Bond Through Song

[madimpossibledreamer]

As usual, happy Mother's Day to those who celebrate it, and for the rest of you, I hope you had a great day.
~Dreamer~
(josephine, you're one to talk about subtle)
(yes, i did research for this one.  josephine's equally likely to go for a japanese or uk cake.  in my research i found a cake invented in germany and popular in japan, so there you go.)

Main Points:
Shadowed Suspicion, universe optional, Fluff
Summary: Johan plans a Mother's Day Surprise.
Word Count: 575
Rating: Gen

         “Hi, Mom.” Josie glances at her phone in concern even as she walks down the sidewalk.  Johan almost never sounds that hesitant, just awkward, which is fair, as she is, too.  They’re both still trying to navigate their relationship, which will never be normal thanks to one jerk with a Stand.  Even then, she regrets none of it, because if it hadn’t happened, she would’ve missed out on meeting another pretty cool relative.
         “What’s wrong, Jojo?”  She pulls out B3, ready at a moment’s notice to find a path through as many gates as necessary to make it to her son’s side.
         “Nothing.  Just…you don’t have any more homework, right?”  That tone isn’t at all convincing, but he hates it when anyone repeats that question.  She’ll take the long road, and she’ll get there eventually.
         “I finished it, yeah.”  She’s barely finished her statement when a shape is detaching itself from the tree and falling in step beside her, hanging up a phone.
         “That’s good, because I was hoping to surprise you.  Happy Mother’s Day, kaasan.”  He rubs his hand at the back of his hair.
         She’s almost certain that he’d had an idea about her Sunday routine due to his dreams, but she’s not going to bring that up now.  It’s a strange thing to think about, and there are much more fun things to spend her brain power on when she’s not doing homework.
         She grins in delight and links her arm through his.  “Johan, what are you doing here?”
         He’s awkward and embarrassed, but he’s also obviously pleased.  “Abusing my Joestar access to the Speedwagon Foundation planes, I’m sure.  Fitz is here, too.  His mission was to obtain a Baumkuchen cake and deliver it, after which he’s going to check in on the ol’ bookstore.”  And it’s probably his job to deliver it to a locked flat because of his somewhat checkered past, not that Xander’s going to refer to that in the middle of the street.  That’s probably a good idea, honestly, though she didn’t know he knew the definition of the word subtle.  “I wouldn’t spoil the surprise, but we don’t actually have a lot of time before we have to leave so we don’t skip any school.  I don’t care, but Fitz would throw a fit.  Again.”  He’s steering her somewhere off her usual route, but she’s curious enough; she’ll go along with this.
         “Are you telling me education is worthless?” she teases him, eyebrow raised and tone carefully neutral, just to see how he’ll react.
         “Ugh, I’m just not very good at it.”  He nudges her with his elbow; it’s hard to tell if it’s a sign of affection or retaliation, but either way it’s a pretty entertaining reaction.  “I’m proud of you,” he adds, quiet and subdued, but it still makes her smile.
         “Your belief in me gives me strength to swim through the oceans of homework,” he tells him, and yeah, he’s really embarrassed, judging by the colour in his cheeks.  She can see hints of the kid he’d been, which is honestly kind of adorable.  “Well, you could have just ordered a cake, so I assume there’s a reason you’re here in person.”
         “I did some research, and—aha!”  He points, and her smile grows even wider.
         “Karaoke?  Jojo, you’re a wonder.”  She bops his nose, and he ducks away too late.
         “I think we can manage a few hours, and Mom—you deserve it.”