Summary: Law isn’t good with words. But after finding himself thinking about the quiet ways his father used to show love to his mother, Law decides to try something different.
You sat at the table with Penguin and Shachi while Bepo lay sprawled comfortably across your lap, quietly enjoying the way your fingers scratched through his soft fur. Your fingers moved lazily through the white fluff, and the large polar bear instinctively shuffled closer, fully embracing his role as an oversized stuffed animal.
From across the room, Law watched you.
There was something soft in his gaze, something thoughtful. The corners of his lips threatened to curl into a smile.
The truth was, he had always had a weakness for cute things. And for quite some time now, he had considered you to be the cutest of them all.
You in your warm, soft pajamas. You peeking into his office late at night carrying a fresh cup of coffee and something to eat. Sometimes it was hot chocolate instead, accompanied by yet another attempt to convince your doctor, your captain, and your boyfriend to try the sugary disaster despite his constant insistence that he “wasn’t really into sweets.”
You, always willing to listen whenever he rambled about a new medical discovery, your eyes bright with interest and your smile completely genuine. Even when he talked about things the crew would relentlessly tease him for, like his comic books or his coin collection, you never looked bored. Not once.
He found your clumsiness endlessly endearing too. Somehow existing within the same person capable of deadly combat and flawless strategy. It reminded him painfully of someone from his past—someone just as warm and sincere.
Though you were considerably less accident-prone, he had to admit.
He still hadn’t found the strength to tell you about that person.
Truthfully, there were many things about his past he hadn’t managed to share yet. You had probably pieced fragments together already through conversations, things overheard from the crew, and your own intuition. Your relationship was still young enough that there were chapters of each other’s lives left unread, but old enough that neither of you needed every detail to understand the other.
He loved finding you curled up in the library with a book, or half-asleep in bed—sometimes your own, sometimes his—waiting for him to finally stop working and come lie down too.
He loved the spark that lit your eyes whenever the two of you visited museums in whatever city the crew temporarily docked at. The conversations about paintings, writers, history, myths. The way your excitement spilled into every topic you touched.
And he loved your affection for sweet things.
Especially, as you constantly reminded him, for him.
“The sweetest thing of all.”
Every single time, it earned an exasperated eye roll, ears tinged pink beneath the brim of his hat, and a desperate attempt to change the subject or stare intensely at the nearest wall.
Sweet. Sweet. Sweet.
Law wasn’t always fond of revisiting the past. It followed him regardless of where he went, a shadow he had never quite managed to outrun.
But that evening, his thoughts drifted to his family.
To his father.
He remembered the way his father would surprise his mother with bouquets of the freshest flowers he could find. There was always a small note tucked among the stems, usually containing only a few words, yet somehow capable of bringing an even brighter smile and a blush to her cheeks.
Sometimes his father would return home early from work, a near impossibility for a doctor as respected as he had been, simply because he wanted more time with his wife and children.
Law remembered him helping around the house without being asked. Cooking lunch. Washing windows. Dusting shelves. Even the smallest, most ordinary little acts had been woven together with care and affection.
The captain found himself yearning for that too.
Love didn’t always have to be spoken.
Perhaps that was why the memories lingered.
Because words had never been his strongest point.
He loved you.
God, he loved you.
There was never any doubt about that.
Yet sometimes it felt as though an unbearable invisible weight sat heavily across his shoulders, preventing him from taking that final step and showing you every ounce of tenderness he carried for you.
And there was so much tenderness. More than he knew how to express.
He only hoped you knew that already.
So he started small.
Just as you were about to leave your room and march down the corridor to his office and force your chronically sleep-deprived boyfriend into getting at least a tolerable amount of rest, the door slid open.
Law stood there holding two mugs of hot chocolate piled high with whipped cream and two books tucked beneath one arm.
“I figured you could use about three hundred milliliters of concentrated sugar shock right now.”
His voice was as flat as ever, but the warmth in his eyes betrayed him. One corner of his mouth twitched upward as he stepped inside.
You blinked.
Before you could say anything, he crossed the room, placed one of your favorite books in your lap, and set the mugs on the nightstands on either side of the bed.
A moment later he slipped beneath the blankets beside you. Without a word, he nudged you gently against his shoulder and opened his own book.
You stared at him. Then at the hot chocolate. Then at him again.
“…Are you feeling alright?”
Law snorted.
“Unfortunately.”
You laughed, and the sound alone made the strange fluttering sensation in his chest feel worthwhile.
A few mornings later, you woke to something even stranger.
Instead of waking up alone in bed while Law disappeared into another round of research before sunrise, you woke up wrapped tightly in your lover’s arms, his hands resting securely around your waist.
For a long moment, you simply stared.
It wasn’t unusual to fall asleep together.
It was unusual to wake up together.
Usually, by the time dawn painted pale streaks across the submarine’s metal walls, he had already disappeared into his office to bury himself beneath stacks of notes and medical journals.
As though he sensed you stirring awake, he pulled you even closer, a sleepy sound escaping him.
Then he buried his face deeper into your hair.
“Keep sleeping.”
His voice was muffled against your head.
“We’re comfortable like this.”
You smiled despite yourself.
“Captain, are you cuddling me?”
“No.”
“You literally have me trapped.”
“It’s a strategic embrace.”
A laugh escaped you.
The vibration of it made him pull you even closer. He inhaled slowly, catching the familiar scent of coconut and mango from your shampoo.
Warm. Comforting. Home.
For once, neither of you moved.
On another morning, you walked into the kitchen expecting to begin preparing breakfast for the crew since it happened to be your turn.
Instead, you found Law already there.
The counters were occupied by ingredients, dirty bowls, and evidence of what could only be described as organized chaos. He was in the middle of arranging food onto plates.
When he noticed you standing in the doorway, he immediately became very interested in the knife he was holding.
“I couldn’t sleep. Thought I’d make things easier for you.”
His eyes flicked toward yours, nervous despite himself as he waited for your reaction.
Your entire face lit up and you immediately walked up to shower him with kisses..
Before he could retreat, you crossed the kitchen and threw your arms around his neck.
“Law!”
You kissed one cheek.
Then the other.
Then his jaw.
Then his forehead.
The poor man nearly short-circuited.
He blushing so hard it was almost concerning, grumbling under his breath and pretending to complain the entire time.
Heat rushed straight to his ears.
“H-Hey.”
Another kiss.
“Cut it out.”
Another kiss.
“I’m serious.”
Another.
You finally pulled away enough to see his face.
Bright red.
Absolutely mortified.
And cute. Very cute.
Law muttered something incoherent under his breath and turned back toward the food as if the frying pan had suddenly become the most fascinating object in the world.
You only laughed harder.
The gifts continued.
Whenever the Polar Tang docked somewhere for supplies and circumstances forced you to stay behind to guard the submarine, your Surgeon of Death always returned with something for you.
A rare edition of a book.
A dress he’d spotted in a shop window.
A local dessert from a bakery tucked away in some side street.
A trinket tied to the history of the island.
Something thoughtful, chosen specifically for you.
He never made a big deal out of it. Usually he’d leave the gift beside you with a muttered explanation before pretending it wasn’t important.
Once, he returned with a shirt he clearly intended for you to sleep in—a design modeled after the tattoos stretched across his chest.
He didn’t even stay long enough to watch you open it.
The second he dropped the bag onto the couch beside you—where you sat listening to yet another one of Penguin’s ridiculously long jokes—he turned on his heel and marched straight back to his office.
He did not wait to watch you open it.
His stomach was performing acrobatics the entire way there. His pulse wouldn’t settle and something beneath his ribs felt unbearably strange.
Fifteen minutes later, a knock sounded at his door.
Then it opened.
You stepped inside wearing only your robe and the shirt.
Law glanced up and promptly forgot how breathing worked.
The oversized black fabric disappeared beneath your bathrobe, but the familiar tattoo design stretched across your chest exactly as he’d imagined.
Heat rushed violently up Law’s neck, spreading over his ears and across his cheeks in seconds.
“H-Hey… what are you doing?” he asked, heart pounding so hard he was convinced it might burst straight through his ribs and sink the entire submarine.
You smiled at him from beneath your lashes.
“I wanted to show you how much I like my gift.”
You walked over slowly, placing both hands on his shoulders before covering his face in kisses—his jaw, cheek, forehead, eyes, eyebrows, nose, and finally his lips.
By that time whatever remained of his composure had surrendered completely.
He deepened the kiss immediately.
Strong arms wrapped around your waist before sliding lower, lifting you effortlessly into his lap and pulling you flush against him.
When the kiss finally broke, his forehead rested against yours.
“I like it too,” he whispered against your mouth, the corners of his lips curved slightly.
“Especially on you.”
The following week, the Polar Tang surfaced near a small coastal town.
For once, there were no emergencies and the crew scattered to enjoy the rare sunlight however they pleased. Some swam. Others wandered into town. Some napped on deck, read books, or simply enjoyed the fresh air before the submarine inevitably returned to the dark depths below. Some headed into town.
You and Bepo claimed a comfortable spot on deck and spent the morning enjoying the warmth.
Law had gone into town on urgent business—restocking ingredients for his medicines—but insisted he wouldn’t be long and that there was no need for you to come with him.
Bepo had strangely supported this argument with suspicious enthusiasm.
Still, you didn’t think much of it. Days like this were rare.
At some point, Bepo wandered off to grab cold lemonade while you stayed stretched out in your chair, eyes closed, listening to the waves and feeling the ocean breeze brush softly against your legs.
Everything felt peaceful.
Then suddenly, a tall shadow blocked the warmth of the sun.
You peeked over your sunglasses and found your beautiful, impossibly tall boyfriend standing over you, holding an enormous bouquet of peonies in soft pastel shades—soft pink, white, creamy, pale lilac. Petals layered like clouds.
Your breath caught.
“They’re beautiful,” you whispered, eyes shining as you buried your nose into the sweet floral scent. “How did you know these were my favorite?”
Law watched you quietly.
His expression softened.
He’d known because months ago you’d stopped in front of a flower stall and spent nearly ten minutes admiring peonies.
You hadn’t realized he’d noticed, but he did of course.
Law noticed everything about you.
“Lucky guess,” he replied quietly, watching you instead of the flowers.
You narrowed your eyes.
“Liar.”
He shrugged.
Your fingers brushed against a folded note tucked between the stems.
The moment you noticed it, Law swallowed hard.
Suddenly he felt far more nervous than he had facing emperors, marines, or sea monsters.
Slowly, you unfolded it and three words stared back at you.
I love you.
You looked up at him immediately, startled and flushed pink.
Then Law exhaled.
“I mean it,” he said before you could speak.
“Even if saying it out loud is hard for me sometimes. I love you. Breathing feels easier when you’re around. I sleep better beside you. You make every day better.”
He continued before courage could abandon him.
“Everything is better.”
