[EARLY APRIL, 1989]

[AFTERNOON - AROUND 3:30 P.M.]

[ABOUT 9 MONTHS UNTIL END OF THE WORLD]

- • -

It was a peaceful, normal day. So ordinary, nothing out of the usual for either Jotaro or Kakyoin. Jotaro had his typical day at school-his fangirls following him and trying to link their arms with his, his teachers cowering in fear when he did so much as look at them funny, and he beat up a few guys in the boy's bathroom stall when they randomly decided to try and pick a fight with him in there. He, of course, taught them a lesson to never mess with Jotaro Kujo, and beat the living shit out of them with Star Platinum. It was not only enjoyable, but funny when they started screaming that there was a ghost attacking them. Kakyoin had his accustomed, boring day at the hospital, up until Jotaro drove to see him only thirty minutes earlier. A simple day for both of them.

Up until Kakyoin had a seizure right in front of Jotaro.

One moment, they were both laughing as they reminisced a hilarious moment in the Arabian Desert. It was a highly laughable memory, remembering when they faced the Sun and they discovered it's secret with the mirror. It always earned a good laugh, even if only they and Polnareff understood how funny it was.

The next moment, Kakyoin, mid-laugh, was gurgling foamy saliva from his mouth. His eyes had rolled upwards, mouth drawn wide open as he fell back in his bed. Jotaro's breath caught in his throat at the sight, and too suddenly panicked to do anything else, started to scream his name over and over again, all the while calling for a doctor.

The doctors came bursting in, calmly giving out instructions to eachother. Two of them, one male and one female, walked over to Jotaro and told him to stay put, looking about ready to restrain him from doing anything other than that.

Do they seriously not trust me, even though I'm the one that called them in here? Fucking assholes. Jotaro couldn't help but growl under his breath. He'd already grown to know the doctors here pretty well, despite that being a bad thing, but he didn't favor, nor like any of them. They treated Kakyoin fairly well, as well as Jotaro, but he personally believed he shouldn't have to return those same gestures. Kakyoin might not know it, but Jotaro knew all too well that most the doctors that here worked for the sole purpose of money. He knew simply because the workers made it clearly obvious in their conversations.

It didn't help that Jotaro never liked hospitals to begin with. Probably nobody did. Everything about hospitals—the sharp medicinal smell; the rude, greedy people; the plain, pale, colors; the sad, gloomy atmosphere—he hated every little fucking thing about hospitals.

Honestly, Jotaro hated coming here.

The only reason he even came by was to visit Kakyoin.

He wasn't here to be nice to anyone but Kakyoin.

After the doctors were finally gone, Jotaro rushed back to Kakyoin's bed, resting his hand on top of Kakyoin's. He checked his pulse; soft, unenergetic, but definitely there. Jotaro sighed shakily in relief, bringing the hand up to his own lips.

He layed a gentle kiss on the top of Kakyoin's cool, limp hand, just below his roundish knuckles. It was a good thing Kakyoin was unconscious, inhaling and exhaling deeply through a clear mask. Jotaro knew it was selfish. He couldn't help himself from touching Kakyoin in some way. He rarely liked physical contact, but with Kakyoin there was a constant need and yearning for it. He craved it. Kakyoin's pale skin was soft, silky, gentle to the touch, a texture that felt like touching the clouds of heaven. It was hard to believe the long and elegant hands belong to a male. His muscles were definitely there, smooth and noticeable from under his skin. He was smaller when compared to Jotaro's large build, but compared to a normal man he was definitely more well-built. And more handsome. Definitely more handsome than anyone Jotaro had ever seen. Despite what girls said about how attractive Jotaro was, he personally believed Kakyoin had the enticing, charming appearance of a devil and the smarts and wits of a god.

