Jan 6, 2017
Eustass Week: Day 2
U: Unrefined
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United States
seen from Russia
seen from Malaysia
seen from Russia
seen from Russia
seen from Kuwait
seen from Malaysia
seen from Yemen
seen from Indonesia
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Türkiye
seen from Russia
seen from Indonesia
seen from Maldives
Eustass Week: Day 2
U: Unrefined
K is for Kids
The next installment of this story is here! And in a somewhat timely manner, too! Fair warning, it’s pretty long for me, and there’s a lot of kid-speak. The twins are also my own characters, and I’m really nervous posting something that focuses so heavily on them because OCs are scary aaaaahhhhhh.
Also, interesting fact. Did you know that 8 out of 10 three-year-olds can say “Eustass” perfectly, yet only 3 out of 10 can say “Law” clearly? (Who would’ve thought working with kids would help me write fanfic, huh?)
Anyway, here it is!
Author: fangirlwonder (wordsandwonder on AO3)
Pairing: Kid/Law
Prompt: Kids
Rating: Teen?
Unbeta’d, so please excuse and/or point out any glaring mistakes!
“Mr. Eustass, do you know why I chose not to specialize in pediatric medicine?” Law asked in the quiet, even voice that Kid had come to realize meant he was in deep shit.
“Well, considering your bedside manner I’m guessing they wouldn’t let you?” Kid snarked, hoping that a joke might lessen the tension currently thick in the air between them.
He was an idiot. He knew Law wasn’t exactly crazy about children, but he’d gone and agreed to babysitting at their apartment without even consulting the other man, and now it was painfully clear that Law was pissed.
“Hilarious though I’m sure you find yourself, Eustass, I am in no mood for your attempts at humor right now,” the definitely-not-less-tense surgeon warned. “I did not pursue pediatrics because I find children rather … difficult. And while I don’t exactly mind spending time with your brothers at your family functions and such, I’m not sure at all why you agreed to babysit them here rather than at your mother’s house where they live.”
“Aw, c’mon, Law –“
“Without discussing it with me,” Law interrupted.
Kid stared dumbly at his seething boyfriend and tried to decide if it would be better or worse to tell him the truth. Which was that he liked seeing Law interact with children and wanted the chance to see how he handled it when he had a more active, caregiver-type role. But only because it was funny, and not for any other heart-fluttery reason at all. Obviously.
“Well? Please, Eustass, I cannot wait to hear your reasoning on this.”
Yeah, the truth definitely wasn’t an option right now. “Well, just … you were good with them at Christmas and my birthday dinner so, I dunno, I thought it’d be okay,” he finally replied lamely.
“Both events which were held at your mother’s house, and at which I was not expected to provide any level of care. I assume since you scheduled this for my day off, my only day off for a week and a half, that you are expecting assistance with them?”
“I mean, it’d be nice,” Kid agreed sheepishly. “But you don’t have to.”
Law scanned the living room he had been obsessively cleaning and reorganizing all afternoon in an attempt to make it more “child friendly” and ran a hand through his hair. “Well obviously I’ll help, I know they’re a handful,” he muttered. “And it’s not as though I’d just hide in the bedroom all night. They’ll be in bed by nine, right?”
Kid nodded eagerly. “Probably before. And they sleep like the dead, so it’ll be like they aren’t even here. And I’ll owe you one.”
“Oh, Mr. Eustass, you will owe me so much more than one,” Law growled.
“Whatever you want, doc. I’ll even do that thing you’ve been wanting.”
That got Law’s attention. “Really?” he narrowed his eyes. “You’ll really wear it?”
“Yeah, I’ll wear it,” Kid promised. “I’ll wear it and do whatever you want me to in it, I swear. All you have to do is kinda help me herd them and act like you like them, and I’ll do it all without a single complaint.”
Law considered that for a moment, but then had to shake his head to clear his mind of the images of Eustass that were popping up and putting him in a less than babysitting-ready mood. “Fine, fine,” he snapped eventually. “When will they be arriving?”
The buzzer sounding answered Law’s question before Kid could, but it wasn’t like the doctor didn’t know when they were coming anyway. He’d been anxiously counting down since Kid had told him the plan at breakfast.
“Shit. I mean shoot,” Law corrected under his breath (which Kid found hilarious considering the twins were still downstairs) before hitting the talk button. “Hello?”
“Law! How are you, honey? Thanks so much for taking the boys!”
“Uh, not a problem, Annie. The door should be open, please come on up. Unless you need assistance?”
“No, no, I’ve got it. C’mon boys, let’s go play with your brother and Law!”
Releasing the talk button, Law rounded on Kid with wide eyes. “Toys!” he whisper shouted, clearly panicked at the sudden realization that his apartment was completely devoid of child-appropriate entertainment. “Children require toys. We don’t have anything for them to play with. Damnit, Eustass, if you had told me earlier I could have purchased them some toys!”
“Law, relax. They’re three. If you bought them a toy they’d probably play more with the box it came in.”
Law lit up at that. “I have a box! It has some old photo albums in it, but I could empty it and then they would have a box.”
Laughing at Law right now would be a very big mistake, Kid knew. But the temptation was overwhelming, especially as Law looked at him with such sincere, if slightly freaked out, eyes. “Nah, mom probably brought some with her. Worst case scenario we give them a spoon and a pot to bang it on and both suffer through a headache. They’ll be fine.”
“Helloooooo!” Annie called cheerfully from the hallway. “A little help, please? My hands are full out here, boys!”
Kid gave Law one last reassuring smile and opened the door, only to immediately stumble back as two energetic toddlers collided with his legs.
“Bubba!” they cried in unison, hugging tightly to his thighs.
“Hey Austin. Hey Kyler. How’s it going?”
“We – we gonna stay with you! An’ play!” Austin replied enthusiastically.
“We saw a old person,” Kyler informed him solemnly.
“Let me help you with that, Annie,” Law offered, bypassing Kid, who was trying and failing to keep up with all the information his brothers were trying to share with him at once.
By the time Kid looked back up from his extremely jumbled conversation with the boys, his mom had slipped back out and Law was staring, perplexed, at a small rock with googly eyes glued onto it.
“That’s Dig,” Kid answered Law’s unspoken question. “Kyler won’t go anywhere without him.”
Kyler detached himself from Kid’s leg and went to the pile of things his mother had left behind, rummaging around until he found a step stool, which he then brought over to Law. He climbed up, which still didn’t put him anywhere near Law’s eye level, and reached a hand out for his rock.
“Dig not a person,” he assured Law. “Only pretend. He jus’ a rock.” With Dig safely tucked into the palm of his hand, Kyler jumped down from his stool and carried it dutifully off to the side of the room where it wouldn’t be tripped over.
“I … I see,” Law replied, though his face showed very plainly that he did not see. Turning to Kid, he asked, “Your mother brought him a step stool?”
Kid shrugged. “He likes to be tall. He climbs on stuff that isn’t sturdy if he doesn’t have it. The stool is a hassle, but it’s safer.” The redhead clapped his hands together. “Okay! So, what d’you hooligans wanna do?”
“We not!” Austin protested indignantly.
“Only Austin a hooligan. I not,” Kyler insisted.
“Oh, I think you both are hooligans. Do you know what we do to hooligans in this house?” Kid asked, slowly crouching down and raising his hands with his fingers splayed apart like claws.
Both boys started giggling, watching Kid creep slowly closer and closer. When he was almost close enough to touch them Kid let out a playful growl and both boys scampered away, shrieking with laughter as Kid chased them around the room.
Law stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, watching his boyfriend chase the squealing three-year-olds around and around, and tried to ignore the warmth spreading in his chest. Because he was mad at Eustass, and that man was absolutely, by no stretch of the imagination, completely adorable.
A loud thunk followed by deafening silence drew Law sharply out of his denial. The silence lasted only a moment before being replaced by an ear-piercing wail and Kid’s hurried sounds of comfort.
“Shit, Austin, it’s okay, buddy. You’re okay. Can I see it?”
“N-N-N-NOOOOOOO!” the boy screamed into Kid’s chest, refusing to move so the mechanic could inspect where he’d hit his head.
“What happened, Eustass?”
“He tripped and bashed his head right into the corner of the coffee table,” Kid replied, not looking away from his brother and trying hard not to let his panic creep into his voice. Shit, what if the kid was really hurt? Fuck.
He was too busy trying to coax Austin into letting him get a look at the injured area to notice Law step out of the room, but when a cool hand replaced his on Austin’s head he glanced up. Law had on his doctor face, and had laid out a first aid kit next to him where he knelt by the boy.
“Austin,” he said calmly. “This is very important. I need you to do something for me, do you think you can try?”
Austin shook his head violently and tried to bury his face further into Kid’s chest. “I don’t think that’s gonna –“
“Hush, Eustass. Austin, I know it hurts, and it was probably quite startling, but it’s very important that you take a deep breath and let me look at your head, understand?”
Austin did take a deep, stuttering breath, which reduced his sobs to quieter, hiccuped whimpers. But he still refused to turn fully toward Law, instead only peeking at him with one watery eye.
“C’mon, big guy, you can do it. Law’s a doctor, y’know. He’ll take really good care of you.”
Austin still wasn’t convinced. He’d always been warier of Law than Kyler, and now that he was hurt he was naturally being extra clingy toward Kid.
“Do you know how I met Eustass, Austin?” Law asked in that same unshakably calm voice. Austin shook his head slightly. “He hit his head, just like you. And he came to my hospital to get fixed up. Do you think I did a good job fixing his head?”
Kid tried to hide a smile as Austin very seriously examined his face, as if looking for any indication that Kid’s head was damaged. After a moment he seemed to decide that Kid was okay, so he nodded and finally turned to face the doctor.
“Good. Do you think I could do a good job fixing your head too?”
The boy nodded slowly and walked a step closer so that Law could look at his wound. There was a shallow cut on his forehead, but it wasn’t really bleeding. There would definitely be a bump there, though. Law took out a small flashlight and gently talked Austin through the steps of checking for a concussion. Kid suspected Law was adding in a few extra things, because he was pretty sure he’d remember if he’d had to pull a face and waggle his fingers at a nurse or something like Law was having Austin do to him, but it made the boy giggle, so he really didn’t mind.
“Alright, Austin. Thank you for helping me with that. You did very well. Now I just need to get a band-aid on you, and then we need to put some ice on your head for a bit, okay?”
Austin nodded and leaned his head forward to receive his band-aid like it was a medal of honor. “I brave?” he asked earnestly.
“Very brave,” Law confirmed. “Eustass, if you could get the ice?”
Once Austin was situated comfortably on the couch with an ice pack and Wallykazam streaming on Law’s smart TV, Kid pulled the surgeon to the side.
“How the hell did you do that? Last time Austin got hurt he cried for two hours, and that was with my mom comforting him.”
Law raised an eyebrow. “It is literally my job, Eustass.”
“Yeah, but you said you weren’t good with kids.”
“I’m not,” Law agreed. “But when I work in the ER I do come across quite a few highly intoxicated individuals. They’re remarkably similar, wouldn’t you say?”
“You … You used drunk people techniques on my three-year-old brother?” Kid asked incredulously.
Law frowned. “Well, it worked, didn’t it? And I did make some modifications that I felt fit the situation.”
“Like having him make faces at me?”
Law’s smirk was all the answer Kid needed. “It seemed appropriate. He did get hurt because of your roughhousing, after all.”
“He got hurt because he’s three and uncoordinated!” Kid defended hotly.
Law chuckled and nudged his boyfriend fondly. “I know that, Eustass. You’re a good brother.”
The praise caught Kid off guard, but he quickly schooled his expression into one of disinterest. “Whatever,” he grumbled. “I’m gonna make dinner. Watch them, huh?”
The smirk fell off Law’s fast so fast it was comical. “By myself?”
“What, can’t handle that, Trafalgar?” Kid challenged. “Just keep pretending they’re drunk people.”
The death glare that got him was totally worth it, and Kid just grinned in return as he backed toward the kitchen. “Oh, by the way,” he added, “we’re having spaghetti.”
“I am going to actually murder you, Eustass Kid, and they will never find your body,” Law hissed quietly.
“Love you too, babe.”
Law turned on his heel to storm back into the living room, but was immediately stopped in his tracks so abruptly that he nearly fell backwards. Because standing behind him, he hoped not for very long, was Kyler, on his step stool, looking quite proud of himself.
“Oh, uh … pardon me, Kyler.”
The boy simply looked up at the surgeon with wide, unreadable eyes.
“Did you – uh, do you need something?” he asked after an uncomfortable silence had stretched between them.
Instead of answering, Kyler leaned forward, his expression so solemn that Law felt himself starting to panic a little. “Did you know …” the boy asked lowly, “I very fast?”
“I …” Law knew he was blinking like an idiot right now, but he really had no idea how to respond to this child. “Uh … I suppose … I do now?” he finally managed to sputter.
