𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗲

"You're the person I trust the most, I need you by my side," he'd said, like you would decline the offer.

A few months later, you and him were working together (the rest of the team was also around most of the times, but this is not about them), you were able to buy an apartment in the nicest neighborhood of Naples, even though you spent most of your days in Giorno's new mansion, where he has an office and a room just for yourself.

Years passed without you even realizing. You spend most of your days with Giorno in his own office, learning together how to lead a whole mafia with a glass of wine, getting distracted by your own chatting every once in a while.

One evening, as you exit Giorno's office with an empty bottle of wine, you stumble with Mista right before he knocks.

"Hi, Mista," you smile at him, waving one of the bottles as a greeting. "D'ya need something for me?"

He shakes his head instantly. "No, no. I came to see the Don."

You laugh at the title, you've never called Giorno that ever in your life, it even sounds weird when other people do it.

"He's all yours now, have fun!"

You stepped out into the hallway, Mista gave you a big grin and slipped past, heading straight into Giorno's office. The door clicked shut behind him, and you figured that was the end of your night. Time to head back to your room and maybe crash early for once.

Inside the office, Mista dropped into the chair across from Giorno's desk without any manners. Giorno was already distracted, looking softer than usual.

"I ran into Y/N in the hallway," he says, knowing that would make him snap back to reality.

"Oh, really?"

"Uh-huh. When are you gonna ask her on a date?"

Giorno blinked, bright eyes narrowing in confusion. "A date? With who?"

Mista let out a loud laugh, slapping his knee. "With her! Come on, Gio, don't play dumb. Your crush on her is so painfully obvious."

"It's not."

"It is. You're always locked up in here together, laughing at stuff nobody else gets. Do you know Narancia is scared of coming without knocking just in case you're doing weird shit?"

Giorno's expression stayed calm, but his fingers tightened just a little around the edge of his desk. "You're imagining things, Mista. She's my best friend, asking her out would just make everything weird between us. I can't risk that."

Mista rolled his eyes hard. "Best friends are a whole different thing. You two are some sort of fucked up soulmates. You two rebuilt the whole mafia system side by side, that's fucking insane."

Giorno stayed quiet for a long moment, staring at the papers scattered across his desk like they might give him an answer. His mind drifted back to all those shared memories: the laughs, the heavy feelings you help him carry, your tears he cleaned. And now, these quiet nights where your voices filled the office instead of business talk, your smile lighting up the whole room.

"I... don't want to lose what we have," he finally said. "She's the one person who stuck by me through everything. If I mess this up..."

Mista leaned forward, suddenly serious. "Then don't mess it up. What's the worst that happens? She says no and you go back to being weirdly close best friends who basically act like a married couple already? Or maybe, just maybe, she says yes and you stop pining like a lovesick idiot."

Giorno didn't reply right away, but the smallest smile tugged at his lips. Mista knew he'd planted the seed. He stood up, stretching his arms. "Think about it, Don. Take the free day tomorrow and plan a date worthy of her."

You had just finished slipping into your comfy pajamas and robe, the soft fabric hugging your shoulders after a long day. You even applied a bright green face mask while you read one of your books, you're not even tired so you were planning to read at least a hundred pages tonight.

A soft knock pulled you out of your thoughts.

"Come in," you called, not bothering to move much.

The door opened slowly, and there stood Giorno, looking as put-together as always in his usual elegant shirt, but something in his posture seemed off. A little stiffer than normal. His eyes landed on you, robe loose around your frame and that bright green facemask still plastered on your face.

"Oh, sorry," he said quickly, a faint flush creeping up his neck. "I didn't mean to interrupt. I can come back later if—"

"No, no, it's fine," you laughed, sitting up a bit and gesturing for him to enter. "What's up? Need to talk?"

Giorno stepped inside and closed the door behind him gently. He rubbed the back of his neck, golden hair falling just a little over his eyes as he gathered his thoughts. His heart was beating faster than he wanted to admit.

He took a breath. "Actually... there's something I wanted to ask you."

You tilted your head, the facemask making your expression a little funny, but your eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Yeah? Shoot."

Giorno met your gaze, those bright eyes steady even if his fingers twitched at his sides. "I know we're best friends and that we've been through so much together, all these years since Bruno brought me in, your friendship has become the most important thing in my world. And that made me realize something."

