"Crocodile sama!"
"They really think he's a hero…" Ann furrows her brow as she and Kuzan stand in the alleyway watching the cheering crowd celebrating their so called saviour sadly staring down at the drained pirates below. Crocodile is a tall man with a wide chest, broad shoulders, muscular arms and legs, and a thick neck. He has pale skin and nape-length black hair, which is kept neatly slicked back. He has various battle wounds, most notably a long-stitched scar at the bridge of his nose that stretches across his face and a large hook made from a tough gold alloy in place of his left hand. His eyes are deep-set and heavy-lidded, and his thin eyebrows are characteristically drawn upward in the middle.
"…They do. Though the pirates didn't help themselves." Kuzan stares down at the sunken state of the bodies all the moisture ripped from them.
"Arabasta's guardian angel huh…" Ann scowls down at the bodies below.
"Never judge a book by its cover I guess." Kuzan scowls furrowing his brow by the sandy sheet below hiding the bodies.
"I ain't judging I'm just saying I've never seen an angel with a hook before." Bemused, Ann attempts to joke.
"Nor a scar across its fake." Frowning, Kuzan adds.
"See Smokey agrees." Amused, Ann points to the scowling Smoker watching from afar with them.
"It's Smoker." Scowling, Smoker scowls at Ann.
"Shush Smokey." Kuzan joins in.
"I said it's SM-" Smoker stops when suddenly, the air turns ice cold, a sudden wall of ice forming.
"Kuzan?" Alarmed, Ann turns to him however her hues soon widen when seeing the strike of sand soon slide down the wall as a glistening golden hook briskly breaks the wall.
"Call me what you will I'm just here protecting my kingdom." Cockily, Crocodile smirks smugly at the frowning three.
"I'm sure." Scowling, Kuzan furrows his brow at the man before them, the saviour of Alabasta.
"Now what could the marines want with me and my little old kingdom?" Coyly, Crocodile asks arrogantly, blowing smoke from the cigar between his lips.
"We were told to check in." Kuzan reports robotically.
"That so…well you've seen it now you can leave." Crocodile asserts annoyed.
"…" Silently, Ann stares at the eerily familiar figure frowning from the strange sense of familiarity.
"Something wrong?" Crocodile quirks his head to the side.
"Nothing, seems this has been a waste of a trip." Ann asserts as she turns to look up at Kuzan.
"Seems so…." Kuzan confirms.
"We'll be on our way then." Ann turns on her heel, the three about to leave when…
"Interesting…" Crocodile blurts out as Ann's hues narrow at his low gravel tone.
"What's so interesting?" Smoker scowls turning to glare at the cocky croc.
"Your face…it's familiar." Crocodile points with his hook at Ann.
"…That so?" Scowling, her hues narrow at him a still silence between both of them until next the group knew…
"ANN!" Kuzan calls out scowling as Smoker stares stunned gawking gaping as the harsh ring of metal echoes as Croc's head is sent flying, sand spewing from the separated head before turning fully into sand stunning them all as Ann stands tall scowling.
"Ann D. Portgas…Loguetown, Roger's execution you were there weren't you?" Smirking, Crocodile's beheaded head remarks before said sand slides back over to the clean cut of the neck returning his head back into its place.
"What the hell were you…!?" Smoker scowls at the cool clam composed Ann as she simply stares at the smirking Crocodile, rubbing his neck.
"I was there too your hair looked familiar." Crocodile leans in, the teasing touch of his glistening golden hook reaching for a stray strand of pink as Ann is about to strike when…
"Don't you know it's rude to touch a lady?" Surprised, Ann's hues widen when feeling the crisp cold hand on her shoulder, staring stunned up at the scowling Kuzan.
"Lady? Please from what I heard she's the furthest from one, beating marine soldiers bashing in skulls, sending some hospital…" Haughty, he smirks smugly, his glistening golden hook holding the chin of the growling glaring Ann as Kuzan's firm hand on her swiftly stops her from doing anything unwise, he was a warlord he could not be hunted or harmed by marines, he was safe…
"She's more than that." Kuzan asserts astonishing Ann however Crocodile doesn't even bat an eye to Kuzan.
