(no subject)

[julibahana]

"How do you feel?"

Juli felt anxious for Giorno, though she tried her best not to let it show. And true enough, her words came out sounding unworried and confident. Because even though she was concerned for Giorno, she knew that if there were anyone in this world who could help Jojo, it was him.

Comments

[buon_giorno]

It was the first time all day Giorno had freed himself from thinking, sitting there by Juli at the table in the bakery. All he really wanted was some wine to go with the fresh rolls that were going to come out but he wasn’t permitting himself any drink while the clock was counting down.

“Well…honestly?”

[julibahana]

"Honestly," Juli said firmly.

[buon_giorno]

“Vexing,” Giorno replied equally firmly. “Not the poison. Mister Joestar.”

[julibahana]

"Vexing?" Juli repeated. After a thought, she continued, "Well, I guess I could see how he might be. But is there anything in particular you find especially vexing?"

[buon_giorno]

“He has it in his head that I’m his grandson. He insists on the titles. He enjoys picking me up with no warning. The other night he almost tossed me in the hot spring.”

[julibahana]

Juli cracked a smile. "Well, it certainly sounds like the two of you have a special relationship. Even if it turns out he isn't your grandfather."

[buon_giorno]

Giorno’s face reddened slightly at her saying such a thing out loud. He kept his eyes on the baker’s back as he pulled the bread out of the oven.

“…I don’t hate it. But it’s odd. I never really had anyone to rely on growing up…especially not family. I suppose…it’s hard to think that he may be my grandfather and he was simply never there.”

[julibahana]

"How does that make you feel?" She could understand the mixed feelings; she had her own struggles with abandonment.

[buon_giorno]

Giorno's lips quirked. "...Well, even if it ends up being so, it would be useless to hold it against a man who hasn't even had his first girlfriend yet. I'll at least give him some time to settle down before offering my feedback."

[julibahana]

"He hasn't had a girlfriend yet?" That genuinely surprised Juli.

[buon_giorno]

Giorno's eyes immediately flicked away from the bread he'd been waiting all day to have over to her face. "...Is that shocking?"

[julibahana]

"Well, he is good-looking."

[buon_giorno]

Giorno willed his poker face to stay intact. "Ah. Well. I suppose so."

[julibahana]

What was that reaction? Juli wasn't sure how to interpret it. "Well," she started, "if it makes you feel better, it seems to run in the family."

[buon_giorno]

Giorno smiled appreciatively and rubbed his eyes. The lack of sleep and pressure was making him foolish--but he had taken this on himself.

"Well...once he's recovered, I'm sure he won't have a problem finding a date for the party."

[julibahana]

"I'm sure you won't either."

[buon_giorno]

Giorno fiddled with the end of his braid that was bound loosely rather than being finished with its usual polished loop. The bags under his eyes had sunken even further into his skin, too. “Yes, well…anyone who offers would probably change their minds if they got a look at me right now.”

The butter rolls were being finished off with sea salt now. Giorno’s heel began to rock against the ground impatiently.

“What about you?”

[julibahana]

"Me?" Juli gestured at herself. "Well, no one's asked me yet."

[buon_giorno]

“Really?” Giorno couldn’t keep the genuine surprise masked.

[julibahana]

"Nope."

[buon_giorno]

His heel bounced harder against the the ground and he had to will it to stop. “Were you thinking of asking anyone else?”

[julibahana]

"Maybe, but I'm not sure what he'd say."

[buon_giorno]

Maybe. So…there was someone else?

‘Of course there could be. You see men sniffing around all the time.’ And then there was him bringing this up now when he had barely slept. He was a fool, that’s what he was.

But his nature won out—he wasn’t someone content to roll over first and foremost, no matter how shabby he looked.

“Juli.”

[julibahana]

"Hm?"

[buon_giorno]

“Go with me.”