Chapter 9:
Editors note: just kidding, I'm totally real ;)
Christmas came and went.
Ace, Marco, Luffy, and Law had driven out to the brother's childhood home where Law had met the whole family and then some. There was Dragon, their dad, Rouge, their mom, Garp, their grandfather, Shanks and Makino, family friends, Koala, Sabo's wife, and Sabo himself.
At first Sabo didn't trust Law. He played the role of protective big brother perfectly and, at some points, unnerved Law. But after a while, and some convincing from the ultimate protective brother, Ace, he relaxed and acted civilized.
Luffy had woken him up the morning of christmas by pouncing on him and yelling "GET UP GET UP COME ON TORAO CHRISTMAS LETS GO WE GOTTA GO OR ACE DAD AND SABO WILL OPEN EVERYTHING LET'S GO LAW GET YOUR ASS UP COME ON" over and over with no end until he dragged his ass out of bed. 4am in the morning but he got up.
Only for Luffy.
Law had sat with Marco, Koala and Makino on the couch as their counterparts eagerly opened gifts and argued over things. All four were still somewhat asleep.
Rouge brought out some coffee for them which they graciously accepted. "The boys are a handful near the holidays." She laughed as she watched the scene. They all gave tired sounds of agreement.
Luffy had gotten Law a few new books he'd been wanting along, with a new hat and a new stethoscope. Law smiled unwrapping it. He'd been complaining about his for a while. Luffy had apparently been listening for once.
Law gave Luffy an entire book of coupons from their local meat market and a new lense for his camera. Luffy was ecstatic, running up to get his camera. After he'd taken about a thousand pictures Law pulled him close and said, "I have another gift for you but you'll have to wait a while before you get it." Luffy wanted to know right then and there but Law shook his head and told him he'd have to wait.
They spent another two days there and Law became good friends with Koala and Rouge. The reason being the Monkey boys were always out doing something while Law and the girls preferred to stay indoors. He'd also spent a while talking with Shanks and Makino who told story after story about Luffy as a child. "You wouldn't believe that boy. All the things he'd say he'd do when he got older. He was hysterical!"
When they finally got home he was exhausted. But he got up the next morning and went to work.
"You're coming with me to Ace's New Years party right?" Luffy asked while they were at lunch the day before the party.
"I don't see why I wouldn't." He responded.
"Okay. I didn't know if you would be working." Luffy smiled.
"I shouldn't be unless they call me in for overtime or something." He took a sip of coffee. "But that shouldn't happen."
He really shouldn't say things like that.
"Law!" Penguin knocked on his door.
"Come in." He called from his desk.
"Thank goodness you're still here!" He said walking in. "Head says we need another doctor on call and she chose you."
Law stopped what he was doing and turned to face the nurse. "Tonight?" He asked.
"No tomorrow, of course tonight!" The nurse looked annoyed.
"Shit." He muttered. "No one else can do it?"
"Not that I know of." Penguin frowned. "You have somewhere to be?"
"I was supposed to go to a party with Luffy." He took his phone out of his pocket and opened it to his boyfriend's number. "Go see if there's anyone else that can take my place, I'm going to call him." And with that Penguin left.
Law hit 'dial' and waited until the happy greeting from the photographer.
"Hi, Torao!" Law closed his eyes and felt guilty.
"Hey, Lu."
"Something wrong?" His voice went from cheerful to worried in point-two seconds.
Law took a deep breath in and rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah. They want me to stay tonight."
"...really?" Luffy asked.
"I'm so sorry Lu, I know you wanted me to be at the party and I'd love to be there too it's jus-"
"I understand." Luffy cut him off. "It's your job and if your boss says they need you then there isn't anything you can do. It's okay."
For some reason, Law didn't really think Luffy was okay with it. Frowning he sat back in his chair. "I'm looking around for someone who could take my place. I'll text you if I can or not."
"Okay." Luffy said. Law felt two tons of guilt land on him.
"Okay...I'll see you tomorrow morning."
"Okay." It felt forced. Law hated it.
"Love you."
"Love you too." And then he hung up.
