The sun burned high overSerapha, its golden light stretching across the desert city in sharp lines of heat and shadow. But inside Crocodile's villa, the air was cool—controlled.

As always.

Crocodile lounged in his high-backed chair in the main hall, cigar balanced between his fingers, his patience thinner than the smoke curling from its tip. Across the room, Sineka sat by the large arched window, her presence commanding, unbothered.

She looked like a queen carved from fire and dusk.

The gown she wore wasobsidian silk with gold embroidery, flowing like ink over her curves, its plunging neckline teasing just enough, while the sheer black fabric over her arms shimmered withthousandsof delicate, hand-sewn beads. A slit ran high along her thigh, revealing golden sand-kissed skin adorned with intricate henna designs—elegant, dangerous, like something out of a forbidden legend.

Her hair, woven in loose waves, cascaded down her back, and at her throat sat a single, delicate chain ofSeraphan gold, glinting like a collar of possession.

Crocodile's possession.

And she knew it.

Sineka's fingers traced the rim of her wine glass as shefeltthe shift in the air—a presence.

A heavy, arrogant presence.

A slow smirk curled her lips.So, the snake has arrived.

The moment before the doors swung open, Crocodile's grip on his cigar tightened just slightly.

Then—

BAM.

The grand doors burst open, the sound echoing through the vast hall like a gunshot.

A shadow stretched long across the marble floor.

And then, stepping into the light, came a figure dressed inrose pink and arrogance.

Donquixote Doflamingo.

The unmistakable mass of hisflamingo-feathered coatdragged across the floor, his golden shades flashing as he grinned, wide andpredatory, like a lion waltzing into another's den just tosee what would happen.

"Fuffuffuffuffu!" Doflamingo laughed, rolling his shoulders as if he hadall the time in the world. "What alavishlittle empire you've built here, Croco-boy."

Crocodile didn't move.

Didn'tblink.

Didn'tacknowledgethe theatrics.

Instead, he took a slow drag from his cigar, exhaled, then said in his deep, unamused drawl—

"You're trespassing,Flamingo Yarou."

Doflamingo grinned wider. "Aww, what happened to thewarm welcome?" He shoved his hands into his pockets, strolling further inside like hebelongedthere, like heownedthe place.

He didn't.

But Crocodile let him pretend—for now.

Sineka, from her seat by the window, simply observed.

Measured.

Calculated.

Her gaze flickered over Doflamingo's sharp,almost-too-widegrin, the tensionthrummingbeneath his casual bravado. He was here for something. And he wasbaiting Crocodileto get it.

Interesting.

She lifted her glass of wine, taking a slow sip before setting it down with an elegant, deliberateclink.

Doflamingo's eyes flicked to her.

Andthatwas the moment Crocodile moved.

With zero hesitation, he reached out, grabbed Sineka's wrist, andpulled her onto his lapin a single, fluid motion.

Like she washis crown.

Like he washer throne.

The roomstilled.

The messagewas clear.

Crocodile leaned back, a hand resting lazily on her thigh, fingers idly tracing patterns against the sheer fabric of her dress. The weight of his presence wrapped around her like a sandstorm—unyielding, possessive, unapologetic.

Sineka, for her part, didn't react with surprise.

She merelysettledinto him, one arm draping over his shoulder, her nails dragging along the edge of his coat as if this was where she'd always belonged.

Checkmate.

Doflamingo's smirktwitched, the briefest flash of amusement and something sharper flickering in his expression.

Oh.

So that's how it is.

He let out a slow whistle. "Well, well,well," he mused, tilting his head. "You'vereallychanged sinceMarineford, Crocodile."

Crocodile exhaled another stream of smoke. "And you're still the sameloud-mouthed insectI should've killed years ago."

Doflamingo let out anotherFuffuffuffuffu!, clearlyenjoyingthis.

"But this?" He gestured lazily to Sineka. "Nowthisis new. Youneverused to let anyone close." He tilted his head, his shades flashing. "Tell me,Desert King...How deep does this run?"

Crocodile didn't answer.

But the weight of his fingers pressing justslightlyinto Sineka's thigh was answer enough.

Doflamingo's grin widened.Interesting.

Sineka finally decided to speak, her voice smooth as dark wine.

"You seem very concerned about myposition, Donquixote," she murmured, tilting her head. "Should I beflattered?"

Doflamingo's teeth gleamed. "Oh, honey, I'm justcurious." He licked his lips. "After all, people who get close to men likehim?" He flicked his sunglasses down, just enough for his piercing eyes to show.

"They usually don't last long."

The wordshung.

The airthickened.

Sineka justsmiled.

A slow,devastatingsmile, before she leaned injusta little closer to Crocodile, her fingers playing at the hem of his coat.

"Oh, Iintendto last," she purred.

Crocodilesmirked, his cigar resting easily between his fingers."Then I suggest you mind your business,Flamingo Yarou."

Doflamingolaughed, tossing his head back.

Then—just as suddenly—his amusementvanished.

Theshiftwas instant.

Gone was the carefree, teasing showman.

In his place was somethingdarker, somethingdangerous.

The former Warlord of the Sea straightened, rolling his shoulders as his voice dipped into something silkier—somethingthreatening.

