Jotaro X Reader - Tumblr Posts

"F--k it"

Jotaro x reader

After finally arriving in Egypt and gaining Iggy as an "ally" you were forced to fight against Geb and his stand N'doul.

When Abdul had been hurt and your enemy was going in for the kill, you immediately ran, putting yourself at risk to try and save your friend, whom you had just gotten back.

Your friend Jotaro had ran after you, probably just to do damage control, but he was also worried for you. He had helped you defeat the enemy stand user (using Iggy), and now you were walking back to the rest of your friends.

You admired Jotaro in a new light, after he had lost his hat in the fight. He looked so handsome, he always had but now with strands of his hair hanging in front of his face. Of course you had always admired him not only for his looks but his personality as well, he was stoic, calm under pressure, cool, and he always listened to you no matter what, and he was never rude to you always being somewhat gentle.

You felt all of this yet you still knew that it was sort of hopeless, you were friends and Jotaro had showed no interest in you, at least in that way.

So you walked beside him, happy that you could at least know him even under these circumstances, I mean he really was-

"What are you looking at" he suddenly asked, an eyebrow raised

"Oh um sorry" you stammered waving your hands to try and signify it was nothing

"Hm ok..." he looked away

As he looked away his hair moved and the sun shone on his skin.

It was your turn to suddenly speak "You just look really nice without you hat on" you froze, not meaning to think out loud

"Huh?" He trends back towards you and strange look on his face

"Oh I'm sorry- I just, well I haven't seen you without your hat is all..."

He quickly looked away, you panicked, thinking you had said something you shouldn't have

"I just meant-"

"You...look...nice in...the sun...set" he mumbled, barley audible

You could see, even though he was turned away from you that he was covering his face with his hand.

You stood there stunned "what...do you mean?"

"You're such an idiot" he grumbled

He was being so vague you had no idea what he meant

"It's just- fuck it" he suddenly turned back to you and grabbed the back of your head, pulling you in close and he bent down so you lips meant for just a moment, he was so gentle and he held you close, as though he thought you would break. He slowly separated himself from you lips and stood up.

"I hope that's obvious enough for you" he scoffed

You stood there, blushing like crazy, unable to speak.

After a moment Iggy came running back, with Jotaro's hat in his mouth

"Well, what do you know. You picked up my hat for me?" He said, surprised "maybe he isn't so bad after all" he looked over his shoulder at you, a small smile on his face

"Thanks-"

He stopped, realizing Iggy had slobbered all over it after he had returned it to his head

"Gimme a break" he sighed

You chuckled "hey Jojo"

"Hm yeah?"

You jumped up to reach his face and planted a kiss on his cheek

"I didn't know you felt the same way" you grinned

"You're pretty dense"

"Says you"

He chuckled

"Well um since we both-"

"HEY JOTARO, Y/N" you could hear Polnareff yell from the dune buggy "COME OVER HERE"

"We'll continue this later I guess" Jotaro sighed

You laughed and ran to catch up with him and the rest of your crew

04. 𝐉𝐨𝐭𝚊𝚛𝚘 ⠀⠀٬٬⠀⠀承太郎⠀⠀⋆ ⠀🐚 ⠀ #

PSD::@swolix ☆

˖ ࣪✿𓋼𓍊 𖦹𔓯⊹ 🛠 jotaro kujo layouts! (ꐦ𝅒_𝅒) 🦈

★ 잘 ﹏ 왔 ♥︎ 어 headers by me. ♡

Pretty Boy || Jotaro X Masc! Reader

Ignore this 100% self indulgent smut

Synopsis: Jotaro worships his partner and fucks him like he means it

CW: pwp, Size Kink, AFAB Reader with he/him pronouns, usage of the terms ‘pretty boy’ and ‘baby boy’, vaginal fingering, overstimulation, cunnilingus, penetrative sex, cream pie, tender fucking, y’all are both adults, definitely OOC (let’s face it, tender and Jotaro do NOT belong in the same sentence), this is probably ass lmao

No beta reading, we die like men

“A-Ah, Jotaro, please, slow down a bit,” you whimpered, hand feebly pressed against your mouth in a sad attempt to silence your moans.

Two of Jotaro’s thick, long fingers were curled up deep inside of you, gently scissoring and thrusting your hole open as his warm mouth suckled at your twitching, puffy clit. You had lost track of the amount of times you’d came, brain fuzzy with delirious ecstasy.

Jotaro Kujo always ate you like he was a starving man, and tonight was absolutely no exception. After coming home from a stressful day at work, Jotaro just wanted to bury his head between your legs and eat your cunt like there was no tomorrow. Fuck Olive Garden, this was his dinner.

The only response you got to your pleas was a near primal growl, Jotaro swatting your hand from your mouth.

“I wanna hear my baby moan for me,” Jotaro murmured against your sensitive clit before resuming his ministrations, hot mouth latching onto your sensitive, twitching nerves.

“J-Jotaro!” You whined, thighs clenching tightly around the man’s head as his fingers sped up. Your poor cunt was sopping juices, your thighs absolutely soaked, as Jotaro slipped another thick finger inside of you, torturing your overstimulated entrance.

“J-Jotaro I c-can’t take much mo-OH~!” You cried out, thighs violently twitching as your cunt spasmed. Incoherent moans and cries left your mouth as Jotaro continued overstimulating your body throughout your orgasm, your entire body quivering as you came around his massive fingers.

Eventually, Jotaro decided to have mercy on you, slowing his ministrations, opting to tenderly lick at your soaked, twitching thighs instead.

He let out pleased groans as he tasted you, hazy blue eyes looking up into your fucked-out face. His cock was near painfully hard as he watched you feebly attempt to recover from your many orgasms, fingers tangled up in the cotton bedsheets as heavy panting left your throat.

Finally, he withdrew his fingers from your pulsating hole, smirking down at the mess you’d made. Your poor cunt had already been fucked open by Jotaro, stretched to fit perfectly around his thick cock. Your slick was absolutely everywhere, leaking out of your sensitive entrance as your clit pulsed.

“If only you could see what I’m seeing, baby boy,” Jotaro grunted, looking into your eyes with a vicious grin as he sucked your juices off of his fingers.

“Fuck, you’ve got such a pretty little hole, babe,” Jotaro grunted, eyes still trained on your soaking cunt.

“J-Jotaro,” you whined, letting out a surprised yelp as he suddenly pulled you onto his lap. Your cheeks flushed as you felt his hard cock press into your back side, his face gently pressed into your neck.

“You’re such a pretty boy, baby,” he praised, pressing a near affectionate kiss to the side of your neck. “And you’re mine,” he whispered before pressing a teasing bite to your jugular.

“Ahh, Jotaro!” You whined, squirming in his arms.

“Don’t protest it, babes,” he grunted, holding you still in his strong arms. “Everything I’m saying is true, baby. You’re my perfect little pretty boy.”

“God, you’re so damn perfect,” he grunted, gently pulling your hips over his. You let out a gasp as you felt his cockhead prod at your clit, making you whine softly.

“Do you know what you do to me, baby boy?” Jotaro grunted as he teased your entrance with his cock. “Do you know how hard you make me? God, every time I think about you and your body, it drives me insane,” Jotaro hissed, pressing another kiss to the back of your neck.

“Jotaro...” you whispered, cheeks flushed at his praise. A whine left your lips as you felt Jotaro’s cockhead prod through the outer ring of your entrance, breaching the ring of muscle and slowly pushing in.

“Let me show you just how much I love you, pretty boy,” Jotaro murmured, holding your hips as he gently pushed inside of you.

“Let me take care of you, baby,” he grunted, feeling your warm walls embrace him so perfectly.

A content sigh fell from your lips as Jotaro’s cock filled you up, his thick, long member stretching your hole near capacity. Tears beaded in the corners of your eyes as his hand gently pressed against your lower abdomen, forcing your walls to contract around his huge cock.

There was a reason Jotaro loved torturing your poor cunt with his fingers and tongue: he didn’t want to impale you with his cock; he wanted you to feel good. He wanted to make you feel as good as you made him feel. And he knew that it’d take your body a good while to accommodate to a dick like his.

“Are you alright, baby boy?” Jotaro purred softly, his large hands tenderly rubbing against your smaller frame. “Do you need a little break?”

“N-no, I’m fine,” you replied, leaning your head back against his chest as small pants left your mouth. Jotaro’s thumb gently swiped a bit of drool from beneath your lip, forcing it back into your open mouth.

You squeaked as you felt Jotaro’s other hand trail between your legs and tenderly rub at your clit.

Jotaro groaned softly, feeling your cunt squeeze his cock like a vice.

“Fuck, baby, you feel so good,” he groaned, fingers gently digging into your hips.

“Feeling so good around my cock,” he grunted as his left hand trailed down from your face to your ribcage, carefully handling your body as he switched the position.

Knowing the stamina difference between the two of you, he shoved a pillow beneath your hips, letting you relax into the soft mattress as he fucked you silly.

At the sudden new angle, your hole seized up around him, making the both of you cry out.

“Fuck, baby, feeling so good,” Jotaro grunted, beginning to slowly thrust inside of your sloppy hole, drawing loud hazy whines from your body.

Jotaro’s praise filled your ears as drool spilt from your lips, hips quivering as he sped up his ministrations.

“Fuck baby boy, you’ve got such a soft, tight little cunt,” Jotaro grunted. “Always feeling so nice and good around my dick,” he growled, hands holding your hips tightly as his hips slammed against yours.

You cried out, feeling his huge cock twitching inside of you. Your thighs shook as Jotaro went faster, the bed frame shaking with each of his fast, hard thrusts.

“Jotaro, fuck! Y-you’re gonna make me cum again!” You cried, body quivering as Jotaro’s cockhead prodded in the deepest corners of your body, making you delirious with ecstasy.

“Fuck!” You whined, eyes rolling back as you came once more.

Jotaro moaned loudly at that, feeling your pretty little cunt seize up violently around his cock, forcing his thrusts to a slow stop as you came around him. As your release squirted out all over his torso and thighs, he felt his own crash down upon him.

Jotaro let out a loud holler as he finished deep inside of you, his thick cum painting your walls white as he delivered his load.

The two of you stayed like that for a while, the room silent except for the panting coming from both of you.

After he came down from his high though, Jotaro gently pulled out, pulling you into his arms before he collapsed onto the soft mattress below.

His hands gently rubbed along your body as he pressed kisses to your hairline, murmuring soft praises into your ear.

“That’s my baby,” he murmured. “That’s my good boy,” he said, gently pressing his lips against yours.

He continued to murmur gentle praise into your ears until you eventually fell asleep, satisfied and at peace in his strong arms.

Hello! Can you do jotaro x reader x kakyoin where they enjoy their picnic in the beach with their 2 children?

Coming right up anon!!💞💞 I hope you don't mind that I'll be using (C/N1) (Child Name 1) and (C/N2) (Child name 2) to specify what child is talking (゜o゜;

Jotaro x Reader x Kakyoin - picnic at the beach with their 2 children

You felt something sinking on your bed and shaking as you were sleeping, little did you know 2 of your children were jumping up and down on the bed, "PAPA PAPA wake them up!!!" A small faint voice you heard, The shaking on the bed went more and more aggressive as you were still trying to sleep, "nnghh.." you mumbled,"Papa help us wake them uppp!!" Another voice said in a whining tone, "Alright i'll wake them up, and (C/N1) don't jump aggressively on the bed." "Okay papa!" "Both of you help daddy big bear in the kitchen okay?" the 2 children nodded and jumped off the bed, you felt the pressure on the bed go away as you again drift to sleep, you felt a hand placed on your shoulder, "Hun, wake up.. the bed won't walk itself to the beach you know." a familiar voice chuckled, "I knowww.." you pulled the blanket on top of your head, you covered your whole body as you tried to sleep again under the covers, Kakyoin sighed and placed both of his hands on his hips, "You're really taking this the hard way huh?" you slightly hold your laugh under the covers, "JOTARO HELP ME FOR A MINUTE HERE!!" you hugged your pillow on your chest and attempted to fall back asleep.

A sound of steps had grew closer and closer to the room then the sound of a door opened, "What is it?" Kakyoin pointed out your sleeping form, "Yare yare daze.." Jotaro approached your sleeping form and suddenly carried you as you were still wrapped around the blanket, you woken up from the feeling of being carried "HEY!! WHAT THE?!!" you couldn't move due to the blanket around your body, "Look daddy big bear is strong!!" (C/N2) pointed out, "Well papa is more stronger!" (C/N1) responded, "Yeah i'm the most strongest!" Kakyoin chuckled, Jotaro rolled his eyes and smirked, "Get yourself dressed up, we'd been planning this since last week." "Yeah yeah now put me down.." you said in a whining tone.

You went downstairs, you had wore a decent outfit to go out for the occassion, as you went descend from downstairs you saw two of your children playing with their toys, and two of your husbands doing something on the counter, you saw Jotaro checking a list, "Sandwiches?" "Check." "Desserts?" "Uhmm... Check!" "Hey guys." you approached them, Jotaro and Kakyoin looked at you, "Woah.. you're looking great hun..!" Kakyoin said with with an awe expression on his face, and so did Jotaro looked at you the same expression as Kakyoin, Kakyoin nudged Jotaro's arm, "Yeah.." you looked at the bags that had food prepared inside, "I'm hungry already." your stomach grumbled "Wait til we get to the beach." Kakyoin grabbed a cherry at the bowl on the counter, "Say ahh..." you opened your mouth slowly as Kakyoin was about to feed you the cherry, he placed the cherry in your mouth and pats you on the head, "Thanks." you said as you chew the cherry inside your mouth.

"Do we have all our things prepared?" "Yeah, just checked them and all complete." the sudden energy boosted you because of how excited you were, you felt a hand tug on your pinky finger, you saw (C/N2) who was the one who tugged your pinky finger, "Hm?" "Are we going now?" you gave (C/N2) a sweet smile, "Yup sweetcube!" (C/N1) slowly smiled, 'GAAHHH YOUR SMILE IS SO CUTE!!' your heart screamed and had melted when you watched (C/N2) smile, (C/N2) let's go of your finger and told (C/N1) that they were going now, you saw (C/N1) smile too as (C/N2) had told them, 'A DOUBLE SHOT ON MY HEART!!' you put both of your hands on your chest, you turned your head to see both of your husbands.

They look like they were both about to cry.

"WOOOAA!!!" (C/N1)'s eyes had sparkled and (C/N2)'s had their mouth wide open, you giggled as you closed (C/N2)'s mouth with your hand, "Look the water looks so sparkly and clear!!" (C/N1) pointed to the sea, the wind was breezy and felt so nice as it goes on your skin, "Papa papa let's go there!" (C/N1) pointed to the sea, "Nooo! Let's play in the sand!" (C/N2) said, Jotaro huffed, "We'll go there once-" "I'll go find a spot and prepare, you all check out what you guys can find." you said as you carried the bags, Jotaro and Kakyoin were about to speak "Oh and don't worry these bags aren't heavy at all." they weren't really that heavy for you anyway, "Are you sure?" (C/N1) kept pulling Jotaro's coat forcing them to go to the sea they pointed out, Kakyoin carried (C/N2) as (C/N2) was about to cry because they wanted to play in the sand, "Yup! You all have fun." you gave them a smile to assure that you're okay with your task, they wanted to hesitate but it'll only cause more for their children to keep messing around, Kakyoin and Jotaro looked at each other and nodded, "Alright, we'll be back soon."

You went to go find a spot that you will prepare all of the things you brought, luckily you found a spot that had 2 folding chairs and a beach umbrella with it, you then went to a haste and occupied the spot, you took out the picnic mattress in the bag you carried and gently placed it down, you took out a few paper plates and placed each of them with the packed sandwiches you brought, you then poured (C/N1) and (C/N2)'s favorite juice flavor in the paper cups, "Woo! all done!!" you wiped out a trail of sweat on your forehead and sat down, you tried to spot where your husbands and children were, but you couldn't spot them, "Meh, I'll just sleep."

You laid down on one of the folding chairs, "Ahh.. now this is relaxing." you closed your eyes and went to drift off to sleep, just as you were about to sleep a voice had suddenly came out of nowhere, "Boo." a whisper you heard close to your right ear, you shot your body up out of shock, "God you scared me!" Kakyoin laughed at you, "We thought we might bring you a little something" Kakyoin looked at (C/N2) who was in front of you, "Go on (C/N2) they'll definitely love it! Don't be shy." you looked at (C/N2) who had been hiding something behind their back, "What is it sweetheart?" (C/N2) suddenly revealed what they were holding, a bucket full of sea shells, "T-these shells are special..! Um.. they r-reminded me of you.." (C/N2) swayed their body a little as they were holding out their bucket full of shells.

'KYAAAHHH!! SUCH AN ANGEL!!' you and Kakyoin screamed internally, both of you even wanted to sheer tears of joy, you and Kakyoin glanced at each other and gave each other a thumbs up, "Aww thank you (C/N2)!! Let's make a sea shell necklace out of this later alright?" You said as you squished (C/N2)'s cheeks, "O-Okwayy.." "Hey what about me though? Is papa not more special?" Kakyoin pointed a finger to himself in a confident way, (C/N2) only looked away a bit and stayed silent, you tried to hold your laugh, "Pfft-" 'The utter betrayal of this child!' Kakyoin cried internally in thought, "Of course you're special, though I think I'm better." you stood up & gave him a smug look and a pat on the head, "Hmph."

"(C/N2)!!!" A voice called out from afar, you all turned to where it was coming from, seeing an approaching Jotaro and (C/N1), "Hey cuties, what did you guys do?" Jotaro had gotten a bit off guard to what you called him, he lowered his hat a bit, "Me and daddy found a starfish!! Daddy didn't let me bring it home though.." you gasped "Why didn't daddy let you bring?!" "Yare yare.." You watched Jotaro as he walked to sit on the chair beside you, "The starfish will die if you let it out of water." "Oh." you mumbled, "I don't want the starfish to die, but I wanna bring it home!!" (C/N1) whined, "I can give you some of these sea shells i brought.." (C/N2) spoke, "Really?!" (C/N2) nodded, (C/N1) hugged (C/N2) "THANK YWOUUU!!!"

You, Jotaro, Kakyoin :

"Oh right, everyone I actually have all the food prepared! Let's all eat." everyone looked at the food that you had prepared, there were sandwiches, juices, and some onigiri, even Kakyoin spotted his favorite cherries, everyone sat down and ate their food.

"Slow down (C/N1) you might choke on your food." (C/N1) nodded and tried to eat slowly, Kakyoin grabbed and took a bite, he suddenly started to smack his chest, "speaking of choking.." "AHHH DADDY PAPA IS CHOKING!!" you panicked with the children too, "AHH WHAT'RE WE GOING TO DO??!!" Jotaro handed him his cup of water and Kakyoin drank it, "I thought I was going to die for a moment there!!" you and your children signed in relief, "Don't scare us like that geez!" "Your face was hilarious, Jotaro stayed calm even though I was choking." You turned your head to Jotaro who was peacefully eating, "How do you even stay calm like that?!" Jotaro took a bite to his sandwich and shrugged.

After everyone had finished their food you brought out the last food you prepared, "Everyone up for desserts?" (C/N1) and (C/N2) jumped up in excitement, "Here's Ice cream!" you brought out the box of ice cream, (C/N1) and (C/N2) were holding their spoons and was about to scoop out the ice cream, "Hold it! Grab a cup don't eat it out of the box." (C/N1) and (C/N2) quickly went looking for a cup, but seems to them they grabbed Jotaro and Kakyoin's cup, "Desperation for ice cream huh?" Kakyoin giggled, "Well you know them." Jotaro smirked, you laughed at both of your children's actions and scooped them ice cream and putted it on their cups, "Would you two like some too?" Kakyoin and Jotaro both nodded.

You grabbed some spare cups and went back to scooping ice cream to each of them, you gave them their ice cream and you went on to scooping yours too, "Kakyoin your hair is sticking on the ice cream." "Well that adds extra flavor!" Kakyoin said as he placed a cherry on top, (C/N1) and (C/N2) happily ate their ice cream, though they both had some all over their face, you laughed inside and realized you had to take this moment, you quickly grabbed a camera in your bag.

"Everyone look here and say Cheese!" you pointed the camera up infront of you, everyone looked as you flashed the camera, Kakyoin's hair noodle was caught on the ice cream, but he looked like he didn't even bother to wipe the ice cream off his hair noodle, Jotaro looked quite in distress but still kept it cool as he ate his ice cream, (C/N1) and (C/N2)'s face looked confused as they were looking at the camera, their cute faces made you smile and so did your two silly husbands in the background, "I'm putting this picture in a frame."

A/N : I hope this one was okay anon!!💞💞 Thank you for requesting!!💞💞(*´ω｀*)

Joot with 55? Male reader if you don't mind. Thanks

*slides $5 to anon* for you, dear anon.

you promised (jotaro x male!reader)

[Sequel to I Promise]

warnings: yandere, unhealthy/toxic relationship, reader is male/amab

55. “I can’t bear the thought of you being with anyone else.”

Available on AO3 here.

⚠ by clicking/tapping "keep reading", you have consented to view dark content. ⚠

✀-------------------------------

He's a strange one, some could call him bizarre, others say he is perfect, but to you...he's psychotic.

It's been days since the lights have been knocked out of you, barely gotten a single answer from why or what has been going through his head ever since he left. Sure it wasn't your business as it was only for him, his mother, and anyone related to know what it was, but you couldn't help but be concerned for what made him act like this. No matter how many times you ask him, he would either ignore you or dodge the question without a word. Any attempt to get any answer out of him would be granted with a scowl or a deadly grip on your arm.

Tonight was different as this time he decides to crack from all of this, but what you expect wasn't pretty.

It was bedtime, everyone was finished eating dinner and heading their separate ways and head to sleep. Jotaro pulls out both of the mats as you were focusing on the moon and stars, hearing nothing but the soft cry of cicadas.

This annoyed Jotaro greatly. "(Y/N)." He clutches his hand on one of the blankets. His patience has already grown thin ever since he took you in, pretending as if nothing happened and only wanted you to be with him, promising to be by his side no matter what.

You ignored his call and continue to look outside, but that moment isn't bound to be long. As Jotaro finishes setting the mats and blankets down, he quickly grabs a book from the nearby shelf and slams it against the wall, breaking the moment between you and the outside world.

Finally he's got your attention.

"Sorry, JoJo" You scratch your head out of embarrassment. "I was just staring at the moon. It sure looks full today, huh?"

Jotaro scowls and shrugs your excuse as nonsense. He knows that was bullshit, and so did you. Even after taking you away from your home and into his own just so he can be by your side-- it was.

And it still is.

You shuffle yourself into your mat, trying your best to ignore Jotaro keeping up with his little charade of being close to you. The soft shuffles of Jotaro comes behind you as you lie down on your side, trying to sleep and let the cycle continue tomorrow.

He finally breaks his silence. "You promised."

You squeeze your fist to resist the urge to punch him. It's not even worth fighting him at all, given his appearance. "I know...it's just..." The words are trailed off from your mouth. How can you address this without Jotaro ignoring this again?

Fuck it. You're just gotta be blunt with him this time. "Maybe things would be better if you didn't take me away from my friends and family, you know? We'll forget all of this happened."

"You know I won't let you. I can't bare the thought of you being with anyone else. I can't stand anyone else in this world but you, and you're the only one that truly loves me."

He's doing it again, and only this time he's guilt tripping you. Ignorant bastard, too stubborn to know all of this is wrong. But it's too late to think about anything right now. This may not be the last straw, but it's about time you create an escape plan earlier than you thought...

Ok, I’m a little nervous posting this.... I’ve started writing a fanfic. I haven't written something for myself like this since... beginning of highshool? literal decades ago?? Please be kind, but also let me know what you think!

Jotarox Reader story

Next Chapter> _____

You crashed through the underbrush of the woods, dodging trees as best you could while avoiding missteps that would cost you precious ground and speed. Your pursuers were even louder than you were, shouting to each other and openly communicating their strategy uncaring if you heard them or not.  Luckily it seems that none of them had a clear shot to shoot you again while you all ran at full speed.

You curse the silver scattershot still in your leg, the allergic reaction to the metal making you unable to shift into your wolf form fully. The best you can do for now is your feet and hands to give you extra traction and claws just in case one of them caught up to you. Your body had immediately started healing itself but the pain of the silver and the energy it took to push the pellets out was taking its toll on your overall energy levels.

A sudden crack of a shotgun breaks your concentration and you stumble for a moment before the pain hits you. One of the bastards clipped your thigh and hip of your already wounded leg. Even if you didn’t hit the ground you wouldn’t have been able to go much further taking that much damage to one side. Your partial change even reverts itself as your body prioritizes healing the new wound leaving you barefoot and clawless on the forest floor. You can’t give up here though. You do your best to keep moving, any direction will do as long as its away from the group of hunters.

You don’t make it to the brush and trees ahead of you before the group clamors into the area. You turn and give your best snarl and growl at them. “Fuckin finally! Yo- get a collar on this bitch and let’s get out of here!” One of them moves forward holding a device. You growl louder as he nears, snapping at air as your instincts scream at you to MOVE, to DO SOMETHING before you are apparently taken captive.

A louder growl echoes from the woods around and all movement in the clearing comes to a halt.

The hair on your arms and neck stands straight up as you recognize another predator has entered the fray.

From your right, between you and the group of hunters steps the largest fully transformed wolf you’ve ever seen. He’s probably close to 8 ft tall and made of solid muscle. His black fur made his ghostly blue eyes shine like spectral fire, like burning stars in the night sky of his face. Your body remains frozen in fear. One on one against the hunters you may have stood a chance, but against this behemoth…

He looks directly at you for a moment and even your breath freezes in your lungs. You are almost relieved when the hunters regroup before you do and stumble into formation while shooting at the newcomer. Their shots all miss their target as the large male moves so fast you swear he teleported.

Now that both threats were fully engaged with each other you move as quickly as you can without the use of your injured leg. You whine quietly as your higher thoughts seem to shut off. All you can do now is find shelter and try to hide from whoever is going to be the victor of the fight happening behind you. The sound of fighting and gunshots grows more distant and you are unsure if its because you are making progress at fleeing the scene or the other wolf is leading them away.

It seems to take forever in your adrenalin and instinct haze but you come across an outcropping of rocks. Perhaps you can fit between them or… wait, there is a ledge. The jutting rock looks like it makes an alcove big enough and deep enough to give you some shelter, or at least limit who would be small enough to come crawling in after you. You shuffle in and lie on your side pressing your back to the solid rock and facing the entrance of your not-quite a cave.

You can’t hear anything for minutes besides your own panting and occasional whine that slips from your throat. You calm down after a bit and realize you really can’t hear any noise, not the sound of fighting but also not the other sounds of the forest. The narrow view out the entrance looks like it has been frozen in time. Not even the trees sway to make a sound in the wind.

The unnatural silence is explained as the massive wolf fills your view of the outside world. He sniffs the air and you realize no matter how good your hiding spot was it had all been for naught as you had left a trail of blood behind in your escape. He looks directly at you and for a moment you are tempted to hide your face and show submission. No. If this is the end you won’t cower like a pup. You hold the eye contact as he shifts away from the entrance.

Then he completely flips your expectations as instead of charging in or trying to dig you out he instead drops his transformation. His black fur sheds to the ground and in its place is slightly tanned skin and short black hair. He’s still one of the largest men you’ve ever seen and has the bone structure of a tank. He slowly removes the oversized coat he’s wearing leaving him in a tight black turtleneck.

He doesn’t break the steady eye contact as he lays the coat on the ground and remains kneeling after spreading it out like a blanket. You hear a low rumble and realize he’s purring.

You let out a loud whine in response, your instincts are begging you to trust this stranger. He’s had ample opportunity to try and attack or threaten but he’s showing you submission. You know he wants to help. He purrs louder in response and lifts his hands out in offering.

