Kid was still wondering what in the fuck he had just gotten himself in to by returning the favor and helping Law out. The red haired man highly doubted that Law was in a similar situation as himself; drowning in debt from several lost fights in an illegal fighting arena. Law probably had some choices in the ways to deal with whatever problem he had, but Kid didn't. All Kid could do was to go back to those fights and try to win money to pay down his debts that he had landed himself in. What Law himself was involved in that would make someone want to kidnap him, Kid didn't want to know, or even really care.
"They went that way! Don't let them get away!"
Kid cursed as he ducked around the corner of the building, readjusting his grip on Law as he attempted to figure out what the fuck he was going to do to stay out of range of the gun. Grinding his teeth and growling irritably, Kid kept on moving, banishing the thought that he would always have to look over his shoulder. And probably even after he had paid off his debts. It wasn't a very comforting thought, nor was the sound of the gun going off again dangerously close.
A siren began to sound in the distance, and the cursing of the men in pursuit of Kid was music to the red head's ears. Kid only slowed down when he caught sight of a police car taking a sharp turn onto the side street that Kid had been booking it down. Kid clutched Law close, as if expecting whoever was in the car to continue the chase for whatever horrible reason, and only minutely relaxed when he saw Zoro exit the car. Kid watched Zoro wave a few other officers that had driven up to go to the building, before the green haired man approached Kid.
Zoro came to a halt close enough to be able to inspect Law.
The dark haired doctor was content to remain plastered against Kid's bare chest, eyes closed and breathing a bit accelerated whenever he accidentally jostled his arm.
Kid figured that Zoro saw the makeshift split, because his expression darkened briefly, before he shook his head and indicated for Kid to follow him. Kid wasn't about to argue; for now, anyway. Now that the adrenaline had begun to wear off, he was only just noticing for certain that he hadn't come out of the encounter entirely unscathed.
"Would you be able to recognize the people if you see them again?"
"Maybe." Kid said, when he realized Zoro's question had been directed at him. "But if you're gonna ask, no, none of them looked familiar to me at all." Kid came to a halt beside the police car, and held still as Zoro cast an eye over Law again, before the officer frowned, and opened the back door.
"I'll help you get him in the car."
Kid bit back a snort, about to tell Zoro he didn't need any help, but recalled the previous relationship the two men had had. Shit. This was why Kid avoided his ex lover. He didn't want anything to do with the people he had dumped, or vice versa. It could be awkward as hell. Kid maneuvered Law out of his arms carefully, and between him and Zoro, were able to get Law buckled into the seat.
"Could you sit next to him to make sure he won't fall over and hurt himself more?"
Kid frowned at that, but grunted dismissively and went around to the other side of the car to do so. Law didn't even seem to track that Kid had sat down next to him, though Law did lean up against him with a soft sigh. Whether from relief that he wasn't being harassed anymore by people trying to hurt him, or that he was against Kid's bare skin, the red head didn't know. A part of Kid found that he wanted to preen a bit while having his physique be admired, but Law was injured and not thinking very clearly. The moment the man was well again, Law was probably going to flat out deny that anything had happened.
As for right now...
Kid grimaced as he became more aware of the knife wound he had received. With a curse under his breath, and as the car pulled out of the side street, Kid wondered if his own troubles were about to get mixed up with Law's own.
-x-x-x-
At the hospital, Kid was treated for the knife wound that he had received, and was released soon after with orders to take it easy and come back to have the stitches removed. Or to come back if the jagged wound became infected beneath all of the stitches and bandages. Standing outside the room he had just been in, Kid drew his phone out and made a call.
"Hey, Killer? Can you cover my shift today?"
There was a long, drawn out sigh on the other end of the line. 'Yes, I can. Are you going to tell me what happened?'
"Yeah, yeah, I will, when I see you." Kid bristled a little over the fact that it seemed like Killer had expected him not to. Kid hung up before Killer could say anything else, and thought that going home and crashing was a wonderful idea.
"Hey."
Kid half turned to see Zoro headed his way. The police officer looked worn out, and Kid could say he felt similarly, though mainly because he had been an idiot and gotten involved in something that had nothing to do with him.
"How come you were there to see what happened?"
"Do I need a lawyer before I tell you anything?" Kid asked jokingly. Fuck, he was tired, and he didn't want to play 20 questions with a cop right now.
"Do you need one?" The green haired officer's voice was serious.
"Shit, I don't know who those people were, got it? I was going to my shop for work when I saw them jump the doc."
"Why didn't you call the police?"
"I didn't think of that at the time." Kid probably should have, now that Zoro mentioned it. "I just followed them because I owed the doc for him helping me out before, and I don't like bein' in debt to someone else."