"You and me…we're not that different." Dubiously, Crocodile steps forward towards Ann blanking Kuzan out.
"We're very different Crocodile." Curtly, Ann asserts agitated.
"Not from where I'm standing. How about you join me? The marines is wasted on talent like you you'd be appreciated here." He smirks at her.
"That's enough." Kuzan cuts in.
"Oh ho protective now are we?" Crocodile eyes both men mused.
"She isn't interested." Smoker snaps scowling at him, drawing out his weapon.
"I haven't heard her say it." Crocodile turns back to the scowling Ann.
"I shouldn't have to state the obvious." Ann asserts.
"And what is the obvious?" Crocodile quirks his head to the side.
"Like I said I shouldn't have to state the obvious." Ann repeats resolved.
"You mean you should have to state what is expected of you." Crocodile remarks.
"We're done here." Ann's hues widen when feeling a familiar icy cold hand clasp her shoulder surprising her as she looks up at the glaring Kuzan frowning at the smirking Crocodile.
"That so? A shame someone like you would be useful." Crocodile smiles softly, shrugging smirking.
"Kuzan come on let's just go." Gently, Ann holds his arm anxiously worriedly watching the surprising agitated Kuzan, she had only seen him this mad when someone would wake him up during his nap.
"Hold on…" Crocodile raises his hook.
"What now?" Smoker scowls at him.
"You'll need a place to rest going back out there with the sands turning isn't wise you can stay with us." Crocodile reasons.
"I'd prefer we'd stay elsewhere." Kuzan refuses.
"…A shame I'm sure we can set something up of course think of it as a sign of good faith for the warlord system." Smirking, he argues.
"…We'll be on our-!" Scowling, Smoker begins but soon stops from Kuzan's hand.
"Very well." Kuzan agrees annoyed.
"Kuzan sir!" Smoker hues widen when hearing his words only to falter from Ann's hand firmly on his.
"We don't have a choice just go with it." Irritated, Ann orders, the system was still new, the higher ups demands to have Crocodile among their ranks without showing some aspect of trust or faith it could lead to issues, issues they knew would be unwise to cause.
"Damn it!" Smoker scowls at the trap the three had found themselves in, supposedly trying to be in good faith as they followed Crocodile to his place…
"The hell are we doing here!?" Smoker scowls glaring glowering at the two entering the lone room as soon as the door slams shut by him. Her brow darts to the kind sized bed, brow furrowing from the lack of a sofa but she does eye the windowsill, which would be a good lookout point in case she takes note of as she looks around the place.
"Smoker chill." Coolly, Aokiji simply plops himself down on the bed as Ann arches a brow by his wording, was he trying to make a joke?
"Chill!? Chill!? We have our men back at the inn we could take him!" Scowling, Smoker roars raising his voice at the lying on his side Akoji. She spots his jacket tossed to the side briefly noting the navy bluish black jacket with the marine logo of snow white with marines labelled on the back noting the faint fluffy poofs upon the sleeves and such. That must have been hell to put on here especially with the heat…still he hd done it Ann had to admit she was impressed.
"The marines want him on our side." Sighing, Ann joins in attempting to explain the reason behind this.
"Fighting him would risk him leaving the warlord system." Aokiji adds as he stretches across the bed.
"He wouldn't do that! He agreed to it." Smoker reminds the two.
"Just cause he agreed to it doesn't mean he'll keep his word. He's a pirate remember?" Aokiji reminds him.
"It's still in its early stages he can leave if he felt like it." Aloofly, Ann attempts to throw in another reason, brow furrowing from Akoji's reasoning as she sits down by his side.
"And if that scummy pirate did?" Smoker scowls growling.
"The Gorosei would not be pleased with us." Aokiji answers.
"So!? Who cares what they think?" Tense, Smoker scowls.
"We don't but we shouldn't risk their anger." Aokiji points out.
"So what? Just suck it up…" Smoker seethes spewing smoke.
"Look at you catching on…" Amused, Ann smirks smugly gently reaching out towards one of the pillows plopping it against Akoji's face, smirking slightly as he remains unfazed by the pillow plopping on his face.
