#regressor buggy

[wordy-little-witch]

I need a little sweetness rn so more age regression stuff with regressor Buggy

• upon Cross Guild starting, Buggy had no intentions of telling Mihawk or Crocodile about his regression. It was a vulnerability he wasn't even remotely comfortable sharing with them.

Over time, they eventually start warning up to one another, and things settle down. Mihawk then asks if the island is haunted. When Buggy, confused, says no, Mihawk just guns softly. When asked why he's wondering, he tells Buggy that "on occasion, I will sense a young presence. It's never definitive, and I have yet to he able to find them, but the energy comes and goes rather frequently. It's faint, as if suppressed. I worry for any child who has had to learn such a habit."

Buggy is SWEATING but also kind of... tender, too? Like he never realized he suppressed his signature even regressed, though it's not a surprise to him. Also, Mihawk admitting to worry? For a child?? That's somehow precious.

• Crocodile nearly catches Buggy slip once. The latter had been looking around the 'wani breeding den and was given a chance to play with some of the younger strawberrywanis. Apparently being crawled over and playing with and getting kisses from decently sized dangerous reptiles made a certain clown feel a bit... smaller than he maybe should, outside of his designated Safe Spots. He was relatively alone, safe, and having fun, though, so he didn't force anything, just let himself exist, giggling and playing and snuggling with the babies. Crocodile's chuckles were a surprise (and a wash of ice in his veins), but the logia user didn't seem to notice much difference, only making a comment on how Buggy fit right in, wiggling around in the sand with them. Pushing the Little bits back, Buggy bounced up and carried on.

• the reveal only happens one of two ways.

1) Crocodile and Mihawk have some kind of concern or anger at Buggy for something, go barging into his tent and find Buggy very much regressed and suddenly panicking. Mihaw just has a moment of ".... oh. Ohhhh. Oh this makes sense now" while Crocodile is staring, trying to compute. It ends with Mihawwk setting aside Yoru and kneeling down to ask if he can join Buggy in his playtime. Crocodile gets dragged into it as well because he is not immune to clown puppy eyes.

OR

2) there's a tropical storm hitting Karai Bari. The heightening humidity is already effecting the devil fruit users, and the rain isn't very productive. Everyone is mostly inside for the day and evening, so once Buggy finishes his work for the day, he decides to regress with the extra free time. Things are fine and Dandy until the weather gets even worse.

Big Buggy doesn't like thunder and lightning on a good day. Too many bad memories tied to it ((the Edd War, Roger's execution and what followed, being hunted by enemies, on and on and on-)).

Little Buggy absolutely detests it.

He's alone - Alvida is holed up herself, away from the elements, Mohji and Ritchie are in their tent, too far away, Cabaji is busy or in his own space too- Buggy is by himself, is small, and is scared.

He tries to tough it out, to be brave and strong and a big kid, but... well, he's tiny and it's loud and he keeps thinking Bad Thoughts.

It's too far to Cab and Moh's, to Vida's, and he loves them, but they things he's scared of are really super duper extra strong. They wouldn't stand a chance. ((He thinks about thay too, and he can't stop it, every boom, every flash, red and wet and warm and cold and Voices ebbing and flowing and it's too much too much too much-)).

Buggy is small and scared and he decides to go instead to the people he kinda trusts because they're strong and he thinks they're friends and it's just so freaking loud so-

Crocodile very much did not expect to open his door to a teary eyed blue haired clown in footie pajamas holding a stuffed animal and gnawing on a teether but here we are. The logical course of action is to slam the door.

He's embarrassed to admit the jester had made him soft, so he wordlessly let's the other in, calls Mihawk, and the swordsman arches a brow, nods, comes over, and then immediately jumps into grounding techniques and then makes Crocodile help them set up a little play space with his sand.

They fall asleep in his room that night, and the next day, Buggy is MORTIFIED but he feels he owes them an explanation-

Mihawk beats him to it. "Your Haki reverted to that of a child. I have read before in some books that such can occur in a mental state. This simply confirms to me that it is not am act on your part, Clown. For all intents and purposes, you were but a scared child. I believe I speak for us both when I say I am honored to have had your trust at such a point."

"Yeah, what he said."

".... oh."

"Indeed. Coffee?"

• after that, Mihawk searches for Buggy specifically when he feels the child-like haki. Crocodile refuses to admit that he does his own research. Neither will admit to the sudden influx of little gifts either. Buggy's chewy is getting worn down? Suddenly there's a few replacements in a box on his vanity. He mentions liking a color or animal offhand during a conversation? New blanket or stuffy. And that doesn't begin to discuss the toys or books or outfits, even if the ones from Mihawk are always identifiable by the style having a distinct color scheme. Buggy winds up spoiled, and is bamboozled by it.

