#proud of us for being able to universally agree you do NOT. FUCK. WITH MONKEYS.
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Boyhood Blues - 8
Fanfiction: Boyhood Blues
Story Summary: Actions, and inactions, have their repercussions. It may not be immediate but somewhere down the line, the effect will be seen.
Chapter Characters: Law, Luffy, Ace, (Sengoku, Garp, Rayleigh, Marco)
Pairing: LawLu
Rating: T
Warnings: Swearing, Universe Alteration, canon-typical violence, angst,
A/N: FAIR WARNING: PULL OUT THE TISSUES. This chapter has been making me cry since Thursday and I’ve read it over multiple times. Really, it’s only a few moments but HO BOY. It hits you like a truck. (It wasn’t supposed to be this way, honestly. Just softly going ow, but no, it’s just VROOM VROOM, HERE COMES THE FEELS TRUCK. OH? THAT WASN’T ENOUGH, LET’S BACK UP AND GO FORWARD FOR GOOD MEASURE.)
That being said: I’M REALLY PROUD OF THIS CHAPTER. It starts tying everything in together. There’s ‘one’ more chapter until the time-skip! Then i can get into everything heee~
.xxx. > Time/scene skip
.+++. > PoV change
Read on Ao3
Chapter 7 || Chapter 8: Healing|| Chapter 9
Over the next few days, as Ace recovered, Law learned a bit more about Luffy. About how, after Ace ran away on Garp, Luffy’s plan for getting away at seventeen became significantly more difficult because Garp was on high alert.
But Ace, knowing that his leaving would do such a thing, had ensured that plans were in place and their old caretaker was in on those plans.
(Dadan, wasn’t it?)
Law also learned about Water 7, about Ennies Lobby, about their ship: the Going Merry (and the Thousand Sunny), and finally, about Thriller Bark.
(And while Law knew most of these tales in some degree, he had learned about them in a bit more detail than the papers would like to admit.)
Thriller Bark, however, was something that Trafalgar Law hadn’t learned about prior. Mostly due to the fact that it was a story that the World Government did not want to be revealed. The fact that Monkey D. Luffy had defeated not only one, but two Warlords? That he was toppling their powers left, right, and center? Not to mention he had just induced the destruction of Ennies Lobby…
(Oh, Garp would be peeved, most definitely; but also strangely proud. But, ever since the scenario with Ennies Lobby, not even Garp’s influence could sway the government any longer. Hence the fact that his last name appeared on the wanted posters after Water 7.)
And, knowing what he did now, it only made Law wonder just why Gekko Moria was at Marineford. Shouldn’t they have dismissed him upon learning of his defeat and the fact that he held several Marines hostages? Or perhaps did they decide they required whatever power they could get because they had everything set in place for the war?
No… the government had to be planning something. There was no question about that. But what?
Thankfully, Law had also avoided answering too many questions about his own personal life. Mostly they talked about his tattoos, and the potential designs, sometimes he talked about his crew. He allowed Luffy to come up with his own (rather sad, actually) drawings and suggestions if only to distract the other captain. Other distractions involved questions about Luffy’s past, or, more simply, food.
It wasn’t too long until a familiar face had waded onto the island.
“Rayleigh?!”
Law wasn’t too overly concerned about Luffy re-opening his wounds by now, and Luffy seemed to be taking his earlier scolding into consideration. From what he could tell, Luffy was a fast healer – and if it weren’t for Ace, he would have left by now as he felt confident in Luffy’s recovery.
But Law slowly glanced up at that – since Luffy did have a tendency to mistake one person for another quite frequently. (He still remembered the tale about ‘Sogeking’.) But when he recognised the Dark King, he startled a little.
What was he doing here?
“Ah, good. I thought you all had survived.” He was wiping himself off with a towel he had procured from somewhere. …Wait did the guy swim here? In the Calm Belt? (After overhearing his brief conversation with Luffy, Law concluded that, yes, the Dark King had decided it was a perfectly good idea so go swimming with Sea Kings.)
“So,” Rayleigh finally looked up to him, “I can see that Luffy here is doing just fine, but, how is Ace?”
