Chapter Text
You look good. It’s gonna be fine.
In the mirror of his hotel room, he eyed himself up and down, scanning for any potential flaws he would need to remedy. There were none to find. He knew he looked hot, but he couldn’t help but check and double check anyway. He adjusted his glasses, ran a hand through his cranberry-red hair, toyed with his emerald green suit jacket. You look good.
Kakyoin was admittedly a bit nervous. Not that he thought the evening would be bad, or that he had anything in particular to even be anxious about. Well… sort of.
He knew there was someone he was absolutely bound to run into, whether he liked it or not. Someone he didn’t quite get along with, for lack of a better term, but someone unavoidable nonetheless. They didn’t hate each other, per se, they just… they had a history.
Well.. it was a bit more complex than just that.
He hoped he would only have to say a maximum of a few words of greeting to him, and that would be that. He hadn’t seen that stoic, guarded face in… years.
Kakyoin was banking on scoring a date by the time of this wedding, but that hadn’t exactly gone in his favor, so here he was. Attending Mohammed Avdol and Jean Pierre Polnareff’s wedding, by himself.
…
The venue was stunning, decorations encompassing a vintage French style, the atmosphere soft and warm from the lighting and laughter. Kakyoin stood on the balcony, leaning over the railing with a drink in hand. The cool October evening air was refreshing in comparison to the stuffiness of the inside, and he was enjoying the contrast. Along the horizon, the city lights twinkled against the backdrop of the deep cobalt sky. He couldn’t help but admire it.
Behind him, he heard a shuffle, and the sound of a lighter flicking. He turned his body to face the source of the sound, and his eyes fell on the man lighting up. There he is.
Jotaro Kujo.
Kakyoin noted his appearance. That same stoic expression he so rarely let go of. Still- sharp jaw, hair a bit longer than the last time he had seen him. Another ear piercing he didn’t remember him having. A crisp, fitted black suit that accentuated his build. He looked handsome, he had to admit it. He always looked handsome.
Jotaro finally met his eyes, and their contact held for an agonizing too many seconds of silence as Jotaro mutely came to stand next to him against the railing. Kakyoin spoke first, since he knew Jotaro wouldn’t.
“Hi. It’s been a while.”
Jotaro nodded at him, taking a drag of his cigarette before he responded. “It has.” He gave Kakyoin a once-over. His turquoise eyes lingered just a second too long over his chest.
“So, uh, how have you been?” Kakyoin volleyed, taking another swig of his drink.
“I’m alright.” He paused, took another drag, flicked off some ash. “You?”
“Good, yeah. Same old.”
Jotaro hummed neutrally, and brought his elbows to rest on the railing, looking off into the night as Kakyoin had been doing previously. He assumed that would be the end of the conversation. Jotaro was not much for small talk, that much he knew.
They stood in silence for a few moments, the noise from the inside of the venue pouring out to fill their lack of conversation.
Deciding to save both of them from this interaction, Kakyoin broke through their stalemate. “Well, it was nice to see you. You look…” He paused, “good.”
Jotaro cracked a small smirk, one that could have been mistaken for a smile. “Yeah. So do you.” Another once-over from those cyan eyes. They were always brewing something unreadable.
“I’ll, uh, I’ll see you around.”
Jotaro nodded, flicking more ash off the railing, turning his head back to the cityscape ahead. Kakyoin turned on his heel, toward the joyful commotion inside.
“You always look good in green.”
He whipped back around.
“Just thought I’d let you know.” Jotaro continued.
Kakyoin furrowed his brow, but a smile found its way to his lips. He was a little shocked at the forward nature of the compliment. “Thank you, I appreciate the compliment.” He let a beat pass, debating on if he should return it. This interaction was already strange enough.
“You look nice in black. That suit fits you well.”
Jotaro smiled. An actual smile. It threatened to take the air from his lungs.
Kakyoin wasn’t sure the last time he had actually seen him smile like that. Well, on second thought, he knew exactly when the last time he had seen him smile like that was. He shook the memory from his mind. Why am I reacting this way?
He nodded again, taking one last puff of his cigarette. “Thanks. I’ll see you.”
Kakyoin had to remind himself that he had to move his own legs, standing in place long after Jotaro had turned back around. I need another drink.
