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Rosinante looked up at the white sky and puffed out a breath of air. His cheeks were icy cold but he paid it no mind as he watched the snow fall in soft flurries around his head. It was a beautiful sight—one that he hadn’t seen in far too long.
A tiny head popped into his field of vision. Rosinante smiled at the boy, but Law just rolled his eyes in return.
”Can we stop skiing yet? You keep falling and it’s cold.”
It was true. This was the twelfth time Rosinante had managed to fall on his ass. He certainly didn’t mind the view from the place where he had last fallen, but poor Law was shivering, and Rosinante figured it was long past time he should be giving up.
Rosinante sat up, head nearly colliding with his little companion’s own. He winced in apology as Law dodged out of the way. The boy was long used to Rosinante’s clumsiness. The nonplussed face gazed questioningly at him, begging the man to be finished with his fruitless attempt at skiing. Rosinante sighed and nodded. It was about time he gave up.
Internally, Rosinante cursed his brother for making Law so unhappy. He knew it technically wasn’t his fault, but the cold weather already nipping at Law’s pink-tinged nose and cheeks made Rosinante’s heart ache.
Doflamingo was the one who insisted that Rosinante “needed a break” and sent him off to this winter island resort, after all. It was just like his brother to choose a ski resort of all places for Rosinante to unwind at. His brother knew how clumsy he was; he was probably laughing at the mere thought of Rosinante struggling down the slopes with a panicked Law in tow.
Rosinante was glad that his brother at least allowed Law to tag along. If he was forced to be here alone, he would be far more miserable. Most likely, he’d still be buried face-first in the snow.
Law tugged at his pants and he stumbled. Rosinante towered over the boy, but Law never failed to catch his attention. Law looked up silently, his rosy cheeks and twitching frown betraying his desire to go back to the warmth of the resort. Reaching down, Rosinante squeezed the boy’s hand, smiling. He nodded for Law to lead the way. Law huffed impatiently and began dragging him towards the main lodge, ignoring the bumbling steps of his oversized companion. Chuckling, Rosinante followed dutifully after him.
The first step into the resort had Rosinante’s cheeks stinging from the sudden change in temperature. Law looked all too happy to be unwrapping the icy scarf from his neck. He guided Rosinante through the place, hardly wasting any time returning their ski supplies. Rosinante couldn’t deny that being back in his own boots was comforting. He glared back at the skis as he followed Law out of the room. The stupid things made him even more clumsy than he already was.
Law didn’t stop his insistent tugging, but he did take some time to look around at the grand central lodge. The walls of the building were rustic, made of dark finished wood. The whole place smelled like the sweet smoke from a fireplace located right at the center. Law slowed minutely as they passed, his pale skin soaking up the warmth from the fire. Rosinante was slightly hoping that the boy would stop for longer. The fire was very nice, and the armchairs surrounding the hearth looked far too inviting.
“I wanna take a bath,” Law mumbled when he saw Rosinante’s disappointed expression as they walked away from the fireplace. Rosinante hummed in understanding. Now that he thought about it, a bath sounded even more nice at the moment. His ears still burned with cold, and he couldn’t help but notice the frozen fingers in his grasp.
Law pulled Rosinante all the way to the lodge’s reception. The receptionist, at first, didn’t notice the little glaring boy at the end of Rosinante’s arm, too busy staring him up and down, probably intimidated by his giant frame. Rosinante curled his shoulders in to appear smaller and less threatening.
“You have hot springs, right?” Law huffed, making the receptionist jump in surprise. “Can we go there?”
“Law…” Rosinante tried to reprimand, embarrassed by Law’s rudeness.
The little boy turned to glare at him instead and Rosinante felt his own cheeks redden. Why was he the one being reprimanded in the end?
“Oh,” the receptionist said, “I’m gonna need your name, mister…?”
“Donquixote.” Law replied before Rosinante had time to open his mouth. Rosinante squeezed Law’s small fingers to help him warm up and the frown on Law’s face softened.
The receptionist looked into the massive notebook in front of them.
“Donquixote, you have the all-included package.” The receptionist smiled down at Law over the counter. “This means that you and your dad,” they looked Rosinante up and down again, biting their lip, “can go to the hot springs whenever you want.” They finished in a low voice.
