Here’s my piece for @kaishinbigbang! This was my first year participating and I had a wonderful time thank you everyone for your hard work and a special thank you to the amazing work the mods put into this project <3
Joined a Secret Santa event this year and got prompts for our ship! Naturally, I had to pick the hardest out of them cause I like to make myself miserable lmao- (TvT) Anywho! I originally signed up as an artist, but since the person who wanted this was good with ANY type of media, I took my creative liberties and began writing down potential plot too! Hope you enjoy them because I’m not done yet and this is just a preview before your ACTUAL Christmas gift, dear @ilsepfefferminz!Have a very happy holidays in the meantime, okay? ;-)
PlotSummary:
The Anemo God saw how dangerous it is for anyone with malicious intent to hold magical jewels as they please (specially like that of Dvalin’s tears), so he appointed someone to make sure those gems never reach the hands of evil. They can go about it however they like as long as they don’t cause harm and the disciple they appointed chose to be a phantom thief. Unbound by mortal rules and laws. It started with his mother, then his father who was killed by a gang of bandits aiming for a specific gem of true eternity (that the Kurobas have never even heard of before then), and thus, it was a title passed on to their prankster of a son, KurobaKaito. Who studied from Sumeru (and absolutely obliterated the top scores at the Academy) and went back to Mondstat to become a carefree travelling performer after getting sick of studying for tests he could answer in his sleep, only to find out the truth of his lineage. Gaining the blessing of a certain bard and taking up the mantle, he becomes Teyvat’s notorious (yet beloved) thief reincarnated, the guardian of any and all celestial gems, and the thorn to every sort of authority that challenges him, Kaitou KID.
He got the Anemo God’s Blessing with a game of Poker. He won (and cheated), but Venti was a good sport about it. In fact, he found his guts to go against (and cheat) an Archon to be hilarious and the bard DID agree to a FREE game so- ce la vie. The two of them got along like a house in the eye of a sentient hurricane. Not only because of their cheerful performer disposition, but also because Kaito can truly understand how the Anemo God feels about taking the place of someone once so adored and revered. It’s a heavy burden. One that Kaito can also share.
Shinichi Kudo is a detective from Inazuma. His father rushed him to Fontaine in the guise of furthering his detective career when they heard early tales of a civil war coming about. Though danger knows how to follow brilliant minds as Shinichi found himself cornered and corrupted by a type of gem that grants eternity… at a price. His age was reduced to half and slowed to a snail’s pace. Granting him the life of a nekomata. A type of youkai who lives a life full of death and holds no peace despite his near immortality. To end the curse, at night he ventures out to seek the same type of gem that brought on his misfortune. For only when the moon rises does the curse give way for his true self to reappear and only then would he not have to hide beneath the glasses of the young, yet eccentric Conan Edogawa.
Some time ago, a young(?) catalyst with a specialty in alchemy revealed to Conan the type of (ultra) rare gem used in the potion that the bandits used to curse him. If it could do that, then it’ll most likely be needed for his cure as well, she says. Thus begins his journey of traversing domains at night and stumbling upon death after death at day. It’s disturbing, really. To be a detective that detest murder and yet to live in Teyvat, a world where slaughter is a means of survival. Necessary and often morbidly understood. A world where nekomatas can barely take a break from the amount of killing that happens everyday. The night have become his only breather. The only time he can curve the call of passing souls without feeling the suffocating obligation to solve their murder as Shinichi Kudo is but a mere human who can’t instinctively feel when someone dies from a fair city away. Far out of his reach. Still, it shakes his morality. Test his faith. Remembering how he got his vision as he was being poisoned. Believing he’s at the brink of death. Thinking how desperately he wanted for a little more time to exact his justice on those who wronged him… Just a little more time… And now? With the same power that drove his country to war at his fingertips? He’s sick and tired of eternity.
To think… That he’d find a man of morals similar to his own- one that despises murder with a burning passion -in the mind of a criminal most annoying of all people! He can still recall their first meeting at Fontaine. Detective Shinichi would just like to clear out some domains and check for a certain type of gem, if only that stupid thief won’t stand in his way. KID’s just here to do his job (and also find a certain gem to maybe get some rightful revenge on the side), thank you very much. But he must admit, the mysterious and evasive Detective of the East (who only appears at night- what’s up with that-) can be very entertaining to match wits against.
On the other hand, when morning comes, Conan wonders what he did to deserve this. As a nekomata, he has his needs and being feline meant a new craving for fish and not just the celestial ambrosia that is coffee. Who knew that he’d instead be catching a notorious prankster once drowning in the water for unspecified reasons (by that, we absolutely mean that he’s looking for a gem, tho tantei-kun doesn’t need to know that) and screaming bloody murder to all finny things when he went out to go fishing that fateful day? Then later, said genius performer insisted on being the first member of his party (whether he likes it or not) as a concerned citizen who took upon a self-appointed duty of looking out for impressionable (albeit admittedly brilliant) children left on their own. To be fair, Conan thinks the guy is also, technically, a stranger. But time and again, he proves to be trustworthy enough. Still, why does Kaito-nii seem very curious about his distant “cousin?” And why does he remind Conan of that one silly fairytale from Sumeru of an incorrigible street rat that found a genie and became a prince in white lies? Curioser and curioser.
(Random fun fact. If Kaito can get along with Venti, Conan would probably get along with Diona if he ever paid a visit to the homeland of that stupid thief. It’s because both Diona and him are young nekos who share a deep hatred for alcohol for one reason or another. He also gets along with Qiqi. What with their connections to death & aversion of Hu Tao.)
(Shinichi’s dad works for the Yae Publishing House as a best selling mystery novelist. Yuusaku and Yae know how to terrorize either the editors or their readers and make a great (terrifying) team for it. Yukiko was an actress for the all-female Takarazuka Theater Troupe and she excels at both gender roles )
Now here’s the tough question, if you can only have one, who would you pull for? XD
It sure is frustrating to have a co-worker who’s so unreliable when it comes to working regular hours! Of course weknow why Amuro’s busy, but it doesn’t look great from her perspective. That must be why he puts in so much extra effort when he actually does show up to work lol
Nice to see her getting suspicious, even if she’s probably not drawing the right conclusions ^^;;;
A funny way for the Gosho Boys to meet would be if Kaito and Shinichi get themselves in trouble and Heiji and Saguru show up at the same time to save them, look at each other, and go:
“Did your stupid best friend get himself kidnapped too?”
They proceed to bond over keeping their dumb@** friends alive and start meeting up as a group.
Kaito almost has a heart attack about being surrounded by the greatest detectives in the modern age.
When Luck summoned the two of them to the meeting chambers, Kaito was surprised. Aoko knew that the upcoming ceremony was stressful for everyone involved, so why she would summon the most important people in it–this close to it–escaped him.
When Kaito arrived, the other apprentice was already present. He was silently sitting in a chair near Aoko’s. Kaito bowed slightly since it had been a formal summons before taking his seat.
The future Death spoke before too long had lasted, “Lady Luck, to what do we owe the pleasure of being summoned here today?”
Kaito had to take a moment to register that the other’s voice was what he had heard. It was absolutely beautiful. Kaito turned his attention to Aoko as she started her response.
“I simply wanted to get a feel for how you two were handling the preparations for the ceremony. Most before you haven’t handled the transition well.”
Kaito shot a quick glance at the other man. He seemed to be almost frustrated at her response. “I don’t see the necessity to pull us out of our preparations just to ask how everything is going. If you don’t mind I’ll be taking my leave now. I have much to accomplish and very little time to do it.”
As the future Death approached the door, Aoko said one last thing directed to him, “Just– Please keep in mind that you are never alone in your position. The rest of us are here to help.”
With a nod, he left the room.
Kaito watched as Aoko noticeably relaxed after he obviously wasn’t coming back. “Aoko, was that all you were going to say?”
“No, no it wasn’t but it will have to do for now. He is a stubborn one, you’ll have your hands full, Kaito.”
-<3-
Shinichi had to hold himself back from acting aggressively when he felt the transfer of power and confirmed it with Fate before she sent Life and Death to their next phase. His understanding was that there would be time for a quick rundown on control before they were separated from their mentors until their time on earth was over. He could already feel the slight pangs of no control and he was suddenly glad that any current realm holder couldn’t die.
But, he could now put a name to the other man that had been training on the opposite side for as long as he had. Kaito. His only true equal for as long as they held the titles. This should be interesting.
-<3-
The first time Kaito had to use his powers to negate Shinichi’s he honestly wasn’t expecting it. They had had an earlier conversation discussing what to do with a species that had invaded another’s space and was causing massive death on both sides. Together, they had come to the conclusion that eliminating the invading species was the proper way to solve the problem.
So, when he felt the spike of the other’s power he wasn’t surprised. He was surprised, however, when there seemed to be something fighting that spike, and then the spike was more like a tidal wave.
Kaito was quick to infer the answer: Chaos had decided to intervene. Chaos was a being that he had only met once before. When around him, Kaito had ended up confused enough that his mentor had separated them, leaving Kaito with a headache to nurse for a few days. After he had recovered, he was informed that Chaos was best left alone, as he was the only one that could influence another’s power to the point of no control.
Kaito’s best guess was that Chaos had created the mess they were trying to fix in the first place. So, the new Life rushed to his equal and opposite’s realm to help.
What he found was Shinichi crumpled on the floor, conscious, but obviously in pain, and, not 3 feet away, with rage flashing in his eyes, Chaos.
Kaito first addressed getting rid of the extra factor. Since he could influence the use of another’s power he could prevent his from helping Shinichi. “Leave, Chaos! Before you cause more harm.” The other being only smirked at him before vanishing. Next, Kaito had to focus on Shinichi. He slowly reached out with some of his own power and began soothing Shinichi’s with his own. Kaito watched the other relax and quickly moved closer, “Shinichi, are you alright?”
The other was slow to respond, but when he did it was with a smile. “I am now.”
-<3-
Gaining their own apprentices was an interesting process. Every little detail had to be approved by Fate and Luck both. The two had to be compatible, usually meaning they had to come from the same species and time period. Shinichi and Kaito usually were sitting together at a conference table in Fate’s realm when they had no other duties to attend to.
After the first month of searching, because the candidates they kept choosing were so different, Fate had made it so compatible possibilities would be connected to each other by a list toward the end of their profile.
By the time that Shinichi and Kaito had decided on a matching pair, they were already running behind in the other preparation necessary for their introduction.
-<3-
Introducing a new apprentice to the other-world was a much harder experience than either Kaito or Shinichi remembered their introduction being. But, it very well could have just seemed that way due to being on the opposite side of the preparations. For months ahead of time, they sat down with many of the other beings trying to arrange a schedule to introduce the apprentices to those that would truly be available for them to consult with on decisions that have to be made.
The actual bringing the apprentices to them was easy. Fate cast her spell, and suddenly they were there. Explaining what they were being dragged into? Much, much harder.
“So you’re like, making us immortal?”
“Kind of. Not entirely though. There are restrictions and policies that you will have to follow.”
“What exactly are we supposed to do though? Like do we need to-”
Shinichi cut off this question before it was finished. “You help maintain the balance. It’s not hard. You make sure creatures that die are replaced by living ones and vice versa. And then in a century, you get to teach your own apprentice how to do everything properly to take over for you. And the next few months should give you an idea on how to do that.”
-<3-
Before the ceremony, Aoko planned one last meeting between herself and the leaving Life and Death pair. She had had her first meeting with the apprentices early this morning, and wanted to consult with Kaito and Shinichi before they were to leave for Earth.
When they walked in, with the customary greetings and normal glances toward each other throughout their meeting, Aoko knew that it was time to let these two go be humans and left them with a few final words of wisdom before the next day’s ceremony–Fate never lets her Life and Death pairs get away with not meeting.
-<3-
Shinichi breathed in deeply as he lead his apprentice to the meeting point. The group of four had met many times before, if only in a way to show that Life and Death could have more together than just isolation. However, the catch to this was that they had to be very careful with names during these meetings because the apprentices were not allowed names until the passing ceremony, and Life could not know Death’s apprentice’s name until the same point and vice versa.
As they approached each other, Shinichi reached out his hand to take Kaito’s. They exchanged smiles before turning to their apprentices.
