sholmes catchall

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Yeah. I was worried about you the entire time. I wasn't able to help that much, but I took care of you to let everyone else focus on their jobs.

[ But he closes his eyes at the touch, trying to latch onto that comfort. ]

[greatdeduction]

[...He sighs.]

My dear fellow, you shouldn't worry about me. I've survived worse things. It's alright for you to have helped the rest.

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[ He shakes his head a bit. ]

Still. There was also something that happened that has me worried. More than one thing.

[ That anxiety rises in their link. ]

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...

[He opens his eyes up a little wider. Curious, but also...anxious. Anxious for Kotetsu.]

Tell me. What is it?

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Van Zieks mentioned roles during the trial. All of the Watchers seemed to be in severe pain. When I helped Baraqiel, he told me this is what happens when people are careless.

[ Yeah. Yeah, there's a lot of anxiety over this. ]

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Pain...from the mention of it?

[He's trying to parse it.]

So they're connected...and you're worried about...sharing your role with others, in that case?

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I'm afraid of the risk I put you in.

[ He thought this role would maybe be dangerous, but... he has doubts cropping in. ]

Maybe I should have carried this alone.

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No.

[And he's instantly shifting his hand up to stroke through the other's hair.]

Don't say such things. One cannot carry such burdens on their own shoulders, lest they break. Isolation would only serve to ruin you, I think.

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[ There's still uncertainty filtering through the link. ]

Maybe... Maybe you're right.

[ He opens his eyes, but his gaze is a bit darker than normal. ]

I don't want you to be a target because of me, though. I know... you shouldn't be. Since it's only the two of us that'll know.

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...Pah. Your worry is most generous, Kotetsu.

[He'll fix him with a sharp gaze. A solid one, even through the pain. Like a rock, he won't move.]

But I must say, that I made my decision. You shan't be rid of me so easily, now.

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[ He can't help the sigh, giving a hint of a smile at that. There's still anxiety and concern flickering between them, but there's a slightly warmer undertone seeping in. ]

Then I'll be keeping you by my side from here on out.

[ He slips and arm around Sholmes, hugging onto him. ]

I'm worried what the other roles might entail. What happens if more people find out... I don't know what to trust anymore.

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Good.

[The warmth over the bond is met with warmth from Sholmes - he sighs into the hug, his other arm wrapping around the man.]

I actually know of one other than you, at the very least. They were vague as to whether they had met with other roles. But...I think this is something you should keep to your chest, regardless.

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You're really trusted, aren't you?

[ It's said fondly. ]

And I plan to. I don't want this falling into the wrong hands. It was never a light choice to share it.

[ He sighs again, though. ]

Van Zieks approached me. He wanted to know my team... and wanted to knew if I knew anything about roles. I was surprised. I pretended I didn't know anything about the roles, but I'm hoping I don't regret letting him know my team later. I wanted to trust him.

[ Again, that wavering in confidence. He might have screwed up there. ]

But he... told everyone about a role that allowed them to stay awake during the night during the trial. That's when the Watchers were in pain.

[greatdeduction]

Trusted? Oh, no. I bullied the truth out of them, haha!

[GRINNING LIKE A DEVIL]

[A BASTARD.]

But, more seriously...hm, Van Zieks asking for your team is surely an olive branch of trust, if he gave you his team in return. [A pause. He's thinking now, pensive, though he's snuggling a bit closer.] A role that allows them to stay awake...rather like a witness. I wonder who informed him of it.

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Of course you did.

[ That does amuse him a little bit, but then cuddles up with him comfortable. ]

He gave me his team first. He said he didn't like my company, but he felt like he could trust me. [ Wry little huff of laughter. ]

Sheba reacted pretty strongly about it. [ But he is going to poke Sholmes sharply in the check at that. ] I don't want you pushing too much into this and winding up dead from it. Please be safe, for me.

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Ah. That sounds like Van Zieks, alright. Grumpy as ever.

[That grumpy gargoyle of a man. He smiles lightly - comfortable, but letting the gears of his mind whir back into place, albeit sluggishly.]

Sheba- hey. [And pouting at the cheek poke!] Of course I wouldn't! I'm a great detective, not some clumsy buffoon waltzing into danger at a moment's notice. [Hm.] I'll keep myself safe, for you. But of course.

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I should remind you that you fell out of a tree today. Which... why were you even up there?

[ That part does have him curious. ]

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Ah...that! I was attempting to gain a vantage point to perhaps see areas where we may search for windows, my dear fellow.

[HE LOOKS PLEASED WITH HIS STUPID IDEA]

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[ Okay, that actually gets him to have genuine positive feelings beyond the hints of warmth earlier. ]

That's really cute, actually. Thank you... for being enthused about it. But also, be a little safer next time.

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But of course! But...you!

[And poking HIM in the cheek!]

Need not surprise me so thoroughly! You know I'll throw all my attention onto you in an instant!

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I didn't expect that reaction. I'll keep it in mind for next time.

[ But he grabs Sholmes' hand to kiss his palm. ]

You can always invite me on those little trips so it doesn't happen in the first place.

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But I want to do my due diligence, my dear fellow. Two heads can be better than one, especially if one is of a great detective.

[And a light sort of feeling, through the pained fog, at that kiss. He presses his forehead against the other's.]

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Fair, but it's also nice to come together to work together. It's sometimes easier to figure things out that way.

[ He lightly nuzzles Sholmes. ]

...You should know, though. Suigetsu was the one that was voted guilty. He committed a murder, but he says he was also framed. Which means... there's still at least one person out there that did something.

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This is true. And we have yet to work together quite like that, hm!

[And nuzzling him back, a little. Irene is hopping down from the bed to go rub up against Finley.]

Yes. That is most concerning. [He frowns.] One may consider that the role that stays awake may have realized the truth an set things up that way...or murderers against murderers.

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Maybe we should consider doing a bit of that.

[ He nods a little, in thought. ]

Maybe... But I wonder how much we should be talking about the roles... Beyond mine, I mean. I don't want the Watchers to be getting hurt even more from it. But it was important you knew about it. A great detective needs all the clues he can get.

[ Finley lifts her head. Surprise, she's back in her tiger form now. But rubs her face against friend. ]