Chapter Text
“How did you sleep?”
“Not too well I'm afraid.” Law sighed. “The old night terrors are acting up again.” He kinda lied. Yes, he had a nightmare last night. No, it wasn't due to past experiences. He couldn't shake this weird feeling bubbling up from deep inside him. And it all started after having a knife thrown his way. He didn't feel all that safe. Not enough to sleep anyway.
“If you'd like, I can take your calls today? That'd give you enough time to nap.”
“Let's get one thing straight.” Law turned to Zoro with a serious look on his face. “I like you, alright? I don't mind you living here, quite frankly I love you being here. I don't care where you go in the apartment. Roam around wherever you like. However, you are under no circumstance allowed in my office let alone near the phone. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes. I won't go into your office unless you ask me to and I won't touch your phone.”
“Good.”
“Would you like me to warm up some tea for you?”
Law often drank tea or coffee in the morning to help wake him up for a long day's work. He may not be heading to work but he had a few things to do and a couple calls to take. “Um.. Sure. Use the microwave.”
“But you make tea in that weird pot that makes a whistling noise. Why can't I use that?”
“Do you know how to use the stove top without burning the place down?”
Zoro opened his mouth then shut it. “Okay. I'll microwave it.”
“Thank you. I'll be in my office.” Law left Zoro alone in the kitchen.
Zoro opened the cupboard above the sink and pulled out a mug. He filled it full then put it in the microwave and hit the '30 seconds’ button like Law showed him.
Beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep
“9 minutes should be enough time.” Zoro pulled up a chair and sat there watching the cup spin around inside. He loved the humming noise the microwave made and oddly enough thought the device was pretty neat. He only wished that Law would teach him how to use the oven and stove top.
He felt like Law made the oven sound more complex than it actually was.
____________________
Law took a few phone calls and completed some online paperwork. He emailed everything to his boss then reached for what was supposed to be a mug of tea. The spot was still empty. He didn't have his tea yet. “It's been almost an hour. What the hell is taking him so long?” He grumbled under his breath, slamming his laptop shut. He stood up and left his office, heading down the hallway to the kitchen. “Having trouble with the tea I presume?”
Zoro picked up the mug and handed it to him.
“What took so long?”
“I didn't know how long to microwave it for.”
“A few minutes.” Law tried to sound nonchalant but failed miserably. He came off more irritated than anything else.
“I put it on for 9 minutes but the water bubbled over and I had to try again. It should be good now!”
Law exhaled slowly then inhaled. The calming scent of green tea hit his nose and he sighed. “Smells amazing.” He lifted the mug to his lips and took a sip. Instantly he spit it out and started coughing. “Why is it spicy?!”
If Zoro had ears on his head, they'd be flat. He tucked his tail between his legs and nervously pointed to the jar of mint leaves sitting behind him on the counter.
“How much mint did you put in here???”
“It said 1 T S P. I didn't know what that meant so I dumped it in until the tea changed color..”
Law pinched the bridge of his nose and breathed out again so he didn't blow up at Zoro. The demon didn't know. It wasn't his fault. “I'll show you how to make it next time. I apologize but I cannot drink this.” He brought it to the sink and dumped it out. “I've completed most of my work. I would show you how to make tea now but I am no longer in the mood for it.”
“I'm sorry..”
“It's not your fault, okay?”
“Okay Law.” Zoro could tell he was feeling frustrated so he decided to give him space. He disappeared, leaving Law alone in the kitchen.
Law may not have gotten his tea today but he did have a fridge filled with energy drinks. Ones he forgot to drink due to an unexpected patient occupying his home and needing somewhat constant medical assistance. However, when he opened the fridge to grab an energy drink, they were not there. “Huh?” He stood there staring into the empty fridge with a confused look on his face. “Zoro????”
Zoro appeared behind him in the blink of an eye. “Yes?”
Law jumped to the side and held his chest. “Shit you scared me!” His heart raced quickly in his chest and he felt a little shaken up from the adrenaline rushing through his veins. “Did you drink my energy drinks?”
“Uhhh what's an energy drink?”
“The colorful cans with flavored liquid inside of them? They were in the fridge and now they're not.”
“Ohhhh those. Yeah, I did. Why?”
Law sighed softly. “Just wanted one..” He mumbled tiredly. “I drink at least 2 a day..” He trailed off. “I'll head to the store and buy you a few cases tomorrow.”
“Why can't you buy me them today at the store?” Zoro picked up the habit of tilting his head when asking questions like Luffy did.
“Because I'm too damn tired to go all the way to the grocery store. I probably shouldn't even drive. Now that I mention it, I won't. I'll walk to the gas station down the road. It's only a few blocks away. I shouldn't be gone longer than an hour.”
“Can't I have some of those ones? You're going to bring me some home, yeah?”
