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It was hard to be a fan of the Straw hats. Well, it was hard to be a fan of one particular Straw Hat.
Usopp always found herself daydreaming of the day she could run into him, meeting the man of her dreams. Her friends called her crazy for finding that blonde man so dreamy, the one she always would fawn over when they would post his wanted posters around. Even if they weren’t flattering, she was smitten. There was something about him, about Sanji that made her stare just a bit too long at posters- at newspaper clippings. That made her stare in awe when listening to people who had actually met him, who had seen him with their own two eyes. That was amazing, listening to someone who managed to leave that stuffy town and see a real-life pirate.
She had admired pirates from afar, and dreamed like anyone would, of the chance to escape Syrup village to explore the high seas. To be one of the few female pirate captains with a large bounty to her name, shooting from her slingshot without a care in the world. She had wished she could… But the waitress always found herself waking up bright and early to work at the pub in the center of town instead. There was a drive deep in her soul, without anything to push her. And it wasn’t like any pirates were coming here.
That dream, that hope, that maybe her father would come to take her away died with her when her mother passed.
Now the woman sat, staring at her own reflection in her vanity. She was twenty, a number that sounded weird rolling off the tongue. Her hands worked quickly to pull strands of coily hair into a tight ponytail, slicking the edges within a meticulous finger. Soon she was done, pressing her lips together and taking out a few strands of hair to frame her face. Usopp hesitated, before reaching to grab the lipstick she had bought but always neglected to wear. Lipstick looked weird on her, but something told her it wouldn’t hurt to doll up a bit today. Who knows, maybe the Strawhat pirates would stop by their small village and step into her pub?
That thought sent a shiver of excitement down her spine and she eagerly applied some light makeup. A little blush on the apples of her cheeks and a little sheer shimmer on her lid. She would have done more but the alarm beside her bed rang, signaling she needed to leave to get to work. The days of being a teenager basking in the sun of Syrup village were long done, now she had things to do.
Usopp exited her house, bag in tow as she began down the path to the main village. There was always the shortcut, but she enjoyed seeing the neighborhood boys before they headed off to school. She used to play with them when they were so microscopic, and she was a little older. Now the brunette was too old for playing pirates, letting out a sigh when the boys had already gone to school. She’d just have to catch them after work.
She blew some air out of her lips and looked around at the scenery. Just up ahead, past the village, was Kaya. One of the only girls her age who didn’t think she was so weird for finding that blonde Straw hat attractive. She was one of the most accepting and kind girls that Usopp had ever met, even if they had rocky beginnings.
The waitress turned down an alley to the pub. She always liked to take the back entrance to avoid any regulars, or God forbid a spectacle. She never wanted to make herself the center of attention or-
Usopp perked up when she heard a thud on the cobblestone before her. It was darker in this alley, but some sunlight was beginning to peak through the strands of stray clouds in the sky. There was something there, something hunched over in a corner and breathing rapidly. Her brows furrowed, a hurt cat maybe? Those neighborhood kids were always up to no good, hurting strays when all they wanted was to be left alone. Poor things...
She straightened her shoulders and approached the mass that cowered behind some barrels. The more she strained her eyes, the more she began to realize it was human. It was a man. A man who looked injured, beaten to a pulp. Now, no one from here had done this. He must have come from a boat and fell before he could’ve gotten the proper assistance. That had to be it.
“Are you okay?” She squeaked, swallowing with a dry throat. In this instance she had the upper hand, but she still felt so weak.
The man let out a cough and peaked from the barrel, blue eyes enveloping Usopp within an instant. She could see the pools of hurt swimming in his irises, the waves of pain deep inside him. And she could see how beautiful he was. Even from the bit of the right of his face she could see, blocked with blood and blonde bangs, he was gorgeous. Crafted from stone and marble by a god's hand just for her to see, just for her to marvel at.
“I’m not gonna hurt you,” Usopp whispered, extending her hand to touch the top of the barrel, “I can get you to a doctor,” she began, but her voice trailed off when she saw panic in his eyes.
“N-No,” he strained, leaning back away from her view, “I’m fine. Just go,” he went to raise his hand, but he gasped in pain, recoiling and pressing against the other building to stop the rising pain.
Usopp furrowed her eyebrows and took a few more steps, kneeling before him to get a better look at him. His hair was half matted to his face with blood and dirt, while the other strands were askew and wild. Some blonde and some more of a muted yellow, barely even border lining on silver. His eyebrows were knitted together and mouth parted as he breathed through a wave of pain. There was stubble on his chin, sporting some facial hair on his upper lip as well. If she didn’t know any better, she’d say he looked like- No! No! She had to focus and help him!
She reached forward, hesitating only once, before the woman took his chin and tilted his head to get a better look at his injuries. He looked battered, worse for wear even. As if he was attacked by multiple people over just some school kids. The man’s eyes widened, and his breathing tightened as she stared, narrowing her eyes to see if she could spot the source of his pain.
“Let me take you home at least. I have some first aid kits I can use to bandage you up,” she looked back at him, making an intense kind of eye contact, “It’s the least I can do.”
Usopp wasn’t sure how she even got the man home without anyone taking notice of his large frame slumped against hers. She wasn’t even sure how she managed to survive his weight as he leaned against her and groaned with each shift in her movements. Once she had arrived at her cottage, she made sure to set him up in her bed, propped up with a few pillows. They hadn’t spoken much, but she was determined to clean him up and at least learn his name.
