A/N: So I found a new head-canon for Usopp. Which means that he deserves a new story, featuring that head-canon. And that is this! I would love to know what people think, so reviews are always welcome!
And, as always, I take story requests!
They don't know.
When they insist that he stay on the ship instead of coming with them onto the island. They don't realize that, after having been with the crew for almost six months and twelve islands, this is the first time he's been left alone. The first time that he hasn't been able to wheedle someone else into staying to watch the ship instead of he.
In fact, as they amble off of the Sunny, they are all laughing and talking. Glad to have found an island that is pirate friendly for a change. Somewhere that they can take their time and explore - and that's why both Zolo and Sanji are going, isn't it? Because the others want to take their time for once, and they feel the need to gaurd. To protect.
They don't realize that who they should be protecting is Usopp. But then, they don't understand how he could need protecting when he's alone on the ship. That being alone is why he needs protection in the first place.
Staying behind on the ship, it's supposed to be a reward for him. That's what Sanji had said, before snatching up the notepad that contained his grocery list and then sweeping across the deck after Nami. Eyes bright and steps quick, so eager to get off the ship and check out the market and the vendors and the cafes and resturaunts and anything and everything that he can find.
Usopp only finds himself cursing the blond chef. Then he crosses his arms over his chest and curses himself, because he's the one that's never told any of them.
But how could he? How could he tell them that even the thought of being left on his own was enough to send his heart pounding and coat his palms in a thin sheen of sweat? That wasn't something a normal pirate said. Hell, that wasn't something a normal civilian would say! And he was already the odd-one-out on the crew. He doesn't want to ostracize himself any more than that.
So he just stands at the edge of the ship and waves them off. Tries to smile and tells himself that they don't know.
Hopefully, they never will.