#they saved me the trouble of getting rid of doflamingo

[joukka]

half way through film gold. tesoro is so tacky.

[10piecechickennuggy]

Magic and Secrets, Chapter 3 - Sanji x Witch!OC

WARNING: Mature content ahead!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own One Piece or the art featured above. This is a fan-created work featuring an original character.

Read Chapter 2 Here

Read Chapter 1 Here

The patter of footsteps echoed throughout the mansion, a young girl giggling as she ran through her home. She was supposed to be in her room. She’d been told that there would be punishment if she disobeyed. But curiosity had wormed its way into Vera’s naive mind.

It had been easy to escape. Her mother hadn’t even bothered to lock the door, knowing Vera could easily open it with magic. Praesentia’s voice had been stern as she threatened her daughter, and for a moment Vera did feel true fear. But the allure of secret agendas and forbidden knowledge proved too strong.

“The brat has to go!” Her footsteps halted just short of her stepfather’s study. Careful to not make a sound, she pressed herself flat to the wall and focused her hearing. 

“Darling, I know you don’t want her. And neither do I. But what do you suggest we do?” Her mother’s voice was laden with frustration.

“I’d love nothing more than to wring her neck myself.” Misericors seethed with rage, no doubt fantasizing about murdering the girl.

“And what would the other Celestial Dragons say if you did?” Praesentia’s voice rose in volume, an accusatory inflection to it. “She’s a God, just as we are. If you kill her and they find out, we’ll be cast out of Mariejois! Our fate would be worse than the Donquixotes!”

“The Donquixotes?!” A piece of furniture fell, the resulting thud startling Vera. But still she did not move. “If anyone deserves their fate it’s that whelp! She and Doflamingo are the only two left carrying that disgraceful family’s blood!”

Praesentia sighed, no doubt exasperated by the conversation that had been ongoing since her daughter’s birth. “You know we can’t do that without risking our own lives. Product of an affair or not, she’s still a Celestial Dragon. And a purebred one at that, …” her words trailed off at the end of her statement, seeming to lose herself in thought.

“I don’t want to hear about your infidelity! I want that girl out of my home!” Misericors was almost screaming now, no doubt red in the face.

“There is a way we could get rid of her.” Praesentia began hesitantly. “But it would take time.”

“Out with it!”

“We could sell her into an arranged marriage.”

Misericors was quiet as he mulled over the proposal. When he spoke again, his voice had calmed. “That would make her somewhat useful. And in the meantime, she could work with the slaves. Say that she’s being taught homemaking for the sake of her future husband.”

“Yes!” Praesentia clapped in delight at her husband’s words. “I have no doubt a royal family would pay greatly to be married into the Domain of the Gods. And if we train her as a slave, she’ll be so obedient !”

A hand clasped over Vera’s mouth, maintaining her silence as tears welled in her eyes. She willed the sobs to stay down, her body shaking in fear at what she’d heard. She turned to run back to her room, ready to dive under the covers of her bed and pretend she hadn’t just eavesdropped on a conversation which sealed her fate to a life of misery. 

“You impudent little pest!” She’d been caught. Vera halted her movements, freezing mid-step as she turned to face her mother. The older woman marched forward, gripping Vera’s arm painfully tight. 

“I told you to stay put!” Her hand rose, palm open before coming down fast. The harsh slap reverberated off the ornately decorated walls, paintings of smiling faces inside gilded frames mocked the young girl. “But I suppose you did save me the trouble of explaining things.” Praesentia released her daughter’s arm, leaving Vera to fall backwards.

“I’ll have the slaves move her things.” Misericors scowled down at his stepdaughter like one would an insect. “Tomorrow, you’ll start working.” 

Vera gulped at the statement. She was only five years old, and yet she knew her very existence was a mistake. A mistake for which she would be punished relentlessly.

***

Dark eyes gazed through glass towards the horizon. Endless blue in all directions, calm waves and sparsely clouded skies met Vera’s vision. How many days had they been at sea? Time seemed to blur when the scenery and weather were unchanging. A small part of her wondered if Nami had gotten them lost. She sighed and resumed reading the book cradled in her lap.

