Work Text:
He really didn’t need this right now. War Of The Best, Whitebeard, Admirals, Shanks.
Shanks.
Buggy couldn’t believe Shanks actually let him hitch a ride out of there. He could barely remember what it was like being on a ship with him, watching him take lead from afar. Shanks caught him staring a couple of times, a shy smile at first. Looking genuinely happy to see him each time their eyes met.
“You’re not still mad at me about the map are you?”
“And why shouldn’t I be? You always were a liar!”
Buggy wondered if he pushed it too far, suddenly afraid of his venom.
Shanks only smiled, “god, it’s good to see you Buggy.”
He blinked, slightly embarrassed knowing his crew was watching this all unfold. Shanks didn’t give a shit, throwing his arm around him. Just like old times.
“You’re lucky I’m grateful for the ride outta here,” he grumbled, “guess we’re even now.”
”Of course, make yourself at home, Bugs. I mean it.”
Buggy only glared, turning to watch the waves crash against the ship. Shanks didn’t leave, admiring the way his blue hair matched the ocean, his lips curved in a secret smile. He could lie to himself all he wanted, he still loved the warmth he felt from his presence.
“They know, about me and Roger. The crew.”
”Surprised you even kept it a secret. You always liked seeing us in the papers.”
Buggy shrugged, “doesn’t matter now, does it? They know, and I’m fucked.”
“The Great Captain Buggy can’t be afraid now, can he?”
He couldn’t help but laugh, “shut the fuck up, Red Hair.”
Shanks’ smile stirred something in him, and Buggy forced himself to leave. His legs didn’t get the memo, staying put as Shanks laughed even harder. He sure knew how to make a fool of out Buggy over and over again.
“Shut up!”
”Sorry, sorry. Tell you what, I can offer some booze I have in my cabin later. The good stuff.”
”Fine.”
”Great!”
Shanks felt the warmth spread from his cheeks down to feet. Buggy had him feeling like a boy again, a light feeling he hadn’t felt since they separated. He let his heart hope, that maybe tonight he could convince Buggy to rekindle their old feelings.
Buggy felt itchy, fidgeting with his hands as they walked into his cabin. He couldn’t lie about thinking of Shanks a lot. The hurt remained even as it softened with time, even still, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to forgive him.
Shanks motioned for him to sit, leaning against his desk after pouring them a drink. Buggy was worn after what happened, yet he didn’t feel tired. He felt…happy. Their fingertips brushed against each other as Shanks toasted him, sending a shock through his spine.
“What are you gonna do now?”
”Get as far away from any marine as possible. Find my crew, get the hell outta here.”
“I got a snail you can use to call them. I’ll get you there, I promise.”
”You’d do that for me?”
The crack in his voice broke his heart, “yeah. Of course, Buggy. Of course.”
“I don’t have to do you any favors do I?” he said, lightheartedly.
”Only one,” Shanks smiled, “share another drink with me.”
Buggy couldn’t help but stare, “I always heard rumors about how you lost your arm. What really happened?”
”Hm? Oh, that. Kinda funny story.”
”Funnier than your ass getting handed to you for once?”
”I saved Luffy.”
”Hot damn.”
”You know me.”
”I do.”
Shanks shrugged, “sorry about your map.”
Why he apologized, he didn’t know.
“You got me the fuck outta there, so I guess we can call it even. Like I said. Or….if you happen to have anything else laying around I’ll be your friend.”
Shanks laughed, “I’ll see what I got laying around. No promises it’s anything flashy like you.”
Buggy rose from his seat to pour himself another drink, feeling lighter already. As soon as he reached the desk, Shanks stopped him.
”I am sorry. About…about everything.”
Anger rose in his chest, dying as quickly as it came. Buggy turned to stare at Shanks, his eyes suddenly unreadable.
”I-I missed you, Buggy. I saw Whitebeard recently…before all this. It brought back so many memories.”
”Felt the same way seeing that rubber boy again. Got on my nerves so many damn times, just like you in so many ways.”
He smiled, “I’m glad to hear.”
”The kid is kinder than anyone I ever met, even if he’s a pain in my ass.”
”Hm.”
”Kinda like you.”
Before Shanks could even think better of it, he kissed Buggy. It ended as quickly as it began, leaving him unsure if it even happened.
”Shanks. I-I dunno what to say.”
”Fuck, I’m sorry. I’m nervous I guess. Big day.”
He tried to laugh it off, Buggy would let him, grabbing his collar to kiss him forcefully.
He pulled back, Shanks bewildered and searching his face. There was no stopping it now, hands finding his hair for grip. Shanks’ pulling him closer and it was still not enough.
”Wait, wait.”
”What-what’s wrong, Buggy?”
He shook his head, “I can’t do this again. Not if you’re gonna just hurt me.”
”Buggy, no. Never. Never.”
Burning tears surprised him, “how am I supposed to know that? How am I supposed to trust you?”
Shanks kissed his cheek, his chin, his nose. Desperate to make him understand. His heart breaking all over again, like it did all those years ago.
”I love you, I’ve always loved you. I will never stop. I mean that.”
Buggy knew he was a weak man, his resolve crumbling like it always did. He was a coward, shaky fingers grazing his chin. This scenario played in his dreams, even if he didn’t want it to. He wanted to break him, make him feel as bad as he had always felt.
Shanks looked at him with a dull spark in his eyes. Buggy was a coward, he’d let Shanks break his heart a thousand times over, as long as he could still do this.
”Kiss me again.”
In no time they found his bed, stripping their clothes away along with the years apart. It was only Buggy and Shanks. Nothing else mattered.
Shanks could cry, he couldn’t let Buggy go after this. Not after he tasted him, felt his heart beating along side his. His mouth ran, brain turned to pudding under his touch.
”I love you,” he repeated three times.
Did Buggy love him? He broke his heart in more ways than he could count. No other lover could ever compare to Shanks. A shining star burning so bright he was lucky to even be in his orbit. Lonely nights haunting him since that day, the first time they had ever been apart in their life.
“I-I,”
He couldn’t think, the pleasure building up. His limbs falling to pieces. Shanks didn’t care, he never did. Never was a freak, always an equal. Fuck, Buggy didn’t want him to stop.
”I love you.”
”Buggy,” he whispered, “I’m yours.”
It was all Buggy ever wanted out of him.
As they laid there, Buggy kissed his shoulder, letting the warm feelings sit awhile. Shanks blushed, seeing him like that. It was all more than he could ever hope for.
In the morning, Buggy will pretend it didn’t mean anything, leaving their love behind the cabin door. But tonight he kissed Shanks like it would make up for lost time. Shanks will send Buggy away with a parting gift of the bottle they shared. Kissing him a few times before letting him leave the bed, kissing him as he went back to being the pirate captain he had become.
Shanks wasn’t just an emperor, Buggy wasn’t a nobody. The world didn’t need to know this, only they did.