Archive of Our Own

Law is pretty certain he has been tired for the last millennia or so. 

Which is laughable considering what and who he is. 

But he's one hundred per cent convinced he’s in the right in this instance.

Yes, he’s tired.

The God of Death is tired. 

He wishes he could get more than two hours of sleep here and then; he wishes to rest. Not the eternal rest he provides to mortals, animals, and any soul alike. But something in between. Something so his skin isn’t so pale, almost translucent under the bright light, so the dark circles underneath his eyes aren't so heavy, and just so he can stop the deep sighs escaping his lips.

Law yawns and stretches; the heavy, black, velvet blankets move off his body as he does. He supposes there is no helping it. The sun is here, even earlier than usual, meaning that summer will arrive soon, and with that, Luffy's influence, the Sun God, will be even greater than it is today. Luffy will even announce the day himself during the summer, with his white hair, his big eyes, and that obnoxious laugh of his... 

Just from thinking about it, Law has to massage his temples.

Needless to say, he doesn't like summer. He hates how it has a hold on everything, even Down Below. Even here, in Corazon’s kingdom, in the Land of the Dead. Yes, Cora-san’s kingdom. The tall god is in charge of all the souls residing within these halls, while Law oversees death and brings the souls here. 

Very different business.

Nasty business, some would say.

But Law is used to it.

After some aeons of time, he got used to it. So much so, Law doesn't even remember his own mortal life. Because he wasn't always like this: pale, his ribs and bones so prominent underneath his skin, and those black wings...they weren't always on his back. They come with the job, and as Law stretches again, they spread and move in the bed.

He snaps his fingers as he leaves the bedding. The clothes come around his body easily, and the black robe is over his shoulders in an instant. He fastens the gold belt around his waist easily, grabbing the jewellery he discarded on the floor in his rush to go to sleep.

Or find some sleep.

It's eluding him, and Law doesn't know why.

Gods do sleep and do everything else mortals do, and they have needs too. Not the same, more destructive most of the time, but still needs nonetheless.

And for now? 

Law desires to sleep. 

And it's eluding him. Is someone or something playing tricks on him? He has no idea, he has no time to ponder or not, he's Death. 

He has a busy day.

His wings carry him down the steps and towards the main hall,  where the cafeteria is. A few servants and recently dead bow when they see Law, but he doesn't pay them any attention. None whatsoever. 

He pauses as he reaches Corazon's desk. Corazon is there, towering over everything and everyone. His hands are full, the scrolls of the deceased are many, and Law watches as he drops them all. As he does, a few souls try to reach for their records, maybe with the faint hope of escaping this place, but Corazon is quick to stop them. He raises to his full height, his voice carrying.

"ENOUGH! All of you, get back in line, or so help me, there will be no due process, I'll call my brother Doflamingo, and you'll all be sent to the Fields of Punishment! All of you!"

Law chuckles as he watches the frightened souls get back into the queue, and Corazon reaches for his papers. Once he has his arms full again, he heads for the desk. Finally noticing Law, he waves at him and Law waves back, not wanting to interrupt. How could he? He's about to bring more souls... And the Fields of Punishment? 

Oh, that's a real threat. It's for those who have committed wrong after wrong during their human life. Doflamingo, Corazon's brother, is not a god like Cora or Law. He's something else, something that shouldn't exist, something more akin to a demon or a monster. And he's been put to use. Turns out Doflamingo excels at torture, and he can get creative when he has to inflict it for eternity. 

Law shivers at the thought, finding the cafeteria. The food looks appealing ands smells heavenly, but nothing strikes his fancy. Why does Corazon still request mortal food? It's beyond Law's comprehension; it's not like they can have any. Law has a soft smile as he finally finds a pile of Devil Fruits. They're all shaped like apples, and they're the only sustenance a god needs. To sustain their strength and power. Because Law might be a god, but he is still very much vulnerable and killable.

The fruit disappears before Law feels in a better mood. A better mood for him.

"Now let's see..." He snaps his fingers again, and in front of him, another scroll appears. This one his dark grey, unlike Corazon's ones, and it gets longer by the second as more names are being scribbled right in front of Law's eyes. "Who's on the list today?"

