Well, fuck that. What the hell was up with that?
Back in his rooms Crocodile threw his coat furiously down to his armchair as if that would make things any different. He violently took a deep pull on his cigar, the ember eating up the tobacco in seconds. He puffed the smoke out through his nose, it came with a disgruntled snort. Tried to calm his mood. Fucking bird went on his nerves. And that he did aggravated him even more.
He went over to the window that still stood open as it had when the bird first arrived. He saw with disgust a single feather the flamingo had lost, and he picked it up gingerly to throw it out. He followed its gentle descent with his gaze. Only when it had vanished into the darkness of the night did he raise his eyes. From here, when the weather was clear, he could almost see the lights of Alubarna. A few more years, maybe, and it would be his home: the Royal Palace. It was a soothing thought.
He stood there for a while, letting his mind wander, silently smoking his cigar. It calmed him down, but as soon as his thoughts went back to the damned flamingo downstairs, he growled to himself. That man shouldn't be able to jeopardize his cool like this.
Angrily, he discarded of his cigar, just to light a new one immediately. It had felt so much better to think he actually just came for him and not the gambling. Was Doflamingo actually stupid enough to enjoy things like that? What an unsophisticated, lowlife hobby. They were supposed to take money from these people, not partake in their pathetic pastime!
Crocodile tugged at the grey silk cravat around his throat and took it off. He gently put it over the armrest of his chair, next to his less gently thrown away coat. Then he took off his golden cufflinks, gently sliding them into the pockets of his waistcoat. He slowly, deliberately rolled up the left sleeve with the right hand. For the other one he made double sure nobody was around. He needed his teeth to help along. It was nothing he would want anyone to see.
Living with one arm was manageable, especially in his wealthy position. His life hadn't always been as comfortable as now, so he really wasn't going to complain. But it angered him that sometimes, just sometimes, there were little things like rolling up his sleeves after a long day of work that he couldn't do without help.
"You look quite smoldering, really."
Doflamingo's voice was like a bullet through his chest and he spun around on his heel. When did he get here?! Had he watched him? He felt a snarl rolling deep in his throat and bit his teeth down hard on his cigar.
Doflamingo raised his arms apogetically. "I didn't mean to snoop," he said gently, fully aware that the amputated arm was a topic not even he should be stepping too close to. Maybe specially he. "I'm sorry."
The apology was so earnest and unusual that Crocodile actually hesitated for a second. The anger and embarrassemnt still burned in his stomach, but he forced himself to relax. Sighing, he messaged the bridge of his nose with thumb and index finger. "Nevermind," he groaned. "I get tense about this."
"I know." Nothing more. Only after carefully considering the situation, he slowly came closer.
"You should consider knocking the next time you enter somebody's room." Crocodile was well aware that Doflamingo came near, but he just turned back to the window, puffing his cigar. He tucked the hook under the right arm, as if he was suddenly embarrassed of it existing.
"Fufufu. And again you expect me to act like any other person. I should be offended." Looking like this, coat and cravat gone, sleeves rolled up, even as messily as they were and maybe especially so, Crocodile looked insanely delicious. Vulnerable even. So tempting. The only thing missing was that single loose strand of hair.
Doflamingo went straight for that.
Below the collar, Crocodile's hair was fine and thin. It wouldn't grow quite as long like the rest of it, and it was silky and smooth and when Doflamingo put his hand in Crocodiles neck, he couldn't help but shiver. Another growl rolled in Crocodile's throat at the unpredicted touch, but he said nothing when Doflamingo ran his hand up his skull through his hair. Doflamingo grinned, enjoying the sensation. Crocodile's long hair was always well-kempt and despite the man's horrible habit of smoking all the time, there was still the faintest smell of soap underneath. Doflamingo buried his hands in the soft strands, enjoying completely messing up the proper hairstyle maybe a little too much. But Crocodile remained silent, looking at him with half-closed eyes and an expression Doflamingo couldn't read.
Amazing, Doflamingo thought, how in a weird, twisted way, Crocodile's eternal frown was the opposite and, at the same time, exactly the same as his wide grin. It had stopped meaning anything so long ago. They both hid underneath masks.
"You're such a child," he heard Crocodile's voice say, and when his mind came back to the present, Crocodile pushed his hand away with his hook.
With a turn of his wrist, he gently placed his fingers around the curve of the cold metal. "Don't be like that," he said, yet again, grin there still, but his voice low. "I heard crocodiles hate to go to bed hungry. Don't bite the hand that feeds you."
Crocodile smacked his tongue dismissevly, but before he could even come up with another complaint, Doflamingo took the cigar from his lips with the free hand and leaned down for a kiss.
Crocodile let him, watching carefully with lidded eyes.
It was a rather child-like kiss, really, when Doflamingo placed his lips on Crocodile's, a bit off to the side of the corner of his mouth first, as if by accident. Only when he met no risistance he put another gentle touch on Crocodile's lower lip, sucking it in gently between his own. Crocodile felt his tongue on his skin, and only after what he felt like was an adequate amount of time he slowly opened his mouth for him.
Even though his hook was only by metaphor a part of him, he felt Doflamingo's grip around the metal tighten.
The feathers of Doflamingo's coat shivered when the man moved just away enough to look at him, their noses still touching. "This is better than gambling," he chuckled. "Especially because roulette just is no fun when the ball lands wherever you want it to."
"I'll have you know that since you were cheating, I will have to confiscate every Beri you won," Crocodile said in a low voice.
Doflamingo's chuckle grew to yet another laugh. "'s okay," he said, tucking the cigar between his own teeth and gently stroking over Crocodile's lips with his thumb. "I didn't really come for the gambling after all."
Crocodile bit down on his finger which was answer enough.
