Work Text:
“I’m being serious. Don’t embarrass me.” Law exhaled a final cloud of smoke before stubbing his spent cigarette out on the ground at his feet, setting the butt in Corazon’s growing pile. He rose from the porch step, stifling a groan as he stretched his legs. Hours at the hospital lately had been long and grueling, all sixty of them. And… it was only Friday. He was on-call for the day, but his coworkers had assured him that they would NOT be sending for him as they pushed the exhausted man out the door around 3am last night. Or, rather, this morning. As if that’s something that can be promised, he had thought with a sigh as he made the trek through the dark parking lot, but he appreciated the attempt regardless. Today, though, he had his own appointment to attend.
**
“So, the thing you’ve got next Friday, it’s like a doctor-on-doctor appointment?”
“Jesus, don’t - don’t say it like that.” Law noticeably winced, causing Ace to snicker.
“Sorry. I just didn’t know if you could do something like that yourself and save yourself the trouble.” Ace took a drink from his mug before letting it rest back on the table and scooping another mouthful of pasta. Law gazed out the window into the parking lot, grateful that the noodle shop was scarcely populated this time of day. The two men were not strangers to this booth in particular at the local haunt that they frequented often as they could… at least, as often as he could drag himself out of bed with ample time to meet with his boyfriend before heading in to work.
“Sometimes we can self treat if we have to, I guess, but this is with a specialist in a field I’m not as familiar with.” Law said simply, prodding at a piece of chicken in his bowl.
“Ah, I see.” Ace nodded seriously, returning his attention to the food in front of him. After a beat of silence he glanced up at Law through dark lashes and added, “Is everything okay?”
“It’s nothing to be worried about.” Law assured him, causing Ace to flash a gentle smile.
**
“I won’t embarrass you!” Corazon insisted, “You’re acting like I want to sabotage your relationship.” Law gave him a pointed look and Corazon raised an eyebrow. “I don’t! I’m happy for you. I hear the way you talk about this kid. I’m just so glad my little Law has found—“
“Stop!” Law turned away quickly in a desperate bid to hide his flushed face before quickly continuing. “Don’t talk like that, you’re turning into a sentimental old man.” Corazon snorted and ashed the cigarette in his hand.
“Rude! Is that any way to talk to your—“ Corazon began, feigning indignation and frowning from where he remained seated on the porch steps.
“I’m leaving now don’t let him in if he gets here before I get home goodbye.” Law refused to give him a chance to finish, tossing a dismissive wave over his shoulder as he walked to the driveway. Corazon cackled behind him.
“Be safe, Law!” The older man called before taking a drag of his cigarette, meeting Law’s gaze with a genuine smile when he reached the car.
“Always.” Law said, pulling open his door.
**
The oppressive wave of heat that came with opening the clinic’s doors was nearly enough to send Law right back inside, inventing a medical scenario that entailed keeping him indoors and saving him from the sticky hotness and bright glares that stung his eyes. Yet he persevered, trudging through the parking lot that he could likely fry an egg on. As if on cue, as soon as he reached his car, Law felt a beat of vibration in his pocket. His heart raced, a mixture of anxiety and excitement. He waited until he was seated inside, car on and windows down, to read the text message from his boyfriend:
Hey, I’m here!
Law’s fingers moved swiftly across the screen:
Alright. Hang on, I’ll be there in ten.
Hastily, he added:
Don’t go inside
**
Ace paid no mind to the buzz in his pocket as he decided to forego the porch stairs, hopping straight up onto the mahogany planks. He stopped short before rapping on the white door, willing himself to act before he let nerves set in. Well, set in any further. He was much more worried about this visit than he’d let on to Law; from what he’d heard his boyfriend say about Corazon, it was obvious to Ace that Corazon was extremely special to the young doctor.
The house Law had lived in since he finished his residency was technically Corazon’s. The older man was encouraging Law to stockpile whatever money he was making as he grew in his profession to work himself out of his crushing student debt and save for when he chose to mortgage a house of his own. He also insisted that it would be easier on Law to live in a house he didn’t have to upkeep, something Law had fallen out of practice with, anyway. Law had tried all means of paying Corazon rent but Corazon never accepted any compensation - aside from allowing Law to keep the groceries stocked.
