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1.
“I thought I lost you,” Law muttered as he sat—well, slumped because he didn’t have the energy to sit up straight after completing a sixteen-hour surgery and dealing with an apparently lovestruck (and jealous) Boa Hancock—in a chair he’d pulled up next to Straw Hat Luffy’s bedside once he’d confirmed with Bepo that the Polar Tang was on its way to Amazon Lily.
Bepo had strongly hinted that Law should get some rest, but Law didn’t think he could sleep even if he wanted to at this point. Instead, he made his way back to the infirmary and settled himself next to his patient. Straw Hat wasn’t out of the woods yet; he’d flatlined three times on the table, and though the power of the Ope Ope fruit had helped Law get the boy’s heart beating again, the sheer scale of physical trauma he’d undergone could still kill him.
Maybe Law didn’t need to be the one watching over Straw Hat—his crew was more than capable of monitoring his vitals, changing his IVs, and summoning Law if necessary—but he felt drawn to the other captain’s side, like a pull in his chest. And so, he sat vigil.
Thirty-six hours after rushing into a war that saw the deaths of an Emperor and the son of the Pirate King, Law was still not sure why it mattered so much to him—enough to risk the lives of his crew and put himself in the same vicinity as Doflamingo before he was ready to face him—that Straw Hat survive. Law knew his crew was wondering, though none had plucked up the courage to ask yet; Boa Hancock and Emporio Ivankov had also been rightfully suspicious.
And Law… well, he’d been curious about the other captain since first seeing his name in the papers, that initial they shared a blinking neon light that Law could not ignore.
Who are you? Law wanted to ask Straw Hat. Who are we, those that carry the D., the so-called enemies of the gods?
Perhaps his need to know about the initial that had motivated Cora-san to sacrifice himself for Law had driven him to order the Tang into the middle of a war zone.
Or perhaps it had been seeing Straw Hat falling from the skies like an avenging angel to rescue his sworn brother that had moved the part of Law that had once been a protective older brother and compelled him to set sail.
Or perhaps it had been that he had watched Straw Hat punch a Celestial Dragon in the face in one of Doflamingo’s disgusting auction houses, an act that had sparked something within Law—a fire akin to hope at the sight of a monstrous man, one whose status made him seemingly untouchable, brought down.
Or perhaps Law just liked Straw Hat after fighting alongside him, and he didn’t think it was right that his story should end on that battlefield. There was more for the young captain to do, and Law wanted to see what it was.
Perhaps it was none and all of those things at the same time that had driven Law to order the Polar Tang to sail into the war zone and paint a target on all their backs.
He would call it nothing more than a whim if anyone asked.
But each time Straw Hat Luffy’s heart had stopped beating during the operation, Law’s own had skipped a beat, as though the two shared a connection deeper than just an initial in their names.
“I thought I lost you,” Law repeated quietly to his comatose companion. “But you will not die here.”
The promise settled the pull in his chest, leaving Law inexplicably feeling that he was exactly where he was supposed to be.
2.
As Luffy snuck out of the boys’ dormitory for a midnight snack—he was going to need his strength when they got to Dressroba the next day, after all—he paused. It was quiet, but something felt off as he stood on the deck, looking over the ship. It wasn’t obvious at first what was wrong; he could sense Brook up on the crow’s nest for his watch, and the stupid clown was asleep down on the lawn…
Oh, but where was Torao? Worry twisted in Luffy’s gut. His ally—it was still so cool that he had an ally, and even better that it was Torao—had refused a bunk with the rest of the boys, declaring that he would watch over the clown, even though he didn’t need to do it alone.
In fact, since Torao had come aboard the Sunny, Luffy had noticed just how much Torao kept himself apart from the rest of them and tried to do things on his own despite being the one to offer the alliance. Any questions about the whereabouts of his crew were met with the briefest flash of pain across the man’s face before he covered it up and deflected. Luffy understood how much it hurt to be away from your crew, and Luffy wanted to help Torao finish what he needed to so he could get back to his nakama. Maybe then he wouldn’t be so sad.
The more Luffy had watched Torao, the more he had seen how tightly locked up the other captain kept himself, his sharp words and sharper smirks masking a deep well of pain, jagged edges used to keep others at a distance. Luffy couldn’t help but remember Ace when he had been younger, so angry at the world but also so lonely; he’d held himself away from others because of his father, but Luffy hadn’t cared about that. Luffy had no idea what made Torao hurt like that, but they were friends now, so Luffy would do whatever he could to help.
The closer they got to Dressroba, the more Torao had withdrawn into himself, a haunted look in his eye reflecting old hurts that had dug their claws deep into the man’s soul. Before Luffy had gone to bed that night, he’d looked back at Torao, who was standing at the taffrail, his gaze distant as he stared over the moonlit water. It hadn’t sat well in Luffy’s chest then—not when the look in Torao’s eyes had reminded him of Nami when they’d first met, of Robin before she’d run—and it made Luffy even more anxious now, not being able to put his eyes on the other captain.
