It was almost instinctual and animalistic the way your body followed through, dropping down to straddle Shanks and wind up for another blow. Your swing was interrupted as your brother's arms wrapped around your chest and roughly tugged you up off the floor.

Benn knelt down calling for his friend who was out cold. A few nurses came to tend to him and your bruised knuckles.

For a good while, you were frozen, sitting on the floor between Marco's bent knees while he gently rested his right arm around your shoulders.

You hadn't been in this position since you were very young. Kids at the orphanage often started fights with you and Marco always found it to be the easiest way to calm you, not to mention he could keep you from jumping up and continuing to fight. It probably looked ridiculous, two adults sitting on the floor in an empty hospital waiting room at 7 AM.

"Oh no." your eldest brother's voice caught your attention from the doorway, "Who did she hit?"

The two youngest looked puzzled as they'd never witnessed a display like this.

"She knocked Shanks out cold, yoi." Marco calmly replied over your shoulder.
"Why are you sitting on the floor?" Sabo tilted his head.
"Why'd you hit Shanks?" Luffy stepped into the room.
"It's his fault." you rasped flexing your dominant hand shifting the ice pack taped to it.
"Ace is having brain surgery right now because the fight he was in last night went awry." Marco quickly explained leaving the raven a bit conflicted.
"So, she decked him?" Thatch confirmed almost proud.

You stared at the floor finally feeling your nerves ease having almost all of your boys in one place. Sabo plopped down in front of you crossing his legs and slowly pulled you forward into a comforting hug.

"It's alright, sis." the younger blond murmured.

Someone cleared their throat from the doorway causing the blonds you were sitting between to growl.

"I come in peace." Shanks shrunk and held his arms up defensively.

His nose was bandaged and both eyes were puffy and bruised.

"Sit down and shut up." Thatch ordered before turning back to you, "Before we get into that please tell us what's going on with Ace."

Shanks quietly did as he was told while Sabo released you.

"His brain is swollen. Law has to basically drill a hole in his skull to relieve the pressure." you cleared your throat.
"What did you do to Ace?!" Luffy stomped toward Shanks as Thatch yanked him back by the hood of his sweatshirt.

Luffy had almost an unhealthy adoration for your ex but that was definitely (thankfully) overridden by the love he had for his older brother.

"Will he be alright?" Sabo asked quietly.
"Law thinks so. We'll know a lot more after he wakes up, but it could be a while, yoi."
"F/N?" your boyfriend's voice rumbled.
"Found this guy in the elevator headed to the maternity ward." Benn shrugged entering the room and taking a seat with Shanks.

Marco and Sabo helped you up so you could greet your greenette, who you were surprised to see.

"You didn't have to come." you sighed resting your cheek against his chest as he embraced you and pressed a quick kiss to your head.
"But I wanted to." he murmured guiding you back inside to take a seat.

Shanks watched the two of you warily while you continued to update your brothers on Ace's condition. After a few questions and a coffee delivery from Al, everyone's attention turned back to your redheaded ex.

"Now, what exactly brought us to this?" Thatch inquired motioning to the family camped out around him.
Shanks let out an exasperated sigh, "First off, you broke my nose."

Zoro shifted you in his lap as you tensed.

"I'll let her break it again, yoi." Marco sneered.
"Just tell us if we need to look out for Smoker, you jackass," you grumbled.
Shanks ran a shaky hand through his hair, "No, I think he's satisfied with the information I gave him. Apparently, they've been after the guy that did this for a while. He may come around for questioning, but it seems maybe Ace won't remember anyway."

You cringed at the thought.

"Who did it?" Luffy asked cracking his knuckles.
"What exactly happened?" Sabo lowered the youngest's hands.
"Guy named Teach," Shanks leaned forward, "the fight went on like normal, Ace won in the second round, but Teach was pissed. He insisted Ace cheated somehow, so we kicked him out. I guess he waited outside and jumped Ace in the parking lot. Benn and I ran out as he was ... well - " he coughed and continued, "Benn tried to chase them down while I called 911."
"I should have called you sooner F/N, I'm sorry." Benn voiced suddenly, "It happened so quickly."

You didn't want to acknowledge his apology but nodded anyway.

"F/N," Shanks called very softly, sighing when you refused to look at him, "I'm incredibly sorry. I should have discouraged him when you first asked."
"Whatever," you muttered.
"F/N-ya." Law called from the entrance letting his silver gaze settle on you nestled in Zoro's lap on the floor before scanning the group that had gathered, "...everyone, the procedure went perfectly. He's in recovery right now, once they assign his private room you'll be informed. We're going to keep him heavily sedated for the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours. If nothing changes, I'd expect a full recovery."
"I don't know what we can do to thank you. It would be hard to trust anyone else with him," you stated honestly.
"All of the surgeon's here are perfectly qualified." Law deflected glancing away, "I'll be his attending so I'll be back to update you when I can. You all should try to get some rest."

You nodded as he made his exit only just now feeling a bit awkward as you realized you were cozied up to Zoro and Law most likely didn't know he'd been replaced so quickly. That was definitely the last of your worries, though you figured you'd pull him aside to address it later.

"I guess we'll leave you guys to it. Let me know if you need anything." Shanks offered an apologetic smile.

"We will." Thatch replied before you could say anything snarky.

"We're going to go grab some food if anyone wants to come." Sabo stood wrapping an arm around Al.

"Finally!" Luffy grumbled stretching.

"I'm ok," you answered watching all of your siblings grab their coats.

"We'll stop by and get you some clothes then." Al offered pointing out that you were still in your pajamas.

"Thanks," you smiled, "I'll text you guys if anything changes while you're gone."

The room was finally quiet again as your family filed out. You could feel the beginnings of a migraine rolling through your skull and let out a defeated sigh. Zoro shifted you sideways to rest better against his chest and placed his chin against your scalp.

"You should rest." he murmured kissing your forehead.

You hummed already getting comfortable in his warmth.

"I've got you." was the last thing he said before you completely relaxed and allowed yourself to sleep.