I'm back at it again with another AU for these gaybos, this time with vampire pirates! (or vampirates if you will). Enjoy chapter 1!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Summary: Jotaro Kujo has lost everything that matters to him, so when his father sends him off on a forced scientific expedition, he isn't expecting much. That is until he meets the expedition's strange navigator, Noriaki Kakyoin.
Jotaro Kujo liked to think he understood the sea. He was fascinated by its complexities, its inevitable highs and lows, its ever changing waves, but what he could never understand was life. Life was messy, unpredictable, and turbulent. Life was as hard as it was imperfect. But worst of all, life took away what he loved the most. The sea provided comfort and stability when everything felt out of sorts exactly like it did now. The sea was calm while the storm that was Jotaro's life raged on.
He didn’t want to go on this expedition—he shouldn’t be going on this expedition. His wounds were too fresh, his mourning period too recent, but at the insistence of his father, Jotaro found himself at the dock yard, his luggage in hand and a heavy heart weighing in his chest. Each step he took down the pier was one step further away from her, and it killed him knowing that everything he had come to know and love would be left behind as soon as his ship set sail.
But what does love matter now? His mother was gone. There was nothing left behind for him to love.
The only person linking Jotaro to this city was his father and what did that man know about love? He was barely there for him growing up, and now that his mother was gone, he had the gall to send Jotaro away on some bullshit ‘scientific expedition?’ Fine. If it gave him the opportunity to get away from his father, then so be it, he would leave.
Sailors and merchants alike filled the dock yard, some unloading cargo while others maintained their vessels, shouting orders to one another as they did so. Waves breaking against the pier rhythmically sounded out, blending seamlessly with the bustle of the busy dock yard. In each crash, Jotaro swore he could hear the sweet sound of his mother’s voice, echoing between the waves. Memories of her flooded his mind. Memories of a much better time.
His mother stood on the beach, the cresting waves lapping at her bare ankles as she hiked the billows of her dress up to her knees to prevent it from getting wet. Where her shoes may have gone, Jotaro had no idea, but what he did know was that his mother looked genuinely happy, an expression which was becoming increasingly rare as the days went on.
Today was a good day; she wasn’t ill, that much was obvious in the ease she had in moving her body, and seeing her move alone brought Jotaro a deep joy that he couldn’t even begin to express to her.
Smiling, she bent over and dug around in the sand as if she was digging for treasure until she straightened back up with her prize.
“Oh, Jotaro, look!” she said in awe as she turned to face him, her palm outstretched. In her hand was a polished piece of purple sea glass, its color reflecting brilliantly in the setting sun. “Isn’t it beautiful? Purple is such a rare color to find!”
Jotaro examined the find carefully, taking note of the faint purple color and its smooth matte finish.
“It’s nice,” he finally said. “What are you going to do with it?”
“Keep it of course. You don’t just toss rare things like this away.” She brought a finger up to trace its outline, transfixed by its simple beauty.
“It’s just sea glass,” Jotaro remarked unfazed. “What’s so special about that?”
“It’s not just that it’s sea glass, it’s something that we found together, and that’s what makes it special.” It was then that she flashed that beautiful smile at him. That smile of hers could rival the sun. Taking a hold of his wrist, she placed the sea glass into his hand, the piece still warm from her palm as she passed it over. “Hold onto it for me while I search for more for us, okay?”
“More?” He scoffed but took the piece anyway, tucking it securely in his pocket to settle amongst the other ‘treasures’ his mother had collected on this trip alone. “How much more are you expecting to get? My pockets are getting pretty full over here.”
“As much as you can carry,” she teased with a sly wink before turning and continuing down the shore. Jotaro just scoffed. She definitely was having a good day today if she had the energy to tease him like that.
‘What am I? A packmule?’ he thought, but he knew he would always carry whatever his mother needed, even if it were just useless trinkets and shells they found along the seashore. In step, he followed the trail of footprints she left behind in the sand, the waves gradually erasing them with each push and pull.
“Jojo!” He groaned in embarrassment as his mother called out his childhood nickname to him from further down the shore. In her hand, she waved another treasure at him, this time it was a pearlescent seashell that spiraled to a narrow point. Strands of her blonde hair fell out from her bun as the breeze blew in from the ocean, a halo of beauty surrounding her face as she shone bright for the first time in ages. “I found another one!”
“Good grief, Jojo?” Jotaro shook his head as he closed the distance between them, slotting the newest addition of his mother’s ever growing collection into his pocket. “Aren’t I a little old for that? I’m seventeen.”
