Chapter Text
“We’ll do it all over again, no matter what it takes.”
Law tries to hold in, holding back his grief and sadness – even with all his friends and crewmates he grew to know over the years, gone – for Luffy, who is so uncharacteristically feeling nothing. Luffy, who is normally so bright and the beacon of light and hope for everyone, acted like a completely different person. He holds it in and tries to stay strong for him.
Luffy just says nothing.
Law holds him tighter, pressing the other man’s face against his shoulder, rubbing his back in comfort.
They both lost so much.
“We’ll get our second chance.”
Luffy doesn’t say anything, just barely nodding into his shoulder, his fingers clinging onto him just a bit tighter.
“And when it’s time, we’ll see each other again on Sabaody, with everyone .”
.
.
.
Law wakes with a gasp, his chest feeling tight and breaths heavy and shallow. Every breath that he takes is filled with sharp coldness. He grasps at his chest, trying to figure out why he’s struggling to breathe so much. He hasn’t felt this weak in years.
Did something happen to him and Luffy? Did something happen to cause such pain? Where is Luffy? Is he alright?
Barely a moment later, a large shadow hovers over him, pressing a large hand against his face, practically engulfing his face. This shadow is practically a giant compared to him.
Law barely feels coherent, his vision going blurry, everything feeling too hot to process what’s really going on.
“Law?”
He tries to focus on the blurry figure above him, faintly seeing a mess of blurry colors – yellow, blue and red, wondering where he has heard that deep voice before.
“Law, hang on, we’ll get there soon.”
It’s a familiar voice but his mind is too much of a mush to properly figure out from where.
.
When he wakes up again, Law has half a mind left in him to realize what’s really happening. Cora-san is standing in front of him, throwing a rope up to a tree to tie their boat down.
Cora-san is alive and well again, which means it truly worked, he and Luffy were sent back to the past. He looks at his hand, seeing pale skin instead of his usual tan.
He tries to stand and clings onto him. It’s been so long since he’s seen him. He feels tears threaten to spill from his eyes despite the biting cold wind and snow brushing against his face.
Cora-san slightly jumps in surprise, glancing down at him. He easily gives in, just like last time, and brings him up onto the island with him.
He needs to figure a way out to save him but for this brief moment, he’ll just enjoy the feeling of Cora-san holding him close once again, hearing his heavy breathing and rapid heartbeat.
.
As Cora-san runs off towards the Barrel pirates, Law desperately tries to ransack and figure out a way to save him. As a small, dying child, there isn’t much he can do.
A lot of the same things happen as it has the first time around and that just makes Law panic even more.
As Cora-san is shoving the Ope-Ope no Mi down his throat again and proceeding to collapse on the ground again, he ignores the bitter and awful taste of the fruit, already dropping to his knees, hoping that he’ll be able to use the fruit as easily as he has been able to the past ten years of his life.
Law’s hands are shaking. Despite knowing that he needs medical supplies to actually do anything to save him, he wants to check on him.
“It’s not magic, it doesn’t work like that, Law,” Cora-san breathes out.
“ Room, ” Law says softly. A small, blue bubble faintly appears for a brief moment but disappears a moment after.
Cora-san’s eyes are wide in shock, “You surprise me everyday, kid.” He sticks his hand in his pocket, “Listen, Law, I need you to do me a favor–”
He already knows what it is before Cora-san even shows him. The secret message to the marines. The thing that caused everything to go downhill.
“ No– ”
Cora-san looks at him in surprise, caught off guard, “Law–”
“–whatever it is, I don’t care, we need to get you to safety!” Law cries out.
“Before we do that, there’s something more important you need to do for me–”
“Not to me there isn’t.” Tears fill his eyes as his grip on his shirt tightens.
He can’t lose him again, not when they’ve come so far. Not again.
Cora-san just stares at him with wide eyes and after a few moments, he removes his hand from his pocket, empty-handed. He nods, “Alright, let’s have it your way.”
