Title: Panacea
Author: AoiTsukikage
Rating: NC-17 overall
Characters/Pairing:Law/Sanji
Chapter: 9/?
Word Count: 3094
Summary: There's something in his demeanor, the way he hides his true feelings whenever they start to unconsciously slip out, that speaks volumes. And Sanji would hardly consider himself somebody that wants to fixpeople but, well, he likes a challenge, and Law presents a rather giant one.
Spoilers:For recent-ish chapters, but this is set before Dressrosa.

Chapter Nine

"Sanji-kun? Are you in here?"

"Yeah, come in!" he calls, putting a pie into the oven and closing the door with a sigh.

"Why are you back on the ship?" Nami pokes her head in and Sanji shrugs, wiping his brow because even the minimal moving around that getting a pie ready to bake required had tired him out.

"I was restless. I always think better when I'm baking," he replies. "Can I get you something to drink, my dear?"

"Whatever we've got in the fridge is fine," she promises with a wave of her hand, and he shifts over to open it, pouring out a glass of freshly-squeezed juice he'd prepared earlier. "Is this from the market?"

"Yeah. They've got a pretty good selection, even though I really only looked at the produce stands this morning," he leans back against the counter, getting a glass for himself as well. "What brings you back here?"

"Being nosy," she taps her chin with a smile. "You and Law disappeared pretty fast last night after I interrupted you."

Sanji doesn't answer that one, preferring to check on the pie although it doesn't need it yet, and she laughs and shakes her head. "I don't need details, but you look like you need to talk to somebody."

"I'm processing," he decides, knowing that it's safe to tell her but still feeling weird that he's contemplating it. Nami's always been untouchable to him, somebody to fawn over and worship but never get too close, partly because she scares him and partly because he knows she's extremely adept at making people do what she wants them to without them knowing that's what's going on.

He loves her, but she's conniving when she wants to be.

"Processing what?" she presses, and he shrugs.

"Last night, we kind of…fuck, I don't even know what we admitted to. That we like each other? Maybe? But I mean, you don't offer to…" he clamps his mouth shut because that is going too far, but she's smirking like the cat that's got the cream and he knows he's not getting out of it.

"Offer to what, Sanji-kun?" she trills, drawing out his name, and he shrugs, curling his hand into a fist and moving it in front of his mouth in a way that he hopes conveys what he's trying to say. "No," she blushes eyes narrowing. "Seriously?"

"Yeah."

"You said yes, right?" she leans forward and he shrugs, bending his head forward so that his hair can hide how red he's getting. "You know how lucky you are, I hope?"

"I've guessed," he admits, because he's pretty sure Law wouldn't volunteer to do…that…to just anybody.

"So what do you need to process?" she looks perplexed.

"Well," he leans against the counter, wiping his hands off on a cloth that's tied through his beltloops and hoping he doesn't get flour everywhere. "It's just…last night he kind of…it's like he wanted me to tell him that this means more to me than just physical, but at the same time he keeps going on about how he doesn't deserve to be loved or some bullshit and it's kinda exhausting," he admits. He doesn't blame Law, because the other man's life from the little he knows of it is extremely fucked up, but still.

"So you do love him?" Nami looks surprised and Sanji tamps down the urge to reply with something sappy about loving Nami more and answers honestly.

"In a way, yeah. I mean, this isn't some fairytale romance and neither of us want it to be, but I really don't know what he'll say if I admit to anything," he glances out the window, realizing how cowardly that all sounds.

"I don't blame you, in that case," she declares. "But if you want my opinion, for as good as you are for him...he's just as good for you."

"Nami-san…"

"I'm serious," she leans forward. "Have we ever had a conversation this long when we're not in a life-or-death situation? You're a lovely guy, Sanji-kun, and you're smart, but talking to you seriously was almost impossible before."

He opens his mouth to say something, clamping it shut when he realizes that she's right and it's…well, when he's not looking at Nami as somebody to fawn over and worship, she's kind of nice to talk to. "Yeah, you're probably right."

