elnysa | VIDEO | UN: Trafalgar

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one piece: trafalgar law

VIDEO | UN: Trafalgar

[The video feed that opens up on Law has a bit of a jarring background of metal and glowing screens, a sight many will recognize as the stasis pods aboard Thesa Station. He's taken an excursion in the midst of everyone's weird forest adventure. He's sitting now on the floor of the chamber, back up against one of the control panels to the pods. It's an especially odd place to be, because if you squint you'll notice that there's a chair within view of where he's sat, yet he's still chosen to remain on the cold metal floor.

He doesn't actually speak right away, simply staring blankly at the feed as if he'd turned it on as an afterthought. When he does speak, it's with a heavy bitterness as if he's been wronged in some way. As far as he's concerned, he has been, but he's certainly not going to speak openly about that.]

Do you ever think maybe we're all dead and this is actually hell? I've been thinking about it and I think it explains a lot about our situation.

[Anyone who's met Law before knows that his resting state is looking vaguely tired. Today is different. This isn't even the sleep deprived tiredness he'd had when he was working overtime tending to the injured months ago in the aftermath of the dragon. No, this is something different, an emotional exhaustion, manifesting as a redness around the eyes rather than just his usual dark circles.

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I suppose that is true!

[Of course he laughs before tilting his head. Because Law hasn't come out to say he wants to be cuddled but he is quite sure that's exactly what he's asked for. His face melts into a warm smile and he reaches over to actually gather Law onto his lap, wrapping his arms around him, nuzzling into the side of his head.]

You are right here. So here...I give you a memory you will recall.

[Law's first impulse is to immediately extricate himself, the way he did the last time Iskandar pulled him onto his lap. It's instinctive, rejecting the softness and vulnerability the position put him in. But no, he asked for this, that would be insane. God, why did he ask for this, he's clearly not prepared to handle it.

Law takes a few moments to just try and steady his breathing. That gives his brain enough time to uncoil the anxiety a bit and just really take in how warm it is. Maybe not quite as warm as a hug from Bepo, but it's really hard to attain the soft warmth of someone who's literally covered in fur. This is nice in a different way.

Finally, Law seems to relax and actually throws his arms around Iskandar's chest in turn, grip tight in an almost desperate sort of way. He just really needed a hug, and is only just now realizing this.]

Thanks. For a lot of things.
[As much as he means this, he's also making a concerted effort to not ruin the moment by threatening to scatter Iskandar's limbs to all corners of the Isles if her ever mentions this to anyone. He's keeping it down, but know that the urge is there.]

[He can feel the exact moment that Law relaxes, when all that tension bleeds away. There are times when people simply need to be embraced, to be held. In this moment, that time belongs to this man and Iskandar is glad he can provide him comfort.

So, he holds him close and just smiles down at him. He can't always be there for everyone that he cares about but right now he can be here for Law.

Chuckling softly, he shakes his head.]

There is no need to thank me. I do none of what I do for the gratitude. It may feel nice to get it certainly, I am a very greedy man. However, I do all things I do for you because I like you and care about you. Your heart has impressed me since we first met and if but an embrace from me can help it to remain true and good then I'm going to provide that.

[He changed his mind, this is just too much. Especially now when the vision of Rocinante is still so fresh in his mind. His grip loosens, though he doesn’t actually extricate himself at this point because he’s just too tired.]

There’s nothing true or good about it. I spent the last thirteen years becoming a criminal for the sake of getting revenge. If it hadn’t been for me, Corazon wouldn’t have died and he could’ve stopped Doflamingo. I was just cleaning up my own mistakes.
[All this said in a low, defeated tone. If Corazon had been able to pass his intelligence onto the marines properly, surely they would have been able to put a stop to him long before it became impossible. The country of Dressrosa would have been saved years of torment and subjugation.]

I don’t know how you can carry the deaths of so many people on your shoulders and not feel crushed by guilt. I’m always thinking about how things would be better if I’d died back then like I was prepared to.
[He can’t do it NOW since Corazon gave him this life but god does he really hate having it sometimes. He also distinctly feels like he’s saying far too much, but he’s been put in a certain deeply complicated mood where in the pit of his stomach he really wants to just yell but it’s held down there by just so much mental exhaustion from how long he’s held onto these concerns.]

