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Law woke to the familiar feeling of callused fingers tracing lazy patterns on his back. He kept his eyes closed and muscles relaxed, not quite ready to face the new day yet. His pillow was comfortable, the blankets warm, and the air just chilly enough against his cheek.
The fingers trailed down the length of his naked back, pressing gently against each bump of his spine. Then, they retraced their steps, stopping at that spot below his right shoulder blade that always bothered him. They pressed firmly, easing the deep ache that never seemed to go completely away. He was always too tense, apparently, but could anyone really blame him? Tension and stressful situations came hand in hand with being married to the king of the pirates.
Said king kept drawing random patterns on his skin. Surely by then Luffy knew he was awake, but, over the years, he had learned the joy of being quiet early in the morning. No more waking Law up with endless chattering, thankfully.
Luffy’s hand left his back, sliding over his hip until his arm was wrapped around his waist. He pulled Law back against his chest so he could nuzzle the nape of his neck, teasing the tiny hairs there with his breath. Law couldn’t help it; he shivered out of reflex, and Luffy now knew he was truly awake.
“Good morning,” the fierce pirate king mumbled, his voice still thick with sleep. His stubbly chin scraped the back of Law’s neck in a way that sent another shiver rippling over his skin. “Sleep well?”
“Quiet in the morning,” Law retorted with a sigh. He reached out behind himself blindly to pat Luffy’s messy hair. “More sleep, less talking. It’s still early.”
“I’ve been awake for a while. Can’t go back to sleep now.”
“I told you not to eat that sandwich before going to bed. You’re no longer twenty, Luffy.”
Luffy snorted. “It’s not that. My stomach’s as good as before, Traffy.”
Law rolled his eyes even though Luffy couldn’t see it. Luffy had once told him he could practically hear his eyeballs rolling in their sockets when he was exasperated, and he wished it were true this time.
“Listen to your doctor if you won’t listen to your husband.”
If Luffy could hear him roll his eyes, Law could hear him pout . Which he was certainly doing right now, no doubt going for those damn puppy eyes also.
“I always listen to you!”
Law heaved a sigh – he turned in Luffy’s embrace to look at him, and, sure as the sun rose at the beginning of each day, the man was pouting. At nineteen, that damn pout had been beyond adorable. There was very little Law would have been able to refuse Luffy when he stuck his bottom lip out and batted his eyelashes at him this way. At forty, with those lines at the edges of his mouth and fading brown of his eyes, the pout shouldn’t have been as cute or as effective.
Yet it was.
“Of course you do,” Law said. “Except for all those times that you don’t.”
Luffy grinned, and that, too, was as effective as ever. He had a nice smile, wide and warm and slightly mischievous. “It would be boring if I always listened to you.”
“I certainly would have fewer white hairs if you did, however…”
“I like your white hairs! They make you look distinguished.” He gently touched the hairs at Law’s temples that had indeed been growing white for years now. His face softened. “You’re as gorgeous as the day I met you.”
The trouble with Luffy was that, for all his nonsensical chatter and blunders, he was a surprisingly smooth talker. He never aimed to praise or flatter, he simply told the truth. If Law looked like shit sometimes, Luffy never hesitated to tell him in no ambiguous terms. On the other hand, he never failed to tell Law nicer things, things that made him blush to the tips of his ears even after twenty years of married life.
“What happened to the no-chatter-in-the-morning rule?” Law grumbled, refusing to acknowledge the simple fact that he was flattered by the compliment. He’d die before he would confess that he was vain enough to like being praised.
Luffy’s grin shifted, teeth flashing in the moonlight. The corners of his eyes crinkled. He tightened his hold around Law’s waist. “Make me?”
Another thing that hadn’t changed in twenty years of marriage: Luffy’s impressive libido. At nineteen, Law had considered it normal, healthy. At forty, he wondered how Luffy could still be permanently horny. Like a teenager with his first partner, he couldn’t keep his hands off Law. While it used to annoy him, he’d grown accustomed enough to it that he no longer noticed it. Mercifully, Luffy’s nakama had also grown used to it and no longer rolled their eyes at their captain’s antics. They now considered it normal, just a quirk.
