Hi, I'm Lindsey!

Buggy steps out into the garden, the sight of your veggie patch freezing over greets him. As well as the strange flowers that insist on bordering it. The giant tree in the back shades him from the sun’s distant warmth as he shivers slightly into his jacket. It’s fluffier now, everything seems to be. He had the time to wash his clothes and hair, as well as redo his makeup before leaving.

He sees you, crouched by the forest’s edge, grey dress pooling on the pale dirt around you. Along with a red jacket that hugs onto your waist and shoulders. You reach out for the trees beyond the castle, a silvery light stemming from your finders as if there’s a thin wall of illumination for you to brush up against. So you aren’t making up the curse.

He coughs to get your attention, exaggerated and loud, even going so far as to stumble over to the tree swing with the force caused. “AHEM!! AHem! ahemmm…?”

You smirk at him, standing up and dusting yourself off. “Do you need some water, Captain?”

“Huh? No, just something in the, uh, air.”

“The air? It’s never bothered you before.” You hum, walking over and sitting at the base of the tree besides him. The sun’s rays make a bee line for your face, finding you even under the tree’s leaves and setting your eyes aglow.

“It went down the wrong pipe or somethin’, anyways! What did Prissy want from you?” Buggy says, pivoting from his coughing fit and onto his crewmember.

Pricsilla also known as Prissy, was one of the acrobats from the first night. She had conducted her act with her brother and three other performers.

You found yourself growing close to the pair over the week they’ve been here. Prissy being the first person besides the Captain who struck a conversation with you. Her brother, Ozzy, got to know you since Priscilla’s affinity for trouble was not something you were acquainted with originally. He’s helped you get her out of rooms she’s locked herself in. As well as boobytraps she triggered while performing tricks down the halls.

Your face lights up even brighter than before at the mention of your friend, your amused smirk bleeding into a full-fledged grin “She gave me some gifts!”

Huh, he hadn’t thought of that. And! Prissy didn’t mention it to him either! Is she trying to make him look bad in front of you? Is she trying to steal you for herself? You haven’t even left the damn place yet and he already has competition! Oh there will be Hell to pay for this once he finds her!

“Buggy?”

He snaps out of the beginning of his tantrum, struck by how much he’s gonna miss your voice. The pirate feels his angered sneer slide down into a soft smile. Taking in the sight of your mildly concerned face, eyebrows furrowed, grey gloved hand reaching towards him slightly, lips pulled into a painfully kissable pout.

“Uh how nice of her!”

Now, how does he approach this?

“Just for the record,” he starts, twisting a lock of the blue tassel from the side of his hat and digging around the dirt with his boot as innocently as he can muster. “You’d be sad if she died, right?”

“What! Of course!” You all but scream, suddenly interested in holding your hands in your pockets protectively. Hmm what she gave you is small then, that's not too much of a threat.

UNLESS IT’S A RING! No, surely you would have told him if it is that, hopefully.

“Or! If she was horribly injured, but would make a full recovery?”

“Yes!! I’d be devastated! What are you talking about!” You demand, pushing the swing with your boot.

Buggy catches himself and sighs, “Nothing crazy!" He says, waving his hands around to defuse the situation. "I just wanted to see if uh… You care about my crew as much as I do!”

Despite his thinly-veiled threats, the Captain knows that he couldn’t really bring himself to punish Prissy in such a manner. So it's dish duty till further notice instead!

“Of course I do! All of you have been so kind and funny this whole time! I wish I could give you more! The animals even like you enough to have pitched in by providing some of their hibernation harvest before you go!”

Yea, watching a zoo help stock his ship is something Buggy won’t ever forget.

“Good then! And you should know that when we get back, I will give you more gifts than you have received ever in your life! So uh, be ready for that!”

“I’ll be ready, Captain!” You giggle, staring up at the clown.

The look in your eyes not only rivals the adoration from the night before, but knocks it out of the park. Each time you set off these pesky fireworks inside him, he struggles to find a reason to break your curse. As selfish as it may be. He can’t risk the thought of you looking at someone else that way. Or what if someone looks at you with such an expression! What would he do then! What would you do? Goodness Y/n, have mercy on his heart!

He watches you shamelessly now, there's no point in hiding his gaze since he’ll have to call on his memory for the sight of your skin in the sun, your hair done up, your cute outfits, and that fucked up tiara from now on.

Slowly, while sitting under his stare, your smile dips, your hands fidget with something in your pocket (damn you Priscilla!) and your brows pull down again. Before the clown can speak, you begin.

“Well, You shouldn’t leave your crew waiting much longer… Prissy said that you’re leaving before it gets too late, and the sun won’t linger forever.” You murmur, casting your gaze onto the pirate's boots.

Right, Buggy still hasn’t figured out how to say goodbye yet. He had thrown a party yesterday evening and it's not like there is much he can do besides that.

He’s performed damn near all his tricks, used most of his prepared jokes, and pulled pranks on you till you figured out how to retaliate. He doesn’t have whatever Priscilla gave to you, and he doesn’t want to know either. Whatever it is, it’s enough to make you this happy and- Fucking hell, if he can’t even stand the idea of you receiving a present, how could he manage to watch you brush hands with a street vender? Or meet a kind stranger! Or someone flirts with you!!

No, no, he can’t keep you here and he made a promise. The thoughts still swirl within him, blending with his insecurities and doubts till he musters up the courage to talk again.

“Walk me to the front?” He whispers, voice cracking just slightly. He is just about to scold himself for feeling this worked up over someone he’s only known for a week. But the meek nod of your head as you stare up at him with tears glistening among the beautiful hue of your eyes against the sunlight makes him almost entertain the idea that you might feel the same.

You force your sights onto the ground. Standing and brushing yourself off. Deciding to simply scold himself later, Buggy follows you silently into the chilly castle.

The walk is slow and quiet, suddenly the clown is aware of just how much you gave him. When he first wandered through these same stone hallways, there were landscape paintings and gold tables with matching vases to plot on stealing. Now he’s met with the dull sound of your boots on the carpet, painfully aware of how much louder the sound is without the objects in the way.

Finally, when you jump up onto the lever and open the castle doors, he looks at you. Voice stubbornly hiding in his throat, even though the move you pulled to do that was ridiculous and he wants to say as much. To say that he could have done that for you, to say he’d do anything for you.

Instead, his hands twitch ever so slightly, eyes only able to stare into yours. Maybe he could break the curse through pure yearning power alone. No, if that is the case you’d be off with someone else by now. You wouldn’t have even been here to host him if that was a possibility.

“Thank you,” You start, glancing up and taking your tiara off to grip it in your hand.

“For everything. I thought all I wanted was a night at the circus. And it was, but I ended up with more than that. The entirety of what you provided, laughter, performances, food, company, and then some… The treasures I’m sending you off with, more than pale in comparison.”

As you speak you approach the pirate further, till you're less than an arms length apart. You take your dress into your free hand and curtsy deeply.

“So, if you ever find yourself wondering how much I appreciate and cherish the time spent with you, Buggy The Clown. Think of this castle and all it possesses, then double it, and double it again, and again, till you can’t think straight. Then triple it six times, and add five.”

When he sees you extend your hand after speaking, he simply watches as his own pops off and floats into yours. Bowing again, you press a kiss to the white leather of his glove.

“Sail safely, Captain!”

Yeah. He can’t possibly let you leave.

~•~•~•~•~•~

Bonus!

Priscilla is standing against one of the many stone walls of the castle, arms behind her back and mischief spread across her face. Her coiled black hair is pulled into two cornrows that go down to her shoulders. The gold earrings in her ears complement her dark skin as well as the light blue shirt she wears and her denim shorts. It seems as though she is indifferent to freezing.

In the morning light she looks rather similar to Princess Lyra, the thought stirs an ache from within you. Swapping it for a smile, you curtsy slightly as you approach her.

“Your highness! Glad ya found me!” She pulls you into a one armed hug and you gleefully sink into her embrace.

“Me too, what do you need? Some more fruits from the hibernation harvest?” You tease, knowing that the acrobat has a sweet-tooth that was being sedated by the spare fruits that the animals could spare to give the crew.

“No no silly, I have a parting gift!” She says, leaning back.

“A gift? But I don’t need anything truly, I already told you-”

“Ah ah ah- I insist! I demand! I uh, implore! That I get to give you something for all you’ve given my friends and I.” She leans in, smirk widening “As well as for keeping our Captain in the best mood I’ve seen in ages.”

You shove her shoulder lightly and she breaks into a cackle.

“It's true! So for all that I offer you this!”

From behind her back, Prissy hands you two things, a small purple cloth bag and a box a bit larger than your hand.

“And this is…?”

“A thumb piano! And some seeds!”

You tilt your head.

“I noticed that you either don’t have any instruments here, or you didn’t want to play them! So I’m giving you my little piano, there are instructions in the box. Learning how to play isn’t hard, and there are some songs in there too! In the bag are smaller bags with seeds. I wrote down which ones to plant and when. Along with some caretaking instruct-”

You cut off Priscilla’s rambling with a hug. She smells fresh, like she pushed off washing her things till a few hours ago. Her hair radiates the smell of high quality oils and months of good care. Her warmth makes you remember the princess without restriction. If not for all the ways it’s impossible, you’d think she was Lyra herself. It takes a bit of strength, but you manage to pull back, but only enough to look into her bright brown eyes.

“Thank you Prissy, I don’t know how to-”

“No no, this is me returning the favor, Princess. I should be thanking you.”

You nod and squeeze her one more time before fully stepping away.

“You’re very very welcome!” You beam, holding in a sniffle of tears.

“Haha! That’s the spirit, now I should go. Don’t wanna keep everyone waiting too long, now do we? The sun will set eventually!”

It’s been a week since then. A week of booby trap hunting, so that Buggy and his crew would stop almost killing themselves by accident by stepping on loose floorboards and shifting paintings to be centered.

A week of learning how to cook dishes ‘pirate style’ and make use of what you’ve got left in ways the royal cookbooks never considered.

A week of listening to stories and exaggerated shanties about victories on far away islands and challenging foes.

A week of you trying and failing to hide the surprising amount of wolfish mannerisms you didn’t notice you carried over since your transformation.

The first time in years that you cared to mark the passing of seven days.

~•~•~•~•~•~

And tonight is the last one before Buggy and his crew sail off again. You’ve already spent the day helping them pack up the tent the best you can. The rest of the time had been dedicated to chatting and slacking off. Everything as organized as it could be for them so go as soon as the sun rises.

Speaking of, you and Buggy are currently seated on the balcony of the King and Queen suite. From here you can see the entire island. It's small, always has been. You could walk the length of it in all directions in two days or less. It surprises you even now how the royals from all those years ago had gained enough wealth and influence to be worthy of an attack the size of the one that left the kingdom in ruin.

What’s left of the dock is stained black from the fires that once raged by the shore, the buildings closest to the water are a mess of sun bleached bricks, tiled roofs on the ground, and a few staircases to nowhere. The only houses still intact are right outside of the castle’s golden gates. For the first time in ages you see light inside of them and smoke coming from the chimneys.

Buggy, next to you, seems to be taking in the sights as well. His orange hat is placed on his left knee, bouncing slightly as he taps his boot against the dark wood of the balcony. His right leg is tossed over the arm of the chair, facing you, from this distance you’re sure he could kick your arm for fun if he felt inclined. The thought does nothing to disturb you though, if anything you lean in closer to take in the sight of him in the fading sun.

His hair shifts slightly in the stray gusts of wind, though the majority of his blue locks rest just under his chin in a messy waterfall-like state. Again you’re tempted to run a hand through it, and again you resist, opting to look back out onto the sea.

He breathes deep, eyes taking in the dimly lit city before you. The houses that his crew are inside of, chatting, reading, eating, sleeping. Bringing life to this hollowed out kingdom. He often wonders how long you’ve been stuck here, besides his ship there is nothing else at the remains of the dock, no way to walk anywhere but to the bottom of the ocean.

The crazed look of desperation in your eyes when you begged for a night at the circus flashes in his mind. How many years did it take before someone would sell away their own legacy for the sake of a laugh. And how did you survive that long?

Your relaxed state lulls him into a more reserved version of himself. He noticed the change on the first night, when you caught him damn near half asleep and he could only come up with a shaky excuse before giving in to the exhausted condition he was in.

He thought that was all it was, the days of searching for any place to stop and restock. The shock of finding this tiny island that was cleared from all the maps he had in his office. His full tummy and the promise of a warm bed.

But each night since then, when the two of you had a moment to yourselves something about you sent him into a vulnerable frame of mind. Easily swayed, happy to be near you, and painfully aware of how the moon looks on your figure.

It’s not nighttime yet, but he can feel the shift stirring in him. Helpless once again, he succumbs with a sigh.

“Tell me, your highness, am I the first to find ya?” He asks, keeping his sights set on the city before him.

“No, there were two others. Ages ago by now.”

“Did you ask them to juggle too?”

You shake your head, smiling. “No.”

I ate them. You think to yourself, it wasn’t a hard choice. They wasted no time trying to steal you and your treasures. You pause, looking over at the captain next to you. What made you hesitate to do the same to him?

“I ah, they were mean and easy to kill. Made good treats for the forest’s animals.”

Buggy looks at you, an eyebrow raised. “You killed them? What? They sailed in from weak-ville and died due to a gust of wind?”

You giggle, “No silly, I did it myself. I fought for this kingdom you know.”

At this the pirate joins you in expressing your joy. “You don’t say, what kept you from showing off your combat skills when I came in?”

He splits his arms into fragments, five pieces each as he swats at the still air around you.

