Beast and the Beauty

by Hack.Drawer

Tsuru's spell, intended for Doflamingo, changed Law into a beast. Now in his twenty-second year, he has to find true love, and get their love in return. But Sanji's set to marry someone else, Hunter Zoro wants his head, and the Donquixote family is insistent that he bring a virgin home. AU, fairytale, language, extreme dramatics * COMPLETED *

14. The Midnight Showing

A/n: Whew! I got out as much as I could for this story. Being that it's a fairytale, some things were just natural to include. :D

Moony-F: Thank you! I think the naked hugging made me very uncomfortable. Can you imagine the faces that were being made in that sandwich? XD

Minnyfox: No, Zeff was definitely not the nicest, here. : ( But there's other stories that make up for this. D : This was supposed to be a very short story, btw – I'm incapable of writing smaller fics….(sob)

J-Swan: Law just needs to continue talking big, because that's all he's capable of, here, haha. In the end, he's totally not the Beast at all. XD Sanji is.

14: The Midnight Showing

A few days later, Sanji's stomach was in knots. It was their turn to go to the village, and he couldn't help but feel every bit apprehensive of it. It would be his first return since the Harvest Festival; months since he'd shown his face there at all. To make things a little more nerve-wrecking, he had Law at his side, so he knew there would be questioning looks, whispers. Not that he was ashamed to have the man there, but he felt abnormally defensive about these things. Especially with the way he left in the first place.

Most of the castle's occupants that made their journey to the village commented on the nosey looks they were given, the questions – their clothing was even mocked, their pieces out of date. Most of them were pointed and made fun of by the kids, who openly laughed at them. The adults questioned their outdated slang, and, while accepting of their travel status, slyly mocked them behind their backs. They felt like time travelers, caught in a place and time much different from the one they'd left.

After their visit, much of the attitude on Flower Hill was adamant on gaining revenge.

Wearing an old jacket, some hastily sewn pants and one of Sanji's shirts, Law was nervous, but he didn't show it. Doflamingo had given him a pouch full of gold and told him to get some clothes – "The flashier, the better, so we can match in battle!" he demanded.

"No, gross," Law commented, giving him a stricken look. Doflamingo was wearing animal print with bright orange trousers, today, with heeled ankle boots with feathers at the heel. Corazon looked embarrassed for him, standing in his heart print onesie, with heart hood and a long, black cape with hearts at the end of his hood strings. Neither brother looked as if they should be telling anybody how others should dress.

As they walked the footpath down to the village, Law looked around himself cheerily. Taking in the sight of fellow travelers and the welcoming signs, to actually be part of the people. People glanced at them curiously as they walked underneath the arbor, taking the main road in. The street was full of sellers with their same wares, their same game, and pigs raced ahead of them, being chased by a couple of teenagers that looked more interested in the baker's daughters than their animals.

It was nothing new in Sanji's eyes, seeing that others had caught sight of him and were whispering already, pointing him out to others. Men standing near a small bar caught sight of them and looked them over warily. One of them was a regular Sanji used to serve, and he pointed the teen out to the others, who looked interested in the gossip.

"It's only gotten more crowded," Law complained low, looking at the trash in the streets with disgust. "I've been here plenty of times, but from up high. It didn't look this dirty from up there."

Sanji said nothing, uncomfortably shoving his hands into his pants pockets and following close behind him. He wished for a cigarette, but Corazon had taken them all. He had absolutely nothing to be ashamed about – he felt at peace being with the man, but he didn't like knowing that people would talk to them at some point, to bring up Rayleigh. He was also sick at the feeling of anybody commenting openly on Law's clothing – he was clearly out of place with everyone. Even his clothes, as worn and repaired as they were, were more up to date than Law's, were.

"Ah, see that alley, there?" Law asked, pointing towards a very narrow space between buildings. A cat was sitting in front of it, grooming itself. "That's were Buffalo and I chased these stupid boys one day, after they were throwing rocks at us. He trapped them at one end, I the other. Then we beat them senseless. It was great! We had to run fast from their stupid parents, though."

"Yikes," Sanji commented.

