Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Are you sure about this, Rayleigh?” Hancock asked, still unsure of the old man's decision to be on this island.

“Yes.” Was his simple answer as he continued walking the road with confidence, while Hancock and her sisters looked around them wearily, waiting for someone to ambush them.

“But why?” She insisted, getting irritated. “He is a sea emperor who probably will get something in return or humiliate us.”

“I won’t lie, he does get off on having people groveling at his feet.” He admitted but smiled. “But my boy isn’t like that with me; he has always been sweet in his own way.”

Hancock wanted to question him about his relation to the Sea Emperor, but he paused his steps, causing her and her sisters to stop as well. Only then did the women realize they were about to be under attack. Before any of them could take a battle stand, Rayleigh raised his hand to signal them to stop.

“Don’t be hostile and let me do all the talking.” The man ordered just as the group of low pirates circled them.

Each member had a carnival-themed outfit or dressed extravagantly. Hancock could take them all with a single kick, but stood back, allowing Rayleigh to do whatever he was going to do, but that doesn’t mean that she didn’t have her guard up.

“Who dares trespass on the Buggy Town Grounds?” the one who seemed to lead the group demanded.

“We didn’t mean to trespass, but we wanted to meet your Captain, you see I’m-”

“It’s Hancock!” One of the men declared as he pointed at the woman, and she glared at him.

“It is!”

“Oh my god! What is she doing her?”

“Could it be that she is here to meet our captain?”

“Our captain is truly amazing!”

The group around them turned from hostile to fans in an instant as they gushed over Hancock, then back to their captain. Rayleigh had to admit that the way Buggy had these people falling for him at the same level as Hancock was impressive. But there was no time for that. So he held his hand up to regain their attention to him, before the previous sea lord lost her temper and knocked them out cold or turned them to stone.

“She is!” He said with a smile. “And we have an important issue that we must discuss with your captain.”

“Of course!” The leader of the group agreed with a big smile. “Follow us!”

“Our captain is so great to have so many powerful people flocking to him.”

“He is working so hard to be the best, it’s so admirable!”

Some started tearing up as they continued praising their captain. Hancock had a vague, popping sensation in her head as she had to hold back from shouting at the people around them to shut up, while her sisters had a look of creeped-out horror.

“Does this guy have some kind of brainwashing fruit?” Marigold whispered to Sandersonia, who just shrugged.

It didn’t take long for them to come face-to-face with the sight of a great circus that had a huge jolly roger clown at the top of it. From a distance, they could tell that the place was lively, as people were singing, dancing in the air, and confetti and balloons were flying around. Rayleigh whistled, catching everyone’s attention.

“Impressive.” He stated as he glanced around.

“Impressive?” Hancock retorted. “Are you joking? This abomination is not beautiful at all, let alone impressive!”

“Our captain designed it himself!” One of the pirates tried to defend, but a simple glare from Hancock got him shrinking to the ground.

“I’m not talking about the sight alone, but also the number of people.” He clarified. “It must be the population of a small village or something.”

“Yes, our captain inspired many to be by his side.” The leader explained with tears, escaping the edge of his eyes. “He can stir all hearts to realize their worth and follow him to greatness.”

The group nodded enthusiastically. Rayleigh just nodded as they got closer. But just as they were about to reach the entrance of the circus, two figures stood tall, waiting for the group to get closer, since they clearly saw them from afar and came over to “greet” them.

“It’s been a while, Hancock,” Crocodile was the first to speak with such a condescending tone.

“Crocodile.” Sha replied, returning his attitude, her glare sharp at the man, but it didn’t waver him. “You’re working for a clown now?”

“Business partners.” Crocodile corrected, his irritation concealed just barely. “What about you? I heard that Amazon Lily took quite the fall.”

Hancock took only a few steps, ready to strike Crocodile down with just a kick, before Rayleigh stood in front of her.

“Out of my way!” She ordered, trying again to move past Rayleigh, but the man moved with her to block her path.

“Remember when I told you this is the safest place we can be in right now?” he reminded her. “We can’t risk losing their favor, especially when we are in their territory.”

“I don’t care about that!” She retorted. “They are all beneath me, I would rather face Black beard again than grovel at these bastards feet!”

“And I told you, you won’t.” Rayleigh hissed at her, getting irritated by her stubborn nature.

“Who is the old man?” Crocodile asked. “Another mindless zombie to your “beauty” that you have as a pet?”

“I think I know him.” Mihawk said loud enough for Crocodile to hear, but Rayleigh heard him too.

The old man looked over his shoulder, and his black eyes collided with Mihawk's piercing yellow ones. None of them backed down, locked in a stand, as if waiting for one of them to make to signal a fight. Mihawk’s hand itched for him to grab Yoru and attack the old man. But it all came to a halt when a loud voice called from a distance that forced both men to break their stares and turn their heads to the source.

“What is going on here!?” The voice demanded with annoyance. “Who authorized this gathering? Why isn’t anyone working like I told you to!?”

Rayleigh stepped away from Hancock as he stepped closer to the circus’s entrance, his neck outstretched and craned slightly, trying to see the source of the oh so familiar voice. Pirates started talking excitedly among themselves as they made way for the one have been admiring since they got on this island.

Buggy the clown.

He looked like a giant with his tent-like suit; his Devil Fruit probably allows him to manipulate the shape of his elastic suit. His face was covered in clown makeup, and his hat was big and extravagant with blue puffs hanging from the sides. If Rayleigh wasn’t consumed by weird emotions at the moment, he would have laughed at the sight, because it reminded him of when Buggy was younger and would steal Roger’s hat and coat. Now he has his own and doesn’t need to steal anyone else’s.

As Buggy came into full view everyone was cheering or calling for his attention.

“Captain Buggy!” One of them called. “It’s Hancock, she came asking for an audience with you!”

“She did?!” The ones who weren’t there when the conversation happened gasped in amazement. “Our captain is truly an inspiration!”

“Hancock?” Buggy questioned, confused with a hint of nervousness.

Buggy knew very well who Hancock was; he heard the stories of the empress of the Kuja tribe and made sure to avoid her and her island in fear of facing her wrath. He never understood why the Roger pirate would speak of the women of the tribe excitedly; they sounded horrifying, and Hancock wasn't an exception. If anything, she sounded crueler than any other empress that came before her.

Buggy made his way to stand behind Crocodile and Mihawk, ready to use them for protection in case he needed to escape when a fight broke out. He scanned the area in front of his circus, and he froze in shock at what he saw.

Crocodile and Miahwk could feel Buggy behind them, starting to shake slightly, but they assumed that he was shaking with fear. It wasn’t something new to them. but what was new was the sound of their “captain” holding back sobs as if he was shocked by them. was he THAT scared of the Kuja empress? Did he have such little fate in Crocodile and Mihawk to be able to take on Hancock? Buggy deflated behind them, going back to his normal height, probably trying to seem smaller.

What they didn’t expect was to feel the clown parting with them slightly so he could make his way between them. Crocodile was about to shout at Buggy and kick him away, while reminding him of his place. But he stopped when he saw tears running down Buggy’s face like water waterfall. He glanced at Mihakw, who shared the same confused look, because these weren’t his usual tears of pain and fear. This was different.

“Ra…Ray..?” He called softly, and it was the softest that the clown had ever sounded. The old man smiled softly at Buggy.

“Hey there, baby blue.” Rayleigh greeted softly, it was like a dam broke out.

“RAYLEIGH!!”

Buggy screamed as he ran towards the old man with more tears running down his face and snot from his nose. The women with Rayleigh tapped back in disgust, but their protector didn’t budge. In fact, he opened his arms, getting ready for the clown. Buggy threw his face first into the older man’s chest, not caring that he was on his knees, or that he might look pathetic to his partners, Nakamas, and underlings. At this moment, he was a child again, begging for comfort from the man who raised him and hadn’t seen sense his captain died. Rayleigh didn’t care about the feeling of his shirt getting wet or the feeling of the sea emperor rubbing his snot-filled nose against his shirt, because at this moment, Buggy wasn’t a sea emperor; he was his boy.

Everyone watched in shock, not understanding what was going on.

Why was Buggy crying when he saw this stranger? Was he begging for mercy? Was this person dangerous? The old man removed Buggy’s hat and is petting his head!!! How can someone dare to do such a thing? Why is Buggy leaning into the affectionate touch?

Why is Rayleigh treating this grown man like a child? And why is that man crying on his knees to Rayleigh? Rayliegh did say that this clown will provide them with protection without having to do anything in return. Did Buggy have some kind of debt to Rayliegh? Is that why the dynamics suddenly shifted?

Just what is going on!?

“Now, Now, stop all this crying, your people are watching.” Rayeligh chided slightly as he took out a napkin and started wiping away Buggy’s tears.

“I..*Hic* …Don’t care..*Hic*…uuhhgg” Buggy replied with broken sobs, allowing his teacher to wipe his face, not caring if the makeup got smudged. Rayleigh then wiped the clown’s snot before placing it on his nose. “Blow.”

With that simple command, Buggy blew his nose into the napkin, causing many to flinch in disgust, but not the one holding the napkin, and then stuffed it back into his pocket. Hancock felt like throwing up. Crocodile watched in shock, and Mihawk, in somewhat interested and intrigued by the scene that had unfolded in front of them.

Rayleigh helped Buggy back to his feet, then took the hat from the ground. Buggy had to bend down slightly so that his mentor could place that hat back on him, and then cupped Buggy’s face and smiled, and Buggy smiled back, new tears threatening to escape.

“You have grown so much, you little bastard.” Buggy laughed at the insult.

“Told you I’ll get bigger than you.”

“Brat.” Rayleigh retorted, giving Buggy’s cheeks a slight pinch.

“Clown.” Crocodile voice boomed, breaking the moment and getting Buggy’s attention back to him. “Care to explain yourself?”

“Ah! Well, I..I mean he is..uhhmm..”

Buggy struggled trying to find a good way of introducing Rayleigh. Rayleigh, on the other hand, was glaring at Crocodile for speaking in such a manner to his boy, which sent a chill down the man’s spine. What was that just now? Haki?

