#what were you doing behind the corner nico? huh?

[tetheredbysin]

I'm sorry but is this supposed to look like they were NOT just fucking in one of their driver rooms? nico tucking in his shirt does not help with the allegations.

[mediumgayitalian]

Will knows who it is at the first light brush on his shoulders.

He tips his head back back, bumping his boyfriend’s hip, leaning into the hand on his trapezius, his scapula, the base of his neck.

“Hi,” he says, grinning.

“Hi,” Nico says, leaning down to press his smile onto Will’s forehead. His hair tickles his cheeks, and he smells like woodsmoke and citrus, and Will slides his hand across his jaw and tugs him closer.

“Errand done?”

“Yep.”

“Lord Hades pleased?”

“As much as he ever is.” Nico shifts, kissing the corner of his mouth, the curve of his chin, the shape of his jaw. “My ears are ringing from five days of quiet. Even the echoing sound of lost souls cannot compete with your constant blabbing; I hardly knew what to do with myself.”

“Oh, shut up. You love my chatterin’.” He smacks the side of Nico’s head, but it’s hard to play mad when he’s smiling, shameless, wide enough that his teeth nick Will’s cheekbones, that his snickers are muffled into his skin.

“If I wanted to be stuck with someone who yaps nonstop I would’ve stayed down with Cerebus. In fact he might shed less, and he doesn’t drool when he sleeps.”

“…I do not shed.”

Nico plants both hands next to Will’s head, heaving himself up, and scans his camp shirt. Within three seconds, he locates a strand of hair, pinches it off, and flicks it at Will’s face.

“Uh-huh.”

“Oh, for the love of — get over here,” Will demands. Laughing, Nico goes where Will tugs him, curling up next to him on the bench. “You’re such a shit. Normal people are much kinder to the significant annoyances they leave behind for five days, you know.”

“Are they.”

Nico lifts his arm in offering and Will accepts with relish, tucking himself under it and making certain to drag his curls down Nico’s face in the process.

“Yep. In fact I was expecting hand-written letters by day two, honestly, telling me how much you missed me and how the distance was physically painful, et cetera, et cetera. Maybe a sonnet or two. Italian, preferably, Elizabethan are not my favourite.”

“You’re very picky.”

Will sniffs haughtily. “Well, I’m a catch. You have lots of competition, you know. I was fighting them off while you were away but now that you come back and insult me upon reunion, I shall reevaluate my options.”

He feels more than hears the quiet laughter Nico presses in his hair, thumb brushing his collar, dipping onto bare skin.

“Is that so.”

“Indeed. My suitors have even offered a dowry quite handsome. I’m worth twenty-seven goats, didn’t you know.”

“Oh, well then. I might as well return what I brought for you, since I’m not sure I can outshine two dozen goats.”

The cool thing about being a son of Apollo is that Will has range. His dad is the god of arts, generally, up to and especially the dramatic ones. Will knows how to school his face into the perfect mask, how to smile on command and cry as desired, how to deliver a line and bow with a flourish. Playing a part comes as naturally as breathing, as naturally as healing.

“A present?” he asks, checking his nails as if the mere thought bores him. “That’s interesting, I guess.”

Nico doesn’t even bother to indulge him.

“Here, you massive dweeb,” he snorts. He hands over a small paper box, hand-folded and thin. “I can practically feel you vibrating.”

There is only one thing in this world, quite possibly, that Will likes more than proving Nico wrong, and that is letting his boyfriend spoil him. In all honesty it’s a real challenge sometimes, because Nico is really very good at being everything Will has ever wanted even if he has wrong opinions on most movies. Truly Will’s life is a joke at which the gods must howl with laughter.

Eagerly taking the box, he holds it up to his face, carefully inspecting every corner. The paper is regular printer paper, slightly waterlogged (from the Big House printer, then, ‘cause Will was carrying a giant bag of saline in from storage when he was eleven years old and tripped on the shipment of office supplies that someone had left, for some reason, in the middle of the fucking hallway, and the bag had exploded on impact all over four boxes of printer paper holding one thousand pages each) and carefully bent into shape. He recognises Nico’s handiwork from the dozens of origami paper sculptures he’s been gifted over the past few months.

“Open it.”

“What is it?”

Nico rolls his eyes. “What did I just say.”

“No, I mean — it’s not my birthday or anything.”

“So?”

“So you’ve wrapped me up a present! I want to know why before I open it.”

“Just because,” Nico mumbles, pressing a kiss to his temples. “Not everything needs a reason, nosey.”

“If nothing had reason then we would still be premordial soup,” Will mutters, but pops open the lid anyway.

He gasps.

“Oh my gods, Nico, you —”

Nico’s smiling smugly, but Will barely notices. Inside the box is a black chain darker than shadow, so dark it doesn’t even glint in the heavy sun, and dozens of little charms, from polished obsidian to a ball of slowly flickering flame.

“You like?”

“It’s gorgeous!”

He makes a triumphant nose, pumping his fist, and says, “Fuck those suitors, I fucking win,” and the funniest part is that he’s damn serious. There’s a glint in his eye identical to when he wins a sword fight, to when Connor loses a bet to him, to when twenty-odd bets are stacked against him and he’s got a full house. Something dangerous and wild and superior and Will is not an enabler, okay, he is not, but he is only so strong and there is only so much he can do when pretty boys wrap their arms around him and smirk at him and bring him bracelets they made in the Underworld. He’d like to meet someone who wouldn’t fold, actually.

“There were no suitors, you loser,” he says, but he’s flushed, pleased smile stretched wide across his face, and Nico’s grinning that too-wide grin and tilting Will’s face closer with the edge of his thumb, like he barely had to try. And there’s always a little bit of shadow leeching off him when he comes back from a quest, an aura surrounding him like he’s squaring off to the sun, and of course the wild churning in Will’s stomach has nothing to do with that but what’s he to do, really? What is a warm-blooded person with eyes that can see to do when faced with such a look?

“Of course there aren’t. They know I would reap their actual souls.”

“Possessive, much.”

“You’re literally going red.”

“Shut up.”

And he does, but only because Will makes him.

Although judging by the hand he shoves in his hair, he doesn’t seem to mind.

[fangirl-dot-com]

Chapter 23 - The Dutch Anthem on Repeat

Guys, I think I can finally upload on a regular basis if I can do every Friday and Wednesday? If that's ok? I'm hoping that it will work well for everyone!

This chapter made me laugh, and I remember someone asking for more Grandpa Nando so he makes a good appearance in this one!

Like always, comments, questions, concerns, reblogs and likes are always appreciated! Please enjoy!

Max, along with everyone, was used to hearing the Dutch National Anthem. Sure, everyone joked that it was the Formula 1 outro, but that was life. It wasn’t Max’s fault that he kept winning. Everyone just needed a new and better car to keep up. As he walked into the garage, he knew he was expecting to possibly hear it at the very end of Sunday. 

What he didn’t expect was when his foot hit the concrete, the song started blasting through the speaker. The mechanics were trying to hid giggles behind their hands as they watched the confused driver try to find where the sound was coming from. When it suddenly stopped, he got even more confused. 

He looked at the mechanics. 

“Have you seen the kid anywhere?” 

Henry, one of the men that worked on your car, responded, “She’s been in her room since she got here this morning.” 

Max let out a tight “thanks” before heading that way. He expected you to be hiding something, but you were peacefully taking a nap with your headphones on. The gag gift that he got you, a blanket with his face all over it, was curled up in your hands. His eyes softened as he walked over to gently wake you up. You did promise him lunch for that day. 

He rocked you a bit until you woke up. 

You rubbed your eyes as you sat up. “Hey Max.” 

A yawn escaped your lips. 

“Kid, you don’t have anything to do with the fact that the Dutch anthem played when I walked in?” 

“Huh?” you questioned, still really sleepy. 

Max just let it go. You seemed like you didn’t know what was going on. You quickly got ready, placing your race suit at your hips. 

When Max’s foot hit the concrete again, the anthem started to play. A groan left his lips as you looked around. 

The Dutchman looked down at you. “You had nothing to do with this?” 

You looked up at the older driver. “Nico took my boombox privileges away when I scared him last week.” 

You seemed pretty dejected at the thought of losing your boombox. 

Max just quickly kept walking out of the garage with you on his tail. The two of you conversed as you made your way to hospitality. You knew that Max had the priority for this race. It was his second home and you knew he wanted a win after what happened in Belgium. 

“So I’m thinking of holding a party after Monza at the house. What do you thing?” 

Max thought for a moment. 

“That’s a good idea. You going to take a car to the circuit.” 

You beamed at him. “Thinking of bringing the spaceship. What do you think?” 

Max opened the door to the hospitality, and before he could answer, the Dutch anthem started to play once again. He stopped dead in his tracks, causing you to thud into his back. 

You snorted as you heard the song play, causing Max to whip around. 

His eyebrow arched. “Sure you don’t have anything to do with this?”

You only shook your head before pushing past him, wanting to get lunch as quickly as possible. Max followed, suspiciously glaring at anyone who looked guilty. 

Lando was sitting in the corner, animatedly telling a story to Oscar, who looked dead inside (but was politely listening). 

In the middle, Lewis, Charles, and Carlos were all playing on their phones, empty plates sitting in front of him.

Max’s eyes looked back up to see you talking to Fernando. Your eyes were wide as you talked to the Spaniard. He made his way over to the line and grabbed a tray. With each step he took, he was nervous about setting off something that would start the song. When he walked to the table, he just looked at the chair. 

“Everything all right Max?” Lando asked from the corner, making everyone look at the Dutchman. His cheeks reddened under everyone’s gaze. 

You bit into your sandwich. “Each time he’s walked into or out of a building, the Dutch national anthem plays.” 

“Sure it does,” Charles said, finally looking up from his phone. 

Now annoyed, Max sat down. Surprisingly nothing happened. He let out a content hum before biting into his food. 

However, the moment he took a bite, it stated to play again. Rounds of laughter fell from everyone’s lips as he sat there, looking sad with a bite of food in his mouth. 

Not wanting to sit anymore, he stood up abruptly and walked out with the tray. Yet, the song started over once he opened the door. A loud huff left his lips, which made everyone start laughing again. 

What he failed to notice was a camera set up in the corner of the room. You turned and looked at it, giving it a thumbs up. 

You wiped a tear from your eye. “Aw man, now he’s going to be mad.” You looked at one of the media personelle who was standing in the corner. He took the camera and just gave you a smile. 

“He’ll be mad at us, not at you.” 

You crossed your arms, not convinced in the slightest. Fernando gave you an upside down smile. 

“Come on niña, I’ll take you to Max.” 

He stood from the table, waiting for you to follow. Yet, you shook your head. 

“Nando, he’s going to be mad and all grumpy and I’m going to be at the receiving end of it in the car. He’s taken Charles out too many times.” 

“Hey!” 

Your eyebrows pinched as you looked up at the green-clad driver. Your eyes then looked back down at your food. 

Fernando sighed, knowing you weren’t going to budge. He turned around and walked out, without the Dutch national anthem playing. He stalked toward the Red Bull garage and was able to walk in. 

Every loved Fernando and had great respect for him. 

“Anyone know where I can find Max?” 

Christian spoke up from the corner. “He’s in his room. Is everything ok?” 

Fernando sighed as he rubbed his head. “For a prank, they got someone to play the Dutch National anthem every time Max did something. He got tired of it, so he stormed out. Now the kid thinks that he’s going to be mad at her all weekend. I’m just here to explain because she’s a bit nervous.” 

Christian had a sympathetic look on his face. He was sad that you thought that Max would ever be mad at you for something so trivial. 

The Briton nodded his head in the direction of Max’s driver room. “Second door on the left.” 

Fernando thanked him, before heading that way. He knocked once before the door swung open, sadly causing the anthem to play once again. 

Max deadpanned as he waited for the song to stop. 

“Is everything ok Fernando?” the Dutchman asked, trying to look around to see if you were there as well. His heart sank a bit when you weren’t seen. 

The elder sighed. “So your team thought it’d be a good video to play the anthem every time you did something.” 

Max winced. “Oh I know.” 

Fernando looked at him weirdly. 

“You don’t think I saw the dude with the camera in the corner of the garage or hospitality?” 

The Spaniard nodded. He knew a thing or two for spotting cameras on him. You get used to it after being in the field for so long. 

“Well, the kid thinks you were going to be mad if you knew that she was in on it.” 

Max’s eyebrows rose and his eyes widened. “Oh no no no. Doesn’t she know when I can tell that she’s not sleeping? She’s taken so many naps around me, that I know when she’s actually asleep.” 

Max had known from the beginning, since you never woke up so quickly. It always took a few nudges, not just one. And your headphones were off and you barely flinched when he approached you. He was actually amused that you had gone through all the trouble to seem innocent.

Fernando let out a long sigh. “I told her that you wouldn’t be angry or frustrated.” 

Max had a determined look. “Let’s go find her. She’s probably either in the Ferrari garage or McLaren.” 

“She’s in the Williams garage.” 

Max turned around. “How do you know this?” 

“It was supposed to be a joke, but she put me on her Life360. Said I was getting old and was at a higher risk of crashing outside of work.” 

Max let out a deep laugh at the imagination of you downloading Life360 onto Fernando’s phone. 

The two walked out of the garage (this time the anthem did not play) and toward Williams. The two got to catch up on something before they arrived. 

They saw the Thai driver first. 

“Alex have you see Y/n anywhere?” Max questioned, catching him off guard. 

He said nothing, but subtly tilted his head toward the back where Logan was awkwardly standing behind a box. Max’s eyes lit up at he looked at the American, who had a nervous look on his face. 

Max put a finger to his lips and saw Logan barely nod. He gingerly crossed the room and looked down. Behind said box, you were clinging to Logan’s leg, playing a game. 

He heard you snicker to yourself. “Max will never find me here.” 

“Sure kid.” 

He could have sworn he saw your soul leave your body as you jumped off of Logan’s leg. The American rolled his eyes before lifting you off the ground and placing you in front of the Dutch driver.

“I think this belongs to you.” 

All in the back, Fernando and Alex stood laughing behind their hands. 

You looked back at Logan. “Traitor.”

“Come on kid.” 

Max gently led you back to the Red Bull garage, but not without thanking Fernando for his help. The Spaniard only patted his back before returning to his own garage. Max watched as you begrudgingly walking in front of him. He quickened his steps to be right beside you. 

“I can hear your grumpiness from over here,” he tried to joke, yet stopped when he saw barely there tears in your lash line. 

He cooed as he tried to not let you cry.

“Kid I thought it was funny.” 

“Are you sure? You looked super unhappy after lunch.” You looked down and kicked a stone. 

“Y/n.” 

Oh, he said the name (and not the nickname). 

You sheepishly looked up at him. 

“I’m not mad. And if I was, I’d take it out on the media team and not you.” 

You smiled just a bit. “Promise?” 

“Promise. Now, let’s go kick some ass so we can listen to the Dutch National Anthem on the podium.” 

Race Results: 

Max Verstappen – 25 points 

Y/n L/n – 18 points 

Charles Leclerc – 16 points (fastest lap) 

Lewis Hamilton – 12 points 

Oscar Piastri – 11 points 

Alex Albon – 8 points 

George Russell – 6 points 

Logan Sargeant – 4 points 

Lance Stroll – 2 points 

Lando Norris – 1 point 

Fernando Alonso 

Niko Hulkenberg 

Kevin Magnussen 

Daniel Ricciardo 

Pierre Gasly 

Yuki Tsunoda 

Esteban Ocon

Valtteri Bottas 

Zhou Guanyu 

Carlos Sainz – DNF (engine failure) 

Champions Standings 

Max Verstappen – 309 points 

Charles Leclerc – 268 points 

Lando Norris – 190 points 

Y/n L/n – 181 points 

Carlos Sainz – 130 points 

Oscar Piastri – 118 points 

Lewis Hamilton – 105 points 

Alex Albon – 56 point 

George Russell – 54 points 

Fernando Alonso – 45 points 

Logan Sargeant – 36 points 

Daniel Ricciardo – 23 points 

Lance Stroll – 17 points 

Pierre Gasly - 12 points 

Valtteri Bottas – 13 points 

Yuki Tsunoda – 8 points

Zhou Guanyu – 1 point 

Nico Hulkenberg 

Kevin Magnussen 

Esteban Ocon 

Constructors Championship 

 Red Bull – 490 points 

Ferrari – 398 points 

McLaren – 308 points 

Mercedes – 159 points 

Williams – 92 points 

Aston Martin – 62 points 

Alpha Tauri – 31 points 

Alpha Romeo – 14 points 

Alpine – 12 points 

Haas – 0 points 

The cool wind of the Netherlands brushed up against your face as you stood on the second step. If your math was correct, you were still behind Lando in the championship by only 9 points. You’d make it up as long as you didn’t DNF for the rest of the season. 

You smiled as you heard the Dutch National Anthem for the umpteenth time that day. Your shoulders started to shake as it continued playing, which made Charles look at you and start laughing as well. Max watched with a grin on his face as you couldn’t contain yourself.

To the people down below, it looked like you were crying since you were wiping tears away (which you were, but the tears were from laughing too hard). Their hearts ached as you were on the second step once again, and not the top one. 

But, you were having the time of your life, spraying Max and Charles with loads of champagne. You were on a high right now, and nothing would stop it. You knew that later that night, you’d stay awake going over data and sim times. 

Because that second step was sweet, but the top step would be even sweeter. 

And you needed the win. 

You were starving. 

redbullracing has posted

redbullracing no broken trophies this year - orange army you were good to us

liked by y/n.nation, dutch4max, orangearmynation, and 390,204 others

maxmaxmax_super DUTCH ANTHEM YASSSSS

maxie&kid best 1-2 honestly

lastlap_lando NOT THE BROKEN TROPHIES COMMENT

landonorris how many times do I have to apologize?

y/n.89 give it a few years, he still hasn't forgiven me for accidentally eating his stroopwaffle maxverstappen1 BECAUSE IT WAS THE LAST ONE y/n.89 YOUR NAME WASN'T ON IT

y/n&co when are RB going to give her a win?? for real???

best_rookie ROOKIE WIN ROOKIE WIN ROOKIE WIN

y/n.nation WE NEED A WIN?? ADMIN? AUTHOR?? author CALL DOWN - LET ME COOK

autodromonazionale_monza a presto! Viaggi sicuri!

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[neo-techculture]

Partners in Crime to Partners for Life

Summary:- A look into your life where you're Dante's Consigliere; and his wife.

Pairing:- Mafia boss!OC x Consigliere!Reader.

Warnings:- A lil spicy; just a little.

The clicking of your heels on the shiny tiled floor was the only sound in the top-floor lobby of DeLuca Corp. You come to a halt in front of the black double doors, which are made of expensive wood, as is everything else in the room, including the furniture, lighting, and decorations. The whole company screams 'money'. You knock on the door, hear a faint 'Come in', before pushing it open.

Dante DeLuca, CEO of DeLuca Corp and head of the Italian Mob, sits in the swirling chair behind the expensive oak desk. The sound of your heels entering the room alerts him to your presence. Dante lifts his head from the paper he was reading, his chocolate brown eyes focusing on yours. Leaning back in his chair, a small smirk forms in the corner of his lips as he looks you up and down.

You are dressed in a simple white silk top, matching dress pants, and a blazer. You looked sleek with your black heels, dark brown hair pulled up into a ponytail, and lips coated a soft red.

"I got the papers you wanted," you inform. Dante hummed softly as he rose from the chair, coming around to lean against his desk. Each miniscule movement causes the white shirt to stretch around his muscles.

"C'mere," he demanded. When you make no move to get closer, he presses a button on the side of his desk to close and lock the door. "Now, c'mere."

With a sigh, you move closer. When you were within touching distance, Dante's arms snaked around your waist, pulling you closer to his body. He leaned down and gently nuzzled your nose, mumbling, "Missed my pretty wife today."

A gentle laugh escapes your lips. "You just saw me two hours ago, Dante."

"Yeah, too long." He let out. Nobody would have known that the powerful and ruthless leader of the Italian mob was whipped for his wife.

"If I had my way with you, I wouldn't even let you out of my bed, love." He went on.

