Work Text:
There's a silly family tradition Luffy never really understood.
As a kid, Luffy didn't understand why he'd have to give the first slice of his birthday cake to someone else. Isn't it enough that he shares it?
It's his birthday after all!
But as he grows older, Luffy starts to understand a little better. He still steals food and he's not interested in sharing but he does slow down just a bit and lets everyone get their own slice before digging into his own. It's one of the rare times when Luffy shows restraint.
And then, he met Trafalgar D. Water Law.
For the first time in his life, Luffy finds himself in love and suddenly, what Luffy once thought as a silly little family tradition finally makes sense.
So when Luffy cuts the first slice this time after being newly crowned as Pirate King, he dashes away with the cake to find his fellow captain, finding his serious, silly Torao (who he loves lots and lots but doesn't know how to convey or express it yet) lounging on top of a thick branch by the edge of the banquet.
With a grin, Luffy launches himself up and feels a giggle spilling out when he's shambles mid-air to sit beside the older captain.
"Mugiwara-ya," Torao greets in exasperated amusement, voice in that familiar deep, low rumble.
Laughing, he leans forward as his grin widens. "Torao!"
"What are you doing here?" Torao reaches over to flick his nose with a smirk. "Shouldn't you be celebrating?"
Suddenly feeling a little shy, Luffy rubs his nose before offering the cake to a surprised Torao. "Because I wanna give you the first slice."
"....why?" Brows furrowed, Torao eyes the plate with a confused frown. "It's your birthday, Mugiwara-ya."
Clambering onto Torao's lap, Luffy lets out his signature giggle and grins when Torao automatically suppports him with those large hands on Luffy's hips. "Shishishi, because it's my family tradition to give the first slice of our birthday cake to the person we love the most!"
Luffy thrusts the plate under Torao's nose, snickering when the former Warlord sputters in disbelief.
"You-!" Torao looks at him with those gold eyes he loves so much, pointing to himself incredulously. "...me?"
Silly Torao.
"Yeah." Luffy's grin softens, looking up at the stupidly handsome captain and offers the plate. "For me, it's always been you, Torao."
Maybe it's not obvious from the blushing grin but Luffy's heart beats in its now signature drum. But what is obvious is the way his reflection in Torao's eyes shows the way he looks at Torao- at Law, on how he absolutely adores the older captain.
After a beat, Torao returns the smile and takes the offered cake before surprising him by offering Luffy the first bite in return.
"Eh...?"
It's a simple gesture, one that speaks of returned mutual affection that Torao has no way of knowing but from the way Torao smiles at him (private and so warm that it makes a flush rise to Luffy's cheeks), tells him that it's likely Torao's scary powerful intuition at play.
A shy, happy grin blooms across Luffy's face as he opens his mouth to accept the piece, before doing the same for Torao, exchanging bites of the first slice of his birthday cake until only an empty plate is left behind.
Luffy stares at the plate, grinning wide and kicking his feet in excitement. It may be a little silly but who cares?! It's the first time Luffy got to share a family tradition with the one he loves most and he couldn't be happier!
Feeling positively giddy, Luffy snuggles close to Torao and winds his arms twice around them both. He smiles when the older captain cards those long fingers through his hair, feeling his drumming heart about to burst with joy when cool lips pressed a kiss to his forehead.
"Happy birthday, Luffy-ya." Torao- Law hugs him close and whispers into his ear. "Thank you for being born."
With a happy sigh, Luffy tucks his face into the crook of Law's neck and smiles.