“My name is Silvers Rayleigh.” He introduced himself, ignoring the astonished sounds of whispers that started echoing around.

“Silvers Rayeligh? Why does that name sound familiar?”

“You idiot, you don’t know him?! How can you call yourself a pirate?”

“I thought he died with his captain!”

“His captain? Is he an old pirate?”

“Shut your mouth or he’ll hear you! He is not any pirate; he is THE pirate!”

“This man is the vice-Captain of the legendary pirate king!”

At that declaration, the whispers became shouts of amazement. The pirate king's right-hand man! The dark King himself! Here at their island, talking to their captain! But why?

“You idiots! How can you call yourself loyal subjects of the great Buggy if you don’t remember that HE was also part of the Roger pirates?”

“You’re right!”

“How did we forget?!”

Crocodile and Mihawk looked at one another, as if just realizing that Buggy sailed on the Oro Jackson before. but they just didn’t believe it. Rayeligh then turned to Buggy.

“I came with Hancock seeking refuge for a while until we can get back on our feet.” He explained. “I will tell you more about it later, but not here.”

“Well, we can arrange if-” Crocodile was cut off by Buggy.

“Of course! Stay as long as you need!” He stated urgently, before turning to glare at the subordinate. “What are you doing just standing there gawking at us? Didn’t you hear? They need a space to stay, so get your asses moving and build a space for master Rayleigh to stay in!”

“And Hancock and her sisters.” Rayliegh reminded gently, making Buggy frown slightly.

“-And for the Gorgon sisters.” He continued reluctantly, not as urgent as he was a few seconds ago.

“YES, BOSS!!”

They all shouted in unison before running around to get the material needed to build a private room for their new guests. Crocodile almost snapped his cigar in half at what just happened, but Mihawk wasn’t upset.

“This is going to be interesting.” He stated before turning back to where he came from.

Buggy was chatting with Rayleigh as they walked passed Crocodile, who was almost offended by the action, but he didn’t miss the way the older man’s smile vanished for a moment to glare at him before he went back to smiling at the clown and listening intently. Hancock didn’t even spare him a glance. She walked past him with her head held high, showing how inferior he was to her, he sisters didn’t act as their sister, but they did give him a mocking smile as they followed her.

A vein popped on his forehead. Crocodile was going to kill the clown when this was over.

---

Not wanting to stay with them, Hancock demanded a separate area for her and her sisters to rest in until their original rooms were done. But Rayleigh decided to join Buggy and the others in their private area and tell them about the events that took place and what led them to come here.

“_ I then told Shakky to go back to her bar, and then I came here to escape Black Beard.” Rayleigh explained as he took a swing from his drink.

“I saw you knock out Shiki with a simple kick to the face. Why didn’t you do the same with that fat bastard?” Buggy asked angrily, but not at Rayleigh, but at the idea of Teach daring to harm his teacher.

Rayleigh extended his now-empty cup, and Buggy hurriedly brought the bottle to refill it. The action didn’t pass his two business partners, not his friends, who were in the same tent listening.

“I’m not in my prime anymore.” Rayleigh said with a small smile. “I’m slower and weaker. White Beard’s boy has devil fruit powers that are strong and unknown, and unlike his old man, he fights with no honor.”

“Fucking monster.” Buggy cursed as he squeezed a nearby pillow, imagining it was Teach’s head.

“Language, boy, there are ladies present.” Rayleigh lectured, making his boy tense.

“Sorry…” Buggy mumbled. Rayleigh reached forward and pinched Buggy’s cheek as a small punishment, a thing he’s been doing several times now, and their captain didn’t seem to mind.

“Are you Captain Buggy’s father?” Mohji suddenly blurted out, making Alvida and Gladino tense up, almost panicking by the boldness, but Cabaji stood in silence and just nodded along, being also curious about their captain’s relationship with the legendary Dark king, mostly because of the treatment they had for one another.

“Well, kind of…” Rayleigh said as he pretended to think it over.

“Huh!?!?” The sound of their confusion echoed in the tent. Except for Crocodile and Mihawk, who only raised their brows.

“Mater Rayleigh, don’t say stuff like that!” Buggy said, trying to play off how flustered he felt. “Or else these guys will end up having weird ideas!”

“There is nothing weird about it.” Rayleigh dismissed with a smile as he turned to the group whose eyes might pop out from how they are waiting for answers. “I’m not his birth father, but I raised Buggy since he was a little babe…I think I have a picture somewhere here.”

Rayleigh said as he lowered his glass and started digging into his pockets. Before Buggy could protest any further, he felt himself being pushed to the side by Alvida to sit beside Rayleigh in favor of a close view, followed by Richie who used Mohji to lean on, then Cabaji, and lastly Galdino. Crocodile and Mihawk didn’t move from their seat, but they did adjust their position, waiting patiently to be presented with the evidence of the Ex-Roger pirate’s words.

“Hey!” Buggy called angrily.

“Shh! We want to see.” Said Alvida with a grin.

“Boss’s baby pictures!” Mohji said excitedly, basically pouncing in his place, Richie let out a small sound in agreement.

“This is going to be interesting to see.” Added Cabaji as he played cool, but inside he was probably as excited as Mohji.

“It could be blackmail material.” Galdino joked with a chuckle, but not really.

“Ah there it is!” Rayleigh said as he pulled out the photo moved it from him so that those around him can have a better view.

“NO!” Buggy cried out, failing to stop them.

“Aww! You were adorable! What happened?” Alvida said narkily.

“MINI BOSS!!” Mohji said as he cried at the sight of Buggy’s baby photos.

“Whoa…” That was the only thing Cabaji was able to say, his scarf hiding the small blush he had on.

“It’s…kind of sweet.” Galdino admitted, also astonished.

“May we see?” Mihawk asked, his curiosity getting the best of him. Crocodile said nothing because he also wanted to ask to see, but was too proud to do so.

“Sure.”

Rayleigh nodded as he turned the small photo towards them, almost causing Mohji to strain his neck to get a better look, but he ended up falling to the ground. The two men leaned in slightly and examined the picture. The photo was worn, with creases from repeated folding, likely due to constant handling. The colors were yellowed, either due to the camera quality or the passage of time, but it remained clear.

The photo showed a Rayleigh in his prime, sleeping on a chair with a small baby in his arms, which he was holding carefully. The baby’s face was facing the camera, so you could clearly see the red nose and the strands of blue hair poking out of the infant's hat. Baby Buggy was sucking on his hand as he slept peacefully against the man’s bare chest, while the vice captain’s eyes had dark circles under them, and his hair was slightly disheveled.

“You look like you have been to war.” Crocodile pointed out, making Rayleigh chuckle as he looked down at the picture.

“I might as well have.” The older man agreed.

“Was Boss a difficult child?” Cabaji asked, curious about what he meant.

“I won’t say difficult, but he was picky.” He thought it over trying to find the correct word for it.

“Like..Picky eater?” Galdino asked, curious.

“No, I mean, yes, he was a very picky eater, but he was also picky with people around him.” Rayleigh started explaining. “It’s like his tiny brain was aware who was the right person to play with, which person he allowed to feed him, even changing his diapers required selected individuals for it. But he mostly depended on me for all those. Don’t let the small size fool you, he had quite the iron lungs in him.”

Rayleigh chuckled as he looked down at the photo fondly.

“You don’t say.” Said Mihawk as he and everyone else in the room turned their head to Buggy, who was curled up on the ground, covering his face in embarrassment, but you could still see he was beet-red from his ears.

“Please….stop…” Buggy begged, but he got ignored.

“Are there more pictures Mr. Boss’s Boss?” Mohji asked, his eyes pleading.

“There is, but unfortunately, I don’t have all of them with me at the moment.”

“Ooohh…” There were several sounds of disappointment, and Buggy rose up with a victorious grin.

“I only have a couple on me.” Rayleigh added as he started digging through his pockets.

“Yay!” They cheered again, and Buggy’s grin vanished.

Not wanting to go through the motion again, Buggy went and used his devil powers as well as the advantage of his suit to inflate and extend. He wrapped around Rayleigh, causing those who were stuck around the older man to fall back with shouts of protest. Then he hoisted the older man in his arms, and Rayleigh didn’t seem to mind as long as he was still able to keep the drink in his hand. Buggy glared at the group.

“That will be enough!” Buggy shouted at his subordinate, but they still tried to protest.

“That’s unfair!” Mohji said with his fist waving in the air, and Richie roared as well.

“Come on, Buggy, don’t be so uptight.” Alvida teased her arms crossed. “It’s not every day we get an exclusive inside on what happened among the Roger pirates, let alone learn that they raised you since infancy.”

“Yeah, we only want to… know you better.” Galdino tried to sound convincing, but his ulterior motives were louder, even if he didn’t speak them.

“Yeah, right!”

Was the only thing the clown said before he floated out of the room with Rayleigh, who was nursing his cup, being used to all types of chaos, in his arms. Trying to escape everyone before they could try convincing his teacher to anything.

“Hey!” Cabaji was the first to react as he chased after his captain in a unicycle.

“Get back here!” Alvida called after him and joined the chase.

Galdino was about to go too, but had to stop for a moment to look at Mohji and Richie, who had gotten up too fast and got winded, but still attempted to follow the group, with a pitiful look.

“I thought this place was already a circus, but it appears we will have a psych ward situation for a while.” Crocodile commented as he took a deep exhale from his cigarette.

Mihawk was too focused on Buggy’s separated legs that were now walking in the same direction as everyone else was going through.

“This might be, but you've got to admit…” The swordman paused as he watched the feet disappear out of sight. “..This situation is quite interesting.”

“How?”

“We have a previous member of the Pirate King’s crew, a vice captain no less, whom Buggy had an intimate relation with, that of a father and child, which is a deep bond that can’t be severed that easily.” Mihawk explained.

“What makes you sure that the old drunk isn’t just using Buggy?” his partner retorted.

“Of course, he is using him. He needs protection, but he isn’t using Buggy out of greed, but because he trusts him blindly.” Mihawk clarified. “Besides, their bond is quite deep, didn’t you feel how his haki flared up towards you after you threw an insult towards the clown?”

