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It was a quiet, calm night.
That's saying a lot on the Strawhats ship, but most of them were retiring to bed. Only a few exceptions lingered outside: Zoro keeping watch up at the crows nest and Nico Robin somewhere below on the deck, likely engrossed in a book. The types who keep to themselves, Law thought with satisfaction.
Thankfully no questions were asked when he requested to have the bathroom alone for a while to wash. He waited for everyone else to finish their business first, which was more than fine. It meant less chance for anyone to bother him later in the night.
The room is still humid from previous baths when he enters, which makes his long coat stick to his already sweat-dampened skin. He was definitely ready to peel this thing off after it served its purpose at Punk Hazard.
That said, it was so good to be off that island with things going according to plan so far. Dressrosa, the real challenge, still laid ahead. For now though, he could stop holding his breath. Exhale.
Exhale… yeah, that's a laugh.
Law plops his change of clothes on a nearby surface and looks down, frowning. He barely feels like he can breathe in his coat right now. The fabric heavily clung around his body, particularly his midsection. He glanced to the side at a mirror nearby. Fuck, his belly was really sticking out even covered up like this. Even more so than his ass, which had gotten pretty… round lately.
He knew he had overeaten a little at dinner. Luffy, as small as he is, easily has the appetite of ten people. It's no wonder Sanji has to prepare so much for everyone, but even then the cook had gone out of his way to make Law a plate of onigiri with salted salmon. He didn't even recall mentioning that he liked eating that!
“Intuition, I guess!” Sanji told him with a proud glint in his eye. “Besides, our guest should at least have something nice on the first night aboard.”
With an annoyed grunt, he unzips the coat. His body spills out in renewed freedom, softened pecs and still taut gut bobbing as he wriggles his arms out of each sleeve. He dared not say it out loud, but this was why he wanted to be alone. These past few months–no, years– something had been changing in Law. He wasn't sure if it was age, hormones, stress, or a combination of the three. All he knew was that his appetite slowly demanded more.
He used to go through the day just fine on one or two meals along with snacks. Yes, his crew stressed that having breakfast, lunch, and dinner with them all now was such a relief to them. They were right in saying he looked a healthier weight. It was when the cravings came though, for something rich or salty on his tongue. Becoming a warlord of the sea came with some unforeseen perks as well, like how easier it was to restock food thanks to regular trade with Marines. He was never short of personal favorites like gruyere cheese or dark chocolate.
What started as “just filling out” has become outgrowing a fraction of his wardrobe. Even the jeans he was taking off right now were rigged a certain way with string because he couldn't button them closed anymore. He kept putting off the idea of getting new clothes, thinking he could handle his weight. The sprawling bright red marks across his body said otherwise.
He pushes the thoughts away before frustrating himself any further. He heads over to the tub to start filling it with warm water. He starts the shower next to it, preparing the soap in his hands. Let's just get this fucking part over with.
He’s quick to lather himself up, starting from the limbs going inward. As soon as Law’s fingers brush his stuffed stomach though, a sort of gurgling protest erupts from it. He drew his hands back, aghast by how loud that just was. Could someone have–no, everyone was too far away to hear what just happened. Law couldn’t help but picture the reaction fucking Luffy would make if he had though. Hehehe whoa!! You got someone trapped in there, Tra-guy?? His ridiculous question would be topped off with a pointed finger stretching to poke at Law’s belly, trying to elicit that noise again. Law’s face grew hotter than the air around him at the thought.
Still, he pressed forward. This time washing his middle with more careful, slow motions. Which actually felt quite… soothing? His scrubbing turned more to gentle massaging. Tension melted away from him in the form of some groans escaping his mouth, then a stifled belch into his fist. The dome of his stomach was mostly tight from overindulging, but the further down his hands went, the more his flesh gave under his fingers. He felt so warm and incredibly plush, had he always felt like this?
The tub was ready.
Law didn't realize how worn out his body was until it was completely enveloped in the water. He could feel every muscle go slack, a dulling of the aches from fights just hours earlier. His head tilted back to the wall with a hum, and closed his eyes. He was going to savor this peace while he could.
He wasn't sure how much time passed before opening his eyes again. What he saw gave him pause for a second, but then he couldn't help but let out a small laugh. His hands had been idly rubbing his stomach, possibly the whole time he dazed out. He didn't feel so uncomfortably full anymore either. Perhaps it was the mood this nice bath had put him in, but a new curiosity overcame him.
This time he grabs his belly fat, really seeing how much he can take. Sure enough, he can get entire handfuls of doughy flesh. Still holding on, he rose slowly from the water. Once on his feet, he let go, hearing the wet slap of skin-to-skin contact. The impact causes a rippling effect to all the softest parts of his body. It wasn’t as… unpleasant as he made it out to be before. He jiggles himself again more enthusiastically. Even his chest begins to move–
That's when he feels a twitch. He freezes, eyes widening in a silent gasp. It's time to wrap this bath up. Law almost runs toward the towel rack, almost as if he could outrun his own thoughts.
Once dressed in nightclothes, he studies his reflection in the mirror. His pants are a soft material but skin tight, plus he can't get his shirt to completely cover himself. A slice of hairy underbelly peeks out of it. Doing this, observing his bodily changes, doesn't fill him with the same annoyance as before. He finds himself wondering now. If he thinks his body feels nice at this time, what would it be like if things continued to…
Law storms out of the bathroom, face flushed.
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(sketch is not necessarily related to this fic, but enjoy!)