First a little about me I'm 25yr female. I have been writing mostly fanfic for a while first on Wattpad when that was a big thing then some works on A03 and now tumblr.
I don't write smut or anything like that as I am ACE and don't think I would do it justice but I can enjoy it and I respect those who write it but if your reading my stories don't expect to come across it. But don't think your safe from conversations regarding: Angst, Anxiety, Depression, mentions of SA or SH.
My favorite fandoms to write include: One Piece, Bat Family, Rottmnt, Marvel, and more! if you have any recommendations or ideas please send me a message and I would love to get inspired form them.
Now here are the links to my writings:
Full Posts:
I have been converting my stories to fit into one full post this gives me a excuse to edit the story and come back to them.
Stowaway: The reader is a slave to a nobleman due to her devil's fruit ability which allows her to control the emotions of the people around her. She flees to bump into Trafalgar Law and boards his ship.
A Pirates Choice: Shortly after leaving Wano the heart pirates run into an easy group of pirates but Law notices you falling behind. You now have to face your captain with the truth of what happened in Wano.
BrainWaves: You wake up to find yourself in control of the Heart Pirate Captain Trafalger Law's body with no memories of your own and his voice echoing in your head. Together you work together to return you to your own body.
One piece
You Can't Fall In Love With Pride
Summary: You are a woman from Dressrosa who has fooled the mightiest of men and made Nations crumble from within. Using your charms you trick Penguin and Shachi and sneak onto the polar tang looking for information on surgeon of death. Only Law is not so easily fooled, or so he thinks. Law is full of pride, his darkness lies inside and is as sharp as a knife. There's never a doubt inside his mind that he has you under his control when he takes you and your heart prisoner after catching you snooping, but his ego makes him blind to your true motives.
Part 1 | Part 2
Deadlines
Summary: You are a strawhat pirate who joined Law's crew after the events of Sabaody in order to train. You learn the grumpy captain an you have a shared history. But despite growing close to him and his crew you were still on a deadline to return to your crew and your time with the heart pirates will come to a end.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Deleted Scenes
Stowaway
Summary: The reader is a slave to a nobleman due to her devil's fruit ability which allows her to control the emotions of the people around her. She flees to bump into Trafalgar Law and boards his ship.
Summary: A woman snuck her way onto the polar tang by tricking Shachi and Penguin but Law is quick to realize her antics.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
A Pirate's Choice
Summary: Shortly after leaving Wano the heart pirates run into an easy group of pirates but Law notices you falling behind. You now have to face your captain with the truth of what happened in Wano.
Full Post
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
Pushing the Line
Summary: You are the head of tactics of the Heart Pirates and you and your captain have always had a line in your relationship that you won't cross. in part one you fall down a cliff with him and that starts the spiral of your relationship.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
Brainwaves
Summary: You wake up to find yourself in control of the Heart Pirate Captain Trafalger Law's body with no memories of your own and his voice echoing in your head. Together you work together to return you to your own body.
Full Post
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
It's A Bad idea, Right?
Summary: You and Law had a bad break up a year ago now you have ran into each other at Sabaody. Not only do you learn your break up was a huge misunderstanding but your feeling for each other quickly return. You know its a bad idea to reconnect with your old captain but there's just something about him.
Your POV | Law's POV
Sworn Vengeance
Summary: It has been over a decade since you last seen that stupid spotted hat and now you find it upon the head of a grown man who should of died a long time ago. You blamed him for the deaths of your loved ones and sworn revenge. After a month of tracking him you finally have your moment to enact your plan.
Part 1
Pages of Promise
Summary: You have always itched for adventure and when an interesting vessel appears you take your chance and jump aboard.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Sad Ending | Bittersweet Ending
Dance of Steel
Summary: Captain Kairi is the user of the devil fruit the blink blink fruit and has found herself on Trafalgar Law's list of pirates to steal their heart from for him to be granted the rank of warlord of the sea.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
ROTTMNT
Trials of the Cloaking brooch
Summary:
What happens when you let your anxiety and trauma control your life?
Leo is drowning under the weight of leadership. Every decision feels wrong. Every strategy could fail. So he does what he's always done, he runs. He finds a cloaking brooch gives him the perfect escape. A chance to be just Leo, not the leader everyone's counting on. That's where he meets Alice with anxieties that mirror his own. For the first time in months, he can breathe. But secrets catch up. When a cure for the mutagen is discovered, it brings war instead of peace and Leo's new friend is trapped in the middle of it.
A story about the lies anxiety tells us, and two people trying to save each other from drowning—one literally, one metaphorically.
This is not a romance, just two people who needed each other at exactly the right time.
hi! just wanted to drop in and say that i've never stumbled across your writing because i'm not in your same fandoms but i just saw your post about a bot commenting something hateful under one of your fics so i went and read some of your writing and it is sooooooooo good!!!! i hope the stupid bots are stopped at some point 🫂🫂
Summary: Leo and Donnie take a visit to witch town in search of a perfect birthday present for Mikey. With Donnie's ban in the town things go wrong and Leo is hit with a spell. Donnie is forced to take care of his twin while he is trapped in state.
Tag: ROTTMNT, Fun and silly,
Word Count: 6,232
A/N: There are a ton of great 'Feral Leo' fics out there, this is sorta a reference to all of those but without the angst. This is a very funny chapter with the disaster twins on full display. I high key have been forgetting to post these chapters here mostly though because my tumblr audience prefers my one piece works. There's few more Chapter posted on ao3 to catch up on and I will be only posting the rest of the chapters on there from this point on. Trials of the Mini Series.
"Donnie, chiiiill." Leo groaned as he stepped out of a portal and into the heart of Witch Town. "That incident was almost three years ago. They've probably forgotten about it by now."
Donnie emerged from the portal in a blur, immediately ducking behind a market stall. "They absolutely have NOT forgotten!" he hissed, his head peeking out slightly as he scanned the crowd of witches. "I'll have you know I am very memorable. Distinctively so. My presence leaves an indelible mark on—"
"Your ego is showing," Leo interrupted, hands behind his head as he strutted away casually.
"It's not ego if it's TRUE!" Donnie hissed, rolling to the next stall.
Leo rolled his eyes. "All you did was break a statue."
"And I ruined the peace potion for their festival!"
"A festival they have every year."
Donnie grabbed Leo's arm and yanked him behind the next stall. "The point is! I am EXTREMELY banned and we should NOT be here!"
Leo pushed himself out of his twin's hold and stepped back into the open. "Relax, hermano. We won't be long. Once we find that weird apron thing for Mikey, we can leave. Trust me It’ll be fine."
"The 'Ever-Clean Apron,'" Donnie corrected, adjusting his hood nervously.
"Yeah, sure, that." Leo waved dismissively. "Unless you don't want to split the gift anymore? I will be more than glad to take full credit for getting the big man the best birthday gift ever."
"It wasn't even your idea!"
"Then quit your whining and help me look for the thing." Leo gestured forward.
Donnie's face scrunched, but he yanked his hood over his head and slowly emerged from his hiding spot.
"That-a Dontron!" Leo threw his arm over his shoulder.
"I hate you," Donnie mumbled.
Leo snickered as they continued walking through the town.
They passed through stalls filled with magical wares—witches happily welcoming them, showing off enchanted items with enthusiastic demonstrations.
Leo became interested in everything immediately.
He was bouncing from stall to stall with bright eyes, watching witches explain what their items could do. A self-stirring cauldron. A broom that swept AND mopped. A mirror that showed you what you'd look like with different hairstyles.
"Ooh, Donnie, look at this one! It's a—"
"We're not here for window shopping!" Donnie grabbed Leo's shell and dragged him away.
"But everything is so cool!" Leo whined. "Why didn't we come here before?"
"Do I need to remind you I am very, very banned?"
Leo yanked his arm out of Donnie's hold. "You made that point very, very clear."
Donnie's hands began to wave dramatically. "Then can we HURRY IT UP?!"
"Well then, why don't you lead the way since you're so familiar with this place?" Leo gestured forward with exaggerated politeness.
Donnie grabbed the back of Leo's neck. "You and I both know the moment you step behind me, you're going to vanish, and then I'll be left here alone."
"OW OW DONNIE!" Leo cried as his twin dragged him forward, gripping the back of his neck.
"Stop being dramatic."
"You're literally dragging me by the scruff like a kitten!"
"If the shell fits."
As Donnie dragged his twin through the market, a heavy gust of wind hit his face. He raised his arm to block it but had forgotten about his hood, which flew back.
His face paled when his head was exposed to the cold air. He lowered his arm to see a pink-skinned witch standing meters away, arms crossed, glaring directly at him.
"Eugh boy," Donnie slouched, releasing his hold on Leo.
"I thought it was you," the woman hissed. "You are BANNED from this town!"
Leo rubbed the back of his neck as he looked up at the woman with a raised brow. "Whoa, whoa, you must be thinking of a different turtle. This is the first time my brother and I have entered this town."
The woman simply pointed to the side.
Both their eyes tracked to a wall which had a large photo of Donnie's grimacing face plastered on it with the words BANNED above it in bold, glowing letters.
Donnie's hands waved aggressively toward the poster with the biggest 'I told you so!' expression.
Leo grimaced. "Okay... maybe you are very, very banned here."
"In my defense—" Donnie started, holding his hand up as he spoke to the mayor.
"THERE IS NO DEFENSE!" The witch snapped. "You ruined Peace Day, and our town was cursed for a YEAR because of you! And now you DARE return?!"
Donnie's head snapped to Leo, who was grimacing under his glare.
"YOU WILL PAY!"
"Eugh boy," Leo groaned, reaching for his katanas. "Here we go."
Donnie lit up in purple as a bō formed in his hands before he spun it around dramatically, ending in a theatrical pose. "For the record, I told you so!"
"Yeah, whatever!" Leo snapped back as the two jumped to opposite sides just as a mystic blast hit right between them, scorching the ground.
Leo created a portal under Donnie just as he jumped toward the witch.
The witch went to aim at Leo, only for her arm to be pushed down by Donnie's bō. He appeared behind her with a smirk before spinning the staff—the end smacking into her jaw, causing her to stumble back several steps.
"If it's worth anything, I learned my lesson about mystics," Donnie said cheerfully, twirling his staff. "And now I am fully on board with them!"
He jumped up as the end of his bō transformed into a drill that he lunged at her with.
The witch rolled out of the way, only to be faced with Leo, whose twin katanas descended toward her.
She barely had time to create a shield, blocking his attack and pushing him back. Leo slid backward, his heels digging into the dirt.
While she was focused on Leo, Donnie swept his bō under her feet, causing her to fall onto her back with a grunt.
She let out a shriek as her form floated into the air, her eyes beginning to glow an ominous purple.
Donnie took a few steps back to his brother. "Well, that doesn't look good."
"I think we have other concerns right now." Leo gestured around them.
A crowd of witches was forming around them, all raising their hands in unison.
"Eugh, yeah, that might be a problem."
All the witches aimed at them and fired blasts of spells. Bursts of color streaking through the air.
Donnie twisted his bō around them, and a purple barrier formed, bouncing all the spells back toward their casters.
The moment Donnie's shield dropped, Leo sprang up, throwing his katana toward the mayor. He vanished in a flash of blue and reappeared gripping his spinning weapon mid-flight. Following the momentum, he slashed her in the side with the dull edge of his blade before twisting behind her. The moment his feet touched the ground, he vanished into another portal.
Donnie's focus remained on the crowd of witches. Twin rocket launchers appeared on his shoulders, missiles firing as he twisted in an arc, pushing back a wave of attackers with precision explosions.
Leo reappeared above the mayor, one katana swinging downward. The witch's hands glowed as she threw a burst of magic at Leo.
But he'd predicted that. Right before the burst hit him, he vanished. His other katana was planted in the ground behind her—he appeared there and kicked her in the back.
The witch stumbled forward.
"Do we really need to fight?" Leo asked, his katana resting casually on his shoulder. "I mean, it's been three years since you banned Don. Can't we just let bygones be bygones?"
She whipped around. "He nearly destroyed the entire town! Because of his own egotistical ideals!"
"You know, I want to argue, but unfortunately my twin does have a bit of an ego." Leo shrugged with a smirk. "But we're working on it."
She pointed at him and threw another burst of magic.
"Okay, guess not." He fell through a portal underneath him.
Donnie had a crowd of witches descending on him. His staff was spinning around him as he blocked each hit and knocked back anyone who got too close.
Leo jumped out of a portal behind his twin. "Hey, wanna maybe finish this up?" he urged.
Donnie kicked his bō—it spun into another witch before returning to his hand like a boomerang. "Fine."
His purple ninpo flared, and a giant rocket appeared on the end of his staff. Leo quickly ducked as Donnie extended his bō and swept it over the group in a wide arc. The rocket's blast sent all the witches flying into the air in a tumbling mass of robes and shrieks.
Leo stood up and raised a fist. Donnie returned it, bumping their fists together.
"Disaster Twins for the win!" Leo grinned.
"That's enough!" The mayor shouted from behind them.
The twins turned around as she released a massive spell. Multiple blasts came flying toward them—too many to dodge.
Donnie jumped out of the way, his battle shell propelling him upward.
Leo sidestepped into a portal—completely unaware of what had followed him.
Donnie created a drill and flew straight at the witch. She screamed as it made contact with her chest, throwing her back and to the ground. Her eyes fluttered closed as she was knocked unconscious.
He approached her cautiously. He poked her with his staff. She groaned but remained unmoving.
"This is so not going to help with my permanent ban," He groaned. "I told you coming here was a bad idea! But do you ever listen to me? NOO. Because 'Mr. Everything Will Work Out' is always right!"
Donnie turned around, looking for his twin. "Can we just get out of here? Maybe we can find the apron somewhere else—"
"Oh, wait a minute!" His eyes landed on a destroyed market stall a bit down the way. The text on the sign shifted from witchy symbols to readable English: 'Mystical Artisanal Supplies.'
Donnie grinned. "What do we have here?"
The stall had its wares littered on the floor, and draped over the broken countertop was a pink apron in perfect condition despite the shattered state of the rest of the booth.
He grabbed it and lifted it up. As he did, his eyes caught a figure standing right behind the booth.
He jumped back slightly, gripping his chest. When his vision cleared, he realized the figure was none other than—
"Nardo?" Donnie breathed. "You startled me. What are you doing here?"
But the figure never moved. His back was turned, and his breathing seemed shallow.
"Nardo? Are you alright?" Worry started to creep into Donnie's voice.
Donnie grabbed his shoulder—and it felt hot, burning hot.
He yanked his hand back, clutching it, in shock.
Then Leo's head snapped fully around at an unnatural speed.
Like an owl.
While his body stayed facing the other direction while his head faced Donnie.
Leo's eyes were different. Red slits where his normal eyes should be, matching his red markings. His pupils were vertical—like a reptile's.
Then his body turned. Slowly. Joints moving in ways that seemed wrong. His head staying completely still.
"Okay, that's... that's deeply disturbing," Donnie said, backing up further.
Leo's head clicked as it rotated back to the correct position with a sound like cracking knuckles.
Then he pounced.
He moved like a beast—on all fours, impossibly fast, launching himself across the distance in a single bound.
He slammed into Donnie, pinning him to the ground. His head loomed directly over Donnie's face, close enough that Donnie could feel hot breath on his skin.
Then Leo stuck out his tongue.
It was massive. Pink and slimy and way too long. Like someone had given a turtle Venom's tongue and thought "yeah, that's fine."
Leo gave Donnie one long, wet lick from chin to forehead.
"AUGHHHHH!" Donnie shoved him off, scrambling backward and frantically wiping his face with both hands. "DISGUSTING! THAT'S DISGUSTING! GET YOUR SALIVA OFF ME! OFF OFF OFF!"
Leo just stood there. Arms drooping. Back arched unnaturally. Tongue hanging out like an overheated dog.
Watching Donnie.
Like prey.
His head tilted to the side—too far to the side.
"No," Donnie said firmly, holding up a finger. "No, no, no. Bad Leo. Stay."
Leo crouched lower, his muscles coiling.
"STAY!"
Leo pounced anyway.
Donnie dodged to the side, and the slider went flying into another stall, knocking over a display of enchanted teacups that started screaming.
Donnie scrambled to his feet and ran to the witch, who was still on the ground—now laughing hysterically.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!" Donnie demanded, grabbing the collar of her shirt and shaking her.
"Why, it would appear he got hit with my beast spell!" She cackled, clearly delighted. "And what a perfect beast he is! So feral! So wild!"
"FIX. HIM."
"No~" She vanished in a puff of purple smoke, her laughter echoing.
Donnie went pale.
He turned slowly.
Leo was in a hunting crouch, red slit-eyes locked directly on him. A low growling sound emanated from his throat.
Alice is going to drown me in the Hudson River.
Leo pounced again, rolling them both across the ground in a tangle of limbs.
But this time Donnie was ready. He used the momentum to roll them one extra time, ending up on top, and slammed his tech-bō down.
Purple mystic energy formed restraints, pinning Leo to the ground.
Leo immediately started hissing—an unholy sound that no turtle should be able to make. Deep and guttural and wrong. He clawed at the restraints like a wild animal, his back arching, legs kicking.
"Okay, okay, think!" Donnie muttered to himself. "Who knows about magic and can fix this?"
He looked down at his twin, who was now snapping his jaws at the air, trying to bite through the mystic restraints.
Then he looked at the hoodie Leo was wearing—the one he'd bought after a date with—
"Baylen!"
Donnie yanked his phone out of his pocket. "Baylen! He'll know what to do!"
He held the phone between his shoulder and his head as he transformed his bō into an animal control pole—the kind with a collar on the end, keeping the beast at arm's length.
Leo snapped and hissed, trying to claw at the collar around his neck as he was lifted to his feet.
Donnie shifted, grabbing his phone as it continued to ring.
The ringing stopped.
Voicemail.
"Groan."
He dialed again.
Voicemail.
"ANSWER YOUR PHONE!"
Third call. Fourth. Fifth—
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT, DONNIE?!" Baylen's voice came through the phone in a harsh yell, slightly out of breath.
"Oh good, so your phone does work! I am in need of your assistance. Leo's acting a bit... strange."
"I'm in the middle of a VERY IMPORTANT MEETING," Baylen hissed. "Whatever issues you're having is not my problem—"
"I'm being serious! Scout's honor! Cross my heart! Pinky promise!" Donnie said rapidly. "But hey, if you want to hang up, that's cool. Just maybe pick up a 'How to Train Your Feral Mutant Turtle' book while you're at it, since that's what your boyfriend currently is!"
He held the phone toward Leo.
Leo immediately started hissing and snapping at the phone, making sounds that no mutant turtle should make—a mix between a snake's hiss and a growl.
There was a long pause.
When Baylen spoke again, his voice was ice cold. "Tell me. Exactly. What. You. Did."
Hidden City Park - 30 Minutes Later
Baylen stood just outside the fence of the park's pet area, staring at Leo, who was currently running in circles on all fours.
His eye was twitching.
His boyfriend—his intelligent, sarcastic, occasionally annoying boyfriend—was running around like a rabid dog with his tongue lolling out, chasing absolutely nothing.
"Hey, Baylen!" Donnie waved cheerfully from inside the pet enclosure. "Watch this! I taught him a trick!"
"Donnie—"
"Leo!" Donnie called. "Come!"
Leo immediately sprinted over on all fours, sliding to a stop in front of Donnie, kicking up dust.
"Sit!"
Leo's butt hit the ground. His tongue hung out. He was panting.
His ears turned bright red—always a sign of barely contained fury.
Donnie's smile faltered. "Uh... Baylen? You okay there, buddy? You're doing the ear thing."
"Explain," Baylen said through gritted teeth. "Now."
"Right! So, funny story—"
"There is nothing funny about this."
"—we went to Witch Town—"
"YOU'RE BANNED FROM WITCH TOWN!"
"I TOLD LEO THAT!" Donnie threw his hands up. "I said, 'Leo, I'm banned, this is a bad idea.' I said it MULTIPLE times. But noooo, he said—" Donnie's voice shifted to a perfect Leo impression, complete with hand gestures "—'That was three years ago, they've probably forgotten about it by now. Besides, we'll be in and out. No one will notice. Trust me, Donnie.'"
Donnie's voice returned to normal. "And I, like a fool, believed him!"
Baylen pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a deep breath.
"What curse hit him?" he asked tiredly.
"The witch said something about a beast spell. Have you heard of it?"
Baylen groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Unfortunately."
"Great! So you can fix it!" Donnie said hopefully.
"Only the original caster can reverse the spell."
Donnie's face fell. "Well then, can you help me convince the mayor of Witch Town to fix this? I’m sure your stupid job gives you some kind of pull."
"I already told you I am very busy today." Baylen's brows pinched together. "This is your fault. You will deal with this by yourself!"
Donnie pouted dramatically. "And here I thought you loved him."
Baylen scoffed, crossing his arms as his gaze shifted to Leo again. Leo was now trying to catch his own tail, spinning in circles.
Baylen's jaw clenched. "Most beast spells only last twenty-four hours max."
"Oh, thank Pizza Supreme!" Donnie sagged with relief.
"I'm leaving," Baylen said flatly. "I have to get back to my meeting."
"Wait, you're not going to help—"
"I don't have TIME to deal with your Hamato shenanigans!" Baylen turned toward Leo, who was now stalking toward the group of pet who were huddling in the corner far away from the mutant turtle. "If Alice finds out about this, she's throwing you in the Hudson River. Keep him contained until the spell runs its course."
Baylen started walking away, pulling out his portal coin.
"And for the love of—DON'T let him eat someone's pet!"
Donnie snapped around.
Leo had started chase Pomeranian-beetle hybrid, which was yipping in fear.
"NO! LEO! HEEL!"
The Lair - 20 Minutes Later
"No! BAD BOY! No biting!" Donnie's voice echoed off the tunnels as he walked through the lair's entrance, pushing the feral Leo ahead of him with his control pole staff.
Leo was actively trying to chew through the staff, his feet pushing against it, scratching at the collar.
Raph and Mikey looked up from the couch, eyes widening in perfect synchronization.
"Uh... Donnie?" Mikey said slowly as he pushed himself off the couch. "Why is Leo on a leash?"
"It's not a leash, it's an animal control apparatus! There's a difference!"
"Donnie! Let him go!" Raph snapped, standing up.
"FINE!" Donnie huffed. "But you're catching him!" The purple construct released, and Leo fell to the ground with a thud.
Leo immediately pushed himself back up on all fours, his sickly pink tongue falling out, actually touching the ground.
Both brothers flinched back.
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH HIS TONGUE?!" Mikey shouted, pointing.
Then Leo's head snapped toward them.
His red slit eyes locked onto Mikey.
And he pounced.
"OH MI GOSH!" Mikey screamed as he and Raph bolted in opposite directions.
But Leo was faster.
He slammed into Mikey’s back, pinning him to the ground, standing on his shell with all his weight. That massive tongue started lapping at Mikey's ears.
"GET HIM OFF! GET HIM OFF! GET HIM OFF!" Mikey was kicking wildly, a mix of panic and pure disgust in his voice.
Leo saw the kicking feet.
Toy.
He started swatting at Mikey's legs like a cat with a feather toy, completely distracted.
Raph grabbed Leo by the shell, lifting him up like a disgruntled kitten—something he'd done a million times before when Leo was being annoying.
And Leo hissed. Actually hissed at him—a sound that made Raph's skin crawl. Leo was swatting at the air, writhing in ways that shouldn't be possible, his spine bending at wrong angles.
"DONNIE!" Raph snapped, turning to the soft-shell, who was darting around his workstation in the back of the lair. "What did you DO?!"
"Why does everyone assume this is MY fault and not HIS?!" Donnie gestured wildly but continued his frantic search for something.
"Because this has 'Donnie Experiment Gone Wrong' written all over it!" Mikey protested, jumping up and trying desperately to wipe saliva off his face.
"I'll have you know this was entirely his fault!"
"Donnie." Raph's voice held a warning tone. "What. Happened."
"It's just a beast spell!" Donnie rolled his eyes like this was a minor inconvenience.
"BEAST SPELL?! What is a BEAST spell and HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?!" Raph's voice was rising.
Leo was very interested in Mikey's bald head—shiny, green, smooth. Perfect ball. Perfect for pouncing.
He lunged with a chirp.
Raph's grip held firm.
So Leo tried a new strategy.
That massive tongue licked Raph's hand in one long, wet stroke.
"AUGHHH!" Raph dropped him on instinct, shaking his hand violently, to rid himself of the saliva.
Leo sprang immediately, wrapping himself around Mikey's head like a facehugger from Alien.
Mikey started running and screaming, flailing blindly while Leo clung to his head, drooling everywhere, tongue lapping around his skull.
"DONNIE?!" Raph walked away from the chaos, joining Donnie at his workstation.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm working on it." Donnie pulled out a familiar harness and strapped it to his shoulders. A barrel extended from it. "I KNEW it was a good idea to keep this around!"
He flipped his goggles down and fired.
A ball shot out, bouncing around the lair with a satisfying boing boing boing.
Leo's head snapped up, tracking the movement with laser focus.
He leaped off Mikey—pushing his head down in the process, sending Mikey sprawling face-first to the ground with an "OOF!"
Leo bounced off walls, the couch, the ceiling, chasing the ball with single-minded determination.
Donnie looked incredibly proud as he grinned up at his older brother.
Raph glared down at him.
"What?!"
"How. Did. This. Happen?"
Donnie rolled his eyes dramatically. "We got into a fight in Witch Town with a witch, and she hit him with a beast spell. But it's fiiiiine. Baylen says it only lasts a day. Twenty-four hours max. Probably less. Could be twelve. Very temporary."
Raph's eye twitched. "You're not allowed—"
"In Witch Town, I KNOW!" Donnie gestured wildly. "Leo pushed it! He insisted! He dragged me there against my will! I am the victim here!"
The ball landed in Mikey's lap as he was trying to sit up.
Leo decided that meant Mikey WAS the toy.
And pounced.
More screaming echoed off the walls as a chase began, Mikey running in circles with Leo on all fours right behind him.
Donnie smiled sheepishly at Raph.
"If Alice sees this, she's throwing you in the Hudson River," Raph said flatly. "You know how protective she can be about Leo."
Donnie groaned dramatically, throwing his head back. "I KNOW! I already texted April to keep her distracted and away from the lair today! I told her it was a code blue emergency situation!"
Raph's glare never wavered. "He's your twin. Your responsibility."
Like a parent telling a child who'd brought home a stray that they'd be the one feeding it.
"But he CAN be a good boy!" Donnie protested. "I already taught him tricks! Multiple tricks! He's quite intelligent for a feral beast!"
He whistled sharply.
Leo came running immediately, sliding to a stop in front of Donnie.
"Leo! Sit!"
Leo's butt slammed to the ground. His tongue hung out. He was panting like a dog.
Donnie looked at Raph with a proud smile, hands on his hips. "See?! Perfect behavior! Model student! Even better than the original if you ask me!"
Raph narrowed his eyes, studying Leo carefully. "He looks like he's waiting for you to let your guard down."
Donnie stood straighter turning fully to Raph, offended. "What?! No, he's not—he's being a very good—"
Leo pounced, latching onto the back of Donnie's shell.
"GET HIM OFF! GET HIM OFF!" Donnie spun in circles, trying to grab his twin, but Leo kept moving, clawing around Donnie's shell like it was a tree trunk, until they both toppled over in a heap.
Raph shook his head and walked away.
"RAPH, WAIT! GET HIM OFF FIRST!"
"Your twin. Your responsibility," Raph called back.
Hours Later
Donnie had finally gotten Leo contained in a purple mystic construct cage, his ninpo flaring brightly to maintain it.
Leo was gnawing at the bars, making concerning metallic scraping sounds as his teeth ground against the mystics.
Donnie slammed his bō against the bar next to Leo's face, sending the turtle flying back with a hiss. "STOP THAT! Do you have ANY idea how much mystic energy this is draining?!"
Both Donnie and Mikey had collapsed on the floor in front of the cage, both covered in saliva and completely exhausted.
Leo darted around the cage like a caged animal, testing each bar, throwing his limbs through them, searching for weaknesses.
Donnie ran his hands over his face with a groan. "I'm going to need so much therapy after this."
Then footsteps started echoing from the entrance.
Donnie shot up, praying it wasn't Alice.
When Casey Jr. walked through with a casual wave, Donnie fell back in relief.
"Thank pizza it's just you."
Casey froze at Leo's condition, his eyes widening. "...What happened?" he asked slowly, pointing at the cage.
"Witch. Witch Town. Beast Spell. One day." Donnie was too exhausted for full sentences.
"Donnie, aren't you banned from Witch Town?"
Donnie threw his hands up dramatically. "SO I'VE BEEN TOLD! Multiple times! By multiple people! I am aware! Intimately aware!"
Casey raised a brow, walking closer to inspect the cage. "So... what is this?"
"A cage, DUH!"
"Do you think it will hold?"
Donnie sat up with a scowl. "'Do you think it will hold?'" he mocked in a high-pitched voice. "OF COURSE it will hold! I MADE it! It's constructed with the finest mystic energy, reinforced at every joint, structurally sound, and—"
"You sure about that?" Casey sucked his teeth.
"YES, I'M SURE!" Donnie shifted back to the cage.
Leo was already halfway out, his body contorting in impossible ways to squeeze through a gap that should not exist.
"NARDO! Don't you fucking dare!"
Leo chirped before yanking himself fully out with a comedic pop.
Then bolted.
Donnie slapped at Mikey frantically. "MIKEY! He's getting away!"
Mikey groaned, not moving. "That's not my problem! You're the twin!"
"MIKEY!"
"Nope! I'm on break! Union mandated!"
Donnie jumped up and sprinted after his feral twin.
[Imagine sports commentary voice]
Donnie lunges in front of Leo. They shuffle left. Shuffle right. Leo's eyes are locked on Donnie's.
Leo bolts to the left! Donnie dives! Aaaand he missed!
Leo is already on the move! He's halfway through the lair! Three-quarters—aaaand he's out! Unbelievable speed from the feral slider!
-
Donnie punched the ground before scrambling up and running after him, following him down the abandoned subway tunnels and straight up a set of stairs.
Shit shit shit shit!
Donnie emerged into a crowd of humans.
Ever since the Krang invasion, New Yorkers had seen enough oddities that the sight of one of the mutant turtles drew far less attention. Plus, this is New York. Nobody cares about anything.
Donnie pushed through the crowd desperately. "Nardo! Leon! Dum-Dum! BLUE! SLIDER! PORTAL BOY!"
Nothing.
He eventually found his way to a park and saw a flash of green by the fountain.
He picked up the pace, circled the fountain—
And found Leo sitting perfectly behaved on the bench.
Next to April and Alice.
Alice was scratching the top of Leo's head. He was purring. Actually purring like a cat. Curled up beside her like a contented pet. His tongue was tucked away. His posture was relaxed. His eyes were half-closed in bliss.
He looked like a proud, well-behaved pet that had never caused a single problem in his life.
Alice was smiling, clearly amused.
April was taking pictures for later blackmail.
Donnie put his hands on his knees, panting heavily. "Alice?!" Fear laced his voice. "April?!"
Alice's head snapped up. Her expression flattened immediately. "Donnie. Why is Leo acting like a stray cat?"
Donnie flinched at her cold glare. "He, uh... got hit with a beast spell. But-it-only-lasts-a-day!" The words tumbled out in a panic.
Alice hummed thoughtfully, nodded, then turned to April.
April's arms were crossed. "You went to Witch Town, didn't you? Despite being banned."
Donnie groaned, throwing his hands forward dramatically, bending his knees. "I KNOW! But it was Leo's idea!"
He pointed accusingly at Leo, who snapped his head up, hissed, and made a snapping gesture with his teeth like he was trying to bite Donnie from across the distance.
Donnie's eye twitched. His hands made strangling motions in the air.
But Leo just shifted closer to Alice, nuzzling against her side.
Alice laughed, continuing to scratch his head. "Please tell me Baylen saw this?!"
Donnie pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yes. But he was more pissed I dragged him out of a meeting. He watched Leo almost eat a Pomeranian-beetle hybrid. It was a very tense thirty seconds."
Alice burst out laughing. "Oh, I would've killed to see his face!"
Donnie scratched the back of his head nervously. "So... you're not going to throw me in the Hudson River?"
Alice shrugged casually, turning to April. "I don't know. What do you think?"
April grinned mischievously. "I think he's an aquatic turtle. He'll survive. Struggle to get back to shore, though. And the Hudson's filth..."
"Compared to the sewers, it might actually be cleaner."
They laughed together.
Donnie let out a breath of relief and collapsed next to April on the bench, leaning against her in exhaustion. She patted his head sympathetically.
Alice looked down at Leo, still purring contentedly. "Besides, I know Leo well enough to know that this was 100% his fault."
Leo flinched at that, his eyes opening briefly.
But the moment Alice's ice-cold hand touched his head again, he calmed completely, melting back into purring.
Donnie leaned over with a glare. "He's been a pain in the shell ALL DAY, and NOW he decides to be calm."
Alice wiggled her fingers playfully, cold mist evaporating around them. "Ice-cold hands. Leo is burning up like crazy right now. One spray of cold water and he calmed right down."
Leo gently shoved her elbow with his head—a request for more scratches.
She obliged, smiling.
Alice pointed ahead casually. "He did catch a bird, though."
In front of them: a pile of feathers. Gray and white. Quite a lot of them.
Donnie made a disgusted face.
Leo is definitely not going to enjoy waking up to that taste in his mouth.
The Next Morning
Leo woke up curled in a ball on the couch in Alice's lap.
He was stiff. His neck hurt. Everything ached. And there was a really weird taste in his mouth. Feathery and... was that blood?
Alice snickered when he pushed himself up, looking around in confusion.
"Alice? What—where—" He searched for the right question, his brain foggy. As he spoke, he made a face and moved his jaw around experimentally.
Then pulled something out of his mouth.
A feather.
"What the—"
Baylen was in the armchair next to them, stretching awake at the sound of voices, his ears twitching.
Leo sat up fully, his eyes darting around the room. All his brothers must be in their rooms as it was just the three of them in the main area.
He was extremely confused. The last thing he remembered was walking through Witch Town, admiring the magical wares...
"Morning!" Alice teased, reaching up to scratch the top of his head.
Leo pulled away immediately, almost offended by the action, "Uh... don't do that."
They both started laughing.
"What's going on? Why are you both here? Where is everyone?" The questions tumbled out. "Why do I taste bird? Why was there a feather in my mouth? WHAT HAPPENED?!"
They laughed harder.
"While in Witch Town with Donnie, you got hit with a spell that sort of... changed you for a bit," Alice explained carefully, clearly trying not to laugh.
"What are you talking about?" Leo's eyes narrowed in confusion.
Baylen stood up, putting a hand on Leo's shoulder. His expression was a mix of amusement and sympathy.
Then he explained everything.
In detail.
Every. Single. Embarrassing. Moment.
The tongue. The licking. The training. The bird.
When he finished, Leo sat in stunned silence, his face slowly turning red.
"I did all of that?" he asked, still unsure if this was an elaborate prank.
They both nodded with serious but humorous expressions.
"And you just let Donnie treat me like a stray dog?!"
The two snickered.
"In my defense, I was the last to know," Alice raised her hand. "Your boyfriend, however, has zero excuse." She pointed accusingly at the rabbit.
Baylen glared at her. "I had an important meeting!"
Alice crossed her arms. "More important than your boyfriend?"
"YES! Marginally so!" His hands exploded into the air. "The Council is planning a big raid on a mystic smuggling ring!"
Alice just hummed, turning back to Leo. "So, you feeling better? No longer Feral Leo?"
Leo's face scrunched. "Don’t call me that."
She shrugged with a smirk. "But it's what you were. Feral Leo."
Leo grabbed a couch pillow, shoving it in her face. "Do not call me that!" But his tone held a slight laugh.
Alice pulled the pillow away, laughing. "Okay, okay!"
"Why did you drag Donnie to Witch Town anyway?" Alice asked curiously. "You knew he's majorly banned."
Leo huffed into the couch. "We were getting a gift for Mikey's birthday next week."
Alice's eyes lit up with interest. "Ohhh, what did you get?"
"I'm not telling you!" Leo snapped.
Alice pouted dramatically. "Why not?"
"Because then you'll try to one-up it!"
She grumbled as she sank into the couch, crossing her arms like a child.
"Besides, we couldn't even find it. And now I'm probably banned from there as well! Stupid Donnie and his stupid ego." He whined.
"Oh, you're most definitely banned," Baylen added helpfully. "They already announced it to the entire Hidden City. You know that is the most welcoming town in the entire realm, and somehow you are the only two on their banned list."
Leo groaned, rubbing his hands over his face. "But that place was sooo cool."
"Well, maybe if you didn't bring Donnie, you wouldn't have gotten into this mess."
"OH! SO this is MY fault?!"
The two nodded in perfect synchronization.
Leo gasped in offense. "How is this my fault when HE'S the one that got banned and HE'S the one that got caught?!"
"Because you're the leader," Alice said with a smirk. "It's about taking responsibility."
Leo jumped up. "How dare you make this about being the leader!"
"Ah, good morning, Nardo. Glad to see you awake and unferal," Donnie said as he walked out of kitchen, sipping coffee.
Leo's eye twitched once.
Then he launched himself over the couch.
Donnie yelped before taking off at a sprint, coffee sloshing everywhere, with Leo hot on his heels.
"Nardo! NO! BAD!"
"I ate a fucking BIRD because of you!"
The commotion finally woke the other two brothers, who slowly emerged from their rooms with amused smiles on their faces as the disaster twins ran amok.
"Leo! SIT!"
"You tried to teach me to SIT! Like a DOG!"
"There was no trying! It's not my fault you're so trainable!" Donnie vaulted over the couch.
"I'm gonna kill you!"
"You're the one who dragged me to Witch Town!"
"You're the one who got BANNED!"
They chased each other in circles, knocking over furniture, while everyone else watched with varying levels of amusement.
Alice leaned against Baylen, both of them watching the chaos unfold.
"Should we stop them?" Baylen asked.
"Nah," Alice said with a smile. "Let them work it out. Besides, this is very entertaining."
Raph walked over to join them, shaking his head fondly. "How long do you think this'll last?"
"My money's on twenty minutes," Alice said.
"Fifteen," Baylen countered.
"I say they tire themselves out in ten and then get pizza," Mikey added cheerfully.
They watched as Donnie created a purple construct barrier just as Leo tried to tackle him, causing Leo to bounce off harmlessly.
"THAT'S CHEATING!"
"ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND TWIN WARFARE!"
Raph sighed. "Just another Thursday with the Disaster Twins."
A/N: Thanks for reading this Mini Episode from Trials of the Mini Series! I plan on only exclusively posting the rest of the chapter on Ao3 which there are currently 8 chapters including the episode that follows this which is Mikey's Birthday party.
Trials of the Mini Series
Trials of the Cloaking Brooch
Trials of the Cloaking Brooch Master List
A/N: Thank you for reading! if you enjoy post like this check out my Masterlist. and if you want to send me a request for my next post please send me a message! If you liked this and want to support me I have a tip jar on Ko-fi.
Summary: While escaping Law's hold you left him with your physical heart. It's a power play he doesn't fully understand yet. By leaving your heart with him, you've bound yourself to him in a way that goes beyond physical restraint. He has your heart. But you have something far more dangerous. You have his attention. And when you finally decided to show yourself, you come asking a favor making Law's already conflicting thoughts worse. Pride is a foolish, broken man. Lust will kill you with her demands
Trafalgar Law x f!reader
Word Count: 2,495
Part one |
Song:
Law wakes to the same sight every morning.
Your heart sits on his desk, glowing softly in the semi-darkness of his quarters. The steady rhythm of its beat is impossible to ignore. a constant reminder of what he's holding, and the fact that he hasn't crushed it yet.
He should.
His hand hovers over the cube every morning. It would be so easy. One squeeze. Problem solved. You'd be dead, the threat neutralized, your knowledge buried with you. You've proven you know too much and the threat of you sharing those details with the wrong person is real.
But every morning, he sees your smirk. Hears your voice: "But you won't."
And every morning, his hand falls away.
Law's nose flares as he leaves his quarters, and his thoughts never improve throughout the day.
At breakfast, he stares at his food and thinks about how easy it would be to just kill you. The thought is satisfying, logical, necessary.
By lunch, he's pacing his office, consumed by the question of what else you know. What other vulnerabilities you've uncovered. What other secrets you could weaponize against him.
By dinner, he's thinking about your curves, your smile, the way you brushed your hand across his cheek and called him cute as a distraction.
His face goes red at the memory.
Tonight, he pulls at his hair as he stares at the heart before he gets up with a huff and storms off the Polar Tang. He needs to think. Needs distance. Needs to get you out of his head—which is pathetic and weak and something he won't admit to anyone.
The tavern is crowded enough to be distracting. He moves to the bar and slumps into a barstool, waving to the bartender. A small pitcher of sake and a ceramic cup arrive. The warmth of the liquid is immediate, but the mental clarity he's hoping for never comes.
Drinking to forget something tends to do the exact opposite. Every time he closes his eyes, your face is there.
