~

Behind closed eyes Luffy was reliving the time of his worst helplessness, subject to whatever the pigs in that institution had decided for him. He was running away then, and there were gunshots, very loud, very real. And Luffy woke up with a deep exhale. He had expected this to happen but before it could really get him into panic, a sharp pain had started rooting from his head that made his vision blurry. He also noticed he was very hungry. Looking at his phone, Luffy realized it was still more than a few hours till sunrise and there was no way he could control his hunger for that long. So he got out of bed and raided Law's fridge.

It was not only void of anything cooked but also anything edible. There were only a single juice bottle. That's it.

What does Torao eat?! Wait... does he even eat?

Luffy pouted at the still open fridge door upon the knowledge that Law didn't eat as much as he should. He peeked in the trashcan and it was empty too except for the bottle of juice Luffy himself had consumed earlier. This worsened Luffy's pout, turning it into a frown and Luffy went to the living room to ask Law what he had eaten all day and decide if it was enough. Luffy had momentarily forgotten about his own hunger.

The moment Law was visible to Luffy, the younger's annoyance dissipated at the semi-peaceful sleeping face of the older. Luffy titled his head in thought, whether to wake Law up or to let him sleep because Luffy knew how sleep rarely graced the surgeon.

Luffy was deep in thought when his stomach gave a loud rumble and that should have answered his questions but he couldn't bring himself to wake Law up. Luffy wanted to order something to eat either online or through room service if it was available at that hour but that would cause at least some noise and Luffy didn't want to wake Law up. So he turned to leave for the bedroom again but his head shot out another wave of pain and he lost his balance and fell to his knees, taking support from the coffee table.

The sound from Luffy's palm landing on the table was enough to startle Law out of his slumber. The surgeon was quickly on his feet, hands moving to grab his gun from under the table and pointing it in the direction of the sound. Luffy nearly screeched at the weapon pointed at him.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to wake you up! I just fell suddenly! Sorry!!" Luffy apologized, holding his hands in the air, his pain and hunger instantly forgotten. Law stared at Luffy for a while before he sighed and realized it was indeed Luffy and put the gun away. "You're still doing that huh. It was a knife last time though."

"What's wrong Mugiwara-ya, couldn't sleep? Does your head hurt?" Law asked not having heard what Luffy had said, wiping sleep from his eyes and sitting on the couch.

"Head hurts and hungry." Luffy sat down beside Law and brought his knees to his chest. Law looked at Luffy for a moment again and patted his head because he knew the younger was awake because of bad memories first, and pain and hunger second. It was visible in his tired posture.

"Do that again!" Luffy grinned and moved closer to Law.

"No." The older flatly refused wondering what had overcome him that he patted Luffy the first time. To Law it was like Luffy had a natural gravitational force that brought everyone in if they got close enough and Law wanted to stay in orbit and drift away at the same time. By this analogy, Law sighed realizing that it very well made Luffy the sun. Before Luffy could say anything to his refusal, Law got up and brought the bottle of juice and handed it to Luffy. "I'll order something, drink some juice in the meantime."

"But that's your last juice." Luffy said but took the bottle. "And your fridge's empty."

"And?" Law raised an eyebrow, eyes fixed on his phone to choose from a limited selection of restaurants providing service at such an hour. He carefully ordered meals - plural yes of course since it's Luffy - that would help Luffy gain his blood volume back.

"And! Do you even eat? Are you skipping meals again Torao?" As much as Law was resigned with the topic of conversation, Luffy was hyper.

"I don't see how you will benefit from this information."

"...I worry about you." Luffy said in a small voice and gained Law's attention who put the phone away after successfully placing the orders.

"And whose problem is that?"

"Why does it have to be a problem? Why can't it be something good?"

Law was genuinely at a loss for words. What was he supposed to say to that? "I don't want people worrying for me."

"Well if we all got what we wanted, nobody would be sad but Torao even I know the world doesn't work that way. And people worry for those they care about, what's so bad about that?"

"People do a lot of amoral things in the name of care and worry and love and other ugly emotions. I want no part in it."

"Why are you always so defensive?" Luffy frowned. "Why not just accept it?"

"I'm not you," was Law's final answer as he got up with the excuse of finding Luffy some painkillers.

"You call me a dumbass but you're no better yourself." Luffy called sticking his tongue out when Law got back.

"I don't eat poisonous mushrooms and get myself cut on swords. Oh and I don't hitch a ride with strangers through a quiet forest route." Law rolled his eyes.

"Yeah you just shut yourself away and starve yourself and don't accept help." Law was again shocked at Luffy's perceptiveness. How was he able to hit the mark like this?

"I don't need to explain myself to you."

