Buggy felt his heart stop when he looked up into the oh so familiar red eyes of the man he walked into when he turned the corner in Orange Town's bustling market. Red, red that once meant home and safety and a partner in crime. Red, his brother… No… He didn't get to call him that anymore… Red used to mean safe now it just brought back memories of a smiling head hitting the ground with a bloody smack and rolling. It meant being left in the rain hiding behind trash cans with an aching body and heart just like he had been before Rayleigh found him. It meant being alone.
So when Buggy looked up into those red eyes he used to know so well… the eyes that used to be the first thing he saw in the morning and the last at night… he did the only thing he knew to do. He took a page from Rayleigh's book and turned tail and ran. He ran even when he heard Red yell after him, until it felt like his feet would fall off, and when he finally felt like he couldn't run anymore he did the one thing he knew how to do better than anything else. He hid . He tucked himself into the smallest space he could and reined his haki in until it simmered along him like a second skin.
He couldn't hear it again. If he never had contact with his brother then he'd never have to hear their bond denied again. He'd never have to face the truth that Shanks was the only one that mattered . Because no matter what the others, his family , said that was the truth. Shanks was the one who starred the show, he always had been. It was his son that mattered, Shanks that mattered… and for all he'd built in his years alone , a crew but not really another family , not like the one he'd lost, he knew he wouldn't survive hearing Red deny him again.
His brother hadn't reached out to him in years, not even after Gaban gave him his Den Den. Yes, Buggy had said some awful things, Shanks did as well, but… He… he still hadn't reached out… he would always be Buggy the Unwanted. Unloved. Abandoned.
A sob tore from his throat, hands coming up to cover his mouth as he curled in tight and held himself together. It had been a very long time where Buggy felt his hold on his fruit slip this bad. He felt several of his pieces slip and Buggy clenched his eyes tighter, fingers coming up to his hair and pulling . He had to be quiet, had to be small where it was safe . He couldn't be hurt if he was small and quiet.
A yelp escaped him as he felt hands grasp him, his entire body flinching and scattering in fear and panic. He tried to pull himself together, to run, flee but was unable to. He could hear panic over the loud ringing in his ears, could faintly see his crew being held back. It was too loud, too much… too much noise…
Warmth flooded over him, panicked and desperate, familiar to him and that only caused him to panic more because why was Red using his Haki, why was he using it here in East Blue? What threat was dangerous enough to cause his brother to use it first before any other option? His panic ramped up and faintly he could feel himself screaming, pleading his brother to spare his crew… the Haki let up immediately, calming him somewhat but still he panicked.
His crew was in danger, Red was here and Buggy was in pieces unable to help them. He had never felt more useless than in this moment. Sobs tore from his throat even as he felt hands carefully place him back together again, a soft voice whispering in a language he had nearly all but forgotten.
" Blue… Blue, you're safe, it's okay… Red has you Blue, it's okay…"
"Don't… don't hurt them… hate me… hurt me… but not… not them." Buggy sobbed softly. "I… I can't… I can't lose another crew…"
Shanks swallowed thickly as his brother begged him, those wide blue eyes that usually sparked with mischief now stared at him blankly. Bile rose in his throat at the implications behind it all. Did… did his brother truly believe that Shanks hated him this much? That the only reason he would be here was to take out his crew, to take out Blue ? Shanks didn't even know this was his brother's base till he literally ran into him.
Perhaps he wouldn't have thought this way if you reached out to him years ago. A voice whispered in the back of his head as he lifted his head to stare at Beck.
This… this was not supposed to go this way. Their reunion wasn't supposed to be with Buggy running from him, hiding away in the smallest space he could with his voice muffled till even Shanks couldn't find him. It had been years since his brother lost control and split to pieces this bad.
"Blue… Blue I'm not gonna hurt them, promise." Red whispered as he ran his fingers through his brother's hair.
