke, catching him off guard.

“Do what?” He asked, confused.

“Adopt her. It doesn’t seem like something you’d do for no reason,” Luffy said, turning his head to face him. Law used the opportunity to steal a quick kiss.

“On a whim, I suppose,” he lied. Which he by now should know doesn’t work on his husband.

“And why did you actually do it?” Luffy said, slight amusement behind his serious tone. It left Law in silence for a while. Not sure how to explain everything. Luffy knows about Lami, but not how she looks. No one alive knows what she looks like but him. So he wouldn’t have to tell him that. But Luffy would likely pry it out of him eventually.

“She looks like my sister,” he started, which seemed to startle Luffy, considering the furrow of his brow. “I know she isn’t. But when I first saw her, I had to help her. But then I found out her parents had been killed, she was all alone. So I asked if she wanted to come with me and I guess one thing led to another. She called me dad and I don’t think i’ve ever felt so many emotions at once.”

Taking a deep breath, he settled further into Luffy’s side. “I never got to tell Cora, but I saw him like a dad too. I always wondered how he could’ve given so much to save me. How he could say he loved me when I-“ he stopped, pulling his hat down to hide his face.

“I didn’t know I ever could be loved again.” Luffy’s hold on him tightened and Law wished he wasn’t crying. “But when I see her, despite having only known her for such a short time, I just know I would do anything to make her happy.”

Luffy hummed by his side, hand rubbing circles against Law’s shoulder.

“She loves you a lot,” he whispers with a small smile and Law sobs. “Our daughter,” he adds with an almost dreamy tone. Law feels a kiss being placed to the top of his hat and he smiles.

“Our daughter,” he agrees, and the words feels so unfamiliar, yet so welcome.