"I'm not asking you to."

"Then stop."

Luffy pouted but bit back any remarks he had. He was quite annoyed with Law being on guard all the time and not allowing himself to receive help or care. Law sat back beside Luffy and they both stared in front of them quietly, waiting for food.

The quiet reminded Luffy of why he was actually awake and that brought some questions to his mind that he voiced to Law. "Why did you save me back then Torao?"

"I think I've already answered it." Law said back after a few moments.

"What is it that you can't turn your back on?" Luffy was just curious because today he had stood in front of a defenseless kid, using himself as a shield because he knew and understood what it was like to be in that kid's place.

"Stop."

"I helped the kid because it all reminded me of myself. Did you help me because you too-" Luffy stopped himself at the intense glare from Law, the older daring Luffy with his eyes to continue and find out what his anger was like. But as much as Law's eyes were angry, Luffy also saw how they were sad and scared and he didn't want to push Law since it made the older uncomfortable. So Luffy opted to loosely envelope Law in a hug, resting his head on the older's shoulder with the pretense of, "I'm so hungry, can't keep my head up."

When Luffy felt Law's muscles relaxing in the hug, he actually rested more of himself on the older, being tired for real this time. He wanted to sleep again but he was so hungry. His eyes were closing and opening lazily, going here and there until they landed on Law's hands and stayed there.

"Your hands are better." Luffy mumbled, smiling, taking a hold of the hand nearest to himself and running his thumb over the knuckles leaving Law stunned and steaming. "Can you work now?"

"I could work before too, just chose not to." Law found himself answering, wanting Luffy to continue his light touches. Luffy hummed in response and giggled. What the fuck was that?

"It's so amazing that you can save lives with your hands. Chopper has hooves y'know and he saves lives with those, that's so amazing too! Sanji cooks with his hands and his food is so good, I'm sure it's saving someone too. Zoro uses his hands to be a swordsman, he's protecting people too at times. And I'm just punching people with my hands." Luffy wondered out loud, a distant look in his eyes. He was being... negative and self-loathing and Law didn't like it one bit.

"You're saving lives with your hands too, moron." Law flicked Luffy's forehead, mindful of his stitches.

"Ow!" Luffy pouted and glared weakly at Law then grinned when the words registered. "Guess so! I'll save Torao too then!!"

"I don't need saving!" Law bit back not really angry. Luffy was feeling better so he was ok with the outcome. "I'm not some damsel in distress!"

"What in what dress?" Luffy asked in confusion but shook it away. "Anyway! I owe you big time! So just tell me when you need help ok?"

"I don't do any of this to make you owe me."

"Yeah I know you're just kind." Luffy said simply and before the younger could spot the blush on Law's cheeks, the surgeon's phone rang. It was the delivery guy.

"Food's here." Law used it as an excuse and got up quickly, his red face worsening at Luffy chuckling behind him. Law paid for the food and set everything neatly on the table, sitting back, not feeling like he could eat anything.

"Torao, say 'aaa.'" Luffy said poking a spoon full of rice at Law's lips and Law was pretty sure his face resembled the blood that would pour out of his body if he was stabbed.

"W-wh-what are you doing?" Law stammered, creating some distance.

"Feeding you. You're not eating on your own so I'll do it for you." Luffy said as if his logic was foolproof.

"Just because you like me, doesn't automatically allow you to do these things."

"I'd have done this anyway. Stop being a baby and open your mouth or do I have to make airplane noises?" Luffy furrowed his brows and readied himself to actually make the said noises.

"I'll eat on my own! Happy?" Law reluctantly took some rice and stuffed his mouth before Luffy could do more embarrassing things.

"You could have just eaten when I was giving it to you. What're you, shy?"

YES! Law's brain screamed.

Law ate more than he thought he could under Luffy's very watchful eye. He was actually hungry and Law found it amazing and frustrating that Luffy again knew about his hunger and Law himself didn't. After cleaning the table, Law handed Luffy some painkillers and settled himself back on the couch, waiting for Luffy to vacate it so he could go back to sleep. But Luffy had other plans as he kept staring at Law's face for a good few minutes, deep in thought. Luffy didn't like that Law's eyes were darker than he had ever seen, his back was slouched too. Not only was Torao not eating, he was also not sleeping well. But since Luffy was there, he thought he would help.

"Why do you do this to yourself when you know I can help..." Luffy said just above a whisper and gathered Law's attention when he placed his hand on the older's cheek, rubbing the dark area under the golden eyes. Law thought that he should have flinched or moved away from the touch but found himself leaning into in instead, liking the warm palm on his face. "Come on." Luffy said and tugged Law up with him, taking him by the hand and leading him to the bed. Law was too tired, well-fed and sleep deprived to put up a fight. Luffy made sure the curtains were closed before he cuddled close to Law and fell asleep.

