Work Text:
With a satisfied sigh, Leone Abbacchio put the last bag of wheat in the barn. An old man approached him, handing the younger one some water.
‘Thank you so much for your help. At my age, it is nearly impossible to carry all of that, let alone with such heat.’ he said with a grateful expression.
Abbacchio groaned. Nunzio Pericolo was way too old to do farmer’s work. As he had little means, he had no help, and in addition had to financially support his three youngest daughters. So he had spoken to the king of the city, Giorno Giovanna, who had decided to send some of his personal servants to work for the old man. And even if Abbacchio’s role could have stopped there, here he was, helping along his king’s servants instead of enjoying the privileged existence of patricians.
With a small smile, Abbacchio waved goodbye to his host and left the estate. And as usual, all the plebeians watched him parting by foot, still amazed that a man of his rank walked instead of a litter. But if they knew where he was heading, they would acknowledge that this type of journey could only be made by foot.
Upon arriving at the temple, he felt the familiar shiver he always had. A mix of apprehension, fear, despair and hope. As usual he washed his face, arms and legs before rushing to the statue of Diavolo, the god of death. As usual he put at the feet of the huge stone statue a bottle of wine, and some of the best fruits cropped in the kingdom. As usual he humbly sat and bent, before beginning to gather himself. As usual, memories invaded his mind.
‘I am so sick of it!!’
The voice of Diavolo made you jump. Despite not being married anymore, he was your opposite, as you were the goddess of life, and therefore you were deeply connected, which is why you answered him with genuine worry.
‘What is the matter, Diavolo?’
The pink-haired god rolled off his eyes. ‘It’s been a year since a mortal kept praying to me every single day.’
You widened your eyes. ‘Should not you reward such devotion? I do not recall in human history anyone praying to you with such steadfastness. Even those who wished for someone"s death. Or maybe it is the purpose now?’
‘If it was for that, I would have settled that a long time ago!’ he barked. ‘But all this mortal is doing is thinking of someone who is dead and settled where he belongs!... I even bothered to show him his friend in his dreams!’
‘Clearly everything is not settled for him.’ you said with a compassionate smile. ‘Do you mind sharing this with me?...’
Diavolo grunted again but took the hand you were offering him. You closed your eyes and focused on the connection there was between the god of death and the mortal. The face of a young man appeared. He looked very handsome, with his white hair and his strong build. In addition, his stance showed nothing but humility, his eyes were shut and he had a sad expression painted on his face. While the attitude of this man had no effect on Diavolo, it didn’t fail to intrigue you. You couldn’t help but wonder what was in this man’s mind. And you realized you really wanted to know, by sheer compassion rather than curiosity. This could also help out Diavolo, you thought, as you let his hand go.
‘So?’ Diavolo cocked a brow.
You turned your head towards him with a serious expression.
‘Maybe there is something I can do. Give me some time.’ you concluded.
The same night, you decided to further examine Leone Abbacchio’s faithful mind. You could have done it while Diavolo shared with you the young man’s prayers, but decided to wait, as you did not like to interfere when a mortal was addressing another deity. But now, Abbacchio was asleep, which wouldn’t prevent you from diving in his conscience. You closed your eyes as well and focused on him.
When you opened your eyes, you saw the man as a child, sitting on a desk next to another one you heard was named Bruno Buccellati. They were both engrossed in a mathematics exercise which made them frown and sigh. Then, once they were done with their lesson, the two little boys ran out of the room to play outside, under the care of a young servant who sighed at the children’s energy but nevertheless joined them in their game. The memory faded away to leave the way to another. In this one, the two boys looked older, and were starting to be trained as warriors. They clearly appeared to be gifted - as each of them effortlessly defeated each comrade they were facing - and pride enlightened Abbacchio’s face.
The next memory was Abbacchio and Buccellati, now young adults, in an inn. The former was loudly singing a drinking song, while his friend was trying - not so hard, judging from the grin on his face - to make him get off the table he was on. Other men yelled something at him, but Abbacchio didn’t seem to mind and kept singing.
The setting changed again and the two friends were now on a battlefield, trying to defeat barbarians from the north. The violence and the dead bodies did not fail to make you shiver, but you decided to focus on your task and spotted Abbacchio. The young soldier was fighting his foe, none of them wanting to lose to another. Eventually, the north man stumbled on a corpse and lost his balance. Abbacchio seized the opportunity and made him fall on the dusty, bloody ground. He then raised his sword to finish him off, but suddenly stopped. Mercy, you thought, how uncommon. Did his enemy think it was his chance to try to kill him, or did he feel insulted because the roman warrior did not want to take his life, no one knows. Either way, the Norse rose and raised his ax, ready to make another victim. But Buccellati, who was near, pushed his friend off and was the one who took the ax on his face.
