Summary: Just because another minute Singularity decided to manifest in the Caribbean Sea of all places, doesn't mean a vacation is out of the question. Achilles knows it best when it comes to his workaholic of a little Princess he calls Master. Especially after witnessing the end of Faerie Britain.

Note: After Summer 5 came at a bad time with my maternal grandpa's passing (to where I'm just not going to write much for it period — let it be said Yu Mei-ren and her entire plot actually just hit some nerves with my grandma's continued grieving), Summer 6 read a lot more kindly to me with losing half of my work team from their own hangups at the new hospital I've been working at for almost a year. Even with Columbus being the antagonist, there's just something about Summer 6's cast that's been hitting all the right notes for me.

It helps that Achilles' summer alt had me squealing the entire time and wanting to hug him. (Let it be said I write Achilles based on my real life best guy friend while Robin is based on my boyfriend — both men I love hugging a lot outside of my own blood-related family. I still do.)

So here's my take on the first few sections of Summer 6, with fluff, hijinks, and plain affection mixed in. No big spoiler warnings this time, aside from some tossed references to the end of Lostbelt 6.

The theme for this chapter is split between two songs: (1) Shiny Days by Asaka, the opening to the first season of Laid-Back Camp; and (2) Wimp by Lil' Fang and FAKY, the second opening to Gundam Build Fighters.

Here we go.

Day 69: Summer Calm

"A minute singularity in the eighteenth century version of the Caribbean islands of all things…" Director Goredolf flipped through the papers that Sion had provided from Trismegistus II's analysis, doing his best to ignore the growing headache on the horizon. "Most likely, it will be another summer event, but this list of recommended Servants is…"

Chaotic, dysfunctional, dangerous were all apt adjectives for what Trismegistus gathered, and Goredolf pinched the bridge of his nose. Charlotte Corday, Mandricardo, and Sei Shonagon were three Servants that were proven to be capable in their own rights (although a bit "loopy" when it came to their specific priorities, Sei in particular being rather… unpredictable, not helped by her new Berserker designation of all things with her swimsuit), but Lord Caenis, Okita Alter, Kama, Anastasia, and even Edward Teach? Yes, this was the Caribbean islands, but it was still a Singularity. Not to mention Kama was still a former Beast and Anastasia was already previously assigned to watch over Kadoc Zemlupus. Wouldn't Vy need more than—

Goredolf paused over his cup of tea. One name stood out to him on his list and he felt his eyebrow twitch.

"Even if Trimegistus doesn't always recommend them, one of Vy's Grailed still chooses to show up, don't they?" he muttered. The growing smile on his face was undeniable, though, and he nodded his head before reaching over to the intercom button on his desk. The input command to the receiver was already set, and he took a breath over the mic once the button folded underneath his finger.

If Trismegistus doesn't say anything more, then— He steeled his outward voice as best as he could.

"Achilles, are any of the other Grailed there with you in the Grail Lounge? There is something I need to ask of all of you in regards to the upcoming mission."

"Senpai…"

"I-I'll be okay, Mash, don't worry." Even so, the words felt like sawdust in her mouth as Vy tugged at the strap of her summer hat hanging loosely over her neck. It didn't help that the sash of the Chaldea Pathfinder uniform felt awkward sitting against her chest as she tapped the tip of one boot against the floor for extra caution. Sure, like the other Mystic Codes Chaldea had provided since she became a Master, this one was fully leveled, ready for any kind of situation that came with combat, but the memories associated with the Pathfinder in particular were odd. Hard. Painful. "The briefing should start soon, so it's okay."

"If you're sure…"

She wished she could be. Hell, the more Vy said the word "okay," the more she wanted to believe in it. Because in all honesty, last year's summer was one she didn't want to remember — zombies and the other various horror movie monsters, Abby's attitude, Kiara just being… Kiara, and Yu Mei-ren's general selfishness when Xiang Yu wasn't in the picture — it was a total mess. If not for EMIYA, Illya, Murasaki, Gao Changgong, Sigurd, Brynhildr, and Tomoe (not to mention Robin tagging along because of course he would), Vy could already surmise last year's summer camp as a contender for personal worst mission, right behind Agartha, even.