• turns out cross guild poly is cute normal way AND with regression topics. Big, Buggy is head over heels. Little? He's so so so happy and safe.

• Alvida, Cabaji, Mohji, Mihawk and Crocodile have to hash out Buggy babysitting duties, but it's more them arguing over who gets Baby Bug time while the baby in question cuddles with Ritchie. Sillies, all around.

• Bug has nicknames for everyone when he's little if only bc words are harder to enunciate, let alone names, and it melts hearts. Momo (Mohji), Cab (Cabaji), Vida (Alvida), Mimi (Mihawk), Didi [pronounced dye-dye] (Crocodile), and Shanks is Red. ((He also slips a little more with other names. It's hit or miss with Roger if he's referred to as cap'n or daddy, and Rayleigh is Ray-san or papa.))

• lil buggy has a lisp

• he likes teether, chewy stim toys, refuses a pacifier bc he's never had one but he might be open to the idea of it down the line.

• blocks blocks blocks he's a building baby. Adores making forts

• the first time Mihawk or Crocodile pick him up while small, he freezes, then melts. Touch starved but being carried (especially by them) makes him feel small and safe and safe to be small.

• semiverbal. Uses sign language when words are too hard

• lower energy little.

That's all I got rn it's late and I'm so heckin tired

[rosystuff525]

Caregiver Mihawk + Regressor Buggy.

Im having a many a thoughts rn

Many many

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~*+*~

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• Buggy regresses to around 9-14

• He mostly does it when he’s feeling helpless more than anything. (I might explain more later idk)

•Mihawk found out when one night he was just going about through the part of the cross guild base only accessible to the three founders and then just so happened to see buggy playing with some toys while some “childish” clothes or other having forgotten to close the door.

•ensue an awkward silence staring at eachother before buggy practically shot himself at the door to shut it.

•obviously Mihawk knew exactly what this was. He dealt with Zoro and Perona for two fuckin years

•he’s just glad that finding out about this went a lot smoother than when he accidentally found Zoro regressed for the first time (that was…very rough.)

•he did come in with a threat to the clown. An easier one than his usual threats as to not startle the poor clown

•as he stepped in he just saw the clown there , terrified.

•but the clown was more terrified when Mihawk started to walk towards him….calmly. With an almost…caring look

•oh god he was actually going to die what the hell

•he closed his eyes in anticipation for the punch , the slap, the hit , the mockery. Anything!

•but instead he felt a hand placed in his shoulder

“Your hair is a bit messy..may I help fix it up for you?”

•Buggy opeaned his eyes to see that still tender look in his eyes. It made him feel…safe

•buggy never minded not having someone with him while he regressed. He sometimes found it a bit sad but usually found it pretty freeing! He could do whatever he wants with no grownups to tell him what to do! Like a real captain!

• but in this moment it was just….real nice.

• the two spend some time talking up until Buggy gets too huffy talking about “logic stuff or whatever”

•they’ve agreed Mihawk will only care for him when Buggy’s feeling too lonely or too fragile. Other than that he can just go about his duties

•though….mihawk does stay in his general area. If buggy is in his backstage room , Mihawk is stalking around the area unbeknownst to the clown.

•he knows it can be very scary if someone comes in while you’re regressed that you didn’t want around. The amount of times Perona screeched like a madman when he accidentally found her in playing with her sown dress up dolls

•one of Mihawks favourite activities to do for buggy is to do his hair for him. Allows him to show he cares and is there for buggy with no words and buggy still gets to play or read or anything

• if someone were to try find buggy while he’s regressed Mihawk would put on that ‘I’m beating buggy’s ass rn’ vibe and say he’s having a ‘private meeting with that ‘jaded joyless jester.’

•buggy is just sat on the floor behind the door holding back his giggling and smiling because he knows that meeting is just him showing off his elaborate juggling skills yet again and running through the entire line up of make up stories inside his head

