Chapter Text
You weren’t the young go-getter you used to be. You had a ship, a bare bones crew. While most pirates had dreams of the One Piece and fame, you were fine being free, comfortable. Maybe because of that, the transition to land wasn’t so bad.
Spending your golden days in the bar you owned, talking shit with every bright eyed newbie and salty dog that washed ashore. It was nice, peaceful even. So when he arrived, it was like any other day.
Captain Buggy, the pirate with many names that he probably gave himself. Lucky for him, you always liked clowns. You flirted, like you always did. He ate it up, like they always do. He was cute, even with that big red nose.
”See you got my poster here,” he pointed at the wall.
You glanced at the prize, “tradition is a shot for every million.”
”Is that so?”
You grinned, “I bet I can drink you under the table.”
Buggy had a cute smile, you realize. Green eyes popping with his blue make up, the red smile painted on his face only served to highlight the real one. You met plenty of cute sailors, he wasn’t any different.
Eventually, you led him upstairs. A promise of the good stuff you didn’t keep at the bar. You both knew where it was going, knocking his hat off his head. His hands ran up your body, sending shivers down your spine. The make up smeared, driving you wild.
He didn’t spend the night, making up a story about a long journey ahead.
You shut him up with a kiss, “see you next time.”
A few months later, he showed up. Buggy didn’t come by often, but stayed longer each time he did. Two years passed, you no longer invited anyone else up. Buggy walked up those stairs like he owned the place, it annoyed you. He knew how you liked it, and suddenly you didn’t mind after all. He stayed until the next night nowadays, drinking alone in the corner if it was busy. Always leaving a piece of treasure he thought you might like.
“I’m not going be around for longer than I thought.”
You lifted your head off his chest, “yeah?”
He smiled, “I’m heading to the Grand Line.”
”No shit? Found a map?”
”I know where to get one,” he shook his head with a smile, “it’ll be mine, finally.”
You never seen him so happy, “I got something nice in that drawer if you wanna celebrate now.”
You rolled off him before he stopped you, getting up himself. You admired his body, allowing that feeling you buried inside most visits some relief. His body tensed, holding up some papers.
Oh shit.
“What’s this?”
”Nothing.”
”Doesn’t look like nothing.”
In that drawer you kept any news you could find of him. Towns he leveled, treasures stolen. You even kept his wanted poster, gazing at it before bed.
“Should I expect the marines to bust down this door any moment?”
He was angry now, running a finger across the scar on your neck with a detached hand.
“A slashed throat?”
You blinked tears of embarrassment, “no, never. Bug, that’s not me.”
Letting go of your throat, he laughed, “didn’t realize you were that big of a fan.”
He continued to laugh, not paying attention to the daggers your eyes thrown his way. Buggy attempted to land a kiss but you moved away.
“Don’t make fun of me, I’m not some stupid little girl. I used to be a pirate, remember?”
”What?”
You threw a pillow in his face, “I know you got a girl in every port. And we’re stuck getting face paint off damn pillowcases. I like this one too, by the fucking way!”
”I’ll buy you a new one!”
”Bye, Buggy.”
”I’m not leaving.”
”Why not?” you shouted.
He sighed, “because you’re wrong. It’s only you.”
You looked him up and down, unsure if he was bullshitting. He knew things about you that no one else alive did. Buggy claimed the same about you.
“Come with me, stay on my crew.”
You shook your head, “I’ll just show up to an empty dock.”
Hurt flashed his eyes, “never.”
You stared at him, this was what you wanted, wasn’t it? Your heart ached, knowing if he cared he’d stay longer. You were a warm body for a night or two. You knew better, he belonged to the sea.
”Baby…after all this time, you should know me by now.”
You shrug, “a little too late, don’t you think?”
Why was this so hard? Could it be so bad?
”Is it?” he said softly.
“Buggy…I can’t leave. I don’t want to. I-I can’t make you stay either.”
He motioned you closer, holding you tightly. You could laugh, of all the strange people who walked into your bar, he held onto your heart. You cry instead, Buggy rubbing your back.
He knew about your first love, the one you named the bar after. A pirate’s life was dangerous, even yours. As soon as you said your vows, you doomed yourselves. You were so afraid if you admitted your feelings, he’d die. Buggy had dreams, you couldn’t stop that.
Eventually you drifted off to sleep.
You awake later in the day than you wanted. Rolling over, you see the bed empty as expected. Staring at the stained pillowcase a few moments before getting ready for your day.
You were mopping the floors as you hear the door open behind you.
”Closed until 4. Come back later.”
”Don’t you wanna see your gift?”
Buggy smiled wide, holding up a bag. Inside, silky soft pillowcases. You couldn’t help but laugh, Buggy taking the opportunity to kiss you.
”I will be back, and I will be king.”
He caressed your cheek, gazing into your eyes. You could live in this moment forever.
“I’ll be waiting, you better keep your word.”
With a smile, he kissed your hand, turning to leave. You both made a promise to each other, as close as a love confession as you got. You had time, you had to believe there was time. Your love will come back, he had to.
Oceans couldn’t keep you apart for long.