Bedside Manner (Law x Reader)

18. You Going to Kiss Me?

The inside of the restaurant was dimly lit, the focus being set on the iron plates where the cooks grilled the food. Cherry oak bartops surrounded the plates, stool seating placed all around to give customers an up close view of their food as it was prepared.

You had to cross a small bridge upon entering, a pond filled with koi beneath your feet. There was the gentle trickle of water falling from an artificial waterfall.

The patrons kept their voices low as they conversed, blending in with the sound of the water. Only the occasional laugh sounded so distinctly.

You followed Law over to your seats. You were the only ones at your table, leaving several seats open, yet the man took the one immediately to your right.

Your toes just barely grazed the floor once you were settled on the stool. A small backing supporting your lower back.

Your cook was an older man, his brunet hair slicked back against his head and hidden beneath a white cap. He beamed at you two.

"Welcome to Nasugasira!" He greeted. "Can I get you started on anything?"

You hummed to show you heard, eyes flickering down to the menus on the table. You were reaching for the smaller one that seemed to be for drinks when Law asked if they served any wine.

Yeah, you'd just go with a glass of wine too.

The cook reached for something behind his station, pulling out a bottle of wine and pouring you each a glass. You weren't even sure what kind your date had ordered-- Oh, a red wine.

"I'll give you two some time to review our menu."

And with that, he stepped away which was something you were thankful for. You weren't sure how well you'd come to a decision if the man was just standing there, waiting.

"Is anything catching your eye, y/n-ya?" Law inquired after some time.

You purse your lips with furrowed brows, waiting a moment before lowering the menu. You turn your head to catch his eye with a shrug."I don't think I've eaten a single thing all day. It all sounds good." 

"Then let's try a little of everything."

He looked around, nodding his head when he spotted your cook and beckoned him back over.

-

"You mentioned that you were in the foster system once before." Law noted after you finished regaling him with a story of one of your many misadventures. "Did you move around a lot?"

You grimaced at the question. "Only for a few years. Nothing really stuck until I was about ten and ended up with Mary Ann. It didn't matter what we threw at her, she was determined to give us stability.

"And Kid was an awful child."

You neglected to add how the two of you were thick as thieves. A delinquent duo. Honestly, Mary Ann was either a saint or she really did grow to love the two of you.

"What about you?" You asked. "Why a surgeon?"

"I've always had an interest in the medical field. My birth father was a doctor."

You swallowed. A question sat at the tip of your tongue, but it didn't feel right to ask. Your attention briefly stolen by a sudden flare of flames as the cook ignited some oil on the iron surface.

"It was a house fire." Law's voice was distant, his eyes fixed on the movement of the cook's hands. "Father was working from home. Mom was taking of Lami-ya since she was unwell."

Your hand acted on its own, reaching out and covering his. His hand turned, fingers entwining with yours.

"I was at the library."

Even the cook looked appalled when you suddenly snorted, a remark something like "of course you were" leaving your lips. It was hardly appropriate and maybe it was just your lack of knowledge on how to respond to such a revelation showing.

You had heard and witnessed a lot of sad stories. Had one of your own.

The experience did little to help you navigate such a treacherous minefield.

"I'm... ah, shit." You covered your mouth with a free hand and willed the floor to swallow you whole.

You chanced a look to Law who was hiding his own mouth behind a fist. He didn't appear upset in anyway. In fact, his eyes seemed to be brighter.

"I think you and Lami-ya would have gotten along."

The conversation flowed better after that, moving to more light hearted topics.

You learned he was into swords and had taken part in a few martial arts clubs growing up with Cora-san. Whose real name you discovered was Rosinante. Law never explained how the nickname came about and you never found yourself asking.

You also learned that he loved dogs. More specifically, his dog, a Great Pyrenees named Bepo.

"I don't remember a dog." You murmured thoughtfully.

"Cora-ya likes to have him over from time to time. He was at his place that day."

"I might not have run out of there so fast if there was a big fluff ball to love on."

-

A cool breeze rolled in from the water as you stepped outside. You noticed then that the restaurant had been right off the pier. You pulled your cardigan a little tighter around yourself as you made your way towards Law's car.

A brush against your wrist was enough to stop you, guiding you to turn and face the man. His stormy eyes searching yours for the answer to an unspoken question.

You fisted at the skirt of your dress, heart pounding harshly against your chest. "Are you going to kiss me or not?"

There was that damned smirk again. You kept your eyes on it until it was pressed firmly against your lips. You closed your eyes and grabbed for the man, hands finding purchase on his chest. His shirt wrinkled under your hold.

Law rested a hand on your hip, guiding you closer until you were flush against him. With his other, he caressed your cheek and you leaned into the touch.