Chapter Text
“Famed post-rock metal star Eustass Kid of the band the Kid Pirates and his bass guitarist who goes by the name Killer have been in a severe car accident, say reports. The record label has not released the health status of either band member but say this will be affecting this year's world tour and to stay tuned for updates.
Kid and Killer were supposedly driving back from a house party hosted by the Red Haired rock legend Shanks when their vehicle slipped off the side of I60 into the ditch, rolled, and wrapped around a large telephone pole at high speeds. It is unclear if there were drugs or alcohol involved but knowing the history of the Kid pirates-”
Trafalgar D. Waterlaw clicked off the news report, turning in his rolling chair back from the TV to his desk. He remembered the accident when it occurred years ago, the news having been devastating to a large community of fans. The rock star had always been known for being reckless and frequently injured, but such a major accident shocked and worried fans. Everything had been kept under wraps regarding the specifics regarding both band members' health, although Killer started making public appearances again long before their Lead singer did with heavy scarring on the wolf-hybrid’s left arm.
The tour had been quickly canceled and fans refunded with the statement that while Kid would be okay, he was still recovering and may not be up to live shows or public appearances for some time but that they would work on a new album in the meantime.
When the new album was released 2 years later, with it came the first public appearance of Eustass Kid since the accident with the shocking addition of two custom made metal prosthetics replacing both the avian’s left arm as well as his left wing. The world was rightfully shocked at the severity of the injuries caused by the accident, the large scars still visible on the man’s face, chest, and hips. All questions about his recovery were clearly PR scripted answers, but it seemed as though the band was back in full swing.
A few venue shows were held spread out across that next year which led to now, 3 years after the accident, and the request sitting on the snow leopard hybrid’s desk.
Doctor Trafalgar was well renowned as one of the best in the business regarding medical care for the rich and famous. Not only was he a licensed physician and surgeon, for the longest time he was held under the umbrella of Doflamingo records and worked exclusively with their clients. Now, a few months after his break away from the record label due to a lapse in contract, he was finally taking his own clients. Most of the requests were boring, from old contacts of his record and for minor issues.
The one that lay on his desk currently was an interesting one. An on site doctor is needed for the Kid Pirate’s upcoming tour, the current doctor not being available to travel with the tour. The doctor will be on call 24/7 specifically to handle illness, injury, and general wellbeing regarding the band as well as to manage the current medical conditions of the band both with medication as well as alternative treatments.
That was how the job was detailed anyways. No specific health conditions were listed for privacy sake, however knowing the history of the two lead band memoirs, Law can only expect them to be his primary patients. Traveling with patients wasn’t uncommon in this business but he had never traveled with this type of band before. The pay was the major incentive. Not only would food and board be paid for, he would get a generous salary on top of that and any equipment needed. It was a significantly better deal than any others Law had received so far.
So, after careful deliberation, Law signed the contract and emailed a copy of the signed form over to the Band Manager.
Three days later he stood outside the Band Manager’s office for his meeting with both the current physician as well as the manager himself. His long white tail with black spots swayed from side to side as he waited in the lobby, laptop in hand. Meeting the client for the first time was always a bit nerve wracking since he had no clue what to expect. It made him glad that it was common practice to use scent patches to hide one’s secondary status and pheromones when in business meetings, although he knows logically that living with the tour group meant the inevitability of being around others without wearing them which always took a bit of time to adjust to.
A black man, shorter than Law but not by much, with buzzed dark brown hair and clean face in a blue suit came into the lobby soon after Law’s arrival. The man extended a hand, smiling warmly as Law met the hand with his own tattooed one. The grip was strong and it only took Law moments to recognize that while the man before him didn’t seem imposing, the man could clearly end a fight if needed. While the man’s brown eyes were kind and soft, the grip showed strength signaling not to mess with him. Posturing.
“Doctor Trafalgar, it's nice to finally meet you in person. I’m Mahlik Brooks, the Band Manager you emailed with. You can just call me Mahlik.”
“It’s nice to meet you. Just Law is fine.”
Mahlik let go of the handshake first, moving to lead Law into an office a few doors down the hall. In the room sat an older gentleman with whom Law was very familiar with and greeted with a warm smile and a pat on the shoulder, the older man opting not to stand up.
“Doctor Hiriluk, how nice to see you again. How is your boy, still training with Doctorine?”
“Yes yes, Law, Chopper is doing excellent. A prodigy really. How have you been? Finally away from that damn record label?”
Law takes a seat next to the man, placing his laptop on the desk as he addresses the caribou hybrid.
“Yes, I’m fully independent now. Which is why I have the freetime to do this.”
Mahlik made sure the door was closed while the two men caught up before sitting across the table from them both.
“Seems you two already know each other. Good. Well, let's get to business. Of course I know I don't have to remind you that confidentiality regarding all of this is taken very seriously about the band’s medical records. You come highly recommended so I doubt this is gonna be an issue. Are there any questions you have about the position before we start going over the medical files of the band members?”
Law opened his computer, starting it up to pull up his notes as the other man talked.
“My only real question is if I will be on the bus with the band or on the crew bus. I would prefer to be with the band if possible in case of any medical emergencies with the members.”
“Completely agree. And if any of the members give you problems just let me know. They can all be pretty stubborn, especially Kidd. Medically speaking he is also your primary patient.”
Law nodded, jotting down notes as Dr Hiriluk spoke up.
“I’m sure you know of Kid’s amputation. He still has a fair amount of neuropathy from the accident that we treat with pain killers as needed. Issue is, Kid is an addict. So medication needs to be kept secure with you to be dosed out accordingly. On top of that, Kid was already immunocompromised to begin with.” The doctor cleans his throat, adjusting his position in the chair. “ We have had a hard time pinpointing what exact disorder fits his symptoms, but he is more prone to illness, often has joint or muscle pain, frequent dislocations, migraines, and vertigo. The tentative diagnosis is hEDS for the time being as we are more focused on treatment. It got significantly worse after the accident and thus is the primary reason for needing an on sight doctor.”
“I’m surprised you’re approving him to go on tour at all. Being immunocompromised puts him at a high risk to be around such large crowds.”
Mahlik spoke up before the elder doctor could, obviously having been expecting the question.
“Kid is determined to see this through. I have the power to cancel at any point should you deem it necessary. Until then though he is determined to see this through whether we want him to or not. We specifically are not doing meet and greets this tour as an added precaution so he will not directly interact with the fans. He is good with the prosthetic but not good enough to deal with a bunch of fans tugging on it.”
“There is one more thing, Law. I know you have experience with hormones and scent patches. Living in such close quarters as well as you being the doctor on sight, you do need to be aware that despite what the media may think, Kid is not a beta.”
It takes a moment for Law to process the implication of that as he turns to look from the doctor back to the manager.
“Are you saying that Eustass-ya is an omega? Cause if so this is going to be infinitely more difficult. I'm an alpha. You stick me, a new alpha, into what he inevitably deems as his pack? You might as well be asking for a damn bloodbath.”