Chapter Text
It was a lot colder without Kakyoin. Summer was in full swing and yet Jotaro found himself chilled. Holly, who was originally only supposed to be staying at Jotaro’s house for the first week of spring, ended up staying well into the summer. Even though Jotaro was now home she didn’t leave his house, too worried for her son’s well being.
Jotaro was both annoyed and grateful at her staying to take care of him. He knew for a fact he didn’t have enough willpower to even make himself food.
On the rare times Jotaro actually got out of bed, he’d sit on his porch and stare into the mountains. He knew his new lifestyle was no good for him and he should just move on, but he didn’t have enough motivation to do so.
Just as Jotaro thought he was actually going to do something productive that day, he would be reminded of Kakyoin and then he wouldn’t be able to do anything. It seemed no matter what happened, Kakyoin was always on his mind.
In a strange way, Jotaro did in fact succeed in ‘wooing’ Kakyoin, but he failed at getting him to stay with him. That alone kept Jotaro up into the late hours of the night, mind running amok with questions. If Kakyoin and he liked each but couldn’t be together, then what even was the point? Why did Kakyoin kiss him if he knew they weren’t gonna stay?
Maybe Kakyoin kissed him because he thought it was what Jotaro wanted? Did Kakyoin even like him?
The nonstop questions plagued Jotaro everytime he looked at the mountains and they dug under his skin making him want to just rip them out. He couldn’t ask Kakyoin if he had meant it though, he had to be long gone by now. But even so, Jotaro looked longingly at the mountains and held back the itch under his skin to chase after him. It was too late, he was a mortal and Kakyoin was immortal, they were too incompatible.
Holly stepped outside and onto the porch where Jotaro was brooding that morning.
“Hey, sweetie. I made soup if you’d like.” Holly said as she stopped to hover behind Jotaro with a comforting hand placed on his back.
Jotaro grunted in response, not taking his eyes off the mountains. Holly followed his gaze before sighing a little in defeat.
“Jotaro… It’s been almost two weeks,” Holly began, her voice overly cautious. Jotaro’s frown increased at Holly’s words. He knew what was coming, she was going to ask him to move on. “I think it’s time you stopped moping and did something.”
Jotaro huffed under his breath, letting his mom know he was getting irritated.
“If I could have moved on by now, I would have.” Jotaro snapped, hoping Holly would back off at his words.
Holly blinked at him and second passed before a small giggle escaped her lips, surprising Jotaro.
“Oh, I wasn’t asking you to move on, sweetie!” Holly said and she stood up to go stand in front of Jotaro. “I meant I think it’s time you went after him.”
“What?” Jotaro demanded as he rose to his feet as well.
Holly tilted her head up to maintain eye contact with Jotaro. She put her hands on her hips as an almost pout spread over her face.
“Listen, Jotaro. I’m your mother and I’m always happy to take care of you, but I can’t stand to watch you be so depressed anymore. You know what you have to do and I’m telling you to get going!”
Jotaro’s eyes widened and he took a step back. “You’re telling me to leave?!”
The demanding look on Holly’s face settled back into something almost sad. She took a step closer to Jotaro, eyes not leaving her son. “I always expected this day to come but perhaps not quite like this.”
Holly raised both her hands up to cradle her son’s face. Jotaro stood frozen still, not quite processing what was happening.
“Jotaro, I love you and I don’t care what you are or where you happen to be in the world. You can be on the other side of the world and I’d love you still.” Holly said and her eyes shined with determination that was starting to rub off on Jotaro as he felt something within him stir awake at her words.
Holly’s gaze softened but the spark of determination still burned bright within her eyes. Her hold on Jotaro’s face tightened before she released him completely.
“Go to him. It's what you want, isn’t it?” Holly asked with a small smile playing at her lips.
Jotaro blinked and his heart rate picked up as he slowly nodded his head.
“...yeah.” Jotaro mumbled before he looked more closely at his mom. Her eyes were shiny with unshed tears but they were full of pride. Jotaro felt something stuck in his throat and he swallowed nervously. “I… I’m sorry.”
Holly tilted her head in confusion. “What are you apologizing for? Love is a beautiful thing, you should never be ashamed of it.”
Jotaro’s breath hitched in a rush of emotions and he surprised both himself and Holly as he suddenly lurched forward and swept his mom into his arms for a hug. Holly made a choking noise in shock but quickly hugged Jotaro’s waist in return.
In his rare moment of weakness, Jotaro spoke up, his voice shaking a little.
