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The sun had sunk below the horizon long ago, now. DIO was defeated. Joseph was recovering in a hospital - after the blood transfusion Jotaro had thought of in a moment of wild desperation, grasping at straws for hope, though his expression betrayed nothing of the turmoil - twisting, thrashing, and hissing inside his mind.
His hands shook slightly, as he opened the hotel room door - or... attempted. 「Star Platinum」gently placed a hand over his Master's, appearing at his side, expression gentle but blue eyes firm. He slid the keys from Jotaro's hand, unlocked the door, and slid the room keys into his Master's pocket - a large, gloved purple hand settling softly on Jotaro's lower back, offering silent but unquestionable support.
Maybe 「Star Platinum」could pick through the mess in his head better.. or maybe, he also wanted some sort of comfort after... everything.
Jotaro did his best not to wobble, distracted with his thoughts as he entered the room he'd rented for the night, with 「Star Platinum」not leaving his side whatsoever. His warm hand stayed firmly on his lower back, as if his Stand was concerned as well with his ability to remain standing upright.
They couldn't head home just yet, not with Joseph needing some time to recover in the hospital - after the insane ordeal they'd gone through. So Jotaro had rented a room with the nearest hotel, snatching a first aid kit from the ambulance, and firmly refusing a stay in the emergency room himself. He felt... brittle. Vulnerable. Raw. He couldn't bear the idea of a bunch of strangers, worrying over him, touching him, no matter how professional they were.
Jotaro needed time to... himself. And he was certain 「Star Platinum」did, too. They needed the quiet, the space to breathe, together - without other people - or God forbid - other Stand users, invading their space, being annoying, or otherwise, just not giving them time alone.
He'd handle the first aid, himself. Or.. that was the plan, at least. But 「Star Platinum」was peeling his coat from his shoulders now, shaking him from his thoughts, and he sucked in a breath as he felt the pull of fabric against the various wounds littering his body. 「Star Platinum」gazed at him apologetically, mouth twisting in a frown as he felt the mirrored sensations of wounds being pulled - no matter how gentle and cautious he was, this part was going to be difficult, no matter what.
"I-it's okay, Star.. t-thank you." Jotaro murmured, glancing down, the shadows hiding his expression as he struggled with the words. 'Star always... takes care of me. Even when I'm being a jerk about it. I.. I NEED to say thank you more. He's earned that, at the bare minimum.' He felt frustrated with himself, for struggling with saying the words aloud, even now. When they were alone together.
Still, 「Star Platinum」smiled to himself as his Master thanked him sincerely, setting his bloody and torn jacket aside, wincing slightly when the injuries came into his sight. He of course knew they were there, had felt them himself - but it always squeezed his heart to see them littering his Master's body. He forced back tears, clamping his emotions down tightly for the moment, settling for gently guiding Jotaro to the bed and seating his battered User carefully on the surface. He didn't bother turning on any lights, he didn't need them to see in the shadowy, stillness of the room - and he felt the beginnings of a headache in Jotaro's head.
Jotaro took a deep breath, and just did his best to not stumble or fall (though he knew, 「Star Platinum」wouldn't ever let him fall) as he was guided to sit on the bed - blood loss and exhaustion making him feel dizzy, a little disoriented - and much, much too worn out to protest. Gentle hands plucked his hat from his head, and took a second to gently card though his hair and massage his temples, precision giving 「Star Platinum」the perfect amount of pressure, Jotaro sighing appreciatively as what could have been a migraine was efficiently soothed before it could really even begin.
He instinctively leaned into the warm, caring touch, and Jotaro would have sworn he felt the ghost of a kiss against his forehead - but he'd closed his eyes in that moment, and he was too drowsy - and hazy from blood loss - to be certain right then. His eyes blearily opened again, as 「Star Platinum」moved away briefly, and he let out a soft sigh again as he missed the contact. He whispered another "...thank you." As he watched 「Star Platinum」grab the first aid kit he'd stolen, and open it up quickly, determined to get his wounds cleaned and bandaged right away. They'd already waited on basic treatment long enough - and 「Star Platinum」couldn't help but worry over the amount of blood his Master had already lost. But - Jotaro was at least, still conscious, and that gave 「Star Platinum」a little reassurance.
Jotaro hissed quietly through gritted teeth, as the small alcohol wipe made contact with the wounds on his arms, focusing on 「Star Platinum's」softly glowing, beautifully blue eyes to distract himself from the sting, as his Stand did his best to be mercifully quick, though thorough, in cleansing the injuries on his Master's arms first. Jotaro's expression softened as he saw 「Star Platinum」glance occasionally at him, his Stand's expression apologetic, and eyes brimming with sorrow. He could feel the guilt briefly, twisting around their shared bond, understanding in that moment that 「Star Platinum」felt guilty for not having been able to protect Jotaro better in the fight against DIO.
