Chapter Text
Let it be known, for all their bickering, their insults and clashing personalities, the one thing that can never fail to bring the Donquixote family together is Christmas. For one night and one day, they put aside their differences and make the valiant attempt to get along.
It only works for the most part.
A harsh word or passive aggressive dig slips through every now and then, but the gloves come off for the annual Christmas Eve sugar cookie decoration competition. Each year Cora bakes cookies— most come out edible— and Law and his Uncle Doflamingo compete to decorate the best cookies. Sprinkles thrown in eyes like sand, icing smushed into hair, the two will stoop to the lowest of lows to win.
But no matter their attempts, Cora always judges it as a tie. In favor of keeping the peace and not picking favorites— Law knows it would be him if Cora did— every year, there is no true champion.
But this year is different. This year Law swears he’ll win because he’s bringing a secret weapon.
His boyfriend.
The mysterious boyfriend his dad and uncle know so little about because Law speaks rarely of him. Truth be told, he doesn’t talk much of anything because he never calls, which is why when he calls Cora confirming he’s coming over for Christmas and bringing his boyfriend, his father nearly chokes in surprise.
He readily agrees to the company, of course, chattering away about all the stories he can’t wait to tell and how fun it’ll be to have a fresh face over. Law takes his enthusiasm in stride and simply warns him to “have plenty of food in the house” with no further explanation. The phone call ends with the beginnings of Law’s plan set perfectly into place.
Uncle Doflamingo won’t know what hit his cookies. He’ll never see the bottomless pit that is Luffy coming, not until it’s too late, and all his cookies are gone .
It’s the perfect plan. With no cookies comes no competition, meaning Law will win by default. It’s underhanded, conniving, brilliant in his own opinion. Not to mention foolproof. He doubts he’ll even have to tell Luffy about his plan, that he’ll even have to ask. His boyfriend steals food on the regular, so Law’s betting Luffy will start snagging cookies on his own accord.
So with the competition already in the bag, all Law has to worry about now is literally everything else.
He worries about whether Luffy will get along with his family, if Cora will like Luffy, if this is a mistake and they should have waited another year—
But it’s too late now to let the “ what ifs” hurl him into a panicking dark abyss.
The gate of the Donquixote estate is already in front of his car. The buzz of the speaker demanding to know their identities knocks Law from his screaming thoughts. He’s coming back to reality too slowly apparently because Luffy leans over the console, squishing into Law’s side as he gawks.
“Whoa! It’s like a drive thru! Can I get a number uhhh…” he starts giggling at his own joke, and Law sighs at his boyfriend’s antics.
“It’s me, Law,” he answers, voice stern with an annoyed edge. He uses a hand to push Luffy away from the driver’s seat, shoving him back by his face. Used to Law’s terse nature, Luffy only laughs harder as he flops back into his own seat.
“Oh, hey Law!” The voice greets, sounding kinder than a moment ago, and Law rolls his eyes. He huffs and complains, “Buffalo, open the damn gate. It’s freezing.” He’d very much like to roll his window back up, at the very least.
“What kinda name is Buffalo…,” he hears Luffy murmur beside him. And, fair. There are some wild names in the Donquixote family.
“You got it, cuz!” Buffalo snorts into the mic, and a buzzing sound indicates that he hung up. Law immediately rolls his window back up, relishing in the warmth of his car, his precious Kikoku. He shifts her back into drive as the ominous gate before them starts to slowly swing open. An eerie creak completes the “ about to be murdered ” aesthetic. The garland and wreath, centered oversized red bow, do not make it any more welcoming.
“Did he say ‘cuz?’ Is that your cousin? Hey, is he called Buffalo because he looks like a buffalo—“ Luffy questions, “what does a buffalo person even look like—“
“He is my cousin, and no, he doesn’t look like a buffalo,” Law pauses to contemplate, “mostly.”
He waits, a few more seconds and the gate will be open enough for them to pull in.
“Oh, I didn’t know your cousin was gonna be here, too. You only mentioned your dad and uncle.” Luffy, as perceptive as ever, says. His head is tilted, watching the gap form from the opening gate. The dark of winter’s early night growing wider with every jolt. He’s trying to peek in, curious of what’s hidden behind the brick wall and gate.
Law rips his eyes away from Luffy’s bright face. Those dark round eyes distract him from the conversation, “he’s not joining us. Buffalo always disappears to god knows where with his friends on Christmas. My other cousin, Baby, won’t be here, either. She’s spending Christmas with her fiancé’s family. There are a few other relatives who might be around, but they always do their own thing.”
