[Safe. When was the last time he really felt that? Not just from holing himself up in the family estate, away from other people, away from public opinion. Alone, in the dark. Not safety, really, but isolation.
But to be held, to be consoled. To have something, someone to count on. As many times as Klint had teased him when he was young for being a crybaby, he'd never told him to stop. Never scolded him for it. He'd simply held on. Told him things would be alright. Things were not alright at all. But... For a short while, maybe he can forget that fact. Maybe he can pretend.
It takes him a few minutes to get the bulk of it out of his system. But of course, when he regains control of himself enough, the first thing he does say is;]
My apologies. I don't... [A soft hiccup. Adelheid has left Finley and is carefully wiggling onto van Zie's lap, narrowly avoiding the other men's hands. Van Zieks drops his hold on their hands to press Adelheid to his chest.]
You have us. You have other people, here. Chin up, my dear fellow.
[And quite literally, chin up, as Kotetsu goes for it.]
[Sholmes himself just watches the other for a moment, before sighing and resting his head back against Van Ziek's head, like a particularly affectionate, but exhausted cat.]
Happiness can be found in others around you. And you have that.
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But to be held, to be consoled. To have something, someone to count on. As many times as Klint had teased him when he was young for being a crybaby, he'd never told him to stop. Never scolded him for it. He'd simply held on. Told him things would be alright. Things were not alright at all. But... For a short while, maybe he can forget that fact. Maybe he can pretend.
It takes him a few minutes to get the bulk of it out of his system. But of course, when he regains control of himself enough, the first thing he does say is;]
My apologies. I don't... [A soft hiccup. Adelheid has left Finley and is carefully wiggling onto van Zie's lap, narrowly avoiding the other men's hands. Van Zieks drops his hold on their hands to press Adelheid to his chest.]
I have been alone for a long time.
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[ His voice remains as soft as before. He wipes away the tears on one side, then reaches to the other cheek. ]
And you're not alone anymore.
[ His hand shifts to place under van Zieks' chin, tilting his head up proper and pulling back to look at him. He offers a gentle smile. ]
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[And quite literally, chin up, as Kotetsu goes for it.]
[Sholmes himself just watches the other for a moment, before sighing and resting his head back against Van Ziek's head, like a particularly affectionate, but exhausted cat.]
Happiness can be found in others around you. And you have that.