He swallowed, voice softening and getting quieter without meaning to. "I don't want to keep things the way they are if it means hiding how I feel. So... would you go on a date with me? Dinner, maybe a walk by the sea if you want."

You blinked under the facemask, heart doing a little flip. Giorno Giovanna, the Don himself, standing in your room asking you out while you looked like this? It was almost too cute.

He added quickly, a small smile breaking through, "You don't have to answer right now if you're... busy with that."

You got up from the bed, taking a few steps until you're standing in front of him. "I'm answering right now, Gio. I'd love to go on a date with you. I had no idea that you're feelings were also romantic towards me, so this makes me glad."

A shy smile creeps on his face, nodding and looking down at his hands. "Okay... tomorrow sounds good? We also deserve a day off."

"Sounds perfect, I'll be ready at 7." You stand on your toes to give him a kiss on the cheek, leaving a faint green mark in it.

BONUS:

The date had been perfect. Just the two of you at a quiet little restaurant overlooking the water, Giorno made sure that it was all for yourselves, talking for hours about everything that wasn't mafia stuff. It was different than other times you hang out, he made sure of that.

Now he walked you all the way up to your apartment door, his hand gently brushing yours every few steps like he wanted to hold it but was still figuring out the pace. When you reached the door, you turned to face him, keys dangling in your fingers.

"Thanks for tonight, Giorno," you said with a smile. "I had a really good time. Better than I expected, honestly."

He smiled back. "Me too. More than you know." He paused, shifting his weight just a little. You could tell he was gathering his courage again, the same way he had when he first asked you out. "Can I... give you a goodbye kiss?"

"It's not a goodbye kiss, we'll see each other tomorrow."

Giorno lowers his gaze, knowing you're playing with him and when he lifts his head, you're pulling him down for a sweet and slow kiss. His hands find the small of your back, pulling you closer. His soft lips fit with yours with ease, like a dance both of you know but never perform. When you pull back, his breath is ragged and his cheeks red.

"Your lips taste so sweet, Gio," you tell him without thinking. "We should kiss each other more another time."

"Yes," he nodded. "Tomorrow, for example."

"Tomorrow, we're kissing all day."

a/n: idk how to write dates so just imagine how it went

“You want to?” He kisses your lips once more before breaking contact, looking you in the eyes while you nod. “Then sure, let’s go for a drink.”

But one drink became two, then three, then you met a group of people that wanted to invite you for shots. Then you’re taking body shots of Caesar’s abs and suddenly someone suggests going to the Burlesque down the street, the only one in town. And your drunk self thought it was the best idea ever.

“Nghh, do we really have to go?” Caesar slurred, grabbing you by the waist as you walked in the street. “The only woman I wanna see naked is… you!”

He tries to boop your nose. “Ow! Caesar, that’s my eye!”

He’s giggling now, pressing a long kiss to the top of your head. “Sorry.”

You and Caesar stumble into the Burlesque club, the bass thumping through your bodies, Caesar’s arm is slung heavy around your waist, his breath warm against your ear as he laughs at something silly you said outside. 

“See? This is fun,” you tease, pulling him closer to a spot near the front. “Way better than another movie night.”

He just grins and presses a quick kiss to your temple. “Only because you’re here, bella.”

You both find seats at a sticky table, ordering another round of drinks that you probably don’t need. The crowd cheers as the next performer is announced, and the lights shift to a sultry red glow. Then he steps out.

Joseph Joestar.

Your best friend Joseph, in a tight body suit and star-shaped nipple covers that show way too much of his muscular chest he’s always bragging about. He’s owning the stage, hips rolling, arms flexing in smooth motions that scream he’s done this a lot. 

Your mouth drops open. Caesar freezes beside you, his hand still on your thigh.

For a second Joseph spinning and dipping like it’s nothing. But then his eyes scan the crowd and land right on you two. His face goes bright red, eyes wide in embarrassment. He misses a step, nearly trips over his own feet and the smooth dance turns into something awkward and rushed. The crowd still claps, but Joseph bolts off the stage early, muttering something under his breath as the lights follow him off.

You and Caesar just sit there, dumbfounded. The music keeps going, another dancer taking the spotlight, but neither of you can look away from the side door where Joseph disappeared.

