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Usopp had a specific time he went to go and borrow Zoro’s weights in secret. Usopp was self-conscious about working out in front of anyone so he always did it in secret. He’d watched Zoro when he could to study his form and try his best to copy it. As he made his way up there in the dead of night. No one was awake since he was on watch tonight, however, that could be proved wrong.
Usopp poked his head through the hatch to find Zoro in there training, he mentally reeled wondering why in the hell he wasn’t asleep right now. “Oh hey, Usopp.” Zoro directed his attention to him. Usopp sweat bullets as he looked at Zoro “Hi Zoro” watching as his fellow crewmate quirked a brow. Oh, he was fucked. His brain replayed that on repeat as he blurted out “I’m kinda thirsty uh bye!” and darted down and away.
Maybe he needed to rethink this training in secret thing.
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Usopp lifted the weights feeling the burn in his skinny arms, but he was feeling proud that he was able to do more than 20 finally. He thought absentmindedly about Zoro and just how unpredictable he was. He’d avoided his training for two weeks because he really didn’t know when the swordsman was coming in. He moved the weight to his other arm and began lifting it. His right arm had started shaking finally.
At least Zoro was sleeping outside; he'd probably drop dead or come up with some sickness for why he was up here. That was if his first plan didn’t work. Usopp had brought his drawing stuff up here to make sure it didn’t seem suspicious. He could easily put the weights back and get back to the window where his stuff was in five seconds. It was perfect!
Usopp smiled at the idea until he heard Luffy asking where Zoro was going. Usopp was up in a matter of seconds quickly wiping the sweat away and setting the weights as they had been. He acted like he was flipping the page as soon as Zoro opened the entrance. Zoro looked stone-faced as always as he went to go train.
“Whatcha doin?” he asked calmly.
“Oh, I was just about to draw the view! I was hoping for a different perspective this time.” He felt his left arm twitch a little, but Zoro nodded accepting the answer. Usopp went to work as if there was nothing wrong. At least until he went and grabbed the set he was using. Usopp felt himself die a little inside but Zoro never made a comment, so he assumed he was in the clear.
It was an hour later when Usopp got up that Zoro spoke up “Did anyone come up here while you were up here?” Usopp looked back at Zoro “No, but I wasn’t up here for super long either.” he replied casually watching Zoro nod before continuing to work out. Usopp left with his heart beating harder than ever.
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Usopp’s muscles were getting just a little bit firmer than they were a month ago. He felt pride inside himself for that. They were leaving skypiea when he realized he needed to work a little more on his arms and legs. He didn’t want to be weak or useless even though he felt that more now than ever.
Usopp borrowed a heavier pair of weights from the crows' nest and hid them in his workshop. He always returned them when no one was looking or watching. He’d seen Zoro a few times looking a little pissed off after workouts. He felt extremely nervous those days. He wasn’t sure what terrified him more, Zoro finding out he took his weights or Zoro confronting him just to ask if he knew where they were.
As of now, he was returning the weights after keeping them for two days. He felt his legs getting stronger. He was still pretty skinny, but the muscles were more defined. No one has really commented on the improvement which he is more than thankful for because it'd be a dead giveaway for what he was doing.
He'd just set them down and went to look out the crow's nest window where he saw Zoro walking around on the deck. Looking maybe frustrated or upset? Usopp should have taken that as his cue to leave the crow's nest but he stayed. Usopp decided his best course of action was to wait until Zoro was gone. That failed. Zoro started coming to the crow's nest and Usopp dove behind the huge pile of sweat towels Zoro's gone through in the last two weeks.
Usopp concealed himself, wanting to vomit but slowly getting used to Zoro's body odor. He would not be caught dead up here at this time of night returning weights or explaining why he was here. The door opened soon enough and in came Zoro to drink. He heard gulping and then weights being picked up.
Usopp didn't move a muscle as he stayed put and more than awake. He was going to hell, wasn't he? It was near morning when Zoro left. Usopp felt agony, his eyes burned from forcing himself to stay awake. He knew he had to leave and now. He carefully wiggled out of it making sure everything stayed the same before bolting out and getting into the bathroom. He did what he could to cover the scent up mainly using Nami's perfume before putting it back in the cabinet. He was in bed the next second and passed out.