Robin, the Fate, reads the scroll of the future, and she writes the names of the souls Law must collect. Many die each day, and Law has minions disguised as him who do the collecting: Penguin, Shachi, Bepo... they all chose to serve him instead of living in Cora’s kingdom in peace. And they do collect most of the souls of the people who die each day and night. 

Law? Well, he has a very important role: he collects the souls of the bravest. Of the purest and most deserving mortals. He answers their questions honestly, and he brings them here himself. 

It's an honour, and Law treats the task as such.

Only seven names are on the list as he fishes for another Devil Fruit.

And then... the scroll changes. 

Another name adds itself to the bottom of Law's list.

RORONOA ZORO.

Law knows that name.

Of course, he knows that name. He knows who that name belongs to, who it is attached to, and it's a mortal he's already met. A mortal, he has already met two times precisely. So, of course, he remembers, it's not every day that someone walks away from their encounter with Law. Alive that is. Alive, somewhat bruised, but still very much alive and with their hearts pumping and their souls still theirs.

Law shivers as he reads and re-reads the name. He barely notices that a few others are being added to the list, right underneath Roronoa Zoro's name. 

It doesn't matter. 

Is this the time? 

The time for this Zoro character to finally come Down Below? And claim his place in the Grand Line? Because Law knows this man doesn't belong in the Fields of Punishment. No, Zoro will definitely reach the gates of the Grand Line; maybe Cora will accompany him there himself. And maybe, after a millennium or two of peace, Zoro will be offered a chance to go into the New World. It's the life after life, after resting and healing the blows of mortal life, one can get access to the New World. 

Law, apparently, has been there, once upon a time. He has no memory of it, but apparently, there, you finally see it all. You get the meaning of everything, and you get to choose. To choose between going back, living another mortal life or becoming something else.

Apparently, Law mortal-self had chosen this. 

To become this, the God of Death. 

Instead of going back.

Does Law have any regrets? It's simply impossible; he has no recollection of the act itself. No recollection of his past self, so he doesn't know if he should thank the man or curse him for making him into this.

All of that to say that Law must make haste. 

He cannot wait to see Zoro again, the third time this century (mortal lives are so volatile anyway), and this time? Oh, this time, Law is not leaving empty-handed. He is bringing back that special and shimmering soul there. He doesn't care if Zoro argues or makes a miraculous recovery.

"Roronoa Zoro, you're not cheating death this time," Law somberly whispers, and with another snap of his fingers, another flutter of his wings, he disappears. 

From Down Below to above the surface, to the mortal realm.

***

In all fairness, Law is being unreasonable. No one can cheat Death, no one can cheat him. Law has never met anyone who had escaped him before, so that's why he remembers.

The first time it happened? Zoro was merely a babe, just an infant, crying into the arms of his mother. A dead mother, already cold, her lips already blue, her skin as pale as Law's. And still in that state, still she clung to her one and only son. Law had been the one doing the particular ripping in that instance, too. Tera was her name, she had nodded, already knowing why Law was here. 

And they had both hovered, hands in hands, staring at the scene. Her lifeless corpse had washed ashore, and the big and cold waves were still splashing over her body and clothing. Some rich and intricate fabric synonym of nobility in this world, Law knew this much. And hair so green, one could have mistaken her for one of the daughters of the Earth. Law remembers, she hadn't struggled, hadn't interrupted his speech, not even asked one question. Tera had grabbed the hand Law offered, nodding, before turning back to her mortal shell, still holding the baby, still asleep.

"It's your turn now, Zoro. You be a good boy, and you survive this, okay?" 

Those were the last words she spoke before Law took her Down Below. And even as he showed her the queue, he had noticed how different she was from the other poor unfortunate souls down there. Maybe it was in the way she moved, oh so graciously, or the fact that even in this form, the purest form, she had kept her clothes and that shimmery jewellery. 

Oh no, she wasn't just anyone.

So Law hadn't been too surprised when exactly two days later, Zoro's name had appeared on his scroll. He was barely two weeks old, and if nobody had found Terra...

So Law returned to the scene, still ashore, still on the sand. Tera's corpse was colder than snow, turning grey and an ugly shade of green. And here had been Zoro. Pressed against his mother's chest, a baby crying and screaming, face all red, big ugly tears on his cheeks and... Hair as green as his mother's. Law saw it as the baby trashed, moving his maternity clothes from his body. 