“After today, you will no longer have us to depend on. Your choices will be your own. If you really need it the others will help you, but you also need to help one another if it comes down to it. You don’t have to become as close as we are, but you do need to at least form a bond of tolerance otherwise the next 100 years or so will not be fun.”
Kaito snickered at Shinichi’s statement, “Trust us. When we were in your spot, we properly met each other once before the ceremony, not that you would think that would be the case.”
The two stared at them for a moment before turning to one another and shaking hands. Satisfied, Shinichi and Kaito turned around and led their apprentices into Fate’s ceremonial chamber hand-in-hand.
-<3-
“Do you, Shinichi Kudou, agree that your apprentice is prepared to take over the symbolic role of Death for at least the next century?”
“I do.”
“Have you, as their mentor, taught them everything you believe they will need to know to take care of this role for the time in which they will fill it.
“I have.”
“Do you, Kaito Kuroba, agree that your apprentice is prepared to take over the symbolic role of Life for at least the next century?”
“I do.”
“Have you, as their mentor, taught them everything you believe they will need to know to take care of this role for the time in which they will fill it.
“I have.”
Fate had Shinichi and Kaito step to the side and had the apprentices step forward and take their places kneeling in the same spot the two had just left.
“Do you promise to take care of your role and perform it to the best of your ability?”
Both apprentices nodded in agreement.
“Do you accept that one day you will be on the opposite side of this ceremony and will have to train an apprentice of your own to take on the role when it is decided it is time to move the titles on?”
The two apprentices once again nodded.
Once fate had recognized their responses, she turned to Shinichi and Kaito. “Are you ready?” At their nod and fleeting glance at one another, she waved her hand, a dazed look came over their faces and the apprentices felt the power transfer. She turned to them, “Did it transfer properly?” They nodded, she snapped her fingers, and Kaito and Shinichi faded from view.
-<3-
“C’mon, Shinichi! You promised you would go to Tropical Land with me! My friend Aoko bought the tickets already! You can’t just let that go to waste!”
Shinchi sighed and put down his copy of A Study in Scarlet. “Ran, I don’t have time to go to Tropical Land this afternoon. I have to go into the office to put the final touches on a police report.”
“Then why haven’t you done it yet? I bet you’ve been reading Holmes all morning. Besides, you never leave a case only needing ‘final touches,’ you always go ahead and finish it.”
Shinichi inwardly grimaced at being caught in the lie. Sometimes he forgot just how freakishly well Ran could read him. “Fine, I’ll go, but–” he was cut off by Ran cheering and attempting to pull him out of his chair, “–but, I’m not doing any of the weird souvenir photo stuff.”
Ran pouted slightly before accepting the compromise and dragging him out the door.
When they finally arrived at the entrance to Tropical Land, it became obvious that Ran was looking for somebody specific before even considering joining the steadily growing queue.
“Ran! Over here!”
Shinichi brought his attention to the call for his friend only to see a girl that he found to be strikingly similar in appearance to Ran and a boy that looked way too familiar for it to be the first time that they had ever met. Had they seen each other before and Shinichi was just having trouble putting the name to the face? No, that couldn’t be it. He always remembered names. Perhaps they frequented the same park and had seen one another in passing? That was more likely.
Shinichi watched the same slightly confused look that was surely on his face form on the other boy’s as Ran dragged him closer to the other pair. Good, so at least he wasn’t the only one that felt some sort of recognition when looking at the other.
When the two pairs stood across from one another, the Ran-look-alike spoke up, “I’m Aoko Nakamori. You must be Shinichi Kudou. Ran has told me a lot about you.” She took a moment to smile at him, which gave Shinichi the chance to see further recognition flash in the other boy’s eyes, before continuing, “And this is my friend–”
“–Kaito Kuroba. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” the boy-Kaito-said as he extended his hand. When Shinichi took it, it was like the world stopped.
Years worth of memories seemed to hit him at once. He could remember doing things that he definitely had not done in this lifetime, but felt right. Him escorting Ran into death’s realm, the first time Shinichi had met Life’s apprentice in that cafe, the awkward meetings that they were sent to toward the end of their mentor’s time, and the many, many escapades they had gotten up to in the ensuing years. Everything that they had done together throughout the last century hit his mind at once, leaving both of their faces warm at some of the more embarrassing moments.
Shinichi thought back to everything that Aoko said shortly before their resignation ceremony. Fate really does tie its Life and Death pairs together forever.
Summary: It wasn’t exactly willing but Shinichi thought he could handle the job. Kaito was surprised that out of everyone he was chosen to take on the role. At least they both have some life lines. And maybe… each other? It’s just my take on a Life and Death AU I’m just bad at summaries. Written Oct 2018 Next Part>> Read on AO3
The balance of Life and Death is a fragile thing. That’s the only rule that has stayed consistent in Shinichi’s years of holding his title: the apprentice of Death himself. Of course, it is a title that not many would want to hold, not that many could in the first place. The only reason Shinichi was able to was because of some deal that the Kudou line had made hundreds of years ago due to their uncanny ability to meet the requirements.
He actually found that the day-to-day routine was quite boring. It didn’t help that many people that he used to be friends with had to believe that he was dead. Well, he technically was, but only because of the amount of time he had spent around Death and the dead.
As he headed to his post for the day, welcoming the dead that had joined them overnight, he spotted a girl that he had come to know well. Ran had been the first person that he had personally escorted alone. She was a sweet girl and he had trouble trying to decipher why she had met her end when she did. Her fiance had decided that he didn’t truly want to marry her on the day before their wedding day and had lashed out violently instead of trying to talk it out with her. Shinichi had a feeling that if he had met her before the whole Death’s apprentice thing had taken over his life, she would have had a very different person prepared to marry her. However, such relationships were forbidden between him and the dead, so he would settle for the friendship they had found. He shot her a quick smile and a wave, which were returned, before allowing his work persona to take over.
Shinichi entered the processing area to a scene of a few older women attempting to console a few children that were crying out for their parents. He took a deep breath. Today was going to be a long day.
-<3-
Kaito tended to enjoy his post as the apprentice of Life. Everyday was the constant work of creating something out of nothing, which helped keep his usual boredom at bay. The only regular complaint he had was the small issue of beings that took other’s lives.
He often came to resent them because they added more work to his usual schedule by making them have to take the time to send the dead’s file to, well, Death so that the official report could be made. He didn’t mind when beings died naturally of a sickness or old age because those files would automatically transfer. Don’t misunderstand that he doesn’t care–any loss of life was a reason to mourn–just those that were ‘natural’ didn’t add to his usual work load.
When he was first appointed into his title, he questioned why Life and Death even needed apprentices. Life gave him some long, convoluted answer that basically boiled down to the fact that even though they were semi-immortal beings, they could never ignore their own existence and the forces that they were in control of.
They had to, every century or so, go to Fate to be released from their titles and become mortals together, and eventually they would come to live together for eternity in Death’s realm. From his instruction, he knew that most mortal souls eventually faded, but, due to their complicated existence, not many beings that had previously held the titles of Life and Death had. Kaito easily accepted the answer. It was hard to ignore the balance that their continued existence, for the past however many years, relied on holding.
Kaito had only met the other apprentice once. Their usual messenger was unable to carry the files so they were sent to a common ground to exchange the necessary reports. When he had arrived in the cafe in the mortal world that had been agreed upon, Kaito was very easily able to identify the other. There was just something otherworldly in the other boy’s presence. Kaito found his bright blue eyes striking in the sense that he would never have thought that something so lively could ever be associated with something as dull as death.
If Kaito was honest with himself, the quick meeting left a lot to be desired. He really wanted to get to know the person behind the quick “here,” “thanks,” and the coffee order he had overheard. He didn’t even know the other’s name.
Kaito sighed as the list of creations for the day formed on his desk. Time to get to work.
-<3-
Shinichi had found some free time in his day and quickly made his way out to where Ran usually spent her time. Shinichi liked filling his free time by talking with the dead. It wasn’t uncommon to see him talking to Ran anytime he had a little free time and interacting with others when he had a bit more.
Ran was about the age he was when he left to take the apprentice role. In fact, she kind of reminded him of one of his friends. She was kind of hot-headed, but once you had earned her trust there was a kind of fierce loyalty that Shinichi didn’t think would let anyone ever break a promise they made to her.
“Ran!”
Shinichi saw her look up from whatever she was doing and give him one of her customary smiles. “Hello, Shinichi. It’s nice to see you.”
Shinichi took a second to plop down in the grass next to her before responding. “It’s been a few days, I think, maybe a week, since we last had the chance to talk. What have you been up to?”
Ran looked at him almost appraisingly for a second, “I’ve been with the others recently. I even went to a couple of those parties that you are always complaining about. It wasn’t that bad, a couple of the others did get a bit rowdy, but it was easy to break them up and calm them down.”
“I never really took you as a party-going kind of person.”
“There’s a lot about me that you don’t know yet, Shinichi.” She smiled and laid back so she was staring at the sky, and Shinichi leaned back to join her.
It was something that seemed odd when Shinichi’s first moved to Death’s realm, but the ability to see the stars from here no longer fazed him. Death had explained that the folktales where humans had assumed his realm was underground were odd–something so big could obviously only be in another dimension.
Of course, it took some time for Shinichi himself to accept that it was, so whenever he thought about the conversation it was usually in a sarcastic tone.
Things were silent for a minute and Shinichi had just started to locate some of the still visible constellations when Ran spoke up again. “Shinichi, do you ever think about what would be the difference if we had met before I died? What will happen to you when I eventually fade?”
Shinichi took a moment to look at her before responding. “Sometimes. But if you fade before I give up this position it would only be a few years of remembering that you existed. Why do you ask?”
“Sonoko faded last night.”
A rush of understanding passed through Shinichi. Sonoko was the girl that Ran had confided in almost immediately when she first arrived in Death’s realm. Sonoko was the girl that encouraged Ran to open up to people after she arrived.
It wasn’t hard to see why Ran was so suddenly worried
-<3-
Kaito was forced to step away from his growing list of work when Lady Luck arrived to talk. Lady Luck was one of the few beings that he now knew existed that he had believed in before he had joined them. The current Lady Luck was a girl named Aoko.
Kaito was pretty sure that Aoko as a human girl during her time on earth was somewhat of a spit-fire. She lost her temper easily and tended to refer to herself in the third-person when she became extremely upset. She was also the only person that Kaito could really consider a friend since he got to the “other world.” Though, that was partially because most of the realms were kept separate from one another, and partially due to the fact that he was rarely invited to the bigger meet-ups because of his status of apprentice.
“Hey, Kaito?”
“What’s up Aoko?” He spun around in his chair to see said woman walking into his office.
“I-I just wanted to chat for a bit. I’ve heard some rumors going around and I kind of wanted to know if you had heard any of them.”
Kaito took a moment to think about the more recent rumors and was hard pressed to think of any that had been circulating since the last time Aoko had talked to him about rumors. “The one that Death’s apprentice is dating that dead human girl?”
Aoko giggled a little bit before replying, “No not that one. Good guess though. I actually went and talked to that girl the other day.” she took a second to give kaito a suggestive look, “They aren’t dating. So your so-called destined partner isn’t cheating on you. Don’t worry.”
Kaito felt his face warm up. He didn’t really understand why so many people in the Other realm liked to think about Life and Death as destined romantic partners. It was a common conception in the human realm as well which made him wonder if it had some truth behind it, but that didn’t mean that the idea wasn’t embarrassing.
“I’m talking about the rumor that fate is getting ready to commence the passing ceremony.” At that statement Kaito took a second to remind himself to breathe. The passing ceremony. The hour that it would take for her to cast a few spells that would send the current Life and Death to earth and give the apprentices the full range of their duties.
He officially only had a week and a half to get to know the rest of his duties and come to an agreement of some kind with the other apprentice, may it be an agreement of toleration, friends, lovers, enemies, or solitude.
Summary:Kaito may have fallen asleep before Shinichi got home, but that doesn’t change their plans for Shinichi’s birthday at all. Written May 2020 Read on AO3
Shinichi closed the door behind him as he entered, welcoming the warmth of the house compared to the pelting rain outside. After slipping off his coat and shoes, he wandered further into the house, towards the TV static he could hear within. Entering the room, he headed to turn off the source of the noise, only to stop himself. Kaito was asleep on the couch, having obviously tried to stay up and wait for Shinichi to return before heading to bed. Shinichi felt a smile slowly form as he watched the light flicker across the other man’s face.
