*elegantly set's a tea set in a beautiful table* no, let's make it about Sanuso, let's talk about Usopp having his hair down and how that affects Sanji.
Especially if they're not dating yet, I need pathetic Sanji pinning do I have so many thoughts about that, like him going out of the kitchen to give the girls their treats and everyone is looking at Usopp who is just drawing by the deck letting the wind blow his hair, Sanji having to go back to the kitchen because he's having a crisis over how beautiful he looked, him realising he might be gay and being in denial for a while.
Usopp letting his hair down more often and Snaji not being able to handle it so he avoids Usopp.
Nami noticing and trying to match them.
You are a person of culture I want to know your views on this
Oh, okay. Let's make it about Sanuso then *sips tea* (very funny because I am actually drinking tea right now 😭)
Usopp starts to let his hair down more often. Pretty much all the time, actually, unless he truly needs to see properly (when he's fighting or working). So whenever they're not doing anything important, he decides to leave the ponytails and bandanas aside to let his hair loose a little. So, on regular days in the Sunny or whenever they're on a calm island, Usopp's hair is undone.
And that's killing Sanji. It's not that he refuses to admit he likes men. Because. Well- Okay, it's a bit hard for him to admit he likes men. But he doesn't like Usopp. It's just that the sniper looks so ethereal and so gorgeous with his hair undone that it's really, really hard not to focus on him. But he doesn't like like him (that's what he calls it. Because Sanji has the mentality of a fifteen-year-old high school girl in a 2000s teenage rom-com). Except that he definitely "like likes" Usopp because he has never felt this way before and it still happens whenever he looks like he always does. It's just that his hair being long and falling over his shoulders like a chocolate fountain makes him feel all over the place. He ends up accepting that, well, he likes Usopp. Somehow. In some way that is not platonic but it isn't love either. Because it can't be love. Because it would make things uncomfortable between them and he can't let himself ruin the friendship they have. They're so close now. Usopp is probably his best friend out of everybody in the crew and the one who understands him the best. The one he trusts the most for his secrets and deep, intimate conversations in the middle of the night. So he's not risking all of that for a simple, silly crush. Because it's just that, a simple silly crush that will go away the second he gets his shit together.
But it doesn't happen, because Usopp keeps walking around looking oh so beautiful, and Sanji doesn't think he can keep doing this.
He tries to be subtle about it, always telling Usopp if it wouldn't be more comfortable to use one of his bandanas or tie his hair. He's always giving him hats and other possibilities that do not include letting his hair undone. But Usopp is always refusing with a gentle smile because he prefers it this way. He says he appreciates Sanji's concern, but it's fine and it isn't bothersome at all. He likes his hair long and free and wild! And Sanji agrees. He likes it too. But he likes it too much to focus on his daily tasks, and every day seems to be getting harder and harder.
It's even worse in the mornings when Usopp hasn't done his hair routine and hasn't showered yet and his hair is all messy and all over his face. It makes Sanji melt instantly, every time he sees him walking through the kitchen door. Usopp never seems to notice Sanji's reaction, but he always blushes uncontrollably and blames still being half-asleep for his stuttering. Besides, the fact that the guy moves around shirtless all the time with his abs and tits out for everybody to see does not help Sanji at all. He needs a break.
Okay, so the easiest and quickest way of dealing with this is obvious: Let's just ignore the shit out of Usopp. Awesome. Super clever behavior. (<- Running away from your problems but your problems your very hot best friend you're in love with and his long, precious hair).
And Nami notices because Nami isn't stupid. She knows something's going on and she knows it's because of Usopp's hair because, again, she isn't blind and she can tell when Sanji is acting dumb. So she tries to set them up by being silly and a little bitch like always.
Sanji is cooking (his demons away. His demons being his very gaygay feelings for Uso-) and he has been ignoring Usopp for a while now. Not ignoring, per se, just not being with him much? And Usopp can tell but he doesn't think much about it because Sanji just gets like that sometimes. He'll go back to being himself. It's fine (it's not). So Sanji doesn't expect Usopp to come into the kitchen now, because he thought he was hanging out with Nami and that's why he guessed it'd be a good time to cook without any risk of Usopp coming in here. Guess who was completely wrong? Anyway- Sanji is a bit nervous at first because he has realized (fucking finally) that his feelings for Usopp are something real and tangible and he can't escape from them unless he ignores them. But he tries to act like a normal person with normal thoughts (he is not).
When Usopp asks him his question, Sanji is a bit confused and all his worries fade away suddenly:
Sanji: Coconut oil? What do you want coconut oil for?
Usopp: Nami said it'd be good for my hair.
Sanji: For your hair.
Usopp: Yes? Thought you'd know about it with how obsessed you are with food-
Sanji: Yes, Usopp, I- I know about the properties of coconut oil. But I am not letting you use it.
Usopp: What? Why?!
Sanji: Because! We don't have that much left and I wanted to make cookies for the girl-
Usopp: Aha?
Sanji: And you. The crew. Shut up. The point is, even if you could use it once without wasting it completely until the next island, I don't trust you with my ingredients, and-
Usopp: Then you do it.
