Chapter Text
The market was louder than usual; crowded, busy, full of overlapping voices and movement that blurred together if you didn’t focus too hard. Law didn’t focus on the noise. He walked through it like he always did- steady, unhurried, eyes half-lidded beneath the brim of his hat. His hands sat in his pockets, his expression unreadable. He didn’t have a list on hand, never did. Because usually- “...and we’re almost out of antiseptic, again, which I don’t understand because you’re the one that uses it the most-”
There it was. Your voice, just slightly ahead of him, already moving from one stall to the next like you had the entire place memorized. “-and don’t even get me started on bandages, because if I open that storage room and it’s empty one more time-” Law followed, not that he needed to. He just…did.
It took him longer than it should have taken to notice. It was subtle, at first- the silence. It was a gap where your voice should’ve been. Law stopped walking, his gazing shifting slightly, scanning the space ahead. Nothing was out of place; people were still moving, vendors were still shouting. But- you weren’t there. Law paused for a moment. “...Tch.” He turned and retraced his steps, finding nothing. His brows knit faintly beneath his hat. “...Where is my walking podcast?” The words came out quieter than expected, more annoyed than concerned. One the surface, at least.
It didn’t take long to find you. Five men walked away from Law’s position, a poor choice in his eyes of course. You were slung over one of their shoulders, completely limp, unmoving. Something in Law’s chest went still, not in panic. It was colder, more precise. “Hey.” The word cut cleanly through the noise, causing the men to turn. Law glared in their direction, eyes on the one currently holding you. “...That’s mine.” A beat passed between the group, before erupting into chaos.
The fight didn’t last long at all, it never did. All it took was a flick of his fingers. “Room.” The space snapped into place instantly, a clean and controlled environment. Steel flashed and bodies dropped in a single, efficient sequence of movement- no hesitation, no wasted effort. Five men became nothing more than a problem that had already been solved.
Law didn’t linger, didn’t care to look back. His focus was shifted to you, still out cold. He confirmed that first. Second, you were breathing, your chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Good signs all around. “Tch.” He crouched beside you, one hand moving to your wrist, fingers pressing lightly against your pulse point.
It felt normal, with no irregularities. There were no immediate signs of internal damage. But still- His gaze narrowed slightly. “...Idiots,” he muttered, though it wasn’t clear who he meant to label. Carefully, he adjusted your position, leaning you back against the wall of a nearby building. Your head tilted slightly to the side, unresponsive. It wasn’t ideal in the slightest. Law reached into his coat, pulling out a small vial. “...Let’s not make this difficult.” With a quick motion- measured and practiced- he opened it and brought it close enough for you to inhale.
A short pause stretched between you, until you suddenly stirred. You shifted slightly, your brows furrowing from the scent. “...ugh…ew…”
“There you are.”
Your eyes cracked open slowly, unfocused at first before landing on him. “...Oh, Law?”
“Try not to sound so surprised,” he said dryly. You blinked again, wincing slightly. “...I feel like I got hit by a ship.”
“You got hit by incompetence.”
“...Yours or theirs?”
There was a pause, Law narrowing his gaze at you. “...Theirs.”
“Good answer.”
Before you could sit up properly, his hand moved, firmly resting on your shoulder and stopping your movements. “Don’t.” You stilled in response, a small huff leaving you. “...I’m fine,” you started. “I didn’t ask.” His tone was flat and focused, mirroring him as he worked. His hands moved with practiced ease; checking for injuries, tilting your head slightly to examine your pupils, fingers pressing lightly along your arms and sides. It was efficient and thorough, a true doctor's way. Yet he was also very close.
You swallowed, your gaze sweeping the area around you. “...You’re doing a full checkup. Right here.”
“Yes.”
“In public.”
“Yes.”
You glanced at him next, brow raised. “...That’s bold of you.”
“I don’t care.”
His plain attitude made you pause as you studied him. Law didn’t look up or slowdown in his work. His movements were precise, but in a different way now. More careful and grounding. “...You should,” you muttered, your eyes returning to the space around you. “You have a reputation for-”
“My reputation isn’t currently the problem.” His fingers paused briefly against your wrist again. “...You are.” The words were quiet and blunt, unfiltered. Your breath caught again, just for a second. “...I’m fine,” you repeated, softer this time. Law exhaled sharply through his nose. “...You were unconscious.”
“Yeah, well-” you huffed weakly, “I needed a nap anyway.” A beat passed between you. “...Don’t.” You blinked in response. “...Don’t what?”
“Joke.”
His gaze finally lifted to yours, sharp, yet not angry. It was something else, something you couldn't quite place. “...Not about this.” You went quiet, your eyes avoiding his as they studied the ground beneath you. “...Sorry,” you responded after a moment. Law said nothing for a couple seconds, until he let out a sigh. “...You’re fine.” He paused for a moment, before continuing, “...mostly.” You let out a small breath. “...That’s some high praise.”
“Tch.”
But he didn’t move away.
After a moment, you shifted slightly, testing your balance. “...So,” you started, a small grin touching your lips, “medical supplies?” Law stared at you. “...You were just kidnapped.”
“And we’re still out of antiseptic.” It was silent between the two of you for just a moment, broken by the ragged sigh Law made whenever he gave up trying to convince you of something. “...Unbelievable.” Your smirk widened as you tilted your head slightly. “There she is,” he muttered under his breath. “Your walking podcast?” You teased. Law shook his head, “...Don’t push it.” He stood, dusting off his pants before offering a steady hand to you. You took it eagerly, quickly brought to your feet and dusting yourself off.
Just like that, the noise of the market returned, your voice following not long after. “Okay, so bandages- seriously this time-” Law didn’t interrupt you or quiet you down. He just walked beside you like before, as if nothing had happened.