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Some time after the group had arrived on Egypt, they settled on a hotel comfortably with the same order they always went with, Joseph and Avdol shared a room, Polnareff stayed alone (Although this had proven to be a nuisance and a risk.) and Jotaro shared a room with Kakyoin.
Sharing a room wasn't a bad thing at all, you were accompanied at all times and had someone to talk to, but both Kakyoin and Jotaro weren't the 'someone to talk to' kind. They shared a room, were mostly fine with each other's presence and carried on. Even if Kakyoin hogged the bathroom every time or Jotaro spent an hour in the shower they always found a way to settle in with each other, reaching a point of just natural selection, Kakyoin got the bed on the left and Jotaro the one on the right. When one of them was cold, they didn't mind sharing some space in the same bed under the same sheet.
And these moments of supposed loneliness had cultivated a really strong bond between the two men, they had formed a so-called "Friendship" but they never settled on what it was. Kakyoin was just glad to have someone he could personally think of as a ‘friend’ and Jotaro was just glad someone understood how he felt without having to express it, it was always nice and cozy with each other in the end. They got to spend some more time together, and they were the same age, not that their tastes were all that similar but Jotaro was always happy to let Kakyoin talk about whatever thing he was interested in at the time and Kakyoin was happy he got to talk about the things he likes.
And they also got to be very close to each other, which both seemed to like and a lot. Sometimes Kakyoin would read to Jotaro so he could fall asleep when having trouble, sometimes Jotaro would help brush Kakyoin's hair in the morning just like he did with his mom when he was a little kid, they weren't strangers to physical touch even if either rarely allowed it unprompted. They enjoyed it, the unspoken company of the touch is something they cherished more than words and Jotaro turned out to be very touchy, playing with Kakyoin's hair and tracing back and forth the lines on his lighter palms. Kakyoin always fished around for the straight hairs that got lost between Jotaro's curls and picking at the scars on his skin.
And eventually, before they knew it, they were appreciating their appearances, their looks, the charm that both of them started to feel drawn to. Jotaro caught himself staring far too long at the way Kakyoin drank water from his hand or put on his earrings and sometimes Kakyoin's touch on the muscles in his arm lingered for too long or maybe the way he paid so much attention to the way Jotaro would run a damp towel through his neck after taking a bath. It was all very– new. Kakyoin knew what he liked. He used to shoplift Barazoku magazines with Hierophant and hid them under his closet where his parents wouldn't try to reach. But in the end that was the least of his worries, keeping his mind busy with the uncertain future that awaited for them at the near end of their journey, he got shivers just thinking about that man– his skin went cold but the thought slowly crept away when Kakyoin tried to remember the peaceful times he would have when he went back to Japan, maybe he and Jotaro could hang out at his house– read together, and his mom would prepare them some nice looking dishes for dinner. He missed her.
Jotaro on the other hand was still discovering himself in a way, he knew he probably, and only probably, didn't quite have a lot of interest in women, but he really didn't feel too attracted to anyone for that matter. He felt confused about men, of course he thought some guys were handsome but it was just that, sometimes he’d look twice at one and move on but he really didn't actually feel romantic attraction to any men– he didn't even know how a relationship between to guy's would even work...but aside from that Kakyoin was the first man he'd actually deemed beautiful and maybe the first man he'd ever thought about on a deeper level. He had this feeling around him, like uneasiness but not quite– he could never pin down what it was. But Jotaro did indulge in his own little fantasies that he thought of as 'platonic'
Feeling his smooth skin, running his fingers through his lush red hair, brushing his arms when he was cold and looking closely at the way his lashes moved when he blinked, the way his lips touched each other when he spoke. He'd been thinking about all this for a while now. He was lucky enough to have Kakyoin squeeze in with him in the shower when he was taking too long. Sometimes he did it on purpose just so Kakyoin could hop in with him, but some other times they would help each other clean blood and dirt they got from fights or camping outside and Jotaro remembered when Noriaki flinched at the touch of a fresh open wound, and Noriaki could remember washing off the dry blood from Jotaro's hair and the water turning a muddy red.
