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That rainy day was supposed to be a ‘Closed’ day, a rest day for his rut.
Law owned suppressants, and they usually worked, but it just so happened that he’d caught a cold the day before, so now the suppressants didn't seem to do anything besides make him nauseous, and he felt so out of sorts that he could barely drag himself out of bed to get some cold medicine.
It didn't help that both the cold and his rut, which was early this month, had conveniently come during one of his worse periods of chronic depression, something that he’d had his whole life. He’d never found meds that worked—not with his suppressants, that was—and had long learned to live with it.
He used to be in a much worse place, a dark and bleak pit he’d thought he’d never be able to climb out of, much less survive, but now….
Now he was mostly okay.
Even when the waves of depression rolled in, he was mostly okay. He somehow managed to drag himself out of bed and open shop, and then he’d eat and go to bed early to sleep it off.
It never worked, sleeping it off, not when it came to those periods of dark waves dragging him down beneath the sea, drowning him, but sleep was a reprieve, always.
And he always managed to resurface after days, weeks, clutching onto the small things in life he enjoyed like a lifeline—the smell of paper and leather in his bookstore, the refreshing sensation of cold water on his face after a steaming hot shower, the contentment of taking a catnap with a satisfied stomach. Those were the things that mattered most, that brought small joys in his life, though sometimes, when he was drowning and struggling to breathe, he couldn't quite remember what he was clutching so tightly to, why he was clutching so tightly just to resurface and repeat the cycle again.
He always remembered in the end, though.
It was the small bits of content peace in life that made it worth living.
However, having a cold and a rut while he was drowning under those waves…? That was a little much, wasn't it?
Well, thankfully, he was too wiped out and lightheaded and sore to really feel much of anything at the moment, though it took every ounce of his willpower as well as his roiling stomach to drag himself out of bed to actually get some cold medicine.
That was when he first saw the catboy standing outside his bookstore door under the eaves, taking shelter from the rain. An orange and white long-haired cat, from what Law could tell by the sopping wet cat ears and tail—Law himself was also a cat, a snow leopard.
He’d ignored the black-haired catboy and dragged himself back to bed, thinking that the rain would let up or that the boy would leave soon enough even if the downpour continued.
However, the next time he woke up to get a glass of water, not feeling any better and sporting a parched throat, the catboy was still there, only now he was sitting outside the door, huddled with his knees drawn up.
Law hesitated—he was in no shape to be entertaining company, after all.
But the boy would definitely catch a cold out there like that if he hadn't already, so Law unlocked the door to his bookstore and cracked it open.
“Can’t get home?” asked Law.
The boy turned to face him in surprise, revealing big brown eyes and a thin scar under one. “Oh, um. I’m fine. Zoro said he’d come get me.”
“Well, you’re welcome to come in until your friend gets here.” Law eyed the boy’s sopping wet clothes. “You can use the shower, too, if you’d like. I can give you dry clothes.”
The boy’s eyes lit up. “Really? I don't usually like showering, but some hot water sounds gre—”
Law raised a hand to stop the boy. “But I have to warn you that I’m sick and I’m on my rut. My nose is stuffy and it’s raining, so I can't tell what type you are, but it’s dangerous for you to come in if you're an omega.”
“It’s fine!” the boy immediately exclaimed, and his cat ears perked in excitement. “Don't worry, I won't bother you!”
Law assumed the boy wasn't an omega judging by the immediate response, so he opened the door wider to let the boy in before locking it tight behind him.
Luffy, the boy’s name was.
He led Luffy through the bookstore and upstairs where he lived, briefly gesturing Luffy to the spare bedroom and telling him to make himself at home before collapsing in his own bedroom and passing out.
Law had no clue how much time passed, though it felt like days. All he knew was that he drifted in and out, tossing and turning in his sleep as memories flashed beneath his eyelids and a chilling heat suffused his body.
Little did he know that only a little less than a day had passed, and that his guest was still there.
Luffy peeked down at Law’s sleeping face, hesitant to wake him up.
Zoro was still lost, as usual, so Luffy was going to wait until Law woke up to ask if he could stay the night, except Law never woke up and the fridge was empty and Luffy was starving.
Thus, he’d gone out to eat some burgers—the rain had let up—and bought some soup, crackers, and sports drinks for Law whenever he did wake up.
However, night turned into morning, morning turned into afternoon, and afternoon turned into night once more, and not a single peep emerged from Law’s bedroom.
Which led to now.
Luffy set the soup he’d heated up along with some crackers and a sports drink on the nightstand as he stood beside Law’s bed, hovering over Law.
He didn't want to interrupt Law’s rest, but…. Surely it wasn't good to go so long without food or drink. Right?
Luffy fidgeted, unsure what to do, so instead, his eyes roamed around Law’s room. It was a minimalistic room, with a simple bookshelf and a tidy desk against bare walls. A black curtain covered the window, the type that blocked out all light, and a small delicate lamp sat on the nightstand.
That was where the minimalism ended, though.
Law’s bed was covered with fluffy pillows. Three wall shelves above his bed were filled with fluffy stuffed animals, and a few more stuffed animals could be found in his bed, some under the covers and others up against the headboard.
