Chapter Text
Juggling the responsibility of taking down Stand users and his job as a marine biologist was exhausting, but Jotaro managed it well. When nothing interesting had happened for a few days though he felt safe enough to allow himself to take a break and sleep in for once. Well, that had been the plan at least.
He was rudely woken by the hotel phone ringing. Grumbling to himself, he debated if he should just ignore it and continue sleeping, but the shrill sound wouldn't let him go back to sleep. Reluctantly he shuffled out of bed to answer the phone.
"Kujo."
"Hey Jotaro! You won't believe what just happened!"
Jotaro groaned inwardly, covering his eyes as he tried to ground himself. It was his uncle, chipper as ever, and he wasn't in the mood for it. "You better have a good reason for calling me," he relented, knowing there was a possibility it was actually important.
"Woah, you sound like you're half asleep. Did you just wake up? I thought you never slept."
"Just get to the point Josuke," he growled out in annoyance, running a hand through his bedhead to smooth it down. It must not be that important if he had time to comment on Jotaro's lack of a sleep schedule.
"Right, right, okay! So Okuyasu and I were chilling and walking around town, and we saw Rohan talking to someone at the café-"
Jotaro cut him off abruptly, regretting ever picking up the phone. "Wow. Amazing. He's never done that before." Sarcasm laced every word that left his mouth. "Josuke, I'm not in the mood so if it's not important..."
"I'm getting to it, geez! Guess you are getting old if you're so cranky when you wake up." Jotaro could feel his eye twitching, clenching his fist to calm himself down. Before he could respond Josuke went back to rambling. "But anyways, they were talking about you! The guy he was talking to has to be new in town, and he's probably a Stand user! I've never seen him before, and I'm pretty sure I'd remember a guy with bright red hair."
No, it couldn't be. It was impossible. Truly, physically impossible. But still... he had to know.
"What's his name."
"No clue, I didn't hear it. They're still here if you wanna come check it out, we're gonna grab-"
"I'll be there." Hanging up the phone quickly, Jotaro felt the colour drain from his face. He knew it was foolish to still think he could turn a corner and see him, but he couldn't stop. As fast as he could he got dressed and left the hotel, intent on catching the person before they left.
When he got to the café, all he saw was Josuke and Okuyasu sitting with an annoyed Rohan, no redhead in sight. Could they be messing with him? The thought made his stomach turn, even though he knew it was impossible. He had never talked to anyone about Egypt, and he never spoke of it to the old man unless it was the anniversary, when they would take time to remember their lost friends. Steeling himself and his emotions, he walked over to the group, standing by the table and glancing around.
"Hey 'Taro, you got here fast" Josuke commented, sipping his tea as everyone greeted the stoic man.
Jotaro nodded in acknowledgement, hands in his pockets to hide his nervous fidgeting. "Where is he?"
Rohan scoffed, crossing his arms as he sneered at the highschoolers across from him. "We were having a lovely conversation about a new paint set that dropped last week when someone decided to interrupt us." Okuyasu looked entirely offended, muttering under his breath which just irked the mangaka more.
Jotaro took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a second to calm his nerves. When he opened his eyes they were still arguing, but he had collected himself enough to have a calm tone. "Where is he now, then?"
"Kakyoin-san went across the street to grab something from one of the shops."
As soon as he heard the name Jotaro swore his heart stopped beating. Everything seemed to slow down as he tried to process what he had just been told. Red hair, Kakyoin, it had to be him. Feeling unsteady, he rested a hand on the table to keep himself composed. He could hear the others talking to him, but couldn't understand what they were saying. He could feel himself shaking, clenched his fist so his hand wouldn't show it. He couldn't be weak in front of anyone; not here, not now, but memories a decade old started to resurface and he couldn't help it.
"Oh shit, Jotaro, are you okay? You're shaking." Josuke had asked him, but he couldn't respond. Wouldn't respond, afraid that if he tried to speak he would give himself away. His cap hid his face, but they knew something was wrong. His body gave him away. But from the look on their faces, they thought he was angry. No one knew he was about to break down.
"Jotaro?"
