after hours
after hours : a live action buggy x fem!reader fanfiction
for some odd reason, you have no idea who he is. and he fucking loved that.
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chapter one chapter two chapter three chapter four chapter five
chapter six | drunk. drool. darkness.
her pov;
I felt like an idiot. Like a fool.
When I came downstairs the following morning, with a pounding headache nearly blinding my vision, I spotted my mother collapsed on the couch rather than in her own bed. The kitchen was surprisingly clean, as well as the dining room table. She definitely didn't tidy up after that disaster of a night, so who did?
I walked past the stairs and into the kitchen, attempting to search for any kind of medicine to hopefully soothe the aching headache I had. I sorted through a kitchen cabinet before finding a small bottle of painkillers my mother was prescribed when her illness was first diagnosed. I placed two tablets in my mouth and dipped my head underneath the sink faucet, pouring a bit of water into my mouth to swallow the pills. Stepping back, I grabbed a pot from the stove, glaring at my sleeping mother.
I dropped it on the tiled floor.
In a split second, she shot up awake, groaning. "What the hell was that?!" She spat, grabbing her head while also covering her eyes.
"Good morning," I said as I forced a smile. I placed the pot back atop of the stove. "What happened last night?"
"Why the fuck should I know?" She cursed, laying back down.
"Where'd Buggy go?"
"Home?"
I frowned. I wasn't going to get any answers from her.
I ventured back upstairs into my bedroom where I could let my eyes settle in the cold and darkness. I closed the door behind me and approached my bed but before I climbed on it, I noticed a small green blur in the corner of my vision. Turning my head, I found the small turtle stuffed animal laying on the floor.
I treated my stuffed animals like they were living. To let them touch the floor rather than my own bed would be a sin.
Why was it on the floor?
Then it hit me.
Buggy threw it there.
I sat on my bed, holding the plushie close to my person. Last night, after dinner, I stormed up to my bedroom to be alone and to calm down due to the big fight my mother and I had. Then he came into my room to console me. Then-
"Oh my god."
I couldn't believe it. I practically threw myself onto him. Then he turned me down and after that, my mind drew a blank. I recalled vague bits here and there but the most clear occurrence was that of him leaving. Did I kick him out? Or did he leave willingly?
I touched my mouth with the stuffed animal. The feeling of his lips on mine was something I couldn't forget. For such a rough and rugged man, his lips and touch were so soft. I smiled to myself before falling onto the bed, my eyes drifting to a close.
Before I thought more about all of this, I needed to get rid of this headache.
-=-
I felt so stupid. Like a clown.
As I remembered more about the event, the more my self-esteem dropped. I never, in a thousand years, would have ever imagined myself getting drunk on red wine and then throwing myself onto a man with a red, clown nose. I frowned. His nose wasn't the issue. I liked him. I really did. He was kind and thoughtful for someone who used to be a bloodthirsty pirate. He went out of his way to please me which no one has ever done before.
And how do I thank him?
By making out with him and then kicking him out after he didn't reciprocate. I invite him over for dinner then throw him out.
This is why I hated alcohol.
It made stupid people do stupid things.
I was completely embarrassed with myself- so embarrassed, in fact, that I didn't reach out to Buggy for an entire month. How could I possibly be able to face himself after such an incident? Would I not mention it? Do I shake his hand and apologize and ask him to never bring it up again? Or do I kiss him again and see if my effort will mean something to him this time?
No, I'm an idiot. I ruined such a great friendship due to a few too many glasses of cheap red wine.
I blamed my mother for this entirely- and myself, of course. But if it weren't for her selfish and conniving personality, Buggy wouldn't have been invited for dinner. He and I would still be talking. I would see him everyday like I had been.
I vowed to my mother that as soon as I made enough money, I was moving out and cutting all ties with her. She simply laughed at me.
And so, for the past month, I kept my promise and sought out to look for jobs. Nothing dirty, of course.
