Work Text:
Usopp had no idea of what was happening to him. What had been happening to him for weeks now. However he was painfully aware of who was causing all of his internal turmoil.
It was Zoro.
He had no idea what it was, but the crazy swordsman was driving him mad. It was the type of feeling that ruined his routine, that occupied every part of his focus. It hadn't taken long for him to notice that he often stared at Zoro for no apperent reason. It was stupid. Distracting. But it happened often.
He was doing it this very moment.
Zoro was training as usual. His posture firm, each stroke of his swords precise and powerful.
Why is he always so freakishly perfect? Usopp thought to himself, looking back down at the new dynamite stars he was preparing. His focus didn't stand much of a chance, as his eyes trailed back to Zoro. He seemed to be taking a pause after hours of focused training, he bent to take his rag to pad the sweat off his neck and chest.
Those stupidly perfect muscles. Usopp's hand rose to his lips as he watched and started nibbling on his nails. If only he could have half of that one day. Could he then be able to call himself a brave warrior of the sea?
With a frustrated sigh Usopp looked back to his work and tried to focus again. But Zoro had heard him and approached, crouching by the sniper's side.
"What you got going on there huh?"
Usopp looked up, not to Zoro's eyes, not to his face, but to his chest. To that long newly acquiered scar. Like it was an invisible magnet.
"Its uh.." Usopp swallowed up whatever the feeling was that clung to his throat and forced his gaze up to his friend's face. "My dynamite stars! You know.. to be ready for our next fight. I ran out of them at Arlong Park.."
"Hm.." Zoro gave a sharp nod and picked up one of the finished projectiles, rolling it between his rough fingers. "If you think ahead about future fights why do you spend half of the time hiding behind me?"
The words hit Usopp harder than he wanted to admit, more so coming from Zoro. Their eyes locked, lazy black eyes meeting shaky brown.
"If it bothers you that much to protect me then you don't have to do it anymore. I am more than capable to handle myself without you, y'know? I took down Jango! I beat that fishman to pulp all by myself you.. you know!" Usopp pushed himself up to his feet and raised his chin up high proudly. He wouldn't allow that mossyhaired swordsman doubt his strenght, nakama or not.
Without another word, he picked up his tools and turned to leave. He almost gave another step away but remembered Zoro had taken one of his stars. A thought of leaving it and wait for Zoro to return it himself flashed through his mind. Usopp shook his head, turning back to Zoro and snatching the round star straight from his fingers.
"Uh.. this is mine. Thanks.." He mumbled, ignoring the weird tingle he got from touching Zoro's fingers.
He made it to his workshop in a rush, not bothering to wait for Zoro's reaction and slamming the door behind him. His back pressed against the door and he let himself slide down it until he flopped on the wooden floor. Usopp felt his heart thud rapidly and hard against his ribs. This was ridiculous. He wouldn't normally take things this personal. Zoro had probably just tried to tease him, with that random humor of his.
Usopp covered his face with his hands, rubbing over his eyes. This couldn't be possibly what he thought it was.
Envy.
He was envious of Zoro's strength, of his bravery and it was getting to his head. But Zoro is his friend, he shouldn't feel envious of his friend. He liked Zoro, he's cool.. and safe.
Usopp let out a frustrated groan.
"i'm sorry.. darn it.. I have to stop this."
He stood up reluctantly and dragged himself to his workdesk. Back in his element, the boy relaxed, trying to leave this new feeling behind.
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It was late when he left his workdesk, called out for dinner by Sanji and joining the other 3 on the table. His eyes betrayed him immediately, finding Zoro, who seemed to be uncaring as usual.
Sanji's hands landed on Usopp's shoulders, distracting him from his messy overthinking.
"Sit now, my dear Usopp so we can start the feast!" The chef snickered while pushing Usopp down to his seat.
"C'mon lets eat now!!" Luffy's hands shot out to grab whatever was closer to him and start eating without second thought.
Nami smiled fondly at Luffy and shook her head. "Listen up boys. Sanji and I talked this morning and we're low on supplies.. tomorrow we'll stop down some islands and go buy what we need. But we have to stay on a low profile, can't have the Marine closing up on us when we're getting closer to cross into the Grand Line."
Zoro made a small grunt without looking up at Nami. "I can stay and guard the boat.."
"You're only going to sleep you lazy idiot brains." Sanji retorted immediately.
"SHUT UP SWIRLY BROWS YOU-"
"You two shut up idiots!" Nami interrupted with a slam on a table that made Usopp and Luffy's soup rattle as they watched with their mouths full. "I already have a plan in mind.. I need to stay on board to study the map of the Grand Line. Luffy, you'll stay too, you'd cause trouble one way or another so you'll help Sanji with extra chores while Zoro and Usopp go buy what we need."
The sniper stilled mid bite at that, not daring to look at Zoro and those stupidly piercing eyes of him so he just nodded.
