Chapter 7, From passing the curse to the proposal

It took several hours for the archeologist to get through his questioning. Kid felt bad for the swordsman who had to suffer through that before he passed away. The demon didn't seem bothered though. Finally he sat up, so did Law.

"Should we go elsewhere to proceed to the exchange?" The archeologist inquired.

Corazon shrugged nonchalantly, "I'll deal with a corpse better than you. Proceed here and leave it to me."

Feeling encouraged, Law nodded and turned toward the swordsman. They faced in silence until the demon rose his nodachi between them with the sweetest gesture he had ever made. He lovingly tied the red rope under the guard of the sword as if he was saying a quiet farewell to a very old loved one. Law had the impression to interrupt an intimate moment when the swordsman handed him his nodachi.

"Take good care of it."

Trafalgar's tattooed hand got hold of the sheath and he agreed. Then the demon placed his hand above Law's and the latter immediately felt an electric shock run through him. Law's body stiffened at the contact –he had expected pain that hadn't come in the end. He didn't know exactly how he felt, everything seemed so strange.

Usually when he got better after a sickness, his body did it progressively. He had time to get used to it. But at this moment his whole body was being restored to health in one go. His bones stuck back together, his muscles regained their strength, his skin regained its tanned and lively color back, his lungs were suddenly cleaned and his vision wasn't blurry anymore. He changed from a living corpse to full health as if someone had blown into a deflated puppet.

Law had difficulties adjusting to the sharpness of his surroundings, and the air filling his lungs so easily he found himself short of breath. He didn't have to expend a lot of effort in standing now. Every movement appeared so easy and familiar but in a way not completely him. For a moment he felt misplaced in his own body –like put on a favorite sweater after too long– but the sensation soothed to give way to a stronger impression. Every part of Law's body seemed to irradiate. The archeologist couldn't quite describe it clearly. It was sickening but he felt like he could run three marathons at the same time. Energy was creeping through every cell in his body in an anguished and delightful way.

.

The transfer hadn't lasted more than a few seconds but Law only came back to himself when he felt naked bones slid from his hand. He watched the dislocated skeleton fell on the bed with hollow sounds, slipping slightly from clothes now too big for a corpse. Trafalgar turned to the remaining alive people in the room and witnessed the same relief on Eustass and Cora-san's faces. Well, Law couldn't deny he was glad to be alive too.

They were headed to Law's apartment, a few hours of driving away from the Donquixote's mansion in the car Corazon had lent them. The black feathered man let them go with the promise to leave the country as soon as possible. And Law didn't go without a proper goodbye. He had never been really good at farewells but Cora-san mattered to him more than Kid would have first suspected. Saying goodbye was more important this time because Trafalgar hadn't expected to be able to do it at all. After all he was dying less than an hour ago.

Kid still didn't like Rosinante he found clearly too close to his husband but Law owed him so much. Eustass could only imagine what it was like to slowly die alone, but to have someone who never gave up on you by your side could surely save your life. Kid was hurt solely that person hadn't been him. His annoyance grew as Rosinante took Law in his arms in a tight embrace.

They appeared to have become so close in a few weeks; in comparison Kid couldn't have grown the same with the demon. His mind had all been on Law; and the swordsman's appearance hadn't help. Should he have looked different, Eustass doubted they would have got along anyway. When Law got out of Corazon's hug, his eyes were red and wet above the dark rings all the demonic power of the world wouldn't make disappear from under his eyes.

.

Trafalgar took the wheel on their way home and didn't spare a word. It left Kid all the time to worry about what his husband had in store for him. A car wasn't a good place to start their first reunion talk for almost four months. It wasn't the ideal setting Kid had hoped for too, but he'd have to deal with it. His headache was starting to fade but his hangover was still well settled.

They arrived under a clear midday sky; the high sun promised it to be a beautiful day. It seemed an eternity since Kid had set a foot in this lost and shitty building. However when they entered nothing had changed from the day before. The stuff spread haphazardly, the dubious cleaning and the leftovers on the kitchen counter. Law stepped in slowly. The apartment still had his smell along with Kid's one. It almost smelled like home. His eyes fell on the dishes in the kitchen sink.

"You cooked?" He asked Kid.

"Yeah, more than ever. Your demon ate anything that vaguely looked like food, even my cooking."

