Title: "Laughter"

Pairing: not specified

Word Count: 1162

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"Do we have to rent camels?" Polnareff voices your complaint, staring at the large creatures with thinly veiled disgust.

"We've been over this. A vehicle wouldn't make it through the desert, camels are our best option," Joesph sighs.

You squint up at the beast that you're expected to ride. "Hell, these things are bigger than Jotaro."

The man in question grunts in response as Polnareff laughs.

Avdol smiles and moves to your side, "Here, Y/n, I'll help you mount."

He picks you up seamlessly and helps you find your seating on the camel.

"Thanks Av," you uneasily hold the reins, giggling as Joseph's camel spits at him.

The others mount their creatures and the journey across the desert begins.

An hour passes, filled with conversation between you and any willing participant.

Joseph talks about his past fights, Kakyoin about his home life, Polnareff about how amazing France is, Avdol about his home country, and Jotaro... doesn't say much.

Another hour passes.

"I think this is worse than riding in a car," you complain, fed up with the swaying motion of the camel. "It's so hot out here."

You tug your coat off, and lather sunscreen on your skin, "How are you guys not dying from heat?"

Polnareff isn't wearing a coat and neither is Joseph, but the others are wearing heavy clothing and yet they seem fine.

"I'm used to a warm climate," Avdol explains.

You squint at Kakyoin and Jotaro, "What about you?"

"Well, it is getting a bit hot," Kakyoin mumbles and glances over his shoulder. He's been doing that for awhile now.

"Kak, What are you looking at?"

"Oh, uh, I feel like we're being watched but I can't see anyone."

"I'll have Star Platinum take a look," Jotaro says, letting his Stand appear.

After a few moments he shakes his head, "There's no one there."

"Odd. We should keep our guard up just in case."

"I agree."

So, the journey continues, with Kakyoin unable to shake the feeling of being observed. You ride next to Polnareff, with Joseph and Avdol before you and Jotaro and Kakyoin behind.

"Why is it so hot?" You complain again, needing to voice your discomfort despite having said it a few times already.

"Because it's the desert," Jotaro deadpans.

You roll your eyes, "Yes, but even in the desert nighttime comes around. Isn't it rather late for the sun to still be up?"

"That's right, it is late," Avdol agrees, glancing to the sky. "We should be able to see the stars by now."

"So I'm not going crazy?"

"No, something is strange."

By this time, the heat is really getting to you, causing sweat to trickle down your body.

Without warning, the camels start to collapse. Everyone manages to jump off of them before they can fall, so that no one is trapped beneath a dead beast.

You curse beneath your breath, panting from the heat, "We gotta find some shelter."

The others seem to agree with you, finding a rock to hide beneath. Surprisingly, there is enough space for everyone to sit comfortably as the heat grows.

"This could be the work of an enemy Stand user."

"You think the sun is a Stand?" You ask for clarification.

"It's the only explanation."

"In that case, we're screwed! How do you fight a floating ball of fire?!"

"I-I don't know."

You sigh and curse the sweat dripping off you. How long can you last?

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The answer, it seems, is about an hour before you start to fidget.

"Guys, I don't know how much longer I can take this," you say breathlessly, toying with the edge of your shirt. You wish you were wearing shorts instead of pants and you wish you were in the Antarctic instead of this hellhole.

The men have all taken off their coats and are suffering as much as you, even under the protection of the rock.

"We should take our shirts off," you state calmly.

Everyone's eyes widen at your suggestion.

"B-"

"No 'buts'! I am so hot, I can't handle it!" You start to peel off your shirt, leaving you in your bra. You sigh as the air hits your sweaty skin, "That's a bit better."

Jotaro pulls his hat down, averting his gaze. Kakyoin blushes cherry-red and tries to look away. Avdol and Joseph also look anywhere but at you.

Meanwhile, Polnareff Let's out a whistle, "Vous êtes magnifique! You put the sun to shame, ma chérie!"

You laugh at the compliment, "Thanks, Polly, but now's not exactly the time for flirting."

"It's not flirting! It is stating facts," he winks.

Kakyoin smiles, "It's true. You are stunning."

"You guys don't have to be shy. Think of it like I'm wearing a bikini."

Jotaro mutters his catchphrase and pulls his black shirt above his head, showing off his bulging muscles.

Now it's your turn to avert your gaze as the others follow suit and remove their shirts.

Holy hell, how are they all so handsome?!

Staring at the rock above you, you try not to sneak peeks at their abs.

"Relax Y/n. Pretend we're at the beach and we're just wearing swimsuits," Polnareff smirks, "Or you can pretend we're at a different sort of beach, if you want."

Your eyes widen and you stutter, "I'm good thanks. We need to figure out how to beat this Stand. It's really pissing me off."

You stare out at the desert, everyone following suit. There's nothing there.

Despair worms its way into your heart as you try to hold it together. Unexpectedly, Kakyoin begins to laugh.

You stare in disbelief at him. This is not the time to be laughing hysterically!

To your immense shock, Jotaro joins him in his raucous laughter, with Polnareff and Avdol joining in.

"Oh no! The heat's finally gotten to them!" Joseph yells, staring wide eyed.

"Snap out of it!" He yells, shaking Jotaro.

Jotaro chuckles, "We're not crazy, old man."

"We've figured it out!"

"Look at that rock, and across from it-"

"The same rock!" You chime, finally catching on.

It's so ridiculously simple that you begin to have a giggle fit as well, slapping Polnareff on the back and clutching your sides.

It clicks for Joseph and he chuckles as Jotaro uses Star Platinum to throw a rock at the mirror, smashing through it and the Stand user's skull.

The sun Stand dissipates, allowing the stars to shine and darkness to fall.

You tear up in relief, leaving behind the rock shelter and reapplying your shirt as the boys try not to look.

"Thank the heavens that's over," you grin. "Better make sure he's dead though."

"Yes, and then we should setup camp for the night. We're all tired."

You nod and stifle a yawn, "That's for sure."

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After you get your supplies back and making sure the Stand user is dead, everyone prepares for rest.

You're already under your blanket, sleeping peacefully between Avdol and Kakyoin.