•because I love smart buggy Mihawk even does simple experiments like a baking soda volcano to satiate Buggy’s need. He knows buggy is safe in the lab and still incredibly intelligent but just in case he accidentally gets too giddy with the dangerous chemicals he keeps it mellow

~~~~~~~~~~

I like them..very very much….evil snickering…sinister….truly sinister…

Also what if one day Crocodile accidentally found them…..oh no :[

Can’t think yet if he’d be a caregiver or a flip or an age regressor…or if he’s be a cunt and not like this stuff idkk

Idk why I’m typing like this rn I’m feelin silly :]

[wordy-little-witch]

Buggy should get to do Crocodiles nails and it should be a very comforting experience for both of them. For Crocodile because not only does he feel handsome in his body after transitioning to a point that made him comfortable, but he also now feels like this finally gives him the ability to enjoy something again that he had mixed feelings about when he hadn’t transitioned yet, beautiful, dark and harsh colors coating nails on a hand that felt too feminine in a way he couldn’t describe yet.

Buggy just likes to sit crosslegged between crocodiles legs on the couch, back touching his chest, as he instructs the man to lay his remaining hand to rest his hand in his lap and Buggy gets to debate with himself wether today a sharp crimson color or a more subtle, velvety plum kind of tone would be more applicable.

This originally was just about little!Buggy but honestly Buggy is such a fashionista that when he has finally widdled Crocodile down and proven that, yes, it actually DOES look really good, he probably could even convince him to do this once or twice a week

… That being said Buggy, age eleven doing Shanks nails with some polish they looted from the last marines and Roger walking into the room like “…. what’s going on here?” “C-Captain!?” “We… I … Buggy and I…. We were doing our nails- I ASKED HIM TO HONESTLY AND-“

“Me next.”

Cue Roger walking around with an incredibly amateurish and not specifically color matched manicure for the next few days or so.

Okay but honestly? I'm in love with this. Little! Buggy probably would have fun spa days with his crew, where they all do each other's nails and hair, and he's THRIVING there it's fun and he can stim and wriggle and laugh and it's amazing. Maybe the first time Crocodile caves is after a few times where he's joined them, maybe something about the gathering in question is Off or Buggy's struggling to drop. The Logia user makes a semi-rash decision.

"Here," he rumbles, reaching a hand out to tap Buggy's shoulder. "Don't make me regret this, brat."

It's the start of a frequent occurrence. Buggy, big or little, enjoys working with his hands and the focus can help him calm down and relax when he's a little too tightly wound. Sometimes Mihawk will give him a chance to do his nails, too - and Buggy hates that he thinks it, but he really prefers Croc's hands when he's regressed. The size difference and semi-gruff/semi-gentle way he offers it just takes Buggy to those precious few years when he truly felt safe and loved and it's only reinforced when they care about him so much. Mihawk is refreshingly new, but Crocodile is comfortingly familiar.

Speaking of familiar and the past, however, that bit with Shanks and Buggy? They really would. I have the weirdest suspicion they both swiped some bottles from the same place, and convened later on like "look what u got for yo-OHHHH!!!!"

They're up late, doing each other's nails by lantern light, trying to stay quiet but struggling between the giggling and excitement. And they both freeze when the door swings open.

"What are you boys doing up so late- oh. What's going on here?"

And Buggy chokes a little, so Shanks dives headfirst into babbling explanations, trying to take the prospective heat off of Buggy, both a little scared and-

Roger grins. "Can I be next?"

They blink, dumbfounded. But they nod. He settles down with an exaggerated groan onto the floor, complaining about his "old man bones", getting giggles from his boys. They look over the bottles, and Roger decides one can have a hand each - make it fair, he claims. Shanks does some solid color on each nail of his delegated hand, tongue out as he adds random embellishments. Buggy takes a few moments longer before he does a neutral coat, then carefully does his best at a mix between french tips and a wave pattern with white and blue. On the ring finger, he giggles nefariously to himself as he takes a toothpick and adds a red flower.

It's messy, not professional in the slightest but Roger wears it proudly, even if he choked on air when he saw Buggy's handiwork, threatening to noogie the kid when his nails dried.

((Bonus points, someone on the crew tried to make a snarky teasing remark to Buggy for his bright nails One (1) Time the next day. Shanks lunged into the exchange to gush about his own nails. Roger then got involved too, showing off his nails. Then he decided to "make it a crew bonding experience!!" The next island they docked at, he demanded they get "nail paints. All the nail paint!!"

"It's nail polish, captain."

"All the nail polish!!!!"

It's weird at first, but it becomes fun when everyone finally relaxes. Buggy turns out to be one of the best with the brushes, and the others let him practice on them frequently. It's a rare spot of harmless fun))

((Bonus points, the sentiment spreads to the Whitebeards too after one battle where Roger cries because the fight chipped his manicure and he begged Buggy to fix it. Sitting around the fire, Buggy just plops into his captain's lap, holds the man's hand in his own lap, and works on fixing it. Whitebeard chuckles warmly about it, and the captains make conversation about it. Newgate then drops a casual question of "do you accept new clients, little blue?"

