#he's making barto question life decisions in the good way

[mih4nn]

a big ol birthday present for @janaxiv who is an amazing friend and brainrot enjoyer, we've known each other for ages and i'll keep cheering you on as you discover more worms for these lovely birds <)

[passionate-reply]

Created by @tremblegay and I wasn’t really tagged by anyone to do it, but I thought it looked interesting and took it upon myself to do it. I suppose I did originally see this on @pozzima‘s blog and they wrote that anybody could do it, so I have permission, kinda.

1.  A SONG THAT REMINDS YOU OF SUNSHINE.

JOHN FOXX - “ENTER THE ANGEL”

John Foxx’s 1985 album In Mysterious Ways is suffused with sunshine from the get-go, and this song was the lead single and clearly the most accessibly sunny of the bunch. It’s easy to imagine it as the mood music for when the one you love most enters the room, or is sighted from across some distance...

2. A SONG THAT YOU’VE CRIED TO.

PET SHOP BOYS - “JACK THE LAD”

Pet Shop Boys frontman Neil Tennant has remarked that the duo create quite a lot of “happy-sad” sounding music, and “Jack the Lad” seems like an excellent example. Released as a B-Side to their well-remembered hit “Suburbia,” its use of historical perspective and reassurance that “we all fall, even Jack the Lad” made it a mainstay of my pervasive teenage frustrations.

3. A SONG THAT MAKES YOU FEEL WARM.

ULTRAVOX - “I CAN’T STAY LONG”

Today I learned I don’t listen to a lot of very “warm” feeling music, despite being one of those people who always feels cold in everyday life. But this track, on 1979′s Systems of Romance, gives me that sort of sense. “I’d like to glide, in the long green light of a July afternoon”...

4. A SONG THAT MAKES YOUR HEART ACHE (IN A GOOD WAY).

THOMAS DOLBY & RYUICHI SAKAMOTO - “FIELD WORK”

Thomas Dolby is the guy from “She Blinded Me With Science” or whatever, but he also wrote an absolutely beautiful ode to the glories of inquiry into the workings of our world. The scientists of the world deserve this sort of anthem, if you ask me. When I was younger I actually dreamed of becoming some sort of scientist, and this song reminds me why. It fills me with the urge to work hard and experience things and learn.

5. A SONG THAT MAKES YOUR HEART ACHE (IN A BAD WAY).

HEAVEN 17 - “LET’S ALL MAKE A BOMB”

There are any number of songs I could have chosen that deal to some extent with major real-world issues, but I went with this one because it strikes me as especially...”achy.” It’s a rather forlorn dirge that leads me to imagine what sorts of activities I’d be up to if I knew I was about to die. I mean, one does always need a contingency plan.

6. A SONG THAT GETS YOUR BLOOD PUMPIN’. A SONG THAT MAKES YOU FEEL ALIVE. THE MUSICAL VERSION OF A PEP TALK.

BILL NELSON - “QUIT DREAMING AND GET ON THE BEAM”

This might seem like a surprisingly slow-paced song for this question, but it does work on yours truly like a pep talk. I mean, just look at the name! Whenever I’m tempted to lie low or not pursue something that will take some hard work, the words of Nelson drift through my mind: “People who do things are people who get things done!” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

7. THAT ONE SONG THAT MAKES YOU TRANSCEND REALITY WHEN YOU’RE DRIVING AROUND ALONE AT 3 AM.

KARL BARTOS - “NACHTFAHRT”

I’ll let you guys in on a little secret--as much as I like Numan’s “Cars” and Kraftwerk’s “Autobahn,” I actually, uh, can’t drive. (At least Neil Tennant is also a grown adult who never bothered learning either, so I have some company.) Since I can’t really relate, I’ll give you a song that makes me at least try to imagine such an experience: one of my favourite tracks from the solo work of ex-Kraftwerker, Karl Bartos.

8. YOU KNOW ALL THE WORDS TO THIS SONG BY HEART.

ABC - “4 EVER 2 GETHER”

Hard decision--I know the works to almost every one of my ~700 songs by heart. Well, except for the instrumentals. So I went with something that seemed especially fun, lyrically. I know I’m just about the only person who’d describe themselves as some sort of “huge ABC fan” but can we appreciate Martin Fry’s positively wicked lyricism for a minute. “The Twelve Disciples might kiss and tell”...

