A/N: just wanted to write something short about that little freudian slip in ep12. thanks for reading!
I'm gonna tell Nice-kun how I feel!
The words fell out of his mouth like he'd dropped them - an accident, he hadn't meant to say that specific line, intending something far less Freudian, far less double-weighted, but it was that specific line that chose to accidentally tumble out. He was suddenly aware of heat, so warm under his many layers - was he sweating?
He'd moved to unbutton it, but Rei didn't seem to have noticed. The other meaning didn't register. Not for the first time, he was glad of her innocence.
Don't give up.
Seeing Nice on the boat made his heart pound. Anxiety. Fear. These emotions came as no stranger to him, but they weren't exactly familiar either; not like the other guys Nice had fought, this one was dangerous, he could and would hurt him. He'd already beat down Murasaki. It was frightening to watch, frightening to hear, even more frightening to have no control over.
But Theo did have control on it. He could send this message. It wasn't much, and it might not help at all, but if there was even the tiniest sliver of a chance, he'd do it. No hesitation. Nice needed him now, more than ever, and that made his heart pound too -
Don't be defeated.
- please don't be defeated.