"Dammit!" Smoker scowls glaring to the side just as the door opens…
"Enjoying yourselves?" Cockily, Crocodile smirks smugly at the three holding his glistening gold hook, cradling it almost as Ann couldn't help but ponder how he was able to move so easily with something so heavy looking by his side, the training to adjust to that sort of weight continuously must have been quite the challenge at first.
"What do you think?" Tense, Smoker scowls at the warlord, cigarette between his lips being swiftly squashed by his gritted grinding teeth tense.
"I take it you're enjoying the room." Crocodile smirks smugly at them.
"And I take you're here to take me to my room." Ann assumes as she stands turning to leave the boys to their room when…
"I'm afraid we only have one room." Crocodile smirks smugly.
"That so?" Scowling, Ann crosses her arms over her chest.
"Ann you could easily share with me if you'd like." Coyly, Crocodile offers, his glistening golden hook shining shimmering.
"I'm sure you'd like that." Tense, Ann sneers scowling at him.
"I'm merely trying to be a generous host." Haughty, he smirks smugly at her.
"I'm sure…" Snippily, she scowls at him oblivious to Aokiji arising from the bed until…
"Ann and I will take the room." Ann furrows her brow by the sudden shy coursing down her shaking spine.
"What?!" Alarmed, Ann turns towards the ice coated hand, her hues narrowing at the hand on her shoulders.
"Smoker you go back with the men make sure someone's keeping them in line." Aokiji turns to order Smoker.
"You two sure you can handle it?" Smoker scowls at the two.
"We'll be fine…" Firmly, Aokiji assures.
"If that's what you want…dinner will be done soon." Smirking, Crocodile leaves them, Smoker soon following angrily after him where as soon as the door slams shut…
"What were you thinking?" Tense, Aokiji furrows his brow at Ann as she blinks befuddled by the strange sense of panic pouring out of his tense tone taking her aback at it. He was always so calm, what was going on with him?
"What do you mean?" Mystifed, Ann arches a brow befuddled by his anger, concern clear o her furrowed features towards him. She had only really seen this side when someone would wake him up.
"Attacking a warlord like that?!" Tired, Aokiji scowls at Ann astonishing her, his grip tightening around her.
"Relax I wasn't going to kill him." Ann assures, waving him off as if she'd let that happen.
"You decapacitated his head." Aokiji furrows his brow down at her his hands on her waist.
"I was sending a message." Simply, she shrugs stating the fact firmly.
"A message?" Aokiji arches a brow befuddled.
"If I wanted him dead I would have done so already." Ann answers amused as she leans in, on her toppy toes smirking slightly up at the furrowed frown of Kuzan as she whispers it into his ear, swearing she saw steam spew out of him as she felt the faint shy stubble of his heated cheeks but before he could ask for more on the matter…
"Dinner is served." Smoothly, the voice calls out as the two turn to the blushing maid gasping at the position of the two.
"Alright we'll head on down." Dubiously, Ann smirks slightly, removing herself from Aokiji, her hand slowly sliding down from his chest, smirking.
"Right Kuzan?" Smirking, she winks before going on ahead, leaving the flustered Kuzan alone, a hand darting over his mouth needing a moment to compose himself. He hadn't normally shown that side of his that easily but what she had done before…he glares at the minx that was the amused Ann winking back bemused by his reaction as she goes on ahead to dinner, Kuzan chasing after her…
"So tell me Ann…" Crocodile begins breaking the still silence of the dining room with the crips crinkle of the feeble flicker of a flame and the silently stabbing of fork and knife echoing throughout the room. Ann eyes the tall, towering candelabra between them, wax goops descending down from it with the glistening golden case holding it up. Ann stands by Kuzan's side with her set across from Crocodile, keeping her head down, her hues silently staring at the food below feeling the crips cool hand gently touch her leg which to her surprise she finds herself alright with it not flinching, not tensing from it one bit.
"It's Vice Admiral Portgas." Pointedly, Kuzan coldly corrects Crocodile.
"Kuzan…" Ann softly sets her hand down on the tense-tired hand below, feeling the icy begin to melt almost as he curls his hand into hers, squeezing said hand.
"Well then Vice Admiral do you believe in absolute justice?" Coolly, Crocodile questions, softly sipping the ruby red substance of his wine while enjoying his meal.