Instead of continuing his path to turn off the TV, Shinichi turned to the impressive stock of movies their combined collection made. After picking one, mostly at random, Shinichi started it and settled into the small space on the couch that Kaito had left. He winced as he noticed he still managed to shift Kaito, but the thief had made no move to wake.
Shinichi half-paid attention to the movie in silence for a while, until he was knocked out of his thoughts by Kaito shifting on his own. “Mm, ‘Nichi?”
Shinichi scoffed, “Who else would break in, start a movie, and sit next to you without turning this into a murder scene?”
Kaito chuckled before responding, “Any of our parents? Aoko or Ran?”
Shinichi shook his head, “Brat.”
“But you love me anyway!”
Shinichi smiled, “Yes, I do.” He pulled Kaito closer until he was almost on top of him, “Now shut up and watch the movie.”
Summary: You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away. Written Feb 2020 Read on AO3
“The other night dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms,” Shinichi sang, soft and slow laying in his bed wide awake. It was long past the witching hour, but he had a lot of trouble sleeping these days. He thought a lot about Katio, his laugh, his infectious smile, and the warmth of his body. He sang these lullabies, as tone deaf as he was, in the hopes it would ease him to sleep. When he found singing didn’t help, he began speaking them, and then “You Are My Sunshine” just stuck, looping on repeat, all throughout the night.”But when I woke dear, I was mistaken, so I hung my head and I cried.” Kaito had left almost a month ago. They had been dating for over a year, and Shinichi really loved him, but Kaito left, so maybe he didn’t say it enough, maybe Kaito just didn’t love him back.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine.
“I’ll always love you, and make you happy,” Kaito had teasingly sung to him one time. They had been sitting on the couch when Kaito decided he was bored with Shinichi just reading his book and threw a pillow at him. That, of course, meant war. Shinichi immediately retaliated with a pillow; Kaito knew it was coming so he was able to dodge it. He didn’t expect the second pillow directly after. It hit him square in the face and he made a very comical “oof” noise. Unwilling to allow Shinichi anymore ammo, Kaito opted to keep hold of the pillow and just repeatedly hit Shinichi with it, with no real force, of course. Shinichi managed to grab hold of the pillow, and the force of it pulled Kaito back towards Shinichi, pinning Shinichi underneath Kaito. He was grinning and giggling, Shinichi could feel his heart melt, and he started softly singing to Shinichi, causing his heart to melt even more. “If only you will say the same.” Shinichi, too embarrassed to speak, just nodded.
“But if you leave me and love another, you’ll regret it all one day.” Shinichi told himself, sitting on the same couch, a novel in his hands, but he was unable to focus on the pages, his thoughts filled with the man who left him.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.
“Once once told me, dear, you really loved me,” Shinichi said, looking at himself in the mirror, trying to gather the courage to try to confront the courage to go confront Kaito. Sure they broke up almost half a year ago, but Shinichi still thought about him every day, and the knowledge that Kaito broke up with him over text now just infuriated Shinichi. He didn’t see him in person after that, not even at the KID heists. KID never allowed himself to be within twenty feet of Shinichi, and certainly never alone. He probably didn’t want to get chewed out for breaking up with him over text , yeah, Shinichi was mad. “And no one else could come between,” He nearly choked on the words, remembering the day Kaito came over, visible shaken, but excited all the same, and told Shinichi that Aoko had confessed to him. That’s how the two of them came together after all, they commiserated and consoled each other about their apparently unattainable loves. Kaito was the one who proposed the idea that they should date, at first just to better help one another get over their respective love interests, they had, after all, shared secrets about one another they hadn’t told anyone else. Shinichi thought those dates had evolved into something more, especially considering how intimate they had become with one another. Shinichi’s first kiss was with Kaito, and people say that you never forget your first kiss. A week after Aoko confessed, Shinichi got a text from Kaito saying that he wanted to be with her. He apologized to Shinichi, saying that he enjoyed their time together, but the entire message was so clearly calculated and cold, it left Shinichi numb. “But now you’ve left me and love another,” A lump was forming in Shinichi’s throat, burning. Over text , some gentleman he turned out to be, didn’t even have the decency to tell him in person that he wanted to break up. Aoko didn’t know half the things that Shinichi did, Aoko didn’t even know about Kaito’s alter ego, does he just plan to leave her in the dark for the rest of her life, does he plan to tell her long after he retires, after the statute of limitations runs out just in case she incriminates him? Shinichi can confidently say he loved Kaito more than life, more than he ever loved Ran, he saw a future with Kaito, one where he didn’t have to put his significant other at risk or lie to them. It looked bright. “You have shattered all my dreams,” he whispered to the mirror, his voice giving up on him.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.
“In all my dreams, dear, you seem to leave me. When I awake my poor heart aches.” Shinichi had awoken from another nightmare, his dream, of course, about Kaito. These were by far his worst nightmares. For once, he or the people he loved weren’t in danger, but Kaito would just expose all of Shinichi’s worst fears, leaving Shinichi abandoned and worthless, telling him that’s why he left Shinichi, he was too flawed to love. The worst of those nightmares were the ones that started out sweet. Kaito would be asleep in his arms, or across from him at the dinner table, and he would be kind, like the Kaito Shinichi remembered, gentle and caring. Joking and always doing something with his hands. Then the dream would change, and Kaito would look at him with cold, emotionless eyes, a look he only saw when Kaito would talk about the organization, a look reserved for people he despised. Even in his dreams, Shinichi could feel his stomach drop at that look. It has been almost a year and Shinichi still had these dreams. Everyone around Shinichi has noticed that something has changed, but because Kaito and Shinichi kept their relationship secret since they had no reasonable excuse as to how the two would have met, Shinichi couldn’t tell them about the heartache. Shinichi thinks Ran knows, though. Ran looks at him with pity, and encourages him to try to go out on dates, they had fallen into a comfortable friendship since his return and Ran had begun dating other people, something Shinichi was relieved he found he didn’t feel jealous about. Shinichi had contemplated dating again, but nothing ever felt right, not like being with Kaito did. So now, here he was again, one of the few nights he was able to fall asleep and he woke up from a nightmare. He knew he wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep so he stared up at his dark ceiling, letting out a long sigh. He needed to talk to Kaito, he at least needed to find some closure, but he desperately wished for more. All he knew was that he couldn’t live without Kaito in his life anymore. “So when you come back,” he whispered, hoping the when was the right word to use, not an if, a when, “and make me happy,” Shinichi desperately wanted to be happy and just seeing Kaito probably could make him, “I’ll forgive you dear,” he didn’t care that Kaito broke up with him over text anymore, he didn’t care that Kaito would never look him in the eye, he didn’t care that he avoided Shinichi like the plague, he just wanted him in his life again, “I’ll take all the blame.” And he would. It was Shinihchi’s fault he didn’t cherish Kaito enough, of course he would go back to Aoko, Shinichi was terrible with expressing his affection, he tried, but it never seemed to be enough, and it certainly didn’t match what Kaito showed Shinichi. He would try to see Kaito, try to make up for it. He needed too.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.
Shinichi was shaking, standing outside of Kaito’s house, trying to find the courage to ring the bell. It had taken him so long just to get himself to Ekoda, let alone Kaito’s street, so he knew he couldn’t turn back now. Shinichi took one last breath and pressed the bell. The faint ding-dong he heard just behind the door was like a hammer driving a stake into his heart. He felt sick, his stomach was a bottomless pit, a black hole placed into his core. He was so consumed by fear that he didn’t hear the footsteps approaching. The door unlocked, opened, and a voice spoke.
“Shinichi?” Shinichi didn’t realize he had been staring at the ground until his head jerked upward to face the voice. And there stood Kaito. He looked tired, but his eyes were still that fascinating shade of blue that held so much life, although Shinichi could see the question swimming in them, wondering why he was here.
“Hi,” his voice came out rough, a near whisper.
“What are you doing here?” Kaito stood back from the door, making way for Shinichi to come in, but it wasn’t an explicit invitation, and Shinichi didn’t take it.
“I just, uh… I really needed to see you.” He tried to meet Kaito’s eyes, but he didn’t have the courage. “I know it’s been almost a year, but you never let me talk to you at heists and it didn’t feel right to just text you about it, I didn’t know if you blocked me, I wouldn’t have blamed you if you did, so I just wanted to talk.” He had rambled, he hated it when he did that. He was still looking at his shoes, and Kaito wasn’t saying anything, why wasn’t he saying anything? Did Shinichi’s rambling make Kaito hate him? Did he shut the door in Shinichi’s face and he just hadn’t noticed? Shinichi wanted to look up, just to make sure Kaito was still there, but he didn’t want to see a look of disgust on his face.
“Shinichi…” Gentle hands caressed the sides of Shinichi’s face and guided his head up. Kaito smiled a sad smile when Shinichi finally gave in, he kept his hands on Shinichi’s face.
“Hows’s Aoko?” Shinichi asked, he couldn’t think of anything better to say. He regretted it when he saw Kaito flinch at the words.
“We broke up.”
“Oh…”
“Yeah…”
“…When?”
“About a month after we started dating, we just…it…it wasn’t right.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“You shouldn’t be!” Kaito half-shouted. He sighed, his face scrunched in frustration. “I… I fucked up, Shinichi. And I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about.” Well, Shinichi’s brain supplied, He did break up with you over text .
“I have a lot to be sorry for, for starters, I broke up with you over text.”
“Yeah, that was kinda a dick move.”
“I know! I knew it was when I wrote the damn thing out! But I just couldn’t say it to you in person. You should see all the drafts I have, it’s honestly embarrassing.”
“As long as you didn’t do that to the next girl, I think you’ll be fine.” A smile crept its way onto Shinichi’s lips, it was bittersweet, but talking to Kaito was so easy, this felt right. Shinichi could feel the weight of the past year lift off of him. It was such a relief he felt like he could cry.
“That’s the other thing I’m sorry about.”
“Huh?”
“Breaking up with you was a mistake, Shinichi. I was stupid to do it. When Aoko confessed to me, I felt like everything I had ever dreamed of was coming true! But even before we started dating, I kept finding myself wanting to text you about something, or wanting to see you, or wanting to tell Aoko, or anyone really, about something we did or just about you! I convinced myself it was just because we had spent so much time together, that the feelings I had for you were just because I wasn’t dating Aoko. I was wrong, Shinichi, I loved you and I was too stubborn to realize it. After dating Aoko for just a week I realised that every moment I spent with her, I would rather be spending it with you. All this time I’ve just been too chickenshit to talk to you. I didn’t know how to tell you sorry. Hell, I didn’t know if you would even let me see you.”
“…You still love me?”
“I don’t think I ever stopped loving you.” Shinichi felt tears well up in his eyes. He started fighting to get air past the lump in his throat. Shinichi lurched forward and buried his face in Kaito’s shoulder, wrapping his arms tight around him. Kaito’s arms quickly reciprocated. “Do you forgive me?” There was a warble in Kaito’s voice, Shinichi recognized the sound of holding back tears only if he had been doing it all year. Shinichi didn’t want his own voice to break, so he just nodded his head furiously from its place in Kaito’s shoulder. Kaito squeezed him harder, and Shinichi could feel warm droplets of water fall onto his shoulder. Shinichi pulled away so he could look at Kaito.
“This is the only other chance you get, okay, asshole?” Kaito laughed, and Shinichi couldn’t help but think how pretty he looked, tears falling down his face and all.
“That’s the only chance I need.” Kaito pulled his hands up to cup Shinichi’s face and he pulled the detective into a kiss. “You’re like sunshine, Shinichi, you make my whole world brighter. I never realised it until I lost you.”
“You know,” Shinichi smiled, wiping away the tears from Kaito’s eyes, “I can say the same thing about you.”
Summary:Prompt Fill: Whumptober 2019 No.1 - Shaky Hands Written October 2019 Read on AO3
Kaito was already in bed when Shinichi got back. It wasn’t too unusual, Shinichi’s cases sometimes caused him to stay out late, so Kaito wasn’t usually too worried. What did worry him was the way Shinich’s hand was trembling when he placed it on Kaito’s.
