A/N: Welcome to the next chapter!

18. A Month of Memories, Part 2

Sometime During the Month

Comic Books

Law sits with his face covering his hands as Luffy spreads out his comic books around the floor in the living room. "Oh my god," Luffy breathes, looking at all the volumes. "You're a nerd."

The surgeon is silent as his face burns red. "Shut up."

Luffy flips through the pages, giggling like a madman. "This is too much, holy shit. Why do you have so many?"

"...it's a good series."

The teen stops at a page of the protagonist beating up a villain. "Wait, what's this about? It actually looks really cool."

"Right?" Law perks up with a smile. "It's called Sora, Warrior of the Sea. It's mainly about the protagonist, Sora, finding a way to defeat the villains, Germa 66. He always kicks ass, but he really struggled in that fight with Stealth Black. God, reading those scenes made me so nervous. Fucking Germa."

Luffy bites back a smile as he listens to the man talk, flipping through the pictures. "His name is Stealth Black? He looks more like a...Soba Mask."

"No, he's definitely Germa," Law exhales, disgusted. "He has their technology, look..."

Law joins him on the floor of his living room, excitedly pointing to the blonde villain floating in mid air. "They use the devices on their feet to float, and there's acceleration devices on their heels."

Law turns a few pages to the man blocking an attack from Sora. "Their capes can turn into solid shields, and- oh my god you need to see this."

Luffy tries his best to hold back a wide smile as Law flips a page, splaying his fingers on the book. There's an empty action panel, and Sora was frantically searching for his opponent. Law turns to Luffy with wide eyes, waiting for his reaction.

"He's gone," the younger squeaks out, trying not to laugh at how cute this was.

"Exactly! It's a special ability of Stealth Black. He becomes invisible by projecting the background over him. This fight is one of the best in the series." Law sits back, shaking his head. "I just get goosebumps just thinking about it."

Luffy scrutinizes the blonde on the page once more. "Hey. Doesn't he kind of look like Sanji?"

The surgeon shoots him a puzzled look. "No way. I can't even imagine Sanji in a Germa 66 raid suit."

Luffy chuckles, shaking his head. "Yeah. Weird."

Sometime During the Month

Makeup

Ever since Luffy told Sanji and Zoro that they were officially a couple, Law could feel the blonde's approval of him soar while the green haired's approval of him plummeted.

Law thinks it's a win-win situation.

"Stay still," Sanji grits above him. "I can't buff out the colors if you keep squirming."

How Law got in this situation was still a little lost on him, but here he was. It's an early weekday morning, and Luffy needed to practice at the Going Merry with the other strippers. He had begged Law to tag along, and before he knew it, he was sitting in a chair in the back room, facing a mirror, and Sanji was dabbing away at his face. Luffy bounces to his right as he watches the blonde work.

Law obediently stills. "Luffy's distracting me."

"Luffy. Out."

The dancer frowns. "Not my fault Law's looking at me."

"You're the only person to look at."

Sanji huffs, poking a brush into his cheek. "There's a person right here, you know."

"No there ain't," Zoro scowls from the corner, sitting on a bench with his arms crossed. "Why are you even doing that guy's makeup? We have shit to do."

"You know I can't say no to Luffy," Sanji sighs, setting down an eyeshadow palette. "His pout is dangerous, I'm telling you."

He picks up a different brush and attacks Law's closed lids yet again. Under him, Law smiles. "I believe that makes two of us."

Zoro throws his hands in the air. "I give up. You guys can stay in here and keep messing around. I don't want that pink feathered bitch comin' in here and giving me trouble."

"Oh don't worry about that, Zoro," Luffy calls out to the man. "They're out this morning, talking in one of their meetings."

"That's right, I forgot," Sanji mutters from beside him, dabbing at his cheeks.

Law frowns. He hadn't heard anything from Corazon about that. "Meetings?"

Luffy shrugs. "They meet to talk about the club from time to time. They've been meeting up more frequently nowadays."

The surgeon frowns, slightly turning to Luffy. "Should we be worried?"

"Stay still!" The blonde dabs on Law's other cheek. "Just some lips and you're done."

Zoro sneers in Law's direction. "Why should we be worried? They've been taking care of the club for ages. A few extra conversations won't change that."

As Sanji rubs a gloss on his lips, Law watches Zoro out of the corner of his eyes. He did have a point. Zoro and the others know how the brother duo work as owners better than Law does.

"I guess you're right," Law relents, sighing.

"Close your eyes," Sanji says, positioning a spray bottle in front of his face. Law lowers his lids and flinches slightly as a cool mist washes over him.