The library door swung open to reveal an exuberant Sanji, a tray of beverages in one hand. He twirled to Robin first, offering her an ornate teacup upon its matching saucer. Steam wafted into the air. 

“Herbal Rose tea with honey.” The historian took the delicate porcelain into her hand. Sanji stood upright, smiling wide. “A delicate and sweet blend for an equally graceful beauty.”

Robin thanked the cook with a smile, her voice soft and eyes kind. Sanji took this as his opportunity to spin towards the window seat where Vera lounged. Upon reaching his destination, he knelt at her side and offered a glass. “And a mango smoothie for the alluring enchantress.” 

Vera blushed and took the beverage from the blonde. She immediately took a sip, her face lighting up. “Wow, Sanji! This is even better than yesterday’s acai bowl!” 

The chef beamed. “You’re too kind.” He tucked the tray neatly under his arm and turned to exit. Just before leaving, he announced, “Lunch will be ready in a few hours. I’ll come retrieve you when it’s time.”

Once the library door had closed, Robin addressed her companion with amusement evident in her voice. “He seems fond of you.”

Vera turned away, hiding her darkening cheeks. She glanced down just in time to see a head of blonde hair entering the ship’s kitchen, a trail of smoke cut off by the closing door. “He’s fond of anything in a dress.”

Robin chuckled, a loose fist covering her mouth as she did. “Whatever you say.” She took a long sip of her tea, punctuating her suspicions. 

Laughter caught the witch’s attention, drifting to the ship’s bow where three distinct figures sat on a wooden banister. Fishing poles were clenched firmly in Usopp and Luffy’s hands, long lines cast into the sea below. Chopper sat beside them, his hooved feet dangling over the ledge. The group appeared incredibly carefree despite two thirds of them being unable to swim.

Across the deck, Franky sat working on an indistinguishable project. Tools were strewn around him and he was clearly working on something. But what that something was, Vera couldn’t tell. The cyborg sat back, admiring his work before looking upward. His eyes met Vera’s and he smiled, waving up to his new crewmate. Vera waves back weakly, placating the man who quickly returned to his task.

Nami stood at the helm, her gaze shifting between the log pose on her wrist and the map held in her other hand. As abruptly as he had entered the library, a beverage wielding Sanji nearly pirouetted across the deck. He landed on one knee, appearing to propose with the colorful drink he offered the ginger navigator. Once the drink had been taken, the cook stood and began visibly gushing over the woman. Though she couldn’t hear what was being said, Vera could tell that verbal honey poured from his mouth in proclamations of his adoration.

The witch’s eyebrows furrowed. Why did the scene before her cause such discomfort? She stood, sending the book she held away with a soft muttering before exiting the room. 

Now in a proper foul mood, Vera searched for something to occupy her attention. But being confined to a single ship - no matter how large Sunny was - her options proved limited. Weighing her options, she eventually decided the greatest potential lay with the crow’s nest and a particular swordsman.

Upon lifting the heavy wood of the trap door, sounds of clanking metal and grunts invaded the air. Vera lifted herself into the room, greeted with the sight of a shirtless, sweaty Zoro on his back, a bar with several large weights attached to either side held firmly in his grip. A large scar spanning the man’s broad chest caught her gaze, noting its jagged contrast to the straight line over Zoro’s missing eye.

“What?” The word came out sounding more like a growl. At first, Vera wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly. But as he continued lifting the metal bar, the swordsman’s single eye came to meet with hers - a look of expectation on his face.

“Sorry.” The girl’s fingers toyed with the hem of her skirt, eyes studying the grain lines in the wooden floor.

Metal clanked loudly as the bar was returned to its rack, causing Vera’s attention to return to the green-haired man. Zoro now sat upright, a rag being pressed to his dripping forehead. “What do you want?” This time the question came clear, laced with annoyance.

“I-”

“Out with it.” His arms were crossed over his chest, creating an intimidating pose.

“Is it alright if I stay here for a bit?” Her words were quiet and fast. She wondered for a moment if they’d even reached the swordsman, but he replied with a simple nod before bringing a bottle to his lips.

