A/N:

Mithril: Ahahahaha… yeah we're alive. Kudos to Akatsuki as I was a real slave-driver with making her lead this one.

More to come eventually! Keep sending us prompts, we'll get to 'em before the apocalypse. Maybe.

Prompt from Shishiswordsman: "i know this hurts, but you have to stay awake" with lawlu? I need the otp angst like I need air :'D I'm so glad you opened requests you fabulous spoons

Ripples in the Sea

I Know This Hurts, But You Have To Stay Awake (Lawlu)

Law took a deep breath to steady himself, trying not to think about how rapid his pulse had become. He wasn't typically nervous in the operating room - it was the one place where he usually felt at ease, confident in his abilities and his environment. He knew that between his knowledge and his ability, within this room he could solve any problem, cure any ailment. In this room he was the Master, and there wasn't a single person in the world that could dispute it.

But this time… this time was different.

It shouldn't have been. It wasn't as if they hadn't been here before. And last time, his success and failure had also meant the difference between life and death. He'd succeeded then, and he knew, logically, that he would succeed now. Unfortunately it was the mind that logic ruled, not the heart, and it was his heart leading his emotions now. This time was different, and it shouldn't have been, but it was.

Two years ago, he hadn't been in love with Mugiwara no Luffy.

He took another deep breath, then reached out, placing his hand over Luffy's sweat-dampened forehead, smoothing over his furrowed brow with his thumb. "I know this hurts, Mugiwara-ya," he said quietly, "but you have to stay awake."

The only response that he received was a groan, and Law's heart contracted as if a hand had physically wrapped around it and squeezed. The fight had been unexpectedly brutal - a chance encounter with another pirate crew that should have been simple enough to deal with, particularly with both the Straw Hats and the Heart Pirates on hand, but none of them had expected the captain to possess such powerful haki - or use vicious bombs containing kairouseki shrapnel. The first bomb had only grazed them for the most part, but all it took was a sliver. By the time Law had removed the kairouseki from his arm, shouting at the enraged Luffy not to do anything rash, Luffy had already used his own inflated body to contain the rest of the blasts. No one had been able to stop him, despite knowing that once he'd seen the shrapnel hit the others, his next move would be to take all of the damage to ensure it wouldn't hit them again. They'd won the fight in the end, but not without Luffy suffering severe injury.

Law hadn't hesitated; he'd immediately ordered Luffy brought to the Polar Tang's operating theater, and then promptly kicked everyone out except for Chopper with the declaration that anyone else would just be in the way. This wasn't strictly true in the case of his crew, but he wasn't in the right state of mind to let anyone see him like this more than was strictly necessary.

"Are you sure there isn't anything we can give him?" Chopper asked, his voice trembling with anxiety and worry. He looked at Law - of course, Law knew Chopper already had the answer to that, but he couldn't blame the young doctor for asking the question on the small chance that the outcome might prove different.

"Anything strong enough to do any good would just send him to sleep, and we can't let that happen," Law replied, his attention never leaving Luffy. He could see Luffy's pain, could almost feel it, as if it were his own. Even though he knew it was selfish, Law couldn't help but wish he could have stopped Luffy - it would have been better for all of them to get a little injured, in his eyes, than for Luffy to take the full force of the attack entirely onto himself. With the extent of Luffy's injuries, there was a good chance that even just one missed piece of kairouseki could prove fatal.

Another groan rose up from Luffy, and it reminded Law that he needed to spend less time lost in thought and more time actually helping Luffy. Chopper was a ready and willing assistant, but time was still of the essence, particularly if he needed Luffy to remain conscious during the duration. "Stay with me, Mugiwara-ya," he murmured. "Stay awake."

Those words seemed to penetrate the haze of fatigue and pain. Luffy's eyes fluttered open the rest of the way, not quite focusing on anything in particular. His hand fumbled as if trying to reach out, but with the numerous wounds littering his upper body from the explosion - places his haki hadn't managed to shield - it was clear he had very little control over his own movement.

Combined with how weak kairouseki made him, it was a wonder he'd managed to open his eyes at all.

He tried to reach out again, fumbling, but it wasn't Chopper or Law he seemed to be reaching for. In the next moment, his eyes were sliding shut again, breathing ragged.

Law's heart ached at the sight, his throat tightening from the lump of emotion forming in it. His vision blurred, and he quickly blinked the it away - he had a lot of work to do, and he had to keep focused. It wasn't easy. It wasn't easy to look down at Luffy, to see him lying there so pale and barely moving, his chest imperceptibly rising and falling, and maintain his composure.

He took a deep breath, reaching for the first of his instruments - with the nature of Luffy's injuries his powers wouldn't be of much use, and so he needed to fall back on his medical training to see them through this. He tried not to look at Luffy's face, at the absence of the smile that always seemed to make the world a brighter place. He would succeed. He had to. There was no room for compromise or failure.