Law raised an eyebrow, thinking that it'd also take him a few centuries without eating to appreciate Kid's dishes. His steps carried him back to the living room where he decided to sit on the couch since otherwise he'd pace endlessly in the apartment. Law sat purposefully in the center of the couch, leaving no choice for Kid but to stand and face him.

Eustass tried his best not to feel like he was in a trial but Law's judgmental gaze didn't help. Kid sat right in front of Law on the coffee table and ran a hand on the nape of his neck, to leave the stare of his husband he felt piercing holes through his chest and thought about where to start.

"I'm happy I've found ya last."

Well, not so bad to start with.

"No."

Kid's brows furrowed.

"I've found you," Law clarified, "Kissing another man. Care to explain me or you're let me digging through?"

Ok, no warm-up lap then.

"It wasn't–"

"And you slept with him." Trafalgar's voice was pure ice and froze Kid's blood in his veins. Law's eyes wandered to Kid's hair and the mechanic cursed silently. If it wasn't for the bites covering his naked torso his hair would always give him away.

"I did but…" Eustass didn't know if he preferred to be interrupted or left hanging on his words. He'd hurt his lover. He was responsible for this mess but the worst was to know that no matter what he could say, Law would still be hurt.

"I know I fucked up. I'm an asshole… I was… You missed me so much; I got so fucking stupid and hella drunk too."

"That's your excuse?" Trafalgar coldly asked. "You got drunk and banged the first man that looked like me?"

"I'm being honest with ya here, but I won't apologize."

For a moment, surprise slightly cracked the icy surface of his lover.

"What?"

"Listen, I regret what I've done, I wish I could go back in time and kick myself, but honestly will ya accept any excuse I have to say?" As Law remained silent Kid knew he was right. However, his hopes dropped dead when the cold façade sealed Trafalgar's face back again. Law only showed this impassive and distant attitude in their fiercest arguments, in Eustass' eyes it was worst than any outburst of rage. "You know me–" He kept going.

"I thought I knew you."

"You still do," Eustass fiercely added, "You know it didn't mean anything to me. You know love ya more than–"

"Don't," Law stopped.

"I love you. I love you and I'll keep saying it 'till ya remember it."

.

Law's heart ached in a way that made him want to rip it off. He never thought he'd have to face such issue with Kid. Supernatural setting or not it didn't change anything. The pain Law felt creeping inside him was making him sick. As minutes went on and on, he couldn't stand being near the red haired man. To hear his raspy voice, to smell his musky scent, and see his sullen face.

Trafalgar had missed him every second. Despite his heavy focus on his work, there always was a place in him where his husband never made himself forget. From the beginning of their relationship, Law had wondered why he ever let such fiery and hot tempered man in his life. They had nothing in common and argued over anything. The attraction he felt for Kid remained a mystery as odd as devil's powers. But without a doubt, Law had fallen for the red head in a way that he wouldn't for anyone else.

It was a fact Law had realized right before they decided to get married. He wasn't one to fall for someone so easily. Or even fall for someone at all. He had a lot of relations but a few friends and even less lovers. He chose every person he interacted with, he didn't give everybody his trust; so love… it was a big word that seemed far away from his concern then.

Kid had burst into his organized life like a red haired bulldozer. Law had been deeply annoyed to see someone interfere in his business. Every time they met, their strong personalities collided, leaving little room for anything else aside from them. Without realizing it, Law had begun to gravitate closer to Kid until he was unable to leave his attraction field. No matter where they were, in every situations Law felt that attraction bringing him toward Eustass. But what had been so simple and comforting was now tearing Law apart. He couldn't stay here even if the forces in him always brought him back to his husband.

Air, Law needed air, to be far away from the fury he sensed building under the red head's skin, away from Kid's tensed frame fighting to not grab his lover and physically prevent him from going away. Trafalgar stood up from the worn out couch. Maybe distance was the best he could take now.

"Don't do that Law. I get you'll need time but don't leave me again."

Kid's tone wasn't begging, and Law was actually grateful of that. Law wouldn't deal with someone imploring his pity. Considering what Kid had done, hearing him beg would have solely disgusted Law. But Eustass would never come to that. Thankfully his pride was way too strong. Kid would not bow but fight for him. It was both a joy and heartbreak.