“You coulda hit me with one of these!” He exclaims, swiping to the right, missing you narrowly.

“Or one of those!” He swats to the left, disturbing a small gathering of fireflies from above his head. As you laugh he joins you and reconnects himself.

“Don’t be silly!”

“Who me? The clown? Now why would I do something like that?” He scoffs, “A clown, be silly, now that's ridiculous.” His voice trails, as he settles into the sound of your giggles.

If you were honest it was because you got excited at the idea of playing fetch with his nose. It resembled the balls Lyra would toss for you. Then he went ahead and introduced himself as the Genius Jester and all that. So you decided then that you’d do anything for a show. Plus, he didn’t force you to reveal your beastly nature. You aren’t going to be fully honest tonight.

But your mind wanders further, what if you didn’t let him sleep through the night? You had partaken in the others with the wolfpack.

What would Buggy taste like? The thought startles you, shaking it from your head you force a smile and look back out at the gleaming homes before you.

“I was bored, like I told you. The others were rude and dull, I wasn’t tossing away entertainment, just a pain in my side.”

“Hah! Is that all I am? Just the cure to your boredom? You wound me!” Buggy detaches a hand and makes a gun shape with his fingers, mimicking the sound of a shot and whimpering like it had struck him in the heart.

You huff, amused. “No no, more than that. But when I met you that’s all I had wanted.”

“And nooow?” He asks with an exaggerated turn of his head towards you fluttering his lashes.

“Now, I’m happy to have your company.” You try not to keep your gaze on him, already feeling a flurry of new confusing emotion spark inside you. “I couldn’t hurt you, besides the others didn’t have a loyal crew. The details are fuzzy but it wasn’t difficult to finish them off.”

Truthfully it was the element of surprise that allowed you to get them. You can’t fight in this form. But when they dragged a kicking and screaming princess out of the castle and were met with fangs and claws trained in defence there was only one fate for them. And it was delicious.

“Well, aren't you a charmer?” Your guest asks, blissfully unaware of your internal monologue.

“So I’ve been told.”

You feel the Captain’s sights on you, silent for the longest time since you met him. It was only a week. Yet you already feel more comfortable and happy in your skin and with your companion than ever before.

“How come you didn’t steal whatever they sailed in on?”

Because a beast can’t row a boat. “I wouldn’t know where to start, sure there are books on sailing in the library, but it was too risky.”

“Well, what about now?” He stands, ignoring the soft tilt of your head and moving to sit on the golden banister. “You obviously can’t stand this place. Why not run off and join the circus?”

You freeze. It sounds lovely.

Finally leaving this shell of a kingdom and seeing the world you only heard about in dreams and hazy memories.

You wonder what the rocking of a boat is like, how it feels to have your dress catch the wind. The sun hitting you without anything else in the way. Having stories of our own to share, meeting people, fueling your bloodlust, and more. You try to imagine it, but the smell of wet dog stains every thought in your head.

“I would love nothing more.” You start, “But, I can’t leave.” You stand and join him, feeling the cool metal against your hands and the silk of your dress.

“I…”

I’m a canine? I’m hairier than you’d expect? I’m not royalty? I’m a failure in every sense of the world? I don’t deserve this offer at all?

Maybe you’ll be a little honest tonight. What’s the harm? There's no reason for Buggy to come back anyhow.

“I'm cursed. If I leave the castle I don’t know what will happen to me, it's like my soul is tethered to these walls. I mean- I mention it often, but I’ve been here a looong while, unable to age or wander the city. Just walk the halls over and over, tend to the garden too I suppose.”

Buggy blinks at you. Brows furrowed and mouth pressed into a thin line that contradicts the red smile on his skin. You can’t tell if it's hurt, confusion, or some other thing in his eyes but the mix makes guilt swirl within you anyways.

“tethered to the castle? Kept from aging? seems pretty ghostly to me.” He hums, tossing his hair back to catch an uptick of wind.

You scoff, sliding closer to him, till your arms are just hardly touching, and you can hear the quick steady drum of his heart.

He continues, “I had a hunch, not everyone has gleaming eyes, fangs, or nails that naturally come to a point. It’s a shame though, you know I’ve got a soft spot for fellow freaks.”

You pout, tucking your fingers into the sides of your dress. Realizing all the animalistic features that insisted on sticking to you. This clown is surprisingly observant. You can’t help but wonder what else he’s noticed. Is he aware of how flustered he's been making you feel?

“Well, I’m honored, truly.” You take in the sight of the sun as it drops further beyond the horizon.

The captain nods in response, eyes closed, hat placed back on his head by a detached hand that clicks into place afterwards. “Who wouldn’t be?” He asks quietly. Clearly not directing the question to anyone.

“What I’d give,” You whisper without thinking. Looking at his ship as it sways ever so slightly on the water. The sun’s illumination makes it seem more like a dream you can’t obtain than ever before.

Your mind wanders, revisiting the scenes you'd been wishing for. The two of you sharing jokes while strolling through new villages you've never seen. Making him food from the cookbooks as they should be made, beaming at the smile they'd put on his face. Singing and dancing with his crew, celebrating yet another victory or treasure found. Pressing a kiss to those painted lips and feeling the color transfer onto your skin...

“Just for a day, an hour, a handful of seconds… by your side, out there like that.”

The air bristles, you frown at the sudden tension and turn to the Captain.

It takes a bit of willpower, but you hold in your gasp at the sight of Buggy. His cheeks the same hue as his nose, a lock of hair twisted into a rope by his gloved fingers. His eyes locked onto you like you just coughed up a hairball.

“What?” You ask quietly, doing your best to keep him from launching himself off the balcony in whatever state of shock has taken hold of him. He looks like a frightened bunny. You hold in your laugh.

“Nothing! Nothing, I just wish I could- uhm, help you is all.”

“It’s alright, I’m here. Alive more or less, and there’s no changing that.”

“Well I’m glad!” He says, louder than he seemed to intend, he curls in on himself slightly.

“Really?”

“Mhm! Who would cook me dinner if you weren’t here? Who would have found the wine cellar?”

“Oh shut up, you ass!” You laugh, trying to let the mood lighten as the pirate wills it to. But you can’t shake the disappointment you feel in yourself.

He certainly thinks that Princess Y/n would have been joining him, not her Royal Highness Lyra’s dog. If you were to follow him out the castle doors you’d only be able to bark and whine for the rest of your days. Even though that was what you were used to all those years ago, even though a wolf is what you are. It still aches, the woman he’s offering this too can only live within these stone walls and grass hedges.

“Buggy?”

“Hmmm?”

“Theres one hidden secret I’ll give you, but! Don’t get excited.”

“Too late!” The pirate jumps up from his perch, almost losing his footing as he chops himself through the grand glass door to be back whole again in the large suite.

You follow after him, missing the look of the fleeting sun on his features as you grab a lantern off the floor next to the balcony and lead the way.

~•~•~•~•~•~

The path to your room is quiet, you can still hear the soft thumps of Buggy’s heart. The speed has gone back down to normal. Selfishly you wish to drive it back up again, hoping to make him feel the same way you do. But you push the thought back down. This is not a fairytale, you are not a princess, it's time to face those facts.

Throwing the door open you waste no time going to your bedside table, and the captain all but swan dives onto your bed.

When you lift your head from the dark wood, you see him laying on his back, eyes closed with thought. His hat falling backwards onto the blue fabric.

“Not as comfortable as the room you gave me y/n. Givin’ me special treatment?”

You scoff, “I certainly am.” You sit next to him and bonk his forehead with the roll of parchment in your hands. At the feeling he opens his eyes and lets them cross trying to see it.

“A map?” He asks eagerly.

“Nope, an oath or treaty of some sort.”

His eyes shut, "That's awfully boring, princess.”

“It's written in a language I can’t speak or read, I think it's a spell.”

The clown sits upright, looking over your shoulder and letting a disembodied hand hold the paper so he can see.

It’s a mess of scribbles and elegant swirls, written in golden ink that glimmers as if someone stretched honey into what might be letters. At the bottom of the white page is black ink, smudges of darkness that form a handprint so small it can only belong to an infant, and a pawprint the same size. The two are linked by a blood red line, deeper on one end and near pink on the other.

“What the hell?” He whispers, unable to mask his confusion.

“I can’t understand it. But if you go and find someone who can…It would mean everything. It would free me from this place. Then, I can go. Maybe not forever, the animals need me, they’re surprisingly petty and demanding when they aren’t preparing for hibernation. But I can certainly afford an adventure or two if you’ll have me.”

You cringe slightly, what did Buggy care if you were stuck here? He only offered after hearing that you could take out a few assholes. He has a happy crew with a ship filled with gold and there’s still wine in the cellar to send him off with. Sure your refusal seemed to stir something in him, but that was probably because of the rambling you went on.

“And here I thought you were giving me a valuable artifact to sell.” He takes the page anyways, rolling it back up and tucking it under his hat. “Of course I’ll have ya princess! I’m the one who asked.”

As he says this, the pirate stands up, and makes his way out of your room.

“Wait!” You rise and stand by the doorframe, suddenly aware of how soon it will be before you lose him. There’s no way of telling how long he’ll be gone, or if he will find anyone who can break the curse.

“Yees?”

He smiles, spinning to you. Gaze avoiding yours, choosing instead to survey the bookcase tucked into the corner by the door.

“That parchment, it’s been kept in pristine condition since I was born. I don’t know what would happen to me if something happens to it. A spill, a rip, a trip into the sea… All of it can have varying effects.”

You stand, walking to him, looking at the seaglass hue of his eyes. The colors of your room fading away as you try to sear his painted face into your memory.

“It's like handing off my heart to you, alright? So just, take care of it for me.”

Buggy tenses slightly. You are trusting him with something so valuable? Was it because he’s the first person you’ve interacted with in years? That's the only logical explanation right? Of course you’d send your beating heart off to the single person who lasted more than a night in the castle.

Why did he even suggest taking you with him? Had he thought it through he would have realized how terrible an idea it was! It was the same foolish tongue that helped him fail upwards all this time that now had you gleaming with the idea of kissing these walls goodbye.

With you stuck here you only had eyes for him. You have never seen him be defeated, never heard of any of the fights he didn’t win or run away from. You have exclusive access to him at his best, barring the first night of course, but that was hardly a flop, hell you flirted with him even then!

You haven’t even been victim to his explosive anger because you give him whatever he’s requested this entire time. Only asking him to shine in the spotlight in return. (One of his favorite things to do.)

He’s had your undivided attention for a full week now. What would happen when you met someone… better? Would you realize that’s what you’ve been craving all along and toss him to the side to sail off with whichever moron had the audacity to show off in front of you?

Even if you could leave, why would you do it with him? Maybe you made up the curse, a wild goose chase to keep him from ever coming back. A way to make him feel good about himself while you wish for someone more uh- well, Everything, to come and offer you their hand instead.

And now on top of it all, you’re giving him something that could kill you if mishandled? Him! A pirate! Just the thought of how he keeps his office is enough to make him turn away the offer for the sake of your safety. But that look in your eyes makes him falter.

The lantern is still on the bedside table, its glow blocked from your face, the soft silver glimmer that takes your eyes when it's dark beaming at him with such adoration.

What did he do to deserve that? What was he willing to do to protect it? To both fulfill your wish but keep you from the other people who would take one look at you, your beauty, your humor, your kindness and plan to steal you away from him.

He could put it in a bottle, cliche but effective, or a chest, or with the few important documents he’s got… If he could find where he placed them last.

Realizing that he’s been staring holes into a book of flower planting, he puts on a grin.

“Of course I’ll take care of it! How many pirates can say they’ve been entrusted with a princess's heart!” He laughs, patting your shoulder and stepping back into the hall.

“I’ll find someone who can read it, and then I’ll take you on an adventure you’ll never forget your highness!”

“Y/n. Just call me y/n.”

He almost winces at the tenderness in your voice, maybe it wasn’t the moon that had this effect on him. But it could hardly be anything else, anything that made sense anyways. Besides, cursed or not, you are royalty. You are probably using your princessly charms to get free and fuck off to wherever tickles your fancy after.

Buggy’s mind keeps spinning with excuses for why you could possibly be giving him something like this, talking to him like this, looking at him the way you do. So much so that he nearly forgets to reply.

“Right! Well! Every good Captain needs his beauty sleep, so I better go!”

You pout slightly, what has gotten into him all of a sudden? “Yes, I suppose, you do have a big day tomorrow.”

“I do! Goodnight your High- Y/n! Sleep tight! Don’t let the bed bugs bite! Sweet dreams! Catch those z’s! Honk honk shooooo!”

He says, coming up with new ways to say goodnight till his voice drifts down the hall and is ultimately muffled by the door to his room.

You were correct, sheep was the right call. Of course, it's another stew, but with the limited ingredients you have left that's almost all you can make. When the royal chefs wrote the books they definitely didn’t plan to run out of everything besides seasoning and a handful of vegetables.

Though you don’t find anything too alarming about the taste and no one complained yesterday. But they were really hungry. You tap the wooden spoon in your hand against the silver pot the rich brown stew is cooking in. It smells good, a blend of tendering meat, softening veggies and the herbs and spices you’ve been adding slowly. But you can’t help but wonder how much your sense of taste has dulled over the years. Just days ago you were mindlessly eating raw plants.

“Ugh! What does it matter anyhow!” You fuss with the spoon some more before slamming it on the dark counter and marching to the ballroom.

It’s just like you left it. Though the red and white fabric is fully set up, and there are less people outside of the makeshift dressing room. You smile at the few you spot, but scan the room for the jester you came here to see.

