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The relief of finally coming home after such a stressful, dangerous, and emotional journey certainly made his user feel lighter than a feather and excited to see his mother again, and it easily infected Star Platinum with the same warm feelings, but he was still worried. He couldn’t help but feel guilty and almost scared that Jotaro’s mother, Holly, would be afraid of him. It was all he could think about on that long plane flight home—when she first saw him, it wasn’t a good situation. Jotaro was refusing to leave his jailcell, Avdol was attacking him with Magician’s Red, and Star Platinum was ready to impale the other Stand user with a steel bar in order to protect his Master, and she was there to witness it all. Granted, he’d barely been with Jotaro for more than a few days and was still learning about who they both were, only knowing to protect his Master with every molecule of his being. What she saw was a giant, floating, purple ghost that could catch bullets and snap steel prison bars, not who he actually was and has grown to be. He only wanted to meet her and have her not be fearful of him. So he couldn’t help but be nervous.
‘What’s wrong, Buddy?’ Jotaro asked when he sensed Star’s anxiety.
‘I… I don’t want your mom to be afraid of me.’ He said quietly.
‘Why do you think she will be?’ Jotaro continued to question, letting out a soft sigh as he leaned his head back against the seat.
‘Because when she first saw me, I was about ready to skewer Avdol alive, and you’d said that I was an evil and dangerous spirit.’ Star curled his knees to his chest in his Master’s head, distraught. ‘My first impression would make anyone scared. You were when I first manifested.’
‘Yes, but she also knows what you did for Kakyoin, and for her. I’d say you’ve more than proven yourself to her, even if you haven’t interacted before.’
‘I know,’ He shrugged. ‘But you can still be scared and hesitant around a fully armored police officer.’
‘Hey, look at me,’ Jotaro said softly. Star quietly manifested his head and shoulders between of Jotaro’s knees and the seat in front, eyes downcast, still not convinced. ‘If there’s one thing that my mother is, it’s loving.’ He reached out and gently cupped Star’s cheek with his free hand, eyes softer than he’d ever seen, letting him nuzzle into it before looking up at his user. She is the softest soul I know—quick to forgive and empathetic towards those who are uncertain. I should know…’ A flash of guilt glinting across his face as a pang shot through his soul, Star sensing it as it did. ‘I’ve treated her in ways that she’s never deserved, and I’ll never do that to her again… But I don’t think you have anything to worry about.’
This whole ordeal had set several things into perspective for Jotaro, they’d talked about it. It was certainly humbling for the young teen, so many things that he’d taken for granted were ripped out from under him because of it, and he’d only been able to barely salvage few of the most precious things, losing the others in the sand and in Cairo, one of which was snoring softly next to him. Even though Star hadn’t exactly known all of those things personally, he did know several, most of which did perish the night the purpose of their expedition was fulfilled. It hurt to think about them, and there was still a lot to unpack and mourn for, but that was for another time. They both just wanted to be home. In a single place for more than a night without the threat of enemies constantly looming over them. A place to process and heal.
And what better place than the quiet estate that Jotaro and his mother called home.
The closer to home they got, the more excited Jotaro and Joseph became, and the more anxiety Star felt. The joy and anticipation were contagious, and the Stand couldn’t help but feel it as well, but he was just so… Unsure.
Is she going to like me? I’m a part of Jotaro now, so what if she doesn’t? Does that mean that I can’t be out as much as I like? I hate being cooped up in here when I don’t want to be. He was beginning to sound more and more like his user when he was about ready to lose his mind over nerves. It was all Star could do to hopelessly dwell on that possibility on the car ride from the Tokyo airport.
Jotaro and Joseph were dropped off and both helped with their luggage, if ever reluctantly even with their injuries, by Speedwagon agents. A wave of relief flooded through Jotaro, and likewise washed over Star, as he sighed with a smile at the front gates of his home. Joseph seemed to radiate emotional excitement as he pushed them open and immediately started calling for his daughter.
“Holly! Holly! We’re back! Are you okay?” His voiced echoed off the walls and the multiple buildings that made up the compound as they walked into the main house.
“Papa!” A cheerful voice cried back from inside, hurried footsteps coming down the hall with exclamations of startled caution from the doctors that still tended Holly as she regained her strength. They’d barely gotten their shoes off before the blonde, middle-aged woman practically stumbled into Joseph’s arms. “Jotaro!” Tears now streaming down her face as she reached out for her son. He leaned in and was practically jerked into the hug as she sobbed into the both of them, all crumbling to the floor in each other’s arms.