His mother just giggled. It was almost enough to make him laugh along. Her laugh was always so infectious.
“You’ll always be my little Jojo.” She patted him on his cheek, the tips of her fingers damp and cold from the water. There was a grittiness to her touch in the traces of sand that lingered on his face as she pulled away all too soon.
God, how he missed her.
Jotaro should have told her then how happy he was with her, how much brighter she made his life. He should have told her everyday how much he loved her; instead, he squandered his time, focusing on his studies when what he should have been focusing on was her. He couldn’t have possibly known how little time she had left. Damn him for allowing his father to convince him to leave. No amount of live-in nurses that his father hired could have saved her, Jotaro knew that, but the guilt of leaving her gnawed at him all the same.
He should have been the one to care for her until the end. He should have been there keeping her company when her body ached too much to move. He should have been there when she—
A wave of nausea flooded his senses. He didn’t want to acknowledge it. He couldn’t. Acknowledging it would make it all too real but he must.
She was dead—not just gone. Dead. And he was alone just like she had been.
He was truly despicable; a wretched son cursed to forever live in regret of not having done more.
Even now as Jotaro made his way down the pier to this expedition, he still carried that sea glass in his pocket along with the necklace his mother gave him before she had passed. Those two things were all he needed of her to make it through this journey his father had forced upon him.
Were Jotaro a more emotional man, the shame would have crushed him right then and there, but he pushed it down. He didn’t have time for nonsense such as that right now. Right now, he needed to focus on finding his boat and boarding it. He would have plenty of time to grieve once he was in the privacy of his own cabin.
A collision with something—or rather, someone—whipped Jotaro out of his spiraling thoughts as he stumbled back a few steps in response to whoever he ran into.
“Hey, watch where you’re go—” Jotaro’s first reaction was to snap, but upon seeing the man and the leg brace that protected his right leg, he quickly shut his mouth. ‘Just my luck.’
On the ground was the young man that Jotaro had run into, belly up and sprawled out under the high afternoon sun. Books and various items of clothing littered the immediate area as the man's suitcase had exploded upon impact with the dock. With a groan, the man sat up on his elbows and looked up at Jotaro towering in front of him, shielding his eyes from the sun.
“My apologies!” the man quickly said, adjusting the glasses that teetered dangerously close to the bridge of his sharp nose. Locks of brown bangs framed his face, but what caught Jotaro’s eye was a particularly predominant wavy bang on a singular side. Any hair that may have been thrown out of place was saved by the ribbon that held this mysterious man’s hair back in a low ponytail. “I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.”
Jotaro let silence be his answer and said nothing. He only stared at the man as he excused himself to gather himself. Awkwardly, the stranger positioned himself in a seated position while avoiding putting too much pressure on his braced leg and began to collect his scattered belongings.
Jotaro debated helping him. Had he not been so lost in his thoughts, he wouldn't have knocked him over in the first place. Then again, helping this stranger would potentially make him late for his boat and he was under no technical obligation to help him. Words his mother spoke to him years ago came to mind as she chastised him from beyond the grave.
“A single act of kindness can go a long way.”
Jotaro clicked his tongue. ‘What a pain…’ It appeared he was going to be late for his ship after all.
Setting his luggage down, Jotaro crouched down by the stranger and began grabbing fallen items that were well out of the stranger’s reach. Upon seeing this, the man paused, as if shocked to see Jotaro helping him before he continued his own tasks. Whoever this man was seemed to have more books than he did clothes, not that Jotaro was one to talk. He enjoyed a good book, but unlike this stranger, he didn't have the luxury of stowing away an entire library in his luggage.
As Jotaro grabbed some of the scattered books, he couldn’t help but steal a glance at some of the titles embossed on the leather covers; The Path of Alchemy? Astrology and the Ancients? Myths and Mythos of the Sea? Jotaro made a judgmental face. Just what kind of weird interests did this guy have?
Having finally recovered everything, Jotaro stood back up with ease unlike the stranger who awkwardly struggled to stand. Jotaro was half tempted to offer his hand, but by the time the thought crossed his mind, the man was already upright, his brace locking back into place. The stranger was much taller than he had expected, much to Jotaro’s surprise. It was rare for Jotaro to meet someone his height, let alone only a couple inches shorter than he was, yet there stood this giant of a man, swaying slightly as he regained his footing on the uneven cobblestone. Swaying like he was, Jotaro was worried he may fall again, but not because he was concerned about his wellbeing. Rather, it was that he was not willing to help this man twice in a span of two minutes, but the momentary concern vanished as quickly as it came as the stranger stabilized on his own.