"Un-huh," you grin as you kiss his cheek. "I still have work to do."

"I know," Dante mumbles. He kisses your lips softly before leaning back. "So, what have you got?"

"Well, Nico has been able to dig up some dirt on the mayor, just in case he proves to be difficult," You explain.

"Good, I also need you to look into this too..."

-----

By the time evening rolls around, you're more than ready to get into bed with your husband and unwind.

After arriving at the penthouse, you went straight to the closet to steal one of Dante's shirts. Your amused husband appears behind you, arms wrapping around your waist.

"Stealing, love?" He questions with a fond look.

You turn around in his arms, running a finger along his jaw.

"You mind?"

How could Dante possibly refuse you when you look at him like that. Pretty doe eyes half-lidded, lips pouty and soft. He's a man obsessed. God forbid that anyone attempts to take you away from him. Dante is well aware that he'd burn the world down in your name if anything happened to you.

He shakes his head no in response. Though, a sly look enters his eyes. "But this is going to owe you."

"Oh, really?" You drawl and press closer to your husband. "I think I'm fine with that. In fact, I'm more than willing to be in your debt."

Dante chuckles. Gods, he loves you.

Getting into bed, the two of you cuddle for a while, discussing the usual subjects about his empire and the current problems he's facing.

But soon your husband's hands begins to wander, sliding over your hips and playing with the hem of your shirt. He damn well knows he's going to find you bare if he pulls the fabric up. After all, he had seen you undress and wear his shirt earlier.

"What are you doing?" You mumble. Dante's eyes shifts to your face, sensing the tiredness in your voice.

"Is my pretty wife tired?" He murmurs. You nod, inching closer to press your face against his neck.

Your husband caresses the soft skin of your thighs for a while. He's not going to rile you up when he knows you're tired and just needs to rest.

'Guess we can have a quickie in the morning,' he thinks.

A short time later, he runs his hands through your hair, feeling the soft strands glide through his fingers. He massages your scalp gently, lulling you to sleep.

Watching you sleep is another one of his favorite things to do; the first one being making you laugh. You look so peaceful when you're asleep. The muscles relaxed and the weight of your constant worries lifted off your shoulders.

Dante presses a kiss against your temple, allowing his lips to linger for a moment, soaking up your softness and scent before pulling away.

"I love you," he whispers. You stir softly, mumbling an incoherent 'love you' before relaxing back to sleep.

Dante smiles. "My pretty wife."

A lil drabble of male oc with reader. Hope you enjoyed! Tell me if I should write a part 2 for this. Don't be shy to put in requests!

Credits to the amazing @cafekitsune for the cute divider line. Go check them out!!

HAVE AN AMAZING DAY POOKIES! :)

[starbabyg]

Swiss Pastries and Friendship Renewals | Nico Hischier

For Demi from your Hockey girlies discord fic exchange bb 💞💞 @wyattjohnston I’m actually making you a mini series bc I love this idea so muchhh and I have this whole plot in place I hope you don’t mind!!

Plus as a bonus here’s a whole playlist for youuu!! 💗💗

₊✮⸜ ༘⋆ ₊✮⸜ ༘⋆ ₊✮⸜ ༘⋆ ₊✮⸜ ༘⋆ ₊✮⸜ ༘⋆ ₊✮⸜ ༘⋆ ₊✮⸜ ༘⋆ ₊✮⸜ ༘⋆ ₊✮⸜ ༘

2019

It was autumn in New Jersey, the weather had gone cold and the leaves were starting to turn auburn. Nico watched people through the shop windows as he walked home. Families shopping for the holidays. Couples laughing as they bonded over fondue and pumpkin spiced cocktails. He thought it was sweet seeing people happily living their lives. He came upon a small coffee shop, looking through the window and seeing someone he knew looked familiar. He could only see her side profile, but in his bones he knew he had seen the girl before. The oh so familiar girl leaned a bit over to grab something out of a bag perched on her shoulder, and Nico knew that it was who he thought it was. Nico made his way into the shop, a new sense of excitement flurrying through him.

“No freakin’ way, Demi?” He came up behind her, a large smile plastered on his face. It had been a while since he had seen anybody from up north, he had only spent a short while there but the memories were still fresh in his mind.

“Oh my god, Nico!” Demi immediately brought him in for a hug, remembering that soft face of his, that smile that he had always adorned. “I haven’t seen you since you left for the states!”

“It’s been a couple years now huh, this is the first time I’m seeing anybody from Halifax. God that group was wild. How is everybody?” Memories of that small Canadian town started to flood his senses. The little bits of nostalgia giving him a sense of glee.

“Yeah, our little group really was something, huh. Everybody is doing their own thing. Stacy and Jonah have a kid now. Yeah, they’re still together. Miles moved to Toronto. You know, everyone just in different places doing different things. I haven’t been that in touch with them either. The old times were good though,” she smiled as she reminisced.

Nico saw the look on Demi’s face, a tad bit somber as she was deep in thought. He felt a bit bad. “How bout we catch up over some coffee and pastries? It’s been a while and you were always my favorite.” Smelling the scent of coffee and what smelled of sweetly burnt sugar, Nico could not resist the temptation of a warm drink on that chilly day. The pastries encased in the display window were no help either.

“That is such a lie Hischier, we were not as close as you were with Evan. Or even Julia. Which, by the way, was that all about? I never got the full story,” she joked, scanning the menu although she already knew what she was going to order.

“Oh? Julia? She was a nice girl, she just used to come off very strong. I didn’t really know how to let her down easy,” Nico scratched the back of his neck as he thought about each awkward encounter after the other.

“That’s Julia, always going after what she wants. I’m a little surprised you didn’t date her though, she was one of the prettiest girls in town.”

“I just liked another girl, that’s all. Julia wasn’t my type,” he shrugged as he walked up to the front counter, “what do you get from here? I’m not much of a coffee guy.”

“I got you,” Demi placed her hand on Nico’s shoulder as she turned towards the barista, “Can I get two caramel brûlée macchiato’s and two apple caramel strudels?” Demi began shuffling through her bag again, pulling out her card, as she attempted to hand it to the barista Nico swiftly snatched it out of her hand. Instead placing his card in the barista’s hand.

“Still fast as ever, huh Hischier,” Demi shook her head as she led Nico to a table in the corner. The coffee shop was tranquil, a good handful of customers murmers living up the joint as some soft holiday music played in the background. The lights were warm and cozy, a bright shade of copper that lit the couple’s faces up. Overall just a nice and homely vibe that Nico could get used to.

“You know me,” he chuckled, pulling her seat out for her to sit, “So what brought you to Jersey out of every state?”

Demi shrugged, “Just more opportunities. Close to New York City. Close to my folks who never left Halifax. I really don’t know if I’m going to be honest.” The question came as a bit of a shocker. Demi herself had never really asked herself why she came to Jersey. It had just happened.

“And how’s it going for you out here?”

Demi thought for a second. Career wise, it wasn’t where she wanted to be. She wanted to fib just a bit, just to make the situation sound a bit better for her, but it was Nico and she felt no reason to lie. “Honestly less than satisfactory. I’ve been doing freelance gigs for this company but I’m not passionate about my work. It’s just being an errand girl for people who aren’t the nicest. The pay is measly compared to cost of living. Lately it’s just work, eat, like thirty minutes of actually doing what I want to do, then sleep.”

“So what do you really want to do?”

Demi was taken aback just a bit, “It’s been a while since I’ve been asked that. I’ve always liked writing. Something in journalism perhaps. Maybe write a book or two. I just want the freedom to be creative with my work.”

“Makes sense, I remember you used to work on the school paper! I used to read your little opinion column!” Nico remembered and pointed his finger excitedly. He could still remember the little pieces, always marked by the ‘written by senior editor Demi’ in little letters under the title.

“No way you used to read my writing Hischier,” Demi felt a bit bashful, covering up her blushing cheeks. “I used to try to hide the paper from the group because I was too embarrassed for them to read it. You know how they got with teasing.”

“Don’t know why you were embarrassed. Your writing was really good, funny too.” Nico was a bit surprised by her reaction. Demi had never been one to be shy or even embarrassed. Always holding up a headstrong attitude even when the group was in major trouble.

“Awe, why thank you Hischier. I appreciate that. I wish I could write more now, but juggling these gigs and trying to solidify an actual career out here, it’s just impossible I wish there was something—”

“Order for Demi,” interrupted by the barista, Demi got up for their order. Nico watched as she got up and interacted with the barista, the two of them having a small conversation that ended with laughter. Somehow she was glowing underneath the tungsten lighting. Turning around with tray in her hand, Demi carefully made her way back, cautious as to not spill the two piping hot drinks.

“Okay, this spot has the best fall drinks and the most authentic Swiss pastries in Jersey. I remember you always came to school with a homemade apple strudel, so I had to see you try this one. It’s like fall in a pastry. Apple, caramel, with powdered sugar on top. It’s to dieeee for.”

Nico smiled as he listened to Demi describe the order. It was very thoughtful of her to remember his old favorite school snack all these years later. Watching her place the order down, an idea sparked in his head.

“So first you gotta try the strudel, savor it. Then after try it again and take a sip of your macchiato after.” Demi rested her chin in her hands, just a little too excited to see how her old friend would like the goods from her favorite coffee shop.

Nico did exactly as he was told, lifting the strudel up and taking an ample bite. His senses were then filled with the sweet tang of baked apples, his tongue coated with the spice of cinnamon. Demi nodded, gauging his reaction that she knew he would most definitely have. Nico couldn’t believe that a strudel this good could actually come from a small shop in Jersey. It had tasted just like home. He then grabbed his Macchiato, about to sip it before Demi’s hand jerked it away.

“Oh my gosh, be careful. That thing is piping hot,” she chuckled as she saw Nico’s eyes bulge up. He set the coffee cup down and leaned over to blow it gently. “I know it smells good but you gotta wait a couple minutes so it doesn’t leave your tongue burnt for the rest of the day.”

“You just saved me. I was being a bit hasty huh,” Nico shook his head as he felt a bit bashful. He watched as the cream swirled in the coffee every time he blew into it.

“I’m literally your savior Hischier,” Demi gave him a cheeky wink.

“That means you haven’t changed much from school. You saved everyone’s asses. Always got us out of trouble. Always saved us right before we coulda died. That’s why you were my favorite, you were always the coolest of the group,” he laughed. Now thinking of all the high school shenanigans, all of the times they were yelled at by adults. Caught trespassing. With every time Demi having to mediate and bargain with authority.

“Mmm, makes one of you,” Demi pursed her lips. Her mood shifted a bit as she took a long sip of her macchiato.

“Huh, what d’you mean?” Nico sat there clueless.

“You know everyone else in the group had their closer bonds. Everyone grew up with each other. And I had just moved from Australia the year before you came. They liked me cause I was different and it was a small town, but they didn’t bother to get close to me like they were with each other. And they were all kind of assholes if I’m being real,” Demi shrugged. “Which is why I’m working my ass off out here cause I refuse to go back. I don’t even care if I have to work all day as long as I don’t have to go back there.”

Nico got quiet, only murmuring a little ‘oh’ under his breath. He truly did not know what to say. Just watching Nico sit there in his thoughts, Demi placed her hands on the table. She hated an awkward moment. Couldn’t stand them.

“So how ‘bout some Brunsli cookies? They actually import chocolate from Switzerland and they taste sooo decadent. Just like the chocolate your mother brought you to school that one day. Speaking of your mother, how is she?”

“Oh, she’s fine. Moved back home so I don’t get to see her much except for the off season. She sends me stuff from back home all the time. Especially those chocolates. I can bring you some if you’d like.”

Demi’s eyes lit up, “Really? Those are literally the best chocolates I have ever tasted. You would be a godsend giving me some.” Her mouth started to water at the thought of those chocolates, how they just melt in your mouth. The rich flavor that was better than any American chocolate.

“Of course. You don’t know how many boxes I have in my apartment. My kitchen counter is covered with them. I barely have time to eat them let alone put them away,” Nico jokingly sighed as he pictured his kitchen counter that was literally covered in Läderach and mom- and - pop shop made chocolates.

“Ohhh let me come over to your place and those chocolates will be goneeee. But really, I can help you organize those chocolates and put them away— if you need some assistance.”

“I could use a lotttt of assistance. My life has been hectic for a while now and having those stacks of chocolates out of sight is one less thing to worry about. I’ll even give you all the chocolate from my stockpile that you want.” Nico just

“I mean, I’ll take the chocolates. But I would have done it anyway. You’re my friend. Why wouldn’t I help you out any way I can?” She smiled and took a bite of her pastry, crumbs falling down the sides of her mouth which Nico thought was adorable.

Nico couldn’t help but look at Demi with the admiration he used to look at her back when they were in secondary school. “Honestly people like you are very hard to come across. You surely are a rare breed out here Demi. Nobody is selfless like that anymore. Always asking what’s in it for them.” Demi was like a breath of fresh air to Nico.

“Well duh. It’s Jersey. Everybody out here has a bad attitude,” she rolled her eyes in a joking manner. Although she hoped no native New Jersians heard that because they would surely give her an earful.

“You aren’t wrong,” Nico chuckled and shook his head. He couldn’t help but think about the endless encounters he had faced with rude fans, people in public, and especially people in the industry. It had honestly started to take a toll on him.

“Well you sure are lucky to have found me again huh. The sweetest, kindest, most nicest person in the world,” Demi teased in a sing songy manner. She batted her eyes in the most obvious way. Nico thought she looked like a Disney princess.

Nico just looked at her with admiration, “Why don’t you be my assistant,” he absentmindedly said. “Er— only if you want to. It’s not like you need to—”

“Hischier, Hischier. Calm down. Let me hear you out before you get all anxious on me,” she placed a hand on Nico’s shoulder.

“I’m just saying. It could be beneficial for the both of us. My last assistant was crap. Didn’t help me out in any way but was getting paid handsomely by the Devils. You need a better job. And more time to do what you actually want to. We can help each other out!”

Demi just sat there thinking. ‘It would be a better job than my shithole job. I don’t know about the pay yet but more time to do what I actually want to will help out with my career moves. And it’s just Nico. He’s not that bad. He’d be a better boss than my current one.’

“Okay. I’ll take the job.” She took the leap. Maybe this would be good for her. The change in pace might be just what she needed to get to the next step in her life. Any change in scenery would be better than Demi’s current situation.

“I knew it. It’s fine. I was just suggesting–” Again Nico started with his anxious rambling. If Demi didn’t stop him he would have went on until the coffee shop closed.

“Um, Hischier. Did you not just hear me? I said I’ll take it,” Demi knew Nico wasn’t the best listener but sheesh. How much in his head was he at the moment?

Nico formed a smile, “Oh? I made an offer you couldn’t refuse huh,” he poked at her, speaking in his best east coast accent. It was terrible, but Demi could never tell him that.

“Honestly I could’ve heard a better job pitch from a child. But you’re my friend and you’re cooler than my current boss so why not. I think we could benefit from each other as well. As friends.” But she could tease him still.

“Friends with benefits??”

“Ew, gross. Don’t be gross like that Hischier.”

[sionisjaune]

A short Nico/Jenson ficlet for @penaltyboxboxbox's girlcedes ballet AU... the last image made me insane...

Afterwards, he always asks about Lewis. The sweat on Nico’s back hasn’t even begun to dry, and her knees ache from riding his cock, and her back aches from practice, and he flops on his back, slides one of his disgusting cigs from the crumpled pack on his dresser and asks about her, absently scratching the scruffy hair on his chest. 

“She’s fine,” says Nico. Today, Toto announced that Lewis had made prima after stringing them both along for weeks. Everyone knew he would pick Lewis in the end, just like everyone knew that Lewis really was prima material, even with her tattoos and her piercings and her muscled quads and thick torso. 

Jenson sucks on his cigarette for a moment and then turns his head to the side to exhale in the direction of the window. Nico wishes he would blow smoke in her face, if only so that she could have something to yell at him for. 

“She still remember me?” says Jenson, wrapping his lips around the cigarette for another drag. “Wouldn’t kill her to come around…” 

Nico rolls her eyes and climbs off of Jenson’s lap to hunt around for her panties. Jenson must have tossed them somewhere in his pigsty of a room sometime after he stuck his hand down her jeans. Eventually, she finds them dangling from the bedpost, beside Jenson’s foot. She tugs them on only to discover that they’ve ripped along the seam where elastic meets delicate lace. Monstrous, soul-sucking rage swells in her chest and bursts like a party balloon before it can become anything real. Instead of ripping her own hair out of her head, she locates Jenson’s boxers and lobs them at his face.

“What would you even do?” Nico says. 

“Huh?” says Jenson, lighting another cigarette. He cups his hand around the end to shield the flame from the draught gusting in through the window. 

“If she came around. What would you do?” Nico crosses her arms, but it only serves to draw Jenson’s attention to her tits. When his eyes widen, she swallows and purses her lips to keep the bile down. 

“Dunno,” says Jenson, folding one wiry arm behind his head. “There used to be a band. We were Mick Laren. You, know like the—” 

“I know,” says Nico.

“Then we were Downforce. And then Lewis and the Mechanics.” Jenson chortles. Nico is going to be sick. She scoops one of Jenson’s dirty shirts off the floor—an embarrassing band tee going threadbare at the collar—and pulls it on over her head. She tiptoes back to Jenson’s bed and slides back in beside him because she has nowhere else to go, really. Jenson folds his arm around her and pulls her into his chest. At least he’s good for keeping her warm. Nico slides her leg over his while he puffs on his cigarette.

“Give me that,” Nico snaps. Jenson hands her the cigarette obligingly, and Nico plucks it from his hand with two fingers. It’s too short to hold onto properly, but it feels good on the way down, stinging her throat and curling poisonously inside her lungs. Toto would fucking kill her if he saw. She hands the butt back to Jenson, and he squishes it out on the nightstand.

“You can’t even fucking sing,” Nico sighs. 

“Sure I can,” says Jenson, pinching her in the side. “You wanna hear what I’m working on?”

“No,” says Nico, into his chest. 

“Some girlfriend you are,” says Jenson.

“Not your girlfriend,” says Nico. 

Jenson snorts. “Tell that to the panty collection in my underwear drawer.” 

“They’re probably not even mine,” says Nico. “Slag.” 

Jenson kisses the top of her head and tosses the sheet over her body. She might as well stay the night, now. The alarm clock on the nightstand reads 2 AM in forbidding analog digits. Waking up to whatever shit breakfast Jenson cooks up is marginally better than waiting pantless on the street corner for a cab. God only knows where her jeans ended up.

“Sweet dreams, princess,” says Jenson. Nico squeezes her eyes shut tight.

[solangelo-taylors-version]

Okay, so I signed up for the @pjo-halloween-trade and got to make a fanfic for @hazellevessque. I hope this checked all your boxes, Alice!

Nico was about to either walk out of the Apollo Cabin or cave in and say yes when he saw Will’s puppy eyes out of the corner of his eye. He threw his arms down.

“Do not bring those out,” He snapped, but Will knew he wasn’t really angry.

“Just say yes, Nico. It’s only a costume and you need to have fun at least once in your life!” Kayla said, walking in from her archery lesson.

“Yeaaaa Nico. Pleeeaseee?” William has getting on his nerves now, but Nico couldn’t stop himself from feeling a swell of affection for his boyfriend. Plus, his puppy eyes were kinda cute.

“Oh my gods, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but fine!” Nico exclaimed.

“YESSS!” Will jumped up and down in excitement. Nico had never seen him so happy, (maybe apart from the time when Nico asked him out for the first time), “Okay, so I was thinking we could go as Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker and I could be Luke if that’s alright so when-“

“Will”

“We go trick-or-treating you say ‘Luke, I am your father’ cos technically your old enough to be my father even though we’re together but-“

“Will. Will, I would be happy to be Darth Vader but don’t overthink this. It’s just a costume!”

“Not just a costume. It’s a Halloween costume, possibly the best night of the year at camp,” Kayla cuts in.

“Wow, you guys really take Halloween seriously here, huh?” 

“Yep, it’s Camp tradition. October 31st, everyone puts treats outside of the cabins, and we go around and trick-or-treat, and then we have a special campfire with Halloween theme!” Will says.

