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“Sabo Outlook, am I right?”
“Yup, that’s me! Hop on in!”
Law had no idea whether to trust this young man. He was slim, neat, and self-possessed. He pinned up the right side of his curly blonde hair with a few hair clips.
That decision to trust Sabo to do the bare minimum as his Uber driver changed everything. Of course, Law didn’t know it at the time. All he knew was that Sabo looked trustworthy, and he was running late, so he had no choice but to trust him.
“Thanks for this,” Law said, putting the seatbelt on. “I know it’s sudden.”
“Not at all!” Sabo adjusted the air conditioner since Law was sweating. “Alrighty, then, Grand Line Hospital. How much time do we have?”
“Thirty minutes.”
“A two-hour drive in thirty minutes.” To Law’s surprise, Sabo wasn’t offended. No, he looked ecstatic. His smile was toothy. Law found it to be the most attractive, if not unnerving, part about him. Sabo continued, “Do you mind if I try some unconventional methods?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’ve driven before but never blind.” Sabo lifted the hair by his left eye, and yeah, he really was blind in one eye. “Will that be an issue?”
Law shrugged. “Let me open the window at least. I get motion sickness easily.”
“Understood! I’ll be careful.”
Sabo put on some music as he kicked on the accelerator and drove. Law suddenly decided that he liked Gangnam Style, slowed and reverbed. He made it there with ten minutes to spare, and he did not vomit.
He gave Sabo five stars and a small tip. He deserved this much. Sabo saved his ass.
-
Sabo’s car was the stuff of fantasies. It was gorgeous, large, black and shiny. Law would’ve thought it was brand new, but then he saw that the seating was quite worn. The detail made Sabo look more human, more down-to-earth.
“Ignore the stains; they’re safe,” Sabo said when Law got in. “Ace goes crazy in the family car.” Sabo winked. “Anyway, do you mind if I put on air freshener?”
And it was the strongest lemon smell ever. Law nearly gagged. He didn’t mind.
“You said the stains were safe.”
“Health-wise, yes, like broccoli.” Sabo poked his cheek thoughtfully and laughed. He made a sharp turn to avoid running into a small bird. “I didn’t say they were pleasant.”
“Like broccoli,” Law repeated. “Just how fucked up are you?”
Sabo laughed again. Law frowned. He thought he was talking to a serial killer, one of those perpetrators of a decade-long unsolved case. He had the cockiness of someone who got away with doing whatever he wanted.
“I like it when people are honest with me,” Sabo said. “I find it charming.”
“Did you kill someone?”
“Not intentionally!” Sabo said.
Law scoffed. And the illusion shattered–he’s a bumbling idiot! Sabo was embarrassed. That said, Sabo did look familiar.
“Did you kill anyone, sweetheart?” Sabo said, trying to one-up Law.
“Not intentionally,” Law said, smiling. He could live with that, even with the guilt. He didn’t mean to accidentally cut that artery that day.
-
Law remembered where he met Sabo. It came to him in one of those things that felt like a dream, but it was a memory his subconscious replayed for him.
It was a warm, humid night after exams. He was walking on the road, a little dangerous since it was dark, but he liked the atmosphere. He was alone, except for bug sounds and the crunch of gravel beneath his shoes.
He also had a light headache; he was drunk that day, which explained why Law didn’t remember this immediately.
As an experienced jaywalker, he knew to make way for cars driving past. Call it a hunch, an instinct of a superior sort, which never failed him. Until now.
“Oh my God! Not again!”
He didn’t remember what happened after being knocked over. He remembered being conscious for a few minutes. After that, he heard himself curse, saying he’ll sue and kill that motherfucker who knocked him over.
“I’m so sorry!” The perpetrator with shiny blonde hair said. “P-please don’t sue!”
“Then ya should’ve watched out, ya fucking idiot!” Law admitted that he and Eustass-ya were similar when angry. “I’ll sue!”
“I- Oh!”
“Stop smiling!”
“How about I take you to dinner!” The perpetrator said, rushing to Law and helping him up. He lugged Law over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. “I know a great fine dining place with reasonable prices and portions. They have lovely paintings!”