You nod to him and slowly crawl out of your hiding spot, keeping weight off your leg as best you can. You stop just before you reach his coat on the ground. The line in the sand. You look at it numbly while your instincts scream at you to just go ahead. He’s offering safety. You need to be safe.

His purrs rumble even louder and he extends his hands again reaching out to you but not grabbing. You nod and take his hands and he pulls you easily to lean on his chest, uncaring that your blood is messing up his white coat and pants. You sigh as you let yourself rest against him. He supports you with a hand in the middle of your back as he leans over to gather his coat from the floor in his other hand.

Carefully he wraps you up in the large coat, which is more like a blanket on you due to it being made for someone so much bigger than you. You rest your head on his shoulder as he stands up with you in his arms and walks calmly into the forest.

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No One Lives Forever: CH2

(AO3 link)

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He’s read somewhere before that purring in animals promotes healing. He’s never felt the need to test this for himself, but even if it doesn’t Jotaro is content to continue for the added benefit of keeping you purring and therefore awake. He could smell the silver still imbedded in your leg and if it weren’t for his coat soaking up the blood still weeping from your wound there would undoubtedly be a clear trail through the woods leading right to you. Like how he found you again in the first place.

Good grief. He was honestly not prepared to deal with this today.

The morning had actually been pretty normal for once. Meaning he was woken up by minimal shouting from Polnareff and the Old Man. Avdol was meditating on the back porch of the cabin. Kakyoin was returning from his walk around the perimeter when the first gunshot rang out in the late morning woods. It was pretty far off, and not that unusual an occurrence for upstate New York. Probably just a local hunter.

The second shot was much closer.

Now on full alert Jotaro could smell blood on the air. Whatever was happening out there it was drawing too close to their territory. It was his job as the alpha to protect the pack now that Joseph was getting up in age. He gives Kakyoin and Polnareff the order to keep guard on the perimeter and dashes out into the woods to solve this problem himself.

Speaking of Kakyoin… Jotaro comes back to the present and freezes in place as the beta makes his way closer. He must still be keyed up from the fight and finding this other wolf, his instincts are screaming at him to not let the other male near the woman he’s carrying. He’s glad his coat is so big on her, obscuring her from the other man. It feels… wrong almost, to have anyone see her wounded, he wants to hide her away… Jotaro shakes his head, yeah his instincts are going haywire.

He nods at Kakyoin but doesn’t move any closer, “You go ahead. Let Avdol know to get the med kit ready.”

Jotaro grips the mystery woman a little tighter when he realizes she’s frozen so still at Kakyoin’s arrival that he can’t even feel her breath. She finally exhales as Kakyoin retreats back the way he came with a nod to Jotaro. He starts purring again to help calm her. If that’s how she reacts to meeting just one person in his pack, well it may be better to get this out of the way now.

“We’re headed to a cabin my pack owns. You’ll meet most of them there, but that guy just now was Kakyoin, our beta. When we get there Avdol is going to help me get you cleaned and patched up. You’ll probably meet my grandpa and Polnareff too. They’re very loud but don’t be afraid, no one is going to hurt you.” There, short and sweet. Plain facts. Hopefully that will stave off any future freak-outs. He feels her nod against his shoulder and grip him tighter for a moment before starting to purr again. Her instincts must be still clouding her thoughts, it seems she’s non-verbal for the time being.

Finally, they reach the clearing where the cabin stands. Cabin may be a misnomer for a structure this size, it more resembles a ski resort than a family vacation cabin. Joseph had, as the head of JoStar Realty Company, decided it may be a good investment and possible new home for the pack out of the city. A one-story structure with a steep roofline to help slough off snow come winter. He sees Avdol is waiting for him on the covered front porch, med kit in hand. Kakyoin must have warned the Old Man and Polnareff to stay quiet and out of the way as they are noticeably not making a ruckus of Jotaro bringing home an injured wolf, an injured female wolf.

He can feel her stiffen a bit as he greets Avdol with a nod and the older man ushers them into the main lounge. He sets her down on the oversized couch and stands back as Avdol approaches, “Hello, my name is Muhammad Avdol. Is it alright if I take a look at your wound?” She nods at him but watches warily as he peels back the part of Jotaro’s coat sticking to her leg.

Avdol guides her to lay down on her side to rest while he works on her leg. Jotaro is left standing for a moment, just watching over the scene not knowing what to do. She seemed to settle ok but she starts to tremble as Avdol gets started. “Do you need anything else Avdol?”

“No, I think we’re all set here. We’ll give you some pain killers miss, and then you can rest.”  With that Jotaro backs away and ignores the way her eyes snap to his form, almost pleading with him to stay. He closes his eyes and makes a hasty retreat to the bathroom to go through the medicines they keep there. Jotaro swears he hears a faint whine as he turns his back.

He quickly finds the pain meds he was looking for and returns to the lounge. He hands her the meds and the glass of water, satisfied when she downs both without question. “Anything else Avdol?”

“No, no. All that’s left is to get her cleaned up and bandaged. Young lady,” Avdol puts a hand on her shoulder and smiles, “you should get some rest while I do this. We promise to keep you safe.”

Jotaro nods at Avdol and turns back to study her face for a second before moving to lift her up. Her eyes widen at the sudden movement and shoot up to meet his gaze as Avdol exclaims, “Jotaro! What are you doing? I still need to treat her…”

“Relax. I’m not taking her anywhere.” He’s glad the Old Man isn’t in the room to comment on the blush on his face as he re-settles the woman so her head is resting on his lap. He keeps hold of her hand in his larger one before moving his fingers to her wrist to keep tabs on her pulse. She seems to take comfort in the fact he’s not leaving again and relaxes more into him. “Hey,” she looks up at him and he almost forgets his question. He clears his throat to cover it, “What’s your name?”

“Its (y/n).”

“I’m Jotaro.”

She smiles up so sweetly and relaxes more even as Avdol picks more and more shot out of her leg. She falls asleep quickly, her body using all remaining energy to speed up her healing. He pulls his jacket more securely over her shoulders, its going to need a deep clean later to get the smell of her blood out, if its salvageable at all.

After a while Jotaro is startled out of his wandering thoughts when Avdol stands up from the small footstool he’d been sitting on to work. He wipes his hands on a towel “Well, she’s lost a good amount of blood but as long as she doesn’t develop an infection, I think she should be fine. The silver didn’t have enough time to cause any long-term reaction and her body is already speeding up the healing process.”

Jotaro just nods at the older wolf, his hand moving up to hold onto her fingers instead of her wrist.

“I’ll start on dinner; some beef stew should help her restore her iron levels and get back on her feet.” With that Avdol leaves Jotaro and their newest pack member in the lounge to recover.

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I’ve come up with a pretty neat idea for a full length story. So this is my life now. I look forward to thanking you all when I re-hash this into a work I can publish for real :)

No One Lives Forever- CH3

(AO3 link)

Stardust Crusader Wolf Pack AU

[From the beginning- CH1]

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Joseph always knew his grandson had a big heart to match that big body of his, he was a Joestar after all. But unlike his mother and his grandpa, Jotaro didn’t tend to wear his heart on his sleeve. He kept his emotions hidden, like how he would keep his eyes hidden behind that silly hat. So, Joseph isn’t surprised when Kakyoin rushes into the clearing by the cabin where he and Polnareff have been on guard and announces that Jotaro is bringing someone back with him from the fight. An injured someone.

What does surprise him is Kakyoin’s insistence that he and Pol make themselves scarce for the time being. Apparently Jotaro is still keyed up from the fight and it would be best not to disturb him and their mystery guest while he came down off the high of transforming and fighting. What could have bothered Jotaro so much that he wouldn’t want to see his own Grandpa after a fight?

He and Pol make themselves useful. For a while. Scouting around away from the cabin. Trying to pick up the scent of any others that may be in the area or getting too close to their new territory. Doing outside chores…. But there is only so much wood he can chop and haul! He’s dying to know what’s going on in the cabin!

Finally, Avdol makes his way out to where they were working- its all clear to come back to the cabin now but their guest is resting so please be quiet -Mr. Joestar! Well, that’s a little unfair. He’s not that much louder than Polnareff when he’s excited.

Entering the main lounge of the cabin he sees why Avdol called him out, and was right to do so. The domestic scene of his grandson and a woman he’s never met resting on the large couch by the fireplace has him slapping his hand over his mouth to prevent the “OH MY GOD!” from coming out. Oh, this calls for celebration!  Hm, he may be getting ahead of himself here though.

Jotaro finally notices his presence in the room and he see’s the boy’s muscles jump and fists clench like he’s going to leap right out of his seat. Yeah, his instincts are still in overdrive. The need to protect this new potential mate too great to ignore, especially after fighting to bring her to safety. He’ll have to be delicate in how he breaches this subject. Jotaro may be academically and strategically savvy, but his emotional intelligence leaves something to be desired.

Perhaps it would be best to not talk about it directly.

Joseph makes his way to the overstuffed armchair across from the couple on the couch. Enough space between the alpha wolves to be comfortable but still have a conversation. He gets a better look at the mystery woman as he studies the scene more closely. She was a looker alright, but the bandages and smell of blood lingering in the air is disturbing to him, he can only imagine how Jotaro is feeling behind that emotional wall he builds up. “Did I ever tell you the story about how your great Uncle Caesar and I defeated the Proto-Fae?”

“Only every chance you get.” Jotaro smirks as he shakes his head and leans back into the couch.

Joseph just laughs, “Well yes, I suppose I tell that one often. But have I ever told you about the time one of them almost killed your grandma Suzie?”

Jotaro’s breathing stutters to a halt and his eyes narrow on his grandpa.

“Relax, relax. I saved her. It all worked out in the end. But now you know the end of the story let me tell you the beginning and the middle.” Joseph settles further back into the chair and Jotaro subconsciously copies his move.

“It was the day after I had defeated the 2nd Proto-Fae, Esidisi. I had just returned from the battle to the main rooms, but what I didn’t know was that the parasite had attached himself to me and hitched a ride inside and out of the sun! The bastard was nothing but a pile of nerves, like a jellyfish! He snuck away without me realizing he was there and the next thing I know, he’s possessed poor Susie Q.” Joseph sighs and runs a hand through his greying hair. He looks to the fire as he seems to gather himself.

“That fight. I had to fight Susie to save her from that beast. It was by far the worst fight I’ve ever been in. The first time I smelled her blood, my instincts just went into overdrive. Up until that day I had only passingly considered courting her, I wasn’t ready for a mate and the whole ‘Beasts taking over the world’ thing was going on. But she was in danger. And suddenly I knew that I had to be the one to save her, I had to keep her safe, keep her close always.”

He leans back again and claps his hands to his knees quietly, “I did end up outsmarting the bastard a second time with Caesars help- had to wait for the sun to come up and enter the room before I could fling him off of her and watch him burn. The next day was the second hardest day in my life, I had to leave her to recover by herself to fight the last two monsters.” Joseph sigs again looking a little deflated and more his age. “I swore to her I’d come back for her.” His mood suddenly shifts as he exclaims, “Ha, what she didn’t know was that I promised myself that if I did die, I was going to come back as a ghost and haunt her anyway!”

“Ah, but you know the rest of the story from there. We fight the last two, we all live, everything works out in the end. But those two days. Those two are the worst days of my life. Now,” Joseph leans forward and nods to the still sleeping woman, “I’m not saying that’s what’s going on with you, but finding a possible mate – especially when they need you – it will drive your instincts crazy. Pay attention to your instincts, you have them for a reason.”

“Good grief. Is that what the point of that story was?” Jotaro shakes his head but doesn’t move to flee the area like Joseph anticipated he would if feelings were being discussed. He actually seems to relax further as he looks down at the woman sleeping on his lap. Jotaro looks at his hand holding hers like he just realized it was his own.

“That would explain… I killed the hunting group that did this to her. Even after they started to retreat. I didn’t slow down or stop to question who they were or why they were here. I… lost myself. The only thing I could think of was finding her again. Bring her back here, where she’d be safe.” Jotaro looks up again, searching his grandpas face for understanding. “Kakyoin met me halfway here.”

“Yes, he was the one to shoo Pol and I away.”’

“I didn’t want even Kakyoin to see her, no one should see her hurt. Vulnerable. I guess what I’m saying is, it makes a little more sense now. If my instincts are locked onto her being a possible mate.”

“You’re forgetting something though.” Jotaro raises and eyebrow at the older alpha. “You are a Joestar by blood. When we find a mate, that’s it. Think back, how many girls threw themselves at you growing up? Knowing you, you only ever felt annoyed by them, right? I’m not claiming to be an expert on everything going on in that noggin of yours, but like I said, listen to your instincts. Joestar instincts are never wrong about this kind of thing.”

Jotaro looks annoyed for a moment but ultimately just sighs and looks away with a nod. He gets the feeling his grandson is going to need more convincing later but for now its enough that he got the gears in motion. Whatever is going to happen is out of his hands now.

With that Joseph stands and makes his way to the kitchen to help Avdol with the food. Or just steal some of the meal being prepared and dash before he’s caught.

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I’m going to aim for at least once weekly updates for this story, I have a fair bit of vacation time and no where to go this year so I’m going to get a head start!

No One Lives Forever- CH4

(AO3 link)

Stardust Crusader Wolf Pack AU

[From the beginning- CH1]

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It took time to feel like he really belonged to the Joestar pack- not being related by blood or adoption like most of the others, but Kakyoin felt like he learned to navigate the dynamics fairly well. After being isolated for so long with just his father and human mother it seemed almost like fate when he met Jotaro at college. Both had chosen to attend Cornell to escape the bounds of family territory and struck up a fast friendship even though they were studying for different professions. Kakyoin’s gift for art and science led him to study architecture, while Jotaro seemed to select ecology and forest management on the basis that he would be guaranteed time away from people and in nature.

The years at school quickly passed and it became more unusual for Kakyoin to return to his father and mother’s house for breaks than accompany Jotaro back to NYC to be with the rest of his pack. He still made an effort to speak with his parents of course, and video calls made it much easier on all of them, but his father always had been a lone wolf. Not much room in his life for other people- including his wife and son. So, when Jotaro took up the responsibilities of pack alpha it wasn’t a hard choice for Kakyoin to follow as the beta.

Even after knowing Jotaro for 10 years, the man still manages to surprise him though. This time he’s almost overwhelmed because that’s another wolf he’s carrying through the forest. Kakyoin is stopped in his tracks, probably a good thing he’s stunned silent as Jotaro seems unusually agitated. What are they going to do? Obviously, she’s not the threat if Jotaro’s bringing her back to the cabin, but she’s another wolf in their territory. Are they going to let her pass through? Or invite her to stay, at least until the mystery of why she’s injured is cleared up? What is the rest of the pack going to do, do they…?

Kakyoin’s spiraling thoughts are cut off as he processes the order from his alpha. Right, he’ll clear the way, make it safe for the new packmate.

He runs into Mr. Joestar and Polnareff first in the clearing in front of the cabin and promptly sends them out in the opposite direction after explaining the circumstance. Avdol is swift in his search for the first aid kit, so Kakyoin goes on patrol around the perimeter again. No telling what other bizarre thing was going to happen this afternoon, it was best to be prepared.

It seems like forever but what was probably two hours at most he hears Avdol tell the others it was ok to go inside again, but to be respectful of their guest. Guest… his instincts may have been right earlier about the ‘new packmate’. Kakyoin finishes the last leg of his patrol before he too goes inside. Mr. Joestar has already made himself comfortable in the big arm chair in the lounge, Kakyoin can only see the top of the woman’s head from this angle, but the smell of her blood is still in the air almost making him nauseous. Polnareff is hovering in the doorway leading to the kitchen and dining room so he ushers him in to sit and leave the two alphas to discuss whatever business they had.

Avdol is rummaging through the fridge when Kakyoin makes his way into the kitchen, “Avdol?”

“Hmm? Ah, Kakyoin. You’re curious about our guest, yes? Help me prepare the meal while I tell you what I know.”

“Tell me how I can help.”

“Here, cut this into cubes while I gather the rest.” Avdol hands over the large selection of meat he’d retrieved from the fridge, “Unfortunately I don’t know much right now. Her name is (y/n). She sustained an injury to her leg. Multiple injuries actually. With silver birdshot.”

“Silver? Her attackers knew she was a wolf?”

“Wolf hunters are uncommon nowadays, but not unheard of. No. I’m more concerned that it was small pellets used. The hunters weren’t aiming to kill.”

Kakyoin nearly drops the knife he was holding over the cutting board, “Not aiming to kill? What kind of hunter doesn’t kill their prey?”

“The worst kind.”

The kitchen is silent while the two men work to prepare the food. Once the ingredients are all in the pot and simmering away Kakyoin retreats to his own room to contemplate the situation.

Without more information to go over he’s stuck in a loop. It’s a welcome interruption when Avdol calls him for dinner, hopefully they’ll get to the bottom of this quickly and lay it to rest.

Avdol must have been keeping his mind occupied with cooking, the table has an assortment of bread rolls and side dishes that were not even started when Kakyoin left the kitchen. He takes his seat at the large round table between an already seated Mr. Joestar and Polnareff. Avdol is placing the last dish on the table when they all flinch at the quiet whine of pain from the lounge area.

Jotaro and (y/n) make their way into the dining room and everyone seems to freeze for a moment. She hesitates but seems to pull herself to stand up straighter and lean less on Jotaro’s arm as they walk to the open seats. Another realization snaps into place in Kakyoin’s mind. This woman is not just another member of the pack, he’d bet his last dollar she’s another alpha.

“(Name), this is the pack. Everyone, this is (Name).” Jotaro does a poor job of introducing them, he seems to be more focused on loading up his plate and subtly offering the food to (y/n). They go around the table and introduce themselves properly and she seems to settle into her seat as everyone begins eating.

“I don’t mean to push you unnecessarily, but,” Kakyoin is interrupted by Polnareff.

“What the hell happened out there?”

Jotaro growls a bit at the line of questioning but Kakyoin persists, “I wouldn’t have put it quite like that, but you see we…”

“Noriaki.”

Jotaro doesn’t have to say more, the command was evident in his tone. Stop questioning, now.

(y/n) doesn’t heed this warning though. Instead, she puts a hand on his arm as if to hold Jotaro back before she addresses the group. “You guys deserve to know the truth. I don’t blame you for wanting to know what happened in your territory.” She pauses and puts her hands in her lap, head bowed as if apologizing. “I’m sorry I brought the trouble to your doorstep, but the ones who shot me, they were a band of wolf hunters. That wasn’t even the first time I’ve run into these ones, but that was the closest they’ve ever gotten to…” (y/n) trails off as Jotaro growls a bit more. It’s unlike him to be so expressive, he must still be reeling from his shift.

“Anyway, they’ve been on my tail since the last town over. I thought I’d have an advantage if I got away from humans and could shift and take them on, but they ran me off the road when I wasn’t expecting it. So I ran. All I could think of is I should have listened to my parents, not strayed so far from family territory.” She shakes her head to clear it before continuing.

“It’s been getting bad for lone wolves for a while now. You hear rumors and think ‘oh that won’t happen to me’. I’m not even sure what gang, or cartel, or whatever these guys were working for. I doubt they were just ordinary religious zealots; I don’t think I would have gotten away if they were.” (y/n) looks down at her plate and picks around at her food as the pack takes in this information.

Kakyoin feels a cold chill move down his spine. It has been a long time since he’s been a lone wolf. But he remembers. How isolating it was, no support system, far away from home territory…

“I’m sorry for entering your territory without permission. But I want to thank you. For helping me,” she turns and looks at Jotaro, “for saving me.”

Jotaro has been entirely focused on (y/n) throughout dinner, this may be the first time he looks away from her as he lets out a gruff “Don’t mention it.”

Kakyoin wears a small smile on his face. Yeah, Jotaro is hooked already.

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I hope you are all ready for what’s coming- I finished my first draft outline for this story and its currently sitting at 52 chapters total. Expect a lot more action, monsters, supernatural things, new original characters! I’m still going to aim for at LEAST one chapter a week, but with the outline done it may be more if I have time :)

No One Lives Forever- CH5

(AO3 link)

Stardust Crusader Wolf Pack AU

[From the beginning- CH1]

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You wake up to a gentle tapping on your arm and the smell of home cooked food wafting around the cabin. You sit up with a yawn, lifting yourself off the man who rescued you and freeing his legs. Looking down to your bandaged leg you can tell the nap (and the pain meds) really helped numb the area, at least until you’d have to move. The man – Jotaro, his name’s Jotaro- looks down at you from where he’s standing, blue-green eyes lingering on your wounded leg as well before he offers a hand to help you up.

You can’t help the slight whine of pain that slips from your mouth, but quickly rally yourself and shift your weight to your good leg. You refuse to let go of Jotaro’s arm; you know you won’t make it far without leaning on him. He seems to be a man of few words but Jotaro understands exactly what’s going on and holds his arm firm and steady as you grip it with both hands and hobble forward to the other room where the meal has been set out.

You make it to the dining room with his help and freeze when you realize how many men are here in the house. You make an effort to straighten up and lean less on Jotaro as you both make it to the empty seats. You realize no one’s started in on the food yet as Jotaro starts heap food onto his plate. They were waiting for him to start- oh god, he’s the alpha, isn’t he? Good thing you seem to be on his good side already. Less risk of being forced out of the pack’s territory and into the path of more hunters if you had Jotaro on your side.

The redhead at the table seems ready to burst with questions, you can tell he’s doing his very best to be polite about it at least, not like the guy with the silver mohawk. Your explanation and apology seem to set everyone on edge, but they’re not throwing out accusations at you, so it must be the fact that there were wolf hunters in their territory.

It’s quiet for a minute until the older man- Joseph- regales you all with a story from his youth, how he once… crashed a plane while battling a god?

By the end of dinner, you are full of delicious food and exhausted. Just sitting upright for an hour has taken a toll and you’re pretty sure the pain killers are wearing off. Your leg throbs as you shift a bit to get the blood flowing. The rest of the guys clear out of the dining room, bringing plates and leftovers to the kitchen. Jotaro stands and offers you a hand to stand up.

“Thanks.” You wince at how out of breath you sound and sigh as you take his hand.

He looks like he’s thinking hard about something before instead of pulling you to your feet he bends down and puts your arm around his neck. “What? Wait! I can walk, I’m fine!” You’re flustered to be back in his arms as he ignores you and lifts you from your chair.

“Its fine. You’re tired, and there’s no sense straining yourself just to walk down the hall.” You let out a little huff at his logic and can’t help the soft purr that builds in your chest and you accept your fate. He purrs back in response and you melt further into his hold.

He carries you out of the dining room, but you must be more tired than you realized because when you blink and open your eyes again you’re suddenly in a hallway. Jotaro has stopped in front of one of the doors, another very serious look on his face as he thinks. You hum a little to catch his attention, and it works as those aqua eyes snap to meet your gaze.

He sighs and averts his eyes, “We… don’t have a guest room here. You’ll have to get settled in my room. I’ll sleep in the lounge.”

“Oh! No, you don’t have to… I can sleep in the lounge! I don’t want to be an inconvenience.”

“No, you need proper rest. And a room with a door. You don’t know how loud the old man and Polnareff can be yet.” He wears a small smile as he opens the door and makes his way inside, setting you on the queen bed. Besides the bed there is only a cheap night stand in the room. They must have just been here for a guy’s trip or something, the space doesn’t feel very lived in.

He turns and rummages through a travel bag while you survey the room and turns around holding a bundle of clothes. “You can wear some of my PJs. Do you need help getting to the bathroom?” he nods over to the other door in the room that apparently is not a closet like you had thought.

“Thanks. Just to the door is fine. The hardest part is getting up again, I think I can put a little weight on it right now.” You nod as he reaches and helps you to your feet again. You are able to hobble to the bathroom with his help and he sets the bundle of clothes on the sink counter.

He lets go of you and rummages in a linen closet for a minute, turning back to you with a slightly dusty and mis-matched washcloth and hand towel. “Sorry, this is all that I have here, I’ll go see if the other bathrooms have a real towel or something.”

“It’s fine, this will do. I’ll just get the worst of it off right now.” You pause for a moment, trying to think of a way to word your next question. “You, uh. You guys haven’t been here that long, have you? Were you guys on a hunting trip or something? Guys weekend?”

Jotaro hums to himself, “Something like that. We were actually scouting it to expand our territory. This was our test run to see if we liked it enough to stay. But you’re right, we’ve only been here a few days now.”

“Ahh. Wow,” your eyes widen as you realize, “I must have used up all my good karma or something to run right into your new territory. What are the odds…” You trail off as you realize how badly today could have gone for you. You’re shaken from your worried thoughts by Jotaro’s hand on your shoulder.

“Hey. You’re safe now. You can stick with us as long as you need.” You smile and nod at him. “I’ll let you get cleaned up. I’ll be just down the hall if you need me.”

He turns to leave but something possesses you take hold of his hand before he can make it out the doorway. “I… Don’t want to be alone, tonight I mean… You don’t have to sleep in the lounge if you don’t want to, the bed looked big enough…” Oh jeez, you can feel how hot your face is from the blood rushing to it. You’re sure if you turned to the mirror instead of looking at your feet you’d see a previously undiscovered shade of red.

“Alright, if you’re sure.” He… agreed? You can’t help but smile as you look back up to his face, embarrassment forgotten. He’s smiling a little too and you have a feeling this is normally a rare sight. He heads for the door again, “I’ll get some more pillows while you get changed then.”

You shut the door behind him and turn to the bundle he left for you. T-shit and sweatpants. Good thing they were the kind with a drawstring, you had a feeling they were going to need rolled up at the ankle and the waist with how tall Jotaro is. You turn to your reflection for the first time tonight and are surprised with how pale you are, probably still anemic from your earlier injury.

You do your best to clean up the leftover dirt and smudges of blood and run your fingers through your hair as well as you can- a quick search of the bathroom had yielded no comb. You quickly don the sleep clothes and roll up the pants so you don’t trip on your short journey to the bed. You exit the bathroom and hobble your way to the bed, hand on the wall to support yourself. Jotaro comes back into the room holding two more pillows and a blanket he’s found. He must have changed as well, but you have to admit he fills out the simple clothes well.

You both settle into bed side by side. He’s opted to be a gentleman and keep a layer of sheets between you and let you have the thicker blanket all to yourself. You’re still tense, sharing a bed with a virtual stranger, but then you take a deep breath and all you can smell is him. Instantly you are calmed, enough that you unintentionally start purring again. What is up with your instincts today? You’ve never given into them so easy, were you still on edge from the chase earlier? That must be it.  The close call must still be on your subconscious mind, you’ve never been that close to…

Your thoughts are derailed again as he purrs in response to your distress, but the fear and stress you’d felt in the forest still lingers in your mind. You wish you could relax like you had been for your nap earlier. Maybe a little bit of embarrassment now would be worth a good night’s rest?

“Ok, so this may be a dumb question, but,” you pause and inhale to build your courage, “can I… just… hold your hand? So I know you’re there? That it’s you?”

He shifts around a bit and you hear a muffled ‘Good grief’ as he turns his head to you.

You look away to try and avoid the awkwardness as best you can, “Fine, just thought I’d ask. I knew it was dumb.”

“Hmm. That wasn’t a no.” He pulls his hand free of the blankets and holds it out next to you. You marvel a bit at how large his hand is compared to yours as you grasp it. You feel almost tingly as you both settle down to sleep again. This time your thoughts anchored to the present, not the terrifying chase through the forest.

<Previous Chapter    Next Chapter>

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

Some eagle eyed readers may have caught that I’ve changed at least Polnareff’s appearance a bit. This story takes place sometime between 2014-2018 so I’m modernizing their outfits somewhat- including Polnareff’s hairstyle lol.

