Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“When dreamers awaken the mind is oftentimes bewitched by desire ”-----

-*-*-*-

Ruskaina taught Luffy how much he loved his crew. Although it was tough for him it was very necessary. If he was ever going to become the pirate king he would have to be the strongest by far.

His training with rayleigh was very vigorous. Constantly running, fighting, and becoming stronger. It wasnt really much different than his childhood at Mt Colub.

Grap and rayleigh even had very similar and “disciplined” teaching techniques. And the animals and beasts (although much bigger) were very reminiscent of the rough and savage nature of the jungles back in the mountains.

It honestly reminded him of how much he missed Ace and Sabo. But it also fueled his desire to train hard so that he could see his crew again. So that he would be strong enough to protect them and so that they would never be ripped apart again.

When Luffy was reunited with his crew. He definitely had changed. And not just in strength

The whole crew noticed. Luffy was always a bit erratic and clingy but the crew definitely noticed how much those habits almost seemed tenfold.

Luffy would bounce around the crew interacting with everybody and inviting himself to participate in their daily tasks.

It was very endearing and kind of sweet. They all were delighted to have one on one time with their beloved captain.

First Luffy would help Sanji prepare lunch and snacks for Robin and Nami in exchange for some himself. It was fun to have Luffy in the kitchen at first.

But eventually, Sanji grew annoyed at Luffy's constant urge to eat everything in sight. And he would respectfully but forcefully usher him out of the kitchen.

Luffy figured he should probably check up on Zoro.

---------------------------------------------------

Zoro never really eased up on his training ever since they reunited he was constantly pushing himself to his limits. And surprisingly enough though Zoro is a private person he always enjoyed it when people visited him while he trained. In fact, he would even gladly help any of his fellow crewmates train if they wanted to join in.

“Hey, Zoro!”

Zoro was on his last set of push-ups. He nodded in acknowledgment of his captain's entrance and then began to work on his pushup counting and exhaling on every upwards motion.

“3….2……1”

He took some time to catch his breath. And drunk water in between heavy pants. When he was finally ready he turned his head toward Luffy.

“What's up “ he breathe out, still slightly tired from his heavy workout.

“Nothing much, Sanji kicked me out of the kitchen,” Luffy exclaimed finishing his sentence by sticking his tongue out in a bratty pout.

He smiled in response and mentally praised the other's rambunctious antics for annoying the pervy cook.

“How cruel of him, so you came here to train with me?” Zoro laughed turning to grab his bottle of “workout reward” booze.

Luffy frowned.

All the straw hats have been trying to get Zoro to quit day drinking and agreed to actively get him to quit.

Sanji was always making him tasty non-alcoholic beverages whenever he was thirsty.

Usopp and robin were always trying to keep him busy with tasks. Nami always throws any bottle of booze she finds in Zoro's possession overboard the ship. And Franky would always invite Zoro to try out new cola flavors with him.

Luffy genuinely didnt want to disappoint the others because he was enabling Zoro's drinking habits. So he had to stop him somehow…

“Oh yeah I forgot to tell you chopper’s been looking for you ” Luffy lied

Zoro paused mid-swig. “Shit!” he cursed.

He knew he was a dead man. Chopper could smell the slightest bit of alcohol on him. And his methods surprisingly were more aggressive than Nami’s.

He hurriedly put the bottle down and got up from his spot on the floor; mentally preparing himself for chopper’s angry lecture. Maybe chopper would go easy on him this time?

“See ya later,” Zoro said in a nervous tone.

Luffy felt guilty that he lied. But Zoro would be fine. And the others would have done the same thing in his position.

Luffy spent some time thinking and humming to himself. But eventually, he grew bored of the tune he was humming and he went out in search of some entertainment and some company.

-*-*-*-

Luffy hung out with brook for a while and helped him with the new song he was composing.

Then Franky came over and asked to help him test out a new booster upgrade for the mini merry.