…
Kakyoin searched for the card that had his name on it, and his table number. He was not sure who he would be seated with, and hoped it would be at least one or two people he knew. Making idle conversation wasn’t exactly his favorite thing to do, but he could ‘what-do-you-do-for-work’ his way through an exchange well enough to carry.
At last, he found the card, reading Noriaki Kakyoin- Table 7. Before he could turn around, he heard a delightfully familiar voice.
“Kakyoin! I’m so glad you could make it!” Hands clasped on his shoulders.
He turned to face the voice he knew well, a grin making its way across his face.
“I was hoping I’d catch you soon. Congratulations, man. Everything looks amazing.” He pulled him into a tight embrace, and Polnareff gave a firm pat on his back.
“Thanks, Avdol and I had it down to a science. You look great, dude. No date with you, I see? Couldn’t find a guy willing to put up with you for a few hours?”
Kakyoin laughed. “No, no date. I guess I’m too good of a catch, I don’t know.”
Polnareff smirked. “Well, lucky for you, I saw that coming, and I sat you next to a worthy candidate. Don’t be mad at me.”
“Why would I be mad at you?”
“Oh… no reason. Just give him a chance. He’s a classic tall, dark, and handsome.” He winked.
“…Okay… sure?” He laughed, furrowing his brow.
He patted him on the shoulder once more. “Remind me to get a picture of us later.”
Kakyoin smiled and nodded, and Polnareff was off into the rest of the crowd just like that. Give him a chance? This guy can’t be that bad. Typical Polnareff, trying to play matchmaker. I wonder who this tall, dark and handsome is.
Weaving through the well-dressed crowd, he spotted Table 5, then Table 6, then finally Table 7. Most of the seats were filled, two with people he did know, to which he smiled and waved as he approached. And then he spotted who was sat directly next to his designated seat.
The tall, dark and handsome in question.
Jotaro Kujo.
Fucking Polnareff. That’s why he said to give him a chance.
Kakyoin stopped dead in his tracks, and his eyes bore into the back of Jotaro’s head. Give him a chance? As fucking if.
Jotaro was oblivious to his presence, per usual. He only looked up once Kakyoin had sat down beside him and cleared his throat to make his presence known.
“Hey.”
“Hi.” Jotaro said nothing else, engrossing himself in toying back and forth with the two silver rings he wore, uninterested. As if Kakyoin did not even exist.
Kakyoin fiddled with his sleeve, the tablecloth, pulled out his phone and then turned it back off again. He sighed, and took a long swig of his drink.
“So…” He figured he should at least try to make some conversation, in an effort to save this god awful awkward silence from ripping his limbs off one by one. ‘Give him a chance?’ He doesn’t even want anything to do with me, Polnareff. God, he’s so frustrating.
“What are you doing for work nowadays? Still in the biology field?” He volleyed.
Jotaro finally acknowledged his existence once again. “Marine biology, yeah. You?”
Well, that gave him basically nothing. “I’ve been painting still, odd jobs here and there to make ends meet when sales are slow.”
Jotaro nodded with a low hum. He seemed uninterested in furthering this conversation, but also… like maybe he wanted Kakyoin to continue? This guy is so fucking confusing.
To remedy some of the painful silence, Kakyoin reached for his drink once again and finished it off. Damnit.
He was cursing Polnareff for his stupid fucking idea to sit him here. In what world did he get the idea Jotaro would be into him, especially after how things ended with them? He seemed entirely indifferent to his presence. Did he really think that was a good way to show interest? Kakyoin knew better, though. He probably did really think that.
He thought back to the compliment he had extended earlier. You always look good in green. How he had smiled at him. Was that his way of flirting? Probably. Some fucking way, alright. How was Kakyoin supposed to read this situation? To read him? He felt frustrated.
“So, are you just going to ignore me, or…” It came out a little sharp at the edges.
“Hm?” Jotaro replied.
Are you fucking serious? “Nothing. Nevermind.”
“Did I do something?” Jotaro seemed genuinely confused as to why he was perturbed.
“Yeah, you did.”
“Oh. I’m sorry if I pissed you off.”
Kakyoin huffed, rolling his eyes.
