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“–And Bege made Caesar do what he wanted cause he had his heart and how long can a person's heart be out of their body anyway Torao?” Law tunes back in as Luffy asks his question. He'd stopped listening at some point as Luffy described what, exactly, they'd all gotten up to on Whole Cake. Luffy’s retelling wasn't particularly put together, Law really should have known better than to expect anything else from his fellow captain.
Luffy is looking at him expectantly and Law frowns at him. “Why, Straw Hat, should I tell another captain about the limits of my abilities? Just because I let you bother me sometimes doesn't mean I owe you the details of my powers.”
Luffy pouts at him. “Come on, Torao! We're friends, don't say it like that. I'm just curious, geez. You worry too much.”
Of course Law knows that Luffy isn't actually looking for weaknesses. That's not how he is, otherwise Law wouldn't let him on his ship. Wouldn't let him near his ship and his crew.
He just also refuses to go along with Luffy’s nonsense with absolutely no protest. Besides, it was good to remind Straw Hat that Law didn’t actually owe him anything.
(He did. But Law knows that Luffy will never call that debt in, just like he'll never call in Luffy’s own.
Their relationship doesn't work that way. Friends don't work that way.)
But Luffy is still pouting at him, so Law sighs and gives in. It's not like this is that big of a secret anyway. He could spread it around and no one could use it against Law. (Luffy isn’t malicious. He also isn’t subtle.)
“Normally? Not very long.” A slightly mean grin. “So don't go letting anyone else pull your organs out, Straw Hat. Especially not your heart.”
Not that Law would take Luffy’s himself either. Still.
“Toraoo. You know that isn't what I mean!” Luffy’s hands are clenched as he stares up at Law, obviously frustrated with the fact that Law wasn't just folding and answering immediately.
Law chuckles. “Fine. If there is a time limit on my powers, I haven't found it. You've seen it yourself. Doesn't matter if I get knocked out or put in seastone either, Caesar would be dead if it did.”
And isn't that interesting?
“Maybe it'll end when I die, and if I have any stolen hearts those people will die too. Or maybe the power will last until the hearts are destroyed or returned. Who knows? I'm not going to die to test it.” Maybe, if Law looked, there were descriptions of the op-op that could tell him. But most past users, from what he can tell, didn't get to live long enough to experiment much. And this is one that would need such precise timing….
“That’s right, Torao won't be dying anytime soon.” Luffy’s statement interrupts Law’s thoughts, eyes traveling back to the other captain’s face. Which is set and stubborn and bright.
Oh no, he's just had an idea.
“Hey Torao, don't go anywhere okay? I'll be right back!” Luffy shoots him his typical bright grin, flinging himself off the Sunny before Law has time to get more than the first few words of his typical denial out.
Law stops mid word, huffing. Then he opens up a Room big enough to get him to his sub.
A quick Shambles with one of the many pebbles kept on board for just that purpose, and Law was off the Sunny and headed for his quarters. Briefly he considers giving the order to submerge, just to make a point, but not everyone is on board.
Still, Straw Hat won't find Law just waiting around for whatever his newest whim is.
~~~ (1) ~~~
Law's peaceful reading (re-reading) of Issue 65 of Sora is interrupted by pounding on his door. Law raises his head, already feeling the start of a headache. Very few people will bang on his door like that and he just knows that this is going to be trouble.
Whatever his newest insanity is, Luffy hasn’t forgotten it.
No, he went for backup. Because his Observation, now that he’s paying attention, is telling him clearly that Zoro is here as well. Which makes two Straw Hats for Law to deal with, and he’s sure Zoro won't bring any restraint to the situation.
The swordsman is too loyal to his captain and lover (They possess no shame, so Law knows for a fact that that particular rumor is true.) to act as any sort of voice of reason 95% of the time.
Something Luffy is doing on a whim, he’s unlikely to oppose.
“Torao, come on! Open your door!” With a sigh, Law puts down his book and pushes himself up and off his bed, heading for the door. If he leaves Luffy banging on it for too long, he might just break it. That would be such a pain to deal with.