“Okay, okay. You better get started on that costume then, huh?”

“No, he’ll just get the Cabin 11 to go and raid the nearest costume shop”

Will puts his hands up in admittance.

~ Kronos Time Skip ~

“Nico!” Hazel shouted as she ran into Camp.

“Hazel! What are you doing here?”

“Camp Jupiter doesn’t do Halloween since Rome is Catholic so Frank and me came here, maybe just for this year so we could see what it’s like,” Hazel explained. “Oh, and I think Percy and Annabeth are coming too.”

“Yes!” That came from behind Nico. “Oops, sorry. Did I not tell you Nico? I’m really close with Annabeth and Percy.”

“Oh no, that’s fine,” Nico assured.

Nico suddenly ran into Hazel and hugged her hard.

“Whoah, Neeks, are you okay?” Hazel asked, hugging him back.

“-Missed you, Hazelnut,” Nico replies, muffled.

“I missed you too!” Hazel says, now squeezing harder. “Let’s go to Cabin 13, yeah? We have a lot to catch up on”

~ another time skip ~

“So, how’s Camp?” Hazel starts the conversation off.

“It’s good.” Nico explains how Camp is going -and his relationship with Will- and the activities and a more like that.

Soon, he trails off and notices Hazel looks really tired.

“Are you alright?”

“What? Oh yeah, I’m fine,” Hazel reassures, but is quickly cut off with a yawn.

“Hey! Why are you so tired?” Nico asks.

“Just Preator stuff and-“ She’s cut off by another yawn.

“Okay, you’re going to bed. Now,” Nico orders.

“Fine,” Hazel says.

Nico tucks her in, kisses her forehead and leaves to go find Will. 

~time skip~ (it’s now Halloween)

“Good?” Nico asks Will. It’s now Halloween, and every cabin has decorations and treats outside.

“Yes, yes, yes, yes!” Will exclaims. “You look amazing!”

“So do you!” Nico chuckles. “So, are we ready?”

“Yes! Let’s go!”

They step out of Cabin 7 and make their way to Cabin 1. Cabin 1 has thunderbolts outside and mini lightning bolt sweets. Nico and Will both take three.

Cabin 3 has waves and sweets shaped like sea animals.

And so on, they walk around Camp trick-or-treating.

When they’re done, they head back to Cabin 7 for a special pyjama movie night, but with horror movies. They settle down with Kayla, Austin, Hazel, Frank, and Percy and Annabeth. Wait, Percy and Annabeth?

“Percy!” Will shrieks, jumping on top of Percy.

“Good to see you too, dude. How’s life?”

Will and Percy start talking while Annabeth catches up with Hazel, with BeetleJuice on in the background.

It was perfect. Nico was finally surrounded with all his loved ones, but he couldn’t help thinking he wished Bianca was here. But, he had a home and a family, and that was enough for him.

[twoidiotwriters1]

The Curse of Oenone (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: Sometimes you just need to suffer an hallucination to get your shit together -Danny Words: 1,949 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter // Next Chapter Listen to: 'Pray' -by Sam Smith

XLIV: Stupid Decisions Require Stupider Consequences

Ara concludes that she hates not only the cold but also the intense heat. The feeling of her clothes sticking to her body, and how every time she breathes it feels like she's inhaling steam.

"What was that with Hedge?" Ara nudges Frank's arm, the boy hasn't let their protector come along.

Frank makes a face. "You know his girlfriend?"

"Mellie?" Ara raises a brow. "Gods, yeah. Did something happen to her?"

"She's pregnant."

"No way!"

"Yeah," He sighs. "Ara, isn't it cruel to keep him around? It was bad enough before, but now..."

"Poor Hedge," the girl cleans the sweat off her brow. "He looked after me when I didn't have anything, I should return the favor."

Frank smiles. "He talks about you like a coach would talk about the students that grew up to be professional athletes."

Ara chuckles. "He's proud of me for all the wrong reasons."

The boy laughs tiredly, the heat is getting to him too. "I wouldn't be so sure..."

Nico stops and turns to the group. "From here, it gets tough."

"Sweet," Leo is sweaty, but he sounds okay. His time in Ogygia seems to have bettered his condition. "'Cause so far I've totally been pulling my punches."

"We'll see how long you keep your sense of humor," Nico scowls. "Remember, this is where pilgrims came to commune with dead ancestors. Underground, you may see things that are hard to look at, or hear voices trying to lead you astray in the tunnels. Frank, do you have the barley cakes?"

Ara's ancestors... does she have any? When she thinks about ancestry, she pictures her past lives. She doesn't know a thing about her current mortal lineage, and she's never talked to her dead loved ones, not even on accident.

That's why she always thought she was too unimportant for her death to matter—she isn't ending a bloodline that's lasted for centuries, it's just her. Nemesis's words are accurate, she doesn't see value in what she represents. 

Her sacrifices hold no weight in the eyes of immortals. For that to happen, Ara should hold onto something within her and love it like it means the world, but the people she loved and died faded away, to think there is something inside her worth safekeeping makes no sense to her.

"I've got the cakes," Hazel steps forward.

"Eat up," Nico tells the group.

Ara recoils with displeasure and gawks, scrunching up her nose. "Tastes like satyr medicine!"

"Don't remind me," Nico groans, forcing the last bit of cake down his throat. "That... should protect us from the poison."

"Poison?" Leo coughs out. "Did I miss the poison? 'Cause I love poison."

"Soon enough," Nico brushes off his teasing. "Just stick close together, and maybe we can avoid getting lost or going insane."

Leo grabs Ara's hand. "Another fun date, huh?"

They make their way in, her hand is so sweaty she feels the need to pull away, but Leo's grip stays firm as he looks around waiting for monsters to pop out from every corner.

"This wasn't part of a temple," Hazel informs them. "This was... the basement for a manor house, built in later Greek times."

"A manor house?" Frank questions. "Please don't tell me we're in the wrong place."

"The House of Hades is below us," Nico shakes his head. "But Hazel's right, these upper levels are much newer. When the archaeologists first excavated this site, they thought they'd found the Necromanteion. Then they realized the ruins were too recent, so they decided it was the wrong spot. They were right the first time. They just didn't dig deep enough."

They find a wall ahead stopping them from going forward. 

"A cave-in?" Jason wonders out loud.

"A test," Nico clarifies. "Hazel, would you do the honors?"

The girl touches the surface and it crumbles before them. Ara holds Leo's hand tighter and takes cover behind her cloak, getting dirt all over it. Before them lies a large, almost infinite set of stairs, the walls are decorated with images of cattle.

"I really don't like cows," Piper groans.

"Agreed," Frank replies.

"That's you, Neeks," Ara points at one cow with legs too long for its body.

"Those are the cattle of Hades," Nico scolds her. "It's a symbol of—" 

"Look," Frank interrupts, pointing at a cup set on the first step.

"Hooray, I suppose that's our poison," Leo points out plainly.

"We're standing at the ancient entrance of the Necromanteion," Nico picks it up. "Odysseus came here, and dozens of other heroes, seeking advice from the dead."

"Did the dead advise them to leave immediately?" Leo presses.

"I would be fine with that," Piper agrees.

Nico glances at them annoyed and then at her as if saying See what your jokes cause? Then he offers the chalice to Jason. "You asked me about trust, and taking a risk? Well, here you go, son of Jupiter. How much do you trust me?"

Jason almost snatches the cup out of his hands. He drinks, then passes it to the next person. 

"So dramatic," Ara grabs the cup and drinks from it, again making disgruntled noises. "Yuck!"

"Yeah, so dramatic," Nico glances at the group and nods briefly. "Congratulations. Assuming the poison doesn't kill us, we should be able to find our way through the Necromanteion's first level."

"Just the first level?" Piper asks with dread.

Nico opts to ignore all the witty comments starting now. He looks at Hazel. "After you, sister."

From this point on, the dead are stronger than the living.

That's what Hazel says the moment they enter the second level. Ara doesn't like the sound of that. Personally, her ghost sheet is packed, and if she runs into any of her dead friends, things will go downhill fast, and they'll get ugly.

In her life, the dead have always been stronger than the living. Her deadbeat father is the reason she considered herself hard to love for most of her childhood, her deceased friends constantly remind her she's useless. And now everyone will get to watch and hear her trauma in real time.

"Where are the monsters?" Frank asks. "I thought Gaea had an army guarding the Doors."

"Don't know. At this point I'd almost prefer a straight-up fight," Jason mumbles.

"Careful what you wish for, man," Leo summons fire on his free hand, and Ara feels comforted by it. "Personally, I'm hoping nobody's home. We walk in, find Percy and Annabeth, destroy the Doors of Death, and walk out. Maybe stop at the gift shop."

"Yeah," Frank huffs. "That'll happen."

"If they don't have a guide," Ara comments, "they're probably roaming this place, lost and waiting to hear us so they know where the food is."

The ground shakes as if agreeing with her comment. Everyone looks at her with a scowl to which she responds with a grimace, deciding to keep her thoughts to herself.

"That was close," Hazel sighs. "These passageways won't take much more."

"The Doors of Death just opened again," Nico announces.

"It's happening like every fifteen minutes," Piper points out.

"Every twelve," Nico frowns. "We'd better hurry. Percy and Annabeth are close. They're in danger. I can sense it."

His words motivate Ara to pick up her pace. As the rooms get taller and wider, she feels a presence watching her, their gaze so heavy on the back of her neck that it starts to hurt.

"Offerings?" Piper asks as they walk past some coins on the floor.

"Yes," Nico nods. "If you wanted your ancestors to appear, you had to make an offering."

"Let's not make an offering," Jason moves away.

"The tunnel from here is unstable," Hazel points out. "The floor might... well, just follow me. Step exactly where I step."

Leo drops her hand, and immediately Ara feels less nervous. She's been absorbing most of his anxiety without noticing. They walk in line for a while until the group suddenly stops.

"Frank?" Jason asks quietly. "Hazel, hold up a second. Frank, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," his voice shakes. "I just—"

"Ara."

The girl looks around wide-eyed, the darkness seemingly getting worse as she does. "What?"

Leo looks at her over his shoulder. "You said something?"

"Remember your tapestry."

Ara speaks with a choked voice. "Silena."

"Frank, Ara, don't move," Hazel warns them. But both teenagers are busy holding conversations with the air.

"Lead where?" Frank speaks.

"Lena, is it you?" Ara frowns. "What about the tapestry?"

"Uh, guys?" Leo's flames grow in size. "Could you not freak out on us? Please and thank you."

Frank and Ara lock eyes and they understand. Their ghosts have found them. 

"It's my sister," Ara's hands are shaking. "She's trying to tell me something..."

"We're okay," Frank gulps. "Just... voices."

Nico speaks up. "I did warn you. It'll only get worse. We should—"

"Wait here, everybody," Hazel disappears for a few seconds, then returns looking pale. "Scary room ahead—Don't panic."

"Those two things don't go together," Leo groans.

As they enter the bone cathedral, the voices get a little too loud for Ara's liking, but she suspects they're this way now because she's looking for her dead friends in the noise. To think her friends have watched her fail time after time, wasting all their sacrifices... it's not a pleasant notion.

"Touch nothing," Hazel warns them.

"Wasn't planning on it," Leo goes back to Ara's side. 

"Which way now?" Jason asks.

"This should be the room where the priests invoked the most powerful spirits. One of these passages leads deeper into the temple, to the third level and the altar of Hades himself. But which—?"

"That one." Frank points.

"Why that one?" Hazel asks.

"You don't see the ghost?"

"Ghost?" Nico raises a brow.

"I see it," Ara mumbles, giving a step forward. 

Leo pulls her back quickly. "Okay, let's take a moment to make sure Frank and Ara aren't having some kind of shared hallucination—"

"We need to get to that exit," Frank says urgently. "Now!"

Hazel pushes him back with all her strength. "Wait, Frank! This floor is not stable, and underneath... well, I'm not sure what's underneath. I need to scout a safe path."

"Hurry, then," Frank brings out his bow.

As soon as they huddle closer together, they hear the voices of a monstrous army approaching quickly. "Hazel, don't stop!" Nico reaches for the scepter of Diocletian.

Ara opts for her flintlock and starts shooting as soon as the Earthborn shows up at the end of the passageway. Leo stays near her, protecting her by tossing fire at the monsters. 

The floor cracks under them, and Ara retreats in panic colliding against Leo and Hazel.  Frank grabs the trio and drags them to another corridor. "Go, go, go!"

"The others!" Leo exclaims. A crack has divided the room they were previously in, one side full of monsters, the other with their friends, and a considerable amount of cyclops and hellhounds. 

"We have to help them!" Hazel says desperately.

"Your tapestry," Silena repeats in her mind once more, this time more urgently.

Arachne's tapestry showed her exactly as she looks now. Ara locks eyes with Frank, seeing the determination in his as they fall to similar conclusions. 

"Protect my army, Frank Zhang," she says.

"Nico!" Frank shouts. "The scepter!" Nico summons the ghostly army and Frank nods at her. "You keep going."

"What?" Hazel tries to reach him. "No!"

"You have to find the Doors. Save Annabeth and Percy."

Ara grabs Hazel and Leo and drags them away from Frank. He rushes away, and just when Hazel's getting a bit hard to control, the wall crumbles. Ara lets go and Hazel falls to her knees, the girl hits the rocks trying to move them, but they're unbothered by her tantrum. Ara gives her a single minute to scream, then lifts her from the hard floor.

"Frank is one of my bravest soldiers," she absorbs Hazel's anguish while she speaks. "You'll see him again. Alive." The girl looks like such a little kid, that Ara feels guilty for forcing her to go on. "Don't waste his efforts."

For the first time, Ara prays to her departed friends asking them for strength, but most of all, forgiveness.

Next Chapter –>

Taglist.

@siriuslysirius1107 @ask-giggles1303 @asnyox-the-hoarder @im-planning-something-look @bandshirts-andbooks @coolninjapaper @thewaterlily @whenisthefall @1randomcomic @you-bloody-shank @sunflowergraves @owlalex44 @taylordaughter @typicalsolangelolover @writingmia @espressopatronum454 @slytherinnqueen @orbitingpolaris @obxstiles @ellipsisspelled @thepixiechicksh @ebony-reine-vibes

[keru0]

Cheering Up

Ugh I just finished TriStamp and I already miss them so much ToT!! This fic is on the shorter side but I was in the mood to write for them and I figured I’d put something out while I try to finish that Rag-Bros fic. Anyways, hope yall enjoy!!

Fandom: Trigun Stampede

Ships/Pairings: Lee!Vash, Ler!Wolfwood, Ler!Meryl (romantic)

Contains: SFW, Fluff

Word Count: 1359

================================================

It was an…odd night, to say the least.

Instead of their usual – which consisted of them sleeping in the truck – Vash, Wolfwood, and Meryl were actually able to hunker down in a less-then-nice and cozy motel. Of course, as always, there were arguments of who would take what bed, Vash insisting on sleeping on the floor, but Meryl and Wolfwood were having none of it, almost forcing Vash to take one of the two beds since he always insists on the floor, though his price was that one of them would take up the bed with him so no one would sleep on the floor that was covered in god-knows-what.

After the sleeping arrangements were agreed – Wolfwood deciding he would sleep with the humanoid furnace – they decided to go to a bar nearby, wanting to have some fun before heading out in the morning. This, of course, led to the trio drinking until they were barely lucid, stumbling their way back to their shared room. 

Meryl insisted on showering first, still disgusted by the bug guts from yesterday, leaving Wolfwood and Vash alone. 

As soon as Meryl disappeared behind the door, Vash let his façade drop, dropping his cheery smile for a more sullen look.

Drinking always makes Vash think of things he usually doesn’t think about – things he doesn’t want to think about. It’s fun at first; hanging out with friends, forgetting about his worries, but by around the fifth drink, thoughts he thought he had stashed away come barreling to the surface, forcing him to think about them.

Usually Wolfwood would leave him be, knowing Vash doesn’t like to talk about what’s on his mind, knowing that he thinks he’s a burden if he even so much as frowns at someone, let alone talks about his feels. The beer in his system, instead of ignoring him, makes him want to know what's going on with his usually-bubble friend; it makes him want to help him in a way Vash never lets anyone help.

So, noticing his change in attitude and knowing that the Humanoid Typhoon gets in his head, Wolfwood turns towards him, the cigarette in his mouth doing nothing for the slurring of words the drinks are causing. “You alright, Needle Noggin?”

Not wanting to worry his friend, Vash immediately switches expressions to his usual cheery demeanor, looking up, surprised by Nicolas’ acknowledgment, he puts a smile on his face as crows feet come at the corners of his eyes, his beautiful dimples on half-display, forcing their way through his thoughts. “Uh- Y-yeah! I’m alright, why wouldn’t I be?”

Sighing, Nico walks to sit by Vash on the bed, thighs touching as he rests his elbows on his knees and softens his expression. “Drop the act, Needles. What’s bothin’ ya?”

Wolfwood can see his expression change almost immediately, Vash looking away as soon as he feels it drop. “It…it's nothing, Wolfwood. It’s not important.”

Wolfwood groans, rolling his eyes as he steels his expression as much as he can under the influence. “Bullshit it's not important! Stop with the dramatics, Vash. What the hell’s wrong with you?”

Vash flinches under his words, almost seeming to fold in on himself. Noticing this, the Punisher sighs again, trying to soften him voice. “Look, Needles, Shortstack and I care about you. You can’t just go around ignoring your own feelings all of the time. Look at me.”

Vash turns his head, bright cerulean eyes locked onto grey, a look of understanding passing between the two before Vash looks away again. “M’just thinking about…about the last time someone hugged me.”

Wolfwood furrows his brows at this, wanting to know more. “Huh? What are ya talkin’ about, Needles?”

“I just…” Vash looks down, his cheeks flushing an even darker shade of red than the one brought on by drinking. “I miss it. Being hugged.”

Wolfwood chuckles, getting up from the bed.

“W-wha-?! Why are you laughing! I thought-” Vash was cut short by Wolfwood hugging him tightly, arms around his shoulders, cheeks pressed together. 

“Blondie, for being nearly two centuries old, you sure are dumb.�� He moves his face down to the crook of Vash’s neck, mumbling into the soft skin, one of the rare areas on Vash that wasn’t metal nor scar. “If you ever want a hug, just ask me or Shortstack. We’ll be happy to give you what you want, Needles.” 

Finishing his half-speech, Nick breathes in Vash, noticing that there is a distinct smell, the alcohol betraying him and letting the words slip through. “You smell nice. Like…I actually don’t know what like…”

Vash’s eyes widen, never seeing his friend act this way. ‘It’s probably the alcohol,’ he thought, encircling his arms tightly around the smoker, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. “U-um…it’s flowers.”

“Flowers, huh?” Wolfwood closes his eyes as he moves his head up and down, his stubble scraping against Vash’s sensitive neck as he keeps breathing in the floral aroma. “I like it.”

“W-Wolfwood, wahait! Y-your beheard!” Vash laughs, Nick’s stubble tickling his neck as he moves his face along the vulnerable flesh.

“Beard? You mean my stubble, Blondie?” Wolfwood chuckles. “What’sa matter?” He teases, sneaking his hands towards the humanoid’s sides, gently scribbling along them, feeling the bumps of the scars and metal that litter his body through the thin cloth of his shirt. As he lowers his body so he is on top of Vash, the both of them laying down now, legs dangling off of the bed, he leans in close to Vash’s ear, smiling as he whispers, tickling him more in the process. “Is the Humanoid Typhoon…ticklish?”

The Typhoon weakly grabs Nick’s wrists, if only to ground him, as his black-haired partner continues to tease him. “Nihihick! C’mohohon! Knock it ohohohoff! NaHahAhAHa!”

Vash loses it when Wolfwoof moves his hands higher, gently digging into Vash’s bare sides. “Why should I, Needles? We both know that you’re strong enough to make me stop…that is, unless you like it~”

“WolfwoHohOhoHoD! HahAhaHahAhAhaHa!” Vash whined, Wolfwood deciding to start nibbling on his ticklish neck.

“You know the word, Needles~”

“What are you two doing?”