"Ace," Luffy's voice was barely audible, the barest hint of a whisper after his failed attempt to reach out. It was suddenly very obvious who he thought he was reaching for.

Chopper made a sound of distress at Ace's name, and he didn't even try to hold back his tears as he handed Law the items he needed.

That lump in Law's throat grew larger. He'd had a suspicion as to who Luffy was reaching for, but actually hearing Luffy call out for his brother like that, his voice distant and edged in pain - it broke Law's heart to hear it, and to know that there was nothing he could do.

"Sorry, Mugiwara-ya," Law said quietly, not caring whether or not Chopper heard him. "I can't let you go to him yet."

Luffy's eyes flickered to Law, half-lidded and unfocused. He appeared to be trying to keep his eyes open, but the only thing really helping him was the pain. It simply hurt too much for him to slip away.

Law couldn't help but brush his fingers against Luffy's forehead, meeting his gaze and knowing Luffy wasn't seeing him. Then he returned his attention to his task at hand. It was easier to stay focused when he had something that he could keep his mind on, and the painstaking task of removing each piece of kairouseki - some of them no larger than a fingernail cutting - was enough to keep him mentally occupied. Chopper was on hand, helping him spot the shards, passing him new instruments when he needed them, even going so far as to wipe the sweat from his brow so that it wouldn't get into his eyes.

Time passed, each hour slipping away with barely a notice from Law or Chopper. Eventually, they'd removed enough of the shrapnel that they both agreed it would be safe to sedate Luffy and allow him to sleep through the rest. There had been a slight moment of panic Law had struggled to suppress when Luffy's eyes had slipped shut and they'd had to put an oxygen mask on him, but Chopper's presence and steady assistance had helped to distract him again. With the monitors beeping steadily, they had both gone back to work, careful not to touch the kairouseki directly. It was easier for the pieces that had simply cut into skin and muscle - the pieces embedded into Luffy's bones were the worst.

It didn't hit Law until that moment just how long they'd been working on Luffy - how long it had taken them to finally get to this point. The moment when they had removed the final piece of kairouseki and identified it as such by the way that Luffy's rubber skin had slowly started to knit itself back together - that was the moment their surroundings came back into focus.

Releasing a sigh of relief that he hadn't been aware he'd been holding, Law's shoulders slumped and he stepped back from the table. "Done," he said for Chopper's benefit, though the younger doctor would clearly have been able to discern that for himself. "Let's get him settled."

Chopper nodded; the next minutes were spent cleaning up - packing up the instruments to be sterilized, and wiping away the blood that had accumulated during the operation off of Luffy's body. Blood - another reminder of just how badly Luffy had been injured, and as Law disposed of the cloths used to wipe it up, he felt his throat tighten.

"I'll go tell the others that he's okay," Chopper said finally, looking at Law, and there was something in his eyes that betrayed his more innocent nature, like he'd noticed something otherwise best kept hidden. Law had been doing his damndest to maintain his composure during the operation, but Chopper's look made him wonder if perhaps Luffy was effecting even that part of him - his stoicism, his focus. He did his damndest, but… this was Luffy. The young Pirate King-to-be had a way of turning Law's world on end, spinning him around until he no longer knew which way to go - except to follow.

A sudden weariness overtook Law, as he was left alone to stand there beside Luffy's bed; it took a minute to register that all he was doing was standing there, staring blankly down at the motionless occupant. Law's throat abruptly tightened again - awake and full of energy Luffy was a force to be reckoned with, full of strength and unrelenting courage. Lying here like this, bruised and bandaged, pale and unmoving… his small stature and slight frame only added to the sense of frailty. Oh, Law could tell himself all he wanted that Luffy was the least frail person he'd ever met, but it was hard to convince himself of that when Luffy just...lay there. Something was missing from him in that moment, something that separated this state of unconsciousness from simple sleep. Something that was uniquely Luffy…

His smile. Law felt a deep and hollow ache within his chest at the realization. He could see that smile in his mind, bright and shining, full of energy and unfailing optimism. He could still remember the first time he'd seen it - he should have realized then just how much this one, single man would change his entire life. He should have known that once he got himself involved with that smile, he wouldn't be able to let him go.

"This wasn't part of the plan," Law whispered. He received no answer in response, but then, he hadn't been expecting one. It would likely be awhile before Luffy awoke even under the best circumstances. A cold feeling settled in his gut at the thought. He'd seen Luffy bounce back - quite literally - from his injuries all the time. This wasn't like Marineford, where Luffy had been pushed to the last of his physical and emotional limits, and then beyond them. This wasn't like Dressrosa, where Luffy had exhausted every last bit of energy to free a kingdom - to free him. Once the kairouseki had been removed, Luffy should have been able to snap back to his usual, albeit injured, self.