“How do you know if I’m making the right choice?”
Holly pulled back a little to cradle Jotaro’s cheek with her hand again.
“Because you looked so happy.” Holly said as she stroked Jotaro’s cheek, a fond look in her eyes as she reminisced about the short time Kakyoin had visited. “I’ve never seen you look that way before, how could it possibly be the wrong choice?”
“Oh.” Jotaro mumbled and his eyes wandered above Holly and to the mountains.
He didn’t know where Kakyoin could be, he could even be halfway across the world by now. But something was drawing him to the mountains- something important.
Holly stepped out of Jotaro’s hold and off to the side so there was a clear path to take to the mountains.
“There’s that look again. You’re meant to go after him.” Holly said with a cheeky look.
Jotaro let out a thoughtful hum but he didn’t look away from the mountains. The previous itch that he felt whenever he looked at the mountains was back and in full force. Every part of Jotaro was telling him to go and follow his instincts.
“Be sure to visit! I’ll bake more treats for you two.” Holly said and Jotaro glanced over to look at his mom.
They made eye contact and Jotaro gave her a small smile. The smile on Holly’s face stretched from ear to ear and she made a shooing motion at her son.
“Get outta here before I start crying!” She exclaimed playfully, voice already cracking informing Jotaro that she really was about to cry.
Jotaro huffed out a small laugh but didn’t object. He looked back on the mountains, finally feeling the breeze in the air as he took a deep breath. He took off, the wind at his back like it was guiding him towards the mountains.
There was no true indicator of where Kakyoin could be but if there was a place to start looking, it would be the mountains. Specifically his favourite of course which was the mountain Jotaro was climbing. The mountain was huge but Jotaro found narrowing down possible locations quite easy.
The place with the waterfalls and bass that Kakyoin loved was where Jotaro was first going to check. It made sense as it was his favourite location afterall. But the closer Jotaro got to the waterfalls the more doubtful he became. Kakyoin did say he wasn’t going to return to the place until he’d seen everything in the world or something like that. That lessened the chances of finding Kakyoin there but Jotaro was still determined to make sure.
By the time Jotaro heard the roar of the waterfalls, his feet were starting to ache and the sun was almost starting to bathe the mountains in red. At the sound of the water he picked up his speed, reenergized.
Through the gaps of the trees, Jotaro could see bits of the river as he pressed onward. The trees thinned out until Jotaro broke out of them and into the small clearing Kakyoin and he had spent the night at.
Sitting on one of the sunning rocks was Kakyoin who had his feet dipped into the water. Jotaro blinked but couldn’t find it within him to be all that surprised Kakyoin was here. More just confused as to why he wasn’t out experiencing the world.
At Jotaro’s approaching footsteps, Kakyoin turned his head around. Shock flashed through his eyes but it was quickly replaced by quiet amusement.
“Maybe I should have expected this.” Kakyoin mumbled, loud enough for Jotaro to hear.
Jotaro’s heart soared in response to the sound of Kakyoin’s voice, it felt like forever since the last time he heard him.
Jotaro neared close enough to Kakyoin to cause him to scoot over on the rock for Jotaro to sit. He joined him on the rock and a compatible silence overcame them. It was strange just how normal it felt, like they hadn’t just said goodbye forever two weeks ago.
The cicadas started chirping around them as evening began and Kakyoin lifted his head from where he was looking at the water.
“So… you came back?” Kakyoin asked slowly, voice indifferent but Jotaro knew him well enough by then to know how confused he really was.
“Yeah…” Jotaro replied and the ‘I missed you’ got caught somewhere in his throat.
The sound of cicadas came over them as they both reflected on their own thoughts.
“I thought you weren’t coming back here until you had seen all the world?” Jotaro asked and he glanced over to Kakyoin.
Kakyoin nodded his head, eyes intent on the water. “Yeah. And I did.”
Jotaro jerked his head back a little as a frown settled on his face. “What?”
That was quick… Jotaro left him alone for the span of two weeks and somehow Kakyoin saw the entire world during that time.
Kakyoin turned to him and the mood shifted into something serious that made Jotaro sit upright. An almost nervous look flitted over Kakyoin’s face as he met Jotaro’s eyes.
“Jotaro. I have something I want to confess to you.”
Oh, shit. This is it. Jotaro thought as he leaned forward subconsciously.
“As you know, I was getting my tails based on experience rather than age. So, long before I met you I figured the best way for me to get my ninth tail would be to unravel the greatest mystery this world has to offer,” Kakyoin began and he paused before looking more deeply into Jotaro’s eyes. “Love.”
