Chapter Text
Still Uncomfortable Between Them
He still couldn't look directly at Corazon that night when the other two returned to rest after working all day. The house next door was finished and even had furniture already inside. The older man said that he and Bepo could go over there the next day to get settled in. Bepo seemed excited while Law stayed quiet, still trying to process what he found out earlier that day.
And the other two noticed his obvious quietness as they spoke and decided to ask him about what's on his mind. "Captain, is everything alright? You've been really quiet this whole time. Is something bothering you? Or are you just busy thinking about something?" Bepo sounded worried about him as he asked Law those questions.
Law looked up from his food, finally acknowledging both of their presence. But he kept his expression neutral. "I'm fine. Just... a lot on my mind. There's no reason to worry." He forced his voice to be monotone as he spoke. There was no way Law was going to give away what he was truly feeling at the time.
After saying that to the men, he lowered his gaze back to his bowl of food. Law wasn't able to look at Corazon at all. And he didn't really want to. Law feared what would happen if he acknowledged the older man in any way. But one thing he believed would happen was that his facade would break, and the two would know something was, indeed, bothering him badly.
"Law, what is going on with you lately? You can't say that and not expect us to worry about you. Your silence is not normal. Hell, you won't even look at us properly when speaking to us. What's the real issue?" Law tightened his jaw as he swallowed what was in his mouth.
Do you really want to know the answer to that, Cora-san? Is that something you're willing to address at this very moment? I don't think right now is the appropriate time to bring that up. I'm sorry, but I'm not doing that at this time. I love you so much. Please, forgive me for being so closed off right now. I'll make it up to you. I'm still processing what the hell you wrote in that journal.
"It doesn't concern either of you right now. I'll tell you at some point. Right now, I want to be left alone. Please." He went back to eating, signaling that the conversation was over. But he could feel the tension in the room from it. However, he clearly ignored it and just wanted to finish eating before going to bed.
Silence gathered between all three of them again for the rest of dinner. Law didn't mind the quietness and just quickly ate before lying back down on the bed. However, he only pretended to sleep while listening to the other two converse with one another. They kept their voices down, but he was able to hear them, nonetheless.
"I'm sorry that he's a bit moody right now, Rosi-san. I think he's just upset with being cooped up in the house all day since he's been sick. I know it's for his own good, but do you think we could take a little walk tomorrow?" Bepo sounded optimistic as he spoke. "We won't go too far, and I'll keep an eye on him. Please? Just so he can let off some steam."
"Well, I guess it couldn't hurt to let him go for a small walk. But just refrain from staying out for too long. I understand that I'm being a little overbearing toward him and you, but it's for your and his safety. I'm worried about people recognizing either one of you. And make sure he covers his head to keep anyone from noticing him." Law's eyes widened at Corazon's agreement to allow Bepo to take him for a walk. "Maybe he needs some space from me and some fresh air. I don't understand what I did wrong."
"Rosi-san, I don't believe you did anything wrong. Captain just has a lot on his plate right now given our current circumstances. I'm sure he's just too stressed, is all. A little bit of fresh air and some exercise might help him relax some." It warmed his heart to hear that Bepo was trying to make things better, yet he knew that it wasn't possible given that tensions were already high between him and Corazon.
"I hope you're right about that. If not, things might not ever be okay between us again. I... I would hate for that to be the outcome." Law clenched the pillow under his head tightly at the sad tone in the older man's voice. It hurt his heart to hear Corazon sound so devastated by Law's actions. However, he couldn't help but flounder with his own feelings after reading that journal.
...
Early the next morning, Law woke up before the other two men. Bepo and Corazon were still sleeping on the floor as he roused from his slightly peaceful slumber. He sat up and rubbed his eyes before looking out into the room. The sun had just begun to rise by then. But he decided to get up anyway.
Silently, he moved out of bed and carefully tiptoed over the other two to get to the kitchen. Then, he decided to make breakfast for all three of them. He searched the kitchen area for whatever he could find to make a grand breakfast. Corazon kept the fridge and cabinets well stocked. That didn't surprise him too much. So, he decided what to cook before beginning to prep and make breakfast for himself and the two other men.
The only sounds in the building were the small noises he made when moving things around, the soft snoring of the other two, and the cooking of the food. But that didn't bother him. Law just continued to cook while he thought about how to approach the subject of what he read in Corazon's journal. Even after a day of trying to process what he found, Law was still having a bit of trouble figuring out how to go about interacting with the other man.
What made his feelings for me change in that span of time? I understand that he has feelings for me and that he doesn't feel the same way I used to, but what caused him to get so frantic in that last part of his journal? It's almost like he was... obsessive... over me. It's super flattering but also kind of creepy. But it bewilders me a lot that he's able to hide his feelings so well when facing both me and Bepo. Hell, he's able to do it when it's just me and him alone without Bepo present. I don't get it. The hell kind of restraint does he have? It's almost inhuman at this point.
