Chapter Text
"That's it," Chopper murmured as he withdrew the empty syringe from Usopp's arm. "He'll have a fever, and he'll have to sweat out the toxin. The antibodies I injected should do the work." Chopper's chin wobbled tremulously as he added, "I can't do anything... for the pain. It's a side effect of the poison. If I treat the pain, it could trigger a different reaction. One that would make this all worse... or even... fatal. Usopp will have to be strong tonight."
Luffy put a heavy hand on top of Chopper's hand, "It'll be alright. Usopp can take it." Luffy curled his fists, "And we'll go make those pirates pay." His words finished off in a growl, and the crew behind him stand a little straighter, a little taller. They are ready to jump at Luffy's call, thirsting for their own revenge.
Usopp had been attacked alone. He had been watching the ship, while the others went into town to gather supplies. When they got him, they found Usopp exhaustedly protecting the ship, despite the fact that he had been poisoned by a series of darts that had been shot at him. The ship had not been boarded, and enemy pirates had scattered at the sight of Usopp's reinforcements. The Strawhats would have gone after the fleeing attackers immediately, but Usopp had dropped Kabuto, and tipped overboard into the sea. The mere sight of his friends had finally allowed the sniper to let go, and give in to the toxin coursing painfully through his body. Both Sanji and Zoro had jumped into the water to rescue him, pulling Usopp out as quickly as he had disappeared into the sea.
And now with Usopp suffering, but safe in bed, now the Strawhats would make their move.
"I'll stay with Usopp," Chopper says, and is echoed by another.
All eyes shift to the cook, Sanji, standing slightly apart from the crew, the closest to Usopp besides Chopper and Luffy.
Sanji and Usopp had been ignoring each other for three days. Something the crew had taken notice of. There had been an argument between the two on watch one night, and since then, the pair had been ignoring each other. Even if all the while they kept sneaking longing glances at each other. Everyone on the ship was suspicious about it, but Luffy had instructed no one to interfere with Sanji and Usopp's fight. He had blatantly stated that the two of them were Nakama, and so they would figure it out sooner or later.
Luffy turns assessing eyes on Sanji, and the two shared a conversation without words.
And then Luffy smiled, "Protect them both."
Sanji nods, smiling grimly as he agrees with his Captain's command. He turns, standing aside to let his crewmates and Captain walk past, a few curious glances sent his way. Robin and Nami both in particular raise knowing eyebrows at Sanji as they walk past him, and he dips his head in slight acknowledgment as they go by.
When the crew has emptied Chopper's sick bay, Sanji walks forward and kneels next to Usopp. Chopper's head is tilted as he looks at Sanji, not quite sure he understands the meaning behind Sanji's insistence on staying behind. But Chopper finds comfort that at least Usopp and Sanji won't be fighting anymore.
With true gratitude and a polite tone he thanks Sanji, "Thank you for staying. If anyone else tries to get on the ship, you'll be a big help."
Sanji nods, and carefully reaches out to brush some curls from Usopp's face.
It is then, Usopp's eyes open. They are glazed over and unseeing. The color of his iris looks as if it is bleeding into the white of his eyes, his eyes are so unfocused. But his hand reaches out, and he catches Sanji's hand, and he croaks in a broken and frightened voice, "Sanji."
"I'm here," Sanji whispers, his voice tight and restrained as he tries to tamp down his anger, "I'm here."
"Stay. Stay...." Usopp chokes.
Chopper's mouth falls open as Sanji brings Usopp's fingers to his lips. He places small kisses against the fevered digits, and whispers, "I'll stay. I'm here, Usopp."
Usopp lets out a painful wheeze and closes his eyes as he fights off a wave of fresh pain. A tear fall from the corner of his eye to mingle with his sweat, and with a free hand Sanji pats himself down looking for a hankerchief to wipe it up.
Chopper gently offers out a small folded piece of linen, and Sanji takes it, after a small moment of looking into the reindeer's eyes. Then very gently, Sanji begins to mop up Usopp's face.
"...You would have liked to go and get the pirates who did this to Usopp," Chopper states, his voice hovering somewhere between a statement and a question.
"Yes," Sanji says with relish, his voice low and hard. He is burning with anger, burning with thirst for revenge. But he lost that right to avenge Usopp when he had hurt him, and Sanji had hurt Usopp in some way. The way to make it up to Usopp, the way to repent, is the be here with Usopp now.
"Sanji!" Usopp gasps, his eyes flying open again, "Stay with me tonight. Please... Sanji... Don't go!"
Sanji's hands cup Usopp's face and he presses his forehead against the other man's, "I'm not going anywhere. Not tonight. Not ever again. I'm here with you Usopp."
Chopper watches silently. His young mind moves slow, hovering just over the answer to what he's witnessing. Other knowledge settles in his mind before he gets to his final conclusion. Other knowledge like, that this moment is important for Usopp and Sanji. That this moment means something. An apology, a plea for forgiveness, and a declaration all in one. Sanji has hurt Usopp in some way. Usopp has hurt Sanji in some way. They both have hurt each other through a lack of clarity, through inadvertant dishonesty.
Chopper's ears prick up in alertness as the answer clicks into his head.
Sanji and Usopp are in love.
Feeling a blush burn under his fur, Chopper clears his throat, "You can stay. If he can sleep at all that would be best... but he might not be able to. Even with a sedative."
"Right," Sanji answers, keeping his brow pressed to Usopp's head.
"You can even sleep next to him if Usopp wants you to," Chopper adds, "Just be prepared to get out of my way if I need to give Usopp something, or I need to check on him."
"Of course," Sanji says and kisses Usopp's brow, whispering something that Chopper isn't even sure Usopp can hear.
Puffing up his chest bravely, but looking up at the ceiling, Chopper presses on, "I expect you to be on your best behavior with Usopp. You also need to be strong for him. It will be a difficult night, and he might say all sorts of things. But if you're going to be here, then you better comfort him."
Sanji gets up and removes his jacket, tossing it aside. He smiles at Chopper, who is too embarrassed to look at him, and promises, "I can't take his pain from him, I can't trade our places, but I'll be his emotional support, doctor. I won't cause any trouble." And then he clambers into bed, slipping behind Usopp, curling his arms around Usopp's torso, and pulling the sniper close. He places one hand over Usopp's heart and kisses the back of Usopp's shoulder.
"I'm not going to go anywhere. I'm not going to leave you alone."
Usopp whimpers at Sanji's words, but closes his eyes, and presses back against Sanji, his arms tangling around the limbs that hold him.
Chopper turns away, to go sit at his desk, and work on more medicine Usopp will need in the future, his blush definitely showing under his fur. His own heart races as he bares (an almost) quiet witness to the first moment Sanji reveals the depth of his devotion for Usopp. He is young, and love in the romantic sense has him all a tingle with admiration, even if he's embarrassed to be witnessing his friends express their hearts. He makes no comment, asks no questions, and only interferes when it is to check on how Usopp is managing his pain the rest of the night.
Sanji devotedly holds Usopp the whole night, not letting the sniper go as he battles the toxin working its way out of his system. He whispers promises against Usopp's neck, apologizes for mistakes, vows to try harder, to be better, and keeps his hands over Usopp's heart, planning to keep it and Usopp safe this time.