Luffy reached out with his Observation Haki. His nakama were all accounted for, which always helped settle Luffy’s nerves, but where was… There. Luffy followed Torao’s Voice until he stood outside the infirmary.
Luffy cracked open the door and stuck his head inside; at first, all Luffy saw was a dark room, moonlight coming in through the window. But then his eyes started to adjust, and he picked out a huddled figure on the other side of the room.
“Torao?” Luffy pushed the door open and stepped inside.
There was no response, though Luffy could hear a harsh, ragged sound coming from the other side of the room. Luffy took a step forward and realized Torao was on the floor, his back to the side of the infirmary bed and his knees pulled up to his chest.
The worry Luffy felt from earlier ratcheted up. “Torao, are you okay?”
There was still no response except for the sound of Torao’s shallow, almost sob-like breaths. Luffy took another step forward, but Torao made no sign he’d noticed Luffy. Luffy slowly made his way across the infirmary, and as he got closer to the other captain, he was able to see moonlight reflecting off sweat beading on the other man’s brow. Under the pale moonlight, Torao’s normally tanned skin was pale. Torao’s entire body trembled, his tattooed fingers clenching and unclenching around his knees; his golden eyes had dimmed and were darting around the room, unseeing. A low keening sound forced its way through his gritted teeth, and suddenly Luffy knew exactly what he was seeing.
“Torao, can you hear me?” Luffy asked, keeping his voice gentle as he made his way to crouch in front of the other captain. His fingers itched to reach out and touch the other man, to offer comfort, but he didn’t want to lose his hand if Torao wasn’t all there. “It’s okay,” Luffy said. “You’re not alone.”
Golden eyes briefly met Luffy’s, and Luffy smiled encouragingly. “You’re okay. You’re on the Sunny. It’s,” Luffy had no idea what time it was, “late, I guess. But you’re not alone.”
Slowly, awareness bled back into Torao’s eyes, panic giving way to exhaustion, and the ragged, panting breaths started to slow. Finally, it was like a string holding Torao up was cut, and he slumped bonelessly back against the bed, his eyes sliding shut.
At first, Luffy thought the other man had fallen asleep, but then he spotted a hint of weary gold peeking through slitted eyes.
“Are you with me?” For a moment, Luffy thought Torao wasn’t going to answer, but then the other man gave a small jerk of his head in confirmation. Luffy let out a sigh of relief and flopped down next to his ally, lightly brushing their shoulders. “I thought I’d lost you for a second.”
“I’m sorry you had to see that, Straw Hat-ya,” Torao said after a moment, his voice hoarse. He was not looking in Luffy’s direction. Luffy could practically feel Torao trying to slam his walls back into place.
Luffy entwined his fingers and rested them behind his head. Torao had nothing to be sorry for, and he said as much. When Torao didn’t say anything, he added, “I used to get them, too.” He could feel Torao’s gaze sharpen on him at that. “After Ace. I’d have nightmares, and old man Rayleigh would help me breathe again. But they didn’t really start to get better until I met up with my crew again.”
Torao stiffened, and Luffy frowned. That wasn’t the reaction he was going for. “Not being alone helped,” he clarified then turned to look at Torao. “I know we’re not your crew, but Torao’s not alone here.”
Torao was quiet, his expression closed off, and Luffy figured the other man had been pushed enough. Luffy rose to his feet and looked down at his ally—his friend. Torao was a captain in his own right, so Luffy wouldn’t press, but he’d be there to offer a hand when Torao was ready to take it.
“You should get some rest. Tomorrow’s going to be big!”
Torao let out a breath. “Right,” he said but made no move to get up.
“Chopper won’t mind if Torao sleeps in here tonight.” When Torao didn’t respond, Luffy figured he’d outstayed his welcome; he knew when he had attacks like that during training, he wanted to be left alone to collect himself, and he had a feeling Torao was the same. He didn’t think the other captain liked anyone seeing him vulnerable. But he didn’t need to hide it from Luffy; Torao had seen Luffy at his most vulnerable, and he’d still wanted to be allies two years later.
All that tonight had proven was that Torao was human.
Luffy started for the door, but Torao’s quiet voice made him pause at the door.
“Straw Hat-ya.” Luffy looked over his shoulder. Torao was looking at him with those tired golden eyes. “Thank you.”
Warmth filled Luffy’s chest, and he smiled. “Good night, Torao.”
As he shut the door behind him, he heard a soft, “Good night, Straw Hat-ya.”
3.