“Love?” Kaito murmured, causing Shinichi to jump a little, he probably thought he was asleep. “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” Shinichi said hurriedly, pulling his hand away. Kaito grumbled in response and pulled himself up, turning on a bedside lamp casting the room in a soft yellow glow. Shinichi looks pale, and he’s avoiding looking at Kaito. He’s holding one hand in the other, presumably to try to stop the tremors that are running through them.
“Hey,” Kaito said, his voice raspy from sleep, “Look at me.” He took Shinichi’s hands, and Shinichi let him, a shaky smile on his face when he met Kaito’s eyes.
“It was just…a long night.”
“Clearly,” Kaito snorted, trying to lighten the mood while he also rubbed circles into Shinichi’s hands. “Not much frazzles the great Detective of the East.” Shinichi gave him a small, genuine smile at that, but he didn’t speak and Kaito didn’t push him. They sat in silence for a while, Kaito slowly coaxing Shinichi more onto the bed and closer to Kaito until he could pull him into an embrace, still holding onto his hands.
“I shot a man today,” Shinichi finally said, his face was pressed against Kaito’s shoulder, so the words came out muffled. Kaito didn’t say anything, hoping Shinichi would take the silence as the invitation that it was. “We were taking him into custody for being a suspect for a double homicide when he pulled a weapon. He grabbed one of the other officers as a hostage, and I knew none of the others had a steady enough aim to reliably handle the situation, and the officer looked so scared I-” Shinichi gulped in air, trying to collect himself while Kaito combed his fingers through his lover’s hair. “He was still alive when the ambulance arrived, but he’s in critical condition. The officer was so grateful, but I… I could have killed someone today.”
“You saved someone’s life,” Kaito replied, feathering kisses on Shinichi’s cheeks and forehead.
“If I had been more careful, she wouldn’t have needed saving.” Kaito pulled back to properly look at Shinichi. His eyes were full of guilt.
“You can’t blame yourself, Shinichi. There were other people on the scene, they all knew who they were possibly arresting, somethings just happen.”
“But I-!”
“But nothing!” Kaito squished Shinichi’s cheeks, forcing the detective to stop talking. “You, Kudou Shinichi, saved a life today. Maybe you had to do something that you’re not proud of in the process, but you’re options were limited and there was a life in danger. I’m sure no one in Division One thinks you did anything wrong. I know that officer certainly doesn’t.” Shinichi took in a stuttering breath and pressed his head into Kaito again. Kaito scratched his back and hummed lightly as he let Shinichi cry into him. Far too often, Shinichi had to be his rock. Kaito loved to be able to be the same for him. He was so grateful that Shinichi trusted him enough to let him see this side of his detective. Shinichi’s hands were still shaking from where they were gripping onto Kaito’s shirt, so Kaito took them and presses kisses all over them, the palms, the knuckles, the backs, he laid kisses on from fingertip to wrist, going over each hand twice before he pulled Shinichi down to lay together. Kaito massaged his lover’s hands until Shinichi fell asleep and he continued to do so until he, too, was taken by the night.
Summary: It’s like the Parent Trap but it’s their best friends and not their parents. Written Aug 2019 Read on AO3
Ran was just picking up some coffee, because God knows Shinichi will need it, when she saw herself walk into the cafe. Well, it was kind of her. The girl was about her height, maybe a little shorter, her hair much more messy, and her eyes a little darker, but they could have been sisters, maybe even twins. They made eye contact and Ran knew she had to talk to this girl.
She patiently waited at a table near the door as the other girl ordered her drink, she could tell by the way she kept glancing over that she was interested in speaking to her doppleganger. Ran watched eagerly as the barista handed the to-go cup over the counter. The girl thanked the employee and turned to head for the door, she was still glancing at Ran, no matter how hard she tried to make it seem like she wasn’t. “Excuse me,” Ran called, making eye contact with the girl, “Can I talk to you for a moment?” The other girl looked slightly embarrassed, but she made her way over. “I’m sorry if this is strange,” Ran began as the other girl sat down, “but I just had the feeling that I had to get to know you.”
"Not at all!“ the other girl replied. Her voice was similar to Ran’s, but she spoke in a more energetic tone. "I was so shocked when I walked in and saw myself, I knew I had to talk to you.”
"I’m glad we’re on the same page,“ Ran giggled, "My name is Mouri Ran, but you can just call me Ran if you like.” The girl had a bright smile, she wore all her emotions on her sleeve.
"I’m Nakamori Aoko, but you can call me Aoko, Ran.“ In that moment, Ran was certain that she and Aoko were destined to become good friends.
They talked about everything. Ran talked about karate, which Aoko found awe-inspiring. Both talked about their fear of ghosts, as well as commiserating over their father’s profession. Starting on one topic lead to another, which sent them down a rabbit hole into niche topics that they couldn’t believe they agreed upon. Ran felt relieved she had decided to wait on buying Shinichi’s coffee until after she talked to Aoko, she knew the sleep-deprived goblin Shinichi became during long cases would drink it cold, but Ran liked to maintain some of her best friend’s humanity if she could. Speaking of best friends, Ran checked her phone and cursed under her breath.
"I’m so sorry, Aoko, but Shinichi expected me almost an hour ago now and I’m worried that if I don’t see him soon he’ll get too absorbed into work again.”
"Shinichi?“ Aoko asked, a confused look gracing her face before it turned into a teasing smirk, "Is he your boyfriend?”
"What?“ Ran laughed, not having heard someone refer to her best friend that way in quite some time, "No, nothing like that, he’s by best friend, has been since we were kids.”
"Like Kaito and I!“ Aoko eyes lit up, "Ran, we have way too much in common. Please don’t tell me your childhood best friend is also a world traveling magician.”
"No, he’s the opposite actually, he works as a consulting detective with the TMPD, ‘just like Holmes’,“ Ran said, in her best Shinichi interpretation, which made Aoko laugh.
"I’m glad we have one thing that isn’t in common,” Aoko said, “Kaito is a magician, like his dad, I’m proud of him, but he only ever comes back to Japan for a few days at a time, I miss him.” Aoko’s smile turned melancholic as she reached into her bag. “Before he set off on his first tour of Europe, I complained that I barely had any photos of him, 'Phone pictures aren’t enough, BaKaito! What happens if something happens to it!’” She pulled a torn, folded photograph out of her wallet, “Then he gave me this, I don’t know why he tore it, but this is the happiest I’ve seen him, ever, I think.” Aoko delicately unfolded the photograph, Ran’s first thought was of how similar to Shinichi Kaito looked. Her second was how familiar the photo seemed.
Kaito wore a tailored black suit, there was a red rose on his lapel shiny gold band on his finger. He was seated in some kind of office, which seemed unnatural for his state of dress. Most intriguing was how the photo was ripped; Kaito seemed to be leaning toward somebody toward the left, but there was only the ripped edge. “I have no idea where this was taken,” Aoko said, staring at the photo intently, “and I don’t know why he’s dressed like that, especially the ring, he usually keeps his hands free of jewelry in case they mess up a trick.” A light bulb went off in Ran’s head.
She began furiously digging around in her bag, desperate to find her own wallet. Why it took her so long to make the connection, she didn’t know. “Ran, is there something wrong?” Aoko’s concerned voice asked, but Ran was too focused on her task. She pulled out her wallet and quickly opened one of the small pockets, pulling out a folded up photograph of her own. She quickly unfolded it, revealing the image. Like Aoko’s, it was torn on one side, and depicted her best friend, sitting in a fancy suit in some kind of office, a gold band on his ring finger. Delicately, Ran placed them next to one another, the torn edges matching perfectly. They both sat in stunned silence for a moment.
"I think we have something else in common,“ Ran said, meeting Aoko’s equally as shocked gaze.
Kuroba Kaito and Kudou Shinichi fell in love, fast. In a whirlwind of emotions, only after half a year of dating they got married. It was a secret affair, too embarrassed to admit to their friends that they had been seeing someone at all, let alone married. They were planning on introducing their friends to one another, but that was for a later time, at least, it was supposed to be.
Kuroba Kaito and Kudou Shinichi fell out of love, fast. They barely knew one another, they kept secrets from one another, and in a whirlwind of emotion, Kuroba Kaito hopped on a plane and left the country. The divorce papers came soon after. No one had known the two had been married, and the two never spoke about it. If they suddenly made great strides in pursuing their careers, their friends chalked it up to their dedicated nature.
That was, of course, until Nakamori Aoko and Mouri Ran met.
"I can’t believe that Shinichi would get married and not tell me.” Ran growled, “I can’t believe that I didn’t notice!”
"It’s not just you, Ran,“ Aoko replied, a murderous look on her face, "I can’t believe it either.” Ran sighed looking at the photo again. They had matched up timelines of when they thought this could have happened. They decided that it had been several years ago, they looked younger in the picture, before they had thrown themselves into their careers. The point in time when they both dove head first into the thick of their jobs matched up too, Kaito left for Europe at the same time Shinichi took on a heavier case load. Ran felt stupid for not pressing him about it, she knew he looked troubled around that time, but she brushed it off as inconsequential.
"I’m such an idiot.“ Aoko interrupted Ran’s thoughts. "When Kaito told me he was leaving for Europe, I knew he was upset about something, he had been upset and angry for months, but I never asked. On the day he left, he just seemed sad.”
"They look so happy,“ Ran looked at her best friend’s frozen face, his smile wide and genuine, a light blush on his cheeks, Ran can’t remember the last time he smiled like that, "I wonder what happened.”
"I wonder if they miss each other.“ Aoko added, "Kaito always says he’s too busy for love, that he doesn’t want to have to choose between work and a significant other, but he always looks pained when he says it. He thinks I don’t notice, but I always do.”
"Shinichi’s dated, but it never seems to stick, despite his mother’s best efforts. This might be why. It’s a shame he’s too stubborn to admit it and try to make amends,“ Ran laughed.
"So we make them.”
"What?“ Ran looked up at Aoko, her new friend’s eyes alight with a plan.
"We make them,” Aoko repeated. “It they’re too stubborn to see one another, we make a reason for them to see one another.” Well, Ran was intrigued; she motioned for Aoko to continue. “Ran, we look nearly identical, if I try hard enough I could easily make my hair look like yours, and a bit of roughing up can make yours look like mine, our eyes are nearly the same color and we are about the same height and weight. In order to see if each other’s best friend is worthy of the other, and to force them to see one another again, we switch places.”
"You want me to be you?“ Ran said, her brain still working out how the whole thing would work.
"Exactly,” Aoko was all confidence, “I’m leaving to meet Kaito in Paris in about a week from now, you go in my place, get to know him, and, when the time is right, tell him who you are. I’ll stay here, take your place, spend time with Shinichi, and decide whether or not to get them back together.”
"Aoko,“ Ran looked at her sternly, "This plan is insane. I love it.”
"Well, I better get good at being you.“
"Ran! What took you so long!” Shinichi whined as his best friend let herself into his library. He had himself draped over the sofa so that he was staring at her upside down, a book resting open on his chest.
"I was making friends.“ Ran replied.
"With the barista? If you’re trying to convince them to make you free coffee, let me tell you that it doesn’t work. That’s why Miki and I broke up.”
"Because you only dated her to get free coffee?“
"You don’t have to put it that way.” Shinichi pouted at her. All of his relationships were this superficial, so Ran isn’t surprised at his motive especially she was the fifth barista he tried to date. It made more sense now that she knew he had been married. Her best friend looked nothing like the one in the picture, his faced was creased with worry lines and his eyes had permanent bags under them. She was surprised to find him reading instead of working on a case, it was all he seemed to do anymore, when he’s not busy hitting on baristas.
"Come on, sit up,“ She instructed, making her way over to the couch. "I remembered your coffee.”
"You’re the best.“ Shinichi sat up and greedily snatched the cup. "Ekoda really has the best coffee shops.”
"You can always go yourself you know,“ Ran reminded him. If she wasn’t looking for it, she would have missed the way his body tensed. Kaito lived in Ekoda, Ran had learned, which made Shinichi’s aversion to the area much clearer.
"It’s too far to go for coffee, I need to be here in case the TMPD needs me.” Ran hummed in acknowledgement. The library was a mess as always. The desk was littered with case files; a few stacks had coffee mugs as the foundation. Loose papers lay nearby sporting Shinichi’s handwriting; they were notes on different cases as well as a few doodles, which he sometimes does to help him think. She should probably tidy things up a little while she’s here. Maybe probe for information while she does.
