A/N: So yeah, I created an outline in this story to follow but it turns out I can't even follow my own instructions as well…this is bad… if this continues (which was actually happening already) then the original two arcs might go to three or four! This is bad!
Title: Daddy is The New Title
Author: gdesertsand
Pairings: None…yet
Disclaimer: Come one! Everyone knows that I don't own One Piece or any anime and manga!...right?
Chapter 10: Candies for a good boy
Five months already passed since Law gained custody over the three boys. The first few days were hell even for him. He had to make a lot of adjustments in his personal system. Like his shifts in the hospital. In the past he did not mind what time he would had for the day but now he had children under his care he needed to go home early, changed clothes and pick up the trio. Then after that he would make dinner and listen to the kids nonstop chattering.
Surprisingly instead of feeling tired in doing that he felt…refreshed somehow like he was listening to playful sound of wind. Leaving him calm and collected than he could ever remember.
At night when the children were asleep he would check on them.
He heard back in the past when Smoker's co-workers gathered in their house they will always teased the officer in being a doting father. One of the reasons of the teasing was that Smoker would always checked on Law every night if he was having a nightmare.
Law kept that knowledge to himself. When he was eighteen and remembered that part of his memory he purposely pretended to be asleep and to his surprised even then that he was a certified adult Smoker still treated him the same thirteen year old child he met. Law thought he was going to get angry at that but he didn't because deep inside he felt warm. So that time as Smoker patted his head he slowly drifted into a peaceful slumber.
Doing the same thing back then he always entered the kids' room. First was Ace, whenever he entered the room it was always full of mess. Silently he would gather the thrown clothes on the floor and piled them neatly on the laundry basket. Then he would pick up the scattered papers and placed them on the study table. After that he would watched Ace's breathing for a few minutes and when he deemed it that the freckled boy was having a serene sleep he would gently put his hand on the child's head and hummed softly, having Ace to unconsciously leaned on the warmth he was giving. He smiled before standing every time he would do that his eyes always caught the sight of the cowboy hat he bought for Ace since the welcome party. Time had really passed by.
Next was Sabo. The room of the blond was always in perfect order. If there was someone in the house who had a slight OCD of cleanliness that could be comparable to Law then that would be Sabo. Well not that either of them would admit it. Law would never admit that he had such a case for his reason was that it was an ingrained habit since he became a doctor while Sabo's was that he was the only one who had enough sense to clean the house among the three of them.
Doing the same thing as he did to Ace Law gently stroked the blond and made sure that everything was okay. Then he saw that Sabo's hand was on top of a hard bound book. Upon closer inspection Law realized that it was the blank book he bought since he heard from Luffy that Sabo had a wide range of imagination. These kids really accepted him, huh? The idea still baffled him up to this point.
The last room was Luffy's and Law was not surprised when he saw that the youngest was still awake. The light on the bedside table gave him enough illumination to see the figure of the boy.
"D-Daddy…" Luffy called as he pulled up his blanket above his face that only his eyes could be seen.
"Can't sleep?" Law asked with a soft tone when he approached the bed and sat just beside his youngest, "Scared of monsters?" he joked a little.
"I-I'm not!" immediately Luffy protested, "M-monsters are not real!" but the trembling of his voice was really hard to convince someone to his statement.
Law chuckled at seeing the usual antics before placing his right hand on top of Luffy's head and started stroking the untamed hair, "Don't worry, I'll stay here until you fall asleep."
"R-really?"
"I promise," he assured the child further.
As he said those words Luffy slowly allowed his eyes to close, contented with the warmth his Daddy's hand were giving and the soft humming to lull him to dreamland.
Law stayed for a good one hour before bidding the youngest a soft goodnight and planting a kissed on the forehead.
He hoped things will stay as peaceful as this
Morning came and as usual Law, who was busy in the kitchen, heard the noises of his daily days. The kids were up and trying to get themselves to be ready for school. Getting used to it he shrugged and settled the foods on the table. Looking at the clock it was just two minutes before six. He took a seat on the dining area and started counting, (1)
10…9…8…7…6…
He heard the hurried steps on the stairs.
5…4…3…2…
The steps were running towards his direction.
1…
"GOOD MORNING DADDY!" the greeting he received from the three kids who were smiling at him with joy.
"Good morning," he said back with a smile as he beckoned them to start eating their breakfast before it went cold.
The kids happily took their seat. The rectangular table was enough for four people. From Law's place Ace was sitting on the right while Sabo on the left and Luffy was directly in front of their father.
