The Clean Confession
[Image by Eiichiro Oda]
Rating: Anyone
Word count: 2,796
Type: Fluff
Characters: reader (anyone), Traflagar D Law, the Heart Pirates
Trigger warnings/content: Some tension, implied nudity, sleep-deprivation
Note for new One Piece readers/watchers: Traflagar Law always calls someone by their name and adds a "Ya" after. His crew is primarily made up of humans, except Bepo whom is a white polar bear that can talk. Law also has the ability to manipulate space. He will say "Room" to make the space, then "Shambles" to switch the person or thing out with som
"Y/N-ya", seeing the snapping of his fingers, the T and H blurring wasn't what Y/N should be seeing; rather, their vision blurred. "Oi oi, you can't be picking up my habits now."
The Polar Tang was quiet, some sounds of sea creatures swimming by as if they were uneasy with the presence of the Captain of the Heart pirates. A splitting migraine was spawning at the temples of Y/N's skull. There wasn't much left to assist the captain with at this point, however, with how little he had slept too, it was all becoming just an endless cycle of working in pure darkness. The submarine hadn't gone up for air, or at least they hadn't seen the surface as they were constantly stuck in the library. Sometimes when they were out of the room, they would glance at the air bubbles rising and dancing around the windows of the sub. "You aren't making any progress, and you need rest."
"Says you", they retorted quickly, nearly cotton-mouthed with how little they were drinking water. The captain was dumb, well, sometimes. Metal warping under the weight of water, as if signaling that the sounds were much louder in both mate’s ears. Seas calling out for them, beckoning for more adventure. A heavy groan slipped past the captain’s lips as he tilted his cap forward, hiding the prominent bags under his eyes. “I only learned from the best, and adapted from the cap!”
“Don’t act so childish,” Law pointed at Y/N, trying to guide authority and their glance to their face. “I am telling you to go to bed Y/N-ya.” Frustrated was the main emotion, mixed with fatigue.
“Doctor’s orders?” Another unblockable groan. His hair was beyond greasy, as if neglecting his own health even. His very toned body looked almost frail in the candlelit library. Yellow sun bleached pages, emanating the dark scribbles in the notebooks. Being told what to do is what made Law angry, but both figures were living off the fumes of smoke, stale coffee and body odor. His eyes locked on the person next to him, his eyes drooping almost the floor was calling for him to just lie down and nap. “As a doctor myself, you need rest too. Along with a bath.” Y/N’s eyes looked like the color was drained of life, yet they sparkled for more information. “Unless you have better orders.” The captain tried to speak, but what came out was a tonguetied garble of letters. Realizing that nothing was coherent even in his ears, his cheeks flushed a slight shade of pink on his tanned skin. “That settles it,” clapping the open book between their hands, they weakly smile. “The bath should be ready anyway, let’s head there right now.” Y/N got up and stretched their arms above their head, cracking and moaning softly at the release of air in their joints.
“Are you implying we bathe together at the same time?” As if his scruff was doing all the talking. It was kind of unsettling how often Law stayed up to just study, make plans and take care of his crew. Even Y/N saw that as clear as day. Y/N sighed then grabbed the shoulders of the captain. Trying to lift him up out of his chair, as for some reason, his body obeyed under his crewmate’s touch.
“You bathe with Bepo all the time.”
“I don’t with the others,” quickly snapping his jaw to make sure there weren't any other ideas. He treasured Bepo a lot, to the point he has gone to concerts with him, even bent rules to make his favorite bear happy.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if someone washed your back and just relaxed for once? I can just help you out for once,” Law could feel the smile that Y/N was trying to muster up to ease the doctor’s mind. It was true, no one has ever really been in such a vulnerable and small space with Law, other than Bepo that is.
“I guess it wouldn’t hurt,” he finally admitted. Setting his book down quietly, they both slowly trudged to the bathing area to meet the fresh scent of bath water, bamboo soap and some steam. Making it the all familiar blue door, Y/N pushed all their weight against the door as their wrist had all of its power drained. A few seconds after they opened the door, Law dragged his feet, almost closing the door but not caring to have the door meet the frame. A very slow lift of his tight hugging tee, gripped onto his lean frame. He turned around only to be met with Y/N was slowly peeling off their bootcut jeans, gasping as they bent back up, meeting the eyes of the captain. They stared at each other, seeing if one would move before they moved themselves. It was awkward, seeing half their bodies exposed in such an intimate space, but then again, the fatigue was slowly getting to them.
