Chapter Text
"C'mon, Usopp... You can do this. Just walk up to her! You've done it a million times before. Easy-peasy."
It had only been half a day since Usopp could call himself a member of the Straw Hats again. It felt odd, and there was still guilt tugging him down like an anchor, but he at least knew there was no running away. He had to face his fears.
"Usopp, you're making me dizzy," Chopper sighed, watching his friend pace the infirmary. Although Usopp had just left the room after his wounds were redressed by their skillful doctor, he had returned with a new problem. "I think you're working yourself up over nothing."
"Nothing?!" Usopp exclaimed, finally freezing in place. "How am I supposed to talk to Nami?! I'm sure she's really hurt about what I did. I'm not sure she wants to even see me, let alone talk."
Chopper was organizing things on his desk, trying to get familiar with the new setup. "Nami and I hung out a lot when you were gone. She looked so... empty."
Usopp swallowed hard. He didn't like the mental image of Nami, empty.
Nami had never been empty. She was always full of something, whether it was elation or frustration or even grief. She hadn't always been pleasant, but she was never empty.
He had to speak to her.
"I'm sure she will want to talk to you," Chopper said, smiling up at Usopp. "I'm not sure how she'll be, but she's much better just knowing you're on the ship."
Usopp nodded. "Thanks, Chopper."
After a good 30 minutes rambling to Chopper, he left the reindeer alone, patting the younger on the head and throwing in a mini apology for nothing too specific before starting his next mission. Chopper simply responded with, "I know."
Usopp had to think hard about where everything was and more importantly, where Nami would even be. She could've been taking it easy or working on navigating the ship, which at this hour seemed most likely, but not ideal for a heart-to-heart. Goosebumps raced down his skin, head to toe.
Compared to other members of the crew, the two had managed to have a handful of conversations with emotional depth. After all, he had listened to Nami's sister, Nojiko, explain her rather tragic history and Usopp had willingly let Nami know his own sob story after his encounter with Daddy the Father back in Loguetown. He sprung the conversation on Nami after they set sail from the small, historical island. Usopp introduced the slew of his thoughts with his dad, then messily jumped into spilling what he knows about Nami's childhood. It wasn't like he begged to know from Nojiko, but knowing with Nami unaware ate him up. Then, he circled back to his mother, barely allowing Nami a second to think.
It was in that little room with Nami that he realized he never got to tell anyone about his mom, and it hurt. Deep down, he longed to confide this pain with someone who understood that wasn't weighed down too heavy by it, like Kaya was.
Usopp only felt worse after telling her, realizing how selfish this supposedly selfless act was turning out to be. His face burned and his crossed arms tightened into hugging arms, hoping he could fold himself inward, folding again and again and again, until he disappeared. But it wasn't working, so Usopp swiveled on his soles and started to run.
Nami grabbed his wrist and he was forced to stop, her grip firm, but not suffocating. Usopp squeezed warm, thick tears out of his eyes and down his round cheeks. His shoulders were already shaking and he raised his arm to his face, rubbing his tears and snot around to try and hide the obvious. From behind, Nami simply wrapped her arms around him and pressed her cheek to the exposed skin of his upper back.
Sunlight blinded Usopp as he stepped onto the grass of the Sunny, where he could see Robin and Zoro and now Luffy, all enjoying their separate activities. Robin, reading; Zoro, working out; Luffy, sitting on the head of the Thousand Sunny, eyes casted out to the sea. Stepping out enough to see up higher on the ship, he caught a glimpse of orange and knew Nami was indeed doing her navigator thing.
He stumbled and scurried backward, holding back a yelp. Yeah, he wasn't talking to her yet. The thought of visiting the workshop suddenly intrigued Usopp so he turned around, it being one of the only places he remembered in the tour Franky ran him through that morning.
Usopp managed to retrace his steps to the entrance of the workshop, which when he opened, he was still overwhelmed by. In the excitable explanation from Franky earlier, he had completely looked over the fact that this room was intentionally designed with Usopp in mind. Despite it being nothing like his previous little setup of a workshop, he saw tools he recognized and a vague organization of a place that felt like he'd been here before. He stood there, staring into the room, and felt tears welling in his eyes.
