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Law found Prof Marco vaguely interesting. From afar, he looked overweight but if you looked closer, you’ll see that he’s full of muscle. It’s an enviable figure. It’s also an attractive one. When you pair it with his friendly personality and remarkable intelligence, you get a perfect man with a fat paycheck to boot.
“Captain, why do you hate prof Marco?”
“I don’t hate him,” Law said. He heard Marco laugh by the water cooler and scowled. It’s impossible for an old man to look so cheerful at this hour. “I simply do not perceive him.”
Although he enjoyed joking around, Penguin’s the straightforward type when you get to know him better. He thought Law’s acting stupid and said so.
“Marco’s really nice,” Penguin said. “Aren’t you the one who’s always saying that everyone here is terrible-”
“Except you guys.”
“Wha-” Penguin giggled and shook his shoulders. “I knew you loved us.”
“Correction: I tolerate you.”
Marco thanked a nurse for helping him with something. Law wondered how he could be so friendly. Why was he always smiling? What was he hiding? Were the nurses really that lovely?
Or… God forbid, Marco was high. That seemed more likely. The twinkle in his eye was always there even during late-night calls.
“Thank you, Connis,” Marco said. “I’ll look over the blood test results after lunch.
Oh, and there he goes again with that perfect smile. It’s the type that just lights up the room. God. His smile stretched across his face and the sides of his eyes would wrinkle. He’d laugh and everyone would fall to their feet.
Connis looked like she fell in love. Did they even know each other?
Law heard Penguin speak. “No, but you should make more friends. Aren’t you doing a night shift with him tomorrow?”
“AreN’T YoU DoInG A NiGhT ShIFT WiTH HiM TomORRow?” Law was annoyed.
No really, no old man should be this cheerful. It isn’t fair. No, really, it’s fucking annoying that Law’s the only one exhausted at his job.
—
It all started on a perfectly acceptable evening with a pleasant wind. It was nighttime, and Law was having his fifth cup of coffee, getting ready for surgery.
Just when Law was about to go inside, he saw Marco was waiting outside the operating room. He showed up in a baggy shirt and jeans, with a cup of coffee from the same coffee shop Law went to. He drank it quietly, stoically like he’s better than everyone.
He stopped when he saw Law. He forced a smile.
“Trafalgar, yes? I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”
Law blinked incredulously. This was the first time a prof sought him out personally.
At the time, Law knew him as the head of the geriatrics department. He’s well-liked for being a good listener. He’s a beloved professor who gives students snacks and recommendation letters on time. He’s Grand Line’s pride and joy as one of the longest-serving staff members.
It therefore surprised him to see Marco suddenly look so stern on their first meeting. Law wondered if any supervisor looked that angry with him before.
“Have you started on the surgery?” Law said no. Marco looked relieved. “Call it off.”
“Excuse me?”
Marco cleared his throat. “The old man has dementia and pneumonia.”
“Isn’t the latter stabilised? Bepo showed me the results at three.”
“It acted up again at five,” Marco said stiffly. “Didn’t you see my emails?”
“I did.” And Law didn’t think it’s bad enough and if it were, Shachi and Penguin knew how to handle it. Bepo was calling Law back inside. “If you’ll excuse me, prof.”
Marco assented a polite, “Sure” when Law went back inside.
He didn’t think much of Marco’s comments at the time.
It wasn’t unusual for people to look at him funny. Why was he—a twenty-six-year-old barely older than most graduates—suddenly promoted to be a junior consultant? That was a rank only people in their late thirties started achieving.
He wasn’t afraid of the questions but he did get annoyed when people started interfering. If Law had one personality trait, it’s that he didn’t like people telling him what to do. And he should’ve known early on that Marco was telling him what to do then.
He didn’t think of it because Law was focused on doing a good job. That was his second personality trait. Law liked being a surgeon.
“We’ll start by making an incision here,” Law said. “Bepo, scalpel.”
Cutting was Law’s favourite part. It really meant, “Showtime, baby.”
It helped that the team assigned to him at Grand Line Hospital worked well together. They’re quiet, obedient and overall agreeable to Law’s antisocial personality. Law liked the occasional jokes they cracked.
Shachi was good at keeping track of changes. Bepo was a docile assistant and Penguin was a good anesthesiologist.
“Why did the pharmacist walk on her tiptoes?” Penguin said.
“Why?” Shachi said.
“It’s so she won’t wake up the sleeping pills.”
Shachi let out a laugh. Law opened the heart. It was beating slowly. Carefully, he opened the pulmonary and frowned.
“What’s wrong?” Bepo said.
“The oxygen is dropping,” Law muttered without thinking. He forced a smile beneath his mask. “Shachi, can you help?”
“On it, a couple minutes, please.”
Law turned to Bepo. “Give me those tissues, I need to clean something here.”
“What should I do?” Penguin felt left out.
“Make sure this old man doesn’t wake up.”
Penguin smiled sarcastically. “Got it!”
-
Law needed to throw something away at two in the morning. Shachi said he and Bepo could continue doing small things here and there while Penguin entertained them.
Law went outside and saw a familiar face. This time, this face had a laptop. Huh.
“You’re still here?”
Marco grimaced.
When he stood up, Law was surprised and somewhat impressed to see that Marco was taller than him, with a thicker neck and longer facial structure. Law wondered if he had lip filler done.
“How’s he doing?”
“Okay,” Law said.
“I see.”
Law didn’t like the look in Marco’s eye. Marco laughed dryly.
“Go home, prof,” Law said. “It’s late and you had a long day.”
“I should say the same for you,” Marco said insipidly.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“The pneumonia is acting up, isn’t it?”
Law frowned.
“I said so, didn’t I?” Marco said.
“Yes, prof.” Why was Marco talking to him like he’s a child? “I am aware of this.”
“Isn’t his high blood pressure making things difficult?”
Law shrugged. Anything could go wrong beyond just blood pressure. Penguin was the rare sort who was more diligent than he looked.
“I can do it,” Law said. “My team and I can do it.”
