Chapter Text
It had been a pretty slow day for Law. He had only had five patients in and three of them were only a check up on their stitches. Law was in the break room when Shachi and Penguin walked in complaining about their boredom.
“Can’t we have something exciting happen at least once?” Shachi said as he left Penguin’s side to walk towards Law. “How many patients have you had today?” Shachi placed his hand on Law’s shoulder and looked in his eyes. Law grabbed his arm and took it off his shoulder before turning to set down his empty coffee mug on the counter.
“Five.” Law stated turning back towards Shachi and Penguin. “And I thought I had a slow day,” Penguin said looking at Shachi “I had eight and they were all in for small injuries or check-ups.”
”Atleast you had more than Law,” Shachi said crossing his arms, “I only had three!”
Law’s eyes darted from Shachi to Penguin as both of them began bickering and decided his time would be better spent elsewhere.
As he walked out, he ran into one of the nurses. “Oh, there you are, Law. We have a patient bleeding all over the lobby floor. Could you please hurry, we’ve already got quite a lot of complaints from other people.”
As she spoke, Law sighed saying goodbye to his peaceful day. Once she was done speaking, he went down to the lobby mentally preparing himself for whatever mess he was about to get himself into.
Whatever he had in mind, it was definitely not what he saw. For someone who’s arm was bleeding out, the black haired boy seemed to not mind the amount of blood spilling on the ground. Next to him stood a blond haired boy with a scar covering his left eye.
Even from far away, Law could tell he was going to give Law a headache. Once Law got close enough he stopped in front of them and introduced himself. “I’m Dr. Trafalgar and unfortunately for me, I’ll be your doctor today.”
The blond haired boy smiled as he started to introduce himself. “I’m Sabo and this is my little brother Luffy.” He pointed at the smiling black haired boy sitting next to him. Before Law could speak again, a voice cut him off.
“Woah! Your tattoos are awesome! Can I see them!?” Before he could respond, Luffy had grabbed a hold of his sleeve and tried to lift it up to reveal the rest of his arm. “I’d rather treat your wound instead of showing you my tattoos while you bleed out in the process.” Law pulled his arm away before sighing and bringing his arm back down to his side. This was going to be troublesome.
“Follow me, please.” Law turned to walk towards the room with Luffy and Sabo following close behind. “Hey, Torao, so after this can you show me your tattoos?” Luffy had walked fast enough to now be right beside Law and look at the already exposed tattoos on his hands.
“That’s not my name. It’s Trafalgar.” Law spoke without looking at Luffy and instead opened the door to the room so they could step inside. “That’s what I said. Torao!” Law grumbled as he watched Luffy smile and take a seat on one of the chairs. He was clearly not going to correct himself.
Sabo laughed quietly, “Looks like you’ve been Luffy-ed.” He walked over to Luffy and stood next to him. “Let’s just get this over with.” Law walked over to Luffy to begin giving him stitches.
“How did this even happen?” Even though Law would rather not know, he was required to ask. “Oh, um, Ace said I couldn’t skateboard on the stair railing so I had to prove him wrong.” Luffy smiled brightly and something about it told Law this was something pretty common.
“Clearly he was right.” Law stated, referring to the open wound on Luffy’s arm. Law didn’t know who “Ace” was but he didn’t seem like the brightest guy. “No, he wasn’t! I did it but then I fell when I got to the bottom.”
“Ace never specified the details of the bet and now he owes Luffy fifteen dollars.” Sabo shook his head as he spoke which also gave Law the idea that this also happens often. Luffy looked at Sabo, “Ace owes me more than that cause he also said that I couldn’t stay on for the whole time.” Luffy smiled as if that made the situation better.
“Falling off at the end counts as not staying on the whole time. Ace only owes you the fifteen.” Sabo corrected him making Luffy pout. “That’s not fair!”
Law reached out for Luffy’s arm to begin cleaning up the wound but was stopped by Luffy grabbing Law’s arm instead. “You never answered my question!” Luffy stated looking Law in the eyes.
