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He awoke to a hand in his hair. Startled before recognizing his surroundings and the large, calloused hand atop his head.
"Zoro! You're awake!" As excited as he was, he kept his volume low. He quickly gathered his bearings and rushed to fret over the ill swordsman, placing his own cheek to Zoro's pallid, sweaty forehead, "God, you're burning up. Here,"
He mumbled to himself as he looked around, his eyes landing on the rag and bucket Chopper had prepared earlier in the evening. By what he could see of the moon's position outside the window, he estimated it was about three in the morning.
He quickly wet and wrung out the rag, placing it gently on Zoro's forehead, taking a moment to hold the swordsman's face, thumbs rubbing soothingly against strong cheekbones. "Is there anything else you need?" He asked, not stopping the delicate face massage.
Zoro groaned, and quite hoarsely said, "No. Thanks, Usopp."
Usopp hummed at that, grabbing the now room temperature glass of water on the sick bay's bedside table. "Drink this. Slowly." He commanded, and gently pushed under Zoro's shoulders, coaxing him to sit.
For all his typical stubbornness, he listened, took the water and drank it slowly, opting to gently glare at Usopp instead of complain. One finished, he spoke, "I'm fine, you know. It's just a fever. Won't kill me."
Zoro took note of the way Usopp bristled at that. But as quickly as the look of fear appeared, it was gone, replaced with a gentle smile, "Maybe so," he responded, already rifling through Chopper's cabinets to find fever reducers, "but what sort of great captain would I be if I didn't take care of my men?"
Zoro only huffed in response as Usopp handed him two pills and refilled his glass of water. "Slowly," the sniper reminded, and intently watched, one hand resting on a muscled bicep, sweaty and shaky from fever.
He obediently took the medicine, still glaring at Usopp all the while. Usopp just smiled back at him.
For a while, they sat in silence. Zoro would occasionally grunt in discomfort, and Usopp would soothingly massage his scalp, or drag gentle fingers across his sinuses; until suddenly, Zoro's face went pale, far paler than it already had been, and Usopp could recognize that expression anywhere.
He jumped to action quickly, grabbing the large bucket at the foot of the bed to place in Zoro's lap, and held the rag fast to his forehead.
In seconds, Zoro was curled around the bucket, emptying the contents of his stomach. Satisfied he could hold it by himself, Usopp settled for rubbing his back, pressing and massaging around his lumbar area between painful sounding gags.
Minutes passed, silence only broken by heaving and choked coughs. Usopp continued to rub his back, now taking to massaging his shoulders as one hand still held the rag to his forehead.
When he was finally done, he huffed, out of breath, but spoke, "You're gonna get sick too, you know. You should be sleeping. In your bed."
He didn't see Usopp roll his eyes. "The great captain Usopp has never been sick a day in his life. Now shut up and drink."
A chilled jar of some... green liquid was placed in his hand.
"What the fuck is that?"
Usopp re-dampened the rag as he explained, "My arcane potion. To settle your stomach. Rebalance your electrolytes and shit. If you think you'll puke again then drink water until it calms down."
He took the bucket from Zoro's lap and placed it back on the floor. He'd dump it out once Zoro was comfortable in bed again. He knew the drill by now.
Zoro just glared at him more. "Did you wake up that bastard cook for this shit?"
"No. I made it. Just drink it."
He conceded, taking a small sip. Usopp almost laughed at the grimace on his face as he swallowed.
"Why is it so salty?!"
Usopp placed a comforting hand on the back of Zoro's neck. Still being met with an angry stare.
"To rebalance your electrolytes. It's not supposed to taste good. It's got fennel, ginger, cardamom, spinach, and salt. Tears of a dragon too, and a secret ingredient from the fae realm that's unknown to mankind. Tell me your stomach doesn't feel better."
He paused to think about it, and set his gaze again, brows furrowed even deeper. "Fuck you."
Usopp did chuckle at that, and gently coaxed the swordsman to finish the jar before quickly replacing it with water. "You're welcome."
They fell back into their comfortable silence. Usopp could see Zoro's eyes getting heavier as he fought to stay awake. The sniper smiled to himself as he replaced the rag and took to gently massaging his crewmate's face once more. "Sleep if you need to. You need rest."
"...Fuck off."
But with that, his eyes slipped closed. He was snoring in minutes.
When he knew it was safe, that Zoro wouldn't wake up for any less than the rapture, Usopp sighed and busied himself with emptying and washing the puke bucket.
He tried to occupy himself. Fill up Zoro's water carafe for when he wakes up. Get more juice from the fridge in case he feels nauseous again. Prepare a tray of easy to eat food if he can stomach anything. Put clean water in the rag bucket. Make sure to check his breathing and temperature every ten minutes. But there was only so much he could do to prepare, and so eventually he was left with his thoughts.
