Chapter Text
“Usopp-chan!” Sanji’s voice rang over the deck and Usopp felt himself smiling helplessly.
When he looked up from his sketch, Sanji appeared in front of him, full heart eyes and holding out a plate.
“Here, Sweetheart, I made you a snack, hope you like it!”
On the plate was a mix of mini viennoiseries and a cup of hot chocolate.
Usopp took the plate. “Thank you Sanji.” He dropped a kiss on his boyfriend’s cheek when the man bent down.
“Anytime…” Sanji whispered, dreamy smile on his face.
“What about me?” Zoro grumbled, faking jealousy.
Sanji showed him his own plate, on which three rice ball rested. “Here. They’re filled with leftover meat from that sea king we ate for lunch. Can’t have my marimo lose his best asset.”
Zoro looked up from the rice ball he was already shoving in his face. “Which is?” He asked, skeptical.
Sanji smirked, pinching Zoro’s pec. The swordsman gasped, affronted. Usopp couldn’t help it, he snorted.
“How come I get that treatment!?” Zoro squawked. “Usopp has pecs too and you don’t treat him like that.”
“Well,” Sanji sniffed, “Usopp has other qualities, you don’t.”
Zoro started standing up to fight him, but he was interrupted by Luffy jumping over him onto Sanji’s shoulder.
“Sanji!!! Where is mine!?”
Sanji sighed. “In the kitchen, yours is too big to get out of the door.”
“Yeay!” The Captain screamed, shooting himself up to the upper deck and right into the kitchen.
“Don’t break anything!” Sanji screamed, almost in sync with Franky who had shouted from where he was working on the cannon on the other side of the deck. He had plans to add a cola pump in it to double its power. Usopp, knowing how Franky got about cola, had left him to it.
Suddenly, a shadow over the deck caught Usopp’s attention. Only habit helped him notice Niji’s blue lightning before he appeared.
Usopp sighed in despair. The afternoon had started so well, now it was ruined.
“Usopp!” The Vinsmoke’s voice was shaking, distress apparent on his face in a way Usopp had never seen before. What was going on? “Is it true? You’re going back to him?” He pointed aggressively at Sanji.
Usopp frowned. What was he talking about?
Sanji growled and smacked Niji’s hand away. “This isn’t any of your business.”
“This is my business because I’d make a much better boyfriend than you.” He spat at Sanji before turning back to Usopp. “Come on, he hurt you, what’s to say he won’t do it again? But you can trust me!”
Usopp wanted to point out that he had no evidence to believe in Niji’s good faith either but another voice interrupted him before he could open his mouth.
“Niji! You’re so annoying! Why are you always first to get to him!?” Yonji tried to hit Niji but missed, as usual.
Usopp sighed and picked up his sketch book and art supplies so they wouldn’t be stepped on.
Now, as usual, Ichiji wasn’t far behind. He appeared, standing on the railing of the Sunny’s deck. The man looked grumpier than usual, his arms crossed and his expression closed off. Or well, even more than usual.
The one who’s presence was unusual was Reiju. She stood next to Ichiji, all regal presence and solemnity.
“As I tried to explain to you before you ran away like panicked babies,” she glared at Niji and Yonji, who immediately stopped fighting and turned to her, “Usopp and Sanji are both dating Zoro. The kiss you saw was perfectly okay because Usopp knew about it and consented to it, we’re the ones who misinterpreted the situation.”
“Then why didn’t you say so?” Yonji asked, turning toward Usopp, Zoro and Sanji. The two had gathered around Usopp and stood there, ready to protect him at a moment’s notice.
“Because it’s none of our business.” Reiju explained.
“And so what!? I’m supposed to give up like that? Just because they were there first? Absolutely not!” Niji growled. He stalked toward Usopp. Zoro and Sanji took a step in front of him reflexively. “Usopp, I’m better than this failure, better at everything and this guy,” he pointed toward Zoro “I don’t know what you see in him but I can assure you I can do it better than him too.”
“Hey!” Yonji cried, refusing to be outdone as usual. “I’m better than them too! And I’ve got green hair, if that’s what you like!”