"Ta-da! Finished, what do you think?"

Law leans forward and turns his face from side to side. He wasn't any expert in the makeup realm by any means, but he could at the very least tell that Sanji did a really good job. Luffy hadn't been lying when he said that the blonde had a talent for the art.

He had forgone foundation, since Law 'didn't need any'. The man did add some concealer, and it was strange seeing himself without his usual dark under eyes. Sanji went for a dramatic smokey eye for the shadows. The center of his lids was a murky, deep red that slowly faded into an orange in his crease. The man had lined his eyes with a sharp wing, and, at Law's refusal to wear false lashes, coated his own in mascara. Sanji even went out of his way to shape Law's eyebrows and give them body. His cheekbones, brow bone, and nose all shone with golden highlighter. Law pops his lips a little, watching the red gloss shine in the light. He looked like…

"You look like a bad bitch," Luffy's face splits in a grin. "The baddest."

"Excuse me? Did you call my name?"

"Shut up and let the man feel himself, Zoro."

Zoro frowns at Sanji. "I'm just making sure my title of baddest bitch isn't being soiled."

The blonde chuckles. "I don't recall you getting that title. Was I out, or did you forget to wake up from your dream?"

Law watches the two bicker as Luffy laughs beside him. "They're always like that, it's too funny."

Law thinks back to his first interaction with them. "I recall."

"I heard Zoro back here," Nami pokes her head in from the stage door. "Which means Sanji isn't too far."

She turns to look at them arguing and sighs. "Figures."

"Hey Nami! Come look at Sanji's work!" Luffy waves her over with a smile.

Behind Nami, Robin strolls in elegantly, followed by an exhausted Vivi. Law watches as the group approaches him. "What happened to her?"

"We just wrapped up our practice," Robin explains, putting a supportive shoulder around Vivi. "This one has the least stamina of us all."

"No Robin, you've just got the stamina of a horse," the red head deadpans. Robin sends her a small smile.

"Anyway, let's see what Sanji cooked up this time." Nami moves to study Law's face, placing a delicate hand on her hip. She hums thoughtfully as she looks at him from different angles. "Looks mysterious. I like it."

Vivi bounces on Nami's shoulder, peering down as well. "I think it makes him look pretty hot."

Robin watches him in the mirror. "He does look rather handsome. Sanji has outdone himself again."

Luffy nods his head in time with each compliment. "That's my boyfriend!"

Law sighs. "Someone just get me a wipe or something."

"Not before I take a picture!"

"God damn it, Luffy."

Sometime During the Month

Sick

"Law."

"Hm?"

Luffy coughs a little bit into his elbow. "You know I just have a small fever, right?"

Law pauses, the spoon of warm chicken soup halfway to Luffy's mouth. It stops for only a moment before it continues its descent to the teen. Luffy parts his lips and gratefully partakes of the food, swallowing slowly.

"I'm aware."

The younger watches him in a confused daze. "Then...why are you treating me like I'm super sick?"

Luffy was sitting in Law's bed, propped up by pillows. He was first covered with a light blanket, but after complaining of chills, Law nearly tore his apartment apart looking for thicker covers. Medicine and fluids were already in his system- Law triple checked that they were- and now it was just a matter of time until Luffy got better. Except a matter of time was too much time, and it worried Law like no other.

"These are perfectly reasonable preventative measures to ensure it doesn't get worse."

Luffy sinks deeper into the blankets. "Yeah but...I feel like I'm causing you trouble."

"Nonsense." Law swirls the bowl of soup and carries and pulls out another spoonful. "Here, say 'ah'."

The teen's cheeks burn. He feels like a child. "Ahh," he complies, and Law carefully leads the spoon to Luffy's mouth. As the warm liquid soothes his throat, Luffy hums, content. His head begins to swim with grogginess, and he blinks slowly.

"I kinda wanna sleep..." he murmurs, feeling drowsy. This was his third bowl of soup for the day, and Law was showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. It was light and easy on the stomach, but he still felt tired- his body was using all its energy to fix whatever was wrong within Luffy. Despite this, a flash of horror crosses Law's face at his words.

Despite how bad the teen felt at the moment, it was pretty funny watching the surgeon fuss over him like a mother over her child. Luffy thought Law being a medical professional would ease his nerves about Luffy's fever, but ironically, the man seemed to worry even more. If he had the energy, he would laugh at how overblown the man was making his condition out to be.

Law reaches forward and places a hand on Luffy's head. His eyebrows draw together in concern. "You're warm. Want me to take off the thick blanket? If you're going to nap, we don't need you overheating."