So now that they were finally settled down and ready to go to sleep, Noriaki seemed more awake than usual. Jotaro had learnt he goes to bed late but tends to start getting sleepy at 10. Kakyoin paced around the room, running his fingers through his hair. It was chilly outside as it was common by this time of the night.
"Jotaro."
"Mm?"
"Are you tired?"
"M-mm." Jotaro shook his head.
"Are you sure? You look snuggled in.”
"I'm okay. Why?"
"Oh- no, it's nothing. I'm just worried I might be keeping you awake..."
That tone...Jotaro knew that tone. Noriaki wanted something, didn't he?
"You need anything?"
"Well, if you're up to it, do you think we could step outside to walk a little? Tire ourselves out, maybe? I can go alone, of course, but- but- you know." He shrugged. Jotaro sat up from the bed, voicing a grunt of approval before stepping out and putting some shoes on.
"Let's go."
"Uhh, oh! Yeah- yeah- yeah. Just try to not wake up Mr. Joestar next door." Jotaro nodded.
Both of them made their way to the door, fumbling to get it open as Kakyoin was gonna open it for Jotaro but Jotaro was going to open it for Kakyoin, so they just exited awkwardly. It was really dark outside, naturally not a sound could be heard. Both Avdol and Joseph went to sleep early to have energy the next day, and Polnareff…only god knows, but he's a fast sleeper.
Lights were out at this point of the night in the hotel. Kakyoin gave quick steps to look down from the balcony and across to all the other rooms on the other side which he was sure were empty (it was quite a small establishment after all.) Jotaro followed behind, also looking out but stopped and turned around back again when he realized Noriaki wasn't actually looking at something in specific. He stepped away to face the...well, dimn silhouette of the potentially dangerous concrete stairs. It was pretty dark because of the aforementioned lights out so looking exactly where he was gonna step next was hard. Star Platinum had a great vision, but he couldn't personally see very well in the dark like maybe Hierophant could, which meant Jotaro had to take wary steps as to not fall down. Meanwhile, Noriaki calmly retrieved himself from his sightseeing of pure nothingness and rushed down, knowing if he fell, Hierophant would catch him in his steps and stabilize his ankles back to the ground.
All the way down had been quiet, there wasn't much to talk about anyway. Passing by the lobby there was the dim light above the desk and a wall with all the keys to the rooms, the empty receptionist seat was a little jarring to look at but they knew one would be here to attend the counter in the morning. Noriaki always found walks out there in the cold of midnight to be nice and better when he got to share them with Jotaro, they only had to be vigilant for enemy stand users which was unlikely at this time of the night so they let their shoulders fall down and soften for the time being. Tonight it was approximately 10:48 pm, they had gone out without checking the clock. they didn't even care about the hour anyway, even if they went out earlier or later, the outcome would be the same.
The thoughts weren't enough to follow them all the way to the gate, so they just mindlessly walked out on random direction, focusing more on the sound of the steps the other made. Noriaki loved wandering off of the rest of the group during the little free time they had. Getting lost between the big crowds or small shops in the buildings when they weren't doing anything but looking around was a comfortable feeling he actually found himself longing for, but his fun was over when either of the group came back worried looking for him. It was a nice thing that he appreciated most of the time, but sometimes he wondered if they didn’t think there was a reason behind why he would go exploring alone. Noriaki thought it wasn't their fault anyway, they can't read his thoughts and are just doing a gesture of genuine worry.
"It's chilly, isn't it?" Kakyoin brushed some hair behind his ear, and the taller man couldn't help but notice…something about women doing that when they like someone? Noriaki isn't a woman though, so he wasn't sure if this applied to him.
He had taken off his iconic cherry earrings because, of course, he wouldn't sleep with them. But for Jotaro it still felt weird look at, he thought he seemed kind of– naked? The dim clinking they usually made that kept him at ease was gone, so that was probably what made him feel weird about it. He nodded as the redhead spoke...Jotaro wasn't really paying that much attention, he didn't think he'd be so distraught at seeing Noriaki without his accessories!