“So it was him.” Crocodile bit his cigarette lightly in irritation.

“Yes, but what he gave you was a small taste. I heard his haki can bring an entire army to their knees.”

“Are you trying to say that we should convince him to join us?” Crocodile asked with a raised brow.

“No, and even if we did, I don’t think he will agree to.” Mihawk answered simply.

“Then how can his stay benefit us?”

“Information.” Mihawk replied. “He is one of the men who sailed and reached the one piece; he must have seen many things and knows about things that not even the world government is aware of, besides…”

Mihawk stood up as he made his way out of the room, Crocodile following him.

“I heard that he was one of the best swordsmen, and I wonder if he will agree to a match.”

Crocodile let out a simple laugh at that last statement before they walked towards the source of the fighting noises outside.

---

Rayleigh is touched that Buggy was so attentive to him. Looking at the room that was custom-built for his satisfaction in just one day, he was impressed and a bit uneasy, because he wasn’t expecting such talent from a bunch of pirates. But again, they weren’t any pirates, they were Buggy pirates.

He remembered how Buggy always had a creative touch and a noticeable attraction to anything flamboyant. Rayleigh still recalled the night he caught Buggy applying lipstick he stole from their visit to their recent island’s cosmetic shop, then grinning excitedly.

Rayleigh was so confused and scared that he never confronted Buggy about what he saw. He wasn’t a parent enough to talk with the child he raised about desiring to be of the other sex. Of course, he later learned that just because he liked to apply makeup doesn’t mean he wants to be a woman. He just enjoys… enhancing his appearance and changing it.

“I want to be a creature that when people gaze at me, there will be in both awe and fear, that they won’t help but fall to their knees and pray for my flashy mercy!!”

He remembered Roger’s boastful laugh at the boy’s declaration, and how Gaban just cheered him on, supporting the boy’s vision. But mostly, he remembered his own anxiety towards that declaration. Don’t get him wrong, Rayleigh was proud of Buggy’s confidence, but his vision was so unusual to him that he was worried that it was just a fantasy of a child. Yet here he is standing in a tent that was built for him in less than half a day, customized especially for him, with a fluffy bed, a comfortable sofa, and a table filled with many foods that he noticed most of which are things he used to love. Buggy probably had a hand in this because, in the middle of the table, was a gift basket that, instead of fruits welcoming him, had a different variety of booze.

“Hah! My boy knows me well.” Rayleigh took one bottle and drank from it. He stopped halfway through the swing and looked down at the bottle and frowned. “Ughh…Bugs…”

The bottle had low alcohol levels.

Rayleigh put the bottle back with a pout. He’d have to talk to him later about this. If he is going to function properly, he’ll need something to numb him. A knock on the door caught his attention.

“Yes?” He called out.

“It’s me!” Buggy’s voice came from behind the door.

“Come in, blue, why are you knocking on the door?” he asked, genuinely confused.

Buggy popped his head in and gave Rayleigh an accusatory look before walking in. Rayleigh was almost taken aback by how “Normal” Buggy appeared. For years, he was so used to the makeup and circus clothes from the wanted posters he saw and collected over the years that when he finally saw Buggy without the makeup and the extra sparkle. Rayliegh didn’t think he would feel even more pride by Buggy, but seeing him like this, a grown-up adult would have made this old man cry with joy.

“Last time I came into your room without knocking the door I was the one who got knocked out by whatever was in your hand.” Buggy reminded grumpily. “I don’t care if we’re not in the Oro Jackson anymore, I am NOT risking it with you.”

“I did?” Rayliegh asked, almost surprised.

“Don’t act all forgetful.” Buggy said as he walked up to his mentor.

“No, honestly, I don’t remember.” Rayleigh insisted as he sat down on the Sofa provided to him.

Buggy said nothing more as he stood in front of the man, staring him down as if trying to find something. Rayliegh stared back unbothered as he kept his simple smile and waited for his boy to finish his interrogation. When Buggy finally gave up he finally sat beside Rayleigh.

“Whatever, you might not remember it because for you it was just discipline, but for me, it’s a core memory that still makes me jump in fear if I dare to walk into a room without knocking.”

“You’re fine.” Rayleigh said dismissively.

“I flinch whenever I see an ashtray because one time you threw it so fast at me that I still remember it glazing over my forehead as it passed me by.” Buggy exclaimed dramatically as he pointed to his frohead.

“But I didn’t hit you.” The blonde man retorted as if it was all fine in the end and Buggy let out a frustrated groan before giving up and throwing his head on Rayleigh’s lap.

“I may not have an observation Haki but with me dodging your attacks for years it gave me a skill that made me look like I have it.” Buggy grumbled in a low voice.

“At least you earned a skill from it.” Rayleigh said as he petted Buggy’s head. “Which is no surprise, you always take anything bad or scary and turn it into something amazing.”

“Y..You’re just saying that.” Buggy accused, failing to hide the blush on his face at the compliment.

“I never just say something without meaning it.” Rayleigh defended himself this time, as he combed his fingers through Buggy’s now long hair, making the old man muse. “You did it and let your hair grow, and so pretty too.”

Buggy blushed but he had a prideful smile on his face.

“Well, of course I did!” Buggy boasted. “My hair is too beautiful to force it short all the time and hidden underneath a hat; it needs to reach its full potential and show how glorious it is so everyone can bask in its beauty.”

“Just like its owner.” Rayleigh thought to himself, not saying those words because he knew Buggy would overreact properly, so he just hummed in agreement.

“You did so well, blue, I’m proud of you.” Rayleigh said sincerely making Buggy freeze.

He was confused by the sudden silence. Buggy buried his face further into Rayleigh’s lap and from the slight shake in his form and the dampness that started to spread, he could guess what was happening he said nothing more as he rubbed Buggy’s shoulder to comfort him.

“I…I missed you….So much..” Buggy said he was failing to hide the shakiness in his voice.

“I missed you more, my boy.” Those words, with his soft voice, didn’t help ease Buggy’s emotions.

It was like a dam opened as Buggy turned around, making Rayleigh see the tears that started to escape his eyes freely and the snot that it leaking from his nose, before the Sea Emperor buried his face into the dark king’s belly and sobbed freely. The action startled the older man, but he didn’t push the young captain away and just continued rubbing his back.

The scene reminded Rayleigh of when Buggy was 5 years old, that night that ship was movie slightly rougher than usual because of the waves, but there was no storm, so not many needed to be on deck, just one on the helm and a few on the sails to ensure that the ship doesn’t turn on itself and sink. Those who were used to it slept through the rocking like it was nothing. But for his gentle boy, it wasn’t.

“M..Master Ray, I’m…I’m scared.”

He could still remember that small trembling voice as the young child held him similarly to this and cried silently as the first mate calmed him down and assured him that no harm would come to him.

And just like then the now grown man had fallen asleep on his lap, exhausted from crying his eyes our and as ease from the familiar comfort of his former teacher.

“I thought I was supposed to be the one relaxing and enjoying his time here, not the other way around,” Rayleigh said some himself, sounding as if he was upset, which he wasn’t.

Rayleigh could have woken Buggy up after hours of sleep. Told him to go back to his room while he slept and rested in his own. But maybe it was laziness or yearning for the past, because Rayleigh decided that instead he would carry Buggy to his bed and lie beside the now grown man, who will always be his son, and pat his back to comfort him back to sleep, gazing down at the sleeping face and seeing the shadow of the child he once was, before following him and sleeping as well.

If he forgets every event that led him here, to close his eyes tightly and just pretend that he's sleeping inside a still ship, Rayleigh can imagine that he's back on the Oro Jackson with his captain and crew still there, waiting for a new day of adventure to come.

---

It was a week into the Buggy Circus, which meant a new day of practicing until your bones ached, and even then, you didn’t stop.

“Stop! Sto- I SAID FUCKING STOP!” Buggy shouted, glaring at the musician who didn’t cut the music at his cue and at the performers who didn’t hear him from a distance. “YOU!”

“M..Me?” One of the secondary dancers on the right questioned the anxiety, pointing to himself.

“Yes, YOU!” Buggy repeated, still angry. “Who taught you how to land like that? A sack of dirty laundry?!”

No one groaned or rolled their eyes as their captain continued his verbal abuse. They just watched others whisper among themselves while questioning their own form, not wanting to upset their captain. Buggy massages the bridge of his nose to calm himself.

“Milo, you were early.” He clarified before snapping again. “ You’re always early! The music hasn’t even thought about breathing yet, and you’re already throwing yourself at it.”

“Sorry, boss!” Milo said as he straightened up. “I will do better!”

“You fucking better!” Buggy threatened before turning back to the musician. “From the top!” PLACES!”

Everyone hurried to their spots from the very beginning. Rayleigh watched everything, almost impressed, but also worried. The music starts, everyone was moving in sync…almost, which makes Rayleigh visibly wince knowing what is to come.

“NO! Nope, Isla, if you drag your feet any slower, we’ll need to file a missing person report!” Buggy criticized.

“Yes, boss!” Isla shouted, accepting his comment.

“Don’t “Boss” me, just fix it!” Buggy groans loudly before turning around to leave the tent. “You know what? Take 10, I know I fucking need it.”

When Buggy disappeared outside, everyone let out a breath, most of them fell to the ground from exhaustion, some took the chance to stretch, others walked up to the snack area, which was close by Rayliegh, and started hydrating themselves.

“Captain Buggy called me a malfunctioning flamenco today.” A woman dancer said fondly.

“Lucky!” boosted her partner. “I got compared to a damp noodle.”

“Last week, he said I danced like I was apologizing to the floor.” A third person added as he walked up to them, and the three shared a laugh.

Their reaction intrigued Rayleigh, and he wanted to hear more. He got up from his dark area and walked up to them.

“Great work, everyone.” He praised.

“Thanks, man.”

The one who had his back to him replied not looking at him. It was his crewmate who had a look of shock and panic that forced him to turn around, by slapping the drink from his hand and forcefully turning him around. When he saw that it was Rayleigh who complimented them, they all bowed deeply to him.

“Thank you so much, sir!!” they said in sync.

Rayleigh had to admit that dancers' flexibility is impressive, given how they looked like they were folding themselves in half.

