Chapter 28
Law left the towel on his shoulders from his late night shower and sat down on the couch, finally in his pyjamas he was comfy and ready for some well earned rest. Too bad a certain moron was still aroused in his sleep so instead Law decided to wait a little longer and enjoy his book in the front room, it wasn't too long though before he was disturbed much to his frustration. Law tilted his head at the knocking at his door, lifting his head from his book as Penguin spoke up just as the door opened.
"It's Lady Baby-5, shall I allow her in?"
"Sure." Law nodded, placing his wine glass down on the side table but continued reading, not lifting his eyes as the assassin entered the room, the door shutting quietly behind her. "Do you need something Baby-5?"
"I wanted to speak with you." She offered as she approached, sitting beside him on the couch, he didn't bother looking up which she noted. "Please Law, close your book, it's serious."
He sighed at that and lowered his book, meeting her gaze which seemed sad. "Alright, what's wrong?"
"Why don't you marry Joker? Don't you still love him?" Baby-5 frowned softly at him, tilting her head in confusion. "I've lost so many fiancé's because of him, people who needed me. Shouldn't you grab the opportunity at marriage while you still can?"
Law hesitated before speaking up. "No, I don't believe I have any love for him as I once did. Too much has happened."
"Law, Cora-san betrayed us, Joker's always been there, I hate him but he's always loved you."
"I don't love him, not anymore and don't talk about Cora-san that way." Law warned.
"Is there someone else?"
"It's none of your business."
"Please Law, we're all family." Baby-5 begged. "You and I have been here since we were kids, you're my brother!"
Law snorted. "Yeah 'family', we're all such a cosy, loving family. It's disgusting and pathetic that you still think that, Doflamingo will get rid of anyone in his way, including his 'precious' family. Just as he did Cora-san."
"But-"
"Leave. I wish to be alone."
"Law-" He glared at her, earning a whimper as she backed off the couch and then rushed out the door weeping.
He saw Penguin peak around the door, tilting his head as Law sighed, shaking his head to confirm that he definitely did not want to talk about it.
"I told you not to speak to him." Doflamingo hushed the sobbing girl curled into his side, stroking her hair. "He's agitated right now with these games still going on around him."
"He's my brother!" Baby-5 cried as he eyed Monet who handed over the box of tissues. "H-He said he didn't love you anymore!"
"Fufufu, he's acting like an angry child. Throwing things out without meaning them, don't fret, he will be staying with our family. He's ours, he's not known anywhere else since he was a child."
"Law wouldn't function outside of your protection Young Master, he's never lived on his own." Monet offered, pushing her glasses further up as she continued to write in her notebook. "He would be clueless, he's always had your money to keep him going whenever he's wandered off, his guards to protect him and keep him on the right path."
"Ah, you are wrong in one account, he did live on his own for a time, well, him and his sister before they were caught by my slavers. Admittedly he's older now and knows more but less people will take sympathy and will only use him now that he is an adult."
"He has no home to go to, no where to live. He hasn't lived on the streets for years, he's used to this lifestyle."
"He had a decent enough of a lifestyle before but either way it doesn't matter. Law will lose this bet, he will marry me and he will have our child, he may be angry but he will remember that I always will do my best for his sake."
"You have been always generous Young Master. I have already contacted Lord Ivankov and he agreed to be on stand-by for whenever you are both ready." Monet smiled. "And wedding preparations are on there way as well."
"Good girl, thank you Monet." Doflamingo chuckled, smiling down at his assassin who was sniffing now, blowing into the tissues. "There, better Baby-5? I don't like seeing you cry, you're my precious little sister after all."
"Are you really going to force Law to go through with that?" Baby-5 asked as she sat up, leaning away from her big brother figure. "He says he doesn't love you anymore and you'll still force him to have a child with you?"
Doflamingo sighed at that. "We made this deal both knowing the consequences Baby-5, he knew exactly what would happen when we made that bet together. He would lose and I would win."
He frowned though when Baby-5 shook her head at him, her eyes strangely cold as she stood up, her arms crossed, he shared a puzzled look with Monet who also seemed surprised.
"No, Law doesn't deserve that and no child deserves that! The poor thing will just be thrown into all this anger between you both!" He frowned as he spotted her eyes watering up, knowing she was about to start crying again. "Law will always try and leave because of Lami's mistreatment and your child, the baby, will just be thrown into the middle of all that. That's cruel and selfish, no child deserves to feel abandoned and mistreated! It's just wrong!"
Doflamingo watched, bewildered as Baby-5 stormed out, the door slamming shut behind her with a loud bang. He thought about her statement a bit more and sighed though, knowing exactly what she meant.
Her father had abandoned her mother and her and then her mother had abandoned her. She had been cast aside twice by her parents who held no love for each other or even for her, she believed she had been an accident. They were different though, he and Law did love each other, even if Law didn't care to admit it anymore. Law was also the kind to keep his end of a bargain, he would stay, he would marry him and he would behave, they would have a child and depending on what happened in the future they may have even more heirs to satisfy the people and then they would be brought up with their family.
