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Crocodile used a little more pressure as he tended the soil just beneath his finger tips. Adding fertilizer, watering, and taking care of the seeds in hopes that they will grow into big strong vegetables. Sadly, for the past couple weeks that had been far from the case.
“Sandman! Do we have to do this! I’m bored!” He sighed, and then turned to see Luffy. The boy pouting, and slamming his hoe into the dirt as though he was trying to beat it up; Crocodile just rolled his eyes.
“Our food won't just grow on their own, they need our help, and we have to show them patience.” Though he said that he had to admit he was annoyed as well, it had been weeks and none of their vegetables were growing. It was honestly concerning, and Crocodile wondered what he would have to do for food if things didn't get better.
“Why can't we just use magic?” Of course this was an easy answer for a child who grew up surrounded by magic. It seemed like an easy fix for everything, and being so young he didn't understand the small details that came along with such a gift. He will learn with age, and Crocodile will make sure to help with that.
“Would you use magic to make someone love you? Or force a person to do something terrible?” Luffy quickly shook his head, a look of terror on his face as he did so. “Then why force the flowers to grow? It's unnecessarily cruel to make the plants sprout when they don't want to, so we must give them grace. They will grow when they want to, and we just have to care for them until they are ready. Plus, they won't turn out as good if you just make them grow. We want the best product.” He had gone back to tending at that point, biting his lip as he slowly realized that the plants he tried so hard to grow might just have died. Well, that was not good.
“Well i’m glad they aren't growing!” The seven year old huffed, crossing his arms over his chest as he did so. “Meat is much better than vegetables.” Crocodile just rolled his eyes, and then snapped his fingers. A burst of sparkling blue magic flying towards the child, and giving him a little pinch on the cheek before disappearing Luffy jumped, and then cradled his cheek with a glare on his features. Obviously unhappy to be scolded by his father figure.
“Now stop that. You need your veggies to grow big and strong, so I expect you to eat them all when they are on your plate. Now, how about we call it a day? I think we have some eggs, bread, and bacon that I can prepare for breakfast.” Now that turned the child’s frown upside down, happy little smile brightening up the entire garden as he did so.
“Yay! Bacon!" He dropped his gardening tools, and ran for the cabin. Obviously happy at the thought of getting some yummy food for breakfast, and he almost ran right into the door he was so excited. Luffy was a precious child, and Crocodile was blessed to have him in his life.
"Slow down now. Breakfast won't be running away anytime soon." He chuckled when the child’s magic all of the sudden made an appearance, and caused a slice of bread to fly right into his face. The child seemed annoyed at first, but then quickly consumed the piece before going back to his begging. It always seemed his magic worked best when food was involved, Croc knew all types of magic had different triggers, but Luffy's was always amusing.
"Let's eat up quickly, I have to go into town once we finish after all." He decided right then and there that he was going to go to the nearest garden store. It was important for him to figure out what was happening to his garden, and sometimes the non magical folks had more knowledge than even him. Luffy just stared at him as though little magical fireworks were going off behind his head, brown eyes sparkling oh so bright as he did so.
“Can I go!? PLEASE!” Crocodile had expected this, he could see it a mile away, and it was never an easy decision to make. Let the child come along, or make him stay.
“I don't know? Can you control your magic?” Luffy was still a young wizard, and with that came a lack of control with his magic. There were many moments where he would get excited, and then cause little magical accidents in non magical areas. It was a dangerous thing, and therefore he had to tread lightly. The little boy just nodded.
“Yes! I can do it! I promise!” He yelled through chunks of bread, and cheese. Luffy didn't care for a second as he continued to shove more food into his mouth. Crocodile rolled his eyes, what in the world was he going to do with his crazy child?
“Well, I suppose you have behaved very well these past couple days.” The child leaned in, eyes full of hope as he awaited the answer he so desperately wanted to hear. “Hm, I guess it wouldn't h-” He couldn't even finish before the child began to whoop, and cheer in joy, running around the room like an excited little wind up toy before he struck Crocodile’s leg. Little giggles filled the room as the man lifted him up into his arms.
