Law groaned as he forced himself awake at the annoying beeping coming from his phone. He buried his head deep into the pillow, but the constant rhythm didn't stop, rather increased its volume. After twenty seconds, the alarm went off, and he sighed, trying to get back to sleep. It was Tuesday, and he had work to do at the hospital, but he knew that five minutes couldn't hurt. Five minutes...

Beep, beep, beep, beep... beep, beep, beep, beep...

Growling, he snatched his head away from the white pillow and glared at his phone before tapping the screen in order to shut the alarm up. He sat up and rubbed his sleepy eyes, letting out a deep breath. Looking once again at his phone he felt his heart clench when he saw the date.

October 6th.

Sighing, he got up and started getting dressed for work. All the while, he tried to keep his thoughts apart, but his sleepy mind would not obey him. Another year in this hell of life. How old is he turning again? Ah, yeah, 26. It has been 13 years already...

13 years. You'd say it fast, but it has seemed an eternity. He knew what would happen today. He was expecting some faint congratulations at work, maybe a semi-friendly tap on his shoulder, perhaps not even that. At least he had someone to talk with at work, his friends Shachi and Penguin. But those two behaved as if Law were a kind of leader. Was it friendship or rather admiration? He couldn't know.

And, of course, Law wasn't expecting any call or message from a familiar. Never did he, nor wanted it. Normally, he would just nod when someone deemed necessary wasting three seconds in congratulating him, a 'thank you' would never leave his lips though. So it would be easier, just because he couldn't nod through a phone call.

Besides... he didn't have any family to tell him Happy Birthday, so...

When he got into the kitchen, he glared at the fridge. Sure, he just remembered that there wasn't any rice, so he couldn't have onigiri for breakfast, and he didn't feel like making grilled fish. He sighed. Nice way to start the day. At least he could have breakfast there...

There was a knock on the door, breaking the silence. Law looked at it before shaking his head and going to open. Two cheery grins were what he found, which belonged to his best -and only- friends.

"Happy Birthday, Law-san!" They both chimed together, throwing their fists to the skies. As said, they just got a dry nod from the raven-haired male. 

"We should get going to work." He grunted, taking his bag, mobile and keys, before closing the door behind him. He failed to notice how the pouts that had lingered on their faces changed drastically into mischievous grins.

"By the way, Law-san... (Y/N) is working at the café today, were you planning on having a coffee there?" Law froze on the spot, faintly hearing the snicker that came from both dorks, and clenched his hands, digging the keys into the flesh. Yeah, he wanted. But not only because of the special coffee that was served there.

Excuses. Law didn't mind having something to eat at home. It was just a mere excuse. He wouldn't admit it, but he had developed a tiny crush on the barista girl who worked at The Whipped Cherry, the café just next to the hospital. You were always so nice and sweet to him. Well, to everyone really, and that sometimes got him jealous. Then again, he wouldn't say it out loud. 

Anyway, how could these two be teasing him about his crush? It is supposed to be secret. He didn't even show any emotion when you were around! Or so he thought... Law glared at those two, who immediately stopped their suppressed laughs and straightened up.

"I don't care, I just want a coffee, so let's go." He grumbled, taking heavy steps and not waiting for the two males, who had to run to catch their 'leader' up.

The place was nice and cozy. The green walls were decorated with blue and yellow dots of any size. White tables were tidied in rows of four, with three chairs each, vertically from the door. At the end was the counter, reddish smooth surface behind of which there was a coffee machine, a juicer, a fridge, a toaster and, of course, the sink. 

Usually, when Law came here, he would find that cheery boy who always got punched by that strawberry blond girl for eating the toast of that unfortunate client who had asked for it -not Law, at all. He wouldn't request anything which had that culinary failure, aka bread-.

But today, he found another person. He felt his heart throb at the thought of approaching you, but successfully played it cool. Many times he had thought about asking you out, maybe he would end having the chance of smelling the (Favorite Scent) scent from your (H/C) hair, or silently admire the unique hue in those innocent eyes. But he knew better than that. He wasn't an exception. You were nice to everyone, not only to him. He shouldn't feel special.

But he did.

Law then realized that he had been thinking while looking at you. And at one moment, your (E/C) gaze had met his dazed, silvery one. Feeling a pat on his back, he glared at Penguin, who was looking at him amused, before lowering his stare in embarrassment as he walked towards the counter.

"Good morning, Law." You flashed him a polite smile and he swallowed. He couldn't help but feel pleasantly overwhelmed when you voiced his name. "The same as always?" 

"Yeah." He muttered, looking away, trying to act as if he didn't care. Unfortunately, the giggle that he heard coming your way meant that you weren't that easy to deceive. 

As you were doing your job, preparing his black coffee, Shachi and Penguin popped up next to Law, grinning like the dorks they were. Law coughed, discretely glaring at them. What were they up to this time?

"Hey, (Y/N)... Do you know what day is today?" Law's eyes widened a bit, before narrowing to an intense glare once again. Seriously, if looks could kill, those two would be buried already.