Glare in place to show that he isn't amused by whatever nonsense has Luffy bothering him now, Law pulls the door open. “What, Straw Hat?”
Luffy, as always, is unphased by Law's harsh tone. Zoro is quite openly smirking at him, because he enjoys being an ass.
“I had the best idea! Cause Zoro and I love each other, but marriage is boring and dumb and all that stuff, but he’s mine and I'm his! So I wanna swap hearts with him!” Luffy beams brightly as he says this, but his eyes have that stubborn glint in them that Law recognizes well. It's not normally aimed at him.
Then the sheer ridiculousness of the idea hits him. It's such an awful plan.
“That may be one of the dumbest ideas you've ever had, Straw Hat. Do you even realize what that would mean? If Roronoa dies, you die. If he dies, you die. If I die, you might both die!” There were so many ways this plan could go so horribly wrong.
“I'm not outliving my captain.” Zoro cuts in, sounding almost offended. As if Law was the one being insane here!
“And I don't wanna outlive Zoro. Torao, please~. I don't care if it's dangerous or risky, we're pirates. I just wanna have Zoro’s heart forever.” Luffy isn’t glaring, but he is also very visibly not moving. “I'm not gonna take no for an answer, Torao!”
Law did not want to be dealing with this brand of stupidity. Today or ever, really. But unfortunately the combined stupidity of Straw Hat and his first mate is a force Law isn't prepared to deal with right now. Arguing with idiots is nothing but frustrating.
“You know what? Fine. If you two wanna die sooner, that's on you.” He summons Room with a gesture. “Let's get this over with.”
It's not like he can't just undo it later. Law will mention it to Robin before they leave, she can talk some sense into them and Law can avoid the headache.
~~~ (2) ~~~
“Law, if you have a moment?” It’s phrased as a question, but the tone and the fact that she used his actual name tells Law that Nico Robin isn't actually asking. However, she also didn't make it an order, so he sees no reason not to humor her. Plus it is better to stay on Robin’s good side, she knows far too much.
“Sure.” Law agrees in a drawl, letting her lead him into the Sunny's library, where the shipwright is waiting. Odd, Law hadn't expected that. Now he's starting to get curious.
He leans against a shelf, Kikoku held in his arm, and eyes Robin. “So what is this about, Nico Robin?”
Robin smiles as she sits properly on the couch, back straight and perfectly at home next to the large firm of Franky, though their differences should be jarring. Law is struck with the thought that the sight fits, followed by the immediate knowledge that he's been spending too much time with the Straw Hats.
“Why, it's about your ability to move around hearts. Like you did for our dear captain and swordsman. Curious, isn't it, that your power can either be used for an extreme violation that gives one power over another, while at the same time be used to display devotion and love? Unto death, even?” She stays calm as she talks, but Law can feel his hackles starting to rise. That whole debacle is not his fault.
Which is why, in fact, he turned the responsibility of it over to her. “I left it up to you, Nico Robin, to convince them it is foolish. I'll happily undo it after, but talking sense into them is your job.”
“Woah, bro!” The shipwright cuts in, waving one of his too large arms. “You got it all wrong! We think it's great that Zoro and the captain are so in love.”
Is he crying? He must be, since he wipes a tear away. “It’s beautiful, you know?”
Law is confused, but a feeling in his gut tells him this is going no place good. Law's not a coward though, and he has other things to do with his day. “If it isn't to complain about my actions what do you want?”
Robin smiles, reaching out to place a possessive hand on Franky's knee. “We want the same thing, of course. To be bound in life and death. Rather poetic, don't you think?”
What.
“What? You're not Straw Hat or Roronoa, you know how risky this is. Why–”
She cuts him off. “Of course. We've discussed the risks.”
Frank continues. “Yeah man. We both accept them, I'm fine with dying for my lady. So what ya say Torao, will ya marry us?”
