Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was an entire week before Law saw Luffy again.

Every time he came into the coffee shop, he had his head held high (only relatively speaking, he preferred to stare at the fresh wooden floorboards). He was always mentally prepared to ask the inevitable, and only pouted a little bit when he saw a lack of sunshine in the store. He still ordered like normal, but refused to drink in a suddenly suffocating environment.

For seven days he followed this new routine. He had started getting to work an hour early again, as opposed to the thirty minute arrival beforehand he had gotten used to. Penguin and Shachi would nag him about it, but it was easy to ignore their comments and just converse with Bepo instead.

On his days off, he didn't have to worry about accidentally staying past closing time, since he left earlier. Instead of staring at his computer screen in a public location, he would stare at his computer screen in his dark, bare apartment. At least he had finally come up with a story idea. Two baristas fall in love and have to feel the homophobic wrath of their parents.

Chapter one was already up. So far, he was getting positive feedback.

But it wasn't long before everything was back to the way it used to be. When it was Monday morning, the day began as normal. Law parked his beat up Volkswagen in the parking lot of Garp's coffee house, taking up two spaces in the strangely small area. The car door shook when he closed it, threatening to fall completely off its hinges. You'd think someone like a doctor, who makes a pretty good deal of money, would want a nice car like a Mercedes or a Mustang.

Yeah, you'd think so. A waste of money is what they really are. Besides, there's nothing wrong with his Volkswagen. It just needed a few repairs and it'd be good as new.

His hands were buried in his pockets, so he pushed the door open with the help of his shoulder, careful not to get his foot caught in the way. The line today was, thankfully, only about four people, five now including himself. He knew it'd be packed soon, though, so he wanted to hurry and leave.

He didn't see Luffy.

Law recognized the long nosed guy at the front of the line, and the moss headed idiot from before behind him. He hadn't seen that guy since the place first opened up, mostly because he doesn't pay attention to a good deal of his surroundings when he's here. Moss Head was speaking to an unknown blonde and a pink haired girl with pigtails wearing a Ghostbusters shirt. He wasn't sure if the fact that he knew none of these people was a bad thing or not. He had been living in New World what? Eleven years?

He chose not to care. It wasn't like he'd ever actually want anything to do with them unless they needed heart surgery or something.

“ Are you gonna get something different for once, Perona? ” Moss Head's voice was deep. It fit his appearance. “ You always get those nasty pink teas. ”

“ How dare you! For your information, it is a bubblegum mint blend and it comes with a cute little umbrella! What about you, huh? At least I have some taste. Only grandpas ever get straight black coffee. ”

Law felt a bit offended.

Pink haired girl (Perona) crossed her arms. Moss Head rolled his eyes. Blondie turned around, in the process of ordering, just to yell at Moss Head for 'fussing at a lady!' and 'how dare you question Perona's taste!' Fuck why couldn't they just hurry and finish?

A familiar laugh came from presumably the register, and for a second Law thought he was hearing things. But then a loud voice exclaimed, “A black coffee, bubble gum mint tea, and a regular iced tea? Coming up! Knowing your orders beforehand really makes my job easier, guys. Who's next? Oh! Is that you Tattoo Guy? I know what you want, black coffee with two spoonfuls of sugar! I'll make it myself, good thing there's no one else behind you, shishishi! ”

Maybe there was a God after all.

Law's heard stories from semi reliable sources that people have been known to break down in tears at the sight of natural phenomenons. Something like an eclipse, or a sunset.

He was certain no one had ever cried at the sight of a smiling ball of pure, uncensored happiness in a straw hat and apron. Not yet at least.

All of a sudden it was like the entire building was shrouded in this holy light shining from some possibly existent heaven. Angels were singing, and Christ it was like he was floating on some fucking cotton candy cloud bullshit.

He forgot how nice it had been to see Luffy's face. Sure, it was only a week. But you get used to seeing perfection everyday of your life only to have it torn away from you without caution. It's not fun.

An attempt at speech was made, albeit a bit awfully. All that came out was a soft wheeze and Law really wanted nothing more than to die. Again.
He nodded, confirming that 'Yes, that's what I want' and stood aside amongst the others waiting for their coffee.

Luffy wasn't joking when he said he'd make Law's coffee for him. He made his brothers do the rest of them, and earned a few grumbled curses. There were no complaints from the surgeon. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to your regularly scheduled program.

“ Feelin' better, Luffy? Ace told us you were really sick. ” Long nose was standing right next to him, arm leaning against the cabinet. He was fiddling with the napkin dispenser.

Luffy laughed, the same laugh that always punches Law in the gut and makes him feel gayer than usual, and answered his friend. “ I wasn't that sick! It was just sniffles, I feel fine, Usopp! Gramps wouldn't let me come, which was the worst part. I had to stay in bed all day! It was awful! ”

“ I'd love to do that. ” Moss Head's voice.
“ You already do! ” Blondies voice. It sounded annoyed.

“ You had a really high temperature, Luffy. We'd have been nuts to let you come to work. ” Sabo was always the calmer brother it seemed. He handed Long Nose (Usopp) his drink and went to start on another.
Usopp left after that, saying his goodbyes and heading out the door.

Down to four.

“ How long does it take to make a cup of black coffee? You know I hate waiting. ” Moss Head was starting to tick him off. But it was better to keep to himself. Blondie was more than happy to lecture his green headed friend about manners, but it seemed to be like talking to a brick wall.

“ You're more impatient than me, ” Ace was pouring what was presumably tea (it was a very light pink) into a plastic cup, and placed a little umbrella in it. “ That's saying a whole lot, honestly. ” He then handed it to Perona, who happily accepted it and made herself comfortable at the nearest table.

