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Nami lounges in a deck chair, soaking up the sun and enjoying the calm sea breeze as the Sunny slips through the waves. It’s a rare, totally peaceful day—no storms or crazy weather phenomena, no marines in their tail, just the steady rhythm of the ocean and the occasional laughter of the crew in the background. She flips through her latest fashion magazine, lazily glancing up now and then to check on everyone.
Her eyes drift across the deck, and she spots Luffy near the ship’s railing, as usual, hanging precariously over the edge, balancing on one leg as if gravity doesn’t exist and he isn"t at a severe risk of easily drowning. Zoro is leaning against the railing beside him, fast asleep. Great. Zoro snoozes, his chest rising and falling gently. Nami envies his ability to conk out just about anywhere. The sun glimmers across Zoro"s solid form, sunlight twinkling bright against his triple earrings. But then, something else shiny catches her eye— something gold —dangling from Luffy"s ear.
Nami squints, leaning forward in her chair, trying to get a better look. The gold earring glints in the sunlight, unmistakable, and her brow furrows in confusion. That’s not just any earring— it looks just like the ones Trafalgar Law wears.
She blinks, lowering her magazine and sitting up straight. “Luffy!” she calls, her voice cutting through the lazy afternoon. He turns around, his usual carefree grin plastered across his face, completely unbothered by the sudden attention. Zoro, for his part, cracks his eye open just a bit.
“Yeah, Nami?” he asks, hopping down from the railing by extending one foot to the edge of her chair then snapping his body to meet it, the gold earring swinging slightly with the motion.
Nami crosses her arms, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. “What’s with the earring? Since when do you have that?”
Luffy reaches up to touch it, as if he’d forgotten it was even there, and chuckles. “Oh, this? Torao gave it to me before our ships left the last island.”
Her eyes widen slightly, and she fully tosses her magazine aside. “Torao gave you his earring?”
“Yep!” Luffy says with a bright smile. “Looks cool, right?”
Nami stares at him, trying to process. Law isn’t exactly known for giving things away—especially something as personal as his earring. “And he just gave it to you?”
Luffy nods, the smile never leaving his face, as if it’s the most normal thing in the world. “Yeah. We kissed, too,” he adds breezily. He pulls his straw hat off his head, lets it dangle by the cord around his neck. His fingers scratch into his greasy hair.
Nami’s jaw drops. “You what?!”
Luffy tilts his head, still grinning with too much teeth. “I kissed Torao. He kissed me back. It was nice.” Luffy"s voice lilts as he talks and there’s a dreamy quality to the way he sighs after.
What the fuck.
For a moment, Nami can only stare, her mind reeling. Luffy’s been… kissing Law? And he kissed Luffy back? She knew there was something going on between the two of them lately, but she hadn’t expected… whatever was actually happening, apparently.
“And you didn’t think to tell anyone?” she asks, a the shock and exasperation creeping into her voice.
Luffy just shrugs, same as ever. “Didn’t think it was a big deal.” He sniffs loudly and rubs at his nose. "We said we like each other and stuff, too."
Nami rubs her temples, letting out a long sigh. “Luffy… that is a big deal. You’re dating Torao. You have his earring!”
Luffy blinks, clearly not understanding why it’s such a big deal to her. “So? I like him, and he likes me. I thought that"s how this works.”
Nami shakes her head, still trying to wrap her mind around it. “You are so clueless sometimes…”
Luffy laughs, completely unfazed by her reaction. “Probably!” He turns to head off, leaving Nami there, still in disbelief.
Luffy bounds away, humming to himself, and Nami watches him go. Law’s earring. A kiss. An exchange of feelings. And Luffy’s acting like it’s nothing. Typical.
She groans softly, leaning back in her chair, already bracing herself for the chaos this new development might stir up in the crew. “I need a drink…” she mutters, shaking her head as the reality of it all starts to sink in.
As if summoned by magic, the kitchen door swings open, and Sanji strides out, carrying a tall, cold cocktail, perfectly garnished with fruit and an umbrella. He flashes his most charming (goofy) smile as he approaches her, the sunlight catching the glass just right, illuminating the perspiring drink descending from the heavens.
