"We're just ordinary allies, nothing more…" Stussy said, and to Doflamingo it sounded so absurd it bordered on comedy.
He almost had the urge to rip off his sunglasses and roll his eyes at her.
Sure, he might be young—fourteen or fifteen—and yes, less experienced than the fossils who ruled this place.
But young didn't mean stupid.
He lived in the Underworld. He'd seen the Sea's darkest, bloodiest underside. What kind of filthy deal hadn't he watched get made? And she expected him to swallow that line?
You think I can't see through you?
You think I don't know what kind of man my so-called godfather is?
How would he ever pass up a Queen like you when she's right in front of him?
But after a beat, Doflamingo swallowed it down.
If this high-and-mighty woman wanted to keep her mask on in front of him, fine. Let her lie to herself.
Calling it out would only make her furious, and he had no interest in dealing with her tantrum.
As for the second half of what she'd said, he dismissed it outright.
The way she'd tested him earlier told him everything. She didn't trust his appointment as Vice Commander in the slightest. She was wary. Hostile. Which meant her connection to Darren—whatever disgusting shape it took—was still stubbornly intact.
"And what about you?" Stussy asked, the corner of her mouth lifting in a cold smirk.
"Back then you dragged your own father's head back to Mary Geoise and begged for your place. You got humiliated, then you crawled away."
"But now you've clawed your way back up step by step. You've bled for it. You've proven your worth until even the Gorosei had to acknowledge your value."
Mocking amusement glinted in her eyes.
"You finally got what you always wanted. Those cheap Mafia 'rules' you used to hide behind can't bind you anymore."
"In other words, you're free now, Doflamingo."
"So what?" Doflamingo lifted a brow, a vicious grin spreading across his face.
"What you really want to know is whether I'll betray Darren, isn't it?"
Stussy gave a soft, coquettish laugh.
"Heh heh heh… It's refreshing talking to someone sharp. Yes."
Doflamingo's gaze pinned her, sharp enough to draw blood.
"Betrayal?"
He leaned forward, lips twisting into a sneer.
"Of course I will."
Stussy froze, caught off guard for the first time.
"Heh heh heh heh heh…"
Doflamingo licked his cracked lips, malice oozing from every syllable.
"Didn't you know? In this world, apart from those five immortal old bastards and the swine in the Holy Land… the person I've wanted to kill with my own hands more than anyone is Rogers Darren."
Veins stood out on his forehead, turning his grin feral.
"Even those five old freaks wouldn't dare make me kneel and kiss the backs of their hands."
As Stussy watched the raw murderous intent roll off him, something absurd bubbled up inside her—half disbelief, half amusement.
He wasn't lying.
This brat really wanted to kill his own godfather.
Is he addicted to patricide?
She studied him for a moment, then asked, unable to stop herself, "Now you have the chance to be rid of him, don't you?"
As Vice Commander of the Knights of God, Doflamingo could return to the Holy Land and never roam the Sea again.
He could dissolve the Donquixote Pirates, bring his whole "family" up here, and live in privilege until the end of time.
"Be rid of him?"
Doflamingo barked a savage laugh, like she'd just told him the best joke of the year.
"Heh heh heh heh heh!"
The laughter spiraled into mania. He clutched his face, shoulders shaking.
"Don't make me laugh!"
"Why would I ever want to be rid of him?"
He lowered his hand, grin cutting sharp.
"Even if I can't stand that bastard, one thing he said actually made sense."
"Keep your friends close… and your enemies closer."
His voice dropped, hungry and cruel.
"Only if I stay close enough will I ever get the chance to kill him with my own hands."
The last words came out like a promise. His fingers twitched, as if already feeling the thread tightening.
Stussy's lips twitched.
Listening to this absurdly theatrical declaration, she had to fight not to laugh.
Where would I even start?
Maybe you really do want him dead.
But when you say his name, there's more in your eyes than hatred and bloodlust. There's something else. Something you refuse to admit.
Longing.
Yes, Doflamingo—no matter what you tell yourself, you're still a blond brat searching for a strong, reliable father…and hating him for being that.
By now, Stussy was certain of it.
Doflamingo taking the Vice Commander position offered by the Gorosei had to be Darren's doing.
This "father and son" game of theirs ran deeper than she'd expected. Deeper, and sturdier.
They fell quiet, each trapped in their own thoughts. Their gazes met once, then slid away again—two people both suppressing something they refused to name.
When their cigarettes burned down, Doflamingo asked abruptly, "So we're working together again now?"
Stussy nodded, a wry curve to her lips. "Weren't we partners long ago?"
Doflamingo blinked, momentarily wrong-footed.
She was right.
The first time they'd "teamed up" had been her idea.
She'd sought him out and promised to help him become a Shichibukai—on one condition: they would work together to bring down Darren.
"So," Doflamingo said, voice suddenly sharper, "the goal hasn't changed?"
Stussy paused, then smiled.
"Exactly."
"Our goals stay the same. We keep our partnership, and in the end…"
Doflamingo finished for her, a sinister grin lifting his lips.
"…we eliminate Rogers Darren."
They exchanged a look—wordless, mutual—and laughed like conspirators.
"Good," Doflamingo said, pushing himself to his feet. "Now I can relax."
He headed for the door, then paused with his hand on it.
"Oh, and one more thing…"
He looked back, expression twisting into something cruel.
"I'll let it go this time. But if I ever hear you mention that worthless father of mine again…"
His grin bared teeth.
"…I won't hesitate to kill you."
Then he tilted his head, voice dripping with mock sweetness.
"My beloved godmother."
And with that, he was gone.
Stussy's earlobes flushed a vivid red.
To be continued...