But This Was Never Planned - Gabriel & Frayli
Riding the sea train, Frayli rocks in their seat and glances out of the Puffing Tom’s scratched windows. It’s incredible how they’ve managed to acquire passage, reaching into strangers’ pockets and borrowing their spare Berry for a ticket. Sea trains aren’t an everyday thing for them, especially when motion sickness almost ripped out their stomach for riding any vehicle in sight. Typically, they were a disguised stowaway on Marine vessels who scrubbed their dirtied floors or a nameless street-rat sneaking onto pirate ships to taste their food. In a way, Frayli’s fortunes rained upon them as a physical miracle — Water 7 is a beautiful island resembling a gigantic fountain with well-preserved waterways and canals.
Their scarred fingers reach into the mockingly small backpack on their side, pulling out a roughly-binded book whose notched pages carries unfounded knowledge. Achieving their dream of witnessing the Emerald City is one thing, but adventuring in the Grand Line alone without reliable allies, to speak of, is another.
Frayli yawns, nearly biting on their tongue when the train’s conductor finally signaled their arrival at the Capital of Water. Eavesdropping on miscellaneous rumors about popular shipwrights and the Galley-La Company, Frayli’s crimson eyes roll at these tourists as they slip the book into their shitty-looking backpack and walks out of their booth.
When sunlight hits their face, the rascal sighs and glances around the train station. The salty breeze clings to their bare skin, pulling them forward as a gentle lure.
Neptune sleeps, and Frayli prays that the Aqua Laguna leaves them alone.
( The ocean never does. That is the curse of a Devil Fruit. )
Seems like they’ve made a successful gamble, arriving at a popular time for vacation-goers and tourists. Frayli doesn’t naturally blend in, revealing their sharpened teeth with every smile and running away at the first signs of trouble. What kind of fish-man doesn’t swim away from danger? Most of the time, back home, Frayli witnessed their mother’s fighting prowess as someone who sailed with the Sun Pirates. Her entire body was weaponized to protect they and their Mink sibling from bloodthirsty foes or malicious pirates that renounced their dreams in exchange for destroying others’ livelihoods.
Right here, Frayli isn’t content with hiding their fish-man heritage. Paradise is more forgiving than the South Blue, where they witnessed the distinction between an ally and foe. Their human father was a trustworthy ally to the fish-men, said to have carried the dinosaurs of New World with a single hand and helped in freeing slaves from the Celestial Dragons. And yet, he fell to the World Government during a fierce battle between Admiral and Emperor altogether.
Frayli cringes at the thought of replacing their father’s place on a wanted poster, carrying such a high-risk bounty during an undercover adventure. They are supposed to discover necessary clues that led to the Eternal Sanctuary. The issue is, Frayli’s plan isn’t a thorough one and the Chaemsai name is recognizable enough to anyone that paid attention when reading from a News Coo.
Their tangled bangs dance in the air, unwilling to cling to their forehead. Gradual changes are preferable than quick ones, Frayli breathes, they’ll discover the buried secrets that’ll lead them to Emerald City and, maybe, they can live in peace.
The ocean has different plans to Frayli’s, bending reality on a whim. Their cheap bamboo sandals slap against the stone pavement and Frayli’s weary expression switches to a calmer one, as they strolled through Water 7’s streets in search for somewhere to hang out. Marketplaces weren’t their favorite places to be, and they are certainly not riding on a Bull.
Oh, they already forbid themself from doing so. Nobody wants fish vomit in their canals and sidewalks are free.
They briefly turn a corner, brushing the graceful fins behind their ears — accidentally bumping into a long-haired stranger, nearly reaching their height.
Frayli wobbles on their heel, ultimately landing on their backside. They wince, praying that they hadn’t caused any physical damage to the person or public property.
( Both are horrible, really. Frayli doesn’t have enough berry on them to recuperate. )
The half fish-man squeezes their eyelids tight, opening them to a sprawled-out palm and the concerned, albeit reassuring, face behind it.
