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He wouldn’t shut up about it.
Of course, Usopp was in the habit of never shutting up about anything. Normally this was a source for most of Luffy’s fun. Since the moment Luffy met Usopp, he’d thought his loud absurd lies were the funniest things he’d ever heard. He could listen to Usopp talk about just anything, and be laughing most of the time.
Today though, he’s not so amused. The sound of chatter is loud on the deck of the Sunny, full of everyone’s voices except his, which is highly unusual. They’d just stopped off on an island, where you’d decided to head off with Usopp to hunt around town for tinkering supplies and probably to eat. Luffy’d thought about inviting you to walk around with him while Nami, Franky, and Sanji actually worried about making sure the ship had plenty of food and munitions, but you were gone before he could ask.
He'd started off the day a little grumpy, because of that. You always made visiting these small little island communities entertaining, quick to see fun things that he would have looked over. Even if it was just a shiny rock in a puddle somewhere! He wouldn’t see something like that if you weren’t around, so what was he supposed to do with himself all day?
He started off by lingering around Zoro for a bit, before they parted ways outside some half broken-down tavern. Zoro stayed so he could drink every patron there under the table, while Luffy headed outside of town.
He wandered around for a while, singing to himself, sometimes whistling, and spent all afternoon bug chasing until he caught the biggest shiniest beetle and kept it tight in his hand. He’d been gone for hours and hours—all the shopping was probably already done (though he wasn’t really thinking about it like that)—and just knew the crew was probably waiting for him. And by the time he arrived back at the ship, he was right.
All the Strawhat’s had reunited only a few moments before, but none of them were paying attention to him as he arrived. He could hear Usopp talking from halfway down the pier, and picked up speed, practically flinging himself aboard. He was eager to share what he’d been up to, and hear what everyone else was too, but first he wanted to show off his prize.
But Usopp was already telling his story. He had a boot up on a barrel, and was flexing his arms, proclaiming—as usual—that he was the bravest man on the seas and had finally proved it. No one would believe what kind of day he and you had had, he declared, nor how he’d been the one to save it. It was an amazing adventure, completely unbelievable, and, of course, he wanted to share.
Everyone rolls their eyes, each doubtful. If what Usopp said was always true, the sun would fall out of the sky because he wasn’t there to hold it up in the morning.
They all blow him off… until you speak up.
“No, no, you wouldn’t believe it! Usopp was incredible.” And you sound all in awe, while Usopp nods along, “There was this guy in the market selling the weirdest widget and—”
Everyone turns to you, including Luffy, to hear what kind of real tall tale you could possibly be telling, but his smile falls as you continue. Sure, it sounded like long-nose had been brave, setting them off on a chain of events which had them running around on an adventure that ends up with Usopp actually defeating some brown-noser and saving the town.
The story instantly doesn’t matter to him.
That tone, is supposed to be saved. It’s how you talk about him around the decks or to the people you meet as the Sunny sails the Grand Line. With stars in your eyes, and that mixture of awe and gratitude that would make anyone well proud. Usopp certainly does look it, he hardly ever has a reason to be so genuinely prideful, and he’ll milk it for this moment and a million more.
The “captain” slumps, not even bothering to listen to the one-time Usopp has actually managed to do something incredible. Normally, you’d be quick to find Luffy if it appeared like he’d entered one of his moods. This time, he wanders off, but you don’t follow.
Of course not, he thinks, you’re too busy with your new favorite.
You and Usopp do get along, you both like fixing things and testing out new contraptions. There’s a sibling sort of rivalry between the two of you, as you were always trying to outdo him and he you. Or, at least Luffy thought it was a sibling-like rivalry. But using that voice on Usopp, and looking so happy to be by his side…
He was totally stuck on the stomach retching sick feeling that came with seeing you there, and instead of next to him.
Even if he was usually a happy-go-lucky kind of guy, there were times where Luffy could be caught with a frown and a sort of depressed fog that had him slumping over his favorite seat and staring at the sky for hours on end. Usually, you’d be quick to notice and drag him back into the sunshine. But see, that was the problem.
You were still with Usopp.
While he mopes, the happy, proud, chatter continues. Eventually, they’ve hit the water again and the sun is setting, and Brook playing violin across the deck is a soft pleasant sound, that follows the rhythm of the boat as it sails off into the empty, vast ocean.
He shouldn’t be so surprised when you finally come by to check on him, but he is.
“Hey, Loof.” And you sound so chipper. He looks up, lethargic, and so pathetically upset. He’s a dramatic man in a dramatic mood, especially with the way he sluggishly moves, like his limbs weigh a million pounds.
“Hey.” He says, though he’s looking high above your head instead of at you.
“Luffy, what’s wrong?”
He puffs out a cheek. “Nothing…”
You don’t believe him, having already suspected why he’d wandered off. His attempt at being blasé only confirms it.
Creeping up a little closer and right next to his ear, your cutting right to the obvious accusation. “Are you jealous?”
He snaps, “No!” But even the tips of his ears go pink. How did you know that so quickly???
“You are!”
He slides off the lion head and waves his hand over his head. Stomping off, that doesn’t stop you from following after, laughing again in a way that only makes him blush harder. “Nah-ah. I am not. Nope. Not at all. Couldn’t be me.” He raddled off, trying and failing to seem nonchalant.
You dart forward, sticking your head over his shoulder and landing a quick peck on his cheek. He freezes as your breath ghosts across his ear.
“Luffy, don’t be mad at me.” You bid, “Usopp and I had fun today, but that doesn’t have to be the only fun. We can spend some time together, just you and me.”
He bristles at first, but pauses when your voice tilts. Now that voice, the one that’s a little darker. That’s the one that’s actually, just for him. The kind of tone that makes his heart beat skyrocket. The one that reminds him that he’s picked you, and you’ve picked him.
“Dinner’s not quite ready,” you add, just as teasing, “and I just saw Franky leave the crow’s nest…”
He blinks once, then all that tension he’d been holding onto melts away. Of course, you’re not replacing him. How could someone even replace him?
And he’s not giving you a second chance to change your mind!!!
“Meet you there!” He zooms off before you can finish the sentence.
Your laughter is left in the dust as he heads to the ‘meet up zone’ before you can say a word more. You’ll follow after in a few minutes. Mostly to stick your head around and make sure that you guys will actually be alone up there. Luffy never really cares about what other people do or do not see about your relationship, but you do, and you plan on making up for making him sad--without interruption.
You sigh, and smile to yourself. Sometimes he’s a handful, but you’re happy he’s your handful.