Work Text:
Luffy waits until Sanji steps in front of the galley door to jump down beside him, successfully startling a still sleep-addled cook and swiftly avoids a half-hearted kick to the head.
“Morning, Sanji!”
Sanji walks into the kitchen and rolls up his sleeves. “Don’t grab ingredients off the counter and let me cook in peace. It’s too early for your usual stunts.” Luffy chorus a yes, deciding he will try to sneak some only if his hunger gets to be too much. Sensing where his true thoughts are heading, Sanji sends him a withering glare. “I’ll punt you into the ocean. Why are you up so early today?”
“Went to sleep early last night,” he grins. “I want a snack before breakfast!”
“Not a chance.” Sanji snaps, waving a knife at him before going back to the chopping board. “You will eat when everyone is present at the table, and not a moment sooner.”
“Boo Sanji.”
“Keep it up and it will be vegetable broth for you!”
“Guys, please,” the galley door opens and in walks Usopp, all heavy eye bags and jaw-cracking yawns. “It’s too early for whatever this is.”
“Oh don’t you start,” Sanji rolls his eyes. “You and Franky stayed up until two in the morning tinkering away in the workshop. If our beautiful ladies lose sleep because of that, a loud morning will be the least of your problems.”
Usopp raises his hands in surrender before letting his head drop onto the table with a soft thud, too exhausted to even pretend to be intimidated. His crew gradually filters into the room, except for Zoro, who is still snoring loudly below deck. Sanji sighs, wiping his hands on a dish towel, before stepping out of the kitchen to go drag Zoro in. On his way, he stops by the helm to hand Jinbe his breakfast and then climbs up to the crow’s nest to deliver Brook's meal.
Franky plops down beside Usopp with a tired groan, his sunglasses doing little to hide the matching bags under his eyes. Meanwhile, Chopper dozes lightly, his head nodding between Robin and Nami, both of whom are wide awake and bright-eyed. Robin enjoys her tea while Nami flips through her notes, her pen tapping rhythmically against the wood.
Zoro walks in blearily and plops down on the table, immediately asking if he can have booze with his breakfast, then gets smacked on the shoulder by Sanji as he finishes putting down all the food. Luffy wastes no time diving in.
Three plates of bacon, four plates of eggs, and two smoothies later, Luffy leans back in his chair, patting his now semi-full stomach with a satisfied grin. “That was amazing. You’re the best, Sanji.”
Sanji glances over, a pleased smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "What else would you expect from me?"
“Can’t wait till lunchtime.”
“You just finished breakfast!”
Before he can protest further, Luffy scrambles over Franky's broad shoulders, reaching for the last of Usopp's food. His hand is mid-grab when a sudden, deafening explosion echoes from just outside the door. The sound of wood scraping against the deck follows, along with a sharp curse from someone on board.
For a moment, everyone freezes. Then, quick as lightning, they all spring to action, Zoro the first one to get out the door, his body tense as his hand moves swiftly to his swords. The smooth ring of metal being drawn from its scabbard breaks the silence as Zoro points his blade toward the figure now standing on deck, his voice sharp and steady. “Who the hell are you?”
Luffy bounces past his crew, eager to see who the surprise visitor is. When he catches sight of the figure standing on deck, he comes to an abrupt halt, his eyes widening.
“Torao?”
The man turns around, and Luffy’s jaw drops.
The Law-lookalike straightens his coat with a lazy flick, casting a long-suffering sigh as if appearing out of thin air on the Thousand Sunny was just another normal day. “This is... less than ideal,” he mutters. Zoro’s grip tightens on his hilt, but he doesn’t make a move, waiting for the intruder to speak again.
Without sparing the rest of them a second glance, the stranger turns his attention to Luffy, who’s still standing there, frozen in place. “Luffy-ya,” the man says, his tone weary but not unkind. “There’s no easy way to explain this...” He pauses for a moment, as if searching for the right words, before letting out another sigh. “I’m... Law. From the future.”
The deck seems to tilt beneath them, the weight of his words slamming into the crew like a wave crashing over the bow. Robin’s eyes widen, curiosity lighting up her features as she takes a step forward, gaze flicking between Luffy and the supposed future version of Law.
“How old,” Future Law asks, turning to Robin with the same weary tone. Luffy can’t tell if he’s sleep-deprived again or if he’s on the verge of a mental breakdown, “is the Law from your time?”
Robin’s eyes are wide with intrigue, but she collects herself quickly enough to answer smoothly, “He’s twenty-seven.”
A look of resignation crosses Future Law’s face, and he rubs the bridge of his nose as if warding off a headache. “Of course,” he grumbles. “That means I’m twenty years into the past.”
His crew erupts into a mixture of gasps, shouts, and incredulous scoffs. Franky’s mechanical hand freezes mid-air, while Usopp’s shriek is loud enough to make Zoro flinch. Even Sanji’s cigarette hangs loosely from his mouth as he stares.
Luffy, though, simply blinks, taking in the man before him.
At first glance, not much seems wildly out of place. Law's tall build remains hidden beneath a long navy coat, emblazoned with the familiar Heart Pirates’ Jolly Roger. His hair, long and pulled into a half ponytail, now has streaks of gray threading through it.
The real difference lies in the deep wrinkles between his eyebrows hinting at years of frowning, and the ever-present twinkle in his golden eyes that speaks of joy regardless.
Luffy grins to himself. If this is what Law will look like in the future, he decides that he likes it.
Nami narrows her eyes. “Prove it. For all we know you could be a nasty Devil Fruit user.”
Law raises his eyebrows. “That would be tricky, considering I am a Devil Fruit user with a nasty reputation.”
“Wow, sounds like him alright.”
Luffy snickers while Robin cracks a smile, and Usopp throws up his hands. “Guys, this is not the time!”
At that point, their ship’s transponder snail rings, and Luffy flings his long arm up towards the helm to pick it up.
“Luffy, future King of the Pirates here!” he shouts into the receiver, and the responding sign makes him more aware of the sunlight dusting warmth across his skin. “Morning, Torao!”
The response comes in a low, unmistakable drawl that is instantly recognizable.
“Straw Hat-ya,” Law’s voice carries over the line, still as smooth and sure as the last time Luffy called. “I want to double-check the location and time for our rendezvous.” A beat. “You sound more excited than usual. What did you do?”