"…" Silently, Ann's warm brown glare glower into his hues of ice cold grey.
"What kind of question is that? The evils of this world must be eradicated before it spreads and harms others no matter what, no matter the sacrifice justice must be upheld." Resolved, Kuzan states the fact firmly oblivious to the furrowed frown of the eerily still silent Ann.
"Is that what you think?" Curious, Crocodile smirks slightly his hues glued to the grimacing Ann.
"It's what we both believe; absolute justice is necessary asking a question like that…of course she does." Dutifully, the annoyed Aokiji throws in irritated.
"I think the lady can speak for herself." Crocodile hints.
"Hm?" Aokiji arches a brow by his words, his hues darting toward the still silent blonde glaring glowering back at the cocky Crocodile.
"I believe that the lives at risk are what our priority should be." Bluntly, Ann answers aloofly as she stoically stares back at the bemused Crocodile.
"…Would you sacrifice people in order to achieve this justice then?" Coyly, Crocodile smirks softly at Ann as Aokiji couldn't help but stare at Ann brow furrowed.
"I believe there are other methods outside sacrifice to achieve justice…" Ann answers as Ann couldn't feel all eyes fall onto her, the spotlight shining shimmering down upon her.
"That so? I must admit I'm surprised to see you to working together... We expected you two to try to kill each other." Crocodile admits as he leans i, his chin on top of his hook and hand as the two share a look by his words.
"Did we not tell you that we've been best friends for twenty years? Oops." Amused, Aokiji throws in irritated.
"I wouldn't call us best friends we work together." Tense, Ann argues, the two had been working a fair few years together sure they did butt heads now and again but still…she would admit the two were close, the only reason she got mad at Aokiji was due to him being her handler before that she would acknowledge him, sure she would try to avoid him since he normally caused trouble. But she wouldn't say she hated him, her anger just got the best of her…like always.
"For a number of years. I deal with her nagging." Amused, Aokiji adds as he fiddles with the food below.
"And I deal with his lazing." Ann argues as she swirls said scarlet substance in her wine glass glaring glowering at it.
"Oh, you know you love me." Mischievously, Kuzan smirks smugly at Ann, his had softly squeezing her leg while the other holding his fork, uses the top of his hand as a perch for his chin to rest upon.
"Shove off." Agitated, Ann glares lightly at the smirking Kuzan.
"Aww, are you getting shy now?" Kuzan softly squeezes her leg making her glare to the side slightly ignoring the faint hear to her cheeks.
"Does this look like someone shy?" Agitated, Ann argues scowling at him baffled by his confidence to even flirt in front of the enemy, does he want her to be a target? Does he want her to be used against him!?
"Why do you always have to be so cute when you're frowning?" Kuzan smirks slightly quirking his head to the side snapping Ann out of her thoughts.
"Why do you always have to be so annoying!?" Ann glares lightly at Aokiji.
"But annoying you is what I'm best at." Amused, Aokiji argues.
"It's what you're only good at and…are you trying to flirt with me?" Ann does a double take tense furrowing her brow at Kuzan, how he had the nerve to do this in front of Crocodile, Ann had no clue they were supposed to be professional so what the heck was he doing? Did he not care? Was this some sort of middle finger to the warlord, trying to show him no respect at all, he was a warlord, a warlord the government wanted that was the reason they complied to Crocodile's command to show their faith so what the hell was he playing at!?
"Yes. Is it working?" Kuzan asks amused at her heated crimson cheeks.
"It really isn't from where I'm standing." Crocodile hollers making Ann flinch turning towards Crocodile while Kuzan simply scowls at him, reluctantly turning to him.
"You know if you really hate your companion my room is always free." Crocodile smirks slightly leaning back against his chair as Ann feels Kuzan's hand tighten on her leg.
"…Yeah going to have to give a hard no on that." Smoothly, she rejects.
"That so?" Crocodile exclaims.
"It is." Kuzan snaps scowling grip tightening around his leg.
"Look as annoying as the ass is I'd stay with him any day over you." Ann asserts stating the fact firmly.
"A shame still I should head to bed I have much to do, my door is always open Ann." Crocodile repeats once more standing up from his chair.
