Epilogue

When Sanji hung up his phone with Ichiji droning on about his To-Do list once he returned home, he felt exhausted. The plane ride had been overcrowded and his phone remained silent from his wife's acknowledging of the texts he'd sent her before leaving. Coming to the city was a stressful event for him and she knew this, but Pudding always had her own agenda. She was in another state for a supposed consultation of a friend's wedding desserts, but Sanji knew she was having an affair with a man she'd met at an earlier chocolate convention. It didn't hurt so much anymore; this marriage was only of convenience for both their families and it had been his choice to participate. No one held a gun to his head.

It had been a few years since he'd re-entered his father and brothers' lives; it was upon his own willingness to do so after years spent apart living in different households. Strangely, he'd missed his brothers – he wasn't clear why, considering the constant tension and fighting, but being without their presence had been bizarrely uncomfortable. It was easy at first – all of them were amicable and coldly friendly until old ways reappeared and if he wasn't arguing and fighting with one of them, another was on his side in a strange twist of comradery. Either from what they'd been through or if this was just another one of their hurtful games, Sanji had resettled himself amongst them and Judge had been more careful and a little less controlling.

Until Charlotte Linlin and her daughter came along. Because Linlin had some sort of pull over Judge, she convinced the man that joining their families would be a great idea; since Ichiji was a successful up and coming attorney, Niji a swimming champ preparing for the upcoming Olympics and Yonji busy with what remained of his college, Judge decided that Sanji should be the one to marry the cute girl whose similar love for cooking and food seemed comparable to Sanji's. He wasn't ready to settle down; he'd just finished culinary school and wanted to help Zeff manage his restaurant but since things seemed to be on the mend between Sanji and his family and he'd fallen back into his old ways of trying to please everyone, it seemed like something manageable. He could learn to fall in love with the girl as time went by and because he felt like a failure at his own gay relationships (none of them were like Law, a strange concept considering Law was his first love), he thought that perhaps he'd 'straighten' out.

It didn't happen, of course. Pudding was a sweet girl on the outside but on the inside she was manipulative, controlling and had her own resentment to bear of a marriage she didn't agree to, either. They were more roommates than anything, but in front of all those around them, they were a busy couple with admirable aspirations. Sola despised the girl, and Reiju flirted with the concept of exposing Pudding, but Sanji begged them to stay in line just to keep the peace. His brothers were oddly quiet around her; either upon their father's warning or general unease around Linlin, none of them were open to being their normal, charming selves around Pudding. As soon as she would leave the room, they would quietly make faces and gestures that Pudding narrowly missed catching when she happened to hear something different behind her back.

It wasn't a perfect life, but life was like that.

He still thought about Law from time to time – last he heard, Law skipped town with some loser he knew, and it always filled Sanji with regret that he wasn't so supportive. Not that he could be any more supportive back then, considering his position, but he always thought he could've done more. Sometimes, when Pudding was gone and he had an uncomfortably large house to himself, he called Lainy and Lorenzo to see how they were doing. They were friendly and open to visits, but it was clear that they were hurt with Law leaving them; he checked in with them from time to time, Sanji heard, but it wasn't enough. They still had their hopes that one day he'd return with "all the adventure out of his system". Sanji detected that they also hoped Law would ditch the man he was with as well.

The hotel was nice – centered downtown, he used it regularly when coming to town because he didn't want to share his brothers' private living spaces, and he needed the break from Ichiji's overbearing presence to keep him in line. It seemed he was stricter with his brothers since high school. It felt like his older brother was clingier because deep inside, Ichiji was insecure and uncomfortable with any change. Which was really surprising because of the way Ichiji conducted himself. After checking in and before making his way to his room, Sanji headed to the lounge bar because alcohol seemed appropriate. Every time he came back here, his anxiety strummed along his veins and left him exhausted once he was away from his brothers and father. He stood at the bar, ordered his drink and looked at his phone again.

