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Crates. Honestly the crates were the worst part about this time in their lives. Having to carefully pack everything up so nothing would break, or jostle during their quick move. It was an annoying process, and Crocodile never got used to it.
The man snapped his fingers, and watched with a satisfied smirk as his clothes flew out of his trunk to hang themselves neatly in his new closet. It was old, and made completely of creaky wood. Dark in color, and telling a story of the past occupants. Did a family live here at one point? Maybe it was just one person and their animals. His hand fluttered over a few cracks, and crevices as he tried to piece it all together. This was their home now after all, and their responsibility to take care of it.
“Hey! No fair! How come you get to use magic!?” He turned when he heard the familiar, and fiery tone of his charge. The young standing at his doorway with unruly black hair, and glaring dark eyes that sparked with little bolts of electricity. Luffy was a ball of energy as usual it seemed.
“because I'm an adult and can use my magic as I see fit. You, on the other hand, are still learning.” With a flick of his finger a few more crates began to unpack themselves. Items of all kind dancing, and twirling in the air as they found their respective places. “Get back to sweeping. We must give the house our respect.” It was hard to hold in his chuckle as the boy stomped off. Visibly fuming, and cursing under his breath about how he will one day become a powerful wizard. His child sized cloak trailing behind him as he did so like the steam of a choo choo train.
To be honest, Crocodile had no intention to ever have children. He always preferred to be alone. Spending his days perfecting his craft, and experimenting with potions in the safety of his home. Yet when he saw an abandoned young wizard near his old home many years before it all changed. It was taboo for them to leave one of their own to die. They were a small community after all, and they had a duty to look after one another. He supposed it had its perks though. For one, he didn't have to do all the mind numbing chores now.
The old cabin spoke to him a little more. Floorboards creaked under his feet as he moved to adjust a few things within his room. Move his lamp a few inches, tidy up his blankets, and just try to make the place feel like home. He smiled as all his magical nicknacks covered every little shelf, and smooth surface. Bottles of specimens, and glittering jewels brought in some color and wonder to the room.
Now he just had to unpack the rest of the house.
He left his magic to it, and then made his way into the hallway. Smiling when he saw a few spiders busying themselves with their webs, and the familiar sight of thick dust flying through the air. Luffy was doing a splendid job it seemed!
“What good timing. I needed some more spider web in my stock.” He moved his thick green cloak out of the way as he reached for a small vile in his pocket. He always had them on hand in case of times like this, and of course always paid the environment back for sharing. He scooped up some web, and then shut it closed with a cork. Making sure to give the spiders a small smile of appreciation before heading on his way.
A short walk into the kitchen showed that the unpacking in there had nearly not gone as smoothly as within the bedrooms. Boxes everywhere, and barely leaving the man any room to walk. Granted it was a small space. Wooden table big enough for a few people, an old iron stove that would require a flame spell to work, and lots of creaky old cupboards for their food. It was clean now, but soon it would be filled with flowers and trinkets.
Many not a part of their world would think them insane for living such a simple life, but for them it was normal. Those born into magic preferred to live the old ways. Lodge near their resources, and take only what they needed from the Earth. It was a good way of life: an honest one. Yet those with small minds saw it differently.
Many times their kind was hunted down for being "devil worshippers", as many had called them. Jealous: they all were just jealous! They saw something they didn't understand and decided to punish them all for it! It caused all magic folk to hide away, and Croc didn't mind that.
He snapped, and watched with wonder filled eyes as flowers began to magically sprout around the window frames. Bringing color, and life to the once sterile room. Its lovely aroma wafting through the house, and bringing ease to the older wizard’s nerves. Roses, daisies, and marigolds popping their little heads inside to say hello. Cheerful, and bright. Crocodile wanted more than anything to embody such an attitude for himself.
“Do you have to go out?” He turned to see Luffy in the doorway. Little hands gripping the broom with vigor as he stared up at him. Brown eyes with a little fire burning within them as he glared. He was a stubborn child, and tended to move to the beat of his own drum. This would be no different.
“You know I do. It's important to see what type of people live in the nearby town.” It was tradition for him now. Crocodile would dress up like a non magical person, go to the local bar, and chat up the locals who lived there. It was important to see who he would be sharing the land with, and most importantly how they would react to him.
With the snap of his fingers his clothes changed. Dark green cloak, and vest reforming completely on his body. His cloak with a mind of its own snaked its way around his neck, and formed itself into a perfect forest green business tie. Vest growing, and losing its special markings as it gained a whole new appearance. He created a perfect suit, and soon he could slip right into modern society without anyone blinking an eye.
“Continue unpacking while I'm gone. And please don't blow anything up.” It was a useless plea, but seeing Luffy’s smile gave him some hope. “I’ll be back soon with dinner. Be good.” Then, with the quick snap of his fingers, he was gone. A puff of magic consuming him before he found himself far away from the woods, and cabin. Instead his senses were consumed by loud cars, and city air.
Not too far from where they were lodging was a big town. Not big enough to be a city, but not small enough to remind him of the backwaters they had lived in before. It seemed nice so far, but that didn't mean the people would be the same.
He transversed the streets with ease. Weaving in, and out of crowds of people that were going home after a long day of work. Chattering away on their modern devices, and eating greasy food that made Crocodile's nose scrunch up in disgust. He never understood non magic folk.
He stopped when he finally found a small, but noisy bar. Blinding fluorescent lights cutting into his irises as he was forced to stare at the neon sign. “Dressrosa” it was called. How dumb.
Without any hesitation he grabbed the handle, and threw the door open. Instantly being slapped in the face by the stench of alcohol, and drunken laughter. He disliked bars, but they sadly were the best place to get information. Drunks never held anything back. They said things straight up, and didn't care how preposterous the words coming out of their mouth were. He sighed, oh well. Time to rip off the bandaid.