Both the Punisher and the Humanoid Typhoon look up, blushes – from either the situation or the drinking, who knows – on their faces as they are met face-to-face with Meryl, freshly clean and in her pajamas, which consisted of shorts and a t-shirt, a faux look of annoyance on her face.

Vash stammered. “U-um…we were…uh…”

Wolfwood, on the other hand, decided that the shortie needs to know about Vash. “Well, Shortstack-”

“Don’t call me that.”

“-Vash here was down about wanting hugs, and I just let him know that if he ever wants one, he’s free to ask us. Isn’t that right, Shortstuff?”

Meryl was truly annoyed with the use of the nickname again, but softened to agree with him, sitting down opposite of the others, speaking directly to Vash, whose gaze was averted to the wall, a cute pout on his lips. “Right. Vash, anything you need or want, just ask us. There’s no harm in that, and you won’t be bothering us.”

Wolfwood freed one of his hands to bring it up to Vash’s cheek, turning his head so they were face-to-face. “She’s right, Needle Noggin. Just ask. Anyways,” Wolfwood started, finishing his portrayal of the events of the last few minutes. “I decided to give him a hug and he decided to be ticklish-”

“I didn’t decide that!”

“-and then what you saw happened. Seemed to cheer him up, yeah?”

Meryl smiled, laughing softly, a playful glint in her eyes. “You’re right, Wolfwood. Think he needs any more cheering up~?”

“I think so~”

“W-wait! G-guys c’mon! Meryl, not you tohohoho! AhaHahAhA!”

And so the “odd night” came to a close. Vash’s bubbly laughter filled the room before he and Wolfwood finally got their showers and, instead of sleeping on separate beds, the trio cuddled together, the Humanoid Furnace keeping them plenty warm.

Safe to say this “odd night” became the new normal, with Vash asking for hugs almost every hour – and getting them – and getting “cheered up” by his partners whenever he felt down. This new normal was better, and all of them thought so.

[natsuki-bakery]

⁎˚ ఎ DMC Agere HC's ໒ ˚⁎

can you do a like fic of Nico (regressor) and Nero (cg) (DMC)

The workshop was a cacophony of clinking tools and the soft hum of machinery, the scent of oil mingling with the faint aroma of coffee. A perfect blend of chaos and comfort. Nico, the inventive spirit of the place, sat cross-legged on a pile of spare parts, her hair tousled and wild, a stark contrast to the usual meticulousness of her craft. Today was different; today, she felt small.

A rush of emotions swirled within her, memories of childhood flooding back, overwhelming yet oddly comforting. She hugged her knees to her chest, seeking solace in the familiar surroundings. The usually bustling workshop felt like a sanctuary, a safe haven where she could let her guard down

As she drifted in and out of her thoughts, the door creaked open, and in walked Nero. His presence was both grounding and comforting. He had always been there for her, with a fierce protectiveness that belied his young age. He stopped short when he saw Nico, her expression a mix of nostalgia and innocence

"Nico ?" he called softly, concern lacing his voice as he approached her. "You alright ?". She looked up at him, eyes wide and glimmering. "I feel... little today" she admitted, a hint of vulnerability breaking through her usual voice. The word ‘little’ hung in the air, a signal that sent a shiver of understanding down Nero's spine

"Little, huh ?" He knelt beside her, his expression softening. "You want to play ? Or maybe we could get some snacks ?"

Nico nodded slowly, her heart swelling with warmth. "Can we have ice cream, Dada ? I want the blue one !!"

Nero chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing. "Sure, let’s get some ice cream. But you’ve got to promise me one thing"

"What’s that ?" Nico asked, tilting her head, her playful curiosity shining through

"No more climbing on the workbench while I’m gone. I can’t have you breaking your neck, you know ?" He smiled, his teasing tone lightening the mood. Nico giggled, a sound that echoed like music in the workshop. "I promise !"

With a nod, Nero helped her up, his hand finding hers as they made their way to the tiny kitchen tucked away in a corner of the workshop. He felt the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders, but it was a weight he carried willingly. Nico needed him now more than ever, and he was determined to be the best caregiver he could be

In the kitchen, Nero rummaged through the freezer, his back to Nico. "Alright, let’s see what we’ve got…" He turned around with a tub of ice cream in hand, the bright blue hue making Nico squeal with delight

"Yay! Can we have sprinkles ?" she exclaimed, bouncing on her toes, her excitement infectious

"Of course, kiddo. Just don’t tell Dante; he’ll make a fuss about sugar" Nero laughed, carefully scooping the ice cream into two bowls. He placed a generous mound in front of Nico and sprinkled colorful toppings on top, watching her face light up with joy

They settled at the small table, the chaos of the workshop fading into the background. As Nico dug into her ice cream, she felt free, unburdened by the weight of the world outside. "Can we watch cartoons after this ?" she asked, her mouth full of ice cream

"Only if you promise to help me find the remote first. It’s always missing" he replied, smiling at her enthusiasm

"Deal !" she cheered, and for a moment, they were just two kids sharing a simple, sweet moment

Once the ice cream was devoured, they began the search for the elusive remote. Nico’s laughter filled the workshop as they searched behind cushions and under the couch, creating a mess that made Nero shake his head in mock exasperation

"Seriously, how does it always end up here ?" he muttered, pulling out a stray sock along with a dust bunny

"Maybe the dust bunny took it !" Nico suggested, her eyes sparkling with mischief

"Right, I’m sure that’s it" he replied, feigning seriousness. "We’ll have to interrogate the dust bunny later.."

Finally, after what felt like a small eternity of searching, they found the remote tucked away in the depths of a box labeled "Do Not Open" Nero flicked it on, and the screen flickered to life, filling the workshop with the cheerful sounds of an animated show

As they settled in, Nico snuggled close to Nero, her head resting against his shoulder. The warmth of his presence was reassuring, and as the bright colors of the show danced on the screen, she felt the cares of the world fade away

"Thanks, Dada.." she murmured, her eyes drooping slightly. "I feel happy"

Nero smiled down at her, a protective instinct blooming in his chest. "Always, sweetheart. I’ve got you. You’re safe here"

In that moment, surrounded by laughter and light, Nico felt a peace she hadn’t known in a long time. No demons, no battles—just a dada and his daughter, and a world filled with possibilities.

If you're in the basic criteria , are DSMP fans, vivziep0p fans , h0tel/h3lluva b0ss fans, Owl h0use fans, St4r butterfly fans, Ghibli fans, ddlg/abdl blogs, nsfw/k!nk blogs, anti-agere blogs, or anti Christians/Christianity blogs : just dont interact !

[thethistlegirlwrites]

Unresponsive

Joey flips up the schedule on her clipboard to check the work orders for this building. There’s usually some special requests attached to the cleaning schedules, and tonight is no different. A drink spill in the IT room that left the floor sticky.

“I’ve got the mop duty. You want to deal with the bugs in the light fixtures in the Associate Director’s office?”

“I told him that would go away if he stopped keeping bananas in a bowl on his desk,” Nico mutters. “But yeah.” 

Joey wheels the mop pail down to the janitor closet, adds some tile cleaner solution, and then fills it up partway with the hose attached to the floor-inset sink’s faucet. They’ve been working in this office about a week, and Joey’s already memorized the layout. IT is down the main hall, the third corridor on the left, two doors down. 

She wheels the mop pail down the hall, unlocks the door with the master key on her lanyard, and pushes the bucket and mop inside.

This room is always eerie. There’s 24/7 surveillance monitors up and running, casting a blueish light on everything, the servers hum and occasionally beep threateningly, and the air is always too-warm and stuffy.

She dips her mop into the pail, squeezes out most of the water, and heads for the visibly icky spot on the tiles near workstation 4. 

“Thank goodness. I almost tripped on that when I came in.”

The voice startles her, as does the dark figure in the chair that spins around from station 2. She stops cold. 

“I swear, Connor is the clumsiest person I know. I keep telling everyone he’s going to fry the servers if they let him keep bringing liquids in here, but apparently he needs his Gatorade or his electrolytes and blood sugar go all out of whack. But no, I can’t have coffee in here. Not even if I get caffeine headaches after a couple hours.”

Joey has no idea how to answer that. She just dips her mop into the pail, rinsing off the orange goo, and repeats the wring and scrub. 

“That’s what I like about coming in to work on the servers at night. I can bring my coffee in here and no one can say jack about it.” She hears more than sees him pick up a Thermos and shake it back and forth with a sloshing sound. 

She thinks of the blood in her lunch bag in the van. 

“Oh, come on. It gets lonely on the night shift. You gotta feel the same way.”

Actually, I like the peace and quiet.

“At least they sent in someone cute this time. Last cleaning guy was some skinhead I thought might cave my nose in if I looked at him wrong.” He looks up at her, the blue monitor lights washing his skin out and making him look a bit like a corpse. “Probably some gangbanger on a work release.” 

Don’t do it. No lo hagas. 

He blinks behind his glasses and then frowns. “Oh, wait, I didn’t realize you were Mexican. Probably shouldn’t have said that about gangs, huh. They’re always tearing up your guys’ neighborhoods.” He shrugs. “At least you’ve got a real job and you’re not one of their girls or getting pimped on a street corner, right?”

She can feel the white hot rage bubbling up inside her. Something volcanic. If she loses control, she will kill him.

She sets the mop back in the pail with shaky hands and reaches for her clipboard to cross off ‘IT room drink spill’ from her checklist.

“Hey, like, I wasn’t insulting you. I think it’s great you’re breaking out of that whole cycle. More people should be like you. Maybe if they got jobs they wouldn’t have time to run around shooting up the place and getting high.”

She glances at the photo of her family taped to the clipboard, below the stack of the night’s work orders. You want to see them again. You have to show some restraint. You can’t let anyone think you’re dangerous. If her eval this week goes well, that yellow line on her chart could move to the beginning of next week rather than the middle of it.

But if she shows ‘aggressive tendencies’, it will move down another week and a half. 

“What’s the matter? You don’t speak English? No parley?” He’s butchering it. “Wait a second, is that French? They always sound the same.”

She’s pretty sure, given what she knows about Nico, he’d consider her actions at least partially justified if she slammed this guy right through his own server tower.

She wouldn’t. She’d self-report if she had to, but if she can’t get a grip, can’t lock down this thing simmering in her, fighting to get out, she wouldn’t want herself around anyone she cares about that she can hurt.

The only thing she wants more than seeing her family again is to keep them safe.

And she has a horrible feeling that if she lets this thing free, she might like what it turns her into. 

“Oh come on. Wait. No hobble English? Hey, look at someone when they talk to you!”

A hand on her shoulder spins her around, and Joey clenches her fingers white-knuckled around her mop handle. 

No lo hagas. No…

“Hey, you gotta problem in here?”

Nico. 

“Does your partner here not speak English?”

“Non sono cazzi tuoi.”

“What, you either? How do you people get jobs if you can’t even speak the language?”

A hand slams down on the man’s shoulder with double the force he used on Joey. “I’ve got a better question. How do you still have yours if this is how you talk to people?” Nico’s voice is sharp, snarly. Powerful in a way this IT guy wishes he was, but will never be. 

“I was just being friendly, man!”

Nico’s hand moves up to the man’s shoulder to the junction of his neck. “If you talk to my employee at all, even one word, you will never be able to speak again. Is that clear?”

She never thought she would consider Nico scary. But like this, those cold, dead, steely eyes staring down the other man, he certainly is. 

“You’re bluffing.” But his voice is shaking. 

“We’re a cleaning crew. We could kill you, dispose of your body, clean up the crime scene, and you’d just disappear off the face of the earth.”

His tone is completely level, not an ounce of hesitation or doubt that it’s true. This sounds like a threat Nico’s given before.

“What about the cameras?” The guy says with a triumphant note in his voice, looking past Nico’s shoulder to the array of visuals on a monitor. 

“You’re IT. You shut them off to work on the system and never turned them back on. As a matter of fact, no one is sure why you shut them off and just vanished.”

“Okay, alright, ch-chill, dude. I wasn’t actually gonna do anything to her, I swear.”

“And now I know you won’t. If you’re smart enough to bring up the cameras, that means you should be smart enough to leave.” Nico moves his hand back down the man’s shoulder, then brushes at it as if there was some dust there. “Pack up for the night. Sign out. Go home sick.”

The guy rushes out so fast, he leaves his coffee thermos on the desk.

Nico picks it up, glances at Joey, and then tosses it directly into the trash cart he left near the door, sinking it into the bag in a perfect arc. 

She’s not sure if she wants to laugh at his petty display of anger or collapse into a puddle on the floor just like Connor’s Gatorade.

“If anything like this happens again, you make whatever excuse you have to and come find me.” Nico shakes his head. “People get it all wrong when I say the night shift is better for my people because buildings are empty. It’s less about the vampires hurting humans as it is about how humans still treat us. I didn’t know he was here. I’m sorry you had to deal with that.”

Joey relaxes her hands around the mop handle. “You can’t be with me every second. I’ve dealt with people like him all my life. He won’t be the last.”

Clearly, that wasn’t the right thing to say, because Nico’s eyes go steely all over again. “For the record, the next person who talks to you like that? You can throat-punch them. It won’t affect your performance evaluations.”

Joey chuckles weakly. “I don’t think I want to let that side of me out at all. It’s not who I was before. It’s not who I want to be now.”

“Well, then, anyone who doesn’t respect you answers to me, because after what you just said? I can’t say as I’ve ever respected anybody more than you just gave me a reason to.”

(You can read this story and others from this universe on my WorldAnvil here!)

@catwingsathena @nade2308 @the-one-and-only-valkyrie @telltaleclerk @ettawritesnstudies  @writeouswriter @the-lovely-wren

[blurred-lines19]

"One bite and five days are all it took for the world to come to an end. Nearly two months after an unexplainable, violent illness swept throughout the globe like a raging wildfire, after cities have crumbled to ruin and most of humanity has been wiped out, only a few survive. Some of those still alive are just trying to survive, while others are searching for an answer—a reason why and what caused people to turn into walking, cannibalistic corpses that decay but never seem to truly die. Now, a group of survivors—a dog, few adult figures, and a bunch of teenagers—search for a cure and must figure out how to live with the undead amongst them, and how to deal with each other as relationships strain and tensions rise."

†· Word Count: 3862 †· Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson and the Olympians & Related Fandoms - All Media Types †· Rating: Mature †· Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death †· Relationships: Annabeth Chase/Percy Jackson, Jason Grace/Piper McLean, Nico di Angelo/Will Solace, Hazel Levesque/Frank Zhang, Silena Beauregard/Charles Beckendorf, Thalia Grace/Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano †· Characters: Annabeth Chase, Percy Jackson, Leo Valdez, Nico di Angelo, Frederick Chase, Frank Zhang, Luke Castellan, Hazel Levesque, Jason Grace, Piper McLean, Grover Underwood, Juniper (Percy Jackson), Katie Gardner, Travis Stoll, Connor Stoll, Chiron (Percy Jackson), Will Solace, Silena Beauregard, Charles Beckendorf, Clarisse La Rue, Thalia Grace, Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano †· Additional Tags: Angst · Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence · Inspired by The Walking Dead · Title from a My Chemical Romance Song · Found Family · Bittersweet · Based on a My Chemical Romance Song · I'm so sorry · Everyone Needs A Hug · Hurt/Comfort · Alternate Universe - Zombie Apocalypse · Annabeth Chase/Percy Jackson-centric · Betrayal †· **First Person POVs** †· Rated Mature for strong language, violence, sexual references, etc..

Leo

If I have to take one more step, I think I might spontaneously combust.

We’ve been walking since yesterday and just got out of Manhattan, which took a while since the city is a freaking wreck. Thankfully, we found a place to crash: a random warehouse behind a Dollar Tree that looked like heaven after the amount of walking we had done. Still, we’re not out of New York City, and that’s a big problem.

“Leo,” Piper says, waving a hand in front of my face. “Hello? Are you awake? We’re still trying to figure out what to do.”

“Huh? Oh, right,” I respond, repositioning myself on my glorious throne made of wooden crates. A warehouse is usually not a good idea—a terrible idea, actually, depending on where you’re at—because of how big they are (and because you never know how many of the undead are inside), but it was short notice, okay? We were desperate and it was small, relatively empty, and secure. Bonus: It came with food! A four-in-one package. “What’ve we got so far?”

Luke pulls out a map and lays it flat on the dusty warehouse floor, the concrete stained with oil and other questionable substances, which I have decided to ignore, holding a corner down with one of the books we found in a box. It makes me think of Annabeth, which reminds me of how depressing this is. Annabeth and I aren't as close as some of the others are, but I still consider her a good friend, and it feels like there is an empty void somewhere; she has such a prominent presence in the group that you can't help but notice when she's gone. I shake it off and pay attention to the conversation.

“We just made it to Harlem, which is about an hour or so on foot,” Luke said. “If Annabeth went the same way as us, she could be here by morning. So if we just wait—”

Thalia interrupts him before he can hardly get a word in. “There are a few problems with that plan, genius.” Thalia stands up, her arms crossed over her ‘Death To Barbie’ t-shirt. “One, that horde was massive. Two, I don’t know if you missed it or not, but we have no idea which way she went. There’s no way—”

“She’s going to make it. I mean, this is Annabeth we’re talking about,” Silena says, her boyfriend—crap, I forgot his name. Benjamin?—wrapping an arm around her comfortingly.

“You don’t think I know that, Silena?” Thalia snaps.

Clarisse, who is sitting next to Silena, stands up, getting in Thalia’s face. Even though she isn’t anywhere close to Thalia’s height—standing at a whopping five-foot-six next to a five-foot-ten girl decked out in punk attire with a murderous look on her face—Clarisse is built like a rugby player with big-time anger issues. “Watch it, Pinecone Face.”

Anger flashes in Thalia’s electric-blue eyes, and I’m pretty sure I see sparks come off her. If I didn’t know better, I would think she is about to summon a lightning bolt or something and smite Clarisse on the spot.

“You never, and I mean never, call me that again,” Thalia says through gritted teeth, standing nose to nose with Clarisse. “Understand?” If I touched her right now, which I will not be doing, no thank you, I wouldn’t be surprised if Thalia shocked me.

Clarisse relents, grumbling something under her breath as she sits back down. She may not have been unnerved by Thalia’s outburst and death glare—I definitely wasn’t either, for the record—but the tension in the room is overwhelming.

If anybody is taking this the hardest, it’s definitely Thalia.

Most of us have only been in this group since everything started, while some of the others (Thalia, Jason, Silena, boyfriend-whose-name-I-forgot, and Luke) have known Annabeth for years. But nobody is as close to Annabeth as Thalia. From the moment I met her, she has practically never left Annabeth’s side; even when she isn’t beside her, Thalia watches her and makes sure she’s safe. With Annabeth MIA, it’s no wonder she’s on edge.

Annabeth and I went to the same high school until the end of our senior year, which is when everything conveniently decided to hit the fan. I hardly talked to her in school, despite having classes together. But whenever Travis, Connor, and I joined up with her group, I started to talk to Annabeth more and found out that she wasn’t actually a stuck-up, pretentious know-it-all.

Honestly, like everyone else, I miss her a lot.

Jason is the one to diffuse the tension. “Guys, we need to calm down. Okay? Nobody wants to hear that, but we can’t start ripping each other’s heads off. This is not going to solve anything.” He turns to Mr. Bruner, who, oddly enough, was each of our Latin teachers at one point or another. “Chiron, what do you think we should do?”

Mr. Bruner (or Chiron, as most of us call him) is silent for a moment, contemplating his answer. “We can’t remain in the city. Staying here for as long as we have has been extremely dangerous, children,” he says.

“But we can't just leave—”

“What? No!”

“You’re telling us to leave her? What the—”

Holy crap, no. He can’t be serious. Annabeth?

“We don’t just leave people!” I say. “Annabeth has been gone for not even a day and we’re already falling apart. Thalia’s about to kill Clarisse,” I gesture to the punk chick glaring ice-cold daggers at Clarisse, “we hardly have any ammo left, and Connor, Travis, and I are inevitably going to get bored and do something stupid.” For once, amid the cacophony, everyone seems to be listening to me. Feeling a little self-conscious yet confident, I summarize. “Annabeth keeps everything organized. If we don’t stay put or go back for her—or at least stay civilized—all of this is going to fall apart.”