"It's Law's birthday!" Shachi, chimed before giving you time to even ask. Those two were so dead. Law closed his eyes and sighed deeply, and only when you gasped happily did he turn his head to meet your excited stare. 

"Seriously? Congratulations, Law!" You squeaked, turning to round the counter. Law looked at you suspiciously as you made your way to him, smile never faltering. What happened next, well, he would have never expected it. Getting on your tippy toes, you quickly posed a kiss on his cheek before hugging him. Law was paralyzed, and couldn't react by returning the hug. When you pulled away, he felt cold, missing the tempting warmth. "Your coffee is free today, my treat! Not that it was expensive, anyway." You muttered the last part joking, a faint blush on your cheeks. Law grunted, lowering his gaze again.

"Y-Yeah, thanks." He mumbled, secretly hoping you had heard it. You walked behind the counter again, but looked at him, brows knitted together. 

"Huh? Are you okay?" You gasped. "Don't tell me I exploded your personal bubble!" Law shook his head, making you feel more relieved.

"No, it just took me by surprise. Don't worry." He said, still denying you the sight of his eyes. You felt a bit sad at this, but didn't erase the smile regardless. 

"What a relief." 

"You know she likes you, right?" Shachi sounded a bit annoyed as he said this, and Penguin nodded in agreement. Law looked at them from the corner of his eye and scowled.

"Bullshit." He grunted, staring at the table as if it were the only thing that mattered right now, and took a sip from his coffe. Penguin sighed.

"Come on, Law-san. It's really obvious. She has a crush on you, and so do you." Law snapped his head up and glared at the poor man, who raised his arms in defense. "What I'm trying to say is that you should ask her out. She won't refuse."

"Why does Law-san get all the ladies?" Shachi asked to himself, cheek pressed on the palm of his hand. Penguin chuckled at the childish behavior of his friend. 

"I don't have time for love." Law simply said, settling the end of the talk with a sharp tone. They both sighed, knowing just how stubborn this man was. 

"Okay. Changing the subject, shall we go to have some drinks tonight?" Shachi suggested, wiggling his eyebrows. 

"We haven't even started working and you're thinking about finishing." Penguin sighed. "But I think it's a good idea, to celebrate your birthday, don't you think, Law-san?" He got no response. Law didn't hear him. He was more focused on the way you moved from one side of the counter to another, attending the customers. Every time you would pull a lost lock behind your ear, he desired it was him the one who did it. It was becoming an insane obsession, this wasn't okay. Your gaze raised and met Law's form, as a shy smile formed on your lips. And even if he was looking at you from the corner of his eye, he quickly looked the other way, thinking that you had noticed his intense staring. "Law-san?"

Law shook his head when Shachi snapped his fingers in front of his nose, and looked at him with a quizzical look. The ginger man sighed.

"We were saying if you want to go out tonight-"

"No." He answered dryly, and kept drinking his coffee. Both men looked at each other, shrugging their shoulders. Law looked at his now empty mug, and sighed. "Let's go. We will be starting in some minutes..."

"Hey, (Y/N)..." You looked up to see Nami, looking at you softly. "Do you mind closing the store today? I have plans with Nojiko and-"

"Yeah, you were going to celebrate Tashigi's birthday. Don't worry." You answered with a smile, but Nami didn't seem that convinced.

"Are you sure? More important, don't you want to come to her birthday?" You frowned softly, shaking your head.

"I'm a bit tired, yesterday I stayed studying all night, so I want to sleep. But congratulate Tashigi for me." Finally, she nodded, and got into the private employee room to change. You sighed and started tidying up things. When Nami got out, she hugged you.

"Good luck, it must be difficult to have a job and study at the same time." She said while you shrugged your shoulders. She went out and left you alone. There was just a couple of people more, and it was just seven o' clock in the evening. The sun was going down, a beautiful orange color could be seen through the many windows.

Some minutes later, the two persons left, and you were left all alone. You mopped the floor, cleaned the tables and washed the dishes up. Finally changing into your normal outfit, you heavily realized that it was half past seven. Maybe you could arrive home and have your proper sleep...

On your way home, you passed that cake shop you had always liked. The pies, cakes, pastries and more that were made here were extremely good, but kinda expensive. But this time, there was one new. It was a cream cake with lemon icing and a little polar bear as decoration. You recall hearing Law say something about he liked polar bears. And you hadn't really made him a real gift for his birthday. 

Taking your wallet, you looked at how much money you had left. You bit your lip, and smiled upon seeing that maybe you could allow yourself a little luxury...

You hummed happily as you walked, softly swinging the bag with the cake. But then, you froze, realizing that you didn't know where Law lived. You sighed. Maybe you could give it to him tomorrow...

"I'm so happy Luffy-senpai came to my birthday!" You heard a chiming voice behind you, and turned around. What you found was practically the answer to your doubts. Luffy. You ran to the group of friends, you could recognize Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper -even if he was so young-, Franky, Brook -surprisingly. Seriously, this guy is tough for his age...-, Bartolomeo and Cavendish. Apparently, today was Bartolomeo's birthday too. 

