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Buggy agreed to their relationship on the foundation that Crocodile and Mihawk are so stalwart in their emotions that it wouldn't be something they wasted time on. Buggy had proven himself worthy of their affections, and they reciprocated.

But that doesn't change the fact that Buggy is still as emotionally sensitive as a baby deer. The other two had been somewhat careful about that--though nothing could be done about Crocodile raising his voice when he's angry or Mihawk going ice cold when he's in a mood. But neither of them made it personal.

This was personal.

They shouted at Buggy. Crocodile lashed out at him with sand. Mihawk's hand was on Yoru's handle. Then they gave him the silent treatment. Sent him out of their shared room and back to a cold bed. Ignored him entirely to avoid going back to the days of dismemberment and chains, the smallest bit of kindness they gave him.

Buggy would have preferred the chains.

Even when it came to light that the mistake hadn't been Buggy's at all, that the term 'clown' had been made in error to someone else entirely, the two men couldn't help but hang onto their pride. They thawed out just a little but not enough for Buggy to notice.

Buggy was emotionally gutted. It was worse because it was two of them, and because unlike Shanks who had the excuse of being an ignorant kid, they KNEW what this would do to him, and they did it anyway.

None of the three were particularly kind men, but Buggy thought he was done experiencing their cruelty.

He finally can't take it anymore. He sends out a simple memo--not even a proper notice--that he's taking a sabbatical, and sails off on his own to clear his head. The Cross Guild has hold on plenty of islands, but he picks the most secluded one. He doesn't want to see anyone. He doesn't want anyone to see him.

The moment Crocodile and Mihawk find out, they set sail to each island to find him. An emotionally overwrought Buggy is one thing, it's borderline deadly if he's alone to deal with it. They finally find him after three days, in the lookout post center at night, only because Mihawk's sharp eyes spotted a candle lit in the tiny window.

Without a word, they wrap him up. He's awake but he says nothing either. He doesn't protest when they come into the lookout center. He doesn't say anything when Mihawk gathers his things, or when Crocodile bundles him up in his own coat. He doesn't say anything when they take turns holding his bundled form between manning the helm.

They tuck him back into their shared bed and hold him close between them, murmuring their 'I'm sorrys' and 'please forgive us'.

By that time, Buggy's emotional well was tapped dry.

It's Buggy's turn for the silent treatment. Come morning, he washes up, does his work, and returns to his own original room. He refuses to let them in. Everything is strictly business.

Crocodile and Mihawk know they fucked up. It shouldn't have been that easy to fall back into old habits with Buggy, and the fact that it was gave them their own wake-up calls. They didn't want Buggy to hurt anymore. They wanted to do what Shanks wouldn't.

They went after Buggy.

They apologized.

They offered anything Buggy wanted. Their fortunes, their dignity, their LIVES, if that's what he truly wanted.

Mihawk offered Buggy Yoru to do with as he pleased.

Crocodile offered his own hook, suggesting Buggy could melt it down for all he cared.

Every day, it's something new. Flowers, rum, candy, jewelry. Public displays of yearning.

Buggy doesn't want to get his hopes up. He doesn't want to hurt again. But Crocodile and Mihawk did what Shanks couldn't.

Try. Own up to it, and try.

When he forgives them, it's not in a bright, flashy way. It was quietly going to their shared room and crawling into bed without a word.