When he'd started working there, it'd been out of desperation for money. He had thought there had been no way he could do it for a month, yet three years later here he was, up on stage and ensnaring the crowd as easily as a charmer would a snake. He danced to the music and as he lost more clothing and had to smack away greedy hands, he wondered at how much his perception had changed.

Despite his reservations about the job, he'd never looked down on his colleagues. They were all great and after the six-month mark, when it had been decided that he'd be staying indefinitely, they had accepted him into their tight-knit family and honestly, it felt like home. They watched each other's backs and even the cooks in the kitchen were ready to break faces if anyone dared to attack one of the entertainers.

Even though it really wasn't necessary. Every single one of them were required by their boss to have at least a brown belt in karate or an equivalent. It was a very well-kept secret that they were all lethal weapons, but it also meant their every move was monitored. There were cameras and spies stationed wherever their normal routes were and all trips were planned weeks ahead, even if it was to another store, although in their own neighborhoods, it only required a single escort. If they didn't call ahead for permission to enter an area without eyes, their tips went to the owner for an entire month and so they were all extremely against disregarding the rule.

It took a lot to get used to and they all freely admitted it was kind of creepy, but necessary. If they ever got into a fight and their assailant ended up dead, their boss wanted to be able to prove with physical evidence and eyewitnesses that it had been in self-defense. So it made sense and it turned out that their kind-of creepy boss was a complete and total softie. He took care of them, treating them all as his children to protect and provide for, encouraging them to call him Uncle. Sometimes when they got really close, that protection held even after they left the family.

Not that he'd ever leave the family. Collecting the money he'd been thrown as the lights went black, he made small talk with a few of the regulars sitting near the stage. Their clients were usually very nice and they tipped well. Men and women, rich and poor, young and old…they saw a bit of every walk of life. The money was great too, even with the cuts that went to their House Mam and the owner. He always managed at the very minimum a grand a night.

He headed backstage and wondered when he had started to love his job so much. When had he started to enjoy the stares and catcalls and objectification? If his patients could see him now, he bet he'd be a hell of a lot more popular at the hospital.

At least he didn't have to worry about being fired. Beyond the fact his boss on that end also adored him, he was protected by his Uncle's contracts. The man was old blood and had access to enough lawyers to successfully sue the president for shitting. If any of the family were fired from their day—or night, depending on their hours—jobs for anything less than stupidity (sleeping on the job, skipping work, selling drugs, stealing), they'd be on their employers like sharks on seals.

"Right, you keep that up, love, you're only going on twice more." Their House Mam Izo said with a huff. "Here, we've got some requests for you already. Let's get you fixed up a bit."

He put up with the man's fawning as make-up and a touch of glitter were painted on him and then he was heading out for his first table. Paid up front, the amount told him if it'd be table or lap dances provided and it was where he'd make the majority of his money.

Almost nine hours later, he was off the clock. He wished he could just collapse on the inviting sofa placed in their lounge, but Nojiko and Kingdew were there so he just headed for the locker room to get dressed in his street clothes.

"Yo!"

Looking up, he saw Ace practically skipping over. He noticed that he still had white paint with black spots on his entire body and the puppy ears still in place from his show with his cousin Sabo earlier. "Mr. Ace."

The man clapped him on the back. "Hey man, great job tonight! You had those guys like dogs in heat!" He laughed at his joke before sobering a bit, the grin never leaving his face. "You wanna come with us to our Gramps' house? We're gonna have turkey and gravy and stuffing and carrots and mashed potatoes—"

Law blinked at him and cut him off. "What, does he think it's Thanksgiving or something? That's a lot of food."

Ace cocked his head in a way that looked completely adorable with his costume. "Law…it is Thanksgiving."

Oh. "I wouldn't want to impose—"

Sabo suddenly popped up and began pushing him towards the door. "Your concerns have been noted. Let's go, I'm starving!"

Law was confused. "Isn't this holiday meant to be shared only with family?"

"No! It's for friends and family and everyone you care about!" Ace said brightly. "We thought that since you never celebrate the holidays, we should drag you along to ours!"

"The food's the best you'll ever taste!" Sabo said happily. "But word of warning, it can get pretty crazy."

"You can bunk with us tonight so you won't have to worry about getting home." Ace continued.

He considered fighting, but history proved it would be fruitless (this wasn't his first kidnapping since several of his brothers and sisters loved to take him places) so he just said, "I need to be at the hospital by seven."

"I'll take you." Sabo said and that was that.

He took his place in the back seat and stretched out as they buckled in. He normally took the bus so he had no car to worry about leaving behind. Seeing customers heading for their own cars, he smiled when they noticed him and started waving, blowing kisses, or shouting their love for him. Rolling down the window, he leaned out.

"Hope to see you tomorrow, everyone! Sleep well and dream of me!" He blew them a kiss and to his amusement, several actually swooned. He waved as the car pulled out of the lot and retreated back inside. "I wonder what's gotten them so worked up tonight."

Ace and Sabo shared a glance before Sabo told him solemnly, "It's a combination of factors, Doctor Heartstealer. Your new navel piercing,"

"Where the hell did you find a gem that white?!"

"The tan from when Bay stole you last week,"

"A tan that smooth should be illegal!"

"Those new undies Haruta got you,"

"They cover so little but hide so much!"

"And last, that tattoo on your thigh is genius!"

"Like a permanent garter belt. They bring the attention straight to your dick." Ace sighed dreamily.

Law chuckled. "I thought it might. I'd forgotten about all of those. And to answer your question, Mr. Ace, It's a family heirloom. I actually come from a long line of exotic dancers in India. There's a gap a few generations wide, but it's in my blood."

"India. God, no wonder you're so beautiful." Sabo sighed. "You have Indian, Native American, Hawaiian, and Japanese in your genes!"

Law gave him a careful look. "Your stalker is showing Mr. Sabo."

"Good thing I'm an exhibitionist."

"TMI, man!" Ace exclaimed.

Sabo laughed. "Sorry."

They kept up light chatter as they exited the city, but Law started to get a bit antsy. "You did get permission, right?"

"No, I'm totally stupid." Sabo drawled. "Left lane, about two hundred feet back."

Turning to look, Law relaxed when he saw the familiar silver Camry on their tail. After that, he was able to refocus on their bickering and even chimed in.

An hour later, they pulled into a drive mostly hidden by the trees and Law watched the shadowy forms pass a bit wistfully. He missed being around nature. Cities didn't allow for much biodiversity to study. Lights flashed behind them and Sabo slowed so that their escorts could catch up. When the brights returned to normal, he sped up again and soon there was a large clearing surrounding what had to be a mansion.