Thanks Vergina-spva and MyLadyDay for beta'ing

Chapter 11

Law looked at the phone in his hand, slightly amused. He hadn't really expected Eustass to hand him back to Penguin like he had asked, so the hanging up hadn't been surprising.

However, when he tried calling again, he didn't hear a dial tone. Instead, he was sent straight to voicemail.

Law frowned as he stared at his phone. Would Eustass have turned the device off? Or would he have broken it? The latter sounded more like the Mr Eustass he knew, but he couldn't help but wonder what Killer would think of that. Penguin had been really proud of his phone, and had had to save up for a while.

A protective instinct Law didn't know he had surfaced, and he had to resist the urge to go to the campus and show Eustass a thing or two about dissection. Of course, he had no idea where Penguin was, and he trusted that Killer cared enough about Penguin – at least, that was what he had gathered from what Penguin had told him about this guy – not to let it slide, even if Eustass was a good friend.

With a sigh, Law picked up his book. Ace worked tonight and Luffy was with his girlfriend, Nami, which meant this was one of the rare moments it was quiet in the house, and Law could actually study. The odd thing was, he had trouble concentrating. The silence in itself was distracting, somehow.

Apparently, he had lived too long with the D-brothers.

Yesterday, he had agreed to move in with Shachi, and he refused to believe that was a mistake. He could always put on some music if he needed noise around him.

And he would definitely not miss the chaos that was the house of Ace and Luffy.

Who was he kidding? He would miss them, as much as he hated to admit it, but no one would ever know. Still, he knew he was making the right choice by moving out. It had been fun while it lasted, but living in a quieter environment would do him good, he was sure.

Law only had to decorate his own bedroom in the new apartment, seeing that it was mostly furnished already, and they had to get some kitchenware, as this was the first time either of them would live in a house that didn't have such things already. Law had ordered a bed, since sleeping on an air mattress like he did now wasn't an option for something permanent, but it would be delivered later that week, if he was lucky, so until then, he was stuck at the D-brothers' house.

He had called Penguin to tell him the news about the move, though Shachi might have done that already. Now, he tried calling Bepo, but when he didn't answer his phone, Law remembered that Bepo sometimes went fishing in the evening and didn't take his phone.

Sighing again, Law focused on the medical book in his lap. He should probably study, but why was it so hard to concentrate?

He tried putting on some of Ace's obnoxious music, which did help a little. Now if there was only someone to jump him when he was in the middle of a sentence…

After a few hours of somewhat studying, Law's phone rang. With a frown, he noted it was a number he didn't know. Maybe it was one of his fellow students, though he didn't know anyone who would call him willingly. Still, he decided to answer it.

"Trafalgar."

"Oh, hi Law!" Penguin's voice sounded on the other end of the line.

Law sat up a little and put the book next to him on the couch. "Ah, I was starting to think Mr Eustass had done something to you."

"No, no, don't worry. He was actually kinda nice." Penguin sounded excited.

Law remained quiet for a moment, before saying slowly, "Did you say… nice? Are we talking about the same Mr Eustass?"

"Well, he needs to warm up to you a little, but the evening was kinda pleasant. Don't get me wrong, he does scare me, but underneath all that, he is… Well, nice," Penguin said.

"Did he break your phone?"

"Well, yeah. But it was an accident! I think he has some issues with you. Did you do something?" Penguin said, reprimanding.

"Me?" Law snorted and thought back at their first encounter. Okay, maybe he had tried to rile up Eustass on purpose, but he made it way too easy!

"Anyway," Penguin continued, "he is going to repair it and in the meantime, he gave me his phone. My SIM-card was damaged somehow too, so that's why I'm calling from his number."

Law couldn't help but smile. Penguin sounded really happy. But then Penguin's words got through to him. "Wait, you're saying you're calling with his number?"

"Yes. He didn't have your number, of course, but Bepo left his phone, so I got it from there," Penguin explained.

Law's lips stretched into a grin that threatened to split his face in half. Thanks to Penguin, he now had Eustass' number. He couldn't wait until Eustass had fixed Penguin's phone and got his own back.

"So why did you call me?" Penguin interrupted his planning of how he could use this information to his advantage, in order to annoy Eustass – from sending indecent pictures to calling Eustass at ungodly hours.

"Hm? Oh, I have signed the apartment contract Shachi gave me."

"That's great," Penguin exclaimed. "You guys are gonna have so much fun!"

A few days later, Law had agreed to meet Bepo and Penguin at their university campus. He had never been there before, aside from when he had picked up Ace's motorcycle, and then he had only seen the garage. This time, he would get a proper tour and see Penguin's and Bepo's room, which they shared. Shachi couldn't make it today, so it was just the three of them.

