#fanfic:survivor

[petite-neko]

Survivor- 1

Fanfiction: Survivor Story Summary: Anything was better than that. Characters: Luffy, Law, Pairing: Lawlu Rating: T Warnings: Swearing, angst, mild gore. Day/Prompt: Day 3 : R - Revoke A/N: I’m not sorry. What? Blame the thesaurus. It gave me this word.

Y’all are gunna hate me :D

(And once again: THANKS TO THE AMAZING @wolfliorchi​ FOR HELPING ME WITH IDEAS)

.xxx. - Scene jumps.

Read on Ao3

Chapter 1: Revoke || Chapter 2: Awareness

Again. Again!

(He hated this. Why? Why did he always have to be the one to do this?)

Law was stroking at Luffy’s hair, feeling that clammy skin under his fingertips.

(“Torao!!!”)

This idiot! This mother fucking idiot! His fingers clutched into the black locks, and he felt tears sliding down his face. This reckless idiot! Doing stupid things and not giving a damn!

(Really, though, this was all on his shoulders. If he hadn’t been so damn stupid and left himself open to the attack, none of this would have happened. He wouldn’t be standing here, his hands in Luffy’s chest for a second time, trying to keep his heart beating, his body living…)

“Don’t you fucking die, you bastard. Don’t you fucking die!”

.xxx.

To be honest, Law didn’t know how long he had sat there at Luffy’s bedside. Monitoring his vitals, or just… monitoring him. Although he was pretty certain that Chopper had taken over at some point. He had passed out a few times from pure exhaustion. It could have been days (probably was at least that) or even weeks.

His crew often had brought him food, considering he refused to leave Luffy’s side except when absolutely necessary. Coffee, too, because he couldn’t keep passing out.

Because, then, all he could see was a replay of then.

(Of Luffy screaming his name, and then blood. Blood everywhere. Of him screaming out Luffy’s name. Of curses and expletives before everything in sight was cut into pieces. So many pieces, he wasn’t even sure he could reassemble it. Of grabbing Luffy’s bloodied, torn body and shambling them into the operating room…)

The thought of losing Luffy – of never again seeing those eyes sparkle, or that smile shine or that laughter sing…

That was all that he ever did: lose people. Lose the people he loved. Because he was so damn stupid.

He couldn’t… he couldn’t lose Luffy too.

.xxx.

“…ao…rao…Torao?”

Law groaned as he felt arms weakly shaking his shoulders, a familiar voice whispering his name...

“Torao?”

“Luffy!” His head shot up when he recognised the voice, and he looked over at the other. “Luffy! You’re- You’re… Fuck... Thank… ah…Luffy… Luffy!”

He was a mess. The way that he was tightly grasping onto Luffy and sobbing profusely, blubbering incoherent, half-formed words and sentences.

He knew, he knew he was overreacting, but right now he didn't give a damn. The only thing that mattered right now was Luffy. Was that he was alive and conscious and speaking and that those rubbery limbs were wrapping around him, weakly patting at his back.

.xxx.

Now that Luffy was conscious, they had moved him back to the Sunny.

Certainly, just because he had regained consciousness didn't mean he was out of the woods just yet, but it was a sign. A very good sign. It meant he was finally recovering and that it wasn't all in vain and the damage hadn't permanently damaged important areas. Like they thought when he wasn’t conscious and barely responsive and—

He had to stop thinking about that.

Law still spent his time sitting against the bed that both he and Chopper had confined Luffy too.

Thankfully, he seemed his usual self. Happy, and smiling, and laughing, and demanding food.

Law was able to relax now. Now that Luffy wasn’t unconscious, his fate unclear and…

That Luffy was his usual self.

That Luffy was alive.

Law knew. He knew he was being… well, clingy but…

He was scared. Terrified really. He had almost lost Luffy. Had almost…

“Torao.”

Law’s eyes moved from the hand on his shoulder up the arm to meet Luffy’s gaze.

“You were worried about me, weren’t you?”

Worried? Worried? Luffy thought he was worried? That was only touching the surface of how he felt.

