Chapter Text
JANUARY
"Ah, JoJo. Long time no hear, how's Star Platinum?" Kakyoin's warm and comforting voice came from Jotaro's phone speaker. He paced around his room, the aquarium illuminating the otherwise dim room with soft, blue light and the filter droning on in the background
Upon hearing its name, Star Platinum immediately showed up, floating over to the phone on his desk. Lately, his stand had a bit of a habit of showing up against Jotaro's will whenever he was talking to Kakyoin of the phone. As he circled his desk, he picked up a framed picture, tracing it with his thumb. It was taken while they were on their trip back when Jotaro was in high school. Jotaro thought back to his time spent with everyone, mostly Kakyoin. They got together a few weeks after the trip, and while the ICU Unit wasn't the most romantic place to confess your feelings, it just felt right to Jotaro. Everything just felt right when Kakyoin was with him.
...
He should pay Abdul and Polnareff a visit. After all, last time he heard from them they were in Italy in search of a stand arrow. He and Polnareff had discussed it from time to time, but unfortunately, Jotaro wasn't able to accompany them. Neither was Kakyoin, due to the explosion of stand users and the SPW Foundation needing him to control them (or at least do some research to see if they'd be any danger).
Work was keeping them away, and Jotaro as much hated it, he and Kakyoin knew what they were getting into and willingly threw themselves into their responsibilities. Stand related or not.
"He's right here if you want to talk to him," Jotaro said, seeing the look his stand gave him, one similar to a puppy begging for treats. It was slightly unnerving, seeing as how his stand was seen as intimidating to everyone else. Only Kakyoin could make Star act like this, it seems.
"Ora ora. Ora ora ora! Ora!" Star started talking to Kakyoin over the phone. Jotaro had no clue what he was saying, and how Kakyoin was able to keep up a conversation was something he couldn't answer. Listening to Kakyoin and Star talk, he put down the picture and picked up a stack of papers instead. His old man wanted to look into how to split his inheritance, and Jotaro had taken the liberty of helping him with it. It was as boring as he thought, but Joseph's health was deteriorating and as much as he didn't want to think about it, the old-timer was going to die. It looked to be sooner rather than later, unfortunately.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, he put the papers down on his overfilled desk. He should clean it later, but that can wait. Sitting down in his swivel chair, Star Platinum ended his conversation with Kakyoin, giving one more 'ora' goodbye before dispersing.
"Well, I'm glad to see he's in good spirits," said Kakyoin amusedly. Jotaro shuffled with the other papers that littered his desk, trying to at least salvage what little organization he had.
"Yeah. How's the U.K?" Jotaro asked.
"It's a lovely place. Too many stand users, though. It's a shame you couldn't come with me, you being biracial and all."
Half-British and a little Italian, but Jotaro didn't see the need to stress on the small details. He looked out of the window, his office being one of the top floors and overlooking Tokyo. The midnight blue sky being pleasantly cleared of any clouds, the twinkling stars scattered across it. It's beautiful, but it's lonely.
"Speaking of stand users." Kakyoin broke Jotaro out of his thoughts. "There's quite a few of them that had come across a stand arrow. The foundation told me there's a chance it's still here. Possibly floating around in some black market."
"Did you tell Abdul and Polnareff?"
"No. I wanted to tell you first."
Jotaro felt oddly pleased about being Kakyoin's first choice. Sure, such important news should be given to the others, who were actively searching for more stand arrows, but let him have his lovey-dovey moment.
"It should be around 9 AM there. Did you sleep well?" Jotaro looked at the clock that rested on his bookshelf. Nevermind that it was midnight here and he should get going to his hotel, but a few hours of less sleep is fine.
"Yes, I did. I'll have to thank you for recommending the hotel to me." Kakyoin said, a smile evident in his voice. "I should be asking about you. How's Tokyo treating you?"
Jotaro grunted. "Horrible."
Jotaro only came to Tokyo to study a newly found coral reef, and while the office the SPW Foundation gave him was fine on its own, he hated how crowded and nosy the city was. Everywhere he went, someone would approach him, wanting to give him their number (which Jotaro would harshly reject). All he wanted was to study a coral and write about it, not sleep with some random woman.
