One of my favorite chapters. I love how they interact. Usopp is so...awkward~ And probably thinks of Robin as a dragon lady, lol It makes him so cute. I honestly wouldn't know if he's still this awkward after two years, but I'd think he'd be that way in this sort of situation. Like...being able to man up during battle but falter with relationships. It makes him so tsundere and shy and cute and much more lovable than ever. His awkwardness reminds me of myself, so it's awesomely easier to write from his perspective. Fuck yeah for being social odd. Not my characters!

Why the hell am I asking Robin of all people what I should do? I mean, she may not be much help… then again I'd like some type of advice and she probably already knows I like Sanji. She seems to be my safest option for now. He dreaded having to ask one of his teammates such a thing. What would Robin know about relationships? She wasn't in any, and she definitely didn't seem like the type to help on such circumstances. Usopp pondered on whether or not he should blurt out all his feelings to her, or just keep them to himself and play it off as if he were just coming in to see the fishes. Make your decision fast! This is like a meet up spot almost… who knows when someone may barge in here and ruin the opportunity.

Gulping loudly, the sniper sat down next to the other. He had never had this sort of one on one with the elder woman. She was so mysterious; she had scared him to death before. Now she was a trusted friend and crew mate. He knew she could also be trusted with secrets. He hung his head, gripping the cloth of his pants. He bit his lip and groaned lowly.

"Something is troubling you?" She asked giving the younger boy a sincere tone to work with. It made the atmosphere a little more comfortable. He turned to her with wide, desperate, glassy eyes. Was he going to cry?

"I can't say it! I can't tell him how I feel! I tried again, and I failed!" Usopp burst out. "When we got back on the ship, I wanted to talk to Sanji… so I followed him to the kitchen, and again I started talking about things that didn't pertain to what I wanted to tell him… he got pissed off and I left without another word. I keep…" He choked back on words and placed his face into his palms. This shit was just so hard to let out. Sanji had made it seem like a breeze, yet this was the third time he screwed up. How many times was he going to hurt the poor cook? Three strikes you're out.

Sanji wouldn't wait anymore, he couldn't. There wouldn't be any reason to wait on a liar that kept playing with his emotions. No matter how many times Usopp tried, it just failed and went back into a spiraling void that grew deeper and wider that spread the two further apart. Even their friendship was more awkward than it had been after Sanji confessed two years back. All he wanted to do was just apologize and spill out his heart to the cook.

Robin's gaze softened. This boy was so frail, that such things as these emotions he concealed were tearing his heart into pieces. She felt pity for him.

"Is it so hard to tell him how you feel?" She asked, though the obvious question had been answered.

"I drabble, and blubber on about things that don't matter. I know what I need to say, but I just…can't find the words after I see him. They just poof away!" She didn't understand. She was able to be straightforward and stern about her words, yet Usopp could barely get past the first thing he wanted to announce. Such horrible a way to live and not be able to get your point across within one try. She frowned slightly, turning from the boy and looking forward. She sipped her wine and turned back to him. He looked so—dare she say such a thing—pathetic. The way he curled up and shriveled like a dying leaf. He seemed to be getting pale from all the emotional stress. This poor, poor boy.

"You should find a way to tell him where you're most comfortable." He huffed, though that made sense.

"How?" he asked giving her a minor peek.

"That's for you to figure out," Like she would know. All she did know was that her companion here was utterly shy. Beating himself up for not being able to admit to the love cook that he liked him much more than a friend. "You shouldn't mope like this. You have many chances. You're probably rushing too much. Prepare yourself before you go in." Many chances? Don't rush? No offense, Robin, but I've made him wait for too long! Two whole damn years gave me the chance to prepare myself for this! If that was the case, then why the hell was it so hard still? She had been right.

"…Then… I guess I should go and prepare myself now?" He asked. The woman shrugged. Never mind. She's pretty vague anyways, but… "Thank you." He said and stood up. It was enough information to help him narrow it down just a little. "That helped a good deal." He smiled. And I got some stuff off my chest.

"You're welcome. Might I suggest you have a bit of wine? It may help you calm down just a little." Alcohol. It sounded like a good idea. So, why not? He was a man after all.

"I guess I can have a glass. But just one would be enough." He sat back down. Robin proceeded in pouring her friend some, it was the least she could do. He took the glass, shaking it some and watched the liquid swirl within the clear dish. He sighed, thinking to himself on how he'd be able to let Sanji know how he had felt.

Bringing the glass to his lips, he sipped a little then began gulping down the rest. It was damn good and he wanted just a little bit more. Robin caught the glass floating her way at the corner of her eye. She gave him the 'are you sure?' look and brought the bottle towards the glass. He nodded and tried not to look too happy about this. The alcohol was already setting in. He had developed a small tolerance, but the percentage of the intoxicating liquid must've been high in this drink. She poured in the same amount, knowing the outcome of this, but had a feeling some good could come out of it.

She had read some fictional stories in her time, where one character had drank too much and told another character valuable secrets that were crucial to the plot. She had also seen such things happen sometime in her past, having older men drink until they could barely stand and tell her everything she needed to know about whatever information she needed to gather. This could probably help out the cook and sniper's relationship, giving them a small nudge in the right direction.

"You'll get drunk if I pour anymore." She warned, knowing damn well he wouldn't care. His distress had overpowered him at this point. The alcohol soothed the mind for a while. As she had predicted, the liar looked into her eyes, a smile curling onto his face.

"That's all I need right now."

I'm sure Usopp's drank before : D