Work Text:
You watched the lively scene before you with a smile on your face as kids ran wild and free within the confines of the daycare, their laughter bouncing off the walls. You had always loved watching over children with their exuberant smiles, carefree attitudes, and most importantly to you- their boldness and upfrontness. You had always been an introvert, finding it easier to talk to children rather than people your age because children always said what they meant, there was no second meaning or societal rules they were aware of.
As you smile politely as the adults drop them off, leading their little hands into the classroom with the other children. The classroom, bursting with energy as they run around, playing. You look down at your attendance record and notice a new name, “Law”. As you look around trying to find the new face, you notice a small child teetering over the edge of the jungle gym. Your heart races as you rush over to him, your body cushioning his fall as you grunt, getting the full weight of their tiny body. He runs off without a word.
A tall shadow eclipses the sun from your face as you suddenly get hoisted up by your wrists. Your face comes full force into a torso in a heart shirt as you stumble to regain your footing. Having to crane your neck up, you see a blonde man with a straight face, long lipstick, and spikes under his eye.
“Are you ok? Thank you for saving Law” The man said, staring down at you with indifferent eyes. “I told you to only go to the lower levels, Law” He chastises addressing the young boy who appeared beside him.
“Oh, it's no problem really!” You chirp “It's my job to provide for the children and ensure their safety”
“Yes, but his safety is the reason we left the last daycare” He said. “He would get bullied for his vitiligo and the teachers would often ignore him, saying that he was mature enough to be on his own” He snarled
“Oh, that's awful! Just because a child is mature doesn't mean they don't deserve to be a kid! And I assure you, we monitor the children closely and ensure that they all get along!”
He stares at you for a moment before nodding once and crouching down to Law’s level. “You’re going to be good today? If you need anything you can always call me, ok?” His voice, softer.
“Ugh, yes I’ll be fine, stop worrying about me! My old school was fine, I wanted to keep to myself anyways!” Law complained, his brows furrowed in anger as he walks towards the classroom away from the man’s awaiting arms for a hug
The man sighs, “I’m Corazon, by the way. Law’s guardian” He sticks out a hand.
Trying to shake off the shock of the scene, you remember to smile and shake his hand “I’m (y/n), Law’s new caretaker! I look forward to having him in my class!”
“I’ll pick him up at three, take good care of him” His hand turns stiff as his face turns cold. You realize that this is an untold threat. Oh no, he was going to be one of those guardians. He turns and walks away before you could say anything else.
The rest of the day is relatively uneventful. You attempt to wrangle the kids into some sort of order as they play around, making sure everyone was included. Everyone including Law. You would try to invite him to games, but he would always keep to himself. You would study him out of the corner of your eye while trying to wrangle the kids, noticing that Law would gravitate towards the kid’s biology books and the eyes longing for the toy stethoscope in the toy bin, seemingly too embarrassed to reach for it
You had an idea.
When Cora came to pick Law up, he was skeptical, his last school was terrible to Law, making him unsure if anyone was good enough for his child. Law wasn't a normal child, far too serious and mature for his age. He's been in and out of hospitals his whole life, causing him to develop a sense of pessimism.
Law was in the corner of the classroom, a kids medical book in his hands as he was chatting away with you. Law was a guarded figure, but he was aware of his enthusiasm for becoming a doctor. Law was still guarded as he talked with you but he saw as you were listening raptly and asking questions to which Law would answer with barely concealed glee, slowly coming out of his shell as his interests were payed attention to and preening sharing his wide array of knowledge
Now seeing him already so relaxed, he couldn't help but feel a pit form in his stomach.
He’s almost never behaved that way around him. Still new to the father son relationship, there was a sense of walking on eggshells and trying his hardest to make him comfortable and trying to make a fool of himself to make him laugh. Why was it so easy for you?
He shook himself from his stupor. Joining the other parents outside on the pavillion to wait for their kids to stop playing and notice that it was time to leave. As soon as Law looked up, Cora watched his smile disappear, looking down and scrunching his face up. Cora strained a smile as he beckoned Law over.
Over the next few days, you would happily greet Law as you watched him try to restrain himself from running inside to play doctor or read the kids medical books again. You would attempt to make small conversation with Corazon, but every day he would stand further and further from the doorway, not even bothering to make eye contact as he shepherded his son away.
Everyday you would attempt to smile and wave at him, hoping for a reaction back. Instead, he would stray further and further away that he could while still being able to see Law. You weren’t sure if you care though. All that matters was seeing little Law start to blossom under your care.
