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Chapter Text

          It was near the end of November when a letter arrived for Jonathan and Erina Joestar, inviting them to a Christmas Eve Ball planned for the following month.

          The invitation had arrived from one Sir William Dossett, the head of a wealthy family on similar status to the Joestars, or at least, they were before the barrage of tragedy had struck the Joestar name with a bit of sour luck. Money wasn't all there was to status after all, and having the members of your name murdering one another and burning down the family manor certainly does detract from your status quite a touch.

          It was for this reason that Jonathan was insistent and eager to go. It had been but one month short of a year now since he and Erina barely escaped from the sinking ship with their lives, leaving Dio's decapitate head to go along with it, hopefully until the end of time, and it had been even longer since George Joestar had been murdered in cold blood and the Joestar family manor burnt down around his fallen corpse.

          Between that fateful day and now, there had been very little holding the Joestar name up in the eyes of society, though the latter half of that time period has been of Jonathan's own volition, wanting privacy for the newly established family to recover from the chaos they had all undergone over the past year and a half. Now that Jonathan felt more at peace with the state he and his loved ones lived in, this would be the first chance in what felt like forever that the Joestars would be present at a noble function.

          In Jonathan's eyes, this provided the perfect opportunity to re-instate the Joestar name once again as a household of renown and respect.

          Of course there were a few things he had to make sure were in place first.

          Their darling son, George Joestar, named for his grandfather, had been born to them only a few a weeks ago, at the start of the month, and while it would be a simple matter to have his nursery maid take care of him for the evening, he wanted to be sure that Erina was in a suitable enough position to attend a ball. Sure, she would insist that she was fine and that any after-birth weakness had passed, but while Jonathan knew his wife was a strong woman, he still wanted to be careful with her health. Delivering a baby was no easy task after all.

          And then there was the matter of the invitation itself.

          The invitation clearly invited himself and Erina, that much was very clear, was it neglected to mention the status on supplementary guests. It seemed as such to be an event of high exclusivity then, with no mention of plus ones- which was a problem, as Speedwagon was, of course, mentioned no where on the letter.

          To the outside world, the Joestar household consisted of Jonathan, his wife Erina, their newly born George, an ensemble of servants, butlers and maids, and oddly enough to most, their close friend Robert E.O. Speedwagon, a man of a lowly gang-oriented background, coming from London's own Ogre Street, of all places. History aside, his live-in status as friend rather than family was, in kinder words, uncommon, but Jonathan and Erina would deflect any questions on the matter by simply recalling how the man was not only a dear family friend, but also a key part in Jonathan's survival at the hands of Dio in their final battle.

          Needless to say, it was hard to argue against that reasoning, or at the very least, rude to do so.

          And that was the end of the story to outsiders. The household staff was similarly in a place of mystery regarding Speedwagon's relation with the couple, although Jonathan imagined that there must be some degree of rumors regarding the strict hours in place for when the staff could be in the main part of the manor, or god forbid, the implications of what appeared to be a connecting doorway between the master bedroom and Speedwagon's. But to Jonathan and Erina, Speedwagon was more than just a friend. But none of his staff had gone out and spread any malicious rumors about them and seemed to keep any thoughts they had regarding the three to themselves- a quality Jonathan admired in his staff, and one he prided himself on thanking them for in subtle little ways.

          Because, end of the day, Jonathan didn't want Speedwagon to be a secret. To Jonathan, Robert was as much his husband as Erina was his wife, even if not in legal terms- and Jonathan didn't see anything wrong in that. He wasn't cheating on Erina, because Erina was alright with their arrangement. As a matter of fact, she was the one that brought up the idea of having the two of them bring Robert into the mix- she'd seen the way he acted around Jonathan and admittedly, after some time, the way Jonathan acted around him, and together they brought the proposed arrangement to him. While for the most part, Erina and Speedwagon held a mostly platonic relationship, Jonathan had to note that in more recent months, they two appeared to be opening up to each other in a way one could almost describe as romantic, but Jonathan chose to simply smile and leave that development for them to do with as they see fit.

          As things had stood now and for the past few months, Jonathan considered himself the luckiest man in the world, graced with not one, but two people who loved him as their husband, and life with them really was truly wonderful in a way he never dreamed was possible.

          But it was hard, sometimes, trying to live so secretively with them. Jonathan only wanted to share his love for Erina and Robert everywhere he went, but it was looked down upon for reasons he understood, but couldn't get a grasp on or accept. Who cared what the three got up too so long as they loved each other and all involved were okay with the arrangement? Why did others have to care so much about what went on in other people's lives.

          Jonathan cleared his head, trying to calm himself down- he liked to think himself an ultimately composed man, but he was prone to bouts of passionate anger from time to time, given the proper circumstances. 

          Regardless, society was what society is, and it was simply up to Jonathan as head of the household to find a way for him, Erina, and Robert to live their lives together to the best of his abilities.

          And hopefully, that included, finding a way to get Robert invited as well, because while Jonathan wanted to re-establish his family name, he didn't want to abandon his husband at home while he and Erina went out and had fun.

          So, with that in mind, he intended to write a request back to Sir Dossett, inquiring about where he stood on the idea of Jonathan and Erina bringing along a supplementary guest. He hoped the man would be accommodating enough to allow for Robert to join them.

          But first, he wanted to speak with his two partners on the matter of the ball first.

          Jonathan was currently residing in his study, where he had started the day by going through letters and other such important documents that needed his attention. With this last letter attended to, he was finished for the day handling these matters and wanted to track down where Erina and Robert were.

          Tucking the invitation into his coat pocket, Jonathan exited into the hallway and was immediately greeted by the sight of a maid going about her routine of dusting the sconces and other wall decorations of the manor. The young girl, upon seeing him in the corner of her eye, gave a slight curtsy to greet him as she continued with her work, but Jonathan quickly cut her off by asking if she had any idea where Erina and Robert might by.

          "Oh, well I do believe I saw Lady Erina in the nursery earlier, attending to Young Master George." The young girl answered, clutching her dusting wand in both hands. "Mister Speedwagon I believe was out in the garden earlier, but he does tend to wander, as you know."

          Jonathan nodded with a sheepish smile. "Guess I'll just have to track him down then. Thank you, Adelaide."

          The girl nodded and resumed her work as Jonathan went down the hall to first see if he could find Erina.

          The Joestar household as it was run the present day under Jonathan's ownership was very different from when he was growing up under his father's roof. True, it had only been a little over a year ago since that time, but it couldn't feel farther away.

          The Joestar house of old was filled with servants who attended to the mansion 24/7 and were, for the majority of his childhood, the only ones who you could really say seemed to live there. Jonathan did so love his father, but looking back, he had to admit that the distance between them was much stronger than he remembered feeling at the time. Jonathan would often play about the mansion with only Danny and the servants to attend to him, and as his playtime with Danny got a little rougher and hectic, he found himself going outside more and more. Later in life, after Danny's passing, Jonathan found himself locked up in his bedroom more often than not- mostly to avoid a certain brother of his- only leaving to wander the library in search of new and interesting books and articles on archeology and whatever he was currently researching and digging into.

          The mansion always felt full, but lonely. Jonathan always felt like he was alone with himself and his thoughts. Here, in the present, Jonathan never felt alone in the manor, filled with people he loved and wasn't ashamed, embarrassed or afraid to be around. Erina and Robert were aways there for him to lounge with, to talk to, to laugh with, and confide in. Nothing like those lonely nights of his youth huddled in his bed with nothing but a hollow feeling in his chest and hunger in his stomach, as he'd been sent to bed without dinner once again. He often found himself wondering how he could ever bear those nights surrounded by empty sheets when now he could only find peace resting between the two he loved most.

          Truly, it warmed his heart and soul thinking about it. While he mourned his lost youth that was quite literally burned down before his very eyes, it was a bittersweet feeling, as he wouldn't trade what he had now for anything else in the world.

          He only hoped that this warm and happy household would influence his son's youth in a way he never had.

          Speaking of, at last, he'd found his way to the nursery room, where, should luck have it, he would find Erina and their son, George.

          Now, it was regarded as commonplace for children of noble or upper class birth to be raised with a nursery governess or other such similar nurse maid whose job was to tend to the child while the mother did other, more important things, but Erina insisted that her child was the most important thing- and of course, Jonathan could only agree.

          In fact, she made it such a priority to be present in raising him that, to prove her point even further, she refused to even hire a full-time nurse for their son, instead, opting for their housekeeper or other such higher up maid act as a babysitter for those times when Erina, Jonathan, or Robert could not be present to take care of George.

          In the weeks following the birth of their son, she could often be found either resting in their bed with George buddled up in her arms or in the nursery cradled with him in a rocker. The nursery room was rather large and spacey, with the intent to expand into a complete children's room as George grew older, and perhaps, in the future, even serve as a nursery for a second child. The walls were wrapped in a a soothing and clean off-white blue wallpaper with a pattern of lily flowers decorating it.

          As Jonathan entered the room, his eyes instantly spotted, in the far corner of the room, an elegant and particularly comfortable rocking chair, set besides as large window that stretched from floor to ceiling, shimmering sunlight shining in through sheer curtains, and in said chair rested Erina, cooing softly to her infant son, resting gently in her arms.

          Upon hearing the door open, Erina looked up and greeted Jonathan with a smile and a tilt of her head.

          "Good evening, Jojo." She asked, voice leveling at a softer volume than usually, likely due to her close proximity to the sleeping child. "How are you today, dearest?"

          "Wonderful, love." Jonathan answered, lowering his voice as he approached. "Just had something to discuss. But first..."

          He bent down to his knees in front of her, bringing himself down to where he was closer to his infant son, who slept so quietly, swaddled up in a cotton blanket with silk trimmings. The boy's small, rounded face was so small, that should Jonathan reach for him, he could fit his entire palm around it, and his expression so gentle it could rival an angel's.

          Jonathan smiled lovingly as he reached to stroke his son's hair with a touch so tender and hesitant it felt like nothing more than a tickle on his fingertips.

          With a nudge, Erina lifted the baby closer to Jonathan.

          "Would you care to hold him, Jojo?" She offered, allowing him room to take hold of the bundled up infant.

          Jonathan gave a small nod as he accepted, taking the boy into arms that absolutely dwarfed him in size.

          He couldn't help to but give an internal chuckle at just how small his son was. Was he too this small once upon a time? Something about Jonathan's genes lead him to be on the taller (and later in life, larger) end of average compared to others his age, and he wondered if his son would be the same. Erina, after all, wasn't a particularly small woman by any means either. But for the time being, little George was barely a foot bundled and cuddled up in Jonathan's hold, smaller and much more fragile than anything Jonathan had ever been responsible for.

          The boy's hair was a thin light brown and messy in that way only babies' hair can be and his skin a fair complexion and soft not only to touch, but on the eyes as well. Such skin had never seen anything but the contact of caring hands and luxurious sheets, no scars or rough patches to be seen. This was especially apparent when compared to his father's own tough, calloused hands, littered with scars and burnt tissue. How long the boy's visage would remain pure and untainted would be seen only with time, but Jonathan prayed it would be fairly enduring.

          "He's been good today." Erina chortled, happily enjoying the site of her husband cradling their son in his arms as though the babe were made of glass. "Not a bit of crying today, he's been quiet all morning."

          "That's good..." Jonathan whispered, smiling down at the infant. "You've been a good boy for your mama, George?"

          The baby, of course, said nothing response, but made a small murmur in his sleep that made Jonathan's heart positively melt. His grin only grew wider at the sound, as he then leaned down to grace a soft kiss on the babe's forehead.

          "Jojo, dearest, not to interrupt you, but you said you had something to discuss?" Erina lightly spoke up, resting her hands in lap.

          "Right..." Jonathan nodded, slowly standing up to his full height well balancing himself out so as to not disturb George as he walked over to the boy's crib, placing him down gently and tucking him into the sheets.

          He bent over to give his son one last kiss before returning to Erina, pulling aside another chair to face across from her.

          "Erina, my love, how are you feeling?" Jonathan asked with earnest. "You haven't been terribly ill, have you?"

          "Jojo, darling, I'm fine." She assured, reaching for the hand that rested on his knee. "I'm not perfectly in shape, but I feel just fine enough to go about my day. I'm stronger than you assume, dear."

          "No, no, I know, I just know that the doctor said it can take a month or two, and it's barely been one." He huffed, rubbing the back of his neck, a bit sheepish over his worrying. "I just want you to rest well enough..."

          "Well, I'm not exactly going out horse back riding, am I, Jojo?" She smiled sarcastically. "What's this about?"

          "We've been invited to a Christmas Ball at the Dossett's, slated for Christmas Eve." Jonathan explained, retrieving the invitation letter from the pocket of his coat and handing it over to his wife. "Before I made a reservation, I wanted to be make certain that you would be in suitable health for such an event."

          "Being honest, dear, despite my claims, I do not think it best to do so in my current state," Erina admitted. "However, I've impressed the doctors with my recovery speed. I wouldn't be surprised if by Christmas Eve I found myself perfectly capable of such activities as ballroom dancing."

          "Are you sure, love?" Jonathan pried, taking both his wife's hands in his own. "Be honest, please, Erina. I couldn't live with myself if you passed out on the ballroom floor, dear."

          "I am being honest, Jojo." She assuaged, squeezing his strong hands in her own slender ones. "How about an agreement; we commit ourselves to it, but if it begins to take too much of a toll on me, I will inform you at once and we will return home with our apologies to the host. If he is an honorable man, he will understand and be thusly be accommodating."

          "That sounds fair." Jonathan accepted.

          "But Jonathan, if I may ask, what of Robert?" Erina questioned. "Are we allowed supplementary guests? It's a Christmas party, surely we can bring family and friends."

          "The invite was neglectful in regards to that information." Jonathan sighed. "But that is my hope. I was planning on mailing back an inquiry requesting further details on that regard."

          "Right." Erina nodded, looking down at her lap. "Dreadfully irritating, isn't it?"

          "Mhmm." Jonathan hummed in agreement.

          "I know what's moreso, however."

          "Oh?" Jonathan perked up, curious. 

          Erina leaned forward with a cheeky grin. "Getting him to agree to it."

          It took him a moment to figure out what she meant, but when it clicked, Jonathan laughed, leaning back. "Yes, I supposed you are correct!"

          "He's so stubborn sometimes..." Erina sighed. "Earlier this morning, he came in to check and George and I, but he refused to hold him. He kept saying it should only be his parents that hold him... I wish he'd realized he counts in that too."

          "He's nervous..." Jonathan admitted. "Remember how long it took him to stop calling me Mr. Joestar?"

          "Even in private." Erina chuckled with a subtle wink. "I suppose you are right..."

          Jonathan smiled. Robert was an anxious man, likely born from a rough life on the streets and the internal conflict of ultimately being someone society would sooner spurn than welcome with open arms, in more ways than one. Bubbly and excitable as he was with a vibrant voice and personality that filled any room he entered, you never would suspect such a man to be so self-conscious of himself or to have such low self-esteem or sense of worth.

          In fact, it wasn't until Jonathan began to bond closer and closer with Robert that he started to see the cracks in the facade. Robert was truly a man confident in his actions, that was no lie, but underneath lied a man who was fearful of every desire he'd ever had for fear of being cast out for it. From Jonathan's initial perspective, Robert was an easily flustered man should you approach him just right, but Jonathan had first thought this simply to be a character quirk of his. 

          But Jonathan was a rather clueless man when it came to picking up on the nuances of people's outward presentation and body language, and he could admit to this. Therefore, it was Erina who had to tell Jonathan that Robert very clearly had feelings for Jonathan.

          In the moment she had said it, however, Jonathan was frozen. In a matter of seconds, it all came back to him, all the minute details in his interactions with Robert that he somehow had missed, all of it having gone right over his head only for it now to come crashing down on him.

          After that talk with Erina, it had taken him a few days to compose himself; think about where he sat in regards to his relationship with Speedwagon, his dearest friend. Okay, so it was likely that Speedwagon had feelings for him, but did he have feelings for Jonathan? Was it alright to have feelings for him? The way Erina explained it... Jonathan couldn't tell for what purpose she had brought up her observations, but she didn't seem to be upset with Robert, or accusatory of him. In fact she had ended their conversation with a request for Jonathan to think it over... what did that mean?

          At the time, Jonathan had felt the most conflicted he'd been since having to handle Dio, which was saying something.

          After some thinking... Jonathan had to come to the conclusion that, well, he did like Speedwagon.

          He didn't really know what to do about that.

          He wasn't one much for casting negativity on his feelings for the sake of Speedwagon's identity as a man, he never believed that to be an inherently sinful desire, no matter how much society and the church insisted such things. How could love for another man be sinful just because he too was a man?

          No, it wasn't that.

          He was happily married in the eyes of the law and God with Erina, his wife who he could swear to the heavens above that he loved without limits.

          To have even an inkling of feelings for Speedwagon... wasn't that cheating?

          Love was a table for two, he'd been taught. A man and his wife starting a family. Or a man and man or wife and wife should they be wary...

          But a man, his wife and his... husband? Where did that stand? Jonathan had never even heard of that before now, now when he considered it...

          And the more he thought, the more he did yearn for things he'd never fully desired before.

          To embrace and be embraced by more than one pair of soft hands, to love and be loved by more than one heart in unison with his own... it sounded more and more wonderful by the second. And as thought by thought, dream by dream Jonathan find himself visualizing the same two people everytime.

          So he confided in Erina, praying that she wouldn't be disgusted with or betrayed by him. He trusted her with his love and his life, and to lose her to his wandering heart would've been too low a blow to his heart.

          But to his great joy, she was not disgusted, not betrayed, no, she was welcoming and accepting. She answered with a hug and kiss, thanking him for confiding in her with such a matter. She told him that she had a feeling that this might be where things were headed and that she'd spent just as much time contemplating it as he had. Speedwagon was a closer friend than they'd ever had before, someone who already felt like a part of their family to them in a way neither could explain, and Erina said that should Jonathan want to pursue a relationship with him alongside their pre-existing one, she would be completely in agreement with such an arrangement. Jonathan had never felt more loved and understood in his life than in that moment when Erina had embraced him, him on his knees at their bedside, his head held clutched against her chest as she littered the top of his forehead with kisses and filled his ears with soft whispers of reassurance.

          Which brought him back to the present, as Erina lifted his hand to her face to plant a loving, gentle kiss to the back of it.

          "Will you go fetch him?" She requested. "See if you can convince him."

          Jonathan nodded, returning the kiss to the back of her hand.

