#old truth's

            When the birds are out of sight, Crocodile looks back as his father’s grave. With his great sword stuck into the gravestone, it nearly towers as tall as the man himself. A knot forms in Crocodile’s throat. For a moment, a part of him wishes they could have known each other better. He has no idea what that would have looked like. Crocodile has never been the kind to open up so easily to anyone. He supposes that he’s lucky that they knew each other at all. He prays silently that one day maybe Luffy can look at him the same way. He doubts that they will ever have a relationship beyond the one they have now. When he feels himself getting close to tears again, he clears his throat before taking the sake cup in front of himself and downing it.

            Bye pops.

            He stands, taking in the sight of the tombstone one last time before turning and starting down the hill. Except he doesn’t make if five feet before he comes to an abrupt halt. Staring down at the grass, he grits his teeth, trying to will himself to take another step. It doesn’t happen. He presses his lips together as he slowly turns so he’s half facing Garp and the graves.  

            Grinding his teeth, he wishes he could just walk away and leave the old man to mourn… but some unseeable force keeps him glued to his spot. Before he can stop himself, he blurts, “He…”

His voice cracks making his face burn as he clears his throat again in an attempt to hide his embarrassment. Garp glances over his shoulder but doesn’t turn his body. Crocodile swallows and goes on, “He probably didn’t hate you in the end… Ace I mean.”

            Garp returns his head so that he’s facing the graves again. Crocodile continues, “I never knew the kid, but if Whitebeard thought that he was worth fighting for then… he was someone who wouldn’t blame you for how it ended. In the end, he chose to fight Sakazuki.”

            A strong gust of wind knocks Crocodile’s back almost making him stumble towards Garp. He manages to steady himself and brushes a strand of hair behind his ear. When he’s standing straight, he closes his eyes as the image of Luffy holding Fire Fist in his las moments flashes across his eyes.

“We’ll never know if it mattered in the end. If our actions changed anything. If he ran… maybe, he would have gotten away. Maybe not.” He opens his eyes and finds the two seagulls have returned and are circling overhead. Crocodile blinks and lets out a calming breath. “We can’t keep killing ourselves with ‘what ifs’ and asking ourselves what we could have done different. Nothing can change the past. All we can do now is move forward.”

            Garp stays silent as he continues to stare at Ace’s tombstone. Crocodile isn’t surprised when he doesn’t respond. Saying anything else might be pushing things and Crocodile already feels like he’s embarrassed himself in front of the Vice Admiral enough for a lifetime. He gives a small respectful nod despite Garp not being able to see it and turns to finally start down the hill.

            “Crocodile,” Garp’s voice cuts through the wind and rustling trees. Crocodile stops once again and turns back to the graves. He watches Garp slowly get to his feet, bow to the graves, and turn to walk down the hill. He stops in front of Crocodile. “I don’t know where Dragon is but… I might have something that could help you find him.”

            Garp doesn’t elaborate and Crocodile doesn’t ask any further questions. They walk side by side as they descend the hill towards their ships.

            “So,” Garp says, breaking their silence, “Was Whitebeard really your old man?”

            Crocodile gives a sigh, “Who knows. He never gave me any definite proof that I was his biological son. But in the end I guess it didn’t matter. Once Whitebeard got it in his head about something, there was no changing it. And I suppose I never really mind it either.”

            Garp gives a grunt in response before arching a brow at him making Crocodile frown.

“So, Whitebeard took your left hand, gave you that scar, and you’re still visiting his grave to show your respects? Sorry if I’m a little confused by that.” Garp doesn’t look away.

            Crocodile lets out a short laugh, “I doubt its something most would understand. Our relationship was complicated. I didn’t meet him until I was older and by then had no intention of playing out a father and son relationship. All I ever wanted for him was to be treated as an equal and to fight him. He did in the end, and it cost me my left hand and left me permanently scarred. I vowed to return the favor one day but… I never hated him.”