"Oh, and that's where the old lady Parker, lived. The one that was widowed? Her husband drowned himself trying to prove that the lake was completely frozen over one year. Anyway, she grew angry at Buffalo for knocking over one of her flower vases, and beat him with a wooden spoon. Doflamingo visited her that night to talk about it, and she never came out from her place, again. She just stuck her head out the window and talked from there."

"I never met her," Sanji said, looking at the house with interest.

"Oh, and here. One day, a couple of men tried to fight Diamante, but he was much too fast for them. They pulled out guns, and he only used a sword. Wow, there are still stains on the rock from when they fell. That's weird."

"Do you miss it?"

"Oh, not at all. The more I see, the more I realize nothing's changed," Law said with a frown, walking past a woman holding out dried fish, and another that was selling metal crafts. There was a large crowd of people gathered in one narrow street, and he paused to look in that direction. Two men were cowered against a house, and they could see that they were being punished for stealing something. The men heading this crowd were holding leather straps, guns. Law stood on his tiptoes to make sure it was nobody from Flower Hill, but he didn't have to stretch that far – he was pretty much one of the tallest ones there. The pair being beaten managed to run, but as they slipped by the two, neither party recognized each other. The crowd shifted to run after them, intending on chasing them from the village. Law pulled Sanji to the side, an arm over his chest as people pushed after the pair. One of those running caught sight of them, then paused in mid step.

He greeted Sanji amicably, then looked at Law with question. "He's more your age, eh?"

Sanji tensed, unable to find anything to say at that moment. That gave Law a chance to say, "The fuck's it your business?"

The man looked startled, stammering an apology, then hurried off with a cautious look back. Sanji exhaled heavily, hitting him with the back of his hand. "I can do this, you know."

"Well, speak up. Stop acting like a mouse, or I'll ditch you."

"I'm not! I just…words…failed me."

"Where's a place for me to find some clothes?" Law asked a passerby, who looked at him with question. She examined his clothes, curled her lip, then pointed out the house he needed to go to. When the pair walked off in that direction, she stared after them with thought, tapping a finger to her lip.

There, the seamstress shuddered at the sight of his clothes, and immediately took his measurements. Sanji sat off to the side and looked around himself, admiring the fabric and the finished pieces on display. Law picked out a longer black jacket, some trousers, a couple of shirts that were already set. Then he encouraged Sanji to pick out some of the same, but Sanji shook his head, too self-conscious to accept the offering. Afterward, they wandered off through the town, where Law pointed out places he remembered, along with stories that made him smirk or chuckle. None of them good.

They reached the tavern, and Sanji exhaled slowly, signaling for him to come through the back. They walked in, and cook did a double take, face splitting with a wide grin as the younger kitchen boy looked at them warily. "Sanji! Long time no see! How you doing?"

"Good. Um…Ussop?"

"Out on the main floor. Who's your friend?"

"Um…"

"Preston," Law said quickly.

"Oh, the same name as one of my oldest sons!"

"…Right."

"It's good to see you again, Sanji," cook said cheerfully, flipping some hush puppies over, adding to a bunch already being served. "I was hoping you'd left the area completely."

"Almost."

"You look pretty happy," cook added, elbowing him.

"I am. Preston's, uh…good company."

"Hah! Hey, Jordan, go get Ussop. Why don't you guys take a seat? We can catch up."

"Ah, no, we're just passing through," Sanji said nervously. "I don't want to be here for longer than we have to."

"Do you have a big family?" Law asked cook curiously.

"Why, yes! Eight boys, a wife, and a dog."

"Do you like this area?"

"We're thinking of moving a little closer to the coast. It's been tough trying to save up for it, though. Eight kids isn't really that easy to manage. Hey, it's a good thing you can't have kids of your own, eh, Sanji?"

"Yeah, real lucky," Sanji snickered.

"Do you have family on the coast? That's why you'd want to move there?" Law asked cook, Ussop walking into the kitchen with a cheered look at Sanji, waving at him like he couldn't see him. Sanji grinned brightly at him, and cook was distracted by the question because he'd never seen Sanji smile like that, before.

"Yes, that's where my wife comes from," cook answered. "That's where we met. They have a place for us, we're just…trying to save up enough to get there. This village wasn't what it used to be. It's getting a little…edgy. Too edgy for me."