“What the fuck is your problem, Jotaro?”
“What?”
“Don’t act stupid.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Kakyoin. What is your problem?”
Kakyoin’s jaw tightened. “My problem?” He laughed, a venomous undertone to it. “Seriously?”
“Yes, that’s what I just asked you, were you listening? It seems like you have a problem. So, what is it?”
“Fucking- you are so goddamn confusing, that’s my problem.”
“I’m confusing?”
“God, you’re insufferable.”
Jotaro smiled. He fucking smiled. “Someone’s a little upset.”
“Fuck you, Jotaro.”
“I mean, if you’re offering.”
Kakyoin felt like he was going to evaporate. He felt the heat rise to his cheeks involuntarily, his heart rate quicken. Whether it was from frustration or… something else, he wasn’t sure. “I need another fucking drink.”
He fled from the table in a huff, beelining it to the bar. He fought for the bartender’s attention, and when he finally received it, he spat, “Bourbon, on the rocks please.” The bartender gave him a look, to which he gave a curt nod.
He stared straight ahead, jaw set with annoyance. What a fucking prick. Of course he would make a suggestive joke, too. I can’t fucking stand him. Polnareff must be actually dense to think he would-
The bartender handed him his drink, with an almost apologetic glance. “Thank you.” He immediately drank nearly half of it at once.
He stood by the bar and stewed. He couldn’t see their table from here, which was probably for the better, because he didn’t want to look at Jotaro. His heart wouldn’t stop racing. He couldn’t get his voice out of his head. The indifferent, but biting tone. I mean, if you’re offering. He couldn’t make sense of any of it, of all of it. His own feelings, and Jotaro in general.
The more he thought about it… was he too harsh? Maybe Jotaro really didn’t get why he was frustrated. Maybe Polnareff didn’t even talk to Jotaro about it, like he didn’t talk to Kakyoin about it, and just assumed. That would actually make the most sense, and was pretty on-par with something he would do, that bastard…
Shit. Was he the asshole? He sighed audibly at his realization. God fucking damnit, Jotaro Kujo.
Taking another long swig of his drink, he set off to the direction of their table. Before he could get there, he felt someone reach for his arm. A firm but gentle grasp. He turned in the direction of the grasp, and there he was. Tall, dark, and handsome himself.
“Hey, I’m sorry.”
“No, I came to apologize to you.”
“I’m sorry if I pissed you off. Really.”
“I’m sorry for being so mean, that was out of pocket of me. I, uh… just… yeah.” He wasn’t quite sure how to explain himself. He couldn’t exactly say ‘I can’t tell if you’re flirting with me or if you still hate me and it’s confusing my nervous system that I’m starting to realize I kind of want it to be both,’ could he?
“Come out for a cigarette with me?” He asked, point-blank.
Kakyoin hesitated. “Okay.” He wasn’t really sure why he agreed. His feet carried him out to the balcony despite his reservations.
He stood a few feet away from Jotaro, who had leaned his back against the railing, cigarette between his lips.
“Want one?” He asked, and faced the open pack toward him.
“Sure. Thanks.” He pulled one out. Jotaro lit Kakyoin’s first, then his own.
They stood in silence for a moment, smoking, and Kakyoin wondered why he even agreed to come out here.
But Jotaro spoke first. “You’re kind of cute when you’re mean.”
Kakyoin nearly choked on the smoke he had just taken in. He laughed. “No one has ever said that to me before. You like when I’m mean to you?” He said that last part a bit snidely.
“Yeah. I might.”
See? What the fuck am I supposed to do with that? “You’re a freak.” He puffed.
“And what about it?”
Kakyoin couldn’t help but laugh again. “At least you’re honest.”
Jotaro smirked. He took another drag, slow in and out. He did not say anything more. Which reignited that frustration within Kakyoin.
“See? Why are you like that?”
Jotaro laughed. A genuine laugh. “Could you describe what exactly about me bothers you so much?”
“You’re sick.” Kakyoin fought the smile that tried creeping in with another drag of his cigarette.
“Go on.” Jotaro crossed his arms in front of his chest. He looked amused. This was the longest Kakyoin had ever seen him look this content.
