kia

Ace likes his personal space

trafalgar d. law

pairing : trafalgar law x fem! reader

tags : fluff, banter, friends/frenemies to lovers, mentions of blood/pain

synopsis: you’re bleeding out, chopper’s not here. infuriating, cocky, stupid law must now save you.

or in which nami and usopp hype each other up to interrupt what they think is happening between law and you.

a/n : i wrote this on wattpad around 2019 so, even though it has been edited since, please have mercy on the story.

"oi! law! " usopp’s voice teared through the hill like an eagle’s shriek, his obvious panick catching the ear of the surgeon of death. “y/n got stabbed– or slashed? i mean, she’s injured! she’s dying!”

he was bent under the weight of your body, heavy in his arms, as he ran desperately towards the crew’s hiding spot in the land of wano. by his side, nami was the picture of worry itself. eyes wide, hair wild, her hands were clasped around your wound like she could stop the blood from spilling out.

“we can't find chopper! help us!" she shouted as law came into vision, stepping out the entrance of the refuge.

when the trio finally reached him, one look-over made his jaw clench.

"we weren't supposed to cause any trouble," he scolded angrily, hands shooting left and right to prepare a table for you to lay on. "y/n is a lost cause– everytime. bring her here."

usopp nearly hurled you on the metallic surface, wheezing at the effort.

you jumped in pain. “oi– wait until after i’m dead to throw me around,” you hissed, holding your throbbing side.

“don’t joke about that!”

"and here i thought you were unconscious. i really can't get any peace," law muttered as he ripped the clothes above your injury.

"shut up, ugly doctor," you growled between your teeth – the pain obviously preventing you from thinking long enough for your usual snarky responses.

law paused, raising a defiant brow.

"i can also just watch you slowly die in pain y/n. that sounds very tempting right now,” he states coldly. “i wouldn't upset me if I were you.”

usopp choked, coughing before he could yell at him to save you while nami implored you to just shut up and let the man heal you.

"uh. you wish you were me. wouldn't look that dumb everyday-AAAH" a yell ripped through your sentence when law emotionlessly, harshly pressed on your injury. it stopped the bleeding, but at the cost of a thousands bolts of pain shooting through your body.

you threw your head back – it banged against the surface, but you had to bit down another scream.

the pain was insane, yet you’d be caught dead before letting the guy you hated get the satisfaction of seeing you suffer.

law disinfected the injury, cleaning the wound, assessing the damage. his frown grew deeper, which didn’t escape usopp and nami’s attention, faces pale with worry, hovering and leaving him almost no place to move.

feeling the sniper’s fast, wet breath against his neck was his last straw – law snapped, turning around to glare at your two crew mates.

“oi, you two! you better leave us alone. go wait outside!”

under his icy stare, they immediately complied. their steps stopped right outside though, no doubt leaning against the wooden wall to eavesdrop.

"so unprofessional," you got out, but a chuckle sent you in a violent coughing fit, blood spurting from your lips. you whipped with a shaky hand.

"stay still," he ordered – erasing any trace of worry in his voice to make sure you wouldn't taunt him about it later.

you rolled you eyes, but complied. you fought the throb of pain long enough to curiously watch him prepare his surgery tools. but eventually, your eyelids shut down as you swallowed another hiss of pain.

feeling a sudden wave of discomfort, you huffed loudly, enough to catch law’s full attention.

"i’m so fucking hot.”

“now’s not the time to joke around, y/n,” he replied, annoyed.

you gasped in indignation, mouth opening and closing, disbelief stealing the words. this little shit…!

“fuck you!” you finally spat, before the pain silenced you. “ugh– i meant i’m hot as in warm, you asshole. how could i possibly mean it in another way? you’re the worse fucking doctor i’ve had, law, and some drunken sailor once stitched back my–“

another jolt of pain swallowed the rest of your story, but law did not comment. he simply clicked his tongue, brushing it off.

"tch. so vulgar."

"and so dying too, now can you please get this robe off me?” you squirmed uncomfortably, the heat making you dizzy. “or do i have to keep telling you what’s your job?”

perhaps it was hallucinations but you could have sworn law’s cheeks were pinker than usual. but by the way his hands hovered for a second, hesitant, you suddenly reciprocated his feeling of uncharacteristic shyness.

