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[ closed text: trafalgar law. A lot of the contents of the pamphlet and device tutorials go over Corazon's head, if he's honest. It's hard to go from dying to not-quite, to completely lose his bearings in the blink of an eye (that felt much longer). Concentration gets more difficult. Long story short, Corazon is pretty much fumbling around blindly when he happens across the name. Law's name. He'd like to say he doesn't blindly trust to hope, but he is... really, desperately hoping when he sends the message. ]
--
[ Following that personal matter, he also opts to poke around on this network. It's simply what's done. At least that's what it looks like to him. In any case, a little bit of casual investigation never hurt. So follows an open post; ]
Are you who you say you are?[ nailed it. How could this possibly be a bad idea. In a day or so he will probably realize exactly why it could be a bad idea, but still. ]
--
[ Following that personal matter, he also opts to poke around on this network. It's simply what's done. At least that's what it looks like to him. In any case, a little bit of casual investigation never hurt. So follows an open post; ]
This is already more peaceful than the last island I was on. But I don't think it was hard to beat at the time.[ Users will find that (ICly) the replies they get from this poster are relatively staggered in timing. Corazon can be absentminded on a good day, but today is especially rough. ]
Do you have any advice for a newcomer that the booklet doesn't cover? I would be interested in hearing it.
CRASHES IN HERE
Perhaps exploring wasn't quite the right word. Searching, maybe, but even that was too optimistic. Hoping was more apt because really that was all he was doing. That and trying not to expect anything. After all, if Ace was here -- Ace who has been dead for two years from Law's point in time -- then who knows who else could show up?
It was silly, it was childish, it was many things that Law would claim he was not, but nonetheless here he was. Exploring, searching, hoping that maybe, just maybe, someone would be here. Someone he knew. Someone long gone.
Foolish. The idea that it could happen was absolutely foolish. He had no reason to expect it. No reason to even dare to hope for it, yet... yet he's still out here when he has no reason to be. Still looking despite it all.
When he feels his phone buzz in his pocket he has no reason to think it could be anyone other than someone he's met here. As he takes it out and turns the device on there isn't the slightest bit of expectation. But when he sees that name, sees his name on his screen he swears that, for only the briefest of moments -- just long enough to feel, just long enough for it to be the slightest bit painful, his heart stops.
"Are you who you say you are?"
He reads the words once, twice, and then again out loud as if he couldn't believe they were there.
He blinks.
The name is still there. The words are, too.
His fingers move faster than he thought they ever could as he types back a message and for the first time allows himself to believe it could be possible.]
Yes, are you?
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I am. I hope this means we're a long way from Minion.
Are you safe? Do you need me to find you?
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He's quick to respond and with every word he types his heart crawls a bit further up his throat. He wants this to be real. More than anything he wants this to be real.]
Very far. I can explain later.
Don't worry about me, I'l come to you. Are you still by the pods?
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If he's coming, he's coming. If he's safe, he's safe. Corazon still worries, because it's preferable to thinking about almost anything else that was happening before this.
And he supposes pod is as good a word as any for what he had to lever himself out of. Corazon glances back in its direction briefly, in case he missed some sort of attached sign. There seems to be none to find. ]
Yes. I haven't gone far.
[ He wonders if he has time to find a way to clean himself up, though. ]
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[With that Law puts the phone back in his pocket and starts walking again. It's not long before his feet seem to move of their own volition -- picking up speed until he's in a full-fledged run. He runs and thinks and wonders how this could be possible, but he has to stop himself. He tramples down that hope, but it keeps bubbling to the surface again and again no matter how many times he tries. He knows he has to stop. He knows he can't hope. He can't think it's possible, not really, not yet, because how can he even be sure that it's real? He can't. Not until he sees him. Not until he hears his voice.
But what if it is real?
What will he say? What will he do? And what about Corazon? Will he be able recognize him? Law was only a child when he died and it's been 13 years since then. What will he think of him? What will he ask?
Will... will Corazon be proud of him?
There's so much he wants to tell him. So much he wants to say.