So Buggy winds up getting passed over lap to lap, starting with whitebeard and including many others. Izou and he get into a spirited conversation about color theory and beauty tips.

He's very happy that Teach hard passed on it, and to this day he doesn't know if it was genuine disinterest or if the other declined due to the absolutely murderous waves of Haki coming from Shanks every time he got within several feet of Buggy. Regardless, he is grateful)).

Just. Buggy being a little fashionista and tiny Diva, Big or Little and the cuteness that ensues and just AAAAAAA

(Also whatever you do, don't imagine Buggy, regressed, laying on his tummy, kicking his feet and concentrating so hard while he carefully paints Ritchie's claws. Don't think about Buggy going Puppy's claws so they match and getting guavawani kisses during the whole thing which results in giggle fits and a messy but happy clown. Don't do it, buddy. You might die-))

[wordy-little-witch]

I feel like I’m getting annoying with all these agere asks but I’m in a weird headspace rn and so my favs now have to regress and be happy so I can sleep better and maybe someone else gets a kick outta it I dunno? Anyways

I still love the idea that Buggy’s regression is mostly unrelated to wanting to wear certain clothes or long for certain toys or even a specific kind of food or such, I like to think it’s very „No. aesthetic“ type of regression, where you probably couldn’t tell at first glance and it’s not as easy as just giving him kiddie stuff and he’ll be happy. (Not to knock on anyone who does like the aesthetics and kiddie stuff just to be clear.) so he actually doesn’t have a bunch of toys and plushies and such and doesn’t really ask for them either.

…. THAT BEING SAID

Buggy should most definitely have an absolutely gigantic plush Fruitwani. Massive thing. It’s almost as big as Crocodile himself and that’s not counting the tail. A complete impulse purchase by Crocodile as well, being separated from his husbands for a while, having to delay reuniting them for another two days because of unforeseen circumstances and some unfortunate encounters with some Marines. Talking on the Denden to both of them and learning Buggy has had some bad regression days behind him. He doesn’t even let himself slip fully, there’s still a part of him that knows why Crocodile isn’t back with them, so he tries to stay in a big headspace when talking to him, but inwardly Buggy just wants to cry badly and curl up into Mihawks arms all day because Croccy isn’t home and he doesn’t LIKE it when people aren’t with him for too long because they may never come back. It’s a mess. Crocodiles suffering, Mihawk is suffering and Buggy is absolutely miserable.

So when Crocodile spots the giant plush toy sitting in a store window, surrounded by smaller plushtoys, his mind is immediately made up. Yes that one. Just for decoration? Not for sale? Well it is now. No. No that can be arranged. No the price doesn’t matter, he will leave this island with this absolute beast of a plush toy no matter how many Beri he has to spend or who he’ll have to harm if that what it takes. He WILL have that toy.

Buggy still clings to Crocodile more than usual when he gets back, no plush could ever replace the connection he was craving…. But after he has settled down a bit more the plush actually becomes on of his favorite toys. Not even just when he’s regressed, he just loves this thing. Has spooked several people wanting to talk business with Crossguild coming into the room finding chairman Buggy lounging on, what appears to be, a full sized Fruitwani , it just looks that convincing at first glance. For Buggy it’s not only cool and flashy, it’s a very, literally, big reminder that Crocodile cares about him in his own way, even when on some days the most he’ll get from him is a good morning kiss and the rest of the day is filled with snark towards him until he bids him and Mihawk goodnight again. It just means a lot to him to know he’s loved even when he’s being vulnerable or difficult.

Also yes, Crocodile also loves this thing and Mihawk has been on the suffering end of him and Buggy spooning the damn thing at night while he goes woefully unembraced on his side of the bed „ah yes, just me, my fiances, and the eight foot tall Applewani plush one of them threatened a shop owner over.“

Olay lemme preface this with some things

1) you're not annoying at all, and if anyone says you are, I'll eat their knees

2) I get it - honestly posting content for Buggy specifically for age regression was nerve wracking bc like. Idek really. But giving things I experience to characters I love is so cathartic, and I've spent more than a few nights just.... daydreaming about stuff like that just to be happy and comfy and cozy. No judgement on this blog, of that I promise you ♡♡♡

3) agere is valid every and any way, aesthetic or not, visible or not, it's doesn't matter, only the ways people feel. If you're safe, happy, and not harming anyone, you're doing so perfect and I love you and am proud of you

Now with my soap box stuff done, HOLY HECK YES YES PLZ I LOVE THIS I ADORE I NEED IT, GODS YOUR MIND!!!!! (/pos)

Buggy isn't a typical person, head to toe, inside out, he's Flashy but also incredibly subtle. His regression isn't some cookie cutter type of deal, he's wild and slightly feral in some ways, he's unusual and perfect and precious. His idea of a good time is knife games, climbing (everything is sight, nothing is sacred), explosions, and playing poker. He has a special rope that's just for him to tie and play with ((and occasionally chew on, though Mihawk has a mild heart attack every time he sees it while Crocodile cringes into the next plane of existence in disgust)).

