Chapter Text
Franky was the first one to notice, or at least the first one to say anything.
Sogeking was bestowing a tale about one of his many triumphs in his homeland to an enraptured Chopper and Luffy. Franky was tinkering with something and loosely following the story, when something in the mechanics of what he was doing started to look screwy.
“Hey, Sniper-Bro! Can I get your opinion on something?”
Sogeking finished his tale and sauntered over to Franky.
“What can I help you with?” he asked.
“Oh, sorry bro. Can you get the other one?”
Sogeking, being unflappable as he is, did not baulk at this. He nearly did, though, which shows how surprising this request was.
“This is just a gear thing, which I know you don’t really care about,” Franky continued.
Sogeking stared for a moment then grabbed Franky and dragged him to another part of the ship.
Usopp get out here
Why? What’s the matter?
Franky knows. We need to do something about it.
WHAT. How does Franky know?
“Uh, bro? You okay?” Frank was peering at them, concern evident in his eyes.
“How do you know?” hissed Sogeking.
Woah. Let’s calm down there. He’s still our crew-mate.
Your. Crew mate.
Okay, point taken. But still. At least try to be civil?
Fine.
“How do you know about us?” Sogeking asked again, significantly less murdery this time.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Franky was looking side to side like he expected someone to pop out and surprise him.
“How do you know about Sogeking?” Usopp tried.
“Sogeking? Like from Enies Lobby?” Franky still looked confused. “Look, all I know is, I wanted to talk to the one who likes tech about this thing I’m whipping up for Nami.”
“Ooh, what are you making for Nami—Wait! That is not the point!” Usopp pointed an accusatory finger. “Nobody knows there’s two of us; how did you know? I don’t even know what it *means* that there are two of us.”
“Does Luffy know?”
“Of course Luffy doesn’t know! How would that even go down? Hey, captain, thanks for letting me join your crew even though I’m the weakest one by far! Just in case you were wondering; I have an imaginary friend who’s actually real and likes yelling at people twice our size!” Usopp stopped ranting, “Actually come to think of it, he’d probably find that cool.”
“I doubt anyone wouldn’t. Two nakama for the price of one!” Franky beamed down at them.
“Two nakama for the price of one,” Usopp echoed.
Maybe telling the others wouldn’t be a terrible idea…
Nope. Stop. Don’t even think about that. We can’t tell others about us.
Why not? Franky clearly doesn’t care.
Actually, speaking of that—
“You cannot tell anyone about this,” Sogeking growled.
Franky struck a pose. “You have my word.”
Sogeking glared a moment more but relented.
“You could talk to Chopper though,” Franky offered. “He’ll know best about this type of thing.”
Sogeking sighed and waved him away.
Chopper! That’s a great idea!
The little reindeer was on the forefront on medical science. If anyone had heard about this sort of thing, it was him.
Stop that. We’re not telling anybody.
Uneasy silence fell between them.
Can I at least go talk to Franky about that thing for Nami?
Fine.
Usopp shook himself and grinned.
“Thanks!” he said aloud, and ran off to where Franky was on the deck again.