Chapter Text
'Look Law! Once we do this place up, it's going to be a perfect place for us!" Cora hugged a preteen Law to his side, causing a scowl to flash across Law's face.
'Whatever Cora. Why did you buy this stupid place anyway? I'm gunna die in a year, it will take at least that long to fix it up!' Cora knelt and gripped Law's cheeks. Law immediately started struggling.
'Because kid. I love you, and look at whats attached to this place! You could go either way with your smart brain!' Cora gestured to the battered buildings behind him. Law sighed, but looking at Cora's face, his excitement, made him give a small smirk.
'Fine. But I want to design it properly!' Cora grinned and picked him up, smile a mile wide as they walked towards the entrance.
Looking at the buildings now, one would hardly know that twelve years ago they had been nearly falling down upon them. Fresh out of a miracle escape from Doflamingo, Cora and Law had fixed them up, and now, the Heart Hospital and Corazon Aquarium shone brightly in the morning light. It had taken years, and a lot of money from a stash that Cora had stolen from his brother to get them where they are today, but Law was so proud. He hoped Cora was as well, looking down at him from the heavens.
'Law! Come on man, let's go!' Bepo called out to him from the hospital doors, a mere ten steps from where Law stood between the entrance to the aquarium and hospital. Law designed it that way on purpose. His hospital had a lot of sick kids and adults, and for some of them, the odds of leaving the hospital alive were slim. So, the aquarium gave them something to look at before they died.
'Coming Bepo. Got my coffee?' Bepo nodded and handed a large cup over. He walked beside Law as they entered the hospital lobby and continued down the hallways towards Law's office.
'Doflamingo wants to see you again today.' Bepo murmured as the office door shut. Law grunted.
'He wants permission to use the harbour.' Law grunted again, moving paperwork from his 'To-Do' pile to his actual workplace. If he had know how much paperwork would be involved running the two places he never would have done this, he thinks to himself.
'No, he will not use my place for running drugs, king or not.' Law had had enough of Doflamingo pushing him over this. His harbour was the latest addition to his aquarium, and had the tightest security he could buy. 24 hour surveillance, guards walking the docks and razor wire on top of the electrified security fence had made it virtually impossible to sneak into. And that is exactly why Doflamingo wanted to use it.
'Sorry Captain.' Law sighed. That silly name that Bepo, Sachi and Penguin came up with years ago had stuck.
'Not your fault Bepo. Hopefully we can get all the evidence we need to take him down without endangering my employees and animals.' Being an Alpha himself, Law knew the dangers of letting unknown people into his workspaces. His workplaces had one of the highest rates of job applications in the city, and Law knew a lot of them worked for the king, Doflamingo. Dressrosa had been thrown on its head the day he took over. Omegas were seen as inferior to the Alphas, and even Betas, so they were no longer able to hold the top spots in nearly all professions. Doctors, lawyers, vets, hell even managers in smaller stores like grocery stores and service stations were demoted or fired. Law had been furious at these rules, and rehired all his omega doctors as 'nurses', letting them still work in the profession they loved without risk of 'disobeying'. His vets became vet nurses and his staff loved him for it.
'We will. But until then.....'
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Luffy was cautious as he snuck through the alleyways towards what he swore was a familiar scent. He hated the cities, much preferred being somewhere easier to move in, hunt it. Loud noises had him on edge, and he let slip a low growl as he smelt alcohol waft passed him, an Alpha who has currently passed out along the wall blocking his way. Luffy gave a quick jump over, landing nearly silently with his bare feet and quickly continued, in case the drunk awoke. Sniffing again, he realised the smell from the Alpha behind him was too strong, and he lost the original scent he was going for. Another growl, and Luffy spotted the fire escape, clambering up it quickly to reach the roof of the ten story building. The wind ruffled his long hair, tied in a hasty ponytail to keep it from blowing in his eyes. His suntanned skin, covered in dirt and grime blended nearly perfectly in the darkening sky. He watched the people down below, grimacing at the still too loud noises and scents. He hated it here.