"So stop being scared and just go for it," she urges. "And I really came by to tell you that this island is apparently a big tourist spot because of its warm climate, so there's a pool at the hotel and we're going there this afternoon, so if you and Law wanted to join us…" she trails off.

"I doubt I'll be doing much swimming," Sanji chuckles, "but you really want me there to babysit Luffy, right?"

"Somebody has to," she mutters. "So finish up your pie and meet us there, okay?"

"Yeah. Sounds good," he smiles at her, not feeling any need to resort to his normal theatrics, and he's not sure if that's completely due to Law but, well, he's probably a factor.

And, since nobody else has ever gotten him to do that…it's probably saying a lot.

000

"I've never looked at them properly before, but those are really cool."

"Hmm?" Law lifts up his sunglasses, lounging idly on a deckchair by the pool. "Oh."

"Usopp, don't bug him," Sanji doesn't know what the sniper is going on about but Law's still recovering, or at least he's more sluggish than normal and Sanji hopes it's just from the effort he'd exerted trying to save him.

"It's not too much of a bother," Law assures him. "I'm more or less used to people staring."

"I consider myself a bit of an artist, you know," Usopp sniffs and Sanji snorts in response. "It's true! And all your tattoos are so…stylized and symmetrical," he notes, Law shrugging.

"I like order and balance when I can control it," he responds, sounding half-asleep. "So yes, where my ink is concerned, both sides of my body are the same."

"They mean something, yeah?" Usopp's pressing now and Law levels a glare at him that falls just short of being truly irritated. "Sorry!" Usopp squeaks and Law shrugs.

"It's no trouble. And yes, they do, but I'd rather not get into it," his tone implies that Usopp would be smart to leave it alone, and thankfully the younger man gets it.

"Torao! Come into the pool-"

"No thank you, Straw-hat, I'm rather fine where I am," Law mumbles and Sanji opens his eyes to see Luffy flinging himself toward them, raising his leg and catching the boy in mid-air before sending him bouncing along the pool deck. "I could have handled that."

"Yeah, well, you don't always have to save me," Sanji doesn't mean it to come out sounding as bitter as it does, because he's not bitter that Law had saved his life, but Law's so damn self-sufficient that it's a chore to get him to accept any sort of help on a regular basis.

"I know," Law promises, reaching his hand out, and Sanji takes it without even thinking about it, a little amazed at how natural things like that felt now. Law's looking at him over the top of his sunglasses and smirking a little and Sanji rolls his eyes and contemplates dropping his hand for that.

He doesn't, of course.

But he could have.

000

"Sanji-san?"

"Brook, hey," Sanji opens the door to let the skeleton in, Brook carrying a tray with a teapot and two cups on it. "Is this because you're the only one that hasn't talked to me about…" he shrugs and Brook tilts his head to the side.

"No, of course not. But I do wish to speak to you about that," he holds the tray out and Sanji doesn't even feel that annoyed about it.

"So this is a peace offering?"

"You're the only other person on the crew who appreciates a good cup of tea," Brook shrugs, pouring it out and passing a cup to Sanji, who nods in thanks because, well, he can't really refute that.

"So what do you have to tell me that the others haven't gotten to yet?" he sips at the tea, pleased that it's hot and steeped to his liking.

"Nothing of import," Brook assures him, folding his lanky form to sit on the bed. "I don't wish to preach at you, but I do hope you realize how lucky you are."

"Hmm?" Sanji looks up.

"That you are young, and you have somebody to be close to," Brook explains. "I could hardly complain about my current state, but there are times I miss having flesh and blood," he chuckles a little and yeah, Sanji's not going to think about that. "It does get lonely, being bones, and I'm thankful that I can still feel love…though I do not have a heart!" he of course has to add in, and Sanji sighs.