~

"Sanji, can you cook something without gluten for someone who doesn't eat regular meals?" Luffy asked and heard his friend sigh on the other end of the phone. Luffy had woken up hours ago but stayed in bed because he wanted Law to get as much sleep as possible and once the doctor woke up, Luffy bolted to the living room to order lunch, the time for breakfast already gone.

"How many allergic-to-gluten homeless people are we talking about?" Sanji asked in return and Luffy laughed.

"Nyahahahaha! Not homeless! He just forgets to eat."

Sanji hummed in the mic and grinned. "Alright. I'll send someone with the food. Same address as before?"

"Yap! Thanks Sanji!"

"Anytime captain."

Luffy put his phone aside and laid down on the couch and waited for Law, the older had taken quite a lot of time to get out of bed and Luffy just heard the bathroom door lock so it would be some time before he would have Torao's company. Luffy played with the strings of the hoodie and went through the notifications, quickly typing replies to the messages and missed calls.

In the bathroom, Law's head was spiraling. He was annoyed with himself for allowing Luffy closeness again but he had also sort of, indirectly, agreed to not run away from all this. Luffy said he would wait for Law's answer but the older himself didn't know how long that would take. He was scared and tired. He just wanted to kill a certain son of a bitch and die after him. He didn't want to stick around after all that and risk feeling empty and unsatisfied.

But Luffy seemed like a promise of a not-so-bad life, a brighter way forward, out of the bleak darkness that Law surrounded himself with, a happy future like Cora-san had wished for Law.

Law hit the mirror with his forehead, it was too early to think about anything. Sure he had slept for more than twelve hours but it was too early in the waking hours to let Luffy in his head, Cora-san was already there as bright as a sun, Law didn't want mental blindness by letting Luffy in as well.

"Fuck my life." Law muttered and wiped his already dried face on the towel, cringed at the texture and washed his face again, wiping it again. When Law exited the bathroom and looked at the time, he cursed noticing that he had been in the bathroom, thinking for a whole hour.

Law went to the living room area thinking it was too quiet for Luffy to be there. He was hoping for Luffy to stick around for a few more hours or to at least suggest going out for food but the younger was nowhere to be found. He must have left, without any heads-up at that. Law found his chest constricting as the feeling of disappointment and sadness overtook him. He was hoping to talk to Luffy some more.

As Law was drowning himself in sadness, the whole room was suddenly filled with the tune of a song he could only describe as the famous "New Genesis" that had been going around for a few months and before Law could grasp where the sound was coming from, Luffy jumped from the couch and headed for the door.

Law felt like an idiot. Luffy had made himself comfortable on the couch and Law's pathetic brain had just scanned the room from behind the couch and started a negative chain of thought. Law mentally slapped his forehead and sighed. His neurons were dying from exposure to Luffy. That was the only explanation.

"Oh! You're finally out!" Luffy said placing a lot of bags on the table, Law could only guess it was food. "Let's eat!"

"I can't eat this early after waking up." Law said frowning, his default expression but sat down beside Luffy nonetheless.

"It's Sanji's food! I especially told him to make it so it's easy for you and there's no gluten so everything's safe." Luffy said, proud of himself.

Law stared at Luffy, feeling his affections for the younger blooming in his chest. Luffy who didn't use his brain for most of the things remembered Law's allergy, he picked on the fact that Law wasn't eating regularly and made sure to get food that would be easy for him? How was Law supposed to frown at or deny such care?

"Fine." Law picked a random bowl and found out it was spicy chicken. He loved spicy chicken. He noticed that Luffy only began eating once Law had taken a bite, waiting for the surgeon to actually eat before starting himself. "It's surprisingly light."

"See! Sanji's food is the best! He's like a food doctor! He can make you feel better with his cooking!" Luffy chewed on his favourite meat on stick and pushed the other one towards Law for him to eat that next, grinning with his mouth full when the older didn't push it away and took a bite.

"You are not going to finish all of this?" Law asked incredulous when Luffy left a few dishes untouched and came back after washing his hands.

"Huh? No, that's for you so you can eat later. Don't forget ok? I will even text you a reminder." Luffy answered and sat back down beside Law.

"You don't have to do that."

"I don't have to do anything, but I want to, so I am doing it." Law sighed and got up to put the food packaging away. Luffy grabbed the ones that were left and followed Law, dumping everything in the trash.

"Go sit, I'll examine your stitches, change your bandages too."

"Ok!"