(He can’t lose him. Can’t. This was his fault. His fault. It was always his fault! He left Lami… brought over Vergo… And now? He was a fucking idiot who wasn’t paying enough attention and-)

“…I suppose you could say that…”

He heard laughter. Soft, happy laughter.

…Since when was this a laughing matter?

“I was worried too. You almost got hurt back there Torao. I’m glad I was able to save you.”

A knot was forming in his stomach.

“All I could think about then was how to stop that bastard from hurting you.”

No, it wasn’t a knot. It was a pit. A deep, cavernous pit.

“That it didn’t matter if I got hurt or-”

“You idiot!” Law pushed the hand away from his shoulder and stood up, glaring down at Luffy. “You selfish, reckless idiot!”

He didn’t matter? His life didn’t matter? Was that what the bastard was trying to say?

“You’re not invincible, Monkey D. Luffy!” His fists balled up, and that cave was growing deeper. “I’ve had to save you not only once but twice!” And yet, it felt like the room was growing closer, smaller… “I’ve had your organs in my hands! Your blood coating my body! I know how fragile you really are!”

(…Did his heart just stop for a moment?)

“Torao! I just didn’t want anything to happen to you!”

(No! Nonononono! You can't! You can't leave me you bastard!!!)

If Luffy hadn’t just been on the verge of death, Law would have punched him.

“You selfish prick!” He clenched and unclenched his hands to get rid of the urge. That bastard had the gall to… “So you’d rather die than live in a world without me?” The anger – it was overflowing… His body trembled, that cave had taken over his entire being. That bastard! “You’d rather leave me alone instead?”

The pain on Luffy’s face was evident. The guilt. Hurt. He was hurt. And sad.

Serves him right!

“But Torao-”

“But.” He interjected with mockery. But, there always was that but, wasn’t there? A reason why. That driving force. Of course. Of course. “There is no but Mugiwara-ya.”

He turned around and walked towards the door.

But meant that Luffy would do it again. That he would rationalise sacrificing himself once more. The next time Law screwed up. Because he always screwed up. He always brought others down with him. But, he'd always wake to rise again as the corpses piled around him. Maybe the government was right: he was poisonous...

And Law couldn’t lose Luffy. No, not to death. Death had taken away so much from him already. He couldn’t keep feeding that ravenous dog.

“I revoke the alliance.”

It was the only way to keep Luffy safe. It was the only antidote. He had to leave.

For Luffy’s sake.

He closed the door behind him.

[petite-neko]

Survivor - 4

Fanfiction: Survivor Story Summary: Anything was better than that. Characters: Law, Luffy Pairing: Lawlu Rating: T Warnings: Swearing, Angst, Self-deprecating thoughts, Alcohol Usage. Day/Prompt: Day 9 : R - Reconciliation A/N: Wheeeee this guy’s looonnnggg. But finally got him donnee.

.xxx. - Scene jumps.

.+++. - PoV Switch

Read on Ao3

Previous Chapter || Chapter 4: Reconciliation

Law heard ruckus outside his door. Feet shuffling around before there was a knock on his door.

“Captain?”

Law groaned, running his hand through his hair.

“...What is it?”

“...Permission…” The voice was soft, uncertain. “...The Strawhats are nearby and under attack. May we assist them, or shall we continue on sailing Captain?”

Why the hell had they bumped into the Strawhats?

Law sighed. It, really, made no sense. But he supposed being followed in the New World made no sense either. Nor could his brain really make sense of anything accurately right now... Perhaps they got turned around somewhere?

(...Bepo wouldn’t make that mistake.)

“...Do whatever you want. Just don’t expect me to join the battle. Even to save your asses.”

As expected, they surfaced not long after. He had no qualms with his crew assisting them. They seemed to get along well enough. The only issue was…

(He recognised that flag… hadn’t they just routed them? They most definitely got turned around then. At least he could make sense enough of that. What the hell was Bepo doing?)

Lazily, he watched the battle unfold before him through his window.

The ‘monster trio’ had been wreaking havoc as usual. Doing the most damage and picking off the strongest enemies. Nami and Usopp stayed back with Franky to protect the Sunny, while the others moved back and fourth to eliminate the other threats.