"I know," Sanji promises, because Brook's just trying to help, they all are, and getting annoyed won't do anything useful because in the end he's really just annoyed with himself. 'I think we're…getting that. Or trying, or something," he says.

"I saw you this afternoon," if it's possible for a skeleton to look sly Brook certainly does, and Sanji blushes although really, they were just holding hands. "It does these old bones good to see young love."

Sanji's too tired to bother correcting him, just nodding and going back to his tea. The more everybody tries to tell him it's love the more he's reluctant to believe it, or maybe he's just being stubborn about it, but either way it's not helping much.

"We're never gonna be a love story, unless it's a fucking tragedy," he finally says, and Brook raises his head in surprise.

"That's surprisingly bitter."

"I'm not deluding myself," Sanji feels like he's hashed and re-hashed this so much that he can't go over it again. "No matter what happens in the future, us being together is the one thing I'm sure isn't going to happen."

"Yo-ho," Brook laughs suddenly. "You should know by now, Sanji-san, that life is entirely unpredictable and the impossible sometimes possible," he says firmly and Sanji shrugs.

"Yeah, well, in this case, that's one of those things I'm gonna need to see to believe," he stares into his teacup and Brook stands up, laying a bony hand on his shoulder before making his way out of the room, and Sanji curls up in the chair he's occupying and wonders when he'll be able to stop lying to himself.

000

"Can I join you?"

"I was hoping you would," Law's relaxing in the rather spacious bathtub their washroom is equipped with, head against the back and eyes half-shut, and Sanji strips off his clothes, staring down at the bandages until Law clears his throat.

"Don't worry about it. I'll change them once you get out," he promises, Sanji nodding and stepping in, moving so that his back is pressed against Law's chest, and the other man loops an arm around him and pulls him back farther, spreading his legs so Sanji can comfortably settle between them.

"Can I ask you something?"

"As always, I can't promise to answer…"

"Not about you," Sanji assures him. "Just…if that…sword went right through me, why does my back barely hurt?"

"Ah," Law rests his hand over Sanji's stomach, the heat of his palm able to be felt even through the layer of bandages. "Well, Mr. Tony and I had decided that it might do more damage to try and pull the sword back out instead of just feeding it through. So I used my ability to cut it off at the hilt," he explains, and he doesn't really have to say more. "Plus when I was…working on you, I did it from the front, so all we had to do to your back was stitch it up."

And okay, that makes sense, and truth be told his stomach doesn't hurt that much anymore, either. He's still afraid to move too much, but it's infinitely better than if he'd have had to do this without any extra help from Law.

"Would I have died without your…?" he's not sure he wants to know, but Law tenses a little and kisses the side of his neck.

"Probably not. Your doctor is extremely competent and I'm quite sure he could have handled everything, but as I said, your recovery time would have been rather lengthy," he tilts his head so that his forehead is pressed against Sanji's shoulder, both hands spread over his chest, and it's such a protective hold that Sanji wonders if he's telling the truth.

"Well, it's good that you were here, then," he reaches so he can turn Law's face toward him, pressing their lips together softly. "This is gonna sound horrible and selfish, but I'm…no matter how bad your past is, I'm glad that it…that you ended up here. Not just because you saved my life, but…" he's not sure if he's expressing himself properly but Law makes a pained noise in his throat and Sanji looks up at him, concerned that he's stepped over a line somewhere.

"I can't say the same," Law admits, and there's something…broken in his voice that makes Sanji feel like he's just been stabbed in the gut again. "But I…despite the fact that I wish the circumstances that brought me here had been different, I'll never regret this," he holds Sanji a little tighter and Sanji turns so he's sitting sideways, wrapping his arms around Law's neck and hugging him back. "You…all of you…have done more for me than you might ever realize, and I'm not good at gratitude, but I want you to know that it's true."

There's something heavy in the air between them, something that Sanji feels could push them too far one way or the other, but Law's damn near baring his soul and no matter how much he wants to protect his own heart, he's not gonna pretend he's not affected. But he's shit at comforting, so he just kisses Law again, hoping that he can convey everything through that. It might be a cowardly move, but it's better than saying something wrong and fucking this all up.

