why we arent allowed to be left alone

Noriaki pulled the sweater over his head and turned to the skirt. He took it off his hanger and held it. Noriaki steeled himself, taking a deep breath and pushing his harsh thoughts of you’ll look stupid and a girls outfit? what would your mother say? to the back of his head. He slipped the skirt on and brushed his hands down it. It felt nice on his legs and the fabric complimented his skin.

Noriaki stood in front of the mirror, looking at his outfit. He wanted to frown, tug at the short sweater to cover his scars, say that he looked too girly, that the skirt looked weird on him since he was a guy. Instead, Noriaki just stared, a small smile tugging at his lips. He thought he looked cute. The green skirt matched the color of his sweater and for once he couldn’t be bothered with his scars.

Noriaki did a little twirl, the skirt spinning out at his sides. He faced the mirror once more, knowing he would have to take it off before Jotaro got home. What he wasn’t expecting, however, was to see Jotaro’s surprised face in his mirror, peeking out behind the door.

Noriaki whirled around to face Jotaro, his face burning. “T-This isn’t what-” He started, “I w-was just,” He ran his hands down the fabric of the skirt and avoided Jotaro’s eyes. “C-Can’t you learn how to knock?” He snapped. Jotaro opened the door further and stepped in. “You said that I don’t have to knock to come in, you can hear my footsteps coming to the door,” Jotaro said, pointedly staring at the wall instead of Noriaki. “W-Well,” Noriaki stuttered, his mouth gaping, not knowing what to say, “Why are you home early?” He decided on, “I thought you had work.”

“I was going to come home early, remember?” Jotaro questioned, still avoiding Noriaki’s figure, “We were going to go eat with everyone today.” Noriaki’s head shot up, his eyes wide. “T-That’s today?” He cried. Jotaro looks at him and nods. Noriaki gnaws at his lip and fiddles with his skirt again. “Can you leave so I can change…?” Jotaro just tilts his head at him. “...Why?” He questions. Noriaki scoffs, “I’m sure I look ridiculous, just let me change then we can leave.”

“I think you look cute, Nori.”

Noriaki stares at Jotaro, his face burning red and a smile spreading over his cheeks. “Y-You think I look cute?” He asks, “Really?” Jotaro hurriedly pulls his hat over his eyes, “I-I mean,” A stutter? “You look nice. It suits you.”

Noriaki gives Jotaro a little bashful smile and saunters up to him. “I’m pretty sure I heard you say I look cute, JoJo.” He peeks under Jotaro’s hat and pulls it up to uncover his eyes. Jotaro avoids his gaze, his face pink. Noriaki giggles and flicks Jotaro’s hat. “If you think I look cute in it, then I guess I have to keep it on, huh?” Jotaro adjusts his hat, “Come on then, we’re already late.” Noriaki blanches before running to grab his things. He doesn’t miss the pink on Jotaro’s cheeks and the smile he gives Noriaki before leaving.

------

Noriaki walked alongside Jotaro, chattering mindlessly while he scrolled through his phone. Jotaro would occasionally give short responses. Noriaki had his arm linked with Jotaro, trusting him to lead him while he scrolls through his phone. Jotaro taps his side, “We’re here.” Noriaki looks up to see a small cafe. “We’re coming to a cafe for lunch?” He questioned. Jotaro shrugged, “Apparently they serve good sandwiches here.” Noriaki hummed and walked inside with Jotaro.

Noriaki frowned when he didn’t see Joseph, Caesar, Abdul, or Polnareff. “What happened to us being late?” He muttered. “You know Polnareff, he’s probably keeping them held up.” Jotaro huffed back. Noriaki chucked and they walked to a table to sit and wait for the others.

The waitress walked up to greet them, “Hi there! What can I get for the cute couple?” Noriaki flushed, “W-We’re not-”

“I’ll have a water and a quiche, thanks.” Jotaro interrupted. Noriaki glanced at him, confused. Jotaro ignored his stare and continued looking at the waitress. She gave him a smile before turning to Noriaki, “And for the lady?”

Noriaki’s face went blank. Lady? “I-I, um-” He starts, “He’s a man.” Jotaro interrupts. “Oh!” The waitress exclaims, her face turning pink. Noriaki stares at his hands folded on the table. “I’m so sorry! I assumed- with the skirt and all- I’m so sorry!” She stutters out, “W-What can I get you ma- er- sir?” Noriaki gives her a quick glance before going back to his hands. “Just a green tea and cherry pastry, please.” He murmurs. “Wonderful! I’ll get that ready for you guys. Sorry again!” She says before running off.

Noriaki fiddles with his sleeves and bites his lip. He glances up at Jotaro to see him staring right back. “Maybe it was a bad idea to wear this out, JoJo.” He mutters letting his gaze return back to his hands once more. His fiddling was stopped by Jotaro leaning over and putting his hand over Noriaki’s. “Listen to me Nori,” He starts, “I think you look great. And you seem to like wearing this too. So who cares what other people say?” Noriaki looks up to meet Jotaro’s eyes. His face had a light pink flush to it. Noriaki gave him a small smile, “Thanks, Jotaro.”

“Anytime, Nori.” Jotaro says, before looking away from Noriaki, “You really do look cute in skirts, though. Maybe you should… wear them more.” Noriaki laced his fingers with Jotaro’s and gave him a playful smile, “So you do think I’m cute!”

Jotaro looked at him seriously, squeezing his hand, “I’ve always thought you were cute.” Noriaki turns pink with Jotaro but smiles wider. “I really hope you’ve told the others to not join us today, because I’d really like to spend the rest of this as a date with you, Jotaro.” Jotaro avoids Noriaki’s eyes again and pulls his hat over his eyes.

A flash of realization went over Noriaki’s face. “You were planning this since the beginning weren’t you!” He accused, “Jotaro you silly romantic! Oh my goodness, there was no lunch with the others!” Jotaro stayed silent and Noriaki could see his red cheeks under his hat. Noriaki laughs happily and kisses Jotaro’s fingers. Jotaro peeked at him under his hat, “And if I said yes…?” Noriaki laughed again, “Well if it’s a yes Jotaro, I’m happy to spend this first date with you.”

Jotaro laced his fingers with Noriaki’s again, “So am I, Nori, so am I.”