"LUF, follow me," Jigoro instructed, buzzing open the door.

"Where am I going?" LUF asked, eyes wide, "It's not time for the medication yet…"

"You heard him," Inuppe barked impatiently, "Come on out."

LAW and TCH simply watched LUF walk away. They didn't seem bothered by the unusual request so he tried not to let it bother him either. He followed them to the gym, chewing on his bottom lip anxiously.

The moment they turned down the hall LUF realized something very strange was going on. The sun lamps were off. Not once in 12 years had the sun lamps been off. LUF scratched his lower belly, "What's going on?"

"Go in," Inuppe ordered, shoving LUF through the door.

"Is this about the T.V.?" LUF panicked, "Am I in trouble?" The door sealed and LUF was alone in the dark gym. He pressed his hands against the glass, watching Jigoro and Inuppe walk away. "Wait… come back… don't leave me here…"

LUF started pacing. He chewed on his lip, tearing the thin skin. He lapped at the blood, his eyes trained on the hallway, "Hello? Hello…?"

"SURPRISE!"

LUF screamed. He couldn't help it. He spun around, his hand flying to his chest in shock. The lights flashed on, but the sun lamps stayed off. Sanji and Zoro stood underneath the treehouse, holding a banner between them.

"What? What?" LUF shook his head from side to side in confusion. He pointed toward the banner, "What's that? What's going on?"

"It's a surprise party," Sanji explained, "The look on your face. Priceless. Such a dork."

"A surprise party?" LUF asked, his heart still pounding wildly in his chest. "Like when your friends sneak on you and jump out… ohhhh. Yeahhhh," LUF beamed, "You did it!"

"Yeah," Zoro said, nodding his head.

"Why did I get a surprise party?" LUF approached them, still in a daze. He bent over, brushing his hand over the sign, "Happy birthday, Luffy…" He looked up, his eyes as wide as saucers, "Is it my birthdaaaaaaay?!"

Sanji tossed the banner and gestured to a small patio table. It was set for two, an unlit candle amongst the floral centerpiece. He hurried over and scooted back the chair, "Bonsoir!"

"Bon-bon…?" LUF murmured, sitting down in the chair.

Zoro sat down across from him, scratching his face and trying to fight off the embarrassment. "Uh, we're at a restaurant," Zoro looked down, his cheeks flushing with color, "And he's our waiter…"

"And chef!' Sanji declared, placing a menu on the table in front of LUF. Sanji pulled a lighter from his pocket and lit the candle.

LUF looked at the menu handed to him, he pointed at the top picture, "What's this?"

"That's a steak," Sanji explained, smiling.

"And what's that?" LUF asked, pointing at the bottom picture.

"That's a rack of lamb."

"Do I pick which one I want?" LUF questioned, kicking Zoro's foot under the table.

Zoro nodded, "Yeah, you pick what you want and tell the waiter and the waiter tells the chef and then the waiter brings it to you…"

"But first," Sanji announced, "Drinks! May I suggest a glass of robust Châteauneuf-du-Pape?"

"Beer," Zoro mumbled, fidgeting uncomfortably.

"And here's your glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape," Sanji declared, pouring two glasses of wine, "Because that's what we fucking bought, Zor-o…"

"Sorry," Zoro shrugged, sniffing the wine.

"Does it smell weird?" LUF asked, inspecting his glass from all angles.

"I don't know. I've just seen people sniff it," Zoro replied.

LUF took a sip and immediately spit it back into the glass. He stuck out his tongue and shook his head back and forth, "That's bad."

"I prepared for this," Zoro assured them, pulling a pack of beer from under the tablecloth. He cracked one open and handed it to LUF. "Drink up, bud. This is the good stuff."

LUF took a drink and spit it onto the ground in a glorious arcing spray. He used the edge of the table cloth to wipe his tongue, "Thaaa's worse."

"And juice for the young Master, it is," Sanji announced, pouring cranberry grape cocktail into the emptied wine glass.

"I'll keep the beer," Zoro said, "You can have the wine."

Sanji plucked Zoro's wine glass from the table, downing it quickly, he turned back around and smiled handsomely, "Avez-vous choisi ? Have you made your choice ?"

"I want this one…" LUF decided.

"Me too," Zoro agreed.

"Fabulous choice, Messieurs," Sanji exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "I'll put this order in right away…" Sanji called out, bustling over to the far side of the gym.

"The waiter seems nice," LUF commented, drinking his juice.

"You think?" Zoro pretended to consider it.

LUF snickered, "Yeah."

"Are you having fun?" Zoro asked, licking his lips.

LUF nodded so enthusiastically it seemed his head might pop off. He scrunched up his face, his fingers twisting in his lap, "This is so fun. I might die."

"Well don't die," Zoro insisted, "Sanji would cry. He's been cooking since we switched shifts."

"Would you cry?"

"Would I cry? What do you mean?"

LUF blinked, "Would you cry if I died?"

"I don't cry."

"Say you did."

"Well if I cried then yes, by default I would cry…"

"Oh no!" Sanji exclaimed, "It seems there was a mix-up in the kitchen! The chef made too much food…"

"Oh no!" LUF gasped, slapping his palms against his cheeks.