“I'm not marrying anyone. Go to your own captain for that.” Law drags his hand down his face, thoroughly fed up with Straw Hat shenanigans. But just like Zoro and Luffy were too dumb to listen to reason, these two had clearly already made their minds up. And it was an informed choice this time, by people who actually know what that means.
You know what, fine. Law doesn’t lose anything with this, it's simple and if they want to be reckless in the name of romance, he might as well let them.
He drops Kikoku from his arm to his hand, just so he can grip something sensible in this insanity, as he summons Room.
Best get this over with.
~~~ (3) ~~~
Three times is a pattern.
That is the thought running through Law's head as he stares at the navigator and her princess, who had dragged Law into Nami’s office as soon as their ships met up. Well, Nami had.
Even after all this time, Law isn’t sure why he lets the Straw Hats get away with things like that. Sure, he can glare and say the right words to scare her off temporarily. But then the Cat Burglar always comes right back, acting as if she has every right to boss him around as much as she does her own crew. The Straw Hats are all like that.
Law should have stopped them a long time ago. And yet, after so much time, their alliance still looks like this. He wouldn't change it.
He's pretty confident he knows what they want. That old saying definitely applies here. Once is an accident, twice coincidence, three times is enemy action. And while they might not be enemies, the evidence is clear enough.
Two Straw Hats in a romantic relationship, seeking him out alone? They want to swap hearts, because at this point their crew has definitely made it into a thing.
“You want to swap hearts. Give me one good reason why I should indulge this insane whim again.” What is wrong with them? Don't they understand they are just giving themselves more weaknesses?
Apparently not, as Nami straightens with fire in her eyes. “I'll remove some of your debt.”
She obviously thinks this is a good argument, he's seen her use it enough times with her crew. Law isn’t sure why she thinks it would carry any weight with him.
He scoffs. “I don't owe you anything. Try again.”
“Oh, you owe us plenty mister! How much have we helped you? You wouldn't have even made it off–”
Law cuts this off immediately, before she can make it into something he has to respond to seriously. “We don't count that kind of debt between our crews. Watch yourself.”
He wasn't one of her crew mates that would just let her bully him and if she tried to pull things in that direction, Law would be forced to act. He wasn't going to let it get that far, is extremely irritated with her already. In fact, Law didn't care to wait and hear her continue to try and talk him into this.
“We're done here.” He turns to walk away, not willing to waste anymore time on this, when a hand lands on his shoulder. He turns on his heel, glaring down at the blue haired princess.
(Law still isn’t sure what her arrangement with the Straw Hats is. Obviously they accept her as one of their own, but the details are very foggy. Law, after a great deal of consideration and thinking about all the stories he knows of how they've met other princesses, decided he didn't need details.
They saved Alabasta, that's her country. They must have met her then. Knowing anything more will likely just cause a headache.)
“Wait.” Her voice is practiced, obviously that of someone used to giving commands and being listened to. Law quirks an unimpressed eyebrow.
“You have a good reason for me too, princess? Cause your girlfriend has already been enough of a pain and I am out of patience.”
“You've done it for others.” Vivi seems completely unbothered by Law staring her down. Annoying.
“Excuse me?”
“You asked for reasons. You did it for both Zoro and Luffy and Franky and Robin. So we already know you are willing. And if you'd like a more personal reason, I'd like a way to know for sure that Nami is alive while I am back in Alabasta.” She locks eyes with him. “I'm not afraid to risk my life for that.”
“You so willing to stake your life on my survival?”
“Don't be silly Torao, we want this.” Nami, who he changes his glare to. She at least has the grace to look a bit ashamed. “Sorry, I shouldn't have said that. But we know the risks, we talked about it, and we still want this.”
Law shrugs off Vivi's hand, turns his back, and starts to walk off. “I'll consider it.”
It's tossed casually over his shoulder. Law isn’t going to do this favor, not right now. Nami needs to learn some respect.
He'll find them tomorrow before the Hearts leave.