          "Of course, dear."

~~~

          Jonathan had just returned from the library, where he had been informed by the maid earlier in the day the Robert had last been spotted. However, as he wandered the library, searching every little nook and cranny, he could confirm that Robert must have moved on to conduct his business elsewhere- and looking out the grand center window that the library shelves sandwiched perfectly, Jonathan had an idea of where that elsewhere could be.

          As he made his way from the upper half of the library and down the stairs, Jonathan continued on his reflections from earlier. Today had brought about much time for Jonathan to think about the past and present it seemed. As he thought once more about the new Joestar Manor, he now focused on the physicality of the new building rather than it's atmosphere. One thing about the new manor was that it was smaller than the mansion Jonathan had once considered home as a child, but only by a few square meters. The new manor went back farther compared to the much wider outline of the original, and it lacked the two side buildings, instead only having one, that being a dedicated servants quarters for the servants to rest in their off time and when the main house was off limits (a.k.a. When Jonathan wanted absolute openness in the relationship between him, Erina, and Robert). And perhaps, in the more of the more minor pieces of trivia he had, Jonathan could recall that his childhood home had a total of 184 windows, while this current one had 172.

          Why Jonathan bothered to know this information was beyond him- after it was burned to the ground, Jonathan suddenly found himself fascinated to memorizing every part of that old home of his, even digging up old blueprints held on record by the family who had once, long, long ago, long before Jonathan's birth, been in charge of the construction project. Blame it on nostalgia, trauma, or the archeologist in him to become obsessed with the details of bygone days and of his destroyed family home whose walls he used to carelessly carve his initials into as a child.

          He wondered if his son would be as reckless as he was in his youth to do such a thing, Jonathan thought humorously.

          As he exited through the manor's backdoor, he noted how the private grounds were less open, but still provided plenty of room for sport and relaxation, and the household was tucked closer to the forest, which had been one thing Jonathan was very excited to have. He had also had a large garden commissioned to surround the back of the house, one with walls of rose bushes and other such flowers that he'd let Erina and Robert pick out, and flowering trees to provide shade during the hotter months, and benches and tables scattered about at intervals, perfect for tea or a chat or some quiet time with a nice book. Jonathan had found that, with his latent hamon abilities, he had a sort of gift for plants now as it were, and had found himself engaging in a bit of green thumb work as a hobby to cool down and as a way to clear his mind when more unsavory memories crossed his mind.

          In the middle of the garden lay a grand fountain one, the center of which presented a large and lovely statue of a beautiful woman clad in robes holding up a water pitcher propped on her left shoulder, her gaze looking down empathetically at whosoever looked up to admire her. The piece was familiar, of course, as it was replicated from his memory of the original statue that could be seen in the foyer of Jonathan's childhood home; a representation of what Jonathan had grown up knowing as The Joestar Guardian Angel. As the mansion burned down around it in the statue's last moments, Jonathan supposed she truly did provide him protection in the end, giving him the chance to trap Dio and rescue himself from what was intended as a suicide mission. To honor her spirit, he had this replica commissioned when the fountain was built, hoping her visage would bring further protection to his family.

          It was here at the base of this fountain that Jonathan found Robert resting on one of the stone benches that lined it.

          The other man was resting rather casually, leaning back against the fountain wall as he buried himself in what must've been a particularly engaging novel for him to have not yet noticed Jonathan on the approach... which gave Jonathan a rather entertaining idea.

          He took care to keep his footsteps quiet as he purposefully went around the fountain before stepping up onto the fountain's stone edge and rounding back, careful to keep his balance as he snuck up behind Robert. At this time of the day, his shadow would be cast backwards, so it wouldn't overshadow Robert and give Jonathan away, adding yet another element of surprise to this little scheme of his.

          Carefully, oh so carefully, Jonathan dipped down to scoop up a bit of water into his cupped hands and, using hamon, made sure to keep any stray drops from dripping through his fingers- even one plip of a droplet on water or stone could be enough to ruin the surprise.

          Now, with water in hand, Jonathan stood directly above Robert and held out his hands and with a small chuckle, he let go as the water came splashing down onto the top of his husband's head. Perhaps if he had worn a hat today, he could've been spared, but alas, fate was not kind.

          Within a mere millisecond of the water landing on him, the book was dropped in an instant and Speedwagon was IMMEDIATELY up and yelping at an unimaginable volume as he hopped about frantically, the awful feeling of cold droplets soaking his hair and running frigid drizzles down the back of his neck and uncomfortably wriggling their way down his spine. 

          Jonathan couldn't help but to laugh like a child at the frankly hilarious reaction from Speedwagon and the string of curses leaving his mouth, truly exhibiting his impressive vocabulary that he'd picked up over a lifetime on the streets.

          By the time he finally turned to face his attacker, Speedwagon had already jumped about in a circle almost five times, shaking off water like a panicked dog.

          Looking up to see Jonathan had simultaneously soothed him in an instant and filled him with a strong desire for vengeance.

          "Jojo!" He shouted, the anger in his voice cracking, as in immediate hindsight, he could only find humor in his situation. "What the hell, mate?"

          "Dreadfully sorry, Robert, but perhaps you're instincts aren't as sharp as they used to be!" Jonathan laughed.

          Speedwagon huffed and shook his head.

          "Is that so...?" he muttered, flushing a red as he looked up at Jojo's smiling face, lit up by the sun shining down on him. "Or perhaps you've gotten sneakier, love."

          "Oh, me being sneaky?" Jonathan chortled, rather endearingly, as he hoped down from the fountain to met Speedwagon where he stood, still dripping the tiniest bit. "I've never been one skilled in more elegant means such as that."

          "Oh, I wouldn't say that." Speedwagon mumbled to himself, gathering up his wild blonde hair, now matted down with water, and wringing it out over his shoulder. "I think you're plenty elegant, Jojo."

          "Well, I do appreciate the compliment, Robert dearest." Jonathan hummed, placing a hand on Speedwagon's shoulder and a kiss on his cheek, causing Speedwagon to flinch as he usually would when he or Erina would offer such pleasantries. "Care to sit back down?"

          Wiping the red from his cheeks, Speedwagon turned to look up at Jonathan, which was no easy task, mind you, with a playfully suspicious glare.

          "Not going to pour water on me this time?"

          "No, of course not." Jonathan assured, bending down to give him yet another kiss on the cheek.

          Flustered and frustrated at the unreachable height of the man before him, Speedwagon quickly moved them to the bench so he could be on more equal grounds with the giant of a man.

          As they sat, Speedwagon made a point to pick up the book he had been before being oh so rudely interrupted by Jonathan.

          He smacked the bit of dirt off it's pages before tracking down and marking the page he was one with the ribbon attached to the spine. Then he placed the book down besides him on the bench.

          "So then, Jojo..." He began, turning to look Jonathan, who admittedly still had him dwarfed when seated. "Did you come here simply to ruthlessly use me as a practice for your hamon? Or did you have a more intricate purpose to coming out here..."

          "I see you read me well." Jonathan sighed, leaning onto Speedwagon, but careful not to crush him.

          "I pride myself on reading others, Jojo. It's a speciality of mine." Speedwagon concurred, smiling at how Jonathan rested himself against him- most especially how he propped his head atop Speedwagon's own. It was a actually a good day to not be wearing a hat, he decided, but it must be a rather comical site, to see such a big man lean on upon one smaller than him by more than a foot.

          Jonathan closed his eyes and for a moment just laid there, a bit awkwardly, as he was much taller, but he liked to do so anyway and he had to admit that Robert's hair smelled really nice today. He must've bathed earlier, because it was strongly scented like the mix of herbs and chamomile Robert favored for his bath mix. Actually, now that he looked closer, he could see bits of the leaves leftover in Robert's hair.

          With a chuckle, Jonathan leaned back, pulling Robert against his chest and reached a steady hand up to brush out the debris from his hair.

          "W-what are you doing, Jojo?" He asked, not entirely upset with his current position.

          "You've got some leaves stuck in your hair from your bath." Jonathan said, continuing the motion with his right hand while resting his left level to Robert's so he could wrap his fingers around his in a soft hold.

          "Goodness..." Speedwagon remarked covering his face with his free hand. "That's embarassing... my bad, it's just, a bit difficult to brush them out on my own sometimes..."

          "I could have the maids crush the mix into a finer powder." Jonathan offered. "Though I'd also be just as open to brushing your hair."

          "I'm a g-grown man, I can brush my hair just fine." Speedwagon pouted, hoping Jojo picked up on the hint that he didn't actually want him to stop.

          "Mhmm, of course, Robert." Jonathan hummed, continuing regardless, to Speedwagon's relief.

          They sat there for a moment, Jonathan continuing to brush through Speedwagon's hair even after the few leaves had been picked out. After some point, Speedwagon's eyes began to lilt downwards and he began to feel like a cat being pet to sleep.

          "Robert?"

          "Yes, dove?" Speedwagon murmured, pulling only limply so as to look up at Jonathan easier.

          "How do you feel about parties?' Jonathan asked out of the blue, quickly waking Speedwagon from his drowse. 

          "What kind of party, Jojo?" He asked hesitantly.

          "Like a ballroom party."

          "With fancy dancing and music?"

          "Yes."

          "Jojo..."

          "It's a Christmas Eve party the Dossett's are hosting next month." Jonathan said. "I'd really like you to attend."

          "No, Jojo..." Speedwagon sighed. "I don't... no, I don't think I should attend."

          "Why not?"

          "Well, for one matter, I can't dance." Speedwagon huffed, looking away. "It's not exactly something you learn in the slums."

          "You can too dance!" Jonathan insisted. "I've seen you before!"

          "That kind of dance is for pubs and drunken gigs." Speedwagon said, blushing intensely as he recalled what lead to Jonathan seeing him 'dance.'

          "Fair enough, I suppose..." Jonathan thoughtfully mumbled, then, getting an idea he bent low to whisper in the other's ear. "We could show you..."

          "How to... waltz...?" Speedwagon stammered. "I- no, I don't think that'd be a good a idea, I'm not suited for such things."

          "Such things as?"

          "W-waltzing and parties and ballrooms and fancy foods and, well, everything, Jojo." Speedwagon smiled. "It's not my forray."

          Jonathan frowned. And now the fight began.

          "Robert, love, I really want you to come."

          "I would love to, but, I'd really only be dead weight."

          "Not to me or Erina..."

          "Trust me, Jojo, you don't want a street rat dirtying what sounds like an otherwise lovely party."

          "No, I think that's exactly what I want." Jonathan argued, twisting Speedwagon around so they were fully face to face. "I know it's futile trying to get you to stop calling yourself that."

          Speedwagon avoided eye contact.

          Jonathan huffed and took both of Speedwagon's hands in his own. "But you know that won't stop me, Robert."

          "Jojo-"

          "No." Jonathan shook his head. "Robert, you are worthy of everything you have."

          "Jojo, not this again-"

          "You are worthy of this house and of this family and you are worthy of higher society, and I won't have you thinking anything else."

          "Jojo..." Speedwagon started again, but upon seeing Jonathan's admittedly adorable expression of childish determination, eyes scrunched up and cheeks puffed, he could only sigh in defeat. "Alright, I'll go..."

          "Really?" Jonathan said with bated breath, a great wide smile gracing his face and his eyes alight with shimmering blue. "You mean it?"

          "I'm a man of my word, Jojo." Speedwagon attested, holding up his right hand.

          "Oh wonderful!" He stood up, posture crackling with excitement. "I'll just write back to them on the matter then. I hope they accept."

          "Accept?" Speedwagon lifted an eyebrow. "What do you mean? They invited us, what do they need to accept?"

          Shoot. Jonathan cringed as he realized his error.

          "Jojo?" Speedwagon remarked before a pause. Then, he sighed. "I wasn't actually invited was I?"

          "Well..." Jonathan looked to the side like a child caught up stealing. "Not entirely..."

          "I shouldn't go then." Speedwagon huffed. "That's even worse, going uninvited."

          "But you wouldn't be!" Jonathan argued, waving his hands. "I'll have a request sent about the status on supplementary guests and see if you could be our plus one!"

          "Jojo, that is... that would be beyond embarrassing..." Speedwagon shuddered. "They don't want me there, Jojo."

          "No, they just..." Jonathan paused. "T-they just didn't think about you because..."

          "Because it's for the master and mistress of the house, Jojo." Speedwagon shook his head. "Of which I am neither."

          Jonathan clenched his hands angrily- not towards Robert, but towards the truth of the matter.

          "I don't care about that." He committed, pounding his fists against the air besides him. "I'm sending the request."

          Speedwagon looked up at Jojo, his heart warm at his dedication and kindness, but his brain fearful for it all the same.

          "I don't want to embarrass you and Erina." He firmly stated, adjusting his own posture as stood up straight to face Jonathan. "I'll stay and watch over George, it'll be fine."

          Jonathan shook his head once more. "No."

          "Jojo." Speedwagon asserted. "I am serious. I will only embarrass you."

          "No you won't." Jonathan's dead set expression then shifted into something softer, empathetic and pitying as he reached a single hand to cup the side of his husband's face. "I have never felt anything but love and admiration for you, Robert, my love..."

          Speedwagon wanted to argue but he was made too complacent by the cool softness of Jojo's touch to bother, opting instead to lean into the hand, bringing his own up to caress it against him. He closed his eyes, only wanting to focus on this feeling, not the roiling waves of inadequacy he felt bubbling inside.

          He didn't see, but rather feel Jonathan lean in closer to kiss him, only feeling the tender touch of lips on his own, surprisingly smooth and soft every time despite everything they both had been through. No matter the damage that marked their skin, their lips and hands always exchanged the most dulcet contact surely imaginable.

          Slowly, Jonathan grasped for Robert's free hand and held it kindly in his own, taking a step to lead him backwards, guiding him back to the bench, taking care to keep him steady as he settled the smaller man on the seat, he himself resting low on his knees, never breaking the kiss all the while. In this position, the two were perfectly at equal level, and it was all too tempting for Speedwagon to reach out and adust Jonathan just so that he was tilted at an angle where Speedwagon was actually above him ever so slightly. And, after a moment of leniency, he did just that. Catching on to Speedwagon's intention, Jonathan lowered himself onto both knees, sitting down on the soles of his feet and easing himself lower than the other man.

          With that, any lingering restraint or hesitation Speedwagon had was gone as he gave in and let go of Jonathan's hand, instead wrapping both his around to the back of Jonathan's head, pulling him in to intensify the kiss. Speedwagon shuddered as he felt Jonathan's hands run up along his back, and even through several layers of clothing, the contact electrified him to the bone. He dragged his hands down along the back of Jonathan's head, tangling his fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck.

          They stayed there, caressing one another for what felt eternity, and quiet moment steadily ramped down, they pulled away to look one another in the eyes and rest their foreheads together.

          "Love and admiration, eh?" Speedwagon muttered, laughing to himself, a small tear tricking down his cheek. "I suppose so then..."

          "So you'll come to the party?" Jonathan whispered, chuckling himself.

          "Well..." Speedwagon blushed. "Hard to decline when you, er, put it like that."

          "Like what, Robert?" Jonathan teased not breaking eye contact with Speedwagon.

          "Oh, bugger off, already!" Speedwagon huffed, playfully shoving Jonathan away as the other man burst into laughter. "Y-you know what!"

          "Perhaps..." Jonathan hummed, placing his elbows on either side of Speedwagon's lap, resting them on the bench as he looked up at the other man. "Oh, you're quite precious like that, Robert."

          "I can't believe you turned into such a t-tease..." Speedwagon sighed, covering his face, flush with red.

          Jonathan frowned. "I'm not a tease, I'm just being honest..."

          "F-fair enough..." Speedwagon mustered. "But, sometimes, Jojo, you do tease."

          "Well, I learned it makes you blush..." Jonathan said, tilting his head contemplatively to the side. "And it is a really precious look on you. I didn't lie."

          "Great Lord above, Jojo, you don't know what you do to me." Speedwagon whispered jut below his breath and shook his head. "L-let's just go inside and work out this party ordeal."

          Jonthan lifted himself up and gave Speedwagon a great beaming smile.

          "Of course, dearest Robert." He accepted, and with his hand outstretched, Jonathan guided Speedwagon back into the manor.

~~~

          The day came and went without much more to note.

          Jonathan, having concluded conversation with Erina and Robert over tea, had written out his response letter regarding Mr. Dossett's invitation, inquiring on the status of supplementary guests. He gave it to a maid who had given it to a messenger boy to run to the Dossetts', as there was no need for the post office for communication with a family so close nearby.

          With that handled, the day went about more or less as things usually would. Without much work to do, the three sent their time engaging in hobbies, chatting amongst each other, or playing with and tending to little George. Once they'd put the babe to sleep, they went about dinnertime together, which as per usual, was a bit of a loud, boisterous time, Robert sharing stories of his time with the gang and Erina and Jonathan reacting accordingly, the table full of laughs and gasps. Another improvement from the old Joestar household, Jonathan idly would think, sipping on his wine.

          Now though, with dinner over, the three were in their shared bedroom, getting ready for bed.

          Technically, Speedwagon had his own bedroom, but that was mostly to avoid questions from the servants than anything. He hardly slept in that bed and it essentially served as a glorified closet for his clothing and personal belongings. His bedroom was directly adjacent to the master bedroom, with a door and small hallway connecting the two, the entrances to which could only be unlocked only by the keys held by the three of them, as to avoid suspicions. Although, surely some servants had realized the two mystery doors aligned in the two rooms layouts and connected the dots in some way.

          In the master bedroom, Erina and Speedwagon sat in their nightgowns on the bed while Jonathan changed into his by the closet across the room.

          "Your hair is so silky today, Robert." Erina commented, running through the man's hair with a brush as he sat before her. "What bath mix did you use today?"

          "Chamomile..." He muttered, fiddling with his fingers as he recalled how Jonathan had had to pick out the lingering leaves from bath mix out of his hair earlier in the day. "It's my favorite one..."

          "Well it does wonders for you, dear." Erina smiled, placing the brush aside and fluffing Speedwagon's hair with a smile. "I've always loved how wavy it is, as well."

          "That's all apart of the R.E.O. charm!" He playfully thumbed to himself with a smile. "Long hair that like of a prince; that's Speedwagon for ya', love!"

          Erina laughed and fluffed up his hair once more, finding joy in the way it bounced. Speedwagon had to admit, he'd always been a bit prideful of his long bright blonde hair, even back on Ogre Street when he couldn't quite afford to keep it the cleanest it could've been. Living with the Joestars these past few months and having access to all the products rich people could use had down wonders on his hair and skin and general upkeep. He'd never more fresh than he did in moments like this, in a silken night gown, hair shining from a bath earlier in the day and skin soft from the cold cream Erina had recommended him a while back. Well, as soft as his battered skin could be at this point in his life.

          The two blondes idly continued lounging together when Jonathan joined in, casually tossing himself onto the bed as well. He rolled onto his front and pushed himself up to sit criss cross before his partners.

          "What about my hair, guys?" He smiled holding out his own brush.

          With a giggle, Erina took the brush up and moved around behind Jonathan, rising to her knees to have an easier time reaching the top of his head.

          "Your hair is quite soft as well, dear..." She spoke softly with a giggle. "And what bath mix did you use, Jojo?"

          "Lavender, of course." He hummed. "I know you two like it."

          This left both Erina and Speedwagon a flustered a bit, always forgetting how much Jonathan thought of them in his to day to day activities.

          "Robert." Jonathan spoke up, 

          "Hmm?" Speedwagon perked up from his spot on the bed, the blond lifting his head up from where it rested on his propped palm. "Yes, what is it, Jojo?"

          "Do you recall from earlier in the day how you mentioned not knowing how to waltz and I offered for Erina and I to show you?"

          "I do, yes." Speedwagon nodded.

          "Well what would you say to us starting lessons tomorrow? It's never too late."

          "Oh," Erina popped in. "I would love to help, Speedwagon. The waltz can be a wonderfully romantic dance, I'm sure you'll be a natural."

          "It's not exactly in what I'd call my natural skillset, dove..." He chuckled. "But I do appreciate the offer. I'm sure with you two, I'll feel a bit less silly..."

          "We promise not to tease too much if you trip up." Erina giggled, leaning over to bop Speedwagon on the nose with the brush.

          "Heh heh, well, color me flattered, dear." He smirked, moving to sit up fully, stretching out his arms and yawning lazily.

          "Oh, tired already, Robert?" Jonathan asked, tilting his head.

          "Yeah, just a little..." He admitted, rubbing his eyes.

          "Well then, let's just get to bed tonight." She smiled, reaching for Speedwagon's hand, nudging him over to the head of the bed as Jonathan quickly got up to blow out the remaining candles, leaving only the hearth burning bright.

          After Jonathan crawled back into bed, shutting the thick canopy curtains, the three of them tucked themselves in, Speedwagon settling in the, Jonathan and Erina arranging themselves besides him. Truthfully, the three of them twisted so much in their sleep that the order they'd wake up in could be anything at all, but for now, Speedwagon had himself nestled up against Jonathan, his back pressed up on his chest, and Erina nestled up in front of him. Although, Erina being a few inches taller, it was more like Speedwagon was nuzzled into her the crook of her neck than she was cradled against him. The sandwich was immediately a warm and comforting spot to be in, and Speedwagon could feel sleep take it's hold on him almost in an instant as he squirmed between the two of them, finding the best position to cuddle up in.

          "Goodnight, Robert." Jonathan and Erina said almost in unison, smiling to themselves at how quickly their Robert was falling asleep.

          "'Night, doves..." he mumbled, hardly registering it as his sense faded into a warmth of dulcet darkness, tucked sweetly between the two he loved most.

Chapter Text

          The next morning, Jonathan and Erina awoke Speedwagon by teasing him in unison, prodding at his cheeks and tousling his hair playfully until the small ministrations stirred him from his dreams.

          “Welcome back, dear.” Jonathan greeted, brushing aside the other’s bangs to plant a soft kiss on the his forehead.

          “Why, hello there, sleepyhead.” Erina followed up with a hum, a light chuckle on her lips.

          Speedwagon wiped the daze from his eyes, his clearing vision revealing the brimming visage of his two partners looking down at him with smiling faces.

          “G’morning, loves…” He mumbled groggily as he tried to bring himself up to a seated position.

          “You’ve doused off for quite a while more than you really ought to, Robert.” Jonathan shook his head. “We all went to sleep at the same time.”

          “Well, I ain’t exactly a morning person, if you’d believe it.” Speedwagon smacked his mouth, and rubbed out the knots and sore spots from where his hair had been ruffled during his sleep. He really should consider at least pulling it back into a ponytail when he slept, but it always slipped his mind and he’s end up waking up once again with a headache and tangles to boot.

          “I can have the maids bring us up breakfast and leave it just outside the door for us to grab, if you’d like.” Jonathan offered, scotching over closer to the edge of the bed, his hand hovering slightly over to the thick service rope hanging from the wall besides it.

          “No, I think I can muster up enough strength to get up all proper.” Speedwagon huffed as he stretched out the last of the knots in the arms and back before kicking out his legs to get the blood flowing.

          “Well, alright then, dear.” Jonathan accepted, kicking his legs over the edge to stand up and stretch himself out as well.

          Erina followed suit, and Speedwagon after her, the three now dispersing across the room to began their morning routines, the two blondes sharing a long bench by the mirror to brush through their hair and fully work out the tension from a hard night’s sleep. Erina’s brush was the more elegant, soft bristle brush that gently smoothed out the woman’s with each thin stroke, while Speedwagon’s was a hard bristle brush, stiff enough to fight it’s way through his tighter curls and easily tangled fluff, provided he put enough strength into each pull.

