Two weeks had gone by. Jotaro's urges had dwindled since. It could only be blamed because of the medication. Jotaro still got to be held by Kakyoin, which was nice. Yet Jotaro still hasn't officially moved in with Kakyoin.
When Jotaro got up that morning, Kakyoin still hadn't. He went and made breakfast, then called the Speedwagon Foundation headquarters to tell them he wasn't coming into work. That morning, he planned to stay home with Kakyoin.
Jotaro brought upstairs a plate of food. He knocked on Kakyoin's bedroom door. "Nori, are you awake?"
"Mmhm," a small voice replied.
"Can I come in? I brought breakfast."
"Mm-mm," he mumbled. "Can't eat." His voice sounded strained as if he was in pain.
"What if I get something that you can get down easier?"
There was a moment of silence. "Okay."
Jotaro said, "I'll be back." He left and tried to come up with something easy to eat for Kakyoin. He managed to make a smoothie and a bowl of oatmeal. When he came back to the room, he walked in this time.
Kakyoin was under the covers, curled into a ball.
Jotaro sat his breakfast on the bedside table. "Nori, I brought your breakfast. A smoothie and oatmeal."
Kakyoin seemed to jump. His head poked from under the covers. His eyes were bloodshot, and his face were wet with tears. His hair was matted with sweat. "Thanks."
"Do you need help?"
"Um," Kakyoin said nervously. "I..." He seemed ashamed about something. "Could you get me some new sheets?"
"A whole set for your bed?"
"Yes." He averted his eyes to avoid eye contact. He struggled to explain, "Sometimes chronic back pain can result in incontinence..."
"Inconti-," Jotaro quickly shut up. "Okay. Hold on." He dealt with something similar when his daughter was around six or seven. He left and came back with new sheets, a towel and freshly warmed pajamas. "Are you still in pain?"
Kakyoin nodded. He could barely talk. He grimaced as he sat up.
"Hold on," Jotaro stopped time to get to his suffering friend's side. He let time continue when he held him gently. "Let me help."
Kakyoin could barely nod as he trembled in pain.
He picked him up as gently as he could. He knew that he wasn't as strong as he used to be, so he tried to be careful as he struggled to carry him. He didn't care for Kakyoin's soiled clothes, he just wanted to make it as easy for him as possible.
Jotaro knew what a nice hot shower could do for sore nerves and muscles. He decided to run a bath for him. He sat Kakyoin on the edge of the bathtub, but kept an arm to support Kakyoin's back. He wasn't sure what to say, but he knew that the clothes needed to be removed before he helped Kakyoin in the bathtub.
"Hey, Nori... I need to..."
"Go ahead," Kakyoin struggled.
Jotaro nodded. He helped take his shirt off. It was a struggle since Kakyoin was reluctant to move his arms from his torso. It was a little easier to remove his pants and underwear. He averted his eyes from the huge scar on his torso and his private parts.
Just when he was about to reach for his legs to help him in, Kakyoin said, "I got it. Thanks." Kakyoin reached for a handle to pull himself into the nice, hot bath. He was shaking despite it being warm.
Jotaro said, "I'll check up on you in about ten minutes. I'm going to fix your bed and rewarm up your food for when you're ready."
Kakyoin nodded, "Jojo, thank you."
"No problem at all."
Jotaro left to take care of everything. After ten minutes, he went back to Kakyoin.
He had his knees to his chest with his head resting on his knees. He was taking deep breaths.
Jotaro asked, "Ready to get out?"
Kakyoin looked up at him and nodded.
Jotaro informed, "I set up everything downstairs on the couch since your bed is still wet." He gave Kakyoin a towel and sat his clothes on the counter for him. "Are you okay with the couch?"
Nodding, Kakyoin answered, "Yeah." He reached his hand out to Jotaro while he kept one wrapped around his torso. It was like the pain couldn't be controlled if he removed his arm.
Jotaro helped him out of the tub and waited outside for him to dress.
After that, the two were downstairs, letting a movie play. Kakyoin laid on the couch drinking the smoothie Jotaro made. A warm blanket was over him. Jotaro was sitting on the floor beside him.
Kakyoin didn't talk much like he normally would. It was understandable why that was. He was less likely to talk when in pain, and his fuse is usually shorter.
Basically, the whole day was laying around, hoping the pain would subside. Jotaro stayed close by to help out, if the need occured.
When the next day came along, Jotaro helped him out just the same. Then the next day came, and the pain subsided enough for Kakyoin.
Kakyoin was up before Jotaro. He was cooking breakfast.
Jotaro came in and slight look of excitement came and went on his face. He was happy that Kakyoin was back on his feet. He exhaled a breath of relief.
Kakyoin saw that his friend walked in, so he greeted, "Good morning, Jojo."
Jotaro nodded, "Morning." He came over to Kakyoin unable to figure out what to do. He didn't want to just hug him after what happened the last two days. He managed to say, "You're up."
"Yeah," he replied. He placed the cooking utensil down and turned off the pan. "I can't thank you enough. Normally, I would've laid in bed until I get enough strength to drag myself out by the middle of the day."
Jotaro nodded. He did that to show he was listening. He wasn't sure what to say. He wasn't sure how to respond. He felt something constrict in his chest and throat preventing him from talking.
"I'm okay," Kakyoin said, responding to Jotaro's disposition.
His bigger friend lifted his arms slightly, but they fell back to his sides.
"It's okay," Kakyoin said. "You can touch me."
Jotaro inhaled with a shaking breath and wrapped his arms around his friend gently. With his exhale, a sob came out. He cried, "Nori." His voice shook along with his body.
Kakyoin whispered, "I know. It's okay." He rubbed his back. He shushed, "I'm alright." His other hand combed through Jotaro's hair where the hat didn't cover.
It was like the fear and worry of the last two days was coming out of Jotaro. His hands balled Kakyoin's shirt in his fists. It was like if he let go, he would lose his closest friend forever.
After about five minutes, Jotaro pulled away from Kakyoin. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. He took a few big breaths to calm himself down.
A couple of hands cupped his face.
Jotaro was forced to look down at Kakyoin.
"It'll be okay," Kakyoin soothed. He tapped his cheek and said, "You should get ready for work. I made extra breakfast for you. Alright?"
Jotaro nodded, "Alright."
Kakyoin kept a steely glare at him. "Don't worry yourself to death."
He nodded.
Kakyoin let go of him.
"C-can I..."
"Hm?" Kakyoin mumbled confused.
Jotaro lifted his arms a bit. "Just one more... Please."
"Sure."
Jotaro wrapped his arms high around his neck. His face dug into his neck. He inhaled, taking him all in.
Suddenly, Jotaro went stiff. He pulled back from the hug and averted eye contact. He took a step back and said, "I'll... be at work."
"Is something wrong?"
Jotaro walked to the kitchen's doorway. Before walking out, he said, "I'm glad that you aren't hurting as much. Please get as much rest as possible."
"Yeah... Okay."