It would be a new beginning for his bloodline, he wouldn't be a bad father like his was. He would look out for his kids and his lover, not be selfish and weak and lead his children into the worse place imaginable.
This living Hell.
He glanced over at Monet who still seemed stunned and chuckled softly. "Go talk to her, she's thinking about what happened to her as a child. It's not the same, we know that but she's frightened about it now."
"Of course Doffy, I'll go find her now." Monet seemed distraught at that as she rushed out of the room.
Seriously, if he ever did find Baby-5's mother, he would kill her.
Penguin paused just as Shachi fell to the floor laughing, what on earth had happened to the assassin's face? It was like a child's drawing- He sighed when he saw the smirk on Law's face and the redheads bewildered expression quickly turning into rage.
"Oi you brat! What the fuck are you laughing at?!"
"Your face! Oh man haven't you seen it yet?!" Shachi squealed, his laughter echoing down the hallway.
Law's smirk widened as the redhead retreated back into Law's suite, a few moments later his screaming reaching their ears as Penguin chuckled, feeling the amusement catch up to him just as a pair of patrolling guards passed by, looking completely bewildered.
"Um, My Lord... I-Is everything okay here?" One of the guards asked, bowing his head. "W-We heard screaming?"
"Don't fret, it's just the sound of a moron's head exploding." Law chuckled just as the redhead stormed back through, his face now scrubbed red.
"IT WAS YOU WASN'T IT YOU LITTLE BRAT?!"
Immediately he was at Shachi who was crying with laughter now, shaking his head. "N-No! Nope wasn't me! R-Really wasn't me!"
"It did look good on you Eustass-ya." Law offered, looking absolutely delighted.
"DON'T TELL ME IT WAS YOU!"
"Perhaps?"
"DAMMIT TRAFALGAR!"
"I warned you and you didn't listen to me so I gave you a few facial decorations as punishment."
Penguin managed to wave off the poor, confused guards as the redhead began shouting even louder, the pair looking horrified.
"My, my, the mutt is as loud as ever." Penguin felt himself tense when he heard that voice, the redhead falling silent before scowling darkly.
"Who are you calling a mutt, you bastard?" Eustass growled.
Law just frowned softly as Penguin helped Shachi off the floor, his sniggers finally calming down as he panted. "Doflamingo."
"Hello Eustass, it's so lovely to see you again, fufufufu." Doflamingo grinned at the glare shot his way as he reached out, wrapping his arm around Law's shoulders and tugging him closer, earning a protest. "And of course it's lovely to see you Law."
He smirked as Kid's glare darkened, the assassin looked as if he wanted to attack but the guards must put him off because he just stood there, clenching his fists.
"The feeling ain't mutual, fuck off." Kid swore at him.
"You really should learn more respect mutt. It should be 'fuck off, King Doflamingo' or 'Your Majesty'. You'll get yourself punished once of these days." Doflamingo chuckled at Law's protest, rubbing his arm with his thumb to quieten him down.
He gained a confused look for the action but Law quietened down, raising an eyebrow at him. He knew Law was curious as to what he was thinking so kept his eyes off his lover's face, instead examining the assassin's tensed body. A shame the mutt had somehow wormed his way into Law's softer side, Law seemed to have gained a friendship with the assassin and even though it was funny seeing the redhead go rigid every time Doflamingo was nearby it was starting to grow a bit too serious.
This friendship of theirs really needed further looking into didn't it?
"I'm surprised you've came this way Doflamingo instead of using your usual route to the dining hall."
"I thought to try and catch my little bird early this time." Doflamingo smiled down at Law, kissing his lips. "Shall we go get breakfast together dear heart?"
"I was planning on continuing Eustass-ya's training." Law stated coldly but Doflamingo merely turned him around with his arm and began to walk them to the dining room.
"Well you can entertain me first Law, after all we'll be married soon."
"You sound like you have so much faith in me 'Your Majesty'."
"That was so much better, I should give you a treat for that." Doflamingo smirked over his shoulder as the redhead and Law's guards followed behind his own. "The mutt can join his fellow Champions in the gym, that's where most of them are, we're having a family breakfast instead."
"And whys that exactly?" Law frowned.
"Baby-5 was a little distraught last night and you're just angry, so a little family get together should ease off the mood."
"...Yeah, so excited." Law rolled his eyes making Doflamingo laugh at his 'enthusiasm'.
"Sanji! You got away from Chopper!" Kid grunted as he sat down, watching Luffy rush around the blonde, looking as if he were starved.
Wasn't he already chewing on several huge chunks of meat?
The blonde looked a little peeved as the swordsman tugged the younger away with a grunt but the cook seemed to just shake it off and sigh. "He's taking a nap after staying up all night, he was completely panicked after that attack."
"You should have just stayed in bed cook." The green haired man stated, raising an eyebrow.
Kid was confused, he swore those two hated each other and yet the swordsman seemed to be extra considerate recently about the blonde's health. Law and him had plenty of spats sure and when the other was distressed or hurt it became more serious but-
The redhead paused a moment, his brain finally clicking that missing puzzle into piece once he saw Zoro's hand brush against the blonde's as he sat down, finished giving out their breakfast.
Fucking hell they were lovers, and it took him this long to notice.