"Haki… used haki…" Buggy choked out hands and limbs spasming as Shanks tried to hold him together.
Horror welled within Red at the realisation at what Blue thought he'd done. Because Buggy knew better than anyone that Shanks could kill with just a lash of his haki. He'd watched as Rayleigh and Roger trained him how to, if only so he could avoid it unless necessary. "No Blue, I was trying to comfort you… I wouldn't… I'd never… "
But he had, long ago in a rain-drenched alley. He had used his Haki to lash out at his brother, the words lost to his memory but he could recall vividly the agony that twisted on his brother's face as Shanks used his haki to hurt his brother like his brother's words hurt him. He didn't hold back the bile this time, scrambling away from his brother as he hurled up everything he had consumed. He felt Beckmans hands on his back as he continued to retch, whispering soothing words but Shanks couldn't hear him over the racing of his heart and his brother's pleas.
"Your captain is safe, we mean no harm. They're brothers." Beckman stated as the First Mate of the Bagī Kaizokudan stepped forward, a lion hiding behind him.
"Th-the captain's tent is the big red one, y-you can follow us there." The kid stammered out as he and another gathered their broken captain while Beck hoisted Shanks to his feet and followed them away from the destroyed store room.
The two that helped gather Buggy up didn't leave once they stepped into the tent though the one with swords did step out briefly to calm the rest of the crew down. They watched slack jawed as the young lion carefully crawled forward, careful to stay and look oh so small as he made his way into the blue haired captain's bed. Blue was still shaking, whimpering but before he could split again the lion plopped on top of the captain and started purring.
It was a deep rumbling thing so loud Beck and Shanks could feel it reverberating through their chests. With an ache in his chest, Shanks realised that the sound and barely there thrum of Conqueror's was an imitation of exactly what Roger would do when they got scared. He remembered with ease the time Blue panicked so much during a New World storm so rough that they'd been sent below deck that no matter what he did Red couldn't get him to stick together and stay. So, panicking just like his brother, he did the only thing he knew to and ran to fetch their dads.
Roger dropped everything and ran to them pausing in his quest for their cabin just long enough to get dry clothes, Rayleigh always fussed when they tracked water all around Oro's halls . With Shanks' help he'd pieced Blue together piece by piece before dragging Red into the bed with them. They'd both been pinned under their captain's bulk, warm , safe , small , and when that wasn't quite enough Captain started a hum so low it rumbled from his chest like a purr as he let his Haki flow out and surround them.
Shanks crept forward slowly, hands coming up to brush through his brother's hair once more, pausing as the lion eyed him down. His heart ached as his brother flinched and whimpered, worse than when they were kids and this time it was his fault.
Guilt gnawed at him as he turned his gaze towards Beckman, the man had been telling him for months now to ring his brother but Shanks had been terrified, now he felt like he had missed a lot… That there was more to everything than what he knew.
"Shhh, Blue, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Shanks choked out as he tipped over his brother's head. "I should have called, I should… we should have sorted this out long ago… I just… I was terrified."
"Please… please… I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" Buggy choked out over and over, eyes clenched shut.
Shanks felt the tears spill down his face faster, dripping across his brother's face and mixing with his own. In his own grief he had hurt one of the most important people, he should have known that Blue was trying the day their father died. He'd done it before, lash out when scared, when hurting believing to be unloved. What had happened after Rayleigh found him? Rayleigh was supposed to be with him!
They laid like that till Blue eventually fell asleep and Shanks sat up, wiping his tears away and blinking, only to see that the lanterns in the tent were low and no one else was in the tent still, he could feel Beckman standing guard with two of Buggy's crew, relaxing him some. He gazed around more to see his bounties on the wall, side by side with Blue's, in places of pride. There were even some faded ones from when they were younger, one of their dad's bounties with both of them over his shoulder laughing. How did he ever think that Blue never loved him…
Getting to his feet he made his way over to the dresser in the corner, fingers running over the combs that sat there. They were their mama's, ones she had given to Blue before being dropped off on Baterilla. Grabbing the pearl handled brush Shanks made his way back to his brothers' side, dragging over a chair to sit at his head, brushing through the messy blue hair. Buggy hated when his hair was knotted, it was his most prideful feature and Shanks couldn't allow his brother to wake up with it as bad as it was.
