Work Text:
Flevance
For seven years, Law impatiently awaited for his soul animal to appear. Lami already had hers, and she was younger. As the older brother, he should have gotten his soul animal first. Even worse, she already found her soulmate, a boy in the same grade as her Law didn't trust one bit. He didn't think it was very fair, but his parents would always tell him to be patient. It was seven months after Law's seventh birthday that his soul animal came crashing into his life. Literally.
The morning of Children's day, Law, his parents, and Lami were enjoying a very pleasant breakfast. His mother had made all their favorites. The aroma had both kids practically drooling. Just as they were going to dig in, the window breaks and a monkey is in the middle of the shattered glass on the floor.
"Love, is there a monkey in our dining room?" His mother asks. It's really one of those situations where all you can do is just stare in shock.
"I believe there is." His father confirms.
Said monkey is currently sniffing the air, its eyes land on the pile of food, and he's suddenly on their table. Several dishes are on the floor, glass shattering and food scattered around. In the commotion, the Trafalgar family scattered back, except for Law. Something about the animal kept him in his chair, just looking how the monkey devours the meet.
"Law?" Lami calls his name nervously as their father carefully makes his way to Law trying not to frighten the animal in case it attacks. While it doesn't seem hostile, wild animals are very unpredictable.
The monkey takes a moment to look at Law, then immediately rushes to him, more dishes falling to the ground. In one hand the monkey is still eating a giant piece of meat while offering Law a piece of bacon.
"Umm... thanks." Law takes the piece of bacon not really wanting to eat it. The monkey just came from the outside and no animal is that hygienic. Still, the monkey made some sort of, he thinks happy, noise and jumps into Law's lap happily eating its meat.
"Well, Law, I believe you've just found your soul animal." His mother hides a smile behind her hand.
"What are you gonna name it?" Lami asks excitedly. Looking around at the mess it caused, he thinks Trouble might be a fitting name, but he ultimately decides on Sora from his favorite comic series.
Somewhere in the New World
Dragon watches surprised as his Mika, his soul animal, darts into the woods. The proud lioness typically stays by his side, but she had suddenly sniffed the air then darted into the woods. He would have followed her, but he doesn't want to jostle and wake and potentially endanger his sleeping newborn. Instead, he has faith that she will come back soon. In the meantime, he ponders what to do with his little miracle.
Luffy is only a newborn. He needs to be taken care of constantly, and Dragon absolutely adores him. He would love nothing more than to just be with his son. Raise him. Be a father, but he doesn't know if he can. The revolutionary army is beginning to gain more and more traction. It's becoming more widely known and even supported. New members are coming in rapidly, and if Dragon suddenly disappeared, left the army, he could lose years of progress. He doesn't know if they could survive without Dragon. He's already been gone long enough as is. He needs to make an appearance soon, and even he knows the life of a revolutionary isn't suitable for raising a child.
A rustle from the woods snaps him out of his thoughts. Out comes Mika bounding back to Dragon with a... snow leopard? What is a snow leopard doing on a summer island? An old story his friend Clover had told him before the scholar passed away plays through his mind.
The man had told him a new discovery about soul animals. It's more of a theory, really, as there aren't any statistics or proper research on it. Clover had told Dragon about how his friend Olvia's soul animal found her daughter's soul animal. Her husband had passed away a few months ago, before their daughter was born. Just a few weeks after the child had been born, Olvia's soul animal suddenly left and came back with a blue bull, her daughter's soul animal. The theory being that if a parent, possibly even family member, has their soul animal in their animal form, then they will guide their child's soul animal to them. Based on how Mika proudly sits next to Dragon as the snow leopard looks up at Dragon, no, at Luffy, he is inclined to believe his old friend's theory.
"Mika, is this Luffy's soul animal?" Dragon asks to make sure. He's not about to let a snow leopard near his infant son without knowing for a fact that it won't hurt Luffy.
Mika gives Dragon a "duh" look. Still wary, but trusting Mika, and the fact that snow leopards don't live on summer islands, he slowly kneels in front of the snow leopard to allow the leopard to look at Luffy. The snow leopard sniffs Luffy for a moment before gently nuzzling against his head.
A few days later, Dragon reaches his conclusion. He can't stay with Luffy. It kills him, but it's necessary. He's doing this to change the world for the better. If everything he worked so hard for all fell apart, who knows what the world would look like. He has to fight back. He has to fight against the world government to make a world that Luffy deserves to grow up in, even if it means Dragon can't be involved. With a heavy heart, Dragon makes a dreaded call.
Flevance
Maybe Law should have named his monkey Trouble after all. Sora is constantly getting either him, Law, or most often both of them into trouble. Not to mention he's always eating. Plus, he's incredibly stupid. The amount of times Sora has burned his hand trying to grab a piece of bacon while it's still in the frying pan is ridiculous. He never learns his lesson either. It's resulted in Law's parents constantly taking care of Sora's burn injuries and Law having to keep Sora locked in his room until breakfast is ready. It wouldn't be too terrible except while they smell the food Sora is always giving Law puppy eyes to be let out of the room, but Law stays firm and does his best to comfort the monkey.
Pets aren't allowed at school, soul animals on the other hand, are. That's only because it's nearly impossible to separate a soul animal from their human. Although after Law got into a verbal fight with a kid at school and the kid lost his temper resulting in a firm punch being dealt to Law, Sora intervened. Law fully intended to fight back, he won't just get punched around, but Sora beat him to it. He dealt a blow to the kid resulting in blood being drawn from the kid's cheek. It didn't go further than that. The kid got suspended, but Sora got expelled, the first time that's ever happened in the school's history.
Law did try to explain to Sora that he couldn't follow Law to school. It was very painful for both parties and it never stuck. Everyday Law would get sent home from school because Sora never made it past lunch time away from Law. After much pleading, Sora was allowed back at school on the condition that it never happened again. Which it never did, but there was certainly more trouble. Even though Sora drives Law crazy, Law wouldn't change a thing. He loves Sora, trouble and all. The bond is unbreakable, even more so after the attack on Flevance.
Spider Miles
Law knows he's going to die in three years. The once dream of meeting his soulmate burnt up with Flevance. If he's going to die anyway, he may as well take out as many people as he can. He doesn't have time for a soulmate, and his soulmate deserves better than a sick kid with no future.
"Look, Sora, you have to stay here for a few more hours, alright? I'll be back, but you have to stay here." Law tells his monkey. He's not sure if he's telling the truth or not. He'll probably live, it's not like the pirates want to die, so they'll have no choice but to accept his proposition. If they don't, then at least he'll be taking down as many people as he can before he dies.
