JJBA One Shots - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure

Departures and Decisions - Panncotta Fugo

Taking place during part 5, at the time Fugo decides to stay behind:

Bucciarati had just betrayed the boss, and the group found themselves in a state of shock and disbelief. For years they had all shown their unwavering support for Bucciarati, but also absolute loyalty to the organization - yet in an instant, the ideas that shaped their everyday lives, actions and decisions had drastically changed.

You stood conflicted at the dock next your best friend, Fugo. The salty air kissed your skin and the sound of waves echoed in your ears, only helping to stir your aggrevated senses even more. Betraying the boss would be the riskiest decision of your life. Your heart raced with determination, wanting to stay with Bucciarati. Like the rest of the group, Bucciarati had saved you at your lowest. He nurtured you with love and kindness, giving you a meaning to live and becoming the father that you never had. He gave you his everything, and for that you owed  him your everything. You decided - you would betray the boss and go with Bucciarati. 

"I owe you my life, but going with you now would be a different matter," Fugo said solemnly to Bucciarati as he stepped backward, moving further up the steps on the dock and away from the boat, "you've lost sight of reality, we can't survive without the organization."

You turned your head to look over at Fugo. Was he really not going to come? The two of you had became so close over the past years, becoming almost inseparable. You couldn't imagine your life without him. Together, you fought battles against terrible enemies, but also against the memories of your past traumas and memories. Never once either of you judged each other, instead always lending help and support when needed. Now you were not so sure of your decision.

"Fugo's absolutely right, what you did was basically suicide," Abbacchio responded. 

A knot twisted up inside of your stomach - fear. Fugo and Abbacchio were right. If you got inside that boat, every day would be lived fear of constant, unbeknownst dangers. The boss did not tolerate traitors, especially your group since you were protecting Trish. You would fight powerful enemies left and right, and never find safety or sanctuary ever again.

Your thoughts were broken by Abbacchio: 

"The only time I'm ever at ease is when I'm with you, Bucciarati," Abbacchio said as he bravely stepped onto the boat - negating his past words.

You glanced back at Bucciarati, noticing his expression of a mix of determination and resignation. Even though he knew what consequences would come by protecting Trish, he continued to follow his values. Inspired by both him and Abbacchio's loyalty, the choice before you seemed a little clearer, but you still couldn't take your mind off of Fugo.

"You can't be serious Abbacchio!" Fugo yelled, his voice laced with pain and fear for his friend. Even though the two weren't very close, you could feel Fugo's heart breaking. How would he feel if you left too?

"Bucciarati's smart," Mista said confidently while wrapping his arm around Giorno, "He never goes into a fight that he has no chance of winning."

Mista was right, as a team, you all had never lost. His words, although aimed at Giorno, had reassured you as well.

"Fugo..." you began, your voice barely a whisper as your eyes averted to the ground. The ache of impending separation tightened its grip around your heart.

But before you could find the words to express what was going through your mind, Fugo turned to look at you, already knowing what you were thinking. He violently grabbed your shoulders, turning you to face him. His eyes, once filled with determination, now reflected a depth of sorrow that mirrored your own.

You swallowed hard, the lump in your throat threatening to choke you. You knew that you had to get on that boat, but in the face of Fugo you no longer knew if you had the strength to do it. 

Suddenly, his short moment of sadness had turned into anger. Fugo, the boy who normally spoke to you softly, and looked at you with kindness was yelling at you, his eyes full of rage: "You've all lost your minds!" Fugo screamed, "Where are you going to run to? No, you wont even make it out of Venice alive!"

His grip on your shoulders tightened as he shouted, his voiced cracked with emotion and his eyes looked straight into yours. Consumed by his rage, his fingernails dug into your skin with painful intensity. You could feel tremors coursing though his body. His knuckles turned white from the strength of his grip. Despite what it looked like, you could sense the desperation in his touch. It wasn't just anger driving him; it was a desperate plea, if he held on tight enough then maybe you wouldn't go. 

You felt the first trickle of blood seep from the wounds on your shoulders. Your vision blurred with tears from the physical pain, but also it hurt you to see Fugo so upset. "Fugo, please," you whispered calmly, your voice a gentle counterpoint to his rage, "Its okay, just calm do-"

You were interrupted by Mista, who had jumped off of the boat. He grabbed Fugo's hands and pried them off of you, then forcefully pushed him by the chest. Fugo fell backwards onto the ground.

"What the hell are you doing Fugo? Don't make this harder than it already is for {name]," Mista shouted while he softly held your wrist and pulled you behind him. Despite his tough exterior, Mista had a soft spot for you, always treating you gently.

Fugo staggered to stand up again, his expression a mixture of shock and anger as he glared at Mista. However, you could sense his vulnerability. For a moment, Fugo seemed to waver as he recoiled from the sight of the blood staining your skin. The realization of what he had done dawned on him, his eyes widening with horror at the sight of the wounds he had inflicted.

"I'm so sorry, [name]," Fugo muttered, "I can't lose you too, please don't go, its too dangerous."

The confession hung heavy in the air, a small snapshot to the depth of his fear and the strength of his feelings. As you met his gaze, you saw the raw emotion reflected in his eyes - his fear of not having you by his side.

"I know you're scared. But I believe in Bucciarati. I trust that he knows what he's doing," you said, "I have to do this."

With a heavy heart, you turned away from Fugo, your steps faltering as you made your way back to the boat. Each footfall was heavy with the weight of your decision.

Fugo watched you, his concern etched deeply in the furrow of his brow. He couldn't bear the thought of you venturing into the unknown, into a world fraught with danger and uncertainty. The idea of losing you clawed at his chest, threatening to suffocate him.

"[name] stop! Please come back! I didn't mean to hurt you!" Fugo called out to you, reaching out to with trembling hands.

As you boarded the vessel, your heart weighted with the burden of goodbye, you stole one last glance at Fugo standing on the shore.

"I'll come back Fugo, I promise," you said.

You sat down next to Mista and the boat pulled away from the dock. You couldn't shake the feeling of Fugo's eyes boring into your back, silently begging for you to reconsider, to come back to safety.

With a heavy sigh, Mista turned to face you, his expression softened with empathy. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle yet tinged with urgency. He reached his hands out to lightly trace the skin around your shoulders. 

Even with Mista's concern and support, you found yourself unable to respond, your emotions too great to put into words.  You turned away from him, your gaze drifting back to the shore where Fugo stood, a solitary figure bathed in the fading light of dusk.