Metallic eyes glared sharp daggers at the red haired man. Law's heart was already broken. "When I woke up for the first time after the demon touched me, I thought I was dead. I was barely moving, I was bleeding and broken, it was impossible for me to have made it through. And the only thing I could think about was 'I can't do this to him. I promised I would come back, I can't leave him alone'."

Kid's throat became so tight he didn't know how to make his voice heard without yelling.

"Ya think I dunno how it felt?! To think I'd never see you again? I looked everywhere to find ya, travelled in this shitty country and spent my nights and days on your tracks. But no, ya like big secrets and mysteries! So I had to follow you researches to get to you when I didn't understand a goddamn thing!"

"You… you used my journal?" Law couldn't quite believe it, but only a man as stubborn as his husband could immerse himself in a domain far away from his skills to get what he wanted. Law had to admit he was a bit impressed. However none of Kid explanations would change Trafalgar's pain.

This discussion was leading nowhere and he didn't want to waste more time trying to make Kid accept something he wasn't ready for. Law had made up his mind.

"I'm heading back home. Call me when you're sober."

"Huh… it's gonna be hard to return home right now."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean the university paid for your travel here but I hadn't so many funds so I sold the house."

Law pinched the bridge of his nose feeling a headache coming. Don't think right now. He had to get out of here. First thing, he needed his belongings. However the moment he wanted to grab his passport, the document lying on his desk appeared in his hand where the sword used to be which was now on the desk. Well, he'd have to work on that later.

Kid hadn't got his eyes off Trafalgar, a scowl on his face as his husband was struggling to pack his stuff. He was spending more time to run after the objects that kept switching than really packing.

"Don't do that Law, you'll regret it."

"Oh trust me I already regret still being in your presence."

"You think leaving is the best solution but you're wrong. You're stronger than that and I'll be stronger for you, if ya let me the chance. You won't just give us like that, this isn't you!"

Law stopped in his tracks just to shoot Kid a cold stare.

"Don't you dare tell me who I am when you're not able to distinguish me from another."

Eustass was helplessly angry, at himself, at Law and at all the fucking deities of this world. The love of his life was going away and he couldn't find the right words to change his mind. He was seeing red and only came back to the real world when Law's voice snapped at him for what seemed like not the first time.

"Eustass!" Trafalgar got back to his distant self when he got Kid's attention. "Give me my journal."

.

Have you ever had a car coming for you at full speed, so close that no matter what you know it'll hit you so hard you'll be permanently damaged? That was more or less what Kid thought his answer would feel like.

"I don't have it."

"What?"

"Someone stole it. One of the Donquixote family."

Kid saw the car crash on Law's features, breaking his cold composed face in pieces.

"Maybe… Cora-san–"

"He told me there was nothin' we can do about it."

Law made a few steps aimlessly, his eyes lost in a distance and Eustass felt the furniture shook imperceptibly around them. His lover still had the nodachi in one hand and the other in his pocket where Kid knew there was the tape recorder holding the last proofs of Law's researches.

"This… this is everything I worked for…"

The dark haired man couldn't believe it. He'd been close to death, hurt, cheated on, and cursed in no time; but among all these things he wouldn't have suspected this could hurt the most.

"I know, I planned to get it back–"

"I trusted you." There was no coldness to Trafalgar's voice now. Only harsh pain he couldn't manage to hide anymore. "I gave it to you because I was so confident you'll do anything to keep my dream safe. Not give it to the men looking for it."

"I used it to find ya! And I'll do it again! Cause I can't live without you."

Law had a strangled laugh like a wounded animal. With time he could have forgiven anything to Eustass; that was the main reason why Law wanted to leave. But to have his dream taken away from him… This was beyond forgiveness.

"How selfish you are. You only thought about how miserable you would have been without me?"

"Don't put it that way."

"Oh, how should I put it then?" Law's broken voice asked. "That you'll destroy my dreams in order to have me back? You hadn't trust me to be strong enough. I don't want to live with someone who thinks so less of me."

Now even the walls were trembling slightly under Law's affliction, at a point it could quickly become dangerous.

"Law, control yourself."

"Are you really giving me temper advice?"

"I'm giving you warning. If you don't stop this I'll make ya." Kid warned with a serious glare that only made the furniture shake harder.

"Don't you dare ever touch me again." The archeologist ordered bitterly as he took a step away from the red head, crushing the floor under his feet.

"Law!" Kid urged when he saw the wall beside him becoming cracked, but Law wasn't listening to him anymore.

