A/N: I'm sorry for the long update. Usually I'm pretty consistent but between moving to a new home and keeping up with schoolwork, it's just been rather difficult to sit down and write. But here it is, Chapter 7 with LEMON put in capitals. In consideration to those uncomfortable with this type of material despite my disclaimer in the first chapter stating the elements of this story, I place some line breakers to separate the naughty material. So if you see the first line, feel free to skip down till you see the second one. That simple :) Again I apologize for the delay and hope you enjoy.
The pillowcase clung to the wound on the cheek that rested there, white fabric transitioning from brilliant red to a dirty brown as the blood clotted and dried. Ember lay curled on her bed, scolding herself for not considering the possibility of Law going for the exposed skin on her face, which was less durable than the black scales that protected her everywhere else. If she is to ever outsmart this sick surgeon, she is going to have to start planning ahead rather than in the heat of the moment if she wanted to get remotely close to catching Law off guard. Even with that slim chance at her disposal, the true challenge lies in anticipating his unpredictable actions, example being the strange kiss he initiated after slashing her face.
Law was too strategic to act on impulse alone, always calculating the benefits before making a pursuit, which leaves the question as to what he could possibly gain from the kiss? It made no sense to the Zoan user, who began to ponder what her true purpose on this ship was since her captor was demonstrating mixed signals.
The doorknob turned from across the room and Ember didn't need to look over her shoulder to know it was Law entering, his presence accompanied by heavy tension which filled the room immediately. She remained facing the wall, ears listening carefully to the footsteps that approached until she felt the edge of the bed sink under his weight. Ember was caught between satisfying the urge to turn over so her enemy was where she would see him and remain as she is, unable to bear the sight of Law after the strange kiss that has left her in a state of confusion she hasn't recovered from yet.
Law remained silent, causing Ember to curl herself slightly tighter as if bracing herself for something horrible. She flinched slightly when a warm hand touched her shoulder, sliding down her scaly armor to sample its unique texture before gentle pulling her to face him, which she decided to follow.
Ember wondered just how bad the wound was when she felt the light tug of her cheek as it was peeled off the stained pillow. Her question was answered when she saw some tools laid out on the night table, eyeing one in particular that had some type of stringy wire attached to a crescent shaped fish hook of sorts. Although foreign to her, it didn't take much effort to figure out he was going to give her stitches.
"Are you really going to do that right here right now?" Ember said in disbelief. She watched as Law twisted the cap off of a small jar.
"Would you prefer my operating theater or the comfortable setting of your room? It can easily be arranged."
Embers eyes narrowed, muttering something unpleasant under her breath as Law proceeded to smooth over some type of salve around her cheek, making the skin tingle.
"I don't normally waste numbing agents on petty procedures such as this but considering the thickness of your skin, this will aid in relieving the discomfort that is sure to come."
While waiting for the salve to reach its full numbing potential, Ember watched Law with great curiosity as he began prepping his tools with the slight frown that seems to appear during his moments of concentration. Law wasn't a man who experienced everyday emotions the way average people did but for the first time, Ember was able to detect the faint glint of passion in his eyes. It wasn't a sick, twisted thrill, which was what she was expecting, but a strong sense devotion, dedication to his side profession as surgeon, which had Ember smiling softly in admiration.
Law noticed this, making him feel slightly uncomfortable. Although he has done it countless times to other subjects, Law wasn't too keen on being the one under scrutiny.
"Would you like to share with me as to what you find so amusing?" Law asked as he pulled on some latex gloves, allowing the ends to snap obnoxiously loud against his wrists as he did so.
"If you must know, I was expecting for you to look more psychotic when performing a procedure." Not attractive.
Law chuckled. "Although I would hardly consider this a procedure, you seem to have a misconception for my true nature. Hold still." With the suturing needle held firmly between the jaws of Law's medical forceps, he began the difficult process of pushing it though Ember's tough skin.
She winced, sucking in a breath of air to hold in her lungs as Law struggled with each stitch as if sewing through several layers of thick leather. Law could have continued nonstop until the ordeal was over but he took frequent pauses between each stitch for Ember's sake, his way of sympathizing for her since this was his fault after all.
Law continued where he had left off in their conversation, hoping it would provide a distraction to the pain in her face. "I enjoy my profession for the knowledge, Miss Ember, not for the simple thrill of dismembering body parts which just happens to come with the job." Ember didn't respond or couldn't for that matter, considering she did not want to disturb Law's handiwork but he could tell she was listening so he continued. "My goal is to learn from you, not to hurt you but since I came up short to your expectations of a true psychotic doctor, I could gladly introduce you to a particular scientist to make up for it."