Law reached for the money pouch he carried, and gave it to him. Cook took it from him with a questioning expression, Ussop wrangling his way over with a cheerful look at Sanji.

"Take it and leave this place. Preferably within a week," Law told cook. He touched the top of Sanji's head, saying, "And thank you for looking out for him. I realize he's a bitter pill to swallow, but I'm glad you were someone he was able to rely on."

Cook didn't know what to say, looking at the pouch with question. It was heavy, and he felt uncomfortable with it in hand, but Sanji was embarrassed, and dragging him out behind him. Sanji waved at him, saying, "Thank you for everything! Tell the family I said 'hi'!"

Absolutely bewildered by the event, cook opened the pouch and looked inside. He paled significantly, closed it up. Then froze, unsure of what to do. The money inside was more than enough for the move – it was enough to get them through at least half a year. He wondered if Sanji had married a prince. He stuffed the pouch into his pants, where he knew it'd be safe, then wondered if the man looked familiar, to him.

Outside, Sanji gestured from Ussop to Law, trying to make Ussop guess who it was standing in front of him. Ussop stared up at Law with question, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"I don't know. Were we friends when we were kids?" he asked, tilting his head.

"No."

"C'mon, Ussop, it's fucking obvious," Sanji grinned, looking around himself, and finding a step stool they used to open and shut the back window with. He dragged that over and stood behind Law, then leaned over to make horns above his head.

Ussop reacted with a hard gasp, paling, drawing backward with utter shock. He couldn't believe it, but it all made sense, after that one day. Sanji hopped down, and both of them grinned at each other while Ussop covered his mouth and choked on another hard breath.

"You did it? You did it! You did it?" he exclaimed with different variations, his expressions changing from shock to joy to horror.

"It was an accident," Sanji said, still grinning brightly. "It just happened! Now we're here just…updating a few things, and…it's…things have been different since then."

"It's kind of embarrassing with you staring at us like that," Law said uncomfortably, seeing Ussop gape at them both, still in recoil position. "I assure you, nothing drastic happened – "

"We didn't kiss-kiss!" Sanji said hurried, reddening. "It was a stupid thing that happened, and suddenly it did, and he was human – "

"That night was a different situation," Law added, Sanji purpling with embarrassment, slapping his arm. "You'd think this man wasn't the aggressive sort, but he actually – "

"Stop! He's kidding, he's kidding, he's stupid, don't listen to him," Sanji exclaimed, covering his mouth as Ussop slowly straightened up, hardly able to believe the situation before him. But now that he knew, he saw the little boy that tormented him, sometimes. Just taller, rangy, older – and he definitely looked at Sanji with as much joy as Sanji looked at him.

That was all that mattered, really, tuning out their giddy cheer as they addressed each other, trying to out-embarrass the other. While many other things were running through Ussop's mind – Doflamingo was back – he couldn't deny how happy Sanji was. So, he accepted the situation as-is, and only smiled back.

"I'm happy for you both," he said. "I'd wondered about it, when we were out that one time. The way you two were…I never thought that it'd turn to this, to be honest."

"We didn't, either. We were very unprepared," Sanji said cheerily. "But, uh…I suppose things just work out, that way."

"I'd…I'd wondered," Ussop murmured. "All these strange people coming through town…? That's…that's them, isn't it?"

Both of them nodded.

"Do you have attachments here, Ussop?" Law asked him curiously.

Ussop knew what he was asking. He looked at Sanji, who dropped his smile and looked away. He shook his head in response. "No."

"It's inevitable," Law warned him. "It will happen. After, there's no telling what will happen."

"I don't feel that it's right," Ussop said slowly. "There's a lot of people here that weren't involved, back then."

"That's understandable. But from the sounds of it, this village has been overstepping boundaries with each other, and others passing through. And they allowed men like Rayleigh make their decisions for them. It's unacceptable. In the end, Doflamingo will take this place back for his own use. So, it'll be wise for you and cook to leave before he does. Please encourage him to move quickly, without causing any alarm."

Ussop looked at Sanji. "And, you? What's your opinion on this?"

