November, 1882

Jonathan Joestar, the heir to Lord George Joestar, entered the library and found his father’s ward, Dio where he casually reclined in the chaise lounge, deeply engrossed in a book.

Noticing Jonathan’s arrival, Dio looked up and smirked over the edge of the book. “oh, just so you know, I’m reading your mother’s most intimate secrets from her diary!” he teased. 

Jonathan froze, uncertain how to react. A mix of barely repressed impeding anger and insistence colored his face. Before he could respond, Dio interrupted with a laugh. “Just kidding, my dear brother . Look here,” he said, turning the book around to reveal the cover: Future Plans for the Household, by Mary Joestar .

“Where did you find this?” Jonathan inquired, a note of sight annoyance, but also a mild relief betraying his voice, waiting for Dio’s repsonse. 

Ignoring his question, the blond boy let out a soft chuckle. “Did you know your mother was a rather peculiar woman? It seems she had quite the interest in scientific advances, and even wanted to bring them into the household.”

Dio casually shifted into a cross-legged position, patting the now vacant part of the chaise lounge, inviting the other boy to sit. Without waiting, he pointed to a page he had just turned to in the book. 

Jonathan hesitated, still wary, but his curiosity about his late mother’s interests won him over. Slowly he took the seat next to Dio, leaning in to read the open page. 

Dio nonchalantly declared, “Oh, on second thought, let us skip these sections. She’s merely rambling on about Faraday’s principles — electromagnetism, some dynamo electric generator devised the same year she wrote this…” 

He browsed through a few more pages before finally finding the passage he was looking for. Pleased, Dio pointed it out, inviting Jojo to read. 

… and with the recent advancements in the field of electricity, I foresee a future in which we, as humankind, will employ electricity in countless ways, enhancing our lives toward greater comfort and, if I may write, a more enlightened existence. It is, therefore, my intention to pursue the practical applications of electricity, and if possible, to install an electric generator on the manor grounds, thus providing power to the vicinity. I have already considered a suitable location for this proposed generator; the old mill by Dee; which, I believe, would serve this endeavor most promisingly. 

“What do you think? An electricity-powered future?” Dio said, half joking, half serious, a faint excitement glimmering through his otherwise carefully schooled casual demeanor. Jonathan caught the subtle breadcrumb and latched onto it, his excitement sparked both by the prospect itself and also by this glimpse into his mother’s previously to him, untold private dreams. 

The brunet stilled for a moment, as if a sudden thought had crossed his mind. Then, with sparkling eyes, bubbling with excitement, he burst out, “Oh, what if we brought mama’s plans to life?”

After discussing their plans at length and reviewing recent articles on advancements in electricity, corroborating their plans with facts, the fourteen-year-olds requested permission to speak with the lord of the house, Jonathan’s father. 

“Come in, my boys! I can see you’re brimming with excitement,” Lord Joestar greeted them warmly. “Tell me, what news do you bring?” 

“Good day, Papa! We… we want to have a dynamo installed by the river, the old mill that is!” Jonathan began, then glanced over at Dio, pleading for assistance. 

Dio inclined his head respectfully and stepped in, his tone polished and assured. “My lord, we believe that an electric generator would hold considerable promise for the future, both as a means of advancement and as an opportunity for us to study the field of physics.”

Lord Joestar raised his eyebrows, clearly intrigued. “Well! I did not expect such a proposal! How, may I ask, did you come upon this rather unusual notion?”

Before Dio could respond, Jonathan burst out, “It was Mama’s idea! She dreamed of it, and we wish to honor her memory by bringing her vision to life!” 

The Lord’s face paled for an instant as he gripped the edge of his desk. A heavy silence fell, sadness clouding the room, only to give away for a determination, his eyes glistening.

  “Very well, then. Let us honor her vision.”