At Luffy's nod, Law carefully strips him of the larger cover. He folds it and sets it beside him on the nightstand. "I'll be in the living room if you need me alright? I'll bring you another glass of water, so drink that before you sleep."

The younger coughs into his elbow again and sniffles. "Okay."

Law's heart throbs watching the teen. He bends forward and kisses Luffy's forehead. "Rest tight, ok?"

Luffy warms, and it's not because of the fever. "Thank you."

The surgeon chuckles as he straightens. "You're welcome. This is my job, after all."

"I thought you were a surgeon."

"Doesn't mean I can't take care of you, smartass."

Luffy watches as Law's form retreats in the semi-darkness of his room, quietly opening the door and shutting it. His lids are heavy and woozy, and combined with the warmth he already felt, it's not long before he's fast asleep.

When Law returns with the glass of water, he pauses at the sound of Luffy's soft snoring. A loving smile stretches his face. "Luffy, that idiot."

He walks in and sets the water down on the opposite nightstand. "Didn't even drink the water like I said."

Law studies him for a few moments more before padding across the floor to leave.

"Sweet dreams, Luffy."

The door closes quietly behind him.

Sometime During the Month

Coffee

"So I saw you hanging out with Boa the other day."

"Law, it's not what you think-"

"I won't hesitate, bitch."

Sonia laughs from behind the counter. "He can't help it, Law. She is our boss after all."

Law goes out to Amazon Lily every day for his daily cup of coffee. Although Luffy isn't there every time he comes out, he was today.

Law sat in the empty cafe with the staff members, since they had let him in a quarter till opening. He watches the sisters work behind the counter as Luffy sits before him. The owner was nowhere to be seen.

The last time Law saw the younger here, he was engaged in his usual swooning, teasing, and playful routine with Boa. Law knew he could trust Luffy, but that woman was a different story altogether. When Luffy exited from the back counter to join him and he mentioned it, he only laughed. Laughed!

Law scowls from behind his cappuccino. "I still don't like it. She's so familiar with you."

As Sonia chuckles under her breath, Mari raises a suspicious eyebrow at him. "Wouldn't it be more weird if she didn't? We've all known each other for a year now."

Law's eyes flash at her. "I know that, but-"

"Huh," Luffy smiles wide, teasingly. "I didn't peg you as the jealous type."

"Jealous?" Law chokes out, and Luffy bursts out in laughter. "I have nothing to be jealous of."

"Is that so?" Sonia grins. Law narrows his eyes at her. Nothing about her expression seemed good.

"Yo Boa!" she called.

Law freezes. "She's here?"

"She owns the place, man." Mari doesn't face him as she focuses on the coffee machine before her. "Wouldn't it make less sense if she wasn't?"

The surgeon glares at the brunette. "I don't work here, and I'm not close to her. How was I supposed to know?"

Luffy laughs even louder, and Law's glare focuses on him. "Not funny."

"I heard Luffy's laughter." Boa emerges from the door behind the counter, hair swishing gracefully behind her. "What's the occasion?"

She pauses as her navy eyes find Luffy sitting with Law. The woman frowns. "Oh. It's just you."

Law cocks his head haughtily to a side. "Hancock."

Boa scowls. "Don't call me by that name."

"I do what I damn well please."

"Don't push your fragile confidence on me, Trafalgar." The woman smirks down at him. "We all know your jealousy knows no bounds."

There they go again. He wasn't jealous. He was….cautious.

"You wanna talk about no bounds?" Law takes a sip of his cappuccino nonchalantly, closing his eyes to let the taste wash over his tongue. "I'm not the delusional one who thinks I'm in love with my co-worker."

"Wrong. She thinks they're married."

The green haired girl ducks as she avoids the swat of Boa's hand. "Sonia!" she cries out, blushing.

Luffy watches the scene with a knowing smile. Boa whirls on him. "Luffy dear, don't listen to her!"

Law chuckles, bringing the cappuccino to his lips once more. "Well, well, well, how the turntables."

"Isn't it 'tables turn'?"

"I know what I said, Luffy."

"You. Just be glad Luffy's partial to you," Boa seethes, pointing a shaking finger in Law's direction. "If not, I'd never serve your goth ass."

Mari snorts. "I wouldn't say goth. More so...edgy."

"Thanks," Law sighs sarcastically, shaking his head. The brunette offers him a rare smile.

"Of course."

Boa floats over to Luffy's side, red faced. Her voice is several tones higher as she looks down at the teen with stars in her eyes."Luffy~"

Luffy turns up to her with a grin. "Hm?"

