Growling in distaste, Zoro sat with his arms and legs crossed in the high snow into which he'd been kicked a mere moment ago. The wrinkly old bitch who lived in the castle behind him hadn't appreciated being called as such, and had quite violently retaliated. The green-haired swordsman got the sense that he wasn't welcome inside to hear the verdict on Nami's treatment plan. Not that he cared, particularly. She wasn't dead, and Sanji was surely more than eager in handling any leftovers that needed addressing. The team's captain was off chasing down the poor, terrified mutant reindeer he was set on recruiting now that everything had blown over regarding the tyrant king who had been aiming to take over his homeland, and that left Zoro out in the snowy yard with...

Humming the remnants of a perky tune under his breath about what a great captain he was despite never having been captain of this crew, the team marksman halted the ball of snow he'd nigh instantly started rolling as soon as the coast was clear, and gave it a pat. His smile was directed Zoro's way.

"Hey, how about a proper seat, Zoro?" Usopp offered, prompting the sulking man to look over his shoulder, "It'll be more comfortable, I'll bet. And you can watch me build my super snowman~!"

The giddy giggle that followed, as Usopp's grin only widened in childish excitement, softened the crease in Zoro's brow. Shifting to stand, however, all he let out as a sigh as was short, "Yare, yare..." To accompany this vocal announcement of a blasé mood, he turned and came to sit on the offered mound, already gathering the continued snowfall at its edges to blend it into the ground. Though slumped with bad posture, Zoro did lift his gaze as Usopp let out another short, giddy note and pranced his way several meters back before thrusting one index finger proudly overhead, the other hand going to his hip as he declared, "This next snowball will make that one pale in comparison! Prepare to be amazed by my superior snow rolling skills! In fact, I once outrolled a twenty meter dung beetle!"

In this moment of peace following a period of stress over nearly losing a crewmate, followed by a hard battle, Zoro almost couldn't help a much needed sliver of amusement at this bold-faced lie. His lips tugged lightly to one side, and he gave a shallow snort, challenging, "Oh? Get on with it, then." Too much boasting. Was Usopp really that eager just to show off something as trivial as playing in the snow?

Twitching, Usopp let out a short, tense note, seemingly torn between excitement and nervousness at this encouraging challenge. "Y-Yes!" Hurriedly, he bounded once more, forward, to scoop a mound of snow into his thick mittens and get it rolling. Somehow he managed to skip as he rolled, speedily gaining traction as he began singing about his fictional exploits again, louder and more merrily than before.

Arms folded, Zoro's head tilted a degree, the minute beam on his lips holding its place. Actually, here and now, in the quiet, peaceful atmosphere, a different sort of mindset was forming. It was occurring to Zoro how, by chance, he was the only one here with Usopp right now. Usopp was really all he could focus on, the way he was demanding attention. And this was the first real moment of peace that had arisen since...well, since they'd decided to become boyfriends.

Zoro hadn't given it much thought when it had happened. He'd overheard a terrible rehearsal speech Usopp had been preparing, and accepted the confession bluntly before it even had a chance to be given. As it turned out, Usopp had given himself the ultimatum of confessing his growing feelings if he survived entering the Grand Line over Reverse Mountain. Things had been so eventful immediately after that, however, that between everything going on and his own nerves, he hadn't gotten a real chance to prepare himself until they were on their way to Little Garden. That's when Zoro had happened upon Usopp practicing, freaking the sniper out, but one thing led to another and they'd ended up together.

At the time, Zoro had simply thought it wasn't a disagreeable request. He didn't mind being liked. He'd thought of everyone in his life right now, Usopp was easily the least troublesome one to hear that from, and it was something he could fulfill simply enough. But then right after that decision had been made, more insane events unfolded at a rapid pace. The crew was hunted, more details about the homeland of the princess they were escorting came to light, and Nami came down with a sudden deadly illness. There had been no time to sit down and process the idea of starting any relationships. But now...

As Zoro watched Usopp pass back and forth across his field of vision, isolation thickly surrounding them, the swordsman started to wonder a little bit. He'd said he'd be Usopp's boyfriend, but what did that really mean? He didn't dislike the other man by any means. Rather, right away when meeting him in his hometown, he'd found Usopp to be a shockingly kind soul and one hell of a determined fighter when it came to protecting what he held dear. That was why he'd been first to jump onboard with assisting Usopp to protect his village when it had come under attack, why he'd protected him against opponents he was out of his league fighting, why he'd carried the tan teen when his body became paralyzed under ruthless assault...and why he'd been the first one to tell Usopp to get on the Straw Hats' new ship once it was all over. It was thanks to Usopp that this crew even had a ship. His bravery and resourcefulness had inspired them all. Sure, since then, he seemed to struggle with upholding that part of himself, but it was there. He had the spirit of a warrior, and that was something Zoro truly respected.