9. A FAVOURITE SONG FROM WHEN YOU WERE A KID.

GARY NUMAN - “BERSERKER”

Also a hard decision, since music has been extremely important to me for pretty much as long as I can recall! Well, that, and my taste hasn’t changed a whole bunch since I was younger. So here’s a song I definitely remember hearing as a kid, and having my mind utterly blown by it, hahaha. Wait a minute, you’re telling me it’s possible for music to sound like THIS? Maybe I’m still a little amazed...

10. A SONG YOU BELT AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS.

VISAGE - “LOOK WHAT THEY’VE DONE”

What better diva to idolize than Steve Strange, the grand dame of the New Romantics? The sheer drama of this song is beyond infectious. Oh, to be so beautifully despised...

11. COCAINE, IF IT WAS A SONG.

CABARET VOLTAIRE - “L21ST”

A song with quite a lot going on, sonically, despite kind of an innocuous name. I love this sort of busy, industrial clang-and-bang sound. “Keep it up!”

12. A COVER OF A SONG, THAT YOU THINK IS BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL.

PETER BAUMANN - “STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT”

As you may know, I’m pretty much interested in a single genre of music, so there are tons of covers out there like this, that take a song from some style that isn’t “dark synth” and reinterpret it that way, and to me it’s more or less a brand new track, hahaha. But I picked this one because I think it’s very fun: Peter Baumann, originally of Tangerine Dream, tackling an oft-covered tune made most famous by Frank Sinatra.

[shingansoul]

We Can Figure it Out After

Summary:  Law has spent every day of the last 13 years thinking and plotting his action for that day in Dressrosa. Now that's it come and gone with the unexpected result of his surviving, how is a man without a purpose supposed to look forward? Luffy thinks he can help.

read it on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23374645

Time felt like it had slowed or no longer flowed with the rest of the world that morning. The sun was warm, and gentle as it shined down upon the deck of the Barto Club's prized vessel. Everyone was either still awake, just rising, or pre-occupied with maintaining the ship and keeping to themsleves elsewhere on the ships main and lower decks.

Law ever running from sleep and his own mind had taken to dozing tentatively in the small tangerine grove towards the rear of the ship, leaning up against one of the trees from his place sat on the grass portion of the deck. He had been there since early morn before the sun dared break past the horizon, hoping to remain unseen until he was sure he could pull off a mask of bored calm around the other crews. It seemed though unseen, sight wasn't the only sense that could lead anyone to him.

"Oi! Torao!"

Law flinched slightly at the call, knowing he couldn't feign sleep to avoid the other's unwanted company or attention. However he knew, not after Dressrosa and all he'd seen and done, could he say no to Luffy. So with a forced sigh, far too dramatic to fool the observant type, he looked up to the smaller captain and gave him a weak and tired glare as the other approached him.

"Mugiwara-ya."

"What're you doing all the way over here? Breakfast is soon!" Luffy spoke as if missing the meal in question were of a truly disastrous consequence, though the comment only earned him an eye roll from the surgeon. Pouting at the older man, Luffy sat himself cross legged in front of Law, hands gripping his knees as he tilted his head and met the surgeon's gaze; a not so subtle inquiry.

Law looked away, offering a weak excuse. "I...couldn't sleep." As Luffy's gaze never wavered, Law seemed to find tracing the spots on the thighs of his jeans to be quite the fascinating task. At the least, it was certainly the safer option than meet those wide dark eyes.

Luffy, noticing the obviously vague explanation, seemed to come to a decision. He spun himself around, still sitting but now with his back to Law before he scootched backwards until his back was pressed against the other's chest. Law jumped a bit, not expecting the sudden close contact or movement though he stiffly remained seated with his knees bent putting his thighs on either side of the other captain.

"Wha-"

He was cut off promptly, but with a soft tone. "You don't have to talk about it, okay?"

Law still stiff, chewed on his lip and stared at the grass to his side. Taking his silence either as an answer in itself or like a signal, the younger man reached back and grabbed one of the tattooed hands of the elder captain. Law did not resist, but his body moved and reacted in sharp movements, too on edge from the unpredictable situation he was faced with.

Luffy huffed, puffing his cheeks a little in frustration yet he forced his small amount of patience into his gentle tugging of the hand in his grip and waited, pulling the owner of it forward slightly against him more with Law's arm over and against his shoulder. When the other finally gave in and did so, Luffy set about to tracing the tattoos before him.

He started with Law's forearm, his fingers warm against the cooler skin of the other, tracing the spiked ring bordering the central shape of the tattoo. Law through all this was reeling, wound taught like one giant ball of nerves screaming to get up and away, yet he simply sat there instead. Over time in the quiet between them, Law let his arm and eventually his posture relax bit by bit as the other repeatedly traced and rubbed at the designs on his flesh until he was far enough forward to rest his chin on the other's shoulder where his upper arm once rested.

