33
After Judge's car pulled away from the driveway, Sanji waited for at least twenty minutes before he left the house. There was a strange and uneasy rift between them – Judge spoke to him sternly but in short clips, studiously making the effort to ignore him when he can. The others were quiet and Sanji still felt traumatized by what happened, he wasn't going to show it to those that could use it against him. So he still spoke normally as he did to them and kept to his room more often. He wondered what Judge told Zeff to cut his evening job – the phone was being monitored closely after Sanji made that 911 call that night, a calculated decision just to bring attention to Judge. He saw the way the cops made friendly small talk to Judge and knew he couldn't find assistance there. He told himself it was impossible with Judge's influence.
Ichiji was the only one of them that forced his presence into Sanji's personal space, talking to him normally as well but obviously monitoring him after that visit.
If his family thought to contain him by intimidating him into silence, then they thought wrong. That flashdrive was a culmination of photos he'd taken just in case he'd need them, made possible by a camera Judge had kept in his office. If Law had it, then it was safe. He just hoped the other teen didn't snoop – he didn't want the older teen to feel any worry or overthink something out of the ordinary. But Sanji had to admit, he felt weak in Law's presence; the teen gave him a sense of security, oddly, and he couldn't help but show his true emotions around him. Maybe because Law understood, maybe because he felt comfortable relaxing around him – whichever, today was going to be difficult because Sanji felt he would break down and tell him everything. It was Law's birthday, and he didn't want to be that type of selfish burden on him, especially if he were still adjusting to his parents and his new living situation.
It was odd thinking of another person's considerations when Sanji hadn't done so, before. Thinking of another being's comforts was far beyond his ability, but Law was different. He made Sanji different. And Sanji felt better being the person he was when he was with Law. That person seemed new to him – maybe that was why he felt so attached to the other boy. Were these the things that older people wanted so badly of when they couldn't find it?
It couldn't be that – being a teenager meant hormones and intense longings for things that were yet to be understood, so why wasn't he overwhelmed with that aspect?
When it was time, he shoved the present he'd bought for Law into a rope cord backpack with one of Ichiji's tournaments emblazoned on it, and left the house through the back. He headed for the sidewalk behind his neighborhood to make his way to the gas station Law spoke of. How did the other teen know there was one there when Sanji hadn't ever mentioned these landmarks around his area? He was pretty positive he'd never invited him to his house because of his family, so that interesting detail made him curious. Once there he went to the side of the gas station and milled around nervously, pacing, wishing he had a cigarette. He considered bumming one from the adults that passed by, but with his looks he doubted he'd succeed in any way.
Once he spotted the other teen walking over to him – mysteriously popping out of nowhere – Sanji hurried over to him brightly.
"Good morning! Happy birthday," he said hastily, wondering if he should give him a hug or something, but he didn't know what Law's parents would think of that sort of contact. He retrieved the present he had in his bag and gave it to him, Law looking at him with surprise. Out of his school uniform, Law was just another lurpy teen in jean-shorts and a t-shirt, looking too awkward with long limbs and messy hair that was only a mess because of a recent shower.
Law studied the small gift and fiddled with it nervously.
Scoffing, Sanji said, "What, never seen one before? Open it! Before your parents see!"
Awkwardly, Law undid the ribbon and tore the package open, revealing a small box that rattled as he handled it. He opened it to find a gold lighter with intricate dragon designs and a gift card to an athletic shoe store, a hefty amount labeled neatly in the corner.
"That's a lot," he mumbled uncomfortably, heart racing wildly as he found himself in a daze.
"I told you, I have a ton of money from saving my allowance and from work."
"You said you never got paid."
"I lied so dad won't freak out, and they don't believe me anyway. Off the books, because I don't meet the law requirements for full hours. Do you like it?"
For a few moments Law didn't answer, but his expression was awkward and even his ears were red. "Yes," he then mumbled, fiddling with the lighter. He put that into his pocket, doing so clumsily as Sanji beamed at him. He closed the box up as Sanji snatched the wrapping from him and threw it away for him.
"How'd you know about this place?" he then asked as Law led the way towards the gas pumps, where Lainy was filling up the tank with a wince at the prices.
Looking caught, Law hesitated on answering. He didn't have to as Lainy watched them approach, timidly rubbing her hands together as the numbers ticked by.