Penguin and Bepo were waiting for him at the bus stop when Law arrived, the former waving enthusiastically.

A hint of a smile on his face, Law exited the bus and greeted his friends. They led him to the campus, Penguin happily babbling on about the college, while Bepo apologised for every little thing, even things he had no control over.

Their room wasn't too big, but they had a bathroom for the two of them. It wasn't as much of a mess as Law had expected – but perhaps he had lived with Ace and Luffy for too long.

For lunch, they bought food at the canteen, and since the weather was nice, they decided to eat outside near a statue of the founder of the college, whose name neither Bepo nor Penguin could remember.

When they were nearly done and trying to decide what to do next, Penguin's phone started to ring, and he picked up.

"Hey Kil– Oh, hey!" he corrected himself, surprised.

Law exchanged a look with Bepo, who shrugged.

"Oh, that's great, thank you! Uhm, I'm having lunch at the founder's statue… I know, right? I couldn't remember his name either!" Penguin chattered happily. "You don't have to come, I can pick it up la– Oh, okay. See you in a bit then!" He hang up and put his phone away, before taking another bite from his sandwich.

"Who was that?" Law asked curiously, when Penguin made no attempt to explain his conversation.

"Hm? Oh, that was Kid. He fixed my phone and he'll bring it by in a bit." Suddenly, Penguin frowned. "You'll be nice, right?"

"Please, I'm always nice," Law replied innocently.

Penguin didn't seem convinced, and neither did Bepo, but they didn't comment.

It wasn't long before a head of obnoxious red hair appeared in the distance. Eustass was followed by Killer, who leisurely strolled behind him.

Penguin rose, waving excitedly like he had done when Law had arrived. Somehow, Law felt compelled to stand up as well. Bepo looked confusedly from one to the other, before rising too, though it didn't look like he knew why.

Kid came to a halt in front of Penguin and held out a phone that Law recognised as Penguin's. "Here. It should work again, though if it doesn't, you should come find me. It has a new SIM card as well, but I couldn't save all of your old numbers, only a few." He shoved the phone in Penguin's hands.

"That's okay! Thank you so much!" Penguin wrapped his arms around Eutsass' torso and hugged him tightly.

Law feared for Penguin's life.

Eustass seemed at loss what to do. His face and pose screamed "get this thing off me", but he didn't do anything to pry Penguin loose.

Killer took a step closer, probably to help him, but at that moment, Penguin let go by himself and beamed up at Eustass.

"Thank you! I'll be careful," he said, like it was his fault the phone broke in the first place. "Here is yours back. I've called a few people, but I can pay you back."

Law was surprised and highly amused when Eustass' cheeks coloured red and he mumbled something like, "You're welcome. And it's fine." He snatched the device out of Penguin's hands.

Law let out a chuckle, and it was only then that Eustass seemed to notice him. The colour immediately drained from his face, and his embarrassed look changed into an angry one.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he grouched.

"Having lunch with my friends," Law replied casually, "since you interrupted our conversation so rudely a few days ago."

Eustass grit his teeth.

Penguin looked from one to the other, panic written clearly on his face. "Uhm, so you already know Law… This is my friend Bepo!" He pushed Bepo in front of Law, obviously trying to distract Eustass.

Eustass looked at him, a scowl on his face and his non-existent eyebrow risen.

Poor Bepo didn't know what to do and huddled up, covering his face with his arms. "I'm sorry, don't kill me!"

Law felt another twinge of protectiveness. He stepped forward, effectively destroying Penguin's attempt to keep the peace. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size?" he said, pushing into Eustass' personal space.

Eustass looked confused for a moment, but then smirked as he looked down at – and probably on – Law. "I'm not picking on anyone. And you're not nearly my size, shorty."

Law grit his teeth. "I meant metaphorically speaking." He wasn't short. Actually, he was quite tall compared to the average human, but it annoyed the hell out of him that he was the shortest person present, save for Penguin, even if he only differed slightly with Killer and Bepo. Eustass, however, was definitely taller.

"Yeah? You think you're in my league?" Eustass asked, still amused as he cracked his knuckles.

Law ignored Penguin's vain attempts to get them to step away from each other and leaned in a bit closer. "Please, I know the human body, Mr Eustass. I could knock you out with one hand before you've even blinked."

"Is that so?" Kid moved his face closer so their noses were almost touching.

"Actually, there are muscles that could knock you out if they are pinched the right way," Killer mixed into the conversation. "If he's studying to become a doctor, he might know which ones. Whether he can do it is a different matter, though."

Eustass huffed in annoyance and focused back on Law, who smirked.

"Do you wish to try me?"

Eustass' jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed, but he didn't back down, and neither did Law. If it was a fight Eustass wanted, a fight was what he would get.