“Did... did we imagine that?” you whisper, turning to Caesar. Your heart is hammering from the drinks and the shock.

Caesar’s mouth is still half-open, his pretty blue eyes blinking slowly. “That was Joseph, right?” He rubs a hand over his face, trying to hide a laugh but failing. “He looked good.”

You can’t help it, you start giggling too, the alcohol making everything funnier. “Yeah, he did.”

Joseph’s been “working late” for months and now it all makes sense. No wonder he’s been dodging questions about his job.

Before you can decide what to do, Joseph peeks back out from the side of the stage, now with a hoodie thrown over his dance clothes. He spots you and turns even redder when you make eye contact with him. He hides again.

He paces in the backstage, going a bit insane not only because of the embarrassment (gosh, he doesn’t even want to think about the jokes) but because it was you and Caesar of all people. You and Caesar. For you two, you are best friends. For him, you are the people he dreams about, kissing and giggling together. But now that you saw him like that? There’s no way you’re gonna find him attractive anymore.

You and Caesar take a moment to react

“We should go to him, right?” you say in a breath. 

Caesar nods hard. “Fuck, yes. We can’t just leave him like this.”

You weave through the crowd together and manage to get inside the hallway of the dressing rooms, you knock twice in the door another dancer told you that Joseph was. He opens the door after a second and just starts talking with you two still at the door.

“Guys... I... uh...” He scratches the back of his neck, avoiding your eyes. “This isn’t what it looks like! Well, it is, but crap, I needed the cash, okay? Don’t tell anyone, please”

You bite your lip because he looks so damn cute right now. “Can we come in?”

Joseph furrows his eyebrows then nods, opening the door wider and letting you inside, closing it.

Caesar stares at him. “Joseph, you were actually good up there. Until you saw us.”

Joseph groans, burying his face in his hands. “Shut up, Caesar! This is so humiliating. Why are you even here?”

You swallow, heart racing for a whole new reason now. “We, um... just wanted a fun night out. We didn’t expect to find you here of all places.”

Joseph looks so small under that hoodie, shoulders hunched, cheeks flushed dark red. His usual loud confidence is gone, replaced by a sort of vulnerability that makes your chest ache. He keeps glancing at the floor, wishing it would open up and drop him straight to the center of the earth.

“Hey, JoJo,” you say softly, stepping closer. “Now that your secret’s out... we can tell you one of ours. Make it even, right? It’s kinda embarrassing too.”

Caesar raises an eyebrow at you but doesn’t stop you. Joseph lifts his head a little, curious despite everything. “What? You guys rob a bank or something?”

You laugh lightly, trying to keep it playful. “No, nothing like that. Me and Caesar... we’ve been making out. Like, a lot. We didn’t want to tell you because we figured you’d freak out about your two best friends fooling around.”

You expect him to yell, or tease, or make some big dramatic scene. Instead his face falls even more. The color drains from his cheeks and his beautiful bright eyes that usually sparkle with mischief look... sad. Really sad. He tries to smile but it wobbles and dies halfway.

“Oh,” he mumbles, voice quieter than you’ve ever heard it. “That’s... that’s cool. I’m happy for you guys.”

His hands fidget with the hem of his hoodie and he won’t meet either of your eyes anymore. Caesar notices too, his playful expression fading into concern. “Woah, hey. What’s wrong, amico?”

Joseph lets out a shaky breath, rubbing the back of his neck hard. “Nothing, uh… It’s late, I have a few dances left and I’d prefer for you guys to leave. Don’t tell anyone, please.”

You and Caesar exchange a worried glance, Joseph looks so defeated standing there, hoodie pulled low over his eyes, voice cracking just a little on that last please. 

“Okay... if that’s what you want,” you say softly, reaching out to touch his arm for a second. He flinches but doesn’t pull away. “We’ll go. But text us when you’re done, yeah? Please?”

Caesar nods. “We’re sorry for crashing your night like this, Joseph. Take care of yourself up there.” 

The two of you head out of the club, the cool night air hitting your faces and clearing some of the drunk fog. Neither of you says much at first. You walk close together, shoulders brushing, but the worry sits between you loudly. 

“He looked so sad,” you whisper, biting your lip. “I thought telling him would even things out... but I messed up.”