Kyler gave a nod, got down off his stool, and raced in a circle around Law. “See?”
“Yes, uh … very fast, Kyler. Why don’t we, uh … go join your brother?”
“He hiding,” the boy informed with a shrug.
“He’s … hiding?” Law asked stupidly.
“Yup! Him hide sometimes. But it okay! Him come out for food.” The boy paused and looked at Law calculatingly for a moment. “Waw?”
“Yes?”
“Why Bubba say “wuve you too, babe?”
Law felt the heated blush spread across his face and added several more things to the long list he’d already made of what exactly Eustass was going to do to make this up to him. He really shouldn’t have been surprised by the question. If anything it was probably overdue. The twins had surely noticed by now that he and Eustass were more than friends, though they were careful to keep displays of affection to a minimum when the children were present. But Law had attended enough family functions and holidays for them to realize he was different from, say, Killer, or any of Kid’s other friends.
“Uh, well, because … uh … because he loves me?” Law offered somewhat lamely. He had no idea how much the boys knew about relationships, especially same-sex relationships, and he didn’t want to overstep his bounds with them. Not that he thought Annie and Al would really care. They were nothing but supportive, after all. But still. He did not sign up to educate a three-year-old about his sexuality.
“Like mommy wuves daddy?”
“Yes, something like that,” Law agreed gratefully.
Kyler cocked his head to the side and grabbed Law’s hands, inspecting them closely. “Where you wing?”
“My … wing?”
“Mommy and daddy has wings,” Kyler explained, pointing to Law’s tattooed but otherwise unadorned fingers.
“Ohh,” Law breathed, understanding. “Ring.”
Kid, hearing voices still in the hallway, took that moment to pop his head out of the kitchen to investigate. A choice he almost immediately regretted as he heard Kyler repeat slowly, as if what he was saying was completely obvious, “Yeah, wing. Where you wing?”
“Ah, Kyler do you want to, uh-“ Kid fumbled from the doorway, trying to redirect the conversation to something he, and no doubt Law, would be more comfortable with.
But Law, being the devious little fuck that he was, smirked evilly up at his boyfriend. “Yeah, Eustass, where’s my ring?”
It was meant as a joke. Kid knew it was meant as a joke. But he still felt all the blood drain from his face as he choked on his own spit. “Uh, I mean,” he coughed. “Do you … do you want one?”
Now it was Law’s turn to go pale. “I … well, we haven’t really discussed it.”
“Waw, you wuve Bubba too?”
Both men turned their attention back to the boy, who continued to stare at them critically.
“I … yes, of course,” Law replied quietly.
“Where Bubba wing?”
“Look, this is silly-“ Kid began.
“Really more complicated than that,” Law muttered.
“But you in wuve?”
“Yeah,” the now highly embarrassed couple agreed simultaneously.
“Then you get wings,” the boy said decisively. “Just wike mommy and daddy.”
Kid and Law exchanged a look before both smiling somewhat awkwardly.
“Well, we’ll get right on that, Kyler. Why don’t you go show Law what toys your brought while I finish dinner, okay?”
“’kay! Come, Waw.”
Law dutifully followed the three-year-old into the living room, only to remember what Kyler had said about his brother.
“Uh, Kyler? Where exactly is Austin hiding?” he asked, trying to mask his apprehension. There were a lot of things around this apartment that were dangerous for children to get in to, and Law knew he hadn’t been able to put all of them out of reach, and probably forgot some of them entirely.
The boy shrugged. “He jus hiding.”
“Yes, but … where?”
“We find him?”
“Uh, yes, I think that would be good,” Law agreed, already scanning the room for any sign of the child. “Eustass, your brother is hiding somewhere!”
Kid stuck his head out of the kitchen again. “Look in cabinets. He likes cabinets.”
“Does he do this often?” Law demanded, kneeling down to check under the couch.
“Yeah, sorry. Forgot to warn you.”
Thinking about several things that he would “forget” to warn Eustass about when the redhead was paying him back for this absurd evening helped Law to calm his frustration enough to search for the missing boy. His stomach dropped when it became clear that Austin was not in the living room. If he’d gone into Kid and Law’s bedroom … into the closet …
“If he’s found any of our toys I really will kill Eustass,” he seethed under his breath as he raced to their room.
“You has toys too?” Kyler asked.
Law choked on air and cursed himself for forgetting that Kyler was there. “Uh, yes, but they are only for Eustass and me,” he explained.
“You gotta learn share, Waw,” the boy reprimanded. “Or you not make fwiends.”
“Austin!” the surgeon called a little too loudly. “Uh, dinner’s ready!”
“Yay!” a small voice cried happily from the bathroom. Law nearly collapsed in relief. Until the boy emerged from his hiding place carrying several … balloons?
“Look! I find balloons!” he announced proudly, holding them up for Law to inspect. “They slippery.”
“EUSTASS!”
Kid rushed out of the kitchen upon hearing his boyfriend’s distress, but the sight that greeted him in the hallway had him nearly choking trying to hold back his laughter. There was Law, blushing furiously and pointing at Austin, who was excitedly showing his brother the “balloons” he’d found and blown up (all by himself!) in the bathroom.
“This is not funny, Eustass!” Law hissed.
“Oh come on, Law, we barely use them anymore. At least someone is getting some use out of them.”
“Your brother has blown up our condoms like balloons and you are making jokes?! He’s playing with them! Look at him, he’s covered in lube! What would your mother say?”
“She’d probably laugh and tell you about the time Bonney wore her anal beads like a necklace.”
“Oh my god.”
“C’mon, guys, lets wash hands for dinner. I made spaghetti, how’s that sound?”
The twins cheered and rushed back into the bathroom to wash their hands while Law grudgingly helped Kid set the table.
“I made you a salad,” Kid offered cautiously, holding the plate out like an olive branch.
Law glared at him and didn’t reply, but he did take the salad, which Kid figured was a good sign.
Kid got the boys situated at the table, placed between him and Law so that Kid could help Kyler and Law could help Austin as needed. Kid couldn’t help but smile as he watched Law relax a little in the familiar territory to eating with the twins. He’d shared plenty of meals with them, starting way back when Kid was still in the hospital, so he was more comfortable passing them things and encouraging them to eat veggies and such. Kyler excitedly told them more about the old person he saw in the hallway coming up to the apartment, but Austin was uncharacteristically quiet, staring intently at Law’s salad.
“Waw, you not eat?” he finally blurted out.
Law looked confused. “What? Yes, I’m eating. I have salad.”
“No, you not eat bascetti?”
“Ah. No, I not – ah – I don’t eat spaghetti.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m not fond of pasta,” Law explained gently. Kid was impressed by his patience, honestly. He knew that Law had explained his dislike of pasta to the boys several times, and Law wasn’t one to repeat himself.
“No, it not pasta, it bascetti.”
“Right,” Law acquiesced slowly. “But spaghetti is a type of pasta. And I don’t particularly care for it.”
“Oh.” The boy looked troubled for a moment before brightening up significantly. “But, Waw? It not bascetti! It ice cream, see? You jus … you use the-the pointy one? An’ eat it!”
The laughter Kid had been holding back escaped him in a loud guffaw that had Law glaring halfheartedly at him. “Well, kiddo, that was a good try, but Law doesn’t eat ice cream either. It ruins his figure.”
Law discretely kicked Kid in the shin under the table. “I’m afraid he’s partially right, Austin. I don’t eat ice cream or spaghetti. So either way, I think I’ll just eat my salad.”
The boy looked so dejected that Law briefly considered sucking it up and eating the pasta, but a flashback to the loaf of bread meltdown had him shaking the thought away. He was perfectly content with his greens.
“Alright, boys, I think it’s time we clean up, huh?” Kid asked when they’d finished eating. Admittedly, he was pretty sure that more spaghetti had ended up on the twins than had gone in them, but they both seemed satisfied with the meal, so he wasn’t too worried about it. Law had already begun clearing the dishes, so Kid jumped up to help him. Law, however, had other plans.
“No. You stop right there and take those two to the bathroom immediately. And for the love of god, don’t let them touch anything. I’ll clean up this mess. You clean up that one.”
Now that he looked at them, Kid did see where Law was coming from. He made a point to keep the apartment obsessively clean, after all, and two spaghetti-covered three-year-olds running around all over would definitely cause some damage.
“Alright, hooligans! To the bath!”
Austin giggled and tried to escape, so Kid wrapped him up under his arm and carried him, but Kyler seemed more resigned to his fate and let Kid simply lead him by the hand. He got them set up in the tub with these weird little fizzy things his mom had sent that made the whole bathroom smell like lavender and chamomile. Apparently the boys would be impossible to get to sleep without them, and Kid definitely didn’t want that. Law had been great so far, and aside from being a bit frazzled by the condom thing, he hadn’t seemed terribly unhappy about spending time with the boys. Kid didn’t want that to get messed up by Austin and Kyler fighting sleep with all their cranky might. He’d seen it before, and it was not pretty.
Man, Law really had been great, though. The way he handled Austin’s injury had Kid’s heart skipping a beat. He could say it was just his experience with drunk people, but Kid knew better. And seeing his boyfriend engaging with the kids, especially getting Austin to smile through his tears, well … it had Kid feeling things he wasn’t sure he was really prepared to feel.
And then there was the ring thing. Shit, that had been unexpected. Maybe …
“Eustass? Is everything alright in there? There seems to be quite a bit of splashing.”
Kid jerked out of his thoughts just in time to get hit by a massive tidal wave of fragrant water. “Ah shit, you guys, seriously?!” he cursed, leaping to his feet and wiping the water out of his eyes.
“Sorry, Bubba,” Kyler giggled remorselessly.
“Yeah, Bubba. Sooooorrrrrry.”
“Oh you aren’t sorry at all, you little-“
“Eustass!”
Scowling, Kid opened the door and glared at Law. He expected Law to be pissed about the messy bathroom, to snark at him for not paying close enough attention, but instead the surgeon smirked.
“Now who’s the cat?” he asked, obviously far more amused than he should be at Kid’s predicament.
“Oh, I’m pretty sure it’s still you, doc. How about a hug?”
“Don’t you dare,” Law warned, backing away and pointing a finger at him.
Kid grinned. “See? Still you.”
Law clicked his tongue dismissively, but still kept his distance from his soaking wet boyfriend. “Are the boys clean? It’s nearly nine.”
“We clean!”
“Alright, let’s get you dried off and then we can show you where you’re sleeping,” Kid suggested. “And maybe, if you ask really, really nicely, Law will read you a story.”
Kid ignored the raised eyebrow that got him and proceeded to help the boys dry themselves and get into their pajamas. He was kind of excited to see their reaction to the “big boy” bed they’d be sharing. It was huge and soft and he knew from experience that it made for a great night’s sleep. But when he opened the door with a flourish he was surprised to see both boys shrink away at the sight of it.
“What’s wrong, boys?” Law inquired, concern etched into his features.
“Too wisky,” Kyler announced.
“Yeah,” Austin agreed. “It too wisky. We too small.”
“Whisky?” Law mouthed to Kid, confused.
“You guys, it’s not risky. It’s just a bed. Look, it’s really comfy!” Kid threw himself down on it, bouncing slightly before settling into the luxurious sheets.
“Nope,” Kyler insisted. “Too wisky. We sleep wif you.”
“Yeah! We sleep wif Bubba an Waw.”
Shit. Kid knew Law was never going to –
“Alright, then, if you’re that frightened. Come on. But our bed is just as big, you know.”
What the fuck. “Law, you know they want us to sleep with them, right? Like, not just change which bed. They want us to go to bed with them … right now.”
“I understand that, Eustass. But if they’re scared to sleep in the bed alone there’s not much we can do, is there?”
“Well, no, but … I mean, you don’t have to. I can just go to bed with them. You can go do whatever.”
“No! Waw gotta sleep too!” Austin insisted, wrapping his arms tightly, and uncomfortably high, around Law’s thigh.
“Yup,” Kyler confirmed solemnly from their bedroom door.
Kid looked helplessly from his brothers to his boyfriend, but was once again shocked to see no trace of annoyance on Law’s face. Okay then. Apparently they were all going to bed … at nine o’clock at night.
“We can just stay there until they fall asleep and then get up,” Kid assured Law quietly as they changed.
“Mmmhmm,” Law murmured, watching closely as Kyler and Austin helped each other climb onto the bed.
“You really surprised me today, you know.”
Law shot him a quick glance. “Yes, well, I do have some rather enticing motivation. Don’t forget your promise, Mr. Eustass.”
Kid smirked partially at the thought of that motivation, but mostly because he and Law both knew it was more than the promise of Kid doing that that made him so cooperative today.
After their fourth rendition of Pete the Cat: I Love my White Shoes, Kid and Law finally turned off the bedside lamps and laid in the dark, waiting for the boys between them to settle down.