Jotaro needed more contact from Kakyoin before he decided that he had enough. Despite how wrong and what a selfish act it was, he wanted just a little bit more of the other man's touch before he woke up. Jotaro gingerly took hold of Kakyoin's hand, intertwining his own fingers between the gaps in Kakyoin's fingers. He used his other hand to cup Kakyoin's hand in between his two hands. He brought their hands up to his forehead, pressing them against his own skin and breathing in Kakyoin's scent, exhaling hot, moist breaths afterwards. He always smelled like something angelic and magical had showered over him. Even in the desert, when his body was sleek and shiny with sweat, he simply smelled like something non-existent from a completely different dimension: just a sweet, tear-urging scent from the heavens.

Jotaro decided he had enough for the moment, as he was already doing something so selfish just to fullfill his own stupid desires. He lay Kakyoin's hand down back in it's original spot by his side. He was still deep in sleep, showing no signs of waking up anytime soon.

Jotaro left the hospital, leaving the unconscious Kakyoin alone. He didn't want to be at the hospital any longer than he needed to, much less if he was just going to sit in an uncomfortable chair and do nothing.

Kakyoin would wake an hour later to find that Jotaro was gone. A nurse explained what happened, and left to get the usual medication that he had to take. His body was practically freezing, causing him to shiver as soon as he awakened.

But, much to Kakyoin's amazement, his right hand had oddly enough kept it's warmth and moisture.

- • -

[JANUARY 14TH, 1990]

[MORNING - 8:00 A.M.]

[2 DAYS UNTIL END OF THE WORLD]

- • -

The navy blue waves crashed distantly. The crisp, cool air blowed with little noise. The streets stayed empty and silent, not a single car or person in sight. No movement or distractions. Only the calming rushing of waves and quiet whistle of the wind. The sky was bright pale blue, light gray clouds looming in the far direction. The weather forecast predicted it would rain in the much later hours, near the time of sudown. The relaxing chillness of it all was soothing. It was a normal day for those who have lived in Florida for a while, but an extraordinary sight for others.

The entire scene was visible right outside Noriaki Kakyoin's window in his bedroom. In there were two Japanese men, both in the same bed, breathing soundlessly though their noses.

Jotaro Kujo, who was just behind Kakyoin, was spooning the smaller man. His smooth, visibly muscular arms bear hugging Kakyoin, pulling him as close to his own chest as possible. His larger build protectively covering the redhead, chin propped on top of that cherry red hair. His nose inhaling and exhaling his sweet scent, buried in the bright locks of silky hair. Their legs intertwined with one another's.

Kakyoin wore his purple and white sleepwear with a stripe design. Jotaro, on the other hand, had on only his black boxers. His bare chest pressed against Kakyoin's back, sleek, hard abs rubbing against his boyfriend's back, comforting Kakyoin in an unusual yet completely easing matter. His large hands under Kakyoin's shirt, splayed out on the cherry lover's own stomach abs. They lazily stroked those muscles on his boyfriend's stomach, delivering a soothing, loving contentment to the still-alseep Kakyoin.

Relaxing. Comfortable. Easing. Soothing. Loving. Everything their last days were planned out to be. For so long they have known eachother, but only recently started their journey as lovers. Only two days left until their inevitable fate wasn't enough time for them to physically enjoy eachother's company and love. They would make the best of it-and in the next world, after death, they would still continue their journey of love. Dead or alive, they would live on forever in one another's souls.

Kakyoin shifted lightly in Jotaro's warm embrace. He sighed through his nose, hands rising to gently grip Jotaro's forearms that were around his body. He leaned back farther into Jotaro's chest. Jotaro lowered his head to the curve of Kakyoin's neck, planting multiple quick, ticklish kisses on the redhead's neck, causing him to shudder in Jotaro's arms.

"Good morning, Nori," Jotaro purred into Kakyoin's ear, kissing it as he did so. "Did you sleep well?" Kakyoin hummed in response, turning his head to meet Jotaro's turquoise eyes. Their soft lips connected for a few moments before separating. "I slept better than I have in a long time, thanks to your constant cuddling."

They kissed again, both of them smiling into the other's lips, touching the tips of their noses together. They kept doing that, glad to be in one another's embrace.