The meal was simple omelet rice, some French bread and soup, and apple juice (2). With just a span of ten minutes the table was now left with empty plates and glasses. After breakfast the kids ran to the bathroom to brush their teeth then went upstairs to pick up their bags. Going back downstairs and into the kitchen Law handed them their lunchboxes. Everything in check the doctor gathered his own things and locked the door. Motioning for the kids to get in the car he started his engine. He was supposed to drive already but then his phone rang. Grumbling at the disturbance and not wanting to drive while having a conversation in the phone with children on the back he decided to pick it up.
"What?" he asked not trying to conceal his annoyance to the person on the other end who just intentionally or unintentionally ruined his usual mornings.
"Law-kun!" the person on the other end exclaimed.
"Hiruluk-san?" it was unusual for Law to use –san but some people were exemptions.
Meanwhile the kids on the back saw that their Daddy was answering a phone call so they amused themselves by talking about the anime they watched last night. Something about a detective with a wolf DNA and had a hair fetish. That was all Law heard from the conversation of the brothers.
"What is it, Hiruluk-san? Speak or I'm hanging up. I don't want my sons," that word was still foreign to his mouth, but oh well, he would get used to it, "to be late for school."
"Oh! Right! You're a father now! It still surprised me on how you could take care of kids considering how much you hate them in the past!" the old man laughed on the other side.
Law gripped his phone in anger, "Dr. Hiruluk…" he made sure that his voice carried his emotions, "Speak or I'm hanging up!"
Hiruluk just sighed at the response he was getting from the prodigy doctor, "Alright, alright, I called to tell you that you will be taking my shift this afternoon."
"What?!"
"Don't worry I have little to none patients at that time so it's alright!"
"What the—I can't take shifts that late!"
"What did you say? You agreed? Thanks! I already told the director that you have such a good heart so you will take my place! Good luck!" with that the line went dead.
"Dr. Hiruluk!" Law shouted on the phone but it was futile to do it now that the old man hanged up on him. He mentally cursed the old doctor while lightly banging his head on the steering wheel.
Damn bastard does not know how to take responsibilities sometimes fuck this world he didn't even listen to me that pathetic excuse for a doctor who was just giving poisons when drugs were involved can't even-
His inner ranting were interrupted by the voice of a freckled boy,
"Hey, Dad," Ace called him.
After days of asking/pleading on the oldest (now he was sure that Ace was the oldest) to change the way he called him the boy finally agreed. So now Luffy was the only who called him Daddy, sometimes Sabo also but usually it was Dad also.
"Aren't we supposed to go to school now?" he continued his question.
That was then Law realized that if would not start driving then the kids would be really late! But first things first, he turned his head around so that he was looking directly to the three.
"Hey, I might be late in picking you up guys later," he said as he secured the seatbelt of Luffy, "So can you wait me at Sabaody Park?" it looked like he was asking but mentally he wished that the trio would not make any complaints.
"Why are you going to be late, Daddy?" Luffy asked innocently.
"Well…" explaining it will just make his frustrations to bubble up but he tried to pushed such feelings away to make a logical response, "A co-worker of mine was absent today so I need to take his shift."
"Can't other people take it?" this time it was Sabo who asked. He was slightly annoyed that their father was going to take extra jobs just because someone didn't showed up.
"Unfortunately they can't because my name was already on the list."
There was a silent moment as the kids contemplate the situation,
"Can I play in the sand box?" Luffy asked hopefully. After all, Sabaody had a huge sand box!
"I don't see why not?"
"Yay!"
It was Luffy he always ended up situations that have options to choose.
So that was why they were in Sabaody Park with a hyper active little brother running everywhere. Ace and Sabo opted to just sat down on the swings not making an effort to make it move as they watched Luffy to play with the other kids in the park.
"Why did we agree to this again?" Sabo asked grumpily as he took a bite of his vanilla ice cream they bought earlier.
"I don't want to be reminded," Ace answered plopping the last part of the cone in his mouth and swallowed it.
Why was it when Luffy made a decision they could not bend it in any way they want? They were the older brothers, damn it! But then… a determined look or puppy eyes displayed on Luffy's face was enough to sway anyone in his own whims.
"Hey, Ace," Sabo attempted to make a conversation which the freckled boy welcomed, "Are you already use to our new names?"
Right being adopted means they needed to change their surnames so now they carry the word Trafalgar as their last names.
"It's not that bad," Ace pull out his right hand and started counting, "Trafalgar Ace, Trafalgar Sabo, Trafalgar Luffy. I guess it's much easier to write also."
