#torao

Chopper has been watching the other doctor from a distance, worried and curious about him. During their time together on the island of ice and lava, he was surprised by the pirate's medical knowledge and took a certain respect and admiration from him. He wanted to be his friend, but the serious and dark appearance scares him enough not to approach his. That's why Chopper knows Law hadn't slept well in a while, could read the extreme tiredness in his body. In an act of bravery, he asked Sanji for help to make a special tea, which hoped would help him rest and regain energy, but he did not dare approach the man.

From the door of the library, where Chopper learned that Torao spent much of his time, with the hot cup in his hands he debates whether to close or not. Is afraid that he will take the gesture in the wrong way. He already looked quite moody sitting at one of the desks, leaning in a not at all comfortable position over a sea of books and notes scattered everywhere. The tension and frustration could be felt in the air around Law. He wants to help him.

"What's wrong Chopper?" Your soft voice makes him jump a little, scaring him. Some of the tea spills over. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see you had something hot with you."

The reindeer's eyes shine when he sees you there. You can help him! Chopper had noticed that Law is a little more comfortable around you in the few interactions they've had. You had a calm and peace aura that used to help everyone relax. You're the ideal person to help in his mission!

"Oh, can you help me? Please" He asks you in a whisper, not wanting to be discovered.

You follow his gaze from the cup he holds out for you to where you see the new ally frowning at a piece of paper. His back must ache from the horrible posture and his eyes burn from the poor lighting. His characteristic hat lies to one side, leaving his mop of dark hair free. Your hand itches to run the tip through the strands that fall on the nape of his neck.

"Is this for Torao?" You ask him taking the cup. Chopper nods. "And you want me to take it to him?" Chopper nods again, happily.

You think about it for a second. It's true that you've spoken to the Captain of the Heart Pirates before, but were just casual chats. If you're honest, you were attracted to the pirate since the first meeting between the crews, two years ago. Law gave off an attractive, mysterious and addictive aura. You wanted to get to know him little by little, sure that beneath that bitter face there was much more. He had helped Luffy when none of you could. That fact made your attraction to him only grow. And with each day you spent together, you became more sure of it. However, you also have to be honest that it was a little scary.

But seeing him so stressed bothers you. And you understand that Chopper feels the same way. Both have taken a certain appreciation to the man.

“Mmmm,” you hesitate, biting the inside of your cheek. "What if we go together? It scares me a little, too" confess with a knowing smile.

It only takes a few seconds for Chopper to nod and extend his hand to take your free one. Determined, but slowly, you approach Law's desk. Up close he looks even more haggard due to insomnia and stress. The pirate ignores you two even though he can feel next to him. He's not in the mood to socialize.

You scratch your throat seeking his attention, Chopper repeats the action when sees that Law ignores you. Realizing that you won't leave, he sighs tiredly and turns to the two of you.

"What do you need?" He asks deadpan. His eyebrow raises when you leave the still warm cup on the desk, between a book and his forearm.

"Chopper made this for you," you gesture to the tea.

Law's gaze moves from you to the tea and to Chopper. It's hard to read his expression, so the doctor rushes to speak.

"It's an herbal infusion so you can rest better, Torao!" His voice sounds animated and he approaches the table, pointing out all the ingredients has.

Law just looks at him, a little surprised and touched by the reindeer's concern. Tenderness washes over him, and is so tired that a bit of his bitter expression falls away. Chopper is too excited about his creation to notice, but you can see through the frown. His lips tremble and you smile in recognition of victory.

You watch as the man looks at the cup with an indecipherable look before bringing it to his mouth, blowing gently before tasting the infusion. That insignificant action shouldn't weaken your legs like it does. His pursed lips as he blows the steam and his large tattooed hands wrapped around the small porcelain cup take your mind to places you'd rather ignore.

"Thank you."

His solemn but dry tone brings you back to reality. Up close you can see how tired he is, like he's about to pass out. Chopper seems to think the same from the look gives you. It's obvious that Law prefers to be left alone, but instead you point to the couch near the window, before heading there with Chopper. You both take a book and sit together on the couch, pretending to read while watch Law fight sleep as time passes. It's almost cute to watch him struggle to keep his eyes open. Somehow it's contagious, sleep begins to invade the two of you too. Chopper lets out a small yawn as snuggles closer to you. You imitate him.

The sun is about to disappear behind the sea when Law finally gathers his things and stands up. He's been aware of presence accompanying him, and if is honest with himself, it was a little comforting. Along with Robin, you were the Straw Hats who brought him the least problems, and who weren't complete idiots. That's why he drank the damn tea, even though getting sleep wasn't the main problem. He stood up only to stretch his legs and the stiff muscles in his back, preparing for another session of uncomfortable sleeping on the couch where you and the doctor were now resting. It was comfortable, not to sleep in, but it was better than the smelly room.

"Hey, Torao," you say quietly, noticing how sleepy the reindeer was. "You should go rest, you're too pale."

Law can't help but let out a short, sarcastic laugh, insomnia bringing out the worst in him. He tended to bring out his cold and sadistic side.

"And where the hell do you expect me to sleep?" His voice is thick with annoyance. "With that group of caveman tails?"

He is aware that is being mean to you, that you're not to blame for anything, but he can't help it. He is upset and frustrated. Lack of sleep only adds to a long list of worries to take care of. List that seems to be getting longer and longer.

You look at him, not taking his tone personally. He's stretching his muscles and bones, you can see some of his tanned skin exposed when he raises his arms. His face pale and sunken. And you think about his words. Yes, the boys' room is not the best option for sleeping. Always smells something bad and almost everyone snores.

Chopper wakes up next to you, uncomfortable with Torao's outburst, but willing to help him.

"You can sleep in the Nursing " he suggests kindly but shy.