“Please, no need for all the tense formality.” He assured with a smile. “I didn’t mean it but I actually overheard some of your conversation earlier.”

“Sorry to disturb your peace, sir!” They bowed again, apologizing, making Rayleigh start to feel unease.

“Please, stop that.” He said, hiding his unease then composing himself.

“I was actually intrigued by what you said about Blu- I mean, your captain.” He explained, making sure not to use Buggy’s nicknames for his image amongst the crew. “I sailed the sea for so long that even the most loyal of pirates had to insult their captain under their breaths, I know I did.”

He joked, making the others chuckle, which eased the tension.

“Yet you didn’t, and that made me curious.” He confessed. The dancers looked at one another with an understanding smile.

“Boss is the best!” one of them said.

“Yes, he insults us almost…none stop.” The girl said with an anxious smile.

“But we know he doesn’t mean to hurt us by it.” The last one explained. “In fact, if he stops yelling, that’s when we get worried.”

“But he called you a damp noodle.” Rayleigh reminded.

“And last month he called me a dramatic staircase with no porpuse.”

Milo came forward after overhearing their conversation.

“despite all his insults captain never called us “bad” at what we do, he is just specific.” Milo grimced. “Painfully, specific.”

“Yeah, Boss doesn’t insult us, he insults our mistakes, then tells us exactly how to kill it!” another said as they were mid stretch.

“Also, when someone has a “bad day” he’s quitter, that’s how we know he is worried.” Added another.

“He brought me a knee brace last week when I traid to play off my injury so I won’t hold him back and told me “You’re already holding me back by not healing properly” and then told me to fuck off to bed.” Another said as they imitated Buggy’s angry voice.

“Last rehearsal, he told me I jumped like I was asking the air for permission.” A girl said before acting proudly. “Guess who can jumps higher than everyone now?”

“When I first started performing here, he told me that my face was lying to my body.” They grinned. “Now I know exactly when I’m dancing and when I’m acting.”

“He once commented on how my arms were decorative and not functional; it was brutal, but accurate.”

Laughter echoed all around as the break time turned into stories about their captain “correcting” them.

“Captain yells at us because he knows we can take it.” A familiar voice explained, and when Rayleigh turned around, he saw that it was Cabaji. “It’s when he goes quiet you should worry.”

“How so?” Rayleigh questioned, and the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The big smiles became smaller once beneath hurt eyes.

“He once benched me without raising his voice and then sat next to me and said, “You’re better than this, and you know it.” It hurt more than any insult someone has ever spoken to me.” One of them grimaced. And they all nodded in agreement.

“So, none of you feel disrespected?” Rayleigh questioned. They all shock their heads.

“Disrespected?” Milo repeated. “He learns how we move faster than we do.”

“He remembers our injuries.”

“He notices when someone is scared, even when he pretends not to.”

“Boss, is not cruel, he is just precise, and we want precise.”

“And he is so inspiring!” Isla said, swooning at the thought, and they all agreed with her.

“What the fuck is going on!?” A loud shout broke everyone from what they were doing. “I gave you 10 to stretch and know where you fucked up, not to bug master Rayleigh with whatever you are saying.”

Buggy marched back into the tent angrily.

“Since you are so energized and don’t need the chance for a break, then get your asses back in there and give me the full and perfect act that you’re holding back from me, you sack of low-life insects!”

“YES, BOSS!” They all cheered with a big smile as they hurried to their positions.

Having seen enough, Rayleigh walks towards the tent exit, but not before stopping beside Buggy, who gave me a worried look.

“What’s wrong?” he asked in a low voice, but Rayleigh kept looking at him softly. “What is it?... Is something on my face?”

“No, I’m just really proud of you.” Rayleigh said casually before giving Buggy’s cheek a gentle tap and leaving.

Buggy was stunned for a second before a blush grossed his face followed by a giant grin that he couldn’t hide.

“Alright, you sorry excuses of circus pirates.” He shouted no more at ease. “Back to places and for the love of rhythm prove that I didn’t waste my time with you lot!”

“WE WON’T!”

They all agreed in unison.

Being fired up from their captain’s, now happy attitude and wanting to keep his smile the performers perfected the rehearsal in one go making Buggy ecstatic and praised them…. in his own way that is….

“YES! YES!, THAT’S IT!” Buggy shouted excitedly, causing smiles to spread all over the sweaty faces of his crew. “Did you feel that? That show was CLEAN. CLEAN!”

Realizing his excitement, Buggy pulled himself together and acted nonchalant.

“It was not…a disaster.” He said, acting like he is inspecting his nails. “You didn’t miss your cues, you listened, you worked, and you were …professional.”

At the last part, everyone erupted in cheers as they ran up to Buggy and lifted him up, startling the poor clown, who was not ready for it.

“HEY! Put me down!” he demanded but they didn’t listen. “Who- Who told you could celebrate now?! This is just the rehearsal dim wits! W- We still have the show, and you still can fuck up during that!- AHH NOT SO HIGH!!”

---

“Why the long face?” Crocodile questioned as he looked up from his papers for just a moment, glancing at the swordsman before returning to his work.

Mihawk looked towards him with a look of confusion. Well, as confused as Mihawk can be.

“Excuse me?” the swordsman questioned, making crocodile sigh out smoke before putting his cigar down on the ashtray.

“You’re upset about something.” crocodile pointed out. “You may not use haki, but whatever has you riled up is oozing from you.”

“…hmmm…” That was all Mihawk said as he took a sip from his glass. “I got rejected again.”

“Is this about the old man again?” Crocodile questioned with a hint of irritation. “You have been pestering him to fight you since he got here. What’s the big deal with this obsession to duel him?”

“Him and I encountered each other before.” Mihawk clarified, catching Crocodile’s attention.

“Oh?” was all the businessman said with a raised brow, wanting more information.

“It was way back when I was a reckless teenager looking for a challenge.” He explained. “I heard the news of the great dark king and tracked him down and demanded that he duel with me.”

“You met Roger?” was the only question Crocodile asked, his eyes slightly widened in anticipation at the possible mention of the previous pirate king, but to his disappointment, Mihawk shook his head.

“I caught him alone; he probably was exploring the island.” Mihawk cleared up, making Crocodile lose some of his previous interest to the story. “He rejected me back then as well.”

“So you have been hunting him down ever since to test your ability.” Crocodile concluded.

“No.” Said Mihawk. “I already tested my ability with him, and I lost.”

“But didn’t you say he rejected you?”

“As I said, I was a reckless teenager back then, didn’t like taking rejection.” He explained. “I launched towards him with my sword held high, but he beat me in less than a minute.”

Crocodile whistled.

“Didn’t take you for a rebel teen.” Crocodile said almost sarcastically.

“I was a wayward, yes.” Mihawk agreed.

Mihawk can remember that day perfectly. He was lying on his back, breathing heavily from the strike Rayleigh had given him during his youth. It was one of the first times that Mihawk actually felt pain. He can still remember what the dark king told him that day…

“If you’re going to throw your life into something, make sure it’s worth the blood. Don’t force fight you’re not ready to finish, brat.”

Ever since then, Mihawk had been training hard, preparing for the day when he meets the swordsman again. But unfortunately, he disappeared after his captain’s execution, and he has been very good at hiding all these years.

“Well, it doesn’t matter.” Said crocodile as he returned to his papers, catching Mihawk’s attention. “Even if you fought him know you will probably win, considering he is no longer in his prime. Because think about it, if he was as strong as you said he is, then why would he run away from Whitebeard’s disgrace and seek refuge in Roger’s disgrace? He could have gone to Shanks since he is the true successor of the pirate king.”

“I don’t think he sees Buggy as a disgrace.” Mihawk countered. “Ever since he arrived here, he treated Buggy nothing less than a son.”

“Doesn’t mean that he isn’t a disgrace to Roger’s legacy," Crocodile retorted. “The clown maybe had all the world fooled, but we know how he really is: weak, a coward, and a liar. Pisses me off just thinking about how someone like him managed to survive under Roger.”

He takes a deep drag from his cigar before finishing.

“It’s true when they say every ship has its stain.”

---

It was one of those nights where everyone had finished all their work on the same night and decided to eat together under the same tent. It was noisy. Music, laughter, and chatter filled the air, some were walking around trying to either deliver food or seek a seat with their mates.

“Mr. Dark King, sir, please eat more!” said the head chef as he placed more food between Buggy and Rayleigh with excitement.

“Thank you.” It was all that Rayliegh said, but Buggy was pissy.

“Don’t come just like that, interrupting a conversation!”

“My deepest apologies, Captain!” said the chef before running off.

“Wasn’t that a bit harsh?” Rayleigh questioned.

“No, it wasn’t, he is lucky I didn’t rip him a new one.” Buggy defended. “Even if he was excited that you’re here-“

Buggy said before glaring at everyone.

“-They should know their manners!” he shouted, making most of them duck down in fear before they knew it was directed at him. Even Mohji and Richie ducked down, knowing that they might have been a bit much with their questions to the ex-first mate.

“Yeah, yeah, you’re protective of your dad, we get it.” Alvida said dismissively, making Buggy blush at the title.

“He’s not- I mean, he’s-” he tried to defend, but didn’t find the right words.

“Just Shush!” Alvida demanded giving Buggy a warning before turning to Rayleigh with a grin. “Tell us more!”

“Hmmm…. More stories about Buggy…” Rayliegh mused as he tried to think of a story he hadn’t said yet.

“Please don’t.” Buggy begged, but it fell on deaf ears.

“Ah! I know.” Rayleigh said, and Buggy groaned. “Did I tell you of the time Buggy saved Roger’s life?”

That caused a screech of silence to fill the air as every other conversation stopped, pirates who were walking by to get more food halted in their spots, and those who were already eating paused mid-bite.

“EEEEEEHHHHH!!!?????”

One moment, each group was sitting in their own table, doing their own thing, then the second, they were all gathering around Rayleigh. Some sat on the ground, some who were a bit further stayed standing, those who couldn’t get a good view or decent listening, distant used their acrobatic skills to dangle from above them. Even Crocodile and Mihawk had stopped whatever they were talking about and moved their bodies just slightly towards the older man on the other side of the table to listen to the story.