Sanji looked trapped. He still didn't know how to answer, and he shrugged a shoulder lightly. Ussop frowned at him. It was unusual of Sanji to not have an opinion, but it didn't look as if he were being forced. Law looked at him with a troubled expression before looking back at Ussop.

"No harm will come to him," Law assured Ussop. "After, we do want to travel."

"So you're not planning on staying here?"

"No."

"Sanji?"

"Traveling is something I'd want to do," Sanji answered quietly. "Maybe we can meet up later."

Ussop nodded. "Yes. Well…maybe that's what we need, huh? To get out and experience new things?"

Sanji nodded, uncomfortable with the subject and Law just looked at him with a smile. When Sanji noticed it, he smiled back.

Ussop shrugged. "Okay. Well…I feel weird about it."

"It was coming, Ussop. There's no stopping it. Just…please get away safely. And perhaps we'll meet each other again in the future," Law said. "If you need funds, I can – "

"I've enough. It's only me," Ussop assured him. Then he took a deep breath, grimly accepting the inevitable. It felt like things had happened much too soon, too intensely, and while he didn't want to believe it was going in this direction, it was. With Law's presence, with the constant visit by seeming foreigners into the village lately, it was only a matter of time before Doflamingo made himself known. He knew one thing was for certain – Sanji would not leave Law's side. Whether it was his own sense of 'duty' and responsibility, or even love – which was very clear, considering the glow between the two – Sanji would stay with Law despite the situation. There was no talking him out of it.

"Take care of my friend, for me. I do think we'll see each other again, right?"

"Yes!" Sanji said, taking the steps necessary to reach out and hug him. Ussop hugged him back, squeezing him tightly.

"You better meet me," Ussop said quietly. "I'll send a messenger your way with my intended destination. And I'll be waiting for you, so you better show up!"

"I'll be there."

Ussop held him for a second longer. "Are you happy?"

"Very much," Sanji assured him, and Ussop believed him. He patted his back and then released him. Ussop then turned to face Law, and punched him in the arm as hard as he could. He left quickly as Law rubbed his arm with a startled look, Sanji chuckling.

Law went to him, touching his shoulder, concerned over his expression. Sanji muttered, "I hope he listens."

"He will. Let's go. I'll bring you to the wishing well, and you can make a wish."

"You're obsessed with wishes."

"They work, right?" Law asked, reaching for his hand, entwining his fingers with his. "Walk slowly. I want everyone to see that you're with me."

"What? Don't be stupid, they don't care," Sanji said, red-faced as they walked out from behind the tavern and headed for the main street.

"That way, when I return with the others, they'll fucking know why I'm here."

"You're dumb." But Sanji held his hand tightly, and kept his eyes forward, sensing people looking curiously in their direction. He did hear his name being mentioned a few times, but since no one approached them to say anything, he thought nothing more of it. Once at the well, Law fished a coin from his pocket and handed it to Sanji. He fiddled with it anxiously, looking into the shallow depths. He then looked at Law, who gestured at him to make a wish. He looked at the coin again, then tossed it in. For a moment, his mind went blank, then the words came to him. After that, he felt some relief, smiling foolishly at the unspoken desire.

After that, they went and retrieved the items that Law had paid for earlier, and began making their way back through town. It wasn't until they'd reached the foot bridge over a rushing creek when they realized that they were being followed. Looking back, Sanji realized that the woman they'd asked for directions from earlier was approaching them, two men at her back. He jerked on Law's hand to catch his attention, and when the taller man looked back, the woman stood in front of them.

"You look really familiar," she said, examining Law's face. "Like this kid I used to know from a long time ago. You were one of Doflamingo's brats, weren't you?"

Sanji tensed, Law releasing his hand to look at her. From the looks of things, the woman intended on starting trouble, the two men behind her settling with tense expressions nearby.

"Maybe," Law answered, furrowing his brow. "I ended up moving away for some time."

"You are. You used to chase my pa's cows away – you also made my sister cry, making fun of her dress. You and that girlfriend of yours. What was her name?"

"It was a long time ago."

"Right. Don't think I forgot it. And you. Weren't you engaged to that old guy? Silvers?" she asked Sanji.