Vera sighed, taking a moment to look out the windows which encircled the room. A 360 degree view of nothing but clear blue, the only difference being that she could now see more of the seemingly unending ocean than the library could offer. 

Vera sat on one of the many benches lining the walls, her gaze returning to Zoro as he reached for a dumbbell. “Is it really okay for me to be here?” She asked, not expecting an answer from the man.

“I said it was fine, didn’t I?” Zoro eyed her whilst his biceps flexed. 

The witch shook her head. “I mean on the crew.” The only response she received was a raised eyebrow, and so she continued. “You all barely know me. And sure we haven’t been at sea for long, but I haven’t done anything useful and I feel like I’m just wasting your resources by being here.”

Zoro scoffed, setting the weight down and reaching for his swords. Vera gulped, bracing herself for the attack. With three swords, surely it’d be as painless as possible. He’d behead her in one swift motion and the crew would be rid of a nuisance. 

Her eyes squeezed shut in anticipation for the impact. But all that happened was a small click of Zoro’s tongue before he rushed forward, thrusting open the window behind her. Vera opened her eyes in time to see the swordsman lean out the window and shout to the crew below. “Marines! Straight ahead!”

Vera turned, looking out past Sunny’s figurehead and to a tiny dot on the horizon. She’d originally mistaken the ship for a wave or a bird, nothing worthy of a second glance. But upon further inspection, the large white and blue sails were unmistakable. Zoro had rushed out of the crow’s nest before Vera could register his actions. Upon hearing the trap door slam, she was knocked from her thoughts and sprang to follow.

The main deck was in a state of chaos. Bodies ran about, executing orders which Nami shouted. Sails were unfurled and the ship lurched as canvas caught new wind. 

A thunderous boom suddenly overpowered all other noise. Vera turned just in time to see a cannonball flying her way. She took a defensive stance, ready to utter a spell when a blur of red ran past her. In an instant, Luffy was in the air. He’d inflated his body to an impossible size, causing the cannonball to bounce off into the water upon impact. 

More deafening noise and several balls of iron were headed their way. Zoro and Sanji were the next to jump into action. Zoro swung his swords, a wave of energy cutting a cannonball in half. Sanji leapt out, his leg darkening from the knee down with armament Haki. With a single kick, the offending mass was sent down in a splash.

These people were monsters. In the best possible way. 

Another boom and the Sunny heaved, firing a cannon of its own. Vera watched as the ammunition landed just to the left of the Marine vessel. She clutched a railing, steadying herself and fixing her resolve. She would prove useful in this battle.

The enemy ship drew nearer - when had it gotten so close? Marines could be seen, aiming rifles now. Luffy had jumped into the air, his gum gum powers hurtling the man toward yet another cannonball. With the distracting iron, he’d failed to notice the men taking aim from the deck.

Vera acted fast, rushing forward and thrusting her hand outward. With splayed fingers and fear in her eyes, she shouted a spell. “Deleo te in planum astrale, offenso glandibus!” 

The men fired their weapons, plumes of smoke rising into the air. But no bullets came. Luffy landed back on the Sunny and turned to his newest crew member with a grin. “Thanks, Vera!”

The girl gave a thumbs up and a weak smile before the world turned black.

Read Chapter 4 Here

[purplehairedwonder]

Hearts With(out) Chains Chapter 7

Fandom: One Piece Rating: PG-13 Pairings: Gen (eventual Lawlu) Words: 3324 Characters: Trafalgar Law, Monkey D. Luffy, Nico Robin, Usopp, Franky, Zoro, Chopper, Nami, Sanji, Smoker, Tashigi, Vergo Note: I’m taking my turn at the Corazon!Law AU because my brain won’t leave me alone until this is written down. Tags will be updated as the chapters come out.

The story title is based on the Ellie Goulding song “Hearts Without Chains.”

Summary: Law is reclaimed by the Family when he’s 17 and, with Doflamingo holding the lives of his crew as collateral for his good behavior, eventually becomes the third Corazon. Years later, trapped by his impossible situation, Law can’t help but resent Monkey D. Luffy for offering a glimpse of something he’s repeatedly had ripped away from him: hope.

