Chapter 1: J'ai cligné des yeux tu n'étais plus la même
Chapter Text
One would think that getting punched trough the gut, getting his insides pushed around and part of his spine obliterated would be an indescribable pain, but Kakyoin Noriaki was wrong.
When the person that caused it stands in front of him, the monster that pulled strings from the shadows, it makes him sick and scared but he has no energy to manifest those emotions in his expression, lavender eyes staring blankly into piercing red ones.
He doesn't flinch away when cold hands cup his cheeks, the monster grieving that never was, never could be, something that was never consensual.
"We could have been....so beautiful." The monster speaks and kisses him, taking away his blood and the last of his dignity.
Kakyoin Noriaki wakes up with a painful start, coughing and choking on his own spit, Hierophant Green manifesting and rolling him over, helping him into a sitting position.
Noriaki wheezes painfully, his back muscles pulling in opposite direction, pain shooting all the way to the tip of his toes and Noriaki has to fight against the urge to curl forward, otherwise it could be even more painful and could have a completely different problem.
Fingers brushing over the gnarly scar over his stomach, Noriaki has Hierophant check over the artificial spine that is both inside and outside of his body, the Stand ever so gentle, a tentacle wrapping around his wrist.
"I'm alright.... I'm alright." Noriaki wheezed and Hierophant were unconvinced, squeezing their User's wrist a bit more tightly. Working trough the breathing excersises that they taught him at the Speedwagon hospital, chest burning and so does the scar. It is just a fleeting thought but Hierophant are already pulling his wheelchair closer, preparing the nasal cannula, holding it steady.
With dome difficulty, Noriaki dragged himself into his wheelchair, fitting the cannula as it belongs, a shiver running into his belly, still unused to the sensation. Which was ironic, since he was intubated in numerous ways back at Speedwagon hospital, when his stomach was punched trough.
It was Hierophant Green that saved him, closing off his wound with their own body, keeping his heart pumping and what was left of his spine from crumbling all together, moving his insides out of the way, which didn't leave him without consequences.
One would think that a person like him should have a wheelchair accessible house but Noriaki was stubborn and refused to show any sort of weakness and just because he was wheelchair bound, had an artificial spine, scar on his stomach in the size of a dinner plate and basically couldn't function without Hierophant, he still could use his hands, damn it!
Helping him downstairs, Noriaki wheeled himself into the kitchen, turning on the lights, squinting at tje bright ligjt assaulting his eyes, not bothering with sunglasses. He was already in pain, another one won't make a difference. Squinting some more, Noriaki glares at the wall clock, showing five minutes past 2AM. Running a hand trough his disheveled red hair, Noriaki treated himself to a glass of water, coughing at the coldness, the glass slipping from his trembling grasp.
"Shit!" Sighing heavily, Noriaki buried his face in his hands, taking a deep breath. The glass shards were already being swept away a muffled sob and Hierophant paused, looking up at their user, Noriaki's shoulders shaking slightly. "God damn it..." Voice quivering, Noriaki reached for paper towels, putting them down and carefully, using his foot, drying the water.
Noriaki sighed softly, Hierophant throwing the shards away, they made their way over to the sofa, stretching on it. Chuckling softly, Noriaki wheeled closer and with Hierophant's help, crawled onto the sofa and his stand, them securely wrapping their tentacles around him, keeping him still and his back secured.
Noriaki let Hierophant scour the perimeter around his house, checking for any abnormalities and perhaps, the nostalgic part of him or the part that cared too much, checked the next house over, sensing someone on the front porch. Brow furrowing, Noriaki gently nudges Hierophant to go a bit further, the familiarity of the person making something else twist painfully in his stomach.
It wasn't long, until the smell of cigarette smoke hit him and Noriaki scrunched his nose, snarl pulling his lips back. "What a fucking hypocrite. Telling me he quit, acting all high and mighty towards me." Noriaki clenched his jaw and Hierophant gave him a gentle squeeze, making him relax instantly, a red box with 'Tylenol' appearing in front of his eyes. "No need, I'm feeling better." Which was true, although it might be out of stubbornness or pettiness, Noriaki wasn't sure but he found his eyes drooping either way.
"Keep the lights on....please...." Noriaki mumbles sleepily, knowing the moment his consciousness slips away Hierophant will shimmer away but the knowledge of his Stand, his friend, is still by his side, makes sleeping easier.
"Ora."
Jotaro Kujo stood outside in his pajamas, letting the night air cool his heated skin. It was one of those nights where nightmares felt too real - there's blood on his hands that isn't his, the vampire is cackling like a maniac somewhere behind him, there's a mangled body in a water tank - the ones he couldn't really talk about to his wife, Marina. Who he was kidding, he couldn't talk to her about anything that involved stands and everything around it.
Dissmising Star Platinum's hard and disapproving gaze, Jotaro took a drag from his cigarette, letting the smoke slowly waft from his parted lips, trying to empty his mind, which was hard, when the source of his nightmares is just few meters away - where lights got turned on in the kitchen.
"Fuck my life." Jotaro hissed and took a longer drag of his cigarette, Star Platinum manifesting against his will, sea green eyes just like his own, looking trough the windows from the distance, something swelling in Jotaro's chest.
"Ora?" Star Platinum pointed towards the house, eyes shining with something akin to hope and Jotaro has no idea where it is coming from.
"No." Jotaro's tone of voice indicates finality, taking another drag of cigarette, flicking the ashes off the steps. He told both Marina and Kakyoin that he quit for his child that is on the way and he wants to pretend that he's keeping that promise.
"Ora." Star Platinum's voice is firm, more demanding. Aren't stands supposed to be reflections of their Users? Lately, Star Platinum went a lot against Jotaro and it was starting to irk the human of the two.
"I said no!" Jotaro hissed and jerked as he crumpled his unfinished cigarette, throwing it away. Pulling out another one, hand shaking as he tried to lit it up.
"Ora!" Star becomes a little louder, hands clenching into fists and Jotaro freezes, cigarette hanging from his lips as both he and Star Platinum sense Hierophant Green scouting the perimeter, Star Platinum's expression softening, fixated on a pont near Jotaro's feet. "Don't." Jotaro hisses out with more venom than necessary, forcing himself to stay still, not wanting to alert the stand but knowing them both, they already knew.
Glancing at Star Platinum, who was floating a bit farther away, expression hardened, eyes fixated on a random point on the ground. "What are you still doing here?" Jotaro forces out trough gritted teeth and Star Platinum looks at him, something flashing in their eyes, shimmering out of existence.