Once the party was over and Barto’s weird ship had separated from the rest of the fleet on its way to Zou—to where the rest of Luffy’s and Torao’s nakama were waiting—Luffy stalked down the deck. When he spotted a familiar white spotted hat, he turned in that direction. Torao was leaning back against the ship’s railing, his arms crossed against his chest and his gaze directed back toward Dressroba. His long sword leaned against the railing next to him.
As Luffy approached, he caught sight of the white bandages covering most of Torao’s chest and his right arm, and for a moment, all he could see was red as he stepped into a pool of blood—of Torao’s blood—and practically stumbled over Torao’s body.
“He’s dead. It’s obvious.”
“It seemed like he trusted you so much, but what a shame. He said you can work miracles. Can you, Straw Hat? I didn’t think you were that strong when I fought you, though…”
“So your friends died a just a little before. Right, Straw Hat-ya? That’s what he used to call you.”
Luffy gritted his teeth, shoving that stupid Mingo’s words from his mind, and balled his hand into a fist. “Torao.”
Torao started, apparently so lost in his thoughts he hadn’t noticed Luffy approaching. “What Straw Ha—”
Luffy cut the other captain off by reeling back and punching him square in the jaw.
Torao stumbled, clearly not expecting the punch, but kept his feet as his sword clattered to the deck next to him. There were shouts of surprise in the background, but Luffy ignored them, glaring at the other captain as he straightened and put a hand to his cheek, where a bruise was already starting to form. Golden eyes flashed angrily. Good, Luffy thought.
“What the fuck, Straw Hat-ya?”
“Don’t you ever do that again,” Luffy growled.
Torao’s eyes narrowed. “Do what exactly?”
“Make a plan that involves you dying,” Luffy spat. Torao opened his mouth like he was going to argue but then shut it again, clenching his jaw. A bit more softly, Luffy added, “I thought I lost you.”
There was a flash of something in Torao’s eyes, but it was gone too quickly for Luffy to read it as Torao looked away. “I wasn’t planning to die,” he muttered. “I just… accepted it as a potential outcome.”
“Your special person wouldn’t have wanted you to die for him,” Luffy retorted. Torao’s head snapped up, something sharp glinting in his eyes, but before he could say something, Luffy plowed ahead. “Torao’s life is worth more than that.”
Luffy had never wanted Ace to die for him, and he was certain Torao’s special person was the same. He would want Torao to live, like Ace had wanted Luffy to live.
Torao also had nakama, like the cool bear, who undoubtedly wanted him to live.
And Luffy wanted Torao to live.
Luffy crossed his arms. “It’s time to start living, Torao.”
Torao stared at Luffy for a long moment, anger warring with grief and guilt on his face until he swallowed and gave a jerky nod. “Fine.”
Luffy nodded in return, satisfied. And that was that. “Shishishi, good. Hey, Torao. What do you know about Zou?”
Torao’s eyes widened briefly before he shook his head, the smallest of smiles tugging at his lips, and Luffy felt something inside his chest flutter. “Well,” Torao started, sitting down to rest his back against the railing and raising an eyebrow at Luffy, which Luffy took as an invitation to join him, “it’s on the back of an elephant…”
4.
Leaning back against the palace wall, Law took a long pull on the bottle of sake he’d nabbed from the festivities before retreating from the chaos in the streets of the Flower Capital. His mind was still spinning from what he’d learned below the streets of Wano alongside Nico Robin, and while he’d joined the rest of his crew in the celebratory fray for a while, he’d been shocked by the sheer number of toasts thrown in his and his crew’s direction. He’d spotted Luffy a few times flitting through the crowds alongside Kaido’s son, Chopper, and Usopp but had ducked out of sight before the other captain could spot him.
As the night had worn on, Law had felt a headache coming on from the constant cheerful chatter, flowing alcohol, and increasingly off-key music and singing—not to mention that Law was still recovering from his fight with the Emperors. While most of his bandages had come off, his body still ached and was littered with fading bruises. His stamina hadn’t fully recovered yet, either; he was still adjusting to using his awakened techniques, which ate even more of his energy than the already greedy Ope Ope fruit usually did.
Law had ended up grabbing a couple of bottles of sake and, after a quick word to Bepo, had retreated to the palace and the rooms Momonosuke had set aside for the pirates. Law had settled on the balcony of his room, which gave him a panoramic view of the festivities in the streets below.
Law was lifting the bottle back to his mouth when a figure suddenly slingshotted its way onto the balcony railing, balancing awkwardly on the narrow stone structure.
“Shishishi, found you, Torao,” Luffy declared with a victorious grin.
Law simply raised an eyebrow, no longer surprised by much that his ally—former ally, he corrected himself; they’d accomplished their goal—did, though something twisted deep in his chest at the wide smile directed in his direction. “I wasn’t hiding, Straw Hat-ya.”