"Please enjoy the steak, as you ordered," Sanji said, placing the plates down in front of LUF and then Zoro. "On the side we have a caprese salad. I know you won't want to eat it, but I insist you try. And for our heavy starch, we have roasted, marshmallowy sweet potatoes."

Sanji moved to the side to gesture to the other plate, "On our lamb plate we have a mild tabbouleh salad. Try it. And for our heavy starch, we have an absolutely decadent side of cheese grits with a savory Carolina barbecue sauce."

"That's too much food," Zoro replied, unwrapping his cloth napkin.

"Shhhhh! As long as we're not charged for their mistake I'm eating it!" LUF hissed, kicking Zoro's foot under the table again.

Zoro groaned, shrugging his shoulders. He sipped on his beer before finally digging into the food. "Holy shit, Sanji. This is good…"

"I spent a year trekking around the cobbled streets of Italy cooking in every kitchen they'd let me in," Sanji replied, patting his chest, "I made many Italian grandmothers that summer." He straightened up, "And I'm French. It's pretty much a natural skill…"

"What are grits anyway?" LUF asked, shoveling them into his mouth.

"Weird things that taste like shit unless Sanji makes them," Zoro replied, spooning them into his mouth as well.

"Messieurs," Sanji began, approaching the table, "I've just realized you don't possess a knife and fork. Please allow me to cut your steak for you."

"Oh, thank you," LUF gushed, "I was just gonna gnaw on it."

"I didn't get a knife or fork either?! What the hell?!" Zoro complained.

"Safety first," Sanji said, quickly cutting LUF's food, "It was a miracle we got Caesar to agree to shut his face about this…"

"I can… I can cut it myself…" Zoro mumbled, watching Sanji slice his food.

"He is nice," LUF decided.

"I don't know," Zoro muttered, "He's got a weird look in his eye."

"You're terrible," LUF chuckled.

Zoro shook his head, "Nah. You're right. He's a good guy. He planned almost all of this."

"What part did you plan, Zoro?" LUF asked, leaning across the table intently.

Zoro shrugged, "I'll tell you when we get to it."

"There's more?!"

Zoro smirked, "There's more."

"Is it dessert?" LUF pressed impatiently, "Please let it be dessert."

Once they'd finished the meal, Sanji cleared away their plates. He placed a simple, little cake in front of LUF with a candle. He lit it and leaned over. He was close to LUF, his cologne was slightly intoxicating mixed with all the excitement. Sanji turned, his face inches from LUF's, "Happy birthday to you," he began to sing, "Happy birthday to you…"

"Now close your eyes," Sanji instructed breathlessly, "Make a wish. And blow."

LUF had his eyes closed for several long seconds. And finally he inhaled, exhaling mightily across the cake. The candle flickered out and he opened his eyes, grinning widely. "I made a wish."

"Don't tell it," Sanji murmured, "Or it won't come true."

"Really?" LUF asked in dismay.

"It's just a little superstition," Zoro explained, "The candles aren't really magic. Your wish either comes true or it doesn't."

"Can we eat the cake now?" LUF asked.

"Yes."

LUF snickered, "Then my wish came true."

"Eat up," Sanji instructed, slapping LUF on the back, "I made it just for you. You don't have to share with stinky Zoro."

"Stinky… nice…" Zoro grumbled.

When he finished, they turned on the stereo; blasting old, ridiculous one-hit wonders. Sanji and Zoro both seemed very reluctant to dance, but eventually had managed to teach the 'Macarena', the 'Cha Cha Slide', 'Cupid's Shuffle' and 'The Wobble' to LUF. "This is fun," LUF exclaimed.

"This is the high school formal dance experience," Sanji informed him.

Zoro nodded in agreement, "And the friend's wedding experience…"

"And we're done."

"Yep. We're good. Check it off…"

"Alright, and off with the lights," Zoro instructed, grabbing three sleeping bags from against the wall. He laid them out on the floor before grabbing the pillows.

"Is this a sleepover?" LUF asked, watching him curiously. "I sleep with two other dudes almost every day. I've done that one before…"

"Just wait," Zoro insisted, gesturing with his hand, "This one's my idea."

"Okay."

"Lay down," Zoro instructed.

"Okay…" LUF said, "I'm laying down."

"Alright, Sanji, hit the lights," Zoro murmured, plopping down on the sleeping bag beside LUF.

The dark room was suddenly transformed into the brilliant night sky. Stars covered every inch of the ceiling. It was absolutely beautiful and mesmerizing. "Wow."

Zoro, LUF, and Sanji laid in a row, their arms folded on their stomachs, their shoulders touching. They stared up at the stars, watching the projection twinkle. Suddenly, to the right, a star exploded, shooting across the sky. LUF nearly screamed, "Shooting star! Shooting star!"

They laid there for a long time; much longer than they'd intended. There was something so real about the projection. There was something so calming about staring up at the limitless stars. Finally Sanji spoke, "I read somewhere that there are more stars in the sky than grains of sand on every beach on Earth."