There was a moment of tension as Rayleigh turned his attention to him, but he shrugged it off and glanced towards his submarine. He was curious as to why Rayleigh took an interest in Luffy, but ah, regardless… Ace, on the other hand, he supposed made sense. Rayleigh was the First Mate to Gol D. Roger after all, and now that it was known that Ace was the son of the King of the Pirates…
(In all actuality, Law almost forgot all about it, considering he had been dwelling on that boy he remembered in their pasts.)
“He should be waking any day now.” He started. “It’s just a matter of–”
A loud bang came from his submarine.
…God dammit! Couldn’t these brothers wake up in a less destructive way?
“ACE!” Luffy took off running.
…Well, time to go do some damage control…
.xxx.
Ace wasn’t happy with the plan. Not at all.
“Why do we have to pretend I died!”
It was Rayleigh’s idea actually. One that Law agreed with whole-heartedly. To imply that Law couldn’t save the damage that Sakazuki had caused to Ace’s body. That he died after all attempts to keep him amongst the living. And for Luffy to insinuate such claims.
“Relax,” the Dark King said, “we aren’t pretending anything, but it’s what the Marines will think. With your brother, Luffy, doing this, not only will he be able to communicate to his crewmates, but it also provides you with an alibi that will give you the time you need to recuperate.”
And time indeed was what Ace needed. He would not be fighting any battles anytime soon, nor should he if he desired to survive long enough to do so. In all honesty, Law was surprised that he managed to fix Ace up and that his patient was conscious. The damage was, well, severe.
“But I’m not dead!” Ace winced at the outburst, hand going to his injured side.
See? He couldn’t even yell nonetheless hold any sort of weapon.
And so Law sighed and interjected. “As your doctor I highly recommend this strategy. It takes weeks for most people to function properly after injuries such as broken bones, and still even days for those of you who have an advanced healing rate, but the ones you sustained…” Law trailed off as he gestured to Ace’s injuries. “It will take months – perhaps even years to fully heal. That’s including your constitution and your logia-powers.” He sighed again and rubbed at the bridge of his nose. “And that means no fighting. No more injuries. Even training – in any physical sense – is strictly forbidden. Unless you want to end up back at square one that is. Or worse. There are permanent, debilitating injuries or dismemberment that could happen – and the worse case scenario: death. You are the most wanted man in the world, Ace-ya, and do you really think the government is going to stand by and let you live?”
There was silence that greeted him, and Law could remember hearing Sengoku’s voice booming out for the entire world to hear:
“We need to stop these devil spawn!”
He sighed once more, rubbing at his temples.
“The Marines are the embodiment and army of the World Government. All three of us know this very intimately. I know that Sengoku was not truly behind this orchestrated development, and I am highly suspicious of what they will do next. You saw the expression of your Grandfather during the war… They aren’t going to stop Ace-ya. Not until they know you are dead. I’m very certain Luffy-ya’s bounty will go up significantly after this, once they realise he’s alive. And you? If they know you’re alive… they are probably going to rival it with the Yonku, or steeper.”
Finally, it seemed that his words were starting make an effect on Ace. But not enough to get him to cave, Law knew that much. “It’s best if they believe you to be dead until you can defend yourself Ace-ya.”
Luffy, too, was watching quietly before he had quickly decided to pipe in. “Think of it like I’m holding a funeral for your old man Ace. Please? I can’t lose you too!” His voice trailed off as he bit his lip. “You promised…”
Again? He had to put up with Garp's insufferable, sniffling, noisy brats again?
Law contemplated doing something to get out of it, but... he somewhat felt for them. In the sense that he knew what it was like to lose somebody that was close to you. far too intimately. After all it had been – what – a year since...
“Oh, it's Torao again.”
...And there that brat went again. On with that damn nickname of his. According to Ace, Luffy had trouble pronouncing certain words. And despite his protests and letting Luffy know he could just use his first name, the brat had decided that his nickname was better.
...Genocide certainly sounded appealing at the moment.
Law made a sound of annoyance and just continued to read.
This had been the third or fourth time by now, and quite honestly? He was tired of it all. Especially when Luffy had the tendency to just start the water works the moment Garp and Sengoku had left them on their own.