He saw his own crew come into action - although not all of them. Jean Bart, for example, stayed back to protect the ship, and therefore him as well.

The one thing he noticed however, and the one thing he didn’t like was just how reckless Luffy was being…

(Jumping across distances with nothing but the sea below him… using his gear second and third intermittently. Thankfully, he hadn’t used the fourth.)

He attacked without abandon, left right and center. He was almost like a madman.

(And there was that pang. At seeing his old ally so close and yet so far. And Law found himself mesmerised. Focusing in on him, seeing nothing but Luffy.)

He attacked and attacked, getting injuries that even he should have been able to avoid.

(Just what was this idiot doing?)

And then, Law saw it. Saw an enemy coming in from behind.

That idiot!!

The next thing he knew was that he was on the battlefield, reeking of the stench of alcohol, his hair sticking out at all angles in a state of bad bed head, and eyes dark and bloodshot from the lack of sleep, and fending off a blow from the enemy that almost succeeded in impaling Mugiwara no Luffy. And hissing back at his old ally.

“If I can't die, neither can you Mugiwara-ya! So watch your damn back!”

“Torao!”

“Shut up and defeat these bastards already!”

He only received laughter as a response.

.xxx.

After a battle that he had most definitely not been fit to participate in, he found his numerous injuries being treated by Chopper on the Sunny, and all eyes on him.

All minds thinking the same, unanswered question:

Why?

Even without his haki, Law would have been able to decipher the question being aimed at him. But with the haki had he had trouble turning off due to his level of intoxication, and that incessant buzzing in a head that most certainly didn’t need any assistance in that manner but did with foreign voices in his head...

He just decided to answer the god-damned question.

“This was my crew's decision.” He started, sighing in relief as the questions began to stop. “It was only when your idiotic captain would have otherwise been impaled did I decide that intervention was necessary.”

There was a collaborative sigh around him.

Well before said idiot had decided to just tackle him.

(The world spun. So much. Spun as they went hurtling to the ground. Spun as Law found himself cursing the alcohol in his system yet again, as it made the world spin that much more. And no – it wasn’t a concussion that made the world spin that much… maybe… Although he couldn’t entirely rule out the possibility that he had one or not. That wasn’t the point here. The world was fucking spinning because some damn idiot thought tackling an injured, intoxicated Law was perfectly an intellectual idea.)

“...Get. Off. Of. Me. Mugiwara-ya.”

(He could hear everybody backing away from them at his punctuated words.)

He pushed the other off of him when he decided to not listen to him, eyes narrowing at they looked into the other’s black depths.

“I’m glad you came Torao~”

Well… since the idiot wasn’t close to death anymore, he just flat out punched him. Right in the face. And, made sure that it would hurt the annoying ball of rubber. He couldn’t do it before. So why not now? When the idiot was right here and him just as angry.

“I’m not.”

(He found all that anger welling up again. And Luffy being even more reckless than before only spurred it on. Idiot. That mother fucking idiot!)

“I told you to leave me alone!”

Luffy was pouting up at him, rubbing at where he was punched.

“You don’t want that.”

His fists were balling up again – and honestly? An all out brawl was sounding quite appealing right now. Who cared if he just finished battling a pirate crew, or that he was sleep deprived and drunk to boot?

(No… not drunk, just heavily intoxicated. There was a difference. He still had some semblance of control…)

“Well you do!”

“What do you know what I want Torao!”

Oh, good. Looked like that idiot was getting angry too. Maybe a brawl was going to happen.

“I know that you’d rather leave me alone and stranded and broken!” His voice was raising, and he knew it but, quite frankly, he didn’t give a damn. He just didn’t care right now. Angry, he was so damn angry. “I know you’d rather die than let me die! That you’re so damned afraid of being alone that you’d rather others suffer it than to suffer it yourself!”

(Okay, maybe some of this was Luffy’s fault…)

But Law found himself trembling. In anger, yes, but also in fear.

