[JoJo's Bizarre Adventure] Standstill Bonds

Chapter 41 ~ Not out of the Woods Yet

Jotaro gently pulled the door shut behind him once the doctors made their way in. He had stayed with Josephine for around half an hour, staying steadfast by her side while she slept before he knew he should take his leave. Making his way to the lounge area, his mother Holly, Polnareff, Giorno, and Hiroshi all awaited him.

"How is Josephine?" Holly asked softly.

"She's tired, understandably, the doctors are removing the medical equipment so she can be more comfortable. She needs time to regain her strength."

A collective sigh of relief followed.

"I'm so glad she's okay," Giorno said before turning to Hiroshi, "Smart thinking back there, young man. Without your plan, we might not have gotten Josephine's Stand back in time. Complimenti, molto ben fatto." (good job, very well done)

Hiroshi shifted nervously, but a proud smile crept onto his face as Jotaro gave him a firm pat on the shoulder. "Yeah, good work kid, you have my thanks."

Polnareff crossed his arms and gave the group a somber look. "Mes amis, I hate to dampen the mood, but Pucci will know we've interfered, and he won't be forgiving. Not to mention," he gestured toward Hiroshi, "this kid's too deep in this now to be left alone."

The tension in the room returned swiftly as Jotaro's face hardened, the danger was far from over, and they all knew it.

"Our priority is Josephine's recovery. Once she's regained her strength we'll discuss what comes next."

-

Josephine sat propped up on her futon, the afternoon sunlight of the next day streaming in softly through the window. Gone now were the beeping machines and the tubes that had once confined her. She took a careful sip of the matcha tea that Holly had lovingly prepared, the warmth of it spreading through her, soothing her still weakened body.

"Matcha is full of goodness, Josephine. It'll help rebuild your strength so make sure you drink up." Holly explained, her warm smile making the room feel even cozier.

Josephine smiled weakly and as she took another sip, Holly leaned in slightly, her tone light but mischievous. "You know, my son hardly left your side the entire two weeks you were out of it."

Josephine, casually and accidentally let slip "Oh I know". A brief moment of realization crossed her face, prompting a swift cough as she tried to cover her tracks. She quickly rephrased her response, asking with feigned surprise, "I-uh-I mean, really?"

Holly chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling as she tapped her nose. "Oh, my dear, Jotaro may try to hide how he feels, but a mother always knows."

The door creaked open, and Jotaro's deep voice entered the room. "What are you two talking about?"

Holly, never missing a beat, smiled with the same mischievous glint. "Oh, we were just discussing what a softie my son has become."

Jotaro rolled his eyes, muttering his trademark "Good grief," as he stepped inside, though there was no real annoyance in his voice. It was a familiar routine he had long accepted when it came to his mother.

Holly stood gracefully, taking Josephine's empty tea cup with her. "I'll be back in a moment with a refill," she said, "You two talk."

As the door closed behind her, Jotaro sat down beside Josephine's futon on the floor, "How are you feeling?" he asked, his tone gruff but caring.

Josephine chuckled softly. "Much better, thanks to your mom's tea." She smiled.

Jotaro gave a small nod, though he seemed to study her more intently than usual. Everything that happened replayed like a broken record in his mind. Josephine, sensing the shift in the air, hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

"I can't believe the effort everyone went through to save me..." she confessed, her voice quieter.

Jotaro's brow furrowed slightly in confusion. "Why wouldn't we?"

Josephine's hand fidgeted with the blanket, "I've never had anyone care about me like this before... let alone be willing to risk their lives to save mine. It's just a lot to take in."

"You'll get used to it."

Josephine smiled, but the uncertainty that had been growing in her since waking up remained. Her hand tightened around the blanket as she mustered the courage to ask, "What happens now? What's our next move against Pucci?"

Jotaro's face hardened at the mention of the name and he let out a controlled breath before responding, "I'm not sure yet. But whatever the case is, you will not be joining us."

Josephine sat up straighter in a flash of frustration, "But you said I could join the fight!" she protested, her tone more assertive than she intended and she was abrubtly cut off by Jotaro.

"That was before Pucci nearly killed you," he stated bluntly, determined to make her understand how close to the end she almost was. "I knew it was a mistake to let you get involved and you nearly paid the ultimate price."

Josephine's frustration only deepened, "When are you going to understand, Mr. Jotaro? Whether you like it or not, we're in this together. I can't just sit on the sidelines, I won't!"

Jotaro's body stiffened as he straightened his posture. He rubbed his forehead, a pained expression crossing his face. He didn't want to argue with her again, not when she was still recovering from her coma. Taking a deep breath, he locked eyes with her again, and his large, calloused hand found its way to her cheek.

His touch was both firm and soft as he spoke, a struggle clear in his voice. "You have to understand, I can't let something else happen to you, not like..." He couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence, his eyes averting away from hers.

Josephine's hand reached up to his on her face, her smaller fingers curling around his much larger ones. She took a deep breath to brace herself before softly stating, "I know about Jolyne."

Jotaro's eyes flashed wide at her, uncertainty and pain etched on his face. "What did you just say... to me?" he asked, unsure if he had heard correctly.

Josephine nodded slowly, "Pucci...Pucci told me what he did before he attacked me. Everything made sense then, why you got so angry when I disobeyed you, why you were so worried about me. I understand it all now, I'm so sorry Mr. Jotaro."

He opened his mouth to speak, but the words seemed to elude him, trapped in the pain of his memories. "Kid, I...you..."

Before he could finish articulating his thoughts, Josephine reached forward. Her arms wrapped around him in a tight embrace and she buried her face in his chest.

"You don't have to face this alone, Mr. Jotaro. You have me and you have the others. We'll face this together." Her grip tightened, and she urged him to accept the support she was offering. "Let me be there for you now, just like you've been there for me. We're a team, right?"

Jotaro hesitated for a moment before he finally returned the hug, his arms encircling her as his chin rested on the top of her head.

"You really won't take no for an answer, huh?"

"Not a chance."