Chapter Text
‘Diego Brando…‘
‘He’s been avoiding me for quite some time now.’
Hotpants had thought to herself upon stumbling into a nearby abandoned camp by the river. Which- it’s least to say—Could’ve been anyone’s camp, but the very moment she had recognized a small trail of tiny dinosaur-like footprints going along the small path from camp to forest. It does not fail to reveal (The fact) that Diego Brando was once here by this exact camp, and must’ve summoned his stand ability ‘Scary Monsters’ at some point to hunt down for food.
Something that he always did when they were camping together during the day.
Causing HP to huff out in frustration, as it would appear like Dio Brando was ‘Cautiously’ being one step ahead of her in an attempt to continue on avoiding her.. Rather than actually trying to win, like someone had told her he was doing when she had asked about Diego’s location (In the race).
Making this ‘Silent treatment’ to be the worst part of all of this, as no matter how many times Hotpants had tried—At night before bedtime—To replay all of the events together. She can’t seem to figure out why Diego had suddenly left.
(Replaying a past memory from her thoughts)
When they first met... It was during the very beginning stages of the race. Treating each other like heart sworn enemies that wanted no more than to win this ‘Steel Ball Run Race’.. It wouldn’t be till later on further into the race that the two would start to realize how often they would run into each other. At the most randomest times throughout the same day.
Convincing HP—More than once by now—That she and Dio must both think alike to take the (Almost) exact same route throughout all the checkpoints of the race. Leading for Diego Brando to once say to her ‘I swear.. This has to be some kind of curse running into you again.’ Somewhere along the trail the two were on with their horses.
Which had (Quickly) lead onto another memory in mind.
…
(The first time that they had ever made camp together by the snowy tree)
…
With the cold front coming in and wiping majority of the contestants from the race. Diego and Hotpants would wind up meeting with each other (Once more) going through the exact same route—On top of the snowy trail right next to the frozen lake.
Would later on lead onto Diego’s (Brilliant) to share camp together, as the blonde had made it an excuse for them to stay by close to each other in case of any enemy stand users. Nearby. To which HP had nearly scoffed to that ridiculous guess or his.
Taking his shivering (Pale) form to be the reason why he had offered it in the first place. As the blonde (At the time) had seemed to look closer towards ‘Freezing point’, than she was when it came to dealing with the cold temperatures from outside.
And.. It's to be understandable, considering how Dio’s ability, ‘Scary monsters’ had NOT only enhanced his keen sense of smell and hearing, but also.. Made for his body to take on that ‘Cold blooded’ feature like found in nearly all reptiles. Making him more sensitive towards the temperature changes like extreme cold weather. Compared to back then when he was (Still) fully human.
Leading for that one night to be called ‘Truths’ according to Dio. For what was supposedly meant for a one time only. The blonde had said to her.
Remembering along her trail of memories—How ‘On edge’ they were over the course of each other's company.
Practically…
Staring each other down like hungry hawks—About to kill—While questioning one and another true motives or unfamiliar movements throughout that ONE singular night they spend camp together.
Hotpants recalls hardly getting much sleep, because of him..
…
Making breakfast as soon as the sun rose from the horizon. HP’s (Rare) action of kindness would wind up being the first ‘Building blocks’ towards softening up Dio’s (Almost murderous) heart towards her.
Making for the next time they meet up—To have only been a couple of days later from the first one.
…
And yet somehow.. Much to how they had camped together the first time. The two would begin to spend nights together. At the same place.
Eventually becoming the forth, fifth and sixth time they shared camp.
Till..
They had become comfortable (Enough) in being with each other’s presence.
Prompting them to loosen up a bit as they spoke up about their past and, as to why they had entered the race to begin with.
Slowly but surely—Tearing down the walls that Dio had put up around himself, because of his ‘Trust Issues’ towards people.
To which Hotpants had not known about, until Diego Brando had confessed about it in a cold tone of voice.
Later on…
Bringing about that one night—After passing by the checkpoint over by the tower—That they would share a hotel room together, since their ‘friendly bond’ was that strong. With—
Of course…
The agreement that they each pay half for the room. Which if Hotpants did the math correctly in her mind. Was significantly cheaper than having to pay ’One’ for herself.
And so she ends up agreeing to share a room with Diego.
Until..
Things—In the room—Had begun to escalate quickly.
…
The initial plan of going to bed early in order to get a head start the next day. Had somehow winded up with the two confessing their innermost feelings towards each other.. (Quickly) Followed by Dio’s bold move towards her from his bed—For an intercourse that to this day HP doesn’t even know how she went along so easily without protesting to him about her virginity.
Remembering the next morning.
The pounding pain she had woken up to—Towards her lower back region from all of the movement they did last night.
Including the way that she had to shift her body every few minutes or so—Around her horse’s saddle—In order to not feel so much of the pain and pressure onto her lower back.
Which (Is) thanks to Dio—That the soreness itself—Had lasted about 3 days before Hotpants had finally recovered enough to sit upright (Properly) onto her house’s saddle.
…
(But nevertheless. She enjoyed her first time experience)
…
And as for the events that would soon follow right after. Was ‘roughly’ around the time that Diego Brando had started to disappear on her.
…
Almost like their (Hard worked) relationship that they had built from the very beginning. Had suddenly come crashing down without so much as warning or explanation as to why the wall (itself) had fallen in the first place.
Leaving her to wonder If— ‘What If’ he was having an affair with her for another woman during the race?
….
’Could Diego Brando be so bold as to suddenly hang out with another woman despite his seemingly honest confession back at the hotel room?’