Caesar sighs, slipping his arm around your waist anyway. “We should have waited, I don’t know. Let’s just get home and figure out what to do tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, inside the club, Joseph stands frozen for a long moment after you two leave. He takes off his hoodie and sits down on the tiny couch he has there. He feels like a complete idiot, his chest hurts, he keeps replaying the way you looked at Caesar. How could he not realize? You two were making out every other night while he was out here dancing for tips, dreaming about maybe confessing one day. Now you were together and he was just the embarrassing best friend who shakes his ass on stage.

Tears prick at the corners of his eyes but he wipes them away angrily. He feels stupid for crying for this shit. You probably feel sorry for him now, he can’t put himself together to see you two again.

He knows he has to go back out there in a few minutes, paste his performer smile and move like nothing’s wrong. But he’s alone with his thoughts, thinking how much of a fool he feels like and how lonely the night suddenly seems.

You and Caesar agree that the best thing you can do is give Joseph some space, but what are you meant to do when said space becomes too damn long for you to handle. You miss him. So. Fucking. Much. Being with Caesar is fine, but when it’s the three of you together, sharing food on the floor of your apartment because you only have one chair, fighting about what movie to watch or making fun of Caesar’s questionable food choices. That’s when you feel the best. And Caesar too. Something is missing when it’s just the two of you.

After four long days of radio silence, the quiet in your apartment starts to feel unbearable. Joseph has not answered a single text, you and Caesar keep catching each other staring at your phones, hoping. Finally you both decide enough is enough.

That night you head back to the club together, nerves buzzing under your skin. You check the stage schedule posted near the entrance and wait until Joseph’s set is over before slipping inside. The dressing room door is half open, and there he is.

Joseph stands in front of a cracked mirror in nothing but some tight stage pants, brushing his dark hair back with frustrated strokes. The muscles in his back tense when he catches your reflection.

He spins around fast, eyes wide at first then narrowing in anger. “What the hell are you two doing here?”

You step inside first, heart pounding hard. Caesar stays right behind you, quiet but solid.

“We gave you space, Joseph,” you say, voice already heating up. “We miss you. I miss my best friend. You can’t just shut us out forever because things got weird one night.”

Joseph’s grip tightens on the hairbrush until his knuckles turn white. “You think I’m shutting you out? You show up here, in my dressing room, right before I have to go dance again and act like I’m the one being dramatic? Why can’t you just leave me alone for a little longer?”

His words sting and you feel your face get hot. “Because we love having you around, you idiot! I gave you time to clear your head but now I want my Joseph back. Not this version who hides from us.”

Caesar tries to cut in gently but Joseph is already shaking, chest rising fast. The brush clatters onto the counter as he steps closer, voice getting louder and louder.

“You’re the idiot! How can you not realize that I’m in love with both of you?” he practically shouts, eyes shiny and desperate. “I have been for ages! Every time we hang out I feel like my heart is gonna explode and I-I push it down because I didn’t want to ruin what we have. Then I see you two together and it kills me. So yeah, I’m angry. I’m embarrassed. And I don’t know how to be around you anymore.”

The dressing room goes dead quiet except for Joseph’s heavy breathing. He looks raw, like he’s about to cry. No one moves or talks for a long second, before Caesar takes a step between both of you.

“Did you guys finish screaming at each other?” he asks, calm but tired. His golden hair catches the cheap dressing room light, making him look too pretty for a moment like this.

You and Joseph both freeze, breathing hard. 

Caesar sighs softly and runs a hand through his own hair. “Look, this is messy. We all messed up a bit. But Joseph, you can’t drop something like that and then expect us to just walk away again.”

Joseph looks down at the floor, shoulders slumping. All that fire from a second ago drains out of him, leaving him looking small and scared in the middle of the tiny room. 

“I didn’t mean to yell,” he mumbles. “It’s been eating me up inside. Seeing you act all secret and cute while I was over here wishing I could be part of it. I felt like an idiot. Still do.”

Your chest tightens, you step around Caesar and reach for Joseph’s hand without thinking. His fingers are warm and a little shaky when they curl around yours. 

“You’re not an idiot, JoJo. We had no idea.”

Caesar moves closer too, placing a careful hand on Joseph’s shoulder. “You were good on that stage, you know. Even when you almost fell on your face seeing us.” A tiny smile tugs at his lips, trying to lighten the mood. “And we miss our trio. The apartment feels empty without you stealing all the blankets.”