"Sanji, good morning," she said with some nervousness.
"Hey. Uh, thanks for picking me up," Sanji said to her, feeling awkward after their last encounter. "Can you drop me off back here by three? Pretty important."
"It's no problem. I just…um, I just want to apologize for the other night," Lainy said slowly. "It was…I was out of line, I – "
"It's no big deal," Sanji said flippantly while Law watched his mother cautiously. "I apologize for my big brother being an ass. He's always like that."
"Are you…are you hurt?"
"No. I'm tough. Listen, what are you guys going to do for Law today? Are you making him anything, are you taking him out?"
"Well, he asked for a lasagna dinner tonight – "
"Then I can do lunch! Can we stop at a grocery store before we go back? It'll be great! Are you allergic to anything? Hey, what do you want, anyway?" Sanji asked Law before Lainy could answer, unable to keep up with his rapid-fire way of speaking. "Don't ask for something stupid and simple, either! Oh! I was thinking maybe barbeque! Do you guys have a grill?"
Lainy barely had time to nod as she reset the nozzle back onto the pump as Sanji told Law excitedly, "Chicken, hamburgers, steak? Macaroni or potato salad? What do you want for dessert? How about watermelon with ice cream? I've got the money, we can go do this! Oh, and lemonade!"
Lainy looked at Law with large eyes, seeing her son just as dazed as she was, barely having any time to say anything as Sanji climbed into the backseat without offer, pulling on his seatbelt as he continued to talk. She asked quietly, "Are you okay?"
He gave her an impatient look. "Yes," he mumbled, climbing into the backseat with Sanji, shutting the door on her concerned frown.
She still felt wariness with the Vinsmoke boy, discomforted with the way he took control but at the same time she was confident he had boundaries and was capable of saying 'no' when he needed to. She just felt, after everything he'd been through, that a rapid-fire speaker such as Sanji was someone that could be a negative influence on Law. Simply because Sanji's family was of a concerning reputation, and the way he spoke on Law's decisions could be against hers and Lorenzo's.
But their hours were limited and it was Law's request to have him over, so Lainy would just have to have another cup of coffee just to keep up.
At the grocery store nearby, Sanji took a cart and loaded up on his supplies while Law trailed after him with a clumsy look to his face, Lainy browsing for things that they would need for themselves. She had to admit, she liked looking up to seeing her son close by – interacting quietly with his smaller companion, looking dazed as Sanji perused the meat; she wondered if he had even taken a breath, yet. The butcher looked amused, though, and it wasn't as if he were causing harm to those around him; just determined to make the best lunch he could for his…boyfriend. Lainy had to get used to that word.
By the time they made it back to the house, Sanji taking over the kitchen with a greeting holler at Lorenzo as he saw him, both Lainy and Law crowded the coffee pot. Panda was excited to meet a new companion, and Lorenzo watched as Sanji pulled out some dog treats and made the dog his instant friend in moments. Polar watched with a heavy glare on her face from the counter, hissing as Sanji came too close to her perch as he unloaded his groceries.
"Get another cup, hon," Lainy warned Lorenzo in a whisper as Lorenzo looked surprised at the demand for the grill's presence. "Just try and stay out of his way. He'll run you over."
Seeing their son seated at the counter while Sanji took over their kitchen, Lorenzo blinked a few times. The smaller teen was going on about the differences in chopped versus julienne cuts in a salad, and was exclaiming with dismay over their minimal kitchen supplies.
"Like a bulldozer," he murmured with discomfort, looking at Law for any signs of distress, but the teen looked quite used to his companion's presence. Lorenzo helped himself to more coffee before making his way outside to find the grill on the back porch.
Nearly an hour later, Sanji had set the table and was attempting for a proper setting while Law continued to try and win Polar's affection, the cat glaring at him from one of the chairs she'd taken cover to. It annoyed him when Sanji ruffled the cat's back without any sign of attack from the animal, Polar glaring after him with her ears flicking and her tail snapping in the teen's wake.
"Okay, you guys can sit and eat," Sanji said, hurrying back around the counter to start chopping up the watermelon, pulling the ice cream from the fridge.
"This…this a hobby of yours?" Lorenzo asked as he surveyed the table with perfectly grilled meat, a multi-colored macaroni salad and some grilled vegetables that looked a little overdone. But he started serving himself anyway, because Law was already making a large plate for himself, looking eager to eat.