He really should have known Sora was never going to stay back. Sora does what he wants, and it's very rare that their wants line up. He got as far as the junkyard and making the threat to blow everyone up before Sora reaches him. The men cut off the grenades and kick Law back while laughing at him. Sora goes to attack them, but is also cut back.
"Leave Sora out of this! He was just protecting me so don't hurt him!" Law yells, murder in his eyes. He may not care to meet whoever Sora was made after, but he does love Sora.
"Hehehe, yeah right, am I just supposed to let a puny monkey attack me?" The gross snot guy laughs.
Law doesn't know how much things would have escalated if Doflamingo didn't show up to put an end to the bickering. He took some sort of interest in Law so he was let off and needed to show his worth. Which he will. All he wants is to hurt as many people as he can with the little time he has left. Even if Sora doesn't like it. He tells Sora over and over again that this is good. This is what Law wants, but Sora doesn't warm up to any of the member except for Baby five and Corazon. Did Sora really not understand that Law wants to kill the man? Still, Corazon doesn't rat him out and Doflamingo never finds out Law attacked him.
Six months before he's going to die, Corazon tells him the truth and when Law doesn't come clean to Doflamingo, Corazon kidnaps him. He should've rat the bastard out.
He tells him over and over again that hospitals won't treat him, but he never listens. For whatever reason he keeps trying, and Law keeps going through the pain of rejection, and yet Sora still likes Corazon. What is wrong with his soul animal?
Then Law learns the reason why Corazon is trying to save him so much. It changes everything. He knows Sora cares for him, that's what soul animals do. They love their human, but he didn't know that Corazon cares for him too. Maybe he was being too harsh on the idiot. Maybe Sora was right all along.
It's not much longer before Cora-San finds hope in some devil fruit. Law doesn't dare to hope. He's tired of being disappointed and he's only getting sicker.
Minion island
Cora-San left Law is some sort of house while he gets this supposed miracle fruit. He doesn't know or care anymore, but he does find comfort and warmth in the way Sora clings to him. The once ever active monkey has been noticeably worried for Law. He was always clingy, but he was also always moving around. He never got out of Law's eyesight on his own accord, but he would typically wander off a bit. Although one word from Law always had Sora returning to his side. These last few months, however, had Sora always clinging to Law in some sort of way. Maybe he's crazy, but it seemed to ease the pain in some way.
Cora-San comes back with the fruit in his hand. He's smiling stupidly and forces Law to eat the damned thing. Cora-San tells him to get the marines, and as much as he hates them, Law will do anything to save Cora-San. Too bad he managed to get the one marine that will only make matters worse.
Vergo beats the crap out of Cora-San. Both Law and Sora try to intervene, but they also get beaten and all Law can do is cry.
Cora-San puts both Law and Sora in a chest, it's barely able to fit them both, but they manage just fine. Cora-San promises that he'll live. That they can see the world after and silences both Law and Sora. It's too late that Law realizes Cora-San lied to him. He tries to escape the damned chest, Sora helping despite not understanding what's going on, but it doesn't work.
He hears gunshots, feels the chest being picked up, and he and Sora leave the stupid chest the moment they can. Law sobs the whole way knowing he won't see Cora-San alive again. Sora comforts him the best he can.
Foosha village
Shanks is an absolute bully and Fluffy refuses to do anything about it. He's just lying next to Luffy's stool while Shanks refuses to let Luffy join his crew. He even says he can't be a pirate to which Luffy argues of course since he's gonna be the best pirate ever.
"Sure, kid, have a juice." Shanks finally relents. Which Luffy is always happy to have some juice so he'll forgive Shanks. The moment Luffy starts drinking the juice, Shanks laughs. "I don't know a single pirate that still drinks juice!" He was tricked!
"You tricked me!" Luffy yells and everyone starts laughing. He's so angry he's hungry again. A small chest is next to him which Luffy curiously looks in to. Inside is a weird looking fruit. He'd prefer if it was meat but food is food and he's hungry because of stupid Shanks. He takes a bite and it's really gross, but he eats it all anyway. Just as he finishes eating it, Shanks turns back to Luffy.
"Luffy, did you just eat the fruit inside that chest?" Shanks asks wide eyed.
"Yeah, it was gross." Luffy answers.
All too quick for Luffy to make sense of, Shanks grabbed him and was shaking him upside down yelling about how he can't swim anymore. At the sudden commotion, Fluffy stands up and looks at Shanks on edge. Fluffy seems to deem Shanks alright, something rare for the giant cat. Fluffy doesn't like many people. Luffy can actually count on one hand the people Fluffy does like including himself. Luffy, of course, Makino, Whoopslap, Shanks, and Benn. He tolerates other villagers and the rest of the red haired pirates.
After some jostling, Shanks lets Luffy go deciding it's too late. Fluffy is next to Luffy sniffing him to make sure he's ok, then nuzzling him.
"Shishishi, I'm ok Fluffy." Luffy hugs Fluffy with a wide grin.
"Come on, Fluffy, you know I wouldn't hurt Luffy." Shanks ruffles Luffy's hair. While Shanks' knowledge on soul animals is limited, he has noticed that soul animals typically know who does or will care and love for their human. Well, Shanks doesn't need Fluffy's confirmation to tell him what he already knows. He's come to truly care for Luffy. Both him and Benn have.
"That reminds me. What kind of pirate names their soul animal Fluffy? That's not very intimidating." Shanks goes right back to teasing Luffy.
Luffy can't believe Shanks let that guy humiliate him like that. Luffy's certainly not gonna let it go. He's gonna make that stupid bandit apologize to Shanks.
It doesn't go the way he thought it would. They probably cheated or something since they managed to beat Luffy, and even worse they hurt Fluffy. He yells at the stupid bandits to not hurt Fluffy, but his yells and attacks don't do much. Although Shanks shows up not much longer and he's definitely cool again. The coolest. Well, maybe not THE coolest because Fluffy's the coolest, but Shanks is definitely really close. Although it's really not cool when the bandit throws a smoke bomb and takes off with Luffy.
"Dammit!" Shanks curses as the bomb is thrown. When the smoke clears, Luffy and the bandit are nowhere to be seen.