"So,“ she began, conversationally, "Is there anyone new who hasn’t been a barista?” Ran moved the folders off the desk in order to clear away the dirty mugs.
"Hmm, not really.“ Shinichi looked bored, he always did when Ran tried to talk about relationships.
"Not really doesn’t sound like a no.”
"My mom is setting me up with someone again, that’s all.“
"Well, I can’t blame her. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a serious relationship, Shinichi. Don’t you ever want to get married?” Ran held her breath and studied her best friend carefully, there was a small look of pain on his face that he quickly replaced with boredom.
"Eventually,“ Shinichi said, his tone perfectly neutral, "I’m just waiting to make sure it’s to the right person.” Unlike last time, Ran thought. Whether his ex-husband was a good match or not was still to be determined, but they had clearly made a mistake marrying one another when they did.
"I get to be your maid of honor, right?“ Ran said teasingly, although she was still a bit peeved about being left out on his first wedding.
"Of course,” Shinichi held eye contact, a look of concern on his face; he must have picked up on her anger. “I couldn’t imagine a ceremony without you by my side.” His sincerity startled Ran a little, she had only meant it as a joke. Which begged the question, what had happened the first time?
"Aoko!“ Kaito whined from the other end of a phone, "What took you so long? You promised to call me hours ago!” Aoko imagined the exaggerated pout on her best friend’s face and laughed.
"I was getting coffee at that little cafe you like so much. I made a friend while I was there.“
"With a barista? If you’re trying to get free coffee, those baristas are won’t crack, trust me, I’ve tried.”
"Of course you have. I was also double checking my flight info for next week.“
"I can’t believe it’s next week! I haven’t seen you in forever!” Kaito’s excitement warmed Aoko’s heart, and made her feel a little bad for lying. She had actually changed the ticket into Ran’s name. They might look alike, but Aoko wouldn’t risk Ran getting stopped by customs. “Honestly, Aoko, you need to come visit me more often.”
"I’m not made of money, Kaito.“
"I’ve told you! I will buy your tickets, it’s the least I could do!”
"I’m not going to make you do that Kaito,“ and thankfully, she hasn’t she wouldn’t be able to get Ran the ticket otherwise. "I don’t care how well off you might be, I can buy the ticket so I will.”
"Fine,“ Kaito huffed, "All that really matters is that you’re coming.”
"Oh? Are you eager to show me your secret fiancée or something?“ Aoko could hear the small intake of breath on Kaito’s end, unnoticeable if she had been breathing.
"I’ve told you, I’m not ready to get married. I don’t want to put myself in a position where I have to choose work or marriage.” Like last time? Aoko thought. She didn’t know why the two of them got married, but it definitely changed Kaito. He used to be a hopeless romantic, despite the image his constant flirting gave off, now he was reserved and wouldn’t allow himself to develop feelings for anyone. If this Shinichi turned out to be a bad person, he would pay dearly for what he did to Kaito.
The next week went by in a flash. The two girls met up every day, for hours at a time. They took notes and quizzed one another about their lives, their likes and dislikes, what words they would use when faced with different situations, it was quite the intensive. They went out one day and bought new shoes, both with a heel, Aoko’s a little taller to match Ran’s height as closely as possible. They also went to a salon and cut their hair to a matching length to make up for any disparity between them. After that, they practiced styling their hair to look like the other’s. It was a startling sight. The night before Ran flew to France, she stayed at Aoko’s house, finalizing the other’s schedule and doing final checks. Aoko packed Ran’s suitcase so she would be wearing clothes Kaito could identify as Aoko’s, and Ran gave Aoko half of her own wardrobe, just in case. “Aoko’s” trip was supposed to last for a month, so they wanted to be prepared.
Then the day was upon them. Aoko saw Ran off at the airport, which was strange since they had swapped styles. Aoko had plans to meet Shinichi for lunch that afternoon, and Kaito was meeting Ran as soon as she landed, so they had to look the part. The non-stop flight was 12 hours, so she could only try to get some shut eye, hope the jet lag didn’t hit her too hard, and pray that the “Detective of the East” didn’t notice he wasn’t eating with a stranger.
Aoko really hoped Shinichi wouldn’t notice he was eating with a stranger. They really needed this scheme to last for at least a week, it wasn’t long, but they should be able to get a hold on who the ex-husband of their best friend was. Aoko arrived early, per Ran’s instruction, but it only allowed her anxiety to fester. Shinichi was some hot-shot detective, not unlike Hakuba, so the bar on disguises was nothing to scoff at. It was also weird to refer to someone she had never met by their first name, but they were childhood best friend’s now, so what the heck. Aoko could do this, she had seen plenty of spy movies, and Ran was thorough in the “Mouri Ran Crash course”.
"I’m sorry I’m late.“ A man sat down across from Aoko. She instantly recognized him as Shinichi, as she now had quite the substantial library of reference images courtesy of Ran. What Aoko was not prepared for, was the intensity of those piercing blue eyes in person. It was like they could see through her, to the rouse she was pulling. She resisted the temptation to come out and admit that she wasn’t who she said she was, she had to do this, for Ran, for Kaito.
"It’s fine, Shinichi, really. You say that every time.” Speaking in a voice that wasn’t quite her own had been a challenge, one that she know held her breath to see if she overcame.
"I know I do, but I am really sorry.“
Score.
"Like I said, Shinichi, it’s okay. You’re busy, I get it, I’m just glad you show up at all.” Aoko gave him a warm smile. Ran had trained her in this exact scenario, it seems this is the usual way they start a lunch date. The smile Shinichi gave her in return made her see how Kaito could have fallen for him.
"Well, at least let me treat you to lunch.“
"I certainly wouldn’t protest to that.”
After lunch, which was a delightful meal in a cute little cafe Aoko had never been to before, they went for a walk, window shopping and talking. Aoko remembered all of the stores Ran had said she would most definitely force Shinichi to go in to, the kinds of things Ran said she would stop to admire, the kinds of small talk she would make and how she would respond to the comments Shinichi made, she was incredibly proud of her performance. Until, “Hey, Ran? Can I ask you something?”
"Of course, Shinichi, what is it?“ Shinichi looked at her, his eyes seemed to not look at her, but at the parts of her, like she was a painting and Shinichi was an incredibly harsh critic. Aoko pushed down the panic.
"You seem… tense today. Is something wrong?” Well, at least he hadn’t called her out for not being Ran, she could handle this, she was tense after all. She forced herself to relax and smile at him.
"I’m just a little stressed right now, that’s all, but hanging out with you really helps.“ That wasn’t quite a lie, so far, Shinichi has been nothing but kind, making her laugh, treating her, indulging her fancies with only the half-hearted protest, he made her feel at ease.
"That would explain the haircut, and all the shopping you’re doing, those are new shoes, aren’t they?” Well, Aoko wouldn’t complain if that’s how Shinichi decided to write off the changes in “Ran’s” appearance.
"I just felt like a change, that’s all,“ Aoko pouted and played with a strand of hair.
"It’s cute,” Shinichi said with a smile, playfully ruffling her hair, which prompted Aoko to swat his hand away. The small laugh he gave in return really reminded her of Kaito. So did the way his face fell as he turned away from her. They walked in silence for a bit before he spoke again. “Ran, have you been on a date recently?” Aoko was a bit taken aback, but this was a golden opportunity to get the man’s opinions about love straight from him, and Ran had prepared her for these sorts of questions.
"No, not recently, why, have you?“
"Yeah, my mom made me meet up with some girl the other day. Her dad knows my mom, apparently he owns some fashion magazine and they swear up and down she is going to be the next big thing in the industry.”
"Who is 'they’?“
"All of them. Mom, her father, her, all of the blogs and articles on her I looked at after Mom gave me her name.”
"Well, how was the date?“ Aoko could hear the anticipation in her voice, she was just hoping Shinichi didn’t.
"It was a date,” Shinichi shrugged, a bored look on his face, “We had dinner, she talked about her dreams, mentioned how rich I was, gushed about how brave I must be for working in homocide and how she 'could never bear to see another human being who had died in such an awful way.’” The way he said the last part was with as much drama as you could expect from an actress’ son.
"But did you like her?“
"Well, I guess? I mean, she was a model, so of course she was pretty, and she was polite in conversation, although she did find some way to mention how rich my family was every couple of minutes. I’m going on another date with her next Wednesday, so we’ll see if the conversation improves any.” A second date? Ran said most don’t last a whole one! It was probably just because his mom was making him, but something about the situation didn’t sit right with Aoko.
"You better tell me all about it. I expect a full report on Thursday.“
"Yes ma'am.” Shinichi laughed, but the way it didn’t quite reach his eyes was far too much like Kaito.
Kaito was an absolute bundle of energy. As soon as Ran walked out into the baggage claim, she was swept up into somebody’s arms. “Aoko!” the voice cheered, and Ran was glad she was able to suppress her first instinct, which was to take whoever decided to touch her down. Craning her head to the side, she could see the man who had picked her up. He had a brilliant, 100 watt smile and his mischievous eyes were just a shade off of purple. He was clearly Kuroba Kaito, rising star in the magic world, and Ran instantly liked him. “I missed you so much.”
"I missed you too, but you better put me down before I make you.“ Kaito, unintimidated, gave her another squeeze before gently putting her down. Ran felt bad she had threatened him, but that’s how Aoko said she would greet him. She turned to face the magician, once again captivated by how earnestly happy he was to see her, was he this joyful around Shinichi? Did he greet her best friend with such a warm and caring expression?
"You cut your hair,” Kaito stated letting himself look at her properly for the first time as well, “It’s short, but I like it.” Ran pulled at some strands self-consciously, it had been a long time since she had cut her hair so short.
"Thanks,“ she replied, her cheeks flushing ever so slightly.
"Aw, Aoko, are you embarrassed? You didn’t get all dolled up for me, did you?”
"BaKaito,“ Ran responded in the fashion Aoko instructed, "Last time I herad, you weren’t interested in dating, I got dolled up for all the handsome French boys I’m going to meet.”
"Aoko! You wound me! Am I not a handsome French boy? I’ve lived here for more than half a decade now. Besides, I can go on dates with people, I just won’t get into any serious relationship.“ His expression changed ever so slightly as he said it, like the joy that was there so effortlessly before had to be forced to keep its place. Ran knew that expression, it was just like Shinichi’s when he spoke about romance. Ran hated that look.
"Well come on then 'handsome French boy’, take this girl out to get something to eat, I’m starving!”
"As you wish.“ Kaito smoothly brought Ran’s hand up to lay a kiss across her knuckles, a teasing look in his eyes, and, yeah, Ran could see how Shinichi could fall in love with him.
Ran spent two weeks with Kaito before she got the call. It had been a wonderful time, accompanying Kaito to his performances to different venues across France, hanging out afterwords, eating all kinds of new food, visiting museums, it was the vacation she needed. With each passing day Ran fel more in love with Kaito, platonically, of course. He was charming and sweet and just a bit mischeious. Most importantly, in Ran’s eyes he cared so deeply about those around him. Not only did he dedicate all of this time to "Aoko”, but after shows he would spend time talking with the audience, answering questions, taking photos, being genuinely interested in their lives. He was kind to the store clerks and waiters as well, always smiling with them and making small talk without seeming patronizing or overbearing. He carried joy with him, wherever he went, spreading it to others whenever possible, yet there was still sadness lingering in his eyes, just like Shinichi.
She saw it there, but only because she was so used to having watch Shinichi for those same signs, the subtle way smiles won’t reach the eyes, the melancholy that comes and goes in the blink of an eye, getting lost in thoughts and then brushing off her questioning. He didn’t want her to get involved in his sadness. Aoko said he was a hopeless romantic, but the look in his eyes when they would wander to a couple at a different table, the way they would laugh with one another, Ran could see the sad longing in his eyes. Ran suspected he hadn’t completely forgotten about Shinichi. Especially considering what happened the day before the call.
They had decided to spend the night at Ran’s hotel, indulging in the luxury of delivery chain pizza and cheap alcohol. They were just relaxing, watching whatever random movies crossed the screen, which Ran couldn’t understand so Kaito dramatically translated. It was just dumb fun. Then Kaito had a few too many beers. It didn’t matter, he was planning on spending the night in Ran’s extra bed, but Ran quickly learned that he was an emotional drunk.