"Yeah." He glanced up at the night sky briefly.
"Makes sense, it was so cold when we camped out in the desert." The redhead glanced back at his companion looking at the sky, he hummed and got closer, bumping his shoulder with Jotaro's. "See those three stars over there?" he pointed up. Jotaro nodded. "That’s Orion's belt, those three stars are visible all across the world and form part of the actual Orion constellation, but I think you'd know that. Do you know why Orion has a constellation?"
He did. He did know why. "Uh, I don't actually." The redhead hummed excitedly, he was...well- cute, Jotaro knew it made him feel all giddy, and he could just sit down and listen to him talk for hours.
"If I remember correctly, Orion was a giant and handsome hunter son of, “ Kakyoin stopped for a second to think. "Oh, Poseidon. Uhm- anyway, so the thing is that while hunting with the goddess Artemis he bragged or more so threatened to kill every beast on the earth, and the goddess of earth Gaia found out so she sent a giant scorpion his way for Orion to fight. Did you know there are no versions of his story where he wins the fight? So- in the end after dying Artemis asks Zeus to place Orion in the sky as a memorial for his death and that's why we have the Orion constellation where he’s in a defensive pose as a reference to fighting the scorpion which was also put up there with him."
"Oh, that's interesting. Is that it?" Kakyoin kept himself close to Jotaro's side.
"Yeah, there isn't a lot more to it, at least that I remember, but I'm glad you find it interesting if only just a little."
"Sure. I mean, I like to-" Jotaro fumbled with his fingers. "I like listening to- what you- uh, have to say." gosh, he stuttered really badly there, Kakyoin seemed to notice– doing a quick double take but going back to staying focused on the path they were taking.
"What if we get lost?" Kakyoin said, looking back and trying to retrace their steps by memory. It wasn't really necessary, the hotel was big, and it was still visible. They've only been walking for so long.
"We just keep going straight so when we come back we just turn around and walk straight again, easy."
"Okay, hmm," The redhead pouted. "What if we get mugged..."
"You know we can just beat the dude up."
"What if it's a woman mugging us though, that wouldn't be a so-called 'dude' would it, Jojo?"
"We can still beat her up."
"Huh, now that I recall it...I did see you beating up some women back in Japan when we first met." Noriaki cartoonishly put his finger on his chin, humming to himself and getting threateningly closer and closer to the taller man.
"Shut up." Jotaro adjusted the brim of his hat in embarrassment. "Good grief. I only did that once on the first plane we took."
"Ah yeah...and I had to go in and excuse you and they seemed more charmed by me than by your gruff and rough treatment. Just like missus Holly, I wonder why that is." Noriaki crossed his arms.
"Don't bring my mother into this..."
"Hm. Alright," Jotaro blankly reached out for his cigarettes that he'd usually keep in his pocket to just find thin air. He grumbled in annoyance. He could've sworn he'd taken them but he probably left them back in their hotel room. As Kakyoin seemed to notice, he walked near and lightly brushed Jotaro's arm with his fingers but pulled away almost instantly. "I'm sorry...Have you- gotten any news from Mr. Joestar yet?" His tone changed drastically. It was no surprise, despite everything, all of them were concerned for her wellbeing and they hadn't heard from her in a while, at least not directly from Joseph or the doctors.
"No. I know the doctors have been updating him but, " Jotaro exhaled sharply, as much as it didn't seem like it, Jotaro was quite worried too. That is his mother, after all. "He seems to be keeping it to himself." He really didn't want to meander around the thought for too long, and Noriaki seemed to pick that up.
"Well, I'm sure she's getting better, or at least I hope so. Your mother seemed like a strong woman when I first met her. I’m sure she'll push through this easily."
The taller man nodded repeatedly, trying to convince himself his mother would be okay, in the end they had no idea if the plan would succeed or not, if Dio would kill all of them or not but right now he didn't want to think about it. "Yeah- yeah."
