So here we are, the final chapter. I just want to take the time to thank you all for reading and, most importantly, reviewing. You have been really nice to me this whole time. In addition, this story has been rather popular, which I really hadn't expected. So thank you for that, and I hope you will enjoy the final chapter!
Beta'ed by MyLadyDay and Vergina-spva.
"I still cannot believe he talked me into this," Law said, pulling at the collar of his dress shirt as if he wasn't getting enough air.
"I can't believe he talked us all into this," Bonney said with a sigh.
"I believe you said we would go," Perona piped up accusingly.
"Well, he did say there would be a lot of food." Bonney shrugged and looked at Kid at the seat next to her. "You'd think his jaw would start hurting at some point from wearing that disturbing grin all day."
"I am wondering why we let him drive." Law checked if his seatbelt was properly fastened for what had to be the umpteenth time. "I almost liked him better when he was still in the closet, instead of trying to give people heart attacks with the way he comes out."
Kid ignored their comments, though they did make his grin grow even more, if possible. Law wasn't wrong per se; by now, Kid had come out to everyone he cared about – he had even called Heat to tell him – and to be fair, he had shocked most of them, if he counted Law's friends.
However, he hadn't come out to his family yet, which he hadn't planned on doing at all at first. Not because he cared what they thought, quite the opposite in fact, but exactly because he didn't care at all. They hadn't spoken in a while, and Kid had been fine with that. Until an invitation to a party of his father's company arrived, and Kid saw the perfect opportunity to give his family and all the stuck up people who worked for his father a metaphorical middle finger.
For his plan to work, he needed Bonney, Perona and Law to accompany him. Bonney had proven to be no problem as soon as he uttered the word food, though she was on board with his plan as well. In turn, she had convinced Perona to come.
Law had proven to be a bigger obstacle, as he didn't like to wear suits, nor to be stuck in a room with xeno- and homophobes all night, but he did enjoy giving people the finger, metaphorically or not, so in the end, he had agreed.
The plan was simple. Kid would show up to his parents' party with Bonney on his arm, in tuxedo and looking 'proper'. His parents would be pleased, or at least they would be until they saw her eat. Law would follow with Perona. They would have no idea what was coming for them.
The more Kid thought about it, the more the grin on his face grew, even if it started to hurt by now. His parents wouldn't know what hit them. Kid wasn't even wearing his black lipstick, and his hair was slicked back as to throw them off into thinking he was finally ready to be a proper son. It was going to be great.
Law seemed reluctant to get out of the car – the beaten down rental vehicle looked very much out of place between the shiny expensive cars in the car park – but despite the situation, Kid had to admit in the privacy of his own mind that Law looked great in a suit. Or he would have, if he hadn't looked so uncomfortable.
Kid elbowed him in the ribs, before holding his arm out to Bonney. The plan would only work if his parents thought that he had come with a woman. It was almost funny to see Law become even more miserable when Perona grabbed his arm. Kid decided not to worry about it for now – though he was fairly certain he would pay in one way or another in the near future.
As they walked up to the mansion, Kid could see Bonney was impressed. Fleetingly, he wondered if she would have been interested in a life like this with him. You know, if they hadn't both been gay.
Kid pressed the doorbell. Usually, he would use the servant entrance, as he had never liked to have the door opened by the butler, but he was here to impress his parents. And then give them a surprise of their lifetime.
The butler opened the door. His impassive face showed some surprise when he saw Kid, his eyebrows rising ever so slightly. However, he recovered almost immediately and made a slight bow. "Young master Eustass."
They passed them, entering the house, and Kid heard Law mumble, "Don't think I will ever call you that."
The butler took their coats insofar they were wearing them and then looked at Kid questioningly.
Kid dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "I know the way."
They followed Kid through the hallway to the ballroom where the party was held. Bonney tightened her grip on Kid's arm as she looked around and whistled impressed. "If I'd known you were rich…"
"I get squat of this," Kid said with a snort, but then the grin crept up on his face again. "Especially if tonight goes well."
"You'll be disowned all right," Law muttered. "Last chance to back out."
"Like hell."
It was too late anyway, as Kid's parents had spotted him and came over. This time, Kid had to hold Bonney's arm tight, as she had spotted the trays of hors d'oeuvres that waiters carried around. He kicked her in the shin until she behaved.
Kid's mother greeted him coolly, the corners of her mouth pulling down slightly when she spotted Bonney's piercing. Kid cursed under his breath. How could he miss that?! He had tried so hard to make them think he was like they wanted him to be, before he shattered their dreams.
However, Bonney made a slight curtsy and said, "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Bonney. Bonney Jewelry."
His mother's eyebrows rose slightly. To be honest, it was the most movement Kid had seen in her face for a long time, with all the Botox in there. There was only one reason why she would react like that.
"You're rich too?" Kid hissed.
Bonney just shrugged before she was practically welcomed to the family by Kid's mother. His father came standing with them, merely offering Kid a nod.
"Darling, look who he brought," his mother said. "It's the Jewelry girl."
