Chapter 29 - Busride

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Word Count: 1933

Sitting on the bus, your head was on Kakyoin's shoulder as you looked out the window. It had been over a day since Calcutta and all of you were on a bus heading to Varanasi, where Nena was from – on her guidance.

Honestly you didn't really want to interact with her all that much. She hadn't really done anything wrong but she constantly seemed to be judging everyone, and her high social status was enough for you to stay away, fearing of getting on her bad side.

As the sun was slowly setting, the scenery rushing by on the horizon, you played the events from the 13th over in your head once again.

After you and Jotaro – mainly Jotaro – had called the Speedwagon Foundation, you'd rushed back to the street where the fight went down. There you stayed by Avdol's side, deterring curious or worried people as you sat on the ground with the two Joestar men.

Polnareff and Kakyoin were nowhere to be seen but Joseph told you to trust in them, that you needed to keep Avdol safe for now and get him into the care of the SPWF.

In the end, the Egyptian man was handed over to the care of the organisation and Kakyoin and Polnareff returned, the latter of which was able to avenge his sister, after which you all set out.

Sighing deeply, you noticed Kakyoin glancing at you from the corner of your eye but didn't pay any attention to it. Avdol was alive but it felt weird to not have him with you in the group. As if one of the legs was ripped out from under the table.

Thinking back to your conversation with Jotaro in Singapore, you drew your lips into a thin line. You promised him you would be the shield of the group. It was so easy to shame yourself and say you failed, but no. You weren't going to be a burden. You weren't there, it wasn't your fault.

"Kakyoin."

The voice from the row ahead of you made both you and the redhead look up, seeing Mr. Joestar look back over the seats, Jotaro looking on with a slightly curiously raised eyebrow.

"Can you swap seats with Jotaro? I want to talk to you." Letting out a little 'uhm', the redhead looked down at you and the older Joestar was quick to jump in. "Y/N can lean on Jotaro, it's fine, right?" He grinned.

"You old geezer-!" Jotaro growled a bit, closing a fist right in front of the man's face. "I swear, if this is another-"

"It's not, it's not!" Joseph defended himself, waving his hands around. "I just want to go over the last fight."

"He and Polnareff told us about it at dinner yesterday, the fuck are you on about." Turning his head to the right, Jotaro angled the brim of his hat down over his face, crossing his arms after.

"No, Jotaro, really. It's-" Sighing, Mr. Joestar urged his grandson to lean in so he could whisper in his ear, something the delinquent did begrudgingly, acquiescing to his grandfather's wish and listening to the man whisper something, all the while you and Kakyoin just looked on in confusion.

Once Joseph was done and pulled back, Jotaro sighed loudly in irritation before pulling himself from his seat, standing up into the aisle of the bus and moving back to stand beside your row. "Go on, get up." He grumbled and you swiftly got to your feet, allowing Kakyoin to get out and take place next to the older man.

"Uh, you wanna sit by the window? Since you've been in the aisle seats this whole time?" You questioned softly, Jotaro barely noticeably widening his eyes before coughing a bit as he looked off to the side.

"You take it. I've had you dosing off on me enough already." Discreetly looking back at you, he saw you squeezing your own fingers, a nervous tick, and was quick to add, "I need the leg room anyways. Go sit."

Nodding with a small smile, you scooted back into the seats, sitting where Kakyoin sat before as Jotaro sat down as well.

Sitting on a bus all day long wasn't your most favourite thing, but both Mr. Joestar as well as Nena assured this was the best way to travel through India.

A comfortable silence took over as you placed your elbow on the window as best you could, looking out at the orange sky. Well – as silent as it could be with all the other passengers and the whispering from the two Crusaders in front of you.

"Oi, Jotaro..." Mr. Joestar's voice popped up again after a while, making you blink your eyes open – having simply been focused on the feeling of the warm sun on your skin. The man was looking from in between the seats, glaring at his grandson who pushed his hat up with his thumb, having tried dozing off until the interruption. "I told you to let her lean on you, what are you doing."

Instantly, Jotaro kicked the old man's seat harshly, all the while you looked on with a confused expression on your face. Because really, what in god's name did he want to get from that?

"Would you shut up for once?" Jotaro hissed before angrily leaning back into his seat again, slamming his hat down over his face to shield his eyes from the light, hiding the blush he begrudgingly knew he sported while taking a page out of Polnareff's book, who was snoring behind you all.

"Worth a shot."

With that, Jotaro kicked the man's seat again, making him yelp.

- - - -

Doodling together with Kakyoin, you were once again sitting next to him on the bus.

Last night, Mr. Joestar had booked a room in the hotel for you and Nena to share, claiming he didn't want anyone to room alone, which – in a way – you understood. Unfortunately, the woman had the conversation skills of a cutting board and it was the most awkward night you'd spent on this whole trip.

