#johan jojo

“Hey Eber!“ Johan said as he walked into his twin’s room and went over to his desk. Eberhart looked up from the book he was reading to look at his twin. Jojo smiled at him as he leaned over his desk intentionally being all over and in the way of Eber’s books, papers, and studies. Eber sighed and rolled his eyes.

“What are you up to this time Johan?“ he asked. 

“Just being curious. What did you get our dear papa for his birthday this year?“ Jojo replied. Eber raised a brow, that was slightly less...mischievous than he was expecting from his twin.

“Well, i took a page out of your book,” he said. Jojo raised a brow of his own in curiosity. “I found this nice pen that writes wonderfully. I think it’ll work nicely with papa’s uniquely flowing handwriting, but the catch of it is? It smells like blueberries,“ he explained. Johan laughed with glee and gave his twin a thumbs up. “Also got him a journal to go with it. The inside covers have blueberries on them and it may faintly smell like them too. Or it could just be because of the pen. I’m not sure.“

“You were definitely looking at my page this year my dear twin!“ jojo said in amusement. “Do you remember that picture of us when we were little?“

“Which one Jojo, you know you have to be more specific,“ Eber replied. Johan grinned mischievously and Eber almost regretted asking. There’s the Jojo he was expecting.

“That one Halloween we dressed up as fruits? Where you was that adorably handsome blueberry? And I was the silly little mango?“ 

“Oh my Gott! Johan no!“

“Johan yes!“ Jojo said before erupting into hearty laughter. “You did a horrible job of hiding that photo brother! I had it enlarged slightly and made a few copies. One I put in a blueberry frame for papa and I found a mango frame so mama can have a new copy too! I’m sure they’ll love it! I’m keeping the other copies for now. Unless auntie Armi wants one as well...“

Eber shoved his brother and, subsequently, some of his papers and books, off of his desk in embarrassment. Jojo was not even fazed as he hit the floor. He just began to chuckle more at his twin’s reaction. “You are the worst Johan!” Eber said in exasperation before letting his head fall on his, now mostly clear, desk.

Johan’s eyes slowly fluttered open as his mother’s gentle voice brought him around from his exhaustion induced rest. However, the first sight that greeted him was the book that must have slipped from his hands when consciousness left him. Well this was embarrassing. As far as Jojo knows, he was not normally caught being like hit twin, or father, like this. 

With a half tired chuckle he pulled the book of his face, and took the other books off of him, and placed them on the couch as he sat up. “Danke mama,” he said softly as his brain reregistered and pieced together what she had said that caused him to wake up in the first place. 

He got up and went over to give his dear mother a hug. Although he could not help but rest his head on her shoulder for a few moments. He was still a little tired after all. “Ah, no matter how old I get, I’ll always treasure being your little pumpkin, as well as all of the things you do for us, of course,” he said with another quiet chuckle.

Then Jojo got a mischievous idea, as he usually does when it comes to waking his twin. He let go of his mother and gave her a little grin and wink as he brought a finger to his lips. Quietly, he made his way over to the desk and his sleeping twin. Then, with all the excitement of a young child, that he never truly lost, he ruffled his twins hair and tiredly exclaimed, “Wakey, wakey birthday twin!”

Eberhart, of course, awoke with a slight start and his twin’s laughter filling his ears. “Johan, bitte!” he call out while placing his hand over his heart. He started mumbling under his breath question why his twin always feels the need to do this to him, but he did not get far before said twin pulled him out of his seat.

It was a good thing perhaps, because it allowed him to notice that their dear mother was there too. However, he would not be surprised if she was a little exasperated at their antics and the outcome of their study session. “Morning mama,” Eber said a bit sheepishly. Johan then whispered something in his ear. “And, danke.”

Johan S. Richter - “The Withdrawn Soul”

-----

He could have stayed in that institute for the rest of his life, if they let him. Even as they released him, he still did not feel he deserved to be part of society once more. Not with the way he had been when he worked for the industries with his late father or his tendencies to manipulate or exploit someone’s weaknesses or fears. And still, after all this time, he believes he is cursed. 

Yes, he had loved his mother, and cared about his younger siblings. However, he barely expressed it, and did not always act to help keep peace. He feels he still took them for granted, and was not the good man his mother had hoped he would have grown to be when he was little. 

It seemed much too late now for him to have a better or happy life. He couldn’t even go to his younger siblings. How could he? Even with as much as his hair grew over the years he still resembles their father. As well as his twin, of course.

And Johan is certain the last thing they would want is a reminder of those two.

Even visiting their old home was slightly haunting for him, and he did not think it would be. However, he supposed, there were certain memories he could never truly escape. He was only going there to see if certain things survived that he could bring to the small studio apartment he decided to live in. 

