sponsoredby | sholmes catchall

[ When that happens, Kotetsu moves both hands to Sholmes' jaw, resting there as if he's holding Sholmes like he's the most important treasure to him. ]

Tell me what you want.

[ His voice is barely above a whisper. And honestly? He doesn't even care if he gets some outlandish or ridiculous answer. He just wants to hear what comes to mind. This is the look of a man willing to do literally anything for the one in front of him.

Finley is equally pleased. Happy to be taking care of Irene like this. ]

[It's so much.]

[It's so much. Sholmes is so much, constantly, every day, every minute, thinking, constantly thinking, and in this moment, having this kind of quiet moment where everything is okay, he can enjoy it all, and not have to worry, not have to think, just for this one moment...]

[(Something inside twists, bittersweetly - there was someone who he was this happy with, wasn't he? But does it compare to this? This feels real. This feels incredibly real.)]

[His gaze casts away, before he just closes his eyes.]

I...don't know.

[The kind of pressure behind that loving gaze is...]

[He just clenches the other's shoulder, paralyzed by indecision.]

I don't know.

[ The stare remains fixed on Shomles. He's sorry, but he's not really the one to back down or shy away from things sometimes. Especially when he cares about the person.

Very gently, his thumbs brush along his cheeks, trying to get him to calm down. Trying to help him not to stress out. He knows his resources are limited.

And that's when Finley gives Irene one more lick and stands up. She's not abandoning the hare, but there's something important here. She comes over and just butts her head against Sholmes' leg. Wanting to help comfort whatever he's going through.

Yep, Kotetsu's manifested soul is trying help. ]

[What does he do? Where does he go from here? What does he say? This isn't a mystery to happily throw himself into. He lets out a low sigh, and then he feels something touching him in the leg.]

...?

[He opens his eyes to see Finley nudging him. He blinks, surprised, and reaches forward, as if unconsciously - he hesitates. And then reaches to gently place a hand on her head.]

[He's ready to draw back any moment. This feels...like something he shouldn't be allowed to do, but at the same time....]

[Well.]

[She's already touching him, isn't she?]

[ There is not revulsion like how it was seen by them during that gruesome fight yesterday. No, this is complete acceptance. Warmth. Positive feelings.

Finley and Kotetsu are okay with this. Sharing that piece of them both with Sholmes and Sholmes alone. Her head rests against him, that same content purring that helped put them asleep against the tower. ]

It's fine. Even if you don't know. I won't leave.

[ He won't push this further, nor will he draw away. That's a part of it. Maybe if they had just gotten wrapped up in things... Well, who knows what really would have happened.

This, though? He can handle it. He asked for some of those layers to be peeled away. ]

Right.

[He says, dimly. He's touching a daemon. He's touching someone's soul. And Kotetsu is looking at him like that, like he's some grand sun in the sky - and isn't he? He's a great detective, after all. But this is different than the awed looks of a crowd. Its just Kotetsu, and Kotetsu alone, and again, there's that bittersweet yet painful twist in his chest. It's just like that time. So many years ago, and that someone had looked at him...and that someone had...]

["I won't leave".]

[It's those specific words that hit him like an arrow to the chest, a strike ever so true, and even though he's raising his hand to cover his eyes, they're already filling with tears.]

[His voice is hoarse.]

Please...don't. Don't...I mean. Don't leave.

[ Seeing Sholmes get this vulnerable makes his heart ache. It isn't in a completely bad way. Having this prideful and rather flippant man opening up like this? He knows it isn't easy. He's dealt with people hiding their emotions. Hell, he's been that one, hiding important things.

Even if Sholmes is trying to cover his face, he takes that hand in his own and pulling it away like he's made of spun glass right now.

Kotetsu leans forward to place a kiss softly on his forehead, then kissing the corner of his eye. His lips linger there as he whispers: ]

I won't. I'm here with you.

[ And his tone should ring true that he means it. ]

Good.

[He thinks he might be able to swallow the thick feeling in his throat as his eyes water, but the gentle kisses and whisper only make it stronger. He can't help it.]

