Never Alone (Jotakak)

Expedition

The sound of a car door slamming broke the student from his daze, glancing up from his checklist.

He paused at what he found, blinking. His research partner, a certain Jotaro Kujo- known widely for his inability to express emotion or interest beyond his work, was...

Smiling.

Now, it wasn't much of a big smile- just a subtle twitch at the corners of his lips. Nothing that would make anyone who didn't know him blink. But his research partner, Daniel Smith- having spent hours upon hours in the giant's company- was shellshocked.

One hand was braced on the driver seat door, body hunched as he spoke to someone in the car.

In the next moment, he was moving to the trunk as the passenger emerged from the car.

Daniel blinked as the face was revealed- a red-haired man with soft, glimmering eyes. His partner stared as Jotaro pulled his bag from the trunk, obvious banter passing between them.

... Who was this man?

Jotaro turned to his classmate, hefting the bag.

It was a week long research trip, spent on a scientific cruise boat. Dedicated to mapping the patterns of migrating whales- and to clear the path for them in future years.

"Hi," I said, blinking as the redhead followed him. He walked with a limp, barely noticeable if it weren't for the metal braces wrapped around his legs.

Jotaro let out a small humm in greeting before dumping his bag next to mine. A half dozen people waited outside the university with us, the professor milling about to make sure everyone was properly prepared.

The redhead yawned, still half asleep as he rested his hands on the giant's shoulders. Alone, he would be tall- dwarfing me by a good few inches. Next to the six and a half foot giant, however, he was tiny- forced to raise up to rest his palms against solid muscle.

"Don't fall overboard," he started. A long pause. "Unless it's on purpose."

A small snort from the impassive man. I stared at their interaction, amazed that he was putting up with being touched.

"You're not my mom," he said with a small eyeroll. A pout from the smaller man.

"No," he agreed. "But your mom isn't here so I'm helping her out. She deals with enough of your tedious bullshit as it is. I'm lessening the load for her."

The fact that the redhead was neither punched to oblivion nor, at the very least, receiving a cold glare...

I could only stare in shock as a dry reply was given.

"Been talking to her recently, have we?"

A soft humm as the redhead slid his arms around Jotaro's neck, rising onto the tips of his toes to complete the feat. He gave the giant a lazy smile.

"Just enough to know that she's happier off without your pessimistic attitude filling the house," he purred. Jotaro's eyes narrowed. I flinched, waiting for the anger.

Instead, I could only stare in shock as a smile tugging on his mouth as he replied in another language.

The redhead laughed, dipping closer so that his body was pressed against my research partner's. My hands were frozen on the zipper of my bag, jaw dropping as their faces hovered a few inches apart. And the fact that Jotaro was standing for this-

A quiet, sultry reply from the redhead in the same language, body shifting just so-

I glanced away, cheeks heating in embarrassment.

A glance back at them as silence followed made me choke on my spit.

The redhead had moved forwards, kissing him. They pulled away as I watched.

Jotaro's partner gave him a soft pat, following it with a chaste kiss on his cheek.

"Have fun."

Jotaro watched as he walked back to the car, smile ghosting his mouth. The man blew him a kiss as he pulled out of the parking lot.

I stared at him as he turned back to me, jaw still hanging open.

Thick brows furrowed beneath the rim of his hat has he saw me, lips pinching into a pout.

"What?" He asked finally. I closed my mouth with a visible struggle, swallowing thickly.

"I didn't realize you had a boyfriend," I said meekly. Nor that the great Jotaro Kujo was capable of possessing one.

He hummed in response, though didn't reply as the professor came over to check our supplies. Throughout the whole process, I couldn't help but sneak glances at him, shocked that he was even capable of showing enough emotion. 

"How long have you been together?" I asked as we boarded the boat, hesitant to broach the topic- knowing he wasn't one to enjoy talking about himself. His answer was monotone, voice flat and emotionless as he replied,

"Ten months."

I blinked, though as I thought about it more, the shock wore away. I knew next to nothing about the man next to me. It only made sense that there were things like that he choose to keep hidden.

I paused in my examination of him.

If there was something like this that I didn't know about, then what else was he hiding beneath the cold exterior?

Hey guys! I'm alive! YAy! Sorry for such a short one- and sorry for not really finishing Jotakak week... I might do that later... I'm not really sure what's going on with this book tbh. Updates are on hold, or at least really far apart for now, we'll see what happens in the future. For now, stay safe and stay healthy!