Chapter Text
Buggy was so excited he could even feel his soul vibrating.
His fifteenth birthday was today and The Rogers would throw the best party’s on birthdays. For Shanks fifteenth birthday Captain had even gifted the redhead a new sword and Buggy was super excited for his special gift. He couldn’t wait for the sun to come up, still under the moon's light he rolled out of his hammock and his feet thumped loudly to the floor. Shanks made a slight noise in his sleep at the sound and shuffled in his sleep but it didn’t deter Buggy, it was his birthday so even if he woke up Shanks would have to forgive him, it’s the rules. He had picked out his outfit the day before at a boutique of an island they had docked at, Rayleigh had given him some extra pocket money to do so, smiling and patting him on the head. He had bought some new white cotton pants with slits in the sides that went almost all the way up his upper thigh. He had a white tank top he knew would go wonderfully with it and he also bought some gold earrings to match some gold necklaces and bangles he had previously found treasure hunting. He threw on the outfit and carefully took out the jewelry he planned to wear, opting to go to the bathroom before putting it in so that he could make sure everything fell into place perfectly. He exited their room, snatching up his makeup bag as well and tried to run as quietly to the bathrooms as he could. Getting in and looking at himself in one of the larger mirrors at the sinks he climbed onto the counter and did a little twirl to see how everything looked together so far.
He looked good.
He knew he’d look even better once all the gold adorned his skin. Plopping down on the counter and crossing his legs he slowly pulled on the bangles and the necklaces, making sure they sat right, he took the gold earrings which were just two thick tear drop shapes and put them on. He brushed through his hair and pulled it back into a high ponytail, using some gel to make the front of his hair slicker. He started on his makeup doing his lips with a bright red like usual, his mascara went on easy and his eyeliner looked nice after a couple tries. He finally reached into his makeup bag for the piece that would tie it all together. A gold tiara encrusted with rather large diamonds. Shanks had teased him about it when he’d seen Buggy practically drooling over the shiny piece but he didn’t care. It was gorgeous so he kept it. Sliding it on he adjusted it till it sat just right and looking at himself in the mirror he looked…
Really pretty.
He was absolutely sure his crew was going to compliment his flashiness all day and adore him with even more trinkets.
He heard the bathroom door open and smiled, his first victim of the day to his superior looks. Turning he saw Sunbell and Millet Pine entering the bathroom “Hi!” He waved at them watching as the wiped the sleep from their eyes. “Morning Bug.”
“Hi Buggsy.” They both responded and Sunbell reached out to ruffle his hair. “Hey! Be careful! I just did my hair! Plus I don’t want your blood in my jewelry!” He exclaimed “Your hair?” Millet Pine mumbled well looking at him “Oh? It looks nice….what's the occasion?” Buggy blinked at the horn hatted man. What’s the occasion? He had to be joking. “Common Mill you know what today is.” Buggy looked at the both of them smiling. They just blinked back at him in confusion. “You know what, never mind.” Buggy hopped down from the bathroom counter and glided past them. There was no way they’d actually forgotten. If they had it’s cause they had just woken up, no need to get upset. And they had complimented his hair so they at least recognized today was important.
Exiting the bathroom he saw more of his nakama who he waved to and excitedly danced around telling them good morning as well. They all mumbled back at him greetings, none wishing him a happy birthday. Looking puzzled at his outfit and passing by him with second glances. They were probably just waking up too so no big deal. They would all praise him later. Even at fifteen he liked to be praised and coddled. It was kinda embarrassing but nothing beat being hugged by Rayleigh or being put in a headlock by Oden or his hair being ruffled by Toki or when Sunbell would swim with him in his back or when Captain would let him lean into him at dinner. He loved when they would tell him how good he looked in an outfit or complimented his makeup or shared their food or just were extra clingy back. It wasn’t as often as when he was younger as they would sometimes pull away and say he needed to grow up a bit and that he’d be a man one day. It bummed him out and he kinda understood where they were coming from but they were nakama. He should be allowed to cling when it’s just them. Whatever today was his day and nothing was going to damper his flashiness.