There's a painful pang in his chest that makes him bend over, a brief thrum and then nothing. Confusion washed over him like a tidal wave and Jotaro reached out to his Stand - Nothing. Where there should be an unmovable force, stubbornly so, there was emptiness, where there should be warmth, there was freezing coldness.
"Fuck!" Hissing trough his teeth, his need and appetite for nicotine induced easiness was gone, stomping it out, Jotaro wanted to march back inside the house and slam the door shut but he couldn't wake up Marina, not when she needed all the sleep she could get.
But this is what he wanted right? To have a normal life, finish his PhD, have a family, just a normal, boring life. This is what he is supposed to do, want, that's what everyone in his family did, right?
This is what he wants.
Right?
Right?
Humming in thought, Noriaki looked over the pencil sketch on his canvas, working on a commission piece for some wealthy woman he had never met, but she had acquired a contact trough Polnareff and Avdol, who went out of their way to present his artwork in a competitive art gallery in France. He didn't win, sadly, but one of the judges was so taken with his work, that she asked for the artist, then his phone number or a contact dress. Noriaki was afraid at first, Jean letting him know immediately what had happened and the Noriaki waited with baited breath when she would reach out to him. Suprisingly, or unsuprisingly from what Jean had told him, Noriaki's soul nearly left his body when the phone rang, being the same level of afraid as when he faced Dio.
The woman was....frienly and polite, accented english, calling him 'mon chéri', straight from the get go - Noriaki felt like she was lonely and in need of a friend or someone to talk to or she was just like that, which was a possibility too - talking about his art he presented at the competititon, how there was a story within it, telling her interpretation of it. Then the bomb dropped. "I hope it won't be too much of a trouble for you, could I comission an artwork from you, Tenmei?"
Noriaki sputtered and coughed, his insides squeezing painfully at the fit, dropping his phone in the process. Hierophant is by his side in an instant, handing him a glass of water, which he thankfully drinks whole. The woman is worried on the other end, calling for him. Sliding down from his wheelchair to sit on his legs - it doesn't hurt anymore - he picks the phone back up. "Yes, sorry, I'm here. I'm just a bit sick." Noriaki coughs and clears his throat, patting his chest. "And no, making a commission piece will not be a problem for me. I'm home most of the time, anyway." Noriaki chuckled, his attempted at humor, since he couldn't really go anywhere in his state without any help, but there was only silence on the other end and Noriaki cringed.
Great.
"Oh, my poor mon chéri! Is there anything I can do to help?"
Kakyoin politely declined, feeling a sweat drop. Thankfully, they discussed the price and what kind of art she would like, which she left entirely up to him, telling him, that they would discuss the shipping once it was done and to not rush things as he was sick.. But she did give him one specific detail. "I want it to be big."
So, here he was, sitting with a special made sunglasses made for indoor usage, sitting in front of a huge canvas, erasing and drawing sketches with a pencil, not being able to get it just right. Sighing in frustration, Noriaki rubbed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache building up. Noriaki laughed softly as he felt Hierophant settling next to him, their head tucked safely under his strand of hair, admiring his work. "I think I'll take a break, hm?"
Hierophant seemed to second the idea, holding the wheelchair steady, letting Noriaki adjust the nasal cannula himself. Noriaki felt himself grow stronger bit by bit each day, good diet and sheer stubbornsess probably helping his progress. Maybe he could try standing up in a few days if his legs stopped shaking? Wheeling himself around with no problem, Noriaki made his way towards the frige, opting for a cold snack and an ice coffee, craving it desperately when he saw the box.
Reading a magazine in his lap, snack and ice coffee placed on the kitchen counter, not bothering to wheel himself all the way to the dining table, idly reaching for the fashion magazine he dropped on the ground, switching them out.
There was a tell tale sound of a post slipping trough, Hierophant extending his tentacles to fetch it, Noriaki stuffing his mouth, humming idly as he filtered trough junk, putting away magazines and newspaper, swallowing what he had in his mouth. Which he was thankful for as his eyes settled on a letter, the handwritting neat, too neat and Noriaki's blood ran cold as he read from who it was, hands shaking uncontrollably.
Dio Brando.
He was back there in Cairo, Hierophant trying their best to keep him alive, trying to keep as much blood as possible where it belong, cold water soaking the wounded teen thoroughly. The monster is in front of him, the monster's name is Dio and Noriaki Kakyoin at the time is too weak to do anything as the monster reaches out his bloodied hands to cup his cheeks, red eyes welling up with tears and Noriaki can't resist as the monster kisses him with full blown tears, taing away his blood, bbreath and last of his dignity.
The world tilted on its axis and everything went black.
Chapter 2: Et je subis tes balivernes
Summary:
"Why Jotaro doesn't drive you there?"
Noriaki swallowed thickly, looking out the window at the quiet house. No one was outside, nor was there any movement. "He's...busy. Very busy. With his studies, the baby on the way and everything." An easy lie, which had truth to it. Both Polnareff and Avdol were still friends with Kujo - they went to the man's wedding for fuck sake, while he didn't even receive an information about a date it was taking place - and he didn't want to strain or end their friendship. Despite everything, they still comforted, needed and supported each other
Notes:
Warnings for this chapter: Mention of child abuse, injury, friend abandonment (Jotaro stops talking to Noriaki and is heavily mentioned)
Chapter Text
Even with Hierophant holding his hand, it wouldn't stop shaking. In fact, both of his hands were shaking, making it harder to dial the number he desperately wanted right now.
He must have passed out and fall out of his wheelchair, waking up on the kitchen floor, in a searing pain, hands shaking uncontrollably, blood dripping past his lips. Hierophant manifested then, cradling him close and giving him time to adjust, helping him sit up after a while, taking the painkillers and a glass of water more eagerly, which should be a cause for concern.
Noriaki's first instinct was to call Jot- Kujo, but decided against it the moment he eyed the phone. He didn't want to disturb Kujo's 'normal' life, now, could he? Noriaki was not 'normal' and never would be, with Hierophant Green forever by his side and with him now surviving what should be a lethal injury, making him disabled.
But not wheelchair bound. Noriaki will make sure that he will walk again, even if he'll walk funny.
Dialing the number, Noriaki stubbornly held it to his ear, shaking hands be dammed.
"Hello?"
Oh. That's not the person Noriaki wanted but hearing his warm voice was a pleasant surprise. "Hey, Avdol... Is Polnareff home?"
"Ah, Kak - Tenmei, it is good to hear you. Yes, Jean is here but he's not...doing well. Can you call later if it is not urgent?"