Faster than Shanks and Beckman can find him with their observation Haki, Fluffy is darting towards the beach, most likely following Luffy's scent. The red haired pirates chase after the snow leopard leading them to the beach. Fluffy can't swim, but he does grab Shanks' shirt with his teeth and pulls him to the ocean then pushes Shanks with his head to go after Luffy. Not that he needed it. The moment Shanks realizes where Luffy is, he's jumping into the sea. Fluffy watches as Shanks rushes off, sitting at the edge of the beach looking for any sign of Luffy.
"You trust Shanks to bring Luffy back, don't you?" Beckman tries to comfort the animal. "He will come back with Luffy safe and sound, alright? When Shanks cares about someone he won't let anything happen to them, and you know how much he cares for Luffy."
Fluffy doesn't look at Beckman. His keen eyes remain on the ocean waiting for Luffy's return. "Hongo, can you treat Fluffy's injuries?"
"Course." Well, he could have if Fluffy wasn't growling every time Hongo approached him.
"Hongo is just trying to help. He can treat your injuries." Fluffy remains on the look out for Luffy, but doesn't stop growling until Hongo backs off. The only one Fluffy lets close is Beckman. "Will you let me help you?"
Fluffy goes back to growling. Alright, he's made his stance clear. He won't receive any help until Luffy is safe. Soul animals are typically loyal and dedicated to their human, but this is a whole other level. It's rare to see conviction like this. Luffy must have one hell of a soul mate.
Shortly after Shanks left, leaving behind a promise and a straw hat, Garp came. He dragged Luffy away from Foosha and towards the mountain. Fluffy wasn't attacking Garp, but he did follow with his hair standing up and making unhappy noises. Although when Garp punched Luffy for saying he's gonna be king of the pirates, Fluffy bit Garp's wrist.
"Bahaha! I see Fluffy's just as protective as always!" Garp laughs, making no effort to get Fluffy off him. "Maybe your soulmate will be a fine marine too!"
"No way! My soulmate's gonna be a pirate like me!" Luffy yells.
"Seems to me that you need another Fist of Love!"
They reach a hut further up the mountain, and Garp finally lets him go. After some yelling a weird gorilla comes out.
"Gramps, who's the gorilla?" Luffy asks.
There's more yelling that Luffy doesn't care to listen to. Instead he gets distracted by something that hit his head. He turns to see a boy sitting on something with a blue bird on his shoulder.
"Hey! Why'd you do that?" Luffy notices the dead boar. "I promise not to be mad if you share some of your meat."
All Luffy got was a glare in response before the boy walked away.
"Cmon, Fluffy, I'm gonna be his friend." Luffy doesn't register the annoyance of his soul animal. Fluffy, while constantly annoyed and exhausted by his soul mate, would always follow and take care of him.
Months pass before Luffy actually managed to catch up to Ace. He had his pretty bird flying around him and there was another boy with a koala at his feet. This was awesome! Luffy was about to make more friends!
Luffy hurts all over. All day he's been beaten and injured to the point where he can't even scream anymore. They hurt Fluffy too. When they took Luffy, Fluffy tried to fight them off but they just knocked him out and started beating Luffy up. He doesn't know how much time has passed, but he does know when Ace and Sabo show up.
They beat up the pirates and set Luffy free. He knew they were going to come, but "where's Fluffy?"
"He's fine. Just got knocked out." Ace picks Luffy up, having the boy on his back.
When they make it back, Ace sets Luffy down who immediately hugs and snuggles next to Fluffy. "I knew you guys would come."
"Why didn't you rat us out?" Ace scoffs. "Are you stupid? They would have let you go."
"Cause then you guys wouldn't want to be my friends." Luffy sniffles through Fluffy's fur.
"So? You really wanted to be our friend that bad?" Ace looks at Luffy with a calculating look.
Fluffy stirs from his forced sleep, and Luffy hugs him tighter. "Yeah. Gramps said I can't go back to the village, and I don't like the bandits. It's just me and Fluffy. We're alone and being alone hurts worse than anything else." Fluffy makes it more bearable, but Luffy still can't stand it.
Fluffy snaps his eyes open and sniffs Luffy. He sits up just enough to lick Luffy's wounds. "So you're glad I'm alive?" Ace turns away from Luffy.
"Yeah."
"And you'd be sad without me?"
"Yeah."
"Tch, fine. You're still a crybaby, but if it's ok with Sabo, I guess you can hang out with us." Ace grumbles.
They resolve into light bickering about how it hurts because he got beat up all day and Ace would be crying too, while Ace constantly claims he wouldn't be a crybaby like Luffy. When Fluffy finishes licking Luffy's wound, he tugs on Luffy to get him to follow Fluffy.
"Where's he taking you?" Sabo asks.
"A doctor." Luffy says.
"A doctor? Those are for pansies." Ace huffs then his bird pecks his head. "Ow what was that for?"
"If I don't go, then Fluffy gets mad at me." Luffy defends himself.
Sabo makes a sympathetic noise. Koala is always mad at him and it's not fun.
Somewhere in the Paradise
When Law first set sail in the Tang with Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin, he was very nervous. Not because he was becoming a pirate or anything like that. No, he was terrified because of Sora. Being trapped in an enclosed space with the chaotic monkey is already nerve wracking, but also being completely submerged miles under water, that was enough to make Law hyper aware of Sora's every move. Sora constantly tumbles, hits, breaks everything, so Law was rightfully worried, but Sora was... well, he didn't kill them.
Sora is still as rambunctious and always into something, but he hasn't destroyed the Tang... yet. There's certainly been dents in nearly every wall, but Sora hasn't single handedly killed them all and they've been sailing for years, so Law takes it as a, we're probably safe. His crew hasn't been in Paradise for very long when a new wanted poster catches his eye.
Monkey D. Luffy
What catches his eye the most is a familiar crescent scar underneath the rookie's eye. Sora developed one just like that when Law was thirteen. It also doesn't escape his notice that Strawhat's last name is Monkey, the same animal Sora is. The bounty poster doesn't offer up much about the man's personality, not that Law was expecting it to, but the more he thinks about it, the more he believes Strawhat is his soulmate.
It doesn't look like he's been out to sea for long, but he already has an impressive list of feats. At the very least, Strawhat is strong. He didn't really care what his soulmate was so long as they're not a marine, but he does like the idea that his soulmate is also a pirate giving the marines a hard time.
If he keeps the bounty poster tucked away somewhere, that's for him to know. If he sees the grin Strawhat has on his poster on Sora sometimes, that's his business.
