The fear of the ocean

2 - Riptide

2 - Riptide

Jotaro and Kakyoin insist on going home themselves by bus, leaving the pair to continue to frolic in the sea past sundown. Joseph was concerned for Kakyoin, but then remembers his brute of a grandson was better than any bodyguard, and felt more at ease. Polnareff and Avdol hop into Joseph's car, and leave.

Jotaro and Kakyoin had been snorkeling and exploring the sea floor for hours, now, and they don't seem to be getting tired of it. Kakyoin points at a bunch of corals and Jotaro's eyes squint with just the hint of a real smile. Kakyoin found a couple of star fish and Jotaro gently picks one up, strokes it. Kakyoin's heart fluttered when Jotaro extended his hand to Kakyoin, suggesting he have a feel of the star fish's rough texture. Kakyoin reaches out his hand.

Now, it's about 6.30, the sun was beginning to set. The boys were sitting on the beach, the waves weakly washing over them, reaching up behind them, before retreating back into the sea. They watch the sun slowly set, it was almost as if the sun were submerging itself in the ocean. Kakyoin sighs. This was such a cliché setting, but it felt strangely genuine. He looked over to Jotaro, who had his hat in his hands, the smallest of smiles on his lips. His eyes reflected the glow of the sunset, the orange blending in with the blue.

"Look, Kakyoin." Jotaro points to the waves. Kakyoin cranes his neck to find whatever Jotaro was pointing at. "It's a jellyfish." True enough, there was the round dome shape of the head, gently bobbing up and down.

"It must be enjoying the view, too," Kakyoin watches as the waves bring the creature closer to the shore.

As the two pack up and prepare to leave, Kakyoin wondered, did Jotaro have fun being with Kakyoin like that? He knew Jotaro and his connection with anything marine life related was something, and it gave him upmost pleasure to be in the ocean on his own. Was Kakyoin ruining things for the other boy? He dared not ask Jotaro, for fear of looking like too much of a worrywart.

Jotaro accidentally bumps Kakyoin's elbow as he bends down to pick up the picnic mat.

"Sorry," Kakyoin murmurs, a hasty smile on his face. Jotaro's expression was indifferent, but from the way his eyes glinted a little, Kakyoin knew that Jotaro didn't mind. "Want help with the mat? Give me 2 corners, then we can fold it." Jotaro flips the sand off the mat before allowing Kakyoin to grab the corners. As Jotaro's fingers brush over Kakyoins while they folded, Kakyoin couldn't help but try to memorize the feel of Jotaro's rougher fingertips grazing his hands.

"It was nice." Jotaro suddenly says as they walk to the bus stop. Kakyoin arches a brow. "Snorkeling with you was fun. We should do this again sometime."

Kakyoin's heart jolted against his ribs. Jotaro said that he enjoyed his time with him and to that, Kakyoin sighs happily and nods. They should do this again.

It's awful bizarre, Kakyoin thinks. Jotaro was a man full of mysteries. Undecipherable. Untouchable. Unthinkable. Always calm and collected, cool as well. Handsome all the way down to the tips of his toes. Voice as deep as an abyss, rumbling like a tremor. Eyes that were turquoise, ocean blue and a pinch of stardust, all swirling around together. Eyelashes inky black, eyebrows bent at the perfect angle. Ink black hair curling just right, slicked back yet messy. His personality was extremely hard to read. Even after knowing Jotaro for almost a year, save for a few little details and ticks, Kakyoin still couldn't understand Jotaro at all.

Jotaro was a man who preferred solitude and to be the lone wolf. Displays of affection were rare, even towards his mother. Maybe a question if she was okay or not. Maybe helping her do a little heavy work around the house, but that was it. Even so, he really was a momma's boy, deep down. That, Kakyoin could see. Jotaro cherished his mother very much.