Law took his arm away from Luffy’s clutches and responded, “What question?” Law knew what question he just didn’t want to answer.
“About seeing your tattoos.” Luffy tried once again to reach out for Law’s sleeve but failed as Law had been expecting it and had successfully avoided it. “I’ll think about it.” Law responded knowing that he only said that so Luffy would quit asking.
“Fine. But I’m not leaving until I see them.” Luffy crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at Law. “Once he wants something, it’s almost impossible to argue with him anymore. Sorry about that.”
Law looked over at Sabo who just smiled back sheepishly. “Can we just get this over with?” Law looked back at Luffy who had his gaze on Law’s tattoos again.
Law cleaned up Luffy’s arm and began stitching his arm at the fastest pace he could without messing up and causing further damage. Once he finished, he began wrapping Luffy’s arm in a bandage.
“So, does this mean you’ll show me?” Luffy tilted his head trying to see his tattoos from the inside of his coat sleeve. “Sorry again.” Sabo looked at Law apologetically.
“It’s fine.” Law sighed knowing he would keep asking if he didn’t show him. Once he finished wrapping Luffy’s arm, he took his coat off to reveal the tattoos on his arms. “There. Now you can leave.” Luffy grabbed Law’s right arm to get a closer look. “Woah! These really are awesome! You should show them off, Torao!”
Law shook off Luffy’s arm, put his coat back on, and turned towards the door to get out of the room. Law tried to walk quickly but Luffy was right next to him the whole time. “Hey, Torao! Do you have more tattoos? Can I see those too?”
“No. Go back to the lobby so you can leave.” Law kept walking hoping Luffy would give up and leave. Thankfully, he was soon saved by Sabo who distracted Luffy.
“Luffy, we have to go pick up with Ace so we can go to the party. If you don’t hurry, there might not be any more food left.” With those two sentences, Luffy’s attention turned from Law to Sabo as he now seemed to be in a rush to leave.
“Why didn’t you say so! Come on, Sabo! We have to hurry!” Luffy grabbed Sabo’s arm and ran towards the lobby. As Sabo ran with Luffy, he turned back to give Law a wave and a smile.
As Law watched the brothers run down the hall towards the lobby, he breathed a sigh of relief hoping to never have to encounter them again.
Law began to make his way back to the break room to get (in his opinion) a well deserved cup of coffee.
When Law entered, he was greeted by Shachi and Penguin who had backed Bepo in a corner and forced him to listen to their complaints. “My day hasn’t been so bad. It’s been pretty calm unlike other days.” Bepo said looking between Shachi and Penguin.
Law ignored the three of them and instead made his way towards the coffee pot. He grabbed a mug and poured in his coffee. He turned around, leaned his back against the counter, and took a sip of his coffee.
Bepo had watched Law enter the break room and in an attempt to get Shachi and Penguin away, he betrayed Law. “Haven’t you asked Law about his day? I’m sure his was more exciting.”
Law glared at Bepo from over his mug. Bepo gave him an apologetic look as Shachi and Penguin turned towards Law.
“So, how was your day?” Penguin said as he approached Law. “You never answered us earlier. When we looked back, you were gone.” Shachi said as he came to a stop beside Penguin.
“I left because you two were being idiots complaining about the first time we’ve had an easy day this whole month.” Law took another sip of his coffee and walked towards one of the chairs to take a seat.
“We weren’t being idiots! We were bored! There’s a difference.” Shachi and Penguin crossed their arms as if proving a point.
“When aren’t you guys being idiots?” Law turned his attention from the idiots to Bepo who was now eating shaved ice.
“We aren’t idiots when we look out for you.” Penguin and Shachi both looked at Law and his now empty coffee mug.
“I’m a grown man, I don’t need you two idiots looking out for me.” Law got up and put his mug in the sink before returning to his seat. “How many coffees have you had today, Law?” Bepo spoke quietly looking down at his shaved ice.