“Thank you so much!” The stranger gently bowed his head to show his appreciation.
Jotaro clenched his jaw, the over the top politeness already wearing on his nerves. Something about this man was agitating him, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Maybe it was the way he held himself, his broad shoulders held high, or that despite the tumble he had just experienced, not a single piece of his perfect hair was out of place; or, perhaps, it was the way he was so elegantly composed in all the ways Jotaro wasn’t. From the way his hair laid delicately on his angular face to how his brown eyes pulled him in without even trying, every piece of him radiated such poise that Jotaro couldn’t help but be jealous of. How could he be falling apart at the seams when the man before held him himself with such refined dignity?
“I must apologize again for having run into you. I'm terribly sorry about that.”
“It's fine,” Jotaro uttered between his teeth. He was growing impatient. This interaction was already taking longer than he had initially wanted it to, but the man kept talking.
“Do you happen to have the time? I can’t seem to find the dock my ship is stationed at and I’m running terribly late.”
‘You and me both.’ Jotaro sucked on his teeth, keeping the snide comment to himself as he dug around in his pants pocket for his pocket watch. He read the time to himself before reciting it.
“It’s 12:48.” He was already way behind schedule as well. ‘Shit.’ He knew he shouldn’t have stopped and helped. Stuffing his watch back in his pocket, Jotaro motioned to leave but was halted yet again by the obligation of conversation.
“Oh! I should get going then, but first.” The stranger extended out a gloved hand. “Thank you again for helping me. Not everyone would have done that.” The stranger smiled gently, his soft, brown eyes crinkling around the corners. “I’m Noriaki Kak—”
Whatever else this “Noriaki” was about to say was lost to the wind as Jotaro brushed past him, eager to put this interaction behind him already. He didn’t have time for anything more than a simple thank you and that had already been said plenty. Jotaro had no need to know the man’s name. It’s not like he was ever going to run into him again anyway for it to matter. He had a boat to catch and he could see its bow on the horizon.
Jotaro arrived at his designated dock precisely when he needed to. Despite the earlier distraction, he had managed to make it on time. Rocking with the waves was the damned ship his father had funded—The Stardust Voyager. What a ridiculous name for a sea vessel. Why not name it something more nautical? She was…smaller than Jotaro had expected for an expedition ship, much smaller than any he had been on in the past. Being a Schooner, she can’t have been any longer than 50 feet making for a small crew. He supposed that wasn’t all too bad. A small crew of five or six people would mean less headaches in the long run.
Regardless of the nonsensical moniker and small size, this ship was to be Jotaro’s home for the coming months, whether he liked it or not. Gentle waves slapped at the side of the ship's wooden hull, creating a steady rhythm of the sea while the billowing of the tied up sails could be heard overhead in the wind.
“There you are!” bellowed out a gruff voice from above. “I’d thought you’d never show!” Jotaro looked up to see a man shouting down at him from over the stern of the ship. He was an older man, one who had definitely seen his thirtieth year come and go, his middle age only accented by the grey hairs peppering his dirty blond hair and goatee.
Quickly, the man’s head retreated from over the ledge as he made his way down the wooden gangway onto the dock below.
“Well, I’m here,” Jotaro said with little to no enthusiasm.
“Better late than never, I suppose. I take it you’re Kujo?” Jotaro nodded. “Perfect!” The man removed his white hat and held it over his chest with a nod. “I’m Captain Tennille. Welcome aboard the Stardust Voyager.” He extended his hand out for a handshake.
‘Again with the damn handshakes?’ Jotaro didn’t motion to meet him halfway.
Getting the hint, the Captain dropped his hand. “Not one for contact, huh? That’s fine, lad.” He snuggly tucked his hat back on his head and turned on his heel, gesturing with his hand for Jotaro to follow him. “What do you say I show you to your cabin?” When Jotaro didn’t vocalize a response, Tennille spoke up again. “Not much for talking either, are you?”
“Not really.” Jotaro never was one for talking, especially with new people, but it didn’t take a genius to figure that out.
The Captain pondered that for a moment, searching for a response before answering. “Well, I suppose that’s fine too. Better for the fish you’ll be studying anyhoo. Sounds like you’ll get along with them just fine, lad.” He laughed, much harder than he should have, his howl scaring away any fish in a five mile radius.
Captain Tennille walked up the gangway, the wooden board groaning under his weight as Jotaro remained on the dock. The threshold of the sea stood in front of him, whatever the future had in store for him just a few steps away. He took one final look at the city behind him; Obsidian Bay, the city he had come to know in his twenty-one years of life was about to be a distant memory, his mother, father, and his old life now yet another chapter for him to leave behind. He could only hope this next chapter was kind, much kinder than the last.