No, stop. He has to stop. He can't think of the whats, or hows, or ifs. He still can't be sure this isn't a trick.
It takes him five minutes to reach the pods. Five minutes of worrying and wondering and silently yelling at himself to stop it. Five minutes of his stomach in knots and his heart trying to escape his chest. Five minutes and he's there and before he even really reaches the pods he can see him and something painful catches in his chest and he doesn't care. He just keeps moving and marveling and stopping himself from throwing up because his stomach is doing fucking somersaults and please let this be real, but who else would have that stupid feather coat?
Law stops a few feet from him, his breathing heavy and stinging his lungs with every pull of air, but it's not from running. He swallows the growing lump in his throat, silences the noise in his head, stares and takes in every aspect of the man in front of him, and looks up (And up and up and up. He'd almost forgotten how tall he was.), and quietly breathes his name:]
Cora-san.
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It's hard to tell if Law seems terse or upset through text alone, though. He can't let himself forget that possibility. When he made it, he knew there was never going to be time to know what Law thought of his apology. Of his lies. Maybe it was selfish to tell him at all.
(Did Law accept that apology? Does he hate him?)
Corazon puts a deliberate effort into straightening his posture when he hears the footsteps approaching-- doesn't think about how they're a little too heavy, doesn't let his heart sink in his chest without a fight, without proof.
He doesn't recognize this man when he glances up, and it's disappointing to say the very least. Not the voice, the age, the healthy complexion-- maybe the wary edge to his expression, the familiar hat, the fact that he called him "Cora-san". But there are limits to how far his hope will extend. For all that he's tired, Corazon's gaze is sharply assessing. ]
You're not who I was expecting.
[ Neutral tone. Cautious. ]
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He can't deny that it stings when he doesn't recognize him, but he can't blame him either. Law's grown up. He's changed. He isn't a pale, sickly little boy anymore. There's actual color in his complexion and the white sickness that once spread across his skin is long gone. He's healthy. He's older. There isn't much in the man he is now that would resemble the boy Corazon knew.
He'd just have to prove it to him.]
Not quite, no. I'm sure you were expecting someone 13 years younger. A sickly, dying boy with white splotches all over his body who you dragged across most of the North Blue for months trying to find a cure for. The boy you hid in a treasure chest on Minion in the hope that he'd be able to escape.
It's... It's been a long time since the last time I saw you. A very, very long time. I've grown up, Cora-san. I lived.
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A very, very long time. Long enough to save himself. Long enough to grow up. And he'd believed that Law would escape, that something in the world must surely be guarding him, but there was no way to know beyond the shadow of a doubt. All he could do was try to live even a few seconds longer, pray that it would be as long as Law needed.
I lived.
That's what he latches onto eventually, between the confusion and the small, disbelieving part of himself trying to insist that this could never happen to him. Corazon swallows. Raises one shaking hand, as though to reach out and ensure he isn't dreaming. Pushes two quiet, desperate words out past the lump in his throat. ]
You lived?
[ Hope blooms back, a tentative thing. If it's not just a dream or illusion... if there's a very genuine reality before him where he can know that Law is alive- the boy who suffered so much that he couldn't carry it anymore, could only try to turn it outwards onto others to keep from feeling it--
Law could be here to say he'll hate him forever, as long as he can have this. ]
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Heat prickles behind his eyes. He forces it away. Stomps down the emotions building up inside of him because he's not done yet. There's more he has to say. More he has to do. So much more. He owes his life to this man. He owes everything to him. This is the man who gave him a chance to live, who gave him his humanity back when all he wanted to do was be a monster, when all he believed he could be was a monster. This was a man who honestly, truly cared for him, who loved him. This was the man who gave his life so that Law could be free.
This kindhearted fool. This stupid, clumsy idiot.
He's missed him so much.]
I escaped that island thanks to you and what you did for me. I was able to heal myself because of the Devil Fruit you gave me. I was able to grow up. I lived and I lived for you. It took me 13 years, Cora-san, but I finally accomplished your goal.
