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Trafalgar D Water Law now aka Surgeon of Death and Heartstealer is a romanticist. Since he was a child, he adored his parents for their love and devotion towards each other and his young heart someday yearned for the same thing for him. So when his soul string appeared on left hand's ring finger when he was six and half years of age he was ecstatic. He vowed that where ever his soulmate was he would find them and love them with all his heart and soul. He would make sure to keep them happy and help and support them whenever they need.
The string reflects their soulmate's all feelings and emotions. When Law got his string he could only feel happiness, sadness and hunger through the bond. At that time he would soothe the string which was on his ring finger. As years went by he could feel other emotions developing and from that he deducted that his soulmate might be younger than him and the responsibility of taking care of his soulmate falls on him, which he was happy to take.
But all that was kept aside when his sister Lami got sick of Amber Lead disease. That followed by his friends and people who he knows also falling sick. His parents got busy with taking care of patients and searching for the cure. As days passed so did the increase in patients.
For young Law the last straw was when he started showing symptoms for Amber Lead syndrome and later destruction of Flevance where he lost his loved ones. When he successfully escaped the aftermath of Flevance, the first thing he did after giving a lot of thought was taking out the knife and cutting the soul string, thus, severing his bond with his soulmate as he had only three more years to live. He saw the string turing grey from red and started apologizing while looking at the string.
"I am sorry whoever you are. I want to give you all the happiness and not any sorrow. It's better to cut our ties now rather than giving you all the pain later. I hope you will forgive me for this."
—————xxx—————
Monkey D Luffy now aka Mugiwara no Luffy or Yonkou Luffy has always been positive even though he had a greyed out string which he was told that his soulmate died, which was not true because deep down he felt that his soulmate was still alive.
Luffy had his string since he could remember. When he started learning new things, he also got curious about the pretty red string tied around his right hand's ring finger. So he asked Makino about it.
"Listen carefully Luffy. The person who has the opposite end of your string is very important person in your life. That person is other half of your soul. No matter what you should always protect and cherish that person and you should always help at their time of need."
Luffy didn't understood everything Makino told but the main point was that he should protect and give lots of love to them like he does to Makino and Grandpa. He started talking to the string about all his daily activities. He even wished of meeting the person with whose his string was tied with. But alas since he was a kid he could do nothing but wait for the right time. Luffy was lonely in his village and the string was the only cure to his loneliness.
But one day when he was three and some years old he saw his string was cut and had turned from red to grey. He was confused so he went to Makino to ask.
"What's happen Makino?" He showed his string.
"What is wrong Luffy?" Makino pondered.
"String, cut, red to grey," Luffy answered.
Makino was shocked. She started crying while hugging Luffy. Luffy did not understood what was happening but still he hugged her.
"It's going to be okay Luffy. It will be very hard for you but remember you have me, Garp san, and rest of the villagers with you." Makino confronted Luffy.
When his grandpa came back, he asked the same question to him. Garp was shocked but solemnly replied, "Luffy, your soulmate left you forever."
Luffy was confused at that and asked, "Left? Where left?"
"A place where your grandma is," Garp replied.
Luffy blinked blankly. He could feel that there are emotions which are not his and that means his important person is still alive. So he voiced his thought. "Impot person alive! Me know!"
"Luffy the string does not lie. But don't worry we all will be there for you." Garp said bringing Luffy in a hug.
Luffy argued that his person was alive while kicking and crying but Garp ignored him and rocked him to calm him down.
After that when he turned six years old his grandpa started training him to be a marine which Luffy did not want.
Luffy would still seek comfort from his string but he would do that secretly as he didn't want the adults to know.
At the age of seven, when he met Ace and Sabo and they became sakazuki brothers he told his brothers about the string which shocked them. But then Sabo had a thinking face.
"What are you thinking exactly?" Young Ace asked.
"Well…. I read somewhere that a soulmate can cut their strings and the other soulmate can feel phantom emotions." Sabo replied.
