In Sickness and In Health
Drabble#20: Monsters are built to last, the Strawhats are no different. So what do they do when their beloved human becomes ill?
So this is a request from LyraIdamaria who wrote that she wanted a sick Luffy(you sadist XP) but I like the ideas as well. It allows for me to show the Strawhats in a more vulnerable light though you kinda saw that in chapter 1.
**AN: this is after Thriller Bark. So Zoro did get hurt from Bartholomew but he's healing faster cause he's a werewolf. I don't actually know much about pneumonia other than that it affects the lungs and causes fever. Sorry 'bout that.
S!Blood - Sanji's fake blood
W!Zoro - Werewolf Zoro
"Thoughts"
~?~?~?~
Waking up in the crow's nest wasn't a first for Zoro, in fact he did it about twice a week. So Zoro wasn't deterred as he yawned, waking up a little late that day as his body was working full time to heal itself from Bartholomew. Zoro stretched his arms above his head, heating up his muscles slightly for his morning katas when suddenly the door slammed open. Usopp shot in with a worried rush.
"Zoro! Something's wrong with Luffy!" he shouted, and Zoro's heart clenched.
"Where is he?" Zoro asked instantly.
The two teens rushed to the boys cabin, where Luffy was lying in his cabin. Zoro stared with shock. Luffy was pale, and sweaty, panting heavily, and pausing once in awhile to wince or whimper. Zoro silently walked forward and checked his captain's forehead; he gasped, so hot.
"Do you tell anyone else?" Zoro asked, glancing as Usopp.
Usopp shook his head. "I got you first," he replied, "I thought you'd know to do."
Right; Zoro was first mate. "Get Chopper, and gather the rest of the crew," Zoro ordered.
"Understood!" Usopp saluted and ran from the room.
Zoro turned back to Luffy, who whimpered. "Luffy," Zoro breathed, letting his fear show. "What's wrong…?"
~?~?~?~
Everyone was waiting outside the infirmary, Chopper checking over Luffy, who wasn't getting any better. All of the Strawhats were perplexed as to what could be wrong with their captain; the teen was usually so spry and hyper-active that they forgot he was really human. It was all so strange.
Suddenly the door opened, and they all looked up to see Chopper walk out with a worried frown. "What's wrong with him Chopper?" Zoro asked, taking the lead.
"Luffy has pneumonia," Chopper said, polishing his stethoscope.
"Pneumonia?" Sanji asked in surprise. "That's a human illness isn't it?"
Sanji was over three hundred years old, and so he didn't really know much on humans anymore. Zoro, Usopp, and Franky were on the same boat as they've never been sick and Nami and Brook didn't really know much on it. Robin spoke up.
"Yes," Robin replied, "It's a bacterial infection of the lungs. Sometimes it's caused by rapid change in climate."
"Climate?" Frank asked.
"Thriller Bark," Nami said in realization, "It was foggy there, and now we're near summer islands. That's a pretty rapid change."
"Yes, I believe so as well," Chopper nodded. "Pneumonia isn't a 24 hours virus; it can last for weeks. Luckily I have the the antibiotics needed to help him."
Sanji spoke up. "I can give some blood. It should speed up the healing process; so long as he doesn't die with it in his system."
Everyone paused at the word die. "He won't… die, right Reindeer-chan?" Brook asked quietly.
"Pneumonia can kill," Chopper cautioned, "but I won't allow it," he swore.
Zoro stood, breaking the silence; time to lead. "Alright, we need to split up the workload," he said, "Everyone listen to me."
~Week 1, Day 2~
Chopper moved diligently through his infirmary, moving materials in accordance to their value for helping Luffy. Robin was with Luffy, trying to cool him down while also feeding him fever-reducing medication. Progress was slow. Luffy's lungs were filling with fluid; the fluid hadn't solidified, like in some cases, but Chopper couldn't predict whether that would stay.
"Doctor-san," Robin said, "I'll be back; I need to change the water."
"Right," Chopper nodded, and put the old towel in the hamper.
The door clicked close and Chopper was jolted from his autopilot, his eyes on Luffy's ill form. Chopper's eyes filled with tears but he didn't let them fall.
"Luffy," Chopper swore, "I'll do everything and more to heal you, so don't die. You can't die because I won't let you."
Chopper sniffed. "You're the first human to see me for me after Doctor Hiluluk," he said, wiping his eyes, "You're the first human to love this monster."
"So don't die."
