What's Not To Love

Ch 45

Sanji stood holding the crib in place. Peaking at the twins, he let out a sigh at their sleeping faces. Making sure nothing would move again, he straightened up and slowly pushed the crib back against the wall. Happy with the normal setup back in place,he turned around and saw Usopp carefully putting down some of the toys and bags that had flown from their places. He was thankful that someone was with him when the Coup de Burst went off. Sanji had been surprised that it rocked the ship as hard as it had but, then again, he hadn't ever been below deck when one went off before.

With his hands on his hips, Sanji let out a sigh and closed his eyes, thinking. Usopp watched him as he finished putting a few more things back in place quietly. He didn't want to disturb Sanji and he wanted to avoid the Sanji from moments ago too. Placing the last toy he had on the dresser, Usopp turned towards the room door. Brown eyes darted between Sanji and the door as he started to slowly approach it. He wasn't sure if everything was good for the cook to leave so leaving first was his best option. As his hand touched the door knob, he took one last glance at Sanji before looking back at the door and turning it as quietly as he could.

"Usopp."

He froze. Sanji was still thinking. His eyes are still closed. I'm sure of it. Without turning his head, Usopp let his eyes trail ever so slowly to the blond haired man. He quickly moved them back towards the door upon seeing sharp blue eyes staring at him with crossed arms. He can't see you. He can't see you.  He can't see y-

"Where are you going, Usopp?"

Sanji watched as Usopp stood still. He could practically see his eyes watering from not blinking. Taking a few steps towards him, Sanji leaned his head down , blocking Usopp's line of sight.

"There's no way you were about to leave," Sanji leaned a little closer. "Right, Usopp?"

Usopp looked up at the ceiling and gulped. His legs were shaking out of control and he half wished that he wasn't the one that came to help Sanji. Half because he was the best and only option to do it.

"No," Usopp said shakily. Clearing his throat, he took a step back and released the knob. "Me? Leave? No, no,no ." He waved his hands and then crossed them in the sign of an 'X'. "I was just making sure everything was fine after the Coup." Laughing slightly, he reached forward and turned the knob back and forth a few times. "It works just fine. No need for any repairs."

Sanji straightened up and watched as Usopp scratched the back of his head. He could see his smile quiver the whole time.

"Then you don't mind me going instead." Sanji said with a smirk.

Usopp's eyes shot up. "What? No, thats-"

"You said it yourself, Usopp." Sanji held his hand out, pointing at him. "You weren't leaving."

Thinking back on what he said, Usopp started shaking his head. "No." Stopping, he looked back at the door before meeting blue eyes again. "Why can't you just trust me on this, Sanji? " Usopp whined as his arms dropped down to his side. "I'm really trying to help."

Sanji stared at Usopp. He felt bad seeing his usually happy crewmate looking depressed but what was he supposed to do? "I do trust you Usopp." Usopp looked up happily. "I trust that you would do what was best for every member of this crew." Sanji paused as Usopps face scrunched up in confusion. Turning around, he said "Even if that means lie to me."

"Wai-"

Usopp's yell was cut off by Sanji swinging the door open. He closed his eyes, ready to give up but opened them a second later when he didn't  hear Sanji leave. Opening his eyes, Usopp stared at Sanji's back before looking around him to see Luffy with his hand up as if he was about to knock on the door. Glancing to the side, Usopp noticed that Sanji was just as confused as he was.