“How does it look? Is it super or what!” Franky confidently exclaimed

“Yeah it looks so cool” Luffy was very impressed by how cool Franky made anything he built. He kept getting over-excited thinking about when he would be able to test out the new features in action!

Eventually, Robin came over to also compliment Franky on his craftsmanship with Nami and they all had a funny and typical conversation on the deck about whatever came to mind and how their days were going so far.

And before they knew it Sanji was calling them in for a late lunch (due to Luffy eating half the main course earlier),

Everyone soon piled into the kitchen taking their respective seat as Sanji brought the food to the table. Just then chopper walked in followed by a sulking Zoro.

“Hey, guys!” A smiling chopper innocently greeted everyone while taking a the vacant his vacant seat in between Robin and a grumbling Zoro.

“Dig in everyone!” Sanji said while taking his seat next to Brook.

“Thanks, Sanji this is delicious!!” Luffy said in between large bites managing to already be halfway done with a large chicken thigh in less than twenty seconds. Sanji smiled with fondest he was always proud to feed his hungry crew.

Everyone else took their first bites and murmured their agreement to Luffy's sentiments.

Of course, The cook only heard Nami and Robin's praises and the look on his face morphed from a happy smile to a pervy and goofy lovestruck smirk.

“Anything for you Nami- Swan and Robin-chan.” He cried out with that same dumb smirk still on his face.

“Ewwww Stop making that ugly face, I’m trying to eat,” Zoro mumbled.

Sanji turned to him and immediately his face morphed into an aggravated expression.

“What did you say moss-head?” he said in an accusatory tone.

“I didn’t say anything. Your imagining things curly brow” Zoro teased

Zoro and Sanji carried on with their usual Back and fourth arguing. They all were used to it by now so all of them carried on eating ignoring their antics; some of the crew started side conversations. And their lunch carried on in its normal fashion.

Nami idly discussed her plans for the rest of the day with Robin. She has been meaning to get her hair trimmed a bit and Usopp promised to style it for her last week. But they never got around to it.

Then she turned to her right to ask Usopp if he would try to help her with it later. And was met with his empty seat.

Where was Usopp? Now that she was thinking about it she hadn't recalled seeing him walk in with them. Matter of fact, She hadn’t seen him since breakfast had been hours earlier. What could he possibly be up to that’s this important?

The sunny was a big ship but Usopp came out of his workshop often to take breaks. Or at the very least he wasnt the type to hoard himself in his workshop without warning.

“Hey….HEY…-” she started trying to grab everyone's attention.

“Where Usopp?” She questions worriedly

Brook, Sanji, and Zoro all shrugged and continued with their prior behaviors. Robin and Franky thought about it for some time both with an also growing look of concern.

Chopper put his hoove on his chin trying to recall if he saw Usopp around during the day with an adorable focused expression.

And Luffy was still stuffing his face with much food as possible. (But She didn’t expect him to respond he had a habit of zoning out during meals).

“I’ll go get him” She sighed and began to get up.

She was about to excuse herself from the table to search for the missing straw hat but before she could finish she was cut off unexpectedly.

“I’ll go get him Nami, just sit down.”

They all got quiet. Some of them were shocked. Others were curious and were waiting to see what would play out (basically Robin, Franky, and Zoro). But regardless everyone’s heads turned to Luffy as he finished off his last couple of bites. Wiped his mouth messily on his sleeve. And got up to stand.

Luffy wasn’t one to cut one of his meals short unless there was a dangerous threat. And no one expected him to willingly stop eating; Especially for a mundane task like fetching Usopp because he lost track of time. Nami was the first to break the silence

“It's fine I got it! Im already up anyways…” Nami trailed off waving her hand at him. They all expected him to drop back to his seat and continue wolfing down lunch. But he doubled down.

“It’s fine. Sit down. I got it” Luffy smiled while folding his hands above his head.

“If you insist…”

“I do.”

Then he turned around and walked out of the room down the hall in direction of Usopp’s workshop smiling.

Gradually everyone began to eat and cause a commotion again. Some even shrugged in indifference.