Before he could answer, Law interrupted, saying, "What's the fucking point? You still bothered by those things from years ago? Do you hold a grudge?"

"It was fucking misery back then! Yeah, I never forgot those things, and it pissed me off when I remembered who you looked like. You're him, right?"

"Yeah, I am. So? I don't give a fuck."

"You should. Simon. Simon, it's him. This is my brother, by the way," she added, gesturing at the largest man, who frowned at them grimly. "Our sister passed from a lung disease, but we never forgot how rotten you guys were."

"Look, the past is the past, let's just move on," Sanji said hastily, growing nervous as the woman gestured for the other man to approach them. They were drawing a slight crowd, interested spectators looking over to see what the confrontation was about.

"If you have a problem with it, then take it up to someone that gives a shit. Ridiculous! Waste of our time, causing trouble over something done as kids. Where's yours, by the way?" Law asked, looking around. "Woman fat as you probably has about a zillion of them! I'll treat them the same way I treated you."

"That's definitely you, you asshole. That's you! I remember you! Saying those same types of things! Even back then, you had nothing nice to say!" she shouted angrily, her face reddening.

"Hag. Whale. Pig. You and your brother slash husband," Law then stated, looking at the approaching man with a stubborn expression. The man's face twisted with a scowl, and Sanji moved to interfere, hearing people gather closer to hear what was happening.

"And you! What a fucking whore you are. Going from something like Rayleigh to something like him. Don't you have any pride in yourself?"

"Of course!" Sanji managed to say, looking at her indignantly. "I upgraded to someone that can actually get it up."

Law shoved her, then ducked when her brother swung. As she fell dramatically, screaming for help, a couple of other men raced over. Sanji caught sight of the brother bull rushing Law, but he turned and stopped the others from advancing, one of which knew what he was capable of. He slowed before his friends could stop, and Sanji took to one foot, kicking one in the gut, then whirling around and catching the other with a shin to the face. So the third man backed away quickly, because he'd seen the teen kick full grown men through doors.

Sanji then reached over and pulled the second man off of Law, and kicked him to the side, watching the woman climb to her feet.

She turned to the crowd for help, shouting that they'd been attacked. Her blatant lies made Sanji incredulous, but he watched the crowd cautiously, as the other men slowly recovered from the treatment. One lurched back up and started towards him, so Sanji set himself, ready to fight. He caught the man upside the chin as he jumped towards him, then used his other foot to connect with his chest, knocking him a few feet away. The crowd quickly backed off, and Sanji turned to see if Law were okay. He was worried because the man was still getting used to his coordination, and still adjusting to his own weaker strength.

He was losing the battle, and Sanji stepped towards him worriedly. Law stopped him from advancing, hand in his direction, as the brother realized that Sanji had already flattened out a few men on his own. The woman called for reinforcements, but no one wanted to try – not after watching those Sanji had kicked slowly recover.

Sanji watched the two exchange punches, but Law wasn't steady on his feet. And he took several hard hits to the face before he could block, and when he did, the man threw in a wide haymaker that caught him and sent him down to the ground. Sanji moved to step in again, but once more, Law held him off.

Upset, Sanji fiddled with his fingers. He knew Law couldn't take anymore, and the man knew it, too. So he advanced again, and Law took a couple of kicks before he was able to catch that leg, and shove him off balance. He rose up from the ground, breathing heavily, bleeding from various facial wounds – but he was determined to win this one on his own.

Law finally managed to throw successful punches that laid the man out again, and he struggled to get up. The woman staggered over to rescue her brother, pleading for mercy. Law kicked her over him, Sanji pulling back on his arm. The crowd dispersed, and the woman howled at them for allowing this type of savagery to happen. Sanji grabbed the bag they'd dropped, and pulled Law with him. Some people in the crowd commented on their state, on his trickery on Rayleigh – others called out over Law's nearly lost battle, over his clothing, over his awkward fight.

Nobody approached them to see if they were okay. Winded, weak from adrenaline loss, Law had to stop and rest, hands on his knees. His brain felt like it was still rattling inside of his skull – his tongue felt thick and heavy, and his thought processes were mixed up, making it difficult to concentrate. He felt like things were spinning, but he recognized this feeling. He would be okay. Every part of him was shaking, and Sanji was silent as he watched him with worry, removing his jacket to wipe at his bloodied face.

