Chapter Text
It was time. The first of every month at noon and no later. You clutched the white envelope that would guarantee the preservation of you and the other tenants to your chest. You wondered; would they be able to tell that it had less cash in it than usual by the weight alone? There wasn't enough time to think like that. At this point, you threw on the nearest coat and pulled on your boots, jogging down the cracked and uneven sidewalk as fast as you could without losing your footing. You refused to let time get the best of you.
Even if you didn't mean to oversleep and your alarm stopped working a few weeks ago, they wouldn't care. Excuses. You weren't looking forward to dealing with Dire today. He was so goddamn particular about timing. Ten minutes early was on time, and five minutes early was late. It couldn't be helped.
As you trotted past the park, someone called your name. Throwing a brief glance over your shoulder, you saw Poco waving at you with a smile. He sat there on the rusted out swings that creaked with every move he made. His sister was on the swing next to him with a stern look on her face that softened as soon as she saw you. She spared you a brief wave as well. It's been far too long since you've seen those two. You really wished you had the time to chat.
You left them with nothing more than a wave back. Slowing to a stop, you were greeted by a familiar and unpleasant sight. That shitty building they were always housed in. You glanced at your watch. Two minutes to spare. Talk about cutting it close. Already, you were preparing for the string of insults Dire would inevitably throw at you for being so late. Last time, you had been awfully close to doing something both of you would regret.
"Can't believe I'm stuck doing this shit." A muffled voice said from inside. Sounded British and annoyed. Great. Another moody man to manage.
"Watch your mouth, Speedwagon." Another said, though this one had a different accent. Italian maybe? "If the boss asks, you do it."
"I didn't know you were here, Mr-"
You gently rapped on the door, pushing it open when prompted by the first man. The smell of stale cigars and sweat clung to the walls themselves, paint chipped and faded. Behind the scratched-up desk sat a man, Speedwagon, with a bowler cap. Curly blond hair, dark eyes, and a scar running down from his eye to his jaw. You'd never seen this rough looking man before. Must be new. He didn't have that disgusted glare when he looked at you that you were so used to seeing either. Well, you just hoped that meant he was better than Dire.
The other man was blond as well. Platinum blond and pretty as hell. Striking green eyes, porcelain skin, and a form fitting white suit. Both of their gazes were focused back on you. From what you heard, the man standing next to the desk sounded like he ranked above Speedwagon. Wait a minute. Italian, pretty, in charge. Shit. Was that Mr. Zeppeli then? Of all the people, you didn't expect to actually meet him here. You knew he was around, but you'd never seen him in person.
Your knees nearly gave out, and your chest tightened. You knew all too well that someone in the Joestar mafia doesn't just become a capo unless they were worthy.
"Well? What are you standing around for? Come here." Speedwagon grumbled and you set the envelope on the desk. "Everything there that needs to be?"
You wondered whether or not it'd be better to tell them the truth here and now. Surely, they'd check shortly after you left, if not right here. Was it better to fight somewhere familiar rather than a closed-up building like this? With your Stand, Maneater, you should be able to take on any of the foot soldiers they'd send your way. This was all just a long-winded way to convince yourself that you weren't going to die today, but you'd go down swinging. If you made it out of here, you had time to prepare for whatever hell would rain down upon your head later.
"Yes, sir."
You took a step back, inching your way closer and closer to the door. If you made a run for it, it'd only be more obvious that something suspicious was going on. And you were not wearing good shoes for a proper chase right about now. Speedwagon eyed you for an uncomfortable amount of time while Mr. Zeppeli remained silent and stared at you as well with eyes much sharper than Speedwagon's. You shrank under their gazes.
"Right then. Scram. We got shit to do."
You damn near sighed out of pure relief. Two swift strides and you were already at the door, hand wrapped around the knob. You pulled it open, feeling the crisp fall air against your skin once more. You took in a deep breath to get that stench of cigarettes out of your nose. That went much smoother than anticipated. Maybe you didn't look as nervous as you originally thought you did. Now to prepare for what's coming for you later.
