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Law woke up in a familiar infirmary.
It had been months since he last set foot in the Thousand Sunny, but he remembered the ship well, especially this room. He had spent a lot of time here on the journey from Punk Hazard to Dressrosa, looking through Tony Tony Chopper’s medical journals and discussing theories with the little doctor.
It felt like a lifetime ago.
Bepo was asleep in a corner of the room, arms crossed and a frown on his face. Law watched him sleep in silence. Bepo, his oldest and best friend. Bepo, who had been with him through countless dangers. Bepo, who had saved his life.
Bepo, who had defied his orders and had taken him away from his fallen crew.
Law closed his eyes. Had it been the right call? Law wasn’t sure, but he couldn’t blame Bepo for making it.
He slowly got on his feet. His body protested at the movement, still bruised and broken from the battle, but he could stand. He could walk.
He made his way to the window, seeing nothing but ocean. It made him nauseous to look at, knowing it had swallowed up his ship and his crew members. His home. His family . Were they alive, he wondered. They were good swimmers, so chances were that they had made it to shore. Where Blackbeard was undoubtedly waiting for them.
Would he keep them alive, knowing Law would try to rescue them? Would he consider it worth the effort? Law didn’t know. All he knew was that he would go back for them.
But he had no chance alone.
He heard Bepo wake up as he exited the infirmary, but he didn’t stop. He followed the familiar path up to the deck, looking around for the Captain.
Straw Hat found him first.
“Torao! You’re awake!”
Law turned around at the shout, seeing Straw Hat happily bouncing towards him, as he usually did. Smiling like nothing was wrong.
“Straw Hat,” Law said. “Make another alliance with me.”
Straw Hat stopped in front of him and gave him a blank look. “No,” he said, and Law felt something shatter. “What are you talking about, Torao?”
“You’re right. I’m in no position to offer that,” Law said, forcing a smile. “I have no ship, no crew.” He gave a hollow chuckle. “I don’t even have a plan. ”
Luffy was still looking blankly at him, and Law grabbed the collar of Luffy’s shirt. “I’m already indebted to you for helping me and Bepo, but-” Law grit his teeth and sank down on his knees. “I don’t even know if my crew is alive. I failed them. I was supposed to protect them and I failed. ” Law closed his eyes, ignoring the wetness running down his cheeks. “Please, Straw Hat. I can’t lose them.”
He looked up at Straw Hat. Law was crying in front of a rival captain. Begging in front of a rival captain. He didn’t care anymore.
“Luffy, please. Help me.”
Straw Hat smiled. He knelt down in front of Law and put a hand on his shoulder.
“Of course we’ll help you, Torao,” he said. “We’re friends, aren’t we?”
Law looked up at him in surprise. “But- you said no.”
Straw Hat frowned. “I don’t see why we need another alliance. We’re already friends,” he said, as if it was that easy. “If your crew is alive, we’ll find them. We’re with you.”
Luffy smiled at him again, and Law broke.
The despair over his failure, his worry over his crew’s situation, his desperation to make it right, and the utter relief that he wouldn’t have to do it alone. It all came crashing down at once. Law cried like he hadn’t cried since Cora’s death.
He felt Straw Hat pull him in for a hug, wrapping his arms around him, and then Bepo’s furry arms joining him a moment later, engulfing them both. The tears wouldn’t stop.
Law had lost his first family in Flevance, and mourned alone.
He had lost his second family on Minion Island, and mourned alone.
And now, he had lost his third family at Winner Island, but this time, he wasn’t alone. This time, maybe it wasn’t too late.
Law held on to his friends, and vowed to not give up.