Law knew what to do; the scythe was in his hands, and it wasn't the first time he was taking such a young soul. It was the kind of wrong that could tarnish someone forever; luckily, it was Law's job. His very purpose.

And he knew what to do. 

And yet, he had hesitated, yet he had made the scythe disappear to ruffle the green hair. Zoro couldn't see him; it was impossible, but he must have felt something, because he stopped crying right there, looking Law straight in the eyes. 

With his silver ones.

He couldn't see Law; that was impossible.

"I'm sorry, little one, your mother placed all of her hopes on you. It's not fair... I'll make sure you two are reunited down there, you at least deserve that. Hush now."

And Law swore, Zoro had nodded back then. He had nodded along as Law retreated, finding his scythe again. The motion was easy: rip and carry the soul away. Rinse. Repeat. Even if this particular death was gonna leave a bad taste in Law's mouth.

"Over there! I could have sworn I heard a baby crying!"

"What? You're insane! There's..."

"Oh by the gods, look!"

Mortals couldn't see Law at all, but he saw them. He stood there, surprised and a bit in awe as two mortals finally found Tera and Zoro. They were quick to grab Zoro and steady him.

"Poor him, come on, he's so warm! He probably has a fever!"

"He needs some food and... let's go, I will come back for his mother."

"Yes, we'll give her a proper burial before she gets washed away or worse."

"Or worse."

They took him, the unknown couple took Zoro away. Away from Law's work, away from the Fate, the woman holding Zoro against her chest and obviously not letting go. Zoro hadn't been crying then, no, he had nestled himself against this new warm body... Looked back and...? Law was certain Zoro waved at him.

He hadn't waved to his mother to say goodbye, but definitely at Law.

Which was impossible in itself, mortals couldn't see him until it was their time. 

So that had been the first time Zoro had escaped Death.

The second time, Zoro had been older. 

Maybe thirteen, according to Law estimation, at that time when little boys thought they were really men, or at least, when they were supposed to be men.

Law had wasted no time when he had seen that name on the list; he wanted to see, see what the tiny babe with green hair had grown into. Law usually restricts himself from visiting the mortal realm other than for his duties. Some gods, like Luffy or Usopp, the great God of Trickery, have no such reservations, but Law doesn't see the point. 

Law had appeared in a small village, and he'd been welcomed by the very familiar smell of blood. It was absolutely everywhere, and Law wasn’t too surprised when he saw that the small village was already in flames. And wrecked. Beyond reason. There'd been a gruesome fight to tear this tiny village apart, bodies piled on the ground, along with belongings and other things mortals do get attached to. 

Bepo was there, Law had noticed almost immediately, already collecting souls and gathering them, and instructing them to form an orderly line. Some were asking questions to the panda, others were screaming, looking for loved ones... It was a mess. And yet, the silence had arrived as Law drew closer. Some people even lowered their heads as Bepo turned to Law. 

To this day, Law still has no idea why Bepo chose this particular form after his own death. Law has never asked, and he doesn't care as long as the job is done and Bepo keeps him company from time to time.

"So so so many souls to collect! Cora is gonna be busy, boss, so busy." Bepo had commented, his own scythe in hand."

"It does happen, unfortunately, you know who did this?"

"Bandits, I think... up in that mountain," Bepo pointed with his finger. "They were getting hungry and..."

"Yes, I can see that, I was summoned though..."

"Yes, the boy! For the boy! That way, boss, that way."

Bepo pointed again, as if Law didn't already know, but still he headed for the smallest and furthest hut in the village. Fire and ash seemed to crumble at his feet, his wings low and sagging behind him. Scenes like these were nothing out of the ordinary for Law, at all; in fact, he saw massacres hourly. Blood and guts did not deter him; he hated the fact that mortals were loud and so wet as they die, but it was the business he chose.

As he had approached the hut, he saw the bandits Bepo was describing. Many of them were dead in front of the house, and the door had been shredded into wooden pieces.

It was inside that Law had found Zoro, the boy taller and lankier than he was as a baby. Still tiny for a mortal, it indicated his age, but still. Law could tell that Zoro fought bravely to protect and defend this house and his adopted parents. The couple, familiar to Law and yet forgotten by the god that he is, were already dead, corpses near Zoro's one. 

