More Random ZoSopp
Jul. 21st, 2005 12:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dethoratsTitle: Snow Globe
Rating: PG
Pairing: ZoSopp
Word Count: 1541
Note: Written in the middle of the Water7 arc (pre-Soge King and pre-Thousand Sunny) so some details don't match what happened later in the manga
Stars glittered overhead, brighter than the diamonds Nami dreamed about in her sleep. The full moon made the light dusting of snow on the deck glow, the entire ship, motionless in the icy sea, making a frosted confection. Usopp was burrowed into a den of blankets and quilts, hauled up to the crow’s nest last evening by Sanji when his precious Nami-swan vowed that she would do her part even if it was ten degrees below freezing. His nose stuck out, breath misted in a smoky wreath about his face and he contemplated the fact that nights like that night made him into some kind of romantic sap, made him want to spout bad poetry, made him want to shout and whisper at the same time.
He’d always been that way. Something about moonlight and the stillness and the absolute quiet. Being on the ocean only intensified the feeling. Nothing was as silent when the ocean was still, anchored in water only degrees away from forming ice. No waves to slap against the hull, no soft hissing of spray across the deck, no undercurrent of current providing a backdrop of white noise. It was almost like being in a snow globe, encased in the crystal bubble of dark and distant twinkling points of light and above all the silence. It was beautiful, a moment to be treasured, a feeling of one-ness with the universe and yet, suddenly, he was lonely.
The emotion was unexpected, newly unfamiliar. He'd been lonely in the past, more lonely than he could sometimes express after his mother died. Sure he had his crew and the Syrup villagers and above all Kaya, but they didn't fully understand him. And then he'd gotten his nakama and loneliness had been unheard of until after Alabasta. He'd felt it beginning to creep in once they left the burning sands. It seemed like everyone was busy with someone else and he was left to tend his precious Going Merry alone. Luffy had his Sky Island dreams and Nami had her treasure and a girl to talk to. And Sanji had a second woman to fawn over. As for Robin, she seemed to appreciate any company, even if she remained somewhat aloof. Same for Chopper but in exactly the opposite way. And Zoro, Zoro was, as he had always been, somewhat unapproachable.
And then the unthinkable happened and he'd parted ways with everyone. His nakama had left him because he himself could not face the truth, that even on Luffy's ship not everything was possible. His beloved boat was gone, shattered into a thousand pieces of driftwood and he was alone. But nakama are nakama forever and he was welcomed back with open arms. The new vessel wasn't the Going Merry, but somehow a portion of that ship had made it back to shore, could be incorporated into the heart of the new boat, lend it some of its magic. And so their voyage continued.
Fears of resentment or rejection had been entirely unfounded. Why wouldn't his nakama come for him and Robin? Still, he'd isolated himself at first, nervous, unsure of what to do or say or how to thank everyone. It had been the demon, the pirate hunter, the one person he was never sure of his standing with, who had assauged his fears. He'd been standing hesitantly in the doorway of the galley a few days after they'd finally set back out, watching the activity on the deck. Usually he'd have been in the thick of things, but he couldn't muster his usual bravado to just bluster his way back in. And then a muscular tan arm had snuck around his waist, gave him a quick tight hug, and then he was pushed bodily into the wrestling pile, a sharp white smile his only warning before Zoro pinned him.
There had been a jolt, an unexpected tightness in his chest, and he watched as green eyes widened above him and equally green brows began to knit together. Luffy had taken the opportunity to pounce, toppling Zoro end over end even as Chopper managed to start tickling him in his ribs. He'd been laughing so hard he didn't notice when the whole mess just collapsed into a massive pile of nakama. Nor did he know how he ended up mainly in the swordsman's arms. Strong arms that supported everyone and were now bodily supporting him. How had he missed that for so long? Why hadn't he seen that Zoro, snoozing on the deck or fighting with Sanji or sniping at Nami or laughing with Luffy or secretly cuddling with Chopper, had been their keel to Luffy's rudder and everyone else's sails? He didn't know that Zoro had been experiencing a similar line of thinking in the few brief, happy, restless moments they lay all together in a heap.