“He’s not my dad!” Law huffed, making the receptionist jump back.
They frowned, looking at Rosinante for an explanation. Oh oh… The situation did look suspicious. Why would a man take a kid who isn’t their own to a resort?
“Hm, he’s…”
Law pulled on Rosinante’s arm, gesturing for emphasis. “Cora-san is my friend.”
Rosinante’s heart warmed at the words. He’s so happy Law cares about him like that.
“I’m… His parents are dead so… I’m his guardian…”
“Oh!” The receptionist’s eyes opened very wide, then they sent Rosinante a sweet smile. “You must be such a nice man, mister Donquixote, if you adopt poor orphans.”
Law took in a breath to huff something more but Rosinante stopped him. Law’s situation wasn’t exactly legal (being part of a pirate crew) and it was best if the receptionist kept thinking Law was Rosinante’s recently adopted son.
“Law, how about we go see the hot springs now?”
Law nodded, glaring one last time before pulling Rosinante away.
The receptionist waved: “Have fun you two, I’ll be around if you need anything,” and Rosinante breathed a sigh of relief.
The hot springs were little pools in the middle of the snow, right behind the main lodge. The steam coming off of the water melted the snowflakes as they fell, making cold tiny raindrops fall on top of Rosinante’s head on a regular basis.
Law was curled into a little ball in one of the shallower parts of the pool, his nose and top of his head barely sticking out of the water. He looked like a little furry mushroom. Rosinante had to stop himself from snorting fondly everytime he looked at him.
Contrary to his smaller companion, Rosinante’s torso completely evaded the water. The pools were too small for his big body. He shivered as snowflakes turned water droplets fell onto his back and shoulders. He looked on in envy as Law breathed out a happy sigh, somehow managing to sink his body even further into the water. Rosinante couldn’t help but smile despite the chill racking down his own spine.
The steam that floated from the bath looked like cigar smoke, thick and hazy. Yet somehow, the stars in the darkening sky managed to shine through, despite the falling of the snow and foggy air.
The night really was beautiful.
Rosinante watched as a particularly big flake drifted from the black inky sky and landed on his nose, melting in an instant. The puff of air that passed his lips reminded him that he hadn’t smoked in a while. A cigarette would surely help him relax. Yet, looking over at Law once more banished the idea of leaving the pool. The boy looked so happy, ears a warm pink and nose bobbing in and out of the water.
Inhaling deeply, Rosinante allowed the chilly air to fill his lungs. He held his breath as he sunk deeper into the water, shimmying himself as far down as possible. He finally found a position in which only the tops of his knees felt the bite of cold. The ends of his hair brushed the warm water, soaking it up and turning the strands a light brown.
Like this, Rosinante could understand what put that blissful look on Law’s face. With a yawn, he let himself sink deeper into the warmth, feeling his muscles begin to relax.
——————————————————
”Cora-san.”
Rosinante let out a tired noise. He felt warm. Almost too warm.
”Cora-san.”
That must be Law. Nobody else called him by that adorable name. Cora smiled and allowed himself to sink further into the warmth. It surrounded him like a cocoon, encompassing his senses entirely. Suddenly, liquid filled his nose and mouth.
“Cora-san!”
Rosinante bolted upright, the ends of his hair dripping and sticking to his cheeks and neck. He coughed and spat out a mouthful of water.
”Law?” He croaked, eyes roving around for the boy. Wide eyes met his own.
“You fell asleep.”
Rosinante blanched. He had fallen asleep. He supposed the stress of his mission was catching up to him. He shook his head, watching as water droplets flung from the ends of his hair.
“Cora-san, I’m hungry. Can we go get something to eat?”
Clearing his throat from the uncomfortable feeling of breathing in water, Rosinante grimaced but nodded. The water was beginning to feel too hot on his skin, anyway. His stomach growled in approval.
“Good idea. Let’s get some food. It’s already dark out.”
Law’s worried eyes followed him as he stood, stumbling in the uneven pool. Small fingers grasped onto Rosinante large ones, guiding him to the pool’s edge. Rosinante couldn’t help but trail a hand over the boy’s head in thanks. He was swatted away but Law never let go of his hand. He must not be too upset, then.