The gentle voice he hadn't heard in years washed over him, and in a moment of clarity he turned, needing to know if it was some kind of sick joke or a miracle.
The man had stopped a few feet from him, as if sensing that he wasn't okay. He stood supporting himself with green forearm crutches, contrasting the brown cardigan he wore. A camera was partially stuffed into his pocket, and the detail led him to the most interesting point of all. The man's shirt ended just a little before the waistband of his pants, showing a hint of what looked like still fresh scar tissue. Finally, Jotaro worked up the courage to look at his face. His long red hair was tied back in a loose braid, but a single curl hung by his violent eyes which were marked by thin scars, shaded by a pair of aviators. There was no mistaking it, or the small smile on his face.
"Noriaki...?"
Kakyoin smiled, stepping closer only to be met by the form of Star Platinum. The stand had a huge smile on its face as it looked down at the redhead, grin growing by the second. Everyone at the table started to panic, having seen the tell-tale grin that meant Star Platinum was about to let loose. "Wait a second Jotaro-san!"
"Just calm down man!"
"Jotaro-san, chill out!"
Star Platinum let out a loud 'ora' before charging the man. There was a moment of panic before Kakyoin started laughing. He was wrapped up in a hug by the large stand, patting it's arm as if it happened all the time. "Hey big boy, c'mon, be gentle with me!"
Confused, they looked to Jotaro for an explanation, but were met with another strange sight. The usually emotionless man was covering his mouth, seeming like he was moments away from crying. No one had ever seen him be so expressive, especially in a place like they were in.
Kakyoin looked up at his old friend, smile brightening his face. "I missed you too," he said softly, trying to move forward but unable to because of Star Platinum's massive form. A small laugh left him as he patted the Stand's arm again, watching him disappear fondly. Finally able to move freely, he wasted no time in walking up to Jotaro and giving him a sly smile. "Well? Get down here and give me a real hug you fucking giant."
Immediately Jotaro leaned down to envelope the man in his arms, and only then did he know it was real. With his once-dead friend in his arms and his Stand having freely displayed his emotions, he knew it wasn't a joke, wasn't a hallucination or a dream. Kakyoin Noriaki was in his arms, in Morioh, alive.
"How...?" was all Jotaro could manage to say, overcome with emotions he hadn't let himself feel since he had received the news of his supposed death. His grip on the man tightened, and he heard a strained gasp come from the smaller.
"Careful!" Kakyoin breathed out, resting his head against the taller man's chest. "You're gonna have to learn to be a little gentler with me, Jojo."
The biologist pulled back immediately, worry and confusion clear in his eyes. "You're hurt?"
Quickly he shook his head, resting a hand on the larger man's arm. "No, I'm fine, just a little sore is all." he reassured him, leaning his crutches against the table as he took a seat. Regardless, Jotaro was still worried, taking the seat beside him as the redhead ordered a coffee.
Rohan was the first to speak, breaking the uncomfortable silence the three Morioh natives had fallen into. "You, uh, know Jotaro-san?" he asked carefully, taking note of how Jotaro didn't seem to look at anyone but the new person.
With a smile Kakyoin nodded, twirling his bang between his fingers. "We spent a lot of time together many years ago."
"So you're friends?" Okuyasu asked, curiosity blooming in him. Jotaro nodded as his friend laughed, gesturing at himself.
"Oh, I'm his best friend," he mused, leaning back in his chair and wincing slightly when his lower back touched it. It was the slightest of flinches, but the ever-observant scientist caught it.
Jotaro had a whirlwind of questions swarming inside his head, not the least of which being how ? How was he still alive, after...? He couldn't think about it, images of a younger Kakyoin flung into a water tank flashed through his head before he could push them down and he couldn't help the wave of sorrow that followed, even with the man sitting right beside him.
"You had a hole in your chest.... how..." Jotaro whispered, not trusting his own voice. Kakyoin looked up at him, catching the way his eyes had betrayed his sadness. He was getting lost in the past again. He shook his head, placing his hand on top of the other's under the table to comfort him.
"Later, I'll explain everything. But for now, let's enjoy the moment. C’mon nerd, introduce me to your friends."