[ exactly. and maybe he shouldn't be so surprised cora agrees — he thinks back to dressrosa, to doflamingo's monologue about his origins, and thinks, one more thing to the list of things to never talk about.

it's starting to be one long list.

again, he simply nods to the explanation, somewhat relieved there's not more trouble with it all. ]

At least there's someone. [ to trust.

he picks up his coffee again, speaking over the rim of the cup, ]

And if anyone appears to give you trouble for anything, they won't do that for long. [ read: he'll hack them apart, take their hearts, or separate their heads and stick them on top of nearby buildings for the spirits to take.

(look, he's very well-adjusted and not at all overprotective, what are you saying?) ]