Luffy beams, glancing over at the future Law who is shaking his head minutely with narrowed eyes. “I met—”
Before he can finish, his entire crew shushes him, and Chopper even goes so far as to hop onto his shoulders, tugging at his hair in a panic. “No one. I met no one,” he finishes. Usopp slaps a hand to his forehead with a groan.
Law obviously doesn’t buy it, but somehow he decides to move on from it for now. “Alright. I won’t keep you, then. Could you pass the transponder to your navigator now?”
Luffy hands the snail to Nami, flashing his crew a sheepish smile, though he’s pleasantly surprised to see that older Law seems mildly entertained.
Nami takes the receiver, flipping open a map from her pocket. “We’ll reach the island in three days,” she says thoughtfully. “But we’ll probably only make it by nightfall. Alright, I’ve got it.” There’s a pause, then her eyes widen with surprise, and she gasps. “No way.”
Luffy perks up, making grabby hands at the snail, but Nami swats him away without missing a beat. She turns, heading toward her room as her voice rises in excitement before dropping to a low whisper. “What? No, seriously? That’s what I keep telling you!”
Usopp watches her disappear around the corner, baffled. “I’ll never understand how those two get along so well.”
“I hope it doesn’t take her too long to finish the call,” Sanji mutters worriedly before addressing Law. “How about we move this conversation to the galley? Breakfast just started anyway.”
“I could eat,” Law agrees with a nod, following behind as everyone makes their way back to the galley.
Luffy sits down at the head of the table and pats the chair next to him excitedly. “Torao, right here!”
Interestingly, Law seems to already be moving towards that seat already. He sits down, nodding his thanks as Sanji places a cup of tea in front of him. The room barely settles before Luffy’s curiosity gets the best of him. “How’s the future? What’s everyone doing in your time? Tell me everything!”
Law raises an eyebrow. “You’re not asking if you’ll become the Pirate King?”
Luffy waves it off with a grin. “That doesn’t matter. I already know I will. I just wanna hear about all the adventures we’ll go on!”
Law shakes his head, muttering, “Sounds about right.” Before Luffy can pester him, Robin speaks up, her voice calm and thoughtful. “Perhaps it would be wiser to ask how you got here, and if there is a way for you to return.”
Law shrugs casually. “It’s nothing dramatic. My crew was in the middle of welcoming a new recruit to the Tang, and the poor guy had just eaten a Devil Fruit. Shachi decided to play a prank on him and... well, his power activated in my direction.”
Chopper fidgets nervously. “Isn’t it dangerous for you to stay here for too long?”
“It won’t be,” Law drawls, “since it will require much more skill that he doesn’t actually have. I’ll be pulled back in about twenty-four hours, give or take.” he turns to ask Luffy. “I will need to crash here on your ship for today.”
Luffy pumps his fists in the air, eyes sparkling. “Yes! This is gonna be so exciting!”
“And don’t go telling anyone outside your crew about this,” Law adds firmly.
“Oh.” Luffy deflates. He had been looking forward to telling his Law when their crews meet up in three days.
Robin gently pats Luffy’s shoulder. “That is for the best. We could change the course of history without realizing it. The ripple effect could be unpredictable. And,” she gives him a knowing smile, “considering who our guest is, I imagine the current Torao would be the one most at risk in this situation, no?”
“What kinda risk?”
“He could, for instance, cease to exist.” Robin’s calm delivery sends a chill through the room, punctuated by Usopp’s terrified squawk and the heavy thud Luffy feels in his chest. His fingers curl slightly on the table.
“Come on,” Usopp laments. “You can’t just say that.”
“Or explode on the spot.”
“No!”
“Who’s exploding?” The galley door swings open, and in walks Nami, a sigh escaping her as she drops into her chair. Sanji is already by her side in an instant, crooning as he places a smoothie in front of her. “For you, mellorine. I can’t believe that emo kept you away from your breakfast for so long.”
“Look who’s talking,” Law drawls without missing a beat.
Sanji narrows his eyes but doesn’t miss a step as he strolls over to Law. “And for you, our ungrateful, yet still thoroughly spoiled guest,” he places down a plate of perfectly crafted onigiri with far less finesse. “For your delicate sensibilities.”
Law reaches out for an onigiri, and the light from the window catches on his hand, making something small glint. The entire crew’s eyes lock onto it at once, and when Luffy finally processes what it is, he chokes mid-drink, spraying water everywhere.
Because Law is wearing a wedding band. Plain, unassuming, and unmistakably gold.
A chair scrapes harshly against the floor as Nami shoots to her feet, leaning forward so quickly her hands slam onto the table. Usopp fumbles to catch a cup that’s sent rolling from the force. “You are MARRIED?! To who?!”
Luffy wants to shout the same question, but he's too busy coughing up half the water he just inhaled. Robin calmly sprouts a hand to pat his back.
Law glances at Luffy with an unreadable expression before turning back to the rest of the crew. “I can't share important details from the future, Nami-ya,” His eyes glint mischievously, like a cat watching a mouse it’s already caught. Though his lips don’t curl into a smile, almost every single person here has had a taste of his and Robin’s deadpan humor to know he’s practically grinning. “Why are you all so startled?”
Nami’s gaze flickers nervously toward Luffy, then back to Law. She points a trembling finger at him, her voice dropping into a low, dangerous tone. “Oh, I’m going to charge you so much money for this.”
Franky and Jinbe, ever the most friendly and cordial of the crew, are quick to offer their well wishes. Even though they look just as disarmed as everyone else.
“Congratulations bro!”
“A wedding! What a joyous occasion. Congratulations.”
“Damn,” Zoro whistles. “Someone actually made your sorry ass a husband?” He subtly gives Luffy a supportive nod, as if taking a jab at Law being married can soften the blow to Luffy’s midsection.
Still, the effort is much appreciated.
Law slowly turns his head toward Zoro, his face blank and calm. “You know,” he says, completely out of the blue, “in the future, your captain is taller than you.”
Luffy bursts out laughing at that, tension in his stomach for the moment unwinds itself, and Law points at him. “Exactly. That will be him every chance he gets to clown on you for being the shorter one,” he drawls, his face smug and vindictive, reminding Luffy of that time Law stole Kidd’s apple crate at the dock in Wano. “Guess all that booze has finally caught up to you. Or it will anyway.”
Zoro looks haunted by this unsolicited peek into his bleak future. Franky has to grip Luffy’s chair to stop him from falling over, his laughter shaking the entire room.