The vulnerability in his expression nearly broke your heart. And he swallowed thickly.
“Sorry if I’m not always good at showing it.”
Tears gathered in your eyes before you could stop them and you laughed softly and shook your head.
“I love you too, idiot,” you whispered, hugging the bouquet tighter. “Very, very much.” A tear escaped despite your smile.
“And trust me—you show it plenty. I never want you to stop.”
Something warm settled inside his chest. The anxious knot he’d been carrying all morning finally unraveled.
“I don’t plan to.”
He carefully took the bouquet from your arms and placed it on the lounge chair beside you, You could put them in a vase later.
the heart pirates makes law answer to a love test to see if he's in love with you and how much
a/n: at first I did it with a fem!reader bc I mistook the request, so if you read she/her somewhere it’s bc of this and I skipped it by mistake, so I’ll be glad if you can leave a comment and make me correct it asap! oh and for the test I used one online lmao so the questions are from there eheh
law m.list || anime m.list || ao3 || ko-fi || requests list
The Polar Tang is quiet for about five seconds.
Then Penguin slams a newspaper onto the table “CAPTAIN!”
Law does not look up from the medical reports in front of him “No.”
“I didn’t even ask anything.”
“You yelled. Whatever follows is a problem.”
Shachi appears from nowhere and drops into the seat beside Penguin.
“It’s not a problem, it’s actually a solution!”
“It’s absolutely a problem.” Law says.
Bepo walks in carrying tea “What happened?”
Penguin points dramatically at the newspaper “We found science.”
Law already hates where this is going “Leave.”
“No.”
“That’s not a request.”
Penguin ignores him completely “Look at this.”
He shoves the paper into Law’s face.
Law glances at it, then glances again… then slowly lowers the newspaper… then he says “...Is this a love quiz?”
“It’s in the lifestyle section.” Shachi says seriously “As all important science is.”
Law pinches the bridge of his nose and sarcastically says “I became a pirate for this.”
Bepo leans over to read and his eyes widen “Oh.”
“Oh?” Law repeats.
“Oh.”
“Stop saying oh.”
Penguin suddenly stands on a chair “Today’s experiment is simple.”
“No.”
“We determine whether Captain is in love.”
“No.”
“With a certain person.”
“No.”
“Who definitely is our dear crewmate y/n.”
Law glares.
Shachi gasps dramatically “He didn’t deny that part!”
“I literally denied everything.”
“Not strongly enough.”
Law stands “I’m leaving.”
Penguin points at him “RUNNING FROM THE TRUTH.”
“I’m running from you idiots.”
Before Law can escape, Bepo gently grabs his sleeve “Captain…”
Law looks down.
Bepo gives him the saddest eyes imaginable “...Please?”
Law stares.
Bepo stares back.
Penguin and Shachi are holding their breath.
Finally Law sighs… a long, defeated sigh “One question.”
The room explodes.
“YES!”
“HE AGREED!”
“SCIENCE WINS!”
Five minutes later Law finds himself trapped at the table.
Penguin has a pen.
Shachi has the newspaper.
Bepo has become the official emotional support bear.
The rest of the crew around are pretending not to listen. Pretending very badly.
Shachi clears his throat “Question one.”
Law already regrets everything.
Shachi reads dramatically “First of all, do you have a specific person in mind before starting this test?”
Penguin immediately checks a box “Yes.”
Law blinks “You didn’t even let me answer.”
Penguin looks offended “Captain.”
“What?”
“We’re doing this for a reason.”
Shachi nods “It would be weird if you didn’t have y/n in mind.”
“You don’t know if I do.”
The entire room stares at him.
Penguin marks the answer harder “Definitely yes.”
Law considers murder… just a little.
“Question two.”
Shachi sits up straighter “Could you spend six months on an isolated island with no one else but them?”
Law immediately frowns “What kind of question is that?”
“A powerful one.”
“There are options.”
Penguin points at the paper “Option one: Yes, and I would enjoy it. Option two: It would be difficult, but I could do it. Option three: I don’t think I could survive that with anyone.”
Law doesn’t answer immediately, which is already suspicious.
Shachi notices first “Oh?”
Law ignores him.
He taps his fingers against the table.
An isolated island.
Six months.
No crew.
No pirates.
No newspaper.
Just…
His thoughts stop before THEM reach your name, but unfortunately his silence lasts too long.
Penguin checks the first option “Yes, and I would enjoy it.”
Law immediately points at the paper “I didn’t say I’d enjoy it.”
“Oh?”
“I just said yes.”
Shachi leans forward “You’d spend six months alone with them.”
“Yes.”
“In a tiny hut on an isolated island.”
“Yes.”
“No books.”
“Yes.”
“No one else.”
“Yes.”
Shachi raises an eyebrow “You’d hate it.”
Law opens his mouth, then pauses for a second too long “...No.”
The word is almost a whisper.
The room freezes.
Bepo’s jaw drops.
Penguin drops the pen.
Someone at the other side of the room chokes on water.
Law realizes what he said.
Shachi slowly places both hands on the table “Captain.”
“No.”
“You would enjoy it.”
“No.”
“You literally just—”
“No.”
Penguin checks the answer anyway, very aggressively.
“This quiz is stupid.”
“Question three!”
Law groans.
Shachi reads “Imagine your partner became wildly successful and always had a lot of attention on them, comparatively making you constantly in their shadow.”
Law already hates the wording.
“How would you feel?”
Penguin reads the options “Option A: Incredibly proud. Option B: Proud, for sure, but maybe a little inadequate with myself, too. Option C: I think, in all honesty, I wouldn’t like that sense of inequality.”
Law stands “I’m leaving.”
“Nope.”
“I’m serious.”
“So are we.”
“This is ridiculous.”
Bepo looks up from the paper “Captain?”
“What?”
“If, for example, y/n would defeat some big pirate…”
Law freezes for a moment, but everyone sees it.
Bepo smiles “Captain would be proud.”
The room becomes silent.
Law looks at the door, then at the table, then at Bepo… then away.
But he doesn’t leave.
Penguin slowly reaches for the answer sheet “Silence means yes.”
Law doesn’t argue, because somehow arguing right now feels worse.
Shachi points dramatically “Option one!”
The box gets checked.
Law immediately grabs the newspaper “How many questions are left?”
Penguin grins “A lot.”
Law’s eye twitches “A lot?”
“A terrifying amount.”
“I hate this test.”
Shachi leans back in his chair “Oh, Captain.”
“What?”
“We’re only getting started.”
From somewtheme behind them, a familiar voice speaks “Getting started with what?”
The entire crew freezes.
Law nearly drops the newspaper.
Because standing in the doorway is you, looking confused and holding a stack of supplies.
Penguin slowly covers the answer sheet with both hands.
Shachi smiles far too brightly “Nothing.”
You narrow your eyes “Why does it feel like you’re lying?”
Law immediately stands “Good question.”
You look at him, he stops and you smile at him “I’m going back into my shopping, do you need something? Any clothes? Books?”
Shachi speaks first “Why are you only asking him?? We might need something too.”
You look at him with disgust “You can go get them yourself if you need something.”
He gasps “Captain could go himself as well, you’re being unfair!”
You fight back “Or maybe he has Captain things to do? You are useless so what do you even have to do—”
You two fight for a while then Law tells you “I don’t need anything, don’t worry.”
You nod and leave after punching Shachi, too soft to hurt but Shachi is dramatic, so that was enough.
The door closes behind you.
Silence.
Then someone says… or better yells “CAPTAIN IS SO IN LOVE.”
Law closes his eyes “I hate all of you.”
Penguin looks down at the newspaper “No time for hate.”
“There is always time to hate you.”
“Question four!”
Shachi clears his throat dramatically “Do you think this person is special?”
He reads the answers.
“Option A: Yes, I feel lucky to know them. Option B: Yeah, to me. Option C: Maybe not ‘special’, but they’re definitely a good person.”
Now, he fastly add “To be honest I don’t understand, they’re annoying and stupid. They’re not special at all…”
Law looks at Shachi with disgust “You’re the annoying and stupid one.”
Shachi gasps and adds “Defensive, aren’t we??”
Law looks at the wall, the wall is suddenly fascinating.
“Captain?” Penguin asks.
Law sighs… a long sigh.
Finally he speaks “they're…”
The room waits.
“...Y/N.”
Silence.
The crew stare.
Law frowns “What?”
Nobody answers.
Penguin slowly turns toward Shachi, who slowly turns toward Penguin. Then both look back at Law.
Penguin nods “Yeah.”
Shachi nods too “Definitely.”
Law narrows his eyes “Definitely what?”
Penguin checks a box “‘Yeah, to me.’”
“What?”
“That’s what that means.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“It absolutely is.”
“You asked if they're special.”
“Exactly.”
“And?”
“And you answered by saying that they're Y/N… which means they're special to you.”
Shachi says “Yeah, or you would have said they're annoying, like you do with us.”
Law's eye twitches.
Shachi points at him “Special.”
Law decides silence is safer.
Unfortunately, silence is apparently an answer today.
“Next question!”
Law regrets staying.
Penguin reads “How does the idea of… sleeping with them, and only them, for the rest of your life make you feel?”
The room becomes very quiet.
Very, very quiet.
Even Shachi stops smiling.
Bepo coughs.
Clione, whose silence in the room, nearly falls off a chair.
Law immediately says “I ain’t answering this.”
His answer comes so fast everyone starts laughing.
“Captain’s ears are red.”
“They are not.”
“They are.”
“They absolutely are.”
Law pulls his hat lower, but unfortunately it does nothing for his ears.
Shachi looks at the options and reads them “A: I should be so lucky!! B: I’d rather only sleep with them than not sleep with them at all. B: I’d rather only sleep with one person than potentially not sleep with anyone at all. C: I don’t think I could do that, to be honest.”
Nobody knows what to do or say, so the room falls into deep thoughts.
“But,” Shachi repeats, “he’s obviously completely gone for Y/N.”
“I’m not.”
Nobody listens.
“So…”
The whole crew think. Penguin thinks. Bepo thinks. Jean Bart somehow thinks.
Then “Oh.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.”
“That makes sense.”
Everybody nods together.
Penguin checks the first answer “I should be so lucky!!”
Law stares at the paper, then at them.
He sighs… a very tired sigh.
But he doesn’t leave.
“Next question!”
“Please stop.”
“Can you name their favourite food, book, and music?”
The room immediately turns toward Law.
Law blinks “What?”
Shachi lowers the newspaper “Captain.”
“What?”
“You know all of them, don’t you?”
Law answers without thinking “their favourite food changes every few months and depends on their mood, but currently it’s—”
The room erupts “HE STARTED ANSWERING.”
“He actually knows!”
“Current favourite food?!”
Law immediately stops talking and looks at the wall, but it’s way too late.
Penguin is already checking the box “I don’t need to hear more.”