Their throats slashed, and Zoro was on his back, near the woman, one of his hands in hers, the other? The other was gripping the hilt of that white sword really hard. The blade seemed to be glaring at Law, emitting some energy. Like... like a mortal would. He still hadn’t been surprised. Swords were always special; they chose their owner, and they were known to have a will of their own. He had stared for a few seconds before eyeing Zoro. 

Zoro... Lying in a pool of his own blood, there was a nasty cut across his chest, from his shoulder to his hip. The red and tangy blood was coming from there; it was spilling out and out, so much and so vivid. Zoro’s eyes were closed, and that chest had stopped moving.

"You fought brilliantly, didn't you? You defended them, the people who saved you... At least you tried to." Law spoke to no one in particular. Zoro could not hear him yet. This was a valiant death, the kind they wrote songs and poems about. And no doubt that with this, Zoro will be granted access to the Grand Line. 

"Time to go now." Law was not wasting any time; the boy already had a second chance, where many didn’t even get one. The scythe was in Law's hands the very next second, his wings rose, and they spread, filtering out the light. It seemed that it was just he and Zoro at that moment, and Law raised his instrument of death with precision, and lowered it just as fast.

In theory, it should have worked. 

Law was nothing but precise, as Death, he knew the human body like no one else. He knew where the souls reside, and no, it wasn’t in the heart like some have theorised. And definitely not in the eye like some poets thought it was. It was a little bit more south, more towards the guts than most might think.

In theory, Law had been on the spot, dead on. Giving more credit to the nickname Cora-san gave him. The Surgeon of Death — the other god called him, which was totally ridiculous.

Law had been stopped, he had been stopped by the katana, the sword in Zoro's left hand. Suddenly, the boy's arm raised, and the blades clashed. 

Law's scythe against Zoro's sword.

Which was impossible, because Zoro was not conscious, barely dead, but not actually dead. If Law didn’t collect his soul, he wouldn’t be fully dead.

"What?" Law had hissed, sounding less composed, and he had raised his scythe once more. He tried it again, but the sword stopped him again. There was more strength the next second, and Law, the God of Death, had been knocked a couple of steps away.

"... How?"

He asked no one as Zoro's arm lowered and fell back with an empty sound. It wasn’t Zoro fighting back, he couldn’t, not this time. 

This time, it had been his sword. 

It was protecting his owner from Death itself. So Law had stared at the blade, golden eyes shimmering like an actual fire.

"I could shatter you. I have every right to claim his soul. Fate has marked it for death. He belongs to me now, he should come Down Below with me." Law spoke directly to the blade, and he watched as Zoro’s arm raised itself, the blade aimed at him. Not just Zoro's arm, the sword used the momentum to force Zoro’s body to sit up. And Law watched, amazed for the first time in millennia as this green glow had surrounded the boy as he opened his mouth.

"No. His soul is mine. He swore loyalty to me. And he's not done. This is merely one stop along the way."

"Who are you? Name yourself! Who am I speaking to?"

"Wado Ichimonji."

"You are his sword?"

"Yes. I waited a long time for a man like him. I barely had a few years with him, I need more time."

"That's..." Law sighed, and he made his scythe disappear. His right hand had been inside his hair next. "That is not how it works, you do realise that?"

"I do not care for the rules of this life or the next. I found my owner, he swore. That's a bond even you can not break." 

And Law knew it was the truth as soon as the sword uttered it through Zoro's mouth.

He had had another sigh: Zoro’s body was so bruised, the boy was still bleeding, actively too. And yet, Law knew he wouldn’t be able to break whatever was going on here. Mortals, for all their weakness, were essential too, and they had their own powers as well. A promise that Zoro made and has respected every day since he made it? That could not be ignored, and that proved that someday, Law would be the one to take his soul. 

Not one of his minions, but definitely Law himself.

"Fine, for now, Roronoa Zoro’s soul is yours."

"It is."

"But remember this, Wado Ichimonji... mortal lives end. I am what's at the end of it. I will be coming back, and you won't be able to stop me this time."

"I am aware and thank you." The sword had been lowered, and Zoro bowed his head. "I will make sure he is strong enough so our paths never cross again. Not for a while at least."

"A while for you, a mere blink for me. I'll be back, so get ready to find another owner down the line... Understood?"