I landed a waitress gig at a small run-down pub that hardly housed any customers other than drunken pirates and businessmen. I've only been here a few times before and it was the same pub I met Buggy at. Ever since that night, I haven't returned until today. The owner told me that the blue-haired piratehardly inhabited this bar which I was thankful for. I still needed to properly digest everything and when I was ready to confront him, I would. I just hoped it would be soon.
I was surprised to see that he didn't reach out either.
Maybe I scared him off.
As I cleaned off one of the tables, I tried to ignore the loud yells from behind me. Surprisingly, there was a huge flood of new patrons. My boss told me there was a soccer game and that's why everyone decided to eat and drink at the same place.
I didn't mind it too much. It meant more tips.
The rest of the night went by fast and just as we neared closing, I sat by myself in a corner booth, counting the change and money I made in just a few hours. One hundred and twenty berries. I smiled to myself, recounting to see if my math was correct.
Fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen-
The bell above the door jangled as someone walked inside. I kept my head low and proceeded to count before I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"We're not closed yet, Y/N. Go assist that customer, please." The man pointed at a booth. "Now."
I huffed and stood up, slipping the loose change into a pocket in my apron. I grabbed the notepad and a pen and started towards the booth.
With a closed-eye smile, I greeted the patron. "Hello, what can I get for you tonight?
"Y/N?"
I opened my eyes and there he sat. "Buggy," I whispered.
I nearly cringed.
His long blue hair was tied in a loose ponytail with the same striped bandanna wrapped around his scalp. His makeup was streaking down his sweaty face. The buttons of his striped vest were misaligned with the wrong slots. His blue-painted fingernails were chipped. And the worst of it, he wrank of liquor.
He was swaying in his seat, his arms resting across the table.
"H-Haven't-" hiccup! "-seen you in a while," He smirked. "You miss me?" His words slurred and his green eyes were nearly swollen shut. I frowned at this and took a seat beside him, nudging him to the other side of the booth. He giggled and his arm lifted before slinging over my shoulder.
"What's going on?" I whispered, hoping my boss wouldn't see me.
"What? Nothing!" He murmured.
"You're shitfaced. Why?"
"I dunno'. Got bored..." Buggy hummed and smiled up at me. His fingers began to mess with my hair. "Yer' working now?"
"Yeah, I am."
"Well, I wouldn't know! I haven't seen you in years..." He pouted.
"It's been a month."
"Whatever. Get me a beer, will ya?"
I laughed. "No! You're already too far gone. I'll get you a water." I pulled myself away from him and stood up, making my way behind the counter. Pouring him a glass of water, I watched as he proceeded to hiccup, playing into the drunkard stereotype all too well. Why was he like this? I've never seen this before. Why did he drink so much? As I approached him, he reached for me. I whacked his hand away and slid the cup toward him. This time, I sat across from him.
He glared at the drink before chugging it all, some water dripping down his stubbled chin. I crossed my arms and examined him. He was a complete and utter mess. It almost disgusted me to see him in this light. Someone I respected so much was now stooping to the same level as my mother.
"Buggs, what's happening here?"
"What?" He tilted his head. "Yer' supposed to be my waitress. You haven't taken my order yet," The pirate grumbled, reaching to grab at the paper menu. He squinted his eyes as he read it. "Get me a sandwich. With... uhm, oh! Meat, cheese, and lettuce." He met my gaze and smiled widely, exposing every single tooth.
"Not until you tell me what's going on," I demanded, pointing down at the table. "Is this some ploy to get back at me?"
"W-What? Back at you?" He snickered. "Yer' cute, kiddo."
"Don't call me that."
"Cute or kiddo?"
"Both."
"What would you rather me say?" He smirked and leaned forward, gesturing his hand for me to get closer. I did, also leaning in. "Your- hehe, your tits look amazing in that top?"
I gasped and pushed him back. "Fuck you!"
"What?! Which would you rather me call you?" He pursed his red-stained lips together.