“Alright alright. Lets get breakfast ready.” The pair had then begun to get ready to start their day. Their voices, and laughs taking over as they slowly prepared their food. A fun time for the two of them, and something Crocodile would give up for the world. They were a family, just the two of them, and no one could replace that.
“I have been trying to grow some vegetables, but they seem to be quite finicky. Thye no matter what I do they die.” Thankfully there was a small little mom and pop garden shop in town. Open doors, and wide windows that showed up a multitude of plants that reminded the man of a mini jungle. Luffy was wandering around the store as well, now dressed in a T-shirt and jeans that made him look like a normal child. Big brown eyes staring at a group of venus fly traps like they were the coolest things on the planet.
“Oh? I’m guessing you're not used to the soil here then?” All he had to do was stand there, and blink dumbly, making that the only answer needed . The woman laughed at his misfortune before she moved from behind the counter, she was petite, but gave off an air of knowledge that the man would appreciate. “Here, let me grab a book that can help. The soil here is a little hard to garden in, but it isn't impossible.” He nodded, and watched as she left to go to the back of the shop. Obviously looking for this aforementioned book, leaving the pair alone in the store.
“Luffy, don't touch anything.” He made sure to take the child’s hand, pulling him away from where he was poking the plants in joy. He loved this child with all his heart, but sometimes he was a mess.
“I wasn't going to break it!” He stared up at him with a pout, obviously annoyed at being dragged away from his current source of entertainment. Yes, luffy said he wasn't trying to break things, but one hour with the boy would show that his word didn't really mean much.
“Well, then we’re going to make sure it stays that way.” As he spoke a large shadow had slowly begun to consume his form. Crocodile had at first assumed the sun had ducked away behind some clouds, but soon he was proved wrong.
“Isn't that Croccy I see?” The familiar voice made a shiver run up his spine, and when he felt someone's breath against his ear he rapidly turned around. Instantly becoming face to face with a mop of blonde hair and a cheshire cat smile, which of course became wider when he saw his face. “It is! You're lucky I found you, because you forgot to give me your number!” Crocodile did not know what a “number” was, and decided it was best to not question it.
“I don't think I gave you a nickname to call me by either.” The man, Dolfamingo if he remembers correctly, just laughed aloud. Barely caring about the noise level as he let his voice shake the walls, and pots from the sheer noise of it all. Crocodile only found the act annoying, the man needed to figure out what an inside voice was.
“It's cute, right!? It fits you pretty well in my opinion. Little Croccy!” The man just huffed, he was far from being little, but compared to the blonde might as well be. Doflamingo just laughed again, this one quieter, and reminding him of a crow’s insidious cackle. Thankfully, the clerk had come back, book in hand as she carefully bagged it for him.
“This was a touching reunion to say the least, but I must pay for my things and leave.” He wasn't sure if he was trying to escape from the man, or the awkward situation. Crocodile had never once dealt with flirtation in any sense, it just wasn't common in his life, and a part of him felt embarrassed at his cluelessness. He could make detailed potions, and invent complex spells, but flirting was very out of his field of expertise.
“Aw, don't leave now! Oo! Let me take you to lunch! Turns out I'm on my break, and would love to have some handsome company like you!” The wizard blushed when he was called handsome once again, in reference to him the phrase was a new thing. Him, handsome? He knew he was attractive, even with the large scar across his face, but handsome seemed a bit too far.
“I would love to-” He was torn if he truly would love it, or if he would hate it. “-but I have a guest here who needs to get home.” He gently pushed Luffy forward from where he was hiding behind his fur coat, a glare on his face as he stared up at the blonde. Doflamingo was understandably shocked, his eyes probably wide under his bright pink shades before he crouched down to be eye level with him.
“Oh! A tiny kiddo!” He waved at him, long fingers wiggling as he did so. “Got a name kiddie? I’m Doflamingo, friend of your papa.” Crocodile huffed at the title, he wasn't the boy's father, and never liked being called such. Luffy seemed a little annoyed too, his face scrunching up as he seemed to be thinking about something.
“You look like a bird Mingo. Sandman! Can I turn the Mingo into a bird!?” Well that was not good. Crocodile quickly covered the boy's mouth, glaring as the child struggled in his grasp.
