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Usopp's fingers trembled as they held the string taut—his target was in front of him, still like a statue.
There had been many things Usopp faced through his countless adventures aboard the Straw Hat Pirates—he'd liberated toys, fought a mole-woman, even dinosaur Zoans. But this would be his hardest challenge—yet, the sniper would not fail his Captain.
Even in the face of his father.
Years ago, Usopp would have never imagined this for himself. Back in Syrup Village, where he had proclaimed to have eight thousand men and had followed Luffy out to sea, with a slingshot and lies to his name. Then, he'd been too small for his shoes, not quite the right fit for the Straw Hats who were monsters in strength and courage. But now, standing across from his father, who was the sniper of the Red-Haired Pirates, Usopp didn't quake in fear. He wasn't sure when that changed.
His hands trembled, but not for the same reasons they would've three years ago. His mind was filled with images of a woman from long ago before he had ever called himself a pirate. The woman with whom he shared his likeness—his mother. Her long nose, similar to his, if only a bit shorter, her long black hair that draped her face like a curtain and her ghostly pale skin. He could only remember the last months when the sickness had truly worsened.
Maybe that was why he glared at the man in front of him now. Did he know that she died? Did he care? A scoff almost escaped Usopp's lips but he held it back, eyes flickering to the tense atmosphere around. It was no secret why the Straw Hats were here—two Emperors had already fallen and Luffy was not comfortable with only taking down one—he wanted the whole package. And what Luffy wanted, his crew gave.
It just so happened that the next Emperor they encountered, through an odd twist of fate, was the one which Luffy and Usopp had dreaded the most. The Red-Haired Pirates were no joke, but it was not their name that paralyzed Captain and Sniper, but the people to whom they'd dedicated their pirate career. Red-Haired Shanks and Yasopp. There had been few shared words before the air around them had grown stilted, for whatever reason, that Usopp hadn't caught—his eyes had remained fixated on the dark-skinned man in front of him, his blonde locs pulled into a ponytail as he watched Usopp with the same tentative expression. He looked like he wanted to say something but every time his mouth twitched, Usopp relaligned his slingshot.
Perhaps it was petty, but Usopp found that it was all he could feel during his first encounter with the man who would've been his dad in another life. He had dreamed of this moment, several nights—hours, seconds wasted on a man who was left speechless when his son had finally grown up and cornered him.
He wasn't the only one on high alert. Beside Usopp, Sanji watched the scene in front of them with a tense expression before his eyes flickered to Usopp, questioning.
Usopp's lip curled but he didn't respond.
"I have to fight you now." He heard Luffy say, reserved and—unsure. It was the first time somebody had spoken since the air had draped over them like a suffocating comforter. To his right, Nami grimaced but didn't object—they all knew what this meant. But they didn't lose faith.
Yasopp stepped closer, his boots crunching against the grass beneath him. His arm was outstretched and on instinct, Usopp fired a warning shot. The shot landed exactly as intended, right by his father's foot. Wide-eyed, Yasopp stared at the bullet that had missed him by a hair. His Haki had flared in warning but it was too late.
"Usopp—" His name fell from Yasopp's mouth and the knot within Usopp coiled tighter—he felt disgusted.
It was Sanji who spoke next, "I wouldn't take another step," Sanji lit a cigarette on his lips, breathing out the smoke with a twist to his grin. His blue eye gleamed with understanding and Usopp's frame relaxed just a bit more. "Our Sniper is the best you'll find in the Grand Line, he doesn't take kindly to idiots who don't know their place." Usopp straightened in pride, practically glowing under the praise.
The older man in front of them stepped back, brow furrowed as he glanced at his Captain. "Usopp, it's good to see you." He managed despite the fact that Shanks and Luffy were gearing up for their impending fight, both seemingly taking their time as they stretched—it was unconventional for a duel, but Usopp figured the affection between them could not be lost even during such a serious fight.
