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Soulmates. Everyone knows what they are. Across all six Seas, among all the clans of the world, they are the one constant. The one gift that everyone is promised. That everyone can understand, for all they may mean different things to different people.
A name on you wrist. A red string, leading always to the person you chose to give your heart to.
Only those who have already chosen a soulmate can see the names that appear, though no one knows why. Some say that it's because you can't understand, not really, until you have a soulmate of your own. Others believe that it's about trust. If your lover says they've chosen you to be your soulmate, do you believe them and choose them back? Do you believe your brother, when he swears that he chose you, because what could be more important? Your best friend?
Do you choose them back?
And will you regret it if you do?
Because as every child knows, everyone has the chance to choose a soulmate. But you can only choose once. So be sure.
Or else you'll spend the rest of your life watching a red ribbon that won't lead to happily ever after.
~
"Torao!" It's instinctive, at this point, to brace himself when he hears that. That dumb nickname called out with a doppler effect that means Law's about the be hit by a rubber cannonball.
So he only stumbles back a couple inches as Luffy hits him, ribs protesting as arms wrap around him and squeeze.
"Get off of me, Straw Hat!"
"Mm, nope!" If anything, he hugs Law tighter with those words. "We're gonna be sailing in different directions tomorrow."
"Yes, as enemies. Because our alliance is over." Law ignores the ache in his heart at those words. They're true, which is all that really matters. Til Kaido was what they promised, and Law honestly hadn't expected to get even that far. "Next time you launch yourself at me, I'll treat it as an attack."
"No you won't." Despite his certainty, or perhaps because of it since Law never could tell with Straw Hat, he does unwind his limbs from around Law. Doesn't step back though, instead looking up at Law. Mouth set. Eyes focused, in a way that sends his heart racing. "I'm gonna beat you to the One Piece, but not cause you're my enemy. I'm just the one that's gonna be the King of the Pirates, not you."
"You don't get to decide that." The words are a challenge. It doesn't matter that Luffy is a monster. So is Law, and he doesn't let other people make choices for him.
"Sure I do. I've already chosen."
"Really? And you think that settles everything, do you? Well, Straw Hat–" He sees it, then. The writing of his wrist, that hadn't been there before. That Law knows wasn't there.
His hand lashes our, grabbing Luffy’s hand wrist. Turning it over, to see better. Luffy lets him without a fight.
It's clear. Very clear, under Law's disbelieving gaze. Like dark ink spilled over Luffy’s skin. Trafalgar D Water Law. It makes his breath catch in his throat.
"What did you do?"
The words are horrified. Law is horrified. It's obvious of course, exactly what Luffy did. He picked Law to be his soulmate.
Law's wrist burns underneath the cuff he always wears. Red taunts him from the corner of his eye, a string that will lead him somewhere Law doesn’t plan on ever going.
He can't–
"I chose Torao."
Like it's that fucking simple.
"Do you know what you've done, Straw Hat? You can only do that once. It's not something to do on a fucking whim."
"I didn't! I chose Torao cause I wanted to, cause we're going separate ways and Torao can't be part of my crew but he can still be mine."
"I never asked for that, Straw Hat!" He's yelling now. It's a good thing there isn't anyone around to see. Not that there's any hope of it staying a secret long and there's no way Luffy is going to wear a cuff and fuck.
"Well I didn't ask you!"
"Yeah, that's damn obvious. I would have told you not to do it!"
"It's my choice!" He's standing on his toes now, barely an inch separating their faces. Law can hear him breathing, see how his nose flares angrily.
"I don't want it!"
"Too bad! Cause I do and I did it and Torao can't do anything about it! You're my soulmate now!"
"But you can't be mine!"
He can't help the way he grabs his right wrist. He knows exactly what is there, hidden under the cuff. And Luffy has to know it, too.
Doflamingo had made it obvious.
Strings tearing the cuff apart, showing anyone who could see. That Law had chosen him, years ago when he was a stupid kid. That, like everyone else who joined the Donquixote Pirates, he'd made Doflamingo his focal point.
He'd never accept anything less from his crew. Had to have them, soul and all.
"Do you think it's something that going to go away, just because you punched him? Please. I have tried, Straw Hat. If there was a way to take his name off me, I would have." He'd tried. Hoped that maybe, with his Devil Fruit, there was some surgery he could come up with.
Thirteen years, and Law hasn't come up with a damn thing.
"Yeah, well, I don't care!" Luffy could stretch up, to be eye level with Law. He doesn't. Luffy never does that, at least not that Law has seen. Still, Law can't look away from his eyes. The absolute certainty in them. "Like I said, I chose you! And I already knew you had stupid Mingo's name. It doesn't matter!"
"Of course it matters!"
"Uh-uh." He is infuriating. "I don't care. And it doesn't matter what Torao thinks! This makes sure that we're gonna meet again, cause all I have to do is follow this!"
One hand shoots out, grabbing at what looks like nothing. What must be the red thread that Luffy has tied around Law.
For a moment, he feels warm.
Which is absolutely ridiculous, no matter what some superstitions say. Only romantic fools believe that someone can actually tell when their soulmate touches their string.
But, looking into Luffy’s eyes and seeing the fire there that he's seen every time Luffy heads towards a fight he should lose, Law finds he doesn't want to argue. Not anymore.
So he pulls his hat down.. "You're gonna regret this, Straw Hat."
"I'm not. Torao chose me first." Law wishes. Then, maybe, this could all mean something.
"I didn't. I chose before I even knew you existed."
"Not that. I told you, I don't care about that. Just about Torao." What is Law supposed to do with that?
Nothing. There's absolutely nothing he can do. This is already done. "Whatever, Straw Hat. It's your choice to make."
"Yep! So don't worry so much." Law's heart skips a beat as Luffy grins at him. Wide and free and Luffy. "I did it cause I want to. And we're Pirates, Torao. We can do whatever we want."
~
But then again, what really is happily ever after? After what? Why do you need a stop and a start?
For pirates, life is for living.