Not my characters. The first part's a bit rough. But I hope it's easier to understand .w.

The day seemed to have lazed by as the ship kept on sailing. It was much better than waiting on the shore of some unknown island, waiting for two years to pass. Each crew member enjoyed doing their own thing, or talking with one another. Usopp wanted to fish again. He'd have something to do, and not to mention the fish tank was a bit bare. Franky seemed too busy that evening to co-create something. Luffy was busy telling Zoro of his travels, while Chopper was recording his findings with in his own journals and diaries. Usopp didn't think twice on who was next to bother, as of course the only cook on the ship seemed like the perfect candidate.

He hesitated. Would Sanji want him still? I can't. I just can't. He felt horrible making the cook wait for so long. Why couldn't have these feelings emerge before? Sanji wouldn't have waited. And who would blame him for not waiting? Maybe Sanji ended up on some wonderful island with beautiful maidens that catered to his every need. Maybe he found someone else to care about. Who knows.

Usopp had to gather his courage; he needed to pull himself together. I can do this. I just need to apologize to him for… making him wait! Yeah, then leave it at that. If he doesn't ask, then oh well. I'll keep it to myself. It'd be my fault for not listening before, anyways! He hurried to the galley, but waited for a moment. The door to the kitchen was so big to him. He blinked and stepped back. His eyes were playing tricks on him. He knew the door wasn't really gargantuan. He gulped and reached for the knob. His vision blurred and a mouth appeared on the knob, nipping at his hand. He pulled back and trembled, backing up into the wall and panted. This is tougher than I thought. I have to man up and do this! Sanji can't wait on me forever. Determined to get his point across, Usopp reached for the nipping door knob and held it tightly. The illusion disappeared and he smiled to himself. He was a man now, no more need for cowardice. He huffed and turned the knob then opened the door.

Inside, Sanji stood cleaning the dishes from earlier. Most of them were finished. Usopp smiled, seeing the cook retain to his normal duties. He hummed to himself as he puffed on his cig and washed off the next clean pot. He placed it on the rest of the clean dishes. He rubbed his hands dry with a damp towel and turned to the new comer that entered his terrain.

"Oi, Usopp, what is it?" He asked. The sniper looked down bashfully. The words wouldn't come out. Come on, be a man!

"Ah, I was just seeing if there were any left overs!" He smiled, waving a hand before him to brush away any negative thoughts he was thinking. The cook turned back to the counter top, he then eyed the fridge and back to his friend.

"Nope. You guys ate it all. I think you, Luffy and Chopper would know. You guys are the biggest vacuums on this ship." He had a very good point there. Though Sanji wasn't there to see them tear up the food, he just knew they had been the biggest of eaters.

"Ah, then that's fine." There was an unsure silence filling the place. Sanji must've felt like this when he was trying to get his emotions out. "I'll just go then." He regretted saying such words. Puffing on his cigarette, Sanji glared at the sniper's back.

"You came in here for something else. What is it?" He asked gruffly. Usopp stopped and turned to the other, rubbing his left shoulder. I was being so obvious. I never ask for food out of the blue like this. He couldn't find anything to say. His sole reason for stepping in was to tell Sanji he was sorry for making him wait so long. Was Sanji pissed at him for that? "Well? You can spit it out can't you?"

"Err, I…was gonna ask if you've seen Luffy! Of course you don't care about our stupid games. So have you—"

"No I haven't."

"Uh…well do you have any idea where I can find him?"

"Why the hell are you asking me? Of course I don't. Maybe with that bastard seaweed head." He removed his cigarette from his mouth and walked over towards Usopp. Blowing out smoke rings, he huffed in Usopp's ear. "You wanna tell me something?" He asked his lips not too far from Usopp's ear. The sniper began to shiver. He closed his eyes, trying to imagine something else. He's onto me. Come on, Usopp! Just spit it out! It doesn't seem like he's forgotten… "I haven't forgotten about what I told you two years back. I'm still waiting." See? That should make it easier for you.

Slowly opening his eyes, he coughed the smoke circling around them. He couldn't believe after all this time he was still slightly shorter than Sanji. He turned to the blond and gulped. His eyes look so damn serious. Stop looking so serious!

"Why are you still waiting? What if my answer's the same?" He questioned, testing to see just what the other would do. His body began to quiver, but he wouldn't back down from this. Even if he was kissed, it would make it all the more easier. The cook moved his face closer, his mouth curling into a grin. He then moved back and turned away. Seeing this action, it seemed as though he had already accepted it. I was kidding. You can see right through my lies. Can't you?

Usopp couldn't bring himself to say 'just kidding!' He bit his lip and backed up some steps. He sighed and then turned back to the door and placed his hand on the knob. He turned it slowly like he had the first time. Usopp jolted forward as Sanji's foot firmly smashed into the wall next to him. He quivered, turning his head slightly to see a round black shoe not too far from his face. He gulped, wide eyed and fearful of what would happen next. Holy…shit he's pissed! He couldn't turn any more than he already had. His shoulders showed the cook that he was clearly frightened.

"So that's it right? Just gonna leave without even telling me what your answer really is?" Sanji growled, slowly sliding his foot down the wall, just a few inches. Usopp couldn't muster any noise, rubbing his arms from a sudden icy chill that ran through his whole body. The two waited for the other to speak. Usopp expected Sanji to keep on ranting, and Sanji expected some sort of answer to seep through Usopp's lips. When neither spoke for a good minute, Sanji's foot scraped along the walls, heading back down to the floor. Please don't kick me. "Say something…" The cook grumbled.

The sniper let out a loud huff. Leaning forward to rest his forehead on the door, he then stood up straight and turned to Sanji. He opened his mouth as if he were going to say something. For three full seconds nothing came out. He closed his mouth, sighed and thought for a moment. The cook looked less than pleased. He narrowed his eyes on the sniper, furrowing his brows and placed a hand on his hip, waiting. Damn it. He's not buying this. If I keep stalling like this, he'll think my whole answer will be a cold joke. What the hell, Usopp? Be a man. You can do this. Let him know that you were wrong for making him wait for so long. The crush has probably been there since he spilt his guts to you!

"So, how about that food you made earlier?" He choked out. That's so not what I wanted to say. I'm still stalling! "I mean, do you just improvise the whole time or do you have a cook book with the instructions and all? I mean you make the greatest food! But, I can't help but ask if it's like something secret or—"

"Spit it out. You don't like me right? If that's it, then okay. I get it." Sanji's words lingered for a while. N-No! That's not it! I like you!

"I wasn't finished though. C-Can I finish?" What the hell are you talking about? I don't give a damn about Sanji's food right now! Feelings are on the line here, dumbass! Sanji twisted his head slightly to the side.

"Go on." He muttered, turning back towards the counter and turning on the water. He doesn't even want to hear my voice. He doesn't want to hear anything from me besides a 'yes'. Damn it. Damn it! The thoughts annoyed him. How could he get Sanji to listen to him? The best option now was to… run away.

It seemed like the legit thing for Usopp to do ;w; Poor baby