(no subject)

[getaroom]

[Law was going through his normal morning routine, or at least his normal routine ever since he's been stuck here. He woke up somewhere around 6, crawled out of bed, changed into some running gear and made himself a light breakfast. By the time he was done with that it was 7:30 -- later than he would have liked, but he was having trouble getting moving this morning -- so he grabbed a bottle of water, shoved his phone in his pocket and went for a run. He was back at the apartment by 8:30 and by 9 he was in the shower.

By 9:30 he was out of the shower, drying off, and getting dressed. Definitely late start to the day. He usually tried to get to his office before 9, but he didn't have anyone coming in until at least noon so it wouldn't be too bad. Probably.]

Comments

[getaroom]

[SIIIIIGH.]

I'll go after I leave the office, but I won't be getting out of there until after dinner so you'll have to fend for yourself until then.

[prayed]

[There's an unhappy little grumble at that.]

... Don't forget the ramen bowls this time, either.

[There's a little emphasis on the word forget, as though it were done intentionally in the past. In fact, she's not sure that it wasn't. No matter how many times she told him that it didn't matter how she ate, he always fussed over her eating habits.]

[getaroom]

You really don't need them. You have too much sugar and sodium in your diet as it is.

[Law sort of kind of maybe (definitely) "forgot" to pick them up a few times. Her eating habits drove him nuts. If she was a normal person he's certain she would be in a diabetic coma by now.]

[prayed]

[There's another huff, and Kyoko takes a big bite of cake as she glares at him from across the table.]

I don't have to worry about stuff like that, y'know. Every time you check everything's fine, right? And I want 'em.

[Even though he's pricked her about a dozen times trying to find something wrong.]

[getaroom]

[BECAUSE THERE HAS TO BE AFTER EATING ALL THAT SHIT, LIKE MAN WHAT IS EVEN.

Another sigh. It's just... it's just not worth it. It's totally not because he's spoiling her or anything. It's just easier. That's all.]

Fine. I'll pick up some, but that's it until next week unless you buy your own.

[prayed]

Mm... Alright, fine.

[It occurs to her that she's had this conversation once or twice with Czes before too. He always fussed about her diet, but it was rare for him to relent so easily. Actually, Law was way softer, enough that she was sure Czes would yell at him the same way he sometimes did Maiza.

Kyoko chuckles, unable to keep from smiling at the thought of her ten-year-old little brother yelling at a pirate, and the fact that somebody who was a pirate was so soft hearted.]

[getaroom]

[Law's actually surprised she doesn't push back after that. Usually she does. Usually there's a bunch of whining and grumbling about how "it's not fair" and "it's his fault she's here anyway so he should get her what she wants!!!" and it lasts for at least five minutes if he's lucky.

The sudden relenting and the chuckle both surprise him.]

What's so funny?

[prayed]

[Kyoko shakes her head. It's easier to feign defeat sometimes, and it really is a funny thing to think about.

She considers not telling him, but there seems to be no harm in it. He'll probably get mad about it, but that would be funny too.]

Heh... I was just thinking, y'know, that you sound a lot Czes. He's acts shy around everyone else, but he's always yelling at me about how I eat and how inappropriate I am or whatever.

[There's affection in her voice. That was part of having a family, too, she thinks. She props her elbow on the table, her chin resting on her palm.]

But... Hmm... How do I put it... Somehow, it seems like it's a little different with you.

[getaroom]

[At first Law's not sure what she's implying.

He reminds her of Czes, of all people? Then 10 year old little boy who's always been so deathly shy around him? The one who still starts and fumbles over his words when he asks him a question? The little boy who always seems to hide behind the shadow of his sister?

But then she keeps talking and... he feels like he can understand. Even a shy sibling is likely to be a different person when they're around family.

Then he thinks a little more and the true meaning behind those words sinks in. She... she thinks of him as a brother, doesn't she?

... And doesn't he think of her as a sister, too? He may say he relents in arguments because it's easier than fighting, but... that's not quite true, is it? He just... Law hasn't had the chance to be a brother since his sister died. He never had the chance to form another relationship like that. Never thought he would be able to.

A sibling relationship wasn't one that could be easily found, but maybe this is one.

