Kakyoin, at this point, had been banished from the city for over three years. He was forgotten, an outcast, and had been for near his entire life. He lived in the city's junkyard, a place they called the Seclusion, which was a place for people who brought no benefit to the city through their chosen jobs. There were plenty of people there, but they had a tendency to stay far away from each other. Today, in the late afternoon while sitting at the docks by the ocean, Kakyoin had been watching a maglev train from the city pull into the rundown train station. He wasn't sure why the train was there, but he hoped it had something to do with food. The last time he ate was yesterday morning. To his surprise, however, he saw Jotaro climb out of the train, a briefcase in hand, a hat on his head- and- the same trench coat he always wore in high school.

Kakyoin wanted Jotaro, more than anything, to look at him- even though Jotaro wasn't allowed to help him in any way.

Jotaro instead looked back toward the interior of the train, then took a few steps back as another, older man with long, blond hair and a hat stepped out onto the cracked concrete. He was also carrying a briefcase. Kakyoin could only cower and cringe as Jotaro and the older man took in the state of their surroundings. Jotaro looked disgusted.

The older man's gaze paused by the docks, where Kakyoin was sitting, and when he pointed, Jotaro's gaze followed… There were those vibrant, crystal blue eyes that Kakyoin knew well- that was a subconscious thought, and Kakyoin hadn't realized it, but he knew one thing- Jotaro was here, right now, in front of him. if he could just get him alone-

Now the pair were walking his direction, but their eyes weren't focused on Kakyoin or the docks, but on the sea. Had Jotaro achieved his dream, so unlike Kakyoin himself? Had he finally become the marine biologist he always dreamed of being? Kakyoin hoped he did. But hope was a fragile, fleeting thing- nothing one could count on. That was how Kakyoin had ended up here- in this junkyard, a place for the unneeded, a place for those who weren't able to contribute to society- a place for those who dared to hope.

The pair were now only yards away, and Kakyoin took this chance to hide behind the heaps of garbage and litter that resided everywhere. when they reached the docks, Kakyoin peeked over the pile he was hiding behind and saw Jotaro- he looked like he was looking for something, but whatever it was wasn't in the water. The older man had, at this point, knelt down, placing his briefcase on the ground, unlatching it. He looked up, softly calling Jotaro's attention to the task at hand. Jotaro briefly apologized, his deep voice reaching Kakyoin's ears, and repeated the other man's actions, and scooted a little bit closer to the edge of the dock- to retrieve a sample, would be an easy and accurate guess. Kakyoin looked on silently as the older man gave quick instructions to Jotaro, pointing further down the beach, around the corner of a large pile of coincidental junk. Jotaro nodded and turned back to his work as the man picked up his briefcase and walked around the of the garbage until he was out of sight. Jotaro paused from his work then, turning around and giving one more searching glance before turning back.

Kakyoin saw this as the perfect opportunity.

His eyes were stuck on Jotaro, a feeling of that fleeting hope filling him-

He heard a crunch and the scrape of metal against concrete.

Kakyoin had stepped on an aluminum can.

How cliche.

Jotaro, giving into human nature, turned around quickly, and was very surprised to see a rather skinny Kakyoin looking back up at him. "K-Kakyoin?," Jotaro stuttered, which he never did, and dropped his test tube, spilling polluted, salty water across the paved ground. "U-um… Hi?," Kakyoin said nervously. Jotaro rushed forward, however, and embraced Kakyoin tightly. Kakyoin hugged him back, or at least tried to, but that sort of thing is kind of hard with your arms pinned at your sides. Jotaro sighed as a rush of relief swept over him."Kakyoin… I thought i might never see you again," He said softly, releasing his long-lost friend. Kakyoin looked back up at him- Jotaro was at least 7 inches taller than himself-and sighed and stepped forward, embracing him again. Jotaro hugged him back.

Jotaro, as if only realizing it now, pulled Kakyoin away to look at his shriveling figure. "Kakyoin, when was the last time you ate?"

"U-um.. sometime y-yesterday.." he stuttered, clearly ashamed at his situation.

Jotaro paused, looking over his surroundings, ensuring that his professor was not, and would not be, heading back towards his best student. He grabbed Kakyoin by the arm, which was not hard, and pulled him toward the train.

"Okay, Kakyoin, I'm going to offer you something… it's up to you what you want, really."

"What is it, Jotaro?"

"I-I'm going to sneak you back into the city."

Kakyoin was quiet for a moment before saying,"I-I'm not s-so sure about this, Jotaro… what about the older man you came here with?"

Jotaro gave him a funny look."You mean my professor?" Kakyoin gave a brief nod before turning his attention back to the train station. Kakyoin's stomach growled hungrily, which made Jotaro give Kakyoin a knowing look. That made Kakyoin turn away in shame.

Once they had reached the immobile train, Jotaro swiftly and softly picked up Kakyoin by the waist and placed him in one of the open train cars, knowing he would be unable to do it himself. Kakyoin seemed to shrivel back more, away from Jotaro. Jotaro joined Kakyoin, hauling himself into the car, pretending he didn't notice. It hurt him seeing Kakyoin like this, and it hurt more to see him cower away. How else could he take care of him? Jotaro knew that those who lived in the Seclusion were as good as criminals, and harboring any of the Secluded might as well have been a sentence to the quarantines, where those who were mentally ill were sent to. But.. He couldn't stand knowing he could have helped his best friend but left him to die. He was even wearing the same school uniform he was banished in, but it was now ripped and tattered.