Reiju sighed loudly. “Have you even been listening to Usopp and what he wants? Or are you just fighting like two idiots and hoping something happens? Have you asked him what he wants or what he likes?”
“I know what he likes!” They shouted at her simultaneously.
“He likes the color brown and wearing clothes in his hair!” Yonji cried.
“And flowers and coffee and drawing things!” Niji added.
Reiju lifted the ‘did I fucking stutter’ eyebrow.
They looked chastised enough that they turned a matching guilty look toward Usopp.
“Well…” Usopp stuttered. “To be entirely honest…”
He hesitated. Those two (three?) had the power to decapitate him if they felt like it. He didn’t exactly feel comfy about rejecting them. He had to, though. He didn’t know why they were so invested in him but he didn’t want any of them and their flirting was getting out of hands.
Sanji’s arm sneaked around his waist and Usopp felt a wave of comfort overwhelm him. Oh! He had forgotten. He wasn’t alone. Sanji was with him and would protect him. So would Zoro, who’s hand was tightening on his sword, right next to Usopp. Reiju nodded in his direction and he realized she was on his side too and wouldn’t let her brothers get away with hurting him.
Usopp took a breath.
“Look, I’m very flattered by your attention. But I’m not interested. I’m with Sanji and Zoro, my Nakamas. And I don’t want anyone else.”
The silence hung over the Sunny’s deck and Usopp waited for the other shoe to drop.
In the end, it’s Ichiji who broke it. “Guess it’s true, losers really do stick with each other.” He sniffed.
Usopp looked at the other brothers. Yonji looked absolutely heartbroken. Niji’s face had closed off, hiding behind his giant hair flop.
“Well, I’m disappointed. I really liked you. I hope you’re happy.” Yonji said, his voice tight, but showing surprising maturity.
“Come on, we’ve got nothing left to do here.” Ichiji turned away.
Niji was the first gone, disappearing in a flash and without a word. Usopp didn’t even know how the Vinsmoke felt.
Soon, he was followed by his brothers, but Reiju stayed behind.
In their absence, her stance relaxed and she jumped off the railing onto the deck.
“Nami told me everything,” she said, “and I realized I caused you all a great deal of grief and prejudice, especially you Sanji.” She smiled sadly at her little brother.
Sanji’s hand on Usopp’s waist tightened, the grip shaky.
“I came here to apologize.” Reiju continued. “So, Roronoa Zoro, God Usopp and Black Leg Sanji, I apologize for the way I treated you and the way I misjudged you.” She bowed. “I understand if you don’t want to forgive me.”
Now, Sanji’s whole body was shaking.
Usopp hugged him close. “Are you okay, babe?” He whispered in his hair.
Sanji didn’t answer, he burst into tears.
Zoro grabbed both Usopp and Sanji, hiding Sanji’s face in his neck and caressing his back, a hand holding Usopp’s arm.
Reiju stood there, bowing, as Sanji sobbed.
“Rei… ju…” He gasped in between labored breaths.
She lifted her head. “Yes Sanji?”
He made a wild move toward her, gesturing haphazardly with his free arm. “Come… Come here.”
He pulled her into a tight hug as soon as she came close enough.
She smiled into his hair, hugging back.
“I’m sorry, my baby brother, I’m sorry. I hurt you and I never should have done that. I promised myself I would never do that and I did it anyway, I’m sorry.”
Her apologies only made Sanji sob harder.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It took them both a while to calm down, and when they did, Sanji led his sister to the kitchen and made her favorite sweet. It was what he called Cannelés Bordelais: a sort of chewy little cake that was caramelized on the outside.
“The temperature of the oven has to be perfect!” He explained excitedly as he baked. “If it’s too cold, the Cannelé will not build the outside crust and will be all soft with no crunch. If it’s too hot, the outside will burn while the inside won’t be cooked all the way through and it will be inedible.”
Reiju smiled softly as she looked at him. “I can’t wait to try yours again. The palace bakers never quite manage to make them as good as yours.”
“That’s because they forget the secret ingredient!” Sanji smiled.
“Mmmh… I think it’s the baking technique.” Reiju shot back.
“No, it’s the secret ingredient, I’m telling you.” Sanji insisted.