Sanji, smirking from the fridge, chimes in, “Want some milk instead, mosshead?”
Zoro, not missing a beat, throws a spoon at him. “You said you couldn’t reveal things from the future!”
“Only the important ones, Zoro-ya. Do keep up.”
---
After breakfast, everyone gradually disperses, each diving into their own activities after thoroughly exhausting every possible question about the future. Most of them get a firm "no" from Law, except for Nami. She’s given a cryptic warning not to place any bets with Usopp for the next month or two, since he will soon have an extraordinarily wild streak of luck in his favor.
Zoro, hoping for a bit of fun, tries to goad Law into a sparring match, but to no avail. It appears that the older Law isn’t so easily riled up anymore. When Luffy brings this up, the other captain simply rolls his eyes and gives Luffy’s forehead a pointed press of his thumb, saying nothing further.
Brook is currently playing a lively, bubbly tune by the railing, encouraging Chopper to skip around, while Chopper himself sprawls across the floor with a book. Law's fingers tap rhythmically in time with the music once, twice, before he turns to Luffy.
“Now why would we do that?” he asks, frowning at Luffy’s offer to give him a tour of the Thousand Sunny.
“I want to! Maybe the interior has changed in the future, and you might forget what it used to look like.”
The truth is, Nami had pulled Luffy aside earlier when he’d sulked a bit too much about being denied glimpses into the future. She suggested he give Law a tour of the Thousand Sunny, since perhaps during this nostalgic trip for Law, he might let slip some entertaining stories about their future adventures.
Also he just wants to spend some time alone with Law.
Law’s gaze flickers across Luffy’s face, the faintest hint of amusement curling at the edges of his lips before he relents, deciding to go along without complaint.
"Alright!" Luffy exclaims, enthusiasm instantly bubbling over. "First stop is where the Going Merry used to be." He pauses, then spins around. "Oh, wait. I haven't told you about our old ship, huh?"
“You did,” Law admits. “Or you will. Keep going, I already know who she is.”
Luffy's grin widens, warmth spreading across his face. “This is the Captain’s spot! I like to nap out here sometimes, but Jinbe always worries I will fall over, even though Zoro would jump in to fish me out anyways,” he declares proudly, gesturing to the area. “Do you have one, Torao? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a figurehead on your ship.”
“Aside from my sleeping quarters, I don’t have a designated spot,” Law muses. “But I tend to nap on deck against Bepo whenever we resurface,” a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Do you allow anyone to sit with you on the figurehead?”
“Don’t be silly. It’s my spot only!”
“Of course,” Law smiles that cryptic smile of his, strands of silver hair standing out under the sun, making it seem like the light is permanently stuck there on him. He looks pretty, even though he’s annoying Luffy by not giving away anything.
Luffy continues the tour, leading Law to the ship’s living quarters and pointing out different areas with anecdotes about their past exploits. They pass the library where Robin often spends her time, and Luffy eagerly shares a story about when Robin tried to find a book Luffy would love. Though it didn’t quite work out, Luffy had enjoyed digging through the shelves regardless.
They head up to the observation deck, where the endless blue of the sea stretches out in every direction. Nami is slouched in an armchair, sketching maps while sipping on a glass of juice. She gives them a casual wave, her attention barely lifting from her work.
Luffy starts to steer them toward the galley with an excited, “Let’s see what Sanji’s cooking for lunch!” only for Law to catch his arm and pull him back. “We just left the galley, Luffy-ya.”
“Oh okay.” Luffy scratches the back of his head. “This way then.”
As they round into the captain’s quarter, Law squints at the large bed positioned in the center of the room. “Huh. I forgot it used to have a headboard. And the structure really is more flimsy.”
Luffy scratches his chin. “Why does that matter? No one uses this room anyways.”
“Good point.” Law smirks at him again. “Let’s continue, shall we?”
Luffy glares at him. “You’re definitely hiding something, Torao.”
“You mean, aside from the countless details about the future I have to keep secret to make sure none of you get into more trouble?”
“No! This one’s different!” Luffy stomps his feet, and if Law hadn’t reached out to stop him, he would’ve thrown himself on the floor in a full tantrum, flailing around to get his frustration across. “This one is about me. And you keep teasing! Torao is being really mean right now.”
Law pats him on the shoulders, touch warm and distracting and not helping at all. “There there. Your life is the hardest life.”
At least this time, whatever Law’s hiding doesn’t seem to be self-destructive like back in Punk Hazard or Dressrosa. There is genuine enjoyment here, almost resembling a game. It’s obvious in the way his lips twitch, in the subtle sparkle flashing across his eyes.
As much as Luffy wants to stay annoyed, he just can’t bring himself to. Not really. Well, not much. Especially when Law’s being warm and close by his side instead of some faceless husband, and maybe Law’s being a little infuriating, but in a way that only makes his heart swell.
---
“Moss, stop growling. You’re already hard enough on the eyes.” Sanji exhales a puff of smoke that dissolves into the still evening air as he preps for tomorrow, the quiet hour rolling on as the rest of their crew has retired to bed. Zoro glances up, his sharp, unfortunately pretty eye glinting in the dim light, before he takes a long swig of ale and glares back at him.
“Aren’t you even a little suspicious that future Torao’s married to someone else?” Zoro grumbles, his tone rough with irritation.
Sanji rolls his eyes. “Please. You’re just pissy because he wouldn’t spar with you earlier.”
“Which is ridiculous. Swordsman to swordsman, and he won’t even give me a match while he’s visiting?” Zoro scoffs, his voice tinged with both offense and childish frustration, though they both know that’s only half the reason for his sulking.
It’s obvious that Luffy’s gloomy mood is throwing Zoro off his usual clear-headed logic about how the future works, despite Robin’s explaining to them all at breakfast. Sanji glances at him, considering how best to answer. He could point out that Law never outright said he’s married to someone other than Luffy, but he holds his tongue. Luffy has spent the whole day sulking, clinging to Law like a lifeline, his whine and pout barely skirting the surface of his rankled feelings. Their captain has a way of pushing things out of his mind whenever they stray too close to a dark place, an old habit that, like everyone else on the crew with their own quirks, is hard to shake.
Sanji thinks back to Wano, when Law was as beaten and broken as anyone else. He remembers seeing Law collapse in a heap after that brutal fight with Big Mom, bloody and bruised alongside Kidd. And yet, as soon as Law was barely patched up, he dragged himself from his sickbed to check on Luffy. He had stumbled into the room where Luffy lay passed out and snoring, his hands trembling as he checked his pulse, as if his own wounds didn’t matter until he confirmed Luffy was alive and breathing.