~Week 1, Day 4~
Robin was meticulous as she squeezed the extra water from the rag and then placed it back on Luffy's forehead. Behind Luffy, Robin was gently fluffing his pillow and from the side, Robin was turning Luffy on his side so he wouldn't cramp. While all of this was happening, Robin had her arms crossed, and was reading a book aloud; one of Rayleigh Silver's traveling logs.
Normally, reading a travel log like this was one of the very few things that made Luffy sit still so he could listen. This wasn't how Robin wanted him to listen though.
Robin's fists clenched tighter. Robin wasn't a monster by blood, or by a curse, but she was one. Luffy made her human; Luffy reminded Robin of what it meant to care, to show emotion…
Robin feared what would happen to her if Luffy didn't become well again,,,
~Week 1, Day 7~
Luffy wasn't making much progress; his cough was getting worse and his fever was unstable, rising and falling periodically. Of course, Luffy would catch the most deadly form of pneumonia. In his inability to lead, Zoro was taking on the roll of captain. Brook and Usopp were acting as lookout in place of Zoro from the crowsnest. And Robin was acting as Chopper's nurse in caring for Luffy.
Nami and Franky were leading Sunny, trying to find an island with a more moderate climate. The Grand Line was proving to be an even worse hassle, as they were constantly going between hot and cold islands, worsening Luffy's health greatly. Currently, the Strawhats were trying to rush around a winter island, toward an island that had better temperate nearby.
And now, with Zoro; the swordsman was sneaking away from his perch on Sunny's head to go to the infirmary. He had to check on Luffy; just to reassure himself that the teen was still there. Zoro needed to make sure he was doing the right thing.
Zoro knocked on the door before poking his head in. "Chopper? Robin? One of you in here?" Zoro asked.
Robin looked up from her textbook. "It's me, First Mate-san," she replied with an easy smile.
Zoro barely hid his grimace; Robin had started calling him that after he took over. "I want a moment with Luffy," he said, ears flicking back.
"Hehe, yes sir," Robin chuckled, and stood up to leave. "He's finally asleep, please don't awake him."
"No problem," Zoro nodded, and remained standing once Robin was gone.
Zoro stared at his captain. Luffy was still red in the face, but it was clear he was cold, as he had three quilts on his bed; the blankets from their own hammocks. Zoro fingered a corner, silently happy with his crew and the love they were showering Luffy with. They were taking such good care of him.
Zoro sat down in Robin's seat. "Luffy, am I doing good?" he asked quietly, "Am I doing a good job of leading your crew?"
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew the door open; Zoro's body gave a violent shiver before he ran to close the door.
"Sorry Luffy," Zoro said, securing the door again.
Zoro turned back to Luffy and paused when he saw the teen shiver. "Oh, you're colder now," Zoro told himself. "Here, I'll warm you up."
Silently, Zoro fell forward as his body transformed into that of a wolf, with green and white fur, and amber eyes. Nudging Luffy to the wall, W!Zoro hopped onto the bed, settling himself to lie as close to Luffy as possible. Unconsciously, Luffy turned, his nose nuzzling W!Zoro's, his fist gripping W!Zoro's scruff.
"Zoro…" Luffy whispered with a grin.
W!Zoro peaked at Luffy, then closed his eyes in content. "Yes Captain," he silently thought.
~Week 2, Day 2~
"Luffy, I've brought you some lunch," Sanji said, elbowing his way into the room. "It's beef broth, and some orange juice."
Luffy's reply was to continue panting, coughing every once in awhile. The fever wasn't reducing, but it wasn't rising either; Sanji wasn't sure if he could call that good or not. Sanji gnashed his teeth, unsettled as he lifted Luffy from his pillow.
Sanji was so old, and he hasn't been near humans in so long; he'd forgotten how vulnerable they are. They lie and cheat, They get sick and die.
Luffy falling ill like this… It reminded Sanji of the reason why he left the human race behind; why the simply became fragile, blood bags, rather than people.
And then… Luffy was also the reason why Sanji decided to reconnect again. Luffy was the reason Sanji wanted to make friends again; the reason those friends became his family. Luffy was the reason Sanji's life had a little more… sugar to it.
"Luffy," Sanji said, watching as Luffy suckled on the straw to his juice. "You're my human now. You have more value than any treasure I could possibly find."
"Don't die."
~Week 2, Day 5~
Nami walked into Luffy's room, a deadpanned expression on her face as she stood there, arms crossed. Nami stared at Luffy, his thoughts everywhere. Until this morning, it hadn't really set in, just how sick Luffy really was. Until this morning, Nami hadn't really considered herself and Luffy different. Nami had forgotten that she wasn't human; she became ill, sure, but, never this ill. Seeing Luffy like this, it really showed Nami just how far apart they really were.