Nami stared at the door he exited with a tight-lipped frown of confusion and suspicion. Why did he want to be the one to get him? But then again that's their captain, Always unpredictable. She too eventually continued with her lunch as normal. Chalking Luffy’s weird behavior up to his typical weird antics.

—--------------------------------

Chapter Text

Everything had to be perfect. Down to the smallest details.

He was working with enough explosives to kill at least 3 Sea kings after all.

Usopp learned how to make numerous types of deadly explosives when he was on The Boin Archipelago.

He began small when he first learned the science of making the perfect ammunition for his slingshot.

Then he began practicing with moving targets.

He learned quickly that the more gunpowder the bigger the explosion.

He also learned how to effectively make hazardous shells, shoot, and hit his target. His new logic was if his shot didn’t kill his enemy; the lethal blast after it detonated would.

He was almost done with the last shell. They probably started lunch without him he thought. Knowing Luffy’s inhuman appetite there would probably only be scraps left.

Usopp let his mind wander a little further shaking his head (in a mixture of fondness and annoyance) at his captain's lack of empathy.

“Hey, Usopp!”

Usopp shot up in the air screaming at the top of his lungs.

The shell he was working on flew above his head having been tossed by Usopp in his shocked state.

“WHAT THE FUCK !” Usopp lunged at the bullet and caught it right before it hit the floor.

Usopp was dazed.

He sat up on the floor cradling the explosive that almost could have potentially blown a hole into the side of the Thousand Sunny. He sat in place shaking while processing the shock of dropping it. And the intense relief he felt after he caught it.

What FUCK was that?

“Shishishi…. I scared you.” Luffy cackled

Oh yeah. That’s what happened.

For the second time, Usopp lunged at super speed…..

But this time was to wrap his fingers around Luffy’s neck.

“I’M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU LUFFY!” Usopp started violently shaking Luffy with a vice-like grip around his neck.

Luffy continued laughing while Usopp was choking him.

“YOU….SHOULD HAVE...SEEN…..YOUR FACE!!!” Luffy choked out in between laughs. He was hysterical.

Usopp let go of his neck. The fiery anger inside Usopp turned into embarrassment.

“Shut up!” Usopp said clearly flustered.

Usopp crossed his arms and glared at Luffy.

“Are you finished?”

After laughing for at least 30 more seconds he finally stopped.

“Your so funny Usopp!” Luffy wiped the tears of laughter out of his eyes and smiled brightly at Usopp.

“Glad you found it funny!” Usopp said sarcastically.

Usopp was still kind of annoyed at Luffy. Why couldn’t he be serious for once in his life?

He hadn’t changed at all in these two years.

His old goofier self would have probably laughed this off but instead, he turned back to his workbench and gave Luffy the cold shoulder.

It’s not like he didn’t find it a little amusing. And he wasn’t actually mad at Luffy. It was just that he was supposed to be a changed man.

NO more horseplay.

And NO more jokes.

There were in the new world now, he had to be serious.

“What do you even want?” Usopp antagonized while carefully packing up all his explosives into his bag.

“I just wanted to see what you were up to….Plus everyone was wondering where you were… It's lunchtime.”

“I was busy. But I’m almost done now.” Usopp stopped his actions and turned to Luffy.

“I’ll be upstairs soon. Now go away.”

Luffy narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips. “What's your issue?”

Usopp huffed. “You play too much! I’m done acting like a kid! You told us to get stronger so I DID! So what's YOUR “issue”?” he said fiercely.

How did the mood sour so quickly?
“What's that gotta do with ANYTHING?! You're just acting like an asshole.”, he said while crossing his arms and pouting.

“Ever since we all got back together your the only one that's been acting like this.” he continued raising his voice slightly as Usopp.

The rest of the crew might have heard that.

“Oh, so now that I’m useful I’m not fun anymore. Did you like it when I was a little bitch? Just something for you to laugh at?” the sniper bit back spitefully

Usopp knew he was provoking Luffy. Luffy always brought out his insecurities. Maybe it was because he was so much stronger than Usopp.