That memory sticks with Sanji, reminding him of how he’s always made sure to check on Zoro’s injuries himself. The way Law and Luffy orbit around each other—it’s too strong, too tightly woven. If something like that ever fell apart, Sanji’s sure the whole world would feel it.
The two of them lapse into a comfortable silence after that, and soon enough, a loud, undignified snore sounds around the room like a locomotive, the source of it passing out on the table. Sanji heaves an exasperated sign, completely done with himself with how he finds the whole thing endearing.
The galley door opens again, and the focus of their talk just minutes before strolls into the room, all quiet surety and lazy confidence. Law stops at the entrance, eyebrows raising slightly. “Am I interrupting something?” The question, though innocuous, carries an implication that flusters Sanji just a bit. He waves his hand, gesturing Law to sit on a nearby stool and hoping to shake off his embarrassment.
“Hungry?” Sanji asks, glancing at the clock. It’s late, and he wonders if Luffy has already gone to bed. Back on their journey to Dressrosa, Law seldom ventured into the kitchen at this hour.
“Yeah,” Law replies as he sits down. “I’ve been dragged around all day. Do you have something easy on the stomach?”
“Got it,” Sanji says, washing his hands before quickly plating some fresh fruit and brewing a pot of tea. The room is filled with the soft sounds of running water and the faint scent of spice and herbs. After drying his hands on a towel, he sets the tray on the table with a graceful flourish.
“Now that you’re here, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you,” Sanji continues, his voice taking on a more serious note like a man on a mission as he leans back against the countertop.
Law’s eyes sharpen with curiosity. “Alright,” he responds, taking a sip of tea then hums softly in appreciation. For a brief moment, his stern demeanor melts. That’s another thing Sanji has noticed today too. Future Law is slightly more vocal, allowing his reactions to slip through, whether it’s a quiet hum or a soft sigh. Not overtly loud or open like the Heart crew, but leagues more approachable than the boiling something constantly being held back under a much more severe surface.
“But I can’t guarantee that I’ll be able to tell you,” Law adds, leaning back slightly in his chair. His fingers trace the edge of the teacup, his gaze flickering from the steam rising above it to Sanji’s expectant expression.
“Of course,” Sanji stills his hands when he finds himself fidgeting with the dish rag. He doesn’t know if Law will make fun of him for this, but damn it if his traitorous romantic heart isn’t dying to know. “How did your proposal go?”
Miracles must be in abundance these days, as there is no snorting or jokes or mockery that follows. Law thoughtfully ponders for a moment, considering his response.
“Did you forget?” Sanji teases lightly, trying his best not to look too eager. Aside from Zoro, this bastard is the only other person fond of mocking him, with a dark sense of humor rivaling Robin’s. “I never expected that from you.”
Law’s exasperated look suggests he’s two seconds away from shambling Sanji overboard. “No, I was just trying to find a way to say it without giving too much away.” He exhales slowly. “Let’s just say... he proposed to me, and I accepted, as we were falling into the ocean.”
Sanji’s eyes widen in disbelief as he fumbles to catch a cigarette that slips from his mouth. “Are you serious? A proposal in the middle of a deadly situation? How—” He stops, blinking as if to clear his head, then shakes it in resignation. “Never mind. With our lifestyle, it actually fits.”
“Deadly is one way to put it,” Law deadpans, though there’s an undeniable glint of amusement in his eyes.
Sanji studies Law’s expression, something he doesn’t think he could ever get used to seeing so unguarded. “Hells, what will happen in the next twenty years?”
“It must be weird to hear me saying this, Blackleg-ya,” Law inclines his head. “But the future is bright.”
“That’s good to know,” Sanji grins, half-joking, half-serious, and maybe trying to push his luck. “Did I find the All Blue?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
He sighs, blowing out a stream of smoke. He knows Law can’t spoil the future for him. Still, the curiosity lingers—if he’ll fulfill his dream, if he’ll ever manage to spill his heart open to Zoro in any instance that isn’t his deathbed.
“Blackleg-ya,” Law’s voice pulls him back, drawling yet thoughtful. “Does it matter? If I told you that you haven’t done any of that yet, would it stop you from trying now?”
Sanji’s mind is instantly filled to the brim with the sprawling blue across the storybook from his childhood, and the cerulean of the sky and sea as backdrop to a certain swordsman always napping out on the deck. A chuckle bubbles out of him unbidden as a weight that he hadn’t even realized was there lift from his chest. “Touché. It doesn’t matter.”
“I’m sure Robin, Nami, and you already have your suspicions about who my husband is.” Law continues on as he takes a sip of tea. “At least the three of you can keep a secret, unlike this one,” he gestures at the snoring Zoro beside him, “who would tell Lu-ya in a heartbeat.”
Sanji’s eyebrows practically vanish into his hairline at the deliberate use of “Lu-ya,” which might as well be Law’s version of “dear.” It’s as close to a confirmation as he’ll get.
Stupidly, embarrassingly, the hopeless romantic in him pumps his fist into the air. From the very first meeting, it seemed like the two captains were connected by a thread, and with each passing day, that thread shrinks, inevitably drawing them closer together, at once spontaneous and destined.
He leans forward in excitement again. “Tell me more.”
“Hell no.”
Sanji grins. He’ll barricade the door if needed to pry more details out of Law. This will make for a delightful tea break tomorrow with his two beautiful ladies.
---
It's well past midnight, and Luffy tosses and turns beneath his blankets, his mind too restless for sleep. The room closes in around him despite the cool night air slipping in through the cracks of the ship’s cabin. With a frustrated huff, he sits up abruptly, the sheets tangling around his legs. Throwing off the blanket, he slips out of the room and into the hallway. Each step is as silent as he can manage, which Nami often tells him to not be that quiet at all, guided by the gentle hum of the ship and the faint scent of salt in the air.
When he steps out onto the deck, the night wraps around him like a much better blanket, silent, still, with only the occasional creak of the ship or the whisper of the ocean. Moonlight bathes the deck in soft silver, casting long shadows that sway with the gentle rocking of the ship.
And there, leaning casually against the railing, is Law. The faint glow of the moon catches in his eyes, turning them into something half-crescent, almost feline in the dim light. A small pot of tea and a cup rest beside him, steam curling lazily into the cool air.