“Looking for me?”

You spin around, shocked that you didn’t hear him approach. But it makes sense when you cross your arms at his torso. The rest of him is missing, as well as his left hand. He’s wearing the same striped shirt from yesterday, but his coat is missing, what a treat.

“Yes actually, can you come with me to the kitchen?”

“Can it wait?” He asks, gesturing to the area as a whole. “Kinda in the middle of something.”

“I will pour your soup into the castle's maze.”

“Yikes! So mean!”

You roll your eyes and turn back towards the way you came, the pirate's torso floating after you. Looking at the stone walls, you notice that the candles are lit throughout the hall. What has this lot been up to while you were away? You hear a curse from behind you.

“I know that you don’t need your legs to eat, but is this necessary?”

“I’m busy!”

“Kicking rocks?”

“Maybe I am! What’s it to you?” The clown snaps back.

You giggle, turning to look at the captain. “Is that part of the show?”

“How far away is this kitchen?” He asks, ignoring you and flying down the hall, “This way?”

You pout, shaking your head. He spins around and goes down the left hall. “Aha!”

Are humans always this warm? Your fur had stopped you from ever being this close to someone. Despite the clothes in your way, it’s nice. Your face pressed into the back of your guest. The moment is brief though, the clown pulls forward turning to face you.

“How the hell can you see in here?!” He demands, eyes flickering around, probably looking for a light source. Sure the sun is gone, and the moon’s light isn’t available through the window. But you can see fine. Especially since you slept so deeply.

“Hellooo got a lantern or something?”

“Uhmm, maybe? I think there’s a lighter for these candles somewhere.”

The captain looks at you, his lips pulled into a frown that contradicts with the red smile painted onto his skin. His blue eyes stare into yours like they're telling him a riddle.

“Okay, be honest with me.” He starts, leaning in to whisper. You hesitate but lift your head so he can speak.

“Are you a ghost?”

You pull back, eyebrow raised. “Are you?”

“No! But my eyes aren’t glowing.” The jester retorts, crossing his arms.

“Well neither are mine!”

“They are!”

“Are not!”

“Are! I’m looking right at them!”

You push past him, stomping into the kitchen and opening the drawers of the counters, searching for a matchbox or lighter. From the corner of your vision you see the pirate reunite his bottom half and left hand to the rest of him. Scoffing, you continue your search.

“See?”

You do, turning to your guest with a pout, and see your eyes in a handheld mirror, it's not from the castle. That must have been why he snapped himself back together, to bring it over here, and… Would ya look at that, your eyes have shed their natural color in favor of a dim silvery glow. Probably one of your wolf abilities that even a curse can’t shake, cause humans definitely do this. Fuck, how do you explain?

“W-what? Never seen a beautiful woman’s eyes glow before?”

“Clearly you haven't either.” The jester teases. Smile returning to mock you.

You pout, trying to twist this away from a confession you do not plan to make. “You don’t think I’m beautiful, captain?”

He huffs, rubbing a gloved hand on the back of his neck. “What? No, that’s not what I meant.”

You lean on the marble island in front of you. The material is icy against your folded arms, tilting your head to the side you inspect the man before you while he’s flustered.

His eyes are missing their usual highlight in the darkness, but it makes them all the more alluring. His makeup has been repainted, still the same red smile, matching nose, and blue triangles stemming from his eyes on both the top and bottom. As well as the bones drawn from the top of each cheek to cross on his forehead. But a bit neater than before.

His outfit is similar to the one from yesterday, another striped shirt. But this one has no sleeves, goodness, he probably did this on purpose. His pants are a deep orangey color, the same as the stripes on his shirt that aren't white.

You take your time dragging your eyes up to meet him. Only to notice as he's admiringing you also. Well whatever's dimly lit by your gaze.

“I’m not sure I understand you. Go on, explain yourself.” You hum.

“Fishing for compliments now princess?” He teases, eyes meeting your own now.

“Maybe, it’s been ages you know.” Actually it’s been your whole life. No one’s ever seen you in this form, you spent countless hours in the mirror when you realized how much you had changed. Always wondering what someone might think of you.

“Well, if you insist!” The clown wastes no time before beginning an elaborate speech.

“Princess y/yn, you are certainly one of, if not the most beautiful, stunning, gorgeous women I have ever laid my eyes on. From the tip of your gold tiara to the matching butterflies on your shoes.”

He takes this time to grab a match out from his pants pocket and strikes it. Setting the wax in the few candle holders around alight. He even splits his hands off to light more than one at once.

“Your charming attitude, flattery and cooking had me from the start! And you are most definitely the first to have glowing eyes that I, Buggy The Clown have-”

Aha! That was his name! “Buggy!”

The captain stops, “yes?” One eyebrow raised, clearly confused as to why you’d cut him off mid complement.

Already too embarrassed to explain that you forgot his name till now, you take the opportunity to return the favor.

“I just wanted to say that you are by far the most handsome man I’ve met since… Since I’ve ever cared to look at one! And it is an honor that I get to see you perform in just a few hours truly! So thank you again for that!” Flowery speech isn’t your strong suit, but you do what you can while fighting off the butterflies in your stomach.

“Oh!” He flushes again, if his cheeks weren’t pink before they definitely are now.

“Well of course!” He puffs his chest out. Recovering quickly. “Even royalty can’t help but praise me for my powerful aura and many talents!”

You giggle, standing upright and turning around to inspect your stew. “Yes, and thank you Captain. Now, come try what I’ve got so far.”

~•~•~•~•~•~

By the time you can leave the pot on low heat to simmer, you’re already playing around in the closet. Pulling hair this way, yanking satin that way, stepping into pair after pair of shoes, and fussing with lipstick shades.

Till now you’ve been wearing outfits you’ve seen Princess Lyra in before her passing. She had an affinity for drawing attention to herself and keeping it like a hostage whenever possible. You hope that her teasing attitude bleeds through your first independent step into the fashion world.

It's a floor length gown, the color of blood. It drips down your body like you’ve committed a string of crimes and it’s eager for more. With straps that sit uselessly on your upper arms, dipping to further establish that this is an off-the-shoulder ensemble. From behind you, you can feel the icy air cling to you like a victim of your charm.

You never understood how to tie the elaborate backing of these dresses. They resemble the rear of a corset and that alone is enough to put you off. You were trying to avoid complicated styles for your guests but this one was too lovely to hide away for your big night.

“Hopefully the pirates won’t mind my lack of modesty.” You murmur to yourself, inspecting the thick black stripes of satin that reveal parts of your skin all the way down to the end of your back. If someone was to step on this dress they’d get a view of your ass for sure. You pull at them again, it doesn’t do much but yank at your waist.

Alongside everything else, you’re wearing a gold necklace that’s ruby tear-drop pendant clings to your chest like it’s scared of the cold, a matching pair of earrings. And on your hands and up past your elbows are black opera length gloves. To finish it all, is a pair of dark pumps and your golden tiara of course!

You line your lips with a bleeding red lipstick and grin at the stunning woman in the mirror.

“Goodness, I’m already having fun!”

Just then you hear music playing from below your feet in the ballroom. You click your heels in anticipation but wait for Captain Buggy to fulfill his promise to send someone to get you when they’re ready.

It’s an agonizing few seconds, but there's a knock at the door. With a happy yelp you stand up and open the door.

~•~•~•~•~•~

The ballroom looks even better in the dark. The stripped curtains are cast aglow with circular lights that seem to be powered by the atmosphere alone. They glint and glimmer down onto the rows of elevated wooden benches. In the center of the room, the ring is lit brilliantly with a giant light-source you can’t find. The scent of something buttery finds you and you almost growl with excitement. You didn’t know they brought food.

The music grows louder as you walk deeper, following the stoic pirate before you. His hair matches the tent, if the stripes were green and black, and horizontal on one side. He didn’t say much when he picked you up from your room and hasn’t spoken since. But you’re too stunned by the cheery tunes to be bothered.

You’re glad you left the garden exit open for the pack, because you know you don’t care to get it now. The quiet man before you stops, you catch yourself just before you could bump into him.

“A special seat for our guest of honor.” He says, stepping to the side to present one of the chairs from the dining room. Placed as close to the ring as you believe is safe. You laugh softly and seat yourself.

“Thank you!” You beam. He nods, turning as another crew member arrives with a small bowl of popcorn. You take it gratefully and begin to snack.

“Enjoy the show.” They say in unison.

“I’m sure I will!” You say as they depart to go behind the drawn curtain of the backstage.

Just then you hear a whine from behind you, leaning to the side in your chair you see the wolfpups. Heads tilted and eyes trained on your treat. Behind them is your Aunt, her mate. Their older kids, and your Uncle. They’re all cleaned up, coats of black, brown, and white shimmering in the peculiar lighting.

You can’t understand them like this, but all the wolves wise enough to not beg for food go and sit on a low bench on the left. Sighing at the pups you toss them some of your popcorn, earning you some happy yips and tail wags.

Then the twitter of birds catches your ears. The palace’s blue jays and ravens flutter at your right, squawking at your food as well. “The lot of you are old enough to-”

Then, the chitter of a squirrel, chipmunks and the unmistakable high drone of the racoons. Is that Terry the bear?

“Looks like you lot are a load of loud mouths!” You scold the puppies. They only bark for more popcorn showing no signs of guilt for inviting your other friends.

“Well, I’m out of popcorn!” You huff, letting the furry guests pick from the bowl in turn. They’re at least kind enough to not fight or make a mess of your gift. Once it’s all been eaten they fill the benches on both sides up to the second row.

Another whine? You turn to Lunar, she blinks up at you with her deep dark eyes. Clearly not interested in sitting with the rest of your family. With a hum you pat your lap and she eagerly jumps up to rest on top of you.

“Be quiet during the show okay?” You whisper to her, she barks in reply.

At that moment the music swells, the lights spin and land on two pirates dressed in elaborate diamond patterned costumes of purple and green. They bend and leap in ways that you would consider painful, eventually flipping till they stand in front of you and lift their heads with matching smiles that illuminate the sparkly pink eyeshadow on their beautiful dark skin.

“Welcome!” They greet you, seeming as happy as you are.

You wave at them, Lunar yelps softly, tail wagging against the chair with hushed thumps.

“Tonight prepare to be! Is that a bear?” One of them, a man to the left says, voice quieting down. The lady next to him stiffens, her gaze following his to the filled seats.

“Don’t mind them! They’re as bored as I have been!” You supply, too delighted to wait much longer. They stare at you, exchanging a look as the lady gestures to the backstage and grins harder. Though it seems forced this time. The man sighs and nods.

“Uhm.. Okay then! Prepare to uh, be amazed! As we treat you to-”

The wolf pups start yapping at the sound of a treat. “Quiet! You already ate!” You hiss, they look at you and hold their heads down, silent again. “Sorry, continue!”

“Noo worries… Anyways! Tonight we will t-r-e-a-t you to a night of laughter, joy, thrills, and entertainment!” The man says, spelling out the wake word to avoid any more interruptions.

“And to start! Watch as we perform a series of tricks so fantastic they’re banned from most places this side of the sea!” The lady finishes.

They proceed to do just that! They flip and spin, the gold pipping of their costumes catching the spotlight and glimmering in your eyes. Far too soon for your liking they stop. Only for three more pirates in matching attire join them. Their talents are amplified by the music and the amount of them. Eventually, the song dims down and they all file out as you clap wildly.

The spotlights spin again, as if looking for the next entertainer to come to the ring. Then they launch up and reveal that at some point they drilled holes into your ceiling. Three trapeze artists fly down on smooth white branches, their legs holding them up. Two from either side of the room, and one gripping onto the arms of the performer on the left.

The three of them simply take your breath away, not only at their brilliant ability to fly from one bar to another. But also all the trust that must go into practicing something like that. Again you’re saddened by the swiftness of their departure. The animals join you in cheering this time around. Clearly enjoying this as much as you are.

Once more, the lights look for the next act. They lock into the center of the ring as a foot hops into their glow. Then an ankle. From behind you the other foot, and more and more of the Captain filters in from all directions. He’s dressed in a pair of black pants with a turquoise sash tied around his waist.

His torso flies in, right side then left. Revealing his loose white collared shirt, and the sculpt of his chest from his center to the stump of his neck. The gold buttons on the side of the shirt sit there uselessly, they even go so far as to make the fabric dip. You feel your fingers dig into the chair. Finally, his head plops down from somewhere above you, orange hat catching the light.

You’re almost too stunned to clap, but your body does it automatically for you. Your enthusiasm is so grand that the animals chitter and squawk as well, assuming that something beyond their understanding is happening.

Their praise makes Buggy pause, he looks around at the interesting audience before him. But with a shrug he bows anyways. “Thank you! Thank you! You’re too kind!” He grins, lifting his head, but not the rest of him as the applause dies down. “Well, not tooooo kind! I suppose you can go on.”

You do just that, clapping and cheering again as the forest follows suit. Eventually the Captain brings his body to meet his head and the tent falls silent.

“Now!” He starts, beaming at you under the spotlight. It shines down on him like it was custom made, another part of his outfit even. The glow looks right at home on his handsome face. “Let’s get this show really started!”

~•~•~•~•~•~

Bonus!

You and Buggy laugh your way to the bedroom floor. Despite your drunken state you can still smell what's left of the stew and popcorn downstairs. The sound of animals chattering amongst themselves, as well as the Captain’s crew as they filter out with a wine bottle in each of their hands, heading into the town. And the feel of The clown's arm and side pressed onto you, hot and soothing, as he lets you practically drag him down the darkened hallways.

