Chapter Text
“Is this really neccesary? No offense, I do understand that using my knowledge in practive is essencial at become a good medical student, if not even a good future doctor, but wouldn’t it be better to spend the three months of my time studying? I can assure you I would use it vicely. In fact, more time for my exams is something I really need.”
The older woman across from him just scoffed sharply, crossing her arms, looking unimpressed.
“Rejected. Gotta say, nice excuse you got there, Trafalgar, but just because you’re an antisocial junkie and among the best students of your major doesn’t mean that it gives you benefits such as ‘This shit is lame. Not doing it. Won’t benefit me. Let me just study like a little lonely nerd I am.’ Either way, you’re doing it or you can pack your stuff and say goodbye to your PhD, brat!”
Clensing his fists under the table, Law really wanted to punch something right now. He never fully got along with Kureha. Her being his major’s garant made things even worse. As time went on, Law quickly realised that getting on her bad side isn’t very nice, so submission it is. Even though he does sometimes appreciate her dark humor and transparency—her pretty much having no filter what so ever—trying to actually argue with her is pretty much a death sentence. Most of the students that have tried to oppose her are getting side-eyed till this day. Law is simply lucky, cuz’ this crazy hag likes him for some reason.
“Whatever. Not like argueing with you has ever worked out anyway.” Hissing passively, Law quickly stood up from his chair. “Just sign me to someone. I don’t care.”
“Hah! You really hate this that much? What are you, little girl pissed at her parents for forcing her on a school trip? Get a grip, Trafalgar. If you wanna be a doctor, you gotta learn how to co-exist with other people. Constantly! This is a social job, you’re not gonna be a chick at a library, sorting out new books at a warehouse where the only audience are centuries-old rats!”
Clapping her hands on the table playfully, Kureha mirrored Law’s action, standing up too, and making her way across the room to a nearby plant to give it a fresh drink.
“Don’t get me wrong, nurses get the noisy stuff done, so that’s one positive, but that’s about it. If you want to be a good doctor and use your knowledge and things you’ve learned so far, you’ll have to drop the ‘Dr. House’ act.” Side-eyeing Law, Kureha smirked slightly. “They call me crazy, but trust me, with you soon around, they are not prepared for the motherfucker you are!” Kureha finished while laughing menacingly.
Stomping to the door, Law angrily looked back and replied with a simple:
“Guess they’ll have to deal with this motherfucker then.”
----
Never fucking lucky, huh? What’s with these internships all of a sudden? Not them wanting me to do a nurse for some randoe. I won’t even get paid! Being a servant for three months just get a few credits. Unbelievable!
Walking perhaps a bit too quickly, Law’s right side abruptly pushed into something—or rather someone. Composing himself, subsuding his anger and intern war, Law’s piercing eyes made a quick notice of a young boy picking up his belongings from the university’s floor.
Goddamn it.
“Sorry, Chopper-ya… I was just spacing out. Going to Kureha, I suppose?”
The young boy, who clearly wasn’t a university student, looked up and a big round smile appeared on his face.
“Law! It’s been so long since I’ve seen you! You look even grumpier today!”
Cheerful as always. Chopper playfully insulting him is something he’s gotten used to. Probably runs in the family.
Helping Chopper with his stuff, one thing actually caught his attention. Perhaps it being just too random. A straw hat. Something Law had never seen Chopper wear, or even his mad mother, Kureha.
Intrigued, Law asked, “Trying a new fashion style, raccoon-ya?” saying with a smirk.
“Huh? No! I just found it on my way here. It was in the university’s area, but it looks like someone lost it… Wait—STOP CALLING ME A RACCOON! THE HAT I WEAR OBVIOUSLY LOOKS LIKE A REINDEER, LAW! GRUMPY IDIOT!”
Bullying Chopper is hands down one of Law’s favorite things. Some people think he’s taking out his anger on his arch nemesis through a family member, but even Kureha knows better. Chopper is looking up to Law. After all, he himself told Law how much he wants to be a doctor and him constantly fanboying over Law’s smartness…. It’s hard to not get flaterred. And despite the teasing here and there, Chopper is indeed a really good kid. And a very clever one for a seventeen-year-old.
“Yeah, yeah…. So you’re looking for the ‘lost and found’ section? That’s in building B, the one on the left side of this building’s entrance.” At least that’s what I think…
“Oh, ok! Thanks! I’m actually going after my mom, like you guessed.” Getting a bit nervous, averting eye contact, Chopper continued, “I thought it’s here and I’m actually in a bit of a hurry… Do you… you’re leaving, right? Do you think you could bring it there? Even though I regulary go here after my mom, it’s not like I’m very well oriented.”
The rac—reindeer boy finally looked up at him, blushing as always whenever asking for a favour, extending the hand holding the straw hat.
……
Not him using the cutesy eyes on me again. Little brat knows my weakness, huh.
“Gimme that.” Law swiftly snatched the hat and took a closer look at it.