He leaned forward, fixing both boys with a steady gaze. “But I shall require you to take an active role in every step of this endeavor — from the initial planning, to reaching out to the appropriate tradesmen, overseeing the construction, and learning from the experience. And I expect all this to be managed without neglecting your studies. Are you prepared for such responsibility?”

“Yes, Papa! We will!” Jonathan blurted out, not waiting for Dio’s assent. Dio, shaking his head in mild exasperation, quickly resumed his earnest demeanor. “Indeed, my lord. I shall divide my efforts with utmost care, maintaining diligence in both this endeavor and our studies.” 

July, 1884

The boys, now sixteen and some years old, had devoted countless hours, balancing schoolwork with a constant stream of correspondences to engineers and recommended companies, following each lead with a mix of determination and youthful curiosity. Adults had occasionally met the process with amused glances, yet Jonathan, especially, threw himself into the hands-on work, often joining the tradesmen in each facet of the installation. Outside, the water wheel remained largely untouched, but inside, the building had been completely cleared. The worn gearworks and mill wheel had given way to a bold and ambitious structure — the dynamo generator, ready to harness the river’s power to produce electricity. 

The wires had been connected, each leading to a wall-mounted box fitted with large knife blade switches and fuses. Only two connections were active for the moment: one powering the newly installed arc lamps hung strategically about the courtyard, where the light’s premiere could be viewed with minimal risk, easing any anxious minds. The second wire led to a simpler arc lamp in the mill house, meant for this initial private test.

The room stood still, waiting for them. Dio and Jonathan exchanged a glance, eyes sparkling with excitement. Dio gave Jonathan a slight nod, his usual composure softened by a genuine smile. “Shall we?” he murmured, his voice steady yet brimming with anticipation, as he placed his hand on the crank. A slight hitch caught in his breath as he felt Jonathan’s hand joining his, their hands overlapping the lever.

Determined to avoid betraying their feelings in front of each other, both boys focused on the lever, flushes coloring their faces, eyes wide. Jonathan nodded, slightly dazed, shutting his eyes as they pulled in unison. 

The dynamo whirred into motion, powered by the steady turn of the water wheel. A low hum filled the room and a faint vibration was felt, travelling through the floor. They could feel the scent of ozone filling the air in the room, invoking the feeling of electricity. Grins spread across their faces, bubbling exhilaration sparked their senses as they watched the contraption, thrilled and relieved that it hadn’t burst into sparks.

Their hands hovered over the lever a moment too long before they stepped back, trading glances as they tried to compose themselves. Jonathan cleared his throat, his voice a little hoarse. “Shall we… uh, test the lamp now?”

Dio’s smile shifted, revealing a mix of emotions he tried to mask, his voice unusually unsteady. “The honor is yours, Jojo.”

Jonathan nodded eagerly, moving to the fuse panel. His fingers wrapped around the handle of the knife switch for the mill house arc lamp. Steeling himself, he looked up at Dio, eyes wide and determined. 

Dio met his gaze with a nod, his own nerves barely concealed. Jonathan squinted as he lowered the brass-handled switch. 

A sharp click was heard as the switch completed the circuit. Together, they watched the arc lamp sputtering, then flaring to life, electric currents surging through the electrodes in a dazzling bluish-white glow. The intense light flooded the once dim mill house, its light casting stretching shadows, painting the walls in a surreal display, illuminating every corner with an almost otherworldy air. 

Awestruck by this brilliant display, Jonathan was overcome by a rush of joy, and without thinking he pressed a firm kiss to Dio’s lips. Horrified, as the realization hit, he pulled back abruptly, heart racing with dread as he braced for Dio’s reaction, fearing he’d shattered their fragile bond. 

However, he was surprised to see no trace of anger or upset. Instead, Dio grinned defiantly. The blond boy drew Jonathan close once more, their lips meeting in a tender, lingering kiss, filled with urgency. Jonathan melted into the embrace, their bodies tightly entwined, completely ignoring the soft hum of the whirring dynamo.