He made his way back to his and Shanks room where the redhead was still asleep in his hammock. “Shanks get up you oaf! You have to celebrate with me!” He shook Shanks to wake him up and the other boy let out a slight humming noise. “Common dummy, look at how cute I am. I look amazing and the tiara is perfect. Get up so I can show you how stupid you look now!” Shanks finally rolled over and looked at him “mhm you look very beautiful but all that’s gonna get in the way of chores Bugs.” Buggy laughed at the notion. Chores? On his birthday? HA! They never did chores on their birthday. So of course they wouldn’t today. “Shanks, we don't have to do chores today!” Buggy smiled and excitedly shook Shanks again. Shanks just stared at him, squinting “No Buggy we have chores today. We also have to work on cleaning up the residue from that fight with the guy with that goopy devil fruit.” Ah actually they might have to do that soon. They had killed the bounty hunter and his comrades who had attacked them but they had left quite the mess. Buggy wondered who would find that devil fruit next. It’s as if the masses sensed something was off about their captain and enemy had been even more ferocious since Rogers title of The Pirate King took hold.
“Well just see what Captain and Rayleigh have to say!” Buggy brightly pressed forward and tugged Shanks out of his hammock, the redhead almost crashing to the floor from sleep weakened legs. “I get to choose your clothes today too. I want you to look nice.” Buggy loved getting to dress Shanks on special occasions. The redhead didn’t let him do it much anymore cause the crew would tease him and a blush as bright as his hair would cross his face. But today was different so Shanks had to put up with it. “Wait wait Buggy what? I don’t want you to dress me!” Shanks pushed him off. “Well why not you bastard? It’s my day and I’ll do what I want with it?” Buggy was getting so frustrated. Why was Shanks fighting him on this? It was his birthday. He did what Shanks wanted on his birthday so why was Shanks being so unfair. He grabbed Shanks”s wrist and started tugging him towards their dressers “Common stop messing! Let me dress you up!” He growled.
“No way! It’s embarrassing!” Shanks protested as he tried to pull his arm free. Shanks managed and when Shanks slipped free Buggy tripped over his own feet and fell forward, barely catching himself and scratching some of the bengals on his arms. “Gah! Now look at what you made me do! What is your problem!?” Buggy shouted, everything he was wearing was precious and he was not going to let Shanks’s little tantrum ruin it anymore. “My problem? You’re acting so weird! There is nothing going on today except cleaning. If you wanna dress someone up go dress up Hiyori, she’s actually a toddler!” Shanks shouted back. His response made Buggy go quiet.
Nothing going on? It was his birthday…wasn’t it? Rayleigh had even given him extra pocket change for his new clothes. “Whatever Shanks you’ve ruined my mood. Since I’m feeling so benevolent today you should go for a while and when you calm down we’ll try again.” Buggy had to check something and he’d rather Shanks was gone as he did so. Shanks grumbled and shouldered past him on the way out, knocking Buggy sideways a little and Buggy scowled. He waited a minute and then quickly went to their dresser and looked at their small calendar. It was a good thing to keep on the open seas to track the days. He skimmed the marked off days in August and the markings led up to August eighth. It was his birthday…unless he had messed up and was just embarrassing himself. No….no that wasn’t possible. He’d have to ask Rayleigh to be sure.
Plus even if everyone else forgot Rayleigh would never. He was the smartest man Buggy knew and he always remembered everything important. He had to go find him immediately.
Buggy ran from his and Shanks' room to track down the man. He had to make sure he wasn’t wrong. He caught Gaban just as he made his way up to the deck, the man heading the same way as him. “Have you seen Ray today yet?” He asked. “I think he’s in the infirmary with Captain and Crocus, Buggy.” The bespectacled man said, turning and giving him an amused look. “What are you all fancy for? You look nice but all that stuff just weighs you down don’t you think?” Gaban teased him. Buggy giggles at the man, always the jokester and admittedly one of Buggy’s favorite crew mates. “I have all of you to protect me from harm! And it’s…it’s for today. It is the eighth you know?” Gaban laughed and grabbed the end of Buggy’s ponytail and gave it a couple small tugs. “Is it the eighth?! What about it? Is something going on? Is that why the most handsome pirate prince in the world is gracing us with his presence today?” The compliments made Buggy smile but the way Gaban was seriously questioning what was happening today was making him nervous. Has everyone truly forgotten? He needed to find Rayleigh faster than he thought. He had to have the date wrong; it was the only explanation.
