A Bit of Normality, Chapter Twenty Six

I suppressed a yawn with waiting for my toast to come out. The weekend had been… awful. With our "mission" that completely failed, then our capture (if we can call it that), the rescue quite amazing by Penguin and Shachi, and lastly, my fell (literally), it hadn't been a walk in the park. Fortunately, it ended well. Except for Doflamingo, of course. He was currently in prison, waiting for his trial. And I don't think his money and influence will save him, this time. With all the evidence that the police managed to get, and with many testimonies and confessions, he was in deep sh*t. Apparently, he didn't treat his "employees" very kindly, because a lot of them didn't hesitate to confess against him, since the police gave them protection from still loyal men and women who might want to hurt them. From that group, was Roxanne. I had escorted her to the police station so she wouldn't be alone. I wasn't allowed to go in the interrogation room, so I waited in the lobby, supporting her mentally. Shachi then came by and we talked for a while. He asked me if Law told me his story, so I answered with a nod. He then sadly smiled and told me his version.

He met his when he just started his studies to become a cop. He also described to me while laughing how Penguin came into the picture. A car accident, apparently. At first, Law thought they were annoying and didn't want to associate with them. But slowly, their relationship changed and Law finally accepted them. It was then that Doflamingo made his entrance. Little by little, Law started to keep his distance from everyone, including his two friends. Shachi made his research, but had difficulties finding anything. But one time, he found his friend, covered in blood and wounds. Initially, Law kept his mouth shut, but after seeing the stubbornness of his two friends and a night particularly difficult (a job that went wrong), he finally confessed everything.

At that time, the two students (Penguin was also training to be a cop) were almost finished with their studies, and they were able to give their support to Law in order to fight back against Doflamingo. So, during two long years, they developed a plan to catch him, but it all went down the drain when Doflamingo threatened Law. A smile at the corner of his lips, Shachi'd told me that he threatened to hurt me, which made Law panic. He immediately came back to make sure I was okay and to protect me at the same time. When he told me that, I became red as a tomato. He laughed. Then, he told me Penguin and him came themselves to elaborate a new plan. That was actually why they were home the first time I saw them.

When he ended his story, Roxanne had come out of the interrogation room. She looked exhausted, but relieved. Suddenly being overtaken by a tornado of emotions, I fell in her arms while crying. The stress of the passed days, I guess? The blonde followed my example and we cried like two idiots in the middle of the lobby. Passerby looked at us funny, but I didn't care one bit. Shachi, behind us, started to laugh and joined us in our collective hug.

After our tear display, I asked on a serious note if she knew where she could stay. Then, having an aaaawesome idea (if I do say so myself), I offered her to stay with me. She was enthusiastic and the idea was almost made concrete, until Shachi intervene. He reminded me that the apartment wasn't mine. That I needed Law's permission. I immediately let the idea go. No way would he accept… Seeing our beaten putty faces of Roxanne and I, he took pity on us and offered something else instead. Since Penguin and himself just got new jobs in town, they rented an apartment and had one room in extra. So he proposed to her to come live with them, with the condition that she finds a job and help with the chores. She immediately accepted.

I suppressed a yawn. Even if everything went back to normal, I was still asking myself a question. Doflamingo wasn't the only one who got arrested, a few of his subordinates did too. Even some who were witnesses had to do some community work to atom. So why did Law not follow? I mean, don't get me wrong, I am glad he's here with me today, but the evidence the police took didn't have his name on it somewhere? So why was he free of his movements and didn't go see the police? I should probably ask him…

Suddenly, I felt hands sneak around my waist and a weight was added to my head. Automatically, I froze up and my heart sped up. I heard Law yawn over me, then sigh. My cheeks burned.

"You made some coffee?" He lazily asked.

I showed him the coffee machine full of the dark liquid. He stayed there a bit before letting me go and walking like a zombie towards the kitchen cabinet to take a cup. I followed him with my eyes. After my declaration, he acted differently with me. A gaze here, hand brushing there. Nothing out of the extraordinary, but it made me heartbeat increase each time. This morning was the first time he took me in his arms like that. Maybe it was his exhaustion that made him more friendly. It didn't bother me at all….

"You remember what the doctor said? No sudden movements and you have to rest!" I reminded him.

I finally had convinced him to go see a specialist for his injuries. Fortunately, it was nothing bad, just a few cracked ribs, but he still needed to be more careful. He murmured a tired "yes mom" before looking up with a mischievous smirk.

"No sudden movements, huh…" He hummed.

My eyes doubled in volume and my cheeks became scarlet at his suggestive tone.

"Not like that, dumbass!" I got mad.

His smirk stayed still.

"Oh, but what are you talking about, my dear Cerys?" He innocently said. "I was talking about extreme sports. What did you have in mind?"

