A/N:This chapter is another transitionary one and it's all about Vivi and Doflamingo. So if you get bored with random interactions, conversations, observations, feel free to skip it.
Chapter XIV:The Princess & The King
The endless sapphire sky met with the enormous, orange dunes of the desert, which stretched far beyond the horizon.
This was exactly how Doflamingo always pictured Alabasta in his mind. A vast expanse of sandy nothingness, peppered with ancient relics here and there.
And yet this seemingly barren landscape, teemed with life that one wouldn't normally imagine. Various lizards, birds of prey, crustaceans, snakes and even seal-like creatures whom Vivi begged him not to hurt.
It all reminded him of the open seas, albeit where the sands also acted like an open prison. Constraining the kingdom's inhabitants to an uneasy life, marred by draughts and sandstorms.
He didn't mind the incredibly hot temperatures either, basking in the heat emanated by the fiery orb above, he let it warm his limbs. Years of living on a summer island acclimatised him to it.
I can see why Croco-man likes it here...this suits him perfectly.
He stretched his muscled arms and let his eyes drift lazily back to the Princess. She sat upright, like a reed, her hair fluttered in the dry breeze, her shoulders peaked through the cutout in her dress.
He loved the contrast between her skin and the earthen tones of the fabric around it.
In that moment Vivi visually encapsulated the colours of her kingdom—crystal clear blue skies and rich, golden sands.
"Tell me, Princess, what do you plan to do in Alubarna?" he asked her curiously.
Vivi turned her neck abruptly at the sound of his smooth voice.
Casting a side-glance at his reclining form, she paused to formulate her answer.
Are the rebels still there or did they clash with our forces by now? I am not even sure myself! Besides, I still don't know what happened to Crocodile...what if they joined forces?
Vivi wouldn't put it past the devious Shichibukais to collude and capitalise on a crisis of this scale. If they partnered, Crocodile would get what he is looking for and Doflamingo...his dynasty, he's used force before. What's to stop him now?
"I will speak with Kohza and explain everything to him. Crocodile can't force them to fight." she replied in a strained voice. Unlike you, he can't control them like puppets. But his cunning nature did most of the work already...
To say that she was confused at that moment would be an understatement.
"Still clinging to that plan of yours? You got a taste of what someone of our calibre can do, and yet you still think you can negotiate with those rebels? You're either bluffing because you have no plan or...you're an inflexible fool like those brats you saw me deal with in Mocktown. Something tells me it's the former." Doflamingo's voice spoke in a dangerously low voice.
He raised his upper body and leant forward, towards Vivi's seat.
She gripped the back of the leather seat, her knuckles went white. Her answer seemed to evade her at the most unexpected time.
What else could I tell him anyway?! Her brow furrowed in contemplation.
"Perhaps you have a special relationship with that Rebel leader hm? Is that why you're so confident in your ability to convince him?" his voice broke through her consciousness.
She raised herself up, effectively standing on her knees, she felt them sink a bit into the soft, leathery cushion of her seat.
"Kohza, the leader, he is...well, I guess he is like a brother to me. Even though he opposed my Father, he didn't do it out of spite...I am sure, that if given the chance, he will hear me out." Vivi felt her throat go dry as she attempted to shed more light on their connection.
Will he even listen to me though? It's been years since I last saw him...
"A brother you say? Fufu...one can't always rely on their siblings, believe me. I would know." the blond lowered his chin, his face adopted a pensive expression.
Doflamingo leaned back, opting for a cross-legged position.
Something in his tone piqued Vivi's curiosity.
"Oh, you have any?" she asked hesitantly.
"Do I?" Doflamingo mirrored her enquiry with one of his own. "I ask that question myself sometimes!" he threw his head back in laughter.
Vivi flinched. His reaction unnerved her.
He noticed it and tried to stop laughing, slightly pulling his glasses forward to wipe off his tears of mirth. Even in moments like this, he still managed to shield his eyes.
My poor, wretched fool of a brother...she just had to ask me about you!
"Ha, my little brother...you know you remind me of him sometimes." he trailed off.
Visibly calmed down, Vivi tilted her head to the side. "How so?"
A younger brother? I wonder what it was like growing up with someone like...HIM?!
"You're both naive, chasing imaginary ideals and stubborn...like a pair of donkeys fufu!"