"Does this help?" Luffy prompted, having moved to the simpler designs on the back of Law's hands. Law simply hummed in response, trying to simply focus on the sensation of the others touch and for once not getting stuck too deep within his own thoughts.

In his thoughts was where his toughest battles were after all. The reminders in an array of voices telling him he was a waste of life, that he didn't deserve to be alive, to have the good things around him now. That he was a failure and that everyone was disappointed in him, ashamed of him: his parents, Lami, his crew...Cora-san. The voices of those who loved him mocked him, beat him to the ground and he believed every word of it most days. After all, he was simply a boy on borrowed time in exchange for the life of someone so much more than he'd ever be.

What was the point anymore anyways? He didn't even take down Doflamingo himself, he didn't deserve to celebrate, to have survived Dressrosa. He should have died, hell he had planned on dying for years there and he wanted it, to be free of this constant burden of moving forward and doing, planning, caring so much by not caring, hurting...His mission had been completed, and now with a life he didn't expect to keep, he had to keep going. What was the plan now?

"Well, just...do whatever you want. That's what I've been doing and look how far I got."

Law's eyes widened and he flinched, an audible gasp softly passing his lips as he realized his thoughts had slipped past him while he was unguarded.

"I..." Law trailed off meekly, unsure how to respond. How could he? Luffy stilled a moment and Law quickly went rigid in kind, taking the others pause as a sign he was leaving or dissatisfied. That was fine, Law decided, clearly lying to himself. His insecurities and demons were his to bear, of course a man of conviction and radiance like Luffy wouldn't understand or have the patience for someone who was unwilling to follow suite.

However he was soon proved oh so wrong when Luffy released his arm just to pull his other one forward too. Luffy swiveled his own arms above Law's, effectively loosely placing tattooed arms around his midsection. Law was still, eyes widened slightly in awe of the gesture.

With a satisfied chuckle and a grin to match, luffy then reached up and removed his signature strawhat only to plop it gently atop Law's head. Law's shoulders stiffened and rose at the gesture, his mind racing at what was going on his teeth firmly clamped down on his lip not letting himself break further than he had already.

That venture was short lived however, as Luffy softly patted Law's uninjured bicep and said, "It's okay if you don't know what you want yet. I'm not too good at math so i don't really get exactly how long it was, but you spent a real long time thinkin' about that 'mingo guy huh?"

It was silent for a few moments, Luffy left hanging yet he didn't make to move or speak further. Then, like a dam reluctantly, finally, falling apart the tears came like the metaphorical waters - rushing all at once now freed. Law buried his face into the rubber man's shoulder, first simply crying and soon devolving into sobbing and wailing into the red clothes he hid his face in. His arms tightened around Luffy's waist, now outright hugging the smaller captain to himself.

Law felt so much, yet nothing at all right now and it seemed he couldn't care any longer about the pride and distance he'd spent building up for so long, he didn't care anymore. He was elated and upset, he was hurting yet he wanted to celebrate. He was full of so many thoughts and feelings, from his past and his regrets, to the terrible things his mind forced down his throat from all the years of fear and rage burning within him. It all and so much more hit him, and Luffy spoke it all into existence and broke down his walls.

Law wanted to scream out to the heavens how much it was, too much for him. Everything was too much and so overwhelming, he had gone through so much on Dressrosa and the pain of it plus everything before had reared its head. And now he had a life to live, free of Doflamingo and with knowledge from a marine of all places that Cora-san had truly loved him and wanted him to be happy. What the fuck was he supposed to do with that?

How could he face so readily the simple truth he refused to let himself deserve for 13 long years? How was he supposed to live, what was he to do with that life he had finally truly gained? What was he supposed to do now, his purpose was done and though his life was guaranteed to be shorter than the average man's, he had a decade or two minimum to go should he not be killed or off himself like the miserable fool he was.

All this and so many other thoughts circled in Law's head and who knows, maybe he said all of it or none of it or something else entirely, he didn't know or care anymore. He just kept crying, as if he could expel everything out of him and replace it all with the warmth radiating out of the smaller man in his grip. It took a moment before Law remembered he had Luffy tightly in his arms sat in his lap more or less, but when Law tried to suddenly stop himself (to no avail) and pull away, Luffy was quick to put a hand on the back of Law's neck, holding his face against the crook of his neck.

"It's okay, you're allowed to do whatever you need or want now Torao. If you're upset? Be upset, that's fine. And when you don't wanna be upset anymore or don't have anymore in you to be upset about, we can both figure out together what you wanna do after that."