“Fuck them paintings!”
“I shall beat that rubbish mentality into submission!”
Law was unceremoniously thrown in the backseat of someone’s car. He kicked the driver’s seat when he heard, “Wow! It’s really easy to kidnap someone, just like that!” And then, more darkly, “If you do that again, I’ll really kill you.”
-
Law finally got away from the company dinner or whatever the fuck HR organised. He wanted to vomit. The alcohol was lukewarm, so he didn’t drink much. Lack of alcohol aside, he didn’t want to deal with a very drunk Prof Marco who kept trying to make him socialise.
Law thanked God when he got an Uber driver. To his surprise, the Uber Driver was already there.
“Oh! You’re leaving the bar too?” Law nearly had a fucking heart attack when Sabo smiled at him. “What a coincidence! The chicken fries were delicious. Have you tried it?”
“No.”
Sabo sighed and ruffled Law’s hair. “Bad day? Well, I know where you live.”
“That sounds fucked up.”
“Let’s go.”
Law let Sabo drag him back to his car. Law sat in the front seat. Sabo smiled and asked if he felt better. Law said he did.
“It is so easy to kidnap you like this,” Sabo said as he drove.
“My dad’s a cop.”
Sabo scoffed. “Well, I guess I can forget that.”
They drove on for a few minutes, stopping at a cross junction, which meant silence as they waited for traffic to pass. Law checked his phone. Prof Marco was spamming him to come back. Law powered his phone off.
Law felt perturbed when he realised that Sabo was staring at him.
“You’re really pretty, you know that?” Sabo said.
“T-thanks?”
Sabo said nothing for five seconds, which felt like five days. He stroked the goatee on Law’s chin. “Is this real?”
“What do you mean?”
“Us,” Sabo said, a bit confused. “Do you think we can be a real couple?”
“Huh? I’m sorry, I don’t understand. We spoke less than ten times in total.”
“Yes, but I fell in love with you in those ten times we’ve spoken.”
Law looked past Sabo’s uninterrupted eye contact to see that the light turned green. He told Sabo this, and Sabo drove, hand on the wheel, feet on the accelerator and gas. Eyes… not on the road.
Law had a cardiac arrest. “Idiot! Don’t look at me!”
“Why? I like you.”
“Fuck that—you’re driving!”
“I’m driving?” Sabo looked back. He sobered up immediately. “Oh, fuck, I’m driving!”
“What took you so long to figure that out!”
Sabo barked a laugh. “I got lost in your eyes!”
“What’s that supposed to mean!”
“Exactly as it sounds like!” Sabo said, now giggling. “You’re gorgeous!”
They avoided a car crash. Sabo was laughing the whole time while Law had to get out to vomit on the pavement. Sabo carried him back and dumped him in the back seat. Law refused when Sabo asked if he wanted to go through a shortcut. He had had enough.
-
The dinner date that day was quite odd. At the very least, it was a legitimate restaurant and not some criminal hideout underground.
“You look bored. I have a story that will amuse you.”
“I’m not here to be ‘amused’,” Law said irritably. “You knocked me over, ate most of my food and made me wait fifteen minutes while you took a massive shit. Can I go home?”
“That’s an amusing story,” Blondie said thoughtfully.
“I’ll fucking kill you!”
“Shush.” Blondie took Law’s fork, stabbed the fish with it and essentially force-fed it to him. “Let me continue with my story. I’ll make you smile, I promise.”
“Fuck you!” Law said, voice muffled with fish.
“Yes, that’s a start. I was seeing someone on a purely sexual basis,” Blondie said. “We went on a few dates. I was attracted to them. We made love several times and I must say I enjoyed myself.”
Law took the fork out and called for another glass of water. Blondie chuckled and continued. “That was, until they started asking about whether I wanted a family and all that. It seems they’ve fallen in love with me.”
“You’d be a horrible father.”
“The other person took six weeks to understand a point you’ve so nicely articulated in four words in six milliseconds.”
“What made them realise this?” God, Law felt like a therapist.