“Hey, are — are you okay,” he sputtered. “Sorry about that, I should’ve watched where I was going.”
Hesitant to reply, Frayli nodded their head and pulled themself up with his hand, “Shit, you’re fine! It’s… all good, yeah? Falling on my ass ain’t gonna hurt me, it’s the sea that’ll.”
The pretty stranger opens his mouth to ask, eyeing their fins and shrugging. “Right, right. … Actually, I’ve never seen you around before. Are you new to Water 7?”
He gestures to the street ahead of them, beaming at Frayli’s tired frown. “Don’t worry! I’m not one of those tour guides, swindling isn’t my thing. I was just headed to a place where I hang out at.”
The ocean calls, sings, weaves magnificent tales in sea shanties and parties. Frayli doesn’t have the privilege of partying among others, nonetheless, when unwanted attention leads to cruel and unusual punishments. Their next stop should’ve been at Fishman Island, if their map-reading skills weren’t an indication that Frayli doesn’t know what the fuck they’re doing.
Staring into the boy’s eyes, Frayli musters a courageous, dopey smirk and plants a firm hand on his shoulder. Now, that they’re thinking about it…
“Sure,” they agree and gestures to the northern path. “It’d be nice to have a break once in a while. Lead the way!”
Frayli learns about the stranger on their shared walk. His name is Gabriel, born in Dressrosa and raised in Water 7. He sneezes passing by a bouquet stall, has a rhythmic gait to his legs, and the most benevolent smile they’ve ever seen. His eyes remind them of glistening sapphires: enriched with a deep, resonating blue that calms them down, reflecting his truthfulness. How Gabe, that is what he prefers to be called, is able to stay honest in a cut-throat ocean filled with conniving liars and asshole keepers of “justice” remains unseen.
He has a restless nature to him, constantly moving and leaping around. When Gabe spins around on his heels, he’s graceful enough to balance himself on the sidewalk and avoid hurting those around him. It must be talent or a martial art. Frayli’s never seen anyone like him, not even in Alabasta, and they’re supposed to be a silent traveler.
Here, though? They’re having a casual talk with a living embodiment of the Blue Sea, dynamic and free like the bountiful ocean around them.
Upon their arrival at Blueno’s Bar, they’re sitting at the bar. Gabe offers to pay for their drinks and Frayli doesn’t accept, only for their acquaintance to spend Berry on them anyways. Frayli childishly pouts, mentally reminding themself that they’re around fourteen and it’s okay to have some dependence once in a while. Even if it hurts their pride.
Gabe leans back, stretching his legs out and looking over to Frayli. He studies their reddish-brown hair and the scarlet markings covering their skin, noticing their conventional apparel before focusing back onto their blemished cheeks. He thanks the bartender, taking his sparkling beverage to sip.
“I hope you don’t mind if I ask,” Gabe leans forward onto the counter, soft mane brushing against wood. “Where are you from? You don’t talk like you’re from the Grand Line — uh, no offense!”
Frayli stares into their clear glass and to Gabriel, grinning. “None taken! Let’s say, I’m from South Blue. First time anyone’s asked, not that I’ve spoken to.”
They watch Gabriel fidget, twirling his bangs around his finger. If he’s able to catch on that quickly, maybe - things will turn out alright. Until Frayli leaves for another island after spending a week here, they have to hitch a ride on someone else’s ship and act like their cabin kid.
“I was given a real hard time trying to get here. It’s not surprising, the world’s fucked up like that.” Frayli smirks, adjusting their posture to appear confident. “Still, stepping into Water 7’s an achievement when the odds are against me. Why’d you ask?”
“Mostly `cause I hadn’t caught a ride from home before,” he said. “… And I’m thinking about things. The future, maybe? People are going out and explorin’ the world, in this Great Pirate Era, and…”
Gabriel runs a hand through his scalp, groaning. “… I’m stuck here.”
