Aiming For More.

Aiming for more.

Pairing : OPLA!usopp x reader

summary : The story hints at a budding romance and leaves Usopp grappling with unspoken emotions.

notes : I HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH OF USOPP ON HERE LIKE!?!? >:00 So this is for all the usopp lovers!! <33 I GOT Y'ALL

"Hold the slingshot like this, (Y/N). See, it's all about aim and timing."

The moment had started innocently enough, with him guiding your hands and explaining the finer points of slingshot technique. His voice, barely above a whisper, held an unexpected vulnerability, and he couldn't help but notice the softness of your skin as his hands lightly brushed against yours during adjustments. Usopp had offered to teach you how to use a slingshot, but he hadn't anticipated just how flustered he would become in your presence.

You, entirely focused on learning the skill, were blissfully unaware of the turmoil in Usopp's heart. Your voice, just above a whisper, asked, "Like this?"

With one eye squinted shut and your tongue peeking out in concentration, you tried to mimic the form and technique Usopp had demonstrated. You pulled back the ammunition in the slingshot's pouch, aimed at the target, and then released.

But as the ammunition left the slingshot, something went terribly wrong. Instead of hitting the target, it veered off course and struck Zoro squarely in the back of his head. It wasn't a particularly forceful impact, but it was enough to break his concentration and elicit a brief, gruff grunt of surprise.

A collective gasp escaped from those who had been watching, and the crew fell into an awkward silence. Usopp couldn't help but chuckle nervously. "Uh, (Y/N), maybe we need a bit more practice..."

Zoro turned to look at you, a mix of annoyance and amusement in his eyes. "Watch where you're shooting, (Y/N)," he muttered, rubbing the back of his head where he'd been hit.

You blushed furiously, realizing that your attempt at using the slingshot had ended in an unintended mishap. "I'm so sorry, Zoro! I didn't mean to hit you!"

Sanji's teasing comment, delivered with his signature flair, couldn't have been more perfectly timed. "Nice shot, Y/N!" he praised, his tone dripping with playful amusement, and he flashed you a wink.

Zoro, ever the serious swordsman, couldn't hide his scowl at the remark. He grumbled something unintelligible under his breath, clearly unimpressed by the unexpected turn of events. However, there was a glimmer of humor in his eyes that betrayed his attempt at maintaining a stern facade.

Your cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but you couldn't help but smile at Sanji's playful comment.

Usopp, still chuckling at the whole situation, clapped you on the back in a reassuring manner. "Don't worry, (Y/N), we all have to start somewhere. And hey, at least you hit something!"

With a mixture of laughter and relieved tension, the crew slowly returned to their respective activities, the mishap with the slingshot providing a much-needed break from their daily routine.

Usopp grinned at you, his earlier nervousness dissipating. "See, (Y/N), even the best of us have our off days. But with practice, you'll get the hang of it."

You nodded, appreciating Usopp's encouragement, and a newfound determination welled up within you. You couldn't let that mishap deter you. After all, there was something undeniably thrilling about learning to use a slingshot, especially with Usopp as your teacher.

In the days that followed the slingshot mishap, you and Usopp spent your free time diligently practicing. His guidance was patient and precise, and your skills improved noticeably with each passing moment. The camaraderie between you grew stronger, and the hours spent practicing together were filled with laughter and shared experiences.

As the sun dipped below the horizon one evening, you found yourselves alone on the deck of the ship. The sea breeze ruffled your hair, and the stars twinkled overhead, creating a tranquil and almost magical atmosphere.

"So, let me get this straight. You tried to convince a giant sea serpent that you were a descendant of its long-lost cousin, the 'Serpent Prince,' just to get it to let us pass peacefully?" You leaned against the ship's railing, still chuckling at the ridiculous story he had just shared. Usopp nodded with exaggerated seriousness. "Exactly! And it worked! Well, eventually..."

You chuckled heartily at his storytelling prowess, appreciating both the creativity of his tales and the genuine moments of adventure that you shared together as a crew. Little did you know that Usopp's heart was in turmoil as he spent these moments with you, struggling to understand the depth of his feelings. He cherished these quiet times when it was just the two of you, but he couldn't quite put into words what those feelings meant.

As the night wore on and the laughter continued, Usopp stole glances at you when he thought you weren't looking. He admired your genuine smile and the way you listened so intently to his stories. Yet, as much as he wanted to tell you how much you meant to him, he remained trapped in his own uncertainty, silently wrestling with the emotions he couldn't quite decipher.