Still no response from Pudding. Not that he expected one, he would be surprised if she sent him anything, but all his messages were unread. Being ignored and feeling unloved was a double-edged sword for him – he gave everything to her when she needed it because that was just the way he was, but he chose to do this, knowing it was only his family's wishes and not his own. So he couldn't complain.

The bartender handed him his drink so Sanji quickly paid him and took the glass, heading for his room. He was reading a text from Ichiji when he heard his name called from his left. Not expecting anyone he knew to catch him while he was in town, he looked up with surprise to see the tall, dark haired man unfolding himself from a corner table chair to approach him. At first, Sanji didn't know who it was because he didn't know anybody that wore a black furred coat like some medieval warrior, ripped black jeans that detailed some absurdly long legs, and what looked like a turtleneck sweater outfitting a ridiculously amazing upper body - his gay hormones perked with interest so he fumbled with his drink and his phone trying to get himself straight again.

Then Sanji realized who it was because while he was a little older, he would recognize Law's eyes anywhere. He was almost similar to the teenager Sanji had to leave behind, but definitely not at the same time. He was ridiculously attractive in a rugged sense that belonged to some tortured free spirit that didn't fit into any society that Sanji himself fit. He belonged to rough biker bars and beer conventions and that dark part of town Sanji never had to drive into but always heard of through the stupid memes Luffy sometimes sent him when the younger man was feeling humorous on Facebook.

It took him a few moments to form thought to word because Sanji was struck dumb – both with the unexpected appearance and with Law's physical appearance. Every part of him was ultra aware of him – his hormones took the hardest hit.

"It is you," Law said, his voice deeper and smoother and Sanji sputtered something dumbly because words continued to fall away like toppled blocks. He meant to shake his hand in greeting, but Law enveloped him into a hug that nearly caused Sanji to drop his drink, phone and bag all at the same time. He was enveloped in the smell of fur that clung to the scent of cigarettes, cologne, something musky. His face flamed brilliantly red because his body hated him at that moment and he quickly pulled away with a nervous laugh to adjust his coat painfully over his front.

"Jesus fucking Christ," he sputtered breathlessly, setting aside his drink and phone on a nearby table, swung his carryon bag to his hip. The olive tweed of his jacket, a fitted peacoat with a hood that Niji complained was 'too gay!', matched well with the black of his trousers, pressed plain shirt and black tie. Dressed as he was, he felt like a dork still in his high school uniform compared to Law's more mature appearance. "Where in the depths of hell did you emerge from?"

"The back part," Law told him, examining him in such a way that Sanji was mortified for his own reaction, struggling to get ahold of himself. The lounge area wasn't crowded – it was only the pair of them, along with some travelers that were talking business with laptops and cellphones, drinks in front of them, but it felt like all of that had faded away. The smirk that crossed over the man's face made Sanji want to sink into the floor.

He frowned petulantly at him, using suddenly sweaty hands to rearrange his hair back into order because that furred coat of Law's made it staticky. "Well, maybe you should go back there, you look the part," he mumbled awkwardly. "When the hell did you grow up looking like a bad Jpop reject?"

"I have it written in my diary somewhere," Law said airily, sarcasm heavy in that tone. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again."

"Same," Sanji returned, unable to look away from him just yet. "What are you doing here?"

"Hiding," Law answered, looking at him with the same intensity. It made Sanji feel breathless; it made him feel as if he were being visually devoured and taken apart at the same time. He couldn't recall feeling that way with anyone. Every part of him felt sweaty. "You?"

Sanji could not remember why he was in town, even though he'd stressed about it from the moment he'd purchased the plane ticket. He changed the subject. "I'm married," he sputtered dumbly, showing off the simple ring.

"Oh, that sucks for you," Law murmured, not even looking at Sanji's hand. He was too busy reading Sanji's expression - and seemingly his thoughts.

Sanji took a sip of his drink. He had to settle this racing feeling of his; he couldn't concentrate with the way Law looked at him, and Sanji felt crowded with nowhere to escape. This man was so unlike the teenager he'd last known – he'd grown seemingly predatory and, frankly, Sanji had to get himself back in order if he wanted to claim his own space and stand against something he was already used to. He straightened up, shoulders tight.