Oh, they understand having a dilemma about leaving home and chasing after your dreams. Frayli chugs half of their glass, placing their rugged hand over Gabriel’s, and kindly squeezes it as a playful jolt. Obviously, Gabriel yelps at the sudden move and bites his lip, catching onto Frayli’s determined smile that tugs at his heartstrings. For the first time, he wasn’t sure what to think or do, aside from what his father wants for him.
“Can you keep this a secret?” Gabriel lowers his voice to a whisper, searching around the bar with his eyes for intent listeners. “It isn’t exactly secret, but… this is just an expectation.”
Something he never wanted.
Frayli nods, lowering their eyelids. “Go on, tell me.”
“Ugh! Okay, this is going to be brief,” he inhales and begins explaining. “My dad wants me to be a shipwright. He wants me to be manly, tough, strong enough to fight the pirates who come here. He says that I have to, because if I don’t —“
The flying fish snorts, holding up Gabriel’s hand. “Then, what are you waiting for? Just go.”
At Frayli’s careless reply, Gabriel yells at them in mild shock. “What?! Are you kidding… I — No, Frayli…! It’s not that simple. What’s keeping me here, is that my mom gets worried. Ever since Grace —“
Gabriel pauses in his rambling, swallowing his words and sighs in a disappointed manner. “Sorry. There’s just, a lot. There’s a lot that I’m taking care of and it’s splitting me in two. What kind of person am I if I ran away from home without saying anything? What if I die out there?”
Frayli doesn’t pressure Gabe for an answer, reading the room for once and furrowing their bushy eyebrows. “… Sheesh, you worry a lot, too. I don’t know what you’re on about, but… take your time. We’ve got a week to plan things out!”
( Gabriel’s response is to wallow in silence for a bit. He never considered exploring the world soon, it wasn’t supposed to happen so early. This is his opportunity to escape and follow his dreams. )
( Along the way, he could find out what happened to Grace and return back to Water 7 with news. )
There are times where Gabriel wishes that he can predict the future. Harnessing the power of a Devil Fruit means sacrificing his love for dancing near seawater, running around to embrace the Blue Sea and her sleepless waters. He enjoys galloping in the Shopping District, greeting the folks around his neighborhood to where they knew Gabriel Guerrero differently from his father. His fondness for gossip attracts some unsavory characters, but he accepts that local news is kept interesting when world-famous ( or infamous ) celebrities step into their humble city. From the gluttonous Bonney Pirates to the highly-professional Heart Pirates, whose unconventional vessel was the talk of the town, Gabriel listens to the ocean winds and they’re always hinting at something new.
When Gabriel met Frayli for the first time, he never thought that destiny would push him in the direction of adventure. Thirteen years old, and he’s already dragged into the unexpected by a certain someone’s lack of self-preservation and carefree attitude.
It was like the ocean wanted him to go, and who could blame her?
He yearns for the freedom to chase his dreams, to become the greatest dancer in the world. Similar to Black Leg style, Gabriel’s inspiration to train came from witnessing Galley-La’s toughest shipwrights. Their experience in fighting allowed them to guard the shipyard and stop bystanders from getting hurt, involved even. They are Water 7’s protectors, whom Gabriel wanted to be like - someone who fights with grace.
( He would never become a shipwright. That is his father’s dream and Gabriel isn’t Bernardo. )
( “Gabe’s Gabe.” Grace told him as they watched the Puffing Tom. “I like you for who you are, not who Dad wants you to be.” )
Gabriel returns home one night to Bernardo’s scrunched nose and gritted teeth, unsatisfied with his son’s presence. The other half of Los Guerreros residing in a lonesome home, drenched in overbearing sorrow and the uncomfortable silence inside of it. He couldn’t hide from reality. The truth is, Grace has disappeared for a year and the last day of the week - today - is the daunting anniversary of her vanishing.
Nobody knows her fate. Not even Gabriel.