If he could do one thing for his brother, it was this.
The lion was still watching him, its dark eyes judging but eventually turned its gaze away and fell asleep, its purrs still rumbling out. Shanks could feel his haki simmering under his skin, wanting to settle over his brother like their Fathers had done when they had bad days, like the lions was now, but the last time he did that Blue had panicked.
Shanks didn't know how to feel about his brother thinking he was here to hurt him and his crew. How badly had Blue been hurt for him to think that? He knew their fight when their Captain died was bad but he didn't think that it caused this much damage to their bond.
"Captain?" Beck's voice from the door had him looking up, seeing his partner giving him an inquiring look. "Are you okay love?"
"I don't know Beck," Shanks replied softly, hands never stopping from combing his brother's hair. "He was terrified of me, Blue's never been terrified of me."
Beckman made his way over to Shanks' side, hand coming up to cup at his cheek. "Love, give it time. He may have been taken off guard, remember also that you may not be the only one to have suffered over the years. Just be patient, love, let him speak before you try and demand answers, be patient."
Shanks sighed and closed his eyes, leaning into the palm and soaking up the affection. "You're right Beck, what did I ever do to deserve you?"
"You cheated and won me in a poker game, stealing my heart while at it," Beck replied with a soft laugh, knocking off the straw hat and kissing his partner's brow. "Now, I'll go make sure the boys are behaving while they mingle with your brother's crew."
"Let them know we'll be here for a while and that they need to behave, keep the sails furled and the jolly hidden for now, don't want to bring attention to the fact we are here yet." Shanks hummed, eyes flickering down onto his brother. "Don't want to put Blue in trouble, he was never one to be happy with the Marines' eyes on him."
Benn drew his partner in for a kiss before making his way back outside, leaving Shanks in the silence once more. With a sigh, Shanks laid the combs on the small side table before pulling his brother's hair into elaborate braids that their mama favoured. Perhaps it would cheer him up to see them, maybe it was a step closer to earning his brother's forgiveness.
Shanks didn't know that this island was his brother's territory, they had landed here after a slight skirmish from the marines and getting lost in one of the storms. It was rare that a blue would get a Grand Line storm but sometimes it happened and Shanks had used that to his advantage to escape and lose said marines. He had seen bright colours and a party, so he had ordered his men to anchor; he wanted to explore the island's festival.
Running into Blue was the last thing he had expected, especially in East Blue. He knew he should have gotten in touch when he learned the truth, but every time he'd gone to dial the number for Buggy he'd frozen in place with the number half done. Seems his brother wasn't the only one who was terrified.
He stayed by Buggy's side the entire night humming lullabies just like their Mama had done. Their Dad and Pops tried on multiple occasions to sing to them like Mama did but seas, their voices were god awful when they weren't drunk off their asses. Shanks hummed even when his throat began to hurt keeping what he hoped was a comforting sound mixing with the rumbling purr of the sleeping lion next to him.
" R-Red—" Buggy rasped his throat and body aching in a way that meant he'd panicked, split, and screamed in painful ways.
"Shhh, it's okay…" Shanks whispered his voice nearly gone as he carefully poured water from a pitcher on the table into a metal cup that he gently pressed into his brother's hands. "It's okay, Blue, it's okay…"
Buggy sipped at the water, blinking in confusion up at his brother's face. " Red… how are you here… why?"
"I didn't know it was your island till we literally ran into each other," Shanks confessed looking away. "It seems Calypso has decided enough was enough and brought me back to you. I'm so sorry, Blue, for everything."