"Here you are, Nami-swan! A refreshing drink, made just for you!" Sanji declares, offering it with a flourish, as if he had somehow heard her wish from inside the galley. The way he manages to cater to her every whim, Nami wouldn"t be surprised if the cook had somehow perfected a form of observation haki solely to do so.
Nami blinks, momentarily dazed by Luffy"s revelation and Sanji"s perfect timing, then accepts the drink gratefully. "Thanks, Sanji-kun. You’re a lifesaver."
Sanji kneels beside her chair, gazing up adoringly. "Anything for you, Nami-swan. Just say the word, and I’ll bring you anything your heart desires."
She takes a sip, feeling the coolness of the drink calm her frayed nerves. After a moment, she glances at Sanji, her curiosity still piqued. "Hey, Sanji… have you noticed anything weird about Luffy lately?"
Sanji’s expression shifts slightly, his swirly brow furrowing. "Weird? What do you mean, Nami-swan?" His eyes flick toward where Luffy had just disappeared, then back to her.
Nami raises an eyebrow in return, leaning forward slightly. “I don’t know, he’s been… different. Did you notice the earring he’s wearing?”
“Can"t say I make a habit of looking at what men on the crew are wearing.”
“Sure, sure,” Nami waves her hand, “but if you were to look, I"m sure you"d notice that it"s Torao"s earring.
Sanji’s eyes widen, his face immediately tensing up. “What? Torao"s earring?” Sanji glances around. He looks like he"s ready to burst into the kitchen and cook up an entire feast to distract himself from whatever is going on. “Why the hell is he wearing that son of a bitch"s earring?”
Nami sighs, rubbing her temples again. “Apparently, he kissed him, and now they’re… something. Luffy didn’t exactly explain it well, but the point is, they’re together —and he’s acting like it’s no big deal.”
Sanji’s cigarette nearly falls from his mouth. "Luffy ?! And Torao ?!” His eye twitches, and for a moment, he looks like he might faint. “Luffy’s dating Trafalgar Law and didn’t tell anyone?!” He shakes his head, muttering to himself. "Luffy kisses people?”
Across the ship, a quiet "Tch" can be heard from Zoro"s sleepy direction.
Nami takes another sip of her drink, nodding grimly. “That’s exactly what I said. And of course, Luffy just shrugged it off like it’s the most normal thing in the world. But… I dont think Luffy kisses people, I think Luffy kisses Torao .”
Sanji chews on the end of his cigarette, trying to process everything. "This is insane. The captain’s dating a terrifying piece of shit who cuts people"s hearts out for fun, without telling anyone, and we"re supposed to think this is normal? Shitty captain"s out here kissing former warlords and my own beautiful, romantic heart languishes."
Nami laughs softly and reaches down to scratch her red nails through Sanji"s hair. He leans into the affection like a cat. All but purrs. “Aw Sanji-kun, you"ll get your turn, I"m sure."
Sanji lights up, eyes thumping with hearts, "You"re too kind, Nami-swan."
Nami gives Sanji one last affectionate pat on the cheek. "I really am," she sighs. "Anyway, it’s Luffy. When is anything ever normal with him?”
Sanji lets out a long nicotine-laden sigh, standing up and brushing off his slacks. “Well, as long as Luffy’s happy, I guess… But if that damn surgeon ever breaks his heart, or eats it or whatever I’ll—"
“Don’t worry,” Nami interrupts with a wicked grin, “I’ll help you bury him.”
"There"ll be nothing left to bury. Very little meat on him. Rest won"t go to waste." Sanji flashes her a grin, all teeth.
"You know, Sanji-kun, threatening cannibalism on Luffy"s boyfriend is not very normal of you, either."
Sanji sighs, exhaling a plume of smoke. "Yeah, well, I don"t think any of us are around here."
Across the deck, another quiet noise, a mumble of "Pfft, you should know" can be heard from the swordsman"s direction.
"I suppose not." Nami slurps the last of her cocktail and starts scooping out the fruit with her long nails. "But that"s why we"re all here."