"I came here to seewhere you stand,Desert King." His hands left his pockets, cracking his knuckles as he tilted his head. "And now? Now I know."

Crocodile's gaze was cold. "Then get the fuck out."

A beat.

Then Doflamingo grinnedagain, wild and unpredictable.

"Fuffuffuffuffu! Fine, fine." He took a slow step back. "But Crocodile?" He smirked, stepping into the doorway.

"I hope youlikethe attention—because you just painted a target on both your backs."

Then, with a final, lazy wave, he was gone, disappearing into the golden light of Serapha's streets.

The moment the doorsclicked shut, Crocodile took one final drag of his cigar before crushing it out in the ashtray.

"That fucking bastard."

Sinekalaughed, tracing a finger down his chest. "Well, that wasfun."

Crocodile exhaled slowly, his patience running thinner than ever.

"Don't tempt me, woman."

Sineka's smirk turnedwicked.

"Oh?" She leaned in, her lips brushing his ear.

"Wouldn'tdreamof it."

The moment the doors clicked shut and the lingering echo of Doflamingo's laughter faded into the night, Crocodile let out a slow, measured breath, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his chair.

Sineka, still comfortably perched in his lap, traced a lazy finger along his chest. "Tch. You reallyhatehim, don't you?"

Crocodile exhaled another puff of smoke, his patience razor-thin. "Hateis a waste of energy. But thatflamingo bastardhas always been a thorn in my side."

Sineka hummed thoughtfully, tilting her head. "You're irritated."

Crocodile's brow twitched. "No shit."

She smirked. "You're hotter when you're angry."

Crocodile shot her a look, unimpressed. "Woman."

Sineka laughed softly, her fingers still playing at the lapel of his coat.

But before he could say another word—

BZZZT. BZZZT.

Averyunwelcome sound crackled from his desk.

TheDen Den Mushi.

Crocodile's expression darkened instantly. The damn thingalwaysrang at the most inconvenient times.

Sineka arched a brow. "Expecting anotheruninvited guest?"

Crocodile didn't answer. Instead, he reached out and flicked the receiver, already feeling his blood pressure spike.

The moment the call connected, the snail's featuresmorphed into an exaggerated pair of cartoonishly wide eyes, dramatic eyelashes fluttering wildly.

And then—

"OHHH HO HO HO HO! WELL, WELL, WELL! IF IT ISN'TCROCO-BOY~!"

Crocodile'seye twitched.

Sinekabarelysuppressed a laugh.

Ivankov's laugh continued,loud and obnoxious,filling the room like an over-the-top musical number.

"Tell me,darling, did youmissme?~"

Crocodile exhaled sharply. "What do you want,Okama Yarou?"

Ivankov gasped dramatically, the Den Den Mushi's expression twisting into one ofmockoffense."Oh, Croco-boy, you wound me! And here I was, thinking we weresuchgood friends!"

Crocodile pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'll hang up."

Sineka,clearly enjoying this,crossed her arms and smirked. "Oh, don't be socold, Crocodile~. He soundsthrilledto hear from you."

Ivankovgaspedagain. "OHOHOHO!And who isthislovely creature?"

Sineka leaned closer to the Den Den Mushi, her tone rich with amusement. "Sineka Duskblade."

Ivankov's voicepracticallypurred."Mmm~ Well, well, Croco-boy! You never told me you had suchexquisitetaste!"

Crocodile groaned, rubbing his temple. "I don't have time for this."

Ivankovignoredhim entirely, voice dripping with exaggerated excitement.

"You've been making quite thesplashlately, Croco-boy! The wholeworldis talking! Andme? Ooooh, honey, I just had to call~!"

Crocodile took a long drag of his cigar before muttering,"You called just to beannoying, didn't you?"

Ivankov let out adramatic sigh."Oh,absolutely. And because, darling, Ihadto see if the rumors were true!"

He cackled again."And ooooh~ I see theyare! You've got yourself aladynow!"

Crocodile shot Sineka alook, but she just sipped her wine,thoroughly entertained.

Ivankov continued,far too amused by this entire situation.

"What happened, Croco-boy? Has the cold-heartedDesert Kingfinally beentamed?~"

Sineka smirked, turning to Crocodile. "Tamed, huh? I like the sound of that."

Crocodilegritted his teeth.

Ivankov cackled. "Oh, Iknewyou'd befun, darling! But tell me, tell me—how did you do it?How did you manage to keepthis grumpy old crocodilefrom biting your hand off?"

Sineka leaned on Crocodile's shoulder, voice silky smooth. "Oh, he bites."

Crocodileexhaled sharply.

Ivankov gasped. "OHOHOHO!"

Crocodileslammedthe receiver down.

The room fell into silence, save for Sineka'ssoft, mischievous laughter.

Crocodile inhaled deeply, his patienceshattered. "I swear to god..."

Sineka swirled the last of her wine in her glass. "He'sfun."

Crocodile shot her alookbefore muttering, "You'll regret saying that when he shows upin person."

Sineka smirked, eyes gleaming. "Oh? Andwhywould that be a problem?"

Crocodile took another slow drag of his cigar,already regretting everything.

"...You'll see."