“Play nice boys, we're going to a meeting.”
“Ah!” Law sputtered out before he could stop himself. Usually at least one of them stuck around for awhile. Dammit! He didn't need this right now! Couldn't he have at least some peace and quiet?
But the adults were gone, leaving him and the brats alone. Which only meant…
“If you so much as fucking dare start a sob-fest right this second...” He warned Luffy, eyes narrowing.
It was Ace that responded, stepping in front of Luffy, his arms outstretched defensively.
“Leave Luffy alone Trafalgar.”
Law scoffed. “Or what? I've killed pirates stronger than you.” Granted, he wasn't exactly as strong as he used to be before the Amber Lead started destroying his body, but he could still put up a fight. Apparently his threat took some effect from the fear that sparked in Luffy’s eyes and the way he tugged at Ace’s shirt urgently.
“A-Ace, don't! You promised!”
“…You promised Ace! That you wouldn’t die! If it wasn’t for Sabo coming in…”
“Arg! Fine!” Ace had turned his head to the side, and Law recognised that expression from when they were children. He wasn’t happy, and that he had been arm wrestled into doing something he didn’t want to do – but he was going to comply. “And you! He pointed at Luffy, eyes narrowing a bit. “I still can’t believe you gave a complete stranger my vivre card!”
Luffy was pouting now. “B-But he saved your life Ace!”
And Ace? Well he just groaned. “Fine! Go do whatever you want!” His arms went into the air – albeit carefully. “Oi, Law, do you have a den den mushi on your sub? I gotta contact Marco…”
Law blinked when his name was called. Ah, so the brotherly spat was over? (And besides, if things were as he thought they were… well Ace would be eternally grateful for Luffy giving Sabo his vivre card. Well, if Sabo ever remembered that is.) He then sighed. “…You might want to let me do the talking Ace-ya. Dead men tell no tales after all. You never know who might be listening in.”
Another groan left Ace.
“…Playing dead is going to be sooooo boring!”
Law could only sigh at this melodramatic pirate. It didn’t last long however, for his nickname was hollered to the heavens and a bundle of rubber tackled him to the ground.
“Ugh… what did I say about being careful Luffy-ya?”
“Does this mean Torao’s leaving?”
…Why did Luffy both sound and look like an abandoned puppy?
He scoffed. “I have my own adventures after all Luffy-ya. I’m certain we’ll meet again in the future however.”
And then that pouting bundle of rubber was laughing. “Good! Cause I like Torao and I can’t wait to see you again!”
…Goodness what was with this fool?
“…See you later Luffy-ya.”
.xxx.
“Who is this, and how did you get our number?”
All of this socialising was getting on his nerves – but necessities, necessities. He sighed. “It’s Trafalgar Law.”
He could hear muffled sounds in the background.
“…Is Ace okay?”
The voice was understandably worried. Some rookie pirate kidnaps the man the Whitebeard Pirates fought so hard for and just disappears off the planet for almost a week? When said man was on the verge of death? He just wanted to get this over and done with. “I’m calling you to set up an exchange for the body of Portgas D. Ace.” They should learn some sense of secrecy however. Anybody could be listening in on this conversation, the last thing they needed was for an army to amass at their meeting site with Ace all but out of commission.
He received silence as a response. Some muffled sounds but mostly moving around.
Seriously?
He sighed. “Listen, where’s a good place to meet in Paradise? We need to make the exchange quick – the Marines could be tracking this call as we speak. If they get their hands on Ace-ya’s body…”
If Law had to go in with them suspecting Ace was dead, so be it. At least he could go into great morbid detail of what the Marines would do to the body of the son of the King of Pirates to convince them. He wasn’t about to go risking his patient’s recovery for some stranger’s mental health.
“When the phoenix rises, meet us at…” The words were hastily said to prevent Law from continuing his macabre sentence.
And with the instructions given, Law wrote them down before agreeing and hanging up. Then he turned to Ace expectantly. “So, Ace-ya, what exactly is the time when the Phoenix rises?”
Finally, the man laughed. “You’re so damn lucky they figured out I was still alive.”
