#(ic.replies)

Lips crashing against his, taken by surprise, it took a second too much for the handler to process entirely what just happen and Shikamaru had already disappeared.

Greaves didn't wait another moment to chase after him. 

As they parkour their way down, the handler managed to catch up the other despite his head start, the race was now tight. Maybe Shikamaru had forgotten that the Greaves had been doing this for as long as him, knowing the city’s roof and buildings as well. Both focused on reaching the street before the other, it was only when they both landed on the ground that Shikamaru could notice the handler's change in expression.

Pulling the younger male towards him, Greaves pushed him against the wall, allowing some privacy and not giving any exit options for the other. Out of breath, the handler took a moment to catch his own before looking at Shikamaru with a questioning frown.

Greaves could sense it was not just that, he knew Rangiku long enough to know that something else was in her mind. They both were good at this, always lose themselves in their thoughts, beating themselves up for things they could have done to avoid something for happening, living now without someone, wondering what if. He sat next to her, and she came to lean against him, both letting a soft sigh raise their chest, in unison, a grin on their lips. 

There it was, the tough question, the burning one that was hunting Rangiku and he could probably slap the back of her head to remind her that he was the last person who had any words of wisdom. Of course, it was different, because it was her because she asked him and there were no right or wrong answer because he knew what it was like, to live with regret, to live without showing the rest of the world how important they are to you.