Sanji had busted in in the afternoon, pissed Usopp missed a meal "Usopp get your ass up! You missed breakfast. It's lunch now." His voice pulling no punches, Usopp grumbled something of affirmation before dressing in new clothes and leaving.
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Usopp was panting on the floor on his stomach. It was hot but he trained for 30 minutes without a single break. He collapsed on the floor feeling overheated after he'd put the weights back exactly how they were.
Zoro found him like that and came over to check on him, "Hey. Usopp?" The rough voice penetrated his defenses. a groan left him "you need water?"
"I don't care what any liquid will do" he rasped while Zoro simply grabbed a jug from his stash and let Usopp drink it. he reeled, feeling even hotter as he tried to strip. He drank half the bottle in front of Zoro before beginning his drunken antics. It didn't take long because he hadn't eaten in a few hours.
"Zooorrrrooo you're hair looks fluffy! Can I touch it? Ahhh, don't look like that it's scary!" Usopp poked Zoro's cheek "squish, squish" he repeated every time he poked him. Zoro was half amused and annoyed at this display but he wasn't gonna complain. He was hydrated somewhat.
"Everything's hot. You're actually pretty hot." He slurred, not registering half the stuff he was saying. Zoro shook his head watching as Usopp giggled more half-naked.
"Heeeeyyy Zuurrroooo can I have that thingy?" He pointed to the weight "wanna see if I can't lift it" he giggles watching as Zoro firmly said no to him. "Why not? I like them." That was all he said
"Because Usopp you're drunk and could easily get hurt. Just sleep" Zoro said as Usopp yawned "fine." He stubbornly laid his head on Zoro’s thigh to sleep since it was not like he could get up on the bench.
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It was after everything in water 7 and enies Loby. They’d partied that he was back and he was glad he was back but he was unable to salvage Zoro’s weights. The one that he’d taken but hadn’t been able to return in the mess that things became. Usopp was in his new workshop alone and staring off into space while all these thoughts rushed through his head.
He should’ve done more than apologize. He was wrong for getting that mad when he knew that Merry was limited. He knew she wasn’t going to last much longer, but he still wanted to cling to her life. He wanted her to live. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing her when she was away from his home. When Franky forced him to see the truth he shattered. There was nothing he could’ve done to run away from the reality and truth of it all. Saying goodbye was the hardest thing he could’ve done as Sogeking no less. He was shameless. He still wanted to help them even though he personally left the crew after losing the fight with Luffy. He was despicable, so despicable he couldn’t face them face to face. He had to wear a mask that let him show his courage and his bravery. He didn’t think that was brave or courageous at all. He was still a coward and that frustrated him. He told himself he would become the brave warrior of the sea and instead he made a fool of himself, hurt everyone in the crew, and still ran away.
Usopp felt the tears cascading down but silently for the first time since he was seven. He trembled, replaying everything, wanting to process everything and remember his mistakes. He let his hands grip the hair at the top of his head. He didn’t even hear the knock or when someone even came in.
Footsteps went on deaf ears, but the touch did not as he startled “fuck!” he wheezed out and refused to look at whoever came in. “Usopp?” Zoro’s voice rang out and Usopp felt even worse. He couldn’t speak, it’d be a dead giveaway. He stayed still but the trembling continued. Zoro sat by him and he slammed his head on the table only to encase it with his arms.
“You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to,” Zoro spoke probably knowing well that Usopp was currently having a meltdown. That smooth voice continued talking “All of us are glad that you are back, Usopp.” The turmoil that Usopp felt from those simple words stabbed him as he shook. Usopp couldn’t let Zoro say that, it was too much, too fresh. “Y-you-” he sniffed “You don’t- shouldn’t have to t-tell me that.” he stumbled through “After all i-i did. I was wrong an-and none of you h-had to accept me b-back.” The wounds were too fresh to cover. “I’m sorry.” Usopp couldn’t stop repeating it out loud like a mantra as he choked through sobs.
“Apology accepted.” That was all Zoro said before Usopp shut up and started sobbing audibly. Two words destroyed him. It must’ve been at least an hour before things were calm again. Usopp was tired out from everything he let out and still, Zoro never left for a minute. Usopp wiped his face clean of everything even though he knew he wasn’t going to look well, at least it was dark.
