~

Luffy looked at Law with worry obvious on his face. The doctor had been working non-stop for days, shooing Luffy away sometimes too so the younger didn't know how much Law was sleeping and eating. The older was draped on the couch in his house, not having the energy to use his brain but so tired that he couldn't sleep either.

"Torao, come on, we're going out." Luffy offered, not being able to see his boyfriend in that sorry state. The worst part about Law being like that was that Luffy knew something terrible was going on in the older's head so much so he felt cornered enough that he couldn't share. Luffy would often find Law in his panic room and would have to sit outside that door for hours to wait for the doctor to come out of there. The thing was, Luffy trusted Law to not hurt himself but he didn't want to live with the guilt and regret that he had been too trusting.

"I can't...too tired..." Law mumbled in the couch cushion.

"You might be able to sleep if you get tired enough. Maybe you'll feel better too."

Law contemplated for a while then got up with a jolt. "Ok, but I can't actively participate in anything."

"That's ok Torao."

Law left the couch and went to grab his hoodie, the weather was getting warmer so there was no need for more than a hoodie. Luffy waited by the door and once the older met him there, the two were off to rendezvous with the rest of the Strawhats at the Baratie.

"No customers?" Law asked looking around the restaurant empty in the middle of the day.

"We closed early today for some reason the shitty old man won't say." Sanji answered rolling his sleeves up. "You guys get settled, and tell me what you wanna eat."

"MEAT ON STICK!" Luffy screamed without even bothering to look at the menu.

"Don't yell so close to my ears!" Nami hit the young man and pushed him towards the table Sanji had set for them. Law wanted to sit beside Luffy as usual but he was too tired to tell Nami and Zoro to vacate either of their seats, so he relented to sitting between Robin and Brook.

"Bring sake!" Zoro yelled from his seat.

"Sanji, I think you should just bring the dishes that were already made, so you can sit down and enjoy with us." Robin suggested and got a chorus of verbal nods.

"Robin-chwaannnn! Your wish is my command!" The blond danced with hearts in his eyes and left to get the food.

Law found out while pushing the rice on his plate around that Luffy was somewhat right because the older felt a little better with everyone being so lively and happy just existing around each other, it was contagious. For a few moments Law was able to forget about the daggers in his head, plunged in his brain, moving every now and then to keep reminding him of what was to come. Law felt increasingly anxious, like there were strings around his throat, tightening every day, making him unable to sleep, making him unable to eat.

"Luffy." Law called and handed the younger his plate so there would be no food wasted. When Luffy raised an eyebrow after accepting the plate, Law shrugged and that was enough for the younger. It was such a small exchange but every Strawhat could tell, in their own way, that Law wasn't ok.

Sanji made some calming tea for everyone, well he used everyone as an excuse to get his North Blue brother to consume that beverage, Robin engaged Law in light conversation, and then, it was time to leave. Everyone got in Franky's truck to go to the Thousand Sunny to watch movies together and after that, they all started heading for their homes till it was Zoro, Luffy, Law and Chopper left. The four had opted to walk back.

Luffy and Chopper walked ahead, talking about robots and lasers. Law found himself more tired and unable to keep pace with his boyfriend, even his vision was starting to blur and something in his heart was starting to hurt but he kept walking, he didn't want to stop and make Luffy worry more than he already had. Zoro was walking further behind, keeping an eye on the older doctor. When Law's pace got slower, Zoro caught up with him.

"You ok? You seem more dead than usual." Zoro pointed.

"Tired." Law rubbed his eyes and sighed. Zoro didn't say anything and kept silent company, something Law was grateful for. A few more minutes of walking and Law couldn't keep his eyes open and an intense wave of vertigo passed over him, almost making him lose his balance. Law stopped and groaned, a hand on his eyes, and when the lightheadedness passed, the doctor started walking again.