“You have a cousin named Baby? Man, your family is kinda weird, Torao,” Luffy snarks, his grin sharp, “this is gonna be fun.”
Law sighs, unable to defend his family because Luffy isn’t wrong, but the conversation ends there. Luffy gasps loudly in the car and jerks forward to see better out the windshield.
The Donquixote estate isn’t overly large, but it is impressive. The main building can barely be called a mansion with its cozy, classy architecture. Far from the cold, boring build of most rich homes. Beautiful and homey, the house could fit in any upper class neighborhood, but the grounds around it speak of excessive money. The gardens and outer buildings, the pond and trees, the gorgeous well maintained landscape brings the feeling of stepping into a world of riches, of royalty. There’s a gazebo for staring longingly into the pond, a path between bushes to rush through, pebbles and stepping stones crunching underfoot. A fairytale land full of wonder.
And to make it even more fantastic are the decorations.
Strands of white Christmas lights line every bush and walkway. Oversized ornaments hang from the trees, also wrapped in white lights. There are standing wire reindeer figurines stationed throughout the gardens, glowing and magnificent with light. Red ribbons and bows adorn the gazebo, dotted along prickly strands of garland lining its rails.
Extravagant but not gaudy, someone created a true Christmas wonderland, and Luffy sits, plastered to his window, oohing and ahhing over every bit. He presses harder against the glass, as if being a smidgen closer will show him more. The lights gleam and flash over his smiling face, and to his amusement, Law finds he looks so much like an excited child. He shakes his head at his boyfriend and slowly begins easing the car past the gate, now wide enough to squeeze through. The smooth paved driveway is long, but Law takes his time driving up it, giving Luffy more time to look at the decorations.
The driveway curves at the front of the house in a semi-circle, but Law avoids it. Instead, he goes straight, down a split in the driveway that leads directly into the attached garage. He plans to use the garage door to enter rather than the front door. For one, Luffy might end up even more distracted by the equally decorated porch or wander off it and into the vast gardens. And two, it’s significantly warmer this way.
Clicking the mini remote clipped onto his keys, Law opens the garage door. As they sit and wait, Luffy plops back upright in his seat. He’s still grinning, and the lights make his eyes sparkle, like the treetop star. Even just sitting in a car bundled up and ragged from a long drive, he’s so beautiful.
Law’s broken out of his daydreams of kissing Luffy silly right then and there by his boyfriend opening his mouth, “those decorations are so awesome! Did your dad do all of that?”
Shaking his head, Law turns his attention back on the garage, just in time for it to fully open. He gradually rolls in, carefully avoiding the stacks of storage bins in desperate need of organizing. There’s just enough room to squeeze in beside the family’s shared maroon BMW. A separate, larger garage houses Uncle Doffy’s prized classics and any other family cars.
Law parks his car and sighs, “no, I doubt it. Doffy probably underpaid someone to do it for them. He doesn’t like to get his hands dirty, and Cora would probably injure himself,” he pauses, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel in thought, “maybe…electrocution.” He muses.
Luffy snorts a loud laugh at that, and Law bites back a grin.
With a click of the button, the garage door is shutting behind them, and Law is only now realizing how little time is left before his family meets Luffy. The shock of nerves rattles him, and his breath stutters. He swiftly covers it with a clearing of his throat, schooling his face to a false mask of calm. Hands leaving the steering wheel, he steels himself for exiting the car.
Luffy is already a step ahead of him. His door swung open, he leaps from his seat, groaning and stretching his limbs. Sitting still is always difficult for him, but Law knows long trips leave Luffy feeling especially cramped. Law’s proud of him for keeping the whining to a minimum this time, knowing he did it for his sake.
So Law follows. Stepping out of the car with a little more finesse. He gently shuts the door, clicking his tongue when he hears Luffy slam his. He knows better than to treat Kikoku like that.
Letting it go, Law figures he has more important things to worry about. Luffy has moved to the back and is already popping the trunk open. “I hope I didn’t overpack,” he mutters, voice muffled as he leans forward, almost halfway into the trunk. Amused, Law comes up behind him.
Luffy dangles from the trunk. His lanky legs kicking and flailing. Judging by the reach, his luggage must have rolled all the way to the back of the trunk. Law bites his tongue to prevent laughing. Silently, he pulls his phone from his pocket and snaps some quick pictures of the ridiculous position. He looses a quiet laugh when Luffy starts trying to straighten up. His feet have difficulty bracing on the concrete floor. His kicking speeds up and intensifies to no avail.
