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He’s bleeding out and barely conscious when Jotaro finds him and tells him he killed Dio. He’s being pulled into strong arms, bringing his hand shakily up to grasp at Jotaro’s. Jotaro takes off his gakuran, wrapping it around Kakyoin in some vain attempt to keep him from inevitably dying.
He’s clasping Kakyoin’s hand so tightly, tight enough that he might even be able to feel something. He’s bringing his hand to his lips and kissing, begging him to stay alive and conscious and to talk to him, to try and keep himself breathing.
“Jotaro. It’s okay.” He smiles, bloody and bruised and it’s beautiful, Jotaro thinks, “I love you.” He rasps out, and it’s not the dramatic reveal he was hoping it would be, but if he’s going to die he’d rather die letting him know.
“Stop. Stop. Kakyoin, stop.” He’s rocking him back and forth, and his eyes are finally starting to water. It’s the most emotion he’s ever seen out of Jotaro out of the whole fifty days.
He smiles again, and his eyes are as gentle as they’ll ever be, “I love you, Jotaro. Please don’t forget me.” He’s smiling and coughing up blood at the same time, and Jotaro leans down to kiss him. He’s too weak to respond much, trying to return it as much as he can in his lessened state.
“Kakyoin. Kakyoin, stop talking, SPW will be here any moment.”
He blinks slowly, feeling tears beginning to well up in the corners of his eyes, “I don’t doubt they will.” He’s sounding quieter, more raspy and Jotaro kisses him again, much more passionately, much more desperately.
“Noriaki, please, we can’t lose anybody else.” He’s getting frantic, completely out of character, and Kakyoin might’ve found humor if it was any other situation.
“I’m sorry.” His eyes are closing, and he forces himself to speak as he feels his life slip from him, “I love you. I love you.”
His hand goes limp, falling out of Jotaro’s hold and settling in the water beneath him. He smiles as his eyes close, listening to the sounds of Jotaro screaming at him to wake up.
*
He stays by Jotaro’s side through the rest of high school. He’s proud of how hard he works to get into a school in America. Jotaro can’t see him, can’t hear him, doesn’t even know he’s there, but that doesn’t stop him from trying to interact with him, no matter how futile.
“I’m so proud of you for graduating.” He says as he stands by Jotaro, watching as he places flowers on his grave, “I know you always hated going to school but the fact that you pulled through and managed to get into a really good college is just…I’m so happy for you.” He smiles and places his hand on Jotaro’s shoulder, watching as it went through him.
“I’m not going to be able to see you as much, Kakyoin.” He says, placing the box of cherries down that he had brought along with flowers, “I’m going to college in America.”
“I understand. Even then, I’ll always be here.” He kneels down, wrapping his arms around Jotaro. He pretends that he can feel him as he squeezes his arms tight around Jotaro shoulders, watching as they went through him like he was touching air.
“You would’ve been graduating this year, too.” He moves as Jotaro stands up, adjusting his cap, “It’s been weird without you here.”
“I’m sorry.” Kakyoin says, resting his head on Jotaro’s shoulder and feeling nothing, “I miss being there”
He stays silently by Jotaro’s side, mimicking Jotaro’s movements as the still-alive boy squats down on the ground and buries his head in his arms. He kneels in front of him, wrapping his arms around air, trying to trick himself into feeling Jotaro.
“I miss you.” He says simply, and Kakyoin wraps his arms around him tighter, squeezing his eyes shut and trying to imagine a body in his arms instead of air.
“I miss you too.”
*
He goes to his wedding, and he tries to make himself happy for Jotaro, but all he does is feel miserable. His wife looks beautiful, her long black hair tied up in a fancy, braided bun. Jotaro is wearing something other than a trenchcoat, and he looks the most uncomfortable Kakyoin had ever seen him. It’s a small wedding, just family and close friends, which surprises Kakyoin, as he figured the most he would’ve done was just go to a courthouse and get it legalized.