He pulls at his hair again, frustrated with himself. He doesn't even know what he should do. Crush that blasted heart—yes, that's the obvious choice. But outside of that? What is the next smart option?
He takes another swig of his drink.
Is this why you left him your heart? To trap yourself in his mind like this? To drive him insane?
Or was there a deeper reason?
Why would you leave yourself so vulnerable to him?
The questions spiral, and the sake isn't helping. He puts his head on the counter and waves his hand to summon the bartender. "I would like to close out," he mumbles, lifting his head.
The alcohol isn't helping his thoughts.
He pulls out coins, ready to leave, but the bartender waves him off. "No need. It was already paid for."
Law stiffens instantly. His hand moves toward his sword before his head whips around to scan the bar.
"By who?"
"By me."
Your voice appears beside him like a ghost materializing from smoke.
Law jumps—actually jumps—and his emotions twist violently. Anger. Relief. Frustration. Want. All tangled together in a way that makes his blood burn hot and cold simultaneously.
"You," he hisses, his dark eyes snapping to yours.
You chuckle and settle into the seat beside him with casual ease. "I need a favor."
"A favor," he sneers, his voice dripping with disdain. "What makes you think you can ask me for a favor?"
You pout slightly, looking him over, the flushed skin, the tousled dark hair, the death grip he has on the bar, before pushing away. "Fine. Forget I asked. Enjoy your drink."
Law's arm shoots out, grabbing your arm. You smirk at the contact.
"You aren't going anywhere," he growls, his voice low and dangerous. "If you've forgotten, I still have your heart. You are still my prisoner."
"I knew you'd missed me," you snicker, sitting back down. Law's grip doesn't loosen.
You give him a flirty smile that deepens his scowl.
"Why?" His voice tightens. "Why are you here? Why would you risk yourself like this?"
You chuckle, getting comfortable in the seat despite his grip. "I wouldn't say being here with you is risking myself."
"And leaving your heart with me."
"Call it securing my connections."
He tightens his hold. "What do you want with me?"
"While investigating you, I found we have some similar interests. And goals." You rest your free arm on the bar, chin in your palm. "Taking down Doflamingo."
Law freezes.
His eyes go wide. Something squeezes at his insides; panic, recognition, something he doesn't want to name. He tenses immediately, his eyes shooting around the bar to see if anyone overheard you.
No one is close enough. But the fact that you said it so casually, so openly—
He yanks you up and drags you out of the tavern without another word.
You stumble, waving at concerned onlookers while Law pulls you along like cargo. Your breathless laugh should annoy him. It doesn't.
"You could just ask nicely to come back to your ship," you tease, wiggling your eyebrows.
He doesn't respond. His jaw is clenched too tight.
As he drags you through the corridors of the Polar Tang, his mind is already working through the implications. You know about Doflamingo. You know he has a connection to Doflamingo. You know—
He slams his quarters door open and shoves you inside.
Your brows raise in surprise. "Your quarters. I'm a little surprised, but then again I must have been in your mind for the past few weeks."
Law scoffs before shoving you into a chair. He steps back, crossing his arms, staring down at you while you settle in with a relaxed smile that makes him want to strangle you and something else simultaneously. A thought that disturbs him.
"Explain yourself. Now."
You sigh—genuine, not playful. "I know you're upset that I investigated you, but it wasn't personal. I've been investigating all the Donquixote Pirates."
"I am not a Donquixote Pirate," Law snarls immediately, his control slipping. "I have zero association with them."
"Which is exactly why you're interesting," you smirk. "Because you want Doflamingo dead as much as I do."
Law tenses. His expression hardens. "What makes you think that?"
You chuckle and there's something almost fond in it. "Law, I don't treat you like you're stupid. Don't treat me like I am. I know your history with him. I know you have a plan."
His eyes narrow. He's calculating, running through what you might know, what you've deduced, how much of a threat you actually are. But more importantly, he's trying to figure out why you're here, why you came back, why you're pushing this.
"Where is the rest of your crew?" he asks quietly.
You flinch, and for the first time, you break eye contact. That's answer enough.
Law snorts. "You got caught. That's why you're here. You think that because I have a complicated history with Doflamingo that I'll help you. And save your crew—if they're even alive."
"They're alive," you snarl, your playful demeanor dropping away. "Diamante figured us out. We separated to avoid capture. We gathered intelligence. We just need a plan."
"What intel?"
"Everything on all the elite members."
"And Doflamingo himself?"
You frown. "The only records we couldn't access are in Mary Geoise."
“Mary Geoise?” Law repeats the name slowly, his mind already putting the pieces together.
"That's where Doflamingo and Rosinante were born." You confirmed.
"They're Celestial Dragons." He says it quietly, as if saying it out loud will make it less true, but his eyes had already started to widen, as it made a strange amount of sense.
You nod. "Their father lost their title when they were kids. They were cast out and shunned by the world. He was killed for it."
Law shifts to his bed, sitting on the edge as the information settles over him like a weight. His hand comes up to hold his head, and for just a moment, he looks vulnerable. You give him a moment to settle his thoughts to fully process what that information truly means.
"And you possess the Will of D," you continue after a long moment, leaning forward.
His head snaps up. "Do you even know what that means?"
"It means you're a natural enemy to the World Nobles. To the celestial dragons."
"No," he says angrily, locking his eyes with yours. "It means I'm cursed. Cursed to be surrounded by death and destruction."
"I don't believe that," you say, and your voice is steady. "I believe the Will of D is what's going to lead us to the next era. One without the World Government."
Something in his gaze shifts, but he pushes past it. "What do you achieve by taking down Doflamingo?"
"My country back."
"Dressrosa seems glad to have him as their leader. The government backs him. And your entire country is flourishing."
"We were flourishing before he took over," you say firmly. "He stole the throne through deception. When the people learn the truth, they'll want him gone."
Law stands abruptly. "Either way, you're wasting your time. I will not be helping you."
You smirk. "Then why am I here?"
He pauses. Why did he bring you back aboard his ship? Why did he drag you to his quarters specifically? Why not just throw you in the brig?
Because he wanted to see you. Because he wanted to hear you explain yourself. Because somewhere between that tavern and this moment, his mind made a decision his pride refuses to acknowledge.
You lean back, and your smile widens. "You're either interested in my prospects or interested in me. Or both."
Law's jaw clenches so hard you're surprised his teeth don't crack.
His eyes drift to the heart sitting on his desk—the one that's been taunting him for weeks. The one that bounds you to him.
"You're dangerous," he hisses.
"I have been called that."
His fist clenches. He moves to the desk and grabs your heart.
You barely glance at it before raising a brow.
"I should kill you right now," he declares, holding your heart out threateningly.
You lean closer to him, and your voice is steady. "Then do it."
There's zero fear in your eyes.
Law stares down at the heart in his hands, and the same thoughts cycle through his mind. All the reasons he should crush it. But then the same conflicts—the image of your smirk, the way you look at him like you already know he won't, the certainty in your gaze that he can't quite bring himself to destroy.
"Who have you told my full name to?" he asks instead.
You deflate slightly, out of boredom with the question. "No one. Not even my crew knows."
You lean back, relaxing. "If you kill me, you kill all the intel I've gathered. Your name, your relation to Corazon, your connection to Sengoku, the true power of the Ope-Ope Fruit."
Law's brows pinch. "I have no connection with Sengoku."
"Odd," you hum. "Rosinante was his adopted son, of sorts. He seems to know about you."
His eyes widen at the revelation.
"This is why you won't kill me," you continue, bringing his attention back to you. "I may know too much about you, but I know far more about far more important people."
You gesture toward the heart. "I'm more useful alive. But that's your choice. You have that power."
Law looks down at your heart, steady and glowing, and realizes that you're not lying. You're not scared. You know he doesn't have it in him.
He looks back at you—at the certainty in your eyes, the relaxed set of your shoulders. Like you've already won.
His eye twitches.
He summons a Room, and you're plunged into darkness.
You fall to cold metal, the chair vanishing from beneath you. You reach out to steady yourself as your eyes adjust. The boiler room. You groan at the familiarity before moving to sit up.
That's when you feel it—cold metal around your ankle. A chain, clasped and secured to one of the pipes.
You drop the chain, frustrated, and it clinks loudly in the darkness.
Law sits at his desk, your heart glowing softly in its cube, and runs both hands through his hair.
This is a problem.
A problem he created the moment he decided not to crush your heart that first morning. A problem he made exponentially worse by going to that tavern, by letting alcohol lower his defenses, by being unable to resist when you appeared beside him.
You'd figured him out.
Not just his past, not just his history—you'd figured out what he wants. What he needs. You'd dangled the possibility of taking down Doflamingo in front of him knowing that his pride wouldn't let him refuse outright, but his pride also wouldn't let him accept easily.
It was brilliant manipulation.
It was infuriating.
It was working.
Because the truth is, he does want Doflamingo dead. Has wanted it since Rosinante died. The thought of taking down the man who'd ruled him, who'd owned him when he was a kid—it calls to something deep inside that he's spent years suppressing.
His pride.
Wanting something means needing something. Needing something means vulnerability. And Law has spent his entire life ensuring he's vulnerable to nothing and no one.
Until you.
You with your knowing smirk and your fearless attitude and your determination to drag him into a war he never agreed to fight. You with your heart sitting in a cube on his desk—a constant reminder that he has power over you even as you systematically dismantle his ability to think straight.
Law picks up the heart and squeezes it gently—not enough to hurt you, just enough to remind himself that he's still in control.
But he isn't. And he knows it.
He sets it back down and stands, pacing his office like a caged animal. He needs to think. Needs to figure out how to handle this without letting you completely take over.
But as he paces, questions surface that he shouldn't be asking.
What happened to your crew? Are they really alive? How badly is your country suffering under Doflamingo's rule? And more importantly—how much of what you said was true?
The worst part is that he knows the answer. You weren't lying. Everything you told him about Doflamingo and Rosinante—that's information that would take years to uncover. You didn't fabricate it to manipulate him. You told him the truth because you knew it would be more effective than any lie.
You used honesty as a weapon.
Law stops pacing and looks at your heart again.
The steady rhythm of its beat is almost hypnotic.
You're right—he does want Doflamingo dead.
His pride rebels against the thought.
But his heart—the one still beating in his chest—knows the truth.
He's already decided to help you.
He's just too proud to admit it yet.
Damn You!
A/N: Thank you for reading! if you enjoy post like this check out my Masterlist. and if you want to send me a request for my next post please send me a message! If you liked this and want to support me I have a tip jar on Ko-fi.
things I won’t let ai take away from human writers
em dash
“not x, not y, but z”
short sentence stacking as a stylistic choice
none of these belong to ai. these are all what human writers have been writing since day one, way before ai was invented. ai was trained to mimic how human writers write — so em dash, not x not y but z and short sentence stacking would never have been used by ai at all if ai hadn’t learned and mimicked them from human writers.
no, you are not “fighting against ai” by accusing every work that has em dash, not x not y but z or short sentence stacking in it as ai-generated, you are helping ai harm the writing community by engaging in witch hunt and scaring human writers away from creating/sharing their works for fear of being wrongly accused of using ai.
speculations, accusations and ai witch hunt harm the writing community as much as ai does, if not more.
Summary: You are a woman from Dressrosa who has fooled the mightiest of men and made Nations crumble from within. Using your charms you trick Penguin and Shachi and sneak onto the polar tang looking for information on surgeon of death. Only Law is not so easily fooled, or so he thinks. Law is full of pride, his darkness lies inside and is as sharp as a knife. There's never a doubt inside his mind that he has you under his control when he takes you and your heart prisoner after catching you snooping, but his ego makes him blind to your true motives.
Trafalgar Law x f!reader
Word Count: 3,795
A/N: This technically a rewrite of slight of hand first two parts but with more flirtations and more lust vs pride themes. I wanted to return to this after listening to the song Lust by Marino, Alexandria because I felt it fit well. Should be clear this is PG13, Sorry that's all I ever write, with things typically cut off after a kiss.
Law watches from the deck of the Polar Tang as Shachi and Penguin stumble up the ramp, dragging someone between them with exaggerated fanfare. They're both thoroughly drunk—laughing, gesticulating wildly, introducing you as if your the greatest treasure they've ever found.
You play the part perfectly. Innocent smile. Wide eyes. The kind of woman who looks lost and delighted to have found company.
"And thissss is our first mate Law!" Shachi announces, tripping over his own words as he points at the dark-haired captain standing with crossed arms.
Law doesn't even acknowledge the hand Shachi tries to place on his shoulder. He just watches. Observes.
And he sees it immediately.
The glint in your eyes. The way your gaze darts to valuables as you're led through the corridors. The practiced ease with which you move through the space, cataloging, assessing, planning.
You're not here for the company.
A slight smirk plays at the corner of his mouth. This should be interesting.
Penguin leans close to Law, whispering urgently. "Captain, please just go along with it. We're trying to impress her."
Law rolls his eyes but doesn't protest. He trails behind as they show you around, staying just out of earshot. He watches your hand move with practiced precision—pocketing a golden figurine here, a expensive compass there. Each movement is smooth, confident.
When you finally leave the submarine, you're practically glowing with success. You wave goodbye to the boys who whine for you to stay, and Law can't help but be impressed by the performance.
He sits on a crate outside the Polar Tang, waiting.
When walked down the dock with that satisfied grin, Law calls out. "So, how long have you been hustling them?"
You snap in his direction, and your innocent facade cracks. You're smirking—the real you, sharp and dangerous and amused.
"About three hours," you laugh. "I'll admit, Law, I did need to get a few more drinks in your crew than I thought."
Law stands. "So you know who I am." His eyes narrow. "Either way, you fooled my crew. But not me."
You shrug, feigning boredom. "And?"
He gestures to your pockets. "Empty them."
You reach in slowly, pulling out grains of rice with exaggerated surprise and a gasp. Law smirks. He's been using his Shambles ability to switch everything for rice. He wanted to see how long you'd keep up the act.
But you don't look defeated. You look... amused.
"Ah, Law," you taunt, "If only that's what I was after."
You held up a Den Den Mushi that flashes in his face.
And then you're gone.
His eyes burn from the flash. By the time his vision clears, you've vanished like smoke.
"Shachi! Penguin!" he roars.
The two immediately pop their heads over the deck, looking terrified.
"You brought a damn Marine spy on the sub!"
The two eyes grew as they shrunk down in embarrassment.
Law summoned a room and the two fell to the dock on their asses. “Go fix it!” He demanded pointing towards the town where you were heading. They scrabbled to feet and stumbled into a run.
Fury entered Law’s eyes as he snapped around only to find you in an alley across the way, leaning against the wall like you don't have a care in the world. He pulls his Kikoku from its scabbard, the blade gleaming in the afternoon light.
You don't flinch.
"Is that what you think I am?" you ask, pushing off the wall. "I guess you're not too far off, though."
You turn to walk away, but Law shambles directly in front of you, blocking your path.
Instead of backing away, you step closer. Red grew to his cheeks as your hand brushes along his cheek, and you're so near he can smell the sea salt on your skin.
"You're very cute when you're threatened," you laugh, confusing him for just a moment before you dance around him and kick him square in the back.
Law staggers forward, cursing himself for the distraction. When he whirls around, you're already gone.
A whistle from above draws his attention to the roof of a nearby building where you wave at him with a grin.
Law's jaw clenches. He shambles onto the roof behind you.
You jump, balancing on the edge of the building without a care. He snarls at the teasing behavior.
"Who do you work for?" he demands.
"Aw, look at you finally asking the real questions," you laugh. Then you pull out your Den Den Mushi. "Wait, hold that look!"
The camera flash blinds him. His eyes burn with frustration.
"Oh, that's a keeper," your voice echoes around him. "You look like a wet cat."
The veins on his forehead throb with anger. "Scalpel!" he shouts, pointing in the direction of your voice.
"Op, you missed," you taunt as his vision clears. His eyes dance around the roof, unable to find you. "Thanks for the information, Trafalgar D. Water Law."
The name stops him cold.
His full name. His real name. How could you possibly—
His thoughts spiral and his vision goes red.
"Tack!"
Everything on the roof inside his Room begins to float. You yelp as you're pulled into the air, torn away from the perch you'd jumped to.
"Scalpel!"
Law points his sword at your chest, and your heart pops out—a blue cube hovering before him. You try to grab it, but you're held suspended in the air by his power. The heart floats into his palm.
He drops the Room, and you fall hard to the roof, gasping for breath.
"Where did you learn that name?" he growls, standing over you with your heart literally in his hand.
You glare up at him, defiant. "I won't tell."
Law squeezes slightly.
Your scream echoes across the rooftops, your body convulsing in pain.
"Where?!" he demands, his voice cold as ice.
"Flevance records!" you shout, and he releases the pressure. You collapse, breathing hard, looking up at him with pleading eyes. "I've been doing my research."
Law stares down at you, something dark flickering across his features. Before you can say anything else, his hand twitches and you fall unconscious.
He stands there, your heart in his grip, trying to process what just happened.
When you wake, you're restrained to a metal chair in the boiler room. Red emergency lights cast a sickly glow across the walls. Your chest aches—both from the fall and from the phantom pain of having your heart separated from your body.
You know exactly where you are. You've studied the Polar Tang's schematics.
A tall figure rises from the shadows, arms crossed. Law. And now that your eyes are adjusted, you can see the dangerous anger simmering just beneath the surface of his composure.
"You're awake," he states, his voice a low rumble that echoes off the metal.
Instead of fear, a playful glint sparks in your eyes. You simply roll your eyes and relax back in the chair, as if you're not literally at this man's mercy.
Law's jaw clenches at your nonchalance. "You're going to tell me everything you know," he says firmly, towering above you. "And who you plan on relaying that information to."
You throw back your head and laugh—genuinely amused despite your situation. When you finally catch your breath, you smirk up at him.
"This is cute, really," you say, your voice dripping with amusement. Then your expression shifts, becoming more serious but no less playful. "Alright, alright. I'll tell you. But only for a good price."
Law reaches into his pocket and withdraws a glowing object. Your heart. He dangles it in front of you, a cruel smile playing on his lips.
"I wonder how much value your heart holds," he taunts, tossing it up and catching it repeatedly. Each time his hand closes around it, you feel it—that strange sensation of vulnerability, of being completely and utterly in his control.
You flinch with each catch, but you don't look away from him.
"Fine," you snarl, the defiance cracking slightly in your voice.
Law stops his game of catch, apparently satisfied. He pulls a chair over and sits down, . "Let's start with an easy one," he says, "What is your name?"
"y/n" you answer curtly, testing the waters of this new dynamic.
"Who do you work for?"
You lean back in your chair, "Depends on the price. I could be working for anyone or no one at all. Most of the time it's the Marines, but sometimes other pirates hire my services."
"So you're a consultant," Law hums, His eyes narrow with intellectual interest—which is somehow worse than pure rage. "Who were you planning on selling my information to?"
You shrug, feigning boredom even as your heart—literal and metaphorical—races in his hand. "No one in particular yet. But you've been making quite a lot of noise lately. I figured someone would come around sooner or later. Might as well get ahead of the game."
His eyes narrow, “Where are you from?”
You smirk, “Dressrosa.” You sang watching him carefully as his eyes flickered in recognition. “I believe you heard of it? After all a close friend of your seems to be running it.”
Law’s eye twitched as his knuckles turned white as he dug his fingers into his hand. “I have no affiliation with that man.” he said.
You hummed tilting your head, “But you used to.”
He snarled at the thought. “What else do you think you know?”
You burst out laughing before your expression goes serious, a calculated move. "Everything," you declare.
Law's gaze narrows dangerously. "What is that supposed to mean?"
You meet his eyes with a smirk, a hint of challenge radiating from you. "Let's just assume I know every single thing about you, Trafalgar D. Water Law."
"You can't know everything," he states, disbelief evident in his tone. His pride is showing now—the belief that he's too careful, too smart, too controlled for someone like you to have mapped him out completely.
"Try me," you counter, your voice dropping to something more intimate. You lean forward as much as the restraints allow. "Ask me something. Anything."
Law studies you for a long moment, and you can see the internal calculation happening. He's trying to find the question that will prove you wrong, that will restore his sense of control.
"Where am I from?" he finally asks.
"Flevance," you reply without hesitation. "But if you want a deeper answer, you also lived at Spider Miles with the Donquixote Pirates for a while, and then Swallow Island." You cock your head, waiting for his next question like you're playing a game you've already won.
"Okay, smartass," he growls, his voice strained. "Who did I live with at Swa—"
"Some inventor named Wolf," you cut him off. "That one was way too easy. Let's talk about something harder to find. Something that actually matters." You pause deliberately, watching the shift in his expression. "Corazon."
The name strikes Law like a physical blow.
His eyes go wide, a flash of something raw and vulnerable crossing his features before he shuts it down. He stands abruptly, his hand twitching toward his sword.
"He was a Marine spy, right?" you continue, pressing into the wound you've found. Your voice is softer now, almost sympathetic, which somehow makes it worse. "But he was more than that to you."
Law looks like he's about to explode. His hands clench and unclench. Then he turns on his heel and storms out of the boiler room, the metal door slamming shut with a resounding bang.
You watch him go, and for the first time since this started, your smile fades slightly. You didn't want to push that button. That's not part of the plan.
But you did. Because you needed him to understand that you're not just some thief. You're someone who's done her homework. You're someone who knows his vulnerabilities, his weaknesses.
Hours pass. The only sound is the low hum of the machinery kept you company.
Then the door creaks open, and bright light floods the boiler room. A figure enters carrying a delicious aroma.
"I brought food," a polar bear mink which you learned to be named Bepo says kindly, revealing himself to be a large, lumbering polar bear. He holds a steaming bowl of soup, the smell amplifying your stomach's protest.
You offer a grateful smile as your stomach rumbles. "Thank you," you say, attempting to reach for the bowl. Your arms remain tethered to the chair. You looked back up at the bear with a glint, “Would you mind untieing me?”
Bepo approaches hesitantly. "I don't know, Captain just gave me permission to bring you the soup."
"Just one arm then, please," you whine, pouting your lips adorably. "So I can use it to eat. I'm so hungry."
Bepo is easily swayed by your act. He nods and unties your right hand. You waste no time grabbing the bowl and slurping down the soup. "Thank you, this was delicious" you sigh in relief, finally feeling full. Bepo watches in amusement as you devour the entire serving.
When he reaches to retie your arm, you pull it back.
"Wait, please let me stretch it a bit," you beg, using your puppy dog eyes—the ones that have gotten you out of more situations than you can count.
"Uh, I don't know. Captain said not to trust you," Bepo stutters, clearly conflicted.
"But I didn't do anything," your lip trembles. "I promise."
Sweat pours from the polar bear's forehead. "I guess you have been down here for a bit. And the captain is acting a little unreasonable."
You smile triumphantly. "You are so kind. What's your name?"
"Bepo."
"Bepo," you repeat warmly, placing your chin in your palm and looking at him with genuine interest. "You're a Mink, right? What is Zou like?"
Bepo's eyes light up. "I left Zou when I was young," he admits. "But it's a very peaceful town with the nicest people ever. I miss them."
"Why did you leave then?"
Bepo's smile fades as he looks down. "I'm looking for my brother," he confesses.
You lean forward with sincere sympathy. "Do you have any leads?"
He shakes his head sadly.
You frown in sympathy—and it's genuine. "I'm sorry, Bepo. I hope you find him." You pause, a calculating glint in your eyes. "You might not find the answer you want, but I may have some intel on Big Mom and her involvement with the Nox Pirates. They’re minks right?"
Bepo perks up immediately, his ears twitching. "The Nox Pirates…?"
Before you can elaborate further, a coughing fit seizes you. You double over, clutching your chest in pain—it's a good act because the disconnection from your heart actually does cause discomfort.
"What's wrong? What's happening?" Bepo exclaims, panic lacing his voice.
You gasp for breath. "I… I can't… breathe."
Concerned, Bepo quickly unties your other arm and helps you to your feet. "What do you need?"
"Air… I need air," you cough, desperation creeping into your voice.
Without hesitation, Bepo scoops you up and races out of the boiler room. A faint smirk plays on your lips before you return to your convincing coughs.
The worried bear sprints across the sub's deck, and the sea breeze finally hits you. You take a deep, lung-filling breath of the salty air, your coughing subsiding naturally.
Bepo gently lowers you to the deck, leaning you against the railing.
"Thank you, Bepo," you pant, a hint of genuine gratitude in your voice. "I guess I've been down there too long and needed fresh air."
Bepo, relieved, nods in understanding. "I know what that's like. The air in the sub can be so thick and hot." He rubs your back comfortably. "You were saying something about the Nox Pirates. That was the crew my brother was a part of."
Your eyes widen. "He was part of that crew…" You hesitate, a flicker of actual doubt crossing your face. "Oh no, Bepo, I don't know if I should be the one telling you."
Bepo's eyes plead with you. "Please, you're the only person who has any idea what happened to my brother."
You frown, wrestling with your conscience. "From what I understand," you begin cautiously, "the Nox Pirates were after Poneglyphs, and Big Mom caught them. Only one of the pirates left the island alive. That's all I know."
Tears well up in Bepo's eyes. "That doesn't mean he's dead! He could have gotten away!" You push off the railing and pull Bepo into a hug, surprising the giant bear. "I'm sorry. If I knew your brother was a part of that crew, I wouldn't have brought it up. I was just hoping it would be a start to finding leads."
"Yo, Bepo! What are you—Is that the prisoner!"
Shachi's booming voice echoes from around the corner. He storms over, shoving himself between you and Bepo defensively, his arm extended in front of the bear. "You're not supposed to be out here!" he barks, pointing a threatening finger at you.
"Sorry, Shachi," Bepo stammers. "I brought her out here. She needed fresh air."
Penguin waddled up, puffing out his chest. "Well, she needs to go back before the Captain sees her. We can't have her causing any more trouble."
You hold up your hands defensively. "Don't blame him. I couldn't breathe down there, and Bepo was just trying to help. If you want me to go back down, I will. I'm helpless against the three of you.” You speak in a higher, sweeter voice than you've used previously—calculated, strategic. “Especially out here, with no escapes, and under your eyes."
A thought flashes in both their eyes. They exchange a look.
"I got a new idea!" Shachi speaks up. "We keep her on the deck where there are fewer things for her to steal and we keep an eye on her."
Penguin smiles, clearly pleased with himself. "Exactly! She won't be able to trick us again, and we're too strong for her anyway."
As the three pirates bicker amongst themselves about the best way to watch you, you can't help but smirk.
Law storms back into the boiler room, already furious about his earlier loss of control. He expects to find you exactly where he left you, restrained to that chair.
Instead, he finds an empty chair and ropes on the floor.
Realization dawns on his face, and his jaw clenches in anger.
He storms across the deck, the crew scattering like frightened animals at the sight of their captain's fury. His gaze falls upon you, standing confidently in the center of the deck, captivating the crew's attention with a story.
"And that's not even his full name!" you're saying, your voice ringing with excitement. "The government was too scared to let anyone know his real name… Gol D. Roger!"
A collective gasp ripples through the crew.
"The World Government is scared of this tribe, and for good reason," you continue, a mischievous glint in your eyes. "The Will of D…"
"What is going on here?!" Law roars, silencing the chatter immediately. The crew scrambles to their feet, mumbling excuses before scurrying back inside the sub like rats abandoning a ship.
The only ones remaining are Shachi, Penguin, Bepo, and a smug you.
Law runs a hand through his hair, frustration etched across his face. "I thought you two would have learned your lesson by now," he grumbles, glaring at Shachi and Penguin. "And Bepo…" He pauses, taking a deep breath, "Actually, you're fine."
Bepo offers a sheepish smile while the two swordsmen shrink back under their Captain's scrutiny. “favoritism.” They mumbled glaring at the bear.
"We're keeping watch over her," Penguin said defensively.
Law's gaze flickers back to you, his anger simmering beneath the surface. But then something catches your attention—movement in the distance. A signal.
You saunter toward Law with your most disarming smile. "It's fine, Law," you purr, your voice dripping with mock sympathy. "I didn't tell them anything you wouldn't want them to know. And they were fantastic host."
You turn to the remaining crew, flashing a dazzling smile. "Thank you for your hospitality, gentlemen." You bow slightly, your voice taking on a theatrical tone. "This was a fascinating experience. I promise this won't be the last."
With a playful wink, you dart across the deck, leaving a trail of bewildered pirates in your wake. Shachi and Penguin run after you, but they're already too late.
You reach the edge of the ship and leap over the railing.
The three pirates rush to the edge, peering over in time to see a small rowboat carrying you and another woman. The boat steers quickly toward a larger ship in the distance, which immediately begins firing cannons at the submarine.
"Shit!" Law curses, ducking as a cannonball whizzes overhead.
He reaches into his pocket, and his fingers brush against a familiar, pulsing object. He pulls out your heart—still glowing softly in his palm. He'd kept it on him the entire time.
He hold it high and shouts across the distance, "I still have your heart! You're still my prisoner!"
You turn back, and even from this distance, Law can see your smile.
"Keep it!" you shout back, your voice carrying across the water with impressive clarity. "As a promise that we will meet again!"
Law squeezes the heart. He watches as you fall to your knees on the rowboat, gasping.
He lets go, freeing you.
"I can kill you any time, any anywhere!" he shouts, his voice raw with anger and something else he doesn't want to name.
You cough, blood staining your lips, but you're smiling. You lift your head to face him, and even wounded, even escaping, you look victorious.
"But you won't," you call back.
And Law realizes, with a sinking feeling that has nothing to do with the cannonballs, that you're right.
He stands on the deck of his submarine, your heart pulsing in his hand—warm, alive. It's a power play he doesn't fully understand yet. By leaving her heart with him, you've bound yourself to him in a way that goes beyond physical restraint.
He has your heart. But you have something far more dangerous.
You have his attention.
For now, Law stands with your heart in his palm, watching you the distance climbing onto your larger ship, and realizes that he's just been outwitted by someone who used nothing but charm, intelligence, and a deep understanding of his own pride against him.
Your name is Lust.
And you just fooled the Surgeon of Death.
A/N: Thank you for reading! if you enjoy post like this check out my Masterlist. and if you want to send me a request for my next post please send me a message! If you liked this and want to support me I have a tip jar on Ko-fi.
Let me know if you like to see a part 2 which I am already excited to write.
Summary: Baylen Haymaker has been training under the hidden city council since his parents died when he was 10. His form is perfect. Every movement precise. No wasted energy. No hesitation. No mercy. But also no joy. No satisfaction. No emotion whatsoever. He is only sixteen years old, and he moves like a machine built for one purpose: combat.
His caretaker has grown worrisome of these behaviors and send him on a surveillance mission where he will keep a eye on a troublesome scientist who had invented the Universal Compatibility Enzyme. This allows any biological matter to merge without rejection, Perfect organ transplants, cross-species healing, revolutionary medical applications. His research can either create human weapons, kill people, or save people depending on who’s hand it ends up in this has made him a target for various factions.
And the best way to keep a eye on this scientist is to target his daughter Alice Stanton who had enrolled herself in a public highschool under a allies Alice Stalin. Alice is a extremely secretive and guarded person after she had be kidnapped a dozen time due to her father inventions. She is not a easy target for Baylen to track when she doesn't want to be. She enrolled herself in this school so she can learn to trust people again after years of trauma and betrayals.
This is their story on the complicated relationship between the two and how they become unlikely friends as Alice pulled Baylen out of his emotionally repressed ways kicking and screaming. And to the extents Baylen will go to preserve his friendship with her and to keep her alive.
A/N: While this is a part of my fic Trials of the Cloaking Brooch which is in the fandom ROTTMNT, this contained story is a complete original story. It does take place along side the book at parts but non of the character from ROTTMNT make appearances here as it focuses on the OCs.
Point is this is a original story anyone can enjoy so if you just started following me because you liked my recent Law x Reader fic 'Deadlines' you will like this and I ask to give it a chance. I really enjoyed writing and I hope more can enjoy it as well. Some scene will raise questions that are only answered in Trials of the Cloaking Brooch but you can still enjoy this without reading the main book.
Tags: Original Story Highschool Spy "romance" (need to read to find out why that is in quotes)
Word Count: 16,280
Three Years Before Alice's Return - Hidden City Council Training Grounds
The dull blade of the training sword stopped only millimeters from his opponent's throat. Just enough distance to avoid accidental injury, but close enough to assert dominance.
"Point goes to Haymaker," an older wolf-like Yokai—who'd been training Council operatives for over twenty years—announced.
Baylen pulled back, his rabbit ears flat against his head. No smile. No pride. Just acknowledgment.
"Again," Baylen said flatly, no emotion in his voice as he lowered the sword.
The young salamander Yokai still on the ground from Baylen's last attack looked up at the instructor with visible panic.
"That's your fifth consecutive win," the instructor began. "Perhaps we should—"
"Again."
The instructor looked up at the stands, exchanging a glance with a tall, scholarly-looking crane Yokai who'd been Baylen's primary caretaker for the past six years.
The crane frowned but nodded slightly.
The salamander scurried away as the instructor waved over a new opponent.
Baylen brought down the new opponent in fourteen seconds. Disarmed. Disabled. Neutralized.
His form was perfect. Every movement precise. No wasted energy. No hesitation. No mercy.
But also no joy. No satisfaction. No emotion whatsoever.
He was only sixteen years old, and he moved like a machine built for one purpose: combat.
Later That Evening - Council of Heads Chambers
Master Feng stood under the gaze of three stone heads that governed the Hidden City. Each was brightly illuminated, each wore a deep frown.
"He's becoming exactly what I feared," the crane spoke, his voice tight with concern.
"He's becoming an excellent operative," the head in the center spoke with a booming voice. "That is exactly what you have been training him to be."
"But we went too far! He's become a weapon. He's only sixteen, and he doesn't smile, doesn't laugh, doesn't speak to any of his colleagues unless given a direct order."
"Discipline is essential for—"
"He is a child!" Feng's voice rose, which was unusual for the normally calm crane. "His parents died when he was ten. We took him in. We gave him structure. We taught him to channel his grief into training. But we went too far. We taught him to suppress everything."
The feminine councilor on the left spoke, her voice measured: "What do you propose?"
"A field assignment. Something low-stakes. Something that will require him to interact with others. So he learns to be a person, not just a spy."
"There are no low-stakes assignments," the woman said, her eyes narrowing.
"Then we create one," Feng suggested. "There is a human whose work has potential to become problematic for us—Dr. Jonathan Stanton. His research involves mutations and a disturbing desire to 'fix' the human race. If he discovers any Yokai, or those mutant turtles Draxum released years ago, he may cause enough havoc to lead the human world to discovering us."
"We are well aware of Dr. Stanton's current advancements," the head on the right spoke. "We have our own operatives observing him and all other human scientific progress. Nothing suggests his work will cause us problems."
"Yet," Feng added. "Besides, it's meant to be a training mission. Baylen can observe, report, and hopefully regain some humanity."
"I fail to see how spying on an isolated scientist will improve your protégé's humanity," the woman spoke.
"Earlier this year, it was observed that the doctor's daughter enrolled herself in a public high school. We have him track her. She has a history of finding herself in danger due to her father's inventions. With Baylen around, he could intervene while keeping tabs on the doctor."
The council paused, each exchanging glances.
"Approved," the head in the center said.
Feng bowed. "Thank you, Council."
The Cafeteria - The Next Morning
Baylen sat alone at a corner table, eating with mechanical efficiency.
Around him, the other young Yokai—also taken in by the Council for their own reasons—were laughing and joking and arguing. Normal children doing normal things.
He didn't understand them. Didn't understand why they'd waste time on frivolous conversations when they should be training, improving, proving their loyalty to the Council. The Council who had generously taken them in when no one else would.
"Baylen."
Master Feng sat down across from him, pulling him out of his thoughts.
Baylen set down his utensils and straightened. "Master Feng." He bowed his head slightly.
"I have a mission for you." Feng hummed, pulling out a folder and placing it on the table.
Baylen gave a sharp nod and took the folder, opening it carefully.
"There's a human scientist—Dr. Jonathan Stanton—whose research could pose a threat to us if left unchecked. The Council wants eyes on him and his daughter."
Baylen nodded. "Understood. Elimination or surveillance?"
Feng took a sharp, frustrated breath. "Surveillance only," he said firmly. "This is an intelligence-gathering mission. You'll observe, report in weekly, and intervene only if necessary."
Baylen grunted in understanding as he read through Dr. Stanton's file.
"How will I reach him?" he asked, noting that the man was very isolated, primarily kept to his home lab.
Feng pulled out another page. "He has a daughter. She enrolled herself in a public high school under an alias—Alice Stalin. She has a history of getting put in dangerous situations due to her father’s research, while you are there you are also to protect her."
The file they had on the girl was thin, with few notes and extremely blurry pictures. "Our other operatives have had difficulty tracking her. She is slipperier than she looks."
From what Baylen could gather from the limited photos, she was a thin redhead who always seemed to be looking over her shoulder.
Feng slid a small box across the table. Baylen gently opened it, revealing a silver brooch shaped like Saturn—a Cloaking Brooch.
"You will enroll as a student, get close to her, and report back weekly. As a student, you should have an easier time approaching her than our current operatives."
Baylen looked at his reflection in the brooch, watching it shift from his normal rabbit appearance to that of a human. "Understood."
Feng studied him for a long moment. "Baylen. This mission is also an opportunity."
Baylen nodded. "To prove myself to the Council."
"No. To remember what it's like to be young."
"I am sixteen. I am young."
"But you don't act like it. I haven't seen you smile in six years," Feng said quietly, with a small huff. "Try to remember how."
Baylen glanced up at him with an uncertain look before shifting back to the brooch, to his human reflection, the blond hair in place of his ears.
He scowled at the appearance.
Day One - Human High School
The cloaking brooch settled against his chest under his jacket, and his reflection shimmered in the school's windows as he passed.
Gone were his nearly white fur, his long ears, his powerful rabbit legs.
In their place: a human teenager with pale skin, blond hair, and an athletic build.
He looked... objectively handsome, he noted. Symmetrical features. Clear skin. The brooch had given him the kind of face that would blend in easily.
Except he didn't blend in at all.
"Oh my GOD, who is THAT?" a girl whispered as he walked past.
"New kid," another responded. "Did you SEE his face?"
"I want to climb him like a tree—"
Baylen's enhanced hearing picked up every word. His stomach turned with disgust.
Focus. You have a mission.
He'd studied the school layout, memorized Alice's class schedule, identified twelve possible escape routes. This should be simple.
Except human teenagers were chaos incarnate.
Boys bumped into him in the hallways—testing him, establishing dominance like animals. Girls followed him from class to class, giggling. Someone tried to take his picture.
He hated it. Hated all of it.
He hated his human legs that felt wrong and slow without the powerful spring of his rabbit haunches. Hated that he couldn't fold his ears back when he felt anxious—a self-soothing gesture he'd done unconsciously for years.
Most of all, he hated that he couldn't find his target.
Alice Stalin should have been easy to spot. Red hair. Junior class. Highly intelligent.
But the hallways were a sea of bodies and noise and—
"ALICE!"
Baylen's head snapped toward the voice.
A freshman girl was shoving through the crowd, heading toward a cluster of students near a row of lockers.
Baylen followed.
The crowd parted to reveal a girl with red hair pulled into a practical ponytail. She was leaning against the lockers, one foot raised and pressed against the metal, looking completely unbothered by the group of mostly boys surrounding her.
Each boy was trying to show her something. Homework. A phone screen. A deck of cards.
She smiled at each of them—but Baylen caught what others might miss. The smile didn't reach her eyes. Her posture was relaxed but ready. She was managing them, not engaging with them.
"Charlie, slow down," Alice laughed as the freshman girl barreled through the crowd.
Charlie grabbed Alice's hands. "Alice, I need help! I failed that physics test and my dad is going to kill me. Please, what can I do?"
Alice's expression shifted—genuine warmth replacing the practiced smile. She kicked off the lockers and wrapped her arm around the younger girl's shoulder.
"Let's see if we can talk to Mr. Harrison about letting you retake it."
They headed down the hallway together. The boys deflated instantly, dispersing with disappointed faces.
Interesting. She commands attention but doesn't want it. Uses it strategically.
Baylen followed at a safe distance, keeping them in sight while maintaining cover. He needed confirmation that this was indeed his target.
They turned into a classroom. Through the sliver of view through the doorway, Baylen watched Alice's entire demeanor transform.
The friendly, warm girl disappeared. In her place stood something calculating and sharp.
She spoke to the teacher with the precision of a lawyer making closing arguments. Baylen couldn't hear every word, but he could read her body language. Every gesture deliberate. Every word chosen carefully.
Mr. Harrison tried to interrupt several times. Alice never let him.
"Ms. Stalin, you cannot come in here and demand I make an exception for one student!" The teacher's voice finally rose loud enough for Baylen to hear.
Stalin. Confirmation. Target identified.
"And you cannot dock points just because someone used a different formula. Your formulas are wildly outdated and redundant."
Baylen slipped away before the conversation ended.
But when he glanced back, Alice was looking directly at him.
Their eyes met for half a second.
Then someone walked between them, and when Baylen looked again, she'd returned her attention to the teacher.
Did she notice me?
The bell rang.