Despite his thoughts being as they were, he continued to cook and make food for all of them. The savory scents of the meat cooking and the sweet aromas of other things filled the space, making the house smell divine. But he knew Bepo and Corazon would wake up soon to the smell of food. Especially his best friend. The guy couldn't resist food. Law had to admit that he couldn't either. So, they were similar in that regard.
And he was proven right when he saw both men begin to stir as he finished up and began to set the table. Law made strawberry pancakes, sea beast sausage, maple-glazed bacon, ostrich egg omelets, and some chopped fruit. He set the plates full of food on the table just as Bepo and Corazon sat up and began rubbing their eyes to wake up more.
"Good morning. I decided to make breakfast for all of us," he informed them, trying to keep his tone neutral as he spoke. Law sat down in one of the chairs and started to fill up his plate. "If you don't come and eat now, it'll get cold." That seemed to be all the encouragement that they needed to join him at the table.
After a few minutes of them filling their own plates and waking up a bit more, Bepo spoke up. "It's a treat to have Captain make breakfast for us. And it's super delicious. Thank you so much, Law. I love it." Law smiled as he kept his head down while eating. He was still unable to look at Corazon at the time. It would be some time before he could give the man his attention.
"I'm happy to eat food that Law's cooked again. He was a great cook even as a child. It's exciting that he got ever better as he grew up." He didn't acknowledge Corazon's words as they continued to eat. Though, it did make him feel a little uneasy that he compared his cooking from when he was thirteen to now. However, he remained silent on the matter.
But Bepo decided to inform him of the reason why he got better at cooking. "We were tasked with making dinner for ourselves and Wolf when we lived with him. Law was living with him when we met for the first time. The old man was very rough but still very kind at the same time. I didn't mind, and he taught us a lot of things. Especially chores, farming, and how to build/fix things. I'm thankful to have known Wolf."
Law smiled at the memory of the old man who had helped prepare them for the real world without them realizing it. But it quickly faded when he remembered that the gift Wolf had given them had been destroyed by Blackbeard. That devastated him because he had promised himself not to let anything happen to that submarine. He had been unable to keep that promise.
"Is something wrong, Law? You look upset," Corazon asked, clearly concerned by his expressions changing despite him trying to hide his face by keeping it down and toward his food. But he understood why the other two worried about him. Yet, it felt awkward on his part since he wasn't used to being fretted over so much.
"I'm fine. I just... have some things on my mind right now." That was all he wanted to share with them. But that seemed to be okay for the time being. Neither Corazon nor Bepo bothered him for the rest of breakfast. But Bepo did inform him that they would go for a walk after breakfast so Law could have some fresh air and stretch his legs a bit after being inside for so long.
Law perked up at that, his smile returning a bit even though he already knew about it. But Corazon decided to tell them the stipulations for going out to walk around. "Just to let you know, neither one of you is to go into the town or even go near people in case they recognize you." Law rolled his eyes, knowing it was more for him than Bepo. "And Law, you're to wear something over your head to hide your features just in case you two accidentally stumble across people or the other way around. These are my only requirements for you to go out and walk around outside."
"I understand. Thank you, Cora-san." He kept his voice monotone when replying to the other. But he could feel how tense it still was between him and Corazon. Especially with him acting neutral toward everything he did and said.
I'm really sorry, Cora-san. I'll explain it all when I can get my own thoughts and feelings together so they're coherent. I don't like how awkward things are right now. Please, I hope you can forgive me. I don't want you to worry about me, but I can't share anything with you yet. I fucking hate this. Why does it have to be so damn difficult to bring shit like this up? I don't get it.
After breakfast, Bepo made sure that he was covered up before they headed out of the house. Still, he didn't wear any shoes because he refused to do so. But he did get a look at the house they finished building the day before. And Law couldn't help but feel amazed at how stable it was and how little time it took to make.
The house built for him and Bepo was twice the size of Corazon's in order to accommodate two people instead of just one person. But it was obviously sturdy and could weather any storm thrown at it. So, it was perfect. However, he felt useless because he hadn't been able to help build it along with them. Instead, he'd been made to stay inside and in bed the whole time.
But they turned away from the houses and headed in the opposite direction of them. Yet, he could feel all the tension leaving his body the further he got away from the older man's house. Maybe this really is needed. An hour or two away from him might help me get my thoughts together. Hell, maybe I can even talk to Bepo about my issues. He won't say a word if I ask him not to. Bepo, I need to get some shit off my chest.
Taking a deep, calming breath after walking for a few minutes, Law decided to address his issue with his best friend. "Bepo, I need to tell you something that I found. And I need you to keep this information away from Cora-san at all costs. Can I trust you to do that?"
"Of course, Captain. Your secret is safe with me. I'm here for you." Law sighed heavily before gathering up the courage to voice his findings while being left alone in the hut while the two men were building the other house.