"Why are you helping me?"

The question was asked with a tilted head as the boy in the straw hat stared you down.

You just grinned, "Like you, there's someone I'm looking for, and I think he's in here."

"Well, then we'll find him!" Luffy copied your grin, "After we rescue Ace!"

"Of course," you smiled back, "It won't be too hard to break in and out of the impregnable Impel Down."

"That's the spirit!" He laughed, clapping you on the back.

You laughed and raced alongside the young teen.

Confident in your abilities, you rush forwards, uncaring about the possible complications and consequences that could befall you.

The presence of the young teen is a good booster for the spirit. Even when serious, he has that uplifting energy that you admire him for.

It's best to have an ally in this place, you realized that early on. Therefore, you decided to team up with him as soon as you spotted him.

It's not like you were strangers.

Sure, you weren't exactly friends per se, more like acquaintances. Having run into him and his crew a few times, you're familiar enough with him that you're comfortable being allies in such a rough place.

You barely survived the fight against Magellan, Luffy taking the brunt of the damage until you, Luffy, and Bon Clay were 'Demoned Away' to Newkama Land.

There, you met the infamous Emporio Ivankov. You'd heard much about him and his followers, so you were honoured to meet him in person.

Albeit, a bit taken aback by his outlandish personality and bizarre followers. He helped Luffy and you, so you were indebted to him.

And now here you are, trying to escape level six and get back out of the prison. It's a long ways to go and you aren't thrilled.

You've been searching every cell looking for the man you came to find, but have had no luck. Luffy's had just as much luck as you, seeing as Ace is already on his way to the execution area.

A sinister laugh sounds, deep and rich.

Your ears perk up immediately.

"If you want to escape from here, set me free."

The voice is deeper than the ocean, smooth as snake skin. You'd recognize it anywhere.

"I can open a hole in the ceiling. So, how about it?"

The sharp clang of shackles rings loudly as the prisoner stands up and walks to the bars of the cell.

"Long time no see, Mugiwara."

You grin, racing over to the bars, "Crocodile! Here you are!"

His cold eyes meet yours as shock overcomes your companions. Luffy reaches out, clamping a hand on you to drag you back beside him.

"What are you doing, Y/n?! Don't you know what he did?"

"Hmm, oh well yeah, but we've been close for ages!" You reply, slipping from his hold. "I can't just let my boy rot in here."

"Your boy?" Ivankov echoes.

Crocodile does not look impressed, "What are you doing here, Y/n?"

"I came to rescue you!"

"He's who you're here for?!" Luffy steps towards you, anger in his eyes. "He ruined Vivi's country!"

"That's all in the past, I have no interest in that anymore. But a war between the Marines and Whitebeard? That piques my interest," Crocodile interjects.

"Gonna act like you're not happy to see me, huh?" You cross your arms, staring at Crocodile.

He ignores you.

"Let's release him, Mugiwara-boy. He would make an powerful ally," the King of Newkama says.

"What-?"

"Ivankov," Crocodile spits out, clearly not happy to see him. You unlock the cell door with a key you snagged earlier, opening it with a flourish and a grin.

"We can't trust him completely, but I've known him since he was a rookie."

"Really?" You ask, "I bet you have good stories!"

"Don't say anything," Crocodile growls.

"Don't take that tone with me, I have no qualms sharing about your past," Ivankov smirks.

You raise an eyebrow, "Oh please, I wanna know."

Crocodile shoots you a glare to which you stick out your tongue.

"It's only fair after that cold welcome you gave me. Croco-boyyy," you tease before snatching his hand in yours.

You find the lock on his shackles and slide a different key into it, twisting it deftly. It falls to the ground and you let your hands linger on Crocodile's skin.

He doesn't shrug off your touch, but his tense expression doesn't change.

"I missed you."

"You shouldn't be here," he says as he flexes his hand. "It's dangerous."

"I'm used to danger, silly."

He huffs in irritation, shooting a glance at the men watching. Luffy still seems to be in shock, while the other two look unaffected.

"Oh, here."

You dig in your pocket for a second with a toothy grin, "I got you something."

Smugly, you place a fat cigar into his hand, producing a lighter as well, "You must be cranky cause you had to quit cold-turkey."

At this, his lips twitch into a soft smile. A smile that he only gave to you, for you alone could make him feel this way.

Not only did you care enough to break him out, but you also thought of the small things.

He places the lit cigar into his mouth, placing his hand on your head to ruffle your hair, "Thank you."

You lean into his touch, savouring it.

While Luffy and the others discuss their next moves, Crocodile turns you to face him directly. He draws you into a quick hug.

"I missed you too, you know," he whispers, tightening his hold mindlessly. "But I think you're an idiot for coming down here."

You laugh, "Well, we can talk about it more once we're out of this shithole."

He nods, focusing on the task at hand: escaping Impel Down with you by his side.