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He meant what he’d said in that hospital room. They were words he didn’t give lightly. Maybe when he was younger, and trying to charm his way into some overly romantic girl’s bed, but they had never been
genuine. And he’d certainly made no confession of that sort to Kosei when they’d been…well,
whatever it was they’d been as work partners. Friends. Whatever.[break][break]
At one point, in his frustration, Enzo could admit to the fact that he’d wanted Kosei to come back for the sake of
winning. So he could feel superior in his rightness about his judge of the other’s character. But the truth of it had always been there under the surface. Even in the times he’d let Kosei close, only to push him away again.[break][break]
A loyalty he’d never given to anyone other than himself. Even Rocket.[break][break]
“Difficult as ever,” his tongue clicked against the back of his teeth as he tutted. Violet eyes drifted over, the coyness in his smile quickly hidden away.
“And here I was, figuring that my need to have you by my side with more consistency would be enough of an argument.” Enzo let out a beleaguered sigh,
“But have it your way—I’ll construct a PowerPoint expeditiously.”[break][break]
His eyes rolled at what he perceived to be willful resistance. It felt as though Kosei was being contrarian for the sake of being so. But he made no counter to the stubborn
maybe, maybe not. Instead, he did the unexpected thing and fell into a sullen bout of silence instead. He’d made his points, he stood by them. Being apart did neither of them any good. And at that point, he was in less of a mood to be teased.[break][break]
A short huff followed, and he stepped away from where he’d been leaning into Kosei’s side. Deliberately, he looked away so that he couldn’t see the other’s smile and crumble.
“I mean it, Kos. I never removed your name from ownership. I’ve missed you for far longer than I can to admit to, so spare me some of my pride.” His words dwindled to a grumble as his arms folded as he descended into a full on sulk.[break][break]
Of course, he had pride in spades. But this particular admission was more vulnerable than the others. It betrayed his long-standing desire to see the other return eventually.
Desire, though some might call such a thing
hope. He peered back over his shoulder, out of the corner of his eye, before quickly looking away again.
[break][break]
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