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“When’s your birthday, Caesarino?” Joseph asked from his bedside, putting weight to his palm, his elbow pressing on his thigh. Caesar blew smoke from his cigarette, flicking off the excess, leaning forward towards the ocean on the balcony railing.
He turned towards him finally, raising a brow at the younger brunette. “And why is it you want to know?” He inquired, positioning himself so his whole body was now facing his partner.
Joseph curled his lip, leaning forward more, his aqua eyes gazing into green. “So I can get you a gift of course.” His lips took a new appearance, lifting up into his typical bright smile. Caesar rolled his eyes, cheeks going pink at Jojo’s soft grin.
He proceeded to scoff. “There’s no need for stupid gifts,” he looked past Jojo for only a second, his brows creasing. “Gifts are unnecessary, they’ll mean nothing to you several years down the road.” Caesar then looked at Joseph, who seemed to be troubled.
“Gifts mean something too, y’know?” Joseph added as he stood up, reaching his hand up to rake hand through his tousled hair. “I don’t see anything wrong with them.” He shrugged, a smile small becoming of his lips.
Caesar huffed a laugh, taking a hit from his cigarette. Blowing out the smoke, he watched it dissipate into the air, eyes flitting from the smoke to Joseph. An odd softness was seen in them, his thin brows furrowing only a little bit.
“It’s something nice you do for someone, as a way to be generous.” Joseph went on, walking onto the balcony where Caesar stood. The former's green eyes followed Jojo as he stood in front of him.
The light framed the younger’s body so finely, outlining his bare tan skin. Caesar looked downwards, dropping his cigarette to the floor, crushing it underneath his boot.
“Not everyone is so kind, Joseph.” Said man smiled, like not a damn thing bothered him. Caesar frowned, “what are you even smiling about anymore?” Joseph just snickered, “because,” he breathed, “maybe you haven’t found the right person to accept a gift from, or even give one.” Caesar creased his brows.
“What are you hinting at, you idiot.” The blonde asked, giving Jojo a look. The youngest tilted his head rubbing the back of his neck, and chuckled. “I’m saying, perhaps, I can present to you a gift.” Caesar let a brief sarcastic laugh loose, and crossed his arms.
“Well, you’re too late.” He simply stated, turning his back to Joseph. A whine could be heard from behind him. “Whaaatt?” Joseph groaned aloud, running his hands down his face in an exaggerated fashion. “You could’ve told me that sooner!” He pouted, looking at the blondes back.
Caesar’s shoulders sagged, and he faced the brunette. “It’s on May 13th, dumbass.” He jokingly scoffed, “you’re little ‘gift’ is far overdue.” The blonde smirked, an odd fondness to it.
Jojo sulked, his arms crossed, and shoulders dropped. Caesar chuckled, going over to the poor boy, and messed with his hair. “You can give it to me when next year rolls around,” he breathed a small laugh, “after we get out of this mess.” Jojo continued to pout, and looked at the blonde.
Their faces were merely inches apart, leaving just enough breathing room.
“Can I give you one now?” Jojo asked, and swallowed thickly, a heavy feeling taking place in his chest.
Caesar removed his hand from Joseph’s brown locks, “a gift? Now?” He looked at the youngest quizzically, his brows creasing. Jojo nodded, and he leant forward, his hand consciously holding the former's cheek softly.
The blonde leant into the touch, his eyes fluttered shut and leaned in too, meeting the other’s lips in a soft caress. He too, brought his hand up to Jojo’s tan cheek, and rubbed his thumb over it.
Joseph’s eyes fell shut too, letting the other man brush the pad of his thumb against his cheek, moving his lips in a fluid motion with the other man.
Soon they pulled away, reluctant and flushed, the pair stood in a silence. Caesar’s hand still resting on the younger’s cheek.
“I loved your gift… I’m glad I didn’t choose to wait.”
Joseph faintly chuckled, “me too.”
And he opened his eyes-
They met a headstone, it was barely even cracked and worn, and it was adorned with various flower bouquets. Joseph let out a shaky breath as he held a batch of sunflowers in his hands, and he sat down in front of the headstone.
He ran a hand over the top of it, his lips curling into a soft grin. “I brought you a present, Caesar.” Joseph placed them down on the dirt, and a second item laid limply in his hand.
Jojo chuckled, rubbing his hands over it gently, the triangular patterns creasing and folding with the movement of his thumb. “I remember that you gave this to me…” he choked back, and bit his lip. “I thought you might want it back,” he sniffled, “it’s your birthday after all…” He placed the scarf gently onto the stone.
Joseph let his hand rest on top of the headstone a little while longer, and he sobbed, letting the warm tears fall down slowly and gracefully. His prosthetic hand squeezing the stone with grief.
Joseph sniffled, and looked up at the carved text on the stone.
Caesar Anthonio Zeppeli
May 13th, 1918 - February 27th 1938
A beloved man who held great honor for the ones he loved.
Jojo’s aqua eyes welled up more as he stood up, but not before running his hand over the scarf again, and then he let his hand move away from it. The brunette wiped his tears away with a quick swipe.
And he closed his eyes just briefly, feeling a warmth on his cheek, he thought it was his tears letting loose down his cheeks again. But the feeling was akin to a soft caress instead, he let the tingling feeling linger, letting out a shaky sigh.
He opened his eyes again, the warmth disappearing suddenly. Jojo smiled softly.
“I hope you like your gift, you idiot.”
Though it wasn’t much of a gift, oh well, but the blonde translucent figure sitting against the headstone laughed, his birthmarks turning into upside down hearts.
“It isn’t so much, but… thank you.”
Joseph chuckled as if he had heard the retort, “happy birthday.” He said, imagining Caesar reluctantly giving a smile at his reply.
“I’ll be back next year.” Jojo promised, placing a hand to his heart with a fond smile.
“And I’ll be waiting.”