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It's another monotonous, tedious day filled with training as usual, which Joseph has always despised. He dearly misses the chaos filled streets of New York, chatting with his friends and family, venturing 'round the vast city. It was all exciting for him especially since he had just moved to America all the way from England, his hometown which he deems lacking, in terms of 'fun'; to have that stripped away from him, after his fight with Straizo, ticked him off.
He's supposed to be out there with Smokey messing about in The Big Apple. Instead, he's here in Venice, miles away, being 'severely overworked' (as he calls it) by an incredibly stern, control freak of a master. Even worse, he can't even slack off because he's with "a grouchy, ass kissing, stickler" (his words btw). Which isn't fully true, in some cases Caesar does let him slack off because he feels pity for Joseph. Although Joseph knows that, he won't admit it, out of pure spite; he wants to keep demonizing Caesar in his head for all the times he had been lectured.
Today, they were given a shopping list, as instructed by Suzie Q, for tonight's dinner. "Finally! A break from being chewed out all day, I finally get to relax for once!" Joseph sighs in relief as he rejoices in silence. Caesar flashes him look of pure annoyance which instantly freezes him into obedience.
Strolling around an unfamiliar place with his beloved 'Caesarino' brings a smile to his face; he's never really been in the mainland for this long, so he's highly engaged as of the moment. It's only a matter of time until Joseph finds himself aimlessly striding around Venice, eyeing all the little trinkets he finds intriguing, and to Caesar's already apparent annoyance, he has lost JoJo.
"God, where did that dumbass wander off to?" he grumbles under his breath. "I could've sworn he was just right here!" he groans audibly as he storms off to find Joseph, which he eventually does.
"Ah, there you are idiota" he grabs Joseph's hand firmly. "I promised Master I'll be back with you in one piece. So don't go bolting off!" he grits his teeth as he exclaims; gripping Joseph's hand tighter in aggravation "Hey! You don't have to hold on so tight!" Joseph yelps despite Caesar's disregard.
Joseph has always despised being babied and here he is, at his grown age of 18, being told off and babied by the man he finds oh-so annoying. There is clear irritation plastered on his face which soon mellows down as he peers at the man in front of him. Not once has he ever stopped to just stare at Caesar. He has always found him displeasing to be with; like a thorn in his side he can't get rid of, that is, if he opens his mouth unlike this moment.
Although they're walking at a jerky speed, everything around Joseph seems to slow down as his focus is on Caesar and Caesar only. He's never noticed how elegant he actually appears, how the light on his hair shines delicately, how his face looks absolutely adorable when it contorts into annoyance, how the warmth of his touch feels against his own hand, in contrast to the crisp autumn chill. Everything about the moment makes him feel 'weird' (as he describes it) and suddenly, he doesn't mind being babied...
They're both in silence.
Fingers slowly interlocking with each other's and Caesar slows his brisk movement to align his speed with Joseph's as both of their faces flush a shade of scarlet. They absolutely refuse to look at the other's direction.
Whilst walking, they clutch each other's hands very tightly and in order to avoid suspicion, they hide both their hands in Caesar's coat pocket (which honestly looks more suspicious but they're pretty much flustered dumbasses rn) as they finally try to make some sort of progress.
They eventually get most of the items listed, yet they still refuse to land an eye on each other's faces.
Sooner or later, they make it to the final item on the list.
Caesar sighs in victory and relief, "finally, we're here" he picks up the ingredient "don't worry JoJo we'll be back soon" he chirps. The lack of response gets him turning around. "JoJo?" he calls out softly, only to freeze up as he looks behind him.
Joseph gazes at Caesar with an amorous look, staring at him as if he's his most prized possession; which naturally makes Caesar red hot. "JOJO WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING??" he berates him, trying not to stutter but Joseph still gazes at him. Caesar's heart pounded louder and louder, to the point where he can hear his own heartbeat clearly. To his shock, Joseph gently pushes him aside to get closer to the display of spaghetti; his favorite to be exact. Spaghetti al nero di seppia.
"That bastard.." Caesar growls, flustered.
The smell hits Joseph's nose, he drools a bit and squeals audibly, but little does he know.. Caesar is right behind him.
*WHAM!*
Joseph jolts up awakening Suzie Q beside him.
"JoJo?" she yawns drowsily as she lays back down and pats his pillow, gesturing for him to go back to sleep. "It's still really early in the morning, did you have a nightmare?" she smiles, eyes closed. "N-no" he stutters while he shuffles back in his original position. "Don't worry about it, honey" he reassures her. "Mhm" a chuckle escapes her, "I hope you haven't forgotten to bring the sunflowers for his grave tomorrow" teasingly reminding him.
"Mm, no of course I wouldn't." Joseph smiles softly but sadly "I'll bring Holly along with me too, he would've loved her." he says sighing. He lays back down as an attempt to sleep, yet he kind of doesn't want to anymore. The thought of seeing Caesar again haunted him. The sound of his laughter and his voice, the face which he used to love seeing shift into multiple expressions. Everything made him feel guilty.
"Another dream about him? Is he trying to tell me something from heaven?" tears well in his eyes as he thinks of his beloved 'Caesarino'. "I'll see you tomorrow, you don't have to be so impatient!!!" he chuckles to himself.
"Goodnight Caesarino, I'll see you soon."