Work Text:
"You must hate me" Usopp says dramatically as he watches the already massive ship keep growing in size as you two approach.
"No, I love you. That's why I'm having you meet them!" you place a kiss on his cheek to accentuate your words.
This had been something you've wanted to do since you and Usopp first got together. Your family means so much to you and to have them meet your boyfriend who you love with all your being is something that's on your mind constantly.
Usopp on the other hand is absolutely terrified. While the stories you've told him about the whitebeard pirates have eased some of his worries but there where something's that you told him that made his heart drop. Like how they (Curiel, Blamenco, and a plethora of your other siblings) spent hours interrogating the last person you dated about everything under the sun.
Though you had sprung that fact onto them out of the blue unlike with Usopp who you've been ranting to them about since before you even asked him out so they have a better understanding of who he is and what his intentions most likely are.
"Besides you've already met Ace! So it'll be fine!" You say dismissively
"You know for a fact that he's going to be just as bad as the rest of them!" Usopp says pointedly at you.
It very true, no matter how much you and Ace vouch for and talk about Usopp being good for you most of them will not truly believe it till they put him through their "tests" aka them questioning him till they get a wrong answer. No matter how much he shakes and worries Usopp did choose to come, as much as you want him to meet your family you weren't going to push for it if he really was not ready to face them.
It only took a moment for your boat to reach the ship after you two ceased talking, a latter was thrown down after the anchor was let down. Haruta was the first to greet you once you reach the top calling out you name happily and pulling you into a tight hug. Everyone around takes turns greeting you giving you hugs and pats on the shoulder or back it's overwhelming for Usopp to even watch from right in front of the latter.
As your distracted with all the welcomes from your family Usopp notices that they are either pretending he doesn't exist (which is preferred) or staring daggers at him like their trying to dissect him with their eyes. Usopp shirks back against the railing trying to make himself invisible as he scans all over for you to be saved.
"Usopp right?" a voice says from left of him make him almost jump out of his own skin and he has to use all his will power to suppress a scream as he whips his head to the side.
"Um y-yes…" he says quickly as he looks up at the taller man.
The man points to himself and gins at Usopp "I'm Rakuyo, I'm sure Y/N has mentioned me a lot" he say cockily.
"Oh yeah he's told me a lot about you" Usopp had to force the words past a lump in his throat, Rakuyo was even taller and more intimidating then he expected based on what you had told him. You had only ever described him (lovingly) as a idiot who got so many games banned from being played on the ship due to his gambling issue that you lost count and that despite his almost constant insistence of playing some type of gambling game he had the worst poker face imaginable. That with all the stories of his goofing off you've told him about he expected him to be one of the ones to be less harsh.
Rakuyos grin widens even more as he places his hand on Usopps shoulder and leans in, Usopp was sure he was about to get threatened with a grizzly gruesome death based on the look in his eyes "as expected since I'm his favorite"
Before Usopp could even let out his sigh of relief at not being told how he was going to be murdered you come to his rescue and push Rakuyo away. Usopp almost jumps at you to give you a kiss as thanks but being surrounded by your siblings makes him think better of doing so.
"Stop being an asshole" you say pointedly giving Rakuyo a look.
"I wasn't!" you looked at him the same way you so at Luffy when he tells you that he didn't steal your snacks you were saving for later.
Looking back over at Usopp you give him a sympathetic smile "sorry I left like that they kinda dragged me away" you make sure to emphasize you last few words as you shoot a glare at Rakuyo and the others who were close by who all look away as if they have no idea about what you are implying.
You aren't surprised at all that they tried getting Usopp alone you just didn't think they would try and do it this early on.
"It okay really" Usopp says with a nervous laugh.
"It wasn't okay, I know what they can get like when it comes to people being into me I should have grabbed onto your hand from the beginning." you whisper as you grab his hand tightly and begin leading him though the crowd of your family who have already started drinking in celebrate of you being back.
Usopp huffs and gives you hand a grateful squeeze "where are we going now?" he asks changing the subject.
"You're going to meet Thatch, Tate, and Jozu since I know they will be more welcoming to you then the others" Usopp didn't believe that but he didn't voice it wanting to trust you instincts.
The three of them were standing together a little bit away from the crowd drinking and chatting, when Thatch noticed you approaching he did a little wave as he smiled.
"So your the guy Y/N wont shut up about" Tate says giving Usopp a small smile.
"Haha… yeah that's… that's me!" he says nervously not really know what to say, he doesn't know if that's cause of his nerves or if its from his lack of experience regarding anything family related.
Tate giggles at him and shakes her head fondly "Well I'm Tate, that's Thatch" she gestures over to him and he gives another small wave to Usopp "and Jozu" Jozu simply nods at Usopp his serious expression not changing making Usopps sweat drop.
"N-nice to meet you" Usopp says trying to sound as respectfully as he could.
"What took you so long to bring him to meet us huh? Usually we know whoever your dating within the first five seconds of you gettin' with them" Thatch asks teasingly as he tilts he head.
"I was waiting for Usopp to be ready" you say matter of factly.
"Oh? I don't see any reason he would wanna wait a year" Thatch has to suppress his laugh as he speaks and looks behind you and Usopp towards everyone behind you who are not so suddenly watch Usopps every move.
You just roll your eyes at him not even humoring that line of thought any longer.
"Where are you from?" Jozu asks suddenly making Usopp jump, not expecting Jozu to talk given how stoic he's acting.
"Syrup Village in the east blue… with my mom" he adds the last bit hesitantly, it was sill a touchy subject for him. He missed his mom more then he would ever put into words and with so much of your family around him it made the ache worse. You give his hand another squeeze and send him a side ways glance ready to stop the conversation and move it in a different direction if he wanted.
"What did she think of you becoming a pirate?" Tate questions
"Oh uh she… passed when I was around seven so…" he says awkwardly looking to the side away from them.
"ah, I'm sorry for your loss" Tate reply regret lacing her voice.
"A lot of us here were in similar situations at that age so if you need someone to confide in about it just talk to us, alright?" Thatch says reassuringly as he gives Usopp a small pat on the shoulder. Both Tate and Jozu nod in agreement.
That surprises Usopp, you were the main person he talked to about his feelings and thoughts since he didn't want to inconvenience the others with that all so to have someone other then you offer that is… nice.
"Thanks" he say looking back over at them and giving a smile.
"ANYWAY" you cut in "no more sad talk! This is supposed to be a good happy day! Besides Usopp needs to meet other people now" your already pulling him away before you even stop talking.
"See you!" Thatch yells out after the two of you and Usopp gives a small wave bye.
"Who am I meeting now?" he asks as he starts walking faster so you're not dragging him anymore.
"The old man!" you say cheerily.
Usopps heart falls into his ass.