No One Lives Forever- CH6

(AO3 link)

Stardust Crusader Wolf Pack AU

[From the beginning- CH1]

<Previous Chapter    Next Chapter>

Jotaro is woken up by the gentle rays of the sun shining through the only window of the room, feeling not necessarily more well rested than usual but calmer. Contented. You are still asleep when he turns to face you. Neither of you had moved much during the night but he’s surprised your hands are still linked together on top of the blankets. He takes a second to decide if he really wants to be awake right now, he’s not used to feeling happy to wake up next to someone else. But ultimately, he’s not tired enough to fall back to sleep and it feels creepy to just stare at someone while they sleep. So, he carefully separates his hand from yours and gets ready for the day.

Exiting the attached bathroom after finishing his morning routine he sees that you’ve also woken up. Well maybe ‘awake’ isn’t the right word. You’re sitting up in the bed but he can’t see if your eyes are even open with how low your head is hanging, your hair obscuring your face. You seem to sense him getting closer and lift your head, only one eye open and squinting at him. Jotaro can’t help the chuckle that slips past his lips, it seems you are not much of a morning person.

“It’s still early. Go back to sleep.”

You have no arguments to this. With a sigh and a flop, you move yourself to the center of the bed and curl all the blankets and sheets around you. Jotaro catches a mumbled “OK. Thanks,” as he picks up his half-torn hat from the night stand and leaves the room.

He’s not surprised to see that Avdol and Kakyoin are already awake and enjoying the start of their day in peace and quiet, counting down the moments till Polnareff and Joseph wake up. Hmm, he should have warned them to be quiet before he went to bed last night. Then again, he didn’t really stick around after dinner to talk things out with his pack. The blood rushes to his cheeks and he tilts his head down so the brim of his hat can shield him. Good grief, they must think he’s some love-struck pup. One girl shows up and he drops all responsibilities to follow after her…

“Ah! Jotaro!” Joseph doesn’t exactly shout at him, but it’s close as the older man walks down the hall, Polnareff following behind him. “Good to see you’re up! You disappeared on us last night.”

“Well can you blame him? Who wants to hang out with us when there is a pretty girl in your bed?”

Jotaro growls a bit at Polnareff, “Don’t be perverted. Both of you knock it off.”

“Easy son, we’re just kidding. Right Pol?” Joseph elbows the platinum blond hard in the stomach. It was one thing for him to tease his grandson, but Pol had a habit of taking things too far. Better to nip this in the bud before they get into a real fight over it. Pol wheezes out a half-hearted apology and Joseph turns back to Jotaro with a more serious look in his eye.

“All joking aside, we do need to discuss this. As a pack.”

Jotaro nods and gestures for the other two men to make their way to the lounge. Once everyone is seated Joseph begins, “So. As exciting as yesterday was, we need to do some damage control and planning. We need to figure out if this was just a rogue group or if they had purpose for being this far out away from towns.”

“Avdol said (y/n)’s wounds were from small shot, and not a killing blow.” Kakyoin added, “But the pellets were silver. Someone was hunting wolves specifically. And planning on taking them captive.”

“We need more information. I’ll lead Polnareff and Gramps back to where I left the hunters. We can see if there are any more clues to who they were.” Jotaro stands as he announces the plan, “Kakyoin, Avdol. Hold down the fort here. I’m trusting you two with…”

“Ah, I see how it is. You don’t want me around for my amazing tracking skills- non! You just don’t want two, what did you call us? Perverts? Around the little lady.”

With a sigh, Joseph starts forcibly pushing Polnareff out the front door. “We’ll be outside Jotaro. Someone needs a lesson on what is appropriate to joke about so early in the morning.” The front door closes with a slam and a muffled smack is heard soon after.

Jotaro shakes his head and exhales loudly out his nose. “Well, he’s half right. Except I do need his tracking skills for this.” He catches the smirks from the remaining two men. “We won’t be too far out I don’t think. Howl if anything goes wrong, we’ll keep an ear out.”

“Same to you. Good luck finding what you need.” Avdol bids him farewell and Kakyoin gives a small wave farewell as Jotaro joins the other two outside.

Polnareff is holding the back of his head and looking more downcast than when he was inside, the older alpha must have dished out some discipline to the younger man. “Hey, Jotaro. No hard feelings, right? I was only joking.”

“It’s fine. This whole situation just has me on edge. Just… don’t.”

“Ah, no worries mon amie! I promise I won’t make anymore jokes about our new packmate.”

“New packmate? Hmm. We’ll need to discuss that later. First things first.” Jotaro motioned with a nod to the forest in front of them. “I’ll take lead getting us there. I left them by the lake but think we need to bring some shovels just in case. That ecosystem can’t handle all of the bodies at once.”

Gathering up some shovels and rope the three men made their way into the forest, backtracking the smell of blood past an outcropping of rocks then turning sharply to the south. The trip took about a half hour on foot, covering up the blood trail as they went to prevent any nosy hikers or forestry department personnel from following it. Finally, they reached their destination, not far from the clearing where you first saw Jotaro in his beastly form.

The remains from the four werewolf hunters were scattered over the forest floor, and although Jotaro had been fast at dispatching them, he was also brutal. Savage bites and claw marks indicated that all four were assuredly dead before Jotaro left them, none of them had bled out. Small scavengers had already made a meal out of the easy pickings, by the scent of the trail it must have been a few coyotes.

Polnareff goes up to the nearest body and starts rummaging in the pockets, Jotaro and Joseph follow his lead. Gathering wallets, extra ammo, and gear they bring what they find to a clear spot not to far away, making sure to keep the belongings separated according to which body they were found on as per Polnareff’s instructions.

As Jotaro searches through the pockets of the last hunter, something seems off to him about this body. None of the others had smelled like anything supernatural, the opposite; they had smelled just of silver and wolfbane. “Gramps, Pol. Come take a look at this one. Or a smell I should say.” The other two meet him at the side of the corpse. “You guys ever smell something like that? It’s not coming from him, more like he touched something and it stuck to him.”

“Hmm, that is weird. He doesn’t have any gear that is giving off that smell, does he?” Joseph crouches down to get a better look at the man. “Pol? Hey Pol, snap out of it!”

Polnareff seems to be in shock from the scent that is clinging to the dead hunter, “I… I know that smell. I had hoped to never catch a whiff of him again!”

“You know it? Well spit it out man!” Joseph shouts, impatient with the younger man’s stalling.

“I met him years before I joined this pack. He called himself DIO!” Polnareff exclaims before grabbing Joseph by the shoulders, “That man; he’s pure evil. I’ve never met another creature like him before or since!”

“You said DIO? That can’t be! How would he have…” Joseph’s eyes go wide as he shouts back in Polnareff’s face, “OH MY GOD! That slimy son of a bitch! After all these years! All these centuries!”

“Old man, what are you talking about?” Jotaro basically pries Polnareff’s hands from his grandpa, both men so distracted that they don’t notice. “Who the hell is DIO?”

“I… I don’t know where to begin! Polnareff is right, he’s the living incarnation of evil! My grandfather, Jonathan, was killed by that bastard! And my father as well by his devoted followers!” Joseph clenches his fists and grits his teeth, “He is the enemy of all Joestars!”

“Hold on old man, you are saying that this guy, DIO, killed your grandpa? How do you even know he’s talking about the same guy? It’d be impossible for it to be him,” Jotaro looks between Polnareff and Joseph, “look, we will talk about this more at the cabin. For right now we need to focus. Besides the weird smell that may- or may not- be this mythical DIO guy, what else do we have to go on?”

Joseph takes a deep breath and collects himself, Polnareff however remains on edge as the cloying stink of magic remains in the air.  “You’re right son, you’re right. Ok, the guy over there had his wallet on him. Just his ID, some credit cards and some cash.” Joseph pulls out the items one by one from the wallet, replacing the cards and cash and keeping the ID out to look at.

Polnareff regains his focus and takes a closer look at the ID. Pulling out the wallets and IDs from the other hunters he studies each one. “The addresses, they are all from the boroughs around the city. Except smelly guy here, he’s from Jersey.”

“Gramps, hold onto those. We can do some research when we get back. Anything else?” Joseph nods to Jotaro and holds out some of the ammo collected from the hunter’s gear.

“Found extra shot on them, its all silver by the smell.”

“And I found this on the other guy over there.” Polnareff holds out a thin strap, made of some kind of flexible plastic with a large protruding box fitted to it. “It looks like it has a clasp. I’m going to see if I can get it working.” As Polnareff clicks together the clasp the box device beeps loudly in the stillness of the forest. A puff of air is released right before a static shock emits from the prongs hidden on the inside of the box. Quickly, Polnareff drops it to avoid being shocked and steps back. “Uggh. I think I’m gonna be sick. Smells like… concentrated wolfsbane.”

Once the initial shock is discharged Jotaro quickly unclasps the collar and deactivates the device. “We’ll take this stuff back with us, let Avdol and Kakyoin have a look. See if (y/n) recognizes any of them from their ID’s.” Surveying the area quickly Jotaro makes a decision, “We’re further from the lake than I thought. We’ll have to bury them all.”

The men make quick work of digging the shallow graves, barely an hour goes by before they are dumping the last body into a ditch. Polnareff makes sure to rip a piece of the fabric from the odd smelling man for further investigation. As they finish their grim work Jotaro picks up on his grandfathers’ pensive mood and unusual silence. “What are you thinking about, gramps?”

“Hmm. It’s that man, DIO. I know you don’t believe that the DIO Polnareff mentioned could be the same as the one who killed our ancestor, but the coincidence… That he’s another evil man named DIO that is now entangled in the Joestar bloodline? And the whole reason we’re here, at the cabin at all…”

“I agree with Mr. Joestar, the coincidence is too unlikely to not be fate. Non, there is something at work here.”

“You think the appearance of this DIO guy and the city getting more dangerous for wolves is connected somehow?” Jotaro pinches the bridge of his nose as he closes his eyes, “Polnareff, you said you met him years before you joined us. That would put the timing right around when wolves started going missing in the city.”

Joseph nods sagely at this connection made, “I’ll give Caesar a ring when we get back, let him and Suzie know we’re cutting this trip short.” He crosses his arms and snorts, “Even if this has nothing to do with DIO, these hunters were here to capture a wolf alive. They didn’t know we were here, which is more concerning cause it means their operation has escaped my notice! I’m Joseph Joestar! And they’ve been abducting wolves outside of MY CITY? Under MY NOSE?” The bristly hair on Josephs arms and face stand on end as he nearly triggers a shift in his anger.

Polnareff is not doing much better to contain himself, the memories of meeting the evil man replaying in his head. Combined with the knowledge of what the hunters were set out to do. “(y/n) said they drove her off the road yesterday. I’m going to take a walk and see if I can find the cars and more clues.” There is a deep growl permeating Polnareff’s words and Jotaro can tell he’s going to take the walk in his wolf form. “I’ll meet you back when I’m done.”

“Take the time you need to cool off Pol.” Jotaro nods at the blond in understanding, the gravity of the situation sitting heavily on everyone’s shoulders. “We’ll see if (y/n) knows anything else about these guys or what they were doing. She’s our only living link to this right now.” Polnareff sighs and nods back, already starting his shift into a massive white werewolf. He quickly picks up the trail the hunters left and sets out on his own.

Jotaro and Joseph follow the trail back to the cabin in silence.

The smell of bacon and eggs hits them as they walk through the front door. A quick look in the kitchen reveals its Kakyoin taking his turn to prepare the meal, you and Avdol are in the dining room setting the table for brunch. Avdol is the first to greet them, “Welcome back. Find anything of interest?” His eyebrows furrow, “Where is Polnareff? Did he not come back with you?”

“No, he went on ahead to check out the cars for clues.” Jotaro says, shaking his head. “We found some things… Lets talk about this after we eat.” Avdol just nods and makes his way to the kitchen to help Kakyoin. Jotaro turns to you and you feel his eyes sweep over you quickly. You’re still dressed in his borrowed night clothes as you have nothing to change into. “Your leg doing better today?”

“Yeah, much better. Just a little stiff, and Mr. Avdol helped me change the bandage already. I should be good as new in a few days.”

“Good. That’s good.” Jotaro sticks his hands in his pockets and leans back. “Like I said, you can stay as long as you need. We… well we’ll discuss it after breakfast, but there was some concerning stuff we found out there. And, I’d… We’d feel better if you stuck with us for a while.”

You frown a bit as the seriousness of the situation weighs on your shoulders, “That makes sense. Honestly, I’m not in a hurry to go wandering off on my own again. Its… nice. Being with other wolves again.” You smile at him and you swear there’s a hint of a smile on his face too before both of your attention snaps to the doorway where Kakyoin is carrying in a serving plate of food. Avdol and Joseph follow him in with the rest of the meal and drinks and you all sit down at the table. “Should we wait for Mr. Polnareff?” You ask looking around at the other men.

Jotaro shakes his head, “No. We don’t know how long he’s going to be gone. We’ll set him aside a plate and some leftovers.” Joseph nods in agreement before starting to pass around the food. The meal is eaten in near silence, Joseph and Jotaro’s tense mood spreading to the others. Once the meal is finished and leftovers put away the pack reconvenes at the dining room table.

Joseph lays the items they took off the hunter’s bodies in the center of the table, “This is the stuff we found on them. As you can see,” he gestures to the rounds of ammunition and the collar device they found, “they came prepared.”

“(y/n), can you tell us if you recognize any of these men?” Jotaro passes the IDs to you as Kakyoin and Avdol examine the other items more closely.

You study the faces and names closely but nothing seems familiar to you. Their photos are almost disturbingly normal looking, they look like average guys but they were capable of such violence? “No, I’ve never met them at all. At least not before yesterday.”

“That’s part of what has us so on edge actually.” Joseph lifts his chin to nod at the collection of gear on the table. “They were professional hunters then. You weren’t targeted for personal reasons. Just the nature of what you are.”

“What is the other concerning part then?” Kakyoin questions the alpha.

“We believe you were right when you deduced that they intended to take (y/n) with them alive. We found this,” Jotaro taps the band of the collar device with his index finger, “on one of the hunters. When the clasp is latched it releases concentrated wolfsbane and an electric shock.” You go pale as you wrap your arms around yourself for comfort. The rest of the pack looks pale and shaken as well, hard stares looking at the cursed device and glancing to you occasionally. “(y/n). We need you to tell us exactly what happened. Starting with where you came in contact with these guys.”

You nod and take a sip of your water before starting your summary of events. “I realized there was something wrong when I left the last town I stayed in; I think it was still in Pennsylvania at the time. I picked up some under the table waitressing job to make some cash and was on my way to see Niagara Falls for my next stop.” You look at the IDs laid out on the table again, pointing to one of them, “I noticed a white van pull out behind me, I think this guy was driving it. I remember his dumb Clark Kent looking glasses. Anyway, I thought it was just another driver at first, until I had to make a pitstop for gas. They must have been far enough back that I didn’t see them get off on the same exit, but when I got back to my car after paying, I saw the van pull around the side of the building.”

You blush and look down at the table, “I kind of panicked then, instead of getting back on the freeway I took some random turns in hopes I would lose them. I thought I did and just ended up driving for a few hours north. But then they caught up to me.” You put your arm on the table and rest your forehead in your palm, “I was looking for a good place to turn off and just fight them, but they ran me off the road before I could find a place. When I got out, I tried to run but they shot at me.” You pick your head up to look at Jotaro, his face set in grim determination as he listened to your account of events. “I guess you know the rest. Jotaro showed up after they shot me a second time and here we are.” You motion around you with your hands.

“Hmm. So they followed you on your way out of town yesterday morning. Had you ever seen them before? Maybe they were customers in the restaurant?” Kakyoin says as he studies the faces on the IDs.

“Its possible. Everyone seems to blend together when you work a job like that.”

“My question is: why did they target you? How did they figure it out that you weren’t human?” Joseph scratches his beard as he looks up at the ceiling. “They have this special gear for hunting wolves, maybe Polnareff will find something in the van?”

“I can’t imagine they caught me slipping up. I am usually very careful with how and when I shift. And I can’t think of anything that happened in public that would have drawn attention.” You shake your head as you examine one of the extra shotgun shells in front of you.

Jotaro taps you on the forearm to get your attention for his next question, “You said things were getting bad for lone wolves. We’ve heard similar rumors in the city, that’s why we are all the way out here. What else do you know about those rumors?”

“Hmm, well there are the normal things you hear about- runaways and lone wolfs having bad run ins with religious nuts. But for a few years now, it’s been more than just that. Whole families go missing sometimes, or someone just barely gets away and after a few weeks they’re gone too.” You shudder and hold yourself again at the memory of the horror stories you’ve heard. “They say it’s a new gang- they’re recruiting or trafficking or something. But the worst stories are about the boss. They say he’s a supernatural creature too- immortal and invincible. Calls himself a lord.”

“(y/n)… calls himself what. What is his name?” Joseph looks like he’s seen a ghost, face white as paper and eyes wide.

“They call him Lord DIO.”

<Previous Chapter   Next Chapter>

Author’s Note:

You were expecting a romance werewolf fic- BUT IT WAS I! DIO!

So this is going to turn into a full Stardust Crusade AU- but when I say AU I mean there are only hints of canon left.

Also, Polnareff, are you trying to upset your pack alpha before he leads you into the forest to the bodies of people he’s killed with only his grandpa as a witness?

Also- no hate intended for people from New Jersey lol. I’ve never even been there and I’m sure you are all lovely, but Pol has issues with you (at least in this fic)

No One Lives Forever- CH7

(AO3 link)

Stardust Crusader Wolf Pack AU

[From the beginning- CH1]

<Previous Chapter   Next Chapter>

It took Polnareff some time to cool off from the implications that the mysterious and frankly frightening man he met all those years ago was now behind some other shady business involving wolves, but by the time he reached the vehicles abandoned on the side of the road he was able to focus on the task at hand. Both were unlocked so it was easy to take a look inside the white van first. Opening the back door revealed the cargo area had been partitioned with metal cage sections like those in the backs of police cruisers.

Other gear was scattered around the back near the rear doors for easy access. Some more guns and ammo boxes and an overturned bin of the collar devices that they found on the bodies. Nothing really caught his eye but he took pictures on his phone for future reference. The keys were still in the ignition so he started up the vehicle and moved it off the main road to not draw unwanted attention.

It felt rude to go sniffing through your car, so after a brief look through the windows to confirm the hunters left no surprises, he opened the door and put it in neutral. With a few strong shoves he was able to rescue it from the shallow ditch it had been driven into. Your keys were also still in the ignition and luckily it started, but a few lights on the dash lit up- probably more internal damage than he first assumed from the crash. Driving slow and steady he was able to get it back to the cabin.

The slamming of the car door must have alerted the rest of the pack to his return, he saw Avdol peek through the window as he made his way to the door. Inside he was glad to see you moving about mostly unaided on your own, your wounds must be healing well thanks to Avdol’s expert care. Producing your car keys, he hands them over, “I was able to drive it back, but I don’t think it’s up for any longer distances without repairs. I thought you would want your things back though.”

You sigh as you realize you really are stuck with this pack, not that you mind them but the sudden loss of freedom is disheartening. You thank him as you take back your keys.

“Pol, did you find anything else? Any link to who sent them?” Jotaro asks as everyone stares intently at him, the rest of the pack must have already been brought up to speed on the situation.

“Just more of the same gear. I moved their van off the road so no nosey troopers get involved, at least not right now. Took some pictures of the inside in case you guys see anything I missed.” Polnareff hands over his phone to Jotaro who scrolls through the images before handing it to Avdol. Walking over to the table where the hunters’ things are still laid out Polnareff absently fiddles with the extra ammo before picking one up to examine more closely. “Hmm, that’s odd. There are no makers marks on this?”

“What do you mean?” Joseph scratches his beard as he holds one up as well.

“It’s weird that there’s no markings whatsoever. Silver bullets are always homemade but the quality of these, they look mass produced but have no manufacture marks.” Polnareff’s face is grim as he makes the connection.

“What does that mean? Is that unusual?” You ask as you try to understand the significance.

Jotaro sighs as Polnareff hands him the piece he was holding. “It means this group of hunters is experienced enough not to leave evidence linking to them. And their operation is probably much more complex and much bigger than the group we encountered here. The tech, the mass manufacture of silver ammo…”

“And the van was modified for prisoners.” Polnareff shakes his head and sighs.

“Polnareff, you said before you recognized the smell of one of the hunters.” Jotaro rolls his eyes as Joseph lets out a fake cough that sounds a lot like ‘DIO’. “Ignoring who it may or may not be for now, how do you know that scent?”

“I don’t know how else to describe it other than it smells like magic. It’s like nothing else I’ve ever smelled. There was only one person I’ve ever encountered that smelled like that.” Polnareff sits heavily in the nearest chair as the pack reconvenes at the table. “It was about five years ago now, before I met you Mr. Joestar. I was in New York City for the first time, trying to follow a lead on a case but having no luck. I heard rumors of a man who knew what had really happened to… in the case.” Polnareff gets a little choked up but controls himself and continues. “I was able to set up a meeting, but when I went to the spot, everything kind of… shifted? It felt like I was in a dream: it was hard to move, like weights on my feet. Everything looked just slightly wrong too, hazy like in a fog. I remember there was some sort of party going on, a lot of people everywhere like a medieval banquet or something. That’s where I met him. He introduced himself as Dio and I could tell he wasn’t human but couldn’t place what he actually was. He claimed he had the information I needed, but it would come at a price.”

“What do you mean by ‘investigation?” you tilt your head in confusion as you try to analyze his story so far.

“Ah, you wouldn’t know yet chérie but I’m one of the best private investigators in New York, probably the whole east coast!” Polnareff brags, jabbing his chest with his thumb.

“Focus Pol! What was his ‘price’?” Joseph groans out, exasperated with the younger man’s need to show off. “And why did you even need supernatural help? Not to inflate your ego any more than it is, but you are a good investigator.”

Polnareff looks down to the table, all sense of cheerfulness gone from his face. “The case had gone cold. It’s actually the reason I became a PI in the first place. My family, the whole town… they were murdered!” He slams his fists on the table as he shouts. “And not by just some maniac in the night! It was something inhuman! That’s the reason why I needed his help or whatever info he had on who did such a terrible act.”

You are frozen to your chair in shock with this new information. It seems to have taken the younger members of the pack by surprise too, Joseph and Avdol only nodding along in understanding. “The whole town murdered? You don’t mean…The one north of Quebec City, that was your home?” you say quietly.

Polnareff’s eyes shoot to yours, “Oui! Do you know of it?”

You swallow nervously as all the attention turns on you, “I heard of it, that was about seven or eight years ago right?” Polnareff nods and you continue, “That was about time I left my parent’s territory to try and find or start my own pack. They made me promise to not go that far north to Quebec, they were afraid whatever did that would get me too. They say the whole town was… torn apart.”

Polnareff hangs his head and you can see tears gather in his blue eyes. “Yes. It’s been years now but the pain… I wasn’t there when it happened, I was off in Quebec City partying while my family… When I got back, I was the one who found them. It wasn’t just a burglary gone bad or even ‘normal’ murder. Whatever killed them had used silver to do it. All of them, the whole town,” he chokes on his words trying to get the next ones out, “some of the bodies were eaten. Not by animals, by something almost human. I didn’t rest for days afterward. I swore I would hunt down the thing, the demon that did this to them. Unfortunately, I was not as good a tracker then as I am now, and the trail grew cold fast. So, I became a PI to try and keep looking and hone my skills.”

“That Dio guy, did he help at all? You said his help came at a price.” Jotaro directs the conversation back to the mysterious encounter.

“His price was too steep. He wanted information about other supernatural beings, to keep tabs and report to him directly.”

“Do you think he really did have the information though?” Kakyoin questions as he steeples his fingers together in front of him while he considers the information of Polnareff’s story.

Polnareff shakes his head, “It’s impossible to know now. He was so confident, about everything. I think I surprised him when I refused though. For a moment, it was like I saw his true face through the fog, he was suddenly terrifying and not at all charming. But I figured if he knew something, with all the people he had surrounded himself with someone else was bound to know as well. Whatever secret knowledge he had, it wouldn’t be secret for long. And why pay such a price for something that I could get for free later?”

“Did you ever find out his secret?” Avdol leans in as he asks, enraptured by Polnareff’s tale.

“Non, I don’t even remember leaving the place he brought me to. The next thing I remember after turning down his offer is, I suddenly found myself sitting in my car ready to head back to my motel.” He clasps his hands together and you can see his knuckles turn white from the tension. “I tried to find him again to, I don’t know… stop him? His intentions for the info on other creatures… It couldn’t have been good. And the slip of his façade I saw. The man, that creature is bad news. But he might have well been a ghost. I haven’t seen hide nor hair of him since.”

Polnareff turns to you, “A few years later I got hired by Mr. Joestar to keep an eye on a shady landlord working for him, and I guess the rest is history.” He shakes his head, “Who would have thought joining your pack would lead back to Dio again. Non- this is fate.”

Avdol gives Polnareff a pat on the shoulder before turning to Joseph. “Mr. Joestar, I think you should tell us what you know about Dio, or at least the person you know as Dio. I think it’s time the younger ones hear this.” Avdol says as he leans back in his chair and crosses his arms.

Joseph nods and runs his hand through his hair before he begins, “Right. Ahh, well,” he pauses to gather his thoughts for a second, “I know this is going to sound crazy but I guess there is no way around it. When I was young, I lived with my granny Erina, my parents were either dead or missing and her husband Jonathan had been dead since before my father was even born. Now’s not the time to get into the details of that but Granny used to tell me all kinds of stories from when Jonathan was alive. And most importantly- the majority of them involved an evil man named DIO! My grandfather’s adopted brother!” Joseph doesn’t control his volume in his excitement and ends up shouting his last sentence.

“Being an adopted son in a werewolf pack was strange enough, but Granny could tell there was something ‘other’ about Dio as well. Then one night, his schemes and plans finally came to fruition! There was a massive fight at the house, Granny said Jonathan would not speak of it except that his father George had died saving him from Dio’s magic and in the fight the manor was set on fire and burned down. Jonathan made it his life’s mission to find and destroy Dio, not for revenge but for the safety of England and the world!” Joseph turns his attention to look directly at Jotaro, “Dio was a changeling child. His actions confirmed it that night. He was one of the last remaining Fae on earth. And apparently not of the good and benevolent kind. So, you see why it could be possible that this man may be the same one my grandpa tried to destroy more than a hundred years ago.”

“That… that’s impossible! The Fae, they all disappeared long before that to Avalon.” Kakyoin is wide eyed as he tries to process the information. “I know some humans still believe in them, but…”

“I know! I know! I thought they were just stories from my granny too!” Joseph exclaims and puts his hand to his eyes, “But one time… I don’t think I was supposed to see it, but I found an old photo album. There was a family photo of my grandfather, his father, and Dio.” He turns to Polnareff, “Pol, the man you met. Did he have blond hair, angry eyes and three moles on his left ear?”

It’s Polnareff’s turn to go pale as he slowly nods.

Jotaro growls as he tilts his hat to hide his eyes before snapping his head up to face the pack. “As impossible as this all sounds, it doesn’t change the fact that someone is hunting down wolves. I don’t give a shit if it is Dio or not, or an extinct Fae or not. We are going to put an end to this.” He looks around the table for a second and you can tell his eyes linger on yours longer than the others. “If anyone has an objection to this say it now. There will be no opportunity later.”

Joseph slams his hand to the table palm down, “I’m in! lets show this bastard who he’s messing with!”

Joseph’s enthusiasm is contagious and you and Polnareff slam your hands to the table as well, surprising the group with the fire they can see burning in your eyes. “Hell yeah! They think they can just take me? No way! I’m going to help tear this guy to pieces! I’m with you all the way!” You say as you look directly at Jotaro. You’re not sure but you think that’s a look of pride on his face as you make your declaration.

Avdol and Kakyoin keep their cool but you can see the determination in their eyes as they nod and place their hands on the table as well. Joseph is grinning like a feral maniac and you suddenly believe his stories about saving the world with how excited he looks to do it all over again. “Then it’s settled! I’ll call Caesar and let him know to gather the Zeppeli pack too.” Joseph pauses as he stands and looks at you, “Oh, and (Y/N)?” you tilt your head at him to continue. “Welcome to the Joestar pack.”

