#coy writes

[thatcoyperson]

// SESSION 9 SECRET LIFE SPOILERS [the ending] AND I MEAN MAJOR ONES

-

I got this idea from what Martyn said during his lore stream the other day and it cured me of my writers block, so I wrote this in a few hours after hearing it

[CW for blood, mentions of death, and I feel like the fact that my friend was saying "it all hurts" for like 30 minutes after reading this counts for something]

• -------- • -------- • -------- •

It’s over Scar. She's dead.

Standing in the ravine, Scar stared blankly at the stone ahead of him as those ghostly words echoed in his mind.

It was over.

He’d won.

Despite everything, he’d won.

A breathy laugh escaped him. It didn't feel like a win. Nothing about this did. It felt hollow and empty, meaningless.

A win was supposed to be a grand show to the world that you can make it to the end, a final showing that it can be done despite everything. One last stand against the world. That's what a win was meant to be.

But this wasn't any of that, not when Scar was stuck frozen in place, the faint rhythmic sound of liquid dripping off the rocks somewhere behind him being the only thing he could hear once the blood rushing to his ears subsided. How was any of this meant to feel like a win, like the grand finale to something that had been the last few months of his life when it was the furthest thing from grand? When he felt the furthest thing from victorious? How was he even meant to feel victorious or grand in a situation like this? He'd spent the whole season alone just trying to make friends, only for him to win by shooting the closest person he has to one of those.

Alone…

He never liked being alone.

How did he win while he was alone?

How did the guy with no friends win?

He laughed to himself, bow still held in one hand, and using the other to push his hair back. A pained smile was painted across his face as he laughed, asking himself how? How did he win? How did he make it this far all alone? How did he manage to tell himself that just one more day, one more day and it would be worth it enough times to where he won? It didn't make sense. Not to him at least.

No matter how long he stood there wondering to himself, there was still one thing that was left to be done. Hit the button.

He had succeeded his task after all, right? Scar had won, despite how meaningless this victory truly was.

All he had to do was hit the button and it would all be over. It would finally end. He could go back to Hermitcraft, his home, his friends. He finally wouldn't be alone anymore.

It didn't quite feel like his own movements when he started to climb out of the ravine, disconnected from everything going on. He desperately ignored the hazy sight of a red shawl to the side of his vision, feeling sick if he put any thought into what he knew was laying under it.

He didn't feel nearly as sick passing by a similar black shawl on the ground up on the surface, orange hair catching his eye for a split second as he slowly made his way across the blood stained grass and battle worn landscape of the world. And, shortly after, he reached the statue that stood in the centre of it all.

The Secret Keeper.

The being that doomed him from the very start. Quietly, he wondered to himself, was it proud? Proud that it's favourite player to mess with - proud that the one it moulded into the unwilling villain - had won? Was it proud of everything it had done, all the pain and suffering it caused? Or did it even think at all. Maybe it was just a simple stone statue, designed to have no will or intention, to have the sole purpose of handing out tasks at random, and Scar was just losing it from being alone for so long. He’d likely never get an answer.

It didn't matter though. Not when he was about to leave, not when he was about to finally be free from this hell he was stuck in, not when he was going to finally be able to see his friends again.

Letting out a shaky breath, Scar reached down and pressed the button.

…

A faint click echoed around the area, and then nothing. Nothing happened. It was just silence. No gust of wind to whisk him away back home, no welcoming voices of the hermits congratulating him on his win as they fade into view. No anything. Just silence. Painfully loud silence. Nothing changed. He was still there. Alone.

“Uhm… haha real- real funny there guys,” Scar chuckled awkwardly, his voice filled with unease. Why was he still here? That should’ve worked. Staring up at the Secret Keeper, he waited for a moment to see if it would react at all.

Nothing.

With a level of anxiety he hadn’t felt before, the button was pressed again, and again nothing happened. The world continued to stand still around him.

The feeling of unease began to grow in Scar’s gut, mixing with fear and making him feel sick all over again. “Aha, ok now thats-” The button was pressed again. Nothing. “-that’s enough this isn’t-” Again. Nothing. “-this isn’t funny anymore- oh god no please.”

Scar’s chest tightened the more he pressed on the button, becoming more and more desperate every press. “No no please just- please just take me home please I can’t do this anymore please.”

