Archive of Our Own ^beta

Jotaro

It had been ages, it felt, since Kakyoin had been incapacitated by that damned water stand in the desert so long ago. Him and I were close, and we’d really bonded when we shared a room back in Singapore...

I always knew he was quiet and reserved, he kept to himself all the time and only spoke when he felt he needed to. He was very well spoken, eloquent and always having a plan when it came to anything we faced. But when we shared the room, I noticed just how shy and quiet he could really be. I wasn’t one for conversation either, but it felt weird to just say nothing. He seemed so confident when he decided we would share a room, but I guess it must have been a front.

I’d try to make small talk, but I’d be met by meek replies and short answers, something so unlike him. But soon he came out of his shell, and he kept a conversation going for more than just a few short phrases. We talked over movies and shows we watched to kill time, and I’d even admitted my insecurities about our journey to him. He shared his own fears, and neither one of us judged the other, understanding wholly how we felt.

His smile after I told him I felt he was a good friend had made me feel… more than I thought I would. Shit, it made me feel a LOT more than I thought. It was the gentle sloping of his lips, the way his eyes squinted together in his expression.

I didn’t deny that I thought he was handsome, it was an objective fact that he was, but I really realized it in that split second moment.

I missed his face. It felt like when Avdol was gone too, the absence of his comments, of Hierophant Green, of his kind demeanor was unbearably apparent.

“I wonder how the young garçon is doing…” Polnareff mumbled, tapping on his chin as we walked through Cairo.

I wondered that as well, and my mind drifted back to Singapore. I was smoking on the balcony, and occasionally I looked over my shoulder to see what my compatriot was up to. He sat on the bed, his ankles crossed as his back leaned against the thick white pillows. His shoes were neatly tucked under the bed, and he flipped through a book under the light of the lamp on the nightstand.

When my cigarette was out, I kicked my shoes off to the side and threw them under the bed. I sat down on the mattress and fixed my hair under my hat.

“Whatcha reading?” I asked offhandedly.

-----------------------

Kakyoin

His deep voice echoed in the room as I slowly understood what he said.

“It’s just a cheap novel. Some obscure writer I suppose.” I answered.

“Hm.” He grunted. “Is it any good?”

“It’ll work as entertainment for now.” I sighed, looking up from the book and turning to meet his eyes, but as always, they were shaded by the brim of his hat.

Being alone with Jotaro was… hard. He was so intense, and I often found it a challenge to really know what he felt, but deep within me I knew I could understand him. My natural shyness made it an obstacle course to try to interact with him, his natural stoic state was just another hindrance.

It didn’t help that he was gorgeous.

His brow seemed to know no other expression than its heavy furrow, the intense creases of his neutral face could send chills down anyone’s spine. His plump lips pressed together, a pout resting on them constantly. His sharp nose and chiseled body made it seem like he was carved from the sturdiest marble.

I understood why the girls at school had always fawned over him, if I was them I would too, but I forced whatever attraction I felt deep down.

Don’t make it weird, Kakyoin. This is a mission for his mother! To save her, not to fall for him!

In the silence that had developed, Jotaro grunted and stood, “I think I’ll shower.”

“Alright.” I nodded, meeting his eyes for a second.

“If there’s an emergency, scream.” He commanded over his shoulder, opening the door to the bathroom.

I gave him silent confirmation and let my book hit my lap as the water began to run.

I looked over to his bed, seeing the disarrayed sheets, his shoes knocked onto their side underneath, and his cap resting on his nightstand. It was torn in the back, and I didn’t really understand why he’d done that. But before I could return to my reading, there was a knock at the door.

“Yes?” I asked, looking through the peephole.

“Hey, it’s me.” Mr. Joestar’s thick and gruff voice said through the door.

I opened it and Avdol was standing with his arms crossed off to the side, staring down the hall aimlessly.

“Is something the matter?” I asked, looking between the both of them.

Mr. Joestar smiled, “Not at all, Avdol and I are headed to get some food at the hotel dinner service. You and Jotaro should join us.”

“Jotaro is in the shower, at the moment. But I’ll be down shortly. In the lobby, correct?” I responded.

“Yes. Well we’ll be waiting for you, but remember, the dinner service closes at 9.” Avdol said, turning his gaze towards me.

His amber-brown eyes pierced into me, and sent a mild shudder going down my back.

His gaze didn’t break as Mr. Joestar said his goodbye and began to walk down the hall, Avdol staring as he followed after, but once he was out of view of the door, his head turned and faced forwards.

That was strange…

I thought to myself, and I sat down on the bed as I heard Jotaro shuffling around in the bathroom.

“Hey, Kakyoin.” I heard him call, “you still there?”

“Yes. What’s the matter?” I called back.

“…never mind, it’s nothing.” He muttered.

The door to the bathroom opened, and steam rolled out in heavy billows, Jotaro’s massive stature silhouetted in the warm fog.

I turned away, giving him some privacy, but it was partly to hide that my face was blushing.

As Jotaro walked across the room, I glanced up for just a moment, meeting his steely blue eyes and seeing his shirtless form in front of me. His lower half was already wearing his pants and his socks, but his broad back was bare. I looked away before he noticed me staring but I’d already seen what I needed to see. My mind seemed to slow down time so that I could inspect every detail of his back, the hills of taught muscle, each one flowing into the next down his spine, and meeting in an elegant slope down into what I couldn’t see in his pants.

I felt guilty for ogling at him like some pubescent girl from school, but I… I couldn’t help myself.

“You alright?” He asked, a hint of suspicion in his booming voice.

“Yes. Mr Joestar and the others are expecting us for dinner in the lobby.” I responded, shaking with excitement and embarrassment.

Jotaro slipped on his shirt and answered with a simple, “Mph.”

When Jotaro finished dressing, he put on his shoes and stood, sticking his hands into his pockets.

“Why’d you wait for me?” He inquired.

-----------------------

Jotaro

My question seemed to stun him for a moment.

“I… uh… just thought it’d be polite to wait… for you.” He sounded unsure of the words coming from his own mouth.

“Well… I appreciate it. I’m trusting you with these, don’t lose ‘em.” I teased, tossing him the room key from my pocket.

He didn’t move but Hierophant Green caught them above his head.

Kakyoin’s eyes avoided me but for the short moment when he looked up at me, I smiled.

His demeanor seemed to, in equal parts, get stiffer and soften. I knew he was shy, but it really surprised me. He’ll open up soon, I know it.

The elevator ride down to the lobby was silent, I’d be convinced he’d turned into a mannequin if I didn’t know better. The machine stopped on a random floor, and a large group of people piled in, packing in the space.

Kakyoin was forced up against me, and he tried to make himself as small as possible so as to not discomfort me, I assume. His shoulder was up against mine and I was up against the wall. But I lifted the arm that was pushing up against him, and had it reach across the elevator to the wall on the other side, my fingertips holding it up.

“There, you’ve got some space.” I said, the tourists’ not reacting to the Japanese they didn’t understand.

Kakyoin rubbed his arm with his other hand, seeming like he was going to burst with anxiety. I don’t think I’d ever seen him so uncomfortable, and I was starting to feel like I was doing something wrong. I wondered if with all my prodding into his activities, I’d offended him in some way. I figured I’d drop the issue and deal with it later, for now I’d just give him some space.

We came to the dining room, and we saw Polnareff, Avdol, my grandfather, and that strange little girl sitting at a table in the corner of the room.

“Ah, you’ve joined us!” My grandfather chimed, smiling widely.

We sat down silently at the table, and Kakyoin smiled at everyone as he sat.

“I do believe this hotel’s dinner is self-serve. So now that we’re all here we can go our separate ways and get food.” Avdol spoke, a faint smile on his face.

“I’ll stay behind, make sure no one takes the table while you guys get your food.” I offered, crossing my arms, leaning back into the chair.