“They showed me pictures of their niece and I didn’t think she was cute. They sort of understood that I wasn’t fond of children, even if I was ‘good’ with my little brother.”
Law frowned. Maybe that statement was valid. Blondie was conventionally good-looking and had a ‘nice guy’ charm. Law finished his glass of water and decided he didn’t need more.
“Anyway, compatibility issues aside, I realise we just weren’t meant to be.”
“Why?” Law found himself feigning interest quite well.
“They didn’t have a personality. Most of my partners didn’t, I guess, and I got bored,” Blondie said, resting his cheek on his palm. He smiled. “That is, until I met you.”
“That makes no sense. We met two hours ago and I still want to sue.”
“I feel like you get me and that you are an incredible listener. Only people with emotional intelligence are good listeners.”
“Are you drunk?”
“No, I’m as high as a kite!”
Law kicked the bastard under the table. What the fuck? Blondie laughed. When he calmed down, he said his name was Sabo.
-
“Morning-”
“Do you remember the time you knocked me over with this very car?”
“Oh…” Sabo made a face. “You wouldn’t happen to know how to change a license plate, do you?”
“No, sorry. Besides, I don’t actually have money to sue.”
“Okay, that’s good to hear. For me, anyway.”
Law got in the car when Sabo told him to.
Offhandedly, Sabo asked what Law did for work. Thinking nothing of it, Law said he was a cardiovascular surgeon.
Since Sabo nodded absentmindedly, Law thought he wasn’t paying attention and didn’t care. Sabo said he was a student and that he did Uber gigs to make extra money to pay for books and supplies.
It was when he parked in the parking lot that he acknowledged what Law said.
“Did you know that a human heart can sell for a million dollars?”
“What?”
“Obviously, your’s is worth more. Maybe a million dollars and one cent?”
“What are you trying to say?”
“You’re a little oblivious,” Sabo said cryptically. “You’ll be easy prey for bad people.”
Sabo let out a laugh. He rubbed the back of his neck.
“I’m sorry. I knew all along but I didn’t want to… I guess ‘ruin the mood’?”
Law shrugged. “I guess it’s all water under the bridge.”
“You really are reckless.”
“Says you, blondie,” Law raised an eyebrow to say. “After you ran me over, I heard you say, ‘Why does this speed bump make a noise?’ when you come back to check. I thought it was a funny thing to say in hindsight.”
They grimaced, sharing a rather unpleasant memory. Sabo unlocked the car.
“I’ll see you?”
“Yes, see you.”
Getting out, Law waved goodbye. Sabo cursed when he bumped into another car behind him. It was Doctor Kureha’s Grand Jeep Cherokee. Five star rating with a twenty percent tip.
-
“Do you mind if I eat my dinner now?”
“Fries are mine.”
“Fine.” Sabo gave Law his fries while he pulled out a chicken-mayo sandwich with Tabasco sauce. They ate in silence while Sabo drove with surprising caution. He burped when he drove past a red light. “Hey, do you ever just feel like life is meaningless?”
“All day, every day,” Law said blandly. “Don’t take it the wrong way, though, I’ll vomit if you try to pull a fast one on that truck ahead of us.”
“How did you know I wanted to do that?” Sabo said with wonder.
“I just do. You’re not that unpredictable.”
Sabo pouted. “It’ll be cool-”
“No, blondie. I have to go to work.”
“Fine.”
“Why are you smiling at me like that? Like you’re a serial killer?”
“You feel that way too?” Sabo sighed. “Luffy says I look scary.”
Law patted his shoulder. He understood the feeling of having your loved ones think you’re scary. Sabo finally stopped at a red light. Law was surprised they haven’t been pulled over yet.
“Can I ask for advice?” Sabo continued when Law nodded. “I’m scared for my job interview tomorrow. It’s to be an architectural assistant. Hey, don’t laugh!”
“Sorry,” Law snickered, thinking Sabo’s cute for being so defensive. “Carry on.”
“I heard horror stories of interviewers asking silly questions. I can think on my feet but the one question that scares me is can you describe yourself in x number of words. There’s so many words in the dictionary—both in English and otherwise—how do I choose just one?”
