#ifyouknowwhatimean

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“I wish you could come with us.”

The farewell party had gone on well into the night. However, the guest of honour had been missing hours ago, hiding outside from the other guests, drained from having to socialise with far too many people.

He wasn’t alone, though. Sitting next to him by the steps was his best friend and second partner, who had noticed his absence and joined him outside to keep him company. Since it was dark out, and no one would notice, they’d both ended up holding hands for a while. That was when Jonathan broke the silence to speak up, gazing down shyly at their hands.

“Jojo… I’d love to come with you. You know I would. Visiting the Americas again, especially this time of the year, would be lovely,” Robert sighed dreamily. “Especially now that I can share the sights with my best friends.”

“Then come with us! It’s not too late to buy a ticket for the journey tomorrow. Otherwise, we’ll sneak you in if we have to,” Jonathan smirked mischievously.

Robert laughed aloud. “My, and I had you pegged as an upstanding, law-abiding nobleman, Mr. Joestar. I’m shocked. It seems you’ve fallen into bad company.”

“Oh, hush, you,” Jonathan snorted, giving him a light push, Robert snickering unrepentantly.

Solemness soon fell over the scarred thug. “We’ve gone over this, though. You know what the people are going to think… no one brings their ‘best friend’ along on a honeymoon. They’re going to talk. Besides… we can barely keep our hands off each other. How do you think we’re going to hide this-“ he held up their clasped fingers and gestured to it with his free hand “-on a ship with a couple hundred other passengers?”

Jonathan giggled. “I suppose that’s true.” His smile faded and he frowned again. “I don’t care what the people think, though.”

“I know, Jojo. I know…” Robert murmured, leaning into him. “But I’ve seen how much rumours can damage lives. I can’t have you and Erina’s reputations at stake. That’s why I can’t come with you.”

Jonathan let go of their hands to shift his arm around his shoulder, bringing them closer, then reached for his hand again.

“I’m really going to miss you…” he whispered sadly, giving him a little kiss down his scarred cheek.

“Well…” Robert smiled and reached up to ruffle his hair. “I won’t be going anywhere. And you know I’ll come running, the moment you need help.”

Jonathan let out his breath in a soft sigh, then started digging through his pocket with his free hand. Robert peeked at him curiously, his gaze softening at the sparkle of a familiar ring, the soft light from the pub catching off of the lovely gems set in the golden band.

Jonathan held it in his hand for a moment, gazing at it with a melancholy air. Then he turned to Robert again, holding the ring out towards him.

“Robert… I’d like for you to have this.”

Robert’s eyes widened.

“Jojo- no. No. I can’t- you shouldn’t-” he protested. “That- that was your mother’s ring. And your father’s.”

“And mine. And now, I pass it on to you,” Jonathan smiled gently. “This is my gift, and upon it, I bestow also a promise to you, Robert E O Speedwagon. I will return to you, and we’ll make up for all the lost time together. I swear it. And in the meantime, whenever you miss me, well… you’ll now have a piece of me with you, always.”

Robert swallowed hard, then finally held out his suddenly very shaky hand, allowing Jonathan to slip the ring down the ring finger. It was dainty enough, it couldn’t fit all the way. But it sat nicely in the middle of the phalange. He relaxed a little as he admired it, smiling to himself. “You know, it’s normally the guest of honour who receives parting gifts,” he remarked.

Jonathan grinned. “You know I’m not the best at following traditional standards. Thank you, by the way…” he added. “The brooches are lovely. Erina is going to love it.”

“I’m so glad,” Robert smiled. Ha! He’s still got it.

He wouldn’t admit how long it took him to find the perfect gifts, including dragging his mates all across London just to find something special for his dearly beloveds’ departure. And in the end, it was those bejewelled matching brooches in a little secondhand shop that caught his eye. With some careful cleaning and polishing, they were good as new!

“There you are!”

They both collectively jumped at the new voice, turning around to see Tattoo behind them, atop the stairs, mug of beer in his hand.

“Everyone’s wondering where you’ve been! C’mon, we’re about to sing for ya!”

“O-oh… you don’t have to-” Jonathan protested flusteredly, but Tattoo had disappeared back inside. He sighed and got up, stretching slightly. Robert joined him at his side.

“You know, we could both run off somewhere, if you’re uncomfortable,” Robert teasingly suggested. “There is a park nearby.”

“Ahh, that’d be rude,” Jonathan chuckled and shook his head. “I’ll live through the embarrassment, as long as you’re with me. Now… shall we?” he extended his hand to Robert.