“m’ wearing clothes underneath,” you mumbled, fleeing his gaze. “just… saying.”

the surgeon cleared his throat, and in a few movements, cool air licked at your skin. the sensation was so soothing you didn’t think about the fact that you were left in nothing but your shorts and a large bandage circling your chest.

red, bright and vivid, stained your entire right side, dripping on the table and soaking your bandage.

law’s eyes twitched at the scene, and a string of curse fell from his lips.

"damn it, y/n,” he scolded, sanitizing some tools you’d rather not look at too long. “how did you even manage to get hurt like this?” it’s not like you, he almost added but shut his mouth instead.

"fucking samouraïs," you spat between gritted teeth. "i officially hate swordsmen. even zoro-"

a painful hiss interrupted you – you panted heavily, fighting to stop your energy from slowly leaving your body.

"– especially zoro," you kept going. "’m gonna blame him for everything they did."

law held back a smirk at your dramatic fit. at least you still had enough fight in you to still spit a hundreds hyperbole per minute.

"he is your crewmate," he simply stated back, intending to keep you fully conscious – and riled-up, though he suspected that was your natural state.

"oh yeah, but his true nature is swordsman. and swordsmen are the worst. they always show off with their swords as-"

"aren't you two friends ?"

"-owned the world– but, no mister, it's not your large, skinny knives that are going to maAH FUCKING HELL!"

you suddenly jerked and folded on yourself in pain, violently gripping law’s shoulder – he yelped in surprise.

"let go of me, idiot!" he hissed as your finger dugged further into his muscle – thereby keeping your bodies closer than what he was used to. “do you actually want to die?”

unaware of the blush spreading on his cheeks from either fluster or anger, you yelled in panick, wriggling around to try and see what he had done to your injury.

"FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK!" you shouted in agony.

finally stealing a glance at the bloodied wound, your eyes zeroed in on a shiny, tiny needle sticking out from inside your skin and you screamed.

"oh my god, is it inside of me?!"

the doctor groaned as he slipped out of your death grip, pushing you back firmly flat against the table in a laying position. but instead of complying, you swung an arm around his neck, hissing in pain, holding onto him for dear life.

"stop holding me like this!" he snapped, pinning both your wrists on the table.

"law, it hurts so much!" you whined, ignoring him – tears nearly rolling from your eyes. surely he wouldn’t let you die? right?

the man was quick to get back to his stitching, trying his best to ignore you constant moans and screams of pains.

"don’t be so loud!" he ended up yelling back at you.

"go faster for god’s sake!" you retorted with vehemence.

“how are you not passed out already,” he mumbled under his breath.

raising your left arm to cover your forehead, you bit your lips harshly to contain the pain.

you knew better than disturb a doctor while he was trying to save your life. but you were in insane pain and it was partially because of Law.

on the other side of the wall, usopp’s eyes squinted with suspicion while nami’s eyebrows were raised so high they could nearly fly off.

"FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK!"

"oh my god, is it inside me ?!"

"stop holding me like this!"

"law, it hurts so much!"

"don’t be so loud!”

"go faster for god’s sake!"

the two strawhat pirates exchanged a glance.

“surely not…” nami tilted her head.

usopp gulped. “they couldn’t possibly be… doing… that? right?“

nami, once past her stupefaction, relaxed and shrugged with a proud smirk.

“i mean, i always knew they had a thing for each other," she sniggered. “damn, i should have bet on it.”

"what?! I thought they hated each other!" the man whispered-yelled, eyes and mouth wide open.

the redhead brushed off the statement with her hand, shaking her head like she knew better.

"that’s just an excuse. they’re too prideful to admit it to each other,” she explained, pointer finger raised in the air. “so they hide behind… violence. and sarcasm. now that i say it out loud, it sounds even worse.”

usopp stared, dumbfounded but still nodding like it made sense.

"but nami… isn't y/n gravely injured ?" he frowned in worry.

nami crossed her arms arms on her chest, a disapproving expression on her face.

“yes, i’m very disappointed in law. he should know better,” she paused to try to catch more sounds coming from the hiding place, but couldn’t hear anything. “but at the same time, we can’t be sure they are…”

“right, they probably aren’t.”

“right.”

they nodded in silence.

“but what if they are? we should just check and stop them if they are, no?” usopp finally broke down, beads of sweat rolling down his cheeks.

“yes. go!”

“what? law’s going to kill me if i do!”

“well, just do it discreetly!”

“why don’t you do it?!”

“i don’t wan’t to see them in this situation!”

“me neither!”

“too bad.”