“Captain saved the pirate king’s life?” one questioned.

“I knew our boss was amazing, but this is beyond what we thought!”

“My mind is blown!”

“SHUT UP!” One shout from Alvida caused everyone to flinch and shut their mouths before she turned back to Rayleigh. “You were saying?~”

“Right, let me remember correctly.” Rayleigh scratches his head before snapping his fingers.

“Right! It was one of those stormy nights at sea, not too heavy that you would fear your boat would go upside down, but still worry that you would lose the right passage and be lost within the heavy waves. But the other pirates didn’t care for that; it doesn’t matter who they were exactly back then, because the sea was filled with those types of scoundrel bastards that only wanted to take Roger down…”

Rayleigh was acting out some of the scene lightly.

“Gaban was on the helm, doing his best to keep the Oro Jackson steady with one hand while fighting with the other, holding his heavy axe. I was on one side of the ship, kicking every pirate who was trying to sneak their way on deck. Each crew member was doing their best to balance between keeping the Oro Jackson secured while fighting for their lives.”

He gave a dramatic pause, allowing the circus crew to take in the imagination.

“Roger, on the other hand, was fighting their captain on the foredeck. The sound of their swords clashing was almost in rhythm with the thunder, so that if you missed it, you wouldn’t know which was which.”

“What about Buggy?” Galdino questioned, since he noticed Rayleigh didn’t mention him in the fight yet.

“Buggy and Shanks were below deck," Rayleigh answered as he continued explaining. “Back then, we only allowed our boys to join a fight when we knew they wouldn't get hurt, but if the situation was dire, then the boys were instructed to hide below deck until one of our crew went to get them..."

Rayleigh turned to look at Buggy, who refused to look at his mentor, finding his beer more interesting to look at.

“…Yet, that day they broke that role.” This made Buggy tense. “I don’t know if it was Shanks’s idea or Buggy’s, but the two cabin boys decided it would be a good idea to come and “help” in the fight.”

“It was Shanks’s idea!” Buggy was quick to blame, a tactic he used whenever he didn’t want to be blamed for something he most times had a part in or had been responsible for.

“Well, it doesn’t matter whose idea it was; it was a stupid idea either way.” He scolded, making Buggy hide his face again, embarrassed to be scolded like a child in front of everyone.

There was a chuckle in the air, but not a mocking one, unlike what Buggy thought his crew admired him for as they saw him interact with his father figure.

“As I was saying…Roger was in the thick of it, as always, laughing like a madman while swinging that sword of his. The enemy captain, a real beast of a man with a bounty that could buy islands, got the drop on him. Landed a vicious blow that sent Roger staggering toward the edge of the deck, blood pouring from a deep gash. One more step and he would have gone overboard into the sea swarming with sea kings we stirred up in the fight.”

Rayleigh paused, his expression turning serious, the line on his face deepening.

“That’s when little buggy, maybe twelve or thirteen at most, saw it happen. The young fool charged in screaming at the top of his little lungs and throwing himself between Roger and the enemy. Buggy didn’t have his powers yet, making him take a slash meant for the captain, straight across his chest. Damn near cleaved the boy in half….”

Rayleigh looked down at his now wrinkled hands. A flash of memory passed in his eyes, the memory of his hands covered in warm blood from a wound he desperately tried to stop. He remembered the fear, the panic, the tears that threatened to escape his eyes as he called for Buggy to stay awake. Or maybe he already was crying, and the tears just mixed with the pouring rain. A faint smile tugged at Rayleigh’s lips, through his eyes held a rare glint of respect.

“My ears still ring every time I remember how Roger snapped after that, screaming, his haki flaring quickly. Turned the tide single-handedly, wiping out half of the enemy fleet in a range. Not only him but all the crew on deck went so crazy that some of the rival pirates wanted to jump overboard, knowing that they would have better luck with the sea kings rather than the Roger pirates…. But we didn’t let them.”

Rayleigh’s voice was low and dangerous. The people around him unconsciously backed away in fear that they would be struck next, being so lost in their imagination that they thought they could see the made Roger pirates ready to strike them dead.

“When it was all done, we patched Buggy up the best we could; our doctor back then, Crocus, worked miracles that day. The kid lived, scarred for life, but alive.” Rayliegh took a swing of his drink to calm his rising anger. “Roger carried Buggy below himself, muttering about how the brat had more guts than half of the crew combined.”

“I don’t remember that.” Buggy stated with a confused look.

“Because you were passed out cold, but I promise you that during all that, you weren’t left alone, each crew member took turns staying by your side until you woke up.” Rayleigh suddenly laughed. “Do you know what he did the first moment he opened his eyes?”

Several “What?” could be heard, excited to hear it.

“He fought with Shanks.” He laughed at his own joke.

The crew laughed because they knew that their captain hated the red-haired pirate, but Rayleigh laughed because to him it was just his two boys returning to their old habit. When he calmed a bit, he continued.

“Buggy wasn’t just a cabin boy of the Oro Jackson or simply an apprentice of Roger’s…” He looked over to his son, and he could see the clown trying to hide the wobble of his lower lip, a sign confirming that Buggy was holding back tears. “Buggy was and still is family. Roger never chased perfection. He laughed with the weak, drank with the strange, and sailed with anyone who was crazy enough to chase his dream, and Buggy? He was there the entire time, crying, complaining, and surviving with everything the grand line thrown at him. And now that whole world calls him an emperor!?”

Everyone cheered at that, praising their captain further, who was now hunched over, hiding his tears. Crocodile was listening lazily and rolled his eyes at the statement, but he tensed when he felt something that shocked him to the core, causing him to freeze. His eyes darted around before catching Rayleigh’s blue eyes glared at him discreetly.

“If that’s a stain…then Roger’s legacy is the most colorful damn flag in the seas.”

Mihawk’s eyes widened slightly as he glanced over to Crocodile, who was swearing and unmoving, as if resisting something. Haki. He concluded to himself, being even more amazed by how the older man is able to use Haki directly on someone without the others falling victim to it.

Crocodile let out a breath of relief when Rayleigh decided enough was enough and favored turning to the clown to comfort him with a pat on the head and comforting words.

“He heard you.” It was the only thing Mihawk said to his partner.

It wasn’t a question but a fact. But it raised more questions. When did he hear it? How did they not sense him eavesdropping? And will he finally accept Mihawk's dual request if he insulted Buggy?

As Rayleigh watched Buggy switch his mood and started cheering and demanding the music to play, as everyone turned the simple dinner into a party for Roger’s memory. The older man only gave the two businessmen one sharp glance before giving his attention to Buggy again.

Yeah, better not harm Buggy in any way, because it might lead to their death, or worst.

Just until the old man leaves.

---

“This is some good stuff.” Rayleigh commented as he took some cream and applied it to Buggy’s hair.

“Right?” Buggy mused with a grin. “It took me years to perfect it, but I finally got my own perfect hair product. It’s natural, doesn’t have harmful chemicals, just perfect.”

“Are you going to sell it?” Rayleigh questioned, not taking his eyes off Buggy’s long, blue hair as he styled it carefully.

“I thought about it.” Buggy admitted. “I mean, recent data found that people are getting really into hair care lately, but I decided against it.”

“Why?”

“I’m a pirate, I swindle people with overpriced souvenirs and merch. If I got into the hair product industry, I would have to do more testing for different hair types, which would distract me from what I need to be doing.”

“And what do you need to be doing?” Rayleigh questioned him as he used the rat tail to part Buggy’s hair.

“Steal as much treasure as I can!” Buggy declared as he looked up to Rayleigh, and the older man laughed before forcing Buggy’s head forward again.

“I told you, don’t move your head.” It made Buggy groan and pout.

“Sorry.”

A comforting silence filled the air as Rayleigh focused on Buggy’s hair. It was a routine they used to do when Buggy was younger. Back then, Buggy would sit on the older man’s lap with his back to him. Now that he was older and taller, Buggy sat on the ground, with his hair resting on Rayleigh’s lap.

“Say what you want to say.” Rayleigh said, making Buggy flinch in surprise as if being pulled out of his train of thought.

“W…what?” Buggy looked up to his mentor, who forced his head forward again.

“I told you to keep straight.” He lectured him.

“Sorry!” Buggy paused before asking again. “What do you mean?”

“Something is weighing on your mind, and you’re itching to ask it. And don’t try lying, boy, I know you better than you know yourself when it comes to these things.”

The bluenette stayed quiet for a moment before sighing in defeat.

“You didn’t need to lie.” Buggy said before now not daring to title his head back to face his mentor who froze for a moment at his comment.

“Lie about what?”

“About me saving the captain.” He reminded. “You didn’t need to lie about that to make a point.”

“I didn’t lie.” Rayleigh defended lightly.

“Oh please.” Buggy tried to roll his eyes with his head, but got his head almost snapped with how Rayleigh forced him to look forward again. “I wasn’t that stupid to take a slash across my chest.”

“On the contrary, you were even more stupid than when you tried to fill your pockets with rocks to beat Shanks in the “Who’s able to hold his breath longer underwater” competition of yours, almost drowning in the process.”

“I won though.” Buggy retorted, earning a light smack on the part of his head that still didn’t get any product yet. “Still…you didn’t need to threaten Crocodile like that.”

“So you knew he talked about you like that?” Buggy couldn’t see it, but he could hear the frown on his face.

“Please, he says it to my face.” A slight flare of Haki could be felt, but Buggy wasn’t affected by it; it didn’t mean he didn’t panic lightly. “But! Buuuut, I can handle it; you didn’t need to threaten my partners.”

Rayleigh let out a frustrated sigh, still not convinced.

“You shouldn’t let them talk to you like that.”

“Easier said than done,” Buggy said with a disheartening laugh. “You can vouch for me as much as you want to the world, but we both know that I was the weakest amongst the Oro Jackson.”

“Bugs-” Rayleigh stopped what he was doing as he tried to reason with Buggy but the clown captain didn’t want to hear it.

“Don’t patronize me, old man, I know what I am.”