Thinking back, perhaps that was why it had been so easy to agree to a relationship. Right from the start, Usopp had been drawn to him too, it had been plain to see. Despite the odd hiccup, like leaving him tied up for enemy fishmen to just take as they pleased. But then again, one of Zoro's old brothers-in-arms had been responsible for that incident in particular, too. And since it had worked out, Zoro had forgiven it. More often, Usopp was quite clingy with Zoro, even surprisingly handsy. Zoro had never met someone so unafraid to touch him, actually. Normally others found him terrifying, especially at first glance, and especially those with mild dispositions, but Usopp had been friendly, and even ready to rely on him once the first fight got going. This fast evolved into a tendency to cling when frightened, but also a lack of fear in smacking Zoro with a delivery of sharp wit.

Luffy had been unafraid too, during their meeting, but Luffy was also insane, roping Zoro into his voyage by giving him no way out of joining up. He'd mostly driven Zoro insane in turn ever since with his brazen idiocy. Usopp...Usopp was playful, a fun-loving goofball for sure, but sane.

Now, Zoro watched the long-nosed boy rolling his sizable ball of snow, and felt a small light in his gut. It fueled his tiny lopsided smile and his eyes softened ever so slightly. Watching Usopp now, so happy and carefree, he found it refreshed him. Somehow, a revitalizing energy came in with his breath to watch the spring in Usopp's step. Was this what it meant to have a boyfriend? Would such a simple sight be so soothing if that label did not exist? Or if it didn't, would he be wishing it did..? Usopp had been the one to bring that word up, and Zoro didn't tend to think that way on his own, so perhaps there would only be a mysterious softness that Zoro couldn't place. But right now, it really seemed like having the man in front of him be his was right.

Then, slowing, Usopp came to a halt in front of Zoro. Directly in front of Zoro. The giant snowball, almost as tall as the seated man, didn't even leave him any leg room. Zoro could have kicked it away if he wanted to. Instead his posture straightened at the invasive roll, he quirked a brow, and scrutinized, "Eh..?"

Grinning brightly, Usopp leaned overtop his snowball, wheedling, "Neh, what do you think, Zorooo? I told you, right? Isn't this peak craftsmanship?"

Blinking at the blank sphere in front of him, bottom lip pushed to the side in confusion, Zoro then looked up at the other, who was blinking in eager anticipation.

Quite bluntly, Zoro declared, "It's a snowball. And why did you put it in my face, by the way?"

In disbelief, the tan teen scoffed, putting his hands on his hips. "So you could appreciate the craftsmanship, of course! If you're going to be watching me, I want to make it the best showcase of my talents possible!" Turning to look into space, he tucked one arm in and tapped his chin with his free hand, speculating more to himself, "If it were really the best possible, I'd like to build another sculpture, maybe even a self-portrait...but I don't think there's going to be enough time before the others get back..."

Turning back to Zoro, he draped his arms over the giant white ball and professed, "But anyway! Look at this tight packing! The smooth texture! Isn't it still the best snowball you've ever seen?"

Zoro blinked. "...it's a snowball."

Pushing his cheeks out in a hard pout, Usopp groaned in frustration when his attempts to impress fell flat. "Ah, whatever. You're boring."

Flatly, Zoro offered, "Maybe if you did build another sculpture, I'd have something to appreciate, but...it's a snowball." Literally, what was he supposed to say about that?

"Boriiiing, boriiiing, idioooot..!" Usopp taunted in turn, flapping his hands by his temples. Then he stuck out his tongue and pulled down an eyelid, prompting Zoro to call him a bastard and half-stand, to which Usopp only laughed and turned to run away, calling, "Well, whatever! I'm going to make the next one~!"

And as he scampered away, the swordsman behind him let a sigh out his nose and plunked back down on the mound he'd been provided. Quirking his brow at the giant snowball now right in front of him, he couldn't help wonder again why it had to be so directly in his path. It looked like Usopp really was excited to show off something so utterly basic, when he made far more impressive things on the regular as an inventor. But why?

Hang on. Maybe he...was a little excited about this moment too?

