The emotions on Hakuba’s face were impressive. He hadn’t ever seen the detective going through so many. He hadn’t really seen him show much besides annoyance and surprise. But Kaito just let him, having feelings and expressing them was good.
The small voice answering him did show him though that he has clearly pushed the limit. Now it was time to hold back, before he would scare Hakuba away. So his answer was a simple smile. Then he carefully lowered his hands to the scar and started working it, very gentle at first.
“Stop fretting, Hakuba-san, close your eyes if you want to. You can worry again later.” He kept working gently, leaving out the most intense techniques and watching his patient’s face, so he could immediately lighten his touch again if he saw so much as a twitch. Then he kept his mouth shut for a few minutes and continued working calmly. About five minutes later he opened the bottle and put a few drops onto his fingertips and finally started stroking it into the skin, really just stroking now.“You know… you said that you’ll be moving back to Ekoda…” He gave a loopsided grin and looked almost a little embarassed. “I still live there, too. And I’ve got a car. I suppose if you ever need some help with boxes or anything. I could offer.” He was aware of the fact that not many citizen of Tokyo owned a vehicle, especially not those living close to the centre. “Just let me know.” Then he got up and wahsed his hands, before he took Hakubas trousers to put them into his hands. “You can get dressed again and if there are any questions, fire away.”
Hakuba did close his eyes when it was offered, and tried, desperately, to not let his thoughts get the best of him. His leg hurt, he was tired and embarrassed, and stressed beyond belief. But Kaito did seem to recognize all of this, and his touch was, admittedly very soothing. Gradually, he did relax, so by the time he left to wash his hands, the detective was a little surprised that it was over.
Even moreso that he’d just been offered help.
Flushed, Hakuba took his trousers back and nodded, carefully scooting to the edge of the table so that he could, indeed, get dressed again. “Thank you,” he said at first, voice quiet, sort of somber. Not depressed, really, but just not sure what to say. “If you’re really willing to help, that would be… well, that would be a great relief, really. I’m planning on hiring some movers, but I won’t be able to supervise them and Akira-kun very well."
What followed was a long and weary sigh. "Is it even a good idea to move back in with my father? God, I hated it there… but then there’d be enough room… people to look after him…"