"You've really got a simple mind, haven't you?"
"Shut up!"
Sabo laughed at the reaction he got. It's been a while since he managed to rile up Ace this far. Ever since they had Trafalgar Law as their new father the freckled boy was much more mellow and observant to his surroundings. He got mad, yes, but not that easily anymore. Still most of the times Ace act based on his instincts but due to their talking they didn't realized that Luffy was nowhere in sight in time anymore.
"Ace…I think something is missing…" Sabo mumbled as dread started to form.
"I think I know what you are talking about…" Ace added when a certain strawhat was nowhere in sight anymore.
Luffy on the other hand got distracted to the bubbles that he didn't noticed he was faraway to the playground of Sabaody Park and now he was in the busy shopping part. There were so many people and he realized that he was alone that there was no one he knew around. This was bad! Ace and Sabo would get angry at him!
Trying to retrace his path only to see that it could not be done since there were so many people, he was already on the verge of crying when a hand gently landed on his shoulder. Turning around and scared that a stranger might take him somewhere he was prepared to fight. He stopped when he saw a familiar woman.
"Waitress-nee-chan!" Luffy called as he remembered that it was the woman who served the food at them during the welcome party.
"Ara, you're the boy who broke the glass at Baratie, right? Luffy if I remember your name correctly."
"Hai! My name is Trafalgar Luffy! How about you nee-chan?" he asked tilting his head on his right side.
"I'm Monet," She answered with a sweet smile, "Are you lost?"
Remembering his present situation his earlier joy was replaced by panic and he started messing his hair,
"Ah! What should I do?! Ace and Sabo will get angry at me!" he started running on circles as he said incomprehensible words further.
Monet could not help but to quirk a smile at the idiocy she was witnessing. She was ordered by Doffy to find where was Law living now and what was his current lifestyle. Her investigations showed her that Law was adopted by Smoker, who was now a Vice-Admiral, and having sessions with a psychiatrist named Nefertari Vivi, the daughter of Alabasta's ruler. Law was also known as one of the greatest surgeon in New World City. Now her latest information was that three kids were now under his care.
It's time to get the plan in its second phase.
"Calm down," she said as she opened her purse and produced a circular thing wrapped in red, "Here have some candy."
At the mention of something sweet Luffy immediately stopped and accepted the treat without second thoughts. He plopped the candy inside his mouth after unwrapping it and savored the strawberry flavor invading his taste buds.
"Is it good?" Monet asked as she crouched down to see the child better.
"Hmm!" Luffy then looked at her with hopeful eyes, obviously wanting for more.
Monet smiled a bit and handed him a small pouch containing different kinds of candies. Luffy accepted it wholeheartedly and took a bite from one of the funny shaped lollipops.
When the child was finally calm enough to narrate what happened to him Monet offered helped to get him back to the playground. Luffy, with nothing to choose from, acknowledged the help she offered and took of hold of her hand to avoid getting separated through the crowd.
It turned out he was not that far from the playground. It only took them five minutes to retrace his steps,
"Thank you very much Monet-nee-chan!" he bid her goodbye as he ran towards the swings where he lasts saw his brothers.
Monet waved back and when the child was nowhere in sight her gentle smile was replaced by a sadistic one as she dialed a number, "Hello, we will proceed to Phase 2." She ordered to whoever was that on the other line.
On Luffy's part when he was just in front of the swings he saw that his brothers were not there. Looking around he could not see any trace of them. He was about to shout when someone called his name.
"LUFFY!" worry and anger mixed in one shout.
Searching for the source of it he saw Ace and Sabo running towards him. He was about to shout back at them but Ace beat him to it by jumping when he was a good distance near his little brother and punched him on the head.
"Ouch!" Luffy took hold on the forming bump on his head due to the impact, "What was that for?!"
"For leaving without saying anything!" his freckled brother exclaimed back attempting for another punch but was stopped in time by Sabo.
"Hey, Ace, calm down already! All that matters now was that Luffy is safe!" he tried to make sense as he tried to prevent in damaging further the brain cells of their little brother but Ace tried to struggle from his gripped.
Luffy pouted because of the pain inflicted on him but then realization dawned at him. They were looking for him, it only meant that he made them worried.
"I'm sorry…" Luffy mumbled softly as he bowed his head a little when reality hit him, "I got distracted…"
Just hearing the honest guilt on Luffy's tone finally made Ace to calm down. When Sabo felt that there was no reason to hold his brother he let go. When the freckled boy was finally free he immediately enveloped Luffy in a hug,
"Idiot! We were worried you know!" he tried to scold Luffy but it only had a little effect because the entire time he was patting the youngest head just to make sure that he was really there.
