Archive of Our Own ^beta

Everyone cried and screamed at Luffy to take the other way, but he kept going towards what was obviously a trap. He kept running, with everyone following, when they all suddenly felt the surface they were on disappear. Next time they were on solid ground, they were all surrounded by bars – that Luffy soon realised made him weak and tired and powerless when he touched them. Not without sneering at them, Smoker explained with a condescending tone what induced Sea Prism Stone material could do to Devil Fruit users – they were rendered useless ; even Zoro wasn’t able to slash through them. All of them were therefore stuck together, with seemingly no conceivable escape unless someone came to help them from the outside.

❈❈❈

Locking pirates and marines in the same space obviously led to conflict and tension to emerge, and things escalated quickly. Jabbing words and threats were thrown, both sides adopting fighting stances, ready to attack and defend themselves (or for some of the Straw Hat Pirates, ready to hide behind  any of their other crew members ). 

Their shouting match was cut off by a loud and mocking laugh, forcing them all to turn in the newcomers’ direction.

Crocodile, the man the Straw Hats were here for, was leering at them from the other side of the cage, arms crossed  – the hook instead of a hand standing out – and a burning cigar in the corner of his mouth. The man was tall and menacing, his aura screaming power and assurance. The woman accompanying him stood just a step behind. She seemed cold and impassive except for the spark of curiosity present in her eyes as she regarded them.

Crocodile addressed them with a low and strong voice, “Well, well, well. I recognize some World Government puppets—”, and then, raised an eyebrow particularly pointed at the pirate captain, “but to whom else do I owe the pleasure?”

“I’m Monkey D. Luffy, the man who’ll be the King of the Pirates! You hurt Vivi and her home and she’s nakama so I’m gonna fight you and beat your ass!”

“...Monkey D. Luffy.”

Crocodile tried to keep a stoic face but hearing this name made one of his eyes twitch. He appraised the teenager facing him, pondering and mulling over it one more time and finally released a heavy sigh and closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Damn it!”, he turned towards his associate and gave her some directives, “Miss All Sunday. Take the Princess who thought she was hiding efficiently over there to where the King is ; stay with them and make sure they don’t do anything too inconvenient for us.”

The woman’s eyes slightly widened but she still acquiesced and waited for the rest of her orders.

“I also want you to contact the others. Tell them to not take any action until I say so. We’re putting the plan on hold for now.”

“Alright, Sir.”

Without more ceremonies, Miss All Sunday slowly but surely walked to the Princess and dragged her to the exit. Vivi looked very confused and was still wary of this turn of events. She glanced at the captured Straw Hats, and after receiving a confident nod from Luffy – even though it was followed by scared and surprised exclamations from the others, not understanding how their captain could trust these people –, she  decided to go along. 

With the pair out of the room, Crocodile returned his attention to Luffy. “As you may doubt it, I now have reasons to not follow suit with my long thought out plan that I prepared for several years to get to this day.”

Luffy cooked his head to the side and only exhaled a confused “Huh?”

“I have some things I must talk to you about. Obviously, I do not want some random marines hearing about this information, so I’m afraid you would have to follow me to the lodge”, Crocodile announced, pointing  to the door in his back.

Without a blink, Zoro brandished one of his swords at Crocodile’s direction and stated firmly, “As if I’d let you take our Captain. No way he’s coming with you alone.”

Usopp, clinging to Zoro’s unraised arm while hiding behind him, not so bravely claimed, “Yeah, you’re the bad guy here! Why would we trust you!?”

Chopper, himself hiding behind the snipper’s legs, nodded frantically and made a sound of agreement. 

Nami, who had already grabbed Luffy’s arm since the princess and Crocodile’s associate left, started to violently shake said arm as she directly addressed her captain. “Luffy!!! Don’t listen to him, he’ll only murder us all!”, fat tears gathered in her eyes as she cried. “What about Vivi!? Who knows if she’s safe with this woman?? You’re such an idiot, telling her she could go—… And where the heck is Sanji-kun??”

Luffy paid them no mind while he was humming loudly, a hand (of which the arm was not taken hostage by Nami) cupping his chin and seeming intensively thinking about Crocodile’s words. He then slammed a fist in the palm of his other hand, alerting his crew with a “Yosh!” that he came to a decision. “Okay, I’ll come with you! But you have to promise that nothing will happen to my nakama while I’m gone.”

“LUFFY!!??” ; “Sure.”

“Don’t worry guys, I’ve got it! Zoro, if anything happens, I’m counting on you to protect everyone!”