Satisfied, Nami leaned back on her chair and asked for dessert that came with a swirl of Sanji's sweet words and Luffy's begging eyes.
Once it grew late, everyone parted quietly to end their daily routines. Usopp stayed behind, contemplating if he should talk to Zoro.
He watched Zoro climb up to the crows nest for his first watch and after a brief internal debate, he followed behind, thinking over and over his apology. On the last step of the ladder, Usopp peeked in to find Zoro already waiting for him with a questioning gaze.
"You're too loud to be discreet.." Zoro yawned and leaned back. "its not your turn to be on watch, you know?"
"I know.. I.. came here for you.. I mean because you're here.. cause I got something to tell you not cause I'm following you around or something.." The sniper rambled after pulling himself up to the plataform of the crow's nest.
"hm.. okay. What for?" the swordsman asked with his awfully calm tone.
"I.. I'm sorry for what I said.. earlier today.. It was kinda rude.. you were probably only joking and I reacted too much.."
Usopp didn't dare to look up once he was finished, waiting for Zoro's answer.
He simply let out a sigh and sat up again, watching Usopp quietly for a few seconds more before speaking.
"Its okay.. I didn't mean what I said like a bad thing either.. I know you can handle yourself. We all can on this crew. And I... don't mind protecting you.. its fine.. I signed up for it from day one okay?"
A quiet silence fell between them. Zoro didn't seem to want to say more while Usopp still processed his words.
Of course Zoro hadn't been bothered by his words. Because he wasn't an emotional wreck like him. Usopp felt his face burn in embarrasment. Shame. He was starting to hate how much he had needed to hear those reassuring words from Zoro all day. He felt pathetic.
Zoro and him aren't nearly the same. And he knew they would never be the same. Usopp would always find himself one step behind that man all his life.
Not daring to say much more, Usopp mumbled a small goodnight and headed down to the men's sleeping quarters. He climbed up onto his hammock, Luffy was already asleep on the one above him. Hopefully, a good sleep would ease his aching mind and the growing feeling that grew more in the sniper's heart.
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The ship had fallen into the quiet lull of sleep. Usopp had eased into a deep sleep, falling gently into dreamland.
A familiar scent of salty fresh winds reached Usopp's groggy senses and he opened his eyes to the nolstalgic view of his home. Syrup Village. He couldn't help but ease up and sigh. He could feel a grounding weight on his lap too, a head most likely as he could feel his fingers thread through hair with care.
"Kaya is that you..?"
Usopp looked down, wanting to see the face of his dear friend. He missed her so much.. But it wasn't Kaya's face that greeted him, not the blonde hair and brown eyes that he knew so well. Staring back at him were a pair of lazy black eyes instead. It was Zoro, looking like he was half awake, green hair all mussed up from Usopp's fingers.
The sight made Usopp freeze, a light daze brushing over him. Zoro looked so vulnerable.. almost soft like this. He didn't realize that he was staring for long until Zoro shifted, closing his eyes again and getting comfortable on Usopp's thighs. The sniper felt his face heating up completely. Why was Zoro's presence teasing him even in dreams? This was cruel. Unfair. Then he jolted awake.
He blinked slowly, looking around with his heart beating steadily against his ribs.
"This is so stupid." He'd probably told himself the same thing millions of times these past few hours. Each time was like he was falling deeper into his mess instead of letting it all go.
"Stupid swordsman.."
Usopp flapped his hands around his head, brushing off the tiny imaginary figures of Zoro that circled his mind nonstop now.
Right then as if called on by Usopp's thoughts, Zoro walked in the room, going straight for the sniper.
"Nami said we're docking soon.. we should go now." He mumbled dryly. "You should have this too.."
The swordsman handed him a bag of money and what seemed like a list of what was needed in Sanji's elegant handwriting.
"Right.. yes. I'll just.. um.. I'll be right out." Usopp didn't think much before he was patting Zoro's shoulder awkwardly. Why? he had no idea. The action had been weird enough to confuse Zoro as well, who was staring at him with slight confusion before going back out.
"What was THAT?! Real smooth Usopp, you can't just do that to Zoro.." He whined to himself, sliding off his hammock and scrambling to put his boots back on. He stumbled out of the room without any grace and bumped his head hard against a strong back. Zoro again. Usopp's face heated up, he could never stop embarrasing himself huh?
Zoro, inmuted turned to him and grumbled something about Usopp going first to guide them on the supply run. The sniper took the lead without any complains and they headed together into the town they had docked at.
It didn't take long for them to reach the bustling Plaza, Usopp looked down at the list of their priorities that Sanji had provided earlier.
"We need some meat, rice.. some vegetables.."
"Hey, Usopp..You think we can slide in some sake in there without Nami noticing?" Zoro leaned behind the sniper to look over his shoulder at the list. The proximity making Usopp shiver. He was so close. His face right besides his and hand resting on his shoulder.