A wet gasp followed by deep sniffling was followed by an almost unintelligible question of, "What if it takes years before I'm not upset anymore?"

Luffy hummed softly in thought for a moment before replying simply, "then we'll figure it out after however many years it takes." He said it like it was so simple, and knowing him he thought it was exactly that simple. It was enough to elicit a tired chuckle followed by a small cough out of the surgeon, his outburst slowing by this point.

While Law had not loosened his grip, Luffy took to humming to himself idly, returning to tracing the tattoos on Law's arms and hands again. Starting this time by tracing the lettering along his fingers. As the older man's sobs turned to soft hiccups and sniffled, he moved his face to the side resting his cheek on Luffy's shoulder and facing out to the side. He let his still wet eyes close as he listened to and felt the other in front of him. In their little hidden place within the tangerine grove, he decided that when he was truly ready to face himself, he'd have to take Luffy up on his offer of help figuring out what to do next.

Luffy in a short amount of time had certainly lived a lot of life after all, how crazy could it get following in his footsteps or at his side?

[aewriting]

Loathly - Chapter 5

Here is Chapter 5 of my “Sir Gawain and the Dame Ragnell” Malex AU.

Here are all parts on AO3.

Warning for ageism, sexism, homophobia.

***

“Woman?” Flint says loudly. “More stew!”

Alex eyes the Lady Guerin. She doesn’t even pause, simply sets down her own bowl, gathers her skirts, and wordlessly takes Flint’s empty bowl and ladles another serving of stew into it. “My lord,” she says quietly, obediently, as Flint accepts it. Jesse is looking on approvingly, and Alex exhales a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.  Lady Guerin is being… surprisingly submissive lately, ever since her conversation with Alex about Jelnos. To be sure, she is still herself with Alex – sharp, witty, opinionated. But with his brothers and father… Perhaps hearing about Kyle’s fate had impressed upon her the depths of his father’s hatred.

Alex watches as the Lady Guerin resettles herself on the log she is using as a seat.  She doesn’t reach for her bowl.  “My king,” she says, voice hesitant and soft, and Alex freezes. “Have I permission to ask a question?”

Jesse’s mouth twitches, and for a moment, Alex thinks he is going to deny her. “I’ll allow it,” he finally says.

Lady Guerin dips her head low. “Oh thank you, my king,” she says, sounding genuinely grateful.  Alex’s eyes narrow. “I feel blessed by the gods to have played some small part in assisting you with King Noah.  I hardly dare ask anything more, but I must know, when can I expect to wed Sir Alex?”

“Eager, are you?”

A convincing blush appears on the woman’s face.  “He has been most attentive, my king, even in the midst of this unusual situation.  There are some who would find it unseemly for a woman to be traveling, alone, with a group of male companions.  A quick marriage would surely silence any wagging tongues.”

Jesse huffs a bit.  “I don’t know that I share your concern, my lady, given that the parties in question are you,” Alex hears the note of distaste, “and my son Alex. But I am eager to resolve our bargain.  We shall hold a small gathering the evening after our return. One of our clergy will perform the ceremony at the castle.  No need for a spectacle.”

The woman’s face scrunches up in concern.  “That… is unfortunate.”

Jesse’s frame goes rigid. “You dare to question me?”

The woman’s brow furrows. She looks regretful.  “It is not… not a question, my king, simply an observation. It has been such a busy time for you, and I am so unused to being in the presence of such greatness.  I may not have spoken with proper clarity earlier, when I informed you that King Noah had, prior to you besting him, boasted about your impending death to all who would hear it.” She bites her lip.  “You, of course, are all-powerful within your realm, and I heard nary a word of your troubles with King Noah inside Unidos. But over the border, in Antar…” she trails off.  “The rumors there… by the gods, the things I heard were far worse than what actually transpired!” She sighs. “And I can only imagine what King Noah has told his allies.”

Jesse’s gaze is hard as he considers her.  “You clearly have your own ideas about this matter, so what do you suggest?”

“A feast.  A grand display. An opportunity to present the truth, to your people and to all the kingdoms in the land.  Let it be known, far and wide, that King Manes of Unidos has bested Antar. It was your own cunning that allowed you to discern the correct answer, of the many you received. You needn’t have trusted me, but you did,” she says.  “That was a decision borne of your own wisdom.” Her gaze drops. “I know what I am. I am no prize, especially for a royal son.  But what a statement it would make, for all to know that your son had such love for you, such loyalty that he would marry a woman of my station, my appearance, just because it pleased you, my king.”  She raises those amber eyes now, and the effect is striking.  “Let your kingdom, and all kingdoms, know your power.”