“let’s just do it together.”

the redhead gave up, sighing, and both stepped silently in direction of the entrance. taking a deep breath, usopp twisted the doorknob, slowly pushing the door.

"hey you two–“

nami’s voice died in her throat before she could even begin her sentence.

fortunately, law and you were not doing what they thought you were doing – something widely inappropriate and dangerous, given your state.

but the scene was still improbable.

your body was still laying on the table, blood dripping on the floor. but now, you were pulling repetitively on law’s coat, the fabric tight between your fingers, like the soothing motion could help you focus on anything else but stitches that throbbed on your side.

surprisingly, law was allowing it. even more surprising, he had paused his procedure for a moment, taking the time to wet a towel and softly pressing it on your forehead to ease your fever. he was mumbling something the two strawhats couldn’t quite catch.

usopp nearly choked when the surgeon gently brushed your forehead, his fingers moving wet strands of your hair out of your face.

"they get along now ?" the sniper silently asked  with round eyes.

"looks like it," nami mouthed back.

they stared for a second longer, still not believing the two of you weren't throwing threats at each other's faces. then, nodding to each other, they decided to let the pair settle things before going in again and check on you.

your eyelids fluttered as you fought the sweet call of closing your eyes. you didn’t want to. there was something so peculiar about watching Law's face upclose. his brows had relaxed now that the hard part was over. now, he focused on cleaning your stitches with his usual impassibility.

you kind of liked when he focused on you instead, like he had been just then.

"tch. I bet you're enjoying seeing me suffer," you muttered, earning a blank stare from the man.

"i’m a doctor, y/n. i don't take any pleasure in watching my patient dying."

dying.

once the word registered, you jumped up on your ass with a jolt, the wet towel on your forehead unceremoniously flying off to smack law in the face. meanwhile, you had already grabbed in by the collar, shaking him in panic.

"i'm dying?! oh my god, i'm DYING?! oh no, oh no, please no-“

law grunted as he forced your hands open to let his coat go, yelling back at you. bickering was a common occurrence between the two of you, but this time, the man had the responsibility of your health and could not afford your gesticulation.

"you’re NOT DYING,” he snapped, slapping your hand away. “stop being dramatic!”

"dramatic?!” you gasped in indignation. “you’re called the surgeon of death for a reason!”

"not for that reason, idiot" he shouted back, catching both your wrist in one hand. “now if you don't want to truly die, you better rest and not move," he quietly ordered, his face inches away from yours.

his eyes were scanning yours, searching for another sign of rebellion. you were gritting your teeth, jaw clenched.

he squeezed your wrists harder to get an answer from you.

"you’re not my mom," you complained childishly, losing a bit of your nerves under his radiating eyes.

"i’m your doctor. you do as i tell you or next time, you better know how to stitch yourself."

a sly smile stretched your lips as you registered the comment. the pirate’s face still hovered above yours and you raised an eyebrow, challenging.

"my doctor, uh? mmh, that’s new,” you tilted your head innocently. “say law… do you want me to join your crew or something?"

an imperceptible shade of pink spread along the curve of his cheeks in reaction to your teasing. he slightly opened his mouth to protest, but you cut him off :

"because according to the lattest news, my doctor is still chopper. y’know. small, furry, adorable. so definitely not you."

law immediatly let go of your hands like they suddenly burned him. he took a step back, exhaling sharply and shrugging off quickly the embarrassment from the slip-up.

aw. it wasn’t often you could fluster him. why did it have to be over so quick?

"you know what i meant,” he replied coldly. “i’m the doctor in charge of your injury. but feel free to disobey my instructions, i have no problem watching you suffer.”

a beat passed before you let out a low chuckle. “kinky.”

law ignored you, except when you tried to get up and sit again – his hands firmly caught your shoulders and pushed you back into a laying position. a pout decorated your lips as you watched him resist effortlessly your renewed attempts to rise.

a staring contest followed naturally, but you quickly lost interest, letting your eyes explore the curves of his face instead. admiring his dark hair, his tan skin, his intense gaze that, very inconveniently, set the butterflies in your stomach ablaze.

“law?”

no answer. you chewed your bottom lip softly, hesitating for a second before spilling your thoughts.

“i don’t know if it is the anaesthetic talking–“

“i didn’t give you any anaesthetic.”

“–but i really feel like kissing you.”

that seemed to catch him off guard enough to lessen his hold. his gaze flickered to your mouth, but quickly focused back on your eyes.

his lips curled into an imperceptible smirk. “yea?”

you nodded, feeling the heat from earlier flooding back.