“Don’t worry about it yet! Let me find Rayleigh and I’ll tell you.” Buggy waved goodbye to Gaban and began his descent back down to the infirmary leaving Gaban to go about his day. His nakama didn’t know what day it was either so far and that meant he had to confirm with Rayleigh.
He moved through the halls of The Oro without interruption but he could hear most of the crew walking overhead with heavy footsteps. He had to have the date wrong. There was no way that they would have forgotten. If Buggy was being honest it was such a crazy thought it was starting to become funny. He could feel a chuckle rising in his throat at the mere idea. He was just being paranoid. He just got the date wrong and he would confirm it with Rayleigh and then his birthday would either be tomorrow or day after. Losing track of the days well at sea was common, he was probably just wrong. He made it to the infirmary and busted through the door. “Rayleigh!” he nearly howled. The only one inside was Crocus who was giving him a disgruntled look. “Keep your voice down boy! No need to go around screaming like there’s trouble!” Crocus scolded him. “Where is Rayleigh? I need to ask him the date! It’s urgent!” Buggy said, lowering his tone. Crocus just gave him a look like he couldn’t believe Buggy had asked a question so stupid. “The date?” The old man looked at his own calendar “it’s the eighth boy. What about it?” Buggy blinked, so he wasn’t wrong about the date.
Then why was everyone acting so strange?
“And Rayleigh went to lay Roger down in his room… Captain's illness has been treating him worse recently.” Crocus looked frustrated at the thought of their captain. Crocus was really struggling trying to find a cure and Buggy felt bad for the man. “Thank you Crocus. For the date and Rayleighs whereabouts.”
“Yeah yeah Buggy. Be quite near the captain ya hear, rest will do him good. Been to hectic lately.” And with Crocuses parting words Buggy left and made his way to the captains quarters.
His pace was slow and he felt strangely sticky inside. It was the eighth so what was going on? There had to be an explanation. For better or worse the infirmary was not far from his captain's room and he saw Rayleigh just as he was shutting their captain's door. “Rayleigh.” He called out as quietly as he could. The blond turned to him and gave him a tired smile. “Ah! Hello Buggy! Having a good day so far? You look nice.” Buggy beamed. Rayleigh definitely knew today was his birthday. He had even asked how his day had been so that birthday wish had to be coming any minute. “I’m good Ray!”
“That’s good Buggy. You might want to change though, we have a lot of work to do today.” Rayleigh sighed out, his eyebrows creasing together like they always did when he was stressed and Buggy felt his smile slip off his face. Rayleigh wasn’t going to wish him a happy birthday? With all the troubles they’d been having recently Buggy hadn’t been expecting a big party like usual and well it bummed him out big time he understood why. He just thought that they’d at least wish him happy birthday and get him some presents… unless…
Oh.
Oh!
Buggy knew what was happening! A surprise party!
Ahahahaha! That had to be the answer! His nakama wanted to surprise him with a party after all the trouble they’d gone through. A big trick because they knew Buggy liked being adored so the best way to mess with him was to pretend they forgot! He could play along!
The smile replaced itself on his face “Of course Ray! Just wanted to dress up a bit! I thought it was a cute outfit but stupid Shanks scuffed up some of my bracelets hmph.” He pouted a bit to really sell the bit and Rayleigh laughed before patting his head, avoiding the tiara. “You can dress up again at dinner just change for now.” Buggy was a bit bummed but dinner must have been when his party was so it was fine.
🎪🎪🎪
Buggy had made it the whole day.
He was quite proud of himself for not giving anything away. Even when everyone had questioned him about his outfit and why he’d worn it in the first place he just pretended it was for fun and not anything important. Shanks had apologized about scuffing his bangles and Buggy had just laughed and said it was fine. Shanks had looked at him a little shocked that he had easily accepted the apology and Buggy couldn’t blame him. But since he was planning to surprise him at dinner it didn’t matter. He could always fix the scratches later for now he’d just have to wear a little less gold.