“Ugh,” Law’s boyfriend grunts. Body going lax, tired from the exertion, “uh, Torao, a little help?”
“Sure,” Law agrees, dropping his phone back into his pocket. He can stare at the way Luffy’s ass juts out in those pictures later.
He leans down, placing his hands on Luffy’s waist. With a little tug, he drags his boyfriend from the depths of the trunk, single duffle bag in tow and an old straw hat suddenly on his head. Law doesn’t so much as blink, having known the hat was stashed in the car somewhere.
As soon as Luffy’s feet are firmly on the ground again, he whoops, “free!” Jumping up and shaking his bag above his head, he wiggles happily, “and victorious!”
“Good job, Luffy,” Law deadpans, pretending he doesn’t find the other’s behavior cute. He brushes past Luffy and pulls out his own hat. Much more carefully placed in a safe corner of the trunk. He slips it over his hair and retrieves his duffle bag, a small suitcase, and a messenger bag.
Hope I didn’t underpack, he thinks with a deep frown. A night and two days is a long time to be away from home.
He holds his suitcase up and considers the most efficient way to carry everything. Lost in the logistics of fitting the duffle bag into the messenger bag, Law misses how Luffy promptly heaves his duffle bag onto his shoulder, catching its strap on the opened front of his puffy jacket. The red fabric pulls to the side nearly slipping from his shoulder completely, if not for the strap stopping it. Indifferent, he adjusts the bag to fit more comfortably against his side.
When Law glimpses his boyfriend in his peripheral, he cringes at the sloppy look. Forced to abandon his own dilemma, he crooks his finger at Luffy, who looks away from where he was studying a closed box marked “Law” curiously. Wordlessly, he shuffles back towards his boyfriend.
“You look like a mess,” Law grumbles. He quickly frees the rumpled jacket from the bag strap. Fingers graceful, making his movements appear effortless, a learned steadiness from his chosen career. He straightens Luffy’s puffy vest, smoothing down his thick long sleeved shirt for good measure. Anxiety rears its ugly head again, and Law finds himself tugging Luffy’s scarf into place, adjusting his hat on his head. Every bit of him must be presentable. First impressions are extremely important. It’s vital they go well.
Hands lightly grab Law’s wrists. Grasps gentle but firm, halting his nervous fingers. Luffy pulls the other’s hands away from where they run down wrinkles on his sleeves. “Torao,” he says. His voice is smooth, chiding but also kind, “it’s gonna be okay.”
“Course it will,” Law automatically responds. Forcing his hands to fall away from Luffy’s clothing, he inhales deeply and releases, “they’re gonna love you.” Because I do.
Or at least Cora will, and that’s all that really matters.
God, let Cora like him.
Luffy smiles, and it outshines all the Christmas lights combined. Bright enough to light a thousand trees. To light up the sky itself. And Law melts under its warmth. Suddenly, he fears nothing. Not impressions or competitions or opinions. His anxieties cower back in the presence of such unadulterated optimism, and he lets himself bask in it, lets it fill him with the confidence he needs to go knock on that door.
“Damn right,” Luffy says. He laughs and yanks Law’s suitcase from the trunk. He cradles it in his arms like a baby and grins up at his boyfriend, “so let’s go already. It’s kinda cold in here.”
Law only nods. His eyes amused and brimming with newfound courage. Looping his messenger bag around his shoulders and heaving the duffle bag up with a hand, he smirks, “alright, let’s do this.”
Free hand pushing the trunk closed, the thunk signals they’re ready.
The two head to the house door with Law leading. He climbs the two steps and faces the solid door. Hesitantly, he raises his hand, willing the courage from before to continue to aid him. A pressure from behind pushes against the fabric of his black coat. From the shape of it and the ghost of hot air warming his shoulder blade, Law understands. It’s Luffy pressing down a kiss hard enough to heat his skin through layers of clothes.
It’s all the encouragement Law needs to have him bringing his knuckles to rap against the door. Three resolute, strong knocks. He tenses his shoulders and waits. From growing up here, Law knows on the other side of the door there is a decent sized mudroom for leaving shoes and coats. Then that opens up into the kitchen area. Kitchen, dining room, living room, an extra den for entertaining, a bathroom off to the side, stairs leading up to the bedrooms— if Cora and Uncle Doffy are anywhere beyond the kitchen, they won’t hear the knocks.