Ace could not afford to lose anyone anymore.
"So this is where you are," a deep baritone voice interrupted their happy reunion and they looked up. There they saw Uncle Mihawk's little brother and his friend.
"Sanji! Zoro!" Luffy exclaimed in happiness as he jumped away from Ace and towards the green haired man. When he was near he gave no warning and hopped, dangling on Zoro's neck. Good thing the man had fast reflexes he managed to carry the child on his arms to avoid being choked.
"Why are you here, Sanji-san?" Sabo asked as he stared from the swordsman then to the chef then back again. Clearly he was confused at the presence of these two adults.
"Your father asked us to pick you up 'cause he might be later than he thought and since we were near the area we said 'yes'. So now let's get you guys home." Sanji explained trying to refrained himself from cussing. He clearly wanted to say 'The Shitty-doctor' but since he was around the children he must set as a good example.
If only he knew how colorful Ace could speak he would be ashamed.
The truth was it happened that Sanji needed to force Zoro to go to the hospital where Chopper was working at for a check up to his stitches. Knowing the swordsman the young doctor asked Sanji to get Zoro to see him no matter what. So there were a few battles but Zoro reluctantly went to New World hospital. Coincidentally that is where Law worked also and they accidentally met in one of the hallways. One thing led to another and now they were having three kids in tow.
Zoro grabbed Luffy's bag because the child seemed like had no intention to let go at all, "Oi, Luffy get down will ya?"
"Nope~" the child disagreed in a sing song voice, "I want Zoro to carry me!"
Muttering a few words under his breath about stupid puppy eyes and that he must not hurt the children Zoro adjusted his hold so that his muscles would be in a much more comfortable position.
As usual having the three kids together the ride was not that peaceful and quiet. As well as Zoro could not teased the chef or flirt also since right now, as hypocritical as it sound, they must set a good example. Who knows what Law will do to them when the children saw two guys kissing? Their surgeon friend had no problem about his friends being lovers but when children were involved it was not too bad to take caution, after all parents were scary like bears.
When they got the trio in their home they met Law in the kitchen who was now preparing dinner.
"Daddy!" Luffy exclaimed as he ran towards his father and gave a hug.
"Welcome home," Law greeted as he returned the hug and gently ruffled the head of the other two, "Thanks for bringing them home, Sanji-ya, Zoro-ya."
"No problem," Sanji casually said while searching for his cigarettes, "Where can I smoke?" he asked well naturedly.
"You can open the window in the living room,"
"Okay," with that the blond chef went to his next destination followed by the swordsman.
"And Zoro-ya," Law called out before his friend went out of hearing range, "Please mind your actions while you're here, okay?" the smile was clearly telling him no flirting inside or else…
With a shiver running down his spine Zoro unwillingly nodded and went out of sight.
"Now, you three go upstairs and clean yourselves." He ordered when he saw that the children were covered in dirt. He could tell that the most active in the playground was Luffy considering that his white shirt was now a tint of light brown. The boys nodded in agreement as they put down their bags on the table. After that they race towards the bathroom.
Laughing at the antics of the boys he leaned on the table where the bags were. Unfortunately that mild bump caused Luffy's bag to fall down. Seeing this Law picked it up but the zipper was not closed enough that the things inside fall down. Cursing a little he kneeled a bit to gathered the scattered papers, notebooks and pencil. That was the time he saw a small pouched mixed in that school stuff. Curious at what it was he settled the bag back on the table and grabbed it.
Having a closer look on the pouched his eyes widen in fear. His breathing pattern quickened as his body started to tremble like he was left outside in a weather having a temperature of below 0oC. There on that small bag was the symbol he dreaded to ever see again.
The symbol of the Donquixote Family…
Here are some candies for the good boy
Law was not seeing where he was anymore. His senses brought him back to that same room he never wanted to see again. That room covered in blood. That same room he was first touched. That vile place he did not want to remember anymore but now he was here again.
He screamed so loud it was like his body was being mutilated to pieces, a scream that was heard through the entire house that footsteps came rushing towards the kitchen.
The first who arrived were the kids and they did not like the scene in front of them at all. There on the floor was their father sitting on the ground. Crouching like a child hiding from the monsters that would show in the dark. His whole body was shaking and they could hear the uneven breathing that could be compared to someone who just ran a marathon.