“Leo’s right,” Nico, Thalia’s cousin, speaks up. Of all people, I’m surprised that he actually agrees with me. Don’t get me wrong—he’s nice and stuff, but usually quiet and to be honest, kind of spooky. “It’s extremely risky staying here, sure. However, like Leo said, we don’t just abandon people to save our own skin. Especially not Annabeth. I sure as hell wouldn’t leave any of you behind.” He glances at Clarisse. “Some of you, anyway…. If we don’t at least try to help her instead of abandoning her, we have to live with that.”

Nico finishes speaking, his words hanging like vapor in the air. He definitely made his point better than I did, but oh well.

“I was going to say that we should do what we can to help dear Annabeth before you children graciously interrupted me,” Chiron admits. “As most of you have said, it is very dangerous, however, we can’t leave without attempting anything. We may stay here for a few days and keep an eye out for her. If there is no sign of her, I’m afraid that we will have to move on and hope that she makes her way back or finds somewhere safe.”

“Yeah, and get ourselves gutted in the meantime,” Clarisse states. “Blondie can hold her own if she isn’t already dead. Why risk the rest of our lives?”

Thalia quickly stands up, angry. “Because, shit face, if it weren’t for her you wouldn’t even be alive right now! Annabeth didn’t save you because she had to. She saved you because she thought—thinks you deserve to live and have a fighting chance. But what about her, huh? Doesn’t she deserve a chance to live?” Clarisse is silent. “Doesn’t she?!”

Jason puts a hand on her shoulder. “Thalia, that’s enough,” her younger brother tells her softly yet sternly. She shrugs him off, though, sitting away from the rest of us.

“Don’t treat me like a child, Jason.”

Jason frowns but lets her go anyway.

“Maybe we should take a vote,” Travis suggests. “Whichever side gets the majority decides what we do.”

“Yes. Thank you, Travis,” Chiron says. “Those in favor of staying?”

Thalia, Silena, Nico, Luke, and I raise our hands.

“Those opposed?”

Silena’s boyfriend, Jason, Clarisse (of course), Piper, Travis, and Connor raise their hands.

Thalia’s eyes widen and her face pales, her mouth slightly agape as she stares, dumbfounded, at her brother. 

“Jason?” she asks incredulously, her voice tight like she is about to cry. The heartbroken and shattered expression on her face is hard to look at. Even I’m shocked by Jason’s decision. “You can’t be serious.”

Jason looks down, almost ashamed, unable to meet his sister’s eyes. “More of us are going to get hurt. Annabeth can make her way back—she’s strong and a fighter,” he tells her, although it sounds more like he’s trying to convince himself. “We’ll leave notes and signs so she knows where to go and where to find us. All of us have talked about it before and made a plan, remember? This is what Annabeth would want us to do.”

Thalia turns her head away and says nothing. Honestly, I don’t blame her. Of course, I disagree with Jason’s decision, but I can understand why he voted the way he did. Whenever Annabeth isn’t around, he’s one of the only ones who can remain diplomatic (so to speak), who can keep things together for the most part, and I’m shocked his composure hasn’t wavered. His blond crew cut somehow remains untouched after fighting hundreds of the living dead, his face clean-shaven—heck, even the scar on his upper lip from when he tried to eat a stapler as a kid fits in with the rest of his polished appearance. He’s just trying not to lose anybody else.

“Charlie…” Silena says. So that’s his name? Wow, I was way off.

Her boyfriend gently takes her delicate hands in his large and calloused ones. (I think he used to be a blacksmith’s apprentice before this, but I'm not sure.) “I’m just trying to do what’s best for everyone—”

“What you think is best,” Thalia murmurs.

“—and I think this is the best way,” he finishes, letting Thalia’s remark slide.

“Look, guys. I know you don’t really want to leave Annabeth,” Luke says, his hair messed and dirty but still looking decent, “but this is ridiculous. In a city this big with this many walkers? Even if she does make it out of the city, then what? She has no idea where we are and where we're going. Annabeth has to be alive and you all know it. If we just wait, we can think of a plan to save her.”

“Annabeth is quick. We've all seen her. And she might stand a better chance with fewer of us,” Jason counters.

Luke retorts, “Yeah, might. That's the problem. We can't be sure—”

“No, that's the problem. We can't be sure if she's okay or not, and rushing back into that hell hole impulsively is a damn deathwish,” Jason snaps, his voice tired and strained as if he is trying not to shout. Thinking about it, I don’t know if I’ve ever actually heard him swear at all (no matter how small the word), let alone yell during an argument. “She can get around faster and quieter without having to look out for other people. Annabeth is going to make it. But for her sake, we need to leave. All of us together could very well draw a massive horde—it already has, and that is what got us into this mess in the first place—which is dangerous for all of us…especially Annabeth.”

I'm about to protest, but Chiron interjects before it turns into another shouting match.

“We agreed to a vote, and this is the outcome,” he reminds us. Chiron's tweed jacket is torn, frayed, and bloodied, the shirt underneath stained. With his graying hair and beard to match his worn face, he looks completely and utterly exhausted. Chiron sighs. “We will stay for the night, but then we will have to leave, as Jason said, for all of our sakes. Including Annabeth’s.”

With that, nobody says anything else, all of us too tired to argue it further. I hate to see everybody like this…. What can I do? The best thing I can think of is a distraction; it may not work, but I have to try something.

I clasp my hands together and stand up. “I don’t know about any of you, but I’m starving.”

“How can you be so nonchalant about that right now?” Piper asks, her brow furrowing.

Dragging the box closest to me, I read ‘Little Debbie’ on the front of it. “None of us have eaten anything in days, and there is food just lying around.” I grab a pocket knife off my tool belt and cut the tape. After rummaging around for a second, I produce a handful of Twinkies from the box. “Besides,” I say, “you know you can’t resist… these !”

“Really? Twinkies?” She rolls her eyes but catches it when I toss it to her, a small smile playing on her face.

I kick the box over to the Stoll brothers and begin to search some of the other boxes for something more sustainable. (Well, however sustainable junk food can be, I guess.)

Nico shrugs. “With the number of preservatives in these things, I’m pretty sure they’ll outlive all of us.”

Jason takes the Twinkie from one struggling Nico and opens it for him with ease, replying with: “Neeks, everything in here is probably going to outlive us. There aren’t exactly any health benefits in these.”

“Hey, where there’s life there’s hope… and need of vittles,” I say.

“Did you just quote Lord of the Rings ?”

“As a matter of fact, yes, I did,” I state shamelessly.

“You're such a nerd, Leo,” Nico adds.

“Okay, Mythomagic Man,” I reply. “I'll have you know that Lord of The Rings is an awesome trilogy and not a nerd thing.”

"'Mythomagic Man?'"

"You're both nerds," Piper says as she plops down by Jason, kissing his cheek affectionately. "Did you find anything to eat other than Twinkies?"

I sift through the box of chips beside me and hand her a bag of Doritos.

"I meant something that wasn't junk food," she says but takes it gratefully. "Thanks."

I nod and take a look around the room. Luke is sitting with Chiron, talking (I suspect about Annabeth), Clarisse with Silena and her boyfriend, Thalia is brooding in a corner by herself, and the Stoll brothers are across the warehouse scavenging for whatever they can find. To be honest, I'm surprised that they voted against going back for Annabeth. Of all people, I was sure they would have wanted to stay. I guess I was wrong. My question, though, is why? What made them choose not to?

Well, the only way to find out is by asking.

I stand up and walk over to Connor and Travis, who have evidently found something they like and are sitting criss-cross on a long, wooden crate.

"Hey, Leo! Bro, you have to try this," Connor tells me, handing me a shish kabob made out of a Pocky stick that is skewering mini marshmallows, cheese puffs, and cheerios.

I take a bite, wondering what the heck I just ate, but I'm pleasantly surprised and nod in approval. "Ten-out-of-ten, boys," I say, popping the rest of the strange junk food shish kabob in my mouth. Connor and Travis smile in triumph. 

But I remember what I came over for and my tone turns serious. "Um, why did you guys vote not to stay?" I prod. "It's not any of my business. Just, well, I figured that you guys would have wanted to.”

Connor and Travis’ faces darken. “It’s not that we didn’t want to…” Travis replies.

He bites his lip anxiously, appearing hesitant to finish his comment. Connor continues his thought. “We—after we lost sight of her, well, we—” He sighs as he struggles to get his words out, rubbing his eyes with the palms of his hands. “We heard Annabeth scream. Bloody-murder, honestly…It sounded like she got hurt.”

My eyes widen. I know what Connor is getting at, though he doesn’t say it.

Annabeth could have gotten bit. She could—

No. Nothing happened to her. She made it somewhere safe. Annabeth is okay, I tell myself. I shake off the hopeless feeling. Shaking my head, I say: “If you’re afraid to go back, you can just say that. Believe me, I get it.”

“It’s not that we’re afraid to go back. That’s only part of it,” Travis says, looking a little offended that I would even suggest that. “We’re afraid of what we’ll see. I don’t want to have to kill a turned Annabeth or see her body torn to pieces in the street with barely anything left.”

I shudder at the thought.

In all fairness, I don’t want to see that either, but I would take the risk if it meant we had a chance. Then again, I’m not Connor or Travis. However, I still feel a bit irked. “But isn’t it worth the risk?”

Travis shakes his head, conflicted. “Yes, and no. I just—I don’t know how to explain it. Chiron said that we would wait for a little longer tomorrow and then start home,” he tells me. “Wherever ‘home’ is, anyway. It’s like Jason said: she’s quick and knows which way we went. She’ll find us.”

“Maybe we just misheard. It could have been Silena or one of the other people,” Connor adds hopefully.

“God, this whole thing is a mess,” I breathe, fidgeting with a scrap piece of metal from my tool belt.

“Tell me about it.”

I sit and chat with Connor and Travis for a while, passing around more junk food shish kabobs before everyone begins settling down for the night. It also turns out a warehouse isn’t the most comfortable place to spend the night. I mean, I thought it would at least be tolerable, but turns out I was wrong. It’s eerie (like Nico), and even though it’s a warm night, it’s cold and damp in here, with faulty light fixtures on the ceiling that creak when the wind hits the building. At some point, I notice the pattering of the rain hitting the tin roof, getting slightly louder before being drowned out by thunder.

I lie here for a minute, listening to everybody else’s breathing, someone turning over in their sleeping bag, somebody else mumbling in their sleep. (I think it’s probably Piper.) Chiron is taking the first watch, knife in his hand as he sits, watching over us. While the storm outside is sort of scaring the crap out of me, it’s also kind of pacifying. I feel my eyelids start to droop, and I begin dosing off, exhaustion taking over.

†††

Not too long after I fall asleep, the thundering crash of lighting startles me awake, and I fall off the pallet I was using for a bed.

There go my chances of getting a decent night’s sleep.

The windows at the top of the warehouse walls are so dark that I can hardly see out of them, the only indication that there is anything beyond them being the raindrops running down the grimy glass, which are illuminated by a somehow non-defunct streetlamp or flood light somewhere outside. Wind batters the side of the warehouse, causing the long-hanging, burnt-out light fixture to sway, the cool night air finding its way in through an invisible crevice below a doorway.

Okay. Forget what I said about the storm being soothing. It’s freaking me out.

I fidget with the piece of scrap metal in my tool belt that has come to resemble an elephant. Glancing at my watch, I notice that it’s only 3:27 a.m.; it must have kept raining while I was asleep. I hope Annabeth is okay. If it feels this bad in here, I don’t even want to think about what it’s like out there. And I’m not going to lie. If I were lost and out in that mess, I would be terrified out of my mind right now. Just goes to show how much braver Annabeth is than me.

Alas, not all of us can be charming, brave, handsome and dashing blondes like Annabeth, Luke, and Superman (AKA Jason). At least I’m four for five, though.

All of a sudden, I hear a muffled grunt and instinctively reach for my hammer. I flatten myself against the splintering wood, my ears straining to hear anything else. But, after a little while of silence, I slowly lift my head and do a scan of the room. Everyone is sound asleep. Is anybody even on watch? I think. I don’t see Chiron. The glint of blond hair in the dim light catches my eye, answering my question. I squint in the dark in an attempt to make out who it is, coming to the conclusion that it’s Jason. Realizing that it’s only him, I let the muscles in my body relax and slip my hammer back into its loop on my tool belt. (Pretty much everything makes me on edge these days.)

“Jason,” I whisper, brushing my messy curls out of my face.

He clears his throat but doesn’t look at me. “Is that you, Leo?”

“Yeah, it’s me,” I yawn. “The storm scared the crap out of me.”

“Huh. I guess I must not have heard it,” Jason admits, his voice low in an effort to avoid waking anyone up. “How long have you been up for?”

I shrug. “Not super long. Do you need me to take a turn?”

Someone rolls over in the dark, the rustling of their blankets barely audible over the storm. “No. Chiron and I just swapped. Thank you, though.”

“Suit yourself.” I settle back into my makeshift bed, fidgeting with the metal elephant for a few minutes before tiredness washes over me again.

Before I fall asleep, however, I hear a quiet sniffle, followed by a strange whimpering noise. I crane my head toward the sound, my eyes landing on Jason, who has his head in his hands. Is he…crying? Man, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jason cry. I want to say something to him, to see if there is anything I can do, but he probably just wants to be left alone right now.

So, I lie back down and close my eyes, Jason’s quiet sobs fading into the background as sleep overtakes me.

†††

When I wake up for the second time, it is to Jason shaking me awake, his eyes wide with panic and the blood drained from his face.

“Leo, where is she? Have you seen her?” he urges frantically. I notice that everyone else is beginning to stir, Silena and Piper rousing them from their slumbers.

“What? Who—”

Jason interrupts me with the same question before I can answer. “Have you seen her? Leo, please tell me that you saw her!”

I sit up. “Saw who, Jason? You’re not making any sense, dude.”

Jason’s voice comes out strained as tears well in his eyes. “Thalia. She’s missing.”

Read on archiveofourown.org <3

[sailorsenshishitposter]

Wacky Wahoo Pizza Man gets high and the Devil cries

You are one of the many spiders that have squatters rights in the Devil May Cry shop. Since the business is never cleaned, you have lived many long years (in terms for a spider) and have seen various sights. Today you sat in the corner of the windowsill and noticed the owner return. You were about to jump for joy since this meant there would be another food source (the trail of ants left behind from Dante) when you noticed a new face. There was a human woman you had never seen before.

"Are you sure this is safe Nico?" You noticed the woman had a large canister. "All the best things in life aren't safe. Why do you think I drive without a seatbelt? Besides, don't yer demons powers stop you from dyin'?". The man thought it over. "I guess you're right. But what about you? Don't you need a gas mask?" Nico readied her spray nozzle. "Those are for pussies. YOLO!" To your horror you recognized what she was doing. She was about to bug bomb the entire place.

Green mist filled the entire room. You tried to run but your little legs only carried you so far. You had just been evicted and the house was your body. "Well that takes care of that!" Only Dante and Nico were left standing. "Do you feel any different?" "I feel really good actually." It turns out that Nico had sprayed more than a lethal amount of rat poison. Dante survived due to his demon genes and Nico had enough tolerance to survive due to all her substinance abuse. They did however reap some side effects. The two of them were now unknowingly tripping balls.

Dante stumbled around but he usually did that when he was drunk anyway. "I.. can- my legs don't work." He then devil triggered and began to fly around for movement. "AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Nico shrieked. "NICO WHAT IS IT!?" She started to tremble and point her finger. "The-there's a monster in here!" Dante panicked. "SHIT! Okay Nico, stay calm. Can you tell me what it's doing?!" She shook. "It's just standing there.. MENACINGLY!"

The both started to move around and scream. Nico picked up her cellphone and dialed Nero. "GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE, THERE'S DEMONS!". Luckily Vergil was with him when the call happened so they just used Yamato for transportation from Fortuna. "YOU BETTER HAVE A GOOD REASON FOR THIS OLD MAN!" Nero opened the door and vapour blew out of the building, causing both father and son to violently cough. "What the fuck-" Before Nero could finish his sentence the room cleared and showed a frightened Nico wielding a frying pan and a crying Dante hugging a jukebox for comfort.

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!" Vergil cried. Nero then noticed the gas canister. "I think I have an idea pops." Nico and Dante were now sound asleep and on the couch. "You think they've been poisoned!?" Vergil asked alarmed. "You tell me what the two of them were doing with so much rat poison! Anyway we'll watch them and see how they are when they wake up." Vergil sighed. "I guess all we can do is wait and see then."

Nico was the first to wake up. "Huh? What happened? Wait. GIANT MONSTER!" Nero tried to hold her down. "Nico calm down! It's alright. You were just hallucinating." She stopped and her breathing returned to normal. "Ohhhh! Yeah that makes sense. We tried to bug bomb this place to hell n' back." Nero shook his head. "You know that's way too much right? Please just stick to making devil breakers next time!" Nico gave a salute and said "Got it."

There was a yawn and everyone noticed that Dante finally woke up. "Guys, watch out, there's a scary monster hiding somewhere! Vergil hold me!" He then clung onto his elder brother. "ABSOLUTELY NOT! Dante what's gotten into you!?" He then turned to Nico. "You. Speak now woman!" Nico stretched her arms outs awkwardly. "Okay but before I tell you, you have to promise not to get mad!" The room was silent. "Okay, Okay. I was hangin' with yer' bro last night and things got a little... shall we say out of hand?" Nero raised a brow. "What do you mean?" She sighed. I may or may not have dared him to do whippets and then chug five bottles of bleach." Nero snapped. "NICO, WHAT THE HELL!"

"YOU SAID YOU WOULDN'T GET MAD!" Nero smashed his fist into the wall. "I NEVER SAID THAT AND WHY DID YOU THINK IT WAS OKAY TO GET MY UNCLE TO AGREE TO THAT!" Nico stood up. "I CAN'T HELP IT! HE'S THE COOL DAD I NEVER HAD!" Vergil face palmed. "Jesus Christ Nero, what is so wrong with you that you feel the need to associate with these people?" Nico was about to throw the frying pan at Vergil's face until Nero intervened. "Guys, we need to take care of Dante until the poison wears off. Can you do that for me?"

Nero was setting up the VCR while Nico went outside for a smoke break. Vergil had awkwardly embraced his brother in the hopes that it would help calm him down. "Jeez doesn't he have any g rated movies? Most of these are just horror or porn. Some of them being both." Nero said with disgust. "Just find something. I'm not sure how much longer I can take this!" His son just laughed. "Would it kill you to show him some affection dad? Anyway I think I found something. There's no Disney tapes but it's g rated and has cartoon animals." "Just put it on then!" his father groaned.

Everything was peaceful for a while until Nico heard a scream come from inside. "What's wrong!?" It turns out that the movie Nero put on was watership down. Dante was muttering something about rabbits and sobbing into Vergil's shoulder. Nico offered to go to the video store to pick up a tape and maybe some pizza. "How about bambi-" "NO!" Nero and Vergil screamed in unison.

She returned with some episodes of Sesame Street. Dante had managed to calm down and was now nibbling on some pizza. "Look Dante. Elmos red, just like your coat!" Nero was trying his best to cheer his uncle up. "Yeah.." he giggled. "Red is always better than blue, isn't that right Vergil? His favorite was always Grover because they're both book nerds." Vergil grit his teeth. "Dante..." "What kid even likes Grover anyway? Elmo is where it's at, I mean look at all the toys the fucker gets-" He looked down to see his brothers sword protruding from his ribcage. "I guess the fun's over then."

Nero grabbed his father by the coat "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!?" Vergil just glanced towards his brother. "Evidentily he seems fine to me." Nero looked at Dante only to notice that Yamato was removed and his uncle was now poking his wound for fun. "Don't tell me he was acting this entire time..." Nero groaned. "Jackpot kiddo. I had to get your friend back for last night. I don't think she'll be causing trouble anytime soon."

"And what about Vergil?" His uncle grinned. "C'mon, you know he would never hug me under normal circumstances." His brother was equally annoyed now. "I hate you Dante." "Aww, I love you too bro, let's hug it out some more!" This quickly earned him multiple stabbings. Nero then exited the building. "Why can't I have a normal family for once in my life!?"

