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Original fic (pixiv,net/novel/show,php?id=5158890) Replace all commas with full stops~

ACCORDING TO PLAN: PART 2

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Of course, the great place nearby was a gay bar Kid frequented. The main reason why he liked the place was because it wasn't swarming with perverted old men and clingy boys in thick makeup trying to hook up with each other, unlike many other typical homosexual establishments he knew. Through previous experience, Kid knew this was the best place to meet other people like him. People who would lend a sympathetic ear to his troubles and share in his pains. And now, it would be the perfect spot for him to get to know Law better.

"Look. There it is."

Having led the other man through several alleyways off the main street, Kid now guided Law some ways down a narrow street. Soon, they stopped before an old wooden door under a forlorn-looking neon sign advertising the bar's name. Sliding the door open, Kid allowed Law to enter before himself. The bar's interior featured vintage decor, with old-style lighting and sofas dotted about the room. A counter ran along the length of the bar, and soft 70's American club music played from hidden speakers.

"...Nice place."

"I know."

Kid was quietly glad that Law sounded impressed; he was afraid that the beauty would find the place a tad too shoddy. Moving to his usual seat at the counter, Kid pulled out a bar stool for Law right next to himself.

"I'm getting a gin and tonic. You?"

"...I'll go for a rum and coke."

The barkeeper came over to greet Kid, and the redhead placed their orders with the smiling man. While waiting for their drinks to arrive, Kid took the chance to get a closer look at Law's profile. Under this lighting, the dark shadows under his eyes seemed even deeper, almost like eyeliner, giving him a mysterious, sexy air. And his lashes were really long too. Kid couldn't help but imagine how cute the other male would look like asleep...

"What is it?"

"Huh?!... Oh, it's nothing..."

Embarrassed to be caught staring, Kid tore his eyes away from Law's amber ones. The two sat in silence for a few moments, the redhead keeping his eyes trained on the vinyl record spinning on the turntable behind the bar counter.

"Here, gin and tonic, rum and coke."

The barkeeper placed the drinks in front of them, and Kid noted the sly smirk playing on the man's lips. Leveling a glare at him, Kid silently hoped that the grinning man wouldn't try anything funny as he grabbed his drink and toasted Law.

"I'm paying for this round, ok?"

"No problem... Cheers."

Clinking their glasses together, Kid downed his drink in one gulp, trying to drown out the nervousness and excitement pooling in his gut. Now, he just had to think of a way to talk to Law. Of course, he'd have to think of a way to find out which way Law swung first. But before Kid could come up with anything, the barkeeper spoke up.

"I've never seen you around before. Are you Kid's friend? Or a colleague?"

"No, I only met Eustass-ya today."

"Eustass-ya? What a funny way of addressing him~ You're interesting! What's your name?"

"Oh, this is Trafalgar. I met him tonight during a drinking party..."

The barkeeper's smile grew impossibly wider, his mind no doubt conjuring all the implications that came along with the phrase "drinking party". Kid immediately regretted supplying him with that piece of information. The man knew all about Kid's misadventures and one night stands resulting from past parties, and he probably saw Law the same way, if the look he was leveling at the raven-haired man over the counter was any indication. Kid prayed that he wouldn't say the wrong thing and mess up his chances with Law.

"Mr Trafalgar? What a lovely name! Though that's hardly the only thing lovely about you!"

"Oh... Erm..."

"With such a sweet face, you'd make a great model! You must be really popular with the ladies, huh?"

"Well... I'm not really interested in them..."

"Huh?"

Kid and the barkeeper stared at Law. He wasn't interested in women? Kid felt a thin ray of hope shining through the anxiety clouding his mind, clearing the fog as anticipation and hope took its place. This was it. He'd really hit the jackpot. There could be no mistake.

"...I'm sorry... Is that weird? That I don't really like women..."

Law looked almost guilty as he apologized, probably bothered by the sudden silence. But this was the golden chance Kid had been waiting for all his life, and he pounced on it without further thought.

"It's not weird. I feel the same way too."

"...Huh?"

"I'm gay... So I'm into men."

This was it. It took all of Kid's willpower to maintain a cool facade, and it was fortunate that the barkeeper chose this time to place another gin and tonic before him, from which Kid took a grateful sip. He kept his eyes trained on the drink in his hand, determined not to meet Law's eye as he waited for the man to speak.

"...I see."

"Yeah..."

The silence stretched on, and Kid couldn't stand it any longer. Risking a peek at Law's face, the redhead was shocked to find the beauty watching him curiously.

"So Eustass-ya likes men?"

"...Yeah, that's right."

"Are you interested in anyone at the moment?"

"...Yeah."

You! Kid took another sip from his glass, resisting the urge to shout out his innermost thoughts, though he was sure the answer showed plain as day on his flaming face. Panic roiled within him, things were not going according to plan. But he was also slightly unsettled by Law's seeming naivety. Did he really not have any clue? Law's next question almost knocked Kid off his seat.

"...Maybe... I'm gay... too...?"

Kid knew such a perfect opportunity would never come by again, and he seized the chance to shift his bar stool towards Law, closing the distance between them.

"Hey Law. Do you feel uncomfortable when I look at you like this?"

"...No..."

Law shook his head, and Kid took this as a cue to place a gentle hand on the man's shoulder.

"How about if I touch you like this?"

"...No..."

Kid slid his hand down Law's arm, trailing his fingers along Law's skin until he was holding a cold hand.

"...How about this...?"

"...Not at all..."

Kid was vaguely aware that some patrons nearby had stopped their conversation and were looking at them with curiosity. Lacing their fingers together, he gently pulled Law towards him until their noses were almost touching.

"Are you ok with this?"

"...Yes..."

This was it. This was really it. With soothing jazz music playing in the background, Kid gazed deep into Law's beautiful amber eyes as he took the final leap.

"What if I say that I really like you...?"

"...I'm ok with that too..."

Kid's nonexistent brows shot up before his shoulders slumped. This was definitely not the reaction he was expecting. Kid cursed himself inwardly. He'd been so caught up in the moment that he'd completely forgotten how innocent Law was.

"Erm... Mr Trafalgar?" The barkeeper's voice sounded out tentatively.

"...Yes?"

"You know... Kid just confessed to you, right?"

Still recovering from the shock of Law's words, Kid was thankful for the man's intervention.

"...Confessed? About what...?"

"About love! That was it! Kid just confessed his feelings for you!"

"...Oh."

"What do you mean, oh?!"

Unable to stand it any longer, Kid stood up abruptly from the counter, fully aware that his face was probably as red as his hair. He looked down at a dumbfounded Law, whose face was also slowly turning scarlet as realization sunk in.

Anywhere else, the sight of two blushing men would seem totally out of place, but as this was a gay bar, the patrons who had been witnessing the scene soon started cheering and catcalling.

"How lovely! Are you guys a couple now?"

The barkeeper grinned at Kid amidst the noise, before rummaging in his pocket and digging out a hotel voucher to stuff into Kid's free hand. Kid stared at the voucher, a new plan formulating in his mind at lightning speed, and this time, there was no hesitation as he tightened his grip on Law's hand.

"...Law?"

"...Yes...?"

"You mentioned that tomorrow is your day off, right...?"

"...Yes."

Their eyes both landed on the voucher in Kid's hand. Twenty percent discount for a couple hour's stay, thirty for an overnight booking. Kid gave Law's fingers a gentle squeeze.

"...Wanna go to a hotel?"

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