sholmes catchall

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[ Nope, he's not letting go, sir. He refuses. ]

You think I don't carry that same regret? I've let people down. Lives have been lost because I couldn't do more.

Just because you're a great detective, that doesn't mean you can see everything. You're still human. You've still got those flaws just like the rest of us.

[ Then, a bit softer. ]

I'm able to handle myself. And this way, at least I can watch your back.

[greatdeduction]

...

[He doesn't want flaws, thank you very much. And this is all some grand mess of a web he's somehow pulled this man into.]

There's nothing you will get in return.

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[ Well, too bad. And he realizes he has those flaws. Like, actual flaws. ]

That's fine with me.

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[His shoulders slump.]

[His tone just sounds...almost helpless.]

You're a fool.

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That's just in my nature.

[ His grip eases up a little on that hand, but he hasn't let go just yet. ]

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Is there...nothing I can do to convince you?

[Like please. PLEASE REGRET YOUR DECISION.]

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[ He stands up and stares at him, close in proximity. ]

Not anymore.

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...Then pity on the both of us, then.

[He pulls his hand out of that grip, his stare sharp...and then reaches up to touch the man's cheek, briefly.]

[But that's all. He turns, displeased, and makes to walk out of the room.]

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[ Before Sholmes can escape, Kotetsu is catching his arm. ]

You don't plan on avoiding me now, do you?

[ He just needs to ask that much. ]

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...I don't know.

[He really doesn't know.]

I will do all I can to get the both of us home. If you need my assistance, then I shall be there.

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[ He sighs, letting go of his arm. ]

You can rely on me for that, too. Don't just burden yourself alone.

[ Then, a bit quieter. ]

Or anything else. I'm going to make it a point to check on you.

[ A thorn in the side, if you will. ]

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I'll be fine.

[And a look back at him.]

Take care of yourself, no matter what. For my sake, at least.

[...He turns away.]

Come along, Irene. The game's afoot, yes?

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[ Maybe he'll let him leave one day. But all these mixed messages are just killing him. His instincts at yelling at him to just grab him. To stop him.

Both his hands grab onto Sholmes' arms, holding him there from behind. ]

You minute you're telling me to jump off a cliff for all you care. Now you're telling me to do it for your sake.

[ His head drops against the back of Sholme's neck, giving a small laugh. ]

Maybe I'm just not getting it, but something in my gut is telling me not to let you leave just yet.

[greatdeduction]

[He freezes, body stiffening at the other's hands on him, head against his neck. He's silent for a good moment.]

...Let me go.

[He says, quietly.]

I simply want you to be happy.

[Just obviously not with him. There's no happiness there.]

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[ That phrasing just makes him tighten his grip even more. ]

No. I can't.

[ His head raises just enough to place a small kiss at the base of his neck. It's selfish. He said he wouldn't demand anything of Sholmes, that he wasn't expecting anything.

But he can't just let him run away. It feels like something... would break. ]

You keep trying to make my choice for happiness. If something happens, that's my choice, Sholmes. You're not the one who's hurting me. I know what I'm doing.

[greatdeduction]

[Again, he tenses - that's a terribly soft kiss, and it's making him want to run away all the more.]

..."You're not the one who's hurting me", and yet I'm the center of this particular equation. Funny how that works.

[You can't say that this is his choice when he's the center of that very choice! Dummy. Idiot. Fool.]

Don't I have a say in this, hm?

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[ He can say it, and he will reiterate. ]

From where I'm standing, your choice just seems to be running away.

[ He lets out a low sigh. ]

You keep going on about worrying about hurting me, but isn't it the other way around?

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What else am I supposed to do?

[His tone of voice is getting harder, colder.]

And whatever do you mean about that?

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Turn around and face me.

[ His fingers ease up a little. ]

Don't just run away and I'll tell you.

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...

[A sigh.]

[And he turns around to face him, without a word.]

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You said you don't like being an open book. Thing is, you kind of were the other night. Now you don't want to face the person that's see that.

[ His words are firm, but don't have any sharpness to them. Like he's trying to still hold some tenderness to them. ]

It feels like you're using the possibility of me getting hurt to make me back off, but I'm not really sure that's fully the case.

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...

[He frowns.]

Then what is the case, then?

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If I get hurt, you get hurt.

[ There's a bit of a shrug at that. ]

You're afraid something'll happen. I can pick up that much.

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...

[He just doesn't say anything, for a moment.]

Why did you think I said "take care of yourself for my sake"?

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That's what tipped it off.

[ He slowly picks up his hand to reach out toward Sholmes, to try to touch his cheek. ]

And why I couldn't just let you leave.