~

Luffy watched his boyfriend with a pout and a frown, small whining sounds escaping him whenever Law was in earshot. Luffy was not happy. It had been a few days with the stitches and the sling and the older was not relenting in taking the sling off, at all. Law was told to leave the clinic early so he could go furniture shopping with the Strawhats and he was going to do just that but Luffy didn't want to sit it out because he was wearing a stupid sling and his Torao was being mean about the bed rest. Luffy had even completely absorbed JoJo's Bizarre Adventures till Stone Ocean and still Torao was not letting him out of the house.

Luffy was finally able to relax on the second day of his bed rest when Sabo told him they had caught the bad guys and all the children were being looked after. All stress and anxiety had left the boy and he got bored of everything all the more, wanting to go out but when Law had told him to be a good patient, Luffy had grabbed his phone and told on Torao to the Hearts.

Law watched his boyfriend from the corner of his eyes, wondering when the younger would finally start his yell-fest of the day. The doctor had been taking short trips to the furniture store, half an hour every day for a few days was all he could take without wanting to spoon his eyes out. Today though, Law had more time and he was actually debating whether to take Luffy along or not, so he was waiting for the younger to start whining audibly.

Robin, Franky, Nami and Zoro were the ones gathered at Luffy's house, they would meet the rest at the furniture store. The four were also silently watching the dance that was going on between the boyfriends while Law was preparing his fanny pack and Luffy was watching him with keen eyes.

"I wanna go tooooo!" Luffy yelled and puffed out his cheeks. The four Strawhats alerted themselves, because there it was, their captain's usual demanding aura. They didn't know how Law would react to it because most of the times, people outside the crew rarely had favourable reactions.

Law rolled his eyes and looked at Luffy with an eyebrow raised. "Do you want a stroller too, seeing how much of a baby you're being?"

Zoro was the first to laugh and excused himself when Luffy glared at him and Nami smacked him.

"Torao that's mean!"

Law turned to the three remaining Strawhats. "Oh I'm sorry, bring a carriage guys, the strollers too poor for his majesty."

It was Robin's turn to chuckle, the men in front of her were just so adorable to her. Nami sighed, both of the boys were idiots.

"I wanna be a part of this Torao." Luffy said with his lower lip jutting out, eyes downcast. "I don't know when I'll get to spend this kind of time together with you again after you go back to Flevance."

Law didn't say anything to that, he just stared at the younger, the same things had been going through his own head a bit earlier too, hence the reason he was debating at all. The doctor was about to set some rules since he was going to agree but there was a knock on the door, four precise times, in a particular rhythm, the heartbeat of a Time Lord, the only knocking on wood that Law allowed. It had Law stop in the moment. Law did a double take at the mischievous grin spreading on his boyfriend's face then went to open the door.

"Hey cap!" Penguin was about to enter through the open door but Law shut it in his face.

"WHAT THE FUCK!"

"Nyahahahahahahaha!!" Luffy laughed while Law slowly approached the younger.

"What did you do?" Law asked, eyes narrowed, steps slow.

"I called your friends."

While Law was trying to wrap his head around those simple words, Robin had opened the door and let everyone in, all twenty of the Hearts. The doctor watched everyone fill the living room and greet and hug each other.

"Explain before I combust." Law said to whoever was listening and had answers, and sat down beside Luffy, Shachi scooted to make room for his friend.

"Luffy told us you were dreading going furniture shopping." Penguin started.

"And since we set up the whole building back home," Clione added.

"We are experienced about what you like." Musta said.

"So we are helping." Shachi patted Law on his back and grinned. "And between us four doctors, Luffy can come along too."

"How long have you guys been here? Why wasn't I informed? You know I don't like surprises." Law complained in a low voice.

"We got here yesterday and you were already asleep so we decided to let that miracle continue." Ikkaku said.

