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“This is foolish.” His cold words hit them harder than what they thought they would. Although they were expecting to hear them from their captain's lips. They knew that he wasn't the kind of person who enjoyed celebrations all that much, and this wasn't new. Every year, they got the same reaction, the same coldness. But they also regained the same hope that the next year, just maybe, he would accept to celebrate along with the rest of the Heart Pirates. To no use at all.

“B-But Captain.... we worked really hard and-”

“If you had time to work on this, then you will have time to make the double of chores as well.” He finished, turning around without sparing a glance at anyone. “I don't want to hear about Christmas... ever again.” He left the galley then, the sound of his heels against the metal floor as he walked through the corridor felt as if his head was being hammered in this painful silence. He didn't want to be so rude. But he couldn't help it. There were so many dates during the whole year he hated; and this colorful celebration became dead to him years ago.

“Man, I was hoping that he would like the surprise...” Shachi sighed disappointedly as he adjusted his cap.

“We even got a present for him.” Another one said, lifting a wrapped up box and sighing. “We will have to burn everything down like every year.”

“But I really want to know what goes through Captain's mind.” Bepo said, slumped on the nearest table. Penguin hummed.

“You were the first one who met Captain, Bepo. Many thing must have happened before his eyes. Terrible things...”

It wasn't the first time he needed to be left alone by his crew, not it would be the last either. Law knew that as a fact. But he also knew that loneliness would do nothing against his traumas. The day in which he remembered the massacre of his island, alone; the day he recalled how Cora-san died; hopeless. And it was Christmas when he lost the last person he came to love and trust.

“It seems that I wasn't born to be loved, huh?” He said with a breathless chuckle. He repeated that sentence to himself on these three days, every year without exception.

The latest person whose life slipped between his fingers was (Y/N)'s. He could still hear your voice on this sorrowful day.

“Tell me, Law... Do you believe in wishes?”

Those words, and the smile you wore while reciting them, had been burnt in his mind forever.

“I didn't deserve that smile, (Y/N)... Not when I was the one who killed you...”

·~Flashback~·

“You are really slow, Law-kun!” Your cheerful voice only urged him to run faster after you. Only on times like this he would forget his sadness: when you were there to help him go through it. He was happy to have found someone else to be with.

It had been about a month since he lost Cora-san; he was fourteen by that time. And he couldn't be happier because he hadn't spent his birthday alone, but with the girl who he met at the next island he managed to reach, sneaking into a pirate ship.

He was still innocent, so, unfortunately, his trust was gained easily, and his tongue ran free in hopes that you would comfort him about the tragedies of his past. Of course, you found yourself hugging the young boy the moment the smallest tear ran down his cheek, which had now become a caramel hue, rather than the pale white it was days earlier.

“I got you!” He chimed, tackling you to the ground. As the energetic girl you were, you could only squirm and gasp, trying to get away. But, soon enough, you took notice of the close proximity and blushed softly. It looked like Law realized as well, because a red hue came over his own cheeks and nose. “S-Sorry.” He mumbled, pulling away. You took this chance to flick his nose, earning a groan from him. “Hey! What was that for?!”

“You could have treated me more delicately, idiot!” You huffed, crossing your arms over your flat chest.

“Whatever...” He snorted, looking away; you giggled. “W-What?” He asked, looking insecure at the cute face you had on.

“You are such an adorable tsundere, Law!”

“I-I'm not a tsundere!”

“Yes, you are...”

“Really... will you stop embarrassing me?” He sighed, and you scratched your cheek, showing a wide grin.

“Nope!” Before he could answer anything, you instantly asked, completely changing the subject. “Hey Law, what do you want to be when you are older? I'm sure you would be a great surgeon.”

“Yeah... but now I'm looking for revenge, you know.” He muttered, looking down, and your gaze softened. “So I'm going to be a pirate!”

“A pirate? That's not cute.” You sentenced with puffed cheeks, and he shook his head. “What name do you want for the crew?”

“...Heart. Heart Pirates.” He answered hesitantly, and you blinked. “D-Don't make fun of me... You know what's behind of that na-”

“It's a great name.” His eyes widened at the genuineness of your words, and sweet smile to go with. He absolutely loved seeing that smile, and it always got him blushing slightly. “But I will go with you, and I'll be your first mate!”

“W-Wait... you're already assuming that I'll be the captain?”

“Of course! You would be a great leader.” You answered, and blushed, dangling between saying him, or not. “You know? If we were in the same ship, we would see each other every day, right?”

“Yes.” Slowly taking his hand, you brought it to your chest, and he swallowed thickly. He felt your heart beating quickly and as a powerful beat.

“And if that were to happen... I-I... Ah, forget it please...” He arched an eyebrow at your strange behavior, but decided not to question it as you let go of his hand. “We should go back home... we have some preparations to make, right?”

“Sure...” He smiled softly taking your hand again.

