Chapter 11
Doflamingo and his Friends were playing with the kids in the Play room of Sonny D’s. Daycare, well, Doflamingo more than the others, he’d always loved kids, and his friends, Trebol, Diamante, Pica, and Vergo, well, they tolerated it for his sake. Trebol had just finished tying a knot around a toy boat, making it look like a tiny pirate ship. "Arr matey!" he said, holding it up with a toothy grin to a giggling Luffy. Diamante was playing dress-up with Nami, who looked like a tiny fashionista with her Orange hair in bows, and Pica was awkwardly trying to assemble a tower of blocks with the hyperactive Ace and Sabo, who kept knocking it down. Vergo, ever the skeptic, was reading a book in the corner, looking utterly bored with the whole ordeal.
Doflamingo distantly heard the sound of the front door of the daycare opening, The bell above the door letting out a little chime, soon followed by a voice with an Egyptian accent that would make a nun’s knees go weak, soak her panties in an instance, and beg to sin right in the middle of the church aisle. “Ah, Miss Di'Ja, I see you’re looking as gorgeous as ever.”
Di'Ja, the owner of the daycare, rolled her eyes. "Crocodile, always the charmer," she said, trying to hide her smile. "You’re here to pick up Luffy, Ace, and Sabo?"
“لماذا بالطبع يا حبيبتي؟.” Crocodile said in Arabic, leaning against the calendar that separated the playroom and the lobby of the daycare. He has a long-stitched scar at the bridge of his nose that stretches across his face and Bionic hand shaped like a large hook that looks like it is made from a tough gold alloy in place of his left hand. He was dressed in a silk black button up, an emerald green male corset with darker shiny designs to look like crocodile scales, flared black dress pants, heeled black crocodile skin dress shoes. He had a black tie on that looked like it was made out of real black alligator skin. A shit ton of jewelry, Gold, silver, Diamond, and jeweled rings, bracelets, necklaces, every goddamn piercing you could get in your ears, and to finish the look he had on a open long fur coat that made him look like a sultry devil that could melt your panties off with a single look. He had shoulder length jet black hair that shines purple in the sun, tan skin, and purple eyes that could make anyone fall for him at first glance.
Doflamingo felt his cheeks burn and his heart flutter. He had never seen anyone so utterly captivating in his life. The way Crocodile's muscles rippled under his clothes was like a work of art, and those piercing purple eyes, they held a world of mystery and allure that Doflamingo desperately wanted to explore. He swallowed hard, trying to compose himself, but it was like he was a moth and Crocodile was a flame that he couldn't resist flying closer to.
“ايس، سابو، لوفي, my little crocodilians," Crocodile called out in a mix of English and Arabic, his deep, velvety voice sending a shiver down Doflamingo’s spine. Ace, Sabo, Luffy squealed with excitement, running towards the man with arms outstretched.
As Crocodile scooped up the three toddlers, one by one, Doflamingo couldn’t help but stare at the bionic hook. The way it moved so fluidly, almost as if it were a natural extension of his body, was both fascinating and a little intimidating. He couldn’t stop his eyes from tracing the line of the scar that marked his face, adding to his edgy, dangerous charm. The sight of him holding the kids so gently, yet with a clear air of authority, was something that Doflamingo hadn’t expected from a man who looked like he could rule the underworld.
"Thank you for taking such good care of them today, Di’Ja, and… her Little companions?” Crocodile said, his accent rolling over the words like warm honey, as her eyes roamed over Doflamingo and his friends.
Di’Ja nodded, a knowing smile playing on her lips as she looked at Doflamingo and his friends. “Yes, these are my assistants, Doflamingo, Trebol, Diamante, Pica, and Vergo. They’re helping me out today as part of their community service hours from school." She said with a wink at the boys.
Crocodile’s gaze lingered on Doflamingo for a moment longer than the others, his eyes sweeping over the young man’s slender frame and the way his hair fell over one eye. He raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the flustered blush that stained the teenager’s cheeks. “Ah, the troublemakers of the school. I’ve heard about you all,” he said, his tone amused. “My little brothers have been nonstop talking about the five Seniors that managed to dress up a pig as the principal, and then let said pig loose in the hallways last week.”
The room went quiet, and Doflamingo’s friends exchanged nervous glances. They had hoped their little prank had gone unnoticed by the outside world. But Crocodile’s knowing smile told them that not only had it not gone unnoticed, but it had also reached the ears of someone who seemed to find it utterly entertaining.
"Well, Mr. Crocodile," Doflamingo began, trying to play it cool despite his racing heart, "we're just a bunch of students trying to make our way through school."