Law smiled lazily at the red eye that peeked at him from its corner, reassuring her that it was simply a joke because he would be damned if he allowed any other professional to take his unique subject away from him. Law had many plans for her, a majority in which had nothing to do with science.
A snip from scissors completed the process and Law proceeded to take his off his gloves, watching Ember as her fingertips grazed the knotted threads on her cheek.
"Thank you." She mumbled shyly, not exactly sure as to why she was thanking him for fixing something he was the cause of. The thought of him simply leaving her there to either bleed out or catch infection slipped through her mind, which had her become more appreciative of the gesture. Perhaps he wasn't as deranged as she had first assumed, just cold-hearted instead. Her conclusion wasn't valid for long when she was reminded of the rather warm kiss back in the operating room.
"Law?"
Law glanced at her, the softness in her voice making him rather uneasy. Ember was more predictable when angry but calm and soft-spoken made it harder for him to figure out what she could be planning, if anything at all.
"Why did you kiss me?"
Grey eyes flickered in the briefest moment of being caught off guard by her rather forward question but he deflected it with a witty remark. "Why? Did you enjoy it?"
Although she didn't appreciate his playful manner on a subject that she was serious about, she decided to give the doctor a taste of his own medicine by going along with him.
"What if I told you I did?" That was as close as Ember would ever get to admitting such a thing.
His playfulness evaporated as Law leaned toward Ember to maintain a rather intense gaze, face hardened into seriousness. "Then I would need to ask if you are absolutely certain you feel that way."
Ember raised an eyebrow. Since when does Law care enough to ask for someone's opinion? "Why?"
"For reassurance."
"Reassurance for what?"
"For when I do it again."
Without a moment to even digest his words, Ember felt the warms lips of Law upon hers once again, only this time she was much more welcoming than before.
Ember still wondered about the true motives of Law but decided not to make the same mistake as before where she let her thoughts get the best of her. His lips, his taste was so much more enjoyable when she wasn't worrying about what was going on in that complex head of his.
However, Law was having a difficult time hushing his own thoughts as they processed what was occurring this very second. He's been stepping out of his comfort zone recently by engaging in spur of the moment decisions but found himself to be enjoying the results and good results were all that really mattered to Law.
Tattooed fingers reached for her chin, tilting her head at angle where he could get a deeper sample of her flavor, tasting every bit of what her mouth had to offer. Although Ember has grown more compliant with Law over the course of her stay, her tongue still held the feistiness that had attracted Law to her in the first place, refusing to submit to his in their battle for dominance.
Law broke the kiss to study her face with an intensity that made Ember fidget from such scrutiny. Although his expression would never reveal a single detail to whatever thoughts were brewing inside his head, Ember knew that Law was conflicted about something. Was he possibly reconsidering his actions? She knew she shouldn't be bothered with what Law thought of her in the first place but couldn't help feeling slightly worried at the possibility of being something he regretted.
She decided to disrupt whatever thoughts he was having with a witty remark to lighten the situation, something she knew Law was never able to resist. "Is this a new method of studying your patients?"
The way Law's lips curled into that lazy smirk that was becoming more and more attractive had Ember feeling rather reassured that this was indeed something he wanted as well. "It proves to be a decent alternative to splitting you open."
"Decent?"
"Perhaps a more practical, detailed and informative approach then."
Law was cutting corners to avoid admitting his actual enjoyment for the situation the same way she had done but Ember wasn't about to allow him the privilege of keeping anything to himself. "Is that all I am to you? A pet science project?"
Law's face became slightly perplexed as if not understanding the punch line to some joke. "Is it not obvious?"
The offended reaction he received made Law replay the response in his head, discovering its second interpretation. He simply chuckled, moving his body to hover above hers so he could reach to plant soft kisses on her neck, enjoying the way the cool scales felt against his lips.
"What I meant was," Law kissed up to her ear, whispering in a warm breath as he spoke. "Has it not been obvious during your stay on my ship, especially in this moment right now, that I see you as something more than a just mere subject on my operating table?"
That was all Ember needed to hear to finally give in to the dark doctor, pulling him down on her to feel his body against her own. A soft laugh escaped the captain, amused by her sudden eagerness but also quite pleased with her affectionate response. It put his mind at such ease, knowing that these strange feelings he had, whatever they were, were mutual on his captives end and instead of diagnosing what possible case of human emotions he may be suffering from, he decided to let the wonderful infection spread. Perhaps something positive will come out of doing so.