Every good story about the man should have assured Ace that he was nervous for no reason. That, if nothing else, Corazon clearly loved and cared for Law unconditionally. On its own, this should be more than good enough for Ace, he figured as the doorknob turned.
**
“I just want him to like me.” Was the extent to which Ace would share his worries, forcing a chuckle that he hoped sounded more nonchalant than anxious. It was his turn to peer out the window, eyes tracking the hopping black bird that was likely scouring the restaurant’s lot for scraps.
“He will, you two will get along just fine,” Law spoke around a mouthful of noodles before adding, “Better than either of you do with me, probably.” Looking up at Ace’s relieved smile, he quipped, “I’m not sure whether that’s a good thing yet.”
**
“Hey! Ace, right?” The blond man who answered the door certainly didn’t look like he was nearly forty… then again, the shaggy golden hair that fell nearly to his eyes and tie-dyed t-shirt emblazoning a bold smiley face may have had a hand in the youthful energy.
“Uh, yeah, that’s right. You must be Corazon?” The ease Ace felt was almost immediate. Though the man was of massive height that Law certainly did not mention, (it would have done Ace good to be warned that Corazon was head taller than himself,) his cheery demeanor was positively contagious.
“Yeah! Wow, you do look like you belong in a boy band!” Corazon extended a hand, catching the raven-haired man by surprise. The younger man chuckled as he reached out and grasped Corazon’s hand in a firm shake, wondering exactly how many feelings Law had apparently divulged. “Law’s still out, but he shouldn’t be too much longer. C’mon inside.” Corazon held the door open and Ace crossed the threshold.
**
Law groaned as he glanced at the car parked on the street. The car that belonged to a certain Portgas D. Ace, yet, was… empty.
“Please tell me you haven’t said anything weird,” Law mumbled to whatever deity may have been listening as he mounted the steps and let himself in to the house. “Please, for one day, just be norm—“
The scene that greeted Law was one that would have been received much differently had he and Ace been alone: the midriff and Adonis belt he knew like the back of his own hand, the smattering of freckles that trailed from neck to bare chest. But any semblance of attraction that could have been evoked was dashed as Law registered that Ace was standing, half undressed, head tangled in his shirt. Corazon stood behind him, head tilted in concentration, turning sharply to the door at his horrified emotional progeny.
“Oh hey! Welcome home. You didn’t tell me how cool his tattoos are!” With this, Corazon took Ace’s shoulders and spun him around, revealing the intricate image inked across his back and earning a muffled laugh from Ace, whose his arms were still pinned near his head.
“Don’t encourage him,” Law groaned, unsure which man he should be addressing. Not that either of them seemed put off by his growing mortification.
“I had just pointed out that he’s got tattoos like you do, like a couple of delinquents! You’re perfect together.” Corazon said with finality. Law’s brow furrowed at the bizarre logic.
“You do know how many people have tattoos..?”
“And when he told me about this piece, I couldn’t help but ask to see it.” Corazon ignored him, gesturing to Ace’s bare back. The fanged skull, pierced by a blade with a spade branded on the hilt, was nice. Attractive, even, sure, in a setting that was literally anywhere and any time except here and now.
“Please put your shirt back on.” Law urged. Ace tugged the shirt down and gave Law a sheepish grin as he smoothed the front with his hands.
“Sorry.” He said, not looking particularly sorry. Law sighed. At least Ace seemed to be comfortable, something that eased his chagrin.
“Before you got here, I was just telling him about that time at the store when you were, what, 14? And when you yelled down the aisle for me you called me dad?” Corazon recalled with a smug smile.
“It - That was an accident and you know it.” Law said, pinching the bridge of his nose as color spread across his face. Corazon hummed, unconvinced, but Ace read his instant embarrassment.
“Oh no, really, babe! It’s adorab-” Ace began brightly, cut off by Corazon’s gasp.
“Babe?!” The blonde man gaped between the couple. “That’s so sweet! Does Law call you pet names, too? What are they?!” As Ace opened his mouth to speak, Law sighed and turned on his heel.
“I’m moving out,” The doctor ran a hand through his hair as he retreated to the front door. “I’m moving out. And since you two get on so well, Ace, you can have my room.” Corazon and Ace exchanged grins as if they were seasoned friends.
“I think that’s Law for ‘I need a cigarette.’”