Kakyoin's brow furrowed, upset to see Jotaro react so quickly and kind of distraught. "Alright, let's drop the subject." Noriaki took a quick glance at his surroundings, he saw some cats resting nicely outside, their lives were so easy he thought. "Look Jojo, cats! I really like cats. When my family and I went to China to go see my relatives for christmas the first thing I'd do when I arrived was look for my aunt's cat and play with it all day...I haven't been there in a while."
Jotaro sighed, looking at the cats too. They must be snuggled together for warmth. The white one had darker spots on it's face and the black one had white paws, in a way they kinda looked like Noriaki and him, didn't they. Jotaro was half paying attention, when he heard the word 'china' he did a double take. "China?"
"Oh I thought I had told you. My mother is Chinese so I have Chinese relatives, I can speak a little Mandarin too."
"Oh uhm, I didn't know that." Of course he didn't know, he felt like he was choosing his words very poorly. "I mean, I know now but I guess you told me and I wasn't paying attention?"
"Don't worry about it, I might just be having a false memory of sorts."
Jotaro licked his lips, awkwardly opening his mouth to just close it again. There really wasn't a lot to talk about, he caught Noriaki still looking at the cats while walking but quickly losing interest. The taller man gulped. "I forgot my cigarettes."
"I noticed. Why? Do you want to head back for them?" Kakyoin stopped walking, Jotaro blindly kept going on until he noticed.
"No, it's okay. The urge it's over now I guess," he shrugged. "I think I'm- starting to get tired now."
"Mm, really? We've only been walking for like 10 minutes."
"Yeah but we've been walking a lot."
"Ah, well," Kakyoin heavily shrugged. "I guess you're right," Kakyoin looked at the ground, eyes half lidded as he counted the steps he was taking. Jotaro glanced over for a while and then suddenly seemed to notice every last imperfection on Noriaki's skin, his beauty marks and his high cheekbones, his plum lips– he squinted and pinched at the bridge of his nose, shuddering at the weird feeling of prickles on his skin that made him feel warmer than usual, he didn't even know why he suddenly felt so weird.
The taller man took a finger to his lips, as if there was a cigarette between them. He caught himself trying to blow on air. After noticing he fidgeted and had to crank his head like a rusty spur to look at Kakyoin.
"Noriaki do you like me?" That last part came out ragged, almost out of breath, like Jotaro has been running a marathon this whole time and just decided to stop to talk to him. Eyes wide open like plates and a slight grimace on. Needless to say, he looked terrible.
Noriaki hummed. "Mm? Yeah of course, of course I like you...you are a very good," he paused, seemingly choking on his words. "friend," then nodded. "Why do you ask? Did I come off as mean? I'm sorry if I did jojo. I can assure you it wasn't my intention."
"No, I mean like– uh" Both of them had stopped walking, Kakyoin soon gained a weird frown not quite sure what Jotaro meant. They were friends...yeah, they were friends, was that the wrong answer?
He felt more or less confused or- even scared by the way Jotaro was staring at him, it was very out of character for him, his expression being less than stoic seems unnatural to Noriaki and he just kept staring. Jotaro's eyes started to water followed by a choked hick, the taller man took a short but deep breath, a small hitch escaping his throat, muscles visibly tensed up.
"Goodness, Jojo, are you okay? We can head back now if you want to– uhm, are you worried about Miss Holly? I- I can try to ask Mr. Joestar if she's alright or, " the redhead got closer, putting both of his hands on Jotaro's shoulders. The taller man shook his head while holding back in tears. This was all very...unfamiliar, he'd never seen Jotaro cry– at least not like this.
He stared at Jotaro, expecting a clear and cut response on what he wanted, Jotaro was always straightforward anyway so that's what he'd naturally expect from him, instead life decided to drop the realization anvil right on top of his head.
"Oh."
He felt so stupid.
"I uh..." Noriaki left his mouth slightly agape. Pupils darting off everywhere to avoid eye contact.
"I like you too. I'm sorry if I upset you."