Marco gave Law a look. He arched an eyebrow and Law felt small. This son of a bitch was not Doffy so who did he think he was? Law was not stupid.
Law grabbed Marco’s shirt and slammed his hulking beast-like body against the wall. Marco was merely surprised that Law could even do all that as scrawny as he was.
Marco said, “I should’ve made you kids call it off earlier. It’s too high-risk and he’ll die regardless of what you do. It’ll be easier to convince the family to let him die more comfortably without the extra cost.”
“I will not be insulted by you,” Law said.
Marco seemed intrigued. “How have I insulted you?”
“You’re looking down on me.”
“I’m being realistic,” Marco said calmly. “I want to take care of my patients.”
The air conditioning in the hospital hallways at this hour was non-existent. Marco looked drunk despite speaking soberly. He was sweaty, red-faced and irritated but did well in holding it together, unlike Law.
“You look like you haven’t slept in three days-”
“So what? I have a job to do and I want to do it.”
“Why?” Marco said, yawning.
“Because I care,” Law said. He stood up straight. “Yes, I agree he most likely wouldn’t survive but I’d like to try for the small chance that he will.”
Marco raised his eyebrows. Law finally let go and went back to work. If he didn’t go back, he’d have to deal with Penguin crying about how he felt lonely. Unfortunately, that was both more annoying and pleasurable than dealing with Marco.
“And yes, you should’ve told me earlier. Fuck you.”
“My bad, my bad,” Marco answered, not meaning it.
Marco was still there, this time, with his hand on his hip. At least he looked like he’s ready to leave by slipping his laptop into a sleek leather bag that hung off his arm. He was smiling faintly. Marco’s forearms had tattoos.
—
Law resolved to never speak to Marco again for as long as he could. And yet, here he was… With the son of a bitch… In the same bar three months later. It would’ve been fine to leave it at that but the pineapple with a face sat next to him and bought him vodka.
That felt personal. How did he know that- Y’know what? A free drink was a free drink. Besides, Law thought as he sniffed it if Marco drugged that to kill him, Law would realistically make a space for him in hell.
“I didn’t expect to see you here, doctor,” Marco said nicely.
Law looked up. “Uh-huh, just five more minutes to midnight.”
Marco glanced down at Law’s shirt and smiled mysteriously. “That’s a colourful shirt.”
Law could not take him on. Mister Perfect looked strong. Prof probably worked out in his spare time and ate healthily.
“Thanks.” Law wondered what Marco was getting at with this strange look of judgment. “What is it, prof?”
Marco smiled. “You should wear more colours. You look friendly.”
“Is that why you decided to annoy me?”
“Annoy?” Marco’s smile dropped a little. “Are you angry at me?”
“No.” Law turned away. “I have no idea who you are.”
Marco hummed and smiled at the bartender, whom he appeared to be close to. That’s the problem with Marco. Mother fucker had friends everywhere and anywhere. Law wanted to say he envied him but he didn’t. No one needs that many friends, right?
“Why don’t you talk to him?” The bartender said not to Law, though. His name was ‘Shanks’. “Win ‘im over, cowboy!”
“Oh.” Marco smiled widely. “He doesn’t know me so why bother?”
“Isn’t that the point of talking to someone?” Shanks said, laughing.
Fuck you! You’re annoying and your very presence irritates me!
“Maybe you should’ve kept that as a thought bubble,” Marco said.
“Don’t tell me what to do.” Law chugged his vodka and asked for a refill. Shanks obliged. He glanced at Marco and frowned. “I don’t like that. I’m not a child.”
Shanks came back with a glass of vodka with ice. “Did you know that Marco liked feisty girls back in the day.”
“How long ago is ‘back in the day’?” Law said.
Shanks made a gesture with his one hand. “Fifteen years ago. He’s fifty now.”
“Forty five, dumbass,” Marco said defensively.
“Same thing. You’re halfway there to hell.”
Marco laughed pleasantly and said he hoped to see Shanks there too. Law grinned and took a small sip of vodka again.
That said, Law could see that, though. Marco was handsome and a bit too relaxed. Marco looked like the time to have a ‘tsundere’ who seemed to dislike everything he did but would melt the moment Marco kissed them.
Hmm…
He also wished someone would kick him in the balls.
He frowned at Marco when he realised Shanks was looking at him intentionally as if he was the feisty girl. God damn it.
“I’m not a girl.”
“I’m bisexual,” Marco said easily.
“Greedy-ass bitch.”
Marco laughed again. Law knew he was faking it. Marco looked kind of tipsy and like he needed a good bang to get whatever nonsense out of his system. Law chugged his second glass of vodka and prepared to walk out.
Marco swivelled back on his chair and tossed over an easy smile. He was waving goodbye.
“See you tomorrow, doc!”
Law flipped him off. “Talk to me again and I’ll make sure you end up in a chair with wheels.”
Marco laughed, now more sincerely. He asked Shanks to watch his drink to walk Law out. He was still holding his glass of wine. Law suspected it was the expensive kind based on the way he held it, careful not to spill even a single drop.
“You should try standup,” Marco said.
“And bore people to death? No way.”
Marco gave Law a look. Law realised he was smiling and stopped.
Marco offered a toast. Law shrugged and tapped Marco’s glass, thinking this act of professionalism was ‘okay’ enough for him to indulge.
How bad could it be? It won’t mean anything.
Marco’s face was flushed and his glasses were slanted. He adjusted it and smiled. Law scoffed and shook his head. Marco’s just a drunk man. Why was he so intimidated?
“How did you know I liked vodka?” Law said.
Marco seemed surprised. He drank wine again.
“You ordered it for me?” Law said again, now regretting his decision. “Surely, you must’ve known. If not, it’s a lucky guess.”
“I hate vodka,” Marco said bluntly. “It’s something you drink purely to get drunk.”
Law laughed the first time that night.
—
All of the Grand Line Hospital’s staff call rooms all had windows that featured gorgeous views of either the surrounding city or the theme parks an hour’s boat ride away. They were spacious (enough) and ventilated (enough) to have a comfortable night’s rest.
