So sorry it took so long to update this. I have been having a lot of health issues that have really been kicking my but the last few months. I also had some writer's block about halfway through and was foolish enough to add an extra class this semester so I am having even more issues with keeping up than I was before with College.
The chapter ended up being 15,018 words, (not including author's notes, so pretty long), so not quite twice the length of what I usually write, but that was giving me issues too. Anyway, Hope everyone enjoys! Also, sorry to anyone I forgot to message back. I was looking through everything today and did notice that I did end up doing that with a few people that were kind enough to give me some feedback on this chapter when I had writer's block.
I did take things that people said to me into account while writing this chapter, though. I had interned to message back and I really wasn't feeling great for about a week and honestly totally forgot. I will write these things down in the future to remind myself. I really appreciated all of the input and help I was given! I really don't want any of you to think that I didn't so Thank you all so much!
Start Chapter 10
Crocodile woke muggy-headed and pleasantly warm, though confused as to why he had woke up. The man rubbed his eyes and smiled a little at how good he felt. Even his stump wasn't feeling too bad and the pain was usually at Its worse as for the brunet as he was going to sleep and right as he was waking up. As the first one up, for once, Crocodile expertly detangled himself from the surrounding blankets and sat up, his arms automatically going to wrap themselves around Luffy.
The man's eyes jerked open when his arms met nothing but naked torso. His pup wasn't nestled into him anymore. How did that even happen? He wasn't exactly the heaviest sleeper in the world. "What the-" Crocodile grumbled under his breath. Why was he even freaking out like that? He'd just snatch him back from the stupid bird. Who did that idiot think he was, stealing the brat from him like that?! Huffing under his breath, the man turned to where Doflamingo was laying or… well, should have been laying. All that was laying in the blond's place was an oversized, ugh, flamingo-shaped pillow saturated in the alpha's scent. It had clearly been drenched to 'comfort' Crocodile. The nerve of that bird bastard! Like he needed or wanted anything like that! Where was Luffy? That's who he…. Needed to sooth… something? Anxiety spiked through the brunet in a way he couldn't remember feeling since he was a young, insecure pup. Where was he? Where was he?! Where was his-his where was Luffy?
Crocodile immediately dug through the blankets, instincts demanding he do so and no one was there to judge. Where was Doflamingo? The guy practically had baby radar when it came to Luffy! Why was he feeling so damn overwhelmed? He hadn't had an episode in ages! Grabbing the blankets, Crocodile decided to just toss them feeling more and more frantic in his search as his instincts insisted the pup was still there and rapid-fire thoughts of possibly accidentally dropping or squishing the infant wouldn't leave his mind. Had someone taken the pup? Doflamingo would have at least left a note if he planned to leave with Lu for a bit. Crocodile's observation Haki was far from the best, but it, just like his instincts, kept insisting that the infant was right there. Clearly, that wasn't right, though! Throwing some of the blankets aside with a growl, the brunet froze when he heard an alarmed squeak. Relief hit the man so hard if he let out a shuddered, overwhelmingly happy chirp… well, who was Lu going to tell?
Curled up in the very corner of the nest, near the end of the bed, was a blurry-eyed Luffy. He had apparently been under the main layer of covers. How the hell had he got over there, though? Under there? Doflamingo would have never placed him that far from either of them and if he ever even thought about it, Crocodile would have most definitely have kicked his ass. Anxiety spiked through the man as the realization that Luffy was lucky, especially at his age that he hadn't suffocated under those layers. It could have been a very real possibility and he had just been snoozing away just outside of touching distance from him!
"Lu, what are you doing all the way over there?" Crocodile huffed, calming down a bit as the infant made a needy little burble for the man and immediately aimed tiny grabby hands at his fellow brunet. The moment Luffy was scooped up, he was desperately clinging and nuzzling into the man's chest and trying his best to rub himself against the underside of the older brunet's chin. Making desperate little 'love me' mewls.
"It's alright, Lu. I'm here." Crocodile rasped, rubbing comforting circles against the infant's back. He really wished the pup could tell him how the hell he got over there and where his asshole daddy was. He sighed, "Your so damn demanding and loud 99% of the time and you couldn't have spoken up a bit? Not even a little?" Crocodile grumbled, tone mildly scolding as he pulled the pup away to eye him, getting confused wide, trusting eyes and a questioning little peep. If he were anyone else, Crocodile's heart may have stuttered in his chest, but he wasn't that sort of sentimental weak-willed person, not at all! Maybe…
"Ugh, your attempts at buttering me up don't work! Not at all!" Crocodile mumbled, red-faced as he tucked the pup against himself and ran his chin over the infant's head. To take away the flamingo's stink, of course! It was not at all because he may have suddenly had an even stronger urge to scent him than before or anything…. And Chirping/chuffing was just a totally normal side-effect of interacting with a happy chirpy baby was all! How was the man supposed to resist when Luffy was back to being a criminally adorable chirpy and smiley pup again? Of course, Crocodile's hand was tied! He had no choice but to chirp right back at Lu, only a monster of the worst kind could have resisted the urge!
Luffy let out a content little sound, wiggling a bit before he decided he was comfortably nestled with his head in the crock of the brunet's neck. "You a little sleepy still, Lu? Alright, we can sleep a little longer. Just you and me without that annoying dad of yours stinking us up and trying to take your attention away or doing anything weird to me." The man said, his voice a content rumble. Crocodile smiled as Luffy sleepily snuggled into him. Clearly sniffing at his glands, making pleased little sounds.
"You like my smell Lu?" Crocodile chuckled. He laid himself back into his nest and pulling the blankets back over himself. Careful to not let Luffy slide off as he settled back in. The brunet then tucked the blankets to be just under his chin. Crocodile preferred to sleep that way and it made it easier to be able to cover Luffy's naked little back.
It was far from freezing in the room, thankfully. However, the man still preferred to be practically boiling and Crocodile didn't like keeping the infant uncovered, even if Luffy seemed comfortable. It wasn't that hard to keep the pup from rejecting the blankets as long as he was free to wiggle about and as long as they were at least covering part of his head. The man was very careful to keep the blanket from covering the pup's face. Honestly, an easy task when the infant was always so busy nuzzling beneath one's chin or practically suffocating himself vai shoving his nose into a scent gland. Lovey little thing that he was.
In the last few weeks, Luffy had begun to show a particular love for having his whole body completely covered in blankets and other soft fluffy things, especially if he was completely covered in them with just enough of an air hole he was lucky he didn't suffocate. He probably would have if Doflamingo wasn't such a diligent or well obsessive helicopter parent that hardly put the infant down, to be honest. Crocodile had an inkling that the pup would likely be a burrowing sort of nester. It left both Doflamingo and himself half-amused at the cuteness and half terrified the infant would suffocate to death if they didn't carefully watch him, especially when he got around to moving on his own. No matter what, the situation was unusual. Burrowing nesters weren't exactly common.
Crocodile just hoped that the bird idiot didn't have too many hid'e'holes at his home base for the brat to nest in! The man's ship was already a maze and a half and absolutely massive. They'd never find him and then he'd have to hear the bird bitch about it and worst of all, Crocodile himself, might end up having a heart attack over the runt!
The infant squirmed a little rubbing his face against Crocodile's bare shoulder and let out a lethargic little chirp that was quickly followed up by his signature squeaky purr that started and ended on repeat, signifying that not only was he incredibly content but fading in and out of sleep.
"That's a good pup." Crocodile rasped, rubbing circles on Luffy's back, just like Doflamingo had taught him. He continued rubbing gentle but firm circles until the pup went still and his purrs petered out completely. Then that soft comforting breathing hit his ears like a sleeping spell.
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The next time Crocodile woke up, it was to the familiar sounds of Luffy's insistent merps and the now familiar feeling of a face rooting around. He groaned, supporting the pup as he sat up. Why was that brat so obsessed with his tits? He was the only one that the infant did it to and it wasn't like Crocodile was producing or anything. He wasn't even a proper omega and the kid had been on a bottle since he was born!
"No sucking those, there's nothing in there!" The man grumbled, holding the pup up to eye level so he could scold him. Crocodile sighed and absolutely didn't melt or smile at the utterly puzzled look he got and indigent squeak Luffy made at being forced away from his chest seconds before he could latch on.
"Don't get all grumpy with me Mr. or I might not want to feed ya'!" Crocodile mocked, throwing his legs over the side of the bed and got up. He thought about getting dressed before heading out into the shared common space, opposed to the private apartment-like space set up for Doflamingo. If anyone knew where the dumbass was, it would be his crew. It seemed like the lot of them were long since trained on keeping track of the idiot.
Crocodile wrapped Luffy up the best he could and laid him back on the bed. His rolling around made the man nervous to turn his back for long if the pup wasn't sitting with someone. Luffy had begun to try and roll around when he wasn't being held or cuddled up with. After that, the brunet tossed on a pair of sleep pants and draped his new jacket over his shoulders.
"Alright, brat, time to see that weirdo family of yours. I'm sure they'll have your formula out there somewhere." Crocodile told the infant, getting an irritated huff from the pup. "Don't be sassing me! Normal babies like to be all bundled up like this," Luffy made a disgusted squeak and began squirming but was too tightly burritoed to get free. "It's true, your just weird! Now don't take that tone of voice with me brat!" Crocodile teasingly scolded, an unconscious grin lighting up his face at the pouty little glare he got. Ugh, why did his chest do all of those annoying squirmy things anytime he got a reaction from Lu?