Vivi rolled her eyes. "Thank you for the 'compliment.' He doesn't sound like you at all." she noted sarcastically. A part of her was beginning to enjoy their banter.
I shouldn't drag myself into this, he is a dangerous man after all. And an unpredictable one at that, this is just one of his ways manipulate me...to get what he wants.
She was dismayed by just how much the blond Shichibukai could so easily cause a shift in her mood—a privilege thus far exclusively reserved for a select few, namely: her Father, Igaram, Chaka and Pell.
Her lips formed into a small frown.
"Don't sulk, it doesn't suit you! And you are right. He is nothing like me. In fact, we are on completely different levels. But don't worry, I will fix whatever unfortunate qualities you may have...in multiple ways." he smirked upon seeing Vivi vigorously shake her head. He edged closer to the back of her seat.
"I didn't agree to your offer...for now, that it is. So don't even think about it!" Vivi growled, tucking her a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Pfft, we'll see about that fufu!"
Vivi rolled her eyes and slumped back to her seat. Could this trip be any longer?
Elsewhere in the desert...
Robin's skin was coated in a thin sheet of perspiration, hoisting a battered Mr.2 onto Banchi's back was no easy task. The fast-paced run through the Summer Palace beneath the scorching sun, didn't make matters any easier—"physically taxing" was definitely an understated way to describe the latest developments in this mission.
But there was no time to dwell over her current predicament, every minute, second even, brought the risk-taking archaeologist closer to her goal.
"Do you really think letting Cutie-chan go with the notorious Doflamingo was a good idea?" Bon Clay's concerned voice crept into the air.
Robin sighed. "What other choice did we have exactly? You saw how he massacred the remaining guards." she shuddered at the memory of sliced-up corpses, all lined up behind the wall.
"Why didn't you join them? We could at least keep an eye on her." Bon Clay muttered regrettably.
"If Doflamingo attacked our Boss and all our remaining guards back there, what do you think he could have in store for us, top agents of Baroque Works hm?"
Bon Clay opted to turn away and sulk.
Safety was not exactly the primary reason why Robin chose to hide and wait for Doflamingo to leave. The stakes were just too high, she risked exposing her affiliation with the Revolutionaries, and thereby indirectly involving them with the Donquixote Family.
That would be a disaster! She shuddered at the mere thought.
Steeling herself, Robin's azure eyes stared resolutely at the vast desert before them.
"I suggest you get some rest, we have a long road ahead Mr.2, and you are on your own once we reach Alubarna, is that clear?"
"Pfft, Ice Queen..." Bon Clay grumbled in response.
Robin in smirked in response, the less you know, the better you sleep, she sat back into her seat entrusting Banchi to navigate their way to the ancient capital.
The sky was tinged with the warm hues of impending dusk, that left a warm radiance in its wake.
The mismatched traveller duo both sat in a surprisingly brooding silence, occasionally peppered with timid glances (usually from Vivi) and demonstratively provocative stares (on Doflamingo's part).
Feeling his eyes on her, Vivi squirmed uncomfortably, "Tell me more!" she practically yelled in a clumsy attempt to break the odd atmosphere.
"Hm?" Doflamingo cocked his brow distractedly.
"Your brother, where is he?" Vivi looked around nervously whilst reviving their conversation from before. But she didn't really pay much attention to the ensuing answer.
I need to try and gather as much information as possible from him, what are his plans for Crocodile?
"Ah, I recently found out that he's in Water 7." Vivi mouthed a surprised "Oh" but refrained from saying anything else lest she interrupted him.
But it seemed Doflamingo had no interest in talking about his brother- he let his fingers run across the sumptuous leather of Vivi's seat and come to a halt, next to her fingertips. "But enough about that, that's not what you really want to know right?" he traced her alabaster skin.
It's about time I got what I came for.
Vivi pulled her hand away from his, the minute she felt a feathery touch graze her skin.
"Recently? You don't keep in touch?" she rubbed her hand where he touched her as if she'd been burnt.
Her question was met with a pair of furrowed brows.
"We haven't spoken in years, ever since I forgave him for his...shortcomings," he replied with absolute finality.
Vivi realised her mistake when she caught the acerbic tone of his words.
The atmosphere between them instantly charged with tension, Doflamingo looked out to the eastern point of the horizon.