[Law can feel his hands trembling at his sides. He can feel the tears threatening to spill from his eyes. He doesn't let them come. Not yet. He's still not done.]
I lived and after all this time I'm finally truly free.
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You really did remember me, huh?
Sengoku and Law both would've. That's more than Corazon could have hoped to deserve. More than his brother could ever take away. If any of Law's words plant seeds of ice-cold dread, he's content to leave them for now: the rush of gratitude and relief he feels is mind-numbing. He can dredge dread up anytime. His goals can go hang. This is so much rarer.
Law may be desperately trying to hold onto a stoic face, but Corazon is well past too tired to care about keeping his own. He drops to his knees, and by the time he hits the ground, he's already lost his cigarette and let the waterworks start to open. ]
I'm so glad... I'm so glad you're alive!
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One day Law will show him his tattoos, he'll tell him about his crew and the flag they fly under, he'll tell him how he never forgot the tears he shed for him, how he never forgot his smile or his kindness. He'll share the life he's lived since he's been gone -- his accomplishments and failures, his victories and losses, his friends and enemies. He'll tell him how he survived. He'll tell him how he worked and struggled tooth and nail to make it as far as he has. He'll tell him everything and more because they were supposed to do it all together. They were supposed to travel the world.
It's all so important and yet not at all because Cora-san is here in front of him and his fist was bunched in his jacket and it was warm, alive, and real. This was real. He was real and before he realizes what's happening the man is on his knees in front of him and he's sobbing and Law stops trying to hold back.
He's on the ground with him in an instant, his vision already blurred from his tears. His hearts swells until it feels like it's about to burst, the rush of emotion is enough to take his breath away. It hits hard and fast and he cries for everything they had and everything they lost, everything that could have been and everything that could be. Law reaches out with an unsteady hand and grips Corazon's shoulder and he still finds himself taken aback by how real it is, how solid and alive it is. His breath hitches in his chest and it hurts more keenly than anything he's ever felt before because this is something he's wanted and wished for so much and so often that it had never stopped eating at him.
Law stopped believing in everything, even god, the day his family was killed, but he still finds himself thanking the forces that be for this chance. Whatever brought him to this place -- be it god, or fate, or something else entirely he doesn't care. Right now he's grateful to whatever made this possible, grateful for the opportunity to see this man once again and hear his voice. He's grateful because now he finally has a chance to say the words he never had the chance to say before:]
I'm only alive because of you. Thank you for everything, Cora-san. Thank you for giving me this life!
hugs the got dang pirate
Corazon grew familiar with that idea long before he was Corazon, long before he became a soundless man. Words fail, and he doesn't know if he can explain what this means to him now. How Law saved him before he ever had the chance to save Law. How grateful he is to be remembered, that Law doesn't hate him, that he can have a chance to tell him these things.
He loves him, stubborn brat or grown man, this world or the other, more than anything. He'd do it all again in a heartbeat.
Corazon pulls Law forward into a rough embrace, not caring if it hurts to do it. The effort is a little clumsy, like anything else he might try, but his grip is strong as iron. Not that they're not a few miles past being able to look cool as it is. ]
i'm not crying you're crying
And more than anything, he loves this man. He loves him like a father and he's missed everything about him. He's so grateful for what he did for him, for everything he sacrificed, and even though he's finally had the chance to say thank you it doesn't feel like enough. Law doesn't feel like it will ever truly be enough.
He grips that sleeve even tighter, choking back a sob.]
I've missed you so much.
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He catches onto that statement, feels something swell in his chest. He was more himself in these last few weeks than he'd gotten to be in a long time. And Law's missed that. Law's missed him, even after he'd lied, even after all his blunders.
There may still be things he's too afraid to tell him- teach a child a painful lesson about who they are, and it sticks- but he knows better than to write this off or take it for granted. Law missed him. It's something he can tuck away with reverence. The fact that he was already crying saves him a lot of trouble. ]
Thank you!!