Tears began to swell in his eyes, panic truly setting in as he pleaded for an escape. Why wasn’t it working- why wasn’t it doing anything?! Was it broken now that the game was over? Was that why he was stuck- why he couldn’t get this stupid button to work?!

Falling to his knees beside the button, his head hit against the corner of the pedestal it was on. Pain slashed across his forehead at the impact, and he could feel the sickeningly familiar warmth of blood begin to well from the cut.

“PLEASE GOD JUST LET ME GO HOME!” he screamed, hitting the button again and again, his hand becoming sore and bruised the more time went on. The more he begged and pleaded and cried for whatever stupid entity was in control of this game to just let him go.

All he wanted was to go home, to see Jellie, to see his friends, to not be alone anymore. He’d been alone for too long, wasn’t that enough?

Loud cries and desperate pleas slowly turned into quiet sobs, and he brought his hand away from the button, resting them both on the edge of the pedestal beside his head.

“Please…” he sobbed, blood running down into his eyes and mixing with his tears. “Please just let me go.” a moment passed for him to catch his breath. Then, quietly: “I can’t do this anymore, please…”

His pleas went unheard. He was alone.

Alone…

He never liked being alone.

[inscrutable-shadow]

"Are you sure that's what you want?"

Thanatos was certainly skeptical of the menu at this particular dining establishment, but it wasn't as if he could actually eat any of it, so his opinion was barely relevant. The Archfey was excited enough about it, at least.

"I cannot visit America without having the hamburger, Thanatos. Everything is supposed to be bigger in this 'Texas,' is it not? The true experience must be as large as possible."

Thanatos wasn't sure at all that the "Burgerzilla" was a requirement for their vacation, but he nodded at the waitress who was waiting for him to give the go-ahead. "Anything you desire, my love. Just a Bloody Mary for me, thanks."

"No problem! I'll get that in for y'all right now, and you just holler if you think of anything else, alright?" The young lady's accent was adorably broad, and Thanatos shook his head at the absolute delight on his lover's face every time she spoke.

"I like it here," ae declared after she left. "We should return often."

He immediately resolved to do his best to distract aer from that idea.

When the food came, it was even larger than he expected, one plate piled high with French fries and the other holding the centerpiece of the whole affair: bread and meat and toppings piled higher than Thanatos had thought possible. He could have sworn he saw a fried egg on there, but he hadn't been paying attention when the Archfey had been listing out what sounded like every option on the menu.

"You're going to eat all of that?" he asked incredulously, sipping at his drink.

"Mind your own affairs, vampire." Ae set the massive Coca-Cola in front of aer and subtly conjured a "silly straw" in it. (Ae'd been absolutely delighted to discover those existed.) Fine then. He would.

He couldn't remain distempered for very long, of course. The Archfey's inexhaustible enthusiasm and boundless love for the world around aer had a tendency to rub off on him. They talked and laughed about the things they'd seen on their trip, planned places to go next, and discussed the merits of teleportation as a method of international travel. Without it, Thanatos had no doubt they'd be seeing the same number of things, just taking several weeks about it. He preferred the fast route.

He didn't know why he doubted aer ability to finish, either. If a concept could eat anything at all, surely volume was no factor. Sure enough, ae eventually declared aer desire to move on, though not without treating him to several minutes of analysis on the complex flavors of the creation and how they interacted to provide a culinary experience. In Thanatos's opinion, ae was making the whole thing up.

They stood from the table, paid at the counter (with a generous tip for everyone involved in putting up with his cosmic menace of a partner) and returned to the hot summer's day refreshed.

"I want to go to the museum next." The Archfey put aer hand in his.

"Very well, dearheart."

how would one of your OCs react to a HUGE burger and delicious seasoned french fries?

[paintedkinzy-88]

(So sorry i feel like im spamkmg yoyr ask box but i just rotate this au around in my brain like microve)

So i was checking out the posts linked through your coi au master post, and this part:

Did this this cut more deep than Donnie intended? Like does Leo still think about this one line even months past? Like does he think, as hes going on his nightly falling/flying sesions how his brothers couldnt even think of leaving april behind but didn't hesitate to leave him behind

Meanwhile donnie and bros dont see it that that. They see leo as equal, even without wings, they never once thought of it as leaving him behind. Because hes their brother, theyd NEVER leave him behind.

But then that got me thinking... did they accidentally like ACTUALLY leave leo behind that first night donnie made his wings. Cause i can see donnie and the ither two being caught up in the joy of flying together for the first time, maybe going too fast for leo to keep up on the rooftops, cementing the idea in his head that his bros dont need him.