“well, you’re a big girl. take what you want.”

you could have rolled your eyes if you didn’t feel so giddy. fortunately, from the way his entire body had tensed in anticipation, you knew law reciprocated the feeling.

in a second, you plopped yourself on your elbows, and – despite him putting a show of telling you to make the move – law dived to reduce the last centimeters between your faces, his lips capturing yours feverishly.

you melted into his embrace, your heart jumping from its cage. law swallowed each of your sounds like a starved man. when you twisted your torso to deepen the kiss, two strong hands grabbed you by the hips, manhandling you carefully – without breaking the kiss – to sit you upright.

“don’t move around,” he grunted in a breath, expert fingers hovering over the bandage he had wrapped minutes ago.

of course, even in this situation, the surgeon cared about your injury. weirdly enough, that thought let a gentle warmth settle all over your stomach. you smiled against his lips, slowing down the kiss until only your foreheads connected.

you pressed a final kiss on his cheek, near the corner of his mouth.

“thank you for taking care of me, doctor,” you whispered before pulling away, eyes sparkling with mischief.

law looked down on you, almost stoic – but a smug expression betrayed him.

“next time, try defeating your opponent for once.”

your face fell immediately, a frown replacing your smile. “ha. ha. asshole.”

the man huffed – which, in his world, was him bursting out of laughter – and absentmindedly tucked a wild strand of your hair behind your ear.

you repressed a smile.

“you’ve never really answered my question,” you finally ended up saying with a smirk, your mind jumping back to your previous conversation. “are you dying for me to be part of your crew?”

your interrogation was met with (another) long staring contest, during which law’s confidence made you squirm with excitement for his response.

“i didn’t answer because it is pointless,” he finally replied, voice low, leaning into you. “we both know you wouldn’t leave luffy not matter how much you’re dying to kiss me like that everyday.”

you choked on your saliva.

“you little-“ you glared at him, but your eyes caught sight of something behind him – his katana, leaning innocently against the wall.

you gasped.

“holy– i forgot you were a swordsman too! that’s where the audacity comes from! get away from me– get away you frea–“

two warm lips shut you up.

surprised, you surrendered immediately, melting into the kiss. but almost a few seconds after, law pulled away brusquely and stepped away, leaving you longing for more.

“always so loud, y/n.”

You and Jake were best of friends. He was the big brother anyone could ever asked for. Playful, protective and caring. You cherished him for that, you never want to leave his side. Hell, you wanna be like him, strong and brave.

Little you were too stupid to understand the lack of paternal figure in your life. Because there is no need for that when you already have Jake who protects you from your curiosity over your father's deadbeat behavior. You never questioned it.

Until one day, your brother left without any explanation.

When Jake is no longer here to answer the questions for you, he ended up leaving more of them and had you pondered non-stop with the same sentence over and over again.

Where did oppa go?

Is oppa okay?

Is oppa alone?

Will oppa come back?

Is oppa ever coming back?

You never get any of them answered until now. Until you've grown into a young woman and still living under your mother's roof. She's now who your considered best friend. She's not Jake but she's the only person you have and now care about enough to stay.

You stopped asking her those questions, seemingly got tired of them so you kept your mouth shut.

Rumours spread fast. Your curiosity never left you. So you started snooping and eavesdrop in conversations, either involve you or not. Anything that may give away Jake's well-being.

Only then you find out that he had turned into a gangster. You asked yourself why. Was life so bad? He has everything, you and mom. What is he fighting for? What isn't enough?

"Mom." You stood by the living room, facing the floor. "Is it true? That Jake..."

"Don't waste your time thinking about your brother." Minseon gently cut you off and that's when you raised your head to face her. But she avoided your eyes, casually wiping the window.

"But..." Your hands gripped on the fabric of your attire. You want to know. You want to know so bad. Did he misses you? Did he ever think of coming home just to see you?

"Come, help me with this." As usual, your mother changed the topic to distract you. You have learned to accept that she's doing whatever she can to protect you. If not then, she just hates you bringing up whatever topic that may reminded her of the father you never met.

.

It's been years. You lost count. You continue to live your life normally. Make friends and study. You pushed away your past and got spend time most with your mother.

"C'mon, open it." You encouraged. Watching Minseon examined the velvet box and give you a weird look with a cocked brow before opening the it to reveal a jade bracelet.