I looked out from under the brim of my hat, and saw as the others agreed and began to stand and walk away.

“Hmm…” I said to myself, still thinking about Kakyoin.

-----------------------

Kakyoin

Being in the elevator, in the space between Jotaro’s arm and his side made the most intense bout of butterflies manifest within me. I felt like if I wasn’t graced with my self-control, I would have fallen into him and let his warmth consume me.

I tried to shake these feelings, and I glanced over my shoulder to watch him sit silently, like a statue, at the table. His arms were crossed over his strong chest, and his right leg was crossed over his left. Jotaro looked so angry all the time, but deep down I knew he was just as soft-hearted as anyone could be.

My view of him was interrupted by Avdol, his mystic gaze meeting mine.

“Good evening, Kakyoin.” He spoke, coming next to me to scoop food onto his plate.

“Good evening, Avdol.” I barely said.

Avdol spoke, without looking at me, “I’ve learned to read people fairly well with my years as a Fortune Teller.”

“It seems only natural that you would.” My voice was gentle, not understanding what he was getting at.

Avdol continued, “That being said; Something troubles you, am I right?”

I paused, not knowing what to say.

“You realize that your silence tells me much more than I need to know.” He smiled, facing me.

“What does it tell you?” I asked, my hands trembling with nerves.

Avdol sighed, sweeping his robe around him as he moved to another table with more food. His head turned, “Come.”

I obliged, feeling compelled to know what he knew.

“It tells me that you’re nervous. That you’re uncomfortable with something. Perhaps it is a decision you need to make, a thought that is concerning to you, or maybe a sentiment that betrays what you previously thought about yourself.” The wise man said.

“You are talented, there is no doubt about that.” I mustered a weak laugh.

“If you don’t mind, could I ask what it is that is that ails you?” Avdol asked, lowering his voice as Mr Joestar walked by, Polnareff and the girl tagging along behind him.
“I’m not sure I can say it aloud. I fear that if I speak it, it could become true. And… I’m not sure if I could live with the consequences of that.” I warbled out, my voice giving way to show the terror within me.

Avdol rested a hand on my shoulder, his face softened and a small frown appeared on it, “If it troubles you so much, I think it best you let it out. You shouldn’t feel cornered by your own emotions. If you wish to confide in me, you know which room I’m in.”

“Thanks, Avdol.” I whispered, as we walked towards the table.

He smiled again, showing his teeth and I felt touched by his kindness. I took my spot next to Jotaro and leaned closer to him.

“The skirt steak is good, I recommend it.” I whispered to him, hoping to break the ice between us.

Jotaro looked at me and the corners of his mouth raised slightly, his icy blue eyes flicked over to mine. I could tell he was thinking something about me.

-----------------------

Jotaro

Kakyoin didn’t know this, but I’d heard what he had to say to Avdol. I had Star Platinum hide beneath the table, listening in on their conversation. I know it wasn’t the right thing to do, and that I shouldn’t have invaded their privacy but I needed to know if Kakyoin was telling Avdol something about the way he’d been acting.

I didn’t hear anything specific, just that Kakyoin was upset about something, and that he was afraid to admit it to himself or to anyone. Empathy wasn’t my strong suit, but that didn’t stop me from trying to be compassionate to him. As I stood to get my food, I figured that I would intercept him before he went to visit Avdol, and that I would try my best to… softly pry whatever was eating away at him out of his mind.

The dinner was calm, we discussed plans for travel to Egypt and other menial things that bored me. My train of thought drifted off to other things, like my mother at home and Dio stalking us with his cronies. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was always going to be around the corner in some form or another, puppeteering some stand-using idiots to try and kill us. It made me sick, it was a disgusting strategy, sacrificing his own for a battle he clearly was either afraid of or not ready for. Of course, most of these people were already twisted before they ever came in contact with Dio, and their ways of life would have led them down these dark paths anyways, but it still just gnawed at my mind that they would stoop down to a son of a bitch like him.

“Jotaro, you okay my boy?” My grandfather asked, tilting his head slightly to look at me.

Without thinking, my mouth moved and said, “I’m fine, Old Man. Don’t worry about me.”

“You haven’t said anything all of dinner.” Polnareff said, resting his head against his hands for a moment.

“Cuz I don’t have anything to say.”

“Very well.” My Grandfather sighed, “Dinner seems to be wrapping up. Everyone rest, we have to get ready tomorrow to leave the next day.”

The band disbanded, and we all went our separate ways into different elevators. Kakyoin was a few steps ahead of me and he slowed down for a moment.

“Jotaro.” His sweet voice spoke.

“Hm?”

“I want to ask you something.” Kakyoin said.

“Okay then, ask.” I answered.

He paused to think, as we got on the elevator he took a breath and asked, “Do you ever feel… feel like no matter what you do… you can’t shake a certain feeling that you have?”

“All the time. I can’t shake the feeling that Dio is out there, in my great-grandfather’s body, tormenting my mother from afar.” I said, not even realizing I was saying it.

“How do you deal with it?” Kakyoin said, his voice softening.

“I don’t.”

“Oh.” He whispered.

I realized that I sounded angry, and I felt bad for shutting him down on accident like that.

“What do you feel?” I prompted, still wanting to hear him speak.

“Just… I don’t know. Something strange.” He lied.

Kakyoin was hiding something.

We got to the door of the room and he unlocked it.

“I think I might go visit Avdol. He asked to speak to me in private earlier.” Kakyoin conceded, standing still by the door.

I took a subtle breath for a moment before I tried to speak as thoughtfully as I could, making sure my tone wasn’t abrasive, “Hey, If you need to talk about something, about this feeling, don’t hesitate to ask? Alright? You’re not alone in this, none of us are, Kakyoin.”

Kakyoin’s face formed into a soft smile, and I felt like I’d accomplished in breaking this funk that he was in.

“That means a lot, Jotaro. Thanks.” He said, his cheeks blazingly red.

I gave him a nod, and he left the room.

-----------------------

Kakyoin

I couldn’t help but laugh at myself, feeling a bit ridiculous for reacting the way I did when Jotaro extended his rare compassion to me.

I went to Avdol and Mr. Joestar’s room, knocking on the door with hesitation.

“Kakyoin. I see you’ve decided to come.” Avdol smiled, opening the door.

“Could we go on a walk, Avdol? I think it will help my nerves to get fresh air.”

Avdol nodded, “If that will help you, then yes, we can.”

We left the hotel, and as the moon rose we started to talk.

“Avdol… I know this isn’t appropriate for our mission, but what is bothering me is… a matter of the heart.” I began to say.

Avdol nodded, “It’s about Jotaro, isn’t it?”

I shuddered at the mention of his name.

“Yes.” I sighed.

“You’re conflicted about your feelings towards him.” Avdol guessed.

“Incredibly. I’ve never had feelings towards anyone, man nor woman. I’d accepted that maybe romance and love just weren’t in the cards for me, so to speak, but Jotaro has changed my mind.” I paused to breathe, as my anxieties stifled my rhythm of breath, “He just warms my heart and it makes me feel sick because I’m so worried about if he could ever feel the same for me.”

“Your feelings aren’t inappropriate, Kakyoin. And I can sense that Jotaro knows that something is upsetting you. He worries about you, since he thinks of you as his responsibility.” Avdol spoke, his fingers resting on his chin.

I looked at him in surprise, “Responsibility?”

“He feels as though you were roped into this by powers out of your control, like you think you owe him your efforts. Jotaro worries that you’ll be hurt, and the blood will be on his hands. He may not admit it but his heart softens towards you.” Avdol monologued to me.

“Wow… I mean I do feel indebted to him, he did rip out Dio’s bud from my head. But I don’t want him to worry about me like that.”

My mind raced with all kinds of new thoughts.

Avdol sat on a bench by a park and asked, “What was it you were saying about the consequences of your feelings? Earlier in the dining room.”