They’d sailed through their chores and had gotten the goo fully off The Oro who he could feel give a gleeful hum at being clean. He was still pretty excited and he could feel his infectious happiness spreading to the rest of the crew who smiled at him and continuously patted him in the back when they passed by him. He probably gave away that he knew what they were doing when he had shouted in joy at the sight of some hotdog buns Rowing was holding around lunch. His favorite food was being served tonight so he had to be extra careful not to get anything in his clothes, pure white was hard to clean.
When it was finally dinner time he had put every single part of his birthday outfit back in and was excitedly prancing to the dining hall. As he entered he took his spot next to Shanks and sat down to hangout with the redhead before food was served. “I get why you didn’t wanna let me dress you earlier. It would have been suspicious and given everything away.” Buggy giggled but Shanks only gave him a confused smile, squinting his eyes and tilting his head. If they were still playing games it was fine. Buggy could too. They talked a little while longer about their most recent battles and Buggy kept track of everyone entering the cafeteria till Jacksonbanner and Spencer came in, holding hands like the mushy couple they were. The only person absent was Roger himself, still sleeping in his room. It made Buggy sad but he understood why Captain couldn’t be there. It didn’t matter, Buggy would bring him some cake later. He watched as everyone settled down Buggy could feel himself squirming with excitement. Shanks was eyeing him and MAX Marx on his other side was chuckling at him. He could see Erio helping Rowing bring out a big pot of something and a bunch of hotdog buns too. Bullet wheeled out a couple of side dishes like mashed potatoes and vegetables but Buggy didn’t pay it any attention. He was waiting for them to wheel out his cake but nobody followed behind his older brother.
Buggy blinked and watched in silence as Erio grabbed a serving spoon and opened the pot, scooping out sloppy joe and putting some on a plate for himself. Buggy felt his breath catch.
Where were the hotdogs?
And the cake?
And the presents?
Most of all where was his happy birthday wishes from everyone?
“Where…where’s all the party stuff?” Buggy mumbled, looking at MAD Marx. “Party stuff? Buggy, what are you talking about?” MAD Marx looked at him confused.
He…he couldn’t believe it. They had forgotten.
……… They had forgotten his birthday. They loved birthdays and partying and! And! AND!
WHAT THE FUCK!!
Buggy shot up from his seat but he hadn’t noticed that Shanks had gotten his plate and when he stood he knocked Shanks’s hand, the redhead's food splattering onto his pristine outfit. Buggy shrieked and everyone looked at him. He lunged at Shanks reaching to shake the redhead but someone pulled him back and held him in the air. He glanced back and saw a wide eyed Oden holding him up by the underneath of his arms but he kept trying to kick at Shanks who looked like he was about to fight back. “You Fucking Bastard!” Buggy wailed and he disconnected his arms causing Oden to drop him right on top of Shanks. Buggy reattached his arms and both him and Shanks were rolling in the ground. Shanks kicked him off and stood up quickly before grabbing him by his tank top and throwing him on the table. He grabbed Shanks before his back hit the table and dragged the other boy with him. With Shanks now on top of him he used his foot to kick Shanks in the stomach making them roll across the table and back into the floor. Shanks grabbed his tiara and ripped it off his head, tearing out some of his hair and tossing his precious crown somewhere, definitely denting it. The action enraged him further so he disconnected his left hand and pulled Shanks’s own red strands. They rolled over again right into the carts of food causing everything to tip and splatter on the both of them. They were shouting and cursing at each other all the while. Shanks bit his left arm that had gotten too close to his mouth and Buggy used his right arm with still connected hand to scratch the left side of Shanks’s face, leaving four bleeding marks in his cheek.
“ENOUGH!”
Everyone froze.
