"This looks...sketchy. Like, organ harvesting type of sketchy..."

I glanced between Yonji and the creepy looking building, hoping that he was just pulling my leg.
"Don't worry, I promise this'll be worth it. You trust me, right?" He cocked his head and smiled at me, not really giving me much of a choice. I trusted him completely, but I still had a weird feeling.

"Can't you tell me now that we're here? Who have we been tracking down? I feel like I should lock up my kidneys..." I took a step backwards from the building. It didn't help that it was overcast, making it look ten times more unwelcoming than it would have in the sunlight.

"I told you, someone who can help us. Come on, babe, don't be a scaredy cat. It's totally safe." Taking my hand, Yonji all but dragged me towards the door, and I had to really force myself not to dig my heel into the dirt.

Okay, (Y/N), this is fine. Trust him. He wouldn't put you in danger...

I flinched along with each rap against the door, kind of moving to stand behind my partner, just in case. When I heard footsteps approaching, I instinctively grabbed the material of his cloak, shutting my eyes when I heard the hinges creak.

"What?" Wait a second. I knew that voice. I was sure of it. Cracking an eye open, my jaw very nearly hit the ground. Dark skin, pale hair, and that large tattoo across his torso. How could I have misplaced him?
"D..Daz?! Mr One..?!"

When I spoke, his eyes moved to meet mine, and they softened immediately. Well, as much as they ever did, considering he was such a stoic man.
"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes? Guess you better come in." He stepped aside, and now I was the one to drag Yonji into the building.

If Mr One was there, then that could only mean one thing. He had been imprisoned in Impel Down, and there was no way he would have left on his own. Uncaring that I was just a visitor, I began to rush through the rooms, trying to find him.

Not the kitchen, not the dining room, not the bathroom, but when I skidded into the living room, there he was. Dark coat laid across his shoulders, golden hook shimmering in the candlelight, the stream of smoke wafting from the tip of his cigar.
"C..Croc..!"

He turned from where he stood by the window, eyes widening once they settled upon me.
"(Y/N)..?" I didn't give him much time to register my arrival before I ran at him, launching myself into his arms. He caught me, of course. He always caught me.

"I thought I'd never see you again..!" I wailed against the crook of his neck, squeezing him as tight as humanely possible. He held me right back, pressing a kiss to the side of my head as he tried to keep from toppling over.
"I'm right here. Where have you been? I've been worried sick."

Pulling back so I could look at his face, I smiled through my tears, glad to see him just as I remembered him to be.
"I was bought and sold as a slave! I ended up in G..Germa, but then we escaped and...and you're here! I'm so glad you're here! I've missed you so much!"

Upon hearing what had happened to me, Crocodile held me closer, protectively, as he moved to sit down on the nearby couch.
"A slave..? You escaped Germa..? Hold on, I need a second to process..." He sat me on his knee and inspected me closely, tilting my head left to right with the curve of his hook. "Did they hurt you? Are you alright? And who is we?"

Suddenly remembering that I could just show him instead of tell, I turned to find Yonji and Mr One standing in the doorway, and I jumped up and rushed to grab the former's arm.
"I'm alright! All thanks to Yonji, here! I'd like you two to finally meet!"

Yonji seemed to suddenly become nervous, but he still held himself tall, offering his hand to shake.
"N..Nice to finally meet you, Sir..." He spoke as clearly as he could, but Crocodile wasn't going to make it easy. Leaning in close, he studied the boy for a few long moments before his brow furrowed.

"You're a Vinsmoke." He said the name with a kind of venom I didn't quite appreciate, though I could understand. It did, however, surprise me that he figured it out so quickly. Was it the name? Or perhaps the fact that the natural swirl of his brow was growing back in?

"He saved my life." I took Yonji's hand in mine, and Crocodile seemed to understand everything in an instant, though he didn't look too thrilled about it.
"Well, I suppose you have my thanks for that..."

I guess I'll have to explain everything in detail later...

"You both look like shit. Mr One, can you get them something to eat?" Crocodile waved his companion off, who set to work without question or complaint. I was so overwhelmed with emotions I had to sit back down, trying to keep my eyes from leaking any more.

"Yonji...Thank you...Seriously, thank you so much..!" Now I could understand why he had kept it a secret. He had wanted it to be a surprise. Crouching down in front of me, he took me hand and gave it a squeeze.
"I knew how much seeing him again meant to you. I told you, I'd do anything to make you smile."

