Chapter Text
The blood pooled around his head. He couldn’t see anything anymore, he wasn’t sure if he had gone blind or he was starting to black out. He could still smell the burning rubber from his bike and he could hear people screaming around him. He tried to move, he was screaming at his body to move but it wouldn't listen. Everyone sounded so worried and someone had called an ambulance.
Shit .
He can’t afford that. Maybe if he just stayed asleep they would never get his information and he could bail. Yeah, sleep sounded nice.
*****
“Zoro !”
The voice was familiar and calling for him. He gave a weak smile as he felt someone come to his side. He knew who it was right away.
“C-cook,” he tried to speak but he barely got the word out before he was coughing up blood. He could taste the iron in his mouth.
“Shh shh, I’m here,” he laid Zoro’s head down on his lap and held him softly in his shaking arms.
“What the fuck happened ?” Sanji yelled probably at the bystanders, it was muffled though. It was getting hard for Zoro to hear over the sound of his own heart beating in his ears.
“Zoro ! Hey wake the fuck up ! No sleeping yet, please get your ass up” Sanji gently tapped his cheek and shook his shoulder, the one that did not look like it was out of place.
His eyes didn’t open but Sanji heard an all too familiar groan of displeasure.
“Oh thank god, please stay with me. Don’t you dare fucking die on me you bastard.”
*****
The EMTs got there as quickly as possible and hauled Zoro off to the hospital. Sanji was able to convince - demand - the EMTs to the let him ride with them. He called up the rest of their friends on the way to tell them the news.
“I don’t know… yes I’m on the way right now… Usopp my boyfriend was almost just killed by a drunk driver… I’m in the ambulance right now…. Is Chopper working at the hospital tonight? … I have to go…His fucking shoulder looked dislocated at least and his face was all fucked up, I - I don’t know anything else … I’m hanging up now. I’ll let you know when we get there.”
*****
There was a slight touch on his face and then suddenly the world appeared for a moment before he was blinded by a bright light. He tried to bat it away but his arm wouldn’t move. He tried to turn his head to make sure it was still there, but he couldn’t do that either. There was another slight touch to his face and then absolutely searing pain that made a scream come out of him he didn’t know he could manifest. There was some more talking over him and then a warm feeling, and then the world went away again.
*****
The smell of potent antiseptic and stale cigarettes filled his nose, and the mix of piercing synchronized beeping and soft snores filled his ears. He tried to open his eyes but he couldn’t, the world was still black. He tried again feeling a little more coherent but still nothing. He didn’t want to disturb his love that was resting beside him but he was starting to panic, he tried to move his arm but nothing happened. He tried to scream for help but the only sounds were the beeping and what he knew to be Sanji still sleeping.
What the fuck was happening ? Was he fucking dead ? Why couldn’t he move, or fucking see anything ?
He screamed again and nothing. The only difference was the previously synchronized beeping had become more chaotic, the speed increased and soon there was a louder alarm in the room. He felt Sanji startle awake and heard him run out of the room, shouting something he couldn’t really make out.
There were more voices now and another warm feeling and then nothing again.
****
“I don’t know Nami, they haven’t told me anything.”
Sanji ?
“Well that’s bullshit, you’re his partner they have to tell you.”
Nami too ?
“We’re not married, they won’t tell me.”
Do you want to get married ?
“Well who will they tell ?”
“Immediate family only, they made a big deal of even letting me stay the night with him. They kicked me out as soon as his heart started acting up.”
You’re my family.
“That’s it, I’m calling Chopper. He has to have some pull over this. He can at least tell us what the fuck is happening, because there is no way in hell I’m calling his asshole father.”
No. Don’t let Chopper see me like this.
*****
The smell hit his nose again, it wasn’t as bad as the last time but it still wasn’t very pleasant. He didn’t pick up the hint of cigarettes or citrus this time, instead there was something sweet in the air. But aside from the mind dulling beeping and light tapping of fingers on a screen, the room was silent.
He gave a small effort to open his eyes again, nothing.
Can he lift an arm ? Nope.
What about noise ? Can he make a fucking sound to tell people that he is fucking alive ? No.
The tapping stopped and he could almost sense someone’s presence beside him.
“Don’t give up Zoro, stay strong okay ?”
Chopper .
*****
“He’s my son, I have the right to see him! ”
“Bullshit! You gave up that right 20 years ago when you left him on the side of the fucking road.” Sanji sounded angry, his dad was here. Part of him had been waiting those 20 years to punch him right in his stupid fucking face and another part of him wanted to run and hide like the scared kid afraid of getting punched in the face. He couldn’t do either.
“You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about ! You the hell are you anyway?”
He’s my boyfriend, you fucking degenerate.
“I’m his boyfriend, you fucking degenerate.”
Zoro smiled, though no one else could see.
“Oh that’s just great, my only son grew up to be a fucking fag.”
I hate you.
“Get out.”
“Might as well pull the plug now, save the world the fucking trouble.”
I hate you.
“Someone call security please !”
Usopp ? You’re probably scared shitless right now, sorry buddy.
“Yeah, have these fags away from my son.”
I’ll kill you.
“Sanji ! Your hand !”
What did you do curly ?