Jotaro blinked but Kakyoin didn’t give him the chance to respond.
“So I went looking ‘round and all I found was… you.” Kakyoin whispered and he turned his intense gaze back on the water.
Jotaro drew his head back as he processed Kakyoin’s words. He wasn’t too sure if he should be offended or flattered. Was it a good thing for Kakyoin that he found him or...?
The cicadas filled the silence again and Jotaro shuffled in place.
“I thought I knew what love was, I should have expected this outcome with how unpredictable the world is.” Kakyoin said as he suddenly spoke up again. Jotaro glanced over to him. “I think I know what it is now and it is terrifying.”
Kakyoin looked up at Jotaro, a thoughtful look on his face. “Do you remember when you told me that I terrified you? It’s like that. That was when I knew.”
Knew what?
“To answer your question from earlier, Jotaro, I have experienced all there is for the world to offer. I never thought the day would come so early or so quickly that I’d be ready to settle down but… it has come.” Kakyoin did a quick sweep of the springs with his eyes before looking back at Jotaro with a peaceful expression. “Turns out being with you was all I needed. During our trip I experienced everything, there's nothing left to compare. It just wouldn’t be a life changing experience anymore, so I came here to spend the rest of my days.”
Jotaro didn’t think he managed to have that much of an effect on Kakyoin. He was wrong.
He found himself speechless, there was nothing he could say so he waited for Kakyoin to keep talking. He was always the one who was better at filling in the silences anyway.
Kakyoin gave Jotaro a guilty look and he ducked his head down as he spoke up again. “Forgive me, Jotaro. I think I’m selfish. I enjoy your company a little too much… but I can’t.”
Jotaro swallowed roughly and finally found his voice. “Why not?”
Kakyoin looked at Jotaro from where his head was down. “Look at you. You’re mortal, I’m immortal.”
Jotaro glanced down at himself and his very obvious human self. He looked at Kakyoin and his eight tails, the indicator of the rift between them.
“You’d only be a blip in my lifespan… and although I’ve lived for so long now and the time we’ve known each other is so small compared to everything else, I’ll always cherish it.”
“Kakyoin, are you trying to tell me that-” Jotaro interrupted only for Kakyoin to cut him off, his gaze growing soft on Jotaro.
“Yes. I’m saying I’m in love with you.”
All the air left Jotaro’s body and was replaced with bliss and relief.
Finally… Jotaro wanted to bask in the overwhelming warmth he was feeling but he had a job to do. He didn’t go all this way just to get Kakyoin’s confession.
Jotaro stood up abruptly and Kakyoin looked at him surprised, his cheeks a rosy pink.
“Okay. That’s all you needed to say.” Jotaro said and he squared his shoulders.
“...huh?” Kakyoin asked and he scrambled to his feet as well, confusion clearly etched on his face.
Jotaro faced Kakyoin, an eager and determined look on his face. He gave Kakyoin a grin. “I’m sticking with you.”
Kakyoin blinked. “Jotaro… you’re mortal. I… I don’t think-”
Jotaro turned away from Kakyoin and up into the sky.
“Change me back!” Jotaro yelled and the cicadas around them went silent at his sudden exclamation before chirping again. Jotaro took a deep breath and tried again. “Curse me again!”
“Jotaro, what-” Kakyoin started as he stepped in front of Jotaro. “What are you trying to do?”
Jotaro glanced down at Kakyoin, a fire in his eyes. “I’m going to become immortal again. You don’t gotta be alone.”
Kakyoin blinked and a soft look settled in his eyes. “Oh…”
Jotaro nodded before glancing back up at the sky like he was expecting there to be a strike of lightning.
“Turn me back! I need to be immortal again!”
There was no response other than the leaves rustling in the wind. Jotaro huffed in annoyance before glancing at the river and getting an idea.
Kakyoin watched dumbfounded as Jotaro suddenly spun around and launched himself into the river.
“Jotaro!” Kakyoin called out as Jotaro grunted in pain as he landed in the river. It was shallow as to be expected from a river and he hit the bottom pretty quickly.
A possible sprained ankle wasn’t going to stop him though, Jotaro dunked his head under water and called out with his mind.
Hello? I need to go back. Jotaro asked but there was no response.
Jotaro waited a few more moments before reluctantly adding, You were right. I was wrong when I said I wanted to be human. Change me back?
No response and Jotaro felt his temper rise. Before he could yell again there was a pair of arms wrapped around his torso and he was pulled out of the water.