It was why Vy wasn't expecting Mash and Director Goredolf to then exchange looks with growing smiles. Mash wasn't foreign to smiles, sure, but Director Goredolf? What was going on—?

"Princess!"

The call of one of her more familiar nicknames was all the warning she received before arms were resting underneath her own and lifting her up from her standing place in the Command Room. A "Fwah!" left her instinctively thanks to losing her foothold and instead being left to gravity, a single twirl of something orange being all she could see when she tried to twist her head over her shoulder for answers.

Wait. Orange?

"A-A-Achi~?" Surprised laughter spilled out of her mouth once the hands holding onto her sides pulled her close for a snuggle, a firm chin bumping her shoulder once Rider started pivoting on his prized heels to spin them both around. "W-Waaaaah, Achi!" The room was starting to spin too, but it was growing warm. Achi felt warm.

"Princess!" The aptly nicknamed Achilles cooed in response to her giggles, surprisingly not in armor for once and — and was that a smaller Tarasque jumping off his shoulder? It was surprisingly easier to feel the defined muscle tone of his arms past the new outfit he was wearing — a sleeveless bodysuit that could've been a wetsuit, with… cubes attached to the belts of his cargo pants past the tied jacket of his waist? He was still hugging her and twirling her around, though, so Vy couldn't complain. "Found ya!"

"Y-You did, you did, Achi, but—!" More giggles were cutting off her sentences, in spite of her vision beginning to swirl from her flailing feet (were her boots even on anymore?) and Achilles' continued spinning. But, uh… "Everything's spinning really really bad, so a-as much as I love you and your hugs, could you please p-put me down~?!"

"Whoops," is all Achilles says, and as quickly as the world starts to get blurry, Vy's feet touch the ground and everything is starting to become steady again. Heck, the next thing she knows, Achilles is resting a hand on her head to pat it. "Sorry about that, Princess." Despite the apology, his wide grin doesn't imply he's all that sorry about it, a warm gleam in his yellow eyes as he leaned over to wrap both arms around her waist once she wobbled in place, lifting her up slightly to keep her standing. "Had to start the surprise on a good note."

"S-Surprise?" Vy's vision was still blurry past her glasses, a lump surfacing in her throat as her arms instinctively gripped fistfuls of his new shirt for balance. "Like what you're wearing…" The words failed her once she raised her head to look up into his eyes, and Achilles grinned again. "Wait." Vy's voice cracked. "Achi?"

"Yes~?"

"This outfit," Vy tugged at what grip she had of his new shirt, heat starting to flood her face (this time pleasantly too, compared to the previous embarrassment, huh) from the slow realization dawning on her. "Don't tell me, did Trismegistus—"

"Bah, Trismegistus only recommended me, and I wouldn't have listened to it even if it didn't!" Achilles still leans down to hug her tighter than before, shaking his head and sounding almost pouty despite the hand gently brushing through her hair. "But this time it decided to put me on the list of recommended tag-alongs, so whatever your wish is on the Caribbean Islands is my command, Princess! The older Da Vinci just helped with the outfit!"

It took Vy a moment to realize she was starting to smile. The little Tarasque sitting at their feet could be addressed later. Right now— "So that means… I can take you on the newest summer adventure like I do with Mash, Big Robin, Shii-chan, and Shirou? And not be scared of any zombies?"

Achilles could've easily been holding up the sun with how bright his voice sounded against her ear. "Of course!"

Vy smiled wider and stood up on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around her Grailed Rider's neck. The "thankie" on her lips felt insufficient now. It was still a comfort, nonetheless, to find Achilles happily lifting her up in another, less dizzying, hug in return.