She was taken from Water 7, away from her family, and Gabriel wants to confirm that she’s alive. Doing well, if she’s on a pirate ship. If it were the Whitebeards, Gabriel would smile and thank whoever’s above that she is in responsible hands.
Nonetheless, Bernardo and his mom always said that Gabriel was strange. Even the townsfolk picked up on his abilities. He hangs around the Shopping District and observes visitors, hearing messages from precious objects and artifacts. From the meek whispers of rumored-to-be-cursed katanas hanging in stores to the occasional stuffed animal transformed by a young kid’s love.
Everything to Gabriel has a voice, yet none of them had Grace’s.
He sits at his desk, looking at his ridiculous attempts in blueprinting and to the morning skies shifting into a welcoming blue. Gabriel’s reflection mocks him, sticking his tongue out and cackling at the thought of achieving his dreams. He wasn’t a shipwright or a hero, Gabriel is Gabriel and he is struggling to accept that - in the moment - he needs help like everyone else, that he shouldn’t try and investigate on his own. It doesn’t help that he’s stuck in Water 7, unable to reach out for — well, there is Frayli.
Gabriel doesn’t know what to make of Frayli. He messily scribbles a letter on thin notebook paper, remembering to underline the important bits:
I’m sorry.
I’ll be gone soon.
Don’t look for me.
The fish-kid smells and feels troublesome, having a strange air of charisma around them that must’ve mesmerized him into accepting the call for adventure. He wasn’t the most talented twin out of the pair, often scrambling for acceptance and to be seen as someone’s first choice. Gabriel barely held himself together around his father, spilling his tears on the floor and trying to toughen out his hot temper.
( Being Gabriel means being soft. )
He is dishonest about himself in convoluted ways, wishing to fit in somewhere rather than stand out.
( But, isn’t the point of being free to be different? )
If Gabriel were on a pirate crew, he wouldn’t have a role to begin with. He could pass as a decent cabin boy, having experience in cleaning after Bernardo’s messes and tying ropes.
( When he ate lunch with Frayli, Gabriel talked about the constellations above them and the stars creating their shapes. He found the star ocean to be wonderful, but it was untouchable. Out of their reach. Frayli poked Gabriel on the cheek, telling him that he’ll be able to touch a star someday. )
Gabriel stands up, taking a duffel bag and packing his things before his parents wake up — toothbrushes, clothes, Grace’s pointes, snacks, some of the Berry he stole from Bernardo’s savings. He dresses in something recognizable, something blue in order for his sister to recognize him, and he tears down the bounty poster in his closet: a wanted poster of “White Vaquera” Dolores Rivera of the Pale Horse Pirates; Dead or Alive; 76,000,000 Berries.
With his good luck charm and idol of justice rolled up in his bag, Gabriel carefully shuts the bedroom door behind him to dwell on his second thoughts. Sure, he’s impulsive. It doesn’t mean he should make life-changing decisions with dire consequences.
Instead of turning back on Frayli’s offer, Gabriel climbs downstairs on his tip-toes and quietly heads out of the front door. He doesn’t lock, sprinting down Water 7’s sidewalks and vaulting across wide canals without slipping into its shallow waters. One turn into an alleyway leads to another canal, and another, until he’s descended far enough to the Blue Station.
Gabe breathes in still air, slowing down to take in his surroundings and remind himself that he’ll come back next time around with Grace in tow.
Los Guerreros will be together again.
( The next stop would be the Day Station. That would be Secon Island, right? )
He stands next to Frayli, the one who encouraged him to take the next step, and holds their hand. His seawater pools meet smoldering rubies, signaling to each other that they’ll have to trust each other from now on.
The Puffing Tom roars to life with Frayli carrying two tickets in tow for the morning ride.
“You’re gonna do great, we’re not gonna be alone in making our dreams come true,” they utter in confidence. “It’s gonna be you and I, Gabe.”
“Now, c’mon! We’re gonna get steal a ship and you’re gonna be the Navigator!”
