Chapter Text
All Caesar saw when he opened his eyes was darkness. While he knew he wasn’t perfect, he thought death would treat him kinder, that he would at least have a chance to meet the God that decided this was the life he had to lead. Something was off, though, his ears were still ringing, he began to feel a cold sensation throughout his body, as if his brain had finally switched his nerves back on so he could feel. He wished more than anything his brain would’ve left him to lie there.
As feeling returned, he felt his body scream in pain as his skin almost felt like it was burning on the cold, clammy ground. His lips dried and cracked, felt air pass by them, it was his own. He was still breathing, he was still alive. What a cruel twist of fate, he thought, he lives what should’ve been a death sentence, and now he must suffer a slow death wherever he managed to end up. When giving all his hamon to Joseph, he was expecting to die, so of course he wouldn’t care if it drained him. Well, now that last sacrifice might be what really kills him. He has no hamon left, he can’t heal any of his wounds.
Even if he had hamon left, he can’t imagine it would fix the fact he couldn’t feel below his left knee, either that or his brain was blocking the pain he was feeling to keep him from breaking down. As Caesar laid he focused on at least trying to move his fingers, to move anything, he can’t die here, even if at this point he wants to. JoJo needs help, he can’t do it all on his own, no matter how much that oaf probably thinks he can. He needs to apologize for what he said, the anger was justified, but he can’t let that be his last conversation with JoJo. Caesar’s fingers twitched, which shot pain up his arms, even something that took all his effort and the adrenaline was quickly fading. Each hit he got from his fight with Wamuu throbbed with pain, some wounds are still leaking blood, melting with the crevices of the stone that cradles him.
Dust and rubble began to gently drop onto his face, he heard voices behind the ringing that still plagues him, he had to cry out, to let people know he was there. Caesar wanted to live. “Help…” it came out as a rasp, a sound on the wind, but he had to live.
“Please help.” He wheezed out the plea slightly louder.
“I am stuck, please help.” Caesar had to live…he had to help JoJo.
“Someone! I am here!” Under the ringing, he heard people speaking, it was multiple people by the sound of it. There were more small pieces of dirt and rubble beginning to fall around him, and there was a sliver of light.
“There’s someone down here!” As the sun kissed his cheeks, he could’ve sworn he heard the sound of Joseph laughing, whether it was with him or at him, he couldn’t tell, but that was JoJo, so he smiled anyway.
----------------
As Caesar's eyes opened, he squinted because of the sun and winced. It felt like his entire body had been hit by a freight train, though looking back on it, he might as well have been. As he looked around, he recognized he was in a hospital, and as he looked down, it seemed as if almost all of his body was wrapped in some sort of plaster or bandage. The room was rather dull, there was a small window that had a view of a cypress tree surrounded by poppies. The wind caused them to sway ever so gently, losing petals if the guts became too much. It seems it isn’t time for him to go yet. Maybe God let him stay so he could continue to help Joseph, but he couldn’t even begin to help JoJo in this state. Despite knowing that idiot for not nearly long enough, Caesar just knows he’s probably gone and done something stupid by now, and that thought terrifies him. Not only can he not properly avenge his father, but he can’t even be useful to Lisa Lisa or JoJo.
Before he could spiral more, the door to his room opened to a short, wrinkly doctor with a smile so jolly you would think he wasn’t walking into the room of someone who had almost died.
“Good day to you, sir. My name is Dr. Lombardi. I am the one who took on your case, and let me tell you it was not an easy one. Now let me tell you, you are one lucky duck that that rescue squad found you, and they weren’t even looking for people! There was just a report of suspicious activity near that old abandoned church, and lo and behold, there you were in the rubble. Now, while I would continue to talk your ear off, and trust me, I will when I get into the damages, I do need to know some information. What’s your full name and age?” Caesar had to compose himself. He had so many questions, he shouldn’t even be alive to begin with, but the most pressing matter is how long he has been asleep.