"Don't ever talk to me!"

"Stop that! Ya gonna get us kil–"

"GET OUT OF MY LIFE!"

As Trafalgar yelled those words, the floor finally crumbled between them leaving a huge hole to the first floor on one gesture of his hand. Wood and concrete were scattered all over, people were screaming. The destruction of a part of the structure made the whole building unstable. Objects were falling without interruption but Kid had only eyes for the man he loved.

Law was standing on the edge of the pit, his mouth hanging opened with horror. He stared at his hands, short of breath, unable to make a single move until Kid screamed his name. It was all Kid could do because if he made a step farther the floor would surely yield under him. When the red head's call finally reached Law, he detached his eyes from the destruction he had caused to cross Eustass' eyes. Kid saw the fear filling Law's face. Fear of himself.

Then Law ran away, as fast as he could before causing more destruction, and Eustass couldn't do anything but watch him go.

.

.

.

Trafalgar reviewed everything he had planned for the evening. He didn't want a single part to go wrongly; this night was too important. He would take Kid out to a bar they had recently grown fond of. They'd go drink and dance all the night, relieve the stress of the week –and no fight would be involved this time. They'd drive home and make love till the early hours of the day. Then in the afterglow Law would propose to the man he loved to be his for the rest of their lives.

His hands weren't shaking at all about this perspective! During these past weeks, Law had thought about many ways he could confess his desire to marry. He could easily have go for the big thing, including fancy dinner, going down on bended knee, his question written in big neon letters but Kid and him never had been the show off type concerning their relationship. Law sorely doubted Kid would ever be into flowers and fireworks.

Before Eustass, Trafalgar would have never suspected he wanted to marry. He supposed it would have come someday, but the red haired man had exceeded every one of his expectations. The realization had hit him after celebrating their two years anniversary at the Sabaody Park. That was what he wanted, now and for the rest of his life. To be with Kid and claim to the world they belonged to each other. When he came to that decision, it hadn't seemed hurried or thoughtless. Law knew deep within him, despite all their arguments and respective flaws, he had found a balance, a match in Eustass he wouldn't find in anyone else.

His confidence about his feelings didn't make Law less anxious though. It still remained a big step he wasn't entirely sure Kid was ready to make. Trafalgar had no doubt Eustass loved him immensely, but would the red head come to realize that too?

Law delicately ran a hand through his still wet hair. In no time he had taken a shower and shaved, put on more tight-fitting clothes he knew he looked damn sexy in. All his late appointments had been moved, the payday been a few days ago, even the house was clean. But the true miracle was that Law managed to get out of work early. He had to because his late working hours had prevented him from getting the engagement ring earlier.

.

He mentally thanked again their friends for their support. Once Law's crew had past the stage of screams and tearful hugs, they'd all taken a part of Law's work to allow him to get organize. But Law had begun to worry a little in front of their excitement as they'd already started to plan the entire wedding.

On Kid's side the reactions had been less overjoyed and far more disappointed from some of his friends who had seemingly lost a significant amount of money. Law hadn't said a word while money passed from a wallet to another although he wondered for how long the bets were going on. Pocketing his due, Killer had promised to kick Eustass out of his workshop in time.

Those were good signs, his plan would go right. Now Law just had to force Kid to take a shower and he could start the operations, albeit Law had no doubt on his skills of persuasiveness. However, nervousness wouldn't leave him.

.

Fishing in the inside pocket of his jacket, Trafalgar got the little box with the ring out. The simple black package offered a stark contrast with the jewel it contained. It was a thick golden ring, engraved with fine abstract details. The piece was a bit shiny but it'd be to Kid's taste as it reminded Law of the heavy bracelets his lover used to wear.

Law placed the box on his bedside table; he wouldn't risk losing it during their night out. By the time he went to the living room he felt his phone buzzing in his pocket. For a moment, he was about to answer the call casually but when he saw his work's ID he thought twice. He ended putting the device back in his jean pocket, no work tonight. It'd wait until tomorrow. As if to prove Law right, the door of the apartment unlocked and let the red haired mechanic in. Kid dropped his stuff in the little entry of the apartment they shared for a year now. Between Kid's things and Law's, the place was a constant mess in spite of the archeologist's efforts.

"Already there?" Kid asked surprised while greeting Law with a kiss. The red haired had grease on his face and arms, and he smelled strongly of motor oil. Law kept him carefully at distance.