Previous chapters: Prologue | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Read also at AO3 / FF.N

“Oi!” Straw Hat called. “What’s going on?”

“Luffy!” the cat burglar and tanuki cried in relief.

“Straw Hat,” the mangled parts of the G-5 soldiers groaned.

“Luffy, look,” the long-nosed one said. “It’s the guy from Sabaody.”

“Corazon,” Nico Robin said, immediately taking a defensive posture. “This must be one of Donquixote Doflamingo’s operations if his second is here.”

Straw Hat blinked at Law then smiled widely. “It’s you.”

Law inclined his head. “Straw Hat-ya. I see you made it.”

“He saved me at Marineford,” Straw Hat, still smiling, said to his crew, who exchanged glances.

“Things change, Luffy,” Pirate Hunter Zoro said, hand going to the blades at his hip. “I don’t think he’s here to help us now. He already got the love cook.”

Straw Hat’s gaze went to where Black Leg had fallen, and his expression darkened. “Sanji!”

“He’s alive,” Law said. “For now. I’m afraid I can’t let any of you leave.” This would be more complicated with all of his targets in one place; part of him thought that he should have brought backup after all, but he quickly dismissed it.

“Chopper,” Straw Hat called. “Come look at Sanji.”

The tanuki started to move, and Law lifted Kikoku but suddenly had three swords to parry as Zoro charged him. A distraction. No matter.

Law and Zoro traded blows with their blades until Law lifted a hand and switched Zoro with a snowflake among the amputated parts of the G-5 soldiers. The pirate hunter yelped in surprise before gaping at the moving and talking body parts.

“What the hell kind of power is this?!” he demanded.

“Super freaky, right?” the cyborg asked. “As long as we’re in this circle, he can do what he wants.”

Law’s lips twitched, but his haki flared and he dodged a shot from the sniper’s slingshot. Law swung Kikoku in his direction, but arms sprouted around the sniper and pulled him out of the slice’s path. Boulders in the distance split in two, and Long Nose gaped like a fish.

Law Shambled out of the way of another blast from the cyborg and had just enough time when saw the skeleton approaching to swap him with a rock on the other side of his Room. The skeleton sputtered in surprise, but Law ignored him, turning his attention back to the people in front of him. He tried to raise Kikoku again but couldn’t move her. He frowned and looked down to see hands sprouting from the blade. When he looked back up, he met Nico Robin’s gaze. He smirked and Shambled away once more. She was startled enough by the motion to drop her powers.

With a bit of distance between them now, Law surveyed the scene. He was on the defensive and couldn’t keep Shambling around to just avoid the Straw Hats’ attacks; it was taking a toll on his stamina. He was already starting to feel the effects of prolonged and consistent use of his abilities. He needed to get on the offensive and end this.

But the Straw Hats weren’t going to make it that easy for him.

He was casting around for something he could use to his advantage when his haki prickled once more. He side-stepped just in time to see a fist fly by his head then return to its owner. When Law looked backed, Straw Hat was eyeing him with a frown.

“I don’t want to fight someone who saved my life,” he said.

“I have orders to get rid of all trespassers,” Law replied. “You and your crew are trespassing, Straw Hat-ya.”

“Shishishi, that’s what pirates do,” Straw Hat replied with a laugh.

“I’m a pirate, too,” Law reminded him. “And pirates also protect what’s theirs.” Or their boss’s, who controlled the fate of his crew. Whichever.

“So, this is Doflamingo’s operation,” Nico Robin mused. “What is he doing here in a place that is supposed to be off-limits to everyone?”

“None of your concern.”

“Luffy,” the cat burglar called. Straw Hat glanced over at her. “They’ve taken kids,” she said, gesturing toward the group behind her and Kin’emon. “We have to help them!”

Straw Hat’s expression darkened, and Nico Robin’s lips quirked. “I think we just made it our concern, Corazon.”

Law shrugged. “So be it.”

He turned toward the G-5 ship that had anchored just in front of the lab—and inside Law’s Room—and lifted a finger. With Takt, the ground began to shake as the ship rose out of the water.