She blinked then glanced at you skeptically, "Where did you get this?"

You rolled your eyes, "Why does it matter? Wear it! Here." You carefully put on the jewelry around her wrist. The gem caught the light as it shines flawlessly.

Minseon drop her wrist onto her lap and gave you a half scowling look "Don't mess with me. Where did you get it?"

You pouted, "I bought it of course."

"With what money?"

"I joined a business."

"At this age?"

"Stop underestimate me, mommy."

"Tch, I'm not. I'm just asking if you're stealing for a living by any chance."

You gently pushed her side, "Mom! How could you! I'm working hard for us, you know?"

Your mother who hardly react to your playful push let out a scoff, "I know, I know. I'm just asking. ...Or you have a secret boyfriend?"

"Omma!"

"Just wondering."

Life is perfect. Just you and mom.

.

"Like father like son. I guess blood really is fucking thinker than water." Minseon uttered, pouring tea into the cup while sitting across from Jake.

"Why are you so mad today?" He looked down at the drink before raising his head back.

"...How is (Name)?"

"Why don't you ask her that yourself?" She replied, glancing behind him. Jake followed her gaze, turning his head with widened eyes where you stood by the entrance.

Your froze. As shocked as him and neither of you moves.

He's here. Here here.

This is the first time you've seen Jake in forever. So much has changed. He's now taller, older. Are those scars on his face? Seems like the rumours are true. He really is a gangster.

Jake slowly gets up on his feet without breaking eye contact with you.

"...(Name)."

When your name escaped his mouth, you broke out of your trance. You shot him a glare before turned your back on him and abort your objective to go inside the house. Your foot stomp angrily onto the ground, your pace fastened as you hear Jake quickly chased after you.

"Wait! (Name)!"

You ignored him as you marched aimlessly into the neighborhood.

"(Name)! Please." Luckily his legs are longer as he effortlessly catches up to you and grabbed you by your wrist. Your swiftly avert his touch as if it burns.

"Don't touch me!"

He grumbled. "Where you even going?? Let's go back. It's dangerous."

You scoffed, "Oh right. And you aren't?"

"What are you talking about? You don't remember your own big brother?"

You stopped in your tracks but refuses to face him. Your arms crossed over your chest. "Brother? Hah! I have no brother. My brother left me years ago."

Guilt washes over him at your recollection. He couldn't deny the truth. He did on his own account so he didn't have to be like his father. It's almost funny how it quickly backfired. How can he escape his destiny anyway? Like mom said, blood thicker than water.

"Listen, I..." Jake exhaled heavily. "I can explain. Just give me a chance. I know we wasted a lot of years being apart. I have my reasons and I promised you. You have every right to hate me for it."

Your face flickered slightly, nearly exposed your vulnerability before you catch yourself.

That being said, the curiously never left you. Now that he's here, why not hear him out? What's the worst that could happen?

"Hmph." You turned back towards where home is without sparing him a glance. Jake's shoulders slumped but he took your reluctance as a good sign before follows you from behind.

Back at your mother's house, Jake and you stood by her garden as he explained himself A to Z. And throughout this process, you haven't showed any single emotions. You just listened without cutting him off.

"And...now I'm here." He finished. "Listen, I don't deserve your forgiveness, I know I messed up big times with you. And I think about it every single day."

"I think about you every single day."

He stopped closer, "You're still my baby sister. Except... you're not a baby anymore." He mustered a tiny smile, "You've grown taller, smarter and prettier."

"...I bet there's many guys that want to court you." He poked.

You brushed your hair off your shoulder sassily, "Sure they do! But they all didn't match up to my standards unfortunately."

"Yeah, I get that. Men sucks."

"That includes you." You snapped over the corner of your eyes.

His lips twitched into a smirk, "That includes me."

"Hmph! You didn't even think to pay a visit!"

"I did! But mom said you weren't home at that time, so." He scratched his neck. "But hey! I'm proud of you. You're studying and have your own legal business I heard! Man, I could never, haha..."

A beat passed.

"So, father..." You started hesitatingly. "He's so much worst than I anticipated."

Jake sighed, shifting his weight to his other leg. "Yeah, well. I learned to embrace his flaws. As much as he did us wrong, he never did to the others."

"Oh please. He prioritized strangers than his own family. And he called it 'romance'. Ugh." You gagged. "What a bunch of baloney."

"It does hurts." He admitted, glancing the green surrounds you. "I'm not here to change your mind about him."