"I'm sure it is." Kuzan sneers as Ann furrows her brow at him, lightly elbowing Kuzan's side, his hues briefly glaring at her which she silently returns as dinner ends and the two return to their room…
Quietly, Ann leans against the wall of the windowsill she sits upon, the glistening glowing ethereal light of the moon shining softly down upon her as she keeps a lookout, not batting an eye to the pair of hues watching her, unable to not admire the ethereal light glinting glowering against her hair. He had see how the warmth of the shining sun would brush against her hair, a sight he was blessed with, a sight that was one of the very rare few ways he would be looking forward to waking up too.
"Crocodile set us up bastard…" Grumbling, Ann huffs eyeing the lack of sofa, she knew was he was playing at, glaring glowering at the sandy sheet below brow furrowed, she could already see his plan working her freaking out over the single bed storming out in hopes of going to an inn where he would conveniently bump into her, supposedly convincing her to join him but for what? Ann had no clue, the most obvious answer never was the one to really expect…what did he want from her? Ann couldn't help but furrow her brow befuddled by it all…
"You just realized." Aokiji yawns leaning back on the bed brow furrowed.
"Course not I just urgh…!" Ann groans plopping her head gently down on the wall below brow furrowed from it all, she could see her attempt at trying to get to the inn would lead to a sandstorm, a convenient one out of nowhere forcing her either back in where crocodile would supposedly save and comfort her convince her to come to his room or she would be caught up in said sandstorm and end up unconscious waking up right in Crocodile's hand or well…hook.
"You what?" Annoyed, Aokiji furrows his brow at her as her hues narrow at him.
"Could you have been any more ruder?" Sighing, she changes topic brow furrowed eyeing the man that had been rather blatant much to her surprise.
"I was civil." Curtly, he shrugs staring the fact firmly.
"That was you civil!? That was you civil!?" Confused, Ann couldn't help but scowl sharply at him.
"He isn't a warlord for nothing and these saps worship the sand he stands on." Snippily, Aokiji grumbles.
"Or well he is made of…hey!" Ann whines at the pillow thrown her way.
"You're going to be frozen if you keep that up." Kuzan scowls at Ann.
"And you're going to be kicked out if you keep that up." Ann throws the pillow back brow furrowed from his attitude.
"Keep what up?" Aokiji arches a brow by her sharp scowl.
"That!? This whole relaxing thing! We're in a warlord's territory we have to be on our toes for all we know that bastard could have set that sandstorm up." Anxiously, Ann argues.
"He probably did." Aokiji places one leg over the other.
"Probably?! And you're okay with it?" Ann scowls.
"We knew what we were getting into when it came to coming here, this is his territory we have to deal with what comes." Aokiji asserts aloofly as Ann approaches the bed, letting out a small yawn of sorts shyly.
"Urgh….I get you ate the chill fruit but do you have to be so chill?" Tiredly, Ann huffs plopping herself down on the bed brow furrowed,
"Someone has to balance you out." Calmly, Kuzan drapes his arm over her.
"Urgh…I'm not that bad." Ann dismisses turning her head away.
"Says the girl who broke Sakazuk's leg not to mention is the only person who's ever gotten Kizaru to shut up." Amused, Aokiji argues as he brings her closer.
"They were pissing me off." Ann argues.
"They were your superiors. They still are." Aokiji reminds her.
"Sakazuki wanted to murder a whole family just for being related to a single private and Kizaru knows not to piss me off." Ann asserts unfazed at the disgusting memory of it all.
"Well that pirate could have been hiding in there or they could have been protecting him." Aokiji argues as Ann furrows her brow.
"So they have to die? They can't be interrogated? There are other ways outside death to get answers they could have been threatened they could have been taken into protection…" Easily, Ann lists off brow furrowed.
"…Why were you even at the pirate king's execution?" Kuzan changes the topic taking Ann aback at it.
"Why wouldn't I be? The king of pirates was to be executed, his era was about to end that's something you have got to see." Smoothly, she partially lies glancing to the side.
"Hmm…" Humming, Kuzan looks up at the ceiling above, bringing Ann closer to his side.
