Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This was the worst day of Jotaro’s life.

It wasn’t the day he was stuck in a holding cell. It wasn’t one of the (many) days he had almost died. It wasn’t the day he had to finally confront an immortal vampire. No, this was far, far, worse.

This was the worst day of Jotaro’s life because he was being forced to listen to Polnareff’s awful, impossibly long story for the fourth time.

Because he had lived the same awful, impossibly long day four times in a row. He guessed that it was some kind of time loop, probably caused by an enemy stand user. What kind of stand user, he didn't know, because all of his attempts to catch them had gone nowhere. But Jotaro had learned a few things about the time loop in his last four days. If something died one day, it would die the next day, no matter what else changed. The day’s events tended to generally follow the same pattern. The time loop always reset at midnight exactly; Jotaro didn’t know why an omnipresent time loop felt the need follow Egyptian time zones, but that’s how it was.

“Hey. Jotaro.” Polnareff snapped his fingers in front of Jotaro's face, breaking him from his thoughts. “Are you listening to my story, Jotaro? I can start at the beginning for you.”

Kakyoin grimaced. “Keep going, Polnareff. I'm sure he's listening.” He elbowed Jotaro in an attempt to get him to pay attention.

“I'm not.” Jotaro elbowed Kakyoin back.

Polnareff contorted his face into a forced expression of shock, bringing his hand to his chest. “Rude!” He narrowed his eyes at Jotaro before launching back into his story. “So, I was at the Tesco in town, right? And I see this guy with what looks like two left hands.”

“Polnareff, we already killed J. Geil.” Kakyoin politely interjected, holding back a snicker.

“That’s what I thought! But, hear me out. What if he had a brother? So, I crept up behind him, and -”

“You're gonna say that you challenge him to a game of rock-paper-scissors, but he keeps playing rock, so you can't see his hand. So you try to grab his hands, but he thinks you're trying to steal his wallet, so he threatens to call his lawyer on some weird French street harasser, so you have to run all the way back to the hotel.” Jotaro says all of it in the most monotone voice he can muster.

“Wha-What? Quoi?” Polnareff sputtered. “How the hell did you know?”

“Good grief.” Jotaro sighed.

“Jotaro?” Kakyoin asked, confused.

“I'm. Uh. A good guesser.” Jotaro pulled his hat down. Polnareff muttered something about Jotaro learning from his grandfather's dirty tricks, but Jotaro refused to answer any more questions.

Each of Jotaro’s four Mondays had gone the exact same. The second Monday, Jotaro had tried to convince himself he was hallucinating. That Polnareff was just weird enough to tell the same story twice, and that he'd just gotten too used to his current schedule. He'd closed his eyes tight shut and hoped he woke up that next morning to something different, and that this would just be a weird blip in his life. But the next morning - the third Monday - Jotaro realized that he was screwed. The exact same things always happened in the exact same order. Every day, Polnareff told the same boring story. Every day, Kakyoin would try to talk to Jotaro, but would get interrupted by something. Usually Polnareff. Or Joseph. Or a combination of the two.

“Kakyoin. Come with me.” Jotaro sharply stood up.

“Okay? Where are we going?” Kakyoin agreed, but shot Jotaro a confused look.

“Can I come?” Polnareff practically jumped out of his chair.

“There’s a video game sale at the Tesco. You like video games, Kakyoin.” Jotaro said pointedly.

As soon as he heard video games, Polnareff immediately lost interest and sat back down.

“You remembered that?” Kakyoin stared at Jotaro as he stood up and pushed in his chair.

“Come on.” Jotaro said in lieu of an an actual answer. Kakyoin smiled anyway.

Kakyoin had to almost run in order to keep up with Jotaro’s long strides. “Jojo, do you think F-Mega’s on sale? I’ve heard good things about the new version, but could it really compare to…” Kakyoin squinted at Jotaro. “There’s no video game sale, is there, Jojo.”

Jotaro shrugged and pulled his hat down to cover his smile. Somehow, he felt like he could listen to Kakyoin ramble on about video games all day. It was weird. Everyone else got annoying after a while, but Jotaro could never find a way to be bothered by Kakyoin. “Nah. Just wanted to get away from Polnareff.”

“That’s.. actually pretty smart.”

“I should have tried this days ago.” Jotaro muttered.

“Hm?” Kakyoin looked puzzled.

“Nothing.”

Kakyoin paused, but continued. “Well, I think I’ll try that next time Polnareff tries to get me to be his wingman.”

“When the hell did that happen?” Jotaro almost actually laughed thinking about Kakyoin as a wingman. Even worse, a wingman for Polnareff.

“Oh my god, last night at the hotel bar…” Kakyoin sprung into a story, and Jotaro was content to just listen. He found himself listening to Kakyoin more and more in recent days. Something about his voice, his very presence, made Jotaro feel at peace.

The two boys had been walking for a while by the time Kakyoin finished his story.

“It was a disaster, Jojo. You should have seen it. You might have even smiled.” Kakyoin snickered.

“Doubt it.” Jotaro attempted his most stone-cold expression, which just made Kakyoin laugh more.

“Hey, it seems like the storm clouds are fading away. We might be able to get back on the road soon.” Kakyoin looked at the sky.

“Yeah, don’t count on it,” Jotaro deadpanned.

“Wh-” A sudden blinding flash of lightning made Kakyoin jump.

Right on schedule. Good grief. Jotaro sighed.

“Jotaro, we should get inside. Find some kind of shelter. Preferably, um, soon?” Kakyoin’s wide eyes shifted around the empty desert. He was trying to stay calm, but Jotaro could tell he was getting nervous.

“What, are you scared of a little storm?” Jotaro pulled down on the brim of his hat as rain began to fall. He’d never been with Kakyoin before when the storm started.

“Shut up, Jojo.” Kakyoin flushed red. “I’m not scared. I was just surprised. There’s a difference-” Kakyoin flinched as another flash of lightning interrupted him mid-sentence.

“Good grief.” Jotaro grabbed Kakyoin’s arm and dragged him towards an abandoned bus stop on the side of the road. The rickety place was barely visible, obscured by bright green foliage.

Kakyoin sat down next to Jotaro and took a deep breath. “Do you know how to tell how far away a storm is, Jojo? After you see a flash of lightning, you count the number of seconds until you hear the thunder. Then you divide the number of seconds you got by 5 to get the number of miles away the storm is.” He shifted in his seat. “By the way, the storm is three miles away.” This was how Kakyoin always calmed himself down. Repeating facts he’d memorized was somehow comforting - it gave him a sense of stability.

“The human encyclopedia returns,” Jotaro jibed. The wall boards creaked as he leaned back against the structure.

The silence was only broken by the sound of rain against a tin roof and the occasional clap of thunder until Kakyoin interjected. “Jojo, you seem different.”

“Different.”

“Yeah, different. I don’t know, really, it just feels like something’s… off.” Kakyoin studied the other boy’s face.

“It’s nothing.”

“Are you sure?”

Jotaro looked away. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Jojo, are you kidding? After what I’ve seen in the last few weeks, I’m willing to believe just about anything.” Kakyoin smiled.

Fuck it. Jotaro didn’t have much to lose at that point. “I’ve been living the same day. Over and over again. For the last four days.” Jotaro fiddled with the brim of his hat.

“What? I- What?” Kakyoin had obviously not been expecting that. “...It’s a stand user, right?”

“Yeah, but the problem is I can’t find the damn stand.” Jotaro sighed. “I’ve spent the last four days trying to find it and fight it. Nothing’s worked.”

“...Have you told anyone yet?” Kakyoin’s face went white. “Oh my god, have you told me yet?”

“No. Today’s the first time.”

Kakyoin made a small humming sound. “I see. So what usually happens today?”

“I wake up to that shitty alarm clock in our hotel room. You know, the one that only plays Manic Monday. I’m tired of that fucking song, Kakyoin. Then I hear Polnareff’s dumbass story.” Jotaro shifted his feet. “...You always try to tell me something, but you get interrupted, so I leave to find the stand user. I fail, and at midnight, the day resets.”

Kakyoin’s face was unusually red. “Um. Jojo, have you ever heard what I’ve tried to tell you?”

