Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The first time Law swaps with his soulmate is when Flevance is on fire.

He's been upset before but until now it's never triggered a swap.

He's in the useless, motionless body of an invalid toddler when he understands why.

It's at ten years old that Law learns that the world must be destroyed and that he only has himself to count on.

*

His soulmate never Swaps them and Law is grateful for it. He's too busy to care for another, useless lifeform.

*

Law is trapped in a Chest as Cora murdered and he refuses the Swap because he needs to be here for this, needs to witness Corazon's last moments and honor his last wish - his sacrifice.

His Soulmate wouldn't be able to do it. He'd just sit around and get them caught.

He walks, then runs. Law survives and keeps hiding until he's sure he won't be captured. Then gives in.

While Cora was getting murdered Law's Soulmate's been stuffing his face.

*

For the most part Law's life hasn't changed for having a Soulmate. The burden exists mostly out of sight and mind. They never Swap.

Until - when Law is fifteen - his Soulmate triggers the Swap.

The Sea saps his strength in a familiar manner and pulls him down but a warm, strong arm presses him close and prevents his drowning.

Law lives in the underground of the North Blue - surgeon for hire and aspiring pirate - that doesn't mean he is unaware of what's happening on the Grand Line. Of Course he knows who Shanks is.

Most curious that his Soulmate knows him.

*

Before the previous Swap there had been three years of nothingness. The one after comes after less than a handful of months.

Law really hopes his Soulmate isn't planning of making it a habit. Especially not, if he's getting tortured.

There is a rope tied around him, leaving him dangling around..

His whole Body is hurting in a testament - which Law only begrudgingly admits - that his Soulmate held out pretty long.

"Come on Kid, spit it out!" Spiked gloves punch at him and Law chokes on the Pain. For three years White Lead Disease killed him slowly but the body of his Soulmate isn't used to pain like Law is.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" He growls back because damnit he had better things to do today.

"Shit, the Brat Swapped," one of the kidnappers curses "what do we do now?"

"Kill him, he's useless now." The one that punched Law says and grabs his Sword.

Death now would only mean that Law would no longer have a Soulmate. He's not entirely opposed to this. But then two brat's charge in and fight tooth and nail for his Soulmate.

Law remembers how hard Cora fought for him how much he loved Cora and how much loosing him had hurt. Although Law can be cruel, he doesn't like to be when there's no need.

"Alright, kids, time to run." He tells the brats. Now that he's free, even in this useless body, he can take care of any pursuers.

But only the blonde one moved to listen. The other charges, causing the blonde to follow. Truly, Law is surrounded by idiots.

Fine. A fight it is.

*

Afterwards there is silence and Law goes back to gathering information and funds. Back to his half a crew.

*

The next time they Swap the black haired kid, Ace, tells Law that the blonde one, Sabo, died.

This once, Law forgives his Soulmate for Swapping.

Chapter Text

Law knows his Soulmate is named Luffy because that's what was yelled when Ace and Sabo interrupted him getting Murdered.

He has no clue of what he looks like and only has a vague guess of his age.

But he knows his Soulmate has a Devil Fruit and wants to be a Pirate.

It's an uncomfortable guess but Law thinks maybe his Soulmate is the rookies making waves for challenging the World Government.

He hopes not but the Universe never cared for Law's hopes or dreams.

*

Sabaody is an... interesting experience. His maybe Soulmate punches a Celestial Dragon and ropes Law and some other pirate into a fight against the Marines.

Then he vanishes from the face of the earth while Law has to deal with the mess spooking his contacts on joker.

Law still feels the bond in the back of his mind so he knows his Soulmate is alive. He isn't worried and maybe a bit annoyed at this fact.

*

Saving Strawhat at Marineford isn't because he's maybe Law's Soulmate. It's because the snails cut out and Law new another crime of the World Government was about to happen and he simply arrived at the right time to receive the wounded other and retreat.

Regret sets in only after Strawhat and former Warlord Jinbei are out of mortal peril and Law needs to face his actions.

Regret worsens when Strawhat wakes up and promptly starts attacking those around - in Law's body, the fuck - while screaming for his Brother.

Since his Soulmate uses neither Room nor Kikoku the damage is by far not as bad as it could be but it leaves Law with repairs to do and injured Crewmates.

Silvers Rayleigh - fucking Dark King Rayleigh - showing up to take Strawhat off of Law's hands is a relief.

*

After two years of ignoring it Strawhat makes his way into Law's life again.

Punk Hazard is a disaster and he regrets forming an Alliance with his Soulmate as soon as he does but despite it all they survive and have captured Caesar Clown.