Law buries his face in one hand.
The quiz continues.
Shachi reads the next one “Do you think that this relationship is special and unreplicable? Yes, definitely. Or… I think it's a good relationship, but ultimately there are many people with whom I could have a good relationship.”
Shachi doesn't even finish reading that he checks the first box “There.”
Law looks up “You didn’t even ask.”
“I didn’t need to.”
“You absolutely did.”
Shachi points at him “Same logic as before.”
“That isn’t logic.”
“It is.”
“It isn’t.”
“It is.”
Penguin joins him “You only care about Y/N.”
Law looks offended “You’re all here and alive, aren’t you.”
The room immediately becomes emotional.
“Aww.”
“Captain.”
“He cares.”
Law immediately regrets speaking.
“But.” Sahchi raises a finger “Not like he cares about Y/N.”
The emotional moment dies instantly.
Law wishes for a sea king attack “Last question on this page.”
“Thank God.”
Penguin reads “they got a new job offer that meant they’d have to be in a totally different part of the world for eighteen months.”
Law already hates this.
“What would you do?”
He reads the answers.
"A: We’d do long distance, or maybe I'd even move with them. We’d make it work. B: I would give long distance a go, maybe reassess in due course. C: I would ask them not to do it. D: I wouldn’t stop them from going, but we’d probably break up."
Law immediately frowns.
"We’re pirates in the same crew, they works with me."
The room freezes.
Penguin's grin slowly grows dangerously.
“We’re pirates in the same crew…” he repeats.
Law is confused, because isn’t that obvious?
So he answers “Yes.”
“Same crew.”
“Yes.”
“Working together.”
“Yes.”
“Every day.”
“Yes.”
“WITH you.”
Law closes his eyes and the room explodes.
“HE SAID WITH ME.”
“NOT FOR ME.”
“WITH ME.”
“THAT’S SO CUTE.”
Law seriously considers jumping into the ocean.
Bepo smiles “I think the second answer is better in our case.”
Everyone pauses and then nods.
“Yeah.”
“That's reasonable.”
“Very healthy.”
Penguin checks the box.
Law doesn't even bother arguing anymore. He has lost control of this situation completely.
Shachi looks down at the end of the page, then he slowly smiles “Oh.”
Law immediately doesn't like that smile “What?”
“Oh no.”
“What?”
“There are more questions.”
Law stands “I’m leaving.”
“Captain—”
“I'm leaving.”
“Captain, wait.”
“No.”
“Just two! And then there’s a result section.”
Law stops.
“Don't you want to know your score?”
Law stares “...Maybe.”
The crew immediately scream.
After a few minutes… Law should have left. That is the only thought running through his head. He should have left after the first question.
Or the second.
Or when Shachi and Penguin started answering for him.
Instead he’s still here, sitting at the table. Watching his dignity sink deeper and deeper into the ocean.
Penguin clears his throat “Second-to-last question.”
“Thank God.”
“Do you find yourself daydreaming about them and smiling?”
Penguin reads the answers “Literally all the time! Or… Definitely when we first met; less now but it still happens on occasion, especially when they're away. C: No, I’m too busy. D: That's lame as hell.”
Law immediately answers “No. I’m too busy.”
The answer comes so fast that nobody even finishes reading the options.
The room falls silent, then—“Bullshit.”
Law points at Penguin “Oi.”
“Bullshit.”
“Shachi.”
“Bullshit.”
“Bepo?”
Bepo looks guilty “...Maybe a little? …Sorry.”
Law stares.
Bepo immediately looks away.
Shachi suddenly points “Question. When Y/N goes on supply runs alone, what do you do?”
Law frowns “What?”
“What do you do?”
“Work.”
“Liar.”
“I work.”
“You stand near the window.”
Law opens his mouth and closes it.
“Aha!”
“I stand near the window because it's a window.”
The room explodes with laughter.
Penguin wipes tears from his eyes “Captain.”
“What?”
“Last month Y/N was gone for three hours.”
“So?”
“You checked the time seventeen times.”
Law freezes “...Who counted?”
“I did.”
“Why?”
“I was curious. Plus, when they were back you totally stopped. And I tried to see if you do the same when it’s someone else going alone. You checked three times for Bepo and ZERO for the rest.”
“That’s disturbing of you.”
“Not as disturbing as staring out the window for three hours.”
Bepo scratches his cheek “And you smile when they bring you books.”
Law immediately looks at him “I do not.”
“You do.”
“I don’t.”
“You really do.”
“I don’t.”
“You get a little smile.”
‘I don’t.”
“A tiny one.”
“I don’t.”
“A really tiny one.”
Law looks around and sees that nobody is agreeing with him, not even a single person.
Shachi checks the first answer “Literally all the time.”
Law drops his forehead onto the table.
“Last question!”
“Please let it end.”
Penguin reads “Is they your best friend?”
Law immediately regrets staying again.
“A: yes, absolutely. B: they're one of my best friends. C: no, someone else is my best friend.”
Before Law can speak, Shachi shouts “Obviously not!”
Penguin gasps “What do you mean obviously not?”
“I’m his best friend.”
Bepo calmly says “I’m his best friend.”
“No, me.”
“No, me.”
“No, me.”
The room descends into chaos and everyone starts arguing.
At some point Jean Bart claims he’s Law’s best friend. At another point someone says Law doesn’t have friends and Law says that’s the most accurate thing he’s heard all day.
Nobody listens.
“Captain likes me more.”
“No, me.”
“He trusted me with medical supplies once.”
“He asked me to close the door.”
“He told me good job.”
“He also told you to stop talking.”
“That’s basically affection from him.”
The argument somehow lasts five whole minutes.
Law sits there, dead inside.
Finally Bepo raises both paws “Okay!”
The room quiets.
Bepo looks at the newspaper, then at Law.
Then back at the paper “I think we should just put the second answer.”
Everyone pauses, then nods.
“Fair.”
“Yeah.”
“Reasonable.”
“I can live with that.”
Law isn't even asked.
The box gets checked.
And finally.
Finally.
The questions are over.
The crew stare at the paper.
Shachi rubs his hands together “Oh boy.”
Penguin grabs a pencil “We have to calculate the score.”
Law immediately stands “I’ll stop here.”
Bepo gently pushes him back into his chair “Captain, we’ve come this far.”
“I haven’t.”
“You have.”
“I really haven’t.”
“You have.”
For several minutes the crew add points.
Then argue about points.
Then add more points.
Then argue again.
Law has absolutely no idea what they’re doing, he isn't sure they know either.
Finally.
Penguin slams both hands onto the table “WE HAVE THE RESULTS.”
The entire submarine goes quiet.
Even people who weren't involved are now listening.
Shachi clears his throat.
Bepo looks excited.
Law looks like he's preparing for execution.
Penguin stands, unfolds the newspaper dramatically and then he reads “YES, YOU’RE MADLY IN LOVE!”
The room explodes.
“YOU ARE DEEP IN THE THROES OF LOVE.”
“WHAT YOU HAVE IS VERY SPECIAL AND NEEDS NURTURING.”
“WHICH YOU HAPPILY GIVE IT.”
Silence.
Then—“CAPTAIN’S IN LOVE!”
“CAPTAIN’S IN LOVE!”
“CAPTAIN’S IN LOVE!”
Law’s face goes completely blank.
“Congratulations, Captain.”
“Shut up.”
“When’s the wedding?”
“Shut up.”
“Can I be the best man?”
“Shut up.”
“I called it months ago.”
“Shut up.”
Bepo is smiling so hard his cheeks hurt “You really love Y/N, Captain.”
The room quiets a little, because unlike everyone else, Bepo says it sincerely, without any teasing.
Law opens his mouth, ready to deny it, but this time the words don't come, because suddenly he remembers you asking if he needed anything, you bringing him books without him asking, the way you always save a seat for him, the way you smile when he actually takes a break, the way the submarine feels different whenever you're not there.
“...Captain?” Bepo asks softly.
Law looks away and pulls his hat down a little lower and mutters “...It’s a stupid quiz.”
The crew scream.
Because that is not a denial.
“I KNEW IT.”
“THAT COUNTS.”
“CAPTAIN’S IN LOVE.”
Law gets up and the crew immediately start running, and as chaos fills the Polar Tang, the newspaper remains forgotten on the table.
The result still visible, with a big circle around the final answer.
YES, YOU’RE MADLY IN LOVE.
Law says nothing for about ten seconds, then he snatches the newspaper from Penguin's hands.
The room goes silent.
Penguin blinks “Captain?”
Law flips back to the first page “I’m doing it again.”
Silence.
Then the entire crew bursts out laughing “YOU CAN'T RETAKE LOVE.”
“I CAN RETAKE A STUPID QUIZ.”
Shachi falls to the floor dramatically “He's in denial!”
“I'm not.”
“You literally got the highest score possible!”
“The questions and your answers were biased.”
“They weren't!”
“They absolutely were.”
Law slams the paper on the table “Ask.”
Penguin is crying “Oh my God, he's serious.”
“I'm serious.”
Bepo looks hesitant “Captain…”
“Ask.”
Shachi wipes tears from his eyes “Fine.”
He clears his throat dramatically.
“Question one. Do you have a specific person in mind before starting this test?”
Law immediately says, “No.”
The room gasps, then Penguin points at him “You answered too quickly.”
“I didn't.”
“You did.”
“I didn't.”
Shachi narrows his eyes “Captain.”
“What?”
“Who were you thinking about while waiting for me to read the question?”
Law opens his mouth and closes it.
Penguin aggressively checks the box.
Law glares “This is stupid.”
The second question somehow goes worse “Could you spend six months alone on an isolated island with this person?”
“No.”
Everyone stares.
Law crosses his arms “No.”
Shachi leans forward “You wouldn't miss Y/N?”
“No.”
“You wouldn't want to hear their voice?”
“No.”
“You wouldn't like having them all to yourself?”
Law freezes and here the room goes completely silent.
“...That's not what the question says”
Penguin slowly lowers his head onto the table.
Bepo covers his mouth.
Shachi starts screaming “CHECK THE ANSWER.”
Someone says “CHECK IT TWICE.”
“I HATE ALL OF YOU.”
After a few more questions, the answers barely change.
Actually… they get worse.
Because now Law is answering himself, and unfortunately, he's honest.
Ten minutes later Penguin finishes counting.
Law crosses his arms “Well?”
Penguin is shaking.
Shachi is on the floor again.
Bepo looks apologetic “...Captain.”
“What.”
“You scored…”
He flips the page.
YES, YOU'RE MADLY IN LOVE.
And underneath one of the idiots wrote:
YOU ARE EVEN MORE IN LOVE THAN BEFORE, YOU GOT A 100/100!
Silence.
Law stares, then grabs the newspaper and flips it upside down, as if maybe the result will change.
Law stares at the page a little longer, then quietly mutters, “...This quiz is a scam.”
