Hey everyone. Sorry this update took so long but I was having a really hard time writing this. I just can't seem to write Usopp the way that I want to. I really don't feel confident about this chapter but I can't write anything better for Usopp at the moment so it'll do for now. I will be revisiting him later though.

So Robin will be next. Any suggestions for what I should do for her? Then I think I'll do Marco and Hancock. Maybe throw in a little Shanks, Makino, and Dadan? Vivi maybe? *Shrugs* Not entirely sure yet but as soon as I figure it out, I'll post a little list in the order my chapters will go.

Without further ado, I give you Usopp and Luffy.

It started out as a sunny afternoon for the Strawhats. Sanji was cooking in his kitchen, daydreaming about his female crewmates, Franky was inspecting the ship for damage, Brook was playing his violin softly as he soaked in the sunlight, Robin was reading a new book, Nami was tending to her treasure, Chopper was studying his medical books next to Robin, an umbrella above his head to block the hottest rays of the sun, and Zoro was training in his usual spot.

Usopp and Luffy had been a short distance away from the rest of them, sitting on the railing, fishing rods in their hands. They had been sitting in mutual silence, both content with each other's presence, before Usopp realized his mistake of not talking to Luffy. Before he could do anything however, Luffy spoke.

"Ace used to bring me out fishing. Except he was never very patient and sucked so instead we would fight and look at the stars," Luffy smiled, his eyes signaling that he was not with them, but in the past. His words surprised them all and suddenly there were soft little sounds from where everyone was sitting or standing.

There was the sound of a book dropping from Robin's hands, Chopper's little squeak of surprise, the sound of Brook hitting multiple wrong notes, Franky dropping his hammer. Then there was the sound of Nami dropping her treasure and breaking glass when Sanji dropped the cups of some drink he had been carrying to the girls. There was the thunk of Zoro dropping his weights and muffled cursing as the drinks had been spilled on top of him, as Sanji had coincidentally been standing right next to him when Luffy spoke.

Usopp fell off of the railing and onto his back on the deck, barely holding back his own squeak of surprise and pain. His captain had not looked back at any of them and Usopp realized that he didn't hear or see them anymore. He was absorbed in the memories that rose from the murky depths of his brain and it would take a good amount of time to bring him back.

Usopp also knew he couldn't let Luffy go on about his brother and their past bonding times. He had to put a stop to that before the present caught up with him again. The problem was how to go about doing that. He knew his crewmates could not do so because they were all still recovering from their own shock. But there was one thing Usopp knew he could do.

He was a liar and storyteller just as much as he was a coward and sniper. Yes, he was well aware of what he needed to do. He was also aware of the fact that lying to his captain in a time of such vulnerableness would cause him no small amount of pain.

But really, what did that matter in the face of his captain's agony?

"Haha! Have I ever told you about the time where I rescued the king of the stars?!" he exclaimed, placing a brave front on his face as his crewmates turned to stare at him incredulously. Luffy's head snapped back to look at him sharply, awe lighting up his features.

As Usopp weaved his story and lies, Luffy's mind slowly brought itself back to the present but amazingly, did not stop on the memories of his brother's death. Instead, it rushed to catch up to Usopp's story, effectively cheering him up and filling him with wonder and amazement. And then his story ended and the others glanced at each other, understanding written across their features.

Luffy laughed once, a joyous sound, and then popped off of the railing and onto the deck next to Usopp, sticking a hand out to lift Usopp up. He took it gratefully and then Luffy was bounding away, yelling about how hungry he was. Usopp stared after him with a mixture of relief and guilt before Zoro came up next to him. Together, they watched their captain as he flung himself into the kitchen, Sanji hot on his heels.

"He'll get mad at you if you keep this up, you know. He won't like the fact that you're causing yourself guilt and pain for his sake," Zoro stated and Usopp let out a shuddering sigh.

"I know. I'll handle that bridge when I get there, though," he replied and Zoro gave him a small stare before sighing in resignation.

"It'll destroy you, Usopp."

"I know. But I'm okay with that as long as he stays happy," Usopp whispered and Zoro shook his head once before walking away and plopping down onto the ground.

Usopp watched his nakama continue with what they were doing before Luffy had fled to the past with sad eyes. He knew he would not come off of this path of lies and stories unscathed. Luffy would be furious with him but he knew he would be able to handle his anger as long as he continued his slow path of healing.

But there was a small part of Usopp that knew that no matter how long they continued to provide him with love and special care, Luffy would never completely heal and they would always have to watch as Luffy broke time and time again. And no amount of story-telling or lies would fix that.

Usopp also knew that no matter how much he lied to himself, no matter how many times he told himself that Luffy was strong and would bounce back from his pain, it would never happen.

It was the knowledge that his lies would no longer protect him and Luffy that destroyed Usopp that day.