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Thank God that was over.
Joseph looked down at his lifeless body, the last drops of his blood being syphoned away at DIO's hand (quite literally, he might add). He could feel himself fading. He'd already bid his grandson farewell. He was sure Jotaro had heard him. That look on his face said it all. Whether he would listen to those last words of advice, well, it was hard to say. Whatever the case, it was over for Joseph. All he could do for Jotaro now was wish him luck.
And Joseph's soul passed on. His mind faded, and after not even a moment he awoke. Slowly, groggily, he opened his eyes. It was as if he had been sleeping for years. He looked up to see someone was carrying him, arms hooked under his legs and supporting his back. As his vision cleared, Joseph recognized the person.
"C-Caesar?!"
A chuckle. That sweet laugh he had missed so much. It had been so long ago that he'd heard it last that he'd forgotten it's sound up until this moment.
A smile, so sincere that it was almost unreal. Was this even real? Could it be? But Caesar was...
Then again, hadn't he also...?
"Joseph..." A voice, smooth as silk and heavy with that Italian accent, was music to Joseph's ears. Memories washed over him like a gentle wave, yet rushing around him all at once as that of a tide coming in. "...Its been so long."
His face, the marks above his cheeks, his blonde hair, his stunning eyes, his touch, Joseph took it all in. Tears pricked at his eyes as he finally managed to smile back at his lost friend. "Too long. Much too long," he responded as tears threatened to spill.
"Don't cry, Jojo," Caesar mused, tears gathering at the corners of his own eyes. "You'll make me cry too."
Joseph couldn't remember the last time someone had called him Jojo. It was a nickname that ended up being passed to Jotaro. Hearing it from Caesar now comforted him. That didn't stop him from bursting into tears, however. He didn't cry out of sadness. He was just so glad to see Caesar again. His friend, companion, his...
Caesar too cried tears of joy. Their reunion was so overwhelmingly blissful. It had been so many years since he had seen Joseph, heard his voice, and felt his presence. Carrying Joseph in his arms brought him so much happiness.
"Hey," Joseph finally spoke through smiles and tears, "There was something I've wanted to tell you, but never could. You know, because you..."
"Died?" Caesar finished, "Better late than never, Jojo." He looked at Joseph inquiringly.
Joseph suddenly felt nervous. Old, repressed emotions welled up inside him. Thoughts about his past, about Caesar, clouded his thinking. "I..." he finally began, "I had thought about this for a really long time, and then after you... died... I only thought about it more and more because I never told you about it and I still feel guilty about what happened to you. I feel like it was partly my fault even after all these years and I just-"
"Joseph." Caesar's voice is soothing, and calmed Joseph a bit.
He takes a deep breath. "Caesar..."
"What is it, Jojo?"
"...Promise you won't laugh at me?"
Caesar smirked a little. "Okay, I'll try."
Joseph sighed again. "Caesar Anthonio Zeppeli, I am in love with you."
Shock was evident on Caesar's face. And then he laughed.
"Oh my God! You promised not to laugh!" Joseph exclaimed, disheartened.
Caesar gave Joseph the most gentle smile he had ever seen from him and said. "Joseph Joestar, I could never have been happier to hear you say anything else." If Joseph had been standing he would've been completely floored. Before he could even respond Caesar spoke up again, "May I kiss you?"
Joseph's face was surely burning now. He shyly nodded. Caesar leaned down slowly, looking into Joseph's blue eyes, those eyes he'd missed so much. Joseph looked back into Caesar's green eyes, thoughtful and happy. Their lips met and Joseph's heart felt like it was going to burst. Both closed their eyes, taking in the feeling of the chaste kiss, their lips, each other. After a few long moments, Caesar pulled away. "I do not blame you for my death," he explained, "It was my own pride that made me run off in the first place. I could have won the fight, actually, but I made a fatal mistake," he added with a sad chuckle.
"Caesar..." Joseph started.
Caesar pressed his lips to Joseph's forehead, silencing him. "My only regret was that I never told you how I felt before I died. I was too stubborn to say anything before, and I only realized my feelings too late."
Joseph smiled up at Caesar, "Well, now I'm just glad I could finally know. Like you said, better late than never, right?"
"Jojo!" Caesar laughed and kissed Joseph's nose. Joseph broke into a fit of giggles as Caesar continued to plant kisses across his face.
And as the laughter died down, Joseph said, "Caesar... I'm tired..."
Caesar looked at Joseph with a mixture of understanding and solemnness that quickly changed to a smile. "...Rest my love."
Joseph closed his eyes. And when he opened them he was floating. Equipment everywhere. Shouting. It was overwhelming. "Caesar?!" Joseph called. And then his saw it, his lifeless body, with a battered-looking Jotaro sitting next to it. His own body was hooked up to a series of tubes that were connected to what appeared to be DIO's corpse; what was left of it anyway. If Joseph was alive, he'd feel like vomiting. This wasn't supposed to happen. He was supposed to be with Caesar. He was supposed to be...
Dead. He should be dead. So why was he here?
Then he noticed it. Jotaro was shaking. His teeth were clenched, and his hands were in fists. He was scared. He was trying to act tough it but there was no doubt.
They had already lost three friends this night. Possibly four, as Polnareff was nowhere to be seen. Jotaro was doing everything in his power not to lose his family too.
Joseph decided that it was only fair to stay here and live on. He hoped Caesar wouldn't mind a few extra years without him. They had both managed up until this point after all.
"I'll see you again, my love."