@kantogod left you an ask!
A string of curses had unraveled from his tongue, unfurling as the creature his best friend advanced towards what was Reds intended target, however before Usopp could even properly think, his body got inbetween them. Red’s crimson hues shimmered with hot anger along with it's seemingly dark, cold eyes. Clearly he had long lost control and in the moment Usopps words fell on deaf ears as he did everything he could to try and reason with him. Every step he took rattled Usopps bones and struck his heart. He tried to dodge as his friend lunged forth, but his hands had struck his side, causing Usopp to stumble into the dirt. He could hear nothing, all was silenced, the yells of the audience, the inhuman look and sounds coming from someone he’d known since they were young, all of it was inaudible. All he could do is feel. Feel the cold ground pressed against his form, the heat from the pain, and the rhythm of the drum that would signal what he thought was his end.
The flesh had split open, mild crimson liquid pops from the barrier and seeps away from the wound. Thick beads crawling as it travels etching red streaks along his mangled neck, lips and obviously broken nose were caked in blood. Blood that had once flowed thick and scarlet in his veins now flowed like a lazy river, gushing out of the exposed wounds. There laid an expressionless male who was sobbing and apologizing hysterically who rested on a pool of mild cerise substance, which stunned Usopp. Everything happened so quickly, even though he saw and felt what happened, it hadn’t fully processed in his brain exactly why Red was crying or why he was laying on the ground bleeding profusely.
Usopp pressed his palms against the mangled flesh, he once heard you were supposed to stop bleeding by putting pressure on wounds. But, oh, there was so much blood — dark crimson, with a discreet, metallic scent. It cascaded across the his skin, right through the his finger tips. He looked upward into the sky. He closed his eyes as he felt a searing pain.
The hospital room is as devoid of beauty as he was of hope. The last thing he remembered was a clear beautiful blue sky, now all he saw was a cream colored ceiling. He wasn’t sure how much time had passed but the pain was still there. Thanks to the heavy dose of medicine he’d been given, Usopp never stayed conscious for more than two minutes at a time. A faint sound of voices here and there, but none were loud enough for him to be able to make out who it belonged to. The room coming into full view once more had an undertone of bleach and the floor was a simply grey. A nurse walked in and told Usopp it’d been about a week since he came here and during that time a young man had come to visit from early morning until visiting hours came to a close. When hearing that news he couldn’t help but feel for his friend, Red was always a little self conscious about his appearance but that never once mattered to Usopp. Sure he had strange teeth but he himself had a rather long nose but that didn’t stop him from making friends. Even as he laid there covered in bandages from the neck up to the bottom half of his face, not once did Usopp harbor any anger or hatred towards the man. A simple accident is all it was, what was supposed to be a day where they were supposed to hang out and have Red treat them to lunch because he lost a bet ended up with... this.
A few more months ( roughly 6 ) had passed but by now Red no longer came to visit. Usopp would lie in the hospital bed and text him when he could but no response, at least now whatt Usopp would consider an actual conversation. While he was being treated for his wound there were tons and tons of text messages saying how sorry he was, how he came by every day for hours in hopes I’d wake up. And how when they finally told him that I was now fully awake he was struck with fear and couldn’t face me. But no matter what text Usopp sent after reading that, Red never once text back.
The nurse had given him a scarf to wear once the bandages were taken off. In a few days he’d be allowed to go home. As happy as he was to hear the news he had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that his friend wouldn’t be there. Finally the day came in which his bandages would be removed, although he knew it was coming he still hadn’t fully prepared. However they did warn him that the scars wouldn’t heal and that surgery was impossible, beneath the wrapping he could already feel how something was different. The thought scared him but Usopp was completely calm as he gave them the okay to remove his bandages. ⟨ ..... ⟩ He sat up frozen in silence as tears started to fall down his cheek, wincing in pain as his tears slid down into the wounds he constantly wiped his eyes at the sight of himself. He hardly recognized himself as he took the mirror into his own hands. His whole body shaking at the image in front of him, he knew he’d been attacked but to see just how much he’d done made the whole thing seem like a nightmare.
The day of his release had finally come, a little bitter sweet since he had to walk him by himself. Tying the bandana around his face, it covered the wound and you wouldn’t be able to tell unless one had gotten real close. A device that allowed him to speak in a robot~ish tone had been attached to his throat, apparently voice box had been severly damaged and was instructed to remove it before taking his showers.
Finally home sweet home. Checking his phone to see if Red had responded before settling in, unfortunately no and he didn’t want to go over to his house and just knock. At least not yet. A simple text saying “I’m home.” was all he sent as he tried to adjust to what would be his new life. More time passes and now it’s been a whole year since the incident occurred. Usopp had gotten word Red hadn’t really left his house in all this time, and the thought he might be blaming himself still had him a little upset. Growing rather use to seeing his new look by now, it didn’t bother him. Sure he still wore the bandana when in public, but aside from a few stares he didn’t pay it no mind. So he decided that today he was going to pay Red a visit, after all they had something important that needed to be addressed.
⟨ Red! I’m downstairs, please open the door! ⟩ After a few knocks he decided to yell at the open window in hopes that his friend would answer. Twenty minutes had passed but his friend had finally answered the door. Usopp as happy as can be smiled as he gave Red a tight squeeze. Clearly Red wasn’t as enthusiastic as he was but the first thing to come out his mouth was an apology, and oh boy, Red made it very clear how sorry he was. Placing a hand on his should her looked him in his eyes and told him that he doesn’t blame him for what happened. ⟨ I know you’re sorry and I also know how hard you try to keep yourself in check. Accidents happen but we’re still boys! I don’t want you lamenting over this any longer. ⟩ How ever his words were cut short as Red asked to see the damaged he caused. Usopp would’ve been fine if he never asked, in fact he hope he wouldn’t. The sooner they went back to being friends the better. With his eyes cast downward Usopp sighed deeply before returning his attention back towards Red. ⟨ I’ll show you but I have to state my reason for coming. Today was marks the year of the incident, but more importantly today, back then, was supposed to be the day you were going to treat us to lunch since you lost the bet. ⟩
Without another word he stood in front of the door as he removed his bandana. He could already see the expression forming on Red’s face, it was a gruesome sight to see but before Red could get any words out Usopp immediately went in for another hug, grabbing the back of Red’s head and burying it into his should as his body tensed. ⟨ I don’t want to hear it, what’s done is done, okay? I’ve known you for a long time & I rather you not continue to beat yourself up over it. It’ll take some getting used to & I’m willing to stick by you as you learn to accept what happened. However buddy, you still owe me that lunch, so let’s go eat, alright? I’ve already forgiven you. ⟩