“And I’m not going to let you sacrifice yourself on my behalf Mugiwara-ya!” (And now, all he could see was Cora-san. Cora-san and his smile. Cora-san and I love you. Cora-san and the bullets.) “I’m not going through that again!”

“Stop being stupid Torao.”

(Why? Why was Luffy so calm right now? What happened to that anger from before?)

“I’m not being stupid!” Law was surprised at how loud his voice was right now. “It’s you who is being stupid! Jumping in like that with no way to defend yourself? I make mistakes! That’s all I ever do!” (The fear was taking over now, not the anger.) “One day, I’m going to fuck up like always… and you’re going to pay the price. Just like everybody else.”

“Shut up Torao.”

“No you listen damn it! I’m going to be your downfall Mugiwara-ya! I’m cursed, damaged, poisonous and one day-”

But he couldn’t finish. Because Luffy had just walked up to him, looking intensely at him, repeating for him to shut up before just yanking him down and using his lips to shut them up.

Law fought, and managed to push him away slightly. “Mugiwara-ya! Wha-”

“I said shut up Torao.”

His grip was firmer this time – and Law knew that in a battle of pure strength he could never dream to best Luffy. And Luffy had one hand tightly grasping at his shirt, the other in his hair – just holding him there.

He struggled anyway. Because god damn Mugiwara! And the way his lips were moving against him – as if trying to provoke him to return it.

(This was not how he envisioned their first kiss…)

Still Law fought – although the battle was more internal than external. No. He told himself. You can’t allow yourself even this minor concession. And, he knew that he couldn’t. Because if he did… if he slipped up even just once the entire wall he had built would come tumbling down.

But Luffy’s lips felt so tantalising… What if… What if…

And the way Luffy continued to move his lips – with even more urgency and just… fervently…

(The alcohol was not helping. Most definitely not helping his case here…)

And the hand in his hair was gripping… tugging... the one at his shirt was grasping and pulling them closer.

Luffy felt so desperate.

(And of course, his muddled brain had interpreted desperate as needy and, that was far more than enough to tip him over and he slipped. He slipped. Deep… deeper…)

And he found himself gripping tightly onto Luffy’s vest and pulled them closer and his lips had responded with matching fervour.

Luffy… Luffy… Luffy…

Oh, god how he missed this man.

His smiles. His laughs. His mere presence.

How much of an idiot was he to try and separate himself from this?

He found the energy that had spurred him on suddenly whisked away from him. As his body just slumped against Luffy’s, and sobs escaping him.

Fear. That’s what. Fear and just an overload of emotions.

(God damned alcohol, a minor part of his brain cursed quietly.)

But Luffy was just stroking his hair and holding him gently. And they sat like that for awhile. As Law slowly regained control of his facilities.

“…Feeling better Torao?”

For some reason, Law found the irony in that question hilarious. And he barked out a laugh. Sarcastic? Yes. “No. I feel like shit.” And he did. His head was pounding behind his eyes. He felt nauseous and sick to his stomach. (Although, totally unrelated to the alcohol he consumed – being purely psychological.) The world was still spinning.

But at the very least, Luffy was here.

“…Less scared then?”

And, Law found that the fear wasn’t overwhelming now. It was still there – probably always would be but… He nodded. “Less, yes.”

Luffy leaned in and placed a soft kiss to his forehead. “…Good.” And he was quiet for a few moments before continuing. “I’m sorry Torao. I didn’t know you were as scared of being alone as I was.”

Law found himself shaking his head. “Ah… no. It’s not that Mugiwara-ya…” And he found himself biting his lip. “It’s not being alone that bothers me. It’s being left alone.” He found himself trembling again, but Luffy was quick to wrap his arms around him again.

“It’s being a survivor…”

(Lami. His parents. Cora-san…)

“So don’t do that shit again Mugiwara-ya. I said it before, and I’ll say it again: If you’re going down, I am too.”

He heard laughter above him.

“…Well you can’t go down with me if you’re not with me.”

…Luffy had a point there.

“…But…” He found himself going. Because he was… he was…

“I thought you said there is no but Torao.”

