I must apologize for the lack of updates recently. Things have been hectic lately, but with summer coming I will be updating more often. Also, any suggestions or ideas are welcomed, as I've been plagued by writers block as well. Please enjoy chapter six of Scandalized!

--

For a long moment, Sanji's visible eye stared long and hard at Usopp. Almost as though if he were to stare long enough, any trace of Usopp left in the world would just go away. Vanish.

But Usopp was still standing there, no matter how long his eye lingered, and it was making his blood boil. How could Chopper have bluntly lied to him like that? How could he just shove words into his mouth?

Taking in a deep breath, Sanji attempted to calm himself down before he spoke. "You said that Chopper told you that?"

Usopp only nodded in silence.

"He told you that I told him to say that?"

Another nod.

"Usopp, I-"

"Don't say it. I understand." Casting his eyes downward, the marksman turned on his heels and began to walk away. Sanji mentally smacked himself. How could he have said it that way!?

His face softened while watching Usopp leave, the look of being heartbroken clearly etched onto his features. Almost like a magnet being attracted to a pin, his feet took off after him.

Usopp stiffened as a hand rested on his shoulder, clinging slightly to the fabric of his overalls. "Sanji, don't-"

"Shut up and listen, idiot." Sanji's voice seemed to crack for a moment before gaining composure, much to Usopp's surprise.

"All day I've been working my ass off trying to think of something to say to you, so you better fucking listen."

Both stood silent, the cool night wind blowing through their hair. It was only then that Usopp realized how chilly it was, but Sanji spoke before he could think further, firm grip still on his shoulder.

"I want to make it clear right now, I never told Chopper to say that." He winced as Usopp's look grew more disheartened.

"So you don't like me...I get it already, Sanji..."

Usopp found himself being pulled by the shoulders, turned toward Sanji and forced to look into his visible eye.

"Damn it, that's not what I'm saying! I'm not saying I don't like you...'That way', but I'm not saying I do either!!"

His words were getting mixed up again, he just knew it! He probably wasn't helping at all! But then, why is this warm feeling suddenly coming over him? It feels good, great actually. Great to say those words and finally get it off his chest.

It hits him that he's closed his eye, and he opens it fast to look at Usopp. The sniper's shoulders aren't sagging anymore. In fact, he's standing straight up now, a look of sad but relieved wonderment on his face.

"You mean there's a...chance?" Usopp is careful with picking his words. If he screws this up, all he'll get is a pure 'no', and that's the one thing he never wants.

"...Maybe."

--

Sanji ended up sleeping on the couch in the Galley that night. To him, it would be awkward to go and sleep in the Men's Quarters, where Usopp would be, as well as all the others there too.

Unfortunately, a couch isn't exactly the most comfortable thing in the world, and after much tossing and turning all he could do was sit up and light himself a smoke. His mind replays earlier events in his head like a broken record stuck in one place.

Mostly, he remembers his hands on Usopp's shoulders, as though holding the younger teen close to him.

It wasn't meant to be taken as an embrace, but not as a forceful encounter either.

What gets to him most though was that one question. That one simple yet complex question.

Did they really have a chance? After all, Sanji had never, ever, ever thought of the possibility of liking a man. It was the girls that made his knees go weak and chest blaze hot.

But every time he took one look at the sniper, his body felt frozen, if only for a minute. Which one was love then? Real love?

No, it wasn't love. Not exactly. Not yet, anyway. Love is when you want to cuddle and hug and kiss and don't care if anyone else really knows what's going on.

Stubbing the cigarette out in a nearby ashtray, Sanji turned onto his side on the couch and once again attempted to sleep, no blanket or pillow needed. Before slipping into uncomfortable sleep, that question again racked his mind.

"You mean there's a chance?"

--

By morning, the cook's body was full of kinks from laying on that God awful couch. How Franky had thought it would be comfortable, he had no clue. It would be breakfast time soon, so he started hauling himself up.

Until something fell slightly to his waist. It was a blanket. A brownish, slightly worn out blanket. But when had he gotten a...

A smile tugged at his lips. It wasn't much, but it meant that something had been forgiven that night, and possibly more than that even.

Folding up the blanket and setting it on the couch, Sanji took a moment to bend his body back in shape with some rather painful looking stretches before getting breakfast started.

The morning had barely begun, and aside from the pains, he was feeling quite right.

"Maybe there really is a chance...But I'm not jumping in just yet..."