Noriaki ignored the pang of hurt in his chest, knowing that Avdol always meant well and that he couldn't get used to his new last name. "It feels to me like you have never actually left Cairo. Left a part of you behind."
Maybe he did.
Maybe they all did.
"Actually, Avdol, can I ask you a question?" Nibbling his lower lip, Noriaki glanced at the letter discarded on the ground.
"Of course. I am here for you."
"At least you are." Noriaki squashed that nasty part of him down and instead focused on the elephant in the room. "Did Polnareff receive a neat letter? With what seems like an aristocratic handwriting?" There was silence on the other line and Noriaki paled, Hierophant squeezing his hand reassuringly. "A-Avdol?"
"I hear you. I think it is the same letter you are talking about."
Noriaki inhaled sharply, which was a bad idea, sputtering and coughing, the phone falling from his grip. Stomach muscles tightened up, making him bend over, spit and blood dribbling past his lips, wheezing once it was over.
Someone was calling for him on the phone and Noriaki gathered himself, breathing trough his nose.
"Noriaki? Noriaki! Answer me, bon sang!"
"I hear you, Pol. I hear you." Noriaki coughed, fingers brushing over his sore throat, wiping away spit and blood. "I'm alright."
"Mon Dieu." Polnareff breathed and Noriaki could head Avdol exhale in the background. He hated making them worry but sometimes it couldn't be helped. "Don't scare us like that, mon ami."
"Sorry, sorry." Hierophant offered him a glass of water, which he politely declined. "So you too?" No need to beat around the bush.
"Yeah." Polnareff sighed heavily. "How does it make you feel? Because I'm pretty pissed to be honest, pardon my French." Polnareff chuckled and Noriaki couldn't help the smile stretching his lips, quickly schooling his expression. "It feels like he won, if you know what I mean."
Using his foot to slide the letter closer, Noriaki bend over to pick it up, pulling the check out, eyed dragging over every single number written.
One million dollars, from a man - a vampire - that put him in a situation where he is now, almost killed Holly and had his followers wreck havoc across the world. They did defeat him, yet Dio's shadow still loomed over them all, suffocating them.
"Yeah, I get it." Polnareff shifted and sighed, Noriaki assuming he and Avdol sought comfort in each other and he couldn't help the pang of jealousy that went trough him, although he has Hierophant, it would get lonely sometimes.
"What are you going to do?"
"Take the money, of course. Bastard owes me. Us. You?"
Sighing softly trough his nose, looking at the check. "I guess.... I guess I'm going to do it too."
"You should, mon ami. You need it the most out of all of us."
Noriaki bit his tongue, grip tightening on the phone. He didn't want nor asked nor asked for pity and he sure as hell wasn't going to do neither of those things now. Anger was bubbling in his chest, hot and searing and the plethora of insults were threatening to come tumbling out.
"You were talking about....uhh..... Wait, hold on. What kind of paints, mon amour?"
"Acrylic and watercolor." Avdol chimed in.
"Yes, acrylic paints, those are kind of expensive, no?"
Oh. "Yeah. The luxurious sets, to be fair and with my line of clientele, well just one now, it would be appropriate to have....better sets. I was planning on saving up for ten years, give or take, but now..." Noriaki tapped the armrest on his wheelchair. "This will help me a lot."
"How's that painting coming along?"
"Beautifully. Perhaps my best work yet."
"Aw, look at you, being confident in yourself."
"Shut up, Polnareff." Noriaki smiled for the umpteenth time during this phone call, heavy weight lifted off his chest. He loves the eccentric frenchman, Polnareff always being the one to ease up the tension, a good friend. Noriaki loves Avdol too, the man collected, calm, friendly, his words always laced with warmth that calmed everyone.
"Anyway, how have you been holding up?"
"The pain's manageable. Who knows, maybe I can try walking soon enough."
"You know what the doctor told you."
"That never stop me before." A pause. "I think I'm going to get dressed and head to the bank. The sooner the better and hopefully, the bus driver isn't a complete ass."
"Why Jotaro doesn't drive you there?"
Noriaki swallowed thickly, looking out the window at the quiet house. No one was outside, nor was there any movement. "He's...busy. Very busy. With his studies, the baby on the way and everything." An easy lie, which had truth to it. Both Polnareff and Avdol were still friends with Kujo - they went to the man's wedding for fuck sake, while he didn't even receive an information about a date it was taking place - and he didn't want to strain or end their friendship. Despite everything, they still comforted, needed and supported each other.
An unbreakable bond.
"I'm sure he would make time for you."
"No!" Noriaki pressed his lips into a thin line, regretting it immediately. "No. I have to go, bye." Hanging up, Noriaki placed his hand on his chest, swallowing. "I have to get dressed."
Thankfully, the bus driver wasn't an asshole and there was even a good samaritan, who helped him get on the bus - although he was using Hierophant to push himself up, he couldn't say the guy 'No', to not arise suspicion. Noriaki spent he bus ride clutching his bag, feeling his anxiety rise as he neared his stop.
Arriving at the bank, Noriaki wheeled in, waiting in a queue. Fiddling with the straps of his bag, he could feel eyes on him, looking up, lavender yes meeting blue ones, like a clear sky. The boy looked up at what must be his mother, then marched over, stopping right next to him and with all the seriousness in the world, asked, "Why are you like this?"
If the situation was appropriate, Noriaki would burst out laughing at the ridiculousness of it all, instead stifling his laughing enough for it to he few chuckles, ruffling the boy's hair, expression still serious. "I got badly hurt a few years back, so I need to use a wheelchair to ease the pain."
"Can you walk?"
"I haven't tried yet, still feeling a bit wobbly and unsteady. The back pain doesn't help either buuuuut...." Noriaki looked around, then leaned in closer to the boy. "Can you keep a secret, little guy?" The boy nodded with enthusiasm, making Noriaki grin. "I'll try walking soon, going against my doctor's orders. Don't tell him that tho." He whispered and they boy giggled, swaying on his heels. "What's your name, little guy?"
"Donatello!"
Both of them jerked at the loud voice of the boy's mother, Noriaki's spine protesting at the sudden movement, the boy's face going pale, shaking just a bit. "What are you doing bothering the man with your nonsense?"
They boy, Donatello, couldn't even look at his mother nor speak up, instead trying to appear small, looking up at Noriaki pleadingly.
"Ma'am, your son is not bothering me. He's just asking questions is all." Noriaki smiled, trying to appear unbothered, but the cold, hard glare the woman directed at him made him uneasy. "Really." She looked at him, then at her son. "Will you be here?"
Donatello nodded and the woman turned around, going back to where she was before and Noriaki was sure he heard her mumble, "At least you will be bother to someone else."