          From across the room, Jonathan watched as he began picking out his clothing for the day, having already quickly combed through his own darker and much more manageable hair. As he looked on, he found amusement in the difference between Erina’s gentle hair styling and Robert’s rough yanking as he forced his hair to be presentable as though he were wrangling a puppy. It seemed all the expensive hair care products and nice hot baths in the world couldn’t quite tame the man’s wild blonde hair.

          Once Speedwagon finished up the fiasco that was his hair, he quickly lept up, leaving Erina to continue her work in elegantly styling her hair in a much more ladylike fashion than Speedwagon would ever bother with his own long locks. He flittered briefly to his own private quarters and returned with a nicely pressed suit and began preparing his outfit right besides Jonathan.

          “You can’t possibly be wearing that vest with that undershirt, can you Jojo?” Speedwagon teasing tossed the man’s way as he began to strip out of his nightgown.

          “I think the color’s look rather nice together.” Jonathan responded with a little pout, twisting around to quickly look over the suit of subdued yet clashing colors he’d carefully put together. Pink and orange on white surely went wonderfully with a main coat of teal with a touch of dark chartreuse.

          “‘Course you do, dove.” Speedwagon hummed affectionately, having once found he man’s admittedly ignorant sense of fashion a bit granting, he know had grown to find it endearing. “You look great, Jojo.”

          After all, there wasn’t really a way of stopping Jojo from pursuing such styles anyway- the man was too proud of them to ever be made embarrassed by it. Not to mention, even the most atrocious get-up could look heavenly on a man with his build. Speedwagon flushed as he contemplated it, looking up in the mirror to admire the outline of Jojo’s muscles, too defined to be held back by the mere layers of fabric he’d clothed himself in. It would always amaze him how someone could look so oddly, well… exposed, even in a full suit and tie. Quickly banishing the thought, Speedwagon turned his focus back to the ribbon he was threading around the collar of his shirt with trembling fingers, face a light shade of pink.

          By the time the two men had been fully suited, Erina had finished her hair, done up in a simple yet elegant braided bun, and came around to peruse through her own wardrobe.

          Once she picked out her dress for the day, she kindly asked for Jonathan and and Robert to help her get dressed, as such things as noble women’s clothing tended to be impossible to put on by one’s self.

          After they’d all finished preparing for the day, the three departed the bedroom to leave downstairs for breakfast where they simply talked amongst themselves about lighthearted matter and things inconsequential nature before eventually coming back around to the talk of the Christmas Eve ball they planned to attend in a matter of weeks.

          While Jonathan openly admitted that it was a little childish to be so eager for an event that wouldn’t even take place until a month later, but he just loved the idea of finally attending a party with Robert and Erina. He hadn’t gotten a chance too amidst all the chaos of the past year, and even further, he hadn’t exactly had a positive experience with balls and parties overall outside of his early childhood. His hopes for this had boiled up high enough that he insisted upon purchasing new formalwear for the three of them for the occasion and he even brought up the idea of them all having matching designs for the three of them, which Erina and Robert couldn’t argue with as Jonathan’s excitement at the idea was all too endearing to deny.

          As the conversation went along, eventually the matter of Robert’s ballroom experience or lack thereof came about, and Jonathan asked if he would be open to starting lessons today as they’d discussed doing yesterday. Robert was open to it, saying that it’d be best to try and fix him up sooner rather than later, and with that, Jonathan was excited enough to scarf down his food even faster than usual, but with a practiced hand that clearly had learned when to hold back at the table.

          With breakfast wrapped up, and having asked a servant to set up the phonographJonathan guided Robert and Erina to the ballroom with a bit of a skip in his step, all to excited at the idea of getting to dance with them in a month.

          “Or, just with Erina.” He corrected himself, frowning. He knew he couldn’t actually waltz with Robert at the party, but, maybe when they returned for the evening…

          But Jonathan quickly shook away any of those thoughts when they entered into the grand ballroom.

          The room was exquisite, large with white walls intricate decorated with trips of golden floral patterns and beautifully lined with windows stretching from floor to ceiling, carved columns framing each one and thick maroon curtains dropping down the sides of the panes. The center floor was a polished pale tile, polished to a mirror-like sheen, and in the center of the ceiling, a grand chandelier, unlit at the moment, hung down low to just the right height.

          Sunlight shined in beams from the eastern side of the room, the sun just high enough to stretch half-way across the floor, and with the sheer under curtains drawn, the light wasn’t harsh enough to hurt the eyes with bright the room would’ve been otherwise.

          Stepping into the light of the room was when it really hit Speedagon how unprepared he felt for this.

          Speedwagon knew some of the basics of the waltz- he knew the overall steps and motions, but if he were being honest, he’d never had the chance to actually use it in the proper settings and he wouldn’t exactly say he was even adequately skilled in it. Most importantly though, he’d never done it partnered with a woman- not unless he counted the time he’d pranced tipsy with a barmaid only to trip himself into a table mere seconds in.

          His few times “waltzing” had been in a drunken haze, dancing around with the boys after a particularly prosperous evening of pick-pocketing and light mugging, and suffice to say, his gang was rather lacking in the feminine department. Not many girls likened themselves to a life of street crimes after all, and those who did tended not to willingly associate with such gangs and stuck more to their own.

          So when Jonathan and Erina had set up the dance hall for their practice lessons with him, he more or less got cold feet when he was presented with Erina as his dance partner.

          “Okay, Robert, so how much do you know about the waltz?” Jonathan asked walking over to the two after having set-up the high-end music device they’d only just recently purchased- a phonograph, Speedwagon believed it was called.

          The blonde man shrugged and crossed his arms in a nervous tick of subconsciousness. “I know the steps, more or less, but’cha see, it’s more a’ the pacing I ain’t got much experience with.”

          With a nod, Jonathan motioned for Erina to step forward and he took a step back.

          “How about you try to go at it with Erina so we can see what to work with- don’t be shy for mistakes, Robert, we don’t expect you to be perfect.”

          “‘Course.” He nodded, stepping up to meet Erina.

          The two did a graceful bow before the other, Erina dipping low in a pleasant curtsy before they reached for the other. Speedwagon, though unsure, reached out first, as a gentleman would be expected too, Erina respectfully reaching out in turn. This is when Speedwagon came across his first speed bump and it was, admittedly, one he hadn’t quite considered. Erina was a very tall woman. His hands would have to rest higher than normal to hold her properly, and Speedwagon already would easily see himself tripping due to the imbalanced movement. He almost believed it would be easier for Erina to be the guiding partner.

          Flushing at this realization, Speedwagon hesitantly placed his hand to her waist, surprisingly soft as always, as Erina did the same gently upon his shoulder with a practiced touch and interlocked her fingers with his own outstretched in a mirrored position to him.

          Her dominant movements were no surprise, the woman’s confidence in this was to be expected, but this combined with the several inches she had on him intimidated Speedwagon none the less as he realized just how out of touch with the movements he was.

          “Now to start the hard part…” he thought to himself, a bead of sweat sliding uncomfortably down his face as he looked up at his ill-fitting hold on Erina. The fact that he had to look at all brought him reeling.

          With a nervously prepared jolt from Speedwagon, the two began the steps to a light orchestral tune that played from the phonograph, something simple with a rhythm almost perfectly intended for a basic waltz. Trying to pace himself up to the beat, Speedwagon clumsily guided Erina in the way he knew how, feet traversing well enough in the correct order with a gentle sway to them, the two drifting in a small circle about the space. Managing her height against his own proved to be difficult, as the waltz was clearly designed in mind with the male partner being the taller one, but Erina was aware enough to try and help guide him- after all, she likely had experience with handling shorter partners, being a woman of abnormal height. After some slow moments of balancing, the two of them together had begun to find a pace in their aligned footsteps.

          He knew he wasn’t perfect,  but Speedwagon was honestly a little impressed with how well he was adapting to the more toned down and slow beat of a true waltz. In pubs, it’d been a much more chaotic bout of dancing- happy skips of the feets and lunges of the arms in circles round tables to an upbeat acordian playing in the corner of the room, something rowdy like he’d seen the Scotts do when he’d made the rounds up North.

          It gave him a surge of confidence and with his chest puffed up, a grin graced his face as he spun Erina about more and more steady and almost playfully, but still within the respectability of the ballroom floor.

          Erina couldn’t help but giggle to herself, clearly picking up on Speedagon’s confidence boost, and she too played along with his newly found pace, the two slowly adding small sparks of flair to their movements- a flick of the wrist here and there, a small extra tap of the toe to the floor, a bit of a dip on the spin and so one.

          The two, fairly enamored with the other’s happy little motions were unaware of the tender look they had earned from Jonathan who now held his hands together at the sight of his two lovers dancing together, oh so wonderfully beautiful and joyful.

          They continued well beyond what they had initially intended to display, dancing to their hearts content, improving with each step as the song slowly come to it’s end, the two hastily ceasing themselves to separate with a bow as one would when the musical progression comes to a halt.

          They looked up at one another with a gentle smile gracing their visage, neither one particularly exhausted, but both letting out small huffs of breath regardless.

          “You’re quite the dancer, Robert.” Erina spoke first with a dimpled grin and a cheerful blink of the eyes.

          “And to you, Ms. Erina- you’re quite a sight on that twirl of yours.” Speedwagon chuckled, nodding his head in a gesture of agreement.

          Clapping his hands Jonathan approached the two, smiling brightly.

          “You both looked utterly fantastic!” He preened, a loving shine in his bright blue eyes. “Robert, once you found your pacing, you waltzed with such beauty!”

          The praise heaped onto him along with those crystal ocean eyes sent Speedwagon spiraling with warm thoughts, but he maintained his composure as he firmly nodded in response to Jonathan.

          “I’d gotta admit, it felt a tad bit more invigorating than I’d a’ thought a slow dance would.” He hummed, rubbing the back of his neck, tousling his fingers lightly in the hair that rested there.

          “I think all that might need practicing is your openly presentation, but other than that, Robert, I think you’ve got this all wrapped up.” Jonathan chirped. “I don’t know what could’ve had you so worried all about this, Robert, you dance with such heart, anyone can see that.”

          “Well, I haven’t ever spun a woman of high standing on a ballroom floor before, so heart or not, the thought’s a bit paralyzing, you might see…” He laughed, still quite proud of himself for impressing not only Erina but Jonathan as well with his display. “I guess you could say it’s just a natural gift of yours truly, ya’ might.”

          “Oh, you really haven’t ever danced with a woman before?” Erina muttered, tilting her head. “Well, you did quite well for it then!”

          “Is waltzing with a man any different, Robert?” Jonathan asked curiously.

          “Well, I suppose… not entirely…” Speedwagon muttered.

          Jonathan walked over with a smile and bent over to reach for Speedwagon’s hand.

          “Care to demonstrate?” He asked with a lilting sweet voice.

          Speedwagon jolted, taken aback by how incredibly attractive Jojo was in the moment (though he really ought’ve been) and he took a moment to compose himself with a deep breath.

          “If you insist.” He hummed lifting their interlocked hands up and reaching around with his free hand to rest on Jonathan waist, though, humorously enough, this was an even more severe scenario than when he tried adjusting to Erina’s height.

          Jonathan was truly a mountain of man, well over a foot taller than Speedwagon, who only came up to his chest- if playing the guide with Erina was difficult, it would be nearly impossible with Jonathan.

          “Er, on second thought, perhaps this won’t play out as well as I’d thought…” He muttered, his unsure hands flinching as he tried to figure out how best to hold Jonathan like you were meant to a woman.

          He thought to himself for a moment if he should instead try to take up the posture of the woman’s role instead, but then realized that reaching Jonathan’s shoulder was even more an impossible task.

          Finally, Speedwagon settled on Jonathan’s waist, simply accepting that this was the best way to go through with this, looking up at Jonathan to gauge his reaction. The taller man simply looked down a smile as he locked his hold on Speedwagon’s shoulder, soft and strong in a way only Jonathan could be.

          “Would you like me to guide instead?” Jonathan posited, likely noticing the impossibility of this set-up as much as Speedwagon had.

          “Er, that may be for the best...” The smaller man admitted, “Though I’ve never been lead myself.”

          “Well, then consider this a lesson.” Jonathan murmured. “That’s what we’re here for, isn’t it?”

          “Well, uh, yes…” Speedwagon blushed. “Yes, I suppose so.”

          “Excellent. Now then, just follow with me- I’ll start slow.” Jonathan said, taking a careful step forward, Speedwagon following with a hesitant step back.

          From there, Jonathan guided Speedwagon slowly, the man following the steps of the waltz in precisely the opposite manner he had mere moments earlier with Erina, but much like then, it only took a few rounds for him to adjust to the movements and pacing of it. Every now and then, a step would have Jonathan's hand shift and Speedwagon could feel the jolt that ran through him again and again, never having fully gotten over the sensation of having Jojo hold him like this.

          Attempting to ignore the feeling that he really should be used to already, Speedwagon instead choose to look directly up into Jonathan's bright blue eyes where he quickly melted under their soft gaze, tripping over himself for a moment as he misstepped on the turn.

          He tumbled briefly out of Jonathan's hold, but the man quickly caught up and pressed him up against his chest, resting on my knee to prop him up where he'd against fallen.

          "Are you alright, Robert?" Jonathan asked, not all too concerned for any injury, but still having the courtesy to check regardless.

          "I'm fine, you caught me, didn't'cha?" He waved a hand dismissively. "Hehe, guess I ain't cut out for women's dances anyhow... Sorry there, love, I just got distracted is all. "

          "Oh." Jonathan pouted with hidden intent. "Is that all?"

          With that Jonathan dipped Speedwagon lower with a smile and kissed him gently upon the forehead before the other man could even react.

          "Well that's not a problem, now, is it?" He smirked at Speedwagon, who appeared to huddle closer into Jonathan's arms, face blushing lightly. "Shall we wrap up this session for today? Maybe take this to our lounge? I'll have the maids bring us up some tea, what say you?"

          With the quietest little voice, Speedwagon murmured a small, "Yes, please..." with indiscernable, yet adorable emotion.

          Jonathan gave a happy hum and lifted his Robert perfectly into a bridal carry, motioning for Erina to follow, her expression pricelessly entertained by the other two.

          As the three departed from the room to head upstairs to their private lounge, Jonathan fondly recalled the first time he'd kissed Robert, hidden back in the corner of bedroom, when he'd asked for permission that first time and the man had responded with the same soft, gentle, "Yes, please..." as he had just now. It was a set of words that sent shivers down Jonathan's spine everytime he heard it, and it made Jonathan feel all the prouder of himself as a partner. Hearing such cute little phrases from his lovers just did things to his heart nothing else could.

          A surge of emotion passed over him, and Jonathan squeezed onto his Robert all the tighter, snuggling him close to his chest. Sure, this might've been open for all the house staff to see should they walk by, but Jonathan really couldn't care less.

          Meanwhile, the man in his arms was experiencing such roiling emotions as he was pressed against the giant man who carried him with hands as graceful to the touch as silk sheets. Running a lingering hand over Jonathan's chest, Speedwagon hummed happily, not unsatisifed with how his little stumble int he ballroom had turned out from there.

          Speedwagon could remember that there had once been a time when he would yearn endlessly for even the faintest of contact with those strong hands of his... those little moments when Jonathan would brush up against him while they walked besides one another or helped him up from a fall used to fuel Speedwagon's daydreams day upon day, night after night. He's been filled with longing for something more with the other gentleman, the man whose touch was like the Apple of Eden- all too tempting and all too impossible not to crave.

          How many times had Speedwagon tentatively hovered his fingers closer, ever closer to Jonathan's in hopes of perhaps 'accidentally' touching one another?
How many nights had Speedwagon laid in bed, holding his own hands clasped together, wondering what that feeling was like, what it was like to be held by Mister Jonathan Joestar only for him to be in this position now, caressed completely in his strong, ever loving arms. What had he ever done to deserve such a blessing even one time, let alone on a daily basis? Speedwagon believed himself a good, morally upright person, despite his history of crimes, and yet he still could not see how he was worthy of such a thing.

          Every day, every night, every moment that he lived like this was a blessing he would not have even dared to dream of coming true mere months ago, and yet, here he was, and hopefully, here he'd stay.

          When the three arrived in their private lounge, Jonathan carefully placed down Speedwagon on a love seat, Erina taking a seat across the way.

          Leaving with one more kiss, Jonathan rushed off to summon a maid and request for a pot of tea for the three of them.

          Speedwagon looked up at Jonathan where he stood conversing by the door, up at Erina where she sat adjusting her dress, and down at his hands, fiddling with his fingers.

          He was very blessed, he'd decided, very blessed indeed.

Chapter Text

          It had been a little over a week and between the daily lives of the three partners living under the mansion roof, they'd manage to fit in quite enough to time to rehearse Speedwagon for waltzing at the Christmas party, and now Erina and Jonathan had decided that the next important thing for their Robert to learn was table manners.

          Which lead to the current scene- the two had set up a practice scene in the dining room, with both the regular dining table and the elegant buffet table set-up to practice for both scenarios, as they were not privy to what fashion the party what be serving food. Here, at the end of the table, sat Speedwagon, flanked on both sides by Jonathan and Erina, who gave him critique and advice and silverware of the damned things in the world, to seated man's chagrin.

          Right from the start, the two had found endless entertainment in watching Speedwagon flop and flounder about trying to figure out which fork and spoon was for what and when to use them and where to put them. If Speedwagon hadn't found their laughter to be so damned cute, he just might've been upset with them for teasing him so, but unfortunately, he couldn't help but find their reactions endearing.

          However, after an hour or so of nervously picking up silverware in hopes it would be the correct one to Jojo and Erina's hypothetical questions, Speedwagon finally felt as though he was starting to get the hang of it, though he'd never get the point.

          "Now, let's say that you've been served a dish of boiled cod." Jonathan postured, urging to Speedwagon to imagine alongside him. "See if you remember the right silverware for the job."

          Speedwagon huffed, looking briefly up at Jonathan irritably for a moment before turning his head back to the fork side of the plate where forth sat a baffling variety of pronged contraptions all parading themselves as self-proclaimed 'forks'. There was a dinner fork, or the normal one, as he liked to call it, then there was a fork for salads, a fork for meat, a fork for fish, a fork for desert, and even a bloody fork for picking the bloody garnish off the plate. At this point, Speedwagon was ready to believe that there was a fork for every type of food out there.

          Confidently, Speedwagon reached for the fish fork, wish was easily identified by the for prongs and a long divide down the middle.

          "Good job!" Jonathan said, his bubbly response feeling a little grating on Speedwagon in the moment.

          "Now, what's the one for oysters?" Erina hopped in, quickly moving onto the next part of the fork test.

          Speedwagon once again picked up what he believed to be the oyster fork, and yes, there was a fork specifically for oysters.

          This one was a small little three with three prongs, and it was oddly round near the neck. Expertly giving the fork a spina round his fingers, Speedwagon held the utensil up to face Erina and with a sigh, asked her, "Is this it?"

          "Yes! And, what about fruit?"

          With a sigh, Speedwagon quickly shifted over the forks and picked up the one he was searching for, holding it up lazily.

          Neglecting to give an answer of whether he was right or wrong, Erina tilted her head with a smile, and asked. "Are you beginning to get tired?"

          "Oh, more than a little." He huffed, recounting how long this whole table etiquette fiasco had dragged on. "Honestly if there's one thing about high society I found more baffling than the rest, it's your damn dishes and silverware. Out in the real world, you just need one fork to set you for life, you know, loves."

          "Oh, but it's so much easier eating with the proper utensils!" Erina cheered, holding her hands together.

          "True as that may be..." Speedwagon admittedly, recalling how oddly satisfying it'd been to eat cheesecake with a desert fork the other night. "It still doesn't explain why you need such specific utensils as an oyster fork. I mean, you just had to slurp the poor suckers right up back on Ogre Street!"

          It was clear by the notable shiver that ran down their bodies that both Erina and Jonathan was deeply disturbed at the notion, and Speedwagon couldn't help but to laugh at this.

          "Well, I take you've never done that! Poor rich folk..."

          "Now, I know it's hard to memorize, Robert, but really, it is useful..." Jonathan explained, resting a hand on the other man's shoulder. "In all honesty, you're quite lucky it's Erina and I teaching you rather than my father."

          Robert bowed his head at that. He hadn't gotten to know Jojo's father, not unless you count meeting him before he immediately is murder, and in the heat of the moment, well, Speedwagon might have glorified the man solely for having had part in bringing Jonathan into the world. But after hearing Jojo speak of him, it seemed the man was a loving but unfortunately blunt and stubborn father who was more than a little brutal in punishing Jonathan for small missteps in learning proper etiquette or anything really. A perfectionist who couldn't accept a 12 year old using the wrong fork at the table. It made Robert feel for Jonathan, even if such issues were minuscule compared to what he himself went through as a kid, it didn't diminish the impact such things had had on Jojo's self-confidence, and Robert could sympathize with that.