“Oh my god…” He rolled his eyes, lips pulled into a scowl. He stepped closer to him.
“Well, first of all, you can’t hold a conversation to save your fucking life,” Another step closer. Jotaro kept that smug smile.
“Seems like I’m doing just fine.” Jotaro interjected. Kakyoin didn’t register it until he was halfway through his next sentence.
“And you’re just absolutely insufferable, do you even know- God, of course you would say that, you asshole!”
He ran a hand through his hair in exasperation. “And you probably fucking like this, don’t you?”
“You want to know what I like? I’ll tell you, if you ask nicely.”
“Oh, shut up. Clearly I see one thing you do like. I’ve never seen you smile this much in one sitting, you absolute degenerate.”
“And look who’s still out here talking to me?” He smirked.
“You’re fucking imposible, Jotaro!”
“You’re so cute when you get all frustrated.”
“Could you describe exactly what about it makes it so cute to you, Jotaro?” He bitterly echoed the same format Jotaro had used.
"It's just been so long, I didn't realize I still had this sort of effect on you.”
Kakyoin stopped in his tracks. He furrowed his brow somehow more than it already was. “You can never just answer a question like a normal person, can you?” He dodged the direct sentiment of Jotaro’s remark.
“What, did you want an itemized list? Bullet points?”
Kakyoin’s eyes narrowed. Jotaro took his own step forward. They were not very far apart now. “You dress nice, you’re devilishly handsome. Pretty mouth, pretty eyes, sharp tongue.”
“Bullshit.” He spat.
“I can answer a question just fine, see? What’s got you so mad, Nori?” Kakyoin felt a searing heat brewing in his chest. This fucking prick.
“Is it that you’re used to people groveling at your feet, and I don’t give in to you? Is that it? Or is it that you’re really hard right now?” His tone was smooth, perfectly collected. A condescending undertone. Rich and low.
Kakyoin’s eyes went wide. He looked down. Fucking hell. “Fucking-”
“Is this guy bothering you, Kakyoin?” Hands clasped his shoulders with bountiful laughter and he jumped. Fucking Polnareff. He didn’t know what the hell to say. His brain was short circuiting.
“When isn’t he?” He let out a curt laugh.
“Now, now, Kakyoin, Jotaro isn’t so bad, is he? Jotaro, be nice to him, you know he doesn’t like to be teased.”
“Are you sure about that? I’ll believe it when I see it.” Jotaro chided, cocked his head to the side, and locked eyes with Kakyoin.
Kakyoin glared at him. He felt the blood rise to his face, which might actually help his other blood-rushing problem.
“Give him a break, Jotaro, he’s a real catch.”
“Sure is.”
“Guys, I’m literally right fucking here.”
“He’s so cute, isn’t he, Jotaro?”
“Adorable.”
Kakyoin brought his hand to his face and rubbed it angrily. “God, you guys are so fucking-”
“I’ll leave you two to it, then. Avdol’s probably wondering where I am.” Polnareff smirked, and off he was again.
Kakyoin let out an audible sigh. He put out the end of his cigarette on the railing and threw it into the void of the night. He wouldn’t look at Jotaro.
“You were saying something, weren’t you? Something about… fucking?”
He rolled his eyes, still refusing to meet Jotaro’s gaze. “You wish.”
“And what if I did?” He stepped in closer once again, and brought his hand up to Kakyoin’s face to forcibly turn his head to look at him. Jotaro wasn’t much taller, but his posture made it feel especially like he was looking down at him. His heart fluttered. “What then, Kak?”
“I- You-”
“You’re fucking adorable.”
“You are so fucking confusing.”
“What’s confusing? You’re hot. I like fucking with you. Case closed.”
The cogs in Kakyoin’s head spun in unison now. He finally got it.
Jotaro was into him. He wasn’t leading him on. He was genuinely flirting with him. In his own fucked up, sadistic way. A smirk crept up into his lips upon his realization. I could have some fun with this.
“You like fucking with me, huh? What else would you like about fucking with me?”
“I told you, if you ask nicely, maybe you can find out.”
“What makes you think I’d ask you nicely?”
“Because we both know how badly you want me.” Once again, Jotaro touched him. A hand along his waist. “I think I know a few ways to convince you.”
