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: 7/?
Word Count: 3503
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 Seven

"Can I help you?"

The woman at the front desk is stunning, long legs and long blonde hair and practically exuding sexuality just from sitting there. She looks annoyed, though, and she reaches up to adjust her glasses before sighing and crossing her arms.

"Well? I don't have all day. Staring at me is sexual harassment, you know."

"Oh," Sanji shakes his head, snapping him out of his trance. "I, um, I'm here to see Doctor Trafalgar."

Honestly, he should have just sent Law a text and gotten the older man to meet him at the entrance, but if he's being honest the last time he was here he'd been unconscious when Law had taken him to the lab and going out they'd taken some back door to, Sanji assumes, avoid anybody seeing them sneaking around. So he's completely lost and the government complex is gigantic, which doesn't help.

He hates being lost. It reminds him of that shitty Marimo.

"Hmm," she flips through a few files idly before standing up, smirking now as if she knows a secret the rest of the world won't ever find out, and Sanji feels his knees go a little weak. "I can take you to his office."

"I'll do it, Kalifa, don't trouble yourself," a black blur dashes around the corner and somehow comes to a complete stop right in front of Sanji, something that causes Kalifa to roll her eyes skyward.

"Can you ever enter the room like a normal person?"

"Why would I do that?" Kaku blinks at her before shrugging.. "That wouldn't be any fun."

"You're a freak, you know that," her words aren't kind but there's an underlying affection in her tone that even Sanji can pick up, and Kaku only grins at that. "Anyway, I'm leaving. If you see Spandam, tell him that I'm a trained assassin and not some secretary, and that if he's too cowardly to try and patch up whatever's going on between Jyabura and his normal office lackey that's not my problem," she turns on her heel and he frowns.

"Why can't you tell him?"

"Because he wouldn't survive the conversation," she calls over her shoulder, and Kaku barks a laugh at that. "Thanks, dear," she raises her hand in a wave before rounding the corner, and Sanji stares after her in awe for probably longer than is acceptable.

"Don't even think about it. She'd eat you alive," Kaku pats his shoulder and steers him in the opposite direction, and Sanji finally faces forward and sticks his hands in his pockets.

"Why? Is she taken?"

"No, lad. At least, I don't reckon so," he looks thoughtful for a moment or two. "I'm not that interested in office gossip, to tell the truth, but most of us on our team don't get involved in personal affairs. Our jobs can get pretty…messy, after all, so finding somebody that's willing to accept that you might not come home one night…it's not easy," he looks completely unconcerned and Sanji has to walk a little faster to keep up with his long strides.

"Is that why you're telling me she's off-limits?" Sanji asks, a little suspicious, but the vibe he'd gotten from Kaku and Kalifa had been more like siblings than anything else.

"Oh, God," Kaku laughs and hides the lower half of his face inside the collar of his high-necked jacket. "No, for Heaven's sake, we practically grew up together. Most of the team did, since they tend to find us young, but it's hard to look at us as anything but a rather eclectic and dysfunctional family," he turns down another hallway and Sanji follows him, trying to map the route out in his mind. He's pretty sure the lab from the other night had been in the basement, and they're not heading down yet, so he's a little confused.

"So you guys have rules about that?" it wouldn't surprise him, honestly, because the government seems to have a lot of strange policies.

"Just our own, I think. And I didn't say nobody on the team is involved with each other, but like I said, I don't gossip," he's winks then and stops outside of a rather nondescript door, the nameplate bearing Law's name. "Here you go."

"I thought we'd be going to the lab," Sanji admits, and Kaku shrugs.

"Ah, you might well, but he does his daily appointments up here so there's a better chance of catching him around. I'll see you," Kaku claps him rather soundly on the back before bounding off down the corridor, and Sanji watches him go with an amused smile on his lips.

He turns to knock on the door, then, and Law answers immediately, sticking his head out and smiling a little when he sees who it is.

"I'm surprised you found me so easily," he beckons Sanji in and Sanji looks around in surprise, because he'd expected something a lot darker and the office is almost…cheery, with a large window backing out onto what looks like a courtyard.

"Kaku showed me," he explains, and Law 'hmms' and starts flipping through some papers.

