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It had been a long day for Speedwagon, trying to keep up with his daily activities. He was ready to head home and relax. As he headed home he wasn’t paying attention and suddenly he found his face smacking into something. He stumbled back a bit holding his cheek and fixing his hat.
“Ah, Robert! I’m so sorry I ran into you!” he heard a voice say, he knew the sweet voice any where it was his good friend Jonathan Joestar. He looked up adjusting his hat and smiled.
“Ah, no, excuse me Mr. Joestar. I should’ve been payin’ attention to where I was walking. It was just getting so dark out that I didn’t think I’d run into anyone,” he said nervously. “I especially didn’t think I’d be seeing you, Mr. Joestar.”
“Robert,” Jonathan chuckled “I told you, call me Jonathan or even Jojo! No need to be so formal, we’ve been through too much for formalities.”
“Ah, yes- “Robert stuttered “- I apologize, Jojo.”
“No need to apologize, Robert! I’m glad I ran into you, though! I was actually looking for you,” Jonathan said excitedly, Speedwagon thought he was like a puppy when he got excited, but he then realized what his friend had said.
“L-looking for me?” He felt a rush of nervousness “Did something happen, JoJo? Is everything alright? Did I do something?”
“No no, Robert!” Jonathan laughed “I actually wanted to ask you if you wanted to go to the theater tonight!” Jonathan held up a pair of tickets with a warm smile “While trying to decide if I wanted to buy some, someone gave me theirs since they didn’t want to go anymore. You were the first person that came to mind, so I’ve been riding around looking for you.” Jonathan rubbed the back of his head and pointed defeatedly at the carriage that was parked farther away.
“Oh my, I’m honored, Jojo! I’d love to go with you,” Robert agreed. I was his first thought? The blond thought to himself, he felt his cheeks turn red but tried to hide it under his hat.
“Come, Robert!” Jonathan cheered as he got in the wagon. Robert snapped out of his thoughts and joyfully joined his friend as they commuted to the theater.
As they sat, Jonathan stared out the window looking bright as usual, Robert couldn’t help but stare at him as streetlights passed over his body. Robert looked down towards Jonathan’s hand that was gently resting on his own thigh, he felt an overwhelming feeling to have Jonathan’s warm hands hold his, big and soft as opposed to his rough calloused hands. He had been holding back his feelings for his friend for a long time now, he didn’t know how to approach the subject, nor did he know if he could handle the rejection if it wasn’t reciprocated. He wasn’t sure how it’d be seen either if things did work out, the heir of the Joestar family with some thug from the streets? It seemed outrageous, he didn’t want to embarrass a man of such high stature no matter how much he felt for him. He stared at his hands, toying with them, his mind wandering to thoughts of his friend’s warmth around him, curious how it’d feel in reality and not just imagination.
“Robert? Robert, hello?” Suddenly the blond heard his name being called, he’d wondered how long it was being called. “Are you alright?” Jonathan asked clearly concerned, “I’ve been trying to get your attention for a bit.”
Robert stared at his companion’s bright blue eyes completely mesmerized but he shook his head and snapped himself out of it. “Ah, it’s nothing, JoJo. I’m sorry I worried you, I have- “He paused and then sighed with a defeated smile “- A lot on my mind.”
“Oh, I see,” Jonathan replied “Well if anything troubles you, please do tell me! And if it’s some-one, I’ll definitely give them a talking to.” Jonathan huffed and clasped one of Robert’s hands.
“I’m not completely helpless, Jojo,” Robert giggled softly, “I appreciate your passion, though.” After saying that, his friend released his hand and he felt a sense of regret considering he could’ve had that moment last longer.
“Well, anyways, I wanted to tell you that the play we’re going to see is going to be Romeo and Juliet! I know it’s quite popular, but I hope you haven’t seen it yet,” Jonathan said shyly “I have yet to see it. I’m usually too busy for theater.”
“I have not, actually,” Robert responded, “I’ve heard it’s a very good play written by Mister Shakespeare, he seems to be getting popular nowadays.”
“Yeah, I’m excited that my first time seeing it is with my best friend!” Jonathan cheered.
Robert looked away embarrassed “I am too, JoJo.”
Just then their ride stopped, they had arrived at the theater. The two of them hopped out the carriage and headed in and their seats were atop a balcony, high above the stage with perfect view of the actors. They took their seats as they waited for the show to begin. During this, Rob-ert realized something, it was just the two of them on the balcony. Where are the other patrons? He wondered. “It’s a little strange with how I’ve heard how popular these things are but some-how, we’ve been left alone up here, Robert thought aloud. He didn’t even realize he was speak-ing until Jonathan replied.
“After receiving the tickets I also asked to reserve the rest of the seating up here, so even if I couldn’t find you I could watch the play in peace and not with people who probably want my family dead, “Jonathan laughed nervously “But it seems we’re just lucky I found you, Robert.”