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© 2023 x-uno ── all rights reserved. do not copy, translate, edit, alter, or redistribute my work. 

I, Roronoa Zoro, have a crush

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Characters: OPLA (One Piece Live Action) Roronoa Zoro x Straw-Hat-Crew-Member!gn!reader

Summary: Fluff headcanons of OPLA Zoro developing a crush on you + mini fluff scenarios

Warnings: Some OPLA spoilers ahead! Other than that, all fluff

Strawbetty’s notes: Dipping my toes into the One Piece fandom to say hello and give you my contribution to OPLA Zoro content :). Mackenyu as Zoro is fiiiiine. I finished the live action and I NEED MORE :’0. Currently watching the anime rn

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💚 Zoro didn’t like you at first when Luffy recruited you to be a part of the Straw Hats.

💚 Like how Zoro felt when he first met Luffy, Zoro found you overly optimistic and chatty—the complete opposite of himself.

💚 Zoro’s also someone who, despite being really perceptive, has a bad habit of making snap judgments against people he doesn’t know well and prefers to keep them at a distance, and he made the poor assumption that you probably never went through anything difficult in life since you seemed so happy all the time.

💚 Thus, he didn’t really go out of his way to talk to you or get to know you at first, unlike the rest of the crew, but you also didn’t mind too much. You’d greet him with a “good morning” every morning, but he’d only give you a nod.

💚 “Don’t mind him, he’s like that with all new crew members,” Nami reassured you.

💚 It wasn’t until a few days later when the entire crew was having dinner on deck under the stars—and you opened up about your life (the losses and hardships you’ve experienced despite being just a young adult)—that made Zoro change his mind about you.

💚 He surprised himself when he volunteered to help you wash the dishes after dinner, and surprised himself even more when he muttered, “Sorry.”

💚 “For what?” You raised a brow, water dripping from your fingers as you reached for a hand towel to dry your hands.

💚 “For not being so…friendly when you first joined,” Zoro’s eyes flickered up from the plates to your face.

💚 He couldn’t help but be taken aback when you gave him a smile—a smile so bright and kind it almost took his breath away. Sure, you smiled a lot at everyone, but this was the first time your smile was directed at just him up close.

💚 “It’s alright,” you chuckled, taking a plate he handed to you and placing it onto the drying rack. “I’m used to people assuming things about me.”

💚 “How do you do it?” Zoro crossed his arms, though his relaxed stance conveyed his sincere curiosity. “Smile all the time?”

💚 “Because smiling makes me happy,” you didn’t miss a beat. “And if I can do that for myself and my smile ends up making someone else happy, that’s good enough for me.”

💚 A half-smile quirked on Zoro’s lips at your words. You were a good person, and he was sorry he didn’t see that sooner.

💚 “See, you’re smiling now,” you teased, your smile growing.

💚 “Nope,” Zoro turned his attention to the utensils he had to wash, but his smile didn’t falter one bit.

💚 After that day, a friendship blossomed between you two. Some nights you’d find Zoro sharpening his blades, other nights he’d find you on deck gazing up at the stars while the others were asleep. Whatever the reasons that kept the two of you awake at night, they helped bring you two closer together.

💚 You and Zoro began your late night talks by sharing stories with each other about your childhoods and the people who helped shape your lives for the better. The two of you would even exchange banter and develop inside jokes.

💚 Zoro grew to feel safe in confiding with you about his innermost thoughts and feelings, and he made you feel safe in doing the same as well.

💚 As the months went by, Zoro would look forward to every opportunity he had to talk with you, whether that be during the day with the rest of the crew or at night with just the two of you.

💚 He had no doubt by now that he could call you someone he deeply cared for, especially when his heart would try to jump out of his chest whenever your hand accidentally brushed against his or when his heart squeezed like a towel being rung dry any time you got hurt during battle.

💚 But as someone who’s never thought about romance or had any experience with romantic relationships, Zoro didn’t really consider the possibility that he was falling for you.

💚 It didn’t take long for some of the crew members to see and realize that Zoro cared for you in a special way, though, especially as Zoro’s romantic feelings for you became more and more evident to the others through his actions.

💚 For example, Zoro would tell Sanji not once, not twice, but thrice that you didn’t like a specific ingredient in your meals because of allergies or whatnot, even though Sanji knew that already. One morning, Sanji caught Zoro making a horrible yet endearing attempt to make your favorite breakfast for you. With an amused smirk, Sanji offered to teach Zoro how to make your favorite breakfast (only after Zoro made Sanji swear to never tell anyone about it).