Luffy dropped down onto the balcony, his sandals slapping loudly against the stone. He reached out a hand, and Law wordlessly handed the bottle of sake over. Luffy took a long swig before sputtering and spraying liquid everywhere.
“Watch it,” Law growled as he pulled his outstretched legs back out of the reach of the spray.
Luffy wiped his mouth with the back of his hand then stuck his tongue out. “Bitter.”
Law held out his hand, and Luffy handed the bottle back before dropping to the stone and leaning back against the railing. Law smirked. “This one is actually quite sweet.”
“That’s sweet?” Luffy demanded, pulling a face. “Blech, I don’t know why Zoro likes it so much.”
Law huffed a small laugh before taking his own—much smaller—pull from the bottle and gesturing at Luffy with it. “He doesn’t drink it for the taste.”
“That’s obvious,” Luffy said before holding his hand out again. Law gave him a skeptical look, but Luffy made a waggling motion with his fingers, and Law shrugged and gave the bottle back. At least he had another one if Luffy wasted this one.
After taking a smaller drink, Luffy handed the bottle back to Law. The two captains passed the bottle back and forth as the celebrations continued in the streets beneath them.
“I’m surprised you’re not down there,” Law finally said as he gave the half-empty bottle to Luffy.
Luffy shrugged, accepting the bottle. “I wanted to see Torao.” He took a drink and then tilted his head at Law. “I thought I saw you a few times down there but then you were gone.”
Law cleared his throat and gestured for the bottle back. Luffy offered it to him, but he didn’t let go when Law wrapped his fingers around it. Law frowned at the younger captain’s hand then up at his face. “Straw Hat-ya?”
“I looked for you when I woke up, too,” Luffy said, eyes narrowed at Law like he was trying to figure something out. “But your crew said you’d left the palace.”
“I’ve been supervising the repair of the Polar Tang,” Law said, though he absently made a note to find out who had been talking to Luffy. In truth, Law had been checking in regularly on Luffy after he’d woken up from his own two-day sleep, but when Law heard that Luffy had woken up, he’d walked in the opposite direction of the Straw Hat captain’s room, instead making his way down to the harbor.
When some of the members of his crew had given him curious looks, he’d snapped at them to get back to work. They’d immediately gone back to whatever they were doing, though he’d still felt their eyes on him.
“Oh,” Luffy said, finally letting go of the bottle. He grinned at Law and scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. “I thought Torao was avoiding me.”
The alcohol was bitter on Law’s tongue as he took another drink. “Why would I do that?”
“I don’t know,” Luffy said. “But I’m glad you aren’t.”
Law was quiet for a long moment, considering, before he said, “That new Gear you used against Kaido…”
Luffy perked up as he took the bottle back. “Oh, Gear 5? It’s so cool, right?” When Law didn’t reply, Luffy frowned. “Right?” he repeated slowly. “Torao?”
As he stared across the balcony at Luffy, Law felt his voice lock up in his throat; he still remembered the dread emptying out his chest when he realized he couldn’t sense Luffy’s Voice anymore. He’d been spent from his fight with Big Mom, and the quiet that settled in the place where Luffy’s presence had been only seconds before had left him reeling.
Law hadn’t had faith in anyone or anything since he was a boy; he’d been raised around religion in Flevance, but when the city fell, Law had stopped believing. There had been Doflamingo, whose cruelty Law had sought out, and Cora-san, whose kindness had pulled Law out of his nihilism, but neither had been faith.
He had been startled to realize, as Kaido crowed about his victory, that he had faith in Luffy and his ability to leave miracles in his wake. He was confident in the other captain’s strength—as a fighter and as a man. He wasn’t sure when that had become true, but it had felt right as he declared it to both Big Mom and Eustass Kid.
And then Luffy’s Voice had been gone, and Law was ten again, running away from raging fires, gunshots, and the bodies of everyone he’d ever known. Faith hadn’t saved the White City despite all her prayers to a higher power.
He was thirteen and sobbing into a snowy night again, the one person Law thought he might be able to put faith in someday torn from him.
He was twenty-six and standing in the middle of an Emperor’s territory, his strength depleted and his faith shattered yet again.
“I thought I lost you,” Law said quietly, the alcohol in his veins giving him the courage to speak his mind.
Luffy blinked. “Huh?”
Law swallowed. “You died, Straw Hat-ya. Your heart stopped beating. Your Voice was gone.” And now every time Law saw the telltale white hair and clothes of Luffy’s new Gear, he would be reminded that Luffy had died to achieve that form. He would remember the dread and grief that had threatened to explode from his chest until Luffy’s heart had started beating like drums.
“I guess Nami did say something like that,” Luffy said with a shrug. “But I really don’t remember.” He took a drink of sake. “I got hit by Kaido and then suddenly I had this new Gear. Whatever caused it was worth it, though! It’s the strongest Gear I’ve ever used! It’s just… free!”