Lips met once again, hungrier than before as they devoured whatever the other had to offer, hands roaming wild in the process. The scales that once held his fascination has now added to his irritation as Law rakes his nails down the armor, craving the bare flesh that hid underneath. As much as Law enjoyed this unique form of hers, he couldn't help but feel left out, like a dog scratching at the door, begging to be allowed inside.
As if picking up the silent plea that wouldn't dare escape his lips, the shiny scales retracted into her skin until they disappeared beneath the flesh without a trace, leaving her completely exposed and vulnerable to Law, who forgot how to breathe for several moments.
Ember's body was nothing new to Law; he had seen it before when giving her a bath after retrieving her from the filthy hands of Kid. However, this was completely different, as he did not have to force her drunken body out of her clothes. Ember had willingly made herself vulnerable to him, for him; A privilege in which he hadn't expect to earn anytime soon yet by some miracle she had deemed him worthy and Law couldn't help his sense of great accomplishment. He has finally tamed this beautiful creature.
Before he was allowed to ravish her naked form, Ember desperately clawed at the collar of his hoodie and Law did not object when she pulled it roughly over his head, tossing it in some unknown area. He quickly closed the space between them, body shuddering slightly as his body made full, uninterrupted contact with hers. No annoying scales or clothes, just flesh against flesh and Law loved it.
Law's mouth rushed for her neck, feeling the pulse pound against his lips as it arched slightly to feed his greed of wanting more of her skin. His breath became hot and ragged, refusing to stop for something insignificant like air when there was so much flesh to explore. Law heard the breathy mixture of soft pants and giggles from Ember as he kissed down to her collarbone, tickling her skin with warm lips.
A tongue lazily trailed downward, lapping over her full breasts briefly before descending further, his body maneuvering smoothly as he did so. Arms aligned themselves along sides of Ember's waist, supporting himself as his tongue danced alone the flat plain of her belly, creating designs that glistened from saliva. Law found the slight dip where her hipbone was and nuzzled into it, delivering a hot, open kiss that resulted in a shudder from the woman beneath him.
It was strange really, to see the dark doctor, who Ember assumed was incapable of warmth and passion, treat her body with exactly that. He didn't claw, bite, scratch or bruise the way Kid had in the past. He treated her body with great appreciation, as if ever so grateful for it's existence that he spent every second he could worshiping it.
Law wasn't exactly fond of how selfish Ember was being by keeping whatever wonderful sounds she could make to herself but that was all going to change. A hand reached to cup a breast, the alternations between squeezing and pinching drew out a soft moan and although it was an improvement, Law was still dissatisfied.
His body continued to slink downwards until his hands rested on her thighs, which were trembling in fear rather than anticipation. Law was a master of anatomy; the body's movements and responses could tell him more than words can ever say. So when he felt Ember tense stiffly when his breath made contact with the sensitive skin of her inner thighs, he knew right away that it was a defense mechanism to brace for impact…such as abuse.
Law's educated assumptions were rarely ever proven wrong, and he relished those moments, especially in the presence of a rival or enemy. But for Ember's case, he found himself wishing to be mistaken for once. Fingers carefully traced over the numerous scars that decorated the skin and when studied further, his blood began to boil. They were bite marks.
It made no sense. Ember's skin was extremely tough due to her Devil's Fruit, making it exceedingly difficult to create a mark. Who was ferocious enough to purposely try and leave a lasting impression?
Eustass Fucking Kid.
"Is this the work of Mister Eustass?" Law asked flatly although he already knew the answer. He didn't want her to know how truly agitated he was with this fact.
Red eyes filled with plead looked down at the doctor who currently rested between her thighs. "Yes and it took forever for the scars to fade so please don't have me repeat the same process."
Law was completely baffled. This poor creature, battered and mistreated by her previous and only owner, has never experienced the body's gift of physical pleasure when stimulated correctly of course, in which case Eustass has failed her miserably.
"I can assure that you will find this experience to be much different than the torture Mister Eustass must have put you through."
It would be a long while before the thought of Kid's cruelty to Ember in the bedroom would leave him but for now, the best he could do was push the idea into the furthest corners of his mind as now wasn't the best time to start feeling sympathetic. Law was going to make sure to leave his own lasting impression on Ember, one that didn't leave a physical mark. A scar can heal over time but a memory, especially a good one, is forever.