Students flooded the hallways in a chaotic mass of bodies and noise.
Baylen kept his eyes on Alice's red hair as she said goodbye to Charlie and headed toward—
A group of students passed between them.
When they cleared, Alice was gone.
What?
Baylen scanned the hallway. She'd been right there. Ten meters away. And now—
Nothing.
He moved through the crowd, searching. Checked the bathroom entrance. The side hallways. The stairs.
She'd vanished like smoke.
The second bell rang.
The hallways emptied.
Shit.
Baylen sprinted to his assigned classroom, arriving thirty seconds late.
He stepped through the door and froze.
Alice Stalin was standing by the teacher's desk discussing something. When he entered, her head snapped toward him, arms crossed, eyes locked directly on him.
Cataloging. Analyzing. Reading him like he'd read her earlier.
"Ah! You must be Baylen!" The teacher stood up and gestured him forward. "Class, meet your new classmate, Baylen Haymaker. I expect all of you to behave and be nice to him." She sneered slightly, as if knowing her class well.
A girl in the back snickered quietly to her friend. "I don't think I can behave myself when he looks like that."
Baylen's ears would have pinned back in discomfort if he'd had them.
Alice stepped forward before he could react. "Don't worry, Mrs. Madden. He can sit by me and I'll catch him up."
Her smile was pleasant. Professional.
But it still didn't reach her eyes.
She pointed to the back left corner of the room where two empty seats waited. "There's plenty of room back there."
Something about the way she looked at him made Baylen's throat tight.
But he followed anyway, sitting in the seat beside her.
Alice pulled out a notebook—pristine, organized, color-coded—and slid it across the desk. "Here are all my notes. You can copy them. Just give it back next week, please."
Baylen let out a small grunt of acknowledgment, pulling the book toward him.
She just nodded and turned her attention to the front of the class.
The lesson began. Junior year biology. Cellular respiration. The Krebs cycle.
Baylen tried to focus, but his mind was spinning.
She evaded me. Made me lose her in a crowded hallway. Then knew exactly where I'd be and positioned herself to observe my entrance. She's reading me the same way I'm reading her.
This mission just got significantly more complicated.
When the bell rang, Alice was already moving—books packed, bag on her shoulder, slipping through the door before anyone else had even stood up.
Baylen gathered his things, cursing internally.
She'd done it again. Disappeared.
He looked down at the notebook she'd lent him.
A sticky note sat on the first page in neat handwriting: 'Stop following me.'
Baylen scowled in annoyance and slammed the book shut.
After School
Baylen tore off the cloaking brooch the moment school ended.
Done playing human. Time to do this properly.
His true form returned—blond nearly-white fur with brown spots, long ears, powerful rabbit legs. He took to the rooftops, moving with the speed and silence he'd been trained for.
Full spy mode.
Alice's route home was... strange.
She didn't walk in a straight line. She wove through crowds, doubling back occasionally, taking sudden turns down alleys.
She's checking for tails. She knows someone might be following her.
Baylen stayed high, using rooftop vantage points, keeping three buildings between them at all times.
Alice turned down an alley.
Baylen moved to intercept, predicting her exit point—
She was gone.
Not hiding. Not running. Just... gone.
One second she'd been walking toward the alley's end. The next, empty space.
Baylen dropped down to street level, checking for hidden doors, sewer grates, anything that could explain—
Nothing.
She disappeared. Again.
Baylen stared at the empty alley, his ears pinned back in frustration.
No wonder her file was so thin.
Baylen rubbed his eyes in frustration before pulling a coin out of his pocket. He fiddled with it for a moment, debating whether he was worthy enough to return home with such little information.
He huffed before flicking the coin up. A red portal snapped open, leading him straight home.
Week One
Baylen hated human teenagers.
This was the conclusion he'd reached after five days of observation.
The girls followed him everywhere. Passing him notes. Finding excuses to talk to him. Asking for his number. One had tried to grab his arm and he'd nearly broken her wrist on instinct before remembering his cover.
The boys were worse. They teased. They tested. They made comments about his looks, his clothes, his accent (which he didn't even have).
Then there was the ever-annoying April O'Neil, pestering him for an interview for her blog.
And through it all, Alice Stalin remained infuriatingly elusive.
She smiled at everyone. Helped anyone who asked. Was polite, friendly, approachable.
And completely untouchable.
She never stayed in one place long enough for anyone to get close. Never revealed anything real about herself. Never let anyone past the carefully constructed surface.
Baylen recognized it because he did the same thing.
But his was training. Hers was... something else.
On Friday, it came to a head.
Baylen was walking to lunch when Jared—one of the football players who'd been making comments all week—decided to escalate.
"Hey, pretty boy!"
Baylen kept walking.
"I'm talking to you, Haymaker." Jared shoved him from behind.
Instinct took over.
Baylen grabbed Jared's arm, twisted, and used the boy's own momentum to flip him over his shoulder.
Jared hit the ground with a heavy thud.
Before the boy could process what happened, Baylen had his foot on Jared's chest and was holding his arm at an angle that could snap with just a bit more pressure.
The entire hallway went silent.
Baylen glared down at the boy, his tactical mind running through seventeen different ways to incapacitate him permanently.
No. Mission. Cover. Can't blow cover.
But he didn't move.
Someone appeared at the edge of the circle of students that had formed.
Alice.
Somehow she'd materialized at the front of the crowd, arms crossed, looking down at Jared with an expression of mild amusement.
"It's about time someone put you in your place, Jared," she said.
Jared's face went red. "Uh, Alice, this isn't—" He was clearly trying not to embarrass himself in front of his obvious crush.
Baylen pressed slightly harder on the boy's arm, disgusted by the display.
Alice crouched down, resting her arms on her knees, studying Jared like he was an interesting insect. "Did you really think shoving the new kid was a good idea?"
"I... I thought it would be funny?"
"Do you find it funny now?"
Jared shook his head violently.
"Did you learn your lesson?"
Jared nodded, looking up at Baylen in fear. Baylen just scowled back.
Alice stood up, her eyes shifting to meet Baylen's. "Let him go. We need to talk."
Every tactical instinct told Baylen to refuse. To maintain dominance. To not back down from—
But something in Alice's steady gaze made him comply.
He released Jared's arm and stepped back.
Jared scrambled away. The crowd parted for Alice like water around a stone.
She walked toward the exit, and Baylen followed in silence.
Alice led him to the outdoor stadium overlooking the football field. She leaned against the railing, looking out at the empty grass.
"You don't talk much, huh?" she said without looking at him.
Baylen stood three meters back, silent, arms crossed, jaw set.
She turned to face him, jumping up to sit on the railing with easy grace. "You're a very weird guy."
Baylen didn't respond.
Alice studied him for a long moment. Then she tilted her head. "You lost your parents, didn't you?"
Baylen's breath caught in his chest.
His eyes widened.
How—
"It's okay," Alice said quietly. "I lost my mother too. At a young age."
Baylen stared at her, his mind spinning.
She can't know. She can't possibly know. I've given no indication that—
"I know what that kind of pent-up anger and grief looks like," Alice continued, resting her elbow on her knee and her chin in her palm. "And you, Baylen, are holding a lot of it. Like a firecracker ready to burst."
Baylen's jaw tightened. But he remained silent.
Alice hung her head. "Look, I don't like you. You've been clearly following me—"
She knows.
"—and I can't fathom why yet. But I can tell by the way you reacted to Jared that you're holding something troubling inside."
Baylen's mind scrambled for responses, denials, cover stories.
But his mouth stayed shut.
Alice's expression shifted to something calculating. A smirk crossed her face.
"And you're clearly extremely uncoordinated."
"What?!" The word burst out before Baylen could stop it.
"I mean, that form was just awful," Alice said, barely suppressing a grin. "The way your feet twisted—it's like you forgot how to use them."
"My form was PERFECT!" Baylen's arms exploded into motion, demonstrating. "It's always been perfect! I had him pinned at the correct angle to keep him down without causing harm! The leverage distribution was optimal! The—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Alice was smiling at him, chin still resting in her palm, watching him with genuine amusement.
She played me. She deliberately provoked me to make me talk.
"I don't like you," Baylen said flatly, standing straighter.
"Good," Alice said cheerfully. "That's a statement I've heard a dozen times. Now that we know you can talk, why don't you tell me what happened to your parents and why you haven't dealt with that grief yet?"
She slid over on the railing, patting the space beside her.
Baylen stared at her.
I should leave. I should maintain distance. I should—
He walked over and leaned on the rail.
His head hung. "They died six years ago."
Alice hummed with a gentle look, listening carefully.
"It was an accident. A work incident—" He looked away, biting his tongue. He didn't know why he was telling her this. "One of their colleagues took me in. Raised me in a school with a bunch of other kids like me."
"I hated them all. They're all so talkative, so happy, so disrespectful to the people who took them in, fed them, raised them." He scowled. "Then my stupid caretaker sent me here. Told me I needed to learn from 'normal people'." He huffed at the thought and kicked at a rock under his foot.
"I'm the fucking normal one. Not them. Not those assholes." He gestured to the school.
Alice tilted her head. "Yeah, they can be assholes. But that's normal for high schoolers, for teens who don't yet understand how cruel the world is."
Baylen pouted.
"I thought that way too when my mom died. When I was forced to mature while everyone around me got to continue living their childhood. It's not fair. But it's what people like us have been dealt. And we can't punish those around us for not understanding." Alice looked into the distance.
Baylen looked up at her, at the expression in her eyes, the true understanding she held. And he felt something lift in his chest.
"You can't let grief like that consume everyone around you. You can't blame everyone for unfortunate circumstances they had no part in."
Alice took a deep breath. "You know, sometimes when I get angry or upset with the world, I think of my mother and wonder if this is the kind of life she'd want me to live. Would she want me to grow angry and resentful, or would she want me to keep moving forward and find the next thing that will make me smile again?"
She looked over at Baylen, who still watched her carefully. "When was the last time you smiled?"
Baylen blinked rapidly as he thought back. Six years of living like a machine, never smiling, always shoving his thoughts away, keeping them from surfacing. Then he thought past all that, to the night before his parents died on a mission gone wrong. His mother had read him a bedtime story, and when he'd asked a silly question, she'd gently flicked his nose, causing him to giggle.
Baylen felt his lip pull at the thought, just barely lifting the corners of his mouth.
Alice smiled, seeing the small twitch. "It's okay to think of the good memories."
Baylen closed his eyes, took a deep breath. His mother's smiling face appeared in his mind, and for the first time in six years, he smiled back.
Week Two
This week was much easier for Baylen.
The boys left him alone out of fear of being attacked like Jared, but also out of newfound respect. The girls still tried to follow him, and he still heard their crude comments, but most of them had decided that watching him fight someone was a huge turn-off.
Then there was lunch. He wasn't entirely sitting alone anymore. Alice insisted on checking in with him for a few minutes, which—strangely—Baylen didn't mind. She would point with her fork at different people and whisper to Baylen secrets and gossip she had on them. And Baylen listened to each bit with intrigue as Alice noticed things no other person would have about his classmates.
His reports to the Council became much easier as Alice became less evasive when she wasn't actively running. He got to see her friendlier side.
One day she slammed a flyer on the table in front of him while he was mid-bite. He nearly choked on the disgusting human cafeteria food.
"Alice—what?" He coughed as her hand covered the flyer's information.
"You are joining the football team," she said proudly, pulling her hand back and standing with her hands on her hips.
Baylen glanced at the crude flyer with annoyingly bright colors. His nose scrunched. "Yeah, no. I'm good."
He turned back to his food, taking another bite.
"Yeah, and that really wasn't a request." She shifted to sit down next to him. "You still have so much pent-up aggression. You need to let it out on something, and football is the only place where tackling someone is a good thing."
"I already do a lot of martial arts. I think I'm good."
"Too bad. I already told Coach you'd be trying out today."
Baylen's eyes widened and he nearly spit out his food. His head snapped toward her. "I said no."
"And I said too bad. Hope you packed some gym clothes."
His eyes narrowed. "And what makes you think you can force me into this?"
She smirked. "Because I know you will."
"Will what?"
"Listen to me." Her smile was large, reaching her ears.
"You're delusional." Baylen shook his head, returning to his food. "Why do you really want me to join this team so badly?"
Alice pouted as she propped her elbow on the table and huffed, putting her chin in her palm. "Because it will give you something better to do than follow me around."
His breath quietly hitched, but then his eyes narrowed again as he glared at her.
"Unless you want to tell me why you've been following me around?"
His head snapped away. "I'm not following you. Again, you're delusional."
She scoffed. "Sure." She pushed off the table, standing up. "But it doesn't matter because you're going to tryouts tonight."
She started walking away, making her rounds to the other tables beckoning her attention.
Baylen scoffed at the idea as he looked down at the tacky flyer, crumpling it in his fist.
Who does she think she is?
When the school bell rang ending the day, Baylen headed for the door. Straight out of the school to the alley where he'd portal back to the Hidden City. But as he walked out, Alice stood at the gate with a knowing smile.
Baylen stopped with a grunt, his eye twitching at the girl, but her grin didn't waver. His face scrunched in frustration. He turned to walk the other way, but she appeared beside him, linking her arm in his.
"Where do you think you're going?" she taunted as she twisted him back toward the school.
He tried to yank his arm away, but she had a tight hold. "Alice," he groaned as she pulled them through the school.
"I already told you that you're doing this, like it or not."
"What gives you the idea that you can control anything I do?" He yanked at his arm again.
She smirked. "Because it will be good for you. Force you to work with a team, make friends outside of me."
"Friends?" His voice tightened.
She turned with a smile. "Yeah, that's what we are now."
His head hung in surrender. "You're just a pain in my ass."
"That works too. Either way, you're joining the football team."
He grumbled as they crossed the door that led to the football field. A large group of boys chattered as they waited for practice to begin.
"Coach Harrington!" Alice shouted, waving to the man standing in the center of the field.
The man's head turned toward them. "Afternoon, Alice." He gave a tired smile.
"This is Baylen! The new kid I told you about!" Alice dragged Baylen forward, releasing her hold and shoving him slightly.
Baylen stumbled forward, his nose scrunching in frustration. He shot her a glare with a slight growl. She just smiled in return.
He huffed as he stood straighter, facing the coach who had a raised brow. "Do you want to be here, son?" he asked.
Baylen went to open his mouth—
"Of COURSE he does!" Alice interrupted.
Baylen tsked in response but didn't give his answer. It didn't matter apparently.
"Okay, why don't you get changed and then you can show me what you got."
Baylen turned toward Alice, who pointed toward a door where a bunch of other guys were emerging in their gear, an annoying grin on her face. He followed where she pointed but mumbled in disdain as he walked.
Baylen reemerged in a t-shirt and shorts with the same scowl on his face.
Alice had found a spot in the stands and was leaning over the railing as a group of guys excitedly greeted her. Her chin was in her palm as she listened to them, but she was clearly uninterested in their attempts at impressing her.
When Baylen caught her eye, she waved at him. He grunted before moving to the coach, who stood by a bench at the edge of the field.
"Have you ever played football before?" the coach asked as he approached.
Baylen shook his head. "No, sir."
The coach raised a brow. "Well, at least you're respectful." He nodded in thought. "Alice said you needed somewhere to let out some pent-up anger. Figured you were going to be a loud-mouth fool like the rest of these numbskulls." He gestured toward the teens who were roughhousing and goofing off.
Baylen rolled his eyes at them. "I'm nothing like that."
The coach hummed as he walked into the field, flipping a football in his hands. "Let's see how you do."
Baylen performed flawlessly, as expected. Even lacking his stronger rabbit legs, he still moved faster than the rest, while his throws held a strength and accuracy that only someone with six years of nonstop training could achieve. He followed each of the coach's instructions exactly, which seemed to impress him while making the current quarterback jealous.
At the end of practice, the coach grabbed Baylen by the shoulder and announced to the team he was to be the new linebacker.
Alice cheered in the stands, and the rest of the team clapped for him and welcomed him aboard. Baylen blushed at the praise and excitement.
Baylen stepped through the red portal and into the Hidden City, where Master Feng was standing on the other side, waiting.
"Where have you been?" he asked, more out of curiosity than anger.
Baylen shrugged. "Alice made me join the football team."
Feng blinked in surprise, nearly taking a step back in pure shock. "Alice Stanton—your target? Got you to join a team sport?"
Baylen nodded, walking past him. Feng continued to blink in surprise. "How did she manage that?" he asked, quickly following behind his protégé.
"She's a witch. Somehow managed to drag me there." He tried to scowl at the thought, but the corner of his lips kept threatening to pull upward.
Feng let out a humorous breath, his beak shifting upward with a smile as he let the boy walk ahead of him.
Week Ten
Alice slumped into her usual seat next to Baylen at lunch, her head dramatically dropping to the table.
Baylen let out a snort as he took a bite of the salad he'd made for himself, fully ditching the disgusting human food. "What's wrong this time?" he said with a smirk, now fully accustomed to her dramatics.
Alice let out a groan as she tilted her head to look at him without removing it from the table. "Jared keeps trying to ask me to see this new movie."
Baylen raised a brow. "How many times?"
"UGGH!" She yanked her head up and back. "Seven times."
Her phone buzzed on the table. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at it. "Make that eight."
"Damn, desperate much." Baylen hummed, still meticulously eating his food.
"Right!" Her head snapped to him as she waved around her phone. "Like, I tried being polite, telling him I'm unavailable. Then I tried being a little rude, telling him I'm not interested in the movie. And now I'm being straight-up a bitch telling him I don't want to go out with him, but he keeps fucking pushing!"
He nodded along, familiar with her dramatic antics by this point. "If you want, I can pin him to the ground again. Won't be hard. He's pretty weak."
Alice chuckled, but her head fell down again. "No, you'll get expelled if you do that again."
"Not if I do it off campus." He pointed with his fork.
She snorted. "He would deserve it."
"Very much so."
They remained silent for a moment as Alice looked up at him carefully. "You know, I think he would finally back off if I started dating someone else."
Baylen raised his brows in thought. "Yeah, that would probably do it."
"But the real question is who? From what I've seen, everyone here are scumbags." He waved his fork. "I'm sure Marcus would agree, but he's kind of weird and would ruin your reputation. Tyson the quarterback might be an interesting choice, but he has a weird obsession with working out and would probably try to get you to work out. And we both know how that will end."
Alice slowly sat up, giving a small wave. "Yeah, hard pass on both of those."
She turned to look at him. "Why don't we go out?"
Baylen's eyes nearly popped out of his head and he dropped his fork. "What?" he said quietly.
Alice shoved his shoulder. "Hey! Don't be rude."
He blinked as he went to grab his fork off the ground. "Sorry, I just—" He hit his head on the table on the way up.
He rubbed his head while he looked at Alice, who had a slight pout on her face. He frowned at that look—the look she only gave when she was truly upset by something.
"Why?"
She shrugged. "I mean, you said it yourself. Everyone else here are scumbags or weirdos. You're the only person here I would even consider dating. Half the school already thinks we are. So why not make it a real thing?"
"Well, maybe if you stop trying to drag me around the school, people will stop thinking that."
Her nose scrunched playfully. "You wouldn't let it happen if you didn't enjoy it."
He rolled his eyes as he cleaned off his fork with a napkin. "I don't know, Alice," he said quietly. "I think you would be better off going for someone else."
"Why's that?" She tilted her head curiously.
Baylen's head hung. "I'm not exactly the most available person. Emotionally."
She pouted. "Yeah, ten weeks ago maybe. But you've really been starting to open up. I mean, you're actually talking now, for starters. You smile and joke around now, and you're finally talking to other people outside of me." She counted with her fingers.
He looked into her eyes carefully for a long moment.
It would be good for my overall mission—make her start actually talking about herself and her father, not just about school stuff.
He let out a long sigh. "Fine."
Alice's face lit up brightly. "Really?"
He shook his head. "If it will help you get that asshole Jared off your back, and if you really want to do this, then fine. We can go out."
She grabbed his hands in excitement. "Ah, thank you, Baylen!"
He yanked his hands back. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. How do you want this to work?"
She grabbed her phone with a smile. "Well, first I'm going to throw this in Jared's face, then block him. Then I'm going to tell Charlie so she's not blindsided."
"Is this just a bragging thing?"
"What? No! It's just one of the perks."
"You're delusional."
"You keep telling me that, but I don't think I'm the delusional one here."
He scoffed. "Sure. But seriously, are we just becoming a thing so you can brag about it, or do you actually want to go out?"
Alice pursed her lips in thought as she lowered her phone. "Well, have you ever been ice skating?"
"Ice skating?"
She shifted back to him. "Yeah. It is December—that's what couples do in the winter. We can make that our first date this weekend." She smiled brightly.
He groaned slightly, looking away from that smile that always seemed to drag him into something. "Sure, but I've never been, so you'll have to show me how."
"Neither have I!" she said, as if it was going to be a fun adventure.
"You're going to be the death of me."
"Yeah, probably. But you haven't said no to me yet." She grinned while turning back to her phone.
Baylen rolled his eyes and started working at his salad again.
Week Eleven
Dating Alice had a lot more perks than Baylen originally thought. For starters, all the girls laid off of him, apparently too afraid of Alice to make any kind of move or comment about him. The boys actually respected him in a weird way, giving him small high-fives whenever Baylen would drop Alice off at any of her classes, or nods of approval when he walked down the hall holding her hand.
And Alice started texting him regularly, constantly keeping him up at night while she talked about things that had happened in her MTG club or in one of her classes.
Master Feng seemed proud when he would come home to find Baylen relaxing on the couch with a smile on his face as he responded to one of Alice's messages. A sight he never thought he would see.
But something started to nag at Baylen.
Alice would constantly ask him about his life, about Feng, about his old school. And Baylen would happily give her the answers—slightly filtered answers, but still mostly truthful. He was like an old book that no one ever cared to read, but Alice had come and dusted it off, and for the first time, he opened up to someone.
But he couldn't say the same about Alice. When he went to write his report at the end of the week, he realized he hadn't learned anything new about her that wasn't related to school.
Baylen's jaw set when he looked at the two sentences he'd added to his report. It wasn't anything the Council would be happy to read.
The next day, he and Alice sat at the Grind House Cafe near the school. They each had their books out, studying for their upcoming bio test—which Baylen admittedly needed extra help with, as he struggled with picking up the human side of things.
As Alice was talking through something about cell reproduction, Baylen looked at her with curiosity rather than focusing on what she was saying.
"Have you ever told me how your mother died?" he asked casually, his chin in his palm.
Alice paused mid-sentence and straightened. Her eyes quickly scanned the cafe.
Baylen's brows furrowed. "Alice?"
She snapped her attention back to him, but her shoulders were tense. "What?"
"You didn't answer my question."
She shook her head. "I don't want to talk about that. We have a test to study for, and if you can't figure out the basics of cell structure, you're going to fail."
Baylen frowned. "You know I'm good at memorizing this stuff."
"But you don't understand it. How do you expect to pass the final if you only memorize everything instead of understanding how it actually works?"
He rolled his eyes. "It doesn't matter. I'm more curious about you right now."
"What's there to be curious about?"
"I don't know—maybe because you're supposed to be my girlfriend, and yet I don't seem to know a single thing about your family or about anything outside of school stuff." He spoke with a slightly frustrated tone.
"Sure you do," she defended. "You know that my mom died. I don't tell many people that. You know I like to come to this coffee shop because they have the best decaf coffee. You know I like Magic: The Gathering. What else is there to know?"
"Sure. But I've told you so much about myself. I've told you how my parents died. I told you about how I live with Feng. I told you about my life before I enrolled here. You only told me that your mom died when you were young. You never told me how, or even how old you were when it happened. You never talk about your father—it's like he doesn't even exist. I don't even know what you did before enrolling in this school a year ago. It doesn't seem like anyone knows that."
Alice's face went still, cold, no emotions past that icy expression.
"I don't like talking about that stuff," she said flatly.
"Why not! Why do you expect me to tell you all about my stuff, my issues and my baggage, but you never tell me anything about you!" Frustration built in his throat. “When we started this I thought I was going to be the difficult one but it seems to be the other way around.”
Her head snapped away from him and went back to darting around the cafe, scanning for something.
Baylen took a deep breath, pushing his anger down. "Look, I'm not mad. I just want to understand you. We're supposed to be dating. I thought that meant sharing more things with each other."
"I just don't like talking about that kind of stuff."
"Then why are we dating?" he said, a little harsher than he should have.
Alice blinked for a moment before suddenly standing up, pushing the chair back with a screech.
"Fine! Then we're done." She threw her book in her tote and stormed off.
"Wait! Alice!" Baylen jumped up after her, but she vanished behind a pillar, and by the time he got there, she'd somehow made it out of the cafe.
He let out a loud, frustrated groan before kicking the chair she'd just been in.
All heads in the cafe snapped to him and everything went quiet. He rubbed the back of his neck shyly as he gave an apologetic look to everyone. They turned back to their conversations.
Week Twelve
Baylen wandered through the halls trying to spot Alice. She'd blocked him on everything, and now she was dodging him like a bullet. Even sitting next to someone else in Mrs. Madden's class, forcing him to sit alone in the back.
It infuriated him. Not just because his target was like a ghost again, but because of how she was intentionally avoiding him. It was somehow worse than when he first arrived and she'd seemingly vanish anytime he looked away. Now she was just gone. He couldn't find her in the halls, not near her locker, and after school she'd vanish the moment she hit the school gate.
"Hey, Haymaker!" A voice called behind him as he pushed through the crowd of teens.
"Go away, April," he grumbled as the eager reporter chased after him.
"But I need an interview about last Friday's game!" she whined as she fell into step next to him.
"I've told you I won't do any interviews. Go talk to Tyson—he's the quarterback."
"Yeah, but there are rumors going around that you'll be the next quarterback. Last I heard, Tyson was looking at other schools just so he can remain a quarterback when you inevitably steal that role next year."
"Good for him." Baylen weaved through the crowd, hoping someone would block her so he could make a run for it.
"I also heard you and Alice Stalin broke up."
Baylen paused and spun around to face her. "Can you just stay out of our lives? I don't get why you're so fascinated with Alice. She just wants to be left alone."
April crossed her arms. "Because I can't find anything about her."
Baylen's arms threw up in the air. "You don't need to know anything about her!"
"But don't you think it's strange? She just appears out of nowhere, becomes the top-performing student, and somehow finds time to run a club, start fundraisers, organize school-wide events—all with ease. And yet she has no records of being enrolled in any other school."
Baylen pinched the bridge of his nose. "She's just really organized, and it doesn't matter where she's been enrolled previously. Why are you even looking for that kind of information?"
"So you admit you also don't know where she went to school before this."
"April—"
"Come to think of it, where did you go before enrolling here?"
"I went to a private school in Virginia. Everyone knows this." He lied easily, referring to his cover story.
Her eyes narrowed, not fully believing him. "Still, don't you think it's just a little strange?"
No. No, he didn't think it was strange, because she's not a normal teen. Her father is a super genius and she's been kidnapped a dozen times. Of course all her records are sealed.
Of course she wouldn't tell me anything about her. And I just pushed her to hard.
Baylen huffed and turned around. "Just leave it alone, O'Neil."
She huffed with a strong pout as he walked off.
Baylen sat at his normal seat at lunch, fiddling with his salad. It had been four days since Alice broke up with him and began avoiding him, and he was starting to miss her presence. Even if that presence could sometimes be annoying.
He was stuck in his own spiral of thoughts when Alice came crashing beside him.
Her hands locked onto his arm, yanking him back slightly, causing him to drop his fork into his salad.
"What! Alice!" he shouted in shock as he turned toward her.
She looked up at him with her giant brown pleading eyes.
"What happened?" he asked firmly, his protective instincts flaring. Clearly something was wrong. He looked above her to see if there were any threats approaching.
Her breath was panicked as she shoved her face into his arm. "I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend," her voice muffled.
Baylen's brows pinched as he looked down at her. "Why? What's going on? Did someone hurt you?"
Her head nodded slightly, and Baylen's body tensed. "Who?"
"Who do you think?" Her voice was cracking. "Fucking Jared. He found out we broke up and tried cornering me." She sniffled. "He grabbed my arm and yelled at me, called me a bitch for not going out with him."
Baylen's eyes shifted to her arm, which was bright red.
He pushed himself up instantly, his entire body fuming with rage, but Alice yanked him back down. "Don't—you'll just make things worse."
Her breath already started to slow. "Just... can we please act like we're still dating?"
Baylen looked down at her, and his anger slowly started to fade into concern. "Yeah, sure, whatever you need." He rubbed her arm while his eyes were still glued to the red spot on her other arm.
She pulled away, wiping at her nose. "Thanks."
She took a moment to breathe and settle herself. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have run off like that and avoided you."
Baylen frowned, unsure what to say. He was still busy plotting how he was going to kill Jared and make it look like an accident.
"I just don't like to talk about that kind of stuff. There are a lot of reasons why I don't, and it's not because I don't trust you." She continued, her bottom lip shaking. "Look, I'm not going to ask you to date me again—clearly that will never work out. But can we just pretend while at school?"
Baylen felt his body deflate as he took a breath. "I didn't mean to push you. I just think it's only fair if you share some things with me. Right now everything just feels one-sided."
She nodded. "I guess you're right."
Baylen's mouth scrunched in thought. "I'll agree to act like we're still dating if you can just tell me one real thing."
Her head hung as she debated what to say. "My mom died when I was eight. I watched it happen. That's why I can't talk about it." She swallowed hard, pushing back the tears.
Baylen blinked in surprise at the honesty and at the weight of the secret she'd decided to tell him. He looked at her sympathetically. "I'm sorry."
She nodded but looked away from him. "Are we good now?" she asked harshly.
"Yeah, we're good. But I would like it if you tried to open up some more."
She nodded but didn't say anything and still refused to look at him.
He frowned as he watched her shove her feelings away, just like he had done before meeting her. But she hid her grief behind a false smile fooling anyone who didn’t take the time to notice.
The two sat there for the rest of lunch in silence, and afterward, Baylen walked her to her next class, ready to throw Jared to the ground if he tried to touch her again.
Later at football practice, Baylen might have "accidentally" tackled Jared a little too hard and "accidentally" fallen on his wrist, breaking it.
Jared was rushed to the hospital and was noticeably absent the next two school days.
Week Thirty
Baylen and Alice's fake relationship was going well. Baylen never pushed about her life, and if he did, she would hastily remind him that they weren't actually dating. But she came around on her own.
She eventually told him about how she had a photographic memory, and how she thought it stemmed from a trauma response after her mother died. How she hated it when someone grabbed her, how it made her feel panic—though she blamed it on Jared and didn't say that the real reason was that she'd been traumatized from being kidnapped a dozen times, but Baylen knew. She even allowed him to start walking her home—granted, it wasn't her actual home, but it was only two blocks over, so Baylen was happy to feed into the lie when she'd walk into the apartment building only to walk out the back and travel the last two blocks alone.
It wasn't much, but it was something.
They were back at Alice's favorite coffee place, the Grind House, while she was yapping on about what Baylen needed to know for their finals, which started next week. Baylen was dazing off. It was a Wednesday afternoon, which meant a local live band was performing. And today, the male lead singer had Baylen's full attention.
Alice snapped in Baylen's face. "You're staring again," she hissed with a slight laugh.
Baylen shook his thoughts away, turning back to her. "What? No, I wasn't."
She snorted. "Yes, you were."
She shifted in her seat to get a better look at the lead singer. "Baylen." Alice turned back to him with a gentle smile. "Have you ever considered that you might be gay?"
The world tilted slightly.
"I... what?"
"You look at guys the way guys look at me," Alice said simply. "And you've never once looked at me that way. Or any girl that way."
Baylen's mind raced through memory after memory.
The discomfort with girls' attention. The way his eyes tracked certain boys. The complete lack of romantic interest in Alice despite everyone assuming they were madly in love.
"Oh," Baylen said as blush crept to his face.
"Yeah," Alice agreed. "Oh."
He held his temples as he looked down at the cup of coffee he had, looking at his human reflection.
Alice gently patted the top of his head. "You alright there?"
He nodded, but his eyes remained wide as he tried to remember the last time he was interested in a girl. He'd always thought he just didn't feel romantically inclined toward Alice because she was his target, and adding those feelings to the mix would make things wildly more uncomfortable than they already were.
But she was right. There had never been a girl he'd had a crush on. But there had been guys who he'd watch with more interest than he should.
"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked gently, closing her book and deciding they were done studying for the day.
But Baylen remained frozen in his thoughts.
Alice gained her devilish smirk. "Or I can go ask that lead singer for his number for you."
His head shot up. "WHAT! NO!" Panic filled his throat as she snickered at him.
He lowered himself back down, gripping his hair. "I don't like you."
"You keep saying that, but I just can't seem to believe it." She grinned.
"Shut up." He said playfully. "Can't you see I'm having a crisis? One that you caused."
She snickered again, patting his head. "You'll live."
"I'm starting to not think that to be true."
Week Seventy-Five
Everything was going great for Baylen. It was nearing the end of his senior year. Because of Alice, he'd found he had an interest in psychology as he dug deeper into his own emotions. He found it fascinating how people's brains worked and how to properly process grief outside of the ways the Council and Alice had taught him.
He'd become the quarterback when Tyson switched schools. Alice had helped him come up with new strategic plays, which led their team to a twenty-game winning streak.
He'd finally come to terms with his own sexuality and maintained his fake relationship with Alice as good cover. He'd been accepted into a nearby college, and all he had left to do was get through the spring of his senior year.
With his business with the Council, he finally realized the whole mission was a setup when he was stressing over a report and Feng waved it off, saying it wasn't as important as he thought it was. So he began to take it less seriously, giving reports every other week with no more than a sentence or two. It's not like Dr. Stanton was doing much, and Alice was really good at maintaining her own cover. He didn't need to worry much about protecting her as much as making her feel safe.
Everything was relatively good for Baylen. He was happy. Thriving, even. His anger issues were nearly depleted as he learned healthy coping methods. He'd learned to laugh and smile again and found things that genuinely interested him outside of being a weapon for the Council.
He still maintained his training but started to prefer mystic powers over brute strength. Master Feng helped him shift his focus to mystics, and he picked up on it very quickly. Feng said it was because his mother was extremely powerful in mystics, and that filled Baylen with a stronger sense of pride than any sparring win ever did.
Baylen headed over to the Magic: The Gathering club after football practice like he did every Tuesday. He stood in the doorway for a moment, noticing a new figure playing against Alice.
The boy laughed as he said a dorky pun while throwing down a card, and Alice had a face full of amusement.
But what caught Baylen's eye was the small trace of mystical energy around the boy. He narrowed his eyes, looking closer until he found it—a gold cloaking brooch shaped like a sun, pinned to his baby blue jacket.
Interesting.
Charlie spotted him and brightly shouted his name to Alice. She turned to see Baylen and gave a bright smile before jumping up and saying goodbye to the new club member.
Alice bounced over to him, sliding her hand happily into his. He smirked as he leaned closer to her and whispered, "Who is that cute guy?"
Alice snickered as they walked away. "That's Leo. He's April O'Neil's cousin. She dragged him in last week so she could have a chance of beating my game and getting her stupid interview."
"Did you give it to her?"
"Well, once Leo won, I kind of had to."
"He won? How?"
Alice shrugged. "He just did."
Baylen's eyes narrowed. "You let him win?"
Alice grinned, confirming she'd done exactly that.
"You're unbelievable." He shook his head as they walked through the streets of New York and she rambled about her new friend.
Week Seventy-Nine - Saturday
Baylen and Alice were walking the streets toward a fair Alice wanted to see.
She was going on about her AP bio class and how she didn't want to write a report about the Universal Compatibility Enzyme.
Baylen hummed absently. "Wouldn't that report be easy for you?"
"Well, yeah, but it doesn't mean I want to write it."
"Because you don't want to praise your dad's work?" he said casually, his eyes drawn to the lights of the fair they were approaching.
He didn't notice Alice had stopped moving until he felt her hand slip from his. He looked down in confusion before turning to her. She was completely frozen and looked as if she'd just seen a ghost.
"What?" he asked and looked around. "Did you see something?"
"How do you know that?" she said very quietly.
And that's when it hit him. He'd just majorly slipped. He wasn't supposed to know who her father was.
"What, Alice? What are you talking about?" He tried to recover, taking a step toward her, but she snapped back.
"You said my dad's work. How do you know what my dad does or who he is?" Her voice was sharp and deadly.
"I don't know what you mean. I said you don't want to praise that kind of work." He tried to lie. "I have no idea what your father does."
She took another step back. "Don't you dare lie to me. I know what I heard."
He grimaced. "Okay, fine. You said your dad worked in bioengineering. I just assumed he was part of that enzyme project."
Another step back. "I've never said anything like that. And there is not a team on that project. Just one person."
"Sure you have. We've known each other for over a year now. You must be forgetting that conversation."
"I have a photographic memory, Baylen. I don't forget things. Why are you trying to gaslight me! Is this why you were following me when you first arrived? Do you know who my father is?"
"Alice, you're rushing to conclusions."
"I'm not rushing anything! You've been using me, haven't you!" She shouted, taking another large step back as her body shook. "You thought if you got to know me, you'd know my father's next plans! Who do you work for!"
"Alice—No, that's not—" He tried to lean forward to grab her before she disappeared.
"I can see it in your eyes, Baylen—you're lying to me!" She grabbed her hair in frustration. "Oh my god! I'm so fucking stupid. I can't believe I let this happen again!"
"Alice, wait, please let me explain." He pleaded, but she turned around and ran off.
"Fuck!"
He sprinted after her, pushing through the crowd of New Yorkers. Her red hair bounced just in front of him.
"Alice! Please!" He shouted, his arm reaching out, but he got trapped behind a wall of people as she turned down an alley.
When he managed to shove past and turn into the alley, she was gone. Like a ghost.
"DAMN IT!"
His voice echoed on the empty walls as he kicked a can as hard as he could.
At school the next day, Alice wasn't stupid enough to be too far out of his sight after last time. But she was always just far enough away where he couldn't touch her.
He sent her a string of apology texts asking to explain himself, but they all went unnoticed.
He didn't want to do it, but he had no choice but to corner her. He stood at the door of the MTG club, watching her as she attempted to play a game with the new kid, Leo, but everything about her was tense.
When Charlie announced his arrival, she closed her eyes tightly and took a deep breath before covering it with a fake smile.
He rubbed the back of his neck as she approached him with a sharp glare. She didn't say a word—just sharply huffed before pointing her head to the side for him to follow.
She walked with purpose to a corner where no one could see them, but close enough to scream for help if needed.
He followed sheepishly, his head hung.
When they finally turned the corner, her head snapped to him. "You have some real nerve trying to corner me like that!" she hissed harshly but quietly.
"You didn't leave me a choice. You won't talk to me. This was the only way to get to you."
"I don't want to hear anything you have to say right now." She snapped, her face as hard as ice.
His breath hitched. "Please, just let me explain."
"Explain what? How you've been spying on me? Using me? That everything over the past year was a complete lie?"
"That's not true." He pleaded. "Everything was real. I promise."
"How do you expect me to believe that?" Her face remained calm as her voice came out harshly.
"Because I wasn't sent here to spy on you."
"Right. You were sent here to spy on my dad."
He rubbed his hand down his face. "Not really. I was sent here to keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn't get ahold of anything he's not supposed to, and to keep you safe."
Alice paused, blinking rapidly as she processed the truth in his words. Her eyes scanned over him, looking for signs of deceit. Her breath shook when she couldn't find any of those signs. "You're telling the truth?" she said knowingly.
"Yes. Please. You're my first-ever friend. I didn't mean to hurt you."
She bit her lip in thought. "Who do you work for?"
"I can't tell you that."
She huffed and turned away. "Then I can't trust you."
"Wait! Alice!" He reached out, but she was already gone, storming off down the hall.
Baylen deflated as he watched her go. A heaviness filled his chest. He grabbed at his hair in frustration. He needed to make this right somehow.
Week Eighty
Over the next week, Baylen kept as close as he could to Alice, not allowing her to slip away. He'd gotten better at tracking her over the years, learned her tricks on vanishing, and would catch back up to her quickly. She gave him a scowl every time he reappeared. But he was determined not to let her push him fully away. She now knew about his mission, which meant he didn't need to hide from her as much.
It wasn't until Baylen spotted Jared that she spoke to him again.
Jared, the ever-perverted teen who should be locked up by now, saw Alice in the hallway alone and decided to approach. Baylen saw the look in his eye as he moved toward her. His head outstretch ready to grab the unsuspecting girl.
Before Alice even turned to realize, Baylen had shoved the boy into the lockers. His arm yanked behind his back, ready to snap at the right angle.
"How's that wrist of yours feeling?" Baylen hissed in his ear, shoving his head into the cold locker. He twisted slightly on the same wrist he'd broken last year.
Fear entered the boy's eyes as Baylen's enraged face filled his sight. "Baylen—I—" he stammered, but Baylen just twisted his wrist further, causing him to wince.
"Baylen."
Alice's harsh voice cut through everything. He leaned back and turned toward her, then looked around to see the school beginning to gather.
She gave him a hard glare, which encouraged him to release the boy.
