Claiming Waters

Chapter 11: A Cold Night

The sun was on its way down in the sky, I could admire the sunset as Luffy carried me back to my ship.

"Today was fun (reader), I wish I could be with you all the time" luffy said from behind me.

I just smiled at his words, not wanting to reply. It would be too much for me to handle if Luffy was constantly hanging around my boat.

"Were here" he said, placing me right next to the latter. I could tell he was hesitant to release me from his grasp.

I could feel the water temperature slowly start to drop, I was thankful I had Luffy's body heat to keep me warm. However I realized I wouldn't be so lucky tonight when my clothes were all wet and chilled.

I climbed up pulled, feeling the dragging extra weight of my wet clothes.

"Can I see you tomorrow?" Luffy asked

It didn't matter what I would say he would still come regardless. I nodded and smiled, reassuring him it was okay.

He waved me off, telling me he would be around sometime in the afternoon. At least I would be able to sleep in without having him bang against the ship, that is to say no other sirens show up in his place.

Though today was mostly about having a good time with Luffy, I did learn something important; there is an abundance of food, it's a matter of taking a dip in the sea to get it.

Looking around I made sure Luffy had left, before stripping off my shirt placing it on the railing to dry. I entered the pod, and curled my body up trying to preserve the fleeting heat. 'I'll have to grab my shirt in the morning' I thought, realizing I would have to bypass Luffy most likely. I was too tired to think ahead to the next 10 hours. My already light blanket felt like tissue paper, what I wouldn't give to have a heater or a weight blanket with me. Regardless of that I tried to lull myself to sleep.

When I felt the boat shift in the water, is when I got suspicious. My nerves clenched, as I feared this was someone unknown.

"(Reader)" a deep familiar voice called out my name. Not Law, I'm too tired for this.

I could feel him pull himself up onto my boat. "(Reader) where are you?"

'I threw myself into the sea' I thought, however, only a loud moan came out.

"Nghh.." I replied, cracking open my eyes to see I left the pod hatch open.

"Oh good, you're still alive" he said in a condescending tone.

He pulled himself further up onto the ship, coming closer to the pod. His body was almost entirely out of the water, at least I thought it was, I couldn't tell with my limited peripheral vision.

"what are you doing here?" I said exhausted

"I can't come and visit you for non-murderous reasons. I thought you be happy to have some intelligent company"

"I'm serious law,"

"Sigh* you take all the fun out of teasing you, however if you must know, I came because I am seeking advice."

I cocked my eyebrow in suspicion, what kind of advice can a girl stuck on a boat offer?

He continued, "even though I have only known you for a few days, I come to understand that you're quite social, especially considering that you're trapped here on this 'thing'".

"It's a boat, but go on" I said.

He hissed at my correction but went on.
"As you know I am captain to a crew of 20. However I have run into an unfortunate problem"

"My crew is keeping secrets from me, and I can't understand as to why"

"Sorry, but what am I supposed to do with that?"

"I was getting to that if you'd let me finish" law said. "Similar to Luffy, I want to introduce some of my crew to you, hopefully, for whatever reason they'll open up and tell you"

"Couldn't you just confront you crew about this directly?" I asked.

"I've tried, but whenever I do they just come up with excuses, or change the conversation" I sighed 'this better not be something as simple as a birthday surprise' I thought to myself.

"Sure, I'll do it, it'd be nice to talk to someone who is Luffy"

Law frowned at my statement.

"Hey I did say you"

"But it was implied wasn't it?" Law asked.

I sighed, 'these guys are so pouty' I thought. Shivering from the cold night air, I tried to pull my knees closer to my chest. Law took notice.

"Are you feeling alright? You're shivering but it not even cold outside"

"Luffy took me for a late afternoon swim, I didn't get a chance to dry off in the sun, so all my clothes and hair are still wet."

Law expression darkened for a moment "...That idiot" "you could have gotten hurt" he mumbled almost indescribably.

Law outstretched his arm, placing his hand on my forehead, I felt the warmth of his palm against my temple. I snuggled into his hand, trying to preserve the heat. Law looked surprised by my actions

"You're as cold as ice" he whispered. I just nodded, agreeing with him.

I shut my eyes revelling in the temporary warmth. This lasted for a minute or so, before I felt law retracted his hand.

I frowned slightly, already missing him. However in an instant I was pulled up from my cradle position. My eyes opened to see that Law had placed

me on his lap, pressed against his furnace-like chest. His arms were wrapped around my back and legs to keep me firmly pressed to him.

I tried to look up at him, but he just pushed my head down.

"Go to sleep idiot" he whispered.

I wasn't going to refuse his offer. I closed my eyelids

"...Thank you" I mumbled out in my exhausted states. Before my mind was carried to sleep. Unable to see the light red that had dusted his cheeks.

Law's POV:

(Reader) body temperature felt deathly cold, I was surprised she could even keep a conversation with me in her states. Luffy was such an idiot, taking her out in the evening. What if something attacked them or Luffy had to leave immediately? She could have drowned. Allowing Luffy to keep visiting (reader) was just proving how reckless he is. Something had to be done about him.

Glancing down at (reader), I acknowledge that she fit perfectly against me, like a matching puzzle pieces. She needs to be kept safe and away from those who will hurt her, including that brainless straw hat. I stopped myself.

'What I am thinking? This is not like me to become so infatuated with another' I thought to myself.

Over the past few days, My thoughts have be consumed by her. While she was isolated on her 'boat thing', others could come and go as they pleased. This was problematic. If it wasn't for her being a different species, I would have just pulled her into the sea and be done with it. However, her not being able to breathe underwater was problematic as well. And then there was the fact that Luffy, for whatever reason has attached an anchor to her ship keeping her in place. 'What was his motive for doing this?' Thought to myself. He himself was problematic and would need to be dealt with. However in the meantime I had to concern myself with other priorities such as my captainship and warlord duties. I would still continue plotting ways to keeping (reader) with me, I mean safe. 'God what's wrong with me'.

After some time had passed and (reader) was sound asleep in my arms, I realized I needed to return to the water. I gentle placed (reader) back into the her bed, putting her blanket back on top of her. I looked at her peaceful form, as much as I wanted to stay with her all night. I needed to go. With one last look, I dragged myself back into the water. I looked to check and make sure the the seaweed anchor was indeed still secure. After confirming that it was I swam off into the darkness.