Riptide

[Trouble Me]

I forgot to warn you guys about this in the info, it slipped my mind. But from here on out in the story homophobia | use of homophobic slurs | some internalized homophobia will be seen. You've been warned!
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He couldn't believe what he had done. It had been years since he had seen those neat-straight red lines marking up his almost flawless skin. Among them now, were scars of old battles. Some shaped like bullet wounds and others - general cuts and scraps that had healed. Those scars he could be proud of, for he had obtained them righteously. The ones that were beginning to form again upon his arms, made him feel sick. He could almost hear his thoughts laughing at his own weakness.  Mocking him.

He could also hear, Kakyoin pacing back and forth in his room. The redhead had finally picked up. He had finally managed to get away from Mirai long enough to deal with his best friend. The mere mention of that woman in his thoughts caused a surge of rage to strike against his heart. She had been manipulating the ginger into never having free time. It was almost as if she was trying to cut Jotaro out of his life completely. What angered him more, however, was the fact that he didn't know why she would do that. He didn't have any clue what her endgame would be.

Jotaro sighed deeply, and he stared at the sink - before glancing in the mirror. He winced, that proved to be a mistake. The Joestar looked like shit. He had dark bags under his eyes, and there was a strangely pale tint to his usually olive complexion. His hair was oily for he was overdue on a shower by four days, so he most likely also reeked. Jotaro swallowed and he slid down his turtle-neck's sleeve. He took a deep breath.

He swung open the door, and rather than being lectured, he was embraced. Kakyoin had his arms wrapped around the man and he squeezed burying his face into Jotaro's neck, taking shaky breaths. He was trying to hide the tears that were slowly pooling at the corners of his eyes. Guilt had rooted itself inside of his heart, and Noriaki didn't even try to stop it from spreading through him infecting him with venom.

"I know, you're not really one for words." the redhead spoke slowly and he felt the taller relax in his touch, melting. "I know that no amount of words can make up for my, horrible treatment of you for the past few days, but I hope. God, I hope you can at least stay with me. By my side. You don't even have to be my friend or talk to me. Just, stand there. Like you always have..."

"Kakyoin..." a soft voice came, and the shorter was pried off of the Joestar, who was smiling softly. He hadn't blamed Noriaki, to begin with. He knew whose fault all of this was: Mirai's. She had corrupted the perfect male before him and she had twisted his intentions and heart. She was and always will be, the problem. "No one is at fault. Now: stop crying, it's not a good look on you."

Kakyoin chuckled softly, and he wiped at the tears. "Sorry, it's becoming a bit common for me to cry."

Jotaro gasped playfully, as he made his way to the bed. He could feel his heart beginning to beat again, spreading warmth through his body. The man couldn't help it, just being near Noriaki warmed his frozen emotions into a flowing ocean of love. He sat down upon his futon and patted the spot beside him. The shorter teenager joined him, but he didn't sit too close. Something in the dark-haired one tinged at this. He shook his head and reached over to grab something from the corner of his room revealing a case of beer.

Noriaki rose an eyebrow, "And what will we be doing with those?"

"Drinking away our problems," JoJo responded with cheer, and he grabbed one if the bottles. He shivered a bit, for they were still rather cold to the touch. He offered one to the redhead not expecting him to take it. Kakyoin shrugged and he grabbed the beer popping it open. He rose the bottle up into the air and tilted it - making a toast.