Law sat quietly on the sofa, his hands clasped together and his chin propped on his thumb. The thought that half an hour ago he was still lying on his bed, his mind free from the headache his brain is currently suffering from, already seemed like so long ago.

The source of his headache was currently rummaging through his refrigerator, eating everything he deems edible in sight. Law sighed for the umpteenth time this night. Trouble always seems to find its way to him, even if Cora insists it was the other way around. Law just wanted to eat something tonight, damn it. He reluctantly said goodbye to the sleep he was planning on catching up on. He was sure that he would get no sleep tonight, not when he has a freaking ghost to handle.

Law did briefly wonder how a ghost could possibly stuff themselves with food. Where does the food go? Does it stay as it is in their stomach? Or do they still digest it and let it out? Law shook his head. The questions that would follow that train of thought would be unsavory, and although he might be curious, his sense of pride wouldn't let him stoop down that low. Besides, he has other, more important, questions to ask Luffy.

That is, if said ghost would stop emptying his fridge and finally sit down like he asked him to ten minutes ago.

"Luffy-ya, are you done? At Least leave some for breakfast."

Law called out to him. Luffy then stood up and made his way towards the surgeon. His puffy cheeks bounced with him as he happily sat on the floor right in front of Law.

The ghost stared at Law, his head tilted with wonder in his eyes while Law stared at him back too, but his eyes devoid of any glimmer of wonder Luffy had, instead all it held was tired resignation.

"Luffy-ya," Law started. Not sure how to voice any of his questions without offending the ghost. Being on the bad side of a ghost is not a good tactic. The surgeon does have the desire to live longer. "Do you live here?" Or used to. Law didn't voice out his additional thoughts. He didn't have any prior experience nor any knowledge on how to deal with ghosts. Not that he actually believed in them in the first place. The things he does know about them was through how movies portrayed ghosts. And if those movies were right, then it was better to be careful. Ghosts tend to be aggressive when someone takes ownership of things that were theirs before.

Luffy might be nice and bubbly now but if Law suddenly takes what might be his, he might be the subject of the ghost's wrath and possibly, he hopes not, die.

It would be a stupid way to die by the hands of a ghost.

"No."

Luffy answered while picking his nose. Law inwardly grimaced at the sight. He looked at him with disgust when the boy flicked his booger and who knows god where it landed. In Law's living room. After this talk, he will definitely disinfect the whole area.

"You don't live here?" Law asked again and Luffy shook his head.

Well, that was a relief.

"Then, how did you get here?"

"I followed you."

"What?"

Law heard another fit of giggles as Luffy answered.

"You passed by me at the pedestrian bridge, earlier."

The ghost said with a smile and Law found himself unable to be mad at him anymore. The surgeon let out a sigh, realizing that he can't really do anything about it now since the ghost was already here. Ignoring the small voice in his head that was screaming at how he's letting Luffy off so easily. He's usually cautious and distrustful all the time but there was something about Luffy that made him drop all of his defences.

Because he's a ghost and he is intrigued by him was Law's reasoning. And definitely not because he just looks so pure and happy that he can't help but trust him because he is too bright to ever do something so evil and looks too dumb to be able to scheme any evil plans.

He doesn't look like a liar. Then again, that's what most liars want you to believe. If he's being nice now just so he can lure Law to do whatever he wanted then Law won't be his victim that easily. Or so he believes. Law can't bring himself to be suspicious of the little ghost and heavens be damned if he really was just baiting him.

He'll say it again. Dying because of a ghost is a stupid way to die.

"Then, why did you follow me?" Law asked. He wondered why he wasn't able to see Luffy earlier. Unless he purposely didn't let Law see him. Luffy did manage to touch and untouch him.

Ghost physics. He concluded. Law is becoming more interested in knowing how the world works for Luffy but the pros of dying and becoming a (vengeful, Law was sure he would become one just purely out of spite for people that grated on his nerves from the past) ghost was greatly outweighed by the cons.

"Your tattoos."

