the angels

blood and snow

It was cold, too cold, the landscape was alternately white and grey, and you couldn't see beyond your nose

A man was walking in the snow

He was used to it by now, he had been walking for many days, yet he didn't feel tired or regret what he was doing, he was continuing to walk, breathing heavily in the already rarefied air of the slope

He was carrying a child in his arms, who could have been more or less 12 years old, but in the arms of that giant man he seemed younger

Despite everything the child was shaking, almost crying, but no tears came out of his eyes

<< We're almost there Law! We are there! >>

The man was whispering at the child, Law, continuing undeterred to carry on, clutching the coat in which he kept the boy wrapped tighter and tighter

<< Hold on Law! We almost did this! You almost did this! >>

You could tell he was smiling, but it wouldn't be true, he tried, but the situation didn't allow it, he could hardly see anything anymore, he had snow in his eyes, he hadn't eaten for days, he almost didn't sleep, and yet he kept going, driven by who knows what

<< Please.... >>

They were almost there, you could see a town, the blond man slipped and fell to the ground, still trying as much as possible to protect Law with his body, causing himself yet another bruise

<< I am sorry! Are you ok?! >>

Law opened a little his tired eyes, immediately noticing the snow on the coat and immediately realizing what had happened, even though he hadn't seen it

<< Y.... yes Cora-san.... I .... I am ok.... >>

That was quite obvious that he wasn't

Cora gently set Law down, leaning him against a rock wall

<< Stay here! I'll come back in some minutes, I'll be rigth back with the devil fruit! The ope-ope no mi! >>

Law looked at him, his gaze was lost, tired, almost tired of living, yet at that moment he would have liked to continue to be with Cora-san, to live with him, to have.... To have a family

A family

He never had a family after.... After Flavance, yet Cora represented everything to him, everything he held dear in life, his only reason to continue there

<< I'll wait.... here .... >>

Cora stood up, ruffling Law's black hair, as usual, but this time the boy didn't slap his hand away, he let him ruffle his hair, smiling as much as he could
Then the blonde man ran away, letting him there

~~~

<< Law! Look! I took the ope - ope no mi ! >>

He was finally back, Law was starting to get worried, she hadn't seen him for a while now and she heard shots, thank goodness....

<< I am.... happy that you are..... alright..... I've heard gunshots..... >>

Cora frowned and took the child's face with one hand, forcing his mouth to open

<< Thats not important now! Just eat it! >>

However, Law persisted in not opening his mouth

<< No! Cora-san! Begin a devil fruit user- >>

Cora had made him swallow it all in one go
Law gasped