The woman clutches her heart and blushes further. "D-Don't forget to replace the p- pastries in the...jars..."

"You can leave it to me," Luffy beats his chest. Boa looked near ready to faint at the action.

"Alrighty hon," she chirps, bouncing away.

Law scoffs at her retreating form, setting down his finished cup. "Who says 'hon' nowadays? Kind of old fashioned, isn't it?"

Boa turns and glares at him, eyes as hard as steel. "I don't wanna hear shit from a surgeon with 'death' on his fingers."

"How did you know that I'm a..?"

Law's gaze drops to Luffy, who looks to the side and whistles softly.

Boa huffs, hips swinging as she walks behind the counter. "A lady doesn't kiss and tell."

"That's crazy. I didn't know 'kissing' and 'drilling for information' were synonymous." Sonia watches her sister's face flush from embarrassment with a wicked smile. "Said you needed all the info you could get on your 'competition'-"

"Lies," Boa bites, entering through the back door and slamming it after her. Sonia snickers as she leaves, and Mari sighs.

"You didn't have to out her like that."

"She outed herself," Law snickers. "Serves her right."

"Whatever you say, edge lord."

Luffy laughs as Law flips her off, scowling.

Sometime During the Month

Marriage

"Ah, my baby boy's finally all grown up! Can I be expecting a grandchild?"

Law's cheeks burn sheepishly. "Corazon please."

Luffy snickers loudly from beside him.

When Law broke the news to Corazon with Luffy one day in his apartment, the man was ecstatic. He had picked up Law and swung him around like he weighed nothing. He did the same to the teen, too. He was all smiles and had nothing but support for the couple. Law was happy, but also terribly embarrassed. He knew how...energetic Corazon could get when he was really happy. The man hurriedly dragged the two out to the Baratie, and practically begged them to eat. Luffy needed no further invitation.

"So," the blonde begins, shoving some cabbage in his mouth. "You guys are happy?"

Luffy grabs Law's arm beside him and beams at Corazon. "Yup!"

The blonde swallows with a smile. "Then it's settled. I'm happy for you two, I really am."

The blush on Law's face wasn't going away. "Corazon-"

"Nnnnope."

Law sighs, taking a sip of his water. "...Dad."

"Yes, my son?"

Law clears his throat. It wasn't the best time to bring it up, but better late than never. "Is...everything alright? With Doflamingo?"

Something shifts in Corazon's eyes at the words, but he smiles wide at Law. "Don't worry about that here. Let's just enjoy our food, shall we?"

Law watches his caregiver carefully. His body language was off, and it was something only Law would be able to notice. He decides not to comment more on the issue at the moment, but knows he would have to talk to him in private sooner or later.

Luffy sets down his drink with a breath of air. "You don't have to tell me twice. Shit's down the hatch."

Corazon laughs loudly, slamming his hand on the table. "You sure know how to eat! I like that! Law! You better keep this one full."

Law sputters. "It's not like we're living together!"

"That could be arranged."

"Dad!"

As the two converse, Luffy polishes off Law's plate noiselessly. The food is gone so fast that the man didn't even register his meal was gone until he felt a breeze. The surgeon whirls on Luffy, exasperated. "And what do you think you're doing?"

The teen covers his mouth as a burp threatened to bubble up within him. "Finishing your food for you. You barely touched it, and it's not good to throw away food."

"I was talking to Corazon!"

"Ahem."

"...to my dad!" Law corrects, flushed. "How could I eat and talk at the same time?"

"It's easy!"

"No, it's not physically possible!"

"Just chew and speak!"

"That's bad manners, Luffy! Plus, I'd choke."

"Choking is for the weak."

"What in the world-"

Corazon sits back and watches the exchange lovingly as their waiter swings by their table. "Arguing like an old married couple already."

Ichiji widens his eyes at the two. "Newly weds?"

The blonde nods solemnly. "Practically. Is that the bill?"

"Yes." Ichiji hands him the billfold. Corazon takes it and stuffs some bills in the center before handing it back. "Take the rest of the change as a tip."

The waiter looks at Corazon in shock. "That's...really generous of you, sir."

The blonde waves him off. "If my son is happy, then I'm happy."

"So you've eaten poisonous things before." Law shakes his head in disbelief. "How are you okay?"

Luffy places his hands on his hips and sits up a bit straighter. "I was really close to a hospital! Ace scolded me like crazy after, though."

"You are truly something else. God, you're so strange."

