My friends said this chapter made her cry and called me the devil... you have been warned. Enjoy!
By the way, if it does make you cry... I'm sorry for whats to come? Like, Comment, or Whatever!
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Kindest Regards
The beating of the monitor did nothing for Law's nerves. A hand rubbed his back as his heavy eyes stared at the once cheery man, laying in the hospital bed. The bruises on his head were caused by knuckle rings, it traced the letters WYB. Law can only guess it meant 'watch your back.' Law's back wasn't his main focus at the moment. And neither was Penguin's. The man's back was being rubbed by Law's youngest sister, Lu. Her eyes are also filled with regret and sorrow, Law feels the same. He thought she felt this way because of Shachi, he has no clue about what else is weighing thickly on her mind.
Law shifted his head to face Penguin. For once, the man's hat was off, showing his jet black hair. Law's pocket buzzed from his phone, before he could take his phone out, Corazon took out his phone and handed it to Ann. Corazon knew Law didn't want to be bothered, he also knew Law didn't want him to leave his side. To think he's only known the blonde for a few years, yet he reads his mind like a kindergarten book. Law trailed his hand through his hair for the 15th time this hour. The leg he shook to keep him awake was paused by a soft hand rubbing his knee. "You will be going to sleep in Crocus's room when Sab wakes up." Corazon informed. His tone left no room for discussion, but Law still tried. "Corazon, I'm fine." Law's blinks became longer from the mention of sleep. "Law, I'm serious." Law let out a sigh and nodded.
Sab came into the room half an hour later, but the doctor followed her. Law kept his butt in the chair, he wasn't going to miss any updates about Shachi's condition. "Are any of you related to Shachi?" The doctor asked, her head still tilted down towards her paperwork. "No miss, his mother committed suicide and his dad left him." Penguin answered. His hands tightened around each other as he spoke. "Are any of you family?" This time the woman picked up her head for an answer. "All of us miss. We are all Shachi's family." Law answered. The woman nodded, she pulled up some x-rays and showed them to the group. Law winced when he saw the brutal injuries on his friend's torso. Shachi…
"We stitched up most of the wounds and stopped the internal bleeding near his rib cage." Law let out a relieved sigh. Too early. "But." Penguin clenched his fist tighter at the word. "His head has stained far worse injuries." The picture switched to the head x-ray, when it did, Law felt his whole world crumble. "He's in a coma, and…" the suspense was killing Law. The pained looked on the doctor's face made dark thoughts spiral in his mind. "The chances of him waking up are slim." Before Law could take a deep breath the doctor continued. "Less than 20 percent." 20… less… Shachi.
Corazon wrapped his arms around Law and brought him close. Ann does the same to Penguin. Both of them feel like their worlds are about to crumble. Penguin trembled in Ann's arms, causing Luffy and Sab to join in the hug. Law felt Corazon's hand pat his back, "breathe Law, breathe." He whispered. "Look, go to sleep. You're tired and you don't think clearly when you are." Law gave a weak nod. Corazon led his boyfriend to the room. He passed out as soon as his body touched the couch. His legs dangled off the side and his arms held close to his chest. Corazon frowned at the sight, his lover is in pain, yet he can't do anything. The blonde put his feelings aside and left the room to comfort Penguin.
When Corazon opened the door, he saw that Penguin and Luffy had left the room. Probably for the best. "Has anyone ever woken up with such a low percentage?" As usual, Sab was being calm, cool, and collected. The doctor nodded, "it is rare though, as you may have guessed." Sab nodded and continued to gather details about the situation.
"Penguin." Luffy mumbled. She decided to take Penguin away from the hospital and walk around the plaza with him. He insisted on talking about something to help him get his mind off what's happening right now. So Luffy asked him a question, a deeper and darker question Penguin thought she would ask. Penguin leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. "Someone close to you is causing you pain?" He repeated the question with a hint of irritation. "I-It hurts In here." Luffy pointed to her heart. She winced a little when she thought about the person causing her pain.