This is long winded lol i just got angst on my mind 😭

Spam me all you want!! I may not be able to promise I’ll get to every ask I ever receive, I just don’t have that time, but I CAN promise that I see, read, and overthink everything anyone sends me (ง’̀-‘́)ง So send away!!

As for your question: Absolutely, yes, that moment struck Leo down to his core — but not like. Personally. He knows Donnie didn’t mean it like that! Realistically, he understands that his brothers/sister care just as much about him as he does about them. They’d never purposefully leave him behind!! At the end of the day, he trusts that, should he ever get seriously knocked down, his family would turn right back around to help him get back up.

But he still has a MAJOR barrier that he sees between them. One that Donnie AND April are now able to literally fly over. And now that he’s outnumbered, that wall feels even higher than before. He’s not alone, not ever, but it certainly feels like it sometimes…

And all of that is exactly why he doesn’t want to say anything. He not only feels a little silly to have this impossible dream in the first place (his hoard is literally birds and butterflies and shit, that’s so weird and pathetic, isn’t it???), but he doesn’t WANT them to worry about him. He doesn’t want them to turn tail and come back just to make sure he’s keeping up with them. He can’t hold them back like that!

It’s better to pretend he’s on the same level, train himself into the ground (even literally if that’s what it takes) to prove he’s on the same level, make them focus on his stellar swimming skills that are (to them) on par to their flying, than for them to ever realize that all he’ll ever do is look up at them from below.

Also, yes, after Dee made his first fully functioning flight pack, they all went on a quick flight around the city. April was the one to suggest they move it to the ocean so Leo could at least keep up with them and cheer them on…

[leviiackrman]

"I don't feel in control sometimes. After all... I have someone else's thoughts in my head."

more edits || character page || x.x

Tag list (ask to be added or removed): @carrionsflower @statichvm @risingsh0t @simonxriley @tommyarashikage @sevikagf @confidentandgood @unholymilf @florbelles @thedeadthree @shellibisshe @roofgeese @aezyrraeshh @faerune @tekehu @jackiesarch @minaharkers @sergeiravenov @carlosoliveiraa @rosenfey @nokstella @queennymeria @heroofpenamstan @tethrras @viktorgf @d-esmond @solasan @bigbywlf @delzinrowe @fenharel @imogenkol

[thedevoutvampi]

Circle of Inevitability Chapter 1011 Spoilers

Madam Justice looked at them and said with a smile, "Now that we've discussed the important matters, I'll give you a general account of Mr. Fool's experiences, starting with Klein Moretti…" The relevant events had actually been mentioned in the previous document, but not in enough detail. This time, Madam Justice spoke as if she had seen and heard it personally, starting from the Antigonus family notes and continuing all the way to the end of the Tingen story.

After a moment of silence, Lumian asked slowly, "Captain Dunn and Klein Moretti died just like that at the Blackthorn Security Company, to prevent the descent of the True Creator's spawn?"

"Yes," Madam Magician said with a self-deprecating smile. "Now I understand why Klein Moretti could be resurrected." Loki's multiple resurrections were a good example.

Lumian fell silent.

Jenna said with some emotion, "No wonder Officer Deng is also a person who maintains order in the dream city."

After expressing her feelings, she asked curiously, "The final events are so detailed, were they narrated by a survivor at the time?" "Yes." Madam Justice nodded.

Jenna had a flash of inspiration. "Mr. Star?" The Major Arcana card holder—Mr. Star—was indeed a Nighthawk of the Church of Evernight! Madam Justice smiled lightly but didn't give a clear answer.

Madam Magician changed the subject. "The real-world Rozanne also said that as much as she hates others becoming Beyonders, she admires the Nighthawks."

Jenna made a sound of agreement and said with some emotion, "No wonder the Luo Shan in the dream city has always wanted to become a qualified guardian…"

After a brief silence, Madam Justice and Madam Magician took turns talking about the different identities of Mr. Fool, such as Sherlock Moriarty and Gehrman Sparrow.

They didn't dare to go into too much detail, only picking key points to narrate, fearing it would delay matters in the dream city.

aww they started reading LotM to them

[twentyfivemiceinatrenchcoat]

i know i say this almost everytime but this might be my hottest geto yet …………………..

[icecats3]

Miku cat :3 he’s so perfect.