"Understood. And thank you... He won't remember any of this, will he?"

"Of course not." Law had snapped his hand again, not hurting Zoro but healing him. Somewhat, closing the cut over his chest and stopping the bleeding. "That will still leave a mark, but he will live."

"I am in your debt."

"You are." 

Law had said before disappearing from the scene.

***

When Law appears in the Land Above and materialises near Zoro's location, he's once again welcomed by a familiar scene. Flames obscure his view for a few seconds, and as he makes them disappear with a simple gesture of his hand, the entire scene unfolds. Once again, he finds Zoro where ash and blood have decided to collide. Once more, many, oh so many, are dead. 

But it's not a few dozen like back in those days; gone is the small village, there's no house around here. 

This?

This is a battlefield.

Law is too familiar with it. Not only because he is often called to such scenes to carry the bravest of warriors back to Cora-san. But also because many fools pray to him during such moments. It's not like people know his name, especially not mortals. But all of them, all, they are familiar with the concept of death. 

How could they not be?

Law is the one constant in their existence. The only thing that makes them equals: men, women, kings and peasants. Everyone dies at some point, and everyone ends up dealing with Law to some extent. 

The carnage today is particularly grand, a lesser being would have thrown up or covered their mouth to escape all that blood and the distinct smell of guts spilling and men dying. Not Law, to him? That scent is home. 

His wings spread as he glances around: he finds Bepo, Shachi and Penguin in similar robes, gathering souls with a slow and steady rhythm. There are probably thousands upon thousands of dead warriors gathered here. 

And all of that for what? 

Maybe one day he'll accept the invitation, Kid, the God of War, always extends to him. Kid claims they should be the bestest of friends, as they always come to mortals hand in hand. Law isn't so sure. Kid always talks about war like it's some sort of grand affair. Something that needs to happen when everything else has failed, something that always happens. 

But Law? He isn't so sure. 

Mainly because he arrives after. 

When all the fighting has been done. When all the acts of bravery, nobility and sometimes trickery, have been executed. He sees the after, he sees the kingdoms and nations once they are on their knees. He sees old generals clinging to titles who refused to follow him, he talks to young soldiers who thought they had their lives ahead of them, and he rolls his eyes at heroes who sometimes have a bigger ego than Luffy.

He doesn't get it.

But that's not why Law is here. 

He sighs, wings fluttering, and they take him above the ground, a few meters or so. Law remains close as he still looks for Zoro. He still looks for that particular shade of green amongst the corpses. 

Surely, Rorona Zoro will be easy to notice, right?

...

"ZORO! Please, no no, no... please, wake up... why did you... You're an idiot. Why did you intervene? Please, please, please wake up!!"

The sobs of a young woman echo through the battlefield, and that would have been enough to draw Law's attention and curiosity. But then that name? He sighs, already summoning the scythe in his hands and following the sound of despair. He finds himself at the centre of the battlefield. The young mortal, female, with jet black hair and grey eyes, is sobbing. She's in full armour, sword on the ground, as she is holding Zoro's lifeless body.

Or seemingly lifeless Law would say.

And gone is the little boy he saw years ago.

That hair might still be green, but Zoro is a full man now. As tall as one, broader than most, dressed in white and green, the colours probably mean something... Law gathers this much as the girl’s armour seems to be ornamented with the same colours. Law is not here to admire now, he's here because of the sword planted into Zoro's heart. Not his, no, Wado Ichimonji is still in Zoro's right hand as he clutches tightly to it, and Law recognises the scar across his chest, that's the one he healed himself.

Nothing is stopping him now; he should just do it.

"Please wake up, Zoro... not like this, please."

Can she truly wake him up? Law ponders that for a few seconds. Who would survive being stabbed in the heart? No one that is.

Absolutely no one.

But maybe, just maybe...

"I'm an idiot," Law whispers to himself as he raises his scythe.

To take Roronoa Zoro's soul.

For the third time now.

And it takes. This time, nothing and no one is stopping Law. That girl might cry, but her tears and her grief are not enough to bring Zoro back to life. No, because Law does it, he collects his soul.

And there's no reward, no bell tolling to announce that something incredible has been accomplished. Now. Zoro's soul, green and shimmering, leaves his body and grows in size. Slowly, slowly... Until it resembles Zoro to the minute detail, and the man, now dead, stares at Law.

