The Orphanage. {Reader x Law}

The Deal.

Finally, Baby 5 is fast asleep and now you can slip out for a bit. It's not that you don't like the girl's company, it's quite the opposite actually.

This time you're a lot smarter on how you go about escaping this place, you climb out of your bedroom window and shimmy down the drainpipe, a grin etched into your features when you make no noise whatsoever, the pipe is solid and doesn't move around or give away your position in the slightest.

Fuck yeah! I'm a ninja! 

Before carrying out your plan, you distance yourself from the building a little but making sure you don't get lost in the process. You're only a few steps into the woods when you take your phone out of your pocket, going straight to your contacts and clicking your father's number.

I hope he isn't in bed...

You had never thought that you'd have to sneak out of the orphanage to contact the man but this conversation will need to be handled delicately. "Yes?" You hear Mihawk's voice on the other end of the line and some upbeat music in the background. 

Ah, good, he isn't sleeping.

You'd imagine that Shanks has invited himself over again and bought his friends along with him, that was often the case back home. Not that you minded, that red-haired goon seems like the only person who's not shit-scared of your dad, you admire that.

"Hey, pa~!" You greet cheerfully, a somewhat nervousness taking over you suddenly. There's cold sweat beginning to form across your forehead and your palms are starting to sweat. 

Sure, you've asked him for favors before but this has to be the biggest thing...assuming you can even spit the words out. "[F/n], how's the orphanage? Why are you calling so late?" He sounds like he isn't sure whether to be worried or whether to scold you for not being in bed.

Hey, for all he knows, I could be calling from my bedroom...

Of course, he knows you better than that.

"I just wanted to ask something...it's kinda a big deal." You don't miss how quiet it goes on the other end, even the music seems to have died down and now all you can hear is your heart beating fast in your chest. 

Shit, shit, shit! Why am I so fucking nervous?! I'm speaking to my old man, not my crush!

"Go on..."

Oh God! This was a terrible idea!

"I'd...liketoadoptsomeone!" The words essentially tumbling out of your mouth as several beads of sweat drip down your face at once, your grip on the phone is so tight that it's a miracle you haven't broken it. "...P-Please."

Shit, now I'm stuttering!

There's an almost deafening silence for a minute, but it lasts for what-feels-like 10 minutes, your anxiety only rising more and more by the second. You're on the verge of dropping down to your knees and pathetically begging your father to just answer the question already. 

Although, he can't see me so he wouldn't even know that I'm on my knees...

"What?" Is all he finally says, the simple reply causing your shoulders to drop in complete despair. You found it hard enough to say the first time, you're definitely going to struggle to do so a second. "Adopt somebody? Who?"

OH, THANK GOD! I DON'T HAVE TO REPEAT MYSELF!

"My--"

"Do you even recall why you've been sent there?! You're not there to pick a sibling!" Your heart sinks a little at that remark but you refuse to give it up yet, you've always gotten what you wanted and this won't be any different. Sure, she's a human but she's now your human and you will take her home with you. 

"I'll look after her! I'll keep her fed, I'll take her out and buy all her clothes!"

GIVE ME MY SISTER!!

"You're...you're not speaking about a puppy, [F/n]!"

"You didn't see this one coming?" A new voice sounds on Mihawk's end, one that you're all too familiar with nonetheless. A grin spreading across your lips as you ball your fist tightly, you've got the advantage now, he'll help you. "You sent her off to make friends with orphans, it's obvious that she'd want to adopt at least one that she becomes close with." 

You tell him, Shanks!

You don't miss the slight grumble from your father before he falls silent once again, you're practically bouncing up and down in excitement for his answer. Mihawk is a stoic man, sure, but he always feels backed up into a corner when both you and Shanks are nagging at him.

"What's the gender?" That question pumping you up even more, he's clearly hoping that you'll say a boy so that he can decline for obvious fatherly reasons but jokes on him, you're hoping to walk away from this with a sister.

"Girl, her name is Baby 5. The lonely one." Your grin now turning into a smirk and your eyes widening in anticipation, you can feel them beginning to dry up from the cold night air but you don't care, you're far too buzzed.

Even he won't be cruel enough to say no to that~!!

"I see." He murmurs as your phone beeps in your ear, the cold sweat now making another appearance when you realize that you haven't had the chance to charge your phone yet and it's currently dying on you. "I have one condition." 

"W-What is it?!"

SHIIIIIIIT! HURRY UP BEFORE MY PHONE HANGS UP ON YOU!

"Be good." Is the only response you receive, a part of you wants to burst out into fits of giggles. He literally texted you earlier saying how much of an angel you were...although, it technically wasn't you but still, now he's saying to be good? Piece of cake. "I mean I don't want to hear a single bad word about you. I expect you to be on your absolute best behavior, I want to hear nothing but praises."

Ah...Yeah, that's gonna be fucking difficult...

"But--"

"Do I make myself clear?" You're extremely hesitant to answer that one, you've never been so good before in your life, the thought of even trying is terrifying to you. You can even hear Shanks in the background, slurring about how harsh your father is and even making a few jokes about him being heartless.

Fuck...I gotta do it for her though!

"Y-Yeah...we're clear..." Your phone dying just as you answer him, the party music and the loud Shanks suddenly being cut off, leaving you in complete and utter silence. Your brows knitting together as you take a stroll through the woods, trying hard to clear your head.

This...will be hard but it isn't impossible. As a sibling, I have to go through the tougher things in life to look out for my baby sister. I can do this!

You decide you'll keep it secret from Baby 5 for now, you don't want to get her hopes up in case you fail and let her down. A sigh leaving your lips as you rest your back against a tree, you'll have to withdraw a little from Kid and the others too if you want to successfully keep this deal.

Damn, this is going to be a pain.

Suddenly you hear footsteps, your eyes widening in fear as you position yourself slightly differently so that the tree is now your cover before peeking out. Thankfully, it's not Charlotte or the older brothers, it's someone else.

You recognize the silhouette and the calm walking style but you can't see them properly, it's too dark. Out of instinct, you follow the person. They have a torch and a backpack so they could be planning to go camping in the woods or they could be up to no good.

I better be as quiet as possible, I don't wanna get caught out here.