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Law sighed as he finished for the day at the hospital, taking the wide hallway the cut between the hospital and aquarium to make his way back to his home. He was meant to go out on a date tonight, but he knew it would be another failure. He just wasn't interested. No Omega, Beta or even Alpha smelt nice to him. Plesant, maybe, but none gripped him in a way that made him want to continue on with a relationship. Law knew it was stupid to go by scent alone, but if he didn't like it now, he wouldn't like it later. Penguin set this one up, a friend of his sister's. He sighed. He had seen the look on her face and he walked up to her, his black suit and shirt stretched across his chest, showing muscled arms and the barest hint if tattoos. His dark hair wasn't styled, nor did he wear any make up. He didn't bother trying anymore.
'Thank you for meeting me here.' The young Beta shyly smiled and sat down at the restaurant she had picked out for their date. Expensive, with a small menu that contained far too many dishes containing bread, in Laws opinion. He could smell the perfume the Beta was using, way too strong with way too many flowers shoved in. He could smell her actual scent just underneath it, a mix of musk and pineapple, nether of which in Law's opinion should go together. This already wasn't looking good. They made small talk as the waiter came to get their orders, and Law noticed that she ordered the most expensive wine, and dish to go with it. He would have to tell Penguin he sucked at picking dates. Law was already bored as his companion prattled about something she had done at her workplace, Law couldn't even tell you what that was, nodded at random times as the food was finally served. Finally, some silence, Law thought as they ate. When it was finished, Law asked for the bill. The Beta looked surprised.
'Did you not want to stay? I've been told their desserts are to die for.' Lisa? Liza? Elizabeth? Whatever her name was asked, before her eyes shifted to something Law imagined she thought was coy. 'Or do you have other pla-?'
"I don't think this will work.' Law bluntly cut her off. She looked shocked for a second.
'But we didn't even really-'
'I know, but to be frank I don't like your smell, or the fact that you ordered the most expensive thing, at the most expensive restaurant in the city. I will pay this time, but please do not contact me again.' With that he stood, stuffing enough bills inside to cover the bill and walked out, the Beta spluttering behind him. He called Penguin as he started his way home. Law wasn't worried about getting attacked. Not only was he taller then most people, being an Alpha helped. He was also, technically he guessed, under Doflamingo's protection, much to his disgust.
He had found him and Cora again, a few years after the cure had been found for Law. He had just come home from his classes to be a doctor, and found Cora and Doflamingo in the kitchen, guns pointed at each other. Cora was already hurt, but they both turned their heads to look at him as he walked through the door and froze.
'Well if it isn't little old Law. And look at you, an Alpha now! How lovely.' Doflamingo grinned at him. 'What, aren't you even going to say hello? Come now, its been years! 5 to be exact.' Law was still frozen. Cora stepped in front of Doflamingo again, blocking him from seeing Law.
'Leave Doffy. We don't want you here. I won't let you drag what we have done here to the ground with your shady sh*t. Leave us alone!' Cora felt Law shakily grab the back of his black feather coat. Doflamingo smiled and co*cked his head.
'But brother dear, I PAID for all this, didn't I?' Cora froze with a snarl. He may be a Beta, but he wouldn't let his Alpha brother hurt Law.
'That money was mine-' A shot echoed as Cora stumbled slightly. blood blooming across the shoulder of the light pink shirt he wore beneath his coat. Law gasped and tried to rush for the first aid kit, gun wound tratment already running through his head. Cora held him tightly with against his back with one arm.
'That money was MY hard earned cash. You stealing it doesn't make it yours. Plus, a little birdie told me about what else you have been doing Rosi.' Doflamingo's grinned dropped as he snarled. 'You're a Marine. An undercover spy meant to take down my family.' Cora was still frozen and Law, pushed hard against his back, gasped. Cora? A Marine? No! His Cora worked at the aquarium. They were still in the process of choosing a name, it was meant to open in a few weeks! He was no Marine! Marine's killed his family!
