Title: The Dark Side Of My Shadow
Author: AoiTsukikage
Rating: PG-13 for now, will increase
Characters/Pairing:Eventual Law/Sanji, other pairings mentioned
Chapter: 3/?
Word Count: 3397
Summary: Sanji hadn't planned on getting bitten that night. Law hadn't planned on taking a vampire home with him. Now there's no going back. AU, Vampire!Sanji, eventual Law/Sanji.
Spoilers: For recent chapters.
Chapter Three
"That's you?" Sanji knows that's probably a rather blunt way of putting it but Rommel's Whirlwind is one of those eerily true urban legends. It's well-known that if anybody goes out the night of the New Moon, the most likely outcome is that their body will be found the next morning slashed in so many places it looks like a whirlwind of knives has swept them up. He'd always assumed it had something to do with the vampires, that maybe the New Moon agitated them in some way, but he never would have suspected…
"It is," Cavendish looks down, twirling the rose between his fingers and pursing his lips. "It only happens when I fall asleep on that one night of the month, and I've tried my hardest to stay awake but inevitably that fails and, well…" he sighs heavily, leaning his chin on his hand and looking at Sanji. "I suppose if anybody were to make a case for half-breeds being dangerous they need only look at me, but I find it cruel to be punished for one night when the other twenty-nine or thirty I'm a model citizen," he states, and while Sanji can see both sides, if Cavendish is truly unaware of it it's hard to blame him entirely. "I've done what I can to warn people, after all."
"So," Sanji's still trying to process this, but he wants to make sure he asks everything he needs to. "This…do we need blood?"
"It depends," Marco leans back in his chair, slinging one arm casually over Ace's shoulders. "I've never really craved it, but people like Bartolomeo here seem to need it to survive. I wish I had better answers for you, Sanji, but the truth is I've been living with this for over twenty years now and every new half-breed I meet just makes me realize there are so few connections between any of us, yoi."
"So the shadow thing…"
"Is unique to you, as far as I can tell. At least, I've never seen anything like it before," Marco shrugs, and Sanji has to admit that doesn't really make him feel better because his shadow is so damn noticeable. "It's far preferable to having violent tendencies, I think."
"It's also impossible to hide," Sanji mutters, Ace reaching to pat his shoulder comfortingly. "What about the Hunters, though? Aren't they…"
"They're still a concern," Marco nods. "Not to me, of course, because I've more or less struck a deal with them, but it's good to be wary when you're out and about, yoi. These two stay in hiding most of the time…"
"Yeah, that's not gonna work with my job," Sanji's willing to do a lot to ensure his own safety, but quitting his passion isn't one of them and Zeff's not the type of man to let him stay back in the kitchen all night even if he knew the truth.
"You may have an advantage, however, being in such a public place because the Hunters won't attack you unless you're alone and they can get in and out quickly. So keep somebody around at all times, especially if you're out alone at night, yoi," Marco warns, and Sanji nods because, well, being alone at night is what got him into this mess in the first place so he's pretty sure it's a rule he can follow. "And I know I told Shakky to leave you alone, but this…guy you met, you're sure he's trustworthy?"
"If he's not I can take care of him," Bartolomeo grins and Cavendish reaches over to smack his arm.
"What part of 'laying low' do you have trouble comprehending? It's a wonder you haven't been done in yet," he sniffs, but Sanji can sense there's a type of grudging respect between these two men no matter how different they seem to be.
"I mean, he had plenty of chances to kill me, or he could have just…left me out on the streets, but from what he says he's only working for the government because he's got some sort of cursed sword they want to have on their side," he shrugs. "He doesn't seem too loyal to them, at any rate."
"Then I suppose I'll have to take your word for it, yoi," Marco's fingers were idly stroking Ace's shoulder and the younger man gives him a smile, something in Sanji's chest clenching at the action. Ace is clearly smitten and Marco seems rather fond of him in return, and Sanji thinks that if it's possible for a half-vamp to have a relationship he might not be left totally alone forever. He's known Ace for a long time, after all, and he's pretty sure the other man wouldn't shack up with anybody too strange.
Sanji glances down at his watch, then, figuring he should be getting back before the dinner rush starts, and he stands up and clears his throat.