"Hey, hey! Crocy! You're finally awake! Bwehehe, I was starting to get worried! Doffy said you get up early as him, but it's already noon! Doffy fed Lu-Lu a few hours ago and he said you didn't move an inch, so he was going to let you sleep a bit longer." Trebol explained, though didn't get up from his spot at the table he and a few other executives were eating at, like he usually would have.
"Noon?" Crocodile sputtered. "Why didn't the moron wake me up? I wanted to get that unwanted guest taken care of before we left for the day! I had the whole morning planned out." The man huffed. Seeing the book bag full of Luffy's things sitting near the end of the table Crocodile shifted Luffy to his left side and reached forward. He squawked and thrashed when he was wrenched into a familiar lap.
"God damned bastard! I'll rip your throat out in your sleep for this!" Crocodile snarled, his face went red as the rest of the executives laughed their asses off at his expense. Assholes, the whole lot of them! And he was actually thinking he might be able to tolerate being around them for a little bit longer than planned! God, he despised this man! He had actually thought the bastard might just…-
"Get off of me, you slimy prick!" Crocodile barked, trying to worm his way out of the other man's lap and out of those grabby hands without accidentally dropping a very startled Luffy.
"Settle down, Pretty.~ Fufu, I was getting worried you and our Sweet little Treasure were sick or something! Are you feeling alright? I ordered some soup for you Lovely. Do you want some soup?~ I got you some more pretty blankets to and I ordered a surprise I think you are really going to like for your hook!" Doflamingo fussed. Nuzzling his face against Crocodile's and sniffed at the man before moving to Luffy, who was still a bit bewildered-looking. "Hummm, you both still smell fine, just like last time I checked."
"You were sniffing me in my sleep?"
"Of course, Pretty! Don't worry, I wouldn't ever do that with anyone but you and Luffy or our dear family!~"
Crocodile gave the other man the whale eye, growling under his breath when the long-limbed blond continued to positively beam at him. God, he was so frign' nuts and inappropriate and somehow, in that moment, the weirdo came off as some sweet, socially inept thing. Ugh, being around the bastard was doing the weirdest things to him! He couldn't be thinking the pink moron was being, god forbid, sweet…. Or cute or anything ridiculous and irritating like that! He was a man and didn't do cute or sweet or cuddly…. As if reading Crocodile's broody thoughts, Luffy let out one of his demanding 'pay attention to me' merps that had Crocodile running fingers through the pup's fluffy hair. Well… he wasn't a total ass. He made exceptions for infants. Er… Luffy in particular. But the brunet swore, only the worst monster alive couldn't love that kid.
"Can I sit up now?"
"But you fit in my lap so nice Pretty! Fufu!"
"Well, you're pissing off Luffy and I don't want to have to listen to another hunger fit today."
Doflamingo grimaced, helping the other man up at that. Though he wrapped an arm around his brunet to force him to stay seated in his lap, much to the other man's clear irritation. "Well then, we can't have that! Our poor hungry boy~ It's a good thing my Devil fruit's so handy or you or your gorgeous Mommy might have had to leave my lap." Doflamingo purred, flexing his fingers a bottle full of water zipped across the room. "Thankfully, that didn't have to happen because Daddy would be so sad then!"
"Here we are, Sweetness!" The man cooed, snickering when Luffy's volume immediately picked up and his merps become all about being hungry instead of wanting attention. Those great big peepers zeroed in on the bottle in his father's hand as Doflamingo began putting his formula in the bottle and thoroughly shaking it. Luffy's meal was taken care of and he was guzzling down his first portion seconds later as the infant eagerly latched on.
"So Pretty… What would you like to do first? We could go and gamble a bit, there's a spa~ and private hot springs… We could go to the race track or see a concert? Then we can wreak a little havoc and end our day with Luffy's aunties and uncles getting to spend some quality time with him~ Bon and Buffalo were talking about how much they wanted to play with our sweet boy later!" Doflamingo purred, running a finger down Crocodile's cutely scarred nose, getting an unimpressed look.
"Neh, neh, Crocy! It says here that they have a new exhibit house at the zoo! Bwehehehe, your name's Crocodile and the new exhibit is Crocodilians of the world, isn't that funny Crocy?" Trebol exclaimed, waving the flyer he had in his hand at the red-faced brunet.
"Oh, Crocy~ That's a super cute nickname! I think I'll use it sometimes to!" Doflamingo cooed, rubbing his face against the smaller man's neck.
"Let me see that." Crocodile demanded, trying to pretend he hadn't even heard what the bird had said.
"Bwehe, you could say please, ya know!" Trebol pointed out, though his tone of voice was good-humored as he went to hand the flyer over anyway.
Crocodile Elbowed Doflamingo. "Be useful and grab that for me."
"Fufufu, you don't have to be so mean Crocy I'd do it anyways."
"This, this is what I want to do. I wanna' go here! Then we can bring Lu to. It says here that it's open until 6. If we hurry up, we could get nearly 5 hours in. Plenty of time to see the main exhibits." Crocodile insisted speaking with more enthusiasm than one would think possible for the usually aloof man after just a few minutes of the brunet looking over the flyer.
"Go to the zoo?" Doflamingo asked, nonexistent eyebrow raised.
"Yeah! It's a great family activity, don't you think?" Crocodile said, knowing that Doflamingo would melt in a second if he worded his demand in such a way.
Doflamingo let out a chuff and eagerly kissed at the other man's face, ignoring the annoyed look he got in return. "Of course, Croco! You and me and our sweet little baby~ Get to show the both of my Lovelies off!" Doflamingo purred, utterly enamored by the idea. Doing stereotypical family things with his 'mate' and baby. Showing off his gorgeous perfect budding family to everyone possible. The thought made him so so happy! It was just weird that Croco decided on such a mundane thing when they could do absolutely anything that they wanted. Though the young alpha was just happy that his Pretty was accepting him and their Lu so much better now. It was a dream come true!
Crocodile went red but was too happy that he got his way to get too irritated, especially when he wanted to leave right away. The brunet snatched up a piece of pizza from one of the platters sitting in the middle of the table and practically inhaled it before getting up, Luffy in arms, and carrying the pup back to the bedroom. The man finished up dressing after that and picked out a comfortable but tasteful-looking outfit for Luffy. If only Luffy agreed.
"Flamingo, get your ass in here and help me!" Crocodile shouted after probably a good 5 to 10 minutes of struggling against the pup's frantic squirming.
"Not until you call me by my name~"
Crocodile growled under his breath, "Alright then, Doflamingo, get your lazy ass in here!"
Doflamingo came through the door, arms crossed and pouting like a wronged child. "No, that's not it either! Fufu, I call you Croco and you call me Doffy!"
Crocodile sputtered, glaring at the other man. "I'm not calling you some-some pet name!"
"It's not a pet name, it's what my family calls me~"
Luffy made a disgusted squeak pushing at Crocodile with all of his strength.
"Ugh, whatever! Doffy help me get him in these," Crocodile sighed, holding up a maroon-colored sweatshirt and a pair of tiny khakis and a cute little pair of red socks with dinosaurs on them.
Doflamingo grimaced, "Why don't we put the pink onesie on him? Those ones are making Luffy sad with how dark and boring they are!"
"We are the adults here. I don't care if 'Luffy' thinks they're boring. Do you want Luffy cold and miserable just because 'he' prefers that pink thing? I don't!" Crocodile pointed out, rolled his eyes. "That reminds me, after the zoo, I want us to find a few things for Lu. He doesn't have nearly enough warm stuff for this sort of climate. I know he stays inside a lot, but that isn't an excuse to not be prepared. Luffy's just a pup and isn't a particularly chunky one, so he'll get colder easier than we do." Crocodile said, ignoring the way Doflamingo continued to pout even as the man did as he was told and dressed the glaring infant.
"Thanks… I guess… now you're the only one left. Go get your ass snazzied up. You have 10 minutes or we're leaving without you." Crocodile insisted, laying back on the bed with Luffy pressed against his shoulder to try and calm the fussing, clearly furious infant.
"30, there is no way I can get ready so quickly! I mean, look at me!" Doflamingo insisted, making an up and down gesture at himself. "Perfection takes time!"
"I got dressed in 10 and I'm missing a hand, sorry if I'm not feelin' pity for you!"
"20 then!"
"I've seen your version of perfection, 10's plenty."
Doflamingo sputtered, frowning at his Croco, offended. He wouldn't even get to take a shower! The blond grumbled to himself, Doffy was gorgeous! The tone of voice his Pretty was using was clearly sarcastic. The blond huffed. Clearly, Croco was just being ornery again. That had to be it because Doflamingo was most definitely an absolutely a fashion icon!
"Fine-fine Pretty! I'll make it work… I guess." Doflamingo sighed out dramatically. Stripping there and then.
"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Crocodile shouted, quickly quieting down and rubbed at Luffy's back after the pup let out an annoyed sound. Though, he still gave the other man death eyes to make sure he knew he was still judging him.
"Getting dressed Pretty~" Doflamingo purred, the grin on his face teasing. "You've had me in you plenty, don't tell me that seeing all of me is making you flustered my Croco? Fufufufufu!"