“Seriously? You too Bepo?” Law groaned but answered them anyway, “Three.” Shachi and Penguin looked at Law before Penguin spoke up, “That’s a low number but considering it’s only one in the afternoon, I don’t want to know the number by the end of the day.” Bepo and Shachi nodded their heads in agreement.
“Did you even sleep last night?” Shachi said uncrossing his arms. “I did.” Law got up from his seat and made his way to the door. “How many hours?” Penguin asked.
“I don’t need you guys keeping track of my sleep.” Law stopped in front of the door before turning to glare at the three of them and walking out of the room.
———————————
Law sighed as he looked at the clock. He still had three hours left on his shift before he could go home. He had only gotten three other patients after Luffy left and would probably only get two more for the day.
Law was sitting in the break room once again, staring down into his coffee. He knew he shouldn’t drink so much but he had become dependent on it. He knew the idiots were right but he would never tell them that.
A noise from the doorway made Law lift his head to see who it was. Bepo walked in and headed towards the fridge.
“Shachi and Penguin wanted to know if you wanted to go to a party with us on Saturday.” Bepo spoke without looking away from the inside of the fridge.
“Let me guess, they sent you because they know I’m more likely to say yes to you.” Law picked up his coffee and took a slow sip.
“Yeah, sorry.” Bepo closed the fridge to look at Law. “Don’t apologize. It’s fine.”
“So, no?” Law looked up at Bepo and sighed. “What type of party is it?”
“I don’t really know. Shachi is the one who told Penguin and I.” Law placed his coffee down and looked back at Bepo. “Tell them I’ll decide on Saturday.”
“Okay.” Bepo turned to leave and walked out of the room. Law was most likely not going to go. Making them wait for his decision gave Law four days without the two of them begging for him to go somewhere besides his home and the hospital.
Although, they might end up dragging him along no matter what he says. He might even say yes to save himself the trouble of the two idiots forcing him out of his own home. He could say no and just lock his door. That might not work. Knowing them, Shachi and Penguin would lift the other through Law’s window.
Law knew they just wanted him to not be in his house all the time and go out anywhere besides the hospital. Just the idea of of having them follow him around and drag him out of his house for the rest of his life made him groan.
Law drank the rest of his coffee and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He got up and walked to the sink so he could wash his mugs.
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It took Law about ten minutes to finish washing them and once he was done, he took another look at the clock. Two hours left. Two more hours and he was free to rest in the comfort of his own home.
Law leaned his back on the counter, his eyes scanning the empty room. A noise from down the hall drew Law’s attention to the door. Soon after, Shachi and Penguin came in with Bepo following behind.
“Law! Bepo told us the great news!” Penguin ran towards Law and wrapped his arms tightly around him enveloping him in a tight hug. “All I said was that I would think about it.” Law tried to break away from Penguin but his grip was too tight.
Law thought it was surprising at how long it took them to come barging in. Bepo had either taken his time to tell them or they had gotten distracted.
“Even considering going out is huge accomplishment for you!” Penguin unwrapped his arms around Law and took a step back to smile at him. Beside him, Shachi sniffled and wiped away a fake tear putting his arm around Penguin’s shoulders. “They grow up so fast. Soon we won’t even have to worry about him.”
“I don’t know why I’m even friends with you guys.” Penguin put his arm around Shachi’s shoulders and responded, “Because no one else but us wants to approach someone with a constant glare on their face and “DEATH” tattooed on their knuckles.”
“You guys are insufferable.” Law walked away from them and took a seat on one of the empty chairs. “I haven’t even made up my mind about going to whatever party you guys are attending.”
“It’s at a bar so it’s not going to be too big which is perfect for you since you don’t even like parties that much.” Penguin showed him the bar on his phone. “It’s just a celebration for the bar’s forty-third anniversary.”
“If it’s at a bar, why is Bepo going? I thought you weren’t a big drinker.” Law turned his attention to Bepo who had been quiet the whole time. “Penguin and Shachi said they needed someone to drive in case they get too drunk.”