"We're waiting a delivery for Tuesday to continue our project, so we got out early," Trafalgar responded with a ready-made answer, too quickly for it to sound natural. He mentally cursed himself from being so bad when he usually handled lying like a walk in the park.

Law's awkwardness went far beyond Eustass' head because he had laid his eyes on what his boyfriend was wearing. "Damn! What did I do to deserve your slutty pants?" Kid hummed as his arm circled around Law's waist until his hand rubbed the dark head's ass.

Law bristled, "Ah! Get your greasy paws off me!"

To irk him more, Kid nuzzled in his lover's neck staining him in black. "Get off! We're going out tonight." But Eustass' hands remained tight around the dark haired man. "I'm not touching you before you wash!" Law continued taking advantage of Eustass' grip to drag him subtly toward the bathroom. Hell, he hated when Kid mistook him with a towel!

"Are we celebrating something special?"

"The fact that I still have my pants on?" Law teased from habit.

"Right, what I was thinking of?" Kid joked and got closer to the dark haired man.

"The shower. Now."

"D'ya take it with me?" The mechanic went on with a dirty smile.

"I'm already clean," Law defended stepping back, getting in Kid's game.

"There's black on your face."

"I hit a dumbass while coming in."

The red haired man complained he wasn't a dumbass but complied under Law's pulling, his hand still firmly placed on his lover's cheek.

"What's in your pants?" Eustass asked as they stepped in the bathroom.

"Really?" The dark haired man huffed not believing Kid was reduced to such perverted jokes.

"I can't make a comment that ain't an innuendo?" The mechanic went on without quitting a broad grin.

"I practically forgot how the serious you sound like," Law stated with half-lidded eyes.

Kid undressed under his boyfriend's insistence and got under the steamy water.

"Anyway, unless ya've got a new vibrator I dunno about, I think your phone's ringing."

Now that Kid mentioned it, Law felt his phone buzzing angrily in his pocket. He took out the possessed device and saw the infernal vibration was causing by his voice mailbox that kept calling him and at least a dozen of texts whom the number increased.

The texts were from his archeological team.

Dr Trafalgar, we tried to contact you but your phone wasn't answering. We have big news. Please call us back!

Doctor this is really important, we can't explain it by text, please call us.

Dr! I know it's not the time but you want to know about this!

Trafalgar, you have to answer!

PLEASE PICK UP YOUR PHONE!

Law didn't have time to go through the rest of the supplications because Bepo was calling him for the eleventh time. When he picked up, whines only could be heard on the other side and Law feared the worst.

"Bepo, it's me. What's happening?" More whines answered him. "Bepo, calm down and tell me what's going on."

"Doctor! Excuse me for calling you tonight; it's so good to have you on phone! I'm really sorry!"

"Stop apologizing and explain me what it's all about."

"I… We…" Bepo couldn't stop sniffing loudly. There was a rummaging sound and several voices fought over the mobile until Penguin won the brawl and yelled excitedly through the microphone. "Japan called us!"

"What? The diplomatic service?"

"Yes! They finally went through the negotiations with the university! There's gonna be a lot of paperwork and we'll have to find more founders to lead our project but they've given the authorization to study the site of the White City!"

Law's shock left him speechless and his men started to worry. "Doctor, are you still here?"

"Has he fainted?"

"No, no I'm fine. I just… The White City… It's fantastic!"

"That's not all, they want to set an appointment with the persons in charge of the site. We're truly sorry to ask you this now but we're going to need you here. You're the only one acquainted enough with our project who speaks decent Japanese."

Law thought about his so well planned evening. Okay, if he played it right he could only delay his plan for a few hours. "Are they aware what time is it?" Trafalgar enquired looking at the eight past half pm on his phone.

"I know but it's early morning in Tokyo," Penguin responded.

Law wanted to grunt in displease but he was actually too happy for that. "Wait for me, I come right away."

"Thank you Doctor!"

When the call ended, Trafalgar remained immobile his phone in his hand. He couldn't help but grin intensely. This was it, their dream was at the reach of their hands. It was the hugest achievement they had made in years. They'd finally go in the field!

Law hadn't realized he had stayed paralyzed so long that Kid had gone out of the bathroom. A towel around his waist, the red head stopped by his standing lover.