Before Jared could fully run off, Baylen grabbed the back of his shirt. "If you ever look at her like that again, your wrist will not be able to heal from the way I'll shatter it."
The boy nodded in fright before scurrying off.
The crowd dispersed, and Alice stood in front of him with her arms crossed and a disappointed look.
The anger in him disappeared under her look, and he felt himself shrink down. He rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry. He was just... He looked like he was going to grab you again."
She huffed before walking away, slamming her own locker shut. He pulled at his hair as he watched her run off.
He turned to the locker where a new dent had formed. He traced his hand over the metal. He hasn't fought anyone in a long while, choosing to stay out of them, even when practicing with the Council. And this is why. He's too much of a weapon. He goes too far. He could have killed that boy if he'd grown just a bit angrier.
He groaned and shoved his head into the dent, punching the metal beside it in annoyance.
Alice would never talk to him now. Now that she knows how dangerous he is and what he's done. He doesn't deserve her friendship anyway. He's nothing more than a Council spy. A weapon.
Later that day, Baylen kept his distance, hiding more in the shadows with his head held low. He watched Alice run out of her last classroom when the school bell rang. He went to follow, seeing the panic look in her face, but she slipped into the janitor's closet.
He hesitated, knowing she wanted nothing to do with him at this point.
Then he saw that baby blue bomber jacket slip through the crowd with ease and into the closet. Leo.
Baylen's shoulders slumped. This Leo kid had been showing up more and more lately. Every Tuesday he'd come to play Magic with Alice's club. And Alice was really proud of him, constantly telling Baylen how fast of a learner he was, how the way he thought of strategies was unlike anything she'd ever seen.
Baylen was being replaced, and by someone who was also hiding behind a cloaking brooch. But for what reason, Baylen didn't know. This boy was not with the Council. He clearly needed a cloaking brooch, so he must be a Yokai of some sort. But why was he here? Why was he interested in Alice?
Baylen waited in the hall, just barely out of sight, waiting for the two to leave that closet so he could assure Alice was safe.
The two finally emerged from the closet, and Alice giggled slightly as she wiped tears out of her eyes. Baylen's heart broke at that noise. It was rare. Alice laughed and chuckled easily, but giggling—that was something she only did involuntarily when she truly felt safe.
Baylen frowned as he slipped away, heading to the football field. Alice wasn't going anywhere else anytime soon. She always lost track of time in that club. He'd catch her again before the club ended.
Week Eighty-One - Tuesday
Alice was still avoiding Baylen like a plague, and he was becoming more and more defeated over it. He slouched more in the halls, tried to give her sympathetic pleas when he managed to catch her eyes, each time she return it with a glare.
But Alice was slowly breaking. Each look they exchanged, she realized how much all of this had been hurting him. How guilty he truly felt.
She eventually gave in when she saw him sitting at lunch, nearly ripping his hair out while looking at a notebook.
Their team was about to face Tyson's team. Tyson, who was the quarterback last year. Tyson, who knew all their moves. Baylen had already lost Alice. He couldn't lose their school's winning streak too.
Alice gently sat down next to him. "Hey," she said quietly, and his head shot up in shock.
"Alice—" he choked, his breath catching in his throat.
She leaned forward, putting her chin in her palm as she looked at the notebook.
"Worried about this Friday's game?" she asked.
He blinked for a moment before looking back at the book. "Yeah, we're playing Tyson's team. One of our defense players snuck pictures of our plays to him. If we lose this game, we lose our winning streak then we lose our chance at the record of the longest-kept streak." His words came out slightly panicked.
She hummed as she looked at the plays. "So we just need to make new ones."
"But how am I supposed to come up with all new plays and teach the team before Friday?" He waved his hands in frustration.
"Then we should get working now." She said as she pulled the book toward her and flipped to a new page.
Baylen looked over her cautiously. She looked exhausted, but she was here with a slight smile.
"Alice?"
She didn't look up.
"I'm sorry," he said gently.
She nodded. "I know." But she continued to work, drawing lines on the page.
His bottom lip twitched. "Why are you helping me?"
She shrugged. "Like you said, our team can't lose that winning streak." And she still refused to look at him.
"What's the real reason?" he urged.
Her shoulders slouched and she let out a tired breath. "Because you look so pitiful, and I can't just leave you suffering with this alone."
He raised a brow. "Even though you hate me?"
"I don't hate you." She pouted. "I just can't trust you."
He gave a small, sad hum.
Her head lowered. "I don't think I need to tell you why this hurt me so much. If you've been spying on me, then you know how much I've been hurt."
He nodded slightly. "I know a lot less than what you may think. But unfortunately, I do know what you're talking about."
She took a small shaky breath.
"I came to school for the sole purpose of learning how to trust people again. And you just made that insanely more difficult."
She finally looked up at him. "But you somehow made me care about you. And I would like to believe you were being truthful that you aren't here to harm me."
"I'm not. I promise."
She nodded and turned back. "Then let's figure this game out."
Baylen paused and continued to watch her carefully.
"Do you think we can ever be friends again?"
"No." She said quickly and flatly. "Not unless you can tell me exactly who you're working for and why they sent you to spy on me."
His head hung. "I can't do that."
"Then we aren't friends." She bit, and Baylen's heart tightened.
"But..." she started, "I'll keep you around. If only to at least scare off guys like Jared."
The hold on his heart loosened, filled with a bit of hope, and he smiled gently as he turned to the notebook and they began to work.
Week Eighty-One - Friday
Alice had promised to go to the football game if Leo would join her, and he had agreed the last time Baylen checked. But when Baylen looked up at the stands, Alice was nowhere to be found.
He continued the game, but his thoughts were filled with worry every time he looked up and couldn't catch her red hair or Leo's signature blue jacket.
They won the game, but Baylen didn't stay for the celebration. He turned to the stands and found Charlie, who congratulated him with a bright smile. "Have you seen Alice?" Baylen asked with slight concern.
She frowned slightly. "No, she said she was going to come, but I haven't seen her. Marcus said he saw her at the gate, but it seems she left." She turned to the gate. "I hope she didn't leave. There was apparently some mutant activity not far from here shortly after the game started."
"Mutant activity?" he asked in concern, his heart now pounding. Baylen had been slacking at his duty of spying on Dr. Stanton, but he'd heard some rumors of him investigating mutations. And if that Leo kid wasn’t a Yokai, could he be a mutant?
"Yeah, I heard one of the turtles was chasing them. Tenth Street is apparently closed because they caused a big accident."
Baylen paled and sprinted up the stands.
"Okay, bye Baylen!" Charlie waved at him, but he was already gone.
As soon as he was out of view, he yanked his brooch off and took to the roofs. He didn't have to go far before he found the accident Charlie was talking about—a van had been fully embedded in a building on its side.
Baylen closed his eyes, and when they reopened, they were glowing red as he used his mystic abilities to scan for other mystic signatures. The van was covered in blue energy. He followed the energy to a nearby alley that was also littered in blue energy and two crab mutants laying on the ground.
Something wrong had clearly happened, and Baylen was too busy playing a stupid game to realize. He cursed as he pulled out his phone.
'Where are you?' he quickly texted Alice.
As he waited for her response, he jumped to the next roof and headed to her home.
When he approached the house, he saw that the lights were on, which was a good sign. He'd never been able to get much closer, afraid to trigger the motion sensors, but he could at least tell from here she had to be home.
His phone buzzed and he looked down to see Alice had messaged him: 'None of your business.'
He grumbled as he shoved his phone away and pulled out his portal coin, flicking it behind him. He walked through the red portal and stepped into the Hidden City.
Week Eighty-One - Saturday Night
Baylen was sulking on the couch, staring at his phone and his messages with Alice.
B: 'Can you please just tell me if you're safe?'
A: 'If you ask me again I will block you'
B: 'Alice, I'm being serious.'
B: 'I saw there was an accident and you didn't come to the game'
B: 'I am just concerned'
A: 'Concerned or do you need an answer for your employer?'
B: 'CONCERNED!'
A: 'Well too bad'
B: 'Why didn't you come to the game? You promised you would be there'
A: 'I promised to go if Leo went. He couldn't come so I went home'
Baylen started texting his next message when the door to his shared home with Feng threw open.
"BAYLEN HAYMAKER!"
Baylen froze. Feng had never held a tone like that, and never at him. He slowly turned to see Feng in the doorway, glaring at him. He lowered his head in anticipation.
"Dr. Stanton was spotted in the Hidden City this morning!" He stepped in, closing the door behind him.
Baylen paled. His one job was to ensure Dr. Stanton did not discover the Hidden City or Yokai. He lowered deeper into the couch, realizing the scale of how badly he'd fucked up.
"The Council is furious!" Feng continued to shout. "I know I said this mission was mostly to get you to experience humanity, but you still had a job to do! And you have been slacking the past few months. I've let it slide because I thought you were still keeping watch over him. But clearly I was wrong!"
"I—Uh—I didn't—but—" Baylen stammered for an excuse or an answer, but he didn't have any.
Master Feng pointed to the door. "The Council has summoned you! And they will not be nearly as nice as I am!"
Baylen swallowed hard as he slowly sat up.
"You will lead a mission to infiltrate the mansion and see if he has taken anything from the city!"
Baylen nodded, his eyes wide as his mind raced on how the doctor had managed to get into the Hidden City and what he could have wanted.
"DON'T JUST SIT THERE! GO!"
He rushed to his feet and scrambled out the door.
Baylen had theories on what the doctor had done to get into the Hidden City, but when he stood on the roof of Alice's house, he did not expect to see one of the mutant turtles defending it. And he certainly did not expect the turtle to be none other than the kid Alice had been playing cards with—Leo.
Leo revealed that Dr. Stanton had created a cure for mutation, which Baron Draxum was managing. Baylen was relieved because if Draxum was with the doctor, then any fault the doctor did was Draxum's fault, not his. And it meant he was under supervision while in the city, surely that meant he couldn’t of grabbed anything of value.
He was ready to leave when the gate was blown in and the Yokai who'd been running a fighting ring appeared. Big Mama. Her business recently involved gathering helpless mutants to bring interest back to the fights.
And a war began.
During the entire fight, Baylen's heart was clenching. This was his friend's yard, her home, and it was being demolished. Then, when he got a moment to look up, he found her being thrown around between the turtles like they could care less about what happened to her as long as she was "protected."
It made Baylen sick. But he couldn’t do anything about it.
And then the worst sound imaginable echoed across the battlefield. A feeling of an oncoming storm sunk into everyone's chest.
Before Baylen could process what had happened, his fellow Council members began fleeing.
Red portals opened everywhere as they vanished through them.
Even Big Mama's forces seemed frightened, backing up to the gate.
Another scream pushed through the dust, and the remaining fighters vanished.
An unknown force pushed into Baylen's stomach, telling him he needed to run. Just like all the others, he needed to flee. It was something deep inside him like a mythical force his Yokai form knew was a threat. But Baylen turned toward the sound, as every other instinct told him he needed to find Alice now.
LEO
Baylen began moving toward the sound, toward the final scream.
And then she appeared behind him.
Baylen barely saw the movement out of the corner of his eye as water burst through the broken pipes of the building. When it crashed to the ground, a human form appeared.
Everything in Baylen felt like it was falling when he realized that form was Alice.
She was crying on the ground, trying to touch her body, but her arms just slipped through it.
She was water.
His eyes widened as they fell to her wrist where a golden cuff sat. An extremely powerful mystic artifact. Something her father must have taken from the Hidden City.
He didn't think. He started to run to her. His scythe vanished when it hit the ground.
"ALICE!" he shouted as he slid next to her, his heart pounding.
He went to touch her back, but it slipped through, and when he pulled back, his paw was completely soaked. She was made of pure water.
A transformation like that was not pleasant. It was one of the most painful things imaginable as your entire body is destroyed and remade.
She was too busy sobbing to realize he was there. "They used me. They all used me. It's always the same. It's never different."
Baylen's heart seized.
"Alice? Alice, look at me. What happened?" He urged as he moved in front of her, trying to get in her eyeline to pull her out of her panic.
Her head snapped up at an unnatural speed and angle. Her eyes had blood draining down her face. Baylen jumped back in fright.
"Baylen?" Her voice echoed as if not truly her own. As if it was being carried by waves. Her eyes darted around, looking for the boy she knew, but only found a rabbit in front of her.
Her eyes glowed a bright, sharp blue instead of her warm brown ones. But they scanned over him.
That's when he realized—he wasn't in his human form. He was in his Yokai form, fur covering his body, long ears pinned to the back of his head.
She slowly stood up as she looked around at her broken home, her body shaking at the sight.
"Alice, what happened to you?" Baylen pleaded as he scrambled to get up, his legs shaking in fear.
She looked down at her body, at her hands that were dripping bright blue water to the ground. "My dad." Her voice cracked as it lost its echo. Her eyes shifted back to its natural brown as they were wide and filled with tears. "My dad did this. My dad killed me." She sobbed.
Her fist then clenched in anger. "And Leo. Leo stood there and watched."
"I can't trust anyone! All anyone can ever do is hurt me!"
Baylen flinched back as the echo returned to her voice. Her eyes snapped to his with a ferocity he'd never felt before.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
He held his arms in front of her. "Alice, it's me. It's Baylen."
Her eyes shifted red for a brief moment. "Baylen." She repeated coldly, as if his name was venom in her mouth. "You've been lying about this too!"
"What haven't you lied to me about!" She took a horrified step back.
"Alice, I can explain, but first we need to figure out what happened to you." He stepped forward, his arms still forward in a plea.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" she shouted.
Baylen went to move closer to her, to try and grab her, when a green bat shined in the corner of his eye. He jumped back before it could make contact with his head.
Following the bat came a girl, positioning herself between him and Alice.
April O'Neil?
She stood straighter and pointed the bat at him. "The battle is done!" April shouted, her voice shaking with exhaustion and fury. "Everyone has left! I suggest you do the same if you want to keep your head!"
Baylen looked at her, then back at Alice, before he swallowed hard and vanished into the shadows.
He was just making things worse. Alice was full of rage and hatred toward him. Anything he could say would just make it all worse.
He watched in sadness as her form grew into a water monster and went to attack the new girl. He moved to grab her, but luckily the orange turtle stopped her. But then she vanished.
Alice had vanished into the sewers, and Baylen watched with shaky eyes. He leaned against a broken pillar, grabbing at his chest as his heart hammered at it, threatening to break through.
His vision then snapped to the smaller turtle and the wannabe reporter running to a steel doorway.
Anger filled his lungs as he followed them to the rest of the turtles, to the rest of Alice's so-called friends, to all the people who had hurt her tonight, including himself.
Hours Later - Council Chambers
Baylen kneeled in front of the three giant stone heads, which looked down at him in anger.
Master Feng stood to the side for support, and the purple-masked turtle, Donnie, stood at the bottom of the stairs, waiting.
"A Call to the Deep!" the head in the center shouted. "How did a human get his hands on a spell so dangerous?!"
"I have a better question!" the male head to the right added. "How did your target get his hands on that kind of artifact?!"
"Sir, it was Baron Draxum," Baylen pleaded.
"Baron Draxum's job was not to watch over the scientist!" the feminine head to the left spoke. "That was your job! Your only job!"
Baylen's head hung. "Yes, ma'am. I am deeply sorry, ma'am."
"Sorry isn't going to fix this!" the head in the center spoke.
"Yes, sir. How do you propose I fix this?" Baylen said in defeat.
"You must remove the threat. A Call to the Deep only has one purpose: to flood the entire world. If it is not contained by next nightfall, then all of North America will be destroyed."
Baylen's breath shook at the weight of this threat. At the weight of the threat his own friend would bring.
"Is there a way to remove the curse?" he asked, raising his head.
The three looked at each other, then the woman cleared her throat. A scroll then began to float from the ceiling toward him. "This spell will remove the curse. You must grab hold of the cuff and say these words, and the curse will be removed."
Baylen's shaky hands grabbed the scroll as he stood up, opening it. His eyes scanned through the words, and his heart dropped.
"This will kill the host!" He snapped, closing the scroll harshly and glaring up at the Council.
"What!" Donnie's voice shouted as he rushed up the steps, snatching the scroll out of Baylen's hands.
Baylen stepped forward. "With all due respect, I cannot kill this host! I will not allow anyone to kill her!"
"I understand you grew close to your target," the woman spoke. "But—"
"But you should have thought about that before you allowed her father to enter the Hidden City!" the head to the right interrupted. "Now you will pay the consequences and kill her yourself!"
Donnie tensed beside him and shoved his way forward. "No one is killing Alice!" he shouted as twin rocket launchers appeared in a flash of purple on his shoulders.
The three heads glared down at him, and a flash of red shined from the center head. Donnie's purple mystic powers died instantly. He looked over his shoulders in horror. "What the—"
Baylen pulled Donnie back by his shoulders. "You can't threaten the Council," he hissed. "Your mystic powers do not work here."
"It doesn't matter if I have my mystic powers or not! I will not allow anyone to kill my friend!" Donnie shouted, shoving out of Baylen's hold and pointing up at the heads. "I don't care who you think you are! You were supposed to give us a spell to cure her! To help her! Not kill her!"
Master Feng flew upward and slammed Donnie to the ground. His clawed feet cuffed Donnie's arms back and pressed his head to the ground. Baylen jumped back and out of the way.
Donnie grunted as he tried to fight out of his hold, but he was fully locked down. "You will not talk to the Council in that manner."
"Get off me, you stupid overgrown pigeon!"
Feng just pressed down harder. "Call me that again and I will pluck both your eyes out," he hissed in Donnie's ear as he snapped his long beak.
Baylen walked around them. "Please, there has to be another way!" he begged.
"There is no other way," the woman said firmly. "She must be removed before she can do irreparable harm."
"Your Honors." Feng bowed slightly, though still firm on his hold on the turtle. "Maybe it would be best to send another operative to do the job. My protégé has grown close to this girl, and his emotions will get in the way."
"This is why I did not want to send him on that pathetic mission," the head on the right complained. "We should have continued his training here. He was on track to being the perfect soldier, but you wanted him to find his humanity. Now he has it, and we are facing extinction."
"I do not regret my decision to send him on that mission!" Feng protested. "The boy before you has grown significantly. He is now well-versed in mystics as well as human studies. A soldier with empathy and a desire to learn is better than a mindless weapon."
Baylen blinked in shock at the tone Feng used with the Council while defending him.
"Any of our operatives can cast that spell," Feng added. "Send one of them."
"No!" Baylen shouted. "You can't send someone else. I am the only one who can get close to her."
"So you will kill her?" the woman asked with intrigue.
Feng shot him a look, as if to say not to do it, to just let someone else do it.
"No one is killing her!" Donnie began squirming again, and Baylen kicked the bottom of his foot.
He turned back to the Council. "I am the only one who can," he said firmly.
"No! Baylen!" Donnie shouted, only for Baylen to kick him again, begging him to shut up.
"Very well, Haymaker," the center head spoke. "We give you until night falls again. If you do not succeed by then, we will send in another operative. And they will make quick work of it."
"And you will lose your keep with the Council," the right head added.
"WHAT!" Feng and Baylen shouted, shifting to the right.
"This is not a minor mistake, Haymaker," he said firmly, and the other heads nodded in agreement. "If you do not prove yourself by fixing this mistake, we will have no choice but to remove you from the Council."
"Sir, you can't!" Feng protested.
"SILENCE! Master Feng, I suggest you hold your tongue, lest you wish to have the same fate."
Feng shrunk back and gave the young rabbit a sympathetic look.
"I do hope you succeed in this, young Haymaker," the woman spoke. "You have been proven to be an outstanding operative, one that I wish to see grow further. Do not fail us."
Baylen swallowed hard but bowed his head.
"Dismissed," the center head said before they all closed their eyes and the light dimmed as the mystic behind them disappeared.
Feng jumped off the mutant turtle, who shoved himself up.
Feng gave a sorrowful look before flying off, leaving the two boys.
Donnie whipped toward Baylen. "What the shell! You said they'd give us something to cure her! And now you're just going to kill her?!"
Baylen frowned as he walked down the steps while the mutant followed, continuing to shout. "I'm starting to understand why Leo punched you! Because I'm close to doing the same! Aren't you supposed to be her boyfriend or something?!"
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Baylen took a harsh right before stopping in front of Donnie's face.
Fury filled his eyes as he glared into Donnie's. "No one is killing Alice," he said in a harsh whisper.
Donnie's brows furrowed in confusion. "Then what was all that?" he questioned with his own whisper.
"To get them off my back, and to prevent them from sending in another operative."
Donnie crossed his arms. "I find that hard to believe. They're just going to send another operative anyway, and you'll lose your precious job."
Baylen stood straighter with a deep frown, his ears pinning to the back of his head. "No, Donnie. To be removed from the Council is to be executed."
Donnie breathed in sharply, his eyes wide as he processed that information. "Then why would you—"
"Because no one but me is killing Alice," he said firmly. "We are going to go to the library, and we are going to make our own spell to contain her. And if we lose her before then, then I will kill her myself. Either way, we are finishing this today."
Baylen snapped around and moved with purpose down the hall. Donnie paused for a moment before stumbling after him.
Baylen looked over his shoulder as the purple turtle fell into step beside him. "And don't tell your brothers about the removal from the Council bit."
Donnie hesitated but nodded as they turned a corner into the library. "Look for anything you can find on the Call to the Deep. We need to understand how it works before we can make anything. Then look for anything on containment curses and spells." He ordered before splitting away.
Fear and determination were the only things driving him. He was not losing his first friend today.
Present - Two Months Before Alice's Return
"I'm pretty sure you know the rest," Baylen hummed while taking a sip of tea.
"Damn." Leo breathed as he looked into his own cup of tea. "I had no idea."
They were sitting in Baylen's new apartment after Leo helped him move from his quarters he'd shared with Feng in the Council's grounds to an apartment building not far from the base, but far enough that Baylen could breathe, have his own life. Leo's portals had made that process so much easier.
"Yeah, I told you it was a long story."
Leo blinked. "I didn't realize it would be that long. I mean, you've been talking for three hours." He huffed humorously while glancing at the time.
"Well, you're the one who wanted to know the full story on how Alice and I met."
Leo leaned back. "Yeah, but still. Damn." He looked down at the coffee table where the golden cuff with Alice's soul sat. Leo had brought it over, thinking it would be good for her to hear if she could hear inside of there.
"So what's going to happen when the Council learns she's not actually dead?" Leo shifted back to the rabbit.
He shrugged. "Well, for starters, the containment spell should be more than enough to keep them off my back. Her mystic signature is completely different. To them, she is a different person. And when she comes back, she'll look like just a normal water sprite, which is no threat to the Council. As long as they don't piece together that they're the same person somehow, I'll be just fine. As far as they're aware, Alice Stanton is dead and the Call to the Deep is gone."
"And if they do figure it out?"
"Then they'll probably kill me." Baylen said casually, taking another sip.
"How can you be so calm about that?"
"Because I'll do it again if it means keeping Alice alive. I owe her my humanity, after all."
"Sounds like you thought she was more of a pain in the ass," Leo chuckled.
Baylen raised his brows with a smile. "She was that as well, but I love her anyway." He then took a deep breath and lowered his cup. "I just hope when she comes back, she'll forgive me."
Leo frowned as he watched the ink swirl on the cuff. "Well, she said she would if you told her who you work for, and if she is listening, then you just did." He offered.
Baylen nodded as he leaned back. "Yeah, hopefully that's enough."
Leo smiled, patting his arm. "I bet it is."
Baylen took a long breath. "I still wish she was there for our graduation. You know, she was class president."
Leo's brows raised. "Really?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I mean, it makes sense. She was always so organized. She knew everyone's names and interests, and she was smart enough that she didn't really need to care about the educational side of school, so she devoted her time to everything else."
He sighed. "It would have been nice to hear her speech at graduation. I mean, April's speech was nice and all, but Alice—Alice knew the class in a way no one else did. April just kind of felt like a sub-in just because she was good with public speaking."
Leo made a small face. "Hey, April is still my sister, and I was proud to see her on that stage."
Baylen chuckled. "I bet you were. You know, for a bunch of ninjas, it was still very obvious you five were hiding at the back of that auditorium."
"We were being supportive," Leo gasped dramatically. Baylen just rolled his eyes.
"But seriously." Leo began carefully, looking over the rabbit. "I find it really hard to believe you were ever emotionally repressed when you have ears like that which broadcast everything." He smirked as he went to grab the giant fluffy ears.
Baylen yanked his ears down and away from Leo's reach. "HEY! My ears do not broadcast everything."
"Really? Then why are they bright pink?" He snickered.
Baylen petted his ear gently. "Because that's how they always are." He pouted. "Leave my ears alone!"
Leo giggled as he leaned back. "I still find it amazing how she can help everyone else around her but still drown in her own anxieties."
"Well, that's what happens when you refuse to let others help."
"Do you think she'll let us help when she's back?"
"I don't think she'll have a choice, really."
Leo snorted. "True." He then shifted slightly. "Hey, Baylen. Thanks for giving us the chance to save her. Even if it's not ideal, the thought of her being able to come back still brings me hope."
"Same here." Baylen smiled as they both looked at the golden cuff and remembered the girl inside of it, just waiting for the right moment to return.
And when she does return, she will be a delusional pain in Baylen's ass again, and he wouldn't have it any other way.
A/N: Thank you for reading! if you enjoy post like this check out my Masterlist. and if you want to send me a request for my next post please send me a message! If you liked this and want to support me I have a tip jar on Ko-fi.
Seriously thank you for reading this! This is probably my favorite thing I have written in a while so I am so happy you gave it a chance. If you want to know the full story on Alice's curse and why she is in a golden cuff you can find out in Trials of the Cloaking Brooch. If you like Alice and Baylen they get a lot more interaction in the Trials of the Mini Series. This is something I plan on reworking soon to make it a full original story and publishing so I really appreciate the reads!
Summary: After the events of Dressrosa you can no longer pretend your feelings for Law do not exist. And seeing your two worlds collide you realize how hard the decision to stay with the Straw Hats or with the Heart Pirates really is.
Trafalgar Law x gn!reader
Word count: 4,745
Part 1 | Part 2 | Deleted Scenes
A/N: I know I promised Angst for this part but I ended up with fluff but this is mostly due to a lot of cuts. When I say I had to kill a lot of darlings for this Part I mean it. I initially wrote out closer to 15k words dividing this into to two parts. But when rereading and rewriting it, it just felt to much. I love fight scenes since I have one of those highly detailed imaginations and choreographing fights have turned into my specialty. But It was just to much and shifted more into OC territory. However, I can never fully kill off my darlings so if you would like to read those deleted scenes I have posted them, so you can see what had fully happened in Dressrosa instead of just bits and pieces and is full of Anst.
ANYWAYS heres the final part! Thank you to everyone who has liked and commented so far, it has meant a lot!
You took a step on the squishy surface of Zou while your eyes scanned the destruction. The buildings were crumbling, scratches gouged deep into the structures, trampled stalls of what had once been a lively country.
Your heart clenched. Both of your crews had been here.
Then your breath hitched as your eyes landed on a puddle of blood. Your eyes shook as the red filled your vision the same way it did on Dressrosa nearly a week ago—When you saw Law get shot.
Your vision swirled into the memory.
In front of the Colosseum in Dressrosa, on the ground, covered in blood.
Was Law.
You couldn't move, couldn't speak, couldn't do anything but stare at his broken form. The world tilted sideways.
Then a shot rang out.
Doflamingo's gun smoked as the bullet connected with Law's chest. His body flew backward, skidding across the pavement, leaving a trail of blood behind him.
Your heart stopped.
An incomprehensible scream tore itself from your throat—raw, primal, the kind of sound that came from something desperate and breaking. Your body moved before your brain caught up.
Zoro's arms wrapped around you, pinning you back with surprising strength, his hand covering your mouth to muffle your screams. You fought him with every ounce of strength, desperate to reach Law, desperate to do something.
Two more shots fired.
Everything froze. Your vision tunneled until there was nothing but red and Law—the captain you had somehow fallen in love with without even realizing it.
You didn't hear anything after that. You only heard the blood pounding in your ears.
When Zoro's grip loosened slightly, you planted your foot and kicked backward with a Haki-covered heel that connected directly with his stomach.
Zoro grunted. His arms fell away.
You were already running.
You slid across the ground and covered Law's body with your own, shielding him. Your hands desperately searched his neck for a pulse, your medical training from two years on his ship kicking in.
There.
His heartbeat was slow, dangerously slow, but it was there. It was steady. Steady meant no immediate decline. Steady meant if you could get him proper medical attention, he could survive this.
Your entire body collapsed against him, your arms clinging desperately, your face pressed against his chest, listening to that precious heartbeat.
Doflamingo stood over you both with a smirk. When he moved toward you with his foot raised, your Haki covered you instinctively. His kick bounced back in shock.
You didn't budge. Your glare locked with his—unwavering, full of determination.
He laughed and reached down to grab you. You tightened your hold on Law impossibly. Nothing in this world would make you let go.
The Warlord snarled in annoyance at your resistance. He moved toward your neck instead. You barely managed to cover your throat in Haki before his grip clamped down.
Your Haki flared, but he'd been expecting that. His hand covered itself in Haki as well, pushing against your much weaker version with overwhelming force.
The pressure crushed your windpipe. Your vision started to dot. Your Haki crumbled as you couldn't split your focus between protecting yourself and holding onto Law.
Your grip on Law loosened. You sobbed as his limp body fell back to the ground.
"Don't tell me you love this traitor," Doflamingo breathed in your face, his tone almost conversational.
Your face scrunched in defiance even as you struggled for air.
Then a slash of green flashed through the air.
Your body fell to the ground. Zoro was running, moving fast, carrying you away from the battle. You tried to focus, tried to see what was happening, but your vision was too foggy.
"Law?" you mumbled.
"He'll be fine," Zoro's gruff voice answered. "We'll get him back. I promise."
Then everything went black.
Your breath started to speed up as the memory flashed before your eyes. The red of blood, the fear of losing him.
A hand found your arm, yanking you back to the present.
You turned to see Law standing beside you, his expression calm and warm. You took a deep breath and reminded yourself: he was alive. You both were.
"You good?" he asked gently, his thumb rubbing circles on your arm.
You nodded. "I'm fine. Just worried about our crews."
Law hummed as he dug through his pocket. He held his palm open, and a small piece of paper sat in it.
Bepo's vivre card. Perfectly intact. No burn marks. No damage.
Your breath came easier. At least you knew Bepo was safe.
"They're all strong," Law said with a soothing voice. "Trust that they're alright."
You nodded, looking into his eyes. They were confident. Caring. Loving.
A blush threatened to cover your cheeks, and you turned your head away, unable to help yourself from biting your lip where his lips had pressed during that moment in the sunflower field.
You'd been lying on the ground looking up at bright sunflowers, bleeding from injuries inflicted by Doflamingo when you inevitably fell into his grasps. Luckily, using your tricks and illusions, you'd managed to escape your captors on your own.
A familiar shout cut through the field.
You looked up, and there—shining in the sun as if he were glowing—was Luffy. He was carrying Law over his shoulder.
Your smile grew soft as they landed a few meters away. "Traffy," you whispered.
When both captains' eyes landed on you, they filled with concern.
Luffy’s expression shifted from concern to pride as he slapped Law’s back, “See I told you they’d get themselves out!”
Law ignored him as he rushed over and slid onto his knees beside you. His breathing was hitching as he looked down at you, his eyes frantically searching your body, cataloging every injury with the precision of a trained surgeon.
You smiled up at him, your hand reaching to touch his face. "I'm fine, Traffy. I'll live."
But Law's panicked eyes continued their search, his hands hovering uncertainly over your wounds. Blood pouring out from various spots on your chest and stomach.
"Law, don't," you snapped gently grabbing his wrist as you saw him lift his hand to summon his Room. "Conserve your energy. You have a Warlord to face."
Law's eyes shook. His lips kept twitching as he struggled to find words, struggled to process you broken and bleeding in his arms.
"I'm sorry, Y/N," he finally said, his voice cracking, "This is my fault. If I didn't taunt Doflamingo—If I didn’t stop you from coming—"
Tears threatened to fall from his eyes.
You gave a sympathetic smile and placed your hand on his cheek. "No, Law. It's not your fault. It's his. Now stop worrying about me and go kick his ass."
Law stared down at you as if trying to memorize every detail of your face.
Then, in one fluid motion, he leaned down while lifting you gently and pressed his lips against yours.
Your eyes widened in shock. The pain in your body vanished, replaced by something like electricity running through your veins.
Then you relaxed, closing your eyes and deepening the kiss. Your hand pulled him slightly closer. All the chaos around you fell away. All you could feel was his lips on yours, the warmth of his body, the certainty of his presence.
It felt like forever when Law finally pulled away.
He pressed his forehead against yours, his breath coming in shaky waves. "I'm sorry, I— I had to—before—in case—" He stammered, trying hard not to let you go. "I just—I want you to know that I love you."
Your heart tightened at the vulnerability in his voice, at how broken and sincere he sounded.
You smiled. "I know. I love you too."
You gently pushed against him. "Now go. Go kick that bastard's ass."
Law smiled—a real smile, full of relief and determination—and gave a sharp nod.
You raised your hand to your lips, which still tingled from his kiss, and watched them go.
You couldn't help but touch your lips as the memory lingered. You looked up to see Law had moved forward, now listening to Robin as she made observations about the destroyed city.
You hadn't spoken about that moment since—too afraid to acknowledge what it meant. Was it just a moment born of death's closeness? Or something more?
You didn't even realize you truly loved Law until you watched him nearly vanish from your life. And now the thought of that ever happening again made your chest ache.
The past week, Law had been more confident than ever. Doflamingo was defeated. Law had survived. The way he held himself now—like he'd gained everything he could have ever wanted—made you smile despite the confusion churning inside you.
But the question remained: Did he think that kiss was a promise you'd stay with him?
Did you even know what you wanted to do?
"Y/N!" Usopp called, pulling you from your thoughts. "Can you tell Robin that her jokes are too demented!"
You shook head with a smile and rejoined your small crew.
"I mean, she might be right," Zoro laughed as Usopp continued to panic. "We don't know much about the Minks. Who's to say they aren't cannibals?"
"You brought us to a city of cannibals!" Usopp pointed at Law, who held a playful smirk.
"Would you even consider a Mink a cannibal if they ate a human?" Law taunted, clearly enjoying the sniper's panic. "I mean, we are different races."
You laughed walking up to them. "He's joking."
"Sure, joking." He smirked as Usopp dissolved under stress. "Though I have heard Bepo mention craving human flesh a few times."
Usopp's ghost flew out of him while you gently punched Law's arm. "Bepo has never said anything like that."
But Law was already chuckling.
Your group made their way through the forest. At some point during the walk, when your anxiety started rising again, Law's hand found yours. He gave it a small squeeze, and you gave him a small smile despite the ache in your heart.
You finally rejoined your captain, who rode in on a strange gator-like creature with long legs.
He jumped off with a large smile, greeting all of you and fussing about his recent adventure.
"Oh, Traffy! I saw your crew!" he said brightly when his attention finally landed on Law.
Your shoulders relaxed slightly.
Law nodded with clear relief. "Where exactly?"
Luffy pointed behind him. "Over that way. They were asking about you—seemed real excited to see you."
Law nodded and took a step forward but hesitated when you didn't move, your hand pulling slightly at his.
When he turned to look at you, your eyes were darting to the gate of the fortress where your crew was meant to be. You now knew the Heart Pirates were alright, but there were still too many unknowns about your own crew.
Law squeezed your hand carefully, drawing your attention back. You expected him to try to convince you to follow him, but instead, his expression held understanding and a small smile.
"Go see your crew," he said gently. "We won't be far. You'll see us soon."
You gave him a small, shaky smile and nod, carefully letting his hand go.
You watched him walk away, his steps more confident than they'd been a week ago. There was pride in his posture now—the pride of someone who'd faced his demons and won.
Behind you, the fortress gates opened. Nami and Chopper came running out, and your smile grew genuine as you turned to meet them.
It wasn't until night fell that your crew finally made their way to the Whale Forest, where Law and his crew were gathered.
The moment you jumped off the creature, shouts of your name pierced the air. You whipped your head around just before 19 Heart Pirates and a polar bear Mink tackled you to the ground with a collective "oof."
Before you could protest, you were snatched out from under them and set beside Law. His hands flew to your shoulders as you felt your knees buckle from the sudden transportation via his shambles.
Law's eyes scanned over you in concern before he whipped his head toward his crew with a furious look. "HAVE YOU ALL LOST YOUR MINDS!" His voice cut like a blade. "They're still recovering! You could have reopened a wound!"
You smirked slightly at his protective flare. You tapped his arm, which was still gripping your shoulder. "Law, I'm fine."
He still glared at his crew, disappointed by their carelessness. They were surgeons—they should know better. He huffed and released your shoulders, stepping back.
You chuckled before running up to the group, who quickly but gently enveloped you in a warm hug. "I missed you guys too."
That began the tears of the overly emotional crew. The Heart Pirates' words jumbled over each other as they expressed how much they'd missed you and how they didn't want you to leave again.
You couldn't help but frown at the request. Your heart was splitting between your two crews.
You quickly hid the frown with a giant smile when you pulled away from the hug.
Luffy jumped down from the creature with a smile. "After we meet Cat Viper and Lion Viper, let's have a party!" he shouted in delight.
Law groaned at the idea while both crews cheered.
The night sky grew darker, and as promised, Luffy brought the party.
The Minks had been kind, if not overwhelming so, but beneath the celebration was a tension you couldn't quite shake.
Your two worlds were colliding.
And soon, you would have to choose which one to stay in.
The village was crowded now—both crews mingling with the Minks, both captains in the same space. You spotted Bepo deep in conversation with Nami about navigation. Shachi and Penguin were watching Zoro handle his swords with obvious admiration. The Heart Pirates seemed fascinated by Chopper's medical knowledge, peppering him with questions.
Brook's voice sang over the crowd. Franky showed off his robot moves to a fascinated Ikkaku. Usopp told stories to the Zou kids, which the Heart Pirates joined with matching childhood wonder. Robin giggled as she listened. And Luffy stood at the center of the party, being the life of it.
The party was going well.
But you sat on the steps at the edge of everything, your knees pulled to your chest, watching.
Your heart felt torn in ways you couldn't articulate. You loved the Straw Hats—they'd made you who you were. They were your best friends, the people around whom you could be most fully yourself. They made you want to be greater.
But over two years, the Heart Pirates had become your family. You'd learned from them. They'd cared for you, and you cared for them. And the familiarity of it had brought something home that you'd lost in Flevance—reminders of your five brothers, of the life you'd had before everything was taken away.
And then there was Law.
You knew you were feelings starting to develop over the past two years but you had failed to realized the true extent of those feelings. And how much you truly loved him, until you nearly watched him die.
The question wasn't whether you'd stay with the Straw Hats or the Heart Pirates. That answer felt inevitable. The question was whether you could bear to leave him.
Your frown deepened with each thought.
"Usually I'm the one pouting at the edge of a party."
You looked up to see Law standing above you, his hands in his pockets, a slight smirk on his face.
You huffed and looked away, your chin resting on your knees.
"May I sit?" he asked gently.
You scoffed, still trapped in your thoughts over the predicament he has placed you in. He sat down anyway, settling beside you on the steps.
For a long moment, neither of you spoke.
"You don't have to choose," he said finally.
You rolled your eyes. Of course you had to choose. Maybe not tonight, maybe not even this month, but eventually the time would come when you had to decide which crew truly had your loyalty.
He let out a long sigh at your silence. "Look, I won't let you rejoin the Heart Pirates."
You turned to look at him sharply, your brow pinched. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm saying that I won't accept you back on my crew."
You straightened in shock, your heart tightening painfully. Your eyes began to water before you could stop them, thoughts slamming into you like a typhoon.
Law's jaw clenched as he realized how his words had landed. He groaned and grabbed his hat, fidgeting with it anxiously. "What I mean say is... You need to stay with the Straw Hats."
"But Law, I—" Your voice cracked. "I thought—You said—Did you not—"
You couldn't finish the sentences. Couldn't articulate the fear that he was taking back his confession, that what happened in Dressrosa had just been a moment born of desperation rather than truth.
Your breath caught in your throat. Your heart pounded.
The rejection squeezed at your entire body.
Law's eyes widened as he saw your tears forming, realizing how you'd interpreted his words. "Wait, Y/N," he said in a panic, reaching for your shoulders. "That's not what I mean."
You looked at him, and he could see the trembling in your gaze, the way you were bracing yourself for heartbreak.
"I meant what I said in Dressrosa," he said firmly. "I love you."
His voice left no room for argument. You sniffled, but your lips still shook as you fought the tears.
"Y/N, I love you," he repeated, even firmer this time. His grip on your shoulders was steady, grounding. "I’ve loved you since I saw you on that deck teaching yourself how to fight with a sword. That hasn't changed. That won’t change."
You relaxed slightly, choosing to believe him, but confusion still clouded your features.
Law's expression softened as he searched for the right words. "You being on a different crew won't change that," he said quietly.
"But Law, I—"
"You're staying with the Straw Hats. That's final."
The words should have sounded cold, but they didn't. There was something almost loving about the firmness.
You lowered your head, swallowing hard against the lump in your throat. "Why?"