He sits in the very back row, though he could’ve stood right next to the priest and nobody would’ve noticed. He’s wallowing in self-loathing and self-pity when he feels a hand on his shoulder, and he looks to the side, following the dark skin towards a rugged face. His other hand was stroking the head of the small dog in his lap, and Kakyoin reaches down to scratch behind his ear.
“You’re only hurting yourself, you realize.”
“I’m not going to miss his wedding.”
“You know that’s not what I meant.”
Kakyoin looks at him, bits of irritation hidden in his eyes, “I’m not…I don’t want to let him go. He was my first friend.”
“You will be dying all over again.” He says, his head turning and watching as Jotaro says his brief, stunted vows, “How long will you be able to keep this up?”
“As long as I have to.” He says quietly, clenching his hands tightly, “I’ll wait as long as I have to.”
“Are you sure about that?” He says, smiling down at the Boston Terrier as it sneezes, “You don’t know how long you’ll have to wait. It could make you crazy.”
“I’ll wait as long as I have to.” He whispers.
He closes his eyes when the priest gave them permission to kiss, and only opens them once he was certain they were finished. Avdul smiles humorlessly, and shakes his head.
“Your dedication is admirable and pitiable all at the same time.” He chuckles, continuing to slowly run his hand down the sleeping dog’s body, “I cannot keep you from doing this, but I do think it’s futile.”
Kakyoin stays silent as he hears clapping, watching as people gather around the newly married couple. Kakyoin stands and walks through the pews, standing behind the crowd of people that surround Jotaro and his wife.
“It’s a beautiful wedding.” He mumbles, tilting his head and smiling as happily as he can manage. Avdul nods next to him, though he can’t see it.
“It is.” He sees Avdul turn away and disappear, likely going to check on his own family. Kakyoin stays in place, watching as Jotaro looks terribly out of place as he tries to not be socially inept.
He moves closer, going through the crowd of people to stand square in front of Jotaro. He places his hand on the side of his face and smiles, trying to crush down the feeling of despair and melancholy and replace it with joy that his friend found somebody he could spend his life with.
“I’m sorry for being so selfish. I know I should be happy for you, but…it’s difficult. I wish I was in her place.” He presses his lips against Jotaro’s, feeling nothing but air, “Please forgive me.”
He watches as Jotaro seems to look down softly at him, and Kakyoin deludes himself into believing he could see him.
“I love you. I’ll always be waiting for you.”
He disappears slowly, like a fading flicker of a candle. He didn’t seem to notice Jotaro reaching out for where he had been standing.
*
Reimi is a sweet girl, even if she passed on in less than ideal conditions. He finds himself speaking to her often, and he terribly misses her presence once she finally makes peace.
“He really wasn’t always this bad.” She says, placing her head in her hand as she watches Rohan, “He was actually fairly sweet as a kid. I babysat him more than once, and he used to ask me to draw pictures with him.”
“He seems to find you as one of the few tolerable people.” He says bluntly, though keeping his pleasant tone. Reimi simply shrugs.
“Koichi-kun has the patience of a saint. He’s been growing a lot.” She pauses, then chuckles a little, “In the metaphorical sense. I hope he manages to actually get taller.”
Kakyoin smiles and shakes his head before his demeanor goes solemn and serious, “I wish I could speak to them as you can.”
Reimi simply sighs wistfully, “It must be because I’m still attached to this alleyway. I have to see my killer come to justice. I’ve seen so many innocent girls with such long lives ahead of them killed because of him.” She places her head in her hands and crosses her legs, the position looking somewhat strange as they float above Morioh.
“Would you pass on a message for me?”
Reimi tilts her head and looks at him owlishly, “Sure. I’ll do what I can.”
He’s standing by Jotaro as they watch Reimi finally make peace, and he looks at her knowingly, trying to make sure she doesn’t forget what she’s supposed to do. He’s bringing his hand down and slipping it into Jotaro’s, his delusion still strong as he pretends he can feel the firm, square palm around his own hand.
