[ The words seem to catch in his throat, and Juzo grimaces to himself. Of course he would stumble now, right at the finish line. He takes a moment to collect himself, pick himself up, brush himself off, and keep going. His fingers curl around Sholmes' hands, just a little tighter. ]
I care about the whole team, of course. [ He's getting there. ] But it's... different with you. Da Vinci called me out for it, said the choice I made was instinctive. Emotional. Felt like she saw right through me but for the life in me I couldn't figure out why.
I guess, in the end, I wasn't followin' my gut after all. It was my heart.
[His heart? That moment had not been so far away departed from now, but it is one that still sits clear in his mind for how poignant it had been — even if Sholmes, at the time, had been discontent with the result of that particular parley. But Juzo’s admittance of his stubbornness being something born of more than just practicality, it makes his own breath still in his lungs.]
Juzo…
[Sholmes forgets about the game. His hand slips away from the controls, from beneath his friend’s touch, and he turns around to face him, to look up at him. His little ship is doomed to be destroyed by space debris; he doesn’t care. The lip of the arcade cabinet presses against his lower back; he doesn’t notice.]
Had I known then, I would not have… [Been so hard on him, he thinks. Sholmes trails off.] I hardly know what to say, other than… other than my heart feels like it is lodged in my throat.
[ Now that they're looking at each other, Juzo has no idea what to do with himself. His hands hover awkwardly, like he wants to rest them on Sholmes' arms, but he can't quite muster the courage to do it. His fingers flex. ]
That a good thing?
[ He tries for a joke, but his tone is brittle with nervousness. What now? What now? ]
[Oh, he cannot get that past the great detective: the fragile nervousness in his voice, the hovering way Juzo doesn't know where to place his hands. Sholmes instinctively reaches out to steady them with his own.
He does not precisely answer his question, but—]
My dear friend. Will you lean closer a bit for me?
[Perhaps it is clear what his intent is, then, but Sholmes wants it to be clear. This isn't something he'd spring on him without ample readiness first and foremost.]
[ it's not like Juzo is trying to hide his nerves from Sholmes. he recognizes that the other man would see through him in an instant, but more than that... Sholmes is one of the few people he's ever allowed himself to be wholly honest with.
He's not about to stop now.
With the other man's hands on his, a steadying presence, Juzo leans in. ]
[Sholmes' hands don't remain on his friend's for much longer. When Juzo leans in, he drifts them upwards, so that they rest at the nape of the other's neck, encouraging him gently closer. He continues to ignore how his face feels warm, and the throbbing of his heart in his throat that he noted just moments earlier.
And then, without another word—because surely words are unneeded at this point—he closes his eyes, tilts his head up, and offers him a gentle kiss.]
[ Despite how he may act, this isn't the first time Juzo's been kissed. He's had grateful clients plant kisses on his barrel before, or certain acquaintances press their lips to the steel of his face in an attempt to rile him up. It most certainly always worked. And then... nothing else would come of it. The weight of expectation always hung over those moments for him. Always made him feel like he was destined to disappoint any prospective partner.
This is different. Sholmes knows and understands Juzo's limitations, the reason for his hesitance, and has accepted them. At the soft press of those lifts, his heart flutters and lightens, instead of sitting heavy in his chest.
His arms circle the smaller man before him, and Juzo angles his head to gently brush his barrel through Sholmes' hair. ]
Thanks.
[ He probably doesn't need to explain that. ]
Edited (noticed a typo sssh) 2022-08-11 23:55 (UTC)
[Juzo feels cool against him, an idle observation that only highlights just how warm Sholmes felt, cheekbones still a rosy color even against the neon lighting of the arcade cabinet's screen. Pulling away, he finds himself wrapped up in a hug, and he chuckles in delight as Juzo's barrel brushes through his hair.
His arms hook around the back of his neck, playful.]
I take it this counts as a successful date?
[Oh, yes, he has already decided it is quite successful. To see hide nor hair of the flustered, panicked Juzo he recalls during their last "date". It makes him feel so utterly special.]
[He squeezes that hand, quite happy to keep that physical connection between them, even if they will have to unlace themselves if they want to amuse themselves with another game.]
Come then. Let's take a look over there!
[To another corner of the arcade, where they can happily while away their time for as long as they want.]
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no subject
[ The words seem to catch in his throat, and Juzo grimaces to himself. Of course he would stumble now, right at the finish line. He takes a moment to collect himself, pick himself up, brush himself off, and keep going. His fingers curl around Sholmes' hands, just a little tighter. ]
I care about the whole team, of course. [ He's getting there. ] But it's... different with you. Da Vinci called me out for it, said the choice I made was instinctive. Emotional. Felt like she saw right through me but for the life in me I couldn't figure out why.
I guess, in the end, I wasn't followin' my gut after all. It was my heart.
no subject
Juzo…
[Sholmes forgets about the game. His hand slips away from the controls, from beneath his friend’s touch, and he turns around to face him, to look up at him. His little ship is doomed to be destroyed by space debris; he doesn’t care. The lip of the arcade cabinet presses against his lower back; he doesn’t notice.]
Had I known then, I would not have… [Been so hard on him, he thinks. Sholmes trails off.] I hardly know what to say, other than… other than my heart feels like it is lodged in my throat.
no subject
That a good thing?
[ He tries for a joke, but his tone is brittle with nervousness. What now? What now? ]
no subject
He does not precisely answer his question, but—]
My dear friend. Will you lean closer a bit for me?
[Perhaps it is clear what his intent is, then, but Sholmes wants it to be clear. This isn't something he'd spring on him without ample readiness first and foremost.]
no subject
He's not about to stop now.
With the other man's hands on his, a steadying presence, Juzo leans in. ]
no subject
And then, without another word—because surely words are unneeded at this point—he closes his eyes, tilts his head up, and offers him a gentle kiss.]
no subject
This is different. Sholmes knows and understands Juzo's limitations, the reason for his hesitance, and has accepted them. At the soft press of those lifts, his heart flutters and lightens, instead of sitting heavy in his chest.
His arms circle the smaller man before him, and Juzo angles his head to gently brush his barrel through Sholmes' hair. ]
Thanks.
[ He probably doesn't need to explain that. ]
no subject
His arms hook around the back of his neck, playful.]
I take it this counts as a successful date?
[Oh, yes, he has already decided it is quite successful. To see hide nor hair of the flustered, panicked Juzo he recalls during their last "date". It makes him feel so utterly special.]
no subject
I don't have a whole lot to measure it against, but... yeah, I'd say it does.
no subject
All the more reason why we should extend it for as long as we can. Do you not agree?
[They've only just started their arcade date; two games in is nothing. They may as well try each and every one here.]
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Yeah... I definitely agree.
[ Buoyed by the lovely feeling of warmth in his chest, they can stay in here all night for all he cares. ]
no subject
Come then. Let's take a look over there!
[To another corner of the arcade, where they can happily while away their time for as long as they want.]