“My name is Caesar Zeppili, I am 20 years old, sir. If you don’t mind me asking, what day is it?” The doctor looked at him as if he was asking him if the moon was made of cheese, but the old man very quickly got back on track. Caesar barely believes this was the miracle worker who patched up his wounds.
“Oh my goodness, I should’ve told you that now, shouldn’t I have, you've been in and out for oh, I’d say about a week.” His breath caught in his throat. If it’s been a week, he might be too late. The pillar men would not have waited this long to make a move, so either the world is already ending or…or JoJo did it. He couldn’t believe that numbskull had it in him, well, Caesar knew he did, but he hated to admit it.
“I-”
“Ah ah ah, not yet, first I need to tell you everything going on with you at the moment and then ask questions. Your left rib has been punctured, and your right femur was completely broken. Mr.Zeppili, if I told you how many fractures you’ve got, we’d be here all day. You lost a lot of blood, so you may feel very dizzy for a while. Overall, you will most likely be monitored for oh about a month. My goodness, speaking of your head, I want to keep watch on you to make sure nothing got knocked loose.” Dr.Lombardi released a hearty laugh that made Caesar's blood boil. He can’t just be stuck here for a month doing nothing. The doctor said a month so flippantly as if that wasn’t an eternity to Caesar. He knows he shouldn’t be mad at the man who saved his life, but despite being beaten within an inch of his life, even Wamuu couldn’t beat out his temper.
“There is no need for that long. I am sure I will be fine.” Caesar knew he was lying, the doctor knew he was lying, but Caesar needed to be out of the god damn hospital. He can’t sit and be useless. The doctor looked at him pitifully and sighed.
“Young man, we both know that is not possible. I am letting you off easy within a month. Now, do you have any kin I can attempt to contact?” Caesar almost winced at the question, the only person considered family now is Lisa Lisa and who even knows if she survived the bout with the pillar man either.
“No kin, but a teacher, her name is Lisa Lisa.” The doctor nods as he writes down the name.
“Excellent, I will see if we can find her. Now, I do have to be going along, but feel free to call out for a nurse. I am sure they’ll need to pump you with pain meds anyhow.” Dr.Lombardi laughed once more and was out of the room before Caesar could even ask another question. Though maybe that was for the best because even that short interaction took a lot of his strength as he fell asleep watching the poppies.
The month went by, and he had no visitors, which spelt out the worst for Caesar. Lisa Lisa must be dead. His mentor, gone like that, he didn’t want to be grave, but against a threat like the pillar men, there is no other explanation. Though despite this thought, he could distract himself well enough, he had actually grown fond of the air-headed Dr.Lombardi. The old man beamed kindness and often sat with Caesar when he had the time, and helped Caesar fight off the boredom that was lying in bed, and occasionally attempted to rehabilitate his many broken and fractured bones. They would play chess, and the doctor would always win, he’d bring Caesar books to read, and he would also fill him in on the news around town. He also loved to talk about his family and how proud he is of all of them. While the air-headed nature of the man did grind Caesar’s gears, he couldn’t lie and say he wasn’t a bright spot in his recovery that made the days speed by. Though that wasn’t to say Caesar didn’t attempt to sneak out of the hospital multiple times, sadly, he would either hurt himself while trying to escape or be caught by a nurse since stealth wasn’t his strong suit.
Eventually, the day for him to leave, he wobbly stood with his crutches and signed the needed documents at the front desk. All Caesar could think of was finding anyone who might know anything about what happened to his mentor and to JoJo. As he was about to head out the door, he felt a small tap on his shoulder. When he turned, he saw the stout figure of Dr. Lombardi staring up at him.
“For you, dear boy.” He handed him a letter with an address on it. For a second, his heart swelled thinking it may mean his companions survived their bout with the pillar man, but on closer inspection, the address was nowhere near where their headquarters were.
“Sir, I’ll be honest, I have no idea what this is for.” It was like the doctor gave him something with no context.
“Well, of course it’s my address! I expect to hear from you when you have time to write or to stop by to play a game of chess.” While Caesar was flattered, he was very confused as to why this was given to him.
