Sanji was laying quietly in the grass. The gentle breeze caused his bangs to lightly sway as he rested his eyes. He wanted to be in the kitchen making Nami and Robin a snack but he had promised Law he'd stay off his leg if he'd shut up about it... at least until tomorrow. He figured Law was probably right about resting it, besides it had been bothering him sense he hit it on the bench the night before.

Law walked up and sat down next to him, Kikoku held over his shoulder as usual.

"Leg feeling any better?"

"It's fine," Sanji lied and Law knew it.

"Tra-guy!" Luffy hollered happily as he ran over to the two. "Sanji! You two have been hanging out a lot! Was I right?! Are you to good friends now, because you're both from the North Blue?!"

"IT'S GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DAMN NORTH BLUE!" Sanji growled.

"But you're good friends now, right?!"

"GO BUG MARIMO!"

"I was just asking," Luffy sulked as he walked away. "Why you so grumpy lately?"

Sanji sighed before closing his eyes again. "What are you doing?" Sanji asked when he felt Law resting his hand on Sanji's.

"Holding your hand. Got a problem with that?" Law said quietly so no one else heard.

"Yes, infect I do."

"Are you forgetting my rules? No one's paying attention. They're all off doing their own thing."

"You let me break them a few times already."

"True... I'll allow it every now and then, but not now."

Sanji raised his free hand and covered his face with his arm. "Fine, whatever. Just don't let anyone see."

"Robin knows... is she fine?"

Sanji groaned.

"Does it really mater? She already~"

"I... g-guess not..." Sanji interrupted.

"Good because she's sit right here," he said rubbing his thumb on the back of Sanji's hand.

Sanji lifted his arm to see Robin was in fact sitting in front of Law. She was smiling at Sanji with her eyes closed.

"Ugh!"

Robin chuckled. "Didn't I tell you, there's no need to be embarrassed. I'm sure the others would feel the same.

"The others find out and I'll drown myself."

"Don't you dare say stuff like that!" Law said, subconsciously squeezing Sanji's hand possessively.

"Hey! Careful! How do you expect me to cook if my hand is injured!"

"Sorry. I wasn't trying to hurt you."

"Why does it even matter to you? We're members of different crews."

Law let go of Sanji's hand and leaned over him. He placed his hands on either side of Sanji's head. Their noses almost touching. Sanji became even more aware of Robins presence.

"D-don't."

"I told you already, it matters more than you think."

"Screw it," Sanji said shoving Law off him. He stood up and sky walked to the kitchen door before disappearing behind it.

"Can you blame him?" Robin asked as Law stared after Sanji trying to figure out what he did.

Law turned to Robin.

"You know something about him that no one else does, not even us, do you not? But you can't tell him why you're so fond of him... Why it matters to you if something happens to him, someone you just meant, someone that isn't a member of your crew... Don't you think that's a bit unfair, even if you are blackmailing him?

Law sighed, "I guess I didn't think of it that way."

"If you want him to decide... well, realize... that this is more then just blackmail then you need to start opening up to him."

Law looked down at the grassy deck. He knew she was right... but how could he tell Sanji the truth? How could he tell him that there's more to going after Kaido and destroying the 'Smile' factory at Dressrosa then he was letting on? Sanji would hate him if he knew Law was putting the Straw Hats in danger for the sake of revenge against Doflamingo, wouldn't he?

Later that night, Law walked into the aquarium. The only light was a single candle setting on the bar. It's flickering flame causing the shadows in the room to seemingly dance on the walls and fish tank. A faint smile appeared on his face when he found Sanji standing in front of the glass watching the fish. He had avoided Law every sense he ran off and it only made the surgeon feel more guilty.

Law walked up to the cook and wrapped his arms around his waist. "I'm sorry," he said softly in Sanji's ear.

Sanji didn't say anything, he just stood there staring at the fish tank as the candle light reflected off the water.

"I wish I could answer your question. I really do."

"Then why don't you," Sanji replied bitterly, wanting to remove Law's arms from his waist, spin around and kick him as hard as he could in the face, but something was keeping him from doing it.