Law was silent for a moment. When he spoke again, his voice was quieter. "Because you belong with them."
He looked away from you, toward your crew laughing in the distance. "I didn't want to admit it at first. But seeing you with them, in full strength... I realized I was holding you back."
"That's not true!" you snapped in defense. "You taught me so much. I'm so much stronger because of your crew—"
"That was because of you, not us," he interrupted gently. "You were so determined to be better for your captain. You trained yourself. Your discipline came from within."
You wanted to argue, but he continued before you could.
"As your captain, I held you back. Kept you hidden." He paused.
“But that was to stay out of the Marines radar. I needed to be hidden so no one realizes who I was.”
Law shook his head, “That was only partially the reason.”
Your brows furrowed.
"A good part of it was because wearing that suit made it feel like you belonged to me.” Shame covered his face as he looked away, “That you were permanently part of my crew. Not someone else's."
The honesty in those words, the vulnerability of admitting that kind of possessiveness, made your anxiety soften.
"But that was never the plan," he continued. "You were never meant to stay with my crew permanently. You have so much more to do. You have a dream to chase. And seeing you this week, seeing how brilliant and strong you are… You have to stay with the straw hats." He mumbled the last part as if he wish it wasn’t true.
You shifted to look back at the party, at Luffy's bright smile at the center of everything.
"Have I ever told you what that dream was?" you finally said.
Law sat straighter. "No. I always thought it had something to do with magic."
You shook your head. "Magic was just survival. Tricks to keep moving, to stay alive." You took a shaky breath, and when you looked at him, your eyes held conviction. "My dream is to take down the World Government. To make sure what happened to Flevance never happens again. To make sure no other country has to fear that kind of power."
Law's entire body went still.
His eyes widened slightly at the vastness of the dream. His head shifted toward the Straw Hat captain.
He understood immediately. This wasn't a dream you could chase with just anyone. This was a dream that required someone like Luffy. Someone who'd already challenged the celestial dragons. Someone destined to become King of the Pirates.
His jaw tightened as he looked at Luffy, the chaotic captain who seemed to bend the world to his will through sheer force of conviction.
"That's why you said he allowed you to dream again," Law said quietly.
You nodded. "Because with him, my dream doesn't feel impossible. It feels like something I can actually be a part of."
Law turned away with a tsk, and you could see the moment he fully accepted it.
"But then I saw my worst nightmare," you continued, your voice barely a whisper. "And now that dream doesn't feel as important."
Law looked back at you with concern and understanding.
Your eyes filled with tears as you thought of Dressrosa, of watching him get shot, of thinking he was dead, of that moment when something clicked in your head and you realized you loved him more than you were afraid of your own death.
"Following Luffy means achieving my dream," you said softly. "But following you means protecting my nightmare."
Law's eyes shook with understanding. He pulled you closer, his hand settling on the back of your head, tucking you against his chest, while his chin rested in your hair.
"I love you, Law," you confessed into his chest. "I don't want to lose you."
"I'm perfectly capable of keeping myself alive," he assured you.
You pulled back just enough to glare at him.
His nose scrunched slightly. "Okay, fine. I'll do better."
"You're planning on fighting an Emperor next."
"After that, I'll do better?" he attempted with the barest hint of a smirk.
You huffed, releasing some of the tension you'd been holding. "This isn't easy, Law."
"I know," he said, and the weight of understanding in his voice was almost unbearable. "That's why I'm removing the choice."
"That's not fair," you said, but there was less sadness in it now. More resignation. "You're making the decision for me."
"I am," he acknowledged. He cupped your face gently, forcing you to meet his eyes. "But I'm doing it because I know what you'll choose eventually. Your dream is too important. And I'd rather make this choice for you and know you're following what matters, than let you choose me and watch you resent me for what you're giving up."
The vulnerability in his admission, the way he was choosing your freedom over his own want, broke something open in your chest.
"So what does this mean?" you asked quietly. "What happens when everything is finished?"
Law let out a disgruntled chuckle. "I'll tell you this much—I'm not keeping this alliance with Straw Hat. The moment Kaido is defeated, I'm getting as far away from that idiot as I can."
You chuckled despite yourself, but then your expression shifted to a frown. "But that would make us enemies."
"No," he said firmly. "Straw Hat and I will be rivals. Only him and me. Not the rest of our crews."
"But if you attack Luffy—"
"How dumb do you think I am?" he said in mock offense. "I'm not going to attack him. I'm just not going to pretend the alliance means anything beyond defeating Kaido."
You pulled your knees back into your chest, processing. After everything was over, you'd be with the Straw Hats, and he'd be with the Heart Pirates. You'd be on opposite sides, but not enemies. It made a strange kind of sense.
"Will we see each other again?" you asked, the question coming out smaller than you intended. "After everything?"
Law smiled, and it transformed his entire face. "Of course we will. Just like how we met at that small village. We're connected, Y/N. Fate will bring us back together."
You turned your head with teary eyes. "You really believe that?"
He nodded and cupped your cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. "With you, always."
He leaned toward you slowly, giving you time to pull away if you wanted to. But you didn't. You met him halfway, and this time, there was no desperation in the kiss—just certainty.
You wrapped your arms around his neck and held him close. The party faded away. Your crews faded away. There was only this—the warmth of his touch, the gentle pressure of his lips, the way your hearts seemed to synchronize.
When you pulled back, your forehead rested against his, your eyes meeting his. The warm twinkle in his amber gaze, so similar to your own, held something permanent. A promise.
You sat there for a moment, just taking him in, memorizing the exact shade of amber and gold in his eyes, the feel of his hands on your face, the certainty in his expression.
"EWWWW!"
Luffy's disgusted shout shattered the moment.
You huffed humorously, your head falling to Law's shoulder as you buried yourself in his neck. Your captain's voice grew louder.
"Get off my crew mate, Traffy!"
Law's breath hitched slightly at the feeling of your breath against his neck. His head snapped toward the gathering crews, where suddenly everyone had stopped what they were doing to stare.
Robin was giggling behind her hand. Usopp was already sprinting after Luffy, trying to hold him back. Zoro and Franky held matching smirks, already aware of what was happening. Nami and Brook's jaws had dropped in shock.
Law's crew looked equally scandalized, their expressions ranging from surprise to teasing delight.
Law huffed at their stares and raised his hand.
Reality warped.
You and he vanished.
Luffy stormed onto the spot where you'd been sitting, his fist clenched. "TRAFFY! Y/N is my crewmate, not yours! Get back here and fight me!" Though by his tone, you could tell he wasn't entirely serious.
Law smirked at the frustrated captain from the window of the room he'd transported you to, watching him rage impotently below.
"You know he will actually fight you," you said from behind him, amusement clear in your voice as you sat on the bed. Your elbow resting on your knee propping your chin up, "Though probably not with his full power. He's honorable like that."
Law shrugged, turning back to face you. "And that is another reason why you're not joining my crew."
"You should probably tell him that."
"Maybe later." Law's smirk widened as a devilish look entered his eyes. "But for now…”
He took a step forward.
“For now you're mine."
You let out a shrill laugh as you fell back onto the bed.
Law fell over you, caging you between his arms. You looked up at his expression—that rare, unguarded smile that he only showed when he thought no one was watching.
"Law—" you started.
But he was already descending, peppering kisses across your neck, your collarbone, anywhere he could reach. You couldn't help but laugh under his touch, your fingers finding their way into his dark hair.
The world disappeared.
Outside, Luffy continued to rage. Your crews continued to celebrate. But in this small space, it was just the two of you—two survivors of Flevance, two people who'd found each other against impossible odds.
Two people who'd learned that love wasn't about keeping someone. It was about letting them shine, even if they shined brightest somewhere else.
And knowing that fate or whatever force governed the universe, would always bring you back together.
<<First | <Previous | Deleted Scenes
A/N: Thank you all for reading this last part! I will say it's not my proudest work when it comes to pacing but I wanted to keep things more vague for the x reader genre.
Thank you for reading! if you enjoy post like this check out my Masterlist. and if you want to send me a request for my next post please send me a message! If you liked this and want to support me I have a tip jar on Ko-fi.
Also let's all take a moment and thank @elliescrolls for the comment: "ps law should understand that you can in fact be in love with someone that's on a different crew. that does mean spending time apart BUT i think it can add to a more angsty/fluff reunion :-)" That is what brought about this ending :)
I won't be writing out a reunion because it will probably go the same as the happy ending for Pages of Promise.
And I promised angst for this part but it mostly got deleted which you can find here.
Thank you all for loving this, I have started planning my next Law x reader story with inspiration from the song Lust by Marino.
Summary: Here are some deleted scenes from Deadline where it goes into more details of the events of Dressrosa. Had to remove for quite a few reasons but I still really enjoyed writing them because I really enjoy writing fun fight scenes, and these are mostly inspired from, "Now You See Me." There was a lot more that was cut from the final part but these 3 scenes are the ones I really really didn't want to part with.
Trafalgar Law x gn!reader
Word count: 4,674
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 |
Scene 1
Law slouched in a large, ornate heart-shaped chair. Sea-prism stone chains clasped his wrists and wrapped around the furniture, draining his power and leaving him weak and exposed.
He was breathing shallowly, barely recovered from the gunshot wounds, as he stared down at Doflamingo with a carefully maintained glare. He'd stopped responding to the Warlord's taunts, preferring silence to the futility of argument.
As much as he hated it, Doflamingo was right. This was the end for Law. All he could hope for was that Straw Hat had kept his word. That he would destroy the factory producing SMILE, that he would—
"Awe, are you thinking about that person who held onto you by the Colosseum?" Doflamingo's voice broke through his spiral.
Law's brows pinched, but his eyes didn't open. He wasn't conscious then? Was he talking about you? Had you seen him like that?
"Y/N, right?"
Law's entire body went rigid. His eyes snapped open.
Doflamingo smiled like he'd already won. "I've been keeping my eye on you, Law. Call it looking out for my little brother. We are still like family, after all."
Law felt rage rising in his throat, but he forced it down. Showing emotion would only feed the Warlord's entertainment.
"They joined your crew only two years ago," Doflamingo continued, scooting forward like he was sharing a secret. "Strangely enough, I thought they were one of those Straw Hats. Looks like I was right."
Law's fingers clenched despite the chains.
"Did you know they're also from Flevance?" Doflamingo tilted his head with false concern. "Of course you do. That's why you like them so much."
Law bit his tongue so hard it drew blood. The metallic taste filled his mouth.
The Warlord laughed, clearly delighted by his own deductions. "Such a coincidence that the only two survivors of that wretched place seemed to find each other. I wonder what the World Government would gift me for ridding the world of a contamination like them."
Law's fists clenched at the thought. Every muscle in his body tightened with the need to move, to act, to protect you from threats that existed beyond these chains.
Doflamingo leaned back in his chair, clearly savoring Law's reaction. "Or... I could leave them be. If you do something for me."
"You have it all wrong," Law said carefully, his voice level despite the fury coursing through him. "No one from my crew is here. And I would never let a Straw Hat join my crew."
Doflamingo's eyes narrowed slightly, studying him with new interest. "Even if that were true, it doesn't change how they reacted to seeing you almost dead. Clearly they mean something to you."
Law pulled at his chains, the movement desperate and pointless. "I don't even know who you're talking about. I don't care about any of the Straw Hats. Our alliance is through!"
Doflamingo's eye twitched. A vein began to bulge in his temple. "Then you won't have a problem when I kill them. Or any of the Straw Hats."
Law leaned forward, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Good riddance. That whole crew is nothing but a nuisance."
The moment the words left his mouth, he wanted to take them back. The lie tasted like poison.
The Warlord stood up abruptly, his chair sliding backward with violent force. His expression had shifted from amused to genuinely angry. "Then I'll—"
But the moment was interrupted by chaos.
Sugar had collapsed somewhere. The toys—the hundreds of transformed humans—were reverting to their original forms. Screams echoed through the corridors as the truth about Doflamingo's crimes rippled through the kingdom.
A gladiator came crashing through the window, landing on Doflamingo's body, and slicing his head clean off. The head rolled to the floor.
And then Luffy appeared, shouting his name with absolute conviction.
"StrawHat!" Law didn't bother hiding his anger. "Get out of here! Our alliance is over!"
"Nuh uh! I'm gonna save you!" Luffy declared with unwavering certainty.
Law groaned loudly. "Did you even destroy the factory like we planned!"
Luffy didn't answer, just continued charging forward. He held up a key—the key to the sea-prism cuffs. "See! I'm here to rescue you!"
Law snarled. "If you unlock these cuffs, I'm going to kill you myself! Get out of here!"
But Luffy continued toward him, lowering to unlock the cuffs. His fingers fumbled with the lock—the sea-prism making him weaker, unable to control his strength properly. The key wouldn't fit.
Law went to snap again, but then—
Your voice cut through the commotion like sunlight through darkness.
"Luffy! Luffy, did you find him?"
You appeared in the window, and the moment your eyes locked with his, your entire face erupted into joy.
Law felt something break open inside his chest. You were here. You were alive. You were looking at him like he mattered.
But if you were here then—
"If you don't get them out of here right now, so help me god," Law snapped, his protective instinct overriding everything else.
"Chill out, I almost got it," Luffy grunted, still struggling with the lock.
He threw his hands down in defeat, “Ugh! I can’t get it! Y/N! can you do it!”
Then an evil laugh rumbled through the room. “y/n?”
Law's blood went cold as he realized Doflamingo was still moving, still conscious, still dangerous.
The floor beneath them began to shift as a massive form pushed upward.
"How nice for you to bring them to me," the Warlord said, his voice dripping with satisfaction.
"Straw Hat!" Law shouted in warning, but it was too late.
Doflamingo aimed at you, and string projectiles—shaped like razor-sharp bullets—flew through the air.
Ten of them hit you across your chest and shoulders. You looked down as the blood began to pool, your expression shifting from joy to shock.
Then you fell.
"Y/N!" both captains screamed, a shared panic in their voices that was utterly involuntary.
Luffy's eyes confirmed you were still breathing, still moving, and he turned his full attention toward the Warlord with deadly purpose.
Doflamingo laughed, clearly pleased with the confirmation of your importance. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of them while you're gone."
The ground shifted into a giant fist that wrapped around all of them—Luffy, Law (still chained to the ridiculous chair), the gladiator, the king, and violet, depositing them at the base of the mountain.
All except you.
Law hit the ground on his back, the sea-prism chair crashing down beside him. His chains rattled uselessly as he looked up to see Doflamingo dangling your body over the edge of the palace for him to see, gripping you by your injured shoulder.
You fought against his hold, pushing against him with all your strength, but his grip was too strong. Doflamingo deliberately pressed one finger directly into your wound, and you gasped in pain.
Law struggled against the chains with everything he had, panic rising in his throat. "He has Y/N! Straw Hat! He has Y/N!" he shouted in desperation and rage.
Luffy's face shifted to determination and resolve. "They'll be okay. They are much stronger than they look."
Law snapped toward him. "You don't think I know that?! I trained them! Me, not you! I know exactly how strong they are—and I also know exactly what Doflamingo is capable of!"
Luffy clapped his hands together. "Good, so we're in agreement. Now where did that key go?"
Law's eye twitched as the childish captain looked around, completely unbothered by the life-or-death situation happening above them.
Completely unbothered by Law’s worst nightmare occurring in real time.
Scene 2
Pain had become your entire world.
You laid on the ground, covered in blood from your own wounds and from where Doflamingo had extracted information. His heel dug into your back with crushing force, and every breath sent fire through your ribs.
He looked down at you with idle curiosity, clearly disappointed by your lack of resistance. "I thought you would have more fight in you. You were so determined at the Colosseum earlier."
He dug his heel deeper, forcing a choke of blood from your mouth.
"No one stands in my way like that," he said, his voice sharp with irritation.
You remained stubbornly silent, your jaw clenched tight. You wouldn't give him anything. Not words. Not information. Not the satisfaction of seeing you break.
He lifted his foot and stomped down, the impact sending waves of agony through your body. "What is my little Law to you?"
Silence.
Another stomp. "What is he planning?"
Silence.
"Why did he ally with Straw Hat?" Another. "What is Straw Hat's goal?" Another. "Whose crew are you on? The Heart Pirates or the Straw Hats?"
Each question came with another stomp, each one harder than the last. You barely moved, your pain becoming numb as your body entered a state of protective dissociation.
He stood up and kicked you hard in the side, sending you flying across the room.
"If you don't want to be any use to me, then I should just kill you," he said coldly.
He pulled his gun, aiming it directly at your head.
You looked up slowly, your eyes barely focusing on the weapon. No fear showed on your face—only indifference. No pain. No terror. Just a stubborn refusal to give him what he wanted.
That look alone was enough to infuriate him.
He clicked the gun, loading it. His finger hovered over the trigger.
Then a Donquixote pirate came running in. "Young Master! Straw Hat and Law were seen walking into a well at the bottom of the sunflower plateau."
Doflamingo lowered his gun slightly. "And why do I care?"
The pirate flinched. "Because it's a good opportunity to kill them?"
Something shifted in the Warlord's expression. He seemed to consider this. Then he looked back down at you, and something in you shifted too.
Your lips curved into a smile.
"What are you smiling about?!" He kicked your stomach again, and you spit out blood but continued to smile.
"You really think you can kill my captain," you laughed despite the pain. Your eyes narrowed. "He's going to be King of the Pirates, you know."
You spoke with such absolute conviction, such unwavering belief, that even while being beaten, you radiated certainty.
Doflamingo's vein throbbed. He stared at you for a long moment, and slowly his anger seemed to cool into something more calculating.
"So you're a Straw Hat," he said finally.
Your smile faltered slightly, realizing you'd just confirmed something important with your own words.
He lowered and grabbed your hair by the scalp, lifting you up to his eye level. "So you are able to answer my questions."
You scowled and bit your tongue.
He threw you at the feet of the pirate who'd entered. "Lock them away. I'll deal with them later. First, I'll pay Law and Straw Hat a visit."
He jumped out of the window, his form disappearing from sight.
The pirate looked down at your bloody form with clear fear. He bent down to grab your shoulders, attempting to drag you out of the room and toward the holding cells below.
You coughed up blood as your body was shifted, allowing yourself to be moved. But as soon as you were in the covered hallway, you spat out a clump of blood and let a small smirk cross your face.
"Say, how do you feel about magic?" you asked in a surprisingly light tone, given your current state.
The pirate looked down at you in confusion. "I uh... do you mean like magicians?"
"Exactly!" You nodded. "You know, everyone just assumes 'witch' and not 'magician,' so thank you for that distinction."
The boy smiled at that. "Well, my dad and I used to love going to magic shows."
"Aw, that's wonderful! Would you like to be a volunteer for my next act?"
"What kind of act?"
"This one!" you said brightly.
Your body lit up with bright sparklers. The boy yelped and dropped you immediately, covering his eyes against the intense light.
By the time the sparks died down, you were gone.
"Wasn't that cool?" your voice whispered directly behind him.
He spun around in fright, and your fist connected with his face.
The boy collapsed to the ground.
You stood over him, breathing heavily and gripping your side. "Now, what an ugly costume."
You bent down and carefully traded outfits with the unconscious pirate, trading your bloodied clothes for his uniform. You straightened the outfit as best you could and limped down the hallway, hoping the bleeding had clotted enough that you wouldn't soak through the borrowed uniform.
You passed a group of ten pirates in similar outfits, forcing yourself to straighten despite the pain. You gave a casual nod as you passed, praying it would be enough to fool them.
"Hey!" one of them called as you passed.
You turned with a practiced smile. "Yes?"
"Did you just come from the Young Master's throne room?"
You nodded.
The group exchanged nervous looks. "Did he... did he mention how we're going to survive this?"
You turned toward the window where you could see the scope of the chaos; a string-based birdcage covering the entire city, pirates fighting each other, fires raging. Your stomach twisted at the scale of it.
You turned back to them with a shake of your head, unsure of what to actually say.
They all looked fearful. "We're heading there now to ask."
"The Young Master just headed out to follow a lead on Straw Hat and Law," you told them.
They nodded but continued down the hallway toward the nearly destroyed throne room.
You turned back to leave, but the injuries made your limp more pronounced. You gripped your side, which felt like it was on fire. Every breath sent pain lancing through your ribs.
You didn't make it far before you heard shouts from behind.
You cursed, realizing the boy in your outfit must have awakened and alerted them. The voices grew closer.
You threw down a smoke bomb, and the group ran directly into the cloud. Their heads began spinning as disoriented sounds echoed from within. You laughed—the sound echoing from multiple places at once, a trick you'd perfected over months of practice.
The pirates stumbled, trying to locate you by sound alone. You moved through the smoke like smoke itself, invisible, untouchable. One pirate lunged toward where your voice had come from, and you were no longer there. Instead, you positioned yourself beside him and let your fist make contact with his ribs as he charged past. He flew backward with a yelp.
His limp body flew to the center of the group. the others panicked, flailing at shadows.
You grabbed another pirate's leg from the side before he even knew you were there, yanking him to the ground. A third pirate spun around trying to find you, and you were already moving away, letting them see only your silhouette for a fraction of a second before the smoke swallowed you again.
The remaining pirates huddled together, backs pressed together, unable to track your movement. You circled them like a performer circles an audience, letting them hear your footsteps—or what they thought were your footsteps—coming from multiple directions at once.
Ventriloquism mixed with timing, your voice echoing from different points.
You jumped behind one and made a taunting laugh directly in his ear. He spun around in panic, sword raised, and immediately swung at the figure he thought he saw.
His blade connected with his own crewmate instead.
The second pirate retaliated instinctively, and suddenly the two were fighting each other while you slipped deeper into the smoke. You took advantage of their confusion, swiping your leg underneath a third pirate who was absorbed in the fight. As he fell, you grabbed his fallen sword and used the hilt to tap the back of his head with enough force to drop him instantly.
Three down.
The smoke was clearing now. You faced the remaining seven pirates, and you could see the fear in their eyes. They didn't understand where the hits had come from. They didn't comprehend how they'd lost three people in a cloud of smoke.
You stood straight, holding the stolen sword upright in front of your face like a magician presenting the centerpiece of a trick.
Then you smirked and made the blade sparkle—not a real spark, but an illusion, a trick of light where you angled the metal to reflect sunlight directly into their eyes.
The pirates' eyes widened involuntarily, drawn to the glittering light like insects to flame.
You threw it upwards and in a dramatic twirl re-caught it. “Good evening boys.” You smirked, “I hope you have enjoyed the show so far.” The glittering sword spun around you body drawing their attention.
As their attention stayed locked on the sword—on the beautiful, dancing light reflecting off the metal—you spun it to your left side. The motion was graceful, deliberate, meant to hold their focus.
Your right hand moved.
From your pockets, you pulled out the sparklers Usopp had made for you. In one fluid motion, you rolled them behind the pirates while they watched your sword.
The bombs exploded into a cascade of bright colors and deafening noise.
The pirates spun around at the explosion, looking for the source of the distraction. Their attention fracturing, their eyes darting—exactly where you wanted them to look.
You jumped forward with the sword, slashing two of them across the chest while their focus remained split. They cried out in surprise and pain—not understanding how you'd gotten past their defenses while they were looking away.
You groaned at the blade's dullness. It wasn't sharp enough. In one smooth motion, you threw it at the head of the nearest pirate. He fell back with a comical thunk.
The pirate next to him turned in surprise, while distracted you sprung throwing your heel to his face.
You turned to the next, your fists were covered in Haki, concentrated and precise. You struck with surgical accuracy—hitting pressure points, not trying to overpower them. A punch to the solar plexus. An open-palm strike to the chest. The remaining three pirates' expressions shifted from anger to panic as they realized you were moving faster than they could track.
You charged at the closest one, punching him in the stomach, then driving your fist upward through his guard to his chin. The blow was clean, Haki-amplified. He went down.
You twisted, using his falling body as a shield, and threw him at the eighth pirate. Both went down in a tangle of limbs.
The Tenth pirate's head turned to follow the movement.
And you vanished.
It wasn't magic—it was positioning. While his eyes tracked his falling crewmates, you moved to a blind spot he couldn't see from his angle. You waited, perfectly still, perfectly patient. When his eyes swung back to search for you—
"Hope you enjoyed the show," you spoke from directly behind him.
Before he could even process that you were there, you threw your leg up in a spinning kick, your heel covered in Haki, and connected with the back of his head.
He crumpled.
You stood above the ten fallen pirates, panting heavily. You grabbed your shoulder, which had started bleeding again when you moved.
You hissed at the contact but shook it off. You needed to get out of here before Doflamingo or any of his higher-ranking subordinates returned.
Scene 3
You made your way through the rest of the palace with surprising ease. Most of the pirates ignored you, focused on their own survival as the kingdom descended into chaos. You covered your bloody shoulder as best you could, keeping your movements casual despite the pain screaming through your body.
You reached a set of stairs leading to a giant stone wall with a hole overlooking an expansive sunflower field. You limped down slowly, your view of the field becoming clearer with each step.
You heard movement in the flowers. You heard the clash of steel.
A giant man with a cape and an even more giant sword was walking through the flowers. In front of him, moving through the field, was someone running—clearly trying to escape.
You paused for a moment, consulting your memory of Law's breakdown where he'd listed all the elite officers. This was Diamante, the flag-flag fruit user.
Your blood went cold as you watched him activate his ability, flinging his sword at the fleeing figure with devastating force.
You didn't know who he was chasing, but somehow you knew they were an ally. So you threw your smoke bombs.
The man flinched back in confusion at the sudden obstruction. You used the distraction to run toward him, dancing in circles around him, setting off sparklers to disorient his senses.
Smoke and harmless sparks covered his vision, creating a dazzling display that made it impossible for him to track your movement.
"What the—!" he shouted, his head whipping around.
You threw a bomb directly in his face, covering his eyes in colorful powder. He screamed in distress as he tried to rub it out, but the powder clung stubbornly to his skin.
You ran over to the figure in the field and found a barely dressed woman wearing only partial chain mail.
"Who are you?" she asked in surprise.
"I'm Y/N! I'm a Straw Hat pirate!" You smiled despite the pain radiating through your body.
"Y/N!" she exclaimed. "But you were captured by Doflamingo?"
"Well, I escaped," you shrugged. "Do you know my captain?"
"Lucy? Yes!"
"Lucy... oh, yes. Lucy," you recalled the alias your captain had used in the Colosseum. "Where is he? Or is anyone from my crew nearby?"
The flag man screamed in frustration, and you turned to see the tip of his blade whipping toward you from the corner of your eye.
You covered your hand in Haki and grabbed the flagged sword before it could make contact.
Rebecca fell back in shock.
You locked eyes with Diamante, your expression hardening.
"YOU!" he shouted. "How did you get away from Doffy?!"
You ignored him and swung the end of the sword, sending ripples up its length.
He drew the sword back, and while he focused on using his power, you threw down a special kind of smoke bomb—one similar to Nami's mirages. The image of you and Rebecca standing there remained while you grabbed the girl and yanked her through the flowers, being careful not to rustle too much of the plants.
The man screamed when he attacked the mirage and found you both gone.
"Where did you go?!" he shouted. "You can't hide from me forever, Rebecca!"
He moved through the field in the opposite direction. You turned your attention back to Rebecca, breathing heavily.
"So, about my captain?" you pressed.
"Oh yes, he should be here any moment now. Him and Sir Law."
You perked up immediately, your entire body responding to that news. "Law? He's on his way here?"
Rebecca nodded. "Yes, but he's currently in sea-prism cuffs. However, I have the key." She held up a gold key with a heart-shaped top.
You smiled and went to grab the key when suddenly the flowers above you shifted violently.
Diamante stood above you both, rage in his expression.
"There you are!"
He threw his sword toward you, and you held your arm up, covering it in Haki to block the hit. The force was significant enough to push you back slightly.
Rebecca jumped over you, her sword already drawn, and swung at him while there was an opening.
He stumbled back at the hit, and Rebecca and he held their swords up, facing each other.
You patted your pockets, realizing with growing concern that you were nearly out of smoke bombs and sparklers. Your weapons had been confiscated by Doflamingo, so you didn't have your sword or knives.
While you thought through your options, Rebecca was thrown back. Your eyes widened as you watched her form fly through the air.
Before you could react, Diamante's sword was already swinging at you, slicing across your chest.
The blade bit deep, and you flew backward, hitting the ground hard. You and Rebecca laid beside each other at the edge of the field as Diamante approached.
You held your hands up in surrender, though your mind was already working. "Can I interest you in a magic trick?"
You tried with a slight smile despite the fresh blood soaking through your uniform.
"You think this is some kind of joke?" he said, getting ready to swing.
"Of course not," you said lightly, flicking your wrist.
A deck of cards appeared as if from nowhere—a sleight of hand trick perfected over years of practice.
"But if you're going to kill me, I would at least like to perform one more trick. Now pick a card."
His eyes narrowed with suspicion, but he still reached down and grabbed a card from your deck.
Your smile grew as you had his attention. You pushed yourself up, ignoring all the pain screaming through your body. You folded all the cards together and lifted them, creating a cascade of cards flowing from one hand to the other.
You then performed another trick to shuffle the deck over your head before handing it back to him. "Go ahead, put it back wherever you like."
While he was focused on the cards, you started shifting your position carefully, circling him slowly to get Rebecca completely out of his line of sight.
He handed you back the deck. You flipped it in your hands, causing the entire thing to vanish as if it had never existed.
He blinked in amazement.
"Now before we find your card," you said, "did you always have that in your pocket?"
He looked down confused.
You urged, "Check your pocket."
He reached down and pulled out a ticking bomb.
His eyes widened in panic as it exploded directly in his face.
Using the distraction, you jumped fully to the side, positioning yourself so his back faced the edge of the field.
"Oops," you giggled before starting to flick the cards like knives, each one's edge slightly sharpened with sea-stone you'd carefully worked into the corners.
His face became covered in razor cuts as the cards struck with precision. He flinched back at every impact.
With the force behind each hit and the seastone edged cards he was taking more damage than he would have expected.
You held up the last card, twirling it in your fingers with theatrical flair. "Is this your card?"
He looked up and indeed saw the card he'd selected.
You threw it with full strength, and it embedded itself directly in his forehead. Blood began to drip down his face from the various cuts covering his body.
He grew red with rage and started to charge at you.
You crouched down, holding your hands above your head protectively.
A gladiator then appeared, slicing at his exposed back.
Diamante hissed in pain, and his attack on you stopped. He fell to the ground.
You dove to the side and crawled over to Rebecca, panting heavily.
As the adrenaline wore off, your injuries started to worsen immediately.
Rebecca shouted your name in panic, hovering over you as you collapsed to the ground. Blood was flowing freely from your chest where Diamante's blade had sliced you open. Your ribs pressed against each other, making it hard to breathe. And your wounds from Doflamingo's string attack had reopened, bleeding fresh.
Rebecca pulled you into her lap, flipping you upward to get a better look at all your wounds.
Then you heard it—a familiar shout cutting through the sunflower field.
"REBECCA!"
You looked up, and there, shining in the sun as if he were glowing, was your captain. He was holding Law over his shoulder.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
A/N: Thank you for reading! if you enjoy post like this check out my Masterlist. and if you want to send me a request for my next post please send me a message! If you liked this and want to support me I have a tip jar on Ko-fi.
And let me know if these parts should of been left in. I felt like they shifted to much into the show and came across more like a OC than a reader but let me know and maybe I'll post the original 15k word part 3 and 4.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
“I’m still dreaming.” He muttered to himself at this point, because Leo wasn’t real. He needed to wake up.
Leo’s hand on his shoulder felt even more real than his own. “Wait, Donnie, hang on.”
Donatello ripped himself free and dug his nails in even deeper, begging the pain to wake him up.
“Donnie please just—”
His vision twisted from his floor to his ceiling. He sat up immediately, ignoring the stinging on his cheeks as he looked around, gasping for air.
He could read the posters this time.
Just another weird nightmare. Though he easily had a guess as to why it happened as he checked the date on his phone.
“You’re not turning seventeen, Leo.” He muttered as he locked the screen. “Just me.”
Mini Episode post Trials of the Cloaking Brooch. One year and a few months after the book.
Summary: Dating a Hamato comes with their own unique problems. One of those problems includes Leo annoying twin.
A/N: I couldn't hold it back anymore! I need to start posting these Mini episodes! Here is one that is just pure fun that you don't need to finish the book to enjoy. This was inspired by this Instagram; when I saw it I immediately knew this is what Donnie would do to Leo's boyfriend.
If you like Leo x Usagi you'll like this. Baylen is pretty much another version of Usagi as he is a Rabbit Yokai but he's actually inspired from the MTG card Baylen, the Haymaker.
Master Post
Baylen checked his phone for the fifth time.
Donnie was late.
They'd agreed to meet at 2:00 PM. It was now 2:27. If there is one Baylen was it was punctual and Donnie is annoyingly late.
He dialed.
"Hey!" Donnie's voice came through, slightly breathless. "What's up?"
"Where are you?" Baylen tried to keep his voice even.
"Dude, I'm literally on the highway! I'm like ten minutes out. Traffic's insane—GET OUT OF THE WAY! Guy just cut me off! These yokai drivers are a MENACE!"
Baylen's eye twitched.
He walked to his window and looked out.
No highways. The Hidden City didn't HAVE highways. And Donnie doesn't have a normal car to be causally driving to the hidden city.
"Donnie."
"Yeah?"
"Just get here."
"I AM getting there! Ten minutes, I promise!"
Ten Minutes Later - 2:37 PM
Baylen dialed again.
The phone didn't even ring twice before Donnie picked up.
“Donatello speaking!” He spoke brightly… to brightly.
"Where are you?" Baylen said gruffly.
"What are you talking about? I'm literally at your door! I've been knocking for ten minutes! Let me in!"
Baylen stood up and walked to his front door. He yanked it open.
Empty hallway.
"Donnie, I am STANDING in the doorway," Baylen said through gritted teeth. "You are NOT here."
"Dude, we are literally making eye contact right now!"
"Oh YEAH?" Baylen's ears were starting to turn red—always a bad sign. "Then what am I doing RIGHT NOW?"
Baylen gave a thumbs up to the empty hallway.
"Thumbs up!" Donnie said immediately.
Baylen waved.
"Waving!"
Baylen flipped him off.
"Heeeey, rude!" Donnie said with mock offense.
"HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?!" Baylen clutched his phone, his grip tight enough to crack the screen. “DID YOU BUT CAMERAS IN MY APARTMENT!”
"Of course not! I know because I'm literally standing RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!"
"JUST—" Baylen took a deep breath. "JUST GET HERE!"
He slammed the door and leaned against it, trying to calm down.
He's messing with you. Obviously messing with you. Don't let him get to you.
“You good?” Leo asked from the couch were he sat typing on his phone.
Baylen's eye twitched, “I hate your brother.”
Leo gasped, “How dare you!… which one?”
“Your twin.”
“Oh yeah, that tracks,” and he turned back to his phone unbothered.
Baylen's nose started turning red with irritation.
Twenty More Minutes Later - 2:57 PM
Baylen called again.
"I can't believe you never showed up," he said flatly ears pinned to his head in annoyance.
"What are you talking about?" Donnie sounded genuinely confused. "I'm right outside! I'm leaving."
"You are NOT—"
Baylen turned to his window.
Donnie was across the street. Standing there. Waving.
Baylen jumped up, pressing his hands against the glass. "WHAT THE—WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!" His ear throwing up in surprise.
Donnie had started walking away.
"Dude, we've been hanging out for HOURS," Donnie said into the phone. "Getting deep. Real deep conversations, you know?"
"No we HAVEN'T!" Baylen was now frantic, His hands now frantically pulling at his fur.
"We've been getting SUPER deep—"
"NO WE HAVEN'T!"
"—talking about life, feelings, your complicated relationship with the Council—"
"WE DID NOT GET DEEP!"
"I mean, you cried a little—"
"I DID NOT CRY!"
"It's okay to be vulnerable—"
"WE HAVEN'T BEEN HANGING OUT!"
"I've been here all day."
Baylen was hyperventilating now. "We did NOT get deep!" His voice cracked. Was he sure? Had he somehow forgotten? No, that was impossible. Right?
"Look, I've got better things to do than hang out with you all day long," Donnie said with exaggerated exasperation.
"YOU JUST GOT HERE!" Baylen shouted.
"No, man. It's been all day.”
Suddenly, Leo jumped onto Baylen's shoulders from behind and waved at Donnie across the street.
"Bye, Donnie! Good seeing you!" Leo called cheerfully.
"DON'T SAY BYE TO HIM!" Baylen tried to shake Leo off his shoulders.
Donnie's voice came through the phone, dead serious: "I've been here all day… I've been here your entire life."
Baylen froze. "...What?"
His breathing was getting harder. His vision was getting fuzzy. Was he having a panic attack? A heart attack? His blood pressure we definitely high enough. His nose frantically twitching.
“what?” His voice now cracking losing all conviction.
Donnie waved across the street with the most evil grin Baylen had ever seen.
"Bye!"
A Yokai walked between them.
When they passed, Donnie was gone.
Completely vanished.
Baylen's eye was twitching. He was leaning against the window, one hand pressed to the glass, the other still clutching his phone squeezing so hard he could break it.
Leo was sitting on the couch behind him, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
"Why," Baylen said quietly, "why, are you both like this?"
"Like what?" Leo asked innocently.
Baylen pushed off the window turning his anger towards the sliding turtle. “This is all your FAULT! you're the one who said, ‘you need to be nicer to my brother, you should hang out with him.’ So I did! I tried! and he pulls this shit! He's EVIL Leo EVIL!”
Leo shrugged typing on his phone, “You need to chill out, Donnie can be weird but he's not evil.” A shit eating grin spread on his face, “Besides you did just spend all day getting deep, you should be closer by now.”
The rabbit's eye twitched before jumping after the turtle who immediately yipped jumping out the way. This resulted in a chase around the apartment Baylen furious, while Leo was laughing.
Across the Hidden City - Donnie Walking Away
Donnie pocketed his phone with a satisfied grin.
"Worth it," he muttered to himself. "Totally worth the hour of setup."
His phone buzzed.
Baylen: I hate you
Baylen: I hate you so much
Baylen: When I see you next I'm going to strangle you with your own staff
Baylen: Actually no. I'm going to PORTAL you into the sun. I'm learning portal magic SPECIFICALLY to portal you into the sun!
Baylen: I hope you know that Leo is also dead u r both dead to me
Baylen: I'm breaking up with Leo!
Baylen: I'm breaking up with this entire family!
Donnie cackled and typed back:
Donnie: But we had such a deep conversation earlier! You opened up so much!
Baylen: I'M BLOCKING YOU.
Donnie: No you're not.
Baylen: YOU'RE RIGHT I'M NOT BECAUSE I NEED TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH I HATE YOU.
Donnie: 😊💜
Baylen: I'M TELLING ALICE.
Donnie stopped walking.
Donnie: Wait.
Donnie: Baylen.
Donnie: Baylen no.
Donnie: BAYLEN.
Baylen: Too late. Already texted her.
Donnie: THAT'S PLAYING DIRTY.
Baylen: YOU GASLIT ME FOR AN HOUR.
Donnie: IT WAS FUNNY.
Baylen: ALICE IS GOING TO DROWN YOU IN THE HUDSON RIVER.
Donnie: She wouldn't.
In a separate chat, Alice: Donatello!!
Baylen: She absolutely would and you know it.
Donnie: Shit.
One week later
Everyone was chilling in the lair's living room. Leo and Baylen were curled up on the corner of the couch watching reels on Leo's phone. Mikey and Donnie sitting across each other playing a game of sticks. Raph sitting on the other end of the couch Alice standing behind him leaning over his shoulder watching reels aswell.
Suddenly Donnie shot upwards.
"WHAT IS HAPPENING?!" he shouted.
Everyone looked up innocently.
"What do you mean?" Raph asked.
"First it was MY COFFEE! I know one of you switched my coffee with DECAF! Then my working playlist was replaced with ELEVATOR MUSIC! Then you all tried to convince me I have been wearing the same hoodie for a WEEK! And now—" He pointed at Mikey. "—YOU just told me we had pizza last night when I KNOW we had tacos!"
"We definitely had pizza," Mikey said.
"I remember pizza," Leo confirmed.
"There are pizza boxes in the trash," Alice added.
"THOSE ARE FROM TWO NIGHTS AGO!"
"Are they though?" Baylen asked.
Donnie pulled out his phone. "I have EVIDENCE! I took a photo of my taco—" He looked at his camera roll.
A photo of pizza.
From last night.
Timestamped and everything.
"That's... that's not..." Donnie's eye was twitching. "I ATE A TACO!"
"Did you though?" Leo asked with a grin.
"YES!"
"Memory is a funny thing," Alice said. "Sometimes we remember things that didn't happen."
"Sometimes we forget things that did," Baylen added.
"STOP IT!" Donnie clutched his head. "I KNOW what I ate! I KNOW—"
"Do you though?" they all said in unison.
Donnie looked at all of them. Really looked.
Baylen was fighting back a smile.
Leo's eyes were twinkling with barely suppressed laughter.
Alice had that subtle smirk she got when she was enjoying chaos.
Even Raph and Mikey looked suspiciously amused.