 <Previous Chapter  Next Chapter>

Author’s Note:

Sorry for the slow update! Guess who’s not good at regulating her personal time? This gal! I had to change up the process of how I’m writing this cause just trying to type on my computer had too many distractions and next thing I know I’ve been playing Stardew Valley for  3 hours.

Anyway, I have a favor to ask- I need a name for one of the dead bad guys. So leave a comment with a first name for the guy from Jersey, can be a bad ex, terrible boss, friend you want to embarrass by getting their name in a fanfic (first names only please- no doxing!)

No One Lives Forever- CH9

(AO3 link)

Stardust Crusader Wolf Pack AU

[From the beginning- CH1]

<Previous Chapter   Next Chapter>

AN: warning- mentions of smoking, blood, fighting and injury/death in this chapter

As the rest of the pack clears the table of the hunters’ things and makes their way to the lounge, Joseph steps outside to the back porch to make his call. It doesn’t take more than a few rings for Caesar to pick up, “Hey! Caesarino! How are you and Suzi getting along without me?”

“Jojo! Checking up on me? Everything is under control! No need to worry!” Caesar greets, his accent thicker than usual and Joseph can tell he’s stressed about something.

“Under control? You mean it was out of control before I called?” Joseph frowns and stares out into the surrounding woods. “Never mind that for now, listen; we’ve had an… incident out here. We’re going to be cutting the trip short.”

“Jojo, tell me this is one of your idiotic jokes. Suzi already told you, didn’t she?” Caesar’s accent is even stronger now and Joseph can tell he’s made a face and pinched the bridge of his nose from his tone alone.

“I’m completely serious Caesar. What happened? Is everyone alright there?” Joseph can feel himself growling and his hair stand on end.

“Si, yes. Everyone is fine. We had an incident here as well. Frankie and Lucky caught some idioti sniffing around the main office. They put up a fight when the boys confronted them. Jojo, they were carrying silver weapons.”

“Shit. Are the boys alright?” Josephs eyes widen and he runs a hand through his hair.

“Yes, they’re fine. You know we Zeppelis don’t go down easy. Anyway, we covered up the issue from the police for now, but there was something else. Frankie said they both had a strange smell to them. Like nothing they’ve ever encountered before.” Joseph nearly drops his phone at this new information. “What happened to you guys out there. I thought it was just a vacation for you?”

“You’re not going to believe this Caesar. We ran into a group of werewolf hunters. Silver bullets, armed to the teeth, the whole she-bang. They weren’t after us though, they were chasing a girl through our territory. Jotaro stepped in and tool them out and looks like we gained a packmate from the whole situation. But Caesar,” Joseph leans forward on the porch rail and grips it with his free hand. He suddenly seems much older as he hunches over, “they were here to take her alive. Someone is trafficking wolves, not just near the city like we were worried about. And one of them, he smelled like magic.”

“Magic? You’re sure? The last time we encountered anything magic was…”

“I know. The Proto-Fae. Its not the same, similar but not the same. We’ll have to discuss this more in person though. We’re going to leave the cabin tomorrow, is it safe to meet at the main office?”

“No, best to stay away from that for now. But we did just close on that apartment building you had your eyes on for a while. The penthouse is vacant if we want to use that as a meeting point?”

“Perfect! Yeah, gather everyone there. Zeppelis and Joestars. Call up the furnishing rental place too, I want it set up before we get back in town.”

“So bossy.” Joseph hears Caesar sigh, “Alright, we’ll get it set up. See you soon Jojo. Ciao!”

“Ciao, Caesar.” Joseph takes a moment to compose himself. An attack in the city on their turf? At the shared headquarters with the Zeppelis no less. He has to get his emotions under control, if the others see him stressed its just going to cause more stress. Jotaro may be the alpha now, but the pack still takes cues from him as well. With one last fortifying breath he stands up straight and marches back into the cabin. “Jotaro, can I speak with you?” Joseph hovers by the back door, invitation open to take the conversation outside. Jotaro just nods and follows him out.

Jotaro wastes no time waiting for his grandpa to start, “What’s wrong? I assume Caesar had bad news?” He pulls a cigarette pack out form his pocket and lights one before offering one to the older alpha. Joseph surprisingly accepts, he quit years ago but maybe it will help calm his nerves. Or at least hide his stressed scent from the others until they could put their plan in motion.

He takes a long drag and leans over the rail again. “Caesar’s boys caught some guys around the main office. Get this, they were also armed with silver.”

“Shit.”

“That’s exactly what I said!” Joseph exclaims and throws his hands in the air. “Everyone is fine, but we gotta get back. Caesar’s setting up an apartment to crash in instead of going to headquarters or our own places. On the bright side, it looks like the building on Broadway finally closed.” He takes another long drag of the cigarette and flicks his ash over the rail.

“We’ll have to leave tomorrow then. Weather is supposed to turn to shit here anyway.” Jotaro finishes his own cigarette and stomps it out on the cement stair pad. He tugs his hat to cover his eyes and says, “And thanks. For getting this set up.” Joseph can read between the lines, getting an outright thankyou from Jotaro was rare enough but expecting him to just blurt out ‘thanks for respecting me as an alpha and guiding me through this’? Impossible.

They head back inside and quickly get the pack’s attention “We’re going to head back to the city tomorrow. We don’t have all the details yet but there was an incident at the business main office.”

Jotaro pauses for the gasps and exclamations, “Everyone there is alright, but we are concerned the issues we had here are connected. We’ll discuss with the Zeppelis what the plan is when we get there. Tonight we’ll prep the cabin and head out first thing tomorrow.” Everyone nods in understanding and gets to work with preparing the cabin for an extended leave.

You aren’t left with much to do as the guys divide up the various tasks until Joseph suggests you go through your car for the things you’ll be taking with you. Polnareff adds to take out any identifying effects or papers in case the cops do decide to investigate the van left parked down the road. By the time everyone is finished with their tasks its time for dinner, Jotaro and Joseph taking their turn to cook the rest of the food in the fridge so it wont spoil while the cabin is vacant.

Everyone winds down for the night and you are both relieved and dreading the fact that the number of beds hasn’t magically changed. Jotaro seems to feel the same way as you are both the last two remaining in the lounge for the night, trying to avoid the awkwardness that was to come. You eye the couch before he sighs and stands, offering you a hand up from your seat in a silent invitation to join him and share the bedroom again. You smile as you take his hand and head down the short hallway with him.

You quickly get changed into your own pajamas for the night. It’s a relief to not be swimming in extra fabric and fighting to keep from tripping over pants three sizes too big. Sitting on the edge of the bed you wait for Jotaro to finish his nightly routine and join you. Now is going to be the perfect chance to talk to him one on one, you noticed he was almost avoiding you while in the company of the rest of the pack.

He sees you waiting for him when he enters and for a moment looks like he’s going to turn right around and head for the lounge for the night. But he braces himself and sits stiffly next to you on the bed, back straight and not looking at you. “So…” you try and think of how to break the ice, “You’re the alpha, right? I’m guessing Mr. Joestar handed down the position?” He seems to relax slightly as he leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees.

“Yeah, the old man decided to step down a couple of years ago. He’s still helping me get the hang of this, it’s still strange to be the one making the final decisions.” He’s more and more relaxed as he faces you while he talks, still bent forward over his legs.

You pull a pillow to your chest as you cross your legs on the bed. “Can you tell me more about everyone’s dynamics? I’d like to know what I’m getting into a little better…” you trail off as his expression becomes more solemn and you subconsciously copy his furrowed brow.

“Listen, about that. It looks like things are going to get worse before they get better, but as soon as it’s safe you’ll be free to go as you please again.” Even in the dimmed lamplight of the room his blue eyes are electrifying and cutting with his serious expression.

You lean back in surprise “’Go as I please?’ Listen, if you don’t want me around just say so Jotaro, I can take care of myself with the exception of trained wolf hunters. So drop me off in the next town and I’ll be out of your hair.” You stand up and toss the pillow while moving towards the door.

“Wait- that’s not…” he huffs loudly as he stands up and grabs your arm to stop your retreat, “I didn’t mean it like that. We do want you to stay. I… When Polnareff mentioned your car not being drivable, you had this look on your face like you were planning on riding off into the sunset and now you were trapped.” He lets go of your arm and you turn back to face him. “I don’t know what I’m saying anymore, I just want it to be your decision to stay, not because you’re stuck with us. Pretty useless to save you from being trapped by hunters to trap you in a pack instead.” He tangles his hand in his hair as he looks down at his feet, waiting for your response.

“I… that makes sense. Sorry, I thought you were…” You trail off as you think how to ease the misunderstanding. “I guess, I just feel like part of the pack already? You all remind me of my family – you’re a mix of serious and goofy guys.” You sit back down on the bed and reclaim your pillow. “I get what you mean though. I guess we’ll just have to see when this is all over, right?” You smile at him and the tension in his shoulders eases as he gives a small smile back.

You pat the empty space next to you, inviting him back to the bed. “You can still give me the rundown on the rest of the pack though, I’d like to get a feel for my place here.”

Instead of sitting back down next to you, he circles to his side of the bed and sits up with his back to the wall. “Why don’t you tell me what you think? I’ll tell you how close you are.”

You lean back next to him and count off on your fingers, “Well, Mr. Joestar is the previous alpha, Avdol I think is a delta, but I can’t tell between Polnareff and Kakyoin who is your beta.”

“Polnareff does a lot for us, but he tends to go back to his lone wolf tendencies a lot. It took a long time for gramps and Avdol to convince him to join up permanently. Kakyoin is my beta, we’ve been friends since college and I’d trust him with anything.” You nod and he looks at you, “Why don’t you tell me about your family, you said we remind you of them? Serous and silly?”

You laugh quietly and dive into your favorite memories of your parents and siblings and their shenanigans. Slowly you find you’re both laying down in the bed and can barely keep your eyes open as you talk and share stories. The last thing you remember before finally succumbing to sleep is Jotaro’s hand holding yours on top of the sheets as you both drift off.

 You are both woken up the next morning by Jotaro’s phone alarm. Not being much of a morning person you stubbornly keep your eyes closed even as you shuffle to the bathroom to brush your hair and teeth. Splashing some water on your face manages to wake you up fully so you grab your bag and make your way to the lounge. One by one the guys arrive with their own bags and the pack is ready to head out. Joseph sighs wistfully as he locks the front door and you reach out to put an hand on his arm.

He smiles at you but it’s a bittersweet expression, “Sorry, (Y/N). I was just really looking forward to staying in this place. I’m getting too old to be running all over the city anymore!” He laughs and reaches a hand behind his head.

Jotaro appears from behind him and puts a hand on his shoulder, “You’re not that old yet gramps. But I get it. It was nice while it lasted though.” Joseph just nods and you all make your way off the front porch to the grey Suburban waiting in the drive way. Your car had been hidden around back and covered with a spare tarp to further dissuade nosey troopers if they came out this far. Polnareff had been careful not to leave prints on the hunters’ van while he searched it so it was decided to leave it where it was.

Polnareff hops into the driver’s seat and Jotaro claims shotgun, Avdol and Kakyoin in the back leaving the middle row for Joseph and you. As soon as you are all settled the journey begins. Joseph immediately turns to you and asks, “Say, (Y/N), you said you’ve been traveling for a while now. Have you ever been to New York City before?”

You shake your head no, “I’ve been around it, through some of the boroughs, but never downtown and not for very long when I was close. I’m excited to see it up close though!”

“You are in for a treat young lady! Caesar’s getting it set up for us, you’ll get to meet him when we get there. We’ll all be staying in a downtown penthouse apartment my realty company recently acquired. The view from up there is just fantastic!” Joseph’s excited volume is a little loud for the small space but it’s endearing to see his arms wave about in his excitement.

“Do you guys normally all live together?”

Kakyoin speaks up from the back seat, “No, we all live in separate apartments on the same block, with the exception of Mr. Joestar and Jotaro live in the same building.” You nod and make a noise of understanding. That seems like a pretty good set up to not be constantly on top of each other from what you’ve heard about the size of New York apartments.

You’ve been traveling for about an hour down rural roads, chatting mostly with Joseph and the guys in the back seat when Polnareff announces you’ll be stopping at the next gas station before getting on the highway. “Great! That will give us a chance to get snacks for dinner and breakfast tomorrow. We’ll have to order some groceries to the apartment or something later.” Joseph says as he pulls out his phone, presumably to check which stores could fulfill the quick order. Soon the gas station comes into view and Polnareff pulls up to the pump. You unload yourselves and stretch out as you make your way inside for bathroom breaks and -as instructed by Joseph- ‘all the snacks you can carry’ as Polnareff fills the truck.

The guys automatically pair up and head for the bagged snack isles, so you grab a shopping basket and head back to the drink coolers. Kakyoin is about to walk down the chip isle when Avdol’s arm shoots out in front of him blocking his path. He’s startled by the abrupt action and turns to question Avdol, but he’s focused and staring at a point in the ceiling, specifically the air vent. “Avdol? What’s wrong?”

“Shh… Listen,” Kakyoin obeys and focuses his attention to the sounds coming from the vent. Tapping and scratching? It was faint though, “Hmm. Perhaps I’m just being over cautious. Sounds like this place has a rat problem though. Better check the packaging of what we buy is still intact.” The scratching fades, whatever it was probably using the vents to get around undetected.

There is a sudden shout and a loud thud from the isle between Kakyoin and Avdol and the others. The entire store goes silent as everyone stops to look around for the cause. Avdol gives a small nod to Jotaro and then to the isle between them. They both move to the opposite ends of the isle in a pincer movement to investigate whatever had happened. The smell of blood suddenly permeates the air and they rush to the isle, another customer is laying prone in a pool of their own blood either unconscious or dead.

On top of them though sits a small creature with comically large ears, bulging yellow eyes and protruding teeth that vaguely resemble some sort of predatory fish. It shrieks in glee at the sight of them and rushes behind the products on the shelf in an incredible burst of speed.

“Hey, is everything OK over here?” One of the other customers, the old man who was checking out hesitantly walks a few steps towards them. The cashier leans over the counter to get a better look as well.

“No! Stay back!” Is all Jotaro can get out before the creature has scurried through the display racks sending products flying in its wake. It leaps and aims at the old man’s face to attack with its teeth. The old man screams as he flails and falls backward managing to push the thing off but loosing a chunk of his cheek in the process. The cashier screams out a curse as he reaches for the gun under the counter. In a blink the little gremlin has disappeared again into the shelving.

The pack is on high alert, you are all vulnerable in your human forms, but it’s not worth the risk of transforming in public with witnesses present just yet. Even if the cashier seems too busy trying to drag the old man behind the checkout counter for shelter. Joseph runs to help them and the creature sets its sights on him, lunging out from the isle way. It gets distracted from its target when Avdol rushes it instead. Cackling, it launches itself at Avdol this time, swiping with sharp claws at his arms leaving bloody streaks as it attacks but thankfully not doing much damage.

Jotaro tries to intervene next and it zips away from Avdol to confront him. “Eeeeehhheeeee! Too slow! Too slow! You have no hope of catching me so just give up now!” It swipes at Jotaro’s leg as it passes him. You become its next target as you also move closer to try and help but it suddenly changes direction again when it sees Joseph moving the cashier and old man out the side door to safety. It swipes at him before turning back to you as you advance. Kakyoin can see that though it is very fast it is also not doing much damage when it gets within range before jumping to the next target. In fact, it seems to be easily distracted by the nearest moving thing.

Kakyoin tests his theory and throws a packet of candy at the gremlin and it immediately turns his way and advances. Avdol catches on as well and throws more junk food at it and causes it to turn yet again. “Heehehe! Just wait your turn! I’ll kill all of you so fast you won’t know you’re dead!” it shouts in its screeching voice before angrily shouting as Kakyoin hits it hard with a soda can. Enraged, it leaps in his direction again but you and Jotaro have caught onto the plan now and Jotaro hits it before it can get halfway to Kakyoin. You are all pelting bags of food and drinks at it when Kakyoin yells, “Now, Avdol!” From behind the creature Avdol jumps at it holding open a large travel cooler. It screeches in surprise but it is for once too slow to escape the trap set up for it. The cooler snaps shut with a bang and Kakyoin grabs the roll of duct tape he spotted earlier, going over and securing the lid to prevent the gremlin’s escape.

The cooler rattles and shakes as the gremlin throws itself against the walls of its makeshift prison. “Impossible! Let me out! LET ME OUT!” it howls and screeches and you’re glad the cooler doubles as a sound insulator as well.

“Looks like all that speed is useless if you can’t focus on a target.” Kakyoin laughs as he holds the container steady from the creature’s thrashing. It continues screaming gibberish, what you can safely assume are curses in its native tongue.

“Good job Kakyoin, figuring out its weakness so fast.” Jotaro praises as he walks up and leans against one of the shelves to keep off his wounded leg. You stand next to him as Joseph returns from helping the employee drag the wounded old man outside. The shaking of the cooler is starting to lessen, the thing either running out of energy or out of air.

“Wait! Wait! Please!” It wheezes and gasps, “I’ll tell you everything, just let me go and I’ll tell you who sent me!”

“Sent you? No deal, tell us who sent you first and then we’ll talk.” Joseph crosses his arms and glares down at the box.

It doesn’t hesitate before spilling its secrets. “If you promise to release me, I’ll tell you! It was Lord Dio who sent me! The hunters, they were under his command and failed him.” The pack looks at each other in shock for a moment then back at the box when the gremlin continues. “Lord Dio sent his scouts to investigate- imagine my luck and surprise when the Joestars turn up!” it cackles and thrashes some more, “Now release me! You promised! We have a deal!”

“We didn’t promise you shit. You just spilled your guts for nothing.” Jotaro scoffs before tuning out the enraged screams and turns to the pack. “Grab whatever is salvageable and some first aid stuff.” You all nod and start picking through the debris of the fight. “Kakyoin, you’re good with computers. See if you can delete the security footage.”

Avdol stands from where he had been kneeling next to the gremlin’s first victim, checking if there was anything he could do. But the surprise attack had hit a major vein or artery and they bled out quickly. “To think such a small creature was able to do so much damage in such a short amount of time.” He shakes his head and carefully wipes his hands of any of the victim’s blood. His own wounds on his arms still dripping but thankfully shallow enough they would only require bandages overnight before they healed completely. He looks around at the damage before picking through he items, searching for a decent first aid kit and extra bandages for the trip.

“What are we going to do with that thing? We can’t leave it for the humans to open up later.” You ask as you toss some packs of jerky into a shopping bag.

Jotaro takes over holding the cooler still by sitting on it while Kakyoin moves to the back room of the store. You shudder as you get a whiff of Jotaro’s blood for the first time, your senses zeroing in on the smell overpowering all the others in the store. You suppress a growl and feel your hair stand on end as you glare at the cooler.

“We’ll have to take it with us. It will run out of air eventually- especially if it keeps shouting like that. We’ll see if we can get any more info out of it and burry it.” You nod at his reasoning. It would be too dangerous to just leave it but the new detour puts your travel plans in a bind.

Kakyoin emerges from the back room and nods to Jotaro, “They were still using an old tape system. I took care of the footage.” Jotaro sighs and nods, then motions the beta to help him carry the cooler. They each grab a handle and lead the pack back outside where Polnareff is waiting, bored in the driver seat. There is no sign of the cashier and old man, now is the time for a clean exit.

“Jeeze! What took you guys so long? You fall into the toilets or something?” Polnareff mocks as the rest of the pack load the snacks into the car. He does a double take and gapes at the fresh wounds you are all sporting. “Guys?”

Jotaro just gives the cooler a little shake while loading it into the back and the gremlin screeches and rocks its makeshift trap. Polnareff jumps back in alarm as Jotaro says, “We ran into one of Dio’s scouts. We’ll fill you in on the way but we have to take a detour.” Polnareff just gulps and nods. Soon the pack is pulling out onto a side road, passing the ramp for the highway and heading back into the woods.

<Previous Chapter  Next Chapter>

Author’s Note:

I’m so proud of myself, actually keeping to my weekly schedule! Here we are, the first not-stand battle featuring the Tower of Grey! All the battles are going to be cryptids and mythical creatures and I figured a gremlin was perfect for this one. 1: he’s an ugly gross guy. 2: biggest influence I had for gremlins was the old episode of twilight zone where it is messing with the plane. 3: he somewhat follows cannon plot of showing up and causing an immediate detour.

No One Lives Forever- CH10

(AO3 link)

Stardust Crusader Wolf Pack AU

[From the beginning- CH1]

<Previous Chapter     Next Chapter>

Between the road noise and the insulation of the cooler it was easy to ignore the shouting from the gremlin. Kakyoin had taken shotgun this time, the rest of you piled in the back rows and passing around bandages and ointments as Polnareff drove. After cleaning away the blood you could see none of you had sustains injuries worse than some deep scratches. With the accelerated healing you all had they would be fine by morning, but you patched each other up with gauze and bandages just in case. It felt nice, satisfying even, to take care of the others and let them take care of you in return.

You lose track of time for a bit, content to sit quietly in the middle row and rest. You hear someone start snoring from behind you and turn around to see Joseph has nodded off, Avdol also has his eyes closed but looks more like he’s meditating than sleeping. Jotaro must have turned at the same time, you caught his eyes as he turns forward again as well, a small smile on his face. You smile at him and hold out your hand to him over the middle seat. His gaze flicks back again before he faces forward completely and covertly takes your hand.

You didn’t realize how tense you still were until he took your hand and you felt the muscles of your back and shoulders melt. A tingling feeling of relief, you were safe, your pack was safe, your mate…

You tense slightly again and grip Jotaro’s hand, where had that feeling come from? You are bewildered for a moment, you barely register Jotaro squeezing your hand back, his emotions hidden by his resting serious face. You relax into your seat again, coming to at least basic terms with what your instincts have been screaming at you for a while now. Yes, it was a terrifying situation happening when you first met him, and Jotaro could physically fit the definition of big bad wolf, but his actions so far have proven he’s anything but cruel or violent. When you had gotten a look at the cut on his leg earlier you had to suppress a sudden shift and urge to rip the monster that did that to pieces. Maybe he was experiencing the same feelings towards you?

It’s been a few hours after the events of the gas station and capturing Dio’s minion when Polnareff makes a turn off the road to a campsite. Although it looked well cared for there weren’t many campers ready to brave New York forests this late in the season, there were no other cars in the lot or in any of the designated spaces close to the entrance. Jotaro is surveying the space outside his window so he doesn’t see Kakyoin turn around and catch sight of your intertwined hands. You blush and look away when you catch his eye and he’s polite enough to clear his throat before announcing this was the nearest campsite he found to dispose of the gremlin in its prison.

Polnareff parks and you’re surprised Jotaro gives your hand a squeeze before letting go and climbing out. You suppress a giggle at Joseph’s sudden snort as he jostles himself awake. Exiting the truck, you enjoy a deep lung full of clean air, not even a trace of human scent present. The falling leaves and large lake to your right create a picturesque scene and you almost wish the pack had stopped for pleasure and not business. Speaking of… Jotaro and Polnareff are unloading your captive from the back, the creature either playing possum or it had finally run out of air. A couple of hard shakes to the container don’t produce the screeches you expected.  

Joseph has fully woken up from his nap and joins them in staring at the cooler. “Well, looks like we won’t be getting any more info out of that thing.” He puts one hand on his hip and scratches at his beard with the other. “Jotaro, what do you think? Risk it getting away to see if it’s really dead?”

“No. It didn’t seem all that clever, it probably had nothing more to tell us. It’s not worth the risk of it getting loose out here.” Jotaro motions with a jerk of his chin to the dense woods. “We’ll burry the whole thing and be done with it.” The rest of the pack nods in agreement and Jotaro and Polnareff haul the cooler towards the line of trees.

You all take advantage of the rest stop and walk around the campsite while Jotaro and Polnareff make quick work of disposing of their cargo. You douse a few paper towels with some of the bottled water as they make their way back and offer them to the guys to clean up with. “Ah, merci mon amie.” Polnareff looks around for a moment before leaning in slightly “Ah, say (Y/N), you didn’t see any restrooms around here, did you?”

Jotaro rolls his eyes as he finishes cleaning the dirt from under his nails. “Good grief Pol. It’s the woods. Go anywhere.”

“Fine! Fine!” Polnareff puts his hands up in surrender, “Just thought I’d check.” He backs away from you and Jotaro and towards the lake. You turn away to give him privacy and survey the rest of the pack. Avdol and joseph are going through some of the snacks; more like Avdol is trying to restrain Joseph from sampling each new type of jerky he finds. Kakyoin is making his way to you and Jotaro when you hear a sudden shout from behind you.

Polnareff had just finished his business and was headed back to the group when his leg gets caught on something. Yelling as he’s pulled to the ground, he re-evaluates, he hasn’t tripped on his own and whatever has caught him is dragging him back towards the lake. He catches a glimpse of what looks like seaweed wrapped from ankle to kneecap as he tires to scramble away. His claws dig into the dirt as he struggles to gain traction and from behind him he hears an ungodly noise of whatever has caught him.

You and Jotaro turn as soon as you hear Polnareff’s distressed yelp. The unbelievable scene of a creature rising from the lake makes you both hesitate for a moment to comprehend what you’re seeing. Its body ungulates, a writhing mass of pond weed and lake plants twining together to take the form of what looked like a horse. Jotaro recovers from the shock first, surging forward and transforming as he ran. You are right behind him, transforming as well. The creature rears back and screeches as you both approach it, desperately trying to drag Polnareff to the water as the plants rooted to its body climb further up his leg to gain better grip on the struggling werewolf.

From your left more beasts are emerging from the water and you and Jotaro dodge the kelp and vines shooting out at you. You hear the rest of the pack behind you also start making their way to the lake but are cut off by more creatures. The one holding onto Polnareff has managed to drag the massive white werewolf to the water by the time you and Jotaro rush the last few steps to his aid. Both of his legs have been tangled by vines now but they fall away limp as Jotaro is able to cut through the main vine. You quickly help Polnareff to his feet in the knee-high water.

“What the hell are these things?” Polnareff’s voice is deeper and slightly distorted with his change and constant growl rumbling from his chest. The three of you take a defensive formation covering each other’s backs and claws out. Your ears flatten and you snarl at one of the seaweed horses as it gallops by.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” you huff and swipe at a tendril of lake-weed snaking too close for comfort, “Some kind of horses? Or we pissed off a plant witch or something?”

“Kelpies. They’ve never been sighted this far north though.” Jotaro growls out as he snaps at the beast in front of him. By now the things were running amok along the shoreline and around the pack, six of them in total working as a team to try and capture and drag you all to a watery grave. One of them turns and stamps its hooves before charging directly at you, Jotaro and Polnareff. You are forced to dive away as it barrels by but a vine of weeds wraps around your waist as it passes. You are lifted briefly into the air before landing on all fours, the vines tangling your legs as well. You hear two loud thumps behind you and see Jotaro and Polnareff were also bound by that last charge, their arms stuck to their bodies and unable to claw their way out.

You cut your own bindings as fast as you can and quickly cut them free as well before you are all dragged along with the galloping kelpie. It bellows as it realizes its prey has broken free and tosses its head making its mane of kelp fly about.  The three of you quickly move to the offensive rushing the creatures standing between you and the rest of your packmates. Jotaro takes the lead and you defend his sides, swiping away any tendrils reaching too close. Polnareff assists and keeps another beast off your backs. Ahead of you, Avdol, Joseph and Kakyoin are also struggling to keep themselves guarded and untethered, but the horses are galloping too fast to try and get any substantial hits in, circling in a pattern to keep the pack separated and vulnerable.