“I was worried that if I were to admit myself to Jotaro, if he would hate me, or if he felt the same, what would happen if one of us were to be killed? Could I live without him? Could he live without me?” Tears began to sting my eyes as I rambled on.

“Be calm, don’t think so far ahead. Just tell him the secrets of your heart and only good can come from it. After all, it’s better to have loved and lost than never have loved in the first place.” Avdol reassured me, patting my back with his hand.

“Alright.” I sighed, balling my fist and standing.

“Let’s make our way back.” Avdol laughed, chasing after me as I started to run to the hotel.

I unlocked the door of the room, and Jotaro was standing by the balcony, a stream of smoke wisping out his mouth through his lips.

“How’d it go with Avdol?” He asked, his cool demeanor spilling into the room.

His elbows were resting on the railing, his back pressed against it and his legs crossed at the ankles.

His chin was pointed upwards slightly, so his eyes looked down at me from above as I came to the glass door.

“It went well…” I said.

“Kakyoin-“ Jotaro began to say.

“Wait. I have to say something.” I said assertively.

My heart beat wildly inside my chest, feeling like it was going to give out from fear and anticipation. Beads of sweat began to form on my head, and I could feel the clammy feeling in my hands worsen.

“Jotaro.” I said breathlessly, “I have to admit that… that I- I-“ I couldn’t force the words.

“Kakyoin.” Jotaro said, “you can tell me anything.”

“I know that you think I’m your responsibility, that you worry because you think I was pulled into this without my wanting to. I came because I want to prove myself and for revenge against Dio. You don’t have to worry about me.” I spoke quickly and once all the words rushed from my mouth in a jumble.

I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for Jotaro’s reaction.

-----------------------

Jotaro

I was taken aback with everything he said, but I couldn’t say he wasn’t right. I guess Avdol must have poked him in the right direction about how I felt, seeing as I mentioned something like that to Avdol a while back.

I just sighed, and walked past him into the room.

“You aren’t going to say anything?” he asked.

I shrugged, “You know how I feel, and now I know how you feel. What is there to say?”

He stood by the door to the balcony, still as the evening air, and it seemed like he was frozen with surprise.

“Get inside, you’re gonna let the bugs in.” I complained, lying back on my bed.

I could tell that this frustrated Kakyoin, he walked swiftly into the bathroom and the shower began to run. I reached into a brown paper bag that sat underneath my bed, and pulled out a jar of cherries that seemed to irk me slightly now. I didn’t like that Kakyoin got upset with me for considering him a responsibility. I thought people were supposed to like it when you worried about them. Maybe I was wrong.

As I sat lost in thought, Kakyoin came out of the bathroom, fully dressed in his striped pajamas and got into his bed.

“Hey.” I said, turning in my bed to face him.

“What?” He asked, opening his book.

“Look, I didn’t mean to sound harsh. But I got you these earlier. Figured you might like them because of your earrings.” I said.

His eyes shined when he saw the jar of cherries, and I could tell he was trying to deny himself the pleasure.

I tossed them across the space between our beds, “Take em.”

“Thanks.” he mumbled.

“Kakyoin. I don’t think of you as a responsibility. You aren’t a burden on me.” I explained, rubbing my face as I talked.

“You’re my friend. I just don’t want anything bad to happen to you. I couldn’t forgive myself if something were to happen to you, all because of my dumbass family curse.” I spouted, deciding that being Vulnerable was the only thing that would make him feel better.

“Jotaro. Do you think I’m incapable of handling myself or something?” He whined, looking over at me.

I rolled my eyes and kept talking, “I never said that. I’m just worried. I’m worried about everyone. But… especially for you. You didn’t have to come but you did. And I don’t want you to die for this cause that you have no reason to join.”

“But I told you, I do have a reason! I want to get rid of Dio because of how he manipulated me, and to prove myself!” He shouted, losing his composure.

“You don’t have to, Kakyoin! Who are you even proving yourself to?” I yelled loudly back.

“To me! Because I don’t want to keep living in fear of myself and of others, I want to show that I am strong and capable. That I’m not helpless…” He began to weep as he spoke.

“I didn’t mean to make you cry. I’m sorry.” I whispered, jetting out of bed and coming to his side.

Kakyoin wiped his eyes with the backs of his hands and turned away from me in shame.

“Hey, look at me. I don’t think you’re weak or helpless.” I tried to comfort him.

I reached out, and put my hands on his shoulders, “I’m sorry.”

He looked up at me, his lavender eyes tinted red from his emotions. He sighed, almost like he was disgusted with himself for crying.

“Wanna watch a movie or something? Get our minds off everything for a moment.” I suggested.

He nodded, and I reached for the controller. I flipped through the channels and came to one that streamed cheesy movies from the 50’s, the kind of shit that the Old Man would have watched in his day.

“You mind if we share the cherries?” I asked.

-----------------------

Kakyoin

After hearing what Jotaro had to say, I think I only grew more nervous about my feelings for him. My mind convinced me that he could possibly feel the same way about me. He said he worried about me especially, and that could mean two things. That he lied to me and thinks im incompetent, or that he’s just worried about losing me.

As he sat next to me on the bed, his warmth caused me to shudder, never having felt him so close in this way.

His arms were right up against mine, and the jar of cherries sat between us on the bed, my left hand keeping it steady with the tips of my fingers. He picked the cherries out with thin forks that were plated on the minibar that came with the room. We took turns eating from the jar, and I began to feel like myself again. It came to the point where Jotaro’s body next to mine didn’t even phase me.

The night began to deepen, and soon I turned and saw that Jotaro had fallen right asleep. His eyes were closed, even in his sleep he still had that scowl on. But his uniform and his hat were off, and the shirt he wore to sleep was without sleeves. His legs were bare, only a pair of shorts providing a covering.

I felt myself begin to nod off, sleep starting to invade the reaches of my exhausted mind, and I turned the television off. I sank into the covers, Jojo still next to me. I think that must have been the best sleep I’d gotten on the whole trip so far.

Jojo…

When I woke up the next morning, I’d realized how compromising a position we were in. His thick arms were wrapped around my body, holding me against his chest with my hand and face resting on him. Our legs had become intertwined, one of his came between the two of mine, and I had subconsciously wrapped mine around it.

I was shocked, and I would rather have died in that instant than have Jotaro wake up and see us cuddled up like boyfriends. I tried to pry myself out of his grasp, but his arms wouldn’t budge. I tried to use Hierophant Green’s graceful strength to pull at Jotaro and let me slip from his grasp.

“Quit moving, will you?” His groggy voice complained, his eyes still closed.

“Are you awake?” I whispered.

Jotaro growled, “I will be if you don’t stay still.”

I didn’t know what to say. I mean, there was no denying that I felt amazing being held by him but I felt awkward with him being so… chill about it. He didn’t seem to mind at all, it seemed like he wanted it.

“Jotaro-” I whispered, poking his chest lightly.

“What?” He sounded angry.

“I need to piss.”

“Fine.” he sighed, rolling over and letting me go.

I stood from the bed and saw his body in full, lying like a tired dog in the sun. His left arm was bent at the elbow, covering his eyes, while the other one was tossed out to the side where I was lying. His legs were spread, half covered by the sheets. I walked to the bathroom and stood in there for a moment, just so I could gather my thoughts and calm down before I had to interact with him further. I flushed the toilet, not actually needing to use it, and washed my hands to complete the illusion.

When I came back out, Jotaro was sitting up in the bed, rubbing his eyes as his hair was all messed up from his sleep. I could see the remnants of slumber melting from his gaze as he yawned, and they teared up as he met mine. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked away from me and down to some indeterminate spot in the room.

“How’d you sleep?” I asked, trying to fill the silence.

“Hmph.” He groaned.

“You’re still tired?”

He nodded, breathing deeply.

“I would have slept better if you didn’t squirm.”