A hand slammed the door shut beside you, planted by your head and trapping you there. You turned to face him, Mr. Zeppeli, with your back pressed firmly against the splintered wood of the door. He was so close that you could feel his breath on your face. His eyes seemed to linger on your lips, and the sweet scent of his cologne hit your nose. Well, at least he didn't reek of alcohol like most of the men in your city.
"Why are you in such a hurry, signorina?" His face was uncomfortably close to yours. That suggestive look made your knees weak and you weren't sure if it was in a good way or not. "There's no need to rush."
He knew. He had to know something was up. There's no other reason he'd stop you like this, right? Fuck. You damn near called out your Stand while the two of you stood there in absolute silence. Mr. Zeppeli could very well kill you right here and now if he had a Stand of his own. You weren't sure what to say, what lie wouldn't give you away right then and there. Speedwagon watched the two of you with intrigue, but didn't move to help Mr. Zeppeli or intervene.
"You were cutting it close today. You wouldn't want to be punished for a mistake that small, would you?"
Punished? No, certainly not by them. You'd rather keep all your fingers, thanks. With the way Mr. Zeppeli pressed his body against yours, you imagined he had a much different kind of punishment in mind. He was an attractive man, you wouldn't deny that much, and you heard the rumors about him. The womanizer. But you weren't about to fuck a man you just met, especially not a capo. You had to be careful not to prompt him to make a move on you. He was being lenient for now. One wrong word and he could flip in an instant.
"No, Mr. Zeppeli. It won't happen again." You looked away from him, kicking yourself for giving in so easily. Oh, how you hated what the Joestars and the Brandos had done to this city.
You clenched your fists by your sides and bit your tongue, doing everything within your power not to punch his stupidly smug face right about now. It'd be nice to knock him down a peg or two. Maybe someday.
"That's what I like to hear." Mr. Zeppeli finally stepped back. His gaze glued to your form was enough to keep you pinned in your spot. Only when he turned his back to you, did you leave without another word.
During the walk back to your building, all you could think about was how fucked you were. Might as well write out your will now. What would happen to the other tenants? Would they be punished too? No. No, you refused to let that happen. A lot of them were the closest thing to family you had left. A plan. Yeah, that's what you needed. Some sort of plan that would save all of you.
"Hey, why the long face?"
You nearly jumped out of your skin. You spun around on your heel, preparing to attack with your Stand when you saw a familiar face behind you. It was one of the neighbor kids, Josuke Higashikata. Well, he wasn't really a kid anymore, but his bubbly personality made it easy to forget.
With work, you've been too busy to hang out with him like you normally did-helping him with his homework, playing video games with him and Okuyasu, or just having dinner with him and Tomoko. Though you couldn't afford to take a day off anytime soon, you'd be happy to spend any free time you had with him. It's just too bad that he had to meet up with you after dealing with Zeppeli. The last thing you wanted to do was drag him into this.
"It's nothing." You offered him a tight-lipped smile. Josuke eyed you suspiciously. He knew that something was going on with you that you weren't saying, he just didn't know what it was yet. And he wouldn't know if you could help it.
As you continued onward in an awkward moment of silence, he trailed behind you with his hands in his pockets. Your mind was too preoccupied to really concentrate on what he was saying. How long would it take for today's misstep to catch up with you? For all you know, it might take a few days. You didn't know when they looked through their collections. It's not like the Joestars were only stealing from your people. On the other hand, they could be coming for you at this very moment. As soon as that thought crossed your mind, you wondered if it would be best to send Josuke home.
His hand landed on your shoulder. "Hey, did you even hear what I said?"
"What?"
"Jeez, you're so spacey today." Narrowed blue eyes scanned your face. "Do I need to go beat someone up or something?"
You snorted. He'd do it too. That was the problem. This boy wouldn't hesitate to make an enemy out of the entire mafia for his friends.
"No, Josuke."
"I mean it. Crazy Diamond could use the practice."