Usopp couldn’t help but giggle when he saw the siblings banter like that. He was so happy to see Sanji and his sister being happy together again, reconciled and closer than before. It was so obvious how much they loved each other and Sanji deserved all the love he could get.
Zoro seemed to agree, smiling against Usopp’s forehead to hide it from the siblings. They were snuggling on the kitchen’s couch, Zoro no longer feeling the need to stand between the siblings to shield Sanji.
“Are you okay?” Zoro asked softly. “Those three are aggressive flirts, couldn’t have been easy to reject them.”
“Well, it was surprisingly easier than I thought. I expected them to insist more, but I think Reiju’s presence made them refrain themselves.”
Zoro shook his head. “No, it was the clarity of your answer. You were sincere and straight to the point. You left no space for arguments. I’m proud of you.”
Usopp smiled, feeling his whole body tingle as usual when his boyfriends complimented him. He wished he could take this feeling everywhere to protect him from his self doubts and anxieties.
He kissed Zoro’s neck, relishing in the shiver he provoked.
“How are you?” He asked back.
Zoro sighed. “Exhausted. Both of my boyfriends lived emotionally draining experiences today and I had to be there to support them. But also happy, because now they’re happy and safe and so am I.”
Usopp’s heart squeezed. “Aww… Thank you, you big strong hero, for protecting us.”
“Buttering me up will get you nowhere.” Zoro grumped, but Usopp saw the blush on his face.
Usopp smirked. “Not even into your bed?” He mewled a little, caressing Zoro’s bicep.
Zoro’s blush intensified and he hid his face in Usopp’s neck. Usopp loved being allowed to fluster him like that now.
“What? I don’t understand, use your words.” He laughed.
Zoro bit him in retaliation, making Usopp giggle some more.
Until Zoro licked the spot and Usopp squirmed. He lightly hit Zoro’s arm in reprimand.
“We’re in front of Sanji’s sister, this is not the time!” He scream-whispered at Zoro, who smirked smugly.
“So, how long have you been in love with Usopp and my brother, swordsman?” Reiju’s voice pulled them away from their play fight. The fond smile on her face told Usopp she’d seen the whole exchange and found it cute.
Sanji sighed, poorly hiding his blush behind his hair as he served the pastries in little plates. “Reiju, don’t tell me you’re going to interrogate him too? Last time with Usopp was bad enough.”
“What are you talking about? I’m just looking out for my baby brother and his lovely boyfriend. You two are precious and need to be protected. I want to make sure your swordsman can do that.” She quietly thanked him when he gave her a plate.
“Falling in love with them was a process, for me.” Zoro explained, attracting the siblings’ attention. “I didn’t just wake up one day and decide I loved them, it was a slow thing. Discovering them as people, admiring their abilities and respecting them as fellow warriors, that takes time for me. Only after that can I fall in love. They both impressed me in different ways, but in the end I fell for both of them. Took me a little longer to realize what my feelings for Usopp were, though, I was too busy making out with your brother.”
Sanji squawked and Reiju snorted. “Marimo! You can’t say that to my sister!” She didn’t look offended though, so it seemed fine to Usopp.
“What about you?” She turned to Sanji, taking a bite of her pastry and pausing to savor it. “You lied to me last time.” She continued. “Tell me how you really fell in love with Usopp. And with Zoro while you’re at it.”
Sanji hid behind his fringe and gritted: “The Marimo is an absolute idiot but he is reliable and attentive. Usopp is smart and pretty and courageous and so many other things.” Usopp felt his heart soar. He smiled at Sanji, who gave him his plate. “Also, seeing him with those new muscles did do something to me.”
Usopp choked on his own saliva. Next to him, Zoro nodded in agreement and stole one of the cannelé on Usopp’s plate. He had refused when Sanji offered to make him some earlier, but he still wanting a taste, it seemed. Usopp was too busy being shocked to mind.
“I can understand.” Reiju said, looking him up and down.
“Don’t you start.” Sanji warned her.
She lifted her hands in a show of peace. Then took another cannelé.
“What about you, Usopp?” She changed the subject.
Usopp felt his boyfriends’ gaze on him. He blushed and scratched the back of his head.
