Chapter Text
"Welcome ladies, gentlemen, and other elves to this fabulous, thrilling, and delicious cooking competition dedicated to Christmas! Here, twelve famous cooks from the four corners of the globe will compete to win the one and only Snowtrophy! Pastry chefs, chocolatiers, Cake designers, or even molecular cuisine will all put their skills to the test to impress your eyes and the judges' palate. The jury will comprise a specialist, an amateur, and the most complicated culinary critic of all: a child! Finally, this show is mobilizing for all the children in the world who cannot have a gift this Christmas so don't hesitate to send donations to... blablabla," Buggy finished proudly, throwing the cards on his dressing table.
The TV presenter jumped when a strange applause echoed in his dressing room, quickly followed by an impressed whistle.
"Wow, that was fabulous!" exclaimed happily Gold Shanks from where he was leaning against the doorframe. He had been there for a while listening to Buggy rehearse his opening speech. To his credit, Shanks had knocked but the announcer hadn't heard him.
He laughed when Buggy suddenlylooked at him like he'd seen a ghost.
"It’s been a long time, uh?"
"Twelve months," Buggy replied, leaving his chair to join the intruder. "Christmas is like birthdays, it comes around every year, moron."
"Oooh, I missed you," Shanks cooed in amusement. He left his post to meet Buggy halfway and wrapped him in his one arm. "You're okay, little brother?"
"I'll be better when you stop being an idiot. We're the same age!"
"We do? So why am I the taller, more mature, and cuter of the two of us?"
"You’re annoying me!" Buggy growled as he walked away from Shanks. "That’s why we only see each other once a year: you’re unbearable!"
"Oh, come on, Bugs. You know I was kidding," Shanks scoffed. He sat down on the stool where Buggy was sitting a few seconds ago and added under his breath: "for the most part…"
Like a child in a toy store, Shanks began playing with all the cosmetics within reach. There were a lot of them: dozens of skin creams ranging from anti-oxidant to exfoliant, mascara, lip gloss and nail polish.
"Don't touch that," Buggy would grumble as soon as Shanks touched one of the expensive products. He even went to slap the redhead's hand when the latter didn't cooperate right away.
Shanks pouted with his best puppy eyes before noticing Buggy's stress ball. He started playing with it not that he was stressed. Participating in cooking shows was common for Shanks who had participated in his first one at sixteen where he came in second place. Twenty-one years later and Shanks now had a cooking channel on YouTube because Television was too restrictive for his taste. At least on YouTube, he was a master of the content he published, could offer recipes as well as tastings or culinary tours, and be as crazy as he wanted with his friends. So no, Shanks wasn't stressed but quite curious.
"I was wondering, Bugs... the technical operators put up the list of duos earlier but the spot next to mine is empty. Don't you have any idea?"
"Of course, you only come to see me when you have a favor to ask," Buggy grumbled, rolling his eyes.
"I can't do both? Come on, Bugs, you always know all the gossip. Only you can help me! Why am I alone? Do you know who my partner will be? It'll be a pretty woman?"
At the unimpressed look Bugs gave him, Shanks smiled brightly before explaining, "You know our dads, I'll get a slap on the wrist if I go home alone for the holidays. This show could be a real Christmas miracle where I meet my soul mate!"
"Unfortunately, I don't know. Crocodile wants it to be a surprise all the way through. He only told me he wanted an authentic reaction from me. As if I couldn't feign authenticity perfectly! But if you want gossip, that's not what's lacking," he continued facing the redhead's disappointed expression. "According to Cabaji, your surprise still wouldn't have arrived and there might be a last minute cancellation to be expected. In that case, Crocodile has someone else planned."
At least the one-hour delay in filming now made perfect sense. Everything was ready : Shanks had already met the other contestants with whom he had already greatly sympathized, Crocodile - the show's director - had already welcomed them and a subordinate had reminded them of the rules, and he had already flirted with the makeup artist. But against all odds, Crocodile had put the filming on standby and Shanks, driven as much by his curiosity as his impatience, had decided to visit his brother, the presenter.
"Crocodile always thinks ahead so the show will go as planned. He's always six steps ahead of everyone! He's so annoying..."
"Is there trouble in paradise?" Shanks teased with a cheeky smile. He could never control himself and leave his brother alone, it was his duty after all. His teasing had gotten worse since Buggy was dating Sire Crocodile because Shanks felt like Christmas every day: he only had to mention the two years boyfriend for the announcer to blush - like now.
"No! Not at all! Mind your business!"'
"Hey, that’s why I’m here!"
"Well, you can go...!"
The door opened in the middle of their argument and the two brothers looked at each other before their gaze converged on the new intruder: Crocodile, of course. Did the man appear as soon as his name was pronounced like a sixth sense? In any case, the director appeared at the right time because he was the perfect diversion for Shanks' strategic withdrawal. It was better that he meditate a little before the competition started instead of arguing with Buggy. Shanks wanted to win and look presentable for his future colleague.
"Hello, Crocy," Shanks greeted in a loving voice meant to sound like Buggy's. He walked up to the tall man before slipping under his arm - Crocodile making no move to make his task easier - and reaching the corridor where he added: "bye, Crocy! Have fun!"
Shanks chuckled as the door was slammed in his face. He whistled happily as he walked towards the candidates' room. Certainly, he was no further ahead as to the identity of his partner, but, as was his relaxed and casual character, Shanks did not feel the slightest worry. He had confidence in the magic of Christmas as much as in his abilities which had been tested numerous times during competitions in which he had come first. So Shanks knew he will win; he only hoped to make a beautiful friendship along the way.
At least the next few weeks until Christmas promised to be interesting.