Punchline pt. 2/3 - Buggy / Reader
Ch. 2: Build
Summary: While you are on the run, Buggy reminisces about your unusual relationship.
Warnings: Angst, Kidnapping, Cussing, Alcohol, Mentions of Violence and Death, Reader is still kinda annoying here sorry
[Previous Chapter] - [Next Chapter]
A/N: Went a lil' overboard (hehe) with that one. I am sleep deprived but on a mission for you guys. As always not proofread.
[ Two years prior]
"Take everything that's not nailed down!" Buggy ordered his men around as he stepped over the corpses of the enemy crew, "And don't you dare keep something for yourself!"
Oh, Buggy was mad, and not just in the literal sense.
He has eyes and ears everywhere after all, and got notice of a particular rumor going around.
Some no-name pirates had come up with the brilliant idea to kidnap Y/N Y/L/N, the daughter of some nobleman, hoping to squeeze him out of a good portion of his wealth for her return. The clown was almost jealous that he didn't come up with the idea himself...
...but that's even better, right? Now that they've done the dirty work, Buggy only needed to take her from them and collect the money.
"Who do we have here? Another freak for our show?" he scoffed, accompanied by his crew's conditioned laughter.
"P-Please" the other captain begged so soon it was almost boring to torture him now. Buggy laughed menacingly, janking the man by his hair with ease.
"The girl" he demanded, the blades in between his fingers only barely scratching the neck of his enemy. "Tell me where she is and I might even let you live."
Too afraid to utter a single syllable, the man pointed to the trap door that led to a part of the ship's basement.
"Thank youuuuu" the clown chanted way too enthusiatically as he dropped his victim, face thumping on the wooden planks with a loud bang.
Everything was a success up until now - Buggy's crew obliterated those pathetic wannabe-pirates, stole everything of worth and captured those who could be of use to him. And only to think about the ransom money he could get out of that rich asshole made Buggy feel like throwing a dissolute party tonight.
"I'm feeling generous today" he stated as he confidently strode towards his biggest treasure yet, "Everyone who'd rather work for me than die is free to join my crew."
The clown basically kicked in the trap door leading to a small chabin of the lower deck...
...what he found there however made his cheerful spirit disappear into thin air.
"What the heck" he blurted out as he jumped down to get a more proper look, seeing you cower in a corner of your prison.
It was a sight that made even the ruthless Buggy's insides churn.
A fragile yet stunning woman indeed - but those lowlifes had beaten you to a pulp. You were in an almost catatonic state, only reacting when Buggy came closer.
"P-Please, no-no more!" Blood was splattering out of your mouth while you whimpered and begged, flinching when the pirate reached out for you...
...but the hit never came. Instead, his hand carefully ghosted across your cheek, putting some strands of your hair out of the was as he assessed your face.
"Hey, doc!" he then roared, the sudden noise making you wince once again. "Move your ass here!"
Glossy eyes blinked up to the bizarre person towering over you, not daring to raise your hopes after the torment of the past few days.
Before you could even react, the man swiftly picked you up, a wide grin stretched across his face as he winked at you. "You're welcome, sweetheart."
Your intuition told you that you were safe now, so exhaustion soon got the better of you. Buggy watcher mutely as you collapsed right in his hold, his smug smile disappearing.
It was awfully quiet on board when the clown ascended the stairs with you in his arms. He wordlessly let you down on a stretcher, two of his men carrying you onto his ship so he could attend more urgent affairs again.
"So..." Buggy turned around, now again wielding his knives in both hands, "I'm thrilled to hear why you morons would beat the girl so that not even her own father would recognize her! Better choose your words wisely."
"B-But you said you'd have mercy!"
"I also said I'd die my hair pink but here we are" the clown shrugged, unimpressed by the other captain uttering countless excuses.
Still, all of a sudden Buggy just turned his back to the man and was on his heels, leaving his rival - if one could even call him that - appaled as well as speechless.
"Well then, farewell. Let's go guys!"
Even after a few minuted had passed and the Bog Top had set sail again, everyone was too stunned to believe what just happened.
"Boss?" Mohji was the only one daring to ask straight away, "Why did you decide to let them go?"
"Who said I did?"
And at that very moment, the enemy ship on the horizon blew up through several Buggy Bombs, his cheeky grin returning way more sinister this time.