Law caught his hand, pushed it away before he could dirty his jacket even further. He caught his breath, struggling to straighten up. He felt the protruding welts on his cheeks, assessed his swelling lip, his tender nose. He examined the blood on his hand, and looked at Sanji with embarrassment. Sanji only stared at him with grave silence.

Law then started to laugh, which only upset Sanji even further. Flicking his hand to the side, blood splattering onto the house behind him, Law said thickly, "Wow. Things are different, now."

It took a few moments for Sanji to even understand what he was saying. The words that left Law were slurred, heavy, and he obviously had difficulty speaking. It made the feelings he felt inside of him even worse. Bigger. His throat tightened. So much worry and so much pride battled against each other for weight.

"You just got your fucking ass kicked. It's not funny," Sanji said bitterly.

"No, Sanji – it's not. But it felt fucking good. This pain, it's mine as a human. And I was able to assess what I fucking suck at. It's a real eye opener. It's better to have it done now than in real battle, later," Law said, leaning over and spitting out blood and mucus to the side, coughing to do so. Sanji stared at him, jaw clenched. The words made sense when he put them together, and he understood what Law was saying. He just hated how they came out. He'd been hit too many times by that bigger man; he assumed Law's brain was still rattled by it all. It was so painful for him to just stand there and say nothing. "I got my ass kicked, but it could've been worse. This worked out for me."

He took the bag that Sanji held, and started walking again, his steps labored. Those that didn't see the fight earlier saw his bloodied face and looked at them with dismay. Sanji was recognized, but nobody approached them. They just looked from Law to him, then back, then whispered to each other. The pair left the village, taking the footpath back, and Law looked back at him once he realized just how quiet he was. He leaned over to release a bloody snot rocket, wiping his face, smearing blood over his hands and nose at the same time.

He paused. "What?"

Sanji shook his head, still walking, Law reaching out and grabbing him. Forcing him to a stop. Sanji still didn't look at him, eyebrows furrowed together, and Law frowned down at him, trying to wipe blood from the open wound over his eye. Sanji ripped his shirt sleeve from his arm, and impatiently pressed it up against it, holding pressure to it. He forced Law to sit on the arbor fence, so that he could apply this cloth to him.

Law studied his upset expression, unsure of what was going through Sanji's mind at that moment. He started to think back, wondering what he'd done wrong. It made sense to him what happened – he wasn't worried, about it. All it would take was a few lessons from Diamante and Lao-G, and he'd be fine when Doflamingo set upon the village.

He reached out to touch Sanji, but Sanji slapped his hand away, then forced him to hold the piece of cloth to his face on his own. For a few moments he just stood there, looking at Law's injuries bitterly, while Law started to look worried. This event had convinced Sanji that, despite his older age, Law was a vulnerable man. Stunted from the world as it was now, with little to no experience into how people worked or what they were truly capable of. Law was only focused on those closest to him, secure and comfortable with limited interaction with others. He felt that the man would be easily manipulated by someone either close to him or from afar - and Sanji felt he was the only one to see this. He was the only one to step in for him, to protect him as Law had done for him.

Add to that, Sanji felt that if he didn't act now, he'd lose his chance to keep him - either Law would come to his full awareness or someone else would swoop in and steal him. There was only one thing for him to do.

Sanji closed his eyes for a few moments, then stepped forward to him. He tugged at his own fingers restlessly, seemingly building something up from within him. Then he opened his eyes and looked into his, saying firmly, "Marry me. I can't give you much, just my loyalty, honesty and devotion – I'm a hard worker. I will do anything and everything possible to make you happy. I learn fast. I'm pretty sure I'll grow a little more, and I'll work on being…uh, attractive. But…marry me."

Law stared at him, unable to understand what was happening. His hand drooped, and he was pretty sure he knew what Sanji was saying, but for some reason, it sounded like a lot of weird noises put together that made very little sense. He wasn't even sure if he were in the right dimension. He was punch drunk at that moment, but he was pretty positive that Sanji was proposing to him, right now.

