( vampire-joestar) ((yes, I consider this blog mostly retired now, BUT there's no way I was just not gonna send something for Speedwagon's birthday >:) Hope this is alright! ))
By now, Jonathan had been living mostly secluded in the woods for quite a while. Ever paranoid about what might happen if he were to step back out into society, most had already filed him as either dead, or assumed he had fled to some distant place, never to be seen again.
But, there was one person who knew the real truth. Speedwagon.
Even with the reservations Jojo still held about letting even Robert, his closest companion, be near him, he couldn't deny one that he was truly grateful for it. As much as Jonathan's noble heart wanted to push everyone away, make them forget all about him, Speedwagon's persistence about sticking by him no matter the danger or circumstances-- that was really what was keeping him together. A reminder to the Joestar of just why he was trying so hard to go against his new vampiric nature.
Even in his isolation, JoJo had managed to keep somewhat aware of the days and the dates. And in doing so, he soon realized Speedwagon's birthday was fast approaching.
There was no question of whether or not Jonathan would do something for it. Robert was constantly risking his life to support him, had provided endless support during his weakest moments, and perhaps ironically considering the Joestar's current status of being dead (both legally and by technicality), had simply been his lifeline many times, before and after the loss of Jonathan's humanity.
Of course, the favor had to be repaid, or the very least, properly thanked for.
But how was he to do that, when the very thought of having to be around others for long enough to purchase a gift made his nerves, and the intrusive thoughts possible scenarios spike so immensely?
It hurt Jonathan's heart to do something so small in return for such immeasurable kindness and loyalty, but the best solution he could think of?
He'd write a letter. Perhaps he could at least tell Speedwagon how truly thankful he is for him.
Jonathan wasn't completely oblivious, however. He knew simply leaving it at Robert's doorstep and hoping for the best would be risky, considering the notoriously rough area. But at the same time, he would rather not have to stick around to personally hand it to Speedwagon himself, and risk any potential harm to anyone. Even with the reassurances from Robert, Jonathan still hadn't grown out of the mindset that he was an inherent danger.
So, what would he do? He'd come by the residence, knock on the door, and wait for an answer. Yes, politely knocking at someone's door as Jonathan was planning would certainly be odd for Ogre Street, so JoJo would halfway announce his presence as he knocked, asking, "Robert?"
And, with any luck, by the time the door was answered, Jonathan would already be out of sight, the letter left for Speedwagon to see.
'My dearest friend, Robert,
To initiate, I'd like to wish you a very happy birthday! Despite your claims of the day having the same merit as any other day, it truly is something special. The simple fact that the day relates to you so significantly is enough to signify that, regardless of whether or not you choose to celebrate it.
In addition, I want to offer my deepest apologies for my gift to you to commemorate this date being confined to a measly little letter, and for my cowardice in not so much as staying long enough to hand this letter to you. However, I do hope to give you something more in this than just paper and ink; I want to give you my truest gratitude.
Mere months ago, I lost so much of myself, all to one person, a person whom I considered my family, my brother. I felt as though my very being was being ripped apart. And in a sense, it was. And in that time of such insurmountable grief, confusion, and fear, it would’ve been so much easier to simply turn your back on me. In the beginning, I was nothing but a stranger to you. Later down the line, after that night where my memories now get so hazy, I actively tried to keep you away. I tried so hard to get you to walk away from me. The average man would’ve abandoned me long ago.
But you, Robert, are no average man.
Despite the horror, despite myself, despite everything, you stayed. Not only did you stay, but you saved my life numerous times. I can’t even begin to imagine where I’d currently be were it not for your incredible persistence and bravery.
Not once have you tried to kick me while I was down, either. Even at my weakest moments, you gave me support. It is because of you that I am still able to feel connected to myself. You help me recall why it is that I keep trying to defy the nature of that mask.
Grateful does not even begin to describe my appreciation.
In many ways, you inspire me. While I do not know much of your past, and will never push you to share, I do know that the hardships you’ve faced are likely beyond anything I could ever understand. But even despite that, you remain noble in heart and soul. That, Robert, is what distinguishes you from so many other men, and is perhaps the single most admirable thing I can fathom.
You may not consider yourself a gentleman, but in actuality, you are more of a gentleman than most could ever dream of being. You’ve demonstrated that time and time again.’