“It will be out first Christmas together...” He hummed, stroking the back your hand with his thumb, and you blushed heavily.

Suddenly, a roar was heard, and you flinched, instantly getting up along with Law, hands still laced

“What was that?!” He gasped, seeing a pair of shiny eyes between the bushes. The next second, a wolf came out, growling and watching your every movement. “(Y/N)... (Y/N), don't let go of my hand.” You nodded, your eyes never leaving the hungry beast's ones. “Now, let's go!”

You both started to run towards the town, hand in hand and the creature dashing after you two. Law had thought about using his newly acquired powers, but he had yet to master them; if he failed, it would be over.

However, you weren't fast enough. The beast didn't take long in reaching you, and a swipe of its claw was enough to send you both flying several meters ahead..

“Bastard...”

“Law! Run away, quickly!” You demanded, getting up and opening your arms in front of the beast. “I will distract it.”

“What? No! We have to go together, (Y/N)!” He yelled, tears forming in his eyes. Why couldn't he get up? Why were his legs trembling? And most important, why was he feeling this pressure in his chest again?

“Tell me Law... Do you believe in wishes?” You turned to him, ignoring the waylay of the beast that was now surrounding you. Your smile, however, was the brightest one he had ever seen.

“No, please... not again...” He begged, and he smacked his head against the dusty and rocky ground, forming a wound, but the pain he felt inside was more horrible even. “Please, stop!!”

“Your family, Cora-san... You have to live for them... But... would you live for me as well?”

·~Flashback end~·

“Why didn't I protect you, (Y/N)?” He mumbled in a shaky breath, recalling how the beast dragged you away after hitting you once more. He didn't know why the creature didn't eat you right there, to increase his pain, but he didn't care. Another person had died because of him. He felt miserable. Maybe after having avenged Cora-san's death he could consider the idea of dying, in the remote case he made it out alive from Doflamingo's battle.

“Captain?” He snapped his head at the sudden knock on the door, and furiously sniffled and wiped any small tears that had formed. He didn't usually cry, but he could allow himself the luxury for once.

“What do you need?” He barked, clenching the sheets. There was a long silence before they answered. Maybe they were just fearing for their lives in such short lapse?

“There is a woman here who wants to see you...”

“And why should I care about her wishes? Tell her to fuck off.” The way he said it so calmly was almost impressive, and there was another long silence. Finally realizing the cause, he sunk his head in the palm of his hand. “She's there with you, right?”

“Affirmative, sir.” He sighed and bit his cheek to keep himself from yelling anything.

“Let her in.” The door slowly opened and he turned the lights on. He didn't know why, but he felt so at ease when he was being engulfed by darkness. His blown pupil decreased in size at the sudden change of light, and he noted the blurry sight of said girl. “What do you want?” He asked sharply, but got no response. This started to annoy him. “Hey, I asked you something, brat.”

“Heart Pirates, huh? You haven't changed your mind at all it seems.” Came her quivering voice. A voice he recognized pretty well. It had become slightly lower, but there was no mistake. He didn't waste time in scanning her features, and his eyes widened. It was... totally you, he was sure.

“(Y/N)?” He asked, proud at himself for not breaking down. He wasn't a child anymore. You stuck out your tongue and rolled your eyes. But maybe you still were...

“Duh.” The next moment, a smile graced your lips, and you wiped any tears that had gathered at the corners of your eyes. “I missed you so, so much, Law...” However, his gaze lowered, and he sighed.

“Have you, really? I always thought you died hating me because I didn't do anything to save you.” He felt the bed creaking as you sat on it, carefully crawling towards his curled frame.

“I didn't die. Fortunately, a marriage of hunters saved me from that wolf, you know? It was pretty yummy...” He chuckled lowly at your soft joke, and closed his eyes when your hand found place on his cheek. “And why exactly would I ever hate you? It was me who told you to back up in the first place.”

“But I've always felt guilty.” The stroking on his cheek became a hug in no time as you felt like he needed to be comforted again. This brought you such nice memories from long ago.

“I don't want you to feel guilty anymore. I'm here...” You paused, a grin appearing on your lips as you pulled away. “Now... Do you believe in wishes?” He snorted.

“Why would I?” A giggle escaped your lips, and you didn't hesitate to pose a gentle kiss on the cheek you hadn't been stroking moments ago.

“Because I know this is what you have been craving all this time... to feel loved again. See? Wishes do become true!” He playfully rolled his eyes, and wrapped his arms around you, almost crashing your body in a desperate hug. “I've always loved you...” You said lowly, kissing his forehead as you felt him tremble slightly. He finally broke down. Just like years ago, you were his shoulder to cry on. And you couldn't feel more honored being the one who would always be next to him.

Ever since then, every year Christmas would be celebrated on the Heart Pirates' vessel, Law's hatred towards it completely gone. Maybe he really should believe in wishes. Who knows, perhaps if he wished to have you as his partner, it would become true as well, right?