Two weeks passed. Busy with the preparations and the overseeing of the operations, Buggy went to bed exhausted every night, collapsing in the sheets and dead to the world until he had to get up and start all over again, just before the sun rose. It was the most activity he'd ever had in his life. He didn't mind, though. He didn't have the luxury to, anyway.
Each passing day reinforced the excitation passing through the men, fuelled by the knowledge that the war was getting closer. Everyone was on edge, especially after the success of the attack they had led on Exmes previously. Mihawk had killed Don Krieg, and Buggy had decided to leave the castle and the city to a young man native of the town, son of a local seigneur who'd earned his people's respect years ago. Someone who could replace Don Krieg, with his knowledge of the seigneury, but also someone people loved and trusted enough to not rebel against, or rebel with against the Duke.
Thanks to Crocodile's investigation, the castle was now a place of trusted people only, though Buggy tried not to let himself sympathise much with newcomers, reasserting his role as Duke. It was a lonely life, that of a Duke.
And yet, for the first time ever since Buggy had left England, he didn't feel that alone anymore. Despite their decision to deal with their feelings after the war, Crocodile and Mihawk slept in the Duke's room every night, ever since their departure for the gone-wrong trip. Buggy had the feeling that, as long as Crocodile and Mihawk were here, he'd never be alone again.
His knights weren't the only ones contributing to this feeling, though. Mohji and Cabaji were his advisors, but Buggy was only now realising that he'd underestimated the extent of their devotion and loyalty to him. They were here before anyone else, and more than subjects, Buggy could confidently say he considered them as friends now, forever grateful for their presence at his side.
And then there was Rasiphe, Galdino, and Alvida. If Rasiphe wasn't that much of a surprise, as he had always been his only friend here, it was different for the other two. Alvida had joined the castle the day Buggy and Mihawk had organised their trip to Exmes, bringing troops as promised. Just like during their previous encounter, she and Buggy got along quite well, both sharing the experience of having been considered undeserving by their pairs, and both ready to prove their worth.
With Galdino, it was even more different, as bravery was not a trait any of the two men shared. If anything, Galdino's presence brought out Buggy's wariness. But in times like those, it was needed, and Buggy liked him anyway.
Including Jinbei who was also a solid support, this was a weirdly strong group he had gathered here in Falaise. His confidence in their abilities grew each passing days.
A week before the Norman fleet's intended departure for England, a man coming from the south walked into the premises of the castle, asking to see Crocodile.
Buggy and his two knights were in the throne room, reviewing a map of England, when a servant came to bear the news. Both the Duke and the swordsman frowned, wondering who could be asking for Crocodile in Normandy, as the man had never mentioned having any peculiar attachment to anyone from his past.
Intrigued, Buggy agreed to let the stranger in, curious to see who could be asking for his knight, and to see who could have possibly crossed over the entire country to find Crocodile.
As the man stepped inside the throne room, Buggy started to regret having agreed. Initially standing beside Buggy, Crocodile's face lit up when he took in the sight of the newcomer, immediately coming to meet him, enthusiastically saying 'Daz Bones! You, here?!'
Buggy and Mihawk shot each other a questioning look, watching as Crocodile warmly clapped the stranger's back. Crocodile hated physical contact. 'What are you doing here? How did you find me?' The scarred man asked.
'News travels fast, especially amongst missionaries. I heard you were in Normandy, and that the Duchy was to enter a war. I thought you might need a hand.' Bones answered, matter-of-factly.
Crocodile did not seem phased by his detachment, smile still on his face. 'Thank you, my friend. You are a valuable soldier.' Crocodile turned towards the throne, his hand still on Daz Bones' shoulder. 'Daz was my main associate in Baroque Works. He is trustworthy, and a skilful blade-wielder.' He did not introduce Mihawk and Buggy. Instead, he turned around again and walked away towards the door. 'I'll show him around, it won't be long, I'll be back!' He said, already looking away. Bones sent a nod to the two men, and just like that, they were gone.
Buggy and Mihawk looked at each other again, dumbfounded by Crocodile's obvious happiness and casualness. It was the first time they saw him act in such a way.
'You're jealous.' Mihawk stated, after having observed Buggy for a while.
The latter huffed, collecting the writings on his desk. 'And you're not?' He asked, petulantly.
Mihawk chuckled at Buggy's childish pouting. He stepped closer, letting his right arm slide along Buggy's lower back, his hand settling on his hips, his head close to the man's neck. 'Not when I have you all to myself.'
Buggy flushed, enjoying the closeness of his knight for a few more seconds before he pushed him away. He clicked his tongue. 'Alright, meeting dismissed. I'll see how Osbern Crépon is handling the troops.' He hoped Alvida would be there too, he liked talking to her.
Mihawk nodded, following Buggy out of the throne room. Despite the Duke's previous comment, and the meeting's dismissal, Mihawk would not go a separate way. He and Crocodile still refused to let the blue-haired man out of their sight.
Buggy understood that. He was thankful for it, too, and loved to take advantage of it. He did it when he was angry with them, loving to pretend that they were not here, despite their very obvious presence behind him. It was his way of getting back at them for all the teasing. It worked, as it always riled up the two knights, and filled Buggy with glee.