Jotaro shook his head slowly, but firmly, gently reaching over with his free hand - the one that wasn't being cleaned up currently - and tenderly ran his fingers through 「Star Platinum's」space-black hair, scratching his head lightly.
「Star Platinum」paused, a little taken off-guard, going still and glancing up at Jotaro curiously from his currently kneeling position on the floor in front of his User, having been so focused at his current task of caring for Jotaro and his injuries - that he'd momentarily allowed more of his own thoughts and feelings to slip across the connection to Jotaro... who was currently gazing at him, blue-green eyes tender, lips downturned slightly as usual, eyebrows pinched just enough to signal focused - albeit currently hazy - thoughts.
「Star Platinum」turned all of his focus to Jotaro in that moment, who was working hard to get his thoughts in order, and tell his Stand something clearly important to him.
"Star. Please, don't feel guilty. Not when.. I'd, without a doubt, be dead without you right now. Probably a long time ago." Jotaro whispered, his eyes suddenly fierce with the intensity of his emotions, needing 「Star Platinum」to know he'd done absolutely nothing wrong - and was the sole reason for his survival, many, many times in the past as well as right now. 'I've made a lot of dumb, reckless choices. You, Star, are the reason I've gotten out of those things, alive. I may be.. roughed up.. sometimes. But, YOU, are the reason I'm not significantly worse off, or dead. I'm sorry, Star. I know, now, how badly it scares you, every time there's a close call because of my careless decisions. But don't you EVER feel like you didn't do enough, please - I can't handle it when you've done so much.'
「Star Platinum」was momentarily stunned, silent and still - feeling his own eyes fill with glistening tears as Jotaro became misty-eyed for the same reason. After a beat of silence, 「Star Platinum」let out a tiny, trembling, "..o-ora..." and briefly rested his head against his Master's thigh, letting the gentle praise wrap over him, through their bond, like a soft, warm blanket Jotaro was draping over his shoulders.
「Star Platinum」hid his face against Jotaro's thigh, as tears flooded and escaped his eyes no matter how tightly he closed them, and Jotaro whispered to him words that were gentle, shy, and reassuring. His Master stroked his hair, and let him cry without judgment or admonishment, instead - acceptance, warmth, and praise being pushed through their link without hesitation.
「Star Platinum」drew in a shuddering breath, pulled back and placed a feather-light kiss to the bruise-painted knuckles of one of Jotaro's hands as a silent, but warm, display of gratitude - needing to finish caring for his Master first. Jotaro nodded in silent understanding, but turned 「Star Platinum's」 head up gently, the hand that had been carding affectionately through the Stand's wavy hair, carefully cupping his cheek.
Jotaro stared into 「Star Platinum's」eyes for a moment, always amazed at the seemingly ever-present glow that radiated from every inch of his Stand's form - a light in the dark that didn't hurt his eyes. 「Star Platinum」gazed softly, but steadily, back at him - a quiet, questioning feeling bubbling up from his side of the bond - before Jotaro leaned to him - slowly and cautiously at first as if giving his Stand a chance to back away.
「Star Platinum's」eyes widened fractionally, his pupils expanding, leaning up slightly himself on instinct. It felt as if his heart was racing wildly in his chest, or was it Jotaro? He'd heard about kissing, seen brief images flash through Jotaro's thoughts, and if he wasn't mistaken now, Jotaro was about to kiss him??
「Star Platinum's」lips parted slightly, breath catching in anticipation, eye-lashes fluttering - and when Jotaro realized his Stand was closing the distance instead of retreating, he closed his eyes and placed a gentle, chaste kiss on 「Star Platinum's」- surprisingly soft, warm, perfectly kiss-able - lips - feeling joy burst across their connection, nearly muting everything else, momentarily easing the pain in his body - and it was just too much for his already overworked mind and body.
The last thing he heard was a confused, panicked "O-ora?!??" And, the last thing he felt was strong arms catching him, embracing him firmly but carefully, against a familiarly warm and comforting chest. His thoughts blearily attempted to apologize, before he was out like a light, blood-loss, exhaustion, and overall strain having caught up to him, inevitably.
Jotaro floated in a comforting, nightmare free sleep, feeling weightless and at peace for the first time in a long time.
He came to, slowly but surely, as the first hints of sunlight began creeping over the horizon, and dimly illuminating the room. He felt soft, hazy, warm and comfortable, blinking his eyes open with a yawn. He shifted slightly, then became aware of a warm weight at his back, an arm draped over his waist, breath gently ghosting over the skin of his neck.