His eyes fixed on a distant group of red rocks. Their stacked formation seemed otherworldly and so out of place, out there, among the dunes.
He managed to survive after all, unlike Vergo! What a waste...
Doflamingo rarely spoke about Rocinante, of course, he shouldn't have underestimated his kin. Superhuman stamina ran in their blood; the elder brother just got the more substantial portion of it.
Rocinante's survival was unexpected but distance, time and growing business skewed Doflamingo's priorities in an entirely different direction. Away from his brother—at least for the time being.
Vivi quietly slumped to her seat, leaving her conflicted companion to his own devices. She hugged her knees for support.
I shouldn't have done that. I can't afford to offend someone like that...I still need to be in his favour if Kohza and the rest refuse to listen to me. And what of Crocodile? He just disappeared...is Doflamingo hiding something?
Vivi covered her head with her hands. It was time to embrace what fate had bestowed upon her.
I will play along. Miss Wednesday seduced her opponents, why can't the Princess of Alabasta do the same? This is an opportunity for Alabasta, the cost—is my dignity. But I can live with that. Right?
I could try. I've only got a Kingdom and its people to lose. She tried to quash that bitter thought.
At that moment Vivi felt as though all the lessons and information she amassed from her tutors, gleamed from her family's stories, experienced in her days as a frontier agent—were manifesting into something new.
Something complete, yet still a part of her. Her new self, for the fourth time in her short life, Vivi felt like she reached another level of maturity.
The first being the day she realised she will never have a mother. The second when her Father and Igaram explained her future duties and responsibilities towards third—when she joined Baroque Works.
It's time to put it all to use. For Alabasta.
Vivi slowly stood up and tentatively approached the uncharacteristically silent Doflamingo, who now reclined on his forearms.
Now what? She felt stupid and tried to think of anything to say to discharge the tension.
When nothing came, she placed her hand on his shoulder. She gulped when she heard him take a sharp inhale.
He turned to face her. "Yes?" he scanned her form appreciatively.
Vivi backed away a little. "I-I, well you see...you know, my mother was from Water 7." she almost squeaked.
As soon as she blurted out her comment, she realised just how idiotic it must have sounded.
Of all the things I could say, this just had to be the first one! Why?! He is clearly not particularly fond of his own brother...
The latter thought somewhat terrified her, but Doflamingo seemed to relish the fact, that he finally managed to coax out some sort of initiative from her.
You will have to get used to this Princess. Let's see how far you can go fufu.
Having the accumulated advantage in age over Vivi, Doflamingo opted to test how far her curiosity and desperation, to save Alabasta, would take her.
"I knew that already." he leant on his left elbow and popped open a brown water flask with his other hand.
Is he trying to play hard to get now? Under normal circumstances, Vivi would have laughed at that, but her current situation was far from normal.
"You seem to know everything about my family already." she shot back, before lowering herself into a sitting position next to him. Not that this was something exceptional, anyone with any interest in the Nefertaris could find that out. A Queen's origins were rarely seen as classified information.
"Can I ask you something?" she pressed her palm next to his elbow.
His signature grin was back on his face. "Go ahead." he nodded.
"What are you here for?" Vivi looked up at his face.
"I surprised you huh?" he asked and placed the flask next to his chest.
Vivi's eyes followed his movement. "I didn't expect to see you again."
Least of all in Rainbase!
Doflamingo moved to lay on his side and put his head on her knees, she wanted to move away but refrained from doing so. The weight of his head pressed into her thighs.
For Alabasta. Alabasta. Like a mantra, those words swirled around in her head.
For the first time, Vivi was the one looking down at him. It gave her an odd sense of satisfaction, as though she now possessed some sort of power. The fading rays of sunshine touched his hair, their gentle glow lit up his stray strands giving him an almost angelic appearance. He looked relaxed. Peaceful almost.
How deceiving!
"I told you, we will meet again in Jaya and-" he reached out his free hand to stroke her ankle, "I always get what I want." His fingers circled her ankle before sliding further up her calf, to the edge of her bottom.
That triggered a nerve.
Vivi didn't even recall thinking, her hand just moved of its own accord. She threw her hand back and whipped it right across the Shichibukai's face.
SLAP.
The loud crack stunned the two travellers into silence. A searing pain spread across Vivi's palm, a matching pink spot was developing on Doflamingo's left cheek.