Law jumped a little by surprise, his thoughts of becoming a ghost himself immediately stopped, when Luffy answered his question. His tattoos? He looked at his hands, slowly turning it to see what was appealing about them. While the tattoos hold major significance to Law, he can't understand how it was others' business to try and pry from him the reason why DEATH was etched on his knuckles in darl black ink.

"What about them?" He stared hard at the boy in front of him. But Luffy was undeterred, his smile that was stuck on his face only grew wider. "I like them. They're cool!"

Law smiled at the compliment but immediately wiped it off his face by coughing slightly. As a professional, people, even his own patients, question his credibility just because of his tattoos. And he rarely heard compliments for it, only questions why and explanations as to why he shouldn't have got them.

"Why do you think so?" Law asks.

"Dunno. They just look cool. Like art. Pretty art. It makes your hands pretty to look at." Luffy said whilst looking straight at Law. The little ghost must have seen something from the surgeon's face because he instantly corrected what he said. "Pretty and cool. They make your hands look pretty and cool." And Law was blessed again by another smile.

Luffy said everything without an ounce of a lie. And Law could feel his heart fill up with pride. Pretty art, huh, he thought. No one ever called his tattoos 'pretty' art. Not even as a compliment. And he knows that that's what tattoos are, body art. Then again, not many people really tell him they were pretty. Maybe because it was his cold demeanour that made people reluctant to tell him that but on the other hand Law doesn't really see his tattoos (or his self in general) as pretty.

Law looked at Luffy once again and the same smile was still plastered on the little ghost's face. Luffy noticed Law looking at him so he beamed at him more, his gums were now showing. Law wondered if his jaw hurts but Luffy seemed to be the type of person who laughs a lot.

In those paranormal movies Law had watched before, the exorcist or whatever ghost expert the director would hire would always make a point to say that ghosts are made up of energy, negative energy. Meeting Luffy, he could see that he was everything but negative.

Despite being dead, Luffy has this exuberant presence. Something you just can't ignore. His voice was loud enough that would call anyone's attention. The little ghost might be annoying but he was also...refreshing. Although he appreciates the strawhat boy's radiance, Luffy isn't someone Law would associate with nor was he someone Luffy would be friends with, if the boy was still alive. Law couldn't think of any reason that he would be interesting enough for Luffy to follow him. Maybe he was just bored? Or curious what a gloomy person, like him, does to pass the time? Heck, Law has more negative energy than Luffy who is an actual ghost. Maybe that's the reason why. Opposites attract and if the ghost realm is composed of different energies then there was a possibility that they would follow the laws of physics.

Ghost physics, Law thought again. It was a ridiculous idea, ghost physics already works differently in the physical realm but then again aren't most ideas ridiculous at first?

It still didn't answer as to why Luffy would be interested in Law. Him. Trafalgar D. Water Law of all people. Whatever the reason, it still didn't change the fact that if he was still alive then Law would have never met Luffy.

That thought sent a slight pang to his chest but he ignored it. Shrugging it off as heartburn from his lack of sleep.

"Then, if it isn't rude to ask," Law was still unsure if it was alright to ask the question that has been gnawing at him for a while now but seeing Luffy's enthusiastic face he decided to go for it. "How did you die, ahem, become a ghost?"

"I don't know."

"What?"

"I said I don't know." Luffy shrugged. Law was stunned. He doesn't know?

"When I woke up at the pedestrian bridge, I was already like this." Luffy gestured to himself. "All I knew was my name. I don't remember anything from before," Luffy looked up at Law and gave him a tiny, sad smile. "From when I was alive."

The sadness in Luffy's eyes came back but Law remained still. He's not sure how to comfort the ghost, especially since he doesn't know what caused that sadness in the first place. Is it because he forgot everything he had when he was still full of life? Or is it because he was already dead in the first place?

"I just wander around random places, since I have plenty of time to waste." The ghost giggled once again. Law was thrown off with the sudden mood changes but accepted it nonetheless. It might be Luffy trying to be positive in his current situation or maybe that's just how Luffy is, always happy, fast to bounce back from anything. Like a red rubber ball he used to play with when he was a kid.