Zoro apparently took that response for what it was, and then sighed.
"You're going to need to come back here in a few days, right? To follow up with your injury?"
"Not until I need to get the stitches out." Kid said, a little sullenly, only realizing now that he may have a bit of a difficult time working with a temporarily bum arm he wasn't supposed to use much.
"Give me your number. When Law is out of the hospital, I want to talk to the both of you about what happened." Seeing Kid's suspicious expression, Zoro added, with a smile. "Off the record."
That was okay, Kid supposed, as he gave the cop his number. But for right now, Kid had a date with his bed, and he was going to sleep off the pain for the time being. Besides, it wasn't like he couldn't just talk over the phone to Zoro or something about what happened, but for now, Kid would make sure he kept on looking over his shoulder, in case his actions had made himself a target of some unknown party. Killer would say that he was being paranoid, but Kid wasn't about to let his guard down if he could help it.
Kid wouldn't be caught by surprise ever again.
-x-x-x-
When Law woke up in a hospital, aching, he knew that he was very lucky to be where he was. He was safe, for now, and more importantly, the dark aired doctor was not in Doflamingo's home, in pain and unable to do anything about his injuries until the blond haired man would have decided he could have it taken care of. Law shivered involuntarily as his hand brushed his wounded arm absently. Law didn't want to think what could have happened if he hadn't had his arm treated as soon as possible. It sure as hell felt like that one asshole had broken a bone somewhere in the forearm.
"The nurse said you were awake."
Law stiffened, his eyes on his lap. His words caught in his throat, because there was nothing that he could say that would be an acceptable reason for why he had left his home without informing anyone. Law was unable to look Zoro in the eyes. Law knew that, even though they were no longer together, Zoro still cared for him, and it hurt to think what he was doing to the man, even after they had parted ways. It would have been better if Zoro had just kept his distance, to avoid being hurt further, but Law had known that there was no way that was going to happen. Law stilled when a warm body was suddenly against his own, and the doctor realized that Zoro had him in a tight hug. And because Law knew the man so well, Law knew that Zoro was relieved to see him awake and doing well, considering the circumstances.
"Don't do that again." Zoro muttered against the side of Law's head. "None of us could figure out where you were."
Law closed his eyes, feeling the string of tears at the corner of his eyes. He hadn't realized how much he had been craving physical contact, nor that he apparently needed to be held after what he had gone through. A flash of being held by Kid filtered through Law's mind, but it was overpowered by the man currently holding him tightly. There was nothing sexual about it, but Law couldn't help but start to squirm uncomfortably.
"You should stop hugging me. What if Sanji sees us? I would like for him to stop thinking that we are trying to get back together." Law felt Zoro let go of him, and chanced a look up to meet the other man's eyes, and was surprised to see a faint smile playing around the officer's lips.
"Sanji will have to just deal with seeing you around."
Law gave Zoro a very confused look, until comprehension dawned in his pain-filled mind and the dark haired doctor shook his head.
"Absolutely not. I am not going to stay over at your house. It will only make things worse for you and Sanji."
"I am more concerned about your safety right now, so you're going to be staying at my house until we figure out how to make it so you aren't going to be kidnapped." Zoro shook his head. "Sanji can either deal with it or stay at one of our friend's houses until we're sure that you'll be safe on your own."
Law desperately wanted to argue; to remind Zoro why he didn't want anyone to be involved in his troubles. That they could all be hurt. To reiterate that Doflamingo would do everything he could to make the dark haired doctor absolutely miserable until he had no choice but to give in.
"Get some rest. I'll make sure no one comes into the hospital after you."
Law didn't realize that he was so exhausted until he couldn't open his eyes back up after closing them. But he did try to tell Zoro not to worry. That he should go home to Sanji.
"He can survive a night on his own."
Funny, Law didn't think he had actually had it in him to speak, but apparently he had. A hand ruffling his hair followed Law into slumber, and then there wasn't a thing he could do but sleep.
-x-x-x-
Kid slept like shit for several days, though whether because of his crappy bed or thinking too much about people jumping him in his sleep, he wasn't sure. The red haired man just knew he felt like crap and it annoyed the hell out of him.
Chugging down some coffee that Killer had left in a pot in the kitchen before the blond had gone off to work wasn't the greatest thing to have first thing in the morning, but it was better than nothing. So was the leftover food in the refrigerator. And why was Kid even up at 7 in the morning?
Because that damn cop had woken him up with a call and asked him if he could 'chat' about what had happened when he had helped the doc out the other day.
Kid snorted.