[auroraescritora]

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME - PERCY/NICO AU HIGH SCHOOL - CHAPTER V

Hi, we are back (temporarily). I'm still on my resting days, but I managed to bring you one more chapter. Hope you like it.

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / CHAPTER III / CHAPTER IV

As expected, a new day came. The sun was shining brightly through the blinds, the birds were singing and they were late. Still, what worried Nico was not the fact that it was almost seven o'clock in the morning, but that someone was knocking on the door. And that someone was his sister, Bianca, who would usually be long gone to her first class of the day, but now was standing inside his room, watching them happily.

He was in a nightmare, that had to be the only explanation to justify the scene Nico has found himself in. Percy against his back, hugging him tight with only a sheet hiding their crotch. If Bianca decided to pull back the sheets, she would see it all, the marks on Percy's back and the hickey between Nico’s legs, impossible to miss even from that distance. And contrary to what he thought, Bianca decided to be kind. She waved goodbye with a lopsided smile and closed the door softly, though he could hear the sound of her laughter as she walked away down the hall. And again, he wondered what he was doing. He hadn't even… hadn’t reciprocated Percy the night before. He was the pettiest, most selfish person in the whole world.

Nico would’ve continued his self-flagellation if he hadn't felt the silent laughter against his back.

“Are you laughing at me?” Nico said, turning in Percy's arms. The boy was awake and wearing one of those smiles that infuriated and excited him at the same time.

“You have to admit, it's pretty funny.”

"No, it is not!”

"What's new? It's not the first time someone has caught us sleeping together.”

"Yeah? But it's the first time we're naked!”

“Oh.” Percy says, his smile softening. "It's even better.”

"You--you!"

Nico got up faster than a rocket, he grabbed the first thing he saw and threw it at Percy's head. When he saw it was a pillow, he picked up the object again and smacked Percy over the head with it until his arms began to ache and he was forced to stop, settling where he was, only now realizing to be Percy's lap. What pissed him off the most was the fact that Percy didn't even try to defend himself, laughing, sprawled across the bed like it was the happiest day of his life.

“Percy!”

“Gods! I think I’m dying. Did I go back in time by any chance? I still remember--

"Don’t you dare! How old are you?”

"Ten. Want to play house? I’ll build a fort out of chairs and blankets and we can--

"What got into you today, huh?"

"I'm happy. Don’t you?”

Nico stopped in the middle of another complaint, realizing that he was naked and still sitting on Percy's lap, just like he had a thousand times before, but this time, it meant so much more.

“Of course I am. But you don't have to go back to kindergarten.”

"Why not? It’s more fun than pretending to be a responsible adult.”

"We're not pretending… are we?"

“Nico." That's what Percy said before sitting down and hugging him tightly from the middle of his back. “I can fake many things, what I feel for you is not one of them.”

“I don't understand why now. What has changed?”

"Everything changed. You went away.”

“Per… I didn't know you cared so much, I thought… it was better if you didn't have a shadow following you around the corners.”

“Nico." Now Percy looked like he was in pain. "Who told you that? What made you think like this?”

“Well… it's just… you know… she said those things and I asked myself 'what if it's true?' I thought a little distance would be good.”

"For who? For me or for you?”

It was a good question. He just didn't want to feel so bad every time he saw those people in the school’s hallways, murmuring behind his back, things he didn't even want to know what it was, but deep down already suspected what it could be.

"Answer me.” Then Percy grabbed his face and made him look at him closely. "What were you running from?"

"Does it matter now? What will you do? Go after them and say how horrible they are? What... what's the use of looking back at the past?”

"When did you grow so much?" Percy didn't look happy about it, resigned at best.

“When I had to leave behind the one I loved the most.”

This finally silenced Percy, the boy looking at him so sadly it looked like Percy would burst into tears at any moment.

“I know who did this.” Percy said. “I needed to hear it from you. I didn't want to believe that she would do something like that.”

Nico found himself smiling, though it was a wilted, sad thing. That was the truth, people were mean and some of them would do anything to get what they wanted. The secret was not to be innocent and protect yourself, or try to stay away from their wrath. 

What could you do but try? He hugged Percy tightly and laid his head on Percy's shoulder. Since they were running late, there’s no need to rush things up.

***

When they finally went downstairs with their shower taken and hair combed, breakfast was already on the table; eggs, bacon, coffee, and juice. Something simple, but that they rarely had time to do. Why didn't they? Ah, now he remembered. Having to run from Will or explain to his father why he didn't want to spend time at the company had indeed taken up all his time and Bianca's as well, who ran from Hades as much or more than he himself did. But here? In the stillness without people chasing them was heaven, like a weight had finally lifted off their shoulders. It probably wouldn't last long, unfortunately. That’s why Nico wanted to take it slow, and maybe that way, he’d have more time to organize his mind and decide what to do from this moment on.

"All good?” Percy said in the hallway, as they left the room, heading towards the stairs to reach the first floor. “You've been quiet since we got in the bath.”

“Hm.” Was he that obvious or was Percy just paying attention? "I was thinking…”

"In what?”

“I… I just want to finish high school without the drama, you know? Graduate and try to make something useful out of life.”

"Is this about us?"

“I meant it when I said I didn't want a boyfriend. But I want my bestfriend back.”

"Allright.” Percy waved, all serious, though he had his hands on Nico's shoulders as they walked down the stairs, too close, to be honest. But it was a closeness Nico liked, even if he knew it made things more complicated. "Are you going to stop talking to me or is it about the sex?"

"I…" It was another good question. Did he want to get away from Percy?

“So there's no reason to put labels on what we are. It's just a name. I’ll never ask for something that you are not interested in providing.”

Nico knew all of this. Percy had never done something like that before and it wasn't now that his friend would start forcing him into something. In fact, Percy had been so patient that he'd been mistaking care for disinterest all these years. Now, he understood. Well, he understood because of yesterday. It was revealing. For real.

"Percy, look--”

“I understand more than anyone, but that doesn't change anything between us. I'm not in a hurry and I'm not going anywhere.”

"You promise?”

"I promise. I'm the same old Percy and you are my sweet little Nico. Nothing’s going to change.”

Nico blinked slowly and found himself lost in Percy's eyes, caught in every word and every whisper uttered. He knew all of this and hated how sexual the nickname now sounded, ‘my little Nico’ or ‘my sweet Nico’ spilling from Percy's lips in a tone so possessive and hot he should have run far away while he still could. He knew he should, and that was the problem, the urge and compulsion to get close to Percy was greater than any rationalization he could’ve had. When he realized what was happening, he found himself pressed against the wall at the bottom of the stairs, Percy right next to him, hands on his ass, their hips grinding against each other, and Percy's fingers pulling him by his hair in that kind of kiss meant for privacy of a bedroom walls.

He didn't remember Percy being this intense. Was all of this really because he'd been away for two years? The boy he knew was sweet, kind, and selfless. Now, most of the time, he could barely control himself when Percy decided that talking wasn't what they were supposed to do. Like in that moment, feeling Percy's hips grinding against his, almost making him come in his pants like a teenager, something he'd never was defore.

Gathering strength he didn't even know he had, Nico dragged his lips away from Percy's and took a deep breath and then pushed him away, just enough to disentangle their bodies, holding Percy by the shoulders at a safe distance.

"You can’t do that. You said you wouldn't force me.”

“I'm not forcing you.” Then Percy thought again and added, “I’m sorry. I won't do it again.”

Nico wasn't sure he believed it. Those green eyes on him, so intense they seemed to burn wherever they landed and the quick, gasping breaths told him something else, told him that if it was up to Percy they wouldn't be standing in the middle of the stairs.

"Percy, I don't think this is going to work."

“I said I'm sorry. I had to wait a long time. That's it. I'm not a monster, no matter what people say.”

“Nobody says anything.” Well, not since he went abroad. He remembered how Lou and Alabaster had hinted that Percy was waiting for the right moment to strike. And, all he had thought at the time was, “So what if Percy was? Were they jealous?” In the end, he'd walked away with a broken heart and another trauma for the collection.

“Hm, beautiful.” Percy smiled and this time Nico was paying attention. Percy took a step forward and contrary to what he expected, Percy didn't try to kiss him, I mean, not on the lips. Percy took his hands and brought them to his lips, kissing each finger separately. "I would never do anything that could hurt you. I hope you know that.”

"I do know.” Nico thought he knew, but he had discovered that good people could do bad things and after his last relationship, he wasn't sure of anything. “Just… let's take it slow, shall we?”

"Sure, Nico.”

Percy smiled once more and let both hands fall apart only to hold them in a comforting grip as they both looked down at their clasped hands. It was a scene he had never let himself visualize before, him and Percy, in a quiet place, nature around them, maybe some chairs stretched out in the sun and the two of them together, holding each other's hand as they watched the sun go down. Maybe… maybe if he was lucky enough. In a not too distant future. Maybe if they could--

“Here you are. How long will you whisper in the dark?

It was Bianca. Who else could it be?

***

For some reason, Percy wanted to laugh, even though the experience was turning out to be stranger than he'd anticipated. Instead of finding Hades who had told him he would arrive that morning, it was Bianca who had greeted them last night and opened the door for them; she hadn't asked anything and just said, 'Nico's room is in the same place.'

With a shrug, he had picked Nico up and headed upstairs, not the least bit put off by Bianca's presence. Percy admitted he was moving too fast, too eager, but who could blame him when as soon as they entered the room Nico had moaned softly and kissed him even sweeter, starting to take off his own clothes and lying in the middle of the bed with his legs open? He was only human, and like the weak being that he was, he did what Nico didn't have the courage to ask aloud, but said with his gaze and all that bare skin. Percy had knelt on the bed, kissed from Nico's legs to his neck to finally touch where he wanted most. Maybe he got a little carried away, touched too hard, because when he saw Nico, the boy was coming in his mouth and on his face, moaning as if it hurt and contracting so hard that for a moment he thought Nico was going to have an epileptic seizure; the only reason Percy wasn't worried was the expression of pure ecstasy on the delicate face of his baby, the heaving sigh as Nico relaxed on the bed and closed his eyes, calm and content.

He hadn't even cared about the result, him excited and frustrated, and Nico sleeping peacefully. It was his fault, plus Nico was under no obligation to reciprocate, whether they were dating or not. Taking a deep breath, all Percy did for long minutes was watch Nico sleeping comfortably on the bed, arms stretched over his head, gripping the pillows, legs spread and cock now flaccid, small and collected in the path of thin black hair that went from the lower part of his belly button to his groin, still wet with saliva and semen. Percy wanted to touch him again right then, turn Nico on one more time and see how long it took for him to come again.

In the end, making an effort to get away, Percy got out of bed slowly so as not to wake Nico up, entered the bathroom that was inside the suite and lowered his pants. It would be safer if he took care of things away from Nico, just to make sure he could behave the rest of the night; Percy knew how suspicious Nico was when it came to sexuality and trust, especially when a year ago Nico had broken up with his boyfriend and not told him the reason. And even if he suspected what had happened, that was none of his business either. If Nico didn't want to tell him, Percy should respect his decision. For now.

That way, He took care of things mechanically, found a clean towel, dampened it with warm water and cleaned Nico, then stripped off his clothes and climbed into bed with him. Percy had barely laid his head on the pillow when Nico wrapped his arms around his neck in his sleep, snuggling against him. Legs against legs and chest against chest, practically kissing him, stretched against his body.

"I missed you.” Nico murmured, sighing contentedly and falling back into his deep sleep once more.

Percy thought that had been one of the happiest moments of his life, Nico after so long letting himself be vulnerable around him when Percy thought that these scenes would never happen again.

Feeling a tightness in his heart as if it would explode at any moment and wanting to cry, Percy finally allowed himself to close his eyes and accept his feelings. He loved Nico, not even time or other people would make that same sense of completeness set in; no one made him feel as good and as powerful as Nico did, no one made him laugh or cry as easily, or create this crazy desire in him to be the best just to make sure he was able to give Nico everything he needed.

“I missed you too.” Percy ended up muttering back before falling asleep, pulling Nico closer and finally letting himself go.

Now they were sitting at the kitchen table, Bianca sitting across from him while Nico sat beside him, filling a plate with food and a cup of plain, unsweetened coffee, handing it to him.

“You still remember.” Percy said picked up the cup, taking a sip and inhaling the fragrance of freshly brewed and ground coffee, not as strong as he liked, but of exemplary quality. It was all so familiar that Percy found himself smiling, watching Bianca smirking and Nico pretend he wasn't embarrassed by the compliment. Nico was never very good at receiving them.

"I did nothing.”

“Hm.” He murmured, trying not to provoke Nico any further. But he couldn't help it, he followed Nico with his gaze, seeing him finally sit down and grab a glass of orange juice, taking a long sip before concentrating on his plate, when Bianca looked at him and asked:

"Percy Jackson, what brings you here?"

“Nico.” He said and smiled at Bianca. Between them there was never room for anything but outright sincerity. After all, she had allowed Nico to practically move into his home for those long, magnificent years and he wouldn’t do anything to break the trust between them.

"Are you serious this time?"

"Yes.”

"That’s nice.”

Bianca nodded, satisfied. She turned back to her food and raised a mouthful of eggs to her lips.

"What was this?” Nico asked, putting down his fork. He crossed his arms and glared at them.

"I wanted to know.” Bianca shrugged. “You arrived late yesterday.”

"I can’t believe this!” Nico covered his face and groaned anxiously. "Did you see us?"

"I saw everything.”

There was silence, however, not for long. Nico pushed back his chair and stood up, staggering.

“I need… I need to get my bag.”

Which was just one reason for him to hide for a while or until the blush faded away. Percy watched Nico drag himself out of the kitchen and turned to Bianca.

"So, then?" He asked. He knew Bianca wanted to say something, but he didn't want Nico to hear.

"You look different.”

"As?”

“More…decided. Mature.”

“Some things happened.”

When Bianca didn't say anything else, he shrugged and continued:

“Nico left and I found out a few things.”

"Things?”

"Nothing much.”

Bianca raised her eyebrows and Percy surrendered.

“It seems I was very nice and innocent. So I decided not to be anymore.”

"Do not tell me.”

"Nobody tells me these things! I thought Nico didn't think about…about…”

“Sex?”

“Apparently I was wrong and he thought I wasn't interested.”

"Hm..." Bianca looked at him for a few more moments and was merciful. “It's not your fault, it was that blonde girl who was always after you.”

"Damn it. I don't even like women!"

"And? I would be more careful if I were you.”

Percy knew this wasn't a threat but it was a warning, as Bianca would never do anything to get in the way of Nico's happiness.

"Do you think I should do something more drastic?"

“I think Nico would do something drastic if he thinks he's in the way.”

Percy stopped breathing for a moment and realized the seriousness of the problem, only now did he see that Bianca looked worried. She wouldn't be home when responsibility always came first for the Di Angelos; she wouldn't be wasting that precious time if Bianca didn't think it was extremely important.

“I'll take care of everything. You don’t need to worry.”

"It's what I hope.”

With that, they both lowered their heads and continued to eat until Nico returned, calmer and more composed. Both finished eating the rest of the food, and in a hurry, Nico soon pulled him by the hand and towards the car parked in front of the Di Ângelo's house.

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As always, your feedback is always important. Thanks for reading!

[danganronpasurvivoraskblog]

The Clocktower.

So...Tell me...What kind of thrifty lil’ apartment would someone like Agent 404 deem worthy of using as a secret base?

Huh?

What?

Why do you say it like that? Surely you realize that I’m a simple guy.

I don’t need anything THAT grandiose. So long as it works, I’d be happy with it.

Eeh...I guess that makes sense.

Still, it shouldn’t be too far from here...We just round this corner and we’re there.

Huh? But...this is pretty far from a complex, isn’t it?

*They round the corner.

True...But we’re not going to a complex.

...! Whaaaaa...!?

*Rantaro points upwards. Kuripa looks up and sees him pointing towards the top of a gigantic clocktower.

Let’s get going.

Oh yeah! “Not gradiose” my ass! 

Given that you’re home-grown British, I thought you’d approve.

That’s awfully derogatory of you!

You know that’s not what I meant.

How are we even gonna get up?

We take the lift. Just follow me.

...

...

*Rantaro and Kuripa stand in the elevator and climb the clocktower slowly. Kuripa begins tapping his foot.

What’s up? Not a fan of heights?

No! Well, yes...But I’m just excited to see what it is you’ve done with the place.

Well, hold onto your butt...I think you’ll find it pretty cosy.

Did you really just say “hold onto your-”

*DING!*

Ah!

*He isn’t able to finish his sentence, as all of a sudden, the elevator grinds to a halt. The doors open, and Rantaro steps out. Kuripa follows.

Woah...Holy moly...!

*The Clocktower interior is mostly wooden, with the clock face serving as the main window. However, the place is set up to look like a proper secret base/lab. Gigantic monitors with complicated-looking computers and machinery placed on the desk in front of it. Beside the monitors are a whiteboard and a pinboard, all aligned in a circular shape to make each easily accessible. There is also a scaffolding above, creating a second floor, appearing to serve as a tech development lab. The room itself is large and very spacious, with lots of room to breathe.

Well? You like it?

Dude, this is awesome. Could use a dust I guess, but I love what you’ve done with the place!

Thanks. I appreciate it.

???: Oh please. As if YOU were the one who came up with the interior design.

Who the hell-!?

Ah. So you were here after all.

*Rantaro looks up at the scaffolding above them. Kuripa follows his gaze and they both spot another figure, looking down at them from above.

Typically greenie behavior. Always taking credit for their seniors work.

*She starts to make her way down the stairs.

Can’t say I blame you. My skills with layout are something to be proud of. Still, I thought there’d be more of you.

Nice to meet you. You’re Kuripa Kurafto, right?

Yes...and you are?

Hmhmhm...

*She sticks out her hand for a handshake. 

I’m another one of ERR0RM3SS4GE’s secret agents, and 404′s senior. You can call me Agent Static.

Right...Nice to meet you. But there’s no way I’m calling you Static. What’s your real name?

Hah! Nice try. But as one of my organizations senior members, and given my status during my daily life, I have to go the extra mile to make sure my identity remains behind closed doors...

Her name is Nico Himuro.

...!?

Got it. Thanks.

*“Nico” shoots Rantaro a look of disdain.

Dude...!

What? He already knows MY identity. Not fair if he doesn’t get to know yours too.

And who’s fault is that!? Unlike SOME people, I actually take my job and the whole “anonymous hacker organization” thing seriously!

You know, you really don’t have to be so paranoid. It’s not like your name’s ringing any bells.

It...It’s not?

Nope.

Really?

Yep.

...

Do you read the news often?

Not big on politics...

Ah, that would explain it...Lucky me.

So? What’ve you been up to while I’ve been out?

Oh! That! You’re gonna love this.

*She pats Kuripa on the shoulder.

Get yourself settled. I gotta go talk about this.

...

*Kuripa does just that, and starts to look around the Clocktower.

So, I made some more developments to the Symettra...And I found out something pretty sweet.

Oh yeah?

Yeah...

*Nico reaches down and picks up an apple on the desk. She attaches a device to the apple then takes a few steps back.

Catch!

*ZHWOOM!*

WOAH!

*She tosses the apple to Rantaro, only for it to suddenly vanish out of thin air and reappear right in front of him. Rantaro struggles to stop the apple slipping from his hand.

Teleportation technology...!?

Isn’t it awesome? We apply this to the Symettra, and during a fight, you’ll be able to zap yourself short distances!

Like a ghost! Sounds cool! But uh...is it safe?

It’s about as safe as all the other functions, which means it’s still in the beta phase.

But this should make our job in the future a whole lot easier. You wanna be the test dummy? Uh, I mean...the volunteer.

Come on...At least be a little more subtle...

What?

Ah...fine...I am the one who came up with the theory in the first place.

But I’m the one who made it happen.

Psh! Now who’s taking credit for other people’s ideas?

Yeah, don’t push it kid.

Oh SHIT!

*THUD!*

HEY!

Sorry! I’m sorry!

*Kuripa wanders over to the corner of the room, and accidently knocks over a mannequin. Nico helps him stand it up again.

