Later that night Law returned to the ship after a complicated day of work. He had begun to help out at the Kilika hospital when Eloise was busy with her treatments. It was a small town and helping the hospital with records of new treatments would improve the village welfare incredibly. The ship was quiet – Law assumed his crew were out in the town. Thus, he trudged through the ship tiredly, yawning as he opened his door. He practically jumped out of skin as he saw someone on his bed and flicked on the lights quickly. He let out a long sigh when he saw Leila curled up in a ball on his bed, seemingly sleeping soundly. He felt slightly sad that she was by herself on the dark ship, asleep soundly.

'I forgot about our sleeping arrangements….' Law thought, his mind having been occupied with work. He trudged towards her quietly before setting down on the bed to sit in front of her. She was clinging onto a pillow, his pillow, and her eyelashes were moist with tears. Law couldn't help but find it somewhat cute that she came to his quarters by herself. It was something that would have bothered him immensely before – but he couldn't find it in himself to be annoyed.

He had become so accustomed to her presence around the ship; he couldn't imagine her not being around anymore. She often made dinner for the crew, cleaned up after Shachi and Penguin. She would help him gather journals when he was busy with work and would offer good company. She was the type to be happy just sitting and reading a book beside Law, something he appreciated immensely.

"Sorry I left you alone…" He whispered softly, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. She continued to sleep softly, her face seemingly at ease.

Law watched the rise and fall of her shoulders and found himself anxious. He wanted her to stay. However, he knew if he made these wishes clear she would only freak out – she would want to leave earlier. Law sighed as he thought about her actions. She would pull away before the two could cross that boundary of being more than just friends, she was careful to cross into the territory of lovers. Law was not dissimilar; he didn't think that he loved her. He wasn't sure he could love anyone for that matter. He just knew he didn't want her to get hurt –and that was least likely when she was by his side.

Law stood up and got dressed ready for sleep. He was careful not to stir Leila awake and he watched her shoulders rise slowly in her slumber.

"I hope you're having good dreams…" He thought aloud, moving the covers up to cover her shoulders from the cold. He wrapped his arm around her waist and she shifted slightly. Law stiffened, lifting his arm up to allow her to turn comfortably and she did so – turning so that her head was resting upon his arm and her face was pressed against his chest. She cuddled into him and her heavy breathing resumed once again.

Law realized that he wouldn't be able to move his arm without waking her and sighed, giving up hope for his arm as he let his other one fall on her waist – pulling her closer towards him.

'Ah…whatever. As long as she's comfortable'.

6 days until Leila's departure

The next day the Heart Pirates were preparing to share lunch together – it was one of the only times in which everyone gathered. In the morning, everyone wakes up at different times and has different routines, at night they mostly drink together but can easily separate. At lunch, mostly everyone is around to converse and go over plans for the next voyage.

Leila was helping Bepo set the food down on the table and Law entered the kitchen, catching her eyes.

"Hey" He called out to Leila. She seemed slightly shy, almost embarrassed. Law couldn't help but find it cute. "Did you sleep okay?"

"Yeah" Leila nodded, stiffening at the question. She didn't want the whole crew to know that were now sharing a bed so Law's nonchalant questioning made her anxious. Law smirked at her, knowing her cold exterior was a defense.

'She really is like a scared kitten' He thought amusedly.

"Any nightmares?" He insisted. Leila sat down at the table; somewhat ignoring him but he sat down beside her almost immediately. Leila sighed and looked up at him with a slight blush on her cheeks.

"No…I didn't have any nightmares"

"Good, it's settled then" Law smirked at her.

"W-what is?"

"Your sleeping arrangements " Law smirked at her.

"Seriously?" She whispered to Law, not expecting him to be so serious about it.

"Yeah, of course. If this is the necessary treatment for your nightmares then we have no choice" Law joked, taking on his doctoral disposition. Leila shook her head, astounded, but she smiled slightly.

'It's not like I'm here for much longer anyway….' She thought.

As the rest of the crew sat and chattered Law began to break down his plans to the crew – the fact he would have to stay longer than expected.

Bepo hummed in thought. "Well, you know we would follow you anywhere captain."