"It's a fine marriage," he said as he crossed his arms firmly over his chest, his tie catching on his Apple watch. He adjusted it hurriedly. "She and I work will together – "

Before he could correct himself, Law asked with mirth, "'She'? Aw, it happened, didn't it? You were sent to a gay camp. This is your divine punishment for straying off course from the family agenda."

"Shut up," Sanji told him wearily. "I heard you ran off with some guy."

"The very same one I'm hiding from, now. He wouldn't think of looking in this area for me," Law said, allowing him some space with just a slight step back. Sanji looked at him with a stumped expression, waiting for an explanation. Flippantly, Law said, "I ran off with his savings towards some stupid motorcycle when I was explicit in that I wanted an actual car, not something that can decapitate us both if he wanted to drive 95 to Vegas with no regards to the traffic laws. I was tired of that childish shit."

"Oh, so…you're still together?" Sanji asked, glancing at his left hand. Law even had his fingernails painted black, and they were chipped. There were tattoos there as well. He couldn't help but wonder what else was on him, considering how much of him stood before him – he struggled to keep his eyes up on Law's face.

"On, off, depends on my mood," Law said. He continued looking at Sanji with that same intense expression – if he were like this when they were teenagers, Sanji was absolutely certain he'd lose all thought and reason with the real world, and probably ran off with him, too. But it was different, now. They were so much different. Time had changed everything. "Right now it's off."

"Not me," Sanji said, blinking rapidly. Damn, he had to remember to blink. "I'm in town on business – I fly out tomorrow morning. She's in – "

"I don't want to hear about her, I don't care," Law interrupted him. Sanji jumped at the feel of Law's fingers on his jaw, tracing the length of it as he wore a thoughtful expression. "Look at you, all grown up. Not the runny nosed, bug-eyed stick with mangled hair – "

"Touch me again, and I'll kick one of your leg day lacking legs right out from under you," Sanji snapped at him, flustered by how much his skin tingled just from the touch. He slapped his hand away, red-faced. "I didn't expect to run into you and get all manhandled. I'm straight."

Law laughed loudly, and it caught the attention of the others in the lounge. It made Sanji scowl because of the way his stomach twisted with heat and embarrassment. It was a definite lie that left his mouth but he couldn't help but attempt to convince himself out loud to remember where he was standing.

He huffed, fiddling with his jacket. "Anyway, why haven't you been talking to your parents? I'm sure they're deeply concerned about your whereabouts. Did you at least go and visit them since you've come back?"

Law studied him for a few moments, smile leaving his face. "You talk to my parents?"

"Yes," Sanji admitted reluctantly. He swallowed. "So what?"

"That's so cute," Law said, eyebrows drawing together. "How long has that been happening?"

"For awhile. Why? Was I just supposed to forget you? You bitch, my life changed because of you, yours did, too! Why the hell shouldn't I have that contact with your parents?"

Law was wordless. But he hadn't spoken to his parents for some months, now, and they wouldn't admit to something like that. Not with the limited time he spent on the phone with them. His hand dropped to his side, and he didn't know what to say. The man standing in front of Law right now was the same one he had loved in high school, but he wasn't at the same time. Sanji still wore his clothes stiffly but his eyes were intensely weary. His mouth looked like they hadn't smiled in some time, and his jaw kept flexing rigidly, carrying the same sort of rigid tension he had when he first started approaching Law in school. But he was so beautiful – grown up into an absurdly attractive man, and Law couldn't bring himself to look away. With how abruptly Sanji had left him, Law had the slight fear Sanji would disappear in the same manner right in front of him.

Sanji frowned up at him, brows furrowing as his eyes ran over Law's – it was Kid's, actually – fur coat once more. His expression was filled with so much disdain that Law's lips curled into a fond smile. "So, what've you been doing, besides killing small animals for cosmetic gain?"

"Not much," Law said. "I've been busy learning my place. Haven't found it, yet. We're not the type to settle down."