The cat burglar looked around, alarmed. “What’s that noise?”

“Why is everything shaking? Earthquake?” cried the G-5 soldiers.

“T-the ship!” Long Nose yelped.

“Woah, cool!” Straw Hat declared, delighted.

Once the ship was high enough, Law sliced Kikoku through the air, and the ship split into quarters, debris raining down from the sky. Law flicked his fingers, and the debris started flying toward the others. Zoro and Kin’emon jumped in front of the children to cut down boxes and boulders while the cyborg bolted to the tanuki and Black Leg, using his huge body to cover them as the tanuki treated a woozy Black Leg. Straw Hat blew himself up like a bubble—Law raised an eyebrow at that—and bounced the threats off to protect Nico Robin and Long Nose. The skeleton dodged as he made his way back toward his crew, and the G-5 soldiers tried to use one another to shield themselves.

As the debris fell, Law slammed the pieces of the ship against the various rock formations in the area, fusing them together. There would be no escape via ship for the Marines now.

With the ship out of commission, Law turned his attention back to his targets. He planned to use the chaos of the debris to disguise his attack, but when he made to jump into motion, he couldn’t move. He looked down to see hands sprouting of the ground, wrapped around his ankles. When he glanced back up, Nico Robin had her arms crossed in front of her and a knowing smile on her lips.

Then she said something to Straw Hat, and he looked over at the immobile Law. Before Law could think about switching with a piece of debris, Straw Hat had deflated and thrown his arms out directly at Law. He hissed as Straw Hat’s rubber arms wrapped around his chest multiple times, and Kikoku fell from his grip as his own arms were restrained.

“Gotcha!”

His hands were still free, though, so he prepared to Shamble out of Straw Hat’s and Nico Robin’s grips—

His eyes widened and he grunted in pain and surprise as something slammed into his back. The strength leeched from his body and his Room fell around him. The pieces of ship and ocean debris that were still swirling in the air were no longer being directed so crashed into the ground, forcing people to dodge. He glanced behind him and saw Smoker, Seastone-tipped jitte driven into his back above Straw Hat’s rubbery limbs. The vice admiral’s gaze was sharp.

“I want my heart back, pirate,” he growled.

“Zoro!”

Law’s gaze flew back in front of him to see Zoro rushing toward him, and Law was completely helpless. Shit.

“Don’t kill him!” Straw Hat called as the pirate hunter neared.

Law tensed as Zoro raised his sword and swung down. There was blinding pain in his temple and then nothing.

-----

Vergo watched from his hidden perch as the pirate hunter swung his sword and Corazon—no, he would always be little Trafalgar Law, traitor to the Donquixote Family—crumpled. Straw Hat Luffy released his hold on Law, easing him surprisingly gently to the ground. Smoker reached down and searched through Law’s pockets until he found his heart. He straightened and slid it back into his chest. Too bad; that would have been a good way to get rid of Smoker for good. Oh well. There were plenty of hazards on this island Vergo could take advantage of.

With Law’s Room down, the G-5 soldiers started piecing themselves back together with varying degrees of anatomical correctness (they truly were the Marines’ most inept). Captain Tashigi collected herself and joined Vice Admiral Smoker as they looked at the gathering Straw Hats. The tanuki had gotten Black Leg back to his feet, though he was moving with some deliberation. An argument between Smoker and Luffy ensued, seemingly over Law as they both gestured at his unconscious form.

The cat burglar then spoke up, gesturing toward the children behind her. This caught Captain Tashigi’s attention, and she turned an impassioned plea to Smoker, undoubtedly to help the brats. Vergo frowned; he’d gone to a lot of trouble to get Caesar those subjects, so it wouldn’t do for them to be taken away now. Caesar was doing important work for Joker, and those test subjects were necessary.

After some further arguments and discussion, the pirates and Marines split into two groups, with Smoker, Tashigi, and G-5 following the cat burglar, samurai, cyborg, pirate hunter, tanuki, and skeleton inside—likely because Law had taken out the Marine ship so there was no way to get them out without calling for backup. That was something Vergo could work with as the base commander for G-5.