While Law doesn't keep up avidly with the news, he keeps up enough to know about all the stories pertaining the strawhats. Their captain in particular. He really liked the story of their crew declaring war on the world government. He has to admit that the chaos of Monkey D. Luffy, aligns really well with Sora's personality. Then again the news had a habit of exaggerating things. He'd have to actually see him to tell.
Sabaody
Law has been at the auction for a while. He has no intention of buying anyone, but it’s a good place for observing. He wantss to see Strawhat, just to see if he is as crazy as everyone believes. There was one person that caught his interest. A big guy who had bit off his own tongue. He had fire and Law wants to recruit him.
Just as the auction is wrapping up, after a celestial dragon appeared, the roof to the auction house breaks, more accurately, it's broken, crashed into by Strawhat Luffy himself. It does remind Law of the first time he met Sora. He's at the very least chaotic, Law can tell that much just from looking at him. Although, is he that special type of crazy that Sora is?
Yeah, he definitely is. Strawhat Luffy appears and immediately punches a celestial Dragon. He knows he should get out of there while he can, but he wants to see more. He wants to see what that crazy guy will do next.
Next to him, Sora tugs at his clothes pointing towards Strawhat. He's smiling and climbing and very excitedly wants Law to speak to Strawhat, but it's still chaotic and it's not like he's built anything up in his head, nor has he had any expectations for finding his soulmate, but in the middle of this chaos, Law knows it's best not to add to it. Besides, Strawhat's own soul animal, a snow leopard with his own eyes, hasn't really acknowledged Law, too busy trying to focus on the current issues. Smart animal.
When Silvers Rayleigh appears, knocking out nearly the entire crowd, Law takes it as his cue to leave. Marines are probably on their way if not already surrounding them.
Law briefly fights with Eustass and Strawhat. He makes sure to not actually speak to Strawhat, he doesn't want to reveal that they're soulmates in front of the whole marines. He somehow succeeds, even with Sora being a menace to Law in particular. If they're really soulmates, Law will meet Strawhat again, so he doesn't understand why Sora is making such a huge deal of it when they split up. Even after he got the new recruit and successfully escaped, Sora was loud, unhappy, and kinda violent about it. At least the monkey didn't throw sharp things at Law to state his unhappiness this time.
News comes of an execution for the Whitebeard commander Portgas D. Ace. There's certain to be a war at Marineford, and where there's war there's the injured. Why not look around? Whether he gets involved or not will be decided, but until then his crew looks at him like he's crazy while they set the course.
As they approach, they watch the battle from a den den mushi. They watch Strawhat appear, not on the Thousand Sunny, but on a falling marine ship. Not with his crew, but with said ship filled with impel down prisoners. That is absolutely Sora.
"Did you know?" Shachi asks with Penguin and Bepo at his side just after Strawhat and Fire Fist are revealed to brothers.
"I had no idea." Law answers honestly. Why these idiots thought he somehow possessed knowledge about his soul mate despite not having a single conversation with the man, is beyond him.
"Are you sure?" Penguin asks.
"Of course. How would I know that and why would it affect anything I do?" He really doesn't want to get involved with any crazy Ds at the moment. He still has a great deal amount of planning at the moment, and getting involved with unpredictability will do him no good for the moment. He's glad the crazy gene in the Ds skipped his family. He thinks as he's on the way to the biggest war post-blank century on a whim.
His three first recruits give him a wary look. In the end, it doesn't matter. Law's whole crew would follow him anywhere, not that Law would allow it.
"Sorry." Bepo says in a small voice.
The Heart pirates arrive just as the war is ending. His submarine comes to the surface and Law is quickly on the deck. He takes in the sight, battles are being fought, Buggy the Clown is carrying Strawhat and Jimbei, the snow leopard is right behind him running with Strawhat's epithet in his mouth.
"Bring them here. I'm a doctor, I can save them!" Law calls out to the clown who looks very hesitant, but gives in rather quickly since he's being chased by admirals.
"Do what you want, I'm out of here!" Buggy squawks as he runs for his life, tossing the two in his arms towards the Submarine. Law shambles himself, the two patients, and the snow leopard inside.
He begins working on Strawhat first, the man being in more danger than Jimbei, but he does have to occasionally work simultaneously on the patients, his crew helping where they can. Near the end, when he doesn't need nearly as much help, some of the crew focuses on helping the snow leopard. A difficult task in its own way considering its reluctance to cooperate, opting to stay in the same position watching Strawhat for hours. Law briefly wonders if he'd really care and be that loyal to someone. He wonders if he's capable of such devotion. He dismisses the thought immediately. He doesn't have time to think of anything else aside from the procedures.
Law really doesn't know how much time has passed, but he does know he's exhausted. It was certainly the challenge he had wanted, and now he's exhausted. All he wants is to sleep for the next week. Instead, he's faced with the last person he expected to see on the Tang. Dracule "Hawkeye" Mihawk... and a small honey badger looking at Law curiously before curling up next to Law fondly.
"I did not come here for a fight." Law guessed that much considering he had hours to kill everyone on the submarine, but he is very concerned how a warlord managed to sneak on board without anyone noticing. "I merely wish to speak to you."
"Now why would a warlord care to speak to me?" Law raises a brow suddenly feeling very awake.
"Rosinante cared very much for you. I just wanted to meet the boy my soulmate spoke so highly about and even sacrificed himself for." Law has never felt so blown away.
"Cora-San never spoke much of his soulmate." Law saws slowly. He does however remember the soul tattoo being a black Hawk.
"I imagine not. We did care for each other greatly, but we didn't know each other for very long. He called me often even when he was undercover and more so at night when he was searching for your cure." Mihawk explains with a certain fondness in his eyes.
Law isn't entirely sure if he believes the man or not. He had no reason to lie, it's just hard to take in, but then Sora climbs down from his previous position on Law and greets the honey badger like an old friend. Then again, Sora has always been very friendly.
What does it for him, is the snow leopard, who has not left Strawhat's side once is following a scent leading him straight to Sora and the honey badger. The snow leopard sniffs the honey badger, and there's a solid moment where Law thinks he's going to eat the smaller animal before the leopard nuzzles and licks the honey badger. The smaller animal returns the affection and Sora dances happily tugging on Law's pants to make sure Law sees all of this.
Law really can't deny it anymore. He's almost completely certain Strawhat is his soulmate meaning the snow leopard is supposed to represent Law. Law knows the only thing that could keep him away from a seriously injured person he loves so much- because while Law may not particularly care for Strawhat, it's clear the snow leopard cares a great deal. It's painfully obvious and not something Law's ready for yet- would be Cora-San.