"I'm sorry too, for chasing you away…" Blue choked out, tears gathering. "I didn't want you to be burdened by me, the unwanted, the unloved. Captain had plans for you, you were the important one… I didn't want to mess that up."
Horror welled within Shanks at that, followed by anger. "Who dared even make you think you were unwanted and unloved!? I wanted you, I love you, you're my brother, you were and will always be my brother."
"Rayleigh left me Red," Buggy whispered as he struggled to sit up, bringing his knees to his chest as he curled in the safety of the Lion. "He took me from Loguetown saying we were going to somewhere safe, then he just… he left me… Mama died and he left me."
Rage sparked like wildfire within Shanks at the broken confession, his haki simmering angrily under his skin and making him feel like he had swarms of angry bees under it. He wouldn't release it, not here and not while his brother was so fragile, Shanks didn't want him to fall apart again, didn't want to hurt his brother again.
Rayleigh, their pops, should have never left. Shanks could see now the damage that was done and the next time Shanks saw him, he was going to punch the bastard in the face for abandoning Blue the way he did. Swallowing his ire more, Shanks pulled his brother into a hug carefully, humming the same lullaby he was singing not long ago.
"He's a bastard Blue, but I'm so proud of you. Look at the amazing crew you have formed, they even stood up to me when my haki unleashed." Shanks confessed. "I won't leave again, not like that, I promise. I swear."
Buggy jolted as the haki-dipped words washed over him, an oath like his Captain used to make when he was younger. Haki oaths like that were sacred, dangerous but sacred and were designed to be kept.
"I missed you, brother," Buggy whispered softly, afraid that if he said it any louder then the mood would be broken.
Shanks just pulled him closer and hugged him tighter. "I missed you too Blue, so much."
After a beat of silence, Buggy turned his gaze towards his brother. Taking note that his hair was longer, the scars on his face still a fresh pink even though they were nearly a year older perhaps even more. His heart ached at the sight of them, remembering the night they had got the news Shanks was hurt and JB had killed the bastard who had done it. He looked older with the scruff of beard, and eyes dark like he hadn't had a good night's sleep in days but happy.
"Tell me about your crew," Buggy asked softly.
A smile pulled at Shanks' lips. "If you tell me about yours it's only fair."
"Deal," Buggy replied with a huff of laughter.
"Well, there's my first mate, Beckman. He's amazing…" Shanks launched into the telling of his crew, from his first mate to his Chef, Doctor, sniper… Buggy listened with rapt attention, soaking in the subtle joy his brother's haki that seeped off him. When done, Buggy then in turn told Shanks all about his band of pirates and the deal they had going on in the town, how the Marines constantly left the town at the mercy of pirates because of Bribes and it only stopped once Buggy put his foot down.
Both of them continued to talk as the day grew into night, only stopping when Mojhi stepped into the room with food and a pointed look. Shanks was pleased to see that his brother had a good crew that would look after him, that they wouldn't let him suffer in silence or let him forget to eat as he was wont to do. Perhaps staying here for a little while would be good for them, seas know his men need a holiday.
XX
Buggy stepped out into the night air, hands rubbing together to warm them, eyes casting a quick glance over the area. He raised his brows as he saw that there was only one person on watch when he knew there should be at least two and this one wasn't even his own crew.
"I did not think I would see you here." He uttered as he made his way up to the lone figure, plopping down in front of the small fire.
Beckman turned his gaze away from the ocean, away from the view of the Red Force where Shanks was tucked away safe asleep, recovering from the previous night's drinking. He had yet to speak more than five words to the Clown Pirate that his partner called brother, feeling both anxious and relieved by it. He could still hear JB's warning in his ears.
"I couldn't sleep," Beckman explained simply. "I said I could take over the watch, I hope that is okay."
"Yes and no." Buggy hummed. "Yes, because someone needs to be on watch, no because my men know better than to slack on their duties and you should be with Shanks."
