A/N:
Here it is! And no more than a week has passed, as promised x3 (Though it's still a late update, but shhh, you never noticed!) Just been busy with real life... I had a lovely friend over this weekend as well, it was such a crack and I really needed the distraction! (CoughAddictedDictCough) I LOVE YOU GIRL!
I'll jump right into some replies on some of my reviews!
Mimithenumberon: DAMN! You never cease to impress me with those insane long reviews! And I hardly deserve them by how I've been lacking with yours ;_; *crawls into a hole* Ehem, regardless. YOU ROCK MY WORLD LOVE! Thank you so much ;D You're such a grea inspiration and it was absolutely lovely talking with you again tonight! Go easy on yourself though, now that you've got the uni and all to worry about, it's good enough for me to know you're reading this fiction x3
AddictedDict: L fucking MAO! I am still jumping around excitedly by the fact alone that I made you read my fanfiction in the first place, despite it being gay and all x3 I fucking love you so much! And to think you actually like it too, ahahaha! I couldn't get a bigger compliment, you're so amazing! I honestly can't wait for our fiction-trade, I'm so hyped over you writing me my own personal KidxLaw fic, it's insane! Thanks for the most wonderful weekend! Though I already told ya it was fantastic x3 And here's your official; WELCOME ON BOARD!
Noah-adryen-20: Thank you so, so much! It's awesome having a new reader on board, welcome! Writing that part about Killer was seriously cracking me up too, I am a very visual thinker, if that makes sense, so I always think in images xD Having the scenes play out in my head as I write them, well, lol. I'm glad you enjoyed! I hope you'll love the rest as well :D
DeidaraUlquiorra: Oh my god, am I thinking what I think I am?! Not that you'd know, but OMFG, if I am right I am so gonna scream! Whatever you are working on that was inspired from this fic, just know that I can hardly wait! Omgomgomg! :D :D :D Thanks TONS for the lovely review! I don't think it was half assed at all, so no worries x3 Lol, yes, let's have them trow more mugs and if Kid can catch them all, he'd at least be able to get a job in circus if he should lose the auto-shop. Totally random, but yeah. I hope you'll be glad to know that Law does, in fact, return home in this chap. Lol. About time, right x3 Anyway, thanks :D
Rabentod: Oh, don't you mind that, dear. I am surely not :) This weeks been busy for me as well, it's just how life plays out sometimes xD You never know what to prepare for in the long run! I am just happy you reviewed this time! Lol, if you got caries already from just that, I wonder what this chapter will do to you. FLUFF ALERT, is all I can say xDDD Oh god, I am surprised I survived, but meh. Ahahaha.
heaventsentskysky: Aww, thank yoooou! It might have taken a while, but I am glad you found your way here at last ;D welcome on board, hope you'll enjoy your stay!
Noitalapsi: I love cookies, thank you :3
Kikyokyoyahabari: Ahaha, yeah, all of Kids friends will definitely get shocked in various degress when they learn of how they finally met x3 And Eddie.. well, you'll just hafta wait and see, lmao. Thank you so much for being so awesome, I love ya! I've read a tons of ZoSan fics so far, I'll be sure to give you a more detailed list later x3 Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Guest: I am glad you did :D red haired people are awesomeness. Makes me wonder if you are red-haired, lol x3 Thanks for the review!
AnotherBystander: Me too! Me too! Expect a lot with him x3 a LOT! Just because I am selfish. Lol. Thanks for the review!
Puew! Done with the replies, here's the usual disclaimer;
I OWN NOTHING! The end. (Well, beside a couple of OC's and stuff. Meh.)
Warnings: Rated M for a reason, and grammatical mistakes and misspellings ahead.
That's all for now folks! ENJOY! :D
Chapter 11: Reluctance.
A calm wind blew from the north-east. Even naked, the oaks and willows stood tall and proud, softly reaching towards the sky as the breeze played with their branches. Fallen foliage, consisting of beautifully colored red and yellow leaves, crunched beneath heavy boots and delicate heels, as the two men made their way through the human-made path. The park was called Sabaody Arch, and it had been a place Law had frequented quite often with his mother, back when they had still been living in South Carastella. A few things had changed, like how it was a bit more tourist oriented, more benches and family areas, and a few gift-shops, as well as a hotdog stand that had definitely not been there when Law last was here. Over-all, it was the same though and the ebony haired man smiled as he allowed the memories to re-surface and overtake him for a bit. It brought him back in time, a distant time filled with more happy days and back to that particular day he first sat his own foot in this park.
Heaps and heaps of snow had gathered, creating small hills all around the park. In the middle, there was a clearing, circle in shape and huge, enough space for children and grown-ups to play a decent baseball game and hold large picnics. At this time of year it was deserted though, most families being drawn towards the outer skirts of the city, where the real big, snowy hills were located. But a young Trafalgar Law, was very, very, very ecstatic. His mother was adamant about him holding her hand at all times, as they walked through the park, but he was so eager, he could hardly stand still. Law had never seen snow before, it was icy to the touch, but so white and soft looking. Like the fur of a bunny rabbit.
"Wabbit, Wabbit!" He sang as he scoffed along, his mother in tow and still making sure she kept his hand in a firm grip. She couldn't help but smile at her little bundle of joy, but always would the sadness linger and she knew that she would sink down in despair had it not been for him. Only a few months had it been since her husband succumbed and drew his last breath. Like every other child, Law was innocent in the matters of death, he simply did not understand. Everyday for many weeks he would ask her were his father had gone, when would he be home? But after the first month, Laws asking became less and less and eventually, she knew, he would forget all about his father. He was still so young, after all. It saddened her, but in a way she knew it would help her forget too. Law was still asking sometimes and she always told him the same.
"Your father went to heaven, Law. It's a really beautiful place and once we will go there too, but not before we are ready." The first time, she had expected him to ask more or to even insist they go there now, but Law was such a smart boy it shocked her sometimes. He had stared at her for a few passing moments, before smiling and taking her hand. She had been on the verge of tears already and did her best to hide it from him, but by Laws following words, she had broken down and scooped him into a hug.