Sanji found himself distracted by the earrings he wore. They weren't Lamie's – they were a thicker material, pulling at his lobes heavily. Law's hair was shorter than it was when he'd last seen him – thicker, healthy. Despite his appearance, he was healthy. He seemed sound of mind, but it didn't sound like Law was ready to settle – and maybe he never would considering his current lifestyle, but Sanji couldn't imagine living life like that. Not with what he had, now.

"You should," he said vaguely, meeting his eyes once more. "Whatever you're looking for, you're obviously not finding it in the right places."

"Maybe I'm not ready to."

"Why?" Sanji demanded. "What do you get out of it, now?"

"The instability is comfortable."

"Right, so much that you're hiding out from your own – boyfriend – in some fancy hotel downtown after stealing his money and avoiding your parents because you think they won't accept you after running off."

"Ouch," Law commented, looking mockingly wounded. "You were never one to mince your words."

"Why should I?"

"And you? In a city where your family lives and you can't bear their company one minute longer? Even after your phone fills with message after message from controlling siblings?"

Sanji noticed he was looking at his phone on the table, and he glanced back to see that Ichiji was still texting him. He reached out and flipped the phone over with a dirty look in Law's direction.

"You went back to them," Law stated.

Sanji had nothing to say, exhaling heavily. But he nodded without looking at him because he didn't want to see the judgment on Law's face.

"And that's why you are where you are."

Sanji forced himself to look back up at him with a resolute expression on his face. "I think it was established that I prefer to stand my ground rather than running from it."

"And thus, you still can't make yourself say 'no' because you're too busy pleasing those taking post up around you." Law took Sanji's cup and drank from it while Sanji scowled. After finishing it, Law said, "Let's get some more. You're not going anywhere, right?"

Sanji glanced at his phone. There was really no need to answer Ichiji's messages. He was at the hotel, he excused himself from anymore business that he had with his family, and he'd intended on holing himself up in his room to smoke endlessly and think about how painful his life was. Running into Law was something he'd never expected. Never dreamed of because of the circumstances both of them were living. But here Law was, right in front of him, taking his silence as a 'yes' and walking up to the bar to request more drinks.

Sanji had a feeling it was going to be a bad idea. All these old feelings were coming back, his suppressed gay hormones were on high alert, and he didn't know what kind of boyfriend Law had that Law felt comfortable stealing money and hiding from. But he knew that staying in that empty room with these suffocating thoughts wasn't something that would stop – there was always another time to do so. How many more times would he run into his old high school boy/friend as they continued to age?

When Law returned to him with a new cup of his earlier drink and a mug of his own in hand, Sanji took it from him. He stuffed his phone into his carryon bag, thinking that catching up with Law's life wasn't going to kill either of them. Besides, he was married with a stiff sense of abiding to his vows and no matter how guilty he felt with being overwhelmed with Law's physical qualities, it wasn't like he was going to stray.

: :

He woke up with a pounding head, unforgiving nausea, lack of clothes and a complete blackout of last night. He grumbled as he pulled the blankets over his head, feeling warm and sick at the same time, the dizziness in his brain preventing any recognition of his surroundings or even why he wasn't in his usual sleep clothes. Maybe he was too hot after drunkenly returning to his room, maybe he'd thought taking a shower would help before he went to sleep, maybe –

He froze because something else registered as he pulled at the blankets. He was missing his wedding ring. He sat up with a start, regretting it moments later. Squinting hard, the tv was on, tuned to the morning news. His carryon was on the table near the bathroom, and his tie was dangling from his left wrist. He looked at it with confusion, uncertain as to why it was there and not with the rest of his clothes. Then he registered just how sore his ass was – the pain shot up his spine and tingled over the rest of him, and he nearly vomited because he knew the reason why it was there. The last boy he'd experimented with had advised a cold pack of peas for the rest of the day after trying anal sex and he never wanted to do it again.

"Fuck," he muttered, horror welling up with the nausea as he realized what he must've done. He flopped back onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling before remembering his ring, so he sat up and squinted as he looked around the room. Only his clothes were scattered about, his shoe on the nearby bedside table, the other missing. There was no sign of Law anywhere, and he remembered how Law was even there at all.