“Thanks, Zoro.” That was probably the closest to comfort he’d get out of anyone, especially after all the crap he pulled. He didn’t really think he deserved any of it though. Not until he proved himself worthy of the crew. “So uh are you staying here or?” He questioned quietly. Zoro still stayed put and quiet, probably figuring out what to say. Usopp wondered why he was here in the first place until he realized he was probably here to talk to him about something else, but instead, he found him like he was.
“Yeah, I'm staying,” Zoro replied, probably deciding not to bring it up after all. It wasn’t long after Usopp’s exhaustion caught up and he surrendered to sleep at his work table. Zoro fell asleep shortly after with thoughts of his own.
It was a few days later when they arrived on a small island that Usopp was able to get the right set of weights to give back to Zoro. He carried them with shaky arms since he was still healing but it was fine. By the time he got them up on the ship, he noticed everyone was gone. He knew Sanji would be gone for another hour while Nami and Robin would be out for at least a few more hours. Luffy was exploring the island with Chopper and Brook while Franky was most likely in the parts store looking for something to help improve the Sunny. He wasn’t entirely sure where Zoro was though.
Usopp lugged them up to Zoro's training room. He didn’t even look in the room as he set them up there. He‘d rather not fall yet. He hoisted himself up only to be met by Zoro’s eyes looking from the weights to him. Usopp froze for good reason too before realizing rather quickly he was fucked. He wasn’t even sure he could lie through this one and not to mention everyone’s been venting their anger on him subtly. It was enough for him to notice there were some people upset at him for leaving still. He didn’t retaliate against it though because he truly thought he deserved it.
“I got you a new pair of weights.” was all he could blurt out before attempting to get a foot on the ladder without looking. He rambled “I uh just remembered I have something to do so uhm I’ll just get out of your hair. Bye?” he cringed just a little more when Zoro picked the weights up and firmly said, “Stay.” Yeah, he was fucked. He was just going to get bullied more and that was fine. That’s what he told himself anyway. “I-i guess that’s okay too” He murmured, shutting the trap door and sealing his fate.
“So you bought new weights that happen to be the pair I'm missing,” Zoro stated and Usopp could feel the intense stare as he stared at the ground. Usopp couldn’t hold it in as he began speaking fast “I’m sorry I kept borrowing your weights, I just didn’t want anyone to know I was using them, but I didn’t feel…feel comfy training in front of anyone.” he sucked in a breath he couldn’t stop now “I wasn’t able to retrieve the set you used off of-of Merry. I couldn’t do that as Sogeking. “Sogeking '' didn't know any of you and didn’t know who Merry was. I’m sorry.” He hated that he was having to be weak once again and out his insecurities like it was water, but he knew if he didn’t say it all it’d just be worse.
“Would’ve been nice if you could’ve just told me that from the start,” Zoro commented with a lot more frankness than he was used to. He felt sick in his stomach, but he couldn’t leave. They weren’t done. His shoulders are raised and tensed so hard they hurt. He feels rigid where he sits. Even after a few days, he’s still tense around everyone. He can’t find it in himself to relax for even a second. Usopp knows that everyone wants him here, but he can’t help but feel like the odd one out. He can’t help but feel he’s out of place amongst everyone.
When there’s nothing else that Zoro says Usopp looks up meeting that steely gaze looks perplexed. It honestly scares him so much that he just leaves, jumping down the ladder and running off somewhere on the ship. Usopp heard Luffy shout his name but he couldn’t be around anyone right now. He’d found a nice storage closet to hide in and therefore shove himself in between some boxes.
He’d heard the bell for lunch, but he didn’t move from his spot. He didn’t want to see the disappointment or even questioning stares. He wanted to disappear for a while, so he sat there zoning out.
Everyone was more than perplexed when one of the hungriest people on the ship did not come.
Nami was the first to say “Where’s Usopp?”
“I don’t know. He ran off earlier and I haven’t seen him since.” Luffy comments wondering what might’ve happened.
“He shouldn’t be skipping meals with his health right now.” Chopper lamented, which caught everyone’s attention.
“What do you mean Chopper?” Robin asked gently
“Well, Usopp needs to eat because his wounds still aren’t completely healed. They would be healed by now if his body had more food to digest and give him strength, but he hasn’t been eating a whole ton. He even lets Luffy grab his food without a fight.” He frowned not too happy with Usopp. He knew there was more to it, but Usopp refused to tell anything regarding his mental state with Chopper.
