The dark haired surgeon wasn't sure what to make of his meetings with Rocinante after his damn near tearful remembrance of his sister. There was also the fact that Law wasn't entirely sure about the whole hug thing either. But it almost seemed as if Rocinante was determined to cheer him up in some way or another, because as those weeks went by, they had begun to meet one another for more than just meals and walks in the park.

Not only had they wandered fruitlessly through a mall in search of something Rocinante could never find in the end, there was also another time they had almost gone to a movie before the blond haired man had gotten a call from the police station. Law had been amused because Rocinante had been needed next door to the theater, and he'd gotten to witness the blond take down one of the suspects with his larger frame as he wrestled the criminal into handcuffs as the other cops kept watch.

Law knew that he spent a little too much time with his eyes lingering on a panting Rocinante, who had even messier hair now. Law hastily vacated the area.

But there were other things that Law ended up going out of his house to do with Rocinante, and the surgeon found, to his surprise, that he ended up having a better time than he thought he would.

-x-

The orchestral concert featuring classical music had been Law's favorite outing yet. The music had been soothing and something that he had needed after a stressful day in the hospital. Rocinante seemed to have enjoyed himself as well, even if he had still been embarrassed about the whole thing in the first place. Law had been amused more than anything, because Rocinante had barely been able to ask him if he wanted to go to a concert with him as his brother had ditched him last minute and he had an extra ticket that he didn't want to go to waste.

Law had waved Shachi and Penguin away from him when they tried to eavesdrop, and agreed to go with Rocinante. And then Law had had to endure Shachi and Penguin fussing over him and then demanding that he wear something nice if he was going to a concert. An expensive concert. And no, his casual wear wasn't acceptable in that setting. Law had been offended. He happened to like his bright yellow and black hoodie and blue, spotted jeans. The surgeon figured that at the very least Rocinante wouldn't mind it, what with his tacky heart covered dress shirt that he happened to wear on occasion.

In the end, Law relented, as he decided that his roommates had much better taste in clothes than he, because he realized that even Rocinante appeared to like what he was wearing when he turned up outside the building. Law felt self-conscious in a suit, especially when he had deemed it unnecessary, but was glad that he had listened to Shachi and Penguin. Nearly everyone that he could see in the concert hall wore dresses or suits. Law had smiled at the sight of Rocinante in a suit of sorts, though he'd forgone the suit jacket and worn a vest instead. Law's eyes lingered on Rocinante for longer than was necessary and knew it because he received a mischievous smile from the blond at the attention.

Law had gone to his seat after being caught, but it was during the concert that he realized that he had not cringed away from Rocinante's presence in the seat right next to him. Nor had the surgeon twitched his hand away from Rocinante lightly tracing his fingertips over the tattoos.

Law had felt the need to bring up the physical contract later, but Rocinante had merely inquired after the tattoos that were there. Law wasn't entirely sure if that was why the blond had been tracing his hand absently as he had been while the music had been playing, or so carefully, but had given his response. That it had been because he had been told he couldn't get tattoos as a surgeon, so therefore he had while he had gone through his training.

Rocinante had smiled at that and had insisted upon looking at his hand again.

Law didn't miss that the blond held his hand very gently.

There was something about that orchestra concert that changed things subtly, even more than when Rocinante had given him that hug in the park. After the concert, Law began to find more and more that he was reluctant to spend time away from Rocinante, so he continued to keep in near constant contact with the blond haired officer. It amazed Law that even the littlest smile from the other man made him happy, and while he was still weirded out by the feeling, he didn't mind having more of it.

Law found that he enjoyed being around Rocinante and from the looks of it, the blond haired officer too enjoyed his company. And the surgeon was about to find out just how much Rocinante liked being around him.

-x-

It had been nearly six months since Law and Rocinante had been getting together to eat out, converse with and otherwise spend time with one another. It was because of this that Law presumed that they had gone to a pricey restaurant to eat out that night. Like Law somehow staying around for a half a year was a miracle.

