It's been a while eh? I'm so sorry for the wait, Enjoy for now ;3

Word Count: 5009

Climbing up the side of the yellow submarine, you held a nervous expression, feeling the slippery, wet metal rungs under your palms.

"Here, grab my hand."

Looking up, you saw Kakyoin holding out his hand for you, a patient smile on his face.

"You sure? Don't wanna pull you down into the sea with me." You huffed in a chuckle and the redhead's smile widened.

"I think I can handle it. Come on."

Taking his word for it, you reached up and grabbed his hand with one of yours while keeping the other on the ladder, climbing the last few rungs of the ladder with his help, making it a lot easier.

Once on top, you looked around, seeing Jotaro still down on the beach, Star Platinum tossing bags up to Polnareff who was to your left, catching them – only moderately hindered by his injuries.

One by one, all the bags and all the crusaders climbed to the top, yet as they went into the submarine one by one, you stayed on top for a moment, feeling the nightly breeze flowing past you, ruffling your clothes and hair.

"Y/N?"

It was Avdol who came to you first.

"You seem to have a habit of wandering off." He joked softly when you turned to look at him, a smile on his face and you huffed a little, looking down at the golden metal you were standing on.

"I'm sorry. You all keep having to get me."

Humming softly, Avdol moved to stand next to you, calmly looking out over the waters of the red sea – dark as they were now. "None of us mind. Though I've heard and noticed you've been doing it more frequently." He said.

"Have I?" You asked and Avdol hummed.

"Are you homesick?" He then said after a moment, yet when all he got from you was a confused look, he continued. "This all can't be easy for you."

At that, you frowned and looked over at Avdol. "What do you mean?"

"I've been talking with Jotaro." He said gently, turning his head to look at you. "He mentions you a lot, you know?"

"He does?"

"More than you think. He might not show it a lot, but he cares about everyone on this trip. You especially." The Egyptian smiled a kind smile, looking out at sea again as he then continued. "Out of everyone, you have the least stakes in this trip, so I don't blame you for seeking moments of solitude."

"What do you mean?" You asked softly and Avdol smiled.

"Jotaro and Mr. Joestar are in this to save Ms. Holly. Polnareff seeks revenge on his sister, Kakyoin feels like he owes Jotaro for saving his life, as well as his involvement with Dio. And I am here because I have known Mr. Joestar for years. Yet you? You don't have any connection to Dio, to Ms. Holly, or to anyone on this trip. And yet still you are here."

"I know Jotaro." You argued back, though it was weak and Avdol knew, good-naturedly raising an eyebrow.

"Indeed. He's spoken about you and him." He hummed. "Yet classmates and projectmates does not constitute true friendship, don't you think. Certainly not enough to risk your life like you have." He said, now turning to fully face you. "You did not have a single reason to come along on this trip apart from what was in your heart. You saw a woman and a family in need. And I know it was not unlike a mirror for you, was it?" He asked, his voice soft, careful as he treaded into these waters. "It's why you fought so hard to come along."

"I..." Hearing his words, you didn't know what to say, your lips turning dry and a sting pinching at your eyes.

Seeing that – the lights of the submarine lighting your face from below, showing the glistening in your gaze – Avdol reached out, gently grabbing you by the shoulders and pulling you in.

"You are a kind girl, Y/N. You sacrifice so much for others, but I feel like you forget yourself. Whenever we are in danger, you rush your Stand to everyone but yourself." He said, his voice right by your ear, deep and calm.

With your face buried in his robes, you took in a weak and shaky breath. "Jotaro said the same thing."

"He's smart." Avdol hummed before pulling back a bit, his arms moving from around your back to instead cup your face, making you look up at him. "And so are you." He whispered. "Don't count yourself out. When you have ideas, voice them, let your thoughts be known. You're capable of more than you fear you are."

Looking up into his eyes, your bottom lip began to quiver as you tried to keep yourself in. "How do you- know." You spoke, no louder than a whisper as your voice already broke partway through.

"I have seen what you do. Your decisions, your compassion, your wit. Even if you don't voice your thoughts, I can see them in your eyes." The man said, his hands warm on your jaws.

"I don't understand what that means." You mumbled and Avdol smiled kindly, pulling you back into his chest.

