Another Universe 2023 Version

5.

Two weeks have passed since the portal opened.

Y/n decided to open up to Nico and Nero just enough so she wouldn't be a burden. Whenever Nero's busy Y/n spends time with Nico and the other way around.

"Okay. Now put this wire here." Nero points at the connecting point on his devil breaker. Y/n carefully attaches the wire just like Nico showed her. As she connects the wire Nero groans a bit. "Oh, sorry", Y/n immediately says as she knows this must've hurt him. "You're good", He says with a pained smile.

His eyes meet hers. He could get lost in them, that beautiful e/c color.

"Nero?" Y/n snaps her fingers in front of his face. "You sure you're okay? Do I have something on my face?" Nero only chuckles. "Nothing in particular." Y/n raises an eyebrow and packs up the tools next to her. "You're weird", She says. "I know", He answers playfully.

Suddenly Nico barges in. "Get up, you two, we've got business to take care of!"

Both Y/n and Nero look at Nico in confusion.
"What kind of business", Nero asks having a faint idea of where this is going. "Demons have been trying to take over the west side of Red Grave. Morrison just called."
"Let's go."
"No!" Both Nico and Nero look at Y/n.
"What, I want to help!"
"No, Y/n. This is far too dangerous for you", Nero says as her gently pushes her out of the van.
"The last thing we need is you getting hurt, okay?"
"So? I can look after myself, I'll just stay in the van", Y/n says as she pushes past Nero back into the van. "Y/n-"
"Just shut up and let's go!"

Not wanting to make things more difficult Nico starts the van and they drive towards the location they are supposed to investigate.

As they finally arrive at the scene they see a few soldiers trying to fight off a horde of Empusas.
Y/n recognizes them immediately. Most of the soldiers are wounded and can barely hold their ground. Nico stops the van and Nero gets up from his seat to grab his gear.
"Promise me you won't do anything stupid", He says as he walks past Y/n. "Please, the last thing I want is to interact with those things. I heard you can handle them on your own just fine." Y/n smirks to herself almost proud that she managed to say this without mentioning the game.

"Just promise me", Nero says as he fixates his sword onto his back. "Fine, promise."

Nero then leaves the van and jumps right into battle. Nico screams out her window as he destroys her devil breaker prototypes one by one. It's hilarious to see their interactions outside of the game.

Just now Y/n notices that Nero left his gun. „Uh, Nico. He left his gun."

"He what! I'm going to kill him."

Without thinking Y/n grabs the gun and steps outside the van. "Nero", She yells immediately catching the man's attention. "Y/n! Get back inside", He yells back at her as he rams his sword through an Empusa. "Your gun!" She throws it to him and he catches it perfectly.

Y/n quickly jumps back into the van and tries to close the door but something is stopping her. Her eyes widen as an insect like claw pushes the door open. With all her force Y/n tries to close it, knowing what's on the other side. "Nico!"
The mechanic jumps out of her car seat and tries to help Y/n but it's useless.

Y/n never imagined Empusas to be so strong. Even with two people pulling at the door that demon is still stronger.

Suddenly the force of the insect like creature stops and they can hear it falling to the ground, a gunshot echoing through the city. Nero.

Y/n and Nico quickly shut the door and lock it up. With a racing heart Y/n falls down onto the couch. It was close, too close. Right after promising Nero to stay out of trouble. What was she thinking.

After a few more minutes the door opens again, this time with a worried and somewhat angered Nero stomping inside. "You promised to stay out of trouble", He yells. "I know, I-"
"You could have died! That thing could have sliced you up into millions of pieces, Y/n."

She knows what she did but Nero yelling at her makes it even more of a reality.

Tears start to form in her eyes as Nero's lecture becomes almost incomprehensible. Every word he says becomes a blur. "Nero, you're scaring her", Is what she can make out of Nico's blurry words.

Fear, fear is all she can feel right now. This situation, this feeling, it all goes back to that one moment. She'd rather forget all about it but who'd forget about mistakes?

Everyone forgets your success when you make a mistake.

Suddenly she feels hands on her shoulders shaking her out of her trance. "Y/n!"

As she looks up she stares right into Nero's blue eyes. "Hey", He says with a soft tone. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Y/n shakes her head in no as she slowly comes back to the present.
"I'm sorry I yelled. I was just worried something might have happened to you."

Y/n manages to find her voice, her throat feels dry. "I'm fine", She stutters.

She looks around and notices the landscape soaring past them. Nico is already on the road again.

"Hey." Her attention goes back to Nero.
"I have a short temper when it comes to things like this. And I don't you to get hurt."
"I forgive you." She smiles at the man in front of her and he releases a sigh of relief.
"Thank god. Y/n, I was really worried."
"Are you going soft, or what?" A soft smile spreads onto his lips. Even though it was a slight insult but those words show that she's back to her normal self.

"Hug it out", She suggests and spreads out her arms. "Hug it out." Nero practically falls into her arms, happy about her forgiveness.

"I promise to stay in the van. I don't want to do that again." Nero pulls her closer.
"Looks like we're on the same page."