Archive of Our Own ^beta

A nervous Usopp approaches the young woman, wearing a simple t-shirt and jeans, leaning against the railing of the Going Shopping.  Waves crash against the ship’s hull, spraying white foam into the air as light from the setting sun bounces off the reflective surface of the water.  Placing his forearms against the railing beside the beauty, the sniper breathes in the crisp air, “Sure it's beautiful out here, isn’t it Kaya?”

Nodding her head, unseen by her companion, Kaya rests her head against Usopp’s shoulder, “It is…”  She gently places her left hand on his arm, sending goosebumps down his spine, “... I’m glad I can experience it with you.”

“Kaya, I wanted to know if we could get a table, just for the two of us tonight.”  As the girl’s fingertips rest against his skin he can feel her drawing a small circle with her index finger above his wrist.

The edges of her lips curl into a smile and Kaya says in a small voice, “I think I’d like that.”  She flicked her tongue out, tasting the hint of salt that had accumulated on her bottom lip, It’s about time, I was starting to think you didn’t like me .

Half an hour later, Usopp knocks on the door to Kaya’s room.  He has changed out of his day clothes and is now wearing a black suit several sizes too large, a poorly knotted tie around his neck.  In his right hand, he holds the stems of a dozen flowers he had pulled from the garden and specks of dirt clung to his knees where he had pressed them into the planter.  A soft voice responds from inside, “I’ll just be another minute!”  Usopp’s heart flutters at the sound as a soft pink enters his cheeks.

From beside him, Usopp hears a man clearing his throat and turning he sees the sheep-faced former butler standing beside him.  A smile on Merry’s face, he reaches a pair of gloved hands towards the young man’s collars, “Allow me.”  Turning to face the shipwright, Usopp allows the more experienced man to gently remove the knot from his tie and retie it around his neck.  Next, the butler pulls a pair of pins from his coat and after shuffling Usopp around manages to cinch together the fabric of his suit to fit his small frame.

Usopp turns to face the older man, “Merry, thank you. I…”

Merry places a gloved finger against Usopp’s lips and says with a smile, “It's nothing. Lady Kaya deserves the best on your date.”

Usopp is about to respond when the door beside him swings open. Kaya stands on the other side, wearing a long blue off-shoulder dress. He tries to speak, but his mouth is suddenly dry and he feels a lump in his throat. Spinning in a slow circle she asks, “What do you think?”

Midway through her spin, Usopp sees the lace running up the back of the otherwise backless dress and his heartbeat quickens. Once she faces him he tries to force words from his mouth, “You look… well you are…”

Merry helpfully finishes the statement, “Beautiful as always Miss Kaya. I believe that is what Usopp was trying to say.”

Nodding his head enthusiastically, Kaya lifts her hand in front of her face stifling a giggle before taking a step forward and stretching it out towards the snipper, “You look quite handsome yourself.”

Taking her hand in his, Usopp’s heart pounds loud enough for him to feel the beat in his eardrums. He stutters, “Y-your very h-handsome too.”  His cheeks grow hot as he realizes what came out of his mouth.

Kaya giggles again and gently squeezes his hand, He is so nervous! I had no idea I had this effect on him! Her eyes drift to the flowers in his other hand, “Are those for me?”

“Yes!” Usopp practically shouts as he pushes the flowers towards the girl. She shifts backwards slightly, to avoid his awkward attempt to shove the petals into her clean dress.

Seeing the situation unfolding, Merry reaches toward Usopp and gently takes the flowers from his hand, “Let me get these into some water for you, Miss Kaya.”

Kaya wordlessly mouths ‘Thank You’ to her former butler who gives her an apologetic look before turning his back on the pair and making his way to the stairs leading to the upper levels of the ship.

Finally alone, Usopp meets Kaya’s eyes. She looks stunning , his eyes dart to her pillowy lips and he fights the desire to ruin her makeup with a kiss. After several moments of internal struggle, a grin splits his face, “We should get going if we want a table.”

Before long the pair find themselves in front of a desk.  The man on the other side has dark green skin everywhere but his neck which is a muted yellow running down to the neckline of his shirt.  His eyes are aligned with his forehead and spread apart almost to his ears.  He lets out a strange noise, “W-rooooak-elcome to the Baratie!  How many are there in your party to-roooooak-night?”

Placing his elbows on the table, Usopp leans across it toward the host and in a firm voice says, “Just the two of us tonight, Gurrock.”  Kaya places her hand on his back, slowly tracing her fingertips across his muscles.  He relaxes his body, not realizing how much tension he was holding and grins sheepishly, “If that’s okay.”