Achi helps the world feel less weird, her heart concluded. It was a good conclusion.

"What is this, an investigation or a vacation…?" Nonetheless, Goredolf did his best to keep his voice down, as he could already sense some dirty looks being directed his way. The previous debacle with Passionlip and the botched Kiara simulation was one he knew the other Servants wouldn't be forgetting anytime soon, his own limbs aching at the mere memory of the "re-education" classes the Shielder and his Administrative Advisor assigned him to with equally matching "what the fuck" faces. (The day he would admit to seeing that AI BB cry in those classes was probably the day he'd be eternally assigned to being the manager of her "BB Channel." Grudges had lifetimes to cultivate, it seemed.)

It didn't stop his growing confusion at the sheer number of swimsuit-donning Servants running around, though, because wasn't Chaldea supposed to be an organization meant to save Humanity? Fight to preserve Proper Human History? Why were the Carribean islands being treated like a vacation anyway? Was it just the summer mood? Or the general desire to just destress?

"Chan-mas, let's go gather information!"

"N-Nagi, the campsite still needs securing, give me just a—"

"Nope! Not waiting! Achi, grab her!"

"Don't call me 'Achi', Nagiko! That's Vy's shtick and Vy's alone!"

"Shtick, mick! You grabbing her or not? There's pirates to talk to and booze to drink!"

"What do you think?"

The shrill squeal that was telling of the Chaldean Master being picked up and hoisted into a carry had Goredolf hold back a sigh. Despite her accomplishments, she was nowhere near a properly-raised mage in terms of social grace, that was for sure. (The high-pitched, "Achiiiiiii!", merely proved his point. At least Achilles was proving to be a good choice by Trismegistus if his carrying Vy was anything to go off of.) It would certainly explain the aptly dressed Robin Hood (for once not in his swim trunks and hoodie from Luluhawa, but instead in a casual T-shirt, straw hat, and sweatpants) following his "little sparrow" as his Grailed Rider comrade carried her away — because even someone like him could get worried. The Grailed Berserker version of Miyamoto Musashi laughing along the way as she followed Robin's every footstep seemed apt enough. (Although what was with Okita Alter and her carrying a small child when running after them both?)

Still, considering the mess that was Faerie Britain and the fallout that was its collapse from the many Calamities plaguing it (that could've leaked into Proper Human History too, god, he did not want to think about it), Goredolf really couldn't fault anyone for wanting to take this new minute Singularity for an attempt at relaxation. (Even he packed an umbrella for himself, give or take. And extra bacon. That darn ex-Beast of an animal called "Fou" would keep filching from him if he wasn't careful.) From what he could see, there were beaches at every corner, forests to explore, and even possible caves to go looking for treasure. The villages definitely had rather pathetic folk pretending to be pirates at every corner, and if the… er, bipedal-walking sharks were any indication, there was still a threat to manage, but not something as bad as four Calamities one after another that made the fictional apocalypses in story books appear tame.

"Hey, Gof! You got any curry ingredients? The kids are asking for it!"

"Just a minute, Lord Caenis! We still need to set up the campfire!"

Ah well. No point in dwelling. At least in this little campsite he was setting up with Kyrielight and his swimsuit-donning Technical Advisor, he could find some peace in preparing the food. Cooking on his own could confirm no poison being set in without his knowledge. Faerie Britain made Goredolf despise the idea of poison so much more now compared to what he remembered of the Clock Tower. Even if it had helped Vy's chosen Archer in winning them the long battle with Cernunnos — the actions of the faeries in that alternate Britain forever tainted it for him.

At least here, he could push the growing disgust to the side to focus on something else for once.

"...Sorry about the not-so-gentle handling. How're you holding up, Princess?" A delightfully cool hand was pressing against her forehead once their group had made it to the outskirts of this island's town, more than one pair of hands reaching out to push her back into leaning against the supportive bark of the tree Achilles had chosen to land on. "The ride wasn't too rough?"