Everyday he would get more and more excited to share his knowledge with you and even started to gain some friends- dubbing themselves the Heart Pirates as he took care of them as captain and doctor.
Yet, even when he ran to Corazon excitedly telling him about his day, Cora would smile, his eyes going soft as he stared at his boy’s enthusiasm, yet would harden back up when you tried to give him a status report or praise Law’s progress.
One night when Law and Corazon were making dinner while Law was talking about all the adventures he and his friends had that day, he let the bomb drop
“Ok. Why don’t you like teacher (y/n)?” Law said plainly, his face bored but his eyes were concerned.
“What do you mean, I like them as much as any other person” Corazon replied trying to act nonchalantly, but slipping his hand off the counter, neatly hitting his head against it
“No, you avoid them every time you drop me off and pick me up. They’re not my other teachers, you know that right?”
“Yes, I’m well aware. Why don’t we try not to burn this, yeah?” Cora said with a bright smile, making Law try to hide his as he turned around.
“Fine, I’ll make more of an effort, are you happy you little-” he huffed, picking him up and spinning him around. Law couldn’t hide his sudden laughter as he twirled round and round Cora.
That was the moment the pan decided to catch on fire
The next day was routine. Saying hello to the adults, guiding little bodies into the classroom until Law came around. You noticed Corazon standing closer, waving with the ghost of a smile
“‘Morning Teacher (y/n)” Law tried to say casually, but he was too busy looking around trying to find his friends or any play medical equipment.
“Good morning Law! We’ve got a fresh pack of bandaids just for you” you say winking and gently pushing him inside
You jump as you turn around coming face to face with Corazon. His eyes darting around seemingly trying to find his words as he pulled on the strings of his hat, preening his mind for his next words
“Teacher (y/n), I’ve seen Law really open up this past coming weeks, I suppose I have you to thank” he says his eyes now boring straight into you
“O-oh it’s no problem really! He’s been such a joy to take care of!” You say struggling to maintain his intense eye contact, your eyes darting to the side from time to time
He nods at you once, turns on his heels and leaves. You turn around so you don’t see his shoulders seem to drop a bit as he shakes out his hands.
The next couple of weeks mark a great change. Cora would come closer and closer to the drop off area, trying to make small talk with you. His eyes just as intense and his posture just as intimidating.
The stress of making Law happy while trying to talk to you was getting to Corazon. He needed a cold cigarette to ease the pain. Law, knowing every bit of medical knowledge it seemed, had informed him that cigarettes could kill him, he hasn’t touched one since in fear of making Law upset but now looking around and seeing very few in the pick up area, he decided that his needs far outweighed his health.
Pulling out an old pack he kept on his person in case of the inevitable relapse, he lit one letting out a nice, slow drag. He felt like he could breathe again as he let his eyes close and the smoke fillhis lungs. The smoke…a lot of smoke…too much smoke…wait.
You could feel your face scrunch up of instinct as you smelt the telltale sign of cigarettes in the air. The same cigarettes that weren’t allowed on school property. You left someone to watch the kids as you went to give the person a piece of your mind before you caught sight of a very tall figure on fire. You could feel your heart leap out of your chest as you thought of your children’s safety and ran over to the panicking man attempting to stop, drop, and roll. Thinking quickly, you smothered the man in the pastel pink miniature blanket from nap time.
All Corazon could see was smoke, then black. He coughed and coughed until his world became bright again. Coming face to face with a figure. It was you, the one who took care of Law so faithfully, keeping him safe and making him into the happy kid he was meant to be. His breath was taken away twice today. Your worried face made him realize you really do care. Your heart was so open and full of love for these kids, his kid. He was so in awe of these realization that he saw your lips move but didn’t register the words
“-of all the irresponsible things you could do around children, you chose fire?! And smoking?! What kind of message does that send and do you realize how many people would have gotten hurt?!” You continued, your brow furrowed as you leaned over him. He was silent, just staring at you with his mouth open like a dead fish as you kept chastising him. Even as he sat down, it was hard to loom over him and chastise him as he still towered over you, but you were on a mission to protect these kids.
“Well, do you have anything to say for yourself?” Your hands on your hips as you pout at him, trying to make yourself look taller and more intimidating. Corazon looks anywhere but your eyes as he starts to stand up. He bows his head low as he mutters his next words
“I-I’m sorry. You’re right, that was stupid and reckless. I was just stressed but I guess I need to find a healthier outlet” he chuckles trying to lighten the mood “I’m sorry, I put everyone in danger, it won’t happen again”
Your eyes soften and your anger dissipates at the sincerity of his words. You sigh “Just please be more careful. Law needs you, just focus on being there for him”
He straightens up and nods, a newfound determination in his eyes “I won’t let either of you down”
You smile as you help him up. Or rather try to. You both stumble up as he accidentally leans his body weight against you. You both huff out a laugh as you eventually remain upright.