[songofwizardry]

today I am really fucking feeling the truth of two things at the same time: I can love and identify with my faith strongly, and have it form an essential part of both my history and the current way I move through the world and the communities I form; and I will still often be eternally on the outside of a lot of my religious community (whether it’s because I’ve been forced out or because I’ve chosen-but-it-wasn’t-really-a-choice to leave) and just have. really fundamental differences of opinion with most of the people there. and I’ve known this for most of my life, but the ‘fundamental’ bit is really hitting today.

[inscrutable-shadow]

Whumptober 2024 Day 1 - l'esprit de corps

No. 1: RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK

Search Party | Panic Attack | "If only we could hold on.” (Icysami x Renegaderr, Strangers.)

Mariano and Luis (who is. not here. lol) belong to @crash-bump-bring-the-whump. Finally made a banner for the shared military AU! Thanatos is.... well adjusted, surely.

contains: post-traumatic stress disorder, flashback, water phobia, grounding techniques

also available on ao3!

One of the most important parts of therapy, in Thanatos's opinion, was remaining in tune with one's own emotional state. Allowing oneself to be buffeted about by the client's emotions and your own issues led to dysregulation, which was a slippery slope to all kinds of emotional fallout. He made a habit of regular check-ins with himself during a session to ensure he didn't have anything going on that would impair his judgement, which is why when he noticed his attention had drifted away from the words his client was saying, it immediately sent up red flags.

Than's pen had stopped moving over the paper several minutes ago, and he couldn't quite get his eyes to focus. With some clients, it was a battle not to fall asleep in his chair, so mundane were their problems or so well-trodden the topic, but not with this one. He'd never in his life been bored during a session with Mariano. Ortiz was one of his favorite puzzles, Thanatos was always laser focused during their sessions, taking reams of notes and running through what literature he's been through lately on post-traumatic stress, searching for a path forward. He'd been doing the same today, his handwriting at the top of the page was immaculate, flowing cursive, as usual, but as he'd proceeded further down "I had deteriorated into a barely-legible scrawl. His hands were… shaking. That wasn't good. What were they even talking about? He couldn't… he couldn't hear anything but the blood rushing in his ears.

Oh. Yes. Panic attack. He got them on occasion, sometimes without an identifiable trigger. In this case, Mariano had been discussing his early days in the war mage program. Thanatos had thought he'd be fine hearing about it, he'd never have taken on the mage as a client if he hadn't. Must just be an off day, something else getting to him, making him vulnerable. He was fairly confident the dripping water he was hearing was not a leaky pipe, nor was his sweater vest actually kevlar. It was getting worse.

He needed… needed to get himself under control. Needed a break, needed to stop. Move, Thanatos. " H-Hey, Mariano. This is all— It's all great stuff, yeah? We're… we're making e-excellent progress." Inhale. Exhale. Steady yourself. "I really would like to pick up right where we left off next time, but I think— ahem! I think I need to wrap up for to day, if that's all right. I… I'm suddenly not feeling very well." As cliché as it was, Thanatos had always gotten good results from concentrating on his breath. Deep inhale after deep exhale, counting his heartbeats as they slowed. He was okay, really. He just needed a minute.

"Oh, that's okay… Are you alright? Do you want me to get you some water?" Mariano was already on his feet and moving to the cooler.

Water was the last thing he needed. Gods, he could feel it on his face. "No! I'm… fine, Mariano. I just need some time to myself, really. We can re-reschedule… for tomorrow, or some other day, or you can come in early next week! Whatever works best for your schedule." In Hermes' name just leave…

Fuck. He was dripping wet, and so cold. Shivering, leaning heavily on the desk from where he'd stood to show Mariano out. You're losing control. Get a grip, Booker. Inhale. Exhale. If it's obvious you're cracking under the strain, the abuse only gets worse. They're looking for your limit. Don't let them find it. He just needed to wait for this to pass somewhere he could be alone. Just needed it to pass. It would, he knew it would. Inhale. Exhale.

A hand on his shoulder nearly made him break. "I… don't think I can do it this time, Luis. I think it's too much…" The words came out slowly, mechanically. It was always too much. And he always kept going. Luis would tell him he could do one more, one more bucket, one more dunk, one more minute, and Thanatos would shake and shudder and cry but he would. He always would. Had to. The alternative was unthinkable.

"Oh. That's okay. You… you don't have to do anything."