Crocodile decided not to react to the other man's teasing. Honestly, it just wasn't worth the further embarrassment the man would cause. Crocodile cringed when the blond clearly was eying some neon pink thing with bright orange and red flames all over it. "Not that one! Wear that black button-up! Yeah, that one with that red tie! I like when you wear that one." Crocodile exclaimed, tone pleased when the blond alpha held up the items the brunet had insisted upon. Actually listening to him.
Doflamingo preened, eager to do as the his pretty brunet asked, spinning in a circle for the other man, no bottoms on. "My Croco thinks I look good in this one? That I'm especially handsome? Fufufu, or do I look distinguished?~"
"Put some pants on."
"Of course, pretty~ What else do you want me to wear?"
"What am I playing, 'lets dress the full grown man' with you now?" Crocodile grumbled, rolling his eyes.
"I like being pretty for you Pretty~." Doflamingo purred, his strange eyes practically sparkling with child-like delight and a less appropriate excitement, "Being your sexy boy toy dress-up doll~ Makes me feel like I belong to my Crocy even more! Now, tell me what else you like on me, my Croco. Let me be pretty for you~."
"Oh, gods! We're just heading to the zoo!"
"So? Is it wrong to want to look good for my Crocodile?"
"Ugh, Don't say things like that!" Crocodile sputtered, face once again bright red as he covered it with his hand. "I li-Those black dress pants you have or those red ones with the black designs on them, the ones that are the same color as the tie! And put on some damn boxers while you're at it!" Crocodile barked, pointedly focusing on Luffy, who was nuzzling at his covered glands with wide confused eyes and a determined expression on his face.
"You want to smell more like me Lu?" Crocodile murmured, slipping his arm from his jacket and pulling his sleeve down with his teeth to present his wrist gland to Luffy getting several delighted chirps and squeaky trills when he began rubbing it over the pup's face and neck. The infant more than happy to be marked by the man eagerly nuzzled into the wrist and let out a happy little purr, himself.
"Fufufu, My lovelies are so cute together!~" The young alpha purred, grinning ear to ear as he slipped something into his pocket. "I guess I'm ready my Pretty." Doflamingo exclaimed, throwing his mantle over his shoulders. His shoes already on and a more decorative set of his signature shades were already picked out and perching on his nose. "I had Pica fill up some bottles and had him take some of Lu's toys and clothes from his bag to make it easier. Apparently, Bentham and his crew made some carry sling things for Lu that Pink insists that Lu-Lu doesn't seem to mind being in. I don't know about doing that though… I mean if it comes down to it I have pockets so…."
"First off, you are not putting my so-kid…KID, the kid in your damn pocket! How many times do we have to go over this? Secondly, I don't care what you keep insisting. You and I, both know, there isn't any damn pockets in that thing!"
Crocodile grimaced at the full-out beaming that the other man was doing at him. So excited and happy that he didn't even try to defend that monstrosity that he wore like he usually would. Ugh! That was a super disturbing look on Doflamingo's face; seriously, he needed to stop!
"Croco~' Doflamingo cooed, the vibrating undertones of an enamored purr rumbling through his words. "Such a good momma for our Lu-Lu, look at our Sweetness. He loves you so much, already! Fufu, I'm so happy! My Croco loving and accepting our baby!" Doflamingo murmured, making his way over to his sweet lovelies and nuzzled his cheek against Crocodile's. The blond then, pecked kisses all over his pretty's adorable scar. He managed to ignore Crocodile's fussing and flustered behavior and even managed to resist Luffy's indignant squeaks and demands to be included in being kissed and scented as well. Looking into Croco's big beautiful dark eyes, Doflamingo's heart swelled with absolute adoration. His perfect beautiful Crocodile, the loveliest man he'd ever laid eyes on! With that stunning cruelty and ferocity and cunning that could rival his own, the body of a god, and the fierce and vicious love of a mother Crocodile guarding his eggs when it came to those he cared for. The smaller man's namesake suited him perfectly. He couldn't have been more perfect if Doflamingo had built him with his own two hands to be his ideal mate.
"S-Shut up! Let's get going before it's not even worth going!" Crocodile grumbled, though it was far more a half-hearted thing than Doflamingo had expected, his Croco even sounded a little pleased in his opinion. Was he finally wearing his pretty down?!
The blond couldn't resist scenting his Lu a bit and peppering his face with kisses before relenting and letting his Pretty get up. The blond ignored Crocodile's annoyed growl as the young alpha snatched up Luffy.
Doflamingo had begun to feel a bit anxious. Crocodile had been holding his pup far more than Doflamingo permitted the others to do. It had been more tolerable before when they mostly laid in bed. The thought of taking Luffy out in public was stressful and his tolerance for others holding his precious Treasure was thin. Especially after the day before.
The young alpha grinned happily as Luffy let out a pleased little mewl, happily rubbing his face against the feathers from the man's mantle draping around him. Doflamingo loosely wrapped one of the soft yarned baby blankets that he had made for the pup. This was after, Philipe(One of Bentham's crewmates, thus his sweet Croco's), had shown him the pattern to make it. This was after Doflamingo himself and Lao G(who had taken up knitting after attending Bentham's crew's craft Saturdays) had gone to one of the crafting days. As long as the man kept Luffy's arms free, the infant would be reasonably complacent with being wrapped up. That reminded him, Doffy needed to find a high-quality craft store so they could get some more yarn that wouldn't bother his sweet boy's sensitive omegan skin. Of course, he could make some sort of material that he could use, having the string fruit, but it just wasn't the same.
Doflamingo hadn't yet had the chance to show the pup what he had made him. Thankfully, much to the man's delight, Luffy let out a delighted burble as he kneaded the soft thing with curious fingers, making the blond practically swoon in happiness that his boy liked the blanket he had made for him so much. Feeling completely flattered when the infant eagerly nuzzled his face into the soft fabric and made eager little chirps at the man. Practically saying, 'look at this soft fluffy thing I have! I love it so much, isn't this fluffy thing just the best thing ever?' It had Doffy struggling not to keen in melted adoration. His sweet boy was just so so cute!
"Why is he fine with you wrapping him up but not me? That isn't even the proper way to wrap a baby up! You've got to swaddle them like a burrito!" Crocodile guffed, totally outraged looking.
"Fufu, Pretty, you've got to give Lu-Lu the illusion of having some freedom and choice or he'll bluster and complain to the end of time! Isn't that right Sweetness?~ My silly fussy boy, so opinionated! Do you like the fluffy blanket Daddy made for you Treasure?" Doflamingo crooned, grinning ear to ear as he playfully rubbed noses with Luffy, who let out a delighted squeal as he did so. "Oh, you flatter me so! Fufu, My cute little free-spirited sweetie pie!~ Yes you are, so cute and sweet and so so stubborn! Just like your Mommy and Daddy!~ Such a good boy, Daddy loves you so much! Yes, I do!"
Crocodile huffed, not at all fighting down a purr or endeared sounds! Maybe someone else may have, but he wasn't absolutely melting at the sight of Doflamingo and their-the pup being all sweet and lovey-dovey with each other! Especially with the bird's half chuffed words or even when the man let off an incredibly parental protective/devoted adoring scent! His cheeks just felt hot because he was getting so annoyed by how long they were taking, that's all! A man like him didn't get all doughy and soft anred-cheeked like some prepubescent omegan boy going through his first real crush and watching that crush cooing over a pup or something all sweet like! Crocodile especially didn't envy or feel the slightest bit of insecurity or jealousy when Doffy was nuzzled so enthusiastically or delightedly squeaked and chirped and trilled at while being grinned at with Lu's special sunshine smile either, not at all!
The brunet grabbed his hook and mace and carefully secured them over his stump, feeling safer after he was done. So what if he was maybe watching Doflamingo being fawned over by Luffy the whole time? "Come on, Flamingo bastard, stop stalling already! I wanna' get there while it's still worth it!" Crocodile barked, not at all pouting when Luffy happily snuggled into the bastard's hideous feathered mantle. Nor did he get all mushy and flustered when the pair beamed at him, not at all!
"Oh! Look at how happy the masters are! Little master's back to being his normal self, so smiley and darling!~" Jora cooed.
"Awe, Lu-Lu! Back to being his cute happy self!~ Bwehehe, Not being hungry or stressed out, making our adorable little nephew all wide-eyed and chirpy again!" Trebol exclaimed, "Ne-Neh, Isn't that right, Lu-Lu? So happy and cute!" Trebol chuffed and grinned as Luffy trilled happily back at him. Then the man glared in clear jealousy at the others as they began to let out familial chuffs and distracted his adorable nephew's attention from him! How could they?! Taking away his special moment with his adorable nephew! Clearly, they were doing their best to usurp him as favorite uncle!
The pup letting out delighted mews and squeaks and burbles in response to the other executives at the table making affectionate possessive chuffs to him. Luffy absolutely preened. Practically basking in the loving attention, he was getting from his most special favorite people!
Diamante and Jora were quick to get up to join the little family to the zoo getting Crocodile to let out an annoyed growl. This trip was supposed to just be the Flamingo bastard and their-the pup! The three of them, not them and then some tag alongs!