"You're all in on this," Donnie said slowly. "All of you. This is coordinated."
"Coordinated what?" Leo asked innocently.
"The GASLIGHTING!"
"Donnie, no one's gaslighting you—"
"I GASLIT BAYLEN FOR AN HOUR AND NOW YOU'RE ALL GETTING REVENGE!"
Everyone paused.
Then Baylen started laughing. Full-on, genuine laughter.
Which set off Leo, then Alice, then Mikey and Raph.
"FINALLY!" Baylen said. "I thought you'd never figure it out!"
"YOU—" Donnie pointed at each of them. "You're ALL terrible people!"
"You started it!" Leo managed between laughs.
"I'm ending it!" Donnie declared. "No more pranks! No more gaslighting! We're all adults—well, mostly adults—and we should act like it!"
"Agreed," Baylen said. "Truce?"
"Truce," Donnie said firmly.
They shook hands.
But Donnie held a hand behind his back no one saw.
Two weeks later
Baylen's phone started autocorrecting everything to a medieval version.
WTF turns to, 'By the saints! What sorcery is this? I am utterly confounded by the peculiarity of this situation!'
"What the—why does my phone keep changing what I'm typing!"
From across the lair, Donnie's evil laughter echoed.
"DONATELLO!"
The prank war would never truly end.
And honestly? That's exactly how they all liked it.
If you enjoyed this and the character you can read more about them in Trials of the Cloaking Brooch, the full book is already up on Ao3! I have the rest of the chapters posting here once every day but if you can't wait read the full version on Ao3 now! Once all the Chapters are posted here the Mini episodes will follow.
Trials of the Cloaking Brooch
Master Post
A/N: Thank you for reading! if you enjoy post like this check out my Masterlist. and if you want to send me a request for my next post please send me a message!
rebloging this as all the chapter for Trials of the Cloaking Brooch has been posted here. This was a fun one to write! And you don't need to read the first book to enjoy.
Summary: For two years, you trained alongside Trafalgar Law and the Heart Pirates, always aware that your stay was temporary. However, two month before your departure, Law approached you with a request: he wanted you to convince your captain, Straw Hat Luffy, to form an alliance to take down Donquixote Doflamingo. A request that totally wasn't a excuse to spend more time with you. As you prepared to part ways, Law made a final, unexpected request, that you return to his crew once everything is over. That you'd officially become a heart pirate permanently. You left him with a tentative promise to consider it, provided you both survived the coming storm. Now, a month has passed since you last seen Law and a week since you rejoined the Straw Hats. With the alliance forged and Law currently aboard the Thousand Sunny, the journey toward Dressrosa is underway. Yet, as Law observes the chaotic, unbreakable bond you share with your true crew, he is beginning to realize just how slim his chances of winning you back to his crew actually are.
Trafalgar Law x gn!reader
Word count: 7,543
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Deleted Scenes
A/N: OK WOW I GET IT! You all are lucky I am currently out of a job and have nothing better to do than write and I already had a good part of this written. But seriously thank you all for all the attention part one of this has gotten! And thank you all who commented encouraging me to write this part! I hope you all like this part! Happy good Friday or Easter or whatever holiday it is here your gift.
Side note I tried to keep things gender neutral but I do have some slight flirty and protective Sanji. It is very slight tho.
You sat next to Law on the bench of the Thousand Sunny, a gigantic smile plastered across your face as your crew surrounded him with an endless barrage of questions. Luffy sat on the other side of the bench with a blissfully ignorant grin, completely unbothered by the chaos erupting around him.
The first part of the plan had been a success—albeit with considerably more complications than Law would have preferred. But it had worked. Luffy had happily agreed to the alliance. Caesar had been properly kidnapped. And now you were on your way to Dressrosa.
Everything was falling into place, and you couldn't resist savoring Law's growing irritation.
He was explaining something about his strategy, something important, no doubt, when his eye began twitching. The telltale pinch appeared between his brows, deepening with each question your crew threw at him. You bit the inside of your cheek to suppress your laughter, but it bubbled up anyway.
Law's head snapped toward you at the noise in annoyance. "Y/N, did you not inform them of anything?"
You smiled, that particular smile that said you'd done exactly what he suspected. "No. That would ruin the surprise.”
The entire crew erupted in shouts of outrage and confusion, and suddenly all eyes shifted to you instead of your much-harassed ally captain.
Sanji stepped forward first, his expression hardening slightly. "Hold on. You know this creep?"
You shrugged with exaggerated casualness. "Well, duh. I joined his crew for the two years we were separated."
More shocked shouts tang through the air, and you snickered at the chorus of "What?!"
"I thought you were hanging out with that polar bear guy?" Usopp asked, his brow furrowed as he tried to place the memory. "At Sabaody? Didn't he help you carry your treasure from that island?"
"That would be Bepo," you confirmed.
"My first mate," Law added with a gruff tone that somehow managed to sound both annoyed and proud.
"Right, I thought you would've recognized him from Traffy's wanted poster. And he was at Sabaody with Traffy."
Law's nose twitched involuntarily. "I told you to stop calling me that."
You grabbed your bottom eyelids and pulled it down while sticking your tongue out at him, "That deal was only for when you were my captain."
Luffy jumped up suddenly, apparently catching onto the implication. "Hey—wait! I thought I was your captain!"
You laughed, the sound bright and unbothered. "Yes, Luffy. You'll always be my captain first."
Law's eye twitched slightly at that.
Sanji's protective instinct flared to life immediately, his eyes narrowing as he looked between you and the grumpy pirate captain. "So for the past two years you've been running around with another crew? With this creep?" His voice carried an edge of genuine concern beneath the aggression. "His crew is all men. Tell me they didn't—"
"Chill, Sanji," you interrupted. "I didn't join any public fights so the Marines wouldn't find out. And the Heart Pirates aren't pervs. Unlike you.” You muttered the last part under your breath.
Sanji still glared at Law, and Law matched the intensity with an equally protective glare of his own.
Zoro laughed from his corner, breaking the tension slightly. "So is this the bozo who taught you that crappy swordsman form?"
“Crappy?” Law repeated with a grumble as his hand moved to his sword with obvious irritation, but you quickly grabbed his arm. You felt him relax under your touch—muscle memory from two years of you being the only one who could talk him down from unnecessary conflict.
"So this plan of Traffy's," Robin said thoughtfully, "you support it entirely?"
"It's more my plan than his at this point," you said with a smirk.
Law's nose twitched again, and an irritated rumble escaped his throat as he shot you a glare. The glare said we planned this together, but you just smiled innocently back at him.
Robin nodded, clearly pleased by the answer in a way that went deeper than your words. "That's reassuring."
Nami crossed her arms, a stubborn set to her jaw. "Well, if Y/N vouches for him, then I'm on board."
"Are you kidding me?!" Usopp threw his hands up at Nami, clearly exasperated. "He wants us to fight a Warlord! That's insane! And now you're on board just because Y/N likes him?"
"Actually, the final target is Kaido," Law corrected flatly.
Usopp's hands dropped. His eyes went wide. Very, very wide. "Kaido. The King of the Beasts."
"What?!" The shout came from multiple crew members simultaneously.
"Okay, I take it back," Nami said immediately, her eyes equally wide as she waved her hands in x positions, "I'm not on board. Y/N has clearly lost their mind. That creep must have manipulated them somehow!"
Law's teeth audibly ground together at the accusation, a low growl rumbling in his chest that would have been threatening if it hadn't been so defensive over the accusation.
Luffy, oblivious to the tension, started slapping Law on the back with his characteristic enthusiasm. "Aw, come on, guys! Traffy ain't bad! He's a friend! And we're gonna kick some butt together."
You leaned back, deciding the moment had come to deploy the heavy artillery. "You all should be a little kinder to him," you said carefully, watching brows pinch in confusion. "He's the only reason Luffy is alive right now."
The words hit like a punch. The crew stilled.
Luffy grinned wider, apparently finding this a perfect moment to demonstrate. "Yeah! Traffy was the one who gave me this cool scar." He puffed out his chest, showing the giant X scar—the wound that should have killed him, the one Law had sutured back together with impossible precision.
The crew froze, staring at the scar, then back at Law, then at you. Something shifted in their expressions; recognition, maybe, of just how much this captain had done to keep Luffy alive.
Usopp, Nami, and Chopper huddled together, muttering to each other in tones too low to hear. After a moment, Usopp turned back around and clapped his hands together. "Okay. We're in."
You let out a sharp laugh. "As if that was going to change anything."
The rest of the crew nodded in agreement, and Sanji let out a breath of smoke. "You all should know better than to think once Luffy decides on something there's any turning back." He gestured toward the stairs. "Now, who wants lunch?"
Everyone jumped up in excitement, rushing toward the kitchen with the kind of energy that only the promise of Sanji's cooking could inspire.
Law's jaw dropped in absolute horror. "But we haven't finished discussing the plan.”
You laughed at his shocked expression, the sound bright enough to cut through the noise of the departing crew.
"Why did you let me go through with this?" he grumbled, leaning slightly closer. "You could have warned me they'd be this chaotic then I would never done this stupid alliance."
"It was your idea to form the alliance," you shrugged, though your smile held a knowing look. "I just supported it. Besides, I did warn you about how they are. You just didn't listen."
He frowned slightly. "I thought they would at least be sensible. Like you."
You shoved your shoulder into his gently, feeling the familiar warmth of being close to him after a month apart. "Aw, that sounded like a compliment, Traffy."
His lips twitched upward, almost forming a smile before he caught himself and forced his expression back into disapproval. "Will you stop calling me that?"
"Nope," you said cheerfully. "You need to get used to it because Luffy isn't going to stop, and neither is the rest of this crew."
He hung his head, defeated. "Only you would come from this insufferable crew."
You got up, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the stairs. "You'll learn to love them. Now let's go eat. You're going to love Sanji's cooking."
Law allowed himself to be dragged along as you held him by the elbow.
You opened the kitchen door with a large smile, and the crew immediately noticed the contrast between your obvious joy and Law's forced pout. Though Law couldn't quite hide the slight smirk he was fighting, the one that crept up when he thought no one was looking.
It had been a month since he'd last seen you. A month of your infectious energy being absent from his life. He'd missed it more than he wanted to admit.
You shoved Law onto the bench next to Robin before bouncing off toward Sanji.
Robin gave Law a knowing smirk as he watched you move with that particular lightness.
"Y/N is sure happy to see you," Robin observed quietly.
"Well, It's been over a month since we saw each other." Law replied, though his eyes never left you as you enthusiastically told something to Sanji. The cook's expression softened as he listened, and he nodded, already mentally adjusting his cooking plans.
You bounced back, sliding onto the bench beside Law—perhaps a touch closer than strictly necessary. "I told Sanji about your gluten allergy, so you don't have to worry about that."
"Thanks, Y/N," he said, and the warmth in his voice was genuine.
"So how did you two meet anyway?" Usopp asked, his tone carrying a slightly sharper edge than usual.
You launched into the story; the island inside the Calm Belt, the overly kind villagers, the Marines trying to enslave them for gold. As you spoke, Law watched the crew's reactions shift. When you got to the part about putting on a show with berries and smoke to scare the Marines away, he saw Luffy's eyes light up with admiration.
"That's a very specific lie," Robin noted, tilting her head with interest.
Your breath hitched—just slightly, just enough for Law to notice. He'd spent two years learning to read the micro-expressions of your tells. "Yeah, well, it was all I could think of and it worked," you recovered smoothly. Then you pointed at Law. "This guy, however, heard the rumors of a plague and decided to lend his aid as a doctor."
Chopper sat up immediately, his eyes sparkling with childish admiration. "That's very kind of you!"
Law actually pouted at the compliment. "But there wasn't a plague. Just Y/N running amuck."
The crew laughed, but Sanji's gaze lingered on Law with that protective scrutiny. Law met it head-on, refusing to look away.
"So you just thought, 'Hey, let me join the surgeon of death and not think about how someone gets a moniker like that'?" Usopp asked, clearly still suspicious.
Law smirked dangerously. "If you'd like, I can show you how I earned that title." He held his hand up threateningly, and a Room flickered to life around his fingers.
Usopp yelped and jumped backward.
"He's joking," you insisted quickly, grabbing Law's wrist and lowering his hand. You felt him relax at your touch, the Room dissipating immediately.
But Law kept a playful glare on the sniper. "Sure. Joking," he said sarcastically, the corner of his mouth twitching with amusement he was barely suppressing.
Usopp yipped and ran to Luffy's side, who was busy laughing at the whole exchange. "You're a funny guy, Traffy."
Law scowled deeply. "That is not my name."
Luffy just continued laughing, completely unbothered by the correction.
Sanji appeared moments later with a large tray of sandwiches, setting it in the center of the table before placing a special plate in front of Law, perfectly prepared rice balls with none of the ingredients he couldn't have. Law gave a small nod of appreciation, but Sanji just scoffed looking at the small distance between you and him.
The crew erupted into chaos as they dived for food, each person trying to grab as much as possible before Luffy, the human vacuum, consumed everything. Law quickly pulled his plate away from the melee as you leaned over him, reaching for your own food.
Law looked in absolute horror at Luffy, who was shoving food into his mouth like a machine with no off switch. He leaned toward you, lowering his voice so only you could hear. "This is the captain you owe everything to?"
You smiled fondly, watching Luffy with obvious affection. "Yup."
Law sighed in disappointment. This wild child with no concept of structure or order. This man with rubber powers and the attention span of a goldfish. This was who you preferred. This was who you'd chosen.
You shoved him slightly, reading the disappointment in his expression. "Just wait. You'll see why soon enough."
Law looked around the table at the chaotic collection of misfits; the giant cyborg with neon blue hair, the literal skeleton who somehow still ate, the childish captain with his vast dreams, the cat burglar with the sharp eye for treasure, the stoic archaeologist with secrets in her gaze, the aggressive moss-head swordsman, the perverted chef with his protective streak, the raccoon doctor who was too innocent for this crew, and the guest samurai with his son.
Each of them carried a chaotic energy similar to yours but amplified to extremes he couldn't quite comprehend. While Law had grown—against his better judgment—to enjoy your energy, multiplying it by ten felt like standing in the eye of a hurricane.
The table quickly dissolved into laughter and overlapping conversations as the crew shared stories from the two years they'd been apart. They recounted their adventures with the kind of easy affection that came from genuine trust and love. And as the conversation continued, Law began to understand something he'd been resisting.
Your smile was brighter here. Your laughter came easier. Your energy matched theirs in a way that it never quite matched with his crew, no matter how hard you'd tried.
Law tried to ignore the ping of jealousy in his chest as he slouched in his seat, eating quietly, watching you be exactly where you belonged.
"Y/N?" Robin's voice cut through the noise, and your head snapped toward her with interest. "Do you and Traffy happen to be related?"
You froze mid-bite, and Law's eyes went wide.
"What? No," you said, recovering quickly. "Why would you think that?"
Robin gestured between you both, and Law realized with a sinking feeling that you were holding nearly identical poses, both carefully eating with your right hands, both leaning back slightly at the same angle.
"I've noticed quite a few similar mannerisms between the two of you. You also have similar accents, similar skin tones, and some of the same slang."
You slowly lowered your sandwich and straightened your form, creating deliberate distance from the pose. "No, Robin. We're not related," you said firmly, with no room for argument.
"Then do you think you're from the same island?" Robin pressed gently.
You put on a relaxed expression that didn't quite reach your eyes. "I mean, we're both from the North Blue."
"You're from the North Blue?" Sanji perked up, processing this new information. "Really?"
Robin tilted her head thoughtfully. "That's right. You're from the North Blue too, aren't you, Sanji?"
"I thought you were from the East," Sanji said, his brow furrowing as he tried to place the pieces.
"I moved to the East when I was eighteen." you said, shrugging as if it was inconsequential. But Law could see the tension in your shoulders, the way your jaw clenched slightly.
"Anyway, you don't seem to share mannerisms with Sanji, but you do with Trafalgar," Robin continued, her tone curious rather than accusatory. "I'm not judging just curious. Similar background, perhaps? Same region, at least?"
You slammed your hand on the table "Just drop it, Robin," you said, your voice sharper than you'd intended. Shame flushed across your face as everyone looked at you. "Sorry. I just... I don't want to talk about this."
Law felt something twist in his chest watching you retreat into yourself.
"Wait, Y/N," he called, but you were already standing, already moving away from the table.
"What was that about?" Luffy asked, his expression confused in that innocent way only he could manage.
Law sighed heavily, hanging his head before making a decision. "Yes, we're from the same island," he admitted quietly. The words felt heavy, weighted with all the history they carried.
All brows raised. The crew knew little of your past beyond finding you in the East Blue, performing magic shows and disappearing into the crowd. They knew you were skilled at sleight of hand and tricks, that you could vanish into thin air. But they didn't know why. Never cared to ask.
"What island is that?" Brook asked with genuine curiosity.
Law stood up slowly, "I'm not going to discuss Y/N's past without their permission," he said firmly. "But our home doesn't have the best memories. If they want to tell you, they will."
He walked toward the door without another word.
"That was odd," Zoro commented, and the others nodded in agreement.
"Who cares what island they're from," Luffy said through a mouthful of food. "They're with us now."
Sanji nodded, understanding in his eyes. "Agreed.” He knows what it's like to not want to share your past, they all do.
The rest of the crew also nodded, the past never mattered to them, all that matters is the future.
They all turned back to their meals, the moment already fading in the way that only happened with people who truly accepted each other.
Law stepped out into the salty air and scanned the deck. It took him only moments to spot you, you'd climbed up to the main mast, sitting on the beam where you could see the horizon stretching endlessly before you.
Law summoned a Room and blipped to stand beside you, appearing without warning.
You didn't startle. After two years, you'd learned to sense when he was using his powers. Your eyes opened slowly, taking in his presence with a tired expression.
"You alright?" he asked, lowering himself to sit beside you on the wooden beam. He was careful not to sit too close, giving you space while remaining present.
You nodded slowly. "Yeah. I'm fine. I just didn't realize how similar we are. Or at how much stronger my accent became after talking with someone from my home.”
Law snorted softly. "Neither did I, but I suppose it's obvious if you know what you're looking for."
"Robin is perceptive. Too perceptive, sometimes. But she means well." you said, "She's good about respecting boundaries once you set them, though. I just... I wasn't ready for those questions."
"I hope you don't mind that I told them we're from the same island," Law said carefully. "I didn't tell them it was Flevance."
You shrugged, "I don't mind. I trust them, and they should know. They will understand, especially Robin…” you curled inward pulling your knees to your chest, “she also lost her entire island when she was young due to a buster call.”
Law's eyes widened at the information glancing down at the kitchen door where she remained.
“I've been actually meaning to tell her just haven't found the right time. I don't know why I freaked out." You paused. "It just felt like acknowledging something I've been trying to avoid to admit to anyone else."
"That we're connected?" Law offered quietly.
"That there are only two of us left," you corrected, your voice barely above a whisper.
Law placed a hand on your shoulder, and you lifted your head to meet his gaze with a small smile. The touch was familiar, easy—two years of reaching out to each other had made it second nature.
"I'm glad to see you again," you said, your tone light and genuine.
And Law couldn't help but smile in return. "Same here."
He leaned back slightly and looking out at the vast sea stretching before you both. "How's the crew? My crew, I mean?"
You looked out at the water, your expression fond as you began to recount the past month. "They're great, we mostly kept out of trouble the past month just traveling to different islands while we waited, it's a lot easier to travel when your captain is a warlord.” You laughed slightly, “Bepo is beyond worried taking both Sachi and Penguin to keep him from turning back to punk hazard."
You looked longingly at the sea, "They should be at Zou by now. They dropped me off at Sabaody only last week. Since then I've fought a Army at Fishman Island, befriended a giant princess who holds the ancient weapon Poseidon, and..." You laughed, almost in disbelief at your own words. "Luffy declared war with Big Mom."
Law's eyes widened in alarm. "I'm sorry—did you say declare war with Big Mom?"
You chuckled at his reaction. "Yeah. Luffy ate all her candy and claimed Fishman Island as his territory."
Law grabbed his hair, looking genuinely distressed. "That idiot!"
"It'll be fine," you assured him. "Luffy will handle it."
"I don't understand how you trust him with anything," Law said, though the words lacked heat.
"It's best not to think too hard about it," you said with a smile. "He has a good heart and is insanely determined. When he sets his mind on something, there's no stopping him. It doesn't always make sense, but it works."
"You really love this crew," Law noted, and there was something vulnerable in his voice.
"I never made it a secret," you said gently. "I've been very vocal about how much I love them."
Law hung his head, and when he spoke, his voice was quiet and careful. "So my chances of getting you to officially join my crew are slim, then."
You sucked your teeth, listening to the sounds of your crew laughing as they left the kitchen below. The weight of the question settled over you both like fog.
"Law, this was always the plan," you said softly but refused to look at him. You could already hear this the disappointment in his breath.
"You knew this from the beginning."
You sighed and stood up, grabbing the rope that cascaded down to the ship.
You paused, your hand on the line, but still couldn't quite bring yourself to look at him. "I'm sorry, Law." And then, more quietly, "Looks like we have a new deadline."
Before he could respond, you descended quickly, using the rope with practiced ease.
Sanji greeted you at the bottom with the leftover sandwich you left behind, his expression warm and protective. You smiled brightly, accepting the sandwich.
The two of you descended into an easy conversation with new found knowledge of your shared history growing up in the North Blue, sharing stories that made him laugh.
Law watched from above, his hands gripping the mast. He watched the way Sanji's hand stayed on your shoulder. He watched the way you leaned into his presence. He watched the way your smile never wavered, bright and beautiful and belonging to someone else's crew.
Once again, his request for you to stay had been declined.
Law stayed on the mast long after you'd disappeared inside, watching the endless stretch of ocean and wondering how long it would take before he accepted that some things were never meant to be kept.
Night fell, and the Thousand Sunny transformed.
The crew had migrated to the deck, and the atmosphere had shifted from the structured chaos of dinner to something more genuinely celebratory. Lanterns had been strung up overhead, casting a warm glow across the grass that covered the deck. Someone had dragged out cushions and blankets. The energy was lighter, freer; the kind of ease that only came from people who truly belonged with each other.
Luffy bounded over to you with the brightest smile, his rubber arms already stretched out. "Y/N! Can you please do a magic show!"
You returned his smile without hesitation, your entire face lighting up. "Of course! Usopp made me some new smoke bombs and sparklers I want to try."
"Everyone! Y/N is doing a magic show!" Luffy announced at maximum volume, and the crew cheered at idea.
You disappeared for a moment while everyone settled comfortably on the grassy floor in a loose semi-circle in front the front wall. Law remained on the bench beneath the main mast, on the opposite side of the deck. It was a bit of a distance like his usual spot for your shows. He told himself it was the best vantage point. He told himself he preferred the distance.
The truth was more complicated.
With the crackle of sparklers and a cloud of smoke that seemed to come from nowhere, you appeared.
Everything about you had changed.
The top hat you'd somehow acquired sat perfectly on your head, cocked at an angle that screamed showmanship. Your outfit was a sparkly suit that clung to your form, all sequins and shine and theatrical flair. On the Polar Tang, you'd worn the same practical boiler suits as everyone else. Law had insisted on it. It kept you unremarkable to any Marines who might catch sight of the crew. Made sure no one suspected you to be a Straw Hat. It kept you safe.
But on the Thousand Sunny, you were allowed to be brilliant.
You snapped your fingers and a spotlight illuminated the deck, the rest of the world falling away into darkness beyond its radius. You stood in the center of it all, and Law felt something in his chest clench.
The show began, and you moved through your tricks with a fluidity that came from genuine joy. Your smile never wavered, it was the brightest thing on the entire ship, brighter than the lanterns, brighter than the spotlight.
Luffy kept jumping up, requesting particular tricks and begging to volunteer. But you never selected him, you typically chose Usopp, who was clearly in on all the tricks and wouldn't accidentally destroy the entire performance the way Luffy inevitably would. Of chopper who's childish wonder is easier to fool.
Law's brows pinched slightly. His crew loved your shows. They did. But they were respectful. They raised their hands to volunteer. They applauded politely at the end of each trick. They could be chaotic as well, particularly when Bepo got favored or when a particular tricks shocked them.
The Straw Hats were different.
They were practically part of the show themselves, jumping around, calling out encouragement, creating chaos that you somehow incorporated into your performance with ease. When you asked for a volunteer, they all practically fell over each other to be selected. Usopp would wrestle Luffy back, Chopper would squeak in excitement, even Robin's usual composure cracked into genuine delight.
And you adjusted to every single disruption with the brightest smile, incorporating their chaos into your act as if it had always been part of the plan.
Somehow, as the night deepened and drinks began flowing, the magic show transformed into something larger. The finale came and went, but instead of ending, the energy simply shifted. Someone brought out instruments. Brook appeared with his guitar and violin, launching into a melody that somehow managed to be both melancholy and joyful. Franky brought speakers out from inside the ship and added a steady bass that thrummed through the deck.
The deck became a dance floor.
You held Chopper's small paws as you swung around in lazy circles, the raccoon doctor laughing. Luffy and Usopp was attempting to teach the samurai's son Momo some ridiculous dance move that involved far too much flailing. Nami and Robin were trading sake between sips, their laughter musical and easy. Zoro and Sanji were bickering over something stupid.
Law watched from his bench, his distance suddenly feeling very intentional.
The ping of jealousy that had been present all evening sharpened into something more painful. Because it wasn't just envy of being left out—it was the full, crushing realization that he would never be part of this. That his ship, no matter how capable, could never offer you this. This freedom. This lightness. This belonging.
You bounced over to him suddenly, your energy almost tangible. Your smile was radiant, infectious, "Traffy! Come dance!"
You held your hand out to him, and Law felt the warmth and ecstatic energy radiating off you. It was as if you were your own ray of sunshine, lighting up everything around you. Everything in his body loosen and he couldn't help but catch your infectious smile. He reached to take your hand.
But then he stopped, his hand hovering halfway between you.
He looked over at the crew, at Sanji's easy confidence, at Zoro's drunken grin, at Luffy's obvious adoration. He looked back at you, at the way you fit into their world so perfectly that it made his chest hurt.
And he lowered his hand.
"No, I—" He tried to keep his voice steady, but he could see the exact moment your radiant face fell, could feel the shift in your expression like a physical blow. "I'm going to turn in for the night."
He stood up and walked past you without looking back.
He didn't know where he was actually going, but he needed to be anywhere else. Anywhere that wasn't here, watching you be happy in a way that had nothing to do with him.
"Law, wait. What's wrong?" Your voice came from behind him, confused and hurt. He felt your arm reaching toward him, felt you take a step to follow.
His jaw clenched. He didn't turn around. Instead, he summoned a Room with a sharp gesture and vanished.
You were left reaching out into empty air, your hand closing on nothing but the space where he'd been standing moments before.
Your chest tightened with a mixture of concern and rejection. You wanted to chase after him, to demand answers from the grumpy captain, but a rubbery arm wrapped around your waist.
Before you could protest, you were pulled back into the heart of the party. Zoro immediately materialized at your other side, tapping a fresh bottle of sake on your arm. You were surrounded by your crew's smiles, their easy affection, their obvious care.
"Where did you go?" Luffy asked, finally releasing his hold on you as he watched your expression.
You turned back toward the space Law had occupied, your gaze lingering. "I just wanted to see if Law would dance," you admitted quietly.
Sanji appeared at your other side, his expression shifting into something more flirtatious, more intentional. "You can always dance with me," he offered, extending his hand in a way that was far too smooth.
You rolled your eyes, "I would rather get Zoro to dance before I danced with you." shoved Zoro as you grabbed the bottle from his hold, who laughed at your obvious deflection.
Sanji's hand retreated in offense, his voice rising dramatically. "That moss head?!"
"Just accept it, curly brow. No one wants to dance with you," Zoro shot back, taking a swig from his own drink.
The playful argument escalated exactly as you'd predicted, and you used the opportunity to drift toward Nami and Robin, who were watching the interaction with knowing smirks.
"Where did Traffy go?" Robin asked carefully.
You shrugged, trying your best to hide the hurt that was sitting uncomfortably in your chest. "Said he was tired. Probably ended up in the lounge." You said it casually, as if your brief moment of rejection hadn't stung.
But the two women noticed. Of course they noticed.
Nami wrapped an arm around you and smoothly stole your bottle of sake, taking a deliberate sip. "Well, good riddance," she said playfully. "He's kind of a buzz kill anyway. Come on, let's dance. Don't worry about him."
You snatched your bottle back with a smile that took effort, watching the sake slosh slightly. "Alright. Let's dance." You laughed, chugging the rest of the bottle in one go before Nami could steal the rest. Before you could think too hard about the grumpy captain. Before you could dwell on what had made him pull away.
Before you could wonder if you'd done something wrong.
Law sat on the impossibly large couch in the ship's lounge, positioned directly beneath an enormous fish tank. The tank was filled with creatures of various sizes, some graceful, some strange, some far to large.
He stared up at them with a mixture of amazement and something that might have been envy.
The Thousand Sunny's lounge was nothing like the Polar Tang. His ship was small and cramped, with metal walls and utilitarian portholes. Everything served a function. Everything was compact, efficient, necessary.
This lounge was grand. The wood was warm and richly stained, crafted with the kind of care that spoke to actual artistry rather than mere construction. Natural light filtered through large windows during the day; something Law's submarine couldn't offer.
The entire ship was like this. The furniture was comfortable, lived-in. Books and maps were scattered in organized chaos. There were paintings on the walls and plants in corners and little touches of personality everywhere.
It was as bright as you. As colorful as the rest of your crew.
And suddenly, Law realized what had truly been bothering him all evening. It wasn't that his ship was inferior. It was that his ship was incapable of offering you what this one did.
You needed this. You needed the sunlight and the open air. You needed a crew that was so inherently chaotic that your own chaotic energy fit in perfectly rather than having to be tempered and controlled.
And he—
The sound of voices for outside cut through his spiral of thoughts. They grew louder, more jubilant.
And then they started singing.
"Yo ho ho ho, yo ho ho—"
It was Bink's Brew. The crew was singing at full volume, the kind of unrestrained joy that only happened when people were truly together. He could pick out individual voices—Luffy's off-key but enthusiastic rendition, Robin's surprisingly melodic tone, Brook's theatrical performance.
And then he heard you.
He'd only ever heard you hum before. Your singing voice was something he'd caught in rare moments, humming while you did chores, a soft melody while you practiced your tricks on deck. But now, surrounded by your crew, your voice was loud and full of uncontainable joy. It soared above theirs, bright and genuine and so painfully alive.
Law felt something break in his chest.
His breath hitched. His hands gripped the edge of the couch. Because he understood, in that moment with absolute clarity, that even if you did choose him after all of this—even if somehow, impossibly, you decided to stay with the Heart Pirates instead of returning to the Straw Hats. He couldn't take you away from this. He couldn't ask it of you.
And more importantly: you wouldn't choose him.
Over the past two years Law found you to be the only person to fully understand him. The only person who could relate to his experiences and not judge. The only person who could make him smile even on the days where he thinks nothing can bring him joy. The only person who he feel comfortable enough to share everything with, even feeling he hides from everyone else.
But you… you didn't need him. If you needed someone to relate to watching your entire island burn you can turn to Robin. If you wanted to share stories about the North blue you can go to Sanji. If you find a day you can't smile you can go to Luffy. If you need protection you can go to Zoro. Even if you needed a doctor you have chopper here.
And then there was the things he couldn't provide; if you needed someone to relate to stealing to survive you can go to the cat burglar Nami. If you want to talk about your magic tricks you can go to Usopp. If you needed musical enjoyment you had Brook. If you needed something made with pure craftsmanship and care you had Franky.
He laid down on the couch, facing the back cushion, and let the singing wash over him. The sound of your joy was a thing he could never create. Your crew gave you something his never could, no matter how hard he tried, no matter how much he cared.
His thoughts roamed in circles. His chest felt tight. And somewhere in the darkness, he fought back tears he refused to acknowledge.
Morning came too soon.
The Thousand Sunny docked at Dressrosa, and Law emerged from the lounge with a hardened expression. Today was the day. Everything he'd worked toward, everything he'd sacrificed, came down to this.
Today he would take down Doflamingo.
Today he would get his revenge for the hero who'd tried to teach him to love. For the man he'd failed to save. For all the suffering that single person had caused.
Today, he would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Even if he didn't survive this plan, as long as Straw Hat destroyed the factory, as long as Caesar was neutralized, Law would have won. Even in death.
Because what reason did he have to fight for his own life. What reason did he have if the deal you made with him was never going to happen.
He followed the sound of cheerful noise toward the kitchen, his resolve hardening with each step.
When he opened the door, he was hit with the sweetest smell, butter, sugar, and vanilla.
Hootenannies.
His expression softened involuntarily.
You were at the stove, holding a pan with practiced ease while Sanji stood beside you, methodically cutting up fresh berries. The morning light caught your profile as you turned, sensing his presence before he'd even fully entered the kitchen.
You gave him that infectious smile, the same one you always gave, like his presence was something that genuinely delighted you. "Traffy! You're up!"
You set the pan down, which Sanji immediately shifted to take hold of, and grabbed a plate you'd clearly prepared in advance and set aside—far away from any gluten contamination. You held it over the bar for him to take.
Law moved slowly, accepting the plate from your hands. He looked down at the cakes, noting that they were crisper than the ones you'd made months ago on the Polar Tang. These were perfectly decorated with berries and fresh cream, each one arranged with obvious care.
"Sanji helped make them," you explained, leaning slightly closer as if sharing a secret. "So they're way better than the ones I made on my own. He also says he added something to help with stamina or something." You giggled, and the sound was so purely you that something in Law's chest shifted. "I think he's started getting into witchcraft or something, because his food really does give some kind of weird energy boost."
Law continued to stare at the cakes, his entire resolve from the morning—the hardened determination to potentially die for his vengeance—completely dissolving in the face of your simple kindness.
You turned back to the stove and hip-checked Sanji out of the way with easy familiarity, clearly catching him trying to add something to the current batch. The two of you bickered in low tones, but your voices were barely audible over the chaos of the rest of the crew, their excited chatter, their obvious anticipation for breakfast, their joy.
Law decided to sit at the bar facing the kitchen, positioning himself away from the immediate noise. He cut a small piece of cake with careful precision and brought it to his mouth.
The moment it touched his tongue, he felt like he was in heaven.
The cake melted. The flavors were complex, exactly as he remembered them from his childhood in Flevance. Vanilla and something subtly spiced, the berries bright and tart against the sweetness. And beneath it all, something he couldn't quite identify but that made him feel inexplicably energized.
"If I had known you and Y/N were from the same island, I would have made these yesterday." Sanji's voice came from above him.
Law looked up. The cook was leaning on the other side of the bar, his expression lighter than it had been since Law arrived. He turned to look for you and found you engaged in what appeared to be a gentle wrestling match with Luffy, trying to hand him a fresh plate of cakes while he attempted to steal directly from the pan.
When Law turned back, Sanji was studying him with an expression that was less protective and more... curious. "Now that I have a second opinion, do you think the recipe is accurate to the original?"
Law blinked, genuinely surprised by the shift in tone. Sanji had been protective bordering on hostile since the moment Law had stepped aboard. But discussing food seemed to open something in the cook.
Law nodded slowly. "These are exactly how I remember them."
Sanji's smile widened, and he straightened with obvious satisfaction. "Glad to hear. Make sure to eat it all. You're going to need the strength."
Then he was gone, striding across the galley to deliver a strong hit to Luffy's head for trying to steal from you. You looked smugly satisfied as your captain recoiled, holding his throbbing skull, and you stuck your tongue out at him.
Law turned back to his plate and continued to eat carefully, savoring every bite. He took his time, letting each flavor settle on his tongue. If this was his last meal and given what today held, it very well might be, he was grateful it was something so close to home. Something that tasted like memory and care.
The crew gathered outside the ship as Law recounted the plan. The three teams were laid out with military precision: the Caesar trade-off team, the factory-destroying team, the Sunny security team.
You had your arms crossed in an obvious pout, frustration radiating from you in waves. "I don't understand why I have to be on the Sunny security team."
"Because if something goes wrong, you have Bepo's Vivre Card, which will lead you to Zou," Law explained for the third time, his patience wearing thin as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"It's not like I know how to use it anyway," you shot back. "And I already gave it to Nami to use. Why can't I just join your team?"
Law's eye twitched. Because he was deliberately placing you on the Sunny for your protection. Because the thought of you in direct combat with Doflamingo made his chest feel like it was being crushed into the ground. Because—
"Because that's not the plan," he said firmly.
Your arms threw up in exasperation. "Since when was that the plan? It's starting to feel like you don't even remember the plan. Since when did the plan involve you talking to Doflamingo alone. Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
"Will you just listen to me!" Law snapped, his voice carrying more aggression than he'd intended. He heard the sharp intake of breath from the crew around you. He watched protective postures shift, saw hands move to weapons, saw Sanji's expression harden.
You huffed and crossed your arms tighter, your expression shuttering. "Whatever."
Law felt a grumble building in his chest. He recognized that look. He'd learned over two years to read it perfectly. You were thinking of more arguments, more ways to push back, more reasons why his decision was wrong.
He huffed and turned around knowing if he started a argument he may have a entire crew of pirates after him and you may piece together his true reasoning. He starting speaking to Robin who had questions about her role.
You were trying to think through the reasons Law would have to change the plan, but then Sanji's head turned sharply toward the town in the distance. His body went rigid. Some internal mechanism had clearly activated, overriding his desire to stay.
Sanji started moving toward town with the kind of determination that suggested he had no control over it.
You immediately noticed. Your pout deepened as you realized he was part of Team Sunny too. "Where are you going?" you called.
Sanji didn't respond, already halfway down the path. You cursed under your breath and took off after him, your footsteps quick and frustrated.
And naturally, the factory-destroying team followed, clearly ready to explore the new island.
Law turned back around to find himself staring at an empty beach. The Sunny security team had been reduced to approximately three crew member and Momo, the factory destroying team vanished, and you were already gone, your frustration propelling you into whatever adventure Sanji was about to stumble into.
He let out a loud groan of annoyance, his carefully laid plans already crumbling before the actual operation had even begun.
<<First | Next>
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Deleted Scenes
A/N: Thank you for reading! if you enjoy post like this check out my Masterlist. and if you want to send me a request for my next post please send me a message! If you liked this and want to support me I have a tip jar on Ko-fi.
So remember that thing I said about being jobless well my husband suggested I make a Ko-fi and suggested I posted this there. However I'm not quite sure how that fully works yet so if you want to support me I have a tip jar on Ko-fi. And maybe one day I'll figure out how to use it past that.
Also as you can tell this story does have room for a part three and I may have started writing it but I don't know if anyone will want to read that. Seeing how 1. the following events are Dressrosa. 2. My third parts typically result in really bad ansgt, take my work pages of promise for example:
Pages of Promise
Part 1 | Part 2 | Sad Ending | Bittersweet Ending
But let me know anyways if you would like a part three and four as well and let me know what should be the choice should be in the end!
Summary: Two months after her miraculous return, Alice is learning that living underground with four mutant turtles and a rat is… an experience. She's currently on a 'Goldilocks' adventure trying to find a place that’s actually 'just right.' and far away from her new stinky brothers.
Tag: ROTTMNT, Fun and silly,
WC: 6292
A/N: Sorry to anyone who just followed me and was looking for part 2 of Deadlines, that will be coming out later this week. But here is the first Mini episode for post Trials of the Cloaking Brooch! Again I have written close to 30 of these because they are mostly fun one off short stories. I'll start putting polls up for the next one to come out since the order doesn't really matter for these... mostly. This one is a good first EP to show where the characters are. I hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed writing.
2 Months post return
To the rest of the world Alice Stanton is dead, all her records say she died in a ‘terrible earth quack’ that destroyed her home over a year ago. This has it upside and downsides, on the upside she is freed from her father, she is no longer sought after, she is no longer in danger. The down side she doesn’t exist, she cut off from her trust fund, and worst of all her PHD is voided.
It’s been two months since Alice has miraculously rejoined the world after being trapped in a cuff for a year in order to repair her soul. It’s been a slow two months, the first two weeks she was only able to return for a few hours a day before she needed to return to the cuff and resume her healing. Then she was able to stretch it out for longer only needing to the cuff at night. But two weeks ago her soul has fully healed.
And those past two weeks hasn’t be less then hell for Alice. Not because she isn’t glad to be back, and not because the turtles aren’t beyond happy to have Alice back especially Leo. The problem starts with the fact that Alice is no longer just a cuff sitting on Leo’s desk.
Alice has form now, and with that form comes her mind, her sight, and her opinions. And her opinions were not quiet, rather they were loud and large.
Since leaving the cuff Alice has been living with the turtles, more specifically in Leo’s room. This wasn’t a problem when she was just a cuff, she was content sitting there listening to the turtles tell her about their days while she was recovering. But now that she is out she does not like returning to the cuff unless she has to. Rather she prefers to be in a form that looks the most human.
