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Chapter Text

"HE'S THE BIOLOGICAL SON OF THE REVLUTIONARY DRAGON!"

Everyone is yelling their own reaction - all around him is shock, and even anger or fear - but all he can hear is those last two words ringing in his ears, louder than any sandstorm.

Because, he hadn't thought it before, but the age is perfect.

Because, he hadn't noticed before, but the look Luffy gets when he's determined is all Dragon.

Because, he hadn't registered before, but that streak of unbreakable will...  Well, that's what happens when two of the most stubborn people have a kid.

And the way Luffy declared his dream...  "I'm going to be King of the Pirates!"

Just like when he was younger...

It almost made too much sense to be true, but one glance at Garp's face and Crocodile knew it wasn't a lie - not that Sengoku would bother with it.

And very suddenly, looking at the execution platform as the order is given...  Whitebeard no longer mattered, not in this moment.  The fact that Ace was part of that crew no longer mattered.  That boy's father didn't matter - it never would to Crocodile, but it mattered less than nothing in this moment.

The only fact that mattered was the most simple one: Ace was Luffy's brother.

Crocodile is sending sand to stop the executioners before he can blink, watching them go flying without the slightest hint of emotion.  No one has to know the real reason why he does it, as Sengoku turned to rage at him.

When Akainu targeted Luffy, well...  Crocodile was a raging sandstorm.  No one was hurting that kid - or his brother.

He was careful - the magma's heat turning his sand to glass - but he managed to stop the death blow, taking enough force of it with a large wall of sand and shoving the boys far enough away it wasn't lethal.

He's aware they ran after that - vaguely saw Red Hair and that newer guy, the Surgeon of Death, show up.  But now that his kid is out of harm's way, and getting to Whitebeard is out of the question, Crocodile took his own opportunity to escape.

He had a revolutionary to rip in two.  (He knew he couldn't actually kill the man...  He was Luffy's father...  But man, if Crocodile didn't want to...  And he was going to let him know just how stupid he was.)

It took him a year to track down the head of the revolutionary army.  A year to let the anger simmer, to let him mull over everything.

It did nothing to ease years of loss, and the anger that came with knowing it had been unnecessary.  Monkey D. Dragon was in for a storm.

Crocodile didn't know what had happened to Ace and Luffy after Marineford, but he knew they'd gotten away.  And somewhere in his chest, he knew they were still alive.  He'd run into them again, it was only a matter of time.

But now he's here.  He finally found Dragon, and despite the stares of the revolutionary soldiers (who didn't dare to actually try and stop the former Warlord) he was moving towards where the man was in some sort of office (one person had made the generous mistake of telling him where it was on this base).

Those words are still ringing in his ears as he barged his way into the office.  He's pissed, and no one dared try to stop him from reaching the target of his rage - one Monkey D. Dragon.  Oh, this was going to be fun.

"I thought-" Dragon broke off as he looked up from whatever he was planning, blinking in surprise before a smile broke out on his face as Crocodile kicked the door closed behind him with more force than strictly necessary.  Certainly a damaged door was better than killing his son's father?  "Crocodile!" He greeted with a grin.

"Dragon." Crocodile grit the name out, saw Dragon pause in surprise.  They hadn't exactly left on good terms, not with the 'loss' of their son so recent, but they certainly hadn't left with any true levels of animosity between them.

"I should offer my congratulations." Crocodile sneered, "I hear you're a father."

Dragon paled.  Had he really thought that Crocodile wouldn't find out?  Even if he hadn't been there it was all over the news - and the idiot had to know Crocodile had been there, because him helping to free Ace had been everywhere too.

"Cro-"

"Save it Dragon!" Crocodile snapped, shaking his head, "I knew you were stupid but this is new levels!  I think this was dumber than when you announced a coup to the entire world!  Did you even think it through?!"

Crocodile's glare stopped Dragon from answering as he swept on, "I mean, let's review the other highlight of your stupidity.  You attacked Mariejois unaided - and painted a target on the back of everyone who's ever spoken to you, innocent or not.  Did you even think of the consequences or did you just refuse to?!" He shook his head, glaring up the unfortunate inch and a half between their heights.  "Are you scared of what the Government will do to you?  Because from where I'm at the only enemy you ever seem to lose to is you!"

Dragon seemed at a loss for words, "Crocodile-" He tried again, only to be spoken over again.

This had been a year in the making.  Crocodile was not about to let Dragon try to soothe this over with half-baked excuses.

"You've always sneered at the Celestial Dragons, but you're just as thoughtless!  You always do whatever you want, consequences be damned!  Any taunt they throw your way, you dignify by responding - even if it's indirectly!" He threw up his hands, "But you know what, congratulations!  Everyone you know is at risk because of the target on your back.  Congratulations."