“Right.” Law pressed his lips into a thin line and looked away from the other captain as anger boiled under his skin. He didn’t understand where the fury was coming from, and he filed that away to examine later—preferably much later. For now, Law needed to get away from Luffy before he said or did something he would regret.
“Torao—”
Law snatched the bottle back from Luffy and drained the rest of the sake. He pushed himself to his feet, but his head spun from the alcohol, so he put a hand to the stone to steady himself. “I’m going to bed. Go enjoy the party, Straw Hat-ya.”
Law turned toward the door, but he stopped and looked down as a hand wrapped around his wrist. “Let go, Straw Hat-ya.”
“No.”
Law’s eyes narrowed. “Let. Go.”
“Not until Torao talks to me.”
“I have nothing to say to you.” Nothing that he wouldn’t regret tomorrow, anyway.
“Stop lying, Torao. Something is bothering you. Talk to me.”
Law’s fury erupted, and he whipped around, drawing his free hand back and punching Luffy in the face. Luffy’s grip on his wrist loosened, and Law pulled himself free as Luffy stumbled back, a shocked look on his face.
“What was that for?”
“Returning the favor,” Law snapped.
Luffy blinked in confusion. “Eh?”
“Do you remember what you told me after Dressrosa, Straw Hat-ya?”
“Hm? No more making plans where you die?” Luffy asked, tilting his head. “But I didn’t make any plans!”
Law pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. “You told me that my life was worth more than dying for revenge.”
Luffy blinked. “Oh. Right.” His brows furrowed. “So? What’s that got to do with anything?”
“So, your life is worth more than a stupid new Gear,” Law snarled. “No matter how strong. Or free. If you have to die to—” He snapped his mouth shut, cutting himself off before he could say more. His ears were burning, and he shut his eyes as he tried to collect himself. “Forget it.”
“No. Say what you mean, Torao.”
Law opened his eyes and looked straight at Luffy. And suddenly, he felt the fury leach from his veins, leaving him hollowed out and exhausted. He leaned a bit more heavily against the palace wall for support. “You told me to live, Straw Hat-ya,” he said quietly. “Take your own damn advice.”
“But—”
“You were right that I was too willing to die on Dressrosa, and Cora-san wouldn’t have wanted that,” Law said, his mind going back to his conversation with Sengoku that had upended everything. “But I’m not the only one who’s been careless with his life.”
Law pushed himself away from the wall and stepped into his room, shutting the door behind him, leaving a gaping Luffy on his balcony, looking helplessly after him.
5.
“You should get some rest, Luffy,” Nami said gently from somewhere behind Luffy. “Chopper’s worried about you.”
“I’m fine,” Luffy said without looking at her. She’d come in to give him an update on their progress to Hachinosu—they were two days out—but had lingered in the doorway after letting him know.
“You won’t help him by exhausting yourself.”
“I’m not.”
Luffy heard Nami sigh and mutter something under her breath about stubborn captains as she left the infirmary and shut the door behind her, but he didn’t pay her any mind. He was exactly where he was supposed to be—sitting next to Torao’s unconscious form in the infirmary bed.
It had been five days since the Straw Hats had gotten a News Coo with the news of the Hearts’ defeat at Winner Island and three since they’d used Bepo’s vivre card to track down the injured mink and his unconscious captain. As Jinbei, Zoro, and Sanji had helped the pair onto the ship, Bepo had looked directly at Luffy, pleading with him to help Torao before passing out, as though he even needed to ask; Torao was nakama.
While Bepo had slept, Chopper had treated Torao’s injuries. Broken ribs, internal bleeding, a concussion, exposure from the ocean, exhaustion from overusing his devil fruit… It had been a long list of issues, each additional item making Luffy’s stomach drop further into the floor. Once he’d been bandaged up and put in clean clothes, Torao had ended up hooked up to a bunch of machines that beeped and gave readings that only Chopper seemed to understand.
Bepo had slept for a day and a half, and when he woke up, he filled the Straw Hats in on the Blackbeard Pirates’ ambush, Law’s fight with Blackbeard, and what had happened to the Polar Tang and the rest of the Heart Pirates. As he listened, a white-hot rage Luffy had never felt before burned through his veins; Blackbeard had taken Ace from Luffy, and now he’d tried to take Torao. Luffy was going to kill him.
“I took the captain and ran,” Bepo had said tearfully. “He begged me to go back, but I couldn’t let Blackbeard kill him and take his fruit. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“You did the right thing, Bepo,” Sanji assured the mink as he put a plate of food in front of him. He then looked up at Luffy, a warning in his eyes not to try to steal the food, and Luffy stuck his tongue out; he knew the bear needed to eat to get his strength back up. Luffy wouldn’t steal food from someone who needed it.
