Work Text:
A familiar bell chimes above Sanji’s head as he walks into the Pop Greens flower shop. As he enters the store, he can’t help but inhale deeply to appreciate the fragrance of greenery that sits heavy in the air. It’s so different from the aroma of spices and oils and sizzling ingredients he’s surrounded by all day in the kitchen, and it washes over him like a balm. The small plant shop is warm from the sunlight streaming in through the large windows, making Sanji casually undo one more of his shirt buttons as he peruses the aisles and admires the thriving plant life.
No matter how many times Sanji enters the store, he’ll never quite get over the sight of so much foliage packed in every available nook and cranny. It’s like stepping into a thick jungle in a faraway land. Blooming flowers line the shelves and floors alongside decorated pots of succulents and cacti. Verdant ferns hang from the ceiling, reaching toward the leafy houseplants that stretch to the sky.
Even surrounded by so much lush greenery, Sanji only has his sights on one thing, and it is not a plant of any kind.
Behind the counter at the back of the store is a man with umber skin and thick, dark, coily hair. Dressed in an apron dirtied with soil and stray petals, the man is focused on painting the clay pot resting on the counter and doesn’t notice Sanji’s arrival.
Sanji doesn’t disturb him and takes a moment to watch him as he works. The slight scrunch of his brow and the bite of his lip. The stillness of his chest as he refuses to breathe to keep his hand steady.
Like clockwork, Sanji’s mind is flooded with an image similar to the one in front of him, but markedly different. In the vision, the man is still painting, but they’re not in a store on a corner street in their city. Instead, there’s the rocking of a boat, and Sanji can practically hear the crashing of the waves and the smell of salt in the air. The curly-haired man is surrounded by plants and sunlight, just as he is now. Intensely focused, just like now. The images blend into one another, making his head pound and his chest ache with emotions he can’t name.
It happens every time. Every single time Sanji steps into this flower shop and gets close to its owner he has this intense feeling of warped déjà vu. And he has no idea why.
Sanji manages to shake himself out of the pseudo-memory to focus on the task at hand. At an apparent pause in his work, with the paintbrush far from its canvas, Sanji reaches over the counter and flicks the botanist’s prominent nose, smirking when it elicits a yelp out of the young man.
Long, dark lashes blink up at him as big, brown eyes peer at him. They light up with recognition and a wide smile pulls up the apples of his cheeks. He puts down his paintbrush and slides down the headphones over his ears so they rest around his neck.
“Oh, Sanji! Hey!”
“Usopp,” he greets. “What’s the point of having the bell if you don’t bother to listen out for it?”
“I’ve already told you!” Usopp says with a roll of his eyes. “My mind tunes everything out when I’m super focused. Besides, it was just you.”
Sanji scoffs. “What, I’m not a valued customer despite how much I support this business? You really are an ungrateful asshole.” Before Usopp can reply, Sanji brings attention to the pot-in-progress. “How’s this one coming along?”
Usopp huffs and points an angry finger at Sanji. “Don’t insult me and then change the subject!” The botanist keeps up the act for a few moments before dropping his finger and putting his hands on his hips instead. “But if you’re so curious about my artistic process I suppose I can share it with you.”
All traces of annoyance are gone in an instant as Usopp grins and begins his rant about his latest art project. “I went to this art exhibit yesterday and got super inspired by this series by Miss Golden Week! The colours she uses to paint her landscapes are beyond gorgeous–I made this purple shade that’s kind of like one she used for a sunset. I don’t want to just replicate her work though; I’ve got to put the Captain Usopp spin on my interpretation, of course. But here, look. These are my favourites in the collection.”
Usopp pulls out his phone to show Sanji images of the paintings he’s been inspired by and then continues to rant and rave about his latest project. As he does, Sanj’s mind once again conjures up an image of Usopp that is similar yet different to the moment they are in now. It features Usopp in front of him, tools in his widely moving hands as he blabbers away. And with the vision comes emotions: feelings of contentment and infatuation. The overlap between the two images is as overwhelming as ever.
It’s been a year since he first stepped foot into Pop Greens and he still has no idea how or why his mind is plagued by these images.
With increasing frequency, whenever Sanji is around Usopp he gets the strangest sense of… something. Sanji knows that it’s not déjà vu. He's experienced that before. This phenomenon feels more like he’s remembering a moment, rather than experiencing it again. What he sees and feels are memories he has never created in this life but somehow exist in his consciousness. It’s like his mind is using the current memory to transport him somewhere back in time. To remind him of where they’ve been before.
None of it makes any goddamn sense and these flashbacks or visions or whatever get more intense and vivid with each encounter.
Despite how much the experience plagues his mind, Sanji hasn’t divulged his secret to anyone for fear of being judged, ignored, or deemed crazy. At least he hadn’t until he started seeing the botanist in his dreams. For the past month, his dreams have been filled with scenes of Usopp in another time and place. He’s seen Usopp standing before a crowd, his arms moving with sweeping gestures as he speaks, enrapturing his audience with a story. He’s dreamt of Usopp screeching in fear and running towards Sanji, begging for his protection. His mind has conjured up images of Usopp with a large slingshot that launched colourful seeds that burst into wild botanical beasts.