Though Law would rather cut out his own tongue than admit it out loud, the trouble was that he never failed to respond to the advances. A smile, a wayward touch, a look - they still got him hot under the collar. There was something magnetic about Luffy, something pulling Law inexorably in. It didn’t help that Law loved him to the point of pain sometimes; the kind of love he’d heard sung in sea shanties and read about in books, but had never believed he would experience.
“You’re not half as charming as you believe yourself to be,” Law lied, too flustered for this early morning. He put his hand over Luffy’s grinning mouth. “Quiet.”
Luffy seized his wrist and softly kissed the tips of his fingers. The gentle brush of his lips sent a shiver down Law’s back that was impossible to hide. Luffy didn’t let go yet, letting his lips trail over Law’s fingers like he was worshipping something precious and beautiful. His brown eyes were intense, hot, challenging. Law gulped audibly when he kissed his palm. His beard scratched at the delicate skin of his wrist.
“I can be quiet,” Luffy murmured. His lips moving against Law’s fingers sent another shiver down his spine. “Or maybe I’d rather be using my mouth for something else.”
Luffy turned his hand so he could kiss his knuckles, the gesture delicate and gentle. No matter how many times he did it, it never felt to leave Law a little embarrassed. Sometimes, in the bustle of life and the brightness of day, it was difficult to remember that Luffy could indeed be this tender.
“Would you like that?” Luffy teased.
Before Law had time to wrap his foggy brain around the question, he found himself on his back with Luffy looming over him, grin still firmly in place. Instead of answering, Law reached up, wrapped his free arm around Luffy’s neck, and dragged him into a kiss. As he had expected, Luffy’s restraint didn’t last. In a matter of seconds he was kissing him back harshly, tongue shoving into his mouth and teeth biting at his bottom lip. Law moaned into the kiss, the change of pace leaving him breathless and his mind spinning.
Luffy’s mouth left his to kiss his jaw then down his neck, nipping here and there, no doubt renewing the marks he’d already left there last night. Law muttered a protest that went, as usual, unheeded. He told himself everybody was used to seeing those marks on his neck, that nobody minded anymore, but he still minded a little. Never quite enough to put his foot down and tell Luffy to stop, though. If he were completely honest with himself, he didn’t really hate it – it went with Luffy’s temper, with his urge and need to possess, with the pride he exuded everytime he told someone new that Traffy’s my husband .
If someone had ever told Law he would enjoy being possessed, he’d have dismembered them. If someone had ever told Law he’d enjoy being possessed by Luffy of all people, he’d have laughed in their face.
But here he was, with Luffy's lips on his neck and his heart pounding with reluctant exhilaration.
“I really hope you’re smiling because you’re thinking of me,” Luffy said, cutting through Law’s thoughts with a bite on his collar bone.
Law winced and instinctively tangled his fingers in Luffy’s hair, He tugged at the dark strands to make him look up. “Playing the jealous lover doesn’t fit you, boy ,” he said, smirking.
Luffy laughed, utterly ruining the moment. His eyes and his smile softened. “Why would I be jealous when I know you’ve always been true to me?”
Law groaned and looked away, face hot. “Why are you such a sap?”
“Because I love you.” Luffy grabbed his left hand and pressed it down on the mattress beside his head, lacing their fingers together. “And because you love me.”
He did, and curse Luffy for being so sweet and having no problem saying such things out loud. Law had never been good at talking about his feelings, and thankfully, Luffy had never required him to. There seemed to have never had any doubt in Luffy’s mind that Law loved him. He’d been sure of it long before Law himself realised it. Whether it had been youthful arrogance or wishful thinking at that time, there was no way to tell.
