[It's so different from everything he had been expecting Sholmes to say that a lot of the anger in him escapes pretty quickly. He's still worked up, but he actually has the presence of mind to not keep yelling now.]
I mean...you have a daughter, I figured there was an ex involved somewhere.
[He thought it was an ex-wife though, not another man.]
[He...actually lets out a light huff at that, like a laugh.]
No, no. You misunderstand. My daughter is not related to me by blood. The story of how she came to be in my care is...long. And not that important to say, at the moment.
[Surprise! There was no woman in the equation.]
[He sighs, and continues.]
But that man was...my partner for six years. We lived in our flat together, and we solved many a mystery together, him and I. And then, one day, he was forced to go back to the country he came from. And over the next ten years, we have been writing to each other often, keeping in touch. [He's...bittersweet. Wistful.] I loved him. And I...still love him. I thought it quite impossible that the human heart, as irrational as it is, could even love more than one.
[...He fixes his gaze on Rin.]
But then, Kotetsu came along, and with many circumstances, and many things involved...we are where we are. I love the man. I do. And although I may never truly be together with the man I once shared my life with...I cannot simply deny that I still hold feelings for him, to this very day. So...Rin. I implore you. Am I not a human being? If the answer is "no", then can you claim that my love for two men could be demonic in nature?
[He looks down at where he's grasped the other's hand.]
You are...a brilliant, kind young man, whose heart is filled with love. And you want happiness, like every man that walks the earth. To want love, and happiness, and to want and give happiness in return...how could that ever be evil? How could that ever be terrible? Do you not want to care for them, hold them, protect them? What you feel is you, and I assure you...they need and want you as much as you want them. Would it not be crueler to deprive them of what they care for?
[Now this is a conundrum. Rin really respects Sholmes and is tempted to agree with him just based on the fact that Sholmes hasn't steered him wrong in the past. But his low self-esteem and fear of his demon side getting the better of him are difficult roadblocks to overcome. It's far easier to separate his situation from Sholmes' and explain how that advice doesn't work for him.]
Well...that's different, isn't it? Your partner isn't here, he's in another world and even another country in that world. And even if you've told Kotetsu about him, he doesn't have to see your partner, yeah?
But Allen and Suriel are both right here. If I'm on a date with one of them, the other is gonna know. And like...what about kisses and stuff, how do you keep track of that kinda thing to keep it fair? And is 'fair' even enough in a situation like that?
What I should do is pick one and let the other down gently, but I don't wanna hurt either of them like that. So...I'll probably just not say anything ever. When we go home to our own worlds it won't matter anyway, yeah? Why hurt someone that badly when we're just gonna say goodbye soon anyway?
[Hm, he brings up some good points, but Sholmes is not one to be undeterred.]
It doesn't mean he'll never see my partner, you know.
[A huff.]
And yet, can you really choose? Between the two of them, I mean. And you never know, my dear boy. This is your assumption. I know the both of them are fond of you. Can you simply not sit them down and take the chance? Communication is important, and if they truly care for you, they will listen, and understand.
[He tilts his head, reaching out to grasp the other's shoulder.]
What I recommend is talking to Kaeya, Mr. Diluc, or Mr. Lowell, as well. My situation may not be similar to yours, not exactly, but...I think those three have figured out their situation, in some manner. Don't throw this away, Rin. You are someone who deserves to be loved. Don't tell yourself otherwise.
[Rin makes a distinct 'eugh' noise at the thought of asking any of those three.]
I can barely talk to you about this, I don't wanna talk to them. Plus they all three like each other, yeah? I dunno Allen and Suriel's opinions on each other.
[It slips out before he can stop himself, and as soon as he says it his eyes are going wide with surprise and he's clamping his hands down over his mouth.
It's embarrassing to talk about romance with his old man, is it? Well, if 'old man' means 'dad', then...]
Rin doesn't pull away, but he sounds annoyed, like he's putting up a token effort to be a moody teenager even though he actually wants the acceptance Sholmes is giving him.]
You're the luckiest here! I already had the best dad in the world, and nobody could ever replace him. ...but I guess you could be a dad too, there's no rules saying I only get one.
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I mean...you have a daughter, I figured there was an ex involved somewhere.
[He thought it was an ex-wife though, not another man.]
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No, no. You misunderstand. My daughter is not related to me by blood. The story of how she came to be in my care is...long. And not that important to say, at the moment.
[Surprise! There was no woman in the equation.]
[He sighs, and continues.]