“And when you told the swans to fuck themselves!” You giggle, Buggy nods, his laughter growing in volume at the thought of his performance just hours ago.

“They deserved it! Came all this way to sit with twigs in their asses!”

You fall into another fit of joy at the joke. Catching the doorknob of your room to steady yourself. “You’re right! They’re so stuck up, the way they talk you’d think they owned the castle.”

Buggy pauses, but joins you in your joy. “Yea! Sure! when they talk.” He shakes his head.

It's free of his hat. His bandanna is loosened by the many drinking games and dances you all engaged in moments ago. When he lifts his head to you it falls right off. Releasing a waterfall of silky blue hair so beautiful it kicks the laugh out of you.

“Oh my!” You resist the urge to run your fingers through it and opt to reach for the fallen garment instead, stepping forwards and bending.

“Oh my indeed.” The Captain hums from behind you. Grabbing the bandana and standing upright you tilt your head at him.

“What was that?”

His face is already glowing red from the many glasses of wine he’s had. He rubs his hand on the back of his neck. Or whatever's available under his hair.

“Don’t worry about it, princess.”

“Well, here you are, this is my stop.” You hum, handing him the stripped fabric. His gloved fingers brush your own and you feel the need to curse whoever invented such modest accessories.

“Yes it is, would you mind walking me to mine?”

You tilt your head. “Captain, surely you can manage that on your own.”

“Maybe if I was a beautiful woman with glowing eyes.”

You roll said eyes and nod your head. The moon may be gone, but you’ve been partying long enough for the sun’s starting rays to shine through the windows down the hall. Though, who can say no to that lovely face? Not you.

“Right this way,” You say, reaching a hand back for him to hold. He takes it and lets out a blissful sigh.

The rest of the night after that is a blur. You found the wine cellar, had a few drinks, arm wrestled someone, won, and danced to a few shanties you've never heard of.

You found yourself listening quite a bit. To shared stories about adventures that sounded outlandish and fascinating, or people and places that proved that you have been locked up for a long long time. Then of course you stumbled your way to the grand suite to drop off the captain.

Right, the captain, that’s who woke you up. You grumble, pulling the blankets off of yourself sliding into your slippers and throwing on a robe from your closet. The dark blue fabric clings to you, protecting you from the chilly night air, more so than the simple nightgown you're wearing underneath it. Satisfied, you step into the moonlit hallway.

You might be able to travel through the castle with your eyes closed, but the pirate who is currently trying to steal your vase isn’t as graceful.

His back is to you, he hasn’t changed yet, only his orange hat is missing from his outfit. The hallway stretches beyond him on both sides, A lone window on the left lets the light of the moon illuminate him.

There’s no way he thought that you wouldn’t hear him. Sure, he’s quite the ways away from the king and queen’s suite. But you can hear everything in this castle. The mice in the kitchen right now, among other things. All that is normal to you though. His grumbling is new, unusual, and stirred you from your slumber.

“Sleepwalking, are we captain?” You hum, startling the thief.

“Oh! Princess y/n, I was juust looking for the little pirates room.” He says, hiding the gold object behind him.

“Uh huh, well the one I showed you hours ago should still be in the room you are supposed to be resting in.”

“So it is!.. Probably, can you blame a man for wanting to take a midnight stroll?”

“Yes actually, but you aren’t.”

“Hah, you caught me! What’d you expect though, letting a pirate into your castle and asking not to be robbed?”

“I expected you to wait till morning.” You yawn, it isn’t timed but it proves your point. “You’re tired, your crews tired, and I haven’t had this much fun in ages. But we both need our beauty sleep, you can steal my stuff tomorrow.”

As you are saying this, you notice that the jester has been surprisingly patient. Looking down you notice his hand still behind his back, though it probably isn’t there anymore. Hell he’s not even listening!

You watch the moon glint in his seablue eyes, as they stare right through you with thought.

He either thinks you’re dumb enough to ramble without clocking his antics. Or he’s so exhausted he can’t even tell that you know what he’s up to. How long has he been up for?

You pout, leaning onto the wall next to you, pushing in a loose stone with your shoulder. It goes in and clicks, releasing a hatch from above the pirate. He startles, splitting in half as an axe lands in the table he was standing in front of.

“What the fuck are you doing?!” He demands, eyes now locked onto you, jaw tightened with irritation as he clicks back together.

You sigh, “You are in my house. I know where my traps and knives and emergency escapes are. I can get from this room to the-”

“Get to the point damnit!”

“Shut it! Take my shit in the morning! I can’t sleep if you're sneaking around and mumbling prices and new jokes to yourself! If you keep me up any longer I’ll kill you… somehow.”

The captain scoffs, taking off his coat.

Damn he has nice arms. You pause, admiring his sun kissed skin, probably from the days spent sailing. The muscle underneath is impressive as well, they look so nice as he flexes- wait-

“Like what you see your highness?” The pirate hums, whatever threat he was planning to use dying of as he winks at you.

You think for a moment, “Yes.”

“Oh, aren’t you a charmer?”

“Even more so when I’m well rested, Captain."

“Well then I better get to bed.” He seems truly flattered by your approval, or he’s just realizing that he might be better off with some sleep.

You beam, pleased either way, clasping your hands and nodding. “Exactly! If I don’t kill you first.”

“Hah, I’d like to see you try.”

You roll your eyes and turn to go back to your chambers. “Maybe in the morning. Come on, rooms this way.” You say, the captain turns around and follows your lead instead of wandering to wherever he was going.

“I knew that..”

~•~•~•~•~•~

Your daily routine is disrupted by many things. For starters, you usually let the sun wake you. Its beams bouncing off the darkwood vanity to your left to disturb your slumber. But today it's yelling.

“No! I said put it over there!”

“Where do you think you’re goin with that?!”

“Who took my backup gloves?”

Ugh, you roll further into the covers. “Haven’t you woken me enough?” You whine, knowing that the captain can’t hear you to reply. But it works in some strange way, the noise dying down as sleep claims you again.

“NO! THE LEFT! LEFT!”

That was the last straw. You huff, stomping into your closet and fishing for something… Distracting.

You adjust your tiara on your head, taking in the sight of you in the vanity. You haven't had much reason for seeing what you look like, not being all that used to the person in the mirror staring back at you. But you’ve seen many others dress this way and you can’t help but understand why.

The transparent black fabric flows off your shoulders and hugs onto your chest, cinching at your waist with a golden butterfly clasp. Before fluffing out at your hips. The layers of dark blue silk underneath stop it from being fully see through, but the mid thigh cut off could make anyone wish that it was. You smile at yourself for the first time in ages, it feels good to dress up for once.

Standing, you slide into a pair of black flats that have matching butterflies on the toes and winding navy blue fabric made to go up your legs in a criss-cross fashion, stopping just below your knees with bows in the back. You catch yourself again in the glimmering full-body mirror by the wood door, has that always been there? You shrug, knowing that it has, and that you look lovely.

The voices were coming from the ballroom, you were sure of that. But when you arrive you can’t tell where the hell you are.

The stone walls are actively being covered by a thick dirty fabric that alternates between red and off-off white stripes; there's a matching elevated red circular ring as tall as your knees taking up the majority of the room.

Surrounding it are two sets of seating arrangements, both about three rows tall and long enough to cut the room into fourths.

The first cut being where you stand. With a view of all the commotion and one row closest to the circle, on both your left and right are the other two, used for the moe elaborate seating.

The fourth is the back wall, the stripped curtain like ..things, flare out to lead to some sort of backstage. You can see some of the people from yesterday juggling between themselves, others are putting on makeup further back. Around the entire space are many of the others you met last night, dancing, some singing, is that person back there about to eat a sword? Has the ballroom always been big enough to fit this sort of attraction?

“No, it’s one two three four and then spin! How many times have you done this?”

The captain stands in the middle of it all, waving his hands wildly and ordering the three performers in front of him around.

“What now?! What are you looking at?” He turns, well his head does, it snips right off at the neck as his eyes land on yours, then travel downwards. You beam, who knew dressing up was so much fun!

“Like what you see, captain?” You hum, matching his tone from last night.

His cheeks catch a red glow, but he frowns, turning this dismembered head to the side.

“You’re ruining your own surprise, your highness.” he hisses

“How could I avoid all this.. Uhm redecorating?”

“By closing your eyes and pluggin’ your ears!”

“But I wanna see!”

The pirate shakes his head, flipping it back around and attaching it back to the rest of him, his hands taking flight to shoo at you. “It’s bad luck to look before everything's set up!”

“I thought that saying only applied to weddings.” You retort, swatting at him.

“Same difference! Go, pick from that pathetic vegetable patch of yours for our lunch or something!”

You roll your eyes, of course he wandered around while you were sleeping. Honestly you’re surprised you feel asleep at all, and through all this. How much did you drink last night? “Fine, fine, I could use a walk.” You mumble, heading towards the kitchen.

~•~•~•~•~•~

You stir over the pile of cookbooks in the left corner of the room, what's left of the sun setting the aged page aglow in your palm. “Two cups of butter, three eggs." No cows, no chickens. “Bottle of milk? Ugh.” You were able to pull off a veggie soup last night, but the dinner options are only gonna dwindle from now on. You chew on your lip and regret eating all the cows and chickens… Sheep! You can still hunt some sheep! Or ask for help while you prep. You let the fall back on top of the pile with a dull thud and go to the garden, trying (and failing) to ignore the yelling clown in the other room as you go through the halls to the garden exit.

~•~•~•~•~•~

After looking around, and listening thoroughly to make sure you’re not being watched, you approach the edge of the garden. The only way forwards from here is into the woods. You feel the cursed magic within you flare up at the border of its hold. Your hand’s twitching, ears straining, teeth feeling dull. With a deep breath you dive into the forest.

It always starts with the top of your head, ears stretching, mouth and nose fusing, hair growing. Then your neck and chest, shrinking, the rest of your bones rearrange quickly after that. Arms bending, legs folding in, tail stemming from above your ass.

It’s not nearly as painful as the first time, almost relaxing now to shift into your true form. The human body you previously occupied lays quietly behind the back hedges of the maze.

The other wolves are deeper inside, feasting on a catch. You can hear the snap of their jaws, and the sting of blood in your nose, swiping your tongue over your fangs you dash towards them. Pounding your paws against the dirt as you reacquaint yourself with your family's domain.

The first to see you is your Aunt. She's lazily gnawing on a fresh bone front legs supporting it as she chomps. Her dark fur is covered with grey splashes, catching the fleeting golden rays like the sun, moon, and stars captured all at once. She sees you and shakes her head, amused.

“I can smell the stink of alcohol on ya kiddo, had fun with your new friends?”

You huff, approaching her with a wagging tail. “Maybe, I don’t remember much of last night though.”

“Sounds like you did then, want any lunch?” She tosses her head towards the rest of the pack. Your cousins happily smother their snouts with blood and gore as they partake in the meal.

“No, but I do need everyone’s help with dinner.”

“What are we catching?”

“Sheep.”

Your aunt rolls her eyes “Not the group of fools in the castle?” She hums, running her fangs over the white bone, clearly considering it.

“No, I’m feeding them actually,”

“Shame, I hear the funny ones are the most delicious.”

You scoff, pushing her cheek with your nose playfully. “Will you?”

She nods, staring off into the woods with a yawn. Around you all is what’s left of the forest this late into the year. Barren trees taking their sweet time to sway in the wind. Bushes with shiny green leaves that have been picked clean of their glowing fruits by the others preparing for hibernation. The pond beyond your family, rippling as someone goes over for a drink. The sun casts an orange hue over the scene, reminding you of your youth.

Speaking of, some of your younger cousins find the strength to part from their meal and run to you.

“Y/n! Y/n! Who came to visit! Can we have some?” The runt of the litter, Lunar, gets to you first, licking her brown muzzle clumsily.

“No, they’re not for eating.” You hum, watching the others arrive.

“What are they good for then?” One of them asks, grey tail wagging with a vengeance.

“Entertainment. They’re putting on a show for me tonight”

“A show! Can we come?” The rest of the pups (5 in total) file in, each more excited than the last.

You think, there's no other way to fill the many seats that the captain has installed. Besides, what’s the harm in treating your pack for getting dinner?

“Sure, I have to go now, but come by the castle after dark. And clean your mouths!” You scold playfully, snapping your jaw at them. The wolf pups cheer and chase each other around, trying to make it to the pond first. Your Aunt laughs, nodding at you as you leave.

It feels strange to leave so soon, but you do have to cook.

~•~•~•~•~•~

Changing back is nothing notable, besides the chill within your human form. You dust yourself off and head to the kitchen to see what you can do.

When you first woke up in your human form you had no intention of using the stove. But eventually you craved the little scraps that Lyra would feed you when you were both little and tried to figure out how to read a recipe book. It took a few years, but now you can proudly say that you cook almost as well as a royal chef. (More or less.) The sheep will have to do. Surely pirates won’t mind a little wolf drool in their dinner. Certainly not if you don’t tell them.

~•~•~•~•~•~

Bonus!

“What’s his name?” Your aunt asks, the two of you are by the pond while you wait for the water to boil.

“Who?”

“The leader of the clowns.”

“Oh!” You look out at the moonlit water, lazily rippling in the slow wind and reflecting the bright night sky. “I don’t remember.”

You Aunt barks out a laugh that sinks to a howl. You feel your ears press against your head and huff.

“I was so excited! And he said so many other things at the same time and then there was dinner and I can hardly remember what happened before I fell asleep.” Your rambling does nothing to quiet her chuckles, if anything she’s laughing harder.

“If,” She manages between howls. “If you ever find out, tell me.”