Sanji: What?
Usopp: Just put it on my hair. It can't be that hard for you. C'mon.
Sanji: And does it have to be now?
Usopp: Not really, but Nami keeps talking about it every damn second and she's getting on my nerves. If I don't do it now she won't shut up.
Sanji: Usopp, I- Can't you see I'm busy?
Usopp: You're cooking dinner at 3pm, Sanji. You're not busy.
Sanji: I'm not sure if this is-
Usopp: Please? Please. I will do anything.
Sanji: You know I can't fight you when you say that. It makes me feel guilty. Like kicking a reindeer.
Usopp: Nah, you'd kick Chopper if you needed to but you can't say no to my beautiful eyes.
Sanji: Do you want your hair oiled or do you prefer ending up bald?
Usopp: You won't do that. C'mon! Get on with the coconut oil!
Sanji: Right now?
Usopp: Please?
Sanji: You're insufferable.
Usopp: You love me.
And Sanji isn't brave enough to say that yes, he does love him.
So he does whatever Usopp says, and follows him to the bathroom. He kind of feels he's about to have a heart attack right now when he sees Usopp washing his hair first for this. It's too erotic. He can't look. He won't look. But Usopp is talking to him about some stuff he did with Luffy earlier. Fishing? Playing a game? Whatever, Sanji is not listening to him. He's trying so, so hard not to stare at him. The time passes and the cook miraculously does not die. His heartbeat is still going wild, though, especially when Usopp sits in front of him with his damp hair for Sanji to start working. He should've said no. He really should've just said no. But he sits behind him anyway and stares at Usopp's wide back being decorated with his silky, curly strands of hair. It's hypnotizing. Sanji even thinks it's inappropriate to touch Usopp's hair with how precious it is. He feels like he's unworthy of this. But Usopp won't stop telling him to do it already, and Sanji thinks that if he starts now he will finish sooner.
To not make this extremely long: Long story short, Sanji doesn't die. Usopp keeps talking and talking and it actually feels really nice after a minute. Usopp always has this talent for making Sanji comfortable anywhere they're at and at any time. He has missed this, after a long time of ignoring him. And Usopp seems to be enjoying it too, apparently. He keeps saying how good it smells and how hungry it's making him. And Sanji responds with a "mm. Perhaps I let you have a bite of those cookies after all" / "You were going to do it anyway" / "You don't know that" / "Nah, I know". And he hates admitting that Usopp is right.
When they're done, Usopp thanks Sanji, and Sanji wishes, deep inside, that they had to be together longer. Oh. But then Usopp comments something like "Fuck. I need to dry my hair" / "Huh. And the problem? You wanted this in the first place" / "I knoooow. But it's so tiring. It used to be easier when I had shorter hair" / "I could help you" / "What?" / "What?" / "Do you want to dry my hair?" / "What? No. I did not- Not if you don't-" / "No. That'd- That'd be nice. Thank you, Sanji".
That's when he knows he's fucked, because it's the first time that he almost says "I love you" out loud and he has to bite his tongue to not let his heart speak for him.
So basically, Sanji helps Usopp dry his hair. It's intimate. It's sweet. Sanji isn't that nervous after all, because Usopp never shuts up and he realizes his favorite sound is whenever he's speaking. That he actually hates drying his hair because the loud sounds make him unable to hear Usopp properly, but also loves it because Usopp is letting him take care of something as important as his hair. And they're also so, so close... But he doesn't think about it. He won't think about it.
But he inevitably thinks about it when they finish, Usopp's hair a bit all over the place, but extremely beautiful and even shinier than usual. It seems softer, too. Sanji can't help but want to touch it. There's this silence between them but it isn't at all uncomfortable, even if it makes Sanji turn all red and laugh in a way he never thought he could.
Usopp looks at Sanji a bit shyly and says: "Sorry for making you do all of this. I think I've forced you a little, right?" / "What? No! I did it because I wanted to. Although you could've certainly been less intense about the oil thing, but- But it was nice."
But then the sniper shrugs, looking away with a look that clearly tells Sanji he's thinking about something way too hard. "Do you think I should cut my hai-" / "No! ...I mean. Why would you do that? I think it looks great. And you like it. A lot." / "I dunno. It's very high maintenance? I wouldn't want to waste all your ingredients on thi-" / "I don't think it'd be a waste. Not if it's-" / "Mm?" / "It's just- Nothing. I just think it'd be a crime for you to cut it. We can just buy more oils. For your hair, specifically. And if you ever don't feel like taking care of it, I think I did a pretty good job" / "Don't be stupid. You don't want to take care of-" / "Yes, I do. I would, I mean. If you wanted to. It's relaxing. Like cooking but without the eating part" / "Are you thinking about cooking my hair?" / "Kind of looks like a chocolate fountain" / "That's the only thing that comes to your mind when you look at me?"
A loose strand of hair ends on Usopp's face, but he does nothing about it. Sanji acts instinctively, moving it away and placing it behind his ear. "Not the only thing."
And I wish I could say they kiss, but it probably ends there. Sanji realizes what he said and makes up an excuse to run to the kitchen while he leaves Usopp all confused, blushing, and like a complete mess on the bathroom floor.