"Mom is dead." It was the first time he had spoken, since their encounter. Even as the words fell from his tongue, robotic and practically monotone, he could not hide the flash of hurt within his eyes. The pain ran deep, carved into his skin and embedded within his blood. There wasn't a day when he didn't wish to have his mother alive.
Yet, all he was left with was an absent father.
A hand curved along his shoulder, strong and reassuring. Usopp leaned into it, soaking up the warmth like a sponge. The indent of metal along a finger told him it was Sanji, his ring a pressure against his shoulder. It was the one he had made for the blonde—the cook had yet to take it off since then and Usopp never mentioned it.
"Banchina?" Yasopp mumbled, light and hurt. "She's..." The hands along Usopp's shoulders gripped him tighter but didn't pull him nearer like he knew they wanted to. They were a minute away from a fight that would likely be fixed in the history books—there was no time for affection.
"I thought you should know, before..." Usopp trailed off, cocking his head to the side, evidently pointing towards where Shanks and Luffy stood off to the left. Hushed words were muttered between them but Usopp didn't feel inclined to listen. "Before our Captain beats yours." It was resolute, assured of this one fact. Their Captain—Luffy, he would not fail them. And that was why they couldn't fail him now—even as Usopp faced off against his father.
The hand dropped off his shoulder but Usopp did not miss the nod he received in acknowledgment. Even with Sanji's presence next to him and not directly embracing him, Usopp felt comforted.
Yasopp, in front of him, managed a shaky bob of his head, eyebrows furrowed. But his hand had latched on to the gun at his side, preparing for the inevitable battle between the father and son.
Now, it was in the hands of Luffy and Shanks to begin the fight.
The days of recovery that followed, were hushed, the Straw Hats remaining by their ship. It was really only Shanks and Luffy who interacted despite the Red-Haired Pirates' attempt to intermingle with the crew—their closeness to Yassop had driven off any potential relationships between the crew and the Straw Hats. Luffy understood that and hadn't asked them to join in the festivities. After all, they were just as content to party amongst themselves.
They had won, after a full night of gruelling brawls. The Straw Hats had come up on top. Of course, they did.
Beside Usopp, Sanji sat, a cigarette on his lips and a hand draped across Usopp's shoulders, pulling him flush against his side. Usopp leaned into the touch, exhaling into Sanji's neck with a timid smile. Across from the pair, Chopper danced with sticks in his nose, a boisterous laugh ricocheting throughout the crew.
Jinbei clapped, calling for another joke, to which Chopper happily obliged. Sanji watched them with a lax posture, the bandages along his torso wincing every time he relaxed. But he was alive. They all were. "You did good," Sanji muttered around his cigarette, his lips pointed into a grin as he glanced at the man who had claimed him as his resting spot.
"I did what needed to be done," Usopp murmured, eyes flicking towards their Captain, who giggled easily around the red-haired pirate. Despite the fight that had ended just nights ago, the two danced around one another like best buddies. He supposed that's what they were. Further outside of their den, but still included, was Yasopp. He was bent and bruised but smiling as he watched his crew's antics. But occasionally his gaze flickered over to the Straw Hats, an expression of longing filtering through his features. Usopp ignored him.
"Maybe," Sanji conceded, fingers digging into the curls atop Usopp's head and patting them. "But you were brave." Usopp smiled, pressing a brief kiss along the inner of Sanji's neck before retracting away. He pretended not to notice the blush along Sanji's pale, white skin, and his dopey smile.
"C'mon, we got to steal some booze before Zoro drinks it all." Sanji's smile twisted into a frown as he grumbled, but followed after Usopp's figure.
"It's been an hour, he's definitely drank it all."
Usopp twirled around to look at Sanji, carefree as he called out: "Then we'll have to remind him of his debt to Nami, I'm sure he has some booze to spare." Sanji's face brightened, trailing after the sniper. Sanji's warm palm found Usopp's own and they interlaced their fingers, the action easy between them.
Usopp felt safe in Sanji's hold.