Kakyoin chuckled at this, the mixture of a wheeze and a cackling sound melted Jotaro's previous annoyance and anger. "I expected that. Hang in there, JoJo. Maybe I can visit you and cheer you up."
Kakyoin coming over to visit him would do more than just cheer him up. Jotaro, trying to keep down how open he was to the idea, nodded. He then realized that he was talking to Kakyoin over the phone, and he couldn't see him.
But Kakyoin didn't need to see Jotaro to know that he agreed with what he said. "I'll have to see if I have any time. But I'll tell you if I do."
"'Kay." was all Jotaro said before he was cut off by a short yawn. He hadn't meant to make it sound like he didn't want to talk to Kakyoin, it's just that only so many cups of coffee can keep someone awake.
"You should get some sleep, JoJo." Kakyoin didn't miss a beat, swiftly ending the conversation. "I'll talk to you later. Love you."
"Mm, yeah. Me, too. Bye, Nori."
FEBRUARY
Kakyoin couldn't visit Jotaro this month.
Not that it was a problem, Jotaro had somewhere else to be.
The one-story cottage that Polnareff and Abdul lived in was nice. It was relatively secluded from the busy town, hidden away by a thick forest. It had a cozy and snug type of feel to it, and Jotaro enjoyed that.
Winter had still not passed entirely, seeing as how the trees still hadn't grown their leaves back, and while the air wasn't cold, there was a nipping bite to it as Jotaro stood in front of the oak wooden door, giving it a firm knock. He didn't know what to expect from Italian weather, just something warmer, perhaps. Polnareff could've at least warned him that it'd be chilly.
A series of loud barks could be heard from inside the house. It looks like Iggy found out he was already there. He probably smelled the coffee gum from Jotaro's pocket. How the two of them managed to care for a dog along with a few chickens while looking for a stand arrow was on Jotaro's mind. He was somewhat envious of them since the couple could work together side-to-side and not have to leave each other for months at end.
But Jotaro couldn't waste any time being jealous of them. He had some important things to discuss. And almost as if on cue, Polnareff flung the door open, tears already in his eyes as he threw his arms around Jotaro, forcing him into a bear hug that oddly enough reminded him of the hugs his mother would give him.
Jotaro initially tensed up, not expecting Polnareff to latch himself onto him like that, but eased into it. He couldn't be mad at Polnareff for invading his personal space, it's been months since they've seen each other.
"JoooJooo!! It's been so long! Ah, did you get taller? What the hell's up with that?!" Polnareff sobbed into Jotaro's shoulder. Jotaro stayed firm.
"Good grief. At least let me in." Jotaro pulled the bill of his hat down, feeling oddly nostalgic about hearing Polnareff's voice. The Frenchman moved aside, allowing Jotaro to enter the cottage. He was greeted with the pleasant scent of baked dough. It looked like he came in while they were preparing dinner.
"Momo! Guess who's here!" Polnareff went down the hall and poked his head into a doorway. Jotaro followed behind, seeing Abdul taking out a pan of bread from the oven. Abdul turned, seeing Jotaro and smiling at him.
"It's been a while, hasn't it Jotaro?" he asked, putting the pan onto the stove and taking off his oven mitts. Was was the point, he thought, of wearing oven mitts when both of your arms are metal? He can't feel the heat, so why go through all of that? "Would you like something to drink?"
"Beer." was Jotaro's instant answer as Polnareff lead him to the living room and onto the plush loveseat. He practically sank into it when he sat down on it. Polnareff said something about Jotaro being a borderline alcoholic, which he ignored.
Iggy ran up to him, already biting at his coat pockets. Jotaro rolled his eyes, taking out a pack of coffee cum and tossing it to the dog. He caught it instantly, barking before going back to his dog bed that rested at the corner of the room. Polnareff flopped down next to Jotaro.
"Soo, what brings you here, JoJo?" he asked. Jotaro shrugged.
"Just wanted to ask about your progress with the arrows," he said. Abdul came in with a tray of drinks in hand. He set them down, sitting down on an armchair and joining the conversation.
