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camels-pen · 6 months ago

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playing pretend

sanusoweek Day 3 - Childhood Friends

Summary: Usopp runs away and finds a new friend and home. Merry is more than a little concerned about it.

Ao3 Link | sanuso week series | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 5 | Day 6

“C’mon, c’mon! Hurry up, Usopp!”

“I’m coming as fast as I can!” Usopp bent over, panting. “I’m taller than you, how come you’re so much faster?”

Sanji laughed. “I’m not that fast; lots of kids are faster than me.”

“Yeah, well,”—Usopp puffed out his chest—“I was the fastest on my island. I won every race, even against the adults! So that makes you the super fastest.”

“Super fastest isn’t even a real word.”

“It is at my house!”

“Well, you’re not at your house right now.” Sanji grinned. “And I say it’s not a word.”

“Sanji!”

“It isn’t! We can check the dictionary!”

Usopp puffed up his cheeks. “You probably have a cook’s dictionary. There won’t be any regular words in there.”

“A dictionary’s a dictionary!” Sanji laughed. “Now c’mon, we gotta get ready for bed before the geezer catches us.”

Usopp jumped and took off past Sanji. “I don’t wanna be breakfast!” he shrieked.

As the boys disappeared down the hallway, their loud chattering echoing off the walls, Zeff huffed. He pulled back from where he was peeking around the corner and turned to the butler. “See? Doing just fine, like I told you.”

The butler raised an eyebrow.

Zeff rolled his eyes, leaning back against the wall. “Just a little fib; Parsnip would stay up all night if I let him.” The butler thinned his lips. “Relax, the Eggplant—Sanji figured it out pretty quick.”

“Yes, well, Mr. Red Leg, I appreciate the… hospitality you’ve shown him,” the butler said, “But on my good name, I have promised my young mistress to bring back her friend soon as I am able.”

“Right. Jolly, was it?”

He frowned. “Merry, Mr. Red Leg.”

He nodded. “Merry. First off, cut the ‘Mister’ shit; the Eggplant’s the only one allowed to call me decrepit. And the Parsnip, if he ever gets ‘round to it. Second,”—he glared, leaning in close until their noses were practically touching—“I ain’t stupid. I know that boy’s got no one looking after him. If he wants to stay here, he’ll stay here. That clear?”

Merry harrumphed, glaring right back. “While no one has yet stepped up as his primary guardian, the villagers, including myself, still check in and care for him. As for your second point, I still have yet to determine if you’re capable of caring for a child in this… rough and tumble establishment.”

“Ha!” Zeff threw his head back to laugh. “Just call it a filthy pirate’s restaurant like you want. I don’t give a shit.” He smirked. “But if I prove I won’t kill the kid, you’ll fuck off? Awfully, generous of you.”

“That is not what I said—”

Zeff slapped Merry on the back, sending him stumbling. “Great, how ‘bout I make something quick, pop a cork, and tell you some stories?”

—

Usopp appeared at the worst possible time.

It was lunch rush on a weekend, more than a few of their most annoying customers decided to show up on the same day, and the Eggplant was having one of his hissy fits about being treated like the little kid that he was.

It was during one of said hissy fits, while he was waving his arms about yelling at Zeff, that he smacked his hand into Usopp’s face.

Sanji jumped, turning and stumbling back towards Zeff before coming to some kind of realization and straightening up. “Who’re you?! You wanna fight or something?!” Zeff sighed. This kid and his tough guy phase. Hopefully, he’d grow out of it soon.

Zeff flicked the back of his head. “Mind your fucking manners.”

Sanji whirled on him. “Shut up! I don’t have to listen to you!” Slowly, he turned back around. “Sorry. Are you okay?”

Usopp, who’d been watching with a fish-in-a-net look in his eyes, stayed silent.

“Hey kid, your ears working?” Zeff leaned down, the length of his hat and upper body casting Usopp in near total shadow. “Say something.”

Usopp burst into tears.

—

“I don’t see how this helps your case.”

“Shut up, I’m setting the stage.”

—

“—and there was this goldfish and it was huge!” Usopp stretched his arms out wide over the table, knocking into his juice. Zeff caught it before it spilled. “It was thiiiiiis big and it was made of real gold!”

“Woah,” Sanji leaned over the table, his shirt falling into his half-eaten plate of carbonara, staining his uniform orange. “Did you catch it? Did you eat it? What does a goldfish made of gold taste like?!”