Two days later, in the midst of one of the Grand Line's crazy storms, their eyes had met unexpectly across the deck and heat had curled up his spine, blossomed in his brain. He'd been kissed for the first time since he'd left his home after another week. Zoro had been heading into the bathroom and he'd been heading out. It was late - both of them preferring to shower in the evening rather than fight for it with everyone else in the morning. Wearing just a towel, he started to pass the swordsman in the hall. Unexpectly he'd been gently pushed up against the wall, warm lips touching at the corner of his mouth, moving ever so slightly towards the center. It had been brief and Zoro had blushed and mentioned something about toothpaste. He wasn't really sure because the next thing he knew was that they were kissing again, deeper and deeper and somehow his hand had found the back of Zoro's head and at some point Zoro's arm had found its way once more around his waist. How long it lasted he couldn't say. It seemed endless and an instant both, for Robin had ventured down the hall and politely cleared her throat. Needless to say, they were feet apart in seconds.
Zoro was shy, shyer than he'd believed possible, but he didn't deny what had happened. And the swordsman didn't stop the next kiss or the next and even initiated a few himself. Finally about a month after that first fateful nakama pile, he'd absently reached a finger over to wipe a drop of maple syrup off of Zoro's chin. And Zoro, just as absently and mainly mostly asleep, had caught his finger and licked it. The sudden silence was was broken only by Luffy's continued inhalation of flap jacks, punctuated by an occasional jabbing, thieving fork scraping against a newly empty plate. He'd started to stammer, frozen on the spot, and Zoro had just sighed and glared and kissed him again, as long and as deeply as they'd learned how. He'd melted and Nami had whistled and Sanji had teased and somehow the cook and the swordsman ended up in scuffle on the floor while he just sat there with a dopey grin on his face and Robin's whispered congratulations in his ear.
It wasn't the easiest relationship by any stretch of imagination. But Zoro was more tolerant and relaxed than he'd realized (except when it came to Sanji's comments or Nami's evil loans) and he was braver and less blustery than he'd known and it all worked out. Zoro was an excellent sketching companion. He slept or was quiet or concentrated on his training without being a distraction. And it turned out he wasn't too bad of a napping pillow either. They gave each other the necessary space as well and moved slowly and carefully and blissfully forward. So there was really no reason for him to feel lonely. He had his nakama and he had the spirit of his ship and he had Zoro. Still, something about the night made his long for another person to experience it with, share the moment and the wonder.
He didn't know how long he'd been sitting there, lost in contemplation, but his nose was starting to form an icicle from his breath's condensation when the sound of someone climbing the rigging broke his reverie. Zoro's head popped over the side of the crow's nest, earmuffs on and cheeks cherry colored. The rest of him soon followed, and he looked about expectantly for a warm drink or another blanket. The swordsman was empty handed though and he was a little disappointed. Then Zoro'd started messing with his cocoon, letting in chill air drafts as he manuevered himself in behind. Almost he'd said something, but he was learning that Zoro rarely acted entirely without reason. Sure enough the cold coat pressing against his back soon was unzipped and he was pulled snugly up against a chest that always seemed to be warm. He sagged back into the familiar embrace, soaking up heat and the swordsman's presence. Zoro's head had been tilted back, taking in the clear night sky and he'd tightened his arms around him once before leaning in to whisper in his ear. "It's a nice night." And it truly was as Usopp turned to meet Zoro's mouth halfway.
Rating: PG
Pairing: ZoSopp
Word Count: 1541
Note: Written in the middle of the Water7 arc (pre-Soge King and pre-Thousand Sunny) so some details don't match what happened later in the manga
Stars glittered overhead, brighter than the diamonds Nami dreamed about in her sleep. The full moon made the light dusting of snow on the deck glow, the entire ship, motionless in the icy sea, making a frosted confection. Usopp was burrowed into a den of blankets and quilts, hauled up to the crow’s nest last evening by Sanji when his precious Nami-swan vowed that she would do her part even if it was ten degrees below freezing. His nose stuck out, breath misted in a smoky wreath about his face and he contemplated the fact that nights like that night made him into some kind of romantic sap, made him want to spout bad poetry, made him want to shout and whisper at the same time.