Law sighed and shook his head. “Well considering I have their damn number, that should have been the first giveaway.”
“Touché, Surgeon of Death, touché.”
Law groaned.
.xxx.
“You know, you’re somebody that Luffy admires.”
They had left Amazon Lily awhile ago, heading towards the meeting point when Ace had just came out with that.
Wait. Wait. What? The statement made him freeze. He was not expecting that.
“If you hadn’t left the Marines like you did…” There was a nostalgic look in his eyes. “Remember? When Luffy asked you about your dreams?” The smile on his face was indisputable. “Well… we might have never thought it possible. To pursue our dreams that is. Gramps… we both know he had the best intentions but… he was always watching us like a hawk. Except when we were with you or Sengoku. And neither one of us wanted to become Marines. Not only was I worried what they might do if they discovered my lineage… I just… I didn’t like the idea. I wanted to be my own man. To become famous of my own accord and not because of who…” Ace’s expression soured and he shook his head. “But, this isn’t about me. It’s about Luffy. He… he took Sabo’s death hard.”
And Law? He just watched Ace.
“I’m pretty sure you could tell that, just by the way he acted. Even now, it still stings him. Look at what he said earlier. It’s just… being with the Marines? It reminded us of Sabo. Of what he did, of what he sacrificed for our lives. And it was that… that’s what ultimately caused his death.”
(Oh, he recognised this. Yes, the way that Ace clenched his fists. The way he set his jaw and that determined look in his eyes.)
“…It’s okay to cry. Luffy-ya’s not here.” Law said simply, glancing away. “…Somebody once told me that, you know. That it’s not good to keep everything deep down within you.”
(He could hear the quiet sobs in the silence that formed between them, but he ignored it. He let Ace regain his composure.)
“I – thank you…” There were a few sniffles before Ace returned to the topic at hand. “…We were trapped Law. Trapped in a place we didn’t want to be. We weren’t free.”
…Was that what Luffy had meant all those years ago then? About Sabo not wanting them to live that way? Not wanting them to be trapped and unable to obtain their dreams?
“And you. By leaving, you made him believe again Law. You made him hope and you made him try. Especially with what you had said, we had just… presumed you had become a pirate because the Marines couldn’t obtain your dreams for you. You brought the hope back into his life – our life.” Ace had turned towards him before bowing lowly. “And I thank you for that Trafalgar Law.”
…What?
…Those brothers seriously thought…
Law turned away, scoffing. “…I-I wasn’t doing it for any of you.” He cursed himself for that slight stutter. “I have my own goals in life Ace-ya, as you can tell.” And really, really, what had ever happened to those two brothers never mattered to him. “I left for my own desires. Of my own accord. The Marines had just been a stepping stone in my life that proved to be useless to my goals eventually. And, in all honesty? I couldn’t have given less of a damn about the two of you.”
He was a selfish bastard back then, and who was he kidding? He still was one now. Perhaps, not as much as before, but still.
And Ace only laughed again at his remark.
Which, in return, earned him a glare from Law. “I’m serious! I didn’t even recognise Luffy-ya when we met again on Sabaody! Even when he used that ridiculous bastardisation of my name! The only thing that tipped me off was when he mentioned…” Law glanced away, softly shaking his head. Right, the brothers didn’t know what caused the spots, just that he had them. “…Something only he could have known.”
“I know, I know.” Ace was still smiling at him, waving his hand dismissively. “But thanks anyway. You gave us light in that dark place we both were in. It was suffocating, and constantly reminded us of… Sabo. And then, to see somebody who was suffering like us get out of there? It made us realise we weren’t trapped either, that, if we tried, we could get out too.”
“Tch.” Law could only scoff further. This idiot wasn’t taking the hint, was he? “Who said I was suffering? As I said, I wasn’t satisfied with the Marines is all.”
That all-knowing smirk on Ace’s face made him sick.
“Whatever you say, doctor.”
…Insufferable brats!
#monkey d. luffy#trafalgar law#lawlu#portgas d. ace#one piece#fanfic:boyhoodblues#petiteneko:story#onepiece#tlaw#luffy#sabo#ace
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