A.N. I don't know how it is for you but the name of this piece reminds me those weird-ass, completely useless articles in magazines. I kind of wanted that, so whatever, you will understand that it kind of suits this once you read it. ;}

Warnings: AU, yaoi – man x man, LawLu, Luffy being silly, mentions (I'm such a freaking tease, ain't I?) of sexual activities.

How to Fall in Love?

Luffy twisted the pen between his fingers, forehead scrunched deep in thought as he stared at an empty sheet of lined paper. Ace was at the other side of the table, looking through the kitchen counters and taking food for snacks. After good five minutes of silence, the older brother couldn't hold and asked what was wrong. "You're unusually quiet today, what's the matter? What crime did that sheet of paper did to you?"

The younger Monkey looked up and blinked several times until his eyes focused on his freckled brother. He sighed, the frown disappearing from his young face, and pouted. "I was wondering… how do people fall in love?"

Ace raised an eyebrow not quite understanding the question. "Care to elaborate further?"

Luffy shrugged as he once again looked down at the paper. "I don't know… But it seems like everyone around me are falling in love! Or at least dating, so I thought maybe I'm doing something wrongly? I thought I should write steps of how person falls in love, but understood that I had no idea…" His big, innocent, brown eyes looked up at equally brown eyes of Ace. "Could you help me?"

He truly couldn't help it, freckled man laughed making younger male scrunch his nose and pout more. "I'm sorry Lu." Ace said after his laughing fit. "It just sounds quite ridiculous." Older male sat behind the table in front of his brother. "You see, love is such a lose concept that you can't simply have steps leading you to it. Although I can tell you how and why most people start dating if you liked?"

Luffy nodded his head vigorously, taking a stronger grip of his pen and putting it down on the paper. "Yes, please!"

"Well, it mostly starts with finding an attractive person. A person whose looks you like. Not in a way that you know they're handsome or pretty, but only an eye pleasant way. It has to be a person whose appearance you find intriguing, handsome, attractive, a person who you wouldn't mind touching more."

The sound of scribing pen filled the air as Ace watched his brother write it all down. "Next comes personality. There're many opinions in this department. Some say that opposites attract, some say that it's the similarities, common interests or time spent together. But the truths is that you have to enjoy that person, no matter if it's because you're arguing, talking about your favorite game, or simply hanging out – you have to enjoy it."

Older brother scratched his chin thinking of something else he should add. "Then I believe comes the hard part. By this point you have at least a crush in that person, and you have to ask the person out. A lot of people get nervous, scared and so on, because they don't know if the person has any interest in them and it can really hurt you if you're rejected.

But once a relationship is established it doesn't mean it is the end and you're in love, it still requires work. You have to spend a lot of time together for a working relationship, you have to test the waters – see what the other one hates and loves, habits, what living space that person lives in. If your partner annoys you with time and you understand that it isn't as enjoyable as before you started dating then you have to end the relationship, because it's not a working one.

Let's not forget the sex. Dating without sex is friendship, so the spark you have for that person, the attraction, it has to grow and become steady, if it dies down then it means it was only temporary interest and there won't be any love." Ace stopped talking staring into the space thinking of what else he should mention.

"The relationship should work both ways, meaning that it doesn't only depend on you and how you feel, you have to be sensible of the feeling the person you're dating has, if they're still interested in you, if the spark is still there. And if it isn't you have to let go, because dating is both gaining and giving - time, interest, news. You have to pull them into your life, they have to be able to fit in it somehow, because if you can only meet once a month it won't work out. It's also wrong if you're the only one putting effort in it all, in that case it would suggest that the other person doesn't want the relationship you have to continue…"

Ace stood up taking his empty package of cookies with himself – he somehow ate it all while talking. "I think that's the main things for a working relationship and in the end of all what I have listed it all works out you should be feeling love, and if you're no, well, you're in a wrong relationship."

Luffy nodded his head seriously, glancing at the sheet of paper and grinning, he now knew what to do and general idea of how to fall in love.

Step 1: Find a person you feel attracted to

Of all people Luffy knew there were more than one he found good looking and being a generally touchy person it was hard for Luffy to pick out exactly who he enjoyed touching the most, whose looks he enjoyed more than anyone else's.

While doing his observations led him to conclusion he was gay as girls held zero attractiveness in them and didn't seem appealing not to talk about most of them were annoying. Next step was observing his guy acquaintances. And he found someone whose looks he found so intriguing, so fascinating that he just couldn't control his hands and would become especially touchy-touchy with them.