"Everything I've ever done was necessary!" Dragon broke in then, glaring with frustration on his face.  They'd once both enjoyed his escapades, so this was a tune change.  Years and time and realizing just how stupid your ex is can change things though - especially when they tell you that your son is dead.

Crocodile gives a moment of silence, to remind himself why he wasn't just killing the bastard, and he saw the way that Dragon started to regret his outburst.  Case in point of him not thinking through things.

"Necessary?  Me thinking that Lu was dead...  Was that necessary Dragon?" Crocodile challenged with a sneer.

Dragon had no reply for that, face falling as he glanced away.  The silence was an opening for the former Warlord of the Sea to continue.

"You aren't the only one who's screwed up.  I did too, completely blind to all my errors." Crocodile acknowledged, shaking his head, "I still look at you and think 'really, what have we done with our lives and what did it get us?'" He admitted.

A revolutionary who just kept making enemies, painting targets on the backs of everyone who knew him.

A former warlord who almost killed his own kid, not to mention failed at taking over a country thanks to said kid.

The difference?  One of them wanted to make up for it, the other wanted to keep going blindly like a dog with a bone.

Crocodile hoped he could change that...  For their son.

"Nothing either of us says can wipe the years away, but I'm here in the New World and I'm not leaving anytime soon.  I know what I want to do."

Luffy would come, eventually.  Him and his crew.  And Crocodile would be waiting for him, the protector he always should have been.  Even if he never told Luffy why he wanted to be part of the crew.  (Luffy would probably take him...  They'd already fought together, and he'd accepted Nico Robin...)

"Crocodile?" Dragon sounded hopeful.

Crocodile scowled, "I'm not here for you." He growled plainly, watching Dragon's face fall.  And he had no right to be disappointed that the younger man wanted nothing to do with him.  No right, not after what he'd done.

"My son's alive, and all of my goals have changed because of that."

"I'm going to be King of the Pirates!" Luffy had told him, and that had angered him - once - because hadn't that been his dream too?  When he was younger?  He had hated the determination and kindness of that boy...  That boy who he would now gladly die for.

Funny how perspective changed things.

"You will never meet anyone as reckless or as kind as that boy." He told Dragon, the smallest of smiles twitching on his lips as he thought back to their encounters - first in Alabasta, and then in Impel Down and throughout Marineford.  The boy had his father's self-preservation, and a kindness that he had no idea where it came from.  But that was alright.  Because Luffy, in his eyes, was perfect just the way he was.  Crocodile hoped he never changed - because sure, he was ripping Dragon a new one for never thinking through his actions but Luffy...  Well, Luffy thought through things less than Dragon did.  He saw a goal and he was going to succeed one way or another - and Crocodile was going to offer his son all the support he could.

"And in Alabasta, he told me he's going to be King of the Pirates." He added on, watching Dragon's face fall as he continued, "So I'll stand by and watch him claim that crown, because if anyone can do it, it's him."

He never thought he'd say he'd happily watch someone claim that title...  But his son?  Oh, he couldn't complain about that on his worst day.

But Dragon looked confused so he sighed, "Do you know why?" He prompted, only to get a headshake.

A deep breath, another glare as cutting as a sandstorm and as cold as ice, "I love him more than anything in this life - and I hurt him once before and I will spend the rest of my life trying to make things right." He paused to give another glare, moving closer to the great revolutionary.  Funny that he was shorter yet seemed to loom over Dragon in this moment.

"Luffy is the best thing in our lives, so think of him for once and do something right." He growled out the fact, challenging the leader of the revolutionary army to look after his son instead of his own agenda.

He turned, "Congratulations," on being the most wanted man alive, "and for once in your life, think of him and don't let him get caught up in your fight." He gave one last warning glare.  Next time he pulled something this stupid, Crocodile was coming for his head - whether he was the father of his child or not.

"Congratulations." He told him, opening the door to slam it behind him as he left - leaving the other man staring after him.

Congratulations Dragon.  You were a father who'd abandoned your child and told his other parent he was dead.  You'd painted a target on his back because you were too reckless to think through repercussions.  And - maybe you'd done this years ago, but you'd certainly done this now - you'd just lost one of your oldest friends, the one who had once said he'd support you through anything.

Crocodile left the base and didn't look back.  It was time to focus, time to get ready for Luffy to come to the New World.  He'd be waiting when he did - an ally among enemies.