The chubby host makes a sound they assume is a laugh, “Croooo-crocro-roooak!  The ch-rooooak-efs have a bet going in the br-rooooak-eak room on how long it would t-rooooooak-ake you two to make it offi-rooooooak-cial.”  He slaps his webbed hand against a bell and in a moment Rika appears at his side, “T-rooooak-ake these two to the top floo-roooak-r at one of the private boo-rooooak-ths.”

With a mischievous look, Rika motions for the pair to follow her.  Kaya and Usopp exchange looks before following obediently.  As they ascend the stairs, Usopp says in a low voice, “The others don’t know about us, think you can keep it a secret Rika?”

Continuing up without looking back, Rika replies calmly, “They know more than you think…” A sly smile plays across her lips as she glances over her shoulder at Usopp, “... but I won’t say anything until you are ready.”

As they reach the top floor, Rika leads them to a small booth with privacy walls lit by a single candle in the center of the table.  Pushing down against Usopp’s hand as she lowers herself onto the bench, Kaya smiles at the young girl, “Thanks, sweety.  I promise we’ll tell them soon.”  Usopp releases her hand as he walks to the opposite bench and drops onto it.  Out of sight beneath the table, he carefully adjusts the edges of his suit jacket, trying to prevent it from crumpling against the seat cushion.

“I know!”  With a smile, Rika hugs the older girl, “Enjoy your date!”  Releasing her hold, the young girl smiles at the pair before spinning on her heel and marching away, her head held in the air.

Once the youngster has left the table, the pair carefully study the menus in front of them.  After a brief pause, Usopp asks with a hint of concern, “Why is the menu so different tonight?”

Reaching across the table, Kaya places her well-manicured fingernail against the top line that reads ‘Prix Fixe Menu’.  Looking up she sees the confusion etched on his face, she removes her finger from the menu and places her hand on top of his, Of course, he’s never experienced high-end dining like this before.  How silly of me, I should have explained it earlier .  Weaving her fingers carefully between his while holding eye contact she says gently, “Up here they offer Full Course Meals.  That’s what Prix Fixe stands for.  It’s something high-end restaurants offer.”

His body visibly deflates, Of course, one more thing I should know but don’t.  She probably thinks I’m an idiot, why did I ever think I had a chance with someone as sophisticated as her?   Eyes watering slightly Usopp tries to avoid eye contact, “Oh.”

Heartbreaking as she tries desperately to catch his eyes, Kaya reassuringly squeezes his hand, “It’s okay, Usopp.”  A flicker of life returns and his eyes again meet hers, “Really, it’s fine.  I promise.”

A smile plays at the edges of Usopp’s lips as hope fills his heart, “Are you sure?”  A waiter stops by the table and sets a glass of water in front of each.  Without breaking eye contact from his date he says, “Thank you.”  A moment later their privacy is returned.

He’s sweet and respectful.  Why can’t he see what a catch he is? Kaya smiles at the man across from her as she places her free hand on his, “I couldn’t imagine being here with anyone else.  Usopp I…”

She is interrupted as a blond-haired chef drops his elbows onto the table.  With a dreamy expression, he looks at Kaya, ignoring the man across from her as his eyes flick down her neckline before returning to her face, “Hello beautiful.  Can I get you something to drink?”

Face growing red, Usopp breaks his look away from Kaya and pulls his hands away balling them into fists, “Damnit San…”

He is cut short by Kaya’s loud voice, “Knock it off, chef!”  She glares at the blond-haired man, “I’m here on a date with the best-looking guy in the entire East Blue.  This is not the time to shoot your shot, Sanji!”

Startled, the chef takes a step backward his eyes wide.  He looks at the other side of the table, seemingly seeing Usopp for the first time and wordlessly mouths ‘him?’.  Shaking off the shock he narrows his eyes slightly as he studies the long-nosed man, “Anything for you?”

Taken back by Kaya’s declaration, Usopp flips the menu to the drinks side and stabs his finger at a drink in the beer section.  Looking up to meet the chef’s gaze he says confidently, “I’ll take this one.”

Leaning over the table to see which drink he is pointing at, the chef’s chin twitches and he does his best to laugh, “You sure about that sir?”

Maintaining eye contact, Usopp reaches deep inside for his most confident self and proclaims, “Absolutely!”

Nodding his head and scribbling something down on his notepad, Sanji shifts his gaze back to Kaya, “And for you m’lady?”

Kaya places her slender finger on the menu underneath a white wine, “I’ll have a glass of this with my meal.”