Alice no longer had a body she was for the most part a golden cuff and Ink. Her ability allows her to use water to create a body for her to interact with the world, to see and ‘feel’ the world once more. The magical ink provides Alice a layer of false mythic skin, but it’s not the same in a way Alice can describe other than the lack of nerves doesn’t input in her mind correctly. She no longer can eat and if she drinks her form just collects the water.
It wasn’t ideal, it wasn’t human but at least she was alive, and fully Alice.
It was the living situation was starting to become a problem. At first Alice stayed in Leo’s room every night she returned to the cuff to finish off the healing of her soul, she would only come out for a few hours a day. Now that her soul is fully healed she has no reason to go inside the cuff and found it boring to do so. So she spent all hours of the day and night out, she quickly learned she no longer could sleep so at night she investigated the lair and started to dislike it. It wasn’t that she didn’t like the lair or that she wasn’t happy to be living there but it was nothing like her previous home.
At first Alice thought that was a blessing, she hated her old home it was so quite and the lair is anything but quite. She now had 5 very annoying roommates. If she wanted to read her textbooks Donnie or Mikey would be hovering over her asking her question. If she wanted to watch T.V she had to fight for the remote if it wasn’t already being hoarded by the Rat.
She learned how precious privacy truly was when it was completely taken away. She didn’t own much as everything she owned was destroyed in the attack that destroyed her home a year ago, she only managed to purchase a few textbooks, a phone, and a laptop with her father’s credit card before he froze it. Everything else was being share with the turtle brothers. The desk she used, technically Leo’s. The bathroom, which she didn’t actually need but liked to use the mirror, she had to make room with 4 brothers. A bed, she didn’t have instead she only got to lay back on Leo’s bed when he wasn’t using it. And there was zero peace, she took to escaping to Raph’s stuff animal hid out but still had to share it with Raph.
The thing that fully set Alice off was when she walked into the kitchen to find her precious text books covered in pasta sauce.
Leo jolts awake to oppressive heat. Above him, a red-tinged cloud of steam hovers, radiating frustration and warmth. Alice's form, barely visible in the mist.
He groggily sat up "Alice?" He questioned with tired eyes, but she didn’t respond only grew hotter.
"What did I—" He sat up rubbing his eyes only to spot Alice’s textbooks on the foot of his bed, now decorated with orange sauce "Oh."
"OH!” Alice shouted, “You destroyed the only thing I own and all you have to say is ‘Oh’!”
The cloud of steam shifted in anger and Leo began sweating from the heat. “It wasn’t my fault, Mikey was—”
“THIS IS NOT MIKEY’S FAULT!” She interrupted, “My books were on our desk how did they end up in the kitchen?” Her form lowered to the ground becoming human like again standing at the foot of Leo’s bed with her arms crossed.
Leo looked over at his desk where her books would have been, his eyes shifted to the clock causing him to groan and fall back down on his bed, “Can we argue about this in the morning not at 3am.”
“Oh I’m sorry I disturbed your sleep, at least you get to sleep!” Her body flared slightly with steam before returning.
Leo turned over digging his head under his pillow, “I’m not entertaining your hissy fit at 3 in the morning! Go bother Donnie or something.”
Alice huffed before her form shifted into ice cold water and splashing over him.
Leo jumped out of his bed with a hiss. Alice reformed at the doorway laughing at the soaking wet turtle who looked properly annoyed.
Leo flicked the water off of him, “WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU DO THAT!”
Alice was holding her stomach as she laughed, “How’s that for a hissy fit!”
“WHY I OUTTA!” Leo grabbed one of her text books to use as a weapon swinging it at her only for her to turn to mist and disappear her laughter echoing through the lair. He threw the book down in frustration before throwing himself on his soaked bed.
“If you dry my bed I'll consider replacing your books!” Leo shouted, not long after the water around him on the bed heated up before evaporating.
Leo groaned flipping over. Alice needs to move.
The next morning
Leo pulled himself out of bed much later than usual with a grumpy look.
Mikey was making some eggs while Raph chatted with him. Donnie and Alice were sitting at the table tapping on their phones.
“Morning!” Mikey greeted with a smile until he shifted to look at his brother and his face contorted to confusion, “You look awful.”
Across the room Alice blurted out a quick laugh but didn't look up from her phone. Donnie lowered his phone to look over at the girl with a confused but entertained expression.
“What happened?” Raph asked turning the attention to Leo.
Leo leveled his gaze at Alice with the meanest glare he could muster, “someone had a hissy fit at 3am.” He turned to the counter taking a seat next to his brother.
“Oh that fighting last night was you, couldn't tell,” Donnie spoke, “He said with a trace of sarcasm.” Donnie rolled his eyes and the others gave a small nod as if this was a typical occurrence between the two lately.
“He fucking deserved it!” Alice defended finally putting her phone down.
“Not that I disagree, but what happened this time?” Donnie asked looked at Alice.
She crossed her arms, “he destroyed my textbooks.”
Raph and Donnie's eyes widened as they look at their brother understanding how much their younger brother just fucked up. Alice didn't have much after her house was destroyed and those textbooks were one of the few things she could call hers.
“I— DIDN’T DESTROY THEM!” Leo threw his hands in the air. “Mikey’s pasta experiment destroyed them, I only moved them out of my way.”
The youngest brother grimace as he shrunk down his eyes darting side to side, trying to hide from a mistake that was obviously his.
Donnie groaned shaking his head pinching his eyes, “Alice why don't you just move in with me. I understand the importance of not moving someones books.”
“No.” Both Alice's and Leo's voices came out flat. They both looked at each other with upset expressions at saying the same thing.
“I know why I said no, why do you get to say no!” Alice slammed on the table.
Leo pinched his eyes, “because I'm not dealing with the two of you making some evil experiments all night—every night.”
“Our experiments aren't evil!” Donnie and Alice spoke at same time, something they have said a million times by now.
Leo rolled his eyes, “Besides it won't fix anything.”
Alice frown and sat back down in thought, “You know what you're right. I'm moving out.”
Leo leaned back in relief, “what are wonderful idea!” Only a little sarcasm dripped from his tone.
Raph eyes darted between the two, “Wait moving! Where will you go?” His voice was laced with concern.
Leo had pulled out his phone and was already tapping on it, “She could move in with April. She just got that new apartment—"
"No." Alice interrupted.
Leo raised a brow, "She's got a spare room—"
"I said no." Alice was now frowning in her chair looking away from the group.
“What's so wrong with moving in with April?” Mikey questioned.
Alice froze at the question literally her chair starts to develop frost crystals. Leo spotted this and shook his head, “Because she has convinced herself April hates her.” He spoke for her.
The brothers give her confused glances, “April doesn't—” Raph began but was cut off by Alice pushing her chair back.
“That's it! I'll find my own place far away from all of you and far away from your smell!” Alice shifted into mist and flew out the kitchen.
“YOU CAN'T FUCKING SMELL!” Leo shouted at her. He grinned when he saw the cloud shift a slight red tint.
He chuckled turning back to his phone but hos brothers were staring at him with concern. “What?” He groans.
“That was mean.” Raph pointed out.
“And not the normal ‘I'm growing annoyed with your 24/7 presence’ kind of mean.” Donnie added.
Leo rolled his eyes, “Sorry I'm not in a better mood. Maybe if I wasn't soaked in ice cold water at 3am I would be more peppy.” He grumbled getting up to pour himself a coffee.
“You did ruin one of the only things she has.” Raph noted.
Leo waved the coffee pot towards Mikey, “Again not my fault that would be Mr Gordon Ramsey over here.” Mikey quickly shifted with guilt. Leo pour the coffee into his mug, “Besides this was a long time coming. Alice can't trap herself down here with us any longer. She's a human girl who needs to get some fucking sun.”
Raph glared at him, “you need to watch your language.” Raph said earning him a eye roll.
Donnie shoved his mug forward for Leo to fill, “So are you saying you were being intentionally mean to get her to leave?”
Leo pours the coffee into Donnie mug, “Righty-o my dear twin.” Leo smirked.
Raph leaned back crossing his arms, “even so getting her textbooks ruined was to far.”
Leo's shoulders slouched, “that was a total accident.” He scratched the back of his head, “I'm gonna need to do something to make up for that one.”
The group nodded in agreement.
Leo made his way to the chair by his twin that Alice had taken. He flinched slightly forgetting the layer of frost.
Leo kicked his feet up pulling out his phone, “I wanna bet Alice will be living at April's by tomorrow night. That should be enough time to Amazon express her new textbooks.” Leo tilts his phone towards his twin who nodded in approval at the books he added to his cart, he then tapped on two more suggested books which made Leo frown but accepted the message, he screwed up more than a replacement will do.
Leo turned his phone back and began typing, “Who wants to bet she is heading to Baylen's right now?” He laughed as he typed something on his phone. “And that she will run by tomorrow morning because the Rabbit's OCD was too much.”
Mikey jumped up, “I'll take that bet! I bet she leaves because of the awkwardness of living with her Ex!”
Donnie raised a brow, “Michel, you do know that they weren't really dating?”
Mikey gasped dropping his egg coated spatula, “WHAT!”
The twins shook their heads, but Raph looked beyond confused, “Raph don't understand?”
The twins shared a look before laughing.
Donnie wiped a tear away, “oh that's a good one. Anyways I bet she leaves Baylen's because of the hidden city magic shit.”
“Donnie language!” Raph warned.
After a hour of figuring out how to navigate the hidden city Alice was knocking on Baylen's door. The rabbit opened the door, “Wow! Hi Alice,” he laughed and leaned on the door frame, “how did you manage to find my apartment?”
Alice gave a pouted face, “It really wasn't that hard once I figured out how to get those portals to work. I had to go through the pizza place since that's the only entrance I knew.”
Baylen chuckled, “and how did you know my address.”
Alice rolled her eyes shoving past him into his apartment, while doing so she yanked at his ear causing him to yipe in pain as he turned around. He went to open his mouth in protest holding his long fluffy ear in pain.
“Donnie been tracking you.” She simply said tossing him the tracking device Donnie somehow placed on the back of his ear.
“That slimy soft-shell.” He mumbled looking at the tracker with Donnie purple logo.
Baylen rubbed his ear while closing the door, “Well welcome in I guess. Do I want to know why you came all the way to the hidden city?”
Alice was looking around the unique apartment how the lamp was a actual large lighting bug. How the walls seemed to move and breathe similar to her cuff when she is inside of it.
“I've come to live with you!” Alice announced turning around with a bright smile.
Baylen rolled his eyes with a sigh, “Did you a Leo have another fight?” He moved to the kitchen pulling out two glasses and filling them with some kind of juice.
Alice crossed her arms in a pout, “Nooo… I wanted to spend more time with you.” Her eyes twinkled in mischief, “you only visited me in the cuff when you were flirting with Leo.”
Baylen's ear twitched aggressively, “I don't flirt with— I don’t know what you've heard—”
Alice laughed as she collapsed on his couch which she quickly learned was made from hay. She made a face but turned back to Baylen who was still spiraling, “I know you started dating like 4 months ago.”
Baylen was blushing hard, “How do you... We haven't told anyone yet.” He looked at her curiously.
“Because I fuckin heard everything.” She waved her arms, “oh Leo this, oh Baylen this. Get a room!”
Baylen held a pout on his face as he joined her on the couch handing her the juice. Alice just looked at the glass with a deep frown which Baylen's ears twitched at. He had forgotten she can't drink anything. He quickly placed it down on the table before getting comfortable on the couch with his glass.
“So you really could hear everything from the cuff?” He observed taking a sip.
Alice didn't respond just nodded not really looking to continue that conversation,
“Are you upset?” his ears pinned to his head.
Alice chuckled, “What that my best friend is hooking up with my ‘ex’.” She turned to see the concern in his eyes, “please! you both been simping for each other since day one, no I don’t care.”
Baylen released a breath he was holding, his ears perking back up.
“So what did Leo do this time?” Baylen changed the subject as he leaned back.
Alice dramatically fell deeper into the couch, “It's not about what he did. It's because I am sick and tired of sharing everything and not even getting a bed. I grew up in a fucking mansion Baylen! It's not a easy adjustment.”
Baylen nodded along, “So you decided to move out? and you chose here?”
Alice raise a brow, “Is that a problem?”
“No!” He snapped up, “no of course not… I just thought…”
Alice took a long sigh, “I’m not mad at you. At least not any more… I had a whole year to process everything.”
Baylen hummed, “OK, you can stay here but be warned the gushy Leo stuff doesn't disappear here.” He laughed earning a playful shove from Alice.
Alice thought she was going to like living with Baylen they got to catch up and have fun boy talk. It just friends catching up, gossiping like they used to before everything went wrong.
Baylen even took her out to explore the hidden city which both amazed and confused her. When night came Baylen gave her some blankets to crash on the couch.
And then it began. The snoring and thumping that came from Baylen's room. The entire night Alice was doing whatever she could to tone out Baylen snores. Luckily she didn't need to sleep but she would of liked to try.
And then morning came and Baylen walked outta his room looking beyond refreshed.
As he made coffee he looked at Alice, “So I was thinking if you are gonna stay here then we should make a chore chart.” He sounded way to excited about that.
Alice was to tired to respond not physically but mentally. Her eye already began twitching at the thought.
He placed his cup down on the table before snatching the blanket Alice was wrapped in away. She went to grab it back but he had already began folding.
Alice pouted leaning back with her arms crossed, “what do you mean chore chart?”
Baylen lit up and turned to the kitchen grabbing a magnet that had chores listed on it. He carefully put the folded blanket down in a bin next the the couch. Alice quickly snatched it back before he returned. He was to excited point at the chore chart and explaining it he didn't notice it’s return.
“So I was thinking we can alternate each week of who does the dishes.” He pointed to the chart.
Alice's brows furrowed, “I don't use any dishes, I can't eat or drink?”
Baylen thought for a moment before pulling out his expo marker, “you know what that's a great point. We probably shouldn't be alternating chores just you take on some of the weekly chores and keep it on a tight schedule. Your water powers will make doing the dishes so much easier so you should take that chore on.”
Alice blinked in shock, “What that's not—”
“I'll show you how I like to scrub the dishes to make sure they don't get any scratches.” He rambled marking more on his chart.
Alice looked at the chart then back at Baylen who was beyond help.
She got up pulling the hay out of her and throwing the blanket on the floor which made Baylen gasp and quickly grab it and started folding again.
Alice frowned as she took steps back to the door, “you know what I actually am starting to get creep out by the hidden city stuff maybe I'll try Casey's place.”
Baylen looked up in surprise, “Casey's place? Wait your leaving? But I had all these plans.”
Alice continued to step back, “I know I'm sorry… just ahhh the magic stuff.” She tried to sound scared but it came out flat and sarcastic. “The magic stuff is scary.” She then turned to mist and flew out the door's bottom.
She reappeared outside the apartment building and checked her phone. Immediately she got a text from Leo, ‘How was Baylen's?”
Alice groaned and shoved her phone away.
Alice walked up the creaking stairs of the cheapest apartment building in New York. She sighed before knocking on the door of Casey Jr. The future boys apartment.
Casey swung the door open and eyes widened to see Alice, “uhh…A, A, Alice? What are you doing here?”
“Hi Casey,” Alice put on her performative smile as her head tilted to look behind Casey and into his apartment. “I was looking somewhere where to crash…?” She quickly began to hesitate as she saw piles and piles of pizza boxes on the floor.
“You want to stay with me!” The lanky boy smiled brightly, “Ah that would be amazing, I would love to learn more from Sensei's best friend! You know he told me how you taught him magic the gathering!” He started to ramble as he turned into his apartment but Alice remained frozen starring at the piles of junk the boy started to collect.
“OH I se you are admiring my collection.” He smiled as he proudly began to show off his prizes " Look—" he holds up a crushed Dr.pepper "—this container is SHINY. And—" holds up a broken action figure "—this tiny person has ARTICULATING JOINTS—"
Alice finally unfreezes when a rat can crawling out from the boxes. She screeched as she jumped up turning her lower half into steam to keep her floating.
Casey looked confused the spotted the rat, “Oh there you are pinky.” He then picked up the rat holding it towards her, “you know we used to keep rats around only so we could eat them so this is the first time I got to keep one as a pet.”
Alice nodded but her eyes and face held a expression of deep disgust.
Casey smiles putting the rat down and turning away from her, "Oh! And I've been experimenting with pizza! Want to see my system? I order from every place in a three-block radius and rank them by—where did you go?"
Alice was gone fully turned into vapor and escaping from through the window.
Alice reformed at block away and quickly decided she needs to clean out her water or something to clean after witnessing that.
Alice's phone began to ring, she looked down to see Leo calling her, hesitantly she answered.
“Hello?”
“ALICE!” Leo greeted happily, “how home hunting going?”
Alice frown looking at her feet she still hasn't reformed to not touch the filthy ground. “Great.” She grimace.
She could feel Leo smiling through the phone, “that's great to hear. Say did you meet pinky yet?” He laughed.
Alice hung up immediately.
Leo was laughing on the couch while Donnie was working on his workstation. “Oh she definitely met pinky.”
Donnie turned around lifting his goggles, “you are enjoying this a little to much.” He noted.
Leo shrugged looking at his phone, “because I know how its gonna end. And to be honestly I can't wait to get rid of the annoying roommate Alice and regain my best friend Alice. I don’t like fighting so much with her.” he frowned.
Donnie hummed leaning back in his chair, “So where's she going next if you know so much?” He asked genuinely.
Leo chuckled, “like I'll ruin that surprise.” He heard something by the entrance and smiled, “I'll let you be.”
He got up and went to his room just before a cloud came bursting into the hub.
Alice reformed in front of Donnie gripping onto to chair caging him in, “I need your help.”
Donnie looked around the girl to see his twin in the doorway of his sub turned room with a stupid knowing look.
Donnie shook his head turning his chair around, “No.” He sighed.
Alice gave a dramatic gasp, “No? You don't even know what I was gonna ask—”
"You want a fake identity so you can rent your own apartment." He picked up some kind of crystal looking at his carefully with his goggles, took some notes before turning to his computer.
Alice huffed crossing her arms, “you don't know that.”
Donnie tilted his head giving her a knowing look before he continued typing “you tried Baylen's place, tried Casey's place,” Donnie paused to chuckle at that, “I can't believe you actually thought that was a good idea. You refuse to go to April's because of some residual trust issues. Process of elimination: you need to live alone. For that, you need documentation." He turns fully around to her, “Am I wrong?"
"...No."
Donnie sighed humorously "I can do it. But first—" he move aside to reveal apartment lists that he had pulled up"—the current rental market analysis shows that the average one-bedroom in your preferred area, is $2,400 per month. Add utilities, internet, renter's insurance; you're looking at approximately $3,000 monthly."
"I can pay that."
"With your father's stolen debit card?"
"It's not stolen if it's technically mine—"
"Morally ambiguous, legally questionable, and—" Donnie began typing "—he's already frozen the account assuming you're dead."
Alice leaned over his chair, “how the hell did you get into my bank account!”
Donnie chuckled, “Same way you can get into all my accounts— You use the same password for everything.”
Alice squinted at him, “At least my password isn't the same as my username.”
Donnie clicked his tongue, “touche.” He turns to again to look her in the eyes, “All this to say —why not just move in with April?"
Leo, who has been lurking, LAUGHS from the doorway.
Alice sent him a quick sharp glare, “I don't need to explain myself.”
Donnie rubbed his eyes, “Alice its been over a year, April has apologized, multiple times now.”
Alice rubbed her arm in comfort, “And I do forgive her. That’s not what I'm worried about.”
Leo frowned and decided he was done messing around and walked into the hub, “Alice,” he grabbed her shoulder, “April knows you weren't actually trying to kill her.”
Alice yanked her shoulder out of his hold, “Yes I was. Initially. I think…” her memory of what happened directly after the curse is still a little foggy but she does remember the rage she felt holding a pressurized blade of water above the girl.
Leo shrugged putting his hands on his hips, “Okay fine, you did try to kill her, but you didn't. So you got to stop blaming yourself on something that didn’t happen.”
Alice slouched her thumb rubbing circles on her skin that she technically can feel but felt off, different from before without any nerves.
Donnie sighed grabbing her free hand, “No one blames you for anything that happened that day. April certainly doesn't, she has been in far more danger than that.” He gently rubbed the top of her hand with his thumb.
Alice frowned looking down at the purple turtle who spoke with genuine concern.
“Fine.” She said yanking her arm away, “If you won't help me I'll do it myself.”
Before either twin could do anything she disappeared into vapor.
“You can't keep running off!” Leo shouted.
“Watch me!” Her voice echoed back.
“You're gonna end up at April's eventually!”
"I'D RATHER LIVE WITH BIG MAMA!"
"That's a lie and you know it!” Leo chuckled shaking his head.
Donnie groaned, “I hate it when she does that.” He pressed both hands on his forehead in frustration.
Leo chuckled, “yeah that's disappearing act is a lot to get used to.” He leaned onto the desk tapping on his phone, “but what you said worked.”
Donnie looked over at his twin in confusion, “what do you mean worked, she ran off again.”
Leo shrugged, “yeah, but she gonna end up at April's within the hour.”
Donnie shoved him off his desk, “how would you know that?”
Leo laughed, “because my dear socially illiterate brother, what you said worked.” He rubbed his brothers bald head with slight aggression enough to upset him but not harm.
Donnie waved his hand off, “Fine! I Say it'll be after an hour.”
Leo chuckled, “I'll take that bet.”
Alice stood in front of April's door still unsure about if she was doing the right thing. She tried to steady her breathing, Donnie was right she doesn't need to be scared of April being afraid of her, but something inside her twitched.
Alice turned around about to walk away when the door opened, “I know you're not just gonna walk off?” April's voice filled the hall.
Alice paused grabbing her arm again, “I'm sorry, it was a bad idea.” She didn't look back but remained still.
“Bad idea? Girl get in here.” April laughed making room in the doorway.
Alice turned with uncertainty, “are you sure?”
April shocked her head, “yes I'm sure, come on.” April turned to walk in the apartment confident that Alice would follow.
April's apartment was nice, it was clean with normal off white walls. A small kitchen, a living area with a comfy normal couch in front of a large flat screen, and a general warm from the sun coming in through the windows.
Alice couldn’t help but smile as April lead her through the apartment, “Sorry I didn’t let you in sooner Donnie asked me to wait until 5:01 so he can win his bet.”
Alice blinked, “what bet?”
April chuckled and showed Alice her phone, “Leo made a betting group chat.” Alice eyes widened to see all of their names in the chat except for hers but the messages weren't judgmental, just updates.
Alice couldn’t frown she wanted to, she wanted to pout, or make a comment but she couldn't. Sure they were making bets on her but they never forced her to make a decision they let her do it they way she needed to while ensuring her safety.
Baylen: Just like you said Leo she ended up here.
Leo: good keep us updated
Leo: I got five bucks that says she leaves by 8
Baylen: I can probably make it 7 if I bring up the chore chart
Donnie: Hey no Colluding!
Raph: just make sure she safe.
Baylen: 🫡
Baylen: she left… mentioned going to Casey's.
Donnie: What was her reasoning? I got 20$ on the line!
Baylen: She said ‘hidden city magic shit’
Donnie: F yah!
Leo: SMH
Raph: Language!
Baylen: But I think it was actually the chore chart…
Donnie: I KNEW YOU WERE COLLUDING!
Casey: My place! I need to start cleaning! This is such a honor!
Leo: yah buddy I'm sure she'll feel the same 👍
Mikey: I bet she doesn't last 5 minutes there.
Casey: Then it will be the most honorable 5 minutes.
April: 🤣
Casey: she left after 2 min 😢 what did I do wrong
Mikey: 2 min wow!
Mikey: Guess that means I win 😁
Leo: you did nothing wrong buddy! She just weighing her options.
Mikey: So where to next?
Raph: Hopefully home…
Leo: u know wat I’ll let u win that bet
Leo: u r up April!
April: finally! I've been keeping this room vacant for over a month 😮💨 a girl gotta eat.
Raph: its about time Raph was starting to get worried
Leo: Told you all by the end of today!
“So that how Leo always knew where I was?” She commented which gained a smile from April.
“Leo been asking for a week for me to take you in.” April informed, “I told him you needed to make the decision yourself but I'll keep the room empty. To be honest I'm glad you didn't wait another week, I don't think I can afford the rent alone much longer.”
April was smiling as she typed a response to the group.
“Thank you.” Alice finally said.
April raised a brow, “for what?”
“For being so kind when I haven’t been to you.” Alice looked away not wanting to meet her eyes.
April sighed, “Alice. We've been over this. We're good."
"Are we? Because I still feel like you're just tolerating me for Leo's sake—"
"Okay, stop." April moved to the couch and patted next to her, "Sit."
Alice was hesitant but joined her anyways.
April grabbed Alice’s shoulder, “You have done nothing wrong. I was wrong in the beginning for pushing you so hard to get answers for a article when you clearly needed your space. I didn’t understand that then and I was scared for my boys, it’s not like they haven’t been hurt like that before.”
Alice nodded in understanding, if someone like her who hides and lies about everything showed up now she probably also lash out. but she shrunk down, “But I still tried to kill you.”
April gave a sad sigh, “Oh honey, you never even hurt me.”
“But I was going to!” Alice form pushed outwards in aggression, but she flinched at her own outburst and quickly shrank back, “I’m sorry… I just…”
April looked at her patiently before she began to giggle, “Oh girl, I’ve put myself in waaay more dangerous situations. I’ve seen the look in someone eyes when they actually want to kill me… probably more times than I should have…” She paused in thought before shaking it away, “The point is, I know you weren’t truly trying to kill me. And you should trust yourself more because I trust you.”
Alice nodded not knowing if she fully believes her words yet but had hope one day she would. “Thanks,” Alice gave a small smile, “And thanks for letting me move in.”
April rubbed her shoulder, “Hey, like it or not your my sister now.”
Alice perked up and scanned over the girl, the same way she always does when assessing someone body language to find if they are lying, but April just smiled. “And you know what sister do for each other?” Alice shook her head she’s never had a sister, “Sister don’t let each other live with their stinky brothers underground.”
Alice laughed, a true laugh.
April smiled and stood up reaching a hand out for her to grab, “Now can I please show you the room I set up for you.”
Alice took her hand and the two walked to the second bedroom, It wasn’t grand like her old room but it was cozy April had already bought and set up a bed for her with light green sheets. There was a desk that April had somehow already retrieved her laptop from the lair and it was sitting neatly on it, and it small window just above it that overlooked the city.
Alice couldn’t help but smile as she wondered into the room, “It’s perfect.”
April grinned, “Good cause rent is $800, I won’t charge you utilities sense well, you won’t be using them. Except internet.” April frowned in thought not know how to deal with the not actually having a body. She shook her head out of her thoughts, “Anyways as long as you don’t flood the apartment or go through my stuff I think we will be just fine.”
Alice ran up and hugged April which took her slightly aback. When she pulled back she had a giant smile, “Thank you April really.”
“No problem, that’s what sisters are for.” She smiled back, “Well I’ll let you get comfortable.” She turned to close the door.
“Wait,” Alice called, April pause looking at her curiously, “Do I have to do the dishes?”
April look bewildered, “Why would you need to do dishes if you don’t eat or drink?”
Alice chuckled, “It’s nothing just, Baylen being Baylen.”
“I thought his chore chart thing was a joke?”
Alice chuckled, “Oh, No. That was not a joke to him.”
April laughed while closing the door giving Alice the peace she has needed for the past month.
Before Alice knew it her new family decided it was time for a house warming party.
While April and Alice sat on the couch discussing what to watch they heard a knock at the door. April nodded for her to open it which she floated up to the door to do so. Upon opening there was 4 mutant turtles, a Yokai Rabbit and a boy from the future grinning at her. They each held a gift in their hand as they cheerfully congratulated her on her move.
Leo was the last to enter holding a amazon box that he intercepted the driver for. He was scratching the back of his head, “Hey, I’m sorry for how I was behaving earlier.”
Alice leaned on the doorway, “Really, how so?”
Leo chuckled, “I just,” He took a deep breath, “I don’t think either of us were happy to share such a small space and I lashed out to try and get you to move out.”
Alice’s raised her brows at his honesty. He pushed the box towards her, “I got your books replaced, and Donnie picked out a few new ones. It really was just a accident, and I’m sorry.”
Alice grabbed the box and looked down with a smile, “I’m sorry too. I did overreact and shouldn’t of drowned you in cold water at 3 in the morning…” She pause and looked away in amusement, “But it was kinda funny.”
Leo rolled his eyes, “Any ways are we good now? Can we go back to just being friends and not forced roommates.”
Alice looked up at him with a warm smile, “Yeah we’re good. You’re stuck with me.”
“THANK GOD NOW CAN WE PLEASE WATCH A MOVIE!” Donnie shouted in annoyance from the couch.
The two chuckled before walking in and closing the door. Leo slowly made is way over to Baylen gently shoving their shoulder together with a smile, while Alice put the box of books down on the counter. On the top of the box was a note from the amazon order that showed when he placed the order with a note, ‘Thanks for moving out! Your welcomed back just not in my room!’ and Alice giggled.
Alice joined the group setting at the end of the couch behind where Raph sat on the floor and beside Donnie who sat in the center of the couch showing his phone to April. Mikey sat on the armrest next to April leaning on her shoulder, while Leo and Baylen stood behind the couch leaning slightly on it. And Casey was sat front in center of the TV picking out the movie for them to watch.
And Alice smiled a real true happy smile.
“Hey so how is Alice going to pay the rent?” Mikey asked with curiosity.
“Don’t worry about it!” Donnie and Alice responded at the same time.
Raph level a glare, “Who are you stealing from?”
Alice looked away sucking her teeth while Donnie laughed, “just a prick who has to much money.”
Raph’s eye twitched in concern but let it go.
A/N: Thanks for reading the first Mini Episode for Trials of the Mini Series! I have so much planned to come out but let me know what you would like to see next. I do have 2 more posted on Ao3 and on the main book I have 3 bonus content including a extra chapter to the book.
Trials of the Cloaking Brooch
if you haven't read the main book here is the Tumblr master list: Trials of the Cloaking Brooch Master List
A/N: Thank you for reading! if you enjoy post like this check out my Masterlist and if you want to send me a request for my next post please send me a message!
Summary: You are a straw hat pirate who has been stranded on a unknown island after the events of Sabaody and your entire crew was flown across the world. You are expected to train to become better, to become stronger for your crew. But you already done what you could on that island and it's only been three months. Law has heard rumors of a island with a new kind of plague one that spread from a rare gold. This hit home for him and so he went to investigates this island only to find you running amuck. You come up with the brilliant idea to join Law's crew temporarily so you can train. Law realizes the two of you have a shared history and reluctantly agrees but your on a deadline to return to your crew and your time together is limited.
Trafalgar Law x gn!reader
Word count: 9,592
A/N: It's been a while since I posted a Law x Reader fic, but as I was going through my notion board I realized I had written this many months ago and just never posted it. This also is a good break from the ROTTMNT fic I just finished posting.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Deleted Scenes
Law and the Heart Pirates had been following rumors for weeks of an island everyone was afraid to approach. The village, according to reports, had been devastated by plague. Even the Marines, those fearless government dogs, refused to set foot on it. And that was precisely why Law's interest was piqued.
The island sat at the edge of the Calm Belt, small and weathered, its docks showing signs of abandonment. Law expected decay. He expected emptiness. What he didn't expect was for the village to appear strangely normal.
The moment Law's boot touched the dock, every head in the village turned toward him simultaneously. Shock rippled across their faces like a wave. A few of the braver townspeople stepped forward, curiosity overriding their caution. Among them was a child who hid shyly behind his mother's leg.
"Are you a Marine?" the kid asked, his small voice barely carrying across the dock.
Law glanced down at his outfit, a yellow shirt with his jolly roger proudly displayed. "No?" he said, and even he heard the uncertainty in his own tone.
The kid's eyes lit up. He laughed and immediately took off running toward the town. "We have a visitor! A visitor who's not a Marine!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the village streets.
Law's eyes widened as he watched the kid disappear. Within seconds, the villagers erupted into excited chatter, and he heard the familiar sounds of his crew behind him, their boots hitting the dock, equipment clattering. Before Law could warn them, his crew was being gently but firmly guided away by villagers eager to show them their shops, their restaurants, their hospitality.
The child reappeared by his side yanking at his arm, "Come on! Come on!"
Law sighed and allowed himself to be dragged.
Inside the tavern, the kid practically radiated pride as he announced their arrival to everyone present. The bartender approached with an amused laugh, clearly used to the child's enthusiasm.
"What can I get you, son?" the bartender asked, directing the question at Law with a warm smile.
Law's gaze swept across the room, healthy villagers, clean tables, the smell of food rather than sickness. He turned back to the bartender, his brow furrowing. "I think I've arrived at the wrong island. I was looking for one struck by plague."
The entire bar erupted in laughter.
"Guess that witch's performance worked," the bartender said, wiping tears of amusement from his face. He leaned against the bar, still grinning. "But I have to ask, boy, why would you come to an island you believe is ravaged by plague?"
Law didn't answer immediately. He looked at the surrounding villagers, all of them clearly thriving, no signs of illness anywhere. He turned back to the bartender, his voice steady despite his confusion. "I'm a doctor. I came to help."
The bartender's expression softened slightly, impressed by the answer. Before he could respond, Law continued, "You mentioned a performance. What kind of performance would convince the entire world government that this island is decimated?"
The bartender settled in against the counter, and the child climbed onto a stool beside him, listening intently. "About three months ago, someone appeared on our island. Seemed lost and confused at first, so we took them in, gave them food, shelter, the usual. A few weeks later, a Marine ship arrived. They claimed they'd 'discovered' us and demanded we pay a fee to join the World Government." The bartender's expression darkened slightly. "We refused. Should've known better. They decided the mountain behind our town was theirs—it's rich with gold and gems. Started forcing our people into the mines, taking everything we could produce."
The child's small hands clenched into fists at the memory.
"These villagers," the bartender continued, gesturing around the bar with obvious affection, "they're too kind for their own good. They would've let those Marines bleed them dry. But then that witch they stepped in. Put on quite a show." He chuckled, shaking his head. "They told the Marines the mines were cursed, that everyone here was infected with plague. And somehow they convinced those Marines they were contaminated."
Law felt something shift in his chest.
"The Marines ran," the bartender laughed, "and we haven't heard from them since. Not that we got many visitors in the first place, so it's been quiet."
The child suddenly jumped up with infectious energy. "Y/N is so cool!"
The bartender laughed, reaching over to ruffle the kid's hair. "They sure are." He pointed up at a sign above the bar, written in careful lettering: the name of the tavern, named after you.
Law stood, his mind already moving. "Where can I find this Y/N?"
The child grabbed at his arm eagerly. "Don't worry! Once they hear we have visitors, they'll come by to say hi. They always do."
Chaos erupted outside.
The child's grin widened impossibly. "That's them!" He jumped out the seat and took off to the door.
Law pushed through the tavern door to find his crew scattering in all directions, shouting in a mixture of alarm and indignation. Racing toward them, leaving a trail of playful laughter, was a familiar figure he hadn't seen in months.
You.
"You said they came here three months ago?" Law asked the child, who was jumping up and down beside him with barely contained excitement.
"Yup! Exactly three months today!" The child pointed to the center of the street, where a massive hole gaped in the earth shaped unmistakably like a paw print.
Law's eye twitched.
Three months. A paw print. That distinctive chaos.
"A Straw Hat," Law muttered to himself, feeling something between annoyance and resignation settle into his stomach.
You were holding something red above your head, dangling it teasingly while his crew chased after you. Bepo's allowance. Law recognized it immediately. Without hesitation, he raised his hand and activated his Room. The bag vanished from your grasp and replaced with a napkin.
"Aw, come on!" you called out, your face falling dramatically before you spun around, searching. Your eyes found him. "Why did you have to take away my fun?"
Law's crew immediately turned and rushed to their captain. Bepo ran over with tears streaming down his face, thanking Law profusely as he accepted his allowance back. Law's gaze didn't waver from you.
"This is his allowance," Law said flatly, placing the bag into Bepo's waiting paws.
You rolled your eyes and stuck your tongue out at him. "I was gonna give it back. Eventually. I was just having a little fun."
"There is no illness here," Law said, turning to address his crew. "We're leaving."
His crew nodded at the order without question, already turning back toward the docks. But you were faster. You ran up to him, eyes bright with recognition.
"Hey, wait a tick. I know you!" you exclaimed. "You're that captain from Sabaody. Tra... something."
"Trafalgar Law," he stated plainly, instinctively leaning away as you leaned into his space.
"That's right! Traffy!" You laughed, and the nickname made him want to leave even faster. "Say, what are you doing here? Aren't you scared you're going to catch the plague?" You wiggled your fingers at him mockingly.
Law's patience was already thin. He scoffed, rolling his eyes at your audacity. "You should be careful about what rumors and lies you tell." His voice dropped slightly colder, holding a heavy weight. He shoved passed you and began walking toward the docks without another word.
You ran after him, quickly moving to walk backwards beside him. "Hey, I saved this island! So what if I had to lie to scare people away? It's better than letting the Marines destroy the place. Now no one will bother these good people."
Law's jaw tightened. His hands curled into fists at his sides. "A plague is serious," he said quietly, each word controlled. "If the Marines decide to take action—" The thought broke off as his mind flashed unbidden to Flevance. To fire. To screams. To the smell of burning flesh and stone. His breathing became shallow.
You seemed to sense something had shifted. Your playful tone softened slightly. "This island is already so far removed the Marines didn't even know about it until a few weeks ago. They have no trades with the outside islands, and the Marines have no reason to return now. I actually helped this island."
Law exhaled slowly, forcing his thoughts back to the present. You were right, pragmatically speaking. It didn't matter. It still felt wrong. "Whatever," he said curtly. "Enjoy your island. You have two years before your captain expects you back."
You jumped in front of him, blocking his path. "Hey, wait a minute. You just got here, at least stay for a day."
"We only came to this island to lend our medical expertise," Law replied, his tone held no argument. "Since there's no illness, we have no reason to stay."
"You could stay for dinner! We could have a feast!" Your voice rose with hope, and he could hear the villagers behind you cheering in agreement. But Law just shook his head and moved to push past you.
You grabbed his arm gently, and something in your voice changed. The playfulness vanished, replaced by something genuine. "Law, wait. Please stay so I can properly thank you for saving my captain."
He stopped.
Law turned to face you slowly, visibly shocked that you were aware of his involvement with Luffy. Your expression had shifted too, the impulsiveness had melted into something more serious, more grounded.
"I saw his scar in the photos," you explained, and your eyes held understanding. "You're the only one nearby who has the skills to keep someone alive after an injury like that. So thank you."
Law stared at you for a long moment. He looked away, toward the village, toward the eager faces of people who had so little and wanted so badly to share what little they had.
He sighed. "Fine," he conceded. "We can stay for dinner."
The villagers erupted in cheers, immediately scattering to prepare. His crew's faces lit up at the prospect of a feast, and they eagerly joined the townspeople in preparation.
You beamed at him, and before he could react, you grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the center of town. "Thank you, Law! This village really needs a reason to celebrate. This will be fun!"
Despite himself, Law let you pull him along.
By the time night fell, tables had been set up in the village square, laden with food and drink. The Heart Pirates mingled easily with the villagers, swapping stories and advice, loading their plates high with island delicacies.
Law sat at the far end of the table, removed from the immediate chaos but quietly observing. You moved between conversations with ease, listening intently to his crew's stories with genuine interest. You gasped at the right moments, laughed at the appropriate jokes, and offered stories of your own that made grown pirates' jaws drop.
As the night deepened and the food disappeared, drinks began flowing more freely. The atmosphere grew looser, more celebratory. His crew stood on the tables, reenacting their greatest battles with exaggerated movements and forks wielded like swords. The village children watched in awe.
A small smile threatened to break across Law's face. He suppressed it, maintaining his usual composed exterior—though only barely.
"I told you it would be fun," you laughed, catching his smile before it could fully disappear.
Law turned to see you holding two jugs, one extended toward him. He tried to hide his expression as he accepted it, but the corner of his lip turned upward despite himself.
You sat down on the bench beside him, close enough that your shoulders nearly touched. "Your crew seems to be having a really good time," you observed, watching his crew with obvious affection.
Law nodded, taking a slow sip from the jug. The drink was warm and sweet, with an underlying burn that settled pleasantly in his chest.
"This town doesn't get many visitors," you continued quietly, your earlier energy mellowed by alcohol and evening. "Even less so now. When I first arrived, they welcomed me in way too easily, even though I tried my best to steal from them and cause trouble." You smiled at the memory, "But when the Marines came, everything changed. At first, the villagers welcomed them too—tried to be respectful, tried to cooperate. Then the Marines discovered the mountain." You pointed behind you to the peak that loomed over the town, silhouetted against the stars. "It's full of gold and gems. Beautiful things, just sitting there. The Marines decided that meant they owned the island. Owned the people. They started forcing everyone into the mines, making them work until their hands bled."
Your expression hardened, and Law saw the protective instinct that ran through you, the same one that had driven you to action.
"The village is too kind," you continued. "They would have let themselves be worked to death rather than resist. So I did what I could. I told the Marines the mine was cursed, that everyone here had been infected with plague from the poisoned gold." You took another sip of your drink. "I put on a show with berries, smoke and lies, and somehow, somehow, they believed me. They ran, and they haven't come back."
