PC: ACE 💀

[resumed]

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[resumed]

[ this is going to be the only time ace gets to do the hair rufflies!!! (it won't be, this is just what nico is telling himself.) ]

...I'm really scared something's going to happen to stop us both from getting there. But I can't really let that stop me from figuring out what to do next either. So...we will. We kind of have to. I'm not leaving without him.

[selfimmolation]

... We're going to do our best to get you both out. You know that, right?

[ they're not the only two working for it, is all he means. no one wants the boyfriends separated ]

[resumed]

[ yes and no, but he doesn't say that. instead: ]

Ideally, we're getting everyone out. [ he says, already wondering if they can just kidnap ace to bring him to one of their homes. not that he's sure ace would be happy, but...that's just the tiny, selfish part of him thinking. ]

[selfimmolation]

... That too. If the dead really are around, still, then... Maybe there's something we can do for them.

[ ace is uh not really including himself in something people can do to help buttttttttt ]

[resumed]

[ ...he's quiet again, tilting his head as he examines ace. ]

...I'm giving you a choice, because I think you deserve that much instead of being forced into something. Do you want me to see if there's something I can do for you, too?

[selfimmolation]

... What do you mean, something you can do for me?

[resumed]

[ just a slow blink. ]

My powers sort of specialize with the dead, remember?

[selfimmolation]

... Yeah, but that's... in your world. [ and also he is pretty sure raising the dead back to life was established to be a no no thing in that flashback ]

[resumed]

Yes. But my father owes me a favor or two, and I'm sure he'll be exasperated to know that it's once again not for me but for someone else. [ this is a joke, hades will actually likely just shake his head because this isn't unusual. ]

...but as I've said, it's your decision. We don't know what will happen or where we can go when we're done with this place.

[selfimmolation]

I can't just... go to another world.

[ he can't leave luffy, he means, even though dying means leaving luffy anyway, but it's different, if he's living and luffy thinks he's dead. it's worse. it's abandoning him instead. the rest of his crew, too, but-- he promised luffy. ]

[resumed]

[ this is about what he thought, yeah. ]

It wouldn't necessarily have to just be that. There are methods to look into. [ ... ] But it's...no pressure. I just thought...if you ever wanted.

[ it would feel shitty not to try, is all. ]

[selfimmolation]

I...

[ it's not like he wants to be dead, is the problem. he's accepted it, he's okay with it, but.

does he even deserve to think that but? ]

I'm not... saying no outright. But...

[resumed]

...it's a decision that requires a lot of time and thought. And not one to be made lightly. [ he doesn't seem offended. ] But no matter what you say about yourself, Ace, I'm always going to think it was unfair to you. My mind won't change on that.

[ which is something since death isn't exactly about what is and isn't fair. but maybe he just relates a little too much. ]

[selfimmolation]

... The world isn't fair, Nico. [ least of all death. but: ] If I can't ever go back to him, I'll always regret living like that.

[resumed]

I know. [ of course he knows. ] ...you mean back to Luffy, right?

[selfimmolation]

... Yeah. I promised.

[ he promised a lot of things he won't ever get to do, but, also-- how he's supposed to ever face sabo in the afterlife if he abandoned luffy just so he could live

note: sabo is not even dead ]

[resumed]

[ ... ]

I don't want to promise anything, but I don't want to not try either if I can. [ it's what it boils down to. ] I understand where you're needed.

[selfimmolation]

[ well. he doesn't know about needed. he's fine dying because luffy has his crew and will be alright without him, he's just not fine leaving on purpose. it's... different. he is not saying that. ]

I'm not going to tell you not to try.

[resumed]

[ there's a nod...and he sighs a bit. ]

I'm already looking into something for someone else, too. It's not like it's extra work, and...I don't mind doing these things for friends.

[selfimmolation]

... I get that. [ he sounds sincere on that part ] But you get why I can't take that sort of thing for granted, right?

[ they have very unfortunate things in common. ]

[resumed]

Of course I do. [ because they have very unfortunate things in common. ] I just...want you to know you're worth the second thought. That's all.

[selfimmolation]

[ ... ]

Thanks, Nico. [ he looks a little flustered but his grin's sincere even if he didn't like. actually agree with it ]

[resumed]

Don't thank me for that. [ gently tsun. ] ...but anytime.