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Rouge made herself comfortable on the Oro Jackson right away, and Shanks could only watch in wonder as she cemented herself as boss among the crew. Not even Roger could stop her as she marched around making sure crew members cleaned up after themselves, and all in all kept order. It seemed even the great and powerful captain couldn't stand up against the woman.
“Do they really need that many clothes?” The man grumbled under his breath, rocking a sleeping baby in his arms as he did so. Turns out that Buggy sleeps a lot more than Shank’s expected, always snoozing away the day, and only waking up to eat. How could he live like that?
“Roger, they're going to grow very fast, and soon they will outgrow everything we're buying today.” The beautiful woman gently held Shank’s close, planting a kiss to his head, and then resting her cheek against his soft baby hair. “We don't want you to get a cold too, right sweetheart?” Shanks doubted he would get a cold, but there was no telling when it came to his new body. The most he could do in response was babble a barrage of noises that barely resembled words, and despite what his brain wanted he found himself cuddling into Rouge. She was just so comforting, and he couldn't help but find himself drawn to her warmth.
“Babies grow fast, got it.” The captain muttered to himself, looking down so he could stare at the blue haired baby in awe; finding himself taken with the new knowledge.
It was odd, seeing the tough captain acting soft around a baby. Most people would shake in fear the moment the man crossed their path, even now patrons were sending them sideways glances, but Roger himself didn't seem to care for a second. He wanted to hug and rock the baby boy, so he was going to cuddle that baby!
“You got the cutest nose, it's so small, and precious.” Holy shit, the pirate king was smiling like a dummy now! His eyes were so soft, and his smile took up his entire face as he stared down at the infant in his arms. Then, without warning, he used a large finger to poke Buggy right in his red nose.
All Hell instantly broke loose.
Buggy awoke with a start, screaming, and crying as he began to let out a full blown tantrum. Shanks moved his little hands so he could cover his ears, and buried himself in Rouge’s chest as the woman moved to protect.
“Roger! What did you do!?” The man in question was panicking, staring at the baby with wide eyes as he tried his best to calm down the screaming infant.
“I-I just booped his nose.” Poor man was at a loss, struggling to rock and comfort the little one that was screaming his head off.
“WHO HAS A GIANT NOSE THAT TAKES UP HIS ENTIRE FACE!?” Oh, there he was. Shanks glared, and looked down at his screaming friend who was now trying to shove away the face of their worried captain. The man seemed to want to kiss his head, and looked absolutely miserable to be turned away.
“Rouge...he hates me.” Roger began to tear up himself, sending the smaller woman a pitiful look as his young charge continued to scream at him. He couldn't see her face, but Shanks bet she was rolling her eyes at the insane sight, and he wouldn't blame her for feeling that way whatsoever.
“He doesn't hate you, he's probably just grouchy because you woke him up.” She sighed when her words had no effect on Roger, or the little Buggy. The pair began to talk amongst themselves, panic evident in both their tones as they tried so hard to brainstorm on what to do, and squirming under the gazes of the other people in the store. Shanks just found it all annoying, and soon he was leaning forward so he could talk to the other baby.
“You're making a scene, you know that right?” That seemed to be enough to at least get the blue haired baby to take a breath. He sniffled, and then made sure to send a very pointed look his way.
“Shut up! No makes fun of my nose, and gets away with it!” He kicked his little feet in annoyance, shoving away the kind hands of Rouge and Roger as he did so. He was a ball of anger now, and Shanks didn't blame him, he felt exactly the same.
“He wasn't making fun of it, he said it was cute!” Shanks couldn't be angry at him though, he was frustrated too. Being a baby absolutely sucked! He was still in shock from having Roger, his captain, change his clothes for him! It was a mess, and he wasn't sure how long he could last. Buggy had settled down, sending a wave of relief over the two adults as he curled into himself with a pout.
“Doesn't matter, it's not fair.” It was odd, but Shanks felt that; stabbed him right in the heart as he too began to wonder how fair this really was.
“Yeah, it isn't fair.” he didn't get the chance to say more, as all of the sudden a sweater was placed in front of him by Rouge; the woman used it as a way to measure if it would fit it seemed.
“Oh this is so cute! Need that.” She tossed it in the cart they had, and Shanks could only grimace at the bright yellow monstrosity. To be honest he would rather die than wear something like that.
“I forget how tiny kids' clothes are.” It was a shock to hear Roger, but when he turned he was equally shocked to see him looking at a onesie with a look that screamed nostalgia. It must have been a good memory, whatever he was thinking about, but soon something that looked like sadness sparkled in his dark pools. Shanks was curious, never had Roger looked so weirdly sad. Normally all he did was laugh, and smile in the face of danger; so seeing him shrouded in melancholy was out of character. Whatever it was, Rouge seemed to know what was happening, and soon she was moving to pull the man into a hug, smooshing both babies in between them as she did so.
“It's ok Roger, nothing will happen to them. I promise on my life.” Shanks was now even more confused, what did she mean by that? Did she know something that no one else knew? Whatever it was, her words seemed to help the man, and he chuckled happily before he placed a loving kiss on the woman's forehead.
“Thank you my love, but please don't ever lay your life down for me.” This just confused Shanks more, and soon he felt his heart drop into his stomach when the realization hit him; holy moly, they were a thing. Both babies thought Rouge was just a friend, or a past lover to help him out with the two of them, but instead he was proven wrong. The two of them were in love, and he could see it in their eyes as they lovingly stared at one another.
“No promise, now come on, we have more shopping to do.” She sent a wink his way, and then quickly turned to continue looking at clothes. No, they couldn't just go back to normal after that! Shanks had so many questions, but with no way to vocalize it he was stuck! Roger just chuckled, moving next to Rouge so he could put an arm around her.
“What do you need to get my love? I can go, and grab whatever you need.” He kissed the top of her head, making her let out a barrage of laughter at the sweet affection.
“Could you grab more diapers, binkies, and maybe a stroller? As much as I love them I can't carry them 24/7.” To show her struggle she hefted up Shanks, groaning a little as his weight seemed to catch up to her. The man just nodded, eyes wide as he excitedly looked around for the things in question.
“We’ll be right back! I’ll buy everything in this store if I have to!” With that he ran off, leaving everyone in the dust as he did so, and making Rouge chuckle at the ridiculousness of it all.
“He's such a mess, but I love him.” As she cuddled him close Shanks had to wonder how such a thing happened to begin with. How a calm, and prideful woman like Rouge ended up with their childish captain. They were in love, he could tell, so he wondered if he even had a place to question such a thing. Maybe it wasn't so farfetched, and his curiosity had been piqued for sure.
Roger, and Rouge, an odd pair they were. Especially as the now pseudo parents to the two orphans.