Crocodile chuckled, waving him off. “No, no, no, you don’t have to explain yourself to me. I would’ve done the same thing if I was still in school and I had principal Moe as a Principal. The man’s not the best… Company to have around.” He said, his smile turning slightly predatory.
“Crocodile Newgate! Do not corrupt these young minds with your rebellious talk!” Di’Ja playfully scolded, her eyes sparkling with mirth. “They’re here to learn responsibility and good behavior, not your mafia ways!”
“My apologies, عزيزي.” Crocodile said, his grin never wavering, his gold tooth glinting in the light. “Well, I should get my Little crocodilian’s home and stop… corrupting the youth with my mafia ways.” He winked, the gesture filled with so much charm and mischief that it made Doflamingo's knees wobble slightly.
Doflamingo couldn’t help but watch as Crocodile swaggered out of the daycare, his long fur coat billowing behind him like the cape of a dark knight. He had never felt so drawn to someone before, and he was acutely aware that he was staring like a lovesick puppy.
And finally Doflamingo looked up just to see Law and his three Friends Penguin, Shachi, and Bepo standing in front of him. And law had a look that could only be described as discussed and disbelief painted on his features.
“Don’t look at me like that!” Doflamingo snapped at his little brother, his voice a little too high-pitched for his own liking.
Law, with his black hair and sharp, intelligent eyes, couldn’t help but smirk at the sight of his older brother turned into a blushing mess. “What? You’re the one who couldn’t keep his eyes off Mr. Mobster Daddy over there!” he teased. Penguin, Shachi, and Bepo giggled in agreement.
Doflamingo spluttered. “You’re like eight, where on earth did you learn about mobsters? And where did you learn that to use the word Daddy in that context?” He was half mortified, half amused by Law’s cheekiness.
Law shrugged, his smirk never faltering. “I have my ways of knowing things, Doffy-nii. And it’s not like you were being subtle with those lovey-dovey eyes of yours!” He giggled and took off, running down the hallway.
Doflamingo rolled his eyes and turned to his friends, who were trying their best not to laugh. “It’s not like that!” he protested, his cheeks still flaming.
“Yeah, right, Doffy. You looked like you just saw a unicorn made of chocolate and gold coins, and it whispered sweet nothings in your ear!” Trebol teased, holding his belly with laughter.
Diamante chuckled and playfully elbowed Doflamingo. “Maybe you should go after him, see if he’s single!”
Doflamingo rolled his eyes, trying to ignore the flutter in his stomach. “It’s not like that, you guys. He’s just...” He trailed off, unable to find the right words to describe the electric attraction that had struck him like a bolt out of the blue.
Vergo, having closed his book, looked up with a knowing smile. “Well, if it isn’t love at first sight for our dear Doflamingo. Who would’ve thought the great troublemaker would be brought to his knees by a man with a hook for a hand?” He mused, earning himself a glare from Doflamingo.
“Shut it, Vergo,” Doflamingo muttered, trying to regain his composure. But he couldn’t deny the thrill that had shot through him when Crocodile had spoken to him, and the way his heart had raced when their eyes met. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before.
The rest of the afternoon at the daycare dragged on, the children’s laughter and antics a dull buzz in the background as Doflamingo’s thoughts remained firmly on Crocodile. He found himself replaying every moment of their interaction, analyzing the man’s words, his smile, the way he had cradled the kids in his arms with such surprising tenderness. It was as if a switch had been flipped inside him, and he was suddenly hyperaware of every little detail about this mysterious stranger.
When the final bell rang, signaling the end of the day, Doflamingo couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment that Crocodile wouldn’t be coming back again. He packed up the toys with his friends, his mind racing with scenarios of how they could bump into each other again. Trebol slapped him on the back, pulling him out of his reverie. “Come on, Doffy, snap out of it! You’re acting like you’ve never seen a hot guy before!”
Diamante laughed, handing Doflamingo a broom. “Maybe he’ll come back tomorrow to drop off Luffy and the twins. You can ask him out then, or at least get his number! I mean, he doesn’t look too much older than us, or, well, maybe he’s not, I really? I don’t know. But you know what I mean!”
Doflamingo took the broom, feigning a scoff. “I’m not asking him out, you idiots. I’m just saying he’s interesting, that’s all. Besides, we have to finish cleaning up here before we can even think about leaving.” He started sweeping, trying to push aside his racing thoughts.
As they finished up and locked the doors to Sonny D’s, Doflamingo’s mind was still swirling with images of Crocodile. He couldn’t get the sound of his deep, accented voice out of his head, nor the feel of those piercing purple eyes that seemed to see straight through him.