That was… a surprise. Letting him off early? "I'm… almost done?" He didn't want to be dismissed from training, he could do it, he could be better—

"I think it's okay to stop for today. Come on, here, take a seat. You don't have to do anything anymore."

It didn't make sense, but Thanatos wouldn't ignore a direct order. He could deal with the consequences if it turned out to be a trap, weasel his way out of it then. He'd always been a smooth talker. He accepted being led to his chair and put his head on his knees, forcing his breath through his nose. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. It was working, he was calming down. The edges of the world didn't feel as fuzzy. "No, it's… I'm okay. I'm sorry. I can do it, I just need a second," he tried again.

Luis held Thanatos's hands between his. "You're okay. No need to go again. No more water, Thanatos."

Really? He was done? No more? Relief crashed through him like a wave, and when he lifted his head, his vision no longer crackled with static. He… recognized those scarred hands though. A war mage's, but not Luis's. "M-Mariano?" Why was Mariano here? Had he been… He'd been in a session, hadn't he?

He looked up into the young mage's face, at the relief reflected there, and felt his own drain away into a pool of dread. He'd just had a panic attack in front of a client. He'd have to weave words very delicately to salvage this. Either that, or show vulnerability. He wasn't sure which idea scared him more.

taglist: @athens-writes, @albatris, @thethistlegirlwrites

[thatcoyperson]

So this was originally written off of a prompt and also to bully my friend [hi Jonah if you're seeing this :3] but I figured Tumblr could have it. Not the best thing I've written but f it we ball

Anyways enjoy this short little bit of Last Life Scar angst!

• -------- • -------- • -------- •

“Why?” Scar asked, voice quiet, burn scars still stinging.

Grian raised an eyebrow, locking his yellow eyes to Scar’s newly red from his place in the doorway. “Why what?”

A breath left Scar as he searched for the words. “Why’d you leave me alone?”

As soon as the words left Scar’s mouth, Grian’s entire demeanor changed to something much more closed off. Defensive. “I didn’t leave-”

“No you did leave me.” Scar didn’t even let the man finish his sentence, cutting him off with harsh words. “We were fine, Grian, everything was fine. We talked, we were still friends, it was fine,” Scar could feel the pain in his chest being twisted into anger by his newly red life. “But then- oh but then we get here and suddenly you’re against me. You take my life, take my friends, kill my horse who was the only friend I had left on this god forsaken server-”

“Now we both know that you stole that horse from me-”

“YOU DON'T GET A SAY IN THIS!” Scar snapped. Grian’s wings noticeably tensed at the sudden raise of volume, and Scar felt a shot of pride run through him, masking away the pain that made his heart hurt. “You don’t get a say in any of this after you’re the reason I’m alone,” saying that outloud made him realize the irony of it all. He scoffed, standing up and turning to face Grian fully, “Its funny, y’know, that you’re the reason I’m alone up here. Of all people on this server, it had to be you.”

Grian let out a sigh. “Scar it’s not only my fault-”

He barely got his sentence out before Scar started talking again. “After everything on Third Life, after everything where you swore your life to me-”

“Scar-”

“-after you stayed by my side even when I was red-”

“Scar.”

“-and after you told me you wouldn’t leave me even after you went yellow-”

“SCAR.”

Grian's rising volume finally made Scar stop.

“You told me you wouldn’t leave me,” he looked at Grian, the walls of artificial anger beginning to crack and the pain starting to show through again. The pain of being alone, left behind, forgotten. “Why did you lie?”

A response didn’t come from Grian for what felt like hours, choosing instead to look at Scar with an unreadable expression that gave away nothing. Something was swirling in the back of his eyes though, and one part of Scar - the part that longed for warmth, longed for the desert, for his friend - wanted to believe it was guilt, remorse. But he knew better than that. At least now he did.

And a response never truly came from him. The pair stood there in silence, Scar just barely holding onto the few strings keeping the walls around his heart held together, until Grian silently turned and left.

“What's left of your stuff is in the chest,” were his final words.

The strings snapped.

And Scar stood frozen in the middle of the room as his vision blurred with tears.

