Disclaimer: I don't own anything. This is just fanfiction.

Warning: AU, slash pairings, KidLu/LawLu, out of character, errors

A/N: Story dedicated to melted cream cheese spread. And I guess am liking Kid with Luffy these days *is conflicted*

Flipped Off At First Sight

It was a miracle Luffy managed to catch the last and only bus to that town.

There were a lot of seats left – actually, barely anyone was there. So he plopped to one by the window, catching his breath. He looked like a mess, sweaty as hell like he just participated in a ten kilometer run. It's probably the reason why the conductor approached him with a grimace on his face.

Sure, he could have been at the stop earlier, spared himself of the trouble. But it wasn't his fault that he woke up late again as per usual, and that he managed to temporarily shut the power down in their building again, this time by a short-circuiting accident via his ancient garage sale bought rice cooker. He contemplated whether to give his beloved appliance a funeral when the landlord barged into the room and literally pulled out his hair in front of Luffy while throwing a fit. Typical day.

Pulling a folded letter from his knapsack, he asked the bus conductor how long the trip would take to the address written.

He hadn't been there before – to his grandfather's hometown. He grew up at a small village nearby a marine settlement and eventually moved to the city after middle school. The thought of visiting his grandfather after the old man retired didn't really cross his mind. Thus it shocked him to receive a letter that old Garp had passed away.

Luffy wasn't really fond of his grandfather but being the only parent figure he has ever known, he supposes it was just natural for him to feel a little bit somber with him gone. Scratch that – he feels damn sad. There's a lingering ache in his heart reminding him that he won't see his grandfather ever again. No more surprise visits. No more unprecedented attacks that demanded abrupt defense counters. No more random holiday cards springing by his mailbox at the wrong season. He would really miss that old man.

He restrained another bout of sniffles and placed his hand over his straw hat.

It was only a week ago when he received the letter from his Gramps' lawyer. Something about a will and documents that needed signing. Between being currently unemployed and possibly evicted from his now not living quarters, a vacation is probably what he needs. And he liked being at new places so it works okay.

The phone in his pocket lightly buzzed.

The dark-haired young man chuckled at his friend's message, asking him whether he was sure and again for good measure, really sure about what he's doing, also to take care of himself. Usopp can be such a worrywart – Luffy would think. The graphic designer had hounded him about his sudden decision. Luffy simply replied a smiley face.

Perhaps he could have just requested the lawyer to go at the city instead or maybe fax the documents, as Usopp suggested. No need to go to some far away town. However, Luffy feels like going there. So he just does without much thought.

As the trip grew longer and the town became nearer, Luffy wonders why a strange feeling of foreboding lingered at the pit of his stomach.

He slept the rest of the trip away.

"Ah, so this is Foosha… " His eyes marveled at the idyllic sight before him. Trees, flowers, small animals and even butterflies – it genuinely looked like some merry town out of a story book. He didn't expect his grandfather to grow up in a place like this. Everything seems so mild, so peaceful. Luffy briefly wondered if he's going to see someone pop from a corner and start a singing a song or something. He almost wanted someone to do so.

And someone did went to him but sadly she didn't sing. "Luffy? Monkey D. Luffy?" The old woman asked him. Then she briefly raised an eyebrow at the youth's apparent disappointment.

"You know me, old lady?" Luffy perked up at the mention of his name then squinted his eyes. "You sound familiar though… hmm… "

The old woman forced a smile and held out her hand. "I'm Tsuru, your grandfather's lawyer. I was the one who called you this morning."

Luffy immediately shook the offered hand, beaming in remembrance. "I'm Luffy… oh, I guess you know that, shishishishi!"

"I understand that you must have had quite an exhausting trip. So why don't you retire to your grandfather's place for the night and let's talk about the missive tomorrow?" Tsuru suggested to which Luffy answered with an unintended yawn, still feeling the aftermath of his sleep during the ride.

"Umm, I dunno where that is though…"

Tsuru sighed. "I'll take you there."

The lawyer led Luffy to a parked white car across the street and drove straight to the late Garp's place despite the boy's incessant yet fleeting requests of taking a detour. Devoid of any unnecessary side trips, Tsuru finally dropped the boy in front a quaint bungalow. Luffy thanked the old woman and promised to come tomorrow at the lawyer's office. He roamed inside the house a little until fatigue took over and he had to sleep.

The next day, he had woken up with a nasty headache. He didn't particularly had a nightmare but there's throbbing pain in his head. It usually happens whenever he has that kind of dream, the peculiar sort of dream where he would see himself and another. The setting would always be different but it would always leave him feeling oddly sad when he wakes up, aside from having a headache.

Nothing like a good breakfast can't fix.

Since the house was fairly empty and didn't have anything he could eat, he figured he should take the chance to walk around town and find himself a nice diner. After a short while, he was down and out riding a bicycle he found at the garage.

