~Croquant~
"Time really flows differently when you don't want something to end."
Robin stated from her position in his arms as they watched the sunset from the roof of the highest building of Water Seven.
'Today is the last day. I really have to return to Totto Land too.'
He made full use of the three days he haggled from Garp, teaching Robin, Merry and Nami, who was asked and agreed to listen in on his explanations, about all the important stuff in the New World.
There were copious amounts of fun to be had too, since bored strawhats were known to get into all kinds of trouble.
There was an underlying seriousness, though, as they all made sure to keep some time open everyday to train and spar.
Even the 'Cowardly Trio' trained with an intensity yet unseen from them.
'Just as it should be. This world is a dangerous one. I sure hope they'll keep it up on sea.
They need to be ready for everything.
After all, they need to protect my adorable little daughter.'
He pulled Robin closer, resting her back on his broad chest, as he fully embraced her from behind.
She didn't resist and, instead, entrusted her entire negligible weight to him as she leaned back.
"Soon, we'll be at sea again. To be honest, I was growing a bit restless, so I'm kind of glad.
But you won't be with me and Merry anymore, so I also don't want this to end."
Robin sounded conflicted and Croquant's Kenbonshoku picked up on just how deep her frustration really went.
He couldn't quite keep the chuckle down, that bubbled up his throat.
She turned around abruptly to give him a piece of her mind when she was suddenly aided in the motion, pulled close and kissed soundly.
All thoughts flowed out of her as she enjoyed the feelings of affection and love, that encapsuled her.
When they separated, she pouted and looked to the side.
"I hate, that you can make me forget all about being mad at you with a single kiss."
He laughed again and nodded.
"You hate it so much in fact, that you enthusiastically respond to everything I offer."
She sighed, as she relaxed against him.
"I'll miss you."
She simply stated, as nothing else had to be said.
~Luffy~
Adventure.
Treasure.
Meat.
Nakama.
Fun.
And most of all: Freedom.
Those were the things he desired desperately in his life.
He didn't like to think deeply, to contemplate on things, since planning in advance restricted his freedom to act as he wanted to.
Now he was forced to think.
Think about consequences... *shudder*
But. But!
To make sure his nakama would be alright.
Safe and sound.
He'd do it.
He would restrict a part of his freedom to make sure, that his chosen family would be allowed to act as carefree as they wanted to.
It took him considerable time to make that choice, since, at least for him, it was a hard one.
But, Croccy was right.
He was a captain, he had a responsibility to carry for his crew.
Once he'd chosen his future path, all the weight fell away, and he felt free once again, which made him hopeful, that he chose correctly.
But even if it should prove to be the wrong one, he'd see it through to the end.
~General~
Unknown to him, this mental block, that he just overcame was one of the hurdles he'd had to take to awaken as a conqueror.
And he took it way earlier than in the original timeline.
~Garp~
Three days he wanted, three days he got.
Less than two hours were left, and by Goda, it was worth it.
He wasn't even able to identify the new flavours.
But the word 'delicious' didn't do them justice.
He'd have to make up a new word to describe them.
'Garptastic? No, that doesn't sound catchy.
Deligarp? Sounds like a new race of post birds. Maybe I'll try to breed some and train them to steal Sengoku's hat.
That would be hilarious.
Hmm, something like Justice-approved flavour? I'll have to think on that.'
While he was pondering nonsensical things, his body went through motions, that wouldn't be possible for a normal man.
'Shaking off the rust' wasn't just a metaphor.
The lack of decent sparring partners that didn't wimp out after receiving a good ol' Fist of bloody Justice made him lazy.
Now, that someone actually had the drive to surpass him, even if it was said man's daughter who instilled it, he felt his hunger for a good battle stir again.
Just as his battle intent started seeping out of him, Croccy landed on the empty field, that the Marine Hero used to train.
Garp looked at him with blazing eyes as he charged in his direction to initiate a beat... A sparring session.
Croquant, already looking quite exasperated, countered the 'Love tap' and held his backpack in front of himself like a shield.
"Is this going to be a habit of yours?!"
Garp only laughed.
"It's a reflex, I see your face and want to smash it in!"
He flexed his fist to make sure his point got across.
He was successful if the twitching eye was an indicator.
Of course it was all in good violent fun.
As they both got serious, Garp asked.
"You got the stuff?"
Croccy looked around to make sure no one was listening in or watching.
Good man.
He set down the backpack and opened it carefully.
A golden halo seemingly originated from the contents of the backpack as a heavenly scent wafted from the products.
It had already awoken the primordial beast sealed within him, The Stomach.
He was seriously starting to contemplate risking a war against Big Mom by abducting her favourite son when he started to explain the delicacies.
"Of course, I already promised you two new flavours for your crackers, but I recently got my hands on some spices from Totto so I decided to throw in an extra one as a sign of good will.
The sealed containers have my best confectionaries in them to preserve their freshness."
He pointed to the dark brown one.
"That one has my own spin on Tiramisu, which is a layered coffee-flavoured dessert, usually made with ladyfingers.
I added an extra layer consisting of a thin sheet of cake, that I made with flour based on Kostoa nuts.
I got the recipe from an island called Veno in the new world..."
He started to rattle off all kinds of details and interesting facts in regards to his creations with excitement and the gleam of someone talking about something very fond to their heart in his eyes.
Unseen by him, Garp's eyes had softened a tad and a small but genuine smile could be seen on his weathered face.
'It's good, that even a monster like him has things he is passionate about.