"I-I kinda wish I got a warning before you picked me up, Achi, but I'm okay, really. It's not the worst handling I've ever had, so you're good." Once the hand on her head moved down to cup her cheek, Vy raised one of her own to hold it softly, a small smile all she could muster from the adrenaline fading from her veins. Summer still meant work in this day and age — she had to keep reminding herself that. The worry was appreciated, though. "How is the town looking?"

"Pretty lively, Chan-mas!" Sei interrupted before Achilles could put a word in, her rocking on the heels of her sandals enough to rock the foliage up above Vy's head thanks to Sei's place a few branches up there. "We can probably get lots of deets down there if we all jump!"

"Once you quit shaking our hiding spot, sure, Nagiko," Robin pointed out with a face, the thumb gently brushing some dirt off Vy's cheek confirming that the cool hand on her face was his — warming her skin and making the growing fatigue in her muscles feel less prominent. "Here's a better question: can you even talk around pirates?"

"Think so!"

"I'm here too, Robin, don't forget about me!" Blackbeard crowed loudly in protest, only wincing once the three Grailed in their group were apparently shooting him glares. Vy was too tired to even reprimand any of them for her sore eardrums. "I can work my way around a pub easy-peasy, so no worries about that! I'll take Nagiko and teach her the basics of drinking!"

"Yeah, let's go, Beardie!"

With that shout in the air, a single shake of the tree was all it took for the leaves to stop falling on top of Vy's hair, the glowering around her seemingly having stopped with it. Did Blackbeard take Sei down to the village? Heck, if he did, were they as a duo going to be okay?

"…Rengoku," Okita Alter spoke up quietly for the first time since the group had landed amongst the trees from jumping, "should we follow them?"

"Wielder, your shooting star is resting against a tree looking almost comatose," the tiny sword-turned child retorted, and an equally small hand was reaching over to brush the leaves out of Vy's hair. "What do you think?"

"I-I'm not comatose, Rengie," Vy said immediately in spite of the draining effect the words cause her, opening her eyes only to be greeted with the blurry forms of Robin, Musashi, Okita, and Achilles pointedly surrounding her, each Servant wearing their own odd faces from obvious concern. Even the smaller Rengoku seemed unconvinced once Vy turned to him to pat his head past his hoodie, so Vy forced a smile. Was it the Rayshift or just Achi's jumping that was causing the butterflies flying in her stomach? She didn't want to know at this point. Instead— "I just need to drink something and I'll be fine."

We still have a job to do, vacation or not.

"Wielder's Master…" Rengoku said softly.

"Well! Guess it's a good thing the town was our next destination," Musashi puts in with forced cheer, hands on her hips as she shares a not-so-hidden glance with Achilles and Robin. Once all attention goes to her, she states in a matter-of-fact voice, "One of us can carry you, little riceball, if you're still willing to move. We can find you some drinks there."

"I'll carry you," Achilles puts in before Robin can open his mouth, the look in his yellow eyes apologetic and completely, sincerely remorseful as he extends a hand to rest it on Vy's shoulder. "I'll hold back on the speed this time. Didn't realize Nagiko pushed me so bad until you were screaming."

"Shii-chan… Achi…" Vy glanced between the two, weakly rubbing at one of her eyes past her glasses before turning her head to meet Robin's gaze. "Can I go, Big Robin?"

"That's not really my choice to make, little sparrow," Robin murmured, but the concern in his eye is genuine as he tips his straw hat at her. "But if you're okay, I'm willing to go with whatever you feel up to."

Vy smiled again before turning back to Achilles. Raising both arms his way, she asked, "If you're okay with carrying me, please keep the speed below Mach 1, Achi? Just in case? I don't wanna throw up on your shoulder."

Achilles grinned back and leaned in to start another hug. "I'll be as slow as I can manage."

A few moments later, there was a different issue to handle.