The grouchy brunet scooped up the backpack with a curt thanks to Pica. After that, he gave Doflamingo a pointed look, who was of course too busy preening over Luffy's own delighted preening to notice. The Pink monstrosity wearing alpha positively stank of parental adoration and pride. Crocodile grumbled under his breath. He didn't want them to come with too! This was just supposed to be a trip with his- with the doofy idiot and sweet little Lu. Doflamingo and Luffy and Crocodile as a f- t-together! They were going to ruin the whole outing! Crocodile growled under his breath, annoyed with himself when he realized he felt more upset than angry or annoyed. When did he suddenly get so damn emotional?
"If you don't hurry up I'll leave you behind, flamingo!" Crocodile snarled, crossing his arms as he stormed towards the door.
"Croco!" Doflamingo guffed, easily catching up to the brunet in only a couple of quick strides, "alright-alright, I won't make my lovely wait any longer." The alpha crooned almost apologetically. He started petting his Lu-Lu's fluffy hair when the pup made a bewildered squeak at their quick departure from his Auntie and Uncles making sweet sounds at him.
"Not like it matters!" Crocodile grumbled, suddenly feeling like an emotional wreck. The lump in his throat felt like it was crushing him and his eyes were suddenly feeling exceptionally moist. The man hadn't hid the way he was feeling nearly as well as he thought he had as Doflamingo quite suddenly yanked the door closed before either Diamante or Jora could follow the trio.
"Hey, what's wrong Pretty? Are you still not feeling well?" Doflamingo fussed, immediately sniffing at the man.
"No! I-I'm fine! Why would you think anything was wrong?" Crocodile huffed.
Doflamingo frowned, "CrocodileCrocodile." He pressed, tone dead serious.
Crocodile stiffened as the blond carefully pulled him into an embrace, tucking him under his chin and nuzzled affectionately, like one would do to gentle their mate. The brunet went red-faced but still found himself relaxing into the hold, especially after Luffy chirped so sweetly for him, seeming to thoroughly enjoy having the pair so close to him. The infant going from looking mildly stressed to making his strange adorable huffing laughter that sounded more like cheeky snickers.
"Now, what has you in such a snit Croco?~ Hum?" Doflamingo asked, tone commanding yet honey-sweet. The younger man sighed, planting a kiss on Crocodile's hair, ignoring the flustered protests. "Come on, what has my lovely pretty so upset?"
"You'll laugh!" Crocodile grumbled, rubbing a finger over Luffy's nuzzling little head.
"Croco~ I just want to make you happy! What's the point of going out on your outing with our Lu-Lu if your not enjoying yourself? Tell me what's wrong so I can fix it for my beauty!~"
Crocodile unconsciously leaned into the man's affectionate embrace. "F-Fine! A grown man begging me like that," Crocodile huffed, absolutely not pouting up at the other man. "I'll tell ya'!"
Doflamingo happily peppered kisses over his pretty's lovely face, making sure to pay special attention to his cute scar. Letting out affectionate chuffs that had Luffy eagerly reciprocating with bubbly chirps.
Crocodile couldn't help but to chuckle under his breath at how absolutely delighted sounding and enthusiastic the pup was. Sweet little thing, Luffy was pure sunshine. The infant absolutely didn't soften the grouchy man from the rant he was practicing in his head, not at all! No one could butter him up so easily. Yet when he spoke the most embarrassing mushy, painfully insecure bit of drivel poured its way from his mouth.
"I wanted it to be just us…. No one else… I wanted us to go as a-a together…. I just wanted you… and me to see the Crocodiles with Lu." The older brunet managed to choke out. Cheeks almost florescent they were so red. He refused to make any eye contacted with the absolutely enthralled looking alpha.
"Croco!~ Pretty, we adore you too! Love my lovelies so much~!" Doflamingo crooned enthusiastically, chuffing, letting out an endeared trill at the end and pulling his collar aside so he could frantically rub his scent glands all over the faint-looking brunet. Luffy, of course, helped the best he could from his position until he decided that he, too, needed to be scented and that it was a travesty that he didn't positively stink of the man's strong possessive protective smelling scent gland oils like he loved to so much nor was his daddy nuzzling him like he was his special 'mommy' person and if he got to be loved on like that then Luffy absolutely should be to! Luffy let out a loud pathetic squeak.
Crocodile snorted, "needy little thing." He grumbled good-naturedly. "Go on then, take care of Mr. Clingy. I'm sure everyone within a mile's ganna be able to smell this stink! Get that one all stunk up to, before he gets all pouty." The brunet said, rolling his eyes as Luffy let a more annoyed sounding huff then began to trill and chirp in delight as Doflamingo began carefully but eagerly nuzzle Luffy and began running his oils through Luffy's hair and over the pup's developing neck and wrist glands. "My good boy!~" Doflamingo practically sang, having to force down the urge to drag both of his pretty's back to their room to cuddle and feed and groom the pair.
"Ugh, Doffy! Are the both of you done talking? Can we come in yet? Are we not still going to go?" Diamante's impatient-sounding voice called, only slightly muffled by the heavy mahogany and gold door between them.
Doflamingo snickered under his breath before opening the door, grinning ear to ear at the pair of executives. "Aunties and Uncles will have to entertain themselves for a little while, I'm afraid. Fufu, we're going to go on a cute Mommy and Daddy date with Lu!~" The blond exclaimed, fidgeting excitedly. The 'like a mated pair showing off their pup on their own for the first time in public' heavily implied.
Jora awwed, eyes practically sparkling at the thought of her young master going on a date with his Crocodile and the pair spending time with and showing off her adorable nephew. Everyone on the island would be jealous of how handsome the pair was and how incomparably perfect and lovely and cute Lu was!
Diamante wasn't nearly as enthusiastic about the idea of the pair taking his cute nephew on his first major kiddy trip without him. He wanted to take pictures and-and to spend the rest of the day cuddling and fawning and watching his precious little nephew seeing animals for the first time, damn it! He was sure it was going to be positively heart-melting! Besides, they hadn't got to have Lu-Lu to themselves in ages! He should definitely be allowed to come along and who was going to help guard his sweet little nephew if he didn't?
Already able to tell that Diamante was going to be nothing but a pouting downer, Doflamingo reassured him. "Don't worry, Uncle Diamante~ we'll all do something together later."
The man huffed, clearly not thrilled with the idea.
"Why don't you go to the basement? I was told they have that fighting ring all set up now~ with your talent, you could win easily!" Doflamingo practically purred, smirking as the other man's eyes lit up and he got all bashful and pink-cheeked.
Diamante waved the other man away, "I'm not that good! I'm sure someone there would be better than me!" He insisted.
"No, no Diamante! Even before you got your devil fruit, your sword skills had always been incredibly impressive to me! I doubt that anyone within 100 miles could best you, hell I'd say no one in all of the North Blue could best you!" Doflamingo insisted.
Diamante squawked, covering his face with one hand while shyly waving the other man's words of praise away even as he looked incredibly flattered, "You are giving me far too much credit flattering me like this!"
"Fine then, I guess you're not the best?" Doflamingo signed out, sounding disappointed as he spoke his words more in a questioning tone of voice, playing the other man with years worth of practiced ease.
"Okay okay! You are absolutely right! I am the best and I will prove it!" The much taller man crowed a pleased grin and a look of clear delighted flattery on his face as he preened and stood up stick straight.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course Doffy! You and Crocodile go ahead with Lu-Lu! I'll go win it all easily in the name of my adorable nephew of course, as I am the best uncle!" The man insisted, trying to shoo the pair to the door as he practically trembled with anticipation, mumbling about grabbing his sword and being the best uncle ever.
"You played him like a fiddle." Crocodile said once they were finally able to get out of the door. He tried not to pay much attention to the outraged shouts after he had heard Diamante's claims of being the best uncle before the snick of the door fully closing could be heard. The brunet looked like he was half-amused, half concerned.
Luffy let out an excitable sound as the pair walked down the twisting and turning hallways, Doflamingo easily navigating the place. The infant looked around with wide attentive eyes seeming to be enthralled by the change of scenery. It got a chuckle from both Doflamingo and Crocodile.
"Yes, well, Diamante's my family. We've all been together since I was a boy, so of course, I know all of the best ways to butter him up!" The alpha explained, tone and grin cheeky. His attention quickly getting caught by their Luffy's happy babbles and his slight leaning to try and get a better look around.
"Do you like seeing all of the new stuff Lu? Just like when Daddy redid the ship? Fufufu! My adventurous boy~ being all brave and curious!" Doflamingo kissed the pup's cheek when Luffy let out a happy little shriek in reply, then babbled up at him, grinning ear to ear. His sweet sweet precious boy not being anxious or cautious, made the blond feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Signs that his Treasure was a very happy, well cared for, secure feeling pup and he was a good good daddy that made his boy feel safe and loved. Especially as Luffy was behaving in such a way at such a young age as he was some sort of O dominant Omega, making him more prone to being sensitive to those sorts of things in a negative way.
Crocodile couldn't help but smile, amused, and not at all mushy at the sight of Doflamingo fawning over the Pup. No, he was only being influenced by the fact that the boy was so happy and excited sounding and smelling. The brunet absolutely wasn't melted at the sight of Doffy being a sweet father. Only the worst kind of person wouldn't be moved in some way by such a sweet pup being so content and happy smelling, making those wonderfully delighted babbles!