The fact, that I profit heavily from this doesn't matter at all.'
When he was done, he smiled excitedly at Garp.
"Please do tell me which one you liked best, except for the crackers since they'd be you favourites anyways.
Strong people usually have better developed senses and I really like comparing the experiences to create a better balance for the flavours."
Garp almost snorted.
That fellow was more cook than pirate, more diplomat than seafaring warrior, more orator than plunderer.
'Should he really ascend the throne of Totto Land, then they'll prosper even more than now.
He might give off a lazy air, but he is dedicated and efficient. He also has the power to back it all up.
If he furthers that last technique he used, then he'll be a match for the best.'
For now, Garp decided, that having a good relationship with one of the up and coming powerhouses of the world, who's also one of the best cooks he'd ever met, was a good idea, especially if he could keep getting delicacies like those.
So he went on to deepen their friendship the only way he knew.
By beating the crap out of him.
~Croquant~
'Why does every single meeting with that old gorilla end in a beating, start with beating or consist of a beating?'
He grumbled to himself as he made his way to the last meeting before the strawhats left for adventures yet to be seen.
With practised ease, he geppoed himself on deck of the Thousand Sunny, named just the day before.
Since they weren't really in a hurry as Garp didn't chase them yet, they were still residing in the resort till this day.
This changed Franky's joining scene quite a bit, as he had to chase his 'family' all the way to the other side of the island to get his underwear back.
As funny as it was in the original, he was kinda glad that Robin did not use a remote 'Monkey steals the peach' on the guy.
Instead, he crashed into the female bathing area, incurred a heavy debt with Nami through means of 'Happiness Punch', got the crap kicked out of him by Sanji, who used Diable Jambe for the first time and was finally 'assailed' by Luffy until he joined the crew with the debt to Nami as an excuse to mask his own willingness and preserve his, in Croquant's opinion, already nonexistent pride.
'He was really lucky, that it was Nami, who used the bathing area at the time...'
With those antics going through his mind, he searched for his two girls by means of Kenbonshoku.
He felt their somewhat muted presences below deck in one of the recreational rooms.
When he looked in curiously, he found the precious scene of the two of them napping on one of the couches, curled into each other.
His face melted into a soft smile as feelings of love and protectiveness surged through him.
Once again, he vowed to protect them.
He wouldn't hover more than he already did, though.
If he wanted to protect them without constantly coddling them, then he needed to aid them in their growth.
He needed to let them have their own experiences, troubles and tribulations.
Otherwise, how would Robin ever fulfill her dream of learning The Truth?
How would Merry protect those precious to her?
He'd be there to be leaned on, should they need it. He'd be their pillar, always present in one way or another, always solid but never oppressing their personalities and dreams.
He was pulled out of his ruminations by a soft hand caressing his face.
Focussing on the curious face of Robin in front of him, he smiled gently and took her hand into his to press a soft kiss on it's back.
She blushed slightly at the random affectionate gesture, not yet used to it, and asked.
"What's got you in thought this time?"
She knew of his habit of loosing himself in his own thoughts as he spiralled from one topic to the other without ever seeming to stop.
He explained his thought process to her, as he was sure she'd understand and he wasn't disappointed.
She nodded seriously.
"We won't always have you close by to rely on.
I already told you that I won't be your obedient little wife.
This fits my own plans well.
We will stand on our own feet.
It is nice to know, that we'll always have you to support us if things become unmanagable, though."
She winked with a cheeky little smile after the last sentence.
They had relocated to the couch while talking, so it wasn't much of a surprise when Merry threw herself over their laps.
"I'll grow too! I'll make you proud!
Then I'll be able to support you just as much as you support me!"
She showed an intense expression of determination, but the reaction she got wasn't in any way what she expected.
With an air of desperation, he glomped her and stated with finality in his voice.
"No. You'll be my little girl, forever."
Robin, who sat besides them, saw the utterly confused expression on Merry's face and had to laugh.
"Fufufu, don't worry, little one, it's something every father wishes for.
It's also something unachievable.
They know, and they'll be endlessly proud of their daughter's achievements in life, but they'll bear the growing independence of their daughters with an air of melancholy."
Her laugh bubbled up again when she saw the wronged expression on Croquant's face.
"Don't be like that. You know I'm right."
He sighed as he pulled away a bit and looked into Merry's eyes.
"She's right in one thing for sure.
I'll always be proud of you, no matter what.
I've only just gotten to know you, my little lamb, but do know, that saving you is my proudest achievement up to date.
The only thing that comes even close is making Robin fall for me."
He cheekily grinned and winked at Robin, who only rolled her eyes with a fond smile.
He continued.
"It is a father's duty to protect, to shield, to support their children in any way possible.
It is a father's responsibility to care, to love and to guide their children on a path, that they'd be proud to have walked.
And it is a father's bittersweet pleasure to watch their children grow into their own person, to start paving their own way, to stumble and catch themselves and to see them hopefully achieve their full potential.
A father will always be there.
A father will guide a lost child back onto their road of life.
A father will help from the shadows, oftentimes without the children even knowing, but that's ok.
We don't do it for recognition.
We, no, I do it because I love you my little princess.
So rely on me a bit longer.
There will be hardships, you will grow.
You will have the chance to shine brighter than any star in the sky."
He took Robin's hand into his as she looked at him with slightly moist eyes and an adoring smile on her face.
He looked back onto a highly emotional Merry.
"We'll make sure of it."