"BRING ON THE NEXT ROUND OF DRINKS! IF I MESS UP ON THE NEXT PUNCHLINE, IT'S ALL ON ME!"

Muu. Vy thought. It's loud.

Despite the intrusive thoughts, Vy did her best to lean back in the chair the others provided from the bar, closing her eyes and leaning back against the corner of the wall to try and drown out the hubbub. From the looks of things, Sei, Blackbeard, and Musashi had started a drinking contest with whatever pirates and ghosts were present in the tavern in an attempt to gather information — something about it being Achi's idea? — with whoever outdrank the other side would then cough up information about the new "great bauble" that the old pirates from the Golden Age left behind.

Sure, it was a sound idea in theory, but for someone who was already exhausted from the Rayshift, speed jumping, and now more social interaction with newly swimsuit-outfitted Servants, Vy's social battery was hitting red. No — it already had been; fumes were all that were powering her now. And was something ringing in the back of her ears? It hurt…

It was why she wasn't expecting a cold glass to touch her cheek, a soft muted gasp being all she could muster as her tired eyelids opened instinctively. What greeted her past the ringing of her ears were three faces — one grinning, one worried, and the third rather stoic if not for the concerned look shining in pointedly red eyes. "…Achi? Big Robin? Kama-san?"

"Hey there. Holding up okay, Princess?" Achilles' voice was soft, barely toeing a whisper in contrast to the bright smile on his face, yellow eyes gleaming with… with love and care throughout both irises as he gently pushed the glass into her space bubble. It looked like juice, and before Vy could open her mouth, he said, "I asked the bartender for something non-alcoholic. Water can't be trusted in this time period, last I checked."

"Thankie…" It still felt like moving her arms through sludge to take it, and even through her dulled senses, she could feel Robin and Kama take seats right next to her, bigger hands (were they Robin's?) reaching over to support hers as she attempted to sip at the glass. The liquid inside tasted fruity — a little like Gatorade, maybe? — and it didn't make her want to cough as the liquid went down. Someone was fiddling with her hair — adjusting the lotus clip Robin gave her? — and the haziness in the backs of her eyes was slowly starting to go away. "How come… how come you three aren't in the drinking contest?"

"Didn't feel like it," Kama retorted first, a pointed little tug at Vy's hair confirming they were behind the pair of hands fixing it. Were they… were they trying to make a new hair style or something? "It's too loud and I just got here."

"Musashi's got the drinking covered," Achilles added when Vy peered up at him past the rim of her juice glass, shaking his head from his place kneeling in front of her. As if to add extra emphasis (or maybe comfort even) to Rider's words, Tarasque jumped off his shoulder to land in Vy's lap, curling up to lean against her stomach with a soft noise. "Nagiko and Blackbeard are just… just being them in grabbing attention. Okita Alter and Rengoku are watching them. Tarasque is…" Achilles paused, giving the shrunken dragon a look, raised brows and all. "I borrowed him from Sis Martha and now he's just being weird. I could've sworn he was supposed to stick with me…"

Oooookay then. Nope. Vy decided not to ask any further.

"Hah," Kama put in dryly in response to the last part. "When are you all not weird?"

"Shut it, Assassin — no, Avenger." Clearing his throat around a suspicious cough of "damn swimsuits and their random-ass Class Changes," Robin shook his head. "I was honestly worried about you, Vy, and Rider beat me to the punch in getting you something to drink," he then finished in half of a beat, and a hand rubbed her back as soon as she turned to meet his gaze. A soft smile greeted her as she did, a single blink being all it took for a warm, rough hand to reach over and pat her head. "You didn't look so good the first time we landed, and I'm guessing you're low on energy now?"

"Mm," was all Vy could say to the attention, quietly sipping at her juice to try getting a response out of her parched throat. Tarasque let out another noise (was it his attempt at a purr?) from her lap as she did her best to extend a hand and pet his head past the spiky shell. "Drinking booze… is definitely not for me. Nope. Can't… don't ask. Please."

