Chapter Text
Sanji wasn't one to care much about how the others fought. Sure, he'd silently worry when they were a little too careless for his liking, and he'd criticize them for the hell of it, but he never genuinely put much thought into it.
It was a small, small, thing. Had Sanji been a different man, he probably wouldn't have even noticed the small winces Usopp sometimes gave. At first he had thought they were products of your typical post-battle pains, Usopp had a knack for getting banged up, but he'd begun to realize that might not be the case. The winces weren't randomly occurring like Sanji had once thought, no, they only ever seemed to happen when Usopp was doing something with his hands.
Now, Usopp was usually a careful man but he had a careless streak nonetheless. He did his work with precision and cautious intention but he still trips over scattered screws when he walks through the Usopp factory. Getting cuts on his hands was not something Usopp was a stranger to; hand cramps were no different either. That didn't do much to ease the concern Sanji had started to feel over him.
It was well known that Sanji was careful with his own hands. He was the type of man that trimmed his nails instead of biting them and kept them wound free at all times. Usopp constantly had chipped nail polish along with cuts or burns on his palms and fingertips. He spent more time in bandages than without them. It was simply a fact of life, it didn't mean Sanji liked it.
He knew that if he expressed his concern Usopp wouldn't take it as an attack on his strength, unlike some other people, but he still felt an intense awkwardness creep under his skin whenever he tried to mention it. It was easy to say things in the heat of battle or when adrenaline is just simmering down, but when everyone's safe and happy on the ship? It never feels like the right time. There are few moments of complete privacy, let alone moments to bring up genuine concerns. Sanji knows deep down that Usopp wouldn't mind a question or two or a carefully worded statement but there's still a sickly feeling that swirls in his stomach when he thinks of how that conversation would go.
As he thinks of yet another way to bring the topic up he quickly snuffs out his cigarette and lights another one. Maybe tomorrow.
Tomorrow turns into a few weeks. Sanji should know better than to plan ahead when living on a ship with Luffy. The events at Water 7 and Enies Lobby go by as quick as they do slow, each moment filled with the sound of Sanji's own heart racing through his ears and tense shoulders waiting for the next bad thing to happen. Things got so much worse before they got better and by the end of it, they were all worn out. The blonde hated it, but he knew he had to act; he had to show that he was concerned and he cared, so much that it made him nauseous. Usopp knows that they all care about him but Sanji had to make sure he thinks it too.
He knocked on the door before he could stop himself. The new ship was huge, its name fitting for its size, and provided a lot more privacy than previously available. There was a scrambling noise from behind the door and a few sputtered curses along with it. When the door swung open what greeted Sanji was a sweaty Usopp and a big banner covered in bright red letters that read "Usopp Factory".
"Well you've definitely made yourself at home in here." Sanji sometimes thinks he should ask Nami to follow him around to hit him before he can say anything stupid. At least Usopp didn't seem like he felt the same. "Barely! Do you see how big this room is? It's going to take me forever to decorate this place!" He moved to the side to let Sanji in. He stepped in with cautious interest. Usopp was right, this room was big and definitely an upgrade from having to work with Luffy running around him. "How do you plan on decorating it?" Sanji asked, partly out of genuine curiosity and partly to avoid the elephant only he is aware of.
Usopp moved over to a pile of scrap wood on the floor and pushed it away from the seating Franky had installed in the room. "Not quite sure yet. I'll definitely need to add some things for organization but besides that hm," He paused to glance around the room, eyes eventually landing on Sanji. "Maybe I'll hang up some art." Sanji nodded, Usopp did have a knack for the creatives. "Sounds like a good plan to me." Usopp puffed out his chest. "Well of course it is! I came up with it!" Sanji laughed as he lit another cigarette.
Usopp scrunched his face in disgust. "Ugh, do you have to do that in here? I'm gonna have to open a window." He blew the smoke high in the air above Usopp's head. "You prick!" He shouted as he swatted at the white cloud. Sanji laughed for a moment more before he saw it again, that damn flinch. It was short and obviously meant to be well hidden but Sanji had been paying too much attention for too long to not notice it.
"What's with that?" Fantastic start, Sanji. Usopp backed up a step. "What's with what?" Sanji pointed his chin towards Usopp's hands, curled up at his sides now. "That." He knows he should be clearer about what he means but Usopp wasn't a fool, foolish at times yes, but not a fool. If he really tried, Sanji thinks he probably could understand most of what Sanji means without him uttering a single word.
A nervous laugh. "Oh! Just your typical aches and pains is all, you know how it is." Huh. Huh? Sanji furrowed his brows. "What does that mean?" "You know, an ache, like when you use a muscle too much and feels kind of tight and-" "You know that's not what I meant." Sanji cut him off.
Another laugh. "What? No, I have no idea what you're talking about." He stepped back a bit more, turning to face more spare pieces of metal and wood on the ground. "Usopp." He crouched down sort through the bolts. "Usopp." He grabbed one and held it close to his face like he'd never seen one before. "Usopp." He set it down and did the same to another one. Sanji huffed. "Usopp, first of all, the typical "aches and pains" you feel should be none. Secondly, what do you mean by I know how it is?"
Usopp scoffed and truthfully, that wasn't at all what Sanji was expecting. He guessed it made sense. Usopp just went through so much and here Sanji is, ruining his peace with his worry. He finally set the bolts down and turned to look up at Sanji. "You're one to talk like that."
Sanji straightened his back and let out a puff of smoke. He knew this conversation wouldn't be a walk in the park but he didn't expect it to take this kind of turn.
"Usopp, I know you know I've noticed for a while now that you seem to be in a decent bit of pain most days. Is it a crime to be worried about that? I just want you to be careful." Usopp stood and walked over to one of the benches. He sat down and gestured to the empty spot beside him, a peace offering if Sanji had to guess. "A crime? No, but hypocritical. I mean," He gestured to the cigarette in Sanji's mouth. "You're hardly careful."