"It means that your heart and mind work in tandem. And we all are better for it."

Wrapping your arms back around him, you couldn't stop yourself anymore. Feeling tears well up in your eyes, they silently started to fall, soaking into the orange fabric of Avdol's robes.

"I must ask, Y/N. Do you see yourself in Jotaro? Is that why you want to help him so much, why you chose to be on this trip?" He softly asked.

Holding on tighter, you clenched your jaw, blinking against his chest. "I don't know, I didn't think about it, I just saw him and Holly and knew I had to come along on the trip." You whispered and Avdol nodded, moving one hand to gently hold the back of your head.

"I think you actually do see yourself. But that's okay. It shows the kind of person you are. A kind person. A good person."

Hearing him say that, you pulled back. "I guess, I just wanted to help cause I know how it felt."

Smiling, Avdol nodded. "And because of it, this trip has become more bearable for all of us. Especially Jotaro.

"The world needs more people like you."

- - - -

"We need to stay in this thing how long?" Polnareff balked at Mr. Joestar.

"Four to five days." The man repeated like it was the most normal thing in the world. "We've tried going on the water, we've tried going over, we've tried going around. Every step of the way, we've encountered Stands and because of it have had to spend time recuperating and healing. We can't afford that. So this time, we're going under the water. The chance of enemies tracking or attacking us here is quite small."

Nervously, you looked around, seeing Kakyoin half-heartedly nodding in agreement while Polnareff still seemed completely flabbergasted.

"But we'll be in it for almost a week!"

"We have to travel through almost the entire red sea. This submarine isn't built for speed, it's built for sightseeing." Avdol stepped in, having been on Mr. Joestar's side from the beginning – given he helped procure it.

And indeed he was right, for the submarine was large, containing what almost looked like a living room in the main body, while three separate bedrooms, as well as a bathroom, sat near the back half of the vehicle.

"Why didn't you buy a smaller one then, gramps?" Jotaro questioned crossing his arms. "A cheaper one too, most likely."

"This was the only one available on short notice..." Joseph answered, almost sheepishly pouting.

"Yare yare." Sighing out, Jotaro then wandered off to the side, looking out of one of the portholes.

"So, what now?" Kakyoin asked and that seemed to bring the older Joestar back to his chipper state.

"Avdol has bought and brought all the supplies and we both are able to drive it, so we'll take turns. For the rest of you teens and Polnareff, you can just go ahead and explore and relax. You've all earned it."

At that, your ears perked up a bit, looking around the spacious – what you suppose constituted as a – living room of the submarine.

"There's three rooms in the back, so we have to pair up again. Avdol and I will take one, given we need to be able to wake each other to take turns driving, so for the rest, you kids can fight it out."

"Kakyoin goes with me, Y/N goes with Jotaro, done." Polnareff instantly said, grabbing Kakyoin by the elbow before looking at Mr. Joester. "Hey, wait, I'm not a kid!"

"You are to me, now get lost, the adults need to talk." He shoo'ed the Frenchman, who looked highly offended.

Huffing a chuckle, you just let yourself be ushered towards the back of the submarine where the 'bedrooms' sat. Looking back, you saw Joseph physically push his grandson forward too, who looked annoyed but surprisingly let the man, just shoving his hands in his pockets and catching up with you and the red- and white haired duo.

"I'd say we got the better deal." You smiled at Jotaro, to which he raised an eyebrow, though a slight smile played on his lips.

"Without having to do any work for it." He sent you a knowing look.

Neither of you were blind any longer to the others' antics, yet while the thought should scare you – of trying to be pushed together with the delinquent – instead it had the opposite effect.

Jotaro had the opposite effect.

Where once he was scary, an unknown and a threat, now – to you – he was safety and comfort. Somewhere along the way, the boy who you had always avoided in school had morphed into the one you gravitated towards in your everyday life. As everyday as this trip could be.

Reaching the bedrooms, you and Jotaro quickly got appointed the furthest one, given Polnareff wanted to rest and treat his wounds as soon as he could, not wanting to take 3 extra steps to the next room over. You didn't put up a fuss, the man had blood all over him.