“Do you not ever learn anything, Jotaro? I don’t want you almost drowning on me again.” Kakyoin snapped in his ear as he carried Jotaro out of the water and onto the bank.
Jotaro grunted as he was set on the bank. “But maybe I could've got them?”
Kakyoin gave him an intrigued look. “... you really want to stay with me that bad?”
Jotaro met Kakyoin’s eyes and he felt his face flush despite shivering from the cold water.
“Well, yeah. It’s like you said…” Jotaro fidgeted a little and he glanced to the side, unable to meet Kakyoin’s eyes anymore. “It’s um, terrifying.”
Kakyoin’s eyes widened and his features settled into something more gentle.
“Hey, listen Jotaro. I don’t know if you’re going to get immortality again but… maybe I could-” Kakyoin was suddenly interrupted as a blue circle of light from the ground surrounded him.
Jotaro looked at it and his pulse quickened as the terrain became electric.
Magic. Jotaro thought and he straightened his spine, finally they were listening.
Kakyoin frowned at the magic circle before glancing up at Jotaro who was about to start yelling again.
“Wait, Jotaro!” Kakyoin stepped in and Jotaro clamped his mouth shut. He gave Kakyoin a questioning look. “It’s not for you. It’s for me.”
Jotaro blinked in surprise and watched as Kakyoin glanced up at the sky and seemed to start engaging in a conversation with the gods. Jotaro couldn’t understand their language anymore so he could only rely on Kakyoin’s reactions to fill him in.
Kakyoin seemed… surprised. His tails were wagging which meant it was at least a good surprise. Kakyoin glanced back at his tails before nodding his head and Jotaro frowned.
Wait… was Kakyoin…?
Kakyoin paused and he glanced quickly up at the sky. There were a brief couple seconds of silence as Kakyoin’s expression turned unsure. The cicadas around them fell silent as Kakyoin glanced down at his feet, a contemplative look settling on his features.
Kakyoin shot his head up and his eyes widened again. He nodded his head fervently several times and Jotaro leaned forward, incredibly confused.
Kakyoin suddenly looked over at Jotaro, concealed joy hidden behind his eyes.
“Come here, Jotaro.” Kakyoin said and he extended a hand to Jotaro. Jotaro ignored the ache in his ankle and walked over to him. He took his hand and joined him in looking up at the sky.
“The gods must really like you.” Kakyoin whispered to Jotaro. He glanced over to Kakyoin who was practically thrumming with excitement. Kakyoin met his eye and smiled at him. “I think they’re amused by you.”
Jotaro blinked. Cool…? Guess it’s good to have the gods find you funny.
The blue light surrounding them increased and Jotaro prepared himself to be knocked unconscious for another couple days. The moment never happened, the light enveloped him but it was calm and felt almost familiar.
Jotaro shut his eyes as the light became too bright to bear. Kakyoin’s hand in his was suddenly gone and Jotaro felt a rush of panic.
He opened his eyes to find himself a lot lower to the ground then usual. Jotaro’s eyes widened as he realized what happened.
He spun in a circle as he took a look at himself and his black tail as the blue magic circle faded away.
I’m back. Jotaro thought with a sigh and he sat back on his haunches feeling completely relieved.
“Hey, Jotaro? Do you just prefer being a wolf?” Kakyoin asked and Jotaro tilted his head up to see him.
Jotaro’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped open. Kakyoin’s usual red furred tails had gone silver and they had increased in number by one.
“You got your ninth tail.” Jotaro stated, dumbly.
Kakyoin puffed out his chest, twirling his bang around his finger. “Yeah, I did. They said I earned it.”
Jotaro nodded and Kakyoin stopped playing with his hair to give Jotaro a dry look.
“So, are you going to turn back into a human anytime soon?”
Jotaro flattened his ears. “Why would I do that? I’m finally immortal again.”
Kakyoin frowned at Jotaro before realization dawned on him.
“Oh, right you couldn’t hear. You’re similar to me now in the way you can shapeshift. Don’t worry, you can turn back into a wolf.”
Jotaro looked at his paws. He could change just like that?
“Just put your intent behind wanting to be human and you’ll transform.” Kakyoin advised and Jotaro nodded.
He shut his eyes and focused on becoming human, he was a bit reluctant though with how he had been trying so hard not to just minutes before.
Slowly Jotaro could feel the changes, it was a bit unnerving but he felt like he could get used to it.
Jotaro opened his eyes to find him at his usual human height. Kakyoin looked up at him with a fond look.