He searched for his wallet, struggling to remember. His head spun, his brain was too heavy, and he gave up the effort. He wrapped himself back up in the blankets and listened to his heart pound. What the hell gave him the right to let himself do this? How much did he drink? Was he drugged? Was Law capable of that sort of thing? He was so different from the teen Sanji lost in his own life travels that it was amazing to think that this person was that same one he'd met. All that confidence, that individual strength and ability in his own standing - matter of fact, yet willing to take off to wherever the wind blew, Law was some kind of alien character that Sanji could not imagine ever standing in his shoes.

He felt a little sad, though. If he'd just managed to wrangle his way back sooner, maybe Law wouldn't have felt so lost. Taken up company with that questionable character that willingly carted him far away from his parents. Law had said last night that they'd spent these years living from friend's couch to couch, making money with odd jobs and taking on school through online classes and occasional semesters at some campus in whatever town their ride broke down in. Even though, Sanji had to admit that the freedom sounded incredible compared to his structured life.

Whatever it was that these two shared with each other, it had died somewhere along the way and they were only together for the convenience. Eustass this, Eustass that – Eustass was mad because Law didn't want to drink, Law was mad at Eustass for always choosing tools over practical needs; tinges of resentment and discontent in each story. Sanji remembered thinking it was similar to his situation, and must have said something like that because Law had laughed again.

He'd said, 'Each of us grew up to take on someone different from the one we'd loved – almost like it was better that way than to sully the precious ghost left behind.'

Sanji's chest had tingled at Law's choice of words. He'd replied, 'Loved is a strong word.'

'That's what it was, wasn't it?'

And Sanji had to agree with a nod, not breaking eye contact because maybe it had been. He wanted to get up and try to vomit but he heard the door unlock, open and close. He stayed still, all senses on alert. He had the immediate thought that Ichiji was there just to check on him – Sanji had a flight out this morning, crap what time was it - ? There was no way Sanji could get up in this condition. He was too sick, his ass hurt – fuck did they even use lube what the hell was he even thinking – and what was the point of coming home to an empty house, anyway?

He heard the rustle of plastic, the rub of Styrofoam on Styrofoam – the sound hurt his ears. The smell hit him moments later, and his stomach jumped so he had to stop pretending to be asleep.

"You fucking asshole," he said as he rose up, clutching the blankets tight around him. His modesty demanded that he do so despite whatever kinky shit happened last night. "Did you drug me and take advantage of it?"

Law looked at him with amusement, but he couldn't bear to remove his sunglasses just yet. He ended up wincing moments later, dizzy on his own feet as he pulled cartons apart to reveal greasy Mexican food with two large cups of soda.

"Come eat this," he said. "It'll help. And don't talk so loud, what the fuck."

"What the fuck? I'm married!"

"Oh? Still? Even after pawning your ring for more drinking money?"

"Shut. Up."

"Serious. Come eat."

Sanji didn't move. His head whirled. He did not remember any of that, so he was sure Law was lying to him. He looked at the tanline on his left ring finger – he wouldn't do something so irresponsible and uncharacteristic of him. Law glanced at him, crouched carefully and found Sanji's wallet on the floor. He tossed it to him, Sanji seeing that it was overstuffed with a wrinkled paper hanging out from it. Managing to snake an arm through the blankets he clutched tightly, he jerked out the paper to see that it was a receipt. He was horrified to see the pawnshop's name, his own signature at the bottom, the worth of the ring. Blood dropped from his face. He slapped his own forehead with it, struggling to fucking remember.

"You can't take it back," Law then added, unleashing a gooey taco from one of the cartons and eating carefully as greasy cheese and shredded meat dripped down in its ascent. "Because you called your mom about it and she was simply ecstatic about a decision she was glad you'd finally made. Shame that you were drunk about it, though, so she asked that I make sure I kept all the receipts."