It took forever for them to get out of bed. They constantly got distracted by one another, locking their gazes together and beginning another small, loving kissing session. They finally arrived in the kitchen, Jotaro cooking up a savory breakfast that consisted of blueberry pancakes, eggs, bacon, hash browns, and buttery toast with cherry jam spread across it. When it was ready to serve, he brought multiple plates at one time to the kitchen table with the help of Star Platinum.

As Jotaro set down Kakyoin's breakfast, he stopped short just as he set the plates down. Their eyes met again. They didn't speak, but the looks on their eyes spoke volumes full of emotion. They didn't need to use words to understand eachother.

It was impossible to break that long-lasting gaze. They were both still absorbed in one another, too possessed with feelings of love to stop themselves from doing anything but showing the other romantic affection. It was difficult for them to resist their longing for the other. The had only discovered this new sensation of love a few days ago, and they still weren't used to it's effect it had on them. They needed eachother every second of the day. They always yearned for the other's calming touch. Their love was strong, only just found out to be reciprocated by both of them, and they were both still drunk on that everlasting love. They were constantly reminded of memories that brought them to love one another, all of them taking place in Egypt and a hospital in Japan. To the normal eye, it would've only appeared that they were desperate for anyone to love them romantically. But, behind those two sets of eyes lay a strong bond between Jotaro and Kakyoin; an invisible red string of fate had been tied to them all along. It was a massive relief for them that that tension was finally gone from existence, and now they could freely express their desire and affection for the other.

Kakyoin's hands wandered up to Jotaro's still-naked chest, fingers trailing across those olive-toned abs. Jotaro smothered a pleasured, shaky exhale from his clenched teeth. His own hands wandered down and up under Kakyoin's shirt; he made sure he was careful around his boyfriend's stomach area, as he had only almost fully healed from a hole in his chest just a month back. Jotaro's hands traveled upon Kakyoin's chest, his fingers grazing his sensitive skin, earning a quiet moan in response. They didn't even know what they were doing; they were only going with their instincts, and that was to comfort their lover in whatever way they thought was necessary.

In fact, they hadn't even realized they were doing that until they suddenly snapped out of their thoughts, and they began eating breakfast silently.

After they finished breakfast, the two Japanese men flung themselves onto the couch, cuddling immediately upon sitting down. Kakyoin's head now laid in Jotaro's lap, lengthy legs spread out across the couch. Jotaro's hand messaged Kakyoin's scalp, running his fingers though the sea of soft red hair.

"What are we doing today, my love?"

My love. My love. My love. Jotaro never thought he would live to witness the day Kakyoin calling him that with his very own voice.

"Probably what we did yesterday."

"Oh? You mean go the mall?"

The mall they went to yesterday was abandoned, just as expected. Despite that, it appeared as if nobody else had tried to break in.

Oh yeah, they broke in through the front doors. Just like Jotaro had done at Kakyoin's favorite cherry shop, he used his foot and kicked the glass frame in and let it shatter to little pieces. The same reaction, too-a suprised look at first, and then Kakyoin shrugged it off.

Nothing was broken. Nothing had been stolen or out of place. It simply looked like a normal mall that had been shut down for the night. Once inside, the two had went to just about every store, using the skylights as their source of lighting. There was one place in particular that they spent most of their time at: the arcade. The arcade machines were in good condition, and only needed to be plugged in to the wall in order for their screens to light up with bright colors. They had played F-Mega, Oh! That's a Baseball!, Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, Galaga, Centipede, and other games that had came out the previous decade. Kakyoin won everytime, and Jotaro was horrible at video games, but they both had the best time two teenage lovers could ask for.

And so they agreed to go again today.

After all, there wasn't anything else they would prefer to do, now that the world was ending. They would spend as much time together as possible.

- • -
*Timeskip brought to you by Polnareff French kissing Avdol with Iggy farting on top of Polnareff's head with a bored face and baguettes raining around them in a very graceful manner*
- • -

Hours later, Jotaro and Kakyoin arrived back at Jotaro's apartment.

