Trailing by Stardust: Jjba x reader

10 - Finding Self

"HA! I'm sure the man is fairly harmless." You assured him and moved to stand next to your new 'roommate'. "Plus, you'd have to be truly pathetic to try anything with someone as sorry looking as me."

"Oh hush, (Y/N). You are as ravishing as anyone." Polnareff adulated while placing a reassuring hand on your shoulder. "Now come, we've been to hell and back since leaving Hong Kong. Let's get some showers in so we can fully relax." His hand moved to between your shoulder blades to usher you in the direction of the elevator.

When the two of you were between three and five meters from the elevator, the doors slid open letting out a handful of guests. Polnareff grabbed your arm and made a run for the elevator. Once the two of you were inside, Mr. Joestar yelled out for one of you to hold the door for the rest of the group who was only a few meters away. You looked up to Polnareff, whose face upturned into a devilish grin as his hand moved to press a button with the symbol ( >|< ). The doors immediately began to close. One of the others called out to you angrily, to which Polnareff responded with a feigned helpless "It's closing on its own. There is nothing I can do."

As the doors shut you heard some muffled begrudgery and a resounding thud against the elevator shaft. Polnareff turned to you with an amused smirk, and you couldn't help but laugh at the childish prank.

Shortly after you left the elevator, the two of you came upon the hallway leading to your room. Polnareff trotted ahead of you from the beginning of the hall so he could reach the door first. By the time you caught up, he had managed to unlock the door. In one swift arm movement, he flung open the door and gestured for you to enter. "Your room, mademoiselle."

"Why thank you, kind sir." You responded with a half-bow as you walked the doorway, trying your best not to stumble in the process.

Polnareff entered behind you, closing the door and jiggling the handle to ensure it was properly shut. Satisfied, he turned back to you. His shoulders relaxed, and, despite the exhaustion he carried peeking through his demeanor, he adorned a cheeky smile. "Now, my own code of chivalry tells me I must let the lady take the first shower."

Amused, you retorted, "Is that so? Or is my grunge so offensive that you would deny yourself first choice?"

The man's face flushed red with embarrassment. "Ehh! What? That's not what I meant at all! I just thought that since you... errr-"

"Relax, monsieur Polnareff." You consoled as you moved towards the bathroom door. "I'm just busting your chops. I know I look rather worse for wear... so to speak... thank you."

As you moved to close the door, Polnareff cleared his throat catching your attention. You stopped, and poked you head around to address him. The man stood with his fingers pointed together, a sign he was preparing his choice of words carefully. "Ahem... Not to be crude, but do you have anything to change into afterwards?"

For a moment you stood silent in the doorway, bewildered by his innocent demeanor. As your mental gears started turning you looked down at your clothing. Oh... I've been in these rags since... good grief this is atrocious. "Um... no" You said avoiding eye contact.

He waved his hands out diffusively speaking in an apologetic tone. "Oh no! I really did not want to embarrass you." He continued while rubbing the back of his neck to ease his own tension. "Geeze. I was just going to call room service while you were cleaning up so they could bring up something fresh for you."

You turned your eyes up to him and spoke in almost a whisper. "Th-thank you... I know it might seem like nothing, but, really, that means a lot to me."

You words brought back his familiar cheeky grin. "Ohh psshh. I'm just doing my duty as a gentleman. Now go!"

He waved you off, and you complied by stepping inside, closing the door behind you. You inhaled deeply, basking in the bittersweet return to solitude. Even though you have been on your own for a while, you had gotten used to the company of the past few days. Having this moment of isolation was indeed calming, but part of it felt odd, perhaps even foreign now.