"Is okay Mommy, I will grow big for Daddy! And then we go see him, wight?" She could only nod as she held him close, burrowing her face into his wild growing hair, sobbing softly. His small hand had come up to pat her arm and for the first time ever, Law had been the one comforting her.
She was shaken from her thoughts when Law nearly slipped from her fingers, having spotted an especially tall heap of snow and more than eager to leap right into it. He was covered from head to toe in warm, stuffy clothes, but if he sank down into that, Reese was certain he would catch a cold. She shook her head at him, even when he started pleading with his blue-ish, baby doe eyes and he settled for pouting instead. Law was still just a child, but Reese was afraid he would grow up too fast, having no father figure could lead to many possible situations. He had a brilliant mind, that was already now rapidly surfacing, but she depended so much on him, too much maybe. She knew it wasn't right, because she probably needed Law more than he needed her. But there was nothing she could do to change it either, he was all she had left now, after all.
"Mommy! Look!" Law was once against bouncing on the spot, tugging in her sleeve as he tried to make her look at whatever he had just seen. Usually he was a quiet child, happy to sit and play by himself, more than able to entertain himself and was even content about it. But even Law had days where he could hardly be reigned in, and this day, this his first day of being surrounded by so much new was no exception. Adrenaline was pumping through his system in a merciless pace and just from excitement alone he was panting slightly, chest heaving with every stuttering breath he took.
Following his pointed finger, Reese noticed another pair walking just ahead of them, a man and a woman, obviously going the same way as them. It stung her a bit when she noticed how their fingers were intertwined, clearly indicating their close relationship, but knew she had to get over that, too. Law clearly hadn't noticed her sudden melancholy, but was providing a nice distraction when she realised she'd let her guard down and he had slipped away. He was already running at full speed towards the entrance to the clearing, ready to burry himself in as much snow as possible. And she realised with a sudden, that that had been what her little bugger had wanted to archieve, distract her and he would have free reign. He really was too smart.
Smiling a tad and sighing under her breath, she made after him at a leizurely pace, there really was no reason to rush. Law was small, but incredible fast and if he didn't want her to catch him, then she wouldn't. When she passed the couple up ahead, both their heads already turned to stare after Law as he sped full ahead, she kept her own face forward, trying her best to just ignore them. Whenever she saw others display some kind of lovers affection, she would always feel terrible in her heart. It was an ache she knew she would probably never get fully rid of. What she hadn't expected passing the couple, however, was how the woman suddenly turned her face towards her. Reese saw her out of her peripheral, but started at once at the blazing blue she suddenly found herself staring into. Her piercing blue eyes were not the only strange thing about this woman, she was also extremely beautiful and her hair so blond it was nearly as white as the snow. She was wearing a warm and probably hand-knitted beanie, but the soft strains fell down her back and over her shoulders. Reese knew it wasn't polite to stare and caught herself, readying to just scur past as first intended, but a warm, gloved hand reached out and stopped her in her tracks.
"Is that your son?" The hesitant question in such a beautiful voice, Reese was not prepared for, but what striked her as even more peculiar was the smile the woman was currently gracing her with. It was eerie for the lack of better words and Reese saw the woman exhange a glance with the man beside her. Only able to nod, Reese fought the shivers that slid down along her spine. There was something strange about this couple and the way they looked at her, but even so she felt no sign of danger, they weren't the least threatening. She allowed herself to relax a bit as the woman laughed, a throaty giggle and indicated her hand the way Law had just dissapeared.
"It is funny," She started and Reese raised a brow, not really understanding at first, but then the woman elaborated.
"When he ran past us like that, I felt a deja vú creap up. Our little girl did the same but a few moments ago," Relief washed over her, though she knew not why, but there was something elating about that piece of information. This couple weren't just out for a stroll in the park, despite the icy day, they were both parents, just like her. She smiled before she could really stop it and nodded her head the same way the woman had pointed.
"Shall we go get them, then?" She asked and the woman laughed again, but nodded her head, as she and her partner started to walk alongside Reese.
"How old is he, your son I mean?" Reese wasn't surprised that the woman started small-talking, but she wasn't really minding it much either. What she had felt about them just moments before, had completely vanished from her system and she felt much lighter.
"Oh, he is four," She smiled. "His name is Law. What about your girl?" The womans eyes sparkled a bit as she turned her head to appraise Reese fully with her mesmerizing eyes.
"She is four as well. Her name is Robin,"
"That is a very sweet name," Reese replied and the woman chuckled again, telling her she thought Law was nice, too. They chatted like that for a bit, about nothing and anything really, but when they reached the entrance to the clearing, Reese found that she liked this woman quite a bit. The man was ever the quiet one, so she could not really get a feel for him, but it was obvious that the woman cared deep for him, which meant he was okay. Noise up ahead distracted them all and the three of them was started into a stupor, staring dumbfounded at the scene before them. Clearly both children where there, currently engaging in some form for heated snow-battle. The little girl, with as startling blue eyes as her mother, was balling up the snow in her small hands, before she then aimed straight for Law, who, on the contrary, had quite the difficulties forming the snow and just grabbed handfulls and trew it wherever. But both were smiling and eventually tumbled around in the snow, trying to wash each others faces with the icy snow. It was all Reese could do not to laugh, but she did as soon as the woman beside her broke into a meldious string of laughter and they just stood and relished in their childrens play.
That was how he had met Nico Robin. As well as her parents, before they died. The moment Law had run for the fields in the clearing, she had just been standing there. For the most part the memories were nothing but fragments, but were somehow pieced together with the nostalgic surroundings there to aide him. She had been a bit taller than him, but he had known they were on the exact same page the moment she had smiled and trown the first snow-ball. It was the first time he had met another child he actually wanted to play with. And it hadn't stopped there, somehow they became the best of friends and this park, where they had first met, became their usual meeting spot.
"Hey you," It wasn't as much Kids words, as it was his touch that brought Law from his musings. The red-head was trailing a finger along the inside of his palm and Law smiled as he opened his eyes to meet Kids.