Alex is stock-still, eyes darting from his father to the woman and back.  

Jesse eyes her, a glint in his eye. “King Noah… he has spoken poorly of me? Of my cunning, my strength?”

The woman gives a shuddery little sigh.  “He has spoken abominably, my king.”

Jesse nods, a tight little motion. “That cannot stand.” He pauses. “We shall have a feast. A grand banquet with all of our allies.  I want everyone to see me in my power, to know that I have bested King Noah of Antar in a battle of wits.” His smile goes hard. “It will also ensure that my youngest son be properly and publicly recognized for his life-long commitment to you, my dear woman.”  He emphasizes the last word as his gaze slides to Alex.

Alex steadily meets his father’s gaze, nods in submission.  Jesse smiles.

***

They’ve ridden about a mile when Alex finally speaks.  “You said you wouldn’t lie.”

He hears the woman scoff. “I said I wouldn’t lie to you,” she says, matter-of-factly.  “I believe it is a matter of survival that I lie to your father and brothers. Fools that they are…” she mutters.

“My brothers, I will give you. But my father…” Alex says, voice tight.

“Are, are you cross?” asks the Lady Guerin, gently squeezing Alex’s shoulder.  

Alex sighs. “Not… not cross, just confused.  Why would you want a large wedding?  Nothing about you that I have seen so far would lead me to believe that you desire such a display.”

“I wish for my protection to be public knowledge. I have seen the way your brothers look at me.  Your father.  Frankly, I am relieved to still be part of this journey.”

Alex shifted uncomfortably, thinking back to his earlier conversation with Flint. “You said you had troubles with King Noah.”

“Yes.”

Alex bit his lip.  “You don’t… don’t have designs on the crown, do you? Of Unidos or Antar?”

The woman chuckles.  “By the gods, no. I am but one woman, and King Noah is very powerful.  And Unidos, well… I would not move against your father or brothers.” She pauses. “Unless you desired it.”

Alex huffs a breath. “Of course not.”

“Of course not,” the woman repeats.  “My other reason for having a large, public celebration of our marriage is for you, Sir Alex. Your allies, even your enemies, they know the sort of ruler your father is. The sort of man. But you… I want to show them that you are different.”

“How?”

Alex can feel the woman shrug. “You are marrying me. Willingly. Without disgust or embarrassment. I told your father that such an action would reflect well on him, and to some it may.  But for most, I believe that the favor will fall on you.”

“Why… why does such a thing matter to you, my lady?”

Her hand twists in his cloak, grasps at him.  “You are good, Sir Alex.  I… I was not expecting that.  You are a good man, and that deserves recognition.” Lady Guerin’s voice is unsteady with emotion. She seems to realize how tightly she is holding onto Alex, and eases her grip. “And if I am about to join the royal family of Unidos, I want to be able to learn more about the world I will inhabit.  Who attends a feast only out of obligation?  Who jostles for attention?  That sort of thing.”

“My lady,” Alex says with a light laugh, “I fear you may be too cunning for your own well-being, at times.”

He feels the woman lean back a bit. “And does that displease you, my cunning?”

Alex shakes his head and reaches up to give the woman’s hand a light squeeze.  “No, not of itself.  I… I value your cunning. You have a way of… extracting what you want that is truly a talent.  I just worry about my father. He does not favor you.”

“Has he ever favored a woman, or anyone that he could not totally control?”

Alex is silent.

“If it makes you feel better, Sir Alex,” says the woman softly.  “I do not intend to be in his crosshairs for long.”

***

They are nearing Unidos. Once there, Alex knows there will be much business to attend to, and he realizes that he will actually miss the constant company of the Lady Guerin.  With her, he finds that he can speak freely, about nearly any topic.  She listens to him, but not in a submissive way, or in a manipulative manner, as with the courtiers. No, she seems to be genuinely interested in his ideas, his opinions, and ready to speak of her own, too, even when she disagrees with Alex.  

His father informed him yesterday of his intent to conduct the wedding ceremony as soon as possible. Alex knows that his father sees this as a form of control for Alex, and cannot possibly comprehend that Alex actually… likes the Lady Guerin.  Not, not as a marriage should be, he thinks, but he could have never had such a union anyway, not in Unidos.  No, if he must marry a woman, the Lady Guerin is as fine a match as any.  His father, for whom women play one of three roles - broodmare, political pawn, or pleasure object – could never understand such an arrangement.