"So today I thought we'd start small. I want to get a blood test and a saliva sample and we'll analyze those first, although that might take a few days because I'll need to do it without anybody really knowing what I'm up to. We might have clearance, but that doesn't mean I want to broadcast this all over the place," he explains brusquely and Sanji nods, sitting down on the nearest chair. "After that, we'll try to get some scans of your brain activity and go from there. I'm not sure what I'll find, or how much proof we're going to need, but I want you to be comfortable," he's speaking to Sanji like he's a patient and not a friend, and Sanji glares at him until he stops talking. "What?"

"Cut the shit, Doctor," Sanji crosses his legs and sticks an unlit cigarette in his mouth, grinning. "Your bedside manner's better than that."

"Maybe," Law admits with a smile. "But we're constantly being monitored in here and I could put both my job and your guaranteed safety in jeopardy if somebody who isn't in the know thinks we're a little too friendly," he explains, bending to grab some items from a nearby cabinet, and Sanji admits that he's got a point.

"Okay. So. What are we doing first?"

000

"I'm feeling it again," Sanji says this out of nowhere a couple of nights later, sitting on Law's couch besides him and his fingers are clenched so tight in the fabric of his pants that his knuckles are white. The tests had gone smoothly the other day and while Law's trying to rush the results, he obviously can't look too eager so they're stuck in a bit of a limbo until he can analyze everything properly. Sanji hasn't been at his place for a couple of nights, and Law's not sure if that's because he's getting used to his perpetually cold body temperature or because he doesn't want to look too needy, but when he'd showed up earlier Law had been able to tell something was off. He hadn't known what, exactly, until now. "The…it's too soon, I can't need blood this often…"

Ah. So that explains why he's been distant.

"You've given up a few vials for testing, so that may explain why the pull is stronger. I'm sure once your body stabilizes everything it won't happen as much. We'll go back tomorrow and get you some blood," Law supposes he should have thought of this before, but by Sanji's own account he'd managed to stave off the bloodlust for several days the last time around and it's been significantly less time that one more night shouldn't make too much of a difference.

"No. Too long. Damn it," Sanji hisses, and when he looks up he hardly looks human and Law shifts back without meaning to. He belatedly thinks that while he wouldn't have taken enough blood to affect a normal human for long, there's no telling how much blood Sanji even has left in his body so it could have drained him significantly and accelerated his hunger process for it.

"Come here," Law makes a split second decision because he knows well enough by now that he can't let it go on any longer, and he doesn't trust Sanji's control enough to believe he'll be able to bring himself back from the edge if the vampire within him takes over again. He presses his back against the hallway wall, needing the support, and Sanji's looking at him like he has no idea what's happening.

"Law, what…"

"You need blood. I've got it. Take it," he says slowly, but Sanji's shaking his head before he can even get the sentence out.

"I'm not going to do that. No way," he says firmly, but there's a defeated slump to his shoulders that tells Law he's giving in no matter how much he might want to resists.

"Do it," Law decides, letting out a slow breath through his nose and tilting his head back to bare his neck. He can feel Sanji's shadow creeping onto his body, twining around his feet and up his legs, and he shivers at the chill. "I'm not accustomed to doling out charity, Mr. Blackleg," he adds, and Sanji seems to snap out of his daze.

"No, I don't…I mean, I feel like I need to…can't we use…"

"No time to find a willing victim," Law smiles grimly. "It's me or nobody," he can feel himself trembling a little, although whether it's from fear or because he's always been slightly aroused by danger he can't say.

"What if I kill you?" Sanji's eyes are starting to go red, now, his fangs lengthening even as he tries to protest, and Law shakes his head.

"You won't. I trust you not to, and besides, if you try to kill me Kikoku won't let you," he knows that for certain, at least.

"Fuck," Sanji growls, teeth their full length and eyes nearly blood-red, and Law wills himself to relax, his body reacting instinctively to the caresses Sanji's shadow is currently giving him, running up his legs and over his inner thighs. "No, don't…"

"It's okay," Law waves off his concern, because while he knows Sanji's not…interested in him, at least not the way his shadow seems to be, he doesn't mind the attention. It's not often he gets it, after all. "Please. Hurry," he tips his head back against the wall again and gasps when Sanji all but jumps on him, teeth pressed to the side of his neck.

