A/N: Okay, first I need to tell you all about this story. It's a collection of inter-relating one-shots, all of which are posted in no particular order. Which means the next chapter, while following the same storyline as this one, could take place before or after what you read below. 'Kay?
Next, I have to dedicate this story. It's for Valkyri38, who reminded me of my love for this pairing. She's also a major fan of Luffy being the one in charge, and reminded me how few stories like that there are. So, m'dear, I hope you read this and enjoy it!
"You don't have to leave, you know..." he says softly, arms moving to wrap around Crocodile's waist from behind. He can feel the other man tense beneath him - surprised that he'd been caught leaving no doubt. Luffy normally sleeps through him getting up and leaving, after all.
Crocodile doesn't answer. Instead, he rests a hand on top of Luffy's wrist, leaning slightly against the warm body behind him.
But he's still tense, and the captain can tell that.
Eyes slipping closed, he lets out a soft sigh and rests his forhead against Crocodile's shoulder. The older man's skin is always so warm, and today isn't any different. Or is it tonight? Luffy hasn't looked at the clock yet, but he knows that it was close to one in the morning when they first retired to his room.
"You always do this." mutters Luffy, mouth close enough to the older man's back that his breath ghosts across the bare skin - and he can feel the slightest of shudders caused by it. If it was last night, he would take advantage of that. Latch on to any interest that Crocodile shows him, even if it's a small thing like that. Right now though, Luffy's mind is focused elsewhere.
There's another lapse of silence before Crocodile answers, sounding slightly reluctant. "Do what?"
"Leave." With that one-word answer, Luffy lifts his head from where it had been resting and moves around to the other mans front. He doesn't take his hands off of him, just slides them as he moves so that they're still loosely wrapped around Crocodile's waist.
He glides one thumb across the tender skin of the older mans hip, but there is nothing playfull about the expression on his face. It's drawn and tight and serious in a way that it seldom is. In a way that the former shichibukai has only seen once -
and suddenly he remembers, that day when they first met. Back in Alabasta. When Luffy wanted nothing more than to bring him down and save Vivi. When Crocodile, in turn, wanted nothing more than to kill Luffy
- and he actually seems upset. But then, Crocodile supposes, he has a right to be.
It's just not in his nature to admit that, no matter how correct it is. Instead, he tilts his head up slightly, looking down on the younger pirate with slightly narrowed golden eyes. He lifts one hand, far larger than the ones on his hips, and rests the back of it against Luffy's face. "So I do."
It's the perfect offer, and Crocodile knows that. A sign that, yes, Luffy can take control again if he wants. Can start up another round - which is a rarity, as the elder of the two is never there long enough for that.
Luffy ignores it.
Outright turns it down.
He takes several steps backwards, hands slipping off and to his side. A short answer deserves a short question, he decides, and he doesn't know how long Crocodile will humor him with this game anyway. "Why?"
And that question, more than anything else it seems, catches Crocodile off-gaurd.
Why indeed, he thinks to himself, head tilting to one side. His normally well-kempt dark hair is rumpled, and several strands fall into his face - eyes taking in the younger man, temporarily stopping on the teethmarks impressed on Luffy's shoulder. They're still red at the moment, but Crocodile knows that, by morning, they will be a dark hue of purple. Black, if he'd bitten down hard enough.
A false claiming, because he knows that Luffy is far from being his. Knows that the fingershaped bruises on his left shoulder, left from when Luffy had gripped just a tad too hard, are far more fitting of their roles.
Crocodile doesn't pay attention to how long he's standing there, mintues actually, and Luffy makes no movement to hurry him up.
Just lets him think, for which Crocodile is grateful. He's never really put what he feels into words before, and he isn't sure as to how to do that now.
Eventually, he offers up an answer. "Because I can't." -
Can't admit that he does love the other man back. Can't admit that there is something deeper there. Certainly can't admit that its more than just a casual fuck between crewmates -
Luffy stares at him, and his eyes still have that look to them. The one that lets Crocodile know that, even though he didn't say everything, didn't say anything, Luffy still understands. And that the rubber-man accepts that.
"Okay." says Luffy, and he gives a slight nod, stepping to the side. Gives Crocodile a perfect view of the closed door behind him. "I'll see you tomorrow then, Croco-chan."
The former warlord stands there for a moment, watching as Luffy ambels back to the mussed up bed. Then he turns and, gathering his clothes from where they are scattered about on the floor, dissapears down the hall and into his own room.