A Visit at Law's, Chapter Thirty Five

My heart wasn't in the mood to talk. I just wanted to lie down on a soft bed and stay there for eternity. Or to dig myself a hole in the ground and jump in it, whichever was better. Derek completely destroyed my good mood, and I didn't want to go see Law. But I told him, or wrote him actually, that I would go to his apartment tonight, and I had to honour my words. Also, he still had my cellphone, and I wanted it back.

I sighed out, which created a misty cloud. My cheeks and nose were red and cold. I rubbed my gloved hands together to warm them up. I walked faster. It was a particularly cold day today, and my butt was freezing up. So it was a relief when I arrived in front of Law's apartment. I stayed a couple of seconds just staring at the building, a whirlwind of emotions fighting in my heart. Anger, regret, sadness, hope. Love. I clenched my fists, determined, and took a step forward. One foot at a time, until I was in front of the staircase. Slowly, not rushing, I climbed them. I gave my heart the time to prepare.

I finally got to his door, and by reflex, my hand tried to reach the doorknob. I stopped my movement. I was far too used to enter without knocking first. But it wasn't home now. Not anymore. That thought made me sad. I got rid of the tears not yet visible and gently knocked. A few seconds later, the door opened up and revealed Law, his glasses on his nose, his necktie loose around his neck. He looked surprised to see me, but he still made enough space for me to walk in. As I passed him, I smelled his distinct perfume. My body got weak, my pulse sped up.

I took off my coat and my boots while he closed the door. The apartment's warmth made me want to stay here forever. Or was it the person living here?

I went toward the kitchen and sat down at the table, like it was the most natural thing in the world to do. I heard Law coming from the hallway and he appeared on my peripheral vision. He got comfortable in front of me and took off his glasses to put them on the table. Silence made itself known. I tried to find something to say, but I didn't know how to approach the topic. Yet it was simple! But no words came out.

Suddenly, I felt something soft rub against my leg. I looked down, and saw Bepo staring up at me, meowing. A small smile on my lips, I took him in my arms and started to caress him. He happily purred and rubbed my hand with his head. I giggled. Well, at least one of them missed me. I scratched him one last time before putting him back on the ground.

"I didn't really think you would actually come," silently said Law.

I looked at him and saw he was intensely staring back. I looked down again, embarrassed.

"I told you I would come, so…"

I heard him sigh and my heart sped up. I didn't come here so we could have a pseudo-conversation! I took what courage I still had, breathed in, and looked right at him.

"I came here for one simple reason. I won't go until you've answered me truthfully. And I want that answer to be clear like crystal, not just another one of your silent treatment, like you always do!"

He slowly nodded and I loudly resumed the course of my breathing. I talked in one go. I spoke again.

"I'm quite tired of making assumptions, and of people telling me what to do or think. I want more than simple impressions; I want facts, and you're gonna give them to me."

He nodded once again. I took a small break, then, my cheeks bright red, I made a point of staring at his eyes.

"Do you love me?", I said in one voice.

I saw his eyes jump, and his body abruptly froze up. Nevertheless, he should have expected my question. I saw his eyes get lost. I lost my patience.

"Law?"

He blinked, like he was getting out of a dream.

"I thought you hated me?"

Aaand there we go, he's changing the subject, like every single damn time. In fact, they were all the same, Derek and himself! How could I believe one second he could have any romantic feeling toward me…?

"Don't dodge the question! I simply want you to answer me clearly. It's simple: yes, or no?"

He opened his mouth, closed it, looked away, crossed his arms. I felt tears coming. I'd been stupid to hope he would answer me when he didn't even once do before. What a stupid girl, thinking there was still hope. I got up without a word, angrily drying my tears with the back of my hands, and turned around. I heard his chair squeak, like he got up sharply.

"Wait!"

I continued walking without caring about him. Only, he grabbed my arm and turned me around. This time, anger raised in me.

"Get off me! I came to get answers, and you're not giving them to me! So I'm getting out!"