When the sniper gets out of there, Nami winks at him and says "Your hair looks softer, huh? Did the extra hands help too, besides the coconut oil?" And he doesn't know if to yell at her or thank her.
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"will shouldn't use a gun in season five because his father probably taught him how to use one and that could be a bad reminder for him" have you considered that will using what was very likely a Bad experience to save his life in what is undoubtedly an even worse experience could be a good thing? have you considered that him using a skill he was forced to learn to save not only himself but (as is likely more important and meaningful to him) the lives of others could give him a sense of usefulness and safety knowing that he isn't defenseless and can stand his and others' ground if need be? especially considering that's a skill that we've only seen hopper and nancy possess, making it that much more valuable and himself more helpful to the group? after everything in s1 and s2, he's probably felt guilty for having endangered them and dozens of other people multiple times, i don't think it'd be out there for him to feel "happy" that he can finally return the favor and protect them for once (especially after having complained about being babied and treated like a doll).
"will doesn't have and shouldn't have powers because that makes him different and he doesn't want to be different" not only are you wrong lol <3 but how have you not noticed that will's entire thing since the very beginning is that he is different and he knows it and while he does get his heart broken over the fact that this means he faces constant unfairness in life, he still refuses to be any other way? will doesn't conform nor does he ever try to even when others try to force or shame him to. he gets frustrated and upset at being treated differently, yes, but he stays true to himself. to battle that feeling he sometimes gets that tells him he's a mistake, a feeling he gets not from his own otherness but from living in a world that Makes it an otherness and thus isolates him for it, he seeks out that which he loves and enjoys and throws himself wholeheartedly at it. will lives his truth and is willing to suffer the consequences for it. he refuses to live in darkness and let it take a hold of him. he holds on to hope and all that makes him feel better for being different. he holds on to art, to dnd, to video games, to his family and his friends, and everything that brings him joy and reminds him that it's okay to be different. in s1 joyce defends will ("he's missing is what he is") and jonathan tells him he shouldn't like things that other people (namely their homophobic dad) try to force him to like, that he should like what he genuinely likes. in s2 jonathan gives will the freak speech and tells him that no one normal ever accomplished anything and mentions bowie. in s3, he doesn't get a speech, (though joyce does tell him that when he falls in love he won't find it gross [avoiding the word girlfriend and leaving it neutral]) but he does face backlash from someone that IS trying to conform and IS shaming will for not letting go of "childish" things aka his interests, what's important to him, and what he wants. does will back down or shy away in shame? no. instead, he lets mike sit in his shame for having said something that hurtful, and he says "yeah. i guess i did. i really did." clearly this is a conversation about what makes will different aka his sexuality bc he goes and destroys castle byers (the safe place he and his brother built once their homophobic dad left which is a place will can be himself unapologetically) with what is likely a bat that lonnie gave him when trying to get him into baseball. he calls himself stupid and donates his dnd books, but i don't see this as an act of conformity (he tells mike as much, suggesting he'll just use his books + if he was ashamed he wouldn't have painted the party as their dnd characters and given it to him of all people lol). he felt stupid because he thought they'd always be crazy together, that they were of the same mind and heart still, and that they had the same brand of "otherness" if you catch my drift. then in s4 we get jonathan's tender "you're my brother and there is nothing absolutely nothing that will ever change that" which is the most direct anyone has ever been about that which makes will different. and he doesn't shy away from it! he doesn't deny it, because we can see from his confession and how he breaks down that he's desperately been wanting and needing to hear that. he accepts that love and allows himself to be held and seen by someone else, as he has every other time. because will doesn't hate being different, he just hates that he has to live in a world where that's seen as wrong and thus makes him feel like he doesn't belong because of it. but he doesn't change himself. he doesn't feel ashamed of it. he doesn't see it as a flaw in himself or others and he never has. will is different and he knows it and he wouldn't have it any other way.
will's story since the beginning has been about being different and going through awful things, and managing to not only find the light in it but also make it out stronger because of it all. it's always been about using what makes him different as a good thing and as something he uses to save himself and others.
will being good with a gun bought him time with whatever kidnapped him. will knowing how to run and hide kept him alive in the upside down. will acted as a spy while possessed and managed not only to save hopper but also tell them how to finish this. will's experiences and senses helped them figure out what was happening in season three. will's love and loyalty inspires mike and manages to bring him to a better place even if just for a moment in the van, and again he's the one that knows vecna's current state, aaaand had he been in hawkins at the time it likely would've gone a lot better because as dustin said "we need will".
taking something awful and turning it into a good thing and a source of strength is a wonderful trope. it's inspiring and empowering not only for the character but for those that could use that hope and reminder that there's always a silver lining, that life isn't all darkness and shadows and hurt. not only that, but it's something that they've literally always done for will since the very beginning. he is the prime character for that. his entire message has always been that it's okay to be different and that you can find strength and peace in that; that the things that make you different aren't a detriment, they're precisely what make you strong. like... i'm sorry, but have you not been paying attention at all whatsoever this entire time or... :/
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