“We need to leave before anyone sees us,” Law insists, glancing around for any sign of the marines or the Donquixote Crew.
Cora-san stands up on shaky legs.
“Come on Cora-san!” Law urges, panic in his voice, “Before Doflamingo comes!”
Cora-san looks at him curiously then tries to pick up speed, clutching his torso as he limps his way back to the boat.
.
Law watches as Minion Island grows smaller in the distances as he and Cora-san drifts away on their tiny boat, relief and hope already filling him. Even with Cora-san still injured, he would be fine for a while – just as he had back then – they have some time before things become urgent.
“Law,” Cora-san says hesitantly, his eyes on him, face serious.
“Don’t speak, you’re hurt and you’ll just make it worse.”
Cora-san chuckles, “You’re hurt too, kid.”
“Not as badly as you!”
“I don’t get you, just barely a few months ago you were hating and wishing death upon me, wanting to return to Doffy–”
Law’s nose wrinkles up in disgust.
“–but now it’s the complete opposite. Even a few weeks ago you weren’t this attached to me, what happened?”
“It’s because I like you more and I hate him .”
Cora-san’s smile falls, now staring at him seriously again. “Law, before we get to Swallow Island, there’s something you should know about me–”
“If it’s about you being a marine, I already know,” Law glances up at him.
Cora-san’s eyes are wide, lips pursed. “I’m sorry I lied to you, Law. If you don’t want me around anymore, I’d understand why.”
“Stupid Cora-san,” Law mutters, “I’d never want you to leave me.”
Cora-san smiles softly, feeling touched.
“I still don’t like the world government, but if it’s you, I’m fine with it, and I still want you around.”
Cora-san smiles widely, tears welling up in his eyes, “That’s good!”
.
As Law sits down on the couch, staring at Cora-san who’s tending to his own injuries, all he thinks about is how he wants time to both speed up and never pass ever again. He relishes in the peace and comfort that is Cora-san alive and safe. What was a dream before, growing up, is now a reality and he couldn’t be happier.
Cora-san glances up. “You’re awfully smiley today, Law.”
Law catches himself, the smile dropping. “No I’m not,” he quickly denies.
“You haven’t stopped staring at me since we got back from Minion Island, do I have something on my face and you just haven’t said anything?”
Law shakes his head. “I’m just glad you’re alive Cora-san.”
Cora-san raises an eyebrow, and just puts on a wide, fake grin and holds up a peace sign. “I told you I would be fine, did you doubt me?”
Law huffs. “I know that if Doflamingo caught you, you’d end up dead, you don’t have to lie to me anymore, Cora-san,” he says in a monotone voice.
Cora-san’s grin falls, he drops his hand, and he just stares at him. “Nothing gets past you, huh kid?”
.
“Law, after you get nice and healed up, we can go anywhere in the world!” Cora-san says with a big grin, “Where’d you want to go first?”
“I want to stay here.”
Cora-san stays frozen for a few seconds then blinks a single time, his big grin still frozen on his face. Then he blinks a few more times, “Law! After you get nice and healed up–”
“I heard you the first time!” Law exclaims, “But I want to stay here. ” Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin are still on the island and he still needs to meet them.
“Kid, we can go anywhere in the world, are you sure you just want to stay here?”
Law nods. “Doflamingo is still out there, right? It’s safest here, he’d never expect us to stay nearby.”
Cora-san sighs, “You may be too smart for your own good, Law. But if that’s what you want, I’ll stay here with you.”
.
After healing himself from the Amber Lead, he dives into the deepest parts of memories, trying to remember when and where he met Bepo, Penguin, and Shachi.
He's out almost everyday, desperately searching for his long-time friends. Even with Cora-san alive and well, he just can't leave them behind.
"Law, you've been going out a lot–"
Law freezes, his hand on the door as he looks back at him. Had he really been that obvious?