Star had never felt the warmth and utter joy and relief that rushed through him when Jotaro started to cry in her embrace. He’d never seen him or Joseph cry like this before, not like this. Now he was crying and wanted to be a part of the hug too, but he was still afraid of what Holly would think of him. It almost hurt.
“You’re both hurt…” Holly whimpered as she squeezed their necks.
“Don’t worry about us, Honey, we’re just glad you’re safe.” Joseph choked out before sobbing even harder. Star felt the feedback of pain as Holly wrapped an arm around Jotaro’s bruised shoulder and broken arm, wincing at the sharp ache, but it was nothing for him fret about.
“Hey Mom,” Jotaro leaned back with a sniff as the tears slowly began to dry up. “There’s someone who wants to meet you.” He nudged Star out, reassuring him along the way as he nervously protested until he was fully manifested and quietly floating between his Master and Joseph, watching her anxiously with second-hand tear stained eyes. Holly looked up at him with wide eyes, a trickle of fear seeping into them behind the awe.
‘No, no, please don’t be afraid!’ He pleaded as he shook his head—this was the last thing that he wanted to happen, what he was afraid was going to happen. Jotaro soothed him with a patient hand and turned back to her.
“This is Star Platinum; he was the one that defeated Dio’s Stand and did most of the heavy work against him,” He explained quietly. “We wouldn’t have won without him.” Star blushed as Jotaro looked back at him with a soft smile.
‘G-give yourself some credit too.’ Star stuttered out, not wanting to take full responsibility for their victory, it was a team effort. Not knowing what else to do, he dropped to the ground on his knees and bowed, pressing his palms and forehead into the floor. ‘I’m sorry for scaring you in the prison! I didn’t know what was going on and I only knew that I had to protect Jotaro. I’m not evil! I mean you no harm! Please don’t be afraid of me…’ A lump started to crawl up his throat at the though of her rejecting him. Jotaro chuckled and translated
“He’s apologizing for scaring you when I was in jail, he didn’t mean to, and wants you to know that he’s not bad and would never hurt you.”
‘I’m sorry…’ The tears pushed themselves into his eyes as the guilt became too much for him to hold in.
“Oh, Honey,” Star felt a soft hand on his cheek that gently led his face up from the ground, he blinked out the tears as he looked up into blue eyes that looked so much like his Master’s only softer and kinder. “I know you were only trying to protect him. When I saw what you did for Kakyoin, pulling out that parasite, I knew that you wouldn’t hurt anyone unless you had to. I know my son’s soul, it’s kind and gentle, but also strong, loyal, and fierce when he wants to be. If anything, he was the one who scared me more than you.” She bit out and punched Jotaro in the chest, making him wheeze, a scolding for the whole gun fiasco, before brushing back a stray lock of hair and wiping away his tears, her softness as gentle as ever. “I don’t hate you. I don’t think I ever could, because that would mean I hate my only child, and I’d never be capable of doing that. I love him, and, in turn, love you.”
Star choked as sobs wracked through him and held the hands on his face—he never knew that there was love like this in the world, unconditional love from anyone but his Master. Holly lifted him from his knees and into the most comforting hug that he’d ever experienced; his arms easily wrapped completely around her, but he felt as small as a child in the love that she showed. No wonder Jotaro was so dedicated and protective of his mother—their mother. This woman was a treasure and entirely worth risking their lives to save.
“Ora, ora…” He cried as he held her tighter, not wanting to let go.
‘Thank you, thank you…’
“He says thanks.” Jotaro said with a sniff, this time, he was the one overwhelmed by Star’s emotions.
“Oh, Baby, you’re just as much a part of my boy as he is you, I could never deny you.” She let go of the hug and cradled his face so she could see him, wiping away his tears again with her thumbs. “Plus, how could I say “no” to those big blue eyes of yours?” He couldn’t help but smile and let out a choppy chuckle as she smiled back, then looked up to Joseph and Jotaro. “I’m just glad I have my boys and daddy back.” She reached for another group hug, this time with Star included, and gave each a kiss on the cheek as she sighed happily.
Man, did it feel good to be home.