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✎buggy x spouse! reader
♦︎summary: after four years of running, you can only hope that the universe will have mercy on you, and reunite you with the love of your life.
♦︎word count: 2.1k
♦︎warnings: hallucinations
Four years, four years of running, four years of hiding four years of preparation, all leading up to this very moment. Your time on this island had been the most calm you'd been in 4 years. The constant running from a special group of Marines, specially trained to target you, Hadad weighed down, mourn you than you would've ever thought possible. But the promise the determination to get back to your husband kept moving through their darkest moments.
The days stretched, time bending; bleeding into itself. Sometimes you had trouble differentiating the days from your memories when it didn't contain him. The nights were the hardest to deal with, because then you were left alone with your thoughts. The stars shined down over you, offering you some form of comfort but nothing could compare to him.
Four years since you felt the warmth of his embrace, four years since you heard his hearty laugh, four years since you felp his soft lips coated in red, against your plump ones. Being apart from him was a daily fight, an ongoing war against memories that threatened to overwhelm you.
Your constant running had pushed you to the farthest reaches of the Grand Line. Your powers, connected to the gravitational field of the earth, made you a target. You could alter the gravitational field around you, capable of reducing entire ships to splinters. This gift, or curse, had to force you to leave the only home you'd ever know, the only person you'd ever truly loved; had forced you to stay on the move, never lingering too long in one place.
You missed Buggy with an intensity that surprised even you. His absurd, but equally charming antics; he was such a unique person that you couldn't help me drawn to him. Buggy had a way of grounding you, of making you feel safe and loved despite the chaos that surrounded you.
You remembered how he would stand by your side. Even when he was trembling with fear himself, and how he would use his Devil Fruit powers in the most ridiculous yet effective ways to protect you.
Your thoughts would often drift back to the day you left. 'He Who Waits' had finally caught up to you, and there was nothing you could do except run. No matter what you did, you could never forget the absolute devastation and hurt that crossed Buggy's face once before you disappeared into the night.
You didn't have enough time to explain it to him, didn't have the heart to drag him into your mess when he had his own dreams and ambitions ahead of him. Every day, since then you'd regret not being upfront with your husband, the one you promised to spend the rest of your life with.
Some days, during your most lucid moments, you would see him, standing on the deck of his ship, his pretty blue hair that you loved so much, tucked into his hat. His astonished shouting was practically audible, seeing the way his face would light up with that mix of anger and joy that was so uniquely him. The thought of his toned arms around you again, holding you tight as if to make sure you were real, gave you strength to keep moving forward.
----
The sun is high in the sky, radiating intense heat that makes the island's air shimmer. You stand on the cliffside, the salty breeze of the sea ruffling your hair, however long or short it was. Your heart aches with a mix of longing and nervousness, but also a fierce determination.
Although this day is just as uneventful as the ones before it, you always hold hope that today would be the day. That you soon will be reunited with the love of your life, that blue hair would cloud your vision and those soft, slightly chapped red lips would connect with yours once again.
The sun beams down on you, ever present, you hear the distant sound of many voices, blending together, some louder than others. You'd usually ignore them because it's not rare that pirates dock on this island for respite or repair. Many times you would go into hiding out of fear of 'He Who Waits' finally catching up to you. You wouldn't put anything past him, no matter how secluded this island was. You could always feel him lurking, deep, red eyes glaring into your back even if he wasn't physically there.
Your thoughts were cut off by a faint but familiar voice, you were used to your mind playing tricks on you but this was far too cruel. Usually your hallucinations would fester in the head of night, where not even the stars could comfort you.
They never happened in broad daylight, where you could easily differentiate reality from your mind's torture. You felt yourself being drawn to the voice, a sliver of hope blooming in your heart. Maybe, just maybe the Universe had found favor in you, has seen enough of your suffering and decided to give you a break after all these years.
You stalked through the terrain of this lush forest, which turned into walking silently, calculating each footstep that hit the forest floor to not draw attention. The sound of that voice become more clear, orders being barked that seemed so familiar, you let go of all reason. Your walking turns into running, and so you're running through the dense foliage, your heartbeat echoing through your head. That familiar, warm feeling in your chest is returning, but so is your anxiety.
You grow anxious that this isn't him, that you've finally gotten away from 'He Who Waits' but in the process, lost the love of your life. You're anxious because you know that if it isn't, your heart won't be able to take it anymore, and you'll lose yourself. Mind slipping into deep darkness, never to be retrieved again, but you refuse to lose hope.
You think about the way his red nose would wrinkle when he laughed, the mischief in his eyes that made him a pirate feared by many, yet adored by you. You recall his boisterous voice, always larger than life, and the moments of vulnerability he showed only to you. Your lips curl into a smile as you brush aside a low-hanging branch, your eyes scanning the horizon. You take in the new addition to the familiar surroundings of the beach. Many when we're going to and from the ship, they seemed busy but you weren't here for them.