          "True..." He sighed, now fiddling with a fork in between his fingers. "I must say, you two certainly have been patient with me through this ordeal, more so than it seems typical rich folk would be with me."

          "Robert, you know you're a 'rich folk' now too, yes?" Erina chuckled, eyebrows drawn up in genuine curiosity as to whether Speedwagon knew this or not.

          "Ugh, don't remind me." He teased, playfully grinding his forehead into an open palm to show his feigned embarrassment at the notion. 

          "Oh, don't worry we won't." Jonathan spoke with a mischievous tone. "But we will have to remind you that that fork you picked up actually isn't the fruit fork." He winked icy blue eyes in a teasing fashion. "It's the strawberry one.

          Speedwagon blinked blankly. "The... strawberry..."

          And much like the fork in his hand, Speedwagon dropped any shred of sympathy he held for Jojo's strict upbringing in an instant.

          "Perhaps your father had a point." He flatly resulted. "I'm tempted to send you to your bedroom too."

          Unable to help it, Jonathan reeled back in laughter, only just keeping himself together enough to keep himself upright by Speedwagon's chair.

          "I'm sorry, Robert, but I had to say it!" he giggled, smiling down at the other man.

          With a groan, Speedwagon dug his palms in his eyes. "You have a dedicated fork for strawberries? I don't remember that being in the run-down!"

          "I actually forgot about that one..." Erina whispered, surprised herself at the revelation.

          Now beginning to get red faced from the irritation of these stupid forks, Speedwagon had had enough.

          "You know what?" He postured, pushing back the dining room chair and standing to his full height (which admittedly, wasn't all that much). "I think I'd like to go out tonight."

          Jonathan's laughter slowly died down, as he took in the other man's words. "To dinner?"

          "Yes." Speedwagon replied. "But to my kind of establishment."

          "A pub?" Jonathan answered, knowing exactly the sort of places Speedwagon most frequented. "The Spiked Lily?"

          "No, reckon that one's a bit far out... Ain't too keen on heading all the way to London." Speedwagon clarified, "No, I mean the one just out in town, Gilligan's."

          Jonathan bit his lip in worried thought. "Would that really be alright for Erina?"

          "Well, I wager that's on her to decide." He nodded, motioning to Erina.

          "I've never been to a pub..." She nervously murmured in response. "I know they tend to be quite rowdy..."

          "Were anyone to touch you, love, Jojo and I'll just knock their heads clean off!" Robert offered with grandeur, flexing an arm as a playful show.

          "I still worry..." Jojo mumbled, stepping a little closer to Erina as though she were already in danger. "Pubs and bars aren't really a suitable environment for a woman, Robert..."

          "Oh, Erina ain't no mere woman, Jojo, and I think you know that." Speedwagon tsked, earning an earnest smile from Erina.

          "While I appreciate the compliment, Robert, and the concern, Jojo, I think I will go along." She smiled with the upward tilt of her chin. "It'll be a learning experience."

          "Fantastic!" The blonde man cheered. "No you two'll get a taste of my kind of table etiquette!"

          "You do realize I've been to a pub with you, yes, Robert?" Jonathan chuckled, seeing Speedwagon blush at the memory.

          "As a matter of fact, I do..." He spoke with hesitation. "Let us hope this time I don't, *ahem*, compromise myself quite as much."

          "Oh? Curious. Now I'm hoping you will." Erina teased with a friendly, yet mischievous smile. 

          "Haha! No!" Speedwagon purposefully laughed as he strode over to the dining room door. "Yeah, no, let's not."

          Jonathan and Erina followed after him as the three exited into the hall, Erina quick to call a maid over, requesting for the current nurse maid's care of George to extend into the evening for a night out on the town.

          When they headed out, Speedwagon was torn between feeling too dressed down and thinking Jojo and Erina were too dressed up, even in what they called their most casual clothing.

          "I hope you two are aware that you may very well get a pint spilled on those fancy clothes a' yours." He teased, smiling from across the carriage.

          "This really is my most lax outfit..." Erina muttered, nervously twirling a lock of her hair that dangled down from in besides her ear.

          "Well, not much to be done about it." He chuckled, earning a light kick from Erina. "Ow, okay, okay, it's perfectly fine Erina, you look lovely."

          "Don't worry, if anything gets irreparably ruined, I'll be sure to buy you a new one." Jonathan assured her, squeezing her shoulder.

          "You boys make it sound like we're going into battle, it's just a night out." She sighed with a pout, but a smile kept creeping it's way across her twitching lips.

          "I really don't think we should have too much trouble." Speedwagon elaborated, "Really, they're a rowdy bunch, but they aren't ruffians. I should know."

          "Of course..." Jonathan mumbled, clearly aware he was being a bit overprotective, but not making much effort to downplay it either.

          "But that's all for naught- we're here!" Seedwagon clapped his hands together, ushering them out of the carriage, a little too excited.

          The three bid the driver farewell, and they all stood together before the entrance.

          "How exciting!" Robert couldn't help but cheer with a bounce. "I've yet to go out with the both of you!"

          Jonathan and Erina looked at him and then back to each other with a smile, unable to help how cute Robert was being tonight.

          "Will you take the lead, Robert?" Erina postured, only to be met with a confident, happy-go-lucky grin as Speedwagon twirled around on the two of them.

          "Of course!" He affirmed, then with a bow, he playfully motioned them forwards, holding one hand out for each. "Sir and madam."

          The two before him each took a hand and with that, he lead them in through the front doors.

          Immediately the scene was lively and vibrate, the pub bathed in a the warm orange light of lanterns and a chandelier, the space full of people loudly conversing, singing, and cheering along while clinking pints of beers together. It was a familiar and comforting sight for Speedwagon, a place much like where he and his buds would go after a good night out, a place much warmer than their cheaply rent out flats. And while a bit intimidating, Jonathan and Erina found the place to be inviting as well.

          "Oh well," Erina spoke up, noticeably louder than usual, "It's not quite as scary as I was picturing!"

          "It's nice, isn't it?" Speedwagon nudged her, stretching to put a arm over her shoulder. "I told you it's loud, but not scary!"

          Excitedly, he swayed and pointed for an empty table near the far wall. "We can settle over there!"

          The shorter man happily spun behind the other two and begun pushing them over, carefully maneuvering the group around the pub's rowdy patrons who meandered about.

          The three tucked themselves in, Speedwagon quick to call over a waitress who headed over within a moment.

          "Why 'ello there, looks like we got some nicer folks here to stay with us!" She teased, winking over at Jonathan and Erina who noticeably stood out despite their best efforts.

          The two shyly looked down, feeling a bit embarrased but the waitress was quick to wave away the atmosphere. "Kidding, I'm kidding! You folks look great! All that aside, what can I get going for you all tonight?"

          With a nod to Jonathan, Speedwagon gladly placed a hand on the table and requested, with great gusto, for a round of the most expensive drinks they had on hand earning an ecstatic grin from the girl.

          "An ale for the gent and I and red wine for the lady." He clarified, knowing their preferences well. "We'll see where we go from there!"

          "Sounds like a bargin!" She smiled slyly before asking, "Say, and would the three of you like any cravings along with it? We ain't got the rich stuff, just some snacks, but we do 'ave cracklings and crisps and some freshly done up pickles and eggs, all by yours truly. We 'ven 'ave some peanuts if you'd like? And the cockle stalls just 'cross the way, if you fancy."

          Speedwagon grinned, unimpressed by how particularly hasty she was to sell out the place to the rich folks- he'd seen better.

          "I get what you're playing at, but no thanks on my end. Just some peanuts if you'd kindly." He looked to Jonathan and Erina. "And what about you two, loves? Something tells me that listing don't exactly suite your palates, eh?"

          "I actually quite like bar pickles, I've found." Jonathan admitted, "I'd like some if you don't mind, ma'am."

          "Fancy boy, callin' me ma'am..." The waitress hummed, turning away to hide the bit of blush on her cheeks, hurriedly correcting herself before motioning for Erina. "And for you, dear? I know our menu isn't quite suited for a woman of your tastes, but if you can handle finger foods, the crisps are quite nice and salted with real sea salt. And our eggs are soft enough to cut with a dull spoon even, I'm sure you'd love them."

          Erina nervously touched a hand to her bottom lip, refraining from nibbling on her nail as she spoke, feeling a little overwhelmed, but curious. "Both do sound interesting... I've never had pickled eggs and I haven't had crisps since I was a child..."

          "Man, you're right..." Jonathan said. "Well, double that order then, I'll be having some too!"

          "Right then." The waitress, "So a snack tray of pickled eggs, crisps, some peanu-"

          "Actually, damn it all, if they're getting whole snack platters, I'll have some scratchlin's too, then- pork, if you don't mind, less you got beef."

          "We've got both of 'em, actually." The waitress grinned, seemingly proud of it.

          "Oh, that's a blessin', mix 'em up then!" Speedwagon cheered like a child, quite happy to be having some street food again.

          "So we got all a' that an' two of our most expensive ales and a thing of nice red wine for the pretty lady." The woman read off as she joted down the final bits of the order on her notepad. "Lemme' just go scoop up then and I'll be right over!" 

          With that, the waitress headed off, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease before ducking under the bar counter door and heading to the store room to ready their platters.

          With a little huff, Speedwagon leaned back, refraining from kicking his feet up so as to maintain a bit of decorum around Jojo and Erina. There were some street habits that even he couldn't bring himself to act upon in their company, even in a pub.

          "I'm proud of you two for being brave." Speedwagon smiled. "'specially you, Erina. Jojo's been down to a pub with me before, so he knows the drill, but still, pub food ain't exactly what I'd call classy."

          "I wasn't always a rich woman, Robert, I've had pub food..." She smirked before turning downward, "Er, but, not at a pub..."

          "Picking up crisps at a Sunday picnic doesn't count, Erina." He teased.

          "How would you-! Oh..." She frowned, crossing her arms.

          "Ahahaha, you know I used to sneak into those picnics often to snag some myself."

          "Weren't those picnics open to the public?" Erina asked.

          "Yes, but didn't they seem a little clean for the full public?" He chuckled. "Homeless kids aren't usually welcome there. I'd get chased out pretty quick there, I would. And well, my hair was a giveaway for a few other choice reasons."

          "Hmm, yes, I suppose..." She mumbled. "We should go to one of those together sometime."

          "I went to those sometimes when I was really little... Father would bring me there to play with Danny and the other kids." He smiled at the memory, "I remember seeing you at those Erina!"

          "Really? I can't remember if I ever saw you..."

          "Well, I never spoke to you I don't think..." He admitted, shrugging his shoulders with a chuckle. "A mistake, in hindsight, dearest."

          "Just as much my own for not speaking to you, dear."

          "Geez, you two... couple a' childhood lovebirds you are... I'd say I'd wish that I'd been there, but something tells me a young Speedwagon would've been a bit more than irked at some rich kids frolicking at a picnic, so perhaps it's for the best..."

          "Well, we would've had fun annoying you as well." Erina prodded, before recalling with a loving giggle. "Besides, kind as he was, Jojo certainly didn't always act like a rich boy... he had an endearing mischievous to him that I loved."

          "Even if you wouldn't admit it."

          "I was trying to be a lady, Jojo!" She blurted, falsely offended at the statement.

          Sometime during the conversation, the waitress had come around and dropped off their food wordless. The three took little pause while grabbing up their snack platters and drinks.

          "Ah, so this is what money buys..." Speedwagon chuckled as he chugged down the pint she'd brought over. "I think I like being rich though, much as I tease. Speaking of though- Jojo! You must tell me about your time as a 'endearingly mischievous' youth!

          "Er, well..." Jonathan seemed to shrink in on himself, somehow, and chuckle nervously. "It really wasn't much..."

          "Nonsense! Surely you did something to warrant Erina's cute little memory of naughty Jojo."

          "Jojo, what's wrong? You never did anything terribly wrong..."

          "Hmm..." He bit his lip. "No, I wasn't always a, er... 'proper' boy, I suppose..."

          "I need the details, Jojo."

          "Hmm, it wasn't much really... I'd knick my Dad's pipe and smoke it- wasn't all that good at the time, but other kids thought it was cool, mostly..."

          "Mhmm, that's a classic." Speedwagon nodded approvingly. 

          "Well, and, while it's on topic, I suppose I used to sneak down to pubs when I was a kid..." Jonathan hummed with a smile, poking at his chin, his words just barely audible under his breath.

          "Pardon?!" Speedwagon choked, coughing up his ale roughly.

          "Robert!" Both Jojo and Erina cried out, quickly jumping up and moving around the table to help him out.

          Jonathan was quick to act, patting him hard on the back while Erina held gently onto his shoulder. After a moment, Robert settled down, holding up a hand, signaling them to stop.

          "Are you alright?" Jonathan asked. "You starting choking!"

          "Yeah, sorry 'bout that, lad..." Robert apologized, coughing a few more times to really balance himself out. "I just wasn't quite expecting that."

          "Expecting what, Robert?"

          "What you said!" He clarified, waving his hand about. "Little Jojo used to sneak out into pubs of all places?"

          "Well I knew kids who'd sneak into worse places."

          "But I thought when I'd gone out with you that once that it'd been your first time!"

          "Well, it was my first real time, honestly." Jonathan shrugged. "Admittedly I only really got away with it once as a kid, managed to order my first ale and a thing of crisps before the barkeep realized I wasn't even fourteen and had me kicked out. Outside that, I'd gotten age checked almost right away"

          Both Erina and Speedwagon exchanged a look of surprise.

          "Wow, Jojo, I would never have guessed..." She spoke, holding a hand to her agape mouth.

          "I'll say! That sounds nothing like the goody two-shoes I know!" Speedwagon gasped, about ready to faint at the thought. "Little Jojo! Sneaking into bars for a pint!"

          Jonathan rubbed the back of his nervously, face struck red with embarrasment. "Well, haha... 

          "Well, I suppose that's just how young boys are, but for Jojo to do that... absolutely astounding..." Speedwagon shook his head. "I would never have thought little Jojo to be a little scoundrel..."

          "Well, I do remember Jojo being a bit of a rascal..." Erina recalled with an amused giggle. "But not the sort to sneak a drink!"

          "Oi, wait a moment now." Speedwagon suddenly blurted out. "Do you mean to tell me, you never went to a pub after that? Not even as a lad in university?"

          Jonathan looked down, his face darkening a bit, but Speedwagon only read it as the poor man getting embarased and nothing else.

          "Oh! I see... or had our boy Jojo mellowed out all too much by then?" Speedwagon teased, wiggling his eyebrows.

          "Well... I did... I suppose, on occasions with... Dio..." Jojo mumbled, his eyes going distant with a foggy disposition, "After school with classmates or games sometimes with the team, but... it wasn't amicable... just for show..."

          Jonathan prescence notably grew dim at the mention of it, to which Speedwagon and Erina quickly noticed.

          "Jojo, are you alright...?" He heard them call, but the words felt lost and muddy as he let his mind wander, quiet as he recalled the many times he'd been around Dio and his peers in the pub just down the block from their university.

          It was admittedly higher end than this one, Jojo recalled, but felt far, far more intimidating due to the company that would always join him. Jojo would play nice of course, as he gotten used to doing around Dio and the few students that'd bear to stick around Jonathan; laughing along as best he could to Dio's clever jokes made in poor taste or forcing an amiable chuckle when Dio would elbow him in a drunken make-merry.

          At that point, Dio was a wonderful and earnest person by all means. So much so that Jojo was nearly convinced that he'd somehow imagined or exaggerated all the awful things Dio had done to him all his life, especially early on in their youth. He often would startle himself at the self-deprecation he felt for still doubting his brother's friendly pretenses and hated how every sickeningly kind word from his mouth felt like sandpaper to Jojo's heart and soul- oh, how badly Jojo just wanted to love his brother like a brother should. But he couldn't, now matter how hard he tried, and he hated himself for it. But Jojo could pretend and there were moments when he even found himself completely at peace with the smart, kind, and truly honest man his brother appeared to have become.

          That peace always would drift away most at the pubs though...

          Dio didn't drink often. Only drinking the wine given to him at dinner, he refused all other alcohol offered to him and he was actually quite adamant about it. Jonathan was quite curious about his abstinence indeed, but never was able to get a clear answer out of him on the subject. Perhaps there was something inside him that was brought out through pleasures of drinking, and that was something, Jojo thought to himself, that he honestly didn't think he'd ever want to see. Something even Dio feared.

          But all that went to waste when Dio was there in the pub. While going out with your peers to a pub was fun in concept, it appeared that neither Jojo nor Dio exactly enjoyed their time in one. Their after-school romps to one always left Dio in a bad position, Jojo noticed. His brother clearly wanted to prove himself as superior to his classmates, earning their love and praise, but this was difficult when they'd badger on and on about seeing how much liquor the blonde boy could take.

          It was in these moments that Jojo found himself truly trying to act in Dio's best interest, doing his best to defend his brother from their pestering classmates. Unfortunately, Jojo's concern seemed only to spur Dio into action.

          There was little pretense of brotherly kindness when Dio would shove Jojo aside and take a swig of a whiskey bottle, his classmates cheering loudly while Jojo watched nervously from the tavern floor. It was never just one chug, but two, three, four and even more as the evening would go on, the boys ever impressed by Dio Brando, who appeared to be good at everything, even drinking. It wasn't long before Dio would get drunk, too drunk, but not so much so that his classmates couldn't find entertainment in it. Jojo found nothing entertaining about it however, and he'd quickly remove himself to the far end of the counter, sipping on an plain glass of ice water as he watched with bated breath.

          Usually Dio was too busy with the other boys to notice him, but sometimes Dio would go straight for Jonathan and say things the boy just couldn't grasp. Stuff about their fathers, stuff about Jojo, and most upsettingly, stuff about Danny or Erina. All of it disturbing in subject matter and all of it through a drunken drawl that Jonathan was barely able to parse. It made Jonathan sick. Dio would randomly fluctuate while talking, from pitiful crying, to terrifying shouting, and to cruel and bone chilling happiness, his brother finding joy in some truly disturbing things. That was when Jonathan could see through Dio's ruse the most... and Jojo was certainly his brother was still hiding the demons he so prominently displayed in their childhood together.

          "Jojo!"

          It woke him up.

          "Hmm?" He broke out with a stutter, "O-oh, s-sorry guys, I don't know what I was doing there..."

          "Are you okay, dear?" Erina asked softly, cupping his face.

          "You looked like you were in a trance there, Jojo..." Speedwagon muttered, looking on and visibly alarmed.

          "Was I? Oh, sorry, I suppose that happens sometimes..." He apologized, rubbing the back of his neck. "I get wrapped up in my thoughts and just daze off, I suppose..."

          "Oh..." Robert bit his lip, suddenly feeling guilty. "Sorry, love, I didn't mean to-"

          "No, it's fine, it's not like you would've known..." Jojo sighed, "I shouldn't expect you to just avoid conversation with me because it might drag up old memories!"

          "Well, I- no, I suppose not..." Robert muttered, taking a hesitant sip of his mug, feeling wrong in that line of thought.

          "Oh, Jojo..." Erina whispered, leaning over to give him a kiss on the cheek, earning a smile from the man.

          It only made Robert feel all the worse for bringing it up.

          "We don't have to stay, you know..." He offered, unsure now if Jojo had ever been comfortable going to pubs with him.

          "Why so?" Jonathan asked, now staring into his eyes with a boring intensity of concern.

          It drove him mad, so he clenched his eyes shut.

          "Because I never meant to bring you somewhere with bad memories." He hastily spewed out, unable to open his eyes and met Jonathan's own again.

          "But, Robert, I've... never even been here before?"

          "That's not what I meant..." He sighed, reopening his eyes but redirecting them to glance down at his feet. "I mean, you sounded upset at the memories of going to places like this with Dio and I don't want to take you anywhere with bad memories for ya'..."

          "Robert..." Jonathan murmured, his voice soft and smooth and filled with the most damnable amount of pity.

          Damn it. Robert didn't want Joanthan to be pitying him right now, he was busy pitying Jonathan right now, couldn't Jojo see that? The attention wasn't supposed to be on him. Damn it, he came here with them to feel more at home but now he felt just like an outsider again.

          The touch of a firm, warm hand upon his shoulder brought Robert spiraling out from his thoughts and he looked up to see Jonathan's stupidly beautiful blue eyes staring right back at him, all too kind and caring.

          "Robert, really, I don't know why this is affecting you so, but it's really quite fine..." He spoke soothingly, kneeling down to be closer on Robert's level. "If you ever say something that really hurts me in some way, I... I promise to tell you..."

          Robert didn't like how unsure Jonathan sounded there, but he also couldn't help but to trust in his words.

          He sighed.

          "Alright... if you say so."

          Being caught up in their own heads, neither had exactly noticed the change in atmosphere of the tavern room, which now was filled with a lively rune as a bunch of players had begun to strum up a melody for the patrons of the pub. But here and now, holding onto Robert, Jonathan could indeed hear the rhythm- and it gave him an idea.