"I don't know if I can…" Sanji says against his skin, teeth scraping Law's throat, and Law opens his eyes and feels a strange sense of clarity wash over him.

"I'm not frightened," he says honestly, because compared to last time Sanji had needed blood they'd caught this early enough that he was still in control of his own body. "Do it."

Sanji pauses then, hands reaching to grip Law's arms, and Law feels his knees go weak as Sanji's shadow slides higher over his body, trapping him completely. "Hang on," Sanji takes a deep breath, and a second later Law can feel the fangs pierce his skin. It doesn't hurt, really, although one of Sanji's hands is running through Law's hair now and he seems to be moving on instinct. Law slumps against the wall, letting Sanji hold him up, and he finds enough energy somehow to fist his hands in the cook's hair, holding him in place.

"Shit," he hisses under his breath, because there's something so sexual about this now, a kind of power exchange based on trust, and it's really been too long since he's had anybody in his bed in that way. Sanji pulls back, then, tongue licking over the bite marks and cleaning the last of the blood from Law's skin. His lips press against the side of Law's neck in something that feels almost like a kiss, except of course it's not, but when they look at each other again there's something amazingly tender in Sanji's gaze.

"Thank you," he murmurs, still combing his fingers through Law's hair. "I feel better."

"That was the goal," Law replies, his head spinning a little from the blood loss although he can tell Sanji hadn't taken that much. He's half-hard in his jeans, and he's not entirely certain if it's because he gets off on danger or because it's Sanji that had done that to him.

Probably both, he thinks, eyes slipping closed, and Sanji doesn't let him go. "You sure you're okay?"

"Give me a moment," he murmurs, letting himself be held, and Sanji keeps stroking those long fingers through his hair in a way that feels far too much like a caress. "I told you nothing bad would happen."

"Yeah," Sanji sounds relieved. "But, um, shouldn't you have…when you donate blood, they give you sugar, right? Or juice or something?"

"I've got some in the fridge," he knows Sanji's right, even though comparatively speaking he doubts the other man had taken any more blood than one would give for a standard blood test, but it won't hurt. Sanji's not letting him go, though, and he looks up with some effort, blinking at the blond.

"Um," Sanji's hands finally stop moving, fingers lightly clenched in Law's hair, and Law can feel the air crackle between them. He needs to move, because he's going to do something he'll always regret if he doesn't, but he's already a little aroused and being this close to Sanji isn't helping any. He gasps without meaning to when Sanji's shadow starts moving again, coiling up between his legs and across his stomach.

"Mr. Blackleg," he's rather proud of himself that his voice doesn't give any indication as to how close to losing control he is, "I'm going to need you to let go of me now."

"Shit," Sanji sounds in pain and his eyes are still reddish, still not quite human, and Law feels like he couldn't move even if he'd really wanted to. "Law, I…"

Law doesn't say anything, because he doesn't trust his voice, and his hands are clenched at his sides as he waits for the other man to make his move. Sanji narrows his visible eye and bows his head a little before seemingly steeling himself, fingers tightening in Law's hair as he tilts his head back up.

He moves closer, leg slotting between Law's and Law can feel Sanji's shadow creep even higher around his chest, pinning his arms to his sides.

"Don't," Sanji snarls, fangs elongating for a moment, and Law feels the shadow recede obediently. "Fuck, I'm not doing it that way," he sounds on the verge of madness, like he's fighting some battle within himself. He takes a deep breath, then, resting one hand on Law's chest and pushing himself close enough that they're nearly touching. "Law…I want to…can I?" his voice is defeated, like he can't fight this anymore, and Law nods because he's honestly not sure what will happen if he says no.

Sanji makes a wounded noise low in his throat before their lips touch, and Law's hands immediately go to his hips, feeling some of the tension release from his body. He's wanted this so badly, and he'd never even imagined Sanji would be inclined to reciprocate, but the younger man is trembling and it seems like he's on the verge of breaking down completely.

"Sanji," he murmurs, maybe the first time he's ever used the blond's given name, but the moment's far too intimate to bother with formalities. "Let me…"

"Okay," Sanji murmurs, so Law initiates the next kiss, moving his lips gently until the other man reciprocates. It's tentative and unsure, almost innocent, which considering that Sanji had just been sucking blood from his body seems rather contradictory. He breaks the kiss, then, unwilling to push it too far, and Sanji lets out a shuddery breath and pulls away, so Law lets him go. "Fuck."