*****
“You’re lucky he’s not pressing charges, you idiot.”
“It’s not like he can afford it or anything.”
“You idiot he could have had you arrested and I would have had to add bail money to your growing tab.”
“Nah, pretty sure the bastard has open bounties or something. No way he would risk it.”
“Yet, you still risked your hand? Why not just kick him like every other fool you kick out of the restaurant ?”
“I don’t know, this just felt right.”
Thank you.
*****
The smell had lessened, the loud beeping is what “woke” him up this time. There was no one else around though, none of his friends at least. Not Sanji either.
Was he alone ?
The beeping got louder.
Was he going to die alone ?
“Don’t you dare fucking die on me you bastard.” Sanji’s pleas echoed in his head, louder than the machines and louder than the room alarm.
Soon he wasn’t alone though. He heard the rushed movements of several people and then the smell of a fresh cigarette hit his nose.
“What the fuck is happening ?!”
I won’t die.
“CLEAR !”
*****
“He fucking died Robin !”
No I didn’t.
“He is still alive, Sanji.”
See ? Calm down babe.
“His fucking heart stopped for thirty fucking seconds !”
Shit really ? I fucking died.
“But they were able to resuscitate him and Chopper said he is stable now.”
Chopper .
The idea of their youngest friend having to see him like this was making Zoro sick and ache more than whatever these injuries were. Having any of his friends see him like this made him feel so exposed. Knowing that Sanji has seen it all makes him want to cry.
“He fucking died for thirty seconds Robin.” Sanji was crying now and Zoro would face the devil himself to make him feel better.
“Even if he did survive, now he really might not wake up.”
I’m awake.
“That’s not for sure, Sanji. He is in a medically induced coma. Given the extent of his injuries this was the best way to ensure the fastest recovery. He just had a bad reaction to some of the medication.”
A coma ? Fucking hell.
There’s silence for a bit and Zoro is sure the pair have left the room. But the slight smell of cigarettes and floral perfume remains.
“I’m going to get a coffee. Would you like anything ?”
The door opens and then only Sanji remains.
“Listen here you mosshead idiot, I know you can hear me,”
I can hear you.
“If you die I will kill you.”
I love you too, cook.
*****
“Sanji you have to get some rest, you’ve been here for days.”
Chopper. Please don’t look at me.
“I have to stay.”
He sounds tired, Please get some rest, cook.
“We are monitoring him, he is safe.”
“I have to stay, what if he wakes up and I’m not here.”
“He’s in a medically induced coma. He won’t wake up until we reverse the medication keeping him asleep.”
Well then fucking do it already. I’m fine. Get me out of here.
“He wouldn’t want to be alone. He’s probably scared.”
Chopper sighs and Zoro feels his heart ache for the young doctor.
“He would want you to rest.”
Please take care of yourself, curly.
“I’m fine, Chopper.”
*****
“Zorroooo” a louder, more jovial voice echoed through the room.
Luffy .
It gave him some ease to have his oldest friend here, but simultaneously he wanted him to leave. He didn’t want any of them to see him like this. So weak and helpless.
“Traffy said that the doctors are going to wake you up soon.”
Great, Law is here too. Might as well make me a fucking exhibit to everyone we know.
“Everyone else is all worried and stuff but I just keep telling them that you love your naps so you’re probably actually enjoying this.”
The smell of barbecue hits his nose and he is overcome with fun memories of his friends. All the parties and birthdays. He thinks back to the massive party they had when Robin finally finished her doctorate thesis and when Chopper got his acceptance into medical school. He misses them.
The smell is strong and he can hear some shuffling. He soon realizes that Luffy has crawled into the damn bed with him.
He’s a little disappointed it’s not Sanji, but Luffy isn’t afraid to hurt him. It actually makes him feel a little better, maybe he doesn’t look so weak after all.
*****
“Ok, we are going to administer the reversing agent.”
He had grown accustomed to this voice by now. He didn’t know who it was but it was kind and frequent. Even if she never stopped talking every time she came into the room. Can’t a guy get some freaking rest in his coma.
“Now this will only counteract the previous medication we gave him. But he did have some substantial blood loss when he came in and his heart did stop in the emergency room and again last week. It’s not guaranteed that he will wake up right away or if it all.”
Way to kill the mood lady.
There are too many smells to pinpoint anything, and the antiseptic is stronger this time and overpowering everything else.
“We understand, please continue.”
Robin.
“Administering dosage of Zolpidem,”
He can feel a burning sensation through his whole body. He feels on fire. The beeping he has learned to tune out has picked up again.
“H-hey, is that hurting him ?”
Usopp .
“No, don't worry he can’t feel a thing right now.”
Yes, it fucking hurts.
“Now even though he can wake up, he still has a long recovery to go. He’s not in the clear yet.”
Law.
“But the worst is over, right ? He’s not like… at risk anymore ? Right ?”
Nami .
There is a pause, silence as he feels the burning settle throughout his body but the tension in the room feels heavy.
“Fucking say something Law !”
Sanji.
“We won’t know more until he wakes up. He will still be in the ICU until we know more.”
Fuck .
“Do you want to call his family again? Should they be here ?”
They are here.
“We are here.”
Luffy.