(Law couldn’t help it. A fit of giggles overcame him.)

(…Damn alcohol!)

…Did Luffy just nuzzle him?

“I don’t care if you say you’re cursed or poisonous or doomed. Torao is Torao and I like Torao! So you’re not going anywhere Torao. Okay? Your enemies are my enemies. And we’ll either win together or die together. Okay?”

That exhaustion was grasping more at him, and he found himself weakly nodding as a response. “…Remind me tomorrow…” He said – and the exhaustion was coming down even stronger now. “…I think… I’m gunna… pass out now…”

“Shishishi, I’ll remind you every day Torao. Every day until you forget that anything else is possible.”

And when he yawned, he weakly muttered thank you before darkness claimed him.

That would be nice…

[petite-neko]

Survivor- 3

Fanfiction: Survivor Story Summary: Anything was better than that. Characters: Law, Beop, Hearts Crew, (Luffy) Pairing: Lawlu Rating: T Warnings: Swearing, Angst, Self-deprecating thoughts, Subtle mention of alcohol usage and/or drug usage. Day/Prompt: Day 6 : H - Healing A/N: Alrighty. I’m a biiit late (Again, just like Day 4′s) Just been buuussssyyy. Will come up with a title soon. Just posting a bunch before I head out, another BUSY day.

Oh and btw: Fun fact: This chapter was intended on being its own story, but since my follow up chapter (Which became day 4) was getting on the lengthy side, and the theme for this prompt suitably fit with the story, I decided to throw it into this :D

.xxx. - Scene jumps.

.+++. - PoV Switch

Read on Ao3

Previous Chapter || Chapter 3: Healing || Next Chapter

Just how had he gotten himself into this mess?

He had been worse than he had ever really been in his life. He had tried to turn it off, but found the successes were not what they had been before, and eventually had just tumbled. Deeper and deeper until he had reached this.

He knew the cause – oh definitely he did.

Mugiwara no Luffy.

(It probably was because he was trying to deny the truth: that this really was a mistake. But he forced himself to continue. To believe that it was necessary. He would remember the sheer terror that lurked his every thought when he sat at Luffy’s bedside. The way he would cling onto the person that made him live again.)

And honestly? If that bastard hadn’t saved him back in Dressrosa, none of this would have happened…

(That bastard clung to him, insisted that he live. His smiles soothed his burns, his laughter bandaged his wounds. Selfish. Selfish as always.)

Because Luffy. Luffy, that bastard, had decided that he would help him. And make him feel that maybe, just maybe, life was worth fighting for again.

(Those joyful screams of Torao! The way the other would ignore his qualms of physical contact.)

And Law had decided to take that risk. To let himself to smile and laugh and love again.

(The smiles that seemed reserved for him. The unusual way that Luffy would act around him in comparison to others…)

Law had let himself get dragged into the way that Luffy did things, into his speed and his flow. Get dragged by Mugiwara no Luffy.

(“Com’on Torao~” he would sing.)

Wherever Luffy went, Law would follow.

Until, reality slammed its ugly face into his delusion. As it always did.

(Don't you fucking dare hurt my Torao!)

He made a risk. He found happiness. But then it was almost violently ripped from his grasp once more and Law didn't know what he would do if he lost it all over again....

He could only be healed so many times.

.xxx.

The bandages were flaking off. Empty. He felt so empty.

(He missed Luffy. Missed his smiles. His laughter. His soothing presence that would dissuade the nightmares and horrors. The calming effect he had on him.)

He found himself staring. Staring at Luffy’s wanted poster. Staring at the newspaper articles involving the Strawhats.

In the time they had been apart The Strawhats - Luffy - had been busy. Dangerously busy.

At first, Law had thought it was the usual. That danger followed Luffy wherever he went… but there had been some actions that had been uncharacteristic of his ex-ally.

The way he would challenge Marine bases (typically the homes of Marines that had challenged him) or waging battles with pirates that had messed with him. Seemingly our of the blue, and far more reckless than was wont of the other D.

It had a theme - one that Law hadn’t been surprised to see, but that damn idiot was being reckless.

