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Sometimes, if you're close enough, people see a side of Luffy they might describe as… out of character. However, for those who know him, these instances occur more frequently than one would think. There are times where he seems well beyond his years. Like when he gets really serious, during a fight or when giving a captain's order. Other times he'll get quietly happy about something, like he's appreciating being alive and everything he's experiencing in the exact right here and now. The simplest moments are the most fulfilling for him because it's what he fights for. Its everything he stands for.
Everybody is out on the deck of the Sunny. It's just barely sunset, all enjoying quiet tasks, Ussopp and Franky are playing a game with Chopper. Sanji is bringing drinks around, breezing past a sleeping Zoro against the galley wall. On the lawn is Nami and Jinbe, Brook a few feet away plucking out random half melodies on a piano, it's rare for him to roll it out onto the deck.
Robin emerges from below deck right as Luffy's eyes land on Law, noting his legs kicked off the grassy edge of the upper deck. He's reading some kind of giant book. Robin hands something to Brook and he puts it on some weird horn thing. Luffy's not totally interested yet but he keeps an eye on it as he walks to the upper deck. Then static and the slow beginning of an old song begins, recording grainy.
Luffy plops down next to Law, one leg folded up under him, closest to Law and the other dangling over the edge next to him. He props his elbow on his dangling leg, supporting his chin with his palm, and glances at Law as Brook begins effortlessly plinking his own piano keys along to the song.
Law has not acknowledged Luffy yet, trying to hold out for the quiet moment to last a bit longer.
Luffy had meant to say something when he sat down, but, now looking at the sun casting Law in golds and pinks, a sweet tune filling his ears, somehow he had forgotten to speak at all. He soaked in the moment, his nakama relaxed and happy, the soft warmth on his skin from the disappearing sun rays. He could smell smoke drifting up to him, meat grilling in the kitchen, a few wisps from Sanji's cigarette. Jinbe and Nami talked softly, chatter blending in with the melody.
And when Luffy looked at Law, he felt like he was in a dream. His features were soft and relaxed as he read his book.
Luffy's convinced he has never truly seen the color gold, until right now; in the reflections of Law's eyes and the glint off his earrings.
He understands why gold is the most popular type of treasure.
Without thinking, Luffy leans back onto one hand and reaches the other out to lightly trace down Law's cheek, along his jaw, grazing his chin.
To Law's credit, he doesn't react other than looking at Luffy sideways through his lashes.
Luffy takes that as an okay to continue, so he moves to brush some hair off Law's forehead, a quiet breeze touseling his own hair. Luffy uses his thumb to trace the profile of Law's nose before he fully turns to face the younger captain. Luffy ghosts his thumb over Torao's bottom lip as he pouts the tiniest bit.
"What are you doing Luffy-ya? " Luffy's lungs feel like they take in extra air as Torao says his name instead of his moniker.
He pokes gently at the corner of Torao's mouth and mutters, "just looking." Torao looks confused for a second, and Luffy waits, too occupied with the tiny smudge of white across Law's cheekbone. He watches the skin around it crinkle up, pretty golden eyes fluttering shut, smudged eyeliner blending in with sleep deprivation.
Then suddenly, Luffy feels like he's being brought to a slow boil. He feels almost dazed, pulse slowing as if time is about to stand still. He almost wishes it would, because the quiet smile that Torao gifts to him is like all the good feelings at once. The way it casts all his features as if he's glowing, his eye lashes fanning out and Luffy tries to put words to this. The feeling of a warm blanket after a snowball fight. The feeling of being full after a delicious meal. Collapsing for a nap after a good spar.
Torao says something about looking with your eyes and not your hands. The tiniest laugh escapes beside it and Luffy just continues to cradle Law's face in his palm, trying to burn the subtle dimples and flash of white teeth into his memory.
Law cracks his eyes open and Luffy stares straight into them, knowing when he shouldn't miss anything. When he shouldn't blink or he'll miss something he doesn't want to miss. The realization strikes him loud and clear.
"What? " Law asks after awhile, eyes soft and lips still quirked a bit upwards. The song begins pittering to a stop, chords winding down.
"You wanna know something crazy, Torao?" Luffy asks, voice easy and warm, like speaking of a fond memory. Torao looks back at him, one eyebrow raising, "I've been around the entire world, and you're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
Torao's whole face goes slack for a second, the softest pink rising to his cheeks and Luffy just finds his statement reinforced as soon as he speaks it. It's a new expression from the other man, slightly embarrassed and a lot speechless, and Luffy cherishes it like a treasure.
Then Law is wheezing out a breath like he forgot how to exhale, staring at Luffy with something tentative and unsure. He seemed overall pleased by the confession, just taken extremely by surprise, so Luffy smiles, pleased with himself for a reason he can't quite explain.
Luffy feels hypnotized, endlessly noticing the details of the person in front of him.
"Luffy. " Sanji taps Luffy's leg from the lower deck, and the moment is over. Luffy blinks and looks down at his Cook, "Dinner. I'm not doing midnight snacks tonight." Sanji gestures to the galley, where everyone else seems to already be. He glances between the two captain's, but otherwise says nothing more and heads towards the others.
Luffy snaps to attention at the mention of food, and now he's noticing the delicious smell of said dinner, surprised he took so long to notice. He hops down and glances over his shoulder at Torao, he's still feeling warm and syrupy. The older pirate looks a bit dazed as well so Luffy stretches a hand out to Torao, "You coming? " he asks, head tilting a little.
Law tilts his head a bit too, mirroring Luffy unintentionally. After a deep breath, he grabs the rubbery, outstretched hand and Luffy thinks the air fills his lungs just a bit more than normal.