"Can we go now?" Luffy asked and that was the cue for Law to get his shit together and really go furniture shopping. Law didn't tell Luffy but he was more at ease and felt safe with the Hearts around, it was true that they had more experience about this particular kind of thing and that they knew about Law's sensory triggers so it made the material selection easier, Law trusted them and left things to his friends and it was because Law didn't have to take the wheel that he could pay more attention to Luffy and make sure his shoulder was alright.

Law had decided it would be best if everyone separated into groups. Luffy, Law, Nami and Bepo were in a shop together for the carpets, Nami checking out the prices, ready to bargain even though Law told her he didn't have a problem with funds, Luffy was like a child, running his hand over every piece of carpet the shop had, Bepo was silently following Law, shaking his head at the materials he knew Law didn't like.

"What about this one?" Nami took the sample in her hand and rubbed her thumb over it, the carpet base was thin but she liked the threads. Law ran his hand over the bigger piece and glitched in all planes of existence. Seeing that, Nami put the sample back. "So that's a no."

"Why isn't there anything decent in shops anymore?" Law whined, only one hour in the stores and already so tired.

"Ok let's stop for snacks, you need food in your system."

"No I don't."

"Yes you do." Nami said.

"Yes you do." Bepo added at the same time. Law shrugged and relented, both Nami and Bepo were close enough to know about the older's habits so Law accepted it too.

"Luffy! Come on, we are getting food!" Nami called and like a dog, the young man came running to the three.

The party encountered Usopp's group on the way to the food court, Musta and Hakugan acting as Law's bodyguards, walking on either side of him, making sure nobody got too close because to them it seemed like their captain was have sensory tiredness and if anyone approached him, he might snap. Bepo was walking behind the group, keeping Luffy occupied as well. Law was aware of what his friends were doing and he was silently grateful because he knew his brain was getting tired and would not tolerate anything or anyone. An example presented itself not one minute after.

An overjoyed kid was running around the entire mall when the group was walking to the food court, Musta and Hakugan actually placed themselves beside Law for that specific purpose, when they saw a child being wild, one of the many things Law hated. The two Hearts had the good foresight to anticipate that if that kid, by some ill fortune, crashed into Law, he would see the end of his days, prematurely. So to save everyone involved from such a fate, the two men took charge.

It wasn't even two minutes of the kid running that he fell and started crying, loud and obnoxious. Law took a deep breath to keep himself calm while Nami ran to help the kid until his parents arrived. Luffy was laughing at the way the kid had fallen down and Usopp was trying to shut him up.

"Oh you poor thing." Nami patted the little boy on his head then turned to Law. "Will you check for injuries?"

Law rolled his eyes so hard that his head started spinning and thankfully Bepo offered to help the kid so Law didn't have to challenge himself and see if he was strong enough to resist manslaughter or not.

After the situation with the kid had been dealt with and the group was seated in the food court waiting for their food to be ready, Usopp shook his head at Law.

"Law you need to react when people cry." The long-nosed man said, arms crossed.

"I did. I rolled my eyes." Law said in his defense, shrugging.

"He did, he rolled his eyes!" Nami said at the same time.

"Am I missing something here?" Usopp asked, finding it weird that both Law and Nami were in sync.

"Oh he's been like this forever." Nami started. "When we were kids, this one time we were out for snacks and the exact thing happened that time too! A kid fell down, started crying, and Nojiko was the one who helped him."

"You didn't do anything?" Luffy asked paying attention to the story.

"Why would I? There wasn't any injury or blood, I didn't even understand why that little shit was bawling as hard as he was. Fucking attention seekers." Law answered, rolling his eyes again.

"He got scolded later though." Nami added with a laugh. Law hid his smile behind a hand, recalling the moment when Cora-san had reprimanded him about not even trying to be mindful of other people's feelings, the clumsy man was trying his best to help his adoptive son back on the track of understanding human emotions. Remembering Cora-san, Law bumped his shoulder in Nami's, appreciating her language use that she opted out of using names and revealing a lot by saying a little. The orange haired woman smiled in Law's direction in return. Luffy looked at them both with furrowed brows, trying to see what was going on but he couldn't make sense of anything.