He ignored my cries and pulled me closer. He let go of my arm and instead sneaked his hand on the small of my back. He put his other one on the crook of my neck and suddenly put his lips against mine. I fought with all my strength. I won't get sucked in this vicious circle again! I used my nails to scratch him, but my gestures didn't have any effects. So I changed my method and was about to swing my knee between his legs, but he moved away just long enough to bury his face in my neck. Our bodies were too close together to give him a significant blow. I growled with annoyance.

"I'll only say it one time, so listen closely," he whispered against my skin.

His voice vibrated in my neck. I shivered. The proximity made my heartbeat go faster.

"I love you."

My body stopped moving. My breathing got stuck in my throat. My ears rang. I must have heard wrong, right?

"W-what?", I managed to stutter.

I heard Law grunt and I felt his weight slowly disappear, even if his arms were still around me. The only coherent thought I was able to make was don't go away.

"I told you I wouldn't say it a second time."

I blinked. Once. Twice. Tears started to fall. Law was surprised by my reaction.

"Why are you crying?", he wondered.

Because I'm relieved, happy, pleasantly surprised. And mad too. I hit him in the stomach. He winced.

"What was that for?", he said, his voice raising.

A vein appeared on my forehead and I gave him another hit. He protested again.

"Because you're an idiot!", I yelled myself. "Why didn't you say so sooner?!"

He got closer to my face so he could scream at me. The situation we were in was quite strange. We yelled at the other, but our body got attracted to each other like magnets.

"Because you're still a minor! And my student! You believe it would be responsible for me to tell you how I feel?"

"No, but at least, I wouldn't have suffered so much!"

We were panting like dogs. Our situation was so absurd I loudly started to laugh, which made him even angrier.

"What now?!"

I laughed until tears appeared again in the corner of my eyes. I tried to get my breathing even.

"Look at us," I managed to say after many puffs of air. "Our heads scream at us that our relationship has no future, but our bodies are glued to each other. They're more honest than us…"

I saw the angry red leave his face and he weakly laughed. "You're right."

My eyes doubled in size in false stupefaction.

"The grand master Law admits I'm right?!"

He gently pinched my sides.

"Shut up."

I slowly laughed and smiled. In the end, it was a good idea to come here. My heart was far more light now than before.

"Listen, Law, about what I said last time…"

He encouraged me to continue with his eyes. I sighed.

"Forget what I said. You can stay by my side. And instead…"

I blushed. "Kiss me…"

He stared down at me for a while before showing a sly smirk. I looked down, embarrassed, but he raised my chin with his fingers.

"As you wish, your highness," he mocked me.

He leaned down and captured my lips with his. I immediately closed my eyes. Each fiber in my body trembled, anticipating his body against mine. The feel of his skin, the softness of his hair, his sweet scent, his bewitching warmth, the taste of his lips. I didn't notice until now how much I missed all of that… I clung to him like my life depended on it. I was so scarred he would go away again… I broke our kiss to breath.

"Law…", I murmured so we were the only ones to hear. "I love you… I love you so much…"

He kissed my forehead. "I know."

It was a secret just for the two of us.

Law stroked my cheek and bent down for another kiss. I let him do so without resisting. His tongue got past my lips. His hands reached my butt so he could lift me in his arms. Automatically, my legs warped around his waist and my fingers came to play in his hair. Our bodies connected, our lips stuck together, he went toward his bedroom and opened the door. My mind was in a little cloud, so I didn't notice at first what was going on, other than our kiss.

Gently, he walked to the bed and put us down on it without breaking contact. It was only when he neglected my lips for my neck and his hand sneaked under my shirt that my senses came back to me, more vivid than ever. By pure reflex, I punched him in the stomach (again) and hit between his legs with my knee. Which would be enough to cool anyone down. He bent in half, a pained expression changing his face features. He even had tears in the corner of his eyes. He nastily glared at me. Oops…

"What are you doing?", he said with a broken voice.

I sat down and put my hair and clothes back in place.

"I should be the one asking that."

He growled, a mix of discontent and agony.

"Should I draw you a picture?"

He gave me a look that said everything. I was sure even my ears were crimson.

"You mean you wanted to make lo… l…"

The words got stuck. I was too embarrassed to say them. He had a sly grin even with the pain.