💚 Nami realized Zoro had feelings for you when she saw the way Zoro would protectively stand in front of you in the face of danger, or check on you if you sustained even a minor injury (even though everyone in the crew knew you could protect yourself). Nami didn’t bring it up since she didn’t think it was any of her business, but she’d have a small smile on her face whenever she saw Zoro perk up even just a tiny bit whenever you called his name.

💚 Usopp and Luffy didn’t really pick up on anything until Sanji let out an offhand comment in the kitchen about Zoro being “smitten” with you (luckily, you and Zoro were on deck practicing your combat skills with Nami).

💚 Of course, Sanji’s comment blew Usopp’s mind. Luffy, on the other hand, didn’t really listen and had his full attention on whatever dish Sanji was making for lunch.

💚 “Zoro’s got a cruuush,” Usopp sang that afternoon, slinging an arm around Zoro’s shoulders while Luffy came up next to them.

💚 Zoro turned his head to the side to check if you were nearby. Thankfully, you were nowhere in sight.

💚 “I don’t do crushes,” Zoro shrugged Usopp off at the same time Luffy asked, “Who’s got a crush?”

💚 “Listen, if you need love advice, I’m your guy,” Usopp insisted, trying to catch up to Zoro as he left Usopp and Luffy behind to go to his room. “I’ve had tons of relationships, trust me.”

💚 “Having barely one relationship doesn’t make you qualified to give me love advice,” Zoro replied coolly, referencing Kaya to Usopp, as he strode to his berth.

💚 “Ouch!” Usopp dramatically brought a hand to his heart. “My offer still stands though!”

💚 Zoro made his way into his room and shut the door behind him. He eased himself onto his hammock and his eyes flitted up to the wooden ceiling.

💚 The ocean waves beneath the ship were calm this afternoon, and the soft golden rays of sunlight shimmered onto his body through his room’s tiny circular window. Usually Zoro would take a nap by now, but he couldn’t help but wonder what stories you were going to share with him tonight or what corny jokes you were going to crack at dinner that would make him laugh despite himself.

💚 But most of all, he couldn’t wait to see you smile again. A smile began to stretch across his face as he pictured your smile—

💚 —“I don’t have a crush,” Zoro stated out loud defensively even though no one was there. He tried to will his lips into a straight line as he ran a hand through the cropped moss-green tufts of his hair and shut his eyes to take a nap.

💚 Instead, his eyes found themselves opening and next thing Zoro knew, he was already out the door.

💚 Zoro was thankful no one was with him at the moment, or they would’ve seen a grin on his face as he made his way to wherever you were in hopes of seeing your smile.

💚 I, Roronoa Zoro, have a crush.

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Important:

🍓 I don’t own any of the characters I mention or write about; they belong to their original and respective creators.

🍓 All content on this blog is created by me, @thebettybook (excluding posts I reblog that aren’t my own posts and unless I state otherwise). Do not modify, claim, repost, or translate my work onto this platform and any other platform.

🍓 Reblogs are appreciated :).

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[Queue “Now that we’re men!” From the SpongeBob movie.]

You can’t say this didn’t happen..

this was honestly so frickin HOT

Stolen Glances and Culinary Charms. PT2

<< 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜 | 𝚗𝚎𝚡𝚝 >> | 𝙼𝙰𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙻𝙸𝚂𝚃

HOW THE HELL CAN SOMEONE BE THAT PRETTY?

Sanji stood before you, a vision of grace and charm amidst the tranquil surroundings. A dappled ray of sunlight kissed the golden strands of his hair as he turned to look at you, his eyes warm and inviting. "You still with me, love?" he asked with a hint of concern. 

You blinked, momentarily lost in the ethereal beauty of the moment. His voice, like a gentle melody, brought you back to reality. "Huh? Oh uh, yeah. Sorry. Just had a thought.’’

Okay, maybe taking up Sanji's offer was a bad idea. 

Your inner monologue was in full swing as you attempted to regain your composure in Sanji's presence. While you desperately tried to focus on the task at hand – making a batter - it felt like an uphill battle with the distraction that was Sanji's otherworldly beauty.

As Sanji's smile deepened and he drew closer, it became increasingly clear that perhaps accepting his offer had been both a blessing and a curse. His unwavering gaze made it almost impossible to concentrate on the simplest of tasks, and you could feel yourself visibly cringe with embarrassment as you stumbled over your words.

"It's alright," he repeated softly, his voice like a soothing balm for your scattered thoughts. But your internal dialogue continued to run rampant, berating you for your inability to maintain composure.