It looked very, very worn out. Probably years old. Slightly pealing on few sides. The owner of this hat definitely cherished it a lot—just like Law his own hat. He still remembers how he nearly lost it one time, when his own hat got lost. Perhaps feeling sympathy for the straw hat’s owner, Law agreed at making a quick detour.
----
The ‘lost and found’ was indeed in building B, but actually finding the goddamn place was hell in and of itself. He already had to wait like five minutes because the only hallway to get there was cut off. Apparently this part of the building is under reconstruction, so in the end Law was instructed to go knock on the back door—now being used to get there.
Flames of anger were almost seeping through his nose and ears. In that moment, Law couldn’t see his face, but he could well guess that his head looked like it was about to explode, and the only thing shielding others was his fluffy hat.
Veins popping at his temples, seeing red, Law furiously made his way to his unfortunate destination. A sudden loud shouting was anything but pleasing, fueling his own anger even more.
So now I’ll have to wait and deal with someone else’s argueing at the freaking reception. What’s with this fucking day? What did I do??
But before he could even extend his hand to open the door, it was abruptly opened from the other side and someone went running straight through it.
“This is useless! I’m not gonna sit around and wait for it to be miraculously found! And you guys—”
The boy behind the loud shouting suddenly collided with Law, who just in time managed to grab a side of the door, preventing him from falling down.
“Ahh! Ouch!”
The boy strongly gripped the front of Law’s torso for support, steadying himself. Based off how he stiffened, he probably realised that he bumped into someone.
Refusing to look Law straight in the eyes, the black-haired boy just muttered near Law’s chest, “Oh, sorry.” And elbowed Law slightly, making his way down the hall. Probably heading for the exit.
Unbelivable. The people they let study here.
“I’m so sorry! He just lost something very important to him.”
A blond man suddenly stood right next to Law. I swear I’ve seen him before…
“Luffy, wait! You don’t know this place! You can get lost or hurt yourself!”
Passing by Law, the man made his way after his—friend? Brother? Doesn’t matter.
Before the man was too far, Law shouted after him.
“Oi! Blondie-ya! Is this by any chance your friend’s?” Pulling his hand up, Law showed the man the straw hat he’s been holding this whole time.
The blond’s eyes nearly popped out.
“Holy shit, that’s Luffy’s hat! Luffy, wait! Wait!”
The man didn’t know which way to go first, but in the end he told Law to wait here while he gets this Luffy guy.
Not knowing what else to do, Law sat down on one of the benches and pulled out his phone. Just as he unlocked the screen, he got bombarded with like ten messages regarding a shopping list his adoptive father demands him to buy.
Cora-san told Law he would like to try some exotic dish for today’s dinner. He’s been watching this guy’s cooking and apparently really wants to try make some of it himself. One thing Law’s well aware of is that fire and his dad never get along. Whenever he cooks, he gets set on fire one way or another. And despite it being already March, he still wears that feathery coat that makes igniting that much easier. Sigh.
Law writes a short message that he didn’t forget and will buy the stuff needed for that gloriously extra unique dish. People sometimes make fun of him for ‘still living with his dad’. At this point, Law just ignores these remarks and tells them to mind their own business. Despite Cora-san being a pain in the ass from time to time, Law knows he means only good. He’s also Law’s only family (and their fluffy dog, Bepo). Despite not being blood-related, Law loves and cares about him dearly. Looking for his own place just seems unnecessary. It’s not like he’s dating someone or anything. Cora-san actually quite often talks him into looking for an apartment later on once he becomes a doctor, saying that bringing a pretty lady to their shared place would turn her away. Indeed, that’s one of the reasons Law has never invited people he’s dated to their place. And also for Cora-san to not realise that half of his dates/one-night stands were actually men.
Sighing, Law looked away from his phone once he heard that loud voice again. Looking to his left side, he saw that black-haired boy running his way. Blondie sprinting exhaustedly after him.
Just as he was about to stand up, the boy ran into one of the signboards and went plummeting down, head first.
Is he blind?? That thing stands almost in the middle of the hallway.
Sighing once again, Law stood up and approached the boy lying on the floor, holding his now bleeding nose.
Idiot.
“Careful. You really care that much about this old ass hat?”
Lowering himself on one knee, Law pushed the hat on the boy’s head and pulled out a handkerchief, bringing it to the straw-hat man’s downturned face.
“And your nose is bleeding, idiot.”
The boy in an instant grabbed the hat and pulled it off. He put it in his lap, fingers mapping every detail as if seeing it wasn’t enough.
“It-it really is my hat!” He then embraced it fully, making Law’s hand getting tugged in as well.
Well, at least he’s really happy. For the wasted time…
The straw-hat’s owner then looked up at him. For the first time, Law could fully see his face. Beaming smile, endless sea of teeth was looking at him. Pure happiness on that face. But what actually made Law stiffen completely were the younger man’s eyes: two misty moons were staring back at him. Perhaps rather half-shaped moons, because of the gorgeous wrinkeling caused by the never-ending smile.
This man is blind, Law realised.
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
And then the blind man hugged him with all his might.
The only thing Law could register in that moment was the blond guy’s approaching steps and his own overly beating heart.