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"You're upset with me," he breathes, fearful of his words getting lost in the wind. His heart pounds only a bit quicker than usual, and he feels a strange tingle in his fingers.
Heizou doesn't answer him for a moment, soaking in the moonlight. He takes in a deep breath before he sighs out the air in his system. "No, Kazuha," he says his name like it's a promise, "I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at the circumstances we've found ourselves in," because he finds himself with ropes in his hand, and a promise to capture one fugitive—Kaedehara Kazuha.
A breeze floats by the two of them, filling in the gaps of silence. Quietly, Kazuha finds himself taking another step—gently—toward Heizou, and he places a hand on his shoulder. "If you wish to capture me," he grabs the hilt of his sword before tossing it into the grass, "you are free to. You have already captured me many, many times, Heizou."
The detective grits his teeth, not shaking off Kazuha's hand, but also not reciprocating in any touch. "You're making me choose," he whispers, but his next words are louder, "I watched you escape from the people attempting to capture you time after time, I looked the other way every single time you showed up in front of me, I waited until this very moment because I wanted you to be able to get away, and you're making me choose."
Kazuha chuckles ruefully. "Yes," he's gentle in his delivery, "my fate is in your hands, Doushin Shikanoin."
He's very apparently unhappy. He shakes his head, and his figure shakes as if it's breathing its last breath. He doesn't say anything, and as if in respect, Kazuha says nothing too. The Alcor—Kazuha's escape—lies in wait not too far beyond where they are. It's supposed to be an easy decision.
It was only misfortune that landed them here, with Kazuha landing right in front of Heizou—or was it?
Heizou gnaws on his bottom lip—because he does not believe in coincidences, he does not chalk things up to luck and misfortune, and he knows Kaedehara Kazuha better than most people.
He takes in a calm, cool breath. "I said I'd let you go," Heizou feels his heart swell and deflate, "and I always stick to my word." He feels tense. A ribbon of light lands on Kazuha, leaving him as beautiful as ever, no matter how unruly he is. A maple leaf drifts by as well, somehow strengthening his resolve.
"Can't you just go?" he stops listening to the sound of his heartbeat—to the way his heart yearns for him to please stay against all the odds—in favor of listening to his mind. "Before I change my mind?"
Kazuha's hand drops from his shoulder down to his forearm. His fingertips carefully, tenderly, graze his armguards before they trail down to his hand. Their skin makes contact.
"You'll fail the case," Kazuha says, like it means anything to Heizou. As if he cares about his perfect record being wrecked. "I'll be gone for an undetermined amount of time," he says, and that's what makes Heizou's heart crack just a bit more than it already has. No matter how settled he is with the idea of a goodbye, actually going through with it is unbearably painful.
"You'll be safe," he argues, letting his fingers touch Kazuha's. He leans his forehead against Kazuha's too. "Please, go."
Kazuha's hand moves from Heizou's and moves upward, heavenward, to lift his chin. Their eyes meet. The night feels revealing; Kazuha feels the innards of his soul being studied and torn apart while Heizou feels his body lose sensation. Together, they bask in the feeling of being wraithlike as they lose themselves to the moon. Heizou's eyes look into Kazuha's sorrowfully in a prayer, a plea, and a wish.
Neither of them say anything. Time passes by slowly like molasses, but too quickly. Kazuha's fingers card through Heizou's hair, and he moves closer, leaning in, before he retreats.
He turns his back, eyes on the Alcor. "I miss you," he says already.
Heizou's eyes never leave his figure. He doesn't blink, knowing that every single second seeing Kazuha from this point on is precious. This could be it. This is final. All their short, miniscule moments with each other lost to the corridors of time.
His heart aches, wishing to be kissed by love, but he doesn't voice his thoughts. "Farewell, Kazuha."
The words 'I love you' are lost to the wind.