Something's definitely off with him. Zoro had stopped with Law and kept matching pace with the older. The green haired man felt it happen before it did when Law stopped again but this time his feet didn't stay planted on the ground and he started falling backwards. "Shit." Zoro cursed and caught the doctor on his arm, lowering him to the ground slowly because the man was out cold. "Oi Luffy!"

Luffy turned to see what Zoro wanted, he sounded too far behind. Before Luffy saw his friend, his eyes went to his boyfriend and that he didn't look ok. "Chopper!"

The small reindeer jumped in Luffy's arms and the older of the two ran to Zoro and Law. Once they were within a few feet, Chopper jumped off Luffy's arms and began inspecting his fellow doctor.

"It's exhaustion. How long has he gone without sleep this time?" Chopper asked Luffy.

"More than a week I think... and he wasn't eating anything too..."

"I noticed that today as well." The reindeer agreed. "His pulse is weak right now and there is light fever."

"Is it happening because I told him to come out with this?" Luffy asked guiltily, pushing stray hair away from his boyfriend's forehead so he could feel for the fever himself.

"It would have happened regardless Luffy. It isn't your fault." Chopper assured his friend. "But he should rest now."

"We're closer to my home so..."

"Aren't your brothers home?" Zoro asked moving to pick Law up in his arms. "They won't have a problem?"

"No, they're chill." Luffy said. "And Torao doesn't like being carried so I'll do it." With that the younger took his boyfriend in his own arms and started walking to his house.

"I will meet you guys there, I need to get some medicines." Chopper said.

"Ok."

"Wait, Luffy, is there any medical history I should know about before I prepare an IV for Law?"

"If this is just exhaustion, then I don't think there's anything..." Luffy thought back and contemplated if he should tell Chopper that Law's heart had stopped beating some time ago and if that counted as medical history but he soon thought against it since Law didn't like his secrets being spilled without permission.

"Ok, when you guys get him home, put him in blankets and put a cold rag on his forehead." Chopper listed and ran off to the nearest pharmacy.

Zoro opened the door to Luffy's house and turned the lights on so Luffy wouldn't accidentally bump Law anywhere, Zoro didn't need to see where he was going, he had been to his friend's home enough times to be able to navigate it with his eyes closed.

"My room." Luffy said and followed Zoro up the stairs to his room where the older first pulled the blanket aside then put it back on Law once Luffy had laid the doctor down and removed his hoodie for comfort. "There's towels in the bathroom, you make a cold rag, I'll get the heatpad."

"Got it captain." Zoro answered and without complaint followed the younger's orders.

Luffy adjusted a towel and the heatpad on Law's chest then checked his phone to see if there was any news from Chopper. Zoro waited by the front door so he could let the reindeer doctor in without a moment's delay.

Nami

You guys got home ok?

Law, please sleep.

Franky

Aowh! Law-bro! Take supppeeerrrr care of yourself

Robin

Seconded.

Luffy smiled at the concern from his friends and thought he should let everyone know what had happened.

You

Torao fainted

Nami

WHAT?!

IT WAS THAT BAD?!

Usopp

LUFFY WHAT THE

Chopper was with you guys right? Did it happen with him around?

Brook

Is he ok?

Nami

Did you get him to a doctor?

Robin

Oh no, tragedy strikes.

Nami

Is he ok? Where's Chopper?

Sanji

That raccoon, making the ladies worried!

You

Chopper was there

Nami

Where's he now?

Usopp

Where's Chopper now?

Franky

What's the status Luffy-bro

You

Chopper's gone to get medicines

Nami

I'm coming over

Brook

Then me too

Sanji

If Nami-swannnnn is going then I'm too!

Robin

We will pick everyone

Sanji

Law that lucky bastard

"Is the fever any better?" Chopper asked coming in the room and putting his bag aside. Luffy put his phone away to make room for his friend to work.

"I think."

"Why's there a heatpad here?"

"Torao complains about pain when he's like this so I put it there just cuz." Luffy shrugged and averted his gaze when Chopper prepped a vein and put a cannula in the back of Law's hand.