–
Dinner aboard the Sunny is always a roulette of chaos, and tonight is no different. The crew gathers around the table, chattering and laughing as Sanji dishes out plates of food, the smells of roasted meats and other dishes filling the air. Luffy is, predictably, the loudest, already shoveling food into his mouth like it’s the first time he’s eaten all day (he has eaten six times: Breakfast, Second Breakfast, Lunch, Tea Time, Afternoon Snacktime and when he ate a live fish he"d just caught, wriggling and raw, when Usopp tried prying it out of his hands).
Nami sits across from him and she picks at her food, her eyes narrowed in thought as she glances at the others. She’s been waiting for the right moment, and now, with everyone in such high spirits, it feels like the perfect time to stir the pot. She"d placed a wager with Sanji on the rest of the crew"s reactions to Luffy"s… situation… and she was eager to collect.
She clears her throat, her tone conversational but loud enough to get everyone’s attention. “So, Luffy… nice earring you’ve got there.” Very demure, very mindful of her.
Luffy, mid-bite, looks up, blinking at her in confusion. “Huh? Oh, yeah!” He taps the gold earring, completely oblivious to the bomb of the conversation that’s about to go off. “I told you before, Torao gave it to me. Did you forget already? Silly Nami!”
For a split second, the table falls silent. Then, the chaos erupts.
“WHAT?!” Usopp nearly chokes on his food, his eyes wide in disbelief. “Torao gave you that?! Why?!”
Sanji stands at the sink, back to everyone, scrubbing at a pot like it has personally done him wrong.
Franky leans forward, adjusting his sunglasses. “SUPER unexpected, Luffy! Why didn’t you tell us?”
Chopper, sitting beside Luffy, looks equally shocked. “Doctor Torao gave you an earring?! Did it hurt?” His little blue nose scrunches up in concern. “How long has it been? Is it healing okay? Are you keeping it clean???”
Luffy just grins, totally not giving a shit, the barrage of questions sliding off of him like water off a duck"s back. “Oh, we kissed, and he gave me his earring,” he says, as casually as if he were explaining how he found a cool rock. “Well, not in that order. We’re dating now, I guess.” Luffy reaches across the table to grab a huge piece of the grilled meat left on a platter, chill as hell.
The reactions around the kitchen are immediate: Usopp is flailing, Franky’s jaw has dropped, and Sanji is holding his head in disbelief, his soapy fingers dripping into his hair. Even Brook looks stunned, though it’s hard to tell with his skeletal face. “Yohohoho! A romance blooming between the captains! How unexpected!”
Amidst the uproar, Zoro keeps eating, barely even looking up from his plate. After a few seconds of listening to everyone freak out, he finally speaks up, his monotone voice betraying nothing. “Yeah, Luffy and Torao are dating. Obviously. Are you all stupid?”
The entire table goes quiet again, all eyes suddenly on Zoro.
“Wait, what?!” Usopp shouts, looking at Zoro in shock. “Obviously? How the hell is that obvious?!”
Zoro shrugs, casually picking at his food. “Luffy’s been wearing Law’s earring for weeks. You’d know if you actually paid attention to him.”
Nami smirks, trying to hold back her laughter as everyone gapes at Zoro.
Sanji, still recovering from hearing the news from Nami earlier, sputters, “How the hell are we supposed to notice what the shitty captain is wearing!? Half the time he won"t even put a shirt on. I don"t want to see that shit!!”
Zoro glances at Sanji, unimpressed. “l dunno, sounds like I"m the only one who pays attention. None of you ever look at him?”
Usopp waves his hands frantically. “I look at Luffy all the time!” He blushes, seeming to suddenly realize what he said. “I–I mean in a very manly way!! Two warriors of the sea, brothers in arms! I just—how was I supposed to notice that. ”
“Yeah yeah,” Zoro leans back and picks at his teeth with one of the table knives. “You’re all acting like this is some big deal when it’s been right in front of you.”
Luffy just laughs, not giving a single shit for the ongoing arguments around him as he continues eating. “Zoro knew. I told him.”
“Of course you did,” Nami rolls her eyes. “So don"t act like you noticed anything better than us. He told you! You guys share one braincell anyway.”