He did not come out of there with much. Although the one thing he cared about most did survive. At least somewhat. He had to cut down the damaged parts of it from time and critters, but he still had some of the pumpkin colored blanket his mother had given him when he was little. It was almost fitting really. He never truly showed that he appreciated the gift and hid it so that his twin wouldn’t destroy it or use it in some experiment. 

A few other things he salvaged lined the apartment, but other than those things, Johan kept the apartment unassuming and bland. Whether it was from feeling like he did not deserve more than that, or he had grown so used to bland and blank surroundings from the institute...he was not entirely sure. It was likely a combination of both.

At first, Johan spent most of his time just doing nothing in his apartment. Living day to day, mainly surviving, keeping to himself. However, in spite of his self belief that this is his life should be...boredom started creeping in. He was free to do as he please and the restlessness fought against his logic.

His solution? 

Working at a nearby library putting away returned and left out books back to their proper places. A mostly quiet setting where most of the time he doesn’t have to interact with people. Where, if he had to, he could be a man of very few words. Most people would be fine with just being led to where the book they wanted was, or being pointed towards the right section. 

A place where he would not have to worry about his old habits trying to nag at him. There would be no need to try to manipulate or mess with anyone at the library. He did not need to be overly social, he could stay withdrawn and it would be fine. Besides it did not seem like many people came to this branch of the library system anyway, and that just made it even easier for him.

Johan came home for his lunch break with three little baskets hanging off of his arm. Each basket had a cute little heart plush, a mini box of handmade chocolates, and a little pouch of candy hearts. He may not be able to come back home until dinnertime, but that did not mean he could not still make his wife and dear twin children’s valentine’s day sweet before then.

He first found his dear, sweet wife Klara. She seemed to be busy with her next tale of mystery and intrigue. He could not wait to read it once she was all done, but that was not the point right now. Right now the point was to lightly kiss her cheek and place one of the baskets on her desk. “For you my sweet, sweet love,” he said softly. “You make everyday of my life special and I would not have it any other way!” he added with one of his loving smiles. “I will circle back around to you before I have to head back to the clinic, but for now I must capture our children!”

Jojo chuckled as he left to find the twins. He went to the kitchen first as that was as good of a place as any to start. Much like with his younger siblings when they were all younger. Most of the time if he wanted to see any of them, he was going to see one in the kitchen. It made him chuckle to himself softly at the fond memories. However, much like he suspected, one of his dear children was at the table. It was his darling, full of pep, daughter Irina. “What are you up to now, hm?” he asked in amusement. 

“Some research...“ she said simply, although distractedly. 

“Well be careful my little fireball, you are the only of us not to need glasses...yet,“ he said and laughed as he made his way over. She tried not to laugh at her father’s silliness but failed. “Take a little break sweetheart,“ he said more seriously but softly as he placed the basket down in front of her and kissed her cheek. “I wouldn’t want you to burn out or lose your spark Irina, you keep us on our toes and I love that about you,” he added.

“Papaaaaa...“ Irina fake whined as she started to blush. “I love you and your dramatics too.“

Her father laughed once more. “I would not be me otherwise. Now, could you give your dear humble cleric of a father a hint as to where your twin is?”

“Oh, I can tell you straight out. Dear Isaak is passed out in his bed right now,“ she said. Her father tsk’d and frowned a moment. “Yeah, he said you’d do that if you found out,” she said with a chuckle of her own. “I’ll make sure he gets proper rest tonight papa.”

Johan nodded and relaxed his face as he began to head for his son’s room. He entered quietly and placed the last basket on the nightstand. He would not wake his son, as tempting as it was to have some words with him and see why he could not sleep the night before. Johan sighed softly instead and tucked his sweet, dedicated son in properly. “You should not tirelessly reach for the moon that you can’t take care of yourself,” he murmured quietly to Isaak before lightly kissing his forehead. “Buuuut I can’t help but love your dedication to doing what is right and seeing it through until the end. Never lose your sweet heart Isaak,” he continued before leaving his son’s room and quietly closing the door behind him.

All that was left to do for Johan was to grab a quick something to nibble on and spend a little time with his wife before he heads back to work. 

When he was living, Eber never really cared much for celebration of his and his twin’s birthday. It had been a nuisance of a thing, especially with it being shared with that holiday he never really saw much point in, Halloween. He had preferred not to be bothered, and the gifts...unless they ended up being practical would end up just sitting around. 

However, now that he was in the afterlife with his parents, though time seemed not to really matter...he wanted to try and appreciate what his mama would try to do for him. Awkwardly he went up to her and tapped on her shoulder. “Mama...zis may seem silly but...can ve...celebrate my birthday? I know I never appreciated it before, but...bitte?”