            Garp gives another grunt in response. Truthfully, Crocodile loved that old fool. Maybe it’s just him being sentimental after everything that’s happened from learning about Luffy, but he really did. Crocodile lifts his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. He’s growing soft and it’s really starting to piss him off. He lets out an aggravated breath and reaches into his coat to pull out a cigar. He lifts it to his lips before digging around his pockets in search of a light. He pauses when Garp pulls out a matchbook and lights the end of his cigar. Crocodile stares at him for a moment before taking a drag and letting out a steady stream of smoke.

            “So,” Crocodile says as their ships come into view. “Do you plan on arresting me when we reach the ships?”

            “Oh, didn’t you hear? I’m semi-retired now!” he gives a laugh and wide grin that reminds Crocodile to much of both Luffy and Dragon. He looks away to hide his own smile. When they approach the ships, Daz is standing on the deck with his arms turned into blades. On the naval vessel, a slew of marines points their guns at Crocodile’s ship. Both Crocodile and Garp let out tired sighs as the get closer.

            “Vice Admiral! I’m glad that you’re back. We need your orders before we ca—Ca—Crocodile! What is he doing here?!” a pink haired boy shouts when he recognizes the former warlord. Crocodile takes a drag while keeping eye contact with the brat. A blonde haired brat stands next to him looking just as surprised and horrified as the first one.

            “Calm down Koby, Helmeppo, he’s just leaving. Tell the men to put away their weapons before they hurt themselves.” Garp sticks his hands in his pockets before saying to Crocodile, “Wait here.”

            Crocodile does as he asks and waits while the pink haired boy, Koby, refuses to take his eyes off him. Crocodile glances towards Daz and shouts, “Stand down Daz. We won’t be returning to Impel Down today.”

            Daz’s arms return to normal but even from here, Crocodile can see him sweating.

            “Excuse me, Crocodile sir?” Koby says as he stares at the ground with his bandaged hands in fists. He’s covered in wounds. He must have been there. The boy lifts his head to meet Crocodile’s eyes, “You… you helped Monkey D. Luffy escape… right? I know you two were enemies in the past but…”

            “Koby, should you really…” The one named Helmeppo reaches out for his friend but Koby shakes him away.

            “Please, if you can, please tell me if he’s okay!” Koby stands tall after asking this. Crocodile lets out a breath of smoke and watches the sudden surge of confidence fade almost as quickly as it came. He steps back and begins shaking his head while moving his hands and saying, “I—I mean… if you can! You don’t have to I was just…”

            “You a friend of his, boy?” Crocodile takes his cigar from his mouth, inspects it before sliding it back between his teeth. Koby lifts his head again and nods. “Then you should know not to worry about such things. The brat will be fine.”

            Koby’s shoulders relax with relief as he smiles. He gives a quick short bow. “Thank you, Crocodile.”

            “Koby!” Garp snaps from the boardwalk of his ship. Both Helmeppo and Koby stiffen at the Vice Admiral’s voice. “Quit fraternizing with the enemy and get back on the ship.”

            The two hurry back to the ship as Garp reaches Crocodile. He reaches into his pocket and pulls something out before handing it to Crocodile. Crocodile takes it and turns the small wooden object in his hand.

            “An eternal pose?” He glances at Garp.

            “I found it a while back. Never had much use for it over the past few years but I figured it was safe to have. If you need to get a hold of Dragon, then this is your best bet.” Garp says. Crocodile slips the log pose into his pocket. They stand by the shore, listening to the water crash into the sand.

            “Thank you.” Crocodile meets his eyes. Garp looks away with a smirk.

            “Just do something about his gloomy attitude. That’s all I ask.”

            They say nothing else to each other as they both board their own ships and begin sailing in different directions. Daz walks up to Crocodile as he takes the helm.

            “Where to now?” Daz watches Crocodile pull out the eternal log pose and hold it up to get his heading.

            “How do you feel about meeting back up with some of the inmates we broke out with?” Crocodile chuckles as he turns the ship. Daz lets out a tired sigh but doesn’t argue. Crocodile turns the ship until its pointing straight ahead to the Kamabakka kingdom.

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