[identity profile] printfogey.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] onepieceyaoi100
Title: Too Kind
Word Count: 294
Prompt: Restrained Sanji
Rating: G, worksafe
Pairing: Sanji/Usopp or Sanji->Usopp; possibly not romantically.
Spoilers/setting: Post-Thriller Bark, pre-Shabondy
Flavour: Serious, moderately angsty
Summary: Big-brotherliness isn’t always the best way to do things.




Sometimes Usopp will run out of words as he’s sitting in Sunny’s galley, doing chores or just hanging out. There’ll be a trickle of words and then silence and when Sanji glances behind him there’s an empty look or uselessly moving fingers or a hunched posture that makes Sanji’s stomach turns cold or his throat lumpy. And he may wonder again what exactly ‘already negative’ means, anyway.

Then Sanji turns back to his work and it happens that there’s something restless moving inside him, something angry and fearful, rising like a wave, pushing at him to go over to his crewmate, grab him and say the right words, the needed words. To haul him back in from threatening waves, to hold him close and make the hurt go away forever.

But he knows. I can’t reach him this way. An evasive look in Usopp’s eyes at times, meeting him: fear but also annoyance, disapproval. He’ll think it’s just concern. Sanji has let the mask slip too many times, he fears, letting protectiveness through but not, perhaps, enough of his own need. Making it seem like it’s only about the stronger crewmate worried about the weaker.

I don’t want to stand in the way of you getting stronger. He lights his cigarette with forced calm and stays put, saying nothing; knowing he can’t cross this line unless he’s invited across it. And that might not happen.

He knows this, but that doesn’t make it easier: there’s an urge in him that doesn’t care about respect and nurturing inner strength, that just wants to rescue and protect. A dangerous wave, one that looks like kindness but could, perhaps, lead to destruction.

He watches himself and doesn’t take those few steps. And soon enough, the moment passes.

Date: 2008-11-26 08:31 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dark-kaomi.livejournal.com
I must memory this. This brings up a whole other level to Usopp's character, a darker, more dangerous level. And shows how much of a bleeding heart Sanji really is. Hopefully he can keep Usopp on the precipice or even away from it so he doesn't throw himself in. Come on Usopp, save yourself.

Date: 2008-11-26 05:20 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dark-kaomi.livejournal.com
Honestly, I would love to see this fleshed out into a full length fic. Usopp has so many mental problems it'd be fun to see how everyone else deals with it and what it does to him.

Personally, I think it's the later because he never seems to stay negative for long. He's usually pretty happy unless something scary or terrible happens.

Date: 2008-11-27 06:01 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dark-kaomi.livejournal.com
You should do it anyway. It might not be the greatest but it will probably be better than you think. Besides, wangsty's nice every now and then. Counteracts the sugar sweetness some authors like to post.

Very true. His emotions are some of the best parts about him. He's one of those characters that doesn't contribute as much to fighting as he does to day to day life.
(deleted comment)

Date: 2008-11-26 01:15 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tonko.livejournal.com
Awww, augh, melancholy, and noooo, Sanji, make it better! But he's not wrong about how it'd be seen, and he can't give in just to make himself feel better.

Date: 2008-11-26 02:24 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] horusguard76.livejournal.com
Beautiful! I haven't read your works for some time now thus I can appreciate this with a fresh mind - this is so beautifully insightful.

And quite a unique (and in my personal opinion very successful) approach to this week's theme! Marvelous. :)

Date: 2008-11-26 05:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] horusguard76.livejournal.com
You're very welcome.

Ha! See, it is often those 'spontaneous' stories which turn out great. ;)

Date: 2008-11-27 11:00 am (UTC)
From: [personal profile] dethorats
Ooh, I really like how Usopp's pride as a man is acknowledged in this and how Sanji knows better than to tread that line despite how much it hurts. There's a nice depth to this and I really liked how you interpretted the topic.

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