"I'm too tired for this." Law rubs his forehead, his headache turning into a migraine.
"That is understandable. We can continue this discussion after you get some rest. Where do you keep your wine?" No one really drinks wine in the ship so they don't keep much, but there should be some, so Law gives him directions. "Come along, Astrid. Allow the boy some rest."
Law heads straight to bed, Sora climbing back onto Law and the snow leopard going back to Strawhat. Unfortunately, Law forgot to warn his crew of their guest. He doesn't even get an hour of rest in before his door is thrown open by a terrified Bepo.
"Which one's dying?" Law gave them strict orders not to wake him unless someone is dying.
"Neither, but the warlord Mihawk is here, Captain!" Bepo screams. That's all? He's too tired to feel guilty about not warning them.
"Cora-San's soulmate. Not a threat." Law falls straight back asleep.
The next time he wakes up it's to a pile of food. He must've been out for a while since Sora does this every time Law sleeps a great amount of time. Law sits up and yawns feeling much better.
"Thank you, Sora." Law pats Sora's head appreciatively and the monkey chatters happily digging into his own pile of meat.
Law eats quickly so that he can check on the patients. He would hate to have done all that work just for them to die on him due to a silent issue. Both patients are fine and the snow leopard is curled up at Strawhat's feet. Making sure to not touch any injuries, but also being close and able to keep an eye on him.
"Did ya eat well, Captain?" Clione grins. "Sora dragged me to the kitchen and had me cook enough to feed ten. Then went back and forth to bring more food to your room."
Sora is beloved by the entire crew. Law can't judge that in the slightest since he adores Sora as well, but their love for the animal even stretches out to the human version, and it's beyond Law's mere curiosity. There's already talk of giving Strawhat a get well basket, filled with meat. It's absurd and makes Law roll his eyes, but they are free to do as they please.
"Sora had me eat as soon as I woke up." Law sighs and leaves the patients. He still needs to speak with Mihawk after all.
Amazon Lilly
It has been two weeks and Strawhat is still asleep. It's not that surprising, but all there's really left to do is for him to wake up. They just routinely change the bandages, same thing with Jimbei. Shortly after Jimbei woke up, the heart pirates started pestering the fishman for details about both Luffy and his soul animal. Jimbei jovially gives all the desired details. Law's crew had a good laugh about the animal representing Law being named Fluffy.
Most of the crew, Law included typically stay on the island, stretching their legs or just enjoying the sun. They love the Tang, but it's good to be outside of it every once in a while. A few members stay in at a time just to keep an eye on Strawhat. Mihawk left shortly after arriving on the island after sharing stories of Cora-San, which was nice. Law didn't even know he needed those stories. To speak with someone else who knew Cora-San and cared for him. Plus, Mihawk left him his den den mushi telling him to reach out if he needs something. It's a strange relationship, they care for each other only in the way two people who loved the same person, albeit different way, can.
"If you don't mind me asking," Jimbei begins as they're sitting down on Amazon Lilly's shore, "do you believe Luffy could be your soulmate?"
"I have come to the conclusion that it's a strong possibility." Law admits. "Although I would appreciate you keeping the information to yourself."
"Of course. It is not my place to tell anyone such a matter. I take it you do not plan on confirming the idea." Jimbei says.
"I have other things to do." Law says simply, petting Sora gently. He doesn't know if he'll survive going against Doflamingo and he has no intention of getting involved in yet another thing. Maybe if he survives he'll actually confirm that they are soulmates and go from there.
"I see. Your business is your business and I will not try to persuade you into anything. If I may, however, offer you a piece of advice?" Jimbei pauses before going on. "From what I have noticed, even if you try to avoid or deny your soulmate, the universe will put them in your way over and over again as they are often exactly what you need for your problems and in life."
"I will keep that in mind." Law says. He allows himself to ponder whether or not Strawhat could help him. Could Strawhat really be what Law is missing in his mission to defeat Doflamingo? Before he can really ponder it, there a loud noise from the Tang and is wrecked not too terribly but enough that it'll need repairs before they set off. The culprit is of course Strawhat. The loud noise woke Sora up from his nap and even stuns the monkey a bit when Strawhat starts yelling then runs off.
Sora makes a noise and bounds off towards Strawhat, then doubles back when Law doesn't follow. Jimbei and... Fluffy already ran after him anyway and even if he tears his stitches, it's nothing the doctors here can't fix.
Oddly enough, Silvers Rayleigh shows up right after Strawhat's outburst. "Ah, Trafalgar Law, is it? I believe I saw you on Sabaody."
"At the auction house. What are you doing here?" Law raises an eyebrow. He certainly didn't expect to see Rayleigh again anytime soon.
"Can't an old man go for a swim?" Rayleigh tries. "I have business with Strawhat Luffy."
"He should be back relatively soon." Law says. "We're about to head out."
"I take it you're not waiting for Luffy?" Rayleigh smiles with a knowing twinkle in his eyes.
"No." Law states firmly.
"Very well then. Do you at least want me to pass on a message?" Rayleigh says with same coy expression.
Law pauses for a moment as a rare little smile graces his lips. "Yeah. Tell him his ending to his Third gear isn't very cool."
"Is that all?" Rayleigh bursts out laughing.
"Fix the Tang, then we'll set off." Law tells his crew while Sora stubbornly tries to get Law to meet up with Strawhat. "Not yet, Sora."
Once again, Law had to deal with a mad Sora.
Punk Hazard
"Maybe Fluffy should stay on the ship. I doubt a snow leopard will be very compatible with the heat." Sanji looks between Fluffy and the fiery island.
"Huh? Why not?" Luffy tilts his head.
"Look at all his fur. He'll probably overheat." Nami explains, but Fluffy flicks his tail in annoyance.
"What do you want to do Fluffy?" Luffy asks his soul animal. Sanji and Nami could have sworn Fluffy gave them a dirty look as he passes them and nears Mini Merry.
"Well, there's your answer." Zoro smirks, his soul tattoo of a big horned sheep half showing.
"Then Fluffy's coming with us!" Luffy laughs, petting Fluffy who nuzzles into it.
Fluffy sticks by Luffy's side and is always happy to, but that decision sometimes makes him miserable. Like in the burning sand of Alabasta and the inferno of an island. When they reach the winter side, Fluffy practically rolls around in the snow causing Luffy to laugh happily.
