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Caesar Anthonio Zeppeli lay there on the cold stone floor. He had met his defeat. This was the end. His father would have been proud of him. Caesar’s thoughts began to trail off as he felt a fatigue take over him. What would happen now? Where was Joseph? How much longer until his eyes fell shut? How would Lisa Lisa react when she discovered this? She was practically his mother. Suddenly, Caesar felt himself go insensitive. It was just a matter of time. While it didn’t go exactly as a fairy tale would have, Caesar didn’t mind the way things turned out in the end. If this was fates will, so be it. Nothing else had mattered. All Caesar cared about was getting that ring. That damned ring. He knew Joseph needed it; nothing else would have worked. Everything was okay. Joseph would finally get that ring and everything would be all right again. They’d be able to return to their normal lives. Thinking about it, Caesar realized how much he loved the other man. Finally, his eyes became to heavy to hold open. A smile came. This chapter of his life has been the most difficult and demanding. Yet, the man had no regrets.
“Sorry Jojo.” Caesar mumbled, letting his consciousness slip.
Caesar Anthonio Zeppeli had died for that ring.
Well, sort of.
*
“I hope you don’t mind Sleeping Beauty, but what the hell are you sleeping on the floor for?” Joseph Joestar asked Caesar, shaking his body in hopes of waking his boyfriend up. Caesar groaned and turned his head the opposite direction.
“Five more minutes.” The blonde protested.
“Don’t ‘five more minutes” me! It was your turn to make dinner.”
“I apologized.”
“To whom? Yourself?”
“Yes. Now go away.” Joseph sighed as he got up. The brunette began kicking the other. “Caesar! You’re gonna get a cold if you sleep in the doorway. It’s freezing out; at least move to the sofa or something.” No reply. As he continued to kick, the older man suddenly grabbed his foot.
“You have no idea what I just went through. Either leave me alone or get out.” He released his grip, leaving Joseph in his defeat. Caesar heard steps go into the kitchen.
“Hey Caesar.”
“What now Jojo?”
“We can go out and get your favorite.”
“No thanks.” A pout rose to Joseph’s lips.
“Hey Caesar.”
“Yeah?”
“I’ll let you top if you get up.” Caesar immediately abandoned his position on the apartment floor as Joseph let out a rich laugh.
*
“Is this about last week?” Joseph asked, swinging his hand that was entwined with Caesar’s. The two had gone out on a date to the park. Today it seemed very empty. Most likely because everyone had decided it was far too cold to be out here at 10 in the night.
“You could say that.”
“And why you’ve been coming home late?”
“Most assuredly.” Joseph came to a stop.
“Are you breaking up with me?” As Joseph waited for his response, Caesar laughed.
“No, no. Of course not.” Joseph gave him a look that said he wasn’t convinced. “Sorry, it was just you sounded really cute when you said that for some reason.” Caesar kept the goofy grin on his face as the two continued on.
After about 15 minutes, they stopped in front of a pearl white fountain. Even though it wasn’t running, it was still gorgeous. The snow around it had begun to felt due to the nearby park lights that illuminated that area. This was the place. Caesar halted them. The older man took hold of the brunette’s hands.
“Caesar? What are you-”
“Just keep quiet and listen to me.” Joseph nodded as Caesar let his hold go. He stuck his fists inside the pockets on his coat to conceal their trembling. “When we first met, you annoyed every cell in me. Whether is was your boisterous attitude or voice, it always got to me. It bothered me for the first seven months we knew each other. As time went on, I found myself thinking about you more then anything else. Most of the time, it was about how to get you back for whatever pestering think you did the previous day, but still. As I planned my sabotage, I found out more about you. Things I never even noticed were now the spotlight. Eventually, I fell in love with all of it. Your charismatic smile, your stupid hair that somehow manages to defy gravity, all of it. I know I must annoy you sometimes. Like last week, when I was barely home and you had to cancel our dinner reservations. Just know that at the end of the day, it’s all for you. It’s kinda ironic; the womanizer falling for a man that’s the exact opposite of what a woman is.” Caesar paused, unsure of what to say. It was now or never.
“Joseph Joestar. I never want to leave your side. Nor do I want you to disappear from mine. I couldn’t care less about anything else.” Caesar got on his knee. Joseph’s face was beaming.
“I love you…” A little black box was pulled from Caesar’s pocket. Their eyes locked.
“May I have your hand in marriage?”
*
“So the reason you were out the whole week was to get enough money for the ring?” The couple were back in their own apartment, currently taking a bath together. Caesar held Joseph in his lap.
“Yes. Getting it wasn’t easy at all. I killed myself for it.” Joseph smiled. He leaned his head back to kiss Caesar’s cheek. They sat in silence as Joseph admired the simple yet beautiful sterling silver engagement band on his left ring finger.