What was about to turn into sobbing was stifled when Usopp's eyes landed on the workbench where a sheet covered something long with three circular, protruding spots. The obscured design was unmistakable.
Each footstep was drawn out until he was close enough to touch it. He pinched the top of the sheet and lifted it, unveiling the dull shine of the blue metal he had used to construct Climatact, Nami's weapon.
Thinking back to its creation also sent a different wave of emotions through him. It was the first time Nami said the quiet part out loud, and he felt ever-more insecure because of it — they were the most normal, everyday humans on the ship. Nami knew they were physically the weakest and she was begging for a chance to fight back. Truthfully, Usopp didn't want to make Climatact. It created both more and less danger for Nami, which he didn't want to be responsible for.
Usopp traced circles into one of Climatact's orbs, feeling what he expected as a smooth surface instead scuffed and scratched from constant fights since Alabasta. Enies Lobby probably took the brunt of her more intense fighting, even if she didn't use the stick to hit things or people with. It just looked worn and in the foggy reflection, he couldn't be much more flattering about himself.
Usopp slid his hand down to the staff-like base, gripping at its neck and lifting it off the table.
While they made their way closer and closer to Alabasta, every minute counted that Usopp hid away in his corner to put his gadget skills to the test. He had created different stars for various situations to use in his slingshot, but he was never tasked to create a weapon out of nothing. All he had was Nami's skillsets — a staff and navigating — and a dream he promised to make a reality. Figuring out what he was going to make was half the problem, but he still used every waking moment until Alabasta to tailor a weapon just for her.
Usopp was usually pretty carefree when they weren't running from Marines or exploring unknown islands, but for their remainder of sailing time until they got to Vivi's homeland, Usopp was without rest, which left him in a grumpier mood than he typically found himself in. Nami began to get on the sniper's nerves, her rushing him to finish and Usopp snapping that he was trying.
The nonstop, sleepless grind was completely worth it after he got to see the sparkle in Nami's eyes. He was finally ready to present Climatact, as finished as it was going to get, holding it out to her with arms wide open. His big grin made his eyebags feel heavier as he laughed aloud at the idea anyone would doubt his abilities. He expected Nami's excitement to overwhelm her, snatching Climatact from his hands and immediately testing it, but she didn't. Nami threw herself into Usopp's open arms, squeezing the remaining energy out of him as she jumped and squealed, repeatedly thanking him.
He had wished she just started using Climatact, maybe to take it on a test-run when its creator was present, but instead she kept herself busy with her actual ship responsibilities. Climatact was a "just in case" tool that when Usopp neatly wrote out Climatact's instructions and handed it over to Nami, he wasn't expecting her to confidently rely on it. He knew her request was impossible, but felt bad when it was nearly useless, and was relieved when he received and understood dials enough to use them for a noteworthy weapon.
Usopp wasn't a man of true pride, but his ego grew as he inspected Climatact. He sometimes forgot that he made the thing, passing it from one hand to another, impressing himself by its light weight and durable body. When in the workshopping phases, he had tested it out himself, but couldn't utilizes the same way Nami did.
"What're doing in here?"
Usopp skyrocketed toward the ceiling with a scream, clutching Climatact to his chest. Once both feet settled on the ground, he whipped his head around and glared at Franky.
"Don't scare me like that!" he shrieked, forcing his muscles to loosen up.
Franky leaned to one side to get a better look at what Usopp was holding.
"Oh, did Nami ask you to take a look?"
"No," Usopp answered, defensive. "Why is it here?"
Franky walked deeper into the room and welcomed himself to Climatact, which Usopp wanted to pull back from, but instead let Franky take it. Now empty-handed, Usopp's arms twitched and folded, fingernails adding pressure to his elbow. It was uncomfortable, but he was sure whatever Franky followed up with was deserving of it.
