Chapter Text
Joseph: [Caesar I’m bored!]
I smiled down at the text message. Normally I don’t ever check my phone in lecture but Joseph has really changed me. I glanced up at the professor who has been droning on about Paris in 1965, occasionally referencing the information packed power point behind him. I scanned over the slide quickly, making sure I had it all written down before turning my attention back to the message.
Caesar: [Maybe if you pay attention in class you’ll be less bored]
His response was almost immediate, which made my heart flutter. Fuckin Joestar has be wrapped around his finger and he doesn’t even know it!
Joseph: [But CiCi I already know all this! >_<]
Caesar: [Then start your homework] Joseph: [But then we’ll have no reason to meet after class to study <3]
Caesar: [Pffft and you call ME Casanova!]
My cheeks began to burn as I shoved my phone into my jean pocket before turning my attention back to the professor who was still going on about the same thing as before. I love this class but seriously, there’s only so much information I need to know about the sewage system of Paris. When the lecture finally ended I quickly shoved my notebook into my shoulder bag before making my way out of the building. The moment I stepped outside I was nearly blinded by the early morning sun, it was far too early to not have any caffeine in my system. As much as I enjoy University life I don’t think I’ll ever get used to 8 o’clock classes! I pushed a hand through my soft hair as my other hand dug into my pocket to get my phone to text Joseph to see where he was. Before I even had my phone out of my pocket I heard a loud and all too familiar voice.
“Oi Casanova! Don’t you walk away from me!” I practically crawled out of my skin at his loud volume and my lack of caffeine. I spun around on my heel to see the large Joestar holding two Starbucks coffee cups, one with my name scribbled across it. I all but dove towards him, grabbing my cup and quickly bringing it to my lips.
“Giuro JoJo sei un angelo mandato da Dio!” I moaned between sips of the dark liquid. He began to chuckle as he took a sip from his own cup.
“I have no idea what you just said but it sounded pretty.” I once against felt my cheeks heat up, and in an attempt to hide it it turned my back to him before speaking,
“Don’t worry about it. Thank you for the coffee.” In an instant I felt his chest pressed against my back, and his warm breath against my hair before I heard his teasing voice.
“Maybe you are right about me being a Casanova, I always seem to make a certain blonde italian blush.” I almost sat out my coffee when I felt his nose nuzzle against my neck. I jerked away from the overly pleasant feeling of my best friend’s lips brush against me, almost spilling my coffee.
“Son of a bit- JoJo what the f-fuck?!” I said as sternly as I could, but my voice faltered when the tingling on my neck didn’t go away. I turned to look at him to see the biggest grin painted across his face. I took a second to look at him, he was wearing a light blue button up shirt and his usual jeans and high boots. The shirt caused me to raise an eyebrow at his oddly put together appearance. “Since when do you wear dress shirts?” I asked taking a prolonged sip of my coffee. He smiled even more, before jutting one hip out and placing a big hand on it.
“Gotta’ look good for the ladies!” I rolled my eyes and was about to speak before he spoke again. “And for you of course, Blondie.” He sang, ruffling my already messy hair. “I was thinking somewhere different for studying today.” He said walking past me, forcing me to jog to catch up with him.
“But a library is meant for studying.” I stated flattly.
“Yeah but it’s such a beautiful day!” He said as we crossed the road of the bus loop. I looked around at the gently swaying trees and the perfect blue sky.
“What did you have in mind?” He stopped suddenly, causing me to almost walk into him.
“Picnic style study session!” He sang, spreading his arms so suddenly that he almost spilled his coffee all over my black shirt and blue-green jacket. I faked a groan, even though I thought he was being a little too adorable! I took my shoulder bag off and set it down next to me, taking my laptop out and placing it on my knees.
“Fine but you actually have to study, you can’t just sit here and eye-fuck every attractive girl that walks by.” I stated as he flopped down next to me, quickly rolling onto his sit and propping his chin up on his hand, staring at me with fake insult.
“Caesar I’m offended! I wouldn’t go straight to eye-fucking, first I would eye-romance, then eye-date, and THEN I would eye-fuck!” He said using multiple inflections to get his point across. I laughed as I opened my laptop and quickly typed in my password before retorting.
“I’ll believe that when I see it.” I said without taking my eyes off the screen. I heard him get up before feeling his presence behind me. I looked up, feeling our cheeks rub together causing me to lean to the left so our faces were far apart. “You really have no sense of personal space, do you JoJo?” I said looking at him with a raised eyebrow only to be met with another massive grin. I returned to my original place, our cheeks still pressed together.