People, as they passed by, looked at them curiously, then tried to avoid eye contact. When he looked back at Sanji, the blond was only waiting for his answer, wearing a difficult expression.

So Law tried to answer appropriately. "Wait, what?"

"You heard me the first time."

"…Why?"

"Because I love you."

Law did not understand. He did not understand how he missed the entirety of it the first time, and he did not understand what was happening, now. He'd just caused trouble for both of them in town, had his ass kicked, was bleeding all over – he probably wasn't recognizable – and Sanji was asking him to marry him. None of these were favorable, and he just didn't understand why this was happening.

He felt a headache coming over him, felt sick for having the wind knocked out of him, and could feel each and every impact he'd made on the street, and with that man's fists – but none of it was more than the confusion he felt right now.

"What happened?" Lao-G asked immediately, ambling over with a horrified look on his face.

"Oh, dear, look at this – what the fuck," Pink commented, mouth dropping open.

"Sanji! What happened?" Trebol demanded, all of them veering over towards them, having come from the village. All of them with bags, baskets, and what looked to be baby clothes in Pink's arms.

"Shut the fuck up, all of you!' Sanji snapped at them, before looking back at Law, clearly waiting for an answer. The three men looked at each other, and mimicked Sanji's expression, his movement, his demand, amongst each other. "Well?"

"I…I don't know why you'd want to," Law replied slowly, the others looking at him cautiously.

"Did someone use your head as a punching bag? Law. What were you warned about earlier?" Pink scolded.

Sanji exhaled shortly. "If you say no, I will leave with Ussop."

"That's blackmail - !"

"Yes or no?"

Law was quiet for a few moments, embarrassed while the others stared upon them with questioning faces. He saw the way Sanji held his own hands in front of them – how they were shaking noticeably. He looked back up at him, removing the blood soaked cloth from his forehead. The three behind them reacted with disgust and dismay.

"Yes?" he answered on a question, because he meant to ask a full question, but nothing in his thoughts would work right.

Sanji nodded, then stalked off towards the footpath while Law sat there, utterly aghast at what just happened. The others looked after Sanji, then at him with bewilderment. Pink helped him to his feet, Lao-G having immense troubles to pick up the bag. Trebol ended up doing it for him, giving it to him before looking at Law with question.

"What happened?" he demanded. "Shall we tell Doffy of this?"

"He asked me to marry him. I don't know."

All three of them stared at him with utter confusion, Law shrugging. Lao-G hissed. "What a harpy. Beats you half to death, then demands that you marry him."

"Doffy would be so happy to have him in the family," Pink said with a sniff. "That's exactly how he likes things to happen."

Trebol looked bothered, sniffling noisily as the four of them began walking, Law rubbing his hurt cheek with a pained expression. "Well, I'm sure there were better ways of doing it, but if this is something you're okay with doing, well….who am I to step in?"

Law just didn't understand it. He didn't understand anything, at the moment. He shook his head, helpless to answer any of them.

: :

A week later, just after midnight on Sanji's birthday, the priest shook noticeably as he focused on his Bible, his words trembling as they left him. He had been forced out of bed by men that didn't take 'no' for an answer, and forced to give a wedding ceremony that was unlike any other he'd given. But he uttered all the right words and went through the motions, and the shadows that surrounded them were polite and quiet when the pair, dressed in clothes Baby designed for them, exchanged rings that Dellinger carried, wearing his own flower dress and prancing happily in low heels. He tossed flower petals around merrily, Jora hissing at him to settle down while she sniffled and wiped her eyes.

When it came time to seal it with a kiss, Law hesitated, terribly self conscious with everyone looming over them and watching closely. Especially when Baby was staring hard at them from the side, breathing heavily in her tight bridesmaid dress. Buffalo kept giggling, whispering the kissing song over and over with his hands over his face, peering through his fingers. Law could hear Doflamingo chuckling about 'performance anxieties', and Corazon was trying to demonstrate the proper way to kiss with encouraging action on his own hand. The other family members were jeering and encouraging with randy whispers and gestures, and Sanji waited patiently for him to make his move. The priest looked around nervously, sweating.