“I don't know. You already drank a week's worth. You probably don't need any more.” As he grabbed his jacket to leave, he looked Zoro's way and said, “Stay here and keep Bepo inside. Don't answer the door to anyone. I have my keys with me. I'll let myself in.”
He didn't want anything to happen to either of them while he was away.
____________________
Law stepped outside his apartment complex and tugged the door shut behind him. He made sure it was locked so that unauthorized people weren't able to get in.
He looked around, feeling extremely paranoid and on edge. The other night terrified him. And only left him wondering why someone would try to hurt him..
As he made his way across the street, he could feel eyes on him. They burned into the back of his neck and made his stomach clenched tightly. Fear and uneasiness washed over him. Honestly, he should have turned back and gone home but he didn't.
He felt like he wouldn't make it inside safely and would easily be overpowered.
____________________
“Hey! It's you again!”
“Hello again.” Law dumped a sizable amount of energy drinks onto the counter. He carried as many as he could hold.
“Having a party?”
“Nah. I got a new roommate. Drank my other ones. Too tired to go across town to buy more.” He yawned. “You guys are close and I don't mind spending more for convenience.”
“As long as you're happy. My granddaughter and I try our best to make our station homey and welcoming for every customer that walks through that door. We have a motto around here - If you need it, we got it!”
“I think you'll be ecstatic to know that your store feels very welcoming, Mrs. Kokoro.”
“I'm glad to hear that deary!” She scanned can after can, putting them in a bag one after the other. “That'll be $82.75.”
Law slipped his card into the chip reader, pressed a few buttons, and bam!
Please remove your card.
He put his card back into his wallet, slipping his wallet into his back pocket.
“Here you are.” Kokoro handed the bags over to Law. “You have a wonderful day now and don't be drinking all of those at once, you hear.”
“I won't but my roommate might.” He exited the store.
Law wasn't even 10 feet from the door when someone shouted, “HEY!” He looked to his left and-
BAM!
He flew across the pavement, losing his grip on the bags of drink. Cans rolled all over. A few blew up. Law tried to focus on his surroundings through blurry vision. He blinked a few times and saw 3 men towering over him.
“Grab him.” A deep voice said.
The other 2 men lifted Law up by his arms, holding him up since he was still seeing stars. A jolt of pain brought him back to his senses.
“What the hell was that for!? OOOOMPH!” The man kicked Law in the stomach. He wheezed and gasped for air. This guy was really tall and seemed very strong.
“I'll be asking the questions here.” He lifted Law's chin and spat in his face. “Disgusting. Such a waste of talent.”
“If you've got something to say.. Say it.” Law made himself sound strong and brave when deep inside he was mortified at the thought of what was about to happen to him.
The man burst out laughing. “You think you're in a place to make demands. Whatever. I'll bite~” He leaned in very close to Law's face, his lips pressed right up against his ear. “He only lived because of you. I hope you know that.”
Law's blood ran cold and he stiffened. These were the men that attacked Zoro.
’That's when 3 guys popped up out of nowhere and grabbed me..’
These men popped out of nowhere and got the drop on him as well.
“You wanna know what we do to those who dare lift a finger to help a demon!?”
By now, the store had many people going in and out. It was noon. Most people had lunch break around now. So many prying eyes and ears. All of them focused on the commotion.
“Show him boys!”
The 2 men holding Law both twisted his arms behind his back as far as they could go to make him as uncomfortable as they could.
“Fuck!” He shouted. “I only helped him because I'm a doctor!”
“Keep telling yourself that!” The man grabbed hold of his ear and squeezed it oh so tightly. “I do love to admire my handy work.”
Law's eyes widened. “You fucker!” He struggled against the two men holding him, groaning, thrashing, and trying to kick his way free.
“And the best part is.. No one is going to help you. Why would they? Not only would they be helping a filthy demon loving traitor, they'd get in the way and possibly end up dead.”
Dead.
The word rang in Law's ears and sent a shiver down his spine. His heart beat rapidly in his chest and he started panicking. “It's all your fault! You didn't have to beat him to death! You could've left him alone!”
“No! It's your own fault for getting involved! I never asked you to step in and save that scum!” The man screamed in his face, grabbing a handful of his hair and yanking his head back. “I don't understand why a well known doctor and professional surgeon such as yourself would dare dirty his hands helping out a demon!”
“I already told you! Because doctors help everyone and anyone who needs it! It doesn't matter who or what you are!”
SLAP!
Law's cheek stung and his ears rang from the impact of this man's hand slapping him across the face.
“I don't know a single doctor- anyone who would stoop so low as to help a demon! They wouldn't risk their career! Their family! Their friends! Their relationships!”
“Well.. That's a funny story, it just so happens that my friends like him too. And family? I have none. Besides..” He looked the man dead in the eyes when saying, “He makes better company than most humans I know.”
CRACK!