"Is that all?" he asked. Jotaro opened the beer can and chugged it. Honestly, he wasn't here for the stand arrows. He, as much as he hated to say so, needed advice. Abdul and Polnareff were technically the only people who could help him.
Swallowing his pride, Jotaro hesitantly shook his head. "I have... a question. When did you... know."
"Know what?" Abdul tried encouraging Jotaro to further elaborate, which Jotaro thought he had explained enough. If Kakyoin was here, he would've understood in an instant.
"Good grief. How did you know when to... ask."
"Ask? Ask if he'd date me?" Polnareff took a shot at guessing what Jotaro was trying to say. He didn't want to say it out loud, though. It was his fault for still assuming people could guess what he was feeling. The fact that he hadn't gotten over that high school mentality completely was pathetic to him.
"No. I mean like. Marriage."
"Oooh." both Polnareff and Abdul nodded in understanding. They then realized what Jotaro had said.
"Wait, YOU WANNA MARRY KAKYOIN?!" Polnareff yelled, partially in excitement, but mostly shock. Jotaro cringed, Polnareff's screaming getting right in his ear. Abdul wasn't any better, sharing the same enthusiasm as Polnareff. Good thing they're taking the news so well...
"About time! Haven't the two of you been together since high school?" Abdul commented. He didn't see anything odd about them being together for so long. Sure, he didn't consider Kakyoin a boyfriend anymore, their relationship becoming something much more than the simple title, but he didn't exactly know when he should pop the question. He didn't know the slightest thing about planning for weddings or shopping for rings.
And... he was scared. He was scared of something horrible happening right when he marries Kakyoin. DIO could somehow come back, one of his minions might show up and want revenge, Kakyoin's health might deteriorate more, every time he thought about getting married, thoughts of the worst possible outcomes flood his head. But he was done with being afraid. He was done with avoiding all of his fears.
He was going to marry Noriaki Kakyoin, and nobody, not even himself, was going to stop him.
"Ah, well I was the one to propose," Polnareff said, pointing to Abdul. "This goof started crying the minute I got down on my knees!"
"I was only crying because you were." Abdul quickly retorted. Jotaro took a sip of his beer, listening as the two of them recall their proposal. It was cute, and it answered most of Jotaro's questions. Well, his wedding-related questions. Jotaro still didn't know how he was going to do the actual proposing.
"It all depends on what you think Kakyoin would like," Abdul explained when Jotaro expressed this. What Kakyoin would like... Kakyoin, like Jotaro, didn't like being too flashy or public about their relationship. He liked showing his feelings through actions, not words.
"Anywho, aren't you getting hungry, JoJo?" Polnareff got up, taking Abdul's hand. "We're having minestrone. C'mon!"
Minestrone... He was seventy percent sure that it was a type of soup. Jotaro didn't know that Abdul had gotten into cooking, but who was he to turn down an offer for food?
MARCH
"Marriage?" Joseph's old and feeble voice questioned when Jotaro told him the reason for his visit. It was only right to ask his old man how he should ask. He's been with Granny Suzie for as long as he could remember.
"Yeah."
Joseph, who was sitting in his armchair, rubbed his face, in deep thought. "I... don't know what you mean."
"... I wanna know how you proposed. How you knew what ring to get."
Joseph stayed still until he pointed to the bookshelf that was up against the wall. "Get that wooden box, I'll show you."
Jotaro did so, having Star Platinum retrieve it and setting the box on Joseph's lap. He flipped it open, rifling through the contents in it. Letters, photos, the usual. Until he took out a ring.
Jotaro had never seen this ring before, and he knew Granny Suzie never wore it before. It was beautiful, he had to admit. Its silver band was still in perfect condition, almost as if it had never been touched before, and the wine red ruby that rested on it was what pulled Jotaro in. It was impossible to not look at it.
"I remember seeing this ring in Italy when I was younger. It caught my eye immediately." Joseph said, a reminiscing smile on his face. He bought it for Granny Suzie, but why wasn't she wearing it, then?
"Guess she didn't like it, then."