~•~•~•~•~•~

The day starts like all the others.

First. Read a little of whichever book isn't too far down the pile to reach.

This morning you feel inclined to look through an old collection of fairy tales. Feeling reminiscent, as you thumb through the pages. The book's chilly hard spine cools the palm of your hand as your fingers stiffen in the icy air of your room. The titles of the tales drip by you, The Frog Prince, Little red riding hood, The Place Where All The Mice Went. And more. You decide to read the last of the titles you see and spend the early morning reading aloud to yourself. Your hands get colder by the minute while the rest of your body drinks in the heat of your big blanket. Eventually you finish the story and place the book on top of your dictionary from yesterday.

Second. Look out the window.

The sun stares back at you high above the few clouds that stuck around for today. The forest yawns beyond your view of the maze's side. The hedges have grown into something similar to a city for the smaller animals. Chipmunks, raccoons, and the like. They all enjoy your occasional visits and do their best to communicate, dissipate the language barrier you have in this form. As for the rest of the animals in the forest… The birds like you plenty, they’re glad that they got free access to the bread and grain you had no use for in the first few years after the attack. The deer, sheep, and prey animals feel the same way they’ve always felt about you. Frightened, for good reason, a girl's gotta eat right? And the wolves? Well they’re family. You had visited them just a few days ago, but it doesn’t hurt to go back and chat so soon, does it?

A harsh wind rattles the window, the glass shakes against the gold bars and the white curtains shift ever so slightly.

Maybe later.

Third. Decide what to do.

Since you daydreamed in the dining room yesterday, you can’t seem to get the idea of dancing out of your head. You even dreamt that you were at a party. Though it was for a giraffe’s birthday, and you were wanted for treason, but you got away by… Hm, you couldn’t recall. Still, your subconscious was clearly desperate to do something with the day besides cooking and tending the garden. Maybe you can go to the ballroom? Sweep it out and play pretend again like you used to.

For the first few months after everything went to shit you acted like nothing happened. Chatting to staff that weren't there and demanding treats and attention like you always had. But it was no use, it only made you feel like the place was haunted. When you noticed the way your hair would stand on end, searching for eyes that weren't there. Your ears catching the scrape of a branch on a window and mistaking it for the call of someone you loved. That's when you stopped playing and began tending to the castle and learning what you could to reconnect to the place you adore so much, in a more healthy way of course.

Anyways, it sounds like you're sweeping the ballroom today. Perhaps if the weather calms down you can visit the pack.

Fourth. Get dressed.

Sweeping called for something short, you can already feel the muck of the party center clinging to any floor length gown you own.

Searching the grand closet is always fun. The walls are painted over to be white. Though, the only way to see the paint is to crane your neck up to the ceiling where they come together at the top for the sake of a circular window that soaks the place through with pure sunlight. Everything else is smothered with fabric, lace, silk, cotton, and more. An array of patterns and colors still striking and vibrant after all this time.

You settle on a knee length, pale green one. Under the many layers of winter gear, stockings, long sleeved shirts and more, the dress bounces out at your waist, with a square cut top to show off what would be your neck and arms if not for the collection of fabric you are under. Satisfied, you leave the closet and your room.

Fifth. Do it.

~•~•~•~•~•~

You are well into the final step now. The sun blasting through the giant windows of the ballroom as you sweep. Your thoughts from yesterday linger around you like the swirling dust.

“Lights, music, laughter..” You mumble dragging the broom through the dirt.

“Someone run and catch her, the princess of it all, for her we made this ball.” You sing, adding to the pile of filth that you created at the center of the room.

It has almost overtaken the royal crest that is carved into the white marble floors. The tree from outside is captured in an abstract art form and pressed into everything that the royal family saw fit. This floor, the white and blue tapestry hanging on the spaces of wall that aren’t already smothered with elaborate art works and portraits, the bottom of the cups, everything.

“For the princess, we’ll make any call! she's running off again, someone-”

“Is it locked?” A voice, muffled by the walls and years of isolation. But the sound is true. Deep, irritated, nasally. But a voice at all!

The broom clatters to the floor, yet somehow you dash out of the room faster. Slippers pounding on the marble as you scramble to the main entrance. Someone! Anyone! Finally! Some fucking company!

You’ve heard many things that tricked you into thinking that a single soul had found your castle. Stray cats meowing, wolves howling their goodnights, branches snapping, your own sleep talking even, but now you can scoff at those mistakes. Cause nothing is like the real thing. You’re almost surprised that you can register human voices anymore. But ecstatic all the same.

“Well I don’t know! Aim a cannon at it!” The voice calls, searing hot enough to make you almost hesitate.

But your body takes no note of what your mind requests as you practically leap onto the lever to open the grand door. It shakes under you, the gold mechanism slotted into the dark stone walls and its deep wooden handle have been untouched for too many years to count. (You’ve tried.) But with a force you don’t recall having, it gives way. Groaning loudly as the left door to the castle opens letting in the chilly air and knocking the wind out of you.

Landing on the ground with a thump you hiss. Grateful for the layers you’re wearing but upset that you didn’t pile on some more to break your fall.

“Great! Don’t tell me this place is haunted too!”

“Not haunted! Just empty.” You call, lifting yourself up and dusting off the back of your dress.

“How can it be empty if-”

You don’t know what to think first. Of course there's the squeaky ball on his face, the loud makeup surrounding it, the red smile. But there is also the wild blue hair, matching eyes, and… a fascinating outfit, stripes, fur, what might have once been silk, plus the hat. Is being a pirate still a thing people did? And good gracious he’s awfully tall!

“A stowaway?” He asks, though you're sure it's rhetorical. His expression slips from confusion into a wide grin.

“No, I am y/n l/n. Princess of the Blue Tree kingdom. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.. Sir?”

“Captain.” He corrects, You haven't thought it possible, but the man’s smile grows as he pulls off his orange hat and bows dramatically. Revealing his stripped bandana and letting the long flowy blue tassels on either side of the cap drape onto the floor.

“Captain Buggy The Clown, The Genius Jester, The future king of pirates!”

With each title he stands taller and taller, putting his hat back on, laughing as he takes steps till the two of you are an arms length apart.

“Now,” He gestures to the empty castle, “did the royal family sail off for vacation and leave you behind or somethin’?”

“No, the kingdom was attacked ages ago..” You look past him, seeing a small group of others in similar apparel. Is this a new trend?

“Attacked?” He barks a laugh, his ‘crew’? Joining him. “But everything's still here. Every house in the village and town might be tossed around a bit but there’s not even a speck of blood or anything. Be honest with me princess; did you have something to do with it?” The clown hums, his arm tossed casually over your shoulder.. But he's still over there-

“No! I- Goodness! It’s detached!”

He feigns shock, looking at the part of his shoulder where the sleeve of his coat would follow and sees it free from the burden of flesh and bone. “So it is! Now start talking.” His voice dips low, separated hand now equipped with a knife you hadn’t seen pointed towards your face. You panic, pivoting to a trick you love to use.

“Well, this is certainly no way to treat a lady. Much less a princess such as myself. Captain The Clown, If you dismiss your threat I will gladly offer you and your.. Associates a feast.”

The knife twitches, you see his eyes scan yours, his mouth pulled into a pressed frown, though the paint insists he’s still smiling. You can see it, the gears working in his head. If this man is a pirate he must be going through a rough patch in order for him to be considering your offer. A few more seconds pass, someone coughs, and with a sigh he pulls his arm back to the rest of him with a hoot. “Alright your highness! But this better be good.”

“Really?” You ask, more to yourself than anyone. But the captain hears you.

“Well I could capture you if you insis-”

“No! A feast, You all look starved.” You wave to the group, they wave back, though you can tell they seem as confused as you are. “I have some meat stored in the freezer, and.”

“No, no, no.” The jester interrupts, his fingers wagging with each rejection.

“We don’t need to know where all that is, princess.”

“Yes you do, how can”

Again he wags his fingers. “You offered us a feast. Didn’t say anything about who’d cook. And we are guests of the kingdom. Would you really make your guests cook their own meal, your highness?”

Another rhetorical question. “I suppose I can make an exception, though, you must speak with me afterwards to negotiate.” You say, not really sure of how to navigate this.

“Negotiate what?”

“Your stay! If this is all the people you have, and the lot of you are willing to sleep in a ghost town for dinner. Then I can’t imagine that you’re in any shape to sail off after one meal.”

He laughs again, even going so far as to shake his head to and fro, shimmying the tassels and holding his stomach. Just as you go to speak, sure that you’ve gone too far; He stops abruptly, standing upright and sighing.

“You’re sharp, I’ll give you that. Fine. You feed us, then we can negotiate.”

“Alright! The dining room is this way!”

With a pep in your step you lead the crew. Happy enough to notice that the hall candles have not been lit in ages. You know this place like the back of your hand. But if this group is to spend any time here they’ll need the guidance. You wonder, have candle sticks always looked so lovely in the afternoon light.

“Lots of artwork here, your highness.” The clown muses, taking his time to stroll towards the dining hall.

“Yes, all from artists who once lived in the kingdom.”

“How cute!” He giggles.

Eventually the lot of you arrive, the captain and his crew waste no time getting comfortable. The sight of people seated in your castle, despite their rambunctious take over of the hall, warms your heart. With a beaming grin you announce to the group that you’ll be back shortly after cooking.

~•~•~•~•~•~

“Alight princess. What do you want?” Captain The Clown asks, currently seated across from you.

The royal office was never your favorite room. The dark green decor and deep wooden table always stirred you the wrong way. Like it was taken from some other place and stitched in. The plush of your chair feels too stiff, the windows behind you have their curtains drawn, too dusty to move without sparking a coughing fit. Leading to only the dozens of candle sticks at the door behind your guest illuminate the room. Well, those and the two that were on either end of the desk.

They highlight the captain well though, his red smile matching the wide grin he’s giving you. His chilling eyes catch the light just right. And the ridiculous way he insisted on sitting on the chair before you is certainly-

“Hellooooooo?” He waves his gloved hand in front of you, flicking your forehead. “What, you serve people for the first time in your life and stop workin’?”

You shoo his detached hand and pout, much to his entertainment. “Sorry, ahem, I want to offer you everything. Within reason.”

This catches his attention, he leans forwards a bit. “Everything?”

“Within reason! The art for example. I’m sure that it's worth something. That and all the other treasures around the castle. Not to mention the wine cellar-”

“You didn’t! Where-”

“No!” You wag your finger like he did in the morning, “My turn to interrupt!” He rolls his eyes and sits back.

“If you and your crew were to try and bring everything of value and sail off, I can guarantee that you’d sink before the sun sets. You were right. Nothing was stolen in the attack, so there are years and years of treasures piled in so many nooks and crannies I probably couldn’t name them all! So, you and your crew can take all that you can safely carry. Not only that, but they are more than free to sleep in and even redecorate any of the houses in the kingdom. And finally, you Sir Captain The Clown, can sleep in one of the castle's guest rooms. Hell you can even have the king and queen’s suite.”

Though you thought that with each promise, the jester would lighten up, or smile. But as you went on he only seemed to grow more on edge. Eyes scanning, mouth twitching, fingers tapping. Slowly, he hums. “Whats in it for you?”

You pause, the idea of company is good enough for you to toss aside your kingdom's many beloved artifacts. You assume that sharing a meal with others and having some help around the castle is the reason that you went on with it. But something stirs in you, it takes a second, then it sinks in. Company is one thing, but comedy is another, entertainment. That's what you wanted.

“You’re a clown right?”

The captain huffs “Duh! Did you not listen to me introduce myself? You think I said all that for shits and giggles?”

“Perfect! You can also have the whole ballroom! I want the performance of a lifetime!”

“In exchange for allllll that stuff you said? Plus the ballroom?”

“Yes.”

Again, he seemed underwhelmed with the things you are providing, confused even.

It irks you. You know this deal is too good to be true, but can’t he see that you’re desperate? That you’re miserable? Dejected? Sullen?

Well no, not really those things you’re.. You’re. You search his face for a way to explain. It seems like he’s studying you as well. His eyebrow raised slightly, his fingers itching to part from his hands. They probably could. His frown pulled further with thought. For goodness sake can’t he see that you’re “BORED! I’M FUCKING BORED!”

Finally! You’ve figured out what you’ve been feeling all these years. Sure you saw the word in every dictionary and syllabus. But it didn’t seem right then. How foolish you were.

Captured by your euphoria you fall into a fit of laughter. “Captain The Clown, I, Princess y/n am bored out of my fucking mind!” You rock the terrible chair back and forth as you rant “I can’t do it anymore! This castle, the garden, the wine, the wolfpack, all of everything hasn’t been able to cure me of this terrible boredom! In exchange for everything stated! I beg that you perform for me! I demand that you entertain me!”’

This finally clicks something in the captain. Without any haste he’s laughing alongside you. So hard he has to wipe the tears away with his gloved hand.

“HAHA Why didn’t you just say so! You’re highness, I assure you that my crew and I can entertain you, give you a show so spectacular, you won’t be bored again for another ten thousand years!”

“Thank you! I’ll write up the agreement over breakfast, go ahead and tell your mates the good news and I will show you to your suite after.”

~•~•~•~•~•~

Lonely isn't the word for what you feel. It isn't isolated either. Or outcast, rejected, abandoned, forgotten, unpopular… or any of the words this dictionary seemed to hold. With a sigh, you place the book alongside the growing pile of english related texts beside your bed. Maybe you feel friendless? Romantically neglected? Whatever word meant that your bed is too big for one person. “Solitary?” You wonder aloud. Throwing the thick pale blue comforter off of yourself and sliding into your slippers.