Meanwhile, Zoro just smirks, tossing the knife onto his plate with a loud clatter. Sanji all but materializes behind him to kick the back of his head, stopping just before his heel connects. A woosh of air ruffles his green strands. Zoro ignores him. “Maybe next time, don’t be so dense. It’s not like Luffy hides anything.” He looks over at Luffy, who’s still cheerfully eating without a care in the world. “Right, Captain?”
Luffy laughs again. “Yeah! It’s not a secret or anything! Nobody asked.”
Tucked in the corner beside Franky, Robin smiles, eyes glimmering with that knowing look she often carries. She lifts her arms slightly, and with a gentle cross of her wrists, she manifests a dainty arm that appears right above Luffy’s head connecting from his back. The semi-translucent fingers pat him gently, like stroking a cat, a congratulatory gesture that feels warm and sincere.
"Congratulations, Luffy," Robin says, her tone affectionate, the manifested hand lingering for a moment before disappearing in a soft burst of petals. "Though, I must admit, I’ve known for a while."
Luffy looks up, blinking in surprise. "Huh? You did?"
Robin’s smile deepens, her eyes narrowing playfully. "You’ve been sneaking into the library late at night to take Den Den Mushi calls. It wasn’t hard to figure out who you were talking to, especially since you always seemed… excited afterward."
The rest of the crew stares at Luffy, who scratches his head with a sheepish grin. “Oh! Yeah, I guess Torao and I talk sometimes before bed.”
Usopp’s jaw falls open. "You’ve been taking secret bedtime calls with captain spooky?!"
Robin chuckles softly. "It wasn’t much of a secret. You’re not exactly subtle, Luffy."
Nami smirks, leaning back in her chair. "So, Robin knew this whole time, and the rest of us were completely clueless." She had bet Sanji that Robin and Zoro already knew. She was going to collect bigtime from the cook.
Zoro, still unfazed, raises an eyebrow at the others. “Told you. None of you pay attention.”
Sanji groans, running a hand through his hair. “Late night calls? Now I’m really out of the loop… This rubber bastard gets late night phonecalls with his… whatever he is… and I, connoisseur of romance, languish.”
"Torao just likes talking at night sometimes. He says talking to me helps him sleep. He needs to sleep more, he"s always so grumpy!”
Robin shakes her head, amused, as she sips her tea. "I’m glad to see your relationship growing, Luffy. And Torao is a good fit for you, I think. There"s something to be said in finding someone complimentary to balance you. Torao could use coming out of his shell more."
Luffy beams at her, clearly happy with her approval. “Thanks, Robin!”
Nami takes a sip of her drink, glancing at Luffy with a curious, almost skeptical look. "So, what exactly are you getting out of dating Torao, Luffy? I mean, it’s Torao . He’s so serious all the time, and you’re... well, you’re you."
Luffy just beams. "I dunno. We have fun! He’s really interesting, and I like hanging out with him. He"s so smart, and he can do so many cool things with his hands." Luffy wiggles his fingers in what is obviously a very poor imitation of Law"s use of his devil fruit.
Before Nami can respond, Zoro, following an inhuman amount of gulps of sake, smirks and laces his fingers behind his head. "Oh yeah I bet Torao can do plenty of cool things with his hands,” his tone laced with crude implication.
The comment hangs in the air for a split second, just enough for the others to process it before—
*WHACK !*
Nami’s fist comes down on Zoro’s head with a force that makes the entire table shake. "You idiot!" she snaps, her face flushed with embarrassment as she glares at him. "Do you have to be such a pervert?!"
Zoro groans, rubbing the growing bump on his head. "What the hell, witch?! It was a joke!"
Sanji, who has been watching the scene unfold with growing frustration, jumps in. "You moss-headed bastard! Show some respect for Nami-swan and our captain!"
Meanwhile, Luffy blinks at the drama around him, completely unfazed by Zoro’s comment. “Huh? What are you talking about, Zoro?”
Nami crosses her arms, still fuming. “Don’t worry about it, Luffy. Some people just don’t know when to keep their mouths shut.”
