His pride had cost him greatly, the image of their beloved vessel and companion burning before him still replaying in his memories. Even when hidden by fabulous disguise, the fact he couldn't shout his own goodbyes to her to save his identity would haunt him for the rest of his life.
To not be able to share in mourning, to swallow his thoughts.
He has never had to worry about his mouth running off more than it could back up, used to the loneliness, even with temporary companionship, Usopp never really minded those around him.
Well, with one glaring exception.
As the crew began to turn in for the night the deck became emptier, the lights hanging high above mingling the stars that began to come awake for the night. Walking up to her he's nervous, he owed her just as big an apology as he had owed Luffy and the gang.
Pulled into a sway he stumbled lightly, catching his feet as fingers intertwined with hers, second hand gliding down her back to hold her as the waves presented them with the wildest of orchestras.
"I know..I.. I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking right. I've never had, this y'know? The Merry felt like a place I could truly call my home and watching it crumble apart without being able to prevent it.."
It reminded him of his mother. Not that he had the strength to say it out loud.
"I'm sorry I left you, I'm thankful the guys took care of you. You..you look alive."
Chuckling nervously at the reminder he grinned scratching his nose as a cough followed.
"You gotta admit I looked pretty cool standing up to the ca-" His sentence dies upon her gaze, the atmosphere shifting as he's tugged down towards her.
As she graced him with the tender touch of virgin lips they stopped moving, rough hands holding onto her tighter, pulling her hips closer to his own as the space between them became inexistent.