Before she started walking off, Tashigi offered something to Straw Hat Luffy, though the long-nosed sniper ended up taking it. He then bent over and—ah, they were Seastone cuffs. He fastened them around Law’s wrists. So, they weren’t as dumb as they looked after all.

Straw Hat then picked up Law and threw him over his shoulder. The pirate hunter handed Law’s blade over to his captain before joining the group going inside the lab. Nico Robin, Black Leg, and the sniper followed Straw Hat in the opposite direction, likely to their ship.

Vergo found his lips curling upward as he watched Straw Hat Luffy carry an unconscious and powerless Law back toward his ship. Perhaps it was finally time to put the brat in his place.

-----

The first thing Law felt as consciousness returned was the throbbing in his head. The second was the telltale weakness in his body that came from Seastone. Memories flooded back in, and his eyes flew open. He was staring up at a wooden ceiling rather than a gray, snowy sky. Confused, he glanced down to see he was on a bed, and his wrists were shackled in Seastone cuffs.

That… was not good.

“You’re awake.”

Law started at the voice and looked over to see Nico Robin sitting on a stool across the room. She had a book in hand, but she marked her page and set it on the desk. Law’s gaze slid past her and took in the rest of the room—an infirmary, not a brig.

Nico Robin let him take in his surroundings and waited until his gaze turned back to her.

“Welcome to the Thousand Sunny,” she said.

Law frowned, but when she made no other move, he sat up slowly, careful of his aching head, and scooted back to lean against the wall. They both knew he was a minimal threat to her in these cuffs.

“Your ship?” Law finally asked when his companion (no, guard) remained silent. He wasn’t sure if this was better or worse than a Marine brig—though he supposed with no little satisfaction the Marine brig was fused to a rock somewhere outside. Either way, his capture was a complication in his mission, which meant it was a danger to his nakama back in Dressrosa. The sooner he took back control of the situation, the sooner he could finish his mission and assure their safety.

She hummed in agreement. “Smoker wanted to arrest you, but Luffy wouldn’t let him.”

Law blinked at that. “Why?”

Not that Law was worried about being arrested; Doffy would never let Smoker take Law in. But it would have been yet another complication in his operation, and Doffy hated complications.

Nico Robin studied him for a long moment, her gaze unsettling—as though she could see through Law. “Isn’t that the question going around today?”

Law narrowed his eyes. What was that supposed to mean?

He opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted by the infirmary door slamming open. Straw Hat stood in the doorway, and Law’s breath caught, that tug in his chest returning stronger than ever, as if it refused to be ignored. Straw Hat’s eyes traveled around the room, brightening when they landed on Law.

“You’re awake!”

“And apparently a prisoner,” Law replied dryly, gesturing with the cuffs.

Straw Hat’s expression fell. “That’s not—” He stuck his lips out in a pout. “I just wanted to talk. Would you stay if we took them off?”

“Long enough to kill you, then I’d be gone.” Law was here on a mission, after all. He briefly wondered where Kikoku was but decided it didn’t matter; once he got these cuffs off, he’d open a Room and find her.

“Why would you want to kill me?” Straw Hat asked. He didn’t sound worried about Law’s threat, just confused. Nico Robin had risen to her feet during the exchange. Nothing in her posture said she was poised to attack, but Law had a feeling she’d act in an instant if Law showed any sign of threat to her captain. “You saved me two years ago.”

“You know who I work for,” Law replied with a shrug, aiming for casual and in control despite his predicament. “I’m here on his orders.”

“And you’re a loyal soldier, aren’t you, Corazon?” Nico Robin said. “You follow your captain’s orders without question.”

There was enough give in the shackles for Law to cross his arms. He said nothing in reply, though. His actions at Marineford sat heavily on the air among them.

“I heard about your exploits over the last two years,” she continued. “You’ve made quite a name for yourself, Surgeon of Death.”

Law remained silent. He didn’t care about the Demon Child’s judgment or her use of the epithet he had earned. He did what he had to do. Besides, he was a pirate, and he acted like one.