Abbacchio did not have the time to scream, his body reacted right away: he raised his arm and beheaded the foreign warrior.
The memories after that event only showed a man who was dead inside. His mind was only filled with this memory and repeated it over and over. When you saw him serving his king, or helping out farmers, he looked like a shadow who had escaped from Diavolo’s realm. The only moments when he seemed to be alive again were the times he was fervently praying for his friend’s soul.
You opened your eyes and gazed at Abbacchio’s sleeping figure. ‘Fear not’ you muttered. ‘Your prayers have been heard.’
The following days, Abbacchio felt different. His mind felt less foggy, he had more energy, which wasn’t unnoticed. His king, Giorno Giovanna, commented on it with polite delicacy. The subordinates he had felt relieved their superior didn’t glare at them or grunt his orders. All of them made assumptions, some thought he had inherited from a relative, others he was in love, or even that he had changed his diet. Only King Giorno, as the smart and spiritual person he was, guessed that gods must have been involved, to an extent that was unknown to him.
One night, Abbacchio decided to take a walk in his gardens. Everyone was asleep, which was perfect for him. But suddenly, he spotted the silhouette of a young woman under a large tree. He frowned and batted his lashes several times, as he could swore she had appeared in a second.
Smiling, you gazed at him in the most gentle way possible. Abbacchio was still surprised, slowly beginning to get used to this apparition. He did not ask who you were, as deep down he already knew, and did not know what to say or do. So you approached him, still smiling.
The young man noticed each of your steps made appear some tiny, glowing flowers that turned white once you moved off those. Once you were a few inches away from him, you stopped, smile never leaving your face.
‘Good evening, Leone Abbacchio.’ you spoke with a soft voice.
Now he could clearly see her face, Abbacchio knew. She was the deity he had to thank, but he was still overwhelmed and could not say a word, so he bent his head, blushing. With a small laugh, you took his chin in your hand and made him raise his head. While looking at your eyes, he saw nothing but kindness and empathy, a silent acknowledgement of what he had been through and also the answer to his prayers.
Abbacchio was far from a virgin, but nevertheless felt nervous and very excited. The most beautiful woman he ever saw, and a goddess, was now before him, naked and ready to have sex with him. As you were both sitting on his bed, your hands moved to his thighs before going higher. With your left hand, you palmed his balls and with the right hand, you began to stroke his member. In no time it became hard and precum began to drip. Abbacchio let out light groans, much to your pleasure but then he managed to regain a bit of composure and gently pushed your hands away. Upon catching your surprised look, he grinned at you.
‘A goddess came to visit me, I must show her my gratitude.’
As you laid down, he lowered his face to your sex’s level. After humming the smell, he pressed his lips on your lower ones. At first he was gentle, kissing and lightly biting your clit, but as your moans became louder, he fastened his pace. Then your partner used his fingers and thrusted in your hot, wet core. He curled and scissored his fingers while aggressively sucking on your clit. Your screams of pleasure filled his room, which were music to the mortal’s ears. And in addition, Abbacchio felt your hands grabbing his hair and your pelvis following his pace. His jaw was beginning to ache but he couldn’t care less, as he felt he was edging you more and more. Then none of you could take it anymore, so he rose and you watched him positioning his dick to your entrance and slowly entering you.
As Abbacchio was thrusting into you, you observed his face. He was so handsome, with his half-lidded eyes and open mouth. You also loved to feel his hot breath as he was sighing loudly. Buried in your warm, tight insides, you could feel his dick, big and strong. It made you moan and claw the young man’s back. Abbacchio was very pleased with this approval, and began to thrust harder and deeper. This change made your head fall back ecstasy, and as he proceeded with his exploration, your left hand went down, grabbed his ass and squeezed it. It made him grunt and hold you tighter. With delight, you circled your legs around his waist and felt him hugging you and kissing your lips, your cheeks, your neck as he penetrated you deeper and deeper. Excited by your moans and tightened hole, Abbacchio changed his speed and went faster. You looked up and saw his face, his expression so needy, so lewd, so desperate. The young man was now ravishing you like a mad man, holding you even tighter. His moans became deep grunts, then screams of pure pleasure. The bed you were on was shaking, and no doubt if some people had their rooms next to his, they would be awakened by the shock of the furniture against the wall and Abbacchio’s loud voice.
