This is the last chapter, enjoy!

To Buggy's great relief, the Duchy was in the exact same state as when he had left, albeit the constant flow of incoming mercenaries looking for a job after having heard about the Duke's feat in England.

Impatient, Rasiphe barely waited for Buggy to get off his horse to leap at him, almost tackling him to the ground with his hug. He kept repeating 'I knew you'd do it, I knew you'd do it!' until Crocodile had to tear him away from Buggy after the blue-haired man had sent him a pleading look.

His friend's proud happiness was a joy to behold, and Buggy couldn't help but smile for the rest of the day. He told him about the battle of Hastings, about Teach's death, but also about the way Shanks had treated him. Rasiphe got angry on his behalf, growing heated as he hurled insults at the red-hair, unable to get over the way the man had acted. 'I'll kill him, one day!' He kept saying, both him and Buggy knowing full well neither of them really wanted it. It was still nice to hear.

They stayed together for hours, relating stories that had happened during the time they were apart, alone in a sitting room while Crocodile and Mihawk waited outside.

Once they had finally caught up, and Buggy was sure he'd told Rasiphe everything he'd been wanting to, Buggy started to arrange his return. He reasserted himself in the castle's numerous rooms, bringing in gifts and furnitures he'd brought back from England.

He went around the garrisons, once again thanking his troops, granting some wishes and financially rewarding others.

After two days back in Normandy, Mohji and Cabaji approached him on their guard, as if they already knew Buggy wouldn't like whatever they were about to bring up.

'Buggy, you're a King now,' Cabaji started, 'people have been converging at Falaise ever since the coronation.' Mohji added.

Buggy frowned. 'Yes, and?' He asked, urging them to keep going. Both men stood awkwardly.

Losing patience, Crocodile growled 'Spit it out'.

Cowering in front of the scarred man, the advisors finally talked. 'As a King, people want you to show yourself in public, especially after your success in England. We believe there is something you should do to assert your control over the Duchy….' both men looked at each other before they talked. 'You have to give a speech.'

Buggy froze. 'Oh. Really?'

Both men nodded hesitantly.

'Sure, I'll do it.' Buggy answered with a shrug, surprising the four men in the room. Somehow, everyone always seemed to forget that being a coward didn't mean that Buggy hated to put on a performance. Quite the opposite, actually.

Both advisors left, sheepish, as Buggy went back to his business.

The address took place three days later, in the early evening right before the sun started its descent.

A platform had been assembled in the town centre against the fortifications, and torches had been arranged through the streets in preparation for nightfall. The crowd had gathered right before the time written on the posters, those able to read taking on informing the people they met, and word of mouth doing the rest.

Buggy had put on his long orange cloak and let his blue hair down, claiming that there was no point in showing himself outside if he didn't appear flashily. Everyone had reluctantly agreed, already knowing it would be impossible to change his mind.

Buggy addressed the captivated crowd with confidence and purpose, recounting his and the troops' journey to England, and the battle fought in Hastings. He talked about their triumphant arrival in London and the English people's enthusiasm, holding back from mentioning Rayleigh's presence.

He praised his soldiers, mindful to give credits in this case. No one could believe that he could have done anything without them. To his friends' surprise, he also thanked the Count and Countess Jinbei and Alvida for their support, as well as their active involvement in the battle. Both bowed their heads slightly as the audience cheered.

Buggy was truly outstanding, looking like a proper King in front of an enchanted crowd. There was no doubt anymore that he was fit for the role. Buggy was the rightful Duke of Normandy and King of England, and there was no denying that.

In his quest to thank each and every single person having contributed to their victory in England, Buggy stopped by the stables. Looking around, he sought a certain young valet who seemed to have been present at each steps of Buggy's rise to the throne.

Billy, he'd learned from Crocodile, had indeed assisted at each significant stage of his relationship with his knights. He'd been there at Lisieux, had been the one to indicate the shed in which Buggy had found Crocodile and Mihawk fucking. He'd been the last one to see Buggy before the Duke left towards Cabourg's cliffs, and he had even briefly ended up being taken hostage by one of Don Krieg's spies. He had not wavered once, and Buggy reckoned the boy deserved a reward.