“Pet him,” Kid whispered.
“I’m sorry?”
“Austin. If you kinda … pet him, he falls asleep.”
“You want me to pet your brother.”
“I’m telling you, he’ll fall asleep way faster if you do it.”
Law reached a tentative hand out and ran his fingers through the unruly mop of hair currently using his arm as a pillow. Austin sighed and tucked himself closer to Law, so the surgeon continued to smooth his hair back. Sure enough, within a few moments the boy’s breathing was slow and even, just like his brother’s.
“You wanna get up?” Kid asked.
“I am currently a human pillow.”
“Right.” Kid let the silence stretch comfortably between them for a moment, thinking. “Hey Law?”
“Hmm?”
“Would it be like, cliché rom-com levels of cheesy if I said I love you right now?”
“Yes,” Law whispered back curtly. “Just go to sleep.”
Kid shrugged and shifted to let Kyler snuggle closer in his sleep, resigned to the fact that he was going to bed for real after all. His eyelids grew heavy in the darkness and he felt the irresistible pull of sleep washing over him.
“I love you too, asshole,” Law murmured, his voice so soft Kid almost thought he’d dreamed it.
He fell asleep smiling.
Idiots Bonus Scene: What’s in the Box?
I was trying to write the next full chapter of this story, but I kept coming back to this little scene and it was distracting so I wrote it down. Hope you enjoy the bonus backstory!
Author: fangirlwonder (wordsandwonder on AO3)
Warning: Minor (like unnamed and never mentioned before or likely after this) character death and mentions of alcoholism and neglect of a child.
Unbeta’d (and also written at like 3am, so my apologies for any mistakes and/or straight up bad writing, lol)
Sitting cross-legged on his bed with the now open shoebox in his lap, Kid couldn’t stop the huge grin from spreading across his face. “Man, I told you there’d be porn.”
Killer shook his head disapprovingly, but chuckled nonetheless as he held the beat-up magazine gingerly between two fingers. “Uh-huh. I can’t believe I let you put this in here when it’s so obviously, uh … well used.”
“Hey, you probably used it too.”
The blonde glanced pointedly at the cover, then back to his friend. “I seriously doubt that. This sort of thing is much more your style.”
Kid snatched the magazine back and looked it over fondly. “Fine. Then you don’t mind if I keep it.”
“I really, really don’t,” Killer agreed with another small laugh. “Law might, but I don’t. What else have we got in there?”
“Well, looks like we have a … what the fuck? We have a brick?”
Killer took the brick from Kid and examined it thoughtfully. “Ohhh, you know what? I bet it’s from the arcade.”
“Oh yeah!” Kid exclaimed, brightening. “From when they almost tore it down with us still inside it, protesting.”
“If I remember correctly we were actually sleeping at the time.”
“Well, yeah. We had gotten up really fucking early to go protesting, we were tired.”
“We were idiots.”
Kid flashed a thousand watt smile at the man. “Yeah, but we had fun.”
Shaking his head again, Killer leaned over to peer into the box. “Is that a broken bottle?”
Kid’s smile faded slowly as he pulled out what was, in fact, a broken beer bottle. “Oh … shit. Why the hell-“
“Is that the bottle you used …”
“Yeah.”
Killer’s mouth tightened into a thin line as he nodded. “Yeah. I guess we did do this that summer, huh?”
“Why the fuck did we keep this?” Kid asked again, frowning at the jagged brown glass.
In a voice so quiet Kid almost missed it, Killer ignored his question to ask, “Hey, is … do you see, maybe …”
He didn’t have to finish his sentence for Kid to know what he was talking about. Shifting some baseball cards and an empty pack of gum around, he finally felt his fingers brush against cool metal. “Yeah, it’s here.”
“Can I …”
“Oh, yeah. Of course.” Kid pinched the small heart between his thumb and forefinger and slowly lifted the necklace out of the box to give to his friend. “Here.”
Killer’s hands shook a little as he reached out to accept the piece of jewelry. “Damn,” he muttered. “You know how long I looked for this? I thought I lost it. Broke my fucking heart, too.”
“I remember,” Kid replied, watching the blonde closely. He should have anticipated something like this, really. After all, this was a time capsule from that summer, and that summer wasn’t exactly sunshine and rainbows. He should have remembered; should have been more prepared for what could have been in that damn box. But he hadn’t remembered, and hadn’t been prepared, and now their fun little stroll down memory lane was turning into something far less pleasant. It was hard to believe it had really been ten years since that summer. The summer Killer’s whole world fell apart.
++++
“I dunno what’s gonna happen, man.”
Kid shuffled his feet and stared at his lap. He hated how small his friend looked, hated how broken his voice was. Killer was always his rock, had always been the stable one Kid could turn to when shit got to be too much with his mom.
And now this. Now Killer needed him to be the stable one, and he had no idea how.
“They don’t even know what fucking happened. She was in remission; they said she was good. All that treatment, how hard she fought … and now …” Killer trailed off and swiped angrily at his eyes. “And of course my dad is nowhere to be fucking found. I just … I dunno what to do. What the fuck do I do, Kid?” he asked desperately, his eyes bright with unshed tears.
“I …” Kid wanted so badly to say the right thing, but the depth of emotion, the absolute agony on his friend’s face, had his throat constricting and made any words of comfort he could think of seem dismally insufficient. “You’re … you’re gonna take it one day at a time. You’re gonna do what you gotta do. And I’m gonna be right there with you! Probably getting in your way, but … still …”
“You got your own shit, though.”
“Yeah, and you’ve helped me through pretty much all of it, so just shut up and lemme help you for a change,” Kid argured gruffly.
“There’s so much to do,” Killer admitted. “I gotta call the funeral home, and I gotta figure out if she had a … a will or something, and I gotta go through her stuff, and … shit.”
“You think your dad can handle doing any of that?”
Killer scoffed and kicked a rock rather aggressively. “Hard to say. But I can’t really ask him for help when I can’t actually find the asshole.”
“You have no idea where he is?”
The frown etched into Killer’s usually calm face deepened. “Oh, I’ve got an idea, alright,” he answered darkly. “You know he hasn’t been home since she got taken to the hospital? I don’t even know if he knows that she … that she’s gone.” Taking a steadying breath, Killer unclenched his fist and stared at the necklace in his hand. He’d been clutching it so hard there was a heart-shaped imprint on his palm. “You know … I never saw her without this.”
“What’s inside?” Kid asked, rolling with the topic change because it seemed like his friend needed it.
“I don’t even know, actually. Let’s see.” It took a moment of fumbling to pry the locket open, but when Killer finally got it open his eyes started to well up again.
“What is it?”
“It’s … It’s me. It’s a picture of her and me, from before the cancer. It was a day out at the beach.” For the first time in the past few days Killer’s mouth twitched up at the corners. “That was a good day. Can’t believe she held on to it like this.”
“Well hey,” Kid offered. “Now you can too.”
“Yeah,” Killer agreed, still smiling softly at the picture. “I guess I can.”
++++
“That …” Killer’s voice cracked a little, instantly bringing Kid’s attention back to him. “That summer was something else, huh?”
“Yeah, man. I guess that’s one way to describe it.”
“And isn’t it just like us to decide to make a time capsule to remind us of a time like that?”
Kid gave Killer a lopsided, half-hearted smile. “Yeah, sounds like us. We were assholes.”
“You still are.”
Kid snorted and punched his friend gently. “So I get why we kept the necklace – although that probably wasn’t our best move, considering, you know, this isn’t exactly a secure storage place – but I seriously can’t get past this stupid bottle. Why did we keep this?”
“Cuz I didn’t want to forget what-“
“What a fucking crazy person I was?” Kid interrupted.
“What you did for me,” Killer corrected. “You barged into every bar in town, and when he wasn’t there you went to every bar in the next town, and the next one, until you found him, remember?”
“Yeah, and I just about got myself killed,” Kid laughed. “There was this one dude who looked a lot like him from the back, so I went up to him, grabbed his arm and was all like “listen asshole …” and then he turned around and he had these crazy fucking eyes and a fucking hunting knife … I about shit myself, I thought I was gonna die.”
“But you didn’t and you kept looking until you found him, even after that. And then when he tried to ignore you, you took this bottle out of his hand and smashed it and used it to threaten him into getting in the cab and coming home.”
“Yeah,” Kid agreed, rubbing his hand over his eyes. “And I still can’t believe he didn’t press charges or whatever. I cut his cheek when he still wasn’t taking me seriously.”
Killer nodded. “I remember. Honestly, though, I think he was too embarrassed that he got bullied by a thirteen-year-old to press charges or anything like that.”
“That or he was too drunk to know it was me.”
“Also a possibility,” Killer agreed.
A comfortable silence fell between them as both men thought about that summer. It had been a rough one for sure. First Killer’s mom died, and then his dad got court-ordered into rehab. They’d made this time capsule when they thought Killer was going to get taken away and put into foster care, before his grandma stepped up and took him in so he could stay in the city where he’d grown up. They’d filled it to bursting with pieces of their lives, from the stupid things that made them laugh to the precious things that they wanted to treasure forever, and then hidden it away for ten years. It seemed fitting, really, that they were going through memories from one of the roughest times from their childhood, a time when they thought they were going to be torn apart, now, after having almost been torn apart again.
Kid looked back down at the items remaining in the box. It was mostly just trinkets in there now, little mementos that thirteen-year-old boys thought were important. Dumb stuff, really. Things that they definitely didn’t need anymore …
“Oh my god!”
“What?! What?!?” Killer jerked at Kid’s sudden exclamation, worried that something was wrong.
But Kid was anything but distressed as he raised the object that had caused his outburst triumphantly in the air. “I stashed my fucking SuperBall in here! Yes!”
Killer couldn’t help but laugh as he watched the redhead turn the glittery ball, once clear rubber now turned yellow with age, in his hands, his face alight with pure joy. He should have known better than to think that Kid would want him out of his life. This was the same guy that had once plowed through every dingy divebar in the county searching for Killer’s drunkard father. This was that same guy that had figuratively held Killer’s hand through the process of making funeral arrangements, and then literally, at the funeral itself. No, there was no way Kid was going to just let him fade away, and he was an idiot for even thinking of trying to. Because when it came down to it, whether it was a stupid bouncy ball or a stupid, misguided friend … Eustass Kid didn’t let go of the things he cared about.
A is for Apartment
Finally got this chapter done, woohoo! Sorry for the delay, and for any mistakes. It is unbeta’d and all the editing I did was done at the tail end of an all-nighter, so please let me know if there are any glaring mistakes.
Author: fangirlwonder (wordsandwonder on AO3)
Pairing: Kid/Law
Prompt: Apartment
Rating: Teen, but only for swearing and stuff, I don’t know I’m bad at rating
Unbeta’d
“Well Mr. Kid, it looks like I have some good … news …?”
The doctor trailed off as neither of the two men in the room stopped what they were doing, or even acknowledged his presence at all. Based on the fact that they seemed to be packing up his patient’s belongings, though, he could only assume they already knew Kid was getting discharged today.
“I am throwing these away, Eustass.”
“What? Why?! The cute nurse from third shift got me those.”
“Which is exactly why they are going in the garbage,” Law retorted with a scowl, dropping the flowers, vase and all, into the trash can.
Kid only shrugged as he listened to the glass shatter on the metal bottom of the bin. “Someone’s jealous,” he muttered, resuming his search under the bed for his computer charger. A light slap on the ass made him jump and almost hit his head on the bedframe, but he figured he probably deserved it, and besides, it got an uncomfortable noise of protest from the doctor he and Law were ignoring.
“Gentlemen, if I could just have a moment –“
“Eustass, get out from under there, your charger is over here,” Law interrupted.
“Oh, really? Shit, okay, just a sec.” Abandoning his efforts, Kid began scooting backwards on his knees to get his head cleared. That is, until a camera shutter sound effect made him freeze and turn to shoot a glare at his unapologetically grinning boyfriend.
“What?” Law asked, lowering his phone. “I’m supposed to ignore an opportunity like that?”
If Kid hadn’t already known that Law was practically giddy (well, as giddy as it was possible for him to get, anyway) about Kid finally being discharged, the surgeon taking pictures of his ass like a teenager would have confirmed it. So instead of protesting, he just rolled his eyes and continued to wiggle his way out from under the bed, ignoring the pinch to his shoulder from his prosthetic.
“If you would just –“
“Trafalgar, where’s that laptop bag you got me?”
“I’m putting your laptop in it right now.”
“Mr. Kid, PLEASE.” Both men finally stopped and stared at the slightly purple doctor in the doorway. “If we could just go over some things I can get your discharge finalized, and we can all be rid of each other!”
Kid and Law exchanged a look before they both began talking at once.
Kid threw his hand over his heart dramatically. “Hey, I’m wounded! And here I was thinking we were pals.”