"Normally, people couldn't see me. You should see their faces when I take their things and they start freaking out!" Luffy hugged his stomach as laughter spilled out his mouth. And the surgeon tried to imagine his friends' reaction if something similar happened to them and he couldn't fight off the smile forming on his face. Penguin and Shachi will definitely freak out and call for exorcists while Bepo would remain calm (even if he was scared too) copying Law who would be calm in that specific situation. Maybe he should prank them as payback. Ask Luffy to give them a little scare. It was a nice idea. Law made a mental note to ask Luffy of that when he deems him as harmless enough. The little ghost could be sucking his life force right at this moment and he wouldn't realize it until he would drop dead. Although he can't imagine Luffy doing that on purpose. At the very least he didn't become a cause for the premature deaths his friends could possibly have.

Law was shaken out of his thoughts when Luffy finished laughing and continued talking with a somber tone.

"After a while, it becomes boring when no one can see you." Luffy fiddled with his thumbs. "That's why I'm happy you could see me, Torao!"

Luffy blinded Law with his huge grin and the surgeon could only stare at the ghost stupidly until he realized,

"Torao?" He pointed at himself.

"Yeah!"

"But my name's Trafalgar Law."

"Exactly." Luffy cheered. He folded his arms to his chest and nodded his head. As if calling him 'Torao' was the most brilliant thing he had ever done. A tick formed on Law's eyebrow. Torao wasn't even close to his name and Trafalgar Law wasn't even hard to pronounce in the first place. Maybe his last name was but Law was just one syllable and was easier on the mouth than the butchered version of his name.

Law opened his mouth to correct Luffy and insist on calling him Law but decided against it. Not when the ghost looked so sure, and so happy. Law couldn't deny the twinge of happiness that made his heart skip a beat for a moment.

If calling him with a silly name was enough to make Luffy's smile shine bright then maybe it wasn't so bad. The nickname was endearing, now that he has given it some thought, not that he would admit that to Luffy.

The ghost was still smiling at him and he let out a long sigh.

"Fine. But only you get to call me that."

If Shachi and Penguin learned of that and started calling him Torao. Then, becoming a ghost will be salvation for him. His pride as the cold surgeon of death can't allow himself to be called something so childish

And cute.

Cute.

Law didn't even notice his eyes drifting towards Luffy as soon as he thought of the word.

"Shishishi!" Luffy bounced a little from where he was sitting. His strawhat swaying from side to side from where it was hanging on his neck as he nodded his head with such force.

Law watched the scene unfold, mesmerized with how much joy the little ghost could emanate but his eyebrows furrowed with what happened next. Luffy's eyes suddenly became cloudy, as if someone suddenly pulled a screen right over his eyes. The ghost stopped bouncing and slowly got up.

"Luffy?"

He tried to grab the ghost's hand but he passed through it.

Damn, ghost physics.

"Luffy? Where are you going? What's wrong?"

But Luffy gave no answer as he walked silently towards the door and passed through without saying a word. Not even a goodbye to Law.

Law could only watch Luffy leave. Too shocked to say anything.

Law, for some reason, wanted to chase after Luffy. Pull him by his hand and tell him to come back. To stay with him. His heart was screaming at him to go find Luffy but he could feel another migraine kicking in.

Law checked the time and it was already 23:45. He had an early morning shift tomorrow and he doesn't have any energy to chase the ghost back anymore.

Not that he wants Luffy to stay with him or anything, he just hoped that he would have atleast said goodbye.

He did eat all of his food. That ungrateful brat.

He ignored the nagging feeling at the back of his mind that was telling him something was wrong. Luffy was okay. What's the worst thing that's gonna happen to him? He's already dead. Law thought grimly. Quietly he paid respects to the ghost he just met.

He could feel how dry his throat had become. He needed water but when he stepped into his kitchen a shudder went up his spine. The mess from earlier was still there on the floor, crumbs were scattered on the floor, on the counter, on the sink and there were also plastic wrappers scattered around the trash can. Not in it. Law let out a loud groan as he started to clean. That damn ghost was going to pay he was sure of it.

