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The refreshing breeze tells everyone today is a beautiful day to head to a date. Such ordinary and boring behavior, unexpectedly, it was stared at by the world. For all his gifts, Shanks was a powerful emperor, which means no matter how deeply he tries to avoid the government’s sight, the trace will persist in the end. Anyways, Shanks is in a good dappy mood, because the day isn’t just with anybody who is important and serious, it easily changes the world by one sentence. The date is with Buggy, a wonderful relaxing date at Sabaody Archipelago.
His crewmates noticed the good mood, it’s obvious by the refreshing look, they haven’t seen such sunshine captains for a period of time. It’s not because their captain is gloomy, it's just he really hasn't looked so pure and happy for a very long time… Usually Shanks acted most positively during a party, but you can always see a bit of tiredness or have a lot on one's mind appearing on his face. Those were caused by years of accumulated stress. Well, it seems nothing is going to ruin Shanks’s date, he earned by pestering his first mate and main force, also his good old friend Buggy. “Let him have some fun.” they said.
Arriving near the coast of Sabaody, Shanks gets on the small boat ready to leave, however he only has one arm, without anyone to help him the result will be spinning in circles. There is no other way but to ask others for help, Shanks sighs: “It will be nice if Buggy is here to help me…”
After many difficulties, Shanks wears a simple disguise using brisk pace, same as a little girl who gets a new dress in the morning. “Where will Buggy be…?” He wonders, even if it’s childish, he stubbornly chose the meeting place at the amusement park. For the world, two emperors meeting should be Earth-shattering and enough to change the world. But the strange thing is, this date between two world approved strong men was having a normal, easy-peasy meet up.
Ah, there he is! Shanks waving in the crowd, he saw that unique beautiful hair flowing in the sky, although they are 10 yards apart Shanks can accurately smell which type of shampoo Buggy used last night. Seeing Buggy looking back alertly plus a little dazed, so familiar, just like back in the old times where they are going to the playground together when waiting for the adults to come back. Shanks always seeks for stimulation and Buggy always pretends he got the same energy, as actually he’s afraid a lot.
Buggy gets closer, then gives Shanks a slap! “Why are you so ostentatious?! People might recognize us!” He’s wearing a mask, also in a 100% better disguise than Shanks did. A basic yet beautiful jacket and his orange and white short-sleeved shirt, also Buggy borrows one of his subordinate’s common pants, tie his hair up and use a big mask to cover his nose up, no fancy make ups makes his face more clear and pleasant, Shanks thought, except of the goofy mask is very annoying, it’s blocking him to see Buggy’s pretty face! He immediately tears off the mask Buggy got and throws it away in the countless crowds. “Ah!!” Buggy screams, “What did you just do!? I'm never going to forgive you!” “Okay, let’s go to the roller coaster!” Shanks smiling with smirking eyes. “You are not listening to me!” Buggy complaints.
Seems the complaints didn’t work at all, Buggy can only gripe about Shanks's sloppy outfit: “What kind of clothes are you wearing? It’s like you have never washed for 10 years.” It was dirty and had a few holes on the back, like ones of the common clothes just out of the Novice Village.
“How did you know? I just take those out of the bottom of my closet, I think I haven’t worn these for quite around 10 years. It's a little bit small for me now.” He scratched his head. “WWhat-!?” Can’t remember how many times Buggy screams for now, “Gross! You were just lazy! How dare you go out with me like this!” He dragged Shanks’s collar, taking him away from the park and to the fashion clothing store. Shanks, who usually doesn't dress up, was carefully dressed up by his old friend for half an hour. “Oof… Buggy, I cannot wear any more pants…” In the changing room he’s exhausted, the date starts to waste 30 minutes of getting new clothes, it is what Shanks did not expect. Well, with Buggy’s aesthetics, Shanks actually looks nice, although it's just simple styling, T-shirt jacket jeans, but a lot better than Shanks’s fancy pants. He begged Buggy, please don’t switch his pants, it’s his pride. Also his chest, he likes to expose them out because whenever he covers it with fabric it feels incredibly stuffy. “Why are you, a nearly 40 year old man dressed like this? Don't be disgustingly open! You need to prevent a cold!” Buggy said. He cares about me so much! Shanks thought, that’s one of the reasons he wanted to spend more time with Buggy, a true tsundere, saying dislike in the mouth but actually sweet in the heart.
Finally after making Shanks pay the money, it’s time to enjoy the fun. People really did not notice them, mainly because of they are try to have fun at this moment, get out from duties and work, nobody wants to care about two people look like two emperors is real emperors or not. Buggy takes out his coupon he already prepared out of the pocket, showing off his intelligence, as it was one of the few things he could brag about in front of Shanks. “Woah, Buggy that’s smart! But we're not short of money, right?” Shanks tilted his head and asked. “You can’t be rich if you don’t know how to save money! Stupid!” Buggy teaches his life experience. Shanks reviews his past life, umm, spent one million berries on parties, very good at planning budgets.