…
‘Could Diego Brando have decided to change his mind on her for another woman more prettier than her?‘
…
No.
…
Hotpants refuse to believe that to be the case.
…
Instead.
…
HP would wind up thinking about Dio’s safety above all else.
…
For example, What if Dio had a run in with a stand user and got taken out in the middle of the road?
…
What if he’s currently heavily injured and needs someone to help him?
…
What if he’s dead?
…
Warm tears began to run down her pretty face.
While she continues on with her horse towards the muddy trail up ahead.. Knowing full well that it wasn’t the wisest decision to be riding her horse this late at night. Especially when there could be sharp objects like rocks or steep cliffs that—She’s almost certain—That neither she or her horse would be able to see if they came across one right now.
Knowing full well that in the back of her mind, she should’ve made camp by the (abandoned) one by the river. To where Dio had initially stayed there from the night before, as she would’ve at least had a water source to go on by.. While her horse can rest up easily for tomorrow's head start.
But no..
Her sudden eagerness to see Diego Brando with her very two eyes. If he was alright or not. Had come crashing onto her like a bucket of cold water filled in with ice.
Hoping for the best that this ‘Curse’ that Diego calls it—Works eventually, because Hotpants doesn’t think that she’ll be able to take another day of silence without finding out on- what the hell is going on with him.
Until she had come to a sudden realization of something (very crucial) that she had somehow missed the first time around.
Diego’s stand ability..
Because of Dio’s ability ‘Scary monsters’ that allows his senses to become enhanced as that of a Dinosaur. Hotpants can bet that the very moment that he gets a whiff of her or her horse’s scent, Dio would likely want to move further away.
Which- That thought alone was enough to calm her down and to admit defeat for the night.
…
Deciding that she shouldn’t be risking her horse’s safety, because of her reckless actions.
HP makes a sharp left turn (deeper) into the forest. To see if she can find somewhere suitable to make camp for tonight.. Such as a nice tall tree to keep in her shade from both sun and rain, and a nice smooth enough ground to lie on with her sleeping bag.
Only to come across a faint light shining right off from the distance.
And though..
Sure—That light may as well be coming from someone else’s campfire. Mainly from one of the contestants from the race.
But still..
Something within HP’s mind told her to go and to check it out.
And she’ll do so by first sliding off from her horse’s saddle.
Pulling out a lighter that she keeps in her left hand pocket—Typically the one she uses to start her campfire. She flicks the light on and uses it to guide her through the many trees of the forest. Before coming into a complete stop upon hearing an extra pair of hoofs wandering about by her.
Causing HP to quickly whip up her lighter towards the direction of the sound and right next to her. And upon to doing so, She was almost taken back by the sudden surprise of—
“Silver bullet. It’s that really you there?”
(She called out to the horse)
…
Not expecting for the horse to respond to her or anything. Hotpants certainly didn’t expect for the animal to be outright ignoring her like his owner. In favor of eating grass right below them. Much like nobody was talking to him in the first place.
(Quickly) Reminding her of Dio (Once more) for those times he had purposely ignored her in favor of doing something else like polishing his shoes. Resulting in their similarities in terms of the way they both—Silver Bullet and Diego Brando—Could simply ignore her whenever she wants their direct attention.
(Heh, how funny)
Hovering over her lighter closer to Silver bullet’s back. She began Inspecting the saddle that was for some reason ‘still’ on the horse’s back along with a few things hanging right out of the small bag off to the side.
HP can conclude by her findings that this horse was indeed Dio’s horse ‘Silver Bullet’. Meaning that Dio—Who HP have been searching for so long for must be nearby.
…
Taking this opportunity to tie her horse onto one of the thick trucks of the trees. Next to the brown horse.
Hot Pants began to walk closer towards the light by the campfire.
Till she finally sees him...
(Laying on his side by the tree trunk)
The first thing that comes to mind Is—
‘Guess it’s because of your helmet that you didn’t notice me, huh.’
…
A bad habit that Hotpants had often complained about whenever she sees Dio sleeping in with his helmet over his face (like he currently is right now).
Insisting.. And reminding him from time to time how dangerous it was to sleep with all of his senses covered up underneath the helmet like that.. Despite Dio’s protest that consists of—‘Oh?.. So tell me then.. How the hell is someone like me supposed to get any sleep when their hyperactive senses are on 24/7, huh?!’
Diego would always say.
…
But as for right now..
HP is relieved to find that Dio hadn’t ‘yet’ broken out of his habit.. Otherwise she wouldn’t have been able to catch up to him like this.
…
‘Diego Brando must’ve fallen asleep sometime ago.’ She quietly notes to herself.
Ignoring the emotional tears that began to well up into the corners of her eyes, as she carefully walked closer towards Dio’s sleeping form in his (Sleeping) bag.
Silently hoping to herself that the man wouldn’t be (Too) pissed in seeing her the next day. Considering the lack of communication over these last few (3) months. Encouraging her to set up her sleeping bag towards being ’Somewhat’ close to Diego’s sleeping body.
With her final thoughts of the night being—‘Dammit Dio, you better have a good reason for having me worry for so long. Until she had found a comfortable position to be in on her bed.
Finally allowing herself to peacefully rest after the many weeks of worrying over Dio’s safety. Into her own sleeping bag.
Being sure to wake up at random times at night to check—Right next to her—Whether Dio was still with her or not. Fearing that if she slept too soundly he would try to sneak away.
Till finally..
The sun had begun to rise over the horizon.
Meaning that it was time to make some breakfast.
Once more..
…