“You’re just too uptight about your personal space.” He said with a wink before pressing his face closer to mine (if that were even possible). I redirected my attention back to my laptop, waiting for my lecture powerpoint to load. When it finally loaded the first slide that popped up had a picture of Rue de Passy in Paris. “I’ve been there.” He said moving his head onto my shoulder, using me as a head rest.
“Really?” I asked, feeling an ounce of jealousy. I felt his wild hair tickle my face as he nodded “Is it as nice as it looks?” when he spoke his voice was softer than I expected, our conversation taking a sweeter turn, which I had to admit I liked.
“Yeah it’s really nice. The streets are always busy, but not like New York busy, it’s nicer than that. And all the bakeries open their doors so most streets smell like pastry.” I hummed, thinking about if I were to ever go. “My grandma and I went a year ago, in the summer. It was nice, although neither of us speak French so it was a little tough. But beautiful nonetheless.” I smiled, I rarely got to hear Joseph speak fondly of something other than women or food. He almost was sounding like someone his own age, it made my heart flutter, which I quickly told myself was wrong because he was just my best friend, nothing more. “Have you not been?” I shook my head, still staring at the picture on the screen. “But you’re Italian, you grew up there.” I laughed.
“I may have grew up in Europe but I was poor, I could hardly afford food let alone a trip to one of the most expensive places in the world.” He hummed, his head still on my shoulder.
“Next time I go, you’re coming!” He said happily, reverting back to his usual loud volume. I laughed as I felt him put his arm around my shoulders in a gesture that my brain knew was just friendly but my heart still began beating faster.
“I would like that, JoJo.” I said looking at him before realizing how close our faces were, I could feel my face heat up but I couldn’t bring myself to look away from his big blue eyes. He broke the eye contact first, lying on the grass, but still looking up at me. I looked away but closed my laptop, deciding that I wanted to just relax. I could feel his eyes on me but I didn’t look at him when I spoke. “What are you staring at?” He was silent for a second as I leaned back against the tree, waiting for a response.
“You’re really pretty.” My face began to burn up from the compliment, and no amount of willing would make it go away. And it only got worse when I felt his big hand on my cheek, I glanced at him from the corner of my eye to see that he’s now sitting up and once again he’s very close to me. I looked at him as I felt his thumb rub against one of the birthmarks under my eyes, pushing my cheek into his hand slightly. Our eyes met again and I didn’t dare move, worried that if I did he would move. I took a deep breath and acted on habit, leaning in ever so slightly. But when our noses were millimeters apart his hand dropped and he looked away. “Shit that was weird, sorry.” I looked down at my lap as I muttered a quiet,
“It’s fine.” We sat in silence for half an hour before another word was said. I sat cross legged against a tree, my mind racing about how I shouldn’t have leaned in. He probably thinks you’re weird now! You fucked things up you idiota! My brain screamed at itself until Joseph broke the silence.
“Hey Caesar?” I looked over at him, still lying on the group but now with his eyes open but still not looking at me.
“Uh yeah?” He shifted slightly, almost unsure of whatever he was thinking.
“Can we head to your room? It’s too crowded here.” I looked around at the almost empty park, and just as I was about to correct him I noticed the he looked almost nervous about something, so I held my tongue and stood up, holding out my hands offering him help up.
“Sure let’s go.” I said as he took my hands and I pulled him up before grabbing my bag and slinging it over my shoulder. We started walking towards my dorm hall in silence, which was extremely unusual for JoJo. After about 10 minutes of silence I finally spoke up, “JoJo, are you okay? You’re being really quiet.”
“Yeah I’m good, just...tired.” I hummed in acknowledgement as we made our way through the maze of hallways before getting to my door. I pulled my key from my bag and shoved it in the lock before pushing the door open with my hip. We both walked into the small one person dorm, both kicking off our boots. My room was nothing impressive, my queen sized bed taking up most of the space, leaving just enough room for my desk, bookcase and the TV Joseph had insisted I get. I placed my bag on my desk chair before joining Joseph on my bed. I immediately knew something was off with him when I noticed he was just sitting, rather than sprawling which he usually did the moment he saw my bed. I looked at him, waiting for him to return the look but he refused to, preferring to stare at the green comforter.
“Joseph, seriously what’s up? You’re not acting yourself.” Be began playing with the bottom of his shirt, still not meeting my gaze.
“Can you do me a favour?” He asked ignoring my previous question, and looking up at me through a few pieces of hair hanging down over his eyes. I nodded slowly, a little unsure of where this was going. “Can you close your eyes for a sec?”