“Jotaro-san!” She says, a warm smile on her face, “I have a message from somebody who cares about you very deeply.”
All of them turn to look towards Jotaro, who at that point ignores all their looks and keeps his gaze perfectly on Reimi, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. Kakyoin moves to the front of him, placing his hands on the side of his face and pressing his forehead to Jotaro’s, just enough so he didn’t phase through him.
“What? A message? From who?”
“Kakyoin-san.”
Jotaro’s eyes widen considerably, and there is a murmur of voices as they all wonder what the hell is going on. Kakyoin’s smile grows, and he presses his lips against Jotaro’s, pretending to feel his lips against his own.
“Who the hell is Kakyoin-san?” Josuke says, crossing his arms in confusion. Soft whispers come up, as curious as Josuke was.
“Shut up.” It’s an order that cuts through the chatter like a knife, and Josuke visibly shrinks, Okuyasu patting his back soothingly; Jotaro looks at Reimi and straight through Kakyoin, “What did he say?” He speaks unusually quietly, his eyes going soft and his body going lax.
She pauses, “It’s pretty personal. Are you sure you want everybody here?”
“I don’t care. Tell me.” He sighs, and adjusts his cap, “Please.”
She nods, and her smile lights up as she watches Kakyoin press his lips to Jotaro’s once more, “He says he misses you more than anything. He says he’s always with you, that he’s always watching over you. He says he’ll wait for you as long as it takes. And he said he loves you, and that he’ll always love you.”
Jotaro is visibly stunned, as is everybody else in the small group of people. They all stare up at Reimi, shock painting their features. She turns to ruffle Arnold, kissing the top of his head.
“I have to go. Thank you all so much.”
Jotaro reaches out his hand, “Matte. Wait.” He’s panicking slightly, and his English is starting to slip, “Is he…how is he?”
She giggles, “He’s fine. In fact, he’s right in front of you.”
Jotaro stays stunned, his arms going limp to his side, not even noticing as his wedding ring slips off of his finger and made a small tink noise against the gravel below. Josuke goes to point it out, but Yukako slaps him in the face with her hair before he gets the chance.
Everybody stares at Jotaro, before turning their gazes back on Reimi as she bids her goodbyes, finally able to make peace with the fact that her killer had been brought to justice. Jotaro stays silent, mumbling a short goodbye before bringing his hand up, moving to cup the side of Kakyoin’s face.
Kakyoin didn’t have to delude himself into feeling it.
*
The first time he’s able to speak to Jotaro, really speak to him, is in a dream. He’s not sure how it works, he’s not sure how his afterlife has been working, really, but he doesn’t waste the opportunity.
“Jotaro.”
It’s all he has to say before Jotaro is running towards him in the white void, cupping the sides of his face and mashing their lips together. He can feel him, really feel him, and he takes off his hat and tosses it to the side, grabbing the chain on his gakuran that he hasn’t worn in years, and pulling him close against him.
“You should’ve moved on. You should’ve—I’m, I’m not worth it, Noriaki.” Kakyoin kisses him and shuts him up, being able to feel Jotaro’s tongue push past his lips and go into his mouth, and it’s as wonderful as the first time it happened.
“Yes you are. I’d die a thousand times over for you.” His uniform is being ripped off, both of theirs are, and he’s feeling skin against skin and Jotaro’s hands are all over him. His mouth is on his neck and Kakyoin is whispering his name over and over, like one of his prayers he used to chant in church.
Fingers are inside of him and taken out just as quickly and their lips are crashing together again. Kakyoin wraps himself tightly around Jotaro as he lowers himself, and Jotaro rubs his back soothingly, trying to rid him of the pain he can feel.
He can feel.
He’s crushing their lips together in a frenzy and crying out Jotaro’s name as he moves, and their arms are wrapped so tightly around each other that it’s difficult to know where Kakyoin ends and Jotaro begins, an ouroboros of desperation and wanting.