Turning his attention back to Donatello, the boy visibly started to relax, blue eyes meeting lavender. "So, you are Donatello, right?" The boy nodded. "And I'm this old!" Donatello rises his hands, showing five fingers on his left hand and a thumb on his right. "So you are six years old."
"Can I stay with you, Mister?" Donatello asked, rocking on his heels again. "Yeah, sure. You can call me Tenmei."
Donatello was by Noriaki's side the whole time, asking questions about his health and pointing at things, then the boy was rambling on about his own life, which he exaggerated to a hilarious degree but Noriaki humored him, laughing at the absurdity of it all. All his worries disappeared with Donatello by his side and soon it was his turn to collect his money.
"What do you mean I can't make a withdrawal?!" The shrill voice made heads turn, including Noriaki and Donatello, they boy hugging Noriaki tightly, burrying his face in the redhead's side. "Mommy's yelling. She's always yelling. Always yelling at me. And when mommy is yelling, daddy beats me."
Noriaki frowned, attention shifting to the woman who was visibly fuming. "I-I am sorry, ma'am, there is letter from the person who sent the check m-meant for your son, that it is not supposed to be withdrawn until the your son is eighteen years old, until then, it stays here for safekeeping."
Comforting the boy, Noriaki made his withdrawal, just a small amount, having the rest transfered to his account.
"I want to go with you, Mister Tenmei. Can I go home with you? Please, pretty please?" Donatello looked at him, blue eyes pleading, almost on the verge of tears. A gentle refusal was on the tip of his tongue, then he remembered what the boy had told him, he sighed and wheeled over to the woman. "Um, ma'am?"
If looks could kill, Noriaki would be dead a second time.
"I-I don't want to be seen as rude, I could offer looking after Donatello from time to time. I'm home most of the time, not like I can go anywhere. If you're interested?"
"How much are you charging?" She barked and Noriaki fought not to visibly flinch. "Nothing. This is....just my good will?"
She thrust a piece of paper and a pan into his lap and Noriaki resisted to slap her with Hierophant for the behavior. Writing down his address and a phone number, handing it back, not receiving the same courtesy, the woman dragging Donatello out of the bank, not letting him say goodbye.
Noriaki will wonder why he offered to watch over Donatello, but years later, he will understand why.
Chapter 3: I guess it goes to show, does it not?
Summary:
Jotaro told himself he was not going to be a coward and face his problems head on. He made himself swear that he was not going to be like his grandfather or father, running away like a coward. so he forces himself to stand there, to watch with his hands in his coat pockets, the steady rise and fall of Kakyoin's chest, his stomach filled with too much tubes and plates, the beeping of machinery that keep him alive, breathe for him.
In the end, he's just like them.
Notes:
Characters for this chapter: Jotaro Kujo, Kakyoin Noriaki, Marina, Heirophant Green, Joseph Joestar
Warnings for this chapter: Friends drifting apart/friend abandonment - Jotaro is an asshole, Jotaro's wife is called Marina, medical inaccuracies, sexual themes - not very explicit but still, Noriaki is very sick and in pain, hallucinations
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Jotaro told himself he was not going to be a coward and face his problems head on. He made himself swear that he was not going to be like his grandfather or father, running away like a coward. so he forces himself to stand there, to watch with his hands in his coat pockets, the steady rise and fall of Kakyoin's chest, his stomach filled with too much tubes and plates, the beeping of machinery that keep him alive, breathe for him.
"They are preparing him for surgery." Jotaro tenses as Joseph limps over to stand next to him, placing a good arm on his uninjured shoulder. "They are going to replace the....missing part of his spine and steady the rest." Joseph keeps his voice soft, green eyes looking at their friend, who risked it all for a debt he placed upon himself.
Jotaro swallows thickly, wishing for a cigarette to squash his anxiety, but jiji's hand keeps him grounded at least a little bit. "What about...." Jotaro swallows again, fists clenched inside his pockets and Joseph waits, awfully patient. "What about his organs?"
"Ah." Joseph nodded in understanding, hand dropping and Jotaro missed the contact. "Believe it or not, all of his organs are intact. Hierophant kept him alive until the SPW agents got to him, pumping his heart, shielding his organs from the blow, keeping as much blood as possible." Joseph sighed, smiling sadly, eyes shining with unshed tears. "I'm so glad....so glad that everyone made it-"
"I'm gonna stop you right there, old geezer." Jotaro bit out, inhaling sharply. "Don't - Don't -" The exhale that came out of him was a downright wheeze, pulling out his hands out of his pockets, patting down his coat for a lighter and his pack of cigarettes. A gentle, yet firm hand held his wrist and Jotaro inhaled shakily, not wanting to take his eyes away from Kakyoin, fearing that the machines would produce the long, dreadful sound.
"Come on, Jotaro. Let's get you something to eat." Joseph guided him away and before Jotaro's eyes completely left Kakyoin's still body, he saw a white and green hand holding Kakyoin's, shimmering in and out of existence.
To everyone's surprise, Kakyoin came about quite fast, but that caused him to slip in and out of consciousnes quicker and for longer periods of time. Jotaro was worried that they messed something up, thtat Kakyoin wouldn't pull trough and they kept reassuring him that he was stable - which was way too soon for his tastes - although it is quick, his body is working overtime to adjust to the new skin and artifical spine.
Jotaro noticed the white and green hand shimmering less and less, becoming solid and perhaps Jotaro knows why Kakyoin is recoving at the rate he is.
At the time, Jotaro doesn't realize how close Kakyoin and Hierophant are, the Stand being the reason Kakyoin survived, recovered as quick as he did and had a strong will to live. For Hierophant was not going to let his only friend die, not on their watch and perhaps....
Perhaps.
Perhaps they were doing it for him and Star Platinum too, for his Stand would be missing them both, making him feel hollow and cold for a long, long time.
"Come with me to the states." Jotaro blurts out suddenly, pressing his lips tightly over the filter of his cigarette. When Kakyoin doesn't answer, Jotaro clears his throat and adds. "I'm going to University in Florida, to study PhD in Marine Biology." What follows is a thick silence and Jotaro shoves his hands into his pockets, a nervous habit he picked up.
"Why?" Kakyoin's voice is soft, weak, perhaps still unused to the nasal cannula that the SPW doctors equipped him with, to ease the strain on Kakyoin's lungs and other organs. "What should I expect there?"
And Jotaro resists the urge to snarl out his next words, instead opts for a drag of his cigarette to calm down his nerves. "Kakyoin. No, Tenmei," Jotaro ignores how Kak - No, Tenmei, jerks in his wheelchair, everything still raw and hurting. "You are legally dead. You can.... You can start fresh, away from everything." Because God, he wants to too, to start new.