"Chest pain?" The small doctor momentarily stopped.

"Yeah but he said those are just his lungs hurting from something that happened a long time ago."

"Poor Law." Chopper shook his head in sympathy then sat his friend down after fixing the IV. "This IV will help with his tiredness and nutrition, but Luffy, this treatment cannot be a permanent solution, Law needs to eat and sleep properly so his health doesn't get worse."

"He gets mad when someone tells him that..." Luffy hunched his shoulders, not agreeing that he would force Law to eat and sleep.

"You're afraid of him?" Zoro laughed coming back in the room.

"I'm not!" The younger yelled back in reflex. "Torao gets this anxiety thing when anybody repeats themselves a lot and I've been telling Torao to take care almost every day so- I don't want him to get weird and angry from that anxiety."

"I'm home!" Everyone in the room turned towards the sound that came from Sabo. Luffy left his room and went downstairs to talk to his brother. "And for some reason, your friends are here too..." Sabo said looking over the Strawhats leaving Franky's truck one after another.

"Yeah, no loud voices, I'll explain." Luffy said and shushed everyone, pointed them towards his room then turned to his brother. "Torao passed out and he's resting in my room, everyone's here because they're worried."

"Is he ok?" Sabo closed the door behind the last Strawhat and followed his brother to the living room.

"Chopper fixed him for now."

"For now?" Sabo raised an eyebrow. "Is this a chronic thing?"

"A what?"

"Long-term."

"Torao's stupidity is long-term if you ask me. He doesn't take care of himself then this happens." Luffy cursed and pouted.

"Well good thing you guys were there, Ace ripped his head open when he fell, remember?"

"Ace is pretty stupid too."

"What's that about me?" Ace asked appearing out of nowhere and startled his two brothers.

"Where the hell did you come from?!" Sabo yelled accidentally.

"Dude I have been here since this shithead brought his boyfriend home. I was literally there on the couch but he didn't notice." The oldest smacked Luffy up his head with a roll of his eyes.

"I was worried about Torao, how was I supposed to pay attention to anything else?" Luffy defended himself, rubbing his head where his brother had hit him.

"Awwwhhh." Both the older brothers cooed.

"Leaving!"

Luffy went to his room and saw that his friends had settled comfortably, a sign that they weren't leaving him or Law alone till the older of the two had woken up and proven himself capable enough to make their worries go away. So the younger took off his jacket too and burrowed in the bed beside his boyfriend. Sanji turned the lights off and Robin kept the lamp on in case someone wanted to move. With the knowledge that he wasn't alone in this situation, Luffy fell asleep.

Law felt immense ache in his bones when he woke up, he didn't want to move so he stayed in bed, under a very familiar body and decided to observe his surroundings from there. There was some light coming from a lamp on his right, through that he saw Nami and Robin sleeping on a small couch Law didn't know how it came to be in Luffy's room. There were multiple snores coming from the floor so Law judged that apart from Zoro, Sanji standing against the corner wall and talking, and Chopper who was sleeping in Zoro's arms, the rest of the Strawhats were the ones on the floor. Not feeling up to resuming life, Law shifted closer to his personal sun and fell back asleep, praying that the cannula he had in his hand wouldn't be there when he would wake up again.

Everyone was still sleeping when Law woke up again, everyone but Luffy, who was staring at the older with owl eyes, too close to his face.

"What the fuck-" Law startled.

"Ssh!" Luffy put a hand on Law's mouth to quieten him. "Everyone's asleep." The younger whispered. When Law rolled his eyes, Luffy let the older go. Law immediately sat up.

"Why's this still attached?" Law scowled at the cannula in his hand but no IV plugged in it. "I'm taking this out."

"No!" Luffy whispered took the older's hand in his, keeping Law's other hand from undoing the cannula. "You still might need another dose."

