Chapter Text
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Law had finally arrived at the battlefield, where Cipher Pol forces and a few pirates were caught in a pincer attack by the Revolutionary Army. Chaos reigned everywhere, but despite the confusion, he quickly noticed the tide turning in favor of the revolutionaries.
Earlier, he had heard an explosion coming from an elevated islet, followed by a thick plume of smoke rising into the sky. The sight had surprised him, and another bad feeling had settled in his gut.
Law moved through the ruins and dust, his eyes scanning every corner of the devastated area. He searched the surroundings for any sign of Emi. But there was nothing. His gaze then landed on a half-destroyed hangar, its windows cracked and walls trembling.
Suddenly, a loud crack echoed as the glass ceiling shattered into countless fragments. Law instinctively looked up. A massive owl had been hurled into the air, its trajectory interrupted by a spear that pierced it through, imbued with Haki. The creature crashed back into the hangar with a heavy thud.
For a moment, he stood frozen, his thoughts racing. A spear imbued with Haki? That couldn’t have been Emi… could it?
He had to be sure.
Without hesitation, he rushed into the ruined hangar. Debris littered the ground, bearing witness to the ferocity of the battle that had taken place here. He weaved through overturned crates and shelves, his gaze scanning the shadows for the journalist.
Then, suddenly, he saw her. She was lying on the ground, motionless, her body wracked with spasms, her clothes soaked in blood. Her complexion was alarmingly pale, and she trembled in a crimson pool.
Law froze for a moment, a flicker of emotion crossing his usually impassive face. This wasn’t what he had expected to find. Not this.
Of all the outcomes he had imagined, this was the one he hadn’t prepared for.
A rush of adrenaline surged through his veins. He didn’t have a second to waste. Law darted toward her, activating his Room as a bluish aura expanded around him. He knelt beside her, quickly assessing her injuries. But the more he examined her condition, the more his concern deepened.
Gently, he brushed aside a strand of hair stuck to her damp forehead and pressed two fingers to her neck to check her pulse.
"Emi-ya! Can you hear me? Hey!" he called, his voice sharp as he searched for any sign of consciousness.
A faint groan escaped her lips, and her eyelids fluttered weakly. Law immediately noticed her glassy, unfocused eyes, the beads of sweat on her forehead, and the uncontrollable trembling of her limbs. He realized what was happening in an instant.
The pills… She’d overdone it with that crap.
His suspicion was confirmed when he spotted a torn pouch half-buried under the nearby debris. With a cold, focused urgency, he placed his hand on her chest. His fingers glowed faintly as he used his powers to evaluate the extent of the internal damage.
Every second mattered, and Law knew it. "Don’t move, idiot," he muttered under his breath, more to himself than to her.
~~~~
Meanwhile, reinforcements for the Revolutionary Army arrived in an unexpected form. A swirling mass of darkness began to rise in the distance, solidifying into a flock of soot-black crows. Karasu, the feared Revolutionary, had come to lend his strength.
The shifting ash formed an imposing swarm that briefly darkened the sky over the battlefield. With fluid precision, the crows converged, each carrying a passenger on its back. In seconds, Sabo, Amber, Robin, and their prisoner were whisked away from the immediate danger, gliding through the chaos atop the ethereal creatures.
The wind picked up as the first tremors of the collapsing island echoed around them. Massive fragments of the island broke away, hurtling toward the innocent city below, threatening to crush everything in their path.
Watching the impending disaster from above, Sabo felt a burning fury ignite within him. He couldn’t just stand by and let this happen.
“No way we’re letting those people die here!” he shouted, leaping from the crows and diving headfirst toward the city.
With each strike of his devastating grip, he shattered the largest chunks of debris, breaking them into smaller, less harmful pieces before they could reach the ground.
Karasu’s crows worked in tandem, joining the effort. Some flew ahead, scouting the trajectories of falling fragments, while others, guided by Karasu’s control, seized the debris in their talons and diverted it away from the city. Their caws filled the air, an eerie chorus in the midst of the chaos. The sky itself became a battleground—a clash between the island’s destructive collapse and the ingenuity of those fighting to protect the innocent below.
Robin, calm and focused, unleashed her full power. Standing firm, her arms crossed, her expression betrayed no emotion despite the immense effort she was exerting. At her command, hundreds of giant hands materialized, forming a massive net between the sky and the ground.
The net strained under the crushing weight of the debris, each hand appearing to buckle but never breaking. Still, the toll it took on her was evident. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, and her arms trembled under the immense pressure. Despite the overwhelming odds, she didn’t falter.