~~~ (4) ~~~
Law is going to kill Eustass Kidd.
“Take us up, now.” The order is basically growled at Hakugan, who still looks a bit shaken. Law is going to kill Eustass. How dare he. How dare he think that he can just use his powers to pull Law’s submarine around. Knowing the buffoon, he's probably laughing like this is some big joke.
Eustass wants Law's attention? Well now he's got it.
Law leaves the helm to his crew, instead going to wait by the hatch that will unseal as soon as they surface. Kikoku almost seems to purr in his arms, probably sensing that she is going to be used soon. Law stands there, ready to draw her as soon as the hatch opens for him. Eustass is going to regret thinking he can toy with Law.
The fight lasts a while. Law is panting and bleeding by the end of it. The same can be said for Eustass, who still looks smug despite the fact that Law definitely got more hits in than he did.
Everyone aside from Killer had left around the start of the fight. Killer himself is probably here as some sort of chaperone to make sure that Law doesn't kill his captain, as Eustass so sorely deserves for this stunt.
“I hope you are pleased with yourself.” Law spits out. “If you ever touch my ship again I'll make you wish I had killed you right now.”
He will not play around with the safety of his crew and ship.
Eustass, however, doesn't seem nearly as worried as he should be. “Yeah, yeah, Trafalgar. Whatever, not like you can actually beat me. Anyway, now that we got the fighting done I got a favor to ask you.”
“A favor.” Law can't believe the nerve. “What kind of favor do you think I'd do for you right now?”
There is a look on his face that makes Law sure whatever comes out of Eustass’ mouth next will restart their fight. Killer, knowing his captain, must also realize this fact as he cuts between them, slapping his hand over his captain’s mouth. “We're asking Trafalgar for a favor here, even if he agrees, he could easily kill us. So let's not insult him more.”
Now that got Law's attention. “Oh? And what could you possibly want from me that's that dangerous?”
“We met Straw Hat about two weeks back…”
What by the Seas did that–
Oh. Oh, was that a blush on Eustass’ face? What could Luffy have possibly said that would both embarrass Eustass and have him asking him for a favor? “Now I'm curious. What, exactly, did Straw Hat do to make you my problem?”
Eustass pulls Killer's hand away from his mouth. “He told us about the heart thing, alright? Now are you gonna do it or not?”
Law stares. Then he starts laughing. “You, Eustass Kidd, want me to pull out your heart?”
“And give it to Killer, yeah.”
Law considers for a moment, before shrugging. “Sure, why not. Just don't expect me to be gentle.”
Eustass had just messed with his ship, after all.
~~~ (5) ~~~
Law is having a drink. Not a lot, unlike some pirates that come to mind he prefers to keep his mind sharp. And has a mind that is actually capable of being sharp. But a nice ale after a stroll along the edges of the city was a good way to relax. He was in a good mood already, his find at the museum sitting nicely in his pocket.
(They'd had the ancient West Blue coin mislabeled, so clearly they didn't deserve to have it. The date on the plaque had been off by 50 years.)
While not small, this isn't a large island. And his reputation is enough that Law isn't expecting anyone here to bother him. So far he's been ignored, or avoided when people recognize him.
So it's a surprise when a man sits down at his table, one that quickly gives way to tension as Law recognizes just who has decided to join him.
Red Hair Shanks.
“Trafalgar Law.” The older pirate doesn't hesitate to sit. Neither does Benn Beckman, who pulls out the chair next to him. “Just the pirate we've been looking for.”
“Why?” Law is clutching his drink, eyes darting around as he takes in the room. Lots of things to Shambles with is advantageous for him, but he's outnumbered and close quarters don't favor him. His crew is probably scattered around the city. Red Hair has the clear advantage here.
And he's apparently been looking for Law.
“Well I met Luffy a while back–” Shanks pauses, seems to take in how Law is glaring at him, before sighing dramatically. “Fine, fine. Straight to the chase. I want to trade hearts with Beck here. I have no interest in outliving him. Together to the end. That's what we promised. So what do you say?”