Joseph lets out a watery laugh, but his eyes still look shiny. He squeezes your hand back, thumb brushing over your knuckles in that familiar nervous way. “So what now? I just confessed I’m in love with my two best friends. What the fuck does one in this situation?”

You and Caesar share a quick look, enough to know exactly what you were thinking. You talked first. “Why don’t we sit down?”

Joseph blinks at you like he is not sure he heard right, but he lets you pull him over to the small worn out couch in the corner of the dressing room. The three of you squeeze onto it together, your thigh pressed against his and Caesar on his other side. The space is tiny so you are all basically tangled already.

“You’re not an idiot, Joseph,” you say softly, reaching up to brush some hair out of his face. “You are actually really amazing. I love how loud you get when you are excited. So passionate and funny. I never wanted to hurt you by keeping things from you.”

Caesar nods, his hand resting on Joseph’s knee now, thumb rubbing slow circles there. “She’s right. You’re strong and stupidly handsome. You have no idea how much we both like having you around. How much we need you.”

Joseph’s cheeks turn bright red again, but this time it’s not just from embarrassment. He shifts a little between you two, looking confused as hell when your fingers trail down his arm and Caesar leans in closer, nuzzling against his shoulder. 

“W-wait, what is this?” he stutters, eyes wide as he glances between you and Caesar. “Are you messing with me right now?”

You smile softly and cup his cheek, thumb brushing over his warm skin. “We are not messing with you. I think we have feelings for you too. It has always been the three of us, right? Maybe we didn’t see it before because we were scared, but now that it’s out, it feels right.”

Caesar presses a light kiss to Joseph’s temple, making the poor guy freeze up completely. “We want you here with us. If you’ll have us.”

Joseph is speechless, but he’s not rejecting any of your touches.

You lean forward first, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. “You’re so cute when you get flustered.”

“I’m-I’m not flustered,” he tries, pouting a little

Caesar chuckles low, his hand sliding up Joseph’s back, fingers tracing the muscles there. He kisses the other side of Joseph’s neck, making Joseph shiver hard between you. 

“So strong,” Caesar murmurs. “All that dancing has done you good, bet you’re really flexible too.”

Joseph lets out a shaky breath, one hand coming up to grip your waist because he needs something to hold onto. 

“You two.. mmm,” he mumbles. He turns his head toward you and you meet him halfway.

The kiss starts gentle, just lips brushing, but Joseph makes this little surprised sound that melts into neediness. His mouth is eager, a little clumsy from nerves, you smile into it while your fingers run through his hair. Caesar watches for a second before he leans in too, kissing along Joseph’s jaw and then catching his lips when you pull back for air.

You keep touching him, hands roaming over his bare chest, feeling the way his heart hammers under your palm. Caesar’s fingers knead at his shoulder, then slide down to his side, pulling him closer until Joseph is basically sandwiched between your bodies. Soft kisses turn a little longer, a little hungrier. Joseph’s hand squeezes your hip, thumb rubbing circles there, while his other hand finds Caesar’s thigh.

You’re in such a high you don’t even hear someone knocking and shouting that Joseph has to perform in about five minutes.

a/n: this is a mess but that fanart has been stucked in my brain for months. don't ask for part 2 cause i won't be writing it

“You want to?” He kisses your lips once more before breaking contact, looking you in the eyes while you nod. “Then sure, let’s go for a drink.”

But one drink became two, then three, then you met a group of people that wanted to invite you for shots. Then you’re taking body shots of Caesar’s abs and suddenly someone suggests going to the Burlesque down the street, the only one in town. And your drunk self thought it was the best idea ever.

“Nghh, do we really have to go?” Caesar slurred, grabbing you by the waist as you walked in the street. “The only woman I wanna see naked is… you!”

He tries to boop your nose. “Ow! Caesar, that’s my eye!”

He’s giggling now, pressing a long kiss to the top of your head. “Sorry.”

You and Caesar stumble into the Burlesque club, the bass thumping through your bodies, Caesar’s arm is slung heavy around your waist, his breath warm against your ear as he laughs at something silly you said outside. 

“See? This is fun,” you tease, pulling him closer to a spot near the front. “Way better than another movie night.”

He just grins and presses a quick kiss to your temple. “Only because you’re here, bella.”