At a glance, not much changes, but Mihawk can feel the change in Haki, and Crocodile can see the microscopic things there when Buggy shifts. He holds things differently, stims more visibly, just seems bouncier and even more animated yet somehow much more calm. The best explanation comes from Buggy himself in describing the shifting between his headspaces. "Some things turn off and others pop on open."

The worst thing to Buggy in general is a perception of loss or abandonment. Logically, he knows it isn't the case, and he can cling to that mostly, but experience has taught him that distance does NOT, in fact, make hearts grow fonder - at least, not for him. The one and only time he felt it may have applied - and this is a very tentative maybe - was when he reunited with his crew, made into Alvida's image and her decisions. There was no war over crew nor ship, just an allowance to slip back in as if he'd never quite left. The only changes or acknowledgement was Alvida's slightly awkward, brusque, yet lingering touch to his arm when she gave it a squeeze and remarked that "handling these hoodlums solo is not my idea if a good time." He was needed, and that did wonders for his security but not so much for the mental health.

Crocodile and Mihawk don't need him - he's the face man, sure, and he's got a talent for manipulation, speeches, rallying men. But at the end of the day, they outshine him despite their proclivities for the shadows. It's a juxtaposition. It's safe. It's wonderful, and Buggy still struggles to trust in the reliability there.

Logically, he knows- Croc is out, managing something for work, he's coming back, he will be back, he's not alone or abandoned or suddenly useless and worthless.

But he still feels it all.

And falling into his headspace to decompress is always harder when he's upset or scared, it only really works when he boils over, and the meltdown that would lead to is counterproductive. So he's waffling between the two, assured only by the calls, by Mihawk, and the few other places he can get some semblance normalcy and security.

When Crocodile does come home, a comically large plush toy over his shoulder, Buggy's already practically vibrating and is completely beyond the point of words in a positive way. He just squeals, lunges and the cushion of sand catching his weight is warm and safe and cozy and he clings, a clown themed koala, right there without shame.

The plush doesn't come up until later.

When someone inevitably asks - and, interestingly enough, it is Mihawk who does - Croc is honest. "Thought the clown would like it for longer trios like this."

The toy is big, yes, and also decently heavy, moreso than even it's size may seem. It's partially weighted in the tummy, legs and jaw, a display piece more than a toy for playing with, and Buggy is absolutely obsessed. It's Croco-sized, and it's a 'wani, and it's soft and cute and heavy. He loves it.

His first order of business is immediately dropping down to scramble under it and just... going limp. He wriggles a little, humming softly before falling still, cheek squished into his forearms, hair a mess but he's smiling, he's relaxed, he's comfy and happy and safe and with his boyfriends' Haki on the edges if his muffled, fuzzy awareness, he truly unwinds for the first time in over a week.

Crocodile carefully tugs his hair from under the toy with his hook, and Mihawk hands him a little fidget toy or a rope.

The toy is named later on, as demanded by a tiny jester with a frankly lethal set of baby doll eyes and quivering lip. Really, he could topple nations with that face, the other two swear.

Mihawk simply has to make peace with Addie the Applewani Cuddle Buddy having a semi permanent spot in the bed.

[wordy-little-witch]

Out of all the characters you see as regressors, who do you think would be most delighted by getting temporarily deaged (Hi Bonney?) and who would just… stress out 24/7 because that’s NOT what they want from regression?

Ooooh that's a really good question.

So the ones I hc as regressors are mostly ones with.... hella trauma. It's not a requisite for regressing but it's smth I'm more familiar with si I err there. On that front, I think most if not all of them would be really stressed by it.

Overall I think Buggy and Luffy would be the most stressed by physically regressing to child sizes.

- for Buggy, it's jarring and that was the time he was most vulnerable. Add on some of the other psychological issues I usually depict him with, and I think actually being child sized while regressed would be a HOT MESS and it would take a WHILE before he could calm down enough to do anything other than dissociate or cry

- Luffy is vaguely similar, but his panic and stress is more external based, if that makes sense? He's the captain and needs to protect and guard his crew, needs to Be There And Be Strong for them - it's smth that already makes regressing in general harder on him. If he DOES manage to slip and Bonney beloved makes him child sized, he's going to lose his marbles - that was the age when he lost so much, when he wasn't strong enough to keep people, when he was weak and vulnerable and unable to protect himself let alone others and he's a captain now and- it's not fun. It's Very Not Fun.

Those in a tentative middle ground would be Shanks, Robin, and Sanji