It was already 1:00 am when he went to his bed and laid down. After cleaning the kitchen, he also disinfected his living room. The ghost booger that flew from Luffy's fingers earlier was deeply etched in his mind. Whether he could see it or not, the possibility of touching it unknowingly became an irrational fear in his body. He let out a sigh. Atleast everything will go back to normal again he thought. Darkness engulfed him as sleep finally claimed his mind.

Law slammed his hand on his alarm clock, silencing it as he groggily checked the time. 4:00 am the striking red numbers glowed back at him. He groaned rolling on his bed a few times before finally getting up. It must be the fatigue talking, but every morning, even if he got a proper rest, he wakes up just as tired as he was the day before. Not that he got any proper rest from the night before.

His next shift would be starting at 5. He entered the bathroom to clean himself up and after a few minutes he was already in the kitchen, making himself a nice hot cup of coffee. Law was debating whether he should cook something to eat or just buy some food at the cafeteria in the hospital. Considering the state of his food supply, he decided that the latter option was the best choice.

There was still no sign of Luffy and Law wasn't worried. Nope. He was just curious as to where he went. His sudden exit was not appreciated and no, Law wasn't sulking over that. Luffy can go wherever he wants. It wasn't his business to interfere and he has a job to attend to so there's that.

After finishing his coffee, Law grabbed his house keys and went to work. His workplace wasn't too far, it was only a 10 minute walk from his apartment. Law didn't commute often, only when he was running late or dead tired to use his legs to walk. This morning was no different from his usual routines. He climbed up the pedestrian bridge and started his stroll.

This was where Luffy woke up, he remembered. Was this also the place where he died? Law thought as he looked around the bridge to see if there were any hints that an accident of some sort happened here but he found no clue. If he had time he would have checked out any events surrounding this bridge, but Law is always drained at the end of the day to bother with things that don't particularly benefit him. It was none of his business to learn how the little ghost died, especially when Luffy himself doesn't remember it.

What if Luffy didn't just forget?

Law stopped in his tracks, his left foot already going down the first step of the bridge.

What if Luffy intentionally forgot?

A bubble of curiosity popped in his chest but Law immediately squashed it. It's not like Luffy was coming back. It wasn't his business to snoop around someone else's past. Plus, the surgeon's job was to help people live, to save them. His job description didn't include those that are already dead.

Law continued his descent once more when a passerby bumped his shoulder. He heard the man whisper an apology, the surgeon grimacing when he smelled cigarette smoke from the man, and watched as his blond hair disappeared in the sea of people

He felt something prick his brain. Although he was sure (he definitely was) that he had never ever met the guy before in his whole entire life, he couldn't deny the feeling of familiarity he felt when the stranger bumped into him.

When he finally reached the bottom, he shrugged off the thoughts that were plaguing his mind and headed to the hospital. It bothered Law how much Luffy was occupying his thoughts. He only met the boy last night for crying out loud. It only hurts his head the more he tries to not think about a certain strawhat boy.

Law grumbled as he entered the hospital all the way to his office and he failed to notice how almost all of his co-workers steered clear away from him. Well, almost. The surgeon almost growled when an arm slung itself across his shoulders.

"Hands off me, Penguin."

His friend chuckled and threw him a teasing smile which caused Law to roll his eyes.

"Bad day today, doc?"

Penguin raised both of his hands up in surrender but the annoying smile was still plastered on his face. Law gave him an unimpressed look and speed walked even faster towards his office where he could close the door and remain alone for as long as he could. He still does have paperwork to attend to, which were mostly medical files of his patients, while waiting for his scheduled and sudden surgery appointments.

Law stretched his muscles as he sat down on his chair. Time to work, he 'enthusiastically' thought.

It was when Bepo entered his office carrying a fresh cup of coffee as well as lunch that Law realized he, once again, missed lunch break.

Time flies fast when he concentrates on work.

"Bepo." Law looked up from the medical report he was reading.

"Busy day?"

His fellow doctor asked and Law only replied with a small nod. Bepo placed the plate on the table while the surgeon graciously accepted the cup of coffee. Law thanked him as Bepo took a seat on one of the chairs.