Although they all looked and felt the same in terms of architecture, there was a room Law liked in particular. It was a small one by the end of the hallway where it overlooked a dumpster. The touristy areas were still there but it’s a colourful haze of light far away.
No one liked it because there were mosquitos but Law wasn’t sweet enough to get bitten and his skin was thick enough to tolerate it. Many over the coming months called it ‘Law’s room’ for how often he used and hogged it. No one tried to dispute Law’s birthright.
The last time Shachi tried, Law hissed at him. Law was drunk and he didn’t remember. Shachi was one of Law’s most loyal fanboys.
Innocently, Connis told him it was empty and he was excited. When he checked, he swore Connis had something against him.
“Oh?” Marco turned back and smiled. “Are you using this room, doctor?”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Just paying my respects,” Marco said.
Law closed the door and left. He walked up and down the spare rooms. Law wasn’t sure what he’s expecting but he was sort of hoping that someone would conveniently leave their rooms so he could hog it.
Unfortunately, reality wasn’t kind. Law counted to ten and opened the door.
For fuck’s sake, did Marco have to strip? He could at least fold his shirt...
“Welcome back.”
“This is my room.”
“Oh?” Marco was amused like this was some game. “Do you mind sharing?”
Why you-
“Yes, I do mind. Get out.”
Marco laughed and turned around. Law didn’t even get his chance to say no. Law went inside, feeling emarrassed.
“How’s your day, doctor?” Marco said.
“Horrible. Everyone’s dying left and right,” Law answered sarcastically. Marco smiled gently and reminded him that they were in a hospital. Law kicked his feet when Marco stepped to the side to let him crash on the bed. “I’m tired.”
Marco laughed. “The cafeteria has good curry.”
“Prof, I eat nothing but caffeine and protein bars. My taste buds are fucked up.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” At least Marco understood sarcasm.
Law looked up. Marco’s look was unreadable despite his friendly tone.
“What?”
“Nothing,” Marco said, shrugging. He cracked a smile. “You should try it sometime.”
Law felt himself going insane the longer he looked at Marco. Who did that old pineapple-head think he was? They were not friends, barely even colleagues, yet here they were in the same room making small talk.
“I’ll take the sofa,” Marco said with resignation. He was smiling politely. The white light made his eyebags darker and stubble greyer. “You look like you need a break.”
Law thought Marco was being ridiculous. He didn’t mind sleeping on the couch, preferred it actually. Law sat up and said so but Marco ignored him.
Marco lit a cigarette and looked outside. “Go ahead and shower. It’s clean… Ish.”
Being a clean freak, Law grimaced and said, “I bet you smell terrible.”
Marco answered Law with a laugh. Typical, Law thought. Marco smelling like sweat, stress and garbage probably turned some people on like this seemingly perfect man had a wild side too. He probably liked the missionary style.
“I’ll turn in early,” Marco said. He blew cigarette smoke out the window. “Wake me up if someone calls me, yeah?”
“Why can’t you do it yourself?”
“I spoiled my juniors too much and now they call me for every little thing.” Marco looked stern as he said this. “I’m glad people trust me but I don’t know everything.”
“Are there people you answer to?” So Law could deliberately ignore them.
“Thatch, Izou and Pops for now.” Marco smoked again and crushed the cigarette. “And you too, of course, my roommate.”
He turned back when Law did. Law lay down on the bed and played with his phone. Lami asked him for advice on how to ask a boy she liked out on a date.
Law did his best.
Be confident, ask when she’s comfortable, make sure the boy wasn’t already taken, the whole song-and-dance. Lami just needed someone to believe in her and Law said he’ll beat him up if he made her cry. Lami replied with ‘lol gn’ and went offline.
The short fifteen-minute interaction made Law think. When was the last time he went out on a date, let alone met anyone new? Sure, he met new people in the hospital but no one really stuck with him for anything beyond ‘damn, they’re irritating’.
“Good night, doctor.”
Law glanced over. Marco was shirtless now. The light made the sweat on his chest glisten. His face was quite chiselled with high cheekbones and a square jaw. His deep-set eyes made him look focused, forming deep shadows on his face.
And then there’s his chest. It’s large with a large tattoo contouring his… His very… Uh. His uh… With very… Prominent…
“Why are your tits bigger than mine?”
Marco was just about to tuck himself in. He looked like he wanted to ask Law to turn the light off for him but was clearly against it now.
“I don’t know how to respond to that,” Marco said coolly. “Good night, Trafalgar.”
“Good night.”
Law turned the light off before getting in bed. He tried to fall asleep but he couldn’t. It’s weird having roommates. Law never liked having to share his personal space. Law glanced back and found himself sort of relieved to see that Marco’s wearing his scrub pants. No one looked good in scrub pants. Not even Marco’s ass.
To Law’s surprise, Marco didn’t snore in his sleep. He did though. That’s probably what kept Marco awake the whole night.
—
“Thanks man, come again!”
There was a nice coffee shop near the Grand Line hospital. It was run by a guy a couple of years younger than Law, a guy named Ace. He had long black hair, a nose piercing and freckles all over his face.
He knew how to make a decent cup of coffee for a good price and his blonde brother, Sabo, made decent biscuits on Wednesdays. Too bad those biscuits were excessively overpriced. Ace said it was because Sabo’s love and effort were priceless.
“Hey,” Ace said. He was polite enough not to mention Law’s wet hair. “Your usual?”
“Thanks.”
Ace went ahead and made the coffee black with a little caramel and cream. With a slower day, Law figured he could patronise this coffee shop to review paperwork.
Unlike the room, the table was unoccupied. For fifteen minutes at least.
“Is anyone sitting here?”
Marco would’ve sat down regardless of what Law said. Marco’s too self-possessed like that.
“Even if there were,” Law started. “You’d talk to them like you knew them for years.”
“You’re not that bad,” Marco said mildly. “You have a good sense of humour.”
“Are those glasses for show?”
Marco shrugged. Marco really said whatever he wanted and Law could say that he appreciated that. When Law became famous, he vowed to start saying whatever he wanted to.
