Making It Work

[madimpossibledreamer]

Story features napkin math. I think I did it right. Changed timelines can be a pain.
This is also the most well-adjusted Jotaro I think I've ever seen.

Main Points:
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure/Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Stardust Legacy)
Summary: While unpacking, Buffy learns something about her dad.
Word Count: 710
Rating: Teen
Warning: Kakyoin and canon are mentioned.

         On one hand, maybe it’s weird that Jotaro’s taken so long to unpack. On the other hand, well, it’s Sunnydale, stuff keeps happening, and that’s on top of being busy for work and other work, even if he’s mostly just acting as a Speedwagon Foundation advisor now, and apparently Grandma Holly only mailed some of this stuff recently, so unpacking now it is. Between her, Faith, and Star, carrying the big boxes is super easy, and it’s not like her dad’s a slouch, either, just, y’know, normal-type strength, there. When the tape on one of the boxes peels off and it opens, though, she can’t help but snoop—she gets her ‘nosy bastard’ genes honestly. Her attention’s caught by a framed picture of a teenager she’s never seen before. “Who’s this?”
         Jotaro glances over briefly, and smiles slightly—it’s all in the eyes. “My boyfriend.”
         The picture slips through her hands before she can even react, which, really, should be a crime. She’s a Slayer; she should be better about reaction times and stuff. But also he is way too casual about it, and he’s not a teenager in this town, she’d know about it, which means this is probably a picture of the guy as a kid, but, then, like, how has she never met him, what’s going on—
         He’s definitely not smiling anymore. Actually, he looks a little concerned, mostly because he’s set down the box rather than just assuming she’s got it.
         “Let me guess—your dad didn’t mention he was gay.” Faith is far too amused by this.
         “No, he didn’t!” She tries to whisper. It doesn’t come out as one.
         Jotaro actually speaks, now, mostly hiding behind his hat. “Bisexual. Are you all right?”
         “No, I’m not all right, this is—is this why the divorce, or…?” She’s probably too young to be having a midlife crisis, right? Right?
         “Kakyoin’s been dead for thirteen years.” This particular frown, Buffy’s pretty sure, means that he’s confused, and then—ah, there’s the spark of realization. He might be blushing a bit. He’s looking away shyly, still not speaking to her face. “I meant your hand.”
         Oh. The glass cut her, apparently. She’s bleeding. “Eh, I’m a Slayer. It’ll heal.”
         “It’d be better if it didn’t have to,” Jotaro-san states with certainty. Star Platinum grabs the medical kit and hovers over to her, eyes wide and concerned and—yeah, actually, it’s a good idea to have his precise, meticulous Stand picking out all the slivers of glass. Sure, she’ll heal, but her skin healing over the glass would suck.
         “Polnareff—that’s the obnoxious turtle guy. When we met him, he had a camera. Was using it to try to pick up ladies, but after a lot of heckling he actually agreed to take pictures for us. Kakyoin was my best friend, too,” he explains, concentrating and moving very slowly like he’s afraid of breaking her.
         Really. Her. A Slayer. He’s a goofball sometimes. But it’s times like this he shows he cares, even if it’s clear he’s generally bewildered and has absolutely no idea what he’s doing, but he tries anyway.
         “Do you miss him?” she finds herself asking, knowing it’s a ridiculous question, like, yeah, of course.
         “Yeah,” he answers, and it’s just...honest. Not hurt, not in pain, just...nostalgic. Wistful, maybe. “But I don’t regret my life, either. I’ve got you and Dawn. Joyce sometimes, when she’s not being an ass. And your friends keep me busy.”
         “Aww.” She doesn’t pull him into a death-hug even though she wants to. Mostly because he hasn’t gotten all the glass out and she’d get blood everywhere. “Love you too, dad.”
         Behind her, Faith makes a disgusted noise. “You two are too sappy.”
         “I guess you’re volunteering to go pick up Dawn, then,” Jotaro responds, not missing a beat, and Faith...actually kind of lights up.
         “Oh no, I hate that,” she drawls, snagging her motorcycle keys.
         “While you’re at it, if you’re going to teach my daughter to shoplift, at least teach her well enough that she’s not going to get caught,” he continues.
         Faith winks and leans in to kiss her before leaving the room.
         God, her family is so bizarre and she wouldn’t have it any other way.