"You can't even say it?"

"Shut up!"

He let out a sigh.

"Ah, brats…"

My cheeks burned up, from anger and annoyance this time.

"That's right, I'm still a brat compared to you! I don't have any experience, and I'm not even good at kissing! Excuse me!", I said, sarcastic.

He stared at me, astounded, and burst out laughing. Only, laughing hurt him at the same time. He moaned of pain. Good for him! I put on a pout. I was stubbornly showing him my back, my arms crossed. He gently laughed. Then, I heard him get closer. I didn't move, resolved to stay mad. He enclosed me in his strong arms. My heart skipped a beat.

"I'll just have to be your teacher in a particular subject…", he said in a suggestive tone.

I shivered. He laughed again and moved away. I heard get out of the room. My pout didn't disappear.

xXxXxXxXxXx

Slowly, I opened my eyes. I stared at the white ceiling, like it was the most beautiful thing in the world. I felt a breath on my neck, warmth against my body. I stopped my staring and instead looked where I was. In Law's room, in his bed, the man clinging to me like I was a lifebelt. He had one arm around my waist and I was used as a pillow. He slept heavily. I smiled and stroked his cheek. I spent last night here, sleeping with Law. JUST sleeping. Don't go make up inappropriate things with your perverted minds…

I moved as slowly as possible so I wouldn't wake him up, but even as careful as I was, he opened one eye. He strengthened his grip around me and pulled me closer. I sighed.

"Please let go so I can get up?"

"No."

His voice was heavy with sleep, and I couldn't help but find him extremely cute. He was even rubbing his nose against my neck. My heart was about to explode. There was too much cuteness in him.

"Law, I really need to take a piss."

Alright, my line was frankly lacking in charm, but at least, no one could say it wasn't clear. It had the desired effect. He let go against his will and I could go to the toilet in peace. After washing my hands, I got out of the bathroom to run into Law getting out of his bedroom while stretching. There was nothing bad with that, if we exclude the fact he was only wearing boxers. All of his muscles were visible, and most importantly, his tattoos. My fingers were itching. He went from cute to come-here-so-I-can-jump-on-you in just a minute. Cruel world..

"Like what you see?", he asked with a sly voice.

I blushed, but didn't deny his affirmations. On the contrary, I got closer and, intimidated, moved my arm. Gently at first, I put my fingers on his torso. I traced his tattoo. Without thinking, I approached my lips to his skin and put a kiss in the middle of his upper body. When I noticed what I just did, I got away quickly, red like a tomato, and put my hand on my mouth. I looked up and saw that Law was staring back as if his vision was clouded by a veil. He opened his mouth, licked his lips. My eyes followed the pink tip. His voice was hoarse when he grunted out.

"Cerys," he said, low, "you're provoking me here…"

I swallowed with difficulties and looked away.

"Sorry, I don't know what came over me…", I whispered.

He stared for a while, and I thought for an instant he was about to eat me whole, but he instead let out a sigh. He slowly made his way to the kitchen. I followed behind.

"Say, can I have my cellphone back?", I asked with a pleading voice.

He stopped and turned to look at me. He seemed to think about it.

"On one condition."

I nodded weakly.

"You tell me who that… boy was in the cafeteria."

He said those words like it was poison. He pulled on a disgusted grin. Was he… jealous? This thought made me smile. But quickly, it died down. He was talking about Derek.

"He's a friend. At least, I think he is…", I sadly said.

He raised an eyebrow. "Just a friend?"

I nodded.

"So why did he take your hand like that?"

I thought about it. The real reason, I didn't know it, but I did have hypotheses. Only, I couldn't reveal them to Law without explaining the situation first. And I was pretty sure that if he found out, he would kill Derek. Or actually, he would torture him, and then kill him. By chance I erased the first messages he sent to my phone. If Law had found them… I sighed.

"He was comforting me…"

Ah, why did my voice tremble! He will immediately guess I was lying! And in fact, he was looking at me suspiciously. I looked away immediately.

"Hmmmmm…"

Then, he smirked. "I won't say anything if you make breakfast."

I growled.