Amber, meanwhile, stayed close to the scientist, her sharp eyes locked on him, ensuring he wouldn’t use the chaos as an opportunity to escape. Her gaze burned into his pale, shaken face as she clenched her fists tightly.
“You’re going to pay for all of this,” she muttered coldly, watching him swallow nervously as the weight of his actions finally seemed to dawn on him.
Below, Sabo darted through the streets, helping residents evacuate from the most exposed areas as debris and rocks rained down.
As he glanced upward, his eyes caught Robin still holding the massive net of giant hands in place. Her arms trembled visibly under the immense strain, yet she didn’t waver.
Amber looked toward Sabo, sensing that the collapse of the floating island was only moments away. The tension in the air was palpable as the final seconds of their desperate effort ticked down.
Sabo, feeling the critical weight of the situation, cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted toward Robin, his voice filled with determination:
“Hold on! We’re almost there!”
~~~~
Emi felt a strange lightness in her chest, as if the pain was momentarily replaced by a soft, cold sensation. Law was working to isolate the toxins, slowing their spread through her veins while stabilizing her organs. He let out a low grunt, his focus razor-sharp, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead from the sheer precision the task required.
“This is… ridiculous,” she muttered weakly, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite the pain. “I thought… you’d just let me… die here…”
“Stop talking,” Law snapped, his tone curt. “It’s hard enough saving you as it is. Don’t make it worse.”
As he worked, Emi suddenly coughed up blood, the crimson staining her lips.
“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath.
She was losing too much blood, but that wasn’t all. Her cells were breaking down, her organs on the verge of failure. A wave of frustration surged through him, but he shoved it aside. There was no room for anger—only action.
Carefully, he lifted her into his arms, her body growing weaker with every second. Activating his Room again, he warped the space around them, swapping his position with chunks of debris falling from the crumbling island. He teleported rapidly, pushing himself to reach the submarine as fast as possible.
Below, he caught glimpses of the Revolutionary Army evacuating civilians from the danger zones. But Law didn’t have time to process what was happening around him. His focus was singular—getting Emi to safety.
Just as he sprinted forward, a blonde man landed in front of him with a powerful leap, blocking his path. His fists were clenched, his eyes blazing with suspicion.
“Who are you, and what are you doing with her?” the man demanded, his voice sharp. “Why is she unconscious?”
Law clenched his teeth, irritated by the interruption. In a calm but urgent tone, he replied, "I don’t have time to explain. If she doesn’t get treated immediately, she’s going to die. I’m a doctor."
The man studied him for a moment, reading the determination in his eyes. This wasn’t the time to argue, and he knew it. With a brief nod, he stepped aside, letting Law pass.
“Take care of her,” he murmured, his voice heavy with gravity.
Law didn’t respond. He simply resumed his sprint, Emi held tightly in his arms.
Sabo watched Law’s figure retreat into the distance, Emi limp and bloodied in his grasp. His sharp, wary gaze lingered. Something about the man seemed familiar, nagging at his memory. Then, it clicked—Trafalgar Law.
He finally recognized him. The man who had saved his little brother, Luffy. A wave of gratitude flickered through Sabo, but it was quickly tempered by his natural caution. The memory of what he owed Law weighed on him, but was it enough to lower his guard?
Adjusting his hat with a nervous motion, he turned as Ambre approached, worry etched into her face.
“Sabo! That was Emi with Trafalgar Law, wasn’t it?! She looked… unconscious!” she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Ambre’s heart raced as she recalled the sight of Emi, bloodied and motionless in Law’s arms, disappearing into the chaos.
Sabo nodded, his jaw tight. “He’s a doctor, but I don’t know if we can trust him.”
Ambre felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach. She knew Law’s reputation, but Emi had mentioned him before—those tense, strange exchanges they’d shared, a bond of respect that neither would openly admit. Emi trusted him, even if she didn’t always say it outright.
Taking a deep breath, Ambre fixed Sabo with a determined look. She could see he was ready to chase after Law, but she grabbed his arm, stopping him.
“Sabo, listen to me. I know this sounds crazy, but they know each other. Emi… she trusts him. He’s one of the best surgeon.”
Sabo met her gaze, searching her face for any hint of doubt. Ambre held firm, her expression grave. She knew convincing Sabo wouldn’t be easy, especially in a situation like this. But Emi mattered to both of them, and they had no choice but to trust Law.