Alex and the Lady Guerin are talking politics, at the moment.

“Who do you think will attend the wedding? Who will be invited?” she’d asked, miles ago, and it had helped the time pass, with Alex telling her at length about the various alliances and rivalries within the kingdoms.  

“King Elios will come,” Alex says, distaste evident.  “He and my father are cut from the same cloth.”

“Along with King Bartos,” the woman says, note of bitterness in her voice.

Alex pauses.  “He… I doubt that he will make the journey, given his state.”

“His state?” the woman says, sharply.

“Yes. Since the accident, he has rarely been seen in public.  His wife, the Queen Elizabeth, has assumed his duties, and I daresay the Tamarin Isles have been all the better for it.”

The woman exhales slowly.  “I don’t doubt it.  I was unaware that there had been an accident, that Queen Elizabeth was in power. Anyone would be better than Bartos, that brute.”

“You don’t know the half,” Alex says, darkly.  “Queen Elizabeth… she is my cousin.  She grew up here, as Lady Elizabeth, in Unidos with me.”

“A beauty, I have heard.”

“Oh yes,” Alex affirms.  “But not just that.  Clever.  So smart.”

“I… I have heard that, too,” the lady murmurs, almost fondly.

“My father never liked that much.” Alex pauses.  “Tried to block her from accessing the palace libraries, shadowing the royal physicians…” He smiles at the memory.  “I was her accomplice.” The smile fades, replaced by something hard and bitter. “She was fourteen when father arranged the match with Bartos. Everyone knew of his reputation.” Alex’s jaw tightens. “I am glad of his fate – is that awful?”

“What, what did happen to him, exactly?” the woman asks, curious.

“It is a queer thing,” Alex says, “for they say it was a clear night. He was struck down. By lightning.”

[kaizokunohime]

Black Lines of Distraction Ch. 4

Authors: me and @lululawlawlu-fanfics

It is also on AO3. 

Chapter 4

*☆*:.｡. ✧.｡.:*☆*:.｡. ✧.｡.:*☆*

Pairing: LawLu

Rating: Explicit

*☆*:.｡. ✧.｡.:*☆*:.｡. ✧.｡.:*☆* Law’s POV:

“I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. It was a mistake,” Law rushed through his words. He snatched up Kikoku, quickly darting out of the room to get as far away from there as possible. He rushed down the hall and nearly flung himself into the bathroom.

Turning on the tap, he tested the water temperature against his fingers. Law cupped his hands under the stream, letting the water pool in his palms before splashing it onto his face. It felt shockingly cold against his skin but he told himself he needed this. He needed something to help calm him down- something to cool him off.

If making out with your ally fell under the list of inappropriate behaviors, then the sexual thoughts Law found filtering into his mind at that moment were undoubtedly on that list as well.

Law leaned back against the wall, running his fingers through his hair. He desperately needed to calm himself but he couldn't push his interaction with Luffy from his mind.

Of all the plans that Law had made, kissing his ally hadn't been one of them. If anything, complicating their relationship would only be a hindrance to his mission in Dressrosa. In short- it was a mistake.

Law knew better than to act so impulsively, but something about the way Luffy had looked at him, so irresistibly alluring with those flushed cheeks and bright, shining eyes, made Law feel it was natural to make a move. Law would be lying if he said kissing Luffy had never crossed his mind before that day. He had a deep respect for Luffy’s dedication to those close to him and he admired Luffy’s tenacity, but a feeling he couldn’t quite place drew him to the younger captain like a moth to a flame. Something about him felt dangerous, thrilling- a bad decision that would feel so good to make but leave him with a wary sense of the impending consequences.

His instincts weren’t wrong. It had been so gratifying to go against his better judgement and give in to his muddled feelings for the younger captain. Kissing him sent a surge of ecstatic energy through Law’s body, prickling at his nerves, making every sensation pure pleasure. The warmth of Luffy's body in his arms, Luffy's soft breath against his lips alone was pure euphoria. But the thought of having Luffy giving himself over so freely was an entirely different high and he revelled in the fantasy of being desired by someone. But was it just that- was it just a fantasy to think that Luffy really desired him?

Luffy had touched him first and he was blushing so adorably, but- but maybe Law had completely misread the situation. Luffy may have just been curious and embarrassed to ask about his tattoos even if he didn't seem like he'd be the type. It wasn't like he'd been asking to be kissed and the last thing Law had ever wanted was to take advantage of him.

In either case, this was not the time, nor the place to be considering Luffy's intentions. This was the time he desperately needed for preparing to set his plans in motion to dethrone Doflamingo.