“Blackbeard wanted Torao,” Zoro agreed. “You made sure he didn’t get what he wanted. Your nakama will be more valuable as bait for Torao than dead.”
Bepo sniffed. “You think they’re alive?” he’d asked between mouthfuls.
“They are,” Luffy said, certainty settling in his chest the way it did sometimes, like when he’d known Zoro was supposed to be his first mate or Robin wanted to live, no matter what she said. “They’re alive, and we’ll get them back.”
“Thank you,” Bepo said, looking back down at his plate, tears in his eyes.
“Shishishi, that’s what friends do,” Luffy replied. “Besides, Torao would do the same.”
Bepo smiled wobblily. “Yeah, he would. Though he’d complain the whole time to keep up appearances.”
Luffy—and Bepo, once he’d woken up—had taken up watch at Torao’s bedside, though Bepo sometimes left to confer with Nami about going to Hachinosu to rescue the Hearts. They both ate in the infirmary. At night, Bepo slept on a cot on the other side of the infirmary, but Luffy stayed put at Torao’s bedside.
Luffy couldn’t take his eyes off the other captain. Torao’s normally tan skin was pale except for dark purples and greens that poked out from stark white bandages. His hair was mussed, and his usually tense features were lax. With all the wires connected to him, Torao looked small. Luffy had never thought of Torao as small, even when he thought the other man dead in Dressrosa. In Luffy’s mind, Torao was big and bright; he was a canvas of blues and yellows, royal and shining, rich and sharp. He was black tattoos and hair and boots. He was a white spotted hat and a red string on his sword.
Now, lying in the Sunny’s infirmary, he was small and washed out.
Luffy hated it.
After Nami left, Luffy reached out and took one of Torao’s hands in his own, entwining his fingers with Torao’s. He could feel Torao’s calluses from years of wielding Kikoku (something else Torao had lost to Blackbeard) and others that must be from the medical tools that Torao used like an extension of himself—that he’d used to save Luffy.
“I thought I lost you,” Luffy said, looking at Torao’s sleeping face. “When we got the newspaper. It sounded like you were dead.” It had felt like the floor had fallen out from beneath Luffy’s feet when Robin had read the headline. It had only been a few days since they’d separated at Wano. Besides, Torao was so smart and strong.
Torao was important to so many people.
Torao was important to Luffy.
He couldn’t be gone.
For a moment, Luffy had been standing on the battlefield, watching Ace take a fatal hit to protect him. Thank you for loving me.
But then Nami had remembered the bear’s vivre card; she’d dug it out, and it had been singed but whole. And Luffy just knew that if the bear was alive, so was Torao. And so, they’d set sail, following the vivre card until they’d encountered an exhausted Bepo and unconscious Torao in the water.
Luffy was absently running his thumb over the back of Torao’s hand, careful of the IV inserted there, when he felt a twitch in his hand. Luffy’s eyes went wide, and he looked at Law’s still-lax face for any signs of waking.
“Torao? Torao, can you hear me?”
Torao’s fingers twitched in Luffy’s hand again, and Luffy felt hope rising in his chest. Torao was waking up!
Unwilling to let go of Torao’s hand, Luffy stretched his free hand to the infirmary door and opened it. He then stretched his head out the door and called out urgently, “Chopper! Bear! I think Torao is waking up!”
Luffy’s head snapped back into place just in time for him to see a hint of bleary gold peek out from under Torao’s heavy eyelids.
“Torao!”
“Straw Hat-ya?” Torao croaked out as his eyes fixed on Luffy.
Overjoyed to see the other captain awake, Luffy opened his mouth to reply, but he didn’t get the chance as Chopper and Bepo swept into the infirmary. Luffy was immediately shunted off to the side so Chopper could examine Torao and the bear could tearfully greet his captain. Luffy backed out of the infirmary, watching with a twinge in his heart at the sight of the bear pulling Torao into a big hug and Torao melting into it.
+1
Law sat, legs crossed beneath him, on the bed in the infirmary of the Thousand Sunny, his heart resting in the palm of his hand. The organ beat steadily as Law stared at it.
He looked up at the sound of a knock at the infirmary door. Law’s first instinct was to send anyone away; he didn’t want to be seen like this—weak and defeated, wrapped in bandages and pumped full of painkillers and antibiotics—but the Straw Hats had taken him and Bepo in. Part of Law chafed at the idea of receiving charity, but he also knew he and Bepo might be dead, or at least on the verge, without the aid of their former allies.
(More than that, he feared looking into Luffy’s eyes and seeing the other captain looking at him differently—with disappointment or, even worse, pity.)
After completing his examination and informing Law of his condition, Chopper had retreated to give the two Heart Pirates some privacy. Bepo filled Law in on what had happened after he’d lost consciousness, including being picked up by the Straw Hats and their turn toward Hachinosu without Bepo even having to ask. The mink had held Law as he’d broken down, the grief finally too much for his body to contain. Once he’d sobbed himself out, Law had fallen into a fitful sleep; he’d woke up a few hours later and sent a hesitant Bepo off to get something to eat. Bepo had agreed, as long as Law promised to eat whatever Bepo brought back for him when he came back.