Luffy let out an interested sound as they stepped into the gold-gilded elevator. The dings went off for every floor they went past, looking this way and that trying to figure out where the strange sound was coming from, getting chuckles from both adults. As they left the elevator, the pup looked a little overwhelmed by all of the people that came into view for about the first 5 seconds until his daddy and Mommy made reassuring sounds. After that, he was back to wanting to see everything! Wide-eyed and curiously peeping at all of the strange sounds and sights, letting out excitable trills as he became more confident again. Get all worked up when his eyes landed on all of the pretty shiny stuff again, making a grabby little hand at a pillar of it when they got close.
"Kukuku- Lu has expensive taste!" Crocodile teased, eying the perfectly polished gold veneered pillar that Luffy was so fixated on.
"Of course he does! What kind of Pirate prince would such a sweetie be if he didn't have such good tastes? Isn't that right Treasure? Gold is just so pretty isn't it? Fufu," The blond crooned, lifting Luffy to eye level and planting a kiss on the crown of the burbling pup's head. "Such a good little Donquixote prince we have, yes you are~ Daddy's little prince~" Doffy cooed, turning a mischievous smile on Crocodile, then held the pup eye level with the other man. "Isn't that right, mommy croccy? He's our perfect lil' prince, isn't he?"
Crocodile huffed, going a little red as the other man practically pushed the pup in his face. "Yeah, yeah, he's a good pup."
"And-" Doflamingo pressed, pouting as the other man leaned away a little from the now wiggly Luffy who had let out an instant, 'I'm your baby and I love you and want your affection' chirp at the brunet. "Croco loving mommy's are supposed to kiss their cute babies, so they know mommy loves them to!"
"Ugh, you know how I feel about being buttered up around people!" Crocodile grumbled, about to step away until Luffy let out a shuddering little breath, getting all watery-eyed when he didn't respond in any way. It was the anxious, almost heartbroken sounding little peep that had the man's heart feeling like someone had stepped on it, though and the little sound had Doflamingo looking incredibly hurt maybe even more so than Luffy.
Before the Blond was able to respond in any way the older Brunet was fixing things. Doing whatever he could to comfort the pup. Crocodile planted a kiss to the pup's nose almost compulsively, never ever wanting the pup to make a sound like that in regards to him ever again. Then something clicked like it had the night before. Making Crocodile feel compelled to love on the pup. Kissing his rosy little cheeks and his forehead, then the crown of his floofy haired little head feelings welling up to the point that the man was feeling entirely overwhelmed and far too vulnerable.
Crocodile wanted to steal Luffy away and cuddle and kiss all of that anxious uncertainty he may have created away. He wanted to make sure Lu knew he was sorry a thousand times over for even possibly making Luffy feel even the tiniest bit uncertain about his lo-care for him. Crocodile's childhood was bad enough. He wouldn't ever make his… a kid ever feel the way he had, especially not his sweet boy! Gods, he was such a bastard. To make that sweet little brat respond that way at all, Doflamingo too!
Crocodile wanted to snatch Lu away from the man. Suddenly scared that Doflamingo might not let him see the infant after upsetting Luffy enough that he got that worked up. That sweet sunshine boy had been pushed to the point…. He began to react like a pup would if his own momma was rejecting him. Like… like Crocodile really was his-like Crocodile was rejecting him.
"M'sorry, I-I didn't mean to hurt ya' like that, sweet boy." The man mumbled, a bit of a trill tapering at the end of his speech as he carefully leaned against Doffy. Maybe the slightest bit nervous with the stone-faced look that Doffy still sported.
Doflamingo had Luffy cuddled to himself at that point. Still eying the brunet with clear caution as Crocodile carefully and gently scratched at Luffy's scalp. The older man maybe melting a little when the infant eagerly nuzzled back into his hand making desperately happy 'love you' 'love me-love on me' sounds at the man. After that, it was like all had gone back to being right with the world.
Doflamingo settled, pulling his pretty against his side. He made sure the smaller man could easily continue to pet and love on their Treasure. He had been on the edge of being incredibly upset and angry with his Croco, but the man clearly hadn't meant to upset their Lu by the way his good momma Pretty reacted! Their poor boy, such a sensitive little sweetness. The scene nearly broke his heart! Doffy was so glad that his pretty was being such a good mommy now, though. If his Croco hadn't reacted the way that he had…. Well, Doflamingo honestly wasn't sure what he would have done to him. The blond ran a hand over the other man's cheek in an affectionate manner, ignoring the staring group of bystanders. It was a good thing his lovely Crocodile hadn't pushed him. Doflamingo mused. He may have ended up with a broken heart and the little misunderstanding may have ended up with his beauty eventually trying to gnaw his own hand off.
Doffy's pretty fixed his mistakes, though. Just like the wonderful, perfect Mommy that he was and Luffy was all cute and happy and chirpy and just like he should always be. To the young alpha, that's what really mattered! Ugh, his lovelies were so cute together. The way that they smiled at each other so adorably and chirping and chuffing and trilling, like that! It made Doflamingo so incredibly happy! His cute oblivious Croco, not even realizing he was being such an adorable, sweet mommy, trying to make up for upsetting their Treasure. Such a good mother focusing on their baby so much that he no longer even noticed the other people that had made him so reluctant and shy before!~ His scent was so nice too, all maternal and lovey, adoring and viciously protective. The alpha loved it.
"So my Croco," Doflamingo started, subtly guiding the other man from the Casino and to the main road that would lead to the zoo a little more than 10 minutes walk away. It also thankfully would lead them away from that weird band of cloaked weirdos. In particular, that weird cloaked guy that just wouldn't stop trying to follow them around. "What do you want to see first? I've heard they have a huge aviary with lots of pretty birds! They even have a breeding pair of south birds~" The man purred, smiling ear to ear at the thought of getting to see lots of beautiful wild-colored feathery creatures.
Crocodile rolled his eyes, "Of course, a noisy bird brain would like to see a bunch of noisy birds."
"Fufufu, of course! Birds are fun! They're smart and can be all sorts of bright colors, like to talk and socialize and even though the females may not always look as wild and colorful, they have an attitude and are so clever!" Doffy exclaimed, bouncing a little. He let out a chuckle when Luffy, feeding off of his energy, let out a loud bubbly laugh and tried bouncing to, giggling when the man began rocking him.
Crocodile, despite himself, smiled at the man's boisterous behavior. Damn it, the stupid bird and Lu laughing and being all happy like that might actually be kind of…. Ugh, cute. Just a little, though. Damn flamingo bastard! "I guess they're not so bad."
Doflamingo beamed. His pretty was so sweet and so so adorable! He felt like his chest would burst from the affection he felt for the other, his Croco finally letting himself loosen up and be all sweet like that in public. He hoped that Croco would continue being comfortable enough to behave that way, his perfect pretty~. The blond forced himself not to comment on what the other man had said. His beauty was shy and defensive when it came to allowing through any of his vulnerability in both a friend and familial way, making him snippy and incredibly defensive.
Doffy's poor gorgeous Pretty, the young alpha wished he knew who had hurt him so he could rip them apart and crush not only their bodies but very souls and will to live for making his beauty so uncomfortable with being openly affectionate with his own incredibly wonderful loving mate and perfect adorable little son!
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After getting to the zoo. The pair were informed that because the new exhibit had become available to the 'public' that week, that the entire place was staying open an extra two hours for the entire week. The news had Crocodile smiling and allowing Doffy to plant a kiss to his cheek with far less protest than he had expected. He even openly crooned and laughed at the wide-eyed fascinated looks Luffy was giving everything around them. His nonstop curious, delighted babbles and chirps had the pair on cloud 9, practically drugged by the endorphins flooding their systems at the constant barrage of happy sounds and because of the cloy smell of their pup feeling so safe and excited. The infant not showing even the slightest bit of fear as the pair took him from exhibit to exhibit.
What really seemed to have broken the ice around the brunet was when Doflamingo had been used as an oversized perch for the hundreds of exotic birds within one of the massive tropical greenhouses. The man positively beaming with child-like glee as he looked like he belonged in the place and demanding that his Croco used the photo making Den-Den Mushi that he had brought with to take pictures while he fed the noisy things. Doflamingo had so much fun that it had been hard to even convince him to move on after the three had stayed for nearly an hour, just in that area. Luffy seemed to have been equally as disappointed as the pup, being carefully guarded, had cooed and babbled and squeaked so happily over the funny colorful fluffy loud things.
By the time they had gotten to the Crocodilian building, Crocodile was grinning, smelling of being completely relaxed and excited. Once they entered the building, a completely different side to the man came out that Doffy wasn't expecting. If he had thought he was cute before… Well, his Crocodile began grinning like a child who had seen a puppy as the first pool came into view. On it's edges were a handful of pearly white gators with splotches of almost freckle-like black spots across their muzzles, slender bodies, and almost transparent paddle-like tails. Most of the creatures were sprawled out on the silky looking black sand that cupped the main pool.
"Spotted Opal Ladies! They're from the West Blue! You can only find them on the Glossi White Isles. I haven't seen one of these since I was a teen!" Crocodile exclaimed, sounding thoroughly impressed.
Was his Croco…. Fawning over these creatures like an excited kid? Doflamingo had to force himself, using all of his willpower not to croon and dot on the other man.