Law’s considering letting himself in— it was his home once after all— when there’s a loud crashing sound on the other side of the door. Equally loud swearing betrays Cora, and Law narrows his eyes at the door. He could have sworn they moved the shoe bench into the far corner. Must be something new for Cora to trip over.
The door flings open to reveal a discombobulated Corazon. His distinctive makeup absent from his face, blond hair curling at the ends. His wide dark eyes take a second to adjust to the dim garage lighting.
Never will Law understand how just the sight of his father is a cooling balm to all his worries. His shoulders are slowly untensing, face softening, as Cora smiles. Toothy, blinding, and horribly similar to the one he knows is on Luffy’s face. He’s choosing not to dwell on that, “hi, Cora.”
“Law!” Cora shouts happily, “it’s been so long! You really should visit more often.” Strong arms embrace Law in a warm, crushing hug. Cora’s enthusiasm is enough to strangle Law, literally. He has to stand on his tippy toes to keep from being pulled off the ground completely. Bags of belongings dig painfully into Law’s sides. He reaches his free hand up to pat Cora’s back, a half hug at best, a plea for mercy at worst.
“You know it’s difficult for me to take time off,” Law answers. Sat safely back on the ground, he’s released from Cora’s death hug. He readjusts his bags, “I couldn’t even make it last year for Christmas, remember?”
Cora frowns, pouts really, “yes, I do remember.”
“But you gotta admit, that worked out for the best,” Luffy’s voice pipes up from behind Law. A grin threatens to break Law’s stern face, and he turns slightly to acknowledge his boyfriend. As predicted, Luffy’s smile mirrors Cora’s own. Funny how someone as dull and grouchy as Law has sunshine incarnate in the form of the two people who mean the most to him in the world.
“I suppose that’s true,” Law agrees, but any more words are interrupted by Cora’s dramatic gasp. He leans dangerously out of the doorway, draped over Law’s shoulder to get a better look at Luffy. Feathers from his black sweater tickle Law’s nose. “And you must be Luffy!” Cora exclaims.
“Yep!” Luffy chirps, “I’m Monkey D. Luffy. Nice to meetcha!” He matches Cora’s energy, bouncing in place, excited to meet this other person so important to Law.
“Donquixote Rosinante, but you can call me Corazon or Cora.” Law’s father introduces himself, “I’d shake your hand, but it looks like they’re full.” He laughs at his own little joke, but unsurprisingly, Luffy joins him. His boisterous laughter combining with Cora’s deep guffaw to create a melodious racket ringing in Law’s ears. He groans under the noise and tries to remember which bag has his ibuprofen.
Their laughing tapers off bit by bit, becoming chuckles that become soft giggles. Law sighs in relief as they catch their breaths between little “ hehs .” But his relief is short-lived. Cora wipes under an eye, having laughed himself to tears, apparently. He straightens back up, only wobbling somewhat.
“You know what,” he says with a smile, “I think we’re gonna get along pretty well.”
Law could cry. Now, he just feels stupid for ever thinking the two wouldn’t get along. They’re so similar it’s kind of terrifying.
Luffy opens his mouth, probably to agree, but stops when an imposing presence comes up behind Corazon. Annoyance and disdain bitter the atmosphere. Whether it’s Law’s own negative emotions or the newcomer’s is unclear. Either way, the mood is ruined.
“Rosi, do you plan on freezing everyone to death? Hurry up and close the damn door.” The grating voice of Law’s uncle causes everyone to freeze. Corazon is the first to react, used to his brother’s gruff nature, “oh, right, you two must be cold! Come in!” He invites them in with a wave of his hand. The gesture nearly knocks him off balance once again, and Law resigns himself to being Cora’s brace, as he reaches out to hold onto his father with a firm grip to his sleeve. Cora smiles in gratitude down at him.
Huffing, Law turns back to glance at Luffy. He’s following close behind Law and gives him an encouraging smile when he sees him looking at him. Biting his tongue, Law groans internally. Caught between his glowing father and sunshine boyfriend, he must look like a blemish, a shadow dimming their light.
If he’s a shadow, Law considers as he passes through the door into the mudroom, then the man standing in the kitchen entryway is the whole goddamn sky on a starless night. Immediately, Law’s eyes narrow at his uncle. Dressed in a button down and slacks, compared to everyone else’s snuggly outfits he looks stiff and uncomfortable. Law doesn’t bother to hide his eye roll at the man wearing his usual sunglasses.
Luffy’s footsteps follow in Law’s. Once he’s through the door, Cora happily shuts it for them, effectively trapping them all in the mudroom with Doflamingo blocking the rest of the house. If this were a horror film, they’d all be dead in minutes.