You eyes continued to wander before focusing on a familiar figure approaching from the distance. The vibrant colors of his attire are unmistakable—red and white stripes with his oversized captain's hat bobbing as he moves. It's him, it's so unmistakably him, and you find yourself weeping because finally you'll be reunited.
“Buggy!” you cry out, your voice trembling, the tears never ceasing, the larynx in your throat was sore from disuse but you pushed through. Buggy’s posture stiffens, his commanding voice trailing off as he processes the sound of your voice. He turns slowly, almost as if he’s afraid to believe it. His eyes, those sharp, playful blue eyes, lock onto yours. They widen in shock, the mischievous sparkle momentarily replaced by raw, unfiltered emotion. His mouth opens slightly, his breath catching as if he’s seeing a ghost.
“[Reader]?” he says, his voice barely more than a whisper, filled with disbelief. You step towards him hesitantly, you wanted to say everything and nothing at all, but the only thing that fell from your lips was, "Buggy!" you shout, your voice breaking with emotion. "[Reader]!" His voice reaches you, a mix of shock and joy.
He quickens his pace, almost tripping over his own feet in his haste. You take a few steps forward, your heart pounding in your chest. As he gets closer, you can't contain the laugh that breaks through your sobbing. The sight of him, flustered and frantic, is endearing.
Buggy finally reaches you, skidding to a halt just a few feet away. For a moment, the two of you simply stare at each other, taking in every detail, every change. Then, with a sudden burst of movement, you're in his arms, his grip tight as if he's afraid you'll disappear again.
His arms wrap around you with a fervor that takes your breath away. You’re engulfed by the familiar scent of salt, sweat, and a hint of the sea, the smell that has always meant home to you. “I can’t believe it,” he murmurs into your hair, his voice thick with emotion. “I thought I’d lost you forever. I searched everywhere, [Reader]. Everywhere.” His words hit you with the weight of his longing and desperation. You pull back slightly to look into his eyes, your hands cupping his face, feeling the roughness of his stubble beneath your fingers, his face make up smearing slightly.
“I’m so sorry. I had no choice, I wish I could have explained everything but I didn't have enough time!" You sob, holding on to him as if he's disappear if you let him go. His gaze softens, and he gently brushes a strand of hair from your face, his touch tender. “You don’t have to explain now. You’re here, and that’s all that matters.”
You laugh through the tears threatening to spill over, the sound a mixture of relief and happiness. “You always knew how to make me feel better.” He grins, that signature mischievous glint returning to his eyes. “And you always knew how to make me worry." You wink at him, your voice playful despite the tears. “I seem to remember you enjoying that.”
Buggy chuckles, a deep, hearty sound that vibrates through you. “You’re a handful, [Reader], but yes, I do love it.” You lean in closer, your lips just inches from his. “And I love you, Buggy. Always have, always will.” His eyes widen in surprise, a blush creeping up his cheeks. “[Reader], you can’t just say things like that…”
You laugh, the sound bubbling up from deep within you. “Why not? It’s the truth.” He shakes his head, a smile playing on his lips. “You’re going to be the death of me, love.”
“But you wouldn’t have it any other way,” you say, a teasing lilt to your voice. You laugh, a sound that feels foreign after so long, but oh-so-good. The energy flows through you, a mix of joy and relief that makes you feel lightheaded. It's a familiar sensation, one you've experienced before when your powers surge unexpectedly. Before you realize it, your feet lift off the ground.
The sunlight intensifies around you, the warmth of the rays seeping into your skin and filling you with a pulsating energy. You start to float upwards, the realization hitting you only when Buggy's eyes widen in panic. "[Reader]! You're floating away!"
You blink in surprise, looking down to see the ground getting farther and farther away. You laugh again, more out of surprise than amusement. "Oops!" Buggy's hands reach out, his Devil Fruit powers activating. His arms detach from his body, elongating as they grab hold of your outstretched arms. The sudden jolt brings you back to your senses, and you stop rising.
"Get down here, you airhead!" Buggy shouts, though there's no real anger in his voice, just exasperation. You focus, pulling the energy back into yourself and slowly descending. As your feet touch the ground, you give Buggy a sheepish grin and chuckle lightly. "Ahaha, it's been a while since that's happened."
His grin widens, and he pulls you closer, his lips capturing yours in a kiss that’s both tender and passionate. You lose yourself in the moment, the world around you fading away. His kiss is a promise, a reassurance that you’re finally where you belong. When you finally pull apart, you’re both breathless. Buggy rests his forehead against yours, his eyes closed. “I’ve missed this. Missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too,” you reply softly, your fingers tracing the line of his jaw. “Every single day.” He opens his eyes, the intensity of his gaze making your heart skip a beat. “Promise me you won’t disappear again.”You nod, your voice firm. “I promise. I’m here to stay.” Buggy smiles, a look of pure happiness on his face. “Good. Because I don’t think I could handle losing you again.” You lean into him, your heart full. “You won’t have to. We’re together now.”
