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Jotaro had never been a fan of weddings. As a child his mother had dragged him to the occasional wedding, whether it be for a friend or for a distant relative on his father’s side, he had decided that he found them to be rather mundane events that let him stay up past his bedtime. As a teenager, he stopped attending weddings with his mother, finding them to be an excuse for her to try to introduce him to new people and possibly set him up with her friend’s daughters. She meant well but he wasn’t interested in relationships, marriage or anything of the sort; he was content keeping his distance. Though he could appreciate the idea and concept of falling in love and being with that person till death do we part, he just never thought it was something for him. That was until he ended up taking a whirlwind trip to Egypt in order to put an end to an age-old threat to his family and the world.
During that trip he had befriended a handful of people; Muhammad Avdol was an Egyptian fortune teller who had helped educate him on stands, Jean Pierre-Polnareff was a loud Frenchman who joined in effort to find the man who murdered his sister and finally, there was Kakyoin Noriaki. At first even Kakyoin wasn’t particularly sure why he tagged along for the journey, let alone Jotaro knowing why, but there was just something so captivating about him. More than once did Jotaro find himself lingering on the boy, whether it be through his gaze falling on those red locks of hair that tumble gently passed his shoulders or a touch that lasted a moment longer than it should had, Jotaro found himself intrigued by Kakyoin . The boy who tried to kill him upon their first meeting, yet was ready to lay his own life down in order to find out the stand of DIO. One of the nights they had spent travelling was spent at a small hotel, Joseph had managed to secure them two rooms. Naturally, Jotaro and Kakyoin shared a room together, ‘since they were both students’ was the logical answer Kakyoin had piped up when they discussed the matter of roommates. That night was the first time Jotaro had thought about weddings or marriage in a long time.
“ Jojo do you want to get married when you’re older” Kakyoin had asked him from across the room, they both laid in their respective beds, the lights out and curtains drawn open to let the night breeze flutter in. He could feel Kakyoin’s eyes on him in the darkness.
“No” Was the blunt, quiet answer he had given the other boy. Silence fell between them for a moment or so, Jotaro thought the other had fallen asleep when he heard the tired reply from Kakyoin that ended in a yawn and the sounds of rustling sheets.
“Hmm that’s too bad” He hadn’t known what that meant, though that night stuck with him, the quiet sadness in Kakyoin’s voice forever set in his mind.
---
The church hall was filled with the excited buzz of family, friends and co-workers. Usually Jotaro hated social events but those feelings aside for today. He was stood with Polnareff and Avdol, the three of them dressed in black tuxedos as they waited just meters from the alter. For whatever reason Jotaro was feeling nostalgic, his mind had wondered to the night in the hotel all those years ago, he stared at the floral arrangements that decorated the table just in front of him. The flowers were a mixture of red chrysanthemums, yarrows and violets, a strange choice for a wedding but there was a refusal at the usage of roses. When the noise of the room suddenly dipped in volume, Jotaro’s eyes joined the others in the room to watch the man who was now walking down the aisle.
Seeing Kakyoin adorned in a white fitted suit that had traces of small emeralds sown into it had Jotaro’s breath caught in his throat. The light shone in through the large stained windows of the church, bathing Kakyoin in a warm, shimmering light. He had chosen the grow his hair out longer since their time together as teenagers, although styled so it was slicked back at the front, save for the signature wayward bang that rested against his soft features, the rest if his hair flowed free down his back past his shoulders, beautiful crimson spread across pure white. Every step was perfect, his grace and poise more evident now than ever before, the slight swing of the golden earring that he wore in place of his signature red pair reflected light against his face. He was beautiful as ever. Now just a few steps away Jotaro felt a pit in his stomach drop, Kakyoin smiled wide. Taking the hand of the man who waited for him at the altar, Jotaro sat with the others, quietly and regrettably watching Kakyoin be wed to another man.
The man who Kakyoin was to be married to was not a bad guy by any means. Jotaro made sure of it. Instead he worked for the SpeedWagon Foundation, he and Kakyoin had met when he was recovering from his injuries from DIO, the boy was taking an apprenticeship under the medical division of the Foundation. They had hit it off, despite him not being a stand user, he had managed to help Kakyoin in his recovery from his injuries while also becoming a friend due to him having knowledge on stands and having been intrigued by them. Of course, Jotaro was happy for Kakyoin , the poor guy had been lonely all his life till he had met him so it was good that he finally was getting himself some friends and was getting to return to a somewhat normal life. Yet as he sat on the side lines, he couldn't help but feel a sharp ache in his chest.
“Is there anyone who objects to this union?” For whatever reason Star Platinum manifested at that, he had been restless before but it was unbearably clear that it was near enough impossible for Jotaro to calm back his stand. Star let out a single Ora, which went unheard to everyone in the room apart from the other stand users in the room, which just so happened to be Avdol , Polnareff, Joseph and Kakyoin . All of whom glanced at Jotaro who forced Star to fade out of existence, seemingly satisfied that he got a word in. “You may now kiss the groom”
At that moment Jotaro felt as though he had been stabbed through the heart. Watching Kakyoin happily tilt his head up, eyes fluttering closed as he kissed the man who was now his husband, it dawned on Jotaro that he in fact was in love with Kakyoin Noriaki; he was in love with him the entire time and he didn’t realise it till it was too late. He could've sworn the room had started to spin, his vision slowly became a hazy blur, the sound of people happily clapping and giving their congratulations to the couple before them was white noise. Then he felt it, a wetness on his face he hadn't experienced since they had been at the airport after Egypt. Tears fell from his eyes, heavy along his cheeks as he stared straight ahead, straight at Kakyoin , straight at the man who he loved.