Without much warning, Law's tongue licked her folds heavily, hands already on her hips in preparation to hold her in place when they bucked from the overwhelming sensation. The surprise gasp that escaped Ember had him smiling against her heat, eager for more of the wonderful sounds she had to offer.
Law's tongue followed a particular pattern that he knew would elicit the most cries from his pet and the needy hand that reached to thread thin fingers into his raven hair confirmed his method to be very effective. The wet appendage would alternate between heavy strokes and circular motions, with the occasional dip right into her core, which Ember seemed to like best judging by the way she clutched at Law's scalp, pushing him deeper. With her breathing labored and fingers buried into his locks as if holding on for dear life, it was obvious that she was close, which was why Law had to stop.
He looked up at the panting Zoan user, who looked torn between expressing her agitation and remaining calm and unfazed. Law slowly crawled his way up towards her, loving the way those darkened rubies watched him with caution as he positioned his hips between hers, taking his sweet time in freeing himself from the constraint of his spotted pants, which had become unbearably tight. Law was a thorough man, so his half-assed attempt to rid himself of the clothing bothered Ember a great deal. Now was not the time for laziness when Ember wanted every inch of him available to her, so she expressed her displeasure of the situation by hooking her tail within the opened garment, yanking impatiently. Law released a breathy laugh, following her wordless demand by wriggling them off, repositioning his now completely nude self between her
"Do you know what comes next?" Law asks in a velvety whisper.
"With you, I can never be certain." Her voice had a playful edge to it and Law couldn't help but adore the cute smirk that accompanied her statement.
Chuckling, Law pressed his forehead to hers where they smirked together like mischievous little children. His mouth found the pulse of her neck, wanting to feel its pace escalate against his lips as he slowly slid his way inside her.
Ember's body tensed around him, ready to accept whatever pain Law had to offer but was slightly surprised that no such thing occurred. It was actually rather…pleasant and she wrapped her arms around his neck, nuzzling into his collarbone as Law opened a whole new world of sensation to her.
Law rocked his hips slowly, intensifying each push and pull that had Ember mewling softly beneath him. The way she clung to him, arms, legs even her tail, which snaked up his backside and was semi-wrapped around his waist, felt absolutely exquisite. Ember wanted him closer, deeper and although it was such a tempting request to fulfill, Law had to maintain his sadistic reputation.
The more her limbs struggled to reel him closer, the more painstakingly slow his pace became, turning her soft moans into annoyed growls. Ember's body became restless beneath him, hips moving in every which way they can in an attempt to soothe the wonderful ache that was beginning to form.
"You cruel bastard…" She said in a breathy growl against his ear, tongue running along the double earrings that dangled from the lobe. This was torture of a different kind although much better than what Kid had put her through. She just couldn't seem to win in the bedroom.
"Not always." He panted before claiming her lips in a searing kiss, muffling her desperate cries for more as he continued his slow assault.
Law was beginning to feel the toll of his own method, burying his face into Ember's black tresses as he fought off the shudders that threatened to rack his body, approaching closer to the bridge he was not ready to cross just yet. She was just too tight around him and combined with the slow pace that allowed him to feel every inch of her inner walls as they constrict around his length was beginning to be too intense for the doctor to handle.
Law quickly reached for her leg, lifting it at a particular angle that he knew would allow him the deepest access to her. One hard and unexpected thrust had Ember seeing stars and she practically sobbed when he did it again and again, repeatedly hitting a sweet spot with incredible accuracy that would lead to her undoing.
Even with his lips parted to exhale quick, breathless pants, the corners of his mouth were curled into a dark smile as he watched the Zoan user unravel beneath him. It was a wonderful sight as he watched her eyes squeeze shut, drowning in a sea of sensation and pleasure and Law made a vow to be the only one allowed to observe his subject in her most raw and natural state. Ember's hands scrambled in search of something firm hold and steady herself with, migrating from the bed sheets, to the pillow, to the headboard, back to the sheets again in a never-ending cycle.
Ember reached for Law's shoulders, clawing at them as she attempted to bring him closer. Law complied with this silent demand, pushing her leg forward to where her knee was almost touching her shoulder so he could get as close as possible. The two both moaned loudly in unison as they both felt the wonderful benefit of this new angle, mounting more pleasure than they could handle.