“THAT'S NOT A DENIAL.”
“SHUT UP.”
By now there are papers everywhere.
Crossed-out answers.
Ink circles.
Notes.
Arguments.
At one point Shachi has written: HE’S IN LOVE
Across an entire page.
Law immediately threw that page away, but unfortunately someone picked it back up.
Penguin dramatically points at the final score.
But before he can even say something, the door opens.
“Oh. You’re all still here?” your voice echoes through the room.
Everybody freezes.
You stand in the doorway carrying several shopping bags.
Your eyes travel across the disaster in the room.
“...Should I ask?”
Nobody answers.
You slowly walk into the room, looking around. More confused with every step.
Law immediately speaks “It’s nothing.”
You look at him, then at the room and then back at him.
“It’s clearly something.”
“It’s not.”
“It is.”
“It’s not.”
“It is.”
“It’s not.”
You look at the others “What’s going on?”
The entire crew suddenly becomes very interested in the ceiling… but also the walls, the floor… literally anything except you.
You narrow your eyes and give them the kind of look that has made grown pirates confess crimes they didn't even commit.
“What. Did. You. Do.”
Shachi breaks first, predictably “IT WAS PENGUIN’S IDEA.”
“TRAITOR!”
And suddenly everyone starts talking.
“There was a quiz.”
“A love quiz.”
“He got full points!”
Law closes his eyes. The headache is becoming physical.
You blink. Then reach for the newspaper.
Nobody stops you.
You pick it up, look at the title, look at the answers, look at the circles and look at the notes.
Your eyes move quickly until you reach the result.
You stare at it for a few seconds.
The room is silent.
Then you look up, confused “...Who is in love with me?”
Silence.
Nobody moves.
Nobody breathes.
Nobody blinks.
Even Law freezes.
You look around, waiting.
Then Shachi suddenly points at you “You’re so full of yourself that you assume it’s about you?”
You slowly turn toward him.
The room collectively prepares for his funeral.
“Idiot.”
Shachi immediately regrets everything.
You point at the newspaper “There’s literally a note near the results.”
Everyone looks down and written in messy handwriting there’s:
HE LOVES Y/N AWWW
Shachi slowly lowers his head “Ah.”
You look back at the crew “So?”
Pause.
“Who is it?”
Nobody answers. Which is an answer by itself, because suddenly, every single person in that room looks at Law.
You follow their gaze and find Law staring at the floor.
The pieces connect.
Your eyes widen a little.
Law notices and his soul immediately leaves his body.
For a moment nobody speaks.
Then, unexpectedly, you relax. The tension leaves your shoulders. The surprise leaves your face and something softer appears instead.
You look at Law for a second, then you smile and tell him “I bought you a necklace.”
The room freezes again.
“What?” Penguin blurts.
You continue like nothing happened “It’s really cool.”
Law blinks.
You point at him “It’s totally your style.”
Nobody understands what's happening, not even Law.
“And don’t worry.” you raise a hand “I didn’t use the crew’s money.”
Shachi immediately nods “Good.”
“I used mine.”
“Even better.”
You smile proudly, then start backing toward the door “I have it somewhere between all my new clothes.”
Law is still staring, completely lost.
“So…” you point toward the hallway “I’ll give it to you later.”
A pause, then you smile at him again.
A little brighter this time “Bye!”
And before anyone can answer, you rush out.
The door slams shut.
Absolute silence.
The crew slowly turn toward Law.
Law is still staring at the door.
Penguin speaks first, very carefully “...Captain.”
No answer.
“Captain…”
Still nothing.
“Captain.”
Law finally blinks then quietly asks “...Do you think they figured it out?”
The room explodes.
“HE ASKED IF they FIGURED IT OUT.”
“they DEFINITELY FIGURED IT OUT.”
“they BOUGHT YOU A GIFT.”
“A PERSONAL GIFT.”
“A NECKLACE.”
“they CHANGED THE SUBJECT TO SAVE YOU.”
“CAPTAIN YOU ARE SO DONE.”
Law drops his face into his hands and sighs, regretting all his life’s choices.
The moment you close your bedroom door behind you, your brain starts screaming.
“Oh my God.”
You pace.
“Oh my God.”
Turn.
“Oh my God.”
Turn again.
You bury your face in your hands “What was that?”
You groan loudly and fall face-first onto your bed.
Then immediately sit back up, because that doesn't solve anything.
“He likes me.”
Pause.
“No.”
Pause.
“Maybe.”
Pause.
“Definitely.”
Pause.
“Maybe?”
You scream into your pillow.
A few minutes later you're still pacing.
The necklace sits on your bed, mocking you.
You stare at it and then at the wall, and back at the necklace again.
Finally, Ikkaku enters the room.
“Ikkaku, you’re here!”
“Oh no.” She says.
You stop pacing “What do you mean, ‘oh no’?”
“You're using your emergency tone.”
“...”
“What’s wrong?”
Five minutes later Ikkaku knows everything, the quiz, the results, the notes, the staring, the necklace and the panic.
There is a concerning silence on the other end “Just confess to him.”
You nearly choke “WHAT?”
“Confess.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“No.”
“Good argument.”
You throw yourself onto your bed “I can’t just confess.”
Ikkaku watches you and sits on the edge of your bed, “Why not?”
“Because.”
“Excellent point.”
You groan “Ikkaku.”
“What?”
“What if I’m wrong?”
A pause to judge your stupidity, then “Y/N.”
“What?”
“The entire crew practically pointed at him. He didn't deny it. And according to you, he looked ready to die when you figured it out.”
“...”
“He likes you.”
You cover your face “I hate this.”
‘No, you don’t.”
You hate how right she is.
Hours pass.
Dinner comes and goes.
You barely remember eating.
The necklace remains on your bed. Waiting.
Eventually, very late at night, when most of the submarine is quiet, you finally pick it up.
Your hands shake a little “Okay.”
You take a deep breath “Okay.”
Another deep breath and you leave your room.
Your heart is trying to kill you. Every step feels heavier than the last.
Eventually you stop in front of a familiar door.
Light still shines from underneath, of course he's awake.
You knock and he answers immediately “Come in.”
You open the door.
Law is sitting at his desk. Several books are spread around him. The usual.
He looks up and freezes.
You almost turn around and run.
“Y/N?”
“Hi.”
Brilliant.
Amazing.
A true master of conversation.
Law sets his pen down.
You walk forward slowly, but your eyes never leave the floor.
You stop in front of the desk and hold out the small box “The necklace.”
Law blinks, and then takes it “...Thank you.”
You nod, still staring at the floor.
The silence stretches.
Law notices and then he sighs softly… a tired sigh.
And says “Don’t worry about all that.”
Your stomach drops.
“It was just a stupid test they forced me to do.”
You don't move.
“They answered all the questions for me.” Law leans back in his chair “I didn’t even have a say in it.”
The words hit harder than they should.
You stare at the floor.
Law opens the box, inside rests the necklace. Simple dark metal, exactly his style.
A small smile appears on his face “Thank you for this.”
Your throat tightens.
You don't care about the necklace anymore.
Instead, very quietly, you ask “So the test…”
Law looks up.
“The results and everything…” Your voice gets smaller “Were just for their fun?”
The room suddenly feels too warm.
“So…” You swallow “It’s not true.”
Law's expression changes immediately, because now he's really looking at you and finally notices the tears gathering in your eyes.
The way you’re refusing to blink and the way your hands are shaking.
His heart sinks “Oh.”
For the first time all evening, Law understands.
He stands up quickly “Y/N—”
You immediately step back and his chest tightens.
You look down, still refusing to blink… trying so hard not to cry.
“I thought…” Your voice cracks.
You hate that it cracks but you continue, “I thought I had a chance.”
Law freezes.
Your fingers curl around your sleeves “But it was all just fun and games for the other idiots?”
The room becomes silent.
Law stares, for once, completely speechless.
Because somehow… you wanted there to be a chance… with him.
His heart pounds.
Then slowly, carefully, he takes a step forward and this time you don't move.
His voice is quieter than you’ve ever heard it, almost gentle “I agree with all the answers they gave in my stead.”
You finally blink and a tear escapes.
Law’s chest aches “And…”
He swallows, his eyes never leave yours “I agree with the results, Y/N.”
The world stops.
You stare and he stares back.
“I didn't say anything because… you know me, I was… embarrassed.”
A tiny smile appears.
“And because I was trying to figure out how they managed to know before I did.”
Another tear slips down your cheek.
Law reaches out slowly, giving you every chance to pull away. When you don't, his thumb brushes beneath your eye and wipes it away.
“You had a chance. You have a chance. Actually I’m the one who needs a chance.” his voice is barely above a whisper.
The corner of his mouth lifts slightly “Apparently I was just the last person on the submarine to realize it.”
You stare at him.
Your heart is pounding so hard you're sure he can hear it.
“So…” your voice is small “So you really…”
Law lets out a quiet breath. For someone who always seems to have an answer, he suddenly looks almost nervous “I really do.”
You laugh weakly through your tears, then cover your face “Oh my God.”
Law actually smiles, small and soft, but real.
“Oh my God.” you repeat.
“That’s your response?”
“I’ve been panicking for six hours.”
“Fair.”
You laugh again.
Then neither of you says anything, you just look at each other, and somehow that feels even more dangerous, because now there is nothing left to misunderstand and nothing left to hide behind.
The silence stretches, then Law sighs softly as if he can finally breathe normally.
And before he can think too much about it, he reaches for your wrist and gently pulls you closer.
Your breath catches as his hand slides to your cheek.
For a moment he just looks at you, like he’s still making sure this is real.
Then he murmurs “You know…”
“What?”
“For someone who basically read it, you’re the last one to find out…” a tiny smirk appears "You were pretty slow too.”
Your jaw drops “Excuse me?!”
Law chuckles.
The unfair bastard.
You barely have time to complain before he leans down and kisses you.
The argument dies instantly… your brain dies instantly too.
The kiss is soft and careful, like he's still giving you a chance to pull away… as if that's going to happen.
You grab the front of his shirt and kiss him back immediately. That earns a quiet laugh against your lips.
When you finally separate, both of you are breathing a little harder.
Neither of you lets go.
You rest your forehead against his chest “...The quiz was really accurate. It was basically science.”
Law groans “It wasn’t.”
You start laughing “It literally was.”
“It was a stupid quiz.”
“It was an accurate stupid quiz.”
“It was not.”
“It predicted your feelings.”
Law drops his forehead onto the top of your head “I’m never hearing the end of this.”
“Nope.”
“Penguin is going to be unbearable.”
“Yep.”
“Shachi is going to tell everyone he’s a doctor.”
“Absolutely.”
Law closes his eyes “Maybe I should just throw them both into the ocean.”
You grin, then tilt your head up and steal another quick kiss.