“Must I remind you that I work here as well, doctor? You won’t be rid of me until you quit, retire, or tragically perish.”
“Really no need to shout, y’know.”
“Not to mention that it was extremely unprofessional to do so,” Law agreed. “I suggest you leave a note about it in the comment box on the way out, Eustass.”
“Alright, enough! I have had it with the two of you! Let’s just get this over with so you can go home,” the doctor growled.
“Well, as it so happens, doctor, someone far more competent has already taken care of all the necessary paperwork,” Law replied, raising an eyebrow judgmentally before turning back to his packing.
“Damnit, Trafalgar, how many time do I have to remind you that you aren’t his doctor!? You can’t do his discharge paperwork!”
“Yeah, but that nurse with the blue hair and the weird name –“
“Vivi.”
“Right, thanks, Law. Nurse Vivi came in and took care of it already,” Kid informed the increasingly frustrated looking doctor.
“She’s very good at her job. Easily worth several of you, doctor,” Law called from the bathroom where he was neatly arranging Kid’s toiletries in a pouch.
“Uh … well …” the doctor floundered. “I suppose that … if she’s already … well …”
“I think the word you’re looking for is “goodbye,”” Kid offered.
“Yes. Well then. Goodbye, Mr. Kid. It’s been a –“
“Don’t you lie to me, now, doctor,” Kid warned teasingly. “Look, I know I’ve been a difficult patient. Thanks for not killing me.”
“You’re welcome, Mr. Kid. I wish you all the best.”
“Yes, yes, we appreciate you. Sorry Eustass proved you wrong every time you underestimated him and made you look like a fool. Goodbye, now,” Law added, slipping an arm around Kid’s waist and glaring at the doctor until he nodded briskly and fled the room.
Kid smiled and pressed a kiss to his boyfriend’s temple. “Ah, lighten up, doc. He was just doing his job.”
“No, the nurses were doing his job. I was doing his job. He was giving up on you, so I will not ‘lighten up,’ because I hate him.”
“You hate everyone, babe,” Kid replied with a chuckle, moving away to search for any stray clothes or belongings that might have escaped their first sweep.
“I don’t hate you,” Law mumbled, drawing Kid’s attention. He’d just been joking, but the way Law was looking at him and his tone were making Kid think he meant something … more.
“Well … I don’t hate you too, Law.”
The silence stretched between them as they just stared awkwardly at one another for what felt like hours, but was actually only a few seconds before Law coughed and resumed tucking things into the suitcase he was loaning to Kid.
“So, uh … how’d so much stuff get in here, huh?” Kid asked lamely, desperate to change the subject.
“Yes, Eustass, that’s quite the riveting mystery.”
“Well look who found their snarky pants after all this time,” Kid muttered good-naturedly. If he was being honest, he’d missed this side of Law; the side that was a snide little asshole most of the time. It was one of the many qualities that had made Kid fall in … not hate with him.
“Hello boys! Al’s downstairs with the van if you’re ready. I’m just … oh, I’m just so happy you’re finally getting out, Eustass!” A pair of thin but surprisingly strong arms wrapped around Kid’s waist and he heard his mother sniffle into his back.
“Aw, mom, you make it sound like I did a stint in prison, not the hospital,” he protested, turning slightly to return her embrace.
“Well, either way! I’m just so happy you’re going to be home!”
“Just for a little bit, mom. Until I can find my own place, remember? In and out.”
“But –“
“No, mom. No buts.”
“Oh alright, Mr. Independent!” she pouted. “But I am going to make you both a fantastic home-cooked dinner tonight to celebrate!”
“Ah, Mrs. Lane –“
“Oh Law, please do call me Annie.”
“Annie, then,” Law adjusted. “I actually only have time to see Eustass to the van. I’m on my lunch break.”
Annie considered this for a moment before giving up with a sigh. “Alright. But we’ll be seeing you soon, won’t we, dear?”
“Yes, Mrs … uh, Annie. Very soon, I imagine.”
Before Kid could stop her, his mother had wrapped Law up in a tight hug. He opened his mouth to tell her to let Law go, but before he could get the words out he was shocked back into silence by the sight of his boyfriend returning her hug with a warm smile. Well would you look at that; all Kid’s worries about Law meeting his family were for nothing after all. And he had to admit, he really didn’t hate the sight of his boyfriend and his mom getting along so well.
“Alright then, Eustass. Let’s finally get you out of here.” Law pulled away from Kid’s mom and picked up two of Kid’s heavier bags, nodding his head toward the door with a lopsided smile.
Kid took a moment to look around the room one last time. He’d grown to hate these sterile white walls, the view of a grimy brick building out his window, the uncomfortable bed and tiny TV. But now that he was leaving, he couldn’t help but feel almost … afraid. After Law’s freak-out Kid had made amazing progress with his physical therapy, and he was finally feeling sorta comfortable with is new arm (though he was still a long way from used to it). But that was within the confines of this place, this hospital where there was always someone there to help him if things went wrong. He’d resented the constant hovering, but now he wasn’t quite sure he was ready to be without it.
He didn’t know how long he’d been lost in thought, but a gentle hand on the small of his back snapped him out of his musings. Law’s eyes were surprisingly understanding as he smiled gently up at his boyfriend.
“You’re strong, Eustass. You’re going to be okay.”
How Law seemed to know what he was thinking was beyond Kid, but he appreciated not having to explain. Instead he returned the smile momentarily before kissing the raven-haired man.
“Okay lovebirds, let’s get going!” Annie chirped happily. Obviously she approved of Kid’s choice in significant other; a first for the surprisingly picky woman.
Kid picked up his last bag and gave a decisive nod. It was time to move on, and Law was right: everything was going to be okay.
++++
“Aaaaayeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”
The banshee-like war cry of one of his little brothers was the only warning Kid got before the three-year-old landed knees-first on his chest, knocking the wind out of him.
“Jesus Christ,” he managed to croak out, resisting the strong urge to push the child off him.
“Waaake up!”
“Kyler, it better not be six in the morning again,” he warned groggily.
“No! I an not Kywer! I an Austin!”
“Am,” Kid corrected automatically. “I am Austin.”
“Nooooo, you are Bubba!”
That did prompt Kid to push the boy off his chest, though he was careful to make sure he landed on the bed and not the floor. “Ugh, don’t call me that. Where’d you hear that, anyway?”
“Momma say it.”
Kid groaned and squinted blearily at his phone. 7:15 am. Fuck, he really needed to move out. “Well, you don’t get to call me that, okay? Is anyone else up?”
“Nope!” the boy replied cheerily. “Only me. An Kywer. An we are vewy vewy hungwy.”
“Fine, I’ll make you guys some breakfast.”
“Yaaaay! Kywer! Bubba makin’ pancakes!”
Well, Kid had actually been planning to “make” them cereal, but apparently that wasn’t going to fly. Shit. He knew once the twins got their hearts set on pancakes they would not rest until they got their damn pancakes. With one last wistful squeeze of his pillow, Kid tossed the blankets off and climbed out of bed. It had only been a few days since he’d left the hospital, but he was already more than ready to get the hell out of this house. It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate his mom and step-dad letting him stay here, but he really missed waking up to a phone alarm, rather than a child jumping on him. And the general chaos of an overfull house was starting to get to him a little bit. Not to mention it was really putting a cramp on his romantic life. He’d been looking forward to spending some quality time with Law now that he was finally out of the hospital, but that hadn’t been possible with his crazy family always being around. He’d tried going over to Law’s for the night, but his mom kept texting him asking him when he was coming home and fussing over him and it had been so annoying and distracting he’d finally just caved and gone home. And now he was up at 7:15 in the damn morning making pancakes for disgustingly awake and perky three-year-olds. Joy.
While he was waiting for coffee to brew and the little circles of batter on the skillet to bubble, Kid contemplated texting Law. The doc was probably up, after all, considering he never fucking slept.
Kid: You up?
Barely a minute passed before Kid’s phone buzzed with a reply from Law.
Law: Yes, surprising no one, I’m sure. You being awake at this hour *is* a surprise, though. Are you in pain?
Kid: Yeah, but not in my arm. I think Austin broke a damn rib jumping on me with his bony ass knees.
Law: Please tell me you are joking, Eustass.
Kid smirked at that response before quickly reassuring the doctor.
Kid: About the rib part, yes. Not about the jumping or the bony knees though.
Law: That is an extremely unpleasant way to wake up. My sympathies.
Kid: Thanks. So now I’m making the little rugrats some pancakes.
Law: Ew
Kid chuckled.
Kid: You should come over.
Law: For pancakes? I’ll pass.
Kid: Nah, I’m good on seeing you try to eat bread, thanks. I’ll make you some eggs or something. Seriously, you should come.
There was a pause as Law apparently considered his offer, and Kid took the opportunity to pass food out to his brothers and pour himself a cup of coffee before starting to clean up the mess he made. His phone buzzed again and he tried not to get his hopes up as he flipped it open to read the doctor’s answer.
Law: Alright, then. I’ll be there in 20 minutes.
Kid: Cool, see ya soon.
In a considerably better mood, Kid went about setting things up to make a batch of eggs while the twins threw food at each other and got syrup on every available surface. Between getting them to stop that and finish their breakfast and cleaning up after them, Kid had only just put the eggs in the pan when he heard a gentle knock at the door.
“Damn, doc, you look like hell,” the redhead said by way of greeting. And it was true, the circles under the man’s eyes did seem darker than usual.
“Well, you’re not exactly fresh as a daisy yourself,” Law shot back. “What is that stuck in your hair?”
Kid ran his fingers through his hair and grimaced when they caught on a sticky mess of syrupy pancake. “Touché,” he replied, stepping aside to let his boyfriend inside. “Eggs are on the stove. Should just be a couple minutes.”
“I’ll watch them, you go take a shower,” Law suggested. Kid was tempted to argue, but then his fingers snagged on yet another piece of pancake and he thought better of it. A shower was probably a good idea.
He returned to the kitchen freshly showered just in time to see Law setting out two plates, one with eggs, bacon, and toast, and another with just eggs.
“Wow, doc, you made me bacon and toast? You sure know the way to a man’s heart.”
Law simply raised an eyebrow and set down a fresh mug of coffee by Kid’s plate before sitting down in front of his own and gesturing for Kid to do the same.
“You know, I meant for these to be over easy, not scrambled,” Kid commented as he added a sprinkle of salt and what many would consider an excessive amount of pepper to his breakfast.
“Yes, well, things don’t always go the way we plan, do they?” Law retorted somewhat defensively.
Kid grinned. “So what you’re saying is that you fucked up trying to flip them.”
“Oh shut up, Eustass.”
“Yeah! Shud up, Bubba! Be nice to Law!”
Kid just about jumped out of his seat at the exclamation from under the table. Two pairs of eyes gleamed up at him when he lifted the table cloth to investigate. “What the fuck?”
“What’s fuck?” Kyler asked with an innocent tilt of his head.
Law chuckled while Kid flushed. “Oh shit, look, don’t, uh, don’t say that word. Why don’t you guys go play with your toys in your room?”
“Don’t wanna!” Austin insisted with a pout of his lips.
“Okaaaay,” Kid sighed, massaging his temples. “Then how about you go jump on Bonney?”
The twins exchanged a look and nodded in unison with a cry of “Yeah!” before rushing off to bother their sister.
“You’re an evil man, Eustass,” Law commented with a smirk.
“Ugh,” Kid groused. “I swear, I’m going insane here. I gotta get out of this house.”
“Yes, how is the apartment search going?”
“Not great. It’s a weird time of year to start a new lease, apparently. All the places I’ve found that have units available only have two bedrooms and that’s out of my price range unless I can find a roommate somewhere.”
Law poked at his eggs with his fork. “Well, you know … you could always … move in with me.”
Kid froze. “Uh, sorry, what was that?”
Law finally looked up from his plate, and Kid was surprised to see the barest hint of pink on his cheeks. Was Law blushing? “I said you could move in with me. If you wanted.”
Kid frowned down at his toast. “I mean, that’s … a nice offer and everything, but …”
“Too soon?” Law guessed quietly.
“Nah, not really. Just … I don’t need charity, you know? I’ll be fine. I can find something on my own.”
“Charity?” Law hissed, and Kid was surprised to hear the abrupt shift in his tone from embarrassed to upset. “Are you kidding me, Eustass?”
“What? Is it so crazy that I wouldn’t want a pity offer?” Kid snapped. Honestly, he would have thought Law knew him better than that. If he was going to move in with his boyfriend he didn’t want it to be because the man felt sorry for him, or thought he couldn’t handle it on his own.
“Do you really think I’m the kind of man to make such an offer out of pity? Don’t be stupid.” Law picked up his still mostly full plate and swept angrily to the sink, dumping the eggs and angrily flicking the switch for the garbage disposal.
“Well what am I supposed to think, Trafalgar?” Kid demanded. “Do you really expect me to think you’re not just offering to try to help because you think I can’t do it?”