Ace brought his coffee over and said hello to ‘Marco kitty’ along the way. No seriously, how many people did Marco know? Law sneezed.
“Would you like a tissue?” Marco said, pulling some neatly folded paper napkins from his rucksack. The fact that there wasn’t a single crumple on the paper annoyed Law. “To blow your nose at least? I don’t think you’re comfortable now.”
“No but I have emails to read.” Law gave Marco a look that asked to be left alone. He thanked Ace for the coffee. Law was livid when Marco took the cup and took a large sip.
“That’s my coffee.”
“You don’t need this much caffeine, do you?” Marco drank again. Cheap doesn’t mean free, damn you. “You’re still young. You’ll regret chugging coffee like that when you’re old like me.”
“Okay, prof.”
Marco hummed. “Do you want my jacket?”
Law didn’t even realise Marco had a jacket. It’s a denim one with a white collar and chunky buttons. The pockets were covered with bird-themed enamel pins. Meanwhile, Law wore a black hoodie with the words, “Red Velvet” printed in the centre.
“No. I’m not cold.”
“If you say so…” He was about to take his jacket off for real. Law wondered if he felt warm. “Go take a shower at the hospital. There shouldn’t be anyone using them.”
“I’m busy.”
“Your documents can wait,” Marco said.
Law shook his head and continued typing. It was a bit hard when he felt like sneezing and his knuckles went numb. He breathed out on his knuckles.
“Ace, can you get warm water?” Law heard Marco call out. Ace yelled back to agree. Marco gave Law a withering look. “It’s not easy fussing over you.”
“Then don’t. I can take care of myself, prof.”
Marco looked at Law with something like disapproval. He heard from juniors that Marco could get quite scary when he’s angry. It’s understandable. His bored face was intimidating.
“Don’t be an idiot, Trafalgar.”
“Okay, mister perfect.”
Marco laughed dryly. “It’s not professional to flirt with your coworkers.”
“I am not flirting with you.”
Marco’s smile was annoyingly radiant. Law looked like an idiot. Ace came back with the glass of warm water and a small plate of biscuits for his “kittens”. Marco gave Law the biscuits after taking one for himself.
Law took one and chewed on it. He usually didn’t like matcha but these cookies were good. Law thought it was good branding that the matcha ones were shaped like frogs and the coffee ones were capybara-shaped.
“Drink up,” Marco said, pushing the water over.
“I’m not paying you back.”
He shook his head as if to say that was not necessary. Law sighed and drank water. The glass felt nice to hold and his fingers weren’t as tense. Marco seemed to give up bothering him for now but Law could say goodbye to his coffee at least.
“What’s up, prof?” Law said. “You don’t have one for yourself?”
“Don’t worry about me,” Marco said easily.
“Are you crazy, prof?”
Smiling mysteriously, Marco stood up, bent over and kissed Law on the cheek.
“I’m fine.” Marco put his palm on Law’s forehead to check his temperature. “I was afraid you’d get hypothermia.”
Law realised what Marco did and yelled, “I’m not cold!” He hated the butterflies in his gut. They’re fluttering about.
“Yeah? That’s what the water’s for.”
“I have a black belt in Taekwondo,” Law said threateningly. “Perverted old man.”
Marco laughed. “I’ll add that to my list of fun facts about you. It also includes you liking vodka and being a workaholic.”
“Vodka’s the best! Mister Uncultured!”
He patted Law’s back roughly, almost breaking it, which almost made Law spit out the water. While reeling from the shock, Law felt Marco ruffling his hair like a dog.
“Bye, Marco-kitty! Come again!” Ace said. He refilled Law’s cup with fresh black coffee. “Marco kitty doesn’t usually flirt but, he has his cool side, doesn’t he?”
“That was not flirting, that was sexual harassment.”
Ace looked high when he said, “Nah, you’re into it.”
Ace pulled on something. Law realised that Ace wasn’t touching his hoodie. Since when did-
There was a denim jacket with bird-themed pins on his shoulder. Oh, that fucking bastard. Did he think he won?
Law banged his fist on the table, almost spilling his fresh coffee. He was red in the face. Ace was laughing hysterically at Law’s perceived humiliation.
Go fuck yourself, Mister Perfect!
—
Yeah… Law was still angry at Marco for… being nice to him…
:/
“Nice jacket, where’d you get it from?” Bepo said, trying to make conversation.
“Oh.” Law fiddled with the bird pin. Out of pettiness, Law added a Hatsune Miku pin by the collar to ‘ruin’ it. “I dug it out of the trash can.”
“It’s nice, captain. I should get a denim jacket too.”
Law smiled gently. “We can go thrift shopping when our paychecks come.”
“Yay!” Bepo was smiling. What’s in the air that made all of his friends want to give up being here? “Can we get cake too?”
Law shrugged. He remembered Ace saying he wanted to start providing cake with the coffee he served. “Sure.”
Bepo got out of his chair and went back to clerking patients. Poor thing had to manage the A&E section alone and Law wished him luck. He could help but he chose not to.
Law sighed, such is life, hmm… Life is truly unfair.
Law felt stuffy and took the jacket off. It was weird, though. As in, why was Law still hoarding Marco’s jacket of all things? It fit well and made him feel fashionable. Law straightened the collar on his shirt.
Was prof right? Did colours make him look friendlier? It’s ridiculous on paper but this is also the first time Bepo spoke to him first…
Hmm… Well, just because Marco’s older, it doesn’t mean he’s smarter. They’re all humans fumbling through life but really, was Marco…
Instead of reassessing his opinion of Marco, Law decided to try one last time to find a flaw in him. He said Mister Perfect as an insult but Marco took that in stride.
God, what’s happening? Law sounded like a simp. Stop that. Stop!
Just imagine him in his underwear, Law said, quoting a Spongebob. Everyone looked ridiculous in that. Law closed his eyes. Just…
“Excuse me, Doctor?”
Speak of the fucking Devil! He’s in scrubs and that was the broadest chest Law had ever seen. Was he seriously all muscle or were his ribs just big? Moreover, why was he standing so close?
