One Piece x Reader [OPEN]

106. Tick-tock, I'm out (Ceasar x Male!Reader)

It's gradual at first, like a creeping fog, too subtle to notice at first. Then—there. A sharp, jarring pressure settles between your temples. A slow-building ache that starts as a nuisance but then begins to expand, like a vice tightening over your skull. The faint ringing in your ears starts low, almost imperceptible.

Your steps falter.

You stop. The ache intensifies, and suddenly, it's a full-blown hammering in the back of your head, radiating outward, pulling your senses into sharp, staccato bursts. The world blurs. You blink—once, twice.

But all you can hear is it—
The twitch.
One of the threads.

You know it.

Something just happened.

Something's wrong.

And then, a blur of lilac gas materializes beside you, sharp against the air, a sickly sweet scent curling in with it.

Caesar Clown is standing there, grinning from ear to ear, as if he's been waiting for this moment.

"Well, well, well," he announces, arms flung out in exaggerated delight. "For once, I'll berhe first to know...After you."

Your hand presses to your forehead, eyes squinting against the stabbing pain. You don't bother to respond to his theatrics, but your voice is sharp, strained. "What would you know?"

Caesar gives an exaggerated shrug, floating closer as his laughter dances in the air. "Ah, no need to be coy. I felt it too. A change. You can't hide it, you know."

You blink rapidly, trying to shake the fog clouding your mind, but the thread's tug is unmistakable. You know it now. Something's happened. Someone's target has shifted.

And it's just... too much.

The headache floods back, and you stagger, grabbing hold of the wall to steady yourself.

Caesar watches, a gleam in his eyes. "Thought so. You're all over it now, huh? It's your thread, after all. Which means—guess what, friend? You'll know the worst before anyone else does."

You steady yourself against the wall, the ache pounding through your skull like a steady drumbeat. Caesar hovers in that lilac haze, far too pleased with himself, his grin stretching just a bit too wide.

"Huh," you mutter, glancing sideways at him with a half-lidded stare, "you think you're smart, huh?"

He perks up, floating a little higher, mist curling around his ankles. "I mean, obviously."

You tilt your head, the ghost of a smirk playing at your lips despite the pain. "Wanna learn something that'll break your little heart?"

He blinks, caught off guard by the sudden softness in your tone.

"I'm not suicidal, Caesar," you purr, low and razor-edged. "If CP0 is attacking Vegapunk—and they are—that means they're not following protocol anymore. He's under the government, and they're still going after him. You think there's anything stopping them from turning on us next? You think they draw lines?"

Caesar's grin wavers. "Wait—what?"

You push off the wall, voice silk over steel now. "I want to live, sweetheart. You and Judge can play your little kingdom-of-madmen games, but if this ship starts sinking? I'll be the first one off. No pride, no loyalty. I'm not going down with either of you."

He stares, open-mouthed, sputtering.

"What? I'm a coward? Realist?" you cut in, smiling now. "Pick one. I'm gorgeous either way."

He makes a sound somewhere between a scoff and a whine, arms flailing a little as if that might help him regain control of the moment.

"Mmhm. And you're always the last to know," you whisper sweetly, tapping your temple. "Vegapunk's under attack right now. Which means... tick-tock, darling."

"You can't!"

"Huh? Or else what? You'll get rid of me? Don't mock me. I'm the informant. You need me but me...." you raise your arms up. "I only need the equipment. Besides, I never made any promises."

Caesar goes quiet, the mist curling tighter around him as the full weight of the situation finally clicks.

You turn away, headache still blooming behind your eyes, but your voice drips sugar over venom as you go:
"Better float fast, gas-man. Things are about to get ugly...and I won't be there to see it."

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PATHETIC CEASAR
Pathetic Ceasar
He got humbled

I also really love the devil fruit I used here...hm.....yeah....I LOVE IT. Might reuse it someday.

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⁘ Requests are open!⁘

➢Doflamingo x Confused!Sassy!Male!Reader
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➢Wire x Kind!Sassy!Female!Reader
➢Law x Tall!Skypiean!Trustworthy!Flirty!Male!Reader
➢Lucci x Innocent!Kind!Chubby!Female!Reader
➢Sabo x Studious!Introvert!Quiet!Elegant!Male!Reader
➢Shanks x Shy!Smart!Female!Reader
➢Law x Short!Energetic!SocialButterfly!Handful!Female!Reader