Law's arm snapped like a twig behind him. His eyes widened. He could feel an immense amount of excruciating pain shoot through his body but he didn't make a sound. He refused to give these assholes the satisfaction.
“Our boss is the only acceptable demon on earth. He's known as the heavenly demon. Unfortunately for you, he's- how do I put this?” The man socked Law in the face, causing his nose to gush like a fountain.
“Irate.”
Law spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground and sniffled. “So what? He's angry?”
“Precisely. Now you see, that's a problem. Not only did your actions cause me to look bad in front of my boss for making it seem like I didn't complete my job.. I've been strictly and severely punished for it! And that's why I'm making it your problem.” The man sneered. “Demons should go back to hell where they belong if they know what's good for them. If any of those creatures had an ounce of common sense, they'd send themselves back. Because if they don't.. Well, we'll be sure to cleanse them from existence.”
“That's why you beat him up?! Just because he's a demon minding his own business!? He- OOMPH!” Law received another blow to the gut.
“Our boss doesn't care. And since it's not frowned upon to hurt or kill them..” He smirked, “We take delight in ridding our town of those filthy vermin.”
“What did he even do to deserve that sort of treatment!?! He wasn't hurting anyone!!!” Law struggled against the two men holding his arms in an ever so painful vice grip.
“Existing. You have eyes don't you? He's a demon. What other reason do we need?!”
“If anyone's the demon here, you are!” Law managed to break free and throw a hard punch aimed at the brunette's face. Surprisingly, he landed the hit even if the guy was super tall.
“You piece of shit!” The man growled and gripped Law firmly by his throat. “You're going to regret laying a hand on me.”
____________________
“Granny!”
“In the back!”
Chimney ran around the counter into the backroom. “Hi Granny!”
“What do you need, sweetie? Granny's a little busy at the moment.”
“I don't need anything! But the man dying outside I might!”
“What!?” Kokoro dropped what she was doing and followed her granddaughter outside.
“He's right there!” She pointed to the guy laying face down in the alleyway.
The same alleyway and spot where Law found Zoro over a week ago.
“Stay back Chimney, dear.” She carefully approached the young man. That's when she saw a puddle of blood pooling near his head. “It's that young man who bought those energy drinks..” She recognized the tattoos on his neck and hands. “Chimney! Go inside and call for help!”
“Yes Granny!”
Kokoro reached into Law's pocket and pulled out his shattered cell phone. The screen was hard to read but she could make out a phone number near the top of his contacts. She clicked it and pressed the call button.
____________________
Riiinnnnggggg riiinnggggg!
Zoro heard the phone in Law's office ringing. He wasn't supposed to go in there but curiosity got the best of him. Disregarding Law's words from this morning, he sneakily crept into the room and looked around to make sure nobody was watching him. Not that anybody would be watching him. He was just as paranoid as Law but he had good reason to be.
Riiinnnnggggg riiinnggggg!
Zoro made his way over to the ringing phone and picked up the receiver. He heard a tiny voice calling out to him.
“Hello???”
Zoro sniffed the phone then put it up to his ear.
“Hello?!??”
He almost dropped the phone because the person talking was so loud. “Ow..” He mumbled, nervously debating whether he should reply or hang up. He chose the latter. As he's hanging up, he hears,
“Do you know this young man!?”
“Huh? What man?” He finds himself speaking to the stranger on the line.
“He's got black hair and tattoos.”
“What's a tattoo?”
Kokoro furrowed her eyebrows then said, “He's got markings on his body.”
“Is he a demon?”
“No he's-” She spoke frantically and struggled to explain this young man's appearance. Probably due to shock or something. “Do you know him or not? I thought that maybe his emergency contact would be near the top of his list.”
“Emergency? I think you have the wrong person ma'am.”
She spotted an energy drink lying crushed not too far from where Law's body laid. “He was in the store earlier and mentioned something about a roommate he was buying energy drinks for.”
Zoro's eye widened and he froze. There's no way the man she referred to wasn't.. “Law!?”
“He's really hurt.. I don't know if he's dying or not. My granddaughter called for an ambulance.” She looked at Law again. “He's bleeding a lot and he's not moving..”
Zoro wanted to leave. He wanted to go and be by his side so badly but Law strictly told him not to leave the apartment. The men who hurt him must've found out Law took him in and gotten to him. Meaning..
It was his fault.
“Thank you for telling me..” Zoro hung up with tears forming in his eyes.
Kokoro sat there dumbfounded and speechless for a few minutes. “Your roommate doesn't seem to care about you..” She mumbled to Law who was unconscious.
____________________
Both Shachi and Penguin responded to the 911 call at the Aqua Laguna gas station.
When they arrived, their eyes widened at the scene that lay in front of them. “Law!?!” They bolted out of the ambulance and up to his body. “Is he breathing!?”