“Are you free? Is this a bad time?”
“Every time is a bad time with you, prof.”
Marco smiled weakly.
Wait. Law squinted. Law saw Marco tap his shoulder. The lineart looked like a bird soaring, tail feathers forming a bracelet on his wrist.
“I want to refer someone to you and your team,” Marco said briefly.
Law leaned back and gave Marco a spiteful look. “Why?”
“I need a second opinion,” he said tiredly. “I’ve reached my limit.”
There’s something in his eyes that made Law uncomfortable. He didn’t think that Mister Perfect could feel like a failure. Law squinted and asked for more information.
“Of course.” Marco handed the case notes over. “For context, I recommend surgery but I’d like to know what you think.”
Law read the abstract briefly and raised his eyebrows.
“By when do you need a decision?”
Marco smiled sheepishly. “By five p.m.”
It was four thirty. Law wasn’t annoyed but he frowned deeply anyway.
“If it’s too much,” did Marco sound disappointed? “I can ask someone-”
“I’ll Teams you what I think.” Bepo acted pessimistic whenever Law didn’t immediately agree and that got annoying. “Don’t get so worked up. I haven’t even read it yet.”
When Law finally started reading, he realised this genuinely was beyond Marco’s expertise. No wonder the son of a bitch looked so desperate.
It was a heart problem that Law barely understood himself and needed to read up on. The old man himself had every medical condition in the book. High blood pressure, multiple strokes, a drinking problem, a smoking problem, diabetes and kidney failure.
As Law prepared his Teams message, he realised that management had emailed him about this five minutes ago, and essentially, they were forcing him to take over.
Law chuckled dryly. Even management wanted to look like a hero to the ever-so-perfect prof Marco Fushichō. Law CC’d Marco, alongside his team in his follow-up email.
Hi all,
As per discussed in the previous email, I’m in charge of Edward Newgate’s surgery.
@Vivi Please reserve operating room 16 from 8pm to 8am this Thursday.
@Penguin This is urgent; please attend.
@Shachi No, I don’t want salad for dinner.
@Bepo Don’t worry. I will guide you.
@Marco Please send over any other relevant information by Thursday at 6pm.
Best regards,
Trafalgar
And… Send!
Law had never felt better. Lami once vented that ‘As per the previous email’ sounded rude and Law was glad he could ‘get back’ at Marco in that sense. He felt like a God.
Yet, he didn’t check his notifications to see that Marco ‘reacted’ to his email with a heart emoticon ten minutes later.
That said, he sent Law a Teams message to ask him to return his jacket. Law told him to, “Just buy another one. Help the starving poor”. He was left on read… Rude.
—
Huh… So, Edward Newgate survived the surgery. Law wouldn’t say he’s impressed with himself but he was very impressed with himself.
The old man groaned. “And you are…”
“Trafalgar, sir,” Law said.
“Tra…”
Marco came up from behind him and patted Law’s shoulders.
“This is my colleague, pops,” Marco said. He glanced at Law as if asking for his approval to share more. “He’s your surgeon.”
“Tra…” Whitebeard tried again and Marco laughed indulgently.
Law looked constipated. “My cousin calls me Traffy, if that’s easier for you.”
Newgate laughed. “I like that. Traffy.”
“I didn’t know you had a cousin,” Marco said under his breath.
“I disowned him,” Law returned flatly. Luffy doesn’t deserve Law’s formal acknowledgement. “Does it matter, prof?”
Marco smiled at Law and nodded, as if to say, ‘Don’t embarrass yourself.’ Law got red in the face.
Feeling embarrassed, Law abruptly went ahead and looked at the other patients. He was greeted by the general physician Tony Chopper. He had a preference for children but the little guy was so smart that he knew and could do everything except surgery.
Chopper was earnest.
“Prof Marco likes you!” Chopper said. “He said I can learn from you!”
“Huh?”
“Prof doesn’t like asking for help, especially for surgeries but when Newgate got worse, Kureha pressured him to refer and the first person he thought of was you!” He smiled. “He must really like you, doc!”
Law made a non-constant humming sound.
“I do my job,” Law said tightly. Was Marco that overworked? “Can you take over from here? I have to answer some emails.” That was code for, ‘I don’t want to work today’.
Chopper was enthusiastic. He agreed.
As Law was about to leave, he couldn’t help but look back at Marco smiling at the old man.
They made for a strange pair: an old man who could only speak in babbles next to a slightly less old one who spoke calmly and clearly. Law scoffed. Marco leaned in to listen better despite his lower back looking somewhat uncomfortable.
“Don’t say that, pops. Traffy is a very good doctor,” Marco said, grinning.
“But he looks so mean.”
“Traffy’s not so bad,” Marco replied. “It’s not easy for young people nowadays.”
That was all Law could hear about that conversation. Law bowed and adjusted the IV drip one last time for a patient before walking out to get a cup of water. He leaned against the wall and sipped water.
It was a slow day and Law kept typing on his Microsoft Teams. Penguin sent him a meme and he was doing his best to understand why Penguin thought it was funny. No, he did not want to have ‘girl dinner’, he just wanted dinner.
“Hey, doc,” Marco said warmly. He laughed loudly. “Don’t give me that look.”
“Please stand respectfully three meters away from me, prof.”
“Okay.” Marco stood next to him anyway. He stared ahead blankly. “Thank you.”
Law frowned and shrugged. “I’m just doing my job. He’s just another patient to me.”
Marco raised his hand to bid him stop talking.
“What?”
“I don’t know why you always act like you hate me but don’t do that now,” Marco said. He cleared his throat. “Edward Newgate isn’t just ‘another’ patient—he’s my father.”
Well, it wasn’t acting.
Law blinked rapidly. Wait. If you knew I was being difficult on purpose then why would you give me your fucking family to operate on? Marco looked like he gave a fuck about this old man, so why?
Marco extended his hand out. His fingers were not at all bone-dry like Law’s.
“What are you doing, prof?”
