Work Text:
(flashback)
Buggy has been surprised by a plethora of things in his life. Good ones, like the situations he managed to get out of. As well as not-so-good ones, like the situations he managed to get into. But there was something… dare he say, special about running into you.
It was a sunny day, he and his crew stopped at some island to trade and barter rather than perform and destroy. The heat was tame enough for there to still be a pep to his step, and there was enough money in his pocket to make anyone excited. His mind was overflowing with all the props and weapons he might acquire within the next few hours when he heard nearby laughter. Immediately, the clown tried to see if he should be joining in or planning a last minute attack on the strangers who were making such commotion.
That was when he saw you, waving enthusiastically to the backs of a small band of giggling travelers. Your white gloved hand looked like a misplaced cloud against the blue sky. The monochrome outfit you wore, how it clung to you, and the white face paint pressed onto your skin. No mistaking it, you were a mime.
A mime! He didn’t have any mimes in his show. He honestly hadn’t thought of it till he saw you, and now he just had to! What a missed- well, almost missed opportunity! Now he just had to find out how to get you to join him.
☆
(present)
Passed out due to shock?! You huffed for the umpteenth time within the hour Buggy has spent snoozing on his bed. You and Cabaji were letting the ship doctor’s words sink in. Your Captain was perfectly fine, but not awake yet after his dip into the sea. You honestly don’t even know how he fell to begin with, but wasted no time going in to get him. Now he’s ‘honk shoo’-ing without a care in the world.
You huff once more and shake your wrists in fury, the many bells on each glove ringing wildly to further express your concern. Cabaji sighs, shaking his head in a similar fashion “Don’t think that’ll wake him up Y/n. And if it does I’m sure Captain won’t appreciate us tracking the ocean and paint into his room.”
You pout, feeling another thick droplet of seawater and your makeup travel down the side of your face and down to your soaked outfit. Your fellow crewmate is in a state like yours, as he helped you pull Buggy back onto the ship.
The clown in question is the driest in the room, a towel sits under his head and on top of the blue pillows. His hair is spread about like a vibrant halo, chest rising and falling with each breath, free from his scarf and vest, his teal pants pull in the strips of sunlight that come through the window.
You nod, managing to smile at Cabaji and wave your gloves softly.
“You can come back after you change, I bet he’d like to wake up and see his hero.” He jokes, you roll your eyes dramatically and follow him out the room.
☆
(Flashback)
Buggy had found you in the same type of spot he always did, some corner of whatever room, with a pile of fabric on your lap.
Your love of crafts and sewing was one of the things he learned very early about you. As well as the fact that you don’t speak, even when you’re not performing, and that you didn’t wear any colors other than black and white.
Your dedication to your theme was something he could understand and respect. Though one thing that he couldn't stand was how easily you managed to sneak up on him. It was nice when there were low-key thefts or antics that the crew needed done. But on a more casual level, you were one more surprise tug at his sleeve from killing the clown.
Which is why he was so glad about the little giftbag that bounced in time with his stride towards the secluded part of the tent you were in. Your hands fussed with some white yarn and a crochet needle like nobody's business.
“Don’t say your Captain never did anythin’ for ya.” He hummed, smiling as the bag landed in your lap. You frowned, putting your craft down to inspect the black bag, it was rather small and light. At your hesitation Buggy crossed his arms with a pout.
“It’s not a prank! You don’t think that low of me do you?”
You made a show of scratching your neck and looking over the man in front of you, sparking a flare of anger inside him. But before he could threaten to never buy you anything again, you dipped a white gloved hand into the bag and pulled out his present. It obviously confused you, holding one red leather strap and looking at the metal that linked it to another, pressed together like a cream cookie.
“Like this!” Buggy insisted, taking the thing and pulling the straps apart. Immediately a slight ringing sound came from the two separated bracelets.
“Gimme your wrists.” He demanded again, if someone was just walking by they might think he was already upset with the way he snapped orders. But truly he was just eager to get the damn things on you.
They clung to your hands perfectly, it was a good thing you took off your gloves to eat, or else figuring out the size would have taken the pirate forever.
You looked down at your noisy hands and shook them experimentally, a smile spreading like the paint on your face.
“And! That's not all!” Unable to let you do the big reveal yourself, Buggy took the bag and pulled out a pair of dark red gloves, obviously made for you.
“Thought you could use a pop of color.” He beamed, handing them to you, you quickly put them on and put your older pair in the bag, standing up and shaking your hands.
“Do you like-”
Ring ding ring ding ring ding ring ding
“I can tell that-”
Ring ding ring ding ring ding ring ding
“Y/n.”