"We all knew that after the Ooku, Master, we weren't going to," Kama pointed out with almost no heat, and another small tug had Vy slowly move her head in the new Avenger's direction as the God of Love proceeded to run their fingers through her hair. "So those doofuses can get information first."

"Wait… then what about…" Vy tried not to chew on the words from the fatigue, closing one eye to sip at her juice again for another energy boost. "What about you two… Achi… Big Robin?"

"There was no rule made by the new Director that said we could not look after our Master," Robin quipped first, rolling his eyes once Achilles lightly elbowed his side. "And I'm not gonna leave you, little sparrow."

"Archer stole my line," Achilles added, giving Vy a wider grin when she glanced at him. "And even if it's summer, you're still our Princess, Vy! Why would we leave you alone?"

All Vy could do was look at all the Servants surrounding her and smile. "…Touché." A little sigh left her lips as she leaned back in her chair and glanced at her half-full glass of juice. Past the glass, Tarasque blinked large yellow eyes back at her with another purr-like sound, and he leaned his head into her palm when she petted him again. The painful ringing noise from the backs of her ears was gone now. There was most likely yelling and more drinking thanks to the others around her, but a quick glance showed how Kama, Achilles, and Robin had positioned themselves to specifically block her view of the rest of the tavern, making her tired eyes only focus on them and them alone.

It's warm…

The hands running through her hair and weaving a braid from the strands felt soft despite the occasional pointed tug, and once Robin's hand moved down to the small of her back for an equally gentle squeeze, Vy closed her eyes again. The glass in her other hand was light and slightly lukewarm to the touch, and Tarasque was the closest to a pet cat she could probably get outside of Fou, and the dragon was still adequately warm on her lap when sitting there. "Then… if it's okay with you three… could I rest with you…? Until the drinking contest is done… I mean?"

"Of course, Vy." The rugged, gloved pointer finger reaching over to poke her forehead was more than enough of an answer. It was with that confirmation that Vy let herself close her eyes easier. "We'll get you once they're finished."

From his place sitting in her lap, Tarasque let out another noise, this time of what sounded like agreement. A bleat, maybe?

"Poison still works in reining them in if they don't stop chugging." Robin quipped again with no heat, care obvious in his voice when he reached over to take the glass out of her hand. A soft sensation landed on her head afterwards, some of her hair being brushed out of her cheeks. Did he put his hat on her? "You can trust me on that, little sparrow."

"…Before any of you can say anything, I do not plan to do anything to our Master. So you can sleep for now, Vy," Kama added, a palm softly patting her head past Robin's own familiar touch. "I'll merely make sure no one else comes in."

Vy smiled and leaned back. "Thankie… Achi… Big Robin… Kams…"

Minute flinching from the God of Love aside (Vy would have to ask Kama if the nickname was okay later with more energy), it was still warm. Heck, even in the minute Singularity of the Caribbean islands, with the Servants around, Vy could conclude one thing.

With everyone here, even if it's not my original home, I'm still home.

Note (September 14, 2023): The last segment of this chapter actually takes from a real life experience I've had when traveling with my parents to Australia pre-Covid. They had met up with a bunch of their friends (and their very loud adolescent kids) living in the continent just after we disembarked from a ferry, and I remember being so out of it from low social battery that my dad gently steered me to a quiet corner of a restaurant nearby, pulling out a chair to let me sit and close my eyes until the talking was done.

That memory really meant a lot to me, and when my real life Achilles in my best friend often started checking in on me too when we both got into the working life, even when we were hanging out together — I wanted to write it here. Because sometimes the greatest summer comfort is being surrounded by those who love you, trusting them to look after you when you need to rest your eyes. That's how I feel about it.

And before you all ask: yes, for this event, I put Robin in his Summer DLC costume from Extella/Link. Fit Summer 6's adventure vibes a lot better.

Hope you all enjoyed it and I'll see you in the next chapter.