The room became quiet as they let that sink in “We’ll drag him to dinner then.” Sanji decided but set aside a plate just for Usopp anyway. It was idle chatter from there, but Zoro’s head was stuck on the interaction they had before he bolted out. He would need to find Usopp and talk with him soon before the others tried prying answers out of him.
Usopp moved to the aquarium while they ate so he could relax as best he could before they inevitably had dinner later.
Zoro never found him. He’d looked and gotten lost more than he’d like to admit on the ship. He even skipped training to try to find him. By the time he got back up to the deck, Usopp was playing with Luffy and Chopper like everything was normal.
Usopp was running after Chopper while Luffy chased the two of them. It was all giggles and screams until Chopper and him tired out and Luffy began to pester Sanji about dinner. Usopp looked to see Zoro only to turn to Chopper in a matter of seconds after spotting him. He should’ve known better than to avoid what was coming for him, but he was surprised to see that Zoro didn’t come his way. He laid back against the mast instead of coming to drag his ass to wherever on the ship to talk.
It was that night that Usopp approached Zoro during night watch, deciding that he shouldn’t keep putting this off. He was afraid but he was only proving himself right by putting this off. All he did was run away and that needed to change if only a little. He casually sat down by Zoro getting comfy.
“Why’d you leave earlier?”
Usopp would have loved to lie but he was here to talk. “I was scared of your eyes and your tone of voice. I shouldn’t have been but-” he paused; he wasn't sure how far into his emotions he wanted to exploit. He wanted to carefully search for the right words “I only recently got back with the crew and it’s deserved that you guys give me obvious or not-so-obvious jabs for it whether you know it or not. I thought that you were going to do something of the sort when you found out I was the one borrowing your weights and it was stupid, but I couldn't help it. I love being here and I know it’s where I belong, but not everyone has gotten over what happened.”
“I was upset because you let out everything while looking like you were going to get beaten. Everyone was upset while you were gone, so it's only reasonable they want to let some of that out on you. What happened there is in the past. You’re here now.”
“I am here now, but that doesn’t mean I think I’m strong enough or worthy enough to be on this crew.” Usopp let out a sigh of defeat.
“Usopp you remember how you fought Luffy that night?” Zoro posed such a simple and painful question to be answered.
“Yeah, I do.” He tried his best to stay on Zoro’s page but he wasn’t getting it at the moment.
“You thought all of that up. Planned ahead and even managed to outsmart Luffy by using his weaknesses to your advantage. You fought and you knew you wouldn’t be able to win against Luffy, but you used what you had. Nothing of what you did was underhanded in that fight or cowardly, because that’s just the way you fight. Usopp you are strong and worthy. Luffy wouldn’t have you on his crew if he didn’t think you were.”
Usopp felt baffled by how Zoro got to that conclusion. “I thought you would’ve hated bringing that up since I went against our captain.”
“I do hate that you went against our captain, but that was the best example so that you could understand.” Usopp nodded “I guess it makes sense.” He relented finally.
Zoro held out a pair of weights with an expectant look. Usopp bubbled with laughter “Now?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know.”
“Stop thinking already and just take it,” Zoro said encouragingly. Usopp grabbed them while Zoro got the same pair Usopp had “You were a bit slow on getting them back.” Usopp laughed heartily “It seems I was.” Zoro grinned as he started training, gesturing with his weight to do it too. Usopp felt hesitant but he started, there wasn’t any judgment or pressure. He still felt awkward body-wise and lifting the weight, but this was his family he was talking about. It was gonna be fine.
It wasn’t for long that Usopp was able to train with his injuries the minute he put down the weights he flopped to the ground. He felt like Zoro because he’d managed to reopen one of his wounds. For once he couldn’t bring himself to care about it as he lay there. His overalls were getting a little redder but that was fine. Zoro set his weights down once he smelled the iron in the room “Usopp. Your wound opened.”
Usopp chuckled “Yeah it did. I guess that means I'm like you now.” he joked.
Zoro stared blankly at him before letting a smirk grace his face “Go to Chopper, you idiot.” Sure enough, Usopp listened with a fond smirk of his own.