Now his father's eyebrows rose as well and he made a show of kissing her hand. Kid shot her a warning look when she pulled a disgusted face.
Behind them, someone cleared their throat.
"Oh, you brought… friends." Kid's mother looked Law up and down with disdain. Kid could see Law's eyebrow twitching ever so slightly and his fist balling in his trouser pocket, but he kept his cool.
Kid had barely time to introduce Law and Perona before his parents lost interest and moved to greet other guests.
Kid let out a sigh. "Well, at least they like you." He looked at Bonney. "You never told me you were rich."
Bonney shrugged again, somehow having gotten her hands on some hors d'oeuvres, which she was currently stuffing in her mouth. "You never asked," she said, or at least that was what Kid made of it.
"So how long are you going to keep up this charade?" Law asked. While he looked calm, Kid could practically feel the annoyance radiating off him.
Perhaps they had kept it up long enough anyway. They had made a show of their arrival, after all, and his parents had seen them like this. As Kid looked around, he recognised quite a lot of faces of friends and acquaintances of his parents. When he was younger, he had been forced to stay at these kinds of parties, and he had hated every minute of it. Only when he had started his rebellious phase, when he had hit puberty, he had been asked not to show his face too often. That phase was hardly over, so why stay longer than he had to?
"Come on," he said to Law and grabbed his hand.
"Wait! The food is so good!" Bonney hissed after them, but Kid had made up his mind.
He had guided Law to the dance floor where the orchestra had just started a new song. He held out his hand to Law, who took it with an amused smirk. Kid pulled at his hand, spinning Law towards him, until Law's back was against his chest.
At this point, they already had quite an audience, but that didn't stop Kid from continuing. He spun Law once more, so they were face to face. Kid then placed one hand on Law's hip, while holding his hand with the other. Gently, as not to draw attention to it, he kicked against Law's foot, signalling he had to step back. Law seemed to have learned at least something from the one dance class he had taken, as he stepped back.
Kid led them across the dance floor, twirling Law around. It went far from smoothly, because Law still sucked at dancing, so Kid had to make the best of it.
He spun Law around once more, his chest against Law's back. "Move your hips," he hissed, before adding with a smirk, "I know you can."
"Such a perv," Law said laughing. Still, somehow, he moved a bit better than before, making Kid wonder who was the pervert here.
Fortunately for them, Bonney and Perona had taken to the dance floor as well, taking a little of the attention off Kid and Law. Bonney had gotten good, but she had a better partner than Kid had to deal with anyway.
People were staring, but Kid decided to focus on Law instead of his surroundings. Since he had been drilled how to dance since he was young, he didn't need to think about where to place his feet – though he did have to pay attention to Law's feet, because they often weren't where they were supposed to be.
From the corner of his eye, Kid noticed that his parents had worked their way through the crowd, their faces a mixture of horror and disgust.
Time for the big finale.
As the last notes died away, Kid dipped Law, kissing him on the mouth. When he let go, Law looked at him mildly surprised, but definitely amused. Kid pulled him upright again, looking around triumphantly. The room had gone quiet. Even Bonney and Perona looked at them now, but of all the staring faces, Kid was most interested in his parents'.
His mother looked even paler than usual – Kid had gotten his complexion from her – and seemed about to faint. His father on the other hand seemed… sweaty. Kid had expected him to turn red and start yelling, but instead, he was quiet.
"Well, they definitely didn't see that coming," Kid said, pleased, but was confused when Law suddenly let go of him and walked over to his father. "Where the fuck are you going?" If Law came within reach of his dad, he might snap out of his trance.
However, no yelling came. Kid's father grabbed at his chest and seemed unable to breath. Law quickened his pace and arrived just in time when he collapsed.
"Get your hands off my husband!" Kid's mother all but shrieked, but Law looked at her with a piercing look.
"Ma'am, I'm a doctor. Someone call an ambulance!" he shouted over his shoulder. Bonney had already produced her phone and had started dialling.
Kid hastened himself to Law's side. Law had just placed his father carefully on the ground and started to loosen his tie as he checked for a pulse.
Whether she was panicking or didn't seem to get the seriousness of the situation, Kid's mother started to scream Law should keep his hands off her husband and tried to pry him loose. Kid jumped between them and held his mother back.
"Let him do his fucking job!" he spat. "Or don't you care if he lives or not?"
Kid's mom turned her attention to Kid now, shouting that it was his fault and things she thought should be done to people like him. Kid was relieved when the butler took over and led her away.
The rest of the people present were quiet, but they did let Law do his job. Kid had no idea what was happening, though he suspected that his father had had a heart attack. Law had started reanimation, and Kid suddenly felt cold. What if his father didn't survive? The shock of Kid kissing a man had probably brought about the heart attack, so wouldn't that mean Kid killed him? He had wanted to shock his parents, sure, but not like this.
Suddenly, Law turned around and shouted, "Someone get me a defibrillator!"