“Let’s work together,” Marco said. He took Law’s hand and shook it firmly. “I want pops to get better and I need your help.”
“Uh-huh…”
No, this moment wouldn’t change anything. Law’s annoyed that everyone loved Marco more than life itself. Law’s also annoyed over how Marco’s overall vibe like he walks around like he’s better than everyone around him.
“I’m sorry,” Marco said. He laughed dryly. “This is why doctors shouldn’t be entrusted with taking care of their own loved ones.”
Law wanted to poke fun at him just once. “That’s what medical school calls a ‘conflict of interest’.”
Marco laughed. “You want to be a good doctor and a good son. It’s not possible but you think it’s easier if you have full control over their treatment and diagnosis but your judgement gets cloudy and you feel burdened doing it all on your own.”
Law frowned. Stop flaring up, heart. “So you’re dumping your responsibilities on me?”
“I didn’t say that.” Marco unfolded his arms. “You’re a good doctor, so I can just focus on being a good son.”
“That’s exactly what you’re doing.” Law made a face. “Don’t sugar coat it.”
Marco patted Law’s back and left the ward first, claiming he had other cranky men to look after. Marco once said that they weren’t blood related but Law thought otherwise.
Both have platinum blonde hair and blue eyes so light it was basically silver. Both are relatively tall and muscular with broad shoulders and large chests. Both have the same smile, wide, cocky and with a dimple on the left side.
Law heard Newgate laugh and swore it sounded just like Marco’s. It could be that he’s tired but not everyone had that cocky ring to their laugh.
“Hey, boy,” Newgate seemed to be addressing Law. “Can you get Marco?”
“He has a clinic to take care of,” Law said. “He won’t be free for at least-”
“I want to see my son.”
“Of course.”
Law sighed.
Marco’s just perfect in every way to everyone, isn’t he?
—
Despite being an overall hulking figure, there were parts of Marco’s body that were relatively slim. For example, his wrists were slender and women’s watches tended to look better on him. Marco was a bachelor but because of how often he wore women’s watches, Law swore he was married but Marco repeatedly said he was not.
His ankles were also slim. That much Law knew from the sandals he wore where the leather straps wrapped around until his mid-calf.
Law didn’t think this but Law knew that other people thought Marco was handsome when he dressed up. Alongside his sandals, Marco wore a white dress shirt and long dark navy slacks whenever he didn’t wear scrubs. The shirt was tucked out and it emphasised a sharp waist and his… His fucking chest, okay? It’s the most obvious thing about him.
“Y’know, captain, you have nice clothes too.”
“Why are people always fawning over him?”
Ikkaku sighed deeply and shook her head.
“I don’t get it. What makes him so special?”
“Why are you so obsessed with him?” Ikkaku said with genuine curiosity.
“I am not obsessed.”
“Oh.” Law didn’t like the glint in her eyes. She looked cunning. “So you have a crush on him?”
He’ll break Marco’s crusty back for making Ikkaku think such ridiculous things.
“You are not making any sense,” Law started. “He doesn’t even like me. He referred his dad to me because it’s cheaper and easier to do things in-house.”
Ikkaku smiled. “Really?”
Law knew what she’s looking at. Marco was apparently chosen to show some high-profile guests around the hospital. Marco was an old-timer who knew every little thing about this place, including the marketing boilerplates.
“We believe in giving patients the best patient care we can. We believe in serving humanity.” Marco spoke in a way that made you believe in him. He didn’t look like the type to be brainwashed. “Yes? We have a question?”
“He’s so cool,” Ikkaku said.
“I thought you don’t like men.”
“Yes, but a handsome man is a handsome man.”
Law drank his coffee. Ace had been more generous with the caramel syrup lately. Law didn’t actually like caramel all that much but Ace was also Newgate’s son and Law didn’t want to start a fight with these freakishly strong people. He tried to like it.
“Aren’t you going to ask him out?”
“On whose behalf?” Law said. He flicked her forehead. “Your’s? Is prof that perfect to make the misandrist fall in love?”
“A journey of a thousand steps begins with a single one. It also takes a single step to end it all.”
Law let out a laugh. “That’s a good one.”
Ikkaku smiled and stood up. She updated Law on the patients she’s seeing. They’re recovering well but she’d need his advice on how to move forward with one of them. Law said he’d look into it once she’s done. They high-fived and went their separate ways.
On his lunch break, Law decided to trail behind Marco’s tour group, trying not to draw attention. He knew his grumpy bitch-face would pull down the goodwill Marco built up so he kept his distance.
Law stopped by the sixty-ninth ward. He was surprised to see Doctor Kureha hanging around.
She usually didn’t like showing herself to the outside world, preferring to camp in her office like a recluse. When Law got successful and had an office, he’d do the same.
She looked at him and didn’t break eye contact once. Law went over. Look at him go! Wasn’t he popular among women today?
“Hello, Doctor Kureha.”
“Hm.”
She finally looked at Law and disliked what she saw.
“Office romances aren’t fun,” she said. She frowned. “You’re too young for him.”
“For who exactly?”
“Who else?” She glanced at Marco and smiled approvingly. “He’s one of the better looking men here.”
“You’re a creep.”
They watched Marco shake someone’s hand. She said that was the CEO of the health insurance company Grand Line worked closely with.
After leading the group out, Marco ran back to greet Doctor Kureha with a pleasant smile and a little nod. His face was flushed. If Law remembered the email correctly, Marco was supposed to single-handedly give a tour of the whole hospital, including the outdoor gardens.
Law remembered Penguin telling him to clean his desk but he didn’t. Oh well.
Marco was glowing. That tour must’ve gone well. He was still smiling. Too well.
“Hi, doc, I’ll handle the paperwork for the Chinjao family. Sorry for the delay.”
“Very good, Marco.”
Law squinted at Kureha who smiled widely. He stepped to the side.
Marco laughed, not noticing. He bowed politely and brushed past.
Law chuckled and said, “Office romances are fun if you’re the one being romanced.”
Kureha made a hmph sound. She flicked Law’s cheek and said he needed to shave.
