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They were never supposed to fall in love.
It was the goddess up to her tricks, Law liked to say at first, forcing them together at the behest of her own whims. Boa Hancock played with the hearts of mortals, and Law, the blood of the gods running through only half his veins, was no exception.
What other reason could there have been for their meeting, so arbitrary that it felt like fate?
The sky had just cleared on the shores of Dressrosa, the blood of Doflamingo’s eldest daughter still drying on the rocks. Her sacrifice to the goddess of war had not been in vain. The first signs of wind stirred in the sails that had been dormant for weeks.
“To the shores of Wano,” Doflamingo cried, his sword held aloft. “We will destroy Kaido where he stands and steal back the beautiful princess he has taken from us.”
“To Wano,” the cry echoed through the thousand ships moored in the harbor.
Law thought it was all nonsense, he knew the reasons Doflamingo fought, the greed clear in his eyes. The port of Wano and the resources stored up in its walled cities were worth far more than princess Viola.
Still, Law would fight for the man who welcomed him into his country and home. Doflamingo plucked Law from a ragtag bunch of war orphans, the mark of the gods clear in his gray eyes, and brought him to the Donquixote Kingdom to be trained as a doctor. he had been instructed as a child not to ask questions, and it was a mindset that had served him well over his twenty three years of life.
Law’s ship was meant to be one of healing, the rooms fashioned into makeshift surgery where he could treat the wounded. So it was met with great surprise when one of the fiercest fighters to join Doflamingo’s cause came walking up the gangplank.
“Roronoa Zoro, are you lost?” Law called out to the green haired swordsman.
“Who’s asking?” Zoro called back, shielding his eyes from the sunlight beating down as his boots hit the deck.
“I’m Doctor Trafalgar Law,” he responded. “You’re meant to be on Doflamingo’s ship alongside the other warriors.”
“Well I’m on this ship already…” Zoro trailed off, frowning as surveyed the deck. One eye was closed shut, face bisected by a clean scar running from hairline to mid-cheek. “Are you going to Wano as well?”
“No,” Law responded quickly, the lie heavy on his tongue. Instinct told him to get this warrior off his ship, and out of his sight. There was an enigmatic beauty written into the harsh plane’s of Zoro’s face, a honesty to his gaze that called to Law in a primal way. He knew that if Zoro boarded his ship, Law would start asking questions that would lead nowhere good. "Go-"
Before the words could leave his lips, a dove suddenly flew across his vision, one thin talon catching on the skin of his cheek. It was the lightest brush, but enough to draw blood.
Keep him safe, demigod. Keep him alive . A woman’s voice boomed in Law’s mind as what felt like a hand squeezed his chest. If he hadn’t been so well trained, he would have missed the small wince that also crossed Zoro’s face.
The pain cleared in an instant though, and all Law felt was a strange sort of peace. They moved towards each other like droplets of rain racing down a window.
“Are you all right?” A calloused thumb traced across Law’s cheekbones.
“It was nothing, a warning from the goddess.” Law breathed against the touch, resignation at war with the thrill running through him. “Come. We have much to do before we depart.”
“To Wano?” Zoro asked, a slight tilt of his head, and damned if Law’s chest didn’t tighten again.
“To Wano,” he echoed.
The crossing was longer than Law wanted, though the wind was in their favor. It gave him time to train the host of young apprentices that had signed on to fight their glorious war.
“See how red the blood is, that means the wound is clean. Don’t bandage a warrior in the field until you see that,” Law explained to one young apprentice, sunbleached bandages in hand.
“Shouldn’t we use the leeches to make sure, Doctor?” The apprentice asked.
“Hell no-”
“There’s no time for leeches in war,” Law said, before chiding the green haired patient. “Hold still, you wouldn’t be here if you had been more careful.”
“It’s just a scratch,” Zoro muttered, but allowed his hand to be carefully bandaged. “How’d you know I was hurt anyway?”
Law didn’t want to admit that he felt it, when the boat lurched while Zoro was cleaning his sword, sending the blade scraping across his palm. Law’s hand still vibrated with a phantom ache. “I had a feeling you had done something stupid.”
“It’s nothing,” Zoro repeated, shooing the apprentice away after he had finished the final knot. “Stop hovering.”
“Don’t dismiss my apprentices.” Law gave the boy a nod. He slipped from the room, leaving the two alone, as Zoro flexed his fingers.
“We’re getting close.”