He saw it coming of course, so Zoro only deadpanned his usual “Aye, aye, Captain” (he did smirk though).

Having this settled, Crocodile approached the cell’s hatch for Luffy to come out – not without warning the others that if anyone tried anything, he wouldn’t hesitate to respond accordingly. The rest of the Straw Hats reluctantly yielded with a roll of eyes after receiving one of their captain’s brilliant smiles and Smoker ‘tsked’ as Tashigi anxiously watched him, the both of them not having said anything since the Warlord made his presence known. 

❈❈❈

Once in the room, Crocodile motionned to Luffy to sit wherever he pleased while he crushed his cigar and went behind his desk to rummage through some drawers. As he raised his head, seeming to have found what he was looking for, he saw that Luffy chose to sit crossed-legged on his coffee table. The adult decided to enable him and to not say anything ; he just walked toward him and sat heavily in the armchair in front of said coffee table.

Now face to face, they both stared at each other for a long moment – Crocodile gathering his thoughts and asking himself if he really wanted to do this and Luffy, surprisingly, waiting patiently for the other. 

Without a word, Crocodile throwed what he retrieved from his drawer to the boy, the latter catching it easily. Luffy inspected the small object that was now in his hand, Crocodile silently (and maybe apprehensively) watching him. 

It was a shiny charm, visibly representing an alligator, with red gems encrusted where its eyes were supposed to be. Luffy frowned at first, but quickly jerked his head upright, eyes on Crocodile now widening at his sudden realisation. He frantically yanked a chain from one of his pockets. Dangling from the chain was a pendant, the same as what was in his other hand, except– smaller, and like a cuter and more inoffensive version of the animal ; and a thick gold ring. 

He had had this chain since forever…

Luffy had asked, and his grandpa had once told him that this necklace was sort of a keepsafe from the person who gave him birth. While staying evasive, Garp still told him that one of his parents wanted Luffy to have something that still linked them together – even across the seas.

Any time he felt lonely, Luffy would hold onto it ; and as he squeezed the charm in his little fist, he could always sense some waves of reassurance telling him that this feeling he hated so much wouldn’t last forever – that someday, he wouldn’t hurt this much anymore. 

Luffy couldn’t remember a day from his childhood when he didn’t have the chain around his neck. He stopped wearing it along his journey to become a great pirate, when he felt the claps becoming weak and loose, fearing that he could lose it during any of his fights or everytime he fell into the ocean. That treasure that was as precious to him as his straw-hat was now a constant weight in his pocket ; and he recurrently made sure this weight hadn’t disappeared.

Checking one more time that his pendant and the one Crocodile owned were a pair and that his ring could actually match those Crocodile was currently wearing, Luffy confirmed that there was no mistake, and understanding dawned on him. He cautiously deposed the jewellery next to him and immediately extended his arms until he could grab Crocodile’s shoulders to launch himself at the man. Tears were rapidly rolling down his cheeks as he sniffled loudly, body now curled up around Crocodile with his limbs hugging him tightly.

Crocodile didn’t expect this, and after some time to recover from the shock of having to catch a rubbery teenager in the blink of an eye, he slowly wrapped his arms around Luffy, being uncharacteristically hesitant. Violent sobs shaked Luffy’s body at the gesture and Crocodile couldn't help himself and chuckled wetly. The sound was a lot less dark than the way the man laughed at his first appearance.

“I didn’t expect you to be a crybaby.”

Whimpering, Luffy tore his face from where it was tucked in the crook of Crocodile’s neck. He kept hiccupping, lips trembling a little ; and despite his tight throat, he managed to ask coarsely, “...D-Dad??? I have a dad ? Are you really…?”.

“Ah… Now is the talking part I suppose.”

❈❈❈

Crocodile learned that Garp hadn’t said anything to Luffy about the rest of his family and realised how much more he had to explain than anticipated. Not only had he not been the one present for most of Luffy's growth to raise him (‘ although, maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing ’) ; the marine didn’t even talk to him about Dragon – his own son goddammit. 

At the time, both Dragon and he decided that they couldn’t and wouldn’t raise a child together. So Garp took Luffy in, bringing the boy with him to a supposedly safe island in the East Blue.

Dragon’s only ambition had always been to dethrone the World Government from their pedestal and ripping them off of their absolute power. He couldn’t afford the time to take care of a child and raise them ; even if he wanted to – his being the Chief of the Revolutionary Army and most wanted man alive would certainly put them in danger. He wouldn’t risk it. 