[imissmybbgtrpangi]

Piso is so right and based. Watching Tubbo did result in me being sexy, having a headache and boyish wonder

[neixins]

[ID: a panel from chapter 35 of “yona of the dawn”, showing gija speaking excitedly to jaeha, who looks weary. the original dialogue has been removed, except jaeha’s remark “gosh, you all love me so much.” which is placed outside the speech bubble. a text post by aspharah has been added into the corner, partially over gija’s speech bubble to imply that he’s the one saying the contents of the post; it reads: “hey bro can we like adopt paralleling themes and symbolize opposites but in a two sides of the same coin kind of way? it doesn't have to be weird. wait what do you mean thats gay”. end ID.]

this is how this conversation went, right?

[sasukimimochi]

“Shijie?” Wei Wuxian spoke quietly, watching her as she scraped along the bottom of the bowl in her attempt to pick up some of the small pieces of food she hoped he could swallow. “Yes, A-Xian?” She replied gently, pausing in her movements to look up at him with an attention that almost would seem odd if he was in his right mind. “Do you think…there is a life after this one?”

-

Combo prompt for my fall writing/drawing challenge: 14&17, "Mourning" & "Depression"

I wanted to try drawing pre-death COI wwx (Chapter one: part 2); I couldn't get it right though so I don't like it too much BUT I've been told I'm full of it, so here it is. These are meant to be quick and painless anyway, so I hope you guys like it despite the sad!

Check out other prompts in the first hyperlink! You can see other MDZS projects in my masterpost here. ❤

[cabinofimagines]

Happy (birth)day

This is my first writing since I wrote my school deadlines and I hope it doesn't suck entirely. Also!! Happy Birthday Danny (and Jason Grace of course!) Specific request I allowed is also by Danny :) Pairing: Platonic Jason, Piper, and more! Romantic Leo Valdez x reader :) Request: Can I request camp shenanigans where Jason and reader have their birthdays on the same week (like me and Jason!) So Piper and Leo throw us a surprise party in the bunker? Obvsly Leo and reader are dating 🥺 but you can choose whether Piper is just there for platonic support to her besties or of it's still Jasper era Warnings: none! Word count: 2.2k -Asnyox

You were suspicious already when, as you had breakfast, Leo did not greet you excitedly. Even worse, you did not see your boyfriend at the Hephaestus table at all. He wouldn’t have forgotten about your and Jason’s birthday’s, right? Leo must be planning something, and as you didn’t manage to spot Piper, who arrived at camp a few days ago, you figured they must have made a plan together. Your suspicions were correct, as when you met with Jason to ask him if he had any ideas, you both were approached by Harley. 

“Big bro Leo told me to deliver this,” he handed you a small device, saluted, and ran off. “Thanks…?” you said, looking at his disappearing figure. Jason carefully took the device off your hands. “He must be planning something,” Jason examined the device closely, “I’m guessing with Piper as she wasn’t at breakfast either,” he sighed, “I just hope they didn’t entirely skip breakfast.” “I am sure they had something to eat, Leo loves food after all.” You noticed something on the device and quickly grabbed it, “Is this a button…?” you pressed it, and almost dropped the device as a small, hologram Leo came out. 

“Sure hope the timer works on this thing, right Pipes?” Leo laughed, before stepping away and holding his hands behind his back, as if they were bound together. Off camera you could hear Piper laugh. “Would be awkward if it didn’t,” her voice sounded, “otherwise the whole ruse might fall through. 3.. 2.. 1.. go!”

“Ah! I’ve been captured!” Leo looked around frantically, “I’m not sure where I am but I sure hope this lil thing will get out-” he coughed as he cowered, “Please, whoever finds this- I need help-” Leo pretended to think and shook his head, “All I remember is this name- Nona and something about a vault?” he looked straight into the camera, “please find me, and bring all your friends! I can’t die on my lover’s and my best friend's birthdays. It would ruin their lives! Please-” A loud rumble sounded from somewhere behind the camera, and Leo looked up before loudly exclaiming “FUCK” as the hologram stopped. 

“Nona?” you asked and Jason laughed. “It’s a Latin prefix for nine, he’s in Bunker 9,” he explained. “Leo’s a nerd,” you said affectionately, “Well, let’s round up all our friends before Leo fakes his death again.” 

───────────

Unsurprisingly, all your friends were really easy to find. As in, most of them were already talking, not suspiciously at all, in a circle, right outside the dining hall. Even more not suspicious behavior was when Jason and you approached them Percy very loudly went, “Hey guys! I sure hope Leo is okay, ah-” Annabeth elbowed him. “Happy birthdays!” she smiled, “Anything fun planned?” 