"–are you sure it's safe for you to be out in the cold for so long so soon?"
"I'm keeping safe, Cora-san."
“Hm, if you’re sure, Law.”
.
As each day passes with no sign of Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin, Law gets more and more worried that he may never see them again.
“Do you need help?”
Law stops, looking up at him.
“You’re clearly looking for something, do you need help?”
Law shakes his head, “I need to do this by myself.”
.
“Law, before you go–”
Law’s hand is on the doorknob as he glances up at him.
“Someone important to me is coming by to visit–"
Law frowns, "You told someone where we're at? We're supposed to be in hiding, Cora-san!"
"I know but you can trust him, he knows how to keep a secret."
Law stares at him unconvinced. There's only one person that he's aware of that Cora-san knows but it can't be Sengoku, he's the fleet admiral.
"He's very important to me, Law and I had promised him that I'd see him again when my undercover mission is over. And now that it’s over, I'd like for you two to get along. Will you try?” When Law doesn’t reply, his face scrunched up at him, Cora-san continues, “For me?"
Law stares at Cora-san. He isn't convinced and is already distrusting of whoever it is, but seeing the hopeful and reluctant expression on his face has him giving in. He just can’t say no to Cora-san . "Fine–"
Cora-san beams.
"You are sure he's trustworthy?"
"I trust him with my life and my heart."
Law looks up at him, he truly looks at him. His eyes are wide in shock.
Back at Dressrosa, when he had spoken to Sengoku about everything, about Cora-san, the man had said he was the only other person in the world he could share the memory of Cora-san with. But now he’s finding out that there was someone else who knew him. someone Sengoku hadn't mentioned.
“I hope he’s not a marine,” Law mutters grumpily, “But he probably is, isn’t he?”
“And if he was?”
“Then he needs to do a lot of convincing for me to not hate him.”
Cora-san grins, “Thank you for giving him a chance, Law! I swear, you won’t regret it!”
“Mhmm.”
The things he does for love.
.
Law has to catch himself from crying out of relief when he sees his three friends again. It’s been so long since he’s seen them alive and well.
Just like before, Shachi and Penguin are standing over a curled up Bepo.
And like he did before, Law marches over to stand between Bepo and the other two, telling them to back off before promptly kicking their ass, albeit a tad bit more harshly this time out of frustration.
No one has to know that they worried him to the point of almost being angry at them.
Especially when it ends with Bepo being thankful and Shachi and Penguin admiring his every move and begging him to teach them his moves exactly like last time.
.
Law immediately knows something is up before he enters the cabin he and Cora-san live in, with the man standing outside the front door, as if he is waiting for him.
"Cora-san?"
He has a big smile on his face. This one, unlike the others which were silly grins, is a big, dopey, hopelessly-in-love smile. Whoever Cora-san was talking about has arrived.
Law also notes that the make-up Cora-san usually wears is different. Gone was the blue burst under his right eye and the lines extending from his mouth. Only the red lipstick on his mouth remained. Despite seeing his marine picture from Sengoku, it was odd to see him without it.
"There's someone I want you to meet, Law," he says, unable to contain his excitement and joy, “I hope you’ll like him just as much as I do.”
Law feels almost guilty for already rejecting this man he has not met yet. Cora-san, his savior, the one who loved him even though he had no reason to, looks so incredibly happy that Law has no choice but to accept this stranger he has to meet.
Before he answers his question, he squints his eyes accusingly at him. “Your lipstick is smeared,” he bluntly says in a low voice.
Cora-san tinges red, swiping his thumb against the edges of his mouth to clean it up a bit. “Ready to meet him?”
Law nods hesitantly, still staring accusingly. This was already a point against whoever he is supposed to meet.
Cora-san steps inside, "Saka?"
As Law steps inside the building, he's pondering where he's heard the name "Saka" before. He remembers hearing of something similar to it before but can't put his finger where.