"Yes! I know they were alive. Coz I can still feel them. But they are always sad." Luffy said.
"Maybe they didn't want to make you feel their sorrow?" Sabo contemplated.
"Whatever. Luffy's soulmate is an idiot and needs beating!" Ace exclaimed angrily.
"No beating my soulmate!" Luffy protested and continued, "I will meet them and asked about it."
"Well as you wish Luffy," Sabo replied while Ace grumbled.
—————xxx—————
Law for the second time lost his family. But this time he is going to do whatever it takes to take down Doflamingo. He just has to cure himself fully with the fruit that Cora san gave to him which he died for and master the fruits power. After almost three years he looked at his ring finger and regretted a bit for cutting the string. If he knew he would be surviving he wouldn't have cut it. He just let out a frustrated sigh.
'Maybe and only maybe, I can find them and secretly send them something to make them happy.' He thought but kept it as just a thought at the back of his mind.
Over the years he concentrated on other things while occasionally soothing the string. He got strong, got his crew and had set sail. He started gathering intel on Doflamingo, helping the people on island if they had some disease and checking whether he can see someone's string- cut string to be specific. But to no avail. Some of his crewmates had met their soulmates and promised to write them. And no, Law was not jealous, especially of Penguin and Sachi, he was just angsty for other reasons.
But unbeknownst to him he will soon meet his soulmate at Sabody Archipelago.
—————xxx—————
Luffy had grown strong and was now setting sail. Over the years there were various ups and downs like Sabo's death but Ace and Luffy got strong. Ace had set sail two years before. He gathered his crew and had lots of adventures and were now sailing towards Sabody Archipelago, the last island before going into New World.
They were sailing while Luffy was sitting on his usual spot on the figurehead. He was staring at the string rather than what's ahead. His nakama all had met their soulmates. Zoro and Sanji were of each other. So were Robin and Franky. Usopp had Kaya and Nami met Vivi. Brook had one but they are dead. They had all once talked about soulmates and Luffy said that he has yet to meet his. He got encouraging words from his nakama while Robin had a weird look on her face. Overall it sucks that he has not met his soulmate yet. He knows he is acting like a child but he can't help it. Sabody came into view and so did the smell of new adventure. He forgot about the string temporarily.
But little did he know that he missed his chance of knowing about his soulmate until Dressrosa.
—————xxx—————
Law sat in the auction house shocked not because Mugiwara no Luffy punched a Celestial Dragon but that Mugiwara no Luffy was his soulmate. His other half. He can see the grey cut string which was fluttering towards him. There was so much happiness trying to burst from inside him but he controlled it since they have to fight the Marines that had gathered outside the auction house. Though bickering and fighting alongside the fellow captains, he hid the hand that has his string attached.
Later when he was sitting in his submarine and looking at Luffy's bounty poster which was showing his cheerful smiling face he was lovestruck. He knew that finding soulmate was something like a wonderful experience but here he was acting like a teenager with a crush. Maybe that punch did made him fall love in first sight with Luffy. Law made a promise to himself that he will not tell Luffy that he is his soulmate now but later when he defeats Doflamingo till then he will make sure that he keeps Luffy happy.
But after Marineford shit show Law saw what a failure he was at keeping his soulmate happy. He saved Luffy but when Luffy woke up and ran to the forest, the scream before that for his brother was so heart wrenching he did not know what to do. That was solved by Jinbei following Luffy into the forest. Then came Rayleigh which he felt was his cue to go from there. He gave Rayleigh Luffy's hat and a little parting gift for his soulmate which he thought will at least help Luffy in thinking something else.
—————xxx—————
Luffy wanted to thank his saviour but his fellow supernova captain left before he came out of the forest. Luffy felt that he missed something quite important and has been feeling it since Sabody but could not place what. He had taken a break from his training and was sitting on a rock when he pulled out a piece of fluffy cloth with black spots on them. He did not know why his fellow captain gave it to him but it helped him by keeping his thoughts away for at least a little bit.