"He knows where I am, he always does," Beckman replied with a small grin, gaze going back to the sea. "His haki is always on me, even when asleep."
"Yeah, he's protective like that." Buggy laughed softly, tossing another bit of wood into the fire.
"Not the only one, I've been told," Beckman explained slowly, hesitantly. "JB told me about the giant. To be honest I've been a little worried about what you would do when you found out that he and I were together."
Startled laughter escaped Buggy at that, pleased that JB spoke of him. It also explained why Beckman had been avoiding him but Blue had thought that it was just a weird happenstance, but no, his brother's partner was scared of him just a tad. "I'm not mad if that's what you're worried about, I've seen the way you treat my brother and the way he speaks about you, I couldn't be happier. Though, if you ever do hurt my brother, you will be begging Davy Jones to save you, understand?"
"I do," Beck replied only to snap his gaze back to the Clown with raised brows at the scoff.
"I really don't think you do," Buggy replied softly. "See, my brother is the best part of me, he doesn't realise but he's my moral compass. I grew up on the streets, fighting to just even live . Shanks showed me loyalty, family, and love. He showed me that I didn't have to fight for every. Little. Scrap ."
Benn blinked as those blue eyes darkened to the likes of a new world typhoon, fire light glinting in their depths and the smirk pulled into a mockery of a smile as silver blades shimmered between gloved hands.
"If my brother ever stopped smiling, if he told me you broke his heart, I would flay you alive. I would peel the skin from your muscles, break every bone, I would feed you your own fingers and toes. The amount of suffering you would go through would probably drive you insane." Buggy continued on as he watched his brother's First Mate swallow hard. "It would make him hate me, probably, but that's okay because I lived several years without my brother… It'll hurt but it'll be worth it to make sure that you'd never hurt him again."
Beckman swallowed harshly at the cold calculating look in the clown pirate's eyes. Or rather, he tried to because suddenly Beck found his mouth dryer than the Alabastan desert despite the cold sweat forming on his back. He had the strong feeling that he got the downgraded version of the blue-haired man's usual threats. He never planned on hurting Shanks anyway, he'd rather die thank you very much , but if it set a man who talked about torture that casually well… he'd kill himself before Buggy got him.
"So when are you marrying my flashy red brother, Beckman?" Buggy asked leaning back, all venom vanishing within a blink that if Beckman didn't see the knives still he would think all of that was part of his imagination.
"I would marry that idiot of mine tomorrow in a heartbeat if he said yes." Benn chuckled. "He's being picky on where he wants to wed and the how, I could care less with the how and where as long as it's him by my side."
Buggy hummed, mind racing over everything that he had on the Big Top. He could probably get a few of their Uncles here in time, perhaps only Crocus, Erio and Momora depending on where he is. "If you give me a few days, I can see where a few of our family is and we can get that Red of ours hitched to you where he belongs."
Hopping to his feet he missed the slight jerk of surprise from his brother-in-law, because no matter what, those two idiots will be married eventually but this was something that Buggy could do for him, for them. But not just that, something was telling him that this was the right move to do, that they needed to stay in the East for a little while longer.
"Don't stay up too late, my brother hates sleeping alone, wait another hour and then find my two idiots who should be on watch and tell them to get back to work," Buggy explained over his shoulder, distracted as he was. "Goodnight Beckman."
"Goodnight, Buggy," Beck replied dazed before shaking his head and settling back into his watch.
XX
"Blue," The sound of his uncles' voice had Buggy jumping to his feet and spinning, a wide grin on his face as he caught sight of Gaban and Momora right there.
"Uncles," Buggy greeted, pulling them both in for a hug. "I'm glad you could make it."
Momora held his nephew close for a moment before pulling back, staring down at the kid. "Are you going to tell us why we are here now kid? Or the fact that it had to be a secret?"
