Work Text:
The day he had waited so long for, the day he feared so much had arrived.
"It will always be with the lights off or, failing that, both blindfolded"
"Why? There is nothing about you that I would not be willing to accept. Is it me that you cannot tolerate?"
Lies, lies and more lies
"...that is my condition, accept it or you will get nothing"
We are still in a time of regret, do not let being with you become a necessity, refuse or allow me to push you away
When he was 8 years old he had been taken by the hand by his mother and they had decided to go away from Dario.
"Forgive me son. Sorry for giving you such a miserable life, sorry for being so weak and not being able to give you what you deserve or need, can you forgive me?"
"Yes mom"
Eilene Brando had been a former servant and confidante for the Joestars, however, when her best friend, Helena Joestar lost her life in that tragic carriage accident, something broke, it was difficult to find comfort living in the same place that contained many memories. For George Joestar it was worse, there were many times that he confused the pronunciation of his name and that hurt. However, they knew how to find comfort in each other, and support each other for several months, until Eilene considered that it was best to find her own path with Dario Brando, and that decision had brought her despair, hopelessness and worse, anger and beatings that would forever mark the skin of her and her beloved son, Dio Brando.
"Don't worry, everything will be fine, we will live and work for the Joestar family, remember that my son, we can't do anything, never to harm them, but don't think that we are selling out or losing our pride, it will simply be our way of thanking them -A kiss on the child's forehead is lovingly placed- and therefore we must not allow ourselves to become one of their concerns, promise me that you will never let them see our wounds or vulnerabilities"
"I promise" Even without knowing exactly why he had to make that promise, he made it, and he will try to keep it forever.
Once they were at the Joestar family home, everything was so quick and amazing, they were greeted like heroes, with all celebration and joy, but when Eilene had talked about her life with Dario, George's eyes widened, they had filled with dark rage and sadness, it was then that little Dio understood, what he had to avoid was that particular look, and especially the new look, one of pity directed at his mother, he believed that being looked at like that would remind him of forever that he didn't belong in this place, and his body should forever be covered to avoid those ways of looking.
Dario Brando was arrested, whipped and had perished at the hands of other inmates in prison. Dio and Eilene breathed calmly for the first time in years, and though she carried a suspicion about George in her soul, whether it was true or not, she never asked.
Eilene died when Dio was 11 years old, by then he had served as an apprentice servant, but with the loss of his mother and being only a child it was difficult to remain calm...
Then he understood why it was important to be grateful and the beauty of living for the sake of someone else: one day he broke down in tears in front of the heir Joestar, and only received comfort in the form of hugs, kisses and silence, that had been liberating and relieving; Since that day, Dio dedicated himself to protecting and helping as much as possible the oldest Jonathan Joestar for a year, for this he asked George for a favor, that he be educated as much as possible. George gladly accepted, between tears of happiness for the loyalty shown and provided him with exactly the same education that he gave Jonathan, George confessed years later that with his arrival it was like having obtained another beloved son.
What could he do to repay them such kindness? Why of all people had his heart chosen to fall in love with his friend JoJo?
There were no answers, but the process was the same, he had to bury his feelings in his heart to spare the Joestar family worry and discomfort.
JoJo was a misunderstood boy, there was only him and his pet dog Danny in the huge mansion many times he was not only lonely, he felt empty. When a woman and her son dressed in patched and dirty clothes, he was first curious, when he found out that they would stay to live there, he felt some emotion, probably with that child he could play, but not (he would later learn from social classes) that his other servants were looking for ways to occupy that child, he couldn't get close without little Dio being busy with something, is he avoiding me? He thought sadly, it would make sense, he always behaved so composed, so perfect, surely he saw him as someone pathetic even when he was older, until one day he realized that where everyone saw composure, perfection and coldness, it was just the way he the boy hid the pain for his mother (who on her deathbed had asked JoJo to take care of Dio), that they have in common, he knew that no words would comfort him, so he silently hugged him and kissed him on the forehead. From that day on they became closer, and when his dad allowed Dio to study with him, he was overjoyed to spend more time together.
Dio had become his servant, as well as a friend and confidant, when Erina came into their lives he had also become his companion in adventures and counselor, until Erina had to go to another country with her family, with the promise that they would meet again and be happy together.
Their time at university and their work for the rugby team was just a demonstration as well as an excuse of their closeness and trust, Jonathan remained so noble and sometimes ignorant of the real world, and Dio found his new job protect it from malicious people (which were not few). So much dedication, charisma and intelligence, added to his androgynous beauty, had ended up making young Jonathan's heart fall in love.
"I love you Dio, really, I know it's not allowed, it may seem strange to you but give me the opportunity, it doesn't matter if you can't reciprocate, let me be close to you, I couldn't keep quiet anymore, I had to confess it"
"Jonathan, we can't... let's forget this, I promise I'll stay by your side and please, let's not touch this topic again" -Turning around he was heading out of the library without looking back-
"Dio! Come back here, it's an order"
I didn't mean to come to this, please don't make me make our relationship into something like a frivolous agreement
"Tell me your answer, tell me why you refuse, tell me how you feel about Jonathan Joestar, not as your lord, partner or friend, tell me what you think of Jonathan Joestar as a person"
"I- I love you Jonathan, not just as a friend, I love you as a man should love a wife, but JoJo, there is more than one reason why we shouldn't be together, we really can't"
"It doesn't matter Dio, we both love each other, we're both learning, we both need each other to be at peace, that's how I feel and nothing will change it. I've dreamed so many times of dating and marrying you, of having you in my arms, kiss you and-"
"Enough please! It's embarrassing and undignified to say that out loud, I confess that I have had that desire too, for a long time, perhaps longer than you could consider, love was never a problem, we just shouldn't do it and neither I can explain it, I can't deny this desire that you insist so much on living, so... I only have one request"
"What is that request of yours? I'll do anything if it allows me to live by your side, ask me what you want" -he leaned down and placed a tender kiss on his lips-
"Our 'most private' meetings, if we ever get to that point, will always be in the dark"
I must protect you Jonathan, as soon as you see what I hide from the world, you will suffer because of me
"It will always be with the lights off or, failing that, both blindfolded, and you should never talk about our relationship with anyone, no matter how trustworthy that person may be"
...
"It's agreed, if you ask, things will be done as you ask..."
Pretending that he doesn't know the unforgivable sin they commit, pretending that he doesn't know what the other boy hides with such determination, the couple would close their eyes and both would pretend that their love would be heavenly forgiven. Beneath the layers of clothing and many secrets committed and sealed in their blood hidden in the past, on the shoulders of each one rested a mark that if they could remove from their bodies, the sign that indicated the sin of their relationship.
There alone lay two hidden birthmarks, and they will strive to keep those stars in the dark.