“Law knows what he’s doing,” she added, her fingers tightening unconsciously on Sabo’s arm. “Emi wouldn’t have agreed to work with him if she thought he’d put her in danger. Trust her judgment, just this once.”
A tense silence hung between them as Sabo weighed Ambre’s words. He could see the worry in her eyes, the bond she shared with Emi, and the fragile trust she was placing in this pirate. She was right—Emi wouldn’t trust just anyone.
Finally, Sabo exhaled, his shoulders relaxing slightly. He gave a small, reluctant nod, though his concern lingered.
“Fine,” he muttered, his tone heavy. “Let’s hope you’re right.”
Together, they watched Law’s distant figure disappear into the chaos, silently praying that Emi was in safe hands. She had to survive. Ambre clung to that thought like a lifeline, promising herself they’d find Emi alive, laughing together about this insane adventure when it was all over.
~~~~
A few minutes earlier…
Bepo and Jean Bart rushed to the spot where Law had left the prisoner on a wagon. The ground was littered with debris, and the constant tremors from the crumbling island made the atmosphere even tenser. Huge chunks of rock looked like they could come crashing down on them at any moment.
“Captain! Captain! Where is he?!” Bepo called out, his ears twitching anxiously. But there was no response from their Den Den Mushi, which only made the polar bear more nervous.
Jean Bart, calmer, scanned the area until his eyes landed on a figure in the distance. He placed a firm hand on Bepo’s shoulder to get his attention and pointed. “Over there. Look.”
The two Heart Pirates approached cautiously. When they got close enough, Bepo’s eyes widened in shock.
“No way… That’s Lazon!?” he blurted, his voice a mix of surprise and unease.
The prisoner was, quite literally, taped to the wagon in the most ridiculous way. His body was strapped down securely, but his arms and legs had been detached and neatly stacked beside him like pieces of a mannequin.
The prisoner looked up at them, drenched in sweat and utterly desperate. In a shaky voice, he begged, “P-please… put me back together…”
Bepo couldn’t hold back a nervous laugh as he glanced at Jean Bart. “No doubt about it… this is definitely the Captain’s work,” he muttered, trying to keep a straight face. “Alright, I’ll grab the arms. You take the body?”
Jean Bart shrugged and lifted the pirate’s torso like he was picking up a sack of potatoes. “Let’s get this over with before the whole island comes down on us.”
Bepo carefully gathered the arms and legs, nodding with a mix of seriousness and amusement. The prisoner let out a horrified squeak as Bepo handled his limbs like puzzle pieces.
“Wait, wait! You’re not… you’re not seriously going to carry me like this, are you?!”
Bepo nodded with an innocent grin. “Well… technically, we don’t have much of a choice. If the Captain thought this was the best way, who are we to argue?”
Jean Bart gave the pirate’s torso a reassuring pat. “Relax. We’ll have you sorted out in no time. Trust us.”
The pirate groaned, completely defeated, as Bepo and Jean Bart started hauling him off like some bizarre cargo.
As they moved away, the prisoner began quietly sobbing, resigned to his fate, while his two temporary guards exchanged looks that were equal parts amused and concerned.
~~~~
Law stormed through the corridors of the Polar Tang, his face set in an icy, determined expression as he held Emi tightly in his arms. Her condition was critical, and no one knew it better than him. Every second mattered.
Beside him, Sachi and Penguin froze for a moment, stunned by the sight of their friend unconscious and covered in blood. But the look in their captain’s eyes snapped them back to reality—there was no time for hesitation. They had to act.
When they reached the operating room, Law carefully laid Emi on the table, his movements precise but tense. He grabbed a pair of gloves, snapping them on with a sharp motion before activating a Room around them. With a quick scan, he identified the poison spreading through Emi’s body. Every tissue, every cell was being consumed by the toxic drug she had taken.
“Her blood… it’s breaking down from the inside,” he muttered, his voice tinged with rare concern.
“What’s her blood type, Captain?” Sachi asked hesitantly.
Law furrowed his brow, focusing as he used his power to extract the information. “AB… same as you two.”
Sachi and Penguin exchanged a look before nodding, their faces set with fierce determination.
“Take our blood, Captain! She needs it,” Sachi said firmly.
Without wasting another second, Law prepared the transfusions. Time felt like it was slowing down, the tension in the room growing heavier with each passing moment. He set up the lines, knowing that every drop of blood was a lifeline for Emi. Her breathing was so faint that he found himself straining to hear it.