The next day is a totally different Corazon. He practically runs up to you, nearly tripping in the process, once you make eye contact, scooping Law in his arms despite his protests as he deposits him in front of you.
“Good morning Teacher (y/n)!” He beams at you, his lipstick highlighting his wide smile.
“Oh, good morning Corazon” you manage to get out despite your surprise. “Go on ahead Law, I think everyone is waiting for you” you say gently pushing him inside. Cora’s arms open wide as he cheerily gets down to Law’s level.
Law grumbles out something, reluctantly giving Cora a hug as he goes into the classroom.
“I’d like to thank you for yesterday, I owe you my life” he says passionately, his eyes wide and serious but still holding a smile. “I got something for you!” he looks around, his eyebrows furrow trying to locate the object. His eyes light up as he pulls something out from under his feather coat
He thrusts a crushed bouquet of flowers into your chest with a smile so bright it could blind the sun. You blink rapidly as you try to assess the damage in front of you- crushed petals and broken stems pressed into your palm as you try your best to recover from the shock at the gift.
No one had ever given you flowers for teaching before
You smile at the gesture, as clumsy as it is. Throughout the next couple of weeks you start to grow closer. Corazon would greet you every day with a bright smile, asking about your day and Law.
It should have been a normal day dropping off Law. Corazon started to look forward to seeing you each day, you kind and caring nature made a fire burn in his heart every time you smiled back at him
Spotting you, he paused just watching. He could see your polite smile towards others, but knew it would turn genuine when you saw the little ones. You would usher them inside gently, giving some hugs and others too excited as the prospect of being in your classroom to hug goodbye to their parents
“Why are you staring at teacher (y/n) with that weird look?” Law interrupted his thoughts. “Do you want me to drop some hints that you’re single?”
“Wh-what!” He exclaimed practically jumping out of his skin. “What makes you think I like (y/n) like that?!” He pulled on the strings on his hat, trying to hide his face growing red
“I’m a kid, I’m not stupid” replied Law plainly already walking towards you Unfortunately, before Corazon could reach Law, you had already seen them.
“Why, isn’t it my favorite doctor?” You say. You smile up at Corazon and start to open your mouth, presumably to ask about his day before you were interrupted
“Are you single?” Law bluntly put, staring up at you.
Your eyes went wide
“HAHA, you know how kids are, they say the wildest things. I don't know where he even got the idea of relationships. It's silly. Just forget it ok.” Corazon rushes his words out breathlessly as he picked up Law, putting a hand over his mouth, and depositing him in the classroom
“Okay bye” he rushes out the next words and speed walks away.
Over the next weeks you and Corazon became even closer. He even volunteered himself to work on the set for the school play, the school deciding to do a musical about the great pirates of the past.
Working on the set brought you even closer. Your casual conversations
become deeper as you paint the ocean to go behind the performers and meticulously paint the white clouds. You talked about your dreams of becoming a teacher, passionately describing the grandeur of molding young minds for a greater society, seeing their small faces light up as they play gave you the greatest joy.
In return, Corazon talked about Law. His past and how passionately he cared for his little boy. Law was his world, the only family he cared for since he was no contact with his brother and his parents were dead. Corazon would put his everything into raising Law, building a life for them that he never had.
He was so sweet and caring for Law, caring for you. You thought about how you would always search for his face as you eagerly awaited it each morning. You couldn’t imagine a day without him in it, his endearing clumsiness made.
Oh no
You couldn't help but feel your heart jump every time you think of Corazon. His mere presence brought a smile to your face with his bumbling nature and a smile painted permanently on his lips.
“Ok,” you thought “he's just another guardian, you can do this”
“Hey!” the cheery voice of Corazon greets you. A big smile on his face as he runs up to greet you.
“HEY, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU HOW’VE YOU BEEN, GREAT. OK LAW LET'S GET YOU INSIDE” you rush out, mentally cringing at your own volume as you pick up Law and put him in the classroom.
“They look so cute, like everyday” Corazon thought. He could feel his heart pick up speed as you looked back at him with wide eyes. He smiles and waves, praying to whatever was above that he could glimpse your smile once again, and if by some miracle you liked him back.