His expression softens instantly and suddenly neither of you cares very much about what the crew will say tomorrow.
Eplogue:
The relationship lasts exactly three days before the crew figures it out.
Which is honestly impressive (negatively) considering everyone was involved in that love test.
You don’t announce it and you don’t hold hands in public. You don’t suddenly become disgustingly affectionate.
At least that's what the two of you think.
Unfortunately, everyone else has functioning eyes and they’re nosy.
It starts at breakfast.
Law sits down first and a few minutes later, you walk into the mess hall.
There are at least twenty empty seats, but without thinking, you sit beside him.
Nobody says anything at first, because it's not the first time you sit next to him, but it's weird enough after that love test day.
So Penguin slowly lowers his coffee “...Interesting.”
The next day is somehow worse… you pass Law in the hallway and either of you stop or speak.
But your fingers brush for half a second.
HALF A SECOND but Bepo sees it… Bepo, who is absolutely terrible at keeping secrets.
His eyes become huge and yells”CAPTAIN HELD Y/N’S HAND!”
Law kinda panics “I DID NOT!”
“You totally did!”
“It was an accident!”
You panic as well “IT LASTED ONE SECOND!”
“SO IT WAS THERE!”
By the third day, the entire submarine knows, including people who weren't even involved in the original quiz.
The problem is that nobody tells you they know, they just become weird… weirder than usual.
Penguin starts making kissing noises at you everytime Law enters a room.
Shachi somehow becomes worse, like one morning he walks into the mess hall with his chest puffed out “Good morning.”
You look at him with disgust and ask “...Why are you smiling like that?”
Shachi places a hand dramatically over his heart “Please.”
You already don’t like where this is going.
“Address me properly.”
“Never, but go on. I want to see where you’re trying to get to.”
“That’s Doctor Shachi to you.”
“No.”
“The Love Doctor.”
You stare.
Law, who is drinking coffee nearby, slowly lowers his cup.
“You can’t just call yourself that.”
“I absolutely can.”
“No.”
“I literally united two souls.”
“You found a newspaper.”
“Details.” Shachi points dramatically at himself “I saw the truth before anyone else.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“I did.”
“You literally thought Law was in love with his sword three months ago.”
The room explodes.
“I WAS GOING THROUGH A THEORY PHASE!”
A week later things somehow get even worse.
You walk into the mess hall and immediately spot Shachi waiting near the entrance and the second he sees you, he points dramatically “How’s married life?”
You freeze.
Law freezes.
The room freezes.
Then you grab the nearest thing you could find… “Oh, you’re dead.”
Shachi immediately runs “CAPTAIN!”
You jump over a chair to follow him “COME BACK HERE!”
“CAPTAIN, YOUR LOVER IS TRYING TO KILL ME!”
“That’s not my problem”
“IT SHOULD BE!”
The chase lasts almost thirty seconds before a hand catches the back of your shirt.
You stop and you turn around. Law is holding your shirt.
“Let me go.”
“No.”
“Law.”
“No.”
“Law.”
“No.”
You point at Shachi, who is currently hiding behind Bepo “His head is empty anyway.”
“I know.”
“Then let me hit it.”
“No.”
“Just two times.”
“No.”
“Once?”
“No.”
You cross your arms and Law sighs.
Then he pulls you a step backward before you can launch yourself at Shachi again.
The crew immediately loses their minds.
“DID YOU SEE THAT?”
“HE JUST DRAGGED THEM AWAY.”
“THAT WAS SO DOMESTIC.”
“I’M GOING TO THROW UP.”
Law's eye twitches.
You point at Penguin “You’re next.”
“THE LOVE DOCTOR WILL PROTECT ME!”
“NONE OF YOU IDIOTS IS A LOVE DOCTOR!”
Shachi gasps dramatically “Excuse me? I’m the greatest romantic genius of our generation.”
“No.”
“I diagnosed Captain.”
You narrow your eyes “You bullied him.”
“I guided him.”
“You harassed him.”
“I enlightened him.”
“You gave him a headache.”
The room is laughing so hard people are crying.
Even Law looks like he’s trying not to smile.
Then Shachi points triumphantly toward a wall.
Everyone turns, and you immediately regret it, because somehow… some way… the original newspaper quiz has been framed.
Under the final result someone (guess who) has written:
LOVE DOCTOR SACHI WAS RIGHT
You immediately grab something else near you again “Oh, now you’re definitely dead.”
“CAPTAIN!”
This time Law catches you before you even take two steps “Stop trying to assault my crew now.”
“I’m trying to improve your crew.”
“By hitting them?”
“Maybe it will make them smart.”
Law pinches the bridge of his nose.
You smile innocently, but nobody is fooled, especially not him.
A few minutes later the chaos settles down.
You end up sitting beside Law while the crew keeps talking, teasing, and generally making everyone's life worse.
Shachi is currently explaining his future plans “The Love Doctor’s Guide to Romance.”
“No one is reading that.”
“I’ll make Captain read it.”
“No.”
“I’ll dedicate the first chapter to you two. My first success.”
Law looks ready to slice him.
You laugh and lean your head against his shoulder without even thinking about it and of course the room immediately explodes again.
“OH MY GOD.”
“THEM'RE SO CUTE.”
“DOMESTIC.”
Law groans and you laugh harder, but despite all the noise, all the teasing, all the comments that you'll never hear the end of… his arm quietly settles around your shoulders.
The crew starts screaming again.
And somewhere in the corner, Shachi wipes away a fake tear “My work here is done.”
BOYFRIEND!LAW (トラファルガー・ロ ) ─── him letting you color his tattoos <3
“pleaseeeee, it’ll be a cute pop of color!”
law just rolls his eyes and sinks deeper into the cushions, practically melding into one with the couch.
this was your latest request to him - it was always something with the two of you. being together for nearly three years now had created a new level of comfortablity between the two of you, a part of that comfort became lodging ridiculous requests at law until he finally gave in and said yes to you.
just last month, you had insisted on dyeing a streak of his hair blue and matching a part of your hair in the same shade of blue to match with him. last week, it was getting matching earrings together where the jewel still currently glittered near his ear lobe.
and now, you were curled into him while clutching his arm. tattoos littered his arms, a collection of small art pieces scattered around his brown skin. you always thought they were so hot pretty on him and you made sure to always let him know. just in this moment, you wanted to make them extra pretty, in your words.
law sinks deeper into the sofa before grumbling, “fine.”
squealing, you hurry off the couch and rush to get your markers before settling down next to him once more. without wasting any time, you begin coloring any blank space you can see within the ink designs.
just like that, the time passes in the quietude of your shared apartment. a medical show plays on tv with law muttering about the inaccuracies of the whole thing and you humming your responses back to him.
at some point you shift positions to move from his side to being sat on his lap to get better grasp of his other arm and he welcomes you in gladly, with his other hand warm on your hip, thumb dipping into the waist of your shorts and rubbing small circles.
“there! all done.” you beam at him before flourishing your hand to his brightly colored arms now.
there is a silence as he looks down at his arms, taking in the neat way you colored his tattoos, the loud colors an even starker contrast on his typical grim body.
“they’re nice, thank you baby.” he presses a kiss to the corner of your lips. “you made them look pretty.”
now, with both arms free, he pulls you in closer to him, large hands cupping your ass and dragging you in till you’re face to face. he cups your face, squishing your cheeks tightly so that your lips naturally end up pouting and then kisses you promptly.
“so pretty,” he rasps in between kisses. “never as pretty as you though, nothing ever is.”
𓂃⋆.˚ randomly asking your boyfriend, trafalgar d. water law, if he finds you pretty
"law, do you think i'm pretty?" you asked, out of the blue, sitting on the stool on the side of his desk, your elbows beautifully sitting on it so your chin rested on your hands, this position only enhancing your facial features. face-framing pieces of hair naturally fell from your mouvement, your lips, a sweet shade of dusty pink, pursed in an adorable, interrogative pout as you waited for a semblance of answer.
your boyfriend was of course used to your antics — but this, was a first.
his eyes did not have to lift from the paper he was reading to know you were beautiful. after all, you were the most beautiful being to grace the earth and bless his eyes.
"heeey" you pouted, tilting your head to the side, your hair following the movement, like a rocking, soft wave, your lashes batting, "don't ignore me, i asked you a question."
law sighed. what kind of idiotic question was that anyway? deadpanned and unphazed, his eyes turned to you and it hit him again, like it did each time he stared at your radient, ethereal self.
your face was his favorite study, from the curves of your lips to the tip of your nose, from your jawline to the length of your lashes, he could trace them all with perfect acuity.
he could not pretend anymore, his signature smirk returning on his handsome features, a teasing tone you knew too well now heard.
"i think your beauty could cure diseases."
you laughed at his unique form of compliment, the genuine sound ringing like music to his ears.
"so", tilting your head to the other side, your eyes never leaving him, you asked again, "does that mean you think i'm pretty?"
he scoffed, raising his eyebrows as he let his pen down. "how about i show you?"
summary: as a medical student, trafalgar d. water law finds himself constantly exhausted and in need of caffeine. somehow, he stumbles across a cafe near his university that just so happens to be open at all hours of the night! and it just so happens that the owner is cute, too.
pairing: med student! law / barista! reader
wc: 5.1k
tags: modern! au, f! reader, fluff, law wants you so bad, both you and law are tired and have bad sleep schedules, awkward law, law is tall but we always forget because one piece characters are the size of mountains
a/n: i love law so much
Law liked to lie to himself and insist that the Keurig Classic coffee maker he owned was enough. Despite the fact that he felt compelled to get his coffee during the day from a cafe, and only used the machine at night when everything was closed, he insisted it was fine.
He would force himself to drink the bitter coffee made from a pod, waving his roommate Bepo off when he offered to brew him coffee from ground beans, saying the Keurig was perfectly fine.
It wasn't like his face twisted every time he took a sip from the piping hot cup, wasn't like he preferred his coffee cold but couldn't put ice in the homemade brew without it tasting like watered-down shit, and it wasn't like it was a big deal.
Until one day, Shachi and Penguin showed up to his apartment, claiming they had a cure for all his problems.
"You're paying my med school bills, or what?" Law asked, bored and hunched over a table. "That would definitely solve a lot."
"Let's not get too crazy." Shachi snorted, before sliding Law his phone. "Look! This cute new cafe's opening a block away from you, and they're open 24/7. You should go try it out!"
"Coffee's probably shit." Law shrugged, barely glancing at the phone. "Anybody who has that much time on their hands to keep themselves open all day and night probably has low quality beans."
"I think you're discounting it too fast." Bepo scolded his roommate, washing dishes from the kitchen. "They could be perfectly fine, and maybe even your new favorite. There's no harm in giving it a try."
Law frowned, glaring at his textbook. Every morning, he got a cold brew from Nico Robin's cafe downstairs. Then, he'd get another one after classes in the afternoon. They closed by five, which was already pretty late for a cafe on the university campus, which meant that at night, his best friend (enemy) was the Keurig.