Why do you just have...a random mannequin wearing spandex here anyway?

You wanna see?

Nico...no.

What!?

I told you already, this idea just DOESN’T WORK.

It does work! You’ve seen it work!

What does it do?

...You wanna know?

*She grabs it and moves it into the more open space.

Punch it.

You want me to...hit it?

Yep. Go for it.

Alright...

*WHAM!*

GAH!?

GET DOWN!

SHIT!

*THUD!* *SMACK!* *SMACK!* *THUD!* *BAM!* *BASH* *SLAM!* *SPOINK!* *SMACK!* *THUD!*

*Kuripa strikes the dummy full force, and it goes bouncing around the room, springing off every corner.

NOT THAT HARD, IDIOT!

You told me to punch it! You didn’t say how hard!

Agh! Hrngh...Anyway, do you see?

Yeah, it sure bounces a lot. Does the spandex have some sort of bouncy property?

Yeah. It allows for save recovery should you ever receive a heavy blow that sends you flying.

Hm...That sounds all well and good but...The lack of control seems to be a bit of a problem.

I told you!

Alright, fine! Grr...Damn kids...

Look, as much as I appreciate you flaunting all your fancy gear, I AM here for a self-entitled justice mission, so if you could like...start talking about that?

That’d be great.

...Not here to make friends I see. Alright...

*Kuripa and Rantaro follow Nico over to the monitors.

I’ll see what I can...Huh?

*All of a sudden, the monitors and lights in the building start to flicker, until they randomly switch off.

Crap, what’s going on...!?

This...uh...isn’t my fault.

No one said it was.

*Rantaro starts to check the machines. He tries switching them on, to no avail.

Crap...That must have been the secondary breaker...

Are you serious!? Why NOW of all times!?

The primary power went out a while ago. I really thought the backup would hold.

Wait, you mean to tell me you’ve got all this super advanced tech and this incredible secret base, and it all runs on a Triple A Battery!?

*sigh* I got it...Just give me a bit-

Huh?

*Before Rantaro can restart the breaker, the power suddenly comes back on. 

How did...?

???: No need for that 404.

!!?

*Hearing a familiar voice, everyone turns around.

I’m no tech whiz...Definitely not as much as Oliver...But I DO know a fair bit about electricity.

I’ve put in a small fix. It should hold for a while.

...Who the heck are YOU?

Relax. This is Maya Canzanilla. She’s a friend.

Ah! The leader of the Freedom Foundation here in the flesh! What a pleasant surprise.

Although...why she’s here is a mystery.

I’m sorry...I kinda followed you guys...But I’m here because I want to help.

Here, I even brought a neat little peace offering.

*Maya takes her special electromagnetic spear out from behind her back and hands it to Nico.

Fang Tech...

Yeah, stuff that we salvaged a while ago. Not quite sure how to use it, so I think it’d be better in your hands.

...

*Kuripa faces her.

I didn’t think you’d come...Especially after what I did back there.

Don’t get me wrong...What you did to Kyoko wasn’t cool...

But...I also feel like Future Foundation are being a little too harsh on you. You ARE right, after all.

About what?

...

*Maya starts pacing the room.

Katagiri is dangerous...too dangerous to be left alive. I don’t really want to hurt or kill anyone else, but...I will if I have to.

When you killed Feng, I...I wasn’t prepared for it...But I accept that it needed to happen. She’d gone for far too long acting above the law. She could have easily used her connections to bail herself out of prison.

What you did was the only way to end it...Even Oliver agreed with that.

...

Besides...The Future Foundation don’t realize it, but your actions are to their benefit.

You’re making the sacrifices that they can’t...Since you’re now separate from them, if Katagiri’s blood gets on your hands, then it’s not their responsibility, is it?

Finally, someone GETS it! Still though...I hope you realize that the Future Foundation may treat you as an enemy if you assist me.

That’s fine. Like you said...At the end of the day, they’ll thank you.

...?

*Kuripa shoots a glance at Rantaro and Nico.

...

...

*They both nod.

Welcome to the team Canzanilla.

*Kuripa shakes Maya’s hand, but then pulls her in for a hug.

Thanks for being here for me.

...I always will be dude. I always will.

[nathscalet]

Enies lobby

Mind you i was writting this going through grief, a pnemonia during the second year of the covid.

hmm what was that noise ... arg! you groaned

-luffy who is this? Nami looked startled

- "Hmm?" Looking to the side and seeing a being with a boar's head "I have no idea!"

"Don't say that with idiotic confidence" - they hit the captain in the head with a karate chop motion

"Um? Where am I? Why am I on a train?"

" HAVE YOU ONLY REALIZED IT NOW! ?? AFTER EVERYTHING WE HAVE BEEN GOING TO?"

-Been through what?

"A AQUA LAGUNA !!"

-Aqua lagoon?

"THAT MONSTRUOUS STORM THAT ALMOST KILLED US!"

"Oh I got dizzy with so many movements and ended up sleeping when I sat in the corner."

"... eh?"

"But other than that, where are we going in such a hurry?"

"TO ENNIES LOBBY !!"

"Um, why? Are you going to have a party?"

"Hie (no). LET'S SAVE OUR FRIEND! SHE WAS TAKEN BY THE PIGEON MAN!"- Luffy shouted

"Pigeon man?"

"Yes, he was very strong and we were unable to do anything at the time, and Robin had to sacrifice himself! So we are going to bring her back."

With your mind on the effect of alcohol you get emotional easily. -UUUUAAAAUUUUU 😭😭😭😭

Everyone was startled by your reaction. "That's a BEAUTIFUL GUY !!!!  THAT'S BEAUTIFUL !! 😩😍 LET'S SAVE THE ROBIN YOU WHORES!  Hahahah" You let out a maniacal laugh

"FIRST OF ALL!! Who are you?"

"Me?  You can call me Y / N SAMA!  I WILL HELP YOU IN ROBIN'S RESCUE !!"

"REALLY!?"  - A reindeer asked coming out from behind the zoro

"Serious!  LET'S END THE PIGEON MAN !!!  HOW HE DARE TO TAKE HIS COMPANION !!  ARE YOU READY MEN TO SEND THESE HOES BACK TO THE SEWERS ???"  -Your frenzines touched others who were more motivated to send enies lobby through the air

As soon as the train landed on land, you ran out towards the tower like crazy!  Well, a boar-headed woman running screaming and sending everyone flying like a bowling ball through the air. No sailor was able to block his path, it looked like they were trying to stop a train.  You scared them too much, with your laugh and Java's head.

-AHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA DOKE DOKE DOKE IIIHHHUUUUU.  RONIN !!!  WE ARE GOING TO RELEASE IT FROM THE PIGEON MAN !!!

- Apparently we got an incredible ally.  - Nami spoke seeing the path that you opened just running

-M-m-monster !!

-How did she manage to do that?

-Who cares!  She's on our side!

-Yea.  Thank God.

-Mellorin!  - a cook admired his form running

Meanwhile in the tower of justice

Franky using the excuse that he was going to blow himself up took the robin with his legs and used the coup boo to escape, however they stopped on the balcony.

-Hey are you okay?  - franky asked robin "If I had one more soda we would cross with the Coup de Vent. But that's okay, the straw hat is here. Come on, yell at him."

-Damn he deceived us! -Principal!! -Franky and Nico Robin escaped and are on the balcony "Idiots! What are you waiting for?! Go there and get them !!"  If they run away, I'll kill you!

-OIII ROBIN !!!  Glad you're here !!

-Ruffy

-YOSHI!  Wait, ROBIN !! It's a bit far but I'll try- Luffy ran to stretch

Gomu Gomu no ...

"WAIT! I already told you several times that I'm not going back with you!"  GO AWAY!  I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANY OF YOU ANYMORE!  WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO SAVE ME ?!

'Why did you come to save me?  I never wanted that! '

-When did I ask SEE to save ?!  - Robin was breathless with nervousness and with all those screams -I JUST WANT TO DIE!

Spadam started to applaud, never imagining he was seeing something like that.

-What are you doing?  - franky asked pissed -They risked their lives coming here!  Is that you

-They who wanted to come ... - Robin replied

-WHAT TO! ... - franky received a poke on Kaku's face

-It's in front of me -ahahahahah!  Kaku you are warm, huh?  It must be the weird fruit you ate. -Don't talk nonsense, I actually liked it. -oh, so the straw hat came alone? -yoiyoi notwithstanding he was alone, he made his way over here! -True, he even defeated Blueno. -I think his 5 years as a bartender left him rusty -Is that really it? -I just know he lost.chapapa

-How nice to see you CP9!  But wait a minute. The straw hat gang is in an internal fight.  Let's sit and enjoy the show.  Ahahaha is very good.

Meanwhile, the gang was scattered trying to get to where Luffy was.

-Do you want to die?

-Yea!

-Director, I can't finish them and put an end to this ?! -Wait.  He did many things for the sake of that rescue.  And now, at the very end, the hostage is denying the captain's help.

-Robin do you want to die?

-aaahahaha!  He's screaming!  I wish I could look at his face!  - Spadam hoped the captain was going to be desperate, but he was looking confused and taking a snot out of his nose -He's poking his nose !!

-I, Robin, we've come this far.

At that very moment, the ceiling burst with a tornado that hurled Nami and chopper.

-We'll save you.

Nami landed perfect, Chopper stuck his head poor guy.

-If after that you still want to die, then that's fine.

-Are you okay chopper? -Yes I am!  But what was that? -I don't know, but I have a suspicion.

At that moment the kelp came out of the hole it caused. - I should have done this from the beginning.

-ZORO !!  IT HAD TO BE YOU !! PEOPLE JUST TAKEN P IMPACT, BUT IF IT WAS THE BANG EVEN, I WOULD DIE!

The cook also arrived on time, opening the nozzle on the roof!  -I bet I was the 1st to arrive.  Now, get Robin-Chan.  I'm going to save her and ... seaweed!  SEAWEED HEAD!  HOW DID YOU GET BEFORE ME ?!

-Hey!  You took too long! -outtoto!  Look who's talking!

Sogeking flew by screaming after being thrown by the giants.

-He's flying! -What he is doing? -And how will it land?

"It's one after the other." Lucci commented impressed and annoyed "Each one in his time ..." the pink monk said

You being you, stole two swords and started to climb the building like a spider? more like a wolverine, reaching the end you gave a double mortal and fell on your knees.

-Ahahahahahah !!!  MAITEIROU ROBIN !!  Y // N SAMA IS HERE TO SAVE YOU !!!

-It seems they have one more that I don't know now.  A very strange one. (Have I mentioned that you’re wearing a boar’s head?)

You arrived at the time that Sogeking was going to crash on the floor but fell into your arms.

-Huh?  Dare ga omaiwa?  (Who are you) -I-I'm saved.  - Sogeking spoke relieved 🥲😅

-We must admire them, for having arrived here despite being our rivals. -How many pirates!

-Please Robin.  I don't care if you want to die.  Say it when you're on our side!

-That's right, Robin! -Back, Robin!

If she had been holding back tears before, now they were finally falling.

- Bearing in mind that they passed by the Aqua lagoon, they are very impressive. -It was pure luck! - This time we are allowed to kill them. -We have no choice but to fight seriously.

Franky's gang was fighting tooth and nail to get the bridge down right now.

-Ahahahaha, stupid pirates !!  Did you realize now that your actions have not changed at all ?!  They didn't change the strength of my big CP9!  Not even the weight of the impassable Gate of Justice!  Much less my power to summon an Oder of annihilation with that golden denden mushi!

-Buster Call ?!  - Only that sentence caused a deep despair in Robin

-That's right.  Just like 20 years ago, when we reduced the island of Nico Robin to dust.

-NO!  EVERYTHING BUT THAT!

-What a reaction!  What it was?  You want me to press that button and start annihilation, huh?

-Do you know what happens if you press that button?

-Yea.  The chances of pirates escaping from here are 0!  All this by squeezing it!

-It is not that simple!

-Why don't we push to find out then?  -Spadam scoffed as he put his finger close to the button

-STOP IT!!

-How much insolence.

-You said Ohara disappeared from the map.  Do you see someone talking about her on the map?  How can you do something so horrible?  Is this how you see the world?  The Buster call is pure evil.  -Robin dropped to his knees - It should never be used.  Never!  And now the order is about to be used here ... and you will all be wiped out.

-What are you talking about?  Do you really think that friendly fire will catch me?  You do not know anything!

- They took everything from me 20 years ago.  The lives of so many people are over, all with an attack, the buster call.  And now it will happen again, right in my irresponsible companions. The more I want to be with you, the more my destiny puts you in danger!  No matter how far I go, I can't escape an enemy like that!  NOT WHEN MY ENEMY IS THE WORLD ITSELF, FULL OF DARKNESS.  1st Aokiji and now that.  It is the 2nd time that I put you in danger, if it continues like this, however cool you may be ... sometime you will see me as a hindrance!  Then will betray me and throw it away! I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO FEAR ME MORE THAN THAT!  THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO SAVE ME!  IF IT IS TO BE PLAYED OUT, THEN I PREFER TO DIE HERE!

-Then that's it.

Ahahahaha!  THAT'S RIGHT!  NOBODY IS DONKEY TO GET VICE AND DOESN'T SEE A PROBLEM!  LOOK AT THAT SYMBOL, PIRATES! "He pointed to the flag at the top" That mark represents the union of more than 170 participating nations located across all 4 oceans, as well as the grand line.THIS IS THE WORLD !! "

"Did you realize how insignificant there you are in comparison? Can you imagine how many big organizations are looking for this woman?"

"I understood who Robin.Sogeking's enemies are ..." Luffy said without taking his eye off the enemy "Shoot that flag"

"Understood. This is my newest design, a giant slingshot. YOUR name is Kabuto! Behold your power!"

Hisatsu fire bird star!

"It can not be.."

"All done."

"He did it now!"

"Do they know what it means to destroy that symbol?"

"THOSE PIRATES HAVE JUST STATED WAR AGAINST THE WORLD GOVERNMENT!"

"ARE YOU PLAYING WITH ME? DO YOU THINK YOU CAN OPPOSE AGAINST THE WHOLE WORLD AND GET OUT ALIVE?"

"WANNA BET???!!!!"

Spadam cried out in pure distraugh from the balcony

"Robin! I need to hear this from you! SAY YOU WANT TO LIVE !!"

"Robin ..."

'To live ..' tears started streaming down the brunette's face 'I thought even wishing this was wrong.'

'Nobody ever accepted me!'

"The ocean is vast Robin, I am sure that one day, you will undoubtedly meet companions who will protect you!"

'"Believe in Luffy!"

'If, even for a moment ... I can express my desire ... then I ...'

"I WANT TO LIVE !! TAKE ME BACK TO THE SEA WITH YOU !!"

"Aaaaagggghh !!! I love you guys, damn it!"  The cyborg burst into tears.

"YOU CAN COUNT WITH ME ROBIIINNN !!! I WILL KICK THE ASS OF ANYONE WHO HAS TOUCHED EVEN THE TIP YOUR HAIR !!"  - You screamed

-LETS GO!  - The bridge started to descend, before Robin was taken Franky decided to burn the pluton plants!  Saying that he was betting that the straw hat pack would protect Robin from the government!  And she had no intention of reviving any ancestral weapons!  Spadam was so pissed that he pushed franky off the balcony, just in time that Luffy forced everyone to jump with him to catch a ride on the Rocketman, luckily they all got to the express in time.

However, they knocked hard on the gate. By a miracle everyone is alive.

-THAT'S A RRIDE !!  Thanks, monster granny!  Guys get up soon!  We don't have time to be silly!

-We are not rubber.  Humans don't look good after one of THAT beats!

-everyone great!

-You are also freaks!  But it's just a way of saying it!

- Look at a ladder over there.  Let's go find Robin soon!

-Stop!  Cahappa ... we suffered an attack but Nico Robin is no longer in that room. Lucci has already taken her to the gate of Justice.  Ah, the director went along.

-Ah, that's good!  Thanks for warning me.

-chappapa, I said too much.

-Strange guy.

-All right, but I'm not going to tell you how to get there.  We have orders to eliminate them.  Unless we defeat, they will never save Nico Robin.

-I know!  That was already in the plans! -chappapa you have a lot of courage!  But I have one more thing to tell you. -what?  Spit it out! -thanks.- he took a key from his jacket- look at this.  It is the key to Nico Robin's sea stone handcuffs. -So that's why Robin didn't fight back.  She is very strong. -Under normal conditions, they would find it difficult to fight against it. -Even if they manage to rescue it, sea stone is hard as diamond.  She'll be with the handcuffs forever. -chapappa said too much.  If you want to go straight after her, you can go, like a boar's head. -Huh? -Ah !!! ??  THAT PERSON WAS ALREADY !! -WHAT FAST !! -Another hot head. -Well now we have someone on Robin's tail.

You took off in front as soon as you recovered from the crash.  Using your sense of smell and perception you started to run in a straight line, no matter what was on the way.

The mission was to save Robin from the pigeon man!

Luffy was going around and around the tower.  You breaking the walls until you find Robin's presence.  The girl and the rabbit found a secret passage.

Zoro and the square Ussop ended up falling in the room below where Sogeking and the evil wolf were.

-shit wanted to end up in hybrid form but I became a complete giraffe!

-A SPEAKING GIRAFFE FALLING FROM THE ROOF ?!

-KAKU, but what a cool power you got! The wolf akuma no mi user laughed

-A wolf?!  What is this thing?

The wolf started laughing non-stop at the user of the giraffe fruit.  K The two users started to argue in the middle of the fight.

Kaku resolving to fight seriously became the hybrid form, which earned him more laughter and offense for being a square giraffe.

It was so bizarre the way it made the King of Snipers miss something and hit Zoro-kun's hand.

Not supporting anymore, Kaku decided to show what he is capable of.  Staying in a break position he started to roll his neck, getting faster and faster until he launched a blow, which cut the tower.  To avoid the blow Zoro ended up throwing himself at Sogeking getting both trapped by the handcuffs.

Chopper, who bumped into them both, was given the duty to find the key to that handcuff.

Chimney and the rabbit were unraveling all the passages in the tower, showing up in every possible place.

Nami was running away from the guy with cherry hair, but ended up being saved by a chopper who heard her screams.

Sanji was trying to fight the CP9 woman, but his chivalry wouldn't let him and he ended up becoming soap falling almost on top of the 2 who ran away.

Nami, seeing the situation, decided to fight with the soap woman.

Chimney ended up having to rescue the captain who was drowning 2x.  She ended up showing the way through the underground tunnel.

You arrived just when the captain was going to blow the door up.

"Ohhohoho WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE YOU REACHED ME! GET AWAY FROM THE GREAT Y // N SAMA IS HERE TO END THE PIGEON FACE RACE!"

"NANDATOU?!?! THE PIGEON GUY IS MY !! END ANOTHER PERSON !!"

"THERE IS NOBODY AT MY LEVEL IN THIS TOWER !! I CAME HERE TO BURN WITH THE FACE OF THIS DISSONER!"

"HE IS MINE!!"

"Isn't it better who comes first to fight him !?"  Chimney asked

"..."

"..."

Both looked at each other, understanding this as a dispute for who would end the pigeon guy first.

Luffy used the gear third and destroyed the door, but ended up becoming a child.

"EEEEEHHHH?!?!? Why are you tiny ?!"

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAH THAT RIDICULALLY SHAPE STRAW HAT !!"

"Do not mess with me !!"

You and the captain were in a race dispute, where you were 200 m ahead of him because he was in small form.

-AHAHAHAHAHAHAH !!  IKOIKOIKO !!!  LET'S GO SOON HULK !!

-It's LUFFY!  Curse!

Zoro was using Sogeking as a sword to fight with users.

Franky and the guy with the zipper in his mouth fought most of the time boxing, both cursing each other.  But after he drank Cola he gave a power up and they both fell into the falls.

Chopper ended up having to use rumble ball doping to defeat the hairy one.  Doping this time turned him into a mega monster.  This shape was so strong that the opponent was no match, however, he totally lost his mind destroying everything around him.

Robin was still being dragged through the underground tunnels.

