Work Text:
Usopp was bored. After the rollercoaster that had been Skypeia, it was as much a blessing as it was a bore to be back in the blue sea. He sat on the deck, attempting to make minor repairs to Merry with the few nails and pieces of scrap wood he had left.
The crew had docked at a small island town to resupply, drawing lots to see who'd stay to watch the ship. Usopp had predictably paled upon realizing he'd drawn the shortest straw, and whined until someone agreed to stay behind with him.
“Quit your whining, I'll stay, alright?!” Zoro groaned at the sniper wrapped around his leg.
“He might as well stay behind. I don't feel like tracking him down once he inevitably walks off.. “ Nami hummed with a shrug as she and the others disembarked, disregarding Zoro’s indignant expression.
“We should be back by sunset!"
Zoro scoffed before glancing down at Usopp, giving his leg a shake.
“...Are you gonna let go anytime soon?”
“Ah- sorry.”
It had been a few hours since then, and the only sounds to be heard were the gentle lapping of waves against the Merry, the tap tap tapping of a hammer against nails, and Zoro. Usopp glanced over to him, watching him snore loudly as he slept on the deck. Even in his sleep, he clutched those swords of his for dear life. The sniper didn't know how he could look so tense even while he was supposedly dead to the world. His brow stayed furrowed, even in sleep! Zoro was very tightly wound even now, and yet Usopp knew good and well how hard it was to wake Zoro from a nap once he's deep into it.
He hadn't realized it, but Usopp had been watching him sleep for several minutes. Zoro was handsome – all his nakama were very good looking, honestly, – but Zoro.. Usopp was struck with the urge to draw him. When else would he get the chance? Zoro was asleep and no one else was around. He slept so steadily, lying there on his back with his chest rising and falling. It didn't mean anything, of course! There was nothing wrong with simply appreciating when your friend was good looking. Right?
Usopp quietly got to his feet, careful to not wake the swordsman. He'd grab his sketchbook from his workshop – maybe some pastels too? He took one step before-
“Mmnngh.. “ Zoro rolled over in his sleep. Usopp froze in his tracks to stare at him, suddenly terrified of being caught.
“Damn it.. “ Zoro faintly mumbled under his breath, his brow furrowing deeper. His hand unconsciously tightened around Wado, his sleep becoming decidedly less peaceful. Was he dreaming? Usopp raised an eyebrow, blinking at Zoro before continuing his tiptoeing to the ship’s interior.
He fished around through his things, grabbing his sketchbook and a charcoal pencil Nami let him borrow. Snickering, Usopp went back out to the deck. Was it weird if he wanted to draw his crewmate sleeping? Was it weirder that he wanted to keep it for himself? To capture the moment of peace on paper to look back on?
…Usopp decided not to ponder too deeply on the implications, his attention turning to Zoro. His sleep had clearly become more distressed than before.
“Stop it… No more.. !” he mumbled through gritted teeth, his breathing picking up considerably. Despite it, he still seemed locked in whatever dream he was having. It became apparent that he was having a nightmare of some sort.
“Zoro? Hey-” Usopp slowly approached his crewmate, crouching beside him and gently shaking him. Worry flashed across his face when he still did not wake, his head turning to and fro in his dream. Beads of sweat had formed on his face, his expression stricken with dread. Usopp didn't think he'd ever seen Zoro look so afraid before. It wasn't like him to be so scared.
“Zoro. Zoro-!” Usopp grasped both of his shoulders and shook him more forcefully.
“ Wake up! You're dreami-”
“Leave them alone-!” Zoro jolted upright, drawing Wado in an instant. Usopp shrieked and jumped back, staring wide eyed at the wickedly sharp tip of the sword now pointed at his face.
Zoro’s eyes were unfocused, gaze darting around with fear and worry before falling on Usopp. He visibly relaxed with recognition.
“ Usopp !” Zoro choked out, immediately lowering his sword and shifting to grip the sniper by the shoulders. His voice oozed with relief and anxiety.
“Are you okay?! Where are the others?” he asked frantically, looking over the startled Usopp for any sign of injury.
“I-I’m fine! The others are down on the island buying supplies, remember?” Usopp grasped Zoro’s wrist, pulling his hand from his shoulders and squeezing it tightly.
“Besides, I should be asking you that! Were you having a nightmare?!” Zoro flinched, averting his eyes from Usopp’s. His face was flushed red, the swordsman uncharacteristically embarrassed by his behavior.
“...I'm fine. It was just a stupid dream.” he huffed, avoiding eye contact at all costs.
“I don't think whatever you just saw was just a stupid dream, Zoro! You're sweating bullets! What happe-”
“Just drop it, alright? Quit sticking your nose where it doesn't belong." Zoro snapped at him, still refusing to meet his eyes. Usopp quieted at that, giving him only a pointed glare.
“Excuse me for being worried about you.." he grumbled, crossing his arms.
