Work Text:
First
I wasn't mad at you earlier, the words come tumbling out of Caesar's mouth like he can't get them out fast enough. The praise in his eyes leaks into his voice and fills every gap between the syllables. The lines and shadows of fatigue are more prevalent on his face than the birthmarks beneath his eyes, but it's obvious in this moment that he's not caring just for his own safety anymore. He's exhausted and unsmiling, but that's fine. His grip on Joseph's wrist is strong and unwavering, and Joseph thinks he understands Caesar's nature of expression a little better this way.
As Joseph is extracted from the hell that has consumed their first sixty-one hours of training, Caesar's countenance says something among the lines of I'll never let you fall so long as I'm alive.
(Joseph doesn't see it.)
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Second
I'll say this, he starts because he doesn't like the way his instructor calls Joseph "good for nothing." Twenty-four days have passed since the two began their training, and his initial impression of his fellow trainee had been constantly disproved at every turn, Joseph seems lazy and impudent.
They had nothing but each other, so they watched each others' backs from the instant they completed their Hell Pillar Climb. If there was any slack manifesting in one of them, the other would pick it up with little to no discussion over the matter. It was just accepted to be the general rule that fostered their friendship.
For two individuals that certainly took advantage and abused language to their own content, communication was never a necessity between them. Everything of utmost importance was already understood.
There's a crease between his eyebrows and a slight snarl to his lips as he speaks, though he certainly means no disrespect. He's also the best friend that I've ever had, so you should watch what you say, But he's good deep down.
(The threat falls on deaf ears.)
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Third
So you survived your bout with ACDC, he tries to seem nothing above casual about the question.
Never mind how his heart has been lodged in his throat from the moment Messina told him that their coach and the stone came first; how his hands never stopped shaking when first seeing blood through those binoculars and not knowing from whose body it came; how each step taken towards Lisa Lisa's room was trepidatious with apprehension and conflict, knowing that he has a duty to fulfill but can't help but wondering if there was truly nothing he could have done to help his friend in need.
He tries to side-step him because the longer he looks at the back of his head, the higher the urge to pull him into a do you have any idea how worried I've been about your stupid ass, mio Dio, Jojo, you're going to make me go prematurely grey kind of hug grows exponentially.
You're a lucky one, is the last and only thing he says on the matter.
(Even after what's left of ACDC burns away, Caesar's hands haven't stopped twitching. Joseph assumes it's in regards to Suzie Q's condition.)
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Fourth
Look sharp, Jojo, he knows that he's been too quiet, too bridled to the core with nervous energy for the entire car ride to Switzerland. From his periphery, he saw Joseph shift too many times: fold his arms just to unfold them again. Cross his legs and slouch this way or that before uncrossing those long limbs. He'd open his mouth to say something, and an eyebrow would twitch when he closed his mouth with a frown.
Joseph was overthinking, and it was much too obvious.
He says something about conserving his energy and redirects the conversation to having a plan ready for how they are going to handle Wham. Classic move on Joseph's part, but from this angle, Caesar can see the way his shoulders stay tensed and how red and swollen his lips have gotten from chewing on them for too long. He turns his attention elsewhere, anywhere so that his self control wouldn't wear down to the point of reassuring him however he can. A hand on the shoulder, murmurs of you're going to be all right and everything that happens now is a result of our own decisions and not yours are already gathering at his lips. He sees Lisa Lisa staring straight at him in the rear view mirror, and she somehow always knows what he's thinking as his hands start twitching again.
It won't be long before that weariness takes a toll on Joseph's body, so he crosses his arms over his chest and bides more time for him. Wait until we cross the border.
(This only leads to the severance of their connection.)
One
And suddenly all at once, he's cognizant of his own mortality. The adrenaline still present in his veins dulls the pain, but he's still vaguely aware that he's dying if the blood pooling around him is anything to go by.
I'm sorry, he knows he should have said.
I forgive you, he wishes he had time to tell him.
Promise me that you'll survive, he needs him to understand.
I love you, he thinks as his eyes slide shut for the last time.
But after everything, he can imagine that Joseph knows.
(He doesn't hear Joseph's loud cry of his name confirming the last thought of his existence.)