"Now to business..." he giggled as he passed the celebrating crew, quite satisfied with himself.
Without even having the decency of knocking he stormed into the room you were brought to, seeing you sit on a cot bed with your knees pulled to your chest.
"Y/N was it, right? Already looking way less shitty than before!" he commented only to be rewarded with a gloomy look.
"Who are you?" your voice cracked several times mid sentence, and you were surprised by his consideration when the man in front of you offered a glass of water to treat your sore throat. Not caring whether it could be poisoned - hell, right now you'd drink piss for all you cared - you emptied it all in one go.
"Oh, you don't know me?" The pirate did a boastful pose as one of his feet stepped onto a barrel, chest swelling with pride as he introduced himself. "The name's Buggy. Buggy the Clown! The Flashy Funster, the-"
"Well, for your information: I'm also the future King of Pirates." You chose to not further comment on that statement. "So, young lady, now it's your turn to tell me why they messed up your face like that."
"Yeah, I can see that" you interrupted him in a matter-of-factly tone, visibly unimpressed.
Heh, he liked your guts already.
"You're one to talk" you spat venom at him, not feeling like complying - but commenting on his appearance crossed a line for the clown.
He slammed his hands to the wall right next to either side of your face, harshly grabbing your chin and forcing you to look up. "A bold gal for someone that just needed to get her ass saved from the brink of death just a few hours ago, ain't ya?"
"Alright, you want the truth?" you snapped back at the criminal, still refusing to meet his eyes. "My father no better than them! He's an abusive piece of shit that's probably glad his troublesome burden of a daughter is finally not his problem anymore. So there's not one berry to gain from me, which is why that other captain let off some steam on my face. Got it? You happy now?"
"...you're lying. Don't you dare fucking with me-"
Just as he pointed a threatening finger in your direction, you slapped his hand away and pulled a crumbled letter out of your torn sleeve. There it was, black on white, an official seal decorating the bottom right corner of the paper - very formally written, but your father basically told them you're not important enough to pay for.
For a whole while, nothing but silence accentuated Buggy's dumbfounded expression.
"Are you fucking kidding me?! All this work for nothing? Shit! Godfuckingdamnnit!!" Tears began dwelling in your eyes once again, knowing very well this was the opposite of what he wanted to hear. Buggy was already in the middle of a violent ourburst, cussing and destroying furniture left and right.
Pirates are all the same, or so you thought.
"Do me a favour and just get it over with" you asked unnaturally calm when the clown was done letting out his frustation - after all, you had already prepared yourself for the worst back with the other pirates. "Throw me overboard, shoot me, or whatever."
"Wha- the hell are you talking about, woman?!" Buggy facepalmed, rubbing his face to become clear-headed again. "Why the fuck would I do that? I'm not a monster."
For some reason, his whole demeanour caused you to crack a smile in this surreal situation. "If that's the case, you really should consider changing your wardrobe."
How dare you aggravating him beyond belief, after just ruining what should've been his biggest win yet?
God, Buggy had a feeling you were just as insufferable as he was - no, worse...
...it kind of grew on him already, though.
"Haha, very funny." Crossing his arms in front of his chest, the pirate sighed mentally before stating "Too bad for you, but I'm the only jokester around. We're dropping you off at the next best port and that's it."
"Wait-!"
Buggy stopped in his track, his hand already on the doorknob when you called out for him.
"I-I...have nowhere to go." You nervously fumbled with your hands, quietly adding "And I certainly won't go back to my father."
So bratty before and now acting all submissive - not that he minded it. "Your point being?"
"Can-could't I just stay with you guys?"
A loud, kinda unsettling giggle filled the room as Bucky slapped his knee and simultaneously held his stomach while laughing.
"Now that was a hilarious joke! But I like your guts!" He scoffed all boastful, wiping a methaphorical tear from one eye. "Wanting to be fed through, but in what way exactly would you benefit the team?"
You hissed like a cornered cat when the clown's face was suddenly just inches from yours, taking in your appearance from head to toe. "Everyone needs to play a part in my circus, dear."
"I..." you seemingly debated something mentally before ultimatively answering "I can sing. Is that good enough?"
"Mhh? Might've to hear it to decide" Buggy answered, admittedly intrigued if you actually had a talent for music. "Well, I guess there's always something to do on a ship this big. And I have a big heart, after all."