Or maybe it was because he liked it when Luffy told him he was wrong about himself. When he would tell him how amazing and funny he thought Usopp was. Luffy was the only one that ever made him feel like he wasn’t weak and he didn’t even know it.

“Why do you always twist my words around?! I never said that.” Luffy yelled

Their argument got very heated. And Luffy was beginning to get very frustrated.

Their fights always reminded him of their falling out back at Water 7.

Although Usopp was in the wrong in the past; Luffy could admit the fight was also a result of his emotional shortcomings as a captain.

It was obvious that during Water Seven Usopp saw himself as the going merry.

Something that was broken. He didn’t want them to abandon The Going Merry because he thought they were going to throw him away next. Some people would think Usopp was a pathetic pirate for feeling such weak emotions.

But Luffy felt horrible that he didn't understand his cry for help at first.

Back then, he failed to acknowledge Usopp's feelings of inferiority. In Water Seven, he was so mad that Usopp let his insecure thoughts get the best of him that he let his own emotions overtake him. He knew now how much reassurance Usopp needed but it still aggravated him that Usopp felt that way in the first place.

“Whatever Luffy if you don't leave I WILL” Usopp slung the bag over his head and shoved Luffy as he walked towards the door.

For Usopp's sake, he would forget that he just did that. But although Luffy wanted to calm him down he would not tolerate that level of disrespect.

“We're still talking. GET BACK HERE!” Luffy said still turned away from Usopp.

The crew probably heard that.

“Aye Aye captain!”

Usopp slammed the door so hard that it shook the china in the kitchen.

The crew definitely heard that.

And Luffy's blood boiled.
Usopp was kinda proud of himself.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Usopp stomped up the stairs.

His triumphant attitude started to expire as he walked toward the kitchen. As the sniper reached the door he took notice of how eerily quiet it was.

He swung the door open to find the whole crew eating in silence.

The swordsman was the first one to speak as Usopp walked towards his seat.

“Notice how he only uses that tone with Luffy. If I was captain you wouldn’t be carrying on like that.” Zoro said with a glare.

“Good thing your not my captain.” Usopp rebuttal taking his seat.

Sanji slapped Zoro on the shoulder with a tense look “Stop talking like that!”

“What the brute is trying to say is that: Why do you and Luffy always get so heated when you fight?” Sanji said while sliding him a plate.

“I don't know Sanji… he just pushes all my buttons.” Usopp huffed while grabbing some of whatever was left from the table.

“That’s not true I’ve seen some of your guys' other fights and you egg him on!” Nami interjected

“Yeah that's true …” Chopper, Franky, and brook said absentmindedly, torn between wanting to get involved but also wanting to state their opinion.

Everyone began finishing their lunch. Gradually people began to excuse themselves from the table until Usopp and Sanji were the only ones left.

The cook watched Usopp eat while smoking a cigarette. When Usopp was done he excused himself from the table a begun to leave.

“The way you two argue…. and yet are still so close….I’d have thought you were married…” Sanji said while putting his cigarette out

“Yeah yeah… you are so funny Sanji.” Usopp said while reaching for the door handle.

“Whose laughing Usopp?” Sanji said in mock innocence

Usopp slammed the door for the second time that day. But this time it wasn’t as satisfying because he could feel Sanji’s ugly shit-eating smirk behind him.

Chapter Text

Robin and Franky were such a power couple. Although they weren’t actually dating officially. 

They decided a long time ago not to use labels. Sailing the grand line meant your situation wasn’t always guaranteed. Anything could happen tomorrow so whenever they indulged in each other they decided to just be present in the moment and whatever happens, happens. But there are definitely loose strings to that rule. 

Like the implication of wanting a domestic future from Robin or the possessive way, Franky would act when Robin was around another man worth being jealous of. It gave their relationship a more tender aspect than just being in a situationship…. Or rather a ‘situation on a ship’ as Franky joked.