"He was the absolutely worst piece of shit ever." You both said in sync before sharing a short laugh.

"C'mon," He jerked his head towards the house. "Let's go back inside. I still have to talk to mom. I have to ask her something."

Your slowly faced him, hands dropped to your sides. "Is it about him?"

"Yeah." He nodded, his expression turned serious. "You might want to hear this part too. Depends how interesting it'll get."

.

"About seven years older than you. Yes, Gapryong Kim have another son."

You and Jake's eyes turned wide, mouth slightly agape at the revelation from your mother.

If you haven't ask whether this could get any worse, now it just did.

Gapryong's son who lives in Mexico and works in a cartel. And Minseon just stopped there. Purposely gatekeeping you both by saying not to get involve. You surely won't. You don't want to. You don't even know what regular criminals are capable of and now she's talking about a literal cartel boss.

Your turned your head to looked at Jake who's still focus on mom, desperate to know more despite her gentle objections.

"If there's good side and evil side in Gapryong, then Jake, you are the good side. And that guy inherited the evil side."

.

"Are you...going to be okay?" You forced yourself to mutter once you both are alone once more. You have sworn yourself that you wouldn't show any concern for Jake but after today's event, it's hard not to. Because deep down you still love him. He's your brother after all.

"Don't worry about it." He shot you a grin. You frowned, "That's not very convincing. What if you get hurt?"

He tugged the stray hair behind your ear, "It won't be my first. And it won't be my last." You clasped your hand onto him before he could pull away. You missed this warmth. This assuring and protective warmth of his. You missed him. You missed your playtime together, you missed having dinner together, you missed just talking to him.

The thoughts makes your chest tightened and your eyes begins to water.

Jake's face fell, "Hey, hey..." He cupped your face. "It's okay. I'm here now. Don't cry. Hit me, if that makes you feel better."

You want to. You want to hit him and continue to yell at him but you already went pass that. You already got what you wanted. You got your answers and there's nothing more to ask for. Except his presence.

"It's not fair." You sniffled.

"I know it's not." He rested his forehead against yours. "I'm the asshole that broke your trust and I'm being an asshole for asking you to trust me again. It's so not fucking fair."

"Promise me you'll come home." You looked at him, desperate for affirmation that he will grant you this one wish.

"I promise." He said without a single doubting. "In one piece." He added. "And if you're free, I'll take you to see Big Deal. They would adore you."

He pulled you into a firm yet loving embrace. Your first hug in years. You immediately returned it, clinging onto him like he might disappear as you both stayed like that.

After some time he gave you a final squeeze before letting you go reluctantly. He squeeze your shoulders, patting them then dropping his hands awkwardly.

"I should go now. Take care of mom for me."

You nodded, "That's what I've been doing."

He grin, "I know you do." He pat your head before walking towards the open gate.

He turned one last time and wave at you while he walked sideways.

You wave back even while wearing that sad face of yours and mouthed,

"See you... oppa."

Jake paused. His face tightened as he forced a smile. Slowly he disappeared from the neighborhood.

.

Back at Big Deal.

"Jake! What happened?! Who hurt you?" Jerry exclaimed, watching Jake blowing his nose into another tissue. His tears continue to stream down as he sobs.

"I'll get them Jake! Just give me your words!"

Jerry: okay Jake!

Jake: be sure to stay out of sight. She can't know.

Jerry: okay Jake!

Jerry, stalking reader:

Based on @darkness-of-the-sakura 's comment from this fanfic ty for making me laugh 😭

You and Jake were best of friends. He was the big brother anyone could ever asked for. Playful, protective and caring. You cherished him for that, you never want to leave his side. Hell, you wanna be like him, strong and brave.

Little you were too stupid to understand the lack of paternal figure in your life. Because there is no need for that when you already have Jake who protects you from your curiosity over your father's deadbeat behavior. You never questioned it.

Until one day, your brother left without any explanation.

When Jake is no longer here to answer the questions for you, he ended up leaving more of them and had you pondered non-stop with the same sentence over and over again.

Where did oppa go?

Is oppa okay?

Is oppa alone?

Will oppa come back?

Is oppa ever coming back?

You never get any of them answered until now. Until you've grown into a young woman and still living under your mother's roof. She's now who your considered best friend. She's not Jake but she's the only person you have and now care about enough to stay.

You stopped asking her those questions, seemingly got tired of them so you kept your mouth shut.

