Title: The Dark Side Of My Shadow
Author: AoiTsukikage
Rating: PG-13 for now, will increase
Characters/Pairing:Eventual Law/Sanji, other pairings mentioned
Chapter: 6/?
Word Count: 3266
Summary: Sanji hadn't planned on getting bitten that night. Law hadn't planned on taking a vampire home with him. Now there's no going back. AU, Vampire!Sanji, eventual Law/Sanji.
Spoilers: For recent chapters.

Chapter Six

"Ace said you wanted to talk to me, yoi," Marco lands on the rail beside him, nearly giving Sanji a heart attack (if vampires can get heart attacks, that is. He's not sure), and the other man is balancing with perfect ease on the thin bar, crouched over with his legs still bird-like and his talons gripped around it. There's nobody else around, of course, because Sanji's still never seen Marco transform when there's any risk of being seen, but he's not entirely used to it yet.

"Yeah. Did he tell you what happened?" Sanji asks softly, and Marco nods.

"The basics. Obviously I'd be a hypocrite if I judged you for allowing yourself to be a government guinea pig, but it is the best way to keep safe," he nods. "And as for needing blood…that's something that I guess is different for everybody. I always know when I do, but it happens so rarely that I can ignore it for a long time," he sighs. "Honestly, I don't remember if it was more…severe at the beginning because it was so long ago, but as long as you can catch it early, you should be fine, yoi."

"Yeah, that's what Law guessed, too," Sanji admits, lighting up a cigarette and glancing up at Marco. "But that's not what I needed advice on. I really wanted to know…if I bit somebody, what would happen?"

"Either you kill them or you don't," Marco says quickly and Sanji thinks that's about the simplest answer he could receive. "We can't Turn people because we're not full vampires," he continues, and for some reason that news is about the most reassuring thing he could have said. Sanji's more than a little relived he could never subject anybody to what he's going through. "But vampire saliva has healing properties, so there's not much danger of taking too much blood unless you're so far gone you don't realize it."

"Have you ever…" he isn't actually sure if he wants to know the answer to this, but Marco shrugs.

"Not often. But I've had…partners who found it somewhat erotic," he says in a low voice and Sanji blinks because while there's a part of him that realizes how it could be, he thinks that somebody would have to be into some pretty kinky shit to get off on literally having their blood drained. There's also a fiercely protective surge in him at the words, even though he knows that Marco's probably twice his age or more, but the off-hand way he talked about these past partners made him feel sorry for Ace more than anything. Marco seems to catch onto this, somehow, and he reaches to pat Sanji's shoulder. "I really like him, yoi. I know I'm going to outlive anybody I get involved with, which is why I don't do it very often, but Ace just…I'm drawn to him, somehow. There's this fire inside of him that I can't stay away from, and I promise that I'll never hurt him."

Sanji believes him without really knowing why, but then, it's up to Ace if he's choosing to get involved knowing Marco's history, so it's probably not his place to say anything further.

"So," Marco hops off of the railing, trailing flame from his arms as he lands gracefully on the ground, "is there a table at your restaurant for me? I don't think Ace is gonna shut up until I actually try your food, yoi," he grins and Sanji blows out some smoke but smiles back.

"Yeah. C'mon."

000

"Doctor, you're alive!"

Law makes a rather strange squawking sound at the impact of three bodies barreling into him, especially since he's being lifted off the ground with the force of the hug, and he shoves against the arms encircling him until they let him go.

"We were so worried! Your lab…"

And oh. Yes. It's not as if he'd cleaned up the night before after his mad dash to find blood for Sanji, and he's sure there's still papers and vials littered all over the floor. Anybody would be suspicious, especially since he normally kept things in perfect condition.