(He had a fleet at his disposal for these things…)

(...my Torao!)

Law found himself trembling again - trying to resist the tears welling up in his eyes. Damn it. God damn it!

.+++.

Stupid. Bepo knew what he was doing was absolutely stupid, and if Captain had found out what he was doing, well he knew he would be searching for body parts for weeks.

But, he knew that if he didn’t do this, it would be their captain who would be searching for his heart for weeks.

(Or maybe a new liver in a few weeks…)

He had turned them around after a particular battle, knowing that the Strawhats would be following them. Be seeking vengeance on the ship that dared interfere with the captain’s journey.

He kept his plan a secret, even from the other crew members. (They were horrible at keeping secrets.)

Hopefully, though, the unusual captain whose aim was to be the King of the Pirates would be able to work his healing magic on their captain again.

God knows he needed it right now...

[petite-neko]

Survivor- 2

Fanfiction: Survivor Story Summary: Anything was better than that. Characters: Law, Beop, Hearts Crew, (Luffy) Pairing: Lawlu Rating: T Warnings: Swearing, Angst, Self-deprecating thoughts, Subtle mention of alcohol usage and/or drug usage. Day/Prompt: Day 4 : A - Awareness A/N: Sooo~ I decided to write a second part. Here you go. (Continuation of Revoke. I’ll figure out a title later.)

.xxx. - Scene jumps.

.+++. - PoV Switch

Read on Ao3

Previous Chapter || Chapter 2: Awareness || Next Chapter

“We’re leaving.”

Those were the words as he hopped onto his deck, ushering his crew to board the submarine.

He had expected the protests from his crew, but he dismissed them and repeated himself, glancing at each member of his crew with insistence in his eyes.

As always, they obeyed, even if begrudgingly.

“…Captain, the Strawhats are screaming something at us.”

Law tensed but toned out the shouts from the other ship.

“Ignore it. We’re leaving.”

“…But what about Mugiwara?”

(His entire body went rigid.)

“He has his own competent doctor.” And he knew his voice was venomous right now. (Away. Away. Push him away.) “And it isn’t likely that he would require intensive surgery again.”

“…Captain…”

“We’re leaving!” He wouldn’t accept their pity right now. He knew what they were speculating.

And so he stormed off and towards his room – because he couldn’t. Couldn’t look at their eyes. Couldn’t doubt that maybe, just maybe, he was wrong and this was a complete mistake.

(A fight, they probably thought – and he supposed that they were right.)

All I could think about…

But – no. This wasn’t Luffy’s fault. Sure, Luffy made him mad. Sure, if Luffy hadn’t been such a damn selfish idiot, none of this would have happened. But Luffy wasn’t to fault for the so-called ‘breakup.’

Poison. Poison. Poison. His fault. Bringing him down…

Because it was his fault for sticking around for too long. Because all he ever did was lose people, and he just couldn’t lose Luffy too.

(And, sure, he supposed that this was a form of loss, it was the lesser of the evils. That Luffy was still alive out there. That he hadn’t permanently lost him. That Luffy didn’t have to suffer and lose everything because of him. That Luffy could fulfill his dreams and smile and laugh. Obtain that freedom he sought, a freedom which would never be granted as long as he was with him.)

.xxx.

Law had ordered his crew to not pick up the phone under any circumstances. To just keep on sailing for days on end. Distance – he needed to distance himself from Luffy.

Eventually, though, the news had to be broken to his crew. And, a week after the ‘fight’ he finally announced it.

“Our alliance with the Strawhats is over.”

Again, the expected protests. Although, it seemed that his crew had at least began to come to the conclusion that this was the result or at least one of them.

They tried to convince him to think about it or tell him to reconsider his actions. State he was being rash…

But it was Bepo that spoke up, asking the question that they all wondered was true or not.

“…Is this because the two of you fought Captain?”