"Well, it's nice to finally meet you, Roronoa Zoro." Law greets him, his voice tinted with some sarcasm.

He watches as Zoro stares at him, his wings, the black robe dragging, the scythe still in his hands. And finally, Zoro looks down at the scene. At the dark-haired girl still holding his now very much lifeless body.

"No, I—" Zoro nods negatively. He tries to reach for the girl, and fails, passing through her instead. "It can't be, am I really dead?"

"Yes. Really. Are you aware that it's the third time we meet, mortal? Do you know how feisty your soul was fighting back? This is supposed to be an honour."

"How is it an honour? Everybody dies, fools and shitheads alike... where is the honour if my life ends and I can't accomplish my duty?" Zoro asks, turning back to Law.

Not only that, but he glares. He glares at Law with such intensity that Law finds himself clutching to his scythe, something in him stirring. It has been millennia, and no one really contradicts him, everyone sees it as a perfect end, somehow, as a true honour... 

And yet, he dares.

"It is an honour, Roronoa Zoro, because I should have taken what's mine years ago. You escaped me two times before now. Not this time."

"Two... what are you..." Zoro takes the equivalent of a step back, foolish and stupid. In this form, he is very much under Law’s control, and Law could drag him Down Below with a snap of his fingers. He doesn't have to entertain the mortal. And yet, he watches as Zoro thinks, looking at the girl, somewhere past Law’s wings, it seems, and finally back at Law. 

"You took my mother, that day on the beach."

"I did."

"And you tried again, on my thirteenth birthday... but I fought back."

"Your sword did, but yes... I couldn't take you then. I am taking you with me now."

"Where?"

"Down Below. Where the dead reside, you have more questions, I can answer some along the way and-"

"I am not going."

Law sighs at the interruption. He sighs as Zoro glares back and hovers around the girl. He was talking about duty earlier, maybe she is his.

"You speak as if you have a choice, Zoro-ya, you're already dead.”

"Just barely," he utters and Law can not help it; he chuckles in response because Zoro seems to get it. Zoro is stunned but quick to recover. "You backed away before. Why not do it again?"

"Again?" 

The smile disappears from Law's face as he marches onto Zoro's space. He spreads his wings as he does, casting actual darkness upon his face and around himself, and his eyes suddenly glow. They are not golden anymore, but fiery red as he gains a few inches, towering over Zoro. And shows him who he really is.

He is Death, he's definitive, he's ultimate, he's final, and mortals do not beg or trade favours with him. All the children's stories and poems about this particular subject are all lies. 

Because Law has never made a deal with anyone.

There's never been an exception to the rule.

Until Roronoa Zoro.

Until this very moment, and instead of cowering away in fear, instead of gasping, having his lips trembling and admitting that he is in the presence of something greater... Zoro stands firm, he does, only taking one step to the side. To protect the girl from Law. As if Law was a mindless killing machine, like one of those mortals who become defective after too much time in the sun.

No, Law is just, Law is right. 

Zoro's time is up, pure and simple.

"You will come with me, Rorona Zoro, you have no choice in the matter. Your soul, as it is, is mine, I alone can decide your fate. And it's already been written, you shall go Down Below with the rest of the dead."

"But I can't,” Zoro insists again, frowning harder. "I simply can't... I'm not done. If I go then..." He looks away, staring at the girl again. She's sobbing quietly now, holding on to Zoro's body with everything that she has. 

That's a strong bond, even Law can tell.

Except that it's too late.

"I can't leave Kuina alone. Especially right now, the war has just started. We need to protect and defend the land of Wano... otherwise all of her training will be in vain and-"

"I do not concern myself with the problems of men. You're a fool who only lived a few years... Do you think your war is the only one that has occurred?"

"It's the greatest war there is!" Zoro argues, glaring back at Law, and Law sighs. He sighs, and he takes back his original form, his wings folding on his back as he points to the pile of bodies.

"They all are. There is always a man who spouts this nonsense. And guess what? They are dead too. If you wanted someone to congratulate you, you should have called for the God of War... I am your only answer for now."

"You are..." 