Rayleigh was standing over them red in the face with rage and breathing hard. He grabbed both of them by the hair and dragged them out of the mess hall leaving a trail of food behind them. Rayleigh roughly kicked the mess hall door closed and threw them both against the nearest wall. Buggy began to full on sob, wailing loud and hard. “Oh My God Buggy! SHUT UP!” Rayleigh screamed at him and Buggy quieted immediately. Or at least he tried to. He began violently dry heaving and felt his stomach gurgling. Why was this happening to him? Why had they forgotten? He thought they loved him? They'd never have forgotten if it was Shanks’s birthday. He could hear the other boy next to him, defending himself. “It’s not fair Rayleigh! He’s been fucking weird all day and blabbering about today being special! I!/”
“I don’t give a fuck Shanks! Just go to your room! I’ll deal with you later! Buggy, what the hell is wrong with you today!” Rayleigh cut Shanks off pinching his fingers on the bridge of his nose. The redhead sent both him and Rayleigh an angry look before bailing which Buggy almost missed through his tears. He felt dizzy, his knees gave out from beneath him and he started clawing at his neck bringing to stop crying and breathe. He felt like he was choking on his tongue and Rayleigh was just looking down on him. “Fucking Hell Buggy, just calm down. Go shower and then we’re gonna go to Roger cause I have no clue what I’m going to do with you.” And Rayleigh just stomped away.
Rayleigh left him on the floor and Buggy couldn’t breathe.
It was probably for the best because now without Rayleigh's imposing shadow he felt less cornered. He focused on the floor beneath him and how his tears were making the wood where they landed darker. It took a minute but he eventually struggled to his feet and used the wall to support himself. He gasped out raspy breaths all the way to his and Shanks room where the red head was curled up in his hammock, food still covering his body. Shanks rolled over and gave him an icy look but Buggy must have looked truly pathetic because the boy's gaze softened and he got up. “Let me get you some clothes Buggy just go shower now.” Buggy had lost all his fight and just went back out the room and over to the bathrooms. When he got there he turned on the hot water before shedding his ruined outfit. His white pants and shirt stained an ugly reddish brown. All his golden accessories were scuffed and dented. Seeing himself in the mirror his skin was turning crusty from dried food and he had mashed potatoes in his hair. His makeup was smeared across his face and his mascara ran all the way down his neck.
He looked hideous.
His outfit was ruined and he was disgusting.
He slowly slipped into the shower's stream of scalding water and he sighed. Shanks opened the bathroom door moments later and put his clothes on a towel hook before departing and Buggy finally felt safe enough to let his legs give out again. He crashed onto the cold tile floor and felt as heated water rolled from the top of his head down his body. He watched slowly as the food covering him slid off and got caught by the drain. He felt like a dirty sink of dishes that everyone claimed they were going clean but never got around to. He still had to go and face Roger who had also forgotten his birthday. There was no way he remembered if everyone else forgot. He was gonna get punished and there was nothing he could do. He’d start crying again if his eyes and throat didn’t already burn.
He finally found the strength to pull himself out of the shower when the water ran cold. He slowly dried himself off and put on his new clothes. Shanks had brought him some fresh pajamas, a ratty old t-shirt with a stretched out neck hole that fell off his shoulders and some black shorts. The other boy even had the foresight and care to grab Buggy’s fluffiest pair of socks.
So how had they all just forgotten his birthday? He felt like a pet. Something that only small gestures in a fleeting moment truly made it feel special. Something that people joke about having grand things for but ultimately never follow through on. He opened the bathroom door in the middle of his musings and came face to neck with Rayleigh. The man was just staring at him with a blank face and Buggy could feel his soul shrivel up a little more. Rayleigh swiftly turned around and Buggy knew better than to not follow him. They made their way to Roger's room where Rayleigh stopped and Buggy froze. Rayleigh stayed facing away from him for a couple of minutes more making it seem as if time was standing still. “When I gave you that money the other day I did so because you’ve been behaving like a mature adult would more recently Buggy” Rayleigh didn’t even turn to speak to him. “I’m very disappointed in your behavior tonight so if you want to prove to me that this was just a little hiccup you can go in there and tell Roger what you did.”