Kakyoin cups the sides of Jotaro’s face, kissing him and groaning out when Jotaro rolls his hips, writhing in his arms as his fingernails slide down Jotaro’s back. He’s kissing him again, so longingly, so achingly and he’s close, so close. Jotaro is moving against him perfectly, his hand is sliding in his hair and he’s biting on his lip, whispering his name over and over again.
He doesn’t know how it happens, but it does, and he cries out Jotaro’s name as he rides out his orgasm. Jotaro’s face is beet red as he buries his head in Kakyoin’s chest and releases, letting out a hard exhale as he pulls Kakyoin closer against him.
Kakyoin sighs, and breathes heavily, grasping the sides of Jotaro’s face and pressing their foreheads together. He kisses Jotaro’s forehead lightly, before kissing down his face and tilting his head, Jotaro’s hand still on the small of his back, massaging upwards as he pushes his tongue back.
“I missed you. I still miss you.” Jotaro says quietly, burying his head in the crook of Kakyoin’s neck. Kakyoin strokes his hair, relishing the feeling of soft, silk hair on his fingertips.
“I’m always by your side.” He says softly, smiling down at Jotaro as he continues to pet his hair, “This won’t last. I don’t know how this happened, but you’ll be awake soon.”
“No. Please, god, no, don’t go.”
“I don’t want to.” He says, smiling despite the tears welling up in the corners of his eyes, “I don’t want to go.”
He hardly realizes he’s standing at the foot of Jotaro’s bed before he hears his wife talking to him, sees her shaking him awake when he starts to scream, when he starts to swear and pound against the walls, not caring that his fists are going through the drywall. He’s slinking down and curling into himself, trying to will himself to disappear, covering his face with his hands despite the fact that nobody can see the water pouring out of his eyes, his self-loathing at an all time high.
Jotaro’s mumbling in a sleepy haze for her to stop shaking him, and it takes him a moment to realize what’s happened. He sitting up in bed and grasping his hair, saying “no, no, no” as his mantra, and his wife sits by him, confused, asking the same question.
“Who’s Noriaki?”
*
The divorce papers are signed and finalized a week later.
*
He leaves and checks on his own family regularly, but he begins to feel more and more guilty for leaving as Jotaro continues to bury himself in his work, making uncomfortable-to-watch attempts to connect with his daughter despite her increasingly wanting nothing to do with him.
He finally quits smoking, relieving Kakyoin immensely, instead beginning to take to biting the inside of his lip pensively when something is on his mind. He’s sitting on a pier near his apartment when Kakyoin sits by him, placing his smaller hand on top of Jotaro’s. He rests his body against Jotaro’s, laying his head on his shoulder.
“You’re here, aren’t you Kakyoin?”
He leans in to Jotaro more, nodding, “I am.”
Jotaro stayed quiet for a bit, before letting go of his lip and speaking again, “Do you think I make a bad father?”
He closes his eyes and hums, mulling over the question, “You’ve made some difficult decisions, and you’ve made some decisions that I don’t and didn’t agree with…but no. You’re not a bad father. You’re just trying to do what you think is best.”
Jotaro stays silent and still, his eyes still focused on the sunset in front of him, “I know you’re by me. You’re probably right next to me.”
“I am. I wish you could feel me.” Kakyoin says, curling into Jotaro more.
“Something about Jolyne’s trial didn’t sit well with me. I’m going to visit her as soon as I can. I hear she’s getting transferred soon, to Green Dolphin Street.” He breathes in deeply, and exhales just as so, “I have a terrible feeling about this.”
He moves from his position, sitting in Jotaro’s lap and wrapping his arms around his neck, “I’ll stand by you. No matter what decision you make.”
He lays flat on the pier, ignoring or not feeling the uncomfortable wooden panels in his back, “I’m going to drift off. I’ll see you in my dreams.”
Kakyoin leans down and rests his head on Jotaro’s chest, feeling himself drift off and enter the only place he can feel Jotaro.