“Of course I do, knucklehead,” Law grumbled. He patted Luffy’s stubbly cheek with his free hand. “I wouldn’t have endured your presence for this long otherwise.”
Luffy grinned winsomely, his face brightening. For a moment, he looked like the boy of nineteen Law had begrudgingly fallen for - all puppy eagerness and unbridled strength and boundless kindness. There were still hints of that boy underneath the weathered skin, stubbles, and smile lines. Luffy had matured like fine wine, his features broadening, his form filling out. He’d gone from a gangly young man to this sturdy adult, all strong muscles, wide shoulders, and powerful limbs.
“I like when your eyes soften like that,” Luffy said.
“They don’t.”
“They do! You know you can’t fool me anymore with that gruff attitude, right?”
Law pulled a face. He let his hand trail from Luffy’s cheek down his neck, past the rough patch of scar tissue over his chest, until it reached the waistband of his pants.
“I can’t fool you, but I can distract you long enough to make you forget what we were talking about.” His hand slid inside Luffy’s pants, brushing over coarse hairs until his fingers wrapped around his already erect cock. Luffy’s breath stuttered. Law grinned. “So easily diverted,” he said in a low voice. He tightened his grip slightly. “It seems the king of pirates isn’t much different from the boy who panted after me.”
While this was true, Luffy at nineteen would probably have come already in his underwear. Back then, a few jerks and a clever twist of the wrist had been enough to bring him to completion. And if other young men were embarrassed, Luffy had only laughed, breathless and flushed and pleased, and powered through exhaustion with commendable stamina.
And even if Luffy lasted much longer now, there was no denying that Law still had an effect on him. He saw it even this morning – how a smirk from him brought Luffy to attention, changed the cadence of his breathing. Luffy had met so many people since he’d become the king of pirates, including hordes of beautiful men and women who would have given a limb for a fraction of his attention. It would have been easy for him to let his eyes or hands wander, for his heart to be captured by someone younger or more powerful than Law. Yet despite all that, his attention had always been on Law, never wavering.
This was the kind of power that was heady. Law wasn’t above those flirtatious youngsters, really. He too relished Luffy’s attention. He too enjoyed being noticed. There was something intoxicating about being at Luffy’s side, basking in his presence. Law still felt that, felt that thrum of exhilaration every time those brown eyes alighted on him in a crowd, every time that broad smile was directed at him. Even as Luffy dealt with other people, charming them effortlessly, bending them subtly enough to his will that they believed the thought of joining forces with him came from their own minds?, Law knew it was to him the pirate king would return at night. For it was always his approval that Luffy sought, his nod after a good move he required.
“I’ll always pant after you,” Luffy assured breathlessly. The adoration in his voice was enough to make Law’s toes curl. “I’ve never met anyone as beautiful as you.”
Law had to make an effort to keep his uncaring mask in place. He moved his hand slowly up and down Luffy’s cock, feeling it twitch in his grasp. “You’re not half-bad yourself.”
“I’m not kidding, Traffy. You're so gorgeous.” Luffy licked his lips, evidently fighting to keep control of himself. His hips bucked but he refused to give in so easily. Sweat beaded on his skin and a lock of dark hair stuck to his forehead. He lowered his voice to the sultry murmur that never failed to caress Law’s nerves raw. “You’ve always had such a nice ass. Always wearing those tight pants. Remember in Dressrosa when I had to carry you over my shoulder?” He hissed as Law twisted his wrist but kept on talking: “Well, having it so close to my face kept me going.”
“You pervert–”
Luffy grinned, glad to have elicited a reaction. “It’s not only that, really. I’ve always liked your cool tattoos and your handsome face.” He chuckled. “And how strong you are. And how smart.” His smug grin widened until all of his teeth showed. “So damn smart, coming up with the best plans that I never followed. So brave too, following me even when you thought we couldn’t win the fight. So stoic, until I got my hands on you. You haven’t changed much in that regard, Traffy; you’re always much more honest and open when I have you beneath me in bed.”