He figured he should be sleeping. But how could he, when the last time this happened-
Nope. No. Not going there.
He sank into the sick bay chair and watched Zoro breathe. Labored, but steady. He wheezed on his inhales, but at least he was breathing.
He felt that dark feeling creeping up his spine. He was doing all he could. And while Zoro acted annoyed, it was obvious he was appreciative. That he was helping. But then, she had been appreciative too. Told him he was helping. And then...
But he wasn't her. Zoro wasn't her. Zoro would be fine. If he thought rationally, he knew Zoro was fine. If he wasn't, Chopper would be freaking out, working himself to the bone night and day; but Chopper's prescription was bedrest, a basic antibiotic, and symptom relief.
It was just a flu with a bit of a sinus infection. That happens when you travel from a hot environment to a cold one within days. That happens when you come in contact with an environmental allergen. That happens when there's a bug going around like wildfire on the island you're visiting.
But he can't help it. In the dead of night with nothing but his thoughts (his memories) and the wheezing of his sleeping crewmate he can't help but think of the worst case scenario.
He cried to himself. Held onto Zoro's hand like it was a lifeline. Gentle as to not wake him, but like Zoro would disappear if he wasn't holding on.
He must've cried himself to sleep, because he woke up to the sun outside and Sanji in front of him with a tray of breakfast. Zoro's hand was still firmly held in his own, and if the light snoring was anything to go by, he was still out like a light.
Sanji smiled down at him, but it was pinched. Worried. "Morning, Usopp. Breakfast for you and marimo. Soup and rice for him, and a seafood omelette for you."
Usopp could've cried again then and there. Instead, he shook off the last of his fatigue and took the tray from Sanji. "Thank you. I don't wanna wake him up, but I can heat it up for him if it goes cold."
A slender hand rested itself on his head. "Don't worry about it. Call for me and I'll do it. You just eat up."
He turned to leave, but not before calling over his shoulder, "And get some rest, too. You look exhausted."
With that, he was gone, and Usopp took to fixing Zoro's rag before he ate.
He was about halfway through his omelette when Zoro started to stir. His eyes cracked open as he looked to Usopp. "Did you sleep?"
Usopp got up to push the tray table between them, giving Zoro easy access to his bowls. "No 'good morning'?"
"Did you sleep?" It didn't sound like a question this time.
He sighed. "Yeah, I slept. Woke up when Sanji brought breakfast. There's soup and rice for you. Should still be warm."
Zoro hummed in affirmation, regarding his food. He slowly sat up to eat, only stopping to put his fallen rag into Usopp's outstretched hand.
They ate in silence for a moment, occasionally glancing over at one another until Usopp broke the silence, "Stomach feeling better?"
Zoro only grunted in the affirmative.
"Good. That's good. Your sinuses feeling okay? You congested?"
"A little. Better than yesterday."
"Aches and pains?"
"A little."
Usopp hummed at that, and dug through the medicine cabinets for a decongestant and pain reliever. He separated out the dosages and placed them on the table. "Take these after you eat."
Zoro just nodded.
They lapsed into silence once more. Zoro eating and Usopp trying to find anything to busy himself with other than staring. Watching.
He filled both their glasses with water and took to doodling in his notebook as Zoro finished his meal.
"Usopp."
At his name being called, he looked up and found Zoro staring at him, brows furrowed.
"You can go sleep. In your bed. I'm fine."
Usopp noticed he'd finished his food.
"I'm not tired. You need to take your medicine."
"Bullshit."
He sighed, but plastered a gentle smile on his face. "Zoro. I'm fine. I'd rather be here. Take your medicine."
The swordsman huffed, but took the pills. "Why?"
"Is it a crime to want to help somebody I care about?"
"You look like shit."
"Pot, kettle."
"Why do you keep looking at me like that?" Zoro almost growled.
Usopp jumped at the sudden aggression, soft smile faltering. "L-like what?"
"Like you're giving me fucking hospice care."
"I think you feel that way because you've never felt the gentle touch of an in-home nurse."
"No, I think you're making that face because you think I'm gonna die of a fucking sinus infection. Quit it."
Usopp felt the lump forming in his throat and the burning behind his eyes.
"I don't think you're dying," he cringed at the waver in his voice, "I just worry."
When Zoro opened his mouth to speak, there was a light knock at the door, before Chopper entered to give him his antibiotics.
"Usopp? You're still here?"
He choked the rest of his tears back down, easily falling back into caretaker mode, "Yeah. Good thing, too. He woke up vomiting at about three, but he fell asleep pretty quick after that. Gave him that electrolyte juice and made sure he drank water. He was fine all night after that, his fever went down around five and it's been low-grade since."