Zoro looks around too, he seems to be considering his options as his silver eyes focus on Kuina, and then on the fallen comrades and enemies. Law sees him glaring at another corpse, nearby, a tall man with long hair which matches his horse’s mane. The man is already dead, a general, most likely judging by the armour, his throat has been slashed, and his horse has been killed too. He lies dead, spear in his hands. And Law knows how Zoro died. 

He died protecting Kuina from that man. His last act, right before he died himself, was to kill that man, ensuring the girl would be safe.

It doesn't surprise Law, this seems to be the kind of mortal that Zoro is. That's why Law is here after all, because he's unlike anyone else. 

Because Zoro has deserved some proper rest.

"I'll fight if I have to," Zoro whispers, face still turned away.

"In this form? How will you strike me? Do you even know what you are? Do you even know what you can do?"

Law is met with nothing but silence, and he tells himself that maybe Zoro is resigning himself. It's the opposite, it seems, because what he does next, that surprises Law more than anything. Zoro kneels down, bowing, low, so low is face is touching the ground as he speaks next.

"Please! Give me more time... anything to ensure she's safe, please!" 

He begs.

And no, Roronoa Zoro is not the first person to beg when Law comes to collect their soul. There had been a few, but their faces are already forgotten by Law. Law is certain, he will remember this, the man who already escaped his clutches twice, begging to be let free. 

To walk away from an encounter with Death.

For the third time.

It would be like having the best of luck.

"Get up!" Law hisses through gritted teeth. "You're embarrassing yourself... especially considering all the great things waiting for you Down Below... if you knew..."

"I don't want to know," Zoro whispers in the same tone. He raises his head slightly to stare into Law's eyes. And those silver eyes have to be a curse on their own. 

Honestly, Law doesn't need to blink and it's a very good thing, he can stare back and try to rattle the mortal in front of him. 

"I don't care about the afterlife or the next life. How could I face any of that if I don't honour the promises I made in this life? How could I enjoy paradise if I have broken every vow and every oath?"

"You are... probably the most irritating mortal I have ever met," Law concedes as he loses the staring contest. Only to massage his temples, close his eyes and think. 

...

He couldn't. 

There's no precedent for this. 

He isn't soft or weak; he's Death, and he cannot be either of those things. 

"And I am fairly certain that once Cora-san weighs your heart, he will find that you have honoured every promise, every oath... I wouldn't be here otherwise."

"Then let me swear an oath to you."

Zoro speaks of madness with a seriousness in his voice that stills Law's heart and forces him to look at the mortal again. Through his fingers, it's a sea of green and silver. 

And he doesn't dislike it.

"I don't do trade with mortals, you oaf."

"There's a first time for everything. I want more time. I'm certain there is something I can give you."

"You? The dead mortal? There's nothing you can give me, I assure you."

"Then take something, take something in exchange for giving me a few more years. Take half of my heart, half of my soul, heck, take one arm if you have to just take som-"

"I want your left eye." 

Law’s voice echoes and resonates in the battlefield because he's speaking louder than everyone else, because he wants to make sure he’s heard. And because it's the first time in millennia he has expressed a genuine desire.

Want.

He's Death, that's not something he does. 

He can't.

He watches as Zoro sits up fully, still on his knees, and the man swallows loudly. Zoro stares at the girl and then back at Law. Law taking his eye would be like taking half of his world, it would make him less alert, more vulnerable and thus less suited for protection. 

Because Zoro wants to protect that girl, doesn’t he?

"Then I want twenty-five more years."

"Are you quite mad?"

"Fifteen?"

"No!"

"Eleven?"

"... I can agree to that."

Once again, Law surprises himself with his own words. Or maybe it's the bright smile that crosses Zoro's face when Law does agree that stuns him. 

Who smiles while facing Death? 

This man does, Roronoa Zoro does apparently.

"Eleven more years and you can collect my soul. You get my left eye in exchange."

Zoro stands up, extending one hand, and Law rolls his eyes, loudly at that.

"Those kinds of pacts require something more binding than a handshake, Roronoa-ya."

"Oh, really?... what do they require then?"

"A kiss."

There's another smile on Zoro's face just then. So much so, it makes Law afraid, and Law feels as if he is the mortal and Zoro, the god. Law should be the one looking in control, confident and sure. He knows the rules of those specific covenants, he can't ask Zoro for blood but he needs something as binding. 

A kiss is enough.