"Like hell I do. I feel fine." The doctor felt irritated and wanted to get out of bed, walk around, maybe wash his face, check the time, and work. Law pushed his boyfriend away and in one swift pull, got the needle out, bent it and threw it in the trash basket that had the discarded IV bag.

"Where are you going?"

"Follow and find out." Law offered and walked down the stairs to the living room and found out the brothers were in the kitchen.

"Torao, sit down, you're still not ok." Luffy said and tried to get the older to stop and rest, he didn't want Law collapsing again, that was scary.

"Last I checked, you weren't a doctor."

"I don't have to be a doctor to know that you're not ok."

"Law's awake?" Sabo called from the kitchen then arrived in the living room where Law had finally sat down. "How are you feeling?"

"Annoyed." Law answered looking at Luffy.

"And hungry?" Ace asked appearing beside the blond.

"No."

"You ate less than half a plate yesterday afternoon, how are you not hungry!" Luffy yelled, exasperated. The younger was annoyed too, in that he knew Law should be hungry but he wasn't eating, he knew the older was tired and should be resting, what he didn't know and understand was why Law was so against getting help all of a sudden and why he was being such a child about it.

"Because I'm not you."

"I can see that, because if you were, you wouldn't be falling everywhere from hunger and exhaustion."

Ace and Sabo looked at each other, wondering why their little brother was going on the offensive so hard and reached a simultaneous agreement that they needed to stop Luffy from speaking or he might end up throwing hands.

"Sometimes our brains don't give us hunger cues so we have to be conscious of our own meals and not rely on those cues." Sabo explained and squared his shoulders when Law glared at him. "I will make you something, just try and eat as much as you can, we'll feed the rest to this goblin." The blond pointed at the youngest.

"If that gets everyone to shut up."

"Crabby Torao." Luffy pouted and got pinched on his cheeks and sides by the older as a result.

"That's crabby." Law stuck his tongue out and relaxed in the sofa, the room had gotten quiet and Luffy wasn't hovering either, so the older felt a little at peace. The tingling in his heart was back and Law found himself rubbing at the site with his thumb, he really needed to get that checked out.

"I'm sorry for dragging you out." Luffy said after a while and turned his head away to avoid eye contact.

Law sighed. "I agreed to it knowing full well what might happen. It wasn't your fault." The older patted his boyfriend's head to ease his worries. "What was the time when I passed out? How much time's passed since then?"

"Not much, the sun's barely out."

"Fuck this weakness." Law mumbled under his breath.

"Chopper was asking about medical history when he was preparing your treatment." Luffy said remembering.

"And what did you spill?"

"Nothing, because I didn't know if your heart stopping counted as medical history."

"No need to tell anybody that."

"Then what should I say? Torao you were sick with that Flevance poison too, then your heart stopped, and you told me not every organ is a hundred percent so shouldn't a doctor know that?" Right after Luffy said it, he realized those were too many things to ask at the same time and especially at such a time when Law was easily irritated.

"Those are of the past, the only thing that anyone needs to know is that I am allergic to gluten. That's it."

Before Luffy could say anything to that, Sabo arrived. "Don't steal any of it." Sabo told Luffy when he placed a plate full of onigiri in front of Law.

"I won't." Luffy crossed his arms and settled so he could keep an eye on the doctor to make sure he was actually eating. The younger spotted Nami coming down the stairs and signaled for her to not say anything but she was too angry for that.

"You idiot! Why can't you take care of yourself better?! Making us all worried like that!" The orange haired woman yelled and Law shielded his ears.

"I'll be dead before any of you, you won't have to worry about me for too long."

"Torao!"

"Law!" Luffy and Nami scolded at the same time.

"Stop shouting or I'm outta here." Law threatened glaring at both of the morons with their loud voices. Both Luffy and Nami shut up immediately.

"Oh man, onigiri. Sabo make me some too." Ace announced his arrival, holding his stomach and peering at Law's plate.

"He's gonna fall." Law commented from his seat, looking over the black haired man boredly.