Law just stares. Surely he didn't hear him right.
Surely Red Hair isn't this foolish. “You want me, a pirate you barely know, to take out your heart. Your first mate's heart.”
Red Hair only pauses a moment before nodding. “Yep, that sums it up.”
Red Hair takes a drink, completely unconcerned with the insanity coming out of his mouth, as Law figures out how to respond.
Luckily, it isn't hard.
“And how do you know I won't just kill you both?” Law drawls. “It'd be easy, your hearts literally in my hands. This requires a lot of trust from you, Red Hair.”
The man shrugs. “Luffy trusts you. That's good enough for me.”
“Plus,” says Benn, “we can always just have Yasopp watch and shoot you if you do. Your victory would be very short lived.”
“And that.” Red Hair agrees. “But it's not gonna come to that, is it?”
Law considers. “If I do this, you owe me.”
“Sure, fine, whatever. Does that mean you're in?” He sounds so casual.
But, why not? Law has nothing to lose here. So he downs the rest of his drink, before grinning madly at Red Hair. “Sure, let's do this.”
~~~ (+1) ~~~
“No.”
“Excuse me? No to what?” The revolutionary's expression seems to have settled on politely puzzled, but after the past few months Law is absolutely done. Done with pirates that have some vague connection to him showing up (the connection always being through Luffy) to ask him to help lovers exchange hearts. As if that was just a perfectly normal thing to do!
Well, no more. Law has more favors to call in than he could ever use and he, quite frankly, isn't in the mood.
“No, I'm not going to swap hearts for you. I'm a pirate, not a minister. Find a different way to get married or whatever.” Captains can marry people, sure, but that doesn’t mean Law wants to.
Sabo blinks, before bursting into laughter. “Promise that's not why I'm here Trafalgar. I mean, I didn't even bring anyone with me on this errand, which would make that a whole lot harder.”
Law relaxes some at that. “Fine, what do you want then?”
The blonde apparently isn't ready to move on from the subject, though. “Though really, can you blame people? You did name your crew the Heart Pirates and cover yourself in them!”
“Yes,” Law growls, “And then I made a reputation around pulling hearts out of people.”
“You still are, just in a different way now! Besides, you can't say it doesn't benefit you, half the pirates in the New World can’t get in a fight with you without risking their own lives!” Sabo obviously finds the whole thing quite amusing.
He's also correct, which is annoying. Law won't turn down the extra protection for his crew though, even if it stings his pride. Other crews not challenging him not because of his strength, but because of people that might die if he did.
“Shouldn't you be more worried about that part, considering your brother is one of the people that might die if I do?” Law certainly wouldn't have been happy if Lami had been in such a position. (Law would give anything for Lami to have lived long enough to be in such a position. In risk of dying means not dead.)
The rev shrugs. “At first I was, but it’s impossible to change Luffy’s mind on anything. And you have enough people invested in keeping you alive now, it should be fine.”
There is a knowing sort of glint in the man’s eyes as if he knows something Law doesn’t. “So no, Trafalgar, I'm not worried about you dying anytime soon. Luffy definitely isn't.”
And there goes the last person that could have maybe talked Straw Hat out of this, though the cat is so far out of the bag it hardly matters.
But Law doesn’t want to talk about this anymore, not if the rev is here for something else.
“So what's your business with me?”
“A thank you! You did keep my little brother alive after all, it just took me a while to get everything put together.” A larger, waterproof bag is pulled off the man's shoulder. “Still hearts, funnily enough. You aren't the only one who can pull them out, even if my way is messier.”
The Flame Emperor easily tosses the bag to land in front of Law’s feet with a wet squelch. Law stares at it, raising an eyebrow before looking back up. Surely not.
The smile on the man's face is wide and crazy, a bit of cruelty at the edges. It’s also honest. “There would be the royalty of Flevance. What's left at least, considering the rest is just so much ash.”
Law’s heart skips a beat. Oh, fuck.