"Well, um, I should be going, but it's…a relief to know I'm not alone in this," he says honestly.
"You're always welcome here, and so is anybody else that's fine with what we are," Cavendish adjusts a rather ornate sword at his side, his blue eyes narrowing as he regards Sanji. "But if they betray us, they'll meet a cruel end. I might not be able to harness my…violent tendencies whenever it's required, but as this lout already attested to, he most certainly can."
"Happy to do it," Bartolomeo bares his fangs and Sanji thinks he's joking…or maybe not…but it's never going to happen. He trusts his friends too much to even think about one of them selling him out.
"Sanji," Marco motions him over. "Have Ace walk back with you, yoi. I can watch over a lot, but I won't be around all the time and I don't like interfering with the Hunters because I owe the government my life," he says this with obvious distaste, true as it might be.
"Sure," Sanji looks at Ace, who gives Marco a rather casual one-armed hug before standing and clapping Sanji on the shoulder. "I'm sure I'll see you guys around," he says this mostly to Marco, who nods, but he can't say he'd be sad to meet any of them again, as…strange as the other two men are. Cavendish is eating the rose when they leave, Bartolomeo watching him with equal parts fascination and disgust, and Sanji ups his assessment of them from 'strange' to 'really fucking weird,' but then, he's got a sentient shadow, so maybe he's not in any position to complain.
000
"So he exists."
"Yeah," Sanji slides into a chair across from Law, watching the other man eat his pasta almost methodically. He hasn't said much since arriving at the restaurant but Sanji's strangely flattered by the fact that he came at all, so he's willing to let his silence slide.
"I feel a little ashamed that you've managed to find out about more half-breeds in one day than I have in all of my years with the government, though," he adds, but there's no malice in his voice.
"You've never…experimented on one?" Sanji asks, realizing he's worded that wrong a second later when Law sets his fork down a little too harshly, golden eyes flashing when he looks up.
"I would never do anything to a patient without their express permission. So no, because half-breeds generally don't go running toward government offices, I can't say I've had the chance," he hisses, and Sanji shrinks back a little, his shadow writhing in distress. Law notices that, at least, and sighs heavily, slouching back in his chair. "Forgive me. I know you weren't implying…"
"Nah, I just thought…it'd be something the government wanted to know,' Sanji frowns, because really, Marco doesn't like the government but if it comes to saving somebody's own life Sanji can't see why they wouldn't agree.
"If you want to know the truth, I think they're avoiding knowing at all costs," Law's back to eating now. "Because I have a feeling that your make-up is not so different from a human's, and if word of that got out, their culling of half-breeds would be seen as inhumane instead of necessary," he explains, and yeah, he's got a pretty good point there. After meeting Bartolomeo and Cavendish, Sanji's well aware how dangerous people like him could be, but they're still more human than not. "I would still welcome the chance to do some basic testing, but it's far too dangerous to attempt it without permission since you'd have to come into my lab," Law narrows his eyes and Sanji crosses his legs, leaning back in his chair.
"You've gotta have more interesting things to do in your spare time than take blood tests," he points out, and that earns him a tight-lipped smile.
"Truth be told, I don't have much of a social life. My circle of friends consists of a failed hybrid experiment, two of my interns, and a man with a mechanical arm who's somehow decided I like having him around so he won't stop pestering me. Other than that, there's not much to do," he doesn't sound all that bitter, but Sanji really didn't have any idea how lonely his life must be. "I'm reclusive by nature, I think, but these…" he points to his yellow eyes, "they don't help. People think I'm a demon and they avoid me."
"But you…"
"I have no idea who my parents were, quite frankly," Law idly picks at his pasta. "So I might have some…inhuman qualities somewhere in my lineage, but between my eyes and my sword, people tend to avoid me. And after so long, I kind of prefer it," he sighs. "But I think it's good you have quite a wide circle of acquaintances because it will only serve to keep you safer in the long run."
"Yeah, probably," Sanji admits, and he knows Law's right about that. It's not exactly a happy topic to dwell on, even though Law doesn't seem to be bothered by his solitary nature so Sanji supposes he should let it go. "Anyway, you haven't told me how the food is yet."
