Work Text:
"I love you."
His words cut through the now uncomfortably quiet kitchen, too sudden and too loud. The clock's soft ticking fills the otherwise silent room, each second drawing out a little too long.
Jotaro taps his fingers on the table anxiously. That's the only way his nervousness shows. He tries to keep his expression neutral and unbothered.
He draws a shaky breath before speaking. "Sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't know if... I wasn't- I mean, I know we- but..."
Tapping the table's surface a little faster, he inhales again, and starts over. "I don't know if I'm allowed to say that. Or if you even want me to. Or-"
"Jotaro."
He blinks. Halts the repetitive finger tapping and looks up. "Yeah."
Rohan leans against the counter, coffee cup held carefully with both hands. He looks slightly surprised, or confused, or something, and he doesn't say anything for a long minute.
And Jotaro has blown it, he knows he has. It was too soon, too sudden, too blunt and out of the blue. Okay, yeah, they've been spending a lot of time together, and been going on outings that are possibly vaguely reminiscent of dates, and are very nearly almost certainly actually in something vaguely reminiscent of a relationship, but-
Rohan smiles. A different smile from usual: soft, maybe a little bit shy. It suits him. "Do you really?"
Jotaro swallows and then nods. "Yes, I do. Is that okay?"
Rohan makes a noise that's something between laughing and scoffing. "Are you kidding? Why wouldn't it be okay?"
"Well, I just... I know we're not really... you know." Jotaro gestures vaguely. Pulls his hat down over his face. Good grief, this is uncomfortable. "I mean, we haven't said anything like that, and we haven't really talked about what's going on between us, and..."
He trails off awkwardly, and Rohan smiles again.
"Yeah, I know. It's been, uh... it's nice. I like you a lot, Jotaro. And... we can talk about it. If you want to."
"I do. Sort of."
"Only sort of?"
"Mm. Honestly, I'm... kind of scared to."
Rohan laughs slightly. "Jotaro Kujo, scared? Of what, having a conversation?"
"Hey, cut me some slack. You know I hate talking about my feelings. I know you do, too."
"Alright." Rohan absent mindedly traces the rim of his coffee cup with one finger. "I'll go first, then. I love waking up next to you in the morning. I love watching you cook. I love hearing you sing in the shower. I love the way you talk to me and the way you treat me. No one's ever made me feel safe like you do. I love you too."
Jotaro sits in stunned silence for a while. "Oh."
"If you tell anyone I said that, I'll kill you."
"Yeah, I know." Jotaro smiles slightly. "You love me?"
"I do. Is that okay?"
Jotaro laughs. "Hey, come on."
"Well? Is it?"
"Yes. God, yeah."
"See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Rohan asks, shooting him something like a smirk.
"Say it again."
"I love you."
Time stands still. Jotaro is out of his seat and across the room, taking the coffee cup from Rohan's hands and setting it down where it won't get broken. Within seconds he has Rohan pinned to the counter, kissing him hard.
"I like the way you say it," he murmurs in Rohan's ear.
"My coffee, I was drinking that," Rohan responds. If he's fazed he doesn't show it.
"Shut up."
"Bite me."
Jotaro falters slightly. "Are you asking me to, or-?"
He's cut off by Rohan laughing. "You're so stupid. I love you."
"I love you."
Rohan grins. "Gross."
"Shut up." Jotaro fights a smile, and ultimately fails. Rohan was right, talking about their feelings wasn't so hard after all. And now he can say it, and he never wants to stop. "I love you so much."
Their lips meet again, softer this time. "Hey, Rohan."
"Mm?"
"You've heard me singing in the shower, huh?"
"Mhm, why?"
"I don't know. That's kind of embarrassing."
"Is it really?" Rohan asks. "You should let me join you some time. Make it a duet."
"Rohan." Jotaro laughs quietly. "You're awful."
"You like it."
He smiles. "Maybe a little."