Law doesn't say anything, not wanting to make it worse, but Sanji staggers away from him on shaky legs and collapses into a chair by the table, something Law himself kind of wants to do.

He forces himself to get a glass of juice, draining it in a few quick gulps, and retreats to the bathroom to gather his thoughts. The mirror stops him short and he realizes how awful he looks, dried blood streaking down his neck and face pale, although the stories about vampire saliva having healing properties must be true because the mark itself is barely visible.

Telling himself that Sanji has to figure this out for himself, he decides to go about his evening routine normally.

If Sanji is still there when he comes out of the bathroom, that's fine. If he's not…

Well, Law's expecting that, to be honest.

Even if he's truly hoping for something different.

000

Sanji hasn't left by the time he gets back, although he's moved back to the couch, and he tries not to let his surprise show. The young man is staring off into space, looking conflicted, and Law lays a hand on his shoulder gently but even that causes him to flinch.

"I'm making some tea. Would you like a cup?" he asks softly, and Sanji nods, so Law slides into the kitchen and does so. Sanji's still motionless when he returns, and Law sits beside him but not too close to make him uncomfortable as he passes the cup over.

"Thanks," Sanji mutters, curling his fingers around the cup and sighing heavily. "Sorry. I'm being a fucking wimp about this."

"You're not," Law assures him. "You've gone your entire life thinking your sexuality was something that it isn't, and it's all coming on top of the knowledge that you're not entirely human any longer. Anybody would be overwhelmed," he promises, watching Sanji out of the corner of his eye as he sips at the tea. "I'm sure it's not up to your standards…"

"It's tea. It's hot. It's fine," Sanji says briskly, but he slumped back into the couch a second later. "Are you feeling okay?"

"You really didn't take that much blood," Law promises, and it's only the truth. "I'm more worried about you right now."

"I'm…processing," Sanji decides, clicking his tongue. "I just never thought my first kiss would be with a guy," he laughs bitterly and Law would feel guilty except, well, Sanji had initiated it in the end. "Sorry. You…you're hot, and I like you, and maybe I just need to…shift my world-view a bit. A bit more," he amends with a wry chuckle, "because vampires are one thing but…" he sets the tea on a side table and lights up a cigarette, smoking thoughtfully, and Law can tell that he needs it as much as he disapproves of smoking on principle.

"Rest assured, I'm not going to rush you into anything you aren't prepared for," Law decides that's a safe thing to say, and he hears Sanji hum in what he assumes is appreciation.

There's silence after that, so absolute that he almost wants to turn the television on just to break it, but he hears the couch creak and a second later Sanji's head is on his shoulder, legs curled up underneath him and the teacup back in his hands.

"I don't know what I'm feeling," he finally admits, the words mumbled around the cigarette in his mouth. "But I know I trust you, and I know you make me feel safe. And kissing you…" he frowns, his brow furrowing. "It didn't feel wrong."

"I suppose that's encouraging," Law replies dryly and feels more than hears Sanji chuckle, the vibrations rippling through his body.

"I was right, though," Sanji looks up at him almost coyly and Law's not sure if he wants to hear this, but he says nothing and so Sanji continues, "about you getting off on pain."

Law rolls his eyes and takes a sip of his tea to hide his lack of a witty response. Yes, he'd kind of hoped that Sanji hadn't noticed, but with how tight they were pressed together it would have been rather impossible not to. "I'm hardly a masochist, Mr. Blackleg. It would be more appropriate to imply that it's the threat of danger that…excited me," he finishes, and Sanji studies him appraisingly.

"Yeah? I can live with that," he decides, and Law's not exactly sure what that means but Sanji's curled up against him again, seemingly content, and Law shifts so that he's holding the cup in one hand to settle the other around Sanji's thin shoulders and hold him there.

It's not perfect, of course, and there's still a noticeable tension in the air between them, but Sanji's not running and, for now, that's all Law can really ask for.

Notes:

1. Yes, I've upped the rating because it's going to happen eventually and probably soon-ish for one reason or another…

2. Thank you so much to everybody that's still reading and reviewing! I realize that things are moving far more slowly here than in my other fics I've written with these two, but I hope you bear with me because that's going to change, I promise!