The next morning Law awoke with Leila next him. She was sitting up, tucked into bed with red and puffy eyes. As Law thought, she was inconsolable. She was utterly distressed from her bounty being publically released and she felt permanently on edge.

Law turned onto his side, looking up at her through tired eyes. "Hey, good morning" He murmured, causing her to look down at him and smile sadly.

"Good morning…"

"Not even I could help you with the nightmares last night, eh?" Law spoke factually, causing Leila to nod in agreement. Law pulled her down to lie beside him and held her body close against his – sharing each other's warmth. Law felt entirely comfortable cuddling her, at this point he preferred her being beside him than her not being there. Leila felt mixed about their situation – usually it helps her bad dreams and she couldn't deny her hammering heart enjoying their close proximity. However, it was not kind on her emotions. She knew she loved him. She was hopelessly in love with him, as much as she tried to ignore it. Thus, she could never relax like he could in these situations. She found herself wondering if he could hear the loud thumping of her heart – a natural reaction to his affection.

Law nuzzled into the back of her neck, kissing softly down to her shoulder. Leila shivered and turned to face him. He continued trying to shower her in affectionate kisses but she caught his cheek in her palm, pushing him away lightly. Law stared into her eyes sincerely. He cared for her immensely and found himself looking forward to the small moments like this.

"Leila-ya, can I tell you something?" He murmured, kissing her thumb. Leila let out a shaky sigh and Law continued. "You make me look forward to getting up in the morning"

"…Don't say embarrassing things like that" She blushed furiously, her mind forgetting her past troubles.

When Leila entered the deck of the submarine she was stunned to see small snowflakes fall from the large clouds that resembled cotton buds. They were white and full - real snow clouds. Yet they were immensely out of place on the tropical Kilika Island. Leila's eyes were wide like saucers and she almost didn't notice law beside her. He wore a sweater to keep himself warm and his eyes were slightly dark – he looked gloomy.

"This is amazing isn't it?" Leila couldn't help but say, looking to the town. The wooden paths were littered with snowflakes, the lampposts illuminating the street with a yellow glow. It looked like Christmas. "How is it snowing, it doesn't make sense"

Law scoffed, making Leila raise an eyebrow at him. He didn't answer her so she sighed. Leila peered over the deck to see Penguin talking to someone she did not know.

"Penguin!" Leila called out to him, making him look up at her and grin. Leila couldn't help but laugh as she looked around at the snowy surroundings. "What's going on?"

"It's a flurry!" Penguin exclaimed. "They say it happens every year, unusual right?!"

"It's absurd!" Leila chuckled, thinking about the sudden change from the hot climate to the now chilly one.

"It doesn't last very long – around a week!" Penguin explained happily, taking boxes onto the ship.

Leila nodded in understanding, feeling a cold shiver run down her spine. She decided to go back inside the ship and put on a warmer jumper – one that actually fit her this time. As she returned through to the kitchen with slightly warmer clothing she saw Law breathing into his palms and rubbing them to keep himself warm. She could spot him through the open doorway and she decided to make him a warm drink to hold – even if he needed to go to the castle soon.

She stirred some hot chocolate into two mugs and made it hot enough to warm but not enough to burn. She carefully approached Law and nudged him with her foot to catch his attention. He jumped slightly but took the mug she was holding out to him.

"What's this?" Law questioned, looking down at the warm drink warily.

"Hot chocolate, obviously" Leila smirked, settling beside him on the deck. "You looked cold"

Law couldn't help but smirk as he took a sip of the sweet drink. It wasn't his style, he would much prefer black coffee, but he couldn't help but appreciate the sentiment. "What am I, a kid?" He laughed.

"Fine then, don't drink it" Leila huffed, taking a sip of her own cup.

"Thanks" He told her honestly. He wasn't talkative today, not that he is most days, but this day in particular made Leila slightly on edge.

'He was fine when we woke up…is it because of the snow?' Leila thought, remembering him mentioning that he disliked the snow.

"I don't like the snow very much" She began to speak to him openly. "My devil fruit makes me susceptible to cold, so I feel it a lot more than a normal person"

"I see…" Law murmured, not adding much to the conversation.