He shouldn’t be able to say those things. He shouldn’t be allowed to say whatever went through his airy brain out loud. He shouldn’t, yet he did, because he’d learned long ago exactly what to say to get Law to react. He knew Law was weak against candour. After all, hadn’t he first gotten into Law’s bed by saying he wanted to? After weeks and weeks of what amounted to a very unusual courtship, he’d simply said he wanted to sleep with Law.
Luffy knew he had won whatever contest they’d been having. He combed his fringe off his forehead in that damn sexy way and Law’s whole body tensed in arousal at the simple gesture. He leaned in slowly until he could kiss Law’s collar bone. The brush of his lips against his sensitive skin made Law’s back arch. The kisses trickled down his chest, over the paling lines of his tattoo there, over his sternum, then down the length of his belly. Luffy’s hands on his hips kept him from moving, kept him pinned down to the mattress while his mouth tortured him.
It wasn’t fair how Luffy was using his own tricks against him.
“Stop toying with me!” Law barked when Luffy’s mouth bypassed his crotch to steer towards his thigh instead. “You know I hate when you do this!”
Luffy glanced up at him from beneath lowered lashes, eyes hot and mocking. His teeth nipped the sensitive skin of Law’s thigh, sending a jolt down his leg. “Hmm? I thought you liked it when I took my time. Did you change your mind?” Another gentle bite, this time near his knee. His lips twitched as he tried to keep his amused smile in check. “You need to tell me if you change your mind, Traffy.”
How infuriating. Pride kept Law from telling him to go to hell. Instead, he reached out and grasped a fistful of Luffy’s hair, fingers tangling in sweat-slicked strands. “Luffy–”
Uncaring of the tug on his scalp, Luffy didn’t move. “Tell me what you want, Traffy.”
“Luffy–”
“Tell me.”
Law groaned and threw his head back against the pillow in frustration. Luffy returned to his kisses, his lips leaving burning trails over his hot skin. Law’s thoughts spiralled. His nerves sang and his muscles twitched. His toes curled into the bedsheets. His free hand grasped the headboard, fingernails dragging against the wood as his pleasure crested in unsatisfactory increments. Luffy kept teasing him, his mouth never going to the place where Law wanted it the most.
Who would have thought Luffy could be patient enough to tease him, to drag this out? When had their coupling turned from a quick fuck in an alleyway to those long, drawn out sessions that left both of them satiated and breathless?
Law had no answer. His brain refused to work. Fireworks exploded behind his closed eyelids. Luffy once more asked what he wanted. His voice deep and low, almost a croon, wrapped itself around Law’s hindbrain and made his blood sing.
“Okay, okay, fine,” Law hissed. To his ears, he sounded needy and choked, but pleasure kept him from being embarrassed by it. He tugged once more on Luffy’s hair. “Fuck me. Is that what you want to hear?”
“I want to hear what you want.”
How had anyone ever believed that Luffy was a bumbling idiot? How had anyone ever been fooled by his carefree attitude and brainless charade? Because Luffy was not any of those. He was cunning and calculating, smart enough to hide behind an act as he nudged everyone in the direction he wished them to go.
It worked with everyone, even with Law.
He groaned. “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t want it.”
Luffy laughed. He straightened and wiped his swollen, moist lips. Strands of his hair stood on end and a few locks stuck to his cheekbones. The lazy grin he bestowed upon him did unmentionable things to Law’s insides.
Bright morning sunlight fell through the porthole, bathing him in gold, highlighting the cocky tilt of his chin and the curve of his tight muscles. His hair, the colour of black ink, shone with blue highlights. His brown eyes looked hazel, the pupils blown wide with desire.
“If that’s what you want,” he said. His tone suggested that of a benevolent king offering alms, not that of a king who’d had to torture someone to get them to talk.
“Are you all talk or are you going to do something?” Law bit back, glaring. His face burned and he was pretty sure the tips of his ears had turned red.