Penguin let out another sigh, "if someone is hurting you, then get rid of them. Doesn't matter who, they shouldn't hurt you." Luffy bit her lip from Penguin's answer. Do I really have to push Zoro away? He said he'll always protect me from pain, now he's the one causing it. This is all messed up. Penguin noticed Luffy tense up and brought her into a hug. "Listen demonic demon, if you're hurting, it doesn't matter who it is." Penguin doesn't hug, but right now, he needs one as well. The two of them stayed like that for a while. Penguin could feel warm liquid falling into his chest and clung tighter to Luffy.
Her arms wrapped around him and brought him closer. She couldn't feel the water droplets falling on her head, coming from Penguin's eyes. This loving interaction made him think of Shachi, and how the man was a lot like Luffy. He's a ball of sunshine, always smiling and lighting the darkness in Penguin's heart. "P-Penguin, I-I'm in love with Zoro." Penguin clutched Luffy even tighter as she continued. "B-but he only sees me as a friend. I-I don't know what t-to do." Penguin placed a kiss on Luffy's black locks. "I'm going to lose my best friend, Penguin." Luffy gripped the back of Penguin's shirt at the realization. "Me too." Penguin choked. The click of the rain hitting against the roof drowned out their sobs. The two clung together tightly, thinking about the grim future they have to face. Not aware of the eyes watching them.
Law's eyes opened slowly from the knock on the door. A groan escaped him as he looked to see who it was. His head was pounding, probably from the amount of stress he's under. When he opened the door, he was surprised to see a long-haired man. The man wore a black button up, black pants, and a green cloak. His spiky hair ended at his mid back, and his sharp dark eyes traveled down Law's body. "You're a mess." His deep voice commented. "Thanks." Law said sarcastically. "Let's go outside." The man turned around and started to walk towards the door. Law groaned and followed.
Once they left the building, they went to the back of it and sat under the roof. The man stuffed his hand into his pocket and pulled out a lighter and a pack of cigarettes. "Your dad would kill me, but you need one." The older brunette tossed the box to Law after taking one out. Law didn't hesitate to take one out and light it. Law's eyes focused on the fire emitting from the lighter as the smoke filled his lungs. "Did you hear what happened, Dragon." Law turned his head towards the puff of smoke coming from Dragon's lips. The man nodded, "your dad sent me here to tell you to keep your chin up. As you know, he can't come here, no matter how much he wants to. But." Dragon's mouth closed around the cigarette.
Law can feel his body numbing from the drug. The sensation washed through his frame, calming his nerves. This isn't the first time Law had smoked, he did it in high school as well, but quit when he met Corazon. The lectures the blonde would give him made him stop. I wonder what he'd say now? A small smile stretched out on Law's chapped lips. But the smile was whipped away when Dragon continued. "I'm not here to tell you that." Law's eyes down casted to the ground below him. He didn't think Dragon would come here for a pep talk.
"Less than 20 percent is a miracle." Dragon stated with a plain tone. The younger brunette squeezed the box in his hand from the statement. "He'll probably die." Law pressed his eyes shut at the thought. "I know that damnit." He scoffed. The pain in Law's voice didn't make Dragon pause. "How long till you pull the plug." another puff of smoke came from Dragon. He looked up at the gloomy sky, a sky he's quite familiar. It was this exact place, the place where Dragon heard the news regarding his wife. He still remembers the agony he experienced when they said she only had a week to live. Law reminded Dragon of his younger self, and that's why-
"Pull the plug on Shachi's life." Law threw the box of cigarettes on the ground. Tears have already started falling from his ash colored eyes. His teeth were compressed and his knuckles were white from the pressure he was applying to them. "Is this why you came here!? If so, go the hell away! I don't need you talking about shit I already know!" Law spat. Dragon's eyes narrowed at the crying college student. "Stop bitching and answer the question. How long until-"
"Mother fucker! I don't know! Dammit! Me, Law, Trafalgar D. fucking Water Law, DOESNT have the fucking answer to your fucking question!" The tears from Law's face kept rolling. He didn't know, he didn't want to know, he didn't want to think about it. "Well you better find out, it's your decision." Dragon said in an emotionless tone. Law dug his tattoo covered hands into his messy dark hair and let out an aggressive cry. "Why the hell do I have to do it! Why can't some-"
"You know perfectly well why you have to! You're the only one that can!" Dragon shouted. Not out of lack of patience but because that's the only way to communicate. Him and Law are similar in many ways, and one of those ways, is the pressure that lays on their shoulders. Even if the weight is ignored most of the time, when it's not, their brain goes into a dark spiral. "I can't do it! I can't lose someone else! Not Shachi! Not Penguin! Not Corazon! My siblings! My parents! I can't do it!" The tears on Law's face grew hotter from his stress. He wanted words of encouragement, he wanted someone to tell him everything is going to be ok.