Zoro, still rubbing his head, mutters, “Tch… can’t say anything around here…”
Nami gives him one last glare before shaking her head, returning her focus to Luffy. “Anyway, if that’s what you’re getting out of it, Luffy, just ignore him.”
Luffy laughs, maybe not so oblivious to the innuendo Zoro had been implying. "Ohhh you mean sex! We haven"t done that yet. Torao seems a little shy. Though… I wouldn"t mind.” Luffy laughs again, blunt as ever.
Nami quickly moves over to Chopper, placing her hands firmly over his little reindeer ears. "Okay, dinner’s over! I don’t want to hear about any of this!" she declares, shooting another deathly glare at Zoro before taking her seat again.
“Yohohohoho ah to be young again! The flower of youthful vigor! Brings a tear to my eyes– oh wait, I don"t have any eyes!” Brook wipes an invisible tear while yowling with laughter.
Chopper blinks in confusion, looking around at the crew with wide eyes. "Huh? What’s going on? Why can’t I hear?"
“Nothing you need to worry about, Chopper!” Nami says quickly, glaring daggers at the others.
Across the table, Franky leans forward, huge arms crossed over his chest with a huge grin on his face. He waggles his eyebrows at Luffy, clearly enjoying the subject. "Well, you gotta admit," Franky says with a toothy grin, "Torao’s pretty damn attractive. I mean, he’s got that whole ‘cool, brooding’ vibe going on. I can see why you’d be into him, Luffy!"
Sanji, already worked up from Zoro’s earlier comment, turns beet red at Franky’s remark. His eyes bulge, and without a word, he leaps into action, hurriedly gathering up plates from the table with a frantic energy. "W-who cares what he looks like?! As long as Luffy’s happy!" he stammers, his voice slightly higher than usual as he avoids eye contact.
Luffy just beams proudly, as if everyone were discussing his favorite pet. Maybe they are. "Yeah! Torao’s awesome!"
Nami lets out a long sigh, her hands still covering Chopper’s ears. “I swear, this crew is impossible…” she mutters, her head falling against Chopper"s bonnet.
Chopper, still confused, looks up at her. “What’s going on? Why is Sanji acting weird?”
"Nothing, Chopper," Nami insists, shaking her head. "You don’t need to know. Ever."
Franky, meanwhile, is still chuckling to himself, clearly enjoying how red Sanji has become. "I’m just saying, Luffy’s got good taste. Torao’s one SUUUPER fine dude!"
Sanji grumbles under his breath, piling dishes into his arms. "Shut up, shitty cyborg!" He practically sprints back to the galley, his face still flushed.
Nami groans again, muttering under her breath, “This was a mistake…”
At the end of the table, Zoro belches loudly and scratches at his face. “If the Captain"s happy, I"m happy.” He gives Luffy a thumbs up. “But if he ever hurts you, no one will ever find all the pieces I will cut his skinny ass into.”
Sanji groans, running a hand through his hair. “First I lose the bet because Zoro knew and now you’re all acting like I’m the idiot!”
Nami, suppressing a grin, gets up and pats Sanji on the shoulder. “Tough break. You underestimated our Captain and Vice Captain"s clown to clown communication."
“Underestimated?” Sanji huffs. “I got blindsided! And Zoro’s just sitting there like it’s nothing!”
Zoro grins lazily, glugging down the last of his booze. “Told you, you don’t pay attention.”
Meanwhile, Luffy, still grinning and soaking up the attention, giggles. “I don’t get why everyone’s so surprised! It’s just me and Torao!”
Nami smiles, shaking her head. “No big deal, right, Sanji-kun?”
“He"s just in denial because Luffy"s got game and he doesn"t.” Zoro sneers.
Sanji mutters from the sink, scrubbing harder. “It’s not about denial. It’s about dignity…”
Zoro pushes back from his chair with a malicious grin. “You’re just mad Luffy found a boyfriend before you did.”