Usopp grinned wide, “Before I could catch it, I had to sing it a lullaby!”

“A lullaby?”

He nodded. “Yeah, it was too big for a fishing pole, so—”

“Don’t stay up too late,” Zeff interrupted as he walked through the doorway. “Or I’ll serve you up for breakfast.”

—

“You can’t just jump to weeks later—”

“Not weeks. Next day. And I’ve got one more.”

—

“A-Are you sure this is okay?” Usopp asked, head swivelling around with his hands twisted in the hem of Sanji’s shirt. “I mean what if your dad finds us—?”

Sanji frowned. “I keep telling you he’s not my dad. He’s…” He hummed, putting a hand on his chin. With a nod, he said, “He’s Zeff.”

“Okay, if Zeff finds us then won’t we get in trouble?” Usopp shivered. “I don’t want him to cover the sun again.”

“What? That’s dumb, he can’t—oh,” Sanji turned and pulled one of Usopp’s hands between his own. “It’s okay, Usopp, he looks scary, but that old geezer’s a softie.” He made a noise of surprise and rubbed Usopp’s hand roughly. “Woah, your hands are really cold! Did you stick ‘em in the freezer or something?”

“They’re not cold, yours are just too hot!” He pulled his hands away. “Look, see? There’s steam, that’s how hot your hands are!”

“There isn’t any steam.”

“Is too!”

“Is not.” Sanji pouted. “Whatever, let’s get going so you can show me your weird game.”

“It’s not weird, it’s dressup.” Usopp puffed out his chest and marched ahead of Sanji, worries forgotten. “I used to do it with my mom all the time, so I’m great at it. Just follow my mead.”

“You mean ‘follow my lead’.”

“That’s what I said.”

The two shuffled their way to Zeff’s room, side-by-side with their backs against the wall, at Usopp’s insistence. The heavy wooden door creaked as Sanji opened it just enough for him and Usopp to slip in.

Usopp started poking around the room while Sanji watched. “You still didn’t tell me what dressup is—”

“I’ll tell you, but you gotta help me find reeeeaaally big clothes first.”

Sanji rolled his eyes. “The big door on the wall.”

Usopp pulled open the closet door. He was met with a wall of clean and nicely pressed uniforms. “Ugh, not this boring stuff—where are his fun clothes?”

Sanji hummed. He walked over to the chest at the end of Zeff’s bed and kicked at the lock until it popped open. Inside there were weathered pirate clothes and an extra chef’s hat.

“Woah, these are perfect!” Usopp pushed past Sanji to dig around the chest. He pulled out a tattered off-white coat and a dusty green sash, fumbling to put them on. The coat was so big on him he was practically swimming in the fabric.

“They won’t fit,” Sanji said. He giggled quietly as Usopp kept trying and failing to tie the sash around his waist.

“They’re not—” Usopp made a noise of frustration as he failed again. “They’re not supposed to fit, that’s the fun part! You put on a bunch of way too big clothes and make up a story about who you are.” He yanked the chef’s hat from the pile and held it out. “Here, you try.”

Sanji took the hat in both hands, his grip gentle. His head was bowed as he stared at it. Tentatively, he tugged it on, his head swaying back and forth as he tried to keep it upright.

When he finally had it, and noticed Usopp’s expectant stare, he stuttered out a quick. “I-I don’t know. I’m the sous chef, I guess.”

“What’s a Sue chef? Is that what Zeff does?”

“No, he’s the head chef and owner.”

“Then you should be that!” Usopp grinned. “Being the big boss is way cooler.”

Sanji sputtered, a blush coming to his face. “I can’t just be the head chef, I’m not good enough yet!”

Usopp tilted his head. “Who cares if you’re good enough? It’s just pretend. I mean look at me.” He waved his arms, the long sleeves flapping in the air. “My boat broke and I washed up at the Baratie a couple days after I started my journey.”

Sanji nodded. “Yeah, that was pretty sad.”

“Shut up, what do you know!”

“You said so yourself!”

Usopp puffed up his cheeks.

Sanji huffed. “Why’d you start talking about your bad pirating skills in the first place?”

“Oh right.” Usopp grinned. “Playing dressup means you can be whatever you want to be and do whatever you want to do.”

He pointed at Sanji, the sleeve dangling down over his hand.

“So, Sanji, what do you want to be?”