"By my fucking name, you idiot."
"Okay! Y/N," He started, letting out a soft burp. "Where's my sandwich?"
"You'll get it once you start talking."
"I've been talking! I can't win with you." His eyes rolled. "Women."
I hit him atop of the head this time and he yelped, immediately shrinking down as his arms hovered over his head.
"You're the one who kicked me out! Why are you still acting so mad... I'd think you'd be happy to see me again, but- but, I was wrong..."
"I am happy to see you but-"
"You are? Really?" The look on the clown's face broke my heart. He was so surprised, so shocked to find out that I missed his company. “I-I’m glad.” His head dropped for a moment and he looked down at his lap. “I’ve been, uh, g-going through a lot.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. I don’t want to talk about it.” He let out a loud hiccup then clutched his throat. “That one hurt.”
“Why can’t you tell me?”
His broad shoulders shrugged back. “Maybe I will. I just need something- uh, something to eat.”
Getting something in his stomach might help him sober up fast but my mom always told me that the only way to sober up was through time. “I’ll get you something to eat.”
“Now?”
“Yes, right now.”
I got up from the table and began to walk toward the kitchen but a floating hand grabbed at my wrist. It gave my arm a tight tug before I looked back at Buggy. I raised an eyebrow but he just gave me a toothy grin then let go. Venturing into the kitchen, I let the chef know that it was the last meal of the night. He was reluctant because it meant he needed to put out his cigarette but he gave me a firm nod and told me to wait a couple of minutes. I agreed with him then went to peek on the blue-haired clown. He rested his head on his hands, his eyes closed. His long eyelashes casted a dim shadow over his eyelids. His lips parted, a small drop of drool running down his chin. Was he asleep?
Before I could admire him any further, the chef tapped on my shoulder and handed me the tray of food. A sandwich sat upon the plate with potato salad to the right of it. I thanked him and brought the meal to Buggy. I set it in front of him then took a seat.
“Buggy?” I nudged his shoulder. “Your food is here.”
“I’m not hungry.”
What? “What? You just said you were.”
“I lied. I want to go home.”
“Then why did you come here?”
“Because the other bar kicked me out ‘cause I had too much to drink,” He mumbled into his arm. “I wanted to drink more but then I- I saw you. So I wanted to stop.”
“You stopped drinking because of me?”
“I was drinking because of you.”
I furrowed my eyebrows together. What was he babbling about now? Before I could protest, he reached forward, grabbing half of the sandwich with a severed hand. He raised his head and took a bite. He chewed for a few seconds then swallowed. He ate the half then slid me the plate. So much for not being hungry.
I smiled to myself and started to eat, taking the last sip of the glass of water I had brought to him. I finished eating then wiped my mouth with a napkin.
Taking a few bills out of my pocket, I placed it on the table to cover the meal.
But then it hit me.
I could pay him back.
“Buggy, I have great news,” I exclaimed with a wide grin and pulled the loose change out of the apron pocket, the various coins rocking against the table before falling flat. The pirate sat up, a yawn escaping his mouth.
“What?”
“I can pay you back now! I have more than enough!”
“I don’t want you to,” He whispered, sliding it toward me. “I have more than enough. You’re the one who needs it, not me.”
“But you said I could pay you back. That was our deal.”
“Y/N-“
“Take the money, Buggy. Please.”
His green eyes met mine for a split second before he reluctantly gave in. He swiped the money toward him and folded the bills before hiding them away in his pocket. I smiled at him, taking the change he didn’t want to keep.
I looked at him, staying quiet. Was he already sobering up? He was talking normally now; he was hardly slurring his speech. “Can I walk you home?”
He cocked a grin. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”
“Please?”
“Yeah, sure. Alright.”
I clocked out of work and helped Buggy out of his seat. On the walk back to his abode, Buggy leaned against me. My arm wrapped around his shoulders as I guided him down the street. He stumbled with each step and if it weren't for me, I was sure he would've fallen. The man relied on me heavily.