"I read in a book once that there's a disease that you think people you know and love have been replaced with imposters," LUF explained, "Capgras or Cappas or something…"

"I see how that relates to what I was saying," Sanji said, shaking his head.

Zoro laughed, "Maybe Luffy's a little Capgras…"

"Would explain the T.V.," Sanji agreed.

"I'm sorry…"

"Hey, don't be sorry," Zoro asserted, "Don't be sorry."

"Teach is going to kill me later," LUF groaned.

"We promised them a new television," Sanji said, "They could either get a new television or hang out with us. Surprisingly they both picked the television…"

"So it's our parting gift to them," Zoro finished.

"Parting gift?" LUF repeated the phrase unsurely. "Is that what this is?"

"No," Sanji shook his head. "This is us, hanging out, doing things…"

"You can pick," Zoro explained, "What would you like? If it's in our power, we'll get it for you."

"Anything?" LUF mused, rocking from side to side.

"Within our power," Sanji clarified, "Yes."

"Hmmm…" LUF drawled, tapping his cheek in thought. "I have an idea, but I feel kinda stupid."

"Dude, no one feels as stupid as me when I dance…" Zoro argued. "Trust me. You're fine."

"Okay," LUF breathed, building himself up, "Come here. Come close."

"Okay…" they said, scooting closer.

"I still feel stupid," LUF admitted.

"Don't…" Sanji swore, "Go ahead. It'll be fine."

"Okay…" LUF squeaked, screwing up his courage.

He kissed Zoro first. It wasn't nearly as fast or sloppy as one would imagine. He kissed Zoro deeply, sucking his bottom lip into his mouth. And then he backed up, his face burning scarlet. And he turned and kissed Sanji. It all happened so fast that LUF was already smiling up at the stars before Zoro and Sanji could react.

"What was that?!" Zoro demanded, his face and ears pink.

"My parting gift," LUF murmured, rubbing his full belly. "Thanks, guys."

"Damn it!" Sanji hissed, "You can't just go around kissing people without warning."

"Anddddd…. Check," LUF snickered, making a checkmark in the air, "First kiss and first kiss with tongue."

"You got tongue?!" Zoro barked, sitting up.

LUF closed his eyes. His smile twisted until he was chewing on his lip. He looked anxious. And his eyes rolled beneath the closed lids, "Really, guys, this was… the best."

Zoro cleared his throat, rubbing his face, "We have one more surprise for you."

LUF sat up excitedly, "Really?"

"Yeah," Sanji said, climbing to his feet.

They buzzed open the gym door and parked directly outside was a golf cart. LUF looked from the golf cart to Zoro and Sanji in confusion, "I don't understand."

"Well, we can't drive far… or too fast… but today's your first driving lesson," Sanji explained, hopping on the back seat.

"Whaaaaat?!" LUF freaked out, bouncing into the driver's seat.

"Okay, now go slow. First thing you'll want to do is-" Zoro's words died in his throat as LUF floored it. They shot down the hall like they were out of a cannon. They were only seconds from their fourth impending collision when Sani finally managed to pull out the keys.

"You dumbfuck!" Sanji snapped, smacking his fist over Zoro's head, "We could die, you know?!"

"It was a bad idea…" Zoro realized, shaking his head. "Holy shit."

"Wow!" LUF exclaimed. "That was so fun. When can I do it again?"

"Never!" the both groaned.

"Awww," LUF whined.

"Come on," Sanji instructed, gesturing for LUF to follow, "It's time for bed."

"But I'm not even tired…" LUF complained.

Zoro laughed, "Fuck, Luffy, we've been up for 20 hours now…"

"It's a good week this week," LUF murmured, "You can sleep. We'll be good."

"I'm sure you will…" Zoro muttered, unimpressed.

LUF snickered, "Honest."

"It's a sad world where I have bigger problems than you," Zoro teased, "You're trouble."

"Just in a tiny, more manageable package," Sanji agreed, nodding his head.

"Do you think they'll ever give it to us?" LUF wondered, walking beside his keepers.

"What?" Sanji asked, lighting a cigarette.

"The Memoriae."

Zoro shrugged, "Have you ever let them know you wanted one?"

"I don't want one," LUF said, smiling, "Not anymore."

"Not after French kissing Sanji, huh?" Zoro teased.

Sanji slapped Zoro hard on the back, leaving stinging red marks where his fingers hit.

"I liked kissing you both," LUF answered, making them both blush, "But something special happened when I kissed you, Zoro."

Zoro could've died. But he didn't. He kept walking, his lips held tight and his eyes on his own shoes. Sanji laughed hysterically, "Is that so?"

"Yeah," LUF nodded, "It felt all warm and tingly in my stomach."

Neither of them laughed. Zoro and Sanji exchanged a quick look. Zoro struggled with the words he wanted to come out of his mouth. He couldn't say anything. They were already at the cell when Zoro could finally manage a quiet, "Goodnight, Luffy."

"Goodnight, Zoro," LUF returned, stepping through the open door. "Goodnight, Sanji."

"'Night," Sanji said, smiling tightly. "See you in a couple hours."

"I want you both to know," LUF called out, catching them before they were too far to hear, "You've made me very happy. And I'll always remember it."