Chapter Text
He remembered that summer, when his parents had sent him to spend the vacations with Cora-san, who worked at the circus, because they were worried about his mental health, on the premise that a fifteen-year-old should not spend so much time locked up in a dark office, reading medical books and looking for animals to dissect.
Law's thoughts were much simpler than his parents thought, he wasn't being depressive and he didn't want to talk about it either, he was just trying to give priority to his future career, plus his friends worked at a fast food place, so spending time with Shachi and Penguin was almost impossible on vacation. Lammy also insisted that it was a good idea, because she was so sociable and cute, Law next to her seemed even more somber.
Arriving at the lot, he remembered the clowns and the scent of caramel apples, as the tent rose shrilly in the middle of nowhere, a bare lot, with the RVs in the background. He already knew almost everyone, when he was even younger, he loved going to the circus to see his godfather. Cora-san was a clown, not in a derogatory way, but in an artistic way, undeniable that even when he was not in costume, his personality was gentle and so awkward, that he brought a smile to the faces of those around him.
The Don Quixote Circus was renowned and famous, traveling around the country, even in neighboring countries at times, although the owner and director was not to Law's liking, at least not now, when he was little he liked him better, Doflamingo was very extravagant, but he had no problems with the circus people, whom Law remembered from childish scenes, like Baby who participated in everything they needed or the obnoxious Buffalo, whom he always had to buy his silence when Lammy broke something.
And now, there she was, twenty-four years old just turned twenty-four, looking at Cora-san and her weird makeup, as she unloaded her purse from the van.
It had been nine summers since he had seen him, for a circus is always itinerant, though they talked on the phone, sent each other postcards and gifts every special date, he really appreciated him, you could say he was one of the few people who managed to make him laugh.
"I'm glad you came to see me, Law." Corazon gave him a sidelong glance as he closed the car door, "How's the University going?"
"Well" he looked at the caravan, it was hard for him to express himself, "I missed you....
"I always miss you" Corazon replied in his tender, almost paternal voice, "but our times didn't coincide. You know how Doffy is. I can't leave him alone..."
"I know" he didn't want to go into it, "Lammy asked me to remind you that she wanted to come, but she has to...."
"Lammy is a good girl, I'm so happy to know that she already has her internship." Paused in the doorway, "I didn't tell anyone you were coming, I want it to be a surprise."
"I hate surprises." Corazon's laugh caused a grimace of annoyance, but it curved after a few seconds, "but it's better this way, I don't want them to have a party or anything."
"That was a joke, Law?" Corazon opened the door, somewhat incredulously.
"I call it sarcasm."
"You'd better say it's a joke" he smiled, "that will make people like you better."
"I forgot that you always insist on that topic", Law looked at the small space of the house, before he thought it was great, now he saw how uncomfortable it was to have the bed next to the kitchen, "so, did you go to look for me as soon as the show was over?"
"Yes, but you have to admit that my makeup looks good on me" Corazon sat down on the sofa, which he used as a chair for the coffee table, "make yourself comfortable, you can use my bed if you want."
"Just let me have the sofa..."
"Tomorrow we'll fix that, you can stay at Baby's house or...", he took the mirror, while he took out a wet wipe, to remove his lipstick.
"Or who?", Law asked, taking off her shoes, it was already ten o'clock at night, the last show had finished about an hour ago, so only the cleaners were left in the tent, and the rest of the artists should be in their boxes, taking off their colorful uniforms. Corazon answered something, but it was not understood, Law sighed, he was tired, he lay down on the bed, "well, let's leave it at that."
