Chapter 68
Shanks and his crew were wandering around Alabasta, just exploring and taking in the sights, and Shanks was currently scarfing down a meat skewer like he hasn’t eat in days, juice dripping down his chin. "Fuck, I missed the grub here," he said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Yasopp, his trusty sniper, chuckled, "You say that about every place we go, Captain."
Shanks was about to retort when he Heard in all all too familiar voice. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t a little red duckling himself?”
Shanks mouth snapped shut, and his face turned a shade of red that was just as bright as his hair in a split second. He recognized that sultry, slightly mocking tone anywhere. Slowly, he turned around and his eyes landed on the person who had just called him a duckling. Crocodile, or Lady Crocodile, as some called her, stood there with her arms crossed over her chest, her purple eyes gleaming with amusement. The years had done wonders for her, and she was even more stunning than he remembered. The scar on her nose and the gold hook replacing her left hand only added to her dark allure.
Her long, straight black hair fluttered in the desert breeze, and she wore a plain white button up shirt that was unbutton enough to show the top of her black lace bra, a tight black pencil skirt with a slit going up the right side, dark stocking, black stiletto heels, a long black leopard print fur jacket, and dark makeup and all shades of black, browns, and reds. The sight of her made Shanks' heart race, and his face grew even redder.
"Crocodile," he said, his voice thick with a mix of surprise and something else he couldn't quite place. "It's been a while."
“Yes it has, little red duckling.” Crocodile says, taking a step closer to him, her hand coming up to grab his face and tilt it slightly to get a better look at him. Her nails were long and sharp and painted a dark shade of purple. “You’ve grown into a fine pirate, haven’t you?” She says, her nails slightly digging into his cheeks, sending a jolt of electricity down his spine, his face growing even redder if that was even possible.
Yasopp, who was still standing beside Shanks, was eyeing Shanks with a look that send, ‘you Know a woman that looks like this and you didn’t tell us?’ Shanks shot him a glare that said, ‘now isn’t the time to talk about that shit’. Crocodile chuckled, “Is your tongue tied, Red Hair? Or have the sands of the desert swallowed it whole?”
Shanks eyes snap to Crocodile again, and he tried to say something anything, but nothing but a squeak would come out. Crocodile let out a sigh that was mixed with a chuckle, before letting go of Shanks face, her hand sliding down his neck, across his chest and shoulder as she walked past him. “It was good seeing you again, little red duckling.” She called out, not bothering to look back.
Shanks fell to the Sandy ground like a wet noodle, a very, very flustered, crumpled, wet noodle, his mouth still slightly agape. He had never felt his heart hammer so loudly in his chest like it was about to burst through his ribcage and declare its love for this sassy, gorgeous, terrifying pirate queen. He watched her sashay away, her hips moving with the grace of a snake that had just eyed its prey, and the confidence of a lioness who had just claimed her territory.
The rest of the Red Hair Pirates stared at their captain, who was usually the cool headed one, now lying in a puddle of his own awkwardness. They had never seen him like this, and they were absolutely loving it. The air was thick with unspoken jibes and smirks, and Shanks felt every single one of them.
"What the hell just happened?" Limejuice whispered to Benn Beckman, who only shrugged, his eyes glued to the retreating figure of Crocodile.
Shanks managed to get to his feet, brushing off the sand clinging to his clothes. "C'mon, let's go," he said, his voice gruff, trying to cover the embarrassment. The crew exchanged amused glances but followed their captain without question.
“So, little red duckling, huh?” Yasopp chuckled, slapping Shanks on the back as they made their way through the bustling streets of Rainbase. “Who was that beauty that’s got you blushing like a schoolgirl and got away with calling you such a ridiculous name?”
Shanks cleared his throat, still trying to compose himself. “That was Crocodile, or… uh, Lady Crocodile. She… uhm… she’s called me that since I was little, since I was a Roger Pirate.”
“Oh, she’s from the Roger Pirates too?” Lucky Roux piped up, curiosity in his eyes.
“Uh, no, she’s… she’s… she was a white beard pirate. Specifically she is whitebeard’s only biological child.” Shanks said, still trying to play it cool, but the heat from his cheeks betrayed his nerves.
The crew of the Red Force exchanged looks of shock. “Whitebeard’s daughter?” Limejuice whispered. “And she called you a little red duckling?”
“It’s just a stupid nickname.” Shanks grumbled, speeding up and walking away from them, trying to ignore their snickers.