Kak - Tenmei is shaking, gripping the handles of his wheelchair, Hierophant wrapping around their User's wrist in comfort. "You are such an asshole. Inconsiderate, rude -"
"We can take care of each other. Like... Like we did on the trip." Jotaro almost chokes on his words and he means them. "It will be hard...adjusting. That's why we will have one another." And Jotaro looks at Tenmei, meaning every word he had said, lavender eyes searching teal ones and Jotaro wants to get lost in them. "I....okay."
"Okay?"
"Okay."
Jotaro ignores the specter leaning against the nearby tree, arms crossed, amusement written all over their face.
Jotaro takes another drag of cigarette, something easing inside of him, making him breathe a little easier. Now that he will have Tenmei with him, everything will be alright, no?
Jotaro will shatter his heart into million tiny pieces and he will hate him for it and rightfully so.
Adjusting to a new life wasn't easy. Joseph was kind enough to arrange them houses right next to each other, the SPW chiming in for Tenmei to afford it here and there. Sadly, Tenmei couldn't finish school, looking for any other possibilities. Jotaro was already busy with University work, stressing him to Hell and back.
Tenmei understood and when the pain was manageable enough, he would bake or cook something, inviting Jotaro over for a much needed break, talking gently over a cup of tea or coffee.
Jotaro gets swamped even more with University work, his PhD classes requiring all of his attention and Jotaro is glad to have someone as understanding as Tenmei - the man in question finding means to earn extra buck and Jotaro is happy. More than happy.
"I'm not just going to sit idly and wait for you when you have your own life, Jotaro. I may be disabled and in pain most of the time, but I'm not helpless."
Stubborn, stubborn man.
When Jotaro got his drivers license, they celebrated by driving to the nearest mall, Tenmei buying new sets of paintbrushes and Jotaro new notebooks for his classes. As Jotaro is checking out, he sees the way Tenmei looks at him, trusting, vulnerable, so in love, instead of feeling warm, Jotaro feels cold, instead of blissful, he feels sick.
And he doesn't think there is something wrong, once again ignoring the specter always by his side, cackling like a maniac when they sense the turmoil inside of him.
Star Platinum is becoming fidgety the longer he goes without seeing Tenmei in person, or was it Hierophant? Those two were tangled in one another everytime Jotaro visited.
Now it is because he is seeing someone else.
Jotaro met Marina while staying late after a class, working on some papers, when she approaches him, two coffees in hand, placing one cup in front of him with a small smile. "I feel like you need one, with you staying so long so often." It was good natured as ever and Jotaro appreciated it. "Mind if I stay with you and work on my own stuff?" Jotaro waves his hand, motioning for her to sit. "Can't tell you no, can I now?"
Since then, it becomes constant. They start meeting up outside of classes, starting off as friends. Although Marina looks gentle, she knows what she wants and goes for it, being no nonsense. Jotaro can appreciate qualities like that - for she is not annoying like the group of fangirls that tend to follow him like vultures. Marina wants to get to know his as a person, which not many people had done.
Jotaro feels like he's getting some normalcy back into his life.
And slowly, ever so slowly, Jotaro drifts away from Tenmei. It's starts out small, Jotaro gradually stopping talking to Tenmei, keeping the visits to minimum until they stop completely, doesn't call nor does he pick up the calls.
The specter is still there, following Jotaro everywhere, he ignores him, like he always does and they keep their distance for now.
Ever since Egypt, Jotaro craved for the normalcy to come back into his life and now that he was getting it, he dug his claws in and held onto dear life. Ignoring Star Platinum and Tenmei, his Stand being a stubborn mule as he is, manifesting against his will, demanding attention. It takes everything in Jotaro to will Star Platinum away, with gritted teeth, he ignores the hot blazing fury surging trough him.
Star Platinum is his Stand, extension of him, they will understand.
They don't, for they know what he truly wants and they will resent him for it.
Just like Noriaki.
Marina and Jotaro hook up at a party. They try to socialize with other people, but they always gravitate towards each other - maybe it's the fact that they don't know many people there.
They both have some alcohol in them at that point and when Jotaro looks at Marina, party light makes her look a certain way. Her dangling earrings look like cherries, the green dress she decided to wear made him feel a certain way - Star Platinum is screaming inside of him - and when he angles his head just a bit, he can smell lavender and cherries.
"Lavender and cherries?" He asks, louder over the blaring music and she laughs, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Wanted a change! And it smelled nice!"
"It does. It really does." Jotaro has no idea, what breaks inside of him, inside both of them, for they are stumbling into a room, Jotaro kicking it closed behind them, pawing and groping at each other, shedding layers of clothing.
When they are nothing but a tangle of limbs, naked bodies close and slick with sweat, Jotaro chases the smell of cherries and llavender, fingers ghosting over a soft belly, searching for something that is not there and never will be there.
Jotaro tries to justify that it was the trauma talking and not longing.
Turns out having unprotected sex is not a good idea, as Marina presents him with a positive pregnancy test and Jotaro feel coldness was over him and Star Platinum howls, louder than ever, wanting to punch and destroy and the specter, the damned specter is having fun, cackling and howling with laughter, doubling over. Jotaro can't figure out what's so funny.
"Marry me?" The question slips out easily enough, that's what his grandfather had done, his mother, that's what everyone does. It is easier when their child is in the picture and thankfully, Marina says "Yes."
Jotaro sends wedding invitations and before they know it, they are at the wedding, Marina's not showing yet and those who can they attend. When Avdol and Polnareff ask about Tenmei, he tells them that he couldn't attend, the lie rolling off his tongue easily.
The specter snorts, closer that ever.
The phone blares to life in the middle of the night, startling them both awake, Star Platinum quiet as ever. "I'll go get it." Jotaro drags his body out of the bed, going downstairs to pick up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Jotaro." Tenmei chokes on his words and Jotaro inhales sharply, pain shooting right trough his chest. "Please....I need you to take me to the hospital." Jotaro is quiet and Tenmei goes on. "I-It hurts so bad.....I can't get out of bed, my legs won't listen." Tenmei cries, full on sobbing.
"Jotaro? Y-You there?"
