Aaaaaaand the story gets more complicated...

Enjoy!

Chapter warning: Crazy amounts of angst. Slightly OOC.


Law flipped his phone open to check the time, and saw that it was way past 7pm. He no longer had the time to make the trip home.

Unsure of where to go, he wandered the streets aimlessly and soon found himself in front of the train station. Turning towards the brightly-lit city street, he caught a glimpse of his own reflection in the display window of one of the shops.

No, he couldn't meet Smoker while looking like this. But in spite of his melancholy, Law knew better than to cancel the meeting. Smoker would immediately sense that something was wrong if he did.

Making his way towards a bench near their meeting place, Law sat down heavily with a sigh.

The noise from the bustling city surrounded him as he watched the people passing by. It seemed as if everyone except him was smiling. There were people talking on their mobile phones, friends and lovers chatting happily as they walked by, businessmen hurrying past, adjusting the ties on their worn-looking suits. Some women whispered to their companions excitedly when they caught sight of him, while others cast him suspicious looks.

None of it mattered to Law.

Watching the crowds emerging out of and disappearing back into the darkness soon gave him a headache. He closed his eyes, only to have the image of that person appear in his mind. He opened his eyes again in despair.

That person, with his flaming scarlet hair, would never come for him.

Law ran a hand through his hair angrily. Hadn't he decided not to regret this? Hadn't he convinced himself that he would be better off without Kid?

Biting down on his lower lip, he forced the tears back. He would not cry again.

XXXXXX

Law didn't know how much time had passed, when the sudden vibration of the phone in his pocket jolted him back to reality. Drawing the phone out hastily, he pushed the 'answer' button.

"...Look up."

Law glanced up to see his former teacher, just as the familiar scent of tobacco drifted around him.

"...Smoker..."

"It's been a while, Law... What's with that look?"

"Heheh, it's nothing."

Law stood up, did a little stretch, and began leading the way. After a few minutes of walking, they reached a small eatery, and were soon seated along the counter.

"2 beers, please... I hope you don't mind, sir."

"It's alright. And stop calling me "sir"... You're not my student anymore, though you'll always be a brat to me..."

"That's mean," Law gave a small smile. Just then, Smoker turned to face Law, and reached out to ruffle his hair.

"What are you doing...?"

"The brat's looking gloomy tonight."

"Are you trying to comfort me?"

"...Yes."

Except for his new close-cropped haircut and all-back style, Smoker was just as Law had remembered him. The memories and nostalgia of high school came flooding back, and Law soon found himself slowly relaxing in the presence of the other man.

The beers arrived, and they did a toast. Law downed the mug's contents in one go, hoping to suppress all the negative emotions and just concentrate on enjoying himself.

They soon started chatting, their conversation moving from recent events to work, school and life in general. The time passed quickly, aided by the constant flow of alcohol.

Eventually, the topic of Kid came up.

It was nothing new to Smoker. In fact, when a confused and frustrated Law had first approached him all those years ago, he was the one who had suggested that the young student might be in love with Kid.

Since then, Law had slowly opened up to Smoker, often seeking him out for advice. As such, it wasn't difficult for Law to broach the topic now.

"...He's rejected me," Law whispered, clutching the beer mug in his hands. He'd forgotten the number of mugs he'd had so far, only that it had been too many.

Smoker turned to look at Law, "...so you've told him?"

"Yes. He said... that he's sorry."

"I see..." Smoker replied, exhaling and watching the cigar smoke slowly drift up to the ceiling.

Law's head was pounding, and he felt like puking as he leaned down to rest his head in his arms. He just wanted to forget.

Smoker patted Law gently on the back, silently comforting him as he continued to smoke.

XXXXXX

It was 11pm. The number of customers in the eatery had slowly dwindled as the evening passed, and soon, Smoker suggested that they leave as well.

Law shivered as he stepped outside and was immediately buffeted by the freezing wind. He instinctively reached up to wrap his muffler tighter around his neck.

'Where...'

His hand stilled.

'Oh... That's right. I'd thrown it away.'

"...Shall I send you home?" Smoker offered.

"I'm not a child. I can get home by myself."

"You're not walking straight."