“I don't know! Check his pulse!”
Penguin squeezed his wrist and felt a faint thumping. “It's weak but it's there!”
Shachi breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God.”
Law heard faint distant noises. His body felt as heavy as his truck and he couldn't seem to open his eyes. Somehow he managed to speak. “H-Home..”
“He spoke!” They shouted in unison. “Law!?”
Law's fingers twitched and he let out a soft pained noise. He breathed in raspy and exhaled with, “T-Take.. K-m-me h-home..”
“What!?”
“He wants to go home?! Is he crazy!?”
Shachi, against his better judgment, said, “We'll treat him at his place. That's what he wants.”
____________________
“Get him into bed immediately!” A voice shouted to them over their walkie talkies. “I can't believe you two! What were you idiots thinking!?!”
“Sorry boss.” Penguin responded, “He asked us to bring him home.”
The voice sighed then said, “Make sure he doesn't die or it'll be your end. Over and out.” Their walkies went silent.
“Uhh.. I just realized we can't xray him here.” Penguin had no clue where to start either. Law's entire body looked to be in a very poor and miserable state.
“I have a mini xray machine in the ambulance. It's not as effective but it'll get the job done. I'll go get-” He whipped his head toward the doorway and narrowed his eyes.
“What is it, Shachi?”
“I thought-” He shook his head. “Nothing. Tend to his minor injuries. I'll be back in a minute.”
Penguin ripped open a first aid kit and started stitching up the deep wounds on Law's body. He's glad Law was unconscious. Otherwise this might be uncomfortable for him. Given the appearance of his arm.. A few dozen needle pricks probably won't bother him too much in the long run.
Law's arm had been twisted behind his back and snapped with little to no effort. It didn't take an xray machine to figure out it was broken. Shachi only went to get the machine to check for abdominal trauma - mainly, ribs.
While working on Law's thigh, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. “Hello?” He heard a noise down the hallway and swallowed dryly. “Shachi?”
A set of footsteps moved down the hallway towards Law's room. Slowly, a tiny figure appeared in the doorway. “Oh.” Penguin breathed out a breath he was holding in and chuckled to himself. “Hey Bepo. Damn you scared me.”
“Penguin?! Can you help me carry the machine!? It's kinda heavy!”
“Coming!” Penguin got up and rushed out of the room.
Bepo stayed behind. He walked up to Law's bedside and rubbed his face into what appeared to be nothing.
Zoro had made himself invisible when those two men came home with Law. He did that in order to keep a watchful eye on them. Not knowing if he could trust them or not.
“Law..” He whispered. “I'm sorry.” Zoro felt as if he were to blame for it all. “The least I can do is stay until you're better..” He lifted his finger up, moving it down to Law's broken disfigured arm, then he channeled his energy into Law's body.
CRACK!
The bones shifted back into place. His arm was still broken but with Zoro's help, less broken than before. His power of healing could be used internally, meaning on himself, and, externally, meaning on others.
Zoro may have a few bruises and sprains still but Law was worse for wear. He needed to keep himself rested, fed, and healthy in order to give Law every ounce of healing energy he could spare.
“I don't know what we're going to do about his arm. I'm terrified to go near it. If we twist anything wrong it could permanently fuck him up.”
Zoro disappeared into the shadows and watched from the far side of the room.
The two men returned with some sort of device. Both of them stood there shocked.
“You just said you weren't going to fix his arm. Are you fucking with me?” Shachi didn't mind jokes but now was hardly the time for them.
“No! I didn't do this! I swear!” Penguin gently felt and squeezed Law's broken arm. “It's perfectly set though.. That's really odd..” And he would question it further but Law was in no shape for them to waste time.
“I'll cast his arm. Finish patching him up. Together we can xray him and check his internals.”
____________________
Law ended up having a broken arm, nose, and a few fingers. A few fractured ribs. A sprained ankle, hip, jaw, and shoulder. A dislocated knee, shoulder, and wrist. Dozens of cuts and bruises, and a black eye that covered about half of his face.
“I wonder who did this..” Penguin asked, staring at Law's face darkening as the time passed.
“I wanna know why they did this.” Shachi's shock had passed and he was pissed. “Law hasn't done anything remotely wrong in his entire life.”
“Maybe they just picked some random guy off the streets and took their anger out on him..?”
“I hope so.. I'd really hate to find out that's not the case..”
“Meaning?”
“They had a valid reason for doing this..”
“I don't think there's any reason whatsoever to hurt another person like this. No one deserves to be treated this way.”
“That's not what I meant. I don't think there's a valid reason to hurt anyone like this.. I meant - the person or people who hurt him had a reason to, in their mind.”
Penguin didn't understand what Shachi was trying to say. “What are you getting at?”
“I'm saying.. In perspective of this not being a random attack. What if the people who hurt him aren't done with him? What if they come back?”