"Hopefully as big as your nose" you retorted without thinking first, but as always your mind catched up on your mouth way too late.
You swear to have heard his head crack as he moved it from left to right, clenching his jaw before turning to you once again.
"I-I'm sorry..." It wasn't like you were scared, the opposite even - for a split second you saw actual hurt in the man's eyes and it made you sick with guilt. "You saved me, and I'm so impolite. I- it was a rough few days. I didn't mean to be mean, really!"
God, why can't you ever shut up for heaven's sake? Joking about one's obviously biggest insecurity and now...with every word you're probably only making things worse!
And if only you knew the horrible consequences other people had to face for less than this comment...
...but it seemed that somehow, Buggy had a soft spot for you already.
"Oh" he finally opened his mouth, voice cutting through the thick air. "As soon as you're healthy again I'll have you clean every toilet on this ship" he grumbled, yet failed to be as furious as he'd usually be with others.
"Deal." You cracked a smile, being rewarded with him unwillingly mirroring it. Ignoring your pain and discomfort, you tried bowing a little before adding "Oh, and again, properly this time: Thank you for saving me. I'm really grateful, Buggy."
"From now on, that's 'Captain' to you."
[Present time]
"...I almost forgot that she was a pain in the ass from the very start."
Your now-kinda-ex-lover currently did what he could best - drowning his sorrow in cheap liquor. Gosh, one would think he'd be used to that crippling feeling of inadequacy and loneliness...
...but your words still echoed through his mind, as if taunting him for letting someone peek behind his prideful mask.
He threw another empty bottle through his room, the glass shattering on impact with the wall. He rubbed his aching temples, concluding the mess would be a problem for future Buggy.
Yes, in more than one way you and him had been alike - you simply had the privilege to be born pretty.
He had thought you to be a spoiled brat in the beginning, but quickly realized that this first impression of you couldn't have been more wrong.
Ever since he saved you back then you had worked your ass off every single day, not once questioning orders from the man that had given you a new chance at life.
There was always a cheerful atmosphere on the ship and everyone had welcomned you with open arms, so you weren't afraid of those apparent 'freaks' in the slightest...
And while you couldn't deny that this man was insane in more way than one, it was hard to believe him and his crew to be the ruthless criminals they depictured themselves as.
They were simply lost souls that were treated ill just for being different, now seeked out revenge. A cycle of hatred, how sad.
But Buggy had rightfully concouded that while alone they may be weak, but together they could achieve everything.
A 'King of Freaks' they looked up to, who accepted them as they were, gave them a home and purpose - just like he did with you.
...quite the opposite even: You fit right in.
With them, you found an unusual family - yet one you always wished to have.
Talking about the past didn't come easy to you, which was another thing you and the captain had in common.
Merely when you were almost blackout drunk and Buggy had to carry you to your room you had let some details slip, hanging onto his coat maybe a little too tight since he was the only person in the world that made you feel safe.
Told stories about a mother you never got to know, passing away during childbirth. How this man you wouldn't even call a father resented you for it - more likely because you weren't born a male heir.
Back then you were insulted, beaten and humiliated on a daily basis. Treated like a slave and sometimes wouldn't see the daylight for weeks as your father prefered to hide his greatest failure.
Admittedly, you had him wrapped around the finger since the beginning - and it didn't take long until you unknowingly had his heart in a chokehold.
Deemed a failure from the very start...
...trust doesnt come easy to those who have been failed repeatedly - Buggy of all people understood first hand.
At first he found your subtle stares unnerving, mistaking it with the degrading looks he knew all too well...
...yet at one point not even his inferiority complex could stop him from noticing the way your face lit up every single time your eyes met.
While you didn't dare making a direct move on your captian you certainly did not try to hide your little crush for him either.
Moreso, you actively seeked out his company whenever possible, despite all of his efforts to scare you away...
...until he had grown fond of your presence, no - until the two of you had become practically inseparable.
To Buggy, you had one of the brightest laughs that ever graced his ears. And oh, how he loved making you smile through both words and actions. You were so blissfully naive when it cames to his jokes and little pranks, and in opposite to his crew or the usual hostage audience, your outbursts of laughter came from the heart.