"Twenty four seven..." Shachi whispered, wiggling his fingers and getting closer to Law. "And they even have pastries. And seating. And wifi, and there's probably nobody there to bother you in the dead of night."
"When do they open?" Law sighed, shutting his eyes and rubbing his temples, doing his best to ignore how Shachi and Penguin high-fived each other behind his back.
"Today! Or actually-" Penguin peered at his watch, checking the time. 1:04 a.m. "I guess yesterday."
"Any reviews so far?" The med student mumbled, closing his textbook gently.
"Five stars!" Shachi said gleefully. "Me and Penguin went after class in the afternoon, and guess what - the owner of the place is super cute!"
"What does that matter?" Law peered at them, annoyed. "Tell me how the coffee was. Or the food."
"Oh." Shachi and Penguin pouted simultaneously, crossing their legs before Penguin spoke. "Well, I thought the coffee was good. Shachi really liked the food - they have some instant ramen options, a lot of pastries, stuff like that. Some quiche, too."
"Quiche." Law repeated, unamused. "You're telling me about their quiche."
"I'm just telling you, in general!" Penguin groaned. "I don't know what you have against quiche - it was really good! Seriously, I think we should go."
"I will go." Law said, grabbing his coat from the back of his chair, tucking his laptop into his bag, and standing up. "You will stay here, with Shachi and Bepo. As for the quiche, I've never had a quiche that doesn't taste like slop and vomit."
"That's just because Bepo's cooking is shit." Shachi said, pointing at Law's roommate, who bowed in apology, murmuring "I'm sorry" and "I'll do better."
"Stop bullying Bepo." Law sighed, patting his roommate on the shoulder. "Your cooking is fine. I'll be back soon."
Shachi and Penguin frowned from the couch, shouting objections about how they wanted to go too. It was too late - Law was already out the door, slinging his coat over his shoulders.
Just as Shachi had said, the cafe was only a block away from Law - incredibly close, and not very hard to find considering most stores had all their lights off already. As he approached, he heard soft jazz flowing from the store, and as he breathed, he couldn't help but sniff the air more.
Chocolate chip cookies. And they smelled fresh, too. Pushing open the door to the cafe, he heard a tired "Welcome in!", and he hummed in acknowledgement.
"Hi there." You greeted him kindly, yawning a bit. "Since it's still our first week open, we're punching membership cards twice the normal amount to encourage customers to keep coming back. All you have to do is make a purchase and let me know what you think!"
"Sounds good." Law mumbled, eyes scanning over the menu. "Just a large cold brew and -" his face twisted, already annoyed with himself as he thought about Shachi and Penguin's nagging, "-a quiche, please."
"Well, don't force yourself." You laughed. Law peered at you, just a little bit annoyed. He couldn't help but agree with his friends - if you were the owner, you were pretty. Your laugh was infectious, and despite how tired you seemed, you appeared happy as could be. "What kind of quiche would you like?"
"...The Florentine quiche sounds fine." He sighed. He'd force himself to try the quiche. And if it was shit, Shachi and Penguin would be hearing from him. "I know you have chocolate chip cookies in the display, but I smell some freshly baked. Would you mind if I had the new ones?"
"Not at all." You hummed. "Good to make first impressions for opening week."
"Very blunt of you." Law snorted. "That a good marketing strategy?"
"Honesty is more important than marketing." You shrugged. The register dinged, showing that Law owed fifteen bucks - not a bad price at all for a large drink, a meal, and a sweet treat. You punched a brand new membership card for the man, filling up four out of seven stamps, and handed it to him. "I'll call your name when it's all ready, Mister...?"
"Just call me Law." He replied, nodding. "I'll just go sit down and wait, take your time."
He chose a seat by the corner, two windows on each side of him as his body sank into a plush chair and opened up his laptop on the desk. He blinked, realizing that he didn't know the Wifi password to what he assumed was the cafe's network - 'Sunny Cafe Network :)'.
Just as he was about to get up and ask you for it, he realized there was a small laminated sheet glued to the table, with the Wifi password, separate menus for different times of day, and a little QR code for any feedback.
Law hummed, nestling back into his chair as he typed the WiFi password into his computer. He couldn't help but feel grateful for the effort the owner put into each area - he hated going to new places and asking for things like the Wifi, or god forbid a key to the bathroom.
He tried to do a little bit of work, appreciating the soft music flowing through the cafe. He wondered if your opening day was really busy - and he was a bit shocked that nobody else was here at this hour. After all, this was a university campus filled with sleepless students, though they were probably out drinking and partying anyhow.
"Law?" You called from the counter, pushing a tray out. "Here you go!"
He got up from his seat, meandering to the counter with his hands outstretched to take the tray to his seat. "Wait!" You said, hands in a silly 'X' in front of him. He paused, blinking at you. "You have to let me know how everything is!"
"I will." He said, going to reach for the tray again. You cleared your throat, shifting from foot to foot behind the counter. He sighed. You really were pretty - you looked exhausted and worn out, but nevertheless excited for feedback. He couldn't turn you down. "Fine."
He reached for the cold brew first, turning slightly away from you so he wouldn't have to see your excited face in his periphery. He took a sip. "This... Is really good."
"Really?" You beamed, hands on the counter.
"Yes." He affirmed. "Did you add any syrup? It has notes of like..." He trailed off, taking another sip. "Chocolate? Cherries?"
"No syrup!" You grinned, crossing your arms proudly. "The blend I used for your cold brew was a mix of beans from South America and East Africa! African beans are known for giving off some floral or fruity flavors, while South American beans are known for sort of tasting like chocolate, so I blended the two!"
He hummed, clearly satisfied, before reaching for the quiche and the fork. He grimaced, clearly hesitant to take a bite.
"Do you not like quiche?" You wondered, laughing a bit at his face. "You didn't seem happy to order it either."
"Not really." He frowned, glaring at the pastry like it'd offended him. "But my friends came here earlier, and they said it was really good."
"Shachi and Penguin, right?" You smiled at his shocked face. "Yeah, they came in the afternoon, saying they'd try to get their grumpy friend to come on down. Med student, they said."
He clicked his tongue, taking a piece of quiche onto his fork. "Yeah. That's me."
"Anything you wanna be in particular?" You said, giggling as he kept glaring at the quiche.
"A surgeon." He shoved the quiche in his mouth, as if he felt like it was going to grow legs and run away.
"That'll be hard work." You laughed, watching him chew the pastry like he expected it to be his worst enemy. His face turned into a surprised, pleasant acceptance. "Good?" You asked, chin resting on your hand.
"...Yeah." He stared at the tart. "It's pretty good."
"I'm happy to hear that." You smiled, pushing off the counter to begin wiping down the equipment. "I work the afternoon to morning shift. I hope I'll see you again, Law. Make sure to bring that membership card in for some free stuff!"
"Okay." He blinked, watching you grab a rag and start cleaning. "Do you have LinkedIn?"
You paused, rag dripping with water onto the quartz counter. "Why??"
Law cringed at himself. He was twenty-six and still didn't know how to properly ask for something. "No, I mean like, uh..." He stared at the quiche. That damn quiche. "Somewhere I could find you?"
You grinned, pointing at the poster by the register. "The cafe has an Instagram!"
Law withered. "Right. I'll be sure to follow it, then."
You laughed so hard your side started cramping - it was painfully obvious what he wanted, but it was funny how incredibly bad with words he was. "Hand me your phone, Law."
He stared at you, confused, before realizing you were still waiting. He pulled his phone out of his pocket, unlocked it, and bashfully handed it to you. You clicked around on it, and he just watched you the whole time.
Your hair was a little oily. There was a smudge of espresso remnants on your eyebrow. A strand of your hair was in your face, and you kept crinkling your nose every time the hair came in contact with it.
Jesus, you were pretty. He was never going to admit to Shachi and Penguin that they had, for once, made an accurate and compelling point as to why Law should've come.
"Here you go, Law." You handed his phone back with a sly grin. Pretty barista, you'd saved yourself as. Even taken a selfie for the contact picture too. "I hope I'll see you again."
"I'll be back tomorrow." He promised, watching your features - exhausted yet happy as possible - smiling kindly at him. "I'll try your whole menu."
"Will you now?" You chuckled. "Well, I'm looking forward to it. Looks like I got my own personal taste tester." You pulled out a notebook from under the counter, flipping it open and showing him the wrinkled pages. "Well, good. The menu's still pretty small, and I have a lot of ideas to expand it. I'll never turn down an extra palette."
If he was any less restrained with himself, Law could've been jumping for joy. Maybe it was the night speaking, the long hours getting to both of you, but he'd take any opportunity to help you however he could. He found himself undeniably drawn to you, to your tired demeanor and your willingness to work.
"Can I ask why you chose to open your cafe here?" He inquired, flipping through your recipe book. Blueberry muffins, many different flavors of macarons, brown sugar toffee latte. He couldn't wait to watch you make all of them.
"I went here for my bachelors, actually - for Business Administration. Very boring. But I always complained about how early the places closed! I'd get my coffees from Ms. Robin's place, but-"
"She closes at five." Law added. You blinked at him, but nodded, surprised. "Yeah, I know. I get her drinks too."
"That's too funny." You said, taking the cookbook back from him. "Ms. Robin actually helped me open this place. She's really nice."
"Yeah, well." Law shrugged, biting his cookie and humming contently. "So are you."
"Thanks, Law." You replied, watching him. Your eyes crinkled, trying not to laugh aloud at his slightly sad attempt at complimenting you. "Is it good?"
"I know I'm your taste tester now, but I really don't think that should even be a question." Law huffed, shoving the rest of the cookie in his mouth and speaking with it full. "Yesh, itsh good."
"I'm happy to hear that." You grinned. "Well, I'm going to get back to baking cookies for the morning shift. It was nice to meet you, Law." You took his tray.
"No, the pleasure's all mine." He replied, shaking his head.
"The pleasure can be both of ours, you know?"
Unfortunately, his friends caught on awfully quick. Within a week, it was no secret that Trafalgar Law had a massive crush on the owner of the Sunny Cafe. From midnight to three, all his friends knew - if Law wasn't in his apartment, he was going to be at the cafe down the block.
Ms. Nico Robin, too, was also fully aware of this fact, having come to check in on your business after the end of the week. You joked that Law was single-handedly keeping your business open, before clarifying that you were joking and that business was stellar.
Law had only grumbled at this, suddenly very glued to his textbook and the task of memorizing the brain. You always had a new pastry or drink to give him, and he was always willing to try whatever you had to offer. For someone who was evidently fearful of quiche, he didn't seem to mind eating all your different variations at all.