"Torao you don't like small kids?" Luffy asked instead, picking on that detail and that it contradicted with two instances Luffy had experienced where Law had shown uncharacteristic patience and care for young humans, one was Luffy himself and the other was fairly recent with that kid Luffy had found.

"I don't like anyone on my tired brain." The surgeon answered looking at his boyfriend. "Least of all children with an overbearing attitude."

"Luffy you aren't any better with children." Usopp recalled and explained the story to Law. "He isn't afraid of smacking and fighting children when they don't see eye to eye with him."

"He has a brain of a child, I wouldn't put it past him to not fight children." Law joked.

"That kid was stealing meat from my plate!" Luffy pouted, considering his actions justified.

"That's enough reason to fight someone." Law's comment got his boyfriend to grin at him. The doctor shook his head then turned to his friends. "What's your progress?"

"We found the exact same carpet as the one in your room!" Hakugan said, excited.

"Colour?"

The grin on Musta's face widened as he and Hakugan said at the same time. "Ash black."

Law put a hand on his heart and sighed in relief. "Bless."

"We told the guy a rough estimate and he said he's got plenty so you can carpet the entire house with it." Musta said and took out the sample of the carpet from his bag, handing it to Law.

"Finally something I can cross off the list."

"Hey it's the same thing!" Luffy took the sample and rubbed it against his cheeks.

"How about we go ahead and get the carpet fitted?" Hakugan suggested and Law took out the house keys, handing them to his friends.

"Excellent idea."

The two Hearts ate quickly and left first thing. Law checked off the carpets from his list and stuffed it back in his fanny pack. By the time the surgeon had finished his gluten-free loaded fries, Nami was getting back with ice cream for everyone. The orange haired woman put Luffy's and Law's cups on the table, handed Bepo his and sat beside Usopp, opposite to the boyfriends, to share with him.

Nami watched how Law had only taken one spoonful and Luffy had finished his own cup by that time, she knew what was coming by the look on the younger's face.

"Toraoooooo shareeeeeeee." Luffy whined, hanging off Law's sleeve, giving the older his best puppy eyes.

"No, you had yours." Law yanked his arm free and put some distance between him and Luffy.

"Imma cry Torao." Luffy warned and Nami nearly laughed out loud, Usopp gulped.

Law's eye twitched. "I don't want to share, get your own." The older turned his face away so he wouldn't have to see the look on his boyfriend's, whatever look he would pull to get Law to share his ice cream. Law was not going to share, he would stand his ground. But then he heard sniffling.

Nami's eyes went from her captain to her adoptive brother, she knew how much Law hated seeing people cry, especially for stupid reasons and Luffy was doing just that. Nami shook her head at Luffy and looked at Law, waiting for the older to roll his eyes as per his reputation or have a smart comeback but she was shocked to find Law stumped, his eyes panicking behind his rigid exterior. And then, he caved in.

"Ok ok, I'm sorry, here, you can have it, just don't cry please, I hate that." Law whispered, hushing Luffy and handing him his ice cream. Luffy grinned in victory.

Nami cooed internally but did not let the opportunity pass. She rested her elbow on the table. "Whatever happened to rolling your eyes at crying people as a reaction?" She teased.

"This is different." Law replied thinking he had expertly avoided the topic.

"So you mean to say that you're weak to Luffy crying?"

Luffy perked up at his name like a fucking dog but his brain did register what Nami had implied and he started getting ideas that Torao was just easy when it came to him.

"Hell no. And stop before he starts getting weird ideas." Law groaned and turned to Luffy just in time to wrestle the ice cream cup out of his hands. He was about to eat the thing whole, with the cup.

"Hey! What's the big deal? Share!" Luffy pouted.

"You need to slow down and savour it." Law responded by raising his arm out of Luffy's reach.

"Slowing down is boring!"

"How do you even taste anything with how fast you eat?! If it's nice or nasty?"