“He’s kidding, I promise, he just has a wild imagination.” He did his best to stay calm, trying to make it seem like there wasn't anything to question. Thank goodness Luffy was still a child, it made explaining things a lot easier.
“My brother has a brat too! He's a weird thing, but a brat nonetheless. Oo, maybe I can get a playdate going? I bring my nephew, and you bring your kid. We can make a date out of it!” Doflamingo seemed desperate in that moment, a worried smile spreading across his face as his body turned tense from nerves. Did he want to spend time with him that bad?
“I will think about it. Luffy has just never spent time with strange children before.” Or any children at all for that matter. It was a lonely life for a child, but it was just the reality of it all. He couldnt put him with non magic kids, imagine the disaster that would be, and Crocodile wasn't exactly on the best terms with the magical community. He felt bad at times, but Luffy seemed fine so he supposed it couldn't be that bad.
“Luffy? That's a weird name.” Crocodile agreed, but the child came with the name. “Also, call me Doffy, kid.” He ruffed up Luffy’s curly dark locks, and paid no mind as his hand was slapped away again and again.
“Yeah, ok Mingo.” Crocodile just rolled his eyes. One thing you had to know when it came to Luffy was that there was no telling him what to do. If he said your nickname is “sandman”, or “Mingo” then that's what he's calling you.
“Weird brat….” Luffy didn't seem to like the man mumbling to himself, as the moment the words had left his mouth a potted plant had begun to float behind him. With quick reflexes Crocodile leapt forward, and instantly shoved it back down. The weird looks he received was definitely expected.
“I’m, um, buying this.” He held up the cactus pot, and made sure to send a well deserved glare to his now giggling charge. Great, now he was buying a mini cactus. Doflamingo thankfully just saw this as a way to continue the conversation.
“Oo, you like plants!?” He had followed the pair to the register like a lost puppy. Wagging his nonexistent tail, and practically drooling from infatuation. The man didn't seem to care about making a fool of himself, and to be honest it was slightly amusing.
“Yes, I grow all my own vegetables and flowers. How about you? Green thumb yourself?” The cashier had given him his cactus, and book at that. Crocodile made sure to pay (with his non magic money of course) as he continued to listen to the blonde standing not too far away.
“Nope! I kill everything I touch!” Why did that not surprise Crocodile in the slightest? He seemed like the type to forget to water his plant three weeks in a row, and then be confused why it died.
“I’m sure if you take it a day at a time you can learn. Plants take patience, and care after all.” He gave the clerk a nod in thanks before beginning to walk out of the flower shop, and of course Doflamingo was close behind as he did so.
“You should teach me then! We can make it a date!” There it was again, saying they needed to go on a date. The man was desperate at this point, and never once stopped using his height to his advantage as he hovered over him.
“We don't have to talk about plants to have a date. Next Friday, I'll meet you, and we go to dinner. How's that?” Crocodile was almost proud of himself for how dumbfounded the man looked. His jaw dropped, and stuttering like a broken record before he quickly shook it away.
“W-Wait, the hell am I supposed to get a hold of you though!? I don't know your number, or where you live!” He had a right to be confused, he supposed, but he couldn't tell the man the truth. No matter how attractive he was.
“Don't worry, i’ll find you. Come on Luffy, we’re going home.” The child had never once taken his gaze off Doflamingo, even while being dragged away into a nearby alley.
“Um, ok! I’ll see you Friday, Croccy!” The man smirked when he heard the confusion in his tone, and had to admit he was proud of himself. It felt great to make the giant of a man squirm under him after all.
“Hey Sandman? Are you really going to have dinner with the Mingo?” Luffy wrinkled his nose up in disgust, and stared up at him with a questioning gaze. The look even stayed on his face when they poofed back home.
“Hm, maybe? I guess it can't hurt.” He chuckled when the boy gagged in disgust. He supposed a seven year old didn't understand the need for adult time after all. “Whatever you say, now take your cactus.” He shoved the plant into the kid’s arms, and then made sure he got back to work on his plants.
To be honest, he was kind of excited for Friday. Doflamingo was an interesting man after all, and he couldn't help but feel intrigued. He wanted to spend more time with him, and soon, he will.