Jotaro nodded to himself, the saddest pout ever on his face, he kind of resembled a wet abandoned puppy. This expression of pure and unrestrained vulnerability made Noriaki feel a nice, nervous warmth inside. How couldn't he tell, how couldn't he realize this sooner, they have been liking each other for a while haven't they, in the way they liked to share showers, or in the way Jotaro falls asleep on Kakyoin all the time, or maybe in the way they look at each other from afar then pretend it didn't happen– not to mention the many times they've shared a bed or the times they have taken care of each other.
It just didn't make sense to him, how could he take this long to realize it or how could it take Jotaro this long to realize it too. They were both just stupid teenagers, he guessed it made sense somewhat.
Jotaro stood straight again, wiping the almost to come out tears that he held in like he was balancing ten elephants on his shoulders. Kakyoin simply chuckled, then giggled, then his shoulders started to shook as he let out that dreadful laughter of his and fell back down on the sidewalk, covering his mouth with his hand, Jotaro would never forget that laugh...that stupid, ugly, laugh that appeared to be straight out of a chicken in distress but god– did he enjoy hearing it, every time he was joking with Polnareff while they were wasting their time or when he laughed at one of his own very bad jokes he knew his father would be hitting his knee and laughing hysterically at. He loved it, he loved the sound of his voice, he loved the sound of his laughter and the strange chirping he made when holding it in.
Kakyoin choked on his own laughter but calmed soon enough for Jotaro to join him on the sidewalk, sitting down by his side while Kakyoin sniffled...a smug smirk on his face like he couldn't help it.
Jotaro snorted. "Are you making fun of me?" and he could've sworn something was pulling at the corners of his mouth, staring at the orange light hanging above them from the lamp post.
"Heh– no, not at all...I'm just," he shrugged. "dumbfounded I guess, that took me so long to catch. But," Kakyoin bumped his shoulder with Jotaro's, turning to look at him with lidded eyes. "I like you too" he whispered then nodded to himself. "I like you too..."
"Mhm." Jotaro was biting the inside of his cheek, staring into nothingness now that he didn't know what to do. They both liked each other and then what? Do they just stay that way? Are they together now? How were they going to manage when they went back to Japan? Were they even gonna go back to Japan?
The redhead placed his head against Jotaro's shoulder, the taller man leaned in feeling red strands brushing against his cheek, he sighed but Kakyoin quickly retrieved to look at him, tugging at the hem of his shirt. "Should we...uh– what are we now then?"
Jotaro shook his head in uncertainty. "I- I don't know. This is my first time." Jotaro spent a brief solid minute silent until he realized how weird that may sound. "I mean like- like my first time like liking anoth-"
"Yeah I know what you mean, Jojo."
"O- okay." Jotaro eyed Noriaki for a moment, just taking in whatever was that just happened and shifting his vision between the shorter man and the pavement. "What were you gonna say earlier?"
"Hm?"
"What should we do now...I think."
"Oh well I was just going to– huh– I don't know. Can I?" Noriaki tilted his head. Jotaro just nodded mindlessly, not sure about what he meant. Kakyoin leaned in, carefully thinking his motions and hesitating lightly. Jotaro could feel his bang brush his side and Kakyoin swallowing in saliva like he was purposefully doing it to his ear to make him uncomfortable, and Kakyoin fumbles with his lips as he doesn't know what shape to make them– he sees this all the time in movies why did it suddenly seem so unnecessarily hard in person. Jotaro's skin is kind of gruff and dry against his lips, but Noriaki tries to ease into it pressing harder with his awkwardly ducked lips on his cheek, the taller man remained absolutely static, eyes wide open and the flattest frown on his lips. His tanned skin didn't do a good job showing how hard the red tint on it should be right now, but his face felt warmer than usual so Kakyoin would be able to tell.
Kakyoin pulled apart and swallowed with difficulty. "How- How was that?"
"Go-" Jotaro cleared his throat. "Good..."
Both of them exhaled at the same time, but Jotaro refused to look at the redhead while Noriaki kept staring at him. "D...do you wanna kiss?" Jotaro said, probably doing the fastest double take known to human kind.