"They have-have fucking Bananawani?! Look at her Doffy!" Crocodile insisted, gesturing at the massive creature, grinning ear to ear. Not even noticing that his tone was getting a chirpy coo to it as he gave the creature his 'mommy eyes'. It seemed like reptiles or maybe just crocodilians had the same love for Crocodile as he did for them as time and time again, the creatures came up to the barriers to be cooed at and fawned over. Even a couple of the massive Bananawani came over and flopped their massive heads over the protective barrier.(Giving Doflamingo a bit of a heart attack at first, to be honest, with his tiny pup with them.) The young female, about half the size of the others yet, had Crocodile especially enamored. "She's so damn gorgeous! Look at you!" The man crooned, ignoring the signs all around that warned against going anywhere off of the path or near any barriers and began scratching at the beast's massive head.
Doflamingo's face went red as his cute brunet cooed at the creature, smelling even stronger of more maternal hormones than earlier and he already was pumping it out so much that he had trouble not snuggling him and mounting him. Ugh, his heart! How could he have such a perfect cute mate and baby? He would have to take Croco to see animals more often after seeing the way he acted around them. His brunet was so so cute with them! That and the man became so sweet and lovey after being around them! The blond loved seeing his Croco all relaxed and smiling so prettily.
Doflamingo had put his foot down when it came to his Croco's insistence at introducing their Treasure to the crocodilians. No way was it safe for his baby to be around such large carnivores that could gobble him down like a chip-sized snack, even managing to hold up against his pretty, giving him that disgruntled look. Their Sweetness had stayed firmly put in his arms, shielded from any potential dangers.
The day had been perfect otherwise, though and Luffy had clearly inherited his love of animals from his momma, enjoying every minute. The pup had been so happy, purring and chirpy the whole time that Doflamingo was definitely getting a cloud 9 sort of happy buzz from the mixture of the infant's strong scent and his own alpha instincts on a loop telling him how great a parent he was and that his baby was incredibly content and safe feeling. Whether Croco knew it or not Lu-Lu had clearly been affecting him the same way, if not even more so than Doflamingo with the way he was gradually becoming more affectionate and smiley. The older man, smelling like a happy, content momma, just as Doffy's pretty should.
After having to practically drag Crocodile away from the aquatic reptiles, as it was getting near closing and Lu had ran out of bottles, Doflamingo managed to convince his pretty to lean into his side. Using Luffy as an excuse. While passing an ice cream stand about to close, Doflamingo saw it, the absolutely perfect gift for his Wani! It was in the window of a nearby, upscale-looking giftshop. He nearly keened at the sight.
"Oh, is that Javanese toasted coconut cream and Cinnamon chocolate cake in that ice cream? I haven't had anything like that in ages. It was my favorite as a brat, but it's so hard to come across! I wonder if it's the real deal… I mean, It's hard enough to find it in the Grandline with Mock Town becoming such a cesspool in recent years, but in the North Blue of all places?"
"Cinnamon?"
"Yeah, it's strange-sounding but really delicious. You have to try it! If it's the real deal, you'll never go back to that mass-made crap." Crocodile insisted, eying the cleaning up man almost anxiously.
The blond grinned, kissing his pretty before handing him a stack of berri. "Alright, fufu, go get yourself some ice cream while Lu and I go and see what's going on in the shop over here just in case something catches our eyes." Doflamingo cheerfully insisted, "No peaking!"
The brunet rolled his eyes and grumbled about spoiling their pup too much, planting a kiss on Luffy's now somewhat tuckered out looking face before heading over to the stand at a pace that told that the man was clearly eager, even if others may not have seen it that way. They may not have been together for a long time yet, but Doflamingo could already read the other like a book. Not that it mattered because his Croco had slipped and hadn't even reacted when he called Luffy 'their's' their's! He felt like he might puke; his stomach felt like it was so full of butterflies over the declaration. It was wonderful!
"You're momma's so cute isn't he Lu?" Doflamingo crooned, almost dreamy sounding as he grinning ear to ear. Luffy blinked up at his daddy lethargically, squinting with all of his might as he struggled to keep awake and peeped up at the man sweetly, making the blond melt as his pup nuzzled the palm that cradled his head.
"Oh, my good pup! Such an eventful day for my Sweet Treasure~ Yes, it has been. Is my little free spirit done with his adventuring for the day? Fufu, did seeing all the new stuff tucker my Sweetness out? Daddy'll try to get you to bed soon, yes I will!" The man cooed, tucking the pup's blanket a little tighter around the infant.
Doflamingo continued his happy babbling after securing his tiny boy, making sure the burrowing, sleepy-eyed infant was warm enough and comfortably resting. "We'll wait until tomorrow to do something fun with your Aunties and Uncles. We can't leave them out, after all, they're our family and we don't want them feeling neglected! No, we don't! Uncle Trebol and Vergo are feeling especially left out lately and your new Auntie Bon was very sad that we hadn't gone out to brunch with him and the rest of Croco's commanding officers today and even I know already that Auntie Bon's sadness is like a weapon in itself it's so depressing! Yes, it is.~" The blond bounced a little and scratched gently at his son's scalp, right where he loved him doing so most. Nearly swooning over his Lu's slurred chirps before focusing on his task when he had realized his Croco had already gotten to the point of pointing out what he wanted after persuading the trembling wide-eyed man into giving him the ice cream.
"Fufufu, Now let's see what we can find for your mommy before he realizes what I'm doing, alright, Lu-Lu?" The man exclaimed happily, trying his best not to get distracted by the hilarious sight he had just seen. His Croco was so hot when he wouldn't take no for an answer though~ Doflamingo wondered what his pretty had said to have such a fearful look on the worm's face, though? He would just have to make his beauty tell him later.
The staff within the boutique-like giftshop apparently had more smarts in their brains than the idiot outside. Quick to ask him questions in regards to what he might be looking for and even guiding him towards a comfortable-looking chair near the register. It hadn't taken long though, he had already known what he was stepping into the shop for—the adorable little Wani plush in the window. A Wani for his Wani!~ Croco would be so happy when he saw! Ugh, it was going to be so cute the way his face lit up even if he fought it and the way his cheeks would glow!~ A cute rosie red while he grumbled like he hated it, but he would love it. Doffy was certain the man was going to be thrilled! Especially as the plush wasn't just any old stuffed animal, studded with real bits of gems and what he was certain was real gold thread in the form of a golden bananawani. It was a gift worthy of his beautiful pretty!
"What do you think, Lu? Fufufu, I think your Mommy's going to love it!" Doflamingo exclaimed, examining the ostentatious plush, tongue hanging from his mouth in pleasure at finding such a perfect gift as he carefully turned the piece in his hands. Not even getting a single peep or grabby hand at such a pretty shiny thing? Doflamingo glanced down, chuckling softly at Luffy's losing battle with sleep. The pup's eyes were still open but barely. Even as he watched, the baby's blinks were becoming longer and longer as he continued to try and struggle his way into the wakeful world. "Awww, Lu! Sleepier than daddy thought, fufu, such a stubborn boy~ I bet you don't want to go to sleep just so I can't surprise you! Isn't that right, Sweetness?"
It hadn't taken too long to find a few things for his son. Finding a particularly adorable and fluffy monkey-themed hat with beautiful hand embroidery that he was hoping he might be able to convince Luffy to keep on. It was incredibly soft and felt like it would keep him warm, two things that the pup really enjoyed and the attendant assured the alpha that it was made from materials from his mental list of what Luffy liked and hadn't shown any discomfort with after snuggling. Omegan infant safe materials.
Doflamingo nearly walked away from the rack before spotting one he was sure Buffalo would love. A warm-colored Owl-themed hat from the same collection, but in adult sizes. The long-limbed alpha stood indecisively for a few moments. It wasn't like Buffalo was his son. The boy wasn't his beautiful perfect little Lu…. But he had been such a good pup since accepting him onto the crew and he was becoming family and he was so so sweet with his Treasure, like an excitable older cousin. Luffy really liked the boy…. Oh, What the hell, Buffalo deserved something cute too! Doffy was sure it would make the boy happy and he loved to see his found family happy.
Doffy was sure Bentham was doing a great job of cheering the boy up, but that didn't mean he couldn't do his part too. That was especially true after the day before, being such a shit show for the poor thing. Happy with his decision Doflamingo pointed out the pair of hats for the attendant to take to the front to be wrapped up and picked up the cute tye-dyed looking sock monkey he had been eying.
It was feather-soft with fluff carefully sewn around the head in a way that made it look like a macaque. The face was embroidered by hand with big blue eyes and a friendly-looking smile. To round the look off it wore a beautiful little cheery yellow vest with small flowers embroidered in different colors on it and a pair of black pants with a hole for its tail to come through. Doflamingo's heart melted at the thought of his Lu cuddling it and loving on it, squeaking so happily with his new cuddle toy!
He glanced around a bit, making sure what he had chosen for his pup was the very best, of course. There was a cat version too, but it was all dull pastel and a frog but not nearly as cute and the horse one was a horrible greyish brown. His boy wasn't going to have anything so dull and boring! Of course, he had chosen the best plush from the start and not only was it the cutest and brightest, it also would go perfectly with Luffy's new hat! And hopefully, his sweet Lu-Lu would love it so much that it would distract him long enough from Tora-Tora that he could actually get washed without Luffy getting too upset to separate from his favorite plush for too long, as it was air dry only and well definitely needed to be washed more than it was… Doffy's love for cleanliness aside, Tora-Tora was getting pretty stinky. Doffy loved Luffy and his stuff positively reeking of him and the others, but Tora-Tora was definitely starting to smell a bit like recently unclogged scent glands and general pup funk.