Law gives him a rather knowing smile at that, something inherently playful about the expression and Sanji's a little surprised to see it from him. So far Law's been fairly brusque and neutral, but knowing he's got at least a sense of humor is nice. "It's exceptional, but I have a feeling you don't need me to tell you that."
"Nah, keep feeding my ego," Sanji waves his hand and feels inwardly proud when it gets a soft smile from the doctor. "Oi, knock if off," he directs this to his shadow, which is fucking wriggling the way it should if he were talking to a gorgeous lady. Law is most certainly not that, and while Sanji can admit he's not ugly, he doesn't feel anything more toward him other than gratitude for saving his life. "So. Not a big circle of friends, but what about a girlfriend?" he asks, more to divert attention away from his shadow than anything.
"That's probably even lower on my list of priorities," Law replies, leaning forward onto the table. "Not just because I have no interest in conventional relationships, but…" he pauses then, as if he's said too much, and averts his eyes. Sanji's shadow, meanwhile, has decided it would be a really great idea to slide along the floor, twining with Law's, and the doctor looks at him curiously.
"Fuck. Get back here," Sanji tries to pull his leg back but the shadow stubbornly remains where it is, and Law seems to decide it's not a threat after a moment or two because he merely shrugs. "Sorry, it's…"
"I don't mind," Law cuts him off. "So long as it's not trying to hurt me, and I suppose this ties in with your previous question but…" he reaches out a hand, down low enough that Sanji's shadow can glide over it, and Sanji jumps a little when it touches Law's skin. It's like a tiny electric shock going through his body, and this time when he mentally tells his shadow to get the fuck away from Law it listens, creeping back so it's more or less a normal human shape on the floor. "Fascinating," Law murmurs, staring at his hand where it had touched the shadow.
"So, um, you're gay," Sanji thinks that's what Law's trying to say with all of this, and the dark-haired man nods.
"Inasmuch as I feel the need to put a label on myself. Truthfully sex and romance are irrelevant to me, but yes, I prefer men when it comes to the rare times I…" he cuts off, then, waving his hand, and Sanji has the feeling that he's actually embarrassed to talk about having sex which seems…odd, because Law's so carefully composed in everything else.
"Whatever, I don't care," Sanji says honestly, and Law looks a little relived. "And I guess my shadow doesn't, either," he mutters, because his shadow is sliding toward Law again, but it snaps back almost instantly when somebody comes rushing to the table.
"So this is your mystery man," Ace swipes his hair out of his eyes, hands settled on his hips, and he leans forward to peer at Law.
"What are you still doing here?" Sanji hadn't expected to be interrupted but then, with his friends, he should have guessed somebody would be keeping tabs on him.
"You're not supposed to walk home alone, right? So I'll take you home and then Marco will pick me up so I don't have to worry," he offers and Sanji's grateful for it, because honestly he hadn't thought much about getting home safely. "I'm Ace, by the way," he holds out a hand and Law shakes it after a moment.
"Law. And I was telling young Mr. Blackleg here that he's lucky to have friends like yourself who are so willing to look out for him," he says formally, but Ace snorts.
"Yeah, well, I'm kind of dating a half-breed so I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't," he says logically, and Sanji can see Law perk up at that. He doesn't have much time to dwell on it, though, because Ace is still talking. "But thank you for taking care of him last night."
"He was remarkably little trouble for somebody who'd just gone through what he did," Law looks pointedly at Sanji, who meets his gaze evenly and tries to adopt a neutral expression (his fucking shadow is making it impossible, though, and it's starting to scare him a little). "Well, thank you for the meal," he stands up and nods. "What do I…"
"I told you, it's on me," Sanji waves him off and Law nods curtly. "Hey."
"Yes?" the man turns and Sanji stands up, trying to keep his shadow under control as he moves closer. "Do you, um…you're gonna be okay getting home?"
"I have Kikoku. I'll be fine," Law shoulders his sword to prove his point and takes a couple of steps before turning back. "Perhaps we'll meet again."
"Cut the shit," Sanji tries to tamp down the disappointment he feels at those words and apparently his shadow decides curling around Law's and trying to tug him closer is the best way to keep him around. "I've got your number, Trafalgar. You're not getting rid of me that easily."