"She dropped it off here for you to look at when you came back," Franky said, turning Climatact in his hands. It looked like it could snap with a flex of a thumb in his big hand, able to render the labor of love into nothing but a twig. "If you didn't come back, she said she'd just leave it here for me to look at and do what I wanted with. Said it'd be too painful of a reminder to use again, but I don't think she really meant all of that."
Usopp's fingernails dug deeper and he tried holding his composure. He didn't expect Nami to say something like that.
"It looked kinda rough, so I told her I could just try repairing it," Franky continued, "but you used dials on this? Even if I wanted to bring it to its former glory, I don't know anything about dials! I'd have to completely take it apart and who knows if I'd ever get it back together."
Usopp was a bit quiet and his shoulders were a bit lower. Franky sensed he was making Usopp feel worse and wasn't sure how to fix the mood.
"I'm still getting used to being the put-stuff-together guy," Franky admitted with a lighthearted chuckle. "I'm still pretty used to just taking the stuff apart."
The big man held Climatact at one end and presented it down to Usopp. The sniper reached out and took the weapon back, holding it in a ginger grasp that tightened as protectiveness swelled in his chest. Usopp had always been blinded by his shortcomings, but right now, he just felt stupid, in a way he hadn't quite felt before.
Did their "normal humans" conversation mean nothing at all to him?
Franky rubbed the back of his neck and placed his free hand on his hip. "I know I don't have much of a say in what's going on or how y'all are feeling, but after what you told me at the dock and hearing everyone here from my short time on the ship, they really miss you, man. All of them — not just Nami or Chopper or Sanji."
Usopp flushed. How fast had news gotten around about Usopp's morning?
"You should make sure to talk to all of them," Franky added. "I figure you're already working on that part, but don't forget about Luffy and Zoro. Oh, and maybe Robin."
Confronting Zoro and Robin was supposed to be scarier that their captain, which without context sounded counterintuitive, but Usopp broke into a cold sweat at the thought of being face-to-face with Luffy. They made up, and Usopp apologized, but that was an apology to everyone in a general, heat-of-the-moment way. Addressing his captain and dear friend so directly made Usopp sick.
"It's been weird, being on a ship with people essentially mourning not one, but two people they had lost," Franky said, filling Usopp's side of the conversation. "I've felt like a counselor of sorts, not a shipwright, which is not my forte whatsoever. They're all trying to be as normal as you right now."
Usopp's lip quivered. This was his chance.
"How so?"
Franky stared back at Usopp, then laughed.
"Man, you should just find out for yourself," he said, shaking his head. Usopp slumped further, hugging Climatact and glancing where it had been sitting before. "I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be dying to know in your shoes, either. But maybe I can tell you, just to even us out further."
Usopp gripped at one of the weapon's orbs, bending it as he listened with bated breath.
"I didn't see it, but I could tell they spoke about how to handle your absence. In spite of being unsure when they'd see you again, I built this workshop like I did to make sure you had room — some of your friends helped me out with ideas," Franky said. "I wanted to teach you some stuff when you came back. Which, by the way, I was sure you would. The way you talked about them would make you real stupid not to."
Usopp nodded, continuing to fidget with Climatact. He figured someone else would've asked for the inclusion, but based on Nami's thoughts on her weapon, perhaps that was foolish to assume. Usopp supposed it made sense, but Franky? That was immensely flattering and he could feel it burn his face.
"No one has been in here that I know of, but I guess it would've been a painful addition if you weren't here," Franky admitted. "More painful for myself, actually."
Franky sauntered to the window, pulling the blinds apart. "You should make yourself at home."
Usopp skimmed the walls and floor where tools were messily organized, in the way those who used them tended to haphazardly set them wherever was natural in the creative process. He was surprised to see Franky had already been building or fixing things so early. He rolled the orb he had been fidgeting with back into its natural position before grabbing a few of the tools, sliding them over to the workbench and sitting down.
Watching Usopp, a goofy grin plastered itself on Franky's face. This is what the workshop was meant to look like. Franky bounded back to the entrance, but Usopp shouted at him.