"How come they get to be in love,“ Kaito complained, groaning at the couple that was currently making out on screen. He had stopped translating a beer and a half ago, so Ran didn’t really know what this movie was about, but the man had just clearly proposed, which then prompted Kaito’s rant. "It’s not fair! I tried so hard, but did I get a happily ever after? Nooooooooo sir.” Then he started crying. Ran was beginning to get concerned. “Aoko,” he sobbed, “Did I do something wrong? I did my best, but was I just not good enough?”
"Kaito, I think you’ve had enough to drink now.“ Ran used the gentlest voice she could, the one she saves for children, and an equally drunk and upset Shinichi. "I’m sure you did your best, but maybe it was the other person who didn’t try hard enough.” Ran didn’t doubt that, Shinichi could get sucked into his investigation and ignore everything around him, he could have fell head first into an investigation and blocked everything else out, including his husband, as much as she hated to believe he could.
"No!“ Kaito sat up and stared at her with large, innocent eyes, "It wasn’t their fault! Sure, they would forget sometimes, but they would always make it up to me. They tried their best, too. I know they did.” Kaito sniffled some more. Ran was shocked, she didn’t expect him to defend his ex, but the look in his eyes was clear. He believed in Shinichi, whole-heartedly, and he was still in love.
"Come on, Kaito. I think it’s time we go to bed, what do you say?“ She offered her hand to the boy and pulled him up from where he has slumped on the couch. She helped him to the bathroom to brush his teeth, then made sure he didn’t collapse before she got him onto the bed. He hit the pillow and was asleep before Ran made it back to the bathroom for her own nightly routine. She let out a sigh, she made her decision a while ago, but this set it in stone. Ran liked Kaito, and she thinks Shinichi is a fool for ever letting him go. She has to at least try to get them to reconcile, she didn’t know about fixing their marriage, but it was at least a place to start. Ran decided she could think about it in the morning.
Ran didn’t have the time to think about it in the morning. Ran woke up to the sound of her phone ringing. She had a slight hangover, and it had just turned 10 in the morning. She groaned and pulled her phone over. The caller ID read "Ran”. Ran instantly woke up, she hopped up and ran to the bathroom, closing the door gently behind herself as she answered the phone. “Hello?” she answered in a quiet voice.
"Ran, we have an emergency,“ Aoko said in a panicked voice on the other end of the phone.
"What’s wrong? Is Shinichi hurt? Was he kidnapped again?” Ran’s voice began to rise, panic twisting in her gut.
"He’s fine, but this is worse, in a way.“
"Aoko, hurry, tell me what’s wrong!”
"Ran, Shinichi is engaged.“
"What?” Ran asked, but her voice was devoid of emotion.
"It gets worse,“ Aoko continued, "The wedding day is in two weeks.”
Aoko stood in the bathroom, listening to the silence on the other end of the phone. She was glad it was deserted as the patrons of such a high class place might not enjoy hearing about Aoko’s current crisis. Really, she just thought Shinichi wanted to treat her to a nice meal to make up for missing breakfast the other morning. That was one of the great things about Shinichi, he always tried to make up for even the slightest inconvenience. It wasn’t his fault he missed breakfast either, the TMPD had all of their staff finishing up preparations for a huge drug bust they were pulling off that morning, Shinichi had been in the station for over 12 hours when he called Aoko to apologize for missing the date, just about the same time her dad texted her to complain about having to be brought in to help the team prepare.
She let out a sigh, Ran still in shock on the other end, and thought about the two weeks that lead up to this moment. She and Shinichi hang out constantly, and if they weren’t together, Shinichi was working, or so she thought. She forgot all about the second date that Shinichi went on with the model his mom had set him up with. That Thursday, Aoko went over to have breakfast at Shinichi’s before they went to go see a new detective movie that was released early that week.
"How did the date go?“ Aoko had asked that morning, watching Shinichi rub the sleep out of her eyes, hopefully distracting him from the way she fumbled around the unfamiliar kitchen trying to get a pot of coffee brewing.
"Mmm, fine,” was Shinichi’s sleep tinged reply. Aoko finally managed to get the coffee maker going and Shinichi moved toward the machine in a zombie like fashion, apparently drawn to just the mere noise of a coffee machine starting. Aoko laughed and waited until he had had a couple of sips before continuing her question. One thing she had quickly learned was just how bad of a morning person he was.
"No, really, Shinichi, tell me about her,“ Aoko pressed, nudging his arm in a playful manner.
"Have I told you she’s pretty?” Shinichi began, eyeing Aoko like he really wasn’t sure.
"Yeah, you said she was going to be the next big thing in the fashion industry.“
"No, I said everyone else said she was going to be the next big thing. But, yeah, she has the looks to get noticed, that’s for sure, and with the connections her father has, it wouldn’t surprise me if she makes it big.”
"So, do you like her?“ Shinichi hesitated, obviously mulling something over in his mind.
"Enough to go on some more dates, yeah. Although she doesn’t seem like the type who can handle dating an always busy-law-enforcement-type for too long.” Aoko laughed, she knew that life far too well, he dad was almost never home, especially after the return of Kaitou KID, although the thief now barely showed himself and was rarely holding heists in Japan. “She’s witty, and can keep a conversation going. She can be a little self-centered, but she’s a model, what else could you expect?” Aoko hummed in reply before changing the conversation.
At the time, she only thought that Shinichi was vaguely interested in her on a physical level. It was clear to her that this model was the materialistic type, and she thought Shinichi could see her real personality better that Aoko could, what with him being the Heisei Holmes and all.
She had shown up to the restaurant in a nice dress, excited at the prospect of eating some upper-class cuisine, just hanging out with Shinichi. Despite his chaotic schedule, he was fun to be around. He was a little nerdy and liked to talk about books more than Aoko could handle, but he gave her some good recommendations and his discerning eye and dry wit made people watching quite the treat. Despite all that, it was obvious just how emotional a person Kudou Shinichi was. He always felt guilty for making Aoko wait, even if it was for only a few minutes, and when he talked about some of his recent cases, which he apologized for before doing but said he just needed to get it off his chest, he talked about how terrible he felt for the culprit, the man had recently lost his wife in a car accident which caused him to hunt down the man who had hit her. Obviously, he believes a criminal should pay for their crimes, but he also tries to understand the reason behind it, Shinichi never forgets that first and foremost, people are human and flawed. So, yeah, Aoko approved of Shinichi, she was just worried about worried about how flippantly he treated romance, but Ran always talked about what a secret romantic Shinichi was, until just around they predicted their divorce to have happened.
When Aoko spotted Shinichi, she was absolutely astounded to find a woman already at the table, seated next to him. “Ran!” Shinichi’s face light up when he saw her, and it made her regret not going to see Kaito, just a little, so she could see the joy in his own eyes.
“Hey, Shinichi,” she greeted, taking a seat across from him, “who is this?”
“This is Midori Kyoya. She’s the model I told you about.”
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Shinichi has told me so much about you.”
“Likewise,” Aoko replied, a formal smile on her face as she took in this new development. She was pretty, that’s for sure. She had long, wavy, black hair and fair skin. She wore a dress that made Aoko almost embarrassed and she was fairly certain all of the diamonds she was wearing could buy her a house and a half. The thing that really caught her attention was the ring resting on her left ring finger.
“I invited you so that you could be the first to know, Ran,” Shinichi said, his smile still wide and shining, “Midori and I are engaged!” Aoko felt her heart stop. This was not good. Thankfully, she believed even Ran would be just as shocked in this situation, so Shinichi didn’t think twice about the way she froze, “And I know this is kind of rushed, but we get married in two weeks.”
“I know it’s kind of sudden, but like you’ve said, I need to start taking romance seriously, and then Midori came into my life and it just seemed like fate, you know?” Shinichi scratched his head in embarrassment while his fiancee cooed over him.
Shinichi, this is not the time to be a romantic. Aoko silently cursed him. “Well, that’s fantastic!” She said instead, she could be quite the actor when she wanted to be. “I’m really happy for you!”
“Shinichi’s shoulders dropped as he let out a sigh of relief. “I’m so glad you think so, honestly, I was afraid you would be mad at me for making my decision so quickly.”
Absolutely furious. “Don’t be silly! If this is what you believe is right, who am I to stop you!” Shinichi began to talk about his bride to be, while she herself jumped in to embellish some facts and add dramatic commentary. Aoko allowed herself to be spoken too, maintaining the proper decorum for such a situation, until they had ordered their meals, then she excused herself to the bathroom, which is where she know finds herself.
“I can’t believe him!” Ran finally answered from the other end of the phone. “This is completely insane! He’s only known her for, what, three weeks at the most? And he decides to get married!? Aoko, I’m coming back and slapping some sense into that boy.”
"You can’t! We have to keep up the ruse; I think it’s still our best shot at getting the two to meet back up.“ Ran was silent for a while.
"So you think so too? That they are good for one another?”
"I think?“ Aoko let out a sigh, "I don’t know how they were in their first relationship, but something tells me that they are meant to be with one another.” Ran laughed on the other end of the phone.
"I’m glad we agree, so, how are we going to get it through their thick skulls?“ A devious grin spread across Aoko’s face.
"I’m so glad you asked. You see, they’re checking out the hotel they want to have the wedding at this Saturday, and I think we should give them a surprise.”
Ran had a devious smile on her face as she got off the phone with Aoko. It was a wild plan, the only kind the girl seemed to formulate, but it could work, and it would definitely get the boys to see one another. But before she could really get this ball rolling, she had a confession to make.
"Aoko!“ Kaito yelled from the other side of the door, "What are you yelling about so early in the morning? I have a headache.” Ran rolled his eyes at his complaint and grabbed a couple painkillers and a glass of water, pushing them on him when she opened the door.
"Here, you goof.“
"You’re the greatest,” Kaito said, adoration on his face as he swallowed the pills. “But really, what were you yelling about? You sounded really upset.” Curiosity and worry mixed together on his face, and Ran decided that now was the time.
"Kaito, about five years ago, did you get married?“ Shock filled the magician’s eyes, and he gaped like a fish for a while before finding his voice.
"Aoko, what on earth are you talking about? You know I would tell you if I ever did, I wouldn’t have a wedding without you! Besides when would I have even met a girl-”
"But it wasn’t a girl,“ Ran stated flatly, walking over to her purse and pulling out her half of the photo, handing it over to Kaito.
"Shinichi,” Kaito breathed, looking at her best friend’s face. His face softened and a nostalgic smile graced his lips before he remembered where he was. “Aoko, where on Earth did you find this? I haven’t seen this photo in half a decade.”
"I’m just going to rip the band-aid off, Kuroba, I’m not Aoko.“ He looked at her confused, then he began to really look at her, and apparently, found the evidence he needed.
"Oh my God, you aren’t Aoko,” Kaito said, his voice more in awe than in anger, “You aren’t my best friend and I didn’t even notice. But if you aren’t her,” Kaito continued, suspicion now filling his tone, “Then who are you?”
"My name is Mouri Ran,“ she said, sticking out her hand, "and half a decade ago you married my best friend.”
Kaito said nothing, walked over to the bed, face planted into it, and screamed into a pillow. Ran thought he was coping with this new information fairly well. After about a minute of that, he sat back up and looked at her. “I can’t believe I finally got to officially meet you,” Kaito said, wonderstruck. “Shinichi and I always talked about when we should get the four of us together, we wanted it to be this big surprise,” he began rambling, his eyes drifting back to the memory, “We were going to introduce you and then ask for the two of you to be our Maids of Honor. We were going to have a big ceremony for our one year, a proper wedding, you know? We just wanted to wait until we could pay for it ourselves, without relying on our parents’ money.”
"But you divorced before that happened,“ Ran finished for him, taking a seat next to him on the bed, "And you cut all contact with one another, then, five years later, those same friends have a chance encounter where they come to quite a shocking conclusion.”
"Of course this was Aoko’s idea,“ Kaito laughed, "Her ideas were always even crazier than mine, but they always seem to work in her favor, but to switch places and have you fly over seas to meet a complete stranger? I’m surprised you agreed.”
"Well,“ Ran offered, "How could I say no to the man who has my best friend’s heart?”
"Had, you mean. I lost that before we ever got a divorce.“
"I don’t think so, I’ve seen the way he gets lost in thought sometimes, and he hasn’t taken any relationship seriously since then, he’s become so lost emotionally.”