Jotaro narrows his eyes and growls louder as he realizes there is something more going on here. Although they are fast there are only six of the kelpies, the pack should be able to take them on one-on-one but their movements are too coordinated to be wild kelpies. He stops and takes on a defensive stance again as a sudden gleam of light catches his attention, what looks like spider’s thread catching the sunlight. He follows the line with his eyes and sees it connects to one of the kelpie’s heads. In fact, now that he’s noticed one of them, they all seem to have this silver thread connecting them to a single point in the lake. About 20 feet from the shore a figure has risen from the water, humanoid but draped in gold and blue lakeweed. It makes no move to come ashore, instead moving its arms like an orchestra conductor would to control the team of water horses under its command.

Before he can make a move towards this figure another kelpie blocks his path. Polnareff barrels forward from his right and slashes at the beast’s face with his claws. He yelps in pain at the same time the kelpie rears back and retreats, a pile of silver rope falling to the ground. Polnareff cradles his silver burned hand for a moment before his eyes light up in understanding. “It’s silver! They have silver leashes!” the kelpie he accidently freed runs past the fighting happening between its herd and the pack, running on top of the water to the far side of the lake. “It’s gonna burn like hell but we can free them!”

With one of the kelpies no longer under its control, the man in the lake’s movements become more exaggerated as the remaining five horses push themselves to move faster, biting, stomping and charging the pack. Jotaro seizes the opportunity to break another of the silver ropes as he dodges the kelpie charging at him but instead of letting go, he grips the silver line tight where he severed it. It burns something fierce but he’s able to control the horse long enough to force it to charge at the lake man and bring Jotaro along for the ride. When he’s close enough Jotaro slips the silver harness from the kelpie and throws it, hoping to tangle the puppet master. Up close he can see the man’s flashing amber eyes and although as a wolf his sense of color is limited, he can tell the kelp and weeds cloaking the creature would actually be red instead of gold if he had full color vision right now. A rusalka then. A male rusalka and a herd of kelpies under its control?

The rusalka hisses at him but it’s a mocking laugh and not a fearful defense mechanism like Jotaro expected. Instead, it seems confident in its ability to take on the hulking werewolf in the water. “Hssss… You are a foolish one, aren’t you? Making it so easy to carry out my orders. You think you’ll beat me in my element? Show me what you’ve got then, pup.” Vines of lake kelp lash out as the rusalka flails his arms, no longer focused on controlling the kelpies now that his prey was in range of his own claws. Jotaro growls and snaps the first volley of vines with his claws as he swims closer. Grabbing at the next vines that hurl at him he holds tightly and begins reeling himself closer toward the rusalka.

He’s underestimated the rusalka’s speed and he has to suddenly deflect razor sharp claws away from his exposed torso. Although it has the advantage of speed in the water it is still weaker than Jotaro and on its next swipe Jotaro is able to grab on and immobilize it while swiping with his own claws. The rusalka hisses in pain and thrashes enough to break Jotaro’s grip before getting a hit in on the wolf’s side. More lake weed vines shoot out from its body to try and wrap him up and finally succeed in binding his leg. With a great tug the battle is moved completely underwater. Jotaro is just barely able to resist the instinct to gasp as the cold water rushes into his ears and nose uncomfortably. Snapping his eyes open as he feels a shift in the water, he’s able to evade the claws that had been aiming for his face.

Now that he can see his enemy in his entirety, Jotaro realizes the reason the rusalka had been controlling the kelpies from such a distance. From the waist down, instead of legs or even fins is a thick tangle of lake weed and kelp that anchors it to the lake bottom, more vines branching off and shooting towards him from this central pillar. The vines were easily cut away as they reached him, but they were only a distraction for the rusalka to pull himself closer and unleash a flurry of slashing strikes. Jotaro blocks them with his arms and again grabs on to immobilize and pull in closer to deliver his own blows. He moves to the offensive, digging his claws into slimy flesh as the rusalka struggles in his grasp. He almost looses his grip when it lands a hard blow to his shoulder but keeps hold long enough to accomplish his final attack. With a powerful strike, Jotaro severs the thick tether keeping the rusalka anchored to the lake.  

The screech it lets out is almost deafening under water and Jotaro nearly looses his grip a second time. But with his claws embedded deep into the rusalka’s torso and his other hand gripping it by the throat he is able to swim and haul it to shore. With every foot closer it struggles harder, finally showing fear in its panicking eyes. Its movements are becoming less and less coordinated and it makes motions Jotaro recognizes as trying to call upon the kelpies for help through the silver ropes it had been using. The water is shallow enough now that Jotaro can stand and looks around for the kelpie reinforcements coming to its master’s aid. Instead, his pack spots him and rushes to help him drag the rusalka all the way to shore. Kakyoin reaches him first and the red wolf helps pull the creature the last few feet to the shore.

The change begins as soon as the last tendril loses contact with the water, some leaves shriveling and turning brown while others seem to rapidly decay and turn to sludge. The rusalka screams and thrashes as its body dries out and starts to flake away, but its strength is failing and it can’t pull itself back to the water in time. It collapses as it shrivels up, arms outstretched to the lake and it succumbs to the dry air.

You are the first one to let your transformation drop as you run up to Jotaro and Kakyoin, careful not to step in any leafy remains on the ground in front of them. Your sable fur falling away to reveal smooth skin and clothes is the unofficial signal for the others to drop their transformations as well. You reach the alpha and beta just as Jotaro lets go of his wolf form and you can see the damage the rusalka inflicted in their unseen underwater battle. You and Kakyoin nod at each other before reaching for Jotaro’s right arm and lifting it over your shoulder to support him, Kakyoin doing the same on his left side. You blush as you hear him chuckle but you’d be dammed if you weren’t going to help him after he risked his life to defeat the enemy. It seems he does appreciate your effort though as his chuckle turns into a huff and you feel his weight shift to lean on you as the three of you make your way back to the truck.

The rest of the guys move ahead getting the first aid supplied you all ransacked from the gas station opened and organized. Avdol takes charge of distributing bandages as Joseph and Polnareff drop dramatically to sit on the logs surrounding the unused fire pit. Jotaro is obviously sporting the worst injuries, but the rest of the pack is also covered in various bruises, bitemarks and silver burns. You and Kakyoin focus on getting Jotaro patched up together, you carefully clean the slashes from the rusalka’s claws and Kakyoin follows your wake drying and bandaging what he can. You don’t realize you are purring until Jotaro starts purring back and relaxes as your hands make contact with the bared flesh of his arms. You blush as you glance at his bare chest, looking in a non-clinical way now that things were calming down. Your hands only hesitate a moment though before you return to your task.

Your blush returns tenfold when Jotaro practically drags you down to sit next to him once you and Kakyoin finish bandaging each other as well. By the time everyone is bandaged up it’s getting late enough that you knew the pack wasn’t going to finish the journey to the city tonight. Everyone is sitting around the still unlit firepit and relaxing for a moment, watching the herd of kelpies you freed running and jumping across the surface of the lake when Avdol makes his suggestion. “Well, it seems like we’re not going to make much more progress tonight. We don’t have any camping gear with us, but we are already at a campsite.”

Polnareff flops over onto the log he’d been sitting on. “You mean we’re roughing it out here tonight? Can’t we keep going until we find a motel with actual beds? And proper bathrooms?”

Joseph throws an empty bottle at him, “Hush you spoilt pup! I don’t want to hear your bellyaching when you’ve got no idea what camping out here will do to my old bones!” You’re starting to recognize Joseph’s tell when he’s teasing Polnareff is to cross his arms and try and look stern, but a small grin gives him away.

“No, its too risky right now to be near humans. That rusalka, before we really got to fighting it mentioned ‘carrying out its orders’.” Jotaro shakes his head as he addresses the pack, joseph and Polnareff immediately back into serious mode. “We’ll be safer if we are able to fully transform to fight if we need to. I think that’s worth being uncomfortable for the night.”

You all agree with the decision to rank safety over comfort but you slump a little as you continue to watch the kelpies dance around the lake. You’ve slept in your car and camped out enough in your own travels that it’s not a huge hardship to do it again, but you also appreciated having a real bed to relax in. Especially after a day like today.

“I agree. However, on second thought…” Avdol motions to the kelpies, one had caught a large fish in its mouth as you had been daydreaming and now two were fighting over it and ripping the catch to pieces in the process. “Kelpies are carnivores after all. Perhaps a different campsite would be more suitable.”

Jotaro sighs and you feel him slump slightly into your side before he rallies himself and stands up. “Good point. Kakyoin, you’re navigator. Find a campsite we can get to quickly. Everyone else pack up and let’s go.”

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Author’s Note:

So. A week late, but I swear its not my fault. Guess who lives in Texas and couldn’t use a computer for the week? This gal. Everything is fine now and I’m one of the lucky few who doesn’t have a 10k electric bill or burst pipes.

Anyway, this chapter was a lot of fun to write- I always thought it was weird the crusaders just jumped right in with the rest of the crew after the Dark Blue Moon episode when CLEARLY you can’t trust anyone. So this chapter is the “Captain” and his crew as cryptids and myths. If you haven’t been reading the notes so far, I’ve planned out all of the enemies in this fashion, each battle a new myth to discover (and for me to research). Also every Wikipedia article I’ve looked at for the monsters has a reference line that is something like “Appears on episode 25 of Supernatural”. I have not seen more than 2 or 3 episodes of that show, I got to the one with the Wendigo and NOPED RIGHT OUT. Was wwaaaayyy too scary. Couldn’t handle it! So any similarities to the show are going to be pure coincidence.

Also I had to do a gag at Pol’s expense

No One Lives Forever- CH11

(AO3 link)

Stardust Crusader Wolf Pack AU

[From the beginning- CH1]

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The sky is painted bright orange and red by the time the pack arrives at the next camp site. The fall colors on the trees make the world look like it’s made of gold and rubies cemented to black cast iron trees in silhouette. The path to the camp ground is narrow but still large enough for the truck to navigate as Avdol drives carefully down the one lane trail. Kakyoin had kept in mind the need to be able to transform at will tonight and found a private campsite that promised a ‘true survival experience’ according to the reviews online.

Your attention is dragged away from the fall scenery outside as Jotaro shifts in his sleep, his head resting in your lap as he lays sideways on the bench seat of the back row. You adjust the hoodie you’d thrown over his sleeping figure and gently brush back his hair before returning your hand to rest on his arm. He’d been exhausted after the last fight and started nodding off almost as soon as you had set out. After the third time he leaned too far forward and jerked himself awake you gave in and decided to risk the embarrassment of the others teasing -or worse, Jotaro’s rejection- and offered to let him lay down. He looked confused for a moment but you patted your lap in invitation. He snuck a quick glance to the rest of the pack before shifting and laying down. You were both tense at first at first but you hesitantly ran your hand over his hair and he loosened up considerably. Soon he was fully asleep on you.

Joseph and Polnareff also seem to be sleeping, or close to it in the middle row seats, but a particularly rough bump in the road shakes the truck enough to wake everyone. Jotaro grumbles as he sits up, sweatshirt falling off and revealing the tank top and bandages on his shoulder. He looks it for a moment before handing it back to you with a gruff ‘thanks’, his voice raspy with sleep.

“It’s no problem. Feeling better?” you ask as you bundle the sweater on your lap.

“A bit. Still sore as hell.” He tries his best to stretch in the confined space. Another bump in the road almost causes him to bump his head on the roof and he slumps in his seat to avoid it happening again as the bumps and rocking get more extreme.

“Ah, that must be the camp site ahead.” Kakyoin says as he looks up from the map on his phone and points to the clearing now visible after cresting a small hill. The truck is barely still for a second before Polnareff jumps out and starts stretching. The rest of you follow his example, the cramped car ride after transforming and fighting not doing your muscles any favors. Like the site you just left this one was also empty but located much deeper in the forest. Perfect for keeping off the grid until morning.

The last campers had left some firewood under the cover of a nearby pine tree so you work to quickly clear the ashes from the fire pit. With the help of Jotaro’s lighter, a good size fire crackled happily to life just as the sun set. The rest of the pack had split up to investigate the clearing and into the woods beyond while you built the fire, but the rustling of bags draws everyone back in. Joseph makes his way over carrying as many bags of snacks as he can, “Dinner time! Looks like the choices tonight are beef jerky, chips or candy.” You all gather and take a seat on the logs laying near the fire and start passing around the bags.

While a meal of snacks wouldn’t be filling for long, for now it was enough to leave you all satisfied. Joseph is sitting with Polnareff and Avdol across from where you are seated between Jotaro and Kakyoin and sets off the first contagious yawn. You can hear his back crack as he stretches, your own eyes watering from the strength of your yawn. Polnareff laughs and slaps Joseph on the back, “Ha, looks like it’s past the old wolf’s bed time!” Joseph can’t refute this as he goes to reply and gets caught by another epic yawn.

“We should go over sleeping arrangements though. The truck is too small for all of us to sleep in and we only have a fire because the last campers left some wood.” Kakyoin says as he leans forward toward the fire and rests his head in his hand. He moves his sharp gaze around the clearing looking for any other supplies or natural resources that could be used. He heaves a sigh and drops his gaze back to the fire.

Jotaro hums in though as he looks around as well. “With all the encounters we’ve had just today I think we should take shifts on patrol. The truck can probably hold two people if we fold down some seats. The rest of us will have to spend the night transformed, for safety and for warmth.” The rest of the pack nods in agreement. “Avdol, are you ok driving the rest of the way tomorrow?”

Avdol tilts his head at the change of subject. “Yes, that shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Good,” Jotaro leans back and stretches a bit as he explains, “you and the old man can sleep in the truck tonight, the rest of us will pair up and patrol in shifts.”

“Well wait a moment Jotaro, I can patrol too!” Joseph slaps his hands on his legs as he leans forward toward Jotaro. “I know I joke about it a lot but I’m not that old!”

Jotaro sighs as he closes his eyes and crosses his arms. “One of these days your age will catch up to you. Besides, you’ll need to be well rested to navigate for Avdol tomorrow. And you need to manage whatever is going on at the new headquarters once we get there.” He opens his eyes again and fixes Joseph with a steely gaze. Joseph scratches at his beard and looks away, not ready or willing to challenge Jotaro on this. You can’t really make out what he grumbles under his breath other than ‘not that old’.

Polnareff laughs and slaps Joseph on the back, “Ha! I’ll remember you said that next time you try and get out of trouble using that ‘frail old man’ card!” Joseph just grumbles more as everyone chuckles; you see a small smirk on his face as he turns away though.

“Fine, fine. Us old guys will sleep in the car while you young whippersnappers brave the cold out here. But don’t come knocking on my door in the middle of the night!”

Jotaro grins at his grandfather’s antics before turning his attention to the rest of the ‘youngsters’ in the pack. “I think we’ll be fine if we spend the night as wolves. The temperature shouldn’t be so cold that we can’t handle it. As for patrol and watch,” he pulls out his phone to check the time, “we’ll pair up for the night and morning shifts, that way all of us get at least a few hours of sleep.” Just the word sleep has Jotaro suppressing a yawn. “I’ll take one spot on the morning patrol, anyone else have a preference?”

You nod and speak up, “I’ll stay up for night shift, I’m not an early riser.” You blush and turn away from Jotaro as you realizes he’s seen you in action- or inaction- two mornings in a row now.

“I don’t really have a preference.” Kakyoin says from your other side, he must have interpreted your movement as looking for his answer, not just avoiding Jotaro.

“I guess that makes me the deciding vote, I’d rather stay up for the night watch than wake up early as well.”

With the patrols figured out for the night everyone starts to prepare for bed. It turns out though that you’re the only one with rough camping experience as the guys watch perplexed as you start gathering a pile of leaves to make a more comfortable spot than just the hard ground. “What, you guys never camped without gear before?” Three sets of eyes look away, embarrassed as Joseph starts cackling in the background.

“You’re going to have to show these city boys the ropes (Y/N)! I’m sure you can handle it.” Joseph says as he climbs into the cleared space in the back of the truck and shuts the door behind him.

“Wait, seriously? None of you have camped out without tents before?”

“Unfortunately, Mr. Joestar is right,” Kakyoin explains as he takes a step forward to better observe what you are doing, “is it really more complicated than just transforming to stay warm?”

“Well, that will keep you warm but it won’t make it more comfortable to sleep on the ground. Help me gather up some more leaves, we’ll make a two-person pile to use as a mattress. Then I’ll help you guys bundle up some pillows out of clothes so they don’t unravel overnight.” Jotaro raises an eyebrow but just shrugs and does as you instruct, the other two falling in line as well. Soon a pretty decent leaf pile is collected and you spread it out large enough for two adult males to fit comfortably. After showing the guys how to roll up pillows tight enough to withstand the tossing and turning that comes from sleeping on the ground you all scavenge the area for branches and sticks to keep the fire fed overnight. “Excellent! I’ll make campers out of you guys yet!”

“How is it you know all this anyway? You said you traveled a lot, but is this how you normally got from place to place?” Kakyoin asks as he drops off the last pile of sticks from his arms.

You wave off the comment, “Oh no, I usually had enough money to get a motel room or something. In a pinch I could sleep in my car for a night if I absolutely needed to. I actually learned all this camping stuff from family reunions. I have a lot of family when you start counting cousins and second cousins, and every year there is a reunion at the beginning of summer. We spend the whole weekend as wolves, hunting, racing, sleeping, occasionally fighting…” you smile and slap your hands free of dirt. “It’s really a great time, living wild for a weekend. Gets a lot of pent-up energy out, you know?”

“That sounds like a rather nice tradition.” Kakyoin gives you a kind smile, “Perhaps we should consider adopting it?” he turns his head towards Jotaro who just hums contemplatively before nodding. Another wave of contagious yawns overtakes the pack and you all decide its time to get some rest.

You all quickly shed your human forms for wolf fur, your senses sparking alive as your form shifts. Colors dim as your new sight allows for better night vision at the cost of reduced variation. You inhale deeply, expecting only the smells of woods and campfire but something slightly sour hangs in the air. Closing your eyes and lifting your nose to the wind you try and follow the trail but it’s gone as suddenly as it appeared, the wind chasing it away from you through the trees. You shake your head and snort to clear your nose. It was probably just some trash or something a previous camper forgot in the area.

Jotaro and Kakyoin get situated on the bed of leaves and Polnareff motions for you to join him at the edge of trees for your first patrol. The journey through the woods is slow going at first, both of you slightly on edge, not knowing what to expect. While you had more experience ‘living wild’ as you called it, Polnareff obviously had more experience hunting and tracking. He makes it a point to stop often to mark your trail with scratches on the trees and brushing up on other shorter bushes to leave his scent. He laughs at you a bit when he catches your curious gaze on the tree he just mauled, “What’s the matter? I thought you were used to camping out in this form?”

“Well yeah, but… I was always stuck hanging out with the pups. My dad and uncles split up patrol duty.”

“Ah, well in that case let me show you. I usually do this when I’m on a job to find someone in the city; its much easier to follow your nose back rather than loose track of a target because you were looking at a map.” He gestures to a tree ahead, “Go ahead and help out. It will probably help keep other animals away too if they smell too many predators in the area.”

“I was wondering why I didn’t hear anything moving around tonight. You think we scarred everything off?” you sniff the air again; you could tell some deer and rabbits had been through recently but only their scent remained now.

“Probably. They’d have to be pretty ill equipped to stay in an area with a bunch of wolves roaming about- or humans for that matter.” He lifts his nose and jogs ahead a few paces to a large boulder, “Here- this is where we started at. Now we just turn left and we’ll be back at camp.” You blink perplexed, you hadn’t really thought about how many turns you’d taken during your walk. Perhaps you were more tired than you thought.

The fire is burning low when you get back to the camp so you feed it some of the branches collected earlier, keeping the coals burning hot enough to reach the sleeping men and keep them a bit more comfortable. You take a seat next to Polnareff and grab one of the drink bottles from the snack pile. It’s a little tricky with your hands being larger and less dexterous than you are used to but you manage to open it and hand it to Polnareff before grabbing one for yourself. The lack of animal sounds around the campsite is still a little unnerving but you’re soon distracted when Polnareff turns to you and starts telling you about the time he had to covertly chase a target through an office building while dressed as a mailman, trying to catch the target in the act of cheating with his co-worker.

You take turns trying to one up each other with ridiculous stories, keeping an eye on the fire and the woods at the same time. You can’t help but let your attention drift every so often as Jotaro or Kakyoin move around in their sleep. Polnareff’s pointy elbow is suddenly nudging your side as he laughs at you, apparently, you’d been staring at the alpha long enough for Pol to notice. You quickly turn away even though your fur would cover any blush on your face. Standing up and moving to the woods again you initiate another patrol round, Polnareff snickering as you follow the trail left last time and refresh the scent marks.

The rest of your night on watch goes smoothly, and by the time your last patrol comes around you’re feeling a bit sleep drunk, playfully pushing Polnareff around on your walk as he teases you for being so concerned with keeping the fire warm and setting aside snacks for Jotaro and Kakyoin when they woke up. Really you were just trying to keep Polnareff from eating all the good snacks. You laugh and give a shove and he makes a show of exaggeratedly falling into a tree.

“Such violence! Just wait! I’ll tell on you to Joseph; we’ll see who’s laughing then!” the large wolfman throws a hand to his forehead like a swooning southern lady and points an accusing finger at you.

“Tell on me? What, you’re going to admit you can’t hold your own against me? He’ll just laugh and call you a spoiled pup again.” You continue slowly on the patrol path and wait for him to catch up.

“No, I’ll just tell him how you were making googly eyes at his grandson all night. You will never have another moments rest!” his triumphant smirk is infuriating even in his wolf form so you shove him off the path again and race back to camp, laughing as he playfully shoves you off course as he passes you.

Back at camp your eyes immediately go to the sleeping wolves and you have to admit maybe Polnareff has a point about you making ‘googly eyes’ at Jotaro; he and Kakyoin are tangled up in what would be a puppy pile if they were younger. You’re very tempted for a moment to not worry about waking them up for their patrol shift and just join the pile yourself, but your rational mind overcomes your instincts and you carefully wake them. Kakyoin wakes up quickly and makes his way to the remaining snacks near the fire. Jotaro however looks half asleep still so you keep him seated for a few moments longer on the leaf pile as you check the wounds on his shoulder hadn’t opened up or gotten too dirty in his sleep. You help him brush some crumbled leaves from his fur and you both make your way to the fire and sitting logs.

You grab a few packs of jerky and some drinks to help Jotaro wake up and you can’t help the startled yelp as he grabs your hand and pulls you down to sit next to him. You’re almost uncomfortably close, your side brushing against his any time either of you inhales. Jotaro doesn’t seem to notice how tense you are, he still looks half asleep as he mechanically eats the snacks you offered him while staring into the fire. You ignore Polnareff’s snickering and Kakyoin’s knowing looks from across the fire pit and hand over a drink to the alpha at your side. His arm brushes against yours as he takes it and you shiver as the contact marks you with his scent, even if it was accidental it is a highly intimate thing, usually reserved for very close pack mates.

“Did anything interesting happen while we were asleep? Anything we should know about?” Kakyoin tries to draw in Polnareff’s attention before he can start teasing you or Jotaro.

Polnareff is hyper focused on the opportunity to tease you though, “Non, non. In fact, you are witnessing the most interesting thing to happen all night,” he gestures to you both. Jotaro must be more awake as he looks back over his shoulder in confusion before he realizes what Pol is implying. You hear him mutter something as he shifts away from you, but only by a few inches so you were no longer joined at the hip.

“Seriously Polnareff?” he yelps and fumbles with a water bottle you throw at him. “But really, it has been pretty uneventful. We must have scared off everything around here.”

Jotaro tenses next to you and you look at him with a questioning tilt of your head. “You haven’t seen any animals around? Not even on perimeter patrol?”

“Uh, no. we just assumed we scared them all away.” Polnareff scratches his head, also confused by Jotaro’s concern. “Isn’t it natural to flee a place is a group of hunters moves in?”

“Maybe at first, but at least the animals in the trees should have come back by now…” Jotaro rubs his eyes and lowers his head with a huff, “Whatever, I’m probably over thinking it.” You glance around the camp site again, the peaceful quiet now more ominous as shadows cast from the fire dance behind trees and bushes.

“Oh, thanks a lot Jotaro. Giving me the creeps right before I go to bed.” Polnareff’s fur is standing on end making him appear comically fluffy. “I’m blaming you if I get no rest tonight. And after (Y/N) and I did such a good job on our watch.” He huffs as he attempts to smooth down his fur again.

The red wolf next to him just chuckles and shakes his head, “Well no one said you have to go to sleep. You’re free to stay up and keep an eye on camp if you want.” Kakyoin stands up and stretches as Polnareff mumbles to himself about needing his beauty sleep and shuffles over to the leaf bed.

You and Jotaro rise from your seats and you give another skeptical glance around at the trees before grabbing hold of Jotaro’s arm as he starts to walk away. This may be becoming a habit for you, grabbing onto his hand for reassurance. He faces you and tilts his head an you search for words as you make eye contact with him. “I…um… just…” you glance away and refocus on his face when he gives your hand a squeeze “Be careful?”

He nods and his stoic features soften slightly as he smiles, “We will, don’t worry. Go get some rest.” His hand lest go of yours and trails up your arm and around to your back to nudge you in the right direction. Too tired to put up any resistance, you follow his order. You’re asleep almost as soon as you lay down next to Polnareff in the leaf pile.

Kakyoin waits patiently at the entrance to the patrol path you and Polnareff created as Jotaro checks around camp. Avdol and the old man still asleep in the truck, the coals of the fire still hot enough that the heat reaches your sleeping spot, and there should be enough wood to keep it that way till morning. He’s satisfied with the state of things and casts one last critical glance to the shadows beyond the tree line before joining Kakyoin on the path. The silence of the forest is unnerving but easy to ignore, Polnareff was probably right about the animals keeping a wide berth around a group of predators.

His concentration is pulled from the surrounding woods by Kakyoin. “(Y/N) seems to be really fitting in well with the pack.” The red wolf faces ahead with a straight face, but there is a glint in his eyes as he glances back to Jotaro to gauge his reaction. “I don’t think I’ve seen you warm up to anybody as fast as you have to her. It’s a bit shocking you decided to trust her so soon if I’m honest.” He tries to keep his face neutral, but Jotaro can see the beginnings of a smug smirk.

“You saying I shouldn’t trust her?” Jotaro throws the statement back at him, years of experience turning Kakyoin’s teasing comments on their head coming into practice.

“Ha, no, not at all. She more than proved herself today.” He pauses, a more serious look on his face as he continues, “But even you have to admit, you’ve been acting very strange since you met her.”

“It’s… complicated. I don’t really want to talk about it.” Jotaro shakes his head and continues moving on.

Kakyoin stops in his tracks, “You know I wouldn’t push you unless I was worried about you. This may be your last chance for a while to get it out in the open. No audience, just us and the trees.” Kakyoin gestures to the woods and waits as Jotaro stops and contemplates his options.

He heaves a sigh before continuing to walk and Kakyoin grins knowing he’s won. “It’s complicated because I don’t really understand what’s going on myself. I know I don’t really know her yet, but at the same time I don’t care about that at all.” Jotaro ruffles his hair in frustration and embarrassment. “The old man thinks its my instincts trying to tell me she’s my mate, or potential mate at least. Logically, I know I should take it slow and get to know her first like a normal person, but…”

“But we’re not normal people Jotaro.” Kakyoin nods sagely, the internal issues clearer to him now. “But she’s not a normal person either. From what I can see, she’s just as eager to get closer to you too.” He can see Jotaro’s shoulders slump in relief as they keep walking the path. “You do have options here, but you need to figure out what you want first. And you don’t have to take Joseph’s words to heart. We’re not going to have the same thoughts on pack bonds and mates as the full wolf members of the pack do.”

“True.” Jotaro sighs again, “Maybe it’s just my human half making me over think this. Gramps and the others don’t seem to have a problem just following their instincts wherever they lead to.”

“Well, that doesn’t always work out perfectly either. That’s what my father did all his life and you know I only call home for mother’s sake these days.”

