Just Like Fire (Ace x Reader)

Chapter 8: - It Pours

Your brain freezes for a moment as Law's words sink into you. He didn't say you were incurable. He didn't say that they had improved the medication but there would be side effects. He didn't say any of the dreadful news you had expected.

He didn't even come in and say you only had a few months left to live.

You feel Sabo's hand tighten against yours a little, but you can barely feel it.

"Our mother has been doing what?"

Ace has a hand on Sabo's shoulder and Luffy's leaning forward over the bed.

"Why would a mom do that?" He asks.

"... There are a few psychological reasons," Law begins, but he shakes his head. "Without asking her I couldn't say, and considering her status, I cannot ask her."

"You're sure though?" Sabo asks, and you're starting to comprehend the conversation better. The blood's still rushing in your ears, but you're coming out of your shock enough to follow the conversation.

"Absolutely positive?"

Chopper nods. "Both Law's scan and my analysis came to the same conclusion. The medication is both a suppressant and a poison."

"What?" You manage to form the word, but you almost can't hear yourself over the sound of your heart beating in your ears. "Wait. Wait. You're saying... that... I'm not sick?"

You can feel everyone's gazes sinking into you. There's a mix of concern and sorrow that hangs heavy in the air. It's comforting and stifling at the same time, and you can feel panic bubbling up in your chest. "I'm not sick, I was poisoned?"

Your eyes find Law's and he nods curtly. "Correct."

"I spent... all th-that time." Your breath hitches and you're pawing at Sabo as the tears spill down your face. Your panicked emotions are flooding you and you don't know what to feel. In truth, you're feeling so much so fast you can't hold onto any singular emotion. Anger, sorrow, frustration, and grief spill out all at once. "I could've - I cuh-could have duh-done so much!"

"Shhh, shhh little spark, breathe. Breathe, poppet." Sabo says evenly, letting you cry into his chest as he works to soothe you. You're holding onto your brother like you might drown, arms around his neck gripping the back of his shirt harshly. You can feel a warm hand over yours and another, cooler hand, on your back. Even in your current state, you're aware that all three of them are trying to comfort you.

There're a few long moments of silence while you're given time to cry as you need to. When your sobs start to subside, Sabo helps you lay back a little.

"What's next?" Ace questions.

"We're going to do an analysis of the entire pill bottle." Law says. "And provide documents to the nobles in our care per the laws." He looks toward Sabo. "What you do with them will be your call, but it's going to take a couple days for Chopper to do it properly."

"What's next for (Y/N)?" Ace clarifies.

"A long, but hopeful road to recovery." Law says with a tired smile. "I'll be doing in-home visits once a week to monitor your progress, but we have to be careful about how the substance leaves you."

"Can't you just remove it all, Traffy?" Luffy questions. "You pulled all that stuff out of me that one time, can't you do the same again?"

"That had been in your system for a matter of hours." Law grumbles. "We're talking years. It's hard to say how the detoxification will progress. I don't want her going into shock or having other issues arise that would compromise her already weakened immune system."