“They’re not ready for what they’re about to see,” Law admitted.
“Are you?” Zoro asked, a light in his eyes. “Have you been to war, doctor?”
“I’ve heard enough to get an idea. Have you?”
Zoro didn’t answer, just lifted a hand to cup Law’s cheek. Law fought the urge to lean into it, feel the warmth radiating from the healing palm.
“Yes.” Zoro’s voice had a strange rasp. “There's nothing like the weight of an enemy’s sword meeting your blows, knowing that death bites at your heel like a feral dog with each step.”
“Aren’t you afraid?” Law asked, words slurring as Zoro dragged a thumb across his bottom lip.
“I’m not afraid of death.”
“There are worse things than death.” Law murmured.
“Aye,” Zoro's laughter was soft against Law’s lips. “It’s whatever the gods have cursed me to feel right now.”
Keep him safe . The goddess’ words flooded his mind as he twisted his fingers into Zoro’s hair and pulled him into a desperate kiss.
It wasn’t easy. From the second they landed on the green docks of Wano, Zoro was determined to get himself killed.
“Why can’t I eat this?”
“It’s poisonous,” Law chided, leaning over the bush full of bright red berries.
“So you’ll just cure me, I’m starving.” Zoro plucked a few berries and meant to toss them in his mouth, but Law’s hand stopped him.
“I can cure the vomiting, but I can’t cure the stupidity you seem to be afflicted with.” Law squeezed Zoro’s wrist with just enough pressure. They both watched as the berries fell back to the earth.
Zoro turned to him with a knowing smirk. “I’m hungry.” He slid his red stained hand underneath the loose linen shirt and up the planes of Law’s stomach.
“You’re insatiable,” Law cursed, but allowed himself to be pulled in and devoured. Zoro’s lips, more violent than sweet, crashed against his, but Law had grown addicted to it. The pull of teeth against his lips, the fingers that dug bruises into his waist, the way Zoro’s laughter vibrated in his chest.
A horn blast tore them apart, three sharp notes in rapid succession. Meant to inspire the troops, keep them awake and ready , Doflamingo said. The harbinger had become a familiar one in the weeks of their passage. They could ignore it on the ship, holed up in Law’s cabin, creating fragile worlds in the confines of thin sheets. Now though, the harness of duty pulled them in opposite directions, Law to the surgery tents, Zoro to the main encampment where Doflamingo had set up his makeshift throne.
“When this is done,” Zoro whispered against his lips with parting kisses. “I will spend the rest of my breath worshiping this mouth, this nose, these eyes.” Chaste kisses peppering his face left Law breathless.
“I don’t want your worship, warrior, I am no god,” Law said between gasps of air.
“Then why can’t I leave you alone?” Teeth bit at the soft skin behind Law’s ear and he sighed.
“You must.” Another blare of the horns broke through the trees, sending birds scattering. “Doflamingo is summoning his council.”
Zoro pulled back from Law, a frown on his lips.
“He will not break down Kaido’s wall so easily.” Zoro took a few steps back, adjusting his tunic. Their spies had come back that morning with despair on their faces and arrows in their shoulders. The wall surrounding Kaido’s Kingdom was higher than five men and protected by Kaido’s fiercest sons. King, with his fire arrows and deadly aim stood tall among the ramparts alongside Queen, Kaido’s eldest. Yamato, with his refined looks and intelligence, had stolen Violet from under Doflamingo’s very nose. For what purpose, Law would never know.
Love , the words whispered behind closed doors.
Power , Law had thought. That was before though, when he hadn’t grown accustomed to the feeling of calloused fingers around his hips.
He understood the manic pull of the dark haired goddess of love a little better now, and he hated her for it.
“We must engage them outside of the walls, on the battlefield.” Law turned back towards his warrior. “I’m sure Doflamingo believes we can surround them and starve them out. It’s not that easy.”
“It never is,” Zoro murmured in agreement as they began the slow walk towards Doflamingo’s encampment, stalling to linger in the last vestiges of each other's warmth.
The first battle was as gruesome as Law feared. Five hundred of their soldiers were decimated in the first wave, falling to King’s fire arrows, and the brutal tactics of Queen.
“They can’t keep it up, it will be over soon,” Zoro had said, collapsing into their shared bedroll. Law knew better, he could see it in Doflamingo’s face, the tension that grew with each passing failure.