"I don't think I can…" That was as far as Ember's sentence could go before her hand cupped her mouth to prevent the string of lewd noises that were sure to erupt from her throat. For the first time, Law's facial composure slipped as his face flashed with anger, snatching her hand and pinning it down in such a vice grip that it practically disappeared into the soft mattress.
"Don't...you…dare," he growled dangerously, thrusting mercilessly with each word. How dare she believe for a second that she could keep those beautiful sounds away from him? He continued this abusive pace nonstop until Ember lost all control and came loudly, back arching off the bed as wave upon pleasurable wave washed over her, refusing to allow her to resurface and catch a quick breath. Law's ears hung on every decibel as no amount of tortured screams from previous patients could match the beauty of Ember's cry of pleasure. The quakes of her climax initiated Law's as the pulsating of her inner walls sent him tumbling right after her, spilling everything he had to offer deep inside her with a throaty groan. He felt Ember pull him close, fingers lacing within his hair as she held him until his spasms ceased, coaxing his body to relax against hers, in which he gladly did.
They lay together in silence with Law listening to her heartbeat while Ember scratched lightly at his scalp, both basking in the afterglow.
Ember spoke once her breathing became regular again. "So that's how it's supposed to be. It appears that I've been missing out."
Law didn't say a word of response to her statement. He simply rolled off of her and onto his back to stare up at the ceiling, which concerned Ember a great deal. He was definitely regretting this ever happening and she couldn't help but feel rather…hurt.
She did her best to shrug off the idea since there was no reason for her to care when Law apparently didn't. She huffed quietly to herself and shifted onto her belly, folding her arms beneath the pillow in an attempt to sleep before her thoughts prevented her from doing so.
Law eventually sat up, leaning his back against the headboard of the bed with his hands folded, arms resting on the tips of his bent knees as he sat in deep thought. He didn't like what was slowly emerging from the deepest, darkest parts of him that took years of disciple to suppress. Perhaps it's due to the release of endorphins from his climax, a simple side effect from what had just transpired between the two that will eventually subside in time but Law knew he was reassuring himself with false hope.
Trafalgar Law has appeared to have contracted a severe case of feelings, ones of the romantic, loving variety.
Which to his knowledge has no known cure.
A tattooed hand ran though his messy hair, uncertain as to what treatment options were available. He glances over to a sleeping Ember next to him, who looked so at peace in her slumber. At least one of them was able to rest easy.
Her smooth back was exposed and Law gave into the temptation to run a hand up and down the wingless expanse one last time, sighing in annoyance as he had a feeling he was about to regret his next course of action.
Law leaned over the edge of the bed, reaching for a large box hidden underneath which contained Ember's wings, cleverly placed in the last area she would even think to look for them. Blue energy swirled within his palm, allowing him one last chance to change his mind but Law did no such thing. He was about to conduct a risky experiment, one that could severely hurt him if gone wrong.
The blue dome was cast around them, and Law very carefully reattached Ember's wings, slipping under the covers once the deed was done.
Sun peaked through the round windows of the room, beaming directly into Law's eyes, which stirred him from his slumber. While one hand rubbed a tired eye, the other reached for Ember, who was absent from her place next to him.
Law quickly pushed away the uneasiness that immediately emerged once this fact sunk in but judging by the angle of the sunlight spilling into the room, it had to be early to mid afternoon, which surprised Law since he never sleeps in. Perhaps Ember had woken up earlier to fetch herself something to eat. He never expected her to wait for him to wake up after all.
Although late afternoon, Law wasn't quite ready to fit himself into his restrictive jeans moments after waking up, so he threw on some black lounge pants and proceeded out the door.
Law strayed from his usual routine of heading straight to the washroom to perform his morning, (or in this case afternoon) hygiene ritual and made his way to the kitchen in hopes of finding Ember there.
She wasn't.
Law calmly exited the kitchen and made his way toward the deck, his mind scrambling for logical reasons as to where she could be. Reptilian creatures usually bask in the sun to store energy. Perhaps she is doing just that on the deck.
She wasn't.
Swallowing down a lump that began to form in his throat, Law calmly left the deck and went on a silent rampage of searching every room on his submarine. Utility closets, spare cabins, washrooms, laundry rooms, even his operating theater, Law searched behind every possible door until he stood before his own.
Law turned the knob, entering the room of his empty cabin and carefully closed the door, locking it behind him. He did not want to be disturbed.
He approached his desk, sitting himself in the chair where he propped his elbows on the oak surface, burying his face into his hands. Law remained that way several hours after that.
Ember was gone.