His voice is low, almost a whisper, in deference to the quiet night. "Can't sleep?"
Luffy nods, can’t help a grin spreading across his face as Law shifts over to make space for him. Without hesitation, he bounds over and leans against the railing, enough to feel the heat of Law’s presence, but not quite touching, still too far.
He glances sideways at the older man, the moonlight making the contours of Law’s face sharp and ethereal. “Tell me a story!” he demands, despite repeated refusals from Law throughout the day.
Law snorts softly, taking a slow sip from his cup before responding, his voice tinged with dry amusement. “No.”
Luffy pouts, his eyes unconsciously following the way Law’s throat moves as he swallows the last of his tea. It makes him more aware of his parched throat, and for a brief moment, he forgets what he was about to say.
His eyes drift to Law’s hand resting loosely by the railing. A flash of gold catches his attention. Ignoring Law's questioning hum, Luffy grabs his hand and inspects the ring more closely. Smooth gold, clean and well-cared-for. He can picture the scene clearly—Law’s careful fingers wiping the ring, polishing it until it gleams almost as brightly as the gold in his eyes. The same care Law takes during an operation, the way he wraps bandages, smoothing them down over Luffy’s chest or arms.
The thought makes something bitter twist in Luffy’s gut, and a wild urge flares inside him to just rip the ring off and fling it into the ocean. The only reason he doesn’t give in to that urge is simply because he knows Law would instantly be mad, or worse, stop talking to him altogether.
Luffy scowls, letting Law’s hand go with more force than necessary, and crosses his arms tightly over his chest. “No stories about adventures, no updates about everyone or fun stuff about robots. What can you tell me?” He slides down to sit on the deck, his back pressed against the railing, legs stretched out as he fixes Law with the biggest pout he can muster. “Are we at least still sailing together in the future?” he asks, curiosity brimming inside him, along with a touch of irrational worry.
Law’s expression softens. “Yes,” he says quietly, “more than even now.”
A full breath expels from Luffy’s lungs, a heavy pressure on his shoulders that he has ignored all day loosen its hold on him.
He looks over, and his eyes catch on the peek of a scar on the collar of Law’s shirt. “Oi Torao, where does that one come from?”
He narrows his eyes. He’s pretty sure Law doesn’t have a scar like that on his chest. He’s seen Law shirtless enough times—those low-cut shirts the man wears barely hide anything—but this one seems new, almost out of place. He’s always wanted to map out every mark, every line, and now there’s one he doesn’t recognize.
Law traces the scar absently with his tattooed fingers, the movement slow and thoughtful. From the way his hand dips, Luffy figures the scar must be a clean line that roughly runs from his collarbone down toward his abdomen, hidden just out of sight.
“Failed surgery,” Law murmurs after a moment, his voice quiet, as though recalling a distant memory.
Luffy perks up at the word. “Failed?”
“Because it was interrupted,” Law explains, leaning back slightly to meet Luffy’s eyes. “Depends on how you look at it. My crew, and yours, stopped me from finishing it. It’s probably a good thing in the end since there wasn’t a need for it after all.” His voice carries a faint note of indignation, “They practically dogpiled me,” and Luffy can’t help but laugh, the sound bubbling out of him.
But his amusement fades as the implication of the words sinks in. “That sounds dangerous, Torao,” he chides, stomach now twisting. “Was it worth it? When you decided to do it?”
Law gives him a heavy look, then the edge of his eyes dips and his lips curve in a small smile. “Always, no matter what.” The words sound both well-worn and defiant, as if they have been repeated a hundred times before.
Luffy grins, reassured. “Good. Then it all works out in the end.” He then crosses his arms, still not entirely satisfied. “But this story also sucks. You don’t actually tell me anything!”
Law lets out a quiet chuckle, the sound more of a breath than anything. “You’ll live them out yourself. And it’s not that fun of a story anyways. My husband always gets upset hearing about it.”
At another mention of this faceless husband, his stomach twists uncomfortably. He has tried to tamp the negative thoughts down all day - after all, it’s so exciting to get a visit from the future.
The thing is, he and Law aren’t together like that. He wants them to be, but he gets it. They have their own crews to look after, their own adventures to chase. Their personal goals make them cross paths often enough, and when Luffy asks for him, Law never denies him.
Recently, things have even started to change in new and exciting ways. Law’s been reaching out more, like their upcoming meet-up, only two days away, was Law’s idea. It’s the first time Law’s called to arrange a rendezvous, and Luffy can see clear as day the shift between them, even if the other captain tries to act nonchalant about it.
He knows that Law gravitates towards him. Or technically, he doesn’t know how Law looks at him, but he knows he’s been looked at, he has captured Law’s attention, and that means something.
He’s pretty sure Law feels this same writhing want as him. And selfishly, he wants Law to make the first move, just like back at Punk Hazard. It only seems fitting.
But “pretty sure” isn’t the same as “certain,” and Luffy’s fine with that. In fact, he’s excited by it, seeing this as another adventure meant just for the two of them. And maybe, hopefully, after he claims the One Piece and becomes King of the Pirates, Law will stay by his side in all the ways no one else could, in all the ways they both secretly desire, yet have left unspoken.
So to be faced with a future where Law isn’t by his side, where Law has a husband of all things, throws him for a serious loop.
He pouts, making his displeasure clear. “You should leave your husband,” he grumbles. “Bet he’s no fun.”
Throughout the day, whenever he sees how Law’s face softens around the edges at the mention of his husband, he has to bite his tongue to stop himself from complaining out loud. Law still doesn’t smile much, but his face seems more accustomed to softening instead of frowning down.
Luffy doubts Law even notices it himself; how, earlier in the afternoon when Brook played a tune on deck, Law had unconsciously swayed once or twice in place, his fingers twitching as if they were used to being pulled into a dance often enough that it now feels awkward to stand still when the music plays.
To his surprise, Law bursts out laughing, full-blown and snorting. It lasts no more than a few seconds, but the sound is like the sea waves to Luffy whenever he's been on land for too long. The remnants of mirth linger in Law’s eyes, and a faint red hue dusts across his cheeks.
“You are insufferable,” Law says, voice sounding as close to endeared as he could ever get. “I'm going to hold this over your head forever.”
Luffy whines. “What does that even mean?”
