Role

Characters: Bepo, Heart Pirates. Rating: K. Warnings: None

Bepo was the navigator of the Heart Pirates. It was an important job – very important, seeing as none of the rest of his nakama had a hope of getting it right in the Grand Line without that silly log pose – but it wasn't his sole job in the crew. Officially, maybe, but he also served as the general pillow and hug giver to anyone that wanted it.

His nakama were physically affectionate, so they rarely had qualms about burying their hands in his fur all of a sudden, or flopping against him when he was sitting down for hugs or even just a pillow to nap on (Law was the main culprit, but far from the only one).

Sometimes, they wouldn't accept they needed a hug. Getting a hug for hug's sake was easy, but there was a stubborn and prideful streak that ran through most of the crew that stopped them seeking comfort when they were down. It was at that point that Bepo would simply give it to them, without waiting for permission.

Once again, Law was the worst offender on that front. He put up a strong front for everyone because he was Captain and held this silly notion that Captain meant invulnerable. Bepo had powerful allies in the presence of Penguin and Shachi for that one, who both refused to stand for Law's self-isolating attitude and poked and prodded him into getting a hug when needed.

If only the pair weren't so hypocritical about the whole thing. Bepo knew they looked out for each other and were rarely far apart, so usually it wasn't a concern. But sometimes, he'd find one by himself and the other nowhere near. Penguin would spend time with him on watch, even though Penguin was supposed to be sleeping, and even when he claimed it wasn't nightmares that were keeping him awake Bepo was taking no chances. Penguin always ended up falling asleep beside him, and while Bepo could carry him back to his room he never did. Instead, Penguin's sleeping form would find itself carefully curled up in his lap, the mink's arms around him firmly.

In direct contrast, Bepo rarely found Shachi in need of help at night. He stayed in the room he shared with Penguin, sometimes in his own bed, sometimes sharing with Penguin on the lower bunk until he was ready for the day to begin again. He ended up most in need of hugs in the daytime, when the sun was too bright, or there'd been too much talk of things that dredged up bad memories. Shachi would tell him to go away, that he was fine, but past a token protest he always let Bepo pull him against his chest, nuzzling him gently until the tension drained from his body.

The other particularly stubborn of his nakama was the newest, Jean Bart. The man was huge, bigger than Bepo, which meant he couldn't envelope him in the safety of his arms like he did everyone else. Jean Bart was also stiff around them, slowly breaking into their pace but still reluctant to take part in the physical nakamaship prevalent in the Heart Pirates. Bepo thought long and hard for a solution, because new or not, Jean Bart was nakama and it was his job to keep them smiling.

It was a nightmare that broke the ice, Jean Bart just down the corridor but loud enough for Bepo's hearing to detect. He didn't know if any of the others knew, nor did he wait to find out. He knocked once before entering, just to be polite, to find Jean Bart sat up in bed, staring blankly at the wall. He was too big to pull into a hug, like Bepo would do with anyone else, so Bepo reversed it, settling in Jean Bart's lap silently and waiting for the man to notice him. Nothing was said, but arms wrapped around him tightly, pinning him in place, before Jean Bart lay back down and settled back to sleep, Bepo still held like a comfort toy.

Bepo didn't mind. It was different not to be the one doing the hugging for once, but he was still comforting his nakama so he was still doing his job. And that was all that mattered.

Thanks for reading!
Tsari