- Shanks' regression is more muddled than most, but he'd still be REALLY stressed if he was suddenly child sized ((and I'm leaving the arm thing to interpretation, tho I am personally leaning to Still No Arm)). Like Luffy, he's a captain. He's got a crew to protect, and on top of that, he never wants his crew to end up like like the Roger crew either. He's a lil ball of jitters atp. I do however think he has enough trust in his crew to calm down a bit easier than Luffy or Buggy - they're powerful and he doesn't internalize the same way either of them do. All in all, he's still just kinda Blurry and Quiet and more apt to gnaw on things.

- Robin has been in survival mode for the majority of her life. Her parameters for childhood are heavily skewed and she's unfamiliar with the idea of unconditional love and protection. She's learning, and she's growing, and she's trusting. But when she regresses and Bonney makes her a matching size, her brain sort of blue screens for a moment. Logic wars with her emotions and panic. She's new to understanding safety and love and support, but she has wanted it for her entire life. So when her hands are suddenly the hands of a far-too-small-survivor, she reverts to old habits, the instinct to hide and flee and scurry. But then the new habits, the ones she's cultivating, take root and she dares to reach out, to ask, to desire. And they meet her halfway with warmth and love and comfort and snacks and games. It eases up from there.

-Sanji's regression is.... difficult to explain. It's born from a lack but the youngest he goes is around early teenage years. He still cooks and laughs and tries to smoke and puts on a fuss when the other's tell him no but secretly is happyhappyhappy about it. He's just a bit shorter, a bit thinner, less stubble with Bonney's intervention, but he still stresses over the lessened muscle mass, worries and worries and worries - but the crew just slips into normal behaviors, other's stepping up and sending him to play or goof off or relax because they're crew - nakama - family - and he'll always be a priority with them. It's a bit easier with Sanji, ironically enough.

Those least bothered are Perona, and, ironically enough, Ace

- Perona does get the initial surprise and uncanny Valley but she recovers pretty quickly bc she's kind of excited. When she regressed ANYWAY, she trusts her safety with her cg implicitly, or even with her ghosts, so she's not exactly SCARED so much as "whoa what happened??? Oh. Wow, I'm so cute!!!!" She's very excited and is absolutely getting into all manner of mischief. Happy spooky girl hours!!!!!

- Ace has.... a lot of Issues going on around regression. He struggles against it a Lot, but finding his crew and later joining the Whitebeards, he finds that it's a little easier when he can trust others. As a result, being a whitebeard pirate helps him a lot. So when Bonney accidentally-or-on-purpose makes him tiny sized, he's Angry and Annoyed and Mildly Stressed but the rest are just so excited about a Tiny Ace that the stress turns from "Oh no danger" to "Izou please I am begging you I don't wanna wear the cat eared footied pajamas".((spoiler alert, he loses. ((Extra spoiler, Izou then makes a point of making multiple pajama sets with different animals)))).

[wordy-little-witch]

Ouuuugh, on the topic of agere Buggy, I don’t think Crocodile would easily be convinced to read out goodnight stories, but imagine if he DID. God that voice would put any little into a comfy fuzzy space when it speaks to them softly, Buggy must just melt everytime. Although I do feel that Crocodile scoffs at things like fairytales, especially sanitized ones. So if you want him to read to you you’ll better accept that, in his opinion, a kids story oughta be a little dark. He will read you Pinocchio but he won’t skip the part where Pinocchio outright kills the cricket first time he meets it. He’d consider the jungle book a good source of entertainment, but only if he doesn’t omit the part of Mowgli destroying an entire village from it. Robinson Crusoe and Moby Dick are just as much fit to read to a child as treasure island or Peter Pan…. No, the cannibalism and journey of revenge are not inappropriate for children, if anything they either provide excitement or lifeskills.

YES ALL OF THIS

Buggy likely got told fairy tale fables or folk lore at best as "bed time stories". He likely got the nitty gritty seamen tales, stories of past adventures from sailors who don't think to over sweeten the tale. Some things are left out with a sudden pause, side glance and blush, but they aren't sugar-coated.

Mihawk likely has a collection of some Brothers Grimm type tales, and gods can you IMAGINE that.

Like. Somehow my first thought was that the first time was a result of Buggy getting sick. Like. Personal headcanon here that when Buggy gets sick, he gets SICK. His immune system is either GREAT or absolutely fucking horrid, no in between. So, once it's specifically gotten to the point of High Fever and Icky Feelings, Buggy just is left teetering.

Usually, he'll dip during such times, curled up, curtains around his bed or hammock pulled shut, cuddled and wrapped up around his stuffies for whatever comfort he can get.

Not many are down to let that stand, but Crocodile and Mihawk especially.

So Buggy is visited by two men who immediately begin on the gentle hands, the ruffled hair, the "how are you feeling, brat?"

And Buggy, safe, sick, sad and wanting so badly to not be so sad and icky and upset, just sniffles, hands reaching out. Getting him curled up about the bed is easy, settling him against Croc's side equally so. He's shivering and the logia user is nothing if not a walking heater. Cuddling isn't his thing, but for his clown, he'll make an exception.