You both find seats at a sticky table, ordering another round of drinks that you probably don’t need. The crowd cheers as the next performer is announced, and the lights shift to a sultry red glow. Then he steps out.

Joseph Joestar.

Your best friend Joseph, in a tight body suit and star-shaped nipple covers that show way too much of his muscular chest he’s always bragging about. He’s owning the stage, hips rolling, arms flexing in smooth motions that scream he’s done this a lot. 

Your mouth drops open. Caesar freezes beside you, his hand still on your thigh.

For a second Joseph spinning and dipping like it’s nothing. But then his eyes scan the crowd and land right on you two. His face goes bright red, eyes wide in embarrassment. He misses a step, nearly trips over his own feet and the smooth dance turns into something awkward and rushed. The crowd still claps, but Joseph bolts off the stage early, muttering something under his breath as the lights follow him off.

You and Caesar just sit there, dumbfounded. The music keeps going, another dancer taking the spotlight, but neither of you can look away from the side door where Joseph disappeared.

“Did... did we imagine that?” you whisper, turning to Caesar. Your heart is hammering from the drinks and the shock.

Caesar’s mouth is still half-open, his pretty blue eyes blinking slowly. “That was Joseph, right?” He rubs a hand over his face, trying to hide a laugh but failing. “He looked good.”

You can’t help it, you start giggling too, the alcohol making everything funnier. “Yeah, he did.”

Joseph’s been “working late” for months and now it all makes sense. No wonder he’s been dodging questions about his job.

Before you can decide what to do, Joseph peeks back out from the side of the stage, now with a hoodie thrown over his dance clothes. He spots you and turns even redder when you make eye contact with him. He hides again.

He paces in the backstage, going a bit insane not only because of the embarrassment (gosh, he doesn’t even want to think about the jokes) but because it was you and Caesar of all people. You and Caesar. For you two, you are best friends. For him, you are the people he dreams about, kissing and giggling together. But now that you saw him like that? There’s no way you’re gonna find him attractive anymore.

You and Caesar take a moment to react

“We should go to him, right?” you say in a breath. 

Caesar nods hard. “Fuck, yes. We can’t just leave him like this.”

You weave through the crowd together and manage to get inside the hallway of the dressing rooms, you knock twice in the door another dancer told you that Joseph was. He opens the door after a second and just starts talking with you two still at the door.

“Guys... I... uh...” He scratches the back of his neck, avoiding your eyes. “This isn’t what it looks like! Well, it is, but crap, I needed the cash, okay? Don’t tell anyone, please”

You bite your lip because he looks so damn cute right now. “Can we come in?”

Joseph furrows his eyebrows then nods, opening the door wider and letting you inside, closing it.

Caesar stares at him. “Joseph, you were actually good up there. Until you saw us.”

Joseph groans, burying his face in his hands. “Shut up, Caesar! This is so humiliating. Why are you even here?”

You swallow, heart racing for a whole new reason now. “We, um... just wanted a fun night out. We didn’t expect to find you here of all places.”

Joseph looks so small under that hoodie, shoulders hunched, cheeks flushed dark red. His usual loud confidence is gone, replaced by a sort of vulnerability that makes your chest ache. He keeps glancing at the floor, wishing it would open up and drop him straight to the center of the earth.

“Hey, JoJo,” you say softly, stepping closer. “Now that your secret’s out... we can tell you one of ours. Make it even, right? It’s kinda embarrassing too.”

Caesar raises an eyebrow at you but doesn’t stop you. Joseph lifts his head a little, curious despite everything. “What? You guys rob a bank or something?”

You laugh lightly, trying to keep it playful. “No, nothing like that. Me and Caesar... we’ve been making out. Like, a lot. We didn’t want to tell you because we figured you’d freak out about your two best friends fooling around.”

You expect him to yell, or tease, or make some big dramatic scene. Instead his face falls even more. The color drains from his cheeks and his beautiful bright eyes that usually sparkle with mischief look... sad. Really sad. He tries to smile but it wobbles and dies halfway.

“Oh,” he mumbles, voice quieter than you’ve ever heard it. “That’s... that’s cool. I’m happy for you guys.”

His hands fidget with the hem of his hoodie and he won’t meet either of your eyes anymore. Caesar notices too, his playful expression fading into concern. “Woah, hey. What’s wrong, amico?”