Suddenly, however, soft voices reached their ears and brusquely, Eustass looked away. Law followed his gaze.

Killer was leaning casually against a tree, talking to Penguin, who talked back excitedly. Killer reached out and gently cupped Penguin's face, leaning in to kiss him.

"Oi!" Eustass shouted before their lips could touch. "What the hell, man?!"

Killer sighed, obviously annoyed. "You seemed busy."

"I am! I'm gonna teach this piece of shit what's what, and you're supposed to be on my side!"

"Really, it's rather inappropriate," Law agreed with him, ignoring the name calling.

Penguin looked guiltily at the ground, but Killer crossed his arms before his chest.

"This… whatever it is, is between the two of you. Don't drag us down with you. Come on, Peng, let's go hang out." He took Penguin's hand as he walked away.

Penguin shot Law an apologetic look before following Killer.

"W-wait for me! Don't leave me with them! I'm so sorry!" Bepo called over his shoulder to Law and hurried after Killer and Penguin.

Flabbergasted, both Eustass and Law watched their friends disappear in the distance.

"Rude," Law finally said indignantly.

"Tell me about it," Eustass replied, before he seemed to realise he agreed with Law, and his scowl returned. "You see? This… This is all your fault!" he spat at Law.

Law sighed. "Are we back on that again? Listen, Mr Eustass, sexuality is not contagious. Besides, I didn't introduce them to each other. Although, had I known them both, I probably would have. They look rather cute together, don't you agree?" he added with a smirk.

Eustass' hands clenched into fists, and Law braced himself for the punch that was no doubt going to come, digging his heels into the ground.

However, before Eustass could punch him, Law noticed from the corner of his eye a young woman with pink hair approaching. She was jogging, but when she saw them, she came to a stop and pulled the earphones out of her ears.

"Oi, Kiddo!" she called and marched up to them.

Slowly, Eustass dropped his fist he still held ready to pound against Law's face, all anger draining from him.

When the woman came to a stop in front of them, she placed a hand on her hip. "You've been avoiding me," she said accusingly.

"Yeah, well, I've got Killer to deal with; I can't deal with you too," Eustass snapped.

Law looked on intrigued. He had been fairly certain that Eustass was still in the closet, but now he started to wonder if this woman was his ex. Granted, if Eustass turned out to be gay, he could very well have dated women before. Still, for some reason, Law hoped he was wrong in his assumption about the woman, and not just because the colours of their hair clashed quite horribly.

"Well, you better deal with this quickly then, because I'm gonna come to dance class tonight." She crossed her arms before her chest. "I paid, so you better teach me some moves."

Law blinked. Did he hear that right? "Teach?" he asked, trying to hold his laughter and failing miserably. "Dancing? You?!" All attempts to keep a straight face failed, and he snorted with laughter. "Oh, this is precious!"

Eustass whipped around. "What the hell is so funny?!"

"You," Law wheezed. "Mr Penguin was right! You act all tough, but you're just a big teddy bear inside, aren't you?"

Eustass' eye twitched dangerously.

Law wiped the tears from his eyes as he tried to collect himself. "I don't believe we've been properly introduced. I'm Law," he said to the woman once he had calmed down a little and held out his hand.

"Bonney," she said. She reached to shake his hand, but Eustass slapped hers away.

"Don't touch him!"

"My, Mr Eustass, I didn't know you were so possessive," Law said and waggled with his eyebrows. He then turned to Bonney. "He is convinced homosexuality is contagious."

"If that were the case, it would already be too late for me anyway," Bonney said and slapped Eustass against the back of his head. "Don't be stupid."

Law was surprised when Eustass made no attempt to get back at her. He had to admit, he was rather intrigued by this woman. It had become obvious to him that she wasn't any sort of ex from Eustass, not in the least because she was apparently gay, but also because of their interaction. The way Eustass tolerated her touching him, as he had Penguin, showed there was hope for him yet.

"Well, in any case, I'm dying to see you teach dance class," Law said with a smirk.

"Oh, you'll die alright," Eustass grouched, and it seemed that only Bonney's hand on his arm prevented him from carrying out his threat. For now.

"Don't worry, I'll pay for it, of course," Law added.

"You bet I'll make you pay!" Eustass' patience seemed to have run out. Not even Bonney's presence seemed to help anymore as he made an attempt to jump Law – and not in a good way.

Bonney hauled him back by the back of his collar.

"Actually," she said, ignoring the choking sound Eustass made – he had enough air anyway, "I'm still looking for a partner, as my girlfriend doesn't want to come. Otherwise, I'll have to hog Kiddo all night again. If you're interested?"

A grin all but split Law's face in half. "I'd be delighted."