Ring ding ring ding ring ding ring ding
You began to spin around him, gleefully dancing to the sound of the bells. The Captain was about to snap at you for cutting him off when he looked at the bright look in your eyes and the soft cracks in your paint from grinning so hard. It was enough to make him hold his tongue.
You got a hold of yourself soon after, signing ‘thank you’ over and over at him.
While more complex sentences caused a barrier between you and the crew, there were a few easy signs that they all came to know.
“You’re welcome!” He replied, pride seeping into his tone.
You clapped joyfully in response, then looked at the bells as they rang and did it again. Buggy was about to tell you to go and do that shit in a quieter room when you pointed a red-gloved finger at him.
“What now? You think I need bells? I’m not the one scaring people half to death!”
You shake your head, and spin around, pointing again.
“Dance with ya?”
You nodded, signing ‘yes’ over and over, as you began to prance around to the sounds coming off your wrists.
“Well sure, as long as you understand what an honor it is to-”
Ring ding ring ding ring ding ring ding
Again, that look in your eyes stomped out the flare of rage that had sparked, furthermore they drew him in to join you.
The two of you spun, laughed, and danced till you couldn’t stand.
☆
(Present)
You share a room with a few other crewmates, but they were probably slacking off or exploring since Buggy was not awake to order them and not in any sort of concerning state himself. You frowned at your reflection, still upset that the clown had scared you so badly.
When you had managed to get his head above the dock and the rest of him too, only to see that he was unconscious, everyone feared the worst.
But now you could rest easy knowing that he was only napping. Of course he had to be dramatic in every situation, couldn’t just flash a smile or give a thumbs up after being rescued.
With another huff, you finished touching up your makeup, the disheveled state the white and black paint had been in when you walked into the room was enough to distract you from your dear Captain. Giving you a much less stressful issue to work through. Now that you are satisfied with your face-up, you get to work on something to wear. Eventually choosing a pair of black shorts and a white halter top, you venture back towards Buggy’s room.
☆
(Flashback)
You had some sort of obsession with sewing, or it was just a useful and fun hobby. Buggy couldn’t decide and often just assumed that it was a mix of both.
If it wasn’t a new costume for you, it was someone else's, if not that then you were busy patching up the tent. The Captain didn’t mind the skill you had, he appreciated your quick fingers a bit actually. There were no issues… Not really, well maybe one.
You, as a mime, wore two colors exclusively from your makeup to your shoes; everything was black and white. To say the least, it was messy being a pirate, so you opted to wear mainly black to limit staining. Again, not a problem. The thing was that in an attempt to escape the burning heat that often found you despite your habit of hiding in corners… You’d make your costumes rather revealing, and again! Not a problem for the Great Captain Buggy The Star Clown! But it was a bit distracting, who could blame him! He’s a simple man, well not really he’s the most flashy man this side of the world and the next…. But you were a special case!
Despite your limited color palette there were times Buggy would’ve sworn that you’re pulling an elaborate joke where you’d walk past him in a garden of hues, only for them to have muted and melted into light and shadow once he turned his head for a second glance.
Sure there were plenty of attractive people who also loved to show skin, but for some odd reason, Buggy was drawn in by you most of all.
Anyways! These were all things that the pirate knew, your usual palette, your crop tops and hardly-there-hemlines, you tended to mix it up, small top bigger bottoms and vice versa. But even a warning couldn’t stop the surprise that the poor clown felt when he saw your new outfit this morning.
You had come to a new island, rich with flora and fauna that no one could find with ease elsewhere. Bright primary colors took hold of everything that wasn't tree bark or a rock by the shore. The many tints were muted due to sun exposure of course, but impressively vibrant all the same!
You may have been quiet besides your ringing bracelets, but you were always brimming with energy, and today was no exception. You practically bounced off the ship once it docked, or so Buggy had heard, he took the early hours of the day to snore and take extra time with his makeup. By the time he stepped onto the sandy shore you and Mohji were chatting away within the forest, leaning against one of the towering trees, and the lion keeper sat on a log next to you. Watching your hands intensely as you shared a story with him when you caught the Captain’s heavy stare and beamed jiggling your greeting.
But Buggy could hardly hear a thing over your outfit. The many pigments around you faded into nothing at the sight of you. You scrapped the idea of balancing which part of your body would be shown off, instead you were in a leotard, the vertical stripes pulled into a sharp ‘v’ shape from between your thighs and nearly to your waist. The neckline, if anyone could call it that, was a straight cut that was so far down that raising your hands would’ve caused a nip slip if not for the way the fabric was vacuum sealed onto your chest. All with a plush white ruff collar that stood out against your skin, black sheer thigh-highs, and a pair of obscenely large black and white boots. That, paired with the small but mighty rush of possessiveness that took over the clown at the sight of your signature red gloves that he gave to you.