Chapter Text

Sabo couldn’t help but listen to the whispers spreading over the base like wildfire.  He and Dragon had only been here for a day, and his boss had been locked in his office that entire time so what was all this about some Former Warlord searching for him?

It made the blonde frown as he finally grabbed a middle aged man out of a conversation, “What’s going on?” He asked, tilting his head curiously.

“Well, that’s what everyone’s trying to figure out sir.  I only heard it from others, but apparently Sir Crocodile is here and looking for Dragon - and not exactly seeming happy.”

Frowning harder, Sabo nodded and departed to head for Dragon’s office - wanting to make sure that the former Warlord didn’t have any plans of taking out the Revolutionary Army’s leader.  That would be a disaster and headache that he really didn’t want to deal with, especially with the fact he was still trying to find out his brothers’ locations…

Ugh…  Amnesia sucked.

He shook his head.  Dragon first, Ace and Luffy later.  Which felt ironic, that Luffy’s father was Dragon and Dragon had saved him and essentially raised him.

Huh, who knew?  Though, Sabo had to wonder why Dragon hadn’t raised Luffy.  More questions for later, the chief of staff figured.  It seemed he had a growing list since all the articles about the battle at Marineford broke out in varying degrees of clarity.

He didn’t cross paths with Sir Crocodile, and as he reached the door to Dragon’s office there was silence inside.  Which could be good or bad.

Heaving a sigh, Sabo opened the door - hand already reaching for his pipe in case he had to fight.  But it was only Dragon in the room, the man staring at the door as if he couldn’t quite grasp what had happened recently.

“Dragon?” Sabo asked, snapping the older man from his daze.

“Ah, Sabo…  Did you need something?”

“I heard we might have trouble sniffing around.”

“Don’t worry about it…  I have a feeling Sir Crocodile is leaving and won’t be coming back anytime soon.” The man frowned slightly as he shook his head.

“What did he want?” Sabo asked, curiosity getting the best of him as he closed the door behind him.

He only knew the basics about the former Warlord.  Namely the facts that he had been a Warlord, before a failed coup in Alabasta had led to his defeat by the Marines and him being locked away in Impel Down.  After that Crocodile had been among the escapees at Marineford, fighting alongside Luffy to free Ace.  The man in question had also protected Ace not once but twice, from what he’d come to understand from Ivankov’s witness report - first stopping executioners and then preventing Akainu’s death blow.  After that, Crocodile had been lost to the wind from even the Revolutionary Army’s eyes.

Dragon sighed, “To inform me I was an idiot.” He stated, completely serious, “And that I should put more focus on Luffy than the Army’s goals.” He huffed a little, “Unfortunately I have to ignore that advice.  Besides, I’m already a few decisions too deep to turn back now.”

“Not that I’ll completely disagree, but what did you do that required a Warlord to show up at your door?” As far as Sabo was aware, the two didn’t even have history.  Clearly, he must be missing something.

Dragon sighed, “How much time do you have?  Because this might not be a fast story…”

Sabo frowned, walking over to the table Dragon had for planning and dragging up a second chair as he sat down - legs crossing.  “I’ve got time.” He said, watching his leader sigh before sitting down in the other chair and beginning.

By the end of the story, Sabo wasn’t quite sure what to think.

Dragon went from completely unconnected to Sir Crocodile, to the man’s ex.  And the rest of the story was just…  Even harder to get his head around.

First, there was the fact that the man had been a marine (even if it was pushed on him by his father, and only a few years).  Second was the fact that the reason he hadn’t raised Luffy was because he ditched him and told Crocodile (his other parent) that the baby had died.  Yeah.

That was what had stopped him dead in his tracks.

He’d seen Dragon do a few questionable things over the years, but he also knew the man was irrevocably compassionate at the oddest of times.  So why in the world would he not only abandon his son in one of the worst possible places but tell the boy’s other parent he was dead?!

Sabo had asked that, practically begging for an explanation.  For a good reason that would begin to justify the years of loss Crocodile would have gone through, one to justify Luffy being raised by Garp and bandits and on the streets with him and Ace.

His answer…  Wasn’t what he hoped for.

“You want a why?  I don’t really have one Sabo.  I was young, foolish, and focused on leading a revolution - doesn’t leave a lot of time for being a father.  Besides, growing up as my son?  You saw what happened to Ace, you think Luffy would have had it better?”

He hadn’t been able to bite back his response as he stood to leave.

“At least Ace’s father had an excuse for not being there.  You chose a war over your own son!”

Sabo wasn’t completely sure what to make of it all…  But he knew one thing.  Dragon might have been fighting for the good of the world, for a better future…  But he certainly wasn’t thinking beyond the Army.