The sun is already high in the sky, leaking out of the parted white curtains like a lazy river. You shiver, both from autumn’s chill, and also from the thought of wasting another day in bed with a book. Not like you had much else to do though. Besides some laundry, and dinner won’t cook itself.

Stretching, you turn to the closet and get ready for the day ahead. Or what was left of it.

~•~•~•~•~•~

First was the clothes, washing them and leaving them out to dry as much as they could before nightfall. Then dinner… An assortment of veggies you couldn't be bothered to cut up, carrots, potatoes, lettuce, something else green. And wine from the cellar. Truly, the dinner of a princess. If you can even call yourself that.

Crunching on a carrot, you run your fingers over the chipped tiara on your head. Feeling the cool metal relaxed you more than anything else.

“A castle and a crown, what more could a princess need. A castle and a crown, that's good enough for me.” You hum, between chews. Soothing yourself as the day passes through the large window of the dining area.

If you squint and stay still for long enough its almost like before...

`~`~`~`~`~`

The castle's royal colors practically spilled off of the plush backs of the chairs around you. Casting a pale and navy blue background behind whichever nobles were seated for the royal feast.

The white curtains pulled back to let in the bright rays, as they illuminate the gold of everything. The table, the plates, the supposed-to-be-silverware.

The symphony of voices swirling around you as you leaned in to hear what your friend was telling you about each of the boastful individuals who had come to partake that night.

Gossip spilled from everyone's lips like the never-ending flow of wine in each cup.

The smell of fresh food made you almost drool. Chicken, steak, stew, and the dessert table of course!

The feel of the floor beneath you in the ballroom, being completely unable to hear the click of anyone's shoes under the music. You spun and spun till someone barked at you to stop.

`~`~`~`~`~`

The laughter, the joy, the company, the entertainment. God what you would do to have some entertainment right now.

But you don’t have any. It’s only you in this room, this castle, this whole fucking island is empty of anything but yourself, the wildlife, and the garden out back.

The garden!

You stand up abruptly, your chair landing behind you with a dull thud as the plush mets marble. Oh all the weeding you had put off until today, and water! How could you forget the water!

Leaving the sorry excuse for a meal behind you dash for the back exit of the castle.

The faces of past rulers held in shimmering portraits on the dark stone walls watch you fumble through the halls. Pulling up the white carpet and nearly knocking off the gold vases from their places on the matching delicate tables they are on. The many tall windows loom over you, broadcasting the sun's departure from your side as you crash out into your garden. It was well taken care of usually. But the shorter days always got you off track in the beginning of the cooler months.

Luckily these plants didn’t need all that much tending. The soil was still soft enough for the water to sink in. And though you pushed it off, there wasn’t much weeding to do.

Slowly, the moon took shift as you worked in the back of the castle.

From the grand wood doors to the dirt path lined with overgrown hedges. Into the veggie pit, or at least that's what you called it. A heart shaped patch, the size of your room or maybe a hair smaller, of flowerbeds you dug up so you could keep yourself fed. Without having to tend to the larger royal vegetable garden that had been destroyed all those years ago.

Surrounding the veggies are the flowers that are most determined to survive. Currently that is a variety of purple flowers with long, wide, petals and yellow centers. As well as a selection of white and pink ones that resembled balls of fluff.

Beyond the pit is the maze of hedges, you hadn’t bothered trimming them or even going in for ages. It was a pain to navigate back then and hasn't gotten any easier. All you need is the remaining flowers, and the large tree behind the pit.

It's one of the few in the forest that had any leaves left in this weather. But its navy bark, branches, and pale blue leaves put everything else on the island to shame. This tree has humbly carried your swing on one of its low branches for countless years now. Your parents used to tell you that it was there before the castle itself, before the kingdom, before the sea too. You don’t know if you believe them. But the thought comforts you all the same. Seeing the royal colors bloom from it with ease, like nothing ever happened.

When you sit on the icy wood bench and listen to the rusted chains groan as you swing. It feels like everything is okay. Sure the island is empty, the castle has never looked more neglected, and you had failed at your one soul purpose… But, the tree is standing tall, as if it's proud of you for lasting long enough to sit under it. Year after year.

Plus, you still have her crown.

~•~•~•~•~•~

Eventually it had grown too dark for your eyes to focus, which made bringing in the damp clothes difficult. Not to mention the titanic struggle of finding a place to leave them till morning. But despite it all, you were able to crash into your room. Wash the dirt off and flop back into bed like no time passed at all.

You should have known it would be like this when you saw his outfit.

From his large tiger print coat, to his zebra pants and dark red silk shirt, with his hat on top of course. Buggy's bright palette stands out against the hues of green and brown that are hidden within the glass enclosures that you walk past. 

You grip onto the stuffed animal he had just bought for you in a giftshop, among many other things, all paid for after he juggled a few bottles of nail polish for your viewing pleasure.  Noting the plushie in your clutches, the pirate beams, 

“You know, lion cubs are born with spots, but they disappear when they grow up!”

“Wow Buggy, that's fascinating!” You say for probably the third time in the hour.

“Mhm! I have a Lion on my ship! His name is Richie and he can dance, not as well as me of course! But he tries.”

“Yes Buggy I know, I live there too.”

“Right! Well, did you know that…”

It was one fact after the other, to the point that you think Buggy studied for this date.

It wouldn't have been a surprise since he had gone pretty far out of his way to find the zoo the two of you are currently strolling through. The place itself is lovely, animals clearly well taken care of and content with being watched by droves of strangers, they play with the toys in their enclosures or simply stare back happily.

A swift breeze flies by as you think to yourself, the air tusseling the tassels on Buggy’s hat and catching the loose fabric of his pants. 

Around you people laugh and chat, well those who aren’t looking at the animals, or Buggy. Although, their stares are less than frightened as the wanted Captain's focus seems to be almost entirely on you as he rambles.

“Y’know, zebras stripes are like human finger prints? No two are the same! If you want I could snatch one up for you and we can see if we find another like it.”

“Haven’t you got me enough things, Captain?” You ask, looking at the array of shopping bags that decorated the pirate's arms. 

He refused to let you carry a single one, and he had some sort of sixth sense for finding souvenir shops. Anything you looked at for more than a second was being wrapped up and paid for before you could even turn to ask his opinion. The silly clown ended up buying many gifts for himself without knowing it. 

“Impossible!” He laughs, voice bright, but tense.

“If that’s the case then let's snatch up some lunch instead of an unsuspecting animal.” You hum, walking towards one of the food attractions. 

Buggy follows after you quickly, nearly tripping over himself to go ahead of you and pull out one of the bright yellow chairs that matched the tables for two that surround the small sunbleached red building. 

“Here ya go! I can order for us if you’d like!” The jester beams.

“You don’t have to-”

“Nonsense! I insist! I  can even balance the trays on my head! Lemme show you-”

“Actually,” You start, placing a hand on Buggy’s weighed down arm. “I’d like to join you in line.”

“But what about your gifts! Someone might steal them!”

You take his gloved hand into your own and tilt your head. 

“Who would dare steal from Captain Buggy the Clown?”

The clown sputters, trying and failing to hide how flustered your simple touch and praise has made him. With bright pink cheeks he smiles big and lets the bags fall from his chopped arms.

“You’re right! No one in their right mind would try to take from my treasure trove!!” He shouts, chest puffed with pride as he glares at the few fellow zoo-goers who made the mistake of looking over at the two of you. 

With a hushed laugh, you go up to order.

Once settled back at your table, Buggy had left a hand to hold all the handles of the shopping bags together as a way to demonstrate his strength, despite his confidence that no one would take anything.

You have to admit, it is impressive, but you didn’t come here to be impressed. You want to spend time getting to know your flashy Captain, but he keeps treating every minute of your date like a one-man-show that brings him closer to the brink of exhaustion with each trick. Even now he’s trying to convince you that he should buy more hotdogs so he can make you a palace out of them.

“With a moat an’ everything! How many do you think that would take? Fifty?  No One hundred! Can we ask them for a hundred hotdog-”

“Captain.” You sigh, squinting the sunlight out of your eyes as you face him.

The clown bristles, feeling the shift in your tone and curling in on himself slightly as if his extravagant outfit can take over the rest of the date for him.

“Yes??” 

“What was your favorite exhibit from today?”

“Oh! The penguins were pretty nice!”

You nod, eager to shift the conversation onto his interests. “I like when they go on their tummies and slide!”

“I can do that too y’know!”

“.... Slide down a hill on your stomach?”

“Mhm! Is there one nearby? I can show you!”

The jester snips his head off and starts looking around for a suitable place to toboggan.

“No no that’s not-”

“Aha! Watch this!” Buggy calls, already running off to demonstrate his abilities.

☆

“That tree came out of nowhere I swear! Once you’re done patching me up I’ll go back and swerve it!”

It's a good thing that you're the ship's medic.

“That’s not necessary, Buggy.”

“Then I’ll add that trick to the next big show and you can watch me-”

“Buggy…” You huff, throwing away the packaging from the bandages you just applied to the cut on his forehead. 

The ship sways familiarly under your feet and you take a seat across from the clown in your spinny stool, looking up at him as he sits on the medical cot. His coat hangs off the foot of the green bed, and his hat is placed right on top of it. His shirt is pulled open a bit, the silk parting to reveal his pecs and blue chest hair. 

You pry your eyes off of the sculpt of your Captain and look into his sea colored eyes, noting the nervous tint to them. 

“Yea?” He asks, your name following his hesitant reply as if he’s scared that saying it too loud will cause you to leave him in the infirmary alone.

“I really, really like you.”

….

He stares at you like you’ve asked to crawl into his pants and live there forever. 

Jaw slacked, eyes wide, brows furrowed in confusion. Still as a statue. As if moving would snap the lovely illusion you’ve made for him. The light from the window makes his hair glow, casting a dim gold hue into his shocked irises. For the first time since you met him he sits completely motionless. 

“Bug-”

“You- I- Of course you do! Hahaha!!” 

Just like that he snaps back into his usual self, chest puffed out with pride as he regains his animated posture. You smile and nod eagerly. Taking this as a sign, the pirate speaks again.

“Whaat exactly made you say that?” He asks shakily, as he leans back on his wrists, hands chopped off to tap his fingers against one another in front of you. 

“I’ve always admired you, Captain, I was really happy when you agreed to go out with me, you know.”

“And now? I ah- didn’t mess everything up by getting my head bashed in by that tree right?”

While asking this, Buggy moves to hide in his coat again, but realizes he isn’t wearing it right now, leaving him to look painfully vulnerable in your gaze.

“Of course not.” You stand up, slowly taking the Captain’s face in your hands.

“I just wanted to spend the day with you Buggy, you didn’t have to do all those tricks and stuff for me. I like you especially when you’re just relaxing. Don’t get me wrong! Your talents and everything are part of your charm! It’s just.. If we end up together I don’t want you to feel like you gotta do a flip every time I walk into a room.”

Again, the stillness threatens to overtake the pirate, but instead he leans into your touch. Placing a hand on your cheek.

“Reallllyyy?”

“Mhm!”

“What if I want to do a flip every time you walk into a room?”

You scoff, pinching his cheek softly.

“Don’t forget, I am a Buggy pirate. So I will always be willing to join you when you feel like performing. I can announce your acts or something.”

“That you are! I’m sure you’ve got plenty of hidden talents I haven’t seen yet.”

“Mhm… If you want,” You start, stepping closer and pressing a kiss to the Captain’s flushed face. “I can give you a private show right here, as a thank you for all the little productions you put on for me today.”

Buggy giggles nervously, hands pulling you in by the waist, as if looking for reassurance that this is real, that you’re actually gripping onto the fabric of his shirt and looking at him so pretty.

“What type of show?” He whispers, leaning in slightly. 

“The type where you sit back and take everything I give you.” You hum before going in for a kiss.

~•~•~•~•~•~

“Just one hand Buggy?” You pout, gripping said hand like it would up and leave if you loosened your grip for even a second. 

Your lover rolls his eyes groggily, not having left the bed yet, but knowing well enough to put some distance between your bodies as he tries to leave for the day. 

“That’s enough to please you if I’m remembering the other night correctly.” he retorts, voice dragged down to a soft growly hum that makes you feel all the more clingy. 

You huff at his innuendo and scoot closer to him, cupping his cheek in your grasp and running your thumb over his stubble. “Today is different, I want allll of you sweetness! Can’t sleep without ya!” 

Buggy smirks,”Beg for me a little more?”

“Please baby?” You say, wasting no time before giving into the clown’s request. “I’ll miss you so much in this big bed alone!” 

To emphasize your point, you roll onto your back and spread an arm out rubbing yourself against the soft blue sheets as if making a snow angel. Buggy smiles at your antics and presses a kiss to your intertwined hands, still blinking the sleep out of his eyes. The glow of the moon struggles to find you in his darkened room, but you’re certain it’s still well into night time out there.

While you're distracted with wiggling and trying to calculate the hour of day, Buggy pulls himself from the bed and makes it two steps away before you’re pulling at him.

“Pretty please! Think of all the amazing dreams you’ll have when you come back to bed!” You insist, popping his other hand off of his body. Turning back with an amused expression, Buggy shuffles out of his pajama shirt with what he’s got while replying.

“Think of all the flashy dreams you will have when you go back to bed.” He suggests with a yawn, getting his shirt off.

“It won’t be the same if you’re not starring in them, my love!” 

“Whats this? You can’t conjure up the image of me without havin’ me present? Am I so fleeting from your mind?” Buggy tosses an arm across his forehead, throwing his head back as if his fainting couch isn’t in his office.