His lips stretched into a thin line.
What have I done?! But he went too far and too fast! Who does he think I am?!
Vivi panicked and grabbed the water flask, pressing its mouth to her sleeve.
He's going to kill me.
She quickly pressed the damp sleeve of her dress to his face.
"I am sorry, I just...but you...you crossed the line!" she mumbled.
She was going to lift her hand off his face when strong fingers encircled her wrist.
"You better keep it there." Doflamingo's voice was low but even. Vivi held her breath. It was like a calm before the storm.
He slid her hand to the side of his face, Vivi lowered her face to take a closer look at his cheek. Her turquoise hair curtained his face from both sides, closing off the outside world.
His eyes drifted to her lips, pink and luscious. Pressing her hand to his face, he closed his eyes for a moment; her soft hair tickled his skin. He caught a whiff of jasmine and neroli yet again.
Mmmm.
Few women ever had the courage or even the will to cross him like this, well save for Violet, but that was different. He didn't have the same desire to possess and protect her as he did with Vivi.
That was a relationship of passion...here it was politics and something else. He just couldn't put his finger on what it was yet. Not that they even had any relationship at this point, but he was drawn to her and that attraction lay beyond her illustrious lineage-that was undeniable.
Vivi paused in an attempt to search his face for any clues, as to what his next course of action might be. She could almost make out the outline of his eyes beneath the pink lenses of his glasses.
"That was a rash thing you did there Desert Cat." Doflamingo finally issued his "verdict" on her slap.
Vivi snapped out of her reverie, "I said I was sorry, but nobody asked you to touch me there. Who do you think I am?!" she asked again, her voice laden with indignation.
"Fufu, did I offend Her Highness? It's hard to tell you to know, and you seem to have no problem with having my head between your thighs..." he grinned.
You think I will be flustered by your lewd comments? Think again! Something clicked in the bluenette's mind.
"First, your head is not between my thighs, I just kindly let you rest it, on TOP of them. Second-I will let your stupid comment slide this time, since this is the closest you'll ever even get to being between my legs." she clarified confidently.
Her newly fortified bravado almost crumbled with the weight of embarrassment she felt inside. I can't believe I just said that!
Doflamingo snorted. "Fufu, you're a real riot Desert Cat! But I will have to disagree with you on that, or did you forget-" he twirled a lock of her tousled hair with his finger, "that you still owe me an heir? How else do you think we can make one fufufu?"
How will you deal with this one hm?
Vivi's legs were beginning to feel sore from being folded beneath her for so long, and she shifted slightly.
I am so glad there's no one else to hear this conversation!
"Did you hear me say yes to your ridiculous offer?" she asked him icily.
She's not amused fufu.
"What's with the attitude? I am just generously giving you some more time to think about it. Did you pick up these interaction tips from Croco-man? Tsk...and here I thought you missed me. "
He enjoyed teasing her like this. But Vivi used his last question to press a more serious matter. Ignoring his jibes at her attitude, she mustered up her courage for the ensuing question.
"Maybe I did. Speaking of Crocodile, what happened to him? " her heart pounded violently as she waited for his response.
Doflamingo sighed. "He simply crossed a line. And then fled like a coward. I assume he's heading to your capital." he answered indifferently.
She didn't know why but she felt obliged to ask it anyway. "Did you interfere because of...because-" she couldn't bring herself to finish it.
"Because you can give me what I want?" he did the work for her.
She nodded.
He smiled and tapped her wrist. "That too, but he stole my loyal clients. Either way, he has it coming to him."
Vivi felt an odd sense of relief wash over her.
This means he can finish Crocodile off without me even agreeing to his offer!
"So that's why you joined me on this trip? Since you have a bone to pick with him too?"
He almost wanted to pity her for the hope that glimmered in her soulful eyes.
"You think our business conflict is serious enough for me to finish him off for you? So you won't have to even agree to my terms eh?" he asked her amusedly.
Clever girl!
Vivi felt the blood drain from her face. Of course, he will never agree to it!
She was at a loss for words, swallowing the hard lump in her throat, she raised her eyes to the blue skies above. She tried her best not to succumb to the rising need to cry.
Instead, she swiftly pulled her hand away from his. This time, he didn't force her to keep it there.
