Chapter Text
“I like it in Morioh, I think.” Jotaro took a long drag from the cigarette he lit moments before, looking down at it briefly before lifting it again for another intake of smoke. “It’s better than being at home. Or what’s left of it, at least.”
His eyes seemed to follow every passerby keenly. They were a brilliant shade of aquamarine, Rohan had taken to notice, and what his visage outwardly lacked in expression was made up for in his eyes. Their gaze returned to Rohan as he asked, “What about you?” His brows furrowed. “You recently moved here, isn’t that right?”
Their little meeting had happened after Rohan decided to stop for a quick coffee on his way home after a long day of searching for reference material. Morioh proved to be full of happenings and daily life as it had always been. The people here were casual and their lives average. It was a contrast to life in the city that he especially liked, and after his move, he enjoyed making the most of it.
He would have enjoyed the company of Koichi, but since the boy grew closer to Yukako, he spent less time with the manga artist. There were instances where Rohan would approach them together in hopes that Koichi would be swayed in his direction, but it seemed that his admirer’s coldness only disappeared when her time with him would not be threatened.
Instead there was Jotaro, already seated at one of the small tables of the cafe with a newspaper in hand. Rohan would have paid him no mind until their eyes met, and against his better judgment he found himself at the older man's table ordering himself a cappuccino.
Rohan watched as Jotaro lay the cigarette in the ashtray, trading it for the mug of lightly sweetened coffee beside it. He admired the lines of Jotaro’s hands, the muscle that shifted within them, before humming softly. “It’s...good. Nice. There are less distractions from my work and from relaxation.” His hands looked inviting. “Yes. I like it here.”
The next two hours were spent filled with pleasant conversation. Rohan eventually lost track of time and when it was that he originally hoped to return home. He discovered that Jotaro Kujo was a man more fascinating than he appeared, that he had recently divorced and resided in Florida, where he hoped to soon finish his university days. He spoke about certain matters in a tone different than his normal gruff register, and it didn't take long for Rohan to feel completely and happily at ease sharing details of his own.
He wasn't exactly sure what it was that made him do this. Perhaps it was that Rohan didn't even know Jotaro was capable of so many words at a time or perhaps something as simple as his stunning looks alone. Jotaro seemed to look at him softly, and when he did, Rohan felt a strange feeling bubble up within him, an experience new to him and one that he could see himself feeling more of.
He felt a particular sense of security in a quiet conversation such as this. He didn't feel exasperated or pressured for once, no expectation of perfection or role to fulfill. Jotaro had known nothing about him, but he seemed to want to, and it was the most attention Rohan had gotten in too long a time.
Jotaro then smiled to himself in a subtle manner, attempting to hide it behind the fingers of the hand on which he rested his chin. Rohan saw this, and, bringing his cup to his lips with a smile of his own, had a feeling he had discovered something new to love about Morioh.