Rumours spread fast. Your curiosity never left you. So you started snooping and eavesdrop in conversations, either involve you or not. Anything that may give away Jake's well-being.

Only then you find out that he had turned into a gangster. You asked yourself why. Was life so bad? He has everything, you and mom. What is he fighting for? What isn't enough?

"Mom." You stood by the living room, facing the floor. "Is it true? That Jake..."

"Don't waste your time thinking about your brother." Minseon gently cut you off and that's when you raised your head to face her. But she avoided your eyes, casually wiping the window.

"But..." Your hands gripped on the fabric of your attire. You want to know. You want to know so bad. Did he misses you? Did he ever think of coming home just to see you?

"Come, help me with this." As usual, your mother changed the topic to distract you. You have learned to accept that she's doing whatever she can to protect you. If not then, she just hates you bringing up whatever topic that may reminded her of the father you never met.

.

It's been years. You lost count. You continue to live your life normally. Make friends and study. You pushed away your past and got spend time most with your mother.

"C'mon, open it." You encouraged. Watching Minseon examined the velvet box and give you a weird look with a cocked brow before opening the it to reveal a jade bracelet.

She blinked then glanced at you skeptically, "Where did you get this?"

You rolled your eyes, "Why does it matter? Wear it! Here." You carefully put on the jewelry around her wrist. The gem caught the light as it shines flawlessly.

Minseon drop her wrist onto her lap and gave you a half scowling look "Don't mess with me. Where did you get it?"

You pouted, "I bought it of course."

"With what money?"

"I joined a business."

"At this age?"

"Stop underestimate me, mommy."

"Tch, I'm not. I'm just asking if you're stealing for a living by any chance."

You gently pushed her side, "Mom! How could you! I'm working hard for us, you know?"

Your mother who hardly react to your playful push let out a scoff, "I know, I know. I'm just asking. ...Or you have a secret boyfriend?"

"Omma!"

"Just wondering."

Life is perfect. Just you and mom.

.

"Like father like son. I guess blood really is fucking thinker than water." Minseon uttered, pouring tea into the cup while sitting across from Jake.

"Why are you so mad today?" He looked down at the drink before raising his head back.

"...How is (Name)?"

"Why don't you ask her that yourself?" She replied, glancing behind him. Jake followed her gaze, turning his head with widened eyes where you stood by the entrance.

Your froze. As shocked as him and neither of you moves.

He's here. Here here.

This is the first time you've seen Jake in forever. So much has changed. He's now taller, older. Are those scars on his face? Seems like the rumours are true. He really is a gangster.

Jake slowly gets up on his feet without breaking eye contact with you.

"...(Name)."

When your name escaped his mouth, you broke out of your trance. You shot him a glare before turned your back on him and abort your objective to go inside the house. Your foot stomp angrily onto the ground, your pace fastened as you hear Jake quickly chased after you.

"Wait! (Name)!"

You ignored him as you marched aimlessly into the neighborhood.

"(Name)! Please." Luckily his legs are longer as he effortlessly catches up to you and grabbed you by your wrist. Your swiftly avert his touch as if it burns.

"Don't touch me!"

He grumbled. "Where you even going?? Let's go back. It's dangerous."

You scoffed, "Oh right. And you aren't?"

"What are you talking about? You don't remember your own big brother?"

You stopped in your tracks but refuses to face him. Your arms crossed over your chest. "Brother? Hah! I have no brother. My brother left me years ago."

Guilt washes over him at your recollection. He couldn't deny the truth. He did on his own account so he didn't have to be like his father. It's almost funny how it quickly backfired. How can he escape his destiny anyway? Like mom said, blood thicker than water.

"Listen, I..." Jake exhaled heavily. "I can explain. Just give me a chance. I know we wasted a lot of years being apart. I have my reasons and I promised you. You have every right to hate me for it."

Your face flickered slightly, nearly exposed your vulnerability before you catch yourself.

That being said, the curiously never left you. Now that he's here, why not hear him out? What's the worst that could happen?

"Hmph." You turned back towards where home is without sparing him a glance. Jake's shoulders slumped but he took your reluctance as a good sign before follows you from behind.

Back at your mother's house, Jake and you stood by her garden as he explained himself A to Z. And throughout this process, you haven't showed any single emotions. You just listened without cutting him off.

"And...now I'm here." He finished. "Listen, I don't deserve your forgiveness, I know I messed up big times with you. And I think about it every single day."