Law shrugged. Marco was running up to catch up with paediatrician Izou and fellow geriatrician Thatch. They were a tall, eccentric trio.
They knew each other in medical school and did almost all of their postings together. They often drank together at the coffee shop where Ace worked (and apparently owned). Those three were local celebrities for their radiant good looks.
Law wondered if his little team would last this long. Obviously, Shachi, Penguin and Bepo will stick around but what about the others? He liked Ikkaku because she was smarter than him and he thought their new hire Hakugan was cute.
“Hey, doc, I forgot something,” Marco said, quickly walking back. “It’s important.”
“Just Teams me-” Law was confused by how happy Marco was. “They’re wait-”
Marco laughed and tilted his head down a little bit. Without Law knowing, Marco kissed him in front of everyone. He heard Thatch and Izou laugh like they made bets on this.
“What the fuck was that!”
“Just felt like it, doctor.” And Marco fucking kissed him again! “I don’t think I’ve thanked you enough. Pops is recovering well.”
“Stop t-thanking me, ya dumb fuck!”
“Language!” Doctor Kureha said angrily.
Marco wouldn’t stop laughing. Law got furious. Damn you, Mister Perfect! You’re not above the fucking sexual harassment policies! The charms on his sandals made soft bell sounds when he ran off.
—
It’s Marco’s birthday and the hospital made it everyone’s problem with all the fanfare.
“Thank you, Kaya!” He said warmly. “I haven’t tried eggnog before. It’ll be fun.”
He chuckled when Chopper hugged him in the ward. Chopper gave him stickers, which Marco pasted on his phone case. He said he liked pink too.
“This is nice,” he remarked. He flipped the pocket knife close. “Thank you, Crocus.”
Hell, even Ikkaku gave him some chocolate raisins.
For the whole morning, people walked in and out of the office to give him random things and not once did he ever say no. All this free stuff must be nice, huh?
Now that Law thought about it, he never actually stepped foot in Marco’s office before. It sounded silly—yes, even for Law—but Law never once approached Marco during his free time as everyone else did.
Whenever Marco wasn’t busy, he’d leave the sign as ‘Welcome :)’. After that, you’d knock on his door and Marco would always say, “Come in!” Before you walked in, he’d tell you to switch the sign around to show the back side, ‘Occupied :)’.
It’s this cheap plastic sign with tacky flowers on it. It originally had bible verses on it, a joke present, but Marco put masking tape over it and wrote those words in its place. He wasn’t religious as far as Law’s concerned. This was a birthday gift from the previous year.
Law knocked on the door. It was ‘Occupied :)’.
“Yes?” Law said his name and that he wanted to tell Marco something. “Sure.”
Law opened the door and got annoyed. Marco’s walls were empty, save for a few framed drawings some old people gave him.
“Hi!” Marco said. “Is there something I can help you with?”
A large monitor covered the left side of his desk and it was plugged into a black Windows computer. The right side had neat stacks of documents, all with proper sticky notes labelling whose case notes were whose.
Marco pushed the monitor to the side so Law could see the wall behind. It had pictures of when he was a child. He was an ugly kid.
“Yes, Law?” And then a light chuckle. “Are you going to tell me to jump off a bridge on my birthday?”
“No. I want to tell you to get run over by a car.”
“Duly noted.” Marco smiled weakly. “However, if it’s not urgent, could you Teams me what you want? I have to do an online consult in three minutes.”
And this was where the birthday gift came in.
Now, Law was not the best at giving gifts.
He gave his sister a packet of tissue papers during her depressed girl era. He gave Bepo some vouchers (to be fair, he didn’t know they were expired. The fine print was too small and he’s as blind as a bat). For Ikkaku some months ago: a used Barbie doll.
Law put in genuine effort, spending his own money. He ‘couldn’t be bothered’ now. He lifted his arms and Marco smirked.
“Really? I almost thought it was your’s the other day.”
“And I’m generously giving it back.”
Marco laughed sarcastically. “I’m happy to hear that!”
Law rolled his eyes but he’s actually quite embarrassed. He grew to actually like that jacket. It was comfortable and decorating it with all sorts of pins was fun. He loathed to part with it now.
“I don’t mind if you want to keep it,” Marco said gently.
Law tried not to smirk dryly but he does that so often that it comes naturally. Marco chuckled. That son of a bitch knew what Law wanted to do but he’d rather wait it out and be late to his own consultation.
Law unfolded Marco’s jacket and straightened it as best he could.
“I’ll take the pins back.”
“No, I like it. Your fashion sense is different from mine,” Marco said.
They stared at each other for a few seconds. Marco adjusted his glasses while resting his chin on his palms. W-why are you looking at me like that, prof?
Law frowned but couldn’t look away. Well! It’s no wonder that Marco got everyone’s panties wet and dicks rock hard, god damn. That face-
“You lost.”
“Yes, yes, I lost to the prodigy surgeon who somehow makes miracles happen out of thin air,” Marco said, waving his hand in the air. He prepared to move the monitor back to attend his consultation. “Is there anything else?”
“Fuck you.”
Marco laughed. Law shook his head since Marco looked sincere.
“Happy birthday, prof. Thanks for everything.” Law felt awkward. He dumped Marco’s jacket on his desk. “I don’t hate you, prof… Sorry.”
Marco smiled mysteriously. Law didn’t know what the look meant, especially when Marco moved the monitor back to cover his face. Law flipped him off. To his surprise, Marco did the same back with a large smile. Marco laughed when Law slammed the door.
-
Law vowed year after year to take leave on his birthday but he never did. He had an excuse every year, some valid (he needed to make up someone’s clinic) and some not so valid (he didn’t want to think about the inevitability of ageing and death).
To compensate for this personal failing, Law started implementing a tradition where he’d sleep at eleven instead of three in the morning. Ironically, he’d miss out on the joy of reading a good book when the world was asleep and the fun of screaming at Sora at his television but hey, a good night’s sleep was good too.