[(Six years of being together, happy, and then it had just been him and Iris, and he wouldn't have changed that for the world, he understood why, but he couldn't help that it hurt, all the same.)]

I'm glad. [He's trying to hide his face now, shifting his head to kiss the man on his neck.] Thank you.

[ Kotetsu's hand shifts to brush through Sholmes' hair, soothing him gently while the other moves to wrap around him again. ]

I'll always be here for you, whenever you need.

[ After Finley nuzzles Sholmes one more time, she lets the pair of them take comfort in each other and goes to curl up around Irene. It's gentle, but also being protective. Not wanting anyone else to hurt her in any way. ]

I really am grateful.

[He sighs, another kiss placed underneath the other's ear.]

But if you would allow me, I would wish to always be here for you, as well.

[Irene settles calmly in a little ball, nose twitching as she rests against Finley. Sholmes, meanwhile, again slides his hand down the other's back, just taking as much comfort as he can from the moment. It's so warm. He never wants it to end.]

[ At that soft kiss, he closes his eyes and makes a pleased little sound. ]

Of course. It's only fair, right?

[ The soft purring resumes as Finley properly settles in with Irene, closing her eyes to relax. Kotetsu's fingers gently rub at Sholmes' scalp, giving him a gentle head massage. ]

After all, someone has to keep me in check from doing anything too reckless.

[Sorry, but he's drawing back only slightly to bark out a laugh.]

You? Reckless! Perish the thought. [And he's leaning his head against the other's shoulder, shoulders shaking with laughter.] One would think it would be the other way around.

[ There's an amused snort that comes from him. He raises his hand to playfully poke him in the check. ]

Maybe it's just both.

[ But, a little softer. ]

Who's to stop us from getting into trouble together?

Heh.

[Laughing like this...how funny, how the tears of only a few seconds ago seem so far away. A poke to the cheek gets a small peck to the cheek, in turn.]

Now you're singing my tune, my dear fellow.

[ It isn't like he's forgotten the tears or anything that's been said. It's all there tight inside of him. But this is important, too. The warmth. Sharing these feelings together. ]

What kind of trouble did you have in mind, detective?

[ Don't mind as he brushes just below one of Sholmes' eyes, perhaps brushing away any remnants of moisture there. ]

Oh, you ask me as if I have plans for it? Isn't the best sort of trouble the type that comes to the mind without warning?

[He's grinning slightly, using his hands to pull himself closer.]

What kind of trouble do you have in mind?

[ There's a laugh that comes as a response to that. ]

Hm. Now wouldn't it be less fun if I said I had plans now?

[ But his fingers might be grabbing the end of Sholmes' tie, giving it just a little tug. Don't worry about it. ]

Well, that all depends on the plans.

[Looking down at his tie being tugged.]

You need only make them apparent.

Is this enough of a hint...?

[ His fingers move to start tracing along the buttons of Sholmes' jacket before undoing one of the top ones. Then trailing down a little more, pausing at the second to see if this much is okay. ]

[He's not exactly a very physical person, in any sense, but Sholmes isn't stupid. Kotetsu moves, and the detective lets out a slow exhale, his eyes watching the other's movements.]

...Go on.

[ Under normal circumstances, Kotetsu is the occasional tactile person when in situations. However, this isn't a normal situation. He's the type to want to cherish and touch the person he holds affections to.

With his permission, he starts to undo all the buttons on his coat, taking his time. He isn't in a rush, wanting to show just how much he treasured him.

Once he's finished with that task, his hands slide into the coat around his arms, working to try to push it off of him. ]

[He'll shrug it off, easily, taking it with one hand to let it drop to the floor.]

That's out of the way, now.

[ Once that's gone, he tugs at the neck of Sholmes' vest a little. ]

At least you keep yourself plenty warm.

[He just lets him do it, with no resistance.]

Indeed. It is quite suitable for chilly foggy nights in the streets of London.

[ He'll keep an eye on him, if there does seem to be anything that bothers him, but for now, he reaches to pull at that tie of his to get it loose. ]

Never been.

[ Does London even exist for Kotetsu? Probably not by that name, actually. ]

But if it's anything like the winter nights of Sternbild, I'd imagine you would need something like that.

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