Law reaches over to tug on Luffy’s ear, and he’s about to swat the hand away in irritation before Law uses his fingers to stroke gently over his earlobe, eyes soft and quiet, stealing the breath right out of his lungs.
“We should try to get some sleep,” Law says quietly. “I’ll probably leave first thing in the morning.”
As they begin to walk back toward their own bunk, Law stops in his tracks, turning suddenly to face Luffy. “Give me a hug,” he says, the request unexpected and direct.
Luffy’s body must have been struck by lightning from Nami’s Clima-Tact, as energy starts crackling across his skin, making his heart pound and stumble over itself. He nods eagerly and reaches out his hands as Law bends down slowly to wrap around him. Law then straightens up, pulling his entire body upright. Luffy rests his chin while his arms tingles where they grip onto broad shoulders, and his feet kick slightly as they dangle in midair.
His whole body vibrates with giddiness. “Why so sudden, Torao? You like picking me up?”
Law’s hum rumbles through Luffy’s chest, content and warm. “Back in my time,” he starts, voice edging into something slightly petulant, though Luffy knows any version of Law would deny that till his deathbed, “you’ve gotten taller than me. I can’t do this anymore unless I decide I don’t need my spine after all.”
It’s nice to know they’ve grown so close in the future that Law would show this much affection. That he’d ask for it, instead of stepping back to avoid indulgence. Luffy wants it to be him who knocked down those walls, who let Law be this open. He wants it so badly he is almost bloated with it.
He presses his face into the fabric in front of him, giving a sleepy nuzzle. “Carry me to bed,” he demands.
Law clicks his tongue. “Don’t push it,” he says, setting Luffy down. For a brief moment, Luffy considers climbing back up to throw a fit, but then he sees the familiar twinkle in Law’s eyes that he’s quickly grown fond of again. “You can ask your Torao,” Law adds, smirking. “I wouldn’t want to make my husband all huffy and jealous for carrying you around. He’s irrational enough for that.”
Luffy crosses his arms, huffing. “Fine.” He gets the point. If Law were carrying someone else around, he’d feel a little irritated too.
Law looks at him quietly for a moment, golden eyes sharp, before signing exasperatedly, almost fondly. “Luffy-ya, no matter what the future might seem like, it’s not like you’d let your Torao simply leave and marry someone else right now, is it?”
“Of course not!”
“Then there’s no need to be so down like you have been all day.”
Luffy meets that quietly amused gaze head-on. All the dark thoughts and indignation that have been swirling in him all day finally settle. Deep down, he knows he’s already decided. This whole ‘future’ thing can do whatever it wants. He’s not taking it as some pre-destined answer. So what if, twenty years from now, Law is married to someone else? What matters is that right now, he isn’t. And Luffy’s not about to let some distant future stop him from going after who he wants.
He refuses to let Law go.
---
When the island where the two crews would meet is almost within reach, the Polar Tang surfaces, allowing everyone to sprawl across the deck and enjoy the fresh air.
"An hour away," Law mutters to himself, his eyes narrowing toward the horizon where Bepo had pointed earlier in the break room.
“With this kind of weather, we’ll dock just after nightfall, and hit land sooner than the Straw Hats,” Bepo says as he steps onto the deck to stand beside him. He announces it loudly, drawing an excited cheer from the crew.
“Good work, Bepo,” Law nods, patting the bear mink on the shoulder.
Law had his sights set on this island for more reasons than the warm, summer-kissed winds and the festival the locals hold dear. The place lies tucked away in a forgotten corner of the sea, far enough from prying eyes, where the locals tend to mind their own business, which means both crews can let loose without a care for the Marines. The island is also a humble speck, devoid of great plunder, so other pirates won’t bother sniffing around. The final selling point is the harvest festival. Lanterns light the night like stars, and the streets overflow with food, every stall offering more than a belly can hold. The locals believe in sharing freely to bring in a richer bounty next year, and their generosity spills out with every bite.
His crew had passed by this island before during their quest for a hundred pirate hearts. Though his friends had cast longing glances toward it, Law hadn't stopped, determined to keep moving. But the festive atmosphere and the warm breeze of that day stuck with him. Now, with the Straw Hats involved, it felt like the right time to return. Besides, it suited the party spirit both crews, aside from him, seem to always carry with them.
Of course, his mind is far more focused on the captain of the other crew.
It had started all the way back in Wano. Or maybe in Dressrosa. Hell, perhaps even at Sabaody during that cursed slave auction. But Onigashima had made everything clearer. Nothing stays the same after Wano. It was during the battle when Law felt Luffy’s presence suddenly flicker and fade. The crackling electric feeling from fighting seamlessly side by side mere moments prior has faded, leaving in place a freezing terror that while lasted for only a few seconds, he’s loath to revisit again. In the aftermath, when he held Luffy’s wrist to count the steady thrum of his pulse, Law had to stop pretending. He could no longer deny that this man meant more to him than just an ally.
For a horrifying, heart-stopping moment, Law thought it was only him, thought he was the only one grappling with these feelings. But, in true Luffy fashion, the Straw Hat captain had dispelled that notion without even trying. Luffy had held Law’s hand throughout the banquet in the Flower Capital, tugging him through the crowd like it was second nature, guiding him to where the lanterns floated into the night sky. When Luffy lit one for the two of them, the warmth radiating from it settled deep in Law’s chest, lingering in his ribcage long after the festival ended, easing the sting of embarrassment from both crews’ teasing glances as the Tang submerged beneath the waves once more.
And Law, after waking up with vestiges of toothy smiles in his dreams, decided enough is enough. How could he call himself Luffy’s equal if he never took the initiative? If he never reached out and took what he wanted when it was right there, so clearly offered, even if in the silent language only they understood?
The thing about Law is that to grapple with what he wants in his mind is a daunting task, but the moment he comes to a decision, he doesn’t falter in pursuing it. His dedication to seeing it done borders on obsession, with the last decade of his life the glaring testament. Only this time, it’s not born from rage and guilt, and he isn’t grappling with it alone. He has people around who are willing to walk with him during that journey, and at the end of the road, there’s someone kind and truly worth it all, whose shoulders he wants to grasp and fingers he wants to kiss.
Of course, as he catches sight of Shachi and Penguin’s shit-eating grins, Law quickly reconsiders the merits of having such companionship.
“Oi, Cap’n,” Shachi says, a laugh barely concealed behind his words. “You’re lookin’ real intense over there. Someone on your mind?”