Just like usual, Buggy found him in one of the boxes with a horse, diligently brushing its neck.

Buggy cleared his throat to catch his attention, making the boy look up. He seemed surprised to see the King here, and he curtseyed awkwardly.

Buggy snorted as he waved a hand. 'Don't bother. Billy, it is, right?'

The valet nodded. 'Huh, yes, Sir. Would you like to see your horse?' He asked, already walking outside of the box.

'No, no, I'm sure she's fine. I'm here for you, actually.' Buggy answered.

The valet came to a stop. He looked worried. 'Oh hm, did I do something wrong?' His shoulders dropped as turned to face Buggy better. 'Is it about Corbeau? I'm sorry I didn't see him snooping around, I thought he was just naturally curious. I didn't think it warranted for him to be hurt, this is why I took the liberty of standing up to Sir Crocodile.' He started rambling, casting his head down.

Buggy chuckled. 'Don't panic, boy. I'm not here to punish you. I wanted to thank you for your loyalty, actually.'

The boy looked up with wide eyes. 'Me? Why? I didn't fight?'

Buggy shook his head. 'No, but you were here during important times, and even though you might have seen..hum..' Buggy stammered, 'Confusing… and ….confidential things, you always held your tongue. This is loyalty.'

Billy didn't really seem to agree with Buggy, but he didn't dare object.

'I guessed you wouldn't want to leave your place in the stable, right?' Buggy asked.

The valet immediately shook his head. 'No Sir, I like it here.

Buggy nodded. 'I thought so. It might not be much, but you'll have your very own room built right next to the stable, so you'll be able to be close to the horses without having to smell like them.' Buggy said, pulling a face.

The valet smiled, leaning his head down again. 'Thank you, Sir. It is very kind of you.'

Buggy huffed. 'It's nothing. But, Billy, most importantly, know that you can come to me or my personal knights if there is anything bothering you. If you feel like there's something the horses might need one day, come to find us, don't hesitate.'

The boy beamed, and Buggy was glad he'd been able to find just right what kind of reward the boy could have wanted. He didn't seem like a greedy or ambitious one, and Buggy knew it was the kind of person he needed to make an ally out of.

He left the stables satisfied with himself, Billy's excited voice talking to the horses carried even outside of the stables.

Rasiphe left the castle two weeks after Buggy's return. His duties over with the Duke back, the Count could finally go back to Lisieux.

Buggy decided to give a party in his friend's honour, inviting both Alvida and Jinbe as well.

Attentive to his popularity and the public opinion, Buggy also invited his bravest soldiers. He knew the population was wrapped around his little finger, but he didn't want to appear ungrateful by throwing a party to his financial supporters while ignoring the men who risked their lives alongside him in England.

The party was a success, wine flowing like water as the guests mingled. Mihawk only talked here and there to the people he knew, while everyone seemed to avoid Crocodile like the plague, intimidated by the golden hook and the scar on his face. The latter didn't seem too bothered, enjoying his time with Daz Bones instead.

Buggy watched them amusedly as he talked with Galdino and Rasiphe, both men having recently got on well upon the return to Falaise.

Even while seemingly focused on his conversation, Buggy could feel Mihawk's eyes on him. As for Crocodile, he knew him to be within reach, his hand brushing his waist whenever he scooted closer, never missing to make Galdino cower each time. Both Crocodile and Buggy sniggered each time like kids under Mihawk's piercing gaze.

The Counts and Countesses left the following morning in various hangover stages, Buggy's soldiers in no better state, though significantly more used to it. The King himself was faring just as bad, but he still came to bid his friends goodbye, promising that he'd come to visit whenever he'd have the time.

The night his friends left, Buggy went to bed light-hearted. Still sensitive to loud sounds and light from his previous hangover, he waited patiently as Mihawk unlocked the door to their room, unusually lenient with Buggy's discomfort. He and Crocodile had spent the day shushing people and closing curtains.