... It would certainly explain a lot about his own behavior, to be honest.]

Yeah, how so?

[prayed]

Hmm... Well, I never have to feel bad about what I do with you for one! I can never get away with upsetting Czes, y'know.

[In other words, he's easier to bully, but perhaps that's not a surprise. Czes is a child as much as he is an adult, somebody who reminds her of what it was like to have a younger sibling and somebody to care for.

If it's not for the same reasons that must people think, he's fragile and strong-willed and she always caves way before he does. Law, on the other hand...]

I've always been the oldest, y'know, so when I was younger I always wondered what it'd be like to have a big brother...

[She grins, a little shyly. It's mostly a joke, but somehow it's still embarrassing to say it.]

Well. I guess you're about the right mix of dumb and soft and annoying for that.

[getaroom]

[... He can't even be upset that she called him that.

He's mildly annoyed, but... hearing her actually say that means more than she knows.

Law loved his family. He loved his parents and his little sister. Even when she was annoying and bothered him while he was studying, he still loved her. He still stuck up for her and doted on her. Played with her and took care of her. Law... Law loved being a big brother.

His sister never got the chance to grow up. She never got to be Kyoko's age. He can't help but wonder if there would have been any similarities. What would it have been like if they'd had the chance to grow up together?

It's a question he'll never have an answer to, but... but he has this. He has Kyoko and maybe, just maybe, that'll be enough.]

I'll take that as a compliment.

[prayed]

[Kyoko has to look down when he says that. She's not a shy girl by any means, but there's something embarrassing about seeing him accept it so easily. He was supposed to laugh it off.

There's a strange feeling when he doesn't. She wonders if she's said something that can't be taken back and if things will change, but quickly decides that they won't. He's too predictable.

She looks back up with a small smile.]

A guy like you doesn't deserve compliments, y'know.

[But... She won't take it back.]

[getaroom]

[He chuckles, shaking his head.]

You're right. I don't.

I'll take what I can get.

[prayed]

You can't fool me. I bet you're disappointed. You're probably thinking, ah, a little sister should be cute and demure...

[She takes a bite out of a pastry, giving him a stern look.]

Well, too bad. That's only for guys who don't kidnap young girls, y'know!

[See, she hasn't forgotten to give him his daily reminder.]

[getaroom]

[S I G H S and rolls his eyes tbh. He doesn't even dignify that remark with a response. It lost its punch after the first day.]

A little sister is cute and demure. You're just a brat.

[prayed]

At least I'm not an old man like you.

[She crosses her arms and sticks her tongue out at him.]

[getaroom]

[UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

just. the most exasperated look.]

26 isn't old.

[prayed]

You're almost twice my age, y'know, and three times Czes'.

[How is that not old???]

[getaroom]

[ANOTHER SIGH BECAUSE HE CAN'T WITH THIS CONVERSATION RIGHT NOW.]

You're children.

[YOUR OPINION ON HIS AGE IS INVALID.]

[prayed]

I'm old enough to live on my own.

[She's not a child. She considers pointing out that his response is what an old person would say, but pushing him too far is probably just going to lead to problems.

So, she decides on another tactic, switching sides to sit next to him and poking his side.]

So, what's with all the tattoos? They make you look more like a biker or a thug than a pirate, y'know.

[And if he's not careful, she's going to try and lift his shirt up to prove her point, in public or not. Just a little bit. Probably.]

[getaroom]

[A frown.]

What about them? I don't care what they make me look like.

[Totally the answer she was looking for, definitely.]

[prayed]

Well, look at them.

[She's definitely trying to pull the front of his shirt up now just to make a point.]

[getaroom]

Oi! What are you doing?!

[For the second time today he's slapping her hands away.]

I know what my tattoos look like!

[prayed]

Then you should know why I'm asking about them!

[She puffs a little, but doesn't try again. He's freaks out over everything.

But since he's obviously not going to get it on his own, she'll start small:]

Why do you have so many?

[getaroom]

Because I wanted them.

[The response is immediate and terse, but... he also knows that it's not the response she's expecting or wants.

He shifts for a few moments, a little uncomfortable, but eventually he relents with a sigh.]

They all have meaning to me. They're things I want to be reminded of, things that are important to me.