There was a place at the back of the ship that was usually empty. Usopp decided that he would fish there. Fishing was always funnier with more people around, but tonight he wanted to spend some time in peace.

And, of course, his plan backfired horribly.

When Usopp opened the door that led outside, he saw the tall blond chef, alone and facing the sea. Sanji was deep in thoughts. He was resting against the railing and smoking a cigarette dismissively. When he heard the door, he turned around with a jolt. His hand was ready to take the cigarette out of his mouth, but he stopped himself when he saw that the threatening sound was Usopp and not Chopper as he expected. He relaxed and turned his attention back to the distance. On his part, Usopp stopped dead in his tracks.

"I thought you weren't supposed to smoke?"

Sanji gave him the finger.

"Okay, fair enough... I suppose."

Neither of them moved for a while. Usopp closed the door awkwardly and slowly walked to the railing. Sanji kept on smoking, not bothered by his presence at all. Although after a moment, the cook turned his head toward him with the clear intention to start a conversation. Usopp made an alien sound that could be interpreted as a sign that he was listening.

"Nieh?"

"Whatta you doin' here?" Sanji's voice was better than before, but he still sounded like a dying frog.

"I... I came here to fish but I can go somewhere else if you want?"

Sanji said nothing more and blew out some smoke in the wind. Usopp hesitated. What sounded like an invitation to talk now felt like Sanji's cold wrath. He felt a shiver run down his spine. Sanji's words pricked at his skin. There was no indication whether Sanji was welcoming his presence or not. Usopp's resolve to end this situation only grew more. They couldn't stay like this forever. One day, they would have to talk. Sanji obviously knew about Usopp's contribution in his current situation. It was not like he could have hurt himself accidentally, he knew his recipes by heart. He was an expert. But then, he must have made the link between Usopp asking about the spices the day before, and his current situation.

Usopp looked over awkwardly at Sanji, before deciding to sit cross-legged on the wood and to prepare his fishing rod. It was keeping his hands busy. He managed to put the bait on the hook –his nervousness made his hands really sweaty- and threw his line in the sea. Then, he waited.

Sanji finished his cigarette early and threw the butt away with a snap. Usopp watched it fall in the sea and briefly wondered what kind of harm it would do the fishes.

Time passed, and the cook was not leaving. Usopp could feel his presence on his side. He frowned, waiting for a fish to bite, but the sea was quieter than their conversation. Why was the cook staying? Was he waiting for something? Usopp had enough waiting with no answer in sight. He reeled up the line and excused himself. Running away had always done him good.

"Well, it's not biting so I'll… come back later."

He got up, grabbed the rest of his stuff hastily and prepared to leave. Fishing was a stupid idea in the first place. Thought before he got away, he was stopped by the cook.

"Don't."

Sanji spoke low, with a deep and irregular voice. Usopp obeyed immediately.

"What do you want me to do?" Usopp's voice quivered. It was weird than Sanji's voice was steadier than his.

"Guess."

"Guess? I don't know I… I can't!"

He started trampling and Sanji's hand unconsciously wandered to his cigarettes, before the blond chef caught himself in the act and stopped his hand. He remembered Chopper's recommendations and he did not want to make this situation linger.

"I can't make it up to you, I know I messed up bad!" Usopp said. "I know you'll get your voice back, but still! Who knows what kind of shitty damage I could have done with my stupid idea?"

His words were burning but his body managed to douse him with a creeping cold dread. Curse his dumb stress. This time, he couldn't run away or let the conversation die. It was now, the moment he had been preparing for: a decent goddamn excuse. His trampling got wider and his voice louder, but there was no one around to judge him. Except for the cook, but Sanji was keeping his mouth shut. He was eyeing Usopp with a softer look now, but the other man couldn't see that. Usopp was actively trying to avoid looking in Sanji's direction.

You weren't even okay with me taking your spices, and yet I did. What can I do to make you feel better? Should I massage your shoulders? Do I... Do I have to build you something to help in the kitchen? I don't know. Please tell me anything! Sanji I'm…"

He lost his voice for a moment and stopped walking. He was looking at his feet.

"I'm so sorry… You shouldn't be in this situation. It's my fault if the Tabasco Ball fell in your pot. I should have been more careful with a deadly weapon around Luffy."

"So… That's your apology?" Sanji asked.

Usopp dared to raise his head. The cook was eyeing him on the side, eyes plissés and a mysterious smirk on his lips.