The same receptionist from earlier pointed them toward the resort’s best restaurant. They insisted that their package covered every single service provided by the resort and that they could therefore get anything their heart desired for free. Rosinante was confused as to why they had looked so pleased when telling them that. But before he could ask, Law had huffed and pulled Rosinante away, in the direction of the restaurant.
Now, Rosinante was struggling to figure out the menu. He’d never seen any of the names of the dishes. Law, frowning at his own menu, seemed just as lost. Law looked up and they exchanged a confused look. And, as he often did, Law took matters into his own hands.
“Hey!” Law hailed the waiter, waving his hand in the air to be noticed.
“Law, please, be nice.” Rosinante tried to placate him, but he already knew it was a lost cause.
The waiter arrived. “Yes sirs, what may I do for you? Have you made your choice?”
Law crossed his arms over his little chest. “No. The menu is utter bullshit.”
Before the waiter could take offense, Rosinante explained. “He means that we do not understand it. Can you please explain it to us?”
“Oh, of course! This restaurant is inspired by food from a most famous ski resort on the Red Line. All of our dishes are made with the finest cheeses and wines. Would you like me to make a recommandation?”
“Uhm… Yes please. Something without alcohol, if possible.”
Law glared but Rosinante ignored him. No matter how much Law insisted, he was too young for alcohol.
The waiter recommended something called aligot, a dish made of mashed potatoes mixed with melted cheese. Rosinante had mostly ordered it because of the way Law’s eyes lit up at the mention of mashed potatoes. How could Rosinante resist making the boy happy? It had worked, because when the dish arrived, Law was kicking his feet under the table.
Rosinante smiled fondly, watching Law play with the potatoes, making long strings between his fork and his plate. When Rosinante took a bite, he expected the usual earthiness of the potatoes. Instead, he was hit in the face with the flavor of the cheese, fresh and a little salty, melting in his mouth.
That, and the memory of his mother laughing as he played with his food the way Law currently was. He was suddenly reminded of a time when he ate fine food like this every day, without having to fight for it, without having to look away from his brother killing someone for it. Without the taste of the blood on his hands souring it.
“Cora-san?” Law’s soft voice pulled Rosinante out of his thoughts. “Are you okay?” The boy had put down his fork, instead leaning on the table to put his hand on top of Rosinante’s, the worry clear on his face.
Rosinante tried to reassure him, to reply that he was fine, but his voice wouldn’t come out, his throat too tight to let out a sound.
Looking at Law now, Rosinante realized that Doflamingo was going to do this to Law too. He was going to raise Law with blood on his hands, to soak every one of his experiences in it, until he too, couldn’t remember a meal without its taste on his fingers tainting the food he was eating.
He tried to swallow the lump, but instead, sobs shook his frame. Law’s expression went from worried to something even worse but Rosinante couldn’t quite place it because tears were blinding him. He grabbed his napkin, trying to wipe them away, or smother the hiccups or something! But it was useless. He was just shaking, harder and harder. Desperate to stay unnoticed, probably due to his training and his mission, he activated his devil fruit, forming a sphere around him to keep his sobs from escaping.
He thought it would be enough. That he would stay there, alone with his tears, away from everything, for just a few minutes, just long enough that he got himself under control. But that’s not what happened. All of a sudden, Law invaded the sphere, running straight into Rosinante’s arms, squeezing his stomach like he could physically stifle the adult’s sobs.
“I’m here Cora-san,” he said, “You’re gonna be okay. It’s gonna be okay.” He rubbed soothingly the small space of Rosinante’s back that he could reach.
Rosinante pulled the boy into his lap, holding him close, hugging him back. He couldn’t let Doffy hurt this kid. Law had already been hurt more than enough.
Slowly, Rosinante managed to slow his breathing into a calmer rhythm. Law didn’t let go, though, his head tucked into Rosinante’s chest.
“Hey, Law?” Rosinante whispered, waiting for Law to make a little noise, stubbornly keeping his face in Rosinante’s shirt, before continuing: “Thank you for being there for me.”
Law finally pulled his face out, looking away and blushing. “It’s just the normal thing to do.” He huffed. “Don’t mention it.”
Rosinante smiled. “Nah, only nice people do that.”
Law mumbled something. Rosinante couldn’t quite make it out, but it sounded like ‘you must not have met many nice people then’.