"I love cooking!" Sanji declared, cutting through even slices to make room for the ice cream. "I wish I could do it more but there's a rule in the house that we gotta eat out every fucking night, and that gets tiring."
"Language," Lorenzo murmured as Lainy sat with a bemused expression, surveying the spread.
"It's okay occasionally, but I'd rather cook, and I think I do it better," Sanji continued on without missing a beat. "Working at the shitty restaurant really opened my eyes, and that old man was actually tons useful, more useful than I thought. You know him, hah, he's so fucking old! That shitty geezer knows his business, he's cooked and learned from many other cooks around the world! He won't tell me where he's from or anything, though, I don't think he's American. He has an accent but I can't place it!"
"Are we even going to have room for tonight's dinner?" Lainy asked with worry, her plate already covered with barbeque meat, juices running into a finely flavored salad.
"Yes," Law answered with a full mouth, frowning at her for even suggesting that this was their only meal for the day.
"How can you do all this with one hand?" Lorenzo asked Sanji skeptically, eyes darting to the new cast he had. But he sat, and the first bite of his steak made his eyes widen. "This is great!"
Lainy nodded with agreement, amazed at the combination of flavor from the bite of salad she'd already taken. Law watched them cautiously, cheek bulging with the bites he'd already taken, waiting for something negative to leave them. Sanji beamed from the compliment, scooping ice cream into the wedges he'd carefully scooped out. When he was finished with four of them, he set those in the freezer, picked up the pitcher of lemonade from the fridge, and finally sat down at the table with them, moving Polar to the floor. The cat meowed crankily in response, but she sat there at his chair, glaring up at him with her tail whipping from side to side. Sanji leaned over and gave Panda a piece of chicken, the dog lapping it up merrily, much to the Trafalgars' dismay.
Lunch was somehow finished, the ice cream and watermelon consumed, and Lainy had to be firm to shoo Sanji out from the kitchen so she and Lorenzo could at least have a hand in something. Law gave Sanji a tour of the outside, uncomfortably full from the satisfying meal. Panda ran out after them, barking as he patrolled the fenced in grounds, Polar watching from the sliding door.
"That was really good," Law told Sanji as the boy sat down at the edge of the porch with huge exhale. "Thank you."
"Fuck, I'm amazing," Sanji sighed, patting his stomach, Panda attacking him with licks to the head and face as he saw that his newest favorite person was his level. Sanji had to push him back, scrambling away to avoid becoming a victim to dog slobber and eager dog paws over his brother's borrowed long-sleeved shirt and ironed khaki shorts. "I even surprise myself."
Despite the good feeling he felt, Law still had the contents of the flashdrive on his mind as he looked at his friend. He knew his parents were overwhelmed by Sanji's presence, but it amazed him how strongly Sanji could take over in someone else's house and how he could present himself to people that had conflict with him. All for him, he realized. Law couldn't imagine himself being that sort of person – who had gone through something frightening and yet presenting a careless air just for someone else. How could someone live so fearlessly?
Sanji found a ratted tennis ball that belonged to Panda and tossed it, the dog taking off with an excited shuffle while he sat back down on the porch. They could hear Polar meowing crankily from the sliding door, looking for a way out as well.
"That cat hates me," Law told Sanji as he sat next to him.
"She's so cute! I wish we could have pets! You're lucky you have animals. I kinda miss Sugar – how's Rosinante, do you…? Like, do you still talk to Smoker?" Sanji asked him with concern, taking the ball from Panda as he returned it for another throw.
"He calls here and there," Law mumbled in response, hand on his belly.
"How are you getting along with them?" Sanji asked him, wiping his forehead. "Damn, meat sweats."
Law shrugged. "It's too soon, so…it's just me being here and them just…being there."
"But I bet they're happy you're here. Your mom just loves seeing you, I can tell," Sanji said, reflecting back on the supermarket. "Her face lights up just catching sight of you. And your dad is happy, too."
"It's not comfortable, yet. I…think it'd be stupid to relax because it's good right now. People don't start making demands until a week or so, later."
"They're not going to," Sanji told him, folding his hands over his lap. "Rules and stuff I can imagine, but they're not going to be like other homes, Law."
