Your boyfriend's soft murmurs roused you from your slumber. Stretching and burying your face further into his shirt, the comforting familiar scent temporarily masked the astringent smell of your surroundings. Your tired mind finally pushed through the sleepy fog you were in as you shifted to rub your eyes.

"The nurse will be right back she was waiting for you to wake up." he rubbed your back.
"How long was I out?" you asked realizing you were still in his lap on the floor against the back wall of the waiting room.
"Just over an hour," he answered looking down at you.

It didn't matter the situation you were always adorable when you first woke.

"Ah, why didn't you move me? You must be uncomfortable." you shifted quickly to give him space.
"I'm fine." he pulled you back for a chaste smooch and then allowed you to move.

The nurse that had been waiting on you stepped back in letting you know Ace had been moved to a private room and you could head down to sit with him.

The Crew:

You: hey brats, are you all together?

Chef75: No

Phoenix_blu: Thatch and I are

Dragon925: We stopped at the house - Al wants to know what you want to wear.

You: black leggings, blue flannel - check my dresser. Tell her she's the best!

Chef75: Any news?

You: He's in room L434 on the 4th floor

PirateKing98: guys where's the carpet spray

Dragon925: are you throwing stuff around down there?

You: its in the upstairs bathroom under the sink

Chef75: you guys just got there what are you doing?

PirateKing98: Chopper peed before I could get him out

Dragon925: we'll see you guys in a bit.

Phoenix_blu: F/N, Thatch and I will be there in a few minutes we're close by.

You: be careful! See you guys soon.

_____________

You entered the dimly lit room to see your freckled brother lying peacefully in the slightly elevated bed. His poor face was still quite swollen, and you noticed his arms had some cuts and bruises as well. Your heart crumbled all over again. It was hard to believe any of this was happening at all. This wasn't what you'd expected when you moved back home in the fall. The heart monitor's steady ping brought you back into focus as someone knocked on the door.

Zoro stepped aside to open it as Law emerged from the hallway.

"Just making sure everything is settled," he muttered slipping the medical chart from the foot of the bed.
"I'll be right back," Zoro cleared his throat, "bathroom."
"It's down the hall to the left." Law pointed.

The greenette nodded and stepped out closing the door behind him.

"Uhm...about that -" you started, awkwardly fiddling with the drawstrings of your hoodie.
"It's fine, F/N-ya." the doctor calmly interrupted, "I think I always knew it would come to him."
"Well that doesn't make me feel better." you pouted.
"You don't have to witness the way you look at him." he countered jotting something down on the clipboard.
"Still - I'm sorry, it was an awkward way to find out and I think we left things too... open-ended? If that even makes any sense?"
"I'd had a little hope, yes," his piercing gaze met yours, "but, deep down I knew you wanted to be with him."

You couldn't fight the blush that darkened your cheeks. It was the truth, from the very second you spotted Zoro from the entrance of the bar, you needed to be with him.

"See, you can't deny it. And that's fine," he suddenly smirked, "besides, if things go south you know where to find me."
You rolled your eyes, "Sure."

The door opened again as your older brothers guided your poor boyfriend in. He'd made a wrong turn and wound up at the elevators.

"We bought you guys some food." Thatch handed you a brown bag from a local sandwich shop.
"Take a break, yoi." Marco said glancing at Law, "How is he?"
"Stable, we'll know more in time, but for now he is resting comfortably."

Thatch let out a relieved sigh as he looked over your brother's injured face.

"If you need anything buzz the nurse. Someone will routinely check in and I'll have my last round in a few hours." Law said turning to the two eldest, "Only one person can stay overnight. Visiting hours end at 9 PM."

Marco and Thatch nodded while you plopped down in the bedside recliner.

The two oldest continued to chat with Law. You looked over your sleeping brother with a sigh, reaching over to run your fingers over his unevenly cropped waves. There was a small shaved patch where the incision was that had been covered by a small bandage.

"He won't be happy with the style." your boyfriend murmured over your shoulder.

You hummed and frowned drawing your hand back.

"His hair looks terrible!" your youngest brother's voice exploded into the quiet room.
"Will you shut up, yoi?!" Marco slapped his hand over Luffy's lips.
"It's true." you let out a soft chuckle, "It does look terrible."
"I can't remember the last time his hair was so short." the eldest chimed in thought.
"When he was twelve and Luffy put gum in it." you turned to look at your brothers as Al stepped forward with a duffle bag from your room.
"Oh yeah, he was so mad with the way you cut it." Sabo laughed.
"It was before Google. How was I supposed to know peanut butter would work?" you shrugged.
"Here, we figured you'd be spending the night." Al set the duffle by your feet.
"Thanks, I really appreciate it." you pulled the bag into your lap so you could go change.
"No problem." she smiled.

Law reminded you all to not get too rowdy not just for Ace's rest but for the other patients as well. You knew your little group probably wouldn't stay terribly long, there wasn't much they could do and keeping Luffy entertained, even as an adult was a feat. Al had been a saint and packed all sorts of things you'd need to freshen up since showering in the hospital wouldn't be an option and they all knew it would be difficult to get you to leave until your younger brother was awake.

After eating, changing and a healthy amount of dry shampoo you settled with your boyfriend in the recliner provided. It was meant for a guest to sleep in so there was just enough room for you to sit with your legs resting over his thigh. Your siblings had said their goodbyes and promised to be back in the morning. So, you took the time to rest with Zoro until he had to leave for work.

"Don't be too hard on him when he wakes up." the greenette murmured resting his chin on your scalp as you leaned into his chest.

"I know, I know." you sighed, "His health is more important, and he didn't start the fight. I just hope he's really ok."

Zoro's fingers slipped between yours, "I'm sure he is. You should rest some more." he stifled a wide yawn with the back of your hand.

"Says the guy who got no sleep," you checked the time on an analog clock hanging across the room, "you still have a few hours, Tiger."

"You don't have to tell me twice," he smirked lazily before shifting you into a more comfortable position.