[ Kotetsu's shoulders tense at being called weak willed and looks over at van Zieks with a bit of a dark glare. Finley shifts immediately from lion to tiger and moves to face the man. ]
I know I told you that you were welcome to insult me before, but that's one I won't just roll over and take.
[ He squeezes Sholmes' hand, perhaps a bit tight. Trying to control himself from this little spike in anger. ]
Just because I won't want to break an important promise and I want to make him happy... Is that why you're calling me weak-willed? It's the opposite. I'm willing to try.
[ But he looks away now, looking off to the side and not directly at Sholmes, but down at their hands. The hand that is being held... the ring he has. It just firms his resolve. ]
I don't want to break anymore promises or have any more regrets. And if that means giving him what he wants, I'll do it.
[Ugh!!! Adelheid flaps her wings, as if threatening, or simply sheer defensiveness. He has never had to deal with this before, or anything concerning relationships. He'd had scant few pursuers in school, all women of course, and he'd been able to rebuff them just fine. After all, he hadn't been interested.
It's his instinct to simply cut his losses, to storm off, let the two buffoons have their fun. He's used to gloom, to brooding, being by himself and mourning. He knows how to do it. It would be easy. But he'd never chose his losses before. And the idea of walking into that willingly. It's too painful.
Maybe this unfortunate, sideways situation is all he deserves, anyway.]
.... Fine. [That's all he can bring himself to say at the moment.]
[It feels wrong. As if it is impossible that he can have such deep feelings for both of these men, in their own way, but he can't deny it. Why would he? He sees their faces, and he is reminded of it, and it makes this hurt all the more.]
Please...for the love of everything...I could not tolerate it if you fought. Both of you are amazing in my eyes for your own reasons. [He turns to Kotetsu.] You, for your eternal warmth, and your strength of character. [He turns to Van Zieks.] You, for your unwavering determination, and your indomitable will.
[Is this selfish? Is forcing them into this...is it just for him? But it isn't as if he can divide himself in two.]
We shall take this one step at a time. I shan't leave either of you behind.
[ One hand slowly reaches out to Sholmes, to touch his cheek, but glances over at van Zieks. He doesn't know if this is okay. To touch him freely in front of the other man. It's one thing for Sholmes to initiate, but another to take his own action.
But, he does it anyway, returning his look to Sholmes. If they're going to make this work, they have to start somewhere.
Finley has stopped bristling and shrinks down in size a bit to her giant flemish rabbit form, showing no threat. ]
[The compliment... does help, a little. Makes him feel like less of one of the many whims of this impossible man. As before, Adelheid acts before van Zieks does, shrinking down to her cat form, before padding over to Irene to nuzzle her. She even exchanges a glance with Finley, one that is less judgemental and more expectant.]
... Consider it taking your advice. It's... I think it's what Klint would want for me. Things are perhaps not always as black and white as they should be.
[Kotetsu like who the fuck is Klint. Speaking of, van Zieks spares him a glance.]
I do not like you. However, for the sake of this arrangement I will make not quarrel with you, for now.
...I think Klint would want many a thing for you, Van Zieks.
[But there's a sigh of relief, though...deep down, Sholmes knows that this arrangement is fragile. It tenses, like a wire that could break, or could hold strong.]
[He steps towards Kotetsu to give him a light kiss to the lips, and then does the same to Van Zieks. Irene rubs her head against Adelheid, before hopping over to Finley, mimicking her owner. The man himself lets out a sigh.]
I simply wish for you all to be happy. That is all.
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I know I told you that you were welcome to insult me before, but that's one I won't just roll over and take.
[ He squeezes Sholmes' hand, perhaps a bit tight. Trying to control himself from this little spike in anger. ]
Just because I won't want to break an important promise and I want to make him happy... Is that why you're calling me weak-willed? It's the opposite. I'm willing to try.
[ But he looks away now, looking off to the side and not directly at Sholmes, but down at their hands. The hand that is being held... the ring he has. It just firms his resolve. ]
I don't want to break anymore promises or have any more regrets. And if that means giving him what he wants, I'll do it.
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It's his instinct to simply cut his losses, to storm off, let the two buffoons have their fun. He's used to gloom, to brooding, being by himself and mourning. He knows how to do it. It would be easy. But he'd never chose his losses before. And the idea of walking into that willingly. It's too painful.
Maybe this unfortunate, sideways situation is all he deserves, anyway.]
.... Fine.
[That's all he can bring himself to say at the moment.]
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[He hates all of this.]
[It feels wrong. As if it is impossible that he can have such deep feelings for both of these men, in their own way, but he can't deny it. Why would he? He sees their faces, and he is reminded of it, and it makes this hurt all the more.]
Please...for the love of everything...I could not tolerate it if you fought. Both of you are amazing in my eyes for your own reasons. [He turns to Kotetsu.] You, for your eternal warmth, and your strength of character. [He turns to Van Zieks.] You, for your unwavering determination, and your indomitable will.
[Is this selfish? Is forcing them into this...is it just for him? But it isn't as if he can divide himself in two.]
We shall take this one step at a time. I shan't leave either of you behind.
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But, he does it anyway, returning his look to Sholmes. If they're going to make this work, they have to start somewhere.
Finley has stopped bristling and shrinks down in size a bit to her giant flemish rabbit form, showing no threat. ]
I trust you. And for your sake...
[ A glance at van Zieks before shifting again. ]
I'll trust him.
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... Consider it taking your advice. It's... I think it's what Klint would want for me. Things are perhaps not always as black and white as they should be.
[Kotetsu like who the fuck is Klint. Speaking of, van Zieks spares him a glance.]
I do not like you. However, for the sake of this arrangement I will make not quarrel with you, for now.
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[But there's a sigh of relief, though...deep down, Sholmes knows that this arrangement is fragile. It tenses, like a wire that could break, or could hold strong.]
[He steps towards Kotetsu to give him a light kiss to the lips, and then does the same to Van Zieks. Irene rubs her head against Adelheid, before hopping over to Finley, mimicking her owner. The man himself lets out a sigh.]
I simply wish for you all to be happy. That is all.
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We'll manage. We've all agreed to it and I think van Zieks is a respectable man. Despite what happened earlier.
[ He clears his throat a little. He's honestly not trying to cause trouble, but really? He was pretty irrational over this. ]
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There is no need to bring that up!
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[HMMMMMMMM?]
[He's looking between the two, confused.]
What happened earlier?
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Care to enlighten the man?
[ This is not how to get in good graces, sir. ]
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No, I do not care to.
[You shouldn't have phrased it like a question.]
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[>8I]
Answer, Van Zieks. What did you do?
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.... I may have acted slightly rashly in a fit of possessiveness.
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[FOLDING HIS ARMS. DISAPPOINTED.]
Do explain.
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Why, by the heavens, would you do that?! Are you mental?
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I'd say passionate. We talked and he was willing to come talk to you. So, it's fine.
[ He really doesn't want to tarnish van Zieks' name, just poking at him a little. So the details can be left behind. ]
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[HMPH!!!!]
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Well, don't let your passion get the best of you again, alright? At least you two worked it out.
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We already agreed to get along for this. You can trust us, right?
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[Yeah what the heck. One of the routes isn't even unlocked due to not being in this game.]