[That's true. That's been a reality hanging over their heads for all this time. That either of them could be a killer.]
[He nods, swallowing.]
The same goes for me, as well. If the clues add up, I do not want you to hesitate. I would not want you to look over me because of our connection. You can't let that happen. [...] There is a time for protection, but...in cases like that...you have to let me go.
[ Thanks, he hates this. Even if he was the one that brought it up in the first place. It's honestly the worst thing to hear, but something... they have to face. But he nods lightly. ]
I promise I won't. And I promise that we will reunite. I don't care how, but I won't let either of us lose that future we promised.
[ This is a bitter pill they have to swallow. It's so much. ]
If... [ He doesn't want to say his next words, but... ]
Sholmes, if it happens and you have a choice of whose life to take... you should take mine. I don't want you to have the guilt of taking someone else's.
[He grits his teeth. He can't think of it. He's a great detective. He solves crimes. He doesn't commit them. Especially not something as heinous as taking the life of another. Even in that adventure weeks ago...that wasn't him. So to think he could take Kotetsu's life under his own will...]
[But he can't rule out the "compulsion" of the Angels. What if he has no choice? What then? And then he has to choose...and who would it be? Someone random, just because? But Kotetsu...it hurts to think about. It hurts to even consider it.]
[His eyes are blinking back tears.]
[What other choice could he have...?]
...I know. [He says, choked up.] I know that you do. And I...I-I love you too, I do, and...
[A sharp intake of breath.]
I'll...only promise that if...you get chosen, you'll go after me. I won't agree otherwise.
[ It wouldn't be fair if he didn't expect the same from Sholmes. It'd make him a hypocrite if he went and killed someone else and spared Sholmes if he had expected the same from him.
He nods, a bit numbly.
It's made even more painful when Sholmes says those words. It's been implied before or said indirectly from him, but hearing it now. In this context? It hurts. ]
...I promise, Sholmes.
[ His voice comes out so heavy, the corner of his own eyes pricking with tears. Maybe it's fitting that he'd have this conversation the same week he let his "daughter" die and him dying, too. ]
[The deal is done. They know what will happen from here on out. They know what to do, just in case.]
[But he still doesn't want to think about it.]
[He leans up to cup the other's face and kiss gently over his eyes.]
With any hope, it will not happen. But...I'm glad to know what to do. [He shakes his head.] I wish...we could find an end to this whole mess sooner rather than later.
[ That talk is done and he hates it through and through. But he knows it's for the best. Mutual agreement to protect what's most important. It'd hurt, but it'd protect Sholmes from having to make the worst choice possible. ]
I hope so, too. We're losing numbers... but we can't lose hope. There are still people that are fighting to break this cycle.
If... that happens, I hope you can take the knife. Catch the second killer, if the pattern continues.
[ Is he asking Sholmes to carry an extremely heavy burden of his life and death? Sure is, but... he trusts him. ]
I can ask the Watchers tomorrow what would happen in that case. How a new person would be picked or if I could request the next person to take the knife.
[ He understands that feeling. Even if they're not tethered, their emotions are one.
His hand slips to rest on the back of Sholmes' neck, the other moving from his face to wrap around his body. He pulls him closer, desperate to never let him go. ]
[They really got to stop making out in public places like this except they won't stop.]
[Sholmes sighs into the kiss. He's upset. He's deeply upset over everything that just happened - the scapegoat, the mess of a trial, and having to possibly kill or be killed by Kotetsu in the future.]
[That's why...things like this are welcome distractions. His hand moves to mimic the other's to slip at the back of his neck, fingers tangling in his hair.]
[This really is the best way to relax, isn't it? They did something like this weeks before, following a trial. It seems so natural now. Before, kissing the man seemed like a momentary treat. Now, it feels like its something he falls back to for the purpose of collecting himself. To remind himself there is still some hope, somewhere.]
[He's more than happy to let Kotetsu in, deepening the kiss on his end, too.]
[His hand brushes through the other's hair lovingly, his free hand sliding down the other's back.]
[Honestly, at this point, if someone walked in, Sholmes would be appalled, but would probably still continue. He can't help it. He belongs to Kotetsu and Kotetsu belongs to him.]
[It's how it works at this point.]
[He is soothed by the touch to his back, murmuring Kotetsu's name into the kiss, with a sigh.]
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[ It's so awful! ]
If I'm somehow influence by an Angel... I don't want you to protect me. I don't want someone innocent to die in my place.
[ He knows that's awful to even suggest and he hopes it never comes to that, but... it's something that is a real possibility. ]
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[That's true. That's been a reality hanging over their heads for all this time. That either of them could be a killer.]
[He nods, swallowing.]
The same goes for me, as well. If the clues add up, I do not want you to hesitate. I would not want you to look over me because of our connection. You can't let that happen. [...] There is a time for protection, but...in cases like that...you have to let me go.
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I promise I won't. And I promise that we will reunite. I don't care how, but I won't let either of us lose that future we promised.
[ This is a bitter pill they have to swallow. It's so much. ]
If... [ He doesn't want to say his next words, but... ]
Sholmes, if it happens and you have a choice of whose life to take... you should take mine. I don't want you to have the guilt of taking someone else's.