Law placed the phone back in his pocket and slammed his head into the desk. He'd told Luffy he'd go. And now he had to go back on his word. Why was New Years so special again? He dug through his brain but found nothing. Why was he so useless?
He sighed and walked out of his office and went to find Shachi. When he did the other doctor took one look at him and said "what do you need to know?"
"How-?" Law began before Shachi held up a hand to stop him.
"You look both distressed and like hell which usually means you don't understand something." He explained.
"Whatever, I need to know why New Year's is important." Law said.
"Well for one it's the beginning of a new year." Law gave him a look and he laughed. "You mean in terms of couple-y stuff?"
The surgeon nodded.
"Well, Captain, New Years with a significant other is pretty cool. Lots of alcohol, celebrating and the New Years kiss." He shrugged as if it was common knowledge, which it probably was.
"New Years what now?" Law raised an eyebrow.
"The kiss?" Law nodded again. "It's where couples countdown to the new year together and after 'one' they kiss. Sounds pretty stupid but in the moment it's exciting and special."
"And I'll be working." Law groaned.
"Wait you're not off tonight?" Shachi asked.
"Nope. They put me on overtime." Law sighed. "I told Luffy I'd go with him to his brother's party and now I can't make it."
"He disappointed?"
"He tried to sound like he wasn't but he's shit at lying."
"Has he ever had a partner before you?" Shachi asked.
"No." Law's eyebrows furrowed at the question. "I don't see why that's relevant."
"He was probably excited to have someone to spend the new years excitement with. Think about how many years he's spent watching other couples and now he should have someone. But you'll be working." Law felt another two pounds of guilt.
"I've got to get out of here and to that party." Law frowned.
"What time does it start?" He asked.
"Eleven."
"Okay so two hours..." Shachi thought for a moment. "Maybe...just maybe...I can convince them to let me take the back half of your shift."
"You'd do that for me?" Law asked.
"Sure, Captain." He laughed. "I don't have anywhere else to be."
"Thank you, Shachi." Law smiled. "So much."
"No problemo. Now go and I'll let you know what they say." Law nodded and went off to continue doing paperwork.
Around eleven Law began to lose hope. But when Shachi sauntered into the room he smiled.
"What are you still doing here you're off the clock! Don't you have a party to go to?" The other doctor smirked.
"Thanks again, Shachi." He said, grabbing his coat and headed out the door.
"Just go enjoy yourself!" Shachi called out.
"I will!"
If he could make it there on time.
Usually it took him twenty minutes to get home. But as they did live in a college town and it was New Years there were a bunch of people crowding the streets.
"Get out of the road!" He yelled. The people in his way neither heard him or cared. He glanced at the clock. Eleven thirty. Oh come on!
He finally made it to the apartments with ten minutes to spare. He locked his car and brushed past a few groups of people who were standing around and up to Ace's apartment. Why the hell did he live on the fourth floor?
He checked the time on his phone before opening the door. 'Five minutes. I can make it!' And then he opened the door.
Jesus Christ how many people did Ace and Marco know? The place was packed! How was he supposed to find Luffy in an apartment full of half drunk teens and young adults?
He pushed his way through the bodies and tried to think of where Luffy would be.
"Law!" He heard a voice call his name and turned. "Luffy said you couldn't make it!" Sanji stood cup in hand next to Zoro against one of the walls.
"Yeah, I found a replacement." He explained. "Speaking of Luffy, do either of you know where he is?"
Zoro pointed to where the sliding doors led to a small balcony. "Last I saw he was out there." Law thanked him and re-entered the crowd.
He was almost to the door when,"TEN!" Shit! He was almost out of time!
"NINE. EIGHT. SEVEN. SIX. FIVE." He made it to the balcony and looked around until he spotted him looking off the end of the balcony.
"FOUR. THREE. TWO."
He pushed through the few people who occupied the railing and made it to Luffy. The younger turned to see who'd approached and his eyes lit up when he realized who it was.
"ONE."
Law wrapped his left arm around Luffy's back and pulled him close. "Happy New Years" he said before leaning in to kiss him.