”What was that?” Rosinante asked quietly. Law scoffed and blushed a deeper red.
“Nothing. Just forget it.”
He shuffled back but one hand remained firmly wound in Rosinante’s coat. The man looked down at the tiny white fingers grasped tightly in the long black feathers. Rosinante couldn’t help but picture his own heart in place of the feathers—black and misshapen…twisted from years of abuse and difficult missions; broken from years of living by his brother’s side, watching him murder and torture innocents, poisoning the youth with his evil. Poisoning Law...Yet somehow, here the boy was, looking up at him with aged yet still somehow innocent eyes, fingers brushing his soul with kindness.
Law managed to wrap his hands around his withered heart and was squeezing it back into a human shape.
Law was a healer in more ways than one. Somehow this sickly boy managed to save Rosinante’s soul.
Another tear trailed down Rosinante’s cheek.
”Are you still sad?” Law’s voice shook worriedly. The smile grew on Rosinante’s face.
“No…It’s just…you make me happy. I’m glad you’re here in my life. Thank you for being my...”
“Your friend?”
Rosinante let out a puff of air. He had almost called Law his son.
”Yes…Thank you for being my friend. It means the world to me.”
”Can we go back to our room?”
Rosinante reached out and squeezed both of Law’s hands.
”I think that is an excellent idea.”
With their aligot packaged away, the pair made their way up to their penthouse suite. Rosinante chuckled at Law, who immediately ran to look out the window that spanned an entire wall. The boy’s eyes were open wide in wonder, looking up at the dark sky that was oh-so-close to the clouds where tiny snowflakes were forming. Rosinante could almost see the light sparkling in his eyes as he looked out at the flurries of snow with his mouth open in awe.
The room itself was as cozy as could be, the walls decorated with rustic reds and browns. An antique pair of skis hung on the wall between the pair of king-sized beds. On the floor was the softest carpet Rosinante had ever felt. He sat down in a burgundy princess chair and sunk into the cushion with a sigh. The chair was just close enough to the burning fireplace for Rosinante to feel the warmth seep into his being from his toes to the tips of his ears.
Opening his eyes after a few moments, Rosinante looked over to the large window. Law was still there, but he had turned towards Rosinante.
”Law,” Rosinante said softly, smiling at the other’s hesitation to come closer. Rosinante knew the boy like the back of his hand. He was likely still embarrassed from before.
“Will you come here?” Rosinante continued, beckoning the other over with soft words and a motion of his hand.
Law shuffled closer.
”Do you want me to read to you?” Rosinante asked.
Law looked shy for a second, then, when Rosinante sent him a soft, reassuring smile, he ran to his suitcase. He came back a moment later with a book almost too big for Law to be carrying him. Rosinante tried to stifle a laugh at that.
“I borrowed this from the library,” Law explained, “it’s an encyclopedia on poisons and counter poisons! Did you know there are so many types of snake venoms they are not even all listed?” Law lifted glinting eyes in Rosinante’s direction. “This book only presents the main types of them.”
As he kept explaining how his favorite type causes paralysis, Law climbed in Rosinante’s laps. This was the fondest Rosinante had ever felt while hearing about deadly poisons.
“So, which part would you like me to read to you?”
Law turned the pages to one featuring a giant boa constrictor. It read:
“The Snakes of Amazon Lily.” Rosinante read out loud.
Law nodded enthusiastically. Rosinante continued.
“The Island of Amazon Lily is inhabited by one of the most important populations of snakes in the world. While not all of them have venom, the ones that do are extremely dangerous.”
Rosinante reads the description of a snake that can kill on contact, and another that paralyzes people until they die of asphyxia. Law looks so excited at each new snake. Rosinante is a bit scared himself, but he can’t help but be so proud of Law, when the little boy starts imagining ways he could rescue people who had been bitten by these snakes. He really was a good kid.
Little by little, Law settled down further into Rosinante’s arms. Feeling the little boy start to fall asleep, Rosinante lowered the volume of his voice to a slow rumble.
After a little while, the boy’s hands detached from the book and he curled up into a tight ball, his face in Rosinante’s coat. He sighed, slow and happy, finally falling completely asleep. Rosinante put the book down, using his freed arms to cuddle Law close. For the first time in a while, Rosinante didn’t need his power to fall asleep peacefully.