"You were gone for a moment there," Kid murmured and kept tracing odd patterns against Laws skin, moving from the palm and over nimble fingers and their tips, in between the dips and Law was shivering by the time he grabbed Kids wrist and yanked him into a hug. His arms slid around a profound waist and Law burried his face into Kids thick fur coat. It was odd seeing a man wear fur the way Kid did, but Law was hardly one to speak.
"So," Kid started as he moved his own arms around Laws shoulders, brushing a hand down his spine until it rested just in the dip of his lower back. Even through the thick layers of clothing, Kids touch was warm and comfortable.
"Why do you wear heels again?" Law chuckled and burried his face further, shaking a bit with every laugh that escaped him. Why, he had just been thinking the exact same thing, though not about himself as much as about Kid. He merely shook his head and drew a bit back, to tilt his head and look up at Kid with an amused smile.
"It's not womens heels, Mister Eustass, but you explain to me that what you're wearing is not a womans coat," Kid was instantly smirking, what Law had dubbed, his trademark smirk and laughed in a way that made his eyes spark mischeviously. Law shivered a bit, he liked when Kid looked like that very much.
"I can't, cause it is. Probably. I just bought it," He shrugged and pushed a hand through Laws hair, fingering the ebony strains that Law still hadn't got around getting cut just yet, so they were a bit shaggy. Smiling with another shake of his head, Law burried his face anew in the soft fur. Well, it didn't truly matter, the fur smelled like Kid and that was all Law cared about. Also, it did look good on him, a bit eccentric, but yeah. He sighed with content as he tilted his head to the side, so he was pressing his cheek against the coat and still able to take in their surroundings. It was no longer snow he saw when he glanced around the very same clearing he had just been thinking about. Almost every last tree was naked and their brilliant colored foliage was now covering the brown, green grass of the field. Law loved autumn because of the multiple colors, but his favorite season would always be winter. Nothing was more beautiful than a thick layer of icy, white snow coating everything. But it wasn't every year it snowed and Law somehow doubted it would this year either, it just wasn't cold enough, but of course... who knew, really.
"Came here a lot?" Kid then asked, making Law crane his neck to glance up at him anon. "When you lived here, I mean," But he didn't have to elaborate, Law understood the question as it was and he nodded slightly, a slow smile making its way and curled his lips a bit.
"Yeah. It was here I played my first snow fight ever," He chuckled a bit again and fisted the soft fur beneath his fingers, drawing Kid a tad closer. It was a cold day, but the skies were clear and the sun shone down upon them, albeit the rays were anything from warm. Kid was all the heat he needed, though and Law allowed the warmth from their close proximity to wash over him.
"I met Nico Robin that very same day too," Kid corked a brow, trailing his hand from raven locks and down a slender neck instead, Laws scarf had loosened a bit and Kid was able to make out the soft outline of beautiful tan skin. Laws complexion was mesmerizing and gave the younger man a more exotic look, one Kid for all he was worth couldn't possibly resist.
"It's that girl you said knew me, right?" Kid still had no glue who she was, the name truly didn't ring any bells and he couldn't even recall ever having heard about her either. Law was persistent though, despite not having told him from where she knew him in the first place. The idea of her being a former client was completely removed from mind and Kid was starting to think it might be more school related. But hell. Neither elementary, high-school nor even the university did he take all too seriously and he hardly hang with anyone but Killer and a few others anyway. Law was just nodding against his chest and didn't indicate he was going to elaborate this time aorund either. Kid sighed and shook it off, he might be curious, but it didn't truly matter. What mattered was that they tried to get the best out of their time together. Law had wanted to go to this park, so Kid had brought him here. There might be a few more places he wanted to see and it was all the younger mans decision, Law called the shots and Kid was perfectly fine with it. Granted, if it had stood to him they'd still be at home beneath the covers, fooling around. Having Law beneath him was an experience Kid could hardly put words on, just that the thought alone of those slender, long legs wrapped around his middle was making him so hot.
"What are you thinking, Mister Eustass?" Law was looking at him with the same amount of amusement as before and Kid almost swore he was looking right through him, into his head at his most innermost thoughts. Instead of blushing, Kid grinned and brought his hand down to tilt Laws chin up, brushing his thinner lips over Laws much lusher ones. Laws smile dissapeared when he parted those sweet lips and Kid just wanted to trail his tounge over the curves.
"About how fucking nice it'd be to get the hell outta here and take you home," Laws brows furrowed and Kid realised that his choice of words maybe hadn't been the best. He was quick as he catched Laws lips in a searing kiss and merely stroked his thumb over a slightly flushed cheek, once they parted.
"My place," He corrected, murmuring something else he knew Law didn't hear, but Kid wasn't really ready for him to hear it yet, either. So he changed the subject.
"Other places you wanna go to first? That'll be fine too," He was trailing off a bit, his new focus point being the few strains of Laws raven black hair that he was still playing with, absentmindely. Law only shook his head and brought his hand up to Kids, curling his limber fingers around paler ones and brought them to his lips. He kissed them softly, slowly and Kid could only stare, mesmerized. When his own amber eyes met Laws somber blue, Kid saw the blaze there and his heart skipped a beat. Damn. They were finally at wavelenght it seemed. There was so much naked want there, that Kid, if just for a moment, wanted to simply trow Law to the ground and take him right now and then. Too bad it was too chill for that still, but Kid mentally noted that once it grew warmer, he would take Law outsite and make love to him. Preferably a more deserted place than this park would be during summer-time, just as long as it was outsite. It wasn't all about the sex of course, though that definitely played a very important part. No. It was all about doing things together, things he knew Law probably never had tried. All sort of things, also the silly ones. Silly like being here at this park, when they barely had much time left yet. Well, it was probably only Kid that thought this was silly. He finally had Law in front of him, could touch him, feel him and kiss him all he wanted. Needless to say he could barely stand even thinking about having to drive him back home in but a few hours.