Thank you, for everything,
birthday asks 【temporarily accepting】
@vampire-joestar
Life in the slums usually went without much of a change in it's chaotic daily routine. Stabbings, muggings, all sorts of crimes happening in the darkest corners of this underworld. Days went by as usual, as they always would. The subject of his birthday hadn't really crossed Speedwagon's mind in a while, since that time Tattoo had casually mentioned in some conversation a few weeks ago. What had been occupying -more like, hogging- the blond's attention these days was the fact that he hadn't seen Jonathan at all in a bit.
The gentleman had never stopped insisting on keeping himself isolated, as far away from everyone as he could, labelling himself as a danger to anyone and everyone he could come across with. Perhaps there was some truth to that statement considering that Jonathan was no longer human but, even then, Robert couldn't help but feel terribly about all this, about Jonathan hurting himself in that horrible manner, fully aware of the alienation he had been forced to go through growing up, and now forcing himself to a second round of a similar deal.
The idea of following him wherever he was hiding had never ceased to appeal to him. Not to drag him into the town, but merely just to keep him some company, if anything! But, of course, Jonathan would not let that happen, and would always put those new abilities of his -aware that a human was no match for them- to his advantage to disappear and leave no traces behind him until the next time he was graced by the gentleman's presence.
Meanwhile, all Robert could do was wonder, and wonder...
...and hope that he was doing alright.
That night had been cold and particularly long as the realization of what day tomorrow was dawned on him. Even if he rarely ever mentioned it, one of the reasons why it didn't feel right for Speedwagon to celebrate that day was that, well... his birth had eventually translated into his own mother's death, some time after he had been brought into this world. The sole thought never failed to dim the idea of celebrating, especially now that, after all these years, losing loved ones was still one of the only constants in his life...
A soft sigh escaped the man's throat as he remained sitting in the almost full darkness, almost at the edge of his seat on that old and ratty sofa the gang had in the space that was the living room of their shared house; elbows resting on his knees as he looked down into the darkness, mulling over that gloomy idea in regards to the date. That same idea that even his father had plenty of times reassured him was not his fault but that he still failed to convince himself of. One scarred hand was clutching the other, unconsciously tightening it's grip as minutes went by, with the thug failing to realize it.
It was then that a sudden but gentle knock on his door brought him out of his thoughts and made him stand up from his seat. He was puzzled as to who could that be. Gentleness of any sorts was uncommon in these areas, and that would always seep through to little stuff like knocking on a door. Hell, not even Li or Tattoo would be gentle as that whenever either forgot their keys at home. As Robert approached the entrance door, an unmistakable voice made him pause for a brief second.
"Mister Joestar...?" The words slipping past his lips before he could even think of it. The man immediately rushed for the door, not wishing to make Jonathan wait. Him visiting was an odd, actually rare, occurrence, so Robert was starting to worry that something had happened to him. The door swung open just a couple seconds later and, much to his dismay, Jonathan was not there. He was starting to wonder if he had just imagined everything but, before he could even start questioning his sanity, a crisp white envelope neatly placed by the door caught his eye. Robert picked it up. It was a letter, and from none other than Jonathan himself. That much he could tell based on the neat writing on the paper.
Robert went back inside, closing the door behind him, and moved back to the living room, this time bringing with him the oil lamp that was dimly lighting the room, and walked towards the half open window in the room, placing the lamp by the windowsill. He adjusted it's brightness so he could read the letter. Apprehension was still gripping his chest as all this was... just not normal for Jonathan. But, then again, things were a lot different now than they had been back when Jojo was a human...
He began to read the contents, gradually feeling as that heavy weight of concern was being lifted off his shoulders the more he read, being replaced by a warm feeling spreading inside of him along with that lump that would always form in his throat whenever any strong feelings concerning Jonathan would come up. That distinctive lump followed by tears, happy tears, welling in his eyes by the time he finished reading that letter that contained Jojo's deepest and most sincere thoughts about him.
"You always know what t' say and how t' make this bloke feel better 'bout himself, don't ya?" A soft smile on his lips as he whispered into the air, holding the letter in one hand and close to him as he looked outside at the moon, but in his mind's eye, there was only that sight of Jonathan's bright smile, lighting that dark night.
That smile from the man who had showed Speedwagon his true value and worth. The same man Robert was determined to return that favor to and give him some of that peace of mind and happiness he so much deserved and that he continuously got ripped away from him.
It was a desire that he was determined to make it come true. No matter what it took...
A desire he could only hope would reach Jojo out there the moment he turned to look at that same moon hanging above them both, no matter how far they were from one another for the time being.