The calm, analytical doctor side of him knew that he'd given Luffy the best possible chance, but the emotional side of him - the side of him that seemed to take the lead more and more in Luffy's presence - had a much harder time accepting that. If he'd given Luffy the best chance, it argued, shouldn't he be awake now?

The tightness in Law's chest increased, and he tried to force himself back into the stoic, focused state of mind that had served him so well during the operation. He took a deep breath, then another, locking his gaze onto a single point with which to center and ground himself before he started to doubt his decisions and needlessly stress over a sleeping patient.

Blood.

His breath hitched, stopped, his focus zeroing in on the dark spot of red against the sheer white of the sheets that Luffy lay on. His mind seemed to go blank as he realized what he'd been using to try and ground himself. He'd thought they'd changed the bedding, but Luffy must have still been bleeding a touch, blood dripping onto the fresh linen. Dark, but still freshly red, red on white….

White, like fresh snow.

Law's shoulders trembled as he swallowed hard, clenching his hands into fists at his sides in an attempt to keep from gripping his arms and digging his nails into his skin. The parallels had been there, but he'd been desperately fighting to keep from making that last leap to them, as if by not outright recognizing them he could pretend that they didn't exist. That it had taken this - this, some strange, mundane association of color, bringing everything to the surface of his mind… Law's stomach rolled, and his eyes blurred with sudden, hot tears.

Cora-san…

Law made a soft sound in the back of his throat, a strained, keening sound of pain. Who was he fooling? He could pretend not to notice the similarities between Rocinante and Luffy all he wanted, but they were still there. It was that smile that did it - that smile that made you want to be near that person, love that person, no matter how much you tried to tell yourself otherwise. The love he felt for Rocinante was different from the feelings building up within him for Luffy, but it was still love.

It was that smile, and their shared sense of selfless sacrifice for the people they loved. Their empathy for others, as if they themselves were experiencing the same pain, no matter how idiotic or clueless they seemed. The care they showed Law in his most vulnerable moments.

That was what had endeared Rocinante to Law, and that was what drew Law to Luffy. It was why, when he'd seen Luffy collapse from his injuries on the deck of the Sunny after defeating his enemy, Law's heart had leapt into his throat and threatened to suffocate him.

It was there now, a hard lump that made his mouth dry and his chest ache, and his vision blurred again as he struggled, and failed, to fight back tears. His hands dropped to the mattress and he bowed his head, each tear dripping onto the bedspread and Luffy's bandaged hand. He wasn't a child anymore, half-dead and wracked by illness. He was stronger - he'd learned swordsmanship, he'd mastered his devil fruit. He was one of the Supernovas - he'd forged a path across the seas and made a name for himself that most pirates could only dream of in their careers! It shouldn't have come to this. He should not have had to stand beside Luffy in an operating room, counting each second as they passed and worrying that the next could bring Luffy's final breath. He'd be damned before he'd let it happen again.

Before he lost another person that he loved… before another hole ripped into his heart, never to be filled.

Law reached out, half-blind from the tears, his hand trembling as it wrapped around Luffy's and gripped it tight. He just wanted Luffy to open his eyes. If he opened his eyes, then Law could know, would know, that he hadn't failed. Even the best surgeon could do everything right and still lose their patient to some unforeseen circumstance, but if Luffy would just wake up, then Law knew it would be okay. No one had a stronger will to live than Monkey D. Luffy. If there was anyone who could bounce back from this, it would be him.

Why, then, did that cold fear continue to gnaw its way through Law from the inside out?

It happened suddenly - no warning, no indication of life other than the steady, rhythmic beeping of the machines monitoring Luffy's vitals. The small squeeze could barely be felt through the numbness seeping into Law's body like it had thirteen years ago as he'd wandered brokenly through the snow in grief. His body was only just registering something had happened when the warmth began to spread from that single point, pouring into his body to push back the fear.

"Torao?" Luffy's voice was faint, and he sounded confused, like he might still be sleeping. "I'm hungry…"

Law's breath hitched, catching in his throat as he just barely registered the sound of Luffy's voice. His gaze flew to Luffy's face as his grip abruptly tightened on Luffy's hand. He half-expected to find that Luffy had just been mumbling in his sleep - though that was still better than no response at all - but he couldn't help but hope that he would find the younger man's eyes open. "Luffy…?"

"I'm hungry," Luffy repeated, whining softly and fixing a petulant, sleepy gaze on Law. "I want meat… all meat, no vegetables," he clarified. His eyes briefly closed, then opened again in confusion. "Why is there no meat?" He automatically squeezed Law's hand, fumbling weakly to remove the oxygen mask. It would get in the way when he tried to eat, after all.