"Is this all sir?" The young beta attendant asked, tone polite though she was clearly nervous when he walked back to the front of the shop.
"Fufu, yeah, I don't think we need to get anything else. Do we Sweetness?" The towering alpha cooed to a sound asleep Luffy. He snickered at the weirded-out look the girl clearly didn't realize she was sporting at the man's clearly very lovey-dovey dotting behavior and well, the fact he had a pup.
"Would you like your gifts to be sent to the 'Golden Medallion,' sir?" The girl asked. Knowing, just like anyone else that hadn't lived under a rock and maybe even most of those folks to, if they had been in the North Blue more than a week, who the Donquixote family were on sight. That was especially true for Doflamingo himself, everyone knew what he looked like and anyone that knew anything knew that the crew not only had their own personal permanent ship slips in the most influential and coveted dock on BlackJack coastal, 'The Royal Flush,' but that they had their own suite in the 'Golden Medallion'. Which was the largest Casino in the whole of the North Blue. The Donquixote Pirates had not only helped in the creation of Casino but had really made Blackjack coastal as a whole. 5 years before, it had been no more than a ramshackled backwater.
"Hmm, the hats and my pup's new plush can be sent. I want to keep the Crocodile to surprise my Croco!~ fufufu!"
"Alright, sir, I'll need your security code. As you know, it was announced that someone had somehow gotten into Royal Flush using false information, so everyone was told that we will need to verify with the security codes given out to the Donquixote family's members. We aren't allowed to deliver anything without them for the safety and privacy of your crew sir." The girl quickly explained.
Doflamingo nodded, already knowing and approving of such methods. He was excited to learn who had the gull to do such a thing and hoped they screwed up soon. "Yup, I remember." The man said, cheerfully popping this 'P' as he spoke. Digging around for his wallet Doflamingo pouted when it wasn't where he thought it was. Luffy let out a half startled, half irritated merp, not appreciating being woken in such a manner.
"I'm sorry sweetness, Daddy didn't mean to wake you up, no I didn't!" Trying to be more careful, the man attempted reaching over for his wallet again and got a sharp, indigent squeak for his troubles. Luffy clearly very much did not appreciate his beauty rest being disturbed, especially after being so tuckered out and his daddy's arms being so warm and comfy and safe feeling in an unfamiliar place. Doflamingo grimaced at the unhappy sound. The blond carefully repositioned the grumbling pup and rubbed at his back, making soothing sounds as he automatically rocked back and forth. "Did too much adventuring today make my sweet cheerful boy all sleepy and grouchy? That's okay. You can sleep all you like Treasure!~" The man crooned, uncaring of the anxious young lady standing in front of him. "When we get back, we'll get out all the best nesting blankets and make an even fluffier, bigger nest for my lovelies!~" Doflamingo grinned as his son, in literally only moments, fell right back to sleep, mewing sweetly as he rubbed his face into the soft feathers of the man's jacket.
Once again, the man tried reaching over to grab his wallet and ended up with a very huffy pup, who squirmed and let out a series of cranky merps, his angry grandpa pout on and powered to maximum. "Alright, alright, I'll sit you down in that comfy chair, then I'll start digging around. Fufu, Such an angry boy!" Doflamingo pouted, not liking the idea of sitting his pup down anywhere that wasn't in a place he regularly enjoyed nesting in. It made him nervous, but the place was immaculate and upscale and he was just standing right there….. He was right there, no more than 10 ft away. It was fine… Besides, he really really didn't want to work his exhausted Sweetness into crying.
Doflamingo carefully wrapped his Luffy up in the way that he knew would have his pup comfortable. Then the blond waited until the infant settled and carefully sat the bundled baby onto the fluffy cushioned chair. He didn't care how much time he was taking. His boy was more important than anything or anyone. It wasn't right by the register, but it was close, easily within sight, even if Doflamingo's Observation Haki was plenty good enough to keep an eye on his pup without even actually having to see him. Not having his Sweetness in his arms and within his eye line made him a wreck. Even when the blond was in a place he deemed safe and his, let alone in such a public place.
"Here," Doflamingo said, holding out the card with the required numbers on it, feeling a little antsy. He could sense his Croco sitting not too far away. Thankfully, his beauty wasn't feeling particularly agitated like the blond had been worried may happen after he was in the shop for more than a couple of minutes. Must really be enjoying that ice cream. Thank Marijou for delicious distractions.
"Alright, sir, I have everything in order. Since everything is closing up for the night, I can deliver this myself." The girl explained, carefully placing the wrapped packages into 3 separate gift bags, just like she had been instructed to do as the man had been handing the items to her before.
"Great! I can't wait to see the kids' faces!~" The man chirped, smile getting slightly less wild and jagged and slightly softer and definitely excited as he clearly was imagining just that.
Doflamingo frowned, hair suddenly standing on end as he noticed a presence that he hadn't heard or seen entering the store. One that was clearly trying to be sneaky and then he jumped, whirling around with bared teeth. Instantly ready to shed blood and rip out the bastard's throat that dared to get close, as he felt the guy purposely approach his pup! The alpha Barely noticing the alarmed yelp from the girl behind the counter as his ears were filled with not a merp or a squeak or a grumble from his pup but a distinct bark that he had never heard before. He was ready to kill! His eyes narrowed in on the presence that his pup wanted absolutely nothing to do with and snarled as a cloaked figure went to reach for his Treasure, who was leaning away from the hand with a look of pure offence and terror on his sweet face, letting out a second more urgent bark before the hand could even touch him.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Doflamingo growled, fingers outstretched threateningly as he readied his power to lop the bastard's arm off. It was the same one that had been in the casino lobby before, he was certain of it!
The other froze for a second, his dark eyes glaring at him from beneath the hood.
"I-I'll call Don Kim if-if you don't leave that child alone and get out of here this moment sir!" The young woman managed to squeak out. She had never heard a noise like that from a pup before. What kind of person could make a baby that scared and distrustful just by being near them?
Even if the man's enforcers had shown up the alpha most definitely planned to rip the other limb from limb no matter what. Luffy's reaction wasn't a normal fear or stress reaction for a pup to have to someone, especially as well adjusted and friendly as his Sweetness was with others as long as a family member was around. Doffy being there would have been plenty of assurance for making new friends. The pup had beamed for over a week when Crocodile's crew had first been introduced, eager to get to know so many new faces. Luffy had even gone so far as to squeak in greetings at a few of the people they had passed earlier and had gotten a bit pouty when they didn't come over to say hi to him. He was developing into a social butterfly and very clearly adored meeting new people. So it was most definitely not some fear of the fact that the guy was new to him and even then, the infant would have never made a noise like that just because someone made him nervous or a little fearful.
Pups, especially Omegas, didn't just bark at or around anyone. That type of sound was only saved for the most extreme emergencies, especially when so young. It was only really used in the absolutely most dire of situations like a pup was convinced they were in extremely life-threatening levels of danger. There was only one explanation that made any sense, other than the bastard was trying to snatch his Lu-Lu away and that was that the disgusting fucker was a monster!
"What the hell is going on in here?" The familiar gruff drawl snapped from Doflamingo's right. Not that he was paying that much attention, nearly feral at that point over the safety of his pup.
Luffy letting out another traumatized sounding bark and a series of fearful squeaks. The sounds had the brunet still at the door, so spitting mad that he was turning to sand and barreling at the detected threat before he even really understood what was happening. His pup was terrified and he was going to gut the threat! That's all he needed to know. Snarling like a wild beast, the brunet had the slightly larger man pinned in seconds. He hissed as he was drug off, stumbling to gain his balance and to throw whomever that had him by the shoulders off. Doffy clearly had recovered from the shock. The person trying to wrestle Crocodile down with Haki-covered arms, suddenly slumping forward, like a puppet with its strings cut. By the time all the disorientation was gone, the bastard had somehow managed to make a runner. It was incredibly disappointing, gone before either Crocodile or Doflamingo could even start the hours of torture that both's bloodlust and parental instincts were howling for.
It was easy to redirect their protective energy on their pup though, as Luffy made desperately needy 'Love on me, comfort me, protect me! I'm your baby I love you!' chirps and merps. The poor sweet infant was absolutely terrified, trembling head to foot with big fat tears in his eyes as he was scooped up by Doffy, who immediately was crooning and cooing and chuffing at his pup, nuzzling and kissing and rocking his sweet boy who clung to him just as much, leaning heavily into Doflamingo's cuddling and frantically nuzzling back and making grabby hands. "It's okay, it's okay. We're here. Mommy and daddy are right here! We're gonna' gut that fucker, yes we are! He's never going to come anywhere near my Treasure again, daddy promises! My poor poor Sweetness! Daddy will never do that again, Never ever!" The alpha vowed.
Crocodile was clearly still just as on edge as Doffy, even if he was still baffled about the whole situation. He was quick to make his way over to the trembling pair once he was sure the guy Doflamingo had taken out, although alive, was very much unable to move even a single finger. "You alright Lu?" He crooned, not even noticing his normally gruff tone sweetening. Everything in him demanding he protect and comfort his baby as his maternal instincts were still barely being controlled. Luffy made an anxious squeak making grabby hands at the other brunet, demanding reassurance from his 'momma'.
