Scurvy

Part 12

Usopp was scared, her mascara was running and her cheeks were flushed. Her chest hurt, every breathe she took it felt like her lungs were going to collapse, she hated this feeling. She could still feel his breathe on her neck a small shiver of disgust running up her shaking and whimpering form.Her eyes shifted towards zoro as he beat the assaulter, not giving him the slightest bit of mercy as his fist pounded into his face, blood and slobber got all over his clothes and skin. Usopp couldn't contain it anymore, her small whimpers went into an all out sobbing fit, never in her life has she been that scared. Even after fighting and dealing with some of the most terrifying and horrible things out in the ocean, nothing has ever made her fear her life more. She felt a cold hand touch her arm and pull her into a tight but gentle hug, her shaking slowly going away as she felt the heat radiate from his body. She dried her eyes and met his, she hugged him back and couldn't think of a single way to repay him "t-thank you so much zoro" her voice cracked. Instead of replying he jus hugged her tighter and did something usopp definitely wasn't prepared for. Zoro moved usopps hair to the side and placed a soft and very caring kiss on ussops forehead. This alone almost made her pass out, she never expected something so gentle to come from the strong giant. After the kiss he looked into her eyes again "are you okay?" He spoke softly, his voice sounding like honey, usopp with the heavy blush on her face shook her head yes and stood up for zoro.  She wiped the tears from her eyes and tried to clean up as much as she possibly could to make it look like she was the strong and fearless warrior she tells everyone she is, but in reality he legs buckled as soon as she stood up obviously still shaken up from it all. Zoro hunched down in front of her allowing her to climb on his back, she let out a sigh and climbed on him her arms and legs hugging tight on to the form of his body. The walk back to the ship was peaceful, this was the first time in a week that zoro and usopp have been together and haven't had a single argument or glare. The silence between them was calm and peaceful it was so blissful, usopp rested her head on his shoulder, knowing zoro they won't get back to the ship for maybe a good 30 minutes because he's awful with direction but she didn't mind the wait. She could smell the sweat off his skin, it was natural musk and god did it smell amazing, the smell soothed her and also excited her as well. She nuzzled into the crook of his neck trying to get more of the alluring scent, he didn't seem to care. It felt like the walk back took seconds instead of 30 minutes, usopp frowned internally knowing that she'd have to let go and the scent of zoro would only be a memory. The crew had already come back to the ship, all of them already tucked into their little beds, zoro put usopp down gently she stood with a blush dusting her beautiful sun kissed skin. "Thank you" instead of him walking off like he normally did he sat down, it felt like an invitation to sit next to him. "Usopp I'm an idiot." The silence was starting to thicken between them, usopps voice was dry as she sat and listened to the moss head. "I've never done anything like this before... I'm not the love cook-god I don't even know how to treat a woman" he was choking, she could see the frustration on his face as he tried to explain his feelings towards her. "I-I used to watch you draw me. Every sunny afternoon you would sit down on the deck, and pull out your pencil and sketch book, I never thought of you as some kind of flower you've always been usopp. But you always had a feminine air around you, when you would draw or build something your face looked so calm and very beautiful-" before could finish usopp kissed him, her full, soft lips caressed his, he was shocked but soon melted into the kiss "zoro I-i can't thank you enough for what you've done for me tonight, I appreciate you so much and I want to be by your side but... but I don't think I'm ready to move that fast" zoro grunted clearly showing some sort or disappointment on his face "just think about it." Usopp smiled at him and stood up from her spot. "Goodnight zoro" she gave a bow and then walked to the woman's room to change and finally get some rest. 'I hope he waits for me'.