"No I'm noooo-" Ace's speech was cut off when he started falling forwards. Sabo caught him safely.

"How do you always know?" The blond brother asked, dragging Ace's muscular body to the other couch and laying him down there.

"Gee I don't know, it's not like I'm a doctor or something." The surgeon rolled his eyes.

"Torao's getting better." Luffy laughed.

~

Chopper and Law were locked in a glare-off. The small reindeer had taken it upon himself to provide Law with regular visits – read threats – so the older could get better. It was during such a visit that Chopper had presented Law with some vitamins that the other doctor was refusing to ingest, and thus started a glare-off and whoever gave up first, would have to relent.

"Law, it's for your own good." Chopper said, not blinking.

"I'm eating as much as it's possible for me, whatever vitamins I need are in there." Law answered, his eyebrows furrowing more.

"They're clearly not, or you wouldn't be fainting and feeling lethargic all the time."

"I am not lethargic. I am fine."

"Torao, listen to Chopper." Luffy pouted and that gave the young reindeer an idea.

"Law, please eat the medicine." Chopper said pulling his hat down and giving the older doctor what Nami had called it, his puppy eyes.

Law stared in Chopper's eyes, the pupils were blown so wide he could see his reflection in them. Law bit his tongue, he wasn't going to give in no matter how cute Chopper was being, no he wasn't going to give in, not a chance-

He gave in.

"Fucking fine! But this is the last time I'm taking these, a week is enough." The surgeon snatched the small capsules out of Chopper's hooves and swallowed them without water, watching Luffy and Chopper rejoice, in bitter defeat.

"I will be back tomorrow." Chopper said waving Law off and walking out with Luffy.

Law groaned and hit the couch cushions in weak attempts of a tantrum, he was mostly fine but everyone was hovering and calling him all the time, he wasn't able to work like that. Thinking along such lines, Law felt that familiar pain in his heart.

"What's wrong there?" Luffy said coming back and pointed at the thumb Law was jabbing where his heart should be. "You've been doing that a lot."

"Dull pain, I'll check it when I go back." Law dismissed.

"No, go to a doctor here." Luffy frowned.

"The same hospital that let that quack leech people off their money? No thanks."

"Toraoooooooo-"

"I don't like hospitals and to find out how incompetent someone is." Law tried explaining and getting out of the situation.

"Then let Marco check or go to Chopper." Luffy insisted and sat down beside the older.

"They aren't cardiologists."

"Boy you have an answer for everything."

"Let me be." Law groaned and closed his eyes.

"Then at least rest longer."

"No."

"Yes."

"I have a lot to do, I didn't come here to take a vacation." The older left the couch to go to his room to start typing up reports on his laptop.

"Hey! Let's go on a vacation then!" Luffy followed, an excited idea on his mind.

"Luffy I'm serious, I have work to do."

"Fine then! Two days." The younger negotiated and Law stopped, turning to look at him with an eyebrow raised.

"Two days what?"

"Relax for two days, then I'll let you work."

Law scoffed. "Let me work? Who do you think you are deciding when I can and cannot work?"

"I'm not talking about taking your freedom- Torao you passed out because you weren't taking care of yourself. What if that had happened when none of us were around? You are already anxious about something and it's ok that you don't want to tell me yet, I can live with it but now you aren't eating and sleeping and it's gotten so bad that you're fainting? I get worried because I can't do anything about stuff when it's medical and you're not letting me do the helping you with the eating and sleeping part. You're not even going to a doctor to get that heart thing checked out either."

"You overwhelm me with care sometimes and I get irritated and stop everything out of spite." Law explained and sighed. "So don't do that and let me work, I am fine."

"Fine then. I'm not talking to you until you rest and go to a doctor." Luffy put his foot down.

"Are you for fucking real?" The doctor rolled his eyes but Luffy just stared at him, his mouth closed. "We'll see how you fare with that."

And started a battle of wills between the boyfriends.

~