“Don’t you dare give up, Emi-ya,” he muttered through gritted teeth, adjusting his scalpel. Now came the hard part—removing the poison eating away at her body.
With his powers activated, Law began the procedure, extracting fragments of the toxic drug from her muscles and organs. Each shard, each particle was a deadly threat he had to remove. It was a race against time.
Sachi and Penguin watched in tense silence, sweat dripping down their faces despite the cold air of the operating room. They could feel the sting of the needles in their arms, but neither flinched. They knew their blood was the only thing keeping Emi alive, and they were ready to give everything for her.
Law’s face remained impassive, but his intense focus was evident. His hands moved faster, guided by his powers, but the situation was deteriorating. Despite his efforts, Emi’s body struggled to stabilize. The toxins had already infiltrated her nervous system, and he needed to act fast to prevent irreversible damage.
“Hold on,” he murmured, more to himself than to anyone else.
As he removed the last traces of the poison, Emi suddenly convulsed, her body reacting to the transfusion. Law’s movements became even more precise, every ounce of his expertise focused on extracting the remaining toxins, millimeter by millimeter.
Finally, he removed the last fragment. He paused for a moment, looking down at Emi’s pale face. Her breathing had steadied—just slightly, but it was enough.
Silence filled the room as Law exhaled deeply, letting some of the tension leave his body. He glanced at Sachi and Penguin, their faces exhausted but resolute, and then turned back to Emi, checking her vitals one last time.
She was stable—for now.
~~~~
Emi slowly opened her eyes. A white ceiling, slightly yellowed by the artificial light, came into focus. She blinked, trying to adjust to the brightness. The steady beeping of machines and the faint hum of equipment filled the room. It didn’t take her long to realize where she was: the infirmary on the Polar Tang.
She glanced down. An IV was hooked to her arm, the faint sting a reminder that she was still alive. Her head throbbed painfully, like a storm of memories and exhaustion crashing over her. She tried to move, but her body protested hard.
A flash.
The owl-man. Their brutal fight. His sinister laugh. An explosion.
She flinched. Her fingers gripped the sheets, her heart racing as she struggled to piece together the shattered fragments of what had happened.
"The fight… the mission," she murmured, her voice raspy.
She tried to sit up suddenly, ignoring the sharp pain tearing through her chest. But the moment she lifted herself, a wave of dizziness hit, forcing her to collapse back against the pillows.
Panic set in. What happened to the mission? Where were Ambre and Sabo? How long had she been out? What happened after she blacked out?
Her hand moved instinctively to yank the IV from her arm, but a calm, familiar voice stopped her.
“Don’t push yourself. You’re not fully recovered yet.”
She turned her head quickly toward the voice. Law stood there, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, his usual unreadable expression fixed on her.
For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, his presence both reassured and irritated her. He was here. Law. The man who always saved her, yet left her in a constant whirlwind of emotional confusion.
"Law…" she murmured, her voice barely audible.
"You should rest," he said, stepping slowly toward her.
"I guess I should thank you… again," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
Law raised an eyebrow, pulling a chair closer to her bed before sitting down. "If you really want to thank me, start by following my instructions and staying still."
She stared at him, trying to read beyond his calm exterior. But as always, he was an impenetrable fortress.
"What happened?" she finally asked, her voice regaining a bit of strength.
Law sighed softly, resting his elbows on his knees. "You were unconscious for two days. Your body was in critical condition because of that drug. I operated to remove the toxins and repair the damage."
"And the rest?"
"The rest?" he echoed, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"Amber. Sabo. The mission."
A heavy silence filled the room before he replied with a sigh, "The lab was completely destroyed, along with the islet it was on. That’s all I know." He paused, his gaze darkening slightly. "Sabo… who is he, exactly?"
Emi looked up at him, surprised by the unexpected question.
"He’s…" She hesitated, aware that her words needed to be chosen carefully. "He’s a commander in the Revolutionary Army. One of Dragon’s closest allies."
Law leaned back slightly in his chair, a calculating glint in his eyes. "That drug… it must have been worth a lot to attract so much attention. Between the revolutionaries and the World Government… This goes far beyond just a simple underground experiment."
Emi felt her mind grow hazy, caught between exhaustion and the weight of his piercing gaze. Yet, a realization struck her—sharp and undeniable. She understood why he had taken on what seemed like a trivial mission against the pirate Lazon: the drug. That was Law's real interest. She knew he intended to trace the drug’s connections in the underworld, hoping to uncover a link to Doflamingo. But she cut her speculation short:
"If you’re planning to check if this drug is already circulating in the underworld… you’re wasting your time."