"Hey, guys! Happy Birthday, Bartolomeo!" You chimed happily. Luffy lifted his hand and grinned.

"Hey, (Y/N), are you coming with us?" He offered, cheerful as always. You giggled, but shook your head. 

"I'm sorry, but I have things to do. I wanted to ask you though... do you know where does Law live?"

You had to argue with Luffy, because he didn't remember where he lived. Also, you couldn't rely on Zoro's sense of orientation, that would be an epic fail by your side. Luckily, Chopper was there. That cute boy was so intelligent for his age, you sometimes wondered what he was doing in a gang like Luffy's.

So you were finally at Law's apartment. Asking for the floor he lived at, you were sent to the fifth one, 5ºB. You knocked once, but got no response, so decided to try again, with the same result. You sighed for what seemed the umpteenth time that day. You would have to wait. Looking at your wristwatch, you saw that it was a quarter to nine. Maybe he would be here soon...

Law sighed, finally reaching his apartment. It was half past nine, and the only thing he wanted to do after this long day was to get into bed and forget all the ruckus. Even knowing that he would have to repeat the routine tomorrow. And probably, you wouldn't be working in the café. The though frustrated him more than what he would have wanted.

But what he found at the door of his apartment left him confused and bewildered. You were sitting on the doormat, your shoulder supporting your head as you breathed evenly, lids closed softly. He gulped, not knowing what to do, as questions and scenarios pooped into his tired mind, his heart beating faster. Should he wake you up? That would be a bit cruel. But he didn't know where you lived, either.

Sighing, he took some steps towards you and, hesitantly, held you bridal style. He then noticed the bag that rested beside you and, somehow, managed to get it too. 

However, the moment he passed the threshold, he felt your hand clench his shirt as you moaned while waking up. He settled the bag on the table and lied you down on the sofa, while you sleepily looked at him. 

"What are you doing here?" He asked silently, trying not to startle you. Your eyes opened completely as you looked around, and a blush formed on your cheeks.

"A-Ah, sorry! I fell asleep!" You panicked, feeling more embarrassed with each passing second. Law chuckled, making you stop. "I-I wanted to give you your present..." You whispered -cute sound to his ears-, and he smirked, although he felt surprised and... all warm in the inside.

"You didn't have to." He muttered, and looked at the bag. It was light, and he wondered what it could be. Anyway, he couldn't understand why you would bother in buying him anything.

"You can take a look. It's your present, after all." You giggled, sitting up. Law seemed to waver, but maybe it was the reassuring pat you gave him what encouraged him to go on.

He opened the white box with trembling hands. So long since anyone gifted him something... And the sight of the perfect cake slice, with that cute polar bear on the left side was simply breathtaking.

"I... remember you told me once about your liking for polar bears, so I thought that maybe you would like-" You couldn't finish. He didn't let you finish. In a swift movement he had silenced you with his own lips. Your eyes widened like plates as the blush that already misted your cheeks got darker. 

Law felt so happy. Even if it was something just as small as that brief talk you two shared some months ago -if his memory didn't fail him-, it showed him that you cared about him. You reciprocated his feelings. His right hand sought place on your cheek, gently caressing the hot skin as he nibbled on your lower lip. Then in hit him.

He's kissing you... without your consent. 

He pulled away as if he had been burnt, leaving you gasping for air, and at a loss of words. His eyes were wide, not as much as yours, but enough to show surprise and guilt. 

"Shit, I got carried away. Sorry, you must think I'm a pervert and-"

"Shh." You hushed him and smiled gently. Many overwhelming things had happened that day, but nothing compared to the moment when you started stroking his cheek before leaning in and shyly kissing him again. Law's wide eyes observed how yours were softly closed, so he decided to go with the heat of the moment and kiss back, cupping the back of your head.

He pulled away and looked deep into your half-lidded eyes. They were filled with that affection, only for him. So truly long since he last felt loved this way.

"So... would you be my girlfriend?" He asked, his usually cunning mind was blurry. Was it the exhaustion or the feelings overdose? Or maybe both? Again, he didn't know. He just knew that his world stopped when he saw you grinning like an idiot.

"Of course, silly. It's been so long since I've wanted you to ask me." You confessed lowly, hugging him tightly. "God, I'm so glad you were born." You whispered in his ear and, quite out of character for him, he struggled to keep a blush from coming out.

"Really?" He asked carefully. Not that he didn't believe your words -or maybe that was a minor reason-, but it felt so damn good to hear them. You giggled and kissed his neck, earning a low purr from him.

"Really." You giggled softly, nuzzling the sensitive skin, giving him goosebumps as a ticklish sensation shook his body. It was a silent and fluffy moment that none of you wanted to break. The cake could wait until the next morning. The last thing you remember before falling asleep was his deep and calm breathing taking in the (Favorite Scent) scent of your hair, and his eyes diving into your soul, admiring the (E/C) hue it was painted with.