Sanji has dreamt of dark, secluded nights with Usopp leaning towards him, his eyes lidded but full of desire. He has dreamt of himself leaning in to meet him, the same mix of emotions swirling inside him.
These dreams, memories, flashbacks–whatever they are–must mean something but he doesn’t know that something could be. So when his dreams of Usopp started becoming too vivid for him to handle, Sanji sought the help of the smartest woman he knows, leading to his meeting with the graceful Nico Robin mere hours before his most recent return to Pop Greens.
She had listened with her usual patience and thoughtfulness, a hand going to her chin as she pondered his story.
“How fascinating. I have read about such occurrences happening to others across different cultures throughout history. People who claim to have intense memories that belong to them but are full of experiences they haven’t actually had. And these memories have always been connected to someone else. Only ever one person. Someone significant in that person’s life. A friend, a mentor… a lover. It’s been hypothesized that these visions are proof of reincarnation, and you’ve encountered someone in this life who was significant to you in the past one. So now your souls are reaching out to one another to connect once again.”
“But why just me?” Sanji had asked, not doubting her fantastical explanation for a moment. “Why do I seem to be the only one having these visions and not him?”
“Perhaps Usopp was the one to take the lead in your last life, and now it’s your turn.”
“How do I know what kind of… bond is trying to be repaired, then? How am I supposed to know if it’s platonic or something… more?”
While he blushed and avoided her eyes, Robin smiled at him softly, gently resting her hand atop his and giving it a few friendly pats. “I think you’re the only one who can answer that question, Sanji. But I think we both know it’s quite obvious.”
Sanji pondered her words while he slowly made his way to Usopp’s quaint plant shop, smoking through a pack of cigarettes.
There is no doubt in Sanji’s mind that Usopp is his friend. They laugh together and tease one another. They’re markedly different, but also so similar that they can understand each other without words. Sanji has brought meals to energize him during his shifts, and Usopp has gifted him with plants and herbs living in artfully decorated pots.
As for the potential for romance with the botanist…
Usopp is attractive–that much was clear to Sanji from the first moment he laid eyes on the shop owner’s cloud of hair, wide grin, and sparkling eyes. His humour and charisma were obvious upon their initial meeting, and Sanji has only become increasingly charmed by the man’s talents and idiosyncrasies.
The thought of moving from friendship to something more romantic with Usopp is appealing, and Sanji knows himself enough to recognize that it’s not only because of the visions. He likes being around Usopp. He wants to keep spending time with the botanist. To cook for him and receive his praise for the dishes he serves him. To laugh as Usopp entertains him with his jokes and stories. He wants to hold Usopp, to kiss him and whisper sweet words in his ear, comparing his beauty to the bountiful blooms he works so hard to cultivate.
After his talk with Robin and his moment of contemplation, there is no doubt in Sanji’s mind. If Usopp is open to it, he wants to pursue a romantic relationship with him.
But first, he has to make his move.
Usopp’s rambling has no end as he continues to rant about his artistic inspiration, oblivious to Sanji getting lost in his head.
“How long have you been painting instead of running your business?” Sanji interrupts as he points to the pile of papers piled at the edge of the counter.
Usopp snaps his mouth shut with a click and he adopts a sheepish expression. “I got work done! But then I took a break and looked through the photos I took at the exhibit and got inspired. And you can’t ignore it when inspiration hits! I know you’ve experienced it, man. I remember when you called me at 3AM because you finally figured out that mole con pave recipe!”
Usopp laughs while Sanji sputters at the reminder. He grins and shoves the botanist’s head, prompting even more laughter from him.
“Keep your hands off me, you fiend! Anyway, sorry for getting carried away. Have you decided on a bouquet for tonight’s date?”
Sanji’s smile becomes less genuine when he is reminded of the duo’s year-long tradition.
The first time he’d entered Usopp’s shop, it was in search of a bouquet for an upcoming date with an enchanting young woman. His next few visits were to pick up bouquets for subsequent dates with ladies just as lovely as the first. But the more he visited Usopp in his small personal paradise, the more he experienced his strange sense of déjà vu until he could not ignore it. Until he could not get the botanist out of his mind and couldn’t bring himself to go on another date.
So now, the bouquets he buys from Usopp are gifted to other important women in his life: the lovely Nami and her girlfriend Vivi, the intelligent and enigmatic Robin, his sister Reiju whenever she stops in town. And when he’s feeling particularly indulgent, he’ll bring them home and vase them, admiring the vibrant petals while his mind conjures up images of Usopp from another time.
“Not yet,” he answers. “Give me a moment.”
“‘Kay! Take your time. We have some stunning larkspur and bouvardia blooms by the front that are sure to woo any lady lucky enough to be wined and dined by you tonight. And that’s a Captain Usopp guarantee.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re reliable as always,” Sanji says just so he can watch how Usopp’s face lights up with the compliment. “I’ll be back.”