Nico Robin walked over to the door and put a gentle hand on her captain’s shoulder, a softness to her tone that had not been there moments before. “Be careful.”

Straw Hat nodded, and she smiled at him before leaving. She closed the door behind her, leaving Law and Straw Hat alone. Law would have been annoyed at being underestimated like that, but the Seastone rendered him essentially useless.

This boy, Law thought as they regarded one another, was the reason he had made a selfish choice that resulted in Shachi losing his arm. Why had he done that?

What was it about him that tugged on Law’s chest, drawing him into the boy’s orbit?

It couldn’t just be that initial that they shared, a mysterious legacy Cora-san had sacrificed everything to protect Law over. But what was it?

Straw Hat crossed his arms. “I don’t think you want to kill me. Or my crew.”

Law raised an eyebrow. “Oh?” he said. “You might want to ask Black Leg his opinion on that.”

Straw Hat frowned. “Sanji’s okay, though. You didn’t kill him.”

“Only because you interrupted me,” Law drawled.

Straw Hat made a frustrated sound. “No.”

Law blinked. “No?”

“No,” Straw Hat confirmed. “I don’t believe you.” He started pacing, and Law followed his back-and-forth movements with his eyes. “I wanted to thank you. For saving me that time,” Straw Hat said.

“You don’t need to thank me,” Law replied, the same lie falling from his lips that he’d repeated over the last two years: “I acted on a whim, nothing more.”

Straw Hat shook his head. “Jimbei said that you’d be in trouble with that Mingo guy for helping us, and I was worried.” He paused and looked at Law. “Were you? In trouble?”

Law suppressed the urge to touch his throat. “I fail to see how that matters.”

Straw Hat stared at him, seeming to read something in Law’s non-response. “But you helped me anyway. And I’m grateful!” He nodded, as if confirming something to himself. “So, you’re a good guy. No matter what anyone says.”

Law flinched. “No, I’m really not. You should listen to Nico-ya.” His hands were soaked with blood, including that of his own nakama. And if he didn’t complete this cleanup mission, there would be more blood on his hands.

“Nope,” Straw Hat stubbornly decided, as though he knew Law. But if he actually knew him, he wouldn’t want anything to do with Law. He shouldn’t want anything to do with Law. “I can feel it. Right here,” he said, touching his chest.

Law’s breath caught, his protest dying on his tongue. He was touching the same place Law felt the tug in his own chest when Straw Hat came up. Did he…? Did he feel it too? Whatever it was?

Straw Hat suddenly flopped down onto the end of the mattress, bouncing Law slightly. Law grimaced as his head protested.

Straw Hat looked over at Law curiously. “What kind of name is Coradone anyway?”

“Corazon,” Law snapped, still feeling a bit off kilter. “And it’s not my name. It’s a title.”

Straw Hat perked up. “Really? Then what’s your real name?”

Law looked away. “It doesn’t matter. I haven’t gone by my name in years. No one uses it.”

Though Law wasn’t looking at him, he could hear the frown in Straw Hat’s voice. “That sounds lonely.”

Law blinked in surprise. There was something to what Straw Hat was saying. Though the Family treated becoming an executive and earning the title as the highest honor one could achieve, Law had learned over the last six years that it also acted to dehumanize the wearer of the title. Law was no longer Law; he was Corazon, the second in command of the Donquixote Pirates. He was defined entirely by his station in the Family. Though Law had been with the Family for over a decade, he didn’t know the real names of the other three executives—their identities were their titles.

(The irony of Law continuing to remember Rosinante as Cora-san, a diminutive of his title when he’d been undercover, was not lost on him.)

“Anyway!” Straw Hat said cheerfully, letting Law’s silence be response enough, “Smokey wanted to arrest you, but I wouldn’t let him. But while the Marines are here, you should probably stay out of sight, especially after what you did to their ship. That was so cool, by the way! Sanji’ll get you food,” he added, as if that was the most important detail.

Law looked back at him and raised an eyebrow. “So, I’m your prisoner, Straw Hat-ya?”

Straw Hat shrugged apologetically. “I mean, I’d take the cuffs off, but—”

Law smirked. “You don’t want me to kill your crew.”

