post-timeskip Sanji is sent back in time to a point before Sabaody. I don't really have a whole thing for this, just Sanji having to restrain himself from yelling at his younger self to please, dear god, do NOT let Usopp get sent to Boin on his own.
He's also taking a lot of time to drag Usopp to the kitchen and give him lessons on proper nutrition and cooking. Usopp- as with everyone else- is very confused. Sanji's the cook, isn't he? That's his job, not Usopp's.
Sanji has to make up some excuse about being sick once and Usopp planning and cooking meals so badly that it has haunted him for years. Man, having a chronic liar and storyteller for a boyfriend is really rubbing off on him. Not that he's complaining at the moment.
Despite his confusion, Usopp genuinely has a good time with Sanji. Especially since he's not really cooking, more just writing stuff down in a notebook while Sanji lists off different recipes and why they're good to know off the top of his head. He doesn't understand why every recipe seems like they'd be best suited for camping out in a large, killer bug and plant-infested forest- specific, yes, but also Sanji keeps making a note about that after he lists off each recipe. Usopp is going to avoid thinking about it too deeply.
Younger Sanji, meanwhile, is pouting and denying it to anyone who points it out. His kitchen gets commandeered and it feels like his older self is mocking him. Like every time he pulls Usopp to the galley, he's saying, "Look how easily I can touch him, compliment him, make him laugh. Look how weak and cowardly you are." and younger Sanji can't stand it.
He'd grown a bit distant from Usopp since realizing his romantic feelings for him back in Water 7- and isn't that fucked up? it was only after they were in a hotel for the night, Usopp well and truly not a part of the crew anymore, that Sanji had felt an aching in his heart. The same ache that followed him now, though it's far more pleasant than it had been in that hotel.
Eventually, there's some kind of portal that appears high above Sunny and very distant high pitched screaming. Familiar high pitched screaming.
"SANJI!"
Sanji gets a big grin on his face and without thinking he uses Sky Walk to meet the quickly growing speck in the shape of a person. He holds out his arms and catches a flailing post-TS Usopp in his arms.
"Oh thank god," he said, quickly wrapping his arms around Sanji's neck. Sanji lowered them down to the deck and they were immediately surrounded.
"Holy shit, I'm buff!" younger Usopp said.
"Did Sanji-san just jump into the sky?!" Brook exclaimed, with similar sentiments echoed by Luffy and Chopper, sparkles in their eyes. "How- what- how?"
"Older Usopp's outfit is looking pretty super too!"
"You're only saying that because I'm half-naked Franky," Usopp said, unimpressed. "Don't put me on the same level as you, weirdo."
"Haha, sure thing, no need for flattery."
"It wasn't."
"Not that I'm not enjoying all this- and loving that you're here, mon cher," -younger Sanji's eye twitched- "but you have a surefire route back, right?"
"Of course!" He pointed up at the still open portal above Sunny. "Zoro's threatening the devil fruit user to keep that open until we come back. He was actually the one to find the guy in the first place."
Sanji groaned. "Mossball's never gonna let me forget it."
"It's nice that some things stay the same." younger Zoro said, smug. "I still have to bail your ass out all the time."
"Shut the fuck up!" both Sanji's yelled simultaneously.
Usopp laughed. "He gets into his share of trouble, but Zoro, you really shouldn't say anything. I mean, just wait until you lose your-"
Sanji slapped a hand over Usopp's mouth. "They're not there yet, darling."
Younger Sanji and younger Usopp's faces darkened.
Sanji could feel Usopp pout under his hand. "You don't even know what I was going to say."
Sanji rolled his eye. "I can guess."
"I could've meant his favourite haramaki. Or one of his swords. Or-"
"Dear, there's only one thing you constantly bring up that mosshead lost. I get that he's never told anyone how it happened, but you really need to let it go."
"How can a storyteller let go of a mystery like that?? You might as well ask me to cut off my tongue right now."
"Ah, but then how would you taste all the snacks I make for you?"
"You know, I survived for two years on a deadly, man eating island with nothing but-"
Younger Usopp loudly cleared his throat. Sanji and Usopp turned to him. With his flush still very visible, he said, "You can get down now."
"Aww, but Sanji's arms are comfy," Usopp whined, nuzzling Sanji's neck.
Younger Sanji stomped towards them. "Either older me lets you down, or I-"
Sanji raised a brow. "You what? You're just an arrogant brat sailing through Paradise. No matter what you do, you can't force me- either of us, to do anything."
Younger Sanji bristled and Sanji was starting to feel like taking him down another peg, make him know his own faults before they're cruelly laid out in front of him, one crewmate disappearing after another. Usopp tugged on his collar, stopping him.
"We talked about this," Usopp said.
Sanji took a deep breath. "Yeah." He turned to his younger self. "Sorry, it's- I'm angry at myself. Not you."
"But aren't we-?"
Sanji shook his head. "Don't worry about it."
And with a few more accidental slip ups and very obvious flirting, Sanji and Usopp bid their pre-timeskip crew adieu and Sanji flies them up to the portal. Usopp definitely says something along the lines of "I'm so glad you're okay, I was really worried and I don't know what I'd do without you." and then he and Sanji share a kiss mid-air before finally going through the portal.
The portal snaps shut and most of the crew ends up hanging out and talking about what the heck just happened in a "oh huh, what an interesting event" type of way. Meanwhile, younger Sanji and Usopp are staring, mouths agape and incredibly flustered, at the spot where their older selves made out with each other.
ponder for a moment, zosanuso with Zoro realizing he likes pet names
Sanji and Usopp get together first. They are very lovey dovey and sappy because Sanji is lovey dovey and sappy and Usopp loves it, gets very swept away with it, and does his best to reciprocate. This shit is practically the bane of Zoro's existence. And that's not even getting into the pet names.
Some time later, he's got the realization that oh, huh, he likes Usopp. And oh, ugh, he likes the Cook too. And he might lament his own feelings about it, but eventually he tells them and then Zoro has two boyfriends.
And then one morning, Usopp comes to breakfast looking incredibly sleepy, and casually gives a "Morning, babe" to Zoro before taking his seat.
And Zoro finds he likes that. He really really likes it. And he's definitely showing it on his face somehow because soon after Sanji is ranting and raving about Zoro being an absolute hypocrite, because how dare he complain all this time about Sanji and Usopp calling each other honey and cher and darling, when he was just as bad as them-
Usopp is more awake now and trying not to laugh, for Zoro's sake. Zoro is very red and keeps trying to interrupt Sanji, but Sanji just talks louder over him. Zoro would start a fight, but Sanji hadn't finished serving breakfast yet and his arms are full of plates so he's forced to suffer.
zoro takes a nap on deck and wakes up with usopp on top of him, elbow jammed into his neck and legs tangled awkwardly. he's not pinned down, but usopp looks so cute and peaceful when he's sleeping. so really, he's trapped. can't move a muscle. stuck in this warm, perfect moment for as long as Usopp was asleep. so tragic
sanji taking care of usopp on his low days. usopp pulling sanji aside to breathe through a panic attack. sanji making usopp's favourite soups when when he has trouble eating. usopp making a diluted perfume out of his Sleeping Grass for sanji's insomnia. sanji joining him on watch when usopp's paranoia edges into stress-induced hallucinations. usopp curling around sanji's back, whispering reassurances and rubbing his palms after a nightmare-