"I see," Law affords him a tight-lipped smile and reaches his hand out, patting Sanji's shoulder awkwardly before he moves out of range of Sanji's still creeping shadow. "Good night then."
"Yeah. Later," Sanji watches him go, feeling a little weird about everything since he's not sure what just happened, but he thinks it's a good thing that Law's not trying to get away from him.
000
"Is there something you're not telling me?"
Sanji glances sideways at Ace as they walk, the other man with his hands in his pockets and scanning the sky. The cook sighs and lights up a cigarette, blowing some smoke into the air and wondering how to answer the question. "Fuck if I know," he finally says, because honestly he's just confused. "Apparently my shadow's decided it likes him…"
"I thought you said your shadow just amplified your own feelings…"
"Not this time," Sanji snaps, and Ace recoils a little. "Fuck. I'm sorry, Ace, it's not your fault, I just…it's all a little much to process," he rubs his temples, lips clamped around the cigarette, and stops at the side of the walk to stare out over the calm ocean. The breeze is cool and while he can't say it feels nice, exactly, since he can't get warm anymore, it's not unpleasant.
"I don't blame you," Ace stops beside him, smiling softly. "He's hot."
"Yeah, but I'm not gay," Sanji replies, crossing his arms, because turning into a half-vampire is bad enough but his shadow was damn near feeling Law up and that's just…he's not going there.
"Would it be so bad if you were?" Ace nudges his arm and Sanji glances over at him, shrugging.
"That's not the point. I like women," he's fairly sure that's obvious, but Ace gives him a pointed look.
"Which is why you make a fool of yourself around them and haven't gotten past holding hands with one?" Ace is teasing but it hits a little close to home because, okay, yeah, it's not as if Sanji has any experience with anybody but he's fairly sure he'd know if he wanted to jump into bed with a guy.
A tiny part of his brain reminds him that he already did, and he angrily brushes the thought aside because curling up with Law last night hadn't been anything more than necessity.
"Hey," Ace says quietly, and Sanji looks over. "Whatever happens, you know none of us are gonna judge you, and if you need any advice I'm happy to give it…" he leans backward on the rail.
"So you and Marco…" Sanji's not sure why he's asking other than to divert the attention off of himself, but he supposes it's still relevant because logically what applies to Marco should also work for him. "He can…I mean…"
"Sexually?" Ace snickers. "Yeah, totally normal. I mean, he's cold, but people always tell me I've got too much body heat anyway so it balances out," he bends his head forward so his hair falls in front of his face, and Sanji feels a strange sense of relief at the news. He hadn't exactly been sure if it was possible to get aroused when he's so cold all the time, but this at least is encouraging. "You don't want details, do you?"
"I'm good," Sanji holds up a hand, because he's learned what he needs to. "Come on, let's keep going."
"Yeah," Ace pushes himself off the rail and Sanji follows, deciding that whatever was going on with Law would work itself out in time. Maybe his shadow was just feeling an attachment to Law because he saved him, or something, but since he doesn't feel the same way it shouldn't matter in the long run.
Objectively he supposes Law is attractive, but he's also fucking cold and standoffish and definitely not a woman, so Sanji doesn't really see any reason to think his own feelings will change.
He realizes then that they're at his apartment, and Ace waits until he unlocks the door before stepping back.
"Will you be in for lunch tomorrow?" Sanji asks, and the other man grins, which is answer enough. There's a bright flash of blue from the sky and Marco lands in a wave of flame, giving Sanji a nod. "I'm still not used to that, but you're welcome too, of course," he adds and Marco smiles.
"I might have to take you up on that, yoi. Ace here talks about your cooking a lot," he notes and Ace doesn't even look ashamed about that.
"Because it's amazing," he counters. "But we should get going. See you tomorrow," he says to Sanji, who nods and waves after them before going into his dark apartment.
He thinks he hears something that almost sounds like a growl before he shuts the door and locks it, but he puts it down to just being his imagination.
It's probably nothing to worry about, anyway.
Notes:
1. I'm sorry this update took so long! I did indeed have inspiration to write while I was out on the coast, but unfortunately didn't have any time to so it had to wait until I got back home.
2. Feel free to comment or review if you're reading this, and thank you to those that have given me feedback so far!