“I don’t think that’s a trait limited to wolves in that regard.” There is more of a growl in his voice than Jotaro intended. He clears his throat and continues, “Some fathers are just like that.” The rest of the walk back to camp is silent and Jotaro makes himself busy tending the fire when they arrive.

Kakyoin is equally subdued and takes a seat on the log next to Jotaro after raiding the drink selection. He hands over a bottle of beer and Jotaro quirks his head in question. Kakyoin just shrugs and pops the cap off his own, they each take a long swig and stare into the fire.

After a while its time to walk the perimeter path again, the red and black wolves moving quietly to the edge of the camp. Jotaro can’t help but sneak one more glance to where you and Polnareff are sleeping before giving the whole area one last critical look. He joins Kakyoin at the entrance but is stopped by Kakyoin’s outstretched arm before he can continue on the path. The red wolf has his nose tilted to the air so Jotaro follows suit. A slightly sour smell, like a mixture of garbage and deer musk assaults his nose before a breeze makes him loose the scent. Kakyoin must have lost it too based on the way he opens his eyes and searches the woods around. Nothing seems out of place, all the trees around silent and still. The animals have still not reappeared and the silence makes each footstep loud and clear as a bell. Another strong breeze makes the trees creak and groan, leaves shifting and rattling on the ground.

The soured smell is back again as they reach a landmark tree indicating they need to turn left soon, but as they pass it by, they are met with unfamiliar woods in front of them. The trees groan in the wind again, but Jotaro notices no leaves shift from their spots on the ground. They both freeze and turn in place, Kakyoin barely catches movement from his right where the landmark tree is, the roots undulating and creeping like snakes before quickly resettling.

“Jojo, the trees…”

“Yeah, I saw it. Not just the trees though, look at the branches on that bush.” The shrub in question was undoubtedly larger than it was a few seconds ago, its branches and twigs looked like they were caught in the wind but were using the movement to disguise how they grew and stretched themselves towards the wolves.

Jotaro’s fur stands straight up, there was no telling how far off the path they’ve been led. Were they even in range of the camp to hear if anything was also going wrong there? They’d have to rely on the scent trail to get back before… The sour smell from earlier is suddenly overpowering as a few trees about fifty feet away move on their own to make way for a giant creature lumbering towards them. Its beady eyes are focused on them and it grins, revealing jagged teeth as it lifts its arm. The plants around them writhe and tangle themselves at the leshin’s command.

Kakyoin growls loudly as he cuts away reaching branches with his claws. Jotaro focuses on the creature before them, looking for any obvious weaknesses. Its body is gigantic, probably twelve feet tall even though it was hunched over and dragged its knuckles like a great ape while it walked. Rough textured skin peeked out between ragged pelts and tufts of mossy hair on its body, probably the most vulnerable targets at a glance. On its head it wore a deer skull like a helmet, the antlers scraping branches above it with each bob of its head.

It’s distracted with pushing a tree out of its way to make room for its body and Jotaro uses the moment to rush forward, Kakyoin following right behind him. They quickly close the distance and lunge at the beast leaving deep gouges in the creature’s skin. No blood rises to the surface of the cuts though, in fact, the leshin makes almost no note of the injuries. They repeat their attack, but the rough patches only splinter like tree bark as they make contact. It retaliates and swings a fist at them but it’s too slow to connect.

They quickly fall back out of range to regroup. Jotaro growls lowly with his hackles raised, “Its skin is too thick to break through.” The leshin raises its arms again and they cut away the creeping branches.

“We can out run it though. Get back to camp and get everyone out of here.” Kakyoin pants as he slashes at vines threatening to anchor them to the ground. Jotaro nods and turns towards the woods, Kakyoin leading the way back to camp. The creature catches onto their plan though and with a chilling wail the trees in front of them weave into a solid wall before their eyes.

Roots spring up from underground and snare their legs too quickly to cut away. The creeping vines quickly climb up past their hips and tangle their claws when they come close enough. Their struggle is fruitless and the leshin lumbers closer to them making up for its speed handicap by totally immobilizing its prey. It reaches for Kakyoin and its massive hand is large enough to completely wrap around his torso as it plucks him from the ground.

Jotaro’s eyes widen and redoubles his efforts to get free as Kakyoin is lifted towards the creature’s mouth. He glances around desperately looking for something that can aid him before it’s too late. The trees and roots are still undulating wildly, rocks and dead branches pushed out of the way for the living plants. Living plants. Of course, it was only able to control living things! He’s finally able to free one of his arms and grabs a rock laying near his feet. It flies free of his grasp and shatters the nose of the dear skull on the leshin’s head sending shards of bone into the creature’s forehead and eyes.

The leshin howls in pain using its free hand to brush away the shards and lowers Kakyoin towards the ground. Kakyoin had been scratching and clawing at the gigantic hand still squeezing him but uses the opportunity to grab onto a large rock as he’s swung low to the ground. The creature recovers and swings Kakyoin back up towards its mouth. The rock Kakyoin is holding slams into its face as he swings his arms with all his strength and the creature wails in pain again.

Keeping hold of the large rock, Kakyoin quickly shoves it into the mouth of the screaming leshin, sinking his arms up to the elbow to lodge the rock in its throat. He’s barely able to withdraw before the leshin snaps its jaws shut. Its wails and cries now reduced to gurgling choking as its eyes begin to bulge and look franticly around the woods. Panic is starting to set in as it’s unable to draw in air, its grip on Kakyoin finally releasing and control over the plants waning. The drop to the floor is jarring and Kakyoin scrambles to regain his footing, one arm braced across his stomach where the leshin’s grip had tightened painfully.

Jotaro is finally free of the vines and roots that kept him bound in place and sprints over to where Kakyoin is hunched over, grabbing him under the arms and dragging him away from the creature as it fumbles and thrashes. Its gnarled hands grasp at its throat, clawing and scraping away at its own bark-like skin. It rises to its full height and stumbles backwards, beady eyes rolling in their sockets and tongue hanging from its gaping mouth. One of its arms flails wildly before making contact with its mouth, pushing fingers into its own throat to try and dislodge the rock but only pushing it deeper. The lack of air finally makes it loses consciousness and it falls back into the trees with a crash.

Kakyoin stands, panting as they watch the leshin twitch in its death throws, both he and Jotaro winded but thankfully just bruised from the encounter. The woods around them are again still and silent, trees and roots creaking and groaning in protest to their new locations but no longer moving on their own. They keep their eyes locked onto the creature as they catch their breath but as soon as they recover, they turn back to the path. The markings on the trees can’t be trusted to lead them so they rely on smell as they run through the woods back to camp.

They burst past the line of trees into camp and take stock of the scene. The fire is burning low, but everything else seems to be just as they left it. Jotaro motions to the truck and Kakyoin nods and makes his way over to wake Joseph and Avdol. From where he’s standing, he can see you and Polnareff are still sleeping, your face pushed into the white wolf’s back for warmth and Polnareff has wrapped himself around one of the makeshift pillows. Jotaro shakes you awake first; you grumble and reluctantly roll over to look at him. “We’re leaving early.”

A kick of adrenalin feels like ice shooting through your veins, fully alert and stiffly sitting up to look around the camp for danger. Nothing seems out of place so you turn your attention to Jotaro. He’s panting slightly but seems fine other than some random leaves and twigs stuck in his fur. “What’s wrong? What’s going on?” you ask as you stand up from the leaf bed and keep a careful eye on the woods.

Polnareff is grumbling as he’s woken up too but Jotaro turns to you and answers, “We encountered a creature, I’m not even sure what it was.” Another spike of adrenalin rushes you, “We took it down but I don’t want to take any chances that it had friends out here. I’ll explain more in the car when we’re out of here.” You and Polnareff nod and help him to quickly pack up camp.

Joseph and Avdol make their way out of the truck just as you finish smothering the fire, Kakyoin behind them and once again in his human form. Jotaro drops his transformation as Joseph approaches him and claps his hand to Jotaro’s shoulder as he looks him over for new injuries. A few new scrapes have appeared on his skin but you were correct earlier when you didn’t see any serious ones. He huffs as he completes his visual check and pulls Jotaro into a tight hug. “We’re really having some shitty luck lately, aren’t we son?” he pulls away with a grin as Jotaro mumbles out his trademark ‘good grief’, but you see the small smirk on his face too. “Kakyoin told us the… thing… out there is dead?”

“Yeah, but I’d rather we get out of here as soon as possible. We don’t know if it was the only one here.” Avdol nods at the order and gets to work arranging the seats and loading gear into the truck. You and Polnareff are the last to drop your transformations and the chilly morning air causes you to shiver. It’s still a few hours till dawn, but soon you are all ready and seated in the warm truck, Joseph is acting as navigator as Avdol drives carefully out of the woods, the last leg of your journey to New York City now underway.

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Author’s Note:

I just keep falling further and further behind, don’t I? I try to write for at least an hour a day on my lunch break, but between this chapter being SOOO long and my lunches being shorter lately... well better late than never! 

No One Lives Forever- CH12

(AO3 link)

Stardust Crusader Wolf Pack AU

[From the beginning- CH1]

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The drive into city limits was thankfully uneventful. There was enough gas left from the last stop to make it all the way to the new apartment so Joseph declared that there would be no more stops. You and the younger guys had no issue with this plan, all of you so beyond tired that you would have agreed to any plan that involved you getting back to sleep.

It’s mid-morning when you wake up next, neck stiff from the awkward angle you slept in. You ended up in the very back row next to Kakyoin this time, and you both have to wait for Jotaro and Polnareff to fold down the seat to let you out. It’s disorienting to wake up in a completely new place. You’re greeted with a pretty nondescript parking garage, warm city air breezing through the open structure and kicking up dust and other questionable smells. You quickly cover your nose with your sleeve, reminded why you prefer smaller towns.

“Cheer up everyone! Not much further now.” Joseph seems to have really benefited from the full nights sleep, practically skipping past you all carrying his own bags as you trudge to the back of the truck to help unload. Between the six of you there is no need for a second trip, so the pack follows Joseph to the elevator, but instead of heading to the ground floor to begin your journey to the new apartment he selects the ‘lobby’ floor. If he was bouncing before, Joseph is vibrating with excitement now. “Everyone stay right here for a moment while I get the key. I want this to be a surprise.” Jotaro sighs but ends up putting his bag down in the open elevator door to wait for Joseph to get back. The view out the door is obstructed by a wall with some kind of post-modern art on it, the parking garage you just came from must be private parking for residents of the building. Your shoulders slump in relief; tension you didn’t know you were carrying melting at the realization you wouldn’t be hauling your bags across town on foot.

Joseph is back quickly, a brass key held out in front of him like some sort of holy relic as he walks. “Caesar’s been sending me pictures of the place; get ready to be blown away!” he turns the key in the elevator panel and selects a residential floor.

“Uncle Caesar’s already been here then?” Jotaro inquires.

“Well, he was. His email just said that it got set up and he’ll be done with company business soon. Then his pack is going to join us.” Joseph scratches at his beard as you all watch the numbers light up on the indicator panel. “I’ll call him today and we’ll get the final plan set in stone. It sounded like they only had a few things to set up before they can leave the company on ‘autopilot’ for a while.” His grin is as bright as ever as the elevator finally stops on the 26th floor and he rushes into the hallway as soon as the doors open wide enough.

The rest of you follow at a more sedated pace but you can’t help the excited feeling in your gut as you progress. The front door is flung wide open as Joseph hurls himself through the opening. You are almost blinded by the amount of natural light that greets you as you enter.

The two-level floor to ceiling windows grant a spectacular view of the city skyline, few other buildings tall enough to obstruct your view. The white walls and furniture bounce the light around the open living room and reflect off the glass and silver modern tables, everything placed and organized perfectly.

To your left is a dining area with a modern table and chairs, dark woods and pale cream-colored decorations tying in the colors of the living room. A large chandelier blocks some of your view to the kitchen, but from what you can see it is the most high-end residential kitchen you’ve ever seen outside of magazines and movies. Hell, it would put some of those to shame too. A pastel, almost minty aqua tile behind the stove is the only color added to the otherwise monochrome browns and creams so far, silver appliances shine in the reflected light.

Polnareff whistles loudly as he gives the place a good look as well, pretty much summarizing your thoughts. Jotaro, Kakyoin and Avdol are more modest in their reactions but you can tell by the way they straighten up and look around that they are eager to explore the new place too. Joseph is standing in front of the huge main window with his hands on his hips looking out on the mid-morning skyline. He turns with a flourish and throws his hands in the air, “We finally did it! I thought the previous owners were going to holdout forever, but we out lasted them! And now it’s ours!”

“Wait, you own this? Its not just a cool monthly rental?” you haven’t moved very far from the doorway, afraid to get anything dirty.

Jotaro ducks his head so his hat obscures most of this face, “Well, that’s not exactly what he means.”

“That’s right, JoeStar Realty has become a pretty big conglomerate since Caesar and I started it. We didn’t just buy out this apartment, we now own the whole building!” Joseph throws his head back and laughs triumphantly. You’re gob smacked as the reality of his statement sinks in. just what kind of pack did you stumble into? “Come on- showers and bedrooms are upstairs. We’ll all get situated and just relax today.” Joseph leads the charge up the stairs to your right and you all follow him up, bags in tow.

“There are five bedrooms, but with the Zeppeli pack staying here we’re going to have to share. I’ll give him a call and see what’s going on.” The rest of the guys nod and split up to explore the upper level. You follow suit and are amazed by the opulent bedroom you find yourself in. Looking in each doorway you see there are two smaller rooms decorated in creams and whites, still big enough to comfortably fit queen size beds. The larger three rooms done in blue, green, and grey are all furnished with king sized beds.

“(Y/N)! We’ve got two showers in this place- one of them is yours if you want to go first.” Joseph shouts from down the hall and you can see him poking his head out of one of the doorways.

“Yeah, sounds good to me- if everyone is cool with it?” You make your way over to the free bathroom, no one disagreeing with letting you be one of the first to shower. “I promise I’ll be quick!” You shout to the hallway before closing the door. the bathroom is just as fancy as the rest of the apartment, a large walk-in shower taking up most of the space. There are so many buttons and knobs, you’re tempted to try all of the settings but you just promised to be quick. Maybe you’d have the time to fully test it out later.

Luckily the apartment was also stocked with other essentials like towels and soap, and after a disappointingly fast shower – you only had time to try out a few of the fancy settings- you quickly change into a new outfit and grab a comb from your bag before dropping it off in one of the bedrooms. You make your way back downstairs to the living room and Polnareff jumps from his seat at the dining table when he sees you. He’s already bounded up the stairs before you can announce the shower is open now.

“Ah, (Y/N). I’ve got good news! I gave Caesar a quick call- he and his pack won’t be here till tomorrow afternoon. Polnareff volunteered to sleep out here in the living room, so we all get our own rooms for the night.” Joseph says as he and Avdol make use of the kitchen. Soap and towels must not be the only things supplied by the mysterious Zeppeli pack. A pretty impressive array of sandwich meats and condiments are spread out on the counter, and Joseph is putting the finishing touches on his own monstrous sandwich creation.

Jotaro is already showered and changed and sitting at the dining table working his way through his own mountain of sandwiches; you put you phone and comb down on the table next to him to save your spot while you make your own food. Cringing to yourself, you hope no one else notices you basically marked out territory right next to the alpha of the pack. Quickly throwing together some sandwiches you join the guys at the table.

The relaxed atmosphere is broken by the chorus of ‘Mama Mia’ suddenly staring to play. Joseph nearly chokes on the bite he just took and coughs it down as he reaches for his cell phone. He finally gets himself under control and answers the call, “Suzi! Sweetheart!”

“Jojo dear! I just got off the phone with Caesar, when were you going to tell me you were back in the city? And what’s all this nonsense about monsters?”

“He, uh, told you about that, did he? Well, its nothing to worry yourself over. I was going to give you a call once we all got settled here.” Joseph’s free hand can’t seem to stary still, alternating between scratching his beard and ruffling his hair. “But it’s all good now! Everyone is fine, perfectly fine! No reason to worry!”

“You are a terrible liar Jojo. Is everyone really ok?”

Joseph relaxes a bit and a small smile creeps onto his face. He makes his way out to the balcony to take the call in private. Shutting the glass door, he takes a look at everyone gathered at the table before turning to face the city skyline.

“Jojo?”

“I’m here, just stepped out for some privacy.” He takes a deep breath to prepare before continuing. “We’re all ok for the most part. Some cuts and bruises but we’re all in one piece.”

The silence that follows is almost more frightening than Suzi screaming at him. Finally, she breaks it, “Where are you, I’ll be right there.”

“No! No, you stay put. Besides, Caesar and his pack are going to be here tomorrow, there’s no need to worry.”

“I’m not going to argue with you about this Joseph. If there are dangerous people around, we should be together- the whole pack. There is safety in numbers after all.”

“Suzi, darling. Love of my life and sun in my sky,” Joseph does his best to butter up his mate, “I’m begging you to stay where you are; where you’re safe. We are attracting all kinds of enemies right now, if you got caught up in my fight again…” Joseph trails off, hoping the desperation in his voice talks some sense into her.

It seems to have done the trick as Suzi sighs loudly into the receiver, “Ok, have it your way Jojo. But are you going to keep everyone away? Remember Holly and Sado are supposed to be back in time for his big audition.”

“Damn. I forgot they were coming back so soon.” Joseph slaps a palm to his forehead and rubs it over his face.

“Oh! Wait! This gives me an idea!” Suzi practically sings into the phone, “It’s been so long since I’ve seen Fiona and her kids, I’m sure Caesar wasn’t planning on bringing his whole pack along with him. She and Holly and anyone else not needed to fight, we can all stay together! We’ll have the best of both, all of us out of harms way and safety of numbers!”

“Suzi, you are absolutely brilliant. I’ll get Jotaro and Caesar up to speed on this plan. I’m sure they’ll agree. We can look for a cabin outside of town, that way you’ll be able to transform if you do run into trouble.”

“Oh, silly me! I keep forgetting we need to let Jotaro make the decisions. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to my baby grandson being in charge.”

“I know. I’m still getting used to it myself, but he’s doing so well. Even with everything going on. Listen to this, it all started when we were at the new cabin to check out the area…”

***

From inside you watch as Joseph starts pacing and throwing his hands in the air as he talks on the phone. Jotaro had explained that was his grandma Suzi’s ringtone, Joseph was probably telling his mate everything that happened over the past several days. You pause as you are about to take another bite. Had it really only been a few days? Just a week ago you were a lone wolf, going from town to town as you pleased, and now…

You smile and greet Kakyoin and Polnareff as they take a seat at the table as well. Between bites of his food, Polnareff regals you all with a story about a job he had some years back that took place in a building down the street from this one. You do your best to look like you are listening, but you can’t help your thoughts drifting off to this strange situation you’ve become tangled in. You felt so at ease with everyone here, so unlike the packs you’ve tried to join in the past. They were such a close-knit bunch, especially considering it was rare for packs to be made up of so many non-family members. Hopefully the threads now tying you to this pack held strong after the hunter issue was solved. Just the thought of being outed from the group is enough to make you anxious, but you quickly quell the feeling with the resolve that you will do everything you can to prove you deserve to stay. To prove you belong.

The rest of lunch passes uneventfully, one by one you migrate to the living room and you end up sitting between Jotaro and Kakyoin again on one of the couches. Joseph and Avdol are across from you, Polnareff remaining at the table as he pulls out a laptop from his luggage. Now that you’re settled, clean, and full it’s hard not to drift between sleep and wakefulness. You don’t want to completely upset your sleep schedule so you settle on paying attention to the classic movie Joseph found on TV.

Jotaro and Kakyoin have no reservations about this it seems as they both quickly settle in for a nap as their attention on the TV wanes. Polnareff gives a loud yawn as he snaps his laptop shut and stands up to stretch. “Polnareff, would you mind if I borrowed your laptop if you’re finished with it?” Avdol stops him from putting it back in the carry case.

“Sure, what do you need it for?” Polnareff hands over the silver laptop, standing behind the couch and leaning over to see the screen.

“Something has been bothering me, about the encounters we’ve had recently. We seem to have run into more than our fair share, one of them even mentioning Dio by name.” You can see Polnareff’s hair stand on end and a full body shiver run through him at the mention of Dio. “I need to know; was it just bad luck that we ran into them? Or is there a magical component to this that we are not seeing? I need to do some research, but I wouldn’t put it past whoever is behind all this to use supernatural means to track and keep sight on us.”

You sit up straight in your seat as a chill rushes down your spine. You had been attributing the encounters to just bad luck, but the thought that they were intentional… Joseph seems to feel the same way, he stands from his seat with a growl and starts pacing.

“How can we tell for sure if we’re being watched?” Jotaro’s voice startles you. Apparently, he hadn’t been fully asleep. Kakyoin leans forward in his seat as well, the whole pack focused intently on Avdol.

“There are a few ways I can deduce if there is some kind of tracking spell being cast. But I need some time to refresh my knowledge on the subject. More importantly, if we find that there is a spell involved, we may be able to counter it.” Avdol hadn’t looked away from the screen while he addressed the pack, already deep into his research process.

“You’ll be able to block it once you know what it is?” You question him, curious to how the other werewolf could have such an in-depth knowledge of spells that he would only need to ‘refresh’ his knowledge.

“Not just block it. Most people don’t realize this, and in fact most spell casters depend on it, but when you use magic to view something it is like opening a window to look through. But when this window opens, if you have the right tools, you can view the caster back through the same portal.” You nod slowly at his explanation, still mystified at how he could possibly know this.

“Well, that’s some good news at least. Is there anything we can do to help?” Kakyoin asks as he sits up straight in his seat again.

“No, for now it’s just research to be done.” Avdol looks away from the screen to the pack. “Once I figure out what counter spells to use, I’ll need to collect some specialized tools from my shop.”

“Your shop? What’s that?” Today is raising more and more questions about the pack you’ve found yourself affiliating with.

“Forgive me, I forget you haven’t been with us that long to know. My family owns a curiosities shop, mostly catering to other sorcerers and people interested in the occult. You see, I’m half wolf on my father’s side. My mother is a sorceress, though she claims her only real talent is fortune telling.” Well, that would be one minor mystery solved about why Avdol knows so much about these things, but opens up even more intrigue to his past.

Jotaro nods and relaxes back into his seat, “Avdol, you make a list of what you’ll need from the shop. If its possible you should head over tomorrow with gramps, let your parents know it may be best to get out of town for a while.” Avdol nods at the order from his alpha and goes back to his research. The rest of you slowly relax back to your previous positions, Polnareff joining you all in the living room.

Its hard to tell how much time passes after that but it must be hours later when Joseph stands up and stretches, his joints cracking in protest. He winces a bit as he straightens out his spine, “I’m going to get started on dinner. Steak and potatoes sound good to everyone?” You could feel your mouth water at the thought and nod enthusiastically. Everyone else agrees as well and Joseph grins as he makes his way to the kitchen.

You join him, no time like the present to prove yourself useful. “What can I do to help?”

Joseph blinks twice before grinning at you, “Well if you really want to help, you can peel and chop these potatoes while I get the water and pans heated up. Sound good?” he hefts the bag of potatoes to the counter and you nod again, taking the bag from him and start looking for a knife.

You don’t catch the thoughtful look Joseph gives you and the glance to the living room as you get to work on your task. The open plan of the apartment was great for aesthetics but not for privacy. If he tried to grill you about your feelings and intentions toward his grandson, Jotaro was bound to overhear. Oh well, there were bound to be more opportunities in the future. Better to ignore it for now, Jotaro was under enough pressure as it was without discussing him like he wasn’t there.

Joseph gets to work on his own tasks and is impressed by how much you’ve gotten done when he checks your progress. “Wow, you really got to work on those. Where’d you get those knife skills, you a professional chef and just didn’t tell us?” Joseph laughs at his own joke.

“Ha, no. No, I’ve just worked a lot of odd jobs over the years. A lot of them happened to be in kitchens so I picked up a few things.” You chuckle with him as you continue working, adding a slight flourish to your movements to impress.

“Yeah, I guess that would do it, huh?” Joseph scratches his beard as he looks at you again, “If you don’t mind me asking, you said you’ve been on your own for a while… Why exactly? Have a falling out with your pack or something?”

“Nothing like that. I just…” You pause your movements as you try and think of the right words to explain, “It felt like it was time, you know? Adventure, fining myself, fining a pack of my own… That wasn’t going to happen if I just stayed home. So I packed up, hit the road and just kept going.” You smile as you turn to look at him. “I’ve actually had pretty poor luck with that last goal- finding a pack. Every time I ran into a new one that was looking for a member, it just never felt right, you know?”

“Well, that’s sad to hear, but at the same time I’m glad you’re with us now. How do you feel about that by the way? I know you’re kind of stuck right now…” Joseph trails off and you give him a bright smile.

“I know I barged into your lives, but you guys have done so much for me already. And, for the first time, I really feel like…” Joseph catches your glance at the living room and faint flush of your cheeks, “like I really have a place in the pack. Like I can belong.” Your eyes light with a sudden fire and intensity that catches Joseph off guard. “And I’m going to do everything I can to prove it. That I belong here.”

The last thing you were expecting was Joseph to gently pat you on the head and ruffle your hair a bit, “I wouldn’t worry about that (Y/N). You’ve already done it.” He gives you a sincere smile before turning back to the stove to get to work on dinner. You smile and do the same, quickly finishing and cleaning up your station.

Dinner is soon served and you are all entertained with stories from Joseph’s youth growing up in New York. You catch Jotaro next to you rolling his eyes at different parts of the tale. He sees your raised eyebrow and leans in, “Last time he told this story it was five vampires, now he’s up to eight.” You take a sip of water to hide your smile behind your glass.

After dinner is done and everything put away you find yourself back in the living room. You are about to get comfortable in an armchair when a yawn catches you off guard. Glancing at the clock you decide its not an unreasonable time to go to bed. “I think I’m going to call it a night guys. Do we need to work out bedroom assignments for the night or should I just pick one?” You stretch a bit as you move to stand next to the staircase.

“Nope, they’re all fair game tonight. Tomorrow we’ll have to figure out who is rooming with who when the Zeppeli pack gets here.” Joseph replies and you nod, giving one last goodnight to everyone before heading upstairs. You decide to just go with the one you dropped your stuff in, one of the rooms with a queen bed all to yourself tonight. Making sure you weren’t trapping anyone else’s things in the room you quickly change before falling into the bed face first. The covers are barely settled over you before you drift off to sleep.

***

You hadn’t set any kind of alarm, so you are a bit disoriented with the feeling of having overslept the next morning. Or was it early afternoon already? You crack an eye open to read the time on your phone; 10:15. Not early by any means but not unreasonable after the last few days you’ve had. And nowhere near your record for sleeping in, but the rest of the pack didn’t need to know that just yet.

You go through your morning routine at an unhurried pace before descending the stairs. Polnareff is seated at the table on his laptop again, Jotaro and Kakyoin eating breakfast across from him. You greet them and make yourself some toast before sitting next to Polnareff. Taking a glance at the screen you recognize the blue logo of Facebook but the profile Polnareff is looking at makes you pause.  

“Isn’t that one of the hunters?” you motion with your free hand to the screen as you take a bite of your breakfast.

“Oui. I’m doing a bit of research on them before I go check out the addresses.” Polnareff responds but his eyes never leave the screen.

You hum and nod before returning to your toast. Glancing around you realize Joseph and Avdol must still be upstairs, but you hadn’t thought them to be late risers. Kakyoin sees your survey of the room, “Mr. Joestar and Avdol have already left for his family’s shop. He said he was going to gather the necessary equipment to cast some protection spells.”

“They should be back in an hour or two, they didn’t leave that long ago.” Jotaro adds, his attention mostly on his breakfast but he makes eye contact with you as he speaks.

You nod again and watch Polnareff click through profiles and make some notes for a bit while you chew on your toast. “Is that really what you do as a PI? Facebook stalk people?”