“Maybe we can start with four first and go down from there.”
“Good idea.” Sabo gave it some thought. “Do you prefer four separate words or a short sentence?”
“Impress me.”
“I have long schlong.”
Law barked a laugh. Sabo’s more perverted than what Law gave him credit for.
“What about you?” Sabo said curiously.
“Big heart, bigger cock”
“That’s good. It sounds like something Ace would say.”
Law nodded. Sabo was so easily appeased by stupid things. Law wanted to lick his thumb and comb the one lock of hair that kept falling on his forehead.
“What about one word?”
“Just one?” Sabo said. Softly, he said, “Your’s.”
Sabo subsequently let out awkward monosyllabic laughs like ha ha ha.
Shit. Law heard that. Sabo knew he had heard that. Law didn’t get any concrete answers when he asked to clarify.
Sabo looked away. “J-just kidding! I think I’ll just s-say ‘hired’ to be funny!”
“Yes… It’s unique.”
“Right!”
“Right.” Law frowned. His hands felt a bit clammy. Damn it. What was that shy face for, anyway?
-
Law couldn’t sleep so he had been awake since four in the morning. It was now nine. Instead of falling back asleep, Law decided to take a walk. Outside, he saw a familiar car. Odd. He didn’t call for an Uber at this time. It was his day off.
“I’m your Uber driver!” Sabo said. He honked again. “Get in!”
“But I didn’t order one.”
“I’m not repeating myself.”
Law was put off. “Still no!”
Even from his window, Law could tell that Sabo was angry, or at least getting impatient. Law wasn’t scared per se, it’s just that whenever Doffy got angry, it meant he’s frustrated about something beyond his control and that if he got any angrier, things would be unpleasant for everyone.
Law sat next to Sabo in the car.
“Were you sleeping in?” Sabo said. He looked away. “I’m sorry.”
“Would you rather just come inside? My dad bought good coffee.”
“How hospitable.” Sabo smiled weakly. “No, I can’t bring myself to.”
“Okay.”
They stared outside. It’s a pleasant neighbourhood. Law waved at one of his neighbours walking their dog.
“Do you remember my job interview nonsense?” Sabo said. “It didn’t go well and the stress got to me, which meant I lashed out and argued with Ace.”
“Shit.”
Sabo smiled weakly. “That’s better than ‘I’m sorry to hear’, I guess.”
“So why are you here outside my house?”
“That’s a fair question,” Sabo said. “It’s a routine to come here every morning and it feels weird otherwise.”
“Sure.” Law knew Sabo was lonely. “I’m not paying you, though.”
“That’s okay. I’m not here for money.”
Sabo moved Law’s hand to pet his head. He said he felt bad for having an expensive degree he didn’t know what to do with after losing passion. He wanted to make things easier, but didn’t know how.
Law held his hand and waited it out.
“What do you want to do now?” Law said once Sabo stopped crying.
“Nothing in particular.” Sabo rubbed his eyes. “I want to drive around and talk to you as and when I feel like it.”
Law found the plan agreeable. He excused himself to shower, get changed and forced his dad to make coffee in a tumbler for him.
The drive was surprisingly pleasant. Sabo said he passed his driving test and got his license. Sabo liked the coffee. He laughed when Law said that his dad thought Sabo was his boyfriend.
-
Law was displeased. “Who are you?”
“That’s rude,” the driver said. “Bobo says you’re really nice.”
“Who the fuck is bobo?”
“Sabo?” The driver retorted, now annoyed. “I’m Ace, his big brother. He isn’t feeling well today but he wants to make sure someone drives you to work.”
“No, he wants to make sure my money doesn’t leave the family.”
Ace chuckled. “That too.”
As uncertain as he was, Law finally agreed to go with Ace. Ace seemed like the better driver as he drove slowly, more humanely. He smirked when Law complimented his driving skills.
Law looked over. “What are you hiding?”
Ace laughed. “Y’know, Bobo’s really into you but he’s too chicken to tell you himself, so!” Ace took out a piece of paper from his back pocket. It was crumbled and warm, disturbingly so. “I’m helping him!”