“Oh yeah…?” Kakyoin’s confidence faltered just a bit, the firm hand along his waist making his brain go a bit foggy.
“Mhm.”
“Like what? Since you seem to know me so well.”
“Well, I can’t tell you that yet. Can’t reveal my hand.”
“What makes you so confident that I’d put out for you?”
Jotaro laughed. His hand traveled to the small of his back, under his suit jacket. His skin lit up at his touch, a shiver rippling from his toes to the top of his head. “So you are thinking about fucking me, aren’t you? Dirty mind, I see.”
“Dirty mouth, I see.”
“You’d know a lot about a dirty mouth, wouldn’t you?”
“Wouldn’t you love to know.”
“Sure would.” Jotaro pinned his bottom lip between his teeth. He looked him up and down. Kakyoin felt like he might explode. He hated to admit it, but Jotaro had him right where he wanted him. Right beneath his finger. But he couldn’t give in just yet. That would make it too easy.
“I’m going to the bar, I want another drink.” Jotaro said, casually.
He slid his pack of cigarettes and lighter into his pocket, and gave Kakyoin an expectant look. He didn’t even ask if he was coming with him. He just assumed he would. He didn’t really have to ask. Maybe he didn’t care whether he did or not.
He did in fact follow.
When they approached the bar, Jotaro pulled two chairs out for them to sit. We’re sitting? He wants to fucking sit at the bar when we were practically eye-fucking on the balcony just a minute ago? What the fuck?
Jotaro had managed to get the attention of the bartender, the same one Kakyoin had seen before, while Kakyoin was lost in his thoughts.
“Whiskey sour for me, and, what do you want, Kakyoin?”
“Another bourbon on the rocks, please.”
The bartender gave him that same look, Kakyoin echoing his same sentiment. The two sat in the few moments of silence before their drinks were handed to them.
“We’re sitting?”
“Yeah. What, did you want me to fuck you right there on the balcony?”
Kakyoin choked a little on the sip he had just taken. “Jesus Christ.”
“Didn’t take you for an exhibitionist.”
“That’s not-” He let out something between a laugh and a sigh.
Jotaro grinned. “I forgot how much I like fucking with you.”
“Lovely to hear. You haven’t changed a bit.”
“Neither have you. You just got sexier.”
Kakyoin felt the heat creep back into his face. He shook his head lightly, and took a swig from his glass in an attempt at camouflage. His mind gnawed on the contents of the evening so far, and one question kept coming back to him. One he was a little hesitant to ask.
“Do you…” He stopped himself before he could continue. The alcohol finally caught up to him and lowered his inhibitions. Did he really want to breach that subject now? Maybe he shouldn’t. It might be best to just leave the elephant in the room alone.
“Do I what?”
“Nothing, nothing.”
“Okay.” Another pause. Then Jotaro continued. “Were you going to ask me about last time?”
Well, there’s the elephant. Might as well.
“I was just going to ask if you… if you ever thought about it.”
“That’s a stupid question.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m sitting here with you right now. If I didn’t think about it, why would we be here?”
It. The unspoken it. Kakyoin had thought about it too many times to even count.
Kakyoin was rendered speechless for a moment. What Jotaro said was true. He had to have thought about it. Why else would things have gone the way they had tonight?
Jotaro continued in the wake of Kakyoin’s silence. “I regret the way I acted. I should have pursued you then. I was an idiot not to.”
Their eyes met. Kakyoin’s mouth opened, then shut again. Now he was really rendered speechless. They had never really talked about what happened. He especially did not expect Jotaro to be this honest.
“You…” He couldn’t quite put into words the train of thought he had. “Yeah. You, uh, are kind of an idiot.”
“Trust me, I think about it a lot. How dumb I was for letting you get away.”
“Well, here I am.” His reply held weight. Here I am. Will you pursue me now?
Jotaro took a long swig of his drink, finishing it off. “You do look gorgeous in that suit.” He raked his eyes over Kakyoin’s body.
“Thank you. So do you.” He let a beat go by. He bit his lip, and locked eyes with him. “Are you gonna be an idiot this time, too?”
Jotaro’s gaze held strong, those ocean-blue eyes bearing into his soul. He looked determined.
“No.”