Disclaimer: Zenless Zone Zero belongs to Hoyoverse. I neither own anything or otherwise. This story is purely AU.
Chapter 1: Drugged Love.
...
It's been over three months since the Tour de Inferno and Caesar's crowning as the new Overlord. Wise is busy rummaging through the new stocks for the video store until he receives a text message. An invitation from the leader of the Sons of Calydon. He accepted the invitation and texted Caesar where and when to spend his free time.
Five days later, he paid her a visit to one of the local pubs in Blazewood and met Caesar, sitting beside the bar and greeted him with a wave of her hand. She smiled as soon as she saw him.
"Wise! It's been a while!"
Wise smiled in return, despite his lack of sleep from the past few days.
"Yeah, same to me as well."
Wise took a seat beside Caesar and she ordered a pair of drinks from the bartender.
"Two pairs of Nitro-Fuel Special, no ice." She grinned. "Also, a little special kick for my friend here."
"Ahaha... It seems you're trying to treat me with some special concoctions." Wise said, feeling flustered by Caesar's hospitality. "But honestly, I don't need some extra spice for my drink."
"Oh don't be such a fuss~! I only treat you like this because.. you know?" She leans towards him, poking her prosthetic finger at his left shoulder. "Why shouldn't I treat the only person who guided me during our days in the latest Tour de Inferno? Those times mean a lot to me, and I couldn't help but thank you, Wise."
"Oh really? I see." Wise spoke, remembering those days from three months ago were hectic for him. "So how're you doing as the acting Overlord? Did I miss out on anything?"
"Yeah, not really. Cheesetopia is filled with new customers, Burnice is trying to make new concoctions for her new cocktail." Caesar tries to memorize during her past events. "Oh, and usual stuff... doing some deliveries, meeting some representatives at the Motor League and making out some odd commissions around."
Wise raised his brow, turning curious. "Odd commissions?"
"Fighting Ethereals and whatnot?" Caesar chuckled, giving out a shrug. "Oh, and Lucy brought her new Carlishe Shampoo, this time it smells like strawberries."
"Here ya' go!" The bartender placed their drinks on the table before turning his attention to another customer.
"Heh. I hoped Lucy wouldn't get angry if you tried to eat it." Wise teased with a snicker.
"Hey! I have control over myself!" Caesar pouts as she crosses her arms. Then her face softens. "... Um, Wise... I-... umm... I wanna talk to you about something..."
Wise leaned forward. "Hm..?"
"I-... uh... Look over there!"
Caesar points towards the windows and Wise follows where she's pointing. While distracted, she brings up some pills that Burnice gave to her...
...
"If you want to have Wisey to be with you... put this on his drink and let him get drunk.. so he'll be yours~!"
"Burnice... are you sure is this going to work?"
"Of course! I heard it from Grandma Germa from across the neighbourhood. She drugged her future husband and gave him a sweet, sweet night~"
...
Caesar gulped and dropped a pair of pills into his drink before Wise would notice anything.
"Uh, Casear. Nothing is going on outside." He turned around to Caesar, and she flashed an innocent smile. "... You look acting strange today..."
"S-Strange? Of course not! I was playing a prank~" She laughed it off, shrugging her shoulders while feigning innocence. "Come on, let's drink our cocktails and say adios, okay?"
"...Okay, sure!" Wise said in concern before raising his glass of cocktail. "Cheers!"
Caesar raised her drink as well and gulped it down. After that, only in a few moments; Wise felt his vision go hazy and his head feeling... drowsy.
"Ugh... whoa... this kick is too serious."
The effects took in. Wise tried to rub it off and unbeknownst to him, Caesar leaned into him with a sultry look... she got him. She couldn't help but chuckle slyly as she watched Wise feel the effects. Her suspicions were confirmed when he stumbled over his words, his eyes slightly unfocused. Her face leans closer to him as a smirk plays on her lips.
"Oh? Look at you. Feeling a little drowsy, are we?"
She swirls the drink in her glass, savouring the sight of him succumbing to the drug.
"Perhaps you should rest for a while... I'd hate for anything to happen to you in this state."
Wise blinked a few times, trying to shake off the disorientation. However, the room seemed to spin slightly, and his usually sharp mind felt clouded.
"I'm-... I'm fine... I just need-ngh!... some fresh air." He managed to say some words, attempting to stand up. But his legs wobbled, nearly sending him toppling over. "Damn... what was in that drink? Feels a bit.. stronger than usual."
His strength falters and his face falls flat into her chest. Caesar snickered. She took advantage of his drowsy state and pretended to help Wise stand to his feet, placing his arm over her shoulders as if he were stumbling and needed support. She placed some dennies on the counter to pay off their drinks. With a subtle wink to the bartender, she led Wise out of the pub, navigating through the crowd without drawing unnecessary attention.
As they stepped outside into the night air, she guided him towards the relative privacy of a nearby alleyway, ensuring they were sufficiently out of view before she spoke.
"Hey, lightweight. You still with me?"
Wis mumbled something incoherent against his chest, his head buried in her cleavage. He could feel her warm skin under her shirt, but his mind was too hazy to fully process it.
"I'm... fine." He whispered, his hand subconsciously drifting around her waist.
He tried to lift his head, only to sway on his feet. The feeling of being completely at her mercy was both thrilling and terrifying.