Though, the dark wood floor would certainly be more uncomfortable to dramatically fall into. Not to mention the cacophony of noise that would result in all the treasures and piles of miscellaneous gold, gems, pearls, and the like that spill from every surface if he was to fall to the floor and disrupt them. 

“That’s not what I’m trying to say!” You huff, reaching out for him. At his he peeks an eye out from under his arm and sends over a hopping leg, still dressed in his red shorts. It climbs into bed with you and entangles itself with your own.

“Not enough!” You protest, watching as the jester sits at his vanity, pouting when you notice that he stole a hand back from you to touch up his makeup, and light a few candles. 

“Hey I need that too! And your torso and your head and-”

“I think we’ve been spoilin’ them too much.” Buggy murmurs loudly to his reflection, sending you a teasing glance and a wink in the mirror. 

“Asshole,” You grumble, sinking into the sheets as he continues to get ready. 

☆

You wake with a start as you feel Buggy’s leg try to slither out from under you.

“Hey, watch it! You almost woke them.” He says, scolding the limb as it successfully leaps into his pants. 

“Just where do you think you’re going?”

The Captain looks from you to his leg and back again. “Look what ya did!”

“Give it back Buggy.” You whine, ignoring his conversation with his rouge limbs. Even going so far as to bat your lashes at him while also trailing your gaze up from his brown shoes to the waterfall of seablue tassels coming from his hat. 

“Aw don’t do that to me honey,” He huffs, turning his head away from your gaze. His makeup is the same as usual, but without your kola grip on him, Buggy was able to add extra glitter that catches the fleeting light in a way that makes you all the more insistent on having him close.

“Please my handsome clown, I wanna feel you against me.”

“Ah-” He puts his hands up as if trying to make an invisible wall to hide from your pleas.

“I’ll play with your hair.”

“Ah-” He pushes himself against the closed door like it’s the only thing holding him up against the power of your words.

“And you can rest your head on my chest.”

“Ah!” He pulls apart at the seams, but doesn’t move an inch towards you, body parts hovering in the air.

“I just want to spend the morning with the one I love, is that a crime?”

At that he crumbles to the floor with a groan.

“And if it is?” He asks, detached head still facing the wall away from you, his eyes screwed shut to avoid being pulled in by the sight of you under the covers.

“Since when are you against things that are illegal?” You scoff, raising an eyebrow.

“Maybe I’ve turned into a new leaf!”

“That’s not how the saying goes.”

“I’m making my own ones!” In a moment of risk, he opens his eyes and you pull the blanket back, reminding him that you had stolen one of his shirts to sleep in last night. The sight strikes another howl of false pain from him. He sends a hand to fumble with the door knob, while the other covers his eyes again. 

“Now, darling, I’m sure Mohji is waiting for-”

“What’s this!” You cry, joining him in the dramatics, “You’re leaving me for the lion tamer?”

“Don’t Be Ridiculous!" He screeches, pulling himself back together at the accusation.

“You’re right, Mohji can't possibly handle you alone, the uni-cyclist is probably waiting for you as well,” Wiping imaginary tears you spare your lover a glance and hold in a smirk at his mortified expression. “At least carry me to the cuck chair-”

“ENOUGH!” He cackles stomping over to you. Between giggles you pretend to cry over the scandal and he shakes his head at you wrapping the blankets around your frame.

“If I let you nap on the fainting couch will you drop this?” He asks, when you both catch your breath from the laughter that had overtaken you. 

“Fainting couch, a hand, and your entire bottom half.”

“Will you behave?”

“Only time will tell.”

“.... Deal.”

“So then! It was all for nothing because some fucking IDIOT lost my shit anyways! People put names on things for a FUCKING REASON!” You scream out towards the shore. Fists curling the blue and white star patterned blanket under you into little balls.

Besides you, Buggy nods in agreement. Sipping from his glass of rum while trying and failing to hide the small smirk on his lips as it’s illuminated by the full moon's light. 

Nights like this are always fun, it feels like the sun goes down early in an attempt to hide from your rage, and Buggy wastes no time preparing a picnic basket and some snacks, the drinks are up to you, or whichever crewmate you happen to descend upon during your fit. 

It was a shock to the Captain when you came to him for the first time during one of your off days; managing an infirmary with a ton of circus performers/pirates as your patients could throw anyone into a tizzy. Before you two became as comfortable in your relationship as you are now, you would shut the door to your medics room and screech at anyone who dared to be injured while you were fuming. It was pure luck that your lover managed to avoid you on days like this till you felt more safe showing this side of yourself to him. And to your pleasant surprise, he loves it. 

“Who lost it darling? We’ll leave them at the next port and not look back.” He hums, patting your shoulder with a disembodied hand. You soften your expression and sigh.

“I’ll tell you in the morning, just the thought of them is pissing me off more.”

He laughs in response, laying back against the blanket and pushing your plates and drinks to the side with a symphony of clinks and clacks. 

“Anything else you want to ramble about?” 

“That FUCK-ASS chief of staff! the absolute shithat was ruining my organization! Just tossing my stuff left and right while looking for someone’s file or something! Then! He had the fucking AUDACITY to act like patient doctor confidentiality wasn’t a thing when…”

Part of why Buggy loves nights like this is because you always seem so cool and collected. Not batting an eye when crewmates would shuffle in with stab wounds or lion scratches, scorched mouths or joints that wouldn’t snap out of whatever position they had been pulled into. So, getting to see you scream and kick while spewing profanities felt like a right of passage to the clown. He finally, and successfully made it into your heart, and he plans to take damn good care of it. If that means taking one night every month or so to land on a quieter island and set up a ‘picnic date of fury’, then so be it. He enjoys watching you ramble away. 

As you hoot and howl about whatever stunt Cabaji had pulled earlier in the week, Buggy inches closer to you, one disassembled body part at a time. His second reason for loving a night like this is the moment after you crash. 

From the big meal you two shared, to the drinks, and the weight of your emotions, you huff and puff till you eventually fall all the way down and land with your head on his shoulder. Or in tonight's case, on his chest as you both lay down, eyes facing the stars. 

“And he thinks that I’m not to be trusted with sensitive information? What a biiitch.” You finish, clinging onto Buggy's striped shirt and absentmindedly playing with his scarf, twirling the purple fabric around your fingers. 

“A bitch indeed! I’ll have to bring that up during our next meeting.”

“I hope you do! Drag his ass through the mud, see if he ever come into my fucking infirmary uninvited again.”

Buggy chuckles and pats your head, making you look up at him. Despite your enraged yapping, each time you spin to see that he’s still there and listening, your gaze softens immediately. As angry as you are, none of your frustrations stem from the man next to you. In fact you find that after a night like this one, they’ve fizzled out almost completely thanks to your beloved jester, and he drinks that lovesick look in like ice cold water on a hot day. 

You take a deep breath and scoot up to press a kiss to one cheek then the other, earning a smile from him, then his nose, and before he can fuss, you pull him into a bright kiss on the lips. 

Pulling back before you were quite ready to move on, Buggy sends you a mischievous smirk. “And here I thought I was the dramatic one.” He hums, wrapping an arm around you.

“You are! This is a once in a while type of thing!”

“Sure sure, but what happens when Cabaji tries to move his bed into your office? It’ll be an every night thing.”

“When He Does What?”

“Kidding! I’m just kidding!” Buggy cackles, hiding his face on your shoulder. “Could you imagine?” He giggles, earning a scoff from you.

“I’d gut him.”

“Bet you would.”

You quiet down for a moment, laying your head back to admire the sparkly blue picnic basket and the mess of plates that had at one point  held your shared meal. The edges of the blanket dip into the sand, and the sound of the waves soothes  your mind. Bringing your gaze back to Buggy, you find that he is already looking at you, sea colored eyes crinkling gently at the edges, long dark lashes ticking his blue eyebrows.

“Thank you again, for preparing this and listening to me, Bug, it means a lot.”

Buggy grins, his painted smile is a little smudged from dinner, but the stars capture his handsome expression with ease. 

“You’re very welcome. I expect royal treatment for a week as payback.” He jokes, kissing your forehead.

“If I knew you were gonna charge me for this, then I would have just put Cabaji in Richie’s cage for the night and hid in my room.” 

“You can still do that.” Buggy sings, the thought sparks a giggle from you, and you feel his chest puff up with pride. “The cage thing though. I want you in my room tonight.”

“Oh? Whatever for, Captain?”

“Where else would you sleep? In Caba-”

“Do nooott even joke about me rooming with that bastard.”

Buggy laughs, pulling you into a long kiss. When he leans back he presses another one on your forehead.

“Fair, I know for a  fact that I wouldn’t let that happen. You’re all mine.” He hums. You nod at his words, laying your head back down on his chest.

(flashback)

Buggy has been surprised by a plethora of things in his life. Good ones, like the situations he managed to get out of. As well as not-so-good ones, like the situations he managed to get into. But there was something… dare he say, special about running into you.

It was a sunny day, he and his crew stopped at some island to trade and barter rather than perform and destroy. The heat was tame enough for there to still be a pep to his step, and there was enough money in his pocket to make anyone excited. His mind was overflowing with all the props and weapons he might acquire within the next few hours when he heard nearby laughter. Immediately, the clown tried to see if he should be joining in or planning a last minute attack on the strangers who were making such commotion. 

That was when he saw you, waving enthusiastically to the backs of a small band of giggling travelers. Your white gloved hand looked like a misplaced cloud against the blue sky. The monochrome outfit you wore, how it clung to you, and the white face paint pressed onto your skin. No mistaking it, you were a mime. 

A mime! He didn’t have any mimes in his show. He honestly hadn’t thought of it till he saw you, and now he just had to! What a missed- well, almost missed opportunity! Now he just had to find out how to get you to join him. 

☆

(present)

Passed out due to shock?! You huffed for the umpteenth time within the hour Buggy has spent snoozing on his bed. You and Cabaji were letting the ship doctor’s words sink in. Your Captain was perfectly fine, but not awake yet after his dip into the sea. You honestly don’t even know how he fell to begin with, but wasted no time going in to get him. Now he’s ‘honk shoo’-ing without a care in the world.

You huff once more  and shake your wrists in fury, the many bells on each glove ringing wildly to further express your concern. Cabaji sighs, shaking his head in a similar fashion “Don’t think that’ll wake him up Y/n. And if it does I’m sure Captain won’t appreciate us tracking the ocean and paint into his room.” 

You pout, feeling another thick droplet of seawater and your makeup travel down the side of your face and down to your soaked outfit. Your fellow crewmate is in a state like yours, as he helped you pull Buggy back onto the ship. 

The clown in question is the driest in the room, a towel sits under his head and on top of the blue pillows. His hair is spread about like a vibrant halo, chest rising and falling with each breath, free from his scarf and vest, his teal pants pull in the strips of sunlight that come through the window. 

You nod, managing to smile at Cabaji and wave your gloves softly.

 “You can come back after you change, I bet he’d like to wake up and see his hero.” He jokes, you roll your eyes dramatically and follow him out the room.

☆

(Flashback)

Buggy had found you in the same type of spot he always did, some corner of whatever room, with a pile of fabric on your lap. 

Your love of crafts and sewing was one of the things he learned very early about you. As well as the fact that you don’t speak, even when you’re not performing, and that you didn’t wear any colors other than black and white. 

Your dedication to your theme was something he could understand and respect. Though one thing that he couldn't stand was how easily you managed to sneak up on him. It was nice when there were low-key thefts or antics that the crew needed done. But on a more casual level, you were one more surprise tug at his sleeve from killing the clown. 

Which is why he was so glad about the little giftbag that bounced in time with his stride towards the secluded part of the tent you were in. Your hands fussed with some white yarn and a crochet needle like nobody's business.

“Don’t say your Captain never did anythin’ for ya.” He hummed, smiling as the bag landed in your lap. You frowned, putting your craft down to inspect the black bag, it was rather small and light. At your hesitation Buggy crossed his arms with a pout.

“It’s not a prank! You don’t think that low of me do you?” 

You made a show of scratching your neck and looking over the man in front of you, sparking a flare of anger inside him. But before he could threaten to never buy you anything again, you dipped a white gloved hand into the bag and pulled out his present. It obviously confused you, holding one red leather strap and looking at the metal that linked it to another, pressed together like a cream cookie. 

“Like this!” Buggy insisted, taking the thing and pulling the straps apart. Immediately a slight ringing sound came from the two separated bracelets. 

“Gimme your wrists.” He demanded again, if someone was just walking by they might think he was already upset with the way he snapped orders. But truly he was just eager to get the damn things on you. 

They clung to your hands perfectly, it was a good thing you took off your gloves to eat, or else figuring out the size would have taken the pirate forever. 

You looked down at your noisy hands and shook them experimentally, a smile spreading like the paint on your face. 

“And! That's not all!” Unable to let you do the big reveal yourself, Buggy took the bag and pulled out a pair of dark red gloves, obviously made for you. 

“Thought you could use a pop of color.” He beamed, handing them to you, you quickly put them on and put your older pair in the bag, standing up and shaking your hands. 

“Do you like-”

Ring ding ring ding ring ding ring ding

“I can tell that-”

Ring ding ring ding ring ding ring ding

“Y/n.”

Ring ding ring ding ring ding ring ding

You began to spin around him, gleefully dancing to the sound of the bells. The Captain was about to snap at you for cutting him off when he looked at the bright look in your eyes and the soft cracks in your paint from grinning so hard. It was enough to make him hold his tongue.