He is right; I am naive...horribly so. This is why he never even bothered to stop Crocodile in Rainbase; his interference was just enough to help me stay alive...for his own goal.
None of this should have come as a surprise for her, but Vivi couldn't help herself. She was trained to always look for the most optimal solutions to any given problem, preferably those that carried multiple benefits.
Thus it was only natural, that she hoped to luck out on Doflamingo ridding Alabasta of Crocodile before-she could agree to his deal.
"And of course, you knew this all along and toyed with my helplessness," Vivi whispered defeatedly.
For the umpteenth time that day, her eyes wandered across his well-toned torso, up to his thick neck, chiselled jaw.
He noticed her wandering eye, "I said this before, and I'll repeat it Princess: I always get what I want. It's about time you get that into that pretty head of yours. Think of this as a learning experience, a right of passage if you will, on your path to the Alabastan throne fufufu."
The younger woman remained silent.
"Trust me; you'll thank me for it when you're older." Doflamingo slowly rose up and stretched his arms. "The sun is about to set, how far are we from Alubarna?" he asked.
Vivi blinked back her tears and looked around their surroundings.
"We will reach the city walls by dawn. There's a small oasis nearby where we can camp for the night, the rebel camp is not too far from there." she answered dryly after spotting the familiar "cacti valley" that was often used as a guiding point by novice travellers.
"An oasis you say? I look forward to spending then night with you then fufufu." he joked halfheartedly.
Vivi however was not amused. Far from it. The closer they got to Alubarna, the more apparent her desperation to resolve Alabasta's crisis became. She was one the verge of succumbing to her despair as it became increasingly obvious that the only way to stop Crocodile—stood right in front of her.
Relying on or believing in Kohza's understanding is naive of course but it's still worth a try, right? Right?!
More than anything, the past few years have disillusioned Vivi—she struggled to convince even herself. Everyone expects something in return; she was beginning to lose count of the number of times she had to step over her principles throughout her ill-fledged "career" as a frontier agent.
What else is left anyway?
"I am glad that you have something to look forward to at least." she finally responded hollowly.
Doflamingo frowned, he hated people who lost their spirit.
Don't you dare go down the typical "mere human" spiral, I won't tolerate such weakness!
"Get used to it Desert Cat, life will throw many other disappointments your way; only the strongest survive in this world. You have a long way to go...at least I am willing to help you this time. Surely you wouldn't want to let my aid go unrewarded?"
Vivi's jaw clenched in anger.
"No of course not. Heaven forbid!" she spat and glared at him only to met with his throaty laugh.
The F-wani grunted below them and came to an abrupt halt that almost sent Vivi tumbling over. Thankfully she quickly regained her balance.
Her expression amused the blond, "What you expect me to help you with everything?"
"No!" she huffed with indignation.
"Fine let me-" he reached for her arm.
"I SAID NO!" she slapped his hand away and climbed down the wani.
Confused aren't you fufu...
Doflamingo waved his hand in mock defeat and followed suit.
In an instant his shoes filled with sand, he looked down and scowled at the sensation.
I'll make you pay for this dearly Croco-man.
Vivi however, paid no heed to his affront and gently patted the F-wani.
"Thank you Wani-san!" the animal grunted and closed his eyes with content.
Vivi unclasped the bags attached to his saddle to check their contents.
Under the strict protocol of Baroque Works, these should be filled with provisions and an emergency kit. Thus n case of an emergency or quick dispatch the frontier agents could go off to their missions without wasting precious time.
"Let's see if Billions know how to do their job," she whispered under her breath.
Doflamingo strode towards the foliage covered spot.
The oasis, with its lush greenery and palm trees made for a delightful respite from their long journey.
The ground was harder, flowers bloomed in some places, and he could hear the crickets chirp signalling the end of the day.
Somewhere in the background, he heard a thud, Vivi threw the bags down next to the cold water. The change in environment seemed to have injected a much-needed sense of vitality into her.
Much better.
"Do you go camping often Princess?" he asked her curiously, watching as she expertly unpacked the food and drinks from the tightly packed bags.
"In recent years I practically lived like this ha!" she laughed.
"I see, I trust you can light a fire then?" he asked pointing to the oddly dry piece of wood in his hands.
"Of course."
