Just Keep Swimming || a JotaKak One Shot

Just Keep Swimming

[2829 words]

Jotaro’s eyes sparkled as his gaze settled on the shining glass walls of the aquarium. His face lit up completely as he stepped out of the car, his pace much quicker than usual. Seeing him so excited about something was, well, quite adorable.

"JoJo, slow down! I’m running just to keep up with you!” A light chuckle escaped my lips as he turned back towards me with a grin on his face—a rare but beautiful sight.

“Let’s have a race. The loser has to pay the other’s admission fee.” A race? What has gotten into Jotaro today? I’d never seen a side of him quite this childish, but I loved it.

“You’re on, but you’ve got to stop for a moment.” As I caught up to him, I grasped for his sleeve and tugged on it, causing him to slow down immediately and come to a halt. “We need a fair start or it won’t be a good race or a satisfactory win, right?” He let out a laugh and nodded.

“I suppose you’re right--don’t want to feel guilty when you pay for my admission, after all.” Oh, you little.. “On your mark.. Get set.. Go!”

Jotaro’s tall figure was hunched against the glass near the entrance to the aquarium as I stood proudly--and victoriously. For the first time, I could see a slight pout on his face, his signature hat only slightly hiding his expression.

"Hey, JoJo. Don’t worry about admission. I came prepared with enough for both of us anyways, and I was planning on paying since we decided we were coming here to spend the day. I know you’ve been looking forward to going.” A look of surprise spread across his face as his head tilted up to meet my gaze. A wide smile was his response. It was nice, not having to read his expressions for a change. I’d gotten rather good at it, after the amount of time I’ve spent with him, but it’s still great to see him being open.

The automatic glass doors of the entrance smoothly slid open as we stepped towards them. Tanks full of marine creatures accompanied the short line that led to the admissions desk. A glass tunnel past the admissions desk was surrounded in water and a wide variety of sea life. The turquoise walls were dimly lit from the edges of the ceiling, creating a wonderful and mysterious effect in the room. As I glanced at Jotaro’s face, I could already see the excitement dancing in his eyes just from observing the lobby.

"Excited?” I chuckled as Jotaro stopped his staring.

“Yeah.” A small smile spread across his face. “Let’s get in line.” He led me to the back of the rather short line--there was a single family in front of us, their children in awe at the room and pointing at the different fish in the tanks. As they walked away, we stepped towards the counter.

“Two adult tickets?” the woman sitting at the desk asked us.

“Yes, please.” As I prepared to pay for our admission, Jotaro’s hand gripped around my wrist.

“No. I’ve got it.”

“Jotaro, I just told you that I’d pay.”

“Not happening.”

“But--”

“No.”

“Jotaro.”

“Sorry for the wait; here you go.” Jotaro released my wrist and handed the woman payment as she giggled at the scene unfolding in front of her. She grabbed wristbands for us and handed them to him, still smiling. I pouted as Jotaro wrapped my admission band around my wrist and peeled off the adhesive.

“I promised I was going to pay, why’d you go and do that?” Jotaro simply shrugged in response, and I groaned. So much for trying to be a good person and do something nice for him.