At this very moment, Law wondered which of them was truly the Beast. He ended up giving Sanji a very short and painful peck as their faces collided, but Doflamingo and the others celebrated happily, then headed back towards the church, eager to start drinking. Trebol and Diamante surrounded the priest and walked him back, clearly not allowing him to wander off and broadcast this moment to everyone back at the village.

Sanji tossed the bouquet Jora had put together towards Baby, who caught it happily and ran off, Buffalo yelling at her to share. The pair standing there looked at each other in silence, and Law still didn't know why Sanji was so insistent on this action. But he was eighteen now, and he looked weary already. The village was silent, everyone asleep, and cows brayed in the distance. Dogs barked, alerted to activity. Owls called out to each other, and something rattled the bushes. The formerly 'enchanted forest' was quiet, now – all the voices that had once murmured through the trees were now humans living in the castle, ready to storm the village.

Sanji cleared his throat, looking at the simple gold band on his finger. He was happy to see it there, but his expression didn't show it. Law stood there, unsure of what to even say. With his face healing from last week's fight, it was lopsided in some areas, yellowed in others. His eyes had swollen to narrow slits the day after, and now they were finally starting to reopen.

Baby had fixed Sanji into a yellow suit, and persuaded Law into a dark navy one. She'd decorated both into matching tan vests with gold stitching, and made them wear baby blue kerchiefs. It was neither's style, but they went along with it because it made Baby happy.

"There," Sanji said quietly. "Now, things can go whatever way you want."

"I'm just standing here, not knowing what's happening but agreeing anyway," Law said dully, looking at the ring on his finger, wondering if Tsuru had given Sanji a spell to use; if these were her instruments of further torture.

"When you all come down to the village to do your worst, and someone like Tsuru returns to punish you all for your shitty actions, I won't be left out," Sanji said low. "I'm associated by this bond, and there's no way to ease out of it. With this marriage, if you go down, I go down, too."

Law furrowed his brow, finding it troublesome that this was so. Sanji's reasoning made sense to him, but he didn't like the feeling it gave him. He wanted so much more for him, but at the same time, needed these things for himself. He thought it was selfish of Sanji to do this, but then again...if this was what Sanji wanted, then he had to let it go. Sanji never asked for anything, and Law kept telling him to be selfish.

"So, make good choices," Sanji told him, walking towards the church, digging into his pockets for his cigarettes. Law looked after him with his mouth dropping open, and strode after him.

"You are unbelievable!" he exclaimed.

"Shitty dog, when we broke the curse, it was pretty much decided after that that this was going to happen. If you're that surprised, you're a fucking asshole. Now, any choice that you make from hereon after will also affect me, so, just like I said earlier, 'make good choices'!"

"I feel wrongly manipulated, right now. Are you really eighteen, now? Or are you one of those sorcerers I've heard about, in cahoots with Tsuru to keep an eye on us?"

"I wish I had that sort of imagination! I've had a long day. I'm going back to the castle, to bed. You wake me up before I get my full hours of sleep, I will be pissed. Don't even think of consummating the marriage right yet, because I'm not in the mood."

" 'C-con-? Consummate…?"

"Besides, it'd be a bad idea – it would make the legs weak, take away your strength as a man. You need all of it for later. We'll talk about it after you're done making fools of yourselves. Good night."

Law watched him leave, and then looked to the church, seeing that most of the wedding party was smoking and drinking, having a grand time as quietly as possible. He stood there awkwardly, a little lost. But he looked at the ring on his finger again, and then at the sky, feeling discombobulated – he'd had all the timelines and plans mapped out in his room, having looked them over from time to time as Sanji slept or was occupied elsewhere in the castle, but none of those plans were working. Nothing was going the way he'd thought it should, and he wasn't sure how to feel about that.

He wandered towards the church, scratching his head. He felt absolutely lost on the path he thought was the right one, but damn if Sanji's guidance didn't make him feel as if he reached hairpin turns and dangerous obstacles. When he reached the others, they all made fun of him for being forced to marry and not even allowed to enjoy the 'spoils'.

On a small hilltop overlooking the area, Rayleigh frowned with disapproval, his horse shuffling anxiously at the feel of his mood.