r - valuebox is in row but renderValueBox is column

Question

I'm trying to make 2 value boxes in a row. If I use valueBox() it works but once it's renderValueBox(), it stacks them on top of each other.

Removing ### returns the text but not the color or any icons I might add

If it's not reactive it's closer but not evenly spaced

box_left <- valueBox(value = "left")
box_right<- valueBox(value = "right")
fillRow(box_left, box_right)

---
title: "Untitled"
runtime: shiny
output: 
  flexdashboard::flex_dashboard:
    orientation: columns
    vertical_layout: fill
---

```{r setup, include=FALSE}
library(flexdashboard)
```

Sidebar {.sidebar}
--------------------

```{r}
textInput("left", "1st text", "left")
textInput("right","2nd text", "right")
```


Column
--------------------

###

```{r, fig.height=3}
output$box_left <- renderValueBox( valueBox(value = input$left) )
output$box_right <- renderValueBox( valueBox(value = input$right) )

# all of these produce the same results
fillRow(
  valueBoxOutput("box_left"), 
  valueBoxOutput("box_right")
)
# splitLayout(box_left, box_right)

# fillRow(box_left, box_right)

# fluidRow(
#   column(6, box_left),
#   column(6, box_right)
# )
```

###

```{r, fig.height=4}
mtcars
```

Column
--------------------

### 

```{r}

```

### 

```{r}

```