"Of course! And I'm dead serious!" Usopp squealed. "Although I'd prefer not to be dead at all. I'm really sorry Sanji, about stealing your spices, burning your throat... I didn't want anything bad happening to you but it still did."

A small smile flashed on Sanji's lips and was gone in a blind. Usopp stood still, wondering if he had dreamed about it. The cook turned his back to him and took a deep breath. It felt like he wanted to say something, but changed his mind and stayed silent. Sanji sighed and fished a cigarette out of his pocket. Usopp, with his fishing rod and his still-wriggling bait on the hook, was left wondering.

The day passed and Sanji seemed to be in a better mood. Everything seemed to be back to normal. The marines that had the audacity to chuckle at the sound of his voice were now swimming with the fish.

This evening, Robin found Sanji preparing the diner joyfully. He was setting the table when she entered and immediately covered her with hearts.

"Robin-chwaaan! My love! What are you doing here so early? Dinner is not ready yet!"

There was only a small tremble in his voice now. Nothing he couldn't handle. Robin did her best to ignore his overflowing love and stood proud next under the hatch that led outside. She looked up a second before speaking up.

"How long are you planning to keep playing with him?"

"My sweet, sweet Robin, I'll do whatever you tell me to. Should I stop?"

A malicious grin was spreading across his face. His expression managed to make Robin chuckle to herself. Their chef was sly as a fox when he wanted to. Still, she was glad to know they were on the same page.

"It is your decision, but in my mind, it would be better not to let the situation linger."

Robin was glad that Sanji was seeing this on the bright side, but he had to understand the seriousness of the situation. Usopp was really bothered by the whole affair. Robin sat on the stool calmly, waiting for an answer. Sanji wandered pensively, his mind divided between his cooking and his obligation to answer the lovely archaeologist.

"He is taking this way too seriously. It was an accident."

Robin looked up again. She usually liked it when she could talk to the cook without him making too much fuss, but this time she was really trying to get a point across. Her expression hardened and her next words came out sharper.

"Since you knew he was going to steal those spices, you could have locked the cabinet or move them somewhere else. You didn't. So now tell me, how long are you planning to keep him in the dark? He is waiting for you to move, now."

Sanji gave her her coffee and shrugged. He had a drink himself and took a sip out of it.

"The boy needs to learn his lesson. He's still growing up."

"Certainly, there are better ways to teach him."

The cook shrugged. He put his cup down on the table and went back to work.

"Well, we all have our ways. Someone needs to be the bad guy, I guess this time it has to be me. But don't be worried Robin-chwan, I'm not always like this! 3"

That got a chuckle out of her. The tension lifted and she finally acknowledged the coffee he gave her.

"He still feels bad about what happened."

"Yeah, he said sorry," the cook informed her.

"And?"

Robin's opinion was that, as a grown-up man, Sanji should have been the one making the first move, but it was selfish of her to ask the cook to forgive Usopp in a heartbeat. Humans needed time process their feelings. She would forgive Sanji for not making the first move, as he would surely forgive Usopp for his slip up.

The conversation ended without a fuss. The smoke of Sanji's cooking raised to the roof and escaped through the half-opened hatch where Usopp was laying, hidden from view. The last thing he had thought to interrupt, when he had gotten up to water his plants, was a conversation between Robin and Sanji. Robin knew when he watered his plants, right? Why hadn't she waited for a better time to talk to Sanji? Curious as he was, he hadn't been able to keep himself from eavesdropping. He had no intention to spy on them, but their conversation had started so suddenly that he didn't have time to wonder if what he was doing was good or bad. He heard a sigh and someone turned heels –Sanji-. He was anxiously waiting for Sanji's answer, but it seemed like he was not going to have it. Sanji must have given Robin a shrug, a nod or any kind of silent answer.

Usopp sighed. He leaned back, hands rubbing his leg in a calm movement. So… Did Sanji do all of this purposely? Weird. Whatever. If he didn't want to talk to him again, what was the point? Usopp got up, put his gardening tools back and went away. He just missed Sanji's answer.

However, when he showed up to lunch, he found that his plate was slightly bigger than the others, with everything he liked on it, and no mushroom in sight. Usopp looked at Sanji with surprise.

"Sanji?"

The chef smiled and played pretend. He served a plate to one of their nakamas before taking an innocent look.

"What? You should eat right now or your plate's gonna get cold. Next time, if you have something to say, speak up."

They had found their voices back.