Bedside Manner (Law x Reader)

27. Reason

The library was always quiet that time of night. Quieter than the dorms--especially when there were no classes the following day. Back in college, you weren't interested in partying as much as focusing on your studies. A drink here and there? Fine, but you weren't about to be up all night if you weren't also being productive.

You were never more at ease than when you were immersed in a textbook or a medical journal. The work quieted your mind, pushed things you'd rather forget to the back of your mind. Even if it was only temporary.

You weren't the only one who took advantage of the empty rows of books. Trafalgar Law was always present, sat at a table in the opposite corner from you. Even when you shared a space with no one but each other, he never looked your way. But your eyes always found him and maybe that played a part in your aggravation down the line. When his eyes finally met yours, but it was only to provide unwanted criticism.

The biggest difference between you and Law back then was that he had people around him. People who cared and made sure that he was keeping his head above water.

Meanwhile you were drowning. Under the work, your self set expectations and past mistakes.

You watched as Sachi and Penguin stumbled into the library, all but toppling over all of their friend's paperwork. Law's brow twitched and his tightened grip on his pencil threatened to snap it.

"Come on, you're missing a great party!" Sachi grinned, hand coming down to clap the medical student on the back.

"You two should be studying too." Law stated pointedly. "I won't be helping you an hour before an exam- again."

Penguin's cheeks blazed as he scratched the back of his neck, refusing to look anywhere towards their friend. The nursing student deflated with a whine, reluctantly nodding.

"Fine, fine, but I can't study without some snacks."

That was the first night the two had joined him and the loudest it had ever been. They were quiet for the most part, but once in awhile, you would hear one ask a question of the others and they'd walk each other through whatever each one was working on.

A pile of snacks that wouldn't leave much of a mess and some drinks sat between them all. Law hadn't picked from it much aside from the canned coffee that you had guessed they picked up for him specifically.

It ended up not being a very productive night for you. You had spent the better half of it just observing the trio.

The sight of them had stirred up memories of your time with Kid and Killer. It had left you envious.

You let out a breath as you closed the old binder of Law's that you had pulled from his bookshelf, ending your reverie. 

You had woken up not long after Law returned home around four in the morning. You felt the bed shift as his side dipped under his weight, and you could tell he was just sitting there. It was hard to gauge how long he sat there, unmoving, without looking at the clock.

Any one else might have sat up, asked what was on his mind. But something told you, compelled you to let it be for the moment. Your eyes only fluttered open when he finally laid down. You stared at his back until you felt he was actually asleep before slipping from the room.

You had taken Bepo out, started a pot of coffee and now you were nosing around the man's living room.

You hadn't gotten much farther than his bookshelf, taking in his collection.

Your eyes wandered to the higher shelves, catching the sliding doors that hid whatever he had tucked away within. Your fingers brushed over the handle, sliding it over before you could think better of the action.