*
He throws himself in the way of Whitesnake’s attack, though he knows it doesn’t do anything. His heart rips in pieces and he reaches out to place his hands on his shoulders and shake him, though he still frequently forgets he’s transparent.
Jolyne is still dealing with Jongalli A. and Jotaro is only concerned with her getting out and to the submarine. Kakyoin can rapidly feel his soul slipping away, being able to feel Jotaro more and more. He’s stuck watching Jotaro die and Jolyne fight for both of their lives.
He’s impressed by how far she’s able to drag Jotaro before she gives up and lets herself be taken. Kakyoin watches solemnly before he feels a hand on his shoulder.
“I should’ve realized they were after me.”
“You never could’ve known.” Kakyoin says, feeling much too cold, “This is wrong. You’re not supposed to be here yet.”
He turns around and he’s as handsome as always, even if his pants are a bit on the silly side. He’s slowly making his way into his chest and feeling arms wrapped around him. He’s warm and secure, like he’s always been, and he feels long fingers wrapping around his extended bang, lips pressing against it.
“I have something important to do. But I’ll have to leave it in Jolyne’s hands for now.” He’s cupping the sides of Kakyoin’s face and bringing their lips together, moving one of his hands down to rub at the small of his back.
“You should have been more open with Jolyne.” He murmurs against his chest, “You’re not a bad father. You’re just so emotionally stunted it makes me uncomfortable.”
Jotaro makes a “tch” sound and pulls Kakyoin closer, nuzzling the crook of his neck, “I thought she knew. I didn’t realize she didn’t know. I thought about her every day I was away. My damn wallet was full of pictures.”
Kakyoin sits down and pulls Jotaro with him, feeling himself being pulled into his lap once he’s on the ground. His coat is being wrapped around him, and he sighs, able to take in his scent. Jotaro’s gotten even more muscular and a bit taller, and he feels even more dwarfed by him than he already was.
“This is only temporary.” Kakyoin whispers, and Jotaro places his hand in the back of his head, playing with his hair.
“I know. Jolyne’s strong enough to get back whatever was stolen.” He kisses Kakyoin’s forehead, “Until then, I can stay here for a little while.”
Kakyoin is grabbing the front of his shirt and twisting his fingers in it, his forehead going to rest against his collarbone, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I wanted to be with you. I couldn’t. I couldn’t protect you.”
Jotaro buries his face in Kakyoin’s hair as the other repeats apologies. He’s rubbing up and down on his back as soothingly as he can, pulling him as tightly against him as he can. Kakyoin goes limp against him, and he kisses his forehead.
“Don’t apologize.”
He sighs, and presses his hands flat against Jotaro’s chest, “I know. Just…too much time by myself watching you, not being able to interact with you. It’s maddening.”
“I know.” He says quietly, and pets Kakyoin’s hair; he begins to say something else before he simply reiterates what he already said, “I know.”
*
He’s squeezing Kakyoin’s hand tightly when he watches as his technically-dead body is being prepared to have his stand disk inserted. Kakyoin is looking everywhere but at Jotaro, either of them, ignoring the pain as Jotaro squeezed his hand too tightly.
Kakyoin is hating himself for not wanting Jotaro to be brought back, knowing that Jolyne needs him, the world needs him, as cliché as it sounds, but he’s much more visibly upset than Jotaro is. He’s trying to keep it under wraps as best as he can, but the tears begin to silently fall down his face as he stares coldly at the scientists in front of him.
Jotaro squeezes his hand before removing it, wrapping his arm around his waist and pulling him closer, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.
“You have to protect Jolyne. It’s all right.” He whispers, trying to convince himself more than Jotaro.
“I know. I’m not going to remember you for a while.”
“It’s okay.” He lies.
Jotaro turns and brings him closer, tilting his chin up and kissing him once more, perhaps the last time. He presses his forehead against Kakyoin’s and keeps his hands on the side of his face, his eyes looking to memorize every detail on the slim chance he might remember something when he’s resuscitated.