The front door opened with a loud bang. A wave of cold air brushed over me and I shivered. The pirate buried his face into my neck. A red blush washed over my face before I helped him onto his bed. He giggled to himself and extended his foot. I raised an eyebrow.
"Take my shoes off, please." He whispered, his body falling back to lay flat on the bed with his leg still straight out.
I knelt down and slipped each of his boots off. I set them to the left of the nightstand. Standing up, I closed the front door and dropped my backpack beside it. I approached the man and took a seat upon the edge of the bed, turning to look down at him. His eyes were closed. "Buggy, I'm gonna get going now. We can talk tomorrow, okay? When you're sober," I spoke, my voice barely above a whisper. “Do you need anything before I go?” I was met with silence. I let out a small huff, my hand resting on his leg. I caressed it. I then pulled my hand away but before I could stand up, his hand took my wrist and he gripped it, tightly. I looked back at him. He was now sitting upward.
"Please, no. Please stay the night," He begged, lunging forward. His head fell into my lap and his arms wrapped around my waist. "Don't leave again. Please."
I froze. My eyes grew wide, my arms levitating above the man.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I nodded my head even though he couldn't see me. "Okay, okay." I dropped my hands to rest on his back, tenderly stroking the fabric of his vest. He let out a satisfied hum and remained completely silent. While it wasn't the most comfortable position, I stayed still because it was cozy for him.
I've never seen him in this mood before. I thought alcohol would make him an angry man, maybe rather devious or feisty, but no. It made him sad. It made him vulnerable. Alcohol took his rough exterior and melted it away, revealing a soft side I've never seen before.
His face nuzzled into my thigh.
I listened to his light breathing and brought my hands up to run through his thick blue hair. I was surprised his hair was so long. It was nice, though. It was silky smooth as well.
"Y/N," Buggy whispered into my leg.
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry for disappointing you."
A frown stayed on my face. I felt my eyes and nose sting. "What?"
"I've done nothing but trouble you. I'm sorry. I didn't realize I would be this much of a burden in your life. I thought I could help but-"
"What are you going on about?"
His head raised and revealed a soaking wet face. A stream of tears ran down his face, his makeup smearing even more than before. I gasped. He sniffled and grimaced. "I look so stupid, don't I?"
"You don't, Buggers. I'm just trying to figure out why you're crying," I whispered, raising my head to cup his cheek. He leaned into my palm and gave me a small, sincere smile. This was hurting my heart.
"We haven't spoken in a month."
"I know, I know. It's my fault, I-"
"Did you just not want to see me anymore?"
I instantly shook my head. "No, no, no. That's not it at all." I wiped a few tears away with my thumb.
"I thought I fucked up so badly," He started, taking a deep breath. "When you came onto me like that, I felt time stop. Literally nothing else mattered to me in that moment other than you. I didn't even fucking care if my heart stopped beating. If being with you was my last moment alive, I'd die a happy man." I sucked in my lower lip, my eyes burning more. "But it felt wrong. You were drunk, p-probably for the first time in your life. I didn't want to take advantage of that. You weren't thinking straight at all. I-I didn't want you to-to regret it the next morning."
"Buggy-"
"You have no idea- no fucking idea how badly I've wanted that. Since the very moment I've laid my eyes on you, I realized there was nothing more I could ever want. You're perfect. A literal angel." I wanted to tell him he was wrong but he continued to speak, making my heart both ache and jump. "My life was so dark before you. I was blinded by greed and-and hatred. I was a cruel man. But seeing you smile, I forget what for, but your smile erupted something in me. I didn't care anymore. I didn't care about anything else in life other than you. I did some fucked up shit and I feel like you have a right to know." He swallowed then turned his head, facing away from me.
"What do you mean?" Those words scared me.