"Eh there, what's making ya smile like that?"

Law got slowly got out of his bubble, a crazy smile all over his face.

"They're gonna set the expedition. The expedition to Japan we were waiting for, it's happening!"

To the archeologist's surprise, his lover tightened both arms around his waist and lifted him through the air. Kid rotated them both in an energetic whirl, soaking them from his shower.

"That's awesome!" The mechanic cheered while he put Law down on his feet.

Law's head was spinning but the intense glee filing his mind was overwhelming everything else. Kid's face was mirroring his joy and Trafalgar instinctively grabbed his neck to pull him into a kiss. He could never get tired of tasting Kid's lips and the overjoyed feeling they shared left them high and short of breath.

"We have something to celebrate now," Eustass concluded.

Law stiffened a bit in his lover's arms, "Huh, I need to go back to the university quickly. I won't take long, just a phone call, one hour at most."

"Alright, I'll wait here, and we'll go out later." In spite of his annoyance about Law's late work, Kid didn't fuss more. He would've usually made a scene but Law was so happy at this moment the red head didn't want to pull him down.

"You're the best," The dark haired man told him before leaving Kid's arms and grabbed his own coat and his car's keys.

"I know."

.

For sure Kid couldn't forget how great he was while eating alone in their house at three in the morning. He was bored out of his mind and the idea he could've spent the night out with Law didn't help his mood. When his boyfriend had called after midnight to excuse because he wasn't done yet, the red head had known their night was over.

Kid didn't get what could take so many procedures about a few rocks and bones. But apparently they had a lot of laws to respect and diplomatic stuff to go through, or so Trafalgar tried to explain. Now the mechanic had raid the fridge, he didn't see what to do except sleeping.

However from the moment he laid his head on the pillow, he didn't feel like sleeping at all. Ugh sometimes he hated himself! But instead of whining Kid suddenly got a better idea. He would go annoy his lover! And he just found the best way to do it.

.

"Yes, I will take in charge the details of our arrival with the university. Did you receive the legal documents we sent you?" Trafalgar waited for his Japanese representative to confirm. "Very well. The persons responsible of the sacred site had agreed with our terms concerning the diving up of the place. All remain in the area you allowed for the research."

Around the archeologist most of his men were sleeping in piles. They had been very effective this night and thanks to them now the diplomatic service was eating out of their hand.

"Our efficiency applies to our work as well. We will inform you about the organization of the expedition soon. Thank you very much. Goodbye."

When he hung up the phone, Law had the unpleasant feeling to feel the device against his ear again.

"Well, you negotiated with a lot of people tonight," Jean Bart commented nursing a cup of coffee. Law needed one badly too, or maybe a hundred.

"Indeed. But it was worth it because I'm the referent person they would call by now. I can't wait to see the face of all our lazy co-workers on Monday morning when they'll find we'll occupy the most promising areas of the White City."

The huge tired man smiled, "Well done Doctor, the others will be glad too."

"Can you tell them when they'll wake up? I have an annoyed boyfriend to deal with."

"I will. Sorry about your plans. Will you propose Kid later?"

"Today seemed actually a good time, but… I'm not certain anymore."

The archeologist collected his personal effects. Yeah a coffee seemed very appealing.

"Don't wait to be happy Trafalgar," Bart said as Law headed for the door.

The dark haired man stopped for a second; his men could be so psychological and awfully right sometimes.

The university Law worked in wasn't the best looking in the area, but it definitely had the best view: right in front of the sea. When he first came here during his studies Law knew he wanted to live near the ocean, smell the salty sea spray and feel the coolness of the shore. For a moment the dark haired man rediscovered a peace he could find nowhere else.

Approaching the fence overhanging high above the coastline, Law found his sulking boyfriend sipping at a big steamy cup. The archeologist casually took it from Kid's hands and oh thanks God, an impious, delightful coffee!

"Eh, that's mine," Eustass snapped.

His lover only took a long swallow looking him right in the eyes.

"I wanted to disturb your overtime but the giant who works with you threatened to break my neck. Didn't want to hurt him for so little."

Law smiled, warmed by the drink. "Hurt any of my men Eustass-ya, and I'm the one who'll break your neck."

It still was early in the morning but the sky was getting clearer and disheartened Law. It wasn't the way he expected this dawn to go at all. Despite the fail of his plan however, this wasn't a so bad a morning to begin with. He had a hot drink, a stunning view and a beloved person warming his side –even if he suspected Kid was hugging him mostly because of the cool atmosphere.