“I-...um,” Y/N softly spoke. “You diagnosing me or somethin’ doctor?” Eyes frantic, he shook his head and turned around. He isn’t used to seeing something not furry within the same space as him. His companion also took in the sight of his small frame. Seeing if his body changed size, or if they were getting used to his body not half-exposed.
“Shut up. I just zoned all was all,” voice wavering as his eyes were trying to comprehend what his body was trying to take in.
“Or is it, you are socially awkward with people in general.”
“No! I mean…I-” his words trailed off as he snaked out of his pants and underwear in one swift swoop, as Y/N chuckled and took off their top and placed it on top of their disheveled clothes on the counter. “You won’t speak of this with anyone you understand?” Y/N laughed as they grabbed a clean towel and put it on top of their arm, waiting for the captain to make a move towards the bathroom. “I mean it Y/N-ya!”
“Alright alright,” giving up finally. His clothes folded nicely next to Y/N’s, grabbing his own black towel as well. “You going to block the door or…”
“Oh, right right,” Y/N said, opening the door. The hot steam hitting their face immediately, the bright light nearly blinding the two figures stepping into the shower section. Small stools placed in front of the mirrors so that no one would miss a spot to scrub. Y/N hovered at one of the stools, and glanced at their captain. As if giving permission to sit down, and scrub first.
“I’ll scrub you first,” Law offered. Propping themselves behind Y/N, he soaked a small washcloth that was hanging nearby and pumped body wash, rinsing it quickly with water and then rubbing the towel against itself to create small bubbles. He grasped Y/N’s shoulder, making sure that they wouldn’t move as he gently worked on scrubbing the dead skin, sweat, dust, scent of dust off Y/N’s spine. Small moans and groans spilled from Y/N’s lips. The bliss of finally feeling the grime come off their skin was nice, especially since they are finally relaxing for once. Stress and fatigue slowly went down the drain, as Law scrubbed every curve of Y/N’s body. Until they felt a long drag from the towel move from the top right shoulder blade down near their lower spine.
“Captain, let me scrub you.” Law was definitely starting to fall asleep, his rough exterior was different in how he washed Y/N’s body and lightly took care of them. Afterall, it was his job to make sure his patients are well taken care of, and his crew was no different.
“No no, I am not done-”
“Captain, you have been up longer than I have. Let me take care of you doctor,” Y/N slowly getting up from their stool and slowly getting up, not trying to slip on the suds and getting behind Law.
“Oi, oi, oi. Don’t stand behind me like that-” His eyes were frantic as it was his blind spot, knowing that anyone could attack from behind, he is always careful, but extra careful in this current state. Y/N pushed him down to sit down on the stool, to make sure he would comply.
“I insist,” which didn’t make him feel any better. Law could use his abilities while he is still out of the water to his fullest capacity. It wouldn’t hurt to relax for once. His assistant made work scrubbing his body, quickly, a little sloppily, but thoroughly. Tilting his head back as Y/N slowly poured a small basin of water through the oily locks. The doctor’s body relaxed into the stool, leaning against Y/N as if he was falling asleep right there. His long lashes flutter shut, as his breathing became deep and even, his body easing against Y/N’s.
“Yes,” he breathed out. It felt nice for once- “Hey watch where you are touching!” Sitting upright at the towel dragged on his abs. His assistant backed up, looking ashamed and nearly bowing at a ninety-degree.
“I…Sorry boss. I asked if you wanted me to scrub your chest, and you said yes, so…” they looked so embarrassed. Law could tell they meant well, shaking his hair as the droplets splashed against the mirror. They sat down next to law, rinsing off the remaining tiredness and soap of their body, law looked them up and down and rinsed off the soap off his own. When did his assistant look so good? It would be a lie if he said he wasn’t attracted to Y/N’s wit, personality and a smidge of their looks. He never paid it any mind because they were crewmates, doctor and assistant, and just straight up friends. The air felt thick in the library earlier, but both figured it was just the air that hadn’t been let out from the room for a while. He saw their bare legs, the color of their eyes, the way their mouth parted when they stared back in the changing area.
“You know Y/N-ya, I wonder how we even became this way,” Law asked as he stood up to finally dip his feet into the hot waters, water wrapping around his tired body like a blanket. His groan rumbled in his chest, echoing off the humid air.
“I think about this as well,” they hummed out as their legs submerged under the warmth. They sat across each other, eyes closed, basking in such a relaxing fresh atmosphere. It’s been days since they left that room, not only that, a mental break as well. “If I hadn’t treated you, maybe we would have never met.” There was the snarkiness that sometimes put him back into reality. There was a reason why he was attracted to Y/N’s being. He wanted to explore that aspect of them, knowing what was so different about them than his crewmates whom he threatened to put under the scalpel if they didn’t behave.
