Chapter Text
„Please Captain don’t die.“
Law could hear Bepo repeat the words over and over.
The seawater around him felt like it was holding him in a breathtaking grip, but maybe it was Bepo carrying him. Law did not know if he was unable to move because of the water or his injuries but it did not matter much, he barely could keep himself conscious but tried his best.
He had to, alone for Bepo who was already at his limits but still was carrying him swimming through the waters, trying to get them to safety.
Law could hear the quickened heartbeat while the bear was holding him against his chest. They were on the surface now and Bepo moved surprisingly fast. He was not in his Sulong state anymore.
In his state, Law almost failed to notice he had changed into it before, despite it being daytime. It must have had to do with what the Tony-ya of the Strawhats gave him. Bepo had told him about it, but also that it could be risky to use. Despite Law telling him to throw it away Bepo had kept it, for emergencies.
Who would have thought an emergency like this would occur so soon?
Hopefully, Bepo will be fine. Bepo, and the rest of their crew, too.
While Bepo was right about them knowing the dangers of the sea and being trained to withstand it there were more dangers.
They all were hit by an attack and out in the middle of the sea with the next island who knows how far away. Adding to that it was not safe to go to the next Island they were heading to. His only hope for his crew was that Blackbeard would follow him to get his powers, not their crew.
Eventually, Law failed to stay conscious any longer. Despite him trying to fight it his mind was slipping and then went dark.
At some point Law was half awake again, not enough to say anything or be fully aware of his surroundings.
The only thing he noticed was that the sound of the crushing sea around them was gone and that Bepo talked to someone. Or rather Begged someone.
„I know we’re supposed to be enemies again but please can you help our captain.“
Law was not sure who Bepo was talking to the voices sounded familiar. Oddly he felt warm. Maybe it was only warm because they were out of the seawater, a trick his mind played.
He could feel someone taking him out of Bepo’s arms.
A familiar smell, Law buried his face against the warmth. He instantly felt safe.
„Don’t worry, he will be fine.“
The voice definitely was familiar, in a good way, but who was it?
Law could not place it and then the exhaustion took over again. He knew he was safe with that person he could rest.
„You’ll be fine."
The person carrying him whispered into his ear and Law believed them.
-.-.-.-
„Hey moss head what do you think you’re doing!“
Law flinched, the sound was further away but the voice sounded very familiar, he heard a scream too, and a thudding sound, some angry voice saying something while another chuckled.
His legs felt very warm, probably the sun shining on them but while his face felt cooler, there was a warm hand on his chest and some fingers threading through his hair.
It was nice.
If there had not been the memories washing over him instantly with what had happened.
Blackbeard, the fight, him failing. Their submarine destroyed, his crew lost and Bepo…
„Bepo.“
Law whispered quietly.
„He’s resting.“
That voice. Now Law knew the smell surrounding him, reminding him of meat and the sun.
„Strawhat-ya.“
„Torao.“
Strawhat said his name so softly it was unfamiliar and the way he held Law, how his hand tightened against Law’s chest how the fingers in his hair stopped moving. All showed that Strawhat had been worried.
Slowly Law blinked open his eyes.
Strawhat was looking at him and Law could see the relief but also the anger.
Not towards Law but Blackbeard, who had already caused such a big loss for Luffy. But Law was not something to be taken from Luffy. Was he simply angry for hearing about Blackbeard again?
Law wanted to sit up but Strawhats hand on his chest held him down firmly.
„Don’t move. Chopper said you can’t, you were injured badly. You almost died.“
„My crew.“
„Bepo told us.“
Law felt tears gathering in his eyes and lifted his arm which felt almost too heavy to do so. He covered his eyes, his voice was breaking while he spoke.
„I couldn’t protect them.“
Law couldn’t hold back the tears anymore.
„He destroyed our submarine too. What if they-. Bepo should have helped them instead.“
„Torao, you’re their captain. And they are your crew, trust them. I lost my crew too once but I knew they were strong and we would be together again.“
„I-„
„You’re not alone Torao, you don’t always have to fight alone.“
Somehow everything broke out of Law this time. Under different circumstances, he would not have allowed a breakdown like this. Would not show any weakness especially not with an enemy like the Strawhat. An enemy Law did feel safe with while lying in his arms. Safe and warm.
It was like their roles from over two years ago were reversed now. When Law had seen Luffy break down, had heard his cries and seen his tears. Had been sitting on his bed, listening to the other's breathing after the operation when the medication had finally calmed him down. Monitoring the Strawhat’s heartbeat, anxious that at any moment it would stop.
Law had barely talked to the other then, if he was honest he did not really know what to say. He did not know Strawhat that well and even less Ace. He left it to Jinbei to calm the other. Jinbei at least had known Ace and seemed to understand the connection between Ace and the Strawhat way better.