Law had heard of a ship docking on the island. He had not heard anything else about the ship. His mind briefly wandered to the strawhats, but decided that would be too ridiculous. Too ridiculous until he saw Strawhat's crew members that is. He switches their personalities a bit, he has to maintain his cover, and Sora starts laughing. He wonders how much longer he has until he runs into Strawhat again. The answer is, not much longer.
"Traffy!" Law hears Strawhat calling his name, sorta. "You guys don't gotta worry, after the war at Marineford, Traffy saved my life. I owe him big, and I never got to say thanks."
Law sighs patting Sora one last time before resigning himself. "It's been a while, Strawhat."
With Law's response to Luffy, his suspicions are confirmed. Sora yells happily and moves around a bit before a warm sensation crosses Law as Sora turns into a tattoo on Law's chest. At the same time, Fluffy rubs against Luffy's legs and purrs happily before turning into a tattoo on Luffy's own chest.
Law didn't know what he expected, but he knows it wasn't this. An old memory of his parents explaining the feeling of finding your soulmate floats back into his mind. They said it's the strongest thing you will ever feel, but they couldn't quite describe it either other than it's a really good feeling. So strong, so right, that it brings tears to his eyes.
Luffy subconsciously places a hand on the place where Fluffy now resides. His body feels warm and tingly and there's such a rush of emotion that Luffy can feel tears pricking his eyes.
"Well, I guess our Captain found his soulmate." Robin giggles behind her hand.
Luffy looks at Traffy, really looks. He has the same eyes as Fluffy. They're so alike he isn't sure how he didn't see it before.
"Shishishi! We're soulmates!" Luffy goes in for a hug, but Traffy sidesteps and his cheeks are a bit pink.
"Perhaps we should speak alone." Traffy suggests. Luffy doesn't really understand why he can't say it in front of Luffy's crew, but he'll go along with it.
"No way! You may be soulmates, but he's still a rival captain. Someone needs to go with you." Franky, though he sounds an awful lot like Nami, says.
"Fine. One person may come too." Traffy gives in easily. Franky, Frami?, winds up following them.
"First, I want you to understand I'm not saying this because we're soulmates." Law wants to make that perfectly clear. Their soulmate relationship has nothing to do with his decision. The Strawhats are crazy, and maybe that crazy is just what he needs to defeat Doflamingo. "Second, I want to propose an alliance between us, to defeat an emperor."
"Which one?" Luffy asks much to, he's pretty sure it's Nami in the cyborg's body at the moment, Nami's displeasure.
"Kaido." Law answers with a smirk.
"Sure! I plan on fighting them anyway, but I wouldn't agree if it was Shanks I had to fight." Figures Strawhat would be the only one crazy enough to agree to Law's plan. Maybe this won't be so bad.
Green Bit
"I wonder, where is that monkey of yours, Law? You were rather attached to him. What was his name, Sora?" Doflamingo taunts. Sora's name coming from Doflamingo makes Law want to vomit.
Law doesn't rise to the bait. He needs to keep a calm mind for this. If he loses his head, he'll die, and the plan has already gone to shit. Maybe he should've waited for Mihawk like the man told him to.
"If he's not here, then maybe you've already found your soulmate. Did you perhaps bring him here with you?" Law attacks.
At the very least, he managed to get Caesar and some of the strawhats away from Doflamingo. Unfortunately, he is now in front of the Colosseum potentially about to be killed in front of Strawhat himself. Upon seeing Strawhat, Doflamingo brings back his head and laughs.
"So you're the soulmate, Strawhat Luffy. Oh, I remember Sora giving me that same glare. I always thought that monkey was one of a kind." Law is vividly reminded of all the times he had to make sure Sora didn't attempt to maul Doflamingo's face off. Now, he really wants to see Strawhat maul his creepy face off. It would just be really satisfying.
Then Law gets shot. He thought he wouldn't wake up again. He thought he was going to die by Doflamingo, but he really didn’t care since the strawhats could at least destroy the factory and it wouldn't be much longer before Kaido killed Doflamingo, but then Law wakes up tied to the Corazon seat.
Luffy is going to kick Mingo's ass. How dare he shoot Traffy! Traffy's nakama. Before he can kick Mingo's ass, he's gotta find a way outta here. Rooster head is helping, but he keeps muttering to himself, and Luffy wishes he would speak up. He can't understand a thing he says.
Not this way.
Or this way.
There's not an exit here.
Luffy's starting to feel like Zoro.
Maybe this- who's that? Wait, did he just say Luffy can't have the fruit?
One explanation later
"Wait, where’s Koala?" Luffy asks looking at Sabo's feet where Koala typically used to hang around. Maybe clinging onto Sabo's leg? No, not there.
"You won't find my soul animal, you know." Sabo places a hand over his heart, where Koala now resides as a tattoo.
"You found your soulmate?" Luffy asks excitedly. Sabo was always really excited to meet his soulmate. Luffy was too, but Sabo was the romantic type, as Ace would say.
"And I'm guessing you found yours since I don't see Fluffy."
"Traffy! I gotta go find him! Mingo shot him!" Luffy screams. He really wants to talk with Sabo more, but Traffy's in danger.
"Don't worry, Lu. I know a way outta here."
"You know, I'm glad I didn't kill you." Doflamingo looks at Law in a way that makes his skin crawl. Strawhat just showed up again, this time ready to fight Doflamingo. "Watch closely, Law. I'll kill your soulmate right in front of your eyes."
Robin attempts to take Law away from the fight. Get him to safety, but Law refuses. "I'm staying right here. If Strawhat dies in this fight then so will I."
He's fully aware how romantic that sounds, but it's truly not like that. He would have said that soulmate or not, and he means it. This is his mission, and Law won't coward away while someone else finishes his fight. He's put it all on Strawhat. He wants to be there when Strawhat wins, or die alongside him if he fails.
"So you're Lu's soulmate?" Law is fairly certain this is Sabo, Chief of Staff in the Revolutionary Army.
"I fail to see how some pirate's soul mate is the Revolutionary Army's business." It makes sense for the Revolutionary Army to be in Dressrosa, but it doesn't make since why the Chief of Staff is currently in their little shack. Law's the only one awake right now, his insomnia not discriminating whether he's healthy or injured.
"It's not, but it is the business of an older brother to find out about their younger sibling's soul mate." Well, that explains the man's judgmental tone. Law at least understands that. He didn't like Lami's soulmate at all.
"Alright, fine." Law sighs.
"That was easy. I expected more of a fight." Law would give one if it were anyone else asking.