Jotaro cringed as he remembered the past days’ events. “Nah. Polnareff or the old man always barges in. Why.”

“...Aren’t you curious?”

“It’s your business.” But Jotaro would be lying if he said he didn’t want to know. Usually, he couldn’t give less of a shit about someone else’s problems. But with Kakyoin, he couldn’t help but get involved.

“I want to tell you.” Kakyoin tried to cover his nervousness with a steady demeanour, but Jotaro could see right through it.

Jotaro just nodded.

“I’m gay, Jojo.”

Jotaro’s eyes widened for half a second. “Okay.”

“Okay? This is big news, and you just say okay?” Kakyoin’s arms flailed around.

Jotaro shrugged. “It’s not a big deal.”

“You-” Kakyoin buried his head in his hands. “I was scared you were going to, like, beat me up or something.”

Jotaro didn’t like how that made him feel. “You really think I would do that.”

“I didn’t mean - I don’t know. I haven’t ever… told anyone else.” Kakyoin paused. “I’m glad I told you, at least. Even though I won’t remember that I did it.”

Jotaro nodded once. “Being stuck in the same day sucks, Kakyoin.”

“I can help you, Jojo.” Kakyoin turned to look at Jotaro. “Just tell me again tomorrow.”

Jotaro nodded intently. He knew something important had just happened, but he couldn’t really recognize what he was feeling. “Let’s get out of here. The storm’s getting better, and the old man’s probably wondering where we are.”

Kakyoin nodded and followed suit as Jotaro stood up, but paused in the doorway.

“Come on.” Jotaro grunted, walking straight into the rain.

Kakyoin didn’t move. “Jojo, my hair.” He was almost pouting.

“You’re kidding.” Jotaro deadpanned.

“You of all people should know how long I spend to look this good, Jojo.” He twirled his hair around his finger to emphasize his point, only half-joking.

“For fuck’s sake.”

“Hey. It’s not my fault your hair somehow fuses into your hat, you weirdo-”  Kakyoin’s voice rose as Jotaro picked him up and slung him over his shoulder. “What are you doing.”

“You wouldn’t move.” Jotaro acted like Kakyoin’s weight was nothing as he walked down the road.

“So you pick me up?” Kakyoin struggled to get out, but Jotaro just held on tighter. Eventually, he just slumped against Jotaro’s back and sighed.

As soon as Jotaro walked into the hotel lobby, drenched from the rain with Kakyoin still slung on his back, he was greeted by a shrill yell of, “Where the hell were you two?” from Polnareff, followed by subsequent laughter. “Jotaro -” Polnareff cackled again. “J-Jotaro, what the fuck am I looking at here?” Polnareff was rolling on the ground at this point.

Jotaro supposed they were a strange sight to see, but he couldn’t care less. “Don’t worry about it,” he said. Kakyoin just groaned.

As soon as they got back to their shared hotel room, Jotaro dumped Kakyoin onto one of the beds. He didn’t think he’d ever seen Kakyoin look so embarrassed. The boy was kind of a mess - cheeks flushed, mussed up hair, rumpled uniform. Cute was the first word that entered Jotaro’s mind, but he immediately pushed that thought away back to the dark corners of his brain. The lack of sleep must have been getting to him.

“I.” Kakyoin stood up, running his hands down his uniform to flatten out the wrinkles. “I am going to take a shower.”

“Have fun.” Jotaro flopped onto his bed. His body was warm, and his eyes felt heavy.

Kakyoin started to open the bathroom door, but paused halfway through. “Make sure you tell me again tomorrow, Jojo.”

“Whatever.” Jotaro smiled in spite of himself.

Kakyoin smiled back before slipping behind the door. He has a nice smile, was Jotaro’s first thought.

Shut up, brain, was his second.

Jotaro woke up once again to the sound of that terrible, horrible song blaring from the alarm clock. He slammed his hand down on the snooze button.

“Oh, good morning, Jojo!” That was the fifth time he’d heard those exact words.

Jotaro grunted, rubbing the sleep out of his bleary eyes.

“Polnareff is waiting downstairs.” Kakyoin turned back to the mirror, twirling his hair in his fingers.

Jotaro groaned and fell back onto his bed. “Fuck Polnareff. I’m tired.”

“Jojo, come on.” Kakyoin sighed. Always the polite bastard. But Jotaro would be a bad influence on him yet.

“Are you telling me you want to see Polnareff first thing in the morning.”

Kakyoin seemed to genuinely consider it for a moment. “...Well, we did promise. And I’m hungry.”

“Get room service then.”

“Jojo, please. The storm’s clearing up, so we can probably get out of here today if we start now.”

Jotaro glanced at the clock. “I wouldn’t count on that.”

“Jojo, come on.”  Kakyoin walked over to Jotaro’s bed and tried to pull the other boy up, having very little success. “Why are you so heavy, you asshole.” Kakyoin continued pulling, breathing a sigh of relief as Jotaro offered out a hand. “Thank you, J-” But when Kakyoin pulled up, Jotaro pulled down, sending Kakyoin tumbling on top of him. Kakyoin froze for a few seconds, expression unreadable, before rolling off Jotaro’s broad chest onto the other side of the bed. “You’re the worst, Jojo.”

Jotaro snorted, looking at the boy laying across from him. The morning sun sifting through the blinds made Kakyoin’s face light up.

“...I guess we could order room service instead.” Kakyoin smirked, and Jotaro flashed him a rare smile in return. Kakyoin stared back at Jotaro intently. “Jeez, Jojo, if all it takes to get you to smile is room service, I would have put in an order weeks ago.”

Jotaro returned to his usual deadpan stare in response. “Unfortunate.”

“Hey, unfair!” Kakyoin nudged him. “There’s supposed to be a sumo match on now, if you want to watch it.”

“Yes.” Jotaro finally climbed out of the twin bed. Kakyoin looked a bit miffed as Jotaro left, but his pleasant expression returned after a second.

“You can put it on, I’ll order some breakfast.” Kakyoin picked up the phone and dialed the operator.

The sumo match had been going on for a few minutes while the boys waited for the room service, but Kakyoin wouldn’t stop fidgeting. He looked nervous as he quickly tapped his foot against the hotel carpet.

“Quit it.” Jotaro tapped the other boy’s knee in annoyance.

“Sorry.” Kakyoin swallowed. “Can I tell you something?”

Jotaro knew what was coming, but he still felt strangely nervous. “Yeah.”

“Jojo, I’m gay.”

“Okay.” Remembering how that had gone last time, Jotaro struggled to add more. “Cool.”

"Cool?” Kakyoin stared at Jotaro, mouth open wide.

Jotaro just shrugged.

“Cool.” Kakyoin repeated to himself under his breath.

A knock at the door heralding the arrival of room service saved Kakyoin from his embarrassment. He hopped off the couch and returned with a cart full of the finest breakfast money can buy in Egypt’s most mediocre hotel.

Jotaro smiled.

After several hours filled with overpriced pancakes and pay-per-view sumo (both courtesy of Joseph Joestar’s stolen credit card), the two boys were sprawled over the small couch. Heavy rain pounded on the thin glass windows outside, lighting and thunder crashing over the desert every few minutes. Even with Kakyoin’s legs on his lap and leftover syrup coating his hands, Jotaro was comfortable. He hadn’t felt this at peace in a while - not since before the trip, at least.

It had become natural for the two to room together, being students. But they’d developed a sense of something like comradery during their time together, and Jotaro didn’t think he could have stood being around anyone else for this long. Being here with Kakyoin felt like a strange sort of home.

At least, it did until Jean Polnareff and Joseph Joestar barged in through the door.

“Hello, favorite grandson!” A loud laugh accompanied Joseph everywhere he went. “And hello, Kakyoin!”

“Leave.” Jotaro felt annoyed the instant other people entered the room. Kakyoin quickly swung his legs off on Jotaro’s lap and sat up straight, resuming his decorous honor student persona. Jotaro hated that persona. It felt so ingenuous, when he knew Kakyoin so much better than that. Kakyoin’s face was strangely red, but Jotaro had no idea why.