"I think about you every single day."

He stopped closer, "You're still my baby sister. Except... you're not a baby anymore." He mustered a tiny smile, "You've grown taller, smarter and prettier."

"...I bet there's many guys that want to court you." He poked.

You brushed your hair off your shoulder sassily, "Sure they do! But they all didn't match up to my standards unfortunately."

"Yeah, I get that. Men sucks."

"That includes you." You snapped over the corner of your eyes.

His lips twitched into a smirk, "That includes me."

"Hmph! You didn't even think to pay a visit!"

"I did! But mom said you weren't home at that time, so." He scratched his neck. "But hey! I'm proud of you. You're studying and have your own legal business I heard! Man, I could never, haha..."

A beat passed.

"So, father..." You started hesitatingly. "He's so much worst than I anticipated."

Jake sighed, shifting his weight to his other leg. "Yeah, well. I learned to embrace his flaws. As much as he did us wrong, he never did to the others."

"Oh please. He prioritized strangers than his own family. And he called it 'romance'. Ugh." You gagged. "What a bunch of baloney."

"It does hurts." He admitted, glancing the green surrounds you. "I'm not here to change your mind about him."

"He was the absolutely worst piece of shit ever." You both said in sync before sharing a short laugh.

"C'mon," He jerked his head towards the house. "Let's go back inside. I still have to talk to mom. I have to ask her something."

Your slowly faced him, hands dropped to your sides. "Is it about him?"

"Yeah." He nodded, his expression turned serious. "You might want to hear this part too. Depends how interesting it'll get."

.

"About seven years older than you. Yes, Gapryong Kim have another son."

You and Jake's eyes turned wide, mouth slightly agape at the revelation from your mother.

If you haven't ask whether this could get any worse, now it just did.

Gapryong's son who lives in Mexico and works in a cartel. And Minseon just stopped there. Purposely gatekeeping you both by saying not to get involve. You surely won't. You don't want to. You don't even know what regular criminals are capable of and now she's talking about a literal cartel boss.

Your turned your head to looked at Jake who's still focus on mom, desperate to know more despite her gentle objections.

"If there's good side and evil side in Gapryong, then Jake, you are the good side. And that guy inherited the evil side."

.

"Are you...going to be okay?" You forced yourself to mutter once you both are alone once more. You have sworn yourself that you wouldn't show any concern for Jake but after today's event, it's hard not to. Because deep down you still love him. He's your brother after all.

"Don't worry about it." He shot you a grin. You frowned, "That's not very convincing. What if you get hurt?"

He tugged the stray hair behind your ear, "It won't be my first. And it won't be my last." You clasped your hand onto him before he could pull away. You missed this warmth. This assuring and protective warmth of his. You missed him. You missed your playtime together, you missed having dinner together, you missed just talking to him.

The thoughts makes your chest tightened and your eyes begins to water.

Jake's face fell, "Hey, hey..." He cupped your face. "It's okay. I'm here now. Don't cry. Hit me, if that makes you feel better."

You want to. You want to hit him and continue to yell at him but you already went pass that. You already got what you wanted. You got your answers and there's nothing more to ask for. Except his presence.

"It's not fair." You sniffled.

"I know it's not." He rested his forehead against yours. "I'm the asshole that broke your trust and I'm being an asshole for asking you to trust me again. It's so not fucking fair."

"Promise me you'll come home." You looked at him, desperate for affirmation that he will grant you this one wish.

"I promise." He said without a single doubting. "In one piece." He added. "And if you're free, I'll take you to see Big Deal. They would adore you."

He pulled you into a firm yet loving embrace. Your first hug in years. You immediately returned it, clinging onto him like he might disappear as you both stayed like that.

After some time he gave you a final squeeze before letting you go reluctantly. He squeeze your shoulders, patting them then dropping his hands awkwardly.

"I should go now. Take care of mom for me."

You nodded, "That's what I've been doing."

He grin, "I know you do." He pat your head before walking towards the open gate.

He turned one last time and wave at you while he walked sideways.

You wave back even while wearing that sad face of yours and mouthed,

"See you... oppa."

Jake paused. His face tightened as he forced a smile. Slowly he disappeared from the neighborhood.

.

Back at Big Deal.

"Jake! What happened?! Who hurt you?" Jerry exclaimed, watching Jake blowing his nose into another tissue. His tears continue to stream down as he sobs.

"I'll get them Jake! Just give me your words!"