          Without considering it, Robert allowed himself to lifted up from his seat by Jonathan, who now had a hand resting in Robert's own as well as on his shoulder.

          "Jojo?" He muttered, confusing as to why the man had done so.

          "Robert, I know that it might embarrass you, but I think I'd like to dance with you."

          "W-what? Right now?" He frantically glanced around, a sense of nervousness building up at the sudden realization of how lively and musical the pub had become. "H-here?"

          "Well! I think it's a comfortable environment for you, is it not?" Jojo laughed, smiling as he looked around. "Besides, it seems like a good way to destress..."

          Floundering about at a loss for words, Robert turned to Erina, looking at her with eyes beginning for help, but she only smiled and flapped her hands, motioning for him to get on out there already.

          He bit his lips. Damn it.

          Jonathan nudged him softly.

          "I need a response, Robert." He whispered carefully into his ear, bending low, his breath tickling him.

          'I... I do suppose..." Robert hesitated, however, he now felt less nervous and more flustered. It was easy to be around Jojo.

          "Suppose what?"

          "Hnn, I suppose..." He sighed, giving in and leaning against Jonathan's chest. "I would like to dance..."

          "Good..." Jonathan hummed, leaning away and pulling Robert along with him into the crowd of people who had all begun dancing in a circle at the center of the pub.

          Tables and chairs had been pushed aside, turning the room into a make-shift dancehall, pairs of people dancing and romping about to the music playing so vibrantly.

          Robert felt himself loosen up and open up as Jonathan had begun swaying him to the beat, awkwardly starting up as he dipped the smaller man with a twirl, trying to maneuver with their height difference. Robert looked up at Jonathan's face, a soft shade of red beginning to blossom as he began to feel self-conscious about his height in this situation. Looking further up, Robert couldn't help but laugh as he saw just how close to the roof Jojo was, his head a mere few inches beneath it, maybe six or seven total. Not a horrible difference, but not a comfortable either, he imagined.

          "It is a bit cramped in here, ain't it?" Robert teased, earning a nervous laugh from Jojo.

          "I didn't quite think this through..."

          "Well, hate to admit it, but it's difficult for me to lead here."

          "I'm not so rude as to switch all of a sudden!"

          "Well, it'd be fun, I think." Speedwagon teased as he did just that, twirling about in unison with several other couples, landing with Jonathan in the guided position.

          He grabbed ahold of Jonathan's waist and hand and pulled firmly to spin him around, earning a chuckle from the man, and from there Speedwagon stepped back and then forward, Jonathan following him through all the way.

          The two continued like there, swapping roles, twisting and twirling, and on occasions giving the other a kiss on the cheek, to the best of their abilities. It was only within a matters of seconds that both began to feel completely at ease, their lightheartedness becoming so brilliant that others couldn't help but notice them. They bobbed and weaved amidst the circle and braids of the crowd, everyone beginning to fall in line with one another, all of them dancing in a patchwork piece together. Then all of a sudden, It was partially through a spin transition that the two men felt a different sets of hands take up their own.

          "Erina!" Jojo and Robert cheered in unison, happy that she'd jumped in, the three now knit together in their own solitary circle.

          "You looked to be having too much fun!" She shouted, dropping their hands to twirl between them to land a gentle kiss on both of them before dipping low and snatching up their hold again. "You two are quite cute."

          The men blushed, giving each other a sheepish glance over, before they returned to the dance at hand.

          Dancing with three people is a complex thing, and usually it involves practice and forethought, but the three young partners found it all to easy to exchange between one another, spinning between their two partners and then joining back into the triad of hand holding before the round was up. They messed up a few times, but overall, the three where gracefully dancing about, their movements captivating the whole room.

          As the music came to crashing finale, they halted in an instant, Robert and Jojo each taking each other's hands and wrapping their other around Erina, pulling her in to both give her a kiss in unison before dipping her low by the waist.

          They stood there, panting and shaking as the whole pub burst out into a roar of cheering, whooping, and clapping, all of which appeared very plainly to be aimed at the three of them.

          "Oh hell..." Robert cursed under his breath with a laugh, "Did we j-just do that?"

          "I think we did..." Erina chuckled alongside, still dangling from the two's arms'.

          "And it was fantastic, you two!" Jonathan smiled brightly, pulling the two up and over to him, gathering them up into a hug as they all collapsed to their knees.

          There they were, all hugged in a huddle, completely oblivious to the room around them and people making comments that more or less proved they knew exactly what was going on between three of them, but they couldn't bring themselves to care.

          The night had come to wonderful and joyful end and in the carriage ride home, Jonathan found himself once again being used as a pillow for his two partners, who both had fallen asleep almost immediately after sitting down.

          Looking down the two of them, Jonathan found him stroking their long blonde hair, which had become messy and tangled on the both of them after their little impromptu dance earlier. He'd be sure to brush them out before bed, because he knew how unhappy they'd be wake up with such knots.

          As the carriage came to a halt at the Joestar Estate, Jonathan nudged the both of them awake just enough to guide them to the door of the carriage.

          "Here, let me carry you." He offered, though to neither in particular.

          "Both of us?" Robert inquired, to which Jojo gave a nod.

          "Carry Erina, dear..." Robert insisted. "I can walk just fi-"

          His mumbling was interrupted as he tripped on his way out of the carriage, landed himself in Jonathan's arms regardless.

          "Fine..." He finished, looking up. "Let me loose, I promise I can walk."

          "Well, we'll see about that..." Jonathan smiled, helping Robert to balance himself up onto the ground.

          With that, Jonathan scooped up Erina who eagerly accepted the offer, and he carried her into the manor with Speedwagon there at his side.

          When they'd entered the bedroom, Speedwagon instantly collapsed into an armchair, lazily kicking off his shows before cuddling up into the chair like a child nuzzling up on a cold night.

          First Jonathan attended to Erina, helping her undress into her nightgown, then settling her down on stool so that he could undo and brush through her hair, smoothing it out until it was its' usual silky texture. He bent over and tucked his face into the crook of her neck, giving her a kiss over the curve of her neck as he leaned into him.

          "Would you like it in a ponytail or braid, dearest?" Jonathan asked quietly, whispering against her, trying not to disturb his wife too much.

          "Mmmm, just a ponytail, Jojo..." She mumbled, nuzzling against his hand that held her head steady.

          "Got it." Retracting himself, he nodded, doing just that and pulling her hair back into a low ponytail.

          She'd fallen back asleep and Jonathan decided she was well enough to be laid to bed, tucking her in on the left side of the bed and gracing her with one last kiss, his finger gingerly stroking along the edge of her face before taking a step back to turn his attention to Speedwagon, who had yet to get up from his armchair.

          "Okay, Robert, it's your turn now. Time for bed." He tsked, shaking his head as he approached.

          "Mmmm, fine, fine, but I'm al'right 'ere..." He argued, snuggling further into the chair.

          "No, you're not." Jonathan said, wrangling the other man into his arms. "Here. We need to do something about your hair, Robert, it's a disaster."

          "A rat's nest is somethin' ta' handle in the mornin'..."

          "No, I've seen how your hair can get in the morning... let me brush it..."

          "...Fine..."

          Jonathan smiled with a sigh of relief. "Excellent... come on over here then..."

          He positioned him on the stool by the mirror where they'd get ready in the morning and, removing his hat, pulled the man's hair back to splay across his back.

          "Hmm..." Jonathan hummed while examining the tangled cloud of blonde in front of him. "Forgive me, but, I haven't much experience with this..."

          "You can jus' toss me inta' bed, Jojo, it's fine..." Robert muttered, waving his hand dismissively.

          "No, I refuse." Jonathan huffed. "I've done it for Erina, I can do it for you."

          He perked up when all of a sudden, Robert started laughing through his drowsiness and Jonathan couldn't help but pout at him.

          "Something I said, Robert?"

          "No, no, love, just curious to see how it'll go if you handle my locks like Erina's!" He chuckled.

          "Hm. I think I'll braid it." Jonathan said with a prideful smile.

          "Heh. You're gonna braid this?"

          "Yup."

          "How?"

          "Same way I did with Erina." Jonathan ran his hand against Robert's rough hair. "Or, I suppose, like one does with rope..."

          "Well, I'm curious to see you try, truly... I don't think I've ever had my hair in just one braid..." Robert shrugged, accepting his fate and leaning back on the stool with a yawn. "Do what you gotta, Jojo."

          "Of course, my love." Jonathan whispered as he leaned over to give him a kiss on the forehead.

          Robert was too tired to feel properly flustered, but he did feel warm and tingly, giggling happily at the touch.

          As there was no conceivable way that Jonathan was going to braid a sitting Robert's hair while he himself was standing tall, he pulled up a stool for himself alongside Robert's own.

          Figuring that the best way to tackle this was to simply to start brushing, Jonathan picked up Robert's own hairbrush from the countertop and began running it along the hair, the bristles barely able to reach all the way through Jonathan's palm where he was holding a length of the blonde mass. He started gently at the bottom, knowing that to start from the top would be too tough a task for the poor brush. However, Robert's hair didn't seem to respond to the gentle motions, at Jonathan's irritation, and he soon found himself gripping the hair a bit tighter and tugging just a bit harsher at the brush.

          "Lord, Jonathan, you tug more than my own mother..." Robert grumbled.

          "I'm sorry, but it's just-" He gave another tug. "-ugh... so stubborn..."

          "Boy, do you know it." Robert laughed following a grunt at another tug. "Some advice- do small, quick strokes at the bottom first, save the longer tugs for further on."

          "Hmm, okay..."

          Jonathan did just that, lightly brushing in repeated motions until the brush seem the glide through all the easier near the bottom. Of course, Robert's hair was natural tight and curly, so the brush caught onto it a little, but not in a way that indicated it was messy or tangled.

          "Oh, that really does work...!" Jojo gaped, completely surprised by the result.

          "Mhmm- you've sort of got to just do different things for each part as you go." Robert assured, still sleepy as he nodded his head. "Now as you go up, do the same thing, but with longer strokes and slower pacing. Keep going until you can brush well enough from top to bottom."

          With an affirmative nod, Jojo continued, beginning to find stride in brushing and finding the process overall pleasant. He would occasionally smile at how Robert's hair could curl around his fingers once they'd been brushed all out nice and neat, and he'd often twirl his finger in a circular motion to see them bounce off and back onto his finger like clamps of a vine. True, Robert's hair might not have been the easiest to handle, but it was quite nice and soft to the touch when it all came together like this.

          "You know, I've always wondered what made your hair so fluffed like this. It's definitely all natural."

          "Oh yes, been like this since I was a tot." Robert chuckled, twirling a lock of his own hair around the tip of his finger. "Other kids used to pull and yank at it to see it bounce around, so for a time, I used to lop it off whenever I could to keep it short. But mum always liked it long and I suppose it grew on me."

          "Did she have hair like this?"

          "Yes, but a bit darker- still a blonde, but a bit dirtier. Heh- actually, a bit auburn." He chuckled. "Can't say a thing for my Father. Must've been a blonde, though I'd reckon I wouldn't know. Never had any pictures of 'im and can't recall if mum ever told me so."

          "That's unfortunate..." Jonathan sadly contemplated, "How was your mother, though? Was she kind?"

          "Oh, as much as she needed to be." Robert smiled, "Though I'd earn my fair share of whacks every now and then, a' course, when I was misbehaving."

          "I see that didn't exactly stop you..."

          "Heh- not a bit." Robert snickered at the thought. "Mum'd catch me stealing biscuits and scones from the baker and I'd simply learn to hide 'em better was all."

          "She only meant well, I'm sure..."

          "Oh, of course!" Robert nodded frantically. "It's only well enough that a good mother keeps her son from gankin', but- GAH! Jojo!"

          "Ah! Sorry!" Jonathan panicked, letting go of the brush that only stayed firmly knotted in the other man's hair. "Ooh, it snagged bad..."

          "I'll say, ow..." Robert rubbed at the spot sorely. "Guess it's real snarled there, eh?"

          "Mhm..." Jonathan bit his lip and nodded. "Here, let me just... get that..."

          He careful untangled the brush from the blonde's hair before giving the spot a careful, light to the touch brush over and he gently attempted to get back into the feel of the movement.

          "There... think we're good again." Jonathan sighed with relief. "Gonna need to really be gentle here for a bit before it teases out."

          "That's alright..." Robert huffed. "Think it's all more or less brushed out anyhow."

          "Yes, I think you're right. But then it's onto the braid."

          "Oh, Jojo, really, my hair doesn't lend itself well to a singular braid." Robert argued. "It takes well to a couple smaller ones though!"

          "Well- how many?"

          "I usually braid into a bunch, around twenty or so, but that's too much effort for tonight, so... I'd say eleven but even that's a bit... hmm... I dun'no, maybe five or seven? Keep it in odds, it stays to the back easier that way." Robert explained. "You know, we could even do it together. I'll handle the front, you handle the back. It's not guaranteed to stay symmetrical that way, but 'ey, it's just for sleepin' in."

          "I suppose." Jonathan stood up and took a step back to get a look at the results of the these tenuous past few minutes, seeing the curls of Speedwagon's hair now spread nice and clean where they'd before stood tangled in knots. "So... where do I start?"

          "Lemme' start, actually." Robert chuckled, standing up and stretching real quick, his drowsiness seeming to wane. "I'll divvy it up."

          Jonathan sat down and watched patiently as Robert expertly divided up the waves of his hair into seven even sections for braids, wrapping little bands around each gathering to separate them out and keep them from falling back together.

          "You can remove the bands when you start braiding a section, but we keep them on the others to avoid them merging."

          "Got it."

          "Now, Jojo, you said you now how to braid?"

          "I've braided for Erina before, yes, but I can't do anything especially fancy..."

          "Well, this isn't for show, so you should be fine." Robert nodded, sitting back down and turning his back to Jonathan as he began a braid near the front left of his face. "Just keep it as tight and even as you can and we should be good. Don't rush either, take your time. I know my curls are a bit of a handful."

          "Right."

          With that, Jonathan took up the main braid down the middle of the back of Robert's head and slipped the band off, letting the hair cascade into his hands.

          He began splitting the section into thirds, wrapping the curls of each into around his fingers as he began weaving them against each other, pulling them tightly enough to hold shape, but not so tight that they hurt Robert's head. Previously, Jonathan wondered how such rampant curls would be braided at all- sure, he was willing to try, and he'd seen Robert do it before, so he knew it was possible, but he wasn't sure how such a cloud would ever be tamed into a rope. Now, however, after doing it himself, he was surprised to see how the curls fell into line with the row of the braid, succumbing their wild tendency to clean lines of locks intertwined.

          It was a moment of soft silence as they sat there, Jonathan sitting just behind Speedwagon with a tight braid in his hand, strands of blonde wrapped around his fingers as he pulled them into place. It was quiet and pleasant, an atmosphere unnameable between the two men who handled each other so gently.

          As time went one, Jonathan found himself leaning forward more and more often, giving Robert little pecks of kisses on the back of head and once the first braid in the back was down, he'd pull it aside to tenderly kiss the nape of his neck, earning little shivers from the other man.

          "Jojo..." He shuddered, his fingers slipping in the last braid to the front that he handled. "R-really, you're gonna mess me up..."

          "Sorry... I admit, I find it difficult to avoid pursuing..."

          "O-oh...?" Robert stammered. "Well, I guess there's n-not much to be done about that..."

          "Hmm, no, I suppose not..." Jonathan hummed resuming his work on the next braid, whispering his next words under his breath. "You're just... pretty, I find."

          Robert didn't answer, he only clung to the strands in his hands all the tighter as he braided.

          Soon, his hair was pulled back into seven braids which they'd then tied together with a ponytail and declared the matter done and over with.

          "All done." Jonathan happily hummed, quite proud, although he admitted that Robert had done most of the braiding in the end.

          "Yes, and you were right, Jojo- this is going to be much better to wake up to in the morning." Robert submitted, letting a loud and sturdy yawn ring out. "Oh good lord, guess I'm back to doing this again... it's hard to stay up a moment longer..."

          "Aww, really?" Jonathan sighed, getting down on his knee to nuzzle Robert up against him, the man's back pressed against his own, the back of his neck resting at his shoulders, bits of hair loose from the braids tickling Jonathan's throat as he rested his chin on the man's head.

          He ran his hands softly over Robert, stroking along the curves of his face, one hand resting to cup his chin while other was left rolling down along his arm and across his chest, a cavalcade of shivers rippling across the smaller man's skin leaving goosebumps all about as Jonathan landed low, caressing Robert's waist with a sturdy hold, his fingers just barely grazing the soft skin of his stomach. Clothing offered little protection against the sensations battering down Robert's defense, his breath already shaky.

          "I-I suppose I c-could muster up the s-strength to... stay up a little longer..." He stammered, melting into Jonathan's gentle touch.

          "Only if you want to..." Jonathan whispered, kissing Robert again, this time on the corner of his trembling lips. "I know it's late..."

          "N-not that late..." Robert assured, suddenly keen on waving away any notion of tiredness with a laugh that caught in his throat as he mumbled. "B-but, Erina's already asleep..."

          "Well, it's good then that we've got to two beds then..." Jonathan hummed, watching the red bloom across Robert's face. "Shall we take this to your room?"

          "A-ah... yes, please..."

          Jonathan smiled softly. There was that little, 'yes, please' he so loved hearing.

          "I'll carry you there then, if you don't mind." Jonathan said as he began scooping up the man.

          "Of course..." Robert hummed, nestling his head up to Jonathan's chest as he was lifted into his arms.

          The two exited into hall connecting the two adjacent bedrooms quietly, trying to let Erina sleep peacefully. What they missed though was her little smile as she watched them leave through sleeping eyes, humming a giggle to herself as she rolled over in bed to cuddle up into the sheets. It was a little cold on her own, but she had no need to worry- after all, she wagered she could expect to feel them cuddle up against her in half an hour or so.

          And so the night went on.

Chapter Text

          It was a week left until the Dossett's Christmas Eve Ball and with Christmas itself just the day after, everyone in England had begun buckling down on preparations for the holiday festivities. Everyone including the Joestars.

          At the current moment, Erina and Speedwagon found themselves on the shopping streets of London after an hour or so's drive out, a servant flanking them carrying the pile of gifts that they had bought so far. Right now their focus was on Jonathan, as the three had all already taken care of gifts for baby George, of course. For little George, they'd bought new blankets and pillows and decorations for the nursery, as well new cotton and silk dresses for him and toys to play with- soft things such as plush stuffed animals and a mobile for his cradle. Neither Erina nor Speedwagon had bought much for Jonathan before today however.

          Sweets and treats were always a good choice for the holidays, and as such they'd bought for him those chocolate sweets he so loved, though he'd try to hide it, and had them wrapped in a box decorated with a lively holiday scene, as well as a tin of ginger snaps, something Erina remembers him fondly enjoying as a child. Speedwagon had insisted on getting him something to add to his wardrobe, although, going and getting him a whole new suit or even just a jacket or coat would prove difficult without him present to be measured. Simple guesswork wouldn't be enough- after all, there wasn't a tailor alive who could whip up something to fit Jonathan without a complete reference of his size. But a scarf didn't need fitting; neither did neck or bowties or cravats; all sorts of which the two had bought for him.

          They'd also gotten him new jewelry and accessories to wear as well- new pairs of cufflinks and rings and even an ornate stickpin with his birth gem in the center of the jeweled end. Most especially, however, Erina and Speedwagon had gotten him a beautiful, brand new, shining silver pocket watch, engraved on the front with an intricate design of the Joestar family crest and with his initials on the back, along with the date of his birth. The timepiece was packed in a small blue box with a gold ribbon to hold it shut and had been tied with a tag addressing him by name. Erina and Speedwagon had been proud with their choice of gifts for Jonathan thus far, but this most certainly had to be their favorite they'd picked out yet.

          "I still want to buy him newer supplies, or plants or seeds for the garden." Erina listed aloud for Speedwagon to jump in on. "Perhaps decorations for the garden even..."

          "I'm sure he'd love that, Erina, dear." Speedwagon hummed. "But does he have much more room left in the rows?"

          "No, but he's got the rest of the surrounding area that we can till into more. And there's a chance not all of the flowers with survive through winter of course, these can replace them."

          "You forget, Jojo's got a gift with those plants, Erina- they could take on a snowstorm and come through just fine I'd reckon."

          "Maybe, but I'm sure there's a limit to how well even a hamon grown plant can go on flowering." Erina hummed to herself. "It's a shame the garden's begun to go dead for the winter... you can Jonathan's been antsy to tend to it."

          "The man's been a bit fidgety I'd noticed!" Speedwagon laughed, "It's quite a sight seeing him like that, I'll admit. Why I'd say- "

          "Wait-" Erina paused, interrupting him, "He can have his flowers in winter! Robert, let's commission him a green house!"

          "Oh, that's brilliant, Erina!" Speedwagon jumped, excited at the prospect. "Jojo'll love that, he will!"

