"Eat!"
"I'm not hungry!"
"I didn't ask if you were hungry, I was telling you to eat!"
"I all-ready did!"
"Three bites do not count you shitty-ass Sniper!"
Stunned Franky and Chopper witnessed the formidable struggle between Sanji and Usopp, Sanji trying to make Usopp eat his food, and Usopp putting up a brave fight refusing.
"oi, Chopper." Franky bowed down as he whispered to Chopper. "You're sure that, that is a man whom could be dead in a week?" he asked.
"Well erh.." Chopper swallowed. "Usopp does have some certain advantages, his excellent health record, his strong physical condition that has grown strong and used to harsh environments, and he has been eating Sanjis incredible nutritional and varied food… if it were for that one single genetic flaw, Usopp would be any doctors gods send in pure health."
"Makes it kind of ironic doesn't it?" Franky asked slightly lifting his sunglasses, just in time to witness Sanji forcefully stuffing a spoon down Usopp's throat, and forcing the sniper to swallow.
Leaving Usopp back, gasping for air. "Bleh.."
"See, that wasn't so hard was it?" Sanji asked in a devilish grin, and Usopp pouted as he glared right back at him. "Now you just need to eat the rest of it!"
And that at ones, seemed to make Usopp go a little pale.
"If I may offer you some advice.. eat when you are told to." Sanji stated stuffing the spoon into Usopp's hand. "Or I will force it down in you!"
Hopelessly Usopp glanced at Chopper, but the reindeer could only sigh. "It's for your own good." He told.
"I feel like barfing, if I barf, then what good is the food?" Usopp asked.
"It's better for you if you have some-thing to throw-up, than nothing." Chopper stated.
"I HATE being sick!" Usopp stated.
Franky smiled amused. "Well, if you have energy to complain about it, then it can't be to bad."
"That's what I have been trying to say!" Usopp exclaimed. "I'm not.." then suddenly he grew pale, as if all at ones all the energy had been taken out of him and fell back on his pillow. "Urghh…"
Chopper sighed. "And I guess that was all of Usopp's energy reserves for today.."
And Sanji sighed deeply. "And there is still food to go." He mumbled lifting up Usopp's head, and stuffed a spoon into Usopp's mouth.
This time though, Usopp just laid limp in Sanjis hand, and barely struggled against the unwelcome food. Just made some noises indicating how unhappy he was, but clearly he didn't have the energy for more.
"You are like a little child you are." Sanji mumbled annoyed. "Some brave warrior of the sea, admitting defeat to a lousy bowl of porridge."
That made Usopp open his eyes and look up at Sanji with a sullen look, then it looked like his eyes glazed over, and he fell back, breathing heavily in and out.. fast a sleep.
Sanji blinked, then looked at Chopper.
"He exhausted himself." Chopper sighed. "Let him sleep, it's the best thing we can let him do, then try and give him some more to eat when he wakes again."
Sanji hissed as he threw the spoon back into the bowl with porridge. "Why does he always have to be so god damn stubborn when it's the least convenient?" he asked.
"Hey look at the bright side." Franky pointed out. "Maybe that also means he is simply to stubborn to die."
"That would certainly be convenient." Sanji mumbled annoyed. "oi shitty sniper." He muttered. "Our Captain has forbidden you to die, so don't you even dare." He muttered. "Stubborn asshole." He muttered as he stood up holding the bowl. To go to the little door that separated the infirmary from the galley, and walked through it with the rest of the food.
Sadly Chopper looked down on his hoofs, being quiet.
"Hey Chopper-bro, don't worry." Franky encouraged. "Between yours and Sanji-bros care, plus his own stubbornness, there's no reason why Usopp shouldn't make it."
"Hai." Chopper whispered, then glanced at the sleeping sniper. "I just wish that.. There was more that I could do." He mumbled. "I'm a doctor, why am I useless?" he asked.
"You're not, Usopp-bro will make it." Franky told. "Luffy-bro said so remember, and you know how it is with Luffy, some-how, he'll always get what he wants, no matter how ridicules it is. Even if it involves stealing some-ones favourite Speedo, he'll get what he wants." Franky murmured a little annoyed.
And Chopper chuckled a little amused as he whisked away a tear. "Hai!" he told. "You mind keeping an eye on Usopp, I need some fresh air."
"Not a problem." Franky stated, and Chopper nodded, before he rushed out-side, the moment the door closed how-ever, Franky glanced at the sleeping Usopp.
"Yo, Usopp-bro." Franky muttered. "Now you have to pull through, don't make me look like a liar, that's your department." He stated. "When I first met you, you were to stubborn to give up on your dying comrade, you were to stubborn to give up on Merry, even though you knew she was as good as dead, not only that, you were to stubborn to give up on Robin, even though you knew it was near impossible to get her back, and you were to stubborn to give up on this crew, even though it was hard for you." He asked. "And because you were so damn stubborn, you know what happened?" he asked. "Merry is fine, Robin is fine, and your crew is fine. So don't give up on yourself." He muttered poking at Usopp's forehead with his finger. "You've come to far to give up now!"
"Then it's good I am not dying."
Franky blinked as he looked down and saw Usopp looking straight back at him, with slightly glazed eyes.
"You are all making way to big a fuzz out of this." Usopp muttered. "just give me some peace, let me sleep." He asked closing his eyes as he turned his back to Franky. "It's way to exhausting to deal with eight nannies when they aren't needed." He mumbled.