Kakyoin stuttered for a bit, then his mouth was left lightly hanging. "I, I beg your pardon?" a small smile appeared on his face, his dark caramel skin gaining a slightly darker and warmer color on his ears and along his mildly pronounced cheekbones. "I meannn– I wouldn't...have a problem."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Both of them leaned in again, having some trouble with the way they were moving their heads in the same direction, then in the contrary direction, then straightforward.
"Jojo- Jojo, this isn't working."
"Uh-huh..."
"Just do it like...like in movies I guess. Do you know what I mean." Jotaro nodded, so both started maneuvering their heads again. "Ye- yes like that, tilt your head a little to the side I don't know exactly where your lips are."
When they both try to press their lips, Kakyoin misses badly– like a really bad high five. They try to follow their previous motions again to some kind of success but this time Kakyoin doesn't duck his lips so there isn't any friction, on the third try Jotaro fumbles and doesn't end up touching Noriaki's lips...
Both men try to look for the same movements again, now this time leaning in carefully so they didn't just bash their heads into each other on accident. Both hesitate before being certain they're doing it correctly this time, they press down and the contradicting textures finally meet each other, Kakyoin maybe leans in a little too much causing Jotaro to back off– but ultimately they both settle in and get accustomed to the feeling. Noriaki's lips are softer than Jotaro's and they feel nice to the touch to each other, they were so used to the usual feeling of their own skin it came as a pleasant (expected however) surprise. Both separate for a bit to look at each other's mildly flushed faces, but Jotaro wastes no time going right back in. It doesn't take them as much time and it isn't as difficult...he's still a little bit miscalibrated but it doesn't ruin the friction.
Kakyoin opens his mouth lightly to invite Jotaro into a deeper kiss, neither know where to put their hands so they just keep them in place which definitely makes it seem a little awkward. They pause, breath, and continue with a roughness almost desperate, Kakyoin hums happily into Jotaro's mouth which makes the taller man lean in even more. They try to get in some tongue action but they miss each other's tongue by a mile, only a few times they actually pressed against the other but still they keep going not minding the failed attempt as embarrassing as it was or may have looked.
Kakyoin pulls back, breathing heavily and wiping his lips that now were wet with saliva, brushing his fingers through his chin and mouth a little too intricately.
"You have a bit on your chin, Noriaki." Jotaro points out, reaching out to wipe it himself, but Kakyoin backs his head away.
"No, no. I'm okay. I can do it, See? I got it" Kakyoin motioned annoyed with his hands. Jotaro just grunted in response.
"You didn't respond earlier. What are we now? Are we together?"
"I mean, I guess so. We– like each other, logically I'd think this is how it goes." Kakyoin said, scooting in impossibly closer...he still had a sense of being far away from Jotaro despite being way past the personal space point.
"Alright. Just...we shouldn't tell the others."
"Yeah– and Polnareff wouldn't shut up about it." Jotaro let out a humoured breath.
"Yeah."
Kakyoin let out a long breath, his chest puffing out just to lean back in against Jotaro's colder shoulder, adjusting his head like a dog trying to find a comfortable position. Jotaro put his head on top of Noriaki's, actually getting a chance to not only feel his hair against his skin but to take in the faint lavender scent it had, he took such care of it even when he knew for certain it was gonna get dirty again with sweat.
Kakyoin reached out for Jotaro's arm that was firmly placed on his lap and during the kiss, grabbing his wrist and sneaking in his darker hand at first dragging his fingers through the faint lines and scars on his palm, warm and raspy. The taller man stared at the focused motions the redhead was making. Noriaki moved to rub his fingers on Jotaro's fingertips. He guided them slowly to the gaps between the fingers of the taller man, softly interlocking them– Jotaro's senses didn't pick it up at first but when they did he firmly gripped back, maintaining both their interlocked hands between their laps. He exhaled and focused on the light warmth Noriaki's palm had, this is fine, he could get used to this.
Kakyoin closed his eyes, rubbing his thumb along Jotaro's hand. "Is it too early to say I love you?"
"Maybe. How about we head back now?"
The redhead sighed. "Alright, let's go."