The Cry Of A Mockingbird •Dio Brando X Reader•

•Twenty-One•

“So annoying,” You muttered, walking past him as he held the door open for you. As you walked down the hall towards the stairs, you ran into the butler at the bottom of the staircase. 

“Here, let me,” Dio said, taking the tray containing a glass of water and a small packet, to which you assumed was the medicine to George Joestar. 

“Many thanks to you, Master Dio,” The old man said gratefully as you and Dio began to walk up the red-carpeted stairs. “The years betray me and climbing the stairs is much harder than it was before.”

Dio smiled as a response, and you watched as he reached into his pocket and pulled out another small packet, one that was identical to the medicine, and switched them out. He shot you a small glance, eyes glinting with mischief as the corner of his lips turned up ever so slightly is a sly grin. He gave a small chuckle and broke eye contact with you. As you stepped onto the last stair, slightly ahead of the blonde, your gaze immediately fell upon Jonathan. He was standing in the hall, and you could see hints of anger in his eyes.

“Dio!” He barked, making the blonde turn his head at the sharp call of his name. Jonathan’s eyes fell on the tray in Dio’s hand. “Wait..that’s..that’s Father’s medicine!”

“He’s due for his next dosage,” Dio replied, as you sighed quietly and leaned against the wall. Of course, the two would find something to bicker over. And here you thought they were actually getting along. 

“All this time, you’re the one who’s been bringing it to him,” Jonathan said, slightly frowning. 

Dio raised his hand with a small smile. “Yes. What of it?”

Jonathan then held up a piece of paper, creased as if it were previously in an envelope. “This letter. Your father sent it to mine. Guess what it says,” You flicked your eyes to Dio and noticed his lips curling into a frown. You looked back at Jonathan as he began reading. “‘Your lordship, sickness has laid me right low. It’s the end of me, whatever it is. My chest hurts, my fingers are all swole up, and I can’t breathe but for all this coughing.’ Those are the same symptoms as Father’s, blow for blow!” Jonathan exclaimed as Dio placed the tray on the small table near the end of the staircase. “No way this is mere coincidence!”

“What are you trying to say, Jojo?” Dio asked. 

Jonathan stormed towards him, his gaze locked on the packet. “I’m having a doctor look at this powder,” But as soon as Jonathan snatched it, Dio was quick to seize his wrist in an iron grip. You glanced between them, feeling the tension rise in the room, and frowned. Things were only going to get worse from this point, you thought. 

“Jojo,” Dio said, glancing at the man in the corner of his eye. “If you think I would poison Father, then from this day forward...you and I are no longer friends!” The blazing look in his eyes made Jonathan gasp and avert his eyes quickly. Try as he might, but Jonathan couldn’t look Dio in the eye. You knew this because Jonathan had no solid evidence or proof that Dio was in fact poisoning his Father. He was acting on sheer speculation. 

“Now, then, if you put the medicine back on the tray, I’ll be willing to forget your lapse in judgment,” Dio said, slight smugness settling into his voice. Jonathan glared at him and yanked his wrist away from Dio’s grip. 

“Dio, there’s only one way you’re going to convince me. Swear to me that the contents of this are safe. Do it in Dario’s name. Swear to me on Dario’s honor as a gentleman. Do that, and I’ll never bring up this moment again,” Jonathan said, making both you and Dio’s eyes widen slightly. 

Dario? That was Dio’s father, wasn’t it? And if you can recall correctly, Dario was no gentleman--not one bit. He was one of the worst con men and drunks in all of the slums. You wouldn’t doubt if the old man beat Dio and his mother if she was in the picture that is. You knew nothing about Dio’s home life, but you knew that it was pretty either. Jonathan must be expecting to catch Dio in a lie on this, knowing how much the subject must have irked Dio.