"Shall we?" Zoro steps into his space, and Law stops him with a gesture of his hand.

"I have your word, then. Your left eye for eleven more years, and your assurance that once your time is up, you will follow me Down Below."

"Yes."

"And..." Law sighs. "And you have to know that our deal might not guarantee you the same reward in the afterlife as you could have had today..."

"What? I'm risking eternal damnation bargaining with Death?"

"Something just as sinister, Roronoa-ya."

Zoro pauses, once again he looks at the girl. A softer smile is on his face then, just like that, he looks like the young boy Law found in the hut decades ago. 

"I'm fine with that..." He shrugs. "What happens to me after does not matter, I will do everything that I have to do and will go with my heart light instead of heavy. So yes, you have my word, the next time we see each other, I'll follow you happily."

"Good. And this time, Zoro-ya, you will remember meeting me, you'll remember our encounter."

"Yeah, plus I'll have a nice missing eye as a constant reminder so..."

He jokes, that mortal is joking, as he stares at the uncertainty of his future. Apparently, as long as Zoro is alive, everything else will be fine. Law doesn't know anyone else with that kind of faith... perhaps the Sun God himself, but Luffy is and has always been a fool.

"Very well... Let us make a deal then."

Out of thin air, Law makes a scroll appear, the words are written very carefully by an invisible feather. Somewhere, Robin is witnessing the scene and transcribing all of this. Once it's done, Law plucks a feather from his left wing and signs the contract. The scroll disappears just then, and he turns to Zoro, wings fluttering and hovering above the ground.

"I have done my part, I won't cheat to get your soul... Now..."

Law is stunned that Zoro marches toward him, and he's very glad his wings make him the taller party. He hovers even higher, ready to collect Zoro’s left eye next and disappear Down Below. It's too much for one day. 

But for now, for now, he stares into silver eyes, and he cups Zoro's face. Zoro lets him do it, looking back at Law, expectantly and clearly waiting. His mouth is slightly parted, and as Law presses their foreheads together, he finds himself confused at the look in Zoro's eyes.

"You truly want this fate?"

"It's mine, I'm choosing it, how could I not want it?" 

And Zoro is the one who does it. Closing the gap between their lips, kissing Law. 

Law knows he is cold, colder than the saltless sea, colder than the top of the highest mountain; it comes with the job. Zoro is the opposite, even like this, even in this form, he's warm. Warm like the sun, and his lips are soft. Do all mortals’ mouths feel like this? Law suddenly wishes he could remember. 

For now, he presses back against Zoro's mouth with more intent, his wings spreading as Zoro gasps. And it's the perfect opportunity to deepen the kiss and slide his tongue against Zoro's. This seems to be the part that Law remembers, the part that is wet and messy, the part that requires the physical warmth and this level of intimacy.

Law's fingers are digging deep into Zoro's cheeks as the kiss deepens, probably longer than it is necessary. Who knows? Time has no hold over this particular moment, and when Zoro whimpers, he does, Law deems himself satisfied. He ends the kiss, finding Zoro flushed, and he's the one smiling now.

"Kneel."

The order is simple, and Zoro finally complies. Maybe Law shouldn't smile as he strikes down with his scythe again. He can not care; the deal has been sealed, Zoro's left eye is now his.

And he takes it. 

Of course, he does, he leaves a huge scar on Zoro's soul, on his human body too. He knows it's painful but Zoro doesn't flinch, his other eye remains trained on Law. Like he wants to see Death in all its glory.

Oh, but Zoro will remember this.

"I shall see you in eleven years, Roronoa-ya."

And thus history is written, or perhaps rewritten today, on the battlefield, so close to the borders of the land of Wano. Many will tell the tale of Roronoa Zoro, the faithful samurai of Princess Kuina, who struck down Kaido and only lost one eye in return.

A noble deed.

Only one person knows the truth, and now his eye resides in a glass box, Down Below, in Law's private quarters. The silver eye twitches, moves and rolls around on his own, as if his owner were already here. Staring at Law.

It's Law’s most prized possession.

Eleven years, how shall Law wait?

...

For once, for the God of Death, time seems to be the longest. But somehow, finally, he manages to get some sleep. Some peaceful and restoring sleep. 

And Law dreams too. 

He dreams of silver and green, with a smile on his face.