“Let’s go!” Shanks cheered, holding Buggy tightly in his arms, it made him gasp for breath. Damn idiot Shanks! Buggy thought. If it wasn’t he thought because they were both emperors now, Shanks might finally grow up and talk with him about some big stuff, which will give the world a threat, at least about money! However it appears that Shanks was still acting foolish as he always was, he should already know when the Red-haired pick the amusement park for the meeting spot! But maybe… It’s all in his plan, perhaps after having fun Shanks will reveal his true purpose for this date, he will show Shanks his patiences! The clown pretends to be smart and full of vision. Who knows? Anyways Shanks brings him to the entrance to thrilling rides, Pirate ship, bungee jumping machine, and roller coasters. Those looked terrible! Buggy immediately gets afraid, however he needs to show enough courage in front of Shanks, for his dignity.
“Sh-Shanks,” His voice shook, “Going to the thrilling rides in the beginning will make everything else boring, let’s go ahead and start with something easy first…” He said with a guilty conscience, pointing to random rides without looking.
“Okay! I didn’t know you liked the spinning teacup Buggy, I am sure it will be relaxing.” What!? Spinning cups? That’s for the children! Buggy gets ashamed with redness. It’s okay now, ‘cause Shanks carries the frozen Buggy on his shoulder to the fun rides.
Settling from the overwhelmingly cutie, Shanks makes Buggy sit on one side, and he sits at the opposite spot. Nothing much to say, it’s easier for him to stare at Buggy’s beautiful face, a face never gets tired of being attracted to it, not in a million years. Without speaking the rides start, spinning aimlessly in joy and laughter. Nevertheless, Buggy is in serious awkwardness currently. This weirdo Shanks is staring at him with an odd smile, holding that face up for one or two minutes. Why doesn’t he say anything? This is unlike Shanks. “Shanks,” Buggy asked carefully, afraid that Shanks would mess with him again, “Hello?” He waves his hand in front of Shanks.
“Oh,” Shanks quickly shakes his head, getting out of the mood of immersing in a daydream. “Sorry, I was in a daze.” He immediately said with a playful smile and embarrassment. Of course, Buggy got mad at him instantly. Actually, Shanks never told the truth that he started like this intentionally, the purpose of this date was simple as 1 + 1 = 2. Have fun with the person he likes. He likes Buggy, either family, friends, and love. He knows he had special feelings for him a long time ago, in the process, the little red-haired often gets confused about his feelings. Perhaps he doesn’t have to confess, all he wants is Buggy’s companion. An everlasting relationship accompanies life carefreely on the sea, no need to worry about the world, neither saving the world or destroying it. Just keep going on and go with the flow… Having fun with Buggy eternal, his final wish.
Additionally, in that brief period staying inside the cup, Shanks has thought a lot. He is 100% sure that his life can contain a Buggy permanently. However, is avarice a good idea? Or… this is good enough, all he has to do is to ask the other emperors out, they can already do whatever they want. There is no need to confess, and confession might make this relationship worse. He’s satisfied with the mode between them, not too bad, not too good. Ultimately, enjoy the present first.
“Buggy~” He called, “Let’s go play on the roller coaster!” Seeing a drop of sweat fall down on Buggy’s forehead, he teased: “Aren’t you scared? Buggy?”
“Who would be afraid of this!” Buggy bluff, “You are the coward, aren't you?”
“I wouldn’t!” Two adults who are like children start arguing casually, when they both get on the ride, Buggy finds out they were at the front of the whole line: “Wh-Why are we in front!?” He panics. Shanks smiles, he could tell Buggy is definitely terrified by his chattering teeth. Buggy is just cute like this, his behavior is unexpected, but he can always be controlled by Shanks. Five different emotions switch swiftly, such a dramatic star. If he can keep Buggy forever beside him, lock him down in the dark basement and do whatever he wants until death… Or Buggy is going to refuse and hate it. No, it’s not the time to think about this, Shanks shakes his head randomly, and the roller coaster gradually runs.
No preparation or reassurance, the roller coaster flies downward straightforward. Buggy fails to endure the fear, he screams like having a nightmare. Ah, it's reminiscent of a return to simpler times, like being a kid again. Shanks relishes the ride, especially the smell of Buggy’s hair, which flies crazily in the sky and twitches up and down Shanks' face. He can freely breathe in the suffocating and sweet smell, what a bargain deal, he thought.