“ Jojo ?” That voice “ Jojo are you alright?” Blinking away the tears that still sat fresh in his eyes he looked down to see Kakyoin standing before him, looking at him with concern.
“I’m fine, happy for you is all” He lied, what else was he meant to do, declare his undying, unrequited love for him on his wedding day? That was out of the question. Kakyoin looked at him for a second longer, then returned to wear that delighted smile he had on before as he spoke to his friends happily before heading outside for phots to be taken.
Taking photos took longer than expected, on account of Kakyoin and his husbands request, saying they wanted to have as many memories of this day as possible. Thankfully Jotaro had only been asked to partake in group photos so far, which made it easier for him to stand at the back, face softened ever so slightly. That was until Kakyoin had asked from him to take one solely with him, saying he wanted at least one nice photo with his best friend. Those words stung more than they should’ve. They took the photo standing side by side, Jotaro, feeling awkward near him, kept his arms down his sides. This annoyed Kakyoin who told him to put an arm around him. Jotaro complied, he hand heavy against Kakyoin’s shoulder holding close to his side, at this he couldn’t help the small smile that crawled onto his face. “Now one with the other Groom involved too” Were the photographer’s words.
The few seconds it took for the photo of the three of them standing together was quite possible the longest seconds of Jotaro’s life. Awkward didn’t even begin to describe how he felt, he was happy to get away from the group long enough for him to have a cigarette around the other side of the church.
“You know Jotaro it seemed like Star was objecting to the wedding” Fumbling with the cigarette at the sudden voice of Avdol, he swore under his breath. . He turned seeing both Avdol and Polnareff stood watching him. Grumbling in annoyance he blew a plume of smoke up into the air. “And you aren’t doing a good of hiding your feelings either”
“Good grief I don’t know what you’re on about” The cigarette butt dropped to the ground so Jotaro could put it out with the bottom of his shoe.
---
Weddings were still something Jotaro didn't enjoy much, especially going into the evening. The reception had been held at a nice hotel, only the best for Kakyoin was a sentiment brought to the forefront throughout the day. Although now the sun had set and the party was still going strong, Jotaro found himself sitting alone at the bar that had been paid for. He nursed a glass of whiskey as he sat watching Kakyoin dance. Part of him wished he’d just get over himself, he had worked out he loved him and it was too late; the other half told him to declare his love and steal him away, no one could stop him with Star Platinum at his side. But then he would see how happy Kakyoin is, a genuine smile on his face, no longer burdened with the looming threat of death. Jotaro couldn’t be the one to take that happiness away from him.
The lights grew soft as the music slowed; a gentle ballad played over the speakers. “Jotaro?” Tipping his head back he downed the remaining liquid in his glass before looking to Kakyoin , who stood by his stool. “Would you dance with me?” How could he refuse Kakyoin when he stood looking there looking so beautiful and so hopeful. Sighing he stood up, letting Kakyoin guide him to the dance floor. On account of the slow beat of the music, the two stood together, holding each other's hands, while one of Kakyoin’s came to his shoulder and the other of Jotaro’s came to rest at his side. Kakyoin’s face had mellowed out considerably, no longer upturned in a wide grin but not in a frown either. The same could be said for Jotaro, as while he did not smile, there was an unmistakably happy look to him. “You seem out of it today Jojo ” The childish nickname warmed his heart.
“How so?” They continued swaying to the music as another slow song played.
“You haven’t cried in years, yet today...” Kakyoin’s head came to rest on his chest.
“I told you before, I was happy for you” The warmth he felt from the red head brought him stability as he laid his head to rest along the top of Kakyoin’s hair. Tension melted from him at the feeling of silky soft hair on his cheek.
“And what about Star coming out?” There was no anger behind the words, only kind concern.
“He’s been restless” he inhaled and exhaled deeply, “I really am happy for you Noriaki”
He could feel the smile on his chest.
“ Jojo you really are so bizarre, you know that?”
“How so?” The lighting changed in hue, a rosy colour now bathing the room.
“I loved you all those years ago but you never seemed to notice” Jotaro prayed Kakyoin would ignore the thumping of his heart, “And even now I still love you”
“Then why-”
“I love you Jojo but not the way I did before” The sadness that edged on his voice was devastating to him, “You’re my first friend and first love you know”
“Noriaki I love you” The confession slipped from his lips before he could stop himself. Kakyoin simply looked up at him with all the love and adoration he had always looked at him with. His hand came up from Jotaro’s shoulder to caress his cheek.
“That’s just like you to confess your feelings when I’ve moved on” he laughed, though it sounded sorrowful, “And on my wedding night too, absolutely shameless”
There was no malice or anger behind the words, just a simple sadness.
“Maybe in another life we would be together”
Why couldn’t it be this one.
As the song came to an end the two slowed to a halt, standing in an embrace till the lights dimmed noticeably before switching back on. In the small darkness they shared, Kakyoin pulled Jotaro’s face down so he was level with him, pressing a kiss to his cheek. The intimacy of his rejection hurt.
“Goodbye Jojo ” With that Kakyoin had left his side to join his husband, the two saying their goodbyes to their family and friends, then heading for the door, no doubt to begin their honeymoon together. Jotaro watched Kakyoin leave with his lover, while he remained standing alone on the dance floor. The warmth of Kakyoin’s kiss still lingering on his cheek and the pain in the chest only growing.