I whispered nonsense angrily and ignored him. He was making fun of me, that little….

It was at that moment that my toast decided to get out. While giving him death stares (and a bit of embarrassed ones as well), I put butter on my bread and added some strawberry jam. I sat at the table and ate in silence. Not long after, Law sat himself, his steamy cup in hands, and stared at me all the while I was eating, a smile in the corner of his lips. I tried to ignore him with the best of my (nonexistent) abilities. Once I was finally done, I got up and prepared for the day. When I put on my boots and was about to get out, Law settled himself at the entrance of the hall, the wall supporting him and his malicious stare on me.

"What, no kiss before you go?"

I ignored him while blushing and slammed the door behind me. His laugh echoed in the hall of the apartment.

xXxXxXxXxXx

"And then, and then?!" urged Nami.

She eagerly took in each of my words, a big smile on her lips. I was telling her what happened this weekend, the second time I confessed my feelings to Law, without mentioning the police part of course. My face was surely on fire, but I was too happy to say it to someone other than my sister. Speaking of her, if I told her, she'll probably say "I told you so!" (about my feelings). Nami, on the other hand, was an attentive and cheerful ear. Well, I think she especially liked the idea of a teacher and a student together.

"Well, that's about it…"

The redhead seemed disappointed.

"That's it? He took you in his arms and… nothing?"

I nodded.

"He didn't tell you he loved you?"

I shook my head.

"And you're satisfied with just that?"

I thought about her question. The fact that he didn't tell me those words, "I love you", did it bother me? Not really. He confessed I was important for him, and that was more than what I'd hope. And he asked me to stay with him. What's more, I don't think Law is the kind of guy to do big love confessions full of pink flowers like Sanji. The confession he made must have been difficult to do after all. The only thing I was dreading was when this situation wouldn't be enough anymore. I know I'll end up insecure someday, and I'll ask him how he feels about me. I wasn't looking forward to that day…

"Yes, I'm satisfied." I finally answered Nami.

She stared at me for a few seconds before shrugging. She didn't understand my answer, but in a way, I was the same. Most people wanted their chosen one to tell them they loved them, right? So why wasn't it the same for me? Maybe the trust I had for him was enough to shake my doubts off? Maybe I was too naïve actually…

xXxXxXxXxXx

"Thank you and enjoy your evening!"

Once the client was out, I sighed. The return of normality always meant the return to my job. And even with the cold temperature outside, people still wouldn't stop coming to the Baratie. It was a good thing for the owner, but not a so good thing for my feet. I had the impression they were on fire… Fortunately, it was almost the end of my shift, only half an hour to go. And since the restaurant was almost empty, I could relax a little. My heels were grateful.

Suddenly, the door's bell rang and someone went in. The wind entering made me shiver. I turned toward the new customer and smiled with all my teeth.

"Hello and welcome to…"

A blond head gave me a timid smile.

"Roxanne!"

Right away, I went towards her and took her in my arms. She returned my gesture with an hesitant one. She didn't seem to be used to physical contacts.

"What are you doing here?" I asked her while letting her breath, happily surprised.

"I went to your home, but master Law told me you work here."

I shook my head while laughing.

"Why are you still calling him master?" I said, playful.

She shrugged. "Habit, I guess."

I smiled at her.

"Now that you're here, do you want something?"

"I would like tea, if it's not too much to ask."

"Coming right up, ma'am!"

I showed her the closest table to the counter and she sat down there. I returned behind to grab a cup and prepared her tea.

"So," I said, my voice muffled by the counter, since I was trying to find a teapot under it, "what's up?"

She said something I couldn't hear because her voice was too quiet. I half lifted my body, so it ended with just my eyes seeing her.

"What?"

"I said: not much."

I finally found what I was looking for and completely got up this time.

"Everything's going well at Penguin and Shachi's place?" I worried. "They treat you well, at least?"

I had the impression those two were perverts, and I was worried to leave her in their hands… I was acting exactly like mother hen towards Roxanne. She was a bit like my little protégée.

"No, they are really nice with me." She reassured me.

Sceptical, I finished her tea, brought it to her and sat on the other chair.

"And your searching for a job?"

She looked down at her hands that were holding her steaming cup.

"It's not going giving the result I was hoping. I'm not really good in anything except chores and the maid's profession…"

Her blue aura made me sad. Then, I had an idea. A genius idea. I abruptly got up, which made Roxanne jump. I told her I was coming back in a sec and trotted to the kitchen.

When I came back, I was surprised to see the room more lively than when I left it. A particular voice echoed loudly compared to the others. And it said all too familiar words.

"I'm hungryyyyyyyyy!"

