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I FINALLY MADE A ONE SHOT AFTER YEARS! A short snippet! Been so long since I managed to do a one shot T-T
I hope you enjoy~
Luffy opened his eyes after the fight on Onigashima, only it wasn't Luffy. It was his eyes, but it wasn't Luffy who was seeing through them. Nika blinked a few times, flicking his eyes around. He had control of Luffy’s eyes. He flexed his fingers and toes. He had control of those, too.
“Oh fuck,” Nika breathed out.
“What the hell? You never say the F-word!” Usopp shouted. Nika tensed horribly. He was in control of Luffy’s body. And surrounded by Luffy’s crew and his allies, after a massive fight. He hijacked his devil fruit user’s body! Shit!
“Bad dream. I’m going back to sleep!” Nika shouted, and pulled the pillow over his head, hoping they’d leave him alone so he could try and get into contact with Luffy’s consciousness and give him his damn body back without traumatizing his crew. Nika loved them because he loved Luffy, even if (until today) none of them realized he even existed and had been there since the start.
“Hold up, you need to eat,” Sanji said forcefully, skeptically.
“I don't wanna, lemme sleep,” Nika whined in a very un-godly manner.
This seemed to be in character in the presentation, but not the contents. He’d sounded like Luffy but not like something he’d say. Chopper scurried over and asked to check him over. Damn it. Nika flopped over, wincing at his many injuries. Luffy’s many injuries. And then Luffy’s stomach rumbled, and Nika closed his eyes. Hunger, right. Unpleasant.
The last time he’d eaten was millennia ago.
“Your fight was extremely taxing, and you always heal by eating, not sleeping.” Nika sat up, and was apparently too pliant and accepting of the check up, when Luffy would have whined and protested. Nika cooperated fully. Earning weird looks. And extra eyes on him in worry and concern. Great. Just great.
He was coerced with ease to go have food, and winced when standing. The effects of his Freedom on a human body was always rough. It had been hard on Joy Boy, too. The first time especially. Luffy named it Gear 5, but it was the awakened form of their devil fruit. It was probably why Luffy’s soul was so weakened that Nika slipped through the curtains separating them. But with time, he should get more used to it, and therefore Nika wouldn't interfere again. He’d just keep getting to watch. Maybe he could get through this one time without scarring the crew into thinking their beloved captain was possessed.
He was sat down at a table, and everyone gathered around him. Act natural. Act natural. Then find a way to be alone.
But the food, the solid, tangible food he could taste consumed all of his attention. He ate like Luffy did, which seemed to put the Straw Hats at ease. Nika didn't want to converse with them as Luffy, which made him too quiet, concerning them again.
“Are you alright, Luffy?” Robin asked for them all.
Nika had no idea how to respond, because he’d need to lie. He’d probably be better at lying than Luffy. “My new move took a lot out of me,” he said honestly, for the both of them. “Guess I’m just still a little tired!”
“You do need more sleep. I think food is good, though. Why don't you go rest some more?” Chopper said with a smile. Nika felt so bad lying to them and pretending to be Luffy, but he wanted this situation to stay diffused. He just had to hope Zoro noticed nothing. He was perceptive and had a deep bond with Luffy.
And, shit, he was coming too, Chopper insisting he rest as well. And probably, he wanted to watch over Luffy in his protective way every time his captain was injured. Nika had seen his devotion on Thriller Bark, he knew just how deep it ran. And he would not take well to someone else having control over Luffy’s body.
He flopped down on the futon mat, and ran his hands along the fabric, truly touching something for the first time in over 1000 years. He had a very long lifetime before he became a devil fruit. He was content to watch others wield his power. But it did feel nice to touch something. He’d miss it when he gave Luffy his body back.
“You okay?” Zoro asked, leaning against the wall.
“Yeah,” Nika said, coming across as tired. Hopefully, he could sleep and swap back with Luffy painlessly. With an explanation so he didn't think he was insane. Nika closed his eyes, and searched his consciousness for Luffy. He drifted through darkness before finding his host sitting in the dark, looking utterly terrified.
Luffy? Nika asked. Luffy startled, and pulled his fists up, though his face was still deeply scared, shaking. It’s okay. I'm really sorry! Uh, I’m your devil fruit’s awakened form. I temporarily have control over your body until you recover from the first use of my awakened form! I promise, I’m taking care of your body and staying with your crew. I'll be out as soon as possible, I promise!
Luffy’s fists lowered, and he looked a little less scared. “Who are you?”