Walking over, you opened the door – which swung towards you – and hummed, greeted by the room inside. While expected in a submarine, it was tiny.

The walls were rounded, following the curve of the vehicle itself given you were near the back as well as the side. A single porthole window sat opposite the door, while to the right, taking up almost the entirety of the small room and snug between the walls, sat a single, queen sized bed.

"Jesus, the old man spared no expense." Jotaro snarked, seeing there was barely enough room to step inside the room before the bed was already there.

Chuckling softly, you nodded and stepped inside, placing your bag on the floor by the furthest end of the bed, bending forward to look out of the porthole.

Behind you, Jotaro shut the door before you heard him walking up. Yet suddenly, a hand was placed on your back as Jotaro leaned in beside you, his other hand pushed to the curved wall of the submarine to support himself as well as he looked out with you.

"Too dark to see much." The teen sighed, his eyes flitting back and forth for a second, trying to find any sign of life in the water before he pulled back, turning around and instead plopping down on the bed with a groan.

Looking back at him, you willed the small blush away that had made its way onto your face before speaking. "Is it comfy?" You questioned, referring to the bed and Jotaro tutted.

"Better than most we've had this whole trip."

At that, curiosity got the better of you and you kicked off your shoes, crawling onto the bed near the curved side, given Jotaro had already posted himself near the straight wall that divided the room with the hallway.

Turning over, you laid down and groaned softly. The bed was soft and felt almost form-fitting as you sunk into it. "Okay, yeah, this is nice." You mumbled, closing your eyes. "I wanna take a nap."

"I'm going to. No longer having gramps' snoring for once."

"I might snore instead." You half-heartedly joked, eager to get into a devastatingly deep sleep in this bed.

"Do that and I'll make sure you won't wake up again." Jotaro huffed, making you chuckle.

"Sounds ideal."

- - - -

Over the next few days, you and the rest of the crusaders spent your time relaxing for once.

Avdol and Mr. Joestar took turns driving, only shutting the submarine off at around 3am so they could both get optimal sleep.

In the times they were awake, you oftentimes stayed up front of the submarine with them, talking or playing simple games that they could play while keeping the sub on course.

The rest of the time was spent loitering around with Jotaro, Kakyoin and Polnareff. Avdol had been so thoughtful as to bring along some books. Slowly, everyone got caught up on sleep, Polnareff and Avdol's injuries healing quickly thanks to Hamon, as well as their Stands.

On the second day, Polnareff even cooked a French cuisine with the supplies brought on board.

All in all, nothing was more needed than this.

It was nearing evening when you made your way towards your room. As you did, you suddenly saw a very familiar redhead leaned against your open door, standing in the middle of the hallway.

"Hey, Y/N." Kakyoin smiled at you as you came walking up, seeming almost too chipper.

"Hi?" You asked, confused as you glanced into your and Jotaro's room, seeing nothing off, other than the teen who had apparently opened your door and decided to lean against it. "What are you doing?"

"Just a little something, don't worry about it." He winked and you put your hands on your hips, confused.

"Can I be let in on this little something? You're being weird."

Chuckling softly, Kakyoin then nudged his head to his right, your left. "Polnareff." Was all he said and you sent him a confused look before looking left, seeing the bathroom door there – a door that currently had your bedroom door diagonally in front of it.

Staying confused for a second longer, you then realised and looked up. "You're trapping him inside."

"Maybe." Kakyoin spoke, getting a bit of a shit-eating grin on his face as just then, the bathroom door opened. Or at least it tried to.

As Polnareff tried to get out, instead of the door swinging open into the hallway, it barely opened before it banged into the bedroom door Kakyoin was currently keeping open.

"Huh?" Making the noise of confusion, Polnareff pulled the door back a bit before trying to open it again, once more banging it into the other door. "Hello? I heard talking just now." Once more, he tried the door. "Guys, are you still there? I'm stuck!"

"Why are you doing this, Kakyoin?" You sighed, looking at the teen and he just shrugged while keeping the grin on his face.

"Kakyoin?!" Polnareff asked. "Is this for me eating your chicken piece yesterday?!"

"Yep."

"It was an extra! You're not really gonna punish me for that, are you?!"

"Yep."