“You slept in my bed.” I retorted.

His eyes shot up to mine and seemed to stare daggers into me, “I was going to move to my bed when I realized I dozed off, but you cozied up to me and I figured you needed it… so I just let it happen.”

“Oh. Well… thank you, I guess.” I responded,

I just kind of stood by the bed, waiting for him to move to his.

“I’m not leaving. This bed is warmer than mine.” He smirked as he spoke.

I huffed, and just grabbed my clothes to get into the shower. I thought to myself, wondering why it was that he was being kind of annoying. I mean I enjoyed the attention but I didn’t want it to come true. Avdol told me not to think so far into the future, to live in the moment and take things slowly as we can’t be sure about anything that can come down the line. A bit of an ironic sentiment to come from a fortune teller.

As the hot water ran down my body, I turned off my thoughts and just let myself enjoy the experience.

“Kakyoin, the others are getting breakfast.” I heard through the door.

“I’m not hungry, you can go on with them if you want.” I shouted over the water.

“You sure?”

“Yes!”

“Okay.” he sighed.

I heard the door close and sighed with relief.

I finished showering, and I got dressed in the room before leaving, sneaking off to the pool to take in some of the sweet Singaporean sun. I eventually ended up falling asleep in the sun.

-----------------------

Jotaro

I walked down to the table where the gang was sitting, except Kakyoin wasn’t walking next to me. I sat down, and the Old Man turned to me.

“Morning, Jotaro. Where’s Kakyoin?” he asked.

“Showering. He’s not gonna be coming.” I explained, sighing.

“How come?” Avdol asked.

“He’s not hungry.”

“Oh, well hopefully he’ll join us later on.” Avdol said.

We all got our food, and halfway through breakfast, Kakyoin came into the dining room. I sat up straight when I saw him, and smiled gently as he came towards us.

“Good Morning, everyone.” He said, sitting down.

“Ah, it seems someone finally got out of bed!” Polnareff teased, waving his fork at Kakyoin.

“I was just getting ready.” Kakyoin explained, running his hand along the red curled bangs that hung off the side of his head.

Conversations flew over the table as Kakyoin went to go get food, and once we were all done eating, he suggested we go for a walk. Anne tagged along with us as Polnareff and the others stayed behind.

The sun was shining brightly, and I blocked out the sun with the brim of my hat. Kakyoin walked next to me, his red hair shining in the light, a slight smile painted on his supple lips. I couldn’t stop staring at them. After last night, feeling the weight of his body against mine made me realize that I was falling for him. I knew I worried about him but I always just thought it was because I was worried for everyone in general, but it had to have been because my heart had started to beat for him.

“Look! A coconut water stand.” He pointed out.

“Kakyoin, I want to tell you something.” I sighed.

He looked over at me, a strange look in his eyes as he spoke, “Yeah?”

“After our talk last night, I think I need to be honest with you.” I began to speak, my hands shaking inside my pockets.

“What is it?” He prodded, a grin spreading over his face.

“I think that my feelings for you are changing. I don’t think of you as a friend anymore.” I said quietly, so that Anne wouldn’t be able to listen in.

“What do you mean by that, Jotaro?” He asked, crossing his arms.

I turned to him and “I think I want to be more than just… friends. I want us to be together.”

He responded with a cruel laugh, and said, “Don’t be ridiculous, Jotaro! You don’t think I like you, do you?”

I couldn’t say anything back, was I really mistaken in thinking he felt something for me? Kakyoin rolled his eyes and shoved me gently, before walking far in front of me and almost toppling over Anne as he went.

“What’s wrong with him?” She asked, looking over her shoulder at Kakyoin.

I just stared forward, feeling my heart wanting to break within my chest. I tried to take a deep breath, but Kakyoin’s response had knocked the wind out of me. I shrugged, as it was literally the only thing I could do, and walked past the girl and kept my head down.

I couldn’t think straight anymore. I just wanted to go back to the hotel and sulk away from everyone. I didn’t even notice when Anne had dragged me to the coconut vendor’s stand for ice cream.

Kakyoin stood opposite to me, next to Anne, and he pulled out money to pay for coconut juice.

But his wallet was snatched by a pickpocket.

He forced out Hierophant Green, and tripped the man before running to him.

“I’ll make you wish you were never born!” He shouted, before slamming the thief’s face into his knee with a savage force.

“Holy shit!” The man at the stand said.

“Kakyoin! Stop, you’ll kill the bastard!” I screamed, watching him raise the man onto his shoulders, attempting to break his back.

“Oh my god! A Back-Breaker? That’s a brutal move, and he’s saying filthy things, that’s just not like him!” Anne shouted in horror.

I ran over to him and shoved the man off his back, causing him to stumble.

“Kakyoin!” I repeated, “Cut it out, dammit! You’re losing control, something isn’t right with you. What in hell has gotten into you?”

“That hurt. You didn’t have to shove me, you know.” He said to me, his voice sounding dark and strange.

All I could say was, “Something is seriously wrong with you.”

“Don’t lecture me, Jotaro. He’s a criminal! He should be punished for committing a crime. Don’t try and tell me I’m wrong, it’s not like you wouldn’t do the same…”

There was a thick and terrible silence between us, so thick I could feel my chest giving out into nerves.

“Come on, Jojo. You’re making a big deal out of this! I’ve just been having a bad day so far, being exhausted from the trip has put me in a bad mood.” He mused, sounding almost sarcastic.

“Just in a bad mood, huh? Seems to me you felt pretty good.” I shot back.

He just stared at me blankly, his eyes vacant.

“The Old Man and Avdol think it best to go by train to India. We leave tomorrow. We’ll take the cable car to Singapore station to get tickets.” I said, turning away from him to head to our next destination.

I walked by myself for a little, before Anne ran up to me and tucked her arms around mine, a horrified look on her face.

“What’s up, half-pint?” I asked.

She looked over her shoulder, and hurriedly said, “It’s nothing, don’t worry!”

I followed her eyes and saw Kakyoin standing under a tree, completely still, and watching us with those dead eyes. Their enchanting sparkle had gone out.

When we came to the cable car station, I’d bought an ice-cream cone and was eating it, looking over the city skyline from the balcony. Anne was next to me, and Kakyoin came up from behind.

“Jotaro, if you’re not going to eat that cherry, give it to me! I’m starving.” His voice was beginning to piss me off.

I turned my face away from him as he came close, picking the cherry off the top.

“Oops! My bad!” He laughed, shoving me with all his might over the balcony.

I caught the guard rail, and Anne cried out as she grabbed onto my wrist.

Kakyoin laughed and laughed, as I pulled myself to safety.

I had no idea what the fuck was going on with him, but I knew in my heart that this wasn’t my Kakyoin. This wasn’t the one I’d grown to love, and whatever it was that possessed him or was controlling him was going to pay deeply for making a mockery of him.

As I neared him, he played with the cherry in his mouth in a gross and freakish way, wiggling his tongue and bobbing the cherry between his teeth.

“That look again! What’s with all the moody stares, Jojo?” He said sneeringly, “Have you lost your sense of humor, dear friend?”

Without even thinking, I threw my fist at his face as hard as I could. He went flying into the open cable car behind him, his jaw disconnecting from his face, hanging limply by his tattered cheeks.

He laughed again, and chills flew down my spine.

What was this thing? Was it a stand?

-----------------------

Kakyoin

I looked for Jojo in our room, and I didn’t find him. I couldn’t find anyone, so I decided to go up to Mr. Joestar and Avdol’s room to see if they were there.

The door was unlocked, and I heard Mr. Joestar shouting over the phone.

“I heard my name?” I asked, walking in.

“Where the hell have you been?” Mr. Joestar asked angrily.

“Jojo left so I went to the pool to sunbathe?” I explained, stepping back.

“In your school uniform?” Avdol asked, raising an eyebrow.

“...Yeah, why not?”