Buggy chuckled slightly at that, surprised that his uncle didn't know. It was sad that the only two people that could come today was Momora and Gaban but they were the closest. Crocus was having issues with poachers wanting Laboon which is where Erio was currently, Mamora had just visited the Redline and picked up Gaban who was in places he wasn't supposed to be.
"Well, I figured that besides me, Red should have family there on his wedding day," Blue explained with a wide grin, taking pleasure in the surprise that flickered across their faces.
"No one else could make it? Rayleigh?" Gaban asked slowly, blinking away the shock.
A scowl tugged at Buggy's face as he turned to head back to his dresser, he was in the midst of getting ready when they had shown up. "I haven't spoken to Rayleigh in years and after Red and I spoke, he wants nothing to do with the old man. Today's supposed to be a happy day, I don't want him to remember back and see fighting."
"Very well Blue, now, I see you avoided it but I'm not going to let you." Gaban chuckled as he came up behind Blue and began to braid. "Why the secrecy?"
"Well… Red doesn't… exactly know he's getting married today." Blue admitted sheepishly. "Beckman does, his crew does but… well… Red does not. Apparently, the Flashy Idiot is very indecisive and Beck doesn't give a sea kings ass."
Gaban chuckled, sharing a look with Momora. "He's exactly like Leigh. Seas only knows how indecisive our First Mate was, Roger had to throw him overboard just to get him to admit he loved him."
"Blue's like you though," Momora chuckled as he lounged back on the bed. "Wasn't it you who bundled our Captain and First Mate up and tossed them in a fight with Garp so he could marry them."
"Sorry… Did you just say that Garp married them?" Buggy choked out, eyes bugged.
Gaban merely smirked. "Oh yeah, i planned it with that wild Monkey, he and Roger were good friends. All of us were sick of them waiting and hemming and hawing. Rayleigh couldn't make up his mind and Roger didn't give a flying shit. Saved us all the headache and spoke with the Marine. They got married in battle… though I'm glad that Red and Beckman aren't going that route."
Buggy coughed slightly and looked away because he did think of doing that, just throwing his brother into a fight to get him in a good mood and marrying them, cause besides Buggy being the way he was and dressing the way he did… Shanks was the theatrical and romantic one. He was never going to admit out loud that was one of his options.
"Buggy?" Beckman's voice called out before said man stepped inside, blinking in surprise to see Scooper Gaban and an unfamiliar face. "Gaban, I didn't realise you were here."
"Ah, well, Blue called Momora here and I was with the old bird." Gaban chuckled before turning to said man. "Momora meet Benn Beckman, Beckman meet the spymaster of the Roger Pirates, Momora."
Momora got to his feet with a laugh and a roll of his eyes, hand coming out to shake Beckman's. "I was the communications officer for the Roger Pirates, my job was to keep these idiots up to date with the news and send them our own to our allies. Nice to finally meet you."
"I think you and Howling Gab will get along well then, he's our Communications Officer," Benn stated before turning his gaze towards Buggy. "I did as you asked and got Shanks distracted, is this why?"
"In a sense." Buggy chuckled and got to his feet. "You said that you'd marry Red in a heartbeat right?"
Beckman jolted forward slightly, eyes wide and heart hammering. His gaze shifted from Buggy to Gaban and Momora, three men that his Captain called family. A smile pulled at his lips followed by a laugh, excitement thrumming through him. "Yes, I would. Today then?"
"Today," Buggy replied with a grin of his own. "You think Red would be mad about it?"
"No," Beck replied instantly. "He'd be happy that there would be three of you here. I think that's what's been bothering him, that he wouldn't have any family to celebrate the day."
"Good then lets go tell that Flashy idiot he's getting married," Buggy stated as he shoved Beckman out the door.