Zoro stared at him. He could feel it. It made his palms sweat. Chopper just smiled as he prepared the antibiotics, "Thanks, Usopp! You should go get some rest, you look tired."
He glanced over. Zoro had a smug ass look on his face. "I'd like to stay. I slept for a while before Sanji brought breakfast. I couldn't sleep right now if I tried."
Chopper hummed, handing Zoro the pill. "If you're sure. Just let me know if you need anything." He jotted some notes down before turning to Zoro, asking questions about his current symptoms.
Usopp zoned out. He caught bits and pieces, most of which was just Zoro saying he felt better.
"In that case, I'd say we let you roam around on the ship a bit today. Some fresh air will probably do you good now that we've had you on the antihistamine for a while. You should be back to normal in two or three days. Take it easy, and absolutely no heavy exercise. If your fever gets worse, come back and rest here."
"Okay. Thanks, Chopper."
Chopper, satisfied that Zoro had taken his medication, went back on deck to go fishing with Luffy, leaving him alone with Usopp once again.
"I'm going out on deck. You go sleep."
"I'll go with you. I wanted to draw outside anyway."
Zoro glared at him. He'd been doing that a lot the past few days. "Fine. Do what you want."
He moved to stand up, but in his frustration moved too fast, and nearly fell before Usopp caught him. He growled.
"Why are you being so clingy? You've been here barely sleeping for three days just because of the fucking flu!"
Usopp gently sat him back on the bed. He could feel the tears coming back.
He knew Zoro was just worried about him. He knew he was lashing out because he hated being sick or feeling weak. He knew it wasn't personal.
But he broke down anyway.
"I'm sorry," was the only thing he could say before bursting into tears. It was probably the exhaustion. Barely sleeping. Waking up at every little sound to make sure Zoro was still breathing. Barely being able to eat out of worry. Reliving his trauma.
Zoro sat stock still. Shocked.
He placed a hand on the snipers shoulder. Usopp sobbed harder.
"Usopp-"
"No. No you're right," he sniffed, and willed himself to speak, "I've been clingy. I'm sorry. I was just worried."
"You don't need to worry. I'm fine."
Usopp breathed in. He hadn't told anyone yet. They knew about his mom, knew she had died, but not what had happened to her.
"My mom..." He started, and Zoro stiffened, listening attentively, "she was- she was really sick for a long time before... Before she died. I took care of her as well as I could. She always told me she was fine. Not to worry. I did my best. And... And I did okay. As good as a grade schooler can do at giving palliative care. I didn't know that's what it was but... It was."
He sniffled and looked at Zoro. His jaw was set, something brewing behind his eyes that Usopp knew was either dread or rage. Probably both.
He continued, "That's probably why you felt like I was doing hospice. That's the only way I know how to take care of someone that's sick."
"I didn't know that."
Usopp wiped his nose and chuckled sadly, "Yeah. You're the first person I've told. Sorry for being clingy."
The hand on his shoulder gave a firm squeeze. Understanding.
"I take it that's why you didn't wanna leave."
Usopp nodded. "Yeah. That's-"
He braced himself. Zoro noticed. He gave the thin shoulder in his palm another affirming squeeze.
"The night she died was the first time in months that I slept in my own bed. I guess- I guess I felt like... If I was here, you wouldn't get worse, or-or if you did I'd be able to do something. Like maybe I could've done something and maybe she'd still be here. I can't help but think of the worst when someone I love gets sick."
By the end of his rambling, he was sobbing again, and Zoro just pulled him into his chest to cry it out.
Sobs turned to sniffles, and sniffles turned to sighs before Usopp wiped his eyes and spoke, "Sorry for dumping that on you while you're still sick."
He felt Zoro shrug, face still buried in his broad chest, "Sorry for making you cry."
Usopp laughed, a wet, pathetic laugh, but a genuine one all the same. "It's fine," he looked up at Zoro from his spot under his arm, "You still gonna be mad if I come outside with you?"
"Not if it makes you feel better. But wash your face first. You're all snotty."
"Bold words from the man that's been stinking up the sick bay with his flu sweat and puke for three days. You should be glad you can't smell anything."
Zoro laughed at that, his typical booming guffaw, and Usopp felt his nerves start melting away.
"Touché. You're not helping me shower, though."
He snickered, "I don't trust you to wash your ass in peak health."
They chuckled, and soon lapsed into silence once again. Just looking at one another.
"You're good at it, you know. The nursing."
Usopp grinned, smug and devilish, “You seemed to really like the face massages."
Zoro rolled his eyes fondly. "Yeah, yeah. Now help me get up so I can wash my ass."
"Oh, now you want my help," he teased, but helped him up anyway.
They bantered back and forth all the way to the showers, meltdowns already near forgotten.
And if Zoro reluctantly asked for a face massage that night when his fever spiked again and his congestion came back, well...
That was between them.