"You're in a grumpy mood."

Bepo squirmed in his seat as Law continued staring at him before answering. Really, for such a big guy he's such a timid person. Law was a tall person himself but Bepo easily dwarfs him in height. But unlike him, Bepo was more shy and reserved. Yet despite their differences, they became the best of friends and Law already treats him like a brother. Even Cora treats Bepo as his own son.

"Really? They should get used to my grumpy face, I'm always this way."

Bepo scratched his white hair and let out a soft chuckle when suddenly his face contorted to one of concern.

"Grumpier than usual. Is there something bothering you?"

Before Law could answer, the door suddenly burst open and Penguin and Shachi entered, both yelling at the top of their lungs.

"Yeah! Tell us!" They both said as they invaded Law's personal space. Law had to lean back and hold his precious cup of coffee with two hands to avoid spilling it on his papers and waste its delicious contents. Both nurses still didn't move an inch away from Law's face, only leaning forward more and more. Law wouldn't mind accidentally spilling his coffee on the two idiots in front of him if they pushed him far a bit more..

"Nothing's bothering me. I'm perfectly fine."

He said, exasperation in his tone. But his friends still wouldn't back off and even Bepo was looking at him expectantly. Gosh, how he tolerates his friends' antics was also a mystery to him. They're almost the same as Luffy with how annoying they can get.

"Ha! There it is!" Penguin suddenly exclaimed, surprising two were now standing with mischievous smiles on their faces. He didn't like how they were smiling.

"So...spill." Shachi said, that playful glint still in his eye. "Spill what?" Law asked dumbly.

"You know," Shachi smirked. "The person that got you worked up."

Law rolled his eyes.

"You say that as if I don't get worked up with people most of the time."

"That's the point. You don't." Penguin pointed his finger towards Law accusingly.

"You get annoyed yes but not enough to let it ruin your whole mood and cause you to brood-"

"I am not brooding."

"-and scare every staff member here."

"I do not have someone in mind. Unless you forgot that I hate everyone by default."

Penguin and Shachi, and him stare at each other while Bepo looked back and forth between them. His face was a little worried.

Law can just say Luffy's name and this whole ordeal would just be over and done with. And its not they would be able to meet the boy, unless one of his friends have psychic powers and can see ghosts, then Law wouldn't worry too much about them snooping in his life through Luffy.

But Law was still a little, just a little bit, mad with how the ghost suddenly left him last night. He didn't want to acknowledge that he was brooding over some ghost he just met, and ate all his food in the fridge. Because he is not brooding and that strawhat boy still owed him a week's worth of groceries.

Both Penguin and Shachi sighed loudly when they realized Law wasn't gonna budge.

"Fine." They both raise up their hands in surrender. "We won't ask anymore." Penguin said.

"But we will learn what this whole mood swing was about." Shachi warned him and Law only rolled his eyes in reply.

"But if you ever need someone to talk to or if something's bothering you, you can always talk to us okay?" Bepo said.

"He's right, doc. Whenever you feel like it." Penguin nodded and almost fell when Shachi forcefully put his arm around his neck.

"We'll always be open ears for you." Shachi smiled at Law.

Law felt incredibly touched with the concern these three have for him. His friends, a word he's still careful saying out loud, has always been there for him. Despite Law doing everything to keep them away they always stubbornly stay. And even if he would never say anything out loud, he was immensely grateful for them.

And Law was sure that they knew what he felt and that they felt the same way too.

He was still a little scared, if he was honest. All the people he ever loved, ever wished to stay, left him. Taken from him. He also almost lost his father, Cora-san, to a gangwar. His father's own brother filled him with bullets. That night was the last night he ever felt helpless. His younger self vowed to himself that night, as he dragged his foster father's body seeking for help, that he would never, never, feel that hopeless again. Luckily, they were saved by a kind stranger. His red hair still remains in Law's memories even if he couldn't remember his face anymore.

Seeing Cora's body full of holes and the mornings he spent back when they were still living together, getting a glimpse of Cora's scars pushed him to pursue medicine. So that he would be able to patch up his father's injuries any time he needed to with skill.