The surgeon didn't argue that point. It was very rare that he could stand most people's company, so the fact that he spent so much time with Rocinante was telling. It did help that the blond haired man didn't push him to meet up with him or otherwise make him feel like he was obligated to see him.

Law just wanted to.

The surgeon was displeased after all this time that he still couldn't figure Rocinante out. He still didn't act like most people he was used to dealing with. But it didn't seem to matter anymore.

Dinner that night was an enjoyable affair, and Law discovered, now more than ever, that he really liked being around Rocinante. The other man appeared to feel similarly, although there appeared to be something more in the way that he was looking at Law, even if he was happy enough to engage in conversation.

It was likely nothing to worry about.

-x-

Law hesitated outside his front door. For some reason, he was reluctant to have Rocinante leave, and was not sure what to do about it. It wasn't like he couldn't see him tomorrow. Why did he always have so much trouble with Rocinante than with the other people in his life?

"Law?"

The dark haired surgeon realized that Rocinante was suddenly standing very close to him, and watched as the blond haired man leaned over. The surgeon picked up faint traces of cigarette smoke lingering from earlier, but Law otherwise made no outward movement as he studied Rocinante and looked him in the eyes. The other man appeared to be almost…nervous. But why would that be?

The why became crystal clear as Rocinante, after a brief hesitation on his part, closed the remaining distance between them.

Law's mind went blank at the sensation of a soft brush of lips against his own and the way that it made him feel. The surgeon's mind then started to go haywire as he tried to make sense of what was happening.

Rocinante was kissing him.

Kissing him.

And Law found, much to his surprise, that he actually didn't mind the gesture as much as he would have thought he might. In fact, it was rather fascinating, because he'd never been kissed on the lips before.

The kiss was a brief and feather light before Rocinante drew away with an uncertain smile.

"Good night, Law."

The surgeon stared at the blond with what was likely a glazed look, his mind still preoccupied.

Rocinante fidgeted before he turned away and started to walk. He didn't get very far before he ended up tripping and falling over.

Law watched Rocinante as the police officer hastily rose and continued on, clearly embarrassed. The surgeon remained rooted to the spot as if he physically couldn't' move away from where he stood.

Rocinante had kissed him. Did that mean that…he liked him? As more than just a friend? As more than just someone to get together with during their busy schedules? At the very least, the kiss solved one mystery. Law had been wondering why Rocinante had asked him about whether he was in a relationship or not some two or three months ago. But having that be made clear did nothing to help Law with what he was going to do in response to that kiss.

It also didn't help that Shachi and Penguin had seen the whole thing, or so it seemed, as they cornered Law outside the house. And the surgeon again saw that damn glance between the pair of them before Penguin spoke.

"So…how was it?"

Law narrowed his eyes at the other man. "How was what?"

"That kiss that your officer gave you before he fled the scene of the crime." Shachi grinned like he'd made a great joke.

"He isn't mine and he just went home." Law managed to breathe out as he stared at each of his roommates in wordless horror. He hadn't seen either of them. Had they been in the house or outside of it? Had he been so distracted by Rocinante and the fact that he hadn't want him to leave that he hadn't even noticed their presence?

The answer, yes.

"It looked like you didn't mind it though." Penguin commented.

"Yeah, look at him blush." Shachi teased with a grin as he reached out to pat the surgeon on the shoulder. "You did seem happy after he kissed you."

The dark haired surgeon wasn't so sure about that but he could have very well been smiling. Not that Law thought he had; he'd probably never know and he wasn't about to ask Rocinante if he had. Law's expression became set as he got up and went into the house before he made a direct beeline to his room and shut the door. Law didn't even care that he had gone to hide in his room, as he was still horrified that his roommates had witnessed the exchange. The dark haired surgeon couldn't, however, shut his ears to Shachi calling after him.

"He must really like you if he waited nearly a half a year to let you know it!"

Law dropped his face into his hands in despair and groaned.

Perhaps roommates weren't the best thing to have when you had other things to be worrying over.