I looked in the room and like I'd anticipated, it was Luffy's voice that had just screamed. I went towards his table while sighing. As I was getting closer, I noticed he wasn't alone. There was Zoro, Usopp and Nami with him. Their table was a real mess. School books were everywhere on top of it.

"Can I bring you something, lady and gentlemen?" I mockingly asked.

Their heads looked up in a synchronised motion. They all smiled.

"Meat!" screamed Luffy.

Of course…

"What are you doing here?"

Nami was the one who spoke first.

"Luffy wanted to have a study session, since exams are approaching, but he was complaining about being hungry and his pantry was empty. So Usopp had suggested that we come here."

I nodded. That's when Sanki came out of nowhere, appearing at my side, a plate in his hands. He put down a beautiful orange cake (low in carbs!) in front of Nami with a charming aura.

"For you, princess!" he said with a honeyed voice.

The redhead thanked him. Luffy whined, saying he wanted one as well, and Zoro laughed at the blond's face. Still as lively as ever, that little bunch. I discretely went back to Roxanne who was still on her own, her cup in her hands. I posted myself in front of her.

"Want me to introduce my friends to you?" I said, eager.

She seemed hesitant.

"I'm not sure it is a good idea.." she whispered.

I took her hand and forced her up. Her cup almost spilled all over the table.

"Come on!" I insisted. "You'll see, they're all likeable!"

And I dragged her behind me. As we were going towards the loud group, I suddenly stopped and turned to Roxanne, a smile on my lips.

"I almost forgot! I asked the old Zeff if he was still searching for a new waiter or waitress, since one of the girls is on maternity leave, and he said yes. So I talked to him about you, saying how good you were at the job, and…"

I stopped talking just to increase the suspense, and I guessed by her tense expression it irritated her. I laughed.

"He agreed to give you a chance! You're starting tomorrow, at 9 o'clock sharp."

She gave me the biggest smile and thanked me, again and again. I blushed from embarrassment, but I was happy at the same time.

"Oh, and one last thing."

I got closer and put my hands on the side of my mouth so she would be the only one hearing this.

"Don't talk about my relationship with Law with the others, alright?"

She nodded. I smiled and backed off. I dragged her again behind me.

"Guys, I want you to meet someone!"

xXxXxXxXxXx

"I'm home!"

I lazily took out my boots, then my little coat to go towards the living room. Only one light was on in the apartment, and it was coming from there. I put my bad on the hallway and arrived in the room. Law was lying down on the sofa, his arms opened, his head upside down on the backrest his eyes closed. Thinking he was asleep, I slowly approached him and stopped behind his head. Gently, I bend mine down and looked closely. My body was drawn to his, like a magnet. Then, he opened his eyes. I screamed while backing up. I jumped on the spot. He mockingly laughed.

"Did I scare you?"

I pulled out my tongue like a child. I then went towards the sofa and sat by his side.

"Cerys."

His tone was authoritarian. I turned his way and saw he was tapping the pillow, between his legs. Was he kidding? I won't sit there, it's too embarrassing! And anyway… His stare didn't leave any room for arguments. I obediently sat between his legs.

He put his arms around me and hid his face in my neck. His lips ghosted over it. My heart was beating so hard I was certain he could feel it on his chest, where my back was against.

"Law?" I broke the silence.

"Hmm?"

His voice vibrated on my skin, making me shiver. I felt so good in his arms, my muscles were relaxing on their own. Like my body was perfectly fitting with his.

"How come the police didn't come to see you, with you working for Doflamingo before and all?"

I felt his hot breath on my neck. He sighed. I closed my eyes, enjoying his warmth.

"I made a deal with the two idiots. I helped them catch the flamingo, gave favours to the police and they didn't get me arrested."

I nodded and shut up. Law started to draw circles on my stomach with his right hand and he took my left hand in his so he could play with my fingers. Since when was he so affective? Not that I was against it, but…

"Say, Law…" I timidly said.

He didn't answer, but I knew he was listening. I swallowed anxiously.

"Can… I… kiss you?" I whispered, hoping he wouldn't hear me.

Unfortunately for me, he heard every single word.

"I didn't know you were so shameless," he maliciously said.

I heated up. I was stupid. Stupid, Stupid!

"N-never mind!"

I tried to get up, but he wouldn't let me. As I was getting up, he dragged me back and this time, I ended up on his knees.

"How stuck up you are."

I tried to protest, but he cut me off with his lips. Before being able to react, he moved away, just enough to look me in the eyes.

"No need to ask, dumbass."

And he kissed me again. This time, I reacted and gave back his kiss. I really had the impression of being in a fairy tale. I took advantage of the situation to toy with his short hair with my fingers, in case this was a dream and I'd wake up.