P H A N T O M B L O O D

"My heart, my heart."

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The year is 1880. Queen Victoria is still the reigning monarch of the British Empire and according to the gregorian calendar, it is once again a leap year. Times are changing, however. Literally speaking Greenwich Mean Time is adopted as the standard throughout Britain.

More specifically it was no longer time for the young gardener of the Joestar estate to be sleeping.

Rays of sunlight filter through the window the same way they did every morning and it woke an annoyed and tired (H/C) gardener as it always did. Not without protest from said gardener.

Alas, when you try to adjust your pillow to cover your eyes and hopefully block out the silly sun, you ended up falling out of your hammock.

The floor of the garden shed was hard and cold but the impact was more of a wake-up call than the cause of any serious injuries. Still, you groan and think about heading over to the manor and stowing away in one of the servant quarter's spare beds, snoozing away without interruption in the windowless room.

'No I can't sleep inside today, the boy Lord Joestar adopted is arriving today and I'll be in all the house staff's way if I do...'

You sigh and settle on just trying to sleep in the shed despite the harsh sunlight... but then it hits you.

'The boy Lord Joestar adopted is arriving today!'

Suddenly in a rush to get presentable you scramble off the floor and over to the recently cleaned and ironed uniform hung up awkwardly on the drying rack usually used for flowers but they had all been moved to the windowsill for the special occasion.

You were ready to go soon after. The plain white dress shirt and high-waisted brown trousers gardener's were expected to wear looked nicer than usual and you even decided to throw on your nicest pair of (F/C) wellington boots. Styling your hair extra fancily, you grin at your reflection in the shed's small mirror.

'Looking right good, I'd say.'

For a young gardener, you were keen to look your best and impress daily which usually just meant wearing an inherited pair of dangly earrings but today you decided to wear the only earrings you'd ever been able to buy for yourself, a set of simple gold hoops that brought out all the mirth in your features.

Smiling at your reflection once more, you head out of the shed, stepping across the sprawling garden and down the subtle steps leading inside the lower floors of the Joestar manor.

The kitchens, laundry rooms and servants quarters were downstairs, per the usual victorian mansion layout. Anything that would distract the rich from their lavish lifestyles kept beneath them, not that the Joestars were like that.

You smoothly slink into the largest kitchen, everyone inside so busy preparing a grand meal for the newly adopted boy's arrival that they didn't notice yours. The hustle and bustle and heat of the room hid you as you walked through it and you subtly grab an apple off of an ingredients tray before picking up the biological son's breakfast ready for delivery.

"Morning, (Y/N)." One of the older maids, Cicely, said in a cheery tone grabbing the back of your shirt before you could run off, "I know today's technically your day off but since it's a special occasion-"

You gulp knowing her, you'd probably be forced to help clean the mansion until it sparkled for its future inhabitant. You stand and listen to her glumly until you notice two other servants had to come through with a large plate full of food, allowing you to slip away and out of the kitchen.

After the lucky escape, you head up the stairs to the main hallways of the house munching on the apple. There you see a particular boy walking down the main stairs.

"Going out are we Jojo?" You looked over the fancy (as usual) outfit he was wearing and realized it was outdoor wear. A simple navy jumper on top of his usual white shirt and above that a light brown jacket. He had even worn his favourite hot pink bow tie with the look.

"Yes actually! I'm going on a walk, do you want to come with me?" The boy smiled at you, making you smile in the process as well.

"Hm, I don't know. I am meant to be doing extra work today and you know how much I love cleaning inside of the house," Your grin became cheeky and you turn away from the Joestar and pretend to be deep in thought over the decision.

"I'll guess I'll leave you to your duties then, (N/N)," Jonathan said, not doing a good job of hiding his amusement as you drop the nonchalant act and panic.

If it was Jojo wanting to go on the walk then the other servants had no power to tell you to stop slacking off but if you just went on your own accord? Cicely would box your ears and make you clean the oven. Just thinking about it hurt.

"Well, Jojo if you're going to be so incredibly insistent about me going then guess I will," You chuckle nervously before handing over the breakfast tray to Jojo in a sudden hurry.

"Thank you for your honourable sacrifice, now let's go my very lazy servant," Jonathan quickly shoved the breakfast toast he had been given into his mouth and you both leave the manor.

"What a gentleman you are, Jojo, pointing out my only fault."

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The English countryside spanned out in an array of greens and meadows beneath the sun. Nature quiet and peaceful, the only real noise being you and Jojo chatting along one of the many paths leading between towns and other large estates.

Sadly the peace was interrupted by some yelling in the distance.

"So then I said, Simon, those are camellias you idi- do you hear that?" You turn away from your companion and start searching around for the noises' cause.