"I dunno. I can taste just fine!"

"Ok but slow the fuck down." Law said and when Luffy stopped attacking the cup, Law lowered his arm and fed Luffy a carefully scooped up spoonful. Just the right amount.

"Slow is boring."

"Can I give you an example of why it's not always the case?" Law asked eating some ice cream when Luffy nodded. "If I hadn't slowed down when I did, I wouldn't have thought of helping you and we wouldn't be here and wouldn't that be a royal loss?" Before Luffy could say anything to that, Law put a spoonful of ice cream in his mouth. "So, slow. Savor it. Nothing lasts forever."

"For someone who always looks ready for murder, Law sure is sappy." Usopp commented silently to Nami, both of whom were watching the boyfriends.

"Yeah it's creepy sometimes." Nami agreed. "But good blackmail material." She pulled out her phone and quietly snapped a picture of Law smiling looking at Luffy concentrating on savoring the ice cream. "They're so cute I can't handle it Usopp." She leaned on Usopp as if she didn't she would fall, weakened.

"Is she ok?" Law asked when he looked at how Nami was taking support on Usopp.

"Oh I am oh-gay." Nami smirked. Usopp laughed silently at the horrible pun. Law's eye twitched.

"You were pruned too early. You're still unripe Mikan."

"And you are very compliant of Luffy's whims, Mr. Pushover."

"If I didn't share, he might have stolen it directly from my mouth and then I would have had to bust his head open. Do you think I have enough energy for that today? No. So I made the smart move."

"You...you are kidding about busting Luffy's head open right?" Usopp asked, teeth chattering.

"What do you think?" Law smirked and went back to Luffy who was being good and eating slowly.

"He was kidding right?" Usopp asked Nami then.

"Of course he was!" Nami said. Usopp sighed in relief. "About being out of energy."

"Luffy get away from him!" Usopp lunged at Luffy while Nami laughed.

"Torao won't hurt me Usopp." Luffy answered having heard the conversation. "Unless he's really cornered into it." Law scoffed.

"Are you all scaring me on purpose? Thank god Robin isn't here."

"I'm counting on you Hana-ya, to bring me down if I do hurt Luffy." Law added.

"Don't worry. I will bring you down." Usopp puffed out his chest and held his head high.

After Law was sure he could resume shopping without murdering anyone, the group left the food court and met up with other groups. Sanji had taken care of all the kitchen items, Shachi's group that was with Franky had snapped pictures of different furniture, standing beside each thing for size references, Robin and Clione's group was on drapery and sheets. It was one hour of coordinating everything and another hour of finding Zoro, who got lost in the stores and who they found looking for a way out of a women's lingerie store, that almost everything was checked off the list. The trucks were being loaded and stuff was being carried over to the house where Musta and Hakugan were already waiting with the entire house carpeted and ready for being moved in.

It was almost midnight when the furniture guys left and looking at everyone so tired and sprawled on the floor, something in Law moved and he did something he was sure he wouldn't have ever done if he hadn't met Luffy. He offered everyone to stay.

"Do you guys want to stay the night and warm the house up?" Law found himself asking, rubbing his boyfriend's back who was already dozing off from the fatigue and his medicines taking over. Everyone was settled on the carpeted floor of the living room.

"Sleepover!!" Luffy was up in an instant and jumping around in joy. "Sleepover with Torao!"

"Well, let's warm up the kitchen too then." Sanji said, lighting a cigarette.

"I'll help." Musta went with Sanji to the kitchen, it had been a few hours since the last meal was shared and Law was sure everyone would be hungry again.

"Couch cushions on the floor, and three big mattresses, do you think that's gonna be enough?" Usopp asked Robin, wondering about the sleeping arrangements. The dark haired woman was already cradling a sleeping Chopper in her arms as she looked around.

"Yes I think it's enough."

"Dibs on Bepo." Law called as soon as he saw Shachi and Penguin about to do the same no doubt.

"That's not fair!" Penguin cried.

