Gentle Harshness| Reader X Law

              Why couldn’t things for once, just once, go your way? Was that really too much to ask?

              So here was your plan: you were going to go into the town you were docked in, scour the market to find the perfect gift for Law, and sneak it back aboard the sub in time for the party. Honestly it had taken you months to get Law to allow you throw him a party, and you were surprised he was even okay with it in the first place. Law was never one to celebrate his birthday, not now nor in the three years you’d known him. You’d hoped that you being his girlfriend would give you some more grounding for wanting to throw the party. But you still had to fight tooth and nail.

              It was going to be so worth it though. You had planned out every aspect of the party. From the booze, to the food, to the decorations and even to the presents the rest of the crew got for Law. Everything was planned out and the last thing you needed to do was to get your gift for your captain. In truth you had no idea what to get Law, but you hoped that something at the market would jump out at you. Of course all of that went out the window when a fight broke out in the market, and you took it upon yourself to break it up.

              One of the men in the fight backed off easily, the other not so much. The only way you stopped him was by sending him through one of the stalls. After the fight was broken up and everything was cleaned up you decided to abandon your present search for now and head back to the sub to get cleaned up. Law was in his office when you got back so he didn’t see you. You went into your room, which was actually Law’s room but obviously you shared, and selected a new outfit.

              You had the shower going and where just about to step underneath the water when a sharp pain in your lower back had you on your knees and you managed to shout Law’s name once before you passed out. After that you didn’t remember much of anything.

              When you finally woke up, you knew in that moment you were in the infirmary. Your lower back still stung with a mild pain but other than that the only thing you felt was a bit groggy. But then all of your thoughts came back to you and you remembered that you were still missing something. Sitting up in the bed you look at the clock and cringe. At this time there was no way you could sneak back to the market, find Law a gift and get back for the party. Hell at this point Law would probably cancel the party to keep an eye on your last night.

              “I know what you’re thinking,” a low voice says from the door, “don’t think you’re going anywhere.”

              Looking over Law was leaning against the doorframe, looking as good as ever. You notice the bloodstains on his sweatshirt and swing your legs over the edge of the bed,

              “What happened to me?”

              “How about you tell me what happened in town today?” Law asks.

              You rub the back of your head and Law walks closer to your bed.

              “There was a fight in the market, I was close by so I broke it up.”

              Law’s jaw clenches and he places his hands on either side of your thighs,

              “And?”

              “One of the guys went quietly, the other… took some work…” your voice slowly lowers and you try to escape Law’s gaze.

              “(Name),” he says slowly, “What happened?”

              “I sent the guy through one of the stalls. Stayed behind to make sure everything got cleaned up then came back here to get cleaned up.”

              Law sighs and presses his forehead into the crook of your neck,

              “What were you doing in that market in the first place (Name)?”

              You aren’t afraid of Law getting mad anymore, so you lean your chin against his head,

              “I was trying to find you a birthday present. I haven’t found you anything yet.”

              You can feel Law smile and he briefly presses his lips against your neck before moving his head back to meet your eyes,

              “The only thing I need is for you to be safe.”

              You smile,

              “Aw, look at you being all concerned.”

              Law chuckles and pushes himself off the table and offers a hand to you,

              “Let’s get you changed, wouldn’t want to miss that party you’ve been planning.”

              You take Law’s hand but can’t hide your surprise,

              “You’re still having the party? I didn’t think you would after what happened.”

              Law pulls you close to his side and leads you back to your room.

              “Normally I would have,” he says, the two of you reach the room and he follows you into the bathroom, “But I know how long and hard you’ve worked on this. And that it would only hurt you more if I canceled it.”

              With his assistance you change into the outfit you’d selected specifically for that night. It was one of Law’s sweatshirts he gave you because it didn’t fit him anymore, the first pair of cargo shorts he ever bought for you and a hat that looked similar to Law’s you had made a year ago. You saw the spark in Law’s eyes when your outfit was all done and you got of those rare smiles he only gave you.

              He helps you to the kitchen where the rest of the crew was waiting to start the party. You and Law walk in and everybody jumps up.

              “(Name)! You’re okay!”

              Blushing slightly because they were all so concerned but then you attempted a glare,

              “Wrong line guys.”

              Bepo, Penguin and Shachi clear their throats and look around the room. The rest of the crew nods and they all throw their hands up again,

              “Happy birthday Captain!”

              Laughing, you and Law take your seats at the head of the table and everybody dives into the food. You had planned out every item on the menu, all the bread was at the other end of the table and skillfully hidden from Law’s view. Everybody is enjoying the meal and Penguin comes to your side and taps your shoulder,

              “It’s time to get the desert.”

              You nod and Penguin helps you up. The two of you walk over to the fridge and pull open the freezer. On your first attempt you and Penguin were unable to get the tray out. Pouting you look up at Penguin and stick out your lower lip. Penguin looks over at the table, Bepo and Shachi get up and walk over. On attempt number two you are able to get the tray out of the freezer and you walk ahead of the others back to the table.

              Penguin and the other two set the tray down in the middle of the table and you walk behind Law and drape your arms around his neck,

              “Happy birthday Law.”

              Your masterpiece was… well… different. Since you knew Law wouldn’t want a regular cake because, according to him it was “too much like bread”, you thought of an alternative way to make him a cake. So in the middle of the kitchen table was a giant jell-o cake. The colors where that of the Heart Pirates and the design in the middle was the jolly roger of your captain.

              Law smiles and kisses your hands,

              “Thank you (Name).”

              After the party, in which the crew drained the sub’s stock of booze and food, Law helped you back to the room. He offered to help you change into your sleeping clothes, and although you were very tempted to say yes, you declined and opted to stay in your outfit. Which was just as comfortable and smelled like Law.

              The two of you lay in bed, Law’s head on your stomach and your hands slowly combing through his hair, something only you were allowed to do. Your mind was busy thinking about how many different ways today could have gone better, but at the same time how it could have gone worse. However your thoughts were interrupted when you felt your sweatshirt and tank top being gently pushed up and the teasing sensation of lips just grazing your skin.

              “Law,” you murmur.

              “Tell me something (Name),” Law whispers in between kisses, “What kind of present where you looking for?”

              For a moment your fingers stopped their movement in Law’s hair, which caused your captain to lower your clothes back down and lift his head up with a childish pout. Smiling you resume your combing and Law rests his head back on your stomach.

              “Well Law… to be honest… I was looking for something that reminded me of you,” you say finally, “But I had a hard time figuring out what that was.”

              You felt Law’s fingertips graze over the bandages on your lower back and hum slightly at the comforting sensation.

              “Did you figure it out?” he asks.

              You nod,

              “I figured I need to look for something that was gentle, but at the same time harsh…”

              “Oh really?”

              You nod again,

              “Because that’s what you are to me. I know you are the Surgeon of Death and are feared by many people, but I’ve never been afraid of you. You are always precise and straight forward with your work, but whenever you’ve had to help me you never hurt me. I never felt any pain and I always knew you were going to do whatever was best for me.”

              “So,” Law says, “You were looking for something gentle but with the harshness of a pirate captain and a doctor?”

              You nod. Law smiles and moves up to kiss you.

              “Then you (Name),” he says, “Are the perfect present.”

              Your heartbeat soars and you gently pull Law into a hug. His arms gently hold your waist and he comfortably presses his forehead into the crook of your neck. With a deep sigh you kiss his forehead and continue to comb your fingers through his hair until he slowly moved to your side and fell asleep.

              “Happy birthday Law.”