"Kid," Law whispered, kissing the tips of his fingers again. "Let's go back, mm?"
"Ahh! Will you quit that, Mister Eustass! It tickles!" Law was laughing as he scrambled to his knees and tried to crawl over the bed, but a big hand with long, strong fingers grabbed his ankle and yanked him right back. He squealed and tried to struggle, laughing all the while, but it was quite fruitless and soon enough Law found himself on his back, staring into very amused, amber orbs.
"Nope~" Kid almost sing-songed as he grinned down at Law from atop, easily having him pinned back by his wrists in the same position he'd had him in, just moments before. The younger man mock-pouted, before he once again broke into a string of laughter when Kids deft fingers started moving over his sides. Tickling Law had truly been the last thing on the red-heads mind when they had entered the bedroom and he'd trown him on the bed. Clothes had been flying and yanked off in haste, both men far to eager to bother where they landed. But once Kid had finally got the smooth, and final, material up and over Laws head, his hands had stroked down over his ribs in earnest and at once the ebony haired man had started squirming, snorting a giggle. A giggle. A high-pitched, very odd sound, coming from Law, but also very endearing. Kid had stared at him with a deadpan, obviously not having expected just that to happen, but the moment it sunk in, Laws eyes had widened in horrified realisation when he saw Kids sudden, wolfish smile. And thus the epic tickling fight of the century had begun.
Of course Law hadn't just been laying there and taken all of it, oh no, no. He had retaliated when he could, but Kid was fast and hardly ticklish at all, which of course wasn't the least fair. Only one place seemed to make him grunt and squirm, but that was behind his ears and it only worked if Law used his tounge. Not that he was going to elaborate just how exactly he'd found that out and he hardly got time enough to even use it against him, anyway. Why was Kid so fast again? Looking at him he was nothing but a big lump of muscle, a quick and very agile lump at that, but a lump of muscle nontheless. Again; Not fair! Law was nearly out of breath by the time Mister Eustass decided to give him a small break. He was now holding both Laws wrists with one hand, in order to use the other freely whichever way pleased him. Kids smile was no less menacing than it had been before and Law shivered beneath him, once again trying his luck against the vice-like grip on his wrists, but it was useless. It wasn't a bad menacing and he certainly wasn't shivering because he was afraid. No, he was actually quite aroused, the tent in his simple trousers was testament to that. What freak got turned on from being tickled? Oh yeah, a freak like Law. But it wasn't as much the tickling itself, as it was the man who did the tickling. God, Mister Eustass was sexy no matter what he did.
"Enough! ...please," His throat felt a bit sore and his breathing was still very ragged. His chest heaved with every shaky intake of air, Law gulping it down in case it would be the last he got to take in a while. Kid did still look like one who wasn't quite finished, but the small trepidation Law felt by waiting those age-long seconds, which passed while Kid made up his mind, was accompanied by no little anticipation. Eventually, the taller man released his grip on Law, making the boy stare at him with curiousity, as he slid away to dump himself down beside, hoisting an arm up and rested his chin in his hand. Kid was still smiling a bit, yet the hand he still kept on Laws middle was still and unmoving, so Law begun to feel confident that at least the tickling was over for now. What he didn't understand, was why Kid had thought it necessary to remove himself completely, although he was yet close enough to touch. Law used his arms for balance as he pushed himself up to sit and met Kids eyes, a small question in his own.
"It's almost 4," Kid explained, his tone so matter of fact, Law had to quirk a brow.
"And so?" Kid made a face, but it was obvious he had expected Laws inquiry, he had just hoped it wouldn't be necessary to explain further. The red-head extracted his hand from Laws skin and ran it over his hair, smoothing the red mass of woven strains back and sighed a bit.
"If we have to get you back at six exactly, we should leave at five. That doesn't give us much time and there is still some things I want to talk about," Talk? He wanted to talk? Now? Law was frowning by the time Kid met his eyes again, but before he could say another word, Law had rolled and pushed him down, straddling his middle, not unlike how he did this morning. Kid could feel Laws hidden strenght when he held him down, hands pressed against shoulders. It still didn't compare to his own, but Law certainly wasn't as weak as one would think.
"Mister Eustass," He started, his voice low, but a small smile tugged at his lips even so. "We can talk over the phone. It's four, as you say and I am certainly not going to waste another second with mindless babbling or whatever else," Laws hands shifted from pressing hands, to fingers wrapping around coiled muscle and he leaned in close, ghosting warm breath over the shell of an ear and whispered, quite heatedly.
"Especially not when there are so many other ways we can use our mouths," Kid bit back a groan, his hips flexing on own accord in reaction to those words. Heat was pooling in his groin and his arousal spiked efficiently. Laws point was valid and there was little else Kid wanted to do but just give in. Yet he couldn't help the teasing remark that slipped from his tounge, despite the images of how compromising a postion he had Law in right at this moment.
"You're the one who wanted to waste time going for a stroll," There was no bite in his words and they weren't meant to offend either, not that he had to worry much about that, since Law simply sat back and laughed. His limber fingers stroked over pale skin and Kid felt the knuckles as they pushed over his cheek-bone. Laws eyes were twinkling mischieviously and he softly nodded his head.
"Touché," He said, before he once again leaned in, shifting himself so that they almost lay flush against each other, chest against chest. And damn if that didn't feel good. Laws hands were not resting and mapped every spot of skin they could reach, making Kid shudder a bit. That's when he decided that he would simply let Law do whatever he pleased. Yeah, they could talk over the phone, albeit there was things Kid didn't want to talk over the phone about, yet that could wait, of course. This wouldn't be the last time they saw each other after all, definitely not.
"But if we are going to talk, Mister Eustass," This time Kid quirked a brow. So they were going to talk after all? Law took his time continuing, a bit occupied by trailing a wet tounge over the soft curve of a lower lip, his teeth nippling the compliant skin moments after. "Then I want you to tell me what you wouldn't, yesterday," Kid almost snorted and fisted his fingers into Laws shaggy hair, yanking him a bit back so that they were eye-level.
