Fake Out (Polnareff x Reader)

Chapter Four

When you woke the next morning, Polnareff had already left the room. You scrambled out of bed, worried that the group might have left you behind. You quickly got ready and dashed out, nearly forgetting the room key in your haste.

When you arrived in the lobby, the rest of your group was already there. They all turned to look at you as you walked up, but Polnareff quickly averted his eyes when you met his gaze, and crossed his arms.
"Gooood morning sleepyhead! Hope you slept well, 'cause we've got a big day ahead of us today!" Announced Mr. Joestar, and clamped a hand on your shoulder. You chuckled awkwardly. "We'll go get some breakfast and strategize a little bit."

The six of you left the hotel and walked to a restaurant nearby. You started to drift towards the back of the group, walking in silence as you watched the men converse. You started to feel like the odd one out, for a multitude of reasons, and felt the doubt creeping in. You wondered if you had made the right decision, inviting yourself on this journey.
Thankfully, you arrived at the restaurant before you could get too lost in your own thoughts. The six of you were seated by the hostess at a round table, and began browsing the menus. The five men chattered about their arrival to India, while you sat quietly, pondering what to order.

"It's a hell of a lot of culture shock though. Guess I'll like it once I get used to it huh?" Polnareff said, reaching for his bag next to the table. "Well, I guess people adapt to their surroundings eventually." He stood up from the table, bag in tow, and turned to a waiter. "Where's the john?" The waiter motioned to the back of the building.

"Polnareff, aren't you going to order first?" Questioned Joseph.

"Pick for me, it'd better be something amazing! Something gorgeous and sophisticated that suits a Frenchman such as moi." Polnareff announced as he trekked off to the bathroom. You watched as Mr. Joestar stared in shock, mouth agape, and had to hold yourself back from making a similar expression.

"Which means it doesn't matter, he'll eat anything." Stated Kakyoin, which pulled Joseph out of his trance. The group continued to chatter about what to order, and moments later you heard commotion coming from the direction of the bathroom.

"Sounds like Polnareff is having bathroom troubles again." Said Mr. Joestar, and you laughed. You wondered what else had happened to prompt this comment.

"Good grief." Mumbled Jotaro, and Kakyoin laughed.

While Polnareff struggled in the bathroom, the rest of your group placed their orders, and the food was brought out in no time. It was mostly quiet, while the five of you ate, until Polnareff came bounding out of the bathroom and shouting.

He yelled about a stand user, "the man with two right hands", while the other restaurant patrons looked on in confusion. He suddenly made a beeline for the front door, and the rest of your group exchanged looks.

"Wait here, (Y/n). We'll be back." Instructed Joseph, as the men followed Polnareff out the front door. You were left to sit alone, at a complete loss. You could see the men through the window, standing outside the restaurant.

Finally, you waved down the waiter and fished out some cash to pay for the groups bill. As you got ready to follow everyone outside, you caught a glimpse of a heated argument between Polnareff and Avdol unfolding out front.

When you finally caught up with them outside, you caught the tail end of Polnareff's bitter words towards Avdol, before the Frenchman gave him an aggressive finger jab in the chest and walked off.

You all stood in silence for a moment, watching Polnareff leave. It was so strange as he left your group behind, despite your anger and annoyance towards the Frenchman, you felt a twinge in your heart as the two of you parted ways.

-

Later that day, the now five of you regrouped at the hotel's restaurant. The rest of the afternoon was quiet, and tense. You picked at the meal in front of you, feeling even more awkward and anxious than before.

"So he really didn't come back after all." Joseph said, finally breaking the uncomfortable silence. The five of you stared at the empty seat at the table, and you couldn't help but wonder where Polnareff had ended up. You were certain the others were thinking the same.
After the way things unfolded today, you started to feel even worse about the way you treated Polnareff the night before.

"He may come around yet. Grief makes people do crazy things." You muttered, still pushing around the untouched food on your plate.

"We'll see." Avdol stated, and you let out a small sigh, the gloom in the air weighing heavily over everyone.

-

After dinner, Avdol disappeared. There was some discussion, and the group decided to spit and look for him around the city, while you were chosen to stay back in case he returned to the hotel.
You waited impatiently in the lobby, too anxious to do anything for fear of missing him. Still, you were finding it hard to sit still. You sat quietly, watching the other people inside mill about, and playing with the hem of your dress.
Finally, you picked up a travel magazine from the small stack on the coffee table in front of you, and lazily flipped through it. Desperately trying to distract yourself from the growing dread in your gut.

With the way things unraveled today, you couldn't help but feel as if you played some part in Polnareff's decision to leave. You felt unbelievably anxious as the guilt wracked your body.
It felt like forever since they'd all left, and you prayed that everyone would return soon.

Everything felt so odd. Although you'd only met these men yesterday, you already felt so attached. Perhaps the instant bond came from finally finding people who could understand you.

-

A choir of voices rustled you from your dream. When you finally opened your eyes, you realized you'd fallen asleep in your spot in the hotel lobby. You rubbed your eyes, scanning your surroundings, when you realized the group had returned, Polnareff included.

You smiled softly as your eyes wandered over the group of men, until it dawned on you. Despite the return of Polnareff, Avdol was nowhere to be seen, but in his place stood a young woman.
You furrowed your brows as your mind jumped to the worst possible conclusion.

"Where's Avdol?" You questioned, concern laced in your voice as you jumped up quickly from your seat.

Joseph put a hand on your shoulder. "There was a fight. Avdol... was protecting Polnareff." With that, you shot a glance towards the Frenchman, who was utterly oblivious as he fawned over the group's newest companion. "We weren't able to save him... But we gave him a proper send off the best we could." Joseph continued, and your heart twisted. You'd just met the man, but still you were devastated.

"Who was it? The man with two right hands?" You questioned, and Joseph nodded.

"Yes. And another stand user, Hol Horse." That name, Hol Horse, rang familiar in your mind, though you couldn't quite make out why.

The air was tense, clouding over everyone besides the Frenchman, who gushed over his new lady incessantly. Your eyes narrowed, watching him fawn and blush over the young woman.

Your jaw hung open as you watched him. "Are you kidding me? Avdol just... just died and you-" You cut yourself off, and took a breath, turning away from the two of them. "Never mind, let's just go."