"Look I appreciate you looking out for me but I can take care of myself." Ann assures him as she nuzzles into his chest.
"I know you can." Softly, he whispers, his lips briefly pecking her temple.
"So why butt in?" Gently, Ann asks brow furrowed.
"Because if you did actually harm him you'd be dead." Deadpanned, Aokiji answers.
"…Oh ye of little faith…so…why were you so mad?" Mystified, Ann asks as she smirks softly if only he knew…Ann couldn't help but furrow her brow briefly by the sharp sting of guilt gnawing away at her but brushes it aside.
"We were dining with a pirate." Pointedly, Aokiji deadpans making Ann grimace briefly by the poison pouring out of his tense tone.
"Beggars can't be choosers urgh come on let's just get some sleep." Strained, she smiles.
"It's not that bad it's big enough for us to be on our separate sides." Kuzan describes eyeing the bed below.
"Yeah but there's only one blanket." Bluntly, Ann deadpans.
"I thought you went to the new world…Beggars can't be choosers Ann." Amused, Aokiji argues.
"God you're an icehole." Ann huffs as Aokiji simply smirks by her words.
"Didn't know you were so interested in my behind Ann." Amused, Aokiji brings her closer, his arms coiled around her waist bringing her close.
"O-OI! What are you doing?" Ann gawks at the blanket being draped over the two.
"What does it look like? We did it before at the witches what's the difference?" Aokiji argues his head plopping down on top of hers.
"You know the difference!" Blushing, she glares up at the icehole simply smirking down at her holding her as she curls into his side.
"We're in a desert." He simply shrugs.
"I was sick ass I couldn't argue against you." Lightly, Ann hits his shoulder.
"Argue? I didn't hear you complaining as you nuzzled into my side." Smirking, he catches said fist entwining his fingertips with hers.
"I will end you." Scowling, she glares lightly at the smirking Kuzan.
"I'm sure." Smirking, he lightly pecks her hand bringing a rushing wave of ruby red to his crimson cheeks.
"Aw come on Ann don't pout." Kuzan calls out as she turns her back to him, heading out of the bed or trying to return to lookout if not for the arms around her waist gently stopping her.
"I'm not pouting." Ann argues smirking slightly at him.
"Just come to bed." Kuzan plops his head into the crook of her neck.
"Don't wanna…" Ann groans.
"You'd prefer to sleep on rock then in the same bed as me." Mischievously, Kuzan nuzzles closer into the crook of her neck bringing a small shy smile to her lips when feeling his shy stubble.
"Beggars can't be choosers Kuzan." Amused, Ann argues as she turns her head to face him smiling softly.
"Really using that line again?" Amused, his grip tightens around her as she drapes her arm over his shoulder.
"You used it against me first urgh…I bet the marines already are already coming up with shit about us I bet you." Ann argues as she feels his grip loosen while she goes back over to the lookout, brow furrowing from the bright blaring lights of the inn, what did Crocodile want with her? What was it he wanted? An inside agents on the marines? He was a warlord but he could only get so much…
"And when have you cared what they thought?" Kuzan's thoughts snap her out of her thoughts.
"…" Quietly, she turns to face him furrowing her brow at him, her hues gazing into his, her arms "crossed over her chest, trying to ignore the guilt gnawing away at her…
"Just get in here." Softly, he tells her, opening his arms out to her.
"Urgh fine…but if your hands…" Sighing, she slides back in brow furrowed nuzzling into his side.
"They won't I heard you the first time." Aokiji assures as the two lean into one another sharing body heat what if with the icy chilly temperature of the nightlife of Arabasta.
"Tch…just to warn you, I kick a lot in my sleep." Ann argues.
"Hm…" Humming, he nuzzles into her side softly, stubble brushing against the crook of her neck.
"And snore." Sternly, she adds as she feels her legs tangle with his long legs.
"You're really not going to let me sleep are you." Aokiji sighs softly.
"Bingo was his namo." Smirking, she softly pokes his nose bringing a small soft smile to his lips.
"So…you went to Roger's execution…" Aokiji furrows his brow at her.
"This again? Well yeah…it was a big thing at the time you know? A whole era was changing…it still is changing I suppose, I wonder what the future will bring?" Ann couldn't help but ponder to herself.