And no doubt, no one could deny that Trafalgar Law wasn't interesting in any way. Tall, short scruffy black hair, light, grey eyes, sharp cheekbones, somewhat evil gaze created by his arched eyebrows and that small finalizing goatee. His shoulders weren't very broad, but he definitely had a strong frame and was muscled. And of course – the tattoos. Luffy loved them extending from his palms to his chest and back, every one of them had a meaning, Luffy knew, Law was very serious in such aspects as that, he wouldn't have done them without a reason.

So summarizing Luffy wanted to know more about Law, he definitely didn't mind touching Law more and even found himself imaging exactly how Law could touch him, after noticing his attraction…

Step 2: Time spent together must be enjoyed

Step two wasn't hard. Luffy was generally a very bright person in lots of different aspects, so he always managed to enjoy time he spent with his friends. And once he singled out Law as his possible love interest he tried spending time only with Law.

Yes, it was hard to get left alone with just the two of them – there always seemed to be someone who wanted to hang out with Luffy – and yes, Law was kind of closed off person, but it was really great. Once Luffy proved himself as loyal, caring and open minded towards some of Law's weird quirks they hit off really well.

Trafalgar was sarcastic and secretly loved action movies, he worked out in gym, but secretly was gaming nerd. He was picky about food, so what he didn't like he gave to Luffy – which the latter, was more than fine with. It was a win-win situation and the nineteen year old found himself enjoying it a lot more than he would while commonly hanging out with a friend.

Time spent together increased and even Luffy's friends noticed something up with that, but Luffy chose to ignore that and simply hang out with Law. If the older male noticed anything he didn't say anything and even if he mumbled and cursed he still never complained about how much of his free time Luffy stole.

Step 3: Ask your interest out

Surprisingly for Luffy himself, he felt nervous about taking the next step. He certainly didn't expect nervousness to happen, but remembering Ace's words he took it as good sign.

But despite all nervousness he had to do it, he wanted to do it, he wanted to see how dating a person you like it feels, how getting intimate with someone feels. And that 'someone' turned out to be Trafalgar Law. And maybe that was the biggest problem, even though Luffy was quite close to him, he had no idea how Law would react.

Would it be awkward? Would Law be disturbed? Or disgusted? Will his confession ruin their friendship? Will Law give it a chance? Even in his head it sounded like one of those dumb-romance TV shows' endings.

Nevertheless Luffy wanted to give it a try, wanted to try having a relationship…

Of course, having made his decision wasn't the only thing he did. The young man had yet to muster the suddenly gone courage to do the confessing and decided on a proper place it would be done at… He was becoming such a girl! He wasn't going to confess, he was going to ask Law out, and he will do it casually… or well, as casually as his gut will let him…

Luffy was hanging out in Law's kitchen as the latter was making them a snack, the smaller teen was thinking of any way he could start a conversation that would lead to him asking Law out. He was failing, badly. The silence was getting too long and Law raised an eyebrow as he looked at his younger friend who was sitting by the kitchen table, head fallen back as he stared at the ceiling. "What's on your mind?" Luffy turned his eyes at Law. "You're being awfully quiet today."

Luffy shrugged. "I don't know, I was just thinking how almost everybody I know is dating someone. Have you ever dated?"

Tattooed male raised an eyebrow, but continued cutting cucumber for the sandwiches he was making. "Yea, I had couple relationships, one in high school and one in university when I was first year, but we didn't really hit off well, so we broke up quite quickly."

Smaller man pushed his feet from one of table's legs making his chair swing, while he continued gazing up. "You know, I never dated anyone."

"Didn't you?"

He shook his head. "Noup."

Law took the plate filled with sandwiches and put it on the table sitting in front of Luffy. "And you would like to?"

Luffy sat up straight grabbing a sandwich and took a bite before answering. "Yea I would." He gulped his down his sandwich and grinned while looking straight into Trafalgar's eyes. "Would you like to go out with me?"

To tell the truth, Luffy internally was panicking – how did he managed to be so casual about it?! How did he managed to be so confident about it? How will Law react?! Law for the matter was still trying to wrap his mind about what his friend had just said. Luffy, Luffy of all people had just asked him out! Sure, he was cute, even Luffy grudgingly admitted that, but he knew what kind of person Luffy was - and that was not the dating type – so he never even considered that… but now…

"You do know what couple who are dating do, right?"

The male in front of him rolled his eyes. "Of course I do. Simply put it is friendship with sex."

Law had to admit – it was put very simply. "And you're willing to do that? Kissing, groping, having sex?"