Leila didn't really notice Law's dark demeanor much. She knew he could be cold sometimes – she was used to it. Thus, she continued to speak her thoughts aloud to him. "…it was snowing when my dad died"

Law's eyes widened slightly and he turned to look at her. She was facing the deck but was gazing out onto the cold sea, her eyes elsewhere. He found it bewildering how similar some of their past was.

"I.." Law began to speak but stopped when he struggled to find the words. "I also lost someone in the snow"

Leila turned to look at him wide eyed; stunned that he was opening up to her. It was something she never thought he would do – it was one of the many barriers and boundaries between them. She had crossed it long ago, he knew about her past now. But she knew nothing of his.

"He wasn't my father, but he may as well have been" Law spoke monotone. He gripped onto the mug, now thankful he had something to occupy his hands with. He never spoke about this to anyone – he wasn't sure why he was doing it now. He just felt like he could with her.

"I'm sure he was an amazing person…" Leila spoke softly, believing her own words wholeheartedly.

"He was" Law nodded.

The pair watched the snowfall, sipping on their warm drinks occasionally as the white flakes built up upon the submarine.

Law entered the familiar castle and headed towards the main dining room. Inside, Eloise was happily painting – her hair pulled back messily as two of her sisters sat idly chatting. Once Eloise noticed Law she happily stood up and made her way towards him.

"Hey" Law greeted her and her sisters, to which they politely curtsied appropriately. Eloise on the other hand grabbed ahold of Law's arm and pulled him over to her painting. It was a mixture of vibrant colours that made up autumnal trees. In the middle of the painting there was a bench with a winding path into a the forest, with speckles of glitter hidden between the leaves.

"Do you like it?" She grinned at Law. "I've been spending a lot of time on it!"

"It's very good" Law confessed, observing the artistic colours. Law was not one to appreciate art or spend time fawning over it. He would have much rather had spent his time reading or working, but alas, he couldn't help but see the painting was spectacular.

"And look!" Eloise took a few steps back from Law and held out her long dress as she twirled happily on her own two feet. "I'm doing well, aren't I?"

Law couldn't help but smile at the young girl as she grinned so contently. She had been getting better - that was true. Some part of her personality reminded him of his younger sister, he couldn't deny it. He held great affection towards Eloise.

"You seem to be doing well, yes" Law confirmed, although he still had a hint of worry in the back of his mind. "Don't move around like that too much though. It's best to use your support crutches to ensure your body doesn't grow frail again"

Eloise nodded furiously, agreeing to Law's advice.

"So…" She teased him, eyeing him up mischievously.

"…What?" Law raised an eyebrow

"I heard your coming with us!" Eloise exclaimed, unable to hold herself back. "To the ball!"

"Ah…" Law smirked, somewhat stunned that she had found out so quickly. "I am, yes"

"What changed your mind?"

"I have someone who wanted to go" Law explained curtly.

"…So it's not for me after all?" Eloise laughed. Law's eyes widened as he realized he had confessed to going for a reason other than work.

"N-no, I am going for your health. It's just I have multiple reasons to go now"

"You know I'd be fine anyway" She smirked at him knowingly. "So, who is it that wanted to come so badly?"

"A friend"

"…Just a friend?" She teased

"You do know my whole crew is coming with me, right?" Law asked her warily, unsure of her teasing intentions. Eloise wrinkled her nose as she thought.

"…Bepo doesn't seem like the dancing type"

Law couldn't help but chuckle at the thought and shrugged. "He likes it now and again"

Eloise sighed and sat down in her chair once more, tired of Law's evasive conversation. "If you're bringing a girl, per chance…" She began to speak, not looking at Law but picking up a paintbrush and directing her attention back to her painting. "Bring her to the castle tomorrow – we're all picking out dresses"

'Leila-ya did say she wanted to wear a dress…but I don't really want her coming to the castle to meet everyone' Law's eyebrows furrowed at the thought. Eloise noted Law's silence and looked up to see him in deep thought.

"You are bringing a girl!" She snorted. Eloise's sisters looked on at them tiredly, becoming accustomed to the two's tiresome interactions.

"Oh Eloise, leave poor Dr Trafalgar alone will you?" One of her older sisters called out, feeling sorry for Law's constant interrogations. Eloise mimicked her sister and turned her attention back to Law, giving him a pointed look.

"And so what if I am?" He challenged, bantering with her like a child.

"Then, like I said, bring her here tomorrow" Eloise told him, smiling to herself at the thought.