"I can't relax just like that after all this time."
"I get that, but…we've talked about this. They can't hurt you, and I know you have backup plans, but…they're not like the other families you had to live with," Sanji muttered. "They're going to keep trying super hard to win you over. It's not going to stop just like that."
"You don't know that."
"I can tell the difference between a family with expectations and families without – "
"Like, you can't say that because I'm your only friend, so far."
"Psh," Sanji said, waving a hand in the air as Panda abandoned his ball and went to nosing around the fence for interesting scents. "I go to all these tournaments all the time and see plenty of families. I used to look for some that were like mine, and you can tell those kids right away. Like, can't you look through a crowd and spy someone just like you? You can tell how they live just by seeing them in a crowd, and how they respond when someone talks to them. Yours are grateful. They want you around. That attitude isn't going to change any time soon."
"Still," Law mumbled, fiddling with the edges of the porch. "It's not that easy."
"I think it's best, here," Sanji said. "Yeah, I mean, you don't have to do anything."
"I know, that's what's hard! Taking care of Rosinante was a round a clock thing, and not having to do that, now? It's…like, adjusting to it makes me feel useless," Law said, picking at his shorts. He could feel the weight of the lighter on his thigh, see the outline of it against his pockets. He was out of cigarettes – withdrawal was a bitch.
"You're not 'useless'," Sanji muttered. "You just have to find another outlet. What are you good at?"
Law shrugged, looking at his worn shoes. That question had come up many times before, with Smoker, with other families – but he didn't feel he was good at anything. He didn't have any interests, he wasn't athletic, he wasn't interested in all the things teenagers were into – he didn't remember seeing any movies in the theater, he read books at night when Rosinante was having a hard time and nothing inspired him to pursue it. He was useless, he convinced himself, because he had nothing to give.
"You're good at caretaking," Sanji told him when he didn't get an answer. "So maybe you should look into that as a future goal. Be a vet! Law! You can work with animals! You like animals, right?"
"Not all of them like me, though."
"So what, who likes doctors besides gold-diggers and hypochondriacs? The point is, it's a job, and you should at least pursue something that interests you. Maybe not with animals," Sanji then decided with a thoughtful look. "But I really think maybe you should pursue that line. Job shadow with your dad, can't you?"
"I don't want to say that," Law mumbled.
"With your older roommate then," Sanji corrected, reaching out to pull the stick from Panda as he brought it over with loud pants. After he tossed it, he said, "Don't think you have to push yourself into something you're not ready for, but have a plan. You're here, you're going to succeed. Just like we spoke about. Graduate and have that degree. Make them pay for college – if you can't decide what to do, go for your General Studies, at least. That's two years of figuring out what you want to do."
Law looked at him, considering his determined expression. "And you?"
Sanji made a face, picking at his exposed knees. If that shirt wasn't as large as it was, he'd be mistaken for some middle school kid. His bangs were growing, touching over his eyebrows. It would take a couple more months for them to catch up with the rest of his bang, through.
"I don't know," he said on a sigh.
"Then you can't tell me what to do," Law decided.
"I think at your age it's important," Sanji pointed out. "You're ahead of me."
Uncomfortably, Law fiddled with his fingers. He looked at Sanji from the corner of his eyes, watching him scowl at the task of pulling the stick from Panda without breaking the stick. Polar still meowed noisily from behind him, scratching at the glass with her one front leg.
"We could get into trouble for this," he murmured.
Sanji's scowl darkened. "I turn seventeen in March. And it's not like we're doing anything, Law."
"I know, but…your dad…"
"If you think I'm breaking up with you just because of that – "
"'Breaking up' suggests there was a relationship in the first place."
"Oh, shut up, you're overthinking things again, and you need to knock it the fuck off. We're fine. We're not doing anything wrong with hanging out with each other. And besides, you told me I don't have any sex appeal anyway, so I think I'm safe."
Law snorted at the expression that made Sanji's face darken. "It's true, you're like a little kid."
"Shut up before I punch you and make you throw up."
Chuckling lightly, Law kept his hands busy.
"I wish I had a smoke!" Sanji said with a sigh. "Hey, do you know how to shoplift? They do those one dollar sales at the gas station sometimes – "
"I'm not teaching you that."
"You don't want to get into trouble, anyhow. You're legal, so you can actually go to jail, now," Sanji said, wiping his nose.
