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[hasklutz]

[ 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. ]

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.

Do you have any advice for a newcomer that the booklet doesn't cover? I would be interested in hearing it.

[ 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. ]

Comments

[getaroom]

And I never... I never hated you for what you were. I knew you were a marine after that first phone call. You didn't have to tell me. I already knew, so I'm sorry... I'm so sorry for making you wonder if I hated you. I didn't... I could never... I didn't care that you never told me. I didn't care that you lied.

[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.]

[hasklutz]

Don't apologize for things that aren't your fault! [ It's the first thing that Corazon can think to push through a wall of stunned disbelief-- Law always was a stupid kid about things like that. Corazon wouldn't have had to wonder if he hadn't lied in the first place. That's the nature of the situation he created for himself. ]

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. ]

[getaroom]

[Perhaps it was a situation of his own doing, but it was still something Law wanted him to know. He never wanted this man to wonder if he hated him not when it was something that could have been so easily remedied on either side.

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

[hasklutz]

[ Law earns himself a scoff. Or at least a half-scoff, half-cough that would be a full scoff on a good day. Maybe Law is just immune to any effort he makes to lie about something or to hide it. He thought the coat seemed like a good plan. ]

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...

[hasklutz]

[ can. can a 'V' for victory help out here or- ]

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. ]

[getaroom]

[...

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.

[hasklutz]

[ He's moderately dubious about this prospect, and it probably shows a little. Considering his plan was probably something like "okay, let me sit here for another three minutes and I'll just try to make my body stand up before it notices what's happening," though, it's not like there are better ideas sitting around.

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. ]

[getaroom]

[Don't worry, Cora. Law's got this under control. Helping him get to his feet is definitely something he can handle. After all, he needed to be strong enough to fight Doflamingo (which he did, thank you), so while Law understands the uncertainty he knows he's strong enough to do this much. Hell, if he wasn't so damn tall he could probably carry him if he had to.

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?

[hasklutz]

[ It's a bit of a process, but it is an impressive one. Corazon rests the hand of whichever arm Law is under on Law's shoulder. His expression's gone a little pinched around the edges, but he's definitely giving the question serious assessment. ]

I should be fine.

[ Forward momentum is a lot easier than upward momentum. ]

[getaroom]

[Law scrutinizes every movement and he doesn't like what he sees. Corazon's more hurt than he's letting on.

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.]

[hasklutz]

[ Uhh hold the phone. ]

You never said you had an office!

[ Bleeding and being offended that Law held out on him. He can multitask. ]

[getaroom]

I haven't exactly had time to bring it up yet!

[Just. The heaviest of sighs because CORA-SAN YOU MAY NOT BE DYING, BUT YOU'RE STILL BLEEDING LIKE CAN THIS WAIT PLEASE]

I'm working as a surgeon here.

[hasklutz]

[ OF COURSE NOT, HE HAS A PERSONAL INVESTMENT. And he's deflecting. But those are mere details. ]

They must love your bedside manner. [ He gestures with his non-Lawed hand in sort of a "well if I can't walk we'll sure find out fast" manner. ]

[getaroom]

[Well it sucks for Corazon because Law's all about those details.]

I don't really care what they think of it. I do my job and I do it well.

[No more time for deflecting now, Corazon. Law starts to move forward, helping and supporting the taller man as best he can. If the movement proves too difficult then it's on to plan B.]