Chapter Text
Rose POV
Don’t cry.
Rose’s fingers trembled slightly as she grabbed her belongings and shoved them in the sack. She was packing away the small life she’d had on this ship.
Small, but significant.
Her heart clenched.
This is for the best.
She looked at her possessions lying on the futon. Ikkaku’s donated clothes. A scrap of Bepo’s soft fur. A book of Jean Bart’s.
Her heart, chipped and cracked.
Her eyes blurred with tears, and she swiped at them furiously.
Why are you crying? Law doesn’t care about you.
She was getting what she’d originally wanted - the freedom to explore the world. She should be happy. Grateful.
But the small, traitorous part of her whispered but it’s not what you want now, is it?
No. It wasn’t.
Then she heard it - the heavy thud of footsteps in the hallway.
She turned, heart lurching, just as Law shouldered the door open.
For an instant, she froze, clothes in hand.
Law?
For a moment, they just stared at each other. The space between them charged and brittle, taught like it would snap at any moment.
Rose swallowed, stepping back instinctively, bracing herself - against what, she wasn’t sure.
"What are you doing here?" Her voice was too thin, too shaky.
Law closed the door behind him, slow and deliberate. His eyes were locked on hers.
For a moment, he didn’t move. It made her breath catch in anticipation.
Then:
“Don’t leave.”
Rose blinked in confusion, lashes wet. His words didn’t register. “What?”
He took a step closer, eyes still boring into hers.
“Stay.” His voice was low and taut. “Stay with us.”
Rose stared at him, eyes wide. What was he doing?
“I-I don’t understand.” She stammered, shoulders stiff. “I’m supposed to be leaving. That’s what you said.”
Law inclined his head slightly.
“I know what I said.” His voice was tight.
Rose swallowed.
“Then…why?” She asked warily, fingers twisting in the shirt in her hand.
Law inhaled, as if in preparation.
“Because I’d rather you didn’t go.”
Her breath hitched.
He… he wants me to stay?
She stammered, tongue feeling clumsy in her mouth. Surely, she’d misunderstood? “What do you-“
“That kiss,” he cut her off, gaze burning. “It wasn’t a mistake.”
She froze, stunned, heart hammering.
It took her a moment to register what he’d said.
It wasn’t a mistake.
But it didn’t make any sense. He’d told her, explicitly, that it had been a mistake. That it meant nothing.
And it had crushed her.
She shook her head, frowning. "But you told me it didn't- t-that you weren't-"
“I lied.”
He said it so directly that her words died on her lips.
Rose looked at him then, really looked - and that’s when she saw it. The raw emotion flickering just behind his eyes.
Her stomach lurched.
He means it.
Her fingers trembled as they clenched into the fabric in her palms. She couldn’t make sense of his intentions - but beneath the confusion and doubt, her heart still jumped with hope.
“Why?” Her voice cracked.
Law’s eyes darted away then, like he was fighting every instinct to shut down. His brows were furrowed deep, frustration etched into every line of his face.
“I have a goal that nothing can get in the way of.” His hands were fists at his sides. “I won’t forget it. I never will.”
A pause.
Then, softer - more like an admission than a statement:
“But I can’t ignore this anymore.”
Her heart was thumping loud in her chest.
“…this?” She whispered.
Law swallowed, eyes still on the floor. “This. Us. Whatever’s been...getting in my head.”
She couldn’t respond. Her voice was gone.
"I tried," he continued, voice rough. "Tried to keep you at arm’s length. Tried to convince myself it's better that you leave.”
Finally, his grey eyes returned to hers, intense and certain, and her pulse stuttered.
"But it’s not," he said, softer now. "And I’m done pretending it is."
She was struggling to breathe, mind both racing and stalling.
He feels what I feel…?
She couldn’t process it. It didn’t feel real.
Law took another slow, hesitant step closer - and she tore her eyes away, blinking furiously as tears threatened to spill. But he edged into her line of sight, not letting her retreat.
“Look at me, Rose-ya.”
His voice was gentle - almost coaxing.