「Star Platinum」gently pulled him closer, an edge of worry clinging to drowsy thoughts, replaying the last few minutes of the previous night - showing Jotaro his perfectly clear memories in their shared mental space. Jotaro groaned quietly as he realized, he'd freaking blacked out the moment he'd first kissed 「Star Platinum」- blood loss and stress having chosen that moment - of course.
"Good grief, of course... I'm sorry, Star. That's embarrassing.." Jotaro grumbled, hiding his face in a pillow as he blushed warmly, feeling 「Star Platinum's」 relieved and affectionate chuckle bubble up in his chest - feather-light kisses being planted tenderly across the back of Jotaro's neck and shoulder - a warm, large hand trailing slowly over his skin wherever he wasn't bandaged, to rest fondly over his heart. Jotaro realized, sleepily, that feeling his heartbeat physically was probably comforting to 「Star Platinum」now, after everything they'd just gone through together, and he rested his own hand - now expertly bandaged - over his Stand's, and pushed a silent reassurance across their bond - while whispering aloud, "...I.. I love you, Star. Thank you, for.. everything."
Jotaro felt the breath hitch in his chest, a surprised huff of air against his skin, and a radiant euphoria bloom gently throughout their connection to each other, humming, glowing, and wrapping around them both - feeling like they were in their own little bubble of warmth, safely tucked away from the world, for now. 「Star Platinum」drew in another, shaky breath, feeling Jotaro's heart racing under his palm as if to match his own - and with effort, murmured his Master's name aloud, putting all his love, care, hope, and affection into his voice, the sound absolutely blissful to Jotaro's ears even as
「Star Platinum」still struggled to speak the syllables.
"Jo.Ta.Ro..."
His heart sang, and he closed his eyes as tears threatened once again - leaning back into 「Star Platinum's」comfortingly warm, strong though gentle (for him), embrace. He resolved to talk more with his Stand, give them both a chance to process and continue healing together, after the things they'd seen and suffered through, together.
But, right now, they were calm. Right now, was beautiful, warm, safe, with 「Star Platinum」practically radiating bliss - the shadows of last evening almost forgotten in the pale, early light of dawn. For this moment, Jotaro allowed himself to sink into the comforting, affectionate cuddling his otherwordly, overwhelmingly powerful Stand seemed determined to shower him in. He pulled the blankets up a little higher, snuggled in a little closer, and allowed his thoughts to drift off a little more again, clasping his hand with the one 「Star Platinum」had placed over his heart, and giving his Stand's much larger hand a gentle squeeze, intertwining their fingers and holding his hand tenderly, close to his heart.
「Star Platinum」closed his own eyes, pressing his face softly against the warm skin of Jotaro's shoulder, breathing in his scent - feeling so relaxed, a foggy part of his mind was sure he'd melt away in the moment. His Jotaro, had kissed him so softly, so tenderly, last night, as he'd bandaged his wounds - 「Star Platinum」had been nearly overwhelmed with emotion. The quiet, whispered declaration of love had almost shaken him to his core - and breathed light and euphoria into every part of his being.
Now, that he had the chance, and his beloved human had finally regained consciousness, and was rested enough to be certain he wasn't dreaming, 「Star Platinum」murmured the words back to him, reverently, in their shared mind-space that was practically glowing with their bond being closer than ever, now.
Jotaro's breath hitched, his hand squeezing 「Star Platinum's」- as the words came across clearly, full of affection and intent.
'I love you, Jotaro. I always have. I always will.'
And 「Star Platinum」knew Jotaro's heart echoed those words right back, without hesitation, full of joy - even as his beautiful Master flushed and hid his face in fluffy pillows again, shyly - letting out a tiny huff, but shifting closer to his amused Stand instead of making any attempts to pull away.
The previous night may have been difficult, to say the least - and many things were going to require time, patience, effort and forgiveness - but right now, Jotaro allowed himself to have this moment of warmth, love, and safety - and share in the far more peaceful morning with 「Star Platinum」.
The gratitude was felt deeply by them both, and 「Star Platinum」watched over him as always, as Jotaro let himself drift off again for a little while longer, allowing himself to sleep in this time.
「Star Platinum」let his mind drift in silent wonder, as he held his warm, sleepy Jotaro in his arms still - last night having been the first - and savored the memory of the first, chaste kiss Jotaro had - albeit shyly - chosen to give 「Star Platinum」first, himself. The almost electric-sensation, and burst of love and tenderness - was more than 「Star Platinum」had ever hoped for. And, Jotaro had intiated their first kiss entirely of his own accord.
「Star Platinum」replayed the moment over and over again, in his mind, feeling a blissful euphoria, that chased away the shadows and regrets of yesterday - as his precious, relaxed, and trusting Master, Jotaro, dozed quietly in his embrace.
「Star Platinum」silently promised to never let him go, and to always catch him when he fell. And he swore, no matter what, he'd always love and protect Jotaro. Every moment of their life, together.