This is set during the second night in Alabasta, and thus a sequel for chapter 33' Second Nature.' This is also for those who still have finals left. Happy holidays!
The pain, coming from every direction, blurs his senses together and Luffy can no longer remember how to breathe. He instinctively sucks in a breath-only to choke on something-dirt? gravel? No-
He wakes up in wild panic, remembering, sand.
"Luffy-san!" The sound of steps hurry over to him, and Luffy tilts his head to find Vivi, which is good but things actually aren't because Luffy doesn't know what he needs to know.
He opens his mouth to call, Vivi, but hears a horrible whimper instead. He will have to find the source of the sound and destroy it because it made Vivi turn white as a sheet and his friend isn't supposed to look that scared.
"Everything's alright Luffy-san, you're okay, you're safe," Vivi's hand gently guides Luffy back down and he follows her touch because he trusts her, but he still tilts his head to look her in the eye. He thinks of sand and danger and blood and the panic builds in his chest again because he needs to know, it's his job, his duty, Vivi. "You beat him, it's over. You're hurt but you're getting better; nothing that won't heal with time and rest. It means you have to sleep."
No, no, no. Luffy grits his teeth against the darkness ebbing at the edge of his vision, the wave of pain that threatens to pull him back under. He can't give in, not just yet. Not when-
"Luffy-san, calm down, I promise you; you're safe now," The princess soothes helplessly. "It's okay, please rest now-Mr. Bushido!"
The sound of a door swinging open has Luffy pushing himself up, even at the price of blood rushing to his head and the all-too-familiar sensation of a wound tearing open. The room is dim and his vision is hazy, but he makes out a green head bobbing into the room.
"Luffy," Zoro answers before Luffy can remember that he needs to open his mouth to actually make a sound. The swordsman's voice comes from somewhere to his left, moving away from him but steady all the same. "Nami's busy planning, Usopp and love-cook are out shopping. Chopper's teaching and Vivi's, well, worrying."
Luffy slumps back and misses how the swordsman strides to the side of the room to drop a towel in the laundry basket and grab a new one. It's okay though because he hears the parting shot that is calm and easy.
"We're all okay so shut up now and get some sleep."
Luffy grins and doesn't fight the darkness twice.