"I'm fine," he promises, and his interns breathe twin sighs of relief. Penguin and Shachi are good sorts, if a little over-enthusiastic at times, but he trusts them and he knows they're far more loyal to him than to the government as a whole. The third occupant of the room shuffles around a bit, black nose sniffing the air before he walks closer again. "Bepo, what are you doing here?" he asks, and the polar bear shrugs. Bepo, for all intents and purposes, doesn't exist, because he's a failed experiment. Permanently stuck in hybrid form, it would be impossible for him to go about life as a human, but it's not like he could live in the wild, either, so he mostly sticks close to Law's lab since everybody in the government complex knows about the hybrid experiments. Law's not exactly sure who'd given him clearance to undergo the hybrid experiments, because there had been a few doctors between his mentor and him finally being old enough to take over (and the fact that most of them had met with bad ends is something he tries not to think too deeply about for…obviously reasons), but Bepo's taken to him for some reason.

"They told me something bad might have happened. I had to make sure…" Bepo shifts from foot to foot before hugging him rather enthusiastically again, and Law sighs in a long-suffering way and scratches the bear behind his ears. Bepo's eyes close as he sighs happily, but then they snap open again and he sniffs the air again. "I smell cat."

"Lucci," Law doesn't even need to look around to know he's there, because the hairs on the back of his neck are standing up and the other man's presence still makes his skin crawl.

"Dr. Trafalgar," Lucci always says his title like it's some sort of slur, and Law glowers at the leopard as he morphs into his human form. "I've taken it upon myself to inform you that you've been given the go-ahead to do your…testing," he smirks and Law's almost surprised that he hasn't spilled the beans about Sanji entirely and left him explaining to his interns why he's helping a vampire. He gets the feeling Lucci wouldn't pass up any chance to make him squirm, but he's being surprisingly civil.

"That was quick. I didn't think Spandam would go for it."

"Oh, I didn't go to Spandam. At least, not directly. You see, our dear Director, despite leading a team that does almost nothing but confront vampires, is deathly afraid of them. Or of anybody that looks like them," he grins, and Law narrows his eyes in confusion. "Maybe I should have just gotten you to do it yourself, because he seems particularly perturbed by yellow eyes…" and Law knows immediately who he's talking about, because there's only one other man with golden eyes he can think of.

"I didn't think Mihawk did favors for anybody," he leans back against the table and Lucci shrugs.

"As he told me, he was 'bored', so perhaps I got lucky. But then, all he had to do was look at Spandam for him to turn into a twitching mass on the ground, so I doubt he was exerting himself too much. Regardless of how it happened, you're cleared, so I'd suggest you take advantage of it because if Spandam decides to revoke his decision I'm not betting on him helping us out again," he warns, and Law nods. It's fine by him, after all, but so far this has gone smoother than he'd expected. "Good," he turns smartly on his heel and strides out, that damn pigeon fluttering down from the rafters somewhere to land on his shoulder, and Law's not sorry to see him go.

Yes, the bastard can be useful and Law probably should be grateful, but…

"Fuck," he mutters as he realizes Lucci might not have told his interns and Bepo that he's helping a vampire, but they'll be curious enough now that they won't let it go unless he tells them anyway.

He really hates that man.

000

He's not really expecting company, but when there's a knock at his door later on that evening and he opens it to find Sanji there, cigarette held between his lips and looking mildly uncomfortable with an overnight bag slung around his shoulders. "Hey."

"I do trust you have your own house, Mr. Blackleg,' he keeps his tone mild because, while he's not opposed to Sanji being here, the other man sharing his bed on a regular basis is not going to be good for his self-control.

"Yeah," Sanji leans against the doorframe, hands in his pockets, and his shadow is already trying to creep across the floor and get closer to Law. "Look, last night was the first decent sleep I've gotten since the night I got bitten, and with that old geezer running me ragged and me having to spend my spare time being a government guinea pig, I just can't afford to be tired at work," he says, and Law will admit that he's got a point. "If you don't want me here, I'll leave, but…"

"No, I don't object to it," Law waves his hand dismissively. "I'll consider you making breakfast payment for your room and board," he adds, and Sanji grins at him and lights up his cigarette.

"I can do that," he promises, looking more comfortable now that he knows he's welcome. He kicks off his shoes and wanders in, looking unsure of himself.