They had spent the whole day at the mall, doing whatever they wanted and eating candy bars and bags of chips they found in the stores. They did everything one could possibly think of, but the fashion show was the greatest. Jotaro tried on everything that fit him, Kakyoin insisting that his boyfriend, too, would participate in trying on many different outfits. Of course, Jotaro was embarrassed the whole time, and was blushing brighter than the damn sun when Kakyoin found a shirt with cute dolphins printed on it.

But it was a completely different story when Kakyoin tried on clothes.

He was so graceful and over-dramatic with his poses that Jotaro could only think of one word to describe them:

Sexy.

It was so enchanting that Jotaro actually got a nosebleed when Kakyoin had gotten barely an inch away from him. He was in a bent over position, his butt sticking out in the opposite direction, his face in front of Jotaro's and his hands clutching his own knees. He wore a loose white shirt with small cherry patterns on it, with pine green bell bottoms and bright red dress shoes. It wasn't much, but to Jotaro it was absolutely mystifying. After that, Kakyoin teased him for the waterfall of blood that had dripped from Jotaro's nose. He even used it against him while they were playing games in the arcade. There were a couple of times when Jotaro would do unexpectedly well, determination being the only thing fogging his mind---and then he would lose after getting too embarrassed and losing focus when Kakyoin repeatedly teased him about his accidental nosebleed.

Now it was 10:00 P.M..

Jotaro had only one thing left to do.

He reached for the telephone on the table, his fingers about to graze the black, plastic material.

But the phone rang first.

He knew immediately; it was him mom.

He called her every single day after hearing the weather announcement on the TV. They both broke into a silent state of crying, voices threatening to shatter and give up. It was already difficult enough to call her, but today . . .

Today would be the last time Jotaro would ever hear her voice; Comforting, gentle, soothing, calming: everything that his own voice wasn't.

He wasn't ready for her to die.

Neither was he ready for Suzie Q, Joseph, or Polnareff to pass away either.

They were the only people he had left besides Kakyoin he cared about.

Jotaro picked up the phone, hands shaking as he put the receiver on speaker and let it rest in his hands. Kakyoin sat next to him, one hand placed on Jotaro's knee for comfort.

"Hello?" Jotaro's voice came nervously. His hat cast a shadow over his face, but Kakyoin could clearly see the sadness in his eyes as he stared at the receiver.

"M-Mom . . ?"

"J . . . Jo-Jotaro . . ." Holly's voice, shaking and pained.

"Mom . . . Is . . . Are Polnareff and the old man . . . Are they there as well?"

"Y-Yeah . . . They're right next to me, as well as Grandma Suzie. You're on speaker. Is Noriaki there with you?"

"Yes, Miss Holly. I'm here with your son in his apartment."

"O-Oh, Noriaki! I . . . I want to say thank you!"

"T-Thank you? Thank me for what?"

"For being there for my son when he needed you the most. I understand that he finally told you how he felt . . ?"

"A-Ah, um, it was actually me that confessed to him first . . . But yeah, he told me right after I---"

"Merveilleux! Voilà de merveilleuses nouvelles! I am so happy for you two!"-Polnareff.

"Polnareff! It's . . . It's amazing to hear your voice again!"-Kakyoin.

"Bonjour, Kakyoin! Same here! Now, tell me-or us-about your relationship! I want to know all the details! Like, have you kissed yet? Oh, nevermind, I'm sure you have! What about make out? Wait, even better! Have you had se-"

"Polnareff! That is completely unnecessary! But, for your information, the most we've done is make out . . . Jeez, why are you so interested?"

"Because I can allow myself to feel content about the two of you finally getting in a relationship! I mean, you know how long I've known about Jotaro having a thing for you? It's been almost a year since I found out! Ever since then, I've been encouraging him to come out to you, but he's been too scared to! Kakyoin, yeah, I can see him falling in love . . . But a guy like Jotaro? Ha! And he always acted so shy around you while you guys visited for Christmas! It truly was a sight to behold!"

"Shut up, Polnareff! Nobody needs to know about that!"---Jotaro.