Law swallowed hard. "You were asleep," he replied, leaning over Luffy with eyes that shimmered with tears. He didn't bother arguing on the point of the oxygen mask - Luffy seemed to be aware and recovering enough to not need it. "There'll be plenty of meat now that you're awake, as soon as Sanji has a chance to make it." He could tell Luffy not to eat too much, to take it easy, but given his metabolism and the fact that telling him not to eat was an impossible task, he doubted it would make a difference. Besides which, Luffy healed faster when he ate. As a doctor, he could analyze all the reasons why it worked and how his metabolism seemed capable of rushing nutrients where they needed to go, but none of that was important. All Law needed to know at this point was that it worked for him.

Luffy offered a bright, sleepy smile. "Yay, Sanji! Yay, meat!" He stared up at Law for a moment, alertness breaking through his daze. "Torao, are you crying?"

Law's eyes widened - he hadn't realized he was still on the verge of tears. He swallowed hard. "I thought…" His voice trailed off, and then pitched low. "I didn't know if-when you would wake up."

Luffy tried to sit up, only to give up after finding his muscles refusing to cooperate and his stomach growling in protest. Rather than try again, he reached out with his other hand, stretching his arm to grab Law's shirt and tug him closer until their chests hit. "I'm awake," he sleepily promised. "Everyone's okay… I'm okay, Torao. I'm not gonna die today."

Law lowered his head a bit, letting his forehead rest against Luffy's, and closed his eyes. "You damn well better not," he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. "Not after all the effort I've put into keeping you alive."

"Shishishi," Luffy's soft laugh made his chest bump slightly against Law's with each intake of breath. He smiled, closing his eyes. "I knew I wasn't gonna die. I had you and Chopper!"

Law's lips quirked in the smallest of smiles, and he took a deep breath, drawing back enough to open his eyes and look back down at Luffy. There were so many things he wanted to say, but he couldn't gather the nerve to speak the words. "How are you feeling?" he asked instead. "Aside from 'hungry'."

"I'm really tired. I don't wanna move," Luffy admitted. "Sanji's really making me food, right? Sanji's food is the best."

"Yes, he's really making food," Law murmured, though he seemed distracted by his own thoughts again. It was normal, he told himself, for Luffy to be tired after what he'd been through. But he couldn't stop the irrational fear that if Luffy went back to sleep, he might not wake up again. Not when all he'd been able to think about moments earlier was the moment when he'd realized he was losing Cora-san forever. It had blindsided him then - and letting his guard down now could lead to being blindsided again.

"Good," Luffy nodded, satisfied by that answer. He opened his eyes to look at Law for a few moments, and then his grip tightened on Law's shirt. "You're still worried, but I'm right here, Torao. I can't promise not to die… but for now, I'm right here."

Law's eyes burned, and he couldn't stop himself from bringing his hand to the one that was gripping his shirt, as if by touching he could reassure himself the rest of the way. "Can you just… stay awake awhile longer?" he asked quietly. He didn't question how Luffy had known what was worrying him, and if Luffy was going to keep acknowledging it - well, there was no harm in asking for the one thing that would reassure him.

Luffy smiled again. He was exhausted, sore, and all he really wanted was to eat a mountain of meat and fall asleep… but he didn't want to worry Law, either. "Okay."

Law let his hand linger on Luffy's for a moment longer, returning his smile with a strained one of his own - and then realized just how close they still were. He felt his face heat up and he started the pull back, intent on locating a chair that he could pull up to the side of Luffy's bed. He had to double check the monitors, after all… just to be safe.

Luffy tugged Law close the moment he tried to pull away, holding him there for several moments and tilting his head just slightly, an innocent move that any onlooker could have viewed as an accident. Something unintentional.

But the slight brush of his lips against Law's had to have been deliberate as he held him firmly in place. His grip was tight enough to convey that he didn't want Law to leave, but if Law wanted to pull back, Luffy wasn't going to stop him. It only lasted a brief moment before Luffy released Law and offered a wide smile once they parted. "Don't go far. I have to stay awake, so you have to stay close."

Law stared down at Luffy, eyes wide with shock. Shock that lasted only the briefest of moments before he found himself smiling again - a far less restrained, less uncertain smile than before. "I won't," he promised. As he drew back and straightened up, he could still feel the featherlight touch of Luffy's lips on his own. That one action had distracted him from the fears and anxieties that clawed at the back of his mind, rooted deeply in his heart to strike when he felt vulnerable, and while it wasn't enough to completely ease them, it was enough to push them back for now.

True to his word, he only went as far as the corner of the room to retrieve a chair before, planting it firmly next to Luffy's bed so that Luffy wouldn't have to move much to reach him. He took Luffy's hand again, curling his fingers around it securely, and Luffy wrapped his hand just as firmly around Law's, smiling the entire time.

A/N: Thank you for reading!