Bedside Manner (Law x Reader)

05. Avoidance

"Really?" Doctor Newgate raised a brow as he looked you over, like he'd see something wrong. You were lacking the expression that screamed you wanted to be anywhere, but there. He had been surprised to look up from his computer to find you staring at him. "You want some clinic hours? What'd you do this time yoi?" 

There was only one situation in which you came crawling down to the clinic, looking to get some hours. And that was usually as a punishment from one of your attendings for going against orders.

You'd much rather work the emergency department than the clinic. The clinic was tedious. Lots of patients with aches and symptoms that could have been dealt with at home. Marco and most everyone else was well aware of just how much you detested the clinic.

"Is it so weird to want clinic time? It's required, so I might as well." You shrugged. Your attempt to play coy was in vain.

"Normally, I'd say that it wasn't. But it is you that we're talking about here yoi." 

Clearly unamused, you just stared at the older man. The corner of his lips curled as he stared back from hooded eyes. 

"Who are you avoiding?" 

Absolutely no one, you wanted to reply immediately, but it would have been a lie. The blond knew as much too.

Ever since the night of the storm, you'd been doing everything possible to avoid Trafalgar. Yet, it seemed like he was there at every turn and it certainly didn't help that the both of you kept being brought into the same surgeries. 

It was childish, but you hated how vulnerable you'd felt. Stuck, there, in that elevator with a cocktail of emotions flowing through your veins. And of all people who could have witnessed that state, it was Trafalgar fuckin' Law. 

"Nobody." You scoffed, slightly averting your gaze. "So is there anything available?" 

You drummed your fingers against your arm and tapped your foot against the floor to illustrate your dwindling patience. 

"Yeah yoi." He slid a clipboard across the counter, watching your hands as you snagged it. 

You filled in your name on several shifts before passing it back. 

"You doing anything tonight?" Doctor Newgate called after you. 

You turned to look at him over your shoulder, a smirk on your face as you gave a dismissive wave. 

"You know where I'll be." 

_____

Partys Bar.

Your favorite little dive. The atmosphere was welcoming--cozy. A home away from home. You also loved the fact that it was owned by a woman. 

Makino was washing a glass behind the counter when you walked in. Her deep green hair was pulled back, stray strands swept out of her face with a light colored bandana. 

You slipped into a stool beside a redhead you knew all too well. 

"You causing trouble?" 

Shanks started, spinning in his seat until he was facing you. His knees brushed against the side of your thigh. He grinned. 

"y/n! What a lovely sight." The redhead motioned to the bartender. "Get a drink for our young doctor here." 

"Anything for my favorite patron." Makino moved to pour a glass of your usual, a soft laugh leaving her when she noticed the man's pout. "How are thing's going at the hospital?" 

"Don't get me started." You groaned, letting your forehead briefly fall against the bartop before rising to take the offered glass. 

"Were there really that many injured?" The woman frowned. "I know they made it seem like a lot in the news, but I was hoping they were just exaggerating to some extent." 

"We had to convert the waiting and staff room in order to make space for everyone. We were overwhelmed by the time the flooding went down and rescue services could access more of the city." 

You didn't spare any of the gory details as you recounted the events that transpired the twenty-something hours that followed the storm. They got to hear about the man who was pinned inside his car, a large branch impaled through his shoulder, and how you both nearly drowned in the flooding. How everyone was raiding the utility closets for torches as the minimal lighting ran by the generators wasn't bearly enough for certain procedures. 

"None of it was worse than being stuck in an elevator for hours with Trafalgar." You finished, already signaling for your third drink. 

Makino shook her head with a small smile. "For not liking the guy, his name comes up quite a bit. Especially when you've got a couple drinks in you."

You ignored her comment.

"You should slow down." Benn piped up from the other side of Shanks. "I'm not keen on picking your drunk ass up off the floor again." 

You waved his concern away. 

"Don't worry, you won't get stuck taking care of me tonight. Pretty sure Marco's got me covered." 

Shanks raised a brow. "You and Edward's kid are still messing around?" 

You shrugged and muttered something about needs and that it wasn't his business. The two of you were both consenting adults and normally, you wouldn't mix work and personal life. But the thing between you and the older male was a rare thing that never once altered your professional relationship. 

The four of you fell into a brief silence before Makino perked up. "Oh! y/n," she turned her attention to you, "You'll be here for Partys' fifteenth anniversary this weekend, won't you?" 

"It's going to be a big shindig, isn't it?" You grimaced. 

You had a habit of avoiding the events for the sheer number of people that never failed to show up. There was never many people in at a time throughout the week, but it had become one of the more popular establishments in the area. And of course, there weren't many people who would miss out on a party of any kind. 

"Come on," the redhead slapped your back in a friendly manner, although it was a little harder than he probably intended. "at least pop over for a drink Saturday." 

You took in a deep breath through your nose and let it out. You knew you were going to regret this.

"Okay, one drink."