[Carry Him]

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He never thought he'd see the day when he has to talk to the redhead through bars. The shorter male was lying upon the cot in his holding cell, tossing a ball up and catching it again leisurely - mostly ignoring his friend's existence. One day, he had expected to perhaps- be the one inside the cell, and Kakyoin- on the outside. This entire situation is all messed up. It wasn't how this scene was meant to play out. Jotaro leaned against the bars slipping his hands through and crossed his arms. They had been sitting in silence for a few moments now - the air was heavy. The dark-haired man wasn't sure how he should break the tension.

He opened his mouth and was shut down by his friend lifting his finger into the air - as he caught the ball with his other hands. The arrested male slowly sat up and set down the ball - letting it roll across the floor. His purple gaze pinned the taller to the spot - who could never save himself from drowning in the intense color. It flickered and darkened with the man's emotions as he spoke, gaze unwavering. Jotaro had always found something so breathtaking yet, unnerving about Noriaki's gaze. Every time he locked eyes with Kakyoin he felt as if he was staring down a predator, who was waiting for the smallest sign of weakness - and then, pounce. He wondered if his gaze had always been so intense, or had it soft and gentle in his youth.

"Don't. "he simply said, the harsh tone in his voice making the Joestar wince internally. "My parents will be here any moment. And they really don't like you - so, whatever lecture you had planned - just, don't. I'm not sure what came over me. I'm aware that I could have been injured. So, close your mouth and stop gaping like a fish."

Jotaro snapped his jaws shut. He bit on the inside of his cheek, sighing, trying to formulate something to say. Anything to say. It was clear the redhead didn't want any kind of comforting right now. He didn't even likely want Jotaro there at all. That thought stung, cutting deep. That fifty-day trip had changed something within the redhead, and the Joestar knew it. He just wasn't so sure it was a good chance. The air around Kakyoin hummed with energy. It seemed; he hadn't quite adjusted to everyday life again. Jotaro had been so happy to return to his mundane - maybe even annoying school life, but it wasn't the same for Noriaki. School had always been his personal hell. Now, everything had changed.

The ravenette couldn't even begin to wonder about how Kakyoin felt about his, as he had called it some time ago 'affliction'. His blue eyes dropped to the prosthetics. The ginger was lashing out at everyone and everything, he was - angry with himself. The taller sucked in a breath as it dawned upon him. Noriaki believed that he had ever regained his pride. He believed that he had failed, to do the one thing he had set out to do. Jotaro remembered nights when he would watch Kakyoin stand before him, chest puffed out and his shoulders rolled back as he declared he would kill that monster. As he declared he had rights to drawing the first blood.

He kept his prosthetics bulky so that every time he heard them creak and groan, he'd remind himself of his failure. He'd remind himself that he was worth nothing. Jotaro swallowed. It was terribly sad - and his heart began to ache. He wanted to reach out and comfort Noriaki. He'd even go as far as to break through the bars that were separating them. He stayed silent, as Kakyoin narrowed his eyes a little, glaring now. Probably wondering why the taller insisted upon standing there bothering him with his nervous energy.

[Star Platinum] made themselves known. The creature phased through the bars - and the ginger raised an eyebrow now, wondering what in the world Jotaro was doing. Their strong and wide arms almost engulfed Kakyoin as it dragged him into an awkward hug, not used to being used for something so - non-violent.

Jotaro smiled softly, and he tipped the brim of his hat down. "I just wanted to say, you looked pretty badass out there."

"Oh?" Noriaki's voice was edged with surprise, though it was clear as he leaned back into the Stand's touch, he had calmed down. "Well - thanks. And thank you too, big guy." he ruffled [Star]'s hair who - blinked. The creature pulled away and touched its head. They grinned.

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