But that man was...my partner for six years. We lived in our flat together, and we solved many a mystery together, him and I. And then, one day, he was forced to go back to the country he came from. And over the next ten years, we have been writing to each other often, keeping in touch. [He's...bittersweet. Wistful.] I loved him. And I...still love him. I thought it quite impossible that the human heart, as irrational as it is, could even love more than one.
[...He fixes his gaze on Rin.]
But then, Kotetsu came along, and with many circumstances, and many things involved...we are where we are. I love the man. I do. And although I may never truly be together with the man I once shared my life with...I cannot simply deny that I still hold feelings for him, to this very day. So...Rin. I implore you. Am I not a human being? If the answer is "no", then can you claim that my love for two men could be demonic in nature?
[He looks down at where he's grasped the other's hand.]
You are...a brilliant, kind young man, whose heart is filled with love. And you want happiness, like every man that walks the earth. To want love, and happiness, and to want and give happiness in return...how could that ever be evil? How could that ever be terrible? Do you not want to care for them, hold them, protect them? What you feel is you, and I assure you...they need and want you as much as you want them. Would it not be crueler to deprive them of what they care for?
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Well...that's different, isn't it? Your partner isn't here, he's in another world and even another country in that world. And even if you've told Kotetsu about him, he doesn't have to see your partner, yeah?
But Allen and Suriel are both right here. If I'm on a date with one of them, the other is gonna know. And like...what about kisses and stuff, how do you keep track of that kinda thing to keep it fair? And is 'fair' even enough in a situation like that?
What I should do is pick one and let the other down gently, but I don't wanna hurt either of them like that. So...I'll probably just not say anything ever. When we go home to our own worlds it won't matter anyway, yeah? Why hurt someone that badly when we're just gonna say goodbye soon anyway?
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It doesn't mean he'll never see my partner, you know.
[A huff.]
And yet, can you really choose? Between the two of them, I mean. And you never know, my dear boy. This is your assumption. I know the both of them are fond of you. Can you simply not sit them down and take the chance? Communication is important, and if they truly care for you, they will listen, and understand.
[He tilts his head, reaching out to grasp the other's shoulder.]
What I recommend is talking to Kaeya, Mr. Diluc, or Mr. Lowell, as well. My situation may not be similar to yours, not exactly, but...I think those three have figured out their situation, in some manner. Don't throw this away, Rin. You are someone who deserves to be loved. Don't tell yourself otherwise.
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I can barely talk to you about this, I don't wanna talk to them. Plus they all three like each other, yeah? I dunno Allen and Suriel's opinions on each other.
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[Hmmm.]
Have you asked either of them what they think about each other?
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[He would die.]
...no, I haven't said anything to either of them at all. It never seems like the right time for it.
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[A sigh.]
I think...its worth asking. At least for now. I don't...I don't want you leaving with the regret of not knowing what could have happened, my dear boy.
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Your body may return home. Your heart will still be with them.
That's torment, you know.
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I spent ten good years alone after my partner went abroad, my boy. All I'm saying is that...it may not be as easy to move on as you may think.
[He sighs.]
I simply want you to be happy.
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[Tsuru and Yukio especially, but he's felt all the other deaths in his heart too.]
...but I'll try to be happy, sure. Happy's how I am most of the time, so I can just keep doing that, yeah?
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[It can be overwhelming, he knows. Everything rushing in. But chances don't come like this very often, he knows.]
Are you happy, Rin?
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[HUFFS]
Also, why do you keep calling me old man!
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[It slips out before he can stop himself, and as soon as he says it his eyes are going wide with surprise and he's clamping his hands down over his mouth.
It's embarrassing to talk about romance with his old man, is it? Well, if 'old man' means 'dad', then...]
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[He kind of...stares at the other for a moment.]
Do you see me as a father figure, Rin?
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So instead he covers his face fully with his hands to hide how bright red he's getting.]
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Haha. Well, I can't say that I'm not touched. Anyone would be lucky to have you as a son.
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Rin doesn't pull away, but he sounds annoyed, like he's putting up a token effort to be a moody teenager even though he actually wants the acceptance Sholmes is giving him.]
W-well not everyone is gonna be that lucky!
[Implying that Sholmes is lucky there lol]
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Then are you saying I'm the luckiest of all? Truly, what an honor! Hahaha!
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[His hair is even messier now.]
You're the luckiest here! I already had the best dad in the world, and nobody could ever replace him. ...but I guess you could be a dad too, there's no rules saying I only get one.
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