A large figure, slightly larger than Cora-san in fact, stands from the dining table, and starts walking towards them, a small bag in hand. From his height, Law doesn't recognize him at first. He doesn't recognize the flower patterned shirt and the blood colored pants. He especially doesn't recognize the man without his signature hat and the facial hair he's had for years.
Law, at first, doesn't know who he is.
Then the man crouches down to his eye level and Law's face drops and his eyes widen.
"Law, meet my partner, Sakazuki."
His beloved Cora-san is dating Fleet Admiral Akainu.
Fuck.
Law has no choice but to hate him, Luffy’s brothers died by his own hands. He distinctly remembers the look on Luffy’s face, the way he sobbed out when he woke up that day on the submarine after Ace’s death. He also remembers the way Luffy had lost his light when Sabo was killed in those final days.
But Cora-san was looking at this man as if he hung the moon and the stars and was the reason the sun came up in the morning. "I hope you'll still give him a chance, Law, I want two of the most important people in my life to get along."
It's no damn wonder Sengoku said he was the only other person he could share Cora-san's memory with. He wouldn’t want to interact with this man either.
"Rosi said you were studying to be a doctor," Akainu brings out a thick black binder and a small surgeon's tool bag.
Law looks at him cautiously, staying guarded. Akainu didn’t have as harsh of a frown as he did in his previous life. Whether it was because of Cora-san or if he was just trying to look non-threatening, he doesn’t know.
"This binder contains a copy of all the rare medical books Marineford has to offer that can't be found elsewhere."
Law immediately looks down at the binder that he is too small to hold then back up at him. "Is this a bribe?" he blurts out.
"Is it working?"
Law purses his lips and looks back at the binder. He wants to say no but damn he had always wanted to see those books and now he can have them. Luffy would not approve but the doctor in him just wants to say yes.
"And the bag?"
"Standard issue tools all certified marine surgeons use on the go."
Law mentally notes his wording. "Not practice tools?"
"No, real ones."
Law is slightly impressed. He wasn't treating him as a kid like others would have – because physically, he is still a child – but instead, a genuine surgeon in practice.
" Real–? Saka!" Cora-san protests. "He's thirteen!"
Law takes the bag and hugs the binder to his chest. He'll decide later on what he needs to do. For now, he'll take the bribe and give him a brief pass.
.
Law is almost disgusted to see a man like Akainu, someone’s whose hands are practically drenched in blood, holding someone who’s as kind hearted and good-intentioned as Cora-san.
Granted, he’s aware Cora-san isn’t exactly innocent either, but he at least has good intentions.
Then Law sees the smile and the look Cora-san has when he looks at him and he’s immediately feeling so much guilt for wanting to essentially take all that away from him. Because Cora-san deserves the world after what he went through and selflessly did for him .
Law is conflicted. Akainu is the man that has brought the worst for Luffy, but he’s also the man that brings the best for Cora-san.
.
Law stares at the plate of meat, rice, and vegetables in front of him. He doesn’t move to touch it. “He cooked this?” he asks softly.
“It’s tasty, Law, try it.”
Law holds back a wince, trying not to show the reluctance on his face. He doesn’t know what he’s expecting when he bites into the food. For it to be awful? For it to be poisoned? Logically, he knows Akainu wouldn’t be dumb enough to poison just his food in front of Cora-san if he really wanted him dead. But he just wasn’t sure what to think.
Law glances up at Cora-san who is already cutting into the barbecue, taking a bite, a satisfied look on his face. “I missed your cooking, Saka,” Cora-san breathes out with a smile.
Law glances back at his plate, hesitantly picking up his fork and knife. The food, at least, seems tasty enough. But he really did not want to be enjoying food made by Akainu. What would Luffy think if he were to find out?
He just hopes it didn’t actually taste all that good so he wouldn’t have to deal with it later.
He cut a small piece of the meat, popping it into his mouth. His eyes widen, tensing up.