"Oh please, like you're any better," Luffy scoffs, smirking. "Who was the one who asked the waiter for their autograph because they looked like a villain in their favorite comic book?"

Law shuts his mouth, retort dying away. It's not his fault that the blue haired man looked like he was a part of Germa 66. Fucking Germa.

The teen nods, knocking the final nail into Law's verbal coffin. "Yeah. That's what I thought."

Ichiji returns to their table. "Thank you for dining with us this evening!" He smiles and leans closer to their table, towards Law and Luffy. "And also...congrats on the marriage."

Law chokes on his food. "Marriage?"

"Thank you, thank you," Corazon grins widely at the man. "Would you like an invitation? I can make some out of hearts~"

Luffy pinks from beside him, but laughs nevertheless.

Ichiji leaves them to their own devices. When he enters the back rooms of the Baratie, the staff watch him expectantly. He takes a deep breath. "They're married!"

Cheers erupt from the cooks, waiters, and waitresses alike. Nojiko laughs triumphantly and holds out a palm to Monet. "My five bucks, please!"

The green haired grumbles curses through her smile as she hands it over.

Sometime During the Month

Visit

Law is silent as he follows Luffy through the familiar hallways of Flevance. The teen had expressed a desire to pay his brother a visit, and wasn't having it when the surgeon thought he should go by himself. Not that he didn't want to meet the freckled man with Luffy, but he thought that the brothers should have their private time alone.

Luffy takes a deep breath in front of room 702. Law puts a supportive hand on his back, and at the touch, Luffy holds his chin a little higher and pushes open the door.

The room shines bright with sunlight from the windows. Soft beeps greet Law's ears as he enters the threshold. He looks around the clustered room, and it's just as he remembers it. A complex array of machines surround the bed in the center of the room, and wires from them connect to the man laying on his cot peacefully, looking out the window. At the sound of the door opening, Ace turns weakly towards them, and smiles.

"Luffy," he breathes.

Law stays rooted by the closed door. Ace looked paler than when he last saw him. Luffy wraps his arms around his brother on the bed, careful not to touch his new bandages, and gives him a light squeeze.

"Ace," he grins, pulling back with teary eyes. "How've you been?"

The man laughs breathily, and it dissolves into a heaving cough. Law winces. His heart sympathizes deeply for the man, and for Luffy. He remembers the words that Bepo told him a while back, but shakes them from his mind. This time was for Luffy, for them. Law wouldn't let anything disturb that.

"Better," Ace croaks. He takes a shuddering breath. "My chest hurts like a motherfucker, though."

"God," Luffy's face twists into one of pain as he looks down at the man's torso. "I'm so sorry. Don't you need to call them for like, pain relievers or something?"

The older brother huffs out a laugh. "They already gave me some. It just needs to kick in."

Law's surprised at how talkative Ace is. He was in massive pain, sure, but he seemed more alert than Law thought he would be. For someone who's health was failing and who has been in a coma for years, he was miraculously responsive.

Luffy relaxes, letting out a sigh. Ace twists his head slowly to get a look at Law.

"Who's this fellow?"

Law tenses as Luffy moves away from the bed, allowing Ace to take him in fully. "This is Law. My boyfriend."

Ace's eyes soften as Law makes a small bow. "So you've finally found one, huh?"

At Law's questioning glance, Luffy pinks and pinches Ace's cheek. "Shut up," he mumbles. The brother whines on the bed at the pain, and Luffy removes his hand with a small smile. Despite his situation, Ace seemed full of mirth. The older brother motions Law over to his bedside, and the surgeon complies, standing next to Luffy by the bed.

"So you're the boyfriend, huh?"

Law nods, and he's not too sure why he's nervous. "That's me. Name's Trafalgar Law."

Ace smiles. "Portgas D. Ace. This idiot's older brother."

"Nice to meet you," Law says softly, and the brother below him chuckles. "You too, Law. You seem nice."

Luffy clutches his arm proudly. "He is."

Ace studies the pair, wise eyes searching between them. "Luffy," he starts, eyes closed from over exertion of speaking.

"Ace, you don't have to talk if you don't wanna..." Luffy begins, but Ace shakes his head.

"...can you leave for a moment? I wanna talk to him alone."

The teen looks dumbfounded for a second, flickering between Law and Ace. He swallows after a second and nods. "...Okay." Luffy squeezes Law's arm before he exits the room, leaving Law alone with the freckled man.

In the silence that follows, all Law hears is the sound of Ace's deep, even breathing and the noises from the machines. A minute passes before Ace speaks again.

"What is it about Luffy?"

Law's taken aback for a moment. "W-What?"