“I love you.” Kakyoin mumbles, and Jotaro closes his eyes, “Say it.” He says, stroking the side of Jotaro’s face.
“You know. There’s no point.”
“Jotaro.” He says firmly, and Jotaro relents, rubbing the scars under his eyes.
“…All right. I l—.”
Kakyoin opens his eyes to see air where Jotaro had been standing, the beeping on the heart monitor like knives in his ears. He shrinks down and moves towards Jotaro, watching his hands pass through him. He’s panicking, and it takes several moments for him to calm down and focus.
He’s standing in nothing but white again, the only place they’re able to talk and touch. He’s running up towards Jotaro, before his pace slows down. His expression is vacant and confused, and he looks like a shadow or an empty shell.
“Jotaro?”
He stares at Kakyoin emptily, and tilts his head to the side in confusion. His eyes are glazed over and dull, and Kakyoin steels himself, gritting his teeth and gently placing his hand on Jotaro’s chest.
“It’s all right. I’ll stay with you. You’ll remember me.”
*
Staying with him saps all of his energy, but he refuses to leave Jotaro until his memories are returned. He’s holding Jotaro’s head in his lap, telling him everything about himself even though it’ll be pointless as soon as Jolyne gets his disc back.
“We traveled to Egypt together, along with Joseph and Avdul. We met Polnareff in Hong Kong and Iggy in Aswan.” He strokes the sides of Jotaro’s hair softly, looking down at him solemnly, “Avdul and Iggy died saving Polnareff. Dio killed me when I was trying to find out the secret to his stand.”
Jotaro slowly reaches up his hand, the most movement he’s done in the hours he’s been with him, and wraps his fingers around his bang, pulling slightly. Kakyoin smiles and allows his elongated bang to be played with, just this once.
“Polnareff was always braiding it in my sleep. I always elbowed him in the gut when I woke up.” He winces as Jotaro pulls on it just a bit too roughly, “Not so hard.” He let his fingers go limp, his arm falling to his side. His eyes close and he leans into Kakyoin’s gently touches, still silent.
“I haven’t told you about Jolyne yet, have I? Forgive me…I suppose I’ve been too self-absorbed.” He smiles down at Jotaro, his thumb stroking the side of his face, “She’s your daughter. She’s incredibly resourceful, if a little naïve. She reminds me a lot of Joestar-san. Er, Joseph Joestar. He’s your grandfather. He died about 5 years ago.”
“…Jolyne.”
Kakyoin’s eyes widen, and he nods furiously, “Yes, Jolyne. She’s your daughter. You were…less than perfect as a father to her, but she cares about you very much.”
Jotaro’s glazed-over eyes clear, if only briefly, and Kakyoin smiles at being able to see the bright turquoise eyes Jotaro too-often hid under his hat. The expression is gone as soon as it came, and Kakyoin sighs, his thumbs rubbing slow circles on Jotaro’s face.
“I’m going to leave for a bit. If I stay here too long, it’ll drain my energy. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Jotaro’s eyes widen, and he grabs his wrist in a flash when he made the attempt to get up,“…stay…”
He stares blankly up at Kakyoin, slowly letting go of his wrist and moving his hand up to grasp at the side of his face. Kakyoin grasps up at his hand instantly, keeping it close to his cheek, tightening his lips into a thin line and closing his eyes, keeping his emotions in check.
He could feel the effects beginning to settle, the cold pain spreading through his body, and he’s feeling so luggy and exhausted, but he keeps Jotaro’s head in his lap, his petite hand clinging to Jotaro’s. He breathes in heavily and works up a smile, trying to ignore the pain and agony he’s putting himself through.
His body begins to feel like lead, and it begins to get difficult to breath; it feels like he’s dying all over again. But he would bear it. Jotaro needs him.
*
He’s close to the point where he’s unable to talk, his breathing labored and painful, and his gentle strokes on Jotaro’s face are beginning to falter and slow down. He’s still simple-minded, still incapable of saying more than a few words, until the point where he gets his memories back.