"Cap that's not fair!" Shachi echoed.

"First come, first serve." Law grinned, proud.

"Where am I sleeping then?" Luffy pouted, finger on his chin, looking around, saddened that he would have to separate from Law for the night.

"With me of course, it's about time you learn how comfortable Bepo is." Law answered, not missing a beat but rolled his eyes when the Hearts who heard him, whistled. "Let me actually change your dressing for the night too."

"Ok!"

Law left his place on the floor and grabbed the first aid kit he had brought along as the first thing in the house. The older led Luffy to his bedroom and sat him down on the bed, opening the kit and starting the job on changing the bandages.

"Good job on not overdoing today." Law commended pulling his gloves on and helping Luffy take his sling and shirt off, removing the tape on the bandages soon after.

"You didn't let me." Luffy pouted.

"What kind of a doctor would I be if I allowed you to ruin your stitches, again?" Law put the used bandages aside and began cleaning the stitches, dousing them with pyodine.

"You do get easily tired in malls." Luffy commented, agreeing with what the older had told him a few days back, that he hated shopping.

"I do. I've never had that tolerance." Law huffed then smiled at the younger, taking him by surprise. "I'm thankful to you by the way."

"What for?" Luffy breathed, not being able to manage a louder, clearer question because Torao was looking so soft, a look the younger had never seen on his boyfriend before.

"I would never have survived today if my friends weren't here. I don't know if you really thought it through or if it was one of your crazy intuition thing, but having the guys around and having them take charge, it helped me, a lot." Law kissed Luffy's cheek briefly before getting back to putting fresh bandages on the younger's wound.

"Nishishi." Luffy grinned, feeling all warm and fuzzy inside at the praise. Then he remembered something. "Oh! I got you something!"

Law raised an eyebrow but didn't ask and helped the younger in his shirt and sling before letting him go to where it was Luffy was itching to go. The older watched as his boyfriend walked to the closet and literally dragged out a big box.

"What the..." Law muttered getting up and pulling the box so Luffy wouldn't have to put in too much effort.

"Open it!"

Law rolled his eyes at the sudden enthusiasm and first sat down on the bed, made sure Luffy was sitting too, then he opened the box and was met with a lot of colourful... plushies? Law rubbed at his eyes to make sure he was seeing right. One after another, Law pulled out plushies, there was a shark, a dinosaur, a snow leopard, a monkey, a duck, an elephant, a Kumamon?, then there were Pokémon, there was Gengar, Squirtle, Pikachu, Charmander, Bulbasaur, Psyduck, Cubone and finally an Eevee.

"For your room! So it doesn't get lonely!" Luffy explained and not giving Law a second to respond, pulled out the last item from the box. "I have a matching Bulbasaur one!"

Law opened the packaging and spread the contents out in front of him. "It's an Eevee onsie..."

"Yeah! And these are super comfortable to sleep in! You wanna try it on?"

"Not when there's so many people around."

"Ok! Lesgo back then."

"Thank you for these." Law said and allowed his boyfriend to lead him out of the room and back to where everyone was.

"You're welcome Torao."

The food Sanji made was always good but at that particular time, when everyone was almost dead where they were sitting, the meal they all shared seemed like it came straight out of heaven. Sanji had Zoro help clean the dishes while everyone else pulled out the beddings for sleeping, then it was lights off. Bepo had chosen a relatively uncrowded corner to sleep in. Law sat against his bear and sat Luffy down beside him, spreading the sheet over both of them, Law turned to look at everyone in the living room. The doctor had never thought a day would come when he would feel safe and catered for in a large crowd of humans but looking at his own friends mingled with Luffy's, Law couldn't help an emotion taking over him for the second time that day. The older slid down a little to adjust his head under Luffy's chin and kissed the underside of the younger's jaw, his lips not leaving the skin for a good two minutes. Luffy knew Law wouldn't say anything so he just put his arm around the older and snuggled closer.

Being that close, no words were needed anyway.

~