“Is that your uncle?” Luffy questions over Law’s shoulder, “why is he wearing sunglasses in the house? That’s weird.”
Make that seconds.
Doflamingo’s face scrunches in offense. His mouth twisted, expression indignant. Brows furrowed so deep they disappear behind the guilty shades. The severity of the disgust contorting his face makes it impossible for Law to contain his amusement. A hint of a smirk graces his face at his uncle’s expense, and the snort that escapes Cora only adds to the humor. Turning to his boyfriend, Law answers him, trying but unable to keep his voice level.
“Yes, Luffy,” he confirms. A lilt to his deep voice that’s normally absent, and Luffy’s eyes shine at the rare laughter beneath the words, “this is Uncle Doflamingo. Please, be respectful of his fashion choices. He takes it very personally.”
At this, Cora’s snort becomes a barking laugh, and Luffy’s grin grows from ear to ear. He nods and tries to salute, only to nearly smack himself in the face with the suitcase in his arms.
“This coming from the man who wears a hat shaped like a mushroom with animal print.” Doflamingo counters from the doorway, having regained some semblance of dignity for the moment.
Ignoring the jab, Law gently drops his duffle bag onto the vinyl floor. The messenger bag is given a home hanging from a hook on the wall. And the hat in question is removed from his head carefully. He holds it in front of his face and frowns. It isn’t that bad. Prick.
“Hey!” Law jerks his head up, eyes ripped from his hat. Luffy’s smile is gone, replaced with a scowl. He’s glaring at Doflamingo hard enough to burn straight through him. With a rough slam, he drops Law’s suitcase heavily on the ground, and the other thanks the heavens there wasn’t anything fragile in there. At least, he thinks—
“Don’t talk about Torao’s hat like that!” Luffy demands, arms crossing in front of him petulantly. The strap from his duffel bag catches a hand under it, and in annoyance, Luffy shrugs it off, causing that bag to also land on the ground in an undignified drop.
Law would find Luffy defending him cute or even hot usually, but unfortunately, he and his klutzy father stand between the two opponents this time. Jutting his lip out in thought, Law nonchalantly hangs his hat up beside his bag. He wonders if or when he should stop the incoming fight.
“I’m sorry. To— what?! ” Doflamingo sputters. Grinning like a loon, he tilts his head, signaling he’s looking at Law now. “What did he just call you?” And oh, Law does not like when he sounds that happy.
“It’s called a nickname. Ever heard of it?” Law sneers. Eyes narrowing to glare at the gloating bastard, he keeps eye contact as he begins undoing his peacoat, revealing a navy turtleneck. His hands steady and practiced, he slips each button undone and slides the coat off with an elegant roll of the shoulders.
“Not one as ridiculous as that.” Doflamingo answers, still sounding far too happy for Law’s liking.
“Oh, don’t worry. If you don’t know much about nicknames, I’ll give you one, too,” Luffy says it like it’s a generous offer. His arms uncrossing and lifting up by his sides.
Law has hung up his coat and is turning to help Luffy out of his vest. Tugging at the collar, he begins undoing Luffy’s zipper while the other hums in thought.
“Got it.” Luffy says with a sure nod. Law purses his lips together and tries not to look eager as he pulls Luffy free of the vest. The maroon shirt beneath ripples with static. Once his arms are released, Luffy points at Doflamingo. “Mingo.”
From the corner of his eye, Law can see the edge of Doflamingo’s brow move, indicating a severe eye twitch.
“I like it,” Law tells his boyfriend, “short and simple. That’s a good one, love.”
“Thanks!” Luffy shouts proudly. He grins up at Law. Dark eyes wide and pleading, he puckers his lips just the tiniest bit, looking like an overexcited puppy dog asking for a treat.
Law sighs softly and hangs the other’s vest up without even looking for a hook. He leans in and grabs Luffy’s scarf. Slowly, tenderly, he begins to unravel it. Hands working the fabric undone, Law yanks Luffy closer with a short tug, bringing their lips together for a brief peck. Just a chaste meeting of lips, but Luffy looks pleased enough when he pulls back. Law schools his face to appear unfazed, but a light dusting of red across his nose gives away his own content.
He finishes removing the scarf but turns away to hang it unlike the vest. He needs a moment to regain his composure, and he can’t do that looking at Luffy’s happy blushing face. As he places the scarf over Luffy’s vest, he wills his heart to calm.
