Archive of Our Own ^beta

The sun streams in through one of the hut's windows, the hustle and bustle stay out, for they've all left them alone, they know they need it, so Luffy rests his head once more on Law's chest and emits a quiet purr, feeling the warmth of the older captain's heart spread through his body, warming him in a way only he can. Luffy feels like he can hear nothing but the pumping of that pulse mixing with his own in a slow, numbing rhythm, like a necessary lullaby at midnight, and perhaps, if Luffy weren't too focused on the inky lines across his partner's chest, he would fall asleep.

With one of his hands, he squeezes Law's yukata, the fabric shivering between his fingers, almost trembling as he does, clinging as if his life depended on it, and Law knows it. Law slides one of his large hands through the strands of Luffy's hair, a caress, warm, tender, and full of affection, and Luffy doesn't know if it's him comforting Law, or the other way around.

The noise is increasingly distant, Luffy is not able to concentrate his ears to anything but Law's slow breathing and his own, forming a silent symphony that only they can hear, and not only because they are the eventual orchestra, but because it is forbidden. It is a treasure that no one but them can possess, it is theirs.

Luffy follows the rhythm of Law's caresses on his head and doesn't move it, tries not to move even a muscle, wanting more of that swaying, always wanting more of him. But he can't help it, and his mischievous gaze drifts down to Law's free hand on his lap and he sees it, a yellow bruise circling his wrist completely, a painful bracelet, a reminder of the many times Luffy is reckless, a reminder that no matter the biology, Luffy always does what he wants. And that's usually not a bad thing, but Luffy can't help but remember the unintentional harm he does to his nakamas, who have had to be twice as strong to be able to endure such an inordinate pace of life. Luffy doesn't want anyone else to suffer, doesn't want anyone he loves to get hurt, but most of the time it's impossible to control everything.

The overwhelming feeling gradually subsides in Luffy, and only then does he realize that Law has begun to scent him. He looks up, seeking Law's eyes, those golden orbs that are always comforting to him, and a death warning to enemies. Luffy loves that ambiguity. But Law doesn't look at him. He lifts his other hand, settles one knee, and hugs Luffy's head closer against his chest, bringing it closer to the start of his collarbones, and in this way, the harmony is lost for fraction of seconds, seconds in which Luffy unconsciously let the scent of his fear dissipate, slowly returns to the room.

The scent of rain after a forest fire floods Luffy's nose, this seems to alert his whole body, and he responds, hugging tighter, settling into his alpha's lap.

Monkey D. Luffy is the man who will become the king of pirates and Law knows it. Each and every one of the Straw Hats knows it, everyone on the islands he came to on the first part of the Grand Line, knows it, the former commanders of Barbablanca know it, the Revolutionary Navy and their chief of staff, know it; and the navy fears how close that possibility is to become a reality.

What they don't know is how difficult that path has been for someone whose biology marked him from the start.

Garp, since Luffy was a child, knew he would be an omega, all his intentions to turn him into a marine were to keep him safe and secure from the thousands of threats from the 4 oceans. In the world of piracy, the alphas were in control.

They can use their commanding voice and simply maintain absolute control, have their way, and do with the omegas whatever they want. They obey no one, and simply must get rid of the betas to continue their misdeeds.

In a world where male omegas are mocked and subdued, Luffy didn't stand a chance under his grandfather's eyes.

But Shanks believed in him. The redhead didn't care about the natural differences between the genders. He believed that it only takes a strong will to achieve any goal and that in such a big world, there was nothing stopping Luffy from becoming the King of pirates.

Curious thought coming from an alpha, and needless to say, the one and only pirate king were also one.

And yet, Luffy was determined. Growing up he trained as much as he could to fulfill his dream and make his brother Sabo proud.

It was a pleasant surprise to find out later that Ace was also an omega.

The brothers trained physically and mentally. They concentrated on shutting down any instincts in their bodies that were unwelcome, and on hiding their nature so that they would not be targeted for group attacks in the future. All of this worked, all of this worked, Luffy managed to appease his body's reactions to the alpha's scents. And when he finally left his home island, he only depended on his strength to go on and fulfill his dream and his promise to Shanks.

Meeting Zoro was a big step, the only alpha in the crew, and one who is completely loyal to Luffy. For Zoro gender differences don't matter either, what matters to him is the strength and tenacity of people, and in his consideration, Luffy is the perfect candidate for the title of the pirate king because of his determination and willpower. Zoro was a great relief in Luffy's journey for a long time, someone who would take care of him as if he were an older brother, someone capable of giving everything for him without any kind of conditioning. Someone capable of calming him with a couple of hugs during the nights when Luffy could not beat his instincts.

So during battles, Luffy got used to not responding to any kind of scent, mostly they made him nauseous, and he didn't respond to orders either. Like Sanji and the ex-shichibukai Crocodile, they were easily confused, always seen as threats, and not as vulnerable opponents.

Or at least in most cases.

In Sabaody Luffy met the one scent he could not avoid. His body trembled as soon as he felt the gaze of that alpha sitting in the auction house on him, he tried to avoid sniffing more, but that delicious perfume sent shivers down his spine, a sensation he was unwittingly enjoying until he let his own escape.

Trafalgar Law was different, Luffy couldn't help but be attracted to his delicious scent, and his impressive physique. He was the most imposing alpha Luffy had ever seen, his inner omega wanted to touch him, wanted him to talk to him, wanted to submit. And Luffy's internal struggle, added to the rage that ran through his body at what had happened to his mermaid friend, was enough for him to strike that insolent celestial dragon. Causing a disaster on that island, drawing the attention of Law, who apparently was interested in him, and causing him to be separated from his nakamas for a long time.

Even when the pirate empress, another alpha, tried to declare him and approach Luffy, he could only think of Law. All the time he was alone training on that island, in order to become stronger to protect his nakamas, the only thought that kept him from remembering his beloved brother, was Law, waiting for him somewhere on the Grand Line.

Law caresses his cheek with one hand, Luffy sighs at the warm scent, lulled by the warm sensations in his body and thoughts that are now blank, only focused on being hugged to his partner.

The older captain pulls him close and kisses him gently, presses his lips to his and Luffy lets himself, feeling Law's reassurance transmit to his body, showing him that it's okay they both are and will be in the face of the battle ahead.

Luffy isn't afraid of losing Law, he knows they'll make it one way or another, they've promised him.

Law slides his mouth to his neck and caresses it with his teeth, he bites sweetly on that mark that gives Luffy confidence, since the moment he got it he felt relieved. And the youngest smiles happily to have been Law the chosen one, his ally, his protector. There is no other person in the four Blues that Luffy wants to be with, there is no one who can transmit him these feelings, there is no one else who loves him as much as Law does.

Because Luffy can be who he is with Law, he doesn't have to hide what he feels or what he wants when they are together, Luffy has found his mate, and he wants to stay with him for a long time. Because he knows that Law will take care of him, that Law just like him has suffered, and he just wants to look forward, to walk a path to the future holding hands. A mutual feeling between two captains not very different from each other, that will only grow more and more with time.