"U-um.. Jotaro?" Kakyoin questioned softly, which bright Jotaro back from his thoughts. "Oh.. Uh.. Sorry," he apologized, his tone sincere. "No, you're not," Kakyoin teased, the resurfaced memory from his last years in the city school making him smile. Jotaro gave him a half smile back; he was never one to really smile. "Come on," Jotaro said, motioning to the door at the right end of the train car. Kakyoin silently followed Jotaro as he pulled open a seemingly flawless door- a silver, metal door, which, unlike any door Kakyoin had seen for the past three years, didn't squeak. They walked through a total of four train cars before they were in the dining car. It was empty.

It was full of food.

More specifically, it was full of food from the city, which wasn't rotting away at the place they dumped the city's garbage. It was good, precious food, which no one else would dare share with a Secluded such as himself.

Then he realized it.

Jotaro was risking his life…

So he could…

So he could live.

Kakyoin gave a frantic look up towards Jotaro, who was already looking at him with the look of his own that said, 'you'd better do as I say'. Kakyoin knew Jotaro would force him to eat if he had to, but Kakyoin couldn't find it in himself to either advance or retreat. So they stood there, looking into each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity.

They were interrupted by the sound of heavy boots and a door opening and closing. Jotaro cursed. "Quick," he said, "hide under the table." Kakyoin did as he was told, ducking under the low tablecloth that Jotaro had lifted up for him.

Kakyoin pulled his thin legs to his skinny chest, restraining them with his arms as Jotaro quickly poured himself a glass of water. The soft sound of the metal door open and close made Kakyoin tense. "Jotaro, wry aren't you done yet?" The older man questioned. "I was thirsty, Mr. Speedwagon, but I'll get back to work in a little bit." came Jotaro's smooth reply. "Alright… I'm going to bed, since we have an early start tomorrow. You should do the same." And with that, Speedwagon left, the door closing softly behind him. After a couple of seconds, Jotaro said,"Alright, Kakyoin, you can come out now."

Kakyoin obeyed once again, lifting the tablecloth up and peeking up at him. He's cute.. Jotaro didn't even realize he had thought that, he was too busy helping Kakyoin stand. He's too skinny… Jotaro was thinking instead. "Kakyoin, you have to eat something."

"I have been eating things."

"For example…?"

"Um.. I had an apple yesterday."

"How much of an apple?"

"Maybe.. um..."

Jotaro sighed, then turned towards the counter, placing his hands on the counter, wondering what food to give Kakyoin.

"Just as stubborn as before, huh?" Jotaro asked.

"Same could be said for you." Kakyoin smartly replied. Another half smile. That lifted his spirits somewhat. Jotaro sighed and pulled himself up from the counter, walking around it instead. He rummaged through a cabinet before pulling a bunch of bananas out and setting them in front of Kakyoin. "You're not leaving until you finish all of these." Jotaro said, folding his arms over his chest.

Kakyoin looked around, not wanting to meet Jotaro's gaze. Jotaro only stood there,

And waited.

~{(*×$×*)}~

Kakyoin had eaten. Guiltily, of course, but he had. He didn't want to cause Jotaro any trouble, but here he was, on the floor next to Jotaro's bed with an unbelievably soft blanket and pillow, which kept him very warm.

He hadn't felt like this since he was in the city…

The city.

He despised the place because of his memories, but it wasn't bad. It was only what he remembered.

That wasn't the prettiest memory, either, though-

He paused his thoughts to listen to the near silence- 'near' because Jotaro's deep, soft snores cut through it. Why does he want to take me back to the city? It makes no sense… His thoughts trailed off as he slipped into a silent sleep.

~{(*×$×*)}~

Kakyoin was ripped from his tranquil sleep by a bang on the door. "Time to get up!," said the voice, who Kakyoin assumed could only be Speedwagon. The sound of his heavy footsteps retreating down the hall made Kakyoin release a breath he didn't know he was holding in. When he couldn't heard Jotaro's snoring, he became frantic, and began to look around, and when his eyes landed on the large figure at a small desk, he gave a small sigh of relief.

He pulled himself up from the makeshift sleep mat and walked quietly towards Jotaro. He softly tapped the larger man on the shoulder, which, much to Kakyoin's surprise, made him jump. The picture frame, which Kakyoin had just noticed, In his hand was facedown on the table, covered by Jotaro's overly large hand. He cleared his throat, and that was when Kakyoin noticed that Jotaro was… Blushing?

He's.. Cute…

Kakyoin could think of no other word to describe it. Cute. He hadn't ever used that word to describe any man before, only women. His thoughts were interrupted by a light red-faced Jotaro, who cleared his throat again. "S-sorry Jotaro, I didn't realize that you were doing something private." Said Kakyoin, but Jotaro only shook his head. "It's fine, I didn't realize you were awake." Jotaro's blush had faded to a light pink by this time, just barely brushing his cheeks. "Well," Jotaro said,"I need to get back to work, so I'll see you later- with some food." Jotaro stood up and grabbed the briefcase on the desk while tucking the picture into a hidden pocket inside his trench coat. He reached for the door, then stopped, turning around and walking towards Kakyoin. He reached over and ruffled Kakyoin's hair- it was something they used to do each other, before Kakyoin left.

Kakyoin smiled at Jotaro's back as he walked out the door.

~{(*×$×*)}~

Kakyoin was asleep by the time Jotaro got back. Jotaro hated to admit it, even to himself, but he found Kakyoin cute- especially when he was sleeping. After he shut the door, he allowed his gaze to linger a few extra seconds on his friend's face. He set his briefcase on the desk and pulled the picture of his three-year-old daughter, Jolyne, and looked at it. Her chubby, smiling face made him smile back at her- even if it wasn't a full one. He loved his daughter more than anything in the world. More than anyone else in the world.

Or maybe he just didn't know he did love someone more yet.