Nah. Haven't really thought about it, since she died.
[ tomoe is all he can think of, long after she's gone. all those moments spent saying goodbye to pictures smiling back at him, kissing the ring on his finger, looking up at the sky and wondering if she could hear him every time he talked to the stars—
she's all he can see, but then again, kotetsu has always been one-track minded when it comes down to it. ]
[ Sturmhond nods. That’s more or less what he expected. The emotions
around grief are tricky. It’s the same with Athos; he has to be careful
what he says. Old feelings are not so easily discarded. ]
It’s none of my business, really. But it seems to me that there comes a
time when the past has to stay in the past, otherwise there’s no moving
forward. If you spend all your time looking back, you don’t see what’s in
front of you.
Yes. As if he can't believe his luck, most likely. In fact, it might surprise him so much, you'd have to pick him off the ground before he gave you an answer.
[ No wonder he thinks you'll never ask him, Tiger. ]
[ nikolai, you are a saint. kotetsu might owe you a drink or ten once he clues in... many days later. at least kotetsu can kind of tell that maybe he should just say yes instead of angering the other man further. ]
Right, okay. I'll do that.
[ watch him forget. he still has no idea why he has to ask barnaby anything. it's not like this is the same situation with his wife and all, but hey. he'll understand later. much later. ]
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[ tomoe is all he can think of, long after she's gone. all those moments spent saying goodbye to pictures smiling back at him, kissing the ring on his finger, looking up at the sky and wondering if she could hear him every time he talked to the stars—
she's all he can see, but then again, kotetsu has always been one-track minded when it comes down to it. ]
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[ Sturmhond nods. That’s more or less what he expected. The emotions around grief are tricky. It’s the same with Athos; he has to be careful what he says. Old feelings are not so easily discarded. ]
It’s none of my business, really. But it seems to me that there comes a time when the past has to stay in the past, otherwise there’s no moving forward. If you spend all your time looking back, you don’t see what’s in front of you.
Directly in front of you, in some cases.
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What's directly in front of me that I'm supposed to be seeing here?
[ if you've ever wondered how dense he can be... well, here's your answer. ]
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Tell me something, Kotetsu. How exactly did you know that your wife was in love with you?
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'cause she said yes when I asked her out.
[ he is totally serious, too. ]
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Sturmhond shakes his head. ]
So you asked the question and got your answer.
That's what you need to do with Barnaby. If he's not telling you what you want to know, you aren't asking the right question.
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... What am I supposed to ask him, exactly?
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[ Looking thoughtful, while he remembers. ]
Ask him 'out'. You'll have your answer.
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[ if there's a way to have more question marks on his face, he needs to find it now. ]
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He does sound frustrated, though. He couldn’t even have a tighter grip on emotional control, and you’re still starting to tax him. ]
Really, Kotetsu. Can you think of no reason at all?
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Nope. Besides, even if I had a reason, I think that guy will just look at me funny.
[ he experienced the judgmental barnaby brooks jr. stare so many times that he's not looking to have a repeat of that any time soon. ]
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Yes. As if he can't believe his luck, most likely. In fact, it might surprise him so much, you'd have to pick him off the ground before he gave you an answer.
[ No wonder he thinks you'll never ask him, Tiger. ]
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If you knew that already, why'd you even ask me? Am I missing something here?
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Quite a lot, actually. But it seems you won't take my meaning unless I spell it out, and I owe Barnaby better than that.
So: ask him. See what happens. Perhaps you'll even enjoy it, who knows.
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Right, okay. I'll do that.
[ watch him forget. he still has no idea why he has to ask barnaby anything. it's not like this is the same situation with his wife and all, but hey. he'll understand later. much later. ]
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Good. I hope you do.
[ Which he says, while steadfastly believing Kotetsu won't. It seems Barnaby was right about him, after all. ]