Sometimes you'd see Law in the afternoon too, at the start of your shift, being dragged to your cafe with his two friends you were already familiar with, and another who he later introduced as his roommate. They'd tease him the whole time they were there, throwing out comments like "Isn't the owner looking cute today?" and, "Aw, look, his face is all red! Law and the owner, sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"
Grown ass men, by the way.
Of course, this would always result in Law leaving abruptly and texting you an apology, to which you would always say you didn't mind and you actually found it rather cute. He always left you on read, but that was mostly because he hadn't a clue how to respond and was honestly embarrassed that you thought someone like him was cute.
Tattooed, dreary, tired Law. Cute?!
When he came alone, he'd always sit in the same seat he'd sat in the first day he came in. Right in the corner of the shop, a small plush seat for one.
Whenever he came in with his friends, he'd be dragged to the closest 4-seater to you - a table nobody else would willingly take because everyone was bustling around the area.
They'd sit there nonetheless, Law tucked into the seat with the least people shoving by him as he glared at Shachi and Penguin, who would wave at you flirtatiously as Bepo stole off his plate.
"I wanted that." He'd say.
"The quiche?!" Bepo gawked at him. Law, quiche?! "I'm sorry."
It became even more normal for him to text you late at night after he came in one particular night and it wasn't you working. Don't get him wrong - the barista named Sanji was perfectly kind and hospitable, but they just weren't you. Plus, he was strangely much kinder to the girl who came in after Law than he was to Law himself.
L: How come you're not in tonight?
Y: I should've known you were going to text me! I had to call out, my cat was still lying on my chest when I wanted to leave.
Law blinked at his screen. Maybe this was the pros of owning your own business, having the ability to call out to love your cat.
L: Can I see?
Y: I just said he was lying on my chest! What're you getting at?
L: Man let me see the cat
He huffed, ears red as he stared at the phone, huddled in the corner of the cafe as Sanji continued to feed free samples to the girl trying to place an order.
Y: [video]
A video of you, taken from around your stomach, with your cat nuzzled into your neck as the rest of him laid on your chest. You were smiling, sticking your tongue out before kissing your cat on the head multiple times, saying "Pretty boy!" over and over.
Law wished he'd been born a cat.
From then on, he'd texted you pretty much every night, checking that you were going to be the one working. Luckily, your cat had only decided to pull that stunt the one time, and Law never had to watch Sanji flirt again.
You never pointed out how casually the two of you would interact from then on, little texts of "craving one of your scones," or "that latte saved my life today, wouldn't have been able to stay awake."
You snagged small, intimate moments with Law here and there, whenever you could, and he gave them to you, as if it was normal to exchange little bits of unseen affection with someone you'd met a week or so ago.
Not that either of you minded.
He'd taste test for free, get free snacks from you late at night if nobody else was in the store, help you behind the counter if you were particularly tired.
You started asking how his exams were going, wondering where he was looking to go for residency, asking about his friends. He found himself sharing every part of his life with you, even the little things. With time, he learned more about your life, your childhood, the friends who dropped in to see you in the cafe.
Months and months passed, and relentless teasing from his friends began to stack. Shachi would poke fun at him, Penguin playfully badgering you for your number as you kept shaking your head, smiling, pointing at the flyer with the cafe's Instagram on it. Bepo would always ask if he'd asked you out yet, to do anything at all, go anywhere.
Law knew he should - but he just didn't know how.
"She likes to read." Nico Robin prompted as you handled other customers, sitting at a table in front of Law with a stack of books herself. "I believe going to a bookshop would be quite a safe option."
"I didn't ask for advice, Miss." Law grumbled halfheartedly. He couldn't ever bring himself to be angry with the other cafe owner, who had treated him so kindly the many years he went to her cafe.
"I know." She hummed, flipping a page and glancing at him. "It seems like you needed it, though. You haven't been to my cafe in months - figures you would be here."
"Sorry for swapping." Law shrugged, glaring at his iPad, internal organs staring back at him. "She's just-"
"Open all day and night." Robin smiled. "No worries. I was just teasing you. Though, if it's been months, one would think you two would've gotten somewhere by now."
Law flushed a gentle shade of pink, tattooed hand running through his hair. He twirled the stylus in his fingers, chewing on his lower lip.
"She doesn't need big actions." Robin said, eyes skimming the page - The Killer Angels, she was reading. "Maybe a craft day - bookmarks?"
Law wished he could say he already had an idea what to do with you - but in truth, he had too many ideas. He didn't know where to start, how to pick just one gesture to win you over. Too many ideas of how to spend time with you, see you, touch you, hold you.
It took a few more days before he decided to just take Nico Robin's advice.
"I remember you mentioning you wanted a new book a while back." Law prompted. It was a Friday - a long day for Law, as he had an eight a.m. class immediately followed by hours of shadowing at the hospital, then working as an EMT until seven p.m. when he finally got time for himself. It was midnight now, and yet he still continued to visit your cafe without flaw. "Would you want to go get it tomorrow? There's a nice bookstore that's also a jazz bar a few blocks from here."
You pulled a fresh batch of cookies out of the oven, sliding one off the hot baking sheet and onto a plate, handing it to Law with a grin. "Are you asking me on a date, Law?"
He flushed again, the only indication of his nervousness. "Yeah. If you'd want to go, I mean." He took the plate from your hands, grazing yours just as they did every day.
"I've wanted to for months." You smiled, leaning over the counter to peck him on the cheek. You smelled like chocolate chip cookies and espresso, hair a little damp from a day's work. "So of course, yes. I'd love to go on a date with you, Law."
When Law went home that night, he found himself unable to sleep. It's not like this was irregular - his sleep schedule was constantly unstable, and he was bordering on becoming nocturnal soon.
But this was different. He couldn't sleep because his heart wouldn't stop pounding in his chest, and he tossed and turned thinking about you. Intertwining your fingers tomorrow, brushing hair out of your face.
He forced himself to take some melatonin, lest he show up to your date groggy and half-alive in the afternoon.
As he started to sleep, he could only hope he'd dream about you.
Reluctantly wearing an outfit Shachi and Penguin had picked out - baggy jeans, a purple sweater that screamed "Casual, but not nonchalant" in Penguin's words, Law tapped his foot nervously as he waited outside the bookstore.
The bustle of the street was drowned out by the thumping of his own heart, and he continued to gnaw on his lip as he waited for you to show up outside the bookstore.
"Hi, Law." You greeted from behind him. He jumped, not expecting you to approach from that direction, and you laughed, looping an arm around his. "You look nice."
He cleared his throat, embarrassed. "Thanks. So do you. I like what you did with your hair."
You squeezed his arm, and he nearly jumped again. "Wow! This sweater is very soft, Law! Where'd you get it?"
He squinted at the sign of the bookstore, trying to ignore how you were basically just squeezing on his bicep. "I knitted it."
Your jaw dropped. "No way! I didn't know you knew how to knit!" You continued running your fingers over the fabric, ooh-ing and aah-ing at the handiwork. "This is really good, Law. Wow."
"Not a big deal." He managed to squeak out, finger shakily pointing at the bookstore. "Do you want to go inside?"
You removed your arm from his, laughing a bit at how he seemed to curl into himself at the loss. You intertwined your fingers with his, watching as he visibly brightened a bit, letting you tug him towards the door.
The bookstore was warmly lit and dark, the owner greeting you kindly from behind the desk. You immediately wandered to the back, Law following you as you set out in search of your favorite genre.
"What're you looking for again?" Law asked, hand warm against yours and not letting up anytime soon.
You peered at him from the corner of your eye, rubbing your thumb against the back of his hand. "I'm seeing what might catch my eye. I've been meaning to buy a book called Pachinko for a while though - it should be in the historical fiction section."
Law hummed, eyes skimming the bookshelves to help you look. "That one? With the light blue spine?" He pointed at the top of the historical fiction shelf, a gently worn book spine glinting back at you.
"Yeah, I think so." You said, squinting at the book. You walked up to the bookcase, up on your tippy toes to try to reach for it. You grunted a bit, arm fully extended as you fumbled for the book.
Warmth enveloped your back as Law pressed against you, a soft "Excuse me" coming from his mouth. He gently pushed your hand downwards, grabbing the book for you with ease and handing it to you. "Is it the right book?"
"Yeah!" You said, reading the author's name. "Thanks, Law. How tall are you? That book was super high up."
Law cleared his throat, thankful for the store being dark enough that you probably couldn't see his face turning red again. Down bad, Shachi had called him. "I'm six foot three."
You whistled, intertwining your fingers again. "Built like a tree."
"This tree helped you reach a book, you know." Law teased, finger playfully pushing against your forehead. "Could be a good thing."
"Didn't say it was a bad thing." You shrugged, tugging him towards the cashier. "You're just my type."
Law's hand tightened around yours, and you laughed a little. You greeted the cashier, reaching for your wallet when she said it was only ten dollars since it was an already used book.
Law beat you to it, tapping his phone against the card reader. The owner smiled at the two of you, wrapping your book for you and handing it back, both of you waving goodbye as you left the store.
"I could've paid for myself, you know." You frowned, bumping shoulders with Law. "Shouldn't you focus on paying for school?"
"I spend at least ten dollars at your cafe every single day." Law replied, shrugging and reaching his free hand out to carry your book for you. "Spending another ten because I want to do something nice for you isn't a big deal."
A small smile graced your face, leaning your head against Law's shoulder. "Okay. If you're sure, then."
"Couldn't be more sure." Law replied, leaning his chin on your head. The two of you stood there, outside the used bookstore, holding each other and watching the city bustle around you. Law smelled like coffee and pine, warm and comforting.
"I'd like to see you again." He prompted, arms tightening a bit around you, burying his face in your hair. He did his best to ignore how your face was very clearly purposefully pressed into his built chest.
"Law, you have a sleeper build!" You laughed, voice muffled from where you were. His heart raced faster, and he was sure you could hear it, because your shoulders still shook with laughter, even as you looked up at him, forcing him to stop leaning on you. "Yes, of course I'd like to see you more too, I had a really good time. Even though I'm sure I'll see you later tonight when I work anyways."
"You will." Law promised, brushing your hair out of your face. He knew you didn't like it when it brushed against your nose, even accidentally. "And I'm glad you enjoyed yourself today."
"Won't you ask me to be your girlfriend?" You teased, pinching his waist and watching him flush.
"I thought it might be too fast." He replied, hands tightening around your arms. "I didn't know if you liked me enough."
"If I didn't like you," You said, hugging him close, "I wouldn't have given you my number the first night we met. You took a while to work up to it, Law."
"Well." Law huffed, looking away. "I thought maybe it was another clever marketing strategy from you."
"Could be a smart move." You hummed, starting to walk away from the bookstore. "Maybe I should start giving my number to every guy that comes in."
"No, maybe not." Law grumbled, grabbing your wrist and looking at you. He ruffled his hair, golden eyes swimming with apprehension, though it was clear he was mulling things over. "I really like you. I enjoy spending time with you, and I want to have you in my life every day."