It struck her in her chest, and her heart cracked open.
“I… I can’t do this anymore.” Rose whispered, voice trembling with emotion. “First you say I don’t belong with you. But then, you kiss me. Then, you say it meant nothing - and now, you want me to stay!?”
She shook her head, heart clenching. It wasn’t fair. He couldn’t toy with her like this.
An angry, hopeless tear escaped down her cheek.
“What do you even want from me, Law?”
His reply was instant, like it had just slipped out.
“You.”
Firm. Certain. His jaw tightened after, as if he was bracing for her reaction.
Her heart stuttered at his words, but the fear was still there, coiled tight in her chest. She couldn’t let herself hope, couldn’t let herself trust. If she did, and he didn’t catch her… she didn’t think she could take it.
“You don’t mean that.” She took a step back, half-turning away towards the bed. The air between them felt suffocating, and she needed space to breathe.
But Law followed her retreat, stepping closer again.
“I do.” His voice was low, more insistent now. “Listen… I don’t know what it’s supposed to look like. Never had it. Never thought I’d want it.”
He took a slow breath in, as if to steady himself.
“But I want to try. With you.”
God, the way he was looking at her. It hurt.
Rose shook her head, more tears breaking free against her will, streaking down her hot cheeks.
“Even if that’s true,” She hiccupped, voice tight and shaking. “How long will that last? I won’t wait around for you to change your mind again.”
Law stiffened at her words, like they had hit something delicate inside of him.
“Rose-”
“I need something safe.” She whispered, her words cracking with emotion. “I can’t stay for a ‘maybe’-”
Law’s eyes flashed.
"It’s not a maybe." He cut in sharply.
Rose’s shaky breath caught in her throat. Her chest ached with everything she was trying desperately not to feel.
Law moved closer, eyes locked with hers, more urgency slipping into his tone.
“Look, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, but I know I’ve never felt this before, Rose. It’s-” He cut himself off, jaw tight.
She stared at him. “It’s what?”
She needed to hear him say it - to name what she was too afraid to believe.
His fists clenched briefly at his sides before he forced them open again.
“It’s real.” His voice was rough; his jaw worked before the next words came. “I don’t want to ruin it.”
Rose sucked in a breath, chest tightening at the confession.
But she still couldn’t trust in it.
How could she, after everything? A few days ago, she’d have been ecstatic at everything he was saying. But he’d dismissed her so callously before that they now struck her somewhere painful.
She hugged herself tighter, blinking hard against the sting in her eyes. “I don’t want your guilt, or your pity.”
Something raw flickered in his eyes at her words, his brow drawing together.
“It’s not-” He exhaling sharply, struggling to get the words out. “Damn it, I don’t-”
But she couldn’t take anymore. Every word of his was cracking her heart open, slowly, painfully and methodically.
She was done.
“Just stop!” She hissed desperately, stepping around him towards the door. “I-I can’t do this-”
She needed to get out of here-
A hand grabbed her wrist, halting her escape.
“Don’t go.” It was barely above a whisper, low and hoarse. “Please.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, heart twisting painfully. Don’t do this.
Her voice came out as a wet plea. “Law - let me go.”
“I can’t.”
Something in the way he said it - not sharp, not commanding, but frayed at the edges - made her chest twist.
Rose shook her head, eyes still squeezed shut.
“Law…” she practically begged.
She tried to pull away, but his grip only eased, not released.
Then, a warm hand cupped the side of her face, stopping her from turning away. Just his fingers brushing against her cheek, tentative, uncertain.
She stiffened, breath hitching.
Then he spoke.
“Look at me.”
Low and utterly wrecked.
Her heart ached. She wanted to resist. She should resist.
But when eyes fluttered open, the fight bled out of her in an instant.
Their eyes met - raw, unguarded, breathless.
He was so close now. Too close.
His eyes flickered between hers, searching and desperate.
Then, his gaze dipped to her lips.
Her heart skipped a beat.
And then - almost like he was asking a question - Law leaned in. His breath played against her lips.
