JJBA Reader Insert One-Shots

N'Doul x Reader: "Beautiful"

You may have been willing servant of Dio, but your loyalty certainly did not lie with him. He was your commander, and you had no choice but to obey every order he gave. However, he knew you were not entirely under his control. And, yet, he kept you around. And you stayed around. Dio would have killed you long ago if you weren't useful, and you would have left his service long ago if you could. But something kept you there.

It was, no doubt, the other stand users. As the Joestars hadn't yet reached Egypt, you all users lounged around Dio's mansion with nothing to do for several weeks. Sometimes you spent the day with Oingo and Boingo, laughing at all the pranks and shenanigans that ensued as they prowled the streets of Cairo. Sometimes you challenged Alessi and the D'Arby brothers to a round of Twister, laughing when the two gaming geniuses were completely stumped. Sometimes you gossiped with Mariah while she stroked Pet Shop's beak (for, when the bird wasn't tearing his prey's head off he behaved remarkably like a cat). And then there was N'Doul.

You enjoyed your time spent with N'Doul more than any of the others. Even though you loved each of them in their own way, they could certainly be idiots at times. Except him. He was confident, introspective, intelligent.

When all the house had gone to bed, you two remained in the study, sitting side by side on the couch, gazing towards the fireplace. You talked of stands, the Joestars, Dio, anything that crossed your mind. And sometimes he would venture into philosophy, into deep conversations about the universe, about the nature of existence. And sometimes he would tell stupid jokes and make fun of the other stand users. He was wise and witty and you grew to love him for it. But it was a different kind of love than your love for the others...

The fire rippled and spurted under your watchful gaze. He sat next to you, completely silent, though his face seemed pensive and deep in thought. You smiled as your eyes focused on his frame. It felt strange. You did stare at him quite a bit, but it always made you feel like you were violating his privacy. Because he was unable to see you eyeing every detail of his body, it seemed unfair. And, yet, your heart seemed to warm each time you glanced at him: his confident smile, his broad shoulders, even his glassy eyes that seemed to stare off into nothingness. The very sight of him comforted you. It was quite ironic really.

Suddenly, his arm slipped over and around your shoulder. You held in a gasp as your face flushed and your heart rate quickened. N'Doul would do this occasionally: grasp your hand, rest his head on your shoulder, stroke your hair. But you could never tell what he meant by the gesture. Of course, you hoped it was more than just an expression of friendship. And, of course, it most likely wasn't.

Nonetheless, you relaxed into his touch, leaning your head onto his chest as you refocused on the flickering fireplace.

"(Y/n)," you stiffened as he muttered your name, though you tried to remain composed in his arms. "I've been meaning to ask you something..." You straightened and responded, trying your best to keep your voice calm and steady.

"Yes, N'Doul?" your heart fluttered as you said his name, but you shook the feeling off. However, he remained silent for a while, his forehead furrowed and his lips shaped in a slight frown. Your hand unconsciously reached for his, and began to stroke his fingers gently. At this, he turned to face you.

"Each time I touch you, every time I reach for your hand or my knee grazes yours, every single time... I can hear your pulse speed up," You immediately grew rigid, your face reddening and sweat appearing along your brow. You knew his hearing was excellent, but hadn't realised he would be able to detect such subtle changes in your emotional state. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to make you anxious or angry, or anything... It's just," N'Doul gave a defeated sigh. But he didn't pull away, he didn't move at all. "Why can't I read you?"