Yep, definitely a bad idea. ABORT ABORT ABORT!

You managed to force yourself to focus on the batter, measuring out ingredients and mixing them together with all the determination you could muster. You couldn't help but sneak glances at Sanji out of the corner of your eye, admiring the way he effortlessly exuded elegance even in the simplest of moments.

Deep down, you knew that taking up Sanji's offer had given you a glimpse into a world of beauty and charm that few could match. But it also meant constantly battling your own nerves and insecurities in his presence. As you continued to work on the batter, you couldn't help but wonder if the effort to keep your cool was worth the privilege of being near him.

Eventually, you managed to finish the batter, and Sanji offered a satisfied nod. "There you go, love," he said. "A perfect batter, made with a little extra charm, courtesy of yours truly."

You couldn't help but smile, feeling grateful for the unexpected encounter and the delightful banter that had accompanied it. "Thanks, Sanji. You certainly know how to make cooking an unforgettable experience."

Sanji winked. "That's just a small taste of what I can offer," he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

A FEW HOURS LATER.

"Usopp, you won't believe what happened today," you started, your words tumbling out in a rush. "I mean, I thought it was a good idea to help out in the kitchen with Sanji, but it turned out to be a disaster."

Usopp looked up from his gadgets, curiosity piqued. "What happened?" he asked, his wide eyes fixed on you.

You fidgeted with your fingers, unable to meet Usopp's gaze directly. "Well, first of all, Sanji is ridiculously good-looking. Like, unbelievably good-looking. I couldn't concentrate at all because he's just so... distracting."

Usopp chuckled, realizing where this was going. "Yeah, I've heard about Sanji's looks. But go on."

"Exactly!" you exclaimed. "I couldn't focus on anything. I kept staring at him, and my mind just went blank. I must've sounded like a complete idiot, stumbling over my words and AHHH - making a total fool of myself!’’ The tips of your ears began to burn with a scalding heat once you had replayed the whole thing, moving to slap your cheeks with both hands.

Usopp tried to stifle his laughter but failed miserably. "Damn, you got it bad, huh."

You groaned. "Usopp you’re not helping!"

Usopp finally managed to compose himself, wiping away tears of laughter from his eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he said, still chuckling. "But, come on, it's not every day you get to see someone get so flustered over Sanji. It's kind of hilarious."

You shot him a playful glare. "Well, I'm glad my misery is entertaining for you."

Usopp patted your shoulder sympathetically. "Look, I get it. Sanji's got this whole suave thing going on. But don't worry, you'll get used to it."

You sighed, feeling a bit more at ease with Usopp's understanding. "I hope so. I don't want to keep embarrassing myself every time I'm around him."

~~

USOPP YOU LIAR. 

As the days went by, you found that Usopp's reassurances about getting used to Sanji's charm were a bit overly optimistic. If anything, your infatuation with the charismatic chef seemed to grow stronger with time.

Every interaction with Sanji left you flustered, your heart racing, and your mind a jumble of thoughts. You tried to employ Usopp's "Sanji Stare" and "Art of Complimenting" techniques, but in the presence of the suave chef, it was easier said than done.

One day, as you were helping Sanji in the kitchen, he handed you a freshly prepared plate of seafood risotto. His gaze met yours, and you attempted the Sanji Stare, but it came out as a nervous twitch.

Sanji, with his customary charm, leaned in slightly and said, "You seem a bit flustered today. Everything alright?"

"Mhm, yeah, all good, Everything's A-OKAY.’’ You gave him a tight smile.

He chuckled softly, and it seemed like he was enjoying your discomfort. "Well, I'm glad to hear that." He paused for a moment, and then added with a wink, "You know, you look even more beautiful when you blush."

You were utterly caught off guard by his compliment, and your grip on the plate of risotto faltered. It was a miracle that Sanji managed to save it from hitting the floor. Your face had reached a level of crimson that you didn't know was possible, and you felt like you were about to spontaneously combust from embarrassment.

‘’Hey, can you hurry up? Luffy’s getting antsy.’’ Zoro called out.

You felt a surge of relief as Zoro's voice broke the awkward moment. "Uh, yeah, coming right up," you replied hastily, glad for any excuse to escape Sanji's charming presence.

Sanji, still wearing that mischievous grin, released the plate of risotto into your care and took a step back. "I'll leave the rest to you, my lovely assistant," he said, his tone dripping with playfulness.

You nodded, practically fleeing the kitchen to serve Luffy and the others. 

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© 2023 x-uno ── all rights reserved. do not copy, translate, edit, alter, or redistribute my work.