Crocodile, on his part, forced himself to not get attached as soon as his baby was born. He didn’t remember having any positive parental figure in his life and was sure he would fuck up his child just the same. He didn’t grow up in the best conditions himself – so, he didn’t think that being raised by a notorious pirate-turned-Warlord, surrounded by violence and dubious morals, would do good to his child. Thus, just a few months after Luffy’s birth, Crocodile fled. Before leaving, he tucked a little pendant and one of his favourite rings in his child covers, selfishly wishing for Luffy to have something from him so he at least knew of his existence while growing up. 

He agreed to Dragon’s proposition to let Garp look after Luffy and let the revolutionary take care of the details. Crocodile took the chance to ask his ex-partner if he could solicit one of his associates’ help and powers (Ivankov was overly happy to indulge) and then— they never contacted each other again.

❈❈❈

As years passed, Crocodile tried not to think about his choice, questioning it – wondering how things would have been if he took Luffy with him instead ; raising him, watching over him as he grew and experienced life. Sometimes, he would speculate about how Luffy was, now that some time had passed ; his personality, things he liked and disliked, if he was happy… He’d wonder about his dreams.

He kept his own charm buried in the back of a drawer, not wanting to acknowledge it most of the time – because if he tried hard enough, maybe he would forget about it. He didn’t think it was possible for him though. Every now and then, he would fetch it and keep it in the palm of his hand, intensely staring at it without realising that hours would pass. Those days were longer, slower, and harder, than the others.

When he was like this, Miss All Sunday— Robin would let him be and did what she could to take charge of the organisation. Since she joined Crocodile with a goal of her own in mind, she noticed those moments when her boss’ eyes would glaze, not looking at anything in particular and his mind not really here . He already made sure to only talk when necessary and they both weren’t prone to small talk anyway – but the silence surrounding him any time he was in this state was so heavy . 

She too, could have her own moments of reminiscence as her mind would dive back in her memory and make her relive over and over that day she lost everything. Robin knew that Crocodile noticed it as much as she did for him ; only able to offer his own presence and understanding for comfort – and she was content with it.

Robin and Crocodile had never talked about any of it, though. They just had this mutual acknowledgement of the other’s torments and it sufficed. 

After all, they were only partners to succeed and achieve their own objective. They shared companionship at most ; and full trust had never ever been considered once. They knew it wasn’t something affordable with the path they ‘chose’ to follow. 

… That is, what Crocodile and his rational and logical part would like to think. Because, at the end, he became rather fond of Robin… He knows she is a strong woman, who had to pass through a lot, and even if those tragic events kept haunting her to this day, she didn’t let go of the will she inherited and still planned on fulfilling it. He had to admire it. And maybe — it wasn’t impossible that Crocodile considered her being part of the closest persons he had managed to have in his life after all those years.

❈❈❈

Luffy and Crocodile talked for a long time that they didn’t notice had passed. Crocodile didn’t move from his armchair, but Luffy was now posted on one of its arms, legs dropped on Crocodile’s laps.

After Crocodile related his past without too much details to Luffy ( no way he was going to linger on Dragon and his past relationship ), they moved on Luffy’s childhood to his debuts in the world of piracy to his  most current adventures. Luffy talked animatedly, with big hand motions ; he didn’t refrain from yelling and laughing loudly, happy and enjoying sharing all of his stories. From what Crocodile gathered, he found himself a fine and loyal crew despite their few members, all of them bonded by dreams, the will to fulfil them, to help and watch the others reach their own goals, and their taste for adventures of course.  

He couldn’t wait to find out how Luffy and this growing crew (apparently, ‘a musician was a must’ and he had yet to get one) would soon make their current world crumble under their spirits and ambitions. Surely, the man who will be the next King of the Pirates intended to cause some commotion.

“Say, will you really stop harming Alabasta, or do I still have to beat your ass? ‘Cause I will!”

Luffy had now his head laid on Crocodile’s shoulder, his own arm encircling the teen, and the precious straw-hat had been placed on the coffee table as well. He learned that Luffy was mindlessly touchy and that reciprocating the touch kept him a tiny bit less fidgety. The conversation had been toned down since some time when Luffy decided to broach the subject that led them here. 

Hearing the threat again, Crocodile chuckled. “You can try. I still won’t be defeated by a small fry like you.”

“Shihihihi. I bet I’ll win!”

Crocodile sighed. “I suppose we will have to find that out another time.”

❈❈❈

He had been on the move to reach for a den den mushi and call some of his men and Robin to know what was happening up there – and for some food too, by the way Luffy was whining about it –, lightning himself a new cigar on the way, when the room’s door flew open. 