My name was Nika. Your devil fruit isn't actually the gum gum paramecia. It’s a zoan fruit, model Sun God Nika. I'm really sorry.
“Why are you sorry? It’s not like you lied to me.”
The world government has a vendetta against this devil fruit.
“Eh, I was gonna teach them a lesson anyways.”
Nika smiled.
“So when do I get my body back?”
When your body physically recovers. I think it’ll be a few more days at least.
“Oh, good luck not pissing Zoro off! You probably shouldn't tell them, they’ll get really angry and protective.” Nika sighed. He knew that, but didn't look forward to it. “So, I’m stuck in the darkness until then?” The god confirmed this, and Luffy laid down. “Guess I’ll just sleep until then, then.”
The lucky human passed out, leaving Nika to have a very uncomfortable week.
He was awkward, stilted, trying to be Luffy despite his guilt and shame. And they fretted. Oh boy, did they fret. Meanwhile, everytime Nika checked in on Luffy, he was snoring away, completely at peace. Lucky damn human.
Nika tried to get away from the Straw Hats as often as he could, but they were concerned and followed him everywhere. Someone was always with him. Nika had lived through Luffy’s adventures from his perspective, so it wasn't like he didn't have the knowledge to respond to questions and conversations, but he just hated pretending.
Zoro and Robin clearly realized something was off. But they didn't think he was possessed, they thought something in the fight had knocked him off kilter. Which was true, but not the problem at hand at all.
Nika went around tasting the local food, savoring having access to taste buds, but Zoro was a constant presence, despite his own dire injuries he was healing from. Nika was very glad they were safe on Wano for now, and the government wouldn't be on their tails at the moment. They had the time to heal, and for Luffy to get his body back.
“You good?” Zoro asked for the billionth time when Nika didn't react properly.
“Mmhmm. Hey, I have a question about your new sword.”
“Oh, Enma?” Zoro asked, putting his hand on his new weapon.
“Yeah. Seems intense. It’s giving off a feeling, y’know?”
Zoro blinked in surprise. “It’s a surprise you noticed.”
Nika glared at him, and Zoro smirked. “Seems to really have a nasty attitude. But so did Kitetsu. And I bent it to my will.”
“Na ha ha ha!” Nika laughed, earning narrowed eyes from Zoro. Right, shit. That’s not what Luffy’s laugh sounded like. Perceptive jerk. Nika whipped his head around. “I’m gonna go on a walk.”
“A walk?” Zoro asked suspiciously.
“I always go on walks! I've been going on walks since Arlong Park,” Nika pouted.
“Yeah. You go on walks when you want to avoid people or to prove a point,” Zoro said back, still suspicious.
“You're being so clingy, I defeated an Emperor! I can go on a walk by myself.” Zoro finally backed off, and Nika strode away, ending up back at the shogun’s palace, where he rocketed himself up to the tip of the curved tree. He was exhausted and couldn't wait to hand off Luffy’s body again.
He checked on him, and yup, he was still sleeping. Well, Nika would prove (in hind sight) that he was fine, he wasn't a demon, and didn't plan on ever being in this situation again.
-x-
When night fell on the third day of Nika impersonating his devil fruit user, things unraveled and he realized just how unconvincing he’d been to certain members of the crew. He was once again on the roof of the shogun’s palace, where the Straw Hats and their allies who hadn't left already continued to stay.
Nika was looking at the stars, feeling sleepy again when arms spawned around him, holding him down. He was immediately ready to attack anyone who wanted to harm Luffy’s body, but realized who they belonged to almost instantly and pushed away his need to defend himself. Robin was restraining him, and soon Zoro was there, too fast, with his sword pressed to Nika’s throat. Fuck.
“Who are you, and what did you do with my captain?” Zoro growled, haki radiating off of Wado. Nika grimaced. He knew Zoro would never actually hurt Luffy’s body, so he didn't fear death or maiming from the unofficial first mate.
“Can you let me up, Robin?”
The sword pressed a little closer. “You don't deny it,” Zoro snarled. “Give our captain back,” he demanded, livid and dangerous.
Nika swallowed nervously, Zoro imperceptively lifting his sword so the swallow didn't force Luffy’s throat closer pressed to the blade. “Well, I can't explain why I can't do that yet with a sword to Luffy’s neck and restrained,” Nika said awkwardly. Robin released him mostly, but spawned hands to hold them behind his back like cuffs he could very easily break and free himself from.