"Look in the nightstand. There's a book, I think it's the second one. Open it and see for yourself." He sat up and pulled away from me, wiping his nose and eyes. "No more lies or secrets. I want to be completely open and honest with you about everything. If our friendship continues, then I want honesty. You deserve that."
"You're scaring me, Buggy," I murmured and leaned forward, reaching for the drawer. I yanked it open and sorted through the stack of novels. I grabbed the second one and set it in my lap. "Can I just say-"
"No, please look. I need your opinion on me after you see this."
I was horrified.
What was so revolting in this book that he felt the need to hide?
I looked at him, frowning, before dropping my head. I admired the cover of the novel before peeling it open. My eyes widened.
"Read it out loud," The man instructed as he toyed with his bottom lip. He stared at me, not even seeming to blink.
My thumb dragged over the paper to smooth out the crumpled words. “She has the kindest smile. Her generosity is beyond that of anyone I know. She makes me believe in the good of humanity again." I repeated as I read the sentences scattered on the small note of paper. I smiled to myself. "Did you write-"
"Read the next one."
"I've never wanted something so badly in my life. To say I yearned for her would be a complete understatement. I longed for her, I yearned, I desired- In simple terms, I wanted her. I mean, how could I not? She was an angel. She was a siren. I would purposely listen to her enchanting song, allowing my boat to crash, just if it meant I could be graced by her presence, by her beauty. I was obsessed with her. If she found out my thoughts, my desires, she would never let herself be seen with me. I wouldn't blame her, though. I was obsessive. It was unhealthy, I knew that. But I didn't care. I wouldn't say I loved her because I didn't know what that felt like. I've never experienced it. But perhaps I did love her. I didn't know, I couldn't tell. All I knew was that she was the only treasure I wanted. Not the One Piece, no. Not even that could match up to her alluring person. If I had to travel every sea in order to find her, battle every sea snake in order to touch her, I would. I would in a heartbeat." I felt my lower lip quiver as salty tears began to cloud my vision. I used my free hand to rub my eyes before I continued. "A-And she caused me to see the world in color. Everything was so bland and dry but the second I saw her, I could see the blue in the sky and the pink petals of cherry blossoms. I could see the light at the end of a tunnel. If I was drowning, I know she would be able to rescue me just from her words of encouragement."
"Do you get it now?" He asked, placing his hand on my knee.
"You like me?" I asked, hesitant.
"What? Really?" He said with a weak laugh. "Of course I do. But I've known you for so long, Y/N. Much longer than you knowing me. I've followed you before, s-stalked you."
I gasped. Oh. I didn't get that from the writings. "You did?"
"Yeah, I did. I've been scheming for months. Trying to figure out how to talk to you o-or get you to say hello to me. Then at the bar-"
"I said hello to you. Were you there because of me?"
"Yeah, it wasn't mere coincidence."
"Woah," I said in awe, my facial expression or tone of voice hiding how I was truly feeling. "That's- wow."
"If you want to leave, I understand. It's a lot, I know. But I promise I've never properly stalk- well, I-I don't know. I just saw you and I knew I needed to know you. I needed you in my life."
"When did you first see me?"
"A fish market. You were giving a kitten some of the scraps."
"I don't even remember that," I admitted with a light chuckle.
"I'm not a creeper pervert or anything, I swear. I've-"
"Buggy, stop panicking. I'm flattered, if anything. I don't hate you. I don't think differently of you either."
He leaned into me, his red nose touching the tip of my own. He wore a wide smile on his face. "Really?" I nodded my head and rested my hand atop of his.
"It's a lot to take in but I'm not creeped out. I just- I had no idea."
"There's a reason I still have a bounty,” He remarked.
I laughed softly. "Very true."
"Do you understand why I was so worried? I thought all of that progress was wasted. I did want to, I really did. God, I wanted to, but-" The man continued to ramble on before I pressed my palm to his red-painted mouth. He wiggled his eyebrows.