And his brothers…  They were out there somewhere, he knew in his heart they’d made it out of the war.

Thanks to Crocodile.

(What had gone through his mind when he found out that his son had been alive all this time?)

Sabo felt himself pick up the pace so he was practically jogging out of the base, until he got down to the docks.  Looking around, he scowled at the mismatched ships - many of which had their sails furled so they wouldn’t draw attention.

“Hey!” He called to a dockworker, “You know which ship is Sir Crocodile’s?” He inquired with a frown.

He didn’t really know what his plan was, but he couldn’t stay here right now.  He needed to do something, and training while Dragon came up with a plan was no longer satisfying.  He needed some time and space to think because right now the thought of facing Dragon again brought up way too many conflicting emotions.  It felt like he was suddenly questioning everything he’d ever thought about the man as he viewed him in a new light - one other than his hero and caregiver and leader.

And the fastest way out of here was with Sir Crocodile.  Sabo had no idea what the other man’s plan was, but if he had to hazard a guess…  It would probably lead him to Luffy sooner or later, and that was a plan that Sabo could get behind.  He missed his brothers.

So yeah, screw the World Government but he also wanted to see his brothers and make sure they were alright with his own eyes.

The dock worker pointed out a small ship, “Think that’s it.”

Sabo nodded, “Thanks.” He said, making sure he didn’t come off as rude, before dashing off.  He found the intimidating man loading his ship with what looked like the last of his new supplies.

“Sir Crocodile!” He called.

The man’s lips twisted in a frown as he handed off the crate he was carrying to his tall, darker skinned companion and turned to face him - gaze critical.

“Yes?” He asked, voice gruff and it was pretty clear he had little to no interest in this conversation.

Sabo tried for a smile, “I was, um…  I was wondering if I could join you?”

One of the former Warlord’s eyebrows raised, “Why would you want to do that?”

There was an implied second question of “Why the hell would I let a member of the Army on my ship?” but Sabo chose to only answer the one he was asked.

“I’m looking for a way out of here while I figure some things out, not to mention I want to find Luffy - which I assume you’ll want to as well.” He shrugged, “Seems to me we’ll run into each other sooner or later anyways.”

Crocodile was still frowning, studying him with a serious gaze from head to toe, “Dragon know you’re leaving?” He grunted.

“He probably has an idea.” Sabo shot back.

Crocodile finally nodded, “Well, get on then.” He huffed, turning to march onto the deck with Sabo following.  “What’s your name, kid?”

“Sabo.”

Crocodile nodded, turning his focus onto the only other person on the ship, “Daz, let’s get the hell out of here, shall we?”

“Destination?” Sabo couldn’t help but ask.

“Anywhere but places that have dragons.”

Sabo couldn’t help the snort at that comment.  It wasn’t a plan, but the youngest of the three wouldn’t have been surprised if Crocodile just wasn’t sharing his plan.

As they pulled away from the island, Sabo couldn’t help but glance back.  He’d dedicated eleven years of his life to the Revolutionary Army and Dragon without question…  It felt odd to just walk away from it all, but if he thought about it…  The distance felt natural.  He had never dreamed of overthrowing the government.

His first and truest dream had been to sail as a pirate and write about his adventures - he and Ace had planned to set out together even.  The thought of his brother made his lips twist in a smile as he turned back towards the horizon the ship was chasing, letting the sea breeze blow in his face.

Dragon had been a huge part of who he was, so much so he’d followed without question - abandoning his own dreams to fight for the Army.  Maybe it was time he started chasing his own dreams again - starting with finding his brothers.

Chapter Text

Crocodile could do little except stare at the newspaper in his hands.

Scrawled across the top was the bold title "STRAW HATS AND FIRE FIST ACE LIVE!  WHERE HAVE THEY BEEN?" accompanied by a photo of several of the Straw Hats - namely Luffy, his swordsman, and the tall blonde - racing off to somewhere and another photograph of Ace attacking several of the Government's pacifistas.

The ex-Warlord doesn't bother to read the rest of the article, the title telling him all he needs to know and the pictures giving away their location at the time they were spotted - with a huge Yarukiman Mangrove in the background of the first, number unseen.

They were no doubt at Fishman Island by now, and if Luffy's track record said anything...  They'd find some way to either cause trouble or get involved in someone else's trouble.

With a sigh, he let the paper drop to his desk - standing to make his way out on deck.  "Daz!" He called out to his old second-in-command, the man turning to face him.  "Head for the Red Line, we're going to go find the Straw Hats."

A snicker made him turn, catching Sabo's smirk as the youngest of the three suppressed his laugh, "Of course they couldn't even get through Sabaody quietly." He mused, fond smile on his face.