It was scary. Almost scarier than her time with Arlong. Luffy going against Arlong actually had a sound ending; Nami knew Luffy would defeat Arlong. This though. Nami didn't know the outcome. No magic, at least for a sea hag, could tell who would win this fight; Luffy, or an invisible offender.
"Luffy," Nami whispered, biting her lip.
Nami fell to her knees, bowing by the bed. "I don't talk to you often," Nami said to the air. "Shinigami and Sea Hags are allies from time to time so do me a favor… I would give anything for him to live… Please…"
~Week 2, Day 7~
Brook was in the infirmary, violin in hand, playing a quiet lullaby for the teen in front of him. Luffy was finally making progress. He was awake now, for most of the day, and wasn't experiencing as many hot flashes and cold chills. Luffy still had a fever, but it wasn't as high as it had been in the beginning, and he still had a cough, but it wasn't a horrendous. Luffy wasn't better, but he was out of the woods now.
Brook finished his music. "How was that captain-san?" Brook asked, smiling at the teen.
Luffy gave a tired smile. "Mm," he hummed in reply, throat still hoarse from coughing.
"How about Bink's Sake?" Brook asked, and began to play when Luffy nodded.
"That was close," Brook thought to himself as he played. "I can't imagine playing music again if the one who found me died. I can't imagine playing for anyone if my first audience member wasn't around to listen anymore."
"Please don't fall ill again Luffy-san," Brook said.
"Mm," Luffy smiled.
~Week 3, Day 2~
"I'm better now you know," Luffy said, finally able to sit up in his bed.
"No you're not," Franky denied, working while he watched Luffy.
"I am," Luffy insisted, and reached under his pillow. "You can take this back now."
Franky glanced up; Luffy had 'his' heart in his hand, the one the teen had drawn for him. In the first days of his illness, before Franky was forced to lead the Sunny and not see Luffy, Franky had had the time to slip the drawing under Luffy's pillow. Franky didn't think Luffy had been awake, but he had asked the teen to return it to him when he was better.
"I'm better," Luffy said, "So take your heart back."
"You are my heart," Franky said seriously, and Luffy paused. "That's a piece of paper; and it's great, but it would mean nothing if you had died."
Luffy frowned. "I wouldn't have died," he denied.
"You could have," Franky insisted, "So promise me you won't get sick again. Ok? Captain Heart?"
Franky had a teasing grin and Luffy grinned back. "Kay!" he beamed.
~Week 3, Day 5~
"Checkmate!" Luffy beamed, putting down two chips.
"That's 'King me' Luffy," Usopp corrected with a snort, and moved a piece.
"You think Chopper will let me leave?" Luffy asked in a whiney tone.
"I think so," Usopp nodded, discarding one of Luffy's pieces. "I mean, you're pretty much better now."
"Yea," Luffy agreed, "I haven't even sneezed today."
"You weren't sneezing before," Usopp snorted, "...Too bad, if you had stayed sick I could have challenged Zoro for the position as Captain."
"I'm the captain," Luffy denied.
"I could be captain," Usopp insisted, "I'm an all-powerful cambion."
"Yea," Luffy allowed, "You are getting stronger, but you can't beat me!"
"Ha! Bet I could!" Usopp said.
"Could not!" Luffy shouted louder.
"Stop yelling in my office!" Chopper barked from outside the door.
The two quieted down, snickering in amusement. Usopp sombered first, smiling at Luffy. "You're the reason I'm stronger Luffy."
~Week 3, Day 6~
"Freedom!" Luffy crowed, running from the infirmary. "Sanji, meshi!"
"You just had lunch!" Sanji barked, though he was already walking towards the kitchen.
"Usopp, Chopper! Let's play tag!" Luffy shouted, and smacked Usopp.
"Dammit Luffy that hurt!" Usopp roared, and chased after the teen with Chopper giggling and following.
"Usopp's it!" Chopper laughed.
"Stop running around!" Nami screeched, followed by W!Zoro when Luffy stepped on his tail.
"Watch out bro!" Franky warned, barely dodging the teen.
"Yohohoho!" Brook laughed, pulling out his violin. "Franky-san! Let us write another song on romance dawn! Yeah!"
"Hehe, Luffy's back," Robin chuckled, reading her book.
The craziness was back and everyone smiled. Luffy was back.
End.
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So this didn't really touch on the monster aspects of the story; i could easily change a few words and publish this as a stand alone story, but you get what I mean. I like it, I think. All I can say is that college is an efficient brick to the head for writer's block.
Till next time,
Ja ne~!