The Secrets of a Liar Chapter 2
The Health of a Liar Words: 1366 Rating: T TW: Sickness, mention of death
“Where’d you disappear to yesterday?” Sanji asked, causing Usopp to choke on his mouthful of eggs in surprise.
“I told you, I needed to pick up some stuff for my pellets.” Usopp said, after recovering. Part of being a good liar was remembering details and not adding too many. “They were out of the things I needed though so I had to look all over town.”
“I was just wondering, because I couldn’t find you anywhere in town once I was done shopping.” Sanji said.
Usopp blinked in surprise. He and the cook weren’t on friendly terms other than being nakama. Sanji tended to ignore him at best or shout at him at worst. Usopp sipped his juice thoughtfully, eyes darting around the table. No one seemed to take notice of the conversation, more occupied with their own. Behind Luffy, who was shoveling food in like it was going to disappear, was a little boy dressed in bright reds, oranges, and yellows. His hair was brown and skin as dark as Usopps. This was Sunny, the Spirit of the Thousand Sunny.
“Why do you lie to our nakama?” Sunny pouted, crossing his arms. He was very much like Luffy, Usopp noticed. Practice kept Usopp from answering the spirit.
“That’s weird.” Usopp said aloud, placing a confused frown on his face. It must’ve been convincing, because Sanji just shrugged and joined Nami and Chopper’s conversation.
Usopp pushed his food around with his fork, still frowning. Sunny’s words hit deep and he knew he didn’t have a good answer. He didn’t like lying to his nakama but it was far too late to turn back now. How could he explain keeping all these things from them? He wouldn’t be able to handle Luffy looking like Usopp had kicked his puppy. Usopp knew that at some point, the secrets would come out. Likely he’d leave when they did. He could find his own way to achieve his dream if he had to, or just go back to Syrup.
Sighing inwardly, Usopp started to get up so he could get a head start on the new pellets he’d been developing. His vision swam and he had to brace himself on the table to keep from falling. Distantly, Usopp could hear a concerned comment from one of the crew though he couldn’t tell who. Dark spots filled his vision and his chest started feeling tight. Panic filled him. Not right now, not in front of everyone! His body didn’t listen to him and everything went black.
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He became aware slowly. There was a familiar lingering ache in his chest and throb in his head. It had been a while since his last episode, not that he fooled himself into thinking they were done with. Usopp’s memory returned just as slowly and when he finally realized what happened, he didn’t want to open his eyes. As soon as he did, he would have to answer questions and reveal one of his carefully guarded secrets. He never wanted anyone to be aware of this, the pitying looks from his village was bad enough. Eventually, however, Usopp blinked his eyes open, letting them adjust to the light.
To his surprise, Chopper was nowhere to be found. Usopp frowned, sitting up.
“Chopper’s in the bathroom.” Sanji’s familiar drawl startled Usopp, who flailed at the sudden voice. A hand on his arm kept him from falling out of the bed and Usopp looked at his saviour with a sheepish look. “I promised to watch you for him.”
“Thanks.” Usopp said, righting himself on the bed. Sanji let go off his arm to fiddle with an unlit cigarette.
“How long have you been feeling sick?” Sanji asked, suddenly. His curly brow was scrunched up in a frown and he looked a bit annoyed.
“It’s nothing, I’ve had fainting spells since I was little.” Usopp half-lied easily, his cheeks burning red in embarrassment -- no need to fake that. “Hadn’t had them since I left Syrup though.”
The half-truth appeased Sanji, though he still looked irritated and a quick remark explained why. “You should’ve told Chopper. As our doctor he needs all of our medical histories.”
Before Usopp could even try to respond to that, Chopper came rushing out of the bathroom that was attached to the medical room. The look of the harried doctor caused Usopp to flinch inwardly. He didn’t like lying about his health to his best friend. Though, he’s had practice with it as he had lied first to his mother then Kaya. If he could lie and deceive them, Usopp could to anyone else. Even if it hurt to know that someday it’ll all come out. There was no denying that.
I’ll likely be dead before then, however, Usopp thought morbidly.
“How are you feeling, Usopp? Are you light-headed? Dizzy?” Chopper started in, hurrying over with a basic med kit. The reindeer pulled out a thermometer and Usopp recoiled.
“I’m fine, Chopper.” Usopp insisted. “Probably got up too fast or something.”
“At least let me check your blood pressure and sugar.” Chopper demanded, though a flash in his eyes showed that he disbelieved the lie. It was always harder to lie to doctors about health.
Usopp sighed and let Chopper check him. He did his best to lighten the situation by talking loudly and excitedly about a time he “battled an army of giants alone while sick with the flu.” Chopper was not to be distracted, however. He was too dedicated to medicine to be as excited and a devot listener as he usually is. There was a small frown on his face as he read the numbers, but Usopp wasn’t worried. There was also comprehension there, meaning he thought he found the reason.
“Your blood sugar is too low.” Chopper announced. There was a “Tt” sound on Usopp’s other side. When he looked over, Sanji looked angry,
“Are you not eating enough, then?” Sanji demanded, his arms crossed over his chest intimidatingly. Usopp had to notice that Sanji’s cigarette had disappeared, possibly as soon as Chopper had run in. Their doctor strongly disapproved of Sanji’s vice.
“I-I-” Usopp started, trying to spin another lie. Chopper beat him to it.
“That seems about right, I’ve noticed you being more distracted than usual.” Chopper said, turning an uncharacteristic look of complete seriousness. “You shouldn’t be skimping on your meals, Usopp, even if you’re distracted. Your blood sugar should be fine after lunch, but if you faint again, I might have too look a bit more into it. You could very well be diabetic.”
After some more instructions from Chopper, he was sent on his way to the galley to eat a substantial lunch. Usopp was forced to sit and watch Sanji cook after a sharp look from the cook. There was no way he was leaving the galley without eating enough to satisfy them. Another pang of guilt went through him as he watched Sanji prepare sandwiches and fruit salad. Chopper hadn’t been far off. While he wasn’t distracted at meal times, he was in fact eating a bit less. It was unnoticable what with Luffy around. Leftovers never survived around him.
No, Usopp was losing his appetite. Eating was becoming more and more of a struggle for him. He was well used it by now and knew how to handle it. Ever since he was small, Usopp would go through random periods of time where his appetite disappears. The fainting always became worse during those times, and he had no doubt it was only his blood sugar that knocked him out. During these periods, he also became more fatigued and easily nauseous. Usopp had been lucky ‘til this point. Ever since he joined the crew, the periods of sickness had disappeared. That was part of why he didn’t tell the crew. He didn’t want them to worry, the periods tended to be brief and easy to handle. The only time he should worry is when he was in his thirties. That’s when the sickness became worse.
He had over ten years left to not worry about it, he was going to spend that time with his nakama. Then, he will die with no regrets.