retroductions | reverie inbox.

[Sholmes is seated at the front counter, sitting atop one of the barstools when Juzo arrives. The man's gait is immediately familiar, and he swivels in his seat to face him nigh immediately.]

Juzo...

[And he also wastes no time in standing to cross over to him, his eyes keenly focused on his expression. How's he holding up?]

[ Juzo reaches for him almost instantly. And even with Sholmes' insight into Juzo's facial expressions, it's hard to read. He's sad, certainly, perhaps a bit angry, but it's all muddled up. ]

Hey.

[Sad, angry. Sholmes can relate to that, as well, though no doubt Juzo feels this even more poignantly, and his heart goes out to him because of it.

Being unable to read his expressions acutely doesn't stop him from doing one thing: he reaches out to embrace him, tries to draw him in closer.]

I am so, so sorry.

[ Juzo wouldn't exactly admit he needs a hug right now, so it's just as well that Sholmes gives him one anyway. He readily accepts it, looping his arms around the smaller man in turn. He dips his head to rest his chin gently atop Sholmes' head, mindful not to bonk him. ]

It's okay. [ It's not, right now. But it will have to be. ] Somethin' like this was bound to happen sooner or later.

[Of course Sholmes wraps his arms tightly around him, rests his cheek on his chest. A frown creases at his features.]

And yet it is so... damnably infuriating that we should expect anything like it at all.

[Juzo says it's "okay", and he cannot blame him for wanting to keep it together, but no. Sholmes does not think it is very much "okay" at all.]

Yeah. It really is.

[ Despite himself, his fingers curl tight into the fabric of Sholmes' clothes. He's mindful of his strength, always, but perhaps he just needs to hold onto something right now. ]

... I'm glad you're here.

[ Still here. He doesn't give voice to that. Sholmes likely knows what he means anyway. ]

[Still here. Yes, he does. It rings loudly between them, though it remains unspoken.

His own fingers curl into the fabric of Juzo's clothes; like this, they keep each other steady.]

And I, you. Tell me, what is it I can do for you...?

[To help. To make the ache of loss dissipate, even if for just a moment.]

This helps.

[ And it does. Sholmes, warm and solid in his arms. Still here. He takes a deep breath, something to steady himself after the reality of Marianne's disappearance took the floor right out from under him. ]

Stay with me a while?

Of course. For as long as you like.

[He pulls away only far enough to chance a glance up at Juzo.]

Sit with me at the counter for a bit? I am trying my hand again at coffee... if you are bold enough to try it.

[Sholmes tries at a middling smile. Best to do his experimentations outside of the dorm and in the diner, he figures.]

[ Juzo glances down to meet Sholmes' gaze. There's something of a smile in his expression. Muted, but fond all the same. ]

Depends entirely on your methods.

[Makes weakly amused sound.]

I assure you that today, I have defaulted to something more "normal". I am told that the consistency I often go for is too... ah, sludge-liike. Adjustments must be made accordingly.

That mean you're usin' an actual coffee pot instead of a chemistry set?

Precisely. Not nearly as interesting, but you may find the results passable.

[ A small smile, and before they part, he dips down to brush his muzzle against Sholmes' temple, as he so often does in place of a kiss. ]

Yeah, alright. Show me what you got.

[The gesture, today especially, makes him linger. Makes the faint smile across his features widen just a little, before he turns to lead Juzo to the counter, hand grasping his arm. The touch is unnecessary, of course, but it's nice.]

Come, come.

[When they near, he finally releases him and makes his way around the counter. He reaches for a pot of coffee and turns around to present it to the other man.]

See! Here it is.

[It looks... suspiciously normal.]

[ Even without Sholmes' hand on his arm, he'd follow. But right now, the contact is welcome. It almost seems a shame when he lets go, but then there's a pot of coffee being shoved in his face anyway.

He looks it over, from top to bottom. ]

Well, it looks normal. You didn't put anything weird in it, did you?

[Smiles widely, which is generally not promising, but-]

Not at all. It is the most mundane, the most boring coffee I have ever tried my hand at. [But the timing is probably ideal. This is not the time to be, ah, testing out Sholmes' questionable experimentation in coffee brewing.] I might even be ashamed of it, but should I earn your approval, I could be proud, instead.

Should I pour you a cup?

[ Honestly, either way, it would be a good distraction. Though it is kind of nice to know he won't be ingesting sludge or something brewed with soap in it. ]

Sure, go ahead.

[ Surely it can't be any worse than the swill he's had to brew himself back in the slums. Surely. He moves back around the counter to take a seat at one of the stools there. ]

[No sludge with a hint of soap... This Time.

Sholmes hums in approval and pours Juzo a generous mug of coffee. The scent is pleasant, at least, and not strange or burnt -- as would be the norm. He gently slides it across the counter (without spilling!) in his direction.]

Give it a go.

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