“I’ve given up trying to expect you to think at all, Eustass. But I would think it might occur to you that I’m offering because I actually want to live with you, and your current living situation makes it convenient for me to extend the invitation.”
“Oh yeah, convenient timing is a real romantic reason to move in together,” Kid sniped.
Law glared at him and threw his fork into the sink. “Damnit, Eustass, stop twisting my words. Yes, the timing is convenient, but even if it wasn’t I’d still want you to move in with me because I love you, and I find it extremely irritating that you’re so insistent on being a stubborn ass about it.”
The realization of what he’d said dawned on Law’s face as Kid simply stared at him, speechless for a moment.
“You … love me?” Kid asked finally, knowing his face was probably just as red as Law’s currently was.
“Well of course I do, you idiot,” he mumbled.
Kid couldn’t stop the huge grin spreading across his face as he practically leapt out of his chair and wrapped his arms around his boyfriend, ignoring the man’s protests as he buried his face in the other’s neck. “I love you too, you know.”
“I do know. I don’t need everything spelled out for me, unlike some people.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m an idiot, whatever,” he murmured.
“So is that a yes?”
“Yeah, doc. That’s a yes.” Kid closed the distance between them and pressed their lips together, enjoying the fact that he could feel Law smiling into the kiss.
“EW!” a small voice shouted. “Bonneeeeeey! Law an Bubba are kissinnng!”
Kid pulled away from Law with a good-natured sigh. “So,” he whispered, resting his forehead on the doctor’s, “how soon can I move in?”
I is for Idiots
Wait, what? What is this? Another chapter? A prompt update? Help! Someone has obviously kidnapped the real author and replaced her with an alien who is actually productive!
Ahem. Anyway, here’s a chapter about Kid and Killer being idiots who don’t communicate! Enjoy!
Author: fangirlwonder (wordsandwonder on AO3)
Pairing: Kid/Law
Prompt: Idiots
Rating: Teen, but only for swearing and stuff, I don’t know I’m bad at rating
Unbeta’d
Being in his old room was weird for Kid. After all, he’d made a lot of memories in here. The carpet was still speckled with grease spots where he’d tinkered with various car parts without laying anything down to catch spills or drips. Posters featuring scantily clad women posing provocatively with muscle cars were still stuck to his walls with thumbtacks. Even after he was long gone, his mom hadn’t changed a thing. This was the first room he actually had to himself since Bonney was born, in the first decent house he’d even lived in. He’d spent countless hours flipping through car magazines and reading how-to manuals at that desk. He’d lost his virginity on that twin bed, and it still squeaked like crazy every time he moved around too much on it. But the thing that was currently giving him pause as he packed up his things was the old, battered shoe box he’d just found in his closet. He hadn’t really thought anything of it when he pulled it out. He was a notorious pack-rat, so it wasn’t the first random box he’d come across, and he wasn’t anything particularly exciting or important to be in it.
He was wrong.
Once he cleared the disgustingly thick layer of dust off the lid he could see the messy, faded lettering scratched onto it that read: Kid and Killer’s Time Capsule. Do Not Open For 10 Years!
He remembered making this thing, though he couldn’t quite picture what he’d put in there. Knowing how he and Killer were at thirteen-years-old, he guessed there was probably at least one porn magazine, and probably a bunch of dumb crap with absolutely no explanation. Curious, he began to lift the lid, but something stopped him before he could open it fully. This wasn’t just his, it was his and Killer’s.
And just where the fuck was that asshole, anyway?
He’d been awake for four weeks now, and out of the hospital for one of them. And he knew Killer had been to visit him almost every day when he was in that coma, because Law told him as much. At first, he’d been too thankful that Killer had come out of the fire pretty much unscathed, aside from a concerning amount of smoke inhalation, to be upset at not seeing him. Then he’d been too distracted with therapy and adjusting to life with a prosthetic to think about the absence of his best friend. But when he started searching for apartments he’d tried to call the blonde and see if he wanted to room together again and it had gone straight to voicemail, and Killer never called him back. So now Kid was simultaneously worried and pissed as hell. For all he knew Killer had complications after getting out of the hospital and was really sick. Or maybe he blamed Kid for the fire. Kid knew that Killer was bad with open flames and should be kept to prep work only in the kitchen if there was a gas stove, yet he still left Killer in charge of cooking rice for his anniversary dinner and went to take a nap. How could he have been so careless? The man had lit his own shorts on fire for fuck’s sake. Kid wouldn’t blame him at all if Killer resented him.
But the bastard could still have the decency to at least call.
“Eustass? Dare I ask what that poor shoebox ever did to you to deserve such a look?” Law asked from the doorway. His tone was as monotone as ever, but his eyes were slightly concerned as looked at his boyfriend.
It was only then that Kid realized he was gripping the box so tight he was crushing it a little, and that he was glaring fiercely at Killer’s messy writing.
“This fucker,” he muttered, tossing the box onto the bed and standing abruptly to put distance between it and himself. “What the fuck, you know?”
Law arched an eyebrow at him. “Unfortunately, I do not know, Eustass. Perhaps you could elaborate?”
“He’s my best friend. He’s been with me through some of the shittiest parts of my life, and now I don’t hear from him? No call back? Not even a fucking text? What the fuck is up with that? If he’s pissed at me about the fire he could at least say so, right? I mean, fuck.”
“You could always reach out to him again,” Law suggested.
“Nah, forget it. Whatever. He’s a grown ass man, he can do whatever the fuck he wants. If he doesn’t want me in his life anymore then … then … whatever.” To his horror, Kid could feel a lump growing in his throat and his eyes burning. Because pissed or not, the idea of Killer not wanting to ever talk to him again was … painful.
“I’m sure Mr. Killer wants you in his life. Everyone handles stressful situations differently; perhaps he’s just trying to give you space.”
“I appreciate you trying to help, Law, but you don’t know Killer. This isn’t how he copes or whatever,” Kid explained tiredly. “Let’s just … let’s just forget it. I’m almost done sorting through this shit. Those boxes over there can go to Goodwill or somewhere, if you wanna load them in the car.”
Law looked like he wanted to say something more, but he refrained (to Kid’s relief) and simply picked up the nearest box. “Alright then. I’ll take these to a drop-off.”
“Thanks, Law.”
The doctor nodded once and left, leaving Kid alone with his box full of memories.
++++
“Oh no, please, no one else bother. I’ll get it. Not like I was sleeping or anything,” Kid yelled crankily as he went to answer the insistent knocking on the front door.
Al didn’t even bother to look away from the TV show he was watching with his wife. “It’s probably just that bible salesman that keeps coming around. Can’t seem to take no for an answer,” he reasoned with a shrug.
“So tell him you’re perfectly happy worshiping Satan or something,” Kid spat, yanking the door open a bit more aggressively than was strictly necessary. “Look, we don’t want any … oh. Uh, hey man.”
Killer shifted uncomfortably on the porch, his eyes moving quickly away from Kid’s prosthetic and fixing pointedly on his feet. “Hey Kid.”
Fuck. Killer looked like shit. Since Kid had last seen him the blonde had definitely lost weight, making his eyes look a little too big in his face, and his hair seemed thinner and more disheveled than he usually kept it. He was pale too, except for the twin spots of red burning on his cheekbones. Honestly he looked like a shrunken down shell of the man Kid knew, and Kid hated it.
“Well hey, c’mon in. It’s good to see you,” he said finally, stepping back and gesturing for the man to come inside.
“Uh, yeah. Thanks.”
The previously occupied living room was suspiciously empty when Kid led his friend into it. Almost like his sneaky ass family knew it wasn’t a fucking bible salesman at the door. He’d yell at them about that later. Right now he had a very uncomfortable looking Killer to deal with.
“So, uh, how ya been?” Kid asked awkwardly after the two had been sitting in silence for a few minutes.
“Huh? Oh, uh, not bad. You know, just working a lot. How’ve you - I mean, how’re … uh …” Killer trailed off and stared intently at his hands, frowning deeply.
“Okay man, let’s cut the crap. What the fuck is up with you? I don’t hear from you for almost a month and then you show up on my doorstep unannounced looking like shit? Are you drinking again? What’s the deal?”
Killer didn’t lift his gaze from his lap, and Kid had to lean forward to hear his reply. “I just … I came to say I’m sorry,” he whispered brokenly.
“You’re … sorry?” Kid asked blankly. “What - I mean … why?”
“Why?” Killer repeated incredulously, finally looking up at his friend. “Why? Because I almost fucking killed you! Because you almost died saving my life all because I’m a stupid fuck who can’t even make fucking rice, apparently, without burning the fucking house down!”
“Killer, it was an accident,” Kid began, perplexed by Killer’s sudden outburst.
“No, Kid, don’t do that. Don’t say that like it makes it okay. You were in a fucking coma. We didn’t know if you’d wake up! You … you lost your …” Killer’s eyes flicked to Kid’s arm as he drew a shaky breath. “You lost your arm because of me. It’s my fault. I-“
“Wait, no. Shut up a minute.”
Killer’s mouth snapped shut in surprise at Kid’s suddenly rough tone.
“Is this why you didn’t come see me? Why you didn’t call me back? Because you blame yourself for the fire? Because you feel guilty? Well fuck that, Killer. Like, seriously fuck that. That fucking sucks.”
“But how could I possibly face you after-“
“The better question is how could you possibly think I’d blame you? That’s just fucking stupid.”
“But you lost-“
“Killer, you idiot. You think I would rather lose you than my fucking arm? Because that’s fucked up. I’d do it again in a heartbeat, you know? Look, that fire was an accident. It coulda just as easily happened cuz of me. And this?” Kid gestured to his prosthetic. “I don’t blame you at all for this.”
“You’re not … mad?” the blonde asked hopefully.
“Mad? Dude, fuck yeah I’m mad. Are you kidding me? I’m fucking furious.” Killer shrunk back as if Kid had punched him, but the redhead didn’t give him a chance to apologize again. “I’m fucking pissed that you avoided me. I was fucking worried about you, man. Law told me you were okay, but still, when I didn’t hear from you even after I got out of the hospital? That sucked. I’m pissed that you’re obviously not taking care of yourself, too. You look like shit right now. I didn’t fucking save you from that fire for you to let guilt eat you alive, so what the fuck? If you’re gonna come over here all sheepish and shit to apologize you can apologize for not taking care of yourself. You can apologize for not visiting, or calling. But don’t fucking apologize for the fire, man. Don’t apologize that I pulled you out, because no matter what I lost I’m sure as hell not sorry that I did it.”
To Kid’s surprise, his speech made Killer’s lips twitch into a small smile. “Yeah, Law said you’d say that,” he admitted quietly.
“Law?”
“Yeah, when he tracked me down and all but kicked my ass for avoiding you.”
“Huh. And when exactly did he do that?” Kid asked, slumping back in his seat. He wasn’t sure at what point in his little tirade he’d leaned forward and clenched his fist, but he was feeling a little stupid for it now. He’d sounded like his damn mom.
“Yesterday.”
So basically right after Kid had ranted about being pissed and hurt that Killer was avoiding him. That sneaky bastard.
“So … you’re really okay, then?” Killer asked tentatively.
“Yeah, I’m actually doing really well. Packing up all my shit right now cuz I’m about to move in with Law.”
“Wow, congrats. That’s a big step.”
“Yeah,” Kid agreed absently. “I tried seeing if you wanted to room together again, you know.”
Killer had the decency to look ashamed. “Yeah, sorry. I was just …”
“Yeah, yeah. Well, you got a place at least?”
The blonde nodded. “It’s a shitty little studio, but it’s real close to the shop, which is nice. And the rent is cheap so I’m not complaining.”
“Cool. So …”
“Yeah?”
Kid’s expression turned stern. “You calling your sponsor or am I? And don’t you dare try to tell me you’re not drinking. I’ve been around long enough to know the fucking signs.”
Killer heaved a sigh. “I’ll call him.”
“Good.” They sat in silence for a moment before Kid remembered the box he’d found the day before. “Hey, you wanna see something?”
“Uh … sure?”
“Come with me.” Kid led his friend to his room and gestured for him to take a seat on the bed as he fished the box out from the closet again.
“Man, being back here brings back memories, huh?” Killer murmured, looking around at the posters fondly.
“Yeah,” Kid agreed. “And speaking of memories, check this out.”
Killer took the box curiously, turning it so he could read the message. “Oh shit, our time capsule. How old were we when me put this thing together?”
“Thirteen. You wanna open it? It’s been ten years.”
For the first time in far too long Killer gave Kid a genuine smile. “Yeah. Hah … kinda excited to see what our treasures used to be.”
“Ten bucks says there’s porn in there,” Kid challenged jokingly.
Killer laughed. “Alright, you’re on. Let’s open this bad boy up.”