“Excusez-moi?” Polnareff crossed his arms. “You think you can ditch me for breakfast and then be a rude bastard to me? I don’t think so, Jotaro.”

“Sorry, Polnareff.” Kakyoin elbowed Jotaro in an effort to make him play along.

“I’m not sorry.” Jotaro elbowed Kakyoin back.

“Anyways,” Joseph emphasized. Jotaro could tell his grandfather had come here with a purpose. “My good friend Polnareff and I have decided that we’re going to treat you boys to a very special night.”

“Mr. Joestar?” Kakyoin looked confused.

“We’re going drinking!” Polnareff grinned.

“No,” Jotaro deadpanned. He looked over to Kakyoin for support, but Kakyoin didn’t look so adverse to the idea. “No. Right, Kakyoin.”

“I don’t know, Jojo. It… could be fun?” Kakyoin was swaying. Damn peer pressure. This was odd. Nothing like this had ever happened before, no matter what Jotaro had done that day.

It wouldn’t be real tomorrow anyway.

“Whatever.” Jotaro stood up, and Polnareff gave a whoop of happiness.

Jotaro ordered whatever beer the hotel bar had and asked them to keep it coming. It wasn’t the best thing he’d ever tasted, but it definitely could have been worse. His grandfather walked around laughing with a whole bottle of what looked like Italian wine. Polnareff held up a glass of some pretentious French liquor to Abdul’s face in an effort to persuade him to drink, but the man wasn’t convinced. Kakyoin glanced uneasily at the fruity red cocktail in front of him, stirring around his paper umbrella.

“Hey, Kakyoin.” Jotaro held out his beer. “Cheers.”

Kakyoin steeled up his nerves, determined not to look weak in front of Jotaro. He had his pride to protect, after all. He raised his glass and clinked it against Jotaro’s before taking a sip.

“How’s the booze, honor student?” Polnareff swung in from the side, dragging Abdul with him.

Kakyoin scrunched up his nose. “It kind of burns.” He took another sip. “But it’s not bad.”

After about an hour, Jotaro was somehow the most lucid member of the group. Polnareff was absolutely trashed, as in falling-over-his-feet-trashed, and Abdul was very preoccupied with trying to keep him alive. Jotaro’s grandfather was cradling the empty bottle of wine protectively in his arm, mumbling something about salad dressing. Kakyoin might have been the worst of them all, laughing under his breath as he opened and closed his tiny umbrella.

Maybe drunk Kakyoin would have some advice.

“Kakyoin.” Jotaro sat down at the barstool next to his friend.

“Joooojo!” Kakyoin slurred, grinning as he saw Jotaro. “Do you wanna see a trick I can do with this cherry?”

“I’m good.” Jotaro had to admit that Kakyoin was amusing like this. “Kakyoin, I’m stuck in a time loop.”

“A what?”

“Y’know. Same day over and over. As soon as the alarm clock hits midnight, the day resets.” Jotaro drew a circle with his finger to emphasize his point, but his finger looked blurry. Maybe he was less lucid than he thought. “I think it’s a stand user.”

“Oh.” Kakyoin turned his head to the side as he thought about it. “Have you tried to find the stand user?”

“Yeah. No luck.”

“Have you ever seen a time travel movie?” Kakyoin pointed at Jotaro. “They always have answers. Maybe you have to learn an important lesson, like in Groundhog Day. The guy had to fall in love to get out of his time loop.” Kakyoin nodded to himself as if he had said something incredibly profound.

Maybe this had been a mistake. The back of Jotaro’s throat burned with the taste of lingering alcohol.

“Has every day been the exact same? Kakyoin interjected.

“Yeah.” Jotaro considered it. “Except today.”

Kakyoin hummed in acknowledgement. “If you keep doing what you’ve been doing, you’re going to keep getting what you’ve been getting. Someone important said that, but my human encyclopedia powers aren’t… working at the moment.”

“...I guess that makes sense.”

“See? I am helpful.” Kakyoin gave a self-satisfied smile before yawning loudly. Jotaro found it endearing, but he shoved that thought to the back of his mind. It’s just the alcohol. Kakyoin slumped down onto the bar. “I am also tired.”

“Yeah. Let’s get back to the room.” Jotaro offered Kakyoin a hand. Kakyoin looked at it hesitantly, but eventually took it. He must be embarrassed about being drunk.

As soon as Kakyoin stumbled into their room, he crashed on the closest bed, which happened to be Jotaro’s. Good grief. Jotaro pulled off his jacket and hat, feeling Kakyoin's eyes on him from across the room as he took a large gulp of water from the glass on the bedside table. He sat down on his bed next to Kakyoin as he glanced at the clock. 11:58. It really was late.

“Jojo.” Kakyoin’s voice brought Jotaro back to reality. He was staring at Jotaro in calculating consideration.

“Yeah.”

“You’re serious about this whole time loop thing?” Kakyoin narrowed his eyes.

“Yeah.”

“You’re not messing with me?” Kakyoin’s voice was filled with hesitation.

“Not messing with you.” Jotaro assured.

“So I won’t remember anything that I did today. It’ll be erased as soon as the alarm clock hits midnight. Is it exactly midnight?” Kakyoin broke his gaze from Jotaro for a second to glance at the alarm clock sitting on the bedside table.

“That's how it works.” Jotaro could tell Kakyoin was planning something, but he had no idea what.

"And I won't remember any of it..." Kakyoin mumbled, almost more to himself than to Jotaro. "You're sure I'll forget?" He repeated.

"I guess," Jotaro said. He was confused - Kakyoin was usually the kind of person who tended not to repeat himself. Jotaro matched Kakyoin's gaze, trying to understand the intent behind his words.

Kakyoin swallowed heavily. Jotaro just watched, puzzled. He checked the alarm clock. 11:59.

“Jojo.” Kakyoin took a deep breath. “I like you.”

Chapter Text

“I like you.”

And Jotaro woke up, once again on a Monday morning, to the sound of The Bangles and Kakyoin’s polite, enthusiastic good morning.

Jotaro looked up at Kakyoin and almost had a heart attack. He can’t be serious. It must have been a joke. A fucked-up, weird joke. But Kakyoin isn’t the type to make jokes like that. Maybe it was just because he was drunk. But being drunk doesn’t make you suddenly develop feelings for someone, does it.

“Jojo, we should get going soon. Polnareff is waiting for us downstairs.” But Jotaro was frozen in place. Kakyoin looked confused at Jotaro’s intent stare. “Jojo?”

But the man in question didn’t say a word. Instead, he jumped out the window, falling three stories to the ground. Thank god for Star Platinum. The second his feet reached the sand, Jotaro took off running.

He didn’t look back.

Jotaro spent the whole day searching around for the stand user. He must have covered miles of Egyptian desert, but he hadn’t found jack shit. He sighed as he stumbled into the hotel bar, chugging the first beer the bartender gave him. The alcohol was a good distraction from what he knew he needed to think about. But not yet. Jotaro kept ordering more until he blacked out, only to wake up once again to the cheerful sound of his alarm clock. At least there was one good thing about the time loop - Jotaro couldn’t get a hangover.

Jotaro had lived at least two weeks of this routine. Every day was the same - making his grand exit, failing once again to find the stand user, and ending up drunk and confused at the hotel bar. A few times, he’d stolen Joseph’s rental car and driven as far as he could in any direction just to get away from the hotel. Jotaro didn’t know how to even talk to Kakyoin anymore. He missed Kakyoin - he missed him a lot - but he didn’t know what he would say when he saw him again. Jotaro had never been more confused and lost in his life. He kept telling himself that he wasn’t scared to confront his feelings, to confront Kakyoin - but deep down, he knew that was a lie. So if he couldn’t run from his feelings, he would run from the cause of them. Every other day, his escape had worked without a hitch.

Not today.

“Where are you headed, Jotaro?” Jotaro whipped his head around to see - not Kakyoin, thank God - but Abdul.

“Nowhere,” he said through gritted teeth.

“I have noticed you plan to leave this hotel. Why is that?” Perceptive as always. Jackass.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Jotaro, I’m not going to stop you. But I would like an explanation.” Abdul watched the boy with keen interest.