Right now, Polnareff was chatting away at her, and given he didn't need replies to hold a conversation, they seemed to be a good match.

"Are we almost there, Mr. Joestar?" You spoke up after Kakyoin doodled a frog eating your little fuzzy dragon, making you pout a bit.

"We should be arriving shortly, yes." The man sighed in relief, absentmindedly itching his arm while you sent a thankful prayer in your head. You were completely done with sitting on the uncomfortable bus seats for this long.

'Should be arriving shortly' turned into two hours and it was now the middle of the afternoon when the city of Varanasi finally came into sight.

Behind you, Polnareff was still blabbering to Nena and Kakyoin seemed just as much done with it as you were. "Hey, we're almost there." He spoke, actively shutting Polnareff up who had for some reason stood up in his seat, now looking back to be able to look outside. And sure enough, the bus was soon driving over the large bridge leading into the city.

"Alright everyone, pack up. We need to get going." Taking the initiative once the bus had come to a stop, Joseph stood up, quickly followed by the rest of you as you got off the bus.

Soon, it was driving away as you were standing together with Jotaro, Kakyoin and Mr. Joestar; the former of which, ever observant, spoke up.

"What's wrong, old man? You don't look so good."

Looking from Jotaro, over to Mr. Joestar, you indeed saw the somewhat grimace the older man sported. Humming in affirmation, Joseph held up his arm. "It looks like my bug bite got infected."

All of you leaned in to look at it, Polnareff appearing out of nowhere as he leaned over your back to look as well.

"It's definitely swollen. I think you should see a doctor before it gets worse." Kakyoin examined, a hand on his chin.

"Hey, doesn't that sort of look like a person's face?" Polnareff hummed, leaning on you as he took a closer look.

"Stop kidding around, Polnareff." Joseph scolded a little as he pulled his arm back.

Chuckling awkwardly, Polnareff held up his hands in defense, accidentally bumping his elbow into your shoulder blade, knocking you a step forward, both teens beside you sticking out their arms to catch your stumble. "Sorry, sorry!" He apologised to both Mr. Joestar as well as you now before looking up at the man. "You want me to go to the hospital with you?"

"No! Stop treating me like an old man." He spoke dismissively, just starting to walk away from the group. "I'll meet you all by the river there later!" Pointing to a place behind you, you all turned back to see the Ganges – explained to be called that by Kakyoin earlier – before he completely walked off in the span of three seconds, disappearing around a corner.

"Uhh-"

"Guess we're free to do what we want until he comes back, huh?" Polnareff hummed before turning to the girl standing several meters away from you all. "Nena, how about I walk you home? Maybe we can see a bit of the city while we're at it, I'm sure a pretty princes such as you doesn't get out much!" Leaving your side in favour of Nena, Polnareff just goaded her with him and up and left.

"UHH-"

"No need to fret, Y/N." Kakyoin smiled assuredly, putting a hand on your arm. "I do think Polnareff is right. Without Mr. Joestar we can't do much."

"Why not just wait where he told us to wait then?" You spoke and Jotaro clicked his tongue.

"You really are too much of a goody-two-shoes."

"No, I'm just in an unfamiliar city and don't want to get lost." You protested weakly, turtling as you crossed your arms over your chest, ducking as much as possible as you avoided the delinquent's gaze.

"We'll stick by the river then." Grabbing your right forearm, Jotaro just pried it free from your body and dragged you along, Kakyoin tilting his head with a smug look as he then shook his head and followed.

"Jotaro has a point. We're here, we might as well see something." Speaking once he caught up, you let out a small, unhappy whimper and shook your head.

"No, we should just wait where Mr. Joestar told us to wait!"

Looking back, Jotaro then stopped walking, still holding your arm as he then turned around and crouched through his knees to be at eye height with you. "Do you really not want to go?"

His eyes were intense, inquisitive as he searched you for your answer. "I- I don't know."

"That's not a no."

"We'll be by your side the entire time. It's just for an hour or so, until Mr. Joestar is back." Kakyoin now chimed in and you looked between the two boys.

"Just... don't leave me behind."

Softening his eyes just a tad, Jotaro lightly squeezed your arm before standing up straight and letting go. "We'll be back long before that geezer is done. He's probably going to be searching for the clinic for an hour anyways."

"I'm sorry, I just don't go out that often." You rubbed your arm a bit, feeling stupid, but before you knew it, a hand was placed on your head as it was pushed down, Jotaro using his other hand to lower the brim of his hat.

"Stop apologising for once. Idiot..."

-

I'm back from vacation :)

Hope you liked the chapter ^^

29-06-2022


You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net