"I'm just saying I'm proud you two finally found eachother before anything happened to either one of you! You wouldn't ever be able to live with that regret of not telling someone your feelings for them. It really messes you up, if you don't get the chance to tell the one you love how you feel."

Silence.

"All of you know that I loved Avdol unconditionally. Despite what we've said to eachother . . . And how much I pushed him away when I wanted to leave because of my own personal problems. . . I've always loved him. And . . . I know how it feels to lose somebody so close to you without telling them how you feel. It . . . It just eats away at your sanity . . . Especially when you are the reason why they died in the first place. God dammit . . !" Polnareff began to sob loudly over the other line, and the voices of Holly and Joseph attempting to calm him down followed just after.

Once Polnareff was calm enough, he continued with a sniffle: "But . . . I truly am glad I got to know you two. For such young men, you make such powerful, amazing fighters! You always managed to suprise me with your smarts and talents! It genuinely is a pleasure to have gotten to know you . . . I love you guys!"

"We . . .," Kakyoin trailed off and, despite how embarrassed Jotaro was to say it, he would do it anyways, "We love you too, Pol. It was an honor to fight alongside you. You're a humorous, brave, and noble fighter that risked his life for the sake of others. You're a good friend, and we're glad to know a man like you."

"J-Jotaro . . ! Thank you so much! You guys . . . You saved my life, literally! Without any of you guys . . . I wouldn't be alive today . . . And I would likely have been defeated like the rest of the other Stand users controlled by DIO. It was an experience like no other, to fight with you and the other crusaders! And . . . I can say the same kind words to you! I'll never forget the bizarre adventures we had together!" Polnareff stopped with a small, sad laugh, sniffling as he did so.

". . . Hey, Polnareff?"

". . ?"

"Remember the Sun?"

Polnareff chuckled lightly, wiping his eyes of tears. He hummed warmly in response.

"And Polnareff, always remember this; it is the most important, wise piece of informational words I can ever bestow upon you in a lifetime of friendship."

"Y-Yes, Kakyoin?"

"Your underwear is showing."

That earned a laughing fit from the Frenchman over the phone. "How did you know?" Polnareff muttered as he kept laughing. He abruptly stopped, speaking with a sad, yet eternally happy tone:

"Farewell, my friends. Thank you for everything."

The sound of rustling and static was heard over the line, suddenly stopping as light breathing came from the speaker. It was Joseph.

"Hey, Jotaro and Kakyoin."

"Hey, ol—" Jotaro cut himself off, smiling briefly. ". . . Grandpa. I . . . I don't know exactly what to say."

"I must say . . . I also have no clue what to say either. But, I can tell you at least this: I am proud of you, Jotaro. I mean, who wouldn't be proud of their grandchild defeating an opponent as ruthless and cruel as DIO, the man who was been a main root cause of Joestar problems for over a century now? Not only did you kill that bastard, but you saved me and my daughter in the process as well. And you were only seventeen at the time! You did something that nobody else was capable of handling! And . . . I'll always remember all the memories of you and I when you were so much younger. I always knew in my heart that you would accomplish great things one day, but I never expected something as extraordinary from you at that young of an age. You saved the entire world from DIO's wrath! Anyways, I . . . There are so many other things I could tell you, but I think you already know how proud I am of you. I'm honored that you are my grandson, Jotaro. I really do mean it. And Kakyoin, I am also proud of you. You showed the same amount of courageousness and bravery as Jotaro, and for that, you will forever have earned my eternal respect. I appreciate you two more than you will ever know."

"Oh, Jotaro! I love you so very much, my sweet young grandson! Same goes for you, Kakyoin, for your willingness of risking your life to save my daughter! And now that I know you two are relationship, you go and have some fun! I mean it-live your lives to the fullest and spend every waking moment in eachother's company! So you will never be alone, and we will also always be with you in spirit!" That was Suzie Q, cheerful as always, despite their current inevitable situation. She always managed to bring Jotaro's hopes up with her words.

"We love you guys!" Joseph and Suzie Q.