Law washed his hands and followed after Luffy, bringing out the first aid kit from under the table and sitting in front of Luffy, undoing his bandages. "I shouldn't have slept that long, these needed to be checked after the eight hour mark." Law mumbled under his breath but Luffy caught it.

"It's good though that you got to sleep."

"What about you?" Law asked putting the used bandages in a bag to discard them later and taking out the supplies to clean the stitches.

"Oh I woke up hours ago!"

"What? Why didn't you wake me up?"

"You needed the sleep." Luffy shrugged and Law had to poke him in the ribs to make him sit still so he could clean the stitches properly.

"And you waited for me to wake up to get food?"

"Yeah, I wanted to eat with you."

Law didn't say anything to that. How could he? And what could he even say to all that? Luffy was waiting for him for food. If there was a shred of doubt in Law's mind about Luffy's affections for him, it was all gone now. Regardless, Law couldn't just accept all of it and pretend that nothing bad ever happened in his life or that it won't happen either. There were reasons Law never took any partner or companion and he wasn't sure how Luffy would react to all those things if Law told him. So the surgeon stayed quiet and wrapped fresh bandages on Luffy's head in silence.

"How are Ace-ya's stitches? Did he get them out yet?" Law asked putting his things away.

"Nope, docs said they should stay in for another week." Law heard Luffy answer.

"Now you match with your brother." Law joked and put Luffy's hat on his head and handed him the dried folded shirt Luffy was wearing yesterday. Luffy just laughed until his phone rang and colour drained from his face.

"I FORGOT! I HAD PRACTICE!" Luffy panicked without even answering the call and got up bundling his shirt under his arm and ran for the door. He quickly put his shoes on and jogged in place before he opened the door, thinking he was forgetting something. Then it clicked. "Remember to eat Torao! I'll be back later! Thanks for patching me up!" And with that, Luffy was gone, with Law's hoodie, but Law didn't notice or mind.

It took Law full ten minutes to understand that Luffy had left, he stood in the middle of the room, dumbfounded. Shaking his head, Law sat down on the couch, breathing in and out to keep himself calm. Smiling to himself, Law turned to his phone to go through all his messages and see what new medical papers had been published. He was feeling better now and it was all thanks to Luffy.

~

Law waited at the airport for the idiots to announce that he could board. He was annoyed for having to wait because multiple flights got delayed and cancelled and it was affecting every other flight too. He had booked a few days ago when he started feeling better enough to go back to Flevance and restart everything he had been putting off.

"Torao!" Luffy waved from a distance and ran to the older, sitting down on the empty chair beside him. "Really leaving huh?"

"Yes." Law cleared his throat and took a deep breath, preparing himself to say the few words he had promised he would tell Luffy before leaving. "Mugiwara-ya."

"Hmm?" Luffy half-turned to Law, one of his hands in his pants back pocket, probably taking something out but stopped to listen to what Law had to say.

"About your... you said you liked me... I... I will think about it. I don't know how long I would take but I promise I'd think about it."

"Torao, it's ok, take your time." Luffy grinned and Law was put at ease. "Oh right, here." Law looked at the small flier he was handed. "I wanted to give you this, we are holding a small concert, first time for an audience other than our own group, we still have to decide how many songs we are doing and who's doing which ones but, I want you to be there." Luffy explained all giddy like a puppy.

Law looked at the paper for a few seconds then at Luffy. "You're singing?"

"Yeah!"

"I don't want to hear something that horrible again." Law teased but folded the paper and stuffed it in his jacket pocket.

"Hey!! Uta's teaching me so I'm better now!" Luffy pouted.

"Uta who?"

"Uta Uta."

"The diva Uta?" Law raised an eyebrow, she was the only Uta he knew of. Oh that was where Luffy's ringtone was from!

"Yeah!! She's my sister!!" Luffy nodded all grins again.

"What the fuck." Law muttered, his brain not catching up that the Uta was Luffy's sister. Law shook his head to be at the present. "Anyway, I'm not sure I can make it."

"It's ok, it's a month from now. I'll have Franky or Usopp to get you a live stream if you can't come so tell me beforehand."

"Alright."

"It's going to be so much fun! Nishishi!"

~

"Luffy you sure you want to open with this?" Sanji asked setting up the equipment on the Thousand Sunny for the concert practice. He had eyed Luffy's choice of opening song when Nami had handed everyone the music and lyric sheets. They had decided that Luffy would open with a cover and follow it with an original that Brook composed, then the entire gang would introduce themselves and call it a day. So basically, only Luffy was singing.

"Yes!"

"Since when are you into this kind of music?" Usopp questioned also looking over the agenda. "It doesn't fit you at all."

"I like it." Luffy's simple answer came with a wide grin and everyone sighed. There was no talking Luffy out of this one.

~