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Cold. It was freezing cold. Usually that didn’t bother Luffy. Usually he could just ignore it, or flat out didn’t notice, but with Nami and Usopp griping about it constantly, it wasn’t like he could just conveniently forget about it this time. Winter was cruel to sailors. The winter storms, the massive waves, the freezing rain and piercing wind. Even Luffy was left shivering whenever he chose to leave the relative warmth of the cabin.
Travelling with Law since their alliance had formed had certainly been interesting. A lot had happened, and Luffy…well, normally he was the most social member of the crew, but there was something about Law that made him think before he spoke most of the time these days. Like he was afraid of judgement, but no…that wasn't quite right. Luffy couldn’t care less what most people thought of him. He did as he pleased. Perhaps it was more so that he was worried about saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. He wasn’t stupid. He knew the others viewed him as a bit of an idiot. Maybe he was, but he was their idiot, whether they liked it or not. Since he was sailing with them for the time being, Luffy was Law's idiot too, unfortunately for the latter.
They had docked by a snow-covered island. A small village for them to restock their supplies at. While Nami handed out money and assigned jobs to various crew members, Luffy escaped the ship, jumping onto solid ground and dropping to the snow, laughing at the touch of cold against his skin, sinking into his thick, dark hair. Law followed him, arms crossed. He stared down at Luffy, expression guarded and neutral but for a faint sparkle in his eyes, a sparkle he always had when he followed Luffy's antics. He couldn’t help it. While Luffy had been tolerable and vaguely annoying at first, overtime, he grew on a person. He was a good guy, Law couldn’t deny that. And whether he liked it or not, he’d grown to be fond of and respect Luffy. Felt affectionately towards the younger pirate, in a way he wasn’t sure how to process, exactly.
"Traffy!"
Law sighed. "What now?"
Luffy reached up to grab his hand, tugging him down, giggling. "Have some fun, you look so tense and grumpy."
"I’m not grumpy. Just tired."
"Well maybe the cold will make you less tired."
"You’re hopeless," Law sighed, but resigned himself to his fate. What could he really do?
___________
"Guys, we found a restaurant, we should probably grab food before we head off," Nami called.
For once, Luffy didn’t rush off screaming about meat. Instead, while his entire face lit up, he glanced at Law. "Traffy! Sit with me?"
Law offered a faint smile. "Sure, just…don’t steal off my plate."
Usopp waved off the words. "You know he won’t listen just because you ask politely, right? We’ve tried everything in the book."
Soon they were in the restaurant and had placed their orders, and Luffy ignored the rest of the world in favour of paying all his attention to the man seated next to him. Law made a point of looking annoyed, but there was a fond sparkle in his eye, and he couldn’t deny that he did appreciate that Luffy's attention was on him. While they were waiting, upon deeming the order, being so big, would take some time, Luffy grabbed Law's wrist and tugged him outside. Law cursed under his breath. He’d never get used to the spontaneously being dragged around, but really what could he do?
"What do you want now?" Law sighed.
"I need to talk to you."
Law's expression grew serious. "What’s the matter?"
Luffy shuffled closer just a bit awkwardly. "Uh…I’ve never done this before."
"You good?"
"Feels funny."
Law eyed him. "What feels funny? If you’re not feeling right, let me have a go at fixing it."
"Not that kind of funny."
Law sighed and tugged Luffy against him. "You need to stop being vague. And put on a jacket or you’re going to get sick out in the cold."
"If I get sick, you’ll just take care of me!"
Well. There was no denying that. "I know you. You didn’t drag me out here to talk me in circles. What is it?"
"I should’ve taken lessons from Sanji," Luffy mumbled to himself. "I think…I think I like you." Pink tinted his cheeks. He expected no immediate reaction, given Law was always so good at a poker face in the face of…well, most things.
"I should hope so, as allies."
"No, I mean…"
Law was silent, then he nodded. "I can’t say I’m surprised." He tugged Luffy to his chest securely. "Or that you’re the only one."
Luffy stared at him, wide eyed, as it sank in. Then he gripped Law's coat to press close to him. So much on his mind. He absolutely would have said more had the door not opened to reveal Sanji, calling to them that their food had arrived. He stopped mid-sentence though, a small smile painted on his lips as his gaze settled on the two. Luffy looking so happy, in a way he hadn’t before. There were different kinds of happy, as it turned out. And Law, not one for close contact, had Luffy wrapped up in his arms. Sanji didn’t need to be told. He retreated to give the two their space.