Penguin nudges Shachi with his elbow, joining in. “Have you picked out what to wear yet? Don’t overthink it too much. Just choose whatever.” Says the man who came to blow with Ikkaku yesterday over the last strip of purple fabric for their yukata.
“Do you want to swim the rest of the way to this island?” Law unsheathes Kikoku just enough for the blade to catch the light, and both Shachi and Penguin immediately duck behind Bepo, and he only lets it go when he catches the pleading look in Bepo’s eyes. With a huff, he slides the sword back into its scabbard, ignoring the muffled snickers from his crewmates.
He shifts his gaze back toward the horizon, inwardly turning to the nervousness that’s been quietly but steadily building within him for weeks. This time, he’s going to take the first step. He just has to figure out exactly how to do it without looking like a complete idiot.
---
When the Thousand Sunny appears on the horizon and only a few minutes away from the dock, Law braces himself for what he knows is coming. The wind whoops past his hair and in no time at all he has an armful of a warm, bubbly body pressed tight against his.
“Torao! I missed you!” Luffy shouts into his ear, and Law wants to reply with a simple me too, but what comes out is, “Straw Hat-ya, I see you're still intact after your latest fiasco.” Another country liberated, another party thrown, and once again, Luffy had made front-page news, with Morgans both singing his praise and criticizing him in equal measure. “You just can’t stay out of trouble.”
“It’s not my fault!” Luffy leans back slightly to look down at him, while still keeping him trapped in his trademark neck-crushing hug. “They started it.”
Law scoffs and presses his thumb into Luffy’s forehead, grumbling. “Keep telling yourself that. You are always the instigator in the News Coo.” he pries Luffy down as he catches the Straw Hats disembarking out of the corner of his eyes.
Luffy’s clingy, but he has never downright glared at Law before at being pried away from a hug. The change from his usual sunshine smile to this stern expression is staggering. Law frowns, bemused, as Luffy snatches his hand up to inspect his fingers carefully as if they have somehow personally offended him.
“Have you met up with anyone recently, Torao?” Luffy demands, his voice unusually serious.
Law wills away the heat crowding on his face at the unexpected intensity of the glare that follows, especially with Luffy still squeezing and scrutinizing his hand. Clearing his throat, he replies, “My crew don’t go out seeking trouble like yours. Though, I did run into Smoker-ya during a supply run—what’s wrong?” Law looks at him, bewildered, as Luffy finally stands back and frowns harder.
“Agh! Smokey! Did you have fun with him?”
“No,” Law sounds out the words carefully, confused by this line of questioning. “He attacked me on sight. It wasn’t exactly a hop over the gangplank.”
Luffy pouts up at him, but he doesn’t seem to frown quite so harshly anymore. Law sighs inwardly, recognizing that it's best to leave it alone for now. Instead, his eyes rove over Luffy’s deep red yukata, accentuated with golden seams that shimmer warmly in the torchlight at the dock, blending with the fading twilight. His hair is as black and soft as ever, and his eyes are bright, even scrunched up in a severe pout.
Cute. “Look at you,” Law huffs fondly. Can’t help it, “You clean up nice.”
Nami had insisted during a call days ago that they all wear traditional clothes to “get the full experience.” Law had said Luffy could show up in his usual getup, only for Nami to hang up on him. Bepo had been no help either. When Law suggested he just wear his regular jeans and shirt instead of his blue yukata, his friend had not even deigned him with an answer to simply go back to the map on the table, at which point Law decided he was done with meddlesome navigators.
Looking at Luffy standing there in the dim lighting by the sea, Law grudgingly accepts that they both have made a good call.
Luffy’s face does something complicated like he can’t decide on whether to keep scowling or preening, so he frowns up at Law, all while a rosy flush dusts gently across the bridge of his nose. Law doesn’t melt, but it’s a close thing.
After a moment, “Torao looks really pretty too,” Luffy replies, warmth filling to the brim in each word, and Law ducks his head slightly, feeling the heat rush to his cheeks as he stares down at the floor. Familiar laughter tinkers by his ears, and once again his hand is grasped at by a familiar palm, much more gently than before but no less firm.
Just as Law’s heart begins to settle, a low growl, like a dying animal, echoes from Luffy’s stomach. “I’m starving. Let’s go!”
“Wait a bit,” Law says, glancing back to check on their crews. Both the Heart Pirates and the Straw Hats are already mingling with each other, the ships now fully docked. Bepo, Shachi, Penguin, and even Nami catch his eye, all giving him enthusiastic thumbs-up. But what really throws him is the rest of the Straw Hats. Robin and Sanji are smiling knowingly, as if privy to some inside joke, while Zoro stands off to the side, tapping the hilt of his swords, mouthing spar with me later.
What the hell.
“Your crew is acting weird,” Law mutters, though he doesn’t bother pointing out that Luffy’s behavior is equally bizarre.
“It’s nothing, Torao,” Luffy whines, tugging on his hand again. “Can we go now?”
Law sighs, shaking his head. “Alright, alright,” he relents, deciding to push his questions to the back of his mind. Priorities.
As they stroll through the vibrant festival streets, the warm evening air buzzes with excitement. Lanterns hang overhead, their soft golden glow dancing across the cobblestone paths. Wooden stalls, draped in colorful cloth, display a tempting array of fresh fruits, savory snacks, and handmade desserts. The scent of grilled fish, sizzling skewers, and sweet coconut treats wafts through the air. Law finds himself constantly guiding Luffy away from children darting around with sticky honey-coated pastries, as the other captain only focuses on chatting animatedly about Franky’s new fishing area for Usopp, Sanji’s latest North Blue recipe—“You have to try it, Torao!”—and a recent stormy swim with Jinbe. His voice blends seamlessly with the sounds of cooking and the soft island music drifting from bamboo flutes.
In one corner, a vendor ladles out bowls of warm soup, its comforting aroma mingling with the cool evening breeze. Nearby, another vendor flips crispy pancakes filled with spiced vegetables. Coconut shells filled with juice and iced tea are passed around, and Law buys four shells. Luffy eagerly drinks them, one by one, all the while keeping his grip on Law’s hand with the other. The air is hot and almost stuffy, making Law fidget with the collar of his yukata as his heart races and his face flushes. He clings to Luffy’s hand more firmly with every step, growing bolder with each soft smile Luffy directs his way.
As they wait for the vendor to finish steaming the rice cakes, Law turns then startles slightly to find Luffy’s already staring back at him, smiling all soft and quiet. He clears his throat then holds their intertwined palms up to shake it lightly. “Any reason for this?”