With a sigh, Jotaro took his first step, silently following the Captain forward into his new life.
▪──── ⚔ ────▪
“Well, here we are!” The Captain broadly gestured to his cabin as he held the door open.
Jotaro ducked, narrowly avoiding the door frame as he walked inside. As he rose back to his full height, he narrowed his eyes at what he saw. There was not one, but rather, two beds stacked on top of each other in what was supposed to be his cabin. He scrunched his nose at this. Was he expected to…share with someone?
“It appears there’s been a mistake,” Jotaro said. “There’s two beds in here.”
Tennellie gave him a puzzled look. “Er—yes, there is?” He scratched the back of his head nervously as Jotaro stared him down, expecting more of an answer. “Is that…a problem?”
“Yes.” A big one actually. “Seeing how my father is funding this, I was under the impression that I would get my own cabin.” Like he had on his past expeditions. The solitude of his own cabin was the highlight of his evening after the end of a long day at sea. Was he just expected to give that up?
The Captain raised his eyebrows at this before huffing out a sarcastic laugh. “Don’t know if you’ve noticed, lad, but this ain’t exactly the biggest ship.”
“And?”
“And? Do you have mud between your ears, boy?” Tennille asked with an incredulous look on his face. He crossed his arms as he stood in the doorway and leaned against the frame. “I’m saying that there isn’t enough room for you to have your own personal cabin. I even have to share one.”
The reassurance did not ease the furrow in Jotaro’s brow, it only deepened it.
“Look, I don’t know what other fancy expeditions you’ve been on, but this ain’t one of them.” Tennellie scanned Jotaro for any sign of appeasement but found none. “Just try to make yourself comfortable, alright? I’ll be back around, hopefully with your bunkmate. If he shows up that is…” he muttered under his breath before leaving without another word.
With a huff, Jotaro claimed the bottom bunk as his, placing his luggage down on the mattress and unclicking its locks. Admittedly, he didn’t bring much on this voyage; only a few choice pieces of clothing and two books to keep him occupied—one on the flora and fauna of the islands they would be visiting, the other on coral reefs. He would likely know the books cover to cover by the end of this voyage. Tucked away within the rolls of his shirts was a small bottle of whiskey, one he intended on partaking in when his mother’s birthday arrived, but that wasn’t for several weeks. For now, it would remain in his luggage, unbeknownst to the rest of the crew.
A tidal wave of sorrow washed over him. This would be the first birthday they couldn’t celebrate together. Unknowingly, Jotaro reached up to grab at the necklace he wore everyday as deep seated grief ravaged his body. He couldn’t lose his composure here. Not now. Though, he wasn’t sure if there would be a good time to do so given his current living situation. He took deep steady breaths as he repeatedly thumbed the center stone of the pendant, the gem radiating a strange warmth until he calmed down.
The heirloom his mother had given him before she passed had always been rather strange, the stone set within it seeming to have a life of its own. Before her, his grandfather had it as did his great grandmother, but its origins were always a mystery. When this necklace had found its way into his family, Jotaro didn’t know, but what he did know is that it is an heirloom to be passed down through the Joestar—now Kujo—line; he had always known he would someday come into possession of this stone, but he was never prepared for the day he had received it. His mother seemed so frail then—her body brittle as she thrust the necklace into his hands.
“Take it.” She had begged, her voice weak, the tremble in her hands weaker than he had ever seen; that was when Jotaro knew that she didn’t have long despite her reassurances. The end was near and he was the next in line to take up the mantle of the Joestar name. What a heavy burden.
Even now as he held the red stone between his fingers, Jotaro couldn’t help but feel like his mother was somehow with him, guiding him. The warmth the stone always seemed to emanate was evidence enough of that. He brought the stone to his lips, placing a gentle kiss to its smooth surface, wishing himself free of this heavy burden. He didn’t want this necklace. He wanted his mother.
As Jotaro stood there, he heard the faint sound of conversation floating ever closer to his cabin. Both voices were familiar, one more so than the other’s. Quickly, he slipped the necklace back beneath the hem of his shirt, out of sight from whoever was approaching.
“I hope you’ll find this cabin accommodating,” said Captain Tennellie, his gruff voice echoing down the hall.
“I appreciate that, Captain, but I should fair just fine.” The second voice must belong to the infamous bunkmate Tennellie had mentioned. If he was later than Jotaro had been, the guy must have been a real piece of work. Was punctuality not a common courtesy anymore?