Avdol dismissed the subject as Mr. Joestar kept talking over the phone.

He shouted, “Anne, Get back to the hotel as soon as possible!”

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“Jotaro has been attacked by an enemy stand.” Avdol explained.

…

A few hours had passed, and I was reading in my room and eating the cherries Jojo got me when the door flew open. I jumped in surprise, and I brought out Hierophant Green to aid me.

“Who's there?” I demanded.

“Kakyoin…” A weak but familiar voice said.

I stepped around the corner to the short hallway where the door was, and I saw Jotaro leaning against the entrance, bloodied and exhausted.

“Oh my god…” I said.

I sent Hierophant Green to gently lead him to the armchair at the back of the room while I ripped through my luggage to get my first aid kit. The blue plastic box held everything I was going to need to help Jotaro, and I rushed over to his side, as my stand began to pull off his coat and shirt, exposing the injuries on his chest and arms.

“That Stand user really did you in, didn’t he?” I whispered, smiling gently in order to lighten the mood a little.

Jotaro only mustered a weak laugh, but the smile on his face was enough to assure me that he was going to be alright.

I wiped off his skin with alcohol towelettes, he winced as the alcohol stung his wounds.

“Sorry.” I mumbled, focusing on wrapping and cleaning each wound thoroughly.

I had to shove all thoughts about the fact that I was running my fingers and hands over his taught, sinewy arms, in order to not get distracted from the task at hand.

“Kakyoin…” He said weakly.

“Yeah?”

“He took your form.” He answered, a deep disgust in his tone.

“What do you mean? Who took my form?”

Jotaro’s tired eyes wouldn’t break away from mine as he spoke, “The stand user. He could change into anything he wanted. I could touch his stand with my hands and he tried to eat me alive.”

“That’s… gross. And really freaky, the idea that someone was walking around as me.” I answered, trying my hardest not to blush, as I was once again feeling his chest.

He stared up at me, and I could see a new twinkle in them that wasn’t there before.

“Your eyes are glittering.” He said.

I just gave him a look of confusion.

“Yellow Temperance, the stand, it couldn’t mimic your eyes right. That’s how I knew it wasn’t you, besides all the batshit insane things he did.” Jojo spoke, his voice sounding sad.

“Oh.” I didn’t know what else to say. I was kind of thrown off about him describing my eyes as glittering.

“I’m going to treat your head, okay? Don’t move.” I spoke, inching closer to him.

I was on my knees between his legs, one of my hands resting on the armrest of the chair as I used the other to clean his forehead and brow, tossing the bloodied wipes into a trash can behind me.

As I was applying the last bandage on his face, I leaned back and saw him still staring at me.

“What’s with the stares?” I asked.

His face changed, souring almost.

“Are you okay?”

He looked away from me, his face hardening, “It’s nothing, that dumbass just said something similar.”

I could tell he retreated into himself, and seeing him shirtless, bandaged, and looking out into the night made my heart ache a little. He seemed so exhausted with everything going on.

“I told him something, and he made me feel stupid.” Jotaro admitted.

I looked up at him, still sitting on the floor, and asked, “What is it you told him?”

Jotaro looked at me, and for once his face was full of fear.

“Kakyoin. After our talk last night, I… I realized something.” He paused, “I don’t think I want us to be friends.”

What felt like a cold wave of water washed over me, not understanding what he meant.

“Are you saying… you don’t want me to… come along anymore?” I said, trying not to cry.

“No! No, that’s not what I’m saying, I- I love you Kakyoin.” He stuttered out.

I couldn’t move. My lungs ceased to breathe for a second but it felt like hours.

“Jojo… I- I don’t… I don’t know…” I tried to speak, but the rush of emotions just hit me like a train.

All I could do was begin to sob.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to freak you out!” He said, reaching for me, putting his hands on my shoulders.

“You don’t feel the same way, do you?” He asked, his voice as terrified as I’d ever heard it sound.

All his courage and cockiness had fallen back, peeling away like layers and revealing the Jojo I knew he always had inside. His eyes went from their steely cold, to a gentle and meek warmth that were about to burst with tears.

His brows weren’t furrowed in anger, but in worry and the slight partedness of his lips made him look like a puppy in despair.

I wiped my eyes, and gathered myself.

“If you don’t want me around anymore, I can keep my distance. I understand if I made you uncomfortable.” His voice was low, head hanging in defeat and embarrassment.

“Jojo, stop.” I said, finally obtaining the gall to speak.

“Look at me.” I said sternly.

His head lifted up, looking up once more.

I took his face into my hands, and without thinking any longer, I planted a kiss on his lips.

Jotaro’s lips were warm, and against mine they felt like kissing silk. He was shaking, I could feel it as his hands wrapped around my waist, holding me still.

I pulled back for a moment.

“I love you too.” I whispered, watching his eyes fill to the brim with tears.

His tears rolled down his eyes, not making a sound. His chest rose and fell with his breath, and I just reached in and hugged him. I rested my head against his shoulder and wrapped my arms around his neck. Jojo’s arms came around my waist and held me lightly against him.

“Kakyoin… you make me nervous.” He purred, burying his face in my collar.

“Nervous?” I asked, kissing his shoulder.

Jotaro whispered into my ear, his hot breath caressing my skin and making me shiver, “I’ve never felt like… this for anyone. Normally people don’t shake me, but something about you makes me go soft.”

“I bet for someone as tough as you, that must be a strange feeling to have.” I answered, melting into his body.

“It’s scary.”

“Scary?”

Jotaro’s grasp on me let go, his hands slipping off my waist and down to my hips “I feel like I lose my edge. I don’t like that. I don’t like being soft.”

“I like it when you’re soft.” I said, pulling back and caressing his cheek.

His shy eyes glanced up at me for a moment before he grimaced and looked away from me, turning his head in my hand and looking out the window.

“Jojo…” I whined, “being soft isn’t a bad thing. How can you want to be with me if you don’t want to show me who you really are?”

Jojo didn’t look at me, and only sighed. I kissed his cheek as delicately as I could. His face went bright red and his eyes darted back and forth.

“Can we go to bed?” He asked.

I nodded.

-----------------------

Jotaro

I was sore all over, and Kakyoin and his stand helped me up out of the chair and into his bed. I laid back in the covers, and he helped me take off my pants so that I could sleep comfortably.

“Jojo?” His sweet voice asked.

“Yeah?”

He looked down at me as he kneeled on the edge of the bed, speaking with grace, “Don’t be afraid, okay? I won’t ever think you’re weak for letting your walls come down.”

My heart beat hard, so hard that I could hear the thrumming in my ears. I nodded, and turned onto my side. He laid back in the bed, and our faces were inches apart on the pillows. His soft skin was like warm wax, and I would have done anything to feel it melt between my fingers. Kakyoin reached out to me, resting his hand on mine.

“Good night, Jojo.”

Maybe Kakyoin wasn’t the one made of wax, maybe it was me. The balminess of his voice spread over my body like honey, making me feel like I was going to sink right into the mattress in a puddle. I just wanted to be stuck in this feeling forever, that unease of not knowing how things were going to go, that if we’d work or if we’d fail, it felt like nothing I’d ever experienced before.

I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him as close to me as I could. The way our bodies settled into each other was so natural, just as easy as last night.

“I don’t want to ever let you go.” I said into the dark room.

“Then don’t.”

I felt for his face in the dark, kissing around his shoulders and his neck. My lips found his cheeks and I let my lips kiss and kiss them. He turned his head a little, and his cheek became his own lips. Kakyoin’s lips were intoxicating, and they tasted like the sweet nectar of the cherries he was eating when I came into the room. I felt his slender fingers resting against my chest and they tickled me gently, sliding up to my hair and slowly running through it.

He pulled away, and took a breath.

“Why’d you stop?” I asked.

He giggled, saying, “I think you should rest, you’ve been through a lot today.”