Buggy said strictly, trying to hide his tears, which didn’t get a chance to even escape to the corner of his eyes before he got a harsh smack in his head.

“OW!! What gives-”

He didn’t finish what he was saying before facing an angry Rayleigh with a broken come in his hand, meaning it was the object the Buggy was hit with. Suddenly, the sea emperor felt like the child who was caught sneaking food in the middle of the night. Mortified.

“Listen here, I don’t care how old you get or how emotional you become, if you dare to be disrespectful again, I will make spanking you in public feel like the most merciful option there is, understood?”

Buggy felt a lump gather in his throat and just nodded frantically in understanding, with cold sweat flying around.

“Good.” Rayliegh then threw the broken come away and started looking for another one to use. “Now bring your head back again before you mess up my hard work.”

Buggy hurriedly went back to his original position, making sure he was as still as a statue.

Silence stretched between the two, but unlike the first time, this one was heavy with unspoken anger, not towards Buggy; he knew that. When Rayleigh finally braided Buggy’s hair and prepared the red silk bonnet to cover her head hair with did Buggy broke the silence.

“You didn’t lie about me saving Captain?”

“No, I didn’t.” Rayleigh answered without hesitation.

“Then why can’t I remember it?”

“I told you, you were knocked out cold.”

“No, I mean….I don’t remember that night….I remember the pain and fear, but I don’t remember that stormy night.” Buggy confessed.

“You were probably scared,” Rayleigh commented. “You have a habit of being controlled by your emotions more than your brain, which could be a blessing and a curse at the same time.”

“Heh… I probably was thinking “What the fuck am I doing?!” before taking the blow.”

“Most likely, yeah.” Rayleigh said with a chuckle as he carefully put the bonnet on and started wrapping it gently around Buggy’s head to secure it.

“Did… Did everyone actually stay with me…When I was hurt?” Buggy questioned, and that made Rayleigh pause.

He could laugh at Buggy’s ridiculous questions, belittle them as if they were something stupid to ask. How obvious it was that no one left during that hard time, mainly Roger. But at the same time, he understood where that question stems from.

“Yes.” Rayleigh said. “We were all worried sick about you. I was trying to find the quickest route to an island with a decent hospital while Gaban was fighting Roger.”

“Why were they fighting?”

“Roger was hogging all the time with you, even abandoning his duties as captain. Gaban had had enough of it and tried to force his way into the room you were in and ended up fighting right then and there.” Rayleigh tapped Buggy’s shoulder, signaling that he was done and that he could move freely. “In the end, I beat both their asses and stayed by your side instead.”

“Hehe, it does sound like something they’d do.” Buggy’s laugh sounded forced, but his mentor didn’t point it out.

“They have always fought on the stupidest of reasons, like it’s a life and death decision, so imagine how they fought when it was about you.”

Buggy snapped his head back at Rayleigh with an accusatory look, but Rayleigh was quick to understand his reaction and smacked him on the forehead.

“I meant that you are a VERY important reason, so their fights over who stays with you more were bigger.”  He explained. “Roger was going to use “Divine departure” by Davy’s beard.”

“You lie!” Buggy exclaimed in shock, and he turned his full body to Rayleigh.

“Nope.”

“The ship would have been split in half.” Buggy pointed out.

“It would have, even when I took their place beside you, it didn’t calm them.” Rayleigh took a glass filled with whisky and downed it. “It wasn’t until Shanks stepped in did they stopped.”

It was just a second, maybe even less than that; those who didn’t know Buggy would have missed it or misunderstood it, but Rayleigh saw, and he understood. At the mention of the red-haired cabin, Buggy Buggy’s eyes sparked before he frowned.

Let me guess, he told them “stop fighting~” and they bent to his will," Buggy said with a mocking tone as he crossed his arms in anger.

Rayleigh felt a bitter taste in his throat, which he knew very well, he knew that feeling very well…but he forced himself to laugh at Buggy’s comment.

“Not exactly.” Rayleigh retorted. “While all of us were fighting to be by your side Shanks sneaked his way around us and went into the room, making sure to lock the door behind him.”

“…He did?” Buggy questioned, failing miserably to hide that he was touched, and Rayleigh nodded.

“Yeah, we all demanded him to open the door, but Shanks refused….”

“I’m no opening it! You keep yelling, and it’s stupid! Buggy hates stupid people so you will make her feel worse! So, just leave and argue somewhere else, I’m looking after, my blue!”

Rayleigh remembers those words and the others' reaction to it.

“H..He said that?”

“Yeah, Roger cried because of how touched he was by your and Shanks' relationship.” His smile became tired. “Gaban on the other hand, was ready to break the door down. I had to hold him back.”

Buggy didn’t know what to say next. “I didn’t know you guys cared that much? Are you lying to make me feel better?” Or the question that has been itching at him for years now. “If I were so important, why did everyone suddenly disappear? Why did they leave no way of communication? Where has he been hiding all this time?”

“Speaking of…” Rayleigh said, snapping Buggy out of his overthinking state. “How have you and Shanks been doing?”

Rayleigh had his back to Buggy as he was refilling his glass, which he was taking his sweet time with. The clown captain panicked for a second, not knowing what he should say exactly, but he sighed in defeat as he sat on the couch and crossed his arms.

“What do you want to hear?” The emotion behind Buggy’s question was almost too painfully obvious.

“…I want to know what the two of you are now.” Rayleigh retorted, finally turning around with the smile of a patient father as he made his way to Buggy.

He handed his boy another filled glass, and Buggy silently thanked him. He downed the contents in one go and grimaced at the obvious lake of alcohol. Buggy glanced at Rayleigh, who still had his smile and a look that said, “Suffer like me.” But the clown refused to voice his complaint and forced himself to swallow the drink, which helped very little with his nerves right now.

“So?” Rayleigh asked patiently, breaking the pregnant silence that had grown between them.

Buggy let out a broken laugh as he finally gave in, obviously frustrated by the mention of Shanks.

“What do you want to hear, old man?” Buggy repeated the question. “That we are still nakama? That we had a little lovers' quarrel that ended with one of us losing an arm and the other losing his goddamn mind?! That it doesn’t matter because in the end, deep down, we care about one another?”

Buggy pulled out a flask that he had been hiding from his mentor and started opening it, still not looking at Rayleigh.

“What DO you want to hear? The romantic version? The tragic? Pick one, and I’ll sell it to you both for the price of one.”

Rayleigh didn’t flinch. He only watched patiently as Buggy took a long swing from the flask, the way he always watched when one of his boys was bleeding out the truth they didn’t want to say. Buggy’s shoulders hunched as he dragged a hand over his face. He may have tried to hide behind a mask of anger and frustration, but the dark king could see the damage beneath it clearly.

“We were everything…”

A flash memory of that rainy day haunted Buggy’s vision.

“…And then we weren’t…” he whispered. “You know what’s the worst part is?”

Rayleigh didn’t answer the rhetorical question, not wanting to disturb Buggy’s emotional confession.

“I don’t know what happened, or at least I don’t remember correctly…” he looked down at his reflection on the flask. “…I don’t know who started hating first. I just know that every time I looked at him after that day, whether it was on a poster or in person, I saw a person who chose the world over me, again and again and again.”

Buggy’s voice broke at the last part; he swallowed hard, trying to choke back a sob.

Rayleigh reached out, like he was approaching a wounded animal. His hand settled over Buggy’s back, and gently and steadily he started rubbing circles on his back. The only comforting gesture he mastered was to show that he cared in whatever was troubling one of his sons. And Buggy didn’t pull away. For a long time, neither of them spoke.

The older man understood Buggy and Shanks’s deep relationship, not on the romantic level, although he did suspect it from how they used to glance at one another with a small blush. Well, he didn’t suspect it, since it was Gaban who always pointed it out and made secret bets about it amongst the crew, and who was going to confess to the other first. But at least he could see that their connection runs deeper than most, even more than just on a romantic level, so for whatever happened between them to occur and cause them to separate like that must have damaged that connection deeply.

Then Buggy’s shoulders shook, not dramatically, just exhausted tremors. He took another swing before continuing.

“I still dream about him.” He admitted quietly that Rayleigh almost missed it. “Not the red-haired pirate, or the youngest Yonko. Just…him. ”

The smallest smiles threatened to show on Buggy’s face at the memories.

“The idiot who used to braid my hair, messily might I add, when I fell asleep during a watch and pretended he didn’t. The one who’d lie that he is afraid of thunder just to sneak into my hammock and sleep by each other's side. The one who somehow convinced me that if we switched hats, we would make everyone confuse us with one another, as if my big ass nose wasn’t a trait that I was not him….. the bastard who filled my head with dreams of conquering the seas together.”

A wet , ugly sound escaped him, half sob, half laugh.

“I…I hate him so much…I can’t…I can’t breathe sometimes…” Buggy’s grip on his flask tightened so that it dented only slightly. “I miss him so much it hurts worse than dying.”

Still gentle.

Rayleigh moved closer and pulled Buggy to his chest, or at least tried to since his son was still taller than him, making him in up just slightly over his shoulder, but he didn’t dwell on it nor did Buggy, who was surprised at first but leaned into the comfort.

“I know.”

That was all Rayleigh said as he continued rubbing comforting circles on Buggy’s back, and that was all it took for Buggy to bury his face on his shoulder further and let how an ugly sob. The only sounds that could be heard around the tent were Buggy repeatedly saying how Shanks was an idiot and Rayleigh replying with two simple phrases.

“He is.” Or “I know.”

Buggy finally pulled away, wiping away the small trace of snot that connected his nose with Rayleigh’s shoulder, though the first mate didn’t mind. His eyes were red-rimmed, furious, devastated.

It broke Rayleigh’s heart.

“Don’t tell him.” Buggy’s voice was hoarse. “If you told him I said ant if this, I will deny it and make sure you drink non-alcoholic booze for the rest of your life.”

Rayleigh’s smile was small and very sad.

“My lips are sealed, baby blue.”

Buggy refused to react to the his childhood nickname and looked away again, still trying to wipe away his runny nose. Tried to pull his usual bravado back on like armor, but it fell again miserably as Rayleigh took the sleeve of his jacket and use it to wipe Buggy’s nose.