'You're right. And I'm sorry for lying Law. But I refuse to let him turn you into a killer.' Cora had turned his head to look down at him. Law was staring at his face, remembering all the violence he had done as a child. Cora turned back to Doflamingo. 'You will not touch Law, and you will not take what is MINE away. I paid for all this. Your money is still in a separate account. They only thing I spent it on was food and clothes.' A lie, but one he will defend if it meant Law was safe. He let loose a snarl at Doflamingo. He snarled back, gun moving from Cora's shoulder to his chest. Cora held his steady.
'You better shoot me then Cora, because otherwise I'll destroy everything you have built and take Law for myself.' The veins in Doflamingo's head throbbed. Law clutched the feather's of the coat and felt tears leak from his eyes. Please, don't let me lose Cora too! Cora stood defiantly.
'Leave Doffy. I have already sent off the info I had on you. I'm sure the Marines have it now. Leave!' Doflamingo smiled again.
'Ah yes, you sent to straight to the top of the command chain didn't you? Funny thing is, the Second Corazon was waiting, and he saw it first. And he alerted me. I have plans for this place, Rosi, and you will not be here to ruin them.' Five more shots rang out. Cora stumbled, then fell on top of Law. Stuck under his guardian, he could do nothing but struggle as Doflamingo came closer, ignoring Cora gasping wetly to look at him.
'Law. I'll let you live. I'll even let you continue what you're doing. But you had better come running when I ask you too, understand? Or I will destroy all this.' He gestured to their kitchen and the rest of the house. Law trembled in fear and nodded.
'N..no.' Cora stuttered out, blood pooling beneath him and coating Law, who struggled harder to get out from beneath him. He had to fix Cora's wounds! He finally managed to kick himself and turned towards the first aid kit. A final shot was heard and Law froze. No, please no! He turned around in time to see Doflamingo walk through the door towards the exit, and the lifeless body of Cora expel its last breath.
Penguin answering the phone called him out of his memory, drawing a shuddering breath.
'Yo, Captain, how did it go?'
'Terrible. You are no longer allowed to choose my dates.' Penguin whined on the other end.
'Oh come on, that's not fair! I really tried this time!'
'No.'
'Captainnnn.'
'No.'
'But-'
'Please Penguin, no more. I can't keep doing this. I am clearly meant to be alone.' Silence returned his harsh words. Law continued walking towards his home, a few more blocks and he would be there. He refused to cry now. Tomorrow marked the 9thyear since Cora's death. God, he just wants to drink. Drink himself to sleep so he won't have nightmares tonight.
'Me, Sachi and Bepo will be there in twenty. Make sure you let us in. Do we need to bring food or did you make it that far in your date?' Penguin was oddly serious. Perhaps he also remembered what tomorrow was.
'I ate. Just...use your codes to get in, I guess.' Law replied, finally standing in front of the aquarium. He unlocked the door, nodded to the nightguard and continued on his way. He had to change into something more comfortable if he wanted to drink tonight.
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Luffy watched as the tall man continued walking below him. He had settled on a smaller roof closer to the ground in hopes to see if the restaurant would throw out some good food, he was starving. He could smell him, an Alpha that for once, didn't reek to him. It was a nice mix, orange, blueberry and jasmine maybe, not one that someone would expect for an Alpha. He breathed in deep and opened his mouth slightly to let the smell settle across his tongue. Luffy hummed before getting distracted by the door opening into the alley. A bag was placed at the door, and the door closed. Luffy had to be quick, he wasn't the only scavenger here.