"No, it's stupid," He said, ignoring the way Laws grin merely widened and how his eyes simply beckoned him to continue. With a heavy sigh, Kid released the grip on the raven strains and pulled Law so tight against him, that he could hide his face in his neck. Mumbling against the soft skin, Kid was glad Law could no longer witness the blush that crept over his nose and cheeks. He had sorta promised he'd tell him later, but now that later had come, Kid felt sorta embarrassed. "Really stupid,"
"This is about sex, isn't it, Mister Eustass?" Kid almost snapped his head up to stare at him, but managed to just press closer. How keen was Law? What was Kid, transparent? Not that Law was mistaken, of course it was about sex. Well, sorta... Kid was still reluctant to share and was thinking, that if he just dragged time out long enough, Law would just let it fall. No, he wouldn't... of course he wouldn't.
"Just tell me, Mister Eustass. It can't be that bad," But Law barely managed to hide his snicker when Kid grumbled against his skin, profanities, if Law wasn't mistaken. It was sorta cute how shy he was being out of a sudden. Strange, definitely, considering how Mister Eustass has proven time and time again he is but shameless and does whatever he likes. Apparantly, Law was able to bring out this softer, more retracted side to him and it would be a downright lie if Law didn't admit he was positively reveling in such an idea. Kid was mumbling again, this time softer, but Law didn't get a word.
"Kid. As nice as it feels-," Law brought his hand to the tuft of red-hair, softly grasping it between is fingers and tugged a bit. "-with your mouth on my skin, I propose you lift your heard and just spill-," That was as far as he got before Kid yanked his head up on own volution and smashed their lips together. Teeth were gnashing at sensitive skin and Law gasped a bit, but the surprise from the sudden movement was, however, nothing compared to the initial shock he felt by noticing Mister Eustass current state. Was... Was he blushing? Kids eyes were shut and he grit his teeth a bit, but kept the close proximity, lips against lips, and mumbled once again. Though this time Law understood every word.
"Do you... still... I mean... Do you still think red-heads are.. well.." Kid almost didn't understand himself no longer. And why was this so hard again? Ah yeah, maybe because the last time he'd went and said something like this, Law had been mad... But he'd also laughed. He had laughed a lot. And that had been nice, so why...? Kid felt simplified, like he had just gone back a few steps in evolution. But shit, what Law wasn't doing to his head! And his body for that matter. Talking on the phone had been so very different, there was no facial reaction to take into account and there was always the option of just hanging up if anything got out of hand. But having Law right there in front of him, it made him concious about what he usually wouldn't even think twice about. Really, could one change so much in such a short time? Or was it simply because Laws approval meant so much? And why was that again? Oh yeah... Because Kid's in love with him, he just can't get over himself and say it.
"That red-heads are what?" Law could hear the frown in his own voice, a bit muffled by Kids lips still pressed against his own, but as soon as the question had left his lips, the words finally sunk in and Law had a moment of epiphany. He knew exactly what Kid was asking him. Suddenly the world came to an halt and Laws mid-region tensed up, before string after string of melodious laughter rigged through his body. No! For real?! Was Kid really asking him that? And Law had thought he'd moved past that long ago! He could hardly contain the spasms that attacked his nerve system and he'd have bend and curled, had he not still been atop of Kid, whose strong arms effectively held him in place. Kid groaned by the time he got over the mild shock of Laws sudden outburst and once again burried his face into the slender neck. He had just known Law would start laughing! And it wasn't that Laws laughter wasn't pleasing, he'd promised himself, after all, that he'd make Law laugh as much as possible. It was just... he was so much the butt of the joke.
"Oh, Kid," Soft giggles still slipped from his lips, but he was no longer shaking and was able to calm himself down enough to push a bit back. Kid wasn't relenting his hold on him, however, so Law had to settle with trailing a hand through red hair, while Kid remained hidden against his skin. He had not meant to laugh so hard, but it was ludricous to say the least and Law had to admit, despite how uncharacteristic it was, that Kid was absolutely adoreable. On another notion he realised he should have seen it coming though. Not the display of sudden embarrassment, but that Kid was still on that old page wasn't so surprising.
"Of course not, Mister Eustass. Not that I did so to begin with, but I must admit that you have probably spoiled me for anyone else," He was still combing nimble fingers through the fiery locks, speaking softly as if to ascertain Kid of his sincerity. It seemed to work when the older man rose his head and met his smiling gaze, albeit a bit reluctantly at first. Kid was older than him, but once again those childish traits pushed through and Law found that it only attracted him more.
"Really? So you mean-,"
"Yeah," Law was smiling now, moving his hand from the red hair to cup a pale cheek, running his thumb over the skin of a lower lip.
"I can't possibly imagine how anyone else could make me feel the way you do, Mister Eustass," The smile he received from Kid was brilliant and the man was practically swelling with pride. Law chuckled lowly and shook his head a bit, Eustass Kid had a cute side, it was almost wrong. Wrong, but charming as hell. He met Kids lips in another kiss, this one slow and sweet and Law sighed in contentment. He felt so lucky, almost underserving, though he knew better than to broach the subject with Kid another time, having learned it was best to keep silent and simply enjoy. But Law knew that what Kid felt for him was more than attraction, Law knew Kid loved him back. So, until the man was ready to express himself in words, Law would simply wait. He was patient. Or well... About some things he was patient, others not so much.
"Now, Mister Eustass, are we going to fuck or what?" Law was a bit breathless after they parted, but managed to convey the teasing tone in his voice and smiled when Kid laughed.
"Yeah," The red-head murmured and their bodies tangled as their lips met anon.