I don't deserve him.

Clearing his throat, Crocodile stood tall and menacing, looking down at the once green haired man.
"There's a free room upstairs. Put your things there and go clean yourself up. I'd like a word with her." Sensing that he was basically being told to fuck off for a while, Yonji gave my hand one last squeeze before he stood up and left the room.

The second Crocodile sat down next to me, I clung to his arm, resting my head against him. I had missed his smell, and it felt so much like home.
"Please don't be mean to him..." I asked, hoping he'd actually listen.

"I never thought I'd see you hand in hand with a Vinsmoke boy. You know what they do, don't you?" He questioned me, allowing me to lace my fingers with his.
"Yonji isn't like that anymore. My Devil Fruit woke something up inside of him, and he changed. He's the only reason I'm still alive." I explained, closing my eyes as I listened to the man breathe.

"I trust your judgement. I'm just glad that you're safe. I was looking everywhere for you after we got out..." His voice was soothing. I had missed it so much.
"Hah...well, I found you first..." I yawned, the exhaustion of our travels quickly catching up with me.

"That you did. Rest up. We can talk more later." Crocodile spoke softly, brushing his thumb against my skin as I slowly drifted off.

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***YONJI POV***

It warmed my heart when I came back downstairs to find Crocodile laying his coat over (Y/N)'s sleeping form.

Seeing her so happy made me feel the same way. We had been through so much crap together, she deserved something good in her life. Even if it meant that I would take the back burner.

"Vinsmoke. A word." I flinched when Crocodile turned to me, motioning his head for me to enter. I did as he requested, not wanting to piss him off. I knew I had once had quite the mouth on me, and I was sure I still did somewhere, I just had to keep it in check.

"I'd prefer Yonji. Wouldn't really call myself a Vinsmoke anymore..." I laughed flatly, standing before the intimidating man as he sat in his recliner.
"So, you've renounced Germa, have you? Was it for her sake?" He questioned me, and I glanced to where (Y/N) comfortably slept.

Everything is for her sake...

"Yeah. She wouldn't have survived much longer there, and honestly, I wouldn't have either, especially if anything had happened to her. She made me a better person. An actual person, if that makes sense..." I did my best to explain, starting to sweat a little.

Crocodile followed my eyes and hummed, tapping his hook against his knee, likely as a way to let me know who was in charge around here.
"So, you're saying you love her, are you..?" He sure was blunt, but I couldn't blame him. I knew about their past.

Without hesitation, I nodded firmly, hands clenching by my sides.
"More than I know how to put into words." I wish I could have described just how deeply I loved (Y/N), but I had no idea how to. The feeling was just so intense that no word seemed strong enough to do it justice.

Crocodile closed his eyes and sighed, leaning back in his seat and crossing his arms.
"Alright. I just had to be sure. Thank you for taking such good care of her. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you just how much she deserves it." He was right, he didn't. If it had been within my power, I would have given her everything her heart desired. I hoped just loving her would be enough, at least for now.

But...

"If...she decides she'd rather stay with you, can you promise me something..?" I wasn't sure why I felt so small standing before the ex warlord, especially when he opened an eye, staring directly at me.
"What would that be?"

Taking a deep breath, I gripped the material over my chest, casting my gaze to the floor.
"Just...can you make sure she stays happy? I just want her to smile, and laugh...even if I'm not there to see it..." Just thinking about parting ways with (Y/N) stung, but all that mattered was what she wanted. I knew how deeply she cared for Crocodile, so I had to prepare myself for that.

The raven-haired man stared at me for a long while, picking me apart with those sharp eyes of his.
"I wouldn't worry about not being there to see it. I saw how she looks at you, boy." He didn't seem all that bothered anymore, which was a relief. "You must be tired as well. Eat, and rest. I suppose you've earned it."

Nodding slowly, I turned and approached the couch, crouching down and brushing a little (H/C) hair out of the beautiful woman's face. She stirred, seeking the warmth of my hand, and I offered it to her, my heart soaring when she nuzzled against me.

I'm so glad I could do this for you, (Y/N). Seeing you happy makes everything worth it...

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***Of course one of the endings had to include d̶a̶d̶d̶y̶ Crocodile.

I'm sick as a dog right now but writing it keeping me from stewing in my suffering.

Next Time: Better For You***