[ This??? Is so much??? ]
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[He shifts back, a little horrified.]
N-No. How could I...how could I kill you?
[LIKE HE DOESN'T WANT TO KILL BUT YOU'RE SOMEONE HE LOVES???]
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Would you want to kill someone else? How would you feel if you did that? At least with me... you know I'd understand that it wasn't your choice.
[ SORRY, THIS MAN... ]
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[He doesn't even want to think about it. Kotetsu, killed by his hand...]
But...but you'd be dead. Kotetsu, how could I do such a thing to you...?
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[ He runs his hand over Sholmes' cheek. ]
I know you wouldn't want to do it, but I'm trying to protect you from something worse. Besides, I wouldn't really be gone, right?
Sholmes, I love you and I trust you.
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[He grits his teeth. He can't think of it. He's a great detective. He solves crimes. He doesn't commit them. Especially not something as heinous as taking the life of another. Even in that adventure weeks ago...that wasn't him. So to think he could take Kotetsu's life under his own will...]
[But he can't rule out the "compulsion" of the Angels. What if he has no choice? What then? And then he has to choose...and who would it be? Someone random, just because? But Kotetsu...it hurts to think about. It hurts to even consider it.]
[His eyes are blinking back tears.]
[What other choice could he have...?]
...I know. [He says, choked up.] I know that you do. And I...I-I love you too, I do, and...
[A sharp intake of breath.]
I'll...only promise that if...you get chosen, you'll go after me. I won't agree otherwise.
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He nods, a bit numbly.
It's made even more painful when Sholmes says those words. It's been implied before or said indirectly from him, but hearing it now. In this context? It hurts. ]
...I promise, Sholmes.
[ His voice comes out so heavy, the corner of his own eyes pricking with tears. Maybe it's fitting that he'd have this conversation the same week he let his "daughter" die and him dying, too. ]
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[The deal is done. They know what will happen from here on out. They know what to do, just in case.]
[But he still doesn't want to think about it.]
[He leans up to cup the other's face and kiss gently over his eyes.]
With any hope, it will not happen. But...I'm glad to know what to do. [He shakes his head.] I wish...we could find an end to this whole mess sooner rather than later.
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I hope so, too. We're losing numbers... but we can't lose hope. There are still people that are fighting to break this cycle.
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[A shuddering sigh.]
What will happen to the knife, in this...worse case scenario?
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[ Is he asking Sholmes to carry an extremely heavy burden of his life and death? Sure is, but... he trusts him. ]
I can ask the Watchers tomorrow what would happen in that case. How a new person would be picked or if I could request the next person to take the knife.
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[And if he's caught, where does the knife go? Nowhere?]
Yes, I would like if you did. It could give us some direction.
[it's THEIR gay ass knife, kind of]
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[ Asking Sholmes to live with his death? Hm. But he lightly shakes his head. ]
I will. And I'll let you know what they tell me.
[ it is, it helped drive them closer together, after all. ]
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[His head falls, his forehead resting against the other's. Living with Kotetsu's death...]
Alright. Alright... [A pause.] We'll go from there. But for now, we know...what we have planned for.
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Yes...
[ He cups Sholmes' cheeks tenderly. Hoping with every fiber that it never comes to that. For both their sakes. ]
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[He kisses him after a moment, sweetly, but with a longing that almost wishes to keep Kotetsu here, forever and ever, without letting him go.]
[But this world is dangerous and cruel. He can't discount the worst possibilities.]
[He can enjoy happiness while it lasts, though.]
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His hand slips to rest on the back of Sholmes' neck, the other moving from his face to wrap around his body. He pulls him closer, desperate to never let him go. ]
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[Sholmes sighs into the kiss. He's upset. He's deeply upset over everything that just happened - the scapegoat, the mess of a trial, and having to possibly kill or be killed by Kotetsu in the future.]
[That's why...things like this are welcome distractions. His hand moves to mimic the other's to slip at the back of his neck, fingers tangling in his hair.]
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Everything happens so much. Maybe this is an escape, but... people repeatedly tell him to take breaks. Get rest.
This is his rest. This is his safe place where he can relax. He doesn't want this taken from either of them, but that is a thought that looms.
So, he needs to cherish every second passed with him.
Very gently, he nuzzles Sholmes in the kiss. Deepening it ever so slightly. ]
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[He's more than happy to let Kotetsu in, deepening the kiss on his end, too.]
[His hand brushes through the other's hair lovingly, his free hand sliding down the other's back.]
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Maybe someone would judge them for this, but he can't help it. Sholmes is what helps keep him grounded. What helps him from losing faith.
Lazily, he rubs Sholmes' back, touch extremely comforting. He wants to give back to Sholmes what he gives him. ]
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[It's how it works at this point.]
[He is soothed by the touch to his back, murmuring Kotetsu's name into the kiss, with a sigh.]
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In response to his name, he responds with Sholmes' name, his tongue slipping out to brush over Sholmes' lips.
Finley gently purrs below them while giving Irene attention. ]