It had Crocodile wanting so badly to hunt that bastard down like a feral pig even more! Him and that group of hooded freaks that had been with him, watching them like vultures. He should have done something about them the second he noticed them eyeing their boy. It made him so so angry, their wonderful day being totally destroyed forever! Luffy's first big outing. He had been so happy and excited and full of curiosity, all sweet smiles and that bastard ruined it! Maybe even traumatized the poor kid for life! He sure wasn't going to be sleeping sound for a while and Doffy sure the hell wasn't. He already had enough issues with nightmares and attachment issues. If Luffy didn't end up scarred over the situation, Doffy would surely remember it for the rest of his days. Lu would be lucky if he was ever allowed to go to the bathroom on his own later on in life with the way the man was trembling and muttering and clinging to the pup, nearly in tears.
"It's alright Lu, We're here."
All three ignored the very uncomfortably and awkwardly girl looking a mixture between shell shocked, terrified, and unsure of herself. She was still holding her Den-den Mushi, almost cuddling the creature to herself at that point. It was long past closing time. Should she even call Don Kim's enforcers? This was an attack on the Donquixote pirates, after all. If they didn't see anyone doing anything to help out, that could end up in retribution against the island and its inhabitance. At the same time, the main issue had left and well…. This weird moment seemed kind of private and what if they didn't like other people seeing them cuddling and kissing on their uh, baby? Who was still clearly freaked out? The three smelling so stressed out, particularly the pup and his father, that she felt half sick and half a step from a panic attack herself. It might end up with a lot of dead people and Don Kim not so pleased with her…. Which, of course, could end up with her death. But there was an obviously dangerous person still on the floor, staring right at her too… Doflamingo took the decision out of the cashier's hands.
Pulling a rosy pink Den-Den from…. Somewhere in that feathered mantle? The towering alpha called someone up with trembling hands. Crocodile at that point was entirely overtaken by his more maternal instincts and fawning over Luffy, who was still not at all settled down. A few sharp anxiety-laden anger filled barks of orders over the Den-Den Mushi and Doflamingo was back to cooing at his pup. Nothing but comfort and love in his tone.
Not that something about that wasn't just terrifying to the poor girl that had just decided to pretend she was a living statue behind the counter. Feeling much safer not bring any attention to herself. If it wouldn't bring attention to her, as she had a strong feeling that it would, she probably would have eased herself to the floor behind the counter and would have tried her luck at hiding in one of the cubbies and maybe even would have cried a little bit. Out of all of the people that could have been there for such a crazy-ass rollercoaster ride of an evening, it had to be her. She wasn't even supposed to be working that night! She was just a fill-in.
"We'll head back soon, Lu-sweetness. I promise! We just have to wait for someone to clean up that mess in the corner, yes we do! We don't want our little rat ruining the rest of our day, no we don't! He'll get to stay with Buffalo's sperm donor, yes he will! I think Mommy and daddy'll have fun with him while you spend time with your aunties and uncles tomorrow, won't that be nice?" Crocodile's grin was just as malicious as Doflamingo's was unhinged at the thought of beating answers out of the pair. Apparently, Doffy remembered how much he had wanted to be the one that finished off the bastard that had tormented that poor pup. There wasn't any way in hell he wasn't participating in getting some answers out of their newest unwelcome guest, either.
It didn't take more than a few minutes before half a dozen men in canary yellow suits were bustling into the shop, wrapping uncomfortable-looking seastone chains around the captured man and putting a heavy-looking collar around the dazed man's neck. They then immediately asked questions, a pair stood to the side taking notes before asking exactly what Doflamingo wanted to be done to the man.
Clothes shopping at that point for Luffy was absolutely a no-go. Everyone was too stressed out for that. Luffy was still an absolute wreck that would clearly benefit from being somewhere that had been established as safe and 'nest' and both Crocodile and Doflamingo were feeling the same way. Not wanting the infant to potentially be caught in the crossfire if the ass that got away decided to start a fight. There would be no eating as a family at the place the blond had excitedly hyped up to his Pretty that night. They would instead be ordering in, their family around them, planning the agonizing deaths of the whole group that had the gull to try and steal their adorable little Donquixote princeling from them.
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"Hey, hey, Doffy! I thought you planned to meet us at Rosemona's! Why'd you have Pink cancel? Huh, Doffy?" Trebol grumbled the moment the three got through the suite door. "Why did you call us all back, Doffy? Did something happen?" The man froze once he got a proper look at his captain's face, seeing the man frowning in a way that was incredibly rare. On top of that, Crocy was pressed into his side protectively, not putting up that fussy act that everyone was so used to in the least. The man was stubborn and kind of emotionally constipated sometimes, so there was no way that he would change to behave that way so suddenly without a major cause. Both absolutely stinking of aggression and protective parental smells and comfort. The scent of anxious and terrified pup nearly choked a whine from usually unkempt man. Luffy was positively clinging to Doflamingo, sniffling and still nuzzling the man, trying to bath himself in as much of his daddy's safe, comforting scent as he possibly could. "What happened?! Why is Lu-Lu so upset?!"
"Get everyone to the table. We have some rats gut!" Doflamingo hissed.
"Young Master?" Pink exclaimed, concerned as the three's scents positively clogged the air throughout the Suite. He was quick to join Trebol.
"Get everyone at the table! Now." The blond growled, walking past the pair as he went to collect a bottle and some formula for his pup. Crocodile busied himself with collecting Tora-Tora and calling up room service to order some food for the group. They weren't going to be leaving that table until something was figured out after all and that had a likelihood of taking quite a while.
No one under any circumstance tried acting against the Donquixote family and ever got away with it. Trying to steal their sweet little Luffy, well, they better pray long and hard for a heart attack before they managed to get ahold of them. The Donquixote family weren't the forgiving or merciful types on a good day, let alone when it came to their beloved little Donquixote prince! Especially when they heard what had happened and that their poor Sweetness had been so terrified that he had barked, barked and not just once or twice for them. Doffy wanted blood!
The blond made a distressed whine as Luffy didn't even merp or squeak for food like he usually would the moment one of his bottles even came into view. Instead, the pup was practically trying to bury himself in the man's mantel. Ugh, his poor sweet boy! How dare that human scum stress him out like that? His boy should be loudly demanding food right now! Spunky and demanding and squeaking their ears off, not whimpering and trembling and looking so lifeless and scared! He hated it, so so much! It felt like when he first- when they had-had- Doflamingo tried to force the smell of burning hair and flesh from his mind and nose. Trying not to gag as the taste and smell and noise filled his every sense again.
"Hey… hey, Doffy…. It-it's okay, it's just me. Not one's going to do anything to you or Lu-Lu or Crocy or anyone of us! Everyone's safe! Vergo and Pica are nearly back. Bentham will be back with Buffalo soon to. He stopped by the docks with most of his crew to check on things. Jora, Lao G, and Zala said they were at some art thing and would leave immediately while Daz was dealing with things downstairs with Diamante and both are in the elevator, on their way back up. No matter what's going on, it will be taken care of real soon. Alright, Doffy? Now, ya' have to settle down so Lu-Lu will too. He needs to eat." Trebol said, voice surprisingly considerate and calming as he spoke to his captain. What was the world coming to when even Trebol was more put together and with it than literally a single other person alive? Ugh, and he was right! Luffy fed off of other people's reactions and Doffy was a major influencer for the pup.
Everything was fine. His pup and Croco were okay…. His family was okay. Everyone was okay. They were all okay. They were all okay. He had family and he wasn't all alone. He was fine. He had money and power and a family that loved him. A family he made… He was okay. But…. Then why did he feel like that scared little boy that had lost his whole family again?
"Come on Lu, it's time for good boys to eat!~ Alright, my Sweet little glutton? Did you hear your uncle Trebol, Luffy? Soon all of your aunties and uncles will be back with us. That's because just like Mommy and Daddy, our great big family loves you so so much!~ "
End Chapter 10
So hopefully, everyone enjoyed. I'm sure at this point, people are knowing what was going on, right? Or maybe not really. :D Also poor Doffy, Trebol of all people more put together than him!
By the way, in 1-3 chapters, we will be having a little bit of a time skip where our Baby Lu gets to finally meet our sweetie pie Rosi! I'm super excited about it! I have huge inspiration from a comment someone left and I can't wait to write about it in the chapter. 😊
So for people wondering why I disappeared when I am normally really good about keeping everyone up to date with what will be going on with updates and stuff. I have been having some pretty severe neurological issues since last summer and for some reason, I have been feeling a lot worse since early December. On top of weakness and vertigo and shaky hands and other stuff I have been having, I also have been having severe headaches a lot, light sensitivity, and issues with my eyes and vision. School is definitely not helping these symptoms and on top of it all, they now believe I have narcolepsy.
Which…. I mean makes sense since I literally am able to go to sleep anywhere at any time and I am never not, pass out exhausted so…. Me joking with people that I had narcolepsy in college because people would comment and get concerned about me literally pretty much passing out all of the time wasn't actually a joke….. Ooops….`:D Guess I'm a D….. Which the hilarious thing is that if you write my name with our family name in the way that one piece does, my initials would be B.D.M.H. So actually, a D. Anyway, I'm doing my best and am starting to go a little more back to my usual levels of feeling like crap, so I should be able to write more again.
Please tell me what you think! I would love to read everyone's theories and I love when people share ideas and thoughts about my stories with me. I usually take a lot of inspiration for my stories from reviews and I get a lot of my motivation from them too! Especially when I am tired and not feeling great.