“You’re kidding me,” Doflamingo says, again ruining the mood, “are they going to be doing that all Christmas?” He asks Cora. “The nickname I can forgive, but I draw the line at pda.”
Corazon is leaning back against the garage door, an unlit cigarette dangling from his unpainted lips. Law huffs in annoyance at his uncle’s rude words, but Cora only smiles. He takes the cigarette between two fingers to speak, “I don’t know. I think it’s cute.” He laughs a little and pushes off the door. Hand ruffling Law’s hair like he’s a child again, he tells him, “but do try to keep it PG, Law.”
Grumbling, Law swats at his father’s hand. The red on his face has only doubled down. Instead of dissipating as he wished it, it’s gotten darker, turned a deep crimson, in his embarrassment. He hears Luffy snickering lowly behind him and bites back a growl. They must have it out for him.
“But I think that’s enough shit talk for now,” Cora says, putting his hands on his hips. He towers over Law to grab both his son’s and his brother’s attention. Voice rumbling and eyes serious, he mutters dangerously, “save it for the cookie competition.”
A thrill runs through Law. That’s right. Turning back, he stares Luffy down. Luffy who only smiles back at him and tilts his head in curiosity. That’s the goal, the end to this perpetual tie. He has his secret weapon, so all he has to do now is make for certain that Luffy will eat the cookies. Fighting back a diabolical grin, Law nods stiffly to acknowledge Cora’s words. Doflamingo mumbles something unintelligible, something about burying a brat maybe.
“Good, now, boys,” Cora says as he stumbles towards the kitchen entrance. Doflamingo instinctively catches him and lets him lean on him once he’s close enough, “go ahead and take off your shoes. Make yourselves at home. We have a little time before dinner.” Law nods again, but Luffy calls “ okay !” from behind him. With a small wave, Cora starts out the door, taking his brother with him, “I’ll be in the kitchen, so let me know if you need anything. But Law, you should be able to handle it anyways.”
“Yeah, don’t worry. I got it.” Law drawls. He watches Cora’s back until the two are out of sight. Left alone with Luffy in the mudroom, Law feels like he can breathe again, like Doflamingo’s presence sucked all the air from the room and finally he’s survived suffocating.
Shaking his head, Law faces Luffy again and thinks maybe that was a little harsh, but the guy is an asshole.
“Your dad seems really cool, but I dunno about your uncle. Seems kinda like an asshole.” Luffy says, the last bit mumbled as an afterthought. He reaches up to adjust his hat, and Law realizes he’s yet to take it off. But god, Law thinks, “I love you.”
“Love you, too,” Luffy reflexively answers. “Was that because I called your uncle an asshole?”
“Maybe,” Law mutters. He raises a hand to meet the one on Luffy’s hat. Using it to push the hat backwards, he exposes fluffy dark hair, messy from the drive and headgear. Leaning down, Law places a sweet kiss to the top of Luffy’s head. The man under his lips hums happily, but it transforms into a confused noise when Law slides the straw hat completely off.
Pulling back with the hat in hand, Law steels himself for the look he’s sure to be getting. And as expected, when he glances down, Luffy’s looking at him with big sad eyes.
“Don’t worry,” he reassures his boyfriend. Very, very carefully, Law finds the best empty hook available and places the hat on it. He wiggles it a few times to show it’s secure, “it’ll be safe in here. Promise, love.”
Unless Uncle Doffy does something to it, but then I might have to kill him, for real.
Luffy looks hesitant for a moment, but then he smiles at Law and says, “okay, Torao, if you say so.”
“Good, now hurry up.” Law speaks as he reaches down to take off his heavy boots, “it’ll be a lot warmer in my room.”
The thuds of his boots ricochet off the mudroom walls, and he promptly picks them up and sits them perfectly tidy on the shoe bench, nudging them to line up just right. While Luffy struggles to untie his own boots. He’s finally got the second one loose enough to kick off, so he does. Kicks it off right into the opposite wall with a bang, and like some heathen, he leaves it there. Not just in the floor but on the total opposite side of its counterpart.
Law inhales deeply and exhales slowly. Luffy pays him no mind, too busy fixing the socks on his feet, as Law picks up the boots for him and lines them up alongside his own.
They look brand new compared to Law’s old tattered pair, but he’s quite sure he bought them for Luffy a while ago. Considering the ordeal he went through convincing his boyfriend to wear them now, he’d believe it if he were told this is the only time they’ve been used.
Maybe he should hide those nasty old flip flops more often.