"I was an older brother once, too." Law offers. He remembers, misses desperately, what it was like to have a younger sibling to take care of. If Lami's soulmate wound up being some pirate covered in tattoos with a moniker like "Surgeon of Death" and a reputation like Law's, well... Law wouldn't want Lami anywhere near him.
Not that it really matters. They formed an alliance, not some sort of romantic relationship. Their alliance ends when Kaido is defeated and that will also end their relationship. They're not even friends, despite Strawhat's repeated insistence that they are. They'll go back to being rival captains and enemies. He tries to ignore the feeling he refuses to name washing over him at the thought as Sabo grills him. He answers each question honestly unless it's too personal then he just gives Sabo a flat look.
Sabo's verdict: Not fully trusting but Luffy would be pissed at him for intervening, so he'll just kill Law if the man dares to double cross or hurt Luffy.
Zou
The news of Sanji's leave hurts, but Luffy knows Sanji must be hurting more. He's going to get him back, but he needs to get a few things sorted out on Zou first. Traffy makes plans, they're boring, but Traffy likes making them, so Luffy can deal with it.
Soon enough the alliance with the Samurai and Minks are made. They have to split up again, but Luffy knows it won't be long. He'll find Sanji, kick some ass, then head to Wano. Easy peasy.
The more time passes, the more Luffy misses everyone. Of course he misses his crew, the ones who didn't come along and had to go on to Wano, but it's more than when he was on Dressrosa and missed the crew that went to Zou. He misses Traffy the most. He knew he'd miss him, they're friends now after all, but he misses him more and more. He wonders why.
Wano
Law misses Strawhat. He refuses to admit it, and will never voice it out loud, but he misses the man. It doesn't make any sense considering Strawhat is loud, annoying, stupid, and refuses to stick to any sort of plan. He should be enjoying this break, but... Law misses his smile, his laugh his... everything. He will often find himself subconsciously holding his soul tattoo. It's stupid and ridiculous, but also true.
He shouldn't care this much about one idiot, yet here he is misses the stupid captain. It's infuriating and his crew is no help. They just keep giving him knowing looks and poorly hidden snickers. The only reason they aren't outright teasing him is because they know Law will dismember them and leave them like that until it's time for the plan. Even still he can see the contemplation in Penguin and Sachi's eyes. They even go so far as to try and pressure Bepo into saying something.
He'll ignore the feeling for now. It has no place in the alliance and soul mates are a tricky thing. It's not always romantic. Sometimes it's platonic and they're just good friends. It's rare. Very rare, but if anything, that's what he might, possibly, very unlikely, is feeling towards Strawhat. The one thing he knows is that the feelings between soulmates are always mutual, and there's no way Strawhat feels anything like that towards Law.
Toto Land
Luffy has been noticing something strange recently. Maybe it's just this island, but it seems like more people are all lovey like Nami and Vivi were. He notices how people are kissing and hugging and holding eachother in ways Luffy never has with anyone before. It looks nice, and he wants to try it out, but the thought of doing it with his crew just seems wrong.
He definitely wants to do it though, but with who? Traffy! Yeah, that sounds good. The thought of kissing Traffy makes his heart feel all light and warm and like it's dancing. He should definitely try it with Traffy.
Wano
Law's chest aches and his soul tattoo burns. He doesn't understand why, and it's really poor timing considering he's in a very important and difficult battle against Big Mom with Kid.
"Get your shit together, Trafalgar!" Kid snaps at Law, and he's trying, but it's very difficult right now.
A bad attack sends him and Kid flying back, both landing on a pile of rubble. It leaves Law gasping for air, no. It's not from the attack. It's something else entirely. It's something deep, and within. It leaves Law feeling like he's dying. He almost does a scan on himself when it comes to a sudden stop. He takes a ragged breath, but immediately loses it when he sees an all too familiar monkey.
"No." Law's voice is quiet, hurt, and broken. It's filled to the brim with terror. His heart throbs painfully, his stomach plummets making him feel like he's going to throw up. He wants to cry, no, he's pretty sure he is.
"Dammit. Guess Strawhat wasn't strong enough to beat Kaido in the end." Kid grumbles. That's all he has to say? Sora is here, meaning one thing, Strawhat, Luffy, is dead. The world just lost the brightest soul it'll ever see and it dares to continue. How is anything still going? "Oh boohoo he's gone. We're still in the middle of a fight, and I don't plan on dying like Strawhat!"
Law is tempted to kill Kid and Big Mom both for that, but Sora stops him. He pulls on Law's pant leg and stares at him with the same intensity Luffy has- had. He'll kill Big Mom and see where Kid stands after that.
He hears Kaido's announcement, and inconceivable rage fills him only growing as Big Mom mocks Luffy. He's felt this before. He's felt this for 13 years, the emotion only quelling after Luffy defeated Doflamingo, and Law will feel it for 13 more years if he has to. He doubts he'll be able to defeat Big Mom and Kaido, and doubts anyone else cans defeat Kaido, but he doesn't care. He'll escape with Strawhat's crew and bide his time until Kaido can be defeated. All he knows is that Kaido will pay for what he has done.
Law defeats Big Mom with the help of Kid feeling exhausted and incredibly relieved. Sora is still at his side, but Luffy is still alive somehow. When he saw that giant rubbery hand pluck Kaido from the air, he almost collapsed in relief. He would have, too had it not been for his observation Haki screaming at him about the giant threat that was Big Mom.
"You're beyond pathetic Trafalgar. Your precious lover is still alive so stop being a bitch baby." Kid gripes, and if Law had any energy left he'd cut off the man's tongue for that.
"Captain!" He hears his crew shout. They cry and fuss over him the same way Sora does.
"I guess Strawhat really did die." Bepo mutters once he sees Sora. "Sorry! Don't worry, Captain. He's alright now. Momo and Yamato have him and they're getting him treated right away."
Law brings his hands to his face and takes a shaky breath. Kid was right, Law is being really pathetic, but he still can't stop the tears of relief from escaping him. The actual confirmation that Luffy is ok, he's alive, is just what he needed. Finally, he can let himself rest after the physical and emotional stress he went through, he really needs it.
Law wakes up with Sora curled on his chest. Next to him is a pile of food and plenty of other injured patients. He notices Luffy isn't among them, so he eats a little, Sora being just as demanding that Law eats as he remembers, and wanders from room to room trying to find Luffy.
"He's this way." It's Robin who finds him. A knowing look in her eyes.