"Y-yeah! No problem at all!" Shachi beamed, his happiness clearly due to some other reason. Leila couldn't hold her smirk back and chuckled, earning a mocking glare from Shachi. The two friends had finally returned back to normal.

"I knew you would all say that, but I wanted to let you know that you that in the worst case scenario – I may have to stay for a month" Law mused over, thinking of his favour he owed to the king.

"Captain, I think I speak for all of us in that you can take as long as you need" Penguin piped up unusually. "N-not that you're asking for permission or anything"

Law smiled and nodded at his crew, feeling pleased that they were so supportive. The crew erupted into general chatter and as they all ate happily. Leila jumped as she felt a hand settle against her inner thigh from underneath the table. She looked over at Law, who was drinking and obviously ignoring her despite his tattooed knuckles resting painfully close to her crotch. She grabbed ahold of his hand and moved it lower down towards her knee as Bepo engaged her in a generic conversation. But alas, Law continued to tease her and he slowly crept his meticulous fingers up her thigh and underneath her skirt.

Leila swallowed and cocked her head, mildly irritated that he was doing this when the whole crew was there but she accepted his challenge. She always enjoyed a bit of rivalry. Bepo continued chattering but Leila cut him off by bringing Law into their conversation.

"Law! What do you think?" She asked him, her eyes challenging him as she let her hand snake down to his legs. Her hands quickly moved up to cup his balls, massaging them with mild pressure.

Law choked on his drink due to the shock. "Oh, um…" He coughed, clearing his throat. Leila continued to look at him expectantly as she began to massage his manhood with skillful hands.

"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention" He admitted. He rested his head in his hands as she didn't let up on her advances he bit his lip to not let out a moan. Leila began to feel him harden underneath her soft hand and she rubbed his shaft up and down from over his clothes – still hidden away from the view of the crew.

Law scowled at her as his breathing grew slightly irregular. He was enjoying the sensations and his leg fidgeted as he tried not to shake too much. Leila removed her hand swiftly once she saw he was enjoying her hands a little too much and Law almost audibly growled.

Leila scoffed and smirked to herself, having obviously won that discreet battle. Law looked down at her hungrily but knew it wasn't the right time or place. Leila ignored him and picked up a strawberry to bite into it happily.

"I'm going to get you back for that" He growled into her ear, whispering so that the crew couldn't hear. Leila shivered but looked up at Law with an intense gaze. She pushed the strawberry between his lips with her finger as she smirked.

"Go ahead and try"

5 days until Leila's departure

Leila walked through the village of Kilika, children ran around the dock laughing and playing with a ball happily. Leila couldn't help but love this town – it was situated mostly on water, with wooden docks keeping it up with tropical rainforests in the near distance. You could hear exotic birds in the trees and the warm sun made it like a paradise. The crew had been spending majority of their time at the market, Penguin was learning how to fish efficiently with a spear and Jean Bart had been reading up on the village's history.

A small girl tripped up in front of Leila as she walked, dropping a small teddy bear. The girl sniffed, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. Leila bent down and picked up the small girl, patting her head affectionately.

"That was a big fall! Are you okay?" Leila smiled at the girl sweetly, passing her back her teddy.

The girl sniffed, grabbing her teddy and holding it close to her chest. "T-thank you…." The young girl mumbled, her chubby cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Her big brown eyes were studying Leila, seemingly unsure of what else to say.

"I like your teddy, does it have a name?" Leila asked the girl as she bent down to her eye level.

"Stuffings…" The girl spoke quietly, seemingly happy to speak about her stuffed friend. Leila couldn't help but laugh a little at the unusual name.

"That's a great name. It's nice to meet you Stuffings!" Leila held out her hand to shake the teddy's paw. The small girl giggled as they fawned over the tattered bear before a middle aged woman called out to her.

"My mummy's calling me – I have to go now" The girl smiled before bowing her head politely – a custom of the Kilika island. Leila likewise bowed her head slightly as the girl ran off towards her mother, clinging to her legs.

Leila watched the young family as they set off in their own direction.

"Must be nice…having someone to go home to" Leila thought aloud, her heart feeling slightly empty