“You’re so cute when you get huffy,” Luffy said, leaning in until their noses almost touched. He rearranged himself between Law’s spread legs. “I’m not going to hurt you, am I?”
“No.”
“You’d tell me, right?” And there it was, the puppy behind the king, the boy behind the man, the husband behind the lover.
Love bore you, made you feel like flying. But sometimes it felt like a hole too, a bottomless pit that seemed to go on forever. Law fell and fell again, weightless, unable to break his fall and not wanting to. The gentle words, the reassurance, the question are you all right kept him in that endless plummet. Luffy cared and loved him - reminded him of it daily - and the cynic in Law never had enough of a grip to doubt.
Law grabbed Luffy’s jaw, forcing their gazes to meet. “You know I would.”
For half a moment, everything around Law disappeared. Every fiber of his body and every one of his senses strained towards the other man. His whole world became Luffy. It was as if time stopped, moving only for the two of them.
“I love you,” Luffy whispered.
With practiced ease, he pushed into Law, stealing the breath from his lungs and sending his thoughts spiraling. There was only the slightest hint of discomfort, but enough oil remained from last night’s coupling to ease the way. Law wrapped an arm around Luffy’s neck, pulling him close until their chests were flush. Their heartbeat synchronized for a moment, their breathing falling into step. Luffy’s hands around his waist gripped harder, fingers digging into his skin.
“You’re supposed to move,” Law said after a few seconds, panting. He nudged the other man with his knee.
“It feels good like that, though.”
“Luffy–”
Luffy offered him a crooked grin. He pulled back very slowly, his cock dragging at Law’s insides in a way that made him gasp. “Yes? What is it, Law ?”
“You idiot–”
“ Your idiot, right?”
Tears stung the corners of Law’s eyes as Luffy pushed into him again with that uncharacteristic slowness. He was dragging this out, torturing Law again, forcing him to put into words all those thoughts cascading around in his head, forcing him to endure.
“Yeah, my idiot,” he mumbled, the words slipping from his mouth unbidden.
Satisfied that he’d lowered the last of Law’s defences, Luffy braced his hands properly on the mattress and fucked into him. His shove hit directly upon that spot inside Law that made lights burst into his brain and his nerves erupt with elation. His back bowed off the bed at another thrust and the world dissolved in mind-numbing pleasure.
Luffy kissed him, open-mouthed hungry kisses that stole what was left of air in Law’s lungs. He kissed back out of reflex, his body knowing the routine, yearning for it all.
They came at the same time not long after. Law hugged Luffy to him, panting harshly into his neck, trying to get a grip into reality. Every inch of his skin seemed to be on fire. He clung to the other man, dragging his fingernails down his back as the rush of climax slowly faded.
Then Luffy collapsed beside him with a laugh, panting hard. They lay side by side as the sweat on their skin cooled. Gradually, the layers of reality reasserted themselves; first the bright light of the sun, then the lines in the wood of the ceiling, then the softness of the silk bed sheets, then the low sounds of the rushing ocean.
“Traffy,” Luffy said after a moment.
“You’re hungry. I know.”
“Fetch my breakfast?”
“No.”
“Pretty please?”
Law rolled his eyes. He propped himself up on one elbow to look down at Luffy. “Maybe I’m hungry too, ever think of that?”
Luffy grinned winsomely. The flush was receding from his cheeks but the warmth in his eyes remained. “We could eat breakfast in bed.”
“No. You wanted to be king of the pirates, so act like it. We’ve already tarried long enough.”
“Isn’t the king entitled to spoils?” Luffy asked with a pout, pinching Law’s hip.
Law batted his hand away. “No, no. Come on. You have to have breakfast with your nakama. I have stuff to do too.”
Luffy heaved a martyred sigh. “Okay, okay!” Just as Law was getting up from the bed, he said simply: “Love you.”
Law closed his eyes, allowed himself to smile sincerely. “Love you too.”