          "It'll need to be a bit more complex than your usual greenhouse however. Though don't work well in winter without heating and good ventilation. And it'll need raised rows and platforms so the poor plants don't touch the cold floor." She murmured to herself in thought before turning the Speedwagon. "Let's go talk to a specialist and see what we can do!"

          "Right." He nodded. "Have we got much else we want to buy while we're here though?"

          "Well, there's no harm in walking down along the rest of these rows." Erina postured. "Afterwards, however, we do still need to buy wrapping paper and gift boxes. Tags and cards and all the ribbons, too."

          "Well, then, let's find a Christmas shop after we handle the greenhouse." Robert nodded, already on the lookout for one such place. "I'm sure we'll find some smaller gifts to buy there too."

          "We could buy a family ornament..." Erina mumbled under her breath. "Something to commemorate our first Christmas together..."

          "I'm sure he'd love that." Robert smiled. "Like a couple's emblem!"

          "Well..." Erina chuckled in response before leaning in, whispering low enough to avoid prying ears and say, "No, I want it to represent the three of us together, Robert."

          "Oh... right..." Robert rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

          "Don't be so silly." She tsked with a hum as she tilted her chin upwards. "Remember, Robert, we're in this together."

          "Right, silly me." He huffed, giving Erina kindly smile only to have her return it in earnest.

          Speedwagon quite enjoyed their time together, she was a strong woman who could bring him out from his insecurities rather well, and despite the creeping guilt of being an interloper in her marriage would peek it's head out every now and again, Erina was always insistent in reminding Speedwagon how he belonged with her and Jonathan and nothing was going to change that. It was a very clarifying thing to have her speak and alleviate your mind for you. A wonderful woman, truly.

          They knew where to find the gardening specialist's centre, after all, they'd been here before when Jonathan had taken them out to pick plants, bushes, flowers and trees for the garden. Although, at this time of year, the outdoor section was filled not were orchard starts or May flowers, but rather the lot was adorned with freshly cut pine trees, just the right height for a small living area, and with rows of poinsettia, cyclamen, and frosty ferns. The centre and store itself was warmly lit in the dimly cold daytime and open for business all the same.

          The inside was decorated similarly, although much differently from the last time Erina and Speedwagon had visited in Spring- the store was now filled with bundles of the flower found outside alongside others meant strictly for indoors, all in decorative pots and tins in a row. With the store front being rather small, the scene was crowded all in plants of green, red and white, just perfect for the holidays.

          "'Ello there!" The store attendant was quick to greet them and rush over to the counter. "What can I help you with today, mister and missus?"

          "Er, we're not-" Speedwagon blurted, but quieted down after Erina tossed him a glance and shook her head with a light smile.

          "Well, actually, we'd like to ask you about greenhouses." She began, taking a step towards the counter. "I'm not quite sure, but do you happen to sell them?"

          "No, not quite." The boy behind the counter tapped the side of cheek as he explained. "But, we are in partnership with a construction group that'll do it- we just send 'em the patron's requests for it."

          "That should be fine, I think." Erina nodded to Speedwagon who did the same with nothing to protest on the matter. "We would like to have one commissioned, if that would be alright."

          "Sure, but they aren't starting projects 'til after Boxing Day."

          "That's quite alright." Erina attested. "We'd like a greenhouse built, if it's not an issue. A large one that can last in winter."

          "In winter?" The attendant quirked a brow. "Well, it can be done, but it'll cost more due to the complexities- and they take more maintenance than a usual greenhouse."

          "We can handle that. What are the details?"

          "Well, most greenhouses are all glass, but one built to last the winter will need an insulation sheet around the interior walls. This'll impact your ability to see through the glass. We can have it built in or have it as a removable installation, since it might overheat your plants in the warmer months."

          "Is the removable as reliable?"

          "Depends on well you install it each time." The boy explained. "I can guarantee that it'll be good when they build it for the first time though, yes."

          Erina nodded. "Alright- I think we'll take a removable one. Gives us more options."

          "Alright, just one moment." The attendant asked as he walked over to a cubby with stacks of order records and catalogs, picking up a paper in one hand and an inkwell and quill pen with the other before heading back to the front counter.

          "Now then," He began as he readied the quill. "This'll be used as the detail form for construction requests."

          "I'll have you marked down for removable insulation." He said as he did just that before skimming back up to the top of the form. "I'll need to fill out the name and address of the requesting person and/or patron, if you don't mind, ma'am."

          "No, of course not. The patron is one Jonathan Joestar and I am Erina Joestar requesting it on his behalf. It is a gift for my husband."

          "Jonathan Joestar?" The boy said curiously perking his head up and motioning to Speedwagon who stood just behind Erina. "Oh, so your not... ah, that makes sense, was wonderin' why a man'd let his wife do all the ordering without help."

          Speedwagon slumped his shoulders for but a moment before he stretched them out once more, offended at this boy, who was surely not more than sixteen at most, who would be so rude to his elder- at this boy who had the gall to insinuate he wasn't enough of a man to help his own presumed-wife with these matters.

          However, before Speedwagon could let a piece of mind slip out, Erina held a hand up to halt him, as she surely knew what he reaction would be to the boy's insult.

          "I'd kindly ask you not insult my dear friend Robert, young man." Erina requested, softly but strict enough to let her offense be known and to cause the young attendant to jump in his chair.

          "So sorry, ma'am, didn't mean to imply anything." He apologized for, though that could've been the only intention of his words. "Uhm, so... Joestar, right?"

          "Yes. Erina Joestar and Jonathan Joestar." She re-stated with the slightest hint of annoyance that only Speedwagon could get a read on. "I know the construction won't be for at least another week, but I assume you're likely to mail us confirmation letters and the like- how soon should we expect these?"

          "Not until Boxing Day still, ma'am." The boy clarified, "They'll send their confirmation shortly after and work correspondence from there."

          "Alright. This is a Christmas gift for my husband, so I simply wanted to be sure nothing would be mailed and addressed to him on this matter until after I've told him on Christmas day."

          "Well, then there's no need to worry about that, ma'am." The boy grinned. "They'll come out sometime after they've confirmed the final commission with you, just to scope out the land and what they're working with. They'll be asking for all the specifics then, but for the time being, I just need a few requests you have in mind."

          "Right."

          "Alongside the removable insulation, that is." The attendant clarified, tapping his pen to the inkwell. "I've already marked that down."

          "Of course- well then, as for my thoughts on it..."

          It was only a few minutes before Erina had settled all the details for her request with the boy who then slide the request into a basket back by the paper cubby along with other similar forms.

          "That's all handled now. Your request should be processed within a week and you'll be receiving a letter in a mail to work from there." The attendant sighed, clapping his hands together as he returned to the front counter. "Anything else I can 'elp you with today, ma'am?"

          "Hmm..." She hummed as she took a step back to examine the store's interior filled with pottery and plants. "Say, Robert, what do you think about that one there?"

          Speedwagon followed her line of sight and saw, on a wall shelf, a row of frosty ferns, much like the ones growing outside, but these were in metal pots, brass with little snowflakes etched into the legs and a winter scene painted onto the tin panels lining the side of the container. The handles of the pot had little bells tied to it and overall, the plant looked particularly lively and festive in such a display.

          "The one on the end of the row?" He clarified, being met with an affirmative nod from Erina. "Yeah, I think that one looks nice, Mrs. Joestar." He hummed with a smile, remembering his public manners.

          "We'd like the plant then, as well." Erina said with a tilt of her head as she reached for her hand purse to pay for the purchase.

          The two left the store, their servant not a step behind, now caring the potted fern in tow along with the other gifts they had bought prior.

          "We should stop by the Christmas shop now." Robert asserted as they stepped onto the sidewalk, lightly dusted with snow. "Looks like there's one just down that way, if that window display is to be trusted."

          "I believe you're right. Let's head on over. Oh, but first- Marcus?" Erina motioned for the servant behind them.

          "Yes, Mrs. Joestar?"

          "Could you possibly bring us a carriage around to that storefront? Don't worry about the gifts, Robert can hold onto them."

          "Of course, ma'am." The man nodded, handing off the stack of gifts to Robert who carefully took them for him.

          "Thank you, Marcus." She nodded her appreciation as the man headed to find a carriage. "Now, then..."

          The two alone headed across the street and down the way to the shop that Robert has pointed out and, sure enough, it was a Christmas shop, windows filled with deliciously baked treats and sweet candies on display alongside cutesy toys for children and homely decorations of red, green, and gold, fabrics of plaid patterns and white lace like snowflakes, all framed like a child's winter dream.

          "What a cute little shop!" Erina couldn't help be gasp, admiring the holiday warmth radiating from the storefront. "Oh yes, let's go in, Robert."

          "Right besides you." He answered, following in line with her.

          Inside the store was just like the window displays, crammed with as much Christmas cheer as one could find. Erina was right; it really was the cutest little shop.

          "Oh, Robert, what if he bought him a music box?" Erina said, motioning towards a display of music boxes in all shapes and sizes as she rushed over and admired the little collection.

          Speedwagon eyed the particular music box that Erina had gone over and picked up- it was a round, metal one, it's base was polished with a blue sheen and gold trim with what looked like pearls and something akin to diamonds lining the sides of the casing. The top of it was cut and stained to look like a snowy field and atop it stood a porcelain figure resembling a woman in a long white and red gown with a crown of holly dancing under a moon and stars, all propped up on thin rods. Around the figure were various little forest animals, all holding little present boxes and gift bags in their paws. As Erina twisted the little lever gear around three times before letting it play out a whimsical melody of The Holly and the Ivy. A very lovely little piece indeed.

          "Well, it really is a rather pretty thing, it is." Speedwagon nodding, incapable of denying that. "Is it really Jonathan's thing, though?"

          "Hmm, well, I suppose not..." She tapped a finger to her lower lip looking a little sad. "I guess you're right, maybe not this."

          Speedwagon's eyes shifted between her expression and the music box for a moment before he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

          "Don't worry, I'm sure we can find something else for him in here, love." He guaranteed reassuringly, just low enough so as not to be heard referring to her as such by anyone else. "You said you wanted to get an ornament for him?"

          "Right!" Erina smiled wide, turning around to examine the rest of the shop. "Oh, and perhaps a snow-globe?"

          As she headed over, Speedwagon peered back at the music box that Erina had put down. It was clear from her reaction that she'd really liked the little thing. True, he didn't think it'd be quite a gift for Jonathan, but perhaps...

          Speedwagon looked about the shop for a moment, seeing only Erina and the shopkeeper who, regretfully, was currently heading over to help her with the selection of ornament on display. They appeared to be debating something about one of the ornaments that Erina had picked out in her hand.

          He bit his lip. Damn- if only the shopkeeper was still at the counter, he could hand him some cash real quick and call it done with. He didn't really want to pocket the little musical toy but he couldn't let Erina see him buy it either.

          He sat there, staring at the music box for who knew how long before he finally lifted it gently from it's place on the tabletop display.

          Then he sighed, putting it back down.

          No, he wasn't going to steal it. He was past that now.

          "Oh, Robert!" Erina called from across the shop, breaking away from the shopkeeper who was headed for the back of the shop past a wooden door.

          "Yes, Erina?" He answered as he twirled around to meet her, unsuspecting as always.

          "Look at this!" She cheered as she walked over, holding out a little snow-globe about six or so inches tall out on her palm. "This is wonderful."

          "A snow-globe?" Speedwagon questioned, recalling her over by the ornament display last he saw. He recalled the shopkeeper heading for the back of the store- maybe he was picking out something at Erina's request?

          "Mhmm! Look inside..." She pointed to the interior, a winter scene in the forest showing two little kids, a boy and a girl, all bundled up and playing in the snow with a pet dog. "It looks like Danny..."

          "Danny? His old dog?"

          "Yes- I know the story is sad, but, he really loved Danny. I think he'll like this..."

          "The lad and lass look like you two, not to mention."

          "They do..." Erina smiled fondly at the little globe, cupping a hand to her cheek as she thought back on earlier days. "I wanna buy this for him..."

          "Then buy it!" Speedwagon huffed, crossing his arms with a smile.

          "I will!" She cheered, turning to check on the shopkeeper's counter only to see that he had returned from the back of the shop. "Oh! Robert! Can I meet you outside, please?"

          "What?" He tilted his head, completely perplexed. "Leave you alone you mean? Why would I do that?"

          "Just- because I asked nicely?" She offered with a smile that somehow read as authoritative.

          "Well..." He drew out as he slowly turned for the door. "Alright, but don't make me too worried for too long."

          "Rest assured, Robert, I'll be right out, don't worry."

          With that, Robert stepped out the door.

          "Damn." He sighed.

          He had really been hoping he might've at least been able to purchase the music box just before or after Erina made her purpose but now he was sitting outside the store completely. She must've had a reason of course, he knew that, but it still made me irritated. He supposed he could come back tomorrow or later today, but that's a whole extra carriage ride out here that didn't need to be made. He supposed he could just... go back in after she came out. But would that be too obvious?

          Oh. Well, suddenly Speedwagon had an idea why he was kicked out.

          He leaned against the display window with a smile. Aw, Erina wanted to buy him something without him seeing it... that was kinda cute of her. It was the holidays, so it was to be expected, but his heart warmed at the fact that, well, he was getting these kind of presents from people that loved him more than anything. Jeez, if this was how he was now, he was gonna be mess when it came to Christmas Day itself.

          Speak of the devil, with the chime of a door bell, Erina stepped out from the shop, two small gift boxes in hand- one obviously containing the snow-globe and the other...

          "What's that second one, Mrs. Joestar?" Speedwagon teased, feeling a little playful.

          "Oh, just a gift for someone special." She returned similarly. "It's not a big deal."

          "I see." He pushed himself off from the window and stood up straight and looking down the street. "Well, look at that! Seems our carriage has arrived."

          "Oh, so it has." Erina said, cradling the two small gifts in her hand as she leaned over to peak at the approaching carriage.

          "Yes, good thing too." He hummed. "I needed someone to hold onto these gifts for me for a moment."

          "Hmm?" Erina turned to look down at him curiosity. "Why so?"

          He only chuckled and waited as the carriage stopped in front of them and the servant, Marcus, stepped out from it.

          "Thank you so much, Marcus. Could you possibly take my gifts for but a moment, lad? I do believe I have something to do, if ya' don't mind waiting much."

          Marcus took the gifts with a small bow and stored them into the back of the carriage's luggage compartment and Speedwagon hoped back over to the shop's entrance, turning on the ball of his foot as he did so to grace Erina once more before he headed on in.

          "Sorry, dear Erina, but I do believe it's your turn to wait!" He waved as he left her shaking her head with a tired grin.

~~~

          Back at the Joestar manor, Jonathan could be found up in his study, the light dusting of snowy fog tinting the sunlight a bright white as it shone down through the windows on either side of his desk. Usually such a morning atmosphere would bring anyone to ease, but Jonathan only found himself biting his lower lip in an obnoxious habit born of stress.

          Jonathan tapped a finger nervously against the wooden surface as he read through yet another letter relying disappointing news and let out a sigh, one already so tired at so early in the day.

          It had been sometime ago that Jonathan had sent out invitations to what friends he had for them to come over and visit for Christmas, and unfortunately, so far it was seeming as though none would be able to make it.

          The parchment he held in his hand currently read out a response from Straitzo, who also wrote on behalf of Master Tonpetty, explaining that they would be staying in Tibet for the time being to continue with Straizo's training to one day take the hamon master's place, as Straizo now stood as his only student left to take on such a role. The letter expresses apologies for missing the event, but also elaborated that Jonathan should feel no need to send gifts their way, as they had no desire for such things and felt them unnecessary for at the moment.

          Jonathan, stubbornly, chose to respect their wishes, and instead chose to simply returning a follow-up letter wishing them luck in their training efforts.

          As he laid down the freshly inked letter, Jonathan pushed back his chair and stepped aside into the light of the winter sun to look out on the powdery lawn of the estate.

          He'd also invited little Poco and his sister and their whole family, anyone they wanted to bring, honestly. The boy had been rather brave for sticking with them as far as he did during their time in Wind Knight's Lot, and if it weren't for that bravery, Jonathan wasn't entirely sure he'd still be here today, as it was Poco who made way for Baron Zeppeli back in the dungeon battle with Tarkus. He hadn't seen the lad since he came back from his honeymoon with Erina, though he'd certainly exchanged letters back and forth with the family, and Jonathan felt it was the least he could to invite them for a grand Christmas dinner at the estate. However, it seemed this wasn't to be, as Poco had informed that he and his family were quite invested in their own plans for the holiday.

          Jonathan understood that completely- one's own family should always come first in matters such as these. Jonathan was simply worried that perhaps Poco's family didn't want Jonathan taking pity on them for not being as well of as himself. They weren't impoverished, but Jonathan was sure they could do with a gift of pounds at the very least and he'd already mailed just that out to the family alongside some toys for Poco and a new dress for his sister (Erina helped pick it out and everything). Similarly, at the same time, Jonathan really didn't want to come off as looking down on them in any way by giving them so much. But would someone really be so offended by gifts?

          Or perhaps he was overthinking it and stressing himself over nothing as he, sadly, had begun to see he was prone to do.

          "Lord, I'm a mess..." He muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair.

          With a sigh, Jonathan returned to his desk and finished preparing his letters to be mailed out, picking up two unopened ones in the meanwhile as he headed out into the hall to deliver them.

          The two unopened letters he had were addressed to Robert and Erina respectively, likely responses from their own invitees, Robert's old gang and Erina's father and her friends at the hospital. Without having read the letters, however, for the time being it truly seemed that Christmas was just going to be the three of them and their infant son, especially as Jonathan had given the servants the day off to spend with their families and friends, though they'd been rather confused about it, unsure how Jonathan would get the place all ready for Christmas. The chefs and cooks had insisted on at least preparing a Christmas breakfast and dinner for them, which Jonathan allowed, but only if they could guarantee that it wouldn't intervene with their time with family.

          Really, Jonathan wasn't upset at the prospect at spending Christmas alone with just Robert, Erina, and George- being able to be true and open with his love for the two of them was always a blessing, and to be able to do so during such a special time of year... the notion warmed his heart immensely. But he couldn't help but to feel as though, on some level, he was failing in his role as the head of the house in giving his partners a big grand holiday celebration with all their family and friends. He desperately wanted this to be perfect for them. He wanted them to be happy.

          One would think Jonathan's worries unfounded however, as just then, Robert and Erina burst through the door laughing joyously and seeming very much happy as could be.

          Jonathan had just arrived at the base of the staircase as the two waltzed in, a servant not far behind them, his arms filled with bags and packages from the clearly large amount of stores and shops that they had just returned from visiting.

          "Erina! Robert!" Jonathan smiled widely, stepping down onto the tile to greet them.

          The two quickly yelped and ceased their laughter as they snapped their heads to see Jonathan approaching.

          "N-no, no, turn around! You mustn't look, Jojo, don't look!" Robert shouted, demanding in an unusally panicked voice.

          Though there lingered in his tone no pretense of fear or terror, Jonathan couldn't help but ball his fists and take a step back into a defensive position at Robert's shouting. It left Jonathan confused and on edge, his nerves suddenly alert and jumping in anxiety and his eyes wide and focused.

          "What's wrong, Robert?" He asked calmly, though he felt his chest tighten with every second that the situation was not made known, every beat of his heart steadily ramping up to a quick, frantic pace. Where was the danger? Who was after them? Were they hurt? What was going on?

          "Oh, It's a surprise, Jojo!" Erina quickly appended, her voice light and breathy from laughter, a few giggles bubbling their way out as she and Robert shoved themselves in front of the poor servant in a desperate attempt to block him from Jonathan's view. "Now turn around, dearest, we've got your gifts, look away!"

          "You can't be sneaking a peak, now, can 'ya, lad?" Robert chuckled, nodding his apologies to the servant they'd just unceremoniously squished between them.

          It took a moment for it all to check out in his mind, but upon seeing his partners' playful movements and the nervous, but still clearly bright smiles on their faces, Jonathan relaxed instantaneously.

          "Oh, right..." He gave them an earnest, embarrassed glance as he promptly faced away from the them as they had requested, avoiding paying any mind to the bit of panic still blossoming so rudely in his chest.

          While his back was turned, he heard the rustle of packages as Erina and Robert seemed to hurry the servant up the staircase before leaving him to continue alone as the two stopped right by Jonathan, using the advantage of standing at higher heigh than him on the stairs to each plant a kiss on his cheek one at a time.

          "Sorry for the sudden surprise dear, we didn't expect you to be right there when we came in." Erina cooed, using a hand to turn Jonathan towards her by the chin and look her in the eyes. "Are you alright, dear? You seemed pale."

          "We didn't frighten you terribly, did we, love?" Robert inquired leaning over on the rail to look down at the him past Erina.

          Jonathan paused, unsure how to answer before he simply settled on a smile.

          "Of course not." He confidently assured. "I was just throw off guard a little."

          Erina and Robert both shared a worried look with one another being returning to give a nod in Jonathan's direction.

          "If you're certain." Erina hummed knowingly, leaning to give him yet another kiss. "We'll be in Robert's bedroom, dear, if you need us- but please knock first!"

          "If you even so much as catch a glimpse, we'll have to take back all your gifts to St. Nick!" Robert teased in a voice akin to a stern parent before taking one step further up the stairs. "We shouldn't be too long though- most a' the shops already done wrapped 'em for us, they did."

          "It was rather kind of them to do so." Erina agreed.

          "Well, I can wait, not to worry." Jonathan sighed, finally feeling more calmed down. "As a matter of fact, I think I too will go out. It wouldn't hurt to see if there's anything I might've missed for you two."

          "Oh, Jojo, that's really not necessary..." Erina hummed.

          "Oh, come on, now... We don't want you showing us up!" Robert teased, letting a light chuckle out as he ran a hand through his hair. "Of course, knowing you, you've probably something bigger than we could even hope to compare to."

          "I hope you don't think me overbearing for it..." Jonathan shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck, that fear of from earlier coming right back again.

          Speedwagon paused, his hand frozen in place as he stood staring at Jonathan, suddenly aware of the atmosphere surrounding him.

          "Oh no, Jojo, I was only kidding." He hurriedly amended. "You ain't overbearing, not in the slightest! You've just got a big heart is all!"

          "Thanks, Robert..." Jonathan smiled, trying to hide his worries and only focus on his voice.

          "I mean it Jojo, being loving isn't a burden!" Robert pressed on, insistently.

          "Jojo, dear, it's Christmas... we all want to give our loved ones special gifts. Don't feel ashamed for loving with all her heart." Erina assured in that soothing yet assertive tone of hers, one that left Jonathan wanting nothing more than to follow her authority. "We love you and if you don't find our love overbearing, than we don't find yours."

          "If you're certain..." Jonathan hummed in an echo of her own words from earlier, his eyes glancing downwards for but a moment. "Sorry for bringing you concern, I really am quite fine!"

          And he really quite was! Erina and Robert were always enough to make him feel at home with himself. his self-doubt was always present, but they were the best help at letting it fade.

          "Alright then." She firmly put, breathing deeply. "We'll be going now. Come back in time for dinner, dear?"

          "Of course." Jonathan promised with a bow of his head before popping it back up as he remembered. "Oh! One more thing, before I forget..."

          "Oh?" Erina and Robert curiously took a step down to be more on level with Jonathan on the staircase.

          "I forgot, you two both have a letter for you." He explained, reaching in the pocket of his coat, pulling out two unopened letters and handed them off, one for each of them. "I believe they are likely from your father, Erina, and the gentleman from Ogre Street, Robert."

          "Blimey, I'd forgotten I'd even sent the letter." Robert cursed as he took it from Jonathan's hand. "I do wonder if any of the fellas'll be up to it..."

          Erina took hers silently only giving Jonathan a smile as she did so.

          "I found it only right that you be the ones to open them, since they are for you." Jonathan explained. "That's all for now. I won't keep you from your holiday preparations any longer."

          Erina and Speedwagon gave a nod as they began walking up the staircase

          "We'll see you tonight!" They say as the three disperse and head their separate ways for the time being.