"You think he’s still in love with me?“
"Somewhere deep down, yeah, I think he does.”
"I’m sorry, Ran,“ Kaito shook his head sadly, "Our marriage failed because we were never in love, we were just young and stupid, Shinichi made that perfectly clear. We will never be in a relationship again, so if you came out here trying to set us up, it’s not going to happen.”
"And that’s okay,“ Ran said, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder, "From what I heard from Aoko, and from my extensive knowledge of Shinichi, I just think the two of you should meet up and make up. Even if you weren’t meant to be married, leaving a relationship in such a terrible way is a heavy weight to bear for the rest of your life.”
"You want us to see one another?“
"Yeah, just meet up, switch us back, and try to resolve whatever left a bad taste in your mouth, I’m not asking you to get back together.”
"'Switch us back’? So Aoko has been hanging out with Shinichi the whole time you’ve been here? I can’t say I’m too surprised. Does he know?“
"Of course!” Ran lied, he couldn’t know about the engagement. “He really wants to make up, too.”
"Really?“ There was a hopeful look in his eyes, Ran nodded in confirmation.
"So, you aren’t mad about this?” Ran questioned, the guilt of it all weighing on her mind.
"Of course not.“ Kaito looked at her with such tenderness, such kindness, that she knew no matter what happened between him and Shinichi that she wasn’t going to let Kaito stop being her friend, if that’s what they were, hopefully. "Ran, I’ve wanted to meet you for years now, the way Shinichi smiled when he talked about you, I knew I would regret it for the rest of my life if I never got the chance to become your friend.” Ran felt joyful tears well up in her eyes and she pulled Kaito into a tight hug. “So,” he said, wiping a few tears from his eyes, “How are we getting you home.”
Aoko was going to lose. Her. Mind. Midori was the text-book two-face. After she returned to the table, having calmed down after calculating their next move, Shinichi excused himself to the bathroom, giving Midori a kiss before he left, gross.
"So, are you in love with him?“ Midori asked as soon as Shinichi was out of earshot.
"What? No! Of course not! He’s been my best friend since we were little!”
"Oh, come on,“ Midori looked at her like she was something that belonged in the trash, "You look like you need his money, and marriage is the perfect way to get to it. I’m sure you were banking on the fact he was never going to get married, so you would just suggest you two do so "as friends”. Well too bad sugar, I beat you to the punch.“
"So you only want him because he’s rich?” Aoko had to control her anger, she didn’t want to make a scene.
"Oh no, of course not! Not only is he rich, but he’s also incredibly handsome. Great arm candy for someone like me. Plus, he’s busy so often that he is barely around, meaning I can practically do what I want.“
"You’re disgusting,” Aoko spat, “There is no way in hell Shinichi is going to marry you.”
"Oh darling, but he is.“ Midori sat back, a smirk across her lips. "He feels so pressured by you and his family to get married, the boy is desperate, he won’t believe a word you say about me.” Her voice was sickeningly sweet with pseudo-affection. “My poor Shinichi just wants a pretty wife he can show off to his mama to make her happy. And that’s just what I am!”
"I think I’ll go,“ Aoko replied coolly, standing just as Shinichi returned to the table.
"Ran, what’s wrong, did something happen?” The concern in his eyes made Aoko want to shake some sense into him then and there, but she knew Midori was right, Shinichi was desperate, she could see it in the way he was constantly looking over at her over to make sure he still had her approval, and how he clung so tightly to Midori, as if she would decide to get up and leave any second.
"No, Shinichi, everything is fine, I just forgot I promised to go see Dad tonight, I’ll leave the two of you to a romantic dinner, have fun!“ Aoko walked away before Shinichi could stop her, storming all the way back home. It didn’t matter whether or not she could convince Shinichi that this marriage was a terrible idea, Shinichi was a grown man, he could decide that for himself, all she needed to do was make him see Kaito again.
God bless Shinichi and his air-tight dedication to his friends. He, of course, insisted on bringing "Ran” with them to look at the venue for their wedding, which must have upset Midori judging by the constant glares Aoko was receiving, thankfully, she knew how to keep a poker face. She could feel the anticipation of the day welling up, a mixture of nerves and excitement. Now knowing both boys, she was hoping this little reunion ended with at least reconciliation and friendship, not that she would complain if they became something more.
Shinichi wandered off, leaving the two girls alone, trying to find the person who was showing them around the hotel today. Aoko controlled her breathing, promising herself to maintain Ran’s cool composure, even when left alone with Shinichi’s vile fiancée. “This is the worst.” Midori was the first one to break the silence. “Not only does Shinichi decide on some cheap hotel to hold our wedding in, but he just has to bring along a charity case.”
"I’m sorry?“ Aoko replied, the reins on her temper slipping ever so slightly.
"Oh come on, you know it’s true. Why else would Shinichi keep you around? Helping the poor is an easy way to feel better about yourself. He probably just chose this hotel so you wouldn’t feel so bad about yourself.” She didn’t make eye contact with Aoko, just stood there, looking bored, doing something on her phone while she waited for Shinichi to get back. “I’ll just make him cut ties after we’re married, happy wife, happy life.” She muttered the last part to herself, but still loud enough that Aoko could hear. Aoko was about to retort when her phone buzzed.
Plane landed, be there soon. Thank the heavens, the cavalry was here. Why should Aoko be the one to tear this girl to ruins when she can let Ran do it herself, it would be such a delight. Armed with this comfort, Aoko was able to maintain her composure. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, Midori.”
"I’m back!“ Shinichi called, half-jogging his way back over to the girls before either of them could say anything more. "Is everything okay, Midori?” The girl had a pitiful look on her face, classic crocodile tears.
"It’s nothing,“ she sniffled, wiping away a non-existent tear, "Ran just said something about me just being another fling.” Shinichi looked at Aoko with confusion and hurt in his eyes.
"Ran wouldn’t say something like that,“ Shinichi said, a twinge of doubt in his voice, "You probably just misunderstood something she said, right, Ran?”
"Of course!“ Aoko replied, a bit too defensively, "I said absolutely nothing of the kind to her!”
"And now she’s saying I’m a liar.“ Midori sniffled some more, achieving in actually producing a few tears. "You don’t think I’m a liar, do you Shinichi?”
"Of course I don’t,“ Shinichi replied, a soft look on his face that Aoko absolutely hated. "I’m sure this was all one big misunderstanding. Now, let’s go see that ballroom, okay?” Midori gave a pitiful nod and Shinichi took her hand. Aoko screamed inwardly.
Ran was so nervous she was going to be sick. Her stomach was twisting in all sorts of knots, but when she looked at Kaito, she knew he had it worse. He was pale, and jittery, his foot tapping wildly in the back of the taxi they were taking to the hotel. He must have looked through his bag five times before he finally allowed Ran to pull him away from baggage claim. Now, he was just talking to himself, mumbling all kinds of undecipherable phrases that Ran thought better then to attempt to understand. Frankly speaking, he was a mess. When they finally pulled up to the hotel, Ran had to physically pull Kaito from the backseat. “I’m not ready!” Kaito shouted, desperately clinging to the taxi door. “I’m not presentable!”
"That’s why we have a room!“ Ran shouted back, pulling just shy of full strength, not wanting to pull his arm out of its socket. "But you won’t have time to get presentable if you don’t get a move on!” That seemed to make sense to Kaito’s scrambled brain, as he suddenly dashed forward to reception, all of their bags in tow. Apologizing to the driver and paying the fare, Ran made her way in. Just in time to see the door closing on an elevator with Kaito in it. Fantastic. “Room 412!” He shouted, thinking to give her the room number, but not hold the elevator. What a mess. With a sigh, she walked over to the elevator, requesting the next car, when the other one opened. A woman walked right into her.
"Oh,“ the woman said, looking disgusted, "I thought you were still looking at that hideous reception room with Shinichi.”
"What?“ Ran eloquently replied, the woman was wearing an expensive looking dress hugging her fit figure, clearly trying to show it off. Her face was scrunched into a disgusting scowl, but it was evident she was pretty.
"Of course you wouldn’t think so,” the woman’s face turned to boredom, “Well, if Shinichi is so set on it, I don’t care. I just want to get this over with.” That informal way of addressing Shinichi, her good looks, the deplorable aura she was giving off.
"Midori?“
"What?” The woman snapped. Well, Ran knew her best friend’s fiancée now. Ran was thankful Aoko decided they should wear matching outfits today, she hadn’t planned on meeting Midori so soon.
"Nothing,“ Ran said.
"Well, go do something useful and go find Shinichi for me.” She pulled out her phone and checked her head for stray hairs, completely ignoring Ran’s existence. Bless Aoko and her willpower.
"Sure thing,“ Ran said, making her way on to the elevator as quickly as possible. Midori stood there for half a beat more, missing the person who came out of the elevator, a messy-haired magician who was looking around guiltily for the person he had abandoned in the lobby, but didn’t miss her finace walking toward her, he himself unaware of the other man in the lobby.
"Babe! There you are! What took you so long?” She cooed, draping herself over the man as they walked into the elevator together.
"Sorry, Ran was really invested in the kinds of lights that would look best in the room, she went to the bathroom, but she’ll come up in a minute.“
"Ah, too bad, guess we’ll just have to have some alone time.” Midori leaned in and Shinichi kissed her without a beat, when he pulled back, as the elevator doors closed, he could have sworn he saw… No, it couldn’t have been.
Kaito, in his own right, was equally confused. He saw Shinichi, far too early, he wasn’t presentable, but Shinichi was also making out in an elevator and looked very confused when he looked up and saw Kaito. He needed to talk to Ran, who was, thankfully walking out of the bathroom at that moment. “There you are,” he said, grabbing her hand and dragging her toward the elevator. “Sorry about ditching you, but I’m just really nervous,” he kept rambling as they got on, “and I really need to talk to you about something because I don’t think you gave me the whole truth there,” the elevator dinged and he pulled her out and toward her room, “because I just saw Shinichi and-” and there was Ran, sitting in front of the room, but Ran, when he looked behind him, was also being dragged behind him, a surprised look on her face. Kaito sighed, unlocked the door, and walked into the room. The girls walking in silently behind him.
"Um, hey?“ One greeted as if it was a question, he couldn’t really tell which one it was, which made him feel better about not realizing that he spent two weeks with a stranger, but he assumed it was Aoko, the real Aoko. He walked over to the bed and flopped face first into a pillow; this might be the weirdest day of his life. "It’s nice to see you, too.” A weight settled on the bed next to him, and a hand started running through his hair, yeah, definitely Aoko.
"You have the worst ideas.“ Kaito gave her an evil look, which made her giggle. He missed her.
"I thought it was a great idea, so did Ran.” He glared at the other girl now, she was an accomplice after all.
"Hey!“ She said, placing her hands on her hips and glaring at him in return, "Hanging out with me wasn’t all that bad, mister 'I didn’t realize you weren’t my best friend.’”
"We can’t all be a detective!“ Kaito retorted. "Speaking of, he doesn’t know I’m here, does he?” The girls had the gall to look sheepish. “Well, know it makes sense why he was making out with a girl in the elevator. I can’t believe you brought me here when he’s with his girlfriend!”
"Fiancée,“ Aoko said, voice soft.
"What?”
"Not his girlfriend, his fiancée.“
"You brought me here, unbeknownst to Shinichi, while he’s here with his fiancée? Why on Earth would you think that’s a good idea?”
"Because she is the absolute worst!“ Aoko yelled, flopping down next to Kaito. "She’s rude, and snobby, and completely wrong for Shinichi! He absolutely can’t marry her!” Ran nodded in solidarity.
"Shinichi is a grown man!“ Kaito sat up, hurt by this new revelation.” “He can decide who he wants to marry, and I certainly have no say in his decision.”
"What I said back in Paris hasn’t changed,“ Ran spoke up, "I’m not trying to set you up with him, I just want the two of you to make up.” Kaito sat quiet for a moment, letting all of this madness settle in.
"Fine,“ Kaito finally said, "I don’t like how you went about this, but I’m here now, and it won’t kill me to just say hi.”
"I’m glad you agree, oh, and Shinichi doesn’t know I’m not Ran.“
"Seriously?” Kaito looked sceptical, “You’ve spent two weeks with him and he never noticed a thing?”