Their bond was very strong. And the couple would sometimes disappear on the ship for little increments of time to be with each other. Sometimes they would be just silent and enjoy each other's company doing their respective tasks. But other times they would just talk.

Just like today.

_____________

“Usopp got it bad for Luffy, the poor guy,” Franky said with a giggle

They were in the library sitting on a comfortable leather bench. Franky had his hand around her waist. While Robin leaned on his chest. She had a book in her hand and was reading, but Franky could always tell when she would shift her attention to him…noticing it took her longer to flip the page. 

“Hmmm…”

She read a couple more pages before responding with “It’s our captain who has caught a bad case of lovesickness”

Franky immediately replied “ Nah! It's my bro, Usopp who's falling.. hard”

“Well, then I suppose their feelings are mutual,” Robin remarked

“I had that feeling too, but they are so dense. Someone should do something before they tear each other apart with all… er… that romantic tension?” Franky said before taking a swing of his cola that was resting on the table.

Franky wiped his chin and sighed.

“Someone has to teach Usopp how to treat a woman…well..er… a gentleman I mean…if you can even call Luffy that.” Franky laughed

There was nothing gentlemanly about their captain.

“And you know how to treat women…?” Robin flirted giving him and sultry glance.

“How bout I treat you to a little something then?” Franky smiled crudely.

———————

Being the bigger man…..

When it came to Usopp and Luffy's fights they always resolved themselves quickly. But this time was different.

Luffy matured enough to know that although he was Usopp’s best friend he was his Captain first . And since Usopp disrespected his authority he had to come to him .

After the fight Zoro stayed very close to Luffy to make sure the two didn't just sweep the fight under the rug.

After being around more, Zoro noticed it was hard for Luffy to be without his best friend for so long. 

Even when they were eating he would notice his captain's longing glances at usopp…or sometimes Luffy would open his mouth excitedly to say something then remember that they were in the middle of a spat. 

And what annoyed Zoro more was Usopp's glaring and constant attitude throughout the week that followed. It was almost like he was never gonna let up and apologize… Like he was supposed to… Zoro thought angrily

That long-nosed brat….

Even during bathtime Usopp was incredibly cold. Usually, the men’s bath time consisted of Usopp, Luffy, and Chopper playing…While Zoro and Sanji sat in the corner overseeing them. 

Instead, Zoro guided Luffy over to the corner with him and Sanji. However, the distance didn't stop Luffy from feeling sparks of jealousy from the display he was witnessing across the bath.

Usopp began to tickle Chopper and toss him around in the water.  And they both began laughing and enjoying themselves. They even played Luffy's favorite bathtime game…marco polo.

Zoro eyebrows knitted together in fury. how dare he! 

The sniper was trying to rub the fun they were having in Luffy's face. It was obvious that Usopp was making it hard for Luffy to Not feel left out. 

Zoro glared at Usopp and turned to Luffy...who was biting his lip and staring at the two… Zoro could tell how much he wanted to join in…

Sanji even felt a little bad for Luffy too…. The kid was practically pouting over Usopp’s very obvious and over-the-top attempt at making him jealous….

———————————————————

 After the shower Usopp knew he was out of options..,..he was hoping to not have to apologize but he knew his attempts to get Luffy to cave were not working….

It’s not like he didn't want to apologize. He just never got the chance ... not with Zoro always on Luffy's tail the past week…he was hoping that he would at least get the captain to approach him….

But, then days turned into a week…he knew he couldn’t go another day without talking to his best friend…He was just being stubborn.. usopp sighed

Brushing his wet hair, Usopp looked in the mirror at his reflection.

I’m gonna apologize tonight … Usopp stared back at himself, determined to apologize and put this spat behind him.

Usopp left the bathroom...Turning the corner outside the bathroom to collide full force with Luffy,…

“Owwwww…”

“Sorry..” Luffy said while helping him up….

Usopp noticed he was alone…. perfect!