Jotaro considered it for a second. He supposed Abdul wouldn’t remember this conversation anyway - maybe it could be good to get some new advice. “I’m stuck in a time loop cause of an enemy stand, who I can’t fucking find. I’ve lived the same shitty day about twenty times at this point. I don’t know how to get out.”

“Interesting.” Abdul looked deep in thought. “Do you run out of the hotel every morning?”

“For about the last two weeks.” Jotaro pulled down his hat. “I’m not telling you why.”

“Jotaro, have you tried changing anything about the way you live this day?”

“What do you mean.” The words reminded Jotaro of another hazy memory, but it fell just beyond his grasp.

“If you keep living the day the same way, I mean. If you keep avoiding something. You’ll be stuck.” Abdul said it with conviction, with purpose. “Don’t let yourself get stuck, Jotaro.”

He didn’t want to get stuck. Jotaro grunted and started to walk away, but turned back for a second. “Thanks, Abdul.”

Abdul looked surprised at Jotaro’s gratitude, but he just grinned and nodded.

Jotaro sat outside on the hotel patio, watching the rain begin to fall over the desert. Don’t get stuck. The words repeated themselves over and over again like a fevered mantra in his head. He knew he had to speak to Kakyoin at some point. To resolve… whatever he was feeling.

“Good grief,” Jotaro muttered as he began to trudge up the stairs. He was about to knock on the hotel room door, but he hesitated, hand held in place. If you keep doing what you’ve been doing, you’re going to keep getting what you’ve been getting. Kakyoin had said that to him one day, hadn’t he? Sighing, Jotaro slammed open the door.

“Kakyoin?” There was no answer from the room. Jotaro was confused until he saw the pile of blankets on Kakyoin’s bed shake as soon as a boom of thunder sounded. Shit.

“Hey.” Jotaro sat down on Kakyoin’s bed and watched the other boy poked his head out from under the comforter. “Uh,” Jotaro began. First, he needed a way to calm Kakyoin down. Thinking back to the other day - the same day - Jotaro had a plan. “Kakyoin, do you know how to tell how far away a storm is.”

Kakyoin just stared at Jotaro.

Jotaro looked out the window, then back at his friend. “There’s the lightning flash. So count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, -” A boom of thunder interrupted him. “Then divide it by five. The storm is two miles away.”

Kakyoin shuffled out from under the comforter, looking noticeably calmer. He took a deep breath, color returning to his face. “I’m not scared of storms, Jojo.”

“I know.” Jotaro looked at Kakyoin for a few seconds, studying his face. He wondered what Kakyoin was thinking about. He wondered if it was him.

Barely even realizing he was doing it, Jotaro awkwardly wrapped an arm around Kakyoin.

Kakyoin froze for a second before leaning into the other boy. The two sat in silence for a few moments before Kakyoin broke it. “Jojo, why are you doing this?”

“What do you mean.”

“I don’t know - comforting me. Being nice to me. It’s... weird.” Kakyoin looked away.

“Me being nice is weird.” Jotaro pulled away from Kakyoin, tightly crossing his arms. He thought Kakyoin would have liked this, but he felt a strange twist in his stomach as soon as he remembered why Kakyoin would have liked it.

Kakyoin looked a bit dejected, but continued with his train of thought. “Well, not a bad weird. A good weird. I just didn’t think you were the kind of person to… do something like this.”

Jotaro thought about the other boy’s words for a second. Kakyoin was right, he realized. He wasn’t that kind of person. He wouldn’t do this for anyone else. Why was it only ever Kakyoin? “I’m usually not.” He turned to see Kakyoin blushing furiously. “You’re acting weird too, you know.” An accusatory tone snuck into Jotaro’s voice.

“You’ve noticed.” Kakyoin turned away, covering his face with his hands.

Jotaro couldn’t contain his question anymore. “Why do you like me.” This wasn’t the most tactful way to do things, but Jotaro had never really been a tactful person.

Kakyoin’s eyes went wide. “I-. Um, well, I... didn’t know you’d figured it out.” Kakyoin’s voice was muffled underneath his hands. “You really are blunt, Jotaro.”

“Why.” Jotaro was persistent.

“Jojo, you- you don’t just ask someone that.” Kakyoin sighed. “Well, I don’t know. I’ve known I felt this way about guys for a while, but my feelings for you-” He paused, turning to look at Jotaro. “I’m sorry. It’s pathetic, isn’t it? I’m sure this is really weird for you, cause there’s no chance you would ever…” Kakyoin stopped himself. “I shouldn’t... have these feelings.” The boy had tried to move as far away from Jotaro as possible, curling in on himself in the corner of his bed.

“I don’t mind.” Jotaro felt the words slip out of his mouth before he thought them, but he realized they were true. He’d thought of a million things to say to Kakyoin, but he never realized what he wanted to say until now. He should be weirded out, right? Guys weren’t… supposed to like guys. That’s all he’d seen in the world around him. But with Kakyoin, it was different. He guessed it always was.

“Oh.” That was all Kakyoin said, but he sounded like the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders. “So things can go back to normal?”

“Yeah.”

Things had done the exact opposite of 'go back to normal.'

The next morning, Jotaro couldn’t stop thinking about Kakyoin. It was if some switch had suddenly been flicked on in his mind, triggered by last night’s realization. Jotaro’s thoughts always brought him back to memories of Kakyoin from the past Mondays; sitting next to Kakyoin in that tiny bus stop, waking up every morning to Kakyoin’s voice, lying in bed with Kakyoin smiling - it was unfair, how much this was affecting him. Just thinking about the other boy made his face hot and his palms sweaty.

What the hell is this.

“Come on, Jotaro. Polnareff is waiting.” Kakyoin turned away from the mirror, fingers running through his hair. Jotaro hated how much he liked watching it.

“Okay.” Jotaro shuffled forward, staring at the floor so he wouldn’t have to look at the other boy.

“Really? You’re not going to put up a fight?” Kakyoin seemed surprised, almost as if he’d been looking forward to his daily struggle to drag Jotaro out of bed.

“No.” Jotaro’s answers were still monotone, but he’d lost his edge.

“...Okay.” Kakyoin stared curiously at the other boy. “Well, tell me if you see Jotaro, because you’re clearly some alien pretending to be him.”

“I’m- I’m not.” Jotaro crossed his arms, almost pouting. It was pathetic that Kakyoin could make him trip over his own words like this.

During breakfast, being next to Kakyoin had only exacerbated Jotaro’s mounting thoughts of the other boy - it was too much, just sitting next to him. After Polnareff had finished telling his stupid story, Jotaro had made a pathetic excuse to leave, and he’d spent the day chasing after the stand user - to no avail, obviously. He had needed a day to distract himself, albeit for a very different reason this time.

It was late at night, and Jotaro expected Kakyoin to be asleep by the time he returned to the hotel room.

Kakyoin wasn’t.

Jotaro almost froze up when he opened the door to see Kakyoin staring at him. He immediately walked to the other side of the room to sit down on his bed, looking very pointedly away from Kakyoin.

But Kakyoin had noticed, and he wasn’t going to let Jotaro get away with it without an explanation. He slowly walked towards Jotaro, sitting down next to him.

“Jojo, you’re acting… different.”
“Am I.” Jotaro slid away from the other boy.

Kakyoin, determined, slid back towards him as if magnetized to his side. “Yes. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Jojo, quit it with the one word answers. You can talk to me.” Kakyoin pled.

“It doesn’t involve you.” That was a lie, but Jotaro couldn’t just come right out and say I’m ridiculously attracted to you, Kakyoin! Being near you is too much for me, Kakyoin! I’m scared to talk to you, Kakyoin! All he could do was avoid giving a real answer.

“What if I want to get involved?” Kakyoin refused to break eye contact with Jotaro.

“You’d make it worse.” Shit.

“...I’d make it worse?” Kakyoin immediately drew back, hurt flashing across his expression.

“That’s not what I meant.” Jotaro grasped for different words.

“Then what did you mean, Jotaro?” Jotaro. The polite honor student persona had returned. Kakyoin was used to setting up walls to protect himself; Jotaro thought he’d gotten past them, but one mistake put him right back where he’d started. He realized that he didn’t want to be distant from Kakyoin. He didn’t know in what way, but he wanted to be close.