She returned to his bedside with a bowl of warm water and a washcloth. She couldn’t treat his wounds if she didn’t at least clean him up a bit. The woman knocked on the doorframe and watched as his eyes trailed to her in thanks, as if she was a goddess for even stopping to help him.
She pressed her lips together and sat on the edge of the bed, dipping the cloth into the water with a delicate hand, “My name's Usopp,” she paused, “By the way,” then she looked at him, eyes wide, as if to ask for his name in return.
The man looked away with a tight expression, nodding his head, “...Sanji.” At that she nearly dropped the water bowl.
How could Usopp have been so stupid!? The blonde hair in his eyes, the curly brows, the stubble, the tattered suit… Was it really him? Was it her idol in the flesh, in her bed? In her bed covered in his own blood and wounds, dripping with dirt. She wanted to say something; to say I’m your biggest fan, to say I’ve been collecting your wanted posters for years. Anything other than freezing and staring at him with widened eyes, like a deer in headlights.
Sanji frowned, the kind of frown that she hated to see as he continued, “I’m the pirate, yeah. If that makes you uncomfortable or anything I can go-”
“No!” Usopp blurted out, mentally hitting herself at the raised tone, “I mean… It’s okay. I’m, um, a fan,” then she looked away, dunking the cloth further into the water and praying she could disappear.
“Of the Straw hats?”
“Of,” she looked at him, “You, actually,” and then she felt a nervous giggle escape her parted lips, “It’s so silly. I’ve been collecting your wanted posters for years now, hahaa…” And she leaned forward, gently dabbing his cheek with the dampened cloth to wipe away some dirt.
Sanji’s eyes glazed over, the hint of shock ruminating in his features. He looked caught off guard, if that was even possible for a man of his stature. His eyebrows were raised and his mouth slightly open as the woman cleaned up his face.
“You’re a fan of me...? You’re sure about that?” He finally spoke, eyes trailing to her busy hand.
“Of course, I have them put away, but I grab every one I find,” she smiled and used her spare hands to lift up his bangs. With the tips of her fingers, she lifted strands of blonde hair until she could see his right eye, wiping away any blood staining from his scalp.
“Why not Luffy or the mo-Zoro?” Sanji spoke gently, eyes locking with hers as she tried to wipe at his eyelid.
It would be weird to say because she was in love with him, wouldn’t it?
Instead, Usopp pressed her lips together in a nervous habit and averted her gaze to his hands, which were neatly splayed on his lap, “I don’t know. You’ve always been my favorite. I don’t know why. I kind of fell for you- n-not like- not like that!” She dropped the washcloth and raised her hands in mock surrender, “I’m- I’m normal I swear! I’m not some creep who collects your wanted posters and talks about you all the time hahahaaaaa…”
She heard a laugh instead of judgment, as she had been expecting. A soft laugh, something breathy and airy. Something that filled Usopp with calm, a relaxant to its core. His laugh was perfect, better than any silk or jewelry in the entire world. Better than any silver or gold. Any treasure. It was his.
“I’m sorry,” she sighed, “I talk too much and say weird stuff,” Usopp reached for the washcloth, but she felt Sanji’s hand envelope hers.
“I’ve never had a fan before,” he said, with utter sincerity, “And I’ve never had a fan tell me they fell for me.” She gazed up into his blue eyes and felt lost, as if she was taken from her bedroom and thrust into space. It was the kind of look that she knew not a lot of people got from Sanji. It was the kind of look that felt homely and warm. Just for her.
“I’m surprised now,” Usopp let out a small giggle, something nervous and shy, “I thought because of your high bounty you were popular…”
“No,” he exhaled, “I have a reputation.”
“Reputation?” She repeated with raised brows.
“Of… charming women,” at that she couldn’t help but laugh. She knew what reputation he was referring to, “It’s true. I’ve kissed many women in my time.”
“I don’t know…” Usopp smiled and looked away, feeling her other hand being taken and held within his, “That’s not what I’ve heard.”
“What did you hear?” He raised an eyebrow, hissing slightly when his arm moved too far.
She gently placed both of his hands back on his lap and picked up the cloth, dunking it in the lukewarm water, “That you suck at charming women.” There was a teasing smile on Usopp’s lips as she wiped his forehead.
Sanji’s expression deflated and he shrugged his shoulders, “Hearsay,” he grumbled, biting down on the inside of his lip, “...Do you believe it?”
“Of course not,” she said without a second thought, “I think those women don’t know what they’re missing if they reject you,” Usopp gently took his face with her spare hand, turning his jaw to get better access to wipe down his neck. It was covered in dried blood, dripping down into the crevices of his body.
It went silent for a few moments, before she heard a small, “...Really?”
Sanji looked back at her and turned his head, eyes as wide as they physically could be. Almost like a puppy who had been reunited with its owner. Big eyes filled with blue color, filled with the deep blue sea and hints of the sky. It was as if no one had ever told him that before, that he was worthy, that he was someone that others could miss out on. Why not? Why hadn’t someone told the blonde he was worth more than what others would say?
It was stupid to her, if you asked Usopp. Maybe it was the fact she was in love with him, or the fact she was his biggest fan, but she didn’t see any reason why someone would want to pass up the opportunity to be his.
So, she nodded, “Really.”