Crocodile's own face cracked in a smile as he shook his head, "I'm just wondering what they'll get into at Fishman Island."

Sabo's eyes widened as if he was just imagining the chaos his brothers and the rest of the Straw Hats could cause, and Crocodile couldn't help but huff out a laugh.

Over the last year, he'd gotten to know the blonde man rather well - as well as heard many stories about Luffy growing up, at least after Sabo had met him.

Crocodile couldn't say many of the stories actually surprised him, but...  Yeah, Luffy was definitely his and Dragon's kid.  No doubt about that.

He had also come to understand the special bond Luffy had with Ace and Sabo - at least to some extent - and, well, he was glad his kid had two big brothers who he could count on.

(He also resolutely refused to acknowledge the fact that he was probably going to end up looking after not only his son but his son's brothers (and crew) as well.  He would further refuse to acknowledge that, for the most part, he didn't find himself irritated at the thought beyond the usual parental frustrations of looking after children with no self preservation and undying stubbornness.)

Crocodile sighed as he felt the ship change course, moving to aid Daz in the objective.  They weren't particularly far from the Red Line, as they knew that the Straw Hats would be coming through Fishman Island to get to the New World, but not too extremely close.  They hadn't wanted to draw attention to themselves - from the Navy or the Yonko - after all.

The last thing he really wanted was to have the three of them on the radar before they'd even found Luffy.

"Where do the ships usually come up?" Daz inquired as the stared at the Red Line looming in the distance, hours later.

On one side of the ship, the sky was on fire from the setting sun behind the huge land mass and Sabo was lounging near the railing - eyes glinting as he studied the waters.

"Anywhere in this area." A tired sigh, "Unless they got caught by the White Strom.  Then they could be anywhere." He snickered, "Or dead - but knowing Luffy he'd be a lucky enough idiot to survive it."

Crocodile sighed because that would probably be what happened, wouldn't it?  And then they'd have no idea where to start looking until another newspaper article about the chaos the Straw Hats caused somewhere.  As if it'll answer him, Crocodile cast his glare away from the Red Line to their west and in the opposite direction - towards the burning half of the island on their east - as if that would give him the answer to tracking down the rascal known as Monkey D. Luffy.

Unsurprisingly, it had been nearly two days now and still no sign on Luffy or the Straw Hats.  A couple of other ships emerged - and Crocodile was fairly certain he'd seen a fight between some pirates and Marines - but not the ship they were looking for.

Sabo was telling the story of some adventure in which he and Ace had managed to lose Luffy in the jungle while being chased by a giant tiger and the hours they'd spent trying to find him (while neither of them worried at all that their bumbling little brother had finally managed to get himself eaten) - only to finally return home without Luffy, exhausted, and covered in bruises from another run in from the tiger that had resulted in them less-than-gracefully rolling down a hill to find their brother there (and having been there for hours) without a scratch on him.

Crocodile was listening, keeping an eye out but invested in the story of his son's antics - and how he'd dragged Ace and Sabo along with him.  (He would allow Sabo to believe that he and Ace had less of a penchant for trouble - though some of the few stories Crocodile had coaxed out of the younger about his time with Ace before Luffy didn't show that they'd managed to get into less trouble, just that they had simply gotten out of it easier.)

Rather suddenly, a ship emerged - flying a good twenty feet in the air as the huge shadow of what had to be an island whale appeared beneath the water, before the whale disappeared back into the depths as the ship splashed down onto the surface of the ocean.

Crocodile had only seen pictures of the ship before, but it still made him grin as he caught sight of the jolly roger being flown on top of the ship - the skull and crossbones with a straw hat waving a greeting to the New World.

Sabo barked out a harsh, surprised laugh as soon as he saw it - Daz making a strangled noise at the fact the ship actually got launched into the air - while Crocodile just shook his head because that seemed like par for the course with his son.

"WE MADE IT!!!"

Sabo actually laughed at that, since they could hear the yell from this distance - while Crocodile and Daz got to work on getting them closer to the ship.

For a good five minutes as they drew closer, the Straw Hats didn't seem to notice them - caught up in celebrating - until a shrill voice called out.

"G-Guys!  There's another ship coming!"

Honestly, Crocodile should praise the man for finally noticing them.

"They're not flying any flag I can see!" A woman called out, sounding confused.

"Keep the ship steady." Crocodile grumbled to Daz as they drew nearer, Sabo standing from his resting spot to get ready to greet the Straw Hats - a smile already tugging on his lips.  Crocodile would have to admit he shred the younger man's excitement.

They'd been preparing for a year after all.