Buggy wished The Oro would swallow him up into her hull. Rayleigh had been that happy with him recently? Maybe he should have just sucked it up…but it was his birthday. It was his day where he was treated with endless affection and gifts. He’d never admit it out loud but he would rather have his nakama than any amount of beri. “Just go in Buggy” Rayleigh never turned around. Buggy swallowed down the bile rising in his throat and slowly grabbed the doorknob. Twisting it and going at a snail's pace making the door groan as it opened, Buggy peered into the room. Unlike the cold and dark room he imagined walking into his captain's room was lit by multiple candles. Bright lights were giving Roger really horrible migraines recently so he’d opted for a simpler alternative. It gave the room a cozy glow and his captain gave him a large smile. It was scary seeing the man who raised him bedridden like this. He shuffled forward and Roger reached out for him, holding out his hand palm up and Buggy took it, kneeling next to Roger’s bed and putting his face into the side of the mattress.
“Happy Birthday Bugger! How was it today? Get everything and more?”
Buggy’s fist tightened in the bed sheets but he made sure to keep his hand in Rogers lax. Captain remembered. Despite his sickness and his migraines and being laid up in bed all day Roger had remembered. He was so happy he could burst. He wanted to tell his captain what a horrible day he had. How everyone had forgotten and how they had practically teased him by giving him false hope. How Shanks had ruined his special birthday outfit and ruined his jewelry. But Rayleigh and Crocus had already said Roger was faring worse because of the recent attacks on their crew. It would be selfish and childish of him to hurt his Captain more over just his birthday. He was just Buggy anyways. Not Rogers legacy or his first mate or his doctor. Just a cabin boy getting worked up over something as trivial as a nice outfit and some gold. He didn’t matter as much as Rogers health and Rayleigh would be even more cross with him for making their beloved Captain sicker.
Buggy steeled himself and then lifted his head, eyes twinkling and smile wide. “It was wonderful, Captain! Everyone pretended they forgot because of all the constant trouble we’ve been in but at dinner they threw me a surprise party. They made hotdogs and fries and they wheeled out a vanilla cake with strawberry filling and I wore the cutest outfit ever! I would have saved you some and shown you my outfit but me and Shanks started play fighting and we accidentally landed in the cake!” Buggy gushed, spinning a tale to please Roger. His Captain laughed loud, clearly pleased but it ended up a rattling cough and Buggy quickly stood from where he was kneeled and reached for the tissues that took up permanent residence at his captains bedside table. He took a couple and held them out to his Captain who had hunched over and was now making a horrible hacking noise. Roger reached and took the tissues from Buggy with a little tap to his hand as a thank you before focusing back on his coughing fit. Buggy hesitantly reached and rubbed his Captain's upper back like the man did for him when he was younger and had a cold. Roger kept coughing for another couple minutes before he slumped back into the mound of pillows on his bed that had been supporting him. “Mm’sry Bugger…you shouldn’t have to end your good day on a note like this.” Buggy almost scoffed but he kept his composure. “It’s ok Captain…is…is there something I can ask of you though? A birthday present.” Roger nodded at him to continue.
It was a selfish, childish desire but… this might be his last birthday with his captain. The man who raised him.
“Can I stay here with you tonight like when I was younger? I can sleep on the floor instead or just go back to my room but!/” he didn’t even finish his plea before Roger threw the blankets off and grabbed Buggy’s arm, hauling him into the massive bed. Roger threw the blankets back onto them and held him tightly underneath. Buggy wriggled a bit till Roger loosened his grip and Buggy sat next to him now also leaning against the mound of pillows. Roger places his arm around him and Buggy curled into his side. “I love you and Shanks so much. I’m glad you’ll still come to me like this. It makes me feel stronger.” Roger admitted with a small smile on his lips. Buggy looked up at the larger man wide eyed. Captain Roger will always be the strongest man alive to him. No matter what.
As they both settled Roger blew out the candles and Buggy felt his eyes drooping under the darkness that now shrouded the room. He succeeded in acting like an adult just like Rayleigh wanted and kept Roger happy. A content smile fell on his face and he snuggled impossibly closer to his Captain… his dad.
Sleep came easy after that.