Polnareff laughs, “Well this is just the first step. But you’d be astounded by what people volunteer sometimes. This guy,” he taps the ID card on the table, “has been surprisingly careful in what he posts. Which is a shame since he’s our best lead on whatever is going on. But since I have his address, I can put together a few things from what he does post.”

This catches Jotaro and Kakyoin’s attention and they both sit up straight in their chairs. “Since the place he claims to work for doesn’t have a website, and we know what his real job was, I was able to figure out where their equipment came from by cross checking their check-in tags from different restaurants around. It has to be one of the warehouses around the bay here.” Polnareff explains as he points to the map pulled up on his screen.

“Well, no time to lose then, lets go investigate.” Kakyoin says as he stands and collects his plate from the table to wash.

“Actually, I’d prefer to go by myself. It’s less suspicious if one person is hanging around and my methods, well… Let’s just say they aren’t 100% legal all the time.” Polnareff rubs the back of his neck and looks away for a moment before they both look to Jotaro for his decision on the matter.

Thinking for a moment, Jotaro seems to come to a decision as he closes his eyes and sighs. He opens his eyes again and focuses on Polnareff, “I’ll trust you to take care of yourself. I think you’re right though, a group of people snooping around is going to be more noticeable than just one.” You can tell by the look on Kakyoin’s face that he doesn’t agree, but he stays quiet. “The first sign of trouble you call us though, understood?”

“Of course! Although I don’t know how much trouble there could be, its not like he’s going to show up while I’m there.” Polnareff laughs and you smack your palm to your forehead, you would think he’d know better than to jinx himself like that.

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Author’s Note:

No fighting this chapter- everyone needs a break now and then. Also, I’ve decided I’m going to have to give up on once a week uploads- I feel like I’m really finding my voice writing this but it also means the chapters are getting longer and longer and I don't have the time I thought I would to get one chapter a week done. From now on posts will be sporadic but know that I am working on it a little each day!

No One Lives Forever- CH15

(AO3 link)

Stardust Crusader Wolf Pack AU

[From the beginning- CH1]

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Polnareff’s departure left you alone with Jotaro and Kakyoin. The quietness of the room without the silver wolf was edging on uncomfortable as you join the guys at the table, bringing glasses of water for all three of you. The stillness must have been getting to Kakyoin as well as he fidgets for a moment before leaving the table. You awkwardly sit and sip your water as you contemplate making an excuse to got to your room as well, but the redhead soon returned with a deck of playing cards in his hand. Jotaro seems invested in the new activity as well as he puts down his phone and leans forward in his chair a bit.

“You two up for a game to pass the time?” You and Jotaro both nod and fully focus on the redhead as he sits down again and begins to shuffle the cards. “Ladies choice then? What game would you like to play?”

You tap your fingers on the table while you think of a game to suggest, poker seemed too serious right now, but something like gin would eat up too much of your concentration and you really wanted to use the time to get to know your new packmates better. “How about ‘old maid’? I want to talk to you guys while we play, get to know you better. Sound good?”

Kakyoin smiles and nods as he stars dealing out the cards, not giving pause for Jotaro to protest the decision. Not that he seemed to want to as he just reclines in his chair as Kakyoin deals. You all remain quiet as you sort through your hands. Although you suggested this low-effort game so you could talk with them, you are still unsure how to break the silence that once again settled over the three of you.

Kakyoin clears his throat before facing you fully, “Well if we’re getting to know each other I guess I’ll start with a question for you. You said you’ve been traveling for a while- how long have you been on your own?”

You tilt your head to the side as you pluck a card from Jotaro’s hands and turn to Kakyoin for his turn. You try to remember when you officially set out on your own. “Well, I visited a lot of family and friends at first, so it’s probably been seven years or so since I was truly off on my own. Once the wanderlust kind of settled after seeing so many places on my own I started looking for a new pack to join instead of just wandering around. My family pack is just kind of too crowded to go back to, you know?”

Jotaro hums as he plucks his card from Kakyoin, “That’s pretty risky, isn’t it? To just go out looking for a new pack. Did you find others before ours?”

You’re kind of upset by the tone of judgement you can hear in his voice and you unconsciously scowl at him as you take your turn. “I can take care of myself, honestly the packs I did end up meeting were pretty cool once we cleared up the fact I wasn’t trying to move in on their territories. I just didn’t… fit in with them I guess? Just never felt right.” It feels like the universe is mocking your lone wolf status as you pluck the maid card from Jotaro’s hand.

There is a mischievous glint in Kakyoin’s violet eyes as he takes his turn and takes the maid card from you. “Don’t be too upset with him. Jotaro’s just concerned for you. He’s warmed up to you remarkably fast by the way.” His grin widens as Jotaro rolls his eyes.

“Well, this turned out to be a great plan to get to know us- now you know Kakyoin is a little shit.” Jotaro huffs as Kakyoin laughs at him.

You try to cover up your blush at Jotaro’s sidestep to the comment and laugh along with Kakyoin. Though you suppose you both hadn’t been exactly subtle in your interest in each other. You try to get a glimpse of Jotaro’s eyes to judge his reaction but he’s using his hat as a shield again. You turn back to the redhead as his chuckles subside. “So Kakyoin, how did you join the pack? They find you out in the woods too?”

“Ah, not exactly. I met Jotaro in college, we bonded over the fact we were able to get away from our families for the school year. After that I met the rest of the pack and kind of got adopted in.”

“Oh, I think Jotaro mentioned that. I only got through some gen-ed classes, didn’t even stick around to declare a major. What did you study?”

“Kakyoin has a degree in architecture, and I went for ecology and forest management. Though gramps was hoping I’d go for business and take over when he retires. I’d rather leave that to the Zeppelis though.” Jotaro says as he shuffles his hand again, probably trying to hide the maid he just picked up.

Kakyoin snaps his fingers, “That’s right, we haven’t told you much about them yet. You’ll get to meet most of them tonight I think.”

“I’m guessing they’re not a rival pack, who are they exactly?”

“You could call them our cousin pack. Uncle Caesar and gramps are practically brothers. They fought those Proto-Fae gramps was talking about back in their day.”

“It’s so hard to tell what Mr. Joestar is exaggerating about when he’s telling his stores. So, the Proto-Fae were real?” You tilt your head again as you ask.

“We’ll have to get Mr. Joestar to tell us again with Caesar around. He’ll put him in his place if he goes too far off the rails.”

You nod at Kakyoin, it seemed like a sound plan to get a better version of the truth out of Joseph. “Wait, you said you joined the Joestar pack in college, were you looking for a new pack too?”

“I was looking for a new pack, yes; but it sounds like for the opposite reasons you were. My father is a lone wolf, and my mother is human so I didn’t really have a pack until I joined Jotaro’s. A lone wolf lifestyle isn’t for me. If things had been different, I probably would have done the same as you, left home in search of a pack.”

“You’re half wolf? That’s pretty uncommon, usually humans are a little freaked out by it, or at least the ones I’ve met who knew what I was.”

“Half wolves are more common than you’d think.” Jotaro answers as he draws his next card from Kakyoin. “My dad is human and my mom is wolf. In fact, you’ll probably get to meet them soon as well. My dad is a musician and has a big audition coming up here in the city.” You take one of his two remaining cards and make the last match of the game- leaving Jotaro with the old maid.

“Wow Jotaro, you are moving fast. Introducing her to your parents already!” Kakyoin chuckles as Jotaro flicks the maid card at him.

“Dumbass. She’s part of the pack now. Of course, she’s going to meet all the members eventually.”

Kakyoin puts his hands up in front of him in a gesture of peace, “I was just making a comment. Though it really does seem like you have a reason you’re speed-running this. You finally ready to settle down Jotaro?”

Jotaro glares at the red wolf, blue eyes locked onto violet challenging him to make another comment. “It’s just coincidence.” He growls out.

You’re not sure where your sudden boldness comes from but you nudge Jotaro with your elbow to get his attention, “I don’t know, Jotaro. It’s only been a few days and I’m part of your pack already. At this rate, we’re going to have to plan a trip to visit my parents soon. You’re lucky though. My dad’s not the type to give ‘shovel talks’ to my suitors.”

You can’t help but laugh as you catch sight of the blush on Jotaro’s face before he’s hiding behind his hat again. “You are both terrible,” is the only thing you hear Jotaro grumble as Kakyoin lets out a full belly laugh.

Kakyoin gives you a high five, “Oh this is going to be great! I haven’t gotten him to turn that red in years!”

Although you are still laughing along with Kakyoin, you feel you own face heating up with a blush as Jotaro makes no further protests to your ‘suitors’ comment. You’re not sure when it happened but you can tell Kakyoin is now snickering at both of you as he re-shuffles the cards.

The three of you continue playing and talking through the morning. By late afternoon Joseph and Avdol had made their way back to the Pack’s apartment, arms laden with groceries. You and Jotaro helped them restock the pantry and kitchen wile Kakyoin headed upstairs to stock the bathrooms with new toiletries. As you are finishing up your task to stack up cans of soup, you hear someone’s phone go off in the living room where Avdol and Joseph had dropped their coats over the back of the sofa. Avdol rummages in his coat pocket before pulling out his phone and reading over the message. You think nothing more of it until he suddenly gasps at the contents.

“What in the world? How did they…” Avdol huffs as he starts typing furiously.

“What’s wrong?” Jotaro asks as he approaches the older man, the res of the pack going still and silent as he does. Even Kakyoin who had been descending the stairs pauses halfway down to observe the situation.

“Polnareff sent me a photo from the hunter’s house.” He turns the phone to face Jotaro, “It’s concerning to say the least. I’ll have to do some research on the specific rune language used but I’m pretty sure this is the format for a teleportation spell. Or a t least a strong mirror link spell.”

You find your curiosity to be too much to ignore and approach Jotaro and Avdol for a closer look. You only get a peek before Avdol is turning the phone away again to continue texting Polnareff. “Mirror link? What’s that?”

Avdol hums as he finishes his text and puts his phone away. “The best explanation would be its similar to an un-interrupted and untraceable video call between mirrors using magic. However, if it is indeed a transport spell, then anything smaller than the mirror would be able to pass through like items through a doorway.” He sighs and shakes his head before continuing, “I have some research to do on this. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll let everyone know what I find out later.”

Jotaro simply nods at him and Avdol makes his way upstairs to use one of the bedrooms as an impromptu study. Joseph claps a hand to Jotaro’s shoulder as the young alpha pinches at his brow above his nose. You contemplate offering silent support at his side but Joseph guides him to the dining area before you can make up your mind, “Cheer up Jotaro! At least Polnareff was able to gather more information- even if it is bad news.”

Jotaro lets out a slow exhale as he nods at his grandpa’s wisdom. Joseph grins but doesn’t remark further on the subject as he begins shuffling the deck of cards the three of you had left out. “So, what are we playing kids? Poker? Black Jack?” You can’t hold back your laugh at Joseph’s crestfallen face when Jotaro deadpan responds with ‘Old Maid’. He quickly recovers and deals out all four of you your cards to start the next round.

You make it through a few more rounds, where it is proven the Joestar family has spectacularly bad luck- when everyone’s phones ping with an incoming text message. Your blood feels frozen in our veins as you look at the photo of the freakish creature Polnareff has sent the group. You quickly make eye contact with Kakyoin, your bad feelings about his trip now realized. You both snap your heads to Jotaro as you feel rather than hear his angry growl from your side. He quickly sets his phone down and runs his hand though his hair while he fights a sudden shift due to his anger and guilt for letting Polnareff go out alone against the advice of his packmates.

Avdol rushes down the stairs into the main living room just as Joseph manages to get a call through to Polnareff. The whole pack is silent as you all focus on the conversation between the old alpha and your missing packmate.

“Jesus Polnareff! Are you alright? What the hell is that thing?” Joseph is boisterous as ever, free hand flying through the air before running though his hair, then back to waving around.

Even from across the room you can all hear Polnareff’s response, “Well…” he pants for a moment before continuing, “I’m pretty sure I just killed the Jersey Devil.”

“The… the Devil?” Joseph collapses into the living room couch holding his palm to his forehead. You catch his serious eyes glance to Avdol before he focuses on Polnareff’s voice explaining what happened. Avdol himself looks shocked and you see his hand tremble slightly as he reaches up to fiddle with one of his earrings.

Joseph nods sagely as he listens to Polnareff explain the situation. “Good job taking care of it on your own, now get back here as fast as you can. From now on no one goes anywhere alone.” He looks up to the rest of you, anxiously waiting to hear the details of the encounter. “That goes for all of you, ya hear?” He gets nods from everyone in the room and quickly says his goodbyes to Polnareff after getting his ETA back to the apartment.

“Well, I think that answers your question Avdol,” Kakyoin says as he rounds the end table to sit in the living room area with the older wolves. You and Jotaro follow after him. “The picture of the mirror and runes he sent you earlier, it must have been the transportation spell you mentioned.” Kakyoin’s red hair hangs in his face as he shakes his head in disbelief.

Avdol hums in response, folding his arms and looking down at the ground as he contemplates this new development. “Why leave the creature in the house though? There didn’t seem to be any other items of magical value. Even the mirror itself was a standard store-bought mirror.” His brows furrow as he tries to come up with an answer.

“Maybe there was something Polnareff missed?” you ask and all eyes turn to you as you explain. “If they have the ability to transport the devil there, they probably had other valuable stuff there too. You don’t post guards on an empty vault, you know?” you get a few nods from the others and Joseph scratches at his beard as he considered your explanation.

“Well in any case, we’re going to have to wait for him to get back before we can get any answers. For now, we…” Joseph is interrupted by his phone playing the opening riffs to Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir. His eyes immediately brighten in excitement as he recognizes the tone and picks up, “Caesar-ino! You guys on your way here yet? I haven’t heard from you all day!”

“We’re in the lobby actually. Come let us in. We don’t have a set of keys to the place.” You can hear a man’s voice from the other end along with people talking in the background.

“Right, I’ll be down in just a second. Sound like you got the boys with you?” Joseph marches to the door leaving the rest of the pack in the living room. He’s out the door before you can hear Caesar’s response. You can feel yourself growing more anxious with the prospect of interacting with another pack, another dynamic of relationships you’re going to need to navigate. Hopefully since they were already allies of the Joestar pack they’ll be similar in personality and easy to get to know as well.

Its only a short minute before you can hear the group in the hallway and Joseph throwing open the front door for the three newcomers to enter. Avdol, Kakyoin and Jotaro stand and make their way to the entryway to greet them and you follow behind, hoping the introductions are quick and painless. However, as you step forward you feel all their attention snap to you.

“Ah, Zeppelis, let me introduce our newest pack member, (Y/N).” Joseph steps between you and the other wolves, “(Y/N), this is Caesar, and his kids Luciano and Madonna. You give your best polite smile and step forward a bit more.

“Signorina! Its good to meet you. Joseph told me all about the incident at the cabin, its good to see you are well.” Caesar Zeppeli’s stark white hair and moustache must have been pale blond in his youth and is partially covered by a hat decorated with a zigzag patterned sash. His green eyes are sharp and calculating even as they crinkle with his smile as he shakes your hand. Two purple spots adorn either side of his face and you realize this must be a family birthmark as you catch a glimpse at his children’s faces.

His son is the next to greet you, enthusiastically shaking your hand with both of his, “(Y/N)! Welcome to the family! I’m Luciano, but everyone calls me Lucky.” You hear Kakyoin chuckle at the nick name and based on Lucky’s disgruntled look at the redhead you can tell the moniker is an ironic one. His hair is dark blond and styled long on top and buzzed on the sides in a hip way. He has the same green eyes as his father and twice as serious despite his charming grin. He has only one purple birthmark under his left eye unlike Caesar’s two, but it is so vibrant you would have mistaken it for makeup if you didn’t know better.

His hands are ripped away from yours as the woman next to him growls playfully and shoves him out of the way to meet you. “Hi! I’m Donna, its so good to have another girl around. Let me tell you, all these boys had better be on their best behavior or I volunteer to kick their asses with you.” Donna shakes your hand and pulls you into a side hug suddenly as she monopolizes your time and leads you over to the dining table away from the others, excited to finally have another female her own age to bond with. Her hair is unbound and a wild mane of strawberry blond waves. She had blue eyes and a shorter stature which she must have inherited from her mother, but the bright purple Zeppeli birth marks decorated both her cheeks below her eyes.

From your spot at the table, you can see Luck and Kakyoin fist bump each other in greeting and Jotaro hanging out near them looking relaxed. Caesar greets Avdol with a hearty handshake and clap on the shoulder before his attention is drawn to Joseph again. You chuckle and watch as Caesar goes in to put Joseph in a head lock before mussing up his hair, the two old men behaving like pups. You turn back to Donna as she continues talking about how great it is you are here and if you’ve met Mrs. Suzie or Mrs. Holly yet.

You do your best to answer her rapid-fire questions as rest of the pack makes their way to the dining table as well. The Zeppeli men fill in the seats to Donna’s left and you find Jotaro has claimed the seat to your right. Joseph looks up to his phone where he was checking the time to Polnareff’s return and turns to Caesar.

“Where’s Frankie and Fiona? I thought your whole pack was going to be here?” Joseph question has the surprising effect of making the Zeppeli pack practically vibrate in their seats as Caesar’s grin grows wide.

“They’ve decided to stay behind with Frankie’s mate, she’s due very soon. I’m going to be a grandpa before the new year!” Donna and Lucky seem equally excited and Donna grabs your arm as she bounces in her seat a little.

“I’m going to be an aunt! Its so exciting,” she emphasizes by shaking your arm a bit, “a new baby in the family!”

Lucky leans over the table to address you from behind Donna, “Don’t mind her too much, she’s just excited cause she’s the baby of the family. She doesn’t know how much work they are yet.”

Your arm is once again free when Donna turns to her brother to shove him playfully, “Shut up, you’re one to talk! You’re not much older than I am.”

“I’m old enough to remember how much trouble you were as a kid. I could have sworn you weren’t a wolf; you were a hell cat.”

The sibling’s argument is interrupted by the front door opening and Polnareff stepping into the entry. Even from this distance you can see the shallow cuts on his arms as he sheds his jacket. “You guys have to hear this, you’re not going to believe what…” his sentence trails off as he finally looks up and recognizes the extra members seated at the table, his face lights up as he makes eye contact with Donna. You can feel her stiffen next to you as Polnareff makes his way over.

“It seems fortune is finally smiling on me. Donna, ma chérie!” Polnareff stands directly behind you, using your chair to brace himself as he leans into Donna’s personal space, “Fate has brought you here, I know with your delicate touch my wounds will be healed in no time!” He grabs her hand as Donna’s face turns red. For the first time in the short while you’ve known her, Donna is rendered speechless, only able to sputter some non-committal noises before she is able to free her hand from his grip and return to her senses.

She turns away from him as everyone at the table aside from Caesar chuckles at the interaction. Caesar seems to be the only one on Donna’s side as he stares down Polnareff and you can hear a faint warning growl coming from the older pack leader. “What do I look like, your nurse maid? Go patch yourself up.” Donna huffs as she crosses her arms and turns away, but you can see her face is still bright red.

Lucky leans over again to nudge Donna in the ribs with his elbow. “Come on Donna, you don’t want to help out your suitor? Poor man is bleeding over here.” Donna smacks him on the shoulder hard as she continues to ignore Polnareff. Lucky brushes off the hit and chuckles as Polnareff hangs his head in defeat.

Donna turns back to you as Polnareff slinks off to the other side of the table, “(Y/N), if you haven’t figured this out already, let me be the one to tell you. You’ll be better off if you just ignore everything these two say.” You laugh along with her statement before Avdol draws the group’s attention.

“Are you sure you don’t need some bandages? It would be no trouble…”

“Non, they’re mostly healed now. But here,” Polnareff fumbles for his phone in his pocket before showing it to Avdol, “Here’s everything I found at the hunter’s house. There is obviously some advanced magic going on here. Did you get supplies on your trip this morning?”

Joseph and Avdol share a glance before Avdol speaks up. “We did in fact. Which reminds me,” he produces the small satchel from where had tied it to his belt. “Everyone, take one. Be sure to wear it at ALL times. These will block any ill intended spells from being cast directly onto you.” He passes the bag to Polnareff first, who pulls out a heart shaped pin to match his earrings.

“We also have some additional insight from Mrs. Avdol. She’s revealed who we think our enemies are.” Joseph’s face is stern as he crosses his arms and surveys everyone.

“You said enemies, as in more than one?” Kakyoin asks as he quickly selects a green crystal pendant form the bag before passing it to Jotaro. In a quick second you see he’s fished out a gold star pin and set the bag in front of you. Out of the corner of you eye you see Avdol nod in response to the question while you rifle through the remaining trinkets before pulling out a compass rose necklace. You absently pass the bag to Donna as you listen intently to Joseph’s explanation.

“According to the cards of fate, our enemies are…” He pauses and you sit on the edge of your seat waiting for him to continue, “The Devil! Justice! And The World!” in true Joseph fashion he shouts and names your enemies.

“We were sure these must have been metaphoric symbols for our enemies, but with Polnareff’s encounter today we cannot rule out literal aspects of these cards.” Avdol further explains.

Lucky sputters for a moment and you glance at him, “Wait, wait. You said the world just now though. It can’t literally be the world.” He throws his hands up as he looks around the table, “And Justice? How can justice be an enemy?”

Donna scoffs and you turn fully to your left to face the Zeppeli pack, catching sight of Donna’s new ring, Lucky’s clover pendant and Mr. Caesar’s wrist cuff adorned with beads and feather charms. “What does it matter if it’s literal or a metaphor? Between our two packs we can take on just about anything.”

“I’m saying we need more information before we can make a plan of attack.” Lucky is practically growling at his sister as the two glare at each other.

A sigh from their father breaks up the sibling feud. “Until we know for certain, we’re going to have to assume the worst and that the whole world really is out to get us.”

Lucky and Polnareff remain at the table with Avdol to discuss the findings at the hunter’s house in more detail as the rest of you divide up to the living room and kitchen areas. Kakyoin and Donna take charge of fixing dinner and before you know it you are all seated at the table again to enjoy the meal.

Conversation lasts well into the night before one by one you all decide to retire for the night. It’s decided that the younger members will bunk together in the larger rooms leaving the queen beds and the couch for Avdol, Joseph, and Caesar. You catch Donna giving you a sneaky side eye and a wink when she hears you’ll be rooming with Jotaro again.

A short while later you decide its time for you to head to bed when you catch yourself yawning and rubbing at your eyes. You hadn’t really done much today but meeting new people combined with the stress of the last few days must still be weighing on you. You say your good nights to the remaining pack and an extra glance to Jotaro as you make your way upstairs.

Sleep finds you almost immediately as you lay down on one side of the king bed, completely relaxed at the thought of being surrounded by pack again. Finally home. It feels like you’ve only blinked before you feel the mattress shift and you are vaguely aware of reaching out towards the form. You keep your eyes closed as you recognize Jotaro’s scent and he moves closer to you as your hands latch onto his arm. You hear him sigh as you nuzzle your face into his bicep and he makes no move to dislodge you.

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Author's Note:

So some backstory on the Zeppeli pack: Caesar’s mate is Fiona (named after Fiona Apple) and their children: “Frankie” Franco (named after Frank Sinatra), “Lucky” Luciano (named after Luciano Pavarotti), and “Donna” Madonna (named after….Madonna lol). Frankie’s mate is not mentioned by name but her name is Nancy (Frank Sinatra’s IRL first wife). Since Jotaro has refused to take his grandpa’s place as part of the company its decided that Frankie is going to take over the business with Lucky and Donna supporting but not partnered. That’s another reason Frankie is not going to be a big part in this story, he’s busy being an expecting dad and running things.

Also I keep a list of psudo-names for these chapters for easy reference. Next chapter is in my notes as "Dio still up to no good'

No One Lives Forever- CH17

(AO3 link)

Stardust Crusader Wolf Pack AU

[From the beginning- CH1]

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You’re woken up by the sound of pounding from down the hall and Joseph’s voice yelling at someone to ‘hurry up’. You don’t open your eyes at first, refusing to ruin he moment of peace and bask in the warmth of the bed. The knocking and noise continue however, and you crack your eyes open when you feel a gust of air against your neck. A mess of black hair obscures your view of his face, but you can feel Jotaro's chin resting on your shoulder and his nose buried in the side of your neck.

Jotaro shifts his grip as he begins to wake up as well, his hand flexing where it is resting on your stomach spanning up to the bottom of your rib cage. You can’t help but giggle at the feeling of him nosing at the skin below your ear as he grumbles at a particularly loud bang from the hallway. Your free hand slides off of his as he wraps his arm fully around you in a hug. You smooth back some of his hair from tickling your nose as you look down at him. After a few more moments Jotaro decides it’s time to fully wake up and pulls back slowly, looking up at you with soft blue eyes to gauge your reaction.

Your hand moves down to his shoulder as you tilt your face towards his, noses nearly touching. His arm around you holds tight and he leans into your body before the loud slamming of a door startles the two of you apart to look at the bedroom door. It’s thankfully still closed and you laugh as you hear Caesar grumbling and cursing in Italian. Jotaro huffs out a quiet chuckle as well as he rolls away onto his back and stretches.

“Are they this loud every morning?” You ask as you rub the sleep from your eyes and yawn.

Jotaro nods, “I can’t believe you slept through it yesterday.”

You let out a non-committal hum as you fight against the pull of sleep. You feel him sit up and crack an eye open again to catch him staring at you. With the faintest curl of his lips, he turns away and starts getting ready for the day. You give him only a few moments head start before you rise from the bed as well.

You’re tempted to break the silence and talk about what just happened- or nearly happened- but you get the feeling this will be the last moment of peace today. You decide to bide your time. After all, once may be a fluke, but twice sets a pattern.

Miraculously, you aren’t the last one to the dining area today. Polnareff and Lucky are still absent from the group, Avdol and Caesar working in the kitchen on breakfast while everyone else congregates in the dining and living areas. You make a mental note to help out whoever is cooking dinner tonight.

By the time breakfast is ready Polnareff has appeared, hair wet and drooping from its usual mohawk. Lucky is not far behind him, clean shaven and neatly dressed. Everyone takes a seat at the table, Jotaro electing to sit between Caesar and Joseph instead of beside you like normal, deep in discussion with the older alphas.

You find yourself instead seated between Kakyoin and donna, who it would seem is a morning person. Then again, she may just always be full of energy. Fortunately, she doesn’t seem to mind your lingering drowsiness as she happily carries the conversation. Kakyoin joins in from your other side and saves you from having to exert too much brain power this morning. Which is a blessing because you find yourself day dreaming of blue eyes drawing closer and closer before you catch yourself and snap back to the present.

As you all finish up your meal Jotaro breaks from his conversations with the other alphas, turning his attention to Polnareff. “How are you healing up from yesterday?”

Polnareff puts down his fork and flexes his arm, showing off while trying to make eye contact with Donna. “As good as new! That devil was fast but not strong enough to keep me down.”

Jotaro eyes the two of them with a slight smile on his face, “That’s good to hear. You up for looking into the other hunters today?” Polnareff quickly schools his face into a serious expression and nods. “Good. No more solo trips though. From now on everyone needs to have at least one person with them. It doesn’t matter if it’s just to the corner store and back, no exceptions. We all clear on this?” Jotaro and Caesar look around the table at their packs, quiet nods from everyone agreeing with the alpha’s decision. “Any volunteers to go with Polnareff today?”

Lucky raises his hand and gets a nod of approval from his father, “I will. I’d like to get a closer look at what we’re dealing with. If they are from the same group Frankie and I caught around the company offices.” Joseph nods sagely as he cups his chin with his hand and Jotaro agrees to the plan.