“Hmph. I don’t want to stop kissing you.” I complained.

“There'll be more where those came from. I can promise that.” He whispered, pulling my head into his chest, kissing the top of my head.

“Sleep well, Jojo.”

“You too, Kakyoin.”

I had no words to describe how amazing it was to be held. He was smaller than me, but somehow it felt like every inch of my body was dipped in his affections. I nestled into his cozy chest and drifted off to sleep.

…

The next morning I woke and Kakyoin was already out of bed, stretching by the window as my eyes adjusted to the morning light pouring in.

“Wake up, sleepy.” He said, coming over and kissing me on the forehead.

His smile breathed life into my sore and exhausted body. I yawned, stretching out and groaning as the knots in my muscles caused me discomfort.

“How’d you sleep, Jojo?” Hearing him say my nickname with such care made me smile.

I rubbed my eyes, croaking out “Perfectly.”

“C’mon, get up. We’re leaving soon for the train. You’ve still got to pack and get ready!” Kakyoin urged, trying to pull me out of bed by my hands.

“Ughhhhh.” I groaned, tugging him back onto the bed with ease.

“Jotaro!” he sang, “We’re never going to make it to India if you don’t get up now.”

“What if I just want to cuddle with you more?” I argued.

“I can give you something more interesting than that.” He teased, fighting my grasp and standing by the bathroom door.

I raised an eyebrow in intrigue.

“I see I’ve got your attention.” He laughed.

“Come, let’s take a shower.” Kakyoin’s sweet voice changed in tone, becoming something I’d never heard from him. The seductive melody that he’d adopted as he spoke activated something in me, and I was suddenly entranced with him even more.

I stood from the bed, and I walked into the bathroom, seeing that the shower was already on and beginning to steam up the room.

Kakyoin came up to me, and his pajamas were already off, standing before me with just a towel around his waist.

I couldn’t tell if it was the heat of the room or my utterly primitive attraction to him that made my face feel like I was blushing with fire. Kakyoin walked to the shower, and the curves of his back revealed his round butt as the towel fell off his body. He hung it up on the hook by the shower and I couldn’t wait to be in there with him.

As if I wasn’t as fucking sore as I was, I tore off the bandages and slipped off my underwear. I walked slowly into the shower, and my hands instinctively reached for Kakyoin.
My eyes were ravenous to see his form, as I’d never seen him out of his uniform, and I took in every last detail of his body. His fair skin looked like polished ivory, and I was jealous of the water that ran over it, seeping into every nook and cranny that I couldn’t quite yet reach.

His hands were busy scrubbing the shampoo into his hair, his back faced me. His lithe build gave him a graceful shape, his broad shoulders leading down into his slim waist which curved out into his hips. I couldn’t resist the beauty, the elegance of… everything about him. He looked over his shoulder, the water washing out the shampoo as he flashed me a smile.

He came to me, resting his hands on my elbows and standing on his toes to kiss me.

I’m not embarrassed of my looks, but letting Kakyoin see me nude was something I didn’t expect to truly shake up my confidence. I hoped that he liked what he saw, as much as I liked what my eyes were seeing.

I could see his eyes trail over my body, and the smile never once faltered.

“Kakyoin, you’re… so hot.” I sighed, feeling butterflies in my stomach.

“If I’m so hot, then have your way with me.” Kakyoin spoke, consumed with desire.

I didn’t skip a beat. I locked my lips with his, and my hands immediately began to follow the paths my eyes had taken earlier. I ran them down his back and began to knead his ass. I felt his body begin to give into me, and he moaned into my mouth as I ran a finger over his tight hole. I ran my fingers over it again, and this time I pressed against it gently, feeling my penis begin to press up against his stomach. I was so hard that it almost hurt, my body impatient to feel his.

He whimpered, pulling his lips away from mine and letting his yearning echo through the bathroom. Our eyes met, and I could see everything I needed to know in them, I saw myself in them, and that ever present sparkle.

“Jojo…” He whispered, licking my neck.

I took my middle finger and began to press harder and harder into his entrance, until I made it through the tight ring of muscles and slipped into his warm body. I could tell he liked it by the way he jolted into me, tossing his head back for a moment, showing me his pretty face twisted with pleasure.

I pushed and pulled that finger, feeling him squeeze against it before I felt he might be ready for something else.

“Kakyoin… can I fuck you?” I asked, my voice thick with my lust for him.

“Please.” He sobbed, as I had picked up the pace with my fingers.

-----------------------

Kakyoin

Jotaro’s large hands positioned my body in whatever way he wanted. He placed my hands on one of the glass walls of the shower, and persuaded my body to arch in the way he wanted to.

“That's good, you’re a natural.” Jojo praised sensually.

He kissed over my shoulders and down my back, before I felt his lips trail between my legs. Jojo’s tongue fluttered over my hole, as his hands gripped my hips tightly. The feeling of his tongue made my chest fill, but I was short of breath. I gasped, satisfaction robbing me of any composure I had left.

There was nothing in my life that had ever produced these emotions in me, I was never aroused seeing scantily clad models in magazines or seeing the bodies of other men in changing rooms or bathhouses. I’d never considered that another person could make you feel like this. These sensations were entirely alien to me and I just couldn’t contain my reactions to them. My skin was wrought with goosebumps, and I felt tears in my eyes as his pace ramped up, switching between his frenzied fingers and his tongue.

“Jotaro, please!” I begged, tears flowing from my eyes, “I need to feel you in me!”

“As you wish…” He breathed, speaking right by my ear.

I didn’t see how big he was, but by god, did I feel his size.

“Just warning you, I won’t be going slow.” Jojo grunted.

I couldn’t respond, any coherent thought I had wasted to nothing in my mind as Jotaro’s penis began to force its way into me. My whimpers and moans got caught in my throat, the pain of him breaking my seal and slipping smoothly into my body shot through me like lightning in my veins. I sobbed, Jotaro swiftly slamming his hips into mine over and over, speeding up faster and faster.

“Fuck!” I heard him growl over the sounds of his merciless rhythm.

But the best feeling of them all was when his penis struck the cluster of nerves that sat in me. My god, that feeling. That level of stimulation would have me seeing stars, the edges of my vision blurring out as I let out pure, raw, guttural sounds of ecstasy. Jojo knew how to do this, whether or not I was his first didn’t matter to me, just that he knew what to do.

“Jojo, please! I- I can’t- I can’t take it anymore! Stop!” I cried, tears blinding me as I fell weak, my hands slipping down the glass and causing me to begin to fall.

“Kakyoin…” he huffed, “Are you okay?”

I was shaking, drool having dripped down my chin and neck as the steaming water still pounded on us both.

He picked me up off the floor of the shower, taking me into his arms. He kissed my forehead as he soothed me, sobbing into his chest.

“Too hard?” He asked, still catching his breath.

I nodded, “but… it was amazing. I’m just- just- overwhelmed…”

“Let’s stop.” He sighed, turning to the water handles to turn off the shower.

I stopped him, and said “No… please… just go slower.”

“You sure?”

“Yes. Make me feel like that again, please.” I pleaded.

He smirked, and pulled me by my hands to the tiled seat in the shower. Jotaro sat down, and his hands positioned me over his hips, his legs between my knees, and had me sit down over his penis. I sank down onto it, and I clutched at his chest as I did so. He didn’t let go of my waist as he began to instruct me on how to roll my hips over his. I guess I must have done it right because he couldn’t stop sighing and grunting.

“Kakyoin… squeeze against me.” he panted.

I searched for the right muscles and squeezed my hole against his length, feeling it slipping deeper and deeper into me.

“Holy fuck…” he moaned, running both his hands through his hair as his body undulated with enjoyment.

His eyes were unmoving, keeping in contact with mine, and his hands moved from his hair to the sides of my face. He brushed the stray hairs out of my vision, as I kept riding him.