Sitting alone in the infirmary, Law’s thoughts had inevitably turned back to Winner Island. Bepo confirming that Law’s memories hadn’t just been another horrible nightmare had felt like plunging a knife into his chest, slicing his heart into pieces.
He’d been so distraught that he’d opened a shaky Room and pulled his heart from his chest. In his hand, Law’s heart looked disgustingly normal. He’d been counting the steady beats of the organ with a rising sense of resentment when he’d heard the knock.
With a resigned sigh, he called, “Come in.”
The door opened a moment later, and Luffy’s head appeared. Something uncomfortable twisted in Law’s chest at the sight of the other captain; he’d gotten a glimpse of the other man right as he’d woken up, but he’d been so out of it that by the time he’d regained some of his faculties, Chopper was examining him and Bepo had wrapped him in a bear hug; Luffy had been nowhere in sight.
He doesn’t want to see you, a traitorous part of his brain had taunted. He’s an Emperor now, like Blackbeard. And who are you? You’re weak.
Luffy brightened when he saw Law sitting up. “Chopper said I could see Torao?”
Law felt a surge of panic, the idea of being left alone with Luffy making his heart start to race, the pulses in his hand speeding up. At Law’s nod, Luffy stepped inside the infirmary and shut the door behind him. As Luffy started toward the bed, Law caught the moment he saw Law’s heart, his smile transforming into a frown.
“Is Torao’s heart okay?” Luffy asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed. The other captain’s proximity made Law want to flee—Luffy always managed to get under Law’s skin, bypassing the walls he’d so carefully erected over the years like they didn’t exist. He looked at Law like he saw through him, like Law was an open book. It was, honestly, terrifying—but he was in no condition to run, trapping him with his former ally.
“It’s fine.”
“Liar.” When Law frowned, Luffy added, “Bear told us what happened. No one’s heart would be okay after that.” Insightful bastard.
Law was quiet for a long moment, his gaze dropping back to the organ in his hand, before he felt his walls crumble. “I just don’t understand.”
“Understand what?” Luffy asked, tilting his head.
“How can it keep beating like this when it’s so broken?” Law said. He was a sorry excuse for a captain. Captain of the Heart Pirates? Ha. His heart didn’t deserve to continue beating.
Without thinking, Law started squeezing, his fingers—marked by death—tightening around his heart. He barely noticed the crushing sensation in his chest, the pain a drop in the bucket compared to the agony he already felt.
“Torao, what are you doing? Stop!” Luffy exclaimed as soon as he realized what Law was doing. He shot a hand out and grabbed Law’s heart from his fingers. He cradled the organ in front of him, giving Law a betrayed look.
“It should have stopped a long time ago,” Law said flatly. “But it keeps beating, and I hate it.”
Anger flashed in Luffy’s eyes, and Law felt a flash of relief. Anger was good; anger was better than the other... stuff. Easier.
(Law had never developed defense mechanisms against the other stuff.)
“Don’t say that about my friend!” Luffy growled. “We talked about this. Your life is worth more than—”
“More than what, Straw Hat-ya?” Law asked quietly, his eyes on his beating heart in Luffy’s hands. “My nakama? Cora-san? My parents? My baby sister? Why do I keep getting to live when everyone I love…” He clamped his jaw shut and looked away once more.
“More than those bastards deserve,” Luffy replied forcefully, catching Law off guard. “Mingo, Blackbeard, the government… all of them. Torao’s life is worth more than all of theirs combined.”
“I…” Law had no idea how to respond to Luffy’s outburst.
“You keep living because people love you and want you to live,” Luffy went on, voice quieting as his gaze dropped to the floor. It took a moment before Law’s morphine-slowed brain remembered Luffy’s visceral scream for his brother after he’d first woken up from his life-saving surgery and the grief-fueled rampage into the woods of Amazon Lily that had nearly killed him. For two years, the last image Law had of Luffy was a boy struck with grief far too familiar for Law’s comfort. (And then he’d been there on Punk Hazard, smiling and waving—recovered, unbroken, in a way Law had never managed.)
“Your family, your special person, your nakama… they all love you and want you to live.” Luffy hesitated, looking at Law’s heart, then added, “I want you to live.”
Law stared blankly at the other captain, struggling to make sense of what he was hearing. “Why?” he found himself asking. What was it about him…?
“Don’t try to find a reason for somebody’s love,” Sengoku had said that day on Dressrosa, but Law had spent far too many years experiencing love as something one earned rather than as something freely given to just accept it.