He strode inside, the noise never ceasing for a second as he did so. It was almost like he was a ghost. Taking his seat at the bar silently, and trying his best to not seem suspicious. He couldn't gather information if someone was wary of him after all.
Honestly, it seemed like the bar was mostly filled with tired businessmen, and women who were trying to unwind after a hard day. Laughing in their respective groups, and honestly their conversation wasn't even close to interesting. Things about merges, and stocks that Crocodile could care less about. The concepts were easy to understand, but it just didn't apply to him.
“So, dont think ive seen your face here before.” He didn't have any time to react as all of the sudden a body slipped into the seat next to him. Tall, and imposing as he forced Crocodile to look up in order to see the stranger.
The first thing he noticed was sunglasses. Really? Inside of all places? Their weird shape, and color reminded him of some type of extreme cat eye. Pink shades completely covering his eyes so Crocodile couldn't make out his expression. Boxy features dusted with a slight blush to show he was at least buzzed.
“I haven't been to this bar before if that is what you mean.” He stayed calm. Trying to not give anything away to the stranger as he tried to gauge what in the world was going on in that blonde head.
He didn't look like any normal business man. His build was wide, and bulky. Only being matched by his insane height as the man was able to look down on him in ease. Long, alien like fingers clutching his drink as though it was just a tiny shot glass. When he smiled Crocodile noticed how it covered almost his entire face, and reminded him of the Cheshire cat. Mischievous, and almost inhuman.
“I thought so! I would remember someone as handsome as you!” Now that had caught Crocodile off guard. The man blinking dumbly as he wracked his brain for the current question swimming in his head. What in the world just happened? Of course, he knew he was a handsome man. That wasn't hard for him to grasp. Yet never had a non magical human approached him so boldly.
“You humor me.” It was hard to not smirk at such words. A part of him buzzing with excitement from the compliment, and wanting more than anything to puff his chest out in pride. Damn, had it really been that long since he spent time with another attractive adult?
The blonde just waved him off, and laughed like a cackling crow. Some would find such a thing intimidating, but to Crocodile it was more intriguing. It seemed like he was truly happy. Whether that was the alcohol, or the horniness talking he had no clue.
“You're just being humble! Hey, let me get you a drink. Whatcha want?” Men had offered to get him drinks before. Most were sleevy, and he would curse them the moment he had a chance. Yet, this man was slightly different. Something about him just allured the wizard to no end, and he still couldn't place it.
“Whiskey on the rocks.” The bartender nodded, and then quickly began to prepare his drink. Leaving the two men alone to their own discretion. At first, they just enjoyed each other’s presence. Enjoying their drinks, and letting the laughter of the room fill their senses. Though soon that didn't seem like enough for the blonde. The man gathered his confidence before he spoke again.
“So, you have a name? Most everyone here knows me already, so I forgot to ask. I’m Doflamigo though.” Crocodile had a feeling his behavior was more because of the alcohol then how he actually acted. A little bit of liquid courage always seemed to go a long way, and the wizard was no different at this point as he drained his first glass of whiskey.
“Crocodile.” To be honest, his voice had gotten lost within his throat. Was he actually nervous about this!? Almost as though to answer his question his heart skipped a beat when he saw the man smile in response.
“Hey! Handsome name, for a handsome man!” Despite the corniness it did make him smile. It had been a long time since anyone had called him handsome, and he would gladly take more compliments coming his way.
“Do you say that every man you see?” He smirked before taking another sip of his whiskey, and watched out of the corner of his eye as the man sputtered slightly. A little disoriented like a flamingo knocked off its feet. Pink feathers flying before the overly large bird had found its footing once again.
“For your information I don't just call any man handsome. Just the special ones.” He stuck his nose up in pride, and smiled that same joy filled smile from before. No emotions were ever hidden from this man, and to be honest Crocodile liked that.
“Well, glad to know i’m special.” He held his glass up in a mock toast, and was overjoyed when the blonde lightly tapped his own against it.
“The fact we met today out of all possibilities is more than special. One in a million if you ask me.” One in a million you say? Such words were common in the magical world. Even with potions, and spells no one could override fate. When the universe said something was happening, then nothing could change that. A part of him wondered if this was just fate playing its annoying game.
“Like magic I suppose.” Now that seemed to make Doflamingo happy. The man smiling, and nodding before starting to talk about a completely new topic. To be honest. Crocodile had forgotten what he was there to do in the first place. He was just enjoying his conversation with the blonde, and as time went on he barely noticed. Hours had just seemed like minutes to him, and soon it was time to go.
“Let me walk you home. We can talk some more too!” As much as Crocodile wanted that he surely couldn't take a regular person to his new cabin. Nonetheless explain why he was there to begin with.
“I apologize, but I can't.” Never had he so many regrets as he did in that moment, and seeing the blonde’s face didn't help whatsoever. He seemed so sad, and Crocodile felt that sentiment. “I hope we can meet again soon though. I will be here for awhile, so i’m sure this will not be our last time together.” Would it be wrong to say that Doflamingo’s smile gave him relief? Just the way all his worries washed away so visibly on his features made him happy. The man wanted to see him again? It seemed like a dream come true.
“I’ll hold you to that. Have a great night, Crocodile!” It was indeed already a great night.
He didn't have time to stick around like he wanted. Quickly exiting the bar, and taking a deep breath as cold air hit him right in the face. He didn't even realize he needed fresh air until then. He spent a few seconds there, but soon he gathered his senses.
“Back home we go.” He made sure there were no hidden eyes around the street, and when he saw no one he used the moment to transport himself away. The sound of a snap being the only thing left behind as he did so.
Gone with the wind, but the magic remained.