"You're always leaking something…"
"Stop commenting on me! So…can you get a driver's license?" Before Law could answer, Sanji then asked, "How did you know where I lived? I can't get that out of my mind!"
Hesitating, Law reached out and took the stick from Panda, tossing it ahead of them. Sanji snickered and made fun of him for his wimpy throw, Law looking at him with embarrassment as Panda brought the stick back and the younger teen showed him how it was supposed to be done. As Panda raced off, Law gathered the courage to confess.
"I have that flashdrive," he said slowly.
"Oh! Keep it for me until Monday! I might need the excuse – if that happens, meet me at the library down the road!"
Sucking his lips between his teeth, Law then said softly, "I saw those pictures."
Sanji looked at him sharply, then looked away with another scowl. He stood up. "Why are you looking at it? I just told you to keep it! I didn't say look at it – you better not have told anyone - !"
"I didn't." Swallowing tightly, Law added, "Do you have a plan?"
Uncomfortably, Sanji paced. He pushed Panda away as the dog brought the stick back to him before sitting down on the porch. He felt weak, felt his shoulders wilt. He'd done his best to ignore the problem all day, but now that it was being addressed, he felt like it was all for nothing. He wanted to tell Law everything – but Sanji felt it wouldn't be fair to him.
He said, "Let's not talk about that, right now. It's your birthday. Just…just keep it for me until Monday. Don't…don't tell anyone, not even that old man. Not…I just – I have a plan, only I can do this."
"No you don't," Law told him firmly. "You're not alone."
"Law, you can't do anything," Sanji said, frowning at him. 'You're on a shitty list, it's fragile – you can't do anything to mess this up for yourself, right now. I'm already in a shitter, you know what to expect – look, just…I took pictures. What do you think I should do, now?"
"Give them to someone like Smoker. He already has the complaint Lainy submitted. This is a good anchor."
"I can't do that just yet," Sanji said. "Dad's a lawyer – "
"A divorce lawyer."
"But he has friends, and he's strong, and…he can ruin your parents, and they just got you back, I don't want to…have him ruin anything else. The way he treated those cops makes me think I can't trust them, either."
"Then your mom."
"Mom - ! She's too poor, Law," Sanji said with worry. "She's – she can barely afford herself and Reiju, and dad will destroy her financially, and I can't let that happen to her."
"Is there anything your father is afraid of?"
"No," Sanji said with disgust.
"You shouldn't discount the amount of power Smoker has," Law said quietly to him. "That office is full of people that want justice for their clients. They're relentless. Yes, it might seem like they're powerless in some aspects, but don't you think they have influence on the justice system, too? They're advocates – they speak up in court for their kids. They're not afraid, either."
'I don't know," Sanji mumbled, rubbing at his cast.
"What happened?" Law asked him, reaching out to touch his hand.
Sanji shrugged, clasping his hand within his. Panda was rolling about in the dirty, causing a flurry of dust to fly, and they watched him do so together. "He wanted me to apologize to Niji but I said fuck that. And so dad just freaked out. Yonji stopped him from going full retard."
"'Yonji' did?" Law repeated incredulously.
"Yeah, it was hella strange! He did and…he hasn't said anything to me, but…I think it weirded all of them out, too. Except for Ichi, that alien. He's still the same. Smug, even. Like…I can't act out, anymore." Sanji huffed. "And maybe I won't obviously, but if I let this get to me – I just need to keep acting normal. Like with my hair, I can't show them any weakness! I can't just bow down and let them do stuff, that's just…"
"And you say I'm 'brave'?" Law asked him incredulously. "Something this terrifying doesn't leave you feeling terrified?"
"Like…I'm scared? But…it hit a point I never imagined, and I made it through. Like, Law, honestly? I've been beaten up by my brothers most of our lives, it's not a new thing," Sanji told him. "This time, it came from my dad but I just have to outthink him. That's why I took those photos."
Law studied him for a few moments. He had nothing to say, but he would ask Smoker some things the next time the man called. He reached out and brushed his fingers through Sanji's hair, the strands soft and hot under his touch. The day was bright, the sun overhead, but the breeze made it cool. The trees around them fluttered noisily under its touch, and traffic was a gentle ambiance outside of that. A plane's air brakes sounded out overhead, but it wasn't visible – hidden in the distance somewhere.