"Who are you?" Luffy demanded, hopping onto the railing of his ship without an ounce of hesitation as he scowled at them - apparently not yet recognizing any of the figures.

"At ease, Straw Hat." Crocodile called out, now that that the ships were almost completely aligned - not an ounce of venom in his voice, but rather sounding almost amused.  Leaving the post he'd taken up to steer the ship, leaving Daz to finish stabilizing their position beside the Straw Hat ship, he approached the railing and leaned his arms on it - gazing over at the young man.

He looked relatively the same as the last time Crocodile had seen him, straw hat dangling around his neck as he peered over at Crocodile in surprise.  The only difference seemed to be the 'x'-shaped scar across his chest and the smallest difference in his clothes.

Sabo strolled up beside the ex-Warlord, a smile on his face, as the green-haired swordsman of the Straw Hats appeared at Luffy's side, frowning in an almost-thoughtful way - eye widening in recognition as he spotted Crocodile.

"Crocodile!?" The swordsman exclaimed, startled, and Crocodile winced as he waited for the uproar that would no doubt come from the majority of the crew - even if Luffy would have held a conversation with him.

Sabo, the traitor, snickered - having been informed of just how Crocodile had first met the young man who turned out to be his son, along with the majority of the Straw Hats.

Chapter Text

Sabo couldn't bite back the snicker as the swordsman of his little brother's crew exclaimed Crocodile's name, knowing an uproar was coming.

Oh, he was ecstatic to see Luffy again but this...  This was going to be extremely entertaining.  And the half-betrayed look Crocodile shot him only made it that much harder for the blonde not to all out laugh at the situation.

"What did you just say?!" Came an alarmed shriek from the ship, a man by the voice - though it bordered on a terrified shriek.

"Crocodile!?" A woman's voice piped up.

Luffy had a look of perfect confusion as he looked at the incoming chaos that was his crew's reaction - most of which seemed to be some mix of shocked and terrified.

A blonde was speeding over, visible eye hard as he raked a look over them.

"Relax guys, why are you all freaking out?" Luffy grumbled, crossing his arms from where he was still perched on the railing of the ship - looking at his crew like they were crazy.

"Not to question you Luffy, but why are you so calm?!" A young man with curly black hair shot right back, panic clear in his voice.

"Yes, are you forgetting Alabasta?" A woman chimed in, though she seemed to be almost as calm as Luffy - and Sabo vaguely recognized her as Nico Robin.  Dragon had desperately wanted to recruit her into the Army - though no one could ever find her, and then she'd joined the Straw Hats and well...  Yeah.  That would be like trying to take a bone from a dog while the dog was still chewing on it - if personal experience had taught Sabo anything.  Robin wasn't going anywhere.

"He said he wasn't here for a fight!" Luffy pointed out, then rolled his eyes, "Besides, if he tries anything we can kick his ass."

That seemed to startle a laugh out of Crocodile, who shook his head in an almost fond manner and Sabo couldn't help but smile.  The ex-Warlord was hard and even cruel around the edges, but it was clear to the blonde that Crocodile cared quite a bit for his son - and was ready to do what it took to be a father, even if that meant acting as a protector to the entirety of the Straw Hat pirates.

"Luffy..." The swordsman said, a warning in his tone as he threw another look towards the newcomers, "Do you really think we can trust him not to attack us?  And what about those two?" He tilted his chin to indicate Sabo and Daz, who was standing quietly in the background and attempting not to draw attention to himself.

Luffy glanced over them, surprisingly serious, and Sabo felt his heart swell with affection for his little brother, "We can take 'em, don't worry about it Zoro." He chuckled, "I bet you wouldn't even have to help Ace!" He called over his shoulder, face splitting in a grin - and Sabo felt his breathing stutter.

Of course, he was here looking for both of his brothers - but he'd never hoped to actually find them both at once.  (Which was dumb, they'd been together at Sabaody so why wouldn't they still be together?  When would they have even split up?!)

Ace was laughing as he strolled towards the rail, taking up a spot on Luffy's other side - making the lineup from right to left Ace, Luffy, Zoro, and then the blonde.  "I mean, you all have gotten a lot stronger since two years ago." He chimed, "But it's ne-" He cut off mid-word as he looked away from Luffy to take in their potential enemies.

(Sabo would later be able to laugh at the way he and Crocodile had just stood here while the Straw Hats debated on whether or not they were a threat that should be greeted with a fight or not.)

"Ace?" Luffy asked, confused as he turned to look at his older brother, but Sabo could feel the way Ace's gaze was boring into him - the blonde brother staring right back.