Writing down something else, Sanji opens his mouth to compliment the woman but stops short remembering the earlier rebuke she had given.  Wordlessly turning away from the table, he heads to the bar to put in their drink orders.  Looking down at where he is pointing on the menu, Usopp mouths the words as he reads, ‘Scorpion Brew, a strong hoppy beer with scorpion peppers. Caution, extremely spicy.’  His pupils dilate as he reaches the end of the description.

A frown of concern on her forehead, Kaya asks, “Is something wrong?”  She looks down at the item Usopp is pointing at and quickly finds it on her menu.  A giggle escapes her lips, “Fufufufu.  Usopp, I had no idea you liked spicy things so much!”

Slumping back in his seat, Usopp crosses his arms, “I don’t.  But I can’t do anything about it now.”  Pinching his lips together he tries to think of a plan, “Maybe if I dilute it with my water, I can drink it slowly enough too…”

“Usopp, don’t be silly.  Just tell him you made a mistake and ask for something else!”  Kaya smiles at him, trying to assure him that it is okay to change his order.

With a sigh, Usopp unfolds his arms and flips his menu back to the food side. As he starts looking for a meal he says with a resigned tone, “It’s fine, I’ll manage.  If I try to change it now he’ll win.”  He thinks, Then he’ll go back to flirting with you in front of me like a jerk.  It’s better to suffer now than put up with him acting like a creep until we leave.

I don’t understand why men are so stubborn about these things.  Turning over her menu, Kaya looks for something appealing, “Okay.  But if you change your mind I won’t think any less of you.”

A short time later, Sanji returns with their drinks.  He gently places Kaya’s wine in front of her before turning with an evil grin and placing Usopp’s drink on the table.  He nudges the drink towards the long-nosed man with his knuckles.  Seeing a hint of terror in the man’s eyes he fibs, “I made sure they put in extra Scorpion Pepper for you.  No need to thank me!”

Pulling the drink towards him, Usopp takes a small sip from the rim, the spices hit him immediately and it feels as though his lips and tongue are on fire.  Eyes beginning to water he manages to squeak out, “Delicious!”

Turning back towards Kaya, Sanji whips out his notepad and turns to a blank page, “What would you like for dinner tonight?”

Pointing at the menu, Kaya replies, “I’ll have the Garden Salad for the first course and for the third your Roasted Salmon.”  He writes her selection down before taking her menu with a smile before turning Usopp.

Glancing down at the napkin beside the long-nosed man, he sees a dark red stain where the man had attempted to spit some of the beer.  Making eye contact he asks, “And what would you like?”

Swallowing hard, Usopp immediately regrets his choice as the burning sensation in his mouth travels down his throat.  Picking up his menu he does his best to hide the pain he is experiencing, “First course, clam chowder.  Third Course, Scallops.”  He clamps his mouth shut as the air hitting his tongue ignites the spices in his mouth.  He looks up pleadingly at the chef.

Sanji sighed, the man clearly wouldn’t back down and the chef was not cruel enough to continue playing this game.  After writing the man’s order down he reaches towards him and takes his menu.  He then ‘accidentally’ bumps the drink, spilling it strategically onto the table so that none of the liquid reaches the seated pair.  Pulling a towel from his back pocket, he wipes the liquid before it can spread and make a mess, “Unfortunately that was the last Scorpion Brew on tap.  I’ll get you a substitute on the house.”  Sweeping the glass up he again meets the man’s eyes and gives him a wink before walking back to the bar.  He returns a moment later with a cup full of white liquid and slides it in front of the man who stares down quizically.  After a moment the chef volunteers, “It’s milk.  Helps with spicy thi…”

Before the chef finishes his sentence, Usopp grabs the glass and begins gulping it down, feeling immediate relief in his mouth and throat as the burning subsides.  Placing the empty cup on the table, he is about to wipe the milk mustache away with his sleeve before realizing he is on a date.  Picking up the napkin he carefully dabs his upper lip until it feels dry.  Looking back up at the chef he mouths ‘thank you’.  The chef grins before turning away and heading to the stairs to drop the orders off in the kitchen.

Eyes returning to Kaya, Usopp dares to open his mouth again.  Finding that having his mouth open no longer burns he says calmly, “You were starting to say something before he took our drink orders.”

Kaya’s cheeks warm as they turn a light pink, “I was.” She takes a deep breath, It’s now or never, Kaya .  She smiles at the man across from her and reaches out to take his hands in hers, “Usopp, we’ve been friends for years.  But lately, I’ve started to think maybe…” She bites her bottom lip and says softly, “... we should be more than just friends.  I think that maybe…”  She slides her fingers between his as she continues to meet his gaze, “... I love you Usopp.”

