A/N: Another update for this week to compensate my long absence.
This is beta-ed by Royiah.
Enjoy!
C…Cold… H…Hot.. C…Cold… Hurt… Why does it hurt? Sabo? Ace? Where are you? Why is it dark? I don't want to be alone. Sabo!? Ace?!I..I'm sc..ared…
"…ffy! Lu..ffy!" He could hear them, they are here. But why can't he see them. Ace, Sabo where are you?! I'm s..scared..It h…hurts. A..Acee.. S…Saboo. He wanted to cry to scream, reach out to them but he can't. His body refused to move.
"Sa...bo, Luffy… is… It's m..my.." Was the last thing he heard before he blacked out.
Beep~ Beep~ Beep~
Huh? What's that? Why is it still dark? Why can't he see anything? Ace? Sabo? I can't move. Huh?
"Wake up, Baby brother. Ace and I miss your obnoxious self so much." Sabo? Is that you? He tried to move again but he can't. What's happening? "Also, this stupid older brother of ours almost killed himself because of impulsiveness just to save you. So wake up and assure us with that stupid big smile of yours. P…please L…Luffy." Ace? What did Ace do? Sabo don't cry I'm awake! It's frustrating why can't I move? Dammit! Sabo! Ace!
Thud!
What's that? Hey? Are we in danger? Why does Ace sound so angry? Oi! body, move! I said move Dammit! Ace and Sabo are in danger. Move. Move. finger moved! Finally. He tried to move again, he realized that his eyes are closed so he tried to open them. A slight twitch, he tried again, it worked! Ouch! light blinded him slightly so he closed them again. A few moments later he tried opening it again slower, getting used to the light. His sight kind of hazy as he tried to scan his surroundings. What he saw was unfamiliar. Where? He tilted his head slightly to search for his brothers but instead what he saw in his hazy gaze was…
"B…bread? P…pineapple? P…pretty l...lady?" He whispered in confusion. He winced at the sound and pain of his voice and the raspy feeling it made to his throat. At the image of the two blurry foods his stomach rumbled painfully. He scrunched his face. When was the last time he ate? He tried to look at more of the room until his hazy gaze met the familiar silhouette of his two beloved brothers. Despite the scratchy feeling of his throat he called his two brothers with a shaky grin.
"S..Sabo...A..Ace...I'm hungry." He passed out of exhaustion unable to say anymore.
Ace couldn't believe his eyes. Luffy woke up. He could feel the tears burning in the corner of his eyes. His brother woke up but the happiness and relief he felt turned into panic as Luffy lost consciousness again.
"I'll call the doctor immediately," Izo said but Ace's attention was on Luffy as he tapped his baby brother's cheek lightly.
"Hey, Luffy. Can you hear me? It's me, Ace Nii-chan." Ace said as he tried to wake Luffy. Surely it's not an illusion his mind created, right? Luffy woke up right?
"Hey Ace, calm down," Sabo said softly beside him. He looks at Sabo with wide worried eyes, tinged with panic.
"Hey, Sabo it's not just my imagination right?" He asked Sabo, making sure that none of this was a cruel joke. "You saw it too, right? You heard him speak? Please tell me it's not a dream?" Ace pleaded as he grabbed Sabo's shoulder and shook him desperately.
"Yeah, I heard him too. Now calm down so Doctor Jodie can take a look at him." Sabo calmed him as he removed Ace's hand that were gripping his shoulder quite painfully and guided Ace's restless form to one of the seats beside the three commanders to let the doctor and some nurses check on Luffy. Ace nodded, taking a deep breath before letting himself be moved. He noticed the three commanders beside them and frowned before giving them a sharp glare.
"Why are the bastards still here?" Ace asked Sabo who sighed at his other brother's attitude towards them. The three commander frown disapproving but let the insult pass.
"We are also worried for the kid." The pompadour-haired man answered. Ace stared at them with a pointed glare.