"Hey! You didn't tell me anything about the others!"
Franky's hand rested in the middle of the door, holding it ajar. He looked over his shoulder, smile still ever present.
"I know," he said. "Figured you'd listen closer if I said it was about them."
Then, Franky left, and Usopp sat with a screwdriver and Climatact.
This would be a good apology, right?
Usopp spent the next two hours working on Climatact, every little noise triggering a dramatic glance at the door, but no one interrupted him. As he tried keeping an eye on the time, he was nervous that the longer he took, the more Nami grew upset with him. Apparently, she couldn't be that upset, but this was coming from Chopper and Franky, not even people that have known her all that long in the grand scheme of things.
Did any of that matter? It's not like he's ever dealt with Nami like this before.
It had to be time, otherwise Usopp would surely chicken out.
He finally stepped out of the workshop, eyes darting around to see whoever showed themselves first. Usopp inhaled sharply and when he turned the first corner, an arm sprouted from the wall and stopped him from going any further. He managed to not scream his head off, one hand clasped over his mouth while the other darted behind his back.
Nico Robin's soft, motherly giggle followed her footsteps, the arm dissipating to keep the focus on her. "Sorry, I just wanted to make sure I caught you."
"I'm not trying to run away from you," Usopp said, rubbing his reddening nose.
She just smiled at him, not pushing him to be honest in any demanding way. "Nami's in the sleeping quarters."
Usopp blushed deeper. Robin was too good at reading people — or maybe just him.
"B-but, I don't know where the girls sleeping quarters is," Usopp yammered. He wanted to run so fast. "And I can't go in there! I know Chopper sometimes stops in, but there's no way I can—"
"I'll show you," Robin assured. Another arm appeared, this time out of Usopp's back, and pushed him closer to her. "Come on."
Robin essentially dropped him off at the door and left. With only two women on the ship, this at least assured a private place without interruption. That also meant there was no way out of this.
Usopp kept an unsteady hand behind his back, the other lingering by the door. There was no time to think and preplan and the more he thought, the more he was tempted to talk himself out of this.
Just knock.
She was just one knock away.
Usopp pulled his tightening fist back. He tilted his head down, squeezing his eyes shut and launching his fist forward.
His fist met nothing. Usopp tensed every inch of his body so much that it fuzzed his hearing like static and blotted his vision with black as he blinked his eyes. Slowly, he looked up.
Nami held the door open, looking back at Usopp with big, reminiscent eyes. He had thought of a few ways for this to go, but it all started with knocking.
Usopp's mouth was agape and twitching, searching for what to say and how to say it.
"Nami—! Oh boy, am I so glad you're here," Usopp started, hating every word leaving his lips. "I should've talked to you sooner, but it's already been a pretty eventful day, so I'm finally here!"
He pulled his hand out from behind his back, holding a shinier Climatact. Usopp began to present it to Nami, but his open arms told her a different story.
Nami collapsed into his arms, embracing him, getting as close as she possibly could. Usopp hadn't thought of this either, not able to reciprocate the hug as his arm came swinging behind her, knocking the weapon into the back of her head.
"OUCH!" Nami erupted, pushing Usopp back and frantically rubbing the back of her head. "What the hell was that for, asshole?!"
Tears pricked Usopp's eyes, approaching Nami again with outstretched arms that had a different intention. "I'm so sorry Nami! I-I didn't mean to!"
As she backed up, her foot nudged Climatact, which was dropped upon the accidental attack. The throbbing in the back of her head quieted as she looked down at it. Her mood instantly shifted, bending down to pick it up. "You... fixed it."
Usopp half smiled, rubbing his clammy, bandaged hands together. "Yeah... I saw it in the workshop after I ate. I wanted to touch it up for you."
Nami looked to Usopp, his demeanor that of a kicked puppy. She had been waiting for this moment for days and didn't think it'd happen this way. Heat rose to her face, clouding her eyes, and she balled her fists. She huffed and closed the distance between them. Usopp cringed, lowering his head to look at their feet. Nami was going to hit him.