When Ace turns to face him, the expression on his face is serious. "Why do you want to date him?"

The question makes Law pause. It was so simple, yet so incredibly complex. Luffy took up such a big part of him, and has for a while. Now that he was asked to describe exactly how he felt, he found it difficult to articulate his feelings clearly.

Ace watches Law closely as he fidgets. Finally, the surgeon straightens his shoulders. "I care very deeply for him," Law begins quietly. "Luffy's a bright soul, someone full of life and mirth and I...that's what caught my attention. But when I met him, he seemed so down, as if he had been suffering for a long, long time."

A flicker of pain washes across Ace's face, but he nods for Law to continue.

Law mentally kicks himself. The older brother knew that he must have somewhat contributed to that. "I noticed his pain and I sympathized with him. I wanted to help him in any way I could...because I know what it's like to feel that way."

Law watches Ace's chest rise and fall, too anxious to meet the man's piercing gaze. "But as I got to know him better, I realized just how strong Luffy was. He's a fighter, and won't take shit from anyone. He's passionate about the things he cares about, and loves with his whole heart. He's inspiring to me and I...I like him a lot for it."

Law runs an embarrassed hand through his hair. "I want him to be happy. He deserves it. God, I think I would do just about anything for his smile."

The older brother chuckles softly. "Aren't you a poetic one."

Law pinks a little a little bit. "I guess I did kind of...drone."

"It says a lot about your character, Law. Just from you entering the room, I could take a guess at what you might be like. I'm glad I was right." Racking coughs shake Ace's body. Law watches on with tense concern.

"...how are you feeling?"

Ace offers him a sly smile. "What, you worried like Luffy now?"

Law's expression doesn't change as his tone does, taking on a more professional role. A more doctoral role. "I'm a surgeon who works here. My friend is your doctor, Dr. Bepo."

At Law's words, Ace's expression changes. The false confidence he seemed to exude slips from his body, and he suddenly looked very, very tired.

"Then...you probably know, huh? They say I'm dying."

Law squeezes his eyes shut. Bepo has told him already, but he didn't want to think about it.

Ace smiles sadly. "I'm trying not to worry Luffy, but...I feel weaker by the day. But I can't go now, I just can't. I'm scared to leave that idiot brother of mine all by himself."

Law remains silent as a wave of heartache crashes into him. Ace lets out a slow stream of air before turning him. "Before I call Luffy back in here, I want you to promise me something."

The surgeon's lids fly open to Ace, who reached over to grab his wrist. He squeezes as forcefully as he can, which didn't amount to much, but to Law, it was as if the weight of the world tugged him down.

"I want you to take care of Luffy for me."

His heart clenched at the request. "Ace, I-"

"Promise me," he seethes sharply, and his nails dig into Law's wrist. "Please."

Law's heartbeat seemed to stop as he looked down into the desperate eyes of Ace. There seemed to be something he meant to convey with the words, but the man makes no indication of elaborating. Law's ears rang with silence as the noises in the room faded into the background. It all happened in a second. The words left his mouth before he could think.

"I promise."

Ace's grip tightens before it relaxes, and a darkness seems to leave his face. "Good...thank you. Thank you so much. Do you mind bringing Luffy back in here?"

Law swallows thickly. "Yeah. I'll do that."

He slips away to the door and pokes his head out. Luffy was pacing in the hallway, deep in thought. "Hey," Law says quietly, and Luffy snaps up to him.

"Is he..?"

Law nods, and Luffy rushes back into the room. "Ace, what did you guys talk about?"

Law closes the door behind him as he hears Ace reply. "How awesome you are."

Luffy makes a sound of disbelief, but Law chuckles. "He's not lying, you know."

"Oh my god, you guys..."

The surgeon sits down on the bench, and Ace turns to him with a soft smile. "So. What do you do for fun?"

Law snorts. "Does drinking coffee count?"

Ace grins weakly. "A man of culture I see. What kind?"

"Usually cappuccinos."

The older brother turns to Luffy, eyes sparkling. "Keep him."

Luffy looks between the both of them in disgust. "You two and your coffee. I swear."

"Especially with a double shot of espresso," Law further explains, relishing the souring expression on Luffy's face, "but-"

"-make it wet. Add a tablespoon of vanilla, and be careful that it's exactly measured. Steam the milk, but please don't whip it. I don't like the way it foams when whipped."

Luffy and Law turn to Ace in shock. It's the most words he's said in a single sitting since they've arrived. The man seemed to say it in a trance, as if he's said it multiple times in the past.