"Whatever." Ace scoffed before scooting closer to his other brother before letting his eyes wander to Luffy again.
A few moments later the doctor finished checking up on Luffy. Ace and Sabo wasted no time as they bombarded the poor doctor with questions.
"How's Luffy?" Ace asked.
"Did he really wake up? Why did he lose consciousness again?" Sabo added.
"When will he wake up?" Ace Said
"Is he really okay?" The brothers said in unison.
"Hey, calm down Ace-kun, Sabo-kun." The nurse Chris beside the doctor said to the two brothers. "Doctor Jodie won't be able to answer all your questions if you don't let him speak." She added with a calming smile, the two brothers mutter a quiet "Sorry Chris-san." before shutting their mouth. Christine or Chris for short was the nurse that came with them when they fetched Luffy from their hideout and was now was assigned to Luffy's care. She was wearing the typical Whitebeard Pirates nurse uniform and leopard print thights. Chris let out a small smile as Doctor Jodie started answering the questions the boys bombarded him with.
"His vitals are stable so no need to worry. It's clear the he finally regained consciousness and is not in coma anymore but passed out again due to lack of energy. I've already removed some of the machines that were supporting him but left the IV drops. We need to let him continue resting." He said. Doctor Jodie, Luffy's attending doctor was a man in his 30's. He has short blonde hair. his caramel-coloured eyes give them a once over. "And you two clearly need to rest." He added without a beat. And true to the doctor's words, Ace and Sabo look like a mess. There's dark bags under their eyes and just looking at their sickly white complexion and exhausted bodies the two clearly hadn't gotten enough sleep. When was the last time they actually had a good sleep?
"No. We will wait for Luffy to wake up." Ace protested as Sabo nodded his agreement. They just couldn't go to sleep yet. They need to make sure that Luffy was going to be alright.
"Luffy will be alright. You two need to rest. Doctor's orders." Doctor Jodie said firmly. When the two brothers started to protest again the doctor cut them off. "I will let the both of you sleep beside the kid." The doctor compromised. As far as he could tell the two would refuse to leave the little kid out of their sight even for a second.
Sabo and Ace look at each other before looking at the doctor reluctantly not sure if it's really okay. Would it not disturb Luffy's rest? Before they could voice their concern, Doctor Jodie smiled softly. "It's fine." And without protest the two climbed onto Luffy's bed. Chris assisting them by pulling one of the vacant beds besides Luffy's bed to give them more space. With the help of the sixteenth division commander they finished quickly. Being careful of the small tube connected to their little brother's arm and at his bandaged chest, the two brothers greedily wrap their arms around Luffy, noting the warmth that was absent from him ever since he'd been injured. Ace and Sabo caught only parts of the conversation around them, the voices of the adults fading in and out as the brothers fell asleep.
"Alright, some soup and soft food, noted Doc." The fourth division commander said.
"I'm going to report this to Oyaji. Chris, I'll leave you in charge here." The voice of the doctor.
"I'll accompany you to Oyaji, yoi." The voice from the first division commander was the last thing they heard before darkness engulfed their senses.
When Luffy woke he could feel a comforting warmth on both sides, very different from the pain and coldness he felt in his sleep. He tried to move but found it hard to do. Opening his eyes to see what it was, his sleepiness completely disappeared seeing his two older brothers sleeping peacefully on both sides their arms wrapped protectively around his waist.
"Ace. Sabo." He muttered quietly, his face split into a wide grin.
"Ara~ you're finally awake, Luffy-chan." A sweet gentle voice of a woman said from above. Luffy's head whipped up to the voice, tilting his head in confusion.
"Who are you, Oba-chan?" Luffy asked with a large question mark at the side of his head. The woman giggles at him walking towards his bed.
"My name is Christine, but you can call me Chris. I am a nurse here." The nurse introduced. Luffy nodded with an 'o' shaped mouth, the nurse giggling at how cute the kid is.