Even if Cora wasn't in the police force, Law was sure he would still be littered with cuts and wounds just with his clumsiness alone. He couldn't remember how many number of burns he needed to take care of. He stopped counting when it reached a hundred and at that time it had only been a year since Cora officially adopted him. He had become an expert with taking care of burn accidents and became the surgeon on call when a patient came from a fire accident.

A soft touch brought Law back to his senses and was surprised to see the three of his friends looking at him with concern.

He smiled. A little. Just a small smile to ease their worries.

"Don't worry about me. I'll talk when it gets too heavy, I promise."

And although Law hated talking about himself, he never breaks his promises.

The three understood the honesty and determination on Law's face and they all nodded. They all went back to normal with Penguin and Shachi arguing over who knows what, Bepo watching them and Law finally, finally, getting to have some moment with his coffee.

That is until he realized his coffee has now gone cold.

Penguin and Shachi gulped as Law looked darkly at them. They were the reason why he didn't even get to sip the holy liquid when it was still at its best, purest, form.

"I'll reheat it for you."

Bepo offers but Law glares at him.

"Sorry,'' he says. And sits back down. Law returns his glare to the two and Penguin takes the cup from his hands carefully and Shahci gives him a shaky smile as they both run out of his office.

"We'll be back doc!"

They both shout and Law could only sigh with Bepo snickering beside him. The surgeon looked at his fellow doctor and smiled.

He hoped, from the bottom of his heart, that he wouldn't lose them too.

Night has fallen. Law climbed the steps of the pedestrian bridge, he thought he saw a glimpse of a familiar straw hat but when he reached the top, not a single person was wearing a strawhat. It scares him a little, how such a brief encounter left such a great impact on him and now here he was hallucinating of seeing a strawhat, of all things, in a sea of people who probably wouldn't even think to wear such an old, ratty thing.

But it definitely suits Luffy, that little rascal.

He brushed off the thought as he continued walking home. Today was a tiring day and all he ever wants is to lie down on his comfy bed and relax for the remainder of the day before another day starts again.

Even though Law was busy with his work, Law always left his place in an organized order that calms him when he gets home from work. Like, A mug that is face down placed right beside his coffee machine. A pair of white fluffy slippers (that reminded him of Bepo's hair), waiting for him right at the center of his welcome mat, a few meters away from the entrance and the shoe rack from its right. His whole apartment was spick and span and not a single dirt can be found inside. He might be busy with work but he wasn't lenient either with his chores. Not when Cora-san visits him weekly to check up on him. Really though, Law was already an adult and can handle himself. Except for the groceries part. Cora didn't like it when Law would rely on fast food or convenient store bought food. And Law understood. He is a doctor himself. He knew how unhealthy those were but he couldn't be bothered. Not when he's beyond exhausted every day that even cooking meals for himself becomes too laborious for him.

Law does still indulge himself with his wonderful cooking skills from time to time, just not all the time. He is a responsible adult after all. Cora-san just worries too much.

Coming home to a messy place has never done him any good and it only contributed to even more of his stress and fatigue. That's why Law keeps his place as orderly as he can. Besides, cleaning his apartment weekly helps reduce the trash and mess he has to clean up as a whole. And Law was sure that he cleaned up properly after Luffy left, his sticky hand from the night before not so subtly reminding him that his kitchen was still left in a very sticky mess.

That's why, upon entering his clean and orderly abode, he did not expect it to look like it was hit by a hurricane. All his books and cds were now scattered, his well arranged sofa pillows were now on the floor, crumbs of who knows what (Law fervently wished it wasn't bread) littered on the floor and most of all his fluffy white home slippers were now kicked away from each other. The other was laying down silently by the door while the other was thrown a few meters away from the entrance.

Law could only stare at the wreckage of what he once called home. He remained still at the center of his living room. The place where it was the most messy. It was as if someone had thrown everything haphazardly like they were looking for something.

Law's eyes widened at his realization and speedwalked towards his bedroom where all of his valuables were kept.