“Can I speed up?” He asked, hugging me against him.

“Yes…” I whispered.

He sped up, not as fast as he was going before, but fast enough to push me to the brink.

“I’m going to cum!” He shouted, before letting out a primal growl that filled the bathroom. He twitched, his penis trembling within me.

“Jotaro! Jojo! I- I think- Ah!” I cried, my breath shattering as I felt the heat of his cum within me. The sensation was the final drop that overflowed my heart and soul with bliss.

I fell completely limp, groaning as I felt my own penis release all over Jojo’s stomach. I knew I’d remained in the shower, but the feeling in my stomach and chest was like I’d fallen through ten stories of the hotel. Every last nerve in my body was ablaze, and I caught shaky breaths as Jotaro hushed me gently, sputtering weak bellows of my fading neon-light orgasm.

“J-Jo…jo… I’m shaking.” I managed to say.

“You’re alright. You’re okay. I know that was overwhelming for you.” He comforted, rubbing his hands along my arms as he held me in his lap.

A few minutes passed like this, but after a little while he let me recuperate on the shower seat as he finished his shower, periodically planting a kiss on my head and asking me how I felt.

I stood, my legs shaky, and let Jojo take care of me this time. He lathered me with soap and with a tenderness I didn’t know he could exert, and cleaned his cum off my legs.

“Can I ask you something?” I asked, his stern face concentrating on me.

“Shoot.” he said.

“Not that this matters or anything, but, I wasn’t your first, was I?”

His eyes instantly shot to mine, looking up from my chest as his hand froze from scrubbing.

“You were, actually.” He smiled, seeing the look of relief on my face.

“You just seemed like you knew exactly what you were doing.” I explained.

He let out a short laugh, and said, “I’ve snuck a few adult movies from the video stores.”

“I’m glad that it was you… being my first.” I mumbled, “I’d never felt that way before.”

“Well, just know that I can make you feel like that whenever you want.” He purred, kissing my lips and turning off the shower.

…

We were sitting on the train, watching the landscape fly past us. Jotaro sat across from me, and we just exchanged silent glances and smirks as the others talked amongst
themselves.

“You two are quiet.” Avdol said, turning to face us.

Jotaro didn’t look away from me as he said, “Rough night last night.”

I nodded, looking at Avdol and yawning.

Mr. Joestar and Polnareff talked as Jotaro’s hand rested on my knee underneath the table. I intertwined my fingers with his as he looked out the window.

Avdol tapped me on the shoulder, leaning into the aisle between seats to do so. I looked at him, and he glanced between me and Jotaro. A smile curled his lips as his eyebrows raised to imply that he suspected something was going on.

I nodded, but raised a finger to my lips, asking him to keep it from the other two. Avdol nodded in understanding and gave me a subtle thumbs up.

-----------------------

Jotaro

Kakyoin stared out the window with me, and once he did I turned my eyes to his visage. He was more breathtaking than any mountain or rushing waterfall could ever wish to be.

“Look, Jotaro! Flamingos in flight!” He said with excitement, pointing out the window.

I didn’t care for flamingos but I glanced at them for a second, shifting my eyes back to him in order to watch him instead. His face lit up as he watched the birds fly by, and the joy in his eyes only fortified my heart and soul, knowing that anything I did on this trip, I would be doing for him.

…

But that was then.

Things had been complicated since he’d gotten injured, as I couldn’t visit him as much as we’d both wanted to.

Whenever I could, I would sit by the side of his bed and hold his hand, his bandaged eyes hidden from seeing how sad I’d become.

“Jojo, I could feel it was you.” He would smile, reaching his other hand gently up my arm, trying to find my face.

Sometimes he’d be trying to caress the air, and I’d just gently lean into his touch. No matter what, he’d managed to keep his sunny disposition. Everytime I came into the room he was smiling, his glow filling up the space and easing any stress I’d gathered through the trip.

“Hey. How are you holding up?” I asked, letting his hand massage my neck and caress my cheek.

“I’m doing well. Feeling better. But I don’t think you feel the same way, don’t you?” He said, scooting close towards me at the edge of the hospital bed.

I couldn’t see his eyes but I knew they were worried, his frown saw right through me and said, “What’s wrong, Jojo?”

“I’m just exhausted, Kakyoin. I can’t ever sleep anymore.” I sighed, putting my face in my hands.

Kakyoin opened his arms, “Come here.”

I got up, leaning into him, and he pulled me into his bed. His hands ran smoothly over my back, sighing as he held my face into his chest. He always did this when I came in, and I’d just let him give me this sweet reprieve. Nothing eased my heart and body like being pressed up against him in the small hospital bed, barely any space for us to fit.

“I missed you.” He whispered, his nose brushing up against mine.

“I missed you more.” I answered, kissing his cheek.

Kakyoin aimed to kiss my lips, but he missed by a little. He kissed my cupid’s bow and paused, “I missed, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, but I’ll lead you to them.” I whispered.

I put my fingertips on the bottom of his chin, and slowly led his wet lips towards mine. He kissed me, so tenderly that it made me start to shake. I just wanted to bring me with him, take him out of this damned hospital so that I could finally see his eyes.

“Kakyoin…” I whimpered out, “I miss your eyes. I wish I could see them again.”

He smiled weakly, “I miss being able to see you, but it makes feeling you even better.”

“You smell like a hospital… Your perfume is gone too.” I complained.

“No it’s not… I can smell it on you every time you come.” His jovial voice said, making me blush.

“Yeah but it's not the same. It smells better on you.” I sighed.

Kakyoin giggled, “Someone’s complain-y today.”

“I’ve been having a really bad week.”

Kakyoin kissed my face as he said, “But you’re here now. Let’s just enjoy the moment, okay?”

I nodded, nuzzling into his neck and chest.

“Jojo, I love you.” He whispered, and the words were burned into my soul. It was the first time we’d said it since the hotel.

“I love you more.” I answered, squeezing him in my embrace.

It never failed to surprise me how absolutely wimpy I would become whenever we were alone together. In front of the others, we remained like we always were. I was my stoic self and he was as he is always, keeping our relationship secret. The one place I felt safest from anyone and anything was whenever he would hold me in his arms. Kakyoin was someone that I knew would fight tooth and nail for me, and I would do the same for him. I would often think back to my mother lying in my house, dying slowly, and everything just seemed so futile to help. Every step we took was met with more steps back or new challenges we had to overcome, and it felt like we would never make it to Egypt on time for us to save her. My motivation would begin to wane, and I felt like just giving up since there was seemingly no end to the nightmare. But Kakyoin never let me lose my fire, he was that spark of hope and love that sits at the bottom of my Pandora’s Box.

Not only did I fight for my mother, but now I wanted to vanquish Dio in order to make the world safer for Kakyoin. I didn’t realize it at the time but now I see that I wanted to be with him for as long as I could imagine myself loving him. And I could see myself adoring him until the sun burned out.

So now we neared Dio’s mansion, and from behind us, a voice called.

I turned, and contrasted against the orange-yellow buildings around us, I saw a slender figure in a green uniform. My heart pounded as brazenly as thunder in my chest, and when he came near, I noticed the dark sunglasses on his face. They concealed his eyes and for a moment I thought he had been rendered blind by the attack put upon him.

“Kakyoin!” We shouted in unison.

“Long time no see, you four.” He smiled, pulling down his glasses.

His sparkling eyes. His beautiful eyes were finally alright, and now two delicate scars decorated them. They pierced through the swirling heat waves and met mine. Looking into his eyes again after so long was like seeing the stars for the first time. I marveled at them as he greeted me, a simple handshake and a polite hug. I knew that deep down he wanted to throw his arms around me, falling onto the pavement to kiss me over and over, and I wanted to do the same.