Alarm bells rang like crazy in his head.This time it wasn't envy like before. But there was no way this was fear was it? Usopp wasn't afraid of Zoro, he liked him, found safety on him. It must be nerves then. Nerves of being close to someone so powerful.
"Hey, you heard me?" Zoro's voice shook Usopp out of his overthinking, turning to look at him.
"I-I can cover for you.. only this time though, okay? Here, go get some and meet me back up at this plaza.." Usopp dropped some coins on Zoro's hand and dashed out to the closest market.
He felt his heart going crazy. He had to focus on something else than this. Slowing down, he looked atounf the colorful place while walking around the market, somehow everything reminded him of Zoro in some kind of way. He even bought a bit more of rice, thinking maybe Zoro would enjoy if rice balls were more often on the menu. He passed by an interesting boutique, he took a look in for himself, hoping to find something cool but walked out only with a small kit of sword maintenance for Zoro.
By the end of his little tour, Usopp was carrying 5 bags of groceries and the small separate bag for the kit. He was starting to regret leaving Zoro alone, he was no where in sight near the plaza.
"He's probably lost again.." Usopp chuckled with a bit of fondness. He'd always thought Zoro's horrible sense of direction was cute. No. No he couldn't think like that. Zoro wasn't cute. He was intimidating. And he was everything Usopp was envious of.
He looked around the plaza, locating the alley Zoro had left towards when they separated. It was time to look for him, he coudln't stay there and waste more time overthinking. He was guided further into the town following some directions he'd recieved from people that had seen Zoro pass by. However he wasn't prepared for the sight of his crewmate crouching with a small group of children, much like the Usopp pirates back at Syrup village. Zoro looked focused as he traced math equations with a stick on the dirt, teaching the kids some basic problems. A little girl hung on Zoro's shoulder, watching with quiet wonder at the swordsman patient teaching. Usopp was just as mesmerized. In his daze, his grip on the rice bag he held on his side faltered and he dropped it to the ground, catching Zoro's attention.
"Usopp..! there you are, I was starting to think you got lost." Zoro gently stepped away from the kids to help pick up the bags. Usopp watched in a daze for a bit longer, his stomach was flipping with a weird warmth.
"Only you can blame others for your terrible sense of direction. You couldn't even make it back to the Plaza. I had to carry all the bags by myself, you idiot!" Without thinking much, Usopp shook Zoro by the arm, holding hard onto his crewmates bicep.
Zoro let it happen, his lips curling slightly at Usopp's fond over-exaggerating.
Usopp looked back at the kids that were playing once again. They hadn't been afraid of Zoro and he'd seemed patient and careful with them.
"Hey.. come on.. I need you to guide me back to the ship, Captain Whiny." Zoro took a step forward, pulling Usopp along, who was still holding onto his arm.
With embarrasing speed, he let go Zoro's arm and took the lead again. The trip to the Merry was quiet despite a few times he had to put Zoro back on track. He was definitely going to make some kind of leash for future trips on land. Not like Zoro would enjoy it though. Usopp chuckled as he imagined walking around with Zoro on a leash.
Zoro noticed. Of course he did. He approached from behind again. "Whats so funny?"
The closeness made Usopp jump and shiver, shrieking something about a projectile he had left unfinished in his workshopp. Then he was gone.
Zoro frowned. Usopp's mixed signals were making him think he was either making Usopp extremely nervous or the guy didn't know how to handle friendships very good. He shook his head and took the bags to the kitchen. After he laid everything in the counter, the cook could organize it all himself later. His attention was caught by a smaller separate bag that didn't seem to contain any food. Curious as to what Usopp could've bought, he opened the bag and inspected what seemed to be a sword maintenance kit.
"Ah you found it.." Usopp mumbled from the door, he'd remembered the gift and rushed back for it a bit too late it seemed.
"I saw it and thought... you know.. your swords... Um, I'm pretty sure you already have stuff to take care of them but I just thought that kit was cool and it has some newer stuff.."
Zoro watched him ramble off with a small smile and decided to interrupt him.
"Thanks. Its nice. I'll use it. I don't know why you get so squirmy.. you know."
Taking the kit, Zoro walked past Usopp back to the deck, patting his shoulder briefly.
That was enough for Usopp to slump back against the wall and cover his face with his shaky hands. His face was warm again. But there was no way this was envy. Maybe it had never been. His heart was beating so loud he felt it in his ears. He was blushing. Because of Zoro.
There was no other explanation now. There was no excuse either.
He was crushing on Zoro.
He had been discarding that option because Zoro was a man. Not that there was a reason why he shouldn't or wouldn't like guys. He just had never imagined himself liking a man before. But it was Zoro. Strong, safe Zoro. Patient and stupidly beautiful Zoro.
There was no doubt now. Usopp bit his nail, trying to hold back a smile.
He was completely fucked up. And he didn't mind it as much as he had thought.