He’d always been that way. Something about moonlight and the stillness and the absolute quiet. Being on the ocean only intensified the feeling. Nothing was as silent when the ocean was still, anchored in water only degrees away from forming ice. No waves to slap against the hull, no soft hissing of spray across the deck, no undercurrent of current providing a backdrop of white noise. It was almost like being in a snow globe, encased in the crystal bubble of dark and distant twinkling points of light and above all the silence. It was beautiful, a moment to be treasured, a feeling of one-ness with the universe and yet, suddenly, he was lonely.
The emotion was unexpected, newly unfamiliar. He'd been lonely in the past, more lonely than he could sometimes express after his mother died. Sure he had his crew and the Syrup villagers and above all Kaya, but they didn't fully understand him. And then he'd gotten his nakama and loneliness had been unheard of until after Alabasta. He'd felt it beginning to creep in once they left the burning sands. It seemed like everyone was busy with someone else and he was left to tend his precious Going Merry alone. Luffy had his Sky Island dreams and Nami had her treasure and a girl to talk to. And Sanji had a second woman to fawn over. As for Robin, she seemed to appreciate any company, even if she remained somewhat aloof. Same for Chopper but in exactly the opposite way. And Zoro, Zoro was, as he had always been, somewhat unapproachable.
And then the unthinkable happened and he'd parted ways with everyone. His nakama had left him because he himself could not face the truth, that even on Luffy's ship not everything was possible. His beloved boat was gone, shattered into a thousand pieces of driftwood and he was alone. But nakama are nakama forever and he was welcomed back with open arms. The new vessel wasn't the Going Merry, but somehow a portion of that ship had made it back to shore, could be incorporated into the heart of the new boat, lend it some of its magic. And so their voyage continued.
Fears of resentment or rejection had been entirely unfounded. Why wouldn't his nakama come for him and Robin? Still, he'd isolated himself at first, nervous, unsure of what to do or say or how to thank everyone. It had been the demon, the pirate hunter, the one person he was never sure of his standing with, who had assauged his fears. He'd been standing hesitantly in the doorway of the galley a few days after they'd finally set back out, watching the activity on the deck. Usually he'd have been in the thick of things, but he couldn't muster his usual bravado to just bluster his way back in. And then a muscular tan arm had snuck around his waist, gave him a quick tight hug, and then he was pushed bodily into the wrestling pile, a sharp white smile his only warning before Zoro pinned him.
There had been a jolt, an unexpected tightness in his chest, and he watched as green eyes widened above him and equally green brows began to knit together. Luffy had taken the opportunity to pounce, toppling Zoro end over end even as Chopper managed to start tickling him in his ribs. He'd been laughing so hard he didn't notice when the whole mess just collapsed into a massive pile of nakama. Nor did he know how he ended up mainly in the swordsman's arms. Strong arms that supported everyone and were now bodily supporting him. How had he missed that for so long? Why hadn't he seen that Zoro, snoozing on the deck or fighting with Sanji or sniping at Nami or laughing with Luffy or secretly cuddling with Chopper, had been their keel to Luffy's rudder and everyone else's sails? He didn't know that Zoro had been experiencing a similar line of thinking in the few brief, happy, restless moments they lay all together in a heap.