Kid wanted to help, but he had no idea if they even had such a thing, and if they did, where they would keep it. Fortunately, one of the waiters hurried towards Law and Kid's dad with some kind of machine. Law ripped open the shirt of Kid's father without regard for any buttons flying off and placed two pads on his bare chest. Law then pressed a button. The body spasmed, and Law started CPR.
After what both seemed forever and at the same time no time at all, two paramedics with a stretcher came hurrying into the ballroom. Law helped them put Kid's father on it, before turning towards Kid.
"I'm gonna go with them in the ambulance. Maybe you should take your mom by car?"
Kid snorted. "As if she will leave in anything less than a limo. But yeah, go. I'll follow by car."
Law nodded and hurried after the paramedics.
Kid felt a hand being placed on his shoulder, and he turned towards Bonney. "Are you okay?" she asked, his brows knitted into a worried frown.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm heading to the hospital, though. To see if he's okay."
"Would you like us to come with you?" Bonney asked.
"Nah, that's fine. Law's there. Go home. Ah…" Kid suddenly remembered he had driven Bonney and Perona to the mansion with his car.
Bonney waved her hand. "Go. We can take the bus. Oh, and Kiddo?" She waited till he turned towards her. "Call if you need anything. I'm serious. Doesn't matter what time, okay?"
He gave a quick nod before hurrying to his car. He didn't know where his mother was, to be honest, nor had he paid much attention to the other guests. He just wanted to see if his father was okay and if he was, to get the hell out of there with Law. And if not…
He sighed deeply. He didn't know what he would do then and he'd rather not think about it until he had to. But that didn't mean that the thoughts didn't force their way to the foreground of his mind, including some ridiculous scenarios where he was in court for the murder of his father. He knew that wouldn't happen, but he couldn't help but briefly wonder if it would have been better if he wasn't gay.
Immediately, he corrected himself. Perhaps he shouldn't have gone to the party or made a show of coming out, but he was what he was. At least Law had been there to try to help him. His father's chances would have been much slimmer if he hadn't been. It was a good thing he was dating a doctor.
At the hospital, he asked where Mr Eustass was – it felt weird asking it like that since Law insisted to call him that – but while he was pointed to a room, he didn't dare to go inside. Instead, he sunk in a chair that was standing in the hallway and rubbed his eyes.
"There you are," Law's voice suddenly sounded. "I went to the entrance to find you, but I suppose we just missed each other. You don't want to go in?"
"Can't you tell me the prognosis?"
"He will be fine." Law sat down next to Kid in a chair.
"Thanks to you," Kid said musing.
"I was just doing my job. Well, what once will be my job."
Kid just hummed and took a deep breath, before rising and holding out his hand. "Well, if he's gonna be fine, there's no reason for me to stay here. Let's go."
"Are you certain?" Law asked, but still took Kid's extended hand.
Kid scoffed. "I'm pretty sure I'm the last person he wants to see right now. Or ever. I'm the one who put him here, remember?"
Law kept silent as he walked alongside Kid to the exit. "Where are Ms Bonney and Ms Perona?" he finally asked.
"Home. Didn't need to drag their asses out here," Kid replied. "I should probably let them know my dad is fine." He sent Bonney a short text, all the while never letting go of Law's hand.
They walked in silence to Kid's car, but before they reached it, Kid said, "Thanks."
"What for?" Law asked surprised.
"Y'know. Tonight."
"I told you, I was only doing my job," Law said.
"Not just that. The whole night. You didn't have to come. And I just… Just be happy I'm showing some gratitude," Kid snapped.
Law chuckled. "I am very happy."
A sudden urge to kiss him overwhelmed Kid, and he pulled Law closed. Law showed no objections and even opened his mouth invitingly. His fingers intertwined with Kid's hair, messing up his hairdo, but Kid didn't care.
When they let go of each other, they were both panting.
"Well, then," Law said, looking a bit ruffled himself. "And that wasn't even foreplay."
A smirk grew on Kid's face. "Who said it wasn't?"
"If you think I am going to have sex with you in the car… You're quire right." Law's face mirrored Kid's.
"Here?" Kid asked, looking around the car park.
Law snorted and hit him on the back of his head. "No, you dimwit. I work here!"
Despite the prospect of sex, Kid couldn't let that slide. "The fuck did you call me?"
"Don't make me repeat myself, it's a waste of my time."
For a brief moment, Kid wondered if Law was acting like an ass to distract him from the situation with his parents. It wasn't necessary, as Kid knew he was better off without them. He wouldn't have attempted a stunt like tonight if he wasn't convinced of that.
But then he remembered it was in Law's nature to be an ass, always had been and always would be. Yet somehow the bastard had wormed his way into Kid's life and made himself comfortable, not about to leave anytime soon.
"Come on, young master Eustass," Law suddenly said and took Kid's hand again.
An amused smirk appeared on Kid's face. "I thought you weren't gonna call me that."
"It depends on how much you like it."
Kid hummed. "Ask me again when you're naked."
As Law dragged him towards the car – though not to have sex initially, apparently – Kid found himself remembering the things that had happened since he met Law, and to be fair, there had never been a dull moment. He couldn't help but wonder what the hell the future might have in store for him.
END