Little did he know, Law would find out Luffy’s intentions soon enough on his way to Zou.

… … … … … … …

“Put me down, Mugiwara-ya.” Law demanded through clenched teeth.

If he hadn’t still felt tired and worn out from the fight on Dressrosa he’d have already used his powers to escape Luffy. Instead he found himself once again slung over his ally’s shoulder, this time being carried off to the captain’s room of the Barto Club’s ship. The room had been specially vacated for Luffy to use as his own personal space while on the way to Zou but he hadn’t really seemed to take advantage of it before that night.

Luffy didn’t seem to notice nearly bashing Law’s head into the door frame as he staggered into the room. He’d barely had anything to drink- just a single mug of the Barto Club’s own homebrew to wash down his dinner, but the pink of the young pirate’s cheeks betrayed just how much the potency of the alcohol was affecting him.

Initially, Law had thought it cute when Luffy first came stumbling over to him, cheeks flushed, eyes shimmering in the moonlight. But any feeling of endearment Law had toward Luffy was quickly replaced with embarrassment at being grabbed up and carried away by the younger captain. The laughter that the action spawned from the Straw Hat crew, with Usopp’s claims of having ‘known it all along’ didn’t help Law’s growing agitation.

“Put me down right now,” he demanded, as Luffy kicked the door shut behind them.

“Torao,” Luffy spoke his name sternly, as if it was a reprimand. He strode to the bed, throwing Law onto the mattress. “My body feels really weird. You gotta help me,” Luffy continued, climbing onto the bed to sit in the middle.

“That’s probably because of the alcohol. You should just sleep it off,” Law grumbled, pulling himself up from where he’d landed. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I-”

“Don’t go.” Luffy’s fingers reached out to grab Law’s own.

It was difficult to see from the low light shining through the windows, but Luffy’s face seemed even more flushed than before.

“Kiss me, Torao,” he spoke, a slight pout on his lips as he pulled Law down.

“No,” Law sighed through his nose, sitting back down next to Luffy, “you’re drunk.”

“Only a little.”

“The answer is still ‘no’.”

“But I need you to kiss me. Everytime I look at your skin showing like that my body gets all hot, and my heart speeds up, and it actually hurts. I keep thinking about what we did in the library. It wasn’t a mistake. I wanted it. It felt good. Kiss me, Torao. I want it,” Luffy admitted freely, tugging Law back towards him so they were both lying on the bed.

“Not while you’re drunk. For now, how about I hold you until you feel better,” Law tried to compromise as he slipped an arm under Luffy’s neck and pulled him close.

Luffy curled into Law’s body, humming contentedly, a wide smile across his face.

How could anyone be so annoying, yet so unbearably cute, and- dare he think it- attractive? It wasn’t the superficial things about Luffy that made him seem attractive to Law, but the open honesty of wearing his heart on his sleeve, and his readiness to take chances without overthinking the situation.

At the time Law had proposed being allies, he’d imagined Luffy to be a reckless force of nature, always ready to fight for those he cared about. But Luffy had turned out to be so much more. When exactly had Law begun to feel something deeper than admiration for Luffy’s tenacious nature and fighting abilities?

Somehow, the more he got to know Luffy, the more he was drawn to him. Even though he was selfish and impulsive, things always worked out in Luffy’s favour. Impulsivity was something Law had never known in his own life- something he’d never known he needed. It was a strange realization that hadn’t dawned on him before now- he who’d always thought everything through, he who was so completely in control of his feelings that he could channel his ingrained terror into the spiteful vengeance he needed to fight Doflamingo face-to-face.

“Do I feel this way because of your power?” Luffy questioned, interrupting Law’s thoughts.

“You mean, am I purposely making you feel things for me?” Law spoke incredulously, “I can’t do things like that with my power, Mugiwara-ya.”

“Then why do I feel like this?”

“Well, do you feel it when you look at anyone else?”

“No. Just you. And then when I see you- when I see your skin- when I see your tattoos- when I think about your tattoos-” Luffy amended, thinking as he spoke, “it makes me want to touch your body. I want to trace the black lines with my tongue. I want to taste your skin.”

Luffy was starting to ramble now, but Law could understand what he was trying to say.

“Those are generally the kind feelings you have if you're physically attracted to someone,” Law tried to explain. He did consider himself attractive, but it was still flattering to think he could inspire such feelings in the heart of the petite captain in his arms.

“So, you are making me feel like this,”

“I'm not actively doing anything to make you feel that way. Rather, you’re having feelings brought about by your perception of me.”

