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An air of calm had entirely washed over the village port, a moderately busy town where food stalls were open for business. Heaven for Monkey D. Luffy and his black hole of a stomach, and the ultimate test of control for Crocodile. Baroque Works would be nothing compared to what he prepared himself to deal with with this young man by his side. Thankfully, money wouldn't be an issue, but there was a desire to at least try and moderate what Luffy wanted to buy and eat. Crocodile would not allow him to eat everything like he so wanted and begged. Compromises needed to be made, so that things would be balanced with minimal arguing.
The two settled down on a stone ledge with a view of the water and the docked ships, a small flower garden planted behind them. As Luffy so ravenously ate the 8 meat kebabs he held in his hands, Crocodile had to use everything in his willpower to not make a comment of disgust. His raised brows hid his true expression most times anyway, as he always had this expression of either pride or concern. Nobody ever knew what he was truly feeling behind that face of his if he didn't speak.
“You eat like a wild beast, Luffy, calm yourself before you choke.” Crocodile managed to say, somehow with some concern in his gruff voice.
“But it's so gooood, I just need more!” The younger man replied, cheeks full of food, his next words barely legible at this point.
Crocodile didn't blink, simply stared at the pirate before giving a deep sigh and looking back onto the water. He had been hunched forward this entire time, elbows resting on his knees and his large brass hook hanging close to the ground below. This was the first time in a very long while where he felt calm, or as calm as he could be around someone like Luffy. It was strange, having his guard down like this. He was always so used to being defensive, over-prepared for situations, his brain working overtime to find solutions for every single possible scenario thrown at him. But that all wasn't necessary on a day like today. All he had to worry about was ensuring rapport between himself and Luffy. It was the least he could do to show his modicum of remorse for the incident at Alabasta. He still held his pride, but after finding out his relation to Luffy, he felt he needed to make things right with him at least. The stabbing weighed heavy on his mind since finding out Luffy was his son…
“Luffy,” he began.
Getting the young man's attention, with his mouth still full of food, Luffy looked up at Crocodile curiously.
“Hm?”
“I think about our duels in Alabasta quite often, and especially after what I was told about you and I. Knowing what you know about me, would you forgive me for how I treated you?”
It was one of the sincerest questions Luffy had ever heard from Crocodile. It didn't show on his face, but it was a shocking question indeed. Luffy would give his honest, unfiltered answer, however.
“Well, I can never forgive you for how you treated Alabasta and my friends, that was just plain wrong.”
Of course, Crocodile expected this answer. Luffy would never let him live it down. It was how the next statement was said with more joy that surprised Crocodile, however, and got him to look at the pirate to his left.
“Knowing what I know though, I still would kick your ass. But I'd probably have more fun with it, hehe. You can't kill me, Crocodile,” Luffy grinned widely before taking another enthusiastic bite of his kebab.
A smirk came across Crocodile's lips, and he chuckled softly before looking back at the water.
“Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way,” he responded. “You certainly have my strength, that's for sure. While I was annoyed at your persistence back then, I will admit it was some of the most fun I've ever had fighting somebody. To find someone of matching energy and strength is hard to come by, and then you came along and let me show off what I could do. It was an honour, Luffy, and I thank you,”
Luffy didn't acknowledge this openly, he just smiled, still shoving the meat on his kebabs into his hungry maw. Crocodile didn't need the obvious acknowledgement though, he was content with this company and the fact that Luffy even agreed to spend the day with him. It was nice.
As Crocodile puffed on his large cigar, pushing a plume of lilac smoke from between his teeth, his right hand idly rubbed at the smooth, gold-coloured hook he donned. For once he was actually clueless - he had no idea how to engage with Luffy beyond the occasional bit of small talk. Their interests differed so much, so it was tough. But he figured the day had only just gotten started, so it could only go up from here. He found himself overthinking again, the other sounds around him drowned out as he fell into a bit of a trance that was his own brain.
This trance was broken when he felt a rustling behind him. He turned his head to see his large fluffy coat being moved from underneath, and Luffy nowhere to be found. Great, he looks away for one damn moment, and Luffy is gone. It's just like what the other Straw Hats experienced, and he thought it was a joke. He probably hoped it was a joke too, but alas, it was not. However, he felt some relief when Luffy's head popped out from under the coat. Relief was now replaced with confusion, but before Crocodile could speak, Luffy did.
“Why do you wear such a big coat all the time, Crocodile? Don't you sweat buckets?”
“Personal choice, now get out of there.” The larger man replied flatly.
“It's cosy in here…” Luffy almost purred, having wrapped himself in the heavy garment and closed his eyes.
“Luffy, get out of my coat.” Crocodile repeated, a little louder and more firmly, but careful not to yell.
“But Crocodile…” whined Luffy.