It’s unfortunate then, that his phone was making noise like nobody’s business. Law picked up unwillingly. He thought he needed to be more present in his friends’ lives outside of work.
“Hey, is this a bad time?”
“How did you get my number?”
Law swore he heard that son of a bitch smile over the phone. “I’m calling on Teams.”
Law checked. So he was. Law put it on a loudspeaker. “What do you want, prof?”
“Happy birthday,” Marco said.
“Cool.” Law yawned. “I’ll call in sick today.”
Marco laughed. “Don’t do that, I’ll miss you.”
“You won’t, prof. You have plenty of fanboys and girls to keep you company.”
“If I have to choose one person to keep me company, I’ll choose you.”
Stop that, heart. You are not in love. “You should’ve called at midnight. You’re late.”
“I’m not,” Marco said easily. He told Law to check the time and hung up.
Law saw the screen. 6:10 in the morning. Law let out a laugh. He felt well-rested enough to fall back asleep.
[06:13] Law: You’re still late, prof.
[06:15] Marco: haha
[06:17] Law: tq anws…
[Marco reacted with: 🥰]
[06:17] Law: If anyone asks, tell them I have food poisoning. Thanks, prof. Tell Shachi t fuck himself.
—
Nowadays, since the weather was getting cooler, Law hung out at Ace’s humble coffee shop more for the aesthetic. They talked more since and Law found his conversation delightful. Law liked feeling that they could be friends.
One day, he even met this mysterious Sabo who made the most wonderful matcha tea with cream.
In other news, Marco had been sitting with him more. While Law poured through case reports and typed up post-surgical treatment plans, Marco would read a book or mark exam papers.
This time though, the old man Marco forgot to bring his headphones. No shit, Law thought to himself, it’s not practical to carry these bulky gamer headphones everywhere when your bag is skinnier than a stick. Law lent him his earpiece. Unwillingly, of course.
“Yeah, I’m going for a new look,” Marco said to the student. He was advising a student unsure of what to do with their career. “What? Uh, sure I know all about…”
“Rin and Len,” Law mouthed. “Vocaloid.”
“Anime.”
Law laughed and clapped his hands. Mister Perfect was a fucking idiot! Marco got red and laughed as he waved goodbye. He wished them all the best and waved goodbye.
“Thank you, Law,” Marco said. He called Law by his first name more frequently. “I nearly forgot about the consult. Could you believe that?”
Law said he did. He didn’t actually. “Mister Perfect has his head in the clouds.”
“I really do,” Marco said, sighing. “I’m having a mid-life crisis.”
“Fun, prof. Tell me more as I go through my quarter-life crisis.”
Marco laughed. He drank his coffee. The steam fogged up his glasses and because Law couldn’t see his eyes, Law allowed himself to think that he was handsome.
“I realised that I never asked you this before,” Marco said, now sober. “What do you like to do on weekends?”
“What’s this for? Blackmail?” Law scrunched his face.
“Can’t I just be friendly to a colleague?”
“No,” Law said decisively. “It’s weird.”
“You don’t really mean that, do you?”
Law realised how he came off and shook his head. Fair enough, though, what did he like doing? He assumed Marco was asking about his hobbies outside of work.
Truthfully, Law didn’t have much. That’s another thing he disliked about Marco. Marco had too many things going on.
One weekend, Law saw a picture of Marco planting a tree in someone’s backyard. On the following weekend, Law saw an Instagram story where Marco shirtlessly helped a colleague fix their car and then the next day, Marco was dressed up drinking wine and eating steak. And then last week, Marco played board games with Thatch and Izou.
How Marco knew so many things was beyond Law. Simply, Law said he liked listening to music and reading. Sometimes he hung out with a few friends but that’s quite rare. He crashed out on weekends because he took too many night shifts on weekdays.
Also, Law didn’t stalk Marco on Instagram. Other people showed him his stories. Yes, other people.
“How about we get coffee tomorrow?”
“We?”
Marco smiled. “There’s a café in Water Seven overlooking the ocean.”
Law leaned back. “It’s a bit far for me.”
“I can drive.”
Since when did prof have a car? “Isn’t Water Seven notorious for overpriced things?”
“It’ll be my treat,” Marco said in good humour, gesturing to Law’s ‘anime’ earpiece. “I think you’ll like it. It’s your taste.”
There’s a catch somewhere… “Why are you asking me?” Law said.
Marco grinned mysteriously.
“What?”
Suddenly, Marco started laughing.
“What the hell are you laughing about?”
“You’re too stuck up for your age,” Marco said, not meaning to make a mockery. He shook Law’s shoulder, “Don’t be so strict all the time. Let other people be kind to you.”
“Then be kind and tell me why you’re asking me all of a sudden.”
“I want to get to know you better. I’m interested in you.”
“I’m a cardiac surgeon. I like matcha. I like vodka. I’m a workaholic. I like coffee.”
Marco laughed. “I already know all that. I want to go on a date with you.”
It’s ridiculous. A weekend date with Marco Fushichō? Law could only laugh. A date of all things with the Head of the Geriatrics department of Grand Line Hospital and Adjunct Professor at Drum Medical School, one of the most, if not the most prestigious medical school around.
If it were anyone else, Law would’ve thought they scored big time. Marco’s paycheck and career standing is truly impressive. And then there’s his personality… He’s…
“You’re a good doctor. Besides, we like similar things,” he said.
Marco lifted his coffee cup as if in a toast. He didn’t mind that Law didn’t do it back. He brushed it off.
Marco leaned back against his chair and smiled weakly. His eyes were glazed over. Law didn’t think Marco can look lonely. Sure… Maybe Marco was nice too.
“If you don’t mind our age difference,” Marco said, finishing his coffee. “I think Pops likes you.”
If there’s one thing Law didn’t dislike about the perfectly likeable Marco was his shy face. It’s the face he pulls whenever his favourite students come back to hang out or when a patient he likes actually flirts back or compliments him.
It’s the face he pulled when Law wished him happy birthday…
Law smiled and agreed. Why not? It’s nice seeing Mister Perfect look and feel like an idiot every once in a while.