P is for Parents
Sorry for the delay! This chapter is a bit longer than the others, so hopefully that makes up for it a little bit!
Author: fangirlwonder (wordsandwonder on AO3)
Pairing: Kid/Law
Prompt: Parents
Rating: Teen, but only for swearing and stuff, I don’t know I’m bad at rating
Beta’d by: @fitgirlfaith24
Warning: There are mentions of drug and alcohol abuse in this chapter, and I took a great deal of creative liberties with Kid’s backstory, just so you’re aware.
Beep. Hisssssssss. Beep. Hisssssssss. Beep. Hisssssssss.
The persistent sound of hospital machinery brought Kid slowly out of the fog he’d been floating in, but even as he came back to himself it sounded distant. Where was he? What was this uncomfortable shit on his face? Not opening his eyes, he tried to reach up and remove whatever it was that was pressing over his mouth and nose, but his arms refused to move. What the fuck?
“Damnit, Eustass,” he heard someone say. Wait, wasn’t that Law? Why was he so far away? More importantly, why did he sound so … broken?
“It’s time to wake up now, you asshole,” Law’s voice continued. He sounded angry, but the kind of angry he got when he was worried and didn’t want anyone to realize it. But why would Law be worried? Kid was just taking a nap, after all. He’d get up soon and then they could celebrate their anniversary, like he’d planned.
Wait. Shit. If Law was already here that meant he had overslept! Dinner wouldn’t be ready and all his planning would be for nothing! Cursing himself and his alarm for not going off and Killer for not waking him up, Kid tried to force his eyes open, but his eyelids didn’t even twitch. What was going on? He needed to wake up!
“Please,” he heard Law whisper desperately. “Please, wake up, Eustass.”
Kid tried to open his mouth, to tell Law not to worry, that he was waking up right now, but his body wasn’t listening to him. He could feel the irresistible tug of sleep pulling at him, welcoming him back into the darkness that he couldn’t seem to fight, and as he drifted away again, all he could hear was the slow, rhythmic beeping of the machines and the faint sound of someone, surely not Law, crying.
+++
Beep. Hisssssssss. Beep. Hisssssssss. Beep. Hisssssssss.
Someone was holding his hand. Which was really fucking weird, because the hand on his was small and soft and definitely not Law’s, so who the fuck was in his room and touching him while he was sleeping? But even as his brain jolted to wakefulness, Kid couldn’t seem to rouse his body, which felt like it was filled with lead. He tried to jerk his hand free, but nothing happened and his panic grew.
“Eustass, can you hear me?” a voice asked. It sounded like Bonney, but like she was talking to him on the phone from a place with bad reception. “They told us you might be able to hear us. Mom and Al are here with me, but they’re arguing with some doctor right now. They’re pissed cuz they didn’t get notified about what happened. You probably shoulda told them you changed your emergency contact to your boyfriend.”
Okay, what? What the fuck was Bonney talking about? Doctors? Emergency contacts? What did any of that have to do with taking a nap? And why couldn’t he open his damn eyes?
“The nurse said we just missed him, by the way. Your boyfriend. Apparently he’s been here with you for the past 48 hours and wouldn’t leave your side and wouldn’t sleep, so they had to call some kid named Luffy to come drag him out. I guess it wasn’t pretty. Sounds like you finally got a good one, though. Congrats.”
Kid was fucking confused. It was becoming clear that he wasn’t just taking a nap in his bedroom, but where the fuck was he?
Cool fingers brushed some strands of hair out of his face. “Mom’s freaking out really bad,” Bonney continued. “She’s ugly crying in front of everyone and Al’s all panicked and doesn’t know what to do. I don’t know what to do either. You’re the only one who could ever calm her down when she got like this.” There was a brief pressure on his shoulder, like a half-hearted punch. “So wake up and make her relax, okay? She’s scaring people. Hospitals are bad enough already without some crazy lady losing her shit in the hallway making it worse.”
Hospitals.
He was in the hospital. Shit, was he in a fucking coma or something? If his mom was freaking out and his boyfriend was refusing to leave his side and his sister was being all gentle and holding his hand, that meant it was pretty fucking serious. Damn. What the hell happened?
Bonney was still talking to him, but her voice was growing more and more distant as fuzzy memories came back to him.
The blaring of the fire alarm jolted Kid out of pleasant dreams and he leapt out of bed with a curse. He should have known better than to let Killer cook! He’d figured that it would be impossible to set a damn pot of water on fire, but apparently Killer was just talented enough to make it happen. Ready to give his roommate the telling-off of the century, Kid ripped open his bedroom door.
Smoke. There was smoke everywhere, so thick he could barely see through it, it’s darkness a direct contrast to the orange-yellow of the flames behind it. He stumbled forward, trying to assess exactly how bad this fire was, but the heat snatched the air from his lungs and he fell to his knees, coughing and gasping. It was then that he saw Killer on the couch. It was hard to tell if he was asleep or unconscious through the heat haze and smoke, but either way Kid knew he had to get him out of there. Going out the front door wasn’t an option at this point, because Kid could see that the fire had spread out of the kitchen and into the hallway. Shit. Killer’s bedroom was closer to them than Kid’s was, so he just needed to get them there and out Killer’s window and they’d be okay. Not for the first time, Kid thanked his lucky stars they’d gotten a first floor apartment.
“Killer!” he coughed, grabbing his friend’s too-hot arm and yanking him roughly off the couch. Kid really hoped those weren’t serious burns. “Wake up, you idiot!”
Killer had headphones in his ears, but even after Kid removed them the man didn’t stir. Unconscious, then. Shit, that made things harder.
“Okay, Killer, just hold on. I’m gonna get us out of here.” Kid could feel the lack of oxygen sapping the strength from his body, but he ignored it and the black spots in his vision as he dragged his friend toward the bedroom door. Opening the door was a struggle, but he finally managed just as he heard the kitchen window shatter, followed by an ominous creaking sound. He had to hurry.
“If we make it out of this alive I am going to fucking kill you,” Kid informed his friend, propping him against the wall as he crawled to the window and fumbled with the latches. A quick glance backwards showed that the fire was spreading to the bedroom, growing in the sudden surge of fresh air from the kitchen window. They needed to get out of here now.
“Alright you asshole, let’s get you out the window quick,” he grumbled, tugging Killer by the shoulders and pushing him through the frame. Flames were starting to creep into the room with him, once again stealing Kid’s breath despite being right by an open window. “Shit, I shoulda closed that door,” he thought aloud as he finally managed to get Killer out onto the concrete. Maybe if he closed the door now he could stop the fire from consuming all of Killer’s stuff. He knew Killer had already lost everything he had once, and he didn’t want that to happen to him again. So even though his lungs were screaming at him for air and his instincts were telling him he needed to cut his losses and get out the damn window, he threw himself toward the door, determined to shut it. A loud crack sounded above his head, and then everything went black.
So something had fallen on him, huh? Should have just left the damn door alone and gotten out of there. But hey, he was alive, right? Sorta.
“We have to go, sweetheart,” a gentle voice murmured. His mom? Damn, he hated hearing her voice like that, all soft and scared, like it used to be when he was younger. He could picture how she must look right now, small and curled in on herself, trying to protect herself from the fear and worry that pressed in around her like a physical threat. But this time he couldn’t protect her from that worry and fear. This time she was scared for him, because of him, and he’d give anything to open his eyes, give her a big hug, and tell her it was all going to be okay. But he couldn’t, and he felt her shaking hand run once through his hair in parting before three sets of footsteps retreated, and he knew he was alone.
+++
Kid sat in his childhood bedroom. Not at the good house, either. No, this was the “rough-times” house, as his mom referred to it. It was weird. Somehow he knew it was a memory, but it really felt like he was there, experiencing it again, only fuzzier.
“I need help with this.”
Kid looked up from his magazine and leveled his sister (damn, she looked so young) with an annoyed glare. She was holding a tattered math book and a well doodled-on notebook.
“Do I look like a damn tutor?” he asked, irritated. “Ask mom to help you.”
Bonney looked at the floor and shuffled her feet uncomfortably. “But … you told me not to talk to mom if she has her pills out.”
Kid froze.
“She has them right now?” he asked slowly, setting aside his magazine and giving his sister his full attention.
“Yeah, and some kind of alcohol.”
He was out of his seat so fast Bonney jumped and he tried to school his face into some kind of neutral expression. No use upsetting her more than she already was. She was young enough not to really understand what was happening with their mother, but old enough to know it wasn’t good. He didn’t want her to have to deal with that. “Look, I’ll help you in a minute, just … stay in here and wait for me, okay?”
“But-“
“Just stay here, Bonney. Please.” Shit, he shouldn’t have said please. He never said please, and now she was probably freaked out. “It’s fine, okay? Just … just sit down and don’t touch my stuff. I’ll be right back.”
The girl nodded and flopped on his bed. He made sure she was getting comfortable and spreading out her school work before closing the door for good measure. He hoped there wouldn’t be any yelling, but it wouldn’t hurt to have an extra barrier, thin and practically useless though it was, between her and what was about to happen.
Damnit, the light was burned out in the hallway again. He’d fix that later. He had something else that needed fixing right now.
Even though it was just a memory, it hurt, seeing the woman sitting at the table, and remembering that was how his mother used to look all the time. The flaming red hair she’d passed on to her son was darkened and matted by dirt and grease and hung in her face, clinging to the too-pale skin in places. She looked up when she heard him approaching, the brilliant blue of her eyes dulled by exhaustion and stress, but not, Kid was relieved to see, glazed over with drugs.
“I didn’t take ‘em yet,” she informed him roughly.
Damn, he really hated that voice. That was not his mother’s voice. He didn’t respond, choosing instead to just sit across from her and look at her expectantly.
“Just go to your room, son.”
“You gonna take those if I do?”
“Maybe.”
“You gonna drink if I do?”
“God damn it, Eustass, maybe. Now go to your fucking room.”
He crossed his arms and leaned back in the rickety dining room chair. “Nah, I think I’ll stay here.”
“Oh fuck you, Eustass,” she spat, her face twisted in anger just for a moment before it fell as she realized what she’d said. She twisted the cap off her bottle of vodka and took a long swig. “I’m sorry,” she muttered, refusing to look at him.
He took advantage of her averted gaze and grabbed the bottle as soon as she set it down, taking a matching drink before she could stop him, choking on the liquid as it burned all the way down. Fucking cheap vodka.
That got her to look at him, her expression completely shocked. “What the fuck, Eustass?! Don’t drink that shit!”
“Why not?” he asked, his voice scratchy from taking such a big sip of the caustic beverage. “You did. And tonight I think I wanna be just like my mom. So if you drink, I’m gonna drink. And if you take these pills?” Her eyes widened as he gestured toward the bottle by her elbow. “Then I guess I’m gonna take some too.”
Finally, finally, there was a small spark of fire in her eyes as she met his gaze. “The hell you are. No son of mine is gonna be a fucking junkie!”
“Then I guess no mom of mine is gonna be either,” he retorted calmly.
“Eustass,” she began wearily, running a hand through her tangled hair. “You can’t just …”
“Yeah, I can,” he interrupted stubbornly. “And I will. You know I will. You’ve worked too hard, mom. You’ve come too far. Don’t relapse now.”
The woman swiped angrily at the tears leaking from her eyes and glared at the bottle of alcohol her son still clutched so tightly his knuckles were turning white. “I really can’t, Eustass,” she whispered, utterly defeated.
“You can. Mom, you’re the strongest person I know, and you can. So gimme the pills.”
Tired eyes locked with determined ones, and his mom sighed, knowing her incredibly stubborn son wasn’t going to give up. “How can you have so much faith in me, Eustass?” she asked softly, handing his the bottle of pills with shaking hands. He pocketed them quickly before standing and kissing her gently on the head, ignoring the gritty feeling of her unwashed hair.
“Cuz you’re my mom,” he said simply. “But seriously, mom. You really have come a long way. You’ve been through so much, but you’re still fighting. I’m proud of you.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Eustass,” she sobbed, gripping his hand tightly.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Eustass. Please wake up.”
His mother’s voice sounded different, though the words were the same, as the memory faded and he was once again surrounded by the sound of beeping hospital machinery. The hand that clutched his now was clean and soft, not like it was back then, but the woman it belonged to was crying again. He hated it so much when his mother cried. If only he could do something. Even if it was just squeezing her hand back. He’d always been the one who was there to put his mom back together, and now he was the reason she was falling apart.
+++
Beep. Beep. Beep.
“I heard what you said, doctor. And I’m telling you to take your “diagnosis” and shove it up your ass.”
“Law, I know this is hard for you …”
“I think you should leave.”
“Law …”
“Get the fuck out.”
Damn. Kid felt bad for whoever was on the receiving end of his boyfriend’s wrath. Seemed they were smart enough to know to listen to Law when he used that icy tone, though, because he could hear footsteps scurrying away quickly and heard Law huff.