“Funny that you mention Leo, Percy,” you sighed, pretending to be worried “seems like he’s in a bit of a pickle right now.” “(Y/n), we both know he’s come out of worse situations,” Jason said next to you, and he put a hand on your shoulder, “The things he said was so cryptic, I think it’s for the best if we just let him figure it out on his own.” 

“Oh?” Nico feigned interest, “I love cryptic hints, what are they?” You could see Will hide a smile as he looked at his lover. 

“Something about a Nona-” you gasped, “Wait, Jason! Do you think it’s an ex?” Jason huffed, to conceal his laugh. “Maybe, or it’s Latin for nine, but Leo doesn’t know much Latin so that’s unlikely.” Jason sighed, “I’m sorry (Y/n), I guess we’ll have to travel around the U.S. to find Leo.” 

“Perhaps a monster is forcing him to learn Latin,” you looked at Jason, “and we both know how that changes people,”  “What do you mean, ‘how Latin changes people’?” Jason hit your arm. “They get all serious, Jason,” you gave him a look of pity, “and for Leo that might be deadly.” 

Jason gave your statement a moment of thought before nodding sadly. “Who wants to hold a funeral?” he asked, “That way from this year on we can celebrate three things on this day.” 

“How about we hold the funeral in Bunker 9?” Annabeth suggested, “It’s a place he loved most.” Before you could react, Nico started walking away. “I’m getting a coffin, be right back.” 

“Where will he get a coffin from?” Percy muttered and Will smiled. “He still has some left over from refurbishing cabin 13.” 

“Why?” Percy whispered, not expecting an answer. 

───────────

As your little progression moved closer to Bunker 9, you had trouble keeping it all together. Nico had six skeletons carry an empty coffin up front. Meg and Grover caught up to you with a bunch of flowers, all potted, which each person carried one of. Except for Jason, who was carrying a torch to light the pyre with that was yet to be built. 

The entire Hephaustus cabin was following you, holding up their banner, and Harley excitedly kept running around. Of course, you were certain everyone was aware that this was all a joke, especially when Chiron stopped you to ask what was happening and you simply went; “Oh, Leo got killed by Latin,” 

Chiron was confused, but did not ask further questions about the funeral progression. In the end, it made sense as Leo probably got permission to do something in Bunker 9. As you approached the bunker, you noticed that the door was opened, and as the skeletons with the coffin entered first you only heard a muffled “SUPRISE!” from inside. As you entered, most of the progression gave up the pretense, but Jason and you had a goal. So, fully ignoring Leo, Piper, and all the other people that were in the bunker, you both stepped onto the nearest empty table. You noticed Leo standing on the front row, but quickly looked away. 

“Today,” Jason’s voice boomed over the crowd, which was being rowdy, “we lost our dear friend Leonidas Valdez,” The crowd was silent except-

“HEY! I am not dead!” Leo’s said loudly. “Sometimes-” you sniffed, “I can still hear his voice. Gone too soon, rest in peace my love.” 

“What the fuck happened-” Leo exclaimed. 

“If I understand correctly,” Everyone suddenly looked at the entrance, seeing Chiron standing there, “You became Latin, a dead language.” Chiron’s scrutinizing gaze went over the party, “But as you seem rather alive, I think instead you shall be having stable duty for the next month, starting tomorrow, as you did not request to hold a party.” 

“Aw man,” Leo sighed, “Can we at least hold it now?” he looked with a hopeful gaze to Chiron who sighed. “As long as I do not perceive anything more to do with this activity. Happy Birthday (Y/n), Jason,” and he galloped away. 

Jason and you burst out laughing, as Leo pouted at you two. After you calmed down, you slowly made your way off the table. 

“Your timer didn’t work,” you said as you softly gave your boyfriend his device, and a kiss on the cheek. He fidgeted with the device for a little bit before he sighed. “So you made it more dramatic?” he asked, after which he sighed, “I love you. Happy Birthday, my love.” he smiled, “Oh, and (Y/n) of course-” 

“Hey!” you gasped and Jason laughed. “Love you too, Leo.” he said as he put his hand on Leo’s head, petting him “Pisada Carinosa” he muttered. 

“That’s it I am finding Nona and dating her-” you turned around, only to be met with Piper. “You could date me if you’re done with Leo.” she smiled and you grinned, before hugging her. “I just might,” you joked as you let her go. Leo quickly grabbed your hand, and pulled you towards him and pressed a kiss on your lips. “Nuhuh- you are not getting rid of me that easily corazoncito,” 

───────────

After a while, Piper said it was time for the main activity of the day. She led everyone into a “room” that was hidden behind curtains. As you walked in, you saw a gigantic screen and piles of pillows on the floor. 