[ One of the nicer things about the strangeness of this situation is that they've got no deadlines for when to stop. No urgent missions, no ticking clocks or shadows looming over them from miles away. Corazon is content to stay like this as long as they need. ]
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[It's a good thing Corazon's ok with staying here for a bit because words keep spilling from Law's mouth like a waterfall. Everything he wanted to tell him on the day he died, everything he wanted to say he has the chance to say now. He's so wrapped up in the past that he's having trouble focusing on the present.
Eventually they'll need to leave here so Law can look him over. Corazon's still hurt after all and he plans to personally see to it that this man wants for nothing while he recovers. Eventually, but not right now. Not yet. His chest hurts and it's hard to breathe and everything is a mess, but he still doesn't care. He still just wants to stay here like this for a little while longer.]
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I'd be glad to see you even if you did hate me.
[ But if the tone in his voice has any say in the matter, he's relieved beyond words. The fact that Law doesn't hate him, the fact that he's so blatantly clear about it... it's a greater weight off of his shoulders than he ever knew was possible. He's not entirely sure how to process it.
Just like usual. Law couldn't be more human if he tried. ]
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He chuckles -- the sound small and a little broken, taking a deep breath and smiling wryly. He'd even missed being scolded. Funny how things work.
Law can't help but wonder if what Corazon will say when he inevitably learns of his reputation. Would he still be glad when he finds out that he's known as the Surgeon of Death? Will he scold him like a child? Will he be angry? Will it matter when he tells him why?]
I'll apologize for whatever I want to and... I'll forgive whatever I want, too.
[Because being grateful isn't the same as forgiveness and that was a word he hadn't had the chance to say either. Law had never told him that he forgave him for what he'd done -- all the doctors and the pain that caused, the clumsily covered lies.
Law pulls away slightly, his hand relinquishing the iron grip on Corazon's coat. He gives the man another once-over, shaking his head with a smirk as he wipes at this face with his sleeve.]
... You look like shit, Cora-san. I should get you patched up.
1/2
Your manners didn't change at all.
[ Even so, there's a fondness there. It's the kind of complaint a person makes because they can take complaining for granted. Corazon works to straighten himself out a little, and braces his hands against his legs for the leverage. ]
About that... Law...
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When I knelt, I didn't really consider if I'd be able to stand back up...!
[ He's smiling, but the adrenaline rush is so far gone with the wind that it's vowing never to go hungry again. This is true Suffering. ]
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S I G H.
THE V FOR VICTORY WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT HELP AT ALL!!!
but...
Really, he's not too surprised. Corazon was hurt and since he was fresh from Minion Law is well aware of where those injuries stem from. This place must have done for him what it had done with his arm. Granted, it was clearly on a larger scale -- Law's arm was still healing, but Corazon had fatal injuries.
Law stands up, holding out his arm.]
Come on, I'll help you up.
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When you're just shy of ten feet tall, you get used to humans of an actual realistic human height not being able to push you around too much.
Then again. It is Law. If Law didn't think he had good odds on this, they'd be doing some alternative planning. Corazon reaches out to take hold of his arm.
Also why the hell does Law have the word DEATH on his knuckles, that's really unbecoming. ]
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And don't talk about his tattoos that way, Corazon. They are perfectly becoming thank you very much and that's not even all of them.
Once Law has a solid grip on Corazon's arm he slowly, gently, helps the man to his feet. It's a process that still takes more time than it would have if he were a normal sized human being, but he manages it just fine. He doesn't let go though -- once he's standing he wraps an arm around his waist (since that's about all he can reach) for support.]
Lean on me if you have to. Do you think you can walk?
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I should be fine.
[ Forward momentum is a lot easier than upward momentum. ]
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Should be fine and will be fine are two very different statements. He doesn't want him to reopen any wounds this place has closed for him.
He narrows his eyes, looking up at him.]
Are you sure? If you're struggling I can get us to my office with a lot less hassle.
[All he's saying is that Shambles is a super convenient mode of travel if not slightly exhausting when overused.]
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You never said you had an office!
[ Bleeding and being offended that Law held out on him. He can multitask. ]
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