You got a hold of yourself soon after, signing ‘thank you’ over and over at him. 

While more complex sentences caused a barrier between you and the crew, there were a few easy signs that they all came to know. 

“You’re welcome!” He replied, pride seeping into his tone.

You clapped joyfully in response, then looked at the bells as they rang and did it again. Buggy was about to tell you to go and do that shit in a quieter room when you pointed a red-gloved finger at him.

“What now? You think I need bells? I’m not the one scaring people half to death!”

You shake your head, and spin around, pointing again. 

“Dance with ya?”

You nodded, signing ‘yes’ over and over, as you began to prance around to the sounds coming off your wrists. 

“Well sure, as long as you understand what an honor it is to-”

Ring ding ring ding ring ding ring ding

Again, that look in your eyes stomped out the flare of rage that had sparked, furthermore they drew him in to join you. 

The two of you spun, laughed, and danced till you couldn’t stand.

☆

(Present)

You share a room with a few other crewmates, but they were probably slacking off or exploring since Buggy was not awake to order them and not in any sort of concerning state himself. You frowned at your reflection, still upset that the clown had scared you so badly. 

When you had managed to get his head above the dock and the rest of him too, only to see that he was unconscious, everyone feared the worst. 

But now you could rest easy knowing that he was only napping. Of course he had to be dramatic in every situation, couldn’t just flash a smile or give a thumbs up after being rescued. 

With another huff, you finished touching up your makeup, the disheveled state the white and black paint had been in when you walked into the room was enough to distract you from your dear Captain. Giving you a much less stressful issue to work through. Now that you are satisfied with your face-up, you get to work on something to wear. Eventually choosing a pair of black shorts and a white halter top, you venture back towards Buggy’s room.  

☆

(Flashback)

You had some sort of obsession with sewing, or it was just a useful and fun hobby. Buggy couldn’t decide and often just assumed that it was a mix of both.

 If it wasn’t a new costume for you, it was someone else's, if not that then you were busy patching up the tent. The Captain didn’t mind the skill you had, he appreciated your quick fingers a bit actually. There were no issues… Not really, well maybe one. 

You, as a mime, wore two colors exclusively from your makeup to your shoes; everything was black and white. To say the least, it was messy being a pirate, so you opted to wear mainly black to limit staining. Again, not a problem. The thing was that in an attempt to escape the burning heat that often found you despite your habit of hiding in corners… You’d make your costumes rather revealing, and again! Not a problem for the Great Captain Buggy The Star Clown! But it was a bit distracting, who could blame him! He’s a simple man, well not really he’s the most flashy man this side of the world and the next…. But you were a special case! 

Despite your limited color palette there were times Buggy would’ve sworn that you’re pulling an elaborate joke where you’d walk past him in a garden of hues, only for them to have muted and melted into light and shadow once he turned his head for a second glance. 

Sure there were plenty of attractive people who also loved to show skin, but for some odd reason, Buggy was drawn in by you most of all. 

Anyways! These were all things that the pirate knew, your usual palette, your crop tops and hardly-there-hemlines, you tended to mix it up, small top bigger bottoms and vice versa. But even a warning couldn’t stop the surprise that the poor clown felt when he saw your new outfit this morning. 

You had come to a new island, rich with flora and fauna that no one could find with ease elsewhere. Bright primary colors took hold of everything that wasn't tree bark or a rock by the shore. The many tints were muted due to sun exposure of course, but impressively vibrant all the same!

You may have been quiet besides your ringing bracelets, but you were always brimming with energy, and today was no exception. You practically bounced off the ship once it docked, or so Buggy had heard, he took the early hours of the day to snore and take extra time with his makeup. By the time he stepped onto the sandy shore you and Mohji were chatting away within the forest, leaning against one of the towering trees, and the lion keeper sat on a log next to you. Watching your hands intensely as you shared a story with him when you caught the Captain’s heavy stare and beamed jiggling your greeting.

But Buggy could hardly hear a thing over your outfit. The many pigments around you faded into nothing at the sight of you. You scrapped the idea of balancing which part of your body would be shown off, instead you were in a leotard, the vertical stripes pulled into a sharp ‘v’ shape from between your thighs and nearly to your waist. The neckline, if anyone could call it that, was a straight cut that was so far down that raising your hands would’ve caused a nip slip if not for the way the fabric was vacuum sealed onto your chest. All with a plush white ruff collar that stood out against your skin, black sheer thigh-highs, and a pair of obscenely large black and white boots. That, paired with the small but mighty rush of possessiveness that took over the clown at the sight of your signature red gloves that he gave to you. 

Everything put together had him in a daze, by the time he could hear your bracelets, you were already raising an eyebrow. He smiled bright and tried to shove back his lust.

“Goooood mornin’ slackers! What have you been doing while I was away?”

The rest of the day was as good as it could get. Buggy managed to push his gaze onto any and everything that wasn’t you and your most daring outfit to date.

Luckily for the Captain, you had already waltzed around the island and decided to tail after him as he got the lay of the land. Everything was fine, till it was time to go back to the ship for a bit. 

You and Buggy were the last to climb on for lunch, and you, with your early start to the day, were eager for something to chomp on. So, you skipped ahead and daaaaaaammnnnn. He honestly didn’t care to look where he was going, the only thought on his mind was something along the lines of “follow dat ass” and unfortunately, he misstepped. 

The last thing that the poor fool heard was the shocked cry of your voice, you called his name bright and piercing, then well, he can’t quite remember what happened next. But there was something about hearing you for the first time, and the reason being that you care so much about his well being that the sight of him in danger forced it out. 

It feels nice, he can’t lie. Especially since you’ve never made a sound that didn’t come from the bells on your hands, even when sneezing or falling over, you are silent; well besides your larger than life miming that expresses the pain for you. 

This is different, you weren’t performing, weren’t feeling guarded enough that even a mug landing on your toe couldn't spark a sound from you. Your walls were down, you were animatedly skipping along with the promise of a seat next to him. 

Maybe that's what’s so good about it, you couldn’t mask your feelings in time and it was all for him that you let out a sound! And it was his name!

He couldn’t hide the smile that broke across his face, maybe you felt the same way as him, it was a risk to ask, but he was already over the moon, what could bring him down?

☆

(Present)

You tilt your head, leaning forwards from your seat on the stool from Buggy’s vanity to inspect the sudden change that has taken place. One second he’s breathing even and straight faced. And now, there’s a familiar grin amongst the red paint.

“Buggy?”

Instantly, a slight grimace takes stage on the pirate's skin. Seablue eyes blink at you as the Captain pulls his eyebrows down to match his mood.

“What do ya want Y/n? I’m try’n to sleep here.” 

You let your mouth drop open in shock. As you reign in your rightful anger at his greeting. The circumstances before the clown seem to set in. He notices his lack of a shirt and pulls the damp towel from behind his head with a grumble. 

“Wha- How long have I been out?!”

You raise a finger.

“An hour?”

You shake your head.

“A DAY?!”

You hold back from calling him a drama-queen for being out that long in the first place! Honestly after the first hour or so he was probably just sleeping now that you think about it. 

“What has everyone been doing?! If this place isn’t-”

Bringing both hands out in front of you, you lightly press down, before placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Chill out?! What no! Why are you the only one in here?! Those bastards didn’t even bother to come watch me-”

You put your other hand on his shoulder, mainly to cop a feel if you’re being honest. 

Everyone else is probably drinking or snoozing hard, and Buggy is perfectly fine, so morally there’s no harm in letting your affections guide you through this interaction, right? 

“Okay! Okay! FINE! Did everyone get shit done while I was gone at least?”

You nod, keeping your hold on the Captain and beaming at him. At this, he settles, sweeping a hand through his tangled hair and pouting at the knots he finds in it. 

“Hm, then I guess you lot are only a bit smarter than you lead me to believe.”

Again you nod, as Buggy sends a hand to grab a brush. Patting the spot next to him on the silky sheets. Waking up from his nap, and throwing a fit immediately after must have taken his fight from him, he sighs as you plop down beside him.

“So, you want some sort of bonus for saving me? New fabric? A shiny sewing machine? More yarn?” 

You tilt your head at his suggestions, each more exciting than the last, but sign ‘no’ instead. 

“Hm a vacation then? Don’t know if I can do that, we’ve only got one mime y’know.”

You shake your head.

“Well what are you trying to get outta me huh? Your own room?”

At that, you toss your hand this way and that in a ‘sorta maybe’ type of way.

“You sneaky bastard! I might be able to empty out a broom closet or two.” 

You mime a laugh, knowing that there will be no separate rooms cleared out or made for you on the ship.

“Well then, what is it? You feel all noble, don’t want anythin’?”

Again, your hand flips to and fro while smiling at him.

His hair is dry, but standing out at odd places on the right. He takes his time, dragging the bristles on the wooden brush through the long strands. They’re just past his shoulders now and with no signs of stopping. 

At your stillness his eyes find yours, moon spilling over him from the window in one lazy sweep of light. The makeup around the blue-green hue of his pupils smudged in a similar fashion to that of the smile that insists on staying on his face despite the dip he took. His lips press into a kissable line as he continues to pout at you.

“Really? You saved your Captain’s life and you just wanna host a staring contest with him? If you ask me for a car next week I won’t do it!”

You hide a soundless giggle behind the ringing of your hand. 

You point at yourself, posture straightening as you prepare to mime.

“You?” Buggy starts, knowing that teasing grin of yours anywhere.

You beam a grin doing jazz hands next to your face for emphasis.

“You’re happy…”

A red gloved finger directed right at him.

“You’re happy… Me?”

You wrap your arms around yourself in a hug. Knowing that he hasn’t learned the proper sign for what you’re expressing.

“You’re happy that I’m…. gonna give you a hug as payment for savin’ my ass?”

You shake your head, looking around. Suddenly you brighten up again and point at a corner of the room. His gaze follows yours to the hoard of shiny things scattered on the wooden floor, and the maps stuck into the wall with daggers. In the center of the hardly controlled chaos, there is a large black safe.

“You… YOU WANT MY SAFE AS PAYMENT?!”

You catch the brush as Buggy drops it and use your other hand to pull  his hair down as his head pulls away from his neck in rage.

You shake your own head wildly, signing ‘no’ after tossing the brush on the bed.

“Oh… So what? You’re glad that I’ve got money?”

Fucking hell. You let go of him as his body reconnects.

“You’re glad that… I’m… safe?”

You nod! Clapping loudly as your bells join in with glee. 

“Noo shit?” His voice is the quietest it’s been all night, even though his phrasing seems silly, you can feel the tension under his question. 

Bringing your gaze back up to him, you sign ‘yes’ over and over your bracelets emphasizing your point. He finally tackles the more intimidating side of his hair, the brush making the only sounds in the room besides the rocking of the waves. Neither of you look at each other, your sights set on the big wooden vanity that holds all his makeup supplies, and the pirate's eyes are on his hair. 

“Is that why you sat here all day?”

Again, you sign ‘yes’.

“Well, aren’t you the sweetest there ever was. Besides me of course.”

You grin at his wink and nod along. 

This time, when the silence takes hold of the room, you feel a flare of courage. A stirring in your mind that makes you feel brave enough to risk your feelings. Maybe all you want in repayment is for your Captain to let you down easy if he doesn’t share your affections. There's no way he could be harsh about rejecting you after that right? It may be selfish but you can’t even begin to entertain the thought of waiting for another opportunity to confess. 

The sound of your bracelets catch his attention. The majority of his hair is brushed down, his middle part bangs are a bit shorter than the rest of his hair, resting just above his thick lashes. He stares at you thoughtfully with a tilt of his head.

“Gonna run and get me dinner now?”

You make your hand into an ‘L’ shape and twist it towards him in quick succession.

“Hmph, later? Why?”

You scoot a bit closer, your bare knee brushing against his teal pants. You open your mouth, taking the type of inhale that implies that you’ll speak; but remain silent. Then you try again, and again till you pull back, grinning out of nervous habit. 

You can see in the confused tilt of the clown’s eyebrows and the way his lips part slightly that you can’t take it all back now.

“Do you want a car? Cause I meant what I-”

You flip him off and shake your head. Standing up while trying to ignore the detached hand that latches onto your wrist.

“Hey! Wait! What is it? The safe?”

Again, your middle finger turns to his face. Though it falters and kind of deflates as you bring it into a fist. He blinks at you, pouting at your hesitation. 

You sigh and point to yourself, your embarrassment melting as you lean into your preferred method of communication. Buggy also seems to relax, letting go of you and standing to meet you.

“You…” He starts

It's easy to make a heart with your hands, but damn he’s so fine it's distracting . Like hello? That V-line, the striking blue chest hair, the happy trail Ugh he should have stood up sooner. 

“You, wanna check me out?”

You nod without thinking, cutting yourself off with a shake of your head, signing ‘no’.  Buggy grins, a laugh breaking the tension as he flexes to tease you further.  You huff and make a show of rolling your eyes at him, you point to yourself.

“You..”

You make the heart.

“Love?”

You sigh, feeling childish as you raise a finger to him.

“Me?”

You agree meekly, too afraid to lift your gaze from the wooden floor. 

He falls into another fit of giggles, loud and bright. You almost take it as a rejection, but then his arms are around you. His sexy bare arms and his chest! You waste no time returning the affection, nuzzling into his grip with glee. “What was it? My flashiness? My beautiful hair? My jokes? My-”

“All of the above.” You mumble against him. He chuckles as he squishes you into him again.

“All that and then some right?” He asks, pulling back only enough to look into your eyes. 

You can’t sign ‘yes’ fast enough.

~•~•~•~•~•~