When all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along, like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along, just to make it through
- "Move Along" (The All-American Rejects)
Johnny Joestar really isn't sure what to make of his new companion.
During the Steel Ball Run, he'd never really put much thought into his stand- hell, he'd never had the time, considering that he'd been more concerned about he and Gyro were going to make it out of each stage alive. At the time, he really didn't think of it as more than just an ability. A way to refine and develop his Spin techniques. An unorthodox power boost. A by-product of the Corpse Parts, maybe.
Now, months later, after all the chaos and trauma that had been the Steel Ball Run had somewhat settled down a bit, he's finally able to come to terms with his new spiritual counterpart.
Or, at least, he's trying to.
Ever since he'd come to Japan some time ago, he'd been bringing out Tusk more often, sometimes trying to communicate with it. Tusk, however, never speaks. It usually just hovers quietly at Johnny's side, its hooded eyes focused attentively on its user's face as he speaks, as though clinging to every word. But it never offers a response. Honestly, Tusk creeps Johnny out at times.
Still, despite his apprehensions towards the spectre, there are times when Johnny feels that Tusk really is a part of him. On days when the loss of Gyro is eating him up inside, or the events of the race keep him up at night, Tusk is always there to reach out to him, making soft whirring noises to soothe him. The sound, though faint, reminds him of Gyro's steel balls. It's times like these that he realises that Tusk has feelings; his feelings. That it has shared all of his wounds, his pain, his fear, his hope, his heartbreak-
That maybe, just maybe, it cared for Gyro Zeppeli with every bit of passion that he did.
And though it may have been Gyro who got him to take his first steps, Johnny owes it to his Stand for helping him to keep moving forward.