“Joseph and I will be making a trip to the offices today actually. We’ll investigate where you caught them but our primary goal is going to be looking for a new cabin outside the city.” Caesar puts his elbows on the table and clasps his hands together as he goes over the next steps in his plan. “We’ve decided to have all of the pack members that won’t be able to fight gathered in one place. This should provide them the safety of numbers even if their hiding spot is discovered. Avdol- I’d like to ask you for an additional favor to protect them from magical elements as well.” Caesar’s gaze is unwavering as he looks at Avdol, waiting for his response.

“Of course. I’ll need to make a trip to procure some additional supplies though. And I’m still missing some items to put stronger protection spells on this place.” He gestures with one hand to the apartment.

Donna immediately jumps into the conversation, “I’ll go with you! We can get more groceries on the way back, I noticed about half the food in this place is junk food.” Avdol laughs at Donna’s comment and you put two and two together when you see Joseph turn away from the conversation with a huff and a pout.

“Kakyoin, (Y/N) and I will check out one of the hunter’s places as well.” You perk up as Jotaro goes over your roll in today’s plans. “That will cover all the leads we have at the moment, but we have to be prepared for anything going forward. No more incidents like yesterday.” Although you can tell Jotaro doesn’t put any of the blame on him, Polnareff still slumps in his seat a bit.

With the plans for the day laid out, you all quickly clear the table and get ready to head out. Polnareff and Lucky are first to leave, taking two printed pages pulled from Polnareff’s briefcase with them. Before he leaves, he hands a few more sheets to Jotaro and you can see they are dossiers of the hunters he’s collected so far.

While Kakyoin and Jotaro go over the pages, Joseph and Caesar head out, Avdol and donna leaving not long after them, grocery list in hand. You figure Kakyoin has the default roll of navigator as he quickly plans out what subway lines will get you to the hunter’s home the fastest. “It will be a bit of a walk after the stop. We should consider picking up your car on the way back.” Jotaro nods at Kakyoin's advice, agreeing to the plan.

The brisk fall air has you shoving your hands into your jacket pockets as the three of you emerge from the apartment building. The morning sun illuminates the fog of your breath, the air just cold enough to make it look like everyone is puffing away on a cigarette as they make their way down the street. Kakyoin leads the way, his navigation skills proving invaluable as he guides you and Jotaro trough the subway and the train lines you need to travel to get to the hunter’s house.

Its less than 20 minutes later as you arrive at the hunter’s neighborhood. You can feel yourself tensing as your journey continues. All the new smells and people combined with the fact you’re investigating someone who was literally trying to kidnap you. Who would have succeeded if…

A tug on your sleeve pulls you out of your spiraling thoughts and you whip your head towards the source. Jotaro’s intense blue eyes are already locked on your own and you nearly stumble with the memory of them from this morning. Now, however, they look concerned, brows furrowed as he tries to silently interoperate your mood.

You’re not sure what you meant to say when you opened your mouth to respond to his inquisitive look, but Kakyoin’s sudden shout derails any thought anyway. You both snap your heads to the redhead who is already charging down the street. You take off after him, not even sure why you are all suddenly booking it until you see the figure of a man in front of Kakyoin leading this chase carrying what you recognize as Kakyoin’s shoulder bag. The thief must have cut the strap while you and Jotaro were distracted, you can see it streaming along behind the thief like a tail on a kite.

Pedestrians on the sidewalk stop to stare after the thief and his pursuers, inadvertently becoming obstacles in your way as you and Jotaro try and catch up to Kakyoin. The red wolf is close to snagging the back of the thief’s shirt when he makes a sudden turn into an alley. In the few seconds it takes you and Jotaro to arrive, Kakyoin is already leading the man out of the alley bey his shirt collar and holding his stolen bag. He throws the thief against the wall and steps back as Jotaro and you crowd in to block any escape routes.

He keeps his hands up in surrender but the small smirk on his lips makes your hair stand on end and you can’t help the low growl that rumbles from your chest. Jotaro’s growl overshadows your own as he glares at the thief. “You stink of magic- you’re not a normal human, are you?” You inhale sharply at Jotaro’s comment and commit the smell to memory.

You both take a half step forward, just out of range of the thief- or new would-be assassin. You’re wary of drawing closer without knowing what he’s capable of, you’ll have to bide your time and pay close attention to see what he does. He seems to know he has the three of you at a disadvantage, unable to shift forms in broad daylight like this. “What were you hoping to accomplish, targeting us when you’re outnumbered like this?” The man stays silent as he glares right back at Jotaro, you can tell the alpha is getting more and more frustrated with each silent second that passes.

Jotaro moves to close in and get physical with his interrogation, but jolts when he realizes his feet are stuck to the sidewalk. The man’s grin widens further as Jotaro struggles to shake off the muck creeping up his legs. You growl louder as you try to free your own feet and with a little force you are freed. Jotaro must have been the main target, his legs are still cemented to the ground and the man laughs as you both follow the trail of muck with your eyes to where Kakyoin is standing.

Mud trails a path from Jotaro’s legs behind you leading to Kakyoin’s shoes. His clothes look slightly wrong, like they were made of melting wax, and muck drips from his hands at his sides. You look up to his face to try and gauge his expression. Blank violet eyes stare out at nothing and you realize there are no clouds of breath escaping his mouth or nose. Whatever is standing in front of you is not Kakyoin, it’s not even alive.

You try to get close to Jotaro to maybe help remove some of the mud, but as you draw near the imposter Kakyoin takes a step forward and more muck drips off of him and starts creeping towards you. You’re forced away from Jotaro and your enemy as the fake keeps advancing on you. “Ha! I don’t see what the big deal was about you wolves. You’re useless if you can’t transform, aren’t you? Now that I see you in person, I can tell you aren’t all you were hyped up to be.” The man scoffs as he steps closer to Jotaro to taunt him.

Jotaro snarls and lunges but the man stays infuriatingly just out of reach. “What the hell are you talking about? What have you done with Kakyoin?” No matter how hard he struggles the mud at his feet keeps him rooted in place.

The fake person lumbering towards you seems to be on autopilot, so you decide to take a risk and charge at the man while he’s distracted taunting Jotaro. A startled yelp leaves you as the false Kakyoin quickly intercepts you and grabs onto your fist before you can make contact with the man controlling it. The mud encasing your hand begins creeping up your wrist and you take the risk to transform your other hand into claws and swipe at the arm holding you captive.

Slicing through the wrist of the creature severs the mud clear through but as you step back again, you’re unable to shake off the residue remaining on your hand. A slight stinging sensation spreads from where it is making contact with your skin, growing in strength like a chemical burn the longer it remains in contact. You’re able to finally wipe off the majority of it as the puppet master smirks at you and begins to brag.

“Face it! You’re no match for my golem. Once it’s had its fill of you both I’ll deliver the best parts to Lord Dio. He’s promised to pay be handsomely for your flesh, but a little snack for my pet won’t hurt.”

That nobody is around to witness the fight is the work of either magic or a miracle, but Jotaro uses it to his advantage to shift his hands as well and finally break free of his prison. The golem quickly switches its attention to him, its defenses able to not only withstand Jotaro’s punches but also your quick swipes at the same time. You both realize this head-on approach won’t be getting you anywhere.

The man and his golem stand before you, blocking your path to the alley where the real Kakyoin had disappeared into. There’s been no sign of the red wolf since this encounter began and you don’t want to think about why he hasn’t re-appeared. You catch Jotaro eyeing the alley as well before he switches focus to the mud trails on the ground from where the creature has been shedding muck and grime.

Taking a closer look at the mud you realize it’s still moving even though it’s detached from the golem. It creeps slowly along the concrete, but the further away from its main body it gets the slower it moves, struggling to inch itself forward. The golem takes a few shambling steps towards you and you’re caught off guard when Jotaro grabs your arm to start running in the opposite direction.

“Jotaro! What are- We can’t just leave him!” You try to pull your arm from his grip, unwilling to abandon your packmate. Your eyes widen as he growls at you in warning and you growl right back, struggling to keep pace with his long strides so you’re not literally dragged behind him.

“We’re not…” He pants as he pulls you into the next alley, “We have to circle around for him. That golem’s defenses…” He lets go of your arm now that you seem to be following willingly, listening to his plan. “There was no way we’d be able to push through it, but if we can get it to chase us…”

You risk a look behind you as you hear footsteps pursuing you. The golem is surprisingly fast but it seems to be losing mass as it continues to leave trails of mud in its wake. Pain pulses from your hand again and you look down to see the mud left on your sleeve has made contact with your skin. The glob of mud seems to pulse and grow before you finally fling it off, and it takes a chunk of skin with it. Jotaro glances back at your hiss of pain and you both see the glob rush back to the creature trailing you.

You realize other discarded splotches are also racing out of dumpsters and discarded trash bags back to the golem, regaining enough mess to re-form the hand you had cut off. As long as this golem was able to feed off it’s surrounding you were going to be at a disadvantage. You turn another corner and this time you are the one dragging Jotaro along and stopping him in the middle of the empty alley.

“If it can’t eat, it can’t regenerate.” You huff as you regain your breath and explain to silence his growls of protest. You take an offensive stance and turn back to where you had just come from. “This alley, is going to have to be where we take our stand. Nothing else in here but us.” You gesture to the barren surroundings, no organic trash in sight.

The creature and its master round the corner, the human man panting as he braces his hands on his knees and bends over. The golem is barely recognizable as human now, mud pooling at its feet and spreading out to look for a food source. You’re momentarily relieved at its change of appearance, you’re not sure if it was your enemy’s intent or just dumb luck that the illusion of fighting one of your own pack would rile you up so bad.

“You finally decided to stop running away like frightened children?” the mans says between deep breaths, still recovering from the chase. “No matter, you’re still gonna loose and I’m still gonna be rich.” He takes a few steps forward and points at both of you as he shouts, “Now stay still and die!”

You and Jotaro brace yourselves, but the half-melted golem stands still. It turns its faceless head towards its master and slogs towards him. “What are- GO! Them! They’re your target!” The man yells. He tries to take a step back but mud encasing his shoes keeps him rooted as it did to Jotaro earlier.

More and more mud pours from the creature, pooling out and eating up every speck of organic matter around it. Gum, trash, bugs- all consumed by the golem, but it is not enough. You and Jotaro take another step back as it turns to you again. The golem must have used up too much energy, or just lost too much mud to function according to its master’s will, and now needed to restore that loss before it could carry out its orders.

You watch, horrified as it turns back and steps towards its master, the nearest organic object. The mud around his legs keeps him trapped as he tries issuing commands, but nothing he says is slowing the golem’s progress. Melting arms latch onto his shoulder and face as he’s pulled into a parody of a hug by the creature. His head slams into the chest of the golem and you fight the urge to cover your ears from the screams as his mass is assimilated into the mud. The golem grows larger and larger as it absorbs him and by the time it’s done the creature stands at least 8 feet tall.

Your blood feels like ice in your veins as it turns its attention back to you and Jotaro, its hunger satiated for the moment and ready to carry out its master’s last orders. You remember how to breathe again as Jotaro growls at the advancing golem and takes a step closer to your side. You have to consciously loosen your muscles from their locked positions as you prepare for the fight as well. You both shuffle backward a foot or two as it towers over you ever closer.

You swear you feel your teeth rattle as each heavy footstep makes contact with the ground. It stretches its arms towards you, mud pouring off of it like a waterfall. Two steps forward are all it can manage before falling to its knees, its torso quickly melting and loosing mass. You manage to pull Jotaro back by his coat quick enough to avoid the splash of muck from where the creature falls, its body not able to sustain itself with the loss of its master.

You both stare at the mud puddle slowly seeping along the pavement, but this time the only movement is from the natural pull of gravity. A few seconds more assured you the ordeal was over, not even a bubble emerging from the sludge. Jotaro lets out a long sigh from beside you and you feel your shoulders drop in relief as well. You scan each other for injuries, but besides the already healing mark on you hand the only casualty is your now muddy clothes.

Quickly making your way out of the alley, you circle back to where you last saw Kakyoin. You’re doubly relieved as you turn the corner at a sprint to see him shaking off dried mud from his clothes. Jotaro reaches him first, taking him by the shoulders as he inspects the beta male for any injuries. Besides a few marks on his hands and neck where the mud was in direct contact, he is also unharmed and you do your best to help remove the remaining dirt.

Jotaro still hasn’t released Kakyoin from his hold on the red wolf’s shoulders and is startled when Kakyoin addresses him. “I’m fine Jotaro, already healing from… whatever that thing was.”

“Golem,” is Jotaro’s stilted answer before he clears his throat and tries again. “It was a golem. The master was one of Dio’s minions.” He finally releases Kakyoin from his grip and brushes some dirt for the redhead’s shoulders.

“Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.” Kakyoin says as he follows Jotaro out of the alley to the main street. You run ahead and pick up Kakyoin’s discarded bag as he asks, “That was a remarkably fast victory for you though? How did you defeat it?”

“We didn’t.” Kakyoin’s eyes go wide and he starts looking around for danger at Jotaro’s statement while you laugh before explaining what happened.

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Author's Note: Hi readers! this chapter comes with a bonus art-treat for you all! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, let me know what you all think- I'm dying to talk about this with people.

No One Lives Forever- CH18

(AO3 link)

Stardust Crusader Wolf Pack AU

[From the beginning- CH1]

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Although the brief encounter with the golem has left your trio rattled, you were practically on the hunter’s doorstep so it was decided to go ahead with the plan to investigate. The two blocks to your destination seem to drag on forever, all three of you hyper aware of your surroundings. You and Kakyoin walk side by side down the sidewalks, Jotaro behind you; unwilling to let either of you out of his sight.

Any time another pedestrian strayed too close or moved too quickly near your little group would have Jotaro growling quietly, his instincts to protect and defend in overdrive. As subtly as you could you reached your hand back to grab onto his sleeve but glance back worriedly when he evades your touch. Instead, he opts to grab onto your hand and you have to position yourself slightly behind Kakyoin as you walk to accommodate his hold on you.

You see the red wolf eye your hands and smirk but he says nothing as you proceed up the stairs to the apartment building.

To say that the building security was lax would imply that they had any security measures in place to comment on. You are able to walk into the main entrance and up the main stairs without encountering any resistance. The three of you loiter for a moment outside the hunter’s door, listening for any movement coming from inside. No sounds or odd smells seemed to be coming from the apartment and you raise an eyebrow at the small pouch Kakyoin produces from his bag. He just grins and shrugs as he pulls out the lockpick gun.

The lock clicks open within seconds and you all quickly make your way into the studio apartment. You let out a sigh of relief at finding the small space empty – almost literally empty besides a mattress on the floor and some overturned milk crates acting as furniture. Clothes are scattered everywhere and you can tell by the smell most are dirty.

There’s no sign of roommates or a significant other, more importantly you can’t detect any odd smells like the smell of magic you had scented on the golem master. The three of you had been prepared to toss the place to find anything that may lead you to your enemy, but with how barren the apartment is you suspect the enemy you encountered on the way here would have been a better source of information.

Jotaro lets out a frustrated grunt as he empties out the slim accordion folder he found in the closet. The only things inside are a birth certificate and an out-of-date phone bill. Jotaro sigs before turning to you and Kakyoin. “This is pointless. We should pick up my car and get back to the apartment.” You both nod and quickly exit, Kakyoin re-locking the door as you leave.

Jotaro takes over the roll of navigator as you emerge onto the street again and inputs your new destination into his phone. You take up the same formation you used on the way here, Kakyoin slightly in front to your right and Jotaro behind you both, though he’s calmed enough to not need the comfort of physically holding onto either of you as you walk. The brief subway ride to the parking garage has you hyper aware of every passenger- every stranger packed into the narrow tube with you, but despite your paranoia you arrive at the parking garage without incident.

“So you live around here? It seems like a nice neighborhood.” You ask as Jotaro leads you to a sleek black BMW.

Jotaro nods as he unlocks the car, “Just around the corner. Gramps and I live in the same building.” You nod as you slide into the back seat, Kakyoin taking shotgun.

“It helps that JoStar Realty owns that building as well.” Your eyebrows raise in surprise, you had kind of forgotten the fact that Joseph’s business owned entire buildings, not just the apartment that had become your group’s headquarters. “Should we stop by and grab anything while we’re here?” Kakyoin suggests as Jotaro starts the car and pulls out of the parking space.

Jotaro hums as he considered the idea, “I’m not sure we should. We’ve already encountered one assassin today. I don’t want to risk another one.” Kakyoin nods and doesn’t question further. “We’ll report back tot the rest of the pack what happened. We’ll get in contact with Polnareff and Lucky too, they might have found something at the other locations.”

The journey back to the apartment is blessedly uneventful, and you keep a look out for any suspicious people or vehicles while Kakyoin texts the pack that you’ve had an encounter, but are all safe and on the way back now. You laugh when the caller ID on the car’s touchscreen almost immediately shows an incoming call from ‘Jiji’ and you catch Jotaro’s exasperated expression in the rearview mirror as he answers. Joseph only calms down when all three of you sound off that you were fine and assure him you are on your way back now.

Before you know it, you’ve arrived back at the apartment. Joseph and Caesar are already back from their errand and fuss over the three of you for a few moments. Once the older alphas are appeased, all five of you take a seat at the dining table. Avdol has responded to the group text that he and Donna are on their way back as well, and will keep an eye out for suspicious characters.

Jotaro recounts the fight with the golem and its master to the older men and you furrow your brow as you rub the red mark that remains on your hand from the attack. Something is nagging you about what the man had said.

“He was going on about how Dio was going to make him rich for killing us so…” Jotaro pauses as you interrupt him.

“No, that’s not what he said though,” all eyes turn to you and you steel your nerves to continue, “He said Dio ‘would pay for our flesh’. Saying something that specific- I think there’s more to it than just being out to kill us.” Joseph and Caesar both go pale at this new information.

“Kakyoin,” Joseph sets his attention on the redhead, “when you were incapacitated, what exactly happened?”

“Well, I had chased the thief- the golem master- around the corner to an alley. I didn’t see anything off at first but that mud creature appeared out of nowhere and slammed me into the wall. Once I was stuck it morphed to look like me and they both left.” Joseph’s brow furrows as he listens to Kakyoin recall the events.

Caesar is the next one to break the tense silence, “It didn’t harm you otherwise? Not to knock you out or keep you quiet?”

Kakyoin shakes his head and his hand ghosts over his mouth where the faintest of red splotches remain on his skin, “No, it did cover my mouth, but not my nose so it wasn’t trying to suffocate me.”

“He also said something about ‘delivering the best parts’ but…” You’re interrupted by Jotaro finishing the quote.

Polnareff cuts him off as he rips the documents from Avdol’s hands, “Oh, now you are an expert in what I need to do. How could I go against the all knowing advice of a fortune teller? Oh wait, that’s not

Caesar’s face is grim as he nods and explains, “It’s too much to be a coincidence, I think. When we were young,” he waves a hand between himself and Joseph, “I’m sure Joseph has told you some tall tales about the creatures we fought – the Proto-Fae.” Jotaro’s eyes narrow as he nods, trying to figure out where Caesar is going with this information. “Well, part of what they were doing, it wasn’t just the Proto-Fae we had to fight against. They had gathered a following of other creatures and Fae to their side.”

“Unfortunately for a lot of the poor bastards, they didn’t realize what their masters were really up to. You see, they were incredibly powerful creatures, in fact most supernatural creatures today are descendants of the Proto-Fae.” Joseph folds his hands and puts his elbows on the table as he explains. “It’s why we share some traits with other creatures, like both vampires and werewolves are allergic to silver. Or why other creatures are able to shapeshift as well.”

Caesar picks up the tale again from Joseph, “We know Dio has gathered followers like the Proto-Fae did, but… that may not be the only similarity between them.” Joseph’s expression becomes enraged and he grips his own hands tighter as Caesar continues. “For all their tremendous powers they had tremendous appetites to go with them. They would... eat their own followers in order to keep up their strength.”

You feel your breath freeze in your chest and a pit settle in your gut at what Caesar is implying. “You can’t be serious.” Kakyoin states, looking aghast as Joseph nods and speaks.

“Looking at the evidence we have, hunters with gear for kidnapping wolves, attacks from all sorts of supernatural creatures and this most recent attack.” Joseph growls as he slams his fists on the table, “The bastard! He must know about the Proto-Fae and how they gained their power! If he intends to continue…”

“We have to prepare for the worst.” Caesar cuts Joseph off and puts a hand on his shoulder, but you can tell the blond is not faring much better at the prospect of facing another being as cruel as the Proto-Fae from their past.

The conversation is interrupted by the sound of a key turning the lock to the front door. Avdol and Donna enter, arms laden with grocery bags and a large wicker basket cradled in Avdol’s left arm. You and Kakyoin step away from the table and you have to flex your fingers to get rid of the stiffness from keeping your fists clenched so hard during the discussion.

It takes almost no time to put everything away and you hesitate to go back to your seat at the table to continue the conversation with the older alphas. There is a tremor in your hands and you feel your heart rate spike as Donna links arms with you and leads the way back. You’re not sure you’re ready to face the possibilities of what your fate could have been. Just thinking back to that day in the woods, if you had been run off the road anywhere else, if you hadn’t made the decision to run in the direction you did…

“Y/N.” you open your eyes and are startled to see Jotaro’s eyes so close to yours. When had you sat down? Or closed your eyes for that matter? You’re sitting next to the dark-haired alpha and he’s gripping your forearm in a comforting squeeze. The room has gone quiet and you glance around as you get your breathing under control.

Donna is about to ask what is going on but is stopped by Caesar’s hand on her shoulder and a quick shake of his head. You catch his understanding gaze before a hand on your own shoulder distracts you. You look up from your seat to Kakyoin, who gives you a small smile and a nod before he takes his seat to your left. Avdol puts his hand on your head and ruffles your hair a bit as he passes your seat, your pack providing physical touch and comfort to sow their support. You’re here, safe and with friends. A pack that is willing to defend and protect each other, including you.

Jotaro leans back to give you some space now that you’ve calmed down, and although he removes his hand from your arm he immediately moves to hold onto your knee as he turns back to the table. “Let’s not speculate on what Dio could be doing for now. Gramps,” all eyes turn to Joseph as he sits up straighter in his seat, “what else do you know about our family history with Dio?”

Poor Donna still looks confused and you catch her eye and mouth the word ‘later’ to her from across the table. She nods and focuses back on Joseph as he begins to explain. “Well, its all just hearsay from what my granny told me growing up. Dio was adopted into the Joestar family when he was a abandoned by his father. She was always suspicious though, that he wasn’t human. Weird things used to happen, like he could convince people of things, though she never caught him in an outright lie.” Joseph crosses his arms against his chest and looks down in thought, trying to recall the stories from his youth.

“It all came to a head one night when there was a fire at the manor. Granny didn’t have too many details about what happened afterward, but my grandfather went after Dio as the cause. In the end it was pretty much confirmed Dio was of Fae blood- a changeling.” By the end of Joseph’s exposition Caesar is still as a statue, sharp green eyes focused on his long-time friend.

“Did your granny have any evidence he was Fae though? He could have been some sort of magician?” the blond alpha questions.

Joseph shakes his head at Caesar’s question but doesn’t elaborate as he continues to try and think back to his grandmother’s descriptions. Avdol clears his throat and addresses the question instead. “There may not be definitive proof that he is of Fae blood, but based on Polnareff’s description of his encounter with Dio, I feel confident the stories from the late Mrs. Joestar are true. Bing able to manipulate another supernatural creation like a werewolf, it would be beyond what a normal magician or sorcerer would be able to do.”

Jotaro nods at Avdol “We’ll have to go forward with the assumption that whatever Dio really is, he will be capable of powerful magic.”

Avdol looks pensive for a moment and you catch his gaze on you before he steels himself to continue. “I think I understand now what you were talking about before we arrived. I don’t mean to be insensitive but we really should discuss the possibility of dark magic being used.”

Jotaro’s eyebrows furrow at the older wolf but you try and placate him, “Avdol is right. We have to discuss all the possibilities, even if they’re frightening. I can… if it gets to be too much, I can leave but it needs to be discussed.” You take a deep breath to prepare yourself and turn to Avdol, “We were discussing the possibility that, a reason that wolves are being taken alive could be… that Dio knows about how the Proto-Fae gained power… by eating other creatures.” By the end of your summary, you can feel every hair on your body stand on end and Jotaro’s hand on your knee squeeze gently to get you to stop bouncing your leg.

You hear a faint gasp from Donna but keep your eyes trained on Avdol as he contemplates the new information. Although his eyes widen in surprise, he quickly composes himself and raises his hand to his chin as he thinks it over. “Although I am not a practitioner, I have come across a few dark magic descriptions on how power and energy can be taken from an… unwilling supplier.” Avdol’s brows furrow and his mouth is set in a grim line as he explains. “It is usually referred to as ‘draining’ or ‘consuming’ the magic, I fear these terms may be more literal than I originally gave them credit for.”

You nearly jump out of your seat in surprise at the strangled gasp from behind you. You’d been so focused on Avdol that you hadn’t heard Polnareff and Lucky quietly slip through the front door. Polnareff’s bag drops to the floor by his feet as he clenches his eyes shut and runs his hand though his hair and tugs harshly. Memories of the news articles you saw about the small Canadian town flash in your mind and you can’t imagine having to suddenly relive that sort of trauma.

“I knew… Dammit, I was right there and I did nothing!” You hold still as you see Polnareff’s body shift with barely controlled power. “Of course, the only information he would have would be because he was responsible for the massacre!” Polnareff shouts and rips his hand from his head, silver strands falling to the floor. “And I did nothing to avenge them. And now it repeats.” A few tears leak from Polnareff’s eyes and your heart surges at the sight of your packmate so upset.

Jotaro rises from his seat at the table and approaches the silver wolf. “We won’t let it happen again Polnareff. We are going to stop him, no matter what he’s up to.” Jotaro’s words seem to spark a determination in Polnareff as he growls but nods to the alpha.

“You’re right Jotaro, but we have to act now. Right now! No more waiting around for clues and information to come to us… we need to hunt him down this minute. Every moment we wait is a moment wasted.” Polnareff backs away from the group as Avdol stands as well and makes his way over.

“And where would we go Polnareff? With too little planning we make it easy to fall into one of their traps. We aren’t facing only one opponent in this situation.” Polnareff’s eyes widen and he hastily reaches for his bag at his feet. He fumbles with the contents for a moment before pulling a few papers and a journal out.

“The hunters! We found where they were planning to rendezvous and make the exchange with Dio’s direct reports. If we leave now, we can be there by nightfall!” Polnareff’s excitement unfortunately doesn’t seem to be contagious as Jotaro and Avdol take the papers from him and leaf through them.

Avdol is the first to speak again, shaking his head. “Even if they previously planned to meet here, we can’t be sure it’s safe. If we rush in too boldly, we only make ourselves targets.”

Polnareff growls loudly in response, “You’ve become too cautious with your age, Avdol. Mabey you don’t understand, or care, but lives are on the line here! I must have revenge for my family- and the others that have been sacrificed to this monster!”

“You think that I don’t care about the lives lost to this madman?” Avdol shouts back and your hair stands on end again from the tense energy in the room, all you can do is wait and watch the explosion unfold. Avdol continues with a growl, “You are the blind one here Polnareff, your need for vengeance clouds your judgement. Of course, I care for the innocents involved in this, but we need to do our best to protect ourselves, not add our own lives to the casualties. You need to consider…”

Polnareff cuts him off as he rips the documents from Avdol’s hands, “Oh, now you are an expert in what I need to do. How could I go against the all knowing advise of a fortune teller? Oh wait, that’s not your ability, is it?” Joseph growls in Avdol’s defense and Polnareff surveys the room of angry and tense faces. “Fine, I see how it is…”

“Polnareff, wait. You can’t…” Lucky puts his hand out to reach for the silver haired man’s shoulder, but is cut off by a sharp slap to his hand and a growl. Polnareff says nothing more as he marches out the front door.

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Author's Note:

Long time no see! Sorry it's been so long since I've updated, turns out my love of video games will supersede my ability to write until I get it out of my system. The addiction is real y'all. Anyway, let me know what you think!