Hearing that, you deadpanned, looking between the bathroom door repeatedly banging into your bedroom door – presumably in Polnareff's hope that he can somehow push free – and the redhead.

"You're petty." You remarked and Kakyoin chuckled, grinning at you now.

"Yep."

Given they weren't gonna get anywhere, you just shook your head while walking away, no longer requiring whatever it was you were getting out of your bag.

- - - -

It was around the third day when you woke up in the middle of the night.

Blearily opening your eyes, you looked around, your eyes needing a moment to adjust to the dark – the room barely illuminated by the residue of the floodlights reaching the back of the sub, now shining in through the window. Letting out a little breath through your nose, you turned, seeing the left half of the bed empty.

Frowning a bit, you decided to wait, but when after a few minutes, you didn't hear the sound of a flushing toilet, you slowly sat up.

Shuffling off the bed, you placed your feet on the carpeted floor of the room, making sure you had your socks on before you moved any further, knowing how cold the metal flooring of the rest of the submarine was.

With careful steps, you walked out and rounded the corner, getting a view of the main room. For once, no one was at the helm, it being that time of night when both Avdol and Mr. Joestar were sleeping.

That however, didn't mean that the room was empty.

On the far side of the sub, to the left of the driving console, Jotaro sat, his gaze fixed on the porthole window as he looked into the waters, properly illuminated by the floodlights compared to the window in your room.

As you stood there though, Jotaro glanced back at you. "Hey." He mumbled quietly, turning his head forward again after, looking out right as a school of fish swam by.

Taking it as invitation, you crossed the area and walked over to him. "Hi." You said softly, debating for a second until Jotaro shifted his knee away, offering up space for you to sit to his right on the small velvet couch that lined the wall of the sub's room. "Couldn't sleep?" You ask softly as you sit down and Jotaro glanced at you again, his eyes uncharacteristically soft.

"Yeah." He nodded, moving to sit with his knee up, leaning an arm on it. "You?"

"Noticed you were missing."

At that, Jotaro's lip twitched, his eyes still focused on the outside.

For the next fifteen minutes, the two of you sat in silence, looking out to the water, watching the life that filled it swim by, attracted to the lights.

"You don't have to stay. You can go back to sleep." Jotaro eventually spoke and you looked up at him with a little hum.

"Oh, no, I'm fine. I like this."

At that, Jotaro looked at you, his eyes darting across your face for a second, almost as if he was looking for a lie, only to find none. "Me too."

With that, the two of you fell back into silence, yet the more you sat, the more your thoughts went back to the boy in front of you and the conversation you'd had with Avdol before stepping foot inside the sub. This was the first time you'd caught him alone since.

"Jotaro? Can I ask something?" You asked and the raven hummed, watching a fish swim by, following it with his head until it was gone before turning to look at you, giving his undivided attention. "Avdol said you spoke with him about me." You mumbled softly and Jotaro froze a bit before relaxing.

"Did he?"

"He did." You said, looking down at your hands. "I- He said you felt protective over me? But why? I'm no different from Polnareff or Kakyoin who came along."

"It's because you are." Jotaro said, looking at you as he then shifted, his knee touching your leg. "You're my friend, Y/N. I... regarded you as such before this trip as well."

"You did?" You ask softly and Jotaro sighed, reaching up and taking off his hat.

"Guess you'd have it figured by now but I'm not exactly a social butterfly." He spoke, twisting his hat in his hands a bit. "I haven't exactly had friends... growing up. Not since high school." He continued, seeming hesitant. Yet despite it, he persevered. "You changed it. You felt- genuine. It's why I started seeking you out."

Thinking back to that time, roughly three months ago now, you hummed softly. "It was nice." You nodded, recalling sitting under the tree with him during lunch, yet with that soon came the thoughts of the moments shortly after. Of sitting alone, watching Jotaro walk around with his gaggle of girls on his heels, passing you as if you were nothing. You didn't like to admit it, given you'd only known him for such a short time back then, but it hurt in those moments.

Watching your expression shift, it was almost as if Jotaro could read your thoughts and after a moment of hesitation, he reached over and placed his hat on your head. "Don't think about that, please. It was dumb of me to do." He said softly, seeming