It wasn't dark yet, but the sun was slowly setting as it made its way slowly towards the horizon. Just a typical late-autumn day, as winter approached, the days turned shorter and shorter. The windshield of the black Ford Mondeo, was covered in a light dust of fine rain, another typical happening during fall. In the rearview mirror, Law watched the few cars behind them and also those they passed as they cruised down the road. His exterior showed nothing but a calm and maybe half-bored attitude, yet inside everything coiled and curled and it definitely wasn't in pleasure. Law felt awful, absolutely awful. They were only driving at normal speed, but with every mile covered they came closer and closer to where Law wanted to be the least. Of course he missed his mom, though that might be an overstatement, since he was pretty sure she missed him more. Plus, he wasn't entirely ready for the unavoidable confrontation. No one knew his mother like he did and she could sound as sweet and understanding as she wanted, Law just knew she didn't approve, not at all. Which only was one of the many reasons he did not want her to meet Kid yet.
Speaking of which. What probably made Law feel the worst, was the silence between him and the man driving the car. Mister Eustass had not said a word since they left the city and that had been a little while ago. While a bit of silence could be relieving to times, this one was maddening and so thick Law wanted to screech and pull at his hair. Kid hadn't even glanced at him so far, not even once and somehow it made Law want to punch him. But he couldn't do so, because he knew why... And it really wasn't anything bad, after all. He knew Kid felt like he did, it was so obvious in both his behavior as well as his eyes, he looked so stoic and tensed, that Law was wondering a bit how Kid would be like in a really threatening situation. He surely looked like one prepared for the worst.
Sighing a bit under his breath, Law brought his hand up to rest his elbow on the panel beside the window. To think that just an half hour ago they had still been wrapped around each other on Kids expansive bed, recuperation after a heated round of passionate lovemaking. Kid never ceased to impress him, he was an amazing bed partner and Law never felt short of worshipped in every aspect of the word, whenever Kid got his hands on him. The red-head was so attentive and thorough, Law knew his words rang true when he'd said he'd probably been spoiled for anyone else, forever. So this sudden tension between them, just because he was going home and both men obviously suffered because of it, was really, really getting on his nerves. The black haired boy contemplated balling one of the kleenex hankerchiefs in front of him up and trow it a Kid, if that would even get his attention. Law felt like they were wasting time and Kid had earlier expressed a need to talk, so why wasn't he using this perfect opportunity for it? As if on cue, Kid cleared his throat and Law nearly jumped on the spot out of sheer surprise. But when the man made no further move to keep the silence breached, Law corked a brow and narrowed his eyes a bit. Well, if he needed coaxing...
"Mister Eustass," Law knew he was probably sounding a bit cold, but he seriously wanted a conversation going, or he was going mad.
"Earlier you mentioned a few things you wished to speak with me about. I feel that now is a very adequate moment for such and I suggest that-," His very mock-polite, inquiring speech was cut short just before Law was even able to complete the sentence and all train of thought was equally cut short as well. What Kid suddenly said came as a surprise, a very unbelievable surprise, he truly hadn't seen coming and Laws breath hitched in his throat for so long, he was afraid he'd eventually forget how to breathe in the end.
"Move in with me." Kids voice was even and low, but the man was still looking straight ahead on the road only and for a moment, he could have fooled Law into believing he was only imagining him saying so. But Law knew that he hadn't heard wrong, Kids expression was so serious and with no trace of a joke. Yet he still felt like he needed confirmation, needed to hear it just one more time to truly believe it.
"I beg you pardon?" It was nearly a whisper and Law realised how weak he sounded, but he also felt weak, if just a bit. And incredulous. Surely, Kid could not be asking him that, could he? But he was.
"Move in with me," He repeated, sounding just as serious as before, leaving Law little doubt that he was really asking him such a big thing. Law was just about to ask for motives and to inquire wether he was completely sure of what he was proposing, when Kid finally looked at him, his head only turned half the way and he was soon returning his gaze to the road again. But Law had seen all he needed to in those amber eyes, he saw the sincerity of the words, the determination, but also the slight fear. Fear of rejection. With his heart thumping a disturbing musical inside his chest, Law felt his throat dry up and his fingers get clammy. Wow. For real? He knew he was hesitating quite a long time, but he never even got close to give Kid an answer before the man simply continued.
"I know it must sound ridiculous, but I am dead serious. If you feel like it would be moving too fast, then I can't really blame you, but... Dammit, Law, you have no idea how much I... When I woke up this morning and you were there, beside me... I've never felt like anything in my life has ever been more right. I want to wake up next to you every fucking day and so damned be everything else! I understand that the current situation would only complicate things and that it might still be impossible... but I was thinking, that once you get around talking with you mother, then-,"
"Kid, stop!" Kid was speaking fast, rambling almost, so despite how Law was more than capable of understanding every word, his mind still fogged over and he started to feel a bit dizzy. The words were like a jumble in his head and he shut his eyes tight, resisting the urge to shake everything into place. It'd probably just provoke a headache, a thing he wasn't so keen on. Surprisingly enough, Kids mouth snapped close the instant Law interupted him and once Law opened his eyes again, he glanced his way. Kids current state of emotion was so obvious, his overly tensed countenace and the way he was griting his teeth told Law everything. He was nervous, nervous and maybe a bit dreadful. Law really couldn't blame him. Yet as it was right now, it was hard to take Kids feelings into account, when Law himself was practically drowning in his own. His heart was pounding in his ears and his blood was rushing through his veins so fast he felt a bit faint. Move in with Kid? Well, he couldn't lie and say the thought hadn't crossed his mind at least a couple of times, but to actually hear Kid ask him, made it all seem far too surreal.
They just met yesterday, for the first time after only having talked, as strangers, over the phone line for a few weeks. There was a clear connection and attraction, a lot of attraction, definitely. With Kid, Law felt comfortable in more than one way, being with him was almost easier than breathing. It felt so natural and so absolutely right. Maybe a little scary, too. Not that Law was easily scared, he had a death sentence hanging over his head, so nothing else could really make it worse, right? Boy, was he wrong. The idea of how this entire situation was slowly getting out of hand, with Law suddenly feeling like he had never before, that was definitely worse. What was scarier than dying? Living was. But he loved him, Law loved Eustass Kid on a level he would not even had thought possible, had it not been for experiencing it first hand. So it wasn't like the idea of living with the man wasn't tempting, Law did not oppose the least, but how realistic would it be? His mother would die. God. She would have a heart attack on the spot, or worse; she would survive and give him hell. No matter what, he was screwed. Especially because he already knew his answer. None he knew would ever understand this, not a single one of them, not his friends, not even Bepo, though maybe in time... It didn't matter, this was his life, right? He should be able to chose, after all.