Jotaro can't bring himself to speak, listening to Tenmei, sobbing and hiccuping on the other end. "Please.... I'm, I'm not asking for much, Am I...? Just this once....this once....please, then I won't be a bother, I'll disappear from your life forever-"
Some sense returns to Jotaro and he exhales harshly, feeling something heavy settling on his shoulders, Tenmei keeps rambling on. "-just why, why did you take me with you when I'm such a burden, why did you save me, please, say something, I beg you, Jotaro, please-"
"You got the wrong number." Jotaro hangs up and stays there, willing his hands to stop shaking, taking calming breaths, willing the ache to go away.
When he turns, he freezes, shoulders going tense as teal eyes lock with red ones, the fanged grin nasty and revealing fangs rooted in Jotaro's worst nightmares. Shaking himself from a frozen stupor, walking last the specter and Jotaro goes back to bed, Marina thankfully not waking up.
Remembering the promise he made himself few years ago, Jotaro feels like the biggest coward ever, running from the problems that will fall on his head later on in life.
Noriaki wheezes out a wet cough, pillow full of tears, snot and spit - it's disgusting, it's pathetic, no wonder Kujo wants nothing to do with you - everything hurts, his throat feels raw and legs won't listen to him and the cramps that gets into them makes him want to curl up.
Hierophant is shaking as he lays over their User, trying to bring in comfort, being at wits end themselves. They tried ice packs, cold glasses of water, pills - if the cold failed, they tried warm things, which gave a little bit of relief. Having an idea, they curl around Noriaki, their tendrils manifesting inside their User, wrapping around his spine, giving a steady pressure, support both the organic bone and artificial one.
Noriaki exhales harshly, legs stretching out slowly, relaxing slowly but surely, he drifts off to sleep and Hierophant dabs away the moisture on his face, careful not to startle him or wake him - which he does not as he's exhausted from the painful episode.
They stay curled up around Noriaki, giving his cheek an affectionate nuzzle, pulling the covers over them both.
"You are my best friend, Nori. You took care of me, included me in activities, made yourself lonely because you didn't want me to be alone. I'll take care of you now, time for you to enjoy life."
Notes:
Yeah, chapters are based on song lyrics - a challenge for myself - of you have any song recommendations, feel free to suggest!
Chapter 4: I'll do anything for you to see you smile
Summary:
"Need any help?" Noriaki asks softly and dull blue eyes meet lively lavender, the boy nibbling at the inside of his cheek. "I can...get..ask..for help?"
Notes:
Characters for this chapter: Noriaki Tenmei, Donatello Versus, Hierophant Green
Warnings for this chapter: Sick character
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Noriaki was nothing but a stubborn individual, doctors, practitioners and nurses be damned. So one day, when he wasn't feeling under the weather, Noriaki decided to stand up and power trough the pain, legs shaking from the strain they weren't used to.
Using the doorway for leverage, breathing harshly trough his nose as even his spine startd to hurt, Hierophant positioned behind him in case he fell. "Time!" With the help of his Stand, Noriaki sat heavily in his wheelchair, looking at the stopwatch Hierophant held up.
He was able to last thirty seconds.
Hierophant chirped happily, Noriaki feeling proud of himself, tears welling up in his eyes. "I think it would be appropriate to celebrate it with a hot cocoa, no? And then some more work so we could finish up the painting."
Chirping in agreement, Hierophant darted into the kitchen, preparing the necessary things for a hot cocoa, them also finding the last of marshmallows. They will have to go shopping soon.
Noriaki wheeled into the kitchen, his favorite mug ready, he then got startled by a loud banging on his door. Wrapping his arms around him, Hierophant extended his tentacles, trying to get the feel on the people at his front door. They were familiar in some way but ultimately unknown, Noriaki proceeds with caution wheeling into the main hall to open the door.
Only to be greeted with blue eyes that lit up upon seeing him, wide smiles and a wave. "Hi, Tenmei!"
Noriaki blinks in surprise, looks the boy in front of him over, clothes familiar, then at his mother, the woman shoving the boy closer to Tenmei, dropping a backpack on the ground near the boy. "I'll pick him up when I have time."
Before Noriaki can fully get his bearings, the woman is walking away, getting into a taxi. "That's not how it works, a phone call is in order! And what do you mean 'when you have time'?" Noriaki shouts at the taxi driving away, huffing in annoyance. Returning his attention back to the boy, Noriaki lets him in, using Hierophant to close the door.
"You're Donatello, right?"
"Mhhm!" Donatello nods with enthusiasm, looking around the main hallway. "Nice house!"
"Awww." Noriaki can feel Hierophant turn into mush, leading the boy into the kitchen. "Want some hot cocoa?"
"Yes, please!" Donatello bounces on his heels, rushing to the coffee table, pulling the contents of his backpack out, which looks like some school notebooks and books. "Homework?" Noriaki asks as he makes an extra serving of hot cocoa, balancing it on the tray on his wheelchair, bringing it over to the coffee table, gently pushing away Donatello's books, setting down the two mugs, Donatello already nose deep in his notebooks. "Practice." The boy replies, deep furrow to his brows, blue eyes gaining an intensity that Noriaki is awfully familiar with, shiver running down all the way trough his body, feeling Hierophant's distress.
"Need any help?" Noriaki asks softly and dull blue eyes meet lively lavender, the boy nibbling at the inside of his cheek. "I can...get..ask..for help?"
"Of course. You can ask for help anytime you're with me." Wheeling to the other side of the coffee table, Noriaki asks what Donatello is doing, helps him relax his wrist and guides him trough first words he's supposed to write, then let's him do his own thing. Donatello asks for help here and there, but then he finds his own rhythm.
After it is done, Noriaki asks about any additional homework, which Donatello goes trough his books and notebooks and finding none, Noriaki warmed up their cocoa once again, playing a movie as a reward.
It was late into the night when Donatello's mother came to pick him up, Noriaki wheeling to open the door, berating the woman for leaving the boy so long here, Donatello sleeping in his lap, the woman harsh with her words. Be it anyone else, Noriaki would revoke his offer, but he was doing it for Donatello, so he'll bite back the words and closed the door.
Before going to sleep, Noriaki tries to stand one more time, lasting one second more since morning and with pride swelling in his chest, Noriaki went to bed, Hierophant chirping happily, snuggling up to their User.
Noriaki paints with a steady hand, lavender eyes hard with focus. The night sky of Sahara desert coming along nicely, going on memory alone. It was one of the calmer nights they had while on the journey, the five of them talking about mundane things, the stress easing for just one night.
Dipping the brush into paint, the doorbell rings and Noriaki startles, dropping it. "Damn it." Placing his hand over his beating heart, Hierophant floats downstairs, extending his tentacles and finding only one person standing at his doorstep - a kid.