Usopp expressed himself much more animatedly than Zoro did by a longshot. And he definitely liked to show off. He could spin anything to sound impressive, so maybe he really was making the most out of what he could make with the time he had, and was a little...overzealous in showing it off to his new boyfriend, because he too realized that this was their first quiet moment since that decision, and just wanted to have Zoro's attention any way he could. That would explain why he'd instantly turned into a brat when Zoro had no insightful comments to offer. Not that bratty occurrences didn't happen daily among the crew anyway.

Still, Zoro didn't sugarcoat his words. He wasn't going to find something nice to say, especially about nothing. Usopp knew that. But well, if the marksman really was excited, that wasn't going to stop him. Zoro knew that.

Already forgetting the moment, the green-haired teen kept watching as a new ball was formed. A moment of snappy banter was nothing to ruin such a scene. If anything, Zoro felt like after the fact, he might be realizing Usopp's feelings a little better. He really was a kid at heart. Excitable and always letting his emotions explode out of him. He was always incredibly easy to read that way.

Come to think, there was another impressive thing about him. As soon as danger subsided and a second was free, he'd forget all of his worries and hop right into playing. This adaptability wasn't exclusive to Usopp among the crew, but considering how many worries he had, it was still admirable that he didn't let things eat at him. In a way, because he was the most afraid, he was the most brave, because bravery meant to act despite fear. After the things he'd seen Usopp do on this very adventure, Zoro thought he might be finding inspiration in him all over again.

Not only had Usopp been emotionally supporting Vivi, their escorted princess friend, the entire time, but when Zoro found him, he was dealing with an avalanche situation, having already almost died in it, and wasted no time in pushing Zoro to help dig some guy out of it. Then if that wasn't enough, knowing he wasn't terribly strong, he'd found a resolve that overpowered his own fear and volunteered to carry that buried 'Dalton' guy Zoro still didn't understand the significance of. But regardless of that, Zoro had been so inspired watching Usopp defy a complacent town and break his back putting his all into carrying a man to the place he was most terrified to go to, that he'd rallied right behind the sharpshooter and volunteered his own strength to carry the stranger. When Usopp got serious, Zoro could readily admit, it was pretty stirring to watch.

And then, all of that tension, all of that drama, melted away so easily, and that scared little goofball was doing like he was now, running around full of childlike whimsy, having the time of his life.

And, as he watched this next snowball take form, Zoro found a tiny smile again. It might not be impressive, what he was doing, but it was the way he was doing it. Usopp's energy was nourishment. And that was something Zoro most certainly loved.

Usopp was kind, sweet, brave, spirited, quick-witted, resourceful, wholesome, and infectiously happy. These were the traits that had made Zoro thoughtlessly agree to be with him. Their banter was fun, whether it was sniping at each other or providing side commentary to the antics of their crewmates together. And really, plain and simple, he was magnetic. Right away, on the first island they visited together, Usopp was clutching to Zoro's back, and Zoro was casually stealing Usopp's cup to share a drink. That dynamic had only cemented. It wasn't a mere silent tolerance Zoro had developed, it was a comfort. Usopp was comfortable to be around.

Having finished his next, smaller snowball, Usopp eagerly trotted up to the first, seemingly not carrying any thoughts about the earlier presentation either. With great effort, he hoisted his new masterpiece on top of the bottom sphere before stepping back, dusting his hands off and then wiping his brow with his forearm.

"Whew! Neh, Zoro, you sure you don't want to build one too? We could do battle!" That's how he'd played with Luffy, in any case. Not that he expected Zoro to actually take him up on such an offer, but he could hope just in case.

A low tut. "Nah. Actually, I like watching. It's nice how you can make your own fun. That's enough." This time around, the blunt opinion he had just so happened to be kind.

Usopp's lips parted in surprise for a moment, his eyes shimmering like unsure if he'd heard what he'd thought he heard. Then those eyes shimmered harder as a wide, open-mouthed grin filled his cheeks as they gained a rosy tint. Almost immediately, Zoro regretted saying something so nice, because he had no idea what to do with the wiggly feelings that ecstatic expression fired off in his gut. For the moment, he blushed and frowned deeply, defying them.

Luckily, Usopp had him covered, closing his teeth and turning his grin more bratty again.

"You mean you're too boring to play with me!" he shot, then sighing arrogantly, "Like just watching could be that fun. Ahh, I bet you can't even make a snowball..."

