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Joseph Joestar always knew he was different.
It bothered him, thought he didn’t know why. He always knew he was unique. He was proud of being a prankster even when the situation didn’t call for it. While people his age worked in respectable positions and treated authority with respect, Joseph remained unemployed and treated cops with disrespect at times.
Joseph knew he was different from others and he didn’t care. But when it came to being different compared to his friends…
Joseph didn’t like it. And he knew why.
He never had many friends, but he envied the ones he did. He watched with jealousy as their parents came to pick them up after school. He watched in envy as they were called ‘little man.’ He watched with a strange longing to be picked up and kissed on the cheek.
Granny Erina was everything Joseph wanted and more. He knew he couldn’t ask for most of the things that he wanted. He was beyond grateful for her love.
But although he never said anything, he longed for a mother and father. He wanted a mother who would cook him delicious food and tease him over crushes. He wanted a father who would teach him about life and give him advice. He wanted loving parents who cared for him with every bone in their body.
Joseph Joestar couldn’t have a normal family, even though that was all he wanted.
Despite being somewhat of a flirt, Joseph had a problem when it came to dating.
It wasn’t as if he was lacking in charisma or wasn’t dedicated enough. If anything, Joseph was a little too charismatic. The problem was that, like his relationship with families, Joseph was…
Different.
He knew he liked girls. He thought they were hot. Joseph didn’t have many girlfriends, but whenever he did date, he tried his best. Rarely ever did he think about marriage or dedication. Despite acting like his head was in the clouds, Joseph was always on his feet.
But sometimes…
Sometimes, while walking through the streets, a cutie would catch his eye.
And sometimes, that cutie happened to be a boy.
Joseph wasn’t afraid of liking boys. He was afraid of what would happen if people found out. He had only told Granny Erina and she was accepting, but he’d heard the way people talked about boys loving boys or girls loving girls. He knew what would happen if he ever let anyone else know about his romantic life.
Joseph Joestar couldn’t have a normal family or a normal love life, even though that was all he wanted.
Caesar Anthonio Zeppeli.
When they first met, Joseph immediately saw him as a prim-and-proper, haughty, womanizing piece of shit. That quickly changed the moment Caesar was able to deflect his attack. Then Caesar became a prim-and-proper, haughty, womanizing piece of shit who could fight.
Joseph was unenthusiastic to find out that Caesar would be his training partner, but quickly realized he would have to put away his distain for the Italian after encountering the Pillar Men. Their rivalry faded away after the two managed to make it through the Hell-Climb Pillar. A sort of friendship began to bloom between the two.
And Lisa Lisa…well, Joseph did think she was a looker, but for some reason she didn’t catch his eye. She was a hardcore mentor who took nothing from him. She was different from other girls.
For some reason, Joseph found himself looking up to her.
Despite its complexity, Joseph Joestar managed to have a normal family.
It’s a complete accident.
One night, against all odds, Joseph’s mask manages to come off. And Caesar, someone who so loyally listens to Lisa Lisa, proposes that the two of them go in town and get some drinks.
The long days of training had gotten to him and Joseph accepted it without hesitation. For the next few hours, the two found themselves getting shit-faced drunk and laughing their asses off. Having been kicked out of the bar, Joseph and Caesar began a walk towards the gondolas. They were still trading jokes, yet a sense of tranquility had fallen over the two.
Joseph was saying he could predict Caesar’s next awords. The Italian had laughed, saying that Joseph was acting stupid. In response, Joseph challenged Caesar to predict what he would do next. Caesar drunkenly agreed.
It was as if a cold splash of water sobered him up the way Caesar’s giddy nature disappears when Joseph kisses him.
He screams. Slaps Joseph. Yells at him in Italian. He doesn’t say slurs, but he is clearly angry. Joseph’s cocky expression is gone, now replaced with one of fear and regret. When Caesar is done screaming, lungs feeling like deflated balloons, he storms away from Joseph. After a moment of solitude, Joseph followed him.
In another world, the two would get to talk about that night. In another world, they would be able to communicate their fears and desires. In another world, that kiss would be the first of many.
But in this world, that kiss would be the most confusing thing Joseph would experience.
The blood is everywhere on the floor.
Joseph can’t breathe. Blood is seeping from under the cross-shaped rock, Lisa Lisa’s cigarette lying on the ground as well. He can hear her silent crying as the sorrow brings her down to her knees.
Caesar’s headband is clutched in his hands, the ring in it weighing a thousand pounds more as Joseph stares at the rock. He cries out Caesar’s name, slamming his fists against it. As if it would bring him back.
As if it could bring back things he wanted.
He finds happiness across the years.
First, with Suzi Q. Joseph and her get married quickly. As the two grow old, changes happen. But no matter what, they remain together. Even after what happened with Tomoko, despite her screams nearly shattering the teacups in the room, they still remained together.
Then Holly is born. The best of both her parents, she is kind and sweet while curious and a little silly. She is the light in his life that gives him hope. Joseph promises that he’ll give her everything he wanted as a child and more.
Jotaro is a little harder to get through to. Joseph hasn’t seen his grandson in years and the boy is vastly different. But through their trip in Egypt, it was if those years had been made up.
(Jotaro will never admit it, but him accidentally calling Joseph ‘dad’ isn’t as bad as he made it out to be.)
Josuke…Josuke is the hardest out of all of them. Josuke wants nothing to do with Joseph and Joseph is painfully aware of that. His want to know his son is strained to the point of destructiveness.
What saves their relationship is Shizuka. In a moment of sacrifice, Josuke finds himself proud of Joseph. Another pocket of sunshine fills Joseph’s life.
Joseph Joestar finally got all he wanted. With a wonderful family and a loving partner, he finally had all he wanted.
But despite this, there was still something he was missing.
He opens his eyes.
The dull hospital smell is gone. His body feels lighter than it has in years. The sound of machines is replaced with soft waves. It smells of spaghetti with squid ink.
Joseph opens his eyes and stares down at his body. He’s young again. He summons a small ripple of hamon. He can use it at full capacity again.
Somewhere in the background, a daughter is crying, a grandson is struggling to remain composed, and a son realizes how much his father means to him. But Joseph isn’t looking back.
Instead, he’s looking forward. Lisa Lisa stands on a gondola, helping Erina onto it. His father watches them in peace.
And Caesar is running towards him.
And Joseph runs towards him.
It took too long, but finally, Joseph had everything he wanted.