And Rose didn’t stop him. She couldn’t.
Because, even after everything, he was what she wanted.
He kissed her - and this time, it wasn’t a mistake.
It wasn’t harsh or demanding, but slow, melting, aching, like he was pouring everything he couldn’t say into it.
And, finally, Rose let herself believe.
That she was wanted. That he meant it.
That this time, Law would catch her.
She leaned into the kiss slowly, heart stammering. Her trembling fingers curled into his hoodie, anchoring herself to him desperately. He pressed closer, like he was trying to memorize the feel of her. Like if she pulled away now, she’d be taking a vital part of himself with her.
At some point - she didn’t know how - her back hit the door. When she gasped softly against him, he tore his mouth away.
Her breathing was heavy. That was…
Law’s eyes flickered between hers, raw and wanting, still holding her face like she was something fragile.
He whispered. Just one word, low and desperate.
“Stay.”
Rose could only nod, speechless.
His mouth twitched up, his thumb brushing ever so slightly under her eye.
“You mean it?” His voice held the slightest tremor.
She nodded again, swallowing, eyelashes wet. “Y-yeah.”
And she did.
The faintest exhale left Law, almost like a gasp of relief. His fingers skimmed down to her shoulders, squeezing slightly - like he needed the contact but didn’t dare hold her too tight.
And Rose smiled shakily, overwhelmed but heart aching with relief. Her hands slid from his chest to his shoulders, needing to feel him under her fingers to reassure herself that this was real - that he was real, and not a dream.
And he was. He wanted this - her - just as much as she did.
Her eyes darted back and forth between his, searching for any hint of regret. But she found none.
“What you said…” She whispered, throat tight. “You meant it?”
Law’s gaze was piercing but steady. Unwavering.
“Every word.”
She let out half a laugh, half a sob, heart clenching.
There was still so much she wanted to say, so many questions she wanted to ask - but in that moment, her heart and mind a mess of relief, confusion and want, all she could do was pull him closer and bury her face in his neck.
Instinctively, Law tensed. As if he wasn’t used to being held like this.
But then his arms wrapped around her, grip almost crushing. She felt the faint shudder in his shoulders as he exhaled against her neck.
Her heart stuttered, the fluff-lined collar of hoodie tickling her nose. She breathed him in - his scent, his warmth.
This is real. He’s real.
She wasn’t sure how long they stood like that, wrapped up in each other. But she didn’t want to let go. And neither did Law, apparently.
Eventually, Law shifted and murmured in her ear: “I’m sorry for lying.” His breath tickled her lobe. “For hurting you.”
Rose squeezed him tighter. “I…I think I understand why.” Her voice was small. “But if we…if this…” she trailed off, cheeks warm. “You can’t lie to me again.”
Law pulled back to look at her. His gaze was intense as he spoke. “I won’t. Ever.”
Her eyes stung. But she nodded, blinking fast. “Okay,” she breathed.
Law’s eyes flitted between hers. She saw the same questions playing in their depths that were in her mind.
"I want…something. With you." He spoke quietly, studying her face. “Whatever it is, I want to try.”
She swallowed. His words both excited and terrified her… but not enough to walk away.
"Me too." She whispered, face warm.
Law watched her for a moment longer, eyes flicking between hers, almost as if there was something more he wanted to say. Then his gaze dipped briefly, and he swallowed it down.
Instead, he shifted - leaning his forehead against hers.
"Alright," he breathed, arms tightening around her slightly. "Then this is something."
The words sent her stomach flipping.
"Good."
Neither of them moved for a moment. Her fingers curled lightly into the fabric at his side, not wanting the closeness to end.
We have something.
When he finally stepped back, it was slow and reluctant. His eyes met hers for only a second before he looked away, adjusting his hat in a nervous, restless motion.
The absence made her ache, but she caught the faint curve of his mouth - small, unsteady, but real.
She felt it pulsing between them. Not heat, but something more delicate - fear and hope and a feeling too fragile to name yet.
But for now, it was enough.
~ x ~ x ~ x ~