When he walked inside the bedroom that night, Crocodile was met with disapproving stares. At first confused, the scarred man burst out laughing as he realised why his lovers were making such faces.
He removed his coat, letting it drop to the ground. He walked to the bed, sitting close to the two men. Easily, he grabbed Buggy by the hips, pulling him close, half on his laps. His hook lifted Mihawk's head, grazing his face, and playing with his hair.
'I should make you jealous more often, you look good when you're looking daggers at me, Hawk Eyes.' He turned his head to the left to look at Buggy, assessing him quickly. 'You're just looking as usual, Jester.'
Buggy punched his shoulder, but did not try to escape his grip. He would lie if he said he didn't like the proximity with the scarred man.
Crocodile slid his hand up and down Buggy's waist a few times before he gently pushed him back on the bed. He got up, walking inside the adjoining room to clean up.
Buggy grunted as he settled back, shamelessly laying on Mihawk, his head dropping against one of the man's shoulders.
Letting his urge get the best of him, Mihawk brought his hand to Buggy's head, his fingers slowly combing through the soft blue strands. He couldn't help but think about Exmes, and the sight of Buggy on his horse, ordering his men around. It would happen again, soon, and it left Mihawk dizzy.
Buggy had insisted on taking part in the war directly, and though neither his knights nor his advisors had agreed, Mihawk already knew that there would be little he would be able to do to stop Buggy from joining the battlefield himself. He knew that it would be in the Duke's best interest to actually invest himself, to motivate his troops, but also to show their enemies that he had convictions and was confident in his soldiers and their strategies.
Knowing this didn't stop Mihawk from having the urge to keep Buggy locked up in Falaise while the war would be raging in England. He'd feel more at ease fighting knowing the blue-haired man was safe, and the knowledge that it wouldn't be the case, and that Buggy would actively put himself in danger, terrified Mihawk.
His other arm found its way around Buggy's hips, and his grip tightened. He would bask in this illusion of safety until the very last moment. And once they would be at war's gates, Mihawk would do his very best to ensure that he'd have decades more to enjoy the feeling of Buggy in his arms.
The final week of preparation was a blur, the days spent running from checkpoints to checkpoints, from meetings held between the main advisors to review the different attack plans, to the organisation of the sailing path.
Buggy couldn't quite say that he was exhausted, as they had established, with the help of his allies, that no soldier should take the sea tired. Thus, everyone slept the necessary hours. He wasn't physically tired, but the preparations were mentally draining.
The convenient part was that Buggy did not have time to actually think about the battle to come. He couldn't think about the impending face to face with Shanks slowly approaching, as well as about the possibility that he would see Rayleigh again for the first time in years. But this meant that he also couldn't properly enjoy his knights' presence.
Despite the dozens of people he spoke to each day, and the fact that he barely had a minute alone, Buggy spent a very lonely week. The only thing he only talked about with the people he met was the preparations, even with his friends.
So much so that, when the time had finally come to sail, Buggy was almost relieved.
The night before their departure, he had a headache. He fell asleep frowning under his knights' eyes, both fully aware of the effect stress could have on people. Buggy was not yet aware of it, but the headache would not leave him during his entire stay in England.
'How long left?' A man asked, standing outside on the large deck, looking towards the horizon.
A young man, an envoy, surely, answered. 'A few hours, one day at best, Sir.'
The dark-haired man hummed mindlessly. 'Any news from the Red-hair?' He asked.
The messenger couldn't help himself as he shot a look around, having never been to this part of the boat before. Still, his curiosity was not enough to beat his fear of the other man, as he hurried to answer. 'He should arrive a couple of days after our landing. Enough time to settle camp, but not enough to leave the village.'
The dark-haired man grunted in acknowledgment. He looked away from the sea, finally turning his head towards his interlocutor. 'And the Jester?'
Confident with his information, the young man answered quickly. 'We've lost communications with our informants, but from what we last heard, he should join the party. But judging by his reputation, he shouldn't be much of a hindrance.'
The dark haired-man shot a doubtful look at the envoy. He dismissed him with a wave. 'No matter the Jester's reputation, we won't have time to march to London before both Duchies' forces arrive.' He paused, seemingly thinking about his next words. 'We'll settle properly in town before their arrival, home advantage, of sorts.' He looked at the boy in the eyes. 'Go. Go, and tell everyone we'll fight in Hastings.'
An extra-short chapter in comparison to all the previous ones, and especially the last two… The calm before the storm...
Fun fact: As I was reviewing this chapter before posting I saw Buggy wonder about the mysterious man's identity and really thought to myself 'Who the fuck is this?' as if I didn't write the bloody chapter myself! I wrote it months ago, tho, so I had completely forgotten about Daz Bones! I'm glad I included him, though.
(Turns out I had forgotten most of the chapter, actually!) It's a transition one so it's probably why, but still! I kinda like what I did with Mihawk here… Getting all angsty and protective over Buggy, interests clashing between his roles as both knight and lover… ahhhhhh.
Do think about leaving comments, they're nice to read! See you on Sunday!