Law sighed. Well, he might as well inform them. “…While, yes, we fought, the break up of the alliance was ultimately my decision. We’ve already accomplished our original goals, and had merely been sticking together for the betterment of both of our crews.” He shrugged, trying to be nonchalant about it. “It was bound to happen one day when the risks outweigh the benefits. And, so I called it off. I informed Mugiwara-ya that the alliance is over. However, it does not necessarily mean that our two crews are actively at war. We just are no longer allied.”

…Certainly, he supposed of he had seen the Strawhats being attacked, he would not have any qualms about his crew assisting the other. Or even if they ended up against the same enemy. Nor would he have any qualms about their crew helping his. (Although, he would most certainly avoid battle as long as that particular captain was around.) As long as they didn’t get in the way of his goals and adventures, things were fine.

More murmurs.

“So, don’t hold any grudges – there are none to hold. And, if they call, hang up. We are merely two pirate crews sailing the same seas now. As long as we do not get in the other’s way, it should be smooth sailing. Although, since I highly suspect they may attempt contact: I will most definitely not be answering the phone.”

And, with the meeting adjourned, Law returned to his room.

By the time he reached for the handle, he found his hand shaking. Mess – he was a complete mess. For when he closed the door behind him, he found himself shuddering as he slid down, knees touching his chest. He found his hands coming up and tightly gripping at his hat, his entire body violently trembling. And yes - yes – it hurt. It hurt knowing that he had to separate himself from Luffy. But – Luffy’s life mattered more.

(Because he always screwed up. Because he always brought a swath of death and destruction in his wake. Because he always ended up utterly alone.)

He would stay out of Luffy’s way. Keep his ill-fated aura away from him. Let him obtain his goals and watch from afar.

.+++.

Whatever the captain said was what happened. It didn’t mean the crew approved of it however.

They weren’t going to pretend that they truly understood what was going on in their captain’s head, but it didn’t mean they didn’t try.

The fight had happened after Mugiwara had been so close to death, and that, they concluded, was what had caused the incident.

(They all knew how deeply the prospect of Mugiwara’s death had affected their captain. The way that he wouldn’t leave Mugiwara’s side. The way he would wake up from whenever he passed out screaming Mugiwara’s name – not his nickname. His paranoia whenever it seemed that Mugiwara would take a turn for the worse. And his elation when Mugiwara broke out of his unconsciousness. Of how Mugiwara had just whispered his name, shook him awake and was responsive.)

Their captain had probably just simply exploded from the emotionally tense week and a half that Mugiwara had been unconscious.

They had also gotten so many calls from the Strawhats as well. At first it was every other member – with the exception of the captain of course. (Who had more than likely only been forbidden to talk on the phone due to his injuries.) And then mostly Nami. After a couple of weeks, the calls decreased in frequency before the Strawhat Captain took it upon himself to call. Always demanding to talk to Torao.

(And yes, the crew obeyed by hanging up on the other crew. But not before an apology.)

And speaking of the captain… well, he often holed himself up in his room. He had developed a penchant for hording newspaper articles in his room. (And other, less healthier, vices too. Although, those didn’t start until a certain captain had called while theirs had been in the room. Of course, demanding to speak to Torao as usual. And their captain? Well, the crew thought he would just storm out of the room, or just physically hang up the phone. No, instead he exploded. He screamed at Mugiwara, demanding that he just leave him alone. And uttering something along the lines of it’s not like he hasn’t done that before anyway. And, after that… well Mugiwara had stopped calling.)

And with these newfound habits of the captain, and his relatively recent actions, the crew could only hypothesise further. And come up with far more solid grounds that almost seemed confirmed.

It had been probably close to two months now. Two months of this.

No grudges to be held their ass.

But, really, they began to understand just what was bothering their captain.

The outburst, in all probability, was the key. But the fact that the returned news coos always had sections missing in regards to a certain ex-ally was a bonus as well.

It wasn’t an issue of the alliance no longer serving a benefit to both crews as the captain tried to pass it off as. No. This was an issue of their captain being scared.

Mugiwara’s potential death, being left alone… The newspaper articles…

Their captain was afraid to lose Mugiwara and be left behind to pick up the pieces.

Their captain was being a stupid, love-struck fool.

And they had to do something to snap him out of it. Before things became any worse.