And hadn't he already made up his mind? His head might be clouded still, with thoughts and questions and whatever else he could come up with, but wasn't he just stalling? Like Kid, Law tried to avert his attention and stared at the road ahead, but once realising they had passed the city sign, slowly getting closer and closer to his home, Law knew he had to stop wasting time. He knew his answer, he knew what he wanted. Living with Kid... Well...
"Pull over," It was just a whisper, but Law knew Kid had heard him when the read-head shifted the gears and the car pulled over, slowly coming to an halt. They sat in silence for a couple more minutes, before Law released a shuddering breath he hadn't noticed he was holding. That was when he turned to Kid and noticed the way the man was clamping his hands so hard down on the steering wheel, that his knuckles where whitening. With no further hesitation, Law placed his smaller, tan hand over the bigger, pale one and Kid finally looked at him. Eustass Kid was hard to read in that moment, his entire countenace was detained, with-held in a manner that clearly indicated his insecurity. There was also doubt written on the mans face, if just a little and Law knew Kid was probably doubting himself, most of all, in that moment. There was nothing Law could do to reassure the man though, because he knew what he was about to ask wouldn't help the situation one bit. It had to be done though and the ebony haired man just hoped Kid would understand.
"3 months," He said, earning a raised brow and a slight frown from the red-head, but Law averted his eyes and simply shook his head a bit. "3 months, Mister Eustass. Can you give me 3 months?" It wasn't really that long a time, though, considering Laws predicament, then maybe it was. He just wasn't about to rush it either, he needed time to think a bit and not just feel, they both did.
"Of course," Kids answer was slow, but Law was grateful that he didn't raise any further objections, other than what he saw in his eyes. So despite that Kids expression was contradicting his words, the older man relented and gave in to Laws request. Smiling a bit, Law squeezed his hand, before retracting it and turning away once again. He ran a hand through his unkempt hair, inhaling a deep, slow breath, that morphed into a sigh on the way out. Kid was soon enough turning the ignition and pushed the car into action, it wouldn't be long now and Law would have to give Kid the final directions. He was still mulling over what Kid had asked him, as well as his own answer, so he was a little surprised when Kid suddenly demanded his attention.
"You know," The red-head started, a slight scowl on his face and his lips were stretched into a thin line. "If you need more than 3 months to make up your mind, then it's fine..." He did mean it as he said so, but couldn't help the slight ache he felt in his heart. Not that Kid had expected much, he felt stupid from thinking, even for a split second, that this timing was right, when, obviously, it couldn't be further off. Laws sudden laugh took him unaware, though, and Kid nearly pulled the car off the road when he twisted to look at him.
"No, Kid," Law shook his head as he spoke, tilting his head and smiled with such warmth, that Kid felt his heart skip a beat. "I already made up my mind, I need the 3 months for something else,"
...What?
"You... have?" Kid knew he probably looked stupid, but he couldn't help staring at Law with the same amount of incredulity he felt. When the raven haired boy laughed anon, Kid was completely flummoxed and he almost narrowed his eyes, thinking that maybe Law had lost it.
"Yes, Mister Eustass. I have, in fact, made up my mind. What I need the three months for, is some sort of preparation. Not only do I have to prepare myself, mentally mostly, for something so life-changing, but I also need to prepare everyone else around me," The way Law said it made it sound like it wasn't that much of a big deal and Kid, for a moment there, wasn't sure he even understood him correctly. But once the initial weil of surprise lifted, the words assembled and clicked together in realisation. Kids heart skipped another beat, his foot hitting the brake before he could stop it and he saw Law yelp in surprise, more than he heard him. He quickly pulled over to the side just after, just to prevent any sort of accident that'd surely occur if he kept parked on the road.
"M-Mister Eustass?" Law was glutching the panel on the door beside him, his heart beating a furious pace against his rib-cage and for a moment, he thanked whatever gods there were, that no one had been behind them. The man had just stopped in the middle of the road! What. The. Fuck. He never got to raise the pressing question, however, when Kid suddenly snapped his seat belt off, Laws following just after and then went to practically yawl the surprised raven-head from his else, comfortable spot on the passenger seat. Kid maneuvered him into an akward position, where he ended up more or less straddling the red-head, his head bend down in an odd angle, as to not push against the roof.
"Kid, what-," But the mechanic was embracing him, pressing his face into Laws shirt and inhaling deeply. Kid started mumbling again, as was his want, apparantly, as of late and Law strained to understand the words, but once he did, he felt his cheeks heat up.
"You're amazing, Law. Just tell me it's not a joke," Kids voice was muffled, but his tone was deep and he sounded so relieved, yet sceptic at the very same time. Placing his hands of the wide shoulders of the man, Law leaned further down to rest his own face in soft, red hair, smiling softly. Of course Kid had thought the worst at first, but Law had pretty much predicted that, what he hadn't taken into account was the rash stunt Kid had pulled, not that he put it above him.
"It's not. I want to try, even if we are moving quite fast. Which we are, immensely so. Yet I don't believe I have much to lose, regardless." Kid hugged him, if possible, even closer and Law sighed as he closed his eyes, feeling the skin through the fabric beneath his fingers.
"You have your friends," Kid muttered, his breath hot and moist even through Laws shirt.
"They will understand. Eventually," At least he hoped so, else he would be dissapointed, but he would still move on.
"And your mother?" See, that was, on the other hand, a much bigger issue and Law sighed again, this time with a little trepidation.