Jotaro Kujo was, very notably, a man of few words. He never spoke unless he found it necessary, which was rarely. Even when it would be better to speak, Jotaro would rather not bother. No, Jotaro Kujo was not a man of words.
He was a man of action.

Jotaro grabbed Kakyoin’s collar and pulled him into a kiss. Their lips only met briefly, but the very touch made Jotaro’s lips feel electrified. After a few seconds he pulled back, letting go of Kakyoin.

“That,” Jotaro huffed, “is what I meant.”

Jotaro pulled off his hat and ran his hands through his hair, sighing. Fuck. What the hell had he just done. He looked up at Kakyoin to gauge his reaction, but the other boy was frozen in place. His face was almost the same shade as his hair.

When Kakyoin spoke, his voice was quieter than a whisper. “Jojo, l-”

Then the alarm clock sounded.

Jotaro groaned, smashing the snooze button as hard as he could. Just his fucking luck. Finally getting somewhere, finally figuring something out, and that fucking stand user -

“Oh, good morning, Jojo!” Kakyoin’s voice rang throughout the room. Yeah, Jotaro was screwed. His pulse went up the second the guy said good morning to him.

“Good morning, bastard,” Was Jotaro’s automatic response. Way to go, Jotaro. There’s one way to woo a guy.

“I would be offended, but that might be the first time you’ve ever said good morning back,” Kakyoin snickered.

“Really.” It didn’t sound like a question, but Jotaro genuinely wanted to know.

“You’re not exactly a morning person, Jojo.” Kakyoin shrugged. His nonchalance hurt. Jotaro wondered if he’d really been that much of a douchebag.

“I’ll say it again tomorrow.” Jotaro rolled out of bed.

Kakyoin smiled warmly. “I’ll hold you to that.”

“I wish you could,” Jotaro muttered inaudibly.

At breakfast, Jotaro tried his best to pay attention to Polnareff’s story. To pay attention to anything other than Kakyoin, really - but he was still fading in and out of the conversation. By the time he tuned in again, Polnareff was already in full swing, gesticulating wildly as he spoke.

“So, I was at the Tesco in town, right? And I see this guy with what looks like two left hands.” Polnareff gestured to his own left hand for proof.

“Polnareff, we already killed J. Gail.” Kakyoin snickered before quickly covering his mouth. Cute.

This time, Jotaro didn’t stop himself from thinking about Kakyoin. The boy really was cute. His red hair and his weird trivia facts and the way he always smells like cherries - Jotaro felt his face get hot. Is this really how Kakyoin felt about him? It was hard to believe, even though he’d already heard the words. Jotaro suddenly wondered if Kakyoin’s lips were as soft as he remembered, but that thought rendered him unable to function. Jotaro immediately stood up, stopping Polnareff mid-sentence. The silverware clattered around the table.

“Jojo?” Kakyoin bemusedly looked up at him.

“Uh.” Jotaro was at a loss for words. He couldn’t run away again in front of Kakyoin. That would just be pathetic. He immediately sat back down, pulling down his hat to cover his reddening cheeks. He sat in silence for the rest of breakfast.

Jotaro had planned on leaving after breakfast to search for the stand user (and definitely not to get away from Kakyoin.)

He didn’t even make it past the hotel awning.

“Grandson!” Joseph, previously standing in front of the hotel, pulled him into a hug. “I just talked to the hotel manager, and he said the storm’s gonna keep going until at least tomorrow. We’re stuck here for another night.”

“Good grief.” Jotaro pulled down on his hat and slumped down on a bench next to his grandfather, closing his eyes.

“Jotaro, are you feeling okay?” Joseph pressed a hand to his grandson’s forehead before Jotaro slapped it away.

“Shut up.” Jotaro pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He hadn’t smoked in a while, but he needed something to deal with the stress of everything he was feeling.

Joseph looked at his grandson in contemplation for a moment. Jotaro hated the way Joseph could tell exactly what he was thinking. Joseph hummed before saying, “This isn’t a sickness, is it?” He paused. “Maybe it’s a lovesickness.”

“Shut up.” Jotaro tried to stand up, but he felt Hermit Purple’s vines dragging him back down. “Let me go before I kill you, old man.”

“I know you don’t want to talk about it. You don’t have to talk, but hear me out.” Joseph’s voice took on a sudden tone of urgency. Jotaro wouldn’t have stayed otherwise. “I saw you at breakfast. There’s something about the way you look at that boy, Jotaro. It’s the same way he looks at you.” Joseph looked intently at his grandson. “And now you’re running away.”

“I’m not running away,” Jotaro protested. Something about Joseph’s words made his heart start beating like he’d just finished a marathon.

“Then what the hell are you doing, huh? You can’t ignore your feelings, or just pretend they don’t exist.” Joseph sighed. He had a far-away look in his eyes. “I think you should tell him.”

“No.”

“So what, you’re just planning on never telling him? On waiting until your feelings just suddenly go away?” Joseph’s questions bordered on interrogation.

Jotaro shrugged helplessly. He hadn’t really considered what he planned on doing, but telling Kakyoin all the embarrassing shit he’d been feeling just didn’t seem possible.

Joseph looked at his grandson as if considering something. His eyes seemed to bore straight into Jotaro’s very soul. Finally, he spoke up. “Jotaro, listen. I made the mistake of not telling someone. Of not admitting how I felt, even to myself. By the time I came around, h- it was too late.” Joseph’s real hand was shaking. “These feelings don’t ever just go away. Not completely.”

Jotaro looked at his grandfather with wide eyes. “...Old man, it’s different.” Smoke curled around his lips.

“In what way?”

Jotaro hesitated, unsure how to say it. “...We’re both guys.”

“Why the hell would that matter?” Joseph pointed at his grandson. “...It wasn’t as different as you think.”

The cigarette fell out of Jotaro’s mouth. “Old man, did you…” He trailed off, not really knowing how to end his question. Rain began to thud against the awning.

“A gentleman never tells.” Joseph winked, but his smile was sad. “Don’t let it end the same way for you, okay?”

Jotaro hesitantly nodded, and his grandfather grinned. The way you look at that boy. Had Jotaro really not noticed it before?

Jotaro started walking up the stairs to his room, but he hesitated. Could he really tell Kakyoin how he was feeling? Kissing the guy was one thing, but actually talking to him was another thing entirely. Steeling his nerves, he opened the door.

“Oh, um, hi, Jotaro!”

Jotaro turned to the direction the voice was coming from and immediately turned away. Hazy steam drifted from the bathroom door as Kakyoin stood in nothing but a towel, which hung unfairly low on his hips. Jotaro noticed that Kakyoin’s lithe, toned frame had gotten tanner in the Egyptian sun. His face was flushed from the hot shower, and his hair was messy and hung around his face in small waves. Jotaro’s eyes traveled down his body, unable to tear himself away.

“Hey. Kakyoin.” Jotaro forced the words out, unable to form a coherent sentence when Kakyoin looked like that.

“I’m gonna-” Kakyoin quickly gestured to the bathroom doorway, pile of clothes in his hands. Jotaro just nodded miserably, sitting on his bed unable to come up with a single coherent thought. After a few seconds, Kakyoin returned. He was now fully clothed, but Jotaro thought he looked just as good.

Kakyoin sat down next to Jotaro. “So, there’s a sumo match o-”

“I have to talk to you.” Jotaro interrupted.

Kakyoin immediately went on guard. “...About…?”

“You-” Jotaro couldn’t force the right words out of his mouth. His emotions were a jumbled mess, and he knew Kakyoin deserved better than whatever nonsense he was currently capable of spitting out.

So he settled for the next best thing.

“How do you tell if you like someone.” Jotaro attempted to cover up the desperation in his voice.

“Ah.” Kakyoin’s voice sounded scratchy, but he smoothly covered it up. “Do I have the pleasure of getting to know who this girl is?”

Jotaro was momentarily dumbfounded. He thought his emotions were becoming too obvious, but thankfully Kakyoin seemed oblivious. “...You don’t know her.”

Kakyoin’s laugh barely even seemed forced. “One of your many admirers from school, I’m sure.”