Heart racing and blood pumping wildly through his veins, Usopp desperately wants to leap to his feet and cheer.  Everything he wanted to say to Kaya was coming out of her lips to him and he was beyond thrilled, Get it together Usopp!  She is waiting for your answer!   Usopp gently pulls her right hand further across the table to his lips and kisses her knuckles, “I love you too Kaya.”  His mouth splits into the biggest smile he’s ever worn, “You’re my best friend, I can’t imagine my life with anyone else.”

Kaya smiles back as her hand returns to the center of the table, “Me either.  So… what does that make us?”

Shrugging his shoulders, Usopp continues to smile as his heart beats wildly in his chest, “We don’t need to put a label on it.  Let’s enjoy this for now.  We’ll figure out what to call it when we tell the crew.”

The pair continue to chat, tension now fully dissipated as they wait for their food.  Eventually, Sanji arrives with their dishes and they break their handhold to eat the four-course meal, continuing to enjoy one another’s company.

The meal is finished, and the pair make their way onto the Going Shopping together.  Usopp’s hand on the small of Kaya’s back he leads her back to the railing where he had first proposed their date.  As she leans her elbows against the cold steel bar, Kaya leans against his shoulder resting her head on his shoulder.  Turning to look at him she says quietly, “It’s so cold.”

Removing his arm from around her back, Usopp pulls his suit jacket off, revealing a white undershirt that clings to the muscles on his chest.  Wrapping the jacket around Kaya’s shoulders he replies, “This should warm you up.”

Placing her right arm on his chest, Kaya looks up into Usopp’s eyes.  He takes a small step backward as she slides between him and the railing before wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her head into his chest.  He follows suit, wrapping his strong arms around her shoulders and holding her close against him.  Breathing in the strawberry scent of her shampoo he rests his chin on top of her head.  After several minutes of holding one another and listening to the lapping of the waves against the wooden hull of the ships, Kaya pulls her head back and looks up into Usopp’s eyes, “It’s getting late.”

Nodding his head, Usopp squeezes his arms tighter, “One more minute.  I’ve wanted to do this for years, I want to hold you just a little longer.”

Smiling, she buries her head back into his chest, “I think I can handle that.”  She continues to enjoy his firm body against hers for another minute before giving him a squeeze with her arms, “It’s time for bed, Usopp.”

Closing his eyes and inhaling deeply, wanting to memorize her scent he releases his hold and takes a step backwards.  As her arms unlink from behind him, they meet his and the fingers of his left hand intertwine with those of her right.  Smiling at one another, Usopp gestures with his hand, “Let's get you to bed.  A beauty like you must get their full eight hours.”  Giggling, the pair walk towards the hallway.

Arriving outside Kaya’s room, she carefully extracts his fingers from his.  With a smile, she reaches up to her shoulder and removes the suit jacket before wrapping her arms around Usopp’s shoulders under the guise of returning it to him.  Once the jacket is hanging from his shoulders she wraps her arms behind his neck and stares up into his eyes, Kiss me damnit!   She smiles up at him as her tongue flicks out wetting her lips.

Reaching down and placing his hands on Kaya’s hips, he gently lifts her until she is standing on her toes, bringing his head downward Usopp’s lips meet Kaya’s as the pair close their eyes enjoying the kiss.  Tightening her arms around his neck Kaya pulls him closer as she savors his flavor.  A minute later the pair break their kiss, panting for air.  Cheeks red Kaya releases his arms from around Usopp’s neck and places her hand on his chest, “Goodnight Usopp.”

Smiling Usopp releases his hold on Kaya’s hips, allowing her to lower her heels to the floor, “Goodnight Kaya.”

Taking a step backwards, Kaya mimes blowing Usopp a kiss which he mimes catching and pressing against his chest.  She reaches behind her to fiddle with the door handle before throwing it open and slipping inside.  She says with a smile, “I’ll see you tomorrow handsome.”  Before closing the door softly.  She collapses backward onto her bed before squealing with joy and kicking her feet against the sheets.

Making his way back to the Going Merry, Usopp can’t stop smiling and he feels as though he is floating on air.  As he makes his way into the Men’s Quarters he notices that Zoro is missing, having already started his night shift.  Koby’s sleepy voice calls out, “Hey Usopp, late night?”

Removing his suit before collapsing into his bed Usopp replies, “Yep.  I’ll tell you about it later.  Let's get some sleep.”  The younger boy rolls over and begins snoring as Usopp lays awake, replaying the date in his head as he smiles up at the cabin ceiling.