Archive of Our Own ^beta

Buggy bounced in his seat, on the balcony of Sabaody Music Hall. His phone raised to take a video of the stage and the crowd before the Concert even started. 

The crowd buzzed and talked excitedly. Singing loudly to the preshow Music playing. Various people wearing merch of the “Red Haired Pirates”.

Of Shanks’ Band.

A Band the man had thrown together with his best friends Benn, Yasopp, Lucky Roux and Limejuice. Who had taken the Grand Line by storm. 

And tonight was the night he would see Shanks, his Shanks, on stage for the first time.

He couldn’t be more excited.

Buggy jumped a little as a hand and a deep chuckle, pulled him out of his thoughts.

“Calm down Bug, you’re gonna see him soon.” Rayleigh laughed and sat himself down beside the younger. Shakky on his left, took the Drink he got, from her husband's hand.

“Thank you my Love.” barely containing her chuckle, at the eyeroll that Buggy threw at Rayleigh.

He wanted to respond, but inhaled sharply as the venue went black.

A gasp and screams echoed through the room, as the first chords started playing from the Playback and the Band slowly trickled onto Stage. Each taking Position, except for one Person who was still missing.

Buggy’s heartbeat fluttered in excitement.

Then suddenly Light started flickering over the Stage and Shanks walked out. 

The audience went wild and Buggy was smiling before he realized he was doing it.

Shanks was only a Silhouette against the Lights, as he stepped in front of the Mic Stand. Guitar slung over his back.

His hands wrapped around it as he started singing.

The Light still flickering around him, hiding him almost in the Shadows of the Stage.

And then the Lights focused only on him.

His red hair glowing underneath them, his voice almost angelic.

He was beautiful.

But I'll

Make this walk look easy

Make today look easy

Make it all look easy

A pause. A quietness waving over the crowd.

For you

Buggy’s chest tightened as screams erupted and the lights went back to normal at the last chords. His own, Rayleigh’s and Shakky’s mixing with the crowd.

Shanks brought the mic to his lips again, a big grin on his face. 

“Good evening, Sabaody!”

The crowd screamed back.

Buggy couldn't contain the wide grin on his face, as he raised a hand over his head, waving like an idiot.

Shanks saw him instantly. He always did. Would always find him in a sea of people.

Their eyes caught and the redhead’s smile widened. A slight blush appeared on the man's face, as he shook his head with a grin.

“Who wants to have some fun tonight?” 

Buggy clapped and shouted with the rest of the venue, as the next song started playing.

The first songs were incredible, his favorites so far from the Album they had released a few months ago. He jumped with the crowd as Shanks would shout for everyone to jump at specific moments, sang along loudly and filmed short videos to remember the day.

A surge of pride filled Buggy, as he watched Shanks looking so alive and so confident on Stage, in his Element. Remembering the anxiety filled nights in which the red head would call him, asking if this was the right decision, if this was stupid.

And now seeing so many people singing along with him. It made Buggy even more proud.

Which of course he would only tell him with sarcastic comments, as he had a reputation to uphold. But Shanks knew. He would always know the meanings behind those words.

Songs go by and he watches as Shanks moves across the Stage. Having funny and quite attractive moments with Benn. Kneeling right in front of the older as they strummed the guitar solo of “The Other Side”.

Buggy ignored the burning heat inside of his Chest, as he watched the man kneel on his Knees. Bending his back so far, he nearly laid on the Stage. His open shirt showing parts of his muscular pecs.

If he had to hide his blush behind his fist, that was his own deal.

The next song was “California Rain”. A Song Shanks hadn’t released yet, but continuously teased his fans with, as they begged for him to finally release it.

And Buggy was the only person who had the mix stored in his phone, outside of the band.

He sang along with everyone, tapping his feet against the floor in time with the music.

And then, Shanks glanced up. Directly at him.

The red head held his gaze, a teasing glint in his eyes, as he sang the next lines.

Kiss your face.

Kiss your face.

Kiss your face.

And grinned. Right at him.

Buggy’s breath hitched. A blush coating his cheeks, as he felt the other’s gaze on him.

“That bastard.” Buggy murmured, lifting his hand to flip him off. Mouthing the words ´fuck off´ back at the man, at which Shanks laughed.

Buggy swore underneath his breath, as he could hear the laughs of Rayleigh and Shakky beside him. Flipping them off as well, as he slid further into his seat. His Heart racing against his Chest.

“I hope you’re watching my dear. You would be so proud of him..” Rayleigh said underneath his breath and Buggy smiled with a heavy heart and hoped as well. Knowing that the older meant his never forgotten Roger.

The song finished with loud cheers and Shanks took a moment to catch his breath, wiping sweat from his forehead. 

“You’re all incredible!” he said, pressing a hand to his chest. Smiling brightly at the deafening screams thrown back at him.

Buggy’s heartbeat in the meantime had not slowed since.

He told himself it was fine. That it was just their usual playfulness. 

Nothing more. He couldn't hope for that.

Shanks gave everyone a little breather as he talked a bit with the crowd, pointing at signs people have made. 

The Lights dimmed slightly again after a while, directing the attention to the next song.

“This next song is ‘Carlights.’” Shanks said gently and then the first strings of the Guitar started.

Why am I here? Could you come instead?

I'm ten good miles, out of my depth

Some more fake smiles, I'll just nod my head

For one small glimpse of your breath

Shanks’ voice echoed through the room. The Audience singing with him.

It was an emotional song. A song Shanks had never told him the meaning of. But he knew that it was important to the Redhead.

Buggy’s mouth fell open as he saw the wave of hearts in the audience, lit by phones. 

It was beautiful.

Shanks looked out across the crowd, then quickly down to his guitar. His voice cracked as he continued.

