Almost twice as long as the last chapter, because I just couldn't help it.
Several hours after breakfast everybody was up and about with their own doings. Today's air was chilly with occasional rain, so the crew stayed indoors most of the time. The navigator, archeologist and sniper accompanied each other in the library when a certain swirly-browed cook joined them.
"I brought your afternoon snacks" he said in a cheery voice. Usopp kept on reading, but was interrupted at the sound of an unexpected third plate being placed.
"Hope you'll enjoy it."
He looked up from the book and was met with a smile before the cook left the room again. Indeed, a tangerine shortcake was in front of him. He blinked for a few seconds, then shot up and after the blonde.
"Sanji!"
Usopp took a hold of his tie and dragged him over to the empty men's cabin.
"What a-"
"We need to talk."
He crossed his arms and stared at the cook.
"What was that just now? What's going on?"
Sanji blinked, not understanding the question. "I just brought you a snack..."
"Yeah, an exclusive 'ladies-only' one." He wasn't entirely sure why that upset him, but he kept going without giving the other man a chance to respond.
"Why are you giving me special treatment all of a sudden? Oh, wait... It's because of what happened last night, right? I get it that the Great Captain Usopp-sama left an impression, but it feels weird to be a part of the 'people whose pants I want to get into'-group."
Silence and a cigarette being puffed in insecurity.
"That's not... I- I don't..."
Sanji turned against the wall so his rosy, embarassed cheeks wouldn't be seen. He didn't know what to say.
Sure, he adored Nami-swan and Robin-chwan. But Usopp... With Usopp it was different. He couldn't really explain it, but it was like some sort of strange bond between them. Besides, he'd never had, nor probably would have any chance of getting even remotely physical with a woman.
Maybe he didn't want to either?
A deep breath.
"Usopp... It's not like that..."
He swallowed and faced the marksman. The strained expression made his knees weak, so he averted his eyes and sat down on the couch.
"I... I really l-like you, Usopp..."
It came upon them both like a flash of lightning. A confession? Out of the blue?
"A-and I m-mean it when I say it... N-not like when I say it to Nami-san or Robin-chan... O-or any other ladies..."
Why was he stuttering? What was this sudden feeling, making him sweat and tremble all over?
The impending tension hung above them, around them, all over the place. Time stopped. After what seemed like an eternity, Usopp was the one to break the silence.
"S-so, w-what are w-we going t-to do next?"
The shock caused his heart to race faster than ever before. The blood and adrenalin pumped quicker than during any enemy encounters they'd had so far, and that's saying a lot.
"W-well..." the older man started shyly. "Do you want to give it a try? See where it leads..."
Usopp's insight earlier that day came across his mind.
"Yeah, I can imagine it. You and I on a date someplace nice, and BAM! As soon as a female being pops up, you fly off to unknown grounds." he replied dryly.
"I told you already! It's different this time... Besides, don't you have a gorgeous lady waiting for you back at Syrup Village?"
Usopp's chest stung again. Kaya.
"She's... well... I..."
The awkwardness came upon him again.
"Well?"
"W-what do you want me to say?" the darkhaired boy yelled.
"What do you want ME to say?!" the blonde yelled back. "I just poured my heart out, and you start blaming me for something I can't control!"
Frustrated silence.
"So. What now?" the cook stated after calming down a bit. "It's obvious that we can't go back to being just nakama."
Even more silence.
"...S-sanji..."
The sharpshooter sat down on the couch, yet as far away from him as possible.
"I... I think... I think I l-like you too..."
His voice was almost unhearable and his face was flustered red. Sanji's cigarette dropped to the floor.
"Usopp..."
Their hands grazed, then slowly intertwined. He couldn't hold back his happiness anymore. It was just too much.
"You shitty bastard!" he cried out and lunged at Usopp, pinning him down to the couch.
"Heh. I guess we could give it a try." the long-nosed one answered.
He tilted his head slightly and their lips met for a long, tender kiss.
The End(?)