"That's a bit harsh, we are just worried about you." Franky pointed out.
"Mmm." Was the only thing Usopp murmered, his back still to Franky, and then seemingly, he had fallen a sleep again.
Franky sighed deeply, pulling the blanket up over Usopp's shoulder, with a gentleness, that shouldn't be possible from a man his sieze, let alone a half machine. But there it was, and it was also with equal gentleness that Franky laid a hand on Usopp's shoulder, and merely sat there. In silence, looking over his nakama, assistant, apprentice, friend and in some ways, more than any of the other crew-members, Franky couldn't help but think as Usopp as his younger family member, he needed to look after.
The Sniper had earned Frankys respect long ago, Franky admired the young man quite a lot, so to see him lay there, well.. it was heart-breaking really.
But what was there to do? Other than to be there for his friend?
"USOPP WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING!?" Nami shouted at the sniper, so he fell back and groaned, as he laid among several plants.
"I am taking care of my plants, what does it look like I am doing?" Usopp asked annoyed. "They aren't going to take care of themselves you know!"
"You are in no condition to crawl around in your plants!" Nami hissed. "Stop it!"
"So I am just supposed to be cooked up in the infirmary all day?" Usopp asked still sitting on the ground.
"If I'll give you just a bit longer to life, THEN YES!" Nami shouted.
"LOOK IF THIS IS REALLY MY LAST MONTH TO LIFE DON'T YOU THINK I'LL RATHER SPEND IT OUT-SIDE THAN COOKED UP INSIDE A STUPID INFIRMARY!?" Usopp shouted right back.
And then simultaneously they both gasped and held their hands towards heir mouths looking wide-eyed at each other.
"U.. Usopp.." Nami swallowed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean.." it had been a few days now, and so far, no one had handed it straight to Usopp that he could die. They had more just been sneaking around, and this was actually the third time Usopp had sneaked out of the infirmary.
"No it's fine, it's what you all see isn't it?" Usopp asked annoyed. "Dead man walking among you. If that is all I am to you, you might as well all just SAY IT!"
"Usopp.." Nami tried, laying a hand on Usopp's shoulder.
"I'm not dead yet Nami." Usopp pointed out, brushing Namis hand off his shoulder. "Either stop acting I all-ready am, or just go away!" he demanded.
Wide-eyed Nami looked at Usopp, and Usopp looked back, to suddenly realise what he had just said.. and soon, tears started to run down Namis eyes.
"Oh no Nami I didn't mean.. I didn't.. I.." Usopp hopelessly tried.
Then Nami turned around and wiped her eyes. "That's all-right Usopp, I was acting like an idiot." She told.
"Huh?" Usopp asked deeply confused.
"Just.. tell if you need some-thing all-right?" Nami asked. "I'm sorry." And then she rushed away, down the stairs.
Hopelessly Usopp reached out for her, but suddenly knew he lacked the ability to run after her, and ended up falling down in sitting position holding his head in his hands. "JUST HIT ME GODDAMMIT WHEN I AM DOWN-RIGHT ASKING FOR IT LIKE THAT!" he yelled, then fell the rest bit down, to lay on the ground, breathing heavily. "Urghh.."
Then Usopp felt a slight hit over his head. "Auw." He hissed managing to look up, where there stood a tall green-haired swords-man.
"You're welcome." Zoro stated as he reached down and pulled in Usopp's arm, pulling Usopp up on his legs. "Shit-cook is looking for you, it's time to eat."
"All-ready?" Usopp asked. "I'm not hungry, can't you tell him I can't right now?" he asked.
"If you have the energy to come out here and garden, you have the energy to eat." Zoro straight out stated, as he harshly pulled Usopp with him. "Don't let me repeat myself." He asked in that stern, scary tone, that tolerated zero objections, and still to this day, made Usopp slightly shiver. As he was dragged with the swordsman downstairs.
"Zoro.." Usopp whispered.
"Huh?" Zoro muttered barely glancing over his shoulder.
"Thanks for not treating me like I could break any moment." Usopp whispered.
In response Zoro gave Usopp a little slap over the head. "That's for making the rest of the crew worry so much, it's making my job way more complicated than it needs to be."
"If only the rest could be as straightforward as you." Usopp sighed.
Zoro merely shrugged. "Meh," was all he said, before they reached the bottom of the stairs and Zoro pushed Usopp into the galley.
Where Luffy was waiting for Usopp.. Luffy had proven himself to be the hardest one to shake as he stood there with a big grin on his face. "Usopp! can you believe it's lunch all-ready! Remember to eat a lot of meat it'll make you feel better!" he stated, tossing food on a plate meant for Usopp.
Usopp felt very sick merely looking at it. He really did not feel like to eat. But it did not look like he had any choice as the Captain was suddenly behind him, pushing Usopp down on a chair, laughing.
Couldn't Luffy just be quiet for a second? it was giving Usopp quite the head-ache.
But of cause not as Luffy yelled. "THANKS FOR FOOD!" and started to dig into his own food.. Usopp only knew to well, that if he hadn't finished eaten up by the time Luffy had.. they would start force feeding him again.
But he also knew, from merely looking at the plate in front of him, there was NO WAY in hell, he was ever going to finish the enourmus portion Luffy had thrown on the plate for him. "Urgh.." Usopp groaned smacking his head down on the table. "Why me?" he asked.