"I uh. Had a particularly picky customer back at Marco's Coffee." Ace recounts with a reminiscent smile. "That order always haunted us staff."

"Oh my god," Law breathes, bringing his hand to his mouth. "That was me."

"That was you?!" Luffy repeats loudly. "Wait, what the fuck?"

Law feels himself shaking slightly. "It's been years so I had forgotten what the people who worked there looked like. And then it got burned down…"

"That's crazy," Luffy says, watching Law in awe. "So you've met Ace before the incident?"

Law nods numbly. "Must have. I used to go to Marco's Coffee all the time. It's a shame what happened to the owner."

"It really is a small world," Ace exhales softly. "I don't remember you either, but I remember your order. It scared off all the newcomers."

"You're not that picky at Amazon Lily," Luffy notes, confused.

Law rubs the back of his head. "...I've fixed my ways."

Luffy makes a sound of understanding. "Yeah, now I think about it, if you had ordered that at Amazon Lily, I would've fought you on the spot."

Ace laughs from his bed. "I wanted to do that too, at times."

Law shakes his head. "No mercy from either of you, huh?"

"Nope!" the brothers grin in unison.

The conversation with Ace lasted for another half hour. Law found himself growing terribly attached to the man, and understood why Luffy felt so strongly that he would survive. If Luffy was a fighter, then Ace was a commander. He had resolve and pride despite his weakened state, and didn't let any news trip him up. Ace had a charm to light up a room, just like Luffy did.

But there was no way that the man didn't feel any sort of sadness. Law thought back to the conversation he overheard between Ace and Luffy all that time ago. It wasn't that the man wasn't in any despair. He just refused to let Law see him in any. He wished to be strong no matter what. They truly were related. Luffy was exactly the same.

"Well?" Luffy asks as they exit the room. He closes the door behind him and turns to the surgeon. "What do you think of my brother?"

Law lets a smile curl his lips. "He's really, really cool."

The teen grins wide. "Ain't he?"

Sometime During the Month

Anger

"Law, please," Luffy begs, a hand on his shoulder. "Please calm down."

The surgeon's hands grip the steering wheel so tightly that his nails dig back into his palms. "How the hell did you expect me to stay calm after you told me what that fucker did to you?"

Law veers onto a road, and Luffy clings desperately onto his chair as the car turns sharply. When he regains his bearings, he watches Law worriedly. "When I showed you my photo album of me and Ace as kids I just...I just remembered him. Then it all came out, and I-"

"I'm glad I know, so I can go and beat his ass."

Luffy shakes his head. "Please, he's someone I never want to see ever again."

"You don't have to," Law growls. He pulls roughly into the auto place where he got his car fixed, and parks in the staff area. Luffy pants as the car stops, heart beating wildly in his chest. "I'm going in by myself. You can stay in the car."

Luffy feels a pit of dread in his stomach. "But-"

"But what, Luffy?" Law snaps, whirling on him. "You tell me what your ex did to you, how he made you suffer for over a year, and I'm supposed to stay calm? I can't sit here and do nothing!"

Law turns up to the garage with narrowed eyes. "Especially when I know where the fucker works at."

Luffy is quiet, and he studies the cup holders between them. Law sighs and rubs a hand down his arm. "Stay here. I'll be right back."

As Law exits the car and rounds it to the entrance, he hears the sound of a second car door slam behind him. Luffy stands outside the vehicle, determined.

"Don't try to stop me Luffy," Law says softly.

Luffy lets out a breath. "I won't. I'm just here to make sure that you don't...accidentally kill him, or something."

Law laughs at that. "Oh, don't worry. There are many medical ways to make him suffer pain worse than death."

"Law-"

The surgeon shoves open the door, and it clunks against the metal of the interior of the garage. He ignores the startled gazes of the mechanics as he makes his way to the pink haired woman who stood casually at the podium, positively livid.

Jewelry looks up with an annoyed brow raised. "Fuck you think you doing?"

Rage surges through Law as he slams a hand down on the counter. "Where the hell is your boss?"

The woman isn't fazed at his anger, and instead looks behind him, at Luffy. Something changes in her expression as she returns to Law. "Kidd?"

"Yeah," Law spits, as if the name was poison on his tongue. "Kidd."

Jewelry sighs. "He hasn't been to work in over a week. Haven't heard a peep out of him."

"Bullshit." The surgeon's eyes flicker around the garage. Everyone seemed to be avoiding his gaze, focusing diligently on their tasks. There was not a head of bright red hair in sight. He lands on the door to the back room.

"He's not in there?"