Two days later, in the midst of one of the Grand Line's crazy storms, their eyes had met unexpectly across the deck and heat had curled up his spine, blossomed in his brain. He'd been kissed for the first time since he'd left his home after another week. Zoro had been heading into the bathroom and he'd been heading out. It was late - both of them preferring to shower in the evening rather than fight for it with everyone else in the morning. Wearing just a towel, he started to pass the swordsman in the hall. Unexpectly he'd been gently pushed up against the wall, warm lips touching at the corner of his mouth, moving ever so slightly towards the center. It had been brief and Zoro had blushed and mentioned something about toothpaste. He wasn't really sure because the next thing he knew was that they were kissing again, deeper and deeper and somehow his hand had found the back of Zoro's head and at some point Zoro's arm had found its way once more around his waist. How long it lasted he couldn't say. It seemed endless and an instant both, for Robin had ventured down the hall and politely cleared her throat. Needless to say, they were feet apart in seconds.
Zoro was shy, shyer than he'd believed possible, but he didn't deny what had happened. And the swordsman didn't stop the next kiss or the next and even initiated a few himself. Finally about a month after that first fateful nakama pile, he'd absently reached a finger over to wipe a drop of maple syrup off of Zoro's chin. And Zoro, just as absently and mainly mostly asleep, had caught his finger and licked it. The sudden silence was was broken only by Luffy's continued inhalation of flap jacks, punctuated by an occasional jabbing, thieving fork scraping against a newly empty plate. He'd started to stammer, frozen on the spot, and Zoro had just sighed and glared and kissed him again, as long and as deeply as they'd learned how. He'd melted and Nami had whistled and Sanji had teased and somehow the cook and the swordsman ended up in scuffle on the floor while he just sat there with a dopey grin on his face and Robin's whispered congratulations in his ear.
It wasn't the easiest relationship by any stretch of imagination. But Zoro was more tolerant and relaxed than he'd realized (except when it came to Sanji's comments or Nami's evil loans) and he was braver and less blustery than he'd known and it all worked out. Zoro was an excellent sketching companion. He slept or was quiet or concentrated on his training without being a distraction. And it turned out he wasn't too bad of a napping pillow either. They gave each other the necessary space as well and moved slowly and carefully and blissfully forward. So there was really no reason for him to feel lonely. He had his nakama and he had the spirit of his ship and he had Zoro. Still, something about the night made his long for another person to experience it with, share the moment and the wonder.
He didn't know how long he'd been sitting there, lost in contemplation, but his nose was starting to form an icicle from his breath's condensation when the sound of someone climbing the rigging broke his reverie. Zoro's head popped over the side of the crow's nest, earmuffs on and cheeks cherry colored. The rest of him soon followed, and he looked about expectantly for a warm drink or another blanket. The swordsman was empty handed though and he was a little disappointed. Then Zoro'd started messing with his cocoon, letting in chill air drafts as he manuevered himself in behind. Almost he'd said something, but he was learning that Zoro rarely acted entirely without reason. Sure enough the cold coat pressing against his back soon was unzipped and he was pulled snugly up against a chest that always seemed to be warm. He sagged back into the familiar embrace, soaking up heat and the swordsman's presence. Zoro's head had been tilted back, taking in the clear night sky and he'd tightened his arms around him once before leaning in to whisper in his ear. "It's a nice night." And it truly was as Usopp turned to meet Zoro's mouth halfway.
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Massave piles of nakama pwn all.
Date: 2005-07-21 08:54 pm (UTC)Marry me? (Would Brian mind if I shared you?) Just pretend I quoted the whole thing. Because that's what I want to do. It is the most perfect piece of perfect ever. Every word is gorgeous and in exactly the right place. *gigantic fanfirlish glomp and squeal* You win at life!
Re: Massave piles of nakama pwn all.
Date: 2005-07-22 04:22 am (UTC)I am both proposed to and glomped 0_0
That's never happened before! But I am happy you like it. Writing while under medicinal influence always produces strange things from me. And I needed nakama love after that last one.
P.S. Your crack is the best crack. Send some my way ^_^
Re: Massave piles of nakama pwn all.
Date: 2005-07-22 04:55 am (UTC)You've never been proposed to and glomped? But your stuff is always so good! I've needed nakama love for ages now. I love the nakama pile to death.
I'm glad you like my crack! I would be happy to give you some.