A young blond man wearing cheap sunglasses was standing in the doorway, the leg he used to detach the door from its hinges still raised. He seemed to try for a confident display of attitude as he was casually exhaling some smoke, the hand not holding the cigarette deep in his pocket.

Before Crocodile could react, Luffy jumped on his feet and joyously welcomed the intruder. “SANJI! Just when I was hungry!!” 

Sanji could only raise an eyebrow at his nonchalant and oh so carefree captain. “So you’re okay. Were you seriously chit-chatting with a Warlord while the rest of our nakama were imprisoned!?”

Luffy put his hat back on his head, fastened his chain around his neck instead of tucking it in his pocket and lightly responded. “OH! I forgot, shihihihihi. Dad, let’s free my nakama so we can all eat!”

“DAD??!!?!”

Even if Crocodile was just as surprised at the word, he managed to silently react with only a twitch. Luffy had already used ‘dad’ earlier when he understood the meaning of their matching charms – but he didn’t expect for the title to stick and to be this easily adopted. He didn’t expect to be this easily accepted. He did his best to ignore the turmoil of thoughts and feelings it stirred up and to not show any of it. Instead, he went for the keys he needed and grabbed the snail transponder while Luffy kept laughing without any explanation for his crew member. This kid . 

When they entered the other room, everyone was anxiously gripping the cell’s bar (or their nakama’s arm for Chopper), except Smoker, who it seemed hadn’t moved since they arrived and… Zoro, who was loudly snoring in a corner, his three swords tightly hugged against his chest, without a care in the world. He only fluttered his eyes open after the Straw Hats started to slowly step out of the cell, still worried and very confused for their part. 

Zoro saw his Captain smile at him, and blinked slowly. “Oh, so you’re done,” he said as he rose on his feet and leisurely stretched. 

“Yep! Let’s go eat, I’m staaarving!”

“Sure. Hope there’s booze though.”

Crocodile ignored his son ’s nakama expressing their bewilderment and some reprimands for their first mate and captain’s recklessness at behaving as if they weren’t in any danger, and watched the marines closely. “And what to do about you— should I kill you?”

“Ehhh?! But I like Smokey, you can’t kill them!”

“Luffy, these marines are literally here to arrest you and your crew.”

“But you can’t—”

Crocodile interrupted him before he finished and started some kind of temper tantrum. Luffy was already pouting and in the motion of stomping the floor with his foot ; Crocodile could recognize when he would lose a battle. This kid was such a stubborn one. “Fine.”

He turned in the marines’ direction with crossed arms and addressed the man Luffy seemed to appreciate for whatever reason. “As a Warlord, I unfortunately put the Straw Hat Pirates under my protection. You can not touch them.”

“Hah??! As if you’ll keep your Warlord status after the Navy’s made aware of your doings! I’m going to arrest both you and these pirates!”

“I recall you do not have any proof backing up your accusations ; and, as far as I am aware, The King of Alabasta didn’t plan on letting his army take action – with his daughter's arrival, I suppose that the rebels didn’t start anything either. I do not see what you could have to report.”

Crocodile stepped aside the cell’s opening, as if encouraging Smoker and Tashigi to come out, and added with a taunting tone, “You can go see it for yourselves, of course.”

After jerking his chin in the exit’s direction and a last smirk, Crocodile stopped paying attention to them and headed to a desk chair. He sat heavily, exhaling a large cloud of smoke, and dialled his associate.

“Hey! Don’t sit down, I thought we were gonna eat!”

Nami punched his head and loudly scolded her captain. “Luffy! You dumbass, let’s go before he traps us again. We can’t be sure anyone won’t come to attack us and we still have to find Vivi, she might still be in danger!”

“What?? Vivi-chan!∼∼∼ Wait for me, I’m going to rescue you immediately!∼∼”

“Don’t worry guys! We’re fine!” 

Throwing them a grin, Luffy stretched his arms toward Crocodile until he had a solid grip and launched himself at the man once again, ending up in his laps. He started aggressively shaking the shoulders he had grabbed on, and whined exaggeratedly, “But come oooon, I’m hungry!!!”

Everyone was gaping at the pair, not having a clue about what was happening. Their captain had his quirks and rarely made total sense to them but this was still something they didn’t expect.

Crocodile, unphased, just grunted and made Luffy stop shaking him, adding an annoyed “Shut up” when the snail transponder indicated that Robin answered. 

“Yes, Sir.”

“Miss All Sunday, where are you now?”

“The King and the Princess are still with me. We are in the palace hall.”