Sanji stared at him, disbelieving. Law found his phone and tossed it to him. Looking through it with hurried scrolling, he saw that he'd called Sola seven times. Reiju had texted him with happy faces and all caps, encouraging him to do so. Vaguely, the memory of laughing joyously with a bottle in hand came to mind – he remembered admiring this same hand with the ring gone on the ride back to the hotel.

But that was it. That was all that he could think of.

"Shut up," he repeated numbly, eyes wide.

"So much bitterness and resentment, released by a bottle of Jack," Law commented, speaking stiffly. There were faint traces of his impediment there; caused by his hangover. It wasn't fully dead – just lurking at the edges of his control. He was wincing as he ate, not at all the confident predator he was last night.

Sanji couldn't breathe. His anxiety pounded its way back to front and center, heart racing with uncomfortable strength. No, he couldn't have done all this. This wasn't something he did. He did not lose control of himself. He did not – he was not – the type of man that threw his wedding vows to the wind to some old boyfriend who had a boyfriend of his own – what the fuck.

Law staggered over to the bed to him, carrying one of the cartons and one of the soda. Because the bed was so massive, he end up army crawling what distance he could make towards Sanji, holding the soda out dangerously while the carton of food landed messily near Sanji's feet. Sanji sat slowly, cringing as pain made the action unforgiving.

"You fucker," he snapped at Law, who only snickered.

"Almost all night," he commented, lowering the soda to the bed with clumsy action. "My hips hurt."

"Don't talk about it!" Sanji screeched, red faced and immediately regretting the noise. He rubbed his head awkwardly, unable to remember a thing. "Fuck!"

"I'll take responsibility for it," Law added with a shrug. "I didn't resist too hard, anyway."

"You did this!"

"I did, but you wanted it."

"LIAR!"

"They kicked us out of the lounge for being too grabby," Law insisted with another shrug.

Sanji's ears heated, his scalp bursting into an uncomfortable sweat. He did remember the bartender telling them uncomfortably that they had to leave – he only remembered because he had an awkward time climbing off the other man's lap. He did remember the lumbering fumble in the elevator – all the grabby hands, the clack of teeth coming together, the sloppy tongues – he eked out a troubled groan, holding onto his head, pulling the blankets over his face.

"Are you remembering, now?" Law asked, taking a clumsy drink of the soda and spilling some on the duvet.

Sanji closed his eyes as anxiety strummed through him like a hammer. Making his chest tight, his heart race, his brain dizzy. There was no way he could've been so careless, to lose so much control of himself to do something so stupid…

He felt the bed move as Law did, and felt the tip of the straw against his lips. He jerked his head away, sitting back. "Don't fucking touch me," he snapped angrily at the other man. Law watched him, slumping his shoulders as he sat.

He examined the sweating cup with a controlled expression as Sanji sat there with guilt and remorse building up within him, incredulous at his own actions. With a struggle of his own, Law left the bed, sitting the cup aside on the nightstand.

"I knew we were drinking too much, but…I didn't want to leave so soon. I knew you'd wind up regretting it, but I fucking don't," Law said stiffly.

"This was a fucking shitstorm of a mistake!" Sanji breathed out, still incredulous to what had happened. To the consequences that were surely to follow after.

"I understand that," Law said low. "To you it might be. To me…it felt good. To see you like this? To be with you this way? I don't regret it. You can go ahead and hate it and feel what you do, but I won't."

Sanji swallowed tightly. He blinked rapidly, trying to draw his thoughts together properly, to fight the wave of nausea that rose in him. All he could think of was walking away from this with a sense of guilt on breaking his vows, of hurting –

Of hurting who?

Pudding had her affairs, she wasn't hiding them. He was the one that chose to stay faithful because that's what the vows demanded, and he'd married for his father's convenience. He was in a place where none of his choices were exactly his own – he was right back where he'd started. Under the control of his own family where his choices were disregarded.

He exhaled shakily, feeling his shoulders loosen their rigidity. Law removed his sunglasses, revealing his own red, swollen eyes caused by last night's heavy drinking. He watched Sanji wipe his greasy alcohol face with the hand that still had his tie around his wrist, causing Law to draw his lips in as he struggled not to remember how that was used in the midst of some pretty heavy passion.