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'So that's why I am destined to be alone.' Law slurred as he draped himself across Bepo's massive frame. Bepo was huge, but so gentle in all his movements. Having gone white early in life, Bepo's locks ran to his shoulders, always pulled into a ponytail or bun. He was a hairy man of 26, and Law loved, not that he would tell Bepo that, burying himself into him and his soft chest hair. Bepo was a Beta, as were Sachi and Penguin. They were some of the very few Law could stand to have around him without his senses wanting to gag from their smells.
'Captain....Law....Lawww...no one is meant to be' hic 'alone.' Penguin was sprawled on top of a snoring Sachi. They were pretty hammered, empty bottles laying around them.
'Naw see I am though. Even if I did find the one person I liked, I would have to...to...kidnap them so they could never leave.' Law threw his hands around, his drunken state making the words he normally buried in his mind tumble out.
'I can helps..' Bepo mumbled before starting to snore. Law gave a small laugh, as Penguin followed suit. With a sigh, Law raised his drink to the ceiling.
'To Cora.' He said, before downing the shot and falling into the abyss.
Law awoke in the morning and had never been more glad that he one, took today off as he always does, and two, the sun never shines brightly through his windows. He had been so clever to design the house this way. While it still felt empty without his Cora, with his friends here, it wasn't too bad. He went to stand and his stomach lurched. Gagging slightly, he stumbled to the kitchen sink and poured a glass of water.
'Oily foods, I need some bacon..' he mumbled opening the fridge and pulling out some ingredients to make some bacon and eggs. He kicked Sachi as he went through the living room to the toilet, forgetting his cooking quest as the need to pee nearly overpowered him. Sachi awoke with a groan and followed him, leaning against the wall as he waiting for Law to finish.
'There are two toilets down here you dumbass.' Laws voice crackled as he spoke to Sachi on his way to the kitchen. Sachi gave him the finger. The smell of cooking woke the others and they ate in the lounge room, sprawled against couches and chairs. The TV was showing some kind of movie, no one knew what. Law smiled as he heard Penguin run for the sink and the sounds of spewing following. He never learned.
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Luffy once again was following the smell the seemed so familiar but so...not. As though it had changed slightly since he smelt it last. It lead him across the street to the Corazon Aquarium, but no rooftops could get him any closer. He didn't want to go on the street, he knew he was dirty and people would stare. He didn't want to be near anyone. Noone could be trusted. He glared at the sprawling building, and at the hospital beside it. They were huge, and you could see where some of the buildings had been extended, multiple times. The aquarium itself seems to be the largest building he had ever seen, taking up well over a few blocks, and continued out into the sea, with various areas sectioned off with walkways and gates. He couldn't see much beyond that, but people were already walking around the front doors waiting to be let in. He could just see a few ships docked behind it all, and shook his head. The hospital may not have gone out into the water, but it was still huge. It seemed to be almost the same as the aquarium, and was also busy with people going in and out the doors. A few Ambulances stood waiting in the wings for the next emergency, and the place looked clean and tidy. Luffy didn't know who the scent belonged too, so he once again gave up finding it. They seem to have disappeared anyway. He turned back towards the way he came and started leaping across the buildings, deciding to search other sector of the city.
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The day after Cora's anniversary, Law had been working on paperwork in his aquarium office. He had several meetings on the board today. Some for the hospital, some for the aquarium. They has recently opened another section in their animal hospital, as was needed from the amount of wild sea life that kept being brought to them. He had the best team of doctors he could find, but he needed more. The cafe that the aquarium also hosted was bustling with people, and they needed more room for tables and the kitchen needed to be bigger. Damn the chef he hired for being so good at his job. Security needed checking, and the pumps to one of the pens had been misfiring. Then the CT machine at his hospital had broken down, one of the x-ray rooms had to be remodelled after an unruly alpha tried to force himself on an unsuspecting nurse. He was one of three doctors that had clearance to work on Omegas during their heat cycle, the only Alpha, and they needed to up that number, which meant more trials to make sure those he hired were safe. He groaned and buried his hands in his hair. What a long day he had planned. The last thing he needed was-
'Dr Law, come quickly! It's an Omega, critical injuries! He's crazy!' f*ck. Time to go.