Law lets out a slow breath through his nose that sounds like relief, cupping Sanji's cheek and kissing him back. Sanji's not even going to pretend this is anything other than what it is right now, because there's nothing sexual about the kiss at all. It's just…affection, and appreciation, and it's comfortable. "Water's getting cold," Law mumbles against his lips, and Sanji nods. "Come on, let's get your bandages changed."

"Yeah," Sanji uncurls himself and stands up, a little shaky as he steps out of the tub and grabs a towel to wrap around his waist. Law follows him, drying himself off quickly before tugging his jeans back on and heading into the room only to return with a roll of bandages.

"Here, we probably don't have to wrap you all up again, but I want to make sure there's no infection around the wounds," he directs Sanji to sit on the toilet, reaching to unwrap the bandages, and Sanji hasn't really taken a good look at his injury although when he looks down there really isn't much to see other than a thin, pinkish, stitched-up line. "Well, I think it looks as good as can be expected. I want to leave the stitches in for a couple more days, though, just to be sure," he touches Sanji's shoulder gently, getting him to turn so he can look at his back and then nodding, seemingly satisfied. "I think we can forego the bandages altogether if you promise not to over-exert yourself," he decides after a moment and Sanji breathes a sigh of relief, because they'd been tight enough that it was uncomfortable and he felt a lot freer without having them wrapped around his torso.

"I'll be careful," he promises, and Law nods and leans down to kiss him.

"Good," he murmurs, stroking his fingers through Sanji's hair. "Do you want to head down to the bar? I'm quite sure the others will still be there, given the hour," he notes, and Sanji realizes that yeah, he's a little hungry and it's still early enough for supper.

"Yeah, why not?" he knows Law's being very gracious to offer when Sanji can tell that Law still really doesn't like socializing more than he has to, but they don't need to stay long. He gets dressed, careful not to press against the stitches, and they head across the street, spotting the rest of the crew almost immediately (and even if they hadn't, the noise would have tipped them off).

"Sanji! Nami said you made pie! Where is it?!" is Luffy's greeting and Sanji frowns, sliding in beside his captain and reaching to flick his forehead.

"I froze it so that when you ask for pie in the middle of the ocean I don't need to worry about you bugging me while I'm making it," he says firmly, Luffy pouting at that. "You'll thank me later."

"But I want pie now," Luffy whines and Sanji hooks an arm around Law's neck without really thinking about it, turning his face against Law's shoulder and mumbling about what an annoyance Luffy is into the soft fabric of his sweatshirt.

Law chuckles softly and pats him on the back, not bothering to try and move away, and Sanji hears somebody clear their throat and Robin murmur, "well, now," before he realizes what he'd just done.

"Crap," he mumbles and sits up, straightening his collar and shifting a little away from Law, but despite the fact that everybody's staring at them nobody looks put off at all and he's thankful for that.

"So," Robin looks around. "Shall we order some food?"

"Food!" Luffy and Chopper shout together, both of them and then Usopp starting to argue about what they should get until Nami intervenes, and Sanji feels Law's arm reach over his shoulders and turns to smile at him.

"I wasn't lying about appreciating what all of you have done for me," the doctor notes, "but that doesn't make them any less aggravating."

"Yeah, tell me about it," Sanji snickers and leans into Law's body, no longer caring if anybody notices.

And for probably the first time, he's almost positive that Law doesn't care, either.

Notes:

1. I don't really have much to say this time around other than, as always, to thank all of you who are reading and commenting! This chapter turned out probably a little too sappy, but that's just sort of the progression it took.

2. I don't think I've mentioned my tumblr before but I have a One Piece-only tumblr that's at kikokus (dot tumblr dot com) where I mostly make gifsets and flail about things, but if you want to check it out, feel free!