Meanwhile back in the realm of the living, Jojo leaned back against one of the walls of his padded room with his eyes closed. He heard bits and pieces of conversations as those that worked at the place he was kept passed by. From what he could gather it was Halloween. Which also meant it was his birthday. 

A small sigh escaped from his lips at the thought of it. There would be no attempts at a celebration for him. Not that he deserved it, however. But still...while he may not have been overly cheery or all into his birthday, he was never as cold about it as Eber had been. 

He honestly missed the pumpkin themed things his mama used to make before she became too sick to do so. Maybe he could have more openly showed that he found the pumpkin related gifts amusing and often times enjoyable. And as much as he would be dismissive of the nickname...as much as he doesn’t deserve it, he would have loved to hear his mother call him her little pumpkin one last time.

Today was just Halloween now. Nothing more, nothing less. 

Johan felt his wife jump in surprise when he embraced her from behind. He kissed her cheek and lightly rested his head on her shoulder as she spoke to him. “I did not mean to startle you my sweet love, I’m sorry,” he said first in a gentle tone. “I just saw you standing there and wanted to add to today’s hug quota,” he added before taking his head off of her shoulder and gently scooping her up into his arms.

“I haven’t seen the dinning table yet, but I can’t say I’m surprised,” Jojo said with a light chuckle as he started walking that way. “My sunflower prince of a brother is always thinking of us like that. Although...I do hope he included some pumpkin flavored treats. Ah, what am I saying? Of course he probably did!“ he continued with another chuckle.

There was a lot going on in the mind of Johan Seigfried Richter as he watched the, now sick, young woman rest. He wondered how long she had been without a home, how long had she been finding places to sleep outside. Was this going on when they first met too? Before that? It was concerning for him to think about, and it made him sad too. If only he knew sooner, he might have been able to keep her from getting sick like this. 

Johan couldn’t understand it. Why would someone leave such a kind woman, a kind soul, without a home? He knocked his reading glasses out of his hair accidentally as he ran his hand through it. He panicked slightly and watched Klara carefully, hoping the noise didn’t disturb her. 

However, she didn’t stir and he sighed softly. He would get his glasses in a little while. They were not as important as her. Jojo still could not quite get over the sadness in her eyes he noticed when they first met. It did not belong there, not for such a beauty as herself. He wanted her smile to reach her eyes too. He had so many questions. So many things he wanted to know. However, he would not force her to speak about things if she did not want to. 

Johan hardly liked doing that to people. Sometimes it was necessary, yes, especially when it would help them get the proper care and attention they needed. But...he knows sometimes, people just need time to feel comfortable sharing certain things. Or can’t share them, so he tries to respect that as much as he can.

Still...there was just something about Klara that called to him. Something about her demeaner and some of the things she said when they met that...made him want to check on her everyday. To make sure she was okay, and if she needed anything he would offer to get it for her. 

To others it may seem silly, and more than his usual helpfulness, but...for some reason Jojo felt like if he didn’t check in on her, make sure she was alright, he might not see her again. That something bad might happen. And as the self proclaimed ‘humble cleric’, it would not sit right with him to neglect such a feeling, or instinct. 

Johan reached towards the bed and gently took Klara’s hand. There were still so many questions and things he wondered, but holding her hand made them go quiet for now. Instead it made his heart feel...light and warm. Like it did when he took her hand to lead her to his home that night when he discovered her true living situation. It was something new for him, something he would probably tell his mother about later. He got off the chair he was sitting in and knelt beside the bed, still holding her hand.

“Get all the rest you need sweet Klara, this humble cleric and his family will see you well and cared for,“ he whispered gently. “You will be safe and have a place to call home, and...I will do everything I can to give you the happiness you deserve. That is a Jojo promise, and I am quite good at keeping my promises,“ he continued before lightly kissing her hand and gently setting it back by her side.

Johan smiled to himself as he watched his twin leave the clinic to head back to his home. Jojo was quite glad and perhaps proud of Eber. Yvonne was a lovely and kind woman, much like their mother. And their little twins, Kaden and Ingrid were so adorable and precious. Their shyness was just so like their parents that it made him chuckle to himself. 

And he could tell just how deeply Eber loved his family. Even without the huge clue of the various pictures of them he kept on his desk.

Still it was why he didn’t mind doing the end of the day tasks, clean up, and closing of the clinic. Eber still insisted on making sure he had all of his files for his patients together and properly put away before he left, but he couldn’t not win again Jojo on not having him do all the other stuff on his own. Jojo wanted his twin to be able to go home, have dinner, and spend time with his precious and peaceful little family. 

As hard as Eber had worked on his studies and everything else up to this point, Jojo felt his twin deserved that.