Mm. I suppose I could have a lot of guilt since I have personally led many to their deaths. However, would that be fair to the people who have died? Would they wish that? It won't bring them back and it won't make anything better. So, I carry their wishes with me instead and look forward instead of back.

[Because that's what he feels it means to be King.]

As their King, I cannot afford to wallow in guilt and sorrow. They need me to look towards. As for you, I think you are being quite stupid right now. Obviously things wouldn't be better if you were dead.

[Leaning back, he catches his chin to make him look up at him.]

I want you to think about every single face of every single person you have saved. Either in a fight or with your medical abilities. Think of all those faces right now.

[In the pit of his stomach, Law knows Iskandar is right. As usual, just saying a whole bunch of cool shit that is absolutely true, that Law doesn’t really want to hear because he knows it, but it’s so hard to act on it. However, he’s still also a deeply stubborn person, so when his head is lifted his gaze is aimed firmly off to side, not looking at Iskandar, a firm frown on his face.

He is thinking, though, of faces. The children who’d been experimented on by Caesar. Most of his own crew, from Bepo to Jean Bart. Countless people whose name he doesn’t even remember who he’d encountered on his journey. Luffy. He tries to focus on these, not on the ones fighting to surface, the others, his family and Corazon, the ones he didn’t save.]

... What’s your point.
[He’s choosing to keep acting stupid, you see.]

[He only has one thing to say. Just one question.]

Do you want them to be dead?

[Law practically winces, as much as he knew that was the point Iskandar was making, hearing it said aloud really makes it hard to ignore. The answer is obvious. Of course that’s not what he wants. They both know that.]

You’re saying I should focus on the people I’ve saved instead of the ones I lost.
[In short, more positive, less wallowing in the past. Got it, message received. As far as Law’s concerned, actually following that advice would be nigh impossible, though. But he can’t say that, can’t say it’s easier said than done, that it’s not in his nature. He can’t and doesn’t because he knows these aren’t acceptable answers for this man. He has to try.

He falls quiet for a long moment, the sullen stubborn scowl fading into his usual, contemplative frown. Thinking about why he’s so unwilling to let go. Well, here especially, his memory is all that’s left of a lot of these people. But, actually. He’s got a relic of the past right in front of him, doesn’t he?]
I... I want to tell you about some people. If you’ll listen.

I am.

[He knows Law doesn't think he can do it but he won't hear of it if he claims that. When he doesn't, he smiles. Good. That is acceptable. He can deal with Law at least trying even if he thinks he'll fail. That thought of failure is something they can work on another day.

Because right now? Law wants to tell him about people.]

I'll listen. For as long as you want to talk.

[Law's quiet for another long moment as he gathers his thoughts, sorts out how best to say what he needs to say. Despite his earlier discomfort, now that he's used to it Iskandar's lap actually seems to be a good place for him to get his bearings.]

My parents were both doctors. My mother would always encourage me and my sister in whatever we tried to do, and my father seemed to have memorized every medical textbook we owned. When everyone in Flevance came down with Amber Lead Syndrome, they chose to stay behind and tend to people as best they could. There wasn't a cure, but that was the sort of people they were. They were dedicated to their work. My sister was just a normal little girl who wanted to play outside and would always smile and call out to me even though I was.... always gloomy, I guess.
[He's quiet for a long moment, not elaborating on why this is all past tense. There's no point getting into the Tragedy of Flevance. But it's clear from the hard look in his eyes. It's the look of someone who's weathered something horrible and wasn't the same afterwards.]

After I escaped Flevance, all I had was anger, because that was easier than being sad. I wanted to pay the world back for what it had done with the few years I had left. Corazon found me then. He refused to accept that I was doomed to die, he kept trying to find something to cure me no matter how many times he failed... And then he made sure the last thing I saw before he died was him smiling so I wouldn't be worried, so I'd remember him that way, I think...
[He trails off, just thinking of that last moment, relieving at the time as Corazon assured him they'd escape together. That he was safe and loved. That everything would be fine.

It hadn't been fine, but that was par for the course, wasn't it. He curls inwardly a bit, leaning back against Iskandar's chest.]
More people should know about them, I guess. They deserve that much.

[He could say something during all of this but instead he remains quiet to give Law the time to get this out. The man is sharing with him something so deeply personal that he doesn't want to interrupt the moment. Law deserves the chance to speak freely.]