While Sanji is not as well-versed in flower language as Usopp is, he does possess more knowledge than the average person thanks to his romantic heart. So he takes his time picking out a bouquet that represents his feelings. One that reminds him of Usopp. All of Usopp’s bouquets are created thoughtfully and carefully, all of them gorgeous as he uses his creativity to the fullest. No matter which bouquet he chooses, it will be beautiful. But Sanji still needs to choose carefully.
Satisfied with his bundle of flowers, Sanji returns to the counter, where it seems that Usopp has taken Sanji’s teasing reprimand to heart as he is now hunched over his pile of papers, working diligently while his pot dries off to the side. He looks up when Sanji approaches, smiling up at the blond. He looks at the flowers in Sanji’s hands and his grin changes in a way Sanji cannot quite place.
“Nice choice! I was actually thinking of you when I arranged that bouquet.” Usopp startles, seeming to realize how his words can be interpreted. “Ack! I mean! I was thinking that I would make a nice bouquet that you’d appreciate giving to your date…Hahaha…” Usopp averts his eyes and scratches his nose in clear embarrassment. “Anyway! I have something else for you.”
Usopp turns and ducks into the room behind him and returns a few moments later with a tray of pots overflowing with bright green foliage in hand. “Fresh orders of cilantro, basil, and oregano from the herb garden!” he announces as he places them on the counter. “They’re even bigger than the last batch! The fertilizer that Hercules’n recommended to me is like magic! The peppermint won’t be ready for a couple of days, so you can come back then. Or, I’ll drop it off for you and snag some lunch. Can I get you anything else?”
Sanji shakes his head. “This is perfect, Usopp. Thank you.”
“I hope your date goes well tonight, Sanji! Let me know if she likes the flowers, okay?” Usopp smiles again as he hands the flowers to Sanji, but it drops when Sanji doesn’t immediately grab the bouquet. “Sanji? Aren’t you going to take them?”
The chef reaches out to take the flowers from Usopp, their fingers brushing as they’re passed over. Sanji waits for a beat and then hands the floral bundle back to the botanist, who frowns and furrows his brow.
“Sanji…? Do you... not like them?”
“I love them, Usopp, they’re gorgeous, as always. But I’m not buying them for a woman.” Sanji takes a moment to steel himself. It’s now or never. He looks Usopp in the eyes, forcing himself not to get lost in the beautiful brown irises. Keeps his voice steady and calm while attempting to sound as genuine as possible. To ensure that Usopp will not doubt his words. “They’re for you, Usopp. The truth is, I haven’t gone on a date in a long time because you’ve been on my mind. I keep coming back because I enjoy spending time with you. I enjoy seeing how you look surrounded by the flora blossomed by your hand. I look forward to coming in to hear you tell stories to your plants while you tend to them. I love seeing you with leaves and petals in your hair and dirt on your cheek. I… I have strong feelings for you, Usopp. And if you’d let me, I’d like to make you happy. I’d like to take you on a date and gift you the most glorious blossoms in town.”
Sanji punctuates his statement by reaching over to pull one of the aforementioned leaves from the botanist’s hair while he stares at him, wide-eyed and open-mouthed. The action pulls Usopp from his trance and he finally speaks up.
“Sanji, what? Are–do you really mean all that?”
“I do. You don’t have to say yes or accept my affections, but I couldn’t hold my feelings back any longer.”
“Of course, I say yes, Sanji! How could I not? You’re cool and kind and drop-dead gorgeous!” Usopp hurriedly exclaims before saying more timidly, “Every time you came in here looking for a bouquet I was always so jealous. I never thought you’d feel that way about me.”
“I’m sorry to have misled you. I haven’t had the confidence to admit my feelings before now.”
“Well, better late than never, huh?” Usopp looks up at Sanji, shier than the chef has ever seen him. “You really want to go on a date with me?”
“Didn’t I make it clear? I care for you deeply, Usopp. I want to have you and make you happy.” Sanji grins at Usopp in a way that makes the other man swallow nervously. “Though if you’re having a hard time believing me, I suppose I’ll have to convince you.”
Sanji reaches over the counter and places his hand on Usopp’s cheek. He pulls him in carefully, giving Usopp plenty of time to back away or protest. But Usopp does neither. His eyelids go low and he leans in closer until the distance between their lips is reduced to nothing.
Their kiss is slow and gentle, and as they move together, Sanji’s mind is flooded with images of the two of them just like this: kissing and content. The feeling that spreads throughout him is all the confirmation he needs that this is the relationship he is meant to have with Usopp. This intimacy that belongs to them in all of their lives, past and present.
When they part, Usopp stares at Sanji, a strange expression coming onto his face for just a moment before he blinks in rapid succession.
“Woah. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I just got the craziest feeling of déjà vu!”
Sanji stares at him in disbelief before a wide smile comes to his face.
“Yeah? Tell me more.”