Sighing softly, picking up the brush and dumping it into water, Noriaki wheeled out and with Hierophant's help got himself and his wheelchair downstairs, opening the door, Donatello standing there, rocking on his heels, holding the straps of his backpack. "Hi!"
Quirking a brow, Noriaki looks behind the boy, seeing no one else. "Did you come here on your own?" "No, mom dropped me off and the drove away." Donatello stepped on, taking off his shoes. "I got homework today."
"Oh? Do you need help?"
Donatello paused in his path to the kitchen, comedically turning on his heels and staying like that. "I don't know yet. The teacher explain it well but...." Scratching the back of his head sheepishly, he grinned, showing off his missing tooth - which he did not have the last time Donatello visited. "Why don't we go upstairs? I have some work to do and you can do your homework in my study."
"Study? You have a study?" Donatello's eyes shone so brightly it rivaled the stars and something tugged in Noriaki's chest, the boy bouncing. "I wanna see, I wanna see!" Running up the stairs, Noriaki could hear him running on the upper floor, searching for his study, Noriaki wheeling to the foot of the stair, wondering how he will get upstairs without being suspicious and right on cue, Donatello came racing down the stairs, helping to pull up his wheelchair, waiting for Tenmei at the top.
"You're strong." Donatello commented, watching as Noriaki slipped into his wheelchair with ease, small smile appearing. "Practice makes perfect." Wheeling into his study, Donatello took a spot on the ground, pulling out his math homework and practice for writing, tackling the math first.
Noriaki returned to work on his painting, Donatello humming a jolly tune as he did his homework, Hierophant resting their chin on Noriaki's shoulder, feeling warmth spread trough them at the memory of all of them together. It seemed so long ago, a distant past but it happened less than three years ago, scars still raw and hurting and Hierophant reached out to steady Noriaki's hand, finishing the Sahara's night sky, only few details remaining.
"Mr. Tenmei?"
"Yes?"
"I don't know how to do this." Donatello jabbed his pen into a first grade equation, making a small hole in the paper, deep frown creasing his brows. Placing his brush down, Noriaki wheeled over, humming in thought. They went trough it together, Noriaki teaching Donatello how to use his fingers for counting, having it finished before they both knew it, Donatello moving to writing practice.
Donatello became constant in Noriaki's life. Coming in after school, the two having a sleepover on the weekends or starting at Friday. Donatello received his own key two years later.
There started to be extra snacks and yogurts that Noriaki didn't eat, but Donatello did. There was a second controller always ready on his console. His guest bedroom, that Noriaki would probably never use, being slowly morphed into a boy's room, new clothes, toys, extra school notebooks and pens slowly making it livelier.
Noriaki would sometimes found these things forgotten on his kitchen table, in his study, pajamas forgotten in the bathroom.
He didn't mind any of those things.
Noriaki would watch Donatello grow up, lines with height and age appearing on his doorframe, blue, sometimes dull eyes being filled with life everytime Donatello came over filled Noriaki with warmth. Maybe he could get used to being a caretaker - having someone waiting for him at the afternoon doctor appointments, cheering when he stands longer than before, witnessing his first step.
The people in the house just a fence over came to mind once in a while, wondering how a certain man was doing but he too was forgotten, for life went on.
"T-Tenmei?"
In the middle of the night, Donatello peeked into Noriaki's bedroom, eyes shining from unshead tears. "Tenmei, please...."
With Hierophant's help, Noriaki sat up, bleary eyes focusing on the small figure peeking trough the gap in the door. "Donatello? What's it?" Brain too sluggish to form a fully coherent sentence, slurring his words. "I had a nightmare." Donatello spoke so quietly, Noriaki had to strain his ears to hear.
"C'mere." Pulling his cover back, Donatello climbed on the bed, snuggling up to him, Noriaki wrapping his arms around the boy, holding him close.
"Sorry...."
"Don't be. I have them too...." Noriaki was soon falling asleep, another presence in his arms pulling him into a sense of security.
Noriaki didn't have any nightmares that night.
Notes:
I gave up at this chapter, I had no fun writing it but I felt it was important chapter for both Tenmei and Donatello, especially the ending
Chapter 5: Jolene
Summary:
When Jotaro first holds his daughter, a moment that should be full of tranquility and happiness, is full of paranoia and fear, muscles tense to stop his arms from shaking. "She's so small, isn't she?" Jotaro almost jerks at Marina's soft voice, weary and tired, yet she's still smiling, gazing lovingly at the small bundle in Jotaro's arms. "We'll have to think of a name."
Notes:
Characters for this chapter: Jotaro Kujo, Marina Kujo, Jolyne Kujo briefly
Mentioned: Noriaki TenmeiWarnings for this chapter: Non-explicit childbirth, hallucinations, Spectre reveal
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Jotaro took Marina to the hospital to be admitted, since she complained about her belly hurting quite often. The doctors and nurses would be keeping an eye on her, Jotaro felt a tad bit relieved, but the stress was really getting to him. Trying to focus on his studies in an empty house proved to be harder and harder - Jotaro thought that if there was quiet it would be better - there was the constant hollowness in his chest, longing and Jotaro was getting tired of it, crumpling another piece of paper with his notes, starting all over again.
"If only you had someone to talk to." The specter is lounging on the ground, hands rubbing over his arms, devilish smile playing on his lips. "If only there was someone. Your grandfather? No, that man will not help you. Your mother? No, you pushed her away first." The spectre puses, then laughs. "Or maybe your friend next door, how about it?" The drawn out cackle that leaves the spectre as Jotaro flungs his homework aside, pacing around the room, pointedly avoiding and ignoring the spectre that made himself at home in his study chair.
"Ah, Kujo Jotaro, Kujo Jotaro. Shouldering the weight of the world alone. Or are you truly alone?" The spectre laughed again, eyes scanning the papers dispersed on the floor. "You think yourself mighty, but are you truly mighty? Aren't you pretending? Avdol, Kakyoin, oh, my dearest Kakyoin, Joseph Joeastar, your mother." Moving towards the window, the spectre leaning against it. "Speaking of which."
Jotaro doesn't want to turn and look but he does anyway, inhaling sharply, eyes widening when he sees Tenmei, still in a wheelchair, but looking healthier than he ever saw him, nasal cannula tucked away for the time being, the strength he was pushing his wheelchair forward wasn't there before, talking happily to the boy Jotaro never saw before. Unable to watch anymore, Jotaro looked away, throat bobbing with barely suppresed emotion. "He does better. Not thanks to you of course, maybe looking at him now, you did good by cutting him out of your life."
Jotaro freezes, eyes wide, hands slowly curling into fists and the emptiness in his chest widens, Star Platinum fading away from reach even further.
