The Brothers

6 - 9 Months

Nervously you entered the emergency entrance with Shanks in tow and scanned the waiting room for your brothers. They'd spotted you first and it only took seconds for Luffy to be wrapped around your legs.

Thatch was sitting across the room sweating over a clipboard while Ace sat quietly next to him. You scooped up your baby brother and made your way to them inspecting both of the little ones while addressing the eldest.

"How is he?"
Thatch glanced up looking more stressed than you'd ever seen him, "They are going to take him to the burn ward. He may need some grafts. They will know for sure soon."
"Grafts? How bad is it? What happened?" you sat in front of them with Luffy in your lap.

The brunette sighed and rubbed his hand over his face.

"The grill exploded in his face." Ace answered before Thatch could.
"Exploded?" you echoed in horror, a million horrible visuals flashing through your head.
"It's not how ever you're imagining," the brunette added with his face still burried in his palms, "the gas was on but the flame wouldn't ignite. When it did it blew out a fireball and Sabo was standing too close. It's my fault, I should have made sure he was out of the way."
"It wasn't your fault," you murmured as Luffy yawned resting his head on your shoulder.
"Accidents happen, and these guys are always all over the place." Shanks added.
"And Marco was home right? Having a first responder already there helped."
"Yeah, he's with him." Thach sighed.
"What did Pops say about it?"
Thatch paled and looked at his watch, "I haven't called him yet. It's two in the morning there."
"He won't care about the time. I still have a lot of minutes on the calling card he gave me." you passed Luffy to your boyfriend and stood, "I'll let him know."
"We'll come get you if the doctors come while you're out."

You nodded at your brother and headed back to the entrance while entering the information from your calling card and dialing your father.

"What happened lass?" Pops' groggy voice was already full of suspicion, "I'm assuming you know the time in London."
"There was an accident earlier with Sabo, we're all at the hospital now."
"Is he alright?" you could hear him fumbling around, "I can get the next available flight out."
"We don't know much right now, I wasn't home but the grill sort of blew up in his face. Thatch said he might need skin grafts."
"Blew up?!" Pops was extremely awake now stammering around his hotel room packing his bags.
"It was a build of of the propane. Marco was home thankfully but I don't know how much he could do."
"I'll be there as soon as I can lass, tell the boys I will see you all soon."
"I will. Be careful." with that you said your goodbyes and went back inside to wait things out with your brothers.

Not long after that Marco appeared and Shanks took his leave.

"He ended up not needing grafts but he'll be here for a few days to make sure his wounds don't get infected." the older blonde took a seat next to you, "We'll have a lot of after care to learn for him - yoi."
"How is he otherwise?" Thatch asked still quite stressed.
"Very lucky. He closed his eyes and didn't inhale, so it could have been much worse. They gave him a strong pain killer and sedative, so he's knocked out." Marco ran his hand through his hair, "He'll be in a private room soon. Either of us can stay with him but F/N, you should take the littles home -yoi."
"Shouldn't we all be here for him when he wakes up?"

Marco gave you a stern glance that you hated.

He was such a dad sometimes.

"These guys need to get actual rest and they won't let a bunch of minors just sleep in the waiting room - yoi."
"You take them," Thatch suggested, "I'll stay here around wait for Pops."
"He's coming home?"
"He said he was catching the first flight that he could." you answered.
"Well," Marco leaned down to scoop up a now sleeping Ace, "let's get these guys home and in bed."

Days passed and Sabo was released. His homecoming was quiet - per his request, but Thatch still made a huge meal of all the things he loved.

His left eye, shoulder and part of his chest were bandaged. His wavy locks had also been singed off. Every few hours his dressings had to be changed and drops had to be administered.

As he healed he was allowed to go bandage free to allow his wounds to air. He'd stayed home with Thatch doing assignments you picked up from his teacher when you picked Ace up from school. You began to worry about how reclusive he was becoming. It had been about two months and he was able to join in playtime outside in the snow but most times he refused. If you did manage to get him out he made sure to have a hat and scarf covering most of his face.

When you were home he clung to you.

After all the progress made in the last eight months it broke your heart to see him basically back at square one.

Christmas was coming, which for a kid who usually went without was a less exciting occasion. Every year on Christmas Eve your family threw the biggest party in town. Sabo had been fine at home where no one had to see him.  Now everyone would be there, in his new safe space, staring. Even worse most people knew of his accident and the last thing he wanted was pity.

"Your hair is growing again." you combed your fingers through your little brothers short waves as he leaned against you on the sofa.
"Not fast enough." he huffed.
"You don't have to grow it out ya know, it looks cute like this."
He scruched his nose at you, "I hate it like this."
"Ok, ok," you sighed not wanting to push him further.
"F/N?" you glanced down to meet his emerald gaze, "Do we have to go to the Christmas party?"
"I'm sure Pops won't force you if you aren't comfortable." you answered, "A lot of people want to meet you though, and they'll have gifts."
"Gifts?" he hummed, "but they don't know me."
"Yeah, but they are nice and know it's your first Christmas as a Newgate so it's like a welcoming and a Christmas gift." you explained, "Also, lots of them are rich so ya get cool stuff."
He let out a small chuckle as you shrugged, "Pops is rich too though, huh?"
"That's true," you laughed, "you brats will be even brattier after the holidays."
"You're a brat." he pushed your shoulder.
"No, I'm rubber and you're glue." you gently tapped his nose.
"So mature." he rolled his eyes and settled next to you again, "Maybe I'll go."
"It's alright if you change your mind or want to leave early too." you assured.
"I know." he nodded.