The blond was baffled at how Jonathan could just go forward with things and not think them though at times. As someone who always had to plan and live his life in the shadows he couldn’t understand the concept of doing things without planning far ahead. He admired Jonathan for it, though. The thought of Jonathan having to come alone made him feel saddened, the thought of Jonathan feeling lonely made him feel even more desperate to stay by his side. Eventually, he’d have to tell but every other time felt like a bad one.
“Jonathan, I- “Speedwagon began. As he began they heard the crowd below become quieter and the stage actors beginning to take their places on the stage. Suddenly, he felt all the courage he just built up shrivel into a ball and crumble away like dust.
“Ah, it seems the play is starting,” Jonathan whispered, “I think it’s going to be great, don’t you, Robert?” He turned to look at his friend who seemed completely frozen in time. “Robert?”
“Oh, yes, I agree,” The blond sighed and put his head down.
“Is something wrong?”
“Never mind me, let’s enjoy this tale together instead.” Robert tried to quickly divert the situation from himself. It wasn’t the right time, once again.
As the play went on and Jonathan was completely engrossed in the story being told, Speed-wagon felt nothing but disappointment in himself. He felt conflicted. He was disappointed, but tried rationalizing why he felt this way, he asked himself an abundance of questions. Is this really the right time? Why do I clam up every time? He could feel the same, but I’m too anxious he doesn’t. Why do I feel like my life depends on this? Why do I feel like if I lose him, I’ll lose every-thing? He kept asking himself without even realizing he was feverishly playing with his hands for awhile and slightly tapping his foot. He couldn’t even sit still, it was eating away at him. All he wanted was to feel the warmth of his friend, but in more than a friend way. He wanted to call him his own, he wanted to tell everyone he was with the head of the Joestars. He wanted to wake up next to him, smiling and then enjoying breakfast together. However, he felt this fantasy was nothing more than that. A fantasy. He had built up such a wonderous life with a man he hadn’t even confessed to. He was biting on his thumb that was opposite of Jonathan and tapped his other on his thigh.
“Robert, you seem uneasy, do you need to use the restroom?” Jonathan quietly asked, he gen-tly grabbed his companion’s hand “You’re worrying me.”
Suddenly, all his thoughts came to a halt. His brain blanked, he couldn’t even make an excuse for his behavior. He was ruining him and Jonathan’s experience together by being too over-whelmed with silly thoughts.
“I- “Robert began to answer but no words came out. All he could do was stare into Jonathan’s oceanic eyes and look at his softly parted lips. “Jonathan, I’m- I’m,” He couldn’t make a sentence for the life of him. He felt his body suddenly moving on its own, he couldn’t control it but his hands were abruptly cupping Jonathan’s cheeks, he felt their nice warm tenderness.
“Robert? Is there something on my face?” Jonathan asked innocently “I could’ve gotten it,” he whispered with a chuckle.
Robert couldn’t help it anymore, he pulled Jonathan forward and gently pressed their lips together, he closed his eyes without even thinking. It felt like the whole world had stopped, it felt like all his anxiety had been washed away and was replaced with joy. He pulled away and looked at Jonathan again, their faces still close. The bigger one’s eyes were wide open like a deer in headlights, neither of them said a word for some time. Robert realized what he had done and put his hands up, backed away, leaving his face to go from pure joy to pure horror.
“Oh my god, JoJo. I am so sorry, I didn’t even realize- “He stumbled over his words, it was very surprising to his usual personality “I didn’t mean to. It’s like my body went on autopilot and I couldn’t control it anymore. I’m so sorry, Jonathan, it won’t happen aga- “Before he could finish his sentence, Jonathan pulled him back into the kiss. Speedwagon’s eyes widened in surprise, but he eventually eased into the kiss. It seemed like everything else had gone silent around them, the sound of the crowd seemed muffled, all that existed in this moment was the two of them and nothing more. Eventually, after what seemed like awhile, the two pulled away from each other and rested their heads against each other’s. Neither said a word, they just stared into each other’s eyes, surprised at what just happened, Jonathan was still holding Robert’s face gently.
Robert broke the silence trying to whisper quietly “Mister Joe- I mean- Jonathan, I-“
“Shh,” Jonathan shushed quietly “No need to apologize, Robert. I’ve been waiting a long time for that, actually,” he confessed, looking away embarrassed. Speedwagon didn’t know what to say he continued to be mesmerized by the bigger man.
Suddenly a loud applause broke their little world, they backed away from each other and looked toward the stage and the play was ending. They were still gently holding hands.
“Ah, it seems we missed it,” Jonathan said “I guess we missed it.”
“I’m sorry, Jonathan, this is my fault,” Robert nervously said “I distracted you from the play.”
“Why are you apologizing, Robert?” Jonathan asked with a giggle, he held the blond one’s cal-loused hands up to his face and kissed them “I got a much better experience, anyways.”
Robert felt his face flush with redness, he turned his face away to hide it. He cleared his throat “I- um I suppose.”
Jonathan chuckled and the two stood up “Let’s head home, Robert, it’s been quite the night.” As they left the theater, Jonathan leading, and headed towards their carriage Robert felt the nice soft warmth of Jonathan’s palm, he softly smiled to himself.