Back then Law had risked his own life to save him, he just knew it was important that Strawhat would survive. Maybe it was the D. they shared, maybe it was simply seeing how desperately the other was fighting to save his brother. Or simply that Law could not leave someone alone who had no fear of hitting a Tenryubito after he shot his friend. A person brave or maybe dumb enough to go after a Tenryubito without fear of consequences was one in a million.
Whatever of those reasons got Law to act, he would always do it again and now they roles were reversed. Again. A second time after Dressrosa.
With their history it was no surprise, that Bepo had brought him to the Strawhats, very likely following the vivre card Law knew he had gotten from Nami-ya.
And deep down Law was grateful.
Strawhat had always been different.
Law breaking down was something he would never bring up against him, Law knew and it was why he just let all his walls down.
He turned in Luffy’s lap and wrapped his arms around the other, burying his face against Luffy’s chest. He could feel the difference between his unharmed skin and the scar against his cheek. Could feel how the other’s skin got wet from his tears.
Like when Cora died Law cried silently, only this time it was not because of Cora’s powers.
It had been years since he let go like this.
Strawhat cradled his neck and his fingers drew soothing patterns on Law’s back.
He did not complain about Law covering his chest in tears and snot or about him having to sit in that uncomfortable position for what probably felt like forever. The only thing he did was hold Law tightly.
At some point, exhaustion took over again and Law fell back asleep.
Cora. Cora smiling at him.
Not only him but also Law’s family. His sister holding her favorite teddy with the arm Law had sewed back on and wrapped a bandage over after. Ironically it was the right arm too.
It was a nice day and the sun was shining, some meadow. They had food and drinks and everyone had fun.
„Law you and Teddy have the same scar now.“
Lammi was hugging Law, then holding Teddy up with its back against Law’s chest, comparing their arms.
His parents smiled at him and congratulated him on what an amazing doctor he had become.
The children from the church came over running together with the nun and greeted him too. Thanking him for all the times he helped them when they were sick. Small things like a cold or tummy troubles.
Part of the children surrounded Cora, when he stumbled and fell and jumped on him laughing.
Everyone was laughing and having fun and Law should have been happy.
This was all he ever wished for.
There was no reason to leave this place again, Law could finally rest.
Everyone he loved was there.
„Not everyone.“
Cora suddenly was next to him, he put his hand on Law’s shoulder and was smiling but it was a sad smile now, even with his drawn-on smile Law could see that.
„Not even close to everyone.“
A cold breeze hit him and Law shuddered.
„You have so many more waiting for you back there Law.“
„But I’m tired.“
Cora reached out and brushed the tears away that were running down Law’s cheek suddenly.
„Isn’t there also someone who has enough energy for you too.“
„How?“
There was a cheekish grin on Cora’s face.
„He’s an enemy no-„
„That’s your thoughts Law, I’m just a manifestation of them. But you know I will always be looking out for you to find happiness. He dragged you once when you were tired and certain you wanted to die. Maybe you chose a troublesome guy like him exactly because you felt right away that he is your sun that you have been waiting for. The one that brings the freedom you seek.“
„Nika.“
Law mumbled.
He was surrounded by darkness again and then suddenly he was a small boy again, sitting in that boat with Cora.
Cora was asleep and Law held the book in his hands that he had given him.
It was filled with children's stories. Law was not interested in things like this. He was not a child like the others. There had been too many horrors in his life to be able to still find any joy in children's books.
He prefered books about medicine or how the world worked, useful books, not stupid stories for little children, lies mostly, fantasies about imagined worlds.
Annoyed he tossed it away into the water, only to fish it back out again a moment later.
It was all he had now, and he was bored, and somehow he knew it was important to Cora.
It was quite old. Old and a bit worn. Only the thick pages and leather cover had saved it from already falling apart or getting soaked by the water Law had thrown it into.
Law looked through it and ended up very invested in one of the stories. The one about sun god that would bring freedom. Nika.
The book got lost with Cora. And just like that Law had forgotten about it.
How could he have forgotten so easily?
Now that he remembered, he also remembered the mumbles of some people while on his travels. Slaves that talked about the god bringing freedom. The one mother telling her children that Nika will come eventually.
The notes he had seen scribbled down on an edge of one of his books.
Nika. The drums of freedom that was his heartbeat.
Cora never told him where he had gotten the book from. He only said it was from an earlier life.
Now that Law knew who he had been before and now that his brain finally made the connection he could imagine it was from his life as a Tenryubito, probably a slave that had owned it before.
„Are you finally remembering Law?“
Cora’s voice.
„You don’t want to miss it, don’t you Law.“
„No.“
„Then go back, now.“
With Cora’s calm voice still sounding in his ears, Law woke up again to the steady sound of a heartbeat.
Domm-dut-da-da. Doom-dut-da-da.