Shanks goes though the whole ride without screaming for fear or fun, and gets down from it. Buggy does not look so well. Even so, he said stubbornly: “You… You must be so scared that you can't even speak.” Shanks grinned: “Um~ Buggy you are so brave, I did freak out.” He loves to stare at Buggy's emotions, in fact, he loves both expressions whenever Buggy is happy or mad. Something inside Shanks cracked open. Warmth surged in his chest, dizzying and overwhelming.. wish he could be with him forever… They will live carefreely, however, he can’t. So much serious stuff between the government and pirates, he cannot make Buggy infected into the stress. Furthermore, the reason why only Buggy is his special man in heart is that no one else matches him more than Buggy. His crewmates were with him everyday, there was nothing to worry about, he couldn't meet Luffy because of a promise, Mihawk was pretty good friend, but he’s way smart and a well known not easy a trick compared to Buggy. Everyone else in the world is either too far away or going to ask him about the power, dealing with the world which Shanks don’t like to hear. to Wait, Shanks thought, stop thinking about harsh things! Focus on having fun first.
“That was fun! Let’s go to the pirate ship now!” Shanks said, Buggy complaints: “Weren’t you having enough pirate ships on your Red force!?” Skipping though the flowing bubbles in the air, Shanks took Buggy away and experienced many “joyful” rides, such as: pirate ship, bungee jumping, and goldfish scoping(For providing who’s the best fish catcher!). After all the rides, Buggy panting and saying: “Sh-Shanks, I don’t think we should do another thriller ride… It’s not because I am afraid! There are no more rides that’s thriller than the ones we've been on!” He emphasized. Shanks nodded, he looked around and read the clock. It's almost time to get back, it is a good time to be on the ferries wheel: “Let’s go to the ferries wheel, Buggy.”
“Ferris wheel? That’s more for kids.” Buggy thought Shanks is childish, however the next second he thought maybe Shanks is finally going to reveal his big emperor's plan, he must get serious on this: ‘’Well, if you really wanted to play, I guess I'm going to accept it flashily.” He crossed his arms to show domineering, and it made Shanks’s chest ache with a wild, aching joy. Extremely cute!
Getting up to one of the ferris wheel’s seats made by bubbles, Shanks sticks closely to Buggy, and lands his shoulder to Buggys’. “Hey! Get off me!” Buggy trembled, but he didn’t push or move Shanks out, perhaps it’s because of kindness or Shanks is awfully heavy. “Aww~ I am trying Buggy, just let me lay for five minutes.” The bright red-haired shamelessly lay his head on Buggy’s knee, very satisfied which particular he released all his stresses: “Ah~” He uttered, the whole body relaxed.
‘’Hey! Damn Shanks, get off me!” Buggy rebukes madly, Shanks opens his eyes to see Buggy’s full face, the excited hand unconsciously holding Buggy’s face. hand trembled against his skin. Buggy's face… It really was flawless. Terribly attractive. His cheeks burned as he stared, unable to look away. “What is that look on your face?” Buggy may not fully grasp the concept of love; it is heartbreaking. But it is alright—Shanks gets it, after all, Buggy is a real pirate, he must be more free than Shanks is, there is no association between him and world nobles.
“Buggy, there is something I wanted to tell you.” Shanks said.
Buggy listens up closely, although Shanks ignores his anger again and he’s mad about that. Shanks knows up on the ferries wheel is the best timing to tell his true feelings, perhaps he can even confess his love. Even if it doesn't work, it's still okay to pester Buggy and ask him to play with him forever. He numbly opened his mouth, for this most important moment, it can determine the rest of his life with love or only drunken happiness. Throughout all the chaotic mixed hesitation, he says:
“Today is such a fun day, Buggy, I really enjoyed it, let’s go back home after this round.”
Ultimately, he didn’t speak out his feelings after all.
“Oh,” Buggy waits for a second, “Is that all you want to say?” Buggy confused, he waits a momentary later to make sure that’s it. Disappointfully, Shanks didn’t speak anything after all. “Idiot Shanks, wasting my precious time.” Buggy pouting, said unhappily. Came with high expectations and the risk of getting punished by his “right hand man,” surely it’s a bad deal, even though he enjoys spending useless time with his childhood best friend. Buggy takes out his snail phone to tell the people to pick it up. Shanks gaze Buggy is leaving him with a wry grin, “Goodbye.” each blink to see that blue-haired getting smaller and vaguely, seems like what they did before is all fake, they were just two important emperors who should not have regular friend relationships. At last, he can't bear to let Buggy be involved in a complicated world. That corrupt government is something the clown shouldn't step into. So far today he spent time with Buggy, his crush since little, he’s glad that Buggy only changed his outlook, and hasn't changed anything inside his heart, still the ones who like treasure and get irritated easily. Unlike him, though his outfit was sloppy as little, his inner mind already became polluted a long time ago, a half-free pirate who doesn't seek for One Piece. Buggy, better keep be Buggy.
Nevertheless, there is one more important trait Shanks hasn’t changed, he still has crush on Buggy.