When Luffy had nightmares he would take the piece of cloth out and later fall into peaceful sleep while imagining the other captain being with him. Which was weird at the beginning but since it helped him in sleeping he did not care. He would also try to feel phantom emotions of his soulmate which had changed from too much sorrow to a little bit of happiness and worry? But sorrow was still present in large quantity. He shook his thoughts away and focused on getting strong for his nakama and soulmate.
—————xxx—————
Law couldn't believe all the things that happened on Punk Hazard and his alliance with Luffy and the Strawhats. He was sailing to Dressrosa with them and was very actively hiding the string on his finger since he met Luffy in Punk Hazard which was a very difficult job but he managed. The only thing that confused him was Nico ya's knowing gaze but he did not thought about it too much. Which was his mistake at that time.
Law had stored all the meat he could find on Punk Hazard and stored in the Sunny's fridge which made Luffy happy and that was it for him. He then cleared his head of the soulmate thing for the time being and focused on his plans on Dressrosa. The soulmate thing could wait afterwards.
—————xxx—————
Luffy was participating in the Colosseum matches. Zoro was reporting to him about all the things that were happening when something dropped from the sky. He was shocked to see it was Torao. But what shocked him more was that he could see a greyed out cut string on Torao's finger and it's end was fluttering towards him. He looked at his own finger and confirmed it. He was so happy to finally meet his soulmate but that was shattered when Doflamingo came and shot Torao in the chest.
"TORAOOOO!" His shout made Zoro to fight and retrieve Torao which was in vain. So he started trying to go out of the Colosseum when he met Sabo and was happy that he was alive. He told Sabo about Torao being his soulmate which made Sabo happy for Luffy. After that Luffy with help of Bartolomew got outside Sabo taking his place in the Colosseum. He was thinking about when to bring the topic about them being soulmates but it was in vain. They were now facing Doflamingo and were separated soon which made Luffy angsty. But he was going to defeat Doflamingo at all cost since he was the reason Torao was sad almost all the time.
—————xxx—————
"Seriously Law. You are trying to beat me while partnering with your weak soulmate." Doflamingo taunted.
Law faltered at his attacks but put his head in the game quickly and replied monotonously, "I don't know what you are talking about."
"I thought you are smart Law. I am a string man. I can see the so called soul strings and it's a shame that you cut yours. Maybe the reason why he has not yelled to the world is because he don't want you as a soulmate after cutting ties with him." Doflamingo said condescendingly.
"Shut up! It's nothing like that!" Law replied angrily but he had that fear and knew that Doflamingo was using that fear against him.
"Well since you don't need your soulmate and your soulmate doesn't needs you I will give you a gift Law," Doflamingo said haughtily and cut Law's left arm.
"Argh!" There was too much pain and lots of blood around. But the most painful thing was him not feeling anything related to the soul string. Doflamingo was talking about being generous and giving him another chance which Law replied to him scornfully and that earned him another shot of gun. Before he could get injured more he shambled himself with another body, removed the bullet and shambled back again.
Luffy had returned and was angry at the state of his body. He wanted to confront the boy but that would reveal that he is alive which he didn't want Doflamingo to know. But of course that bastard could not shut his mouth and was talking.
"Of course a weakling like you would get a weak soulmate. Looks like Law was right in cutting your connection with you," Doflamingo taunted Luffy. And Law wanted to face palm himself as Luffy didn't knew but because of this he now knew. Concentrating on the battle sounds like a good plan and that's what he did.
In the end Doflamingo was defeated by Luffy's punch and the birdcage disappeared. Now they were trying to fit themselves in Kyros house for a well deserved rest.