“Not that I’d let you,” he said, smile turning cheeky.

Law couldn’t help a small laugh. “You think you’re stronger than me?”

“I did beat you,” Straw Hat pointed out.

“That was four-on-one,” Law reminded him. And Law had only gone down when Smoker had surprised him with the Seastone.

Straw Hat’s smile widened. “Let’s find out sometime.” He jumped up off the mattress. “I need to check on my nakama, but I’ll be back.” He crossed the small room and opened the infirmary door.

“Trafalgar.” Straw Hat paused and looked back at him curiously. Law hadn’t realized he’d spoken until Straw Hat had frozen. “Trafalgar Law,” he said again, unsure of why he was telling Straw Hat. “That’s my name.”

Straw Hat’s face lit up into a blinding grin, and Law’s chest tightened. “I like it. Trafal— Tragal— Torao! I like it, Torao!” he beamed before heading out and shutting the door behind him.

Law was in so much trouble.

Next chapter

[shambledsurgeon]

“I need you to live…cause if you’re gone, then I don’t know what the point of it all is anymore.”

And just like that he’s feeling as if he’s been gut punched by Jean Bart. His stomach immediately forms itself into a knot and he feels as if he’s sinking under cold ocean waves. 

In his mind he just can’t seem to see himself the way the others see him. Not when he’s done some deeply questionable things. The world that knows his name, thinks him to be a devil of sorts. A fruit user. A sadistic man capable of the unimaginable with barely a hint of regret to be seen on him. It’s not as if they’re wrong about him either. 

He is also guilty of throwing himself into dangerous situations fully knowing that he might not come back from them. In his mind his sacrifice is worth it in the end. This does make him selfish. That does pain him. It’s a struggle in him that tears him to pieces. Never would he have thought that despite everything about himself, these people would see past all of that and love him so freely and genuinely. The pain they feel over his decisions is like red hot dagger through his chest. 

Hurt fills his eyes at her dark statement. This woman, has SO much to continue on for and it pains him she can’t see that. She isn’t bogged down any longer by her own past. Or at least he’s done what he can to free her of that. She is skilled, and attracts people easily to her. She should have no trouble leading a successful life filled with anything she could wish to go after. Yet she stands before him, pain filling her eyes and darkening her entire spirit. 

“Ikkaku, I should not be the only thing you see. There’s an entire world for you.” He quietly argues knowing full well that won’t get him far. It’s not as if he plans on going anywhere just yet. He has yet to ensure Doflamingo truly pays for his deeds. Law fully intends on getting Cora-san a deserved revenge. If he believes the man can finally be at peace, perhaps Law one day can find that too...

He sighs deeply. It has taken a lot of time. A lot of thoughts and arguments with others. For him to wish to keep this life. The goal is still worthwhile but he will fight to keep himself alive if it keeps his family alive as well. It just disturbs him to hear any of them talk this way...

"There will always be a point to your life. Yours and the others. Whether I am around or not. That being said. It’s not going to be that easy to get rid of me either. I’m not about to screw up that badly. Clearly the lot of you continue to need someone to save your asses from trouble.” Gold hues warm with fondness and the corner of his mouth pulls upward into that signature smirk. He wishes to lighten the mood. 

He eases forward, hand moving to the back of her neck and pulling her toward him, so that their foreheads meet in a rare show of affection. “Your blind to the fact that I’m the one that needs the rest of you to live.” 

[tenyxshx-a]

"Here." He placed a big bag of candy on Doffy's lap. "A friend of mine gave me this, but I don't like sweets."

➸ @vsheart | ➸ artist v.

Ah Rem with his bad habit of getting rid of any presents he didn’t like. Well, it was his right, but still. Since it had been from a “friend”, Doflamingo accepted the bag and wasted no time in grabbing a lollipop.

“Mmm Rem? If you don’t like them why not tell them? It’d save you the trouble of receiving gifts like this again.”

Had it been the first time? Or was Rem just not being honest with his friend. Doflamingo found both of those very plausible explanations, really. But the more pressing matter for him was whether or not Rem could actually be honest to friends.