Joseph blinked, staring at Jotaro in confusion. Jotaro awkwardly shuffled in his spot, a looming silence hanging over the room like smoke. Joseph then laughed, although a little strained.
"This ring... wasn't for Suzie," he said, gazing fondly at the jewelry in his hand. Jotaro didn't know what to do, so he just pulled his hat down, covering his eyes.
"... Oh."
"Even if my memory's a little foggy, I can still remember how this ring made me feel. I've seen several, but this one..." Joseph held it up, the afternoon sun that spilled from the window making it gleam. "This one is special to me."
Joseph tore his eyes away from the ring, his eyes focussing on Jotaro. "I never got to give this ring to Caesar, but maybe you can give it to Kakyoin."
Who the hell is Caesar? What happened to Caesar? Why didn't he get the ring?
Jotaro ignored the questions in his head, his hand hovering over the ring, the temptation of it coursing through his body. He liked the ring. He wanted to give Kakyoin the ring. But he didn't love it. He didn't feel compelled to give it to Kakyoin. He let his hand fall to his lap.
"No."
"No?" Joseph repeated.
"Keep it, old man. It's Caesar's ring, so it'd be wrong if someone else had it," he said. Joseph stared at Jotaro and smiled, putting the ring back in the box.
"I see. I guess you'll have to go find the perfect ring, then."
"New York, huh? I'm guessing it's about Mr. Joestar's will, right?"
Jotaro thumbed through the file of papers in his hands, shifting the cellphone on his shoulder. "Yeah." he wasn't exactly lying, per se. He did have to collect some more paperwork from Joseph, so it was like killing two birds with one stone.
"That's nice. Did you find a good hotel to stay in?"
"Nah. Rented a beach house. I think I'm gonna stay here for a while." Jotaro said, walking down the hall. He paused at the window, looking at the orange and purple mixed sky. "I think you'd like this place. I'll bring you along one day."
Kakyoin hummed, clearly pleased with the thought. "One day, JoJo. I'd like that very much."
"Yeah. I heard you're moving again, by the way."
"Mhm. Australia this time. I'll be leaving in a week."
"Hm. Australia." Jotaro mused over the fact that he and Kakyoin would be even further apart. They never truly had a chance to be together. How long has it been since either of them had touched each other? Months? A year, even? Jotaro wasn't usually one for clinginess, but he missed Kakyoin a lot. Even when they planned the possibility of visiting during their breaks, they knew something would come up.
Maybe marrying Kakyoin was a bad idea. He should wait a little longer, at least until all these new stand users and stand arrows get resolved. No, no! It's not a bad idea! He will not allow himself any second-guessing.
"... Ora." Star Platinum poked Jotaro's shoulder, gesturing to the phone Jotaro had. When did he even summon his stand? He was pretty sure he didn't.
"Star Platinum wants to talk to you," he told Kakyoin, a sliver of irritation in his tone. He wasn't saying he's mad at his stand for talking to Kakyoin, but he just thought it was a little annoying that Star would constantly cut into their time together. Well, he can't blame his stand in the end. He just simply liked Kakyoin as much as Jotaro. Star took the phone, enthusiastically talking into it.
Turning to the kitchen, which was only to his left, Jotaro turned his coffee machine on. That report of the coral he saw in Tokyo is due in a month. He was halfway done with it, but he's been a little distracted with Kakyoin and Joseph's will filling his schedule.
"Ora! Ora!" Star Platinum suddenly showed up, giving the phone to Jotaro. About time...
"Hey."
"Hey, yourself. Star's very chatty today." Kakyoin remarked as Jotaro took the cup filled with coffee, raising it to his lips and taking a sip. Chatty how? He can only say one word.
"Mm. It's late for you. Aren't you still in the U.K?"
"Yeah. It's 11. I suppose I should get to sleep. It's still lonely sleeping without you next to me, JoJo."
Jotaro felt a blush creep up in his face. "Yeah... I... uh. I'll let you go to sleep." he clumsily stumbled over his words. Kakyoin didn't mind, just as he always did whenever he managed to fluster Jotaro.
"I should. Goodnight, JoJo. I love you."
