Chapter Text
"This is a stupid idea," Law muttered, sipping from a glass of whiskey as he leaned against the window, his eyes scanning the bustling streets below. Crowds of costumed people were already making their way along Gran Tesoro's usually glittering gold, now dimmed, streets for the Halloween extravaganza. What was sure to be the most over-the-top party of the year, according to the WENP, who wouldn't stop writing about it since March. Law, however, couldn't care less about some childish Halloween party.
Yet, there he was dressed up against his will. Hades, god of the Underworld, and ready to face an event he had tried so desperately to avoid. He blamed Nami. It all started with a call from the Straw Hat's navigator. The second Nami mentioned it to Alexia, it was game over.
He was doomed from the start. Damn those Straw Hats for getting him into yet another ridiculous situation.
"You need to relax," Alexia's voice echoed from the bathroom. "It's going to be fun. Trust me."
Fun.
Right.
Nothing about being crammed into tight spaces with overly enthusiastic strangers wearing ridiculous costumes sounded remotely enjoyable to him. Law sighed, swirling the amber liquid in his glass before taking another sip. If anything, this was going to be the worst night ever.
The silver lining, if Law could call it that, was the costume Alexia somehow managed to put together.
Hades.
Simple, clean, and undeniably him, if there was such a costume.
A tailored black suit with lapels of a satin sheen featuring a subtle flame design embroidered on the breast pocket. A nod to the Underworld he found both unnecessary yet refined. Underneath, was a black shirt, halfway unbuttoned showing off his tattooed chest. Alexia's very intentional decision (See: demand.) The final touch, and most unnecessary of all in his humble opinion, were the multiple layered black bead and chain necklaces with one showcasing a large black gemstone. The rings, on the other hand, were fine. He got over those quickly. Black, naturally, a bit large, but it "fit the aesthetic" or whatever nonsense Alexia used to get him to wear them.
Either way, it worked.
And as much as he hated to admit it, Alexia had done a remarkable job. He looked pretty damn good.
"I don't mind your definition of fun, Mr. I'd-Rather-Be-Isolated-in-the-Library-with-a-Book, but we do that all the time. Even you need to let loose once in a while," He could hear the rustle of silk as she moved from behind the door. "Maybe this will change your mind."
The door opened and out she stepped, spinning once for a full view. Law was no ordinary man, and despite his calm exterior, the sight of her made his breath catch for the briefest of moments.
Her gown was gold silk, draping over her body like liquid sunlight. The fitted bodice plunged daringly low, while the skirt flowed with a thigh-high slit that revealed far more than it concealed with every movement. The subtle gold leaf pattern along the fabric added a touch of divinity to the already goddess-like appearance. Complete with strappy gold heels and a woven crown with small garnet stones shaped like pomegranate seeds, Alexia looked the part of Persephone, queen of the Underworld.
"Well?" she asked, her eyes gleaming as she sashayed over to him. "What do you think, Lord Hades?"
Law set his glass down on the table, his eyes never leaving hers. He stepped forward, and his hand found its way to her waist, fingers lightly tracing the smooth silk of her gown.
"I think you put a lot of planning into this," he answered.
"Of course I put a lot of planning into this," she smiled. "You wouldn't have agreed to go without proper planning."
"I'm fairly certain I still didn't agree to this nonsense," Law sighed reluctantly. "Maybe we could stay the night here instead. No crowds. No shenanigans. No Straw Hats. Just you and me, alone in our hotel room."
"Nice try," Alexia laughed, her lips brushing his jaw ever so lightly. "But you're not getting out of this that easy. I put too much into our costumes, and we need to show off, don't you think?"
He couldn't argue with her really. They looked good together. Nothing like other couples he knew they would see throughout the night. And as much as his desire to avoid crowds gnawed at his chest, Law knew Alexia had one more two surprises up her sleeve.
"Fine," he conceded, brushing a kiss against her temple before pulling back. "But if anyone drags me into some ridiculous party game or a haunted house, I'm out."
"Deal," she said, looping her arm through his as they headed out the door. "Just don't be so quick to dismiss the games. There might be some out there you might enjoy."
"Doubt it."
+++++
As Law and Alexia made their way from the room to the lobby, the rest of the Heart Pirates sat scattered around the hotel bar, a lively hum of conversation filled the space while they pre-gamed for what promised to be a night of unhinged debauchery. After months at sea, fighting their way through treacherous waters and dealing with the constant dangers of the New World, tonight was about unwinding and indulging in some well-earned tomfoolery.
"The real question is," Shachi leaned back in his chair, his vibrant lifeguard red swim trunks almost glowed from under the bar's bright lights and the sunglasses perched on his head nearly fell onto the floor. "Did Lex actually get Captain to wear a costume, and is he coming?"
"You know Alexia managed," Ikkaku said, tossing back a shot of something fiery. Her biker costume, a sleek, black leather ensemble complete with spiked accessories, matched perfectly with Clione's. " The second Nami brought it up, the party was a done deal. No way, Captain's chickening out."