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Luffy was in a haze of pain and fear, lashing out as the arms of people tried to keep him down. His teeth were sharp and his nails sharper, and he was ready to tear out the throat of the next person who touched him. The last thing he remembered was feeling something explode against his chest. Then he woke up to people strapping him to the bed. No! He will not be trapped again! He let off a snarl and lunged at the nearest person he saw.
'f*ck, get me sedative, now! He's going to kill himself!' Luffy growled at the new voice. Voices blurred together in his ears. 'Stay down Omega, we are trying to help.' He growled again and bared his teeth, but his tears kept his eyesight blurry. He threw his arm up and felt the arms that had been holding him down lose traction and he threw a punch. It was caught, and Luffy tried to pull it back to swing again. The hand that caught his fist was pulled towards him and he froze when a smell overcame him. Oranges, blueberry and jasmine. Where did he know that scent? The hand held him down and that drew Luffy out of his head. He tried to bite at the neck that he could see was now so much closer to him, but another hand slammed his head against the bed. Fear was beginning to overtake Luffy as he struggled, not noticing the prick of a needle against his arm. His movements began to slow, and his head began to get heavy, but all that did was make Luffy panic more. His fear stench must be stinking up the room, he hazily thought as he fought against the hands that held him and the hands of sleep that tried to claim him.
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When they said feral Omega, Law sure as hell wasn't expecting this. The body on the bed was thrashing so badly Law couldn't even tell if it was male or female at first. Three people stood on either side trying to hold the smaller body down. The Omega was snarling and Law see the wound on their chest wasn't slowing them down, but it would sure as sh*t kill them if he didn't fix it. Blood had already splattered across the people holding him down, enough to have Law barking orders to get some emergency blood down to the OR now.
'f*ck!' One of his staff was thrown against the nearby wall, scrabbling back up and diving back to the leg that kicked him away. 'Get me some Sedative, now! He's going to kill himself!' Law dove towards the bed as well, hoping to be able to restrain an arm for the sedative to work.
'Here Dr-' The nurse went to hand him the drugs, but the Omega drew his attention before he could take it.
'Stay down Omega, we are trying to help.' Catching the flying fist had been a lucky boon, as it was it stung his hand and nearly pushed it into his own face. He was dragged over the Omegas chest as they brought their hand back, and Law mourned his snow leopard scrubs goodbye as blood instantly soaked in. He felt the Omega freeze, and immediately tried to hold the arm down, other hand coming up to grab at their face as they tried to bite him. He noticed the Omega struggling harder and the scent of fear nearly doubled in the room, causing more then a few people to stagger. He felt the nurse slip in behind him and inject the drugs, Law releasing a quick breath in relief, then regretted his decision. He was nearly gagging at the stench of the feral Omega. He stank of fear, unwashed body odour and old food. His eyes were still wide, although slowly closing as the drugs took effect. He was strong, Law took note as he was nearly thrown from the Omega's body several times. The bloody wound on his chest was deep and large, and he wasn't even sure if he could fix it. Finally, after another five minutes, the Omega went limp, whimpering slightly as he stared at Law. Law hesitated, before getting off him and directing them to the nearest OR.
It was a hard surgery, and after a twelve hour run all Law wanted to do was go and sleep. His meetings would have to be pushed until tomorrow, he mused as he stumbled back towards the Omega with a washcloth and bucket. He was still out, with various tubes and an oxygen mask obscuring his face. The nurses had done a quick job of cleaning his face to put on the mask, and chest for the surgery, and Law couldn't deny he liked what he saw. A scar under one eye looked old, and Law could see various other scars littering his body. He slowly washed the Omega off, none of his staff were game enough in case he woke up again, but they were standing close by with more sedative if needed. His anesthesiologist, Bepo, stood closer, keeping a sharp eye on the screens.
