An Encounter With The King

All Inked Up

Soulmates. I swore if I heard that word again, I was going to scream! I lived in a world where everybody had a soulmate and they were connected by the skin. I realize that sounds weird, but let me explain. If I draw a zigzag on my left wrist, my soulmate will get a zigzag on his or her left wrist too. If they drew a swirl on their right ankle, I'd get a swirl on my right ankle as well. What pissed me off about everything was that I was 22 going on 23 and still had yet to meet my soulmate while everyone I'd gone to middle school with was either with theirs, marrying theirs or already starting a family.
I think the whole thing just pissed me off because I knew my soulmate existed. The seventeen additional tattoos proved it, I just didn't know if they were male or female or even had a name. I'd tried to find out one day but it didn't go so well.
I'm not telling you my name and I don't want to know yours. It'll be so much more special to find you by our matching tattoos instead. My soulmate had responded. I'd frowned down at my then tattooless arm where the message had appeared.
But I don't think we'll be the only ones with a mythical sea serpent on our calf.
You just leave that to me.
And now, about five years later, I had seventeen additional tattoos on my upper body. At least they were tattoos I could enjoy having, though each new addition had been a surprise since my soul mate never warned me before getting a new one.
“And just what did the tea do to you for you to glare so darkly at it?” a new voice broke into my thoughts.
I looked up at the seat across from me at my best friend. He wore his usual smirk as he watched me, amused at the fact I was seemingly glaring at my cup of tea. He was the only one that had remained in touch with me despite having his soul mate. He had been in an accident shortly before meeting her, resulting in the both of them having wicked looking scars on the left side of their bodies. They both had the same fiery temper which I guessed was how they were able to tolerate each other.
“Morning Eustass,” I greeted calmly. “And I was glaring at all the soul mates that hang around here, not the tea. Why did you ask me to meet you here of all places?”
His smirk simply widened. “Because I know that Thousand Sunny Café is the only café that has your favorite tea and figured it would make you more willing to accept my offer.”
I hummed as I took a sip. “I'm listening.”
“Bonney and I are going to the beach in a month and we want you to come with us.”
“Absolutely not. The beach is soulmate paradise, you know that.”
“Exactly why I suggested we bring you. Even if you don't find your soulmate there, that new bathing suit you bought plus your rockin bod will at least get you a number or two.”
“Kid!”
“Jewel, you know I think you're sexy. If it weren't for Bonney, I'd ask you out myself.”
“Well… alright I guess. But if anything goes wrong, I'm kicking your ass.”

And so, here I sat, a month later on the beach; baby blue bathing suit on and all nineteen tattoos showing proudly. Not long after Kid had asked me here, my soulmate had gotten a new tattoo on their chest.
It'd hurt like a bitch and after it was done, I'd warned them if I saw them in person I'd punch them for not warning me.
I'm sure I'll deserve that. Besides, I don't think I'd mind being punched by a  girl with my own tattoos. They had replied.
Charming, in a way. Back to the present, I noticed movement out the corner of my eye. Looking over, I felt my jaw nearly hit the ground. Standing not too far from me was a tall, dark skinned male with the same funky smiley face tattoo on his back as mine.
I scanned what I could see of the rest of his tattoos and knew it was my soulmate once I spotted the matching sea serpent on his left calf. Rising from my beach towel, I walked over to the male. Tapping his shoulder to get his attention, I punched him square in the nose when he turned, knocking him on his ass. “I warned you that if I saw you in person I'd punch you for not warning me about this tattoo. Do you have any idea how much it hurt?” I asked, loosely crossing my arms over my still sensitive chest.
The male stared at me before noticing the familiar tattoos that marked my torso. Upon doing so, he jumped back to his feet, pulled me into a hug before planting a kiss on my lips.
I was too stunned to respond as it was the most passionate kiss I'd ever received. “Wow,” I whispered once it stopped. “That's one hell of a greeting from your soulmate.”
He smirked before backing up some and held out a hand. “So is punching them in the nose. Trafalgar Law, but you can call me Law.”
I smiled and shook hands with him. “Phoenix Jewels, you can call me Jewel.”
“Well, Jewel-ya, care to build a sandcastle with me?”
“I'd love to, Law.”