Standstill Bonds

Chapter 24 ~ A New Alliance

Polnareff, seated in his wheelchair, sipped his tea thoughtfully while Holly joined him in the lounge. The atmosphere was still, save for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall.

"They've been in there a while," Polnareff remarked, lowering his cup from his lips and glancing toward the closed bedroom door down the hall.

Holly nodded softly, her fingers tracing up and down the edges of her own cup. "Josephine's clearly quite distressed with this whole situation, who can blame her? She clearly has grown to appreciate Jotaro beyond mentorship and can't bare the thought of something happening to him. Jotaro's probably trying to help her process all of it."

Polnareff let out a quiet chuckle, a trace of nostalgia in his eyes. "Your son's always been a tough nut to crack, but he's got a good heart. Sometimes I think he forgets that."

Holly chuckled, appreciating the sentiment and also the déjà vu from having used the exact words herself. "You've known him long enough to understand him better than most, Jean-Pierre. I think he needs someone to remind him of that from time to time."

The Frenchman gave a slight nod, his thoughts wandering. "It's been a long time since we were all together like this. Life... it has a way of scattering people. But it's good to see Jotaro stepping up and caring for someone. It's a side of him I don't think even he realizes is still there."

Holly looked at him thoughtfully, her voice gentle. "He's been through so much, but yes, Josephine has brought a different kind of energy to our home, and I think... some of his old energy back. I believe he knows it, he just won't say it."

Polnareff smiled at that, lifting his cup in a silent toast. "To the unexpected bonds and the people that help us find them."

Holly clinked her cup against his, her eyes shining. "To family, both old and new."

As if summoned by their words, Jotaro stepped out of the spare room, his footsteps quiet and slow. He closed the door quietly behind him and joined them in the lounge, his face was lined with fatigue. Polnareff gave him a knowing look, while Holly offered a gentle smile, sensing his mood.

"Is she alright?" Polnareff asked, his gaze flickering toward the door Jotaro had just come from.

Jotaro nodded, "She's asleep."

Holly, perceptive as ever, chimed in. "You've both had quite a couple of days. It's only natural for her to feel overwhelmed and exhausted after what she's been through."

Jotaro ran a typical hand through his hair, a quiet sigh escaping his lips. "I just want her to stay out of this mess with Pucci. It's too dangerous."

Holly, sensing the troubling emotions, decided to soften it, "Would you like some tea, Jotaro?"

He nodded, grateful for the distraction, brief as it may have been. As Holly went to prepare the tea, Polnareff leaned in, speaking in a hushed tone. "You really like that girl Jotaro, I can tell."

Jotaro shot him a sharp glance, but Polnareff only chuckled, undeterred. "Come on, my friend. I've known you for a long time. You're not as hard to read as you think, at least not for me."

Jotaro grunted in response, his jaw tightening, though he didn't deny it. Instead, he shifted his gaze, avoiding Polnareff's knowing look.

"You know, she's a good kid," Polnareff remarked, leaning back in his chair.

As Holly returned from the kitchen with a fresh pot of tea, Jotaro accepted the cup she poured for him. He remained silent for a moment, collecting his thoughts, before finally answering. "I know she is, but she's so reckless."