Buggy’s heart beat painfully in his chest. He could see how Shanks was trying to keep it in. But his voice and his glassy eyes that looked over the crowd betrayed him.

Don't you be so startled that I wanted more

I could answer your troubles if you let me in

I'd be out here for longer, but it's just too cold

And with nowhere to hide us, it won't come true

He could hear sniffs & cried out lyrics through the room. Everyone feeling the impact of the song.

Then, Shanks lifted his gaze, meeting Buggy’s own again. Tears shimmered under the stage lights.

And Buggy felt his own tears threatening to fall.

I’m not scared there’s nothing to run from well

I feel like I’m falling for someone

I feel like I’m falling for someone else

You can hold my hand in a crowded place

But just hold me close and hope that they don’t see my face

Shanks’ voice cracked even more and tears slipped down his cheeks, as he belted the lyrics into the shouting crowd. But his eyes were still on him. On Buggy. 

His Buggy. To whom he could never tell that this song was about him and his feelings for him.

Buggy stared back at Shanks with trembling lips. His throat tightened, as the first tears fell. 

And then gently he smiled at Shanks, hoping that the man could feel the emotions he tried to convey through it.

Which Shanks did, smiling back at him through tears.

Shanks finished the Song with shaking hands, stepping back from the mic, head lowered as the stage lights dimmed softly. The crowd applauded as they cheered and shouted at how proud they were of him. A sea of Hand Hearts appears.

Buggy watched as Benn gently wrapped an arm around Shanks’ shoulder, hiding the crying man into his chest. A tightness filled his chest as he watched them, because he wanted to be the one to comfort him. To have him in his arms. But he knew that he couldn’t right now, thankful that Shanks had Benn and his other Crew Members.

A few minutes passed and Shanks stepped back towards the Microphone, wiping the rest of his tears away.

“Who wants to cry their frustration out Sabaody?” he shouted into the Mic, to which he received loud sniffled shouts.

The first chords playing and Shanks singing with it.

You touch me too softly

And I know what that means.

That you don’t really love me,

As morose as it seems.

Shanks closed his eyes as he sang the first Lyrics, a heat behind his Voice Buggy couldn't decipher. 

All I did was agree

To mask all the missteps.

Was I all you hate,

But you knew that I’d be?

And then it clicked. 

I’m cutting our ties,

That’s all I can do

Don’t blame me.

He remembered the timing of when Shanks wrote that song. He remembered Shanks pulling away the week he had started dating Mihawk.

Buggy had thought Shanks was just busy. Busy with Music.

He hadn’t known the other was hurting.

The audience screamed their heartbreak with him, unaware of Buggy’s own heart breaking.

The best of your times

Were the worst of my life.

Buggy pressed a fist against his mouth, as another fresh wave of tears streamed down his face. As he watched as Shanks belted out his past heartbreak.

When I cry

It’s only for you.

Buggy couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.

He had hurt Shanks, without ever meaning to. But maybe he knew, but didn't want to see it. Shanks had always been an important person in his life. The first Person he ever fell in love with. Watching him with other people had broken him, deciding to forget him. To forget about this dream of ever being with him. He knew that the red head could never love him.

But Shanks had loved him then.

And maybe he still did..

As the concert continued into its final song, Buggy barely heard it. His mind determined. And maybe he would destroy everything with it. Everything they built, every little moment they had together. But he had to try. Wanted to try.

The stage lights went up again, as the final song came to its end.

And Buggy watched as Shanks shouted a final thank you, waving as he stepped off stage with the others.

Buggy didn’t hesitate. Saying a few words in passing to Shakky and Rayleigh, as he motioned to the Backstage Area. Already standing up.

He couldn’t see the hopeful gentle smiles both of them threw at him. His mind only focused on finding Shanks.

He pushed through the crowd, his heart pounding against his chest. Security let him pass through as he showed the special pass Shanks had gotten him.

Just in case Buggy wanted to hang out after.

Buggy wondered if Shanks had hoped for this moment too.

He reached the backstage area and he could see the Crew members hanging around. Laughing as they celebrated the Gig.

Benn turned around and saw the younger man.

“He’s in the Green Room.” he said with a gentle smile, chuckling as he watched Buggy bolt into that direction. 

The Grey haired man looked back at the others and held his hand out.

“Pay up. I won the bet.”

Buggy stopped in front of the door, as he finally found it. His heart beat wildly against his chest.

He didn't know if he could do this. If he should do this. But his Body already decided for him as he moved and knocked on the Door.

There was silence for a few seconds til he could hear footsteps approaching and he was close to bolting again as the door opened and Shanks stood there.

He was wiping sweat from his neck with a towel, hair slightly messy from the performance, shirt clinging to his chest with sweat. Exhausted to the last bone.

But when he saw Buggy, his whole face morphed into the brightest smile.

“Blue!” he breathed, stepping forward. “I'm so happy to see you. What did you thi-”

Buggy didn’t let him finish.

He grabbed Shanks’ shirt and kissed him.

Shanks froze for a split second, his eyes wide in shock. But quickly melted, his hands gripping onto Buggy’s waist to pull him closer.

Their hearts pounded as their mouths moved together. Shanks pulled him into the room, closing the door with a kick and found himself pressed against the Vanity, as Buggy moved him towards it. Their lips still interlocked.

They both tried to pour every bit of emotion and love into the kiss. Their arms wrapped around each other. Not wanting to let the other go, as they finally had the one thing they always craved for.

When they finally broke apart, their foreheads touched. Their lips a breath away. Stealing away small pecks as they couldn't stop.

“I hope you’ve fallen for me..” Buggy whispered against Shanks’ lips.

Shanks let out a shaky breath, cupping Buggy’s cheek, with the softest smile.

“It has always only been you, Blue.” he whispered back.