“Hmm. Tell me about the situation.”

“The Princess succeeded in convincing the rebels’ army to not attack the palace. Their leader knows about you and Baroque Works, but I prevented her from making it public. The rest of the organisation is still keeping a low profile and isn’t doing anything until you order us otherwise.”

“Alright, well done. I’m coming. Find a way to have some food ready when we arrive—”

“We?” ; “I WANT MEAT!” ; “—and booze.”

“...please.”

“Alright, I’ll be waiting for you Sir.” (He could hear the smile in Robin’s voice. Did she figure something out? Crocodile wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case.)

“And don’t take those two royals out of your sight yet. I am  sure we can find a way to persuade the King to give us what we are both looking for.”

“Yes, of course.”

As he hung up, Luffy jumped off him and was already dragging him by the hook (‘ Fearless. Totally oblivious. ’) to the exit. “YES! FOOD!! Come on, let’s go, let’s go!”

Crocodile sighed and let himself be dragged by Luffy, who was marching with determination and a bounce in his steps. His crew was still in total incomprehension, but had no other choice but to follow their weirdly happy and smiling captain.

❈❈❈

They all arrived at the palace, at last. 

Crocodile had to take charge at one point when he realised that Luffy had no idea where to go. He was too occupied at keeping an eye on his swordsman in case he got himself lost anyway. He ended up letting go of Crocodile’s hook to wrap both of his arms to one of Zoro’s for the rest of the route to prevent both losing Zoro and Sanji bashing his skull anytime he took the wrong turn.

When they entered the hall, the King was sitting on his throne, Robin not too far from him. Crocodile also noticed that his two consultants were guardedly watching him from a corner of the room. 

As soon as the Princess saw them, she started running in their direction, the Straw Hats’ girl joining her halfway for an embrace. The other members joined them soon after at a slower pace, surrounding the girls and making sure the Princess was okay – everyone except Luffy, who made a beeline to the table full of various dishes (with meat being predominant) placed in the centre of the hall. Luffy was actually still clutching at Zoro’s arm when he bolted, only releasing him when he sat down, so he could stuff himself with any food he could grab (and with rubber arms, little was out of reach). The swordsman didn’t seem to mind, though. He took a seat as well and started contently sipping at the pint of beer closest to him while attentively glancing at their crew.

Zoro then eyed his Captain. “Oi, Luffy. So what’s going on? Thought we’re supposed to beat this guy’s ass?”

Said captain only laughed and confidently told his first mate to not worry about it because he “handled it”. Zoro grunted. He seemed to accept Luffy’s words, if his nod was anything to go by,  and returned to his beer. He also seemed to know that he wouldn’t get more explanations and he wasn’t inclined to insist – he’ll leave it to the others.

Surprisingly, Crocodile was already getting used to Luffy’s antics as well as his crew’s. In the short time he had to endure them all, he observed them – all gathered in one crew by Luffy’s magnetism (and mostly persistence , apparently). He picked up some of their dynamics and parts of their personalities, and noticed how they interacted with each other and how they all fit together greatly. 

He concluded they were headaches . They will be such pains is the ass for all the people crossing their path and having to put up with them in the future (— already were if he considered his own plans). Damn brats .

As the Straw Hats slowly joined the table and apprehensively started eating, Crocodile walked toward his associate and the King. 

He watched them trying their best to interrogate their captain and finally comprehend the situation they were in. Luffy just kept devouring the food that was in front of him, partly listening to the questions and answering them vaguely, without bothering swallowing what was in his mouth before speaking.

Nami was losing patience. She raised from her chair and slammed both of her hands on the table, making some dishes tremble. “And how can you be so sure Crocodile won’t do anything to us ?!” 

“‘Cause he said so. We don’t have to fight him.”

“Luffy-san, is Alabasta Kingdom really safe now?”

“Of course! He said he just needs your dad to show him some secret place and he’ll leave you alone.”

“And you trust him… why exactly?”

“Croc-guy’s my dad!”

“HEEEEEHH??!?!!?” (Sanji, in awe, mumbling by himself, “So I didn’t imagine it… He was serious.”)

“Shihihihi, yep! That’s what he had to tell me earlier. I was surprised too!”

And the cacophony rose, all of them shrieking their own surprise, confusion, astonishment, everybody talking over the other and claiming more details. Luffy only laughed more – his dad was a pirate too and Vivi’s home was safe and they were having a feast! This was so cool! He had to introduce all his crew to his dad just as he did with Ace. 

Luffy couldn’t wait to go on more adventures and tell Crocodile all about it.