Luffy couldn't help but smile seeing Law buried under his duvet while snuggling against a large, fluffy pillow, his fluffy snow leopard ears twitching restlessly. It contrasted Law’s initial impression as a cool, aloof loner—Luffy wouldn't have taken him for someone who liked fluffy things so much.
And his scent…. It was a gentle, mellow scent, an immensely kind scent, almost bittersweet. It filled the room but not overwhelmingly so, most likely due to Law’s cold.
It was a heady scent all the same, though, a scent Luffy could get addicted to—he wanted to wrap himself in it and snuggle in it while drinking hot chocolate.
A movement caught Luffy’s attention from the corner of his eye, and he leaned closer, worried.
Law’s ears twitched even more, moving back and forth faster and faster until they lay flat back against his head, and his tail rustled from under his sheets.
Small tears dripped from his closed eyes. They rolled over his nose and onto the pillow, staining it, and Luffy’s chest ached.
Law needed his rest, but not this kind of rest—not the kind of rest that didn't rest him.
Luffy gently shook him awake.
“...Lu-ya?” muttered Law, disoriented. “What’s wrong?”
“I got you soup,” said Luffy. “You should at least eat and drink a little.” He reached out to thumb away the tear tracks on Law’s face before thinking about it, and Law nuzzled into the hand, also before thinking about it.
Luffy’s heart skipped a beat.
Law froze only a moment later, realizing what he was doing, and he flushed.
“Shishishi, Torao’s cute!”
Law’s cheeks only turned even redder.
He abruptly sat up, only to find that his chest and back were disgustingly sticky, shirt soaked through, and Luffy immediately raced off to the bathroom to return with a small bowl of water and a towel.
“I’ll wipe you down!” was Luffy’s proclamation before Law could so much as get a protest in.
And so Luffy did, marvelling at Law’s tattoos all the while.
Their hearts raced the longer it went on, Law sitting their half-naked as Luffy wiped it down, and their eyes lingered longer than felt normal on each other when Luffy wiped his forehead and the back of his neck.
Law cleared his throat. “Thanks. Um, for everything. Sorry to bother you.”
“You should eat some soup,” said Luffy.
“Ah, yeah, you can just leave it th—”
“You’re just gonna go back to sleep if I leave!” harrumphed Luffy. He picked up the bowl and held it up to Law. “Here, I’ll feed you. Just a little bit, okay? You’ll feel better!”
Law’s cheeks flushed again, embarrassed that his guest was having to coddle him like this, but obediently opened his mouth and swallowed when it became obvious that Luffy wasn't going anywhere until he fed Law some soup.
He had to admit, though, that he did feel better by the time he’d finished the bowl of soup. The heat from the soup suffused his body in a pleasant wave of warmth, and somehow, he was now resting his head on Luffy’s shoulder in contentment.
Luffy took it one step further and buried his nose in Law’s neck, scenting him. “You smell so good,” he told Law with a smile.
Law paused. “...But you’re an alpha or a beta, right? You shouldn't be able to smell much of my pheromones.”
“Hm?” Luffy blinked. “You didn't know? Oh, I guess your nose is stuffy, isn't it? I’m an omega.”
If Law wasn't sick, he liked to think he would’ve reacted more warily, but as it was, Luffy was comfy and soft and sweet, so he didn't move a muscle.
“My nose cleared up a bit, but all I can smell is vegetable soup,” said Law. “My pheromones aren't too strong for you?”
Luffy just grinned. “They could be much stronger and I’d be fine.”
“Is that right?” said Law with a snort. “You’re better than I am, then.”
“Shishishi, of course!” said Luffy like it was a matter of fact. He lifted the covers and lay down, then threw his limbs around Law when Law lay down as well. “Torao’s warm.”
Law snuggled in with a satisfied sigh—why was Luffy’s company so comforting? He wondered if he’d feel the ache of loneliness once Luffy left.
Well, maybe they could keep in touch…? Or maybe Luffy was just the friendly, sunny sort that warmed strangers’ hearts and then went on his merry way—Law could see that being the case.
“You’re going to catch my cold at this rate,” Law told him.
“But Torao likes cuddles, right?” said Luffy with a grin. “And fluffy things.” He emphasized his words with a brush of his bushy tail against Law’s leg.
“Shuddup,” muttered Law, and he tried his hardest to ignore the temptation of Luffy’s fluffy tail brushing up and down his leg.
He failed when Luffy began petting his tail with a knowing smile. “Shishishi, you know you want to,” teased Luffy.
Law reached for Luffy’s fluffy tail, and Luffy purred as Law ran his fingers through it. A deep rumble sounded in Law’s throat when Luffy pet Law’s head and rubbed his ears.
“Cute,” said Luffy with a cheeky smile. “Torao’s cu—”
He cut off on a startled moan.
“You like it there?” murmured Law as he pressed a kiss to the crook of Luffy’s neck, whose scent was growing stronger.
The sun and sea and freshly-mown grass, that’s what Luffy smelled like—it suited him to a tee.