“He’s wrong, Eustass,” the doctor muttered darkly, wrapping his hands around Kid’s ankle. What the fuck? Why was Law grabbing his legs? “People have come out of worse than this, and three weeks isn’t … it’s not that long.” Law started moving Kid’s legs like he was riding a bicycle and Kid’s heart plummeted. What was it called when someone couldn’t move and their muscles stopped working? Atro-something? Whatever, he’d seen enough doctor shows to know you had to move people in comas to make sure their muscles didn’t stop working. Was that what Law was doing to him? And did he say three weeks? Damn. That didn’t sound good.
“If you were still on the respirator, or there were problems with your heart I would have to agree with him,” Law continued, as if there was no doubt in his mind Kid could hear him. “But you’re breathing on your own now and your heart is fine and your injuries are healing up quite nicely. So fuck him, he’s wrong. Now we just need you to wake up so I can rub it in his weasely little face.”
Law kept chatting almost mindlessly as he worked first one leg, then the other, and then moved up to Kid’s right arm to give it similar treatment before moving away. Huh. He forgot the left arm. It wasn’t like Law to let something like that slip, and Kid felt a pang of guilt. Poor doc must be really stressed out.
The bed dipped under Law’s weight and cool moisture spread across his face, followed by the scrapping pull of a razor, and Kid realized Law was shaving him. Aww, the raven-haired man was taking such good care of him. When he woke up he was definitely going to tease him about this.
“Oh, Law, you’re here.”
“Mrs. Lane,” Law replied, pausing in his shaving. “And Mr. Lane and Miss Bonney too. Hello. I apologize, I’m nearly finished with this. I’ll get out of your way soon.”
“We saw the doctor on the way in here …” His mom sounded like she was fighting back tears.
“He’s wrong,” Law cut in smoothly. “I assure you, Mrs. Lane, he is wrong. There is still plenty of hope for your son to wake up.” The doctor patted Kid’s face dry gently and stood from the bed.
“He seemed pretty sure,” Bonney admitted hesitantly.
The gentleness in Law’s voice surprised Kid when he responded. “Yes, but fools generally are rather sure of themselves, aren’t they? I promise you, Miss Bonney, there is no reason to give up. We all know how much of a fighter your brother is.”
There was some shuffling and a sharp intake of breath and Kid wished that he could see what was going on. This being in a coma shit was annoying.
“Thank God for you, Law,” his mother said, her voice sounding muffled. “I don’t know what we’d have done these past weeks without you.”
Knowing how bad Law was at taking praise, he could just picture the blush forming on his boyfriend’s face. “Ah, I haven’t done that much really. I just … I just wish we had met under better circumstances.” There was a slight pause and then sniffling. “Ah, Mrs. Lane, please don’t cry.”
“Sorry,” Kid’s mom muttered, still muffled. Kid had a sneaking suspicion that her face was pressed into Law’s chest and he almost wanted to laugh at how uncomfortable that was probably making the man.
Honestly, his mom’s demonstrably emotional side had been part of the reason Kid had hesitated to introduce her to Law. There weren’t that many things that could make Law visibly uncomfortable, but bread, mentions of family, and overt displays of emotion always got a reaction from the man. Kid hadn’t wanted to toss two of those things together and scare Law away when things were going so well between them. Apparently fate had other ideas. He just felt bad that Law had then been forced to meet his family when they were sure to be emotional, and he wasn’t even there to act as a buffer. But from the way they were talking, it seemed like the meeting hadn’t gone too badly.
“We just appreciate everything you’ve done, Law,” the deep voice of his stepdad rumbled. “It’s meant the world to us.”
“Yeah, thanks, Law,” Bonney added.
“Yes, well,” Law replied awkwardly. “I’ll leave the four of you to your visit, then.”
“You’re coming for dinner tomorrow?”
“Yes, Mrs. Lane, I’ll be there, thank you.”
“No bread this time, I promise,” his mother said earnestly.
“Ah, yes. I appreciate that.”
Kid listened to Law’s footsteps until he couldn’t hear them anymore, amused. So Law had been to his mom’s for dinner and she’d tried to feed him bread. Man, he wished he’d been there to see that. He really needed to just wake up already. He hated missing out on things.
+++
Beep. Beep. Beep.
“Eustass, come on, damnit. Please. I can’t … I don’t know how to do this anymore. I don’t know how to be without you anymore, you asshole. So you have to wake up. I need you to wake up.” Kid could feel one of Law’s hands holding his gently, and the other clenching tightly in the thin hospital sheets. Something warm and wet splashed onto his hand and he realized the doctor was crying.
“Please, God … If you’re up there … I …” Law choked on a sob and Kid wanted desperately to pull the man to his chest and soothe him. “If you’re up there, please. I know I haven’t gone to church, or prayed, or even really been a good man. I know I probably don’t deserve a favor from you. But please, I need him. Please give him back. Please …”
Kid wanted to cry. He wanted to scream. He wanted to throw his arms around his boyfriend and kiss him and promise never to leave him again. He needed to.
Law’s voice cut off mid-sob and his grip on Kid’s hand tightened. “Eustass?” he asked. “Did … Eustass, please tell me I’m not imagining this. Did your hand just twitch? Eustass, can you hear me?”
Yes! Kid wanted to yell. But instead he felt his fingers twitch again in the doctor’s grasp.
“Oh my God. Oh my God, thank you, thank you, thank you. Eustass? If this is real, if you can hear me … Please move your fingers again if you hear me.”
Kid focused all his energy, and for the first time in far too long felt his body respond to a command from his brain as his fingers curled firmly around Law’s.
The doctor let out a very un-Law-like whoop of excitement and suddenly kisses were being pressed all over Kid’s face before he heard Law run to the door and fling it open.
“Nurse! Nurse, he’s responding!” the man yelled.
Focusing his energy again, Kid tried to pry his eyelids open. He could feel them fluttering and he hoped Law turned around in time to see at least that if he couldn’t actually open them all the way. He wasn’t done trying, though. If he could move his fingers he could open his eyes, damnit!
Law’s warm, calloused hand grabbed his again and Kid doubled his efforts. They twitched again and he felt Law freeze.
“Eustass, are you trying to open your eyes?” he asked, almost sounding awed. “Fuck, Eustass, please open your eyes. Please. If you open your eyes right now I will eat a whole loaf of bread, I swear to God, I will.”
The fact that Kid’s eyes chose that exact moment to fly open probably had nothing to do with the doctor’s promise, but he still managed to smile a little bit as he made eye contact with the man for the first time in a little over a month.
“I …” Damn, his voice was hoarse. And his mouth felt like it was filled with cotton. He coughed slightly and Law leaned closer to hear him. “I …”
“Yes, Eustass?” Law whispered, almost reverently.
“I’d … like to see that.”
A is For Anniversary (Part 1)
So since I’m now completely past the actual Eustass Kid Week event, I’m going to just post as often as I can until I finish this story. The prompt for this is Anniversary, but it will actually be a three-part series. This part is from Kid’s perspective.
Author: fangirlwonder (wordsandwonder on AO3)
Pairing: Kid/Law
Prompt: Anniversary
Rating: Teen, but only for swearing and stuff, I don’t know I’m bad at rating
Beta’d by: @fitgirlfaith24
Kid had never been good at this kind of thing. Well, probably. To be fair, he’d never actually tried to be, so he couldn’t really say for sure, but he didn’t feel like the type of guy that would be good at it. But this was different. This was Law. And he wanted to make it good for him, even though in all honestly Law probably wouldn’t care. For all that the doctor could be a moody little bitch (which Kid meant as a term of endearment, really), he was probably the least romantic person Kid had ever met; which suited him just fine because it meant he didn’t have to stress over trying to pull off any dramatic gestures of affection or any of that other bullshit that had always made him shy away from relationships in the past.
But again, this was Law, and that made things different. Because for the first time in his life Eustass Kid had reached a relationship milestone. Six. Whole. Months. With the same person. That was six months of commitment. Six months of rarely (if ever) getting to choose the movie, or the take-out they ordered. Of sitting around bored because Law wanted to read his latest medical journal in peace (meaning Kid couldn’t talk, or move around a lot, or breathe too loudly), but he also didn’t want Kid to leave. Six months of snarky comments and superior smirks and mood swings that gave Kid whip lash and somehow not caring about all of that because Law was worth it. Because Law traded his onions for Kid’s tomatoes when they got burgers. Because Law would listen to Kid enthuse about various cars and car parts for hours without complaining, even though he had no idea what the mechanic was talking about. Because he let Kid kiss him right when he got in from work, even though he was covered in dirt and grease and Law hated mess. Because every time Kid made the doctor smile it was a direct achievement, and making him laugh felt like winning a fucking gold medal. So damnit, Kid had to make this fucking special.
Which is how he ended up staring helplessly at the colorful display of anniversary cards for half an hour. Because really, he had never been good at this.
What he needed was some help, but who could he ask? All his friends were assholes, and even if he felt comfortable asking Law’s friends, he knew they would just tell the surgeon and ruin it. So who? He’d been trying to think of romantic people that he knew and he was coming up completely blank.
Vibrations in his pocket drew him out of his musings and reminded him that he really should get a new phone. Because ever since the doctor had replaced his terrible couch, Kid didn’t have a comeback when Law told him to get a new phone, and that was just unacceptable. He flipped it open with a little more force than was probably good for the ancient piece of technology and angrily read the text that had so rudely interrupted his impotent staring.
Bonney: Mom wants to know if ur coming for dinner Sunday
Kid groaned. He’d forgotten about the family dinner he had at his mom and step-dad’s house every month. It was the same day as his anniversary.
Kid: Can’t
The response was almost instantaneous. Bonney: Mom says why not, asshole
Kid: Mom did not call me an asshole
Bonney: It was implied.
Kid: Whatever, I can’t make it.
Bonney: Mom says are u dying
Kid: What the hell? No, I’m not dying
Bonney: Mom says good then see u Sunday
Kid growled at his phone in frustration, startling the woman who was browsing the cards next to him. “Sorry,” he muttered, angrily typing out a reply.
Kid: I said I can’t, damnit.
Bonney: But why
Kid: I have plans
Bonney: U can cancel on Killer u live w him
Kid: Yeah, well they’re not plans with Killer, smartass.
Bonney: Then who
Kid: None of your damn business, Bonney. Just leave it.
Bonney: Boy or girl
Kid: What?
Bonney: The person ur ditching ur FAMILY for
Kid: Didn’t I say to fucking leave it?
Bonney: Tell me or I’m telling mom u swore at me. I’m young and impressionable u know
Kid snorted at that. Bonney was 16 going on 30 and was about as impressionable as a brick wall.
Kid: Fine. It’s a guy. Now leave me alone.
Bonney: No cuz ur still ditching ur family to MAYBE get lucky
Kid: It’s not like that. And I’m DEFINITELY gonna get lucky.
Bonney: Well aren’t u optimistic.
Kid: Not really, cuz don’t people usually get laid on their anniversaries?
The satisfaction he felt upon hitting the send button slowly melted away into horror as Kid realized that in his haste to win the argument against his sister he had admitted to being in a serious relationship. His phone buzzed and he flipped it open without looking at the screen, expecting a text, but was greeted with a high-pitched shriek instead.
“ANNIVERSARY?!?!?!?”
“Shit, Bonney, you wanna scream that a little louder? I don’t think the people in fucking China heard you,” he growled.
“Okay,” the girl retorted. “ANNIVERSARY?!?!?!?”
Kid winced and held the phone away from his ear, causing the woman still reading through cards near him to shoot a worried glance his way. “Look, just shut up, okay? It’s not a big deal, it’s just six months-“
“SIX MONTHS?!?!?”
“Jesus, do you only have one volume setting?”
“When I find out that my only big brother has been in a secret relationship for six months and hasn’t told me? Yeah, you’re damn right I’m going to be loud! How could you not tell me?! I mean, I get not telling Mom and Al, but me?!? I’m your sister!”
“Yeah, and it’s none of your business! Plus you’d just tell mom anyway and it’s none of her business either!”
Bonney inhaled sharply. “How dare you, sir! I would never! Although if you think I would? Then maybe I should!”
“Bonney, don’t you dare. I’ll tell her soon, okay? It’s just … Look, Law’s weird about family and I don’t need you guys suddenly trying to get to know him and scaring him off.”
“What kinda name is Law? Also, whaddaya mean he’s weird about family? Does he not want to meet us? Cuz that’s a red flag, big brother. You shouldn’t commit to someone who isn’t willing to meet your family. When Cassie was dating Kyle last semester? He kept coming up with reasons not to meet her family and I kept telling her that she needed to figure out why and talk to him but he put it off and put it off and then she finally cornered him and got him to talk about it and then it turned out he didn’t want to meet them because he had a police record already and her dad was his parole officer or something. And also he was cheating on her. So you never know about that kind of thing.”