Moss Head merely grumbled, rolling what one eye he had left (that scar on his left eye looked pretty sick) and briefly made eye contact with Law. The part-time writer hardened his gaze, as if daring the impatient shit to say anything. Law wasn't entirely sure why, but he felt like he needed to put across the point that he belongs here just as much as everyone else does.

“ Here you are. A black coffee and a regular iced tea. Enjoy your drinks. ” Moss Head averted his gaze and turned back to Ace, who had a seemingly forced smile pulled across his face. Blondie elbowed his grass headed friend in the side and grabbed his tea, immediately making his way to the table Perona occupied. Moss Head cursed after him, and now Law was the only one waiting.

It didn't bother him that Luffy was taking too long. You can't rush perfection.

“Tattoo Guy! I'm real sorry for taking forever! I had to look all over the cabinets for the sugar we put in coffee, I couldn't find them anywhere! But anyway, here you go! A black coffee, two spoonfuls of sugar.”

Tattoo Guy. So he has a nickname? Maybe it would be better to tell Luffy his actual name.

“ Thanks... ” His voice was soft as he grabbed his coffee, bringing it to his lips and taking a drink. It was good. It was always good, especially when Luffy made it. “ I have a name though. It's Trafalgar Law, but most people call me Law.”

This was the most he had ever said to the coffee maker. It felt...empowering. Maybe soon he could ask Luffy...

“ That sounds really hard to pronounce, I'm just gonna call you Torao! ” Luffy seemed really proud of himself for coming up with that name, a smile as wide as it can possibly be blessing his features, as well as the entire world. Law wanted to correct him, and tell him that 'No, it's Trafalgar!' but why pass up the opportunity to have Luffy call him something unique and self thought?

“ Um...Torao is fine, I guess. So uh...Mugiwara-ya...” Keeping up with the nickname thing. “ Listen, I was wondering uh, maybe when you aren't busy you'd like to have dinn-”

“ Everything okay over here? ” Sabo came up behind Luffy, empty coffee pot in hand. He looked at Law a bit too sternly, and suddenly the doctor felt a bit unwelcome. Ace followed shortly after, putting an arm around his younger brother, and smiling at Law.

The same one he had given Moss Head.

“ Luffy...is this guy bothering you? Cause we can kick him out if you'd like. ” His voice sounded sincere. Law felt eyes from all over staring at him, but that wasn't what bothered him. It was these two. Overly protective brothers are a nightmare.

Luffy's face scrunched up, and he looked between both of his brothers. “ What? Torao isn't bothering me, I think he was just about to ask me a question! ” All three of them were looking at Law and he felt like a circus act or something. “ I wanted to ask him a question too! ”

That seemed to throw the brothers and Law off guard. They were all staring at Luffy now, and the young boys mouth opened to form an 'O'. “ Do I get to ask first?! Okay! Torao, do you have vitiligo? Is that how it's pronounced? I think that's how you pronounce it, I spent an hour last night trying to figure it out. ”

That...was a bit unexpected. Law looked down at his arm, staring at a particular patch of peach, then back up to Luffy. He had a rather innocent smile on his face, and was looking at Law expectantly. It seemed Ace and Sabo were just as surprised as he was, because they both sighed and shook their heads at their brother.

The doctor took another drink of his coffee, this time downing a bit more than before, because he would need it. If only it were some kind of alcohol. He chuckled, accepting that it was actually kind of funny.
He wondered idly what went on in that young mans head sometimes. If only he could delve deep into Luffy, into every nook and cranny. It was a scary thought.

“ Cool, isn't it? ” Law tried to keep his voice from breaking. Today was supposed to be his victory day, and no one would screw it up. Especially not himself. “ My dad had it, so I guess I got his curse. ”

“ A curse? Oh, like in dragon movies and stuff! Torao...are you a dragon? ”

A loud laugh suddenly came from behind him, and Law turned around fast enough to see Moss Head clutching his stomach and slapping Blondie on the back.

“ A dragon, he says! Luffy's hopeless! ”

“ STOP SMACKING MY BACK ZORO, YOU DICKWAD, THAT FUCKING HURTS! ”

“ Hey, if you guys are gonna do that take it outside! You can't keep fighting in here! ” Sabo seemed to temporarily forget the situation with his brother in order to set "Zoro" and Blondie straight. The two mumbled angrily at each other under their breaths and went back to their drinks. Perona seemed very amused by the whole thing.

Law looked down at his watch. It was almost thirty minutes before he had to be at work.
Damn.

“ Mugiwara-ya, listen... ” He squeezed the coffee cup, a bit roughly, and took a small step away from the counter. “ I really need to head out, I've got work, but I guess I'll... ” The doctor looked at Luffy, then towards his brothers, who still had very fake and very forced smiles on.

“ Yeah. Bye. ”

Dammit. He couldn't get anything done with Luffy's knights in shining armor always ready to rescue him. He had to come up with some way to ask him-

“ Enjoy your coffee Torao! ” Law was halfway through the door when Luffy's voice called out to him. ” It's made with extra love! ”

Was it hot in here? The door was open, wind blowing, but Law's entire body felt hot. What the hell was that supposed to mean?

Quickly he rushed out the door, drinking the rest of his coffee. There was a trash can next to his car, and he was about to toss it in when he noticed something had been written on the cup. The surgeon turned it over, a bit surprised to see digits scribbled down messily on it.

-***-***-****
Call me :D ; <3 Luffy

Was he going blind? That was a reasonable explanation. He blinked, and looked over his shoulder, directly at his car.
No. He could see fine. So he looked back down at the cup.

This was...Luffy's number? Luffy...actually gave him his number? And...he wanted Law to call him?

He would have had a broken phone if he hadn't caught it, whipping it out of his pocket at the speed of light to add a new contact.