Buggy had been confused by their little game as soon as he'd picked up on it, wondering what could push his lovers to be this merciful for no reason. Niceness was not a character trait Buggy would ever associate with any of them.

Just like any time they entered a room, Mihawk stepped inside first, checking inside the place in search of any threat. Used to the thing by now, Buggy stood by Crocodile, his arms laced

around the man's left biceps, his head resting on his shoulder.

'Do not drool on me, Jester.' Crocodile said, just like he always did ever since Buggy had started getting comfortable invading their personal space. His lovers had yet to complain, so Buggy did not pay attention to Crocodile's weak complaints.

When Mihawk gave the all clear, Crocodile softly tapped Buggy's thigh with his hook to get him moving. The blue-haired man followed suit without second-guessing.

They walked inside the bedroom, Mihawk in tow, and Buggy reluctantly peeled himself off Crocodile.

The three men dressed in nightclothes. Buggy brushed his hair while Crocodile took off his hook, and Mihawk laid his sword in its designated spot on his side of the bed.

Crocodile sat down on the bed, grabbing Buggy's waist and pulling him towards him, making them both fall back on the blanket, the blue-haired man complaining loudly. 'Oi! I wasn't done!'

'Don't care.' Crocodile answered, his hand roaming across Buggy's stomach, making Buggy trash about as he playfully tickled his ribs.

'Ow stop, come on! Mihawk, make him stop!' Buggy complied, craning his head to look at his other lover calmly sitting on his own side of the bed, reading something from a manuscript.

Buggy met eyes with Mihawk, but the man did not move an inch. Buggy complained again. 'Come ooon Hawky, make him stop!'

'And what would I get out of it?' Mihawk asked.

Buggy thought about it, still struggling in Crocodile's grasp. 'Huh, me shutting up?'

Crocodile and Mihawk both let out a snort. 'Tempting, I must say.' Mihawk started, 'Crocodile, dear, could you set the poor boy free?'

The latter licked his lips, gaze set on the swordsman. He let Buggy go with a sigh, pushing him off him before he straightened up and leant towards Mihawk, stabilising himself with his hand on the bed, Mihawk coming to meet him halfway, pulling him by his injured arm, his hands settling on his neck and waist.

From the side, Buggy watched with interest, happy to be left alone.

It didn't last long, though, as both men broke the kiss and beckoned him closer with a tilt of their chin.

Buggy didn't resist as he slipped in his usual spot, wedged between their muscular chests. He closed his eyes for a while, head resting against a pillow.

He spoke up after a while. 'You've been attentive today, why's that?'

Crocodile and Mihawk briefly looked startled, sharing a surprised look as if none of them had actually realised it.

Mihawk spoke up. 'I thought you would feel…lonely, with your friends gone.'

From the other side, Crocodile gave a grunt of agreement.

'Oh.' Buggy said. He was obviously surprised. 'It sure is going to be calm without Rasiphe and the other Counts around, but…it won't be lonely.' He looked at them both. 'I haven't felt lonely ever since Cabourg, actually.'

All three men knew that being in each other's–almost–constant presence had little to do with Buggy's statement. It was also a sentiment Crocodile and Mihawk had both felt in the last few weeks, though they were less inclined to voice it.

Buggy reached for his lovers' faces with both hands, fingertips running across a scar on one side, and a beard on the other. 'Thank you.' he said earnestly.

His voice was shaky as he talked, 'Thank you,' he said again. 'I know I already said it, but it seems so far-off now. Thank you for saving my life that day in the throne room. Roger's death was still fresh in my mind, and I was so confused… I don't think I would even have struggled that much if the man had reached me.' He swallowed thickly. 'Your presence took the thought off of my mind, and I was so busy thinking about you that the grief felt distant, lighter. And even when Shanks' letter came–'

Crocodile interrupted him, '–Buggy…–'

'No, let me talk, please.' The blue-haired man said. Crocodile complied.

