Alcohol. You Can't Stand It.

Hey!

First of all, I'm a non-native English speaker, so there might be some mistakes!

This fic takes place in the Cross Guild. You might find references to the chapter 1082 if you've read it, but there is no spoiler if you have not read it yet!

Also, this fic broaches the topic of alcohol pretty heavily, if you don't feel comfortable with it, you probably shouldn't read it! (There is, however, no mention of alcoholism or addiction.)

Anyway, enjoy!

______________________

It was always like that.

Something happened to the crew, be it positive or negative, the issue was resolved at some point, and a banquet was thrown. The party lasted for hours, most of the time up until the first lights of the day, and the coming of dawn would signal its end, most of the people involved going to bed, while the ones who had first gone to sleep woke up.

Buggy didn't expect it to be any different now that the two former warlords were here. What he didn't expect was for it to be worse. He didn't expect their presence to spur his men into even more spectacular feasts. Maybe it was to show off, to prove that Buggy's crew, and therefore Buggy, knew how to treat guests. Buggy didn't have a clue, but whatever were the reasons, he hated it.

He was crossing the corridor that led to his quarters, hurrying up, hoping not to run into anyone. Though, as always, Buggy wasn't a lucky man. There in the middle of the path stood Mohji.

Buggy's steps faltered as he saw his first mate. Already, Mohji was coming to meet him. The blue-haired man would have backed away, had he not been sure of getting caught in the corridor.

'Captain, here you are! I was looking for you, come and join us at the party!' His first mate shouted, his words already slurred.

Buggy made a face, trying to find a way out, in vain. Mohji had already grabbed his arm, and was now pulling him back towards the main halls. They could hear the full swing party even through the multiple closed doors, and Buggy already lamented his room.

He let himself get dragged back to the centre of the party, in the middle of musicians and dancing pirates. Next to the bar. The place he had specifically tried to get away from.

He refused the pint he was handed despite the waiter's protests, glaring at him when he didn't accept the refusal. He might have been forced to come back to the party, but he was still the captain. If he didn't want a drink, he wouldn't have a drink.

The music was loud and the counter sticky. He could see drunkards everywhere he looked, not a single sober soul in sight. He reached behind the counter where he knew they kept the non-alcoholic drinks and poured himself one. People wouldn't nag him if he had a glass in hand, no matter its content.

He rose from his stool, going to take a look around. Now that he was back here, he couldn't escape this easily. The captain had to make his presence acknowledged.

He went from table to table, smiling widely though he didn't feel like it, chatting with his men, drinking from his glass every time someone tried to hand theirs. But the further he went inside the hall, the more drunk his men were.

He heaved a sigh as he left the table he'd been at, making a face at the smell of spilled whiskey at his feet. He barely avoided the puddle before he was dragged into another group, someone pouring something in his empty cup. He tried to protest, but he wasn't able to, another man coming to grab him by the shoulders, starting a loud pirate song. The men nearby seemed to react to it as they joined the song, Buggy being forcefully tossed around as his men screamed loudly.