Your feet somewhat drag as you approach your front door, the dusk giving your home a slightly pinkish hue and all around you both, you can hear birds tweeting to each other before they go to bed.

It's almost tranquil...

You and Sabo were speaking to Perona for hours, 5 to be exact, she's actually quite playful when her and Mihawk interact too - the couple would bicker here and there but you could feel that it was all in jest and that there was no real malice behind their words.

It entertained you but also made your heart shrink, you'll never be able to do that with Sabo again after today. 

But your decision is the right thing to do, you cannot let yourself forget that. 

Much to your surprise, Mihawk seemed to eventually warm to your presence also...well, kind of.

When he cooked dinner for himself and Perona, he made a little extra for yourself and Sabo, despite not being able to see your ghostly lover and he even allowed you both to join him and his wife at the dining table. 

Apparently, for a man like Mihawk, it's an extremely nice gesture.

Making your way inside, you begin to head straight for the stairs, hoping to just take a long bath and get some sleep. Of course Sabo is following closely on your tail, you can feel a chill against your palm as he attempts to hold your hand but once again with no luck. 

"Are you nervous for tomorrow?" Not that he even needs to ask, it's written all over your face.

"I--"

"Petal." Your father's voice suddenly booms from behind, stopping you in your tracks as you reach the fourth step of the staircase, your hand still resting on the banister as you glance over your shoulder at the man. "Where have you been all day? I now see why you don't like shopping around here, the town centre smells like piss and semen." 

Charming as ever, dad.

At least your father's harsh remark brightens Sabo's mood, the blonde snickering as he nods his head in agreement, his sweet eyes glancing down at you as he leans himself lightly against your body, it's his little replacement for holding your hand since the gesture is now impossible for him.

"He's right, y'know, some parts of this town are just plain gross~!" 

Apart of you really doesn't feel like putting on a show and pretending you're in a good mood but...it's Sabo's last day here, you need to be strong and make it fun for him, cry when it's all over.

"Are you alright?" Your father inquires, the man vaguely frowning whilst staring deeply into your eyes as you match his gaze, a sudden grip tightening around your heart as you silently nod your head. 

Why did he have to be so damn observant? 

Well, the man runs a casino, of course he can spot a pokerface from miles away. 

Especially one as terrible as yours. 

"I'm fine, it's just been a long day~!" You chime as enthusiastically as you can, instinctively tilting your head into Sabo's chest for subtle comfort and earning yourself a kiss on the forehead from your handsome ghost. "I just wanna sleep now, if that's okay~?" 

Your father still watches you for a moment, the room suddenly feeling like the antarctic as his dark orbs bore into your very soul until finally he hums in understanding. 

Jesus, what's with him today?

"Very well then." And with that, he turns on his heel, heading back into the kitchen and shuffling around with what sounds like bags...most likely his shopping. 

Much to your dismay, you're still prevented from relaxing in the comfort of your own room when Sabo shuffles himself in front of you, blocking your way to the top of the stairs with his body while his expression fills with concern.

Although the pout on his lips seems mildly playful at least.

"He wanted to see you, you know." The boy voices, his head tilting in the direction of the doorway leading into the kitchen. "You should spend a little more time with him, you don't know when he'll be returning to Las Vegas after all."

"Maybe I want to spend tonight with you, it's very likely going to be our last together." It hurts to say this aloud, he's the first man that you've ever felt this secure with, the one person who really knows you inside and out.

The only man who has ever fallen in love with you.

"I know...but I think I'd like to watch you and your old man properly interact before I go, I never took much notice of your relationship with him before. I wanna make sure he takes good care of my beautiful girlfriend." 

He has a way with words, that's for sure, how could you say no to him on your final night in his company? 

Though, when you think about it, this request of his is actually kind of sweet.

 It isn't like he can speak directly to Crocodile, so this is his only way of really getting to know your father, like most boyfriends would want to. 

The thought even brings a soft smile to your lips, a genuine one this time as your heart warmly flutters inside your chest. 

How does this man run circles around me all the time like this without fail?

"Fine. Let's go see dad but remember that I can only speak to you in my thoughts when I'm around him, otherwise he'll think I've lost my mind."

"Yes ma'am~!" Sabo playfully chimes as he follows you down the stairs and into the kitchen.

Immediately you spot your father through the archway that's leading into the dining room, he's sat at the large wooden table, fiddling with a rat trap. 

Silently taking a seat beside him, your eyes focus on his golden hook as he skilfully uses it to set a small piece of food in place within the small cage, you've always found it quite inspiring how he never let his handicap slow him down. 

Most people would get a prosthetic hand to replace their limb but no, your dad insisted on having a hook and the hook had to be gold and at least twice the size of his real hand.

The man just wishes to look scary, you're sure of it.

Perhaps him and Mihawk have that in common...maybe all fathers have that in common. 

"You've always preferred the more humane traps, haven't you, papa?" You ask with a smile, admittedly you're just trying to leak subtle bits of information to your lover, the handsome blonde currently sat across from you both and watching your father's handiwork with a soft grin. 

"Of course, Petal." Crocodile calmly murmurs, finally placing the metal box down carefully as he finishes prepping it, a vague pout darkening his features as he begins setting up a second one. "Rodents get hungry too, I won't kill them for merely trying to feed themselves...besides, the harsher traps make too much mess. I've got better things to do in the mornings than clean up corpses." 

For context, Sabo; My dad was an orphan so he knows what it's like to feel hunger.

"Oh? Wow, now I feel like a total jerk for always stealing his food."

Those words certainly draws a smirk to your lips as you turn your focus to your father's facial features, you honestly can't help but compare his concentration to that of Mihawk's from earlier, when the raven was tending to his garden.

In a way, they're doing similar things...

Mihawk was trying to make his child's resting place more peaceful. 

Crocodile is trying to make his child's home more liveable. 

A sudden wave of dread washes over you with that realization, your mind flashing back to Perona's story, how the man was broken over the death of his daughter - it's in this moment that you find yourself worrying about your own father if anything was to happen to you.

And what Sabo's must have felt.

"What's wrong with you today, Petal?" Your dad questions, almost as if he can read your mind. His fingers and hook ceasing their movements as he glances down at your small frame from the corner of his eye. "I can hear your heart beating from here."

Is it...? Yes, it is beating quite fast!

"N-Nothing, I just--!" No, there's no point in lying to this man. Taking a breath, you attempt to control your haywire pulse, a chill brushing across your hand as Sabo reaches over the table to hold it supportively, a gentle smile gracing his beautiful face. "...Promise me something, papa. If I were to die tomorrow, no matter how it happens, no matter how much it hurts, please don't ever blame yourself." 

"What? Where is this coming from? What are you talking about?!"

"It's nothing in particular, I just...heard something sad earlier about one of my neighbours. Please just promise me you'll never feel like you let me down, because you never could, not even if you tried!" 

"Hmph..." He doesn't answer right away, his eyes slowly softening as they still attempt to read you, suddenly he pulls his hand away from his little rat trap project, wrapping his arm around you and firmly pulling you into his chest before finally murmuring a reluctant; "Very well then, Petal...just promise me you won't die too young. You're supposed to outlive me, after all."

"Heh, I could be 100 and it'll still feel too soon for you, papa."

"Well...that's true, I suppose."

I never want to watch my father hurt like Sabo's brothers do or like Mihawk did...

My spirit wouldn't be able to handle such a thing.