Days turned into months, and Doflamingo’s army remained on the shores of Wano, morale dwindling as steadily as their food supply.
Law never stopped moving, even as the wounded started to outnumber the ones fighting. And still Zoro returned to him every time, bleeding and exhausted but alive.
Keep him safe, keep him alive . The mantra rang through Law’s head with each suture, yet somewhere along the way the voice began to sound less like goddess’ and more like his own.
It was a year since they landed on the cursed shore and Law watched, heart in his throat as the wounded limped home through the scattered treeline. The dead would be left on the battlefield until a temporary truce was called for the gods' day of rest.
He wouldn’t be able to see Zoro, not yet, not so soon after the battle. There would be debriefing and new tactics drawn up. They would go late into the night and further into the morning.
Even a glimpse would be enough.
A flash of gold sparked in his sight, Law strained his eyes to see. Relief flowed into his chest as he watched Zoro emerge from the trees astride his black warhorse. He was flanked by Shanks, heads bowed in conversation over their mounts. The strategist's face looked drawn as he talked to Zoro, but Zoro’s gaze was scanning the horizon.
I’m here , Law thought.
The green haired warrior suddenly looked up. Brown eyes met his as exhaustion melted off his face, replaced with an easy grin. He gave the barest nod as he rode past, en route to Doflamingo’s tent.
Shank’s gaze quickly followed, a small, knowing smile grew on his lips.
A coo sounded above Law's head. He looked up to see a dove staring back at him.
Coo , The dove ruffled its feathers as it shuffled from foot to foot. It launched off the branch with a heave, circling Law’s head once before diving between the two men riding below.
Zoro laughed, sound echoing high into the trees, but Shanks followed the dove, eyes glittering.
Law moved before the bird fled from view and raced towards camp, an unfamiliar unease settling in his stomach.
“-it is the only way.”
Law threw open the folds of the tent, trying to disguise his panting breath. His gaze went immediately to where Zoro stood, arms clenched behind his back, expression carefully neutral.
Anxiety clawed at Law’s chest.
“What is going on?”
“Doctor Trafalgar, welcome!” Shanks turned to him, smiled wide. “I suppose you’d want to hear this too.”
“Hear what?” he asked at the same time as Doflamingo answered. “What does my son have to do with this?”
“Oh!” A soft surprise lit Shanks face as he turned from Law to Zoro. “He doesn’t know, you didn’t tell him.”
“Enough,” Law hissed out. No, he had kept the best part of this thrice cursed war tight to his heart.
“As you wish.” Shanks turned to address the twenty or so advisors and generals crammed into the tent. “All those in favor of sending Zoro as our campion in a duel with Kaido’s son King, say Aye .”
Shouts broke out, echoing through the tent as Law rushed forward.
“What the hell kind of madness are you suggesting?” he turned on Shanks, unable to control the shaking in his hand as he grabbed the strategist's wrist.
“Not madness,” Shanks raised his voice over the noise. “King has been the greatest thorn in our side since the beginning of this war. With him gone, Kaido will be in shambles.”
“And if Zoro falls, where will we be? ”
A general shouted his agreement, quickly followed by another.
“Your affection clouds your judgment.” Shanks' words resonated, though his gaze never left Law’s.
A hushed murmur rose through the crowd and the words were ripped from Law’s mouth.
“Affection?” Doflamingo said, voice more curious than accusatory.
“I don’t see why it’s a secret, it’s obvious to anyone who has eyes.” Shanks shrugged, an easy one shouldered tilt as he turned to Doflamingo. “Your son’s in lo-.”
“Watch your tone, Shanks.”
Law had almost forgotten Zoro was in the room. In three short strides he had come to stand between the two. It took everything in Law not to reach out and wrap his fingers in the loose fabric of Zoro’s shirts. He needed to keep him here, keep him alive.
“And whose side are you on Roronoa?” Doflamingo’s eyes narrowed as he looked between the three arguing men. Law was forced to take a step back as Zoro squared his shoulders.
“I will meet King on the battle field in a duel.” Zoro glanced around the room, catching the eyes of the hungry generals before landing his gaze on Shanks. “And you will never speak to Law again.”
Shanks' face dropped, just a fraction, and he looked between Law and Zoro for the first time with a serious expression. “Please understand, I merely wish to end this war as quickly as possible. You are not the only ones fighting for those you care about.”
“It is decided then,” Doflamingo’s voice boomed, pulling everyone's attention once again. “The match will occur in three days' time. Send the messenger and prepare. Dismissed.”