Everything put together had him in a daze, by the time he could hear your bracelets, you were already raising an eyebrow. He smiled bright and tried to shove back his lust.
“Goooood mornin’ slackers! What have you been doing while I was away?”
The rest of the day was as good as it could get. Buggy managed to push his gaze onto any and everything that wasn’t you and your most daring outfit to date.
Luckily for the Captain, you had already waltzed around the island and decided to tail after him as he got the lay of the land. Everything was fine, till it was time to go back to the ship for a bit.
You and Buggy were the last to climb on for lunch, and you, with your early start to the day, were eager for something to chomp on. So, you skipped ahead and daaaaaaammnnnn. He honestly didn’t care to look where he was going, the only thought on his mind was something along the lines of “follow dat ass” and unfortunately, he misstepped.
The last thing that the poor fool heard was the shocked cry of your voice, you called his name bright and piercing, then well, he can’t quite remember what happened next. But there was something about hearing you for the first time, and the reason being that you care so much about his well being that the sight of him in danger forced it out.
It feels nice, he can’t lie. Especially since you’ve never made a sound that didn’t come from the bells on your hands, even when sneezing or falling over, you are silent; well besides your larger than life miming that expresses the pain for you.
This is different, you weren’t performing, weren’t feeling guarded enough that even a mug landing on your toe couldn't spark a sound from you. Your walls were down, you were animatedly skipping along with the promise of a seat next to him.
Maybe that's what’s so good about it, you couldn’t mask your feelings in time and it was all for him that you let out a sound! And it was his name!
He couldn’t hide the smile that broke across his face, maybe you felt the same way as him, it was a risk to ask, but he was already over the moon, what could bring him down?
☆
(Present)
You tilt your head, leaning forwards from your seat on the stool from Buggy’s vanity to inspect the sudden change that has taken place. One second he’s breathing even and straight faced. And now, there’s a familiar grin amongst the red paint.
“Buggy?”
Instantly, a slight grimace takes stage on the pirate's skin. Seablue eyes blink at you as the Captain pulls his eyebrows down to match his mood.
“What do ya want Y/n? I’m try’n to sleep here.”
You let your mouth drop open in shock. As you reign in your rightful anger at his greeting. The circumstances before the clown seem to set in. He notices his lack of a shirt and pulls the damp towel from behind his head with a grumble.
“Wha- How long have I been out?!”
You raise a finger.
“An hour?”
You shake your head.
“A DAY?!”
You hold back from calling him a drama-queen for being out that long in the first place! Honestly after the first hour or so he was probably just sleeping now that you think about it.
“What has everyone been doing?! If this place isn’t-”
Bringing both hands out in front of you, you lightly press down, before placing a hand on his shoulder.
“Chill out?! What no! Why are you the only one in here?! Those bastards didn’t even bother to come watch me-”
You put your other hand on his shoulder, mainly to cop a feel if you’re being honest.
Everyone else is probably drinking or snoozing hard, and Buggy is perfectly fine, so morally there’s no harm in letting your affections guide you through this interaction, right?
“Okay! Okay! FINE! Did everyone get shit done while I was gone at least?”
You nod, keeping your hold on the Captain and beaming at him. At this, he settles, sweeping a hand through his tangled hair and pouting at the knots he finds in it.
“Hm, then I guess you lot are only a bit smarter than you lead me to believe.”
Again you nod, as Buggy sends a hand to grab a brush. Patting the spot next to him on the silky sheets. Waking up from his nap, and throwing a fit immediately after must have taken his fight from him, he sighs as you plop down beside him.
“So, you want some sort of bonus for saving me? New fabric? A shiny sewing machine? More yarn?”
You tilt your head at his suggestions, each more exciting than the last, but sign ‘no’ instead.
“Hm a vacation then? Don’t know if I can do that, we’ve only got one mime y’know.”
You shake your head.
“Well what are you trying to get outta me huh? Your own room?”
At that, you toss your hand this way and that in a ‘sorta maybe’ type of way.
“You sneaky bastard! I might be able to empty out a broom closet or two.”
You mime a laugh, knowing that there will be no separate rooms cleared out or made for you on the ship.
“Well then, what is it? You feel all noble, don’t want anythin’?”
Again, your hand flips to and fro while smiling at him.
His hair is dry, but standing out at odd places on the right. He takes his time, dragging the bristles on the wooden brush through the long strands. They’re just past his shoulders now and with no signs of stopping.
At your stillness his eyes find yours, moon spilling over him from the window in one lazy sweep of light. The makeup around the blue-green hue of his pupils smudged in a similar fashion to that of the smile that insists on staying on his face despite the dip he took. His lips press into a kissable line as he continues to pout at you.