"Shut up... Stop following me."

The bustling city had fallen silent, and most of the stores along the street were dark. Only the decorative illuminations in some of the shops served to light the way.

"Law."

He ignored the voice calling his name, walking on and doing his best to overcome the slight wobble in his step.

"Oi, Law."

"I said, stop following me..."

The footsteps behind him did not stop.

"Do you want to forget him?"

Law halted. After a long pause, he shook his head slowly.

Yes, he wanted to forget Kid, but he knew that he'd never be able to do so. It would be impossible to forget someone so easily, especially when he truly loved that person with all his heart...

"Law."

He felt Smoker's warm hand land on his shoulder, before gently turning him around. The tears that had been gathering in his eyes finally spilled over.

He felt totally wretched.

He hated himself for being useless, unable to win the affections of the one he loved most. For being so needy and selfish, choosing to unload his problems onto others.

He was just a childish, miserable, weak fool, leeching off of others' kindness.

No, this was all a mistake. He shouldn't have contacted Smoker and asked for his company, when the only one on his mind was Kid. When the only name that kept resounding in his mind was the redhead's.

He never wanted to stop reaching, never wanted to stop dreaming.

White snow started to fall from the dark, silent sky.

"...Does it hurt?"

With the pad of his thumb, Smoker gently wiped the tears from his face.

"...Do you still love him?"

Fresh tears streaked down his cheeks, a wordless answer.

Smoker pulled Law into his arms, and he leaned heavily against the older man, muffling his sobs in his chest.

He could no longer go back. He wouldn't be able to speak to Kid again, to laugh with him. There was nothing left for him in their broken friendship.

How was he going to survive from now on? What was he going to live for? He knew he needed to move on, but he didn't know where to go.

It should have been enough. Seeing Kid smile, holding his hand, being by his side... It should have been more than enough.

But human desire would always crave for more, bringing about destruction through its greed. It was an endless cycle, running through today, tomorrow, and forever into the future. The world would be smeared with desire, drowning in itself, destroying and craving more. Only a lucky few could ever escape and achieve happiness.

"Will... I ever be happy?"

His voice sounded so weak to his ears.

"...Kid..."

He could no longer stop himself from calling out that forbidden name.

"...Law. Listen to me. There is happiness, and I know you'll find it. In fact, there are many things, large and small, that can make you happy. Simple things like having a good meal, or chatting with a friend, or being alive. These can all bring happiness. You don't need to rely on a single person for that."

Smoker's words echoed in his heart. It was just like what a teacher would say. Law's lips formed a weak smile.

"You'll be alright. So, don't cry."

Smoker tilted Law's face upward. The falling snow landed on his cheeks.

"Law. Trust me..."

Smoker's warm hand gently caressed his face, wiping away the melted snow. Law felt something breaking inside of him.

'...Kid...'

Law closed his eyes as Smoker's lips descended upon his own.

'Goodbye, Eustass-ya. I will always love you.'

A final tear made its way down Law's cheek.

"...Smoker..."


Please leave a review or comment if you can. All of them will be translated and presented to the original author. (・ω・*)

To the reviewers:

viv-heart: Yesss, it's all gonna get reeeeally complicated from now on. Hold on tight! \(T∇T)/

darkimpulse: We'll see how Kid feels soon!

Itavita: I knowwwww. Kid just cares so much for Law, just not in the way he wants. ( TДT) We'll see if SmoLaw develops somewhere sometime too~

NebulaHeroine: Yeahhh, it's really depressing when all you wanna do is give Law a big hug! Hope you like this chapter with the SmoLaw interaction (。´∀`)ノ

AMBher: *gives more*

Puroppu: I'm glad you love the fic. I love it too! (*^▽^*)

Bima-chan: *hands you tissue* I know, the hurt is so good! ヽ(;▽;)ノ

YOO: I know, it's a really sad story and there's so much frustration for the reader. Yet the author doesn't give you any easy scapegoat character to vent that anger on, which I feel is quite brilliant.

ladyevilbunny: Yes, there is more to come! Though Law will still be quite a ways from happiness... o(╥﹏╥)o

loogoo: I agree. This is a beautiful story (´▽`ʃƪ)