"Mhm. Talk to you tomorrow."
APRIL
"Huh?! Dakar? Why there? You're a marine biologist, and Africa is so... dry!" Polnareff exclaimed over the phone. Yes, Africa wasn't well known for its abundance of water, but it had coasts and beaches like anywhere else. Abdul had told him about a particular lake in Senegal that he thought that Jotaro would like to see. It'd be interesting to test the water there or to examine a few of the fish that inhabited it. He told Polnareff this, and he hummed in understanding.
"You should've brought Abdul and me with ya! I'm pretty sure they speak French over there."
"I guess."
A beat passed between them, and Jotaro fiddled with the silky smooth bedsheets that belonged to the hotel he was staying at. It reminded Jotaro of Kakyoin's hair and how it'd feel between his fingers whenever he'd let him touch it. Jotaro misses the feeling now that he thinks about it.
"Sooo... Didya ask Kakyoin yet?"
Very subtle. No, Jotaro hadn't even brought up the idea of marriage to Kakyoin. He just hasn't found the right ring. Or the right place. Or the right time. Or--
"Oi, are you overthinkin' it, JoJo?" Polnareff asked. Yes, Jotaro was overthinking it. He was obviously overthinking it.
"C'mon, man. Kakyoin likes you a lot! There's no need to be nervous, ya know?" Polnareff assured him. Except he knows that Kakyoin likes him. He never even thought otherwise. The fact that Kakyoin cares so much about him is what scares Jotaro.
By now Polnareff had gotten tired of Jotaro's lack of answers and decided to switch to another topic.
"So what lake are you goin' to?"
"Lake Retba."
"Oh! I think I remember Momo talking about that... it's the pink lake, right?"
"Yeah."
"That's cool! Hey, be sure to send a few pictures and a postcard! When are you goin'?"
Jotaro relaxed even more into the bed, his jetlag threatening to overtake him. He had just arrived in Senegal a few hours ago. It's late, (1 AM, actually) and he knew it was late for Polnareff, too.
"Probably tomorrow. You still live in Italy, right? It's late. Abdul's gonna get pissed if you wake him up."
"Yeah, yeah. You're right. Call me when something happens, JoJo!" Polnareff bid him goodbye before hanging up. Now... Jotaro should be getting ready to go to sleep. But he wants to hear Kakyoin's voice before he slept.
Jotaro dialed his number and waited for Kakyoin to answer.
"JoJo? I thought you'd be asleep by now. Aren't you jetlagged?"
Jotaro fought back the urge to instantly close his eyes upon hearing Kakyoin.
"Mmm... Nah. 'M not tired. What're you doin'."
"Paperwork. What about you?"
"... In bed."
"Oh? What're you wearing, JoJo?"
"Clothes."
Jotaro could almost see the shit-eating grin that was growing on Kakyoin's lips. "I'm goin'... to a lake..." Jotaro mumbled.
"What lake?"
"Lake Retba, I think."
"Oh, I read about that a few weeks ago. It's referred to as Lac Rose by the locals, so that might be a little helpful."
Jotaro's eyes started to feel even more droopy. He's not going to fall asleep. He's going to stay up and listen to Kakyoin! Kakyoin's deep, soothing voice that sounded like a running river.
"The water is very salty. So salty it compares to the Dead Sea. Hence the lack of fish that live there. The few that do have saltwater fish dwarfism."
Interesting! It'd be fun to look at them, then. Maybe he could write about the phenomenon. Jotaro mumbled something incoherent to let Kakyoin know he was still listening. Whether it convinced him or not, Kakyoin continued talking.
"Once you get there, you'll see a lot of salt collectors. Did you know they collect the salt with their hands? It's admirable."
"Mhm..."
"And also it's distinct pink color is caused by the Dunaliella salina bacteria, which is attracted by the lake’s salt content. The bacteria produces a red pigment to absorb the sunlight and gives the lake its unique color. And interestingly enough, the..."
Jotaro fell asleep while intently listening to Kakyoin, the phone resting near his ears. Unknown to Jotaro, he had noticed. And Kakyoin was alright with it.