"How do you feel?" Chris asked when Luffy lost interest in her and turned to snuggle up with his big brothers instead.
"Hungry." He said quietly then coughed when his throat itches from speaking. "and thirsty." He added in between his coughing. He tried to sit up despite the tangled limbs on his waist. Chris immediately grabbed the pitcher of water and glass from the table besides Luffy's bed. Pouring some water in the glass before giving it to Luffy who was now sitting, back resting on the headboard of the bed. Assisting him when she saw the kid having difficulties holding the glass of water. Luffy drank the water quickly, not minding the few drops that was dripping down the side of his lips.
"Pwaahh.. That's better!" Luffy exclaimed after finishing the water. Chris places the glass back where she got it and grabs a towel to wipe Luffy's face but before she could do that Luffy yelled in panic.
"Whaa! My hat? Where's Hat?" Luffy screamed as he whips his head left and right frantically to look for his hat. Chris blinked at the panicking child and pointed to the hats that were piled up at the side of the table.
"Is that what you were looking for?" Chris said. Luffy blinks and look at where she was pointing.
"Uwahh! Haaaat!" Luffy exclaimed as he reaches out stretching his rubber arm to grab his Straw-hat, hugging it tightly before placing it on top of his head. Chris smiled, completely unaffected at the display of the kid's ability,used to being around so many devil fruit users on the ship. Also knowing that he is a devil fruit user from the kairoseki shard they removed from his chest that prevented him from healing.
"It must be very important to you. Your brothers wouldn't let that go." Chris said as she motioned her hand to the kid's face. Luffy got the message and tilted his head upward to see better.
"Really!?" Luffy brightens at the mention of his brothers protecting his precious hat in his stead. "Yeah, it's very important to me. It's my treasure." Luffy said with a soft voice going quiet for a moment. Chris remains quiet as she leaves Luffy to his thoughts. "Ne~ Chris-neechan." Luffy called after a moment of silence.
"What is it Luffy-chan?" Chris hummed as she smiles at Luffy after wiping his face and folded the towel to place it on top of the table.
"Where's this place?" Luffy asked.
"You are on the ship of the 'Strongest Man in the World' known as Whitebeard. The Moby Dick." Chris said with a proud smile. "And you Luffy-chan are in its infirmary." Luffy looks at her blankly.
"Whitebeard? Who's that?" Luffy asked. Chris eyes widened at the question. Everyone knows who Whitebeard is. Why doesn't this kid know him?
"E..Eh? You don't know who Whitebeard is?!" Chris exclaimed, losing her composure completely when Luffy shook his head. "Well Whitebeard is a great pirate." Luffy's eyes shined at the mention of 'pirate'
"A pirate?! So cool!" Luffy exclaimed excitedly, eyes still shining. "Is he strong?" Luffy asked. Chris couldn't help but giggle at the kid's cute enthusiasm.
"Yes. Oyaji is the strongest pirate I know." Chris exclaimed proudly.
"Oyaji?" Luffy asked, confused at how she refer at her captain. "Is he your Tou-chan, Chris-neechan?" Chris smile serenely as she patted Luffy's head.
"Nope. Whitebeard isn't my birth father, but he called us his sons and daughters, so we call him Oyaji in return. Oyaji treats us like his real family despite not being related by blood that's why all of Whitebeard Pirates love him dearly." Chris explained with a pride as she stroked the little kid's chubby cheek with her thumb. Luffy listened intently, heart thumping warming inside his chest.
"I see. He is a kind and strong captain then. Shishishi." Luffy concluded seemingly satisfied at the explanation. Chris blinked at the kid's simple conclusion before letting out a warm chuckle. She's starting to like this precious little kid.
"Anyways, Luffy-chan. I need to call Doctor Jodie, so he can check up on you and then I'm going to ask our chef to prepare a light meal for you. Can you be a good boy for me while you wait?" Chris asked, earning a slight nod and grin from the kid. "Okay." With one last smile Chris leaves to call for Doctor Jodie then heads outside to find the fourth division commander to ask him if he could make a light meal for little Luffy.