Zoro shared a last look with Shanks before exiting the tent, and Law followed at his heels.
“He will get you killed,” Law hissed, waiting until they were out of eyesite to unleash his anger.
Zoro pulled Law into a small alleyway that had sprung up between two hastily erected barracks. “You don’t trust my strength?” Zoro’s grin was tight as he rounded on Law, hands already coming to fold Law into an embrace.
“It is not your strength that is being fought over, but your fucking corpse. Shanks wants to lure them out with this battle, and he is using you as fish bait.” Law muttered, but allowed himself to be pulled in until his cheek pressed against Zoro’s.
“Fish bait, mh? So romantic.” Zoro's laugh was breathy as he placed a kiss against Law’s ear.
The doctor melted against him, fingers digging into the fabric of Zoro’s shirt. “He will not let you rest now that you have admitted a weakness.”
Strong fingers grabbed at his chin, forcing his gaze up. “You are not a weakness to me.”
“Don’t let them use you,” Law begged, searching for a sign of doubt in Zoro’s steady brown eyes. “Don’t die for them.”
“I will not die, I have too much left to do.” Zoro said with a confidence Law couldn’t fathom. He pressed a bruising kiss against Law’s lips before taking a step back. “I have to prepare.”
“Zoro-” Law begged, but the soldier was already turning, disappearing out of view.
A gentle coo sounded out next to Law’s ear. He leveled a glare at the dove.
“How the hell do you expect me to keep him safe like this?”
But the bird just released another mournful sound.
Zoro came to him the next morning, and Law couldn’t stop staring at the way the gold pained plates of his armor shone in the light.
“Come with me to the battlefield.” He folded Law into his arms, and Law didn’t fight.
“I don’t belong on the battlefield.” Law angled his head to glare at the warrior.
“You belong with me.” Zoro whispered against his lips. “And I need you there.”
“You need to be here,” Law cursed suddenly, pushing away from him with a start. “I’m supposed to keep you safe.”
“What?” Zoro angled his head with a laugh.
“The goddess,” Law gestured vaguely to the sky, his voice gaining momentum as he spoke. “That is why you feel this thing between us, because she cursed me so I would keep you safe and unharmed for gods knows what reason. And I damn well can’t do that if you’re running off to fight Kaido’s strongest son. I cannot keep you safe from the hubris of men .”
Silence descended between them, broken only by Law’s frustrated sigh.
“To keep me safe?” Zoro finally echoed.
“Of course the gods want to keep you safe. You’re the strongest warrior we have and you need to stay alive for the gods and for me and I’ve failed at that.” Law tried to turn away, but Zoro grabbed his arm.
“Listen to me,” Zoro’s grip was firm, but not painful. “I feel this way because you did save me, countless times.”
“What-”
“When I cut my hand training, when I almost ate those poisonous berries, and every time I returned from battle unsure if I would wake to see another morning. That was you,” Zoro insisted, pulling so Law was forced to face him. Brown eyes stared intently at him. “Did you ever think the gods wanted me alive so I could fight in this battle against King? If I win, we will change the tides of this war.”
“You could die,” Law’s voice broke on the final word, but Zoro just shook his head, a small smile on his face.
“I’m not afraid of death-”
“You should be-”
“-because the goddess told me to protect you too.” Zoro finished, a light in his eyes.
“What do you mean?” Law murmured as Zoro’s arms wrapped around him again and his voice whispered against Law’s ears.
“I will survive this battle and the next, because the gods have told me to keep you safe. There is more for you to do, far greater than this battle, greater even than this war.”
“And you will be there to see it?” Law couldn’t keep the sarcasm in his voice, his desperation too great.
“I will,” Zoro bent his head down, armor shining in the sun, brilliant and impenetrable.
Lips met his, unhurried for once, and Law melted against it.
“And you?” Zoro asked, pulling back for a moment.
“What about me?”
“Do you still feel like you’ve been cursed by the goddess?”
“Yes, in the worst possible way.” Law let out a soft laugh. “But even cursed, I still love you.”
A slow, answering grin spread across Zoro’s face, and he pulled Law for one last blistering kiss.
Something white flashed above Law’s vision as he heard the triumphant coo of a dove.
Zoro would survive, Law would make sure. They would sail back home, back to Dressrossa and then who knows. There was so much more for both of them to do.
The gods promised.
Fin