“Well… I told you the truth about Sanji, last time…”
Reiju nodded, pensive. Zoro hummed in inquiry, so Usopp elaborated.
“I did have a thing for him from the start. And seeing how affected he was when I left the crew made me wish for more. But before I had gathered the courage to make a move, Zoro had already made his.” He avoided everyone’s gaze. “As for Zoro, I mostly felt like my attraction to him was just a natural thing, you know. Like, look at him, everyone wants him in their bed, I’m not special. And so there was no way he would choose me among all the people who wanted him. And then I was crushing on Sanji. And then he was Sanji’s boyfriend.”
The silence that fell over the room felt like it lasted an eternity but must have only lasted a few seconds.
Then Usopp’s face was pulled by a gentle hand so he would look into Zoro’s eyes. The intensity of his gaze made him forget everything else.
“I love you too.” Zoro said, before pulling Usopp into a deep kiss. He tasted like caramel and roasted pastry. Those cannelé must be absolutely delicious. But for now, he was happy tasting them from Zoro’s mouth only.
They only separated when Reiju cleared her throat.
“Well, I fully support you three’s relationship,” she said, “please, take good care of each other for me. I’ll keep the Vinsmoke and the Germa away from you.”
She stood up, turned to Sanji. “Your cannelé were even more delicious than I remembered. You became an incredible Chef.” She kissed him on the forehead. “Now I need to get back to the Castle, to make sure the idiots didn’t break anything irreplaceable or hurt anyone. I’ll make sure Judge can’t try to marry you off ever again. We’ll sail away by the end of the day.”
“You’re leaving already?” Sanji’s distress was obvious in his voice.
Reiju smiled sadly and caressed Sanji’s face, before hugging him.
“Yes Sanji, the further away we are, the better for you.”
“I’ll miss you.” He whispered, his voice tight.
“I know, I’ll miss you too. I’ll try to come see you, but for now, I need to keep the others in check and make sure Judge doesn’t do anything stupid.”
“I’ll pack you some leftovers!” Sanji jumped, already taking out a glass container and putting in some cannelé as well as a few fruit tarts he’d made in the morning. “None of this need to be reheated, so you won’t have a problem with overcooking.” He told her as he handed her the container.
“Thank you Sanji, I’ll call you, okay?” He nodded and she turned toward Zoro and Usopp. “Take good care of him and of each other for me, please.”
In the end, the whole crew ended up seeing her off.
Reiju wished them all safe travels before turning to Nami.
“Thank you again for setting me straight,” she said, “you helped me reconcile with my baby brother and I will forever be grateful. You still have my number, right? Don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything.”
The sad look on her face told Usopp she wanted to ask Nami to call her for non-need-related reasons as well but didn’t dare to.
“I will.” Nami answered. “And you call if you want news about those idiots.”
Reiju’s smile was tentative. Those two were clearly navigating unclear waters. Usopp hoped this journey led them somewhere that made them both happy.
Reiju left, waving one last time in Sanji, Zoro and Usopp’s direction before jumping off the railing and onto the ground below. Usopp watched her disappear back into the town.
“Okay!” Nami took in a breath and put her hands on her waist. “We’ve already been here way longer than anticipated, it’s time we sail off!”
Luffy let out an excited shout. “Finally! This place was getting boring! Come on Nami, I want to see that Island that’s been making your log pose go crazy!”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, you big idiot.”
Following her orders, everyone scattered to prepare the ship for sailing.
Usopp took hold of Sanji and Zoro’s arms to make them stay behind a little while longer.
Under Sanji and Zoro’s curious gaze, he took a fortifying breath.
“You know, despite all the trouble we ran into with the Vinsmoke, I don’t regret anything that happened. I’m really happy that I got to be your fake husband Sanji and I’m very glad that I get to be you two’s real boyfriend now. Thank you so much for everything. For the training, for the things you called training that were a little more than just training and for all the courage you gave me and still give me everyday. I love you two and I love dating you two.”
Sanji’s eyes were watering a little and Zoro’s smile was brighter than any he’d seen before. They pulled him into their arms in between them and whispered into his ears, in perfect sync:
“We love you too.”
The End!