“Sorry, Bepo but we’ll make it up to you.” Shachi looked at Bepo and gave him a reassuring nod. “If they don’t, I will.”
“Booo! Favoritism!” Shachi and Penguin both turned to Law to give him a thumbs down. “Bepo’s not an idiot like the two of you. He’s also too nice to be taken advantage of.”
“We aren’t going to take advantage of him. We always make it up to him in the end. Right, Bepo?” Shachi, Penguin, and Law all turned to Bepo for his answer. “We’ll, I guess you do, but sometimes it’s a little late.”
Shachi and Penguin both slowly turned their heads to face a glaring Law. “Okay, so maybe we’re a little late sometimes, but better late than never.” Shachi and Penguin both smiled sheepishly at Law.
Law looked at Bepo and spoke, “I would tell you to stop agreeing to whatever they tell you, but you’re too nice for that so instead…” Law turned his attention from Bepo to Shachi and Penguin, “stop making Bepo agree to your terrible ideas.”
“We don’t have terrible ideas. They’re just not the best ideas.” Shachi said trying to make it better. “That’s the same thing as terrible ideas.” Law replied, getting up from his seat. He’d had enough of their idiotic selves and decided to spend the last hour of his shirt elsewhere.
“Where are you going, Law? You don’t want to spend quality time with us?” Penguin asked as he watched Law walk towards the door. “No, I don’t want to spend any time with you two. And with that, Law exited the room and began to walk down the hall.
———————————
Law was now in his car driving home, his shift had ended almost thirty minutes ago and he would be home in about five minutes.
He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he came to a halt at a red light. Once the light turned green, he sped up and turned on his street. He drove down the street until he neared his house, coming to a slow stop and then parking his car in front.
He turned the engine off, sighing as he let his head fall back on the head rest relieved to finally be home. He grabbed his stuff and stepped out of his car. As he approached the door he bagan to search for his keys in his back pocket.
He unlocked the door and stepped inside. He placed his keys on the table next to the door, set his stuff down on the couch, and made his way to the bathroom.
He walked in the bathroom and stood in front of the sink, placing his hands on either side of it. He stared at his reflection in the mirror before looking down at the drain and reaching for his toothbrush.
He grabbed the tube of toothpaste and placed some on his toothbrush. He brushed his teeth while looking at his reflection in the mirror. He spit out the toothpaste and rinsed his mouth with mouthwash.
Upon finishing, he left the bathroom and made his way to his bedroom. He took his shoes off by the door and went to lay on his bed. He laid down on his back, his hands resting on his stomach as he looked up at the ceiling.
He turned on his left side trying to find a comfortable sleeping position. Once he found one, he closed his eyes and slowly fell asleep.
———————————
Law woke up in a cold sweat. His hand was clutching his chest, his breathing was heavy, and sweat was running down his back and forehead.
He should be used to it by now, but no matter how many times it happened, it was always the same outcome. Law would wake up panicking, unable to get himself to calm down, which eventually led to him staying awake for the rest of the night.
Even though he knew it was pointless, he laid back down trying to get his breathing under control in hopes of falling back asleep. He stared up at the ceiling, his breathing getting slower and calmer.
He laid there on his back for almost an hour before deciding give up on trying to fall back asleep. He got up and sat down on the edge of his bed, his elbows resting on his knees.
His skin felt sticky and gross from all the sweat. His mind was still thinking about the nightmare.
He got up and headed towards the bathroom. A shower would definitely help with the sweat. Hopefully, it would even calm him down.
———————————
After finishing with his shower, he went to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. It was now six in the morning and there was no way Law would be able to fall back asleep.
He might as well start his day now. He walked into the kitchen and started the coffee machine. He grabbed a cup and poured out his coffee.
Once he finished, he went back to his bedroom to strip his bed of his sweat soaked sheets. He tossed his sheets in the washing machine and grabbed some new clean ones.
He made his bed and went over to the couch. He laid down on his back, closed his eyes and sighed. Today was going to be a long day.