Sabo let himself grin - wide enough his eyes closed, tilting his head and knowing it would give away the scars on the left side of his face but not caring.  It was pretty clear to him that his brother recognized him, despite the time and differences in appearance.

There was the quiet sound of a grunt that was almost drowned out by the startled cry from the blonde "What the hell are you doing?!" before Sabo felt someone slam into him.

Sabo choked out a laugh, his arms wrapping around his 'attacker' on instinct as he was squished into a tight embrace.

Ace had always been warm, Sabo recalled from years spent sleeping in tight quarters for the comfort of someone else's presence, but even Sabo had to wonder if Ace's Devil Fruit made him naturally warmer because now he truly seemed to radiate heat.

"Y-You're alive." There was a waver in Ace's voice, and Sabo had the distinct impression that the sudden reunion had his brother as close to tears as he was.

"Yeah, and you are too." Sabo assured them both, holding tight until the clearing of a throat made them turn - Sabo sending a half-hearted glare Crocodile's way, even if the man in question had a fond smirk on his face.

Ace still hovered close, though drew out of the embrace and looked over at the confused Luffy, "Lu, what the hell are you still doing over there?!"

"Trying to figure out what's happening?" Came the confused response, accompanied by the tilt of Luffy's head.

Sabo laughed then, "Luffy, don't tell me you don't remember me?" He teased, ignoring the mental wince at the mention of not remembering someone important.

At this point the Straw Hat crew had all gathered around the railing and looked as confused as their captain did on what in the world was transpiring.

At least until Luffy's eyes widened to comical sizes, bugging out of his head as he let out something between a strangled gasp and surprised shriek that shouldn't have been possible for a human being to make in the first place.  (Maybe it was because he was rubber, and that included his vocal cords?)

At that point, not even sea prism stone, could have kept the youngest of the trio from flinging himself from the railing of his ship towards his brothers on Crocodile's ship.  Sabo used the quarter second he had to attempt to brace himself for the impact, though it proved a futile effort and Luffy managed to take not only Sabo but Ace as well to the ground with him - rubbery arms wrapping around both of the older two several times.  Sabo could feel himself laughing - and if his cheeks were a bit wet then who could really blame him? - as he did his best to return the embrace.

He could hear Ace laughing too, but Sabo was caught off-guard when he felt Luffy bury his face in his older brother's chest and Sabo could feel his younger brother's sobs.

Slowly Luffy's arms un-circled his brothers, allowing Sabo to sit up and carefully arrange the younger in his arms - legs looping loosely around to keep him close and ignoring the gazes of his little brother's crew (and Crocodile and Daz).  Ace moved as well, keeping his back to the Straw Hats and blocking their view of the captain.

"Hey, hey Lu, come on, smile for me, huh?  Look, we're all here, it's alright." Sabo hushed softly, smiling when Luffy attempted to do as requested - giving a smile that was still as bright as the sun despite his tears, before dissolving back into sobs and hiding his face.

Sabo had to say...  He understood the reaction.

It was pretty damn clear from their reactions what they'd thought had happened.  They'd probably buried their brother and grieved him, and now he was showing up alive and well all these years later?

Sabo bit his lip, trying hard to think of a way to calm Luffy but...  Would any of the methods he once used work now - especially when he was about to cry because he was actually here with his brothers and they were all alive and together again?  (And, oh yeah, Sabo might start crying too...)

"Hey do you see the stars?  I hear they're watchin' us tonight." Sabo blinked in surprise as Ace started singing quietly, voice pitched low enough only Sabo and Luffy could hope to hear.  Though Ace singing was something Sabo never would have imagined he'd get to see - well, hear.

"I hear no matter where we go, we'll never be alone, 'cause we've got each other and the ones we've lost..." Ace visibly swallowed, gave Sabo a brittle smile, "I hear they're watchin' over us, 'cause not even death can break, the bonds we've made."

Luffy hiccupped but Sabo could tell he was calming, so he continued to stare in awe at his brother.

"And I'm tellin' you, he's still got our backs, no matter where we roam or what sea we sail across.  Brother I'll come back to you, you know the winds and waves and greatest storms, can't keep me from you.  And even when I'm far away,"

Sabo blinked, slowly recognizing some of the lyrics - or, well, another version of them.  It was a common song sung in bars and around campfires - though, Sabo knew, many mothers modified it into a bedtime lullaby.

Sabo couldn't help but lend his voice to the song, knowing small bits of it because members of the Army would sing it on occasion, "-even when I'm far away, all you have to do is look up, and do you see those stars above?  I'm telling you, we're both seeing the same ones, and even those we've lost, they're watching over us."