“I don't really get it but I still want to touch you.” Luffy spoke as he trailed his fingers down Law’s chest.

… … … … … 

[heartsoftruth]

I cant believe this transfer window has me supporting tebas and barto😯 i lost some good 40 years of my life because of u ney u stupid boy ur playing with ur career and yesterday u even ruined ur hair what is u doing boy😒😒

Ruining the sides again. 😒😒😒😒

Who tells him that is a cute look????

Anonymous said:Ney isn’t blind I think he as a football fan knows how shit league 1 is, i honestly think he’s just going there for the Brazilian crew, having them there will make it an easier transition for him. a bit of comfort in a country he doesn’t know.

Could be. Yet here he already feels comfy. 

Anonymous said:This boy has said countless times that this is his dream. That Barca is his dream. He said he’s happy here. That this is his home. You cannot tell me that these words meant nothing. So until the words leave his mouth I’m staying hopeful.

I won’t tell you they meant nothing, but people change. I wanna stay hopeful too! I still have hope. A little, but there still is some… 

Anonymous said:All this drama is because Ney’s father, he wants more money…

Smh for him 

Anonymous said:Who do you think are the hottest players at Barça?

Ask me this after the transfer window closes… 

Anonymous said:Ney better dont leave Barça bc of dani😣😣😣😣i love their reoarhionship but hell no dont bring him to PSG

FUck dani tbh. With his BS words. He showed his true colors with how he left Juve and then what he said about Pep and now this. First saying he didnt talk about football with Ney. As if we believed that and now be brave BS. 

GTFO. 

Anonymous said:why doesnt neymar have a name on his shirt, its just his number

All of them had during this pre season thing… 

Anonymous said:I am not aware if ney’s equation with his friends but why do they always travel with him everywhere?? I mean i have seen many close friendships but this level if closeness where ever he goes they are also there with him. I mean they ALL work for him???😯 and even in that case all have to be there with him always? And carol wasn’t she studying medicine to be a doctor? I never see her talk about her college at all.

Some work for him some dont. 

I have no idea what Carol does tbh. I never see her post anything about college. 

Anonymous said:This is my issue with him choosing PSG. There’s no passion at psg. There’s no real history there. Their team seems to be there for the money. When I watch their games I don’t get that feeling that their players love and support this club with everything they have. Barca has that feeling. They feel more like a family than a team. No one spends their entire childhood and life dreaming of playing for psg. So why would you want to leave that? I don’t understand.

So true! No one does. I guess only he… 

I mean the money is good, but he already has so much and will make so much since he;s so marketable…. I would understand this transfer if you’re older and want to cash a little at the end of your career not when you’re 25… 

Anonymous said:My question to dani is would he take that step of leaving Barcelona for psg at his peak? Would that be his brave decision that"men" take?

He can STFU and go fishing with his good crazy bs. 

Anonymous said:Everything though indicates the reason for this sudden change is having his own squad being the focal point psychologically he’ll be the main man. Messi on his own part isnt a selfish guy he gives assists sacrifices his position to facilitate the team but i guess neymar is looking for his own legacy&being the hero man in a team&PSG wud give him that indulge him in that way also money that’s alot of money&it wud be hard not to consider that amount of money.

true 

Anonymous said:With this FFP mess and La Liga reporting them could the transfer be blocked?

Dont think it could be blocked, but PSG can get in trouble and Ney might not want to transfer if he gets scared… 

Anonymous said:Nelson and Ney made up, there is pictures of them hugging. 😊😊😊😊 Sweet boys!!!!

Yeah I saw. Just a training fight nothing more. 

Anonymous said:“Neymar can’t do anything these days.” Okay true, he’s never been a perfect person and has done a lot of dumb things in the past. But people are really coming for blood on small things just because of these messy transfer rumors that have been going on for the past two weeks. Small things that would have meant nothing to others months ago.

Exactly. They all need to calm down a little and dont make everything he does so big… 

Anonymous said:Ronaldo isn’t surrounded by idiots u know. Lol. For what its worth his agent is a genius he has made ronaldo have like a mega image throughout the globe and under no circumstances will he leave Real Madrid to go for PSG i mean la liga over ligue1 for him also he is established himself why on earth wud he go there where dont even watch many matches😅

I really dont care about Ronaldo tbh xD I mean he does his thing. He won’t go to P$G thats that. 

Anonymous said:How the heck did Neymar and Draymond Green become like bffs in such a short period of time?? Draymond is spending more time with Neymar than with his own Warrior teammates 😕

No ideaaaa. I didnt even know who the guy was before he was Bffs with Ney xD