“…You always knew…didn’t you?” he muttered.

Rayleigh didn’t react much as he focused on the task at hand, before pulling away.

“I watched you two grow up.” He said softly. “Of course, I knew.”

Nothing much was said after that.

Buggy tried to excuse himself to leave, but Rayleigh convinced him to stay the night beside him again, and Buggy didn’t put up much of a fight. As Rayleigh watched his boy drift into sleep, which was fast since he was obviously exhausted from crying earlier. And as he glanced down at his bluenette, Rayleigh remembered the conversation that he and Shanks had years back…

It was only him and Shanks inside the booth of the bar. Shakky was cleaning glass in the distance while they were drinking and catching up, a few bottles in the topics changed, and it was inevitable that one of them landed on Buggy, and I was like a dam broke out for Shanks, and in his drunken state, it made it too easy for him to speak….

“I thought… I thought if I kept going forward, if I kept reaching, he’d follow. Like he always did. Even when he screamed that he hated me. Even when he threw things at my head. He always followed.”

Shanks swallowed hard. He was hunched over, trying to hide the tears that were obviously falling from his eyes.

“I was wrong.”

Rayleigh said nothing. Only waited. Shanks’ voice dropped to something raw, shredded.

“I left him behind…Not once. Not twice…. Every…time… *Hic* … I chose the next horizon over the boy who used to look at me like I hung the moon… Every time I told myself he’d understand. ..That he’d catch up.”A shudder went through him. “He didn’t catch up. He just… stopped waiting.”

The candle flame flickered. Shanks stared into it like it might burn the memory clean.

“I see him now….in every wanted poster…in every screaming headline…and it’s like looking at a mirror that’s been smashed and glued back together wrong.” Shanks almost slurred his words. “All *Hic*..All the pieces are still there, but none of them line up anymore.”

His voice cracked.

“You know what’s the worst part?... The part I can’t say to anyone else? … is that I still love him. I still love him so much it feels like drowning. And I hate myself for it! because I’m the reason he’s drowning too!”

More tears slipped free. He didn’t wipe them away.

Rayleigh reached out slowly. His hand settled on the back of Shanks’s wrist, firm, warm, the way he used to when Shanks was small and terrified after a nightmare.

Shanks didn’t pull away. Instead, he tries moving closer, just a fraction into the touch, like a man who hadn’t been allowed to be weak in years.

“I don’t know how to fix it,” Shanks whispered. “I don’t even know if there’s anything left to fix.”

Rayleigh let out a tired sigh at the memory.

He looked down at Buggy and wiped away a stray tear that escaped his closed eyes. Much like how he did to Shanks that night after he passed out drunk at the bar and made him sleep in his bed.

No matter how old his sons get, they were never too old to find comfort in his arms like they used to.

Rayleigh closed his eyes.

He always saw them as they had been.

Two scrawny brats arguing over who got to sit closest to Roger during story time. Shanks with his easy grin, Buggy with his dramatic scowl. The way Buggy’s shoulders would relax the second Shanks slung an arm around them. The way Shanks’s laughter always sounded a little brighter when Buggy was the one rolling his eyes at it.

But seeing them now?...

Both carrying the same ghost between them.

Both bleeding from the same old wound, they refused to let close.

And Rayleigh thought, quietly, wearily, with the kind of ache that only comes after too many years of watching his children try to become men.

They still don’t understand.

They still thought the story ended the day they chose different paths.

They still believed the silence between them was proof that everything had died.

They didn’t see what he saw.

Two men who could not stop orbiting each other even now.

Two hearts that had learned hate because love had once been too big, too bright, too dangerous to hold safely.

Two fools who had spent decades proving how much the other didn’t matter, when every scar, every scream, every wanted poster told the exact opposite.

“My impossible fools.” He whispered softly to no one. “I hope you find your way back.”

Rayleigh closed his eyes and forced himself to sleep.

---

“You’re leaving?” Buggy asked, sounding heartbroken.

It has been almost a month since Rayleigh and the Boa sisters got here. Hancock and her sisters stayed most of the time in their rooms or just roaming around. It was a pain in Buggy’s ass to accommodate them, especially with him chasing after her and demanding she unstone his men, so he wasn’t sad that they would be gone.

But for Rayleigh to go to?

“I’m afraid so.” Rayleigh retorted as he backed the last item into his bag. “We can’t stay in one place, especially with how everything is moving around the world.”

“If it’s about that snake woman, I can guarantee her safe passage to wherever you want to deliver her, and you can stay here!” Buggy sounded disparate as he followed his mentor around the room. “And besides, you said black beard is after you, and what better place to stay hidden than here with me?”

Rayleigh just picked up the bag provided by Buggy and started moving out of the room, but before he could get out, Buggy moved forward and took the bag from him. Insisting silently to carry it for the older man. Rayleigh just sighed in defeat as he let Buggy do what he wanted and made his way out of the room.

“Bugs, I raised you will know enough that you understand that I can’t stay in one place, especially with these types of situations.”

“But Raayyy!”

“No Buts.”

Everyone around them halted their work as the two men walked past them, most had a sad look that Rayleigh was leaving, and sadder for their captain, who had to separate from his father figure again. Some even wiped away tears. It never fails to amaze Rayleigh how alike the crew and captain are.

“Besides, you have a bigger responsibility towards not only yourself but also your crew.” Rayleigh pointed out. “You can feel the shift in the sea don’t you?”

Buggy didn’t say anything and just grumbled. Because he couldn’t deny it. The flare of Haki. The wanted posters with big names being taken down. The number of marine ships that rose from last week alone was terrifying, because it means something secret is going on. And most annoying to Buggy, that straw hat brat is making a bigger change than he ever did in just 3 years!!??

It makes Buggy’s blood boil just the thought of it. The bag was suddenly snatched from Buggy as a large figure swept around him and moved to Rayleigh.

“We will miss you so much, mister Buggy’s dad, sir.” Mohji said with tears in his eyes while riding Richie, who was also crying.

“Mohji, stop being an idiot, master Rayleigh has bigger responsibilities to attend to.” Cabaji, who had snatched the bag and followed them calmly, stated that he was trying to act cool and edgy, but Buggy could see the tears he was holding back.

“You two are both annoying,” Alvida said from where she was standing with her hands crossed, clearly annoyed.

The docks were far from where they were, so they prepared a Buggy car to take them. Rayleigh still can’t get over the fact that his boy actually created a car and named it after himself. The Boa sisters were already on it. Waiting impatiently.

“Enough with this pathetic crying and weeping, it’s disgusting for me to see such a ridiculous display.” Hancock commented, not even glancing their way.

Buggy’s eyes twitched while everyone around him had heart eyes as they admired the woman, while she flicked her long hair in annoyance. He heard heavy thuds behind him, and the clown gasped loudly when he saw that most of his crew had turned into stone due to her beauty.

“Stop turning my people into stones, you high-nosed diva!” Buggy shouted without thinking.

“What do you say?” Hancock finally glanced at him, only to shoot a deadly glare, making the clown flinch.

“Who said that you guys?” Buggy asked anxiously with a smile as he looked around, as if trying to find the culprit.

One of the things that Buggy discovered during the Kuja Empress’s stay is that her Devil Fruit power did not work on him for some reason. But even if he didn’t get petrified into stone by her power, the clown can still get his ass kicked by her.

“MY FREAKS!!”

Buggy exclaimed in panic as he watched most of his men turn into stone before falling to the ground with the happiest smiles and hearts in their eyes. Idiots got too close, and the snake woman got annoyed by them. He gritted his teeth and looked at the culprit. Hancock was sitting with her legs crossed, ignoring the distressed clown for the favor of talking with his business partners and Rayleigh.

“As I was saying, Rayleigh, the situation with Luffy demands-”

“HEY!! I’m talking to you!” Buggy interrupted, stomping closer. The Kuja empress continued to ignore him as if he were a buzzing fly. Buggy’s face turned as red as his nose

“HEY! Are you deaf or something?!” he shouted again, and some of his body parts started splitting from his raging emotions. “Turn my men back, you overrated beauty queen!”

The air went silence but Buggy didn’t care or didn’t notice.

“What? You think you are too good for the great Buggy the clown? You’re just a pissy princess playing pirate!”

Hancock's expression darkened, her cheeks slightly flushing red with rage. She spun on her heel, eyes blazing with fire.

“Insolent worm! Know your place!” she shouted at him, and with a dramatic flair, she shaped her hands into a heart and pointed towards the clown. “Mero Mero Mellow!”

The room felt like it was moving in slow motion. Her sisters held their hands in panic, trying to stop their sister from attacking not only the person who sheltered them but also the son of their savior. Rayleigh’s eyes widened as he saw the heart-shaped beam envelop Buggy, bathing him in pink light. Crocodile smirked with the cigar in his mouth while Mihawk raised an eyebrow under his hat. Everyone expected the clown to turn into yet another stone; even Buggy closed his eyes and lifted his arms up for protection.

But…nothing happened.

Buggy stood there, blinking in confusion, his body unchanged. As the light faded, the grin on Hancock's face vanished, and her eyes widened, her perfect pose cracking.

“W..What? impossible!”

“The hell?” Crocodile almost choked on his smoke, nearly dropping his cigar. “He’s immune?”

“Intriguing.” Mihawk’s gaze sharpened. “Perhaps his luck extends further than we thought.”

Rayleigh barks into loud laughter as he recovers from his shock.

“Hah! You never cease to amaze me, Buggy Boy!” he laughs as he slaps his knees a couple of times.

On the inside, Buggy was panicking. His heart racing like a drum, but he quickly recovered and puffed his chest and struck a pose.

“Hah! Of course it didn’t work! The great Buggy is far too magnificent to fall for cheap tricks like that!” He declared loudly. “What? You thought a little love beam could take down an emperor? Pathetic! Now turn my guys back before I really get mad!”

Buggy can never forget how Hancock stammered that day, her fury mixing with confusion, while everyone else exchanged bewildered glances. His men, who were lusting over the empress just seconds ago, had their heart eyes directed on Buggy and Buggy alone.

