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The sky is a midnight blue and the gentle hum of crickets sound as Law makes his way out of the forest towards the flickering fire. His body still aches, the bandages around his arms itch, and there's a heaviness in his heart as he looks out at the ocean to see the silhouette of his Captain on the edge of the cliff, far from the warmth of the fire.
The island feels empty, despite the wildlife across it and the presence of a pirate legend that had agreed to train them, but because it doesn't have their crew, their friends, or the familiar sight of the Sunny bobbing with the currents it feels desolate. Law hopes she's safe on the coast of Sabaody, that island feels like it was a life time away now.
He tugs the coat off his shoulders as he comes up behind Luffy, laying it gently around the rubber man's shoulders before sitting down next to him. "You're going to catch a cold if you stay over here all night, Luffy-ya."
"I don't care," Luffy mutters, his voice toneless and vacant, it hurts Law's heart to hear but he's glad to see that he doesn't move the coat off his shoulders. "You should have saved him, not me."
Law sighs, regret churring in his gut, "You're my Captain, Luffy-ya, as much as I respect your brother, you're my first priority. And you know he felt the same."
Luffy's jaw clenches, his hands tightening into fists in his lap, "I'll never know what he'd think, cause he's dead."
Law winces at the harsh tone, "Yeah, I know, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I couldn't save you both."
Luffy gives a harsh sigh, scrubbing a hand across his face, "I don't… I don't blame you Torao, I'm sorry. I'm more angry at myself, I should have been faster. I should have left that damn piece of paper fly off because now… now I don't… I don't…"
Law hesitates before reaching over and laying his hand over Luffy's trembling fist, tear drops hitting his skin as Luffy's shoulders shake with his silent cries. He moves closer and catches the rubber man as he falls against his chest, his hands stopping the fingers that start to scratch at the bandages across his chest. "Please don't do that. You're still healing, please don't hurt yourself, Lu-ya."
"I…I don't… I don't want it…" Luffy hiccups, his fingers trembling in Law's hold as he fights weakly against him to tear his bandages off. "I don't…"
"I know, I know," Law murmurs gently, pulling him onto his lap and gently rocking him. He scoots away from the edge of the cliff, moving his hand to cup the back of Luffy's neck and bring him close as his hands stop their fight. "I know, Lu-ya, more than anyone else, I know the pain you're going through right now."
Luffy shakes his head, his body slumping against Law's as he trembles, "No… no… you can't… can't…"
"I can," Law says softly, running his fingers through Luffy's greasy hair. "I lost everyone I've ever loved, Lu-ya. My mother, my father, my little sister, and the man that saved my life. Before your crew found me, I had no one. I was alone."
Luffy's protests stop, he tilts his head to peek a tear filled eye to him, the fight seems to leave him all at once and his trembles disappear as he relaxes in his arms.
Law glances over at the fire behind them, "I know why you won't go near that, I didn't like fire either for a few years after I lost my family. My city was burned to the ground and I only escaped by hiding among the dead bodies of people that I had known my whole life."
He looks away from the flickering flames, old memories he had long buried trying to rise to the surface as he tightens his grip around Luffy, "I know you're hurting, Lu-ya, but please don't push me away just because you think I don't understand your pain. I'm not the only one on the crew that would understand either, but unfortunately I'm…"
"I'm glad you're with me, Law," Luffy says gently, his voice hoarse but firm, his grip on Law's torn shirt tightening. "You know I can't… I can't be weak in front of the crew… I'm the Captain, I'm supposed to take care of them."
"And who takes care of you?" Law asks gently, his fingertips lingering on the scar below Luffy's eye.
"You do," Luffy replies softly, a small smile flickering on his lips, the first Law has seen the past two days. "You always take care of me, Torao."
"The whole crew does," Law counters, biting his lip when Luffy shakes his head.
"Not like you do," Luffy whispers, his eyes lingering on Law's face before he looks away towards the ocean. "I know what you mean, about being alone. I had another brother, his name was Sabo, and he died by fire too. It was the three of us, we became brothers over a cup of sake, and now… now I'm the last one."
Law shuts his eyes as pain ripples through him, he drops his head down against Luffy's, "I'm sorry, Lu-ya, I'm so sorry."
"I'm sorry too," Luffy says, his arm moving to wrap around Law's waist. "I'm sorry for your loss."
"It was years ago," Law tries to dismiss, smiling when Luffy makes a noise of protest. "Thank you, Lu-ya, I'm glad you're here. I'm glad that Zoro-ya was thrown into that cell with me and you swooped in to take me away."
"I miss them," Luffy sighs, his voice slurring with drowsiness. "I wish they were here."
"Me too," Law says, looking up at the sparkling stars and wondering if the rest of their crew were safely looking at them too from wherever they are.
"Are we going to be okay, Torao?"
"Yeah, Lu-ya, we'll be okay. I promise."