"Fuck," was all Sanji muttered, regretting it moments later as that same hand rested over his eyes. Law made to say something when Sanji then snapped, "Couldn't you have used fucking lube?"

"You were fine with that stuff from your bag – "

"You should know that, despite my goddamn actions, I don't know what the fuck I'm doing, and you should have corrected it! Marriage meant I haven't had any goddamn dick since fucking high school – what the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Are you scolding me or insulting me? Because it sounds the same."

Sanji said nothing, drawing the blankets over his head and resettling over the bed. Law was aware of the shift in the air; something in Sanji's mind had changed abruptly, because he didn't seem so angry, now. Just hungover and settling under the weight of his bad decisions. The lump under the blankets moved until he was laying properly atop of the mattress, and Law ventured close to it.

"What time is it?" he heard from underneath the blankets.

"It's past twelve."

"FUCK."

"Your flight was this morning, right? I had the room transferred to me in the case you managed to get up and get out."

The blankets shifted slightly. "Well…I missed my flight. But you checked me out of here, right? So Ichiji couldn't find me here if he started looking…"

He's still doing that? Law thought to himself, but it wasn't a surprise to hear it. He nodded before giving a verbal confirmation.

Sanji heaved a sigh, but Law wasn't sure what expression he was making so he wasn't sure how Sanji took that. Instead he heard, "Well, that's that..."

"You'd be going home to an empty house, anyway, right?" Law asked, sitting at the edge of the bed, scratching at his head. He'd heard Sanji's drunken complaints about not feeling loved, about hating how alone he felt being in that house.

It made him think of his own relationship – Eustass was what he wanted, but not what he needed. Both of them were wrong and right for each other when the time was suited. He was positive Eustass wouldn't think to track him down to this hotel, but he still expected that phone to ring bedside. He was surprising, sometimes. Law was sure Eustass would not let him continue to hide away with the money Law had taken from him. If Law willingly went back or if Eustass finally caught up, Law was positive that Eustass would beat the shit out of him like he did the last time Law took off with his debit card and didn't return home for a month. But it would be okay because that was just how they were, and both of them were comfortable unleashing verbal and physical frustration on each other because that was what they were used to doing.

Sanji grumbled something unintelligible, and Law wondered what was going through his mind with his face covered. Minutes passed with the tv running behind him before the blankets shifted until Sanji revealed himself, covering his upper torso with a sheet. He looked at Law with a beaten expression, the tie garish against the stark white sheets of the bed. Law reached out to undo the knot, Sanji holding his arm out to allow him to do so.

"We're not the same, anymore," Sanji said low, his voice raspy. "We're not those kids."

Law wondered where he was going with this, finding it difficult to look at him. A different sort of nausea built up in him, but he was already telling himself that he was grateful for this chance. He'd never expected it to be this way, to have it like this – but there was no way he'd apologize or regret anything. It would have been better sober, though, but he'd take what he could get on the chance of losing it again. He could certainly go back to Eustass without any regret or apology but he supposed Sanji would beat himself up for betraying a woman he didn't even love.

With a firm exhale, Sanji then said, "But we're not kids anymore."

Law looked at him, quite aware that he hadn't let go of Sanji's arm after removing his tie. Once he realized what he was saying, it felt like something caused his breath to catch.

After a few moments, Sanji added low, "I missed you."

Resolved, Sanji pulled his arm out of Law's hand, resettled back into the blankets. A few beats passed before his hand snaked out and he patted the extra space next to him. Not needing another prompt, Law joined him underneath the blankets.

"No hanky panky," Sanji warned him crankily. "I think you had enough of it."

With a low laugh, Law agreed. But it didn't stop him from pulling the naked man close to him, hugging him tightly, feeling as if something had finally filled the missing part inside of him. Sanji settled into his arms with a low grumble about how good Law smelled, his arms slowly moving from being bunched up in front of him to cautiously sliding around Law's waist. They laid there in silence, cocooned by the blankets around them.