"People die Law, we both know that!" He wanted those kind words… but those aren't the words he needed. "People die, no matter how you look at it, that is a fact. A fact of life Law!" Dragon dropped his cigarette on the ground and wrapped a protective arm around Law. "I don't want to Dragon! I can't do it!" The boy cried. His tears now stained the older man's cloak. His emotions are uncontrollable, his tears are unstoppable. All Law could do is cry, he was now as helpless as he was when his parents died. That helplessness is his worst nightmare, it is Dragon's too. "Would you like me to lie to you, Law!? Do you want me to tell you everything is ok, when you know it isn't?!" Law responded by crying louder and gripping tighter.
This is painful for both men, one is facing his future, while the other is revisiting his past. This was your plan Roger, wasn't it? Dragon thought as he gripped the child tighter. "No, I don't want it to happen again! I don't want that pain to appear!" I don't want it to appear and eat me alive. This pain holds no mercy when it comes to its victims. The surgeon let out another cry. "Law, people die, nothing can stop that. My wife died, my parents died, I understand the pain. I understand the fear of letting people close to you, when you think they'll get teared away from you. But Law, you have to be prepared for the worst." Dragon's voice was soft, softer than it had ever been before. The older man put both his hands on Law's face, "look at me and listen." Law picked up his head, tears still glistening in his eyes. "He isn't dead yet." Law sniffled and nodded before more tears fell.
The two men stayed behind the hospital until the rain stopped. When it did, they went back inside the building. Corazon was not in the room, and neither were the sisters. It was only Law and Penguin. Dragon was about to bid his farewells when suddenly the door was slammed opened.
Three police officers came into the room, they scanned the area until their eyes landed on the three men. "Which one of you is Penguin?" The officer in the middle asked. Penguin's body started to tremble when he saw the men. It wasn't hard to tell he was Penguin from his shocked expression. The officers walked over to him and one took out his handcuffs. "Penguin, you are under arrest for first degree arson." What? Law's eyes widened as the handcuffs clicked around Penguin's arm. The fear in his best friend's eyes made his body shake, no. No. No!
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in court." What is happening? There arresting him for that? That can't be!
"You have the right to talk to a lawyer for advice before we ask you any questions. You have the right to have a lawyer with you during questioning." The officers started to lug Penguin out of the room. Penguin struggled against their grip, "Law! Calm down!" He shouted
Law didn't notice it before, but he fell to the ground. The words of police officer banged in his head. 'If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish.'
The room started to spin in a jerking motion.
"Law! Calm down! Someone get him a doctor!" The police officer rammed Penguin into the wall to stop his struggles. Penguin let out a groan in pain as his face and body smacked against the concrete walls. His arms were tightened higher on his back. Dragon made a run for the door to call help.
Law's pupils started to roll in the back of his head, as a pulsing sensation stretched across his body. His mind started to go blank, but the words stayed. 'If you decide to answer questions now without a lawyer present, you have the right to stop answering at any time.'
'His chances of waking up are less than 20 percent.'
The only thing Law could feel was the drool running down his lip and his back constantly hitting the ground.
"Someone please! He's having a seizure!"
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I got the idea for this chapter from the song Kindest Regards. This story is mostly based on the song Everybody wants to rule the world.