"You know where the guest bathroom is," Law says idly. "I'm going to shower but if you want to get ready for bed I'll meet you in the bedroom once I'm done," he doesn't wait for a reply as he turns away, heading quickly into the master bathroom and locking the door behind him. He slumps back against it and groans, rubbing his hands over his eyes. Still, it's not as if this is the worst thing that could happen, and there's a part of him that's almost looking forward to it.

Deciding that he's not going to let it affect him, he strips off his clothes and hops into the shower, letting the warm water wash over his body.

He knows self-control is impeccable.

He'll be fine.

000

"So Marco told me…woah," Sanji's eyes widen at the sight of Law, fresh out of the shower and only wearing a towel around his waist. He swallows heavily, because damn, even though he's been in the same bed as the other man he'd never noticed how toned he was under the baggy sweatshirts he always wore. And, even more interesting than that were the tattoos covering most of Law's arms and chest, and when Law turned around to grab a pair of pajama pants from his closet Sanji could see a large one on his back as well.

"What?" Law looks over his shoulder before shrugging. "Oh. You haven't seen these yet, have you?" he slides the pants on under the towel and then removes it, tossing it back into the bathroom and coming to sit on the bed. Sanji's hands are moving before he can stop them, resting on Law's chest and idly tracing the swirls of the tribal-style heart there.

Sanji's not sure what he should say, because he feels like he's crossed a major line here, but Law's not moving away. Sanji slides his hands up to rest on the swirled hearts on Law's upper arms, biting his lip and frowning.

"My mentor," Law says quietly, the words almost too quiet to hear. "His name was Corazon. It's the Spanish word for heart. The smiley face was just a symbol he used on some of his medical equipment, so I modified it a little to make it my own. He…he's the reason I became a doctor. He saved my life," he murmurs, and Sanji can hear something in his voice that's young and vulnerable and so wrong, because Law's not supposed to look unsure. He slides his arms around Law without thinking, meaning it to be comforting but Law's skin is hot from the heated shower water and the extra warmth means Sanji's damn near crawling into his lap to soak up as much as he can.

"What happened?" he asks, breathing a sigh of relief when Law hugs him back, nose pressed against Sanji's neck.

"Vampires. He was ambushed," he mumbles against Sanji's skin, and Sanji freezes and tries to pull away. "No. It's not your fault."

"I'm sorry," Sanji doesn't know what else to say, but it's obvious this man had meant a lot to Law because this is by far the most emotion he's ever shown. Law flops back on the bed, then, pulling Sanji with him, and Sanji shifts closer, telling himself it's because of the warmth but knowing there's more to it. He's always been empathetic, and nothing bothers him more than knowing somebody he likes is hurting but being unable to do anything about it.

Law slides a hand down his back, fingers curling into his shirt, and Sanji sighs heavily.

"So. Got any tattoos I can't see?"

Law chuckles then, not quite his normal sarcastic tone but it's better than having that haunted look in his eyes. "No. What? You don't think I have enough?"

"I like them," Sanji sits up a little, and he's telling the truth. He's never been that big on tattoos in the past, at least not to the point he'd ever consider one, but Law's are perfectly symmetrical and seem more an elaborate sort of artwork than just random symbols with no connection to each other. It's a unique sort of tribute, but somehow it suits Law perfectly.

"Here, let me up and I'll put a shirt on…"

"You don't have to," Sanji says immediately, flushing a little when Law's eyes narrow. "I mean…it's warmer this way, and I'm…" he turns his face so Law can't see his eyes, but he can feel his shadow sliding over Law again, tendrils stroking at the wavy lines of ink on his chest. "Hey. Stop that."

"If you don't mind, I'm fine with it," he finally says, and Sanji breathes a sigh of relief that he's not questioning him on this. His feelings for Law are still confusing, and while his shadow seems certain of what it wants, and while he's…pretty sure at this point that Law does like him, he's still a guy.

And Sanji's pretty sure he's only interested in girls.

