Chapter Text
Finally. Things were beginning to get interesting. Doflamingo was grateful to Roger, for sparking this chaos in Loguetown, but even more so for dying to make it happen. What better reward for his hard work than an empty throne, ripe for the taking. Doflamingo looked out into the scrambling crowd, the sky dark, heavy with rainclouds. A few people stood there observing, like himself. His real competition. A dark haired man with a long sword, a pale man with pink hair and sharp teeth, and… The last person caught his eye. They looked like they straddled the line between male and female, short dark hair slicked back, their face was soft, smooth, a fat cigar hanging from their pink plush lips. If they were a woman, then they were quite butch, but if they were a man, they looked like a twink trying to appear tough. Either way, Doflamingo wanted to get to know them.
The butch twink eventually turned heel and walked away in the opposite direction of Doflamingo. He pursued, not wanting to lose sight of them before he could introduce himself. They turned down alley after alley, deeper into the underbelly of the town, until the rolling thunder seemed distant and the sound of rain filled the quiet spaces. Doflamingo lost sight of his prey for just a moment, and as he turned the corner he found himself shoved against the rough brick wall, an ornate dagger, long and curved, pressed firmly to his neck, right where his thickest blue veins pulsed under the skin.
“Why are you following me?” The brunette growled, attempting to deepen their voice, but it straddled the line between feminine and masculine.
Doflamingo opened his mouth to taunt the butch twink, but he stopped short, the strings on his fingers hanging limply as he took in the sight before him. He felt as though he was struck with an arrow, the pang in his chest so sudden. All he could think was ‘so beautiful.’ The person before him had dark features, thick brows and eyelashes, soft plush lips, smooth round cheeks and a pointed nose, marred only by the long, raised scar across their face. But it didn’t detract from their striking appearance, it only added to it for Doflamingo. Those hooded lavender eyes glared at him, threatened him with real violence, and he could feel the steady sure grip, the muscles in their arm and hand tensed, ready to kill him without hesitation. Was this love? He had never felt so entranced by someone like this before.
“Are you stupid or something? Answer me or I’ll slit your throat and leave you here to rot.” They snapped, pressing the dagger harder against Doflamingo’s skin, the pressure firm enough to draw a bead of blood.
Excitement curled in Doflamingo’s stomach, his blood singing with the attractive person’s threat. His mind and body urged him not to let this person slip through his fingers. He needed them.
“Join my crew.” The blonde breathed out, surprised at the soft airy tone of his own voice.
The butch twink paused, looked him up and down, those beautiful eyes leaving goosebumps in their wake. Then they gave him a mocking smile, lowering the dagger and and brought their hand up to his face, patting his cheek. “Nice try but I’m no one’s subordinate.” They took a step back, their hands leaving Doflamingo and for a moment he felt bereft.
The brunette turned and walked away, seeming unconcerned with Doflamingo, making their way down the alley. The blond brought his hand to his face where they had just touched him. He should be pissed, should hunt them down for the blatant disrespect, but he felt dazed, almost giddy. The brunette was about to turn the corner and Doflamingo pushed off from the wall, taking a few long strides.
“Hey!”
They paused, but didn’t look back.
“Let me take you on a date!”
The butch twink held up one hand, a middle finger the clear answer, before they turned the corner.
Doflamingo scoffed, and then his disbelief turned into laughter, wild and crazed. He would find them again. Somehow. Some way.