Sanji freezes, his face going bright red. “What?! I don’t want a boyfriend, you idiot!” He sputters, clearly flustered, before switching to his usual poetic tone. “I am a man of refined taste, devoted to the beauty and grace of women! Their delicate charm and irresistible allure are—”
Zoro cuts him off with a mockingly exaggerated grin, and, to everyone’s surprise, he facetiously blows Sanji a loud, wet kiss. “Whatever you say, curly-brows.”
Sanji’s eye twitches violently, his entire body stiffening as the room goes dead quiet.
“That’s it! You’re dead, you shitty, rotting marimo!” Sanji snaps, tossing his dish towel aside and marching toward Zoro, who’s already standing up, cracking his knuckles.
“Bring it on, love cook,” Zoro says with a smug grin, ready to go.
Without another word, the two storm out onto the deck, leaving the crew behind to watch as they square off under the purpling evening sky.
Nami sighs, rubbing her temples. “I guess this is happening.”
Franky leans back, laughing. “Super entertaining, at least!”
Luffy, still grinning and shoving any remaining food into his mouth, glances at the door as Zoro and Sanji storm outside. Luffy laughs at their antics. “They’re always so funny like that. Torao says they need to work out their sexual tension through violence!”
The room goes absolute silent, everyone blinking at Luffy.
Robin, ever the voice of reason, smiles serenely and takes a sip of her tea. “Torao is very astute,” she says, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “But, Luffy, some thoughts are best kept between you and him. Zoro and Sanji need to figure things out in their own time.”
Chopper, sitting nearby, looks up at Robin with wide, innocent eyes. “Zoro and Sanji do what? What are they figuring out?” Human mating rituals are intricate and strange.
Usopp, his face immediately flushing with awkwardness, leaps into action, throwing an arm around Chopper’s shoulders. “Oh, uh, nothing you need to worry about, Chopper! Hey, wanna help me with something in my workshop? I’ve got some, uh, really cool gadgets to show you!”
Chopper, excited, immediately nods. “Yeah! Let’s go, Usopp!”
The two head off and Nami just shakes her head, still processing Luffy’s casual overshare. “I swear, this crew is a nightmare,” she mutters under her breath. "But at least today was lucrative."
–
It’s late, and the Sunny is quiet under the night sky. Most of the crew has gone to bed, the only sounds coming from the gentle waves, Brook"s soft violin from across the deck, and the occasional snore from one of the cabins. Luffy, however, is sitting cross-legged in the Crow"s Nest, having taken the first watch shift of the night. The ship"s Den Den Mushi sits in front of him, already ringing as he eagerly waits for Law to pick up.
After a few moments, the snail morphs into Law’s grumpy expression. “What is it, Mugiwara-ya?” Law’s voice comes through, sounding tired and annoyed, as if this wasn"t a somewhat scheduled nightly call.
Luffy grins wide, immediately launching into his usual energy. “Torao! You should’ve seen dinner tonight! I told the crew about us, and Zoro said he’d cut you into a zillion pieces if you ever hurt me—oh, and Robin said you’re really smart because you told me Zoro and Sanji have to work out their ‘sexual tension’ through fighting!” Luffy laughs, clearly finding the whole thing hilarious. "It was so funny!"
There’s a long pause on Law’s end, and when he speaks again, his tone is filled with mild aggrivation, though Luffy can hear the underlying affection. “You… told them that? Lu-ya, you’re embarrassing me. I didn’t mean for you to go and tell them everything we talk about.”
Luffy tilts his head, confused. “Why? They thought it was great! Zoro and Sanji even went outside to fight just like you said!” He laughs again, completely oblivious to Law’s embarrassment.
Law sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose on the other end. “Of course they did. You really are impossible…”
But Luffy can sense it, even through the Den Den Mushi-- Law isn’t really angry—there’s something softer underneath, a quiet fondness in his voice that Luffy has gotten used to. “Nah, you like it,” Luffy teases, his grin growing even wider. “You like that the crew knows. They’re all really happy for us. And now you don"t have to worry next time you"re on the Sunny.”
Law makes an annoyed sound, but there’s no real bite to it. “You’re imagining things, Mugiwara-ya, I don’t care what your crew thinks.”
