Hey!
First of all, I'm a non-native English speaker, so there might be some mistakes!
Just some specifications regarding the fic:
- I wrote it having in mind that everyone was 18/19 or twenty-ish!
- Also, Buggy is the youngest of everyone mentioned!
- Finally, I don't think it changes much but I imagined it as taking place in the 90s more than in the 2020s, but it doesn't change anything!
Anyway, enjoy!
It was hot outside when Buggy stepped out of the car. Cabaji had been the one driving, just like every other time, Buggy being the designated passenger princess.
Buggy could see the bonnet of his brother's red car, the latter no doubt perched on top, talking with someone way older. It was always the case, losers and shady blokes gravitating towards Shanks like moths to flames. He'd taken it from Roger, that was sure. This, and his ability to always befriend said-shifty men and never see how dangerous they could sometimes be.
Buggy sighed, kicking a pebble on his way to the other side of the car park. He could hear music coming out of some car radio through opened doors, the sound of poor quality, the song unrecognisable.
A few people greeted him on his way, a familiar voice making him stop and turn his head. All smiling and getting out of a pale pink car, Alvida waved at him.
'Bugs! You're here!'
Hands still in his pockets, Buggy shrugged, answering 'Well, you asked.' He did not sound cheerful.
Giggling, Alvida walked to him, putting an arm around his shoulders, mindful of his ponytails. 'Come on, it's gonna be fun, I'm telling you! Right, Cabaji?'
The black-haired man grunted from Buggy's left, visibly sharing his friend's lack of enthusiasm.
Buggy usually loved social gatherings, but not when it centred around Shanks and his acquaintances. He loved his brother, but not the smugness taking over him the minute he had an audience.
Alvida leant down to his ear, whispering 'And what if I told you there were pretty boys there, huh?'
Buggy refused to answer, ignoring her comment, but his blushing betrayed his interest. Alvida laughed boisterously, dragging him around.
They quickly reached the group of people gathered around the brightest cars, the crowd parting slightly to let them by. Alvida spotted some friends, letting go of Buggy with a last squeeze to his elbow and a wink, leaving Buggy alone with Cabaji, and a certain amount of eyes turned towards them.
He tried to keep his composure as he walked towards Shanks, his brother finally noticing him after a few seconds and excitedly waving at him. He jumped from his car, coming to meet him halfway.
'Bugs! You came! Everyone,–' he started, grabbing Buggy by the shoulders, something people seemed to love to do with him– and drawing the attention of everyone around, '–here's my little brother, Buggy!' His voice lowered as he looked him in the eyes. 'I'm glad you came, Bugs. It's gonna be fun!'
Buggy huffed, rolling his eyes. Shanks spinning for the umpteenth time and pulling his brother along towards the group of people closest to his car.
Buggy's eyes were immediately drawn to a pair of dark yellow ones. There was a man there, dressed in purple, wearing a hat that should have looked ridiculous on any other twentyish years old man, but not on him. The sideburns gave him an austere look, but somehow, Buggy felt drawn to him.
He didn't need to wonder about him for long before Shanks actually introduced him, which Buggy should have seen coming, seeing as the stranger stood close to Shanks' best friend, Benn Beckman, and seemed pretty comfortable amongst their group of friends.
'Buggy, here's Dracule Mihawk, a new friend of mine! Mihawk… well, you heard me earlier.'
Mihawk tsked as he countered. 'We're not friends, Red Hair.' And Buggy's heart missed a beat. Handsome, and not falling into Shanks' flirtatious trap? Oh this Mihawk guy was certainly intriguing.
Mihawk nodded in his direction, though, and Buggy hurriedly nodded back. He did not quite trust himself to speak.
Already, Shanks was dragging him around the rest of the group, and Buggy regretted not having the time to actually talk more with the new hottie. Lost in his thoughts, Buggy was not expecting to meet another pair of enticing eyes again. And yet.
Black eyes, slicked-back hair, and a large coat around his shoulders, this man screamed danger. Buggy did not even think of laughing when he heard his name, too busy detailing his face.
The new guy, Crocodile, did not greet him like Mihawk did, but he checked him out, making Buggy squirm under his gaze. Why were Shanks' new friends so hot?!
Buggy wasn't sure he could handle any more introductions if the guys kept steadily being hotter. Shanks did not seem to notice his inner turmoil, though, forcing him to socialise and talk to strangers instead. It was a good distraction.
Somehow, Shanks only brought him to people Buggy hit it off with, swiftly avoiding posh-looking girls, and boys likely to comment on his nose. Buggy reasoned that those were Shanks' friends, and that surely no one would actually make nasty comments, but still, the idea that Shanks conscientiously chose the people he showed to Buggy warmed his heart.