When Christine came back, Doctor Jodie had just finished checking up on and was currently changing Luffy's bandages. The two older brothers still curled up and sleeping deeply on both of Luffy's side's, she lets out a relieved smile. She was really worried for both of them when they refused to sleep or eat their meals in favor of looking after their then comatose brother. It took Chris a lot of persuasion and assurance just for them to take a break and wash up. It's bad for their health especially at their age. But even then, it didn't take them long before going back too taking care of little Luffy. They really pushed themselves to their limit and exhausted their bodies. Her evidence was her not-so quiet conversation with Luffy. They didn't even twitch when Luffy-chan wriggled out of their protective embrace nor woke up at Luffy-chan's little outburst.
As soon as Luffy spotted her, the little kid beamed and called her name this time a little bit quieter. Chris let out a silent giggle, Doctor Jodie probably told him to lower his voice as to not disturb his older brothers' rest as the doctor also worried at how the two kept pushing themselves passed their limits.
"Chris-neechan." Luffy called, waving both his hands with so much enthusiasm. Doctor scolded him a little to stay still as he wrapped the bandages securely on his chest. Luffy bit his lip after muttering a "Sorry" that did not sound genuine at all.
"Hello, Luffy-chan. Have you been a good boy?" Chris greeted with a smile as she pulled the portable table in front of Luffy and put down the tray where the bowl of soup, bread and a glass of water were placed.
"Yep." Luffy answered with a wide grin.
"There. done." Doctor said as he finished the bandaging. "Try not to move too much. We don't want your stitches to re-open do we? Now eat your meal then after that, try to get some more sleep." He finished with a smile then turned his attention to Chris.
"I'll leave Luffy-kun to you then." With that the doctor left with one last pat on the kid's head as Luffy beamed widely at him.
"Here's your food, Luffy-chan." At the mention of food Luffy's wide smile got even wider and squealed.
"FOOD!" He exclaimed. He started eating his meal and in the blink of an eye it was gone, he turned to Chris asking for a seconds but he was disappointed when Chris shook her head no. "But I'm still hungry, Chris-neechan." He whined with a pout.
"I'm sorry, Luffy-kun. You should only eat a light meal for now, but I promise when you are fully healed I will ask the chef to make you lots of food. Is that alright with you?" Chris explained with a smile. Luffy thought for a moment, staring at her as if calculating if she was telling a truth or not, making Chris a little bit nervous. After a full minute of staring Luffy's serious face broke into a wide grin.
"Alright. Shishishi." Letting out a sigh of relief, Chris smiles back and cleaned up the dishes.
"You should rest now." She said as she tucked Luffy in his bed, repositioning his older brothers so Luffy could get more comfortable.
"They are still asleep." Luffy said out of nowhere. Usually Ace and Sabo will immediately jerk awake when they feel or hear just a little bit of movement or voice but not this time. So, he tried to wake them up but the doctor said not to wake them up because they need to sleep too.
"They haven't slept at all. They were really worried for you." Chris explained with a gentle voice. When she noticed the gloomy aura that surrounds Luffy and Chris knew the kid must be blaming himself. She tried to comfort him. "They're really good older brothers. They didn't leave your side one bit. They love you a lot." She said with a smile Luffy was still sad but forced a smile as he nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. I love them too. They're my precious Nii-chan." Luffy said as he snuggled closely to Ace and Sabo, basking in the comfort and warmth they emitted and in return the two older brothers unconsciously scooted closer at their little brother. heads nuzzling on both sides and arms wrapping around him as they let out a content sigh. Luffy let out a small giggle and within a moment he too was asleep peacefully wrapped in the protective arms of his precious older brothers.
A/N: And Luffy's officially awake now. Expect ASL fluff next chapter. *wink, wink* I will be out of town due to field work tho so I dunno when will I have a chance to write again but still gonna try.