"Do you really think the straw hat is coming to save you? You fool!"  Do you really trust those stupid pirates ?!  The noise from before must have been my imagination. They never made it this far.  You can dream all you want.  We are almost at the gate of justice.  As soon as the gate closes, there is no hope.  Ahahahahah.  Let's go

-GRRRRHHHHHBAAAA !!!!  ROBINNN !!!!

-ROOOOBIIIINNN !!!!!

-What was this?  THOSE VOICES?!?

-Director, take Nico Robin and go ahead.

Luffy beat him in the race because at the last minute he used gear second and went through the door.

-Here is much wider !!  Ahh!  FIND YOU, YOU PIGEON !!

-NOOO !!!!!  HOW COULD I LOSE !!!  - you went into depression for losing your prey to the straw hat

-Congratulations for getting here with straw hat, and ... wild boar woman.

-Drogaaaahh !!  - Her depressive aura was increasing making her stay in a fetal position embracing her swords.

Spadam became impatient and started demanding explanations as to why there was a pirate in the underground.  Only he got the wrong Denden mushi, just what triggered the destruction order.

-It's the Golden Communicator Snail!

-Damn it!  This is the communicating snail!  How could I be so careless?  I hit the golden button right away ... I issued the buster call!  - This message was accidentally transmitted throughout the Enies Lobby.

-Idiot!  Cancel it immediately, or it will cause a disaster!

-What do you mean, cancel?  Hey Hey!  Who do you think you're talking to?  The call for destruction is incredible!  So what did I issue?  That's right ... everything is fine.  I am the director of Cipher Pol 9. To deliver it to the government more easily, I issued the order!  I see no problem with that!  Whatever happens here, in the end, we will be able to annihilate the pirates.

-TOLICE!  I told you it won't end like this, didn't I?  This attack is completely inhuman!  The Attack will incinerate the entire Enies Lobby!  Buildings, people ... even the island itself!  It's a hell of fire that sacrifices everything to achieve your goal!  You don't know what happened in Ohara, 20 years ago ...

-All right.  This just proves how important this issue is to the government.  Now that that useless cutty flam has burned our plans, its existence is the only clue to ancient weapons.  A military power that can turn the world upside down is at stake.  To increase the chances of killing the imbeciles who came to save her, even if thousands of soldiers die, it is a necessary sacrifice to achieve a glorious future!  And my promotion is also at stake.

-That's how you deal with human lives ?!

-Don't forget that cp9 is a government organization.  If there are deaths that can save a thousand lives, let's kill 100 without hesitation.  Lack of piety is an essential attribute of authentic justice!  Furthermore, these incompetent soldiers did not prevent the pirates from invading.  They better die soon!  Uwahahaaha

-The cellular communicator snail was on.

"Ah! HELP! EVERYONE HEARD WHAT I SAID?"  ... S-So, my name is Luffy from the straw hat.

-AS IF!!!!

-EVERYONE ON THE ISLAND RUN!! IF THEY STAY THEY WILL NOT SURVIVE !!!

-That's none of your business !!  - Spadam punched Robin in the face that made her roll down the stairs

Panic set in on the island, all agents and sailors panicked and were running full speed to leave the island so as not to be caught in the attack.

-Did you hear that?

-Yes ... they will send this island to the land of the feet together.  And I also heard ... a scream of pain from Robin.  UNLAWFUL UWAAAAAGGGHHH !!!!  I WILL END THIS FACE !!

- Yea!  Please go ahead!

You started running towards the door, but the pigeon guy used soru and appeared in front of you giving you a blow and burying it in the wall!

-BOAR!  Hi your opponent is me !!  -Luffy advanced towards Lucci trying to hit a kick that was saved, as soon as his foot returned to the ground he punched the leopard in the stomach.  But it did not have much effect both started to exchange the same type of blows.  Until they are both hurled by the powers of their own punches

-CURSE!!  HOW DARE TO STAY IN THE PATH OF THE GREAT Y / N SAMA !!  DIRTY PIGEON!  COME AND HEADBUTT ME !  COME GIVE ME A FIGHT !!

- You really have no class, a woman talking like that is not pretty!

-Aarrghhh!  Go shit!  Who cares how I speak!  I speak the way I want you little shit!  Don't get in my way!  I'm going to save Robin!

-You will never leave this place!

-No ... I will reach it, yes!  Boar!  Go ahead!  I take care of this guy!  This time I will fight with everything!

-OK!!  ALREADY UNDERSTOOD!!  - you prepared yourself this time by taking impulse and strengthening your legs.  As soon as the pussy appeared in front of you again, you headbanged with taste.  The one you feel in the bone.  The head was so strong that the kitten's forehead began to bleed.

-Take that sucker !!  SUCK MY DICK !!  -You used your version of soru and went through both.

Lucci used soru and was about to attack your back if it weren't for Luffy attacking him first.

Nami managed to escape the agent's attacks thanks to the chopper's bersek shape, which moored the bedroom bathtub, making everything get wet.  The bathtub ended up falling on the top floor where sanji was, who returned to normal, ready to put some capoeira blow on a wolf there.

Using the mirages created by the attack climate Nami managed to defeat the oxygenated blonde.

Chopper ended up being thrown into the sea to be controlled in his demonic form.  But thanks to Nami, zoro and Sogeking were free of each other now.

In the meantime, you were running towards Robin, not stopping for a second.  She was already on the bridge of the gate of justice, desperate, struggling, trying to get as far away from that hell gate as possible!

Somehow all members with a key have been defeated.  And now the straw hats were running towards the gate of justice trying to reach the hostage.

The Franky family members were escaping with the help of the giants.

-As soon as you pass through that gate, you will feel like you are crossing the passage from paradise to hell. And it will be at that time that I will enter history!  I really feel sorry for you ... but there's no way.  There is no reason for you to continue to exist.

Robin tried to run away again, but Spadam immobilized her, though she bit the edge of the bridge.

-Vice are you holding with your teeth?  What a bitch, this bitch doesn't know when to give up!  Vice is so greedy as to be pathetic!  You can't even bring happiness to others by dying!

Boomm

You triggered the bomb that was on the bottom step.  The bomb ended up hurling you into the sea.

-What was this ?!  It does not matter!  Let's go!  - the director dragged Robin with a rope, but before he could take another step beyond the gate, he and the other soldiers were hit by none other than OUR HERO SOGEKING.

Robin took advantage of that moment to flee again.  But the soldiers aimed their weapons at it and fired.

However franky was there to protect her with his metal body.

-_ I'm fine, since I'm made of steel.

Franky managed to free Robin with the keys that Sogeking sent.

-HOW CAN BE?!  ARE THE TRUE ?!  But ... does that mean ... did you defeat all the members of cp9 ??  IT CAN NOT BE!  You probably stole and ran away!

Before the sailors could do anything, you acted.

- SHINE !! Making an x with your swords you cut the air, sending a gust of wind cutting through all enemies.

-Hey!  Human trash!  - you spoke looking at the director

-hiiiiiiii !! m-m-monster !!

-You have a lot of courage to do these things with Robin san!  What are you going to do to apologize like a worm, huh?  If you kneel it is best to stay 1 cm above the ground so as not to hurt any ants with your poor excuse for being human.

-Cruel!  You're a devil!?

-Yea!  I am the demon that will take you to hell.

-hiiii !!!!

-I said I would make mincemeat of anyone who touched a finger on Robin.  And it seems that you had the audacity to not only touch but also to hurt her emotionally.  Unforgiven.

You walked over to the director who started to crawl away from you.

Before you could end the warden's race.  You looked where you felt an attack coming from.

Buster call had started.

-Franky, Robin-chan, we're fine.  Let's get out of here. -Thank God. - Can you fight yet? -Yes No problems.

Spadam took the chance to hide behind the rest of the sailors who escaped his attack and those who were arriving.

-Hi, where are you going worm?  - you followed

Buster call started to destroy the city, and with that it was the cue for the sailors to reach the foot of the bridge, abandoning the director.

-HI WHERE ARE YOU GOING ?!  SEE THE SHIPS ARE IGNORING THE BRIDGE!  THAT'S WHY I'M HERE !!  Ahaahahah

Robin fell to the ground memories of the old attack resurfaced bringing a panic attack.

you ran up to her, kneeling down at her level.  -Oii Robin, are you hurt?  Did a bullet hit you?  Hey!!  You are shaking !!  Are you cold?  - You hugged the brunette, bringing her head up to her chest, covering the brunette's ears by covering her head with her strong arms.

-She is having a panic attack !!  Probably bad memories of the old attack !!

-Damn you!  How dare you do that to Robin.  - Vice was about to get up and attack the director again, but the brunette held on to you like a koala, as if her life depended on it.

-Come on, give me Nico Robin!  If you hand me over, I can forgive you for your crimes.

-ah?  Are you really dying is not trash?

Franky sent his steel punch in the face of Spadam.

-Heh!  WELL DONE!  VERY GOOD MAN IN SUNGA !!

-Keep that shit mouth shut!

Spadam decided to throw his elephant sword in his direction, which was now being immobilized by Robin.

You threw yourself to the side, still holding the brunette in your arms, while the cyborg held the sword.

-I never imagined that day would come.  I wanted to save Tom-aan, regardless of the consequences.  People spoke of the impenetrability of Enies Lobby, how powerful the world government is.  The straw hats ignored all of this and moved on.  All to save the only Nakama, each fought without hesitation. It's incredible.  To this day, I have not been able to forget Tom-san's death.  I wish I could have punched that agent in the face ... until she

-IDIOT!!  WAIT A SECOND!

-DOWN !!  - franky threw the elephant back, crushing the director.  - Thanks to the straw hats I was finally able to.

-As long as I can do something to help the straw hats I will do it.  - franky started to strafe and use the bazokas on sailors

It seems that Robin stopped shaking.  - this is different from Ohara!  I have nothing to be afraid of. I'm not alone anymore!

-WELL SAID ROBIN !!  I WILL BREAK ANYONE WHO STAYS IN ROBIN'S PATH OF FREEDOM!  -As soon as she left her arms you stood up ready to attack

-And y / n ...

-What?

-Thank you for coming to help and protect me.

-YOUR WELCOME!  All for a friend!  THOUGH I NOT YOUR FRIEND!  YOUR FRIENDSHIP TIES RESONATED DEEP IN ME!  THEN I WILL PROTECT THEM !!  YOU CAN count on Y // N SAMA !!

-ahahaa!  You are certainly unique.

You, Franky and Robin, stole a ship, expelling all sailors on board.

-AHAHAHAHAH TAKE THIS YOUR SHIT !!

-It was bad but we are taking this ship.

Suddenly a sea lion, sorry an elderly mermaid jumps out of the water holding the remaining members of the straw hats!

- WHAT MONATER IS THAT?!?

Then the members passed out from the shock in the tunnels when Grandma became a mermaid.

-So you are the companion they came to save.

-Put an old gaga's clothes on !!

-I laughed when he said he was going to be the Pirate King.  but, it looks like he will make it.

When they regained consciousness, everyone was shocked and denied that Grandma was a mermaid.  Sanji practically went into depression.

-Year, don't be sad, cook san!

-As soon as he looked whose voice was the lady who came to console him.  He came across a scary Boar face.

- iihhh !!!  Ah, miss y / n what a scare!  I'm glad you're safe!

-ROBIINN !!  - Chopper and Nami threw themselves into the brunette practically and in tears - I am so happy that we managed to save you, Robin.  You're fine, aren't you?

-Yes, thanks to you.  Thanks

-Do not worry about it.  - chopper ended up falling, unable to move anymore

Zoro left the ship and went to the bridge, and came across a sea of fire that was on the island.

Apparently the navy still wanted Nico Robin alive, so they would come and get her after decimating the island.  And Luffy was still fighting the pigeon guy.

Reporting from the north-northwest main gate ... all the sailors and agents got on board.  We also located 50 pirates trying to escape near the main gate.

-the zambai and the others!  I said I didn't have to worry about them!  They managed to escape in a good way.

After our attack, nothing was left. All dead.  In the current state of the island, survival is impossible.  Number of survivors in Enies lobby: zero.

This is the report from ship 2 from the south sulfate court to the tower of justice, as well as the underwater tunnel that connects the tower to the bridge, everything is destroyed.  The only remaining target is the Hesitation bridge.

-Those guys... -The guys from Galley her too? -Personal...! -Can people really die like that ..? -you can't see people on a map.  They are simply sweeping the island from all the maps.  This is the buster call

The battle ships went into battle formation near the bridge where Luffy was fighting the leopard.

- They're coming to get Robin.

-We won't let you!

-Ahahahahahah COME TO DIRTY DICK !!  I WILL CUT ALL OF YOU !!  ONE BEHIND THE OTHER came to steal my prey!  BUT NOW I CAN FIGHT FREELY AGAINST EACH OF YOU !!  THIS IS AMAZING!!  AHAHAHAHA

-Aaaahhhh (imagine the voice of tiktok) the woman with the boar's head is freaking out .... Huh!  Hi look there !!

-LUFFYY !!  Everyone arrives at the bridge safe and sound!  We are all fine!

-We also saved Robin-chan !!

-Ends up with the disgraced pigeon face !!!  I DIDN'T LEAVE HIM FOR YOU TO LOSE TO HIM !!  THEN SEND HIM THROUGH THE ARES

-STOP IT LUFFY!

-And LET'S GO BACK TOGETHER!

All men prepare for battle!  They go!

-Stop if you show up and attack right away! - This is going to be fun! - This is going to be a massacre!  - you flexed your muscles -We need to stop them no matter what!  We will hold them until Ruffy arrives! -we need to get off the ship!  If it is damaged, we will not be able to escape! -You won't get me again! -I can not move!

Commanding lieutenants and minor ranks, stay behind.  Captains and commanders, the 200 elite fighters, get this over with quickly.

Recapture Nico Robin!

The fighters went down!

Franky was machine-gunning anyone who came close. Zoro was cutting off everyone he saw. Sogeking was shooting at the officers. Robin was breaking his neck and distracting the sailors for Nami to use the climatact. You ... angel, let go of the beast.  All of his energy has been released now.

All of your energy has been released now.  Because you have been unable to fight with any agent, you are overflowing with energy and the desire to fight.  So ... let's say you really scared the sailors with your contortion.

-Take that!  - a sailor shot her in the heart making her kneel

-BOAR!!

-What did you think about this pirate ?!

You got up slowly and looked at the sailor who hit you in the middle of this mess.

-Is she up ?! -How is this possible?!?  I'm sure I hit the heart !!

-AHAHAHAHAHAHAH !!!  I CAN MOVE MY INTERNAL ORGANS AS WU WANTS SUCKERS!  Look at this.

We can say that the sailors were terrified is a fact.

Meanwhile Luffy it’s fighting -LUFFY !!! LUFFY !!!  WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?

-Ussop ...!?  You are here!!!

-haa haaa ... DON'T GET ME WRONG !!!  I ONLY came TO FREE ROBIN !!  IT'S NOT LIKE I COME HERE TO SEE YOU! EI YOU, the cat leader of cp9 !!  I will be your opponent !!!  Come and get me !!

-ahh ?! not!!!

-I will come back here !!

-I don't have time to lose with someone who has already been defeated.

-Okay, come here !!  Cat leader!  I will defeat you !!

- YOU'RE A IDIOT FOR THAT !!!  YOU WILL BE KILLED!

-SHUT YOUR MOUTH!!  What can a half-dead man do?

-I'm going to finish him off!

- THEN STAND UP!  DON'T LIKE YOURE GOING TO DIE !!  IT'S NOT YOUR WAY!  EVEN IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF SMOKE, WE CAN STILL SEE THE SKY.  We CAN STILL SEE THE OCEAN!  HERE IS NOT HELL, DON'T AHAJA LIKE YOU WERE TO DIE !!!

-I ... know .... haa ... this is not hell !!!

"WIN AND WE'LL ALL GO BROTHERS TOGETHER, LUFFY !!"

"YOU'RE RIGHT!"  The steam intensified in the body of the rubber

"So you can still move."  Lucci spoke

"I never said I lost."

The pussy appeared on the captain's side ready to send the cannon hit with his hands

"You are not going to hit me again-" The kitten's tail curled around the captain's waist, pinning it in place

Saidairi ... ROKUOUGAN!

A current of air simulating the force of a cannon hit the captain's torso, making him spit blood!

Luffy staggered, staggered and staggered ... but he was still on his feet.  When he was about to fall and lose consciousness, he still managed to stand and scream to regain consciousness.

Lucci looked back, already tired of this rubber.

'It won't be long before you regret having a woman as dangerous as she is with you!'

Gomu Gomu no ...

'Robin plans to die for us!'

Tekai

'Are you kidding me ?!  Don't think that you can oppose the whole world and come out alive! "

'I am going to hunt down that woman who opposed world government to the ends of the earth!'

'I WANT TO LIVE!'

... Jet GATLING

With all the flashbacks showing up powering your strength.  Little by little punches from him were sending the leopard away until he sent him to the whore who gave birth breaking the tower wall.

"It's over ... that's good ... WE ARE GOING AWAY TOGETHER !! ROOBIINN!"

Announcing to all warships ... mr.  Rob Lucci of cp9 has just been defeated by the straw hat pirate ...

- It worried me for a moment!

The folks at galley-la survived thanks to Paulie's network.

The bridge was destroyed, the members of the straw hat were cornered!

Suddenly Ussop started to hear a voice calling him, looking down he could see.

"JUMP IN THE OCEAN !!"  Ussop screamed from the bottom of his soul

4 seconds

"TO THE OCEAN !?"

"ROBIN, can you throw Luffy overboard?"

"Leave it to me!"

"Idiot! Are you trying to kill yourself?! There is no way it can help us with anything!"  - Zoro said cutting off the sailors who kept coming

3!

"We'll be fine ... He came to save us! We still have another Nakama!"

two!

"Chopper, did you see?

"I SAW!"

Cien fleur

Arms appeared from under the captain and rolled him to the edge of the tower.

1!

"Robin?"

"TO THE OCEAN!"  The cook shouted

"To the sea!"

"THE SEA!!"

"FOLLOW LUFFY!"

"They go!"

All straw hats plus grandma and child jumped off the bridge

"THOSE PIRATES ARE JUMPING IN THE SEA!"

"Idiots! There's no way to escape if they jump out of there. Did they lose their minds ?!"

Fire 🔥🔥

Cannons started firing

"Back to the ocean of adventures!"

"BACK TO MERRY !!"

"MEERRYYY !!!"

'I came to get them'

-Merry is alive !!

-It's merry !!  I love merry!

-I can't believe this ship has already been dropped at sea!

-Who guided you here?

-That's not important, now we need to get out of here!

-Bhaa !!  That was close.  I thought I would be killed by those ships !!  Hey Robin you saved me thanks- Robin sprouted hands to keep you from talking any more.

-People ... thank you!

-Do not worry about it!  Shihihi!

Going merry managed to escape the clutches of the buster call, thanks to the sanji who closed the gates, activating the chains.

- Ussop is not here!  Do you know where he is?

-Don't worry he came back 1st with a ship!

-Eh, why?  This ship is now his!

"-Hello, where's the boar head woman ?"

"Huh?"

"Now that you mention it ... she is nowhere to be found !!"

"Robin, did you see her? She went to save you with Frankly."

"I saw it. She was fighting on our side, she told us to go ahead while she fought with the rest of the sailors."

"Now that you say none of the ships have come after us!"

"Masaka ... she stayed behind ... she ... took care of the ships ... for us."  - the Muguiwaras started to cry "for people she didn't even know ... damn."

"She was scary but deep down she was a good person! Bluhaaa" chopper broke down in tears

"I can't believe I left a lady behind!"  The coyheiro joined him

The muguiwara cried and thanked him for his sacrifice!  They cried even more when they had to say goodbye to Merry.  As soon as they found the Galelya people, the bow that held the front of the ship broke.  Luffy begged the staff to fix the merry, but the iceberg had already done that and said he was witnessing a miracle but there was a limit for miracles, it was better to let the ship rest.

Everyone left the ship, it was up to the captain to say goodbye, as soon as they set fire to the ship, snow started to fall, memories of the ship passed through the minds of each of the straw hats, who cried apologizing for not taking care of the right merry.  .

But merry was definitely happy.