"What'd you say to me some time ago?" he asked softly. "You're not alone? Because you aren't. Not in this moment. There are people you can rely on, you know."
"Less bodies, the easier it is," Sanji mumbled, leaning against his shoulder. He sniffed him. "You smell good. What's that?"
"Just plain deodorant, I guess," Law said, sniffing at himself with curiosity. He hadn't even given any thought to the things his mother had given him the day before – he used them because they were there.
Sanji frowned as he pulled back, then sniffed his shirt. "My cologne was a hundred bucks and it doesn't smell that fresh.'
"You have shitty taste, that's all. You bathe in it so you're immune to the smell, now. It offends everyone."
"Shut up."
Law smiled at his indignant expression, reaching over to hug him close. When he felt Sanji relax against him, his arm curled around Law's back, he said, "I don't want you to go home."
"I'm glad I was able to come over and cook for you. I hope you do have a happy birthday, though. After all this shit, you deserve it," Sanji muttered against him.
Law was pretty sure Sanji was one of the best presents he could have – but he couldn't say that aloud.
: :
By the time Sanji got home, he was relieved to see that the others hadn't come back, yet. He went to his room, changed out of his clothes, redressed in his old PE shirt and shorts and started some wash. By the time he found a show on Netflix, the boys walked in through the side door, looking cranky and annoyed. They saw him, but two of them ventured off towards their rooms while Ichiji crossed over to frown at him.
Sanji wrinkled his nose. "God, you stink. Like a bukkake."
"Clever," Ichiji told him. "What'd you do all day?"
"What's it look like?" Sanji asked, gesturing at the television set.
"Dad sent the neighbor over here to check on you, and you weren't here."
"Chill out – where is he, anyway?"
"He's going to golf with some friends."
"I went to the store! No one said I had to stay here like a goddamn prisoner. If that was so, he should've chained me to the basement. I don't care what he says, I'm not staying put," Sanji grumbled, adjusting his position on the couch to better view the television set. "If he's not here to make sure of it, then fuck him."
Ichiji gave him a disgusted look. "You really should learn to be more respectful towards those you're leeching off of."
Sanji snorted. "Please. I didn't ask to be born."
Irritated with his flippant attitude, Ichiji walked away. As he was moving up the stairs, Sanji called after him, "Besides, you'll all feel better when I move to mom's anyway."
Ichiji looked back at him with a puzzled expression. "Who said anything about you moving to mom's?"
"Dad's always saying it!"
"He's not going to do it. It was a card he pulled to see if you'd stay in line. You want to go to mom's?"
"I'd rather be there than here!"
"Too bad," Ichiji murmured. "Because dad's not letting you go anywhere. Especially if he thinks you'll tell on him."
Sanji scowled after him, sitting up on the couch, then re-faced the television set. All this time Judge had been threatening him with living at his mom's, but to retract that? Did Judge really think taking that away from him would be the best thing for his own interests?
Sanji was going to talk to him about it, as soon as Judge returned home. Because even if he could endure this much of the household with what happened, he didn't think he could live this way for the rest of his high school life.
Naghi-tan: both of them are kids that think there's too much against them. Telling an adult would be logical and the best thing to do, but that's the point with fear – they're scared because of their own experiences. D:
RR: True – both of them are pretty abusive. Law will continue to skirt around the issue until it's absolutely needed that something needs to be done – but don't worry, he's got a plan, too. :D He can only settle down when things are truly done – it hasn't been very long since he moved in, so there are habits to break and relearn for him. Same with his parents. I'm glad for the weekends lol I am forced to take a break! :D Gets me thinking, though.
Penumbra: They are very helpful! They want to help in any way possible – because they inserted themselves in these guys' lives, so they feel responsible, too. Like big brothers, haha! Law and Ichiji can have a good confrontation, but Law's personality holds him back – it's only when he's forced to act is when he will. If he were more confident in himself, he definitely wouldn't hold back. D: No second part! I stg…I have too many open sequels, I need to NOT write another part lol! It'll all be wrapped up in this story, I promise. :D (though, everyone that finishes this story will probably want a second part – I CAN'T. I CAN'T)
Fireofshandora: I love cats! And I love ones that have mean faces because I bet they're the biggest sweethearts!