He straightened slightly, his sharp gaze locked onto her. "Really?"
Pushing herself up slightly on her elbows despite the pain, Emi met his eyes—amber against cold steel. "This product never left the island. It hasn’t been exported, not yet. They planned to move it the day we arrived."
Law frowned. "So, you’re certain it hasn’t reached the market yet," he murmured, almost to himself.
"Absolutely," she replied without hesitation. "But now that the lab is destroyed and that noble is out of the picture…" She paused, her expression hardening. "I need to make sure everything is finished. That everyone is safe!" she added, trying to push herself upright again.
Law sighed before speaking, his tone matter-of-fact. "You’ve got broken ribs. It’ll take at least a week before you can start to recover properly."
"A week?!" Emi’s eyes widened in disbelief. "I don’t have that kind of time, Law! That’s way too long. If this drug resurfaces… if someone else—"
She tried to move again, but his finger pressed firmly against her shoulder—a precise yet commanding gesture. His cold, unyielding gray eyes bore into hers.
"Emi-ya. Forcing your body in this state is useless and reckless. You’d only make things worse," he said, his tone icy but resolute. "I pulled you back from death’s door. Don’t make me do it again." He withdrew his hand, but his words hung heavy in the air.
Emi stared at him, her chest tightening. Of course, he was right. But hearing it like this—spoken with such detached calm—hurt her in a way she couldn’t quite understand.
Her gaze dropped, and she clenched her fists against the sheets. She silently vowed not to forget to call Sabo and Amber as soon as she got the chance. She needed to know if they were okay.
"Where are my things?" she asked abruptly. "My bag, my Den Den Mushis… are they intact?"
"They’re in your cabin," Law replied, pulling a medical light closer to check her pupils. But he paused for a moment, the light suspended between his fingers. Your cabin. The choice of words struck him. Such a small detail, yet it echoed in his mind. Instead of correcting himself, he carried on as though nothing had happened.
"Look at me," he said in a neutral tone, shining the light into her eyes to test their reflexes.
Emi stared at him, biting her lower lip to steady herself.
Law moved the light aside gently, then reached out. A stray lock of hair had fallen across her face, and he brushed it back with an unexpected softness. The brief contact of his fingers against her temple startled her, but she was too tired to react.
He leaned in slightly, focused, and reached for the bandage on her forehead. With careful precision, he began peeling it off. Without saying a word, he picked up a small bottle of antiseptic and a piece of cotton. He cleaned the wound with measured movements, the cotton gliding over her skin without pressing too hard. Everything about him reflected the professionalism of a surgeon, yet there was something about his touch—something more deliberate, almost tender. Emi didn’t dare break the silence, afraid to disturb his concentration.
Then, he applied a balm to her chapped lips, using his index finger. He moved it slowly, almost hypnotically, from one corner of her lower lip to the other. The sensation unsettled her. The calculated coolness of his actions clashed with the warmth of his fingers, and Emi felt her breath catch for a brief moment.
The silence thickened, so heavy that she almost wanted to crack a joke just to cut through it. But when she glanced up at him, she froze completely.
That look.
Wait—what was that look? It wasn’t his usual "I’m cold and superior" expression. It was something… different. More intense. Like the way he’d looked at her on the deck the night she left. And… he was staring at her lips.
Her mind went into overdrive. Why is he staring at my lips? Do I have balm smudged everywhere? Or is it just because he’s focused on applying it?
She frowned, trying to decipher Law’s expression, but it was a lost cause. This man was as readable as a book in a dead language. But then she noticed something—he hadn’t moved, his finger still resting at the corner of her mouth. This wasn’t an accident. Oh no, that look was intentional.
Oh god, he’s waiting for something, isn’t he? But what?
Her heart began to race, though not for the right reasons. Why is there this weird tension? And why isn’t he moving?
Emi inhaled quietly, debating whether to say something to shift the mood. But honestly, what do you even say in a situation like this? “Thanks for the balm, very professional”? She decided to stay still, praying Law would back off and this bizarre moment could be safely filed away under Things We’ll Never Speak of Again.
But he didn’t move, frozen as if time itself had stopped.
For crying out loud.
She wasn’t supposed to cave. She had promised herself she wouldn’t give in to him again. And yet…
Something in her broke anyway.
