Captive [Eustass Kid x Reader]

Day 21

Everything was white. So white it hurt your eyes.

There was no physical object, in that void.

Just you, your rifle and your restless thoughts.

«[Y/n].»

You started at the deep voice coming from behind, and immediately turned.

Aokiji stood there, covered in scars, gaze lost in the white. He still wore his Admiral uniform though.

So you knew you were in a dream: the clothes he wore when his body was so heavily marked were torn apart. After that, he never touched his uniform again.

Nevertheless, you moved a step forward.

«Sensei!»

He closed his eyes and sighed, a deep sigh that made his broad shoulders rise and lower again.

You stopped and swallowed.

He wasn't looking at you.

«Sensei, I... did something.» you murmured, fingers searching for the strap of your rifle.

«I know.»

You grimaced, shaking your head.

«Even if you know, there are so many things I need to tell you! And so many things I need to ask...»

He shifted his weight to the side.

«But I'm not around anymore.»

You felt the tears burning in your eyes.

Your gaze dropped.

«Why?»

«Don't you already know?»

You frowned.

"I'm not enough", "I'm weak".

You wanted to say that, but, for some reason, you couldn't.

It felt... not true.

Suddenly, the warmth of an arm wrapped around you radiated through your body, and it was flesh, or metal, you couldn't tell.

«I... I don't know.»

"...and I'm not cold anymore, sensei.

But I need you.

I need you to tell me why.

Why I wasn't even worth an explanation. A farewell."

Aokiji moved and he almost (ALMOST) turned to you.

«There were so many things you didn't see.»

His figure started to fade in the whiteness.

You tried to move, to reach him, but that invisible arm was still firmly tied around you.

«Yet, you're smart.»

His voice was farther now.

«Sensei!»

«Do you trust me, [Y/n]?»

You struggled to get free.

«Yes! Yes, I've always trusted you!»

The shadow of a smile lingered on his blurred features, or maybe it was just your illusion.