~~~

          Jonathan had gone out on his own without a servant, not really intending to buy much more than he already had for Erina and Robert, nothing too large too carry himself at the least, but he figured there wouldn't be any shame in picking up a few extra goodies if he spotted some. He mentally ran a tally of the gifts, making sure there was a fair amount of gifts for the both of them, equal in quality and specialty for each. He'd gotten them some of their favorites fruits and treats and an ensemble of new accessories, necklaces, hair pins and bracelets for Erina, neckties, studs, and a new hat for Robert, all in styles and patterns that he'd made sure would match with their wardrobe. Just now on his trip, Jonathan had picked up some candied fruits and cakes for them, as well as basket board of winter table snacks, including a loaf of crisp sourdough bread, small wheels of cheese in multiple flavors, and a roll of summer sausage, which Jonathan already was watering at the thought of. It would be painful having to wait until the end of the week to open this up.

          Thinking over all this and more, Jonathan came to the conclusion that he had gotten a good amount of gifts for the two, and felt satisfied overall. There were two gifts of which he was especially proud of, however, and he allowed himself a moment to bask in the pride he felt in putting them together.

          For Erina, he'd found a polished silver potpourri vase, one with a patterned glass middle and gilt with decorative gold leaf along it's metal base and lid. At it's base, Jonathan had had Erina's name engraved, and at it's lid, an embellishment of her initials, forming an elegant crest of sorts. Of course, with a potpourri pot, he had to gift her some potpourri as well.

          Seeing as he had the garden to do so, Jonathan had done some research into the methods of cultivating one's own potpourri in order to make a mixture especially for Erina. Turns out, it was an incredibly simple task, and long before the winter had begun settling in his garden, Jonathan had picked out stems of rose, lavender, and stock and brought them indoors to survive in a flower vase for a time. He'd picked these flowers not only for their pleasant scent, but for their meanings as well. Roses represent love, which he felt for his wife. Lavenders represent refinement and feminine grace, which she exhibited daily. Stocks represent the promise of a happy life, something he hoped to offer her always.

          It was just a few days ago that he had gone and collected the stems from their vase, picking their petals to mix with shaved orris root, snapped cinnamon sticks, powdered nutmeg and cloves, and distilled oils before heating them up in the oven until they'd crisped into a perfect potpourri blend. Afterwards, Jonathan had the mixture preserved in a closed container to retain it's freshness until Christmas morning, when he'd pour it into a decorative cloth sachet to gift it in.

          Thinking about it made Jonathan giddy; he's put so much work into it and he just couldn't wait to see Erina's reaction to the gift.

          Gifts for Erina were much easier to pick out than gifts Robert, Jonathan had found out, as Erina quite liked trinkets and decorations, which Jonathan could easily find. Robert, however, was more practical in his desires, not expressing much interest in more 'frivolous, well-to-do baubles' as he so put it. Still, Jonathan wanted to get him something special and personalized.

          It had hit him what he wanted for Robert when he'd seen Robert mutter something about rust spreading in the filework of his pocket knife. A pocket knife was something any man would want to keep on hand, something quite practical in use for everyday life. Robert had had his for who knows how long, and as to be expected from life on Ogre Street, it had been through quite a lot of wear and tear.

          A rusty pocketknife would do no good- so, a new pocket knife it was.

          Jonathan had commissioned one just for him- a silver one with brass lining and gold plating on the interior of the filework, preventing it from rusting as Robert's old knife had. The body of the knife was polished with a maroon oil paint, a stylish trim of brass decorating the edges, and the handle itself engraved with Robert's name, its letters filled with polished gold. The pocket knife had six slots for six tools, a large number compared tot he average four or five. A corkscrew, snipping scissors, a hook, and three types of blades all were housed in the knife's handle and fit comfortably without even a millimeter sticking out from the casing when put away, and it's weight was just right for handling and carrying in one's pocket.

          The knife was given it's own protective case and Jonathan had packaged that case in a thin gift box, velvet with a ribbon wrapped around it's corners. And tucked under that ribbon, Jonathan had placed a small bunch of Queen Anne's Lace, a flower taken from the garden.

          When researching flower meanings for Erina's gift, Jonathan had found an interesting tidbit on Queen Anne's Lace. It is a wildflower, not considered to be a rare or fancy flower by any means, and it spreads and grows easily- a pretty, but common flower. However, it's meaning is that of sanctuary, of finding shelter in someone or someplace. The flower was fitting, he thought. Robert was a common flower, growing in Ogre Street the day they met, but Jonathan felt he was able to find shelter in him at a time when he had no one else. Now, he hoped Robert had found shelter in him as well.

          Jonathan smiled nervously at the thought. He hoped the meaning came across well- he wanted Robert to know how important he was to him, a concept Robert seemed to struggle with at times.

          This line of thought slowly lead to Jonathan thinking about Robert and Erina and just how much he loved them, head gushing with happy, warm thoughts about them, a small, silly smile on his face. It was settled- he'd have to give him a kiss when he got back, Jonathan thought, looking down at the small bundles of gifts and trinkets he had wrapped in his arms. He'd also bought a twig of mistletoe, tied with a ribbon, he remembered, smiling again to himself. Jonathan had been to Christmas celebrations many times, but had never gotten to kiss under the mistletoe before, either because he was too young to be allowed or because no one seemed interested enough, although, admittedly, he had still been grieving over the loss of Erina at the time, so if a girl had offered, he likely would've declined. Now though, there was nothing stopping him from doing so, he hummed in thought, feeling a blush creep over him as though he were but a little boy again, dreaming of an eventual romance. Though, with this chill filling the streets of London, you wouldn't have been able to tell the red in his cheeks was from such thoughts.

          The snow was growing thicker with each step he took, Jonathan noticed, and he realized he'd likely have to turn back soon, so as to not give the carriage driver too much difficulty on the way home.

          There was just one last stop he needed to take, at that was to a local Christmas shop just down the block. Jonathan still needed wrapping supplies and gift tags for the presents he'd yet to package, and he wanted to grab some special Christmas cards as well. Christmas cards were typically for sending to long distance relatives and friends, which, Jonathan already had set-up to be delivered for those who'd accept, but he also wanted to get a few for Erina and Robert, for their more special gifts.

          Entering the shop, Jonathan quickly found the collection of cards and began skimming through them, hoping to find something suitably sweet and romantic, but it was in doing so that he ran into a problem.

          All the romantic cards were illustrated with only couples of course, Jonathan knew that'd be the case, but he'd expected some to maybe be more neutral- perhaps one portraying hearts drawn into the frost on a candlelit window or of two cardinals nuzzled up in a winter nest or some other clever romantic imagery aside from a man and woman holding hands.

          But there was nothing. These might work for Erina's gift but for Robert...

          Jonathan leaned back to look over the display as he contemplated what to do. He really wanted something romantic for both of them. He supposed he could just simply not do the cards- they weren't necessary. Jonathan decided he'd rather have no cards than a biased set of cards.

          After purchasing what else he needed from the shop, wrapping supplies and the like, Jonathan called for a carriage to take him home.

          For the entire ride home, he thought on the situation with the cards and wondered if there was something he could get that would equally represent the three of them. If such a gift existed out there already, it must be very well hidden between the multitude of ones for couples and families of husbands and wives with children. But something to represent their dynamic? Surely there wasn't any.

          This upset Jonathan, but he'd already accepted that that was gonna be the difficulty with his relationships.

          When he came home, Robert and Erina where not in the front room nor the lounge, so if he had to bet, they were likely still in Robert's room wrapping gifts. Safe in that assumption, Jonathan took his own gifts that he'd bought while out and brought them up to his study where he'd hidden his stash of presents for the two of them.

          Jonathan had not yet wrapped most of their presents, but he didn't feel in the mood to do so today, though he knew he really ought to- it was nice to have a decorated Christmas tree full of presents before Christmas day itself- it built up anticipation.

          With that in mind, Jonathan headed over to the drawers where he'd hidden the gifts and pulled them out, deciding that he might as well get them wrapped while he could. Besides, if Erina and Robert were still in the middle of their own wrapping spree, Jonathan would be left without much company, so he might as well spend this time alone wrapping gifts for them.

          In the center of the office floor, he spread out the gifts in piles separating them out by recipient, and leaving a space open, he would take each one and wrap it neatly in a package, paper, and bow, paying close attention to make sure each one had a unique attribute to it. This one had an extra curly ribbon and this one had a sparkly sheen to it's wrapping paper; this was wrapped with a uniquely patterned bow and this next one had a metal charm tied to it. Each one was special in it's own way.

          It felt funny being down on the floor, Jonathan found- it felt like he was a little kid again, playing with his toys or reading through a new book or sketching out drawings in his notebook. It was a gentle feeling to recall- he wondered why children where more prone to laying on the floor than adults. It wasn't as comfortable as when he was small, he had to admit- he was a bit big to be hunched over on the ground he supposed. Perhaps that's why adult didn't do so.

          Just like when he a child, ever now and then, Jonathan would peer upward and pick out a point of the room to stare blankly at before dropping his attention back to the task at had. It was in doing so that Jonathan's gaze was brought to a painting on the wall by the bookshelves. It was a simple piece- a tall canvas painted with a scene of a grand tree with a river running along it, the tree's roots acting as a bridge between the banks of the stream, and on it's roots, a group of people crossed over it, exploring deeper into the woods. It didn't hold any particular significance to Jonathan, but he'd seen it on display at an artist's studio while traveling and found the piece to be quite lovely.

          He looked up to the painting above the fireplace of the office, a simple portrait of Jonathan from the waist up, a piece he'd had commissioned from the very same artist who'd work he'd bought earlier on that trip. Jonathan felt a bit nervous during the posing process, feeling a little put on the spot, but Erina gave him support all the while and made him feel less self-conscious of it. He still wondered if it was a bit pretentious, but he'd heard it was rather common place to have your portrait in your office or study and he even recalled his father having one of him in his. Plus, Erina said he looked rather handsome in it.

          It made him realize though- in his childhood home, there were portraits of his family hanging around the place, particularly in more private rooms reserved away from any guests. There were one's of his grandparents, who unfortunately, Jonathan never got to met, and of Aunts and Uncles, most of whom, Jonathan also never got to meet. Cousins and cousins-removed and even nephews and nieces he'd apparently had, all of which, Jonathan couldn't say he'd ever met. Perhaps he'd been to young, but growing up, he'd seen all these portraits and wondered who these people were to be so important as to have their image in his home and yet have never introduced themselves to him.

          He would ask his father questions about them, but the answers where always the same and unhelpful: "They died before you were born" or "They drifted away from the family some time ago" or "We haven't had the chance to reunite for quite some time- we're all rather busy, you see."

          They never offered a reason for why these pictures where in the mansion, just that Jonathan likely wouldn't ever get to meet the people who bore the faces seen painted all around his home.

          Perhaps that is why Jonathan felt no loss over their destruction in the fire. He felt guilty about it, they were of his family after all, but... he'd never gotten to know them. And they never seemed to seek him out after the highly publicized disaster of the Joestars in his hometown. Perhaps they didn't care. Maybe it was not his aunts, uncles, and cousins, but his father was the one who drifted away from the family sometime ago.

          There were, however, a few portraits that Jonathan wished he'd been able to save.

          There was a portrait of his mother and father, one that was kept in one of the lounges of the mansion. It was something Jonathan had always found himself drawn to, as it was largest image of his mother and what she looked like. It was so large, in fact, that Jonathan would dare say the likenesses of his mother and father were life-sized in it. When he younger, he had gotten in trouble for climbing up onto the mantle to touch the face of his mother, for reasons he could only remember as yearning.

          There was also the photograph of her framed above his bed, one of the few photographs of her in the house. On nights when Jonathan felt sad and alone, he would often talk to it and wish it goodnight as though it were the real thing. Jonathan did so wish he still had that photo.

          The more he thought on it, the more he'd wished he still had. He'd, of course, had several portraits painted and photos taken of him throughout his life, and though it sounded selfish, he wished that he still had them because they were sentimental to him and proof of a time that was now long gone. Not a remnant remained of his old home- not only the portraits that littered walls or the photos that filled scrapbooks, but none of the clothing or jewelry he would wear, none of the books he would leaf through endlessly, none of the toys he would play with. The bed he slept in all his life, the endless collections of journals, notebooks, and diaries he'd kept over the first 20 years of his life, completely gone.

          He didn't know why he was spiraling, but Jonathan held his head in his palms as he did just that, barely holding himself back from crying. In the moment, he didn't think he'd live through that fire- Jonathan Joestar had gone in fully expecting to die alongside his brother as his home burned down in flames, flames that he himself set ablaze. He had no plans for the future, no plans to live, but now that he had, he didn't know how to cope with what he'd lost. It was more than he'd thought, apparently, and Jonathan was coming to this realization on the daily, rather unfortunately, it seemed.

          That home was cold and distant from him, but now that it was gone, he wanted nothing but to have it back. This lovely manor would never be the home he'd known for his entire life and he knew that. He desperately wanted to make it better than that place ever was, and in every way it was, it really, honestly was. He felt at home here, he felt loved here, acknowledged, but when these thoughts intruded upon him like this, it was hard to think positively about any of it.

          He wanted to be home again. He wanted his old life back. He wanted this damned headache to go away.

          All the things he used to think as a child, sitting alone and isolated in his bedroom, were suddenly hitting him like a train and he wasn't happy about it then and he certainly wasn't happy about it now. He wished it'd just stop.

          And then, as if out of nowhere, his mind had a moment of clarity as he looked back up at the portrait.

          Yes, that was perfect. A portrait. He'd have a portrait painted of the three of them!

          Jonathan shot up straight a feeling of happiness and pride quickly rushing over the building sense of dread that had been freezing through his veins not a second earlier. What was a better gift to represent the three of them than a portrait memorializing them together forever? That was a perfect final gift to give.

          With that, Jonathan dove right back into the work of wrapping up the presents, finishing each one now decked and glimmered in Christmas merry and piling them up by the office door. Once he gave them all a look over and felt satisfied, Jonathan attended to the matter of the final gift.

          He went to see if he still had the mailing address of the artist who did his own portrait. After some rummaging through his address book, he found that he indeed still did. Quickly, he wrote up a letter, requesting the artist to make a trip to the manor for a commission, at his own leisure, of course. Jonathan was aware that the painting likely would not be ready by Christmas, but that was fine as Jonathan wanted to surprise Erina and Robert with it, and they'd need to present for it, so having it completed before Christmas would actively ruin the point. No, he'd announce it Christmas morning and they'd have it completed afterwards.

          Once the letter was written out, Jonathan tucked it into his pocket and moved to pick up the pile of gifts, all of which easily fit in his arms, and he went downstairs to the central lounge to decorate them under the Christmas tree.