Mihawk breaks out the book first, and he read aloud, something done fairly frequently already. It's familiar. It's comfortable. And Buggy dozes off, finally sleeping, and Mihawk marks the page carefully.

Later on, he goes to start making them dinner, and Buggy wakes up, groggy and so far down he's blurred out completely. And Crocodile, looking into those glazed, feverish eyes, the trust in them, the clinging fingers, the flush - he doesn't know what it is. Maybe it's nothing. Maybe it's everything.

But he picks up the book, Mihawk in the kitchen, and Crocodile reads to Buggy, offering snarky commentary and brushing tendrils of sand through sweaty blue hair.

And Buggy is mesmerized.

It's a first, one done of love.

It's not the last, as enforced by pervasive begging - and also love. But mostly begging.

[wordy-little-witch]

Shanks and Buggy should both be regressors because Shanks also feels like a mayoralty depressed little guy to me and if anyone has taken a number just as much as Buggy did from his days as a Roger pirate it’s him thanks for listening to my Ted talk.

No but srsly I can just imagine Shanks as having some extremely off days where he usually drinks himself into a stupor because yay bad coping mechanism, but what would actually do him some good is to feel taken care off again or to at least be with someone who „gets it“

Buggy would absolutely „get it“, even tough he also probably would be reluctant to even just watch after a regressed Shanks at first. Probably has an easier time when he’s also regressed and feeling just a bit older than Shanks and can take that responsibility („older“ is a broad term here since Shanks regression is mostly nonverbal and also muddled. He could be anywhere from 15 to 5 and sometimes he’s somehow both at the same time somehow). In that case he will go absolutely „annoyed but caring older brother“ mode on Shanks tough, who’d just follow him around like an oversized Puppy and mostly just watches him do stuff with curiosity. Rarely initiates anything play related, rarely talks and rarely asks for anything, but if Buggy snatches a knife out of his hand and berated him for using something so dangerous in his state, before cutting the apple Shanks was about to cut himself, he’ll just beam at him with happiness.

Oh and also, chews on everything. Chews on the cloth of his coat, chews on his fingers, chews on random piece of driftwood he found at the beach. Has probably more than once been catapulted out of his regressive state because he was chewing on a pen and then realized to his horror that „Oh fuck. I obliterated this thing.“ before looking at a befuddled Benn with blue ink all over his lips.

YESYESYES THIS THIS ENTIRELY THIS X100000000

Okay but on a absolutely dead serious note, I feel like Shanks regressing as well is absolutely within realm of possibilities. I feel like Buggy probably does it more... idk, visibly? Identifiably? Shanks usually passes as just "Oh it's just one of those moods" whereas Buggy hides away instinctively and struggles to let anyone in on that level of vulnerability because of how absolutely WACKED out his trust issues are.

Honestly, when it comes down to it, they both have this ingrained instinctive reaction to one another. Buggy is feeling too tiny in the face of the world? Shanks can't tell where his lines end and the world begins beneath the fluff and fuzz? Small things of each other are what brings comfort.

Buggy has a red blanket, his favorite blanket with eyelets and lacing, he adores it, the fiddling, the texture, the color, and he refuses to tell anyone or admit to himself that, half asleep, cuddling that blanket, the lacing pressed to his cheek, it isn't a tent around him, earth beneath him, it isn't on land where he's resting - it's on a boat, in a tiny storage room turned cabin, in a hammock or on the floor or in a familiar yet distant bed, far too big for a far larger man,, sea salt in the air and his Red under his snuggling might.

When Shanks is fuzzy and struggling to process input, struggling to offer output beyond the pressure in his teeth against whatever can soothe the urge, he is staring at the sea, he is looking at the shifting blue hues and remembering bright hair and brighter eyes that shifted just the same with the waves of emotion in a familiar little face. He is remembering a time when he would feel funny like this and a smaller, paler, scarred little hand would grab his and drag him away from whatever was going on, would gently smack a knife from his hand, would take over and complain with faux-anger in his high little voice as he mothered the redhead and blushed furiously when Shanks turned that warm-fuzzy-heated-happiness into a smile to give to him.

Even decades later, years apart, pieces of each other remain and offer comfort when needed the most.

Should the rifts between them ever mend, should a world exist where the rift is not there, or is not quite to jagged and jarring, they'd be each other's. They always have been and always will be, soulmates in any and ever way imaginable, a connection deeper than labels can define and beyond the spectrum that humans use.

They, to this day, would find safety and security with each other. Buggy's regression is still hypervigilant, perceptive and cerebral which offsets Shanks' body and brawn. They click in ways most can't fathom but simply Is and Was and Will Be.