"I wonder what they're wearing," Bepo wondered, scratching at his ears, painted black and white to look like a panda.
"Not a clue," Jean Bart replied, his Viking costume perfect for the giant man with fur pelts and a fake battleaxe strapped to his back.
"Something subtle, he wouldn't touch anything else," Penguin snorted, knocking back his drink.
"I don't know," Uni said, the Mad Scientist costume complete with oversized goggles and a wild wig. "He hates these kinds of things. I wouldn't be surprised if the captain found a way to stay upstairs while Lex goes on without him."
"No way he'd be able to pull that off," Hakugan chuckled, his Plague Doctor mask resting on the table as he sipped his drink. "Alexia's got him wrapped around her finger. Her can't say no to her."
Conversation drifted between them, speculating what Gran Tesoro's Halloween event would bring. Which party would be the most outlandish, which bar had the best theme, and how they were all dying to see what chaos the Straw Hats would cause when they got together.
Then the elevator dinged. The doors slid open, and the Heart Pirates fell silent for a moment.
"Captain," Shachi grinned. "You're supposed to wear a costume tonight. Not show up in the normal get-up."
"Your cover's blown, Captain. Now everyone knows you're actually the god of the Underworld. The Surgeon of Death was a cover this entire time," Penguin snickered.
"Lex," Hakugan let out a low whistle. "You really went all out, didn't you?"
"You have ten seconds to shut up," Law scowled at his idiotic crew.
"Come on, Captain," Ikkaku teased. "Take the compliment."
"Well, Heart Pirates," Alexia's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Are we ready for a night of chaos?"
"How could we not be?" Uni asked. "I know you did your homework on this, Research Nerd. What's the secret to having the best damn time tonight?"
Of course, she'd dug into every possible detail about Gran Tesoro's Halloween celebration. She had prepared meticulously for months.
"For starters," Alexia began. "There's a password to get you one free drink at every bar. Considering there are over thirty bars scattered around the island, well, you can do the math. It's Afterlife. Say it to a bartender or a waiter, and you're all set."
"Over 30 free drinks?" Shachi's eyes widened at the potential. "We're going to need bigger livers."
"But wait, there's more," Alexia continued. "If you plan on hitting any of the casinos, use the password Samhain. That gets you a 5,000 Berry credit. Enough to get you started."
"This is going to be the best night ever!" Bepo exclaimed.
"One more, if you are so inclined," she added, with a small smirk appearing on her lips. "If you're looking for something more exclusive, use the password Inferno at one of the clubs for a private room."
The response was just as she expected. Breakout grins, playful exchanges, and a brief, darkened gaze from her golden-eyed captain. Alexia knew that would be a selling point.
"And, of course," Alexia concluded, "There are countless raffles, contests, and scavenger hunts all around the island. Too much for one night, if you ask me."
"Did Nami reach out yet? We're supposed to meet them at some point, right?" Ikkaku asked.
"She did. We're meeting them at Devil's Advocate in a few hours. Until then, divide and conquer. Just don't get arrested or pass out in an alley too early."
+++++
The crew finished off their drinks, tossing around suggestions as to who would head where first. Bepo and Penguin were already planning on hitting the casino, while Shachi and Hakugan were debating which bar would offer the wildest theme. Ikkaku was eyeing the escape room, and Uni and Jean Bart mentioned the haunted house. Once final plans were set, the Heart Pirates dispersed, heading out into the night.
Alexia and Law remained. The excitement in her eyes hadn't dimmed, and she could see now that Law, despite his initial reservations, had embraced the idea of a wild evening.
Partially, at least.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Law set his empty glass down on the bar with a deliberate click and turned to face her fully.
"That's the spirit, Hades," Alexia smiled, as they strode toward the darkened streets.
They stepped out into the crowded streets of Gran Tesoro, immediately engulfed by a sea of people. Costumes in every conceivable form surrounded them: ghoulish monsters, whimsical creatures, pirate legends, and everything else in between. Everywhere, people mingled, admired the decorations, sampled street food, and purchased trinkets from Halloween-themed stalls that lined the road.
"Would you like to pick the first poison, or shall I?" Alexia asked, her eyes dancing over the drink carts offering Halloween-themed cocktails: blood bags, jello-shop syringes, and bubbling beakers.
As much as Law wanted to take Alexia somewhere away from the one-to-many looks from strangers as they walked down the street, he knew she had something planned for some time later in the night. One of those private rooms, he hoped.
"Not until after we meet up with the Straw Hats," she laughed, taking his hand. Of course, she knew what he was thinking. "I promise it'll be worth the wait. How about we start with Forsaken Gardens? It's one of the smaller bars."
"That doesn't sound so bad."
"Originally, I wanted to take you to the Mad Doctor's Lair, but it looked a bit too much," Alexia glanced across the street at the pulsing club a few paces away. There was already a line around the block.
"I appreciate that," Law squeezed her hand, navigating them through the crowd.
Let the fun begin.