“Y/N…so….” his lashes attracted water, as the droplets fell into the bath. Their bodies were so far apart, yet their voices reached each other’s ears as if they were in front of each other’s faces. “Why come along?” That was a question that his crewmates asked, and they got the simple answer of “A secret”. This time it felt different.
“Hmm,” they pondered. “To learn about new walks of life and medicine,” explaining much deeper than earlier. Law’s eyes opened, staring at the ceiling. “Not only that, maybe knowing someone to the point they would be my standard of how to diagnose people.” So that is why. They were not interested in love, they were not interested in fighting, they genuinely wanted to help people. “That’s why I know you are 191cm, maybe 187cm when you slouch, weight roughly 85kg, blood type F, waist size-”
“Alright alright, enough. You know me so well,” he grumbled. “It's as if you are dating me, geez,” Y/N could sense he was rolling his eyes out of embarrassment.
“What? Doesn’t your crew know more about your personal moments?” Y/N teased. It’s been awhile since they talked normally like this, instead of just medical tactics. A soft splash of water, he shifted his weight so he was leaning against the side of the bath.
“To be honest, yes they do know of those moments, but no one knows me that personally,” which perked up the ears of Y/N. “Which reminds me, with how long you have been here, how long are you intending on staying?”
“Erm, as long as you are willing to let me stay captain,” they spoke out bashfully. Law nearly slipped and dunked his head under. That took him by surprise for sure. “I quite like your presence,” confessing that there may be more beneath the teasing and witty surface. “Heck, if you would let me…”
“Would you stay by my side?” They both sputtered out.
“Huh?”
“Oi oi, no way-” Law shook, splashing a wave of water at Y/N, clawing his way out of the bath. “We didn’t just confess something did we?” Trying to find his path out of the bath as fast as he could.
“I guess we did doc-...I mean Law,” they said, almost teasing and cooing at him. “It will be lovely seeing you in the morning at the table for once.” A short growl came out, as his wet footsteps printed the wooden floorboards of the bathing area.
“N…no you won’t!” Chuckling as his towel slipped off his thin waist as he slammed the bath doors shut. He was definitely awake now. He ran to his private quarters, his clothes in hand, trying to keep his wet towel from coming off completely. Drops of water getting all over his fresh sheets that Penguin probably put on for him, despite Law always asking him not to go into his private room without permission. Grabbing a pair of folded boxers from on top of his dresser, he hastily put them on and flopped on his bed. The cold air raking his body, sending shivers down his spine. “What am I going to do with you?” Feeling his eyes close, sighing. “I’ll figure it out in the morning…”
A loud knocking came from the front door, and Law’s droopy eyes opened up. He felt, for once, not tense, not agitated, but free. Running his fingers through his coarse locks, he got up and opened the door. “What?” Bepo, Penguin, Shachi, Ikkaku, and Uni fall into his room with tears running down their faces.
“Boss!” They exclaimed, clearly full of worry from his lack of leaving the library. Law’s jaw dropped to the floor, jumping back so he wouldn’t fall beneath their weight. “You finally are back!” Jumping out to hug him, but with the flick of his wrist, his palm from a downward position, to up.
“Room…” he muttered softly, looking at his favorite bear, regretting that he was going to do this to them. “I’ll see y’all at brunch,” he shook his head finally. “Shambles.” They were gone, but all five were replaced with towels. Transporting them to the changing room that he had just been just less than a day ago. Grumbling about how he can’t get peace anywhere, he starts putting on his tank and skinny jeans. Thinking about what happened the night before as what he heard was just something that maybe he heard through his sleep-deprived brain. He didn’t want to think about his feelings if he confessed it in the bathroom. Law grabbed his sword and made his way with a spring in his step to the dining hall. Where he met a bunch of happy faces eager to eat with him.
“B-boss!” Bepo piped up again.
“Yeah yeah, let’s eat.” A smile creeping onto his face as Penguin gave him a cup of his favorite coffee.
“Kind of nice to eat with all of us, isn’t it Law”, spewing out some coffee at Penguin’s face, he looked at the direction that teasing voice was from. “Thanks for that personal talk Law. I won’t forget it,” Y/N smirked while drinking their glass of water.
“What did you talk about?!” Bepo demanded.
“Tell us!” Penguin grabbing Law by the collar. Law’s smile turned into a slight frown, realizing that what happened last night was not a fever dream. He is going to have to deal with the confession after his cup of coffee and calming his jealous crewmates, before confirming what status his assistant would be to him.