Jotaro resisted the urge to call those girls bitches. “Anyway.”

Kakyoin sighed. “Jojo, why are you asking me?”

Jotaro really didn’t want to answer that question. “I dunno. I think friends are supposed to talk about stupid shit like this.”

For some reason, Kakyoin froze. “...You think we’re friends?” His voice was small.

Jotaro narrowed his eyes. “Are we not.”

“Well, no, I mean -” Kakyoin hesitated, refusing to meet Jotaro’s eyes. “I thought you were my friend. I didn’t think… I was yours.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I mean,” Kakyoin said, “A guy like you wouldn’t be friends with me if we didn’t have this… weird power connecting us together.” His voice was heavy with resignation.

“Probably not,” Jotaro paused, searching for the right words. “But we’re friends now.” He put all of his confidence into his final statement.

When he finally spoke, Kakyoin’s voice trembled. “You guys are the first real friends I’ve ever had.”

Jotaro considered it for a moment. “Same.”

The two boys sat in silence for what seemed like a lifetime, just looking at each other. Eventually, Kakyoin broke out of his trance, blinking rapidly and readjusting his posture. A faint blush, almost unnoticeable, appeared on his cheeks. Jotaro wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t been sitting so close.

“There’s a sumo match on now.” Kakyoin’s voice sounded higher than usual as he began to move to the small couch. Jotaro immediately followed him, not wanting to be too far away.

After the match was over, Kakyoin turned off the television. The only light entering the room came from the bright crescent moon and the occasional strike of lightning. Kakyoin still flinched every time lightning illuminated the room, but Jotaro pretended not to see for the sake of Kakyoin’s pride.

“You want to be close,” Kakyoin said suddenly. When Jotaro gave a grunt of confusion, he continued. “When you like someone, I mean. You feel like you’re going to throw up when you’re near them, but it’s even worse when they’re gone.” Kakyoin laughed. “You would follow them to the goddamn ends of the earth if they asked you too.”

“Oh,” was all Jotaro said. It sounded far too eerily similar.

Kakyoin smiled bitterly, but his words were genuine. “She’s a lucky girl, Jotaro.”

Jotaro moved closer to Kakyoin, looking him directly in the eyes. “What if it’s not a girl.” He really wanted to know if  Kakyoin’s lips were as soft as he remembered.

Kakyoin’s face was getting redder by the second. “Jojo, you-”

Jotaro leaned in, almost closing the gap.

The sound of the alarm clock almost broke Jotaro. He let his hand fall hard onto the clock, barely even caring if he hit the snooze button.

“Oh, good morning, Jotaro!” Kakyoin’s cheerful voice broke him even more.

Jotaro groaned into his pillow, but then he remembered his promise. “Good morning.”

Kakyoin looked surprised, a small blush staining his complexion. “Jeez, Jojo, I think that’s the first time you’ve ever said good morning to me.”

“I promise I’ll say it again tomorrow.” Jotaro rolled out of bed.

Kakyoin smiled. “I’ll hold you to that.”

“You better.”

Kakyoin looked surprised at Jotaro’s sudden openness. Jotaro felt a pang of pity for Kakyoin. He hadn’t remembered any of the days he’d lived with Jotaro. Jotaro had to bear those memories alone. Was this really fair for Kakyoin?

“Come on, Jojo. Polnareff is waiting for us downstairs,” Kakyoin said.

Jotaro sighed loudly and heaved himself out of bed. “Let’s get room service instead.”

Kakyoin frowned. “Jojo, we promised we’d be there.”

“But it’s Polnareff.” Jotaro groaned.

“We have to be polite,” Kakyoin huffed.

Jotaro weighed his options for a second before settling on his choice. “We can watch some of your weird American movies.” And when Kakyoin’s eyes lit up, Jotaro couldn’t bear to look away.

“...I guess,” said Kakyoin, trying to cover up his excitement. “I’ll put on the channel. You can call room service.”
Jotaro nodded and looked away so Kakyoin couldn’t see him smiling.

Even though this had been Jotaro’s idea, he hadn’t been paying much attention to the last few movies, and he’d barely been watching the current one. First of all, the plot didn’t make sense - something about a man trying to kill a woodchuck and make ice sculptures, maybe, but he was completely lost. Second of all, the movie was in English, which wasn’t Jotaro’s strong suit - and the Arabic subtitles weren’t helping much. But even if the movie had been in Japanese, Jotaro doubted he would have been able to focus. The couch was much too small and Kakyoin was much too close. One of Kakyoin’s arms laid on the edge of the couch, hand propping up his head, but his other hand laid outstretched on the couch cushion in between himself and Jotaro. It would be so easy for Jotaro to move closer and lace his fingers between Kakyoin’s, so easy for him to just lean in and -

“Jojo, I think the channel’s out,” said Kakyoin, frowning. “It must be the storm.”

He was right. The movie had been replaced by black and white static without Jotaro noticing. “Good grief.”

“I think there’s a sumo match on, if you want to watch that?” Kakyoin offered.

Jotaro did kind of want to watch that. But he also knew that he wanted this Monday to be special, and they couldn’t just stay in the hotel room watching TV again. Kakyoin deserved better. He deserved something he would remember.

“No," Jotaro shook his head, "Follow me.” He stood up and pulled Kakyoin to the door.

Kakyoin dug his feet into the floor. “Where are we going, Jojo?”

Jotaro smiled. “It’s a surprise.”

Seeing the boy’s rare smile, Kakyoin hesitantly allowed Jotaro to drag him outside and into Joseph’s rented Jeep. He shot a confused glare at Jotaro from the passenger’s seat. “I’m serious, Jojo. Where the hell are we going?”

“Don’t ask me how I know, but the storm is gonna continue all night, so there’s no point in staying in the hotel. I wanna show you something.” Jotaro adjusted the rearview mirror.

“Okay,” Kakyoin agreed tentatively, eyes still narrowed at Jotaro.

Jotaro grinned at him before turning to the dashboard and turning on the radio. When he started humming along, Kakyoin looked shocked.

“Where is Jotaro Kujo and what did you do with him?” Kakyoin marveled, only half-joking.

“Shut up, jerk. It’s The Clash. And it’s a good song,” Jotaro huffed.

Kakyoin laughed. “There’s the grumpy asshole I know.”

“Is that really how you see me.” Jotaro turned to look at Kakyoin.

Kakyoin looked surprised. “Well, I mean - not really. You act like it, but I can tell you don’t mean it.” He smiled and looked away. “Usually.”

“Good grief.” Jotaro pulled his hat down.

“See! Like that. I know when you say your signature catchphrase, it really means, wow, Kakyoin, you’re so perceptive!” Kakyoin lowered his voice in an imitation of Jotaro’s low tone.

Jotaro laughed in spite of himself. “I do not sound like that.”

“Good grief. My name’s Jotaro and I read oceanography books when I think Kakyoin’s not looking,” Kakyoin continued.

Jotaro forced his face into an angry mask, lowering his voice. “Good grief.” A smile cracked his facade.

Kakyoin broke into a fit of laughter, for once not trying to cover his face with his hand. Jotaro thought Kakyoin looked best like this - when he forgot about trivial rules and politeness. He snickered and returned his eyes to the desert road.
The two drove in silence for a while, listening to nothing but thunder and the crackled sounds of the radio as the voices faded in and out.

“Jojo, you seem different,” Kakyoin interjected. Jotaro noticed that Kakyoin had been staring at him for a while with a strange look on his face, almost as if Jotaro was some kind of problem he was trying to solve.

Jotaro considered it for a moment. Kakyoin had told him the same thing so many Mondays ago. He hadn’t known what it meant then, but he did now. “I am.”

Before Kakyoin could respond, Jotaro pulled the stickshift into park. “We’re here.”

Kakyoin looked out at the ocean surrounding them. Jotaro had pulled over on a hill overlooking the Egyptian coast - something he’d discovered days ago. The deep blue water spread out in a vast expanse over the horizon, looking like it could have continued forever. A small break in the clouds let in rays of golden moonlight, casting shimmering reflections against the water. Jotaro waited nervously to see Kakyoin’s reaction.

