Work Text:
Sanji was going to make a list of what supplies they needed to survive until the next island, and he was searching for some pencil, he didn't find any so he thought that Usopp as being the artist of the crew he would have some pencil around his workshop.
So Sanji got there and while searching in some drawers, he had finally found some pencils!
Now there was a second problem…
This pencil didn't have a tip… It looked like nobody had sharpened like ever, it was literally brand new
… And now among a deeper inspection, he noticed something weirder…
This drawer was full of unsharpened pencil's and every single one of them was like a gift from shop's and restaurant's, even in there was one from the Baratie
But why would an artist have so many unused pencils?
That was odd…
But that didn't matter right now, so he got to search now for a sharpener
He searched trough every drawer and every box in that room
But still he didn't find any
Now this was getting suspicious, was Usopp really an artist or what?
Then unexpectedly Usopp entered to the room
-Sanji?- He asked confused -What are you doing on my work-shop? - He asked just looking at Sanji's eye's
-Well I was searching for a pencil sharpener but didn't find any, do you have some?- He asked, thinking that after that he would ask for the odd things he found
-Ooooouh…yeah…this is awkward…but no… I don't have any sharpeners…- Usopp said while holding his iconic armband with his other hand, and at the same time looking away…
-Why not?- Sanji asked a little weird out
-Ammm well…you remember that some time ago, you found me…amm…well about to harm my self, …yeah?…- He asked really anxious
-Amm yeah? I remember, but what has that to do with this?- He asked, really confuse at the change of subject
Usopp just looked at Sanji like it was the most obvious thing in the world, then he remembered
-Ah, of course…dumb me…-Usopp slapped himself dumbfounded -You really shouldn't know this…-
-Well when I was a kid it was something that I used to…self-Harm with… so every time I see some, or I hold one, the flashbacks get to me…sooo yeah I don't have any…sorry Sanji…-
-But how do you draw without a pencil?- He asked genuinely confused
Usopp smirked -heh… Let me present to you…THE PENCIL FROM THE FUTURE!!!- The black boy said so excited to show off his favorite supply
Usopp got out of his bag an obvious mechanical pencil
-IN MY HAND I HAVE THIS REVOLUTIONARY INVENTION, you don't need any sharpener, and It's even better than those stupid pencil's because it has so many shades of carbon in a single one-
-That's a Mechanical penc…- Sanji tried to say but was interrupted
-AND THE BEST THING THEY COME IN DIFFERENT COLORS, SO IF YOU NEED GREEN I HAVE GREEN IF YOU NEED BLUE I GOT BLUE!-
-Isn't that amazing? This is the PENCIL OF THE FUTURE-
Sanji just looked at Usopp fond of him, he loved it how the boy even tho he was just a child when he got himself out of that addiction, he had found on his own way's of keeping doing the things he loved without suffering
Usopp was still rambling about the “pencil of the future” and Sanji got close to him and…
… Hugged him
-I'm so proud of you-
Usopp stopped for a moment, processing what just happened
-I… I of course, thank you… I …- He tried to say something that would make him look cool but nothing came to his mind
He just accepted the hug
And a little sob got through his mouth
-I…thanks for noticing…-He just smiled while he tried to contain his tears
they were like that for some time until Usopp broke the hug
-Well long nose would you like to teach me how to use the pencil of the future to make a list of supply's?- He asked knowing already the answer
-OF COURSE!! I THE CAPTAIN USOPP, WILL SHOW YOU THE SECRETS OF IT!-
-alright- Sanji said while taking the hand of the other boy to guide him to the kitchen