“Aww, you kept the ears and tail.” Kakyoin cooed and Jotaro glanced behind him to find that he now matched Kakyoin with the keeping the ears and tail as a human look.
“I didn’t intend to.” Jotaro said as he patted his head and touched his ears.
“Well transformation depends on intent so if you didn’t want to be fully human then you weren’t going to be.”
Jotaro blinked, that kinda made sense.
“Anyway,” Kakyoin began, drawing Jotaro’s attention back to him. He had a nervous look about him causing Jotaro to automatically draw closer. “We’re both immortal now…”
Jotaro nodded and Kakyoin pursed his lips in thought before giving him an earnest look. “Did you mean it when you said you’d stay with me?”
Jotaro’s breath hitched and his tongue suddenly felt like lead.
“Yes.” Jotaro said and Kakyoin breathed out a sigh of relief before looking at Jotaro expectantly. Jotaro’s heart thudded in his chest, Kakyoin told him he loved him earlier but Jotaro hadn’t yet. He was probably waiting for him to say it back.
Jotaro opened his mouth but nothing came out, his tongue felt too thick to move.
Kakyoin gave him an amused look.
“Yes?” Kakyoin prodded and Jotaro flared his nostrils. Why was this so difficult? How did Kakyoin do it so easily?
“Kakyoin,” Jotaro started, his voice sounding more gravelly then he wanted. Kakyoin leaned forward, a spark in his eyes. “I… er- I…”
A slight giggle escaped Kakyoin’s lips and Jotaro flattened his ears, he was trying his best, the least Kakyoin could do was not laugh at him.
“It’s okay, Jotaro. You don’t need to say anything, afterall actions speak louder than words.” Kakyoin said and Jotaro whipped his head behind him to get a look at his tail. As expected it was fluffed up and wagging like crazy.
Jotaro narrowed his eyes at his tail but froze when he felt Kakyoin’s lips against his cheek.
Jotaro looked back at Kakyoin who stepped away from him after giving him his quick peck on the cheek.
Kakyoin gave him a smug grin. “Guess you’re stuck with me for eternity.”
Jotaro’s cheeks flushed and he opened his mouth to retort when a sudden raindrop landed on his nose.
Jotaro’s eyes widened and he glanced up at the sky as more rain fell around him. The sky had gone orange from the sunset but not a cloud was in sight. Jotaro tilted his head as a droplet rolled down his cheek.
“Sunshower.” Jotaro stated before glancing over to Kakyoin who was the most red in the face Jotaro had ever seen.
“Haha… yeah, crazy.” Kakyoin said nervously as he watched the gentle rain leave ripples on the surface of the river.
Jotaro frowned and dug through his memory trying to figure out why Kakyoin was acting so weird.
Sunshower… sunshower… oh.
Jotaro remembered now. When a kitsune got married there's a sunshower. He glanced over to Kakyoin who was scuffling the dirt with his feet.
Jotaro ambled over to Kakyoin who kept his head down trying to hide his blush.
Once Jotaro was next to him, he slung an arm over Kakyoin’s shoulders and drew him closer. Kakyoin made a noise of surprise but didn’t object.
Jotaro tilted his head down and placed a gentle kiss to Kakyoin’s forehead, right where it met his hairline.
He kept his lips there for a couple moments before pulling his head back. Jotaro got a good look at Kakyoin and smiled at the gorgeous blush that was smudged over his cheeks.
They made eye contact and Kakyoin’s eyes softened, becoming fond on Jotaro.
“What should we do now?” Jotaro asked as he wiped a raindrop off of Kakyoin’s cheek with his thumb.
Kakyoin smiled back at him, pressing up against him before completely leaving Jotaro’s hold. “I’m kind of hungry, we should get some fish to celebrate.”
Jotaro’s eyes followed Kakyoin as he casually walked closer to the river, his earlier embarrassment gone at Jotaro’s reassurance.
“And then we can do whatever we want. If you want to see the waterfalls that go into the cave, we can. It’ll be fun now that I got someone with me.” Kakyoin added with a grateful smile sent back to Jotaro before he turned fully into a fox.
Jotaro nodded and his tail wagged happily as he turned fully into a wolf. He joined Kakyoin’s side by the riverside.
The rain continued to lightly shower around them and Kakyoin shuffled closer to Jotaro. He pressed himself against Jotaro’s side with a content sigh. Jotaro’s tail thumped against the ground as he rested his chin atop Kakyoin’s head.
It sounded good. It all sounded good now.