Kid was concerned though, his skills used to be better, a lot better than this, he used to be able to notice things with just a small scan around his surroundings, be completely silent, keep most of his temper in check. The mines, it had taken all of that out of him, he was clumsy, weaker and what made it even worse was that this was the time he needed all those skills.
He needed to save Law.
He would never have expected to fall for him when they first met, he wanted Law, he wanted to settle down and live their life together. Currently that was impossible so he needed to win this tournament so that Law could win his bet with that stupid pink bastard.
He paused when he felt a hand slip on to his plate and smacked the face of the intruder, ignoring the yelp as Kid munched on his breakfast, eyeing the little brat who was next smacked by the orange haired girl.
"Stop trying to steal people's food! It's rude!" Nami snarked.
"I'm hungry though!"
"I'll make you something later!" Sanji snapped.
"Sanji! You wouldn't dare!" They all froze as a kid rushed into the room, looking angry. "You need to rest! Get back to bed!"
The blonde paused though before leaning heavily against Zoro who smirked. "Oh no... I can't seem to get up anymore... Chopper, you just have to leave me behind..."
"YOU AREN'T DYING ARE YOU?! WE NEED A DOCTOR!"
He vaguely overheard the long blonde haired swordsman grumble. "What is wrong with these people?"
And then he ate a flower...
HE SHOULD BE THE ONE ASKING THAT!
Doflamingo watched Law pick at his food with his fork as the others ate and gossiped with each other, Baby-5 was still looking gloomy as Buffalo seemed torn between trying to comfort her or glaring at Law who had frightened her with another glare.
"So Young Master?" He looked over at Jora who was smiling, looking extremely pleased. "I've just finished my latest work and was wondering if you wanted to have a look at it after breakfast, I plan to put it up in the gallery in a months times but I would love for you to be one of the first to see it."
"I saw it, it sucks." Dellinger smirked earning a smack to the back of his head.
"It's art! You aren't allowed to be so cheeky! I raised you better!"
"Don't hit me you whack job!"
Doflamingo couldn't help but chuckle at the pair, Delllinger was being rather bold, though he considered that to him being a young teenager than anything else. Doflamingo managed to let Jora know that he would come see it though before nudging his hand against Law, everyone's attention now set on the mother and son, arguing away.
"You've barely touched your food." Doflamingo murmured. "You won't be able to help your assassin train if you're hungry."
"Since when am I ever hungry?"
"That's the problem, you rarely feel hungry, you just keep burning yourself out until you're too exhausted and collapse one day. It's a good thing you're rarely alone, didn't Penguin have to catch you last time before you could fall down the stairs?"
"That was over a year ago." Law grumbled but finally stabbed some of the salad aggressively with his fork and began eating it slowly.
"And then Chopper had you on a drip and bed rest for a week." Doflamingo mused, frowning at the salad. "You should have had something else, a salad will hardly fill you up."
"You fret too much, hush."
"You make sure everyone else is healthy but when it comes to yourself I'm afraid you're lacking."
"Is he going to starve himself again Young Master? Will you Law? You nearly died when-"
Doflamingo didn't realise that his hands tightened around his cutlery until he heard a snapping noise as he spoke over the oldest of the three 'children'. "Enough Buffalo, I don't want to hear anything about that."
He didn't even want to think about it, his damned brother, it had been his fault for being a traitor! Then the little shit went completely unresponsive after he was forced to kill Rocinante and nearly starved himself to death!
Doflamingo dropped the metal when he heard Diamante call and shook his head, scowling as a maid cleaned up the mess and brought out another set, the metal all polished and shinning brightly. He raised an eyebrow at his family and was thankful when Jora started up a conversation with the girls, saying how they should all go out for a shopping trip some point after the match.
Sugar made a disgusted face. "Why would I want to shop with you?"
"It would be fun! We haven't been out in ages!" Baby-5 seemed to brighten up at that while Doflamingo decided to pick at his own food now grimly amused that he had now picked up Law's habit.
What was even worse was now his beloved was finally eating properly, looking very uncomfortable.
They really were polar opposites at times weren't they?
.:End of Chapter:.
A short chapter is short but I wanted a bit of nice in before we get to the next stage... Buckle up everyone it's bumpy! ._. Also, I passed :D I can drive a car! Woohoo!
SEllen23, I tried to make sure there was some closure for Brook, and Roger shooting Teach in the head was the perfect opportunity to do so :D And couldn't resist, this story needs a bit of fluff at times :3 Considering where we are currently heading ._. Hope you enjoyed the chapter :) Hopefully will get another one soon :D
xXMinShadowCatXx, I loved writing Roger, I could picture him acting like that in my head and continued from their :D And Ace, he's that teenager who gets embarrassed being seen with his parent(s) xD And oohh, we'll have to wait and see who Doflamingo might bring it, a wee surprise for everyone ;)
edalian, Yeah, Teach is actually dead! Roger really enjoyed greeting him with that gun of his... xD And I know, Doflaw has a chemistry to it while Doflamingo being a daddy bird to him also works :D Hopefully Doflamingo will escape and appear in the manga more often :D Here's to hoping :3