'Even when I read Shanks' letter and believed you were traitors, I did not resent you. I knew I would not be able to go up against you, and I would have preferred death than being without you again.' He laughed wetly. 'I don't think you're fully grasping the extent of the things I'd be ready to do for you. I'd leave my throne gladly if it meant I could stay by your side just one more day.'

He paused, taking a deep breath, as if whatever he was about to say was more important than the confession he'd just made. 'I'd have Abbeys built if it meant we could rest together forever. I've been thinking about it since Hastings, actually. I was thinking about having a Men's Abbey built, where my official grave would be. And then we'd get the Knight's Abbey built, where we would rest together forever.'

Buggy sounded delirious, obviously overwhelmed. Both men knew his speech did not require an answer. They'd have all the time in the world to discuss the matter later.

Softly, Crocodile raised his hand to Buggy's face, brushing the tears off his cheeks. 'I don't regret being your knight.' He said, in lieu of confession. Buggy's smile was big all the same.

From the other side of the bed, Mihawk brushed the hair out of Buggy's face. 'Alright, King. Let's rest here first before talking about the big final one, yeah?'

Buggy leant in his touch, and fell asleep within five minutes.

The following morning, Buggy woke up with a start. Crocodile and Mihawk were already awake.

Buggy spoke up. 'You know, I just realised something.' Neither of his lovers answered, but he knew they listened.

'Someone must have noticed we're sleeping in the same room.'

Realisation dawned on both men, and for a moment they counted themselves lucky that the only servant having access to their quarters was an old lady who never spoke a word to anyone. Still, their unused room was something hard to miss, and they would probably need to accept the high probability that rumours would emerge about the reasons behind the King's knights' absence in their own bedrooms. They couldn't really blame a no longer existing threat to explain their odd proximity.

'I guess we'll have to find something to do with your rooms.' Buggy said.

Crocodile and Mihawk objected at once with one voice 'I'm keeping mine.'

Buggy took offence, mouth agape from the outrage. 'You wouldn't dare! Why would you want to sleep away from me?' He asked.

'You snore' Mihawk answered, first.

Crocodile added 'You're tossing and turning in your sleep.'

Mihawk nodded before he tagged on, 'You drool, too.'

'Yes,' Crocodile agreed, 'and you talk nonsense, also. Asked me if I could lay an egg, once.'

Buggy raised his hands in a placating gesture. 'Okay, okay, stop, I didn't ask you to make a list either.' He paused, turning his head towards Crocodile. 'I did?' He tilted his head, 'Can you?'

Crocodile clicked his tongue, aggravated. 'Quiet!'

'Yeah it was a stupid question.' Buggy agreed, falling back into bed. 'I didn't know I prevented you from sleeping like that, sorry.' He fell silent, seemingly thinking. 'I don't mind if you want to sleep in your rooms, you know. I feel safe now, there's probably no need to worry anymore. We could stay apart at night, if you wish.'

'Shut up, Jester.' Crocodile said.

'I'm offering you to sleep peacefully, don't tell me to shut up!' Buggy protested.

'Your offer is not needed, Buggy,' Mihawk started. 'We would have moved earlier, if it really bothered us.'

Buggy bit his lower lip. 'Yeah?'

Crocodile threw a leg over him, Mihawk ignoring him. 'Shut up, King. Rest. We aren't going anywhere.'

And finally: The last chapter.

I can't quite believe it's done already! Thank you to everyone who left a review on the fic, I initially wasn't really sure whether there was going to be a public for a fic with a weird AU like this one, but I must admit I was pleasantly surprised when the first comments arrived!

The fic doesn't look like the one I had in mind at first, but I love it as it is. I remember thinking about making Mihawk and Crocodile really being traitors first and falling for Buggy while being undercover later in my first draft, or wanting to invent some weird background story behind Buggy's 'The Jester' nickname, but I decided to keep it soft. This fic was a ride and it's probably the longest I've ever written now, but Cross Guild is such a cool ship I can't help but want to write more about them!

Many thanks again, and see you in another fic maybe!

(Just a shout out to my friend whose lucky number is the 23d and who'll miss getting my updates on the fic's progress every week! And to my friend Camille too, biz biz.)