"More scummy pirates after that treasure he mentioned." Akoji's grip tightens around the anxious Ann grimacing glancing to the side scowling.
"You really think all pirates are scum?" Shyly, Ann asks as she removes herself slightly from Aokiji, his brow furrowing from her words.
"All they do is cause trouble I wouldn't have this job if it weren't for them." Aokiji argues.
"Do you…do you think Gol. D Roger is scum?" Softly, Ann asks Aokiji.
"He's king of the scum." Aokiji asserts as Ann couldn't help but grimace.
"That so…seems things will be getting more interesting from here on then." Tense, Ann remarks shyly scooting away.
"…He called you Portgas not Monkey…you call vice admiral Garp gramps…what's the story there?" Aokiji asks as Ann curls in on herself.
"You interested?" Ann arches a brow at him.
"No one really knows you." Aokiji argues almost oblivious to her scooting away.
"…Maybe that's a good thing." Tense, Ann turns on her side curling in on herself.
"Maybe that's a bad thing." Aokiji drapes his arm over her bringing her back.
"Maybe you're just being naïve." Pained, Ann whispers weakly, the guilt gnawing away as she curls in on herself.
"Hm?" He removes his black oval lenses from his hues, placing them on the tableside cabinet.
"Nothing…it doesn't really matter." Ann smiles strained pained.
"Your grandfather is a marine hero I think that's pretty important." Kuzan asserts as he turns to face her beneath said sheet with her, his head leant on his inner palm staring at her.
"This coming from the Garp fanboy." Smirking, Ann argues as she copies his stance, reaching over gently poking his nose.
"Fanboy?" Frowning, he blinks befuddled by her coy chuckle.
"Oh come on for someone who always acts so cool and composed as soon as you see gramps you act like a schoolboy." Smirking, Ann argues recalling his fanboyish tendencies just from her old man entering the room.
"I do not." Aokiji refuses.
"Oh come on don't deny it your eyes light up and you follow him around." Amused, Ann asserts.
"I never didn't think you'd notice me that much." Aokiji admits slightly surprised and almost relieved she always seemed so focus on her work…a small shy smile crosses Akoji's lips.
Well whenever I'm yelling at the old man you tend to be nearby." Ann points out recalling the loitering man either hitting on someone or just loitering about just staring or sleep standing, a feat she never understood how he could accomplish.
"…Can't believe you dodged his fist of love." Aokiji shakes his head.
"Eh when you've grown up with it you train yourself to." Ann shrugs sheepishly recalling Garp's form of love.
"Hmm…so what is with the Portgas? Why aren't you Monkey?" Aokiji repeats the question.
"Ah it's not that cool of a tale my mother raised me, so I took her name my dad on the other hand…" Anguished, Ann tells the tale she told so many times unable to look him in the eye as she gives the tale she recited to countless people.
"Died…Kureha told me, that must have been hard." Aokiji cuts her off making her sigh.
"Eh it's just how it is, life just threw a curveball at me faster than some." Strained, she smiles pained at him, it was strange she had told this tale time and time again had recited it time and time again and sometimes she felt as if that were the story but she knew the truth…and hiding it from him…hurt all the more.
You caught that ball well." Aokiji gives her that earning a coy chuckle from Ann.
"Heh thanks…" Ann smiles sadly at him, ignoring the faint shudder crawling down her spine.
"You're shivering." Softly, he whispers bringing her closer.
"I'm fine." Feebly, she lies blinking back the tears threatening to freely fall.
"If you say so…" Softly, Kuzan shrugs as the two settle turning their backs to one another as they fall to their respective dream, oblivious to their frigid forms soon joining one another as the sleeping Kuzan drapes his arm over the anguished Ann, sleeping sombrely side, her head on his chest, beneath his head nuzzling into her neck as they fall asleep, clinging to one another in a world of their own oblivious to the tear freely falling from the freckled features of the blonde below…
*So I have to say this, this is pre-timeskip Kuzan, the one during Ohara that's why he says what he does also I have to ask how do you think Ann feels about Kuzan? How Kuzan feels about Ann? What did you think of Crocodile? Would love to know your thoughts!*