He paused, eyes skimming over your face, reading your every expression. Your cheeks were flushed with the spring breeze, smiling at him as you watched him talk. "Please do me the pleasure of letting me be your boyfriend."
Your smile grew ever wider, pulling him in tightly for a bear hug. He choked a bit, surprised at the gesture and your strength. He wheezed, gently and awkwardly patting you on the back. "Can't breathe. Can't."
You released him, gesturing for him to lean down. He blinked, but listened to you anyways, leaning towards you. Your arms wrapped around his neck, lips meeting his, smiling as you kissed him.
Law froze for a second, mind blanking, before cupping your face with his free hand and kissing you back. His ears felt hot as he kissed you with desperate fervor, before pulling back, face red as a tomato.
"I'd love to be your girlfriend, Law." You said happily, stealing your book from his hands and checking your phone. "I have to clock in soon, but I'll see you tonight?"
"Uh, yes." Law replied after a beat, blinking at you, still breathing heavily. "Yes. I'll be there."
"Good." You hummed, walking away. "I'll save you your regular seat."
a faint tingle slowly pulled you out of a deep sleep.
then came a familiar weight sinking into the mattress beside you.
a sleepy whine slipped from deep in your throat.
“wake up,” a low, soft voice murmured, the kind that always sounded like music to your heart, pulling you further awake.
“mmmh, what is it?~” you mumbled, dragging a hand over your face.
the weight of your boyfriend’s head falling onto your stomach knocked the breath out of you. the rough stubble on his jaw scratched pleasantly against your skin.
you opened your eyes to a room drowned in bluish darkness, barely lit enough for you to make out the beautiful eyes of the man you loved.
a tired smile curled at the corner of your lips.
your hand instinctively found his hair, fingers brushing over the cheek framed by dark strands.
he looked so vulnerable there between your thighs, huge and exhausted, his face melting into your palm.
“what’s wrong, sweetheart?” you murmured.
his hands slipped beneath your tank top, cold fingers tracing over your warm ribs and making you shiver.
“i’m home, pretty thing.”
“yeah, i noticed…”
his hands found your breasts, squeezing them as a sly grin spread across his lips.
“law… it’s late…” you shifted beneath him, affection staining every word.
“c’mon, pretty girl, just a little… it’s been a long day,” he muttered, kissing your stomach. “it’s only three in the morning…”
“mmmh really?” you asked, eyes falling shut again as you played with his hair. “don’t you wanna sleep…?”
“not after seeing you like this.”
you cracked one eye open. he was smirking against the waistband of your shorts, fingers circling your nipple.
your needy little cunt started throbbing beneath him.
“no… i don’t.”
he shifted, pulling his hands from your shirt and settling fully on top of you, his bare knee pressing right between your thighs.
only then did you realize he was just in his underwear.
you smiled when his face hovered level with yours.
“hey~” you whispered.
your hands cupped his face, exploring something already so familiar to you.
he kissed you slowly, one hand at your waist, the other wrapped around your throat, gentle, but enough to leave you drowning in the feeling of belonging completely to him.
you kissed him back, and it deepened quickly, all hunger and need.
“law~ i’m sleepy…” you mumbled.
he clicked his tongue, pulling away just enough to tilt your head back and mouth at your throat.
“you won’t have to move,” he muttered.
before you could even process what was happening, his hands were all over you, flipping you onto your stomach so fast that if the kisses hadn’t woken you up before, the pressure of your face against the pillow definitely did.
“law~” you moaned.
“yeah, that’s my name, needy girl,” he teased under his breath.
he kissed your shoulder, and only then did you feel his cock hardening against your ass.
he barely pulled away, lifting your hips with one hand while he dragged the pillows from beside you and shoved them underneath your stomach instead.
“hey…” you laughed softly.
still, you cooperated, grinding your ass back against his cock.
a low growl rumbled from his chest.
he kept kissing along your back, pushing your hair aside, one hand gripping the back of your neck while pressing your face deeper into the mattress.
a startled gasp slipped from your lips when he tugged your shorts and panties down together.
you were still half asleep, blissfully happy your lover had finally come home and decided to fill you up with himself.
almost unconsciously, you arched deeper against the pillows.
“you want this?” he asked softly against your ear, almost sweet about it, completely enjoying the control he had over you.
you barely managed a weak little “yes.”
your cunt exposed, you could barely feel him pushing down his own underwear before lining himself up with you.
the wet head of his cock dragged against your entrance.
a moan spilled from your lips.
sleep had completely abandoned you by now. all you could think about was his hand around your throat and the thick tip of his cock bullying against your drooling hole.
you squirmed impatiently, trying to get him to push in already.
and he did, one rough thrust stealing the breath from your lungs, desperate to stuff you full of him.
his free hand dug into your ass, crushing you beneath him completely.
“you can sleep again in a minute…” he growled.
his thrusts filled you perfectly, hitting that soft spot that made stars burst behind your eyes.
the sounds falling from your mouth were anything but pretty, and the sharp slaps echoing through the room only made you wetter.
the filthy wet sounds where your bodies met made you tremble.
you started rocking your hips back for your own pleasure, and he didn’t stop you, just followed your rhythm, forcing your soft body deeper into the bed.
you could practically see stars, sweat sliding down your back, your nails digging into the sheets just as deep as he was burying himself inside you.
he leaned down, rough guttural noises spilling from his throat as he enjoyed every inch of you.
“so fucking tight…” he breathed
you could feel yourself getting close.
but you didn’t stop, your hips chasing more of him until everything became too much, the pressure of his cock against your sensitive cunt pushing you over the edge.
your moans turned uneven and desperate.
he pressed you down harder, overwhelming you even more.
“why’re you rushing, slut? i’m not done with you yet,” he murmured with a quiet laugh, enjoying the way your body twitched from the overstimulation.
his hand left your throat only to grip your ass tighter instead. you could feel everything and nothing all at once, dizzy from still being fucked through your orgasm.
soon his hand slipped between your thighs, rubbing at your swollen clit, slick coating his fingers until you nearly screamed.
he almost pulled out completely before slamming back inside, leaving you even more fucked stupid than before.
“j~just finish already” you begged.
“need you to help me out a little, pretty thing…” he muttered, abandoning your abused little bundle of nerves only to wrap his hand around your throat again.
impatient and clumsy, you rocked your hips back against him, sore and completely out of your mind, feeling your slick gush around his cock even more.
his arousal pulsed harder inside you. he fucked you so hard tears nearly welled in your eyes, your breathing ragged, fingers twisting into the sheets hard enough to tear them.
as his thrusts turned rougher and faster, he finally came, ruining your back and shirt with thick ropes of hot white cum.
the second he finished, your body collapsed against the pillows beneath you, completely pinned under him, covered in his mess.
you brought your hands up to your face.
“good girl… now we can finally sleep,” he exhaled, leaning down to kiss you again.
he sounded exhausted, and ridiculously pleased. his hand drifted over your back smeared with his cum, almost like he was absentmindedly trying to clean you up.
“what?” he asked, amused. “you wanted more?”
your breathing trembled slightly, and he smiled against your mouth.
He’s more of a koala bear than a literal koala bear. He doesn’t even realize cuddling is a thing because it’s so normal to him, like eating and breathing. You’ve literally never slept in the same bed with him without him wrapping himself around you (neither has anyone else, for that matter). He even gets a little grumpy if you’re not there for him to hold on to.
Zoro:
It’s not called cuddling, that’s for sure. He might refer to holding you, but that’s about it. One of his guilty pleasures, though, is being held by you. He especially likes it when you sit behind him and wrap both your arms and legs around him, bonus points if you run your hands up and down his chest and abdomen.
Sanji:
A total cuddle bug. He usually comes to bed after you (though not so late that you’re already asleep), and likes to slip between your legs while you’re sitting up against the pillows. Bonus points if you rub his back or smooth his hair. He’s also one for quick daytime snuggles, often coming up behind you and wrapping his arms around you for a long hug.
Ace:
He grabs hold of you easily, but he doesn’t let go easily. If he falls asleep, you’ll be stuck by his side until he wakes up because he holds on to you so tight. He’s clingy, but not in a little spoon kind of way, more of a ‘I’m going to put you where I want you’ kind of way. It puts him at ease to keep you so close because he feels your a little safer that way.
Sabo:
He’s so sweet about it. He holds you like a baby every time you two have any privacy, encouraging you to wrap not only your arms but also your legs around him. He sort of pretends it’s to put you at ease and make you feel safe, but the weight and warmth of your body makes him feel safe and, in particular, makes him feel capable and dependable.
Law:
If you call him the little spoon, he’ll break up with you, but he is often the little spoon. He gets annoyed when you don’t automatically wrap your arms around him in bed because he doesn’t want to embarrass himself by asking. One of his favorite things in the world is falling asleep with his head in your lap while you play with his hair.
Kid:
Not so much cuddling as it is him collapsing on top of you. If you manage to fall asleep without him on top of you, you’ll wake up either with him on top of you or to him yanking you into his arms to hold you against his chest while he’s still asleep. Treats you like his teddy bear, hangs on to you extra tight when he’s stressed.
———
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You’re sitting across from him, cross-legged on the couch in his office, a book in your hands. You’ve been there for hours. Not talking much. Just… existing with him.
Law tells himself he prefers it that way.
No noise. No expectations. No vulnerability.
And yet... He hasn’t looked at his work in ten minutes.
His eyes keep drifting back to you.
The way your brow furrows slightly when you read something interesting. The way your fingers absentmindedly trace the edge of the page. The way you don’t feel the need to fill the silence.
Most people make him tired.
You don’t.
You quiet something in him he didn’t realize was always loud.
He exhales slowly, like breathing too hard might make the moment disappear.
You glance up.
“Are you staring at me again, or did you forget how to read your own notes?”
There’s a hint of a smile in your voice.
Law scoffs lightly, looking back down at his papers.
“…You’re distracting.”
You hum. “Then stop staring.”
He doesn’t respond.
Because the truth hits him in that exact second—sudden, sharp, unavoidable.
He wants to look.
He wants this. This quiet. This you, sitting in his space like you belong there.
And that’s the problem.
Because Law doesn’t let people belong. Not like this. Not in a way that matters.
His fingers tighten slightly around his pen.
If something happened to you...
The thought comes uninvited. Violent. Immediate. His chest tightens.
That’s when he knows.
Not when you walked in. Not when you stayed. Not even when he started seeking you out.
It’s now.
Because the idea of losing you feels... Unacceptable.
He looks up again, slower this time.
Softer.
“…Stay.”
You blink. “I wasn’t planning on leaving.”
He nods once, like that settles it.
But it doesn’t.
Because for the first time in a long time, Trafalgar Law has something to lose.
And worse?
Something he doesn’t want to lose.
— 🌊 —
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