The First Mate merely laughed and didn't resist, throwing a look over his shoulder at the three men following behind him as they hurriedly made their way to the port. He could see Shanks now speaking with Hongo and Buggy's doctor Sorena. Like every other time, Shanks' gaze flickered to his, a smile lighting up his features and stealing Beck's breath away. A laugh escaped the dark haired man though as his partner's red eyes caught sight of the men behind him, jaw slackening with disbelief and then into joy.
"Uncailí!" Shanks shouted as he quickly made his way towards them. "What are you both doing here?"
"Well love, what if we got married today?" Beckman asked softly, watching as Shanks' head snapped to his in bewilderment. "I know that having none of your family to see it is what's been botherin' you, Blue got it all handled."
"You want to get married today? True?" Shanks asked as he turned towards Beck.
" In a heartbeat love," Beck replied fiercely.
Shanks laughed and pulled his partner in for a kiss, flipping off his crew behind them at their wolf whistles. He knew that Beck wasn't one for public displays of affection but how could Shanks resist after finding out that the man and his brother planned all this, planning on having some of his family here.
Pulling back with a gasp he gave Beck a brilliant smile. "Let's do it then! Are one of you marrying us?"
Gaban shook his head. "We're not captains' Red, that honour is going to be Blues."
"Now! Let's get you flashily married! It's been long enough in the making!" Blue exclaimed as he began to shove his brother and brother in law back towards The Red Force, a bright smile on his face
XX
It was only a few days later that Buggy and Shanks were clutching at one another, tears in their eyes. The wedding celebrations had lasted days, Gaban and Momora staying for the majority of it telling stories and sharing tales of when Shanks and Buggy were younger to their crews.
It was a good week but like all good things, it must come to an end. Momora had left his post for too long, needing to get back to his reports, shocking Beckman and the Akagami Pirates when he finally shifted into his Bird Form and they realised who he was exactly. It amused the older man to no end, along with Gaban who said he was going to go help Crocus and Erio, and give them a copy of the wedding he had recorded on the Den Den.
"Don't you be a stranger okay," Blue choked out, clutching at his brother.
Shanks chuckled, holding Buggy just as tight. "We're staying in the east for a good while yet Blue, you'll see me again. I promise."
"Good, don't do anything stupid and if you do, tell that flashy husband of yours I want recordings." Buggy chuckled and pulled back, wiping away the tears.
"Of course," Shanks sighed in exasperation. "You two should never have met, it's wholly unfair that you teamed up, he's my husband."
"Well someone needs to mind you," Buggy chuckled as he shoved at his brother's face, splitting when Shanks mock swung back at him. "Be safe brother, I mean it. East Blue may not be tough but there are still secrets on her waters, dangers that still lurk in the calm."
Shanks turned his eyes away from Buggy and out towards the ocean, a faraway gleam in his eyes. "I know… I can feel the pull to stay here, the Sea speaks ever louder… I hear drums on the wind, calling me . I'll be safe Blue, promise."
Buggy swallowed thickly at his brother's faraway confession, his mind racing with everything he knew and once again, he had to bite his tongue on telling Shanks everything . Something told him that Shanks couldn't know yet and Buggy never ignored his gut.
"May the seas be calm and the wind ever present brother," Blue whispered cupping his brother's neck and pressing their foreheads together.
Shanks mimicked the action with a faint smile. "And may the gold flow and stars guide you, Blue. Till next time."
"Till next time," Blue replied as he watched Shanks jump up to the edge of his ship, telling his men to set sail.
He wouldn't see Shanks often, the man always moving and partying, staying prominent in the East for limited times as he skipped over to Paradise and back. They would stay in contact through DenDen calls and letters, annoying the hell out of each other like all brothers did and relaying Marine secrets. Years would pass this way, and nothing would change that, not till one night as Buggy was readying for a show to fight off a small pirate gang, his brother's burning vivre card caught his attention.
Something told him that time had come, Fate's hand had been dealt and Buggy for the first time in years prayed to the gods that his brother was okay.
Author Note: This is also on AO3