She instructed everyone to sit down, as Leo and her handed out buckets of popcorn and other snacks. You sat next to Jason, who was holding a letter. 

“What’s that?” you asked, and Jason looked up. “Thalia couldn’t make it to camp, but she left a letter.” He showed you a picture of her and Reyna, standing at the Grand Canyon, “it’s weird how that’s where it started,” he smiled sadly, “how far we’ve all come since meeting each other.” “Hug?” you asked and he nodded. 

Engulfed in your presence, Jason began to relax. Certainly, losing his memories was hard and he often doubted whether he deserved Leo and Piper as friends, or if they even wanted to be his friend. But nowadays, he couldn’t be more certain that what he had was his. You, Leo, Piper, Frank, Hazel, Reyna, Bobby, his sister Thalia. All these friendly faces, that mean so much to him. He thanked the gods for his spot in both camps, and for allowing him to be happy and alive. As he let you go again, he had to blink away his tears. 

“Thanks,” he whispered, and he leaned back against the pillows. Shortly after, the big screen started playing. Before the movie even got to its proper beginning, Leo squeezed himself between you and Jason, leaning mostly on Jason. Piper sat on your other side, and cuddled up on your shoulder, as you leaned a bit against Leo. 

The Barbie opening sequence started playing, to great delight of the people in the room. 

“How?” you whispered, “This movie has barely been out for a week-” “My dad pulled some strings,” Piper smiled, “got us a private release.” “That’s awesome.” you grabbed her hand, and looked her in the eye, “Piper I love you-” she laughed. “Anything for my friends.” 

───────────

After the movie was done, Leo asked the real question. 

“So who are the Barbie and Ken of Camp Half-Blood?” Out of nowhere he got out prisoner signs, one with Barbie on it and one with Ken on it. 

“Jason is Ken, right?” Piper stated, “I mean look at him, it’s like he’s made for the ‘beach’ job description-” unanimous sounds of agreement came from the crowd, and Leo gave Jason the Ken sign. 

“I fully agree.” Leo said, before he got interrupted by the laughter of Nico.

“Sorry-” the son of Hades wheezed, “Will’s pouty because he thinks Piper used charmspeak to convince people Jason is Ken-” Nico grinned as his boyfriend tried to forcefully shut him up by smothering him.

“Barbie is a doctor though,” you grinned, “I think Will makes a perfect Barbie.” 

“Oh! I was going to suggest our local Barbie, Pip-” before Leo could finish the sentence Piper harshly stepped on his toe, before ripping the Barbie sign out of his hands. 

“And our local Barbie!” she grinned evily, “Will Solace!” she handed the son of Apollo his sign, and he hesitantly accepted it, and he stood up. 

“Well, as I am Barbie I guess I will go to my Ken now. I hate you for this Di Angelo,” Will walked towards Jason, and sat down next to him, slightly awkwardly. As you looked at Nico, you saw that the smile of sheer delight had not yet left his face, “Love you too, Barbie.” he called from across the room, eliciting some laughter from the audience. 

───────────

As the party was slowly calming down, you had a moment of calm with your friends. Leo was softly holding you from behind, as you were conversing with Piper and Jason. 

“Thanks for organizing this guys,” you said looking at Piper and Leo. 

“It’s nothing,” Piper smiled, “I’m happy we got this many people here in the end.” 

“Yeah, you’re welcome! Too bad I have stable duty now though.” Leo looked sulky. “I might try to talk him out of it,” Piper said, “After all, your birthday is in like two days too.” 

“That’s true, hey Jason,” you turned your gaze to the son of Jupiter. “Yes?” he returned your gaze. “Wanna fake our deaths for Leo’s birthday party.” “Of course,” Jason grinned. 

“Please don’t” Leo pleaded. “I’ll help!” Piper smiled. After a second of silence, everyone broke out in laughter. 

It was indeed a happy (birth)day.

[elle-oh-ell3]

i’m still not over coy randomly dropping ‘Life spoilers: everyone dies trying’ in the middle of the tubbathon btw

[gammaraydeath]

not even joking i should get an extension on this upcoming project for bereavement :( due on monday afternoon and i haven't even started