He sat up, Zoro still pressing the tip of his sword to Nika’s neck. “Explain. Who are you, and when are you bringing Luffy back.”
Nika adjusted himself on the roof slightly, grimacing. “I'm Luffy's devil fruit,” he said. Zoro gave him a disbelieving stare, while Robin, who finally appeared on the roof, looked stern, and claimed a paramecia could have no instincts, and that even zoans couldn't possess their users. “Well, I'm not a paramecia in the first place. Im a mythical zoan, model: Sun God Nika. You saw Luffy’s white haired form, right? He called it Gear 5. Well, that was his devil fruit awakening. Lets just say, coming into that much power weakened his soul, so he slipped into the background of his body, and I came out.
“I swear it was a complete accident! I already explained it to him - he’s been sleeping the entire time I’ve been in control because there’s nothing for him to do; he’s bored. He told me good luck not pissing Zoro off, and to try and keep it a secret because you’d all freak out.”
Neither of them seemed convinced. “How do we know you're not some twisted other devil fruit?”
“Well, I’ve been with Luffy from the start. Since he ate my devil fruit. He just had no idea I was here. But he shouldn't run into this problem again next time he activates Gear 5. His body adapts quickly. I can prove it. I know something even Luffy doesn't know, to prove I’ve been here.”
“Go ahead,” Zoro said, relaxing his arm slightly, the tip of Wado no longer pressing to Nika’s neck.
“I was aware during Thriller Bark. When you offered yourself over Luffy to Kuma.” Zoro’s sword dropped down a bit, and he looked deeply uncomfortable. “Luffy doesn't know about that, of course. But it’s proof I am who I say I am.
“And hopefully soon, Luffy will be back and you can continue on your adventure.”
Robin asked, “He’s really alright? You’re giving his body back?”
“More like he’ll take it back once his body is more healed. Then I’ll likely never come to the surface again and you won't have to worry! I promise, he’s fine. Though, maybe he’ll be a bit more upset when he comes back. He seemed pretty nonchalant about it at the time. I hope that’s true, though he’s never been good at lying.”
“Then I’m not leaving your side until my captain has his body back. I'll make sure you're healing, and won't run off with his body.” Nika resisted rolling his eyes, and just nodded. So, Zoro became his stalker, but was much better about hiding everything than Nika was, which was just embarrassing to be honest.
Robin also stayed close, and neither of them informed the rest of the crew. Zoro’s obsession with Nika was seen as perfectly in character for him after a big fight where Luffy had been badly injured. Nika just enjoyed the food and tangible body while he had it, not at all wishing for this to happen again.
His life was over, and he’d lived a long one. He didn't plan on taking up any of Luffy’s. He truly hoped he wouldn't be killed for his devil fruit, but wasn't optimistic enough to think it would all be fine and he’d come out with no consequences for awakening Nika’s fruit and unlocking his true form.
-x-
Exactly a week after Nika woke up in control, he could feel himself slipping, back behind the curtain. He was taking a bath at the time, and quickly left the tub, finding Zoro and Robin right outside, on guard.
Nika shoved on shorts and a tank top, and stumbled into the hallway, losing control of the vessel. Robin’s disembodied arms caught him. “Luffy’s… getting control again,” he slurred, both of them becoming much more perked up at the news. Nika’s eyes started blurring. “Good… luck,” he said, and went limp in Robin’s hold, fully losing feeling. He was ejected out of Luffy’s body, back to being a spectator, unseen and unheard.
-x-
Luffy opened his eyes, and jumped up immediately. “I'M BACK! MY BODY IS MINE AGAIN! SHISHISHISHI!” he cheered, jumping and clapping, dancing in a circle. “Oh, guys! Then you knew, huh?”
Both of them stared at him in deep relief, before Zoro punched his head. “Don't worry us like that again!”
“It's not like I had a choice, butthead! What was he like? Was he nice?”
“Seemed so,” Robin said with a smile. “He said this never should happen again.”
“Yeah! I think he was telling the truth. Do the others know?”
Zoro shook his head. “They knew you were acting weird as fuck, but otherwise, don't know you were posessed by a god.”
“What a weird turn of events, huh? I got a reaallllyy long nap, though. I feel much better! So, what happened while I was out?”
His two most perceptive crewmembers were beyond happy to have him back, none of them realizing Nika was wrapped around Luffy like a backpack, invisible, undetectable, and silent. But he wasn't upset. This was his existence, and he’d watch as Luffy became the Pirate King like he knew he would.