#[ IM GONNA MCLOSE IT!! IM GONNA LOSE IIIIT!! ];

[kodapi]

"Thank you for telling me. That means a lot to me." // ( Fluffy Starters ) from Miles. :) Maybe in a Vulnerable Shuuji moment?

     [ Words of Warmth || Speaking Sweetly » Accepting ]

     ‹ As Miles spoke those words he would observe for a moment that Shuuji's eyes had a flicker of relief wash across them, the briefest hint of peace in a face that otherwise had been perfectly wielded to protect the detective's heart. They had been discussing cases over a match of chess for a while, each piece moved with equal pressure to both sides of the board while their verbal exchange became something a bit more than just idle small talk. At one point, Shuuji's chest had felt tight with anxiousness and the sudden realization of its grip crashed upon him with a weight that nearly broke him in that moment. ›

     ‹ It was within that weakness from his fears that he had quietly expressed to Miles a need to take a break from their game, now unable to do much beyond stare at the patches of white and black on the small chess table before him. An inquiry for tea was heard, and all he could do was nod; it took a while yet before he was able to verbalize an apology to a clearly concerned Miles, but a simple apology suddenly did not feel like it was enough. ›

     ‹ Thus did he continue to explain that he was not well — and had not been well for a couple of years. The facade of composure and health was well enough to carry on work, but as a deadline loomed, the sharpened nails of dread had begun to split his heart apart inch by inch. It was not something he could detail yet, but he swore to Miles that should he truly need the assistance, he would not hesitate to reach out and ask for it. ›

     ‹ To receive such a gentle response to a candid confession left him still in his chair with only the subtle shift his eyes gave away proof he was processing those words. Eventually though he found himself able to adjust in his chair; the hammering of his heart in his chest from the onset of panic was not fully subsided, each beat the cause of another jolt of electricity from head to toe, but at least he was able to find enough control to move himself a bit. ›

    ❝ It's so strange, Miles, ❞ ‹ Shuuji would mutter as he glanced away to the window for a brief moment to gather his thoughts. When his gaze returned to the prosecutor's own, there was a depth to them that had not been seen before — a sorrow never before witnessed, despite the little smile he wore alongside them. › ❝ I don't know why I find it so difficult to ask for help. To acknowledge I need it. I've always assumed it's because as the head of a private investigation firm, I needed to keep this image of the cool, collected cat, able to do his work without complications. But that never... completely sat right with me. Perhaps there's more reasons. Perhaps I already know them and have become too afraid to vocalize them. Who knows? ❞

     ‹ As if on reflex he would loosen a soft laugh, though this one felt a bit more breathless and obligatory to keep the atmosphere from becoming too heavy in the middle of all this more existential talking. After a short pause though his smile did gain a bit of its usual warmth back, the hazy depths of his eyes broken by a shimmer that caught the edge. Only now was his desperately-drumming heart able to begin slowing, his breathing a more steady pace, all while he focused on the man wrapped in magenta before him. ›

    ❝ But either way, we'll figure it out. We always do. Right, Miles? ❞