Joseph lets out a shaky breath, rubbing the back of his neck hard. “Nothing, uh… It’s late, I have a few dances left and I’d prefer for you guys to leave. Don’t tell anyone, please.”

You and Caesar exchange a worried glance, Joseph looks so defeated standing there, hoodie pulled low over his eyes, voice cracking just a little on that last please. 

“Okay... if that’s what you want,” you say softly, reaching out to touch his arm for a second. He flinches but doesn’t pull away. “We’ll go. But text us when you’re done, yeah? Please?”

Caesar nods. “We’re sorry for crashing your night like this, Joseph. Take care of yourself up there.” 

The two of you head out of the club, the cool night air hitting your faces and clearing some of the drunk fog. Neither of you says much at first. You walk close together, shoulders brushing, but the worry sits between you loudly. 

“He looked so sad,” you whisper, biting your lip. “I thought telling him would even things out... but I messed up.”

Caesar sighs, slipping his arm around your waist anyway. “We should have waited, I don’t know. Let’s just get home and figure out what to do tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, inside the club, Joseph stands frozen for a long moment after you two leave. He takes off his hoodie and sits down on the tiny couch he has there. He feels like a complete idiot, his chest hurts, he keeps replaying the way you looked at Caesar. How could he not realize? You two were making out every other night while he was out here dancing for tips, dreaming about maybe confessing one day. Now you were together and he was just the embarrassing best friend who shakes his ass on stage.

Tears prick at the corners of his eyes but he wipes them away angrily. He feels stupid for crying for this shit. You probably feel sorry for him now, he can’t put himself together to see you two again.

He knows he has to go back out there in a few minutes, paste his performer smile and move like nothing’s wrong. But he’s alone with his thoughts, thinking how much of a fool he feels like and how lonely the night suddenly seems.

You and Caesar agree that the best thing you can do is give Joseph some space, but what are you meant to do when said space becomes too damn long for you to handle. You miss him. So. Fucking. Much. Being with Caesar is fine, but when it’s the three of you together, sharing food on the floor of your apartment because you only have one chair, fighting about what movie to watch or making fun of Caesar’s questionable food choices. That’s when you feel the best. And Caesar too. Something is missing when it’s just the two of you.

After four long days of radio silence, the quiet in your apartment starts to feel unbearable. Joseph has not answered a single text, you and Caesar keep catching each other staring at your phones, hoping. Finally you both decide enough is enough.

That night you head back to the club together, nerves buzzing under your skin. You check the stage schedule posted near the entrance and wait until Joseph’s set is over before slipping inside. The dressing room door is half open, and there he is.

Joseph stands in front of a cracked mirror in nothing but some tight stage pants, brushing his dark hair back with frustrated strokes. The muscles in his back tense when he catches your reflection.

He spins around fast, eyes wide at first then narrowing in anger. “What the hell are you two doing here?”

You step inside first, heart pounding hard. Caesar stays right behind you, quiet but solid.

“We gave you space, Joseph,” you say, voice already heating up. “We miss you. I miss my best friend. You can’t just shut us out forever because things got weird one night.”

Joseph’s grip tightens on the hairbrush until his knuckles turn white. “You think I’m shutting you out? You show up here, in my dressing room, right before I have to go dance again and act like I’m the one being dramatic? Why can’t you just leave me alone for a little longer?”

His words sting and you feel your face get hot. “Because we love having you around, you idiot! I gave you time to clear your head but now I want my Joseph back. Not this version who hides from us.”

Caesar tries to cut in gently but Joseph is already shaking, chest rising fast. The brush clatters onto the counter as he steps closer, voice getting louder and louder.

“You’re the idiot! How can you not realize that I’m in love with both of you?” he practically shouts, eyes shiny and desperate. “I have been for ages! Every time we hang out I feel like my heart is gonna explode and I-I push it down because I didn’t want to ruin what we have. Then I see you two together and it kills me. So yeah, I’m angry. I’m embarrassed. And I don’t know how to be around you anymore.”

The dressing room goes dead quiet except for Joseph’s heavy breathing. He looks raw, like he’s about to cry. No one moves or talks for a long second, before Caesar takes a step between both of you.

“Did you guys finish screaming at each other?” he asks, calm but tired. His golden hair catches the cheap dressing room light, making him look too pretty for a moment like this.