Logic and reason seemed to dissolve, replaced by an irresistible impulse. Before she could think twice, she reached up, placing her hands firmly on his cheeks with sudden determination. Law’s eyes widened slightly, startled, but he didn’t have time to react before she pulled him closer.
Her lips pressed against his in a kiss—quick, fleeting, yet filled with an intensity that caught them both off guard.
She pulled back just as abruptly, her thoughts rushing back to her all at once.
She had just kissed Law.
Again.
But this time, there were no dramatic circumstances or valid excuses. No "I did it to save your life" or "it was a distraction." Just… pure, unfiltered impulse. Her face turned crimson, heat flooding her cheeks. Damn it, Emi, what are you even doing with your life?!
Law, on the other hand, had gone completely still, like a statue. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed, his mouth faintly parted.
Panic bubbled up inside her, her heartbeat pounding louder with each second. She had to say something—anything—to justify herself.
"Uh… look… it’s not what you think! I mean, maybe a little, but—" She stopped, realizing she had no idea how to spin this. "It’s… it’s your fault!" she blurted out, struggling to meet his gaze. "You’re the one who set up this… this weird vibe, and… I don’t know, I just got caught up in the moment!" She waved her hand in his general direction, her finger trembling. "You should really stop… stop doing things like thー"
She didn’t get to finish.
Law had already leaned in, cutting her off as his lips captured hers in a kiss—firm and deliberate. His hands were planted on either side of the table, grounding the moment.
Emi felt a wave of heat wash over her, a mix of shock and raw emotion that left her breathless. Her heart pounded so hard she was sure he could hear it.
Law moved closer, his thighs brushing against Emi’s knees as he tilted his head to deepen the kiss. His right hand slipped behind her back, supporting her firmly, while his other hand tangled in her hair at the nape of her neck.
At first, Emi was frozen by surprise, but she quickly surrendered to the moment. The warmth of his lips, the certainty in his movements, and the overwhelming proximity of his body consumed her senses.
A fluttering sensation exploded in her stomach as he sought an opening, his tongue brushing softly against her closed lips. She hesitated, her breathing quickening, before parting her lips in a timid invitation. He accepted immediately. Their tongues met in a hesitant dance, but the tenderness and intensity of the moment soon melted her nervousness. Heat coursed through her entire body, stronger than anything she had felt before. His lips pressed against hers with an insistent urgency, his tongue exploring hers in a way that was both consuming and deliberate. Emi’s thoughts blurred as her arms instinctively wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer, closing any remaining distance between them.
Then, suddenly, Law stopped.
He pulled back abruptly, breaking the kiss with such urgency that Emi was left stunned. He turned his face away, his eyes clouded with a mixture of frustration and confusion. Running a hand over his face as though trying to steady himself, he muttered under his breath:
“Damn it.”
Emi remained motionless, her mind still reeling from the intensity of what had just happened. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Without another word, Law turned and strode out of the infirmary, his steps hurried, the door slamming shut behind him.
Emi sat frozen, her breath uneven, her heart still hammering in her chest. Slowly, her trembling fingers touched her lips, still burning from their kiss. Everything had happened so fast, and the abrupt end left her utterly disoriented. Then, like a wave crashing over her, realization hit, and with it came a rush of regret so strong that it almost left her breathless.
She ran a shaky hand through her hair, tugging at a few strands as a quiet anger simmered within her—directed as much at herself as at him. Why had she given in to that impulse again? She knew Law didn’t need this kind of distraction. Not now. Not with everything he was already carrying on his shoulders.
A creeping fear slithered into her thoughts. What if this changed everything? What if it shattered the dynamic they’d built? That fragile balance of respect and trust? Her fingers trembled slightly as she hugged her arms around herself, trying to calm the growing anxiety.
And yet, there was another thought that wouldn’t stop gnawing at her—a thought she desperately wanted to ignore. She gritted her teeth, annoyed by the memory of Law’s gaze. The one that had started all of this. That mix of intensity and restraint, that silence that spoke louder than the words he refused to say.
She closed her eyes for a moment, as if that could erase the image. But it was useless. She knew it wasn’t entirely her fault. He played a role in this ambiguity, whether he meant to or not. But now he had left her alone with all this unresolved tension, and it was up to her to deal with the emotional mess that remained.
“Damn it,” she muttered under her breath.
~~~~●~~~♡~~~●~~~~
A looong chapter for you! Will Law confront his own emotions, or will he keep running from them like always?
Find out in the next chapters~