You could feel you were close to coming, and he noticed it. With a prideful grin, Abbacchio grabbed your hips, never taking his eyes off your figure, and set an even brutal and passionate pace. You couldn’t take your eyes off his face either, you loved every single detail: his forehead covered in sweat, making his hair clinging to it, his muscular torso, his pleading eyes and his deep voice. All of these details made you explode, orgasm invading your body. Abbacchio followed you, like a desperate man he kept thrusting and eventually came, roaring with pleasure.
It took Abbacchio several minutes to catch his breath. When he finally did, he collapsed next to you. At the same time, you both turn your heads towards each other. You smiled at him and stroked his cheek. Abbacchio closed his eyes to focus on the caress.
At dawn, you were gone, and Abbacchio woke up alone. For the first time since a long time, the patrician felt completely relaxed. And people around him could feel it. He appeared less tense, and was more friendly - in his own way. Days passed and became weeks. He began to participate in celebrations again, and got more involved in the city life, much to Giorno’s pleasure. Meanwhile, perfectly aware of Abbacchio’s change of demeanour and delighted with it, you were sitting with the gods and having a feast. It was a good time, everyone was talking and laughing, so you took the opportunity to announce you were with child. Everyone widened their eyes upon hearing the news, and some even screamed of surprise when they heard it was the offspring of a mortal you were carrying, as it was the first time this was happening to you. Foo Fighters, your eldest child and the goddess of sea, expressed a childish and cheerful excitement that was unique to her.
‘Last time Mother had a child was millenniums ago! It means something great is going to happen soon! Maybe the seas will expand!’ she stated.
‘Come on, F.F, how can you wish that?’ Jolyne, your third child and goddess of time replied with a sigh. ‘What about Ermes?’
The latter, goddess of earth, sighed as well, but couldn’t prevent herself from laughing.
‘Yes, what about me? Why should I not wish for my territory to expand as well?’ she taunted, as she knew how much her older sister loved her attribute.
It worked perfectly and the two began to squabble. Dio, the god of intelligence and war, spoke up, looking at you.
‘I doubt something as spectacular would happen, dear Foo Fighters. After all, it is the spawn of a mortal.’ he smirked with slight contempt. You frowned at his comment.
‘You have more mortal children than I do. Not to mention, Giorno is an exceptional man.’ you answered, being aware of the human king’s feats. But Dio shrugged.
‘He is the only one that stands out among the others. And remains mortal. Also, I must tell you, the quality of the mortal parent makes the difference. Who is that man again?’ he continued, being perfectly aware of Abbacchio’s past.
You opened your mouth, but Jonathan, the king of the gods, intervened.
‘Regardless of this child’s father, there is no doubt it is already blessed by having the goddess of life as its mother.’ he stated, smiling at you and raising his cup. Your children present here grinned with pride, and all the other gods did as Jonathan. Dio politely nodded and you smiled, grateful for your king’s words, and the party continued.
At dusk, Jonathan approached you. You were in your dwelling, sitting on the edge of the fountain in your gardens. You raised your head as you heard him and wanted to give him a proper greeting but he took your hand and sat with you. You smiled at him.
‘Thank you for your kindness, my Lord. Now and earlier.’
‘No need to, (Name). I meant it, and you know how Dio can be, do not pay attention to him.’ he answered with a gentle smile.
You cracked a smile, then sighed. ‘I believe he is right about one thing. The reason I did not have any mortal children before was because of that. Once they die, they belong to a realm that is not mine…’
Jonathan silently nodded. As the life deity, you deeply loved your children and could not bear the idea of losing your connection with any of them. He patted your head, which reminded you of your childhood.
‘Do not forget something. This child has a father that will no doubt be doting on him. And as he will live, he will meet people dear to him.’ he said with a compassionate gaze. ‘Your child will not be alone, he will have an extraordinary life. And when the time comes, he will go to the Fortunates Isles, surrounded by people as wonderful as him. Or maybe he can gain immortality, if he deserves it and everyone agrees.’
You sighed with relief and pressed his hand in yours, wordlessly thanking him for his support.
A few months later, word spread all across the town that Leone Abbacchio had a son. Many theories about the identity of the mother or if the newborn was even related to the patrician popped. The young father, too surprised by the arrival of this baby, ignored the gossip. All that mattered to him now was to take care of the child. Instinctively, he knew it was both a gift from above and his own flesh and blood. King Giorno acknowledged this fact as well, telling his subject with a bright smile the freckles his son was born with were the sign of a divine blessing and therefore good fortune. Upon hearing this, Abbacchio cried and swore himself to do everything to make his son and you happy and proud of him.