Close, a Jotakak Fanfic

Part 6

Friends   

"Were you worried?" Kakyoin suddenly asks by his side, his attention still on the screen.

   "Hm?"

   "Polnareff told me your suspicion left you to threaten the imposter with force, as an ultimatum of sorts."

   "Well I did what I figured was best for the kid's safety...but," he adjusts his hat, "I knew I had it under control, for her sake anyway."

Kakyoin looks to him now, "What I mean is, were you at all worried we'd part ways for good?"

   "Why are you asking me this?"

   "You don't have to answer, I'm only curious."

   "I wasn't worried. I didn't have time to be. The moment required me to think on my feet, after all, you almos-I mean, he almost killed me."

   "Mm, I see."

   "What?" he turns to him now.

   "Nothing, I understand," he smiles softly, "you did what you had to do and I'm glad you're alright."

Kakyoin leaves the bed to lock the balcony doors, the moon taking watch in the sky above. Joatro watches him do this, particularly his spiral tuff making a slight bounce as he returns.

   "Kakyoin," he leaves the bed.

   "Mm?"

   "I don't think we'll part ways if that's what you're implying."

   "Do you mean in battle or as friends?"

Jotaro feels his heart chill for a moment, "Friends." He itches for a cigarette.

   "That's good," he smiles, "I don't think so either."

Joatro joins him by the window, standing at his side as they look towards the ceiling of stars beyond the glass, the silence between them unwavering until Kakyoin speaks. "Jotaro, in case we come across another stand with a similar ability, who's more thorough than the last, to ensure it's really me, ask me how we met."

   "You mean at school when you were possessed with the flesh bud?"

   "Yes, or when you saved me from it at your home."

   "Mm," he nods, "you ask me the same then."

Another pause, before

   "Kakyoin..."

   "Yes?"

Jotaro steps closer, releasing a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding captive, "About what you asked earlier, I wasn't worried. I was furious..."

Kakyoin's face floods red as he awaits his next words.

Jotaro removes his hands from his pockets, his own face now the same color, "I had to knock some sense into you...but you don't know how badly I wanted to keep you still and say..." his hands keep Kakyoin still at the shoulders to demonstrate. "Drop the damn act! We're too CLOSE for this bullshit but if you no longer want to be then just LEAVE! I don't know what's gotten into you but if you couldn't win the first time we fought what makes you think this will be any different?"

Kakyoin swallows nervously, his eyes enlarging with worry as Jotaro finishes with a huff, "Don't do this to me Kakyoin. Not when we've come this far...why would you?"

   "Jotaro?"

Jotaro releases his hold on him and steps back, equally alarmed at his sudden response to the traumatic memory of Yellow Temperance before regaining his stoic composure.

  "Anyway," he turns his face away, stuffing his hands in his pockets, "my words were sparse and my actions may have showed otherwise at the time, but that's what I would've said if I could've."

Kakyoin places a hand on his arm.

Jotaro says nothing as he returns his gaze to him.

   "You asked why I wanted to risk my life helping you on this journey Jotaro and I told you I didn't know but," he smiles, "I do." He tightens his grip, "I would never do that to you."

   "When you asked me why I risked harm to save you," Jotaro says, recalling the moment, "I know why too."

They look at each other and let their foreheads touch, eyes closed.

   "Whatever happens next in battle," Kakyoin sighs, "know I'd do it all over again."

   "Me too."