The pink, muscular Stand appeared behind him with those same blue eyes that stared at you impassively. The air itself was charged by its very presence. Your hairs stood on end and your skin felt like it was being pricked by pins and needles. You could feel Josuke's desire to fight. Oh how you had missed this, the moment before battle, but this wasn't the time to revel in it. You whipped around to face him. One abrupt sweeping glance of the surrounding area told you no one was around to see it. At least, you didn't see any other Stand users. He was lucky this time.
"Put your Stand away! What if someone sees?"
As quick as it appeared, it was gone. Josuke looked at the ground like a kicked puppy. You had to ignore the way your chest tightened with guilt. You couldn't give in. Sure, it'd probably be best to stomp out his urge to help people for his own sake, but you honestly didn't think you could do it, even if you wanted to. There weren't many people like him left.
"You know the rules."
"Yeah."
"And you know it's because I care."
"Yeah."
You sighed. Of course he was going to be like this. There was only one thing to do about it now.
"Fine, you big baby. We can practice again, alright?"
"Sounds great!"
You had a feeling you just got played. Oh well. At the very least, you didn't think anyone saw Crazy Diamond this time around. Plus, Josuke was giving you the widest smile. How could you say no to that?
____________________
You really shouldn't indulge him like this. Even Josuke's mom didn't know about the times the two of you would spar, and if she did, she'd probably throw a fucking fit. You'd get the lecture of the lifetime and have him promptly ripped away from you. Neither of you wanted to deal with Tomoko's wrath.
The last thing you wanted was to draw unwanted attention period, but you knew how good it was for Josuke to practice. His Stand had grown stronger as he got older, though you wanted to ensure that he'd know how to handle himself in a fight that didn't just rely on strength. A battle of wits-something Josuke didn't have much of at times.
It was always the same place. In the rundown part of town where there were no unwanted eyes on the two of you. The abandoned factory that must've once been a hub of production was now empty, yellow sunlight streaming in through broken windows. In the dingy building, there was just enough light to see each other. You stood a good distance away from Josuke on the main floor that had been cleared out.
"Ready?"
"I was born ready."
Your pastel colored Stand appeared beside you. Eyes the same color as your own stared back at Crazy Diamond, her face relaxed as ever. A robe, not unlike a toga, clung to her skin like it was molded to her body, hugging the curves of her hips and flowing out past her feet.
The two of you followed the same song and dance. Josuke always held back until you push him far enough and that's when the fight really begins. The use of your abilities, going after each other until one concedes or the other one escapes the factory. Lately, you've been having to fight much harder than you used to, nearly to your limit. Josuke was really coming along.
He was using the shadows to his advantage this time, much like you had done in your previous fight. Already, he was remembering your tricks. He was growing accustomed to your style, but that still wouldn't be enough for him to beat you just yet. Crazy Diamond nearly clipped Maneater's jaw, but she darted out of the way just in time, delivering a swift punch to Crazy Diamond's gut.
Josuke was doubled over, having the breath knocked out of him once again. He remained against the wall, doubled over in the shadows. Crazy Diamond disappeared. His coat was off to the side, dirtied by the dust all over the floor. You were tempted to scold him, but you figured that punch to the gut was already more than enough punishment for him. The two of you took a moment to recuperate.
Just as you were about to end the fight, clapping interrupted the two of you. The hell? How did you not notice someone approaching? Shit. Shit, someone was here and they saw all of that. Please don't let them be Stand users.
"Bravo. Great show from the both of you. Never would've expected a lady to be able to fight like that."
They all stepped into the light at the same time. Two of them you didn't recognize, but you certainly knew the third. Wavy blond hair, checkered top hat, scar across his face. It was the man you paid only a few hours ago. Speedwagon. They must've realized what you'd done. Dread pooled in your stomach. You should've sent Josuke home just like your gut was telling you to. Now he was in the line of fire all because of your inability to tell him no. You glanced at him off to the side. From here, you couldn't really see him unless you knew where to look. Good. There was still time for him to escape unharmed.
"You need to leave." Though you appeared to be saying it to Speedwagon, it was clear to Josuke that you were talking to him. Your Stand slithered through the ground, already preparing to wrap around Josuke, should he refuse, and you knew damn well that he would. "It's not safe for you here."
