Work Text:
Things were odd since you joined Buggy’s crew, but you figured it was to be expected when it came to a crew who loved to perform everywhere like a circus. An illegal circus, but a circus nonetheless. The captain was the most “flashy” of all, but maybe that’s why you were so drawn to him. Despite having a rather negative reputation, seeing him care for each and every one of his crew members while trusting them implicitly made you yearn to join. He allowed you, but didn’t seem to be fond of you at first. You proved your abilities when it came to combat, and your history with performances. He was won over, but still didn’t seem happy to see you most times.
You never believed he was an evil man, but each time you’d come near him, his face would turn red with a scowl on his face before huffing and walking away. Once he was captured, now a prisoner of Impel Down, everyone tried desperately to figure out a plan to break him out. The crew were all disasters, but the joy you felt when he had made his escape caused an immense eruption of cheers and cries. He found the crew within record time, and everyone ran up to him. He cried, but he’d never admit it to everyone.
You in particular, let out tears of joy and leapt towards him to pull him into a hug. To your surprise, he embraced you back, and wrapped his arms around you tightly as if he didn’t want to let you go. It sparked something in you, and you pulled back to look up at your captain. He had…an expression you’d never seen on his face before. You didn’t want to assume anything, but he looked at you with adoration…though once you caught his gaze, it turned into a sheepish smile with traces of red coming through the white facepaint he had on.
He never seemed to leave your side after that. It would make you laugh, but not to mock him. Moreso it was because you didn’t WANT him to leave your side. He accompanied you everywhere, from meals with the crew, to him showing you some of the treasures he’d found over the years that he hid in his room so no one else could have them. It made you feel special, seeing that he was letting you in on some secret he had in the few items he kept that he couldn’t seem to want to get rid of. Everything between the two of you seemed to change in the period between him escaping captivity and returning to the crew. It was different, but far from pleasant.
Tonight, you were about to take your seat next to the captain for dinner, as you always did, and he stopped you by grabbing your wrist and shaking his head not to take that seat. It hurt for a portion of a second, but he saw this and instantly pulled you to him, sitting on his lap with his arms wrapped around your waist. The contact wasn’t expected, and you had a surprised gasp leave your lips, but you didn’t struggle against it. Instead, you leaned your back against his chest and got comfortable. He wasted no time resting his head on your shoulder, and started eating his meal.
By the time you all had finished eating, Buggy nodded at everyone else in the dining room to leave, and you tried to get out of his lap to do the same. He wasn’t about to let you do that. He only held onto you tighter and he nuzzled his cheek against the side of your head. “You’re not going anywhere. Not without me at least. Hm…” He spoke, and sat in silence momentarily before he shook his head and pulled you against him further.
“Hm? What do you mean Captain?” You let out a soft laugh, and rested your hands on top of his arm as he held you by your waist. It seemed like such a domestic moment, as you ran your fingers idly along his arm. It was cozy, and a welcome change. You’d wanted this contact from the captain for a long time, it was almost hard to believe this moment was really happening.
Buggy huffed, but you could tell from his tone when he spoke that it was more of an amused noise than one of annoyance. “What do you mean, what do I mean? I think I’m being very obvious right now.” He chuckled softly, and his thumbs ran along your waist soothingly, and he sighed before continuing. “Come on, I need to show you something.” His tone sounded eager, and he didn’t even hesitate in standing up, moving you in his grasp until he was carrying you comfortably.
You let out an amused laugh, “Captain I can walk, you know!” The moment had you blushing slightly, but you knew he loved it when you joked around and teased him. “Have you forgotten I can outrun you?” You wrapped one arm around his shoulder, and the other poked his cheek until he playfully nipped at your finger.
“You can try.” He smirked at you, and it shut you up quickly. Seeing this, his smirk only grew and he looked ahead, taking you to his room. But really, with how often you were in there anyways, it might as well be your room too.
“Are you gonna show me the treasure you got on our last trip? You haven’t shown me yet!” You grinned wide at him, relaxing in his grip. Then, once you’d reached the room he set you on your feet in front of a mirror. He made it a habit to show you each piece of treasure he didn’t want to get rid of for each trip, and you were the only one who got to see the collection of it all. It was something he trusted everyone on the crew with, but he never really showed them all of it. That was something between just the two of you.
“Mm. I’m gonna show you the greatest treasure I have.” He spoke, softly, and he rubbed the back of the neck nervously. His face turned red and he cleared his throat, trying to get his semblance of confidence back. He didn’t want to back out now, it was go time. A deep sigh left his lips, and he directed his attention to the mirror, pointing at it.
“Hm? Captain, I've seen this mirror a thousand times. What’s so special about it?” You tilted your head at him and turned to look at him. He stopped you, however, and he stood behind you, walking you both to the mirror with your back to him. His hand grabbed your chin softly and made you look directly into the mirror from in front of it. “Huh…?” You said, still confused.
He scoffed, but placed an arm around your waist. Your eyes met his in the mirror, and you blushed seeing his face. It looked like he was equal parts cocky and flustered. Was he really saying…? Your thoughts froze when he made his move.
His hand on your chin moved downwards, his hand lightly moving around your throat. From there, he tilted your head to the side and placed small kisses there. It made you gasp, but…he was being so cute about this. It made you giggle happily, but when you laughed he bit down slightly, nibbling at the skin. At your noise of surprise, his arm around your waist tightened, and he spoke softly.
“This, every part of this, is my greatest treasure.” His hand moved from your neck to your collarbone, and his lips fanned over your ear as he whispered. The words came out hushed, and fragile like he was almost too nervous to say it. “You’re the greatest treasure I have. I can never get enough of you. Every time I go even a moment without seeing you, I want to run to wherever you are and prove that you’re mine.” He chuckled, almost as if to make fun of himself. “It’s pathetic, the amount of love I have for you.”
Your eyes widened with shock, before your cheeks turned a bright shade of red. You moved your hand upwards, cradling the side of his face while he kissed your neck. “It’s okay, Captain. I feel the same. I actually kind of like how much time we spend together…even if we don’t see each other 24/7.” You laughed quietly, and gasped when his hand around your waist moved and lazily trailed his fingers over your stomach.
“You don’t know what you’re saying.” He chuckled, and lifted his head to turn yours to the side. The kiss he gave you was everything you’d ever hoped for, and he growled into it as he pulled you flush against him. Neither of you wanted to part the kiss, but he only pulled away enough to mutter his words against your lips. “If I had it my way, you’d never leave my side. Not metaphorically or literally. I can’t get enough of you. The way you walk when you’re confident, when you’re shy. How you giggle when I make dumb jokes, how you smile every time you see me.”
He let out a laugh and turned you around to face him as he cupped your cheeks in his hands. “I never want to be without you. I won’t let it happen.” He had a near deranged look in his eyes, but also traces of hesitation, as if he didn’t want to push you too far. “So…in our journeys, you’re not allowed to go anywhere without me. I practically ache when you’re not in my field of vision.” He laughed, and leaned forward to pull you into another kiss.
“You’re mine, my treasure. I’ll love and protect you even if this whole world comes tumbling down.”