Ace was the first one to move and he cautiously approached the man. Slowly and slowly he could hear the words being muttered,
"Stopitstopitstopitstopitstopitstopitstopitstopit…" though he could not make sense on it because the words were spoken so fast he could not grab which word was which.
Gently Ace placed a hand on Law's shoulder attempting to calm his father down but the effect was the opposite. Immediately a scream was heard again and the man crawled away from the touched until he hit the wall.
Sabo's mouth was left open. What happened? When they got home their father was okay. He gave them his usual warm welcome home a while ago and now he was whimpering like someone hurt him deeply. What was happening now?
Luffy could not grasp the situation at all. The only thing he could understand was that something was hurting his Daddy. But he could not see what it was so he did not know what to do.
Ace was now uncertain on what to do. It was plain obvious that if he would touched again his father then things might get worse.
The kids were in dilemma when Zoro and Sanji finally got there also. Just like the kids they were surprised at what they were seeing.
"Ace, Sabo, Luffy, stand back." Sanji commanded as he pulled the children away from the kitchen.
He and Zoro had witnessed Law having flashbacks but never to this extent where the doctor was a trembling mess like he was seeing a murderer who was about to kill him slowly and painfully.
"But-" Luffy was about to protest but Zoro stopped him with a silent stare that was begging them to do what they were told and leave the rest to the adults.
When they were sure that the kids were a good distance away Zoro approached his friend much like how Ace approached Law earlier. Though this time Zoro spoke as gentle as he could.
"Law, hey Law, can you hear me? Come on buddy everything is fine, you're safe." But Law was not cooperating at all by covering his ears.
In reality Law was not really seeing or hearing what was happening in reality. He was reliving the horrifying past. The moment he was forced to hear the screams of people around him, that time he was bathed in crimson liquid.
"Help me…" Law whimpered under his breath and Zoro could not helped it but feel anger running through his every veins. Who was the sick bastard that did this to his friend? If he knew it then they would be slashed into pieces.
Zoro though tried his best in pushing away those feelings for now. He needed to help his friend to return to his senses. Both of his hands took hold on each side of Law's shoulders. The sudden contact caused the other to panic even more.
"Let go of me! Let go! I don't want to do it anymore!" Law shouted as he tried to get the hands off of him.
Zoro feared that Law might hurt himself so he did the first thing he could think of. Embraced him so that his movements would be limited, "Law, Law, I need you to calm down. You're in your house, you're with us, you're safe." He repeated it over and over again hoping that his friend would hear it. But the illusion was so strong that for Law his assailant was trying to kill him.
Sanji saw that the scalpel that was hidden on Law's sleeve was now on the surgeon's hand, "Zoro, look out!" he alerted his lover and just in time when the swordsman saw a glint of metal from the corner of his eyes he backed away but his right arm suffered a three inches long slash, "Zoro!"
"I'm fine, Love-cook." He assured the blond chef.
"Stop it…stop it…" Law was holding the scalpel in front of him like a shield, "I don't want to kill anymore…"
The swordsman's eyes widened at the last statement. Kill? Why would Law say such a thing?
Luffy, being fed up at not being able to help, managed to pass from Sanji's arms that were restricting them from entering the room. As fast as he could he ran towards his father that Zoro could not react in time when the boy latched in Law's neck avoiding the sharp object by a few inches.
"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" were the only words that escaped the youngest mouth as he cried, tears falling down on Law's shoulder.
The sound of tears brought back a few pieces of consciousness to Law as he slowly put down the scalpel. Like a vision from a person who just woke up the blurriness of the surroundings turned clear. There he saw Zoro in front of him with a bleeding arm, Sanji in front of the door holding Ace and Sabo in an attempt to hold the two in place and lastly was Luffy who was crying on his shoulder.
Strength already depleted he lost the awareness he just got as his body went limp.
A/N: This is the fourth time Law loses his consciousness right?
The scene where Law was having a flashback in front of the children was suggested by 'AnimeRockMusic0315' and I thank you for that!
Anyways I wrote a one shot the title was 'Never Judge a Book by its Cover' if you have time check it out!
(1) I don't know in other countries but when I was in Grade school my class always starts at 6AM but considering that it was too early in the story I decided to make it 7 or 8AM… well it's not mentioned though.
(2) They said eat like a king when having breakfast but I always eat a piece of bread during the early mornings and some apple juice or hot chocolate so I don't know how others eats breakfast.
Love it? Hate it? Whatever it is don't forget to review!