Luffy's cheeks reddened and that was a reaction Law was anticipating for a reaction which was more Luffy-like and not that self-confident teen he didn't see often. "I – I…" Luffy stuttered the confidence seemingly gone all together. "I like you like that you know, it's not an issue."

Trafalgar raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Do you now?" He stood up and walked around the table by Luffy's side the smaller man was looking up at him with confusion and slight fear in his eyes. Law hummed and leaned down, putting a hand behind Luffy's neck and pulling him up for a kiss. He turned his head slightly not to bump heads and let his lips do the work.

It seemed like Luffy had become a pile of goo under him, because his mouth opened freely letting Law bring the kiss to the next step. After few moments when he was already breathless tattooed male released Luffy from his grasp letting the smaller male melt into the chair, eyes wide, mouth still slightly open, finger touching his lips, staring into nothing.

Older man let a smug smirk rest on his face as he went back to his seat and took a bit of his sandwich. After a few moments Luffy's eyes came back to life and he turned them at the person at the other side of the table. "If it will be like this every time, I'm ready to do almost anything for you to repeat that."

Law laughed. "Don't worry, the feeling is a two way street, and everything will only get better, believe me."

Luffy hummed as he continued look at the taller male while eating his sandwich. This dating thing turned out to be much more enjoyable than he thought.

Step 4: See if the two of you fit each other

Dating Law was interesting to say at least. Not much changed except that now when they watched movies Law would at least have his hand over Luffy's shoulder, or sometimes even in his lap. More often than not they had to re-watch the movie more than once because they would get 'distracted' a.k.a. making out.

Instead of sleeping on the couch when he stayed now Luffy always found himself being coaxed into Law's bed even if he was still unsure about taking the last step, he was a virgin after all. Law was surprisingly very nice about that and even though their makes out became more and more heated he never tried anything more.

Their sudden increase in closeness didn't go unnoticed by their friends and there were more than one raised eyebrow when their theories were confirmed. Ace was the most emotional about it as he banged his head into the wall. He should have known this would be the result of their talk over three months ago, after all, Luffy was very serious about things that most people would think of silly.

Personally, Luffy thought that step four was silly, but it was a step towards a successful relationship and thus - needed. He was little worried that they didn't have the usual lover quarrels or anything similar, if there was a problem Luffy would share it with Law and the two of them would look for solution, relationships were meant for sharing everything with your other half, weren't they?

Their friends dubbed them 'paradise couple' because of how easily they seemed to solve all their problems. Spent half of his free time in Law's apartment? Law made some space in his wardrobe and Luffy moved in. Needed to share house hold chores? Law cooked – Luffy bought groceries, Law cleaned the dust – Luffy did the laundry. Law didn't like Luffy eating on the sofa? Luffy only ate at the table and then went on the sofa. They wanted to hang out separately from each other? Luffy would go out with his friends and Law would invite his over. Wanted to go out somewhere as a couple? Movies and food were always available. Want some quality time together inside? There's this new game that came out.

And they never seemed to get down from their 'honeymoon' period. Luffy always was touchy searching for Law's body comfort whenever the latter was near. They didn't do much in public because even if gay relationship weren't frowned upon, showing affection in public was banned, that didn't mean that once inside nothing happened either…

Step 5: Make sure you're not the only one in love

Luffy was laying on his stomach, his left foot thrown on Law while his left hand rested on the well-toned stomach, meanwhile Law had his left arm in Luffy's hair and was gently massaging his boyfriend's scalp. Their room was drowning in nightfall light while the two of them were enjoying post-sex bliss. Luffy's fingers were slowly caressing Law's sweat slick body while he hummed in thought. "Neee, Traffy?"

The taller male lazily opened one of his eyes and glanced down at the body bellow. "Hmm?"

Luffy looked up and meat Law's one eyed gaze. "Do you love me?"

Law grinned lazily. Ever since he and Luffy started dating he understood that his younger partner always managed to ask unexpected questions at random moments. "'f course I do, wouldn't put up with you otherwise, would I?

Smaller male pouted. "I'm not that bad."

"Sure you aren't, that's because I love you."

Luffy pinched Law's stomach. "I love you too."

Trafalgar laughed a little. "You're such a sap."

"Pffft, like you aren't."

Law chuckled. "It seems we both are."

Smaller male, just turned his head and snuggled at his boyfriend's side as an answer.

A.N. Just for the record – I have started People Who Stared at Walls update! It's more than half way through, but I really wanted to finish this first… Sorry? I will finish it by next weekend that is for sure…

Hope you enjoyed! :}