♦︎notes: - I was rewatching Steven Universe, the episode where he's stuck floating and I was heavily inspired to write about [Reader] who goes through the same thing! Plus Buggy is becoming one of my favorite characters 😊
I'm sure that every time Alvida sees some information about Red Haired Shanks, her face becomes so irritated and tired, just because she knows that Buggy will definitely talk to her about it for at least 2 hours. And she will have to listen and nod to every word he says. Because they're besties.
Honestly, I haven't seen any One Piece characters (Except for the Straw Hats, yk) cosplayed as often as Buggy...
Maybe I'm wrong, but I think this says a lot about what a DIVA he is
One day, the Roger and Whitebeard Pirates fought again, but somewhere in the middle of Roger and Edward's battle, Rayleigh grabbed his captain and Roger wanted to be indignant at first, but his first mate said in panic that he couldn't find their boys. Shanks and Buggy were too young and were told to stay on the ship, but they clearly didn't listen and Rayleigh realized this and wasted no time. Roger almost immediately began to panic along with him and Edward Newgate could have been angry that their fight was interrupted, but instead he was angry and yelled at Roger for letting his "sons" disappear.
Now the entire battle has stopped and the pirates from both crews are busy trying to find the two boys all over the island and both captains are arguing with each other
Something like
E:How could you even let this happen?!"
R:"I didn't have time to keep an eye on them, you know, I was busy with you!"
E:"You're a terrible father, that's all!"
R:"WHA—"
R: GOD JUST SHUT UP AND FIND THIS KIDS
You know that thing in ZoSan where Usopp always catches them at their most piquant moments? What if it's a family thing and Yasopp always catches Shuggy in situations like this? Shanks is always like "oh hi Yasopp, do you mind we're a little busy—" while Buggy squeals and pushes him away.
Every time Buggy and Shanks do something incredibly stupid, Rayleigh feels it in some parental way. At first it was when they were little and Rayleigh wasn't around, but as soon as he felt that strange sensation he would immediately start looking for them and would find them in the most ridiculous, possibly dangerous situations.
The thing is, it stayed with him even when Baby Blue and Baby Red became adults. He's just sitting at the bar drinking his booze like he always does and then he stops for a few seconds and goes "Damn... Buggy's doing it again...."
I adore the idea of Shuggy being co-captains, even if I honestly don't know how it would work with these two, but idc, I just love imagining Buggy and the Red Force pirates interacting and other
My favorite thing to think about is Kabaji and Moji in this AU. Like, I think Buggy and Shanks practically adopted them, if they weren't already 15 year old boys.
Perhaps one day Shanks and Buggy (already closer to 30 yeas old ) end up on some island with a circus performance, which they decide to attend (before this they had a dialogue like, "Oi, Buggy! It looks like there's a whole circus troupe performing here! I bet you want to see it!" "Stupid Shanks, what makes you think I want this?! We have something more important to do!" and Beckman sighs heavily because they can't spend a minute without stupid arguments) and they watched probably one of the hardest shows to watch. At first it all started out as usual, Buggy would call it an "amateur show" where there was nothing remarkable, but after that everything goes wrong, maybe it was the lion that got out of control or the acrobat that scared him, in any case it was chaos.
Anyway, Shanks was still amused, he was just going to get back to their business with Buggy, maybe go out for a drink, until they have to watch two young boys get physically abused by someone who apparently owns this whole circus. They were probably both about 15 years old, it was hard to tell because of how thin they were.
At first, Shanks was just going to help these two, but he definitely didn't expect Buggy to look at these kids with the most pitying eyes Shanks had ever seen.
They return to the ship with two teenagers and a fucking lion. It's not hard to imagine the shock that was on the faces of their nakama. Benn lit another cigarette with a tired look, Shanks simply said that Buggy insisted on taking them along, so they should give their cabin boys a good welcome, Lucky Roux wondered how he was supposed to feed a whole lion (in fact, many people would like to know how they would travel with a lion on a ship in the middle of the sea), Yasopp has already encountered the bad character of two brats and Buggy was incredibly pleased with his decision.
Sooner or later, Cabaji, Moji and Richie became full-fledged members of this crew, Of course it wasn't easy for everyone at first, but Buggy really appreciated two teens, which he took from some little-known circus and everyone understood that clearly. It was mutual, the boys adored their captain, they also respected and like Shanks, but the Clown was something more to them.
(I don't think anyone will see this, but in any case, English is not my native language and it's hard for me to write everything I want even if I use a translator, so forgive me)
The Hottest Man from Impel Down!!!