"Somewhat, can you make out what's being yelled?" Jojo also began looking out onto the rolling fields before spotting what was going on. "Look over there! Two men are harassing a girl!"

"Oh, the nerve of those fiends, why I oughtta- Jojo!" Before you could intervene Jonathan had already sprinted off all heroic like, "Just great."

Knowing full well Jojo has likely gotten himself into a pickle, you sprint towards the scene as well, slightly less heroic like.

Unfortunately, Jonathan had already hit one of them and been pushed onto the ground.

"Looks like somebody was nothin' but talk." One of the blokes said, both of them smug with the satisfaction of being scumbags.

"Look at you there on the ground, some knight in shining armour you turned out to be!" The other chimed in and they both laughed as Jonathan started to sit up.

"Huh, this little panty waste is the Joestar kid?" The second one said, looking at Jonathan's merched out handkerchief. "Now that I know you're some rich guys son we're just getting started!"

"As if you splathering tallywags, piss off the both of you before you embarrass yourselves further!" You stand in front of Jonathan and raise your fists, (E/C) eyes glinting protectively.

Both of them start laughing at you almost instantly and taking the opportunity you lower your fists and swing a wellied boot at the two older boy's heads.

Which in the moment looked really cool, and did impress both Jojo and Erina, was sadly a mistake since they'd recovered from the blow much more willingly than you were to deal another.

One of them grabs you by the shirt collar and flings you to the floor as the other wipes at his now bloodied lips.