"Not even your Stand wants you."
Coffee. He needs coffee so he can focus.
Walking downstairs to the kitchen to fill up a kettle with water, the specter leaning against the fridge, arms crossed. "You know....back then.... You seemed to be fun. A man with strong conviction, you reminded me of Jonathan. But looking at you now....where does the cowardice keep coming from?"
Jotaro urged for the water to boil faster, preparing a mug, snatching it and not really looking what it looked like, putting in hefty ammount of instant coffee.
"You keep running away, pretending and pretending, telling yourself that normal life is what you want, that if you ignore everything about yourself that doesn't fit the mold will eventually go away. Better yet, if everyone and everything would just disappear, the maybe it would be a 'normal' world. Ideal isn't it?"
The specter is by Jotaro's ear, voice full of malice and mockery. "But your world will never be normal, neither will you. It will never fit the mold, no matter how hard you try. Sooner or later, you will find out that your wife and child are the things not 'normal', not matter how hard you try to love them."
The kettle started to whistle, Jotaro forcing his fists to unclench, pouring the piping hot water into the mug and returning upstairs to resume his writing and research.
The specter is there.
Always there.
Telling Jotaro awful truths.
Truths Jotaro was too cowardly to admit himself.
Getting a phone call from the hospital in the middle of the night was less than ideal, but nothing Jotaro couldn't handle. As he was leaving, making sure that no light was on, everything was locked, Jotaro looked towards the house next to his. Having no idea why he had looked, maybe hoping that lights would be on? Hoping that if they were, if he knocked, would he open? Wish him a good luck?
"And they called me insane and delusional."
Swallowing thickly, Jotaro got into the car and drove off, beginning notes of a strumming guitar gently rolling out of the radio, shiver running up Jotaro's spine as it picked up but kept its gentleness.
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m beggin’ of you, please don’t take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
P lease don’t take him just because you can
If Noriaki asked, would Jotaro leave Marina and their child? If Kakyoin pushed at his defenses, managed to tear down his walls and see the vulnerability, the hidden desires and managed to drag it all out, would Jotaro do it?
"Since when is it Noriaki and not Tenmei? Besides, since when do you listen to the radio?" The specter sat in the passenger seat, looking all pretty.
Your beauty is beyond compare
With flaming locks of auburn hair
With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green
Noriaki often lamented how he was center of unwanted attention due to his hair and lavender eyes. Jotaro let his mind wander, remembering the indeed ivory skin and during the nights in the desert, where their only source of light was the fire either Avdol or Old Geezer managed to lit up, Noriaki's hair looking auburn. But he doesn't have emerald eyes, instead his entire soul is made out of emerald.
Heirophant Green being the proof of that.
Jotaro swerved, ignoring the honking car, adjusting himself in the driver's seat.
"Eyes on the road?" The specter, nonchalant, bored but also curious. "I really don't want to meet you this early."
Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your voice is soft like summer rain
And I cannot compete with you, Jolene
What made Jotaro bed Marina in the first place? The smell of cherries, both of them getting drunk, Jotaro searching for something that wasn't there and never will be there. Marina doesn't have a stand to save her. Jotaro remembers how Noriaki's soft voice guided him trough a nightmare or if a Stand fight left quite a mark on him, Jotaro in turn offering a steady pressence for Noriaki to lean on. They spent fifty days together, went trough life and death - dammit, Noriaki almost did die, Avdol too, Old Geezer too - and Noriaki went with him to America, Jesus no, he convinced him to come.
Noriaki knew Japan. Although no one was waiting for him there, not anymore, it was still his home and Jotaro dragged him away, into the unknown and then cut off the rope that tied them together. And wasn't it funny? Noriaki looked like to be thriving more than even, while Jotaro was being selfish, lying, coward.
"Finally."
He talks about you in his sleep
And there’s nothin’ I can do to keep
From cryin’ when he calls your name, Jolene
Jotaro bit down on his tongue, purposefully pushing those thoughts away, clicking his tongue to wash away the aftertaste of salt, the looks of betrayal and longing, begging for something Jotaro could not give. And now he was going to have a daughter, could he say those words to her, protect her?
And I can easily understand
How you could easily take my man
But you don’t know what he means to me, Jolene
Exhaling shakily, Jotaro hated how it reflected the emotional pile of shit he found himself in, constantly at war with himself. Did Marina know? If she did, was she at peace with it or did was she lying to herself as much as he did?
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m begging of you, please don’t take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don’t take him just because you can
"I know you asked yourself that, wondered if you do it but in my opinion? You would. You would cave quickly. Walls, defenses for Tenmei?" The spectre snapped his fingers, glee in it all. "Gone, in an instant, he wouldn't even have to try."
You could have your choice of men
But I could never love again
He’s the only one for me, Jolene
I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
And whatever you decide to do, Jolene
For a very brief moment, Jotaro wondered if Marina knew the truth - if she doesn't already - how would their conversation go? Would she hurl accusations, would Noriaki defend himself or would he just wave it away? Would Marina do anything at all?
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m begging of you, please don’t take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don’t take him even though you can
Jolene, Jolene
The song fades into the soft strumming of a guitar and Jotaro nears the hospital, a different kind of fear squeezing his chest. "You know there are things you cannot back out of, right?" The spectre's voice is impossibly soft, sharp contrast to how he usually sounds like and for the first time in all those years, Jotaro looks, acknowledging him, brow furrowing and lips parting in surprise.
"I know, Dio. I know."
When Jotaro first holds his daughter, a moment that should be full of tranquility and happiness, is full of paranoia and fear, muscles tense to stop his arms from shaking. "She's so small, isn't she?" Jotaro almost jerks at Marina's soft voice, weary and tired, yet she's still smiling, gazing lovingly at the small bundle in Jotaro's arms. "We'll have to think of a name."
"Jolyne." Jotaro blurts out almost instantly, Marina's eyes looking up at him. "I...I-I've been listening to the song on my way here."
The room Marina was staying in fell into complete silence, Dio arching an elegant brow at him, lounging in the corner. Marina hummed, sparkle in her eyes. "Jolene. You mean the song Jolyne by Dolly Parton?"
"Mmm."
"I like it. It sounds special, just like our little girl. Our Jolene. Our Jolyne."
Dio is now resting on Jotaro's shoulder, red eyes scrutinizing the small bundle in his arms, frown pulling at his brows. Jotaro did not dare to question him, not now.
Notes:
This was long time coming, but my brain just could't shift into gear for this fic
NikolaiMonCh3ri on Chapter 2 Fri 15 Nov 2024 01:18AM UTC
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