Sanji's tone sent a sharp pain through the surgeon, "I will. I swear, I will. Please, give me a little time and I will tell you everything... But first, let us get through tomorrow, so we both can focus on the plain."

Sanji sighed, "...alright... I can wait until then."

"So... you forgive me...?" Law asked hopefully.

"This time."

Law burried his face in Sanji's neck. "I really am sorry."

"I over reacted. I shouldn't have gotten so up set over it."

Law spun Sanji around and softly kissed him. "No you didn't. You have every right to be angry."

"Do I?"

"Of course...! Why would you ask that?!"

"I don't know. I guess this whole thing is just bringing back old issues I had as a kid..."

"What 'whole thing'? Our... er... agreement?"

"Surprisingly... no... I guess it's just having someone now the truth about when I lived in the North Blue... it makes me think about it more often then usual..."

"Last night, when I first came into the crow's nest... Is that what you were thinking about?"

Sanji turned away, not wanting to look Law in the eyes, "yeah."

"Why let someone you're free of control you, Black Leg?"

"Am I really free of them, though? Some times I get the feeling that this isn't going to last much longer... It... scares me... I don't want to have to go back... I can't go back..."

"That won't happen."

"How do you know?"

"Because, you're crew cares about you. You're captain declared war against the world government to save one member did he not? So if he has to I'm sure he'll declare war against Germa if they ever try to take you back."

"That's what I'm afraid of. I don't want anyone else losing something because of me. I took to much away from Zeff... I can't let my friends sacrifice themselves for my sake. I'd rather die them Let them do that."

"You're entitled to have help when needed... That's what friends do... that's what crew mates do... From what I hear your crew is pretty good at that."

"But they don't even know."

"Then tell them. They'll protect you..."

"I don't want any more protection! My whole childhood I needed someone to protect me. I can't handle that anymore! Not to mention them just knowing could put their lives in danger!"

Law pulled Sanji into a tight hug. "Then don't think of it as someone protecting you... Think of it as someone helping you. If you don't want to tell your crew then let me be the one to help you if that day ever comes."

Sanji's eyes went wide and without realizing it, his arms came up and returned the hug. He closed his eyes tightly and buried his face in Law's shoulder as tears began to stream down his face. "I don't want anyone to die for my sake! Fighting Germa is like signing your own death warrant!"

"And for you, I would gladly sign it."

"Why?! You said so yourself, you hate Germa! I am a Germa Prince! You should hate me too!"

Law closed his eyes and shook his head, "no. You are a Straw Hat Pirate, ally crew of the Heart Pirates. You're nothing like Germa. Now... seems like someone needs a distraction."

Law placed his hands on either side of Sanji's face.

"No~" Sanji tried to protest before their lips meant.

For you, I would gladly sign my own death warrant, Law thought as one hand slid down Sanji's cheek. For you, I would gladly walk through fire. His hand continued down Sanji's neck. For you, I would gladly cut off my own arm. Down Sanji's chest. For you, I would gladly jump in front of a train. His hip. For you, I would gladly take a bullet to the heart. His hand slid around Sanji's waist. For you, I would gladly cross the desert with no water. He pulled Sanji as close to him as he could, lifting his feet just barely off the ground. For you, I would gladly dive into the ocean. He walked to the bench. For you, I would gladly climb an erupting volcano. He laid Sanji on the bench, still kissing the younger man with a certain hunger he never felt before. For you, I would gladly jump into an avalanche. His hands reached to take off Sanji's jacket. For you, I would gladly go through hell. He removed Sanji's tie. For you, I would gladly go against the world. His hands worked to undo the cook's shirt buttons. For you, I would gladly sacrifice myself. He removed Sanji's shirt and, once again, wrapped his arm around his waist, his other hand tangled in Sanji's blond hair. For you, I would gladly die. His fingers began to trace along Sanji's back. Why...? Law kissed down Sanji's jaw. Because... He continued until his lips found Sanji's neck. I love you...