"Guess we'll just have to deal with the both of yous. Can't buy your way out of this one Joestar!"

~~~~~~ Two beatings later ~~~~~~

Erina had stayed with the two of you during the beat down, sadly watching her rescuer and his rescuer get wrecked.

After the two attackers had enough and left, Erina lent down to help Jonathan.

"Are you okay?" She asked kindly, clearly concerned for him after he tried to help her.

"Just leave me alone! I'll be fine! I did not take a beating just now for your sake! So whatever you're thinking, stop it!" Jonathan yelled at her, very meanly may I add, and stood up on his own. You facepalm from your position on the ground.

"All I want is to conduct myself as a gentleman, I spotted a damsel in distress! A real gentleman has no fear! He'll fight for those that can't, even knowing it's a fight he has no chance of winning, he enters the fray...Some day I'll have the strength to win."

With that, he turns to leave but not before glancing at you as you watch him go in confusion.

'Oh right, I interrupted his whole gentleman thing.'

"Sorry about the maffiking, miss." You smile at Erina as you slowly stand up, "I hope your dolly is alright."

"Oh, thank you... Wait what's your name? My name's Erina Pendleton." The blonde smiles back at you and then you realize how pretty she is as the smile overtakes her gentle face. Lovely as a lilac in your eyes.

"Name's (Y/N). Nice to be of service to you, Erina. You're the jammiest bit of jam I've ever seen," The two girls shake hands slightly before (Y/N) says farewell, "Don't worry about him, he shares the burden of amaryllis, if you get what I mean."

Offering up another smile you brush off your ruined clothes and begin walking after the long-gone Jonathan. Erina watches you both go, studying the handkerchief in her hand.

"Jonathan Joestar?"

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By the time you'd caught up to Jonathan he'd already forgiven you for the minor slight and calmed down, or you assumed so based on the worried expression he was looking at you with.

"(N/N) you're bleeding! Goodness, where did I put my handkerchief?" As Jonathan starts going through his pockets, you put a hand to your nose in confusion.

"Oh, it seems I am. Bugger."

"Come now there's no need for such vile language, it's only a bit of blood." Jojo tuts jokingly, knowing the Victorian severity of swearing was not often taken into account by you.

"And there's no need for you to go rushing into fights without me- say who's this pulling up?" You tapped at your bleeding nose trying to figure out how bad it was before turning to the dark carriage pulling up beside you in confusion.

As it stops a single suitcase is yeeted out of the carriage and following it a boy jumps out and you have to do a double-take... The boy was ridiculously attractive? And blonde too, must've been your lucky day.

Sadly however while the boy did have honey-coloured eyes it was clear he wasn't exactly the sweetest, tilting his head back and glaring at Jojo. Ouch, he didn't even look at you.

"You must be Dio Brando, right?" Turning to your friend you realise that the marigold blonde must've been the Londoner Lord Joestar adopted. With this realisation and you being a top tier, hella cool servant, you quickly bow to the new boy. Not that he paid you any attention though.

"And you must be Jonathan, heir to the Joestars."

'Gee what a sinister and posh voice... London must be a wacky city.'

"Yes, call me Jojo, it's a pleasure to meet you!"

'Haha, Jojo meeting Dio-o Brandodo. Wait shit oh no no Danny-'

The friendly dog had walked over to the three of you because well, he's friendly and despite Jojo confirming that he is indeed a friendly dog to Dio the bastard still kicked him in his little friendly dog face.

"Danny!" Whilst the two newly acquainted brothers prepared to fight, you rushed over to Danny, quickly trying to calm him down and look for any serious damage to his face.

'Oh no, poor baby, he's bleeding!'

"Come on Danny deep breathes, you've got to stop twitching or the little shit might notice and kick you again." Murmuring softly to the dog, you set about calming him down. Giving him slow rubs on his back and breathing in deeply yourself as you try to help him.

'This works for people right?'

"Fighting already? I would know what this is about." Lord Joestar emerged from the house with the head butler and maid, clearly annoyed at the situation.

"Sorry. The dog jumped at me and in my haste, I struck it." The Brando boy responded, though you reckon that it's a load of shit considering it was less of a strike and more of a powerful, targeted, dog abusing, pain-causing, secret street fighting move.

However, it was good enough for Lord Joestar and Jojo which meant it was a good enough apology for their staff. Including you.

Soon enough the small group had entered the manor, you staying outside to help Danny to his food bowl. Deciding it be best to head inside you announce your leave to the hound.

"It's alright Danny, I'll make it my mission to keep an eye out for any more danger towards you!" For this,s you received some kisses from the affectionate hound causing you to giggle before leaving him to it, the effects of the kick fading away luckily.

Entering quietly through the mansion's main entrance you were greeted by a somewhat odd sight.

Dio and Jojo both crouched in front of the grand staircase, the blonde seemingly lecturing your blue-haired friend with a malicious and arrogant look on his face.

"Dio, what's keeping you? Hurry along." Surprised you turn to face the grand staircase, Lord Joestar somewhere upstairs. How had he missed this odd exchange?

"Yes sir!" As he began heading upstairs Dio turned to you, eyes briefly assessing your scruffed up form, "You there, carry my luggage upstairs."

"Oh, yes sir!" Quickly pretending to have no dislike toward your new boss for animal abusing reasons, you quickly and carefully picked up the singular black suitcase and start carrying it up the stairs.

Glancing back down at Jojo you sigh and contemplate what Dio had said that had Jojo so spooked.

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"I heard master Joestar threw away your dinner Jojo." You were sat next to the door to Jonathan's chambers with a tray of treats in hand. Jonathan had almost jumped when he noticed you as he was about to enter his room.

"How did you manage to get this all together so quickly?" Jonathan looked down at the tray, a plate covered with red and gold pastries and two cups of sweet-smelling rose syrup drink.

"Between you and me Jojo, this is just the vanilla rose milk I always make on full moons. Nothing to do with your dinner losing tragedy. Though it should help with your empty stomach and," You grinned as deviously as someone with such a warm face could, "I heard such a drink helps attract love, isn't that convenient? You'll need all the help you can get if Dio continues making you look bad like this."

"I don't need love as much as I need one of those tarts." With that, Jonathan snatched the plate of treats, walked into his room and shut the door on you before you could stop laughing.

"Wait no I'm sorry, Jojo- you can't leave me out here! If I get caught feeding you I'll lose cooking privileges again!" Delicately balancing the tray of steaming drinks, you stood up outside the door.

"I don't know (N/N). You did say I need all the help I can get which means I can't lend you any. As a gentleman, I'm very sorry." Jonathan peaks his head out the door and smiles, taking a bite out of the tart, "I'm sure there's a way in though... Maybe complimenting me? After all, you said I need some validation."

"Jojo you little-" You and Jonathan both turn, hearing footsteps walking towards the corridor's corner. Jonathan seemed nervous for you at this point and your eyes widen, "You little amazing person you."

"You're so amazing and gentlemanly that I'm sure you'll be famous throughout all of England. You'll even be Danny's favourite once and for all."

"I'm already Danny's favourite... You aren't very good at this (N/N)." Jojo frowns slightly and takes another bite of the tart, glancing in the direction of the footsteps. You feel a bead of sweat roll down your forehead and you gulp.

"Dear, dear Jojo the nobility flowing through your veins presents itself in your shining visage. You are the most handsome lord to be in the country. All the world swoons whenever you smile and even me, (Y/N) the gardener who doesn't deserve to get into trouble, thinks you have the loveliest eyes since blue was invented and even the sky can't compare to them. Now please let me in you kindhearted, bang up the elephant, intelligent bloke."

Goodness, he was trying to make you flustered, not the other way around. But alas Jonathan's whole face had gone red and he stood completely still.

It was then you realized that you were very fond of the Joestar and briefly wondered if the newly realized affection was going to get you in trouble. The footsteps were dangerously close now and you could even hear them breathing.

"Jojo?"

"Right yeah, um come in quickly (N/N)."
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Sorry, this chapter's so long. Hope you enjoy it though! Stick around and have a good one yo