“Jojo, this is incredible.” Kakyoin was entranced by the scenery, but Jotaro could only look at the boy in front of him.

“I found this place a while ago, and I wanted you to see it.” Jotaro shrugged.

“Why me?” Kakyoin asked.

A sudden boom of thunder rolled over the desert, causing Kakyoin to shudder involuntarily. Jotaro took a deep breath and reached for Kakyoin’s hand, holding it loosely. Kakyoin’s gaze shot down to his hand before quickly turning to Jotaro.

“Why…?” Jotaro could feel Kakyoin’s heartbeat increase as he said it.

Jotaro took off his hat and slowly moved closer to Kakyoin, pressing forward until his face was only inches away from the other boy’s.

“Kakyoin, can I…” Jotaro’s voice was almost a whisper. Kakyoin nodded quickly, and Jotaro gently pressed his lips against Kakyoin’s. After a few seconds, Jotaro began to pull away, but Kakyoin pulled him back. He pressed one hand against Jotaro’s chest and tangled the other in his hair against the nape of his neck, deepening the kiss. Jotaro slowly moved his hand upwards to cup Kakyoin’s cheek, the other holding steady on his waist. Kakyoin tilted his head and pressed himself closer to Jotaro, his hand clenching Jotaro’s thin shirt. Jotaro could feel Kakyoin’s heartbeat - and how it sped up whenever Jotaro moved. The seatbelt buckle was jammed against Jotaro’s hip, but he really couldn’t have cared less as he ran his hand along Kakyoin’s side. Kakyoin’s lips really were soft. Jotaro wanted nothing more than to pull Kakyoin down against the seat and finally see him without that stupid uniform, but he knew it wouldn’t be right. Kakyoin had no idea about the time loop, about Jotaro’s feelings, about any of it. It would be unfair.

So Jotaro pulled back before he went too far, breaking off the kiss. He moved his hand off of Kakyoin’s waist, his lips still burning. Kakyoin leaned back into his seat, but his gaze never broke from Jotaro.

“So...” Kakyoin’s voice failed him. “...So you just woke up this morning and decided you wanted to kiss me?” When Jotaro finally mustered the courage to look at the other boy, his blush was deeper than Jotaro had ever remembered seeing.

I’ve wanted to kiss you for what feels like half my goddamn life, Kakyoin. “Something like that.” Jotaro couldn’t bring himself to put it into words.

“Why?” Kakyoin’s voice held a hint of neediness.

Jotaro remembered Kakyoin saying something like ‘you don’t ask someone that’ what felt like a thousand Mondays ago. “I dunno.” Jotaro’s words sounded too casual, too careless.

Kakyoin looked hurt. “If you’re making fun of me, or not taking this seriously, I swear to god-”

“No.” Jotaro struggled to find the right words. “Kakyoin-” He thought back to all the times he’d run away from Kakyoin. Away from his own feelings. Those feelings had to mean something. “I like you.” He ran his hand through his hair. Thinking it was one thing, but saying it out loud was another thing entirely. “Fuck, I really like you.”

“Oh.” Kakyoin’s voice was small. “I, um, I like you too.” He paused, twirling his hair around his finger. “...Jojo, I was so scared of you finding out. I never even considered you would be okay with it, let alone like me back.”

“I do,” Jotaro assured, but Kakyoin still looked hesitant. “I didn’t, at first. But then you… you said something that made me think. A lot. It messed me up, Kakyoin.” Jotaro cleared his throat. “I realized some stuff. Mostly stuff about how I feel about you. You’re… distracting.”

Jotaro reached to pull down his hat only to realize he wasn’t wearing it. Kakyoin laughed, quickly stifling it with his hand. Jotaro settled for crossing his arms. “Hey. This stuff is hard to talk about.” He scuffed the floor with his shoe. “ ...It’s embarrassing.”

“Sorry, Jojo. I’m just - I’m nervous.” Kakyoin let out a deep breath.

“Do you not think I’m nervous too.” Jotaro huffed.

Kakyoin blinked, eyes wide. “You always seem so confident, Jojo. When you want something, you just... go for it. I didn’t think I could make you nervous.”

“If you knew what I’ve gone through the last few weeks-” Jotaro stopped himself. “You do. Constantly. My fucking heart beats faster whenever you’re around.”

“Ah.” Kakyoin’s voice was higher than normal. “Yeah. Same.”

Jotaro once again took Kakyoin’s hand. Kakyoin interlaced his fingers with Jotaro’s, holding on tightly.

“Jotaro, you said weeks. How long have you…?” Kakyoin didn’t finish his question, but Jotaro knew what he meant.

“It’s a long story,” He responded.

“We’re not exactly pressed for time, Jojo.”

“We kind of are.” When Jotaro saw Kakyoin’s expression of confusion, he sighed and continued. “I’ve been stuck in a time loop for about a month by some fucking stand user who I can’t ever find. The loop resets at midnight.” Jotaro felt his stomach twist. “So tomorrow morning, you’re not gonna remember any of this.”

“Ah.” Kakyoin’s warm expression disappeared as he removed his hand from Jotaro’s. “So... is any of this real to you? Like, does it mean anything, or are you just doing it because you know I’ll forget?”

Jotaro’s heart almost broke then and there. “Don’t fucking think that.” Jotaro looked intently at Kakyoin, eyes burning. “I’ll tell you again tomorrow. I’ll tell you as many times as it takes.”

Kakyoin’s voice was uncertain. “So there’s no way to get out of the loop?”

Jotaro shrugged hopelessly. “Not that I can find.”

“...Next time, tell me before you kiss me.” Kakyoin crossed his arms.

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have done that,” Jotaro said.

“No, it’s not -” Kakyoin hesitated. “Please kiss me again, but just… let me know.”

“I will,” Jotaro nodded, “I promise.”

Jotaro hadn’t realized just how much time had passed, but the sky was already pitch dark. The only light Jotaro could see was the pale moon above, parting through the clouds and illuminating Kakyoin’s face through the sunroof. The electronic lights from the dashboard left colorful shadows over the car. The dashboard clock read 11:59. It was far too close to the end of the day.

“Kakyoin.” Jotaro’s voice almost broke.

“Yeah?” The boy turned to look at him.

“I’m, uh. I’m glad I got to spend today with you.” Jotaro could feel his face heating up.

“Even though I won’t remember it… I’m glad too.” Kakyoin smiled. It was almost blinding.

That was what really sealed the deal. Jotaro was head-over-heels for the damn guy, and he had been for a while. He regarded Kakyoin carefully, trying to memorize every beautiful detail about the way he looked in this moment.

“You can call me Noriaki now, if you want.” Kakyoin’s hesitant voice broke Jotaro from his thoughts.

“Noriaki.” He liked the way the name sounded. “Okay, Noriaki.” The way Kakyoin looked at him after he said it was exhilarating.

Jotaro glanced at the dashboard clock, ready to have this day ripped away any second.

12:05.

He was overwhelmed with a sense of relief. It was over. It was finally fucking over. Today was real and he could stay with Kakyoin and-

Jotaro woke up.

Chapter Text

Jotaro didn’t understand. The dashboard clock had said 12:05. The time loop only ever reset at midnight. Something was very, very wrong here.

“Oh, good morning, Jojo!” Kakyoin’s unknowing voice was painful to hear. This Kakyoin had no idea what happened last night. Then again, last night had never really happened.

“Mornin’.” Jotaro forced it out through gritted teeth. He pulled the comforter over his head and squeezed his eyes shut, beyond exhausted. He needed time to think.

“Jojo, Polnareff is waiting downstairs.” Kakyoin pulled the blanket off of the larger boy.

“Don’t wanna go.” Jotaro knew he sounded childish, but he didn’t care. He was going to be trapped in this day forever.

“Jojo-” Kakyoin gripped Jotaro’s arm with all his strength and started pulling. Jotaro thought the other boy looked like an angel, with his face illuminated by the morning sun.