You and Joseph both freeze, breathing hard. 

Caesar sighs softly and runs a hand through his own hair. “Look, this is messy. We all messed up a bit. But Joseph, you can’t drop something like that and then expect us to just walk away again.”

Joseph looks down at the floor, shoulders slumping. All that fire from a second ago drains out of him, leaving him looking small and scared in the middle of the tiny room. 

“I didn’t mean to yell,” he mumbles. “It’s been eating me up inside. Seeing you act all secret and cute while I was over here wishing I could be part of it. I felt like an idiot. Still do.”

Your chest tightens, you step around Caesar and reach for Joseph’s hand without thinking. His fingers are warm and a little shaky when they curl around yours. 

“You’re not an idiot, JoJo. We had no idea.”

Caesar moves closer too, placing a careful hand on Joseph’s shoulder. “You were good on that stage, you know. Even when you almost fell on your face seeing us.” A tiny smile tugs at his lips, trying to lighten the mood. “And we miss our trio. The apartment feels empty without you stealing all the blankets.”

Joseph lets out a watery laugh, but his eyes still look shiny. He squeezes your hand back, thumb brushing over your knuckles in that familiar nervous way. “So what now? I just confessed I’m in love with my two best friends. What the fuck does one in this situation?”

You and Caesar share a quick look, enough to know exactly what you were thinking. You talked first. “Why don’t we sit down?”

Joseph blinks at you like he is not sure he heard right, but he lets you pull him over to the small worn out couch in the corner of the dressing room. The three of you squeeze onto it together, your thigh pressed against his and Caesar on his other side. The space is tiny so you are all basically tangled already.

“You’re not an idiot, Joseph,” you say softly, reaching up to brush some hair out of his face. “You are actually really amazing. I love how loud you get when you are excited. So passionate and funny. I never wanted to hurt you by keeping things from you.”

Caesar nods, his hand resting on Joseph’s knee now, thumb rubbing slow circles there. “She’s right. You’re strong and stupidly handsome. You have no idea how much we both like having you around. How much we need you.”

Joseph’s cheeks turn bright red again, but this time it’s not just from embarrassment. He shifts a little between you two, looking confused as hell when your fingers trail down his arm and Caesar leans in closer, nuzzling against his shoulder. 

“W-wait, what is this?” he stutters, eyes wide as he glances between you and Caesar. “Are you messing with me right now?”

You smile softly and cup his cheek, thumb brushing over his warm skin. “We are not messing with you. I think we have feelings for you too. It has always been the three of us, right? Maybe we didn’t see it before because we were scared, but now that it’s out, it feels right.”

Caesar presses a light kiss to Joseph’s temple, making the poor guy freeze up completely. “We want you here with us. If you’ll have us.”

Joseph is speechless, but he’s not rejecting any of your touches.

You lean forward first, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. “You’re so cute when you get flustered.”

“I’m-I’m not flustered,” he tries, pouting a little

Caesar chuckles low, his hand sliding up Joseph’s back, fingers tracing the muscles there. He kisses the other side of Joseph’s neck, making Joseph shiver hard between you. 

“So strong,” Caesar murmurs. “All that dancing has done you good, bet you’re really flexible too.”

Joseph lets out a shaky breath, one hand coming up to grip your waist because he needs something to hold onto. 

“You two.. mmm,” he mumbles. He turns his head toward you and you meet him halfway.

The kiss starts gentle, just lips brushing, but Joseph makes this little surprised sound that melts into neediness. His mouth is eager, a little clumsy from nerves, you smile into it while your fingers run through his hair. Caesar watches for a second before he leans in too, kissing along Joseph’s jaw and then catching his lips when you pull back for air.

You keep touching him, hands roaming over his bare chest, feeling the way his heart hammers under your palm. Caesar’s fingers knead at his shoulder, then slide down to his side, pulling him closer until Joseph is basically sandwiched between your bodies. Soft kisses turn a little longer, a little hungrier. Joseph’s hand squeezes your hip, thumb rubbing circles there, while his other hand finds Caesar’s thigh.

You’re in such a high you don’t even hear someone knocking and shouting that Joseph has to perform in about five minutes.

a/n: this is a mess but that fanart has been stucked in my brain for months. don't ask for part 2 cause i won't be writing it