This time, Zoro took the bait gladly. "Hm. Oh yeah?" With a subdued smirk, he swiftly scooped his right hand behind him, clenched, and swung it to pelt the black-haired boy in the face with a fist of snow. Usopp staggered back and sputtered while Zoro triumphantly declared, "There! There's your snowball!"

Face and hair caked in remnants of powder, Usopp grabbed his shoulders and shook. "Aiiieeeee..! C-C-C-Cold! Alright, you win!" After so much time on a Winter island, he was really starting to find himself a wuss to the elements again, and he'd never been that strong against them to begin with. How Zoro had been wandering around nearly naked before meeting up with him, he had no idea.

Snorting, unable to help one last part of what drew him to Usopp, Zoro lifted a hand. "Here."

"Mm?" Blinking, brow quirked, Usopp scanned that extended glove in scrutiny. What was this now? Curious but shy, he seemed to make the decision and reached his mitten to meet the other hand.

Zoro's teeth exposed themselves in a sharp grin, and he yanked Usopp down against him, falling back as he did. Usopp let out a warbling cry as the two of them tumbled, and collapsed on the other side of the mound seat. Usopp took another moment processing to realize he was now held firm to Zoro's front, the swordsman giving an airy, off-handed chuckle. Once in a blue moon, Zoro had his silly moments, but right now, this was the level of commitment he could make on that front.

"There. Better? Warm?"

He also didn't like to be a babysitter or a coddler, but if Usopp forgot something, he didn't mind just bringing it along behind him. Or if Usopp really couldn't go on, he didn't mind carrying him. He liked being the one Usopp relied on the most, honestly. He liked hearing Usopp single him out even when he was the farthest possible crewmate available. Even if most of the time Zoro knew Usopp could handle more than he thought, and left him to his own devices when he begged in order to prove it to him, when Usopp really needed it, it made Zoro feel good to be the one caring for him. And sometimes, just sometimes, he might like to be a little soft. He wasn't good at expressing it at all, but in a moment like this, their first real moment to enjoy each other since starting this new bond, it felt right to do.

Gently, Zoro loosened his embrace and brought his right hand up to thumb away some snow clinging to Usopp's eyebrow. Their eyes met, and all of a sudden Usopp burst into another fit of giddy giggles.

"I don't know what you're trying to do...but I'm happy." Was it his imagination, or was Zoro awkwardly trying to be a little bit silly and a little bit tender at the same time, just for him?

Honestly, Zoro didn't know what he was trying to do either. He didn't know how to match Usopp's energy or anything. He didn't have a clue how romance worked. He just wanted Usopp to smile right now.

"Mm...me too."

And despite their fumbling, they were both smiling. Then, they were kissing. Mutually, the instinct was there, and their lips met, eyes closed. In that short moment, they truly relaxed, and knew they understood each other perfectly. However, lying in the snow was not ideal, no matter how tranquil it was.

"Zoro. It's cold again."

"Yeah."

With a grunt, Zoro sat up and they both stood. In comfortable silence, Usopp smiled once more while Zoro let his lips slant and closed his eyes, feeling the frost bite his cheeks, and secretly being glad it disguised his blush. He was definitely glad to be Usopp's boyfriend.

However, as he resumed his place and watched the long-nosed teen finish up his last snowball, he found his brain buzzing with far too much noise in the comfortable silence. Too many fluffy, sparkly ideas and thoughts floating through. Too many ridiculously cute memories or ridiculously cute new things he was noticing. Things that were way too tiny to really count, or so he thought. Accepting the fact that he truly liked Usopp and wanted to be his boyfriend just seemed to bring on an overwhelming wave of fuzzy feelings.

That's why when, almost immediately after Usopp put the head on his snowman, Zoro was glad to hear Luffy yelling after that mutant reindeer. He was back in range, and the rest of the crew was emerging from the castle, signaling it was time to get going. Zoro took one more look at Usopp, fighting a sudden tightening in his stomach as he saw how adorably dismayed the sniper was that he wasn't going to get to finish his snowman properly, and in response, raised a foot to tamp at the bottom sphere, saying there was no point.

Promptly, Usopp got defensive, steaming back about the kicks. Internally, Zoro sighed with relief. There we go. He didn't want to actually ruin the other's fun and destroy the thing, but if Usopp was mad, he couldn't make Zoro feel fluffy things. And with the return of the surrounding chaos, a sense of normalcy returned also. Moving forward, Zoro was going to do his best to figure this love thing out, but for now, he was happy to just be a pirate.