          Handing off the letter to a butler for delivery, Jonathan pulled himself aside to rest on the settee in the central lounge, drawing a book to read from a nearby bookshelf. He'd wait here for when Erina and Robert came down, he decided, smiling all the while at the thought of them.

~~~

          Robert and Erina sat up in the bedroom wrapping Jonathan's gifts, slowly but surely making their way to the end of the process, a neat stack of gifts piling up between them.

          "Guess we're just about down." Erina smiled at the pile, admiring their handiwork before turning to the cradle besides her, George's cradle, which they had brought in so as to watch the boy while they worked. "Little George is almost as well- he's nearly asleep now."

          "Well, it's gettin' pretty late." Robert noted as he glanced at the window to see the setting sun. "I sure hope do Jojo's returned by now, it'll be dreadful cold out tonight and it won't do to have 'im sick of pneumonia on Christmas day."

          "Oh, but then we can warm him up with hot chocolate and snuggle by the fire." Erina hummed softly at the image in her mind.

          "That scene'd fair better without the sniffles, thank you kindly." Robert chuckled, leaning over to nudge Erina with his elbow. "Imagine if George caught it!"

          "Oh, you know I'm simply pulling your leg, Robert." Erina grinned. "You know, on the topic of George, I've been wondering- what would you like him to call you? Once he can talk, that is."

          "Hm?" Robert quirked a brow, turning to face her curiously. "What do you mean now, love?"

          "I mean- Jonathan seems to like the thought of being 'papa', but you see, I think it would be awfully confusing for you to be his papa too- so, what about you? What title would you prefer?"

          "Now, Erina, what on Earth could you possible be inferring with this topic?" He leaned back from her with furrowed brows, giving her a bewildered look, his tone laced accusingly, surprisingly so for Erina.

          "Well I am inferring that you need a name for George to call you once he's old enough to talk." She stubbornly asserted, knowing exactly where this was going. "As I stated prior."

          "That makes no sense now, Erina. The boy only has one father." He huffed with irritation, turning away with a sad look in his eyes as he glanced down at the gift that lay unfinished in his hand. He mindlessly reached for the wrapping paper as he attempted to ignore the conversation, or at least subdue it.

          "Oh, I knew you'd do this, Robert." Erina spoke with a firmness in it that struck within Robert an odd fondness, reminding him of his mother's own tone when he behaved so stubbornly, as he surely knew he was behaving now.

          "Erina, you know how I feel about this." He sighed. "I don't... feel right, being the boy's... other father." He laid out the words with care, stressing the abnormality he felt from the words on his tongue.

          "Robert." The woman swallowed her hesitations and set aside the gift in her hands to the floor besides her. "Are you apart of this family?"

          "...Yes." Robert answered, sure of himself despite the anxiety that often did bubble at this, the question that his own brain would ask him on a near daily basis, even after so long.

          "Would you say that you are intimately involved with Jonathan and I?"

          The statement earned a heated spark in the man's cheeks, but he quickly flushed them clean as he nodded and responded in a voice soft not from uncertainty, but in sheepish embarrassment. "......yes, love."

          "Robert, your bond is so deep with us that you live in the same house and take your reprieve in a shared bed with us." Erina reiterated, placing a hand over her heart for emphasis. "How could you find all that is our relationship to be fact and yet say you believe yourself not to be one of the boy's fathers?"

          "A parental unit is a mother and a father, it's simple enough. Well, I like to imagine the same can be said for a pair of mothers or fathers together, but, even then, it's always a set of two." He asserted plainly. "It's... not right to intrude."

          "Oh, Robert, dash it all, if this is where you draw the line..." She paused, shaking her head and clearing her throat.

          She reached from his hands, the man flinching back for a moment to pull away before leaving them steady for her to take hold of as she dragged forward to rest warmly in her one. Despite the advantage she had on him in height, her hands were so so small and dainty- it took Robert by surprise every time.

          "Robert. You are not an intruder in our lives. You did not barge in her uninvited, we brought you in ourselves of our own free will. You are a guest here- no, you are much more than a guest. You are family. You are a dear friend of mine and a close lover of Jonathan, our husband. Our husband." She squeezed his hands tight in her own, shaking them ever so slightly with each punch of her tone of voice. "It's unconventional, certainly, but no less wonderful and no less loving. Robert Speedwagon, Jonathan and I love you dearly and that is not wrong."

          She looked Robert dead in the eyes, her gaze holding strength, insistency, and the softest love imaginable. A caring and assured heart shot through the nerves of him a feeling of pure warmth and tenderness that met at his own small, doubtful heart and enveloped it as though it were the most fragile work of stained glass, complex and shining with beauty.

          "Nothing will change that."

          All this from Erina's eyes, Robert could handle, but at those words Robert felt tears welling at the corners of his own. Damned things... he wouldn't cry from this, he promised himself. But he couldn't help but let it ripple softly down his cheek.

          "You two..." He shuddered, stopping to take a breath. "I don't deserve you."

          "Why does that matter when we want you regardless?" She sighed. "Who measures what we deserve anyway but God himself? How can we ever know what we deserve? What has anyone else down to deserve us more than you?"

          Robert sighed, pulling back one his hands from her to rub his palm at his watery eyes. "Damn it, Erina, you and Jojo are gonna be the death of me, you know that?"

          "And you us, likely." She allowed herself to follow the cracking atmosphere with a smile and she shook her head, tsking away.

          Robert laughed at that, loud and filled with an honest humility to it.

          "I don't mean to, honest, love!"

          "Then stop doubting yourself!" She said, ready to smack his poofy hair right over his face to mess with him, only just holding back.

          "I'm sorry..." He got out through his laughter, laced with something sad and regretful. "I'm getting better. I want to. I really want to feel like I am deserving of you, of Jojo, but it's hard sometimes. It's silly isn't it? I've always been so confident of myself out on the streets, a lapse of self-esteem so rare, but ever since that night I find myself feeling so inadequate of something so wonderful. I've never been cut out for this, you know?"

          Erina hummed, shrugging her shoulders as she slid over to sit closer to Robert. "I feel most would feel that same way if they fell in love with that man. I adored him as a girl, but after seeing the man he had become, well, I too felt I couldn't possible be worthy of his love."

          "Jonathan's a bit intimidating in more ways than one it seems..." Robert chuckled, dropping his head to rest on her shoulder, his hands idly moving back to finish packaging the gift he'd left off from earlier.

          "Indeed." Erina sighed. "I suppose that's something we understand more than anything... you know, it's quite fun to have a friend who feels the same way for him."

          "Really?" Robert muttered softly, having calmed- his emotions not as tumultuous as they had been mere moments ago. "That's unusual, don't you think?"

          "Yes, I suppose... most women would be fuming with jealously. But... we're friends, Robert. I think it'd be lonely loving him without you."

          Robert hummed a small, toneless noise, indiscernible in intent. He wasn't sure what to think of that. He felt... fulfilled, he supposed. It had been building slowly, but sure enough, Robert E.O. Speedwagon found himself almost... unsurprised by this.

          He was often plagued with nightmares and fears of Erina and Jonathan leaving him alone for each other but now int he aftermath of his outburst, he realized how foreign the thought seemed suddenly. What Erina had said... was true. To imagine any pair of them without their third felt wrong and empty at this point and Robert was just now coming around to this epiphany. He fit with them like a piece of their puzzle and they with his.

          It felt right. It felt whole. Complete. It felt like true love.

          "I feel the same way." He nodded. "After all this time the idea of me and him without you doesn't just feel like an impossibility but rather something that I wouldn't want at all, no matter it's odds. We're friends, you and I."

          "We're more than friends." She offered, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "We're family now, Robert."

          Family. Erina and Jonathan had said it so often but the word still felt like it slipped from his grasp every time he reached out for it. Acceptance felt immoral. But now he realized, that word was more and more becoming apart of him- apart of them. He quite liked that.

          He smiled and closed his eyes and he sat there, resting against her shoulder, the two alone on the bedroom floor.

          "I like that."

          Erina smiled and chuckled with a soft hint of mischievousness to it. 

          "Wonderful... now then, Robert..."

          He hummed a noise of inquiry her way, peaking an eye to glance up at her, curious.

          "What shall we have George call you?"

          Of course.

          And with that, Robert collapsed against her, groaning painfully in defeat.

          "Dadaí or Da, I guess... but, maybe he should just call me Uncle Robert or Bob out in public, you know, to avoid... yeah..." He moaned. "Ugh, Da... it's so weird hearing it out loud. Fatherhood. What a thought, huh? And I never even knew my own."

          "I think we've all got our worries..." Erina bit her lip, recalling a night sometime during her pregnancy when Jonathan went into a small panic worried he'd end up a bad father for their son, afraid to fail in the same ways his own father had. Sometimes Erina wondered if passing on the family name of George to their son was the best of ideas, but it was something special to Jonathan and a regal name none the less.

          "You know Robert," She said, thoughts drifting in her own direction. "I know I told you this before, but I didn't know much of my mother. She died when I was little. I don't have any frame of reference for motherhood other than what I've read and heard. I'm doing this off the handle as best I can. But that's just it, isn't it? You do the best you can to be kind, fair, and loving and that's all you can do."

          "That's true, in'nit? I don't have a model, but, I can at least do my best." Robert offered himself as assurance. "Do the kindness my mom did onto me."

          "We'll do wonderfully." Erina said. "Not to seem narcissistic, but I do believe we are three of the most qualified to raise a child right."

          "What a statement to say, considering the wonderfully bizarre gaggle of three we are."

          "It still stands true, I would say."

          "Heh... I don't want to disagree with you, that's for sure..." Robert chuckled. "I have my hopes."

          "As do I." Erina agreed before she brought her hands to Robert's shoulder and carefully steadied him up from rest on her own. "But for now... don't you think we should bring these gifts down to the tree?"

          Robert looked down at his lap, realizing that he had indeed finished wrapping the last of Jonathan's presents, and with a soft little gasp, he hastily stood up and stacked it onto the pile.

          "Excellent!" He cheered, clapping his hands together and presenting his arms wide at the sight of their finished work. "They're all lovely, Erina! Jojo'll love it!"

          "Let's hope so!" She bubbled, their energy budding together.

          With arms held out wide, Robert bent low and scooped up the pile almost in it's entirety and hefted it into his arms, rolling back his shoulders as he did so. "Got it!"

          "There's hardly any left for me to carry!"

          "A bit rude to leave it to a lady, in't it?" Robert grinned devilishly, re-adjusting his grip on the pile with a wiggle as he took a step back to steady himself on the way to the door. "Could you, er, possibly get the door?"

          With a chuckle, Erina did just that, but not before lifting George up from where he slept and cradling him in her arms.

          Together, they descended the staircase and entered into the foyer where the Christmas tree was, all decked in silver and gold, ornaments and ribbons and bows of all kind. And just across from it sat Jojo, nestled into a settee, knees tucked up almost like a young boy as he became entrenched in the book he held in he hands.

          The tree was already laden with new gifts that hadn't been there just a few hours earlier, meaning that somehow, Jojo had gone out, purchased, and wrapped all of these in record speed before Erina and Robert had managed to do just the latter in that same time frame, and with two people no less.

          "Jojo!" Robert barked. "How in the blazes are you finished already?"

          "O-oh!" The man gasped, his whole body jerking as he nearly dropped the book out from his hands.

          He turned hastily to greet Robert and Erina with a quick smile as he settled the book down gently, leaving a thin ribbon between the pages to mark his place before he stood to meet them.

          "Robert! Erina! You're finally done!"

          "Finally?" Robert hissed. "How long have you been done?"

          "Oh, not so long, maybe only half an hour or so..." Jonathan mumbled, toeing the floor shyly.

          "Half an hour?!" Robert nearly choked, stumbling with the gifts in hand. "Bloody 'ell, Jojo... you're making us look bad..."

          "If it's any consolation, I had many already packaged before today." He chuckled, rubbing his neck as he sheepishly smiled at the other man who glared at him.

          "Hmm, I guess that helps..." Robert mumbled as he settled the stack of presents down at the base of the tree.

          As he began setting them out about the tree, Erina came up to Jonathan, offering a small kiss pressed to his lips as she sat low on a nearby loveseat, positioning herself diagonally across to give herself space to let George lay against her chest, sleeping all the while.

          Jonathan strode towards and lowered himself onto his knees, practically sliding down to sit fully on the floor as he snuggled up against the arm of the couch, wrapping his arms over it and resting his chin as he peered lovingly at the baby in his wife's arms.

          "He's all tired out." Erina hummed, feeling his little warmth against her chest, then adding with a chuckle, "Not that he did anything to be tired of today."

          "Oh, being a baby is surely exhausting on its own." Jonathan retorted with a dopey grin, poking a finger out to gently play with the wisps of the boy's hair. "Isn't it, George?"

          Erina simply sat smiling at her husband's boyish smiles and mannerisms as he played quietly with the sleeping baby, ticking his cheeks and nose every so softly as to not wake him. It never cease to bring her joy how happy her husband was to be around him as though he'd never seen a baby in his life, which, given his life, was quite possible indeed.

          "Well, that's all covered." Robert said standing up from the gift pile, wiping his hands theatrically as though having just finished a long grueling day of work. "Now, wha- oh, my bad."

          He quickly lowered his volume as he saw the quiet scene of the two huddled with the infant and he carefully tip toed over, silencing himself much more than was really necessary as he too lowered himself to the baby's level. Of course, he only bent into a squat where Jonathan had to sit down fully.

          He admittedly hadn't interacted with the infant as often as he have liked- while he spent plenty of time in the house, on par to Erina, it had mostly been spent reading through materials in the library that interested him, matters of travel and trade and business of all things, something he thought'd never garner his attention in the slightest. He supposed he could've gone out of his way to help with baby George but he didn't want to rob Erina and Jonathan of their child and despite having come to terms with his place in their abnormal relationship as a trio, every time he'd see the baby he'd feel a pang of guilt hit him, yet again feeling like an intruder in the Joestars' happy family life.

          Now, looking at the child, he felt sorry about all that, internally apologizing to the boy for letting negative thoughts get the best of him whenever he saw his little face. His cute, little, adorable face. My, this baby was quite a handsome fellow, already he could tell his parents genes would suit him well in life.

          "He's quite beautiful." Robert smiled. "I've seen my fair share of babies and yours takes the cake, you two."

          "Would you like to hold him?" Erina offered, nudging the little bundle forward ever so slightly in Robert's direction.

          "Oh, no, I'd better not, the boy's fast asleep, I'd only wake him up."

          "Nonsense." Erina denied, offering him to Robert more insistently. "He sleeps deeply, dear, why don't you hold him. Though it might be best to sit down properly first."

          "I- er-" Robert stammered, gaze flicking back and forth between Jojo, Erina, and the baby she held in her arms. The two stared at him with hopeful expressions, smiling softly as they both awaited his response.

          Robert sighed.

          "Oh, alright then." He huffed, standing up and moving himself to sit just besides Erina, holding out his hands reluctantly and squirming in place as he did so. "Er- so, what do I- ah, I've never actually held a baby... not since I was a lad..."

          "Here, it helps to lean back and rest yourself on the settee, since you're going to rest his weight on her chest and shoulder." She said, motioning for him to do so.

          "Alright..." He nodded, doing just that. "And now...?"

          "Now I hand him to your and I'll help you adjust."

          With that, she shifted to the side and stretched out her arms, bringing George forward to Robert who almost flinched back at the approaching infant but just as quickly pulled himself back into place, his heart pounding for no good reason he thought as he mentally berated himself for being so restless.

          "Sorry, I'll stay still." He assured Erina and held out his hands to make to transfer easier.

          "Of course- now, you're going to rest his neck and head in the crook of your elbow, just on your forearm." She explained as placed the baby gently in Robert's arms, pushing both of them forward against his chest and adjusting George's head to sit just right on Robert's arm and shifting Robert's other to slide out and left his hand holding the bottom of the child with the palm of his hands.

          "And I hold his lower half like this?" Robert asked as he felt Erina pull his arms into position.

          "Yes, perfect." She smiled, giving Robert a look of confidence as she pulled away slowly, her hands lingering out in case something caused George to tumble.

          "O-ohhh-kay..." He stammered out, suddenly realizing that the women no longer had a hold on the child. It was all him from here. "Right. Got it."

          "Are you alright, Robert?" She tentatively questioned, noting the man's sudden increase in stress he was putting out.

          "No, I'm good, I just- this is new to me, 's all." He took in a breath and exhaled it shakily. "I don't wanna drop him or anything."

          "You won't, Robert!" Jonathan assured. "You're nimble and adept with a dagger and knife, why would you stumble up with a baby?"

          "Because babies are soft and fragile and, er, fatter for one thing. It's more stressful." Robert huffed.

          "Oh, well, I do suppose that was a rather silly comparison for me to make, wasn't it..." Jojo chuckled sheepishly as he fiddled his fingers together.

          Robert was about to make a sarcastic retort, but was suddenly caught off guard when the little bundle in his arms starting squirming and cooing ever so quietly.

          "Aaaaaahhhh..." Robert let out as a pained, panicked whisper as he started bouncing nervously. "He's gonna wake up, I knew it, I knew it, aaahh, what do I do???"

          "Robert, he's just moving in his sleep, we do the same thing." Erina rested a hand on his shoulder, attempting to calm his nerves. "It's fine... look."

          When Robert looked back down, he saw the boy let out a little squeaky yawn just before smacking his lips and nestling back into the blanket wrapped around him, and then, he seemed to have fallen perfectly back to sleep without a fit.

          Robert let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness..."

          "I told you he was a deep sleeper." Erina grinned.

          "Guess so..." Robert hummed, not bothering to look up and greet Erina's gaze. He was admittedly mesmerized by the sleeping infant's peaceful expression.

          For a moment, the three of them sat there, Robert with the baby in his arms, Erina seated besides him and Jonathan on the floor, huddled up at the settee's arm, happily watching the scene play out. It was a peaceful winter's night and the atmosphere was just right to make them feel that all was right in their heart's.

~~~

          "Oh, dear." Jonathan gasped under his breath, his fingers pausing in their effort to button his nightgown. "I forgot, I had mentioned to tell you two at dinner, but I received word from the tailor that our suits and dress for the ball would be ready on the 23rd, so I'll be picking them up then."

          "Oh bloody 'ell, I'd completely forgotten about the party." Robert sighed, dragging his hand down his face. "God, how on Earth am I going to do this... there's hardly a week left 'till..."

          "Oh, you'll be fine, Robert." Erina murmured as she tied her hair into a ponytail neatly with a thin blue ribbon. "We've gone over everything and you've hardly struggled! It's going to go over all just well, you'll see."

          "Yes, but it's different in practice..." He huffed, striding over to her vanity and pulled open a little drawer, picking out a ribbon of his own, albeit, a sturdier one than Erina's. "Hope you don't mind."

          "Of course not." She nodded as she examined the results of her bun. "Robert, what are you left to worry over?"

          "Well, I'm still not sure I can muster up the courage to dance with a woman. It's different with you Erina, but with a stranger... it's beyond anxious to think about."

          "That's reasonable." Jonathan laughed from across the room. "I was always nervous to dance with the ladies too."

          "I think your nerves stemmed form a different place of concern than mine Jojo..." Robert smiled at the man. "You thought they were cute, I'd bet."

          "Well, uhm, no, I, well..." Jonathan stammered, looking down at where his fingers fiddled with his collar. "Yes, of course, I was a boy, so..."

          "Exactly." Robert hummed, pointing a teasing glance before turning back around to face the mirror as he began pulling his hair into a ponytail much like Erina had herself. "I'm not worried at all about tripping over myself at the beauty of these women, trust me, that's not the problem, it's just- well, I'm not exactly a nobleman, Jojo. Not in lineage and certainly not in looks. I have my doubts on whether they'd even want to dance with me at all."

          Jonathan perked up at this, quickly padding over across the room to meet the others where they were. "Robert, you're a stunning man and a kind one at that, I think anyone can pick up on that."

          "No offense Jojo, but no amount of high end hair products and soaps can take the smog and dust of Ogre Street off this man." Robert stated plainly, not dejectedly or sadly, but matter of factly and with a tinge of pride. "I'm not ashamed of my background, Jojo, far from it, but I know others would be ashamed just to be near me. That's not poor self-esteem, Jojo, it's just what I know to be honest and true. But just 'cause I know that doesn't make the rejection any less a mark on my pride."

          He chuckled softly, eyes shifting the glance down at the floor as his hands lazily pulled his hair back and tied it taunt with the ribbon.

          "And, well, in such a formal setting, I dare say it'd be outright humiliating." He admitted, worry seeping into his voice.

          "Robert..." Both Erina and Jonathan softly whispered almost in unison, both of their gazes resting on the man's sad expression.

          Robert was suddenly aware of the attention on him and he hurriedly corrected himself to look more cheerful than he felt.

          "Sorry!" He exasperated himself with his own all too eager change in pitch. "Got a little down there, didn't I? Didn't mean to be so gloomy just before bed, loves."

          "No, it's okay, Robert." Erina assured, resting a tender hand on his forearm. "You can tell us what's on your mind at anytime."

          "Yes," Jonathan asserted, moving closer to rest his own hands on Robert's shoulders. "Robert... I really do want you to come along, but, if it's really so stressful for you, I don't you to push yourself for my sake."

          "Ah, but you know I will, Mr. Joestar." He said with a wink, playfully mimicking how he'd speak with Jojo before becoming, well, a partner of his.

          Jonathan did not find this as entertaining as Speedwagon had hoped he would, his face resting solemnly as he regarded Speedwagon with a tone of sadness and concern. Shoot.

          "Ah, guess that fell flat..." The blonde sighed as he wrapped another ribbon around his ponytail just an inch or so below the first.

          "Robert, I mean it."

          "So do I."

          "Well, if you'd do anything for my sake, would you take care of yourself first before me for my sake?"

          "Jojo, you know that sentence doesn't make any sense."

          "Yes it does." Erina commented. "He's saying that if you'll do anything for his sake, then you should take care of yourself first because that's what he'd want."

          Robert paused in his ministrations as he let the thought process through his brain for a moment. "Oh. I see."

          "Good." Jonathan nodded. "So, Robert- do you want to go to the ball?"

          Pulling tight the second ribbon, Speedwagon sighed yet again as he reached for a third and began wrapping it again just a segment below the previous one of the now multi-sectioned ponytail.

          "Of course I want to go and go I'm damn well gonna'. There's a lot I'm worried over but I'll be damned if I'm gonna sit inside all sad with myself on Christmas Eve while you two go to a fancy ball. There's risk in one option but it's damn well better than the depressing scene of the other."

          "We could skip as well..." Erina offered, worried that the only reason Robert was going was for them, which wasn't entirely untrue.

          "No, because I know that this is a big deal for you guys. Not to mention, it's a chance for the Joestar name to make a reappearance with the upper class. It's important and a great opportunity."

          Jonathan's eyes lit up with surprise as Robert casually picked out one of the exact reasons Jonathan wanted to attend the ball, not recalling if he'd ever discussed that aspect of the matter with Robert before.

          "I see." Jonathan nodded, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them and giving Robert a gentle squeeze on the shoulders. "Well, we'll be sure to make it a wonderful night then, won't we?"

          "Of course." Erina added, giving a squeeze of her own to Robert's forearm. "For all of us."

          Robert took a deep breath and exhaled with a smile. His worries weren't gone, but at least he felt assuaged somewhat by the two people he knew would be with him through it all.

          "Right." And with that, he finished wrapping the remaining ribbons around his hair and tossed it back over his shoulder. "Shall we then?"

          "I think we shall." Erina grinned as she stood up and patted out her night gown.

          With that, the lights of the rooms were extinguished, all save for the fireplace, and the three convened together in the massive bed with the canopy curtains drawn, all snuggled up as Jonathan and Erina once again pulled Robert to rest in the center between them, as they oft' would do whenever they felt he was feeling down and needed the sandwiching.

          They whispered loving little words and snuck kisses onto one another in the dark, the light of the fireplace hardly seeping through the thick curtains as Jonathan and Erina targeted Robert most of all in the mixture.

          And as the soft minutes dragged on, slowly but surely, the three were left dozing off in each other's arms, fast asleep with the sound of a crackling hearth lulling them in the quiet.