"Nope, he just thinks Ran is having an identity crisis,“ Aoko joked, which prompted a "Hey!” from Ran.
"Ha! The Great Detective has lost his touch!“ Kaito burst into a fit of giggles. "Fooled by the great Nakamori Aoko! He’ll retire for sure once you tell him.”
"I can’t wait to see the look on his face,“ Aoko giggled too, and soon, the whole room was laughing at how absurd the whole situation was. They calmed down after a solid couple of minutes of laughter. "I think it’s time we go clue in the detective.”
Shinichi was getting worried about Ran, he hadn’t seen her since she left for the bathroom, and it had been a little over an hour since then. Midori had begged him to come with her to look at the pool, but he was too distracted to really give it any thought. He was probably over thinking the whole thing anyway; the stress must be getting to him, especially considering he saw… Yeah, the stress was definitely getting to him.
He sighed, looking around the pool; Midori sat down in a lounge chair and said something about ordering a drink. “I’m just going to take a quick walk,” he said, not really hearing her reply. He wandered around the edge of the pool when something caught his eye on the other side.
Shinichi wasn’t crazy. It really was him. Here, in Japan, at this hotel, the very same day he was here with the woman he was going to marry. What were the odds? Staring at him in wonder, Shinichi started making his way through the dense crowd toward him, giving out half-hearted 'excuse me’s and not watching where he was going, which, of course, meant he fell into the pool.
There was a splash, and it took Shinichi a second to realize what had happened. He stood up, thankfully it was the shallow end, and wiped the water off of his face. His suit was soaked, and it would be miserable to walk around in for the rest of the day, the light gray now shades darker. Looking up, there he stood. His eyes as mirthful as he remembered, although that was most likely due to what an idiot Shinichi looked like at the moment.
"Would you like some help, Great Detective?“ he asked, one corner of his mouth pulling up just a pinch more than the other. Shinichi stood there, still in the water, just staring at him, before he realized the other was offering a hand to pull him out. Shinichi took it and was soon face to face with him. "Hey,” he said, casually, like they hadn’t spent the past five years apart with absolutely no contact. Shinichi was just glad he didn’t seem angry.
"Hey, Shinichi answered back, a smile unconsciously making its way onto his face.“I think I need a towel.” That made him laugh, a soothing, magical sound, like wind chimes on a bright summers day.
"Yeah, I think you do.“ He led Shinichi over to a towel stand, throwing one over the detective’s head and scrubbing furiously. Shinichi sat on a chair and relaxed as the other worked his magic.
"It’s been a while,” he said meekly, glad the towel hid his face. “I haven’t seen you in, what, five years?”
"Just a little bit over, yeah.“ He stopped scrubbing and brought the towel down to rest on Shinichi’s neck. "It’s really good to see you, Shinichi.”
"It’s good to see you ,too, Kaito.“ The name felt strange on his tongue, heavy from the disuse. "Congratulations on the upcoming special.”
"You knew about that?“
"Of course, it’s another step closer to your dream. Just because we aren’t together anymore doesn’t mean I don’t support you.”
"I- um, thank you. That means a lot.“ A light blush dusted his cheeks and Shinichi felt his heart skip a beat. What was he doing? He was engaged now; he shouldn’t harbor these kinds of feelings. Kaito made it clear a long time ago that he didn’t feel the same way; they just weren’t supposed to be a couple.
"Oh my gosh!” Shinichi looked over to see Midori, she had a drink in one hand and pushed her sunglasses up with the other. “You’re Kuroba Kaito! That upcoming magician! I called your manager, like, yesterday to see if you could be the entertainment for my wedding, but he said you were away on personal business. It is such a coincidence that you’re here! And you’ve already met my groom-to-be! In fact, Shinichi, do you know one another?” Her voice was sugar sweet, excitement coloring her features. Shinichi winced; this was going to be awkward.
"Shinichi! Are you alright!“It was Ran, concern on her features. Great, now he ha
Summary:Prompt fill: DCMK Emogust 2019 - Sheep Written Aug 2019 Read on AO3
Kaito was so tired, but he couldn’t seem to fall asleep. It wasn’t a new problem, but it didn’t mean it didn’t suck any less. If he had to pinpoint exactly when this problem started, he would say it was probably after his dad died. He had hoped that it was all just some overly elaborate trick and that if he stayed up long enough, he would hear his dad come home.
Now, his insomnia was commonplace, and being an internationally wanted criminal with an evil organization out for his life certainly didn’t help the situation.
Kaito shifted in his bed, his eyes open simply because he didn’t care enough to close them. He wanted to be able to sleep, at least, he liked to think he did. He honestly couldn’t remember the last time he got more than an hour or two of rest, he was surprised his body hadn’t given out yet. He knew it was dangerous to do the things he does on less than adequate rest, but he found it harder and harder to care.
He still tried to sleep, no matter how pointless he thought it was. And he had tried everything. Any kind of sleep medication he could get his hands on, any kind of tea or other “relaxing” food, and all kinds of different relaxation techniques. Nothing worked. He also, of course, counted sheep.
“One,” Kaito said to his ceiling, “Two, three, four, five,” He counted up and down, by twos and threes, and in all manner of languages. He could count to one hundred in at least ten languages now. As he counted, he visualized these sheep. Sometimes they were realistic, other times they weren’t, sometimes they were fluffy, sometimes they were shaved down. He also often thought about the sheep. Mostly, he thought about how sad it was to be a sheep. Sheep just followed the flock, yet he envied their peaceful, ignorant bliss. He also thought about their wool, how bright white it was, like KID’s suit. He often remembers the first time he put on the suit, like a lamb to the slaughter.
Kaito didn’t like sheep. He was, ironically, tired of them, but counting sheep had become a habit, he had done it for far too long. How hateful it was to have an animal often associated with sacrifice to curse him like this, as if they were angered that they were killed and he wasn’t.
Becoming once again overwhelmed with these thoughts, Kaito threw his pillow at the ceiling. It didn’t do anything, but it made him feel a little better. He got up from his bed and paced around his room, trying not to look at the large poster of his father. It was something else that haunted him at night. Finding the walking unuseful, he threw himself back in bed. He picked up his phone and sighed when he saw the time. He opened it anyway and scrolled through his recent texts. He wouldn’t text Aoko, she was sure to be asleep and he didn’t want to drag her into this hell with him. His mom was in a different timezone, but she kept track of Japan’s and he didn’t want his mom to question why he was up so late, he didn’t want to worry her. He had Shinichi’s number, and he was sure to be awake, but Kaito didn’t know if he wanted to show such a weakness to the detective, of course, he could always hide it behind a poker face.
With a deep breath, he sent a text. I assume you’re still awake?
Within a minute, Shinichi responded. You aren’t allowed to judge me because you’re awake too. Kaito let out a low chuckle.
Can’t sleep, detective?
Something like that, I just finished looking over some case files and was getting ready for bed
That’s not healthy, you need more sleep!
Okay, hypocrite. Kaito winced he knew he was, but he really couldn’t help it, and he knew that Shinichi was probably just poking fun, Shinichi wouldn’t know about all his sleepless nights, would he? Kaito? Did you fall asleep with your phone open? It says you read my text
Nope, still awake!
Well, at least I have someone to talk too. I can’t get my mind off this one case and I’d like to keep working on it, but I think Division one would personally knock me out if they thought I didn’t get enough sleep
Don’t feel obligated just because I messaged you Shinichi. Get some rest, you need it
And you don’t?
It was just a coincidence I was up lol. Kaito was glad he didn’t have to look at Shinichi when he said that, he was sure the detective would be able to tell. I’ll go to bed soon
Well, at least that will be one of us, I really don’t think I’ll get any sleep, that case is really bugging me, I’m just not tired
Luckily for you, I know plenty of helpful sleepy time tricks!
…I don’t think I really want to know what these “sleepy time tricks” are
Well, there’s bedtime teas, if you have any, or melatonin supplements
Nope, don’t have either
You could read a book until you’re bored to sleep
Unlikely
True. Have you done stretching, or those weird breathing techniques?
Wow, you really do have a whole list, huh
You doubted me? Shinichi, I’m offended!
Well, tell me oh great master of “sleepy time tricks”, what’s your favorite? Kaito didn’t have a favorite, he hated them all. It’s not that he didn’t believe they didn’t work for other people, he just hated them because they didn’t work for him. Kaito thought about it for a minute, he didn’t want to just give Shinichi an answer, he genuinely wanted to help him if he could, he deserved a good night’s sleep. At least, that was what he thought when his brain reminded him of one in particular and he gave himself a breathy laugh at how absolutely pathetic he was.
Summary: Kaito has to keep himself entertained while Shinichi finishes up some work and he ends up being quite the distraction. Written Aug 2019 Read on AO3
Shinichi was busy looking over files at the desk, a pad of paper for notes beside him, but he was struggling to maintain concentration while Kaito tried to keep himself occupied while he waited for Shinichi to finish. He could see the magician out of the corner of his eye perform different, simple tricks. Usually, Shinichi could handle the distraction if it was all the magician was doing, but this time he was insistent on carrying on a conversation with himself. Shinichi didn’t say anything, so he was sure that Kaito didn’t know he was listening.
“Shinichi is such a great boyfriend, you got so lucky,” Kaito told himself, flipping a coin between his fingers, “Now all you have to do is keep him.” Shinichi suppressed a smile in case Kaito caught on. What could he say? Kaito was just too cute.
“That probably means getting married, but does he even want to get married? Shinichi doesn’t seem like the proposing type.” Well, now Shinichi was offended, he had been trying to scheme a proposal for months, but Kaito kept snooping through Shinichi’s things and he didn’t want Kaito to catch on. Currently, all of his plans were stored in a box under Ran’s bed. She was more than thrilled to say the least. “I guess it’s up to you, Kaito,” the magician sighed to himself, “You just have to be careful that he doesn’t catch on, which should be easy considering you’re sitting six feet away from him and he can’t hear a thing.” The last part was said a little louder, and Kaito looked toward him, and Shinichi would bite.
“Hmm? Did you say something, dear?” Shinichi asked with the most innocent look he could muster.
“No,” Kaito blushed a little at the pet name, “I was just talking to myself,”
“Oh, well, I’m almost finished, so keep yourself entertained.” Kaito hummed in response. Shinichi did focus back on his work, he had too, and he found that he really did zone out, and he only realized Kaito had started talking to himself again when he heard the word “ring”.
“…ring he would like. Probably nothing too elaborate, but would he even want an engagement ring?” Shinichi risked a glance toward his boyfriend, who was lost in his own thoughts, mindlessly shuffling a deck of cards. “I think I would like an engagement ring,” Kaito said, his voice almost a whisper and a soft look on his face. “It doesn’t even have to be fancy, it could be made of paper for all I care.” Shinichi’s heart swelled, so he flipped to a fresh piece of paper and ripped a strip off of the bottom. “Shinichi?” Kaito asked, his voice much louder now. Shinichi didn’t respond, too focused on the task at hand. Kaito didn’t pry further, probably assuming Shinichi just got a little frustrated.
After just a minute, Shinichi stood from his desk. “Shinichi?” Kaito asked again. Shinichi didn’t say anything, just held his boyfriend’s gaze and marched toward him. “Is something wrong?” Kaito’s look of confusion intensified when Shinichi dropped to his knee. It soon became bewilderment when Shinichi produced a paper ring.
“It’s not fancy, but you said you’d take one.” A series of emotions passed across Kaito’s face.
“Are you serious right now?” Kaito’s voice was full of suspicion, which Shinichi didn’t blame him for, most people had more meaningful proposals than this, but Shinichi felt that it had to be now.
“Kaito, will you marry me?”
“Oh my god, were you listening to me? Are you doing this to just prove me wrong?”
“Well, yeah, I mean, how could I when you questioned my ability, especially when I have been trying to figure out how to propose for months now.”
“So you just decided that you’d do it now?”
“I mean, why not?”
“Fair enough.” Kaito’s smile made Shinichi’s heart flutter.
“So, will you marry me?”
“Of course, you absolute idiot,” Kaito replied as he leaned down to kiss him.
Of course, Ran wasn’t pleased Shinichi had gone ahead and proposed without Ran’s knowledge, so she made them have a “real” proposal the next month. It was wonderful and magical, but Kaito still preferred to wear the paper ring instead of the silver “real” one.