It was pretty good. Damn him.
.
Law has to stop himself from rolling his eyes when he sees Akainu helping Cora-san out with the dishes. It’s practically domestic and he hates it.
He practically gags when he sees the man lean in to kiss him, having to turn away from them to stop himself from hurling.
.
"Been awhile since you went out to hang out with your friends, Law," Cora-san notes.
Law stares at him suspiciously.
"Won't they wonder where you are?"
He stares at him for a few more moments before quietly saying in an accusing voice, "Are you trying to get me out of the house for some alone time?"
Cora-san flushes red. "Damn kid, of course not!" he stutters out to the amusement of Akainu, "I'm just saying you hang out with them everyday and suddenly you disappear on them? I'd be worried if I were them."
"Hm," Law says calmly, "If that's the reason, then fine. Because if it was the other reason, I would say you didn't have an issue before using your devil fruit the other night to–"
"Okay!" Cora-san cut him off, slapping a hand on his shoulder to put "Calm" on him, "That's enough out of you."
.
There were many things that he thought about and dreamt of and hoped for when it came to Cora-san, back before he found out that he and Luffy could travel back in time. This however, was not one of them.
Law glares at Akainu's back who is currently sitting next to Cora-san from the dining room.
Never in his wildest dreams did he think he'd have to share him with the mad dog of the marines.
.
Law trails after Cora-san and Akainu, arms crossed and a frown on his face.
Normally, when he and Cora-san went shopping for groceries, it was just the two. But now that Akainu is there, he also came along with them.
Law glares at their joined hands, almost wishing he could burn holes into them.
“What an adorable family–” Law scrunches up his face, staring up at the elderly lady who is currently speaking to Cora-san.
“Thank you,” Cora-san says with a smile instead of correcting her.
He wants to glare at her, hating her implication of having Akainu as a father. Hating that she thought he could have been his dad.
.
“Cora-san.”
Cora-san looks up from his position next to Akainu, who also looks up at him. He’s leaning against him, Akainu’s arm around him.
“Can’t you give him the thing?” he asks, almost glaring at the other man.
Cora-san just stares at him for a moment. “The what?”
“The thing, ” Law says cryptically. When Cora-san still says nothing, just staring at him in confusion, he continues, “The message!”
“Ah right! You’re so smart Law,” Cora-san compliments, as he stands up, “Hold on Saka, it’s pretty important.” He disappears into the bedroom and comes out soon after, holding the small vial in his hands. “Here,” he extends his hand, taking a seat next to him again, “It has all the information about the Donquixote Crew, all of Doflamingo’s future plans, and his current connections that I collected throughout my time there. Hand it to Sengoku for me, will you?”
Akainu takes it from him, glancing at the vial, brushing a thumb over the logo. Then he glances back up at him. “You’re not returning to Marineford?”
Cora-san shakes his head, “No, I’m sorry, Saka. Doflamingo’s crew is still out there and we have to lay in hiding for a little while.”
Akainu nods. “Alright, fine, I will.”
Law feels some relief seeing the exchange. Unlike last time, Cora-san’s information is being handed to someone that isn’t Doflamingo’s spy and a loyal marine – albeit not the greatest one but it’ll go to good use at least.
And hopefully he won’t have to go through the whole ordeal of almost dying to take down Doflamingo once again.
.
The day Akainu leaves to return back to the grandline, Law is feeling all sorts of emotions. He’s glad that the man is leaving but also seeing the sad look on Cora-san’s face makes him hurt and feel guilty over his own happiness.
But when he sees Cora-san embrace and kiss the other man, his sympathy and guilt immediately disappear. His face scrunches up in disgust as Akainu makes promises to Cora-san to visit him again and to keep in touch.
.
.
.
Law jerks awake in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, eyes wide. He clutches his forehead, panic filling him.
“How the hell am I going out to sea this time with Akainu breathing over my shoulder?”