"I'm glad you didn't stay. Genuinely, I would have regretted it. Not because of you, but because I would want to remember a moment like that. I never want to drink again so I can be fully aware of everything we do together," I said as I removed my hand. "I didn't contact you because I was embarrassed with myself. I felt like an idiot. I thought I completely ruined everything. I also wanted to properly deal with my emotions. I wanted to figure out what I felt."
"And what do you feel?"
"The same as you do, though maybe not as extreme."
The pirate cracked a cheeky grin and nudged me.
"But I don't want to rush anything, please. If we do decide to do anything," I cleared my throat. "I want to take things slow. I moved too fast that night and look what happened."
"No, no, yeah. I feel the same way. No rush."
"Do we have a deal?" I extended my hand.
"A deal for what?"
"To do this but take things slow."
"To do what?"
"Buggy, you know what I mean."
"I want to hear you say it."
I huffed and pulled my hand back before he quickly grabbed it and gave it a firm shake. "We can go further with our relationship. How is that?" I smiled.
"Hmm, what do you mean? I'm a little slow, you'll need to spell it-" I kissed him for a split second then pulled back. The expression on his face was priceless. "That's pretty self-explanatory,” He hummed, grinning.
"Good."
"Can I do it again, though?" His hand reached to cup my chin.
"Once," I whispered.
Buggy closed the gap, tilting his head to be able to kiss me properly. It was short but sweet. When he pulled away, he fell against me, his forehead resting on my shoulder. My arms enwrapped his figure and I pulled him close. "Are you tired?" I asked, playing with his ponytail.
"Mhm," He responded, a soft yawn parting from his lips. "You're still staying the night, right?"
"Yeah, I am."
The blue-haired man pulled away from me and swept his legs over the side of the bed "I'll sleep on the floor, I don't want you to be uncomfortable."
I grabbed his arm. "Nonsense, it's okay. I get the left side, though."
Buggy grinned, nodding his head. "Yes, ma'am."
I peeled my shoes off, setting them next to his as he began to unfold the sheets. He pulled the blankets back and climbed underneath them. I crawled beside, pushing my legs under the thin blankets. Turning to face Buggy, I tucked my arm under the pillow.
"I'm sorry for being like this, by the way. For being drunk."
"It's okay, just try to stop. If it's okay."
"It is," He whispered while stretching his arm out, slyly letting it sling over my waist. I smirked.
"You were kind of funny, though."
"How so?"
"Slurring your words, repeating yourself, tripping everywhere."
"What can I say? They don't call me a clown for nothing."
"I think the nose and makeup gave you that reputation."
"Nose?" He cocked an eyebrow upward.
"D-Did I say nose? I meant, uh, your hair!"
"Mhm, sure." Buggy tugged me toward him, my face coming into contact with his chest. He let out a groan as he made himself comfortable. "I hope this isn't moving too fast. I'm cold."
"No, this is perfect," I replied with a sheepish smile.
My eyes closed and I shrugged my shoulders back while exhaling a sigh. I was cold but the warmth of his body soothed my goosebumps. I rested my forehead against his abdomen and felt myself beginning to drift off. His chin plopped upon my head and his hand combed through my hair.
"What do you want to do tomorrow?" He whispered, his voice raspy as exhaustion took over.
"We'll figure that out when tomorrow arrives. For now, I need sleep."
"Do you work tomorrow?"
I shook my head, whispering a simple 'no'.
"Sorry, I'll let you sleep."
I smirked to myself and tucked myself closer into him.
"Sweet dreams, Y/N," He mumbled as he kissed atop my head.
With those words and the sound of his heartbeat and breathing, I found myself falling asleep. I ignored the stench of alcohol coming from his person and focused on everything else I enjoyed about him.
In one last resort to get comfortable, I turned over, pressing my back against his front. My legs entangled with his and his arm slipped underneath my own. He held my hand.
The last thing I remember was him placing a kiss on the back of my head and then I fell unconscious.