"I love you guys too," Jotaro said in unison with Kakyoin as he said, "We love you too, Mr. and Mrs. Joestar!"

The phone was passed over once more, and Jotaro and Kakyoin knew there was only one person left to talk to: Holly.

"Mom."

"Jotaro."

". . . What am I supposed to say?"

"You . . ." Holly took a deep, shaky breath before continuing, "You don't have to say anything, my sweet boy. I don't even know what to say myself. But you know what? I can at least say I love you. I do know at least that much. You're my kid, Jotaro, and I have loved you ever since the day you came into my life. I always knew you would succeed in great things, but, as my father said, I never expected you to do such a feat like defeating DIO! And you risked your life to save me and your grandpa. Of course, sacrifices had to be made, but in the end, we all came up on top in victory, especially you, Jotaro. You have proved yourself more than anyone that you are capable of the most magnificent things. You're smart, caring, willing and dedicated, and that's all it takes in a person for them to succeed in anything possible. I'm honored that you, my own son, are one of those few people that exist in this world. And you, Kakyoin, are also one of those rarely occurring spawns on our planet. Both of you are blessings to us all.

"I love you, Jotaro and Kakyoin. Kakyoin, take care of my son for the next few days. Love him with your entire soul and being! And Jotaro . . . I love you more than anything. I hope I see you again someday."

Jotaro was already crying into Kakyoin's chest, gripping his boyfriend's shirt tightly in his fists. His sobs were the only sound once Holly had finished speaking. Kakyoin rubbed Jotaro's back and scalp, trying not to breakdown himself, but was almost at that point where he couldn't hold in his sadness any longer.

"I—I . . . I l-lov-ve . . . I love you t-too, Mom."

"W-We love you too, Miss Holly---"

"And Mom . . . Please, I know this is sudden, but I want you to spend your next hour with gramps, grandma and Polnareff. They are the people that are actually there with you right now. They'll keep you company, and, just . . . Please. I understand that I'm your son and you love me, but I ask of you to do it for me."

"B-But Jotaro---!"

"It's okay, Mom." Jotaro was now calm, voice now back into it's mostly monotone setting. But, behind that thick layer of impenetrable insensibility was a man; a man who learned to love and appreciate the people around him. A man who cared for others and would do anything to see them in constant safety. A man who on the outside seemed like an average asshole poured his emotions to his once physically and mentally challenged boyfriend that struggled to keep his life on the line. A man that was passionate and caring about what he does and who he loves. A man that was willing to do anything for the ones he loves.

"You spend the rest of your time with your mother and father. And don't forget about Polnareff; he's capable of cheering up anyone in a heartbeat. It may not be what you want, but . . . It's what I want for you."

It took a moment for Holly to respond. "Okay, Jotaro. This is it. I love you so, so much."

"So do we!" Joseph and Suzie.

"Oui, and so do I! You two enjoy eachother while you can! And don't ever forget this: we will all see eachother again someday! All of us! Iggy, Avdol and I! We'll see you two once again soon!"

"Goodbye, everyone." Jotaro and Kakyoin.

"Goodbye."

The phone had been dropped onto the floor many times since the news of the world ending came into mind. From sadness and anger both, usually thrown violently from Jotaro's hand and clattering against the ground. The receiver, sweaty from Jotaro's hands squeezing against the grip.

This time, the receiver simply clattered softly onto the ground, no extra force put into throwing it.

It shattered from too much damage, just like Jotaro and Kakyoin's hearts.

The pieces rained everywhere, just like their tears.

It was weird how the world worked in such mysterious, cruel ways, wasn't it?

To be continued . . . -->
- • -

I'm sorry for the slightly longer wait!! I was busy with a garage sale all last week and didn't get very much sleep. I'm seriously still tired right as I'm writing this.

Hopefully the extended chapter will make up for my absence. I hope you enjoyed this chapter just as much as I enjoyed writing it—holy fireballs, this was difficult to write, another reason why this took forever to write. Plus I had to rewrite 1300 words because Wattpad randomly erased them.

See ya in the next chapter. ;)