“Really? You saved your Captain’s life and you just wanna host a staring contest with him? If you ask me for a car next week I won’t do it!”
You hide a soundless giggle behind the ringing of your hand.
You point at yourself, posture straightening as you prepare to mime.
“You?” Buggy starts, knowing that teasing grin of yours anywhere.
You beam a grin doing jazz hands next to your face for emphasis.
“You’re happy…”
A red gloved finger directed right at him.
“You’re happy… Me?”
You wrap your arms around yourself in a hug. Knowing that he hasn’t learned the proper sign for what you’re expressing.
“You’re happy that I’m…. gonna give you a hug as payment for savin’ my ass?”
You shake your head, looking around. Suddenly you brighten up again and point at a corner of the room. His gaze follows yours to the hoard of shiny things scattered on the wooden floor, and the maps stuck into the wall with daggers. In the center of the hardly controlled chaos, there is a large black safe.
“You… YOU WANT MY SAFE AS PAYMENT?!”
You catch the brush as Buggy drops it and use your other hand to pull his hair down as his head pulls away from his neck in rage.
You shake your own head wildly, signing ‘no’ after tossing the brush on the bed.
“Oh… So what? You’re glad that I’ve got money?”
Fucking hell. You let go of him as his body reconnects.
“You’re glad that… I’m… safe?”
You nod! Clapping loudly as your bells join in with glee.
“Noo shit?” His voice is the quietest it’s been all night, even though his phrasing seems silly, you can feel the tension under his question.
Bringing your gaze back up to him, you sign ‘yes’ over and over your bracelets emphasizing your point. He finally tackles the more intimidating side of his hair, the brush making the only sounds in the room besides the rocking of the waves. Neither of you look at each other, your sights set on the big wooden vanity that holds all his makeup supplies, and the pirate's eyes are on his hair.
“Is that why you sat here all day?”
Again, you sign ‘yes’.
“Well, aren’t you the sweetest there ever was. Besides me of course.”
You grin at his wink and nod along.
This time, when the silence takes hold of the room, you feel a flare of courage. A stirring in your mind that makes you feel brave enough to risk your feelings. Maybe all you want in repayment is for your Captain to let you down easy if he doesn’t share your affections. There's no way he could be harsh about rejecting you after that right? It may be selfish but you can’t even begin to entertain the thought of waiting for another opportunity to confess.
The sound of your bracelets catch his attention. The majority of his hair is brushed down, his middle part bangs are a bit shorter than the rest of his hair, resting just above his thick lashes. He stares at you thoughtfully with a tilt of his head.
“Gonna run and get me dinner now?”
You make your hand into an ‘L’ shape and twist it towards him in quick succession.
“Hmph, later? Why?”
You scoot a bit closer, your bare knee brushing against his teal pants. You open your mouth, taking the type of inhale that implies that you’ll speak; but remain silent. Then you try again, and again till you pull back, grinning out of nervous habit.
You can see in the confused tilt of the clown’s eyebrows and the way his lips part slightly that you can’t take it all back now.
“Do you want a car? Cause I meant what I-”
You flip him off and shake your head. Standing up while trying to ignore the detached hand that latches onto your wrist.
“Hey! Wait! What is it? The safe?”
Again, your middle finger turns to his face. Though it falters and kind of deflates as you bring it into a fist. He blinks at you, pouting at your hesitation.
You sigh and point to yourself, your embarrassment melting as you lean into your preferred method of communication. Buggy also seems to relax, letting go of you and standing to meet you.
“You…” He starts
It's easy to make a heart with your hands, but damn he’s so fine it's distracting . Like hello? That V-line, the striking blue chest hair, the happy trail Ugh he should have stood up sooner.
“You, wanna check me out?”
You nod without thinking, cutting yourself off with a shake of your head, signing ‘no’. Buggy grins, a laugh breaking the tension as he flexes to tease you further. You huff and make a show of rolling your eyes at him, you point to yourself.
“You..”
You make the heart.
“Love?”
You sigh, feeling childish as you raise a finger to him.
“Me?”
You agree meekly, too afraid to lift your gaze from the wooden floor.
He falls into another fit of giggles, loud and bright. You almost take it as a rejection, but then his arms are around you. His sexy bare arms and his chest! You waste no time returning the affection, nuzzling into his grip with glee. “What was it? My flashiness? My beautiful hair? My jokes? My-”
“All of the above.” You mumble against him. He chuckles as he squishes you into him again.
“All that and then some right?” He asks, pulling back only enough to look into your eyes.
You can’t sign ‘yes’ fast enough.