“He always looks so cool” you thought, your face relaxing as you gazed back. His now cheery demeanor that never seemed to falter and his unfaltering love for Law that he tried to embarrass him with every day with a hug and kiss never failed to warm your heart. Realizing you were staring, you hurriedly faced down and sped walked back to look after your children before you could embarrass yourself further.
Corazon tilted his head in confusion as you hurried away.
The next couple of days followed the same formula: he would run up to you excitedly, tripping over his comically large legs as he went. Smiling a bright smile, bringing you a small knick knack that made him think of you, whether it be another damaged bouquet of flowers that matched your sunny demeanor or a teacher themed knick knack that was wrapped in multiple layers to not break.
He would hand them to you, both your hands lingering for a second too long as they touched before you jerked your hand away. You would always try to accept the gesture as fast as possible and walk away before you could embarrass yourself in front of him. He would leave confused and despondent but would try again the next day with a new hope.
There was a growing tension between the two of you. Each interaction left you soft, with butterflies with each brush of his hand against yours when he offered you something. Corazon’s heart was in danger of beating out of his chest every time you graced him with a bright smile at his gifts, desperate for a glance that you felt the same way.
It all came to a head at the school play. Weeks of preparation all came to this moment. Between shared glances and stolen touches, you were both going silently crazy. As you adjusted three corn hats, and eyepatches you ushered them onstage for their cue.
Their singing was abysmal, off key and missing a few notes, but they were having so much fun with the sword fighting scenes and the dramatic retellings of their favorite pirates, that you could easily look past it.
Law was less than enthusiastic, opting instead to play the ocean, waving the little cardboard wave in the background. Corazon still took plenty of pictures, before and during his “performance”.
There was finally a lull in the chaos backstage where one of the older students was performing a small monologue when Corazon came up to you
“Hey, I just wanted to let you know, that I’ve been having a lot of fun doing this with you” he smiles softly at you, “I know it isn't much, but…” he trails off, opening his hands to reveal a mug, obviously homemade with a misshapen body and crude letters spelling something out
You laugh as you read the words 'World's Greatest Teacher’. You gently take the mug in your hands as you lift your eyes up to him “I love it”
“The mug is right, though” his voice turns more serious “Law couldn't have had a better teacher and I couldn’t have found a better…friend” he admits, his voice trailing towards the end as he looks down
Your eyes widen and your voice catches in your throat as you feel your heart crack at the word friend, but you smile past the pain as you grab his hands in yours
“I have never been so close to a parent, and had such a deep connection with anyone else” you admit. You hesitate before sucking in a deep breath
“I’m sorry if I’ve been distant lately, but it's only because…I feel something deeper than friendship with you” You say as you look into his eyes
Corazon’s eyes widen and before he could say anything you try to backpedal
“Oh gosh, that was so inappropriate, forget I ever said that. I’d hate to drive a wedge between us when it's been so good and-”You stop as he grabs your wrists, making you look up at his intense stare
There's a beat of silence before he breaks out into a wide grin
“I’m so happy you feel the same! I’ve been dropping hints for weeks!” he exclaims, picking you up and twirling you like a ragdoll in his grasp
You both laugh in relief as he sets you down.
His look gets serious again as he starts to lean towards you. You gasp as he grabs your chin with his fingers
“May I” he asks softly.
You can barely get words out but slowly nod as you close the gap, brushing your lips against his, feeling the heat from his face as you place your hands on his shoulders
You hope he can’t feel the nerves buzzing through your blood as you press your lips against his.
In that moment, the crowd erupts into applause, it’s like they’re clapping for you both as you both smile into the kiss and pull away.It’s a moment you'll treasure forever as the applause fades away. Butterflies are desperate to escape from your stomach as you can't hold in your laughter at his goofy smile, his eyes twinkling with glee
WIth a shared smile, you gaze into each other’s eyes, your heart bubbling and spilling over with the adoration you feel for the man in front of you
You feel a tug on your sleeve, and you’re surprised to see Law standing there, a satisfied smirk on his face
“Oh hey Law” you bend down towards him, your face still red “did you have fun in the play?”
“I knew you guys would end up together” he claims matter-of-factly. He stills for a moment before turning his eyes towards the ground and muttering “Um, I just wanted to say, that you seem to make him really happy, so I’m happy for you guys”
A lump forms in your throat as you feel Corazon’s hand on your shoulder. “Thank you Law, that means a lot to me” He nods once and hurries back towards his friends
You’re so proud of how much he’s blossomed into a kid and how lucky you are to have him, both of them, in your life. You know whatever challenges you'll face, you can now do side-by-side together as the warmth of love surrounds you.