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There wasn’t often times when Crocodile truly had time to himself to relax. On those rare days, you knew you had to take advantage of them.
He hadn’t adjusted well to the weather of Karai Bari, and complained frequently about missing the warmth of Alabasta’s deserts. So.. when it began to snow? He was inconsolable. Not in the traditional way, of course, no your lover wasn’t one to express himself in typical ways. But his cigar stock depleated much faster than usual, he was found more often tiredly rubbing his temples, and the poor bananawanis had even taken to avoiding him which they so rarely did. Thankfully, you were more capable of handling his moods than they were.
You trudged through the snow without hesitation to get to the kitchens and prepare a treat. Perhaps it wasn’t one he’d appreciate as much as you were hoping but he’d always been capable of indulging you on small things like this, and you hoped that the gesture would be enough to at least ease some of his tension. The cook had no protests when you informed him that it was Crocodile you were preparing something for, after all each meal he’d had since the weather turned had been thrown out, with heavy criticism.
The trip back to Crocodile’s tent was utterly miserable, your socks got wet in the snowfall and some of it had melted down your back, but it was more than worth it if only to make your lover stop grinding his teeth. He was exactly where you left him, which was what you’d been expecting - at his desk, cigar between his teeth, papers in front of him but untouched. It was a sorry sight, for those whom he allowed to see it. You removed everything but your underwear, then shuffled over to greet him, glad the fire in his tent was roaring.
Crocodile didn’t look up until you gently placed a mug on his desk, and removed the lid to allow the steam inside to escape.
“What is this?” He asked flatly, looking up from the mug to you.
“Hot chocolate, dear. It’ll warm you up.” You replied, sipping at your own mug with a pleased hum.
“I am not five.”
“Neither am I. I’m glad you can use your eyes.”
“Do not sass me right now.”
“I will sass you whenever I like, dear. I made it for you, at least try it.” You finally said, sliding the mug closer to his ringed hand, and the knowledge that you’d gone to the trouble of preparing it yourself was enough to at least force him to pull the cigar from between his lips and take a sip. You waited for a moment, watching closely as the crease between his brows subtly lessened, something only you would’ve noticed on his firmly stoic face. Generally, sweet things weren’t to his taste, but there was something about a properly prepared thick hot chocolate on a cool day that you’d been sure he wouldn’t be able to resist.
“Well?” You prompted with a small smirk, perching yourself on the edge of his desk. Your trousers lifted at the ankles from the new position, the dampness from the snow cool against your skin.
“Well what?” He asked, avoiding your eyes as he took another sip before he set the mug back down on his desk, close so he’d be able to grab it again when he wanted more.
“Are you doing to drink it, and let it warm you from the inside?” You asked, leaning down slightly so your smug expression would be visible even as he turned his lilac eyes down to the paperwork in front of him.
“Will you be more or less tolerable if I say yes?” He asked in return rather than giving you an answer, but that alone was an answer in itself. With a soft chuckle, you leaned over and pressed a kiss to his head. You left your own mug behind to cross his office and slip into your shared sleeping area to change into some warm, dry pyjamas.
When you returned, Crocodile was holding the mug again, letting the warm steam from the drink drift upwards to warm his cheeks, and his large palm wrapped around the ceramic to ease his stiff fingers. You didn’t comment, just observed for a moment before you took your own mug again. You didn’t need to say anything, knowing that you’d helped was enough. You settled on one of the plush leather sofas in his office, curling up in the corner with a fleece blanket to block the cold out, the leather beneath you starting to warm from your touch against it.
“Cozy?” He asked after several minutes, and when you looked up you found that your lover’s eyes were on you. You wondered briefly how long he’d been staring.
“I am. Would you like to join me?”
“I have work to do.”
“And yet, you’re staring. Come join me, dear.” You insisted, lifting the blanket to invite him in. It didn’t take much convincing after that, it so rarely did nowadays when your warmth was on offer. He brought his half empty mug along with him, and sat himself on the sofa, not flinching as you slipped yourself into his lap, wrapping the blanket around the both of you with ease.
“You look warmer.” You noted, reaching up to touch his cheek with gentle fingers, finding that indeed he wasn’t as cold as he’d been earlier.
“You look dashing like this.” He replied, and the flush on your cheeks had absolutely nothing to do with the warmth of your pyjamas or the hot chocolate in your stomach. A moment passed where the two of you simply looked at each other, basking in the comfort that came with being so close, and in private, where nobody could comment on the situation or how you stared at each other.
“I’ll make you another mug tomorrow, then.” You decided after a moment, and despite his earlier reluctance, a smile pulled at his lips.
“I’ll look forward to it, my love.” Crocodile said, leaning down to kiss you gently, and that was the thing that made you feel warmest of all.