“... “
A long lapse of silence passed between the two of them. It wouldn't have been the first time Zoro woke abruptly from a dream of some kind, but this was the first time he'd seemed so scared by it. Usopp bit the inside of his cheek, his stomach turning. He didn't like that. He didn't like seeing Zoro upset. This wasn't something that should be bottled up with everything else. Usopp opened his mouth to speak-
“Sorry." Zoro spoke quietly.
“It's just a stupid dream, but.. “ Zoro’s hands clenched into fists, eyes locked into a spot on the floor.
“Why am I always so damn weak ? Why can't I save everyone? Why can't I ever protect you?” he hissed, forcing the words out as if they pained him to speak them aloud. Usopp stared at him, not daring to interrupt a rare moment of Zoro confiding in him.
“I have to get stronger. Or.. Or one day it won't all be a dream.”
Usopp’s chest hurt. How long had Zoro felt like this? How long had he struggled with feeling weak? With feeling like he couldn't protect them?
“Zoro… “ Usopp shifted closer to him, taking his hand and holding it tight. It was then that Zoro finally turned to look at him, a flurry of conflicted emotions crossing his face.
“You realize this isn't something you have to deal with alone, right? We've got your back just as much as you've got ours. You're not weak. You're the strongest person I know.”
Usopp felt his face grow hot.
“... But even so, it wouldn't hurt to lean on the great and powerful Usopp every once in a while, would it?” he grinned widely, lightheartedly bumping him with an elbow. Zoro stared at him for a few moments before snorting out a short laugh, the tension slowly easing out of his body.
“...Sure. Why not?"
And then Zoro smiled at him, a softer and gentler smile than Usopp had ever seen from him, and he felt his heart leap into his throat.
“...Thanks, Usopp."
Usopp felt his blush spread as he tried and failed to keep his cool.
“Anytime-!” he returned with an awkward laugh and a smile of his own.
Zoro yawned and stretched, his joints popping as he did so.
“Going back to sleep?” Usopp picked up his sketchbook from where it'd been discarded on the floor.
“... Nah… Are you drawing?”
Zoro sat up and crossed his arms, his thigh brushing against Usopp’s from where they sat side by side against the railing of the Merry. Usopp suddenly shrank under Zoro’s casual gaze, clutching his sketchbook tightly to his chest.
“Er.. No. I mean.. I was about to-”
“Can I watch?”
Usopp blinked, hesitating for a moment before nodding. There wasn't anything incriminating in his sketchbook, so why was he so nervous to let Zoro see what was inside? He flipped through pages of drawings, over sketches of the Merry, of Luffy sitting on the figurehead, of landscapes and plants. Nearly all the strawhats were in there in some fashion.
“Huh. Impressive."
The simple compliment from Zoro was enough to make Usopp’s heart skip a beat.
“A-actually..I was wondering if maybe.. You'd let me draw you ?” Usopp forced an awkward smile, his blush growing as Zoro merely raised an eyebrow and looked at him. What if he said no? What if he laughed at him? Usopp instantly regretted asking, debating on whether or not he should recant the request.
A smile crossed the swordsman’s face as he leaned back against the railing with his arms crossed, his striking gray eyes fixed on Usopp’s. Usopp could've sworn he could see the faintest of blushes on Zoro’s face, but maybe it was just the light of the setting sun illuminating his features.
“Sure. Just make me look cool, alright?”
Usopp immediately brightened and nodded enthusiastically, spinning the pencil between his fingers.
“How could I not?”
Once again, the two of them lapsed into a peaceful quiet, the sound of Usopp’s pencil scratching over the paper filling the silence. He worked meticulously, taking care to capture Zoro’s likeness in as much detail as his skill level allowed. Zoro simply watched him draw, content to sit still and be Usopp’s muse. Several minutes passed before Usopp let out a slow exhale.
“Alright. It's done. Just.. Don't judge it too harshly."
Zoro perked up, leaning over to try and catch a glimpse at the finished drawing that Usopp was currently hugging to his chest.
“Oi, are you going to let me look at it or not? I sat here and posed for ages.”
“Uh- H-hold on, it still needs some finishing touchES-!”
Zoro plucked the sketchbook out of Usopp’s hands with ease, taking a look at the page.
It was an expertly drawn profile of Zoro looking out into the distance, one hand on his swords. His expression was stoic and composed, his musculature captured in great detail.
“...Oh?” Zoro was mildly surprised, eyes widening at the sight of the drawing. He was expecting a simple doodle of himself at the most. This drawing did more than do him justice.
“This is great! Is this how you see me, Usopp?” he inquired of the furiously blushing sniper who suddenly couldn't bring himself to look at him.
“... I think you forgot my shirt.”
Usopp sputtered and snatched the sketchbook back, closing it abruptly.
“Shut up! It was a.. er.. an artistic choice!” He blustered, nose in the air. Zoro snickered and smirked at him, leaning a bit closer to him.
“So it was on purpose, then?”
“... What do you know?! ”
They hadn't even noticed the small blue eye sprouted on the railing behind them, watching their conversation.
Robin giggled to herself as she approached the ship along with the others, Nami turning to look at her.
“Hm? What's funny, Robin?”
“It's nothing, Miss Navigator. Nothing at all.~”