“Where are you going off to in such a hurry…you almost killed me…’ usopp said dramatically… while clutching a hand to his heart in a  theatrical way

“To use the bathroom…why?” Luffy frowned still staying determined to speak to Usopp as little as possible….

“No reason…Anyways…can we talk please Luffy?..” Usopp pleaded.

“Umm...Can I use the bathroom first…?”

“Sure”…Usopp waited outside the bathroom waiting for Luffy to finish whatever he was doing. Usopp started thinking about how he would apologize.

He definitely stepped out of line during their fight. He should have stayed and talked to Luffy instead of storming out….

He kept relieving their altercation and how tense he was. He didn’t know what came over him… since when did he have such tension…especially with Luffy….

 Usopp finally zoned in and realized it was taking Luffy forever in the bathroom and decided to knock on the door…

“You ok in there…” He said while opening the door…. 

Usopp came in and saw Luffy fighting with a hairbrush that was stuck in his dark brown locks…

“Ohh” 

Usually usopp brushed Chopper and Luffy’s hair after their shower and he realized that Luffy probably had a week's worth of tangles in his hair that Usopp didn't help take care of for him…

“Let me  get that for you…” Usopp came up from behind him pulled up a stool and prompted Luffy to sit… while meeting his eyes in the mirror usopp began to work the brush out of Luffy hands…

In silence, Usopp began to work on Luffy's head… Slowly removing the tangled brush and then raking it through his hair and adding some products of his own to help.... Usopp began humming as he worked. And very soon Luffys hair was untangled and tidy.

“Thank you..” Luffy said sheepishly 

“No problem…can we talk now?…” Luffy turned around on his stool to face usopp and nodded... 

“I'm sorry! I was a real jerk...I let my emotions get the better of me and acted on impulse. I don't know…I just expected things to be different but I'm still the weakest link around here...Sometimes it feels like I'm the ship's clown rather than an actual member…it was wrong of me to take that out on you…I'm sorry and I’ve missed talking to you ” Usopp apologized nervously.

Usopp reached out to hug Luffy and buried his face in his captain's neck….

“ I missed you too”

 Those words felt like a weight off Usopps shoulders. Finally, they can get back to being the close friends they always were. 

Usopp sunk further into the hug pressing his whole upper body closer to his still-sitting captain. 

At that moment he noticed his captain didn't hug back then.

 Luffy finally wrapped his hands around the sniper's back trailed them down his waist and squeezed him firmly.

“Not only did you not listen to my orders but you also doubted my decisions as a captain, too,”  Luffy said void of emotion.

Usopp froze slightly, realizing he was trapped in this position. Not being able to read his captain's face was a bit scary…. A weight began to settle on his chest again hearing his captain’s words.

The timber and cadence of Luffy’s voice shifted from the goofy voice they all knew and loved to a more serious one. 

“Usopp listen to me…I decided to choose you to be on my crew..because you aren't weak” 

Luffy then pulled usopp down so that he was straddled by the sniper.

Slowly Usopp felt Luffy's hand leave his waist and trail under his sleep shirt…caressing his back 

“Luffy?” Usopp whispered softly 

“I chose you for a reason…I don't know what I'd do without you…”

Shit…. Usopp knew Luffy was possessive at times. But he's never felt this level of intensity before…. Usopp was a man now….he knew it was wrong but his body was responding to his captain's touches…

Luffy was driving him crazy and he didn’t even know it… his breath hitched clinging to every word of praise Luffy uttered. Usopp thanked the gods he was grounded by Luffy embraced or else he would have certainly buckled at the knees. 

The long-nosed man always knew had an attraction to men as well as women… back at Syrup Village he only heard small talk of men who were like him in lewd stories from passing pirates…. As he started to explore he was surprised to realize that it was very common on the seven seas….

Still, he didn't think Luffy was doing this to him on purpose… let alone with a man… maybe he was reading too much into this situation ….Luffy would let him go soon… he hoped.

But….it was naive to think Luffy knew nothing about sex…..he knew his captain had seen mostly everything during their travels ...but how would he react to Usopps growing arousal…he did not know…