You see Law open his mouth and hurry up before another snide comment escapes of his pretty mouth. You take the Chopper by the hand and as fast as you can you approach Law, taking his hand as well.

"That's a good idea!" You say as you drag them to the medical wing. "It's the best place to sleep. Let's take a nap!"

The medical area is close to the library, so it's a short but fun tour for you. You know if the Surgeon of Death wasn't so tired could easily take you down, but you're lucky. He just sighed in annoyance and exhaustion.

It's a large room that is not only used as an nursing, but is also part of where Chopper conducts his research. With such large limbs, the stretcher is wide and comfortable. You and Chopper have taken a few naps there, so you know it firsthand. You turn to them, Chopper is happy to find a comfortable place to rest, but the grumpy man only sees the large bed with suspicion.

You know where the doctor hides the best pillows and clean sheets, so you set out to make the ideal bed for ideal sleep. When you finish, happy with your result and take off your shoes. Chopper imitates you. Law remains static where you left him.

"What's wrong, Torao?" You ask, patting the stretcher next to you. "Come on, join us."

"I thought it would be an individual nap," he says, clearly uncomfortable. "I don't share a bed with anyone."

Lucky for you and the reindeer, you don't care. Roll your eyes, tired of him being so pessimistic and boring. When you're finally barefoot, stand up only to push him onto the bed. Apparently you have to do things by force. Law is surprised when you sit him down on the bed, next to a sleepy reindeer who pats the pillow, inviting him to lie down.

His face burn as you squirm in front of him, brows and lips pursed in determination. The view is something Law prefers not to delve into, not when there are people around and he is vulnerable from sleep. For his peace of mind, you only take his shoes and the katana out, leaving everything next to the bed. You also take the hat from his left hand, which Law took before leaving, unable to separate himself from it. You leave it hanging from the head of the bed.

"Lie down," you order him, firmly and with an unfriendly face. Law complains but does it. A sigh of relief escapes his lips, his back finally resting comfortably. "Good boy."

Law actually has to bite his lip to prevent the moan that seeks to escape at the compliment. You have more power over him than you expect and than he would like to admit. Chopper settles in next to him.

"I know it's uncomfortable for you. But trust it will be the best nap ever. It calms you down," he assures before closing his eyes.

Law remembers how almost every Straw Hat has said something similar about you at some point. That you bring peace. Harmony. Calm. If Law think about it, he has witnessed it. How you calm down the fights between the cook and the swordsman, or how you prevent Luffy from dying because of some hyperactive nonsense. He too has been a victim of such power, he realizes. The few times you've interacted until then, he's always felt even a little calmer. When Luffy first deviated from his plan, you grabbed him by the shoulder, laughing about how it was typical of your captain and how Law shouldn't worry so much. Coming from anyone else, it was kind of annoying, but it wasn't because it was you. You also helped him feel less desperate when everything seemed to fail. And you had only touched his shoulder.

Robin denied that you were a devil fruit user, and he would think it was a vile lie if he hadn't seen you swimming in the middle of the sea.

Then, he gave up. Fell onto the mattress. Closed his eyes and took a deep breath, his body finally relaxing. It felt good. He almost managed to fall into the clutches of sleep the instant his head hit the soft pillow if it weren't for his paranoia. Law felt something move next to him and went to defend himself when you grabbed his hand in the air. It was you, he recognized you by touch. You had turned off the light and moved slowly to lie next to him. He could barely see your face because of the starlight that came through the curtains.

"Shhh," you whispered nearby, watching as Chopper let out a small snore before moving closer to Law. "You're going to wake him up."

You didn't wait for a answer and laid down next to him, with one hand on his chest, pulling his body back to sleep. You weren't touching, but could both feel each other's warmth. It was calm. Law allowed himself to relax completely. Your muscles deflate and your spine finally has a rest. He feels the little reindeer snuggle against his right arm and smiles vaguely, remembering his first mate. Law really misses his crew.

"Law," you whisper after a while. The named freezes, it's the first time you've called him by his name and it's so... intimate.

"I thought we were going to sleep," he says, feigning harshness. He hears you move uncomfortably in bed.

"I know," you move closer to him. "But... can I hug you?"

His heart stops for a second. Law is not a man of tact, but he is urged by yours. Something he can't -or won't - identify vibrates inside him, cheering for you; for all of you.

"Yes," he whisper, softer and more devoted than he expects, but it's worth it.

Your body is even warmer and softer than Law expected. You hug his left arm, resting your head on his shoulder. One of your legs intertwines with his. It's not uncomfortable, it feels almost natural. One of your hands caresses his arm in a slow, gentle rhythm. Your contented sigh tickles his neck.

You're being bold, you know, but you can't help it. From the moment you saw him so discouraged and tired, you wanted this. You wanted him to rest. Let him rest in your arms. You wanted to feel the body of your precious Torao. You wanted to be warm just for him.

What really surprised you was feeling how his body calmed against yours, how they fit together like puzzle pieces and how his large, tattooed hand caressed your exposed thigh.

The big grumpy and cold Trafalgar D. Water Law dropped his mask for just one night. He let you and Chopper cling to his sides. He felt tickled when the doctor's nose rubbed against his side or when your hand moved from his arm to his chest. Only with Bepo could sleep so comfortably, and Law promised himself that if ever had the chance, he would allow you to join his naps together.

Chopper was right, you give the best naps. Now he had one more reason to steal you and take you with him, one more than your intellect and an incomprehensible desire to be by your side.

Robin entered the Nursing the next morning, looking for Chopper. It was a pleasant surprise to find the three of you in a mixture of hugs and sleepy caresses. A knowing smile adorned her face. She came out again, announcing to everyone that the Nursing was closed until further notice.