Sanji stiffened. “I-I don’t—”

“C’mon Sanji, I’ll even keep it a secret if you want!”

Sanji pulled the hat down over his eyes, his blush returning. “Promise?”

Usopp nodded vigorously. “Promise!”

Sanji took a deep breath.

Zeff quietly closed the door.

—

Merry’s eyes softened. “That does sound rather adorable. However,”—he pushed himself up from the table—“getting along with your charge doesn’t mean this environment is suitable for him. You’re welcome to bring Sanji to the Gecko Islands for a visit, but Usopp will be coming back with me—”

“Mr. Zeff!” Usopp yelled as he ran down the staircase, Sanji close behind. They both stopped by Zeff’s side of the table. “I finished first so I get to pick the story today!”

“He cheated!” Sanji said. “He—”

Usopp slapped his hands over Sanji’s mouth. “Nuh-uh! Sanji’s just a poor loser!”

“I think you mean sore loser.”

“That’s what I—” Usopp jolted, rushing to hide behind Sanji. “Mr. Merry, w-what are you doing here?” Sanji looked between Usopp and Merry and balled his fists, glaring at Merry.

“Sorry to drag you away when you got all ready for bed, but I’m here to take you home.”

“He is home,” Sanji said. “So why don’t you beat it before I make you.”

“Eggplant, cool it.” Sanji continued to glare. Zeff picked him up by the back of his sleep shirt.

“Put me down you—!” His words got quieter as Zeff took him through the kitchen doors. He reappeared a moment later, leaning against the doors. Sanji’s muffled shouts and banging could be heard through the wood.

Merry knelt down and Usopp’s shoulders hunched up. “Usopp, Miss Kaya has been deeply worried about you.”

Usopp looked away.

“The other villagers and myself have also been concerned when we stopped hearing from you.”

His shoulders started to shake.

“Your friend can visit, of course, but you have your own home—”

Usopp burst into tears. “Mr. Merry, I don’t wanna go!”

Merry was taken aback. He’d expected some complaining and grumbling, but not this.

“Mr. Zeff and Sanji and the other cooks are really nice and fun and they’re around all the time and I’m never lonely and I don’t want Kaya to worry, but I wanna stay here forever and ever!”

“I—”

“Please please please, Mr. Merry, don’t make me leave,” he blubbered. “I don’t wanna go back to my house, it’s empty and scary and it has a whole bunch of mama’s stuff, but not mama and—”

“If you’re close by, at your house, then we can come visit you,” Merry said, his voice softer. Fatigue and self doubt warred in his mind, but still he persisted. “What if you get hurt? Or eat something you’re not supposed to?”

Usopp shook his head violently. “I won’t! Mr. Zeff and Sanji are really strong and they know a lot about food—they know the good mushrooms from the ones that make you sick.”

“And seeing Miss Kaya?”

He paused a moment and then quietly said, “I’ll make another boat and come visit her. It’ll be bigger than last time, and sturdier too.”

“It would be safer to only have to traverse a few grassy hills rather than a few hundred miles of open sea.” Usopp’s lip started to wobble. Merry squeezed his shoulder. “I know you like it here, but Usopp you would be better off…” at home, Merry wanted to say. He couldn’t muster the words.

Usopp got various scrapes, bruises, and nasty cuts quite frequently after his mother died, traipsing around the forest and the shore. He had gotten sick from toxic food he had foraged for himself. He left on a shabby raft in the middle of the day, for god’s sake!

And the only reason Merry had even come, had even known he had left, was Miss Kaya’s worry for her friend and a retired fisherman that happened to spot the boy as he was leaving. The fisherman hadn’t said a thing. He thought Usopp was playing some sort of game.

Merry looked Usopp up and down. Took in the clean pajamas and unblemished dark skin. Touched his cheek and rubbed his thumb across it. It had been so long since he saw them looking so round and full.

He would be better off…

Merry sighed, pulling a paper from his coat. Usopp made a questioning noise.

“Whenever you want to visit, just call. I’ll come pick you up.”

Usopp positively lit up, a grin growing wide on his face. He jumped forward pulling Merry into a hug. “I promise to call soon—oh! And maybe Kaya can visit here sometimes too! She’d love all the nice food and I can show her around.” He puffed out his chest. “I’m an expert about this place by now.”

“Yeah right, you don’t even know about the battle fins!” Sanji said, running up and grabbing Usopp’s hand. Zeff was slowly following behind him.