When his sister finally paused to breathe Kid was quick to jump in, hoping to avoid more stories from the soap opera-like high school drama she called her life. “It’s not like that. Law doesn’t have a record, he’s not cheating on me, and again, it’s none of your business why he’s not ready to meet the family. Now if you don’t mind, I need to get off the phone so I can find him a fucking card.”
There was a slight pause. “You’re getting him a card?”
“Yeah, so?”
“Wow. That’s … new for you.”
Kid rolled his eyes. “Whatever. I gotta go, okay? Tell mom I’ll come over next Sunday to make up for missing this week.”
“Fine. Want me to tell her you’re sick?”
“Nah, just that I have plans I can’t rearrange or some shit. Thanks, Bonney.”
“Mmmhmm, you totally owe me. Bring me some of that weird gum you got me for my birthday when you come.”
He grinned and nodded even though she couldn’t see it. “Sure, fine. See you next Sunday.”
“Text me!”
“Uh-huh, bye.”
“Bye!”
Well, that went better than he thought it would. Bonney was pretty okay as far as kid sisters went, but she could really be like a dog with a bone with this kind of thing. Looking back at the colorful collection of cards, Kid decided not to dwell on why she let it go so easily in favor of facing the problem at hand. Picking out the perfect anniversary card.
“Having trouble?” a feminine voice asked behind him, and Kid turned to see a slender young woman with short, bright orange hair looking at him quizzically. She didn’t look like she could be much older than his sister, maybe eighteen or so, and the nametag pinned to the front of her uniform shirt said “Nami.”
“Uh, nah … I mean, kinda, uh, but it’s … I’m good, thanks.”
She rolled her eyes and moved closer, plucking the card he was holding and quirking an eyebrow as she read it.
“I love you beary much?” she asked, pointing to the smiling teddy-bear under the big block lettering. “Are you dating a twelve-year-old?”
“I was being ironic?”
The look she gave him made it very clear what she thought of that as she put the card back. “Tell me something about the person you’re buying the card for.”
“Look, I got this, okay? I really don’t need any help, just-“
“Too late. I’m invested now. So. Tell me about her.”
“Him.”
If that revelation shocked the girl she didn’t show it. “Okay, tell me something about him, then.”
“He’s a doctor.” Wait a minute. Why exactly was Kid telling this complete stranger things? “He’s kind of an asshole; sarcastic and stuff. He likes nerdy shit.” What the fuck. It was like his mouth started moving without permission from his brain the second he looked into her eyes.
“Hmmm. Does he like cutesy stuff?” Seeing Kid’s immediate grimace she smiled. “Okay, no cutesy stuff then. What about this?” She held up a blank white card with bold black lettering that simply said: I Like You More Than Pizza. Kid snorted and took the card from her, opening it. It was also blank on the inside except for more words, saying: So There’s That. Happy Anniversary.
“That’s … kinda perfect. Ha, actually, it’s totally perfect because I can’t even remember the last time I had pizza.”
The girl raised her eyebrows, looking confused. “Uh, okay? What does that have to do with it?”
“Cuz he hates bread. Including pizza crust. So since I’ve been with him I haven’t really had pizza.” Kid paused as a realization hit him. “Shit, did I give up pizza for that asshole? Oh my God, I fucking did. That fucker. I fucking love pizza.”
“What kind of person hates bread? That’s just weird.”
“Yeah, I know. I don’t know what his problem with it is, he just really fucking hates it.” He gave the salesgirl a slightly awkward smile. “Hey, uh, thanks. I’ve been here for like –“
“Fifty three minutes,” she supplied with a smirk. “I timed you. I bet my co-worker that I could help you find the perfect card in less than five minutes and I won so now he owes me five bucks. So actually, thank you.”
Kid briefly considered being offended, but decided against it as he looked over the card again. It really was perfect for the surgeon. Now all he had to do was get a gift that was equally as perfect and plan a date that would also be perfect and … well fuck.
Kid really had never been good at these things.
C is for Catcall
Woohoo, we are on to the second word! This is a little shorter than most of my other pieces for this challenge, but that’s because it’s pretty much just a littel under 2000 words of sappy stuff because I am huge sucker for Kid/Law fluff.
Author: fangirlwonder (wordsandwonder on AO3)
Pairing: Kid/Law
Prompt: Catcall
Rating: Like barely even Teen. Again, this is pretty much just fluff.
Beta’d by: @fitgirlfaith24
“C’mon, doc, just try it.”
“Eustass, for the last time I do not wish to try your ice cream. I am not hungry, and I don’t like vanilla.”
Kid grinned wolfishly. “Yeah, I know. You don’t really go for vanilla anything, do you?” An outside observer might think that the innuendo went right over the surgeon’s head, but Kid could see the slight pinking of his cheeks and his smile widened in triumph as he slipped an arm around the other man’s narrow waist. “But that’s okay. You know I don’t really either,” Kid dropped his voice to a low, sultry whisper. “Do I, Daddy?”
Ever since that fateful slip a few months ago, Kid and Law had been exploring the not so insignificant kink he hadn’t realized he had. He’d expected Law to tease him about it and maybe even be a little grossed out, but the doctor had surprised him by admitting he didn’t mind (and honestly enjoyed) being “Daddy,” as long as it wasn’t all the time. At this point they both felt comfortable enough with it to initiate a scene if they wanted one, and to joke about it casually without worrying about upsetting each other.
Kid could only appreciate the shiver his words elicited from the man in his arms for a moment before his ice cream was suddenly being stolen by long, tattooed fingers.
“Hey-“ His protest was cut short by Law slowly and oh-so-seductively licking the frozen treat, and Kid found himself wondering how anyone could make ice cream look so absolutely filthy.
“Shit, Trafalgar,” he muttered, watching as the doctor licked a small amount of white substance off his upper lip before making a point of swallowing dramatically and humming in pleasure at the taste. This man was going to be the death of him.
“Oh damn, baby, why don’t you bring that sexy ass over here and I can give you something even better to lick!” an unfamiliar voice called amidst a chorus of whistles, breaking Kid’s momentary trance.
Something Kid had noticed about himself since being with the doctor was a change in how his temper affected him. Before Law, it was like a white-hot flash of blinding emotion and he didn’t even really know what he was doing while he was consumed by it until it passed and he was left panting from exertion and surrounded by broken things (sometimes broken people too). Now that same anger slowly flickered like a flame on the edge of his vision. He could feel it in his fingers and toes, the desire to let go and loose it and mindlessly destroy things until it faded. But when Law was there he could hold it back. That’s not to say he didn’t still break things or start fights, but he did so consciously, and he’d found he was actually more powerful when he controlled the anger rather than letting it control him. And he liked that power. A lot.
So it was definitely a conscious decision to wrap his fist in the bright orange community service vest of the grungy looking guy who dared to catcall Eustass Kid’s fucking boyfriend.
“Eustass, relax,” Law drawled as he reached out and placed a hand on Kid’s shoulder. Though his voice sounded bored, Kid could feel the tension in how hard the surgeon was gripping on to him. “He’s hardly worth it.”
Kid growled and swung the struggling man roughly into a fence, pressing in close so their noses were almost touching. “You got anything else to say, asshole?” he demanded.
“Nah, man, I’m good!”
“You hear that, Eustass? He’s good. Let’s allow him to resume his thrilling day of picking up trash off the side of the road.”
Kid shoved the guy into the fence one more time before letting go with a huff and grabbing Law’s hand possessively. “Whatever. Next time keep your shit to yourself.”
Even with his exceptionally long legs, Law struggled to keep up with Kid as he dragged the doctor away from the group of now gaping community service workers.
“Honestly, Eustass, was that show of bravado truly necessary?” Law asked, his voice laced with irritation.
“He was an ass,” Kid defended. “He was disrespecting me.”
The doctor arched an eyebrow. “Disrespecting you? By catcalling me?”
The incredulous tone should have warned Kid. Really, after all this time with Law he should have been able to tell that his next words would not be received well by the man. And yet he couldn’t stop himself as he replied, “Yeah, disrespecting me by catcalling you. You’re obviously with me. He shoulda respected that.”
“And what about respecting me as a human?” Law bristled, pulling his hand from Kid’s, and the mechanic realized with a sinking heart that he had fucked up.
“No, that’s not … I mean … well, yeah, that too! But I’m just saying …”
“That respecting me comes second to respecting that I’m yours. Understood.”
“No! Fuck, Law, come on, don’t get all pissy, you know I didn’t mean it like that.”
Law chose not to respond, simply walking with more purpose, putting distance between himself and his boyfriend. Great. Now either the doctor was going to kick Kid out or he was going to be moody all night and make Kid wish he’d just gone home. Why did he have to pick someone so damn temperamental? He hadn’t even done anything! Most people would appreciate their boyfriend stepping up and defending their honor! And yeah, okay, he could have phrased it better, but Law didn’t have to take what he said the wrong way like that. The doctor, Kid concluded, was blowing this way out of proportion. And Kid didn’t have time for that bullshit. Maybe he really should just go home. Serve the doctor right, not getting the satisfaction of making Kid miserable. Of course, even as he thought that he knew he wouldn’t follow through. Stupid Trafalgar and his stupid attitude and his stupid weird hold on Kid that turned the redhead into some kind of stupid glutton for punishment.
They walked the rest of the way to Law’s apartment in silence, both men stewing in their anger, but when they got to the door Law didn’t try to dissuade Kid from following him inside, so he trudged up the stairs behind the surgeon without comment.
When they finally made it to the doctor’s apartment he turned to Kid and gave his usual smirk, which was the only warning he got before soft, thin lips crashed onto his. It wasn’t so much a kiss as it was an aggressive clash of teeth and tongues, but that was exactly what the mechanic wanted in that moment, and he groaned in appreciation. Before he knew it they were on the other side of the door and his back was pressed against the wall with one of Law’s slender legs pressed between his thighs. And then, just as suddenly as the kiss had begun it was ended by Law pulling away with a wink.
“Remember to take off your shoes.”
Flushed and panting and more than a little turned on, Kid rushed to do as he was bid. He wasn’t exactly sure what was going on with his partner, but he was definitely willing to get on whatever train of thought Law was currently riding, especially if it meant more kisses like that.
When he reached the living room, however, all his budding hopes were dashed by the unmistakable whirling sound of the Tardis starting up. So this was going to be his punishment, huh? Another platonic night of watching Doctor Who on Law’s godawful couch?
“So that’s how it’s gonna be?” he asked gruffly.
Law gave him a shit eating grin that did not match the innocence in his voice as he asked, “Why whatever do you mean, Eustass?”
“We’re gonna just watch Doctor Who?”
“I was also planning on making some popcorn,” Kid’s asshole boyfriend supplied helpfully.
“Great. Bring on the kinks in my neck for the next goddamned week from your fucking …” Kid trailed off midsentence as his eyes fell on something new in the doctor’s living room. “Couch?” he finished questioningly.
For where there once was a rock hard, awkwardly short and weirdly shaped white bench-like deathtrap of pain sat an overstuffed black leather sofa that looked comfortable as hell and certainly had not been there the last time Kid was over.
“You got a new couch?” he asked incredulously.
“I did,” the man confirmed. “I think you’ll find it quite comfortable.”
“That other couch was like brand new.”
Law scowled. “Are you serious, Eustass? You did nothing but complain about that couch.”
“So you bought it for me?”
“What?” the doctor deadpanned.
Kid grinned. “You did! You bought a new couch for me.” Was that a blush on Law’s face? It was hard to tell from that distance, but Kid could swear he saw a light flush.
“I assure you I did not. I simply felt the need for a change. Stopping your incessant whining may be a perk, but it certainly was not a motivation.” Yeah, yeah. Law could deny it all he wanted, but Kid knew for a fact that Law liked the horrible piece of furniture he’d gotten rid of. He definitely got the new couch for Kid.
“Awwwww, doc, I didn’t know you cared.”
“Shut up, Eustass.”
Kid slinked up to his partner and wrapped his strong arms around the man’s waist. “Just admit it. You bought the couch for me.”
“You are being obnoxious,” Law hissed, glaring into crimson eyes with far less fire than Kid was sure he intended.
“You totally did. That couch is for me.”
“And you’re going to be sleeping on it if you don’t drop it,” the surgeon retorted.
Kid grinned and kissed Law’s nose, which caused him to crinkle it up (adorably) and glare some more at the mechanic. “Alright, alright. Whatever makes you happy, babe.”
“I’m going to make the popcorn,” Law grumbled, trying to pull away, which only made Kid grip him tighter.
“What’s your hurry?” Kid asked, leaning in so that their noses were touching and his lips ghosted over Law’s as he spoke. “You’ve got a brand new couch just sitting over there.”
Law huffed an exasperated sigh. “So?”
“So,” Kid murmured, pausing to press a light kiss to the corner of Law’s mouth. “Wanna break it in?”