So maybe he should have checked the bicycle before using it, put some oil on it or what – because when a metal trash can came flying to his direction, not only did he barely had enough time to dodge but he couldn't swerve it as the pedal got stuck.

"Not a super way to get introduced to the town, ain't it?" A bulky man with an electric blue hair held out his hand to help the young boy on the ground. The lilt on the man's voice suggested an amiable nature. "You okay?"

Luffy grinned as he took the offered help and stood, brushing off the dust from his shorts. "Yeah, I'll live, shishishishi." He pointed his thumb to the ruckus nearby. "What's that about?"

"Just the local cook and policeman goin' at it again. You'll get used to it." Beside the friendly man was a younger red-haired male who had been carrying a heavy-looking bag in one hand. On the other, he held Luffy's straw hat and handed it to the boy. "This must be yours."

"My straw hat! …Thanks a lot!" Luffy smiled happily at the one who picked up his straw hat.

Aside from the fiery hair, Luffy noticed the other's amber gaze seemingly directed to him. "So you're the new guy? You're pretty cute."

Luffy's cheeks turned two or three shades lighter than the man's hair. He hadn't expected to be flustered at a compliment by a decent looking guy, maybe a little more than that – heck, he didn't even usually get taken aback with compliments from women. It felt nice.

"Hey bro, don't you think it's a little too early to be hitting on poor Luffy here." The blue-haired man chuckled, making Luffy blush a little redder. The other almost wanted to roll his eyes on the older man but simply smirked instead.

"Wait… you know me?" Luffy almost squeaked.

"Dude, almost everyone knows you by now. Small town." The man shrugged his shoulders. "And old Garp didn't exactly walked by without leaving a bang on his wake." Much to Luffy's surprise, the three of them shuddered at the mention of the old man.

"I'm Cutty Flam, by the way. But you gotta call me Franky." He side-glanced the younger man beside him. "And this dodgy fellow's Kid," The other scoffed and momentarily averted his gaze. "If ya ever need some help, and I'm talking about that pathetic bike of yours and Garp's old jeep, drop by on our machine shop. It's just beside the mart."

"I'll keep that in mind." Luffy beamed a smile but tilted his head sideways as if remembering something. " Ah, but I'll probably be here in just a few days though. At least, after the thing with Gramps gets settled. But thanks anyway, Franky and… Kiddy!"

"Oi… "Kid scowled at the distasteful nickname and almost attempted to pout when Franky guffawed annoyingly, at least in his ears. "Not bad, bro!"

"Franky…" The redhead looked like he wanted to murder someone right then and there.

"Don't take it too hard, man. I mean, he's just probably kidding." Franky snickered some more mortifying Kid. Luffy, however, looked puzzled. "I thought it sounded cool though."

It was now the two men's turn to look confused, rattling their heads to figure out in which universe did that seem cool. "Anyway, we gotta get going now. See you around, Luffy-bro!" Kid shot him a smug smile. "See you around, definitely."

Leaving Luffy a little half-dazed, the two men hurried to where they had to go. Luffy managed to snap out of it and only to remember that he had forgotten to ask a very important thing.

"Damn, I forgot to ask where the diner is!" His stomach grumbled.

It's a small town so he might be able to find it anyway. But it would be faster to ask someone about it. He hurriedly looked around when he spotted a tall tanned male standing like a sore thumb at the end of the block. He looked like he'd been there for a while. Luffy could be wrong but his assumptions are usually right, in his opinion. The man sported a hoodie with a scarf neck and fitting pants, back slightly hunched. All black as if he were some creature of the dark – save for a rather out-of-place rope bracelet on his hand.

That's got to be uncomfortable, wearing all that black in the morning…

Luffy thought to himself. However, as soon as his dark brown eyes met the stranger's wistful grey ones, his heart skip a beat. He couldn't keep his eyes away from the man. He felt inexplicably drawn to him. At that moment, he knew it.

This is the guy who will tell him where the diner is.

"Hey!" Luffy waved his hand wildly at the stranger. "Hey, I got to ask you something!" He was about to walk to the tanned male when the man took his hands of his hoodie's pockets and moved it towards Luffy direction as if in an inviting gesture. Then he clenched his tattooed fist.

And raised his middle finger at Luffy.

Luffy's eyes widened in confusion. The man promptly crossed the street thereafter and disappeared into a corner, leaving Luffy flabbergasted. So maybe it wasn't the most proper way to ask a stranger about something, but it really didn't warrant the other to be so rude, Luffy briefly mused.

"He must be constipated that's why he was so rude." His stomach grumbled louder this time as he sulked, kicking a pebble.

Good thing, he found a much kinder passing lady who not only told him where the diner is but also offered to go with him. Luffy hoped that they would have a lot of meat because he's feeling extra hungry at the moment.

-EoC-