-----------------------

Kakyoin

Seeing Jotaro again… I could write for hours about how it made me feel. But seeing as his beauty and perfection is unbound by words, that any try to make it known would cheapen the feeling. I could write about how my heart leapt in my chest, how every hair on my body rose in pure happiness and excitement, how deeply I wanted to throw myself into his warm embrace and feel at home once again; What I couldn’t do is describe him… no amount of words could begin to paint the picture of just how easy he was to fall in love with. He was weary from all our travels, and was exhausted even more by my absence, but I didn’t want to spend a single second apart from him than I needed to now. I was ready to fight by his side, until we won or died trying.

-----------------------

Jotaro

Kakyoin never got to see his family again.

All I remember hearing that night was that Kakyoin had found out the secret of Dio’s power, but I was denying the idea that something might have stopped him from being able to fight back. When I had vanquished Dio, I remember I tried to take a breath, but my body just couldn’t do anything. I fell to my knees, having lost everything in that battle. My chest burned with something that forced me to grovel for mercy. It felt like my own body was trying to destroy itself, such pain that all I could do was scream and sob, writhing in the settled dust of the destruction that had taken place that night.

Kakyoin was gone.

And just mere hours before Avdol and Iggy met their fates as well. It was so unfair. We fought together, they deserved to come out on top with us, and relish in this victory that to me felt so pathetic and empty. Sure, we’d saved the lives of the world and of my sweet mother but the cost was something I’d never be able to regain.

My grandfather laid bloodless on the streets of Cairo, and once the Speedwagon foundation came to my aid, I had already screamed and cried myself numb. I couldn’t feel a single thing… seeing this man that I’d grown to love and admire so much more was left a vacant husk of his former self. What was I going to tell Grannie Suzie? What was I going to tell my mother?

What was I going to tell Kakyoin’s parents?

Kakyoin’s face flooded my mind as they loaded my grandfather’s body into the ambulance, along with Dio’s remains. My Grandfather’s blood was transfused into himself again, and with a little help of Star Platinum, he was up and breathing.

I sighed in relief, having spared myself, my grandmother, and my mother pain. I threw my arms around him, and I began to sob like a child.

“Jotaro, what’s wrong?” He asked.

I could barely hear him over the sound of myself crying. No one had ever seen me cry like this, not even Kakyoin. The awful sound of my pained wails seemed to shake the Old Man, and what made it worse was that I couldn’t control myself. I clawed at his shirt, pulling on it as I fell to my knees before him.

“Jojo? Talk to me!” He demanded.

Before I forced my lips to stop trembling, we heard someone over the radio of the Speedwagon van say “Noriaki Kakyoin’s remains are being lowered from the water tower for proper embalming and burial procedures.”

The sound of Kakyoin’s first name forced my body to lurch, almost vomiting out of pure anguish. Kakyoin always told me that he hated his name, and would flinch at the sound of it, but I thought it was the prettiest name for someone as pretty as him. I jokingly called him Nori, which really riled him up.

......

“Don’t call me that!” He’d complain, tossing a pillow at my head as we shared the hotel room in India.

“But it’s cute! And what are you going to do to stop me?” I teased, standing close to him, pushing him up against the wall and putting my hands around his waist.

Kakyoin smirked, and tossed his hair to the side as Hierophant Green’s ribbon-like tail wrapped around my waist and threw me onto the bed. Kakyoin jumped onto the bed and let himself fall on top of me, our bodies bouncing on the mattress as he nestled into my chest.

“Nori–” I would tease again.

His head lifted up as he growled, “Jotaro!”

“Come on, stop me.” I dared.

“Fine.” He said, and Hierophant Green wrapped around my arms and legs, pinning me down to the bed as Kakyoin laid on top of me.

“I won’t let you go until you stop.” He grinned, standing from the bed and walking out the door of the room.

“Kakyoin! Okay you win!”

......

“Jotaro! Jotaro! Snap out of it!” The Old Man screamed at me, inches away from my face as I came to on the floor of the ambulance.

“Jotaro, please, talk to me… Tell me what’s wrong, my boy.” My grandfather whispered, pulling me up off the floor.

“Kak-” I tried to speak, “Kakyoin… he- he was my boyfriend.”

“What?” his jaw hanging open with surprise.

“He was my boyfriend! I loved him, I loved him so much and now he’s fucking dead! He’s dead because of us! Our stupid family history!” I screamed, my voice breaking.
I threw my face into my hands, crying angrily into them.

“Jotaro… I’m sorry.” The Old Man whispered, bringing me into a hug.

I pulled away, standing up and punching the wall next to me, “What do I do? What do I do without him?”

“When I was young, I had to fight my own fight against the Pillar Men all over Europe. I had a companion, who was my closest friend and we had an unbreakable bond. I’d never loved a man more like a brother than him. He was brutally killed, and I didn’t think I’d be able to live without him.” My Grandfather said, sadness growing in his eyes.

“How did you cope?” I asked, wiping my eyes.

“You just have to grieve, Jojo. Let yourself sob, kick and scream, and cry until you can’t breathe any longer. Let your emotions process, but don’t you ever blame yourself for his death.” He said sternly, “He chose to come along, and he knew the risk. He didn’t die for nothing, he died having given us the key to obliterating Dio. Remember that.”

“But I can’t sleep without him. I can’t go on without feeling his body just a few feet away.” I said through my gritted teeth, doubled over on myself in sadness.
I sucked in a shaky breath, “We didn’t get to say goodbye.”

My grandfather sighed, “You two really did love each other, didn’t you?”

I nodded, my body worn to death by bereavement.

“Jojo, just… try to sleep, okay? When the sun rises we’ll let this fucker burn.” He whispered to me, allowing me to sleep up against his shoulder.

…

Jotaro…

Jotaro…

Jojo!

I heard my name being called somewhere in the distance.

“Huh?” I asked, sitting up in a black void.

I looked around and I didn’t see anything anywhere. I felt something move behind me, and suddenly, a bright light was glowing.

I turned to face it, and from the inside of a churning fog, I saw the warm light.

The light shone brightly, and the fog swirled into a shape. From the shape came arms, and a head, and I watched as the features of the head formed.

“Kakyoin?” I asked, feeling as if my blood was pumping again.

Jojo… he spoke, his voice echoing like ringing bells.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry you died. This shouldn’t have happened. This wasn’t how things were meant to go. You were supposed to stay here with me.” I wept, falling to my knees in front of him.

“I should have protected you… I shouldn’t have let you die like this… so brutally. You didn’t deserve this Kakyoin! None of you did!” I screamed.

His glowing hands grazed my face, his body undulating as his shape floated down towards me.

Jotaro, you gave me something I’d never have gotten if this trip didn’t happen. You gave me peace, you and the others made me feel at home. Like I belonged. Our love is something that will never end, Jojo. Just… don’t forget me, okay? I love you. I love you so much.

“I’ll never forget you, Noriaki Kakyoin. You’ll always be in my heart.” I whispered up to him, his eyes beaming like rays of sunlight.

“I love you. I love you more than anything.” I breathed out.

Be safe! Take care of your mother!

He rose into the air, blowing me a kiss as a bright morning sun blasted over the horizon of the darkness behind him. The beams of light roared with such life that I woke up in my Grandfather’s arms.

...

“Jojo, the sun’s up. Let’s finally end this.” He whispered.

I nodded, and we carried the black bag with Dio’s remains to a cliff by the sea.

“A hundred year curse on our family and our world, finally falling victim to the light of day.” he spoke, unzipping the bag.

“Avdol, Iggy…” The Old Man whispered, looking out towards the sunrise.

“Kakyoin.” I said, the breeze drying my tears, “Thank you guys, for everything.”

Dio’s body sizzled and blew away in the wind, and it felt like a chapter of my life just ended.

I stared off into the sunrise, and The Old Man put his arm around my shoulder and joined me by the cliff.

“Let’s get you home, shall we?” he gruffed.

We got in the van and headed towards the airport.