He doubted that for some reason but gave her the wood. The destitute period of his childhood in North Blue taught him virtually all survival skills one might ever need. But lighting fires was his least favourite, especially after that night. He never lit any fires since then.
I'd rather watch the world burn in flames instead.
He smirked when Vivi produced a box of matches from the bag.
"Fufufu I knew you couldn't."
"What?"
"Light a fire."
"What are you talking about? I just did."
"Anyone can with a pack of matches."
Vivi looked at the growing fire and backed up at Doflamingo; his glasses reflected the flames.
"What's your point?"
"Nothing in particular, but at least you retained some royal qualities about you fufu."
Vivi cocked her eyebrow and noted that despite the cooler temperature, the statuesque blond kept a solid distance from the warming flames.
"Aren't you cold?" she asked disregarding his taunting comment.
"Want to warm me up eh?"
"Whatever." she sighed and threw a box of jerky and a drinking flask at him. He caught them both with ease.
"Is this the legendary Alabastan hospitality?" Doflamingo asked sarcastically.
"I am not your servant," she replied icily and went back to staring at the flames.
Doflamingo noticed that she hadn't taken any food for herself.
"Relax now, are you on a hunger strike?" he noted her thinner frame and sharper facial features. This was not the same young woman he encountered on Jaya.
Vivi exhaled forcefully, "Can I just have one moment of peace, PLEASE?"
"Suit yourself."
Doflamingo slipped his trademark coat off his broad frame and spread it out onto the hard, cold ground.
From one extreme to another, he mused to himself as he settled in for the night.
Directly across the Shichibukai, Vivi watched him out of the corner of her eye; it was strange to see someone so large handle an object with such juxtaposed tenderness. On the one hand it was comical and on the other-oddly endearing? She rummaged through the bags bearing the eponymous Baroque Works insignia.
Argh! Those idiots didn't even pack any blankets or tents!
Vivi shivered, scooting closer to the fire she rubbed her shoulders.
Not that I can sleep anyway, but a little warmth wouldn't hurt, how can HE just lay there like that?!
She tilted her head to the side, Doflamingo lay on his side with his back to her.
He looked like he was somewhat comfortable.
Vivi took out her tattered map of Alabasta to check their progress.
We will get there in the morning! She felt her pulse pick up its pace; this is it!
If Kohza refuses to cooperate, I will accept—her eyes went back to Doflamingo's languid form—his offer. But one way or another Crocodile has to go!
She carefully folded the map and slipped it into her sleeve, propping the bag behind her head as an improvised pillow, Vivi lay on her back.
She could feel the small jagged stones press into her back, but none of that mattered to her anymore. The stress and exhaustion numbed all her existential needs and pain.
Fortunately, the myriad of stars in the sky somehow made up for the total lack of physical comfort, and she relished that view. Her mind soared high and buzzed with all the possible scenarios that the new day would bring.
Doflamingo never bothered to sleep without a bottle of wine, his only weapon against the nightmares that plagued him since his childhood. Thus tonight he took on the night watch duty, without seeming to do so.
Earlier in the night, he heard a lot of paper crinkling and shuffling behind him, but eventually, all sounds of activity died down.
He got up quietly and took a look at Vivi. She lay in a fetal position near the fire.
Does she not have the slightest clue how to survive out in the open?!
He picked up his feathered coat and walked as silently as possible for someone of his size.
Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was steady, she was asleep. Within seconds her body was enveloped in soft, pink feathers. Doflamingo sat down next to her.
She looked so serene; it was hard to imagine anyone sleeping so peacefully on cold, hard ground. But there she was the future Queen of Alabasta, dozing out in the desert.
You must be freezing...his fingers slipped through her loosened tresses. He traced them along with her jawline, her lips. She squirmed at his touch.
Did you fall asleep Desert Cat?
His lips stretched into a mischievous grin as he lay down beside her. He let his arm slowly wrap around her now feathered form.
Vivi was utterly still. She was awake, but the moment she heard him move she pretended to be fast asleep. The plan was to avoid any unnecessary interaction with the Shichibukai, but now it looked as though even sleep wouldn't keep him from pestering her!
If he finds out that I'm awake, he might take it as an invitation to...I have to stay still.
Doflamingo tightened his arm around her waist, "I know that you're awake Desert Cat, how about we put an end to this charade hm?"