"It will work. It has to. We will take it a bit slow, let her get used to the idea and everyone else, as well. And then..." Kid nodded, understanding perfectly and drew a bit back, in order to look at him. A pale hand cupped his cheek and the raven-head leaned into the touch, closing his eyes again, as Kid leaned in to place a soft kiss on his lips. The older man released his grip on him, once they parted and allowed Law to slide further back, his back almost pressing against the black wheel behind him. For the second time in Kids presence, Laws heart completely stopped thumping and from a single intense, amber gaze alone. It was just the way the red-head was looking at him in that moment, the little hairs on the back of his neck stood and Law felt a nervous pool in his lower regions, but altogether, it was a very pleasant reaction. The fingers, still lingering on his cheek, trailed over the skin there and lower, making Law shiver a bit when Kid stroked over a vein in his neck. The man could probably feel the way Laws blood rushed trhough his veing and how his pulse pounded with every staggering heart beat.
Then Kid said the words, and Law completely forgot how to breathe.
"I love you, Trafalgar Law. I really do,"
Reese was pacing the spacious living-room for the fourth or fifth time in just ten minutes, she wasn't really keeping track of it. Every now and then, her eyes would fall on the circle shaped wall clock, and she'd watch how the seconds slowly tocked by, little by little. It was almost six now, just a few more minutes and she would either panic or relax. Law had said he'd be home by six and Law had never been late before. But this was a little different, wasn't it? Law was with someone else right now. A man. A man who'd been the reason why her son hadn't returned home yesterday, but it was also this same man who was the reason why Law was so happy as of late. She tried to take that thought into account as well, but she was so worried it was truly hard to keep it all rational. By now she had learned this mans name was Eustass Kid and Law had been kind enough to explain, in a brief, short way, how he knew him. It had been when they talked last night and by that point she'd been so scared and frustrated she hadn't really put up a fight, not even when Law refused to come home.
Learning it was partially her own fault they had even met, though Law sounded like it was the best damn thing ever, made her feel awful and elated at the same time. She was happy for Law, very happy, but she still couldn't shred the feel of dread that slowly consumed her. She didn't know this Eustass Kid, so of course he was, so far, pinging on all her internal warning systems. The realisation that her son was gay, was only just settling and she was far from comfortable about the idea, or any of it, to be honest. So of course it was no surprise that she had no idea about his other preferences. Mainly what sort of... well... type of man he was into. Reese had always believed Law liked the quiet, sweet and dependable girls, but where as this could possibly also apply to a man, she was suddenly doubting it applied to this one man in particular. She really wanted to meet him, if just to get a chance to intimidate him, but she knew Law would try with all his might to avoid such a meeting, until he himself was ready for it. But Reese couldn't wait that long...
She did have his name, she could always track him down. Shaking her head as she finally stopped pacing, she frowned a bit. No, that would just be distasteful and so below her, so that was out of question. It didn't mean she couldn't drill Law for information though and that she definitely would. He owed her a helluva better explanation than the one he had given her so far. Deciding to go and do something in the kitchen to keep herself distracted, she decided to to do something she never did. She brewed coffee. It allowed her to use her hands without smashing anything to pieces, as well as concentrating and it was the only thing she could think of making. Dinner was already ready and set up, just something easy trown together, spaghetti bolognese and a few vegetables cut and mixed in to give it a bit more flavor. When the scent of coffee started to waft through the kitchen from the brewing machine, Reese visibly relaxed. She might not be a big fan of the almost toxic liquid, but the scent itself was calming and it helped that she knew Law would be relieved to find it at his disposal, when he came home. If he did come home...
Just as she went to take down two mugs, telling herself a single cup of coffee wouldn't hurt and that she needed it for her nerves, she almost dropped the ceramic cups the instant she heard the front door open up. Her heart beat rose and was quickly becoming so loud she could hear it pound in her ears. She was struggling with all her might to stay rooted where she was, when she in truth wanted to bolt out of the kitchen and storm out into the foyer. Just to see with her own eyes that he was really there. It was, however, Laws distinctive foot falls she heard over the floor as he slowly made his way towards the kitchen. When he finally came around the corner, hands in his pockets and his expression as calm and collected as ever, it was all she could do not to slam the mugs down on the counter and rush him. He stopped short in the arch-way between hall and kitchen and only looked at her. Reese still felt her heart going at too fast a pace, but the longer she was able to just stand and watch him, the more she was able to convince herself that yes, Law was home. Six o'clock sharp, she should have known. She did, however, place the mugs on the counter and turned back around to face him, just as he moved to stand in the middle of the room. Law looked like he always did, though there was a little change in his facial expression and in his eyes. He looked rejuvenated, refreshed.
"Coffee?" He asked, corking a brow, not even bothering to greet her properly. But that was fine, Reese would probably had lurched forward and slapped him if he had dared to greet her like nothing was wrong, under these circumstances. As it was now, she simply nodded her head and beckoned towards the kitchen chairs. Law slid one out and sat down easily enough, waiting patiently for his mug and then watched his mother take a seat accross from him. He had smelled the spaghetti bolognese the moment he'd stepped through the front door, but he didn't have much of an appetite, given his insides were all curled up and he felt nervous as hell. Despite no one would have guessed from a single look at him. But he knew his mother was well aware of that fact by now, she knew him far too well not to, though he did his best to feign.
"So," He started, but at that point he had to stop and stare, when his mother suddenly lifted her cup and downed its contents without so much as a bat of her long lashes. It was strange enough to see her even drink coffee, but that she did it like it was just water was just... She slammed the mug down on the table and at once her eyes turned stern, her jaw tense. When she spoke, Law had a hard time keeping up his facade, dread slowly filling him.
"This better be good."
End of Chapter 11.
A/N:
Oh yay! We reached the end of this long chapter. I actually have a small request to all of you and I hope you do not mind. But I'd love if someone would be kind enough to leave some constructive critism, I could really need a bit to further my ideas around this piece of fiction. I love all the wonderful reviews, but am sure there must be something that could be better. And I am not speaking of grammar mistakes of misspellings. I'm quite aware of those x3
The reason for this, is because I am feeling like the quality of this fic had ceased a lot, even though I am taking my sweet time... Please contradict me, if possible, lol x3
Anyway! I still hoped you enjoyed :D REVIEW PLEASE! Until next, my dear lovies!