Law watched your features carefully as you spoke. Even with the alcohol softening your edges, he could see the weight and frustration of what you'd done. The choice you'd made. He understood that kind of choice.
You turned away from him your nose flaring. Then you spoke again, your voice lower. "I know about Flevance. What the World Government did."
The words hung in the air between you. Law felt something constrict in his chest, and he quickly looked away, staring out at the celebrating crews instead.
"Then why would you make up that kind of lie?" he asked quietly, his tone rough with controlled emotion.
You lowered your head, turning your jug over in your hands. "Because they're isolated enough that the World Government doesn't care about them. And I needed to prevent the Marines from returning." You paused, swallowing hard. "I can't fight the way Luffy can. I can't overpower them. So I used what I have—lies and trickery. It's all I've ever had.”
Law nodded slowly, understanding settling into him like winter cold. He looked over at the overly friendly village, at the children laughing with his crew, at the elderly people who had so little and had nearly lost everything.
"You made the right choice," he said finally.
When you spoke again, your voice was soft. "I'm sorry if the thought of a plague reminded you of your time in Flevance."
Law's jaw twitched involuntarily as his gaze snapped to you. "How do you know I'm from Flevance?" His voice had gone quiet, dangerous.
"You have the scars from amber poisoning," you said, reaching up toward your own ear. his hand threw to his own covering the slight discoloration barely visible behind where his hat sat.
Law immediately pulled his hat down lower, covering the telltale marks completely. "How do you know what amber poisoning scars look like?" he demanded, his voice sharp.
You leaned back slightly, and in one fluid motion, pulled the back of your shirt up, revealing a large patch of white scarring across your back. The marks were unmistakable—the aftermath of the particular poisoning.
Law stood abruptly, leaning closer to examine the scars. His mind was already racing through medical possibilities. “How did you… But a proper cure was never found.” he started stammering. He finally took a breath, "How did you get the lead out of your bloodstream?"
You pulled your shirt back down and leaned away, taking a heavy swig of your drink before answering. "Very old and improper methods," you said quietly. You twisted your arm, showing him a long scar running up the inside of your wrist to your elbow, old, faded, but unmistakable. It was a scar from where they drained your blood until your body naturally removed the lead. "I was only seven. My family managed to escape Flevance the day before the extermination. But the treatment..." You trailed off, and Law understood the implication. "My family didn't survive it."
Law swallowed hard. Seven. The same age as his sister. She could have known you. Passed you in the streets. Sat next to you in class.
"With no home to return to or family left, I did what I needed to survive," you continued, your voice steady despite the weight of the words. "I've been stealing and performing ever since, going island to island, putting on a show, taking what I needed, and leaving. It was survival." You looked up at him, and something in your expression softened. "Then Luffy showed up. The town told him I was a witch to warn him away, but he thought that meant I ate children, so he was even more interested in meeting me." you laughed at the memory.
Despite everything, Law found himself smiling slightly at that.
"I owe him everything," you said softly. "He gave me a reason to stop running. Gave me a reason to dream again."
You leaned over and laid your head on his shoulder, and Law felt the weight of you—literal and metaphorical. He stiffened, clearly uncomfortable with the contact.
“Thank you for saving him.” You whispered.
Slowly, he reached over and gently pushed your face away from his shoulder. "No problem," he said, his tone betraying his awkwardness as he wiped his hand on his pants and shifted slightly away.
You rolled your eyes with a slight chuckle, accepting his boundary without comment.
After a moment of comfortable silence, you sighed and looked back out at his crew. "Do you know where he is?" you asked quietly. "Luffy, I mean."
Law's eyes glanced toward you, and there was a spark of curiosity, and something else, something that might have been annoyance. "Is this why you wanted this party?" he asked, his voice taking on an accusatory edge. "To convince me to tell you where your captain is so you can interrupt his training?"
You shook your head, and when you looked at him, there was no deception in your expression. "Of course not. This town needed a reason to party. A real one, not one built on lies." You paused. "I know he needs his training especially after losing Ace.” You frowned at the memory of the fiery boy.
“I need to train harder. I want to be stronger for him. For all of them." You spoke with a sharp determination.
Law took another sip of his drink, processing your words.
"But two years is a long time to wait," you continued, a hint of frustration creeping into your voice. "I know Luffy is expecting us to train separately, but how can I improve on an island where people just hand me things? I need a real challenge. I need—" You stopped mid-sentence, and Law watched as your eyes slowly widened. An idea had clearly struck you, and it was the kind of idea that usually meant trouble for him.
You turned to face him fully, your expression shifting into something determined and hopeful. "I have an idea. Why don't I join your crew?"
Law choked on his drink.
He coughed, sputtering, and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before fixing you with a hard glare that did absolutely nothing to diminish your puppy dog eyes. "Absolutely not," he said flatly.
Your eyes grew impossibly larger, and your lip stuck out in an exaggerated pout. "Why not? You won't even know I'm there. I'll be training and observing, staying in the background. I promise.”
Law's throat tightened as he stared into your wide eyes that barely held back you excitement and pleads. Your eyes held flakes of amber—the same flakes that most people from Flevance had carried. The same flakes his late sister Lami had possessed. The resemblance was striking, and it was making it infinitely harder for him to say no. And his less sober state was not helping his resolve.
He looked down at his sake, watching his reflection swirl in the liquid. He could feel you waiting for his response, sense your hope. It would be so easy to say no. It would be the logical choice. It would be the smart choice.
"Only for two years, right?" he finally heard himself say, the words seemingly coming from somewhere outside his own control.
Your entire face lit up with joy. "Technically only twenty-one months!"
Law's frown deepened, and his nose scrunched in thought—though whether it was from his irritation by the correction or simply processing the reality of what he'd just agreed to, you couldn't quite tell. "You'll pick up chores around the ship. You'll obey my orders. And you'll refer to me as Captain or Law. Not Traffy."
You jumped up so suddenly you nearly knocked over your jug. "Of course! I'll be the best crewmate you've ever had!"
This declaration apparently reached the ears of a certain polar bear, who suddenly appeared beside Law with an expression of mild concern.
"I thought I was the best crewmate?" Bepo asked, his voice carrying a note of worry.
Law huffed out a drunken laugh and leaned onto the bear's soft body. He closed his eyes, growing comfortable against the warmth. "Yes, Bepo. You will remain the best crewmate," he assured him. Then he added more plainly, "Y/N is trying to convince me to let them join our crew.”
Bepo leaned forward until his face was inches from yours, his expression shifting to something neutral and serious. "You were the one who stole my wallet," he stated.
"It was more like a purse," you said jokingly, "but yes... I was going to return it."
"You're one of the Straw Hats," Bepo continued, his analytical tone never wavering.
"Yes," you admitted with slight pride.
“Why do you want to join our crew?”
“To get off this island and to train. It will only be for twenty one months then I’ll be out of your hair… fur?”
Bepo's eyes narrowed further, and for a moment, the tension hung in the air. Then his entire face transformed, brightening into pure, innocent joy. "I'm first mate, and you're new, which means you're underneath me."
You nodded quickly. "Understood." You threw your hand up to a joking salute.
"Welcome to the Heart Pirates!" Bepo shouted, suddenly lifting you into a massive bear hug.
Law, who had been using the bear as a pillow, suddenly found his support disappearing. He fell backward, knocking over his jug in the process. The remaining sake spilled across his chest, soaking into his coat.
“I didn’t say yes.” Law complained but it was already to late.
The other pirates, hearing the commotion and Bepo's announcement, came running over in excitement. They swarmed around you, pulling you into a group hug, cheering and laughing. Law sat up with a frown, wiping the sake from his face, but the expression quickly softened as he watched his crew celebrate their newest member with genuine joy.
Despite the alcohol soaking his clothes, he allowed himself a real smile.
The next morning, the entire town came to see you off. As you made your way up the submarine's ramp, villagers thrust gifts into your arms—bags of gems and bottles of local alcohol, handmade blankets and scarves, jewelry crafted with care. You stumbled forward, weighted down by their generosity, huffing and puffing as you dragged the enormous bag toward the deck.
Law stood at the top of the ramp, arms crossed, watching your struggle with an arched eyebrow. "Isn't that a lot of stuff?" he asked.
You yanked the bag onto the deck with a final heave, breathing hard. You looked up at him, pushing the blankets out of your face. "It's all gifts from the townspeople. They wouldn't let me refuse. Don’t worry I’ll share some of it as a thanks for getting me out of here." You pulled the blankets off and tossed them toward the bag, then began removing jewelry and adding it to the pile. "Besides, most of this is gems and gold—things they don't use. And if Nami heard I said no to that, she'd kill me on the spot." You laughed, though there was genuine fear beneath the humor.
Law turned back toward the town, observing the villagers still waving from the docks. "These townspeople seem to really like you," he observed.
You smiled, continuing to wave back at them. "Which is exactly why I need to leave," you said out of the corner of your mouth. "If I stayed much longer, they'd try to adopt me officially."
Law shook his head with a snicker, turning to signal Bepo in the control room below. The first mate nodded and disappeared to start the engines.
"I wish there was something we could give them," Law said, watching the growing stack of crates full with food that the townspeople had already loaded onto the deck. "For all of this."
You continued waving, even as the submarine's engines began to purr to life. "Keeping the World Government off this island should be enough. That's worth more than any treasure."
The engines hummed louder, and the ramp began retracting into the submarine's hull. You leaned against the railing, still waving. "Remember! If anyone bothers you, tell them this island is protected by the Straw Hat Pirates!" you shouted, Law gave a cough behind you, "And the Heart Pirates!" you added with a smile.
The Heart Pirates crew cheered in unison at your addition, waving their goodbyes as the submarine began to move forward. The townspeople waved back, their cheers fading as the distance grew.
You turned back to face Law, and despite the exhaustion written across your features, your expression was radiant. Law simply rolled his eyes and nodded his head for you to follow him inside.
You grabbed your bag to drag it, but Law raised his hand slightly. Your bag vanished and reappeared in what you assumed was the storage area below. You smiled, free of the weight, and followed your new captain into the submarine's corridors.
As Law led the way, he sighed, not from annoyance, but from something deeper. Something like resignation mixed with anticipation. The next twenty-one months were going to be complicated.
19 Months Left
It had been a few months since you joined the crew, and you'd integrated smoothly into the Heart Pirates' rhythm. In the mornings, you helped with cooking and were eager to learn about medical practices, frequently mentioning how happy Chopper would be to have a knowledgeable assistant when you reunited. At the end of each week, you put on a magic show in the ship's cafeteria to practice your illusions and sleight of hand.
These shows had quickly become the highlight of everyone's week.
Your crew members would gather in the cafeteria with barely contained excitement, watching as you produced impossible things from thin air, made objects vanish and reappear, transformed simple props into wonders. Each week brought new tricks, each performance more impressive than the last. The crew loved it—loved you.
Law watched from the doorway each time, his expression carefully neutral, his focus entirely on you. He never applauded or cheered. He simply... observed.
One afternoon, Law found you on the deck swinging a sword around with determined focus. He paused for a moment, simply watching as you threw the blade forward with all the force you could muster, then executed a quick step backward, your imaginary opponent pressing you from an invisible angle.
"Since when did you fight with a sword?" Law asked, breaking the silence.
You stopped mid-swing, lowering the sword. Your expression grew distant for a moment. "Zoro tried to teach me a few things a while back," you said slowly. "He wanted to convince me to start using a weapon. I wasn't serious about it at the time. If I had been..." You trailed off, and Law could see your mind traveling backward to Sabaody, to watching your crewmates disappear one by one. "I have to be stronger for them," you declared, lifting the sword again and preparing for another swing.
Law found himself smiling, just barely, just enough for it to be real. He walked toward you slowly, and without a word, positioned himself behind you. Gently, he wrapped his arms around you, supporting your stance with his body. You froze at the contact. His hands were cold as they held your elbows, but his torso which was pressed against your back radiated warmth.
"Your form is as if you're swinging with multiple swords," he said quietly, his voice near your ear, "but you're only fighting with one. A single blade has advantages, if you use it correctly."
He re positioned your arms into a better angle, then reached down to your hips and twisted them slightly. You felt heat rise to your cheeks as his chest remained against your back, as his focus remained entirely on your form. It was hard to concentrate on sword technique when every nerve in your body was acutely aware of his proximity.
Law stepped back, seemingly unaware of the effect he'd had on you. "Your doing well," he said.
"I barely started," you replied, pinching your eyebrows together.
"Not just with the sword," Law continued, his tone shifting into something more genuine. "You've really grown since arriving. The crew loves your magic shows, and I'm still trying to figure out how you managed some of those tricks. You've improved tremendously in medical knowledge—I hate to admit it, but you're better with some procedures than several of my crew members now. And it's only been a few months." His praise was specific, earned, rooted in actual observation.
Your smile grew, buoyed by the genuine compliment from someone you'd learned didn't give them lightly. You turned to face him. "Wow, Law. That was actually really nice," you teased.
Law's face flushed slightly and he quickly turned toward the door. "Use your full body to swing. Do full swings, not half ones," he said as he hurried away, his tone abrupt and gruff in stark contrast to the vulnerability he'd just shown.
You snickered, turning back to your practice with renewed energy. You took his suggestion to heart, swinging wider and twisting your hips with more intention. And although he was gone, you could feel the ghost of his presence, his hands on your arms, his voice in your ear, his quiet belief in your potential.
15 Months
The entire submarine seemed to pulse with unusual tension. Everyone moved with hushed voices, their movements careful and deliberate. The normalcy of routine had been replaced with something heavier.
You made your way through the corridors, noticing the odd behavior but unable to pinpoint its cause. Eventually, you found Bepo in one of the common areas, his usual cheerfulness replaced with anxiety. His hands wrung together nervously.
"Bepo?" you called out. "What's wrong?"
Bepo flinched at the sound of your voice, then relaxed slightly. "Oh, it's just you," he sighed in relief.
"Why are you so jumpy? And why is everyone acting so weird?" you asked, furrowing your brow.
Bepo sighed heavily. "Captain is really tense today. He shouted at everyone in the control room this morning." The worry in his voice was palpable.
"Where is he now?" you asked.
Bepo simply pointed down the hallway toward Law's office.
You made your way toward the captain's quarters, your footsteps quiet on the metal floor. As you approached, a calendar hanging outside his office caught your eye.
You stopped.
Your eyes fixed on the date, and the breath caught in your throat. You'd been aboard so long that you hadn't been tracking the time properly. But there it was: the date that always circled back to haunt you.
"The date always sneaks up on me too," Law's voice came from behind you, pulling you from your spiraling thoughts.
You spun around to face him. He stood in the corridor, still in his coat, and even from a distance, you could see the weariness etched into his features. His eyes were puffy from crying, though he'd clearly tried to hide it.
"It's been fifteen years," you said quietly, your ever-present smile finally slipping away to reveal the grief beneath. "You'd think it would get easier."
Law shook his head slowly. "It never does." He gestured toward his office door, and you followed him inside.
The scent of old paper and ink filled your senses as you entered his space. Books lined the walls, and various documents were scattered across his desk, maps, notes, research. You closed the door behind you softly.
"What brings you to my quarters anyway?" Law asked, slumping into his chair with visible exhaustion.
You jumped onto a clear area on the edge of his desk, positioning yourself to face him. "I came to see why everyone seemed nervous about you today, but I think I've answered that for myself," you admitted.
"I suppose I was in a reactive mood this morning," Law said, rubbing his hand over his face.
"Do they know?" you asked, looking at him with understanding. "Your crew, I mean."
"Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin know the premise," Law replied. "They're my adoptive brothers, after all. But I think they forgot about the date. Not that I can blame them. I often forget about it myself..." He trailed off.
"And then the date comes and all the memories come flooding back," you finished, giving him a small, sad smile.
He nodded, and silence fell between you—the kind of silence that only two people carrying the same weight could share.
You began wringing your fingers together, a nervous habit. "I never told anyone," you admitted softly. "About Flevance. About being a survivor. I was always afraid that if the government found out they'd missed one, they'd stop at nothing to finish the job."
Law swallowed hard, understanding that fear intimately. The paranoia of survival when your government wanted you dead.
You turned to him, meeting his eyes. "How did you survive?"
Law sat up straighter, connecting his gaze with yours. "I hid among the dead bodies of my classmates." His eyes darted away, unable to hold the weight of your stare as tears began to fill his eyes. "My parents and sister were in the hospital when it burned." He sniffed, his voice cracking slightly. "I couldn't get to them."
"You had a sister?" you asked gently.
Law simply nodded, unable to trust his voice further.
"What was she like?" you pressed, your voice soft.
Law took a shaky breath. "She was seven. Trafalgar D. Water Lami."
You perked up slightly. "D. Water?"
"That's my full name," he admitted. "The D clan is considered the enemy of the World Government, so I chose to keep it hidden. To protect myself. To protect anyone who got close to me."
You studied his vulnerable features carefully—the tension in his jaw, the moisture in his eyes, the way his shoulders curved inward protectively.
"I think I do recall Lami," you said thoughtfully. "She had those brown pigtails, right? Always wore that yellowish dress?”
Law's head snapped up, and his eyes suddenly showed a spark of something—hope, maybe. Or the ache of memory. "Yes," he breathed.
"She was kinda annoying," you added, and you watched as Law's jaw clenched.
You bit your lip, uncertain if your joke had landed right, and held your breath.
Then Law snorted—a genuine laugh, "She really was!" he said, a watery smile crossing his face. "She was always following me around, always trying to do whatever I was doing."
The laughter morphed into tears. You leaned over, rubbing his shoulder gently as he wiped his eyes. "She looked up to you," you assured him, feeling the tremor in his shoulders.
"Now that you mention it, I think I recognize your father too," you continued, changing the subject slightly. "I think he was the doctor who treated my brother."
"What is your family name?" Law asked, lifting his head to look at you.
You slouched, suddenly feeling very small. Your family had been nobles—wealthy, well-connected, aware of things they chose not to act on. You fidgeted with your fingers, avoiding his gaze, unable to face what you might see in his expression when he learned the truth.
Law reached over and placed his hand on your leg, rubbing it gently. The warmth of the gesture gave you courage. You took a tight breath and spoke your family name.
Law's eyes widened in recognition, and you still refused to look at him, shame burning through you.
Law sat back, clearly processing the information—the weight of it, the implications, the history it meant you two shared.
"I remember your brother," he said finally. "Gale, right?"
You smiled despite yourself, thinking of him. You gave a small nod.
"He was my dad's first patient for amber lead poisoning," Law recalled, a note of sadness in his voice. "You had four other brothers, didn't you?"
You smirked slightly, the familiar pride in your siblings overriding your embarrassment. "Yeah. Graham, Garrett, Griffin, and Gideon. I was the youngest. Gale was the closest to my age at thirteen."
Law smiled at that—a real smile. "I think I visited your place once with my father. That giant house on the top of the hill. I remember it was a mess."
You tried to hide a laugh, thinking back to your childhood home filled with five teenage boys and all their chaos. "Having five teenage brothers did have its own aesthetic," you said with fondness.
"It explains how you put up with this crew," Law laughed, some of the heaviness lifting from the moment. You joined laughing as well comparing the crew of 18 men to your crew of 5 teenage boys.
Silence fell again, but this time it was softer. Shared.
"I miss them," you said quietly, a bubble of sadness catching in your throat.
Law took in a shaky breath. "I know."
You rubbed your tears away. "We should go do something," you said suddenly.
Law looked confused. "Like what?"
You jumped off the desk, reaching down and grabbing his hands, pulling him out of his chair. "Let's go out and celebrate their lives. Do something special for the fifteenth year."
Law smiled, wiping his own eyes clean. "Okay. Where to?"
"Let's hit the town!" you said, and despite everything, despite the grief and the weight of lost years, Law found himself being pulled toward the door.
You and Law returned late into the night, completely drunk and stumbling into each other with helpless laughter. From the deck of the Polar Tang, Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin watched in amusement.
"How did they convince him to let loose like that?" Penguin commented, nudging his brother with his shoulder.
Shachi laughed, blowing a cloud of smoke into the night air. "Who knows? But I'm glad they did. He was being an extreme bummer today."
"Why was that anyway?" Bepo asked.
The other two exchanged a knowing look. "Ohh shit..." they realized simultaneously.
They turned back to watch their captain nearly slip off the dock as you barely managed to catch his arm, both of you dissolving into giggles. Your skin tone matched his so closely. Your mannerisms echoed his in ways that couldn't be coincidence. The cultural resemblance, now that they were looking for it, seemed obvious.
"Is Y/N from Flevance?" Shachi asked in genuine curiosity, and slight shock.
The three crew members watched in silence, already forming their own theories, watching the way Law's hand steadied you even while he was laughing, watching the way your attention never strayed from him.
Something had shifted. Something important.
9 Months
When the rest of the crew woke, the scent of fresh pancakes filled the submarine's corridors. Within minutes, nearly everyone had made a beeline for the kitchen.
You stood above the stove, humming softly as you flipped what looked like pancakes high into the air, catching them with practiced ease. The counters around you were piled high with golden, fluffy stacks. You turned toward the first crew members to arrive, Penguin, with a bright smile.
"Good morning!" you chirped. "Help yourselves! I made these for all of you!"
The crew wasted no time. They lined up eagerly, filling their plates with the pancake like food and finding seats throughout the galley. Within moments, happy chewing and murmurs of satisfaction filled the space.
You smiled and continued to make more, your humming carrying through the kitchen in a contented melody.
Law was the last to arrive, his eyebrows raising at the sight of his crew's cheerful consumption of breakfast. He made his way toward you, leaning against the counter. "What did you put in those pancakes?" he asked, watching you work with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
You smirked, glancing toward the happily eating crew before turning back to him. "Well for starters, their not pancakes. Their Hootenanny." you said with a wink as you plated some, topping it with berries and slid it toward him.
Law's mouth opened to respond, but you spoke first.
"That batch is made with gluten-free flour," you added. "For you."
Law's eyes widened as he looked down at the plate, and then at you. He closed his mouth, a genuine smile breaking across his face. He pulled the plate closer, cutting a small piece and raising it to his mouth. His eyes widened in shock at the complex flavor—sweet, fruity, with an underlying earthiness that felt like home. A breakfast treat his home was known for.
"Wow," he murmured before quickly eating the rest, unable to slow down. "How?”
You chuckled, clearly pleased by his reaction. "Sanji helped me recreate the recipe from memory. It's probably a little off since he added some of his own flare, but I think it still captures the authentic Flevance flavor."
Law nodded, finishing the last bite. "Why are you doing this?" he asked, turning around to look at his crew, who were contentedly eating their breakfast.
You filled another plate with a stack of cakes and slid in beside him. "It's been a year since I joined your crew, so I wanted to show my thanks. The last island had the supplies I needed, and it just worked out."
Law blinked, processing. "Has it really been a year already?" He looked at you with surprise. "Time really does fly."
You nodded, sliding your own plate in front of you. But you didn't look at him as your eyes drifted away, looking out into the kitchen's middle distance.
Law's brows pinched together. "So in nine months?" he asked carefully, his tone betraying the careful way he was handling the question.
"I'll be finally out of your hair," you said quietly.
Law was silent for a long moment. When he spoke, there was an edge to his voice. "You say that like you're a burden."
You chuckled, finally looking up at him. "Didn't you act like I was when I first joined?"
"When you first joined, I thought you would be a tornado of chaos," Law said, a small smirk crossing his face. "After all, you did steal Bepo's wallet."
"I was going to return it," you protested, pouting slightly.
"Anyway," Law continued, turning to lean his back against the counter, "my point is that for your first week, yes, I was counting down the days until you left. But you quickly changed my mind." He paused, his gaze drifting to his crew before returning to you. "Now I don't know how this crew will function without you."
You shoved your shoulder into his gently, a teasing glint in your eye. "Is that your way of saying you'll miss me?"
Law chuckled, turning to look at you more directly. A small smile played at the corner of his mouth. "Is that hard to believe?"
You shook your head, laughing. "I'll miss this too," you said, your expression softening as you looked toward his crew. "I miss my original crew, but these guys..." Your smile grew wider. "They've become a new family to me."
Law watched you carefully, his eyes scanning your face as if trying to memorize it. "Then why not stay?" he asked softly.
Your expression flickered with conflict. You took a deep breath and looked away, shaking your head slowly. "Law, I owe you so much and I'm grateful beyond words that you let me join your crew," you said carefully. "But—"
"But?" Law prompted, his tone carrying an edge of apprehension.
"But I owe Luffy everything," you said, turning to lean your back against the counter beside him. "The reason I'm here, the reason I'm training—it's all for him. I need to be stronger for my captain."
Law lowered his head, "He is a lucky captain," he murmured so quietly you almost didn't catch it.
You raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at your lips. "Law, are you jealous?" you teased. "Do you like me?"
Law's eyes widened in panic. "What! No!" he said quickly, his voice rising slightly. He pushed himself off the counter, creating distance between you. "I was saying he's lucky to have you on his crew." He began taking steps toward the door, clearly flustered. "Because you're good at cooking Hootenannys."
You snorted with laughter as he hurried toward the exit.
"Law, you're being weird!" you called after him, grinning at his obvious embarrassment.
He didn't turn back, but you could see his shoulders tense slightly before he disappeared around the corner.
2 Months
Months had passed, and Law found himself staring at his calendar with a heaviness he couldn't quite suppress. The days were being crossed off, and you only had two months remaining. You had started telling the crew more stories about the Straw Hats, speaking with increasing excitement about rejoining them and showing off everything you'd learned.
Each time Law overheard these conversations, his frown deepened.
He knew it was inevitable. He'd known from the beginning that this was temporary. And yet... somewhere along the way, temporary had started to feel permanent. You'd become woven into the fabric of his crew, someone he relied on, someone who understood him in ways few others could, someone whose presence had become essential.
Law sighed deeply and walked out of his quarters onto the deck. You were there, sparring with Shachi while the rest of the crew stood in a loose circle, placing bets on who would win. Behind them, a scoreboard tracked wins and losses, you and Shachi were tied for first place.
Shachi threw his leg in a sweeping motion beneath you. You jumped cleanly over the strike and spun to kick at the back of his head, but he anticipated the move. He leaned to the side, grabbed your flying leg, and yanked you towards him, pulling you off balance. You let out a yelp as you hit the mat with controlled impact.
Shachi took his advantage and jumped on top of you, pinning you down as Bepo began counting.
"And Shachi takes the win!" Bepo announced, and the gathered crew cheered or groaned depending on their bets.
You and Shachi both jumped up, laughing and shaking hands. "How did you know I would kick back?" you asked.
"Because you always do," Shachi laughed, and the two of you walked off the mat together, already planning the next match.
"Y/N!" Law called out, drawing your attention.
You turned with a smile and ran over to him. "What's up Traffy! Did you see that fight? I almost had him! I think I can beat him next time. I should of gone for a lower kick followed by a punch." You mimed the movement and corner of law's lips twitched upwards.
Law let the nickname slide without comment, "Yeah, it was good," he said. "Anyway, I need your help with something." He turned back toward the submarine's interior, waiting for you to follow.
You waved goodbye to the crew and followed Law down into the corridors, eventually reaching his quarters. Inside, you found newspaper clippings pinned to the walls and scattered papers everywhere, plans, sketches, notes, all crossed out and reworked multiple times.
Your eyebrows pinched together at the sight. "What's all this?"
Law sighed, sitting on top of his desk and running his hand through his hair, pushing his hat back slightly. "I'm leaving in a month," he admitted.
You spun around, shock registering across your face. "What are you talking about?"
He took a deep breath, “You know how I told you about the man who took me in after Flevance?”
You crossed your arms, “Corazon?”
He nodded, “and how he was killed by his brother.”
You nodded awaiting his answers.
He gestured to a photo of the tall lanky warlord, “What I didn't tell you was his brother was doflamingo.”
You stilled looking at the wanted poster of the man, his extremely high bounty. Law was a warlord himself now but even so his bounty never came close to Doflamingo.
“and you want to kill him.” You said flatly hiding your emotions.
He groaned, yanking at his own hair in frustration. "I don't want to just to kill Doflamingo, but to destroy him and everything he's built. In order to do that, I need to gather intelligence on him and his operations. And I haven't told anyone—I don't plan on telling anyone either."
You furrowed your brow, moving toward the scattered papers. "Then why are you telling me?" you asked, picking up a loose page that showed a layout of a building labeled "Punk Hazard."
"Because I ran into an issue while planning, and you're the only one who can help me work it out," he explained. He paused, then added quieter, "And because you deserve to know."
You nodded, looking over the scattered plans. As you read through the discarded ideas, your stomach sank. These plans were suicidal. "Why don't you want to tell your crew?" you asked, your voice tight.
"Because I won't risk their lives for my vengeance," he said simply. "And if I tell them, they'll either try to join me or try to stop me. Neither option is acceptable."
You turned on him, fury flashing across your face. "So you thought you'd tell me because you think I won't try to stop you?" you snapped.
His eyes widened slightly at your tone, “think?” He repeated, flinching back slightly from the rage in your eyes.
The anger boiled inside you as you began throwing the papers at the man. Law immediately raised his arms to block the incoming barrage.
“Did you think that I wouldn't care because I'm leaving in two months anyways? That once I go back to the Straw Hats, none of this would matter?" You grabbed more papers from the desk and threw them at his face. “That I would be ok with you running off trying to get yourself killed!”
"Wait! That's not it!" he pleaded, covering his face with his forearms as paper rained down on him.
"Then what is it?" you demanded, still throwing papers. "Because that's exactly what this looks like!"
Law snatched at your arms stopping your attacks. "I showed you this so you could help me rework it," he said firmly. "And to ask you for a favor. A real favor."
You leveled a look at him, breathing heavily, waiting for him to continue.
"I want to ask your captain to form an alliance." Law said carefully.
You paused, your anger draining away as quickly as it had arrived. "Okay," you said slowly. Your arms falling out of his grip and to your sides.
"Okay?" Law asked, clearly expecting more resistance. "Just okay? No questions, no more throwing things? You're on board?"
You nodded, and without waiting for further explanation, you moved past him and shoved him off his desk. You pulled a pen and paper out of the drawer and began smoothing out and organizing the crumpled pages you'd thrown.
"With Luffy always," you said as you worked. "I'm on board with whatever you need."
Law watched you, something shifting in his expression. "You trust him that much?"
"Oh goodness, no," you said honestly, still gathering papers. "That boy has no concept of a plan and it will surely piss you off when he enviably ditches it, but I know that Luffy will keep you alive." You paused and turned to face him directly. "Law, you're planning on surviving this, right? Because your life is not worth your vengeance. But if that's what you need, we'll do it."
Law closed his mouth and looked away from you, but not before you caught the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. After a long moment, he nodded and looked back at you. "Do you think Strawhat-ya would even agree to an alliance?"
You laughed—a short, genuine laugh. "All you have to say is you want to fight someone and he'll be on board immediately." You smiled before returning to organizing his rough plans and piece it together to fit your captain and crew into them.
Law looked at you while you worked, your brow furrowed in concentration. "Thank you, Y/N," he said softly.
You looked up to see him watching you with an expression of genuine gratitude and something deeper you couldn't quite name. You gave him a slight smirk. "Thank me when we make it back alive and you get to reunite with your crew properly."
Law chuckled with a nod, turning back to the desk. The two of you worked late into the night, planning and strategizing, your thoughts weaving together until the line between his vengeance and your alliance became inseparable.
1 month
It was time for goodbyes or at least, goodbyes of a sort.
Law was leaving the crew at a strange island, split between a freezing tundra on one side and boiling lava fields on the other.
Law held a small bag slung over his shoulder while his crew pulled him into a massive group hug. He was scowling at the contact, his body rigid with discomfort, but you could tell by his eyes, the way they softened slightly, the way the tension in his shoulders eased just a fraction, that he was enjoying it more than he'd ever admit.
After a long moment, Law finally pushed them away, his expression immediately returning to its usual stoic state. He turned to you as you waited by the ramp, your arms crossed over your chest.
"I'll see you in a month," he said, and there was a slight smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
You nodded. "You better not do anything stupid until then."
"You're the one who needs to stay out of trouble," he chuckled, and there was affection beneath the teasing.
You snorted. "You know full well I can't promise that. Trouble is practically my middle name."
He shook his head with a knowing smile, the kind that said he'd expected nothing less from you. But then his expression grew quieter, more serious. "Just make sure to stay alive," he said softly. "I quite like not being the sole survivor of Flevance."
The words hung in the air between you, and time seemed to pause.
Twenty-one months ago, the mere mention of that island would have made you flinch. Would have sent you spiraling back into memories of fire and screaming and loss. But now, hearing Law say it—hearing him acknowledge that you were both survivors, that you were no longer alone in that burden it made something shifted inside your chest.
You blinked, taking a moment to compose yourself. When you finally spoke, your voice was steady. "I do too."
Law's eyes slightly widened, and you watched as something flickered across his face.
"Are you absolutely sure you won't stay?" he asked quietly, his eyes searching yours. "Once this is all over?"
You lifted a finger to your chin, tapping it thoughtfully. "How about this," you said slowly. "I'll consider it if you come out of this alive."
Law's smile grew, wider and more genuine than you'd seen it in weeks. "I'll take that deal."
He extended his hand toward you, a formal gesture that somehow felt more intimate than anything else that had happened between you. You took it without hesitation, and his grip was warm and solid and full of promise.
"Don't die, Traffy" you said with a smirk as his nose slightly scrunched at the nickname.
"Don't die, Y/N," he replied, squeezing your hand once before letting go.
He turned and walked down the ramp without looking back. As the submarine began to pull away from the dock, you stayed at the railing, watching him disappear into the depths of his plan, into his vendetta, into the unknown.
One month.
One month until you saw him again. One month until you see your captain again. One month to prepare yourself for war. One month to survive.
You could do that. You'd survived worse.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Deleted Scenes
A/N: Thank you for reading! if you enjoy post like this check out my Masterlist. and if you want to send me a request for my next post please send me a message!
Also let me know if you want to see a part 2. It's been a while since I wrote a one piece short and I'm quite pleased with this one.
All the chapters for Trial of the Cloaking Brooch have been finally posted here on Tumblr! I hope you can give it a chance.
This was my first completed fic that wasn't a short story, and I had so much fun writing it! I know most fandoms have opinions on OC because they can sometime feel like self-insert characters or have weak backstories, but I promise you my OCs are not that. Also, the main character of this book is Leo, not the OCs.
This story starts off fun while we get to know the characters but halfway through we shift to a higher pace story, with fighting, villains, slight body horror, ancient curses and more. This is a book about anxiety and friendship.
I really hope you can give it a chance because I promise its worth it.
If you have read it and given it a chance, thank you! And please tell me what you think!
Summary: What happens when you let your anxiety and trauma control your life?
Leo is drowning under the weight of leadership. Every decision feels wrong. Every strategy could fail. So he does what he's always done, he runs. He finds a cloaking brooch gives him the perfect escape. A chance to be just Leo, not the leader everyone's counting on. That's where he meets Alice with anxieties that mirror his own. For the first time in months, he can breathe. But secrets catch up. When a cure for the mutagen is discovered, it brings war instead of peace, and Leo's new friend is trapped in the middle of it.
A story about the lies anxiety tells us, and two people trying to save each other from drowning—one literally, one metaphorically.
This is not a romance. it's a story about friendship and trust.
I have some bonus content on Ao3, so here's that link: Trials of the Cloaking Brooch (98758 words) by Marigold422
Trials of the Mini Series
These Mini Episodes are all self contained chapters in a sitcom style following the characters a year after the events of the book and post Krang Invasion. Most are fun, some are backstories or flashback to answer questions the book didn't, some deal with the trauma they all have.
Trials of the Living Situation | Trials of the Gaslighting, Gatekeeping, Genius | Trials of the Haymaker Mission
Ao3 is a few episodes ahead: Trials of the Mini Series (15366 words) by Marigold422
Yup, another round of these ! As usual I did my best to find and tag authors that have tumblr accounts but some I couldn't manage to dig up. If y'all know their url feel free to tag them in the replies or in a reblog !
See my other rec posts: Part 1, Part 2
Check out my own masterpost of fics here!
One Shots
Ping, Reset, Try Again – @untitled-tmnt-blog : Leo and Raph centric, sometime after the invasion Leo appears to be addicted to a mobile game, which isn't quite like him, and Raph is trying to figure out why. Love how this fic leads the reader to finding out the answer the same time Raph does. Great build up too.
Trust – Untitled-tmnt-blog : Another one of theirs! This time Leo and Draxum. Leo doesn't trust Draxum, possibly never will fully, but maybe at some point he can let his guard down a little less. Love how their dynamic is approached in this.
tell me where to put my love – @lasanya539 : Mikey and Donnie time ! A short but sweet (and a little depressing) fic about these two trying to help each other cope with recent events. Sometimes refreshing to see Mikey leaning on others rather than trying to be the helper all the time.
Walk a Green Mile – LouieRambles : I know this person has a tumblr but I can't find it, hope they see this! Anyway this whole series is a bunch of fun for anyone who likes the idea of littlest brother Raph, but this one definitely takes the cake. As much as I love the canon dynamics of the siblings it's VERY interesting to consider the idea of the baby brother also deciding to be the family shield. (Basically Mikey's the oldest and Raph is the youngest in this au)
of fate, of family – @threestripeslider : Karai fics, Karai fics !! Incredibly good and incredibly emotional. As much as I love fics exploring her dynamic with the boys, I think the things she and Splinter could end up talking about are just as interesting and this fic nails it
Fingerpainting the Mona Lisa – @antimattercontainment : I already sang this fic praises when I did it some fanart but man it's so good. Insane how much it says in so few words, with an absolutely poetic description about Leo's facade and an utter gut punch of a line at the end. Stunning.
Just a little longer – @brain-rot-tmnt : Oh, ouch, oof, dying words moment. AKA Leo doesn't get out of the prison dimension but his communicator still works, so he says a few last things to his family. Devastating.
I Want War (But I Need Peace) – Soep: We love Casey (Cassandra) fics! Glad I stumbled upon this one cause I was really missing her. A great introspection to her character and how she might approach the changes in her life after ditching the Foot Clan. Love it.
Anger is the Color of Your Energy – @poparchives : Yaaaas another incredible Raph from this author. Piling on his insecurities that blows up thanks to some mystic interference (that's also life threatening uh oh). The scene where his emotions really explode had me getting up and pacing due to the mass of emotions. REALLY recommend if you wanna see the red boy go through it.
I'll Stay There Until You Fall Asleep and Be There When You Wake Up – @kat-theglitch: Incredibly good Leo and Splinter moment. I love Splinter doing his best to be a dad. Not to mention how much of the conversation isn't even spoken out loud. Really nice.
Chapter Fics
The Shield's Collapse (Completed) – KeraFiction: More Raph angst ! Well some for all of the boys really. When an enemy puts Raph in critical condition (and then even Leo to boot) Donnie and Mikey have to take charge in order to save them. It keeps you on the edge of your seat for sure.
Trials of the Cloaking Brooch (Completed) – @iamnot-crazy: So glad the author asked me to give this fic a shot. The approach definitely seems like something most people wouldn't look at but it's so worth it. What starts out as just Leo trying to shake off the pressure of being turned into the leader by going to a card game club once a week really explodes into a high stakes plot. Sure there's OCs but plenty of people read and enjoyed one of my OC fics and the original characters in here really feel like part of the setting.
Come Back Home, Please (In Progress) – @orionwritesstuff : Raph as a toddler ends up in the hands of the Battle Nexus, and tragically despite his father's best attempts to get him back it just never happens. Insanely excited to see where this fic is going. We even have Draxum being a bit of a softie to Raph who is just... basically in hell right now. Rough times all around.
Severed – lunar-echoes (In Progress): Mikey's not the only one with time travel it seems. A kraang shows up before the invasion even happens, trying to deal with Leo before he becomes a threat. Leo ends up warping far away and is then cut off from his ninpo. He's doing his best to get home and his family is desperate to find him, but the kraang has many ways to make itself a threat so it's not going to be easy. SO intense. Gripping my seat the whole time.
Others (Completed) – @khlegacynexus: You may or may not wanna read the prior fics in this series for full context, but I think this could be a fun one even without it if you're ever interested in missing sibling plotlines for rise. Between three major villains causing problems for the turtles and each other, family drama, and trying to adapt to a new sister and save the other one, there's never a dull moment in here. This author also loves to bring characters and inspiration over from other iterations.
Ace of Hearts (In Progress) – @theeviltriplet-fromao3: Y'all know I'm an aroace Rise Leo kind of person but aroace Rise Mikey is just as fun and I really love how this fic is exploring it. In the sense that we're up against a villain kinda like in the show (though we're in borderline horror film territory) but thank goodness Mikey is immune. Not that he even knows why haha. A really compelling villain too.
Division (In Progress) – @loupanox: We're early on in this fic but I'm already seated. I suppose because I'm already sensing the brains and brawn angst but I'm also here for the Raph angst to boot. There's been some concepts before of what if the gang didn't clear Raph of the kraang infection, and with Leo out of the picture currently things are only going to get more tense!