Law reaches over him to turn the lamp off, the room still partially lit from a streetlamp outside, and Sanji settles himself under the blankets, shivering even now until Law wraps him up and hooks his chin over Sanji's shoulder, spooning him from behind.

"What were you going to say earlier?" Law asks, and Sanji looks back at him.

"Oh. Marco told me that half-breeds can't Turn anybody. I could still have killed you, but…" he shrugs, because thinking about how close it was still scares him, and Law nods against his skin.

"That's good to know. And will probably help us in the end," he adds, and Sanji can see why not being able to change people into monsters would bode well for their whole 'trying to prove half-breeds are almost human' thing. "I was thinking we could start with a few tests tomorrow when you get a break. Lucci informed me that somehow he's gotten us clearance to go ahead with this, so I think it's best to begin right away."

"Yeah. Sounds good," Sanji can't see any reason not to, after all, and he yawns and turns so his back is to Law again, feeling strangely at peace. "Law, are you sure it's not a problem if I…"

"If I had any issues with you staying here, I'd be sure to voice them," Law's tone implies that he wants the subject to be dropped, so Sanji nods and does so. He wonders if he should feel guilty for invading Law's house and leeching all his warmth, especially if Law does like him because this can't be comfortable for him if that's the case, but…if Law says he's okay with it, Sanji can't really say anything to dispute that.

He lets out a heavy sigh and Law holds him tighter, one hand splayed over his chest, and Sanji decides that maybe it's time to stop rationalizing everything and just follow his instincts. He carefully slides his own hand up over Law's, curling his fingers between the other man's and he hears Law's breath hitch slightly before it evens out again.

"You know what else Marco told me?" he's not sure why he's saying this, but the mood's far too tense and he wants to lighten it a little. Law doesn't really answer, but he figures that's enough of a go-ahead. "Some half-vamps bite their lovers for fun."

"I had no idea you were into that, Mr. Blackleg," Law murmurs, but there's a hint of amusement in his voice and Sanji knows it's fine.

"Never said I was. Thought you might be, though, with all your tattoos and piercings. You get off on pain?" he half turns and uses his free hand to cup Law's cheek, lightly tapping Law's double earrings.

"Maybe I do," Law's eyes are a dark golden in the low light, and Sanji barely has time to squeak before Law flips him onto his back and straddles his hips, pinning his wrists above his head. "Why? Are you offering?" he asks, leaning forward, and Sanji gulps because holy fuck he hadn't been expecting Law to be so strong, first of all, and he whimpers a little because for some reason he's finding this assertiveness really, really hot and he shouldn't.

There's something heavy between them in that moment, both panting a little, and Sanji tilts his chin up when Law leans down further. He doesn't know what he's asking for, or what he wants, but despite being unable to move he doesn't feel threatened at all. Law rests his forehead against Sanji's, closing his eyes and holding his position for a moment before he lets Sanji go and rolls off, covering his eyes with his hands and groaning softly. "I'm sorry. I should not have done that. You've made it clear that you harbor no feelings toward me other than gratitude and, perhaps, friendship, and I…"

"Shut up," Sanji nudges him gently with his elbow. "It's fine," he curls up close to Law's side and slides an arm over his chest, resting his head on the other man's shoulder. He knows it's intimate, and he knows it should feel weird, but it doesn't and right now he's not that interested in trying to figure out why that is. "It's definitely friendship, by the way."

Law scoffs but there's something relieved in it, and Sanji thinks back to when Law had told him that he didn't have many friends. "I…think I'm rather fond of you, too," he murmurs, so quiet Sanji's not sure if he's supposed to have heard it, but Law's hand comes to rest on his back and Sanji knows they're okay.

His own emotions might be totally fucked up, and he's going to have to sort through some things and figure out what, exactly, he feels, but that can wait until morning.

Right now he's too tired to really care.

Notes:

1. I don't have a whole lot to say here this time around, but yes, their relationship is slowly progressing but I promise they'll get there!

2. Thanks again to everybody reading and especially those who are leaving feedback; I'm glad people are still enjoying this.