She reeled her fist back, the other hanging low and gripping Climatact. She wanted to dent Usopp in the middle of his head so maybe he'd remember this — he even had the top of his head perfectly facing her.
Nami couldn't do it. She let her fist go, but it landed harmlessly on his head. He remained still.
"Usopp," she sighed shakily. "I don't care about Climatact."
Surprise electrocuted his nervous system, his head jutting upward. "What?!"
"Listen!" Nami's fist pushed the boy's head back down. "I didn't want you to come to me with a project. I... I just wanted to see you, Usopp."
Usopp tried to look at Nami and this time, she didn't force his head down. She wasn't looking at him, but his shoes.
"I shouldn't have let you worry, Nami," Usopp said, voice softening. "I'm really sorry. I... It was hard to hear you cry out when I left. I should've turned around."
Nami's fist slid off his head. She looked so small, like a dejected child. Usopp didn't like to see her like this, especially if it was because of him.
Especially knowing her life before the Straw Hats.
Usopp pulled the navigator closer, to finish the embrace that started this ordeal. In the few days they had been apart, citrus still strongly wafted from her hair, and he was glad none of the good things had changed between them.
Nami slipped her arms around him, pressing her face into his shoulder and doing her best to not tremble as tears threatened her dry eyes. Usopp's fingers brushed over her arm, beginning to trace shapes into the bare skin of her bicep. A hum rose in his throat without thought. It was the hum of the lullaby his mother sang while they lay in bed together, before her voice lost its silk and the doctors said he couldn't sleep beside her anymore.
"I love you, Usopp," she whispered, as if anyone would overhear them. "Please don't leave me again."
His finger froze before picking up its flow again, tracing letter after letter over her arm.
"Love you, Nami."
L-O-V-E.
The two of them chatted for a bit once emotions settled, but after a few minutes, Usopp showed himself out the door. He was thankful talking to Nami went well, but it was only the calm before the storm he was hunkering down for.
Usopp would never be in the girls sleeping quarters again, especially while when leaving, none other than Sanji walked by and yelled at the sniper for peeping.
Reconnecting with Nami reignited a friendly flame within him. He didn't want to wait another day where he had to tiptoe around the entire ship to avoid those who had started the Straw Hats.
Luffy and Zoro.
Usopp was done being a coward.
Turning a corner, he was spooked again by Robin.
"You've got to stop doing that," Usopp groaned, heart thumping in his chest.
She smiled at him. "I'm glad things went well with Nami."
Usopp hoped that was just a good guess, nodding.
"Who will you speak to next?" Robin asked.
"Not sure, but for some reason, speaking to Luffy makes me the most nervous," Usopp admitted, immediately surprised by his own honesty.
"Then you should speak to Zoro," she suggested. "I wasn't there when they all spoke about your return, but I know Zoro spearheaded some of the decisions on that."
Hearing that challenged Usopp's previous statement, but he heeded her advice.
At least finding Zoro or guessing what he was up to wasn't hard. If he wasn't training, he was napping, and Usopp had already gotten glances of him lifting weights all day. Maybe he'd have to be forced to go to Luffy first after all, which he hadn't fully hyped himself up for yet. Thinking about Luffy just made Usopp feel utterly awful while thinking about Zoro made him more curious than anything. Zoro was scary to his enemies, but was actually not that intimidating to approach within friends.
Usopp had visited all the workout hot spots and was rapidly losing confidence. Close to calling it a day, Usopp stopped in a room he wasn't sure of the purpose of and sat on the floor, sprawling out and looking at the ceiling.
"Maybe that's enough for today," he sighed.
Usopp laid in silence, but a nearby sound soon pricked his ears. Jolting to a sit, he finally learned where Zoro had been since he started his search.
Zoro was slumped against a wall with a mug of beer hanging from his fingers, snoring.
Surely the swordsman didn't want to be woken from his nap to have Usopp hastily apologize. He stood, legs wobbling, and made his way toward the door.
"Usopp."