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Doflamingo was putting on a show. Corazon knew there was no way this meeting was really all that important to his brother. Hell, he’d never even heard of the pirate captain sitting on the other side of the meeting room table before.
Usually Corazon had no right to judge other people for their chosen looks, but today felt like the exception. The guy was dressed like a clown, complete with a shiny red nose and everything.
Apparently Doflamingo’s current victim had the very intimidating name of “Buggy.”
Buggy was shivering in his rickety wooden chair across from half of the Doflamingo Family heads. The look on his face made it seem like he thought his nerves were going by unnoticed, but everyone could see his long twin tails shaking in fear.
When Buggy gulped, Doflamingo grinned. “Buggy the Clown. Given your history, I’m surprised how under my radar you’ve remained,” Doflamingo drawled.
“My history?” Buggy forced a scoff. “What are you talking about?”
“Well, I got word that you were one of the youngest pirates to join Gold Roger’s crew.”
Buggy was shocked into stillness. “How’d you hear about that? No wait–Yes! I was one of the accomplished few on the Pirate King’s crew.” He puffed out his chest with a flimsy haughtiness. “What of it?”
“It’s my business to know what’s going on in the North Blue. And if I don’t like what I hear, I make a point to drop by and make a visit.” Doflamingo leaned forward, his torso crossing over the table so he could shove his face into Buggy’s. “This visit serves as a warning. Find another Blue if you insist on playing pirate. But you can’t stay here.”
“Hah, uh, and what makes you think you can scare me off?”
Doflamingo’s smile dropped.
Buggy immediately conceded. “Alright, yup. I’ll be out of your hair.”
Doflamingo pushed out of his chair and smiled once more. “I’m glad this visit didn’t have to end too poorly.”
Following the captain, the Donquixote pirates filed out behind Doflamingo from the big top tent. Corazon brought up the rear, not able to resist lingering on the poor, pathetic frame of Buggy the Clown.
Buggy did not end up heeding Doflamingo’s warning. Even after two months had passed Doflamingo was still seeing reports of Buggy the Clown committing petty crimes in the North Blue. Corazon had even tried covering for the guy, making up potential reasons for his delayed departure. In the end, nothing Corazon made up could convince Doflamingo not to go after Buggy.
Once again, he found himself standing in a near empty room with Buggy being the only one sat in a chair. Only this time, Buggy was physically tied down into it. In the struggle to drag Buggy back to the Doflamingo Pirate’s home base, not only did his massive hat come loose, but all the gaudy clown makeup had smudged off as well. The only semblance of his clown look was his bright red nose. It stayed so firmly on him that Corazon wondered if it genuinely just looked like that.
“You’ve really started to piss me off, Buggy.” Doflamingo snarled. “Enjoy your night here cause you’re not living to see the next one.”
“No, wait–!”
Doflamingo closed the door before Buggy could finish speaking. Cruel smile on his lips once again, he turned to Corazon. “What a fuckin’ loser.”
No matter how long Corazon spent in bed with his eyes closed that night, he couldn’t fall asleep. Buggy hadn’t done anything to deserve dying. Doflamingo had told him all about Buggy’s supposed ‘offenses.’ There’d been nothing worse than some light assault and any robberies were from small roadside vendors. Nothing even held a candle to the crimes Doflamingo had committed.
An hour into his internal debate, Corazon decided enough was enough. So what if he was undercover. He was still a marine and that meant he couldn’t stand by and let this clearly unnecessary murder come to pass.
Buggy was snoring away in the wooden chair they’d left him in.
Corazon debated just picking up the whole chair and sneaking out, but he couldn’t come up with a way to explain his actions if he was caught. Instead, he gently shook Buggy’s shoulder to wake him. If someone caught him sneaking Buggy out he’d just lie and pretend he caught Buggy mid escape.
Smacking his lips and blinking away his sleep, Buggy woke up as if he were still in the comfort of his own bed. He didn’t seem to think that much of his scenery until he finally took in Corazon standing next to him. “OH MY GOD DON’T KILL ME PLEASE!” Buggy screeched.
Corazon’s immediate instinct was to use his devil fruit, but as much sympathy as he had for Buggy, there was no way he’d risk his cover for him. That left the only option to slap a hand over Buggy’s agape mouth. Corazon shook his head and nodded in the direction of the door, hoping that would be enough for Buggy to get the message.
Once Buggy wasn’t making any more moves to resist, Corazon slowly removed his hand.
Buggy didn’t continue any of his previous screaming but from the look on his face he definitely still wanted to. “You didn’t have to slap me. It stings!” Buggy hissed instead.
Corazon smiled sheepishly. There’s nothing he could do about that.
After breaking Buggy out of his restraints, he took a small notepad out of his back pocket. Corazon quickly scribbled down, I’m here to help get you out .
Putting a finger to his lips, Corazon quietly peeked out the door into the hallway. He figured he could stash the clown in his quarters for the time being. Then, once he had a boat ready, he’d smuggle him out the window.
Dodging any hint of noise, Corazon managed to maneuver the two of them through the Donquixote residence. They both breathed a sigh of relief once Corazon’s bedroom door was closed behind them.
Corazon brought back out his notepad. I can get you out of here, but after that you’re going to have to stop being a pirate for a while.
“What? Stop being a pirate?” Buggy floundered, “That’s all I’ve ever been! What else can I do?” Right as Corazon was about to propose getting a job, Buggy said, “Ah! But, maybe, maybe, he’ll let me be if I actually move to another Blue this time.”
No. He’s really going to kill you. Corazon wrote bluntly.
“Agh! This sucks !” Buggy actually looked near tears. He caught a glance of his frantic appearance in Corazon’s mirror and it only made him wail more. “And my makeup is all a mess too. This double sucks!” His heavy tears only served to melt his makeup further. Any residue around his eyes was now streaked down his cheek and under his chin.
Corazon looked down at the facepaint he left on the dresser for himself. If he was remembering the makeup look correctly, he should have exactly the same colors that Buggy used on his own face. Corazon smiled and wildly gestured toward his desk chair.
With an uncertain look in his eye, Buggy gingerly sat down.
I can fix your makeup before we sneak you out if you want? Corazon wrote while picking up both the facepaint and a brush.
“What?” Buggy rubbed at his nose and sniffed. “Yeah, I mean, yeah. Please…”
After managing to wipe off the ruined remnants of makeup, Corazon realized there was more going on with Buggy’s look than he ever did with his own. It took a bit more focus than he’d been expecting. He’d never done someone else’s makeup before either. In order to get the crossed bones just right, Corazon needed to actually grip Buggy’s jaw and hold him in place. While directing all his focus on Buggy’s forehead, Corazon accidentally smudged the lipstick he’d just done. He decided to simply rub the smudge away instead of going to get a washcloth.
As he rubbed along Buggy’s lipline, he noticed how warm the face in his hands had grown. Corazon looked up to meet Buggy’s eyes.
His entire face had grown pink. Buggy squeaked before muttering, “Oh my god…”
Corazon tilted his head, hoping to convey his confusion without words.
“I have to go,” Buggy choked out. “Bye.” And with that, he jumped out the window and into the night.
I haven't even gotten the boat yet…