Yeah, Law didn’t believe him. “He said you guys fought. Is that true?”
“Look, I fucked up too, I get that.” Ace shrugged, not liking the memory. He cracked a smile. “But, I want to make it up to him now, so here, take it.”
Against his better judgment, Law opened the letter during his lunch break and couldn’t, for the life of him, read what Ace was saying.
Luckily, prof Marco could. He hit Law on the head for ‘not respecting people's secrets’ but agreed to read it aloud if Law paid for his drinks the next day. And also to socialise with other people.
Marco smiled as he read. “Sabo’s the real deal. He can cook, knows big words and likes long walks. Can’t drive for shit but thinks you’re cute when you laugh at his jokes. He’s silly, indecisive and stuck up but he’s serious about you. He wants to make you wifey.”
Law raised his eyebrows. “Do you believe this, Prof?”
Prof Marco laughed generously. He showed Law his folder, full of Ace’s similarly sloppy love letters calling him ‘mr gorgeous sexy hunk’. Law laughed too. Fucking hell. These bitches were crazy. It seems that Ace was Prof Marco’s Uber driver.
-
“Finally, someone worth kidnapping!”
Law chuckled. “Have you been saying that to everyone you pick up?”
“Honestly, I’m running out of silly things to say to make an impression.”
“Your good looks are more than enough.”
Sabo lit up. “Really!”
Law initially didn’t mean it, but he supposed he did now. “You’re not annoying either.”
“O-oh!” Sabo giggled. “Thank you.”
They were driving for a couple of minutes when Sabo spoke up at the red light. He looked antsy as he said, “Did Ace give you that horrible letter?”
“Yup.” Law liked that Sabo was as red as the traffic light. “Indecisive-”
“Look, Ace has this idea that I’m crazy head over heels in love with you, but I’d like to assure you he’s over exaggerating. It is not true. Don’t feel obliged.”
Law shrugged. “Sure, whatever you say.”
Sabo kept driving. It was eight in the evening, and Law asked if he could lean against the window to sleep during the commute. Sabo didn’t mind and let him.
He stopped outside of Law’s apartment. Once, he told Law that they arrived. Subsequently, they really just sat there saying nothing.
Meanwhile, Law felt something hover over him obsessively. It reminded him of the time Doffy pulled a prank on him, or when Baby Five and Buffalo stared at him for hours to wake him up in the early afternoon when they were kids.
The discomfort woke Law up. Law didn’t know why he was surprised, but he was anyway when he saw Sabo leaning in. Law frowned. Sabo gasped.
How silly; did he really not think that Law would wake up at any moment?
“I-I’m sorry! I- uh… I-”
“What are you doing?”
“There was a fly!” Sabo said a bit too loudly. “And I-I wanted to brush it off!”
“Why are you so close then? A flick of the wrist would do.”
Poor boy looked like he’d explode. “It was on your face…”
Law recalled how Eustass-ya flirted with girls. “Sabo-ya, did you want to kiss me?”
“No!” Sabo frowned, scrunched his lips and looked away. “Did Ace tell you that too?”
“Why are you so defensive today?”
“I- I’m not!”
“Are you okay?”
“I am!” Sabo unlocked the door. “You’re home now. You can leave if you want.”
Law chuckled. This was the first time Sabo looked at him all night. It reminded him of the candlelit dinner at that cheap fine dining place. Law thought Sabo was cute when he was all red. He looked like a young man his age, with full cheeks and a shy sparkle in his eye.
Sabo forced a smile when Law held his face in his hands. Sabo didn’t push Law away. He sat there, eyes wide open, as Law closed the distance and kissed him.
Even his lips had some scarring on them. Law kissed him again quickly. Son of a gun was good at this, a lot better than Law thought, since architecture was a demanding degree.
“By the way, dear,” Sabo said, smiling when they pulled away. “If we get caught, you have to switch with me. Can you do that?”
Law laughed. He knew Sabo was dead serious about getting caught. Yet, he wanted to know what Sabo meant when he said that Ace let him go crazy in the family car…