The first time Shanks visits Karai Bari, Crocodile and Mihawk see it first hand. There is a time frame there, and initial setting of the stage. Buggy and Shanks fall into banter as easily as breathing, biting comments and affable laughter, but it's in the body language that the truth lies. It's how Buggy can lean into Shank's space, on the side of his missing arm, pass into that vulnerable spot and Shanks does not move away. He just smiles, easily, as if this isn't something he'd flinched away from not even three years ago when Mihawk himself passed that space. It's how Shanks reaches out easily and catches one of Buggy's flailing arms and the jester doesn't disconnect to keep moving, just squirms and complains loudly. It's how they easily meet eyes and millions of words are exchanged between two men with barely a thought.

It's then how later on in the night, as they are relaxing post dinner, Mihawk feels the pickling-flowering-gauzy sensation Buggy's Haki makes when he is teetering on headspaces, when he makes the decision to attempt a tasteful exit with his little clown in toe, and the swordsman watches as Buggy slips easily into Shanks's space, grabs his bottle of nameless drink, and drops it to the floor with a pout. "No," he demands, grabbing Shanks by the cheeks and bonking their heads together. "'S bad for you."

Mihawk expects many thing and yet nothing by way of reaction from his former rival. By the way Crocodile shifts his weight and hand minutely, he is preparing as well. Neither is ready for the little plume of strawberry-spiced-clouds by way of the other emperor's energy oozing from him as he laughs - it's nearly a giggle, nearly a snicker, and his hand comes up to tap-tap pause tap-tap on the freckled arm of his clown-faced captor.

Buggy just giggles, nodding. Shanks beams and doesn't hesitate, lunging. Mihawk is quick to grab Crocodile's shoulder, palm haki coated to be safe, watching on as he realizes suddenly that the two Emperors before him had so suddenly, so readily, become the two little Princes before him in complete confidence. There's an emotional component there, he knows, can feel it in his diaphragm, but that takes the back burner in lieu of the dawning realization from his sand man boyfriend at his hip, watching the children cling and laugh and push at each other.

Before a scaffold was built in a small east blue city some two decades ago, two boys were each other's in a way nobody could explain or replicate. It was a bond forged on survival, trauma, codependency, and dreams bigger than their little hearts even put together could weather. Despite the tlchanging tides and dawning eras and passing days-months-years between, they've never strayed far from that - front what they are, from who they are to each other. They've changed. But that's always the same.

And now, they have just a few more people on hand who are willing to ride the waves there at their sides in varying capacities.

Mihawk and Crocodile never expected to have two semi feral part time kids, but weirder things have happened.

They don't really mind rolling with those punches

[wordy-little-witch]

Regressor Buggy concepts to cope with my current stress (apartment complex is having work done which involves horrible drills and AAAAAAAA BADSOUNDBADSOUND -)

So let's gooooo

• Buggy doesn't really have an age range - or if he does, it's so wacked out bc of his baseline that he just goes "mmm shrug". Mihawk actually asked him about it because, after feeling Buggy's Haki shift the way it had the first time he was faced with the situation, he dove into research and books to figure out what it was, how to help, etc.

• Crocodile also looked into it a little more, but not to the same extent as Mihawk; or rather, not to that extent in theoretical knowledge. He looked into options for toys, clothes, etc. Their love languages are acts of service (Mihawk), and gift giving (Crocodile), so they do their best. They just happen to go overboard.

• Buggy has always been a clothes thief, so honestly when he's regressed, nothing makes him feel cozier than a too-big-button up. Especially if it's stolen. And smells safe. And the owner of said shirt is big, grumpy and chases him for it.

• Buggy's actually pretty low maintenance when regressed depending on Vibe. Often times, his idea of a good time is parallel play or coexisting comfortably. That can mean playing with his ropes or blocks while Croc does paperwork and Mihawk reads, or it can be cuddled up with a 'wani and reading himself or playing with his hair. Sensory seeking lil guy.

• Top Ten Nap Spots With Baby Bug:

1) Crocodile's Lap

2) Mihawk's bed

3) with Ritchie or his guavawani, Puppy

4) rafters

5) his bed, but specifically with all his plushies

6) bottom of Alvida's closet

7) hammocks

8) Shanks' bed

9) in the aerial silks

10) on the top level of the big storage loft in the meeting room.

• Buggy is the reigning champion of hide and seek - up to the game being semi-banned unless Mihawk is on the island and involved because Buggy's Haki is akin to a cloud and he's the only one who can track Bugs when he's regressed and hiding.

• Buggy isn't exactly a picky eater, but regressed he can come off as picky. In actuality, before being adopted by Roger, he didn't exactly have access to lots of food, and on the ship he would often forget to eat entirely without Shanks or someone else reminding him. Nowadays, he has a schedule to eat and still often forgets to do it. He just forgets more easily when he's little, and he gets easily distracted. Mihawk has gotten a bit of absystem down with small snacks and grazing habits, but sometimes Buggy's just... not interested in it.

• cat coded, ironically. He and Mihawk will fall asleep in warm patches of light and Crocodile will never admit to putting his coat over them. Not even when they return his coat.