"Tell me… if you were a pirate," Eustass begun and Trafalgar wondered where he was heading with such start, "Where would you hide your treasure?"

It was a weird question indeed, nothing unexpected from his lover though. The dark haired man took his time to think about it but his brain wasn't quite operational with so little energy in his system.

"Hum… it depends on how big my treasure is, if I was a successful pirate…"

"You'd probably be among the worst, but let's say you weren't so bad." Kid teased, earning Law's dark glare.

"Bury it will be out of question, it's too obvious and I won't risk someone to accidentally find it. I think I will have a place difficult to access and only I will know how to get here. Somewhere like–"

"A bedside table?"

"What?"

"Well, I stumbled upon a treasure chest in our bedroom," Law's eyes widened a second before Eustass took a little box out of his pocket, "and I thought 'What kind of dumbass captain would hide such expensive jewelry right beside his bed?'"

Trafalgar put his cup down on the fence. This night had been way too long for him to be clever and from the moment he learnt about the expedition he completely forgot the engagement ring he left in their bedroom.

Now Law had to say something, explain himself and prevent Kid to freak out. Hell, how he would do that? He had repeated declarations a hundred times but now Kid was actually waiting for him to speak, he found himself speechless. As their stare intensified, Trafalgar realized that in spite of his previous smugness Eustass dreaded his reaction.

"I realize… this is only an object to represent what I wanted to say to you for a moment now. But I'm not sure if it's the right time to ask you that question yet."

"How would ya know if you don't ask?" Kid snorted, his face more serious, almost brooding, but Law knew it was simply a sign of worry.

"I already know I'm in love with you more than I will ever be with someone else. I know that when we first met you didn't know you fell in love with me but you couldn't be away from me. It took you time to accept it but I'm so glad to have waited for you up to then."

Law opened the little box that was still in Kid's hand, revealing the golden jewel. It glowed dimly in the morning light as the archeologist looked into the mechanic's eyes.

"I bought that ring because I may have no pirate treasure to offer you… But wherever I'll sail, I want you to be by my side."

"Then why don't ya marry me?"

Kid's worried expression had given way to a crazy smile tugging the corners of his dark lips farther and farther. Law had told exactly what he needed to know. Now Eustass was sure about what he wanted. To marry that man right away.

Law was taken aback and his shocked face only made Kid laugh harder. "That's my line!" The dark haired man shouted too happy to really be indignant.

"Ya were too long."

Trafalgar got the golden ring out of its box and presented it to the red haired man.

"Do you want me to be yours and you to be mine for the rest of our lives Eustass Kid?"

"Hell yeah, I do!"

Eustass passed his finger through the engagement ring then interlaced his fingers with Law's. The red head brought Trafalgar toward him and took his mouth in a deep and passionate kiss. All that mattered in this instant was they were holding each other tight. As their lips moved against each others, biting the flesh, their embrace was sealing the link of a promise.

.

"Let's do that now!" Kid wildly suggested still hugging tightly his now fiancé.

"Oh no, no expeditious wedding," Trafalgar retorted calmly, "We'll get a proper ceremony. But with the expedition coming, I won't have time to organize our wedding. Maybe in five or six months–"

"What? I'm not waiting six months to make you my husband!" Eustass firmly settled. "If you can't deal with the preparations, leave it to me."

Trafalgar took a time to think about it, this actually could work even if he feared a bit to leave any kind of organization to Kid. But their friends will be there to help.

"Fine, you take care of the ceremony, however no honeymoon will fit in that schedule."

Eustass whined loudly and buried his head in Law's neck. "You're delaying the best part of the wedding!" He complained, his voice muffled by the dark head's clothes.

Trafalgar smiled and he brushed the ring on Eustass' hand from the tips of fingers with a feeling of pride and satisfaction.

"When I'll return from Japan, we'll go anywhere you want."

"You realize it'll be a warm weathered destination where clothes will be optional?" The red head declared with a wicked grin.

"Oh, I'm very aware of that."

"Alright, let's do that!" Kid agreed before they kiss again as the dawn lightened the sky.

The story was originaly planned to end here but I just can't leave them like that. I promised you to properly end this story and I will! Dearest readers, there will be an epilogue :)