Luffy’s soft smile turns into a grin, though his eyebrows furrow slightly. “I’m not taking any chances,” he declares after a moment, and at Law’s confused frown, grins. “And I want to stay close like this with Torao.”
At the heart of the festival, a bonfire crackles, and alongside the cheer of people dancing around it, the music swells into a thundering roar no different from the jumping staccato of Law’s heart.
He wants to stay close like this.
"Luffy-ya," Law calls softly. Luffy perks up at the sound of his name and turns to face him fully.
Law gazes into Luffy’s dark eyes, which shimmer like amber in the firelight. He’s suddenly flooded with vivid memories: those same eyes amidst the rubble in Dressrosa, beneath the green hues of Zou, and peering out from a rooftop in another oppressed land. All he sees are those eyes, partially obscured by flecks of snow, during their declaration of alliance.
“I—what I want to say is—” Law fumbles, words and a deep ache tangling on his tongue. He may have blacked out in the next few seconds, because when he comes to, his hands have somehow ended up cupping Luffy’s face as he croaks out, “Allies.”
Why am I like this, He laments hysterically. He wants Bepo to be here. Hells, he wants Shachi and Penguin to be here, even though after this pathetic display the rest of their surviving respect for him after having known him since childhood will bite the dust.
Luffy pats Law’s hands, then leaves them there, holding onto the warm contact. “Torao, I’m gonna do something, okay? So—”
“That is to say, this has been good, and I want to know if you would want to do it again with me, perhaps on a date—” Law rambles, his voice desperate, but before he can finish, Luffy reaches up to kiss him, chaste and devastating.
When Luffy pulls away, he leaves a lingering peck at the corner of Law’s mouth, the faint taste of candy still on his lips. Instinctively, Law leans forward to chase it, drawing a soft laugh from Luffy. His eyes light up with joy, amber glowing warmer than the festive lights scattered across the streets.
The reality of what Law just said catches up to him, and he gasps excitedly. “What were you saying? Repeat it! Say it again!”
Law instinctively wants to take a step back, but Luffy’s still holding onto his palms, halting his escape. He takes a fortifying breath and lets the jumble of words that have been stuck inside his throat for two years to untie itself, “I want to stay like this with you, too, is what I meant,” he confesses, his eyes pleading for Luffy to understand the flush burning him from the inside out, the sweat accumulating in his palms, and the uneven breath he struggles to hold.
In a blink of an eye, Luffy beams at him with pure light and joy. “Pull me up and hug me!”
“I—okay?” Law’s face burns at the sudden request, and he’s still in desperate need of more air, but he bends down and obligingly pulls Luffy up into his arms anyway.
He exhales shakily as he tightens his hold around Luffy. “Oh,” he murmurs. This is nice. Through the robes, he can feel the point of contact between their skin, the constant squeeze and un-squeeze of their hug, and doesn't even need to use Mes to see the furious thumping of their hearts when they are pressed close like this.
Luffy giggles against him. “You gotta do this lots before I grow taller than you, Torao.”
A sharp snap of indignation has Law holding Luffy even closer, his soft cheek pressing into the side of Law’s head in a way that almost buckles his knees. “Like hell. You are never growing taller than me.”
“Okay, Torao,” Luffy says as he snuggles further into Law’s arms.
Law scowls. He can practically feel Luffy’s smugness radiating off him, like he knows for a fact that he’s going to grow taller than Law one day. He is the single most obnoxious, infuriating human being to ever sail the seas.
Law refuses to let him go.
---
The festival is set to continue on until dawn, but by past midnight Law’s a bit tired, so Luffy giddily drags him back towards the Sunny. Law’s in a great mood, so he doesn’t complain at the manhandling much.
On the deck, Robin and Nami are cooling off with drinks that Sanji has diligently prepared, while Usopp fiddles with a string on Brook’s violin, preparing for the skeleton’s return to his musical duties by the bonfire.
“Oh hey!” Nami’s eyes light up as she spots them. “Taking a break too?”
Luffy leaves his side to bounce ahead towards his crew, arms flailing with excitement. “Torao is mine now. I asked him out!”
Law flexes his fingers a bit then gapes at that blatantly false proclamation. “Are you serious right now? You didn’t ask shit. It was me!” Albeit Luffy didn’t say anything so much as kissed him senseless, but the point still stands. He clams up his mouth when everyone else on deck smirks at his admission. “Not a word,” he grounds out, pulling his hat down to shield his eyes.
“You know, while being lovers is fun, and congratulations to you two of course,” Robin muses, with Nami muttering finally. “but it doesn’t guarantee that future suitors won’t come along to put a ring on him.”
Luffy widens his eyes. “You’re right!” he whips around to look at Law, who hasn’t gotten a chance to decipher what Robin meant by that. “Let’s get married, Torao!”
Law freezes, his brain short-circuiting for a moment as he stares at Luffy in disbelief. "Wait-" he sputters, utterly blindsided. “What—slow down! Are you out of your mind?!”
“That’s not a no!” Usopp shouts from where he’s lounging beside a chortling Brook. His voice carries across the deck, and Luffy snaps his fingers in agreement.
“That’s right! I’m not hearing a no,” Luffy says with a wide grin, turning back to Law with even more enthusiasm.
Law’s jaw drops, and it’s downright diabolical how hard it is for him to even utter the next words. “I… no! And what kind of suitors do you think I could possibly have?!”
Maddeningly, the whole Straw Hat crew gives him the same pitying look. Nami shakes her head and whispers gleefully with Robin, readily tapping into their inner gossiping twelve years old selves, and Sanji goes so far as to give him a pat on the shoulder as he passes by. “If you say so.”
Luffy doesn’t seem to notice the strange behaviors of his crew. Instead, he widens his stance and crosses his arms. Determination sparks bright in his dark eyes, and dread pools in Law’s guts, setting his nerves alight.
He can’t deal with this right now. He turns around to raise his hand for a Shamble, which is his first and most basic mistake, really, when will he ever learn. Luffy slingshots over at him, rubber body smashing into his back at breakneck speed, all the while screaming into his ears like the volume would actually be the deciding factor in changing his mind.
“Marry me!”
Law’s standing right by the railing, and as he stumbles under Luffy’s sudden weight, they both fall over the edge of the Thousand Sunny, tumbling down into the ocean.