AN: Additional tags - Secret Relationship, Past Alcohol Abuse, Hurt/Comfort, Referenced Past Child-Abuse

Sometimes, Dio forgets that there was someone that loved him.

Those days grew further and further apart, but they still happen. So used was he to the hatred of the world, of himself, and that of his past. Where people pushed him around. The nightly ritual of a beer crashing against the wall by his head. The cold nights where he'd walk through the dirty streets. Rats ran underneath his feet, as he tried to avoid the dark alleys where the gangs resided at. His only goal was to try and find somewhere to sleep, safer, than that of his place of residence. When he stood over his beloved mother's grave, which did not match the warmth and kindness of her being. Only mud, filth and weeds would ever grace her resting place.

Since then, the dark feelings ate away the last of his vulnerable heart. There was nothing left but ambition and cruelty.

Honestly, Dio would be surprised if he stopped remembering those dark days.

On those days, he felt like he was having an out of body experience. He'd watch through his eyes as he went about his day, but not be in control of his actions. His senses would be triggered, but they did not work as they usually did. If he ate, the food was tasteless. If someone talked to him, it went inside one ear and out the other. Even so, he always replied if needed. Not even a smell would so much as make his nose twitch. He was just… there. Existing, for the most part.

Nobody really noticed it. He was still the same Dio. Cold, calculating, charming if need be, with a silver tongue. Not even when they looked him straight in the eye, did they notice how dead the golden pair look. It was a sad reality, but one that the blonde had grown used to. Survival was always a priority. One goal that continued to be there even after he moved into the Joestar Manor. Why should it matter if nobody noticed?

Of course, it couldn't last. Nobody did not include Jonathan Joestar.

How was it possible that this guy was able to tear down all the walls he had built? How was it possible that he took one look at him, not even meeting his eyes, and knew that something was up? It was like this since they were teenagers and Jonathan had let go of his naïve nature. After all, one could not have it forever if they lived in the same residence as Dio Brando. You either learn to adapt or suffer.

Even then, somehow this man managed to wiggle into his cold heart and make a home there.

Sometimes, it infuriated Dio. No matter that he was in his mid-30s. One that had long since learned how to handle his emotions.

"Is something the matter?"

His secret partner asked with clear concern in their voice. The duo hid away in one of the many rooms of the manor they currently visited. To be given an opportunity to interact as they wish. A muscular arm wrapped around the blonde's waist. A pair of lips pressed against the temple on his forehead. Pronounced blue eyes looked down at him with worry. It made his teeth grind together, but he hid it. He tried to mentally shrug off his frustration.

"All is well, Jojo dear."

Lies. There were a few major issues that made him want to simply get up and go home.

The first being that they were surrounded by alcohol. A drink that all but called to Dio, even though he tried to stop overindulging in it. A habit that connected him back to his birth father. It didn't help that the other nobles continued to encourage him to drink a few glasses. These same leeches surrounded the duo throughout the whole evening. They made him wish he could rip their throats out. Why must they go to this useless charity ball that some noble planned? Everybody knew that none of the money would be sent where it was supposed to. It was just an opportunity to show off everyone's wealth to one another. Either that, or stalk those in higher position of power, to be used. People, such as himself and Jonathan.

His beloved Jonathan gave him a look. One of those that let Dio know the other didn't believe a word he said. Not that he cared… or should, at least. Instead, he got out of the hold on his waist, and moved about the room. It was a reading room, thank the Lord. It was better than them stumbling upon a bedroom, which could cause rumour to spread about the nature of their relationship. Ones that were true, but unwanted.

The walls were covered with bookcases filled with books of random subjects, if one looked offhand. Unfortunately, the decoration was flamboyant. Its only purpose was to show off the wealth of the noble hosting the party. Rather than the warm, earth tone colours like that at the Joestar reading rooms, these ones were gold. Too expensive artifacts were placed in random spots around the room, with no real purpose. The bookcases and furniture matched the horrid colour of the wallpaper. Then there was this heavy smell of perfume that seemed to linger and make Dio almost gag.

This place looked like a person with no taste had decorated it.

Even so…

Dio sank into a golden armchair with deep brown wooden legs. His golden eyes glared at it for being too stiff. Everything in this room, and the ball, made him wish that he stayed home. In one of their sitting rooms, spread out on a comfortable couch, with a book in hand. With no alcohol in sight that would cause him to lose control the longer it was there. This thought process made his body fidget in the spot uncharacteristically.

Jonathan moved to kneel on the floor beside him. One hand rested on the chair's armrest, while the other gently squeezed one of the legs. His dark eyes held warmth and understanding.

"You are not well. We could leave."

The offer was tempting, but it would not be looked upon positively by the others. Last thing Dio wished to deal with, was to go back to work on Monday. Only to have his co-workers interrogate him throughout the week for his reasons to leave. Or for those pathetic so-called 'rivals' to make snide comments in his direction. Not that he cared. No really. When it came down to it, he simply didn't wish to deal with any of this.

Why must the aristocracy be so… braindead and annoying at the same time?

"I would rather not."

Dio's voice rumbled in response with a shaken head. Jonathan tilted his head a bit. His light frown became more pronounced, as the worry increased. The hand that was on the leg, rose to take the closest paler hand into his hold. The tanner hand gave a light squeeze.

"I don't like seeing you like this. Let us call this a night and head back. The travel is long, so we can excuse ourselves for that reason."

Dio opened his mouth to protest, but his partner was already back on his feet. With a tug on one of the arms, the blonde found himself being escorted back into the ballroom. Dio wasn't sure what he thought about this new situation. He wished to protest. Was about to, in fact. Only to discover that he practically lost his ability to talk. He could only watch as he stood beside his lover. How the taller man smiled at the hosts with such genuine nature. That he thanked them for the invite, only to then make the announcement of their departure. Of course, not before they donated for the cause. Some of the leeches looked ready to protest, but ultimately made no move.

With that done, the two men left the massive ball to grab their coats. It wasn't until the carriage arrived and they piled in, that Dio exhaled in relief. He felt as his energy leave him, only to be left with exhaustion. He grabbed onto his coat to tug it closer to his being, in hopes to provide further warmth against the cold air. His golden eyes slid closed, as they welcomed the darkness that would most likely lead to sleep. It helped that the curtains of the carriage windows were closed, which gave them privacy.

Once more, a familiar arm found its way around his figure. Jonathan tugged Dio into his side, which led the blonde to rest his head on the other's chest.

These actions brought warmth to Dio's being. This warmth that became rare in his childhood after the death of his mother. Only to return when the two men grew closer together. It was a kind gesture. One that allowed Dio to forget about the cruel world, even if it was for a moment.