Still, Law couldn't help but wonder if this was the 'goodbye' he needed – they needed. A proper parting. He hoped not.

Sanji found himself wondering if the man would disappear again. If this was his one and only chance to say 'goodbye'; with that in mind, he couldn't be angry at the drunken events that had transpired. He had to think positively about this. He closed his eyes, wondering whose heart was beating the hardest between them.

Neither of them could bring themselves to ask so they held on tightly to each other, well aware of impeding forces looming over their thoughts with individual burdens. Time passed by slowly with the digital clock changing faces, as Sanji's phone continued to flash with messages and Law waited for that phone to ring nearby.

But even so, everything felt right because of where they were right now. Just as it had back then, and neither of them wanted to let go. Because of that feeling, that shared sense of clinginess, both of them left the hotel in the early morning hours when their hangovers were manageable and left through the back entrance.

They were adults, now. Things were easier to fall into their favor.

A/N: A huge THANK YOU to everyone that read, followed and stalked this fic from its very beginnings! This fic was intense from start to finish, and pretty much an emotional rollercoaster! But it's *finished and I'm so happy! Things changed a bit from when my laptop died to picking it up later, but the ending was exactly how I wanted it. I left it as it stands – with so much left unsaid. It feels better that way – it's up to your imagination how it goes afterward. Thank you for reading! Man, it feels sooooo goooooood hitting that 'Complete' button! *joyous bottle pop of wine

Akanee Snakes: Thank you for your kind words! Thank you for reading!

Kura: Hello there! Life is unsteady that way – sometimes unforgiving and sometimes wonderful, and I wanted that reflected in this fic! This is definitely the end of it, and hopefully one can take it positively with so much left unexplored.

Harmonica Smile: A lot of ground covered and more opened for exploration! God, I torture myself because I obviously hate myself T.T lol jk I don't. The pair knew about Skype – but neither could bring themselves to do so because even if, it wouldn't be the same. They grew apart as one naturally would in their circumstances and each of them knew it. It just wasn't possible for them to continue on in this fashion but their future is much different. Hopefully I wounded some things up and unwound others – the ending definitely leaves a lot unsaid and for potential! After all, conclusions never really wind up as the end of it. D:

Penumbra: Life is painful – and I brought it to fic-life! Thank you for hanging on with each chapter, letting me know your thoughts! While this isn't "Take Me Somewhere Nice", because it has a happier ending – yes, in my mind it's happy – it has that same feel. A bittersweet feel, but a gooder one because they did wind up together. Use cucumbers and used tea bags for your eyes! XD

Naghi-Tan: He ends up very happy – both of them do. Well…they will once they get all their troubles resolved. I just kept piling it on. DX

Guest: I did D,: Rosinante knew Law wanted to come back, and knew he would be the reason for it. In the depths of his mind, he had to let go to prevent Law from coming back and being under the influence of Doflamingo; who was just as human, he had his stress and maybe he wasn't doing the right thing to handle it, but losing Roci hurt him, too. (unfortunately, that won't be explored)

FireofShandora: Yes, very suddenly! And Kid doesn't go away that easily (because I love him, too, he'll always pop up in my fics XD) This epilogue gives only a taste of what could be and what could have happened – but it ends here. Because that's a whole lot of mess to sort through and while Sanji and Law are adults and completely different from their teenage years, things would be handled much differently. But that's the thing – they're now in control of themselves with their own actions so the story would be completely different!

Artista the Psycho Ink Mistress: Thank you so much for reading, beginning to end! It was quite a ride! And while characters popped up here and there, it was mainly Law and Sanji's story – and it will continue to be so. Whatever happens after this is up to your imagination (mine has already crafted what ifs and this and that but I'm refusing to write a follow up because I have a TON of stories that needs to be finished DX) Thank you!

Nattsubihanabi: I hope this epilogue felt like a happy ending after all they went through! It kinda is…kinda isn't…but mainly is…I say it is. XD