“I don’t understand what you mean by that.” The doctor smiled at him, the wrinkles reaching his eyes as he laughed like he always laughs.
“Dear boy, you're part of my family now, the patients are all my family. You’re a bright boy. I thought you’d get that by now.” Dr.Lombardi gave a small chuckle, and Caesar felt his eyes well up temporarily. Even after all this, he may still have a semblance of a family, even if it was with this odd doctor. Something that had been so rare to see on his face nowadays made an appearance, a smile. The doctor gave a small nod and reached up to ruffle Caesar's hair. “Good luck, my boy, and stay in touch.” Caesar knew he would never forget the kindness of this man as he left the hospital doors.
As he walked out into the sun, the wind stroked his cheeks, the smell of fresh flowers danced in his nose, and the air stung his lungs. He felt alive for the first time in the month he had been in that sterile hospital. He knew he had business to attend to, but there was something he had to do first. Caesar hobbled along the road and found his way to the hill he had stared at longingly for a month. Huffing and puffing, he made his way up the hill, his leg throbbing, but once he made his way to the top, he sat in the soft grass, his back against the rough bark and prickly leaves of the tree. For once, Caesar had to admit to himself that he was scared. He was scared that when he walked home, they would all be gone, that he was useless, that he was back to having virtually no one. So before having to confront the truth, he let himself breathe. As he closed his eyes, he reminded himself of the breathing techniques Lisa Lisa had taught him. When he tried, he felt only the smallest sliver of hamon remain. That was enough for him because even the smallest spark can ignite a flame, as he kept his steady breathing, the memories of Lisa Lisa were steadily replaced by someone much, much different. The brunette who often found himself in too much trouble was Joseph Joestar. All of the times Joseph made plans that certainly shouldn’t have worked but did, the Joseph who seemed to take nothing seriously, the prankster, the dumbest genius he ever met. Those fond memories steeled Caesar’s nerves to go back home to see who may or may not greet him.
After a pained walk, he finally made his way home, and he knocked hesitantly at the door. No one answered, and he refused to believe there was no answer. He knocked again and again, bruising, and there was still no answer. Caesar was desperate enough to try a JoJoe plan, so he awkwardly snuck his way over the fence that guarded their yard. His body ached from the effort, but he hauled his body over the fence, landing on his bad leg, sending a shock of pain up his entire body. With labored breathing, he stood up to examine his surroundings. It all seemed the same. The grass was just as green, the same unkempt garden that Suzi Q kept swearing she would take care of, and…a stone. A stone that should not be there, a piece of carved rock that looked too much like a tombstone. Without a second thought, he dropped his crutches and ran, his body screamed at him to stop, his lungs didn’t take in enough air, but he ran and ran till he was there. The inscription read ‘Joseph Joestar. A son, a grandson, a friend, and a hero. September 27th, 1920-February 28th, 1939.’
Caesar fell to the ground, crying out in pain or in sadness, he didn’t know. He refused to believe that that idiot just had to go and get himself killed.
“You fool, what did I sacrifice myself for then. You were supposed to live long enough for the both of us. Idiot, idiot, you idoit!” He slammed his fists onto the ground, tears watering the flowers that had been planted there. Even he couldn’t believe the pain he was feeling there, barely even knew each other properly, he never even knew the bastard's name, but all he could think was that he could have. He could’ve gotten to know him better, to learn his birthday, his favorite color, anything. To know more about the man behind that stupidly bright smile and attitude.
Time flew by as Caesar cried at JoJo’s gravestone until the stars were shining bright above. His body was racked with pain from being in that position for so long, but he couldn’t even find the strength to get up. When the tears finally subsided, he lay on the ground next to Joseph’s grave, looking at the stars. How dare they shine so beautifully when the world decided someone as brave as JoJo had to die?
“Joseph, I don't understand why I am alive. I shouldn’t be. It should be you, you have so much more to offer this world. But I will live for you, I will be the best man I can be for you, my dear J- my dear friend Joseph. For you, I will live.”