'Everything ok so far?' Law murmured as he cleaned off one arm. Bepo nodded, taking a deep breath as all the screens showed no change. Law moved onto the other arm.
'Why do you think he was so scared?' Bepo asked, darting his eyes across to the young man on the bed.
'I dunno Bepo, but I never want to see that happen again. He must be homeless, or ran away from somewhere. He has no collar, and I know the nurses ran bloods and looked at any missing Omega records, but never found him, so perhaps not a run away.' Bepo nodded at Law's words, the hesitantly grabbed the other washcloth to start on the boy's legs. Even Bepo could say that he was impressed with the muscle he could feel. They worked silently, and Law finally took a deep breath and worked on his shoulders and neck. The room was beginning to smell a lot nicer now that the Omega was cleaner. Bepo changed the water for the 7thtime. Law had designed his hospital to have filters and vents to help dispurse all smells from the rooms if needed, and he was glad that he wouldn't have to keep breathing the stink that seemed almost permanently attached to the boys skin. Suddenly, Law smelt something. He took a deep breath, opening his mouth slightly to let the senses on his tongue take it in. It smelt like....strawberry? Vanilla too, with some strange flower mixed in beneath. A lotus maybe? He wasn't sure. He bent down to get a closer sniff, and jerked when he heard Bepo clear his throat.
'Law, is everything ok?' The nurses held up the needles filled with sedation. Law had a rule in his hospital, to protect anyone in it. If anyone, doctor, patient or visitor, showed too much attention towards an unconscious, unwilling or unable to defend themself person, all nurses and doctors had permission to immediately sedate so as not to let any unwanted mating or attacks occur. That included sedating him.
'Sorry. Sorry. He has an interesting smell and I wasn't thinking.' The nurses relaxed but kept a close eye on him, as did Bepo. He finished cleaning the boy and got him set up in a private padded room, one usually used for criminals but also those who are prone to be destructive after waking. Hopefully this would prevent any damage. Bepo sighed as the door closed behind them, securing the Omega inside with windows to watch his screens.
'I think we should keep him under for as long as we can.' Bepo said. Law nodded. A medically induced coma would be best for the boy right now.
'Yeah Bepo. Now lets go and get some sleep.' Bepo nodded and they began to walk back to the aquarium. Law had plenty of spare rooms he could crash in.
Lotus flowers fell gently to the ground around him, in a seemingly endless stream. Starberry plants covered the ground he stood in, bright red berries glinting between cool green leaves. Vanilla candles burned somewhere, Law could smell them. He turned around and there he was, back to him. red cloth draped itself across tan shoulders, leaving his back bare as it curled around his front, before returning to cover his ass. Law stared as the figure swayed softly, dark hair falling in rivlets that Law wanted to grab and pull. He took a step, and the figure stopped moving. Chocolate brown eyes peeked over the figures shoulder as Law moved closer. The scent got stronger as Law reached out to touch...
When Law woke with a start the next day, he could already hear Bepo in his kitchen as he cooked. Hoping he made enough for the both of them, he stumbled into the shower. The dream lingered in his mind, the scent seemingly stuck in his nose. After bathing, he walked out into the kitchen and saw Bepo had even made him coffee. He took in a deep breath as the scent from his dream, and the dream itself, dissipated, replaced by coffee and bacon.
'Mornin' Captain.' Bepo was clearly still half asleep, munching on some toast he had made for himself and some bacon for Law. Law nodded at him and they ate quietly.
'Any news about the Omega?' Law didn't even have to specify which one. Bepo shook his head. Nodding again, he left the table to get his tablet, the one that was connected to all things in the aquarium and hospital. It also connected his secretary to him. He groaned when he saw his work day.
'I swear she doubled all my meetings.' Law grumbled as he sat back at the table. Bepo laughed quietly.
'Come on Captain, let's get started.' Bepo stood, and Law followed as they made their way to the door.