Luffy’s grin doesn’t fade. “Sure you don’t, Torao.” He knows Law only still calls him that when he is trying to avoid seeming too fond. He lays on his back, his straw hat moves to lay beside him, and stares at the stars through the windows. “But I think it’s cool that everyone’s happy. Yeah Zoro said he’d cut you up if you hurt me, but I know he’s just looking out for me. It’s kinda nice.”
There’s a long silence on the other end of the line, and when Law finally speaks again, his voice is quieter, less guarded. “Yeah… well, I suppose it’s good they’re supportive.”
Luffy’s smile softens, his tone more serious for a moment. “They like you, y’know. I like you too.”
Law doesn’t respond right away, but Luffy can hear the faintest exhale, something like relief. “I know,” Law says eventually, his voice softer now, almost fond. “Just… maybe don’t go telling them everything, alright?”
Luffy laughs again, completely unbothered. “No promises!”
Law sighs, but it’s the kind of sigh that says he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“And Luffy?”
Luffy perks up at the sound of his name. “Yeah, Law?” He knows exactly what this does to his Torao.
“My crew, also… maybe… is the same. I mean that. Um. That they"re happy for us.”
"Of course they are! Your crew loves you a whole lot!"
Law doesn’t respond right away, but Luffy can hear the faintest exhale, something like relief. “I know,” Law says eventually.
Luffy’s grin widens, his heart swelling at the thought of Law’s crew rooting for them too. “See? Told you! Everyone’s cool with it. Shi shi shi you were so worried for nothin’.”
Law grumbles, but Luffy can hear the warmth beneath it. “Yeah, yeah… just don’t let them hear you say that. I"ve got a reputation to keep.”
Luffy leans back, still grinning. “You’re too worried, Torao. We’re good.” His tone softens a bit. “And we’re lucky.”
Law lets out a small, reluctant chuckle, almost like he’s giving in to the reality of how much Luffy has changed things for him. “Yeah, Lu-ya, we are.”
Luffy, warmed by Law’s quiet admission, shifts gears like he always does, knowing the best way to get his boyfriend talking. “Hey, Torao, have you done any cool surgeries lately?”
Law perks up at the question. “Actually, yeah. One of my mechanics got his arm caught in a vent fan. I had to repair the tendons in his hand—it was a pretty complicated procedure, but I managed to restore full function.”
Luffy hums in response, already settling into a more relaxed posture as Law’s voice picks up speed. He goes on, clearly getting into the details, rattling off medical jargon and the finer points of tendon repair. The more Law talks, the more animated he becomes, even though the conversation is more one-sided now.
Luffy listens at first, humming here and there, even though most of the technical terms fly over his head. But as Law continues explaining the intricacies of the surgery, Luffy’s eyelids grow heavier, the steady cadence of Law’s voice oddly soothing despite the graphic nature of what he’s describing.
Slowly, without realizing it, Luffy begins to drift off, lulled to sleep by the sound of Law’s familiar, passionate explanations. Law doesn’t even notice at first, his voice carrying on, comfortable and steady, filling the quiet night as Luffy slips into peaceful slumber, content with the sound of Law’s voice wrapping around him like a blanket.
Unaware of Luffy drifting off, Law continues his detailed recount of the surgery. After a few moments of Luffy being silent, he notices the soft, steady breathing on the other end of the line. He pauses, the realization settling in—Luffy has fallen asleep. The Den Den Mushi still has Luffy’s peaceful expression, snuggled up and completely unaware, eyes closed serenely.
Law exhales softly, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Typical…” he mutters under his breath, shaking his head slightly. But instead of annoyance, there’s a warmth in his chest, something deeper that he’s been carrying for a while now, something he’s never quite said aloud.
With Luffy completely asleep, and the night so still, Law glances around to make sure no one else is around before leaning in closer to the Den Den Mushi.
“I think I love you,” he whispers, his voice barely audible, as if saying it too loudly would make the moment too real.
For a second, he just sits there, watching the Den Den Mushi snore softly. Then, with a small, affectionate sigh, Law gently hangs up the receiver, the weight of his quiet confession lingering in the night, connecting the distance between their two ships.
Laid out on the floor of the Sunny, Luffy smiles wide.