Luffy looked up at Law and carefully, as though he was holding the most precious object in the world, held up Law’s heart as though that, in any way, answered Law’s question.
At Law’s confusion, Luffy’s expression softened. “Shishishi, because this heart is strong and smart—”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“—and it’s kind,” Luffy finished, ignoring Law. “It’s important.”
“Tch,” Law scoffed, looking away to hide the warmth rising in his cheeks.
“If Torao doesn’t want it, can I have it?”
Law frowned and turned back to Luffy in confusion. “What?”
“If you don’t want your heart, then I want it,” Luffy said, patting his hand against his chest. “I want Torao’s strength and kindness right here.” He made a vague gesture akin to Law’s Room. “You can just go ‘Room’ and do it, right?”
Law’s mouth went dry. “Straw Hat-ya, you don’t know what you’re asking.”
“Oh, Torao’s heart is beating fast.” Luffy looked down at the beating organ in his palm and then back up at Law, his expression set in that stubborn way that meant there was no talking him out of whatever he’d decided on. “Yes, I do,” Luffy said. “If you don’t love your heart when it’s keeping you alive, maybe you’ll love it when it’s keeping someone else alive.”
Law nearly reeled back at that, but something in Luffy’s gaze held him in place. He swallowed. “What about your heart?” he found himself asking.
A dusting of pink spread across Luffy’s cheeks. “Torao should take it.” Law opened his mouth to argue, but then Luffy added, “It’s already yours anyway.”
Law’s argument died in his throat; his ears warmed as he registered exactly what Luffy meant. “Oh.” He started when he felt Luffy’s hand rest lightly on his leg and looked up to meet Luffy’s steady gaze.
“I want this, Torao.”
And all logic must have fled from Law’s brain because he finally nodded. What the hell, he found himself thinking. It wouldn’t be the craziest thing you’ve ever done.
With a breath, Law opened a Room just big enough to envelop the two of them. He reached out for Luffy, resting his hand on the other captain’s chest with fingers splayed out. Luffy shivered at the touch. Law could feel the warmth of Luffy’s body, the roughness of his scar, and the steady beats of Luffy’s heart under his palm. Then Luffy’s hand was resting against Law’s, his fingers entwining with Law’s—life entwining with death. Luffy squeezed Law’s hand in assurance, and that was enough to ground Law in the moment.
With a murmur of “Mes,” Law popped Luffy’s heart from his chest.
Law looked down at the beating heart in his palm; it wasn’t the first time he’d seen Luffy’s heart. When Luffy had been on his operating table, he’d had to restart this heart multiple times. That seemed like multiple lifetimes ago now. When he peeked up at Luffy, he found the other captain looking at his heart curiously.
“Do you want to look at it?” Law offered.
Luffy shook his head. “It’s cool, but nah. I want Torao’s heart. Do I just—?” He started to shove Law’s heart into the hole in his chest, but Law quickly grabbed Luffy’s wrist. “Wait, idiot. It’s the wrong way.”
Luffy’s eyes widened as Law released his grip. “Oh. Shishishi, oops.” He held out Law’s heart. “Then you do it.”
With a sigh, Law put Luffy’s heart down on the bed next to him and took his own heart from the other captain. He turned it around and held it up in front of Luffy’s chest. When he hesitated, Luffy’s hands came back up and wrapped around Law’s. Together, they pushed Law’s heart into Luffy’s chest, Law’s tanned and tattooed skin sticking out against Luffy’s pale skin. They both gasped as though they’d been drenched with cold water, Luffy from the feeling of a new heart taking up residence in his chest and Law from feeling Luffy’s body around his heart.
Why does it feel right, you holding my heart like this? Law thought helplessly.
“I can feel Torao,” Luffy said, his wide eyes going from the mismatched patch of skin to Law’s face. He grinned. “Shishishi, this is great!” He put a hand to his chest. “I’ll take care of it, Torao.” Law nodded; he knew Luffy didn’t make promises idly, after all. “Torao’s turn!”
Wordlessly, Law picked up Luffy’s heart from the bed and aligned it with his chest. Luffy’s hands enveloped his own again, and together they pushed Luffy’s heart into Law’s chest. Law gasped as he felt Luffy’s heart, at first out of synch with Law’s body, beat once, twice, and then settle into rhythm. It felt a bit like falling, but Luffy was there to catch him.
Law looked down at the light square of scarred skin on his chest and, despite all logic, felt something settle comfortably behind his breastbone. Luffy, Law had come to realize, was a seemingly endless font of love and strength; maybe having his heart in his chest would lend Law some of that when he needed it most.
“Hey, Torao,” Luffy said after a moment. Law looked back at him, feeling the heart in his chest racing as the two captains looked at each other. Luffy grinned. “I found you.”
And Law knew was certain his heart skipped a beat in Luffy’s chest. “You found me.”