I know about them now. That is a start.

[Strong arms wrap tight around Law as he lowers his head to nuzzle against his neck.]

You have known some truly wonderful people in your life.

[Law nods, to both things. It was his intent to share, not just because he wants them to be remembered, but also because Iskandar is important and wonderful too. Of course, he won't say that out loud, but he's thinking it. He pauses a moment, reflecting, before actually cracking a soft smile, different than his usual ones dripping in sarcasm and bitterness. A nice, genuine smile, small and fleeting as it may be.]

That's high praise coming from the King of Conquerors, I imagine. Surely you met many great people when you were alive, with that magnetic charisma of yours.
[Like Luffy, surely all manner of interesting person had ended up at his side at some point.]

Well of course I have. I'm talking to one of them right now.

[Because leave it to Iskandar to just turn that around and say something in an utterly shameless way without a care in the world.]

[GOD, EXCUSE YOU? How dare Iskandar say what he was thinking, but the opposite. The worst part is how he can say it without a hint of insincerity as if he actually believes something so ridiculous.]

You know I don't agree with that and it's not what I meant.
[He knows there's no point arguing, but he wants to make clear his stance on it. Still, it's hard to not feel at least a little flattered when he's so close like this. Maybe somehow the positive energy on this man made of magic is affecting him somehow.]

Thank you though. For listening.

Well of course you don't. I think more highly of you than you think of yourself! I know this.

[He laughs gently and gives his head a rub before tugging him close again so he can give him some proper cuddling.]

Thank you for telling me. I'm happy you felt you could trust me with this.

[Law’s quiet for a long moment, content to just soak up the warmth and comfort in the grasp while he mulls over his own thoughts. It’s not as if the information is dangerous or classified. It’s just not something he wants people to use to color the way they treat him one way or another. Iskandar clearly is dead set in his opinions already, as illogical as they may be. After a few minutes, he decides he’s indulged enough, and tries to climb back onto his feet.]

I should check on my crew before we head back down.
[He can handle that, at least. There’s no reason for there to be something terribly wrong with any of them, and he was promised they were safe. Hopefully seeing them can dislodge the rest of the anxiety in his stomach that can’t be cured by Iskandar’s big strong arms.]

I will join you. You can introduce me to them.

[It's true the crew is sleeping but that doesn't mean he can't talk to them. Iskandar hardly minds a one sided conversation. Have you seen him after all? He's social enough for an entire country.

But he does pull him back down for a quick kiss first.]

There. Now, lead the way.

Mm. They should be over this way, I already figured out the general area.
[He gestures, before heading in the direction. He'd spotted Bepo's fur out of the corner of his eye previously, and a cursory glance had revealed the familiar sight of several boiler suits. The uniform of the rest of the crew.

Of course he goes to Bepo first, pulling up the status screen on the pod before actually saying anything. He has to make sure he's physically well first, which he is.]

This is Bepo, he's our navigator and first mate. Then next to him are Shachi and Penguin. The four of us were the original members of the heart pirates. Those two grew up together. They're idiots who're always running their mouth but they're loyal. Bepo's a bit too soft-hearted to be a proper pirate but he's very determined.
[They're all fools, but they're his fools. And he doesn't say much else because he's just standing here taking in the fact that they really are here after all. It's like a weights been taken off his shoulders, truly.]

[Iskandar follows after him and smiles down at the crew that Law shows to him. All are sleeping peacefully of course but that doesn't mean he can't rest a hand on their pods to greet them.]

You all have a fine captain with this one. Though he tries to deny it, he's a good man with a good heart and I'm very fond of him. I'm glad that you have him.

[Don't mind him, Law. He's just saying hello.]

[Ugh!!! Law wants to protest the continued compliments, but there's one very specific reason why he can't argue it here.]

... They wouldn't have joined my crew if they didn't already agree with you.
[And he gives the ones gathered here another once over before he turns on his heel to head back out of the pod storage room, before he becomes even more awkward.]

You have a fair point!

[He laughs and pats their pods before following after Law, coming forward so he can wrap an arm around his shoulders while they walk.]

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VIDEO | UN: Trafalgar

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I forgot to mention how Bepo is a bear but Iskandar probably just accepts that on its face

lol I know he is. you told me!