He looks down and sees the cloudiness behind Jotaro’s eyes clearing, and he’s staring up at Kakyoin. Kakyoin is so hazy-minded that he barely notices, but when he does he’s smiling, going lax and nearly falling forward when Jotaro moves his head from his lap and sits up. He catches Kakyoin and pulls him close, and Kakyoin appreciates not having to hold himself up.
“…you’re back…” It’s barely above a murmur, and Jotaro is grabbing his hand and intertwining their fingers.
“I’ll be awake soon. You stayed too long.” He’s kissing the top of his head and wrapping his arms around him tighter, “You can barely talk. You can’t even hold yourself up.”
“…you asked me…to stay…” He rasps out, and Jotaro pulls him closer.
“Dumbass.” He buries his face in his hair, “I have to go now. We have to go now.”
“Mhm…I’ll be…right there…with you…”
Their lips meet one last time and Kakyoin forces himself to pull back, his eyes closed one minute and open the next, watching as Jotaro slowly wakes from his stand-induced stupor. He sighs in relief, his vitals checking out fine and balks slightly as he watches him tear out the wires and needles inside of him, ignoring any pain.
He’s exhausted and all he wants to do is let himself drift off, but he forces himself to follow Jotaro and watch over him, knowing there’s nothing he can do but not wanting to leave him regardless.
Jotaro throws his jacket on quickly and runs out the door, breathing heavy and barely managing to keep himself upright, and Kakyoin follows him in a similar fashion.
*
His heart sinks
“You were two steps too late.”
A hand comes down and cuts, and he falls to his knees, his arms going limp against his sides.
Jotaro’s body bleeds out so quickly that the blood immediately pools around him, his body disintegrating just as soon as it falls into the water. Hermes is all but destroyed and Anasui’s wound is too similar to the one he got in Egypt.
Jotaro kneels silently by Jolyne’s stunned body, his hands passing through her as he tries to get her up out of the ocean. Kakyoin walks soundlessly up to him and places a hand on his shoulder, Jotaro’s hand going to take off his cap and run through his hair.
“I’m sorry.”
Jotaro’s head turns to him slowly, and his eyes are dull and tired. Kakyoin reaches out a hand and Jotaro grabs it, standing up and wrapping his arm around Kakyoin’s waist, burying his face in his hair.
“…There was nothing I could do.”
“I know.”
He places his hands on either side of Jotaro’s face and brings their foreheads together, and Jotaro mimics the action, his thumbs rubbing at the scars under his eyes.
“I missed you.” Jotaro says quietly, and Kakyoin closes his eyes.
“It’s time for us to go. I’ve been waiting for a long time.”
Kakyoin reluctantly separates, his hand grabbing Jotaro’s and squeezing, beginning to tug him along. Jotaro follows him and takes one last look over his shoulder, closing his eyes and trying to hold back a choked sob as he watches Jolyne being torn apart like paper.
Kakyoin stops, and turns to look at Jotaro solemnly, his hand squeezing tighter and firmer. Jotaro exhales, shakily, and forces himself back around.
“Are you ready?” Kakyoin says softly, and Jotaro sighs.
“No. But I don’t have much of a choice now.”
Kakyoin nods and begins to walk forward more, but Jotaro pulls, and he gasps in surprise. He’s pulled into a hard, solid chest and their fingers tangle together. Jotaro’s arm wraps firmly around his back and he relaxes, his breath hitching slightly.
“24 years.” Kakyoin says quietly, and Jotaro grips him tighter, “24 years.”
“I love you.” Jotaro finally says it, and it barely qualifies as a guttural noise but it’s there, and Kakyoin digs his fingers into his shirt, “I always did.”
“I love you too.” He murmurs, and he buries his head in the crook of Jotaro’s neck, “It’s time for us to go.”
Jotaro nods, takes one last look behind him, and follows Kakyoin, whiteness clouding his vision with each continuous step until he leaves no trace behind.