A chat, sure. It was more than likely going to be a pain in the ass. Kid hated having to play the ask and answer game, especially with a cop. But since Kid didn't want Zoro to kick his door down or worse, drag him off to the station, Kid agreed for the cop to swing by his apartment to pick him up. After that, they would go get Law, so the three of them could go somewhere and get the talk out of the way.
With a soft huff of irritation, Kid haphazardly threw on some clothes and exited his apartment, figuring he may as well get this over with. Then, he could go back to wondering whether or not he would be up to that fight in less than two weeks' time. He needed the damn money, and he wasn't about to take another shake down in his shop if he could help it.
-x-x-x-
When Law was released from the hospital that morning, he had hoped he could get to his own home without incident. There was no doubt in his mind that Ace and Luffy were likely to hover around him and not let him out of their sight, but that was a good deal better than having...
Law stopped short just outside the front doors of the hospital, his gaze zeroing in on Zoro, who was leaning against a car, apparently waiting for him. Law glared as if to try to warn the officer off, but Zoro merely approached him and took Law's non-injured arm in his grasp, and held on firmly.
"You look like you're going to run away." Zoro offered.
Law most certainly did feel like he should run; he really, really didn't want to deal with Sanji shooting him the evil eye whenever he and Zoro were in the same room.
"This is a bad idea and you know it." Law said stiffly, even as he allowed the green haired police officer to lead him to the car. "Sanji with kill me in my sleep. With a pillow."
"No he won't. He's far more likely to stay in bed with me to make sure no one joins us."
"I don't do threesomes." Law muttered crossly under his breath, unable to help but smirk when Zoro flashed him an amused smile. Why the hell had Law said that, even if it was true?
"I have thought of a way to deal with Sanji." Zoro said as he opened the back door with a more noticeable smile.
"Oh?" Law highly doubted it.
"What the fuck is going on? I thought you said you wanted to talk about what happened." A familiar voice ground out from inside he car.
Law started. What the hell was Kid doing in Zoro's car? Law had thought that Zoro was taking him to his house...so why was Kid in the vehicle as well? Law didn't get much chance to think before he was being herded in the car by Zoro, and what was happening didn't sink in until Zoro had started the car and was on the road. Law's eyes narrowed at the back of Zoro's head.
"You cannot force a stranger to stay in your home."
"The fuck?"
Law noticed Kid glance at him sharply before the red head joined in glaring at the back of Zoro's head.
"I thought you said this was just going to be talking about what happened the other day. I ain't staying in a cop's house." Kid let out a soft curse when a stack of papers landed on his lap that Zoro had tossed back from the front of the car.
"And what exactly are you going to do about it?" Zoro asked, his eyes on the road ahead.
Law was surprised to see Kid go even paler than he already was, the more sheets of paper he flicked through, before an irritated look settled on his features.
"How in the hell were you able to even find this shit?" Kid demanded, waving the papers at Zoro despite the fact that the police officer was focused on driving.
"Did you know that your apartment is being watched?" Zoro asked into the silence. "Do you want to end up like Law? Being kidnapped off the streets?"
Law quietly looked Kid over as the red haired man spluttered unintelligibly before the doctor spoke dryly.
"You would have to be a fool to try and kidnap someone as big as Kid." Law averted his eyes when the red head's gaze fell on him as something occurred to the doctor. "That was why someone drugged you that night, wasn't it?"
Kid shifted uncomfortably in his seat, ether because he didn't want to answer the question, or because kidnapping him was exactly what someone had been trying to do.
Law looked out the window of the car, not sure how he was supposed to get out of staying in Zoro's home. At least, thoughts of escape were what Law was contemplating, until Zoro threw him a curve ball.
"Oh, by the way, the two of you will be staying in the guestroom together."
Law sagged against the door, sighing heavily. Well, that would at least keep Sanji from thinking he'd crawl into Zoro's bed in the middle of the night. Law was kind of surprised that he didn't hear a whisper of protest from Kid, but then again, the red head hadn't been very subtle in his interest in Law. And more importantly, Law himself hadn't been at all subtle.
This was probably a bad idea.
A new thought came to Law as he straightened from his slouch the moment Zoro parked in a driveway.
"Zoro-ya?"
"Hmm?"
"Does Sanji know about this?"
"No." Zoro said with a smile. "He doesn't."
Law leaned back against the headrest as he closed his eyes with a groan. Fantastic. As if Sanji didn't already have enough reasons to dislike him. This was going to be a disaster. With his eyes closed, Law missed the frown Kid leveled on him, as well as the faint flicker of interest over the idea of sharing a bedroom when it had been brought up.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Chapter kind of jumps around but hey, I managed another chapter! I'm glad people enjoy seeing updates, so I just hope I can keep at it. The point of this fanfic is to try to push myself to finish it.