Careful not to lose his temper, Crocodile sighed, pivoting his body to face Luffy a bit more. He pulled his coat off of the bundled pirate and used his hook to grip at Luffy's shirt and pull him out. However, in an unexpected move, Crocodile pulled Luffy up and onto his lap instead, that way both faced the dock before them. In a swift motion following, Crocodile would then wrap himself and Luffy up in his furry cloak, letting his son bundle up again, but more cosily. This earned a pleased little cackle from Luffy, and he relaxed against Crocodile's body, feeling the larger man's chin resting atop his head after removing his beloved straw hat.
As the pair relaxed together, Luffy looked around curiously from his furry cocoon, his eyes lighting up at the sight of a huge galleon being slowly parked at the dock.
“Woahh… that ship is huge!” He exclaimed in awe. With a curious hum, Crocodile looked to see what had caught Luffy's attention, and took note of the galleon as well. It was indeed an impressive looking ship, it looked taken care of and maintained beautifully. The sails glistened like satin sheets in the sun.
“Ahh, it is an impressive galleon, is it not?” Crocodile smiled, taking another drag from his cigar and puffing out a little cloud of the delicate smoke.
“Yeah! It's so cool…”
“It's a galleon belonging to the rescue crew of this town. It's decades old and has held up from many pirate attacks during their missions to rescue innocents.”
“Wait, it's not brand new?”
“Not in the slightest, it's just a very tough ship and gets maintained quite regularly here.”
“Wow….” Luffy awed, looking back at the stunning marinecraft once more. “Do you think my crew could have a ship like that?”
“In theory you could, but a galleon of that size needs a substantial crew to maintain. I'm talking up to 100 men minimum. Your crew is much too small to take on such a task.” Another plume of smoke was blown from the corner of Crocodile's mouth.
Luffy pouted at this information. He knew Crocodile was right, and no matter how stubborn he would be about it, the young pirate truly just didn't have the manpower for such a huge ship.
“Well, once I have a large crew, I'm gonna get us a galleon like that, you'll see!” He grinned confidently.
Crocodile smirked again, using his tongue to shift his cigar to the other side of his mouth.
“Perhaps, I look forward to that day,”
“Would you get us a galleon, Crocodile?” Luffy suddenly asked, looking up as much as he could at the larger man, who lowered his chin in return.
It was an expensive request, but he had the money. A ship wouldn't put too massive of a dent in his riches. Plus, he would easily be able to ensure the ship was made to Luffy's liking, as well as capable for all the misdeeds and mayhem the Straw Hat Pirates would get up to. Not a big deal. He smiled, and it seemed genuine.
“I suppose I could, perhaps in the distant future. Only if you promise to get a large enough crew to make it my money's worth,”
“Hehe, that's easy! I'll get a large crew of over 100 people, I'll show you! We'll get an awesome galleon for us!” Luffy's toothy smile was enough to warm Crocodile's cold, dry heart, and once Luffy looked back into the horizon to marvel at the ship once more, Crocodile was satisfied. He rested his chin upon Luffy's head once more.
Luffy gently kicked his feet as he sat bundled up against Crocodile, his eyes still twinkling at the sight of the massive ship parked at the shore. Even though the two were a substantial distance from the water itself, the sound of the crashing waves was still easy to pick up. It was soothing and relaxing, and Crocodile truly felt like there was no better day like today to bond with Luffy. It was perfect. Crocodile felt the rubbing against his broad chin as the pirate below him moved his head to look around, marvelling at even more small things that caught his attention.
“Hey Crocodile, I’m still hungry, can we get some more food?” Luffy asked innocently.
Thankfully, Crocodile knew that he’d get asked this, and was fully prepared to keep feeding Luffy at his behest. He simply just wanted to moderate his eating somewhat.
“Yes, in a moment. I’m quite comfortable here right now.” the warlord replied.
Luffy knew better than to argue with Crocodile, so he didn’t bother whining. This was his own test. A test of patience.
“Alright,” he answered, “I’m comfy here too.”
Another statement that only made Crocodile’s heart warm up. It was sweet.
Beneath the blanket of fur that bundled himself and Luffy up, Crocodile’s right hand wrapped around Luffy to hold him close, the cool hook resting in the young pirate’s lap. As the two sat, Luffy would feel something unexpected as he felt the absence of pressure from the top of his head, where Crocodile rested his chin. As the younger Straw Hat kept gazing in the distance, not fully paying attention to what Crocodile was doing, there was a little press to the back of his head. It was a gentle little kiss that Crocodile placed, followed by a brushing of his nose against Luffy’s hair. The smallest sign of affection, and so far, the only sign of parental love Crocodile had decided to openly display.
Luffy had no idea how to respond to that. Quite frankly, that was one of the only signs of affection he received in his recent memory. He was shocked, and it showed in his face. But, neither of the men said anything, and Crocodile went back to resting his chin atop Luffy’s head. He sighed deeply, letting the smoke from his cigar get blown away by the gentle sea breeze. A smile of pure content stretched across Luffy’s face, and his eyes shut as he relaxed in the warmth of Crocodile’s embrace… and his ultra fuzzy coat.
“Still hungry?” Crocodile asked, to which Luffy perked up instantly.
“You bet I am!”
“Let’s go then.”