It was a mutual benefit, really: Buggy managed to get your reserved self out of your shell, showing you a whole new world with endless possibilities for your former oppressed character to develop...
Even long before you became official, you'd share whole nights together, both as vulnerable as you'd never been before. You'd lull him to sleep with your voice, with his head resting on your lap and your fingers entangled in his blue locks.
...and simultaneously, you brought out the best inside of him as well. Putting up with all of his shenanigans, humbling him if necessary.
And frankly, he needed to be brought down to eart again a lot, so at least once it was good that you had no filter.
Little did you know that he was just as whole heartedly enarmored with you, yet fought it both for your sake and to protect his own heart.
For months, you were wondering if a man of his calibre would even reciprocate those inferior sentiments.
After all, those tender moments you shared were exclusively after both of you shared a fair amount of alcohol - and Buggy chose not to talk about it afterwards.
Buggy remembers it like it was yesterday when he caught you all alone on deck, staring into the night sky with yearning in your eyes. You were clearly shivering due to the cold breeze, until suddenly Buggy's severed hands threw his coat over your shoulders.
You greeted him with an affectionate smile, waving the rest of the clown over. He was looking very plain for his standards, with neither makeup nor accessories and his hair tied into a messy bun.
For a while, the two of you enjoyed the starry sky and salty ocean air together - until Buggy broke the comfortable silence.
"You know, you could leave" he suddenly spoke, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "Huh? What makes you think I want to?"
"I don't know" he admitted, looking anywhere but your eyes. "You're pretty. Talented. Stronger than you look like. Maybe you'd be better off without some lousy freaks dragging you down."
"Never say something like that again!" you poked his chest as you scolded him. "Without you guys I wouldn't even be still alive! You gave me freedom, a purpose and have been so kind to me all this time, even though I'm nothing but a burden..."
"And I thought I'm the fool here" he chuckled softly, finally looking up from the spot on the ground his eyes were glued on. "To the crew you're like a ray of sun in the middle of a storm! And you're also our star act, besides me obviously. So what makes you think like that?"
Weird. He was behaving so different from his usual self...
...did he care about your feelings after all, or was that just wishful thinking?
"Well, I'm still not a real pirate. You went out of your way training me, and yet- I mean I can't even bear to see people hurt! How's that useful in a profession like ours?"
"You're empathetic" he spoke softly, absentmindedly petting your head. "Something I lack, but not a bad trait. And you don't have to be useful. As long as you're-" Buggy cut himself off, gladly your mind catched up before your mouth would let something slip.
"As long as what?" you repeated his words, and feeling caught his heart instantly dropped into his stomach. "C'mon, you can't be that oblivious."
You only knitted your brows together in confusion, just like every time when you didn't get the punchline to a joke of his. Adorable, it never failed to warm his heart.
"...as long as you're with me, I guess." Your jaw dropped at this almost-confession, just looking at him with a deadpanned expression.
"That's good" you uttered with a shaky breath, "Because I didn't plan to leave the man I love."
Silence.
"Wait- what?!" Actually, he was waiting for a 'just kidding' from your side. You had an awful sense of humor, after all - and this was just too good to be true.
His reaction did nothing to calm your nerves. After you finally found the courage to confess he wants you to say it again?!
Clenching and unclenching your fists, gulping several times to get the feeling of a lump out of your throat.
"I said I'm in love with you, Buggy!"
Dwelling in those memories did in fact make the hurt of today even worse, he deduced after he could finally tear his mind away from the past.
Buggy buried his face in his hands, mentally preparing himself to step in front of his crew again. Maybe he should redo his smeared makeup, so he wouldn't look like the perfect picture of misery in front of his men.
You're still out there, after all - and all alone in a pirate infected island at that.
"Bring me one more!" Buggy commanded no one in particular as he staggered onto the deck, his crew frightened as they were aware of his current mood. "B-Boss, we're all out. You drank-"
Buggy sucked in a pained breath, ready to let out his built up turmoil of emotions at anyone that would dare make another sound...
...until Cabaji returned with grim news:
"We found her, boss. She-" he paused, knowing his next words might get him into an awful situation.
Immediately, the clown grabbed his subordinate by the collar of his shirt, his severed hands lifting him up with ease. "Where is she, huh? Tell me!"
"Y/N, she- she's with the strawhats."
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