"Not safe for me? Hate to break it to ya, sweetheart, but you're the one who's not gonna make it out of here in one piece."
"Leave, right fucking now or I'll make you regret it." You raised your voice and your Stand finally wrapped around him. "And don't you dare come back."
In an instant, Josuke was forced through the wall and left with only his head above ground so he couldn't rush right in. You knew he could use Crazy Diamond to punch his way out and pretty quickly at that. You had to finish this fast. Maneater came back to you as those men raised their guns. Speedwagon took off his hat.
"Enough games. If you cough up the rest of the money, we'll only have to hurt you a little." He offered as he removed his hat. "Not a big fan of roughing up women, but boss's orders."
"What about the other guy?" One of his men interrupted. You kept your poker face intact, but there was no denying that sick feeling curling deep inside of you. They knew. "Want us to look for him?"
Look for him? They didn't know where he was then and with how much the two of you were moving, you could only hope they didn't get a look at his face. You had to knock them out before Josuke's dumbass came bursting through that wall.
"No. Focus on the girl."
You were the first to move, rushing at the men with one swift kick off the ground. The two that you didn't know pointed their guns right at you. No Stands in sight just yet. Surely, they would've drawn them out, right? They both fired at you. Maneater melted every bullet she caught on contact, but they just kept coming. You were already exhausted from your match with Josuke.
A bullet grazed her shoulder, forcing her off balance as your skin split open and blood spilled out, staining your shirt a dark crimson. You wouldn't let that stop you. As the men reloaded, Maneater struck, melting their guns in their hands and knocking the both of them out in one quick punch. Looks like they weren't Stand users after all.
Blades ripped into the side of your abdomen, cutting through layers of skin, fat, and muscle. Maneater managed to make it back to you to catch the blade in time before it could do any more damage. She held out the item in front of her. A hat with a bladed rim. You glanced up at Speedwagon who stumbled away from you. He was a creative bastard; you'd give him that.
Maneater delivered a swift kick that sent Speedwagon on his ass before fading away. You fell to your knees, clutching your side in pain. Any minute now, you were sure to pass out and you knew you'd be fucked if you let that happen.
"You done?" You asked through labored breaths. Your blood splattered all over the floor. Shit. You were bleeding more than you thought. "I don't want to hurt you, believe it or not. But I will protect the people I love."
You could kill them all with your remaining strength. The world would probably be better off with as few gangsters as possible, but then you'd be just like them. No, you had to be better than them if you were ever going to fix this city.
"Why didn't you kill me just now?" Speedwagon approached, glancing at his men who were starting to stir. Shit. "Did you hold back on purpose?"
You gave him a sardonic smile. "Maybe. But your hat trick definitely did a number on me."
He looked down at you with an unreadable look, turning away from you as his men struggled to get to your feet. When they went to draw their guns, he just held up a hand and they stopped.
"Sparing us was a pretty risky move, kid."
The sharp throbbing in your side and the pain in your leg was making it difficult to concentrate on his words. You needed medical attention and fast.
"I think we got our money, right boys?" His men were clearly confused, but nodded nonetheless. What? Was he the one sparing you now? "Well then, looks like we're done here. Don't you go dying on us now."
Speedwagon glanced at the wall behind you and swiftly left you there, now collapsed on the ground and bleeding out. The ceiling of the rusted-out factory was just as decrepit as the rest of it, cracked and filled with holes. Some areas of it sagged, threatening to give way any moment. You'd never really noticed it until now. The silence that fell over the factory and the warm glow of the sunlight shining through the windows was almost comforting. It was funny. Here you were, dying in a place that was supposed to make you stronger, a place that was once your solace with Josuke. Now he'd have to find somewhere else to practice. And someone else to practice with.
The hand that had been clutching your wound fell to the ground, leaving a bloody handprint behind. Shit. Your clothes were all ruined now. Bastards. That should've been enough grounds to kill them. It was strange though, their behavior. Speedwagon could've probably killed you at the end there if he had put in the effort, but he let you go too. You wondered why the hell someone like him would do something like that. The Joestars and their men were supposed to be ruthless. Well, one thing was for certain. Today had been full of surprises.