After what seemed to be hours, Shanks finally let him go, visibly satisfied with the introductions he'd done. He let Buggy rush to Cabaji, who had joined Alvida and her friends. Buggy was glad to see his friend have fun. He had insisted on Cabaji accompanying him, after all.
When she noticed him walking closer, Alvida grabbed Buggy by the arm, pulling him close, talking secretively 'Soooo, did you see anyone interesting?'
Buggy got out of her grasp, readjusting his clothes. Still, he did not reply, the blush on his cheeks being enough of an answer already.
The older woman elbowed him in the side gently. 'Go on, then, impress me.'
Buggy was not like his brother. He did not rise to the challenge most times, and was fully aware of his limits. But he had an ego, like most people, and he liked to impress Alvida.
Sighing, he simply answered with an 'Okay' and turned his back to her, chancing a look at the people around. He couldn't help but startle when he –almost immediately– met two pairs of eyes watching him intensely.
Gulping, he watched as the two men exchanged some words before they approached. Behind him, Buggy heard Alvida usher everyone away, leaving him alone with the incoming strangers.
'Buggy.' Mihawk said as a greeting, once he was close.
The blue haired boy awkwardly answered with a 'Hey'.
After a few seconds of simply assessing him, Crocodile spoke. 'Should we look for a blue car to find yours, just like Shanks' red one?' What a weird way to start a conversation.
'Huh, well. I don't have a car.' Buggy said, saying the second part with more confidence, 'People seem to love driving me around.'
Both men cocked an eyebrow, and Crocodile smirked. 'Really? What about a ride, one day then?'
Buggy's eyes widened, blushing at the implication.
Seemingly pleased with Buggy's reaction, Crocodile nodded towards a dark green car parked in an emptier spot of the car park. It looked expensive, like Crocodile. 'It's right here. We wouldn't have to go too far.'
Not liking being neglected, Mihawk stepped closer to Buggy, his hand brushing Buggy's right arm. 'But maybe you'd prefer something a little more…stimulating?'
Buggy's mind short-circuited. 'Huuuh?'
Mihawk had a subtle and satisfied smile on his lips. He slid his hand along the blue haired-man's arm, making him look in a different direction. 'What would you think of a bike ride instead, hm?'
There was a purple bike next to Crocodile's car, probably the only motorcycle in the car park, and Buggy couldn't help but be slightly impressed.
He didn't want to misinterpret things, but were those two actually flirting with him? It seemed surreal.
Crocodile inched closer, looking as if he was ready to devour him. 'Shanks hid the fact that he had a brother like you.'
'Like me?' Buggy asked nervously, not sure of how he was supposed to take it. He was used to people's degrading comments, but somehow this did not sound as such.
'You're a pretty boy.' Mihawk answered, his hand adjusting one of Buggy's ponytails.
Buggy was dizzy, cornered by two hot and older guys hitting on him.
And then Shanks' voice, at once welcome and annoying, broke the atmosphere.
'Buggy, you're here! I was looking for you! How's it going, guys?'
'Huhhhh, fine, fine!' Buggy hurriedly answered.
Oblivious, Shanks nodded. 'Cool. Well, there's someone else I wanted you to meet, you're coming?'
Buggy didn't want to leave. As weird as it had been, Crocodile and Mihawk did not make him feel uncomfortable, and he had liked the attention.
Still, it had been overwhelming for a first encounter.
Mindlessly, he nodded, and was surprised to see that the two men did not seem pissed off by the interruption.
Following his brother, Buggy awkwardly waved goodbye to the two men, 'Well, see you, I guess.'
Crocodile smirked, whispering only for Buggy to hear 'The offer still stands. Anytime, pretty boy.'
Buggy flushed as he nodded politely, already looking forward to the next Saturday night car park hangout his brother would invite him to.
So! I stopped the fic here because I wasn't sure what to write next, but to be honest, I might make this a series or a multi-chapters fics later if I have any ideas and nice feedbacks!
I've been watching Initial D with a friend lately and I think it has kinda been taking over my brain as a result. I guess I kind of wanted to transpose Cross Guild into the Initial D universe, but realised that there probably wouldn't be an audience for it. So I toned down the car aspect a bit and reduced it into a Saturday night hangout of high schoolers and uni students in the 90s, or at least what it looked like in my mind, ahah! Still, I think the Initial D vibe remained, and I like it!
It was fun to write, and as much as I love Mihawk and Crocodile as assholes, I love them even more as endless teases! Especially when Buggy's at the end of said-teases. He's really the perfect recipient for it, sorry, I don't make the rules!
Anyway, don't hesitate to leave kudos and comments to let me know if you enjoyed the fic, it's always nice to read them, and it motivates me to write more!