Jotaro just groaned and turned his head away from the light of the window, but Kakyoin wasn’t discouraged. He kept pulling on Jotaro’s arm until Jotaro pulled back, causing Kakyoin to fall onto his chest. Kakyoin looked embarrassed, but he didn’t move. His hands stayed pressed against Jotaro’s broad chest, trembling. This was almost more than Jotaro could bear. He felt his face get hot, and it took all of his willpower not to kiss Kakyoin then and there. The two boys just stared at each other for a while, neither of them having the strength to move. Finally, Kakyoin pulled away, standing up and slowly flattening the wrinkles out of his uniform. He seemed like he wanted to say something, but before he could-

“Come on, up and at ‘em!” Polnareff’s yell from the doorway interrupted him.

“Good fucking grief.” Jotaro glanced at the clock. “Don’t be so loud at 8 in the fucking morning.”

“Actually, dear Jotaro, it’s 8:05. Punctuality is a gift!” Polnareff leaned against the doorway.

“What do you mean.” Jotaro sat straight up, eyes glowing with intensity.

“Well, Jotaro, it’s important to be on time. If you say you’re going to meet a beloved friend for breakfast, you-”

“Not about that, bastard.” Jotaro walked towards Polnareff.

“Look at my watch! 8:05, on the dot.” Polnareff gestured to his wrist.

8:05. 12:05. 8:05. 12:05. 8:05. 12:05. It’s five minutes. The alarm clock is five minutes off.

The alarm clock.

It’s been the fucking clock the whole time.

“You’re right, Polnareff.” Jotaro almost laughed. “Kakyoin, Polnareff, go down to breakfast. I have to finish something first.”

Kakyoin began to follow Polnareff out of the room, but he turned around and shot Jotaro a confused glare.

“I promise I’ll be back later.” Jotaro looked him in the eyes, hoping to communicate something he couldn’t through words. Kakyoin nodded and left the room.

Jotaro didn’t even need to bring out Star Platinum for this one. He grabbed the clock and slammed it against the thin wall of the hotel, smashing it to pieces. A stand appeared from the remains, and Jotaro followed it as it glided out the window. He finally chased it to an alleyway a few miles from the hotel. The stand faded away as a colorfully dressed woman stepped out of the shadows, laughing menacingly.  

Jotaro stared at her, trying to remember where he’d seen her before. “I know you,” he paused, “You’re the damn hotel bartender.”

“That’s right, Joestar!” She laughed. “My stand, Time After Time, allows me to trap any person in a constant time loop, so long as they touch it at least once each ‘day’ before midnight!” She shifted her pose. “When they’re stuck in this loop, the person will always begin to lose their mind. I don’t even have to move - I can just watch them fall into insanity, simply with my stand!”

“Good grief.” Jotaro pressed his hand against his forehead, screwing his eyes shut.

“It’s too late now, Joestar! You’ve already touched the clock!”

“I destroyed it.” Jotaro said simply.

“The ‘clock’ is simply the outer shell! Another will just appear, like armor for my stand.” She grinned.

“Good grief.”

After a quick round of ORAS, the fight was over, to say the least. Jotaro pulled down on his hat and walked away. The air around him felt different as he made the journey back to the hotel.

Jotaro entered his hotel room, half-drenched from the rain outside. He nodded to Kakyoin, who was laying on the couch watching sumo. Kakyoin looked noticeably relieved by Jotaro’s presence as he sat up.

“Jojo, where have you been?” Kakyoin draped his arms over the back of the couch, head turned towards Jotaro.

“Nowhere special.” Jotaro pulled off his soaking jacket and hung it on the bathroom door, enjoying the way Kakyoin’s eyes were drawn to the newly exposed skin. “I promise I’ll tell you tomorrow.” He slumped onto the couch next to Kakyoin. It was nice, just being here next to him.

“Okay, weirdo.” Kakyoin leaned closer to Jotaro.

Jotaro barely stopped himself from grinning like an idiot. “Kakyoin, do you wanna order room service?” That had worked what seemed like a million days ago.

“Oh god yes.” Kakyoin grabbed the phone immediately.

After watching TV for a few hours, Jotaro could tell that Kakyoin was nervous. He was doing his leg-tapping thing again, but even that was somehow endearing to Jotaro. He tapped Kakyoin’s knee, raising his eyebrows in a silent question. Kakyoin swallowed nervously.

“Jojo, can I tell you something?” Kakyoin’s voice almost trembled.

“Yeah.” Jotaro was ready.

“I’m gay.” Kakyoin closed his eyes, afraid to see Jotaro’s response. He seemed so scared Jotaro would respond with violence or anger.

“Okay.” Jotaro made sure his voice sounded calm. “That’s cool.”

“Cool?” Kakyoin breathed out a sigh of relief. “Cool.” He repeated it to himself almost inaudibly.

“I’m glad you told me.” Jotaro half-smiled. He still felt stiff, but he hoped Kakyoin felt less nervous.

“Jeez, no need to get sentimental.” Kakyoin jibed, trying to lighten up the conversation, but his smile held genuine relief. “...Thanks, Jojo.”

“Thanks for what.”

“For not freaking out?”

“Why would I freak out.”

“...Forget it.” Kakyoin looked away.

“You don’t have to be scared of me,” Jotaro assured.

“I’ve been terrified of you finding out for so long. I didn’t want to ruin what we had or - or make you uncomfortable. After all this time, I never thought you would be so - well, okay with it.” Kakyoin refused to look at Jotaro, instead staring intently at the ground.

“You’re my friend, Kakyoin. I would never…” Jotaro trailed off, hoping Kakyoin understood his intent.

Kakyoin sighed. “But a guy like you wouldn’t be friends with me if we didn’t have this… weird power connecting us together.” His voice held the same resignation from days ago.

“Maybe not.” Jotaro turned to look at Kakyoin. “But we’re friends now.”

Kakyoin’s voice shook with the weight of his words. “You guys are the first real friends I’ve ever had.”

Jotaro didn’t have to think about it this time. “Same.”

Lying on the couch with Kakyoin asleep on his shoulder, empty plates surrounding him, Jotaro remembered hoping that this one was the day that lasted. He slid out from underneath Kakyoin, repositioning the boy and laying a blanket over him.

“Goodnight, Noriaki.”

Jotaro climbed into his own bed, closing his eyes and hoping that tomorrow would be a new day.

Morning came again, brought in by the sound of the alarm clock. It didn’t work. A wave of despair crashed over Jotaro - but in that moment, he realized something.

“It’s a different song.” He shot up out of the hotel bed.

“I-  what?” Kakyoin’s nose scrunched up in confusion as he turned away from the mirror.

Cute, Jotaro allowed himself to think. “Hey, Noriaki. What day is it.”

Kakyoin’s face turned red at the use of his first name. “Um. It is, uh, the twenty-second day of the month. Which is, um, a Tuesday?” He covered his face with his hands and muttered something under his breath.

“Thanks, Noriaki.” Jotaro almost grinned.

“Why are you saying weird shit, Jojo?” Kakyoin stared him down, which would have been a lot more intimidating if he hadn’t been blushing in his pajamas.

“I dunno.” Jotaro stretched and enjoyed the way Kakyoin’s eyes quickly swept over his body. “Just felt like it.”

Jotaro was back to real life. The storm had finally stopped, so the group could leave the hotel and get back on the road. All five of them had crammed into Joseph's rental car, but for once Jotaro didn't mind - it gave him an excuse to be close to Kakyoin. Jotaro would never have admitted it to himself, but he kind of missed that Monday. He missed all of the memories he had - none of them real, but memories nonetheless. But one thing from that day was still real.

He glanced at Kakyoin, sitting next to him in backseat of the car. The boy was staring out the window with a barely noticeable smile on his face, red hair swaying around his face in the warm breeze. One hand was propped up against his face, the other lying open on the seat beside him. Fuck it. Jotaro covered Kakyoin’s open hand with his own, lacing their fingers together. Kakyoin whipped his head around, eyes wide.

“Jojo, you-” Kakyoin faltered, at a loss for words.

Jotaro just grinned at him. He would tell him later, when they were alone. He would tell him everything he wanted to know and more.

Maybe it was the sincerity in Jotaro’s smile. Maybe it was the things they’d talked about yesterday. Maybe it was the way Jotaro's voice sounded when he said Kakyoin’s first name. Whatever the reason, Kakyoin held Jotaro’s hand tighter and smiled back.