Sabo let his voice trail out as Ace continued, "Whether we're one or two or three, I promise you this bond's thicker than, the blood in our veins, and nothing can break us apart.  No matter where we go," Ace flashed Sabo a warm smile, "we'll always reunite 'cause no matter who we are, I can promise you, there's one thing not even death can stop, and that's the bond that we've got."

As the lullaby finished, Luffy shifted again - giving both his brothers a soft but still bright and warm smile that was certain to have them both smiling (and ignoring their own damp eyes because they'd done enough crying).

"H-How?" Luffy finally asked and Sabo tried to think of the best way to put it.

"So the guy who couldn't be bothered to raise you - or let your other parent, who I'm certain would have bent over backwards for you, raise you - saved my life when a Celestial Dragon tried to kill me, but I got amnesia - which basically means I couldn't remember either of you.  And then I was raised with the Revolutionary Army with no idea about you and Ace until Marineford - at which point I remembered everything but had no way of finding you.  Then a year after that your other parent showed up to rip your so-called father's head off, verbally that is - not literally - and then I found out about it, at which point I up and ditched the Army because your other parent said they were looking for you and I wanted to see my brothers again!  Congratulations, now three out of three of us have fathers who we can dislike for various reasons!  Seriously, can we officially make Dadan our mother or something?  Crocodile, would you adopt us?"

Sabo wasn't sure where the end of that mental tirade came from, but he's pretty sure the entire response to the question is rather ridiculous and possibly not what Crocodile would want revealed so the blonde smiled and went with a different reply.

"A member of the Revolutionary Army saved me, and I was raised there after that - but I got hit on the head pretty good and my memory was screwed up for a long time." He pointed Crocodile's direction, "He showed up at the base about a year ago to settle some...  Old business with Dragon, and I decided to tag along and look for the two of you - since he was already gonna be looking for you Lu." Sabo explained as simply and directly as he could without getting into the grainy details of Luffy's parents possibly having a death battle next time they saw each other.

Yeah, that was one family reunion Sabo would skip on - thank you very much.  It would either be super awkward or there would be attempted murder (possibly with actual murder), with absolutely no in-between.

There were three of unspoken rules on the ship between him and Crocodile.

The first was don't mention Whitebeard unless you had to for a story about Ace.

The second was don't mention Dragon unless absolutely necessary (for both their sakes, because Crocodile had the ability to hold a grudge and every right to have the one he did and Sabo still didn't know what to think of the man after everything he'd learned).

The third was don't mention Sabo's biological parents unless absolutely necessary.  Sabo did his best to avoid the stories where they played any role, though it didn't heavily restrict him since him, Ace, and Luffy spent most of their time in Grey Terminal, the forest around the Terminal, or at Dadan's hideout.

Luffy nodded, then his brow pinched in thought again and he jumped up, "Hey!  Why are you looking for me?" He had a half-pout on his face, "Don't tell me you want to fight!" He whined, "I thought we were friends now!"

Sabo burst out laughing because oh, this was going to be good!  Honestly, he half-hoped that Crocodile stuck with his plan of just becoming a Straw Hat so that Sabo could watch him try to figure out how to navigate keeping the fact he was Luffy's father a secret while also protecting his son (and the rest of the crew).

He would have to tell Ace though, because if he didn't his brother may punch him when the truth (inevitably) came out.

Crocodile gave a soft huff, "As I said before, I have no intentions of fighting you - or bringing any harm to your crew or brothers." Crocodile gave a little tilt of his head, "Actually..." He sighed, "Daz and I came here to request permission to join your crew."

The reaction from literally everyone was instantaneous.

From Luffy's ship, there were several shrieks of "WHAT!?!", while Ace let out a strangled noise of surprise - eyes wide as he shot Sabo a glance, clearly trying to evaluate whether the blonde was aware of this part of the plan or not.

This happened at the same time as Luffy screeched, "Of course you guys can join my crew!  Sabo can too if he wants!"

"Luffy, what?!"

"Hold on a second Luffy!"

"We need to talk about this!"

The cries from Luffy's crew were merely background noise to Sabo's laughter, and even Ace was joining in because it was so Luffy to not even think for a moment over whether or not he should actually allow it.  (Sabo had learned a long time ago to trust Luffy's judgement of someone's character, though he could still understand the reaction considering Crocodile had once been their enemy.)

"Why do we need to talk about it?  He's my friend, he helped me save Ace, and he wants to join the crew - of course he's welcome to." Luffy summarized just as Sabo's laughter was dying down, a pout on his face.

It just started another round of laughter mixed with demands for explanations.  (Damn, Sabo was happy to be back with his brothers.)