“D-Don’t stop,” gasped Luffy.
Law continued to gently scratch the pressure point located at the base of Luffy’s tail along his spine, and Luffy grinded against Law, back arching and soft mewls spilling out. He moaned as Law took off his shirt and trailed kisses down his neck to his chest, and he reached behind to slide his hands in his pants. Law didn't realize what Luffy was doing until the squelching noises rose in volume, loud and clear among the quiet kisses Law peppered on Luffy's body.
A growl rumbled in Law’s chest, and Luffy shivered. His scent only grew stronger, mixing headily with Law’s.
“Hurry up, Torao,” moaned Luffy, impatiently fingering himself, as Law took off both their pants. “Hurry—”
He abruptly sank down on Law’s cock as soon as their pants were mostly off, and they both let out a loud groan. Their bodies moved in a slow, erratic rocking, but they loved it, kissing sloppily as they thrust against each other. Law went back to continuously rubbing the base of Luffy’s tail, just for the way Luffy’s hole spasmed around him and the way Luffy’s whimpers streamed out so deliciously.
“Torao, Torao, Torao—” Luffy chanted Law’s name over and over and over again until they both fell over the edge, Luffy coming again almost immediately after as Law’s knot swelled inside him.
They kissed, warm pulses of cum spilling into Luffy in waves, and Luffy giggled, happy and content.
“You were crying earlier,” said Luffy after a long moment of comfortable silence and slow kisses. “In your sleep.”
“Oh.” A shadow flickered over Law’s eyes. “It happens sometimes. I never remember what I dream about, but…. Well, I have periods where it’s…difficult for me.” He hesitated, unsure how to explain his depression—he didn't want to scare Luffy away. “I just….”
Maybe it was better to not say anything after all.
But Luffy seemed to see straight through him.
“It’s okay, Torao,” Luffy told him with an affectionate smile, an understanding smile, caressing Law’s cheek. “I might not be able to take your sadness away, but I can snuggle you and buy you soup and wipe your tears away.”
Law’s eyes watered despite himself, and Luffy kissed his eyelids.
“That would…. That would make me very happy,” whispered Law at last, voice thick. “And I’ll do the same for you.” His eyes lingered on the x-shaped scar covering Luffy’s chest. “But…are you okay with that? We’re practically strangers.”
Luffy grinned, then peppered Law’s face with kisses. “Whaddya mean? We’re not strangers anymore.”
“...What are we, then?” murmured Law, heart in his throat; the fact that his breath drew short waiting for Luffy’s response was testament to a fact that he couldn't ignore—he’d somehow fallen hard for this catboy in the blink of an eye.
Luffy, in turn, just gave him a look as if he was slow. “What kind of stupid question is that? Wait…. Are you asking ‘cause you have a mate already?”
Law choked on his spit. “Wha— What the— No!”
“Shishishi, why’re you so worked up?” asked Luffy with a carefree laugh. “Nami almost got into a relationship with someone who already had a mate, so she told me to make sure the same thing doesn't happen to me.”
Law’s heart pounded. “Is that what we are…? In a relationship?”
Luffy didn't respond, and instead abruptly bit Law’s neck—Law yelped in surprise, then hummed when he felt the warm sensation of Luffy's tongue soothing the bite mark.
“Now bite me, too.” Luffy pointed at his neck.
Law hesitated. “That's, that's a big deal. Shouldn't we wait a bit before I bite you? It’ll only be detrimental for you if you decide you don't want to stay w—”
“I will smack you if you finish that sentence,” said Luffy with a displeased pout. “I’m not going anywhere, so hurry up, unless you’re the one that’s not sure,” he harrumphed.
Law let out a fond huff, and kissed the pout off Luffy's face. “Oh, I’m sure, alright,” he murmured as he drew Luffy in close, their heartbeats quickening as Law trailed kisses down Luffy's neck, paying special attention to his fluttering pulse point.
“Torao, hurry—”
Law sank his teeth in.
Luffy purred, his tail curling around Law’s wrist. “Warm.”
“I could say the same to you,” hummed Law as he snuggled against Luffy, content. “A warm, comforting blanket. And you smell….”
Like the sun. Waves, both calm and wild. The cool breeze. Freedom, but loss as well—Law didn't ask about the large x-shaped scar on Luffy's chest.
But most of all….
“...Kind,” said Law. “Immensely so.”
Luffy's eyes widened, and then he grinned such a warm, affectionate smile that Law’s heart skipped a beat.
“Kind, and warm, like curling up in a fluffy blanket with hot chocolate,” said Luffy, dazzling Law with that smile of his. And then he pouted. “Torao copied me.”
“Oh? So I read your mind, is that it?” asked Law, amused.
“Why’re you asking me? You’re the one who did it!”
Law kissed Luffy, pressing small butterfly kisses to Luffy's skin as Luffy giggled, and then a thought occurred to him. “Wait, what happened to your friend? The one who you said was coming to pick you up?”
“Oh, Zoro’s lost,” Luffy told him. “It happens a lot.”
“Well, I hope he stays lost, then,” said Law with a teasing smile.
Luffy grinned. “I already told him to.”