...
...
Caesar reached her home, a private apartment at the edge of Blazewood. Once they walked in, she kicked the door shut behind them and guided Wise further into her apartment. She made a mental note to herself, impressed by the neatness of the place. It was unusual for a biker girl like her to maintain such cleanliness. But she had her own set of peculiar habits.
She led him towards the couch, gently pushing him down onto it. His head rested against the soft cushions, his vision still slightly blurry.
"There you go. Make yourself comfortable." She whispered into his ear, her voice was as smooth and sultry.
Wise looked up to Caesar with drowsy eyes, his expression a mix of confusion and fascination. The room was spinning around him as he tried to focus on her face. His hand still loosely wrapped around her waist, as if trying to ground himself.
"Caesar.." Wise slurred. "What-... what was in that drink...? I feel... weird.."
Caesar looked down at him with a sly smile, savouring the effect of the drug that had him under her control. She gently placed her hand on top of his, her touch was light but possessive.
"It was just a little special mix, Wise~" She purred, leaning closer to him, her face only inches away from his. "The bartender might've overdid from what I've ordered."
She enjoyed the way he was clinging onto her, his gaze hazy and slightly disoriented. It was all going according to plan. Caesar smirked teasingly as she straddled on his lap, her hips pressing against him. She could feel his hazy breaths against her chest, his grip on her waist becoming firmer, even in his drugged state.
"Don't be scared, Wise," She teased her, her voice a low, seductive purr. " It's just me, and you're all mine now."
She lightly traced a finger across his jawline, the touch sending shivers down his spine. Once Wise closes his eyes and loses consciousness; Caesar is ready to claim him as she desires... then she stops.
"... Wait... what am I doing...?"
Caesar paused for a moment, her mind swirling with conflicting thoughts. She had intended to have fun at his expense, to indulge in a moment of control and dominance. However, something held her back. She found herself torn between her desire for control and the values she had learned through romantic comics - The pursuit of genuine love and connection with someone.
"Damn it, I-... I can't do this." She uttered, her voice filled with frustration. "It doesn't feel right... this isn't how I want to win his love..."
Caesar gave out a heavy sigh, running a hand through her hair in disappointment and then got off from him. She glanced back at Wise, still lying unconscious and vulnerable on the couch. He looked peaceful in his drug-induced state slumber.
She hesitated for a moment, her conflicting emotions evident in her eyes. Then, she leaned down and whispered to him.
"I'm sorry, Wise... I didn't mean for this to happen. But I'll make it up for you... I promise."
Wise snores. "Zzz... Zzz..."
Caesar gave another sigh and watched him sleep, a mix of guilt etched on her face. She wished she hadn't put him in this situation, but now it was up to her to make amends when he woke up. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, the silence of the room broken only by Wise's slow, steady breaths. As time ticked by, Caesar grew more and more restless, wondering when he would finally wake up.
As she watches him snore. She grabbed a nearby pillow and a blanket. The pillow was placed under his head and then carefully adjusted the blanket over him, making sure he was covered and comfortable. Once it was done, she couldn't help but wonder how would he react when he woke up. Caesar wipes off some sweat from her forehead, her mind racing with thoughts. She knew she had crossed a line, and she hoped Wise would forgive her when he woke up.
With nothing else to do, Caesar turns her attention to the clock on the wall. It was getting late.
She had been friends with the Proxy for quite a while and hadn't pushed past their boundaries. However, Wise is just a city guy from New Eridu who captured her heart. He truly reminds her of some kind of male protagonist in one of her favourite love manga.
Caesar couldn't help but compare Wise to the protagonists in her beloved love stories. She grew fond of him, and she had tried to pursue him, albeit in her own way.
But this incident made her realise that she needed to approach things differently. She couldn't force her desires onto him, nor could she manipulate him with tricks. She wanted to love her willingly, not because of some drug or deception.
"Ugh... I should owe him an apology."
Caesar nodded to herself, knowing that she owed Wise an apology when he woke up. She had let her impatience and desire for control get the better of her, and she had to make it right.
She walks to her room, the walls are painted in some places with pink and plushies of the boar thirens strewn everywhere around the floor. Caesar fell to her bed, feeling anxious and afraid of what would come next... probably tomorrow.
...
...
Outside the windows, the three little thirens; Bricky, Grassy and Woody held their camera to the windows, observing Wise and Ceasar.
...
Inside Steeltusk, Lucy, Piper, Burnice and Lighter were observing the situation between their leader and the Proxy in their makeshift computer.
"Is it over...? I wanna sleep already~" Piper yawned.
"Ugh! Why did she hesitate!? She could've got him what she wanted!" Burnice complained as she crossed her arms. Her face pouting in disappointment. "This getting on my nerves!"
"Easy there, tomorrow will decide the outcome." Lighter spoke up, clicking his lighter. "It'll be... a very awkward morning."
"Seriously, guys. I knew this was a bad idea when Caesar came up with this!" Lucy shakes her head in utter disbelief. "What if Wise wakes up and tells something bad to her!? Wouldn't this end their friendship!?"
"Don't worry. I'm sure she'll make up for it!" Burnice chimed, yet Lucy slapped herself with a facepalm. "Besides, at least she gave him a blanket and a pillow at least."
Lucy grumbled. "... This is going to be a headache..."
...
To be continued.