Law took a corner and closed his eyes listening to the other people's movementsand conversations. He sensed someone and heard that he was Luffy's other brother Sabo. The Strawhats and Sabo talked for a bit and then Sabo decided to take his leave. Before going he felt that he was being analyzied but didn't do anything. Then the feeling was gone and he was completely captured by sleep.
After waking up the next day in afternoon the first thing he did was secure meat items for Luffy so that he can eat those. He didn't know what to talk with Luffy and whether he is willing to forgive Law.
Logically Law knew he should just talk with Luffy but his mind were giving lots of scenarios and those were tending towards bad ones.
Three days later he heard Luffy waking up and eating all the food that he procured which him made a bit satisfied on the other hand he heard that a certain marine has come on this island so he went to visit him and the end result was only one line repeating in his head.
"Don't try to find a reason for somebody's love."
—————xxx—————
When Luffy woke up the first thing he did was asked about Torao, which shocked his nakama except Robin. But to his disappointment Law was not there. Robin said that Law woke up on second day and has not been in the cottage since.
'So he is avoiding me, huh?' Luffy thought bitterly.
"I am sure there must be some reason for his behavior Luffy. Why don't you directly confront him?" Robin suggested.
Luffy thought it as a good idea but then said to Robin, "But I know that he will not talk to me since he is avoiding me. Try asking him about the string, please."
Robin was shocked at his request but agreed.
That request put on hold till they were on Bartolomew's ship. She saw Law at the back of the ship watching were once Dressrosa was seen. She went towards him while activating her powers so that Luffy could hear. And also others since they demanded.
"What do you want Nico ya?" Law asked.
"Nothing. Was just curious of few things," Robin replied.
"What exactly?"
"About when are you going to talk to Luffy about your string."
Law was shocked at that and was quite for a while and finally replied, "None of your business."
"Actually it is since it concerns my Captain," Robin replied calmly.
"It's better if he stays away from me. After all, the people who love me die in the end," saying this he went away. 'And wow ain't I giving stupid reasons for not talking with Luffy,' Law thought.
Robin was stunned at his reply and so did the others. But Luffy had had enough and went towards Law. He saw him and jumped on Law which made Law loose balance and fall down while putting his hands infront of his face as to not injure his face while he hurt his arm.
"What the hell, Mugiwara ya!!?" Law yelled in pain.
"Oops, sorry," Luffy apologized guiltily.
Law just sighed at that and got up making Luffy also get up.
"What happened?" Law questioned.
Luffy stared at Law and then said, "Torao is an idoit! Stupid!"
"Excuse me?!?" Law exclaimed.
"Torao is avoiding me and giving stupid reasons. What's the real reason?" Luffy asked.
Law was shocked and didn't knew what to say but after a while murmured, "That too and I don't want you to hate me."
Luffy was stunned at Law's reply but then asked, "Why did you cut the string?"
Law sighed and told him, "I didn't wanted you to feel any sorrows, I just wanted you to be happy and support whatever you want to do."
"Eh? Why didn't you want that?" Luffy asked not understanding.
"What do you mean by that? Soulmates are to be adored and pampered," Law replied without having to think.
Luffy looked at him blankly for few seconds and laughed, "Shishishi……Torao is a ram-rom-romantic. It's cute!"
"I am not cute," protested Law but continued, "You are the one who are cute and adorable."
Luffy then hugged Law while laughing while Law hid his smile in Luffy's hat. Suddenly they felt something so they separated and saw what's the matter. They saw the strings were glowing and fluttering towards each other. So they moved their fingers forward and saw the strings connecting and their color changing from grey to red. Both were mesmerized by that.
"Th-they joined," Law said awe in his voice.
"Shishishi……of course Torao loves me and I love Torao." Luffy replied happily.
This time Law was the one who hugged Luffy and nuzzled Luffy which made him tickle and giggle.
"I love you Luffy ya. I will make you happy and pamper you and support you with whatever you want forver!" Law promised.
"I love Torao too! I will protect you forever too!" Luffy replied with a voice of conviction.