The pink haired looks at him tiredly. "You wanna go back there and look for yourself? I don't care. It's unlocked."

Law balls his fists. "Don't mind if I do."

Luffy watches the angry man storm to the door and nearly rip it off its hinges as he walks through. Once it slams shut behind him, the men and women in the garage seem to let go of a tense breath of air.

"You're Luffy, right?"

The younger jumps at the sound of his name, and turns to see the woman studying him curiously. "Yeah...how do you know?"

"How do you think?"

Luffy's quiet, and Jewelry shrugs. "He talks about you from time to time."

"...I see."

The teen shifts from foot to foot. The air was awkward, and he itched to break it. Luffy wished Law would leave, but he had every right to be mad at Kidd. In fact, it was strange that Luffy wasn't more mad at him. But he didn't want anything to do with the red head anymore. Luffy was thankful to Kidd for helping him years back, but that was it. Nothing else.

After Law discovered what Kidd did to him and hopped in the car to start driving, Luffy had first followed him out of confusion. He had no idea where they were headed. As he began to piece it together during the ride, however, he felt the blood drain from his face. Of course the one place Law gets his car fixed is his ex's auto shop. Of course. The coincidence was just bad luck all around.

"Where...where is he?" Luffy asks. As much as he was no longer concerned for Kidd, he could never wish violence upon anyone. A punch or two like Barty and Zoro wanted was one thing, but the way Law was now…

He highly doubts Law would stop at that.

"Am I the guy's mother?" she scowls, carding through her hair. "I just said I have no fucking idea. All I know is that he'd better get his ass back to work. I'm tired of keeping this place up and running for him."

Law bursts back through the door, and the workers around the garage engross themselves in nonexistent work. "He's not here."

"I dunno how many times I gotta repeat myself before it gets through your thick skull, man."

The surgeon marches over to the podium and grabs Luffy's hand. He throws Jewelry one last glare. "...Let's get the hell outta here."

Luffy's heart is stuck in his throat. He lets Law lead him back to the entry, his body still taut with anger. He flings open the door and exits with the younger.

Law is silent as he unlocks his car outside the garage. "Not there." He collapses in the driver's seat, placing his hands on the steering and lowering his head in between. He inhales shakily. "Of course he's not fucking there."

Luffy watches him sadly from the passenger's side, unable to think of a way to approach him. Law tightens his grip and hits his head on the wheel once more.

"How could someone just do that to you..?"

"I don't forgive him, Law," Luffy says softly. "I just want to forget him. And I appreciate you getting mad for me. Really."

Law brings his head up to meet Luffy's eyes. The teen gulps at the fury that burns in them, but continues. "We parted ways a while ago. He won't be coming back."

"But you told me he showed up at your dorm!"

Luffy winces. "He did. But I think it's because he's been trying to talk to me again. I've blocked him since we broke up, so maybe because he couldn't text or call, he decided to show up in person."

The younger leans back in his seat with a sigh. "He hasn't contacted me since then. He finally got the message and left me alone. I promise, it's okay. I'm okay."

Law seemed to be just on the edge of letting go. Luffy takes his hand and squeezes tightly. "Please, Law."

The man sighs, his anger releasing with the air. "...Okay." He takes a deep breath. "Alright."

Luffy laces their fingers together. "Let's just go?"

Law bops his head in agreement, and starts the car. He's quiet on the way to his apartment, clearly deep in thought. Luffy doesn't let go of his hand the entire way back.

Present Day

Mid September

Law didn't realize he finally fell asleep until he woke up.

He reaches for his phone and grunts in surprise. 10:58 PM. He had gotten a decent four hour nap, and that was better than nothing. He peels himself out of bed and forces himself to walk to his closet. Law needed to start getting ready for the Going Merry, courtesy of another free pass for Corazon.

The surgeon debated on texting his friends to come, but something stops him. He's been having a bad feeling in his gut all day. Law didn't want his friends to be there and distract him as he kept his eyes peeled for anything amiss. He knew the men could fend for themselves every bit like Law could, but the surgeon would rather not take the chance.

Or maybe he was just overreacting.

Law decides not to think about it too much. He was going to enjoy Luffy's performance and have a good time. Maybe even talk with the other strippers. Except Zoro. Fuck him.

He quells the wary feeling in his gut as he looks for clothes, excited for what the night was to bring.

A/N: Thank you for reading. Until next time!

P.S. Law's comic book obsession is based on this iconic scene.

P.P.S. See Law's makeup look here.

If you didn't get the vine. I am so sorry. Culture yourself here. Click here for the turntables line. Links in AO3.