A two-part story. Enjoy!

Red_Absinthe

Dio hurt all over.

And it made sense. After curling up into a ball on the floor, the shards of glass that had once been a bottle tinkling to the floor around him, he would have thought that he would hurt.

But not this damn much.

As he moved through the streets, keeping to shadows, not wanting to get into any fights in his weakened state, he sought out Yin.

As it turned out, she was doing exactly the thing he was trying to avoid. She landed the final punch on the messy-haired rat's chin, effectively flooring him. She stepped back, nursing bruised knuckles. She wore a simple dirty shirt and pants-you wouldn't catch Yin wearing anything resembling a skirt on any day of the week- with a solid pair of boots. They were the most expensive and sturdy things she owned.

Catching sight of him, she smiled and pushed through the crowd of onlookers.

The smile faded as she looked him up and down, replaced with a more serious expression.

She jerked her chin towards the stairs and led him up.

As soon as the door was shut, she rounded in him. "He did it again, didn't he? Dio..."

Dio didn't meet her gaze, just glanced away. "He's done worse."

"Purposefully vague. Not a good sign."

"Stop that," he snapped. "My life is not your business."

"As your friend, I can argue that your health and wellbeing is my concern."

"We're not friends."

"Constant Denial. That's a good sign."

He glared at her. "Stop reading me."

"You know me," she retorted. "I can't help it. It comes naturally now. Also, I read the guy you asked me to."

"What do you think?"

Yin could read people like books. The slightest shift in posture, a flash of emotion, wrinkles of the skin, nothing escaped her sharp eyes.

"Jonathan Joestar," she started. "Chivalrous. Annoyingly noble, doesn't hesitate to get his ass kicked for someone else. Not strong in combat, but pure and good-hearted. When I looked at him, I was almost overwhelmed by the desire to break his nose and mess up that pretty face of his.

"He's also pampered and spoiled, a brat who complains about everything."

Dio leaned against the table, not because he felt weak or anything, but because he wanted to.

Her gaze shifted to him, steely. He met it.

Suddenly, she pushed him softly.

Dio swayed for a moment before seizing the table and snapping, "What the hell?"

She turned to face him fully.

"Off-balance, but not because of a leg injury. Dried blood in your hair." Her words sped up, almost tripping over each other in their rush to be said.

"Concussion." She poked his side and he hissed. "Favoring one side. He beat you again." She brushed a hand on his clothes. "Glass shards. From a bottle."

He slapped her hand away. "I'm fine."

"Fake reassurement, not good."

"It's not fake. I'm fine, Yin-"

"Shut up!" She shouted, and Dio fell silent.

Yin rarely raised her voice, but when she did, either shit was about to go down or she was dead serious about something.

She lurched forward, grasping his shoulders. He winced and she loosened her grip slightly, muttering an apology.

"Dio," she said firmly. "You can't let this continue."

"I'll be oka-"

"When was the last time he went this far?" She snarled, anger lacing her tone.

Dio fell silent.

Yin shook him slightly. "He's going to kill you. He'll go too far."

Dear God, she had tears in her eyes. They didn't spill, but they were there.

"He's going to beat you to death, Dio. You'll die."

"Well," he snapped. "What do you want me to do?"

"ANYTHING!" She shouted, and he actually flinched. "Anything, as long as it doesn't end with him killing you! Kill him, poison him, run away, I don't care as long as you get away from him!"

"That's ridiculous," he said, pulling out of her grip. "I'll be leaving now."

He moved out of the room, leaving Yin with arms at her sides, unshed tears in her eyes.

His chest panged with guilt.