“This ship can fight?!” Usopp exclaimed as Sanji led him away.

Merry watched on, a smile on his face. He heard the thud of wood on wood stop next to him. “You knew I would let him stay?”

“I knew you were a decent man.”

Merry laughed. “And so are you, Zeff.”

#one piece #usopp #sanji #sanuso #sanusoweek #nemo the writing ho #kid usopp #kid sanji #zeff #merry the butler

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anonymousewrites · 11 months ago

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One Hell of a Love Christmas Special 2023

Sebastian Michaelis x Demon! Reader

Mouse Note: Happy Holidays! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

“The Church stole the Winter Solstice from witches,” said (Y/N) as they helped Sebastian hang up another wreath.

They had been conscripted by Ciel (who had been forced by Elizabeth) to decorate the manor for Christmas. And because they couldn’t trust the other servants to not destroy all of the decorations or set fire to them (Baldroy in particular was a risk), they were doing all the work.

“Humans are so strange with their traditions. They trade them without reason for new rituals,” said Sebastian. Holidays were strange to demons since they felt like they made so sense. Why mark time with silly days that are declared to be more important than others?

“Very true,” said (Y/N). “And then they get upset at each other for not having the same rituals. Honestly, humans never fail to be odd.”

“If you have that perspective as well, then they truly have no hope,” remarked Sebastian with a smirk.

“You know how humans are,” said (Y/N), throwing another garland around a banister.

“Very attached to their way of doing things,” said Sebastian.

“And yet in a hundred years, it will all change once more,” said (Y/N). “Their lives are so transient; you’d think that they’d slow down and simply enjoy what they have.”

“As you said, they’re ��odd,’ ” said Sebastian.

(Y/N) sighed. “And yet we still have to do all of this decorating and such.”

“We have our orders,” said Sebastian.

“Or I could just ignore them and let you do it all,” said (Y/N). They looked at Sebastian. “I’m not held by anything.”

“And yet you’re here for a reason,” said Sebastian, smirking at them.

They rolled their eyes fondly and kissed him on the cheek. “Yes, yes.”

“I’m simply reminding you, darling,” said Sebastian.

“I can still tell when you’re teasing me if you try to use other words,” said (Y/N)/

Sebastian just smirked.

“Oh, it looks so beautiful!” said Elizabeth, eyes shining as she gazed at the giant Christmas Tree in the room. “Sebastian, (Y/N), you did so well!”

“Thank you, my Lady,” said (Y/N), curtseying.

“We are merely doing our duty,” said Sebastian, smiling with closed eyes.

“You did acceptable work,” said Ciel, nodding.

Sebastian’s smile turned tense as his work was belittled (as usual). “Yes, my Lord.”

“Ciel, Ciel, come on! I’ve got presents!” said Elizabeth, grabbing him and dragging him away. “Look!” She sat him down in front of a giant pile of gifts. “Open them!”

“We should probably leave them to it,” said (Y/N).

“You mean you’d like to leave and not work,” said Sebastian in amusement.

“It is a holiday. There’s no reason we shouldn’t enjoy ourselves,” said (Y/N), shrugging and turning around.

“You make a fair point,” said Sebastian, following them (He just wanted to have a moment alone. The holiday could be damned).

“Of course I do,” said (Y/N), stepping outside. They didn’t mind the cold of the wind and the snow. It was pretty, and no one would disturb them.

“How long do you think you’re going to stay here?” asked (Y/N) suddenly, glancing at Sebastian.

“Until my contract is finished. You know that,” said Sebastian.

“I do,” said (Y/N). They looked at him. “I just want to ensure I’m still welcome. Until the end.”

“You are more welcome than ever,” said Sebastian, taking their hand and kissing the back. “You are mine.”

“As much as you are mine,” said (Y/N).

“And once this contract is finished, we shall spend quite some time together, just the two of us, no contracts or duties to come between us,” he continued, pulling (Y/N) closer.

“Oh? Are you being honest or are you just trying to make me cheerier on such a holiday?” said (Y/N), raising an eyebrow with a grin.

“I do not lie,” said Sebastian. He leaned in, and his lips brushed theirs. “And of course I desire more time to dedicate to you.”

“I suppose we just have to steal what we can,” purred (Y/N), leaning in farther.

Sebastian smirked and kissed them. Around the pair in black, white snow fell, and even on such a holiday like Christmas, the demons were the most content beings in the whole world.

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