"You've been asleep for a few days. Luffy is fine now, but still asleep. Your crew has been worried about you, Sora, too. He's quite the monkey." Robin giggles a bit as she looks at Sora. There's clear fondness in her eyes, but a hint of sadness. After all, Sora is a blatant reminder of just how close they all came to losing Luffy for good.
Law wonders what this means. With Sora back even after Luffy's miraculous resurrection, will Sora ever return to his tattoo form? His most likely theory is that whenever he and Luffy talk again, Sora will go back to being a tattoo, but he hopes that isn't the case. Can he be selfish enough to want both Sora and Luffy in his life? It may be too greedy, but he's a pirate. Isn't greed their whole thing? He's pretty sure Luffy would agree.
Robin and Law finally made it to where Luffy is resting at, Roronoa looking in equally bad condition and sleeping next to his captain. Black Leg is looking worse for ware, but awake and next to Roronoa looking concerned and annoyed. He's smoking badly, a nervous habit that Cora-San also had. Before they leave, Law makes a note to clean out his crew and the Strawhats lungs from all the smoking damage black leg has done. He also intends to force Black Leg to watch the process to see all the damage he has caused.
"I'll go ahead and inform your crew of your new location." Robin excuses herself after giving Luffy and Roronoa loving worried looks.
It's not much longer before the door opens again to reveal Marco the Phoenix and his soul animal, a black panther.
"I wasn't expecting to see you." Law admits.
"It's for Ash. He's really worried about Luffy. Besides, I want to pay respect to him as well and wish him a full recovery. He saved Wano, something not even Pops could do. I know Izo is thankful too." Marco gets a sad look in his eyes. There were plenty of casualties in the battle. Not everyone was lucky enough to have their loved ones survive. "I'll stay until Luffy wakes up. Let Ash and him interact for a bit, then bury Izo with Thatch."
Days pass and Law recalls the time after Marineford when Luffy was in a similar state. He remembers how diligently Fluffy watched over Luffy. How sad he looked. Law wondered if he was even capable of such a feeling, but he gets it now. He feels just as pathetic and useless Fluffy did. It's torture. He's a doctor, yet he can't do anything. Luffy isn't fully healed, but there's nothing Law can do. All that's left is for Luffy to wake up.
Yamato had taken some sort of oath. A tradition in Wano to give something up until the ill or injured person wakes up. Yamato had given up baths and food. Law hadn't taken that oath, but he would have ended up in that state had it not been for his crew and Sora. His crew forced him to take baths, ones Law always rushed. He didn't like being away from Luffy. What if his condition worsened? He's Luffy's best chance if something went wrong. As for the food, Sora always made sure Law was eating plenty.
Luckily, it's not much later when Luffy and Roronoa wake up at the same time. Roronoa demanding booze and Luffy demanding meat.
Before he knew what he was doing, Law hugs Luffy tightly, so thankful to see the man awake and lively. Seeing him so still and asleep for so long hurt. It was just plain wrong. Luffy should be smiling and laughing and bouncing around everywhere.
"Traffy?" Luffy asks a bit confused.
"Do you have any idea how worried everyone was?" Upon Law's words, he feels the familiar feeling of Sora reverting back into his soul tattoo form.
"Huh? Why was everyone worried? I'm fine!" Law can hear Luffy's grin.
"You weren't. You died. I felt you die. Your heart stopped beating." Law says sternly.
"Oh." Luffy grows quiet and wraps his own arms around Law. "I'm ok now."
"Don't ever do that to me again." Law tightens his grip, placing an ear on Luffy's chest his heartbeat working wonders to calm Law down.
"I won't." Luffy says.
"Promise me." Law demands. It reminds Luffy of another promise made years ago on a cliff. A broken promise that devastated him. It gives him pause.
"I can't die until I've become King of the Pirates." Luffy says instead. It's not what Law wanted to hear, but it'll suffice for now.
The festival is in full swing now. Law isn't typically much of a party guy, but he's opting to stay by Luffy's side until they have to part ways. They walk from stall to stall, mostly going to food stands until Luffy pauses, staring at something. Law follows his gaze until he sees two people kissing each other. Odd for Luffy to take notice of that.
"Let's do that." Luffy says completely out of nowhere.
"What? You mean kiss?" Law is so taken aback by his words and how effortlessly he said it.
"Yeah!" How can he be so bold? He's not even a little flustered or shy about it.
"Why?" Law asks dumbly.
"It looks fun, and I wanna do it with Traffy." Luffy grins and has Law always been so weak to Luffy's smile?
"I- alright, yeah. Let's do it." It's not like Law hasn't been wanting to do that for a while.
The words barely escape his lips before Luffy is on Law's lips. He doesn't have it in him to call it a bad kiss, but it's clear Luffy doesn't know how to kiss. He tried, oh how Luffy tried and really went for it. Looks like Law will just have to teach him.
"Do you wanna sail with me?" Luffy gives Law such a pleading look Law nearly caves, but is ultimately able to stay strong.
"No. We have different goals right now. It's best for us to split up." Law explains. Luffy gives him a pouting look, but doesn't press it. He understands to an extent. "After you become Pirate King and I find the truth behind our initial, we can sail the world together."
"Promise?" Luffy looks at him with bright hopeful eyes.
"Yeah, I promise." Law smiles and kisses Luffy again. He's happy to say Luffy's gotten a lot better at it.
"I'll miss you." Luffy mutters.
"Room." Law creates a small room. It's just big enough for them both to be in it. "Scalpel."
Law takes both of their hearts and puts them in each other. That way Luffy's heart resides in Law's chest and Law's heart in Luffy's. It's remarkable how the skin over each other's heart changes. Law hadn't thought about it, but their soul tattoo's change once in each other. The once snow leopard changes into the brown monkey Law knows and loves and Law's skin that is now on Luffy turns into a snow leopard. "There. Not only will we have our soul bond but this way we will always feel each other. No matter how far away we are."
"Shishishi. You're so smart, Traffy." Luffy grins.
"I love you." Law confesses before he can stop himself.
"I love you too." Luffy doesn't miss a beat. Law didn't know it was possible, but Luffy's smile got even brighter.
It makes Law's heart skip a beat. It's a bit disorienting not feeling it in his chest. Instead, Luffy laughs and places a hand over Law's heart.
They may be sailing in different directions, but they'll be ok. He will always be able to feel Luffy now. Luffy's heart beats faster than Law's. It's not due to anything, it's just his resting heart rate. Why does that make Law so happy? It's just a simple thing, but it makes Law want to grin like a madman. He's never been so happy before. Judging by the look Luffy gives him, he can tell just how stupidly happy Law is.