And with Rayleigh’s insistence, Hancock turned his men back to normal, but not before giving the clown a swift kick to his stomach that didn’t kill him but did send him flying to the other side of the room, before stomping away angrily. Bitter to have been bested. So Buggy decided not to provoke the woman too much if he wanted to perform for another day.

They reached the docks where a small ship was waiting for Rayleigh and the Gorgon sisters.

“Such an ugly thing.” Commented Hancock.

“Hey! Don’t be a choosing beggar!” Buggy barked at her. “This is the best option to keep away from Black beard! It’s smaller than regular ships, and the sails are strong so they can catch wind better and-“

Buggy stopped when he was walking away from him with a flick of her hair, acting too good to hear his explanation as she got on the ship. On the way, she knocked over some of his men who were carrying cargo to the ship, just because they were in her way.

“What a bitch..” Buggy muttered, but a loud cough on his side brought him back. It was Rayleigh who had a look of displeasure, and Buggy lowered his head. “…Sorry.”

Rayleigh let out a sigh before a smile broke on his face, and he lifted Buggy’s head with one hand to make him look at him. He brought his other hand and cupped the clown’s face into his hands. Buggy looked at him with confused blue eyes. But Rayleigh kept observing.

In his hands was the flashy clown, the genius jester, his makeup done perfectly, his beard slightly scruffy under his touch, and Rayleigh’s arms were lifted slightly, showing the height difference between the two. Even with Buggy hunched over, he was still slightly taller than him.

His eyes, however, were seeing something else entirely.

In his hands, he was holding the face of a small boy who had a grumpy look on his face, with some scruffs on his face from a previous fight her had with his red-haired companion. As he cleaned some of the dirt from his face, the grumpy look became a big smile directed towards the older man. The boy’s eyes were big and wide with innocence. His skin felt soft under his touch, his cheeks slightly chubby from baby fat that he pinched out of habit.

“Master Rayleigh! Stoop, my men are watching!”

Rayleigh came out of his trance as he realized he was pinching the cheeks of his now grown-up boy, who didn’t push him away but still felt self-conscious from how some underlings were looking at them and chuckling, but not in mockery, but rather in endearment.

“Force of habit,” Rayleigh said before letting go on the clown captain, and for a brief second, the dark king can see Buggy almost missing the touch.

“Here.” Buggy handed him a piece of paper that Rayleigh recognized as a Vivre card. “You can find me whenever you need help with something…or maybe…just want to visit.”

Buggy said the last part, averting his eyes, trying to hide his embarrassment. Rayleigh found it adorable.

“And maybe if you just…you know…want to catch up, you can call me, you know my number, right? Do you have a snail to call from?! I will get you one right now! Hey-“

Buggy almost called one of his men to order him to get a spare transponder snail. But was stopped by Rayleigh, who let out a soft laugh.

“I have one back at home, and I know your number by heart, don’t worry.” He assured.

The two stood there in silence, watching Buggy’s men carry the cargo to the ship, being almost finished, and from a distance, you could hear Hancock raging and complaining.

“You’re really leaving?” Buggy asked, his voice cracking at the last part, hoping for a different answer.

“That’s the plan.” Rayleigh said, not taking his eyes from the horizon.

Buggy kicked a stray pepple that skittered into the dirt,

“I feel like There’s a storm coming …Big one!”

“Bugs-”

“I can smell it! You’ll get soaked, old man, and probably catch your death. Dying on some random rock. Newspapers will say “former Roger Pirate finally succumbs to common cold” how embarrassing is that!”

Rayleigh’s shoulder shook slightly from silent laughter.

“Funny you should say that, I checked the weather.” Rayleigh retorted midly. “It’s clear skies all around.”

Buggy’s eyes twistched.

“Weather reports lie! Everyone knows that!” But turned on his heels to face the man. “And anyway! The new performers still haven’t mastered the cannon trick! They keep shooting each other in the face! You said you watch them rehearse and give pointers!”

“I did give them pointers, three days ago, and the day before that, and the days before that.”

“They are slow learners!” Buggy tried to counter back. “You can’t just abandon them mid-trauma!”

Rayleigh finally turns to look, REALLY look, at the man in front of him. And the stight almost broke him.

Buggy’s perfect makeup was smudged under one eye. His shoulders were hunched like he was bracing for a hit. The years have carved sharper lines into his face, but right now he looks twelve again. small, loud, terrified of being left behind…again.

Rayleigh's voice softened the way it used to when Buggy came crying after him, and Shanks fought, and the red-haired said something particularly cruel.

“Buggy…”

Buggy flinched as if he was physically struck.

“What?”

“Come here.”

Buggy glared, but his feet betrayed him; they shuffled forward until he was standing in front of the older man, and as if he was small again, Rayleigh wrapped his arms around Buggy, who had lowered himself to be slightly beneath Rayleigh’s height, to feel small and safe again.

Rayleigh gave Buggy every chance to dodge as he slowly rested one calloused palm on the side of Byggy’s neck, thumping the edge of the pink scarf.

“You built this,”

Rayleigh said quietly, nodding towards the sprawling circus that is visible from afar, with the flashy colors and balloons floating away from it.  And if you tone the Kuja empress’s voice, you can hear the cheers of the members of the circus from a distance.

“All of that from nothing. From a little rowboat and a dream most people laughed at. You didn’t just survive after Roger…. You made something no one could take away.”

Buggy choked a sob, his throat burned as he stared at the space from over Rayleigh’s shoulder.

“It’s just clowns and explosives….Not exactly a sea emperor material…” Rayleigh thump moved again gently, calming his boy.

“You think white beard built an empire with speeches and swordplay alone? You think Shanks did it without feeling small?....” Rayleigh counted out. “As cheesy as it might sound, you turned being a punchline into being the headline, that not luck, that’s just you.”

Buggy’s lip trembled, and he hated that it was, hated that his eyes were also burning. Hearing the smallest of sniffles, Rayleigh reached his other hand and started rubbing small circles on Buggy’s back, or as far as he could get.

“I’m not crying.” He croaked after feeling the familiar comforting touch. “There is glitter in my eyes.”

“Course there is.” Rayleigh said as he huffed a laugh.

Long silence stretched, neither of them moving away from the other.

Buggy finally spoke, voice barely above a whisper.

“You’re really oroud?...of…of this.”

Rayleigh understood what Buggy meant by “This”. His hand slid to cup the back of his boy’s head, the way he used to when the boys was shaking after a nightmare.

“I’ve been proud of you since the day you stole my best rum and tried to sell it back to me at triple the price, and every day from before and after that.”

Buggy made a choked, ugly sound that was half sob, half a laugh. His hand tightened on Rayleigh’s coat. As if he were five again and the world around them is ending.

“Don’t…don’t die out there, okay?” Buggy said failing to hide his broken voice. “I’m not done yelling at you yet.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, blue.”

In a slightly awkward movement, Buggy moved around, his face still hiding against Rayleigh's coat, his bug hat falling on the process, but the clown didn’t care as he favored resting his head on his mentor’s chest, wanting to feel safe again one last time by hearing his heartbeat. And Rayleigh pulled him, the smell of sea salt and old tobacco hit him as he rested his chin on top of Buggy’s head. But he didn’t mind.

Buggy stayed longer than he’d even admit, face buried on Rayleigh’s chest, shoulders shaking with the kind of crying that’s mostly sniffling and swearing under his breath. When he finally pulled back, his nose was somehow even redder, and his eyes bloodshot, he jabbed a finger at Rayleigh’s chest.

“You better come back in one piece or…or…or I’ll hunt you down and drag you back myself, and then make you wear a clown nose, permanently!”

Rayleigh smiled warmly at him.

“Deal.”

“And you better write! Or send a bird or something!” Buggy sniffled mightily before putting on a giant grin and puffing his chest. “I’m a big deal now, I deserve correspondence!”

“I will send you a postcard from islands I visit until I get back home, promise.”

The two smiled at one another before they were interrupted by a loud call.

“Master Rayleigh!” Marigold called. “The ship is set and ready to sail.”

“I will be there!” Rayleigh said back as he waved to her.

“Quick, let’s sail! Luffy is waiting for me ~” Hancock’s voice changed at the mention of the straw-hat, which made Buggy’s eye twitch.

“Don’t worry.” He whispered to Rayleigh. “The booze this time is not low in alcohol this time.”

“Really?” Rayleigh asked.

“It’s so high, it will make Hancock look like a pleasant person to be around.”

Rayleigh broke into loud laughter at that statement, and Buggy joined him.

As Buggy watched the small ship disappear into the horizon along with Rayleigh’s figure, which was waving at him only seconds ago, he felt his chest tighten again and the need to cry overwhelming him, as if he was that young teen again in Loguetown. He turned on his heels, ignoring the worried calls of his crew. Alvida is the one who stopped them from following their captain, because despite the sounds of the small curses, she knew tears were running down his face and he didn’t want anyone to see them.

“Stupid old man….Stupid…stupid…Proud…Stupid…”

Rayleigh’s arm lowered as he saw the red dot disappear amongst the trees. He had a bittersweet smile on his face. He turned around and went to the lower parts of the ship to lock himself into his room and just drink away. But as he did so, he walked past Sandersonia, who had a look of panic when she caught a glance of Rayleigh's face. He disappeared before she could call him, and so she hurried to her sister.

“Sister, Rayleigh…he looked ..well..”

“What? Is he sick?” Marigold asked, also worried by her sister’s reaction.

“….Sad…as if he is about to cry…”

“Leave him,” Hancock ordered, earning a shocked look from her sisters, but she continued to explain. “I hate the clown, and I am more than happy that I finally got rid of him… but I guess Rayleigh is having a harder time.”

In the dark, Rayleigh smiled at a worn-out photo in his hand. The photo was of Buggy, his entire body was soaked wet, his beanie was missing, but his smile was so big, showing no displeasure with his situation, because in his hand he held a giant fish that he caught on his own. From the corner of the photo, muscular hands were helping Buggy hold the fish up to pose for the camera; the older man recognized it was Gaban. He took another swing, trying to suppress the tear that was threatening to escape the corner of his eye.

“I guess some bonds never really leave no matter how many years or seas come between them.”

And he was thankful for that.