Someone broke in.

Was the surgeon's first thought but he ignored the quiet voice that followed his initial thoughts.

What if Luffy came back?

Law did not entertain any unsure thoughts that only brought about guesses and assumptions. So, Law pushed the voice away. Especially when said ideas eluded even his own rational thinking. Looking for someone who already left him was already against his own policies. There was no purpose for waiting on someone who will never come back.

The door made an ugly bang as it hit the wall when Law opened it with such force. But it greatly shocked him to see his bedroom spick and span as it was when he left it earlier to go to work. He forcefully opened his closet and rummaged through his hanged clothes until he reached the back. There was a small compartment at the back of the closet and in it Law kept all of his savings and important documents and cards. Relief instantly washed over him when he made sure not a single thing was missing. He put back all of his things back to where he hid them and closed the closet door, this time gently.

Law turned to exit his room when the quiet voice he kept pushing back suddenly became loud. Loud enough that he couldn't ignore it anymore.

What if Luffy DID come back?

Law ran out of his room again and charged towards the kitchen. The only place that little ghost could definitely be found.

He couldn't understand what he was feeling right now. Earlier he was angry and scared that his home might have been broken into but now that he suspects that Luffy is the culprit he couldn't keep that anger anymore.

He only met the little ghost last night for only a few minutes. He couldn't fathom how much of an effect Luffy already has on him. It took three years of Penguin and Shachi's pestering before he caved in and a year for Bepo before he wholeheartedly called them his friends and until now he was still scared to call them as his.

Questions flooded Law's mind until he reached his kitchen. He stood still right at the door. The kitchen was full of crumbs everywhere as well as wrappers littered on the counter but Law's eyes never drifted from the same spot he first looked at when he arrived. His eyes followed the movements of a teenage boy floating on air munching on whatever leftovers Law had in his fridge.

He felt an immense relief course through his body.

Because his home wasn't actually broken into.

He could feel a twinge of joy pinch his heart.

Because he didn't lose any valuables.

He felt his lips twitch, fighting the urge to smile.

Because Luffy is here.

That was wrong.

Law shook his head as he watched Luffy happily munch his food.

The question came back.

Why does he care so much for someone, especially for a ghost he just met? And when did he suddenly accept that seeing a ghost was normal? Heck, why was he even seeing ghosts in the first place? His mind was confused and he didn't even know what was the right question to ask. He hated the feelings that came with the questions. He would rather ignore those and remain confused than deal with whatever he was feeling.

He sighed a bit loudly and Law jumped a little bit in surprise when Luffy's eyes immediately zeroed on him. He tried to hide the surprise and turn his face into a scowl. He is still unhappy with the mess this little ghost caused.

"Luffy-ya."

Law was ready to scold the ghost. First, for wrecking his house. Second, for eating all his food again. Third, for leaving so suddenly.

Law backtracked a bit. Maybe the last one was unnecessary. It's not like he was worried for him, he was just curious. Yes, curious why he left without saying goodbye to him.

…That sounded a little bitter.

Still, it was better to tell Luffy his boundaries now if he decides to stay here.

Did Luffy tell him he was going to stay here? Luffy even told him this wasn't where he lives. Not like he remembers his actual address.

Law cleared his throat to focus on the little ghost in front of him. He had to make sure that Luffy cleans his own mess since Law is too tired to deal with anything else. Especially, since his own brain was fighting him.

This was not how he normally thinks.

Then again,there wasn't anything normal about the whole situation.

Law was ready to nag the little ghost when the words died in his mouth. He could only swallow them back when he looked at Luffy and heard him speak.

"Torao!"

A sweet voice cheered. And along came with it was a smile that could rival the sun himself. And Law could only stare. He wasn't sure if the ghost was actually sparkling or it was just his eyes tricking him. Must be that ghost physics again, he thought as he fought off the urge to rub his eyes.

"Welcome home!"

Luffy said, the smile on his face still intact.

Well, fuck.

The surgeon felt his heart squeeze and he was sure that it wasn't heartburn this time. He wishes it was.

Atleast one of his questions finally have an answer now.