The voices drew ever closer and as Jotaro turned to face the doorway, he froze at seeing that familiar waft of perfectly kempt brown hair.
“What are you doing here?” Jotaro was surprised, his eyes wide as he stared at the man he had run into on the docks.
“I could be asking you the same thing,” he replied flatly.
“Oh—” Captain Tennellie exchanged glances between the two of them. “You two have met already?’
“Briefly.” The stranger flashed a tight smile at the Captain.
“Well, that’s perfect then. Saves me the trouble of introductions,” Tennille barked out a laugh, one that was coarse and rough like gravel. “I’ll let you two get situated. We’ll be heading out at low tide.”
“Thank you, Captain.” With a quick nod to the man, Tennille had left, leaving just Jotaro and this mysterious dock yard man alone. A foreign unease settled in Jotaro’s gut though he tried hard not to show it. It was just his luck to run into this man again. Not only had he run into him, he was bunking with him for months. Wasn’t that just great? This expedition was already proving to be a disaster.
“I…see you found your boat.” Jotaro wanted to slap himself. ‘What a stupid thing to say. Of course he found his boat.’
“I did. Took some time but I managed to find my way here.” The man, who was still a stranger, hummed, barely acknowledging him as he entered the room and set his luggage down, removing his gloves along with it. “Let’s try this again, shall we?” The damn bastard smirked at him as he approached. “My name is Noriaki Kakyoin.” Once again, he held his hand out, this time ungloved as he held it midair, expecting, waiting for it to be reciprocated. “And you are?”
Jotaro eyed his open hand suspiciously. The invitation was clear, his outstretched hand warm and inviting. He could take it, make amends for his actions at the dock yard, but he didn’t.
“Kujo.” He finally managed to say, the last name of his father heavy on his tongue. “Jotaro Kujo.”
Seeing how his greeting wasn’t going to be returned, Kakyoin quickly retracted his hand, holding it awkwardly to his side.
“Well, Jotaro—”
“Kujo is fine.”
“Okay…” Kakyoin gave him a tight lipped smile. “Well, Kujo, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Jotaro scoffed. He knew that was a damn lie. Up to this point, nothing about his interactions with Kakyoin have exactly been a “pleasure.”
“Yeah…” Jotaro turned back to his luggage and continued digging through it. “Be sure to keep to yourself.”
“Right…” Jotaro didn’t have to look to know that Kakyoin was frowning, but frankly, he could care less. He’s not the only one unhappy about this boarding situation. As he unpacked, he couldn’t help but feel the piercing gaze of Kakyoin’s burning a hole into his back. He sighed. “What?”
“You’re taking the bottom bunk?”
“Yeah? Why wouldn’t I—?” Jotaro looked over his shoulder and instantly shut his mouth when his eyes landed on his leg. ‘Shit…’ His leg brace. How could he have forgotten that? Jotaro swallowed, suddenly nervous, but held his tone steady. He had already pissed off this guy once today, and what’s one more time? He didn’t owe him anything just because he fleetingly helped him. “And what about it? You seemed to have made it down those stairs just fine.”
Kakyoin just scoffed at him in disbelief. He was clearly agitated, but Jotaro found it easy not to care, especially when he turned his back to him to continue mindlessly sorting through his belongings to keep his hands busy.
“That’s alright,” Kakyoin said, his voice tense as he forced a tight smile. “I could use the extra work on my leg, anyway.” He threw his luggage onto the top bunk perhaps with more force than necessary as he turned on his heel, the squeaking of the metal hinges loud in the tense silence that hung between them. “I’m going back up to the top deck for launch. You should too.”
“I’ll go when I’m ready.” Jotaro found himself snapping back unintentionally, the tone in his voice coming off as more bitter than he had intended. He hadn’t meant to, it was more of a reflex to bite back, a reflex sharpened by grief. A part of him almost regretted it, especially when he could see Kakyoin scowling at him out of the corner of his eye. He didn't allow himself to look at him, knowing the guilt would consume him whole.
“Fine. See you up there.” Kakyoin left